sugar, sugar

sugar, sugar


Have you played this game on Hooda Math?


Summer found it. The title drew her in.


As I watch my kids play, I get nervous because many times I would do it differently. They don't figure out problems the way I think it is most logical.

Many times they work it out their own way... in a way I woulda never thought of.


Just another life lesson to ponder.

Faith Opportunities

Mornings. I usually hate them. I wake up feeling unprepared for the day because if I actually did prepare the night before, I probably don't get enough sleep. I am usually fearful about something like money or what I haven't accomplished. Under any circumstance my thoughts do not organize easily, and under pressure with activity around me it is sometimes impossible so my brain is paralyzed until I can get away and regroup. And that is usually how I start the day.

As my children wake up, I snuggle with them on the love seat. I do this mostly because it helps me wake up. But as things go with children, it doesn't always last long and ready or not, I need to get to work.

This morning Max came to the living room with a bag of shredded cheese, threw it on the ground, and stepped on it. Then he scooted around on it with his feet. I told him to go put it away, and he just stood there, shaking his head at me, ready to run if I come after him.

So I get up to solve this problem while Summer is beside me, poking my arm for her attention. As I move to get up, her bowl of milk and cereal spill all over me. And so the "problems" start piling up, especially if I am not careful to stay calm. My anger usually increases problems.

That is just the "little" problem tier on the many levels of problems I could worry about.

Moving has been on our mind and as we tackle fixing up our house that our kids have lived in well, with limited funds and time, we could worry more. Sook just picked up a part time "dream job" here! Which is great but then I wonder... will this ever happen? And as I look at the possibilities for our family that would be available with a move, I think it has to.

Then there is increased threats of crazy weather, bugs killing crops, a messed up economy and political climate, and unlimited "what if's". I think you are getting the picture.

Like I said, the more I worry, the more paralyzed my brain becomes. And THAT is no way to live. It's not an option for me. Sometimes it is overwhelming. Other times, however, I am so grateful that I am lacking in brainpower and resources. I'm glad God has given me more than I can handle because I have no choice. I have to give up this responsibility.


My attitude is slowly changing from looking at problems as "problems" and rather seeing them as opportunities to watch God at work. I read stories from the old testament how God's people could have so much if they just follow Him, but they choose not to! We think, "how ridiculous!" But I do it too! Instead, I want all He has to offer!

This attitude is very hard to maintain in a environment that thinks the opposite of God's logic. Common sense is telling me something different than my vision, and fear drives many around me, affecting my outlook. Thankfully, my husband's attitude encourages me often. God gives me the encouragement I need. He gives me everything I need. He is everything to me.

Sidewalk Chalk

You may look at my children and wonder if I'm their birth mother....

But this one for sure is mine.

 For almost an hour......

 She has this technique with water and blending that she came up with herself.

I had to join her.


I love sidewalk chalk. There is so much you can do with it.

Artwork, number lines, tracing bodies, and even hopscotch.

What is your favorite thing to do with sidewalk chalk?

Food Chain

Today Savannah and I had a long talk about food chains....

listing different examples of food chains

what would happen if one population in the food chain would decrease

or become endangered

and what "population" and "endangered" means

Several house later our diner entertainment was poetry reading from this book:

Jack Prelutsky is one of our favorites. This is one of the poems we read:

In The Cafeteria

I was feeling sort of silly,

So I took a bit of bread

And directed it precisely

At my buddy Benny's head.

"Who did that?" Benny shouted,

As he shot out of his seat,

Flinging carrots at Carlotta,

Who then threw her peas at Pete.

Pete took a small tomato wedge

And hurled it at Denise,

Who responded, catapulting

Macaroni at Felice.

Felice, whose aim is perfect,

Started pelting me with beans-

I believe that I am learning

What the food chain really means.

And we all got a good laugh out of that!

Heartbreak

When tragedy strikes, when things don't go our way, when we lose our things, loved ones, and our comfort, instant hopelessness strikes. Many people are heartbroken today, and have been over the last few months with natural disasters and some less publicized heartbreaks happen to those right next to us in the line in the grocery store.

Today I'm overwhelmed with hurt for those in pain. I cry for the horrible events that seem to be increasingly attacking the human race. Why does it happen? I don't know. I am furious with those that try to speculate, especially when God is involved. I don't think he is punishing anyone and I don't think he is indifferent. I am frustrated with those that expect government help in an impossible manner. I groan at the people complaining about FEMA but won't send some money or go themselves.

I don't know the answers, and I am not personally affected with tragedy today. However, I may be at some point. This is what I know, for what it's worth:

• God doesn't expect us to understand or to know what to do. What He wants is for us to know Him so well that we will trust in Him with our lives, possessions, and circumstances. I am so tired of planning and getting my hopes up in order to get them crushed. He can plan for me and surprise me with the results.

• God gave us sunsets and songbirds so that, even when there is nothing else we have, we can enjoy them. We need to take inventory of what we do have.

• There will always be those around us making fools of themselves, but I myself have been a fool as well. Therefore, there is no other fair response than to disagree with grace.

• For those of us that are left standing asking, " what should I do?"

"For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.....But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." Against such things there is no law.

Helping in the Spirit means no pride, judgement, jealousy, selfish gain, or provoking.

If you can help in the Spirit, any response that you are compelled to use would be appropriate.

• We need each other. People are more important that anything you own.

These are my thoughts for circumstances that leave us speechless. I am praying. For those hurting, and for the hearts of those that are capable of helping.

Sick Day

I woke up this morning and crawled out of bed, only  because Max was yelling for me. I felt awful.

So the kids played outside alot! I even took them for a walk after nap #1.

I went to CVS and it was strep. blah. BUT since I have not cooked, cleaned and have slept well thanks to Sook, I was able to enjoy my good times.

While I was gone, the girls went for a little "swim" in the backyard. Then Summer infomed me she washed the sliding doors with the hose. It showed.

My daisies are in bloom...

 which means picked flowers everywhere!



Nap #2: The worst thing you could do in this house is wake Mama when she's sleeping.

Savannah decided to make some apple juice pops....apple juice in ice cube trays with popsicle sticks?? okay??

So the kitchen floor was very sticky when I got up.

 Max could go up and down the hill in front of our house all day long...

Summer and I sat and watched him.

I sit on the couch and watch a show with the kids or read a book or just talk... and they are all wanting to be on my lap or "cuddling" next to me. Maybe I should add that to my to-do list?

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The strawberries are starting to ripen! I thought we could pick some and bring them in to eat...

they didn't get in the bowl, though.

zinnas...

filling the brid feeder....



Sometimes it's nice to have an excuse to just take it easy... maybe we shouldn't always look for an excuse.

Meet Chris

On the farm, my parents have a breakfast nook.

 Just outside of the window is a small tree.

On the tree is a bird feeder.

At this bird feeder they watch birds...

cardinals

blue jays

sparrows

robins

finches

and parakeets?

He just showed up one day.

It was fun to watch him outside, but parakeets won't make it long outdoors in Kansas

So we caught him.

And he's a part of our family now!

Rainbow Water Magic

 Savannah loved this experiment so much that she insisted on showing Daddy!

Three glasses of "water"

Pour the purple water in the first glass...

and it stays purple.

The second glass turns pink.

And the last green.

Cool, huh?

So here's the trick.

1. Boil a few red cabbage leaves in water for about 30 minutes. Remove leaves and you have your purple water.

2. Fill one glass with bottled water, one glass with white vinegar, and one glass with water mixed with baking soda.

3. Pour cabbage water into each of the clear liquids.

And just for fun, mix them together to see what happens.

FYI- We found that our tap water has a base in it.