Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Thanks for Serving Our Country!

What better way to start our study on World War 2 than to have the privilege of meeting and listening to an eyewitness? Arles Cole came to speak to homeschoolers about his experiences as a World War 2 and Pearl Harbor Survivor. He was such a nice man. He said that God spared his life so many times, because God’s purpose for him was to tell his story and give glory to God.

He was on the USS West Virginia in Pearl Harbor when it was bombed. He carried Doris Miller to safety (remember Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character in the movie?) after Doris was knocked unconscious when the bombing started. Mr. Arles went on to serve on other ships in eight more engagements before the war was over.

We used to live in Pearl Harbor housing when David was in the Marine Corps and I’ve been to the Arizona Memorial. It is quite a sobering thing to see. And now to be able to meet someone who was actually there and bring a personal aspect to the story is just such a neat thing to me. Honestly, I wouldn’t have been this excited to meet a Hollywood star.

“Showing Our Colors” is the book he wrote to share his story. He didn’t bring any of his books with him, but I ordered one from him and can’t wait to read it.




Mr. Cole's story and video can be seen here.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Busy is my new favorite post title

I didn’t intend to stop blogging, but I just couldn’t seem to get it done. It has been so busy lately. We are pushing to get schoolwork done so we don’t have to go too far into the summer. And, it seems like there is always something else going on. Brittany and Tyler had youth group activities to be a part of for spring break (although it wasn’t really our homeschool spring break), various errands and appointments and then there are these guys who keep me so very busy.







This little guy who has gone from this





To this……………..crawling!




Timothy, Bethany, Brooke and Tristan were part of Praise Kids night at church. They were singing but I didn’t get good pictures of them. I should’ve gone down front but I didn’t want to block anyone’s view.

Bethany and Brooke




Tristan’s little face 2nd from right





Timothy on the far side in the red and white striped shirt

Friday, March 11, 2011

Another Happy Birthday

Bethany turned 9 on Wednesday. She had been asking for a surprise party. Well, it doesn't really work when you expect the surprise. So, I had to figure out something she wasn't expecting. That morning Brittany made her a pancake in the shape of a B, we put a candle in it and sang to her. Then, after David got home we gave her the MP3 player she'd been wanting. Finally, that evening I secretly brought cupcakes and party favors to church.

Mrs. Laura walked Bethany out into the hallway. (It was also the other little girl, Lorelei's birthday as well.)


The kids all yelled, "Surprise!"



I think I surprised her!


Everyone had a great time. That's cousin Emma with Bethany and Brooke.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

An Outing With Mom

I needed to go run some errands so I took Brooke with me. We went to the Dollar Tree and Market Walmart. She was thrilled to go with my all alone, and to top it all off, she got a soda. It’s the simple things, I guess.




We passed by this giant man. He’s the Tulsa Oiler who stands I don’t know how many feet tall at the fairgrounds. He’s just a few minutes from our house.




This is also just a few miles down the road. Could their be summer fun in our future?




**Side note: My sister in law and I ate at that Panda Express the other day and it was soooo good. I love Chinese, but I never get to eat it, so we just treated ourselves to lunch after the children’s consignment sale last Saturday. The sale was at the Fairgrounds-the one with the big Oiler guy-so it was on the way home even. Like I need to justify it or something.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round




We got a new van! Well, not new, but new to us. It is a fifteen passenger so we actually have extra seats for a change. This was a huge, huge blessing for us. We were able to pay cash for it-another huge blessing. We had needed a second vehicle for so long now, and thought we might have to just get a smaller vehicle and take both vehicles when we needed to all go somewhere, but thankfully we were able to get this instead. It is taking a little getting used to driving. It must be similar to driving a school bus! Ha! It’s mostly with turning and backing up, but I haven’t run over any curbs so far. We bought it from a homeschooling family with eight kids, but two of theirs are college age, so they didn’t really need such a big van anymore.
I know it looks white, but it's actually silver with gray interior.

So, I was at the DMV getting some paperwork done for it and there were five women who had just been released from prison. One woman had a teardrop tattooed near her eye. They started talking to me. I don’t think I’ve ever talked to anyone who has only been released from prison the month before, but of course, we can never have a dull moment, can we? But, you know, they were nice. And friendly. One of the ladies had been locked up for 8 and a half years. They were all getting ID cards made. They were in a “re-acclimation with the outside” program or whatever you would call it. I don’t know what they were all in for. I didn’t think it would be appropriate to ask. They originally started talking to me because they wondered what number I had and how long I had been waiting, since there was already a room full of people. (A long wait at the DMV? Nooo.) I had overheard one of the women saying she was going to start praying about staying here or going back to her hometown. So, two of the women walked outside to wait, and then I asked the woman if she was going to church somewhere. She said she was, it was a church I was familiar with. So we chatted for about the next 20 minutes. She was from New York and had been locked up for 4 and a half years. She had gotten a Bible degree while in prison. She said her life had been “messed up” but He had done something inside her that has changed her. I told her that she’s exactly who He had come to help- those who were “messed up”. And we ALL need Him. We are ALL “messed up.” I told her why we had come to Oklahoma, and how God was working in our lives. She believed that we all were brought here at this time for a reason. I told her I thought so, too. They called my number and I was able to get finished with what I needed to do, I went back over and told her I enjoyed chatting with her and I wished her the best. She said the same. I think she was encouraged. I know I was.

Monday, March 7, 2011

A Pitiful Birthday

Bailey turned two on Sunday, and she was sick. This is becoming a theme with her. Although this time I don’t believe she’ll wind up in the hospital.




It’s my birthday and all I get is this pink tiara?


Monday Musings

When I turned on my laptop, the little wifi button was orange. Thomas said, “I think your computer is orange because the bugs play with it at night.”


Hmmm.


Very suspicious.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Happy Birthday and "Handy Man"ny

It's been such a busy week that I'm just now getting on the internet.

Last Wednesday Tristan turned 6.




Remember this guy?





We got married 16 years ago last Friday. Last year on our 15th anniversary we were driving to Oklahoma. I can't believe it's already been a year. Or 16 for that matter! We actually got married on my sister in law's birthday. My husband and I had only known each other for a few months when we got married and I had only met his family once. When I was planning the wedding nobody bothered to tell me that it was her birthday, until the day before the wedding David says, "Oh. Tomorrow is my sister's birthday." Well, she was turning 17 and not happy with it at all. But, now we laugh about it. We do laugh about it, right Cassandra? (I think she is secretly glad, because now no one can forget her birthday.)


And if he isn't already busy enough, this weekend David was busy building bunk beds for the kids.

This set will be for Tyler and Timothy. Next weekend he'll start the set for the little boys and then he'll be building a frame for ours.

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