New Glasses

Gene finally has his new snazzy glasses! His little face looks much older, maybe even wiser -

I was suppose to pay for something (right now I can't remember what it was - something that was added to the lens) that the insurance didn't cover, but yesterday when we went to the office they told me there was no charge because the lab had made the error in the frames. Thank you Lord!

Swim

I usually don't take pictures of the kids during swim, but yesterday I remembered to bring my camera in, here are a few shots...

Here is why I am SO glad I had my camera, Nicole usually doesn't even attempt to try this on her own, she will tell the instructor that she needs help starting. I told her to just TRY to start off yourself - you never know, you just may be able to start on your own. She did it! Did you notice the goggles on her forehead?

Colonial America Lapbook

Here is a free Colonial America lapbook offer, I downloaded mine today - we will cover this period in our Tapestry of Grace Year 2.

CurrClick.com Weekly Free Product of the Week Colonial America Lapbook by Knowledge Box Central

Lapbooks are so much fun, and hands-on is an exciting way to learn, resulting in much greater retention of information. Our ebook lapbooks come with all the information and instructions you need to create a great lapbook to keep for years to come. Make as many copies as you want for your family. Our lapbook e-books can also be printed out, and the folds can be used in NOTEBOOKING! It's a great way to add the 3-D effect to your notebooks!This lapbook covers Colonial America. What an exciting time period! There are 22 booklets, including Map of the 13 Colonies, Puritans, Colonial Recipes, Colonial Jobs, Recipes, Thanksgiving, Pocohantas, John Smith, William Bradford, Clothing, Games, Vocabulary, and so much more. Includes all instructions and also information about what to put in each booklet, including internet links for further research. A $15.00 Value!

Appropriate for all grades/ages, as you may have smaller children glue or draw pictures inside booklets, while older students write answers or paragraphs.

Baby Elijah David

Congratulations to my friend Jenny and family at ForingerFamily, she gave birth to Elijah David on this past Sunday.

Jenny wrote a very amusing post on what a mother of 8/9 children does after her water breaks, be sure to read it, amazing is all I can say! Click here to read the post "The Baby is Coming".

50th Wedding Anniversary

50th Wedding Anniversary Luncheon

Saturday, July 26, 2008

East Lounge – Williamsburg Inn

for

James and Jane

What an honor to attend the surprise 50th wedding anniversary luncheon for Eric's parents, James and Jane on this past Saturday. Fifty years of marriage! The happy couple had no idea of what was planned for them, they were told that the family would be going on the Spirit of Norfolk, little did they know Julie and Eric had planned a grand celebration with around fifty family and friends at the Williamsburg Inn. They thought they got all dressed up to have lunch on the Spirit of Norfolk, but never questioned Lindsay as she drove them to Williamsburg instead of Norfolk!

They didn't figure out what was going on until Jane saw her aunt Mary Jane when they walked in. We were all surprised that no one slipped the secret, one of Jane's friends said she stopped calling Jane because she knew she would tell everything she knew, and decided not to even answer any of Jane's calls!

My sister-in-law Julie is an excellent party planner and did a wonderful job planning and organizing everything from Japan! I asked Eric what his part was and he said to show up, and read the Scriptures Julie told him to read. Here are a few pictures I took, and the slide show presentation put together by Julie, she also did the programs and if I figure our how to post that I will. Enjoy!

Jane

Eric and his father, James everyone calls him Jimmy Lee



The anniversary cake

James and Jane

Reverend Holmes

James

Frank, the photographer

Marco, the pianist

Julie, Eric's sister

Lindsay, Eric's niece - daughter of Julie

Here is a condensed version of the slide presentation created by Julie. Click on "View Presentation", you will be taken to my SlideShare page, once there click on "Full" to view full screen. Julie did an excellent job on this!

Fifty Years Of Marriage

view presentation

Make and Wear Jewelry

This was my make on Friday night, wear on Saturday bracelet and earring set. The set features 6mm fancy Jasper beads, I have enough beads to make the matching necklace, so I will get around to that sooner or later. Click on the pictures to enlarge.

This Crazy Week

We received a call from Gene's eye doctor that his new glasses were ready, so Wednesday we head to the "Burg to get the long awaited glasses, only to find out that the lab has used the wrong frames, they are similar to the frames Gene picked out but MUCH larger. They looked huge on Gene's little face!

The lady offered to let Gene use those glasses, but with my boy plus loaner glasses - didn't seem like the greatest idea in my book, so he put on his tiny specks and we will wait for another week to get his glasses. What can you do?


We went bowling earlier this week, my goal is to bowl at least 100, both Eric and I were struggling the entire time. At one point I was leading Eric, which never happens unless I'm first up and Eric hasn't bowled. It was not my night to bowl, I had gutter balls, many, many open frames, I did have a couple of strikes - not that many.

Eric says that I need a heavier ball, so he has ordered me a 12 pound ball, a cherry Vibe. The new ball should arrive next week, then we will have it drilled, hopefully this will help me a little.



Do you know what kind of bird this is? If so, please let me know. He usually flies away before I can get a picture ready. I'm thinking the first picture if of the female.

Baby Got Book

Eric found this last night on GodTube - it is silly, we were cracking up on this play of Sir Mixalot's song. If you would like a good laugh, then watch the video. Enjoy!

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword,

and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow,

and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 (New American Standard Bible)

Lifehouse Everything Drama

The Youth Minister at our church played this video during Vacation Bible School for the teens, they were so moved by the video that they wanted the rest of the congregation to watch the video as well. We had one teenage boy give his heart to the Lord!

Here is the video, be sure to have a tissue handy for this one.

“ Return, you backsliding children,

And I will heal your backslidings.”

“ Indeed we do come to You,

For You are the LORD our God.

Jeremiah 3:22

(New King James Version)

Cool Coral

Today's bracelet was this coral chip bracelet I strung on Elasticity stretchy bead cord. This was my first time using stretchy cord, you don't need to use a clasp with this material, you tie a series of knots and then add some glue to the knots for extra measure and I used the silver bead to cover my knots. The cord reminds me of those little clear noodles in egg rolls - can you tell it is near dinner time! This was another quick, easy and fun project, click the picture to enlarge.

Latest Project

This is the bracelet that I'm working on for a friend of my Mother-in-law. It features freshwater pearls and Siam bicone crystals, I didn't finish off the bracelet because I don't know Beulah's wrist size, so I have a bead stopper on one end. My Mother-in-law told me that Beulah wanted a bracelet, but she didn't know her size or what color she wanted, something she could wear with everything, this is what I came up with. The red crystals really make the bracelet pop, click on the picture to enlarge the image. How do you like this one? Feel free to leave me a comment or send me an e-mail.

New Beads

I've got new loot! When I went to Art From the Heart bead store, I didn't have much time to look at each and every bead and findings in the store, but I did manage to find these heart shaped blue glass beads and the colored wire for wrapping.

Saturday I meet some girlfriends, who also home school for dinner at Famous Dave's, we were in the restaurant for close to 3 hours, and had a great time. After I left the restaurant, I headed to Beads on Parade, to see what would be calling my name. Here is what I picked up, Eric asked my why didn't I buy any blue gemstone chips? I did see some pretty blue chips, and just have to march myself right down to the store and get more beads! Woo hoo! I've been wanting to get some chip beads to string on stretchy bead cord. Be sure to check back to see ho they turn out.

Coral chips, Citrine chips, Garnet chips, Czech glass beads in various shapes and colors, green seed beads, green foiled lampwork beads, Cane glass beads. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Oh So Blue

This is the bracelet I made for my niece LaTressa's birthday, it features blue Czech glass beads and Siam crystals. What do you think?

My friend Carla e-mailed me the other morning with a great idea for my next line of jewelry... watches. I told her Eric said the same thing to me, so be on the look out for watches by Becca. How inspiring to have my friends join in the beading excitement with me - I do have great friends!


I'm working on a bracelet for myself, it will have the kids names and birthstone, plus Eric's birthstone and I'm considering adding mine, a family bracelet. I'm still pondering the layout in my head, I don't have birthstone for Eric or the one for me, which does create a hitch in stringing the bracelet!

Our Anniversary

Eric and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary on Thursday, July 17. We do have or should I say had matching wedding bands, but Eric's ring doesn't look like mine anymore. He has had the antiquing done twice on his ring, and mine looks like it did 15 years ago!

We hope to go to Niagara Falls or somewhere later on, but for our special day, Eric took off work and arranged for a sitter for the kids. He had planned for us to go to D. C. to take in the sights, but because traffic was horrible and we had to be back at a certain time, we opted to get off I-95 and go to the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

No, this was not your typical romantic outing for a couple celebrating a milestone in their marriage, but anytime I can be with my beloved is romantic for me. If you have not been, and are anywhere close to the area, it is worth the trip. The museum is free, and although I'm a Army gal, I was so impressed with the Marine Corps and the presentation at the museum. There is so much to see that we took a break to eat lunch, at Famous Dave's (of course) then came back to the museum and still I don't think we went into each gallery. We will definitely come back so the kids can experience the museum.

Here are some pictures of our outing:

The gallery that featured the Vietnam War was especially meaningful to me. My brother Joe was a "Jar Head" during this war, I remember reading some of the letters that he wrote to our mother years later, telling her that he would be going on a search and destroy mission, and not knowing if this would be his last letter to her. Some mentioned that he had sent money for her to buy me bubble gum or candy - what a brother. My mother still has a photo album that has Vietnam on the once red now slighty pink cover, filled with photos of him and his buddies, I remember one is of him recovering from an injoury, but don't remeber what happened, I will have to see if my Mom remembers. Joe did survice Vietnam, but later was killed in a car accident.

After we left the museum, Eric needed to stop at one of the bike shops in Stafford, and low and behold there was a bead shop two doors down! My eyes light up! So while Eric checked out saddles (bike seats) I went to Art from the Heart. I meet one of the instructors, Tammy, who gave me a free class on wire wrapping, and offered me some encouragement and advise. When Eric was finished at the bike store, he joined me at the art store, and Tammy even gave him a mini wire wrapping class. I have to admit that he was much better at it than I was, but he has handled wire a lot longer than I have - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! Tammy showed me several of her stunning pieces beautiful pieces, so do check out her site.

Sorority Bracelets

Here is the Sorority Bracelets that I made for my niece Lindsay.

Eric thought I need more crystals, but I didn't have any more pink crystals - plenty of various shades of green (my favorite color). So I just added the corrugated silver beads to add more texture, and spaced out the crystals. I was extremely pleased with the results! I even love the heart toggle. Lindsay loves the bracelet!

Proverbs 31 Woman

I saw this posted on another blog, clicked on it and sat up a littler straighter as I read the familiar verses, but they have added some character attributes. Take a look by clicking on the link Proverbs31Woman.com .

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."

Proverbs 31:10

This and That

I posted pictures of the kids completed lapbook for Unit 3 in Tapestry of Grace yesterday, I failed to mention that we are half way finished with Unit 4 and Gene just started working on his new lapbook this week, Nicole hasn't started hers yet. I usually get the three file folders all folded and glued for them, got around to that today; well I did the folding, and only glued one! I'm not the "on top of things" Mom when it comes to this portion of our studies!

I've been contemplating not using the file folders in our lapbooks, but instead use card stock paper and then take everything to Office Depot and have them bind the book for me. There has been an interesting discussion on the Tapestry e-mail group about a binding machine, but I'm not sure that I will use it enough to get my moneys worth out of it.

Here is another thought I had, use the card stock paper, any color will do, three hole punch the paper add the the mini book and slip everything into a 1" (or smaller) binder. You could even use four dividers to separate (in our case) the four units. Simple and expandable. What do you think?

Gene has been going to a wonderful eye doctor, great with kids, no pressure, little to no wait, friendly staff who don't mind helping their customers, but they no longer accept the insurance. I have been having a hard time trying to find another eye doctor, I sent out a SOS to two of my local home school groups, and finally the boy has an appointment! His appointment is set for Tuesday to get his eye exam and new glasses!

Have you ever started a work out schedule and stopped for vacation and had a hard time getting back into the routine? Well, that is exactly where I am! I stopped working out the day before we left for Florida, I did manage to walk with my mother one day while on vacation. Since we returned from our trip, I've been shaky - I had no intentions of working out the week we returned, the next week(s), I managed to lay out my gym clothes, thinking this would motivate me - didn't work, I FINALLY managed to get my hips up out of my cozy bed last Thursday morning, and just walked on my treadmill. This week, I was able to do my normal walk/run intervals on the treadmill everyday except today. I'm making progress, right! Today the kids and I walk in the neighborhood, which is just under three miles. Do you remember when you didn't even think about your weight? Argh!

I did manage to pass up getting ice cream when I went to the grocery store this week, ONLY because they didn't have my favorite Ben & Jerry's ice cream! Boy do I need a remedial course with First Place, Weight Watchers or something. Pray for me, I really need it, and especially when it comes to making better choices with food.

There is good news, a few weeks we joined the YMCA! I'm really excited about this, we are getting a brand spanking new Y, the grand opening will be September 1! We had a Y membership a few years ago, the problem was it was not all that close to the old house, the new one will be less than 15 minutes from my house. Woo Who!!

Eric has decided to ride his mountain bike into work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This past Tuesday was his first day, the drive by car is 10 minutes from door to door, it took him around an hour to make it. He was loaded down with all his stuff - clothes, shoes, towel and other stuff crammed into his back pack. When he got on base he saw another rider doing his health and wellness, so Eric thought he would try to catch up with him. My dear hubby said he saw the other rider stand up, so he knew he was tired - it is on now! Not only did he catch the rider, but he also passed the guy. Eric's load was a little lighter after that! LOL

Today it took him 45 minutes to ride to work, I need to let you know that he is going through the woods in some areas to avoid the busy and dangerous roads just out from our sub-division, he is fortunate to be able to cross a four lane highway at a traffic light that lead him directly on base. I will try to have the camera ready when he comes home this afternoon. He looks so cute in his bike gear!

The pictures of the Tiger lilies are from my yard, and the Lily of the Nile shots were taken in Florida, I don't think I'd ever seen this flower before, then I saw some in a magazine my mother had, I think they are very pretty, and hopefully I can get some to plant here.

Giant Sunflower

I just had to share this with you, fellow home school mom Kristin sent these pictures yesterday of her daughter Becca's sunflower.

Is this amazing or what. Kristin said that Becca received the sunflower seeds during book club for our home school group, planted her tiny seeds in the front yard, and here is the fruit of her labor. She measured the plant a few days ago, it was 8 feet 6 inches and is still growing. Way to go Becca!

It is amazing what God can do with just a small seed or ANYTHING! We just need to allow ourselves to be cultivated.

Lapbook - Unit 3

Well I have finally got around to taking pictures of the kids lapbook for our Tapestry of Grace, Year 1, Unit 3. They did I great job, don't ask me why they used lined notebook paper for one of their mini books. Here are they are...

Here is Nicole's lapbook





And Gene's... It is kind of tricky getting pictures of the open flaps!