I love it... unfortunately, RyLee and I are the only 2 out of 5 who enjoy this white fluffy stuff! *Ü* It began Christmas Day and snowed again yesterday. No rain this time after it stopped! Yeah!
So for now, RyLee and I will enjoy it while it lasts. *Ü*
Wanting to wish all my blogging and online friends a very Merry Christmas!
Luke 2:8-11
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. Andan angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
If you would like to play, and see more WW pictures... please visit 5minutesformom
This is RyLee Kay. She is the youngest of 3 children. 7 years younger than her brother and 4 years younger than her sister. She loves to cook and bake,she tries to knit and sew too. She loves to work right along side her dad when working around the house. It could be working on carpentry skills, or the old 54 mercury wagon we have. She is my little shadow as well.She enjoys doing everything I do, or tries to get me to do something with her... making cookies or whatever....
She is thoughtful, caring and yet can be bossy and a know it all. She has always been an "I can do it" child. For instance, at 2 we caught her in the kitchen on the floor with a screwdriver and batteries around her taking the back off of her new toy to put the batteries in. Her reaction to us at that moment was "I can do it!" So saying she has initiative is seriously an understatement! She has always been an over achiever.... beginning with walking at 8 1/2 months! Although she is bossy and a know it all at times,she is a delight and blessing. Those are just 2 things we work really hard with her on.
You might be wondering why I'm posting about my RyLee Kay? Today, she went out of town with my mom for a day or 2, and I realized this morning how much I miss her when she is not here. The other reason I am posting about Ry is because the other day... my dog, Gidget ate a bunch of almond rocca, minus chocolate and almonds. *Ü* We had to take her to the emergency vet hospital for treatment because her condition became serious. Gidgets not RyLee *Ü*
Now to give a little background, for the past 3 years this will be year 4 I think. At Christmas we began a tradition of 3 gifts each. 1 of the gifts is a "gold" gift. The gold gift typically is expensive to some degree or its the one "want" gift they have been looking forward to hopefully getting. Well when Gidget was sick and just before my husband took Gidget to the vet, RyLee offered her Gold gift to be taken back to help pay for the vet bill.
Her little heart was crushed that Gidget might have to be put down and she wanted to do and give all she had to help pay the vet so we could keep her. I just thought that was so precious of her, and reminded me how tender hearted and giving this child really is.
We are very proud of her and her siblings, but I just wanted to make known what a special little girl she is.
I am very proud of my RyLee Kay
I am on a lapbook blog ring. I try to visit a few blogs each week on the ring. Valarie's lapbook lesson blog has announced her new blog called lapbook lessons.It offers free visual information on lap booking and lapbooking helps and resources. The can be found here Lapbook lessons, and is a sister blog to Valaries lapbook lessons. *Ü*
She has some videos on her blog that can help someone new to lap books or anyone who has done it for a while and needs a little inspiration! Here is one of the videos from youtube. It is called Quick Triangle Books.
You can visit either one of the blogs for more ideas and inspiration or, jut go to youtube and type in Lapbook lessons. She has many uploaded for anyone to view. *Ü* Its to bad November is over, she has some cute crafts and lapbook ideas for preschool aged children. A lot of what she offers is for the younger crowd, but you can take the information and make it your own for more complex and or older children's work.
Take some time and browse around. Its a treasure of a find!
Another resource that also has video is called Little Blot spots. and Little junction
Both sites bursting with crafts and lapbook type ideas with children. Again for the younger crowd....
Being on yahoogroups good ideas and resources are always being shared. Last month someone posted a link to free Nativity Lap Book. I cant remember what yahoogroup it was though *Ü*
The lap book is so cute! I do not have little ones anymore, but wanted to make it anyway. So Christian and I printed it out,cut, colored and pasted it all together for my 3 year old nephew. I found it for free here ( Nativity Lap Book )
We will send it along with other Christmas goodies, but I'm sure he will love playing with the little cut outs (we laminated them so they will last).
This was forwarded to me from a yahoo list I am on... being the curious sort, I decided to Google.
This youtube video is of a 13 year old boy named Logan. He listens to Christian radio in Nebraska and called into the radio station distraught because he just put his calf down. I wont tell you anymore, I will let you listen to Logan.... Out of the mouths of babes....
I love Google. ( you can read more back ground here Valencia Hills )
PS. Please note the links that show up after the video is over might not be propper.... so please dont click them.
Thursday, we finally went and cut down our tree! We were 5 days past our traditional first Saturday of December....but weather played into that one!
The tree farm we have been going to the last few years is only about 10 minutes away and we love the folks their! Family owned and operated.... we love it!
As the kids get older, I realize we may not have everyone here each year, so I soak up all this time I get with them. (Can you tell his heart is into it? *Ü* Hes looking at his cell phone! lol anybody want to tell him we don't get cell reception out here? lol) *Ü*
Bubbie and Sissy...awe....
Well we found the perfect tree! *Ü* Dan cuts it down and RyLee catches it. *Ü*
All 3 kids take the tree to the car....
We drive up to the top of the place and they have a machine that shakes the tree for us.We also go inside a little house to get warmed by a fire and have hot cider. It was pretty cold, so this felt good.
It was a fun day. After we let the tree sit for a bit, we broke out all the decorations, and began to decorate the tree and the house. RyLee was able to place the angle on top of the tree this year.
I love the way the house looks with all the decorations. We light the lights and candles at night, and the room has such a soft warm glow. I love this time of year!
We woke up late today..... and the morning moved slow, but around 9:00 we began our school for the day. The girls finally began A Christmas Carol. They are both using LL8 to go with it. Both accomplished math, grammar, writing, vocabulary and spelling!
In between the serious stuff, we decided to make some candy bags. We use the frosting bags you can purchase at Joann fabrics or any craft store.
The candy we chose this year... Christmas colored M&Ms, malted milk balls, Christmas taffy and soft candy cane mints. Yum! 
We layer them however we want and the close the top with ribbon!
So we took longer with our day, but it was fun for them to break it up a bit. We will hand these out as gifts for their friends and a few peeps at church! It worked out to be about $1.50 cents a bag.... Not to shabby... and a fun craft for the girls...
RyLee also had to make Turtle temptations! 
She got this as a gift from my mom a little while ago. You might think that's a strange gift for an 11 year old... but she loved it! RyLee enjoys cooking and baking and will jump at the chance.
tomorrow we get a bit more serious and begin cookies!! *Ü*
Monday:
Meat sauce and pasta (spagetti squash) salad and wheat rolls
Tuesday:
BBQ Chicken and rice w/ vegies
Wednesday:
Chili and corn bread
Thursday:
Left over
Friday:
Homemade Pizza bbq chicken and a cheese, along with salad
Want to enjoy more menu Monday? Click here Im an organized junkie
The video may not show it, but we have lost almost 20 feet of our road.... and if you look at the road and see the crack in the road..... its about another 20 feet of road..... we are stuck my friends!
Jessica at Trivium Academy tagged me for this. It was fun!
8 Things I'm passionate about
Discovering truths about my faith and God!
Sharing the discoveries!!!
My husband
My children
Books and reading! Oh yes!
Sunday School with the K-2 crowd *Ü* I love those little people!
Helping my children discover Gods truths!
Tapestry of Grace!!! *Ü*
8 Things I Want To Do Before I Die
To see gran babies!!!!!! Many, many years down the road... *Ü*
Go back to Ethiopia Africa
Travel all over Europe
Learn to speak, read and write Spanish and Latin. Maybe Greek too.
have a trim, lean, "don't worry about how I look" body (OK so I copied Jessica here) *Ü*
To be the best wife and mom I can be and to hear them say so. OK lets throw grandma in too.
To run a marathon.... any, and complete it. *Ü*
Surf in Hawaii
8 Things I say Often
Good grief!
Make it so number 2 ( number 2 is my husband)
I told you never ask me when I'm on the phone......*Ü* (you can relate cant you? lol)
Not unless your school work is done.
Didn't you read the instruction first?
How was youth group?
The dog ate what?!
I'm on the computer.
8 Books I've read recently
Pride and Prejudice (2 times *Ü* its like spending time w/ an old friend)
A Christmas Carol
Tales of the 4th grade nothing (those kids need a talking too!)
Pocket full of pine cones
Lewis and Clark for dummies *Ü*
Streams to the river, river to the sea
Seaman the dog
My bible *Ü*
8 Songs I could listen to over and over (OK not songs... sorry)
Anything by Jack Johnson
Anything by James Taylor
Casting crowns (any)
Barlow Girls
Jeremy Camp (one of my faves)
This is to hard... to many songs or groups to like.... sorry..
8 Things I've learned this year
That I am stronger than I thought.
I have learned that when placing boundaries in relationships , it is vital to stick to it.
I will not be bullied or belittled.
I am a better/stronger parent than I thought (honest...)
That my mom IS really my best friend.
That I can choose how to respond to people. Yes, I can.
How truly different men and woman were created and that this world is constantly trying to change who God created us to be..... (Love and Respect seminar by Dr. Eggerichs is a must for any marriage or pre marriage... ! It will change your life towards each other!! No lie.... woman are pink, men are blue....) *Ü* Can you tell I learned something and liked it?
8 people to tag
Tina in WA *Ü*
Rhonda at Imagine
Jennifer at Home is where you start form
If Jess didn't already Tag Darcy and Jennifer..... I would be at 5 now. *Ü* I'm laughing here...
Lee and her 5 wolf cubs! I hope you can play! *Ü*
Robin at my2blessings
CloseAcademy
Amy over at Milk and Cookies had this on her blog. I cracked up and had to share! He has a contagious laugh! I was crying I was laughing so hard...
One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy."~ Elisabeth Elliott ~
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." 41But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
This was an excellent video. I found it at Path of Life Christian Academy
I had to try this quiz! Being that I am Washingtonian! :)
Are you a tour guide? High-five, man! I see SOMEBODY paid attention in their history classes. You obviously know Washington well. That's awesome.
How Washington State Are You?
Quizzes for MySpace
Monday
Breakfast: Berry Smoothie w/ ground Flax ( Thanks Lee) 1 boiled egg
Lunch: 1 banana, 1/2 a mango, 1/2 can tuna on spinach salad
Dinner: Spaghetti ( I get spaghetti squash the fam pasta) green salad and the fam garlic bread
Tuesday
Breakfast: Hot oatmeal w/ raisins, 1 banana and yogurt
Lunch: Beef broth and baby carrots
(snack) cheese and summer sausage
Dinner: Halibut and peas, Basmati rice
Wednesday
Breakfast: 2 eggs and 1 sausage
Lunch: left over spaghetti
Dinner: Lentil stew w/ sausage, hamburger mix.
Thursday
Do my best to not over do it! lol
Friday
Breakfast: Mango, banana yogurt smoothie w/ flax
Lunch: Left over Turkey with salad
Dinner: Left overs !!!
I'm going to try and add some more protein to my diet, but want it to be lean. Maybe a powder like Tami over at AmblesideClassical uses.... I guess I need to ask! I still have not gotten on a scale for this week, but i can truly tell a difference and so can my fam! :) It is not a huge difference, but we can tell. I am entering week 3 in my journey!
Goal for exercise this week is 4 days on the treadmill, and also to walk to our mailbox with Rylee every day. Its about 1/4 mile from our house... so that's another 1/2 mile at least added to my walking! :) Here is to good health during a difficult season for anyone to eat right! LOL
Happy Thanksgiving!
You can check out a variety of menus over here at orgjunkie.com
Greetings!Can you believe it? only 23 more weeks of official school left for us! I cant believe how fast time has flown by.... I cant believe that its almost Thanksgiving! It seems like just a few weeks ago we began school!
This week... I had some devastating news!! My computer died! Yes died! At first, we thought it was just corrupted files,now its drivers gone bad! :( Sadness. No pictures to share... sniff... how boring! Post I must though... I honestly hate it when I dont.... I miss the bigger picture of our week.
So, on my sons laptop I type....
Koinonia Academy's weekly report, and maybe a few side notes too!
This weeks subjects that we stayed on task with....
Math
Literature
Science
Spanish
Bible study
Life skills for the week
Cooking from scratch mac and cheese
Accountable kids (responsibility)
Fun activities
Turkey hunt with youth group
New season stuff
I began my first day of work for my business. ( nothing to go OOOO about, but will share more in the post)
Ok, for History because I knew I would work this week I decided a few weeks ago to continue our review of unit 1. Christian has been enjoying the review! I had her read Bob Jones Chapter 8 2 weeks ago and week 9 this week. She also wrote out all the review questions in BJ and answered them.
RyLee has been using SOTW 3 as a review, because we have used it so little this year. Good accountability and she didn't seem to mind. Although she would rather move ahead. :)
Literature: Christian is finishing up Pride and Prejudice. This has been by far her favorite for the year, and mine hands down! The more I read it, the more I love it!Although this is not my first time! :)
RyLee has finished her series (6 books) from the American girl collection for Josephina. This has always been RyLees favorite character, and now she finally read the books! Her gramma bought her the doll when she was 5 I think. So that has been out this week too!
Science: we are behind technically, but then again, not. As Long as we keep up from here on out we will still finish 2 weeks before we need to begin Zoology 1.
This week she completed earth. :( sadly No pictures of anything! Christian has been keeping up with Biology at an ever slowing pace. She focused on it this week a bit more than normal, so she is getting herself on track. I'm sick of nagging.... and she is sick of hearing.... so the threat of no Turkey hunt on Wed if she didn't bust a move motivated this child to unbelievable study habits this week! Ha! Gotta do, what a moms gotta do!
Spanish:
Lesson 3 for RyLee. She is truly loving this Spanish program! Its fun for her and something she can do almost all on her own. I am able to help Christian along more and practice with her. Christian has been memorizing and reviewing all her vocabulary and simple phrases to date! Writing them all out and in conversational style. Keeping up with her notebook etc. she is motivated in this subject!
For a refresher Christian is using The Easy Spanish and RyLee is using La Clasa divertida
Math... yup... getting her done.... Christian was having a mini melt down because no computer.... no computer no cds.... so my son has been gracious enough to leave his laptop home (he uses it at CC) so she can use it! What a guy. Math is math and we keep moving on... Same with Ry.
Bible study this week was great. Reading out of Romans 5 with Chris and Luke Chapter 3 with RyLee. RyLee had map work this week too and she liked that being added in.
RyLee was proud of herself. She made homemade Mac and Cheese all by her self. She used 2% milk instead of whole milk or cream, and she has decided cream next time. I chuckle at this... who is this child Betty Crocker? :)
Accountable kids
RyLee missed 2 tickets this week. She was a bit slothful in the morning. She was so disappointed. :( She keeps trying and will let you know as soon as she completes her first 10 stars.
Turkey Hunt! This is a main event of the week for Christian. Her youth group goes on a scavenger type hunt each year in search of the Turkey. Its a rubber turkey that the Associate pastor hides in down town Bremerton. The entire Sr. High youth group is broken up n teams with 2 leaders. They have a list of "things" to do and they have to take a picture to prove they did the task. As they finish each task they move on to the next clue on the list. Its a hoot! For example they had to sing under the sea by a big fountain and take video. They made up a rap about french fries... crazy goofy things like that! They find out Sunday who truly one the hunt and completed all tasks. ahh to be young and carefree hu? :)
My Health:
I walked on my treadmill 3 times this week and RyLee and I went on 2 outside walks. I even took pictures on our walk.... but I cant show you because my computer died and I dont have what I need to download on my sons pc.
I followed my menu I posted earlier in the week. The only day that changed was Wed dinner and Friday Dinner. Wed I had clam chowder again. Youth group always makes for a later night and both older kids are gone... so we eat light. I forgot about that when I made up my menu. Friday hubby and I went on a date to Silver City. Our favorite yuppie place to go! I splurged and we split an order of Fish and chips! Ohhh it was so good... even the coleslaw!
I have not weighed myself yet this week. I don ot own a scale and do not want to buy one. So I have to Wait till I visit my mom. :) i am feeling good, I have had great energy all week. Other than Friday night I have stuck to my plan and my calorie goals for each day! 2 weeks down! 4 more to go before I add bread back!
Now my new job! Thursday was the first day of my new business. Koinonia Kleaning. :) Hows that for corny? LOL I clean homes.... but only after remodels or new construction. I bid by the square foot not the hour and I am able to only work 1-2 days a month if I want! it took me 8 hours to clean the entire house and 3 more to clean all 21 windows! Inside only thank goodness.... but I was home by 4:30 and the girls did great! Christian really stepped up to the plate and even helped and did Rylees bible study with her amongst other things!
Its a new season in my life... I dont like that I have to work, but grateful that I can... and make my own hours... and a few full days a month is nothing....compared to having to be gone for 3 days a week and those are mostly nights. Oh, I hated that. My heart was wanting to be home. I can handle 2 days a month.... so can the girls. They are old enough to have a light day of school and a full day of required tasks to keep them busy! :)
Well, that's about as much as I can remember w/o visuals! :) Maybe next week I will have my pc back.... although we are seriously considering going MAC. What do you think? Maybe I will let my business buy it. :) Hows that for a perk!?
Till next week, my weekly reporter friends! Have a wonderful weekend and new week ahead!
| You Are a Snowman |
 |
| You Are an Angel |
 A truly giving soul, you understand the spirit of Christmas. |
Hello Weekly reporters! *Ü* This is a bit long this week. The last few weeks of October were fun. We traveled to Oregon and toured Fort Clatsop, went to Seaside and Astoria. It was just a weekend trip, but good. You can read about that in a post further down below.
The girls had Harvest Parties. Christian went to the Jr/Sr. High school party the Friday before Halloween at church and RyLee went to a local church Carnival on the 31st. Christian and her dad made her costume and her friend’s costume. They turned out cute.
Even Snickers helped out
The finished product
RyLee made a lemon pumpkin cake. The cake was lemon and shaped like a pumpkin. We were so busy the day she made the cake. I helped her out with making frosting,but we made it to thick, so I asked good ol dad to help thin it out, because I needed to get dinner going. Well, they made it to thin and Ry jumped the gun so the frosting didnt turn out well, but the cake still looked and tasted great....... even though the frosting wasnt stiff...
*Ü* When we traveled South to visit Fort Clatsop.... we picked up and continued our study of Lewis and Clark for week 10 and a little of 11. Week 11 we began a review of Unit 1 for TOG year 3 while continuing regularly scheduled subjects. We will be finished with our review next week, complete week 10 (of TOG)after that and finally move into unit 2! Yeah Koinonia Academy team!
This week Christian and I both began Pride and Prejudice!! My all time favorite book and author! Did I mention I love this book? I also love the BBC version of the movie! The one with Colin Firth! They stay true to the book... sometimes word for word. No other version can compare... anyway... did I mention we love this book and movie? *Ü*
RyLee reviewed both weeks 1 and 2 for Spanish this week. She reviewed the beginning of a vowel song in week 1 continued and completed the song in week 2 and began colors. Along with some vocabulary, and a recipe to make plantains!
*Ü* She loves her Spanish now! Here are a few pictures of her cooking Plantains! ( I tried to post a video of Rylee singing her Spanish vowel song, but it wont load or something....) :( It was so cute too...
Slicing them medium thickness 
Getting ready to fry on Med-Hi. 
After frying, mash them with a cup or a mug. 
Time to fry them for a second time. 
Place on paper towel to cool.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar. 
whala! Yum! 
Last week we went to our second play in Seattle.
It was called the BFG. The big friendly giant. It was terrific! As always. *Ü* We wont go back to Seattle now till Feb 08. :( I love these plays! They are always well done!
RyLee began her accountable kids program this week! Finally, since I bought it back in June at the WHO convention. *Ü* She has been so motivated to accomplish her daily work and tasks all week. I have not nagged, nor reminded! Gasp! Here reward after 10 days of completing all 3 sections every day was a date with either mom or dad. She chose me! Yeah mom! *Ü* So we will take in dinner and a movie when she gets her stars all filled in. Its been a good week. We have been really busy around the house, and schooling a bit in the evenings to get it all finished. One of the distractions for me this week has been quilting. I have only made one quilt top ever.... and this week I attempted my own thing....
I cut my points off on the side because I didn't watch my 1/4 inch seem allowance... but didn't notice or pay attention till I was all done. Live and learn! It has been a while since I have quilted.....I'm still green. *Ü*
Health wise... I am doing good in my diet, but not so well with the exercise. I have lost 4 and 1/2 pounds so far. *Ü* I a pleased.... but need to be more consistent with the walking! Remember now... I want to be a runner like my friend Jennifer! *Ü* I will keep it up, and keep moving forward.... It is my goal and desire!
My scripture memory selection to help with this task all week has been
Hebrews 12:11
" No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Christian chuckled when I read it to her. It was perfect! *Ü*
Well If you stayed with me, thanks.... I won’t post anymore... lol I could add a few things but I want you to come back sometime! *Ü* So I will leave it at here for now.
Have a wonderful weekend and hope to see you all next week!
Isaiah 43:16; 18-19This is what the LORD says--he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters.... "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
