Sunday, August 25, 2013

Back to School

Over the past five years, we have experienced many different ways of educating our children.  Soon after the Lord saved Dave and I about ten years ago, our lives began to dramatically change.  We had new eyes to see the world and we began looking at everything through the lens of scripture.

 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

One of the biggest changes was our decision to pull our children out of the public school system and homeschool them.  As the family of a public school teacher, it was a huge decision and not one that we came to lightly.  It was not born out of academics, but out of biblical convictions.  You can see DH's ("dear hubby" for those unfamiliar with blog lingo) whole post here.  We were compelled to bring our children home and teach them ourselves so that we could spend time with them and teach them everything through a Biblical worldview.  While we treasure those homeschool years, the Lord has tempered us and taught us much during them.  We have learned that the way each family chooses to educate their children is a personal choice and one that is between them and the Lord.  We have met so many godly families in various school settings, from public, to private, to homeschool that are truly discipling and training their children.  With all that said, a new chapter is upon us now, as have the privilege to send our kids to a private Christian school.


I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart,

In the company of the upright and in the assembly.
 Psalm 111:1


We spent much of the spring on our knees praying for a job for DH.   We were asking for the moon.  We prayed God would provide a full-time job with benefits, that would allow DH to continue his seminary studies.  We were also praying for a job that would allow me to stop working and come home.  While the Lord was faithful to sustain us last year, working two days a week and homeschooling was quite a challenge.   As we prayed through Psalm 34 together, our faith was bolstered as God reminded us of His faithfulness.  Though we didn't know what was ahead, we were reminded that God was in control.  Corrie Ten Boom said, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. Ephesians 3:20

The Lord had orchestrated a better plan for our family than we could have asked or thought.  In addition to the perfect job of Bible teacher and Dean of Men, our children are blessed to be able to attend this school.  Though we have a highschooler, a junior higher, and an elementary student, they are all on the same campus with their daddy!


The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;

But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.

Psalm 34:10
9th grade





















So, last week, we sent our blessings off to school.  It was a bittersweet time for me, but I am so thankful.  I already miss them and the house seems so quiet, but I am so excited for them. They are already learning so much. The boys have had to work hard and focus on some tough classes, but have done very well.  They both had to get organized quickly and figure out how to get in and out of their lockers and to their next class on time with what they needed.  That caused mom the most anxiety, but they are proving themselves to be way more capable than I thought!  God is so good!






4th grade
7th grade
Little Sis LOVES school so much. She couldn't wait to start and continues to get great joy from attending.  Her only complaint is not having enough homework.  This was her first and only assignment so far.  She was asked to make a "self-doll" using materials around the house. She did a great job!

Friday, August 16, 2013

Twenty Years!

I am so blessed to be married to my very best friend.  He is my prince,  my hero, my shepherd, my love.
Life with this man gets better every year.  I love you so much, honey!
I love the way you make me laugh.

We had such a lovely time at this B&B in Santa Barbara.






I love this handsome man!  
San Francisco was amazing too!  I bought coffee from Cafe Roma where they roast their own beans.  We saw the crooked street and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Family Vacation

Funnest Daddy on the planet!
 We love to put puzzles together on vacation.  
 Silly girl!



The kids loved practicing their jumps into the pool!


I LOVE these kiddos!


Iowa State Fair

Where else can you eat a corn dog, funnel cake and deep fried oreo before you go on the double ferris wheel?  



Little Sis was so excited to go on the double ferris wheel.  Big Bro, who hates heights bravely accompanied her.


Gramma Sharon and I couldn't bear to watch it sore through the air, but the boys all watched in awe!




A house divided!  One of them takes it much more seriously than the other!

Forty-something

 Yes, I really turned 42 this year and yes, my mommy did make me a homemade chocolate raspberry cake with number candles on it! We have always done birthdays BIG in my family and we always will. We even had a special lunch with Iowa sweetcorn and REAL Iowa tomatoes! I even got to spend it with my 91 year old grandma.  It was such a special day!


A Special Day

We went back to Iowa this summer for a very special wedding.  It was a perfect day and probably one of the sweetest, simplest weddings I have ever been to.  I loved every little detail that was carefully planned with care, but the BEST part was the message.  The pastor shared from Ephesians 5 and spoke about how marriage is a picture of the Gospel!  Love it!

 Little sis was enamored by the whole event, but was particularly excited about the "dancing" part.  Imagine her delight when her two favorite guys waltzed her around the grass dance floor to the Blue Grass Music!



This was one of the most special parts.  Grandma Betty, who is almost 91, was there for the wedding!  This is her with her NINE great grandchildren all together!

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. Ezekiel 36: 26-27