Home is the Heart of a Family: July 2010

Friday, July 30, 2010

For me………

Yes for me!

My son after working all day with his dad,

took his hard earned money and bought his mom a gift.

He is so thoughtful!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

The Simple Woman’s Daybook

For today July 28, 2010

Outside my window….

they are saying it is going to be another hot, hot day. The temps are in the 90’s with the index at 103’. The nats are really bad outside due to how dry it is, good thing no mosquitoes' around.

I am thinking…

about my friend, today we will be attending her mother’s memorial. I miss her but I know she is no longer in the pain she dealt with daily. Everyday she praised our Heavenly Father.

I am thankful…

for my home, nothing makes sense that we are still in our home. We do know it can’t go on much longer. We should have lost it year or more ago. I pray we make it through this years Thanksgiving before it all comes to a end. I do know our God is in charge and he will take care of us. I believe this is why we are still here.

I am wearing..

a nightgown,will be showering soon to head out to the service.

I am remembering…

God’s promises

I am creating…

Sewing the blocks of the special quilt together with borders. Have a date now that it must be completed by. Almost done hand quilting my other quilt. Looking forward to their completion to so I can post pictures for you to see.

I am praying…

for my man, who is out working daily for us.

From the kitchen…

tonight taco salad

tomorrow steak and hamburger for the children

I have food in the house just haven’t decided what when, except for me.

trying to stay on salad, yogurt, cereal. I have put on weight due to not getting out walking or riding due to the heat.

I am hoping…

to wrap up school as planned take a couple of days to complete the portfolio. Then stay on the track we are for awhile. The schedule is working but I know it will be changing in a few weeks.

From the learning rooms…

Daily math lessons, working on our language arts, also Heritage Studies

I am hearing…

two boys playing with their hamsters, baby girl getting ready to leave. Pipper the Quaker parrot having his say this morning.

Around the house…

the daily routine that it takes to run a home of six. Lots of laundry, dishes and pick up. Play time every evening for the younger ones. Late nights are happening due to hot days so we are making the most of the evening into the night.

One of my favorite things…

I am sure I have said this before. When my children are getting along, playing together nicely. Most of all seeing how they are there for each other. Pray as they grow up into adults they will continue to be there for one another.

A few plans for the rest of the week..

looking at going to watch sea turtles hatch tomorrow. School books is the priority around here these weeks. Some music practice for everyone and music reading for baby girl. Other then that just daily chores. No big plans around here.

Here is a picture I would like to share…

my sons pig he raised for meat. This week went to the butcher shop.

To read more daybooks please visit Peggy at Simple Woman's Daybook.

Thank you for stopping by and being part of our family this week

Blessing to your family.

Tara

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Awaken in the night…..

when it wakes my husband, you know something is not good. A sound that could not be described.

Finally we figured out it was the Chimney Swifts. We have a late season nest in the chimney.

What a noise….ok back to bed.

This morning after battling for sleep, that I finally gave in and nosed around to see what was upsetting these birds.

That is when the children and found the nest had fallen and two babies where in the fireplace hanging on to the nest for dear life calling their mother.

Immediately, my thoughts went to, “oh no! I am not hand raising these.” Especially after the hamster episode.

Have to love the internet!!!!! Anything you need to know is right there! Yes lets find what to do…. After some reading, we found we could touch the babies and return them to the upper part of the fireplace (lower part of the chimney). And mom would come and tend to them. We also found out the age(note in picture below eyes are closed still). This meant we really needed them back with their mom.

There is nothing better then real living school!

My youngest and I retrieved the babies and nest. Found a small basket to place babies in and the oldest went to the roof and lowered them using a garden hoe. (which opened up another issue in the house. Everyone wanting to be on the roof, NOT).

All has ended well, mommy and daddy have been down the chimney several times now to tend to their babies and their newly placed nest on the smoke ledge.

We have learn a few things on this road.

1. nest is made of saliva and tips of trees.

2. if you are hearing the babies they are about 2 weeks away from leaving.

3. they are rare and protected.

4. to hand feed and to have them you must have a lic/permit.

5. They fly here every summer from Peru.

6 they are here for the warmest part of the year and as soon as the first cool breeze blows through they are gone.

7. if the first hatching fails the parents will try again.

Do you feel smarter today? I do…..

Saturday, July 24, 2010

School?????

Math is the subject.

My question is does this help you think better?

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Feels so calming

I found a app on the Iphone that is ocean sounds with Celtic music.
The music reminds me of the Celtic Woman.
It is a great tool for a 5 minute break.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook

For today July 21, 2010

Outside my window…

HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT it is the dog days of summer. The mornings are not even enjoyable anymore. The evenings can be when the breeze is blowing. I go out to hang laundry and the sweat begins as soon as you walk out the door. The clothes though are drying in record time.

I am thinking…

I am concentrating on school. We are making the year end dash now. I am trying not to do much else.

I am thankful…

for my husband who always takes care of me and our children. I have been so blessed that he likes me at home with our children. He works hard with being our sole provider.

I am wearing…

skirt and sun top, trying to stay comfortable as much as possible.

I am remembering…

A soft answer turns away raft…and working on this in the home.

I am creating…

I have been working on my hand quilting quilt a little each day. I should have it done in time for fall. I am slowly working on the fundraiser quilt. Now that I have the free motion foot I will be able to finish it the way I wanted.

I am praying…

for a friend and her mom. Mom is suffering with cancer and always in pain. Just received word that mom is in the hospital. God is control he hears all our prayers!

From the kitchen…

Pork roast and mashed potato with gravy,

Manicotti and garlic bread with salad

Ham and scallop potatoes and rolls

steak and veggies

I am hoping..

i don’t forget anything for Saturday that I will need. I am making about a 100 Lumpia on Friday. So what ever I use on Friday I will just wash and pack to go. Hopefully that will help me have everything I will need for the demo on Saturday.

From the learning rooms…

Making the dash to the deadline. I finally made a date for year end. We are doing really good at the catch up with books. If I was to sit down and actually look at when we began the books we are probably ahead even though it looks behind. Our year end keeps getting pushed up. Each year I am getting more confidence with teaching and finding the ways that work for my family.

I am hearing…

Word World, I have 3 that stop to watch it everyday. I have even caught the teenager watching it a couple times. It is acute learning show for the little ones.

Around the House…

mower equipment repairs being done by oldest son. Kitchen clean up has been done by 3rd son, bedrooms are clean, laundry has been started. Hubby is off to work, planning on Mil here on Friday to help with the 100 Lumpia. School has been started. I am finding the schedule we are using is working. The children know what to expect through out the day and when free time will be. Dinner being prepared at a decent hour.

One of my favorite things…

calmness and peace in the home. Hearing my children getting along with each other. Doesn’t always happen with siblings but is JOY when it does.

A few plans for the rest of the week…

our schedule this week is home all week. Saturday will be the out of the house day. Still not sure if the boy’s will be with me or their dad. Marissa and I have had two mom and daughter days the past couple of weekends.

Here is a picture I want to share with you…

our grown up babies taking a morning stroll.

To read more daybooks please visit Peggy at Simple Woman's Daybook.

Thank you for stopping by and being part of our family this week

Blessing to your family.

Tara

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Blog Award

Thank you Virginia for giving me this award.

To receive a real blessing to your life please go visit Virginia’s blog

WWW.LANDSFAMILYLEDBYTHELORD.blogspot.com

As per the the reward instructions I am to pass it along to 12 of

my favorite blogs.

http://ahomegrownfamily.blogspot.com

http://www.lamp-unto-my-feet.com

http://treasuresinmyheart.blogspot.com

http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

http://50chubbytoes.blogspot.com

http://lifeatbreezypoint.blogspot.com

http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com

http://twostrawberrygirls.blogspot.com

http://heartfeltliving-karen.blogspot.com

http://felicitysthoughtfulspot.blogspot.com

http://pagesofd.blogspot.com

http://smithseasonsoflife.blogspot.com

To receive your reward just take the picture and post 12 of your favorite blogs to your blog.

Blessings blog friends.

I know you will receive a blessing from each of these blogs as I have.

New foot

Yesterday I received a wonderful surprise!

I have been looking and pricing a free motion foot for my

sewing machine. I kept saying no to self due to the prices I kept finding.

Well about a month ago I turned to Ebay. There it was!

I put it in the watch list and waited.

My wonderful husband took it upon himself and bought it for me.

I like these kind of out of the blue gifts.

Can’t wait to try it out!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, July 12, 2010

The Simple Woman’s Daybook

For Today July 12, 2010

Outside my window….

very high humidity, instant sweat as you walk

outside. Have heard thunder a couple of times

but no rain as of yet. I do so love the afternoon thunder showers.

They have a calming effect.

I am thinking….

of the trials we have endured for the past 3 yrs.

And how at times it seemed absolutely totally overwhelming.

I am able to see so many blessing that we have received.

I see others and their trials and am thankful for the trials

I have and realize I do not want to be in their shoes.

I am thankful…

for a husband that makes everything

come true. For the children and myself.

I am wearing….

a sundress and bare feet

comfy summer wear.

I am remembering…

the two different week long events

we had this summer. How my children loved to be apart of

both of them.

I am creating…

I actually have been getting some

hand quilting done this week.

I made two cello bibs yesterday. One for my son and one as a

gift for a special orchestra conductor.

I am praying…

for my friends mom. News, this

week was not good.

From the kitchen…

homemade pizza

pork roast and scallop potato

steak and hot dogs and carrots and biscuits

country fried steak and mashed potatoes and gravy

hamburgers and hotdogs

spaghetti and garlic bread

I am hoping…

my friends boys are having

an awesome time of their life exploring the west coast with

their grandparents. Looking forward to

the stories when they return.

From the learning rooms…

books were closed last week, due to

orchestra camp. This week we going to get back into

book work by Wednesday. Today was living skills

Tuesday is free movie day at the theater

then off to do some shopping.

I am hearing…

quietness/ fish tank filter water

the two boys are hanging laundry (I hope).

Little girl just stepped outside with baby doll.

Oldest is next to me working on math.

Around the house…

laundry is just about complete.

kitchen is clean and ready to make dinner.

Floors need to be mopped after dinner.

One of my favorite things…

seeing dreams come true for my children

A few plans for the rest of the week…

movies tomorrow have some shopping afterwards.

Would like to have a beach day this week sometime.

Here is a picture I would like to share….

All the guys helping their papa get his mast up

his sail boat.

To read more daybooks please visit Peggy at Simple Woman's Daybook.

Thank you for stopping by and being part of our family this week

Blessing to your family.

Tara

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Week in pictures…..

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We had the most beautiful drive everyday. From the country roads with the cows to the four lane city roads.

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Some many volunteers giving of themselves to the students. The whole May and Miller families were both there. Maureen May and Michael Miller were the Artistic Directors. Allison May, Elliot May, Martin and Arthur were all teaching the students. With special daily instruction from Matitiahu Braun. The students also played a piece by Patrick Brill, famous composer that lives in Orlando. Emily May was the director, she kept everyone on schedule.

THANK YOU TO ALL FOR THE GIFT OF YOUR TIME AND KNOWLEDGE!!!!

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How to explain this week, full of new experiences and growth on the old.

The day was composed with theory class, then composing (which the orchestra played for everyone the last day). In composing they touched on all the elements it takes to write a piece. The students were broken into color groups as they moved from one class to another. The groups were also the quartet, trio’s and ensembles they played in then the students joined together in a orchestra. There was even a time for all the cello’s to be together and all the bass’s.

Each day students had the chance after lunch to perform anything they wanted for their fellow students. Some did solo’s some did duets. My son Jon played Prelude, this is a very special piece to us. I never get tired of hearing him play this piece.

My oldest son finally had a wish come true. He was blessed with the opportunity, that came to him with no asking, to play a viola solo with the orchestra. He learned very quickly that it is not as easy as it looks. By the end of the week he was doing great! It is totally different experiences then playing in the orchestra or a solo by yourself.