Why we left our church

Over a year ago we thought that we should move closer to our church so that we could be more active, involved with the worship team and youth programs. We started by looking at one house and then another and so on. Finally we had found some land where we could build the house we really wanted and had dreamed of living in.
Through out the whole search I prayed and ask our church to pray for God to show us where we should be and where he wanted us to serve. I prayed this thinking we should be closer and more active in our church. 
A few months into our search friends of ours, from a neighboring church, asked if we were in a small group. We were not at see the time, due to our schedule and location had made it difficult. They invited us to join thiers as they were starting up a new session.
We decided to go ahead and give it a try since we did not have any other options that were as close to our home. We still continued looking at houses while attending our church, but also visited the church of our small group. Then over the next few months opportunities came up to lead, serve and even invite friends without a church to come visit at our small group's church. After a few weeks of being involved we talked about if we were leaving our church or if we should just go to both. We were both feeling guilty about leaving our church, where my parents attend and where our oldest was just baptized.
Then things really started getting to us, upsetting us and even ruining old relationship we had with our church. We were upset and done. All this time I forgot my prayer... God shows us where we should be, where you want to use us to be your hands and feet. I forgot God always has better plans than mine. Satan was feeding us lies that we can't leave a church. He wanted us to feel guilty about how the church would be with out us. The people of the church don't need us, our friends without a church and those far from church NEED us. They need us to be the hands and feet more than we need to be members of any church.
God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
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Kids

He's our picky eater and we were always trying to encourage him to try new things.  We put vegetables on his plate, he doesn't always eat them, but always ask him to try.  Tonight after many attempts of trying sweet potatoes he had a large spoonful on his plate.  He was allowed to add some sugar to them if he wanted and he sprinkled a bit and took a good bite. Then exclaimed that these sweet potatoes taste just like a cinnamon bun.  So now he will eat sweat potato cinnamon bun!!!

He's growing up quickly and it's hard to understand how quick the last 5 years have flown by.

First week of Ski Season

The boys and I were able to get out 3 days for a few hours.

Every day it was beautiful and sunny

You can't really see that the hill drops nearly straight down over the ledge....

Grandpa enjoying his time with his oldest grandson.

Another Year

Hoping to start the new year off on a good/better foot than the past years.... No big cake to eat for breakfast all week long.  More of a healthy balance diet for everyone in our home.  About 6 months ago we decided to give the Whole 30 diet a chance.  The results were fabulous.  We both felt drastically better, we had less joint pain, clearer younger looking skin, better sleep lead to more energy and without any additional effort we both lost nearly 20 pounds.

Last Hurrah before Whole 30

  And just a few after Whole 30

Back to School

Just a few months late...

From the first day of Co-op

Be Better

I want to Be Better....

• Wife
• Mom
• Daughter
• Teacher
• Organized
• Documenting
• Homeschooling
• Housework
• Healthier
• Whole Foods 
• Physically fit

Just to name a few.... My prayer is that God can help me Be Better.

Wdw pics

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Wdw pics

Aaron sword and the stone

Issac and the stone

Snowing at Beast castle

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Walt Disney World

We started off the day early and dry to make it in time for Jedi Training sign ups.  We saw the little Mermaid, rode buzz light year, saw Disney Jr Live, traveled America, ate some yummy food. Then we got Issac got ready for Jedi Training (Aaron was too nervous) but the stage was too wet so we went inside for a picture with Darth Vader (Daddy was to allowed). Then we headed over to the Indiana Jones set, for some action and shooting. Saw Beauty and the Beast on stage, a 3D Muppet show and ended our day of Hollywood Studios at the Frozen sign along!!! We all had fun with lots to do and very little waiting. We were would have stayed longer, but we were all tired after little sleep the night before.

Got what I wanted.....

Through our short time homeschooling I have finally realized I am getting just what I wanted for myself.  I used to say I would love to go to school full time if it weren't for the cost and testing I would!!!  I have enjoyed the art of learning most of my life.  I enjoyed it so much I went to college for a few more than 4 years.  Although I enjoyed learning and understood most of the subjects in college, I didn't do well being tested and my grades showed I rarely got great results.  As a High School student I took AP classes and never had to try much to achieve decent grades. 

We did not come to the decision to home school our children quickly or without hesitation.  I think I knew before our oldest son started kindergarten that it was something I should do.  But selfishly I was looking forward to the time both our kids would be in school and I could have MY time.  The first year he was in school we struggled with a few things, the top contenders were getting up and moving in the morning, the bad attitude he was developing and he seemed to be bored while at school.  The next year we faced the same issues on-top of being told he needs 'more' and he wont get it 'in school' for another year or two.  That was the being of our search to find where to get the 'more' he needed.  After weeks of searching and discussing the options I watched this video of Logan at a TED conference about his 'Hackschooling' and realized I had to home school our children if I ever wanted them to ever reach his full potential.  

Since I've had talked to many mothers lately about homeschooling and wondering if it's something they should do with their children.  I truly believe that anyone can do it, I know I didn't and NEVER thought I WOULD!!  Just in the short few months we have seen so many positives and honestly can't think of a negative.  Our oldest would say he does miss playing at recess with his friends, but understands that he gets to do so much more now.  So now as a family we see learning in every area of our lives.  The learning never stops and Google has answered many of our random questions.  So God has blessed me with another way to continue learning for quit a few more years!!!

The letter P

We pronounced that we would party with P tonight. We started with pepperoni and pork sausage pizza, POWERade, Dr Pepper, sweet peppers, peanuts, pretzels, popcorn and pumpkin pie in our pajamas. We continued our party with pumpkin carvings and polished the night off watching Mr Poppers Penguins!!

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Life

Took a day to just enjoy life all around...

We went for a hike and saw the life in nature and enjoyed the company of each other. Coming to the realization that life is too short to wait. With having a funeral to attend every 2-3 months for over the last year, we are making the best of the life God has given us. We are looking to where God wants us to move.

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First year of Homeschooling

Well it's hard to believe that we have already finished our first quarter.  It has flown by, which is a good thing!! We have each had good days and bad days.  I have to say for the most part there have only been a few bad ones!! Issac is flying through math and will begin working on multiplication next week.  He has been doing great with all the addition and subtraction we give him, so we're looking forward to moving on to more challenging work!  We both struggle with English, I'm learning right along with him for parts of it. But we are moving along.  One thing we both learned about were onomatopoeia's are words that writers use to express the sound you are reading!   He is enjoying reading now that he's found he enjoys chapter books and has found joy in finishing a whole book.

Aaron is enjoying his homework too

 One of his English assignments he enjoyed learning how to follow directions.

Mastered doing work on the go!

Baseball practice

Issac has been able to play with a fall league in Batesville and has been doing great!!

Cinder Sinffer Birthday Party!

First ride with Dad

Asher getting his plate

The Three Amigos!! 

 

Time for Happy Birthday to Aaron!!

and his favorite part... All his Presents!!