Life Interrupted

I captured him in a moment. So much emotion behind those eyes. 

Just a few of the neighborhood kids. 

Lately my life has been interrupted. It has been messy & unpredictable. it has been beautiful! Let me explain. When I moved here 2 years ago I prayed to God to show me whom to reach in my neighborhood. Would it be my next door neighbor from Ireland? or maybe the sweet elderly couple 3 doors down? or the lady on the other side of me who is divorced with two kids? Nope! At least not yet.  This past summer a family of 4 moved into the neighborhood about 4 houses down from us.  We(hubby & my son & me) met them right away but we left for Colorado that next week so there was no time to really talk. That was in July. Public schools around here start mid to late August. My neighbor was busy getting the kids(boys) ready for school and adjusting to a new town. I would see her sons pass by up and down the street all the time. I would try to engage in conversation but when a kid is on a scooter your time is short. Though, God's timing is always perfect.  About 2 months ago around the second week of September somehow about 4-5 neighborhood kids gathered around my house. They wanted to help me make my homemade laundry soap and bake a cake with me. So they did. 4 hours later still with me busy helping and no parents to be found.  I began to wonder where are the parents? I asked the kids "ummmm, are your parents worried about you?" One kid replied " no m'am we are fine right here!" Eventually, all parentals involved found me with their kids. No questions asked! This is new to me. I am "that" mom who wants to know a lot about you before I leave my child with you or have a play date. Playdates to me are like dating! First coffee or a local park before a Chick-fil-a or McDonald's experience then maybe my house or yours. I am friendly and a trusting person but cautious. Does that make sense? Anyway, one of the moms and I have formed somewhat of a relationship. It is in the beginning phases. We now meet to pray and she has attended church with me one time. It is a process. Not an easy one. I am learning it may be a long hard road. Her marriage is not ideal nor is her life. It is a tough story to swallow and her 2 boys have their own story. They are only 7& 8.  The boys have been surrounded by a hostile environment. Yes, their parents fight and often. I don't know how but I was able to pull my neighbor aside to ask her questions about the situation. We even came up with a game plan. The boys now come to my house if a fight breaks out. Just to be clear a hostile environment does not have to be physical in order to qualify in that category. Most of the time the words that are used and the tone with it can be more harmful. I don't have the answers but I can offer love and support to this family. Well, both hubby and I are surrounding them. I am very proud of my husband. I could brag on him for hours for the way he has stepped up to show love in a godly way towards this family. I am blessed. I am not going to lie. I  have complained or commented  a times about my weight, aging skin, messy house, finances(sometimes), commitments, the daily duties or demands in my life and yes even the lack of space(a play room)in my house. I know we all have our days and plates full. I am very grateful for my life and I am blessed.  I do have an attitude of gratitude. I do! However, when I look at my neighbor and the life she leads or has to walk out, I bet she would take any of my complaints or all of them just to step in my shoes for one day. She has expressed to me I want the life you have. Your house always smells good, it is warm, inviting and peaceful. Yes, words often tell what is on one's heart and where they are in life. I believe God laid them in our path. I pray we will walk out what he has called my family to do. If anyone has advice or ideas please feel free to pass them along. I am open and willing to listen. Maybe someone reading this has had real experience in this department. 


This song came over me this morning..... 

Angry words! O let them never,
From the tongue unbridled slip,
May the heart’s best impulse ever,
Check them ere they soil the lip.

Refrain

Love one another thus saith the Savior,
Children obey the Father’s blest command,
Love each other, love each other,
’Tis the Father’s blest command.

Love is much too pure and holy,
Friendship is too sacred far,
For a moment’s reckless folly,
Thus to desolate and mar.

Refrain

Angry words are lightly spoken,
Bitterest thoughts are rashly stirred,
Brightest links of life are broken,
By a single angry word.

Happy Halloween Redeemed & How to "Save" on Fall Clothes

You ask how can you save on buying fall clothes for you kids? Well, buy them a costume & they will wear it for 2 months! No need to buy the latest & greatest when you have Costume Shops galore! I am not kiddin' folks! 

I hope you have a safe & Happy Halloween Redeemed! 

Momma's Lil Bat

Last month at the Austin Nature & Science Center we learned all about Bats! They explained the difference between micro-bats and mega-bats. We learned where bats fit on the food chain and what they need in order to survive. We observed a bat skeleton, a live bat up close and discussed their behaviors along with the anatomy of the bat. It was a very interesting class! 

Micro Bat(small eyes, large ears)

She made this bat costume! Ah-Mazing! 

waiting patiently to see the live bat. 

Now the best part about was my son thought we were going to learn about Batman. I was relieved that he was not disappointed to know it was truly "just about bats." However, at the end he did ask about Batman. The teachers looked at me with a smirk and chuckle. I just shrugged my shoulders. After all it is so close to Halloween and he does have an imagination! 

*below I took pics with my iphone and then used Rhonna Desgins to add the captioning along with editing. 

 

Austin Nature & Science Center

Last year, we participated in the Austin Science & Nature Center Home School program for our science lab. They picked different topics to feature for each group every month. My son's group assignments included insects, fossils and faults, reptiles, roller coasters and very small(fish). They enjoyed learning what qualifies as an insect. Once the group determined that they collected samples from the field.  The whole group gathered their nets then off they went to search for specimen. My son's group did an excellent job of finding different insects. Then we had the opportunity to take the insects to the lab and studied them under a lens. That was super cool according to my son. He loved the petri dish and all the different type of bugs that he investigated. They also had the opportunity to make a craft. A butterfly! WE.LOVE.CRAFTS! 

For the reptile unit I don't remember much. I know sad, right? My son did walk away with a reptile tie craft. 

The roller coaster unit they built a roller coaster together. They talked about g- force. Very cool stuff. 

The fish unit was all about catching them in the pond. That day was messy! 

We will be partcipating again this year starting next week. We are so excited to learn all about bats next week! 

Here are a few pics from last year! Enjoy! 

"Unofficial" Kinder Pics

These are not our official Kinder pics. The reason why I say that is my son needs a haircut and I need to pick the outfit for his official pictures! We wanted to continue to participate in the Not Back to School Blog Hop since this is picture week. So here they are...."unofficially"(lol)

He loves the color orange so he picked a flower to hold! 

He wanted to show his big feet! They are the wrong size but he thought it was funny! 

My Favorite Part

was his prayer from the first day of homeschooling....


"Dear Lord, Please help me to be a good learner so that I can become a reader. Thank you for listening and for school."

star wars shirt with spiderman glove is what every boy needs to pray! 

Root Beer(PEMDAS-Please Experiment Mathematically, Directly And Scientifically)

There is not a specific recipe for making root beer from the group experiment today. We participated in a science lab to learn about root beer and the process of making it! So, you can go here for a recipe that came close to it. PEMDAS is the name of the group that organizes the science & math labs. 



We have joined a home school group, The Little Texas Homeschoolers in our area that offers varies activities for anyone to be a part of. It varies from science, math, plays, language & arts, games and many many other wonderful subjects. It is not everyday or every week. Science & Math are once a month. This month was about Root Beer! This was our first time to participate in the adventure.  I was very impressed with this husband and wife team that put together a root beer experiment. First, they bought an old farm house on on acre in the middle of the city and the backyard is every child's dream. Swings of all kinds, slides, trampoline, play house, homemade teeter toter and many many other things for a child to create or dream up for play time. Plus it was shady with lots of trees! 

The husbands stays home on Tuesdays to teach science and math for his family. Then he helps his wife with the science and math experiments for group learning on the second Tuesday of every month. Very impressive indeed. 

Anyway, they explained how sodas become carbonated. They showed a yeast version of root beer and a dry ice version. Also, they had different flavorings for the root beer. It was interesting! Little man did not want to taste but I did. Vanilla was my favorite. 

What I love about being part of this group is you can participate as much as you want to. Some come to every event and others come only a few times a year. Very nice to not be pressured and yet welcomed to any event! Enjoy the pictures below! 

Best part of the whole day was little man made a new friend. His mom invited us over for some play time earlier this afternoon. For only knowing each other less than 2 minutes they sure do get along. His new friend was so sweet to take him under his wing. 

"I truly enjoy this time in my life."

Our Little School Room

The NOT Back to School Blog hop continues...The School Room! Go here to see other blogger's school room! 

Once upon a time there lived a room that was filled with breakables, dining chairs and a table. People came and they enjoyed themselves. Dinner was served and conversations were held. Even the children loved to eat from this fancy room. My son loved to set the table and use the "fancy dishes." Sometimes candlelight was the preferred choice of lighting for the night. Yes, yes it was the Dining Room! Well, we said goodbye to the dining room and enter the school/play room area! The heavens opened up, the children gathered as they spread out with their beloved toys in this new space and much fun was born. 

I know I know a bit dramatic! Sometimes I miss my dining room. It is just a season of our life for now. I know their are many more talented people than me when it comes to utilizing space. You do not have to give up your dining room to create your school room or even a play room. It was something I decided to do. Below are pictures where we learn, grow and play everyday. It is not fancy or neat. Maybe that will make those who are frustrated in the messy department feel better. My pictures were taken from my ipone so it is raw. Enjoy! 

 So where are you homeschooling?