Violin Christmas Concert (1 yr. 3 mo. learning)

We'll be home for Christmas this year, but our hearts are in Idaho with Nana and Poppie . . .

Christmas is around the corner! It won't be the same not seeing my dad and second mom, but it's Jesus' birthday celebration nonetheless. We'll be home for Christmas this year, and my kids are totally getting into decorating and helping with all the festive preparations! It's a wonderful life . . .

Wild Kratts!

Jack Hannah and Wild Kratts are two of our favorite programs for learning about animals: Wild Kratts

Thanksgiving Traditions

One of our favorite traditions is driving to Tehachapi to spend a few wonderful days with our Aunt Jackie. This year, this tradition may include actual Thanksgiving Day! We're looking forward to being with her, visiting the boutique, playing in the snow, seeing wildlife, and visiting the Alpacas and Llamas. The countdown begins . . .

Going Grey

God has proven He knows what He's doing in every area of my life, so why not see what happens when I grow out the grey hair I've been coloring? I've been contemplating this for a few years, and now I think I'm ready to see the color God chose for me. I may end up looking my age, but that IS my age - duh. Get ready. My hair will look bad for at least a year . . . or not? 


I decided to ask a hair specialist to match my natural color coming in. I grew it out almost two inches, so he'd have a good idea of my natural color. He may have gone over-board, but I didn't want to go through the "grow-out" stage. Here's to hoping this was a good idea! 


I spent four hours in the salon anticipating the results. The guy wanted me to go blonde, but I really want to be my natural color, so off we went. Before we ever got started, I told him I didn't want him to blow-dry my hair. When he was finished color-matching, he pulled out his blow dryer. I reminded him I didn't want my hair blow-dried. To this he responded, "I do." 


Here I am after four long hours in the hands of a CrAzY mAn. Could my hair be more fried?

Bless Others with Your Gifts and Talents

Use Your Gifts God has Given You to Bless Others and God!
. . . In receiving these gifts and abilities, we have several choices: We can set them aside in disappointment and pursue something that looks better in our own eyes; we can develop them for personal gain; or we can cultivate and practice them as our own gifts back to God. When it comes to long-term fulfillment, however, we find greatest satisfaction when our gifts and abilities are used as intended, with grateful glances toward the Giver. . . When people use their abilities for God, an exciting thing occurs - a diverse yet unified body functions more efficiently and serves as a better witness to the value and joy of following Christ. Since every person possesses different abilities and spiritual gifts, the body of Christ can fully function only when everyone takes advantage of what God has given them. Romans 12:6 tells us, "And since we have different gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them accordingly."

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."  Anatole France

You've Got to Serve Somebody

I remember when Bob Dylan's song first came out, so I was intrigued to read this article:
http://hope4israel.org/resource/Reading%20List/articles/covenantofsalt.html

He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels

Student Motto, Charlotte Mason

I am a child of God, a gift to my parents and my country. I am a person of great value because God made me. I ought to do my duty to obey God, to submit to my parents, to be of service to others, and to keep myself healthy with proper food and rest so my body is ready to serve. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. God has made me able to do everything required of me. I will resolve to keep a watch over my thoughts and choose what's right, even if it's not what I want. Charlotte Mason taught her students the motto  I am, I ought, I can, I will.  I am means that we can know ourselves and understand what we're really like.  I ought means that we have a moral judge inside us that we feel we're subject to. It lets us know what our duty is and compels us to action.  I can means that we have the ability to do what we feel is right.  I will means that we resolve to do what our inner moral judge, the Holy Spirit, has urged us to do.