What to think?

This year has been a roller coaster of emotions for me.  Some good, some bad.  I don't really know what God is trying to teach me, but I am trying to learn, grow, and change from what I have been going through.  I don't understand a lot of why things are happening the way they are, but I do know that God sees the big picture.  He knows what is best for us, and if I need to hit a few bumps in the road to smooth out my character, then I will accept the challenges, and grow of them.  I am nowhere near perfect.  I know I am full of sin.  I cannot fathom why God would care for me and love me, but I know He does.  He wants to use me as an ambassador for Christ. We have so many opportunities to tell others about Christ's saving grace.  We need to ask ourselves: Am I using the time I have here on Earth to bring others to Jesus?  Am I taking whatever circumstances I come across, and know that God is good, that He has a plan for me, and realize I need to trust Him no matter what?  Sometimes life can be hard.  Sometimes we don't know what to think, or why things are happening.  We need to remember that the world doesn't revolve around us, that there is a bigger purpose for us being here than what we can get out of life.  I know that God gives us certain circumstances, so we can use what we learn to help others. I truly believe that.  Even though I try to not dwell on myself, sometimes it can be hard.  This year, for me, has been very hard.  It's not over yet, either!  I don't quite know what to think about everything, but I know that God knows what He is doing, and that all I have to do is walk with Him.  I need to keep my focus pointed upward, and He will do the rest.  Ultimately, I need to let go of the things I can't control, and give it to God.  Just let it go . . .

We're back

We made it home safely from our trip to OK.  The ride was very uneventful, which was a blessing!! 
We have a lot going on this week, the kids want to see Dolphin Tale today, in 3D, since we saw the dolphin at the aquarium, they feel they know her LOL!  Then we are going to the Florida Aquarium in a few days, then homeschool co-op and the weekend.  We are hoping to take my brother in law out for an early b-day present.  I am really excited about it and hope it works out :-)  That pretty much sums up our week!!

O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A, Oklahooooooma!!!

Well, we made it safe and sound!  The ride wasn't bad, but I only grabbed 4 CD's when we left which was a horrible mistake, so we bought some from the Wal-Mart across the street :-)  I have never been here before, but it is very pretty.  It has a nice big lake with some big hills around it.  Very nice!  Our hotel is very new, has a full kitchen and a DVD player, so we will veg out and have a nice relaxing week!!  The drive was great.  I am SO glad we rented a car!  35 mpg is way better than the barely 16 mpg my SUV gets!!  Oklahoma is a lot like Arkansas. . .  and Mississippi. . .  and Alabama.  There really isn't much difference!  It's a lot different than FL though.  Cooler, and less love bugs to splat on my windshield :-)  I forgot my camera (well, my mom's) so sadly, there will be no pictures, but if you google Oklahoma, I am sure you'll get the idea!  I will update later, hopefully we'll be having a great, relaxing, uneventful trip this week!!

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Since the movie "Dolphin Tale" is coming out soon, I thought I would post some pictures from the Aquarium where Winter lives.  The kids loved to see the dolphins and other animals there.  Ashley got to hold Winter's prosthetic tail, which she thought was very cool :-)  We can't wait to see the movie!

Ashley holding Winter's tail

Baby dolphin

The kids wanted to get a pic with the shark

They did not want a picture with this shark

Shark and stingray

Daddy and Marissa

Winter

Winter, notice her tail is gone

Isn't she cute!

Busy days

This week has been a great one so far!!  My sister is down with her family and we are going to the zoo tomorrow!!  That should be really crazy fun!!  There will be about 12-13 or so, depending on if I am counting correctly ;-)  The kids are very excited to see the animals and ride the rides.  The best part is, it's free!!  We are museum members and we get to go to all different places throughout the year.  This month is the zoo and aquarium, (which we will do after our OK trip).  We are really panicked excited to go to OK.  I have SO much to do to plan for it still, (and pack) not to mention preparing my curriculum for the next 2 Friday's (since I'll be gone next Friday) and home school my kids.  Did I tell you that we're also staying with my BIL this week?!  I am trying not to stress, however, I have noticed an abundance of seizures come up this week (which I mainly get from stress. . . and strobe lights).  So tonight I will be doing some pilates to help me calm down.  Sorry I won't be blogging a lot in the next few days, but I am sure you will hear from me while in OK!  I need to get back to my insane real life now.  Have a good couple of days.  I'll try to post zoo pictures soon!!

Co-op

Well, today was the first day of our homeschool co-op.  The kids LOVED it!!  Ashley had some old friends in some of her classes, and she met a lot of new friends as well :-)  Marissa and Dylan are in the same class, and they loved the art time and playground time the best!  I had a great time in my preschool class, and it was a really good first day.  Tonight Ashley and I are going galactic bowling from 9-midnight!  I have never been before, so I am looking forward to a fun night, although, I know I will be REALLY tired!!  My sister and her family are coming tomorrow, and I can't wait to see them!!  Then, it's our trip to OKLAHOMA!  I am so excited!!  I love road trips :-)  Sorry this is short, I gotta get going!!

Party time!!

Sunday was Marissa's 7th birthday!!  We had a great time celebrating her big day!  Her birth was definitely an interesting one!  She was born literally during a hurricane.  They locked us in the hospital for 3 days, even though a normal birth is only a 24 hrs stay.  Then once we were able to get home, my FABULOUS nurse of a mother found out that Ashley (5 at the time of Marissa's birth, and was staying with my parents while we were locked in the hospital) had a very serious, life threatening lung infection.  It would be deadly if Marissa got it, so Ashley had to stay at my parents house without having any contact with us (for Marissa's safety) for 2 whole weeks.  If anyone has had their child "taken" from them without notice, they know how gut wrenching that was for me.  It was a bittersweet time.  I loved having my new baby, but missed my sweet Ashley terribly!!  I am so thankful my mom caught the infection in time.  If she was home with us, I would have most likely put her to bed thinking she needed rest, and she very well would have never woken up :-(  God was definitely taking care of us during that time!!  And thanks to my mom, Ashley is a wonderful 12 year old now!!  Anyway, even though the beginning was rough, we have had a fantastic 7 years.  I cannot imagine life without my kids.  They are all such a blessing to us, and are so unique!  Marissa is our little artist, and she is GOOD!!  I love her drawings, they are amazing, and SO much better than my stick people drawings!!  I tried to take a picture, but the camera wouldn't focus right.  Anyway, here are some pictures of her party.  She is a little princess, and wanted a "banquet" meal!  Chicken Marsala, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob!!  It was yummy!  The cake was delicious too!  We played games, and we all had a great time!!

Sheltering

I can't stand it when people make negative comments about homeschooling.  Especially when Christians make these ignorant statements.  Saying that my kids aren't socialized, or that they are sheltered.  Seriously? Of course my kids are sheltered!!  Yours should be too!  We are Christians, and we read and live by the standards set in the Bible.  The Bible clearly states that Christians are supposed to be different from the world, and not like the world.  Romans 16:19b says, "I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil."  That right there shows that we are to be different.  Our children don't need to learn about the evils of the world in order to defend themselves.  They need to know only the truth in what the Bible says about right and wrong.  If the Bible looks upon something in a negative light, it is bad, if it is positive it is good.  There is no gray area.  When they go out of my home and into the world, they will know what is right and what is evil, based on what they have learned in the Bible.  I will teach them the Truth, and will shelter them from the evil.  We don't watch TV, get magazines, listen to secular music, or do things that are "worldly".  We are not perfect, by any means, but we try to teach our kids good things, to raise them to love each other, to love God, and to live for Him.  My response to the negative comments about sheltering my children?  I simply thank them for noticing that my kids are different, because then I know I'm doing my job!