Back to School

We have been slowly starting up our school schedule and have finally got into full swing. I have to say, those lazy summer days are nice, but the precision of a school day schedule that has the kids in a routine is soooo nice. I have been working and working on prep work to get this year's curriculum printed and ready to go for our 3rd and 1st graders. They now have a check off sheet with their assignments for the whole week... now when I hear... "Mommm what do I do"... I sweetly say, "Did you check your assignment sheet?" and they answer, "Oh yeah!" So nice. It's also nice to hear, "Mom, I am almost done with my assignments!!" Oh, the joy of all my hours pulling all our curriculum together has paid off!

Now I had to share this one from the other day... I am working on a word problem with Will. I give him the following scenario - Little Brian has one cat. His uncle brings home 7 more cats. How many cats do they have now? Will looks at me and blurts out, "1" without really thinking about the problem. So I probe and ask him..."Well William, what happened to the other 7 cats?" He quickly answers me back with, "They ran away!!"

Oh my! I could not hold it in. You know when you don't want to laugh at your child for saying something so honest and sweet, but I was cracking up! They ran away! Where did he come up with that? So funny. He started laughing with me and said, I know mom they have eight cats. He and I laugh at his cats running away now. So cute! I could fill pages with the funny things they say! Praise the Lord for giving us these sweet children!!
Well, back to work... I am printing up their tests for Friday.

Will's 6th Birthday

We took the boys to a Giants game for Will's birthday. The boys had a blast and ate their share of popcorn and hotdogs. We also were able to take a ride around the park with Lou Seal, the boys were so surprised. We also celebrated his birthday throughout the week with cupcakes and balloons at our church park day, and then a night at the big game. I think he enjoyed his 6th Birthday!

EMBRACING FLEXIBILITY

I came across this article by Dr. Pat Ennis on her Unfading Beauty blog... such a treasure, I wanted to share! ~ Coree

When I think of the word flexible the visual image of an Olympic gymnast comes to mind—that individual is able to twist and turn seamlessly without effort. I know, of course, that the maneuvers require a steadfast commitment to the sport, countless hours of practice, and significant self-discipline. Do you know the spiritual regimen that choosing to embrace spiritual flexibility includes? For a Multi-tasked Woman it begins with a steadfast commitment to her Lord and her faith (1 Corinthians 15:58) and is, at the same time, flexible with His plan for her life (Jeremiah 29:11-13). Flexible, by definition, suggests the ability to bend without breaking, a willingness or predisposition to yield; pliable; or adaptable. It is the quality of being able to adjust to change and the capacity to modify our plans in order to leave room for God’s plans (1 Peter 5:5-6).

Humility is the underlying character quality that yields a flexible response. Humility is “a value that directs persons to stay within their inherited social status, specifically by not presuming on others and avoiding even the appearance of lording over another. Humble persons do not threaten or challenge another’s rights, nor do they claim more for themselves than has been duly allotted them in life. They even stay below or behind their right status.”1

A Multi-tasked Woman understands that to achieve flexibility she is to humble herself, seek to follow her Lord’s example in Philippians 2:8-9, and declares herself powerless to defend her status. Such a response, according to Proverbs 3:34 and James 4:10, is praiseworthy before God. A short poem by Lampertus Gedicke reflects the flexible spirit that the Multi-tasked Woman seeks to achieve:

Just as God leads me I would go;

I would not ask to choose my way;

Content with what He will bestow,

Assured He will not let me stray.

So as He leads, my path I make,

And step by step I gladly take,

A child in Him confiding.2

The desire to maintain control of a situation frequently causes an inflexible response from the heart of a woman. Eve began the process in Genesis 3 when she stopped and listened to the serpent . . . it will continue until our Lord Jesus returns (Revelation 22:20). Principles that help our Multi-tasked Woman gain victory over unacceptable control include:

· Recognize a controlling spirit is sin and pray for a desire to relinquish control (Romans 6:11-13).

· Assume responsibility for possessing a controlling spirit rather than blaming God or others (James 1:13-15).

· Believe that God supplies all needs . . . He does not need our help (Philippians 4:19)!

· Allow the Word of God to permeate the mind (Colossians 3:16).

· Focus on doing all to God’s glory (Colossians 3:17).

· Concentrate on serving others and channeling thoughts, emotions, and energies to accomplish the desires of those in authority (Colossians. 3:22).

· Demonstrate a willingness to change direction and plans if unexpected circumstances arise (Philippians 4:6-7).

· Model the biblical examples of women who displayed flexibility . . .Sarah (Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-13; Hebrews 11:11 and 1 Peter 3:6), Ruth (Ruth 1-4), The Jewish Maid (2 Kings 5:1-5, 14-15 and Acts 1:8), Mary (Matthew 1:18-29; Luke 1:26-38, 2:6-14, 17-19, 33-35 and John 19:25-27), Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-20, 24-25 and 39-45), and Anna (Luke 2:22-27a and 36-38).

· Run the race of faith, following the Lord’s example (Hebrews 12:1-4).

· Meditate upon the truth taught by “The Tea Cup”—a beautiful illustration of the importance of being flexible in the hands of The Master Potter.

The Tea Cup

There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both like antiques, pottery, and especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup. They said, “May we see that? We’ve never seen one quite so beautiful.” As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke. “You don’t understand,” it said. “I haven’t always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over and I yelled out, “Let me alone,” but he only smiled. “Not yet.” “Then I was placed on a spinning wheel,” the teacup said, “And suddenly I was spun around and around and around.” “Stop it! I’m getting dizzy!” I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, “Not yet.” Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled and knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening, and I could read his lips as he shook his head, “Not yet.” Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. “There, that’s better,” I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. “Stop it, stop it!” I cried. He only nodded, “Not yet.” Then suddenly he put me back in the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening nodding his head saying, “Not yet.” Then I knew there wasn’t any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and said, “Look at yourself.” And I did. I said, “That’s not me; that couldn’t be me. It’s beautiful. I’m beautiful.” “I want you to remember, then,” he said, “I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you alone, you’d have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn’t put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that, you never would have hardened; you would not have any color in your life. And if I hadn’t put you back in the second oven, you wouldn’t survive for very long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began you.” God knows what he’s doing for all of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, so that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

As you consider yourself in light of the truth of The Tea Cup where would you place yourself in the molding process—are you . . .

· red clay?

· being rolled and patted?

· in the oven for the first time?

· being overcome by fumes?

· back in the oven?

· ready to give up?

· on the shelf?

Whatever your place, as you multi-task, are you willing to embrace flexibility and allow our Lord to mold and make you so that you are eventually a flawless piece of work capable of fulfilling His good, pleasing, and perfect will? (Isaiah 45:9).


4/1/2009 11:04:08 AM by Dr. Pat Ennis
A blog for Christian women who want to please God

Summer Days

Our Summer is in full swing. We have been enjoying lazy days, full of swimming, reading books and more books, picking blueberries and apricots, the list goes on and on. The girls were in the Souza wedding and had a great time. I am posting two of my favorite photos. As for me, I am in the midst of projects that I reserve for summer days, organizing, printing curriculum, more organizing, printing books, oh and more organizing... we have too much stuff, I am working on having a garage sale.

Here is a cute little story I have saved, thought I'd share...

Wet Oatmeal Kisses

The baby is teething. The children are fighting. Your husband
just called and said, “Eat dinner without me.” One of these days
you’ll explode and shout to the kids, “Why don’t you grow up
and act your age?” And they will.

Or, “You guys get outside and find yourselves something to
do. And don’t slam the door!” And they don’t. You’ll straighten
their bedrooms all neat and tidy, toys displayed on the shelf, hangers
in the closet, animals caged. You’ll yell. “Now I want it to stay
this way!” And it will.

You will prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn’t had
all the olives picked out and a cake with no finger traces in the
icing and you’ll say, “Now THIS is a meal for company.”
And you will eat it alone.

You’ll yell, “I want complete privacy on the phone. No screaming,
do you hear me?” And no one will answer: No more plastic tablecloths
stained with spaghetti. No more dandelion bouquets. No more
iron-on patches. No more wet, knotted shoelaces, muddy boots
or rubber bands for ponytails.

Imagine. A lipstick with a point. No babysitter for New Year’s Eve,
washing clothes only once a week, no PTA meetings or silly school
plays where your child is a tree. No car-pools, blaring
stereos or forgotten lunch money.

No more Christmas presents made of library paste and toothpicks.
No more wet oatmeal kisses. No more tooth fairy. No more giggles
in the dark, scraped knees to kiss or sticky fingers to clean. Only
a voice asking: “Why don’t you grow up?”

And the silence echoes: “I did.”

Adapted for use by Donna Otto

Robert the Jedi

As usual, Beckie takes such great photos of the kiddos. Here is a link to her post on some pictures of Robbie in his Jedi costume.

http://beckajaynephotography.blogspot.com/2009/06/are-you-obi-wan-kenobi-me-no-im-jedi.html

Bella posing with her Jedi face...


Cousin Joesphine trying to have a serious face...



Thank you Beckie for always taking great photos!!

Bella and Will's performance at CSK

Bella and William recently had their performance at Center Stage Kids. They had a fun time dressing up and singing. Pardon the shaky videos, I had a kiddo on my lap and also a person in front of me I was trying to navigate... my video here is not too good, but you get to see most of the performances!!!

Bella Performed Cruella



William's performance - Zippity Doo Da

Becka Jayne Photography: Trevor and Gina's Wedding... Sneak Peek

Here is a link to Beckie Woodfields picture preview of the Souza/Brown Wedding. Just beautiful!! The girls had so much fun as flower girls. I am working on getting my pictures uploaded, so I will have some photos of the girls in their dresses soon.

Becka Jayne Photography: Trevor and Gina's Wedding... Sneak Peek

We just spent last week at the beach, soooo much fun! The kids had such a great time. More pictures to come. First I have to get through a mountain of laundry from our vacation!!!! When I get my work done, I will sit down and get some pictures on here.

God Bless,
The York's

Interview with Geneve

This made me laugh, I had to share! Hope you enjoy our little Geneve!

You Know You're A Big Family When...

Many people have asked exactly what constitutes a "big family". Some have defined it as any family with more than the socially acceptable number of children. Others have defined it as four or more children. Yet others have defined it in any number of ways. We have come to the conclusion that, almost no matter how you define "big family", we probably stand a good chance of meeting the criteria. How do we know? And how can you know if you're a big family? Well, read on:

You know you're a big family when...
...people count the number of your children out loud when you're in public

...people ask, "Are they all yours?"

...you start counting your children when you're out in public

...you have at least three bunk beds set up in your home

...almost everyone you know has less children than you do

...people say, "Wow! How do you manage?"

...people ask you, out of the blue, if you are Mormon or Catholic.

...you buy your pots and pans in the restaurant supply store

...supposed "family size" food portions seem awfully small

...you complain, "Doesn't anyone make large dining tables anymore?"

...you outgrow your mini-van

....you've forgotten what it's like to be alone anywhere else but in the bathroom

...your children never run out of playmates among their siblings

...everything you buy is in bulk

...people ask, "Don't you get overwhelmed?"

...you and your husband can no longer hold each child's hand while crossing the street

...it takes a wonderfully long time to hug and kiss everybody

...one of your children looks wistfully at the newborn and asks you, "Can't you have another baby really soon? I hardly get to hold this one because everybody else is taking turns."

...you realize that few houses are designed with your family in mind

...people ask you if you've ever accidentally left any of your children behind

...life around your family never seems boring or dull

...your tent is the largest one in any campground

...you feel sorry for people with only two children

...you sometimes wonder what on earth mothers with only two children do with all their spare time

...whenever you set your dining table, it looks like it used to look when you were expecting lots of company

...you read a cookbook and joke, "They call these meals? Sounds like a little snack to me."
...your gratitude at the abundance of God's blessing moves you to tears unexpectedly

...you start thinking of yourself as "rich in children"

...you secretly think that life in your family might possibly be a much more joyous adventure than life in smaller families

...you are vastly amused at much modern parenting advice, realizing that it is unnecessary, impossible, impractical, or simply silly to try to apply it in a large family setting

...it seems as if you pack more stuff going on a short trip than some people pack when moving their entire household

...your husband sighs happily, "I've finally got my dream car"--and it's a used 15- passenger van.


You know you’re in a big family when you smile at the following:

- A package, containing six fillets of meat, with a sticker that says ‘family pack’

- A cookbook titled "Meals for 2"

- A mother who is fully stressed out with her one child

- Books with titles such as, "Organization, Plain and Simple"

- Someone who asks, "Are they always this well behaved?"

- Pre-made pancakes, being sold in packages of 4

- A sweater with a price tag that reads, "$55.00"

- A mother who picks up her child instantly when he begins to cry

- A photographer who has a limit of 8 children per shot

- A room with white carpet

Written by -
by Rebecca Prewett

What we have been up to

We have been hit with the fun flu. So far only Will has it... so we will see. Will got up last night and ran to the bathroom, I heard the noise, got up and saw that he was sick, poor thing. What was so amazing is that he is old enough to run to the bathroom now. You do not understand... I actually had a nice time taking care of him and tending to him and pampering him too, instead of scrubbing puke off of everything. Now I do not expect this with the others, so I am mentally preparing as I write this for any future accidents.

I also want to share a cute website called - The Crafty Crowe

http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow

If you like doing crafts with your children, have grandchildren, or are always in need of some activities, this is the ultimate blog.
The layout is as whimsical as the crafts it shows, and the author scours the web for daily updates on crafts to make with your kids. There are easy to use sidebars so you can search crafts according to age, season, or supplies at hand. While some of them may seem a little intimidating to the craft-impaired, they have good tutorials.

Yeah it's Spring!

We have been enjoying the warm weather! It's so nice outside. We are starting up our evening family walks again. I had the baby sleeping early last night, so Bill walked around the neighborhood with the kids.
I have some pictures of our last photo shoot with Beckie. The kids had fun playing around and taking pictures. We only had 1 shot that turned out with all the kiddos... we will have to try again later. But I love the individual pictures.

The Mom Song

This was so funny I had to share! A friend posted it on facebook.

It's called "The Mom Song" Everything a Mom says in a 24 hour period, set to the "William Tell Overature" .

God Bless you all! And have a wonderful Easter.

Crayon Physics

I came across this website and HAD to share. This is such a fun game... it looks like it is just for kids... but I really enjoyed it too! It takes your drawings and animates them.
Check out the video and then you will want to check out the website - http://www.crayonphysics.com They have a free demo you can download.

Lots of fun for kids... teaches cause and effect and challenges them to think out a plan to move objects from one place to another. We were cracking up with the effect of some of our drawings!


Crayon Physics Deluxe from Petri Purho on Vimeo.

St. Patrick

Most American Christians are unaware of the true story of St. Patrick. He was one of the greatest missionaries of all time, evangelizing all of Ireland, and then training up leaders who went to a Europe that had fallen into the Dark Ages after the collapse of the Roman Empire. Patrick's disciples re-evangelized all of Europe. This certainly gives us a REAL reason to celebrate!

Patrick is no leprechaun. He stands in history as the apostle to Ireland, just as Paul was an apostle. This March 17th, let's not forget the real Patrick. Kidnapped from his home and sold as a slave. He was called by God to take the name of Jesus and a hearty dose of forgiveness to his former captors. Used of God to start hundreds of churches and lead thousands of people to Christ. "Is it my own doing that I have holy mercy on the people who once took me captive?" said Patrick. "What I am I have received from God. And so I live among barbarians a stranger and exile for the love of God."

This is an excerpt of a prayer is often called "St. Patrick's Breastplate" because of those parts of it which seek God's protection. It is also sometimes called "The Deer's Cry" or "The Lorica".

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through the confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the Judgment Day.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

Materials from our living books curriculum - St. Patrick - The Greatest Missionary of all Time.

Hickman Church Retreat

It's that time of year again and we are planning for our Monterey Retreat in May this year. I am starting my media blitz for signups and ended up making a movie of some of the pictures from last years event. We always have a lot of fun!

Racecar Robbie

Robert just loves his cars. I have a few photos with him playing away...

This week's happenings...

Yes, I am behind with my posts. To get you up to speed, we have been sick with colds and such for the past few weeks. Nothing much else, just trying to survive...
It's amazing how much effort that can take.

I am going to attach another video file - yes, I am video crazy... but since I don't have much for this post, I will show you the file I made for the Sierra Vista Children's Center Fundraiser Dinner. It shows pictures of the tour we took (which you have already seen) but in a spiffy video format... they will be auctioning off this tour again at next week's dinner.

Videos of the kiddos

I am getting the hang of this video stuff now. I have two videos... The first is Robert and Geneve boogeying down to some tunes. The second is the musical talents of our cousin Joseph.








This week our week has been filled with homeshooling and more homeschooling! We are getting back into the swing of things! The kiddos are finally used to the regular schedule. Bella is busy with math and reading comprehension. Will has mastered his phonograms and is now onto reading. He also has started to master some math facts. Geneve and Robert are just enjoying playing around. I have started them on some preschool skills. Robert is working on his shapes and numbers. Geneve is just enjoying coloring right now. Winston is keeping up...he has started to skoot everywhere backwards, he can just about make it across a room. He is enjoying his new skills and is exploring his play area.
These last few days have been so nice and warm, the kiddos have had some outside play time, which they would do all day if they could! We are going to take a walk pretty soon. It is now time for me to finish my bible study while everyone is quietly napping or playing.

Lovely Wife Song - Tim Hawkins

This was too funny, I had to share...

Prince Robbie and Cinderella

(I just showed this post to Rob and he grinned really big and said, "Cinnnarella and Me.")

The kiddos traveled to Disneyland for New Year's. The following is from my niece's blog... it was too cute and I had to share...

The cutest story was of Robbie's encounter with Cinderella at Goofy's Kitchen. Let me narrate for you. I would have video-ed it if I had known it was going to be SOOO cute.

Cinderella wanders to the table, instantly zeroing on the cute little blonde. Prince Robbie gives Cinderella his most heart melting smile with those baby-blues working overtime. She of course melts instantly. He introduces himself as Robert.



Cinderella notices how little Prince Robbie is eating and proceeds to ask him to eat a little more. He mulls over the idea. She pleads with him, promising him extra sprinkles on his ice cream. He gives her what I call his "beaten puppy look". He pretends to be shy.



"Well, just for you Cinderella." He licks a bit of the broccoli, a bite of pizza, and a tiny shrimp. They speak for a little while longer about important topics, like the value of cake versus ice cream.



It's really hard to take pictures of toddlers but I tried! Featured are the Grant, Garret, Gregory, Joe, and I think that's Robbie in the back.



Look at all of these kiddos in one car!!!

Here's a picture of Bella and Joey racing on the scooter.