Hymn Study

Each month, we choose a new hymn for our hymn study. I find a youtube video of the song with lyrics and we play it three times each week. We usually have all learned it by the end of the month and we enjoy singing together each morning after breakfast.

ALL of us sing it, whether we know the words or not. Case in point:

(Note: For the first 30 seconds, Julia is watching all of us who were trying to coach her to do her thing. But then she takes off, much to our delight!)

Enjoy!

For Your Christmas Entertainment

7 Things: A Meme

7 things I can do:

1. Find a bargain.

2. Make bread. (This skill makes me very happy.)

3. Sew.

4. Spell.

5. Teach my children well.

6. Love my husband well.

7. Make my kids laugh.

7 things I cannot do:
1. Go to sleep w/ a head full of thoughts.
2. Knit or crochet.
3. A cartwheel. (Thankfully I'm rarely asked to.)
4. Make Excel spreadsheets.
5. Decorate a cake.
6. Messy crafts with children.
7. Sit still at home. (unless it's at the computer)

7 things I say most often:
1. Honestly!
2. You gotta be kidding!
3. We're leaving in 5 minutes.
4. Oh nuts, I forgot my _____. (Said after we're all buckled in the van.)
5. I need Maya.
6. Alright, listen up.
7. I love you, but no.

A Meme: My Top Three

My top three. . .

1. favorite books:

any Jane Austen (except Northanger Abby)

the Evidence Bible (I absolutely love this bible!)

our Lamplighter books (haven't yet found one I didn't love)

2. favorite desserts:

my Dad's cherry pie

tiramisu

gingerbread cookies

3. favorite ways to spend time:

chit-chatting with friends while our kids play together

home dates with Kyle

reading a book in bed

I tag: Jamie, MommaofMany, Faith, Stacy, Janelle, Rachel Marie, Renee, Veronica, and Vicki

Your Man Will Appreciate This

Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

Oh my lands, this is too funny! I hope it makes you giggle.

A Meme

1. What do you normally smell like? Bath & Body Works "Bright Blossoms"

2. How far away do you live from your parents? 10 minutes from my mom & stepdad, 15 minutes from my dad & stepmom

3. Are you happy with your job? Yes, I am.

4. What did you get in the mail today? Cabinet knobs and pulls ordered from eBay, bills, and junk

5. How do you like your steak cooked? I really prefer seafood

6. What do you usually order at Taco Bell? 1 Baja Chalupa, 1 Crispy taco, side of guacamole

7. Have you ever sat all the way through Gone With the Wind? Once, yes

8. Have you ever been to Mt Rushmore? Nope.

9. Where is your favorite place (that you have actually been to)? Colorado in the summer time.

10. What is your favorite candle scent? Anything but vanilla or pine.

11. Have you ever smoked cigarettes? By God's Grace, I never have.

12. Have you ever been to NYC or LA? Went on a "mission trip" to Los Angeles with my youth group and youth pastor who had no idea what a mission trip meant. Fun trip to Disney Land.

Have no desire to visit New York City.

13. Do you prefer to pack your own groceries? If it means I pay a lot less, yes. :D

14. What is your favorite snack? Chex Mix

I tag: Momma of Many, Faith, Vicki, Jody, Jamie, Grace, Stacy

Just For Fun

Disclaimer: This is in no way promoting the ingestion of margarine. Eat at your own risk.

Thirty-Two Snippets

Since Katie meant to tag me for this meme, and since she's such a good friend, I'll humor her.

Eight Things I'm Looking Forward To:

1. Fresh eggs from our chickens
2. my book club meeting in December
3. new cabinet doors for the guest bathroom
4. finishing the quilt I keep forgetting about
5. finding out what happens to Fanny in Mansfield Park
6. Elena's 9th birthday
7. 2nd Christmas with the triplets
8. date night swap next week

Eight Things On My Wish List:

1. Another Jane Austen book
2. refinished floors
3. a new computer, but I'll keep using the kids' (it's so much better!)
4. a healthy neice or nephew this year
5. gas prices to stay this low forever
6. Pedro to be protected and blessed
7. My triplets to know how much I love them
8. All my kids to know how very grateful I am for them

Eight TV Shows That I Watch(ed when we had TV):

1. 17 Kids and Counting (I watch this at a friend's house every week.)
2. Good Eats
3. Iron Chef America
4. Wipeout
5. I don't/didn't watch 8 shows, what can I say?

Eight Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Woke up late
2. Met an internet friend and her sweet family
3. Took the kids to hear the wind symphony
4. Ate lunch at the park
5. Bought toilet paper since we only had 1 roll in the house!!
6. IMed various Bettendorfs
7. Went to the library
8. Had a home date with Kyle

And I tag: Faith, Mariposa, Jamie, Vicki, Gretchen, and Renee.

Dog-Tired

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard;

I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had
a home and was well taken care of.


He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on
his head; he then followed me into my house, slowly walked
down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him
out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard,
walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again
slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for
several weeks.

Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would
like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog
is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your
dog comes to my house for a nap.'

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a
different note pinned to his collar: 'He lives in a home
with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch
up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?'

Loose Ends

I've been reading Pride & Prejudice for a summer book club and I'm down to the final chapter. As always, when I get to the end of a good fiction book, I don't want to finish it! I don't want it to end! When I get to the last 50 or so pages, I start pacing myself, reading only a few pages at a time so I can relish every last word. I am loving this book!
Here's a fun quiz I just took, it was quite accurate:

Take the Quiz here!

You are Elizabeth Bennet of Pride & Prejudice! You are intelligent, witty, and tremendously attractive. You have a good head on your shoulders, and oftentimes find yourself the lone beacon of reason in a sea of ridiculousness. You take great pleasure in many things. You are proficient in nearly all of them, though you will never own it. Lest you seem too perfect, you have a tendency toward prejudgment that serves you very ill indeed.

Please leave a comment and tell me who you are.

And now for the results of the recent Adoption Contest. . .
I asked Lydia what her favorite number was (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 since there were six entries). We just got back from the Splash Park when I realized I needed to hurry up and choose a winner.

The winner is Heather! Congrats! Email me your address and I'll ship the book ASAP.

Another Meme

MommaOfMany tagged me for this meme of lists.

What I was doing 10 yrs ago:
May 1998 - I had just finished grad school and we bought our first house. I was about to begin working full-time as a Speech-Language Pathologist. That first year was the only year I worked full-time.

Five things on my to do list for today:

1. go to the library
2. school work
3. go to the Splash Park
4. make French toast for dinner (my favorite!)
5. read Five Little Peppers & How They Grew to the kids

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Fund adoptions for Christian families who want to adopt. Buy 8 houses in a cul de sac, so Kyle & I and each of our kids' families can live together in our own little happy commune-- in a suburb, of course, so we'll still be close to everything we need.

Three of my bad habits:

1. biting my lip
2. getting distracted
3. snacking at night

Five jobs I have had:

1. Cashier at a grocery store (when I was 16)
2. Pizza chef (17-18)
3. Student therapist for children w/ autism
4. ASL interpreter (college)
5. Speech Pathologist (specialized in stuttering, autism, and Alzheimer's)

I tag: The Herd, Katie, Jenna B, Jamie, and you.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Julie tagged me for this meme, listing three of my favorite things. Easy, shmeasy. Here we go:

1. My favorite color is orange. It's bold and it's happy.
   
2. My favorite way to unwind is with a bowl of cereal and a magazine. (I subscribe to No Greater Joy, Above Rubies, and Simple Scrapbooks.)
3. My favorite way to spend time and money is on books.

I tag: Heartchild, Jenna B, Lori KY, my sister Jamie, MamaLiz, Jody, Faith, Katie, and Jill.

I Just Gotta Know. . .

View this quiz on Quibblo More quizzes on Quibblo

Another Reason We Homeschool

This pretty well sums up my public school experience. LOL! I am learning so much by homeschooling my kiddos. I call it my second chance at a quality education. :)

The Lord's Prayer

I can't help myself. This is just too cute not to share:

Dancing for Daddy

We had just tidied up the downstairs in preparation for Daddy's return from work, and decided to have some fun. We turned up the music and got down!

We were listening to one of our favorites: TobyMac

Elena dear, I think it's time to pass that shirt onto Chloe.

Chloe was using a sand timer as a mic, while Elena played her air guitar. She's really good! Maya provided some impressive back-up vocals. Isaac stuck with what he does best: groovin'!

Vote for Your Favorite Poem!

Thank you all for your entries in the poetry contest. I loved almost all of them! For the one daring poet who blackmailed me here, I hope you enjoy what turmoil you have caused me. Please note: As you requested, I have not edited your revealing poem. I expect you to hold to your end of the bargain. Revenge will be mine. I know when your birthday is!

Enter your vote at the bottom of this post.

Shuck and Jive

Ginger she can really shuck and jive
And she's now on her way to thirty five.
With six little ones at home all day
Outside is the place she would like them to play.

The dishes have been moved to the lower shelves
So that Daniel and Lydia can help themselves.
The older girls help out a lot
When it comes to cooking, they're Johnny on the spot.

Isaac too helps around the house
But when he wants to hide, he's quiet as a mouse.
At the Clark house, stomachs are never empty
Cause Ginger and Kyle have crock-pots-a-plenty.

When this couple needs some time alone
Pedro has told them, "Just pick up the phone."
Yes, Ginger has a heart that's completely full
Of love for kids, and that's no bull.

To work I must go, so let me just say
I wish you love and a Happy Birthday.

~Gary
--------------------

A Birthday Twirl

I'm an old cowgirl
from north of the Rio Grande
Sent to sing a birthday twirl
for my beloved neice, not a farmhand!

Ginger's her name
Kids are her game
Geesh I can't keep up!
Just because you're 34. . .
Don't despair, oh no
You gotta keep saddlin' up
Ride that trusty steed
up in the clouds and across the sky
Keeping your dreams always alive!

~Jeanne
--------------------

Mom to Seven

She's a homeschooling mom to seven
Not one of our kids is named Kevin
Gives herbs to our crew
Gave birth at home too
When we're together it's like heaven.

~Kyle
--------------------

Better Than a Blister

Ginger is my sister
She's got herself a mister
Don't ever fight
Cuz she's always right
But she's better than a blister

Today she's thirty-four
And me she will abhore
For telling you
But it is true
She'll think we've gone to war

Another rumor I will spread
That the hair upon her head
It's all a joke
She's gonna croak
Did you think it was really red?

Her children, there are seven
Most of the time it's heaven
Ebony and ivory are they
And every night they pray
That one day they'll number eleven

One thing I must say
And on this I won't sway
A truer friend there is not
And I love her a lot
For her loved ones she'll never betray.

My story must come to an end
On this I cannot bend
My sister is great
Kyle's lucky to be her mate
And I'm proud to call her my friend!

~Jamie
--------------------

Spice of Life

Ginger, oh Ginger, the spice of life!
You have lots of kiddos
You are a great wife.

Ginger, oh Ginger, rooted in God
You love your crock-pot
You use the oil of cod

Ginger, oh Ginger, full of fragrance
You teach school to seven,
You study the art of France.

Ginger, oh Ginger, helper of tummies
You love the Lord
and your hubby of hubbies!

Ginger, oh Ginger, a bold, but humble spice
Happy Happy Birthday Hope you have a great life!

~Karen
--------------------

Long Ago in '74

Long ago in '74
A babe named Ginger burst through Heaven's door
Her mom and dad thought she was exquisite
And praised God for her earthly visit!

At four she was really quite shy
Her beauty her fears did belie
But with blue eyes flashing and eyelashes crashing
Her impact was really quite smashing!

At eight our Ginger was blooming
Tho' homework she often ignored
She captivated friends in the rooming
And her classmates she never bored!

At 16 she turned to acting and drama
And starred in school plays unlike her momma
She recited her lines and acted her parts
While everyone admired her talented smarts!

One day God planted Kyle Clark
As through the church classes they crooned
In short time his charm won over her heart
And Ginger was smitten and swooned.

They shared strong desires to have kiddos
And their family grew fast and strong
Now they wriggle and giggle and romp through the meadows
And we find the nine Clarks where they belong.

My Ginger, my Ginger, how blessed we have been
To watch your wisdom and stature abound
God's beauty shines through you as His love is within
And you're anointed with His mighty crown!

~Nealy
--------------------

Roses are Red

Roses are red
Carnations are pink
If you want Mom's attention
Just send her a link.

~Pedro
--------------------

Ginger Bread

Ginger's bread is easy to see
It is evident in her family.
Her ingredients are simple and pure,
To make a bread that will endure.

Love to make a heart true,
Goes into each task she must do.
Patience she shows each day,
To guide her children in God's way.

Joy abounds in her face,
Reminding us all of our place.
Peace she gives to one and all
Of her children both big and small.

Her arms remain open at all times,
Be it for a hug or attitude's demise.
Ginger's bread cooks in her home, it's true
Her life a shining example to me and you.

~Heather
--------------------

Angels Among Us

Angels are needed so badly in the world
To wipe a tear, hold a hand, or calm a fear
We need people to be willing to go against the grain
To assist and love others with no concern of personal gain

Ginger, you have humbly stepped up to the plate
You have said yes to God and welcomed His fate
The challenge has been large but you have done it with a smile
Keeping your chin up and giving glory to God all the while

You have loved your husband and your babies, both from your womb and from your heart
On your knees with the Lord and His word is where each day you start.
I am amazed when I think of the wonderful testimony you offer
Be being a strong sister in Christ, a wife, and a wonderful mother

If ever I need confirmation of the Lord's love and abundance
I can look to Ginger Clark, an angel God sent to live among us!
Happy Birthday, Ginger! May you know how special you are. . . not just to people that you love,
but the mamas that you've touched in internet world with your Titus 2 wisdom and example.

~Angela

What's your favorite poem?

	Shuck and Jive
	A Birthday Twirl
	Mom to Seven
	Better Than a Blister
	Spice of Life
	Long Ago in '74
	Roses Are Red
	Ginger Bread
	Angels Among Us

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Survey by Quibblo

A Kitchen Meme

How much can you learn about someone from their kitchen? My theory is: quite a bit. Take up the challenge of this meme and tell us about yourself through your kitchen.

Our cabinets are painted black and distressed.
-I like to decorate with touches of black and we're home improvement enthusiasts.
Kyle installed the tile counter tops, which I just love and he hates.
-Kyle's a hard worker and he really loves me!

I have a star collection circling the kitchen and an Americana theme.
-I love collections and I love antique shops. Better yet is to collect objects found while antique shopping.
This used to be the theme of Elena's nursery, then it was the theme of the girls' room. I finally decided that since we have 4 girls, we really should have some pink somewhere.
-I like themes and I don't give up easily.

Our kitchen table is also black and distressed.
-I like home improvement projects almost as much as Kyle. (I painted the table.)
-We eat all our meals in the dining room.

Here are the real stars of my kitchen: my precious crock-pots. One I bought for myself, one I found at a thrift shop, and one Kyle gave me this past Christmas.
-I love finding ways to simplify my life.
-I love a good bargain.
-Kyle knows me very well and he really loves me.
(Yes, I really do use all of them.)

My favorite cookbook - a compilation of all my favorite crock-pot recipes.
-I really do love crock-pot cooking, but you get that already.
-I also love scrapbooking, thus the reason I made a cookbook out of a scrapbook.

I took all these pictures right after Pedro finished his Monday chore of cleaning the kitchen.
-I'm a bit of a perfectionist.


What could we learn about you from your kitchen?
Tag, you're it!

Everything's A Bit Different in Africa

I received these pictures from a dear friend, who lives in and loves Africa.

Walkman

Capitol Hill Offices

Transportation

Ambulance

What were these guys smoking?? Poor goat!

It takes teamwork and a little human ingenuity to paint a swimming pool.

Notice where this electrical pole is located:

This picture was taken near Makerere University, Uganda:

Must be Zimbabwe:

I'm a Poet and Didn't Know It

I've just entered a limerick contest for the Oh My Dad! blog. It has to be a G-rated limerick about your husband, so here's mine about my beloved:

I’m blessed with a man named Kyle

Who leaves dirty socks in a pile

But he’s really good-looking

And he ain’t bad at cooking

So I’ll clean up his mess and smile

Think you can do better? Write a limerick about your man and submit it here.