wordless Wednesday

ice, ice, baby

One of the fundraisers we came up with for our trip was to sell Sugar Cookies shaped like the continent of Africa; one dozen for a $15 donation.  The responses quickly came in and we had orders for 25 dozen cookies. Last week, the girls and I started to make the cookies for the first order.  In three hours, I made seventeen cookies, not dozens, 17 cookies.
I called my mom and asked if I filled her car up with gas would she come help us crank out the cookies.  We started on Friday around 1:00 pm, and I iced the last heart Monday morning around 10 a.m.
Everyone had their part, including each of the kids.  R2 picked out the color purple, the kids each made plates to serve the cookies on, but there is no way I could have done it without my mom.  Her knowledge and patience and talent made the cookies.  I can cook just about anything, but baking is not my forte, it is my mom's.  Thank you, Mimi.  Love you!!

wordless wednesday

Happy Birthday, Blythe!

This past weekend, we celebrated with one of the girls' besties at the ice skating rink.  Neither of the girls have been ice skating and I haven't been in at least 16 years, so it was a real treat.  It took two very long trips around the rink before I could get the girls to let go of me or the edge, but they finally did and attempted to go it alone.  We still need more practice, but I foresee a Daddy-Daughter double in the foreseeable future.
Happy 9th birthday, Blythe!!

blubber science experiment

This week's science unit has been about pinnipeds; walruses, seals, sea lions, manatees and dugongs.
We did a science experiment to discover how blubber works to keep the mammals warm.
First, we put two gloves, one on top of the other onto one hand  and then put a glove covered with Vaseline on the 2nd hand.  We then covered the Vaseline hand with a second glove.  We put both of our hands in ice cold water and timed how long we could hold them under water before it got too cold.   Boo was able to hold her hand with blubber for a full minute longer than the "skin" glove and LE held the blubber hand twice as long as her first hand.

new trampoline

We haven't been able to get much out of our new Christmas present yet, but I know the time is coming when we will.  All four of the kids have enjoyed it.  I cannot wait for spring for some good ole home school P.E.

Kenya 2015

I heard it once said, if you go to Africa, you will go back every day in your mind for the rest of your life, I can attest this is true.  Six years ago, I had the privilege of traveling to Swaziland and Mozambique to host Christmas parties for 6,000 children.  I knew I would one day return to Africa, because I needed Africa; more than she needed me.  But I knew I didn't want to go without my husband and I didn't want to go on a "mission trip".  I wanted to go serve the people of Africa.  Recently I was presented with the opportunity to travel with Trudy Marshall of Libraries of Love to Kenya.  I would be able to assist in the building of a church (and the grand opening) where a congregation has been meeting each week in the elements under a tree.  Even more dear to my heart  would be the potential of one day financing and building a school at or nearby that location.
God has clearly opened doors for Ben and I to travel to Kenya.  The past two mission trips I went on were fully funded by God; even my plane ticket being donated by a complete stranger. I recently read, "God's work, done in God's way, will never lack God's supplies."  We are believing for God to fully fund us this time also.  
If you feel to led to send us, please prayerfully consider helping us financially.   We will also be doing fundraisers in the near future.  Our trip is scheduled for the end of April into early May.

top eleven of 2014

11. a birthday wish was granted.
10. Home improvements were made: playscape, powder room, master bedroom, office and boys'room
9. healthier lifestyle was chosen
8. joined a homeschool co-op
7. fitness classes were taught, at my best estimate I worked with over 350 people this year, over 7,000 people total in all of the classes I taught
6. a get-away to San Antonio was taken
5. a mini trip to Fort Worth
4. realized turning 40 wasn't that bad
3. a much deserved promotion was given
2. lost both Duncan and Chloe
1. joined an amazing  Church