Under the Sky

St. Patrick's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 20:52:00 +0000

The happiest of St. Patrick's Days to you!

There is always a cost.

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 05:39:00 +0000

It's very easy to wander through life without a clear understanding of what people give to keep your family safe. Sometimes it is those that make the least that do the most for us--and we often don't know their names or what they have given up for our safety.

We are in the midst of terrible fires here in California, for the umpteenth summer in a row. My amazing son-in-law is a fireman for the California Forest Service and we could not be more proud. We know what it means because just this week, several firemen have given their lives trying to save others' homes and families. It wrecks the heart to hear of these deaths--a fallen tree or a flashover that kills with swiftness. These men have families waiting for them. Wives that keep going at jobs or at home with children hoping and praying that they don't get that knock on the door.

I know and love men in the blue uniform that literally put their lives on the line every single day of their work life. That takes a different sort of human being in my mind. These people are sheepdogs--unwilling to let another do the work of saving lives in their place. We have lost several just this week to crimes that pale in comparison to the loss of a precious young life loved by many.

These are the servants that give until they have no more to give.

Then there are those in the service of our country; our brave men and women in uniform in all levels of the military. I am keenly aware of the sacrifice because I have two serving. There isn't anything that gives you clarity like knowing your children could be one of those in a foreign land standing up for those who cannot stand for themselves. My son begins his Crucible tonight and in 54 hours will have earned his Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. My daughter is a Marine already learning to serve in her chosen job. There are simply no words to fill this space that can describe what it feels like to be a mom to brave and amazing children. It is the ever-present mix of fierce pride and joy in their capability and that terrible ache knowing what could be.

If I was not a Christian that utterly and unreservedly embraces the sovereignty of the Living God, Jesus Christ in risen form, I might be overcome. But I can be more than a conqueror through Jesus. It doesn't mean I don't struggle or fear or worry because I am human and I absolutely do all those things. What it means is that I can, each and every day, go back to the Risen Lord, confess my sin, and ask for His everyday help to keep going. I know that while there is life, there is hope in Jesus, and that He is in charge, sovereignly moving in all areas of the world and each and every life, every single minute of every single day. He is my rest and He is my joy. I am so grateful.

So tonight, and for the rest of the days of my life, I will pray to the Lord for the life and salvation of my children and those that do not yet know the peace of Christ that passes all understanding. I will walk each day knowing that God will give me what I need to walk in, and it will be for His glory, and my good--every single day of my life. I am so terribly grateful for this life. So terribly grateful for the breadth and depth of the love of Jesus to those that seek Him. Do you seek Him? He is found by those that do.

Seek the Lord while he may be found;

call upon him while he is near;

let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,

and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

-Isaiah 55:6-7

There are days...

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 06:58:00 +0000

It's a different life when your children grow up and live adult responsible lives. It almost makes a person feel superfluous, but not entirely. I know that where my adult peeps are is where they are supposed to be because I believe in the mighty sovereignty of God. No matter where we are in this great wide universe, God is still at work in each and every one of us.

It is important that I remember this when I feel down, and I feel down tonight. I feel down because I miss my son. He's doing something simply amazing right now, and that's where he should be. I have a second Marine Recruit! But if I am honest, and not complaining, being real as a mama, it's still a hard thing. I know what it means to say goodbye to a child and not know when I might see them again. That's where I am living right now, but it is where God would have me living--or I wouldn't be here.

I had a lovely night with a dear friend--a friend who has loved me though a great change in my life. A friend that is able to say, I hear you, even though I don't always understand where you are and why you had to go, but she gets my heart and we are sisters. It's hard to express what I mean without divulging things I cannot, but some changes must be made and we have made them. I am grateful for people that love no matter what. It is rare to find such a person, but you will know them when you find them. Friendships are gifts.

A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

-Proverbs 18:24

Love your children, friends. Love them and be there for them when they are in your home--and when they are not. I look back and while I know I was not the most amazing mom, I LOVE the time I had with my children in our home. I don't regret a single moment of that. LOVE them. ENJOY them. Be there. The time is fleeting.

Memorial Day

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Mon, 28 May 2018 18:07:00 +0000

There’s something different about a Memorial Day when you have children serving. I am grateful they are not on the front line anywhere at this time, but it does make the many many sacrifices of warriors that have gone on before us particularly real. Those rows and rows of headstones signify someone’s son or daughter, father or mother, brother or sister, and someone’s friend. They are real people that left real loved ones behind when they served. There isn’t any way to properly thank them for what they gave, but we can never forget them.

❤ Remember that some gave all. ❤

Mother's Day Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Fri, 11 May 2018 00:19:00 +0000

It's the little things that take me back. Sorting and purging twin sheets did it today while looking at all the little penguins on the flannels I had carefully folded to put away for the summer. These sheets were purchased so many years ago to keep my little people warm in the winter. I remember.

As I sort through the sheets, I realize that in a week, I will only have two precious bodies to fill the many twin beds in my home. My babes have turned into adults and are growing up and moving on--living the lives they were meant to live.

Though they will always be my children, they are no longer my responsibility. This is a huge change for me. Just yesterday, as I was driving, I thought back to when I was in their place, on the cusp of my marriage, ready to take my own life by the horns, and live it to the fullest. I remember that feeling, and that's where three of them are. I remembered that I had a little sadness leaving my mom, but that really, I was more excited and ready for my new life than I was sad--and that's the way it was supposed to be. It was a strange and important realization for me.

I never want to be the one to hold them back. I never want to be a drag on their lives. It is very hard not to be needed like I once was, but it is the end goal to a life lived with purpose--to set them free and watch them soar. Painful it is, but I remember the many years I was privileged to be with them--and I am GRATEFUL for each and every day.

So while I cry as I purge sheets I will no longer need, I rejoice in the knowledge that for a little while, God allowed me to pour into my children the things that were most important, and by His grace, I had the distinct honor of being their mother.

Happy Mother's Day to all my beautiful mother friends.

Enjoy each and every day you have.

Being a Mama...

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 03:11:00 +0000

...and in my case, five.

Marine Corps Bootcamp - 2018 - New Beginnings

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 06:39:00 +0000

So my beautiful, amazing, strong, brave daughter leaves for the Marine Corps tomorrow at 4:30 am. She will travel to Parris Island, South Carolina, to start her new life as a Marine. There are no words to adequately express the tumult of emotions fighting for supremacy inside my heart. She is fiercely loved and we are very proud of her.

This was supposed to happen on Wednesday of last week, with less than 24 hour notice. By the grace of God via the ice storms on the east coast, we were given a few days' reprieve, and a few more days to say goodbye. It was a mercy to us. I was not prepared to let her go so quickly. I am not sure that any mother is really prepared to say goodbye, because I wasn't totally prepared for the goodbye that came when my oldest got married almost two years ago--even though we loved her fiance and knew it was the right life choice for her. It is terribly hard to say goodbye.

I have now lived as a mother longer than the years I was without children, and my life is enmeshed in that role and way of living. The severing of that place, in the day to day, has been harder than I ever though it would be. I entirely embraced my role as a mama and would not trade places with anyone for anything for those 23 years of my life. It is hard though, to say goodbye. It is hard for things to change. It is a tearing away of what was to create what is and wow, is it ever painful.

But it is right and good. God designed the family in such a way to lay the foundation for the rest of the lives of our children. We are only temporary guardians for these precious gifts we are given in our children. We are only temporary, but He is eternal. He is their eternal Father and the One that guides them in their paths - even when they don't know He is doing it. God is all sovereign, and all supreme.

I was overcome with sadness this week. My friend shared the truth of God with me:

Keep remembering Who has all of this stuff wrapped up, pre-planned, and WON already. Rest in Him. Find your peace in the Lord. She is in HIS hands and that is a very good place.

God is able, all the time, to do whatever He wishes for our GOOD and His GLORY. As she leaves tomorrow, I will try very hard to rest in that truth. God is truth, and His word is there for us to rest in.

Friends with little ones - love them; enjoy them; pray for them. The time you have is very short. Remember the gifts you have while you still have them.

Thanksgiving, 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 23:03:00 +0000

First Thanksgiving is always the weekend before the "real day" but it helps the whole family see more of each other and then see our spouse's family. Here are some photos from our fun event. Not everyone is represented here, and I wish in hindsight that I'd taken more photos!

So many of my babies are grown - three out of five are now adults. Life comes at you fast!

It was lovely to see the aunts and uncles and my cousin Byron and his beautiful wife, Judy, were also there in addition to other cousins. It's a real blessing to have family that love each other. I know not everyone does. We will get to spend actual T-day with more family on my husband's side. God is a giver of good gifts!!

I hope your Thanksgiving is as lovely as ours was. May your focus be on the good gifts that come from above.

Cranberry Orange Bread

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 01:19:00 +0000

We are prepping for our annual early Thanksgiving weekend and I am in charge of all things cranberry. That means cranberry bread and cranberry sauce as well as some form of rolls that do not involve any cranberries at all. I am still mulling over that one.

One of the many pluses of blogging is that when I cannot locate a recipe in my gigantic recipe holder, I check my blog. Many of my favorites have been shared here and this is no exception. :D This was posted WAY back in 2013 when I had all five children still at home!

This recipe has been a family favorite for many many years and I make it every year. It is hard to keep our hands off of it when it comes out of the oven it is just SO good. If you love oranges and cranberries together then this is for you.

So, for you lovers of cranberry out there, I give you my Cranberry Orange Bread. Enjoy!

By His Grace Alone We Are Saved

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 06:27:00 +0000

On this Easter, 2017, let us never forget that it is by His work alone on the cross that we are saved from the punishment for our sins. He took that punishment for us - bore our sins - that we might be raised up with Christ; that He might show the immeasurable riches of HIS grace.

I am so grateful.

St. Patrick's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:48:00 +0000

The happiest of St. Patrick's Days to you!

John 1:12

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 20:32:00 +0000

Westfield Studios ~ Biology 101 ~ A Review

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 16:30:00 +0000

There's something wonderful about reviewing a product you can wholeheartedly endorse. I was tickled to receive, Biology 101: Biology According to the Days of Creation, from Westfield Studios. If you have never heard of The 101 Series, you are in for a real treat. Westfield Studies is owned and operated by the homeschooling husband and wife team, Wes and Tammy Olson. In 2003, Tammy could not locate a program she was excited to use with her children, so her husband decided he'd make it for her! Wes Olson had "...15 years of corporate film production experience, and his natural love of science," so The 101 Series was born.

Designed specifically for the homeschool family, this four DVD set comes with a 114-page PDF Guidebook that helps you use and flesh out this study, as well as a 12-page PDF Course Accreditation Program. (More on those two later in the review.) In the study, you will find 11 segments that are divided into 27 individual weeks of study. With all the details done, let's get into Biology 101!

Based upon the six days of creation, we begin at the beginning of the third day, after the first two days of "setting the scene" or getting the "backdrop" ready for living creatures in Genesis 1:11-13:

And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

Biology comes from two Greek roots, bio for life and logos for study. (Logos has other meanings, and the wiki on the word is very fascinating for word geeks like me.) Life is hard to define. He addresses this right at the beginning in the Introduction. Most of us don't think about the definition of the word life. We just live it. We often take it for granted--at least I know I do. It is really an indescribable, indistinguishable something that keeps us all alive - breathing, making and expending energy, developing, and reproducing. I'd say scripture is clear about the Giver of life. As Job 12:10 so eloquently states, In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind? God is the source of all life, and everything your family learns in Biology 101 flows from there.

In the Introduction, Wes Olson goes over the whole taxonomy (or laws of classifiying) system. I have always been fascinated with this! When our children were younger, we memorized the seven classes that he defines in the series: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. To give you an example of how this is used, he classifies an animal.

Source: Wiki

Kingdom: Animalia (all animals from insects to zebras are in this kingdom)

Phylum: Chordata (the animal has a backbone)

Class: Aves (birds)

Order: Passeriformes (birds that perch)

Family: Muscicapidae (birds that catch flies)

Genus: Turdus (brown thrush)

Species: Migratorius (migrates)

So the Turdus Migratorius is what we commonly call a Robin. I find classification to be absolutely fascinating! He delves right into this in solid detail.

The 37 minute Third Day lesson focus is, of course, the plants and vegetation that God brought forth on the third day. The first section is divided into Vascular Plants and Non-Vascular Plants. This is the breakdown of this section of the video:

Some of the things our family learned from this lesson were totally fascinating! Here are just a few:

* Vascular plants take in water and nutrients through what we'd call tubes or windpipes of sorts. Many of you have taken a stalk of celery with a fresh cut at the bottom, and placed it in a glass of water with colored dye. Wait a few hours and you will see the celery turn that color. These are the "tracheas" of the plants at work. A tulip is a good example of this. Moss is a good example of a non-vascular plant because it takes it moisture from the surface of the plant.

* Most of us have heard the terms stamen and stigma, but do you ever remember how to tell which is the male or female? He gave the simplest way that I highlighted already: men = male and ma = female!

* Did you know that algae played a role in the development of dynamite? That was highly fascinating and you will find the answer to that in this lesson!

* Did you know that without grasses, the world wouldn't survive? Wheat, oats, barley, sugar cane, corn, and rice are all considered grasses. Half the world's population relies on rice for a main staple. So even if you are a paleo enthusiast, all the meat you eat has to eat the grasses. It is quite a cycle!

* Did you know that trees are the oldest living things in the world? That the oldest tree still living is around 4,500 years old and was growing during the time the pyramids were being built and Abraham left his home in obedience to God?

These are a *tiny* number of the many wonderful facts that you learn along with the definitions and photos or videos of whatever he's discussing. The facts systematically build upon each other and you end up with a very comprehensive understanding of the subject for each lesson.

The remaining lessons are:

Aquatics (40 minutes)

Avian (44 minutes)

Land Animals Part 1 (22 minutes)

Land Animals Part 2 (28 minutes)

Mankind Part 1 (27 minutes)

Mankind Part 2 (24 minutes)

Genetics (40 minutes)

These are broken into segments and the Course Accreditation Book explains how to do this.

The Guidebook (sample) is a fantastic resource. The videos provide the meat, and the potatoes and veggies are found in the Guidebook. You will find specific information on the lesson directly from the film, side bar trivia, commentary, biographical information, source footnotes, discussion questions, assignments, field trip suggestions, as well as Bible study suggestions on the topic here.

Some of the quiz questions for the lesson include:

* Chlorophyll is the chemical responsible for ______________?

* Why is the stamen considered the male part?

* The division name of vascular plants is ______________?
* Penicillin is an antibiotic made from _________________?

Some of the Discussion Questions include:

* How is eating a plant the same or different than eating an animal?
* What did Jesus believe about creation and the Bible? Why is it important to believe what He believed?
* How do we know the Bible is a reliable document?
* God made all vegetation on the day before He made the sun. How could the plants have survived this?
* Discuss a few of your favorite ways plants are talked about in the Bible.

The Course Accreditation Booklet (sample) shows you how to use the Biology 101 course as a base and to build from there. Suggestions in this PDF include:

Creating a Biology 101 Notebook, Utilizing Discussion Questions, Activities, Quizzes, Labs, Reports, Field Trips, Essay Suggestions, and much more. This 12-page booklet can flesh out the videos and build upon them for further study and course accreditation.

Other Resources from The 101 Series:

As a family, we have already used Chemistry 101, and are in the midst of using their new Physics 101 too. You might be able to tell that we like The 101 Series! I was excited to read that General Science is in the works for 2017!

Final thoughts:

Biology 101 is easy-to-use, content-rich, and truly a feast for the eyes. The visuals Wes Olsen uses to explain his subject matter are lush and beautiful. This is the visual guide to biology that you've been looking for. Every single one of these courses have produced the results I wanted - children interested and engaged in the subject matter!

Want to follow them on social media? You can find them here: Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

If you'd like more information from families that used this with their children, click the link below and explore the different reviews of all three courses!

Family Verses

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 23:04:00 +0000

So do you have a verse or verses that you consider your "Family Verses"? We do. Slowly, over the years, we have memorized some scripture. Not a lot because I am a lame mom, but I love scripture and it fills me with Christ's peace when we read it or memorize it. It is something every family should do if they claim the name of Christ, but if you are like me, you don't always do what you should be doing.

Recently, we started memorizing verses again, but Colossians 3:12-14 has been our "Family Verse" for as long as I can remember. It is how scripture tells us to be in a family - and really how we should be to all, as those chosen by God. We strive for this, though often fail.

What are verses that mean something to you as a family?

Do you memorize scripture?

What are some of your favorites?

#BobandAmy2016

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 21:08:00 +0000

So my sister in law got married on Friday. The happiest rest of their lives to them!!

My children and I spent two days helping get things ready for their big night. Among other things, I helped with the flowers, making boutonnieres and corsages. The wedding had two themes, music and science fiction (and their love for Jesus was shared during the service). :) My husband, Amy's brother, was given the perfect thing to wear - a Star Trek ComBadge! I'd post a photo, but I don't have one. You can see it at the aff link in the name. It is such fun, and all the important men in the wedding had one. The groom wore a commander badge. Since my husband is a tech geek, he wore the engineering badge.

These were the flowers for the mothers that I made. :)

I wish them both the joy of Christ, a deep walk with their Savior together,
and much laughter and love in their marriage.

Galations for You - New Reading Material

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 15:00:00 +0000

(Affiliate links included in this post.)

I am starting a new book this week. I just finished reading a fictional account of part of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, and this week, I will begin a non-fiction book, Galations for You, by Timothy Keller. My friend recommended it, so here I go.

I opened it up to the Introduction, because that often states the heart of the author. This is no exception.

Part of it reads:

"But in this short letter, Paul outlines the bombshell truth that the gospel is the A to Z of the Christian life. It is not only the way to enter the kingdom; it is the way to live as part of the kingdom. It is the way Christ transforms people, churches and communities.

"We're going to see Paul showing the young Christians in Galatia that their spiritual problem is not only caused by failing to live in obedience to God, but also by relying on obedience to Him. We're going to see him telling them that all they need--all they could ever need--is the gospel of God's unmerited favor to them through Christ's life, death and resurrection. We're going to hear him solving their issues not through telling them to "be better Christians", but by calling them to live out the implications of the gospel.

"We're going to watch Paul challenge them, and us, with the simple truth that the gospel is not just the ABC of Christianity, but the A to Z--that Christians need the gospel just as much as non-Christians."

I am excited to read this. What are you reading right now? What is on your bookshelf that is bringing you encouragement in this life? What have you loved that you have recently read?

Recipe for Almond Butter Skinny Chocolate

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 22:19:00 +0000

So some of you are trying to lose weight - and so am I! I have done the research on the keto diet and really do believe there is something to it, however it is hard to miss some of the best things I have always loved. I have purchased a few cookbooks to help me with that, and I will share some of those at another time. Today though, I want to share what I concocted for us. I received two delicious jars of Organic Alive Almond Butter from Living Tree Community Foods, and I decided to put it to good use.

I did cheat one day and made almond butter toast and ate it with a cold glass of milk. Oh my heavens - it was so good. Almond butter is a wholly different flavor from peanut butter, but it is versatile and interchangeable with peanut butter in recipes. It is softer so it will melt faster once made, but the flavor is worth the licking of the fingers that may result. :) The New Lighter Life posted three recipes for skinny chocolate, and I modified the peanut butter one to make this. I had a recipe that I modified that used peanut butter, and this is the Almond Butter Skinny Chocolate recipe:

Almond Butter Skinny Chocolate

1/2 C Coconut Oil (melt if not already in oil form)
1/4 Heaping C cocoa powder
1/2 C Almond Butter
1/4 C Truvia, blended to powder form (I use a second coffee grinder that I keep for this purpose. I don't like gritty chocolate and this smooths that out.)
1 T vanilla - make SURE you include this or it will simply not be the same
1/4 t salt

Mix all together and place in a rectangular pan; freeze. I use the container below that's about eight inches long. You can put them in mini-cupcake tins or double the recipe and pour it into a 9x13 pan. Once frozen, you can easily cut with a knife and leave it, closed, in the freezer. It is quite good right out of the freezer and melts in your mouth.

If you make this, let me know what you think!

16 Years and yet...

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 07:11:00 +0000

So I had to use math to figure out that I have been homeschooling for 16 years. That seems crazy to me, but when I look at my children, I see that most of them are either adults or very close to being there. I have two graduates, and three in school this September. They will be in 8th, 10th, and 12th. I can't believe I am going to have another senior, and I can't believe I am almost done homeschooling my third child. I simply do NOT know where the time went. It feels as though it flew away so quickly.

I wonder, as most homeschooling mothers wonder, did I do enough? The answer (to me anyway), is probably not, but God is able to do more than we ask or think, and His plans are perfect. I regularly feel like I am not doing enough, but I know that most homeschool mothers think this way. I know that most of us struggle with the time that is given to us - and those of us (like me) that work from home, it is doubly so. I am *so* grateful for my ability to work from home, but it is still hard, and does take its toll. I am not complaining, just being honest.

I have a hard time looking at old photos as I see the changes that have so swiftly taken place. I have become that mom that shares with her younger mom friends, "Love those babies! Enjoy this time! Don't worry about the laundry!" The older I get, the faster it goes. So I resolve to have a good year, but I feel that I don't really know how to do that very well. I am struggling to get it all together even though I have some really awesome curriculum to use this year. I am so blessed with what we have. I wonder if *I* am able. Do you ever wonder that?

I know that God is able. I know that He is able to come along beside me and help me to be who He needs me to be.

"If we must come to Him for the small things and can be assured of His wise provision, how much more can we bring to God the "big" things and be assured that the same wise Father is at work?"

I read that today, from this article. What a powerful message - that we are dependent on God for every single thing - every single day!

This really hit me:

"On the journey through the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land, daily dependence on God's provision was the way of life of God's people.

What the Israelites -- about two million men, women, and children continually on the move for forty years -- needed for each day, came that day, and was enough for that day. No Israelite could hoard the leftovers, because as they soon learned, they would be stinking and worm-infested the next day."

I get worried that I won't be enough; that I won't be able to plan in the right way, or do the right work. But maybe it isn't supposed to be planned out every day. Maybe I need to trust that God has us well in hand, all the time, each and every day - just like He has for the last 16 years.

I want to remember that this last year is a gift. That I will never have this time again. I don't want to waste it.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

(James 1:17)

I saw this on Facebook the other day, and saved it. I don't know who created it, but I loved it. I hope it helps you too. God is able. Always.

24 years

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 17:33:00 +0000

24 years ago, I was just about ready to walk down the aisle with my father, to embark on the greatest adventure of my life with the young man who'd become my best friend. We had no idea what the next 24 years would look like, but we were committed to experiencing it together. By God's grace, we're here today with five amazing children, one awesome son-in-law, and a deeper love and faith than we'd ever imagined. Looking back, I'd not trade a moment of it - not any of it. God is ever faithful and His love is everlasting. The happiest anniversaries to you, Mark. You are deeply loved.

You Hold it ALL, Lord!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 20:11:00 +0000

Today, I discovered that the Newsboys have a new album. This song in particular, spoke to my heart today. This is the amazing Sovereign I serve. I am so very grateful He rules the world.

You Hold It All

From the highest of mountains

To the depths of the sea

From the planets in motion

To the breath that we breathe

From the womb of the barren

To the rich and the poor

To the dreams of the orphan

Every heart beat is Yours

You hold it all

(Every mountain, every valley)

You hold it all

(Every tear drop, every heartbeat)

In my weakness

You’re my victory

In my sickness

You surround me

I believe that You hold it all

It’s in the roar of the lions

It’s in the wind and the waves

It’s in the glory of sunrise

And the lives that You change

You stand alone in splendor

You reign in majesty

Your hands formed all creation

Your hands are holding me

You are my hope forever.

(Copyright, Newsboys.)

#DeltaDays

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Mon, 02 May 2016 03:42:00 +0000

This past weekend begins our many spring and summer weekends visiting our favorite place. This is one of the reasons - big sky. It is just so peaceful. Click to enlarge to see how really lovely it is. :)

Bach - Prelude

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 20:29:00 +0000

If you have not had your daily dose of beauty, here you go. This piece always moves me, and it never gets old. Oh to be able to play this on any instrument. What a gift.

HomeschoolDiploma.com - A Review

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 06:13:00 +0000

It is almost graduation time again for many families, and I was given the opportunity to review some amazing products from HomeschoolDiploma.com. The best and most exciting thing to me was the Exclusive High School Diploma, that I was able to order for my own son.

Once you decide which diploma selection you wish to purchase, the process is easy, and you have some neat choices to make the diploma your own. The Exclusive High School Diploma ($48.99) comes with a deluxe padded cover with various choices for its design. The center seal on the diploma itself is the first thing you select in the list of choices. What do you want it to look like?

There are four seals to choose from that go in the center of your diploma:

"Christian Education" Engraved Seal
"Soli Deo Gloria" Engraved Seal
"Classical Education" Engraved Seal
"Private Education" Engraved Seal

Because I just love the "Five Solas" that underlie our faith, I selected that one.

Then you add the name of your student and make sure you select their correct gender as the wording further down will address this on the diploma. You will add the name of your school and the city and state (if you wish). You will also be asked if you have the authority to issue the diploma. I thought that was interesting. I know each state has their own rules, but you will need to authorize that you can, indeed, issue it.

Then you select the wording you want on the diploma. This was really neat. You can choose a number of different things that reflect what your school stands for, and whether or not your student is an honor student. I liked these choices and we selected this wording:

With thanks to God and in acknowledgment of His enabling grace, we joyfully present

(My son's full name.)

with his diploma. It is the culmination of his High School education,

a milestone at which we recognize his many accomplishments, and evidence

that he has fulfilled all requirements for graduation.

Then you select whether or not you want a verse or a school or family motto on the diploma. Some of these are included in the price, and some are extra (depending on whether or not you use the standard selections.) I liked that this was a choice.

You will provide the graduation date and then the signature lines. You can have your school principal or headmaster, or some other administrator's name and/or date lines on there. It is nice to have two so that you can have both parents sign it, or one for a signer and the other for a date line. Either way, these are your choices.

You have a choice of paper for the diploma: Ivory Parchment or Cream Colored Stock. Both are nice and the finished document on the parchment we received was just beautiful. You also select the font and have two choices: Printed Gothic (which is free) or Hand Calligraphy ($10.50 extra). This is what they look like:

I would have liked to have had another choice or two with fonts as there are just so many available these days. We selected Printed Gothic. If your child was an honors student, there is an honors gold sticker option that is $2.95 extra.

The padded covers are lovely and come in a variety of color choices: black, navy, royal blue, red, white, green, maroon, and purple. You can select the seal for the cover of that as well. I chose the Soli Deo Gloria cover in gold foil with black background. It is gorgeous! You can choose a lot of different cover options. You can also personalize the cover with your student's name for $14.50 extra.

This is our finished diploma:

Once you fill in all those selections, you can then check out, or see the other high quality items they sell, and add them to your list! Do you need graduation announcements or invitations? They produce some very professional and beautiful ones you can with many different designs and choices for your school and student! They also sell graduation apparel and class rings. Need a cap and gown for the big day? HomeschoolDiploma.com is really a one-stop shop for all your family's graduation needs.

We were very pleased with both the quality of the finished diploma and the padded cover. I am excited to be able to present it when the time comes!

If you are in need of a gorgeous diploma for this year, HomeschoolDiploma.com is an awesome choice! If you will need it in the future, follow them on their social media outlets!

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

To read what others had to say about their own experiences with this company, click the link below.

Studying Geologic Regions of North America

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 00:38:00 +0000

How many of you can name all eight regions, or outline them? I couldn't! So on page 39, of BiblioPlan's Early Modern History (or Year 3), the authors focus on Geographic Regions of North America. I wanted a physical study of this for my kids so I began with this map:

Map Location

I printed this out for my kiddos and then I made and printed this notebooking page:

Then, we watched a series of brief videos I found on Youtube that describe each region and show photos of the region. I had the kids trace and label each region and take notes on each one. Here are the videos in order of region:

A. Coastal Plain

B. Appalachian Mountains

C. Canadian Shield

D. Interior Lowlands

E. Great Plains

F. Rocky Mountains

G. Basin and Range

H. Coastal Ranges

They all start out with the same music so you can skip to 20 seconds in if you want to skip the music as it gets a little annoying after a while. As we watched these, and took notes on what features each region had, we discussed who we knew in each of those regions and whether my children had been to one or more of them. My children have traveled with their grandparents to various parts of the country so it was fun to discuss this with them. They have been to more than I have!

Tomorrow we will focus on states and regions in the country using a pad of tear-off USA maps (aff) similar to this one. I had them label all the states and tomorrow we will go through this video I found on Youtube to discuss North American Physical Geography, Part 1. I will have them label the different aspects of the USA as we watch. I also used this because it defines the regions a little bit differently (Regions of the US). We will follow through with Part 2. It is a very simple way to expose the kids to regions and geographic areas of the country that adds to their BiblioPlan study. I hope will be a fascinating geography unit!

The Entombment

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 18:56:00 +0000

I saw this beautiful painting by Rembrandt on Facebook, of all places, yesterday. I think it is a poignant reminder of what our Savior did for us. We are reminded regularly as we study scripture, but especially reminded each Easter. Jesus hung on the cross in the most painful of deaths - for His people. If you are not one of His people, seek Him while He may be found!

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 1:9

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

1 John 5:11-13