Have a Recycled Crafty Christmas: Week 1

Welcome to our first week of our month long blog meme. Each week families will be showing and sharing ideas for making decorations and ornaments out of household items that have been recycled into festive items for the Holiday season! Show us what your kids made or what you have made with your kids!You can also participate by sharing Holiday memories of keepsakes that have been passed down to you

Plans for December

This year we are going to be celebrating Advent (the First Christmas: the birth of baby Jesus). In years past, we have spent time on themes like the Polar Express, Snow and Winter and Christmas around the World but my heart desires that my sons learn more about Christ and why we celebrate Christmas. It is more than presents and food.This will be a learning experience for me because it will be the

God Loves Josiah.....he is the Apple of His Eye.

He pulls himself around the floor on both hands.   Happily he drifts from one room to another as he tries to keep up with his brothers and sister. They all enjoy normal mobilty and accept Josiah as if he does also. One brother is his twin. I wonder if he ever considers that he may have been the one with the handicap? Perhaps he doesn't realise the extent of his brothers disability. After all, he is only nine years old.

Love hugs and smiles abound in a God filled environment. Help is given as the norm and not as a burden.   Chris, Josiah's father left working, not long after his son's birth, to remain at home and help with the daily care.
Frances, his mother laughs all the time, happy and appreciative of her wonderful family and friends. They experience many trials; however the family pray and stick close together surrounded by Gods reassurance.

I was privileged last week to be invited to a 'Fundraiser' for Josiah.   The family desperately need a van to transport them collectively with their son's special wheelchair.   So far they have raised only a small amount. There is a long way to go, but in their faith they believe, for their miracle.

Isaiah 55:11  "So shall my Word be, that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto me void...and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it."

Josiah was born with Large Frontal Encepepholocoale (removed 2002)
Diagnosis: Semi Lobar Holopresencephaly, Gross Neuro Migrational D/O and Dysplastic Cerebellum.
Cerebral Palsy with Hearing and Visual Impairment.
Treatment: Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt implanted at 7 months of age.
So far, seven (7) revisions and bi-lateral grommets.

Happy Thanksgiving

Our family is enjoying a day at home and will be having Thanksgiving dinner later today. The phone rings with kind sentiment from family and friends. Each year we have our "family Turkey Hot line" between my mom, me and my sisters discussing what time we each woke up, what's done and what's not done. This year I took the laid back approach and we will taking a steady pace to prepare our

Oh Lamb of God I Come...........and Build an Altar to Thee.

Retiring to bed last night nothing intentional was on my mind. As soon as my head hit the pillow I began to lift God up in Praise. It was as if it all, just burst forth...a spring of Heavenly Praise.

Rising from deep within my spirit, reaching out to His......and I feel it again as I write these words.
Praise you Lord, Thank you Father, Glory to God in the highest, Praise your Holy Name, Blessed be God forever and ever, Thank you Lord my God and my Redeemer. I give you all the thanks and praise,. Thou art worthy, worthy is the lamb, blessed be God forever. Oh praise you Jesus, Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Thou art worthy to be praised.

My God, my soul, I lift you higher....
Mighty King, Prince of peace.....
My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savour! Blessed be...


This is the secret to everything, Praising Our Creator God!  
There has been so much on my mind lately, so much that I have come before Him about in conversation, talking to Him, praying to Him. Now He is showing me there is no need to voice my concerns  any more. 

All I have to do, is simply "Praise Him!" and the gates of Heaven open wide.
Suddenly I am before the throne, on my knees before my God and he is right here. There is just us, but I am different. I am young again, fresh and pure...unaffected by the filth of this world. And His great love Embraces me.  Just as I am I come....without one plea.....
Just as I am...Blessed be...

Thankfulness

This week we are preparing for Thanksgiving and it gives us an opportunity to reflect on the things in our lives that we are thankful for. As a Christian, I am thankful each day for my blessings and for my trials that I have on my journey with Christ.This week our hearts are grateful that I have both my parents and that my sons have a bond with them. I have a large number of siblings and nieces

Six Joyful Blessings Moulded by the Potters Hand.

Every Parent wants the best for their child and the decision to send children to a state school or home school is a challenge. The Christian parent considers Biblical principals such as The Creation described in Genesis and the belief that God created everything.
In comparison, the world teaches away from that to evolution and the big bang theory.
God tells us to "Bring a child up the way he is to go and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
So we want our children to inherit the earth, full of Gods Word and Gods goodness. Faith means trust and although a parent may desire to totally dedicate their life to instilling Godly principles within their offspring, ultimately when you serve God, He is in control and all will be cared for.

The parents of the children in this photo are a wonderful example of commitment to nurturing their children's Faith, Belief and Well being. They are completely dedicated.
Two of the boys are missing from the group. One is older and in high school and one younger still at home.
I cannot imagine caring for eight young lives under one roof. Yes! these parents are to be commended. By the happy smiling faces it is easy to see each child is safe in the knowledge they are loved and belong.
Each one is treated as a special individual and they thrive in their environment. After years of Home Education they have recently begun attending a small rural school.
Sitting on a bench they sit proudly displaying their new uniforms. May God bless this family.

What my child is reading: November 16-24

From November 16th to 25th we are reading books about Thanksgiving.Here are some of the boys' favorite picks this week:My first Thanksgiving (board book) by Tomie dePaola.Our Summary:This book explains to young children about Thanksgiving and a brief history about the holiday. It explains how families celebrate their Thanksgiving day and the food they eat on this day of thanks.Our review: My sons

TENNESSEE.....Blue Grass Country.....True Friendships.

Tennessee is a special place to me and a special place to be. When I first arrived I wondered if I were in Heaven. People were patients and kind, friendly and helpful.

Having to learn to drive on the opposite side of the road, caused me confusion but no-one else. They just sat patiently and waited, until I was back on the right side of the road once more. Then with a cheery wave they saw me on my way. How I appreciated the courtesy and kindness.

I soon discovered nothing was too much trouble and even last final wishes of a friend were not to be discounted,  but respected and honoured.

It took some time for my credentialing to come through and Boards to be passed. So while waiting I worked as a volunteer Counsellor at "The Sheppard Center" and my church. Here I met wonderful aquaintances who became second family  to me. We still communicate and I have been back to re-connect a couple of times.

One day a story published in the local newspaper brought a woman in to visit. I learned she was a fellow countryman originally from a suburb in Victoria where my elder sister had once practiced. So just in conversation I told her this. 
"What's her name," she asked. I told her not thinking it would matter, only to be told. 
"I know her, she went outback to work with the flying doctors didn't she?"  Shocked I couldn't believe I'd come right across the world to meet someone who knew my sister. ..... There is no place like home and now I have two........ Tennessee and Queensland.

Week in Review for November 16-21 (Thanksgiving)

WEEK 12 in reviewOur unit study this week was on Thanksgiving. My family and I will be celebrating it on November 26th. This week we spent our time learning about the First Thanksgiving between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians. We also included in our unit study, some fun crafts, books about Thanksgiving celebrations, turkeys, and games.Early in the week, we visited my parents. My mom had her

Talking about Thanksgiving with young children

I wanted to share with you my ideas for talking about Thanksgiving with young children.Thanksgiving is a time to share family stores and traditions. Create lasting memories the children will remember fondly and share with their young ones to come. Traditions are part of every families' heritage and create special bonds between the members of that family. The tradition doesn't have to be expensive

First Thanksgiving Homes (Thanksgiving craft)

This week we are doing a unit study on the Thanksgiving. As part of our study, I wanted to teach my children about the first Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims and Wamponaog people. We read books about Pilgrim and Wanpanoag life in the 1600s.

The books we read were:
Tapenum's Day: A Wampanoag Indian Boy in Pilgrim Times by Kate Waters
Giving Thanks: The 1621 Harvest by Kate Waters

We read that the

Holiday Craft Blog MEME coming soon!

Our family started making Holiday decorations and ornaments from recycled items about three years ago. As a family on one income, every penny counts. We have had so much fun doing it that we considered it a family tradition of making them. Now that my sons are into arts and crafts, they will be making their own recycled crafts to hang in our home for the Holidays.Join us for a month long blog

FLY the COOP

When your children fly the coop you're left with the empty nest bewildered and wondering, was that only a dream? Yes, they grow up and leave too quickly. Suddenly gone are the dashes to soccer and athletics training with games and competitions on weekends.
Racing a child to school in the car because they missed the bus. Hoping it doesn't breakdown because you are still dressed in your nighty. You'll die with embarrassment if anyone see's you and realises. Then a policeman gets you for speeding and you are asked to produce your licence. Fumbling apologetically you tell him it's at home in your purse, while your child looks on intently noting every word for "Show and tell."
Yes, I was a busy mum. I kept a huge house clean and cared for four children while also working in a family business. Life was hectic yet so rewarding.
Then suddenly one day, they began to leave. The hardest was the first one, and I cried on and off for six months. Of course she visited, but that's never the same. Then joy of joys, suddenly I was a grandmother. I had to contain myself not to take over reminding myself I wasn't the mother. The precious bundle was mine only to cherish for a short while and then I had to give her back.

Now what has caused me to reminisce today? I know, I can hear new life chirping in the trees around our house.
Parent birds are busy gathering food, sheltering from the weather and meeting the demands of their young. Tender wings will slowly strengthen as the parents protectively watch the first feeble attempts to fly. All to soon the fledgling will be ready for flight. Then without a backward glance and uncaring of their watchful nurturer, gleefully they will soar.....and begin their own saga.



                                               

Week in Review for November 8-13 (Harvest)

WEEK 11 in reviewThis week our unit study (theme) was on learning about Harvest. It was a good start for my sons before startingour unit study on Thanksgiving (which we will begin next week).This week, we read books about Harvest time, learned about foods that are harvested this time of year, read about and looked for animal homes and their tracks, read a story about Elijah in the bible and made

ONE STEP CLOSER TO HEAVEN....

Each day we all take, one step closer to Heaven. Death has no boundaries. Wouldn't we hope it did? Yet no matter our age, health or how much money we own, when death knocks at our door there is no bargaining.

This is a delicate subject, one that is shied away from. We all prefer to remain in our comfort zone, on Terra Firma.
Raymond Moodys book "Life after life" delves into scienfic, medical and spiritual aspects of out of the body experiences. Ian McCormack was a young man with a Christian mother who was so busy enjoying his life that God was non existant to him. The frightening story of his near death experience may be watched on YouTube.

So what do you choose to believe?

A man sat in a barbers chair. While he had his hair cut the barber continued on and on with his rendition of, if there was a God....
"If so," he argued,  "Why does He let all the horros and tragedies happen?
And because He does," the barber concluded, "I don't believe in Him!"
What could the man say? He finished having his hair cut and then left the shop. As soon as he walked into the street he spotted a man with dirty matted hair and beard.
Returning to the Barbers he said..............
"I don't believe in barbers, for if they were real I wouldn't see a man in the street who badly needs his hair and beard groomed!"
"How can you say that!" replied the barber. "I can't help it if people refuse to come to me!"
"Thats right," answered the man, "God didn't make us robots. He gave us choices."

The first man adam....brought sin and death into the world.
The last man Jesus...brought Eternal Life.   (The Bible)

 

What my child is reading: November 8-14

We are participating with Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns weekly meme "What my child is reading." We also have our book posts to Fantastic Find's Bookworm Beginnings, a monthly sharing our favorite children's books. We are enjoying reading what other families are reading! We have added new books to our reading list for the year, after reading some families' recommendations.This week we are reading

StArt: Apple Farmer Annie

This is our four week participating in StArt at a Mommy's Adventures. If you are beginning to wonder what StArt is.... well by Michelle's definition it is A Story + Art = A Great stART! This week we read "Farmer Apple Annie" by Monica Wellington.Annie owns an apple farm. In the Fall she picks her apples from the apple trees. She grows many different types of apples. When she picks her apples she

Open Ended Art: Feathers

This week's Open Ended Art theme at Mommies Wise Little Bookworms is Feathers. Today my older son did not participate since he is not feeling well. We had been been making Harvest crafts this week so I think that is why my four year old preschooler Turtle used the feathers as he did.He was given stuffed nylon hosiery, paper, feathers, brushes and tempera paint. He chose only two items out of the

Kids Explore Nature: Animal Homes and Tracks

My good friend Shannon at Mommies Wise Little Bookworms started a Nature Study for young children originally called "Tree Hugging Tots." Her blog carnival has a new name and features! Starting in December it will be called Naturally Curious Tots. Each week a new theme is announced and families can share their family's outdoor adventures exploring Nature and now you can include science activities

Alone but never lonely.

I hope as you read this today, it builds up hope and encourages.
Do you ever feel you are not good enough and never will be?
Do you feel no matter what you do or how you do it someone will always remember your bad points and criticize. Do you feel unloved or forgotten? Uncared for or caste out?

Well, there are times when we all feel like this. Life can and does get us down. People are human, they see others and never themselves. I see others yet never myself. When they, I, point a finger at another, we cannot see, the three pointed back at ourselves! 
We can place people in boxes and label that box. .... Pain in the neck, Drongo, Nuisance, Gossip, Trouble Maker, (everyone else but me that is...Oh, yer??)  
Is this kind? is it helpful? No, it is not! We are all sinners and we all fall short. 

Just try to do your best.
When you lay in bed at night, imagine.........your mind and your heart,being washed clean and ready for a brand new start the next day. Tell God and others you are sorry when you wrong them. Forgive anyone who has hurt you, and ask God to do the same... It brings healing to yourself!

Thank God for all you have, fresh air to breath 
 the sun, moon and sky, the blessings are endless. Thank Him for yourself and all you are....you are a gift sweet and perfect in Gods eyes.
Speak this aloud now. "I am beautiful  and God loves me just as I am. I will try everyday to do and be my best. If I fail, I know that when I confess, He is always ready to forgive me, because, He is my Daddy and He loves me.
"Thank you Lord for dying for me. Thank you for paying the price for my sins...Keep me close to yourself always. In Jesus name. Amen."   

Bible Harvest Craft

This Sunday we read a bible story about Elijah from The Young Learner's Bible Storybook. (pages 120-125). We read that God told Elijah that there would be no rain. Elijah went into the place where God showed him and there God provided him with water, bread and meat. Our memory verse was 2 Corinthians 9:10For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way,

Harvest Pumpkins (Harvest craft)

This week we are learning about Harvest time. We are reading about the fruits and vegetables that are harvested in the Fall. Here in the U.S. there are several crops that are harvested in the fall. Pumpkins, squash, apples, corn, peas and beans are just some of them.To include the kids in a Harvest of their own, we are making Harvest crafts to be "Harvested" and used at our Thanksgiving table. My

Woodstock or Woodford.... That is the Question.

For all you old Hippies out there, Woodstock is remembered. I watched a documentary reliving that time and was stunned, it was sooooo wild!

Australia has The Woodford Folk Festival.
A week long Festival held every year prior New Year on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland,  on Aboriginal Jinibara Country.

Set on 500acres it is dedicated to the Arts and Humanities and underpinned by a strong sense of environmentalism.


Over 580 events with more than 2,000 Local, National and International Entertainers.
I have only attended once, for one day,  yet what I found the most entertaining were the Street Theatres and Parades. The rest include: Musicians and Stilt Walkers.   Fire Eaters,  Dancers, Circus Performers, Art and Craft Workshops,  Cafes and Restaurants..all making the entertainment sucessful.  

A diverse audience of all ages and many different nationalities converge eack year to join in the festive fun.    Of course no one is put off if it rains...that just add's to the flavour.     

Week in review for November 1-7 (Birthday and Pumpkins)

WEEK 11 in reviewWe had a week of no schooling. We decided that after 10 weeks of homeschooling it would be fun to take a semi week off from from the many resources we use...besides it was the prefect week for it.We celebrated our youngest son's 4th birthday, made some more pumpkin crafts (I am not tired of pumpkins yet), we did a homeschool co-op with extended family who stayed with us during

YOUNG NURSES IN TRAINING

Pictured with Shane in front,    tennis courts and The Royal Women's Hospital Sydney, at the back. 

AnyOne for Chicken Soup

The first time I was introduced to a Chicken Soup book was in a Mental Health Unit where I worked. A young Japanese girl approached me and asked if I had read it? "No," I answered, thinking what a strange name. You immediately conger up thoughts of a book on cooking, at least I did. "You have to read it Crystal, It's a wonderful book, what I enjoy about it is the fact the stories are short. I can't read anything lengthy so it suits me." She lent me the book and soon I was hooked. So today I suppose I am writing my own chicken soup for the soul.
How much we learn from time and wonderful people who cross our paths! I returned to nursing in 1994 after a marriage breakdown. Rather it was my younger daughter who encouraged me to go back as in my confusion and distress I didn't know where to turn. I had come from a medical family yet everyone was far more clever than I. My older sister passed her finals coming first in her year and third in the state of New South Wales. That an achievement! 
A natural dreamer with my head in the clouds or books, I wanted to be a ballet dancer dressed in beautiful costumes floating across a stage. Or a singer or maybe a hairdresser. 
My mother said No!.....you are going nursing. To get me away from a persistant boyfriend of another culture I was placed in a huge Sydney Hospital to train and live in the nurses quarters. What does a shy country girl do? Well, she does what she's told as best she can and I actually learned to like it. 
What I didn't like were the daggy uniforms which have since become history. I refused to have a photo taken in mine for which I am sorry about today. But I picked up learning very quickly and loved all the off duty adventures soon learned from the other nurses. We had to be inside by ten at night and I never broke this rule, I was too frightened to, but many did. I didn't go out with boys either, they frightened me also. My training stood me in good steed and like previously written, I returned back, blue book in hand in 1994. Later I completed University and gained a couple of Degree's., but that's another story. 
Now residing in Queensland a lovely lady at church approached me one day with a book she had purchased for me,....."For me?" I questioned.... I hardly knew her!
The book.....Chicken Soup for the Nurses Soul...
  

AN UNUSUAL STORY

Visiting a museum in Eden, New South Wales, Australia we came across an interesting story about a modern day Jonah. I cannot imagine the terror this man experienced and yet lived to tell the tale......... for another 10 years.

Kids Explore Nature (Tree Hugging Tots): Moon

This week's Kids Explore Nature (Tree Hugging Tots) is on the Moon. We took a natural approach to studying the moon during the day and night. For our Nature studies, I am including both my sons ages 4 and 9.We read the following books this week on the Moon:"The Moon Book" by Gail Gibbons"The Moon" by Robert Louis Stevenson, Tracey Campbell Pearson"Papa, please get the Moon for me" by Eric

LAUGHING KOOKABURRA"S

When the Kookaburra Laughs

When the kookaburra laughs at early dawn , you know your still alive and breathing. The joyful cackle echoes across the miles sharing the pleasure of perhaps a hearty breakfast. Hopefully....you think, another snake has hit the dust or should I say a hungry tummy.
After one heart attack and then a second, life is no longer taken for granted. It's amazing that even though you have practical knowledge concerning life threatening symptoms, when your the person concerned the inevitable goes unrecognised.
My first attack happened while driving to visit a patient. "Gosh this bra's tight I must have been crazy to fasten it like this, this morning?" I could hardly breath and pulled off the road into a Road House car park thankful it was handy. Opening my car door I sat up high in my seat breathing and savoring, the sweet fresh air. "Relax," my mind instructed while waves of blackness passing over. There was no fear, I've been ready to 'Go Home' for years.
The feelings passed and after a drink of cool water... and feeling better,  I continued on to see my waiting patient. About a month later packing to move back to Oz it happened again, only differently. This time there was no tightening, just  the near syncope episode of slow darkness. Gripping the kitchen bench I leaned over it hanging on to keep from falling. This too passed only to be repeated again and again until finally I knew help was needed. Laying in the emergency van attached to a monitor I watched the heart pattern graph reading, I was in A.F.
After spending two days in hospital and going through numerous tests I was placed on medication twice daily and sent home. A month later,  back in Oz I visit my doctor telling her of my experience. ...asking for an E.C.G. and the news is, I am still in A.F. and she is concerned.
To tell the truth I'm more disturbed about my knee's. After a fall in Fiji airport it feels like I have smashed both patella's and the pain is excruciating. I can hardly walk. At church one Sunday the children wander around all those seeking prayer for healing. "I'll be in that,"  I've witnessed many healings over the years so why not now?  Isaac, an eleven year old stands quietly behind gently touching my back and prays.  Nothing happen's. Then about a week later I realise there's no more pain and I am able to walk for longer periods....and I Praise God!
Nothings taken for granted. The simple pleasures of life like that of a pair of kookaburra's waking me from slumber at four in the morning... now brings pleasure and stimulates a smile.

Book Sharing Monday: Patty's Pumpkin Patch

This week for Book Sharing Monday, we'd like to share with a wonderful book that my family enjoyed reading so much.Patty's Pumpkin Patch written and illustrated by Teri SloatInSummary:In Patty's Pumpkin Patch, the story takes readers on an intriguing journey through the growth cycle of a pumpkin garden. We see that Patty's garden is a busy place. As she plows, plants and weeds her garden, many