"Praise God Anyway"

Sometimes our lives feel like we just dropped our ice cream cone and we are missing out.
I love this Precious Moments quote: "Praise God Anyway" 
A dear friend of mine named Beth died earlier this year from Pancreatic Cancer and she use to say this all the time. She had her share of dropped ice creams, their only child, an RN. was killed in a car accident, when this occurred my friend was in the hospital with a serious illness at the time of her daughters death, she then suffered through the removal of most all of her colon, they were able to save a few inches. She had 1 knee replaced last year and did great with it, then had the other one replaced later in the year and did great with it, then she suffered from terrible back pains afterwards. She went through all sorts of X-rays and physical therapy. They they found the real cause of her back pain, Pancreatic Cancer, the doctors performed the Whipple Procedure on her and for some reason it would not heal up, so she lost precious time waiting to start cancer treatments. Finally she got the treatments, never lost her hair (this was a big concern for her), but then the treatments were not working. So on hospice she went and what a blessing it was to find that our friend of ours (homeschooling mom's husband) was the RN that cared for her on hospice). So glad that we were able to see her a few times before the end, as it came very quickly. Her husband and niece an RN were visiting with friends in the other room when my dear friend was ushered into Glory. Beth will be enjoying her first Christmas with her Lord and Saviour. I'm happy sad about it all, but I'm still saying "Praise God Anyway".

Moe
My friend Beth has been on my mind since I was going through some piles of papers and came across her obituary this week.

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

That is what life seems to be all about.
2 Thessalonians 3:5
"And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."

Tomorrow I see the first of many specialist, so we shall see what he has to say about it all.

I've kept busy here, decluttering and tossing stuff. I gathered up a large box full of scrapbooking supplies and gave them to a girl at church. And ya know those piles of papers that we all have, I've been sorting through those and have a rather large 'to be read pile!'. (yes, you know those hidden away piles of misc. papers, magazines, flyers and such that you had good intentions of reading.....lol).

I've also stumbled across a few Christmas gifts that need to be wrapped. Along with the latest homeschool class schedule for the spring semester, would like to sign our son up for a few classes, but not sure what the future holds as I have to wait 6-8 weeks before the doctors say that they will do any testing, that right there cuts into the Spring semester.

School has been going well, our son is working on a huge research paper on The Battle of Britain, I'm working on teaching him how to hone in on the topic, as he is pulling in way too much information (thinks he is doing a college paper!). He needs to narrow it down a bit, there is a TON of really neat info, but he needs to fine tune it.

The chickens are freezing their tail feathers off........lol. Not really but their water has been frozen over every morning. So it's for sure winter time. They are enjoying some goodies, we sliced up pumpkins yesterday and they like those. We have 1 watermelon left, I'm saving that for a mid winter treat, hoping it lasts.

Husband is burying himself in his work, that is how he deals with all this. No Christmas tree up yet, but I have a few snowmen out. I think we will forgo the tree this year since I just don't have the strength or energy to deal with it. In thinking along those lines, there was never any mention of Christmas decorations in the Bible, so I don't think that we are missing out on much this year, decorating seems to be a world's view of Christmas. We have been enjoying Christmas music and seeing the lights displayed on many homes near us. One tradition that we will keep for sure this year is driving to look at light displays. It just dawned on me that we did not get a Christmas tree up last year either, we were in the middle of a remodeling project and there was just no room for it. I used my Cricut Machine to make a cute cut out of a tree with a train underneath it.

What are some low key Christmas traditions that you enjoy as a family?

Moe

I'd like to welcome Heather to my blog.

Nice to see you on here Heather!!
I'm working on getting better   :O)     
Doctors say they want to keep me comfortable for about 6-8 weeks and get me healed up so that they can run some tests on me. They say it's far too dangerous to do any scopes on me right now. So all they can go by are CT Scans and MRI. So I am trusting my Lord, holding my dh and ds tightly and enjoying the ride!
Take care,
Moe

Homeschooling, Character Training & Other Musings.

Well it's been a crazy 2 weeks here, but I really think it's been a full 2 weeks of learning experiences for our son. While I was hospitalized our son got his school work done each day, this I attribute to allowing him over the years to read over the teacher manuals (not the answer keys, but the actual lesson plans and teacher explanations.) while I guided him, we started this in the 4th grade with history and science. I let him read the daily teacher manual and then do the work. He learned to pace himself as well as to follow directions and teach himself. Something that we as adults use daily if not hourly in our lives and it's all part of character training.

This week while home resting has been spent on some Home EC type things (LOL!) getting the house straightened back up from the bachelor pad look. I checked out several DVD's from the library and our church library on science, the human body and space, so that has been a lot of our schooling this week. Relaxing and watching educational videos and then discussing them. While I was in the hospital a Civil War kit came in from the library that we had ordered. So that has been a lot of school work this week too. It comes in a huge suitcase with rolling wheels, there are books, video's, DVD's, lesson plans, and all sorts of things to play with like hard tack, gun powder keg, dishes and many more Civil War era fun things. That has kept DS busy for many hours last week while at Grandpa's and this week while home with me.

Home schooling is such a blessing, it amazes me how many of the kids are willing to read good books (if presented with them), play with educational items (like the Civil War kit) and still have fun without the TV, computer, radio, IPOD, or gaming systems. We must be mindful that these things can sneak in and take over our kids lives and our homes. Be mindful of the influence that media plays in your own life and life of your child. Not all media is bad as we can see from this week: enjoying some educational videos during a time of sickness. But a steady stream of daily intake can take it's toll. Our son never even asked for the password to the computer while I was in the hospital, though he was thrilled to get to check his email when I got home and he had 100's of messages......lol. I had to hear about all the
Vision Forum 'deal of the day' emails that he missed out on......lol. We love that website and have gotten some really great toys and books from them. We are planning on using the Soldiering Through History Collection (3 DVDs and 3 Study Guides) this winter along with our regular history.

Feel free to share any homeschooling highlights you have had during a time of sickness in your home and how you handled it. As you home educate think long term, instead of from test to test, think about how each day you are imparting learning on your child for the future. A well rounded education is key to a well rounded adult, so books knowledge, love, home ec, sickness, and forgiveness should all be a part of our schooling day. I know that sometimes we get in the TEST mindset, but look at life through Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."


Have a wonderful week, slow down and enjoy the true meaning of the holiday season. And to my Jewish brothers and sisters, I praise the Lord that you are His chosen people and I love you!! Happy Hanukkah.

Moe