Performing at our church...

The City Harmonic - Manifesto (OFFICIAL) 

Excited to be able to see this band perform!

Too busy...

Signing in here to say hi. I am in the middle of "too busy" right now to give some love and attention here. I will be back soon and update with all that we have been busy with.

It's a Zoo

Today we spent the day at the zoo with our homeschool group.  Even with the rain, it was a GREAT day!  I am so thankful for the homeschool group that we are a part of and the wonderful friends and friendships that we all (the boys too) have made and share.  God is so good to us!

The only bummer part of the day is that I forgot my camera.  So, if I can get someone to forward some of their pictures from today then I will post them here.
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Well, I forgot about this picture that I took on my phone.  Probably not the best quality, but still a good one of just a few of the kids in our group.

Seeing God at Work

This past week our constant thoughts and prayers have been with a very dear family that we know from church.  They were here for a short time while helping to develop and grow a new ministry for our church, a marriage ministry.  They did a fantastic job with it...many new innovative ideas and events came from them. 

This family is Toben and Joanne Heim.  This past Tuesday Joanne suffered a severe stroke and is currently in a coma.  Not only are all the details too long for me to write out here, but I am one who feels very strongly about not telling a story that is not mine to tell.  Toben has been so gracious to post updates on her blog site and keep in communication with EVERYONE that knows Joanne (and her family) and follows her blog.  You can read their story here.

Joanne is such an amazing women of God with many amazing God given talents.   The biggest talent that is ever evident to me is her ability to communicate through written words.  She writes an amazing blog and has also written and published many books. She is so encouraging and inspiring.  I had the privilege of participating in a Bible study that she wrote last spring.  The study was on Psalm 23.  She did and wonderful job with it. I have a new perspective of Psalm 23 now.

Please join me in praying for Joanne. I know  God is at work in this situation.   Prayers have already been answered and miracles performed. There are truly no words to describe the emotion of Seeing God at Work right now through her .   

1st Marching Band Experience

Here is Tyler's band Marching in our local Gilbert Days Parade. It was a perfect day for a parade and they did a great job!

 

 

Here is an up close look, in case you can't see him in the previous picture.

 

Honor Band

I have to write, brag and post here to let you know that my oldest tried out for district honor band and ended up making it.  He will be playing the tenor saxophone in the band.  He is so excited! In fact, during this past week of fall break he was actually bummed and disappointed that there was no school becasue he missed going to his band class.  Now that is dedication!

Way to go Tyler! Congratulations!!

New Time Consumer

Thanks to my wonderful sister and brother in law, I now have an iPhone. I love it! I have already poured tons of time into learning it and playing around with new apps.  I am looking forward to learning and playing around with it some more as the days go by.  I just wish it had an app that would clean the house and do laundry.  Now that would be wonderful!

Some of the apps that I have discovered so far are: Facebook, Words with Friends, Twitter, Poynt, Geocaching and Angry Birds.

Flagstaff

We went to Flagstaff this past weekend and it was, oh so nice! It is still in the 100's here and to be able to get a little relief from the heat was very much welcomed. We went for one of Kyle's soccer tournaments.  They played 4 games all within a 30-hour time period.  It was a tough tournament with only 1 win out of 4 games.  However, they had to face the #1 and #2 teams in the state, for their age group.  They could have very well beat them both as the scores were within 1 goal during both games.  All the boys on the team seemed to take a pretty good beating through all the games and most of them ended up (from what I know) staying home from school just to recover.   It was some pretty intense and competitive soccer, for sure.   We have another tournament that is only 2 weeks away.  I hope everyone recovers quickly. 

My hubby is the one behind all the pictures.  I will have to see if he can share a few for me to post here. 

"Do as I say, not as I do"

Oh my! Well, after reading my last post and then counting the weeks that we have been in school, I realized just how long it has been without a post here.  Okay...I guess I can claim many excuses, but I would like to think of them more as just staying busy with family rather then excuses. 

We have been really busy with soccer, soccer and more soccer.  It seems like I am always saying that .  But, hey, that's what we are all about right now. I just started playing indoor at a new place that is much closer to home.  My outdoor season starts this Friday.  I am the one coordinating everything for my team.  I can not believe how hard it is working with adults.  They are worse then kids. It is like a supernatural act to get them to even return an email.  Uhhggg. 

Kyle's season is officially underway, although it seems like it is never ending and therefore has never really even started.  That kid is always on the soccer field, it seems.  We started official games with an out of town tournament in California at Huntington Beach.  Yes, I enjoy soccer, but soccer in Huntington Beach...ah, now that is double the fun! It was a rough tournament, but by the last game they seemed to find their groove, with a 5-0 win!  Kyle's team also participates in local league play.  This year, to everyone's surprise, the team was placed in state level play.  It is an honor to play at that level, as it is by invitation only.  However, for the parents it is turning out to be driving, driving and more driving.   In the end it is a lot of fun and excitement.

Tyler is also playing soccer again this season.  We thought that he would be returning to hockey soon, but that has not been the case.  He is discovering that he really likes soccer.  He played on an indoor soccer team this summer (you have to do indoor in AZ, it is just too hot otherwise) and loved it.  I predict that once he finishes the outdoor season that he is playing right now he will return to indoor. Tyler has also discovered this past summer that he likes tennis.  So, who knows what he will be doing next.

So, I know what you are thinking now...so what about the hubby and his soccer...well...no, there is no soccer for him.  Our church has a triathlon team that trains and competes together.  He is thinking about join them sometime in the near future.

Shifting gears a little....We are in our 6th week of school and things are moving right along. We are learning some cool stuff.  I will do  my best to share our cool stuff and experiences here.  One of the assignments that I have for the boys is completing a blog post on their blog, at least once per week.  Yes, even the kids fall behind with their posts.  So, now that it is an assignment for them, I guess I should set the example and do the same myself.  It is starting to sound like that aweful saying, "do as I say, not as I do".  I don't like that saying, so I had better get to posting!

So, with good intentions, see you next week (if not before).

Back to School

We are in our 3rd week of school and things are finally starting to feel like we are in a groove.  YeaHa!  For some reason it has been hard to settle into a routine. So with that, it seems like we are already behind becasue a lot of our time has been spent on redoing and undoing, specially with our new science book this year.  Having the boys getting used to the "higher level of learning" books (ie Jr high and not elementary) has been really difficult.  It is taking  more time then I had expected  but it is coming along.

Other then the massive science book, our other books of undertaking for the year are: Math, Latin, Grammar/Composition, spelling/vocab and Bible.  We are still working towards finishing our American history book from last year.  That is the only book that we did not finish.  With moving, and everything else, during the summer,  I decided that it was not worth it to make the boys work through the summer and finish it.

In addition to the academics, both boys are involved with music and sports. Tyler is taking concert band at the local school right by our house and  both boys are playing soccer.  Tyler plays in the rec program and Kyle is still playing competitively on a travel team.  Kyle stays very busy with his soccer as he is on the field at least 4 out of all 7 days during the week.  I would say that is quite a bit being that he is only 10yrs old. He loves it though.   

It should be a fun year.  I will do my best to keep posting updates here.

Back to blogging

I guess this is the story of my blog...catch up and updates.

We have been REALLY busy with moving and all that comes with that.  What comes to mind right now are Boxes, Boxes and more Boxes. Uuuggg.  And we still have boxes scattered around.

Mixed in with moving we had soccer practices, soccer games, church camp, tennis camps, a family reunion and birthdays.  Whew...that is a lot to keep up with.  At this point I am so glad that we are homeschooling again this year.  Most schools started this past week.  I am not sure that I would handle having to send the kids to school right now, too. 

Our new house is wonderful! For the first time in 17 years I finally feel like I can settle in somewhere. With every place we have ever been in the past we knew that we would most likely not be staying for longer then about 7 years.  This one...well we are staying until it is time to downsize (kids are out of the house) or we get too old to take care of the place.  So what does settling in mean? It means unpacking everything and if there is not a place or spot for it then it does not stay. For someone like me...that is so freeing! 

So, now that we are finally feeling a little settled, I will do my best to make this site a priority and get back to blogging here. 

New Home

Well the BIG Day is finally feeling like it is in sight.   The "IT" that I am talking about is our move in date for our new home.  WooHoo.  We are all so excited for this BIG day! We are on a countdown now and the number right now is 18.  Yeah Yeah!!

Fun in the SUN!

Well, my ideas of putting my "blogging time" on my calendar or on my daily lists (so I would write more here) didn't work.  None the less, I am here now and this is becasue I have intentionally made myself not think about "my list" for the day.  In fact I have not been home most of  the day to even look at it much less think about it. 

We took the day today and went out to one of the most awesome public city pools.  Seriously, it is like walking into a miniature water park.  They have it all: the water slides, whirl pool, lazy river, adult pool, kid beach play pool, diving boards and even lap lanes for those that are the serious swimmers. Whew! That is a lot.  And the best part...it cost less to spend the day there (for a whole 3 people) then what most Starbucks drinks cost.  Now that I like!

So, the worst part of the day was definitely, with out a doubt, stepping in the shower at the end of the day and realizing that you are burned even more then you realized.  I guess it is time to start teaching my wonderful boys how to rub sun screen on their poor moma's back.

All in all we had a great time. I even joined them on the water slides and lazy river.  Yes, we had a lot of Fun in the SUN! 

Time to Write

I hate that I go for so long between posts here. For some reason I just can't find the time, energy and motivation to pull myself to this "post" screen on my blog to write.  There is so much to write and share here, that is not the problem.  I might have to schedule it into my calendar or add it to my daily lists.  Maybe I will try that....Or maybe by next week you will find more of me here, after all our schooling for the year is complete!  Yeah! Can't wait for that. I think I am more ready than the kids.

W & P Sunday: Addison Road - What do I know of Holy?

I has been a while since I last posted a W&P Sunday song.  I thought that I would get one in today. 

The one that I would like to share is from Addison Road called What do I know of Holy? We were fortunate enough to have this band visit our church this weekend.  They performed a concert last night and then lead us in worship this morning. I have not followed the band that much, although I do listen to and love their songs that are regularly played on KLOVE and Air1.  It is always more special and significant when you can meet and learn more about the people behind the songs. I am sure I will follow them more closely now. They started their band in college and have been together for 10 years. 

This one that I am sharing today is one of my favorites by them.  I did not post the lyrics here as they are in the video. Enjoy!

A God Thing!

I haven't talked much about this with most people and have never posted anything regarding it here on my blog.  However, this definitely, now, deserves acknowledgment so I though I would share it here.

A little over one year ago, I went in for a routine doctor check.  As with most routine doctor checks, I also had blood work done.  This blood work showed that I had possible issues with my Thyroid.  So, I was referred to a specialist.  Being that there are not very many specialists that treat thyroid issues where I live, I had to wait 3 months for my first appointment.  Finally the first appointment had arrived and I was so upset and frustrated becasue all the doctor wanted to do was put me on medication right away, before really studying what was going on.  If you know me, you know that I am not one to just take any medication.  I only take it if I REALLY have to.  So, with that I was on the search for another doctor for a second opinion.  Again, another 3 month wait.  Finally, the appointment arrived, I met and talked with the doctor and then began the process of many more blood draws.  This doctor did what I thought the first should have done, and that is study and watch some blood counts over a period of time.  So after a few blood draws and more numbers I was back in the office again, only this time, all the counts came back normal.  I could tell by the look on the doctors face and the way that she spoke to me that she was even a little surprised at this.

There is really so much more to the story, but the bottom line here is that this is definitely a GOD thing.   I had peace from the very beginning and knew everything would be okay.   I just prayed and prayed that I would not have to take any medication. Specially for Thyroid issues, as once you start on Thyroid  medication it is usually something that you end up taking for life.

ALLELUIA!!! I give all the Glory to God!

Mighty Mitered Flanged Pillow

 Here is my final pillow that I have been working on for my Grandmother.  I have to make this its own post as it really deserves it!  I say it deserves its own post becasue this was the first time that I have made anything that has a mitered flange on it.  It sounds and looks easy enough, right?  Well, it isn't.  At least it wasn't for me.

With all the pillows that I have made in the past month, I have learned how to do 2 new t hings.  The first was I learned how to sew an invisible zipper and the other was this mitered flange.  The difference between the two were day and night.  I used the wonderful internet (YouTube) to find tutorials on how to sew an invisible zipper, however you would not believe that I could not find ANYTHING on how to sew a mitered flange.  I could not believe it (and still can't).  I thought that maybe I was not searching for the right thing so I tried everything I could think of.  When I finally gave up I asked my wonderful hubby to help.  He can find ANYTHING on the internet.  So, I began to give him a quick lesson on what I was trying to do and told him all the possible names and "terms" that this could possibly be found under and then let him go at it.  Even he couldn't find anything (video tutorials).  Finally, he did find a PDF document with some basic and mismatched steps.  So, I printed it out and studied it for days, trying to make out what to do, how to do it and where to begin.  In the mean time (during these few days of internet searching), I decided to try and figure this all out on my own.  It never happened.  I can't even remember how many times I ripped all the stitches that I sewed.

Finally, it clicked, after much time of reading and rereading this list of steps that I found, I did it! Now, I have to say that it is not the best.  There are quit a bit of nips and tucks around the pillow, specially around the corners, but overall  it looks okay and it is completed.  Here are a couple of pictures of this "mighty mitered flanged" pillow. 

This last picture is the back of the pillow where you can see the invisible zipper that I put in it.  I am still working on perfecting the invisible zipper as you can see just a little bit of it on the left.  You shouldn't be able to see any of it, hence the name "invisible" zipper.

The Band Star

It is that time of  year again... the "end of the year" ceremonies and concerts. Although we are a home school family we still participate in couple of the programs that the local public school has to offer.  One of those programs is Band.  Tyler has been attending band classes all year long at the middle school.  He took a mini band class last year when he was in school and played in the percussion section. This year he decided to change instruments and learn how to play the Tenor Saxophone. Changing instruments meant he had to start back in the beginner band all over again.  He was fine with that and has loved every minute of it.  He worked hard all year and made tremendous improvements.  Just a few months ago he was given the honor of moving up to play with the intermediate band.

This past Monday we got to see (hear) the fruits of all his labor at their end of the year concert. As it turned out, we learned that there were only two students the entire year that got to move up to the intermediate band, and Tyler was one of the two.  The teacher had both students stand and recognized both of them for all their hard work all year long.  I, actually, had no clue that Tyler was one of only two students.  I also didn't realize what a big deal she was gong to make about it.  So, I have to say, I was one PROUD mama!  I also didn't realize that the intermediate band only has 9 students in it (out of probably 70-80 total band students).  So I guess you could say he was definitely in the top minority. 

Way to go Tyler! We are so proud of you!

These are the 9 intermediate band students doing their performance.

 Tyler playing with the intermediate band.

 The two students standing and being recognized for all their hard work.

 Tyler doing a "speaking" part and introducing the next song that they were going to play.

The entire beginner band. They all did a wonderful job. 

I can't end the post with out recognizing the Band teacher. She did an awesome job with all the students. 

May Already?

Oh my! I can not believe that it has been a full month since I last posted here. Man, how time flies. So much has happened in this past month.  Here is a quick recap of life around here: 


-The biggest news and most exciting for us is that we finally are getting somewhere with finding a new (to us) home for our family. It seems that 99.99% of all homes for sale (where we live) are all short sale or foreclosures and that means WAITING WAITING and more WAITING...on the banks!  We had an offer on a home that seemed to be going NO WHERE and then Bam! there was actually a home that came available that was a "regular" sale. We jumped on it and are now only 2 weeks away from closing and finally having someplace that we will be able to call "home".  We are very thankful for the rental roof that is over our head now.  Somehow it is just different when you know you have someplace to really call home. 


-With April also came the end of the NHL hockey season and the beginning of the playoffs.  Our awesome Coyotes actually made it to the playoffs this year and we splurged and went to their home games.  It was so much fun and great family times and memories.  They didn't make it past the 1st round but we still love and support our team! 


-Sickness has hit our house pretty hard this month. We very rarely get sick around here (thank you Lord) but unfortunately most of the month of April we have all been fighting some sort of sinus and respiratory illness.  We have gone through more tissue in one month then we normally go through in one year.

-Soccer was in full swing as well.  Kyle spent most of the month in tryouts for next season.  Tyler's team wrapped their spring season and I was right in the middle of my 2 seasons (both indoor and outdoor).

-In the midst of everything else we are still moving right along with school.  Yep...we are in our 31st week of school and counting down until we are all done for  the summer.  It will not be long.  The nice thing with home school is that we don't count down by weeks or days but rather by how many pages are left before finishing up the work in our books.  It looks like, if we stay on track, we should be all done by the end of May. Woohoo!


I will leave you with a picture of us at a Coyotes White Out game.  Fun times and lots of memories!

Something Fresh from the Familiar

Thanks Jen for your post about Max Lucado and his words on this day, The Saturday of Silence.  I have often thought about this day and wondered: "What about Saturday?  There has to be something that God has for us on this day, too."  Well, today God revealed it to me through Max (via Jen).

Once again, I found the words to describe it while sitting in front of my facebook page.  Here is what I posted regarding my revelation on this Saturday of Silence.  

There is Good Friday & Resurrection Sunday, but have you ever thought about the day in the middle, the Saturday of Silence? Here again, as God does all throughout scripture, He uses this day of Silence as a parallelism to show us that we too have a day (time) of silence when ever we experience times of suffering and trials here on earth. But, there is always new life (resurrection life) at the end. Hallelujah! 

Ahhh, I love it when God reveals something to me that is Fresh from the Familiar!