Monday, October 17, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
The journey of the two front teeth!
One day as I was riding down the rode, I looked at Hunter smile. I noticed his bottom two front teeth had moved very close together. So I asked him to open and let me see. Guess what I found, two loose teeth!!! How long had they been loose? He said a while! I am very observant!!lol So as we began to wiggle them daily, it came time to pull at least one. Oh the tears and the fears. Oh to the drama of the reality that we might remove part of his mouth and it might cause pain. So we waited to the next day. As Hunter and his sister where playing in the floor, she hit is leg which went to his mouth and hit his tooth. He was crying for Africa to hear him, and we where trying to find out why. When we opened his mouth to see his tooth gone. So then where did it go. Did he swallow it, or did it fly across the room? After we calmed his sounds and searched the ground, there was a tooth to be found. He lost his first tooth on Thursday night, and there was no reason for all the fright!! But that left tooth number two alone and sad oh what to do. So we wiggled and pulled but it was not ready. Soa few days passed and it was turning sideways. So daddy said it had to come out now. Which to Hunters opinion was not okay, and so the drama began again. But this time momma was in the other room, and when daddy pulled it was out like a snap, and Hunter never even knew it left his mouth. But then he looked at the rag in daddys hand and how what a story the blood did tell, to a little man who though you cut off his tail!!lol The toothfairy had two nights in our home and was very sweet to our two toothless little man. As off to the next time a tooth is loose, oh who will hear the cries from pauline, to the roof!!
Fish Vertebrae!
What a day to be at sea. To throw a line an catch a flea. But once it was caught, It had to be fought. So we could see its vertebrae!
The adventures of school with dissecting fish to learn about its back bone. The adventures of mommy having to clean up the fish smell, hands and clothes when they where done.
Now to raise a tadpole and learn about metamorphosis! I love science lessons on reptiles and amphibians! Last weeks on weather was more my cup of tea!
The adventures of school with dissecting fish to learn about its back bone. The adventures of mommy having to clean up the fish smell, hands and clothes when they where done.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
July-August-September Update
We have had a full and busy summer. Have way through the summer we had a triple effect of unhappy news. We received a phone call on July 12th, that my grandfather was in Hospice care and had a blood clot and that he may not make it another hour or week. As my Dad was out of town and I had been dealing with health issues. This was the last thing I wanted to hear. My loving husband immediately said lets pack and go right now to see him. Let me give a little background. I had not seen him in a really long time. He always went against what we believed as being a Christian and fought hard with all his family. So my own children had never meet their grandfather. I had only one grandfather I knew, and spent several summers and holidays with him while growing up. I loved him very much despite his choices. I took a summer vacation to spend with him when i was 16. I talked with him daily about God and the bible and his life. I even had him visit church two Sundays in a row!! When I left that summer he said Holly, don't worry about me and heaven I will be there. Now the behavior never matched but I always prayed he would still find and serve the Lord before his death. So as we got this call I was anxious to get to him. But within a few hours of that call, another call came in that said he had passed away. As I stood in a parking lot with my family, I don't remember what else was said or what happen as we ate dinner. My sister who was on the phone as I told her, I could not carry on a normal conversation with. I thought once I cleared my head, this is not okay, this is not fair. My children will never know him and I didn't get to say I love you before he went. Along with my grandfather, my grandmother was loosing the man she had been married to and loved for years. I had not seen her in a long time either. So we packed up my family and went to see my grandmother and uncles. As we drove there and had the chance to see my grandmother, and what she could remember(early stages of Alzheimer's) it was a true blessing. When left for home and I again had this feeling of regret, and unfairness. As my supportive husband handle so much the next few days as we returned for the funeral. My grandfather was a Lt. Col in the army and was buried with full honors and military service. It was a site to see and watch as they paid tribute to a man who served his country so well. As the days since then, I still feel angry when I think about the last few years and lost time and how I didn't get to say goodbye. I also pray daily that I will see him in heaven, the thought that he is not there is heart breaking!
Then the summer continued and my health got worse. I headed to the dr the following week and had to go through a lot of pain for those issues. Then as I was dealing with that, my husbands company had a layoff and he lost his job. I know God had a plan in all this and we are still seeking that plan daily.
Now that we have moved to hang with my parents for now, it has been none stop. With school starting back and having a third grader and kindergarten. We are slooooowly getting settled and trying to stay on track with school.
Tim began a job three weeks ago and we are so blessed that it was open to him. He did however get called to three places in Al. for job interviews. So we made a trip to see Al. and go on job interviews. He received two offers, but it was never clear that God wanted us there at this time. So for now we are in Pauline.
School is going great. Hunter is doing sooo well in kindergarten and has started reading even better. He has made some great friends and his teachers say he is so smart and learning quickly. Also well behaved. Arianna is loving her online third grade program. It is about 10 hour days of work that we are trying to manage. But she is pushing through with only a few whines now and then. I think I am more tired at the end of the day than she is. We are still working hard on reading proficiency. But I know it will come in time. I am just impatient.
Just new to all this news, I have applied to go back to school in Christian studies. I do not have any confirmation when yet, but hope I will get to start some time in Oct.
Well that about gets us up to today and I will try to update more often on more fun stuff!!
Then the summer continued and my health got worse. I headed to the dr the following week and had to go through a lot of pain for those issues. Then as I was dealing with that, my husbands company had a layoff and he lost his job. I know God had a plan in all this and we are still seeking that plan daily.
Now that we have moved to hang with my parents for now, it has been none stop. With school starting back and having a third grader and kindergarten. We are slooooowly getting settled and trying to stay on track with school.
Tim began a job three weeks ago and we are so blessed that it was open to him. He did however get called to three places in Al. for job interviews. So we made a trip to see Al. and go on job interviews. He received two offers, but it was never clear that God wanted us there at this time. So for now we are in Pauline.
Just new to all this news, I have applied to go back to school in Christian studies. I do not have any confirmation when yet, but hope I will get to start some time in Oct.
Well that about gets us up to today and I will try to update more often on more fun stuff!!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Living a life beyond our imagination gets highly underestimated!
As I have been terrible at blogging, I am planning to try and keep up a little better. As we head into our fourth year of homeschooling and look to a exciting year with a third grader I pray we have lots of ways God reveals that he is far above and beyond our imaginations. We have faced a few family challenges in the last week and half and only begin to see where God is leading us. He closed a door today we where not expecting, but I know that means he has something better somewhere else for us. Stay tune and keep up with us as we travel the journey this year as a homeschooling family on mission for Christ with a 8yr, 5yr and 20 month old!! Jer 29:11-12
Friday, April 8, 2011
It is bouncin in like Spring
It has truly been a great winter. We have had a few colds and tummy bugs, but we have made it through with out a huge dry bill this winter. We have gotten settled into our home, and we love it very much. God has truly blessed out family and we know that all we have is his. Wynleah is waling, talking, eating any and everything but baby food, and refusing to let go of her bottle! So many sippy cups and still will not drink out of them! Hunter survived his broke thumb, and Arianna has not had any major allergic reactions! Tim is working a lot of hours. Mom is still tutoring high school students weekly and home schooling Arianna and Hunter. It is going really well. Arianna is finally reading on her grade level and doing better daily. Hunter loves his school work and ask me daily is it my turn now! God has protected this home and given us this huge mission field in our home. Arianna, after being baptized in Jan. has grown so much every day that it is such a humbling blessing to see God using her and working in her little life. She still says almost daily she is headed to the mission field as a missionaries. God is good! I have been through an amazing Bible study with Beth Moore called breaking free. God knew I needed to be in this study at this time. I truly was able to see what I was holding on to and what was holding me from being in the relationship I had longed for to be in with God. I have broken free and I am free in Christ. I would recommended anyone taking this and I would take it again. Tim and I have also been going through our study with Growing Kids Gods way. It has changed the way we parent, but more than that is has changed who we are and revealed our selfishness so that we could parent as a team for the Glory of God to be revealed in our children. Arianna has so enjoyed dance this year and is looking forward to her spring concert and her solo dance as well. She has been given a talent from the Lord and I love to watch her dance. Hunter is starting soccer with Upward and we are praying her will open up and have no fear and play this year. Well that about wraps up our jump into spring. More to come soon!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
January 2011 Rolls in with a White Coat!
We have enjoyed the Holidays. Even though two children where sick on Christmas Eve and the other in the ER on Christmas Night, as the snow fell. We have really enjoyed the snow! I love snow!! I have always loved snow!! Ice not so much. Then we had all these wonderful news reports of the inches of snow we where to get on Jan 9 and 10th. It was beautiful to wake up to on Monday morning!! Everything covered in white. I enjoy taken pictures of all the beauty that God creates. Then Tim and I had this decision to make. DO we stay home all day Monday and Monday night and hope the power does not go out, or do we go to my parents where we would have heat even if the power went out. Tim and I have worked for days to get our gas logs to start and work, but we made no progress and did not want to be in a home with three children and freezing. So we choose to go. Thankfully no power lose as of yet. But then today we had to try to make it back home in the snow, oh and might I add ICE on the roads. After much debate about even driving, we headed home with an escort to our door.:) We did great all the way at 20 mph. The roads where awful but God was guiding us. Then we reached our wonderful concrete drive way, and let me add up hill!!! Where after 5 attempts and smelling burning rubber, we where not making it up the hill. Then my dad and Tim racked and broke up paths of ice off the driveway. As they where sliding down hill while trying to scrub up the ice. It was a site to see!!! :) Then a very peace drive up the hill and into the garage safe and sound. We made it home. Still plenty of snow to build a snow castle tomorrow!!! Welcome to a Winter to Remember in South Carolina!!
Classical Literature Engages, Enlightens, and Instructs Students Repost
Classical Literature Engages, Enlightens, and Instructs Students
Do you love reading? As C.S. Lewis wrote, can you not “get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit” your reading pleasure? Many would exclaim, “Yes!” But there are those students for whom reading is a task, a chore — should they persevere in their pursuit of the classics? Again, the answer is yes! Good literature engages, enlightens and instructs the lifetime learner.
First, a good book engages us. Beloved characters, whether real or fiction, take us beyond ourselves to places where we are bound by neither culture nor time. History’s places, people and plights come alive. Imaginations ignite. Learning takes place, while a heart of love and mind of wonder for all of God’s creation develops.
Second, literature exposes us to ideas that we can compare and contrast against the light of Scripture. In pondering good books, our students get practice analyzing and discerning what is good and noble and true in the world verses what is evil, vain, and deceptive. The more we analyze and discuss ideas, the better able we are to see through ideas to their presuppositions, their assumptions and ultimately their worldview — biblically-based or otherwise.
Finally, classic works instruct us in the arts of writing, speaking and living the Christian life. In Luke 6:45, the Bible tells us, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good.” In other words, students who make a habit of reading books that are written eloquently and from a strong moral foundation will mature into thoughtful adults who speak knowledgeably, write eloquently, and live in a manner that works for their good and God’s glory.
So grab that cup of tea, find a quiet corner, and cozy up with a classic read today!
“Those of us who have been true readers all our life seldom fully realize the enormous extension of our being which we owe to authors.
We realize it best when we talk with an unliterary friend. He may be full of goodness and good sense but he inhabits a tiny world. In it, we should be suffocated. The man who is contented to be only himself, is in a prison. My own eyes are not enough for me. I will see through those of others.” C.S. Lewis
Do you love reading? As C.S. Lewis wrote, can you not “get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit” your reading pleasure? Many would exclaim, “Yes!” But there are those students for whom reading is a task, a chore — should they persevere in their pursuit of the classics? Again, the answer is yes! Good literature engages, enlightens and instructs the lifetime learner.
First, a good book engages us. Beloved characters, whether real or fiction, take us beyond ourselves to places where we are bound by neither culture nor time. History’s places, people and plights come alive. Imaginations ignite. Learning takes place, while a heart of love and mind of wonder for all of God’s creation develops.
Second, literature exposes us to ideas that we can compare and contrast against the light of Scripture. In pondering good books, our students get practice analyzing and discerning what is good and noble and true in the world verses what is evil, vain, and deceptive. The more we analyze and discuss ideas, the better able we are to see through ideas to their presuppositions, their assumptions and ultimately their worldview — biblically-based or otherwise.
Finally, classic works instruct us in the arts of writing, speaking and living the Christian life. In Luke 6:45, the Bible tells us, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good.” In other words, students who make a habit of reading books that are written eloquently and from a strong moral foundation will mature into thoughtful adults who speak knowledgeably, write eloquently, and live in a manner that works for their good and God’s glory.
So grab that cup of tea, find a quiet corner, and cozy up with a classic read today!
“Those of us who have been true readers all our life seldom fully realize the enormous extension of our being which we owe to authors.
We realize it best when we talk with an unliterary friend. He may be full of goodness and good sense but he inhabits a tiny world. In it, we should be suffocated. The man who is contented to be only himself, is in a prison. My own eyes are not enough for me. I will see through those of others.” C.S. Lewis
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2010 Rewind
The Owens Family has had a wonderful and adventurous year. We have gone from Woodruff, to Charleston, from Enoree, to Wyoming crossing 9 states, and from Pauline to Roebuck. From a two year job search to a wonderful and amazing mission trip across the country. We have seen the valleys we never saw coming and started climbing a mountain we are blessed to be on. Wynleah Grace Owens was born in Nov 2009 and has grown sooo much this past year. As each day our prayer as parents has been Lord keep them and protect them and surround them with all your grace and love. But also teach them and guide them and use us to do your work as parents. As we learned so much on the drive across country and watching a building go from foundation to walls in a number of days. We have been given the gift of parenting. In Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. and in I Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
We have see the awesome wonder of it. With finding not only one job but three or four and being able to allow God to lead to the right one. To see our three amazing children grow. To becoming 4 year old sunday school teachers and never doubting why we do it, but wondering why we didn't do it before now. To becoming a Classical Conversations tutor of 6 amazing students who have turned my life around and made me think and relearn in a better and more effective light. To knowing that God has my family in his hands. He has not abandon us and he has kept his promise. I have seen where I did not see the light at the end of what we where trudging through, but I can look back and not only say we made it but we where carried through it by his grace. I have learned that parenting is not a job, yes I said it is not a job it is a calling, a mission field, and act of Gods grace. It is teaching me my failures so that I can correct them, it is showing me my selfish, so that I may find humbleness. Yes some days it is giving patience beyond my believe. And just when I feel like I am going to run away and pull my hair out, one of my children will make me laugh, cry, or hug or kiss me and my eyes are open again.
We finally after 8 years of marriage and searching for where God wanted us, have found a balance, a safe place to fall, and a home. I mean an actual home, as well as having the same mission, vision and heart for our family, that is home. We are not looking back at all that went wrong and all the mistakes we made, no matter how selfish, childish, or immature they may have been. But we are looking straight up the mountain we are climbing. Realizing that it will be a daily climb until the Lord takes us home to the top. But we are excited about the journey, that adventure, and the doors and places God has in store for us. I use to sit back quite(yes me quite) and say I will be a christian and be good and ask for forgiveness and live my life without any major issues. Just float along until the Lord returns.
But after what God has taught me the last year I am no longer sitting as a spectator in my life but i am getting my hands dirty, because the Lord has washed them clean for me to sit with him one day. I am excited about what God is doing in our home, and where our home is headed with God leading it.
But if that is not exciting enough, I had the best news in the world this year. That topped it all! Arianna asked Jesus in to her heart when she was 5. But being so young we have taken our time with her and allowed her to grow and make sure she understood what it meant. After a lot of Bible studies, amazing home schooling, and a church encouraging her. We know with out a doubt that she knows that she ask Jesus into her heart at 5 and has grown into a stronger believer every year. She has gone through new believers class at church and is now ready to be Baptized. Which she will do on Jan 9th at our church.
So as to my new prayers and resolutions for the new year.
Resolutions to of course become a healthier and better mom and wife. To seek Gods path for our family and my children's paths, and to be debt free!!
Prayers
Lord, I come to you In Jesus' name and give Arianna, Hunter, Wynleah, and Lyssa to you. I know that you and you alone know what is best for them. You know what they need. I release them to you to care for and protect, I commit to pray for everything concerning each of them that I can think of or that you put upon my heart. Teach me, show me how to pray and guide me in what to pray about. Help me not to impose my own will when I'm praying for them, but instead enable me to pray that Your will be done in their life. Thank you Lord that we can partner with you in raising them, and that I don't have to do it alone. Thank you for the precious gift of Arianna, Hunter, Wynleah, and Lyssa. Because your word says that every good gift comes from you, i know that you have given them to me to care for and raise. Help me to do that. I rely on you for everything and this day I trust my children to you and release them into your hands. Amen
We have see the awesome wonder of it. With finding not only one job but three or four and being able to allow God to lead to the right one. To see our three amazing children grow. To becoming 4 year old sunday school teachers and never doubting why we do it, but wondering why we didn't do it before now. To becoming a Classical Conversations tutor of 6 amazing students who have turned my life around and made me think and relearn in a better and more effective light. To knowing that God has my family in his hands. He has not abandon us and he has kept his promise. I have seen where I did not see the light at the end of what we where trudging through, but I can look back and not only say we made it but we where carried through it by his grace. I have learned that parenting is not a job, yes I said it is not a job it is a calling, a mission field, and act of Gods grace. It is teaching me my failures so that I can correct them, it is showing me my selfish, so that I may find humbleness. Yes some days it is giving patience beyond my believe. And just when I feel like I am going to run away and pull my hair out, one of my children will make me laugh, cry, or hug or kiss me and my eyes are open again.
We finally after 8 years of marriage and searching for where God wanted us, have found a balance, a safe place to fall, and a home. I mean an actual home, as well as having the same mission, vision and heart for our family, that is home. We are not looking back at all that went wrong and all the mistakes we made, no matter how selfish, childish, or immature they may have been. But we are looking straight up the mountain we are climbing. Realizing that it will be a daily climb until the Lord takes us home to the top. But we are excited about the journey, that adventure, and the doors and places God has in store for us. I use to sit back quite(yes me quite) and say I will be a christian and be good and ask for forgiveness and live my life without any major issues. Just float along until the Lord returns.
But after what God has taught me the last year I am no longer sitting as a spectator in my life but i am getting my hands dirty, because the Lord has washed them clean for me to sit with him one day. I am excited about what God is doing in our home, and where our home is headed with God leading it.
But if that is not exciting enough, I had the best news in the world this year. That topped it all! Arianna asked Jesus in to her heart when she was 5. But being so young we have taken our time with her and allowed her to grow and make sure she understood what it meant. After a lot of Bible studies, amazing home schooling, and a church encouraging her. We know with out a doubt that she knows that she ask Jesus into her heart at 5 and has grown into a stronger believer every year. She has gone through new believers class at church and is now ready to be Baptized. Which she will do on Jan 9th at our church.
So as to my new prayers and resolutions for the new year.
Resolutions to of course become a healthier and better mom and wife. To seek Gods path for our family and my children's paths, and to be debt free!!
Prayers
Lord, I come to you In Jesus' name and give Arianna, Hunter, Wynleah, and Lyssa to you. I know that you and you alone know what is best for them. You know what they need. I release them to you to care for and protect, I commit to pray for everything concerning each of them that I can think of or that you put upon my heart. Teach me, show me how to pray and guide me in what to pray about. Help me not to impose my own will when I'm praying for them, but instead enable me to pray that Your will be done in their life. Thank you Lord that we can partner with you in raising them, and that I don't have to do it alone. Thank you for the precious gift of Arianna, Hunter, Wynleah, and Lyssa. Because your word says that every good gift comes from you, i know that you have given them to me to care for and raise. Help me to do that. I rely on you for everything and this day I trust my children to you and release them into your hands. Amen
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