Wednesday "Friends"

Wednesday "Friends"

I had the privilege of visiting with some dear Christian friends today, Chris and Frances. The difference with being in their presence is that I know they are a part of the Body of Christ. I also know I will receive a touch from God through them, and I did. They are good friends, and I feel so blessed to be included in their fellowship. We prayed at the beginning of our time together, and again at the end. This wonderful inspiring couple have had their fair spare of trouble, yet greet others with open arms of love. May God Bless their faithfulness!
I was surprised and thrilled to hear from another good friend from Tennessee today, Pastor Stephen Kimery. Through the Ministry of 'Crossroads Assembly' church, much of my past hurt was released and turned over to Jesus. I became a part of a family of God, who ran to their 'Daddy" with thanks giving and tears. Who encouraged us to seek Him out at all times and to know we were accepted and cherished no matter what.
Another friend is my dearest Nancy who lives back in the woods among the deer and squirrels in Tennessee. We keep in regular contact, sharing our joys and sorrows through letters and phone calls. I miss our prayer times together sitting in the rocking chairs on Nancy's front porch. But we pray over the phone together and petition to the Lord for each others needs.
By being a part of Christ we as Christians are always a united part of each other.
John 15:13 states, "Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his brother.

Ideas for Indoor Play?

Yesterday our city hit 104 degrees for a high and I am not talking about the heat index. With the heat index it was 108. The boys and I have been remained inside. "Cabin fever" is setting in since we have been indoors all last week. I am trying to think of creative games to play but I am getting stumped for physical fitness games.I have been reading online for ideas to keep us active and

Monday "A Spiritual Place."

Monday "A Spiritual Place."

Have you ever been to a place that is so serene and absolutely spiritual. This was my experience when we recently visited central Australia.... Alice Springs, Uluru and the Olga's. Uluru is very unique and its the colours that touch your heart. In four distant photos we took of this gigantic rock every one produced different hues. I could have just sat all day and looked while being held spellbound by the simple view.

Name change

I have come to think that we need a creative and original name for our blog. Preschool to Pre-K and More sounded too generic for us. Since I have boys I could not pick a girly name for my blog (that is mainly why I have Monkeys as a background). After having a monkey background for several months, we wanted to picked name for the blog. I asked my boys for some suggestions.The boys came up with

Sunday "Davids Birthday"

Sunday "This is the Lords Day"

Today my son-in-law David celebrated his 50th Birthday. He is the husband of my daughter Femia and father of their children, Kirra, Joel and Luke. David is a compassionate man who reflects Jesus in his eyes and in the life he leads. Many years ago a friend rang and asked if I would visit and pray for her sick husband. I was unable to go so I aked David to go for me. He went straight away. Wearing his hair to his shoulders he had the look of pictures we see of Jesus. My friend told me later she was shocked when she opened the door to see him standing there. Yes he went to pray for people he had never met, and was a blessing to them.

Beginning Letter Sounds: Letter H cards

This week we began our two week theme of H is for Home (Homes we live in and learning animal homes) I made my fourth Beginning Letter Sounds worksheet and this week it is on the Letter H. We used ours to make a Letter H collage. I printed another set for laminate as a Letter H matching game.I am sharing the cards with my readers! Feel free to download and print the cards by clicking on the

Saturday "We are Australian"

For anyone interested in seeing Australia please click on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD3SkTyXzcE

and enjoy the experience.

Saturday "We are Australian"

Little is known overseas about my country Australia. While living in Tennessee I had the priviledge of being asked to speak twice about where I originated at Rogersville City School. I was asked, How long I had spoken English, and if we had church's in Australia and, what were they? Were they Christian?

My own husband told everyone prior coming to Australia that we were very backward. Yet since his first visit he wanted to return and live here. Why? he enjoyed the friendships, the casual lifestyle and the climate. But I have to add, he does miss cornbread, the different bacon and chili beans.

Me, I miss my church friends from Crossroads Church, with the wonderful sermons and the singing. I especially miss my best friend and fellow nurse, Nancy. I miss my mates, the other nurses and staff at Amedisys Home Health and my nursing partner Phyllis, who could out laugh me.

Don't talk about the food, I MISS IT ALL... I miss "Fatz" and "Cheddars"... and the wonderful Blizzards at "Dairy Queen!" Where's the next plane back!!

Saturday "Empty Nest"

Saturday "Empty Nest"

As time passes and your children become independant with lives of their own and adjustments have to be made. Travelling around Australia my husband Raymond took this photo of these beautiful Jabiru. It made me think how lost we, as parents feel when our own chicks first begin to fly off.... no longer do they need our wings of protection. So the cycle of life moves on to empty nest time. To some this means freedom, to others it spells lonliness. For myself it was the latter and I had a difficult time coming to terms with losing my eldest child to marriage. Now my second eldest is back living at home again. I feel he should be independant and off on his own but also, slightly selfishly, I enjoy the company. We are no longer mother and child but equal adults with views of our own. Unlike the birds who fly off never to return, thankfully I see my adult chicks quite often. I enjoy my eight grandchildren and have seperate feelings of love for each of them. How must God, our Father in Heaven feel about all of His children. Well His word has much to say about that. We have the freedom to visit Him in pray at any time, night or day. There are no restraints. He forgives us all our debts and faithfully loves us without condition.

Thursday "The Road To Life"

Thursday "Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave when First we Practice to Decieve."

I have no idea why I wrote the subject heading that I have today, however, all is for a reason and a purpose.
Someone who is very close to me has lied straight to my face on a few occassionals lately, and it hurts very much. Lying destroys trust and when there is no trust the relationship begins to crumble until all there is left is dust. Nothing worthwhile is worth a lie. Have I ever lied....yes, I am guilty, but, never to take away someones faith in me... to me intergrity is the essence of a strong foundation, and a strong foundation is what holds a relationship together.
I was speaking to my son today about the most beautiful relationship I have ever witnessed in my life. It was between an Italian couple in their seventies Sandrina and Marcello. They lived across the road from us in a rural community. When you spoke to one, they spoke back always reflecting the other, in the conversation. I never ever heard a mean word escape their lips, either about family of friends. People like that are a true salute to life. They are a blessing from, and to, God their creator. Marcello died one morning. He simply fell down dead outside in the garden. Sandrina found him. She literally mourned herself into her grave not long after. Such was her anguish because her beloved soul mate and partner for life was no longer with her..
I dedicate this poem of mine to them: BELOVED ONE
Love comes softly like a bird, on feathered wings and golden words. Harped angelic melodies, fill the skies unbounding end. When lovers join as one, their entwining spirits blend.
Goodnight Sandrina, Goodnight Marcello.... until we meet again.

Our Train Lapbooks

Well, Friday marked our last day working on our two week theme of T is for Train. I posted the main bulk of what we did during the two weeks here.For our last day we read Blue train, Red train by Tommy Stubbs.It is wonderful story about Thomas (a blue train) and Percy (a green train) and the different colored objects they loaded onto their train cars.Online, we found out some information about

Wednesday "God knows us better than we know ourselves"

Contemplating what to do next.
Waiting is a difficult process, one that is never enjoyed especially when a desired outcome requires patience. I sent my book into the publisher when they were requesting new ones for review. Then suddenly they stated, "no more, we have enough," and cut off their intake. Now I am left wondering? did my work make it in? or, after waiting the prescribed six months will I have waited in vane? I certainly hope not. Yet, nothing worth while in life comes easily.
What should my outlook be?
Perhaps, "good things come to those who wait."
One thing that has just come to mind is the Bible verse: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God."
What a wonderful verse. How great is my God that he knows my needs and answers with the memory of a verse to sustain and calm the confusion within. How can anyone rely on their own understanding when God, who is above all, is always ready to supply....

Tuesday "Autumn Years"

The Emergncy room at Caloundra Hospital, on Christmas day morning. 2003.(Me Seated)
Some quiet before the rush, gave us time to have a Secret Santa and some Christmas goodies.
Five R.N.'s and our Doctor on duty for the day.

Tuesday "The Autumn Years"

Much can be said about retirement. You can go to bed when you like and sleep lazily in, in the morning. Gone are working hours and shift work. Working at the Royal Brisbane while gaining a Post Graduate Degree and living at Redcliffe (at that time) was pretty hard when working a late, finishing at 11pm at night, then an early, back on at 7 am. It was a fast busy life, yet I loved it. One rainy night a few of us decided to explore the old nursing quarters situated in a decaying three story building in the dark hospital grounds. All we had to light the way were our torch's. I still remember that night. Around 11:30 pm we got concerned about falling through rotting floor boards or getting stuck in the old lift. So parting ways we each headed off home, in separate directions, like excited teenagers.
Getting thrown into working in the Emergency Department at Redcliffe Hospital for the first time was an unexpected terror. Yet from the first day, I loved the adrenalin rush. So I went on to complete a three months contract with them before moving residence further north to Caloundra and going to work in Nambour Emergency yet still under Queensland Health. The fast track was my forte and kept my feet on the run. Picking up a few casual shifts with Caloundra, E.D. I commenced working for them which was great as it was closer to home. I secured my Pre Hospital Trauma Life Support training while there which has stood me in good stead for advanced care and critical thinking. Next was America and after having to complete my Boards Examination I was now considered a B.S.N. and commenced working in the local hospital.... Australian Nurses all need to work oversea's to realise how great they have it here. I disliked it intently and left to work for Amedysis Home Health. Loved the nursing, but not the endless paper work. We have our secretaries do that over here. BUT, I loved the staff!! and hope to always keep in touch with those great girls. So the Autumn years are finally here and now I may please myself.... and my God.

Father's Day Trains

This Father's day the boys knew exactly what they wanted to give their Daddy. We had gone to Walmart the week before shopping for craft supplies when my oldest son spotted a "You can paint it train pack. We bought acrylic paint to make their Daddy's gifts.Here's the completed result of their painting. All I did was paint the eyes and wheels on the trains once they had finished painting their

Monday "A Quiet Day"

Rain on the roof, pouring down the pipes and running out to smother the road. I am dry inside the house, and happy not to be Outback in the wet and mud while residing inside a car and caravan!
I read to-day on another Blog where the person described Blogging as similar to Schizophrenia, stating that you talk to yourself in your head. Not so.... with Schizophrenia you have a fixed faulse belief that another resides in your head and you converse with them......
It's interesting to write down your thoughts, and yes, with time we all look back on what's been written wondering how on earth we could have said what we have! Yes the human mind is an interesting phenomenon.
I would like to Salute a Godly Man.
I didn't get the opportunity to meet Pro Hart in person yet his art and his life continue to speak beyond the grave. I chanced to visit his gallery at Broken Hill in Outback N.S.W. and was humbled by this extrodinary man's interesting life. When once asked how he decided what to paint he answered. "I just paint as the Lord directs." He became a wealthy man, and travelled the world for his exhibitions. Many famous people brought his paintings and yet he remained a simple minded carefree man. Free of the cumbersome burdens that pertain to riches. God and family came first and through his philosophy he left a legacy of love to his family.
WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.

Sunday, "Worship the King"

A beautiful morning in Gympie Christian Family Church today. Communion was very specially presented by Joey Moody a sweet humble Christian lady who emphasised the reality behind the first Jewish Passover and our Saviour's last supper. Then the importance of our continuance down through time as instructed by Jesus, to remember, His sacrifice for us.
To partake with a reminiscing thankful and grateful heart.....is a blessing not to be taken for granted. Yes, I have at times been guilty of accepting the bread and the wine without enough gratiude. Ones mind must remain focused on the face of Jesus the saviour.
Talking about gratitude. Where would be be without our families?
My son Lee-Joel came for a short visit and assisted me in obtaining my first Blog site...this one.
Granddaughter Kirra, preached her first sermon to the youth at her church,"History Makers."
I have yet to hear that she uses her beautiful voice to sing in church. Kirra visited Uganda and helped with the orphaned babies last year. God bless you Kirra.

T is for Train (our last day)

Well, Friday marked our last day working on our two week theme of T is for Train.I posted the main bulk of what we did during the two weeks here. I received many positive comments about my ideas and the games I made. I appreciate the feedback and it made my day. It makes my decision to homeschool that much more important seeing my sons enjoy learning and knowing that the ideas posted in this blog

T is for Train

For this Friday's Showcase at The Ramblings of a Crazy Woman. we are sharing what we did for our T is for Train theme.Today is our last day with our two week theme on T is for Train. It was fun and the boys loved it. We read so many books, watched some educational videos and we promised the boys when the weather is cooler, we can go to the Texas Transportation Museum. We have been there before

Pattern Block Trains & modes of Transportation

This week we are continuing our T is for Train theme and I wanted to include math manipulatives with it. I found a great site called Kelly's Kindergarten that had a two flies available for Pattern Block patterns to download. Just click the links under Pattern Block pictures. There is a set 1 and a set 2. After downloading mine, I copy and pasted the ones I wanted to print into another file so as

Letter Sounds Teaching Tub

Last week, we read the book: "My T sound box" during our first week of a T is for Train theme and we went on a letter T hunt collecting objects that begin with the letter T. After our T hunt, we began our Letter Sounds Teaching Tub Activity.The Letter Sounds Teaching Tub is something we use each Monday during the week we are learning a new letter.Materials:A small plastic tub, basket or workbox (

Book of the Week: The Little Engine That Could

We started our T is for Train theme recently and I wanted to share of one of books we read.Book: "The Little Engine that Could" by Watty Piper.Summary: In this well-loved classic, a little train carrying oodles of toys to all of the good boys and girls is confronted with a towering, seemingly impassable mountain. As nicely as they ask, the toys cannot convince the Shiny New Engine or the Big

The Frog Prince and Jump Frog Jump ( mini unit)

As promised, we did a mini theme unit on Frogs. We were not able to do it last Monday because we had extended family over so the boys asked to do it on Saturday. Can you imagine that? I must have been dreaming...!My boys like frogs as most boys do. I am glad we were able to include Frogs after our F is for Fish week (two week study).Before we read our book. We found some interesting information

Beginning Letter Sounds: Letter T cards

This Tuesday we began our two week theme of T is for Train (Transportation theme) I made my third Beginning Letter Sounds worksheet and this week it is on the Letter T. We used ours to make a Letter T collage. I printed another set for laminate as a Letter T matching game.I am sharing the cards with my readers! Feel free to download and print the cards by clicking on the thumbnail image below.

Ocean Creature Cards

Last week I made some Ocean Creature cards for the boys to use for our F is for Fish theme. I am sharing with my readers! Feel free to download and print the cards by clicking on the thumbnail image below.There are 9 pages shown in this set with 6 cards on each the Ocean creature pages. There are a 18 Ocean creatures shown with a matching picture card. I have included word cards provided for each

My Felt Clown Fish

I made felt Clown Fish bean bags to my sons to play a Clown Fish Toss game for our F is for Fish week. I am showing you how I made these cute Felt Clown fish bean bags for my sons.I wanted to share my crafty idea for making a bean bag for the boys to play a Clown fish toss game. I like making felt crafts for the holidays and I wanted to use my skills in making felt crafts with our homeschooling.

Book of the Week: RAINBOW FISH (Activities and Craft)

We read the book "Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister during our F is for Fish theme.Book Summary:The Rainbow Fish, with is shimmering scales, is the most beautiful fish in the ocean. But he is proud and vain and none of the other fish want to be his friend--until he learns to give away some of his most prized possessions.Group Discussion:We went over the importance of friendship with others, and

F is for Fish

We had a fun two weeks learning about the letter F, Fish and Ocean animals. The boys want to continue another few days on the letter F with some Frog activities so I said YES! We are going to do a mini Frog unit on Monday. We will be reading the Book "the Frog Prince" by by Eric Blair. On Tuesday we will be starting our T is for Train (a two week unit on Trains). I have our books on hold ready to

ABC Letter Themes

This week's topic at ABC and 123 is all about the alphabet. Stop by their site to join and find lots of great ideas. We just started teaching the alphabet to our youngest son but we already have some favorite books. Since mostly everyone covered books, we decided to post our ABC Letter themes with a related theme unit we are covering for 2009-2010.Here's our list: (there are links to what we have

Octopus Art Activity (for fine motor skills)

This week we are doing F is for Fish week and we did some fun crafts earlier in the week. Toddlers are developing their motor skills and this one is great for fine motor skills. My oldest son (with special needs) has done these activities to improve his motor skills as well. While we know that an Octopus isn't a fish, he is the prefect Ocean Creature for his activity.Here's what you'll need:

Coffee Filter JellyFish

When it came to make some Ocean Animals crafts for our F is for Fish week, the boys wanted to include one of their favorite Ocean Creatures.. the Jellyfish.For ours, I recycled and used some items we had already in the home:Instead of a plastic cup I used the drink holders you get from fast food restaurants. We had some leftover paper Cupcake liners so we used those to make smaller jellyfish!

Stainglass Fish Art

This week we had fun doing crafts for our F is for Fish week. I had so many photos that instead of having them all, in one post, I am posting each art day we have done separately!Here are our Stain Glass Fish that we made earlier this week!This craft is easy enough for a toddler to do. Mine enjoyed sticking the little pieces of tissue paper to the contact paper to his fish. You can hang your