TTD

Last Thursday to Saturday we went ATL for the Teach Them Diligently Home School Conference.  It was amazing!  We left 2 hours late on Thursday due to all sorts of mishaps, but made it eventually, however, we did not get to attend any sessions that day.  Friday, Ryan got to do his robotics class, which he thoroughly enjoyed, and Saturday Sean got to attend a men's breakfast where Dr Greg Smalley spoke.  We also got to hear another message from him, as well as a handful of other sessions with various speakers.  We had prayed to only allow us to hear the things we really needed to hear and let me tell you that is exactly what happened.  I left there feeling pretty broken, but in a good way because it was all from things I really needed to hear from the Lord to allow me to make the necessary changes to get rid of these struggles in my life.  I am excited about that.  

Some time at the park before attending the conference on Saturday.  We also went to Cheesecake Factory for a Mother's Day lunch after the park.  3 words.  Godiva.  Chocolate.  Cheesecake.  

My Mother's Day gift!  A popcorn maker!  Such a unique I would've never guessed I would own one of these in a million years, but oh how I love movie theater popcorn kind of gift.  

Ryan at the robotics course.

A stop for lunch in Chattanooga also entailed rock climbing at Outdoor Chattanooga! Not planned, but a great moment.  The kids were entertained for free and got some energy out!

If you struggle with anger, do a study on John 15.  The only way to resolve your struggles is through salvation, through God, through living by the Holy spirit.  You cannot wake up every morning promising not to be angry anymore, that you will be better, you will smile, etc.  It will not work.  You cannot do it in your own power.  Otherwise, you would not need God. 

You cannot deposit good works into a blessings bank account.  Just because you home school or don't cuss or watch bad movies or attend church 4 times a week or read your Bible everyday or the million other things that are good works does not mean God will bless you because of it and that trials will not still come your way.  They will still happen.  It's not about what we do, it's all about Jesus.  His grace.  His mercy.  Of course, He wants us to follow His principles and be obedient to Him and to do good things and there are rewards for that, but it will not make us immune to hardships and trials and sadness.  The place we need to focus is on JESUS.  

Smoky Mountain Air Show

We went to the Smoky Mountain Air Show on Saturday.  It was awesome to get to see the Blue Angels again!  I'm hoping one of my sons will be a Blue Angel so I can be a Blue Angel groupie ha ha!  The rest of the Air Show, well let's just say I had to try extra hard to have a good attitude.  It was a mile and a half walk each way in foot high grass over hills.  With a stroller.  Not easy.  Half hr  lines for the ports potty.  Half hour lines for water.  Sooo Sooo many people.  And they didn't have security checking bags.  The kids enjoyed it though.  They actually had great attitudes about it.  When we left, we were all hot and tired and stopped at Starbucks.  I don't think Starbucks has ever tasted so good!  

I also realized something ugly about myself.  I really don't like to be uncomfortable.  I don't like waiting in long lines.  I don't like huge crowds.  I don't like walking in mile high grass.  I don't like the sun beating down on me all day.  I don't like using Porta Johns.  And I don't like sitting in traffic.  I'm a little ashamed of the Princess attitude!  The Lord still had mercy on us, even with my internal moaning and groaning.  He kept us all safe and he sent others our way to help us with pushing strollers up the huge hill in that grass.  It's amazing how the Lord will use everyday circumstances and experiences to reveal things about ourselves in a way to help us grow in Him and be more like Him.

Easter and Dollywood!

Me + Peanut at Dollywood

Beautiful day at Dollywood.  We went on Good Friday.  We got season passes.  :)

Me and Andrew's favorite ride at Dollywood.....the choo choo train!

Hunter doesn't like the train whistle so he wore his zebra noise cancelling headphones.  :)

Me and Hunter on this ride.  We had to manually pull ourselves up using arm muscle power.  He was unsure about it at first and was a little scared, but then he had fun!

Easter Best on Easter Sunday.  The boys did not like getting hair gel!! But they did like wearing bow ties!  :)

In the church nursery, getting ready to have lunch. :)



This is from a few days ago



Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!  Praise the Lord He sent his son to die for our sins and that we are free from them and that Jesus cannot be held back by death.  He has risen! 

Christmas 2015

Before the chaos!

The aftermath!

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!  We did!  Personally, I felt like this was really my first year to concentrate on the miraculous birth of our Savior and to rejoice in that. As a family, we started the morning finishing up our Advent calendar, reading Luke 2, making and eating monkey muffins, opening gifts, and then playing all day long.  We ended with beef tenderloin, creamy herbed potatoes, green bean casserole, and peppermint ice cream.  It was just our little family, but it was nice.  We did miss our other family, but enjoyed phone calls and Face Time.  :)

Luke 2:7-14 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Easter 2015

We didn't get to attend church services today, unfortunately, because we don't want to spread our sicknesses, but we did enjoy a nice day at the house eating a yummy lunch/dinner and taking food to some of my coworkers, and ending the day at a new playground!  Yesterday, the boys did an egg hunt!  Of course, though, we are glorying in the fact that Jesus died and rose from the dead so that we could be saved and have eternal life!!!!