A Blog Change

I have made the decision to change the title of this blog and its URL.  The new title will be Heart of a Country Girl....Living in the Desert.  The URL will be http://www.heartofacountrygirllivinginthedesert.blogspot.com/

Looking forward to seeing you there.

jenny

Learning the Art of Photoscape

I ran across an absolutely beautiful blog yesterday, Back Porch Musings.  Honestly, I am speachless.  Well, this darlin' gal gave me the courage to try my hand at Photoscape.  I really have NO clue what I am doing, but it has been fun to see the photographs take new form.  It hasn't been without casualties, but hopefully I can get them mended and better than ever.  So without further adieu...some of the before and afters of my first attempt at Photoscape.  These were all taken during our recent side trip to Fort Worth, Texas.

 

This has to be one of my favorites.  Wooly Sheep was just a dancin' for his papa and getting into it I might add....hands and all.  And Ohhh, those eyes.  This is one of those moments where I could just eat him up...sweet as can be that boy is.  See that gray strip at the bottom?  That would be part of my problems.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

              

Did you notice the riders seem to be looking straight at me?  Even the horse is staring.  There is a good reason it looks that way...they are.  No, they are not posing.  More like they are looking at this guy sitting next to me.  I think he made them a little nervous. 

                                                                                                                                                                      









I gave Oscar the look.  You all know that certain look we mommas can give.  This one said, "Don't you dare...not here!"  He just responded with eyes so innocent, "Who me?  Never, momma.  I wouldn't dream of it."

Two of the children were not present with their horns.  Those were two of the casualties.  Hhmmm, something to keep me busy.  Sure, I need more.  We'll just call it a challenge instead.

Preschool Homefront

This year I officially have 4 different grades.  I did a sort of Preschool meets Kindergarten with Jay Bird and Wooly Sheep last year.  I cannot get off that easy this year.  Jay Bird picked up quite a bit from his lurking hanging out during Ladybug's lessons.  I must confess that I did little in the way of phonics and reading with him, yet he is reading at a late first/ early second grade level.  One day he literally picked up a zoo flyer and started reading from it.

So, what is the plan for Wooly Sheep and Preschool this year?  Well, lets see if I can show you.  Enter... the next confession.  I am NOT a computer geek.  Just give me the basics and I am at peace.  As I am sure you can tell by the visual presentation of this blog thus far...I am still learning.  Slowly, I might add.  I am very much a hands on learner.  AKA-I am learning patience over instant gratification.  BUT....I may cave at some point and seek help...the professional kind.  What kind of professional help?  Well, that depends on when I publish this post if I have done the links correctly. 

I will be doing a combined Raising Rock Stars (RRS) and AWANAS for Bible time with Wooly Sheep, Jay Bird, and Ladybug.  I must add that I just love what Jolanthe at Homeschool Creations has done with bringing the AWANA experience to a whole new level.  You can check it out here.  We will also do calendar time together.  Some of it will seem simplistic to Ladybug while others will be over Wooly Sheep's head, what a great tool to learn patience.

Wooly Sheep will also be using Raising Rock Stars Preschool along with other preschool activities.  This is such a great addition to the RRS Bible Study.  Check out what Carisa at 1+1+1=1 has lovingly created.  These ladies along with a few others, who I am sure I will mention in future posts, have helped me create a homeschool with less stress over the last year.  This was needed while we rethink what homeschooling looks like for our family and Major Dad deployed.

Rain Down

photo credit: PhotoXpress

Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.

Deuteronomy 32:2

I happened across this passage today.  With it came two thoughts.  1.) Is it not just like our Father to give us the exact message we need at the exact moment we need it.  2.) What big shoes to fill.  It was one of those life flashing before my eyes sort of things.  Oh, all the days where frustration ruled flashed by.  Those thoughts could be so daunting that it would be easy to get caught up in doubt, pity, guilt, and a host of other lies.  Fortunately, God is truth.  We have only to turn to Him for our strength.  It is a strength in ALL things, not just those that we think we a chance at success. 

I did not seek this verse out today.  It came to me.  It is meaningful because today has been the first chance I have had to actually visualize and begin to organize our upcoming school year.  Late, I know.  But, with my nesting phase before the arrival of Major Dad, our whirlwind car trip to see family and friends in New York state with an extra day spent at Fort Worth on the way back, and some honey do projects we had before today's farewell, there has not been much time for deep thought.  Oh, I have chewed on a few things and purchased some core materials, but nothing has been set in any real sense...at least not to me. 

I have been praying, asking God to search my heart and give me wisdom as to what is important.  Although curriculum, schedules, organization, and the extras are all important, they are NOT what is the most for our family. 

Jenny

Home Sweet Home

We are back and there is much to share. And I will...bit by bit. We have only a few days left with Major Dad, so the sharing will have to wait until after we are done with our goodbyes. It is hard to believe our time together has flown by so fast and we will only have to wait 2 1/2 months before we are reunited and can say farewell to this deployment.

Silence

This blog will be silent for a time.  My "nesting phase" has caused quite a bit of work and the band aides put on the air conditioner have not stuck very well.  The house is sweltering in this Texas desert heat.  The progress on the work front has been slow because of this.  Major Dad will be home in just a matter of days and then we are off to New York state for some good old family visitin'.