Earth Day

  Yesterday we got together with another homeschooling family for a little Earth Day Co-Op.   The kids love doing stuff together and the Moms love coffee together! The children did and outdoor photo scavenger hunt as seen above they were split boys and girls and off they went to find the list.

 We also made sweet treats for our bird friends.

3 cups birdseed
2 – 1/4 ounce unflavored gelatin packet
cookie cutters
This was an awesome somewhat mess free craft, no sticky peanut butter craft. Last the children collected garbage and put it into a jar of water to see what happens over the next week. We talked about how dirty our rivers, lakes, and ocean get when garbage is put into them.

Our Store -By Presley

    Last night Pinantan Lake Store was on fire. When my mom found out she came downstairs and woke up Austin to go with my dad to see if they needed help. Then I woke up and went upstairs to see.  I was a little scared because if the flames went into the trees it could get to our house.   When my dad got there, there was nothing to be done. All we could do was just let it burn down.
My dad said the store owners were sad, and crying.

In the morning when I woke up we walked to the store . There was lots of tin on the ground and the sign was melted. The police stayed all night to watch it. I feel bad for all the people who were working there because now they don't have a job.

 

 

                                                                                                    By Presley

Damned if you Do -Damned if you Don't - An Open Letter to my Friends

        At the risk of being extremely vulnerable I need to tell you my heart and why you can't win right now. Will you bear with me for a few minutes and hear me out?   As you know and if you don't November 12, 2013 I became the mother of a medically fragile child.  I completely understand those of you that have never been 'here' and have no clue what I am talking about. You hear it you follow our story but you can't really know until you experience it with your own child. Oh, I pray you never do!  My heart aches every single day. It's like I haven't caught my breath and a constant pain that I can't make go away. I can't make this stop or go away for Henry. I get that our story is getting old to you but if you can try the best you can to step into my shoes and understand that my life has changed completely.

    My dear friends, I still need you. I need you to send me the email that has no strings attached if I write back. Or the phone call that I may not answer because I am pumping for one baby, nursing another and trying to help my 6 year old read her book. Or the text I am reading in the doctors waiting room. I need you to not question if I am pulling back or wanting space. Nobody ever wants to be alone in the dark.

 Friendships takes two people but will you carry ours for awhile? Will you do that? will you remain my friend when there is nothing left for me to contribute?

 It hurts when months go by and I feel forgotten as your lives go on.  I am lonely and busy all in the same breath. I read your blogs your Facebook status' of get togethers, book clubs, couples dinners etc. and I feel the slight sting of the forgotten friend. I may never get back to being able to do those things that were once normal.   I  have a baby that can't be out in the general public a whole lot during cold and flu season so missing these things is what it is and we trust the direction God is taking us.  You my friend are damned if you do, and damned if you don't. You are set up to fail. But it's okay. All I really care about is that you are still around after all and that you make an effort to be a part of our lives and include us in yours.
Let us know your still there is the shadows of our dark sleepless nights. I don't write this for your pity but to say I miss you.

A Normal Day

I am relishing in these couple days of 'normal'. Making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches watching my little ones run trying to catch chickens. Everyday I get with these children is an unexplainable gift that squeezes my heart in a way I can't even put into words.

The Lord promises He will gently lead those with young,

if we but look for Him and walk with Him each step of the way. He has proven Himself to me over and over.

 You know what I have learned very quickly Joy doesn't always come in laughter and mirth. Joy isn't always dependent upon our circumstances. 

 The deep joy that comes from what Christ has done for us constantly fills our hearts, 

and sustains us through trials and difficulty.