7 Things I am Coming to Appreciate About the Calling of Parenting

Recently, I have been happily able to observe, encourage and live life with my sister and her husband in their daily journey as parents of a 3 year old boy, and a 1 year old girl.  They are both precious and I love them to pieces, but they are not "easy" by any stretch of the imagination- for either of them.  I have seen them both sacrifice so much, and I really want to honor their commitment to their relationships with their children and them as parents-they are a great team (even though they might be a sleepless team for now).
From my up close perspective- day in and day out, for 3.5 months so far- with a young growing family of four, I have come to better understand a some things about the calling of parenting,  more specifically motherhood, on a level that demands my respect and appreciation for my parents, and for those who are fulfilling their calling to the best of their ability all around me.  Here are 7 things I have recently come to appreciate about parenting.

1. I will never ever think that being a stay-at-home-mom (or a mom at all!) is the "easy route." Not Ever.

They may get to wear yoga pants on the job, but have you considered all the emotional stamina, perseverance through sleep deprivation, and creativity one must have in order to walk in the calling well?  It's quite shocking to see what mommas go through in one 24 hour period, and still have the energy for as much as a smile at the end of the day. When is that again? Cause last I checked, the babies still wake up at 1 am and 3 am and 6:30 am... I know how to pray for you new mommas a whole lot better now! :)

2. A specific time of day that children can look forward to just playing with a parent is the highlight of a child's day. 

 Kids LOVE your undivided attention, and when a parent gives it to them, they really do value it.  It just makes sense.  From an outside perspective- I LOVE hearing all the giggles, music, and encouragement that goes on during these times!  It makes my heart happy.

Thank you mom and dad for taking time to go on walks and to the park with Anna and I often!  Those times of playing "tickle bear" on the playground, or learning how to cast on the knit stitch means more to me now than you know.

3. Teething lasts a REALLY LONG TIME.

At least to me it seems like it does- I'm talking months.  That means baby is crying and upset because her mouth is on fire, she is sore in places one never wishes to be, and is generally sad.  It's long, and they can't help it.  And how parents muster the endurance to keep on comforting and hugging the baby through their pain- is definitely a grace that is given in the moment of need. 

Thank you mom and dad for letting me chomp on your fingers, chew on the pages of your books, and listening to my girlgling vibration noises. :P And to you parents who are going through this right now-there is hope, it's only a few months, and it's so worth it.

4. Some days it is perfectly acceptable to simply "do" keeping everyone in the home alive. No shame.

I think I would have previously thought that this is a statement for the weaklings, but no, it's definitely a real thing that can and might really be necessary for the most competent parents.  Life is full of give and take, and some days just seem to "take" more out of you than you can give.  On those days I offer my congratulations- Good job parents. You made it til 7:45 p.m., you may now eat ice cream and sit on couches like real grown ups might do.  Remember there is always hope for a brighter (and less crazy) day tomorrow.

 5. So much emotional energy is necessary for parenting. 

Especially for the momma who stays at home with her small children (I say that position of parenting because that's the kind I've had the closest experience with for now.) Just because your kids are the "cutest kids in the world" doesn't mean that they are unable to bother, upset, annoy or pain you in very personal ways.

Thankfully God designed mommas to be able to endure-what's more laugh at AND enjoy- many of the antics of toddlers and babies.  Spitting all over? Hilarious because the babe has had her tongue out for the past 10 minutes straight.  Hanging on the cupboards?  Let me video this moment cause little man continues to yell out "Where is meee?" while he hangs there.

6. A thought on peas for dinner.

Seriously, its an act of sincere love if a parent gives a small child frozen or cooked peas at dinner time.  The peas are entirely too difficult to clean off the floor in my opinion.  Watching my sister dispatch peas to her children, and then seeing how the clean up process goes afterwards leads me to wonder if I'll ever have the bravery it takes to give children peas inside the house someday! (You pea-distributing parents must REALLY love your kids!) ;)

I'm not sure if my momma gave me peas, I'm sure she did. But meals in general are crazy messy, and I can better appreciate the cleanliness of a kitchen -where ever I am. Someone worked hard to put it in order that for sure.

7. It all comes down to self-sacrificing, all-enduring love.

In the past 3.5 month segment of life I have been privileged to observe an obscene amount of selfless love in parent-child relationships.  The gentle word, the soft "pat-pats" on the small back, the hours of reading, and the consistent and appropriate consequences that come to the wayward little man when needed.  I could go on and on about all of the ways that self-sacrificing love shows it's beautiful self in real-life parenting situations, but I really just want to let you linger on the meaning of this one in your life-whether you're a parent or not.

My fellow believers, we have tasted of the most self-sacrificing love God demonstrates- given through Jesus' death on the cross, burial, and resurrection.

"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."Romans 5:8

We are called to love one another deeply.

"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart."
1 Peter 1:22

How can you show that selfless love to the people in your daily life?  Parents by nature of the job become really good at this; and if you're not a parent, don't sweat it, there are so many venues to take this kind of love and let it play out for your joy, for the good of others, and for the glory and fame of God. 

It's not easy, but it's so worth every prayer, helping hand, and scrap of encouragement you can give.

A note to my Momma: 

Thank you for taking all of the complexities of child-rearing and loving me and my sisters right through those complexities.  I didn't realize how much of a daily love bearing motherhood is.  We children, often forget to thank you for your hope concern, and endless loads of dishes and laundry you've sacrificed your time to provide us with.  For this Mother's Day, I can appreciate just a little bit more about how much you gave in my youth.  You are always serving, normally funny, and ever a hard worker.  Thank you for leading by example. Thank you for pointing me to Jesus.

I love you Momma.
-Your Cally girl

More Like A Cloud At Sunset

Watching them as they take to the sky.
Those reflections of Light appear
Like clouds fresh, bursting forth-
and forward upward and onward
ever heightening and expanding their focused reflections of light.

That is for some. And its beautiful to behold.

Others are more uncomfortable to watch.
The pain of the growth burns them for agonizing moments-
and the wreckage is clear to the onlookers eye.
They glimmer for a moment and fade, 
the Light-
thought to be absolutely dissolved
this thought is only momentary.

To the others borne into the light
who feel slapped up there, still in the beginning stages
-it should be exciting-
and yet you feel really stuck under the pressures of
all the shapes you could take.
It aches somehow in the deep recesses of your existence
to know that you are struggling.

Even worse it seems,
when you need those who have seen the fog of you,
and they are the moving, growing, onward upward and expanding ones.
Their reflection of the Light is specific, faithful, and obvious.
While you seemingly just float.
You rest and you muse, and try spinning and waltzing the sky long,
you mull and you saturate you bask in the Light.
Hoping that it will reassure you of your chosen-ness,
your chosen-ness that you were made to reflect glory back to the True Light.

You stay in the wonder stage.
But it seems like nothing more than that.
Just wonder.

What about this beginning
makes it more completely terrifying than any other change?
This pondering of what shape to take to reflect His glorious Light.

Your deepest longing is for your reflection to be somehow unique and useful,
and to be a massive display of the deep love and grace of the Light.

You can feel a couple ideas to reflect tugging you to move more into the shape of them
yet, feel paralyzed by the knowledge of the possibility of one choice.
Each piece of knowledge adds a different voice to the cacophony vibrating through your being.
Each holds a thread of truth to its instruction,
Each a alluring option of reflecting.
You're torn down and looking rather flat do to knowledge of the opportunity of them all.

These are the ones who hold potential to shine and reflect Light.
If not afraid, then at the least, unwilling to relinquish their perceived control.

Will they break free from the overload of their ponderings?
will they embrace a possibly small opportunity for reflecting the Light?

For that is reality, and the Light is able to redeem our small shapes of reflection
into something with color, beauty, and wonder.

Just being

"Not a hint that she was devastated, 
nor even tempted for a moment to doubt that all is best. 
It is in fact, difficult to find anywhere in the writings of Amy Carmichael
anything akin to the poets admission, 'oft we doubt.'"
-Elisabeth Elliot

Any human ability to have faith in the goodness of God in the midst of a seemingly "crashing circumstance" is a total gift from God.  It is this realization that seeing the world and seeing my life and seeing God as good in so many ways is a gift. A grace that is completely unmerited, undeserved and it's one I could never earn-- no matter who I become, what I do with my life, whom I serve or where I am in the world...

Grace is a God-gifted way of seeing, a way of seeing that the believer's call to thanksgiving is truly an invitation to gain the perspective of trusting in Him who has given all.  He rescued, but the story of God and His redeemed does not end with a prayer to save from hell-flame.  No, God's salvation is in the daily living and recognizing moments as moments that are deemed good for you, a gift, a grace, from the "I AM" God. The God of every moment. 

It's in that practice of every-moment-remembering-trust-in-God, that I have found joy.  Joy? Yes, joy that only comes from God as only He can reveal in a life.  He revealed it specifically to me in the words of the Bible.  Though I struggle, loose my way, though I feel pain and loss, I have a New Hope each day that says that allows me to say: "yes, I hurt, yes, I don't understand," but this hope also reminds me that my God doesn't leave me there in the rawness of the shock, the emotion the hurt. No, I'm discovering His love in a whole new way, that rescues from everyday despair. He rescues me, and sets me high upon a Rock that is higher than I- that is His joy, a peace thay surpasses all understanding.

What I've found in this truth? I never want to leave. (I need daily reminders to NOT LEAVE!)  I never want to go back to the striving.  I want to be drawn into deeper understanding and loving my Abba with each passing day.

Because you know, this life? What is it but a training ground for eternity?  And Joy in this life: is the same as joy in eternity: God.  Oh my heart, I long for you dear sister, dear brother, to yes, dare I say it EXPERIENCE God every day. He is the Giver of all good gifts.  Turn away from the praising of the gift, and God is honored in our satisfaction in Him.   

Name the moments, name the good, name the hard, the ugly, and you may find yourself in the midst of an act of believing and trusting God is. That He is Creator of each day, and a day we can and ought to rejoice in!  He came to give abundant life and this is how to live it! In joy in praise and thankfulness, to Him no matter your current situation in life.

Why are you downcast oh my soul? Awake to the nearness and presence of GOD! Immanuel GOD WITH US. 

Practically what I have been learning is to keep a notebook handy, and just write my stream of consciousness in it, instead of spamming facebook, texts, and blogger with unruley thoughts that are frantic with the untainted unknown future.  Instead I'm learning to turn triggers to worry into means of trusting God with my likes, discomfort, hurts and happiness.

This and many more are the thoughts and lessons of the past few months.  Lessons that are deeply real.  When unbridled wild thoughts come stampeding through my brain I will stand by my God's grace alone (quite literally), His grace -a testimony of His goodness in the past- Eturnal life salvation in His hands and the promise of His presence in the future.

Oh for grace to trust Him more.

I will continue to be a student of these joy-lessons for the rest of eternity Lord willing. All of life all for His glory. This. is. life.

This is abundant life, counting the graces, and turning around and being the blessing to others. Not out of duty, or self-righteous "right thing to do," but because of the God-breathed-realization of His love for you in everyday moments.   Because what He says is true, it is more blessed to give than to receive. (Brain of mine, remember that.) This is where I want to live my next days, months and years.  In true joy/trust-driven-love-service of my Abba God. Show me how to love like you have loved me. I want to find meaning for my being, in just being His.  It is important to realize Who's you are, not WHO YOU are.  For you are bought with a price, therefore glorify God with your body.

"Spirit convince us of this truth, that all is well because we know God through the perfect work of Jesus Christ. Let that change the way we view our circumstances in this broken world."
-Pastor Mark of Redeemer Bible Church

And it’s then that working hard at our callings pleases God as we seek to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever by doing the good works that He has prepared in advance for us.

It is trusting God like Amy Carmichael, that the circumstances can be what they will, and still it is well with my soul because Romans 8:28 rings true.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Music to my mouth.

This semester I am in two classes having to do with food.  I love food, and like baking and cooking it as well.... (I prefer baking, it usually yields a bit sweeter delicacy.)  Probably my favorite thing that I've baked so far in my finite kitchen practice, is Lemon Poppy Seed Bread.  It's not just regular old lemon poppy seed bread, it has a delicious orange juice, sugary, vanilla glaze that you spread on the bread right when you pull it out of the oven.  I might have to make that. Soon.

About the classes, the first is a Nutrition class at Hawkeye.  It is much more concerned about the scientific effect of what food does to your body, helps, hinders, etc.  I have learned a lot through it, at least now I say something when I or one of my family frosts their toast with butter... Or like last night, "Mc Donald's fries are so good-- and fattening!"  Oh well, I may come to a point someday where I'll actually implement what I'm just listening to or saying myself.   But every once in a while (that's the key) it's just fine to have that bacon splurge, fried wontons, or... Mc Donald's fries! :)

The other is through Valley Lutheran High School.  It is titled Culinary Arts, but it's not really advanced enough to deserve that name.  It may have been, given more time, but a once a week meeting makes it quite difficult to make elaborate dishes like Julia Child would.  That's the kind of Culinary Arts class I would like to find.  One that teaches me to present food in palatable, artful ways, with presentation and style.  

I have related cooking, baking --anything really, done in the kitchen, to playing a musical interment.  So what do I play? What have I been practicing lately?  I love playing the beautiful instrument I like to call, the kitchen.  Given the music, anyone (that has access to a grocery store, and a forgiving food allowance in the budget ;) can play the masterpieces created by amazing cooks and chefs from around the globe.  And, as with anything worth doing, "playing" the kitchen takes practice, inspiration and perseverance... Right? So, I suggest shuffling through some old "music" books, add a new bow, pick, or reed and get cookin'.  

Dancing in the Sunshine

Have I ever mentioned how much I love changing seasons?  Spring is especially refreshing.  It makes me want to go splash in the creek, have a mud fight, write, read and pray in the grassy field in back of my house, crank up the music in the car and roll down the windows feel the warm breeze messin' with my hair.  I'm dreaming of long days, with not a hint of speech writing, chemistry formulas, or algebraic equations.

Now that I've got you longing for warmer days... We can at least be grateful to God for the wonderful changes He has already manifested!  There are robins, the geese are flying North, bugs, and the grass is even beginning to grow back.  And this weekend we were hit with our first major thunderstorm, it was incredible.  Thunderstorms remind me how gigantic God is!  Glorious.  I've already been able to enjoy rollerblading last week!  I really enjoy doing that, wonderful fresh air rushing by, the sun shining on your path, and I get to enjoy the Iowa landscapes.

June 3-13th of this year, I have the amazing opportunity to go to Guatemala for a ministry trip with my youth group at Walnut Ridge.   It's called Adventures In Missions.  I absolutely can't wait to see what God is going to do throughout the whole process!  He has already been involved in it. Let me explain.  At youth group we started to pray that God would lower the price of the plane tickets.  And even as the gas prices are increasing, God showed himself wayyy bigger than our economical state, and let us get our tickets for $320.00 for each person round trip.  That was down over $100 dollars from what the group thought was a reasonable price.  Prayer works.  That really helps to increase faith, if you ask me.  God saved our group as a whole around $3,000!

What will we be doing in Guatemala?  We will be sharing our personal testimonies, singing, and teaching children, do some service projects and hopefully encourage and help the full-time missionaries a lot.  There will be some other activities like sightseeing, and a bit of shopping. But I can't wait to minister to the people-especially the children there!

Now I can't help but think that it would be hypocritical if I was so excited to see what God is going to do there when He's doing great things here. I need to be open to serving right here in my own town.  Having a servant's heart is a challenge. For me at least.  I want my will to be what God wants in my life!

Please pray for our trip. Your prayers are greatly coveted.

• Pray for those who are going on the trip to have unity and the attitude that God would want each of us to have. 
• Pray for the people that we will be in contact with in Guatemala, that their hearts would also be prepared. 
• Pray for our leaders-Nik and Kristi Payne- that they would have increased patience and stamina. (Who are we kidding, it's not a breeze taking about 16 teens on an international trip!)  
• That God would make Himself so evident, real, and glorified!

Thank you for reading and praying. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments! I like getting mail. :)

We have had a case of *ah-achooo* the busies!

Since last Wednesday lots of things have changed. I am now an aunt to an adorable little boy who's name (of which most of you already know) is Landon Reed Larson. He was born last Wednesday night at 8:32 pm. On Thursday after my American Lit. class the family buzzed down to see the Larson family in the hospital. He's so precious! Grammie and Grandpa, and Aunties, are thrilled to have him here. If you want to see pictures, look on facebook.

On Friday we changed the number of states that I remember visiting. We went through Indiana, and Ohio, to get to Kentucky, to get to the Creation Museum. So, that's three more states to add to my list! :) A random tid-bit: I watched Phantom of the Opera for the first time on the way to the museum; it was sad. Livi got to come with my family on the trip and that made the 8 1/2-9 hour road trip lots more fun. Anna took this photo at one of our pit stops at a rest area, it was raining that's why we have our hoods up.
The Creation museum was good, but there was lots of reading and information that you could soak up if you took the time... But about 6 hours there was good enough-for my feet, and brain! :P The landscaping at the museum was beautiful. The tulips were in full-swing, as you can see.
Watch the slide show on the side of the page for a few more pictures.

Life... A somewhat brief analogy

On my internet explorer server what-cha-ma-call-it there is the option to have many different tabs open so you can be on different sites at once. Now, this is not new news, but tonight I looked at the tabs I had open at the time; and thought this kinda describes my life lately. Let me explain.

I have a tab open that would be representing schooling right now, it's http://www.readprint.com/author-147/Martha-Finley-books, I'm interested in this right about now because I have to do research for an American Literature class assignment. Martha Finley is the American author I've chosen for the subject of the "research project." That is in quotes because for the assignment we have to do the research and bibliography and all; except we don't have to actually write the paper. :)

Next I have keeping in touch tabs- facebook.com and gmail.com. Enough said? :P

Susiemag.com comes next and this is a bit of a fuzzy analogy to my relationship with God as I grow and learn. Lately I have been learning more about trusting God with summer plans, the future... Connecting with other Christian girls has been a fun experience on susiemag.com. Two of my essays have been "published" on the site in the creative corner.

This site blogger.com that I'm writing on is next in the line-up of tabs. Yeah, I haven't updated very often...

Thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/TheMulberryButton?ga_search_query=themulberrybutton&ga_search_type=seller_usernames This is the link to the next tab creativity-ness. :P If you're in my contacts for email, you may have got an alert about this small business that a friend and I have started, about a week and a half ago. If you haven't checked us out go for it! I was making jewelry somewhat recently, it's fun to do, but I think I go in spurts. :P If you already have looked at our shop, thank you for taking the time to.

And lastly, after I had this whole relating my tabs to my life thought, I opened pandora.com. Music is also a part of my life. :) Do you have any suggestions for new CDs for me to listen to? Right now I'm listening to Captains and Cruise Ships by Owl City... My thoughts on that, Owl City has VERY random thoughts in his songs. But, apparently he's a Christian?

I've enjoyed playing the piano recently. I like the song Dream Scene for now; also, Wonderful Words of Life is quite fun. I have a cool arrangement for Wonderful Words of Life, I played for church, at a home school program, and I'm going to play it again this spring at an awards ceremony thingy...

So, generally that has been my life as of late- OH! I couldn't forget photography! But if you're my friend on facebook, you can look at pretty recent photos on my page. I might post some on here soon. I very much enjoy taking pictures. So, if you want to do a photoshoot, let me know, I'd probably be willing. :)

God’s Perfect Timing

Do you ever sit in a message at church thinking "Goodness, I’ve been hearing a lot about that lately!" God has a way of reaching his children with a message, something that is emphasized in messages, it seems, wherever a sermon is taught. It’s awesome that God orchestrates just what He wants us to hear. But how many times must He stick it in our thick heads, until we hear it and apply it? Perhaps you’ve read a devotional book and a topic has applied perfectly to your situation in life. God has perfect timing for all of his messages. He gives us reminders of His promises and symbols of His love demonstrated toward us, such as the cross and communion. He is a personal God who has done you a personal “favor” (John 3:16) and for the whole world if they would believe. He knows exactly what you need to hear, understand, and apply to your life.
Everywhere you go you are placed there for a reason; God will give you the words He wants you to say if you ask Him to help you. Don’t waste your opportunities to learn and grow, and praise God. "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," (2 Timothy 3:15). Anything you read or listen to that comes from the Word of God has the power to change you; no matter how many times you’ve heard the passage, it should be just as powerful to you as it was the very first time you heard or read it. Ask God to show you something you haven't thought about, before you start your devotions, or go to church; be alert and look for what God is teaching you.
Devotions are a great way to see God work in his magnificent timing. Doing daily devotions keep you grounded in the Word. If you have a devotional book written by a godly example there are many everyday applications to apply to your life. Make sure the devotional also has scripture quoted; because getting into the Bible everyday is important as well. Proverbs would be great to read along with a devotional. It has instruction on guarding your heart (Proverbs 4), the importance of being obedient (Proverbs 3), and a myriad of wisdom that is scattered throughout the entire book. We need wisdom, submissiveness, and we can always learn from words of wisdom; it would be good to get these character qualities working through our brains on a regular basis.
God brings these reminders to our lives just when we need them, reminders such as the symbols of communion, the cross, and even rainbows. God uses people sometimes to communicate reminders of the ultimate showing of love, Jesus’ death on the cross, and His resurrection. There was a sermon delivered recently at Iowa Regular Baptist Camp, and the preacher, Joe Fox, gave a real and heart-wrenching description of what Jesus went through at the crucifixion, it was powerful, and needed. It was a call to praise and thank Jesus for doing that for me!
We must not get calloused to the great stories and verses of the Bible. We must not let ourselves slip into “auto mode” when we go to church or crack open a Bible. We must not forget that God uses what we are going through to grow us into a people that are more like Him. So pay attention in church on Sunday, when you have your personal devotions, and in your ordinary day to day life. Remember that-if you have trusted Christ as your savior alone-God is orchestrating your life. He will have the glory in the end, so why not praise him in what you are experiencing today?


This week is spring break! I don't really know what I'm going to be doing, but I'm sure it'll be fun. What are you all doing? I'll post again soon!

Sure Spring Scent

Dad, Anna, and I stepped out of the pick-up truck tonight our noses were hailed by a wonderful, and surly welcome smell: fresh turned soil. It was greatly invigorating to breath the aroma of the beginning of the planting season into our outdoor, callowness, deprived lungs.

We have a field right behind our backyard; and even though sometimes our whiffers are greeted with a quite different odor than entailed tonight, because of the way farmers fertilize around here; I'm actually thankful that there are farmers close by. By digging around in the field that farmer helped me wake up my senses to God's miraculous creation.

Tonight I'm immensely thankful for spring after winter, and the wonder of God showing His handiwork: the stars twinkling in the twilight. Sometimes we need to have little reminders to take a moment out of our computer crazy, busy working, hectic, chaotic day; and take a peep outside. Enjoy what God has given you in your own backyard. You and I have heard the little saying many times before; but we tend to over- look it in the literal sense to "Stop and smell the roses" *or in my case the grand, earthy, perfume of Iowa in the first stages of the vernal equinox season. (YES!) ;)

"Praise Him from whom all blessings flow," even for the seemingly "small" things in everyday, ordinary, normal, life.


This post happens to tie-in to the play Dad, Anna and I went to see tonight entitled "Modern Anxieties" at the Lamp Post Theater. It was rather different than the stereotype play, for example it was high tech using over-head projectors, and three laptop computers for some of the scenery it-self. Pretty cool, it felt like you were watching the guy walk down a street, or looking up in the star-studded sky. They had some comedy mixed in with the story too; so, it turned out to be a good night with the fam. (at least some of them). Daddy espically could relate to it, I think it was geared more for adults; but Anna and I still had fun. :D

I hope to talk to you soon!

Fun Quiz (Do those two words belong in the same title???)

I got this in an email from a friend; but I thought it'd be fun to share on my blog.

Where is your cell phone?

nonexistent

Your hair?

down

Your mother?

Vicki

Your father?

Mark

Your favorite thing?
my Bible (and then crafty stuff, ipod...)

Your dream last night?

Something about water slides FUN! Summer get here soon. (or was that the night before...?)

Your favorite drink?

coffee type...

Your dream/goal?

Christ-likeness

What room are you in?

Downstairs

Your hobby?

Organizing/jewelry/card making/knitting/photography/READing...........lots more too!

Your fear?

fish in murky water (*EWW*)

Where do you want to be in 6 years?

college

Where were you last night?

Getting --Are you ready for this-- Ninety-seven cent boots at Old Navy! I was extremely exuberant over them.

Something that you aren't?

exercising (well, maybe my fingers are getting a workout? ;)

Muffins?

rasberry nutalicious :D

Wish list item?

notebook maker (for crafts) :D

Last thing you did?

chatting

What are you wearing?

Jeans and a sweater socks and two rings

TV?

Pretty big

Your pets?

none :(

Friends?

phenomenal

Your mood?

content

Missing someone?

Naomi (a friend that moved to Singapore)

Drinking?

nothing

Your car?

none - Ah Darn.

Your favorite store?

Hobby Lobby (T J Max, Barnes and Noble, Anthropology...)

Your favorite color?

Purple, white, and green, and I'm starting to like a slate blue with say... mustard yellow? I LOVE color!

When is the last time you cried?

about a month ago (Anna says)

Where do you go to over and over?

bedroom

My favorite place to eat?

Ed Debevics in Chicago

Place I'd like to be at right now?

Sisters house

I filled this out yesterday, but I had to go eat supper and I never got it posted. ;D

Is so totally ready for spring!

Hey guys,

Am I the only one that is pining for the sweet smells of spring? (Not to mention the warmth...) My plans for the summer include: working at camp IRBC, MAYBE detassiling for a little while, hanging out with my friends, playing volleyball, Family camp, and Senior High camp! Just thinking about summer gets me pumped.

I want to get into running when it gets warm enough... so those of you that like to run; keep encouraging me! I think it would be cool to say that you ran 6+ miles that day, and feel great cause you got a lot of exercise!

For now I'm stuck inside working on Algebra, science projects, and writing/researching for a huge World Literature project, on and on it drags..... But I only have 8 more classes of World Lit. and I'm done with English for the school year. I have 50 more Algebra lessons though. mmm


Well, all for now!

In the News. Feburary 22, 2009

The World Literature extension class, that I'm in is displayed in the Courier (our local news paper) today. One of my friends- Joria Wheeler is featured on the front page! That's pretty exciting. If you want to read the article you can check it out at http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2009/02/22/news/local/11022713.txt.

That class is fun, because you're forced to read books from different genres than you're used to reading from. Right now (as you'll find out in reading the article) we're reading "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Believe me I wouldn't read this book on my own; it's basically a horror book, but it's well written with colorful sentences and vivid words. Speaking of words Mrs. Hoard gives us a myriad of vocabulary words (uh, yes myriad was one of them). It's tough to study all of them for tests/quizzes; but good for ACT prep. Plus we sound particularly more studious if we actually use the big words...

Just wanted to fill you in; have a great week!

~Cally :D

Spring......

Man, it's been a while since I've posted! This year has been fun so far with Science, World Literature, MHE (our homeschool group), Algebra, 4-H club, and volunteering at a couple different places church and a Bible study.

Oh yes, it snowed -again- last night. I want spring so badly. But I'm finding things to do inside, I've been knitting; and I also got back into making jewelry lately. Mommy has been making homemade bread for a couple weeks, it's SO yummy. You should stop by and have some. Anna is into drawing; she has also been knitting, Anna gave mommy a scarf she knitted for mom's birthday. :D

I'll try to post more often...... ;)

~Cally

Spring

Hello All,

Last Thursday I saw a sure sign of Spring: Golfers were out on Byrnes Park Golf Course! We had thought that we'd have already found a house by this time, but we haven't... We're still looking and looking and and even more looking at houses, but none seem to be the right one for us.

On to other things, School is out for Summer on June 2 and I can't wait! We have vocabulary finals the first part of May that'll be the hardest final in my opinion, because I wasn't at Walnut Ridge when they studied all of the different roots and prefixes in Greek and Latin... yikes

Anna and I have been outside as much as possible lately jumping on the Bullerman's trampoline with Gabe and Maggie (next door neighbors.) That's fun teaching them how to play different trampoline games and so on.

Well that's what is happening with me; how about you?
~Cally