True Greatness

This summer I did a book study on Raising Your Kids for True Greatness by Tim Kimmel.  A great book for all parents, especially Christian ones!  Anyway today, Jackson, out of nowhere brought the book to me.  He said, "Mom. I want you to read this book." I smiled and told him that I had.  He then wanted to know if Troy had.  I asked why and he responded "Because I want to do good things with my life." That is exactly what this book is all about.  I was so proud of my sweet boy when he said that.  He is an amazing kid.  And my hope is that we can raise him up for TRUE greatness.

Gearing up for 2011-2012

Hello friends!

It has been a very fast summer! We have had a pretty uneventful one as far as vacations go.  But this summer Troy was able to find a job and that was the most important thing.  We only have one car so we were stuck at home for the most part (with the exception of a few great friends that didn't mind picking us up every once in a while). We didn't get to swim like I had hoped.  But what I had planned even before Troy went back to work was schooling all summer.  I knew that it would not be as formal because, well, let's face it I am really bad at the follow through.  There. I said it.  I put it out there!

So we have had school this summer.  We actually did really well sticking with it.  The big's went to Mom and Dad's for a week and that was a week off, and there were a couple of days in there that I decided we needed a break.  Last week we were at Mom and Dad's again.  We did assignments while we were there and this week we are home and we have not done anything.  I have been getting things all set up for the new school year. 

There will not be any new books or curriculum.  It is all the same as we have been working on this summer but come Monday morning there will be: an extra special breakfast, pictures in front of the tree out front (it is Ellie's first day of Kindergarten!), brand new crayons, markers, map colors and pencils, and maybe even a extra special snack for our first day. 

I am hoping that the kids and I will be able to do some trips to the library and the park this year.  It all depends on whether or not we get another car.  I know the Lord already knows what kind and where it is.  I am just patiently waiting for Him to show us the way. 

So how are you all getting ready for this school year.  Whether you homeschool or not...we all have fun traditions!

Summer Vacation at Grammy and Popsy's!

My bigs went to my parents house this past week.  It was a good time had by all.  Mom and Dad took them fishing.  Ellie was the only one who caught anything...

and did she ever!  An 18 in, 2 lb catfish!

Jackson tried....

but she beat him again!  Another catch!  This time a little bass.

Ellie fishing with Popsy.  Jackson is in the background trying a different spot.

Char and I made the drive to go and pick them up in Waco.  She was one tired puppy!  She fell asleep with her tongue hanging out!  Love this little girl!

There are more pics that I will post when Mom sends them to me!

Adventures in Gardening

I have a black thumb!  It is no secret! I try, Lord knows I do!  Last year we attempted to grow tomatoes and cucumbers.  I was in charge of them and they all died and we only got one green tomato that never ever turned red.  So this year when my husband planted tomato plants, I left it all up to him. Guess what we are getting tons of tomatoes!

I wish I could show you pictures but I can't get any off of my phone! :(

This all leads me to my dad.  He has started a blog about his garden.  He is doing a great job and I wanted to send you all over to his site! Check him out.  He is also on facebook under NonGreenThumbs!

Been Thinkin'

I have not been blogging because I don't know what I should be writing about.  This blog has taken a whole other direction then what I had originally intended.  Originally it was just a way for me to let my family see pictures and hear stories about the kids.  Now it is more about my life and my walk with the Lord.  Don't get me wrong. I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

I have been thinking about starting a new blog. Really a second one.  One that is for me.  Just about my journey.  The kids are a part of my journey but I really want this blog (A Day in the Life of the Brown's) to be about the whole family.  Not just me. 

So these are some things that I have been thinkin' about.  What do you all think?

New Curriculum

Every homeschool mom knows that it can be very overwhelming when it comes to choosing curriculum.  Especially if you have a bunch of friends that homeschool or are a part of several homeschool forums.  They all have opinions and every single one them is doing something different.

I received a new curriculum (I believe it is new this year maybe even came out in 2010) for free in the mail last week.  It is a 13 unit study (per series) and I received unit 1 from series 1 for free.  It came with a DVD and PDF files so that the curriculum could be used by more than one student.  It is based on the Friends and Heroes DVD series.  The unit includes; history, geography, science, Bible, character building and art.  Because I got it for free we are going to try it.  But just looking at it I think this is the route we are going to go.  Check out the website here.  They have free online games and coloring pages too!

We need a good Language Arts curriculum.  Up until now we have relied on Sing Spell Read and Write and more recently Hooked on Phonics.  It was a great curriculum for J but he needs more.  So I am going with Rod and Staff English 2.  I know that he is in 3rd grade but we have not had any other formal LA teaching.  (My main focus has been on reading!).  So we are starting with 2nd grade.  If he gets it quickly we will be in 3rd faster! :)  Jackson will also continue with Hooked on Phonics.  He is doing very well with it! We are also continuing with Explode the Code (for Jackson) and the pre-requisites to ETC, Get Ready/Get Set/and Go For the Code (for Ellie).  She is actually almost done with book A; Get Ready for the Code.  And she loves it!
*Edit* Here is the link for the store for Friends and Heroes.  It is a different website.  Sorry about that! :)
We are sticking with Horizon's Math.  Jackson does well with it and now Ellie has started it.  She loves it.  Jackson hates it (but it is not because of the curriculum). 

We are also going to sprinkle in some other Unit Studies.  We did a few last year and are continuing through the summer.  We are making mini-lapbooks on the 50 states.  The kids will really enjoy it.

So what are you doing next year?

A leap of faith...and a new baby!

No I AM NOT HAVING A BABY! :)

I want to share something that I think it is really cool.  Two years ago our church began calling on us to pray for the most unreached people group in the world, the preborn.  These little lives are so precious and ordained by our Maker and they are being mercilessly killed everyday..by the thousands.  Now I am so against abortion it is not even funny, but there are instances where even some Christians think it is okay to do this.  One of them is after a test that you get in the early stages of pregnancy that lets you know of any birth defects.  One of those "defects" is Down Syndrome. This test by the way is not very accurate (I have known many to have a positive test result just to have a baby born with the correct amount of chromosomes).  These babies are more often then not....aborted.

Over the last year I have become very close to a beautiful family with a little boy that has an extra one of these chromosomes.  His name is Jonas.  He is one of the most precious human beings I have ever come in contact with.  Sure, he is delayed. But I believe that he is closer to God than I could ever be.  He is innocent.  He is precious. He is just the way God wants him to be.

That being said.  His parents, Roger and Mindy, have decided to be accountable for those preborn babies.  They have been called by the Lord to be the alternative to abortion; to adopt a child that is just as special, just as precious, and with a purpose just like Jonas.  This is not an ordinary adoption.  They have to go through a private agency and a national network.  They don't have a ton of money, but this is what the Lord has called them to do.  This is considered a "private adoption" and there are costs involved.

Oh I forgot to mention that Mindy is a phenomenal quilter/sewer. So she decided to make quilts and raffle them off!  She also makes bags that you can purchase here.  She will also make a quilt for you. Just let her know the size and the type of fabric you like and she will quote a price.  Her email is (mindychurchill at yahoo dot com). All of the money raised will go to saving the life of a child that God made with a purpose. 

I hope you take the time to check out her blog and her facebook page!  This is a special family and they are doing a great thing!

I feel as though I should post something.  It has been a while.  I have thought of several posts but I have scratched each one.  Not because the content wasn't important but really because it was too emotionally charged.  I have struggled over the last week or so with some strong emotions. Part of me wants to blame others the other part knows that it is me and me alone that can take the blame for the hurt feelings or anger. So I choose not to blog about it. 

We are still unsure of Troy's job situation.  It looks like he has two offers on the table by two different companies.  Now it is time to pray.  I can't imagine that God would so clearly shut doors in this process (7 months to be exact) just to give us this very difficult decision at the very end.  The thing is one job would be extremely rewarding..he would be helping those in need (much like we have been). But the pay is not that great...actually it is not good at all.  But there is a possibility that they will offer more (we will know on Monday).  The next job is much more rewarding financially.  The pay is more than he made at BAE and we would be comfortable when it came to paying bills (something that has not happened in a while).  To many this is a no-brainer, but to us it is a difficult decision.  God calls us to do things that are not the "norm" and if we are obedient then he will reward us in that. 

So that is all I've got.  At least about the Troy-job stuff. We are still schooling.  It is hard because I am done and so are the kids.  But we are going to school all summer.  I know it sounds crazy but I really want to take off November and December.  If we school this summer we should not get off schedule too much. 

I still don't have a camera, but I am working on it.  The kids are enjoying our unit study on shells (yes we are still doing it!).  Hopefully we will actually get it finished soon and get to move on.  I have a Memorial Day study that I would like to do...so we better get crackin'! 

Until next time....Be blessed!

Unplugged

Today marks Palm Sunday, the day Jesus entered the city.  The day that Hosanna came.  The day he proclaimed without any words that He was the Messiah.  This is all leading up to the fact that He died. 
He died. 
He died a very brutal and painful sinner's death.
He died a very brutal and painful sinner's death even though he was unblemished.
He died a very brutal and painful sinner's death even though he was unblemished for me so that I could have eternal life.

I came home from church today thinking about that.  This is very overwhelming.  I began reading my Bible and just concentrating on His Word.  While I did that I was interrupted several times by my children.  I don't mind the interruptions but these were for things like the TV and video games and computer time.  Their lives, and mine for that matter, are consumed by something that is not godly.  The TV, video games and computer have all become distractions from what is truly important.  So this week we are unplugging!  I am turning everything off.  I still have school and will commit to only turning on the computer for school related activities.  But I will not be on facebook or blogging.  I want to lead by example and train up my children in the way they should go!

Deuteronomy 16:22 "You shall not set up for yourself a sacred pillar which the Lord your God hates."

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 "Hear O Israel!  The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words with which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you are in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

Keeping up the momentum

I feel as though I must post something.  I have been doing much better about posting things on here. 

The newest thing that is going on at the Brown house is that Troy is having half of his toe amputated sometime this week.  The infection in his toe is healing nicely but the infected bone has started to degenerate which is common in diabetics.  This is something that we are at peace about.  We know that we tried all that we could and now this is out of our hands. 

We are having insurance woes again but I am certain God will work out those details.  We have the money to self-pay but it would completely wipe out all of our cushion (and since he hasn't been able to work through all of this, we need it).  We are willing to do just that because we are confident in His provision. 

So where are we now.  He cannot have the surgery until we get the insurance resolved so it looks like we will wait until Thursday.  Hopefully this will be the beginning of the end of all this mess!

His Wonderful Works

I know it is the name of a good friends blog but I had to post about how wonderful the Lord has been to us this last week.  I am documenting our journey so that when I forget (much like those silly Israelite's) I will be able to look back and see how awesome He is!

On Sunday, after church, Troy came home way early from work and said that he had an ulcer on his foot and he was going to run up to the Walgreen's Clinic and get an antibiotic for it.  This is the first I had heard that he was having problems (Troy is extremely private about certain things). Two hours later the phone rang and the caller ID let me know that someone from the hospital was calling.  It was Troy letting me know he had been admitted into the hospital.  He had gone to Walgreens and Urgent Care and they both said to go straight to the hospital.  Once at the hospital the nurse knew right away he would be admitted.

I was shocked!  I had no idea what was going on.  I quickly found a ride because he had our only car.  I wasn't able to see him right away because he was still in the ER and children were not allowed back.  This was a God thing because I was so mad.  I wanted to chew him a new one! But instead I had to go back home.  I dropped the kids off with Lindy, my wonderful neighbor, and went to pick up dinner for Troy and myself.  In the parking lot of Schlotzky's I just started talking our loud to God.  "I am so mad, Lord! I can't believe that he kept this from me and I can't believe that he wouldn't just go to the FREE doctor.  Now we don't have insurance and this is going to cost a fortune! Why do we always have to be in DEBT?!?!?!?"  As I talked to Him I was soon comforted.  I knew that my husband was priceless and really if the bill was a million dollars I still had him.  I got all of my anger and frustration out by talking to the Lord and let me tell you that my heart was softened by the time I made it the couple of miles to the hospital.

When I got there, Troy was really down.  He was mad at himself.  But because I had already had this talk with God I was able to encourage Troy instead of tear him down.  I admitted to him I was mad but that there was no changing it, there was only moving forward and doing better next time.

That night on the way home from the hospital there was an interview on KSBJ about debt with scripture affirming how God felt about it.  I was encouraged that He gave me that opportunity to hear it. I also found out there will be a seminar coming up in April and it is free and I am going!

On Monday we found out that the infection was all the way down to the bone and Troy had to have an MRI to make sure that the infection was not IN the bone.  I was still worried about the finances but I knew that somehow God would take care of it.  I got a message from a friend that said she was praying specifically for God to do something miraculous with the insurance situation.  She felt as though the Holy Spirit was leading her to pray this.  That day a post card from Lowe's came in the mail reminding Troy to sign up for medical insurance online.  We did.

Meanwhile back at the hospital Troy had an MRI and our worst fears were confirmed.  The infection was in the bone.  And we needed to decide whether or not to amputate.  The amputation would be about half of his big toe.  Y'all this the hardest thing we have ever gone through! What to do? I know what I thought was right but it was not my decision.  It was Troy's.  We prayed over it.  I had a complete peace that no matter what we decided that it would be right.  I just didn't have a peace about what to decide! (Does that make sense?). Meanwhile, I kept getting little notes here and there encouraging me and many of them were direct answers to prayer, they just didn't know it!

We had to make a decision fast and Troy decided to NOT amputate and try 6 weeks of IV antibiotics.  I was worried but okay with his decision.  Then his doctor came in and said that we had to get approval from the infectious disease doctor for antibiotics.  All of the sudden our choice was taken away.  I felt good about that.

Meanwhile I asked specifically from my prayer warriors to pray that the insurance would accept the claim.  It would have to be an act of God because we enrolled after he was already in the hospital and this was considered a pre-existing condition. The ramifications of that are HUGE, let me just tell you!  We were worried about after care and the cost involved.  We filed for emergency medicaid and were denied.  I was beginning to get discouraged.  Then all of a sudden I felt peace, peace that passes all understanding.  I was home when Troy called to let me know that the insurance company agreed to pay for it ALL!!

I couldn't believe it!  It was a huge answer to prayer and I knew that it only could have happened with the Lord.  He finally came home on Thursday.  He is currently on oral antibiotics for the next 6 weeks.  We will see how it works.  He has MRSA, a staph infection that is resistant to antibiotics.  But the doctors are sure his "cocktail" will make it better.  I am sure that my God will make it better!

God is so good and He takes care of those that love Him.  And you know what...He takes care of those that don't too.  He loves you.  Give Him a chance to love on you, you will be amazed!

She can swing!

It is a typical morning in the Brown house today.  We just finished working on our lap books and now the kids are outside enjoying the semi-cool morning while I catch up on email and other random things.  I am sitting in the living room in front of our big window occasionally looking up and watching what they are doing. And much to my surprise I see me 2 1/2 year old sitting on a 'big' swing going almost as high as her sister.  The only thing is there is no one pushing her.  As I watch her I realize she is pumping her legs! 

Oh my goodness!  She can swing!

I know that first children are slow to do things because they don't have someone to watch and the subsequent siblings catch on more quickly; but man, I was not expecting this!  She is growing up so fast and that makes me so sad! :( If I am being totally honest it makes my uterus hurt! I have been heart broken over her milestones because that means that she is no longer a baby.  She is closer to a preschooler than a toddler now.  I know I am not the only one who feels this way..right?

I should post something...

It has been busy.  So busy that we have not had school the last 2 weeks!  As a whole our family was sick for 2 weeks and then last week we were in DFW visiting my parents and grandmother.  So this week, this Spring Break, the kids and I are buckling down and attempting to get back on track.

We are not trying to catch up because, well, I threw out the lesson plans the 3rd week of school! :)  My goal is to just get a full weeks worth of work to get done.  That means Jackson has a lot of work ahead of him!  Today he did great with very little complaint.  I must say I am very proud of his attitude toward school.  He is so much better.  He also started reading a new chapter book today (independent reading).  He is doing so well I can't believe it!

We are also in the process of potty training Charlotte.  She was almost potty trained several months ago but I was in the midst of my funk and didn't have the will or the want-to to get her completely trained.  Today my funk is gone and I am ready to get back on track.  So we took off the diapers and wore panties all day long!  She did not have any accidents!  She did both number 1 & 2 in the potty without issue!  I am so proud!

Ellie is still Ellie.  She is doing great.  She is really turning into a little momma.  She wants to help with EVERYTHING.  She begs to watch cooking shows and she talks about what she wants to do when she grows up to be a mom.  I have started teaching her the steps to different things like cleaning and cooking.  When I was little I knew I was going to grow up and be a mom and I dreamed about cleaning house and cooking.  So I know how she feels!  I like being able to train up this little girl.

Other then that life is good.  Troy got a job and that is always a good thing.  My Pampered Chef business has been very successful and has done what I want it to.  Until next time....

Today I sent the kids to their rooms to clean. They are at the age where they know what needs to be done and I know that for the most part I can trust them to do a good job.  This past summer we pulled out the carpet in their rooms.  (Troy's job situation has kept us from replacing them.) They now have concrete floors.  So it is easier for me to sweep up the trash on the floors and to really get all of the stuff out from under their beds. 

So today after the first 10 minutes I went in to their rooms and with the broom swept the remnants into a pile in the middle of the floor.  This gives them an idea of what they have missed and what will potentially end up in the garbage. 

The rule at our house is whatever makes it into the trash pile when I sweep goes into the trash.  They are like little scavengers when I sweep!  They run to the pile and get out their most prized possessions.  Some may call this harsh but honestly in the United States our kids have too much.  I know that there are tons of kids that would love to have a 1/4 of the stuff mine do. 

I watched a TV episode the other day where a woman lived in 125 sq feet!  No that is not a typo.  That is what she lived in.  The host of the show praised her on her lack of stuff.  She got it.  She didn't need all of the stuff we have as Americans.  It got me thinking about all of our stuff!  I organized the school room yesterday and although I did purge some, I found myself holding on to a lot more.  I need to let it go.  How many books can one kid read?  But how do we change our thinking?  I am unsure but this is what I have been thinking. 

I think that we need to turn our thoughts towards the Lord for one.  He does not condemn those that have things, this I know.  But I don't think He wants us to hold on to things with all of our might either.  I think that He wants us to be thankful for what He has given us and be willing and able to give it all back to Him.  If that means selling it all and giving the money to your church or just plain giving your belongings to another person in need; I think that He wants us to keep an open heart and mind. 

At this stage in my life I am surrounded by others that give unselfishly, it is amazing to say the least.  I am continually blown away by the generosity and kindness of my friends and family.  And then I realize that God has put each one of them in my life.  They are all followers of Christ.  They are like-minded in that they only want to do what is pleasing in the eyes of their God.  How cool is that? 

As I started this post I was going to tell you a funny story about the kids and cleaning up.  But as you can see I have gone off on a different tangent.  Didn't mean to but I think it is good.  As I have been journaling I have found that sometimes the Holy Spirit leads my thoughts and these things just come out.  :)  I am grateful for that because I know that He is speaking to me and that is so comforting!