MOVIE NIGHT - Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker

Another library freebie,

I got this because I was getting Tinkerbell for Hunny and thought that Einstein wouldn't appreciate that choice! lol.

Alex Rider was being raised by his Uncle. When his Uncle was killed he went from a regular kid to spy overnight. 

This was a GREAT movie! 

Yes, there was some violence - obviously his Uncle was killed -  but there wasn't any gore. It was very action packed and what kid doesn't dream of being a super hero of some kind? I didn't pick up on any language and there were no sex scenes. 

In looking this up on you tube, I discovered that this is a from a book series. Might have to look into getting them from the library as well.  

I give it five stars since it was so clean for families. 

Burger & Beans

Well, I SHOULD be do the Completing Him Challenge BUT he hasn't gotten back to me on what I've asked him. SO - I thought I'd share what he concocted for dinner last night. :) Like I've said before, he is an AMAZING cook! This was a joint effort as he bought the ingredients and I cooked but then he added seasonings.
Here we go:
2 lbs of venison burger
Package of bacon
dried onion (simply because I am out of onions)
pepper

I put all of this into the wok. Started browning the burger and then cut the bacon into about inch chunks and added it in. I ALWAYS add pepper to burger, I <3 pepper! lol. :) Sprinkled the dried onion in. When the meat was cooked, we added:
a LARGE can of pork & beans
BBQ sauce
ketchup
mustard (spicy)
salt & pepper

I mixed the beans in so they could warm and Good Ole Boy started throwing in the seasonings. He never ever measures anything so I couldn't say how much of each was used. It was very yummy. He had gotten tortilla chips and used this as a dip, but some of the kids simply ate it plain and I'm sure it'd be good like a sloppy joe sandwich too. We even had leftovers! With six of us that doesn't happen often, but it's always nice to have something easy to heat up for lunch the next day.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... The sun is shinning and it's beautiful. The only distraction is the unpleasant aroma of asphalt from the church next door...

I am thinking... Of how much I want to accomplish today.

I am thankful for... My family.

From the learning rooms... This is our last week of our school year! We'll be wrapping up our Weaver chapter then putting it up for three weeks! That's a really long break for us but we need it for fair. Hunny won't finish her chapter so we'll be continuing that when we start up again. She doesn't care.

From the kitchen... Not much. Just turned the coffee pot off. Every one has been fed and once this is posted we'll be upstairs for school. Kitchen is closed, lol. 

I am wearing... Dark blue Girl scout t-shirt and black shorts.

I am creating... My schedule for the new school year. Looking through new items trying to figure how many days a week they will be done, what about karate? co-op? work? Trying to figure how it's all going to mesh together.

I am going...  To continue decluttering the house. It's feeling so good! (but probably doesn't look it)

I am reading... Almost done with The Dixie Widow by Gilbert Morris. 

I am hoping... For God's provision for our family.

I am hearing... The fan whirring in the background.

Around the house... Hunny is playing with her Polly's and the older girls have started their individual work. 

One of my favorite things...  Being chilly in the early morning air conditioning and snuggling down under the comforter with husband & kids. 

A few plans for the rest of the week: School, Work, Einstein has a Dr. apt., pool party & taking Chip to get shaved.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Schoolroom - before

Well, since I showed y'all my schoolroom last week, and since I don't have much time tonight, I figured I'd show you what the room looked like when we bought the house. :) The house was /is a "fixer - upper" and much work has been and needs to be done to it.

Here I am standing in the corner behind where Bugs desk is now - in between the two windows.

Standing over by the hallway, between where my desk and Sis's is now. 

What do you think?

Goat Project

Bug has a goat for fair. His name is Chippers. We board him three miles away at a ranch. Bug is pretty much in charge of the goat barn this summer as I think she should have the experience. Even though we can't have goats at home - she should have to take care of them all AND do the fun stuff like cleaning up goat raisins. :)

Bug & Good Ole Boy thought that some work needed to get done to the goat barn. So last Saturday we spent the afternoon working on the barn. 

Good Ole Boy & Sis measuring the wall.

Looking out from the inside you can see the gaps. This made the barn walls pretty weak, and if you know goats....they are known for being escape artists, lol. :) We figured they could bust out fairly easy if they got the notion in their heads. Plus, it allowed for cold air and snow to come in. Good Ole Boy loved the look of the old walls though, so he kept them to add back over the new walls for looks. 

As the walls came down, I got the fun job of keeping the goats out of the barn! The kids took turns helping with that. The boys were pretty much NOT interested - too noisy I guess, but Rosie, well let's just say she was a tad bit more difficult. :) 

Here's the gang checking us out. Rosie is in front, Mikey behind her and Chip is the little one. 

Bug working hard nailing the new wall in place. I just love the look on her face! :) 

Good Ole Boy nailing the original wood over the new walls. This gave a nice solid interior wall, but a more rustic look on the exterior. 

One job done, and now they are planning another....

MOVIE NIGHT - Chilly Dogs

Another kids section freebie from the library. Leslie Nielson is in this so I grabbed it thinking of laughs.

Kevin lives a boring life in California and works a boring job as a travel agent. He prays for something exciting to happen in his life. Then he gets a letter saying his Grandfather passed away and left his inheritance to him. Kevin quits his job and travels to Alaska....only to learn there is a catch. He must compete in the Iditarod - in 48 hours! 

As Kevin learns more about his Grandpa, he squabbles with some locals, struggles to find a dog team & learn how to mush - and he is hindered each step of the way.  

This IS a hilarious movie! But it should not have been located in the kids section!! It is full of language, fighting, drinking and some sexual references. 

I give it three stars (-2 for language & sex)

Completing Him Challenge --Catch up from week 6

Communicating in marriage about time management

The challenge:  Make a list of 5 things you currently do and ask your husband to prioritize them for you of what is important to him. For example - a clean home, home cooked dinner, coupon clipping, service at church, having friends over for dinner, watching/doing sports with him, etc.

So I sat down and made a list of fifteen things that I do. I asked Good Ole Boy to list them in order or to at least check off the top five most important to him. I was surprised with his choices! 

- laundry

- cooking (NOT my favorite activity)

- teaching the kids

-  running the kids places; school related, fun stuff & medical

(these were three choices but he combined them)

- working in the garden / yard

So I have work to do! 

Laundry is easy - a load a day keeps Mt. Washmore away! 

LOL :) I typically do two - three loads a day for our family size. Now putting them away.....I do struggle there. Sigh.  

Cooking. I hate cooking. No one is ever happy with what I make and I am trying to make healthier meals & make better financial choices with our grocery shopping. Which means we are not having chicken nuggets or pizza every night! (the meals I DON'T hear complaints about!) 

Teaching & running kids are high on my list so easy for me to do. 

Yard work. This is an area that often gets neglected. It gets pushed to after everything else is done. 

I see that I need to rearrange some of my priorities to better be my husbands helpmeet. 

It's nice to do this occasionally. I put a lot of time and energy into pleasing my husband. I need to make sure that I'm not burning myself out by doing things that aren't that important to him. 

http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/2010/07/communicating-in-marriage-about-time.html 

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... It's rainy. The coolness feels good. :) 

I am thinking... I'm tired. Not having a good monring with Einstein and that really drags me down. 

I am thankful for... My strong husband. 

From the learning rooms... Back to school this morning! Sis is starting on her math already. 

From the kitchen... Coffee ready...Bug is making toast. 

I am wearing... Red CCCB t-shirt, black shorts & tennis shoes

I am creating... My next blog post ideas.

I am going... To be running to the ranch shortly. Drop Einstein off and Bug needs to fed Chip.

I am reading... The Dixie Widow by Gilbert Morris. Really enjoy this series, as it follows the Winslow family through the generations. 

I am hoping... Some school related plans work out this year.

I am hearing... Just Einsteins raging in his room :( 

Around the house... Girls are getting ready for the day. 

One of my favorite things... Chippers. He is so wonderful. I just love him. 

A few plans for the rest of the week: Karate, shopping, Bug has a birthday party to attend, Shooting Sports Banquet, school, work.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Garfield - our new kitten

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Our Schoolroom

Last week we took a week off of school. 

So I was naughty and deviated from FlyLady and worked in the schoolroom (honestly, I don't think she'll mind!). :) 

For some reason we've been at the dining room table for 6 months (or at least it feels like it!) and I'm really tired of being there when I have a perfectly good spot carved out just for school. 

Some one by the names of "Not me", "I didn't do it" and "Don't know" had snuck into our house under the dogs noses and destroyed my schoolroom! I mean really. The books were scattered everywhere (looked like the bookcases puked), crayons, markers, legos, multiple card sets = everywhere. 

I just haven't had time to tackle that room. 

Yes, I know that I am a perfectionist. FlyLady is teaching me that. But still. 

If I didn't have time to tackle the WHOLE room, it just wasn't happening. 

So last week was dedicated to it. 

Now it's not perfect, but it IS functional and tomorrow will be ready for our together school. :) 

 From the hallway. 

Here you see Hunny & Bugs desks. Of course Bugs' Civil War musket is beside her desk in case it's needed to defend our schooling from ambush.

A laundry basket with coloring & activity books, a shoebox with wooden blocks, a big ziploc holding a wooden train set, garbage can and two totes of Legos. (the blue tote was Good Ole Boys as a kid and the legos will eventually get sorted out and his will get put away downstairs)

My chalkboard that Good Ole Boy made me. :) 

Bookcase #1 holding our ChildCraft set, Bible books, History, early readers and our collection of Dr. Seuss & Disney. 

On the ceiling is a world map & US map.  

Bookcase #3 was brought in yesterday by my amazing hubby. :) 

It holds a box of drawing paper and reading books like Eric Carle, Hardy Boys, Little Women & Moby Dick.

From the stairway.

You see Sis & Einsteins desks. 

The rest of bookcase #3 with totes of crayons & markers, a microscope (1 of about 4 in the house) and lots of books! 

Bookcase #2 is against the wall holding our World Book set, Science & a few math books - like the M & M ones. :) 

On the ceiling is the US map & a state map.

On the wall is a solar system chart and some neat plant displays my dad found for us. 

Standing in front of bookcase #3.

My desk, a 2 drawer filing cabinet and then the girls drawers - that until yesterday were located against the back wall. This is the only place I could move it to when the bookcase was brought in. 

I don't have a desk chair but use a folding chair so it can easily get moved to go down the hallway. 

The filing cabinet stores files of completed work, currently all their finished lapbooks, and misc. resources. Like a box of French cards that were found at my Grandparents, maps, recipes we've used and various things I've printed out for different chapters. 

My desk drawers are organized with pencils, pens, colored pencils, clay, styrofoam solar system, counting sticks & play money. 

A copy of the Declaration of Independence is on my wall. 

I know not every homeschooler has a schoolroom. 

Many don't want one.

But after living in a small trailer for so long, I was very happy to have a special place for ours.

It's not much, a 10 X 10 landing at the top of the stairs, but it works.

MOVIE NIGHT - Secret of the Cave

Here is another dvd from the library. I discovered this one and grabbed it because..... it had to do with Ireland, LOL! :D Anything Irish or Scottish and I'm in. Both Good Ole Boy and I have ancestors from Ireland....but I am digressing. 

Secret of the Cave was apparently based upon a book, but I am not familiar with that. The movie was not what I was expecting really, but it was quite good. 

The story is about an early teen boy, who obviously did NOT have a good relationship with his father. His father took him to Ireland, but literally dropped him off at relatives. The boy, Roy, discovered a mystery fairly quickly and sets off to unravel it. As the title suggests, part of the mystery lies in a cave. 

Roy seems to develop a good relationship with his aunt and uncle, although he lies a wee bit and is disobedient at times. He develops friendships with some local folk and relating to others is a big topic. The relationships between Roy and his parents obviously cause him alot of distress but the isn't any resolution of that in the movie. 

I will give it five stars -- as there wasn't any language! :) 

Completing Him Challenge --Catch up from week 5

This weeks challenge is to admire your husband. I think it's easy to focus on the negative with any relationship, but it's so much better to focus on the good. What do you admire about your man? 

 Hmmm....honestly, there are SO many things that I admire about Good Ole Boy, but I'll try to start at the beginning. ;) 

<3 He stood up for being a dad when other teens would have run the other way.

<3 He supports my desires. He has stood behind what I want in so many areas.

<3  He is protective.

<3 He is a hard worker, trying very diligently to provide for his family.

<3 He is So BIG & Strong - which makes me feel safe.

<3 He makes me laugh and I enjoy being around him. :) 

<3 He is generous and helpful. He thinks of others frequently. If he stops at a store for a drink, he brings one home for me. He is always willing to help others, even though they never help us when we need it. 

<3 He is handy. He can fix or make most anything!

<3 He is an AMAZING cook! :p

<3 He probably won't believe this one... but he is a good driver. I get really nervous at times (especially winter driving) and he gets mad at me, BUT he has kept us safe no matter the road conditions. 

I could go on and on, but I will stop there. I have an amazing husband whom I love so very much! I feel truly blessed that I have him in my life. 
I love you hunny! :) 

http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/2010/07/do-you-admire-your-husband.html  

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...It is quiet. The morning is grey and cool. But that probably won't last long! 

I am thinking... I think I have a headache...

I am thankful for... The slight dip in humidity. 

From the learning rooms... It is a break week so not much official is going on.

From the kitchen... Coffee is ready...Ah...such a nice start to my day. :) 

I am wearing... Blue t-shirt, black shorts & tennis shoes

I am creating... A check list for each child so they can see what needs to be wrapped up for fair.

I am going... To hopefully tackle the schoolroom today! My goal is to at least get part of it cleaned/purged of unneeded items. 

I am reading... Nothing. Finished Eclipse, waiting on my book order to arrive at our local library branch. 

I am hoping... Actually praying - for God's provision, that He meets our needs and sees us through.

I am hearing... Hunny playing mancala, and the other two girls are looking through pictures on Sis's phone. 

Around the house... It's still quiet. Dogs still in bed. Mystic is staring out the door, not sure where Garfield is?

One of my favorite things... Hugs from my children. How their arms fit around my neck just perfectly. 

A few plans for the rest of the week: Hopfully fair work, small animal clinic, work. 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Fireworks 7-10-10

 http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Completing Him Challenge --Catch up from week 4

Challenge - Pray for your husband daily

Praying for our husbands is a wonderful, powerful tool to help our marriage. Prayer can change things. Sometimes it seems so simple to just pray, but it is effective. I admit, in the beginning I didn't pray for Good Ole Boy as often as I should have. I guess I took it for granted, or didn't realize the powerful impact it would have on our life. Now, I pray for him every day, all day long. :) No, I don't sit in the corner literally in prayer all day! But, I pray for him throughout the day as I see, hear or think of something that reminds me. Does he realize this? Probably not, but that is ok.

Stormie Omartin has written a book entitled "The Power of a Praying Wife", and it gives wonderful ideas on how to specifically pray for our husbands. Courtney at Women Living Well used Stormies list as well. 

1. His wife. Me. I didn't realize when we first were married just how important MY role was! The book "Created to be his helpmeet" by Debi Pearl really opened my eyes to my job. Guess what?! Some of that just isn't easy for me to do. I NEED PRAYER SO I CAN BE THE HELPMEET HE NEEDS - THE HELPMEET GOD MEANS FOR ME TO BE! I frequently pray for myself - not in a selfish sort of way, but for God to work through me and to mold me into the wife and mother that HE wants me to be. 

2. His work. With our run of unemployment, this is a biggie that I do easily pray about daily. I want him to be in a good job, with a good environment, to be happy there, and obviously to make enough money to meet our needs. Currently his job is only part time hours and we are really struggling financially. But I do know in the past that I've taken his jobs for granted. I know better now! 

3. His finances. To me goes very closely - almost like a part B - of #2. I pray that we make good choices in how we spend money. I've learned from "Created to be his helpmeet" that it's not my job to question him in this area - something that is difficult for me to not do. I'm working on watching what I spend our money on as well. 

4.  His sexuality. I pray that he is not tempted with outside influences and I've been convicted of the 'I'm to tired' line. 

5. His affections. I pray that I am meeting all of his needs here and that he doesn't need to look elsewhere for affection. I pray that he can also show his affection to me.

6. His temptations. Again, this kinda overlaps #4 & 5 in my mind. THIS IS A HUGE AREA! PRAY, PRAY, PRAY FOR YOUR HUSBAND! 

7. His mind. To me this can have multiple meanings. I pray for his intelligence & wisdom, but then I pray that tempting/lustful nasty thoughts are not running through his mind as well. We don't see inside our husbands head - we can't always know what they are thinking - but God does. Pray for him.  

8. His fears. What? He's a man. He's big and bad and tough - right? Well, in a sense, but he still has fears. I need to pray that I am sensitive to those things that may bother him and that God will help him. 

9. His purpose. I want my husband to have a sense of purpose - AND feel like he is accomplishing it. I need to be supportive of his desires and so I pray that I can be. Some of them are different from my ideals but I've realized that maybe its even more important to pray for those areas since they are so foreign to me. 

10. His choices. Many of Good Ole Boys choices affect the whole family. I need to be praying that he is making the correct ones! That he is informing himself and choosing wisely for the family. 

11. His health. This is a big one for me. I want him around for a LLOONNGG time yet and he doesn't have a good family medical history. 

12. His protection. I want him to keep safe; mentally, physically, emotionally & spiritually. 

13. His trials. When he is struggling with something it can impact all of us. I don't want him to stress out and struggle with issues. 

14. His integrity. This is important to me. I need to pray for trustworthiness - also for me to be able to trust in him.

15. His reputation. How do others see him? Do I help in the way I talk and treat him? What about the kids? I need to pray that not only does he conduct himself to gain respect and earn a good reputation but also that the family is helping to build up his reputation. 

16. His priorities. I pray that his priorities line up with Gods.

17. His relationships. I pray that he builds strong positive relationships with his family. I pray for him to have good friends as well. 

18. His fatherhood. Being a Dad is so important. I pray for him to be able to relate to the kids. 

19. His past. I pray that he learns from past mistakes and is able to move forward positively. 

20. His attitude. I pray that he has a good positive attitude. ;) 

21. His marriage. Guess that would be our marriage. :) It hasn't always been easy, so our marriage needs the prayer. I need to be a strong warrior to defend this special relationship. Marriage is so endangered in our culture, with divorce being seen as an easy way out. I don't want that here so I pray continually for our marriage! 

22. His emotions. Men can have such weird thoughts on emotions. I pray that he is able to express his emotions in a healthy way. 

23. His walk. 

24. His talk. He is a talker. His talk used to bother me, but now I understand how much he needs to talk. I pray for his talk.

25. His repentance. I pray for this continually! 

26. His deliverance.

27. His obedience.

28. His self-image. I'm working hard on encouraging him. Letting him know how special and amazing he is. I pray not only that God helps him understand, but also that God shows me to encourage him.

29. His faith.

30. His future. Our future. I pray for Gods guidance and for us to follow Him. 

This is a wonderful refresher for me. I know that some of these areas have been skimmed over or left out entirely. 

Courtney suggests using your wedding ring as a reminder to pray. Every time you happen to see it - pray for your husband.  

 

http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/2010/06/challenge-pray-for-your-husband-daily.html

 

MOVIE NIGHT - Magic in the Water

The kids picked this one out at the library, where kids movies are free for a week. Works for me! ;) I had never heard of it before...


This was a GREAT movie! There was, unfortunately - language - most of which was from the 'son'. 

The story line: there are two kids who live with mom. Dad is coming to take them on a summer visitation vacation into Canada. The problem: Dad is a workaholic and doesn't spend time with or understand the kids. The solution: the town's "monster". :) 

The little girl, Ashley, believes in the stories of the towns monster and he becomes her friend and protector. In turn, she is able to help save him. In the process, Dad starts to see things differently and becomes a child again, and healing takes place in their family. 

All of us enjoyed this movie and I would recommend it for families. Like I said, there is language. Some may also not like the Native American references - shape shifting and a smudging scene. 


I give it 4 stars (-1 for language)

Completing Him Challenge --Catch up from week 3

When we said "I do", it meant "I will"

The challenge: to remember our wedding vows. 

It seems so long ago. Scanning these pictures....we looked so....young. Wow. lol. Marriage is NOT an easy road, It IS a lot of hard work. But it is so SPECIAL. I love Good Ole Boy more today than when we were married. 

I knew when my wedding day would be since I was like 10 years old. Just had to wait for the year, lol. :) It fell on a Thursday, October 16, 1997. 

I really wanted an outdoor wedding, but October weather can be questionable, so we were in church. We had a western theme. My Grandfather walked me down the aisle, and my Dad performed the ceremony. 

I felt so loved and beautiful that day, surrounded by our friends & family. And he was so handsome. :) 

My mother-in-law made my dress and many of our decorations were homemade. 

The wedding party from left - my Sister Feather, my cousin Renee, my friend Kelly (who I lived with when the taco incident occurred), my best friend CJ, in front of me - flower girls: my nieces, Jay & H, in front of Good Ole Boy is Einstein as ring bearer, my brother-in-law John, friend Mike, & my brother M. We have an uneven number for a reason. We had a dear friend Ken, who was to stand up with Good Ole Boy, but he drowned a few months prior. We did not feel right in putting someone else in his spot. 

I knew what day I wanted to get married because it was also my grandparents & my parents anniversaries.

Our family 

(Sis & Einstein)

Our cake. We also had two small heart cakes along the side with each of our names on them. The cake topper was homemade. I thought it was so cute. 

There was no dancing during our reception - since it was also in the church. My parents kept the kids and we went out with some friends and did karaoke & dancing at a bar. It might not of been the fairy tale, but it was magical. My only regret was that we never did have a honeymoon, with two little kids and no money. 

http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/2010/06/until-death-do-us-part_20.html

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...  It's a beautiful sunny day, but very HOT & STICKY! 

I am thinking... That I must be getting old, as the humidity is really bothering me this summer. :( 

I am thankful for... Our freedom.

From the learning rooms...Today is individual work only. Otherwise, Hunny is learning about Day 4 of creation in Interlock. We've learned how the sun influences the seasons, what the seasons are & how they are different in different parts of the world. (i.e. while it's summer here, some places it's winter) The others are learning about reproduction & the importance of  families in Weaver. They are currently working on writing a story about a family event.

From the kitchen... Sis tore apart the cupboard that holds our plates, bowls & cups, and reorganized it today - just for something to do. Awesome huh? :) Nothing is happening there currently - it's too hot. 

I am wearing... Jean shorts, a Pooh Bear t-shirt & tennis shoes. Work clothes since I had to work today. 

I am creating... More blog ideas, so that I can blog on a more regular basis.

I am going... To organize the storage container shelf yet today! (just need to keep reminding myself to do so!)

I am reading... Well, I WILL be reading Eclipse as I finished New Moon last night. 

I am hoping... That it rains! ha ha! Maybe that will cut some of this humidity. (I'm really not trying to complain here, I am SO GLAD that it's summer!) 

I am hearing... Sis giggle over messages with/from a boy, Bug chattering about her poetry, the windchimes tinkling on the porch, dog nails clicking on the kitchen floor and the fans whirring.

Around the house...Well.....it's starting to look some better as we've been fluttering all week long. Feeling very proud of us for keeping on the move there. Didn't get all of yesterday's mission accomplished, but did get the freezer fire put out. Was able to pitch some things without feeling guilty! Go me! Girls decluttered their books yesterday and that was awesome. I keep working on our bedroom as it's been neglected for some time. Even though we've moved out of the bedroom zone, I try and take care of at least one more thing every morning. Eventually we will have a home free from CHAOS! :D 

One of my favorite things... Is watching Good Ole Boy shave! lol. I used to sit and watch my grandpa shave when I was little. There is something magical about that simple act.

A few plans for the rest of the week: School, Work, Fair prep (hopefully!), and the County Shoot is Saturday (this is for Shooting Sports and is a fair entry even though it's a month before fair time).

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

It was awfully bright that day. This is my best friend CJ & I. We've been friends for.....oh my goodness!....30 years! Wow. It's awesome to have those friends that no matter how many miles separate us, or how many months/years it's been since we've seen each other, you can still count on them, and pick up - right where you left off.

 
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Independence Day

Independence Day, the fourth of July, cookouts, heat, fireworks. 

A few things that I think of when I hear about this holiday. 

It must have been an amazing time to live through. I often think about the people who were so crucial to America's independence from Britain. It must have been terrifying, defying your country, knowing that you could be hung for treason if things did not go well. To stand up completely for what you believed in. I often wonder "could I do that"? I'd like to. Not that I want to leave my country and go to war with them, but if I lived then, would I have had the strength to endure? Could I risk all? I pray I am never faced with a situation like that. The colonists have my respect. 

The fourth of July. It's a special time for our family. My Grandma's birthday was July 3 and my dad's is July 2. So in some aspects it fits right in as another day, but in some it's special for the family. Typically we celebrate with a cookout. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, potato salad & watermelon. That's what we did yesterday as well. Very yummy and very anticipated. It's nice to know what to expect. 

Of course, it was hot. VERY HOT. Uncomfortably hot. Sigh. Trying not to complain as I prefer the heat to the cold, but the humidity can just go away. 

Fireworks around here are weird. They just don't do them like I grew up with fireworks. Many times they are not done on the fourth but days before or after. We always have a hard time locating them. And then the village we live in has a special celebration the next week so fireworks are saved for that. So, we saw a few in the sky driving last night, I think they were just private, but they were beautiful. 

Mostly yesterday I thought alot. Driving to church, looking at the fields, "Amber waves of grain" just kept rolling through my mind. In church, "America, America, God shed His grace on thee" was my constant theme. And throughout the afternoon, I kept thinking of how our nation needs to come back to that place. Back to the feeling of God needs to be first. Back to placing God first. Back to Biblical leadership, & Biblical values. I feel like we are in a losing battle, and I pray that we aren't to late.

God Bless America.

 

MOVIE NIGHT - Avatar

So Good Ole Boy surprised us and rented Avatar. I had just mentioned this movie last week to him. :) I think we were the last people on the planet to watch it lol! 

I had a hard time grasping the concept of the movie initially, but I also had four kids talking, arguing & asking questions at that same time. Once we got them quieted down, things went much better. :/ 

This is a story that has played out many times throughout history. Someone has something that someone else wants. Doesn't matter that the first someone was there first. Sigh. I love the history of America. The Pilgrims, the Pioneers, etc. but they still encroached on the native population and how many treated both the people and land is sad. Very similar to what happens in Avatar on Pandora. It's not that the land was wanted, but something in the land. And they didn't care who or what they hurt to get what they wanted. 
This is a story about that. Someone who gets caught up in the situation of helping TAKE or DEFEND the people/land of Pandora.  
The special effects were amazing! I was very impressed there. It was like a real place and everything seemed very realistic. There was a minor love story woven in and it made us all cry at times which is a big indicator to me. :) I thought it was a very good movie, with the exception of the language. There was absolutely no reason for that. :(

I give it 4 stars (-1 for language)



 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRdxXPV9GNQ