Creation Seminar

We went to a creation seminar again tonight and enjoyed it. Tracy would like to go again tomorrow night. We were thinking tonight was about dinosaurs as that's the way it was listed in the e-mail we first received. Oh well. Here's a link to a friend who's from the church sponsoring it.

Acts 2:43-47

43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
44 And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had.
45 They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need.
46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity
47 --all the while praising God and enjoying the good-will of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

Piles #5

Here's the last one for tonight. A clean bed made with fresh sheets. Good night! :)

Piles #4

I'm not sure whether I'm making any progress or not. Anyway, the "school" bookshelf is hidden by dog, cat, and bird food. There are also some potatoes we need to use and some flour waiting for room in the freezer for storage.

Piles #3

Here's the pile of dishes before and after with just ten minutes of work (and no, they're not hiding in a dishwasher!) :)

Piles #2

Here's the before and after of the computer desk. It seems like this needs cleaning every couple days to keep on top of it. I forgot to get the file cabinet, but it didn't change much.

Piles

Piles, piles everywhere. I'm working on going through some of them. I had to go on a hanger hunt, and I found most of them in Mike's closet. :) I did manage to get the laundry pile hung and put into proper closets leaving me a clear area of bins and an empty laundry basket. Progress!!! I think I'll tackle the desk area next and post pictures later.

Banquet

Tonight a friend and I joined some other friends of mine and we went to a banquet in honor of our pregnancy center. It was enjoyable and fun for me. I left Mike home with the kids. :)

The Cat Came Back

I'm not sure where he was holed up all winter, but the cat came home this morning. He's a little thinner but doesn't seem any worse for the wear. He sure can stand up to the dog; the dog's already had a bloody nose because he won't leave him alone.

Laura is 13 months old today. She has a runny nose and isn't so clean, but that seems to be her norm lately. I'm not the type of mom that keeps my kids clean 100% of the time. :)

My New Refrigerator

I ran out of room in my refrigerator for the week when getting my seven gallons of milk so instead of buying a new one, I just used my resources and God's outdoors. We still have lots of snow and cold temperatures where I live, and this cooler is one of those "five-day" things. It's a win-win-win situation! I keep my food cool and use something that would normally be in storage this time of year and don't have to pay $ for electricity to cool my food.

Egg Hunt

The kids are hiding eggs in my bedroom; they're the eggs they colored/painted on Saturday. I sure hope they find them all instead of forgetting about one to rot. Mike hates the smell of eggs. :) We'll be having egg salad sandwiches for supper as soon as they're done playing with them. I had previously made some deviled eggs which we devoured yesterday for a snack. Here are a few pictures. I love the one hiding in Mike's slipper; that lion got a mouthful! I can imagine Mike's surprise if the kids missed that one and he stepped on it. :) I guess that would be better than a mouse in your footwear, not only once but twice!!!!!

A Fresh Snowfall

Resurrection Food

This was our supper Sunday evening. Laura crawled into her snowsuit earlier in the day because she wanted to go outside. She was waving with both hands because she was excited to be able to go.

Today was a relaxing day. Tracy had a violin lesson and will be going back Wednesday to work with another student on a duet. I was sneaking in a nap a bit ago when a phone call awakened me.

Other than that, we're just working on getting testing done. It's a long process and is especially hard trying to keep the little ones busy.

Isaiah 53:1-12

1. Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2. For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.
3. He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
5. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
7. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.
8. He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
9. And they made His grave with the wicked--but with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.
10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.
11. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities.
12. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Resurrection Breakfast

When we got to the church building today, a wonderful aroma greeted us (along with those creating it,) and a beautiful chalkboard was waiting. Our friends made a yummy breakfast for us which included breakfast pizza, cinnamon rolls, and juice which was freshly made. There were also balloons and lilies for decorations. Check out Tracy's blog for some neat pictures.

A Common Sight

Emily and Melissa painted these pictures for Easter so I'll probably use them to send out letters this week. They also made some puppets.



This is a common sight when I'm in the bathroom. It used to be just kids, but now I have a dog vying for the location! :)





Have a great day celebrating our Lord's resurrection!

Money is gone!

Mike brought me a paycheck, and I spent more than he brought home just by writing two checks. It's that wonderful time of year when taxes are due. I wish we'd be able to sell our property for as much as they say it's worth! I'd move to town in half a flash.

We didn't accomplish too much around here today, and next week we get that wonderfully fun job of doing standardized testing. YUCK!!!

We did it!

Last month I cut this twig off a bush outside to see if we could get it to blossom, and here's the result.

Psalm 139:14-18

14. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
17. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
18. If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.

"Black Snow"

Mike and I got home from jumping a friend's car to be greeted with a voice, "Look at the black snow by the swingset!" Here are a few pictures.

Scatterbrained

Here was a scene from my house earlier:
I walk into my bedroom and remember I was going to change my sheets today.
I turn around and head back to the laundry room where the sheets are stored.
On my way I see a few things out of place so I pick them up and put them away.
I head back to the laundry room and see the laundry basket on the floor.
That basket reminds me there's a load in the dryer waiting to come out.
Since the dryer is now empty I can change the washer's load and start a new load.
I bring the laundry to the kitchen to be sorted and put away.
I head back to my room to put my stuff on my bed.
Seeing my bed reminds me that I went back there to get sheets for my bed.
I laugh and Tracy hears me so I have to explain what was so funny.
I head back to the laundry room.
This time I remember to grab my sheets and head back to my room.
I get sidetracked again by helping Tracy with her math.
As I stand up, the sheets are at my feet so I FINALLY remember to make my bed!

I hope it makes you smile. I did get a good laugh at myself anyway. :)

A Lazy Day

We worked some on getting caught up on school work since we didn't get much done Friday before we left. In looking at the calendar, the public schoolers up here have a five-day weekend for Easter. We aren't taking that time. :( Some of them do have Wednesday off since I'll be in Fargo for Melissa's dentist appointment though. I guess that'll take care of one of the days, and for the other two: "What they don't know won't hurt them!" Ha ha ha Have a good evening. Actually most of you should be in bed where I'm headed now that Laura went down. Good night.

Home Again

We made it home safely from our trip. It was a quiet car full on the way home!

Cookies

A twist on Abbi's Norwegian Macaroon cookies: Instead of using almond bark, I used some Heath toffee bits I had bought for Christmas cookies and never got a chance to make. Before baking, I dipped them into the bits. The cookies have a bit more coconut than I like, but I think Mike's going to like them.

We're just about ready to go (so much that I have five minutes to sit here.) I'll have to have the kids throw the last-minute stuff into the car.

Packing

We'll be getting ready to go to Grandma's house today. I wonder if we'll get any school work done. I should have put the topper on the van yesterday (in the mud) while it was warm because it's only 17 degrees today.

My son wants to go to a class on basket weaving today so I'll really have to get a move on things. Have a great weekend, everyone!

A Lazy Day

I've been working on laundry and got that finished. Well, as finished as laundry can be. :)

The kids are outside in the snow and Laura's enjoying the fresh air out on the porch. At least her feet aren't getting filthy like they did at Grandma's because she's barefoot. Hey, in northern Minnesota, we run around in shorts when it hits 30 degrees.

Jason had to go through his summer boxes to see what outfits would still fit (because he saw me doing Melissa's clothes the other day.)

I suppose I should get on with life and vacuum my bedroom floor. I had the boys put everything on my bed, and true to form--what I was expecting--they did that. The chair, sewing boxes, and the vacuum cleaner also! BUT YOU SAID "EVERYTHING!" "I know, I know..."

AWANA

It was strange taking just two girls tonight. Emily got three sections done in her new "Be _____" book. They run on themes such as be thankful, be kind, be helpful, etc. and add Bible verses. She's also hoping to be able to memorize Psalm 23 soon.

We did some cleaning today as the kids trashed the place out. I just had a lazy day and watched a few movies. The kids had some fun outside in the sticky snow, but we didn't get our snowmen built. Oh well; tomorrow we may have another chance.

We will be working on some school work tonight as we didn't do much today, and then tomorrow we'll have to pack for our trip to the Winter Retreat in Bemidji. I think if they keep pushing the date out, they'll have to change the name to "Spring Retreat." We'll get to meet up with Tracy again. Hooray!

Lots of Driving

Today I brought Tracy and the dog down to "Grandma's" house for a visit. We hit McDonald's for breakfast so Tracy could have her hash brown and I could have my shamrock shake. Sometimes we are so spoiled. Of course, that will bring my grocery spending category up, but once in a while a treat is good. :)

I went through Melissa's clothes tonight, and I'm guessing she has about 30 dresses! She'll be set for the next couple years except for a couple special outfits on her birthday and Christmas and some underwear and socks. Tomorrow morning we'll try and see where Jason stands.

Have a good night's sleep!

Sewing Projects

Tracy and I have been sewing. Tracy made herself a skirt, a pair of shorts, and is working on another pair of shorts, and we've both been making matching dresses for the three little girls. Here are two of the finished products. They're not without flaws and are probably "out-of-date," but I thought they turned out cute. :) I did have to buy two zippers; other than that, everything I used for them had been given to me.

Northern Lights

Did anyone catch the northern lights last night/early this morning? Here is a link where there are a few fun pictures. I've never seen anything this spectacular, but they're fun to see in their own way!

Bemidji Winter Retreat

I just wanted to make sure you heard the news. The retreat has moved to the Bemidji High School cafeteria great room. The time and date are the same.
The Holiday Inn Express double booked and only just noticed it so we had to move.

Romans 5:1-8

1. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2. through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4. and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
8. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Lipstick

For a cute joke about lipstick, please visit my friend's blog. Thanks, Emily!

Cheese Thief

In October I was making cookies and Laura stole my butter. I printed the pictures and put them into the photo album titling the page "Butter Thief." Three times now, over the past month, she has gone into the cupboard and found my American cheese I like putting in hotdishes. She takes it out of the box and chews through the foil! Here's a picture we caught of her this morning. Enjoy (and happy eating!) Wow, look how much her bangs have *finally* grown!

The Digging-est Dog

I had so much fun with my The Cat in the Hat Comes Back post that I decided to do it with The Digging-est Dog book. When outside with Aussie, if I kick at the snow, he comes to that spot and digs and digs. I am debating on whether I should go into the snow on the other side to see if he'll continue to dig a tunnel for me. :) I hope I'm not breaking copyright rules; if so, someone please let me know. I don't intend it for that purpose but to link things that happen with something that sparks a memory for me.

A Lazy Day

Not much happened today. I think we did manage to finish school work with all four kids. Emily watched an enormous amount of movies. We made some oatmeal/raisin and oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies for dessert though I think more dough was eaten than cookies. :) Have a good evening!

Recycled Candles

Today for science (schooling Sunday--What kind of mom am I?) we recycled some candles. For Christmas I had received a big apple-scented candle in the big jar and an orange-scented candle in the medium jar. For some reason the wax wasn't used all the way so we made two new candles as you can see. A votive-cup was perfect for the leftover orange, and then I just used the orange's cup for the red. I'll just recycle the biggest jar as I have no use for it. *GASP!* I did actually go out and buy candle wick so the project wasn't free, as such, but now I have wick if we ever do this again.

Psalm 23:1-6

1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Aussie-dog

I gave him a bath tonight after the little girls were done. He's running and running and running...

March is here! March winds bring April showers which bring the May flowers. (A couple months behind up here.)