What do y'all think...

time for an update? Since I have been such a slacker in posting pictures, quotes, and interesting tid-bits about our daily life, I figured I should at least let y'all know what's keeping us busy.

Daddy: faithfully "counting beans," spending family time and one-on-one time with each of us, discussing A Thomas Jefferson Education with Mom and I, and planning spring and summer vacations.

Mark, Scott, and Russell: they are all boy, what else needs to be said? They are constantly comming up with new ways to make things crazy (including our lives =p). As a friend said said "the 'boy code' is: anything you can do, I can do dumber." They were very excited to be back "in school" this week. The alluring books, normalized routine, and constant supervised time has them back on track and well on their way to becoming delightful young men. All of them are willing to help whenever with whatever, a great help to all of us.

Rissie: semester tests are finally over; YAY!!!!! It's amazing how much time it takes to be throughly studing, reviewing, and going over material for four online subjects. Though she had to miss several days of swim practice, she was uber-diligent in her studies and determined to do her very best in the multidue of tests that she took. Right now she is in the kitchen baking something scrumptious for breakfast. =)

Mother Dear: school for the boys started back this week, so she has again started to balance a million things at once (errands, reading to the boys, cooking yummy meals, cleaning, grading work, disciplining, reading deep and thought-provoking books, talking with Marissa and I, and I'm sure more that I'm just not thinking about right now). Alongside all that she still enjoys making tinctures, supposedly to improve our health, but I think the looks on our faces when we taste the concoctions is quite a relaxing diversion for her. ;)

Me: swimming is still going and I still absolutely love it!!! Practices have just about reached their peak. Today we swam 4100 meters, which is a little more than 2.5 miles. My three online classes are great. I love the Anatomy and Physiology class, though the memorization level is a bit astounding. I am about 1/2 through with the Old and New Testaments. I have test for both of thoes classes coming up this week that I am studing for. I am also in the midst of so many projects, it's a bit mind-boggling; crochetting, planning a tea and a graduation party, quilting, sewing, drawing, reading "free reads," creating and baking. What happed to not having so much on my plate this year? =)

the pizzaria

Russell helped me make pizza for dinner tonight. Here are some pictures:




1/2 red pepper and black olive and 1/2 pepperoni


pepperoni and red pepper

Ignorance: Bliss or Danger?

Hello, I just finished another composition for my English class and would love comments! It was supposed to be a concise paper...but I don't think it really turned out that way. Enjoy and hope to see some comments! =)

Ignorance: Bliss or Danger?

 

Pulled out of context or completely ignored in favor of passing new laws, such things as “separation of church and state,” gun control laws, and “free choice” suffer misuse. Amendment One of the Constitution “guarantees” that congress cannot make a law regarding the forming of a new religion or exercise of a religion; however, sadly children suffer punishment of one form or another if they dare to pray in school. As stated in amendment two of the Constitution, American citizens possess the right to “keep and bear arms,” yet people in some states may not so much as own a gun let alone carry one with them for protection. Many people willingly kill thousands of babies and even disabled adults, often for the sake of convenience; despite the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” laid out in the preamble to the Declaration of Independence. These examples only give a glimpse of some of the ways in which government has taken away rights or allowed people to throw away rights without a second thought.

Though the amendment on free religion stands first in the Bill of Rights, very few people know much about it and fewer people care what it says. Despite our freedom to practice any religion, teachers may not teach about God, Creation, or any other part of Christian religion but they may freely teach evolution, cults, socialism, and other false things as right and true. As a result we have to deal with youths who have incorrect thinking as well as a nation that has turned its back on God. Bringing the Christian faith that founded our nation, back into school and teaching godly morals, would soon bring a tremendous change to our nation.

Despite the second amendment, gun banning laws have skyrocketed robbing people of their rights and sometimes even their lives. Many tragic stories have crossed news headlines regarding innocent citizens who lost their lives because, due to laws, they did not have guns to protect themselves.  People think that if they ban weapons, crime rates will decrease but in reality, the people who commit crimes find ways to get guns and then go to places that have banned firearms to do their dirty work; thus states that have banned weapons have higher crime rates. If we return to abiding by the amendment, people could protect themselves and decrease crime.

Every adult, every child, every embryo possesses life and thus qualifies for the “right to life” mentioned in the Declaration of Independence. People used to see life as a blessing but in January of 1973 abortion became legal in the United States and since then millions upon millions have lost their lives often because of selfishness. Even adults, such as mentally disabled Terri Schiavo, have suffered death because the very few people truly value life. God has given each of us a life for a specific reason and we must value His gift to us and to other people.

Our Founding Fathers lived during a time in which people valued high morals much more than we do now and thus the Constitution, Declaration, and other key documents have a strong moral background. Returning to the principles laid down to us in these documents would bring great changes in our nation cutting back on crime, rebellious adolescents, and abortion. We cannot, however, possibly know all our rights unless we read them. We put our selves in danger of ignorance when we fail to take responsibility for our freedoms. People can take a step in the right direction and familiarize themselves with our founding documents to preserve their rights.

Story of Contentment

I am reading through the daily devotional "Streams in the Desert" given to me on Christmas by a dear friend and mentor, Mrs. Poff. As I read yesterday's devotion it painted a beautiful (and slightly painful) picture of a current theme in my life right now. Lately I have been struggling with being content in every area and in every situation. As I've expressed to many of you, I would much rather be finished with "school" or at least online classes so as to free me up to do other things such as cooking and learning skills and specifics that will benefit my family now and in the future. So on to yesterday's devotional...

It began with this verse:

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Phil 4:11) 

Now that in of itself speaks volumes. L.B Cowman, the author of "Streams in the Desert," expounded on contentment better than I ever could and shares a little story, so I'll let you read his work.

"Paul, denied of every comfort, wrote the above words in his dungeon. A story is told of a king who went into his garden one morning, and found everything withered and dying. He asked the oak that stood near the gate what the trouble was. He found it was sick of life and determined to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine. The pine was all out of heart because it could not bear grapes, like the vine. The vine was going to throw its life away because it cold not stand erect and have as fine a fruit as the peach tree. The geranium was fretting because it was not tall and fragrant like the lilac; and so on all through the garden. Coming to a heartsease, he found its bright face lifted as cherry as ever. 'Well heartsease, I'm glad amidst all this discouragement, to find one brave little flower. You do not seem to be the least disheartened. ' 'No, I am not of much account, but I thought that if you wanted and oak, or a pine, or a peach tree, or a lilac, you would have planted one; but as I knew you wanted a heartsease, I am determined to be the best little heartsease that I can.'"

Others may do a greater work, 

But you have your part to do; 

And no one in all God's heritage 

Can do it so well as you. 

"They who are God's without reserve, are in every state content; for they will only what He wills, and desire to do for Him whatever He desires them to do; they strip themselves of everything, and in this nakedness find all things restored a hundredfold."

Conclusion: God has designed everyone of us for a specific purpose and reason; just like the heartsease flower: He wanted us just the way we are. He has planed out every aspect of our lives and we must learn to be content in the here and now. Truth is, if we never learn to be content where He has placed us, doing what He designed us to do, we will never learn to be happy later. True happiness and joy can only come from Him. When we thrive in Him, doing what we were created for; love God and enjoy Him forever, then will we be content. 

~Reaching heavenward,

Marissa =)

What I learned from a sore throat

I have a very sore throat today along with coughing and being hoarse.  Because of that I am speaking very softly, almost a whisper.  Guess what.... my boys are speaking softly too.  It has been so quiet and peaceful here today all due to the softness with which we are speaking to one another.  A good reminder that "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up strife." Prov 15:1

It's Christmas Eve....

...let the games begin!

We love to play games as a family.  Up until now the boys have been pretty limited in what games they knew how to play, monopoly, checkers, go fish, and the like.  We are trying to teach them some new games over the break.  Last week I taught them Clue and we've had great fun playing that.  Today Curtis brought out Risk.  I had never played that game either so he taught the boys and I how to play.  I was quickly run out of town (I'm not too cut throat at these kinds of games) and now just Russell, Scott, and Curtis left.  

After a dinner of crepes with strawberry sauce, bacon, orange juice and coffee or tea we'll catch up on our advent readings (the guys were at a basketball game last night and so we are behind) and then watch "It's a Wonderful Life".  

I hope your families are all having a wonderful Christmas!  

out in the snow (yesterday)

making Snow Angels





re-stocking the woodpile

Snow!

Today we woke to snow and have had snow off and on most of the day.  The boys enjoyed 1/2 of a day of snow play while I got some online Christmas shopping done.

Christmas School Day 1

This year we are doing regular school most days during Advent but are doing "Christmas School" on Fridays.  Last Friday the boys worked diligently helping to make chocolate dipped pretzels, pizzas and coffeecakes (for us and for some friends), and cleaning up afterwards.  In addition we listened to some beautiful Christmas music and read several Christmas books.

As per request....

I am posting my latest composition. You asked for it Caity. =) Enjoy.

 

So Similar and Yet Uniquely Different

 

Despite their differences, Trisha Poff and Caity Spencer have won their ways into my heart. When comparing the two, focusing on only the similar and disregarding the differences would prove simply useless. I love them both for their distinct, contrasting personalities, yet also for their equatable interests and abilities. Considering the qualities and gifts each lady has can help me to see aspects in which I must change and shape my own life and character. Such friends as these prove the most worthwhile and meaningful mentors a girl may have. Both dear friends have remarkable similarities, yet much can result from a close comparison of personalities, ways of processing thoughts, ideas, styles, and many other areas. 

Whether working in the kitchen or giving gifts, Mrs. Poff and Caity can turn anything simple into something beautiful, encouraging, and special. Adding their unique touch to any delicacy provides friends and family with food, which not only fills the stomach but also brings joy to the heart.  Creativity comes easily to both my dear friends and they share a common ability to use this gift to bless people they come in contact with. When giving gifts, Mrs. Poff and Caity have a knack for picking out a special present with which to bless the receiver. Their creativity plays into this by taking time to think of something truly meaningful and worthwhile, nonetheless, their correlation does not stop there.

Reading, writing, shopping, decorating, and girly movies, all entice both Mrs. Poff and Caity. Solid, classic literature intrigues both ladies and by such reading they improve their minds. Whether posting on blogs or journaling thoughts, both friends adore writing.  In spite of technology’s ability to quickly jot down ideas and words with the tap of the keys, both Mrs. Poff and Caity would infinitely more so enjoy a pen in hand. Letters and encouraging notes written by these loving hands continually prove a blessing to the recipient. Styles of clothing and themes for decorating have proven a common ground for discussions, however, some slight differences occur in these areas.

Even dear friends and mentors have their differences but we wouldn’t want it any other way. I think we should not like them half so much if they all possessed identical qualities, character traits, struggles, ideas, and preferences. Mrs. Poff and Caity differ on several points. First off, Mrs. Poff has married and has six delightful children. Instead of running a home of her own, Caity spends time schooling, swimming, and drawing. Blond and a Southerner at heart, Mrs. Poff has the gift of verbal communication, and though Caity does not lack it all together she must work a trifle harder to convey her thoughts verbally. Though both Caity and Mrs. Poff love color, they have separate, mismatched preferences on specific colors. Bright and fall like colors attract Caity’s eye while springtime colors enthrall Mrs. Poff. Similarities and differences between friends can draw them to each other and to other people in ways nothing else could.

Though my two dear friends have faults of their own, they provide wonderful tips and pointers regarding things I might have never picked up on. They differ in many ways but nonetheless they have just the qualities that God planned. I cannot begin to express how much these two ladies have influenced my life and taught me so much. Through hardships and trials, Mrs. Poff and Caity both have taught me so much concerning patience, perseverance, and trusting in God. Mrs. Poff and Caity have separate opinions on many things, yet nevertheless God placed them in my life for a reason and I cannot express to either of them how much God has blessed me with such spectacular, godly mentors and friends.