Monday, February 23, 2009
But God
The children have a new phrase. I hear it a lot these days. I tell them to do something, and they reply, "But, Mamma . . . ". This at first got on my nerves, but then I remembered a sermon once preached about circumstances as they are. "But God" turned those circumstances completely around. Look it up for yourself. Now when I hear "But, Mamma", I just think to myself "But God" and remember what He can do.
The Lord is MY Strength
OBT is at work and will be coming home in time for dinner. Then he'll leave for training in TN for the next couple of days. I am already dreading his absence and struggling with the very thought. While I think about being without him, I am reminding myself that the Lord is my Helper. He will still be with me. I can lean on him while dh is gone and even when dh is back. I can start leaning on Him right now. Keep us in your prayers over the next few days as our family is apart that we will soon be back together again. That is the way we like to be.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
What we read - December 2008
Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant
A favorite author. Her Henry and Mudge as well as Mr. Topper books are great for our beginning readers.
Every Autumn Comes a Bear by Jim Arnosky
Wonderful nature illustrations!
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
Everything we have read by him has been wonderful.
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Martin
I really enjoy how this true story tells the life of a boy's fascination with the uniqueness of snow and his pictures of them.
My visit to the aquarium by Aliki
One of Sarah's favorites. She liked it so much that we checked it out twice.
A favorite author. Her Henry and Mudge as well as Mr. Topper books are great for our beginning readers.
Every Autumn Comes a Bear by Jim Arnosky
Wonderful nature illustrations!
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
Everything we have read by him has been wonderful.
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Martin
I really enjoy how this true story tells the life of a boy's fascination with the uniqueness of snow and his pictures of them.
My visit to the aquarium by Aliki
One of Sarah's favorites. She liked it so much that we checked it out twice.
The Old Curiosity Shop
With "Hard Times" and "The Life of Our Lord" under my belt, MT Classic's announcement of "The Tales of Charles Dickens" prompted my desire to return to reading for leisure. "The Old Curiosity Shop" was first on my list. It tells the story of Nell Trent and her grandfather. Albeit Dickens introduces various characters on their journey whose lives intertwined with the main characters. Dickens has a way of letting his characters interact through plot and subplot so that their lives are all tied together in one way or another. They affect one another throughout the course of the story - directly or indirectly. This was true in "Bleak House" too.
Dickens is also known for his characters, and his imaginative creations are not missing in "The Old Curiosity Shop". Daniel Quilp is very unlikeable, and I look forward to seeing the actor who can accurately recreate him. Sampson Brass, a defining name to begin with, lacks the strength which the Biblical Samson is known for so much that brass suits him very well. A metal with the appearance of gold but worth much less.
For more information, go to Charles Dickens - Gad's Hill Place.
Dickens is also known for his characters, and his imaginative creations are not missing in "The Old Curiosity Shop". Daniel Quilp is very unlikeable, and I look forward to seeing the actor who can accurately recreate him. Sampson Brass, a defining name to begin with, lacks the strength which the Biblical Samson is known for so much that brass suits him very well. A metal with the appearance of gold but worth much less.
For more information, go to Charles Dickens - Gad's Hill Place.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Blessing of the Day
Since we have moved to Ohio, Cracker Barrels are not as commonplace. We make up for that by eating at them when we are on vacation as often as possible. We also make up for that by going to Bob Evan's. Whether it be their I'm Smiling at You sundae or the Chili & Cheese Taco Salad , it is sure to be a hit with our crew.
Last Saturday we stopped for lunch and before our meal was over, the waitress gave us seven coupons for a free kid's meal with drink. We used three that day, and OBT said that we probably saved $9 on our meal. Thank you, waitress, and thank you, Lord!
Last Saturday we stopped for lunch and before our meal was over, the waitress gave us seven coupons for a free kid's meal with drink. We used three that day, and OBT said that we probably saved $9 on our meal. Thank you, waitress, and thank you, Lord!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Ice Storm 2009 - in pictures
our driveway
OBT met the mail lady with rubber hammer in hand for breaking the ice off of the mailboxes on that day.
The branches hung low on the line that day.
Cincinnati Observatory
When we moved to OH, I had no idea that we were moving to the state containing the world's oldest telescope still in use. This year our study of Astronomy coincides with the International Year of Astronomy. What better time to invite some friends and to take a trip to an observatory? We opted for a tour on Sunday afternoon. The tour was excellent, and the only thing we missed was being able to actually use one of the telescopes. A return trip may be in order when the skies are clear.
the main building
A BIG telescope
Here to learn
the second building
What could you see with this?
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Read To Your Bunny
In tribute to the inspiration for Sarah's pj party, author Rosemary Wells first came into our lives through a now worn and torn copy of "Read to your Bunny".
| And so they must come first for mothers and fathers, too. Because we can never have those years over again. Every day, make a quiet, restful place for twenty minutes. Put your child in your lap and read a book aloud. In the pages of the book you will find a tiny vacation of privacy and intense love. It costs nothing but twenty minutes and a library card. |
| Reading to your little one is just like putting gold coins in the bank. It will pay you back tenfold. Your daughter will learn, and imagine, and be strong in herself. Your son will thrive, and give your love back forever. – R.W. |
Reprinted from "Read to your Bunny" published by Scholastic Press
Sarah turns seven
Last month was a month of celebrating and thanking God for the gifts He has given us. Sarah, our oldest, is another year older now. Inspired by "Max and Ruby", she requested a pajama party. I agreed to a birthday party on the day and a pj party on Friday night.
Reading her own cards now 
What could it be?
What could it be?
Happy Birthday!
What's a party without treats and a movie without popcorn?
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Winter Storm (sung to "Summertime" from "Porgy & Bess
Winter storm, and the livin's not easy.
Snow and ice. Several inches deep.
Kerosene heaters and no electricity.
Pipes, don't freeze.
For three whole days in the dark we see.
Winter storm. No warm water, no coffee,
no television, no lights nor internet for me.
Winter storm. Temps are dropping to 13.
Things we take for granted now they cannot be.
Winter storm. We got through it with God's help.
In our weakness, we know that He is our Strength.
He's our God and always deserving of our praise.
We'll bless and honor Him in easy times and hard.
2/1/2009
Snow and ice. Several inches deep.
Kerosene heaters and no electricity.
Pipes, don't freeze.
For three whole days in the dark we see.
Winter storm. No warm water, no coffee,
no television, no lights nor internet for me.
Winter storm. Temps are dropping to 13.
Things we take for granted now they cannot be.
Winter storm. We got through it with God's help.
In our weakness, we know that He is our Strength.
He's our God and always deserving of our praise.
We'll bless and honor Him in easy times and hard.
2/1/2009
Dependence
We have power again as of last night after three days without. On Tuesday there was snow and then ice on top of that snow. By Wednesday morning we lost our electricity for about an hour. We were glad when it came back on and thought that all would be well. OBT was home Tuesday and Wednesday as the roads were too dangerous to travel. Our roads were considered on a Level 3 which means that you could get a ticket for even being on them without a very good reason.
An hour later the power went off again and stayed off. Our house has only electricity, and now it had none. We had no backup heat or power. Things did not look good. We decided to try and get somewhere with heat for the night while leaving the faucets dripping at home. As we left the garage and headed up the driveway, there was enough of a slope that it was difficult to make it. On the third attempt, our van slid back into a culvert, and we were stuck with the tires in the air. Almost immediately it seemed our neighbor came over in his tractor to pull our van out. He also cleared a pathway to the road and offered for us to stay at his house for the night. They had a generator. We took him up on the offer.
The next day OBT went to work on the still icy roads. Even though OBT was supposed to be there, not many people were able to come in. After a while, OBT found out that there were ten kerosene heaters in South Charleston, WV. He ordered them online and then called the store to make sure that they were there. The person he talked to first said that they were sold out. When she checked in back, she found that a truck had brought in ten the day before. OBT told her that he had paid for and was coming to get two of them. He drove two hours both ways to get them and three tanks of kerosene. When he got back, he could not get the truck up our road after several attempts. So our neighbor's wife and I drove down to pick him up. We took him to our house where he set up the heaters. Then he came next door for dinner, and we made the decision to return to our house to keep an eye on the heaters.
The house was warm. The faucets were dripping. Thursday OBT got up early and refilled the heaters. Then he went to work, and we had school. That night OBT heated up dinner on the grill in the garage. After dinner OBT talked to the children about our situation and how that in the dark we can see. It made me think of Saul or Tarsus when he was blinded so that the Lord could show His glory to Him. I once was blind, but now I see. Friday morning OBT again went to work, and we carried on here. Later that day OBT told Sarah that we might have power if we didn't live so far out in the boonies. Sarah then said that we lived in the "Daniel Boonies" which made us laugh. For dinner we heated up leftovers on top of the kerosene heater and ate ice cream soup. That night the low was predicted to be zero but only went down to 13. Still our pipes did not freeze.
On Saturday morning OBT went to get more propane for the grill and a heater our neighbor lent us. By Saturday night we were having baked sweet potatoes and pork riblets (grilled). Then the water stopped dripping, and we thought the pipes had frozen. Our power did come back on after the children were in bed. I called our neighbor to make sure they knew and found out about the water. The water tower runs on electricity and barring that on water pressure. The pressure had gotten so low that the water was no longer enough. We were so relieved to find that out.
Today our power is still on, and we were able to get to church this morning. The temperatures have been up in the 40's, and much of the ice on the roads has melted. We have had our moments of frustration, anger, fear, and despondency, our up's and down's, but we also have been reminded of how little we are and of our dependence on One who is able to do all and carry us through. We praise and thank Him for getting us through this winter storm and all of you who were praying for us during this time.
An hour later the power went off again and stayed off. Our house has only electricity, and now it had none. We had no backup heat or power. Things did not look good. We decided to try and get somewhere with heat for the night while leaving the faucets dripping at home. As we left the garage and headed up the driveway, there was enough of a slope that it was difficult to make it. On the third attempt, our van slid back into a culvert, and we were stuck with the tires in the air. Almost immediately it seemed our neighbor came over in his tractor to pull our van out. He also cleared a pathway to the road and offered for us to stay at his house for the night. They had a generator. We took him up on the offer.
The next day OBT went to work on the still icy roads. Even though OBT was supposed to be there, not many people were able to come in. After a while, OBT found out that there were ten kerosene heaters in South Charleston, WV. He ordered them online and then called the store to make sure that they were there. The person he talked to first said that they were sold out. When she checked in back, she found that a truck had brought in ten the day before. OBT told her that he had paid for and was coming to get two of them. He drove two hours both ways to get them and three tanks of kerosene. When he got back, he could not get the truck up our road after several attempts. So our neighbor's wife and I drove down to pick him up. We took him to our house where he set up the heaters. Then he came next door for dinner, and we made the decision to return to our house to keep an eye on the heaters.
The house was warm. The faucets were dripping. Thursday OBT got up early and refilled the heaters. Then he went to work, and we had school. That night OBT heated up dinner on the grill in the garage. After dinner OBT talked to the children about our situation and how that in the dark we can see. It made me think of Saul or Tarsus when he was blinded so that the Lord could show His glory to Him. I once was blind, but now I see. Friday morning OBT again went to work, and we carried on here. Later that day OBT told Sarah that we might have power if we didn't live so far out in the boonies. Sarah then said that we lived in the "Daniel Boonies" which made us laugh. For dinner we heated up leftovers on top of the kerosene heater and ate ice cream soup. That night the low was predicted to be zero but only went down to 13. Still our pipes did not freeze.
On Saturday morning OBT went to get more propane for the grill and a heater our neighbor lent us. By Saturday night we were having baked sweet potatoes and pork riblets (grilled). Then the water stopped dripping, and we thought the pipes had frozen. Our power did come back on after the children were in bed. I called our neighbor to make sure they knew and found out about the water. The water tower runs on electricity and barring that on water pressure. The pressure had gotten so low that the water was no longer enough. We were so relieved to find that out.
Today our power is still on, and we were able to get to church this morning. The temperatures have been up in the 40's, and much of the ice on the roads has melted. We have had our moments of frustration, anger, fear, and despondency, our up's and down's, but we also have been reminded of how little we are and of our dependence on One who is able to do all and carry us through. We praise and thank Him for getting us through this winter storm and all of you who were praying for us during this time.
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