Free Computer Lessons

Last Friday, Evan asked to go to work with his dad. He took his school work and did it there at the cabinet shop. We had an old computer there that no longer worked, and Jer wanted Evan to take it apart to get a basic working knowledge of computers. He decided to search for some lesson plans, and found this:

Computer Connections on Kaboose.com. These are free for the taking and geared toward Elementary age children. Evan is is 6th grade and it was right on his level.

Enjoy!

~Linda

Mondays on Mothering - Moms Off Duty!

Tonight was our monthly Moms Off Duty - M.O.D. Squad - night with our local homeschool support group. I know that this Meme is supposed to be about the joys of mothering, but I believe that every mom needs a break now and then! One of the ways I keep my joy as a mother is to get out of the house by myself once in a while. Tonight we went out for Chinese and had a gift exchange. We exchanged something that we got for Christmas that we didn't need or want or something that we had around the house that we wanted to get rid of. We were not allowed to spend any money. I was able to get rid of something that, while I liked it, I did not have any use for. I came home with an adorable purse. The kind you would buy at the Christian book store, that I could never afford for my self. We had a great time of fun and fellowship. Everyone was able to get rid of something unwanted and everyone enjoyed what they received! After this enjoyable evening, I was able to come home feeling refreshed to my wonderful children who were waiting for me to come tuck them in!

Before I left, Evan said to me, "Mama, do we look funny or something, you keep smiling." "No," I said, "I'm just excited to be going out!"

What brings you joy as a mother? Join Amy for Mondays On Mothering to share!

~Linda

New Beginning

Wow, it's been awhile.


At the end of every year, I end up feeling as if that year was a bust! With the new year comes a new beginning, a new chance to "get it right." At the beginning of 2008 I made so many resolutions. I was going to be a better wife, better mother, better follower of Christ. I was going to exercise and eat healthy. Make and stick to a budget. The list could go on.


Well, I did not exercise and eat healthy last year. I did not make and stick to a budget, in fact 2008 was one of the worst financial years we've had in a while. It seemed as though we were always playing catch-up with our bills, and we're still playing.


I always have so many ideas for ways to improve myself, and I find I'm always thinking and hoping that when I accomplish "_________", things will be better. If I was thinner, neater, more organized, if I was kinder to my husband, if I yelled at my kids less, if our house was larger, if there was more money in the bank, then I would be happy, then I would be content. The truth is that if I cannot find contentment in my life now, changing my circumstances will not help!


So how do I become content? Is it a gift? Does it come naturally? No, it is learned! "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4: 11-13. Jesus gives us strength to be content no matter what. What we have to do is pray and ask for that strength.


So this year I've resolved not to make any resolutions. I don't want to come to the end of this year feeling like a failure. However, I am going to continue to work on the goals I want to achieve. Every year brings me closer to being the person I want to be, the person that God wants me to be. Every day gives me a new chance to be a better wife and mother, to make healthier eating choices, to exercise, to spend my money wisely, to learn to be content in my 3 bedroom single-wide trailer. Every day is a new beginning!

"No dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, I am focusing all my energies on this one thing. Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead." Philippians 3:13

~Linda

Homeschool Memoirs - A Thankful Heart

OK, so I know that Thanksgiving was last week, but there is always time to be thankful right? This weeks topic is 27 things we're thankful for. So here goes...

1 - Salvation through Jesus Christ
2 - My husband
3 - My children
4 - Growing up in a Christian home
5 - Parents who love me and put up with a lot from me over the years!
6 - My sister who loves me even though I can be really mean to her sometimes! :o(
7 - Friends!!!!!!
8 - A great church
9 - A roof over my head
10 - Clothes to wear
11 - Food to eat
12 - Computers!
13 - Air conditioning!
14 - Living in America
15 - My van that the Lord miraculously provided for us
16 - Chocolate (WOW, this is harder than I thought it would be!)
17 - The ocean
18 - Our camper
19 - Family vacations
20 - Mom's night out!!
21 - Date night!!
22 - Books
23 - Family traditions
24 - Music
25 - Fresh fruit in the summer
26 - Colorful leaves in the fall
27 - Cool weather!

Whew! I had no idea it would be so hard to come up with 27 things to be thankful for! There is still one day left for this theme! Are you up to the challenge??

Until Next Time,
~Linda~

Mondays on Mothering - Babies

I took an unintentional break from blogging for the last couple of weeks. I've been so busy, I haven't had time to blog!

I love babies! Who doesn't? Babies are so fun to watch. One of my favorite things about being a mother is watching my babies play and interact with the world around them. Now that Ben is crawling and into everything, I really have to stay on my toes. This child can be sitting sweetly in front of me on the floor one minute, and at the other end of the house eating legos the next!

He is so funny when he is exploring something new. First he looks and sizes up the mysterious object. He needs to decide if it's worth the effort to crawl to it...it usually is. Next he tries to pick up this new thing. Of course the next step in exploration is the taste test. A baby MUST know what something tastes like if he is going to take the trouble of playing with it. It is especially fun when we go some place new and there are so many more things to see and do!

Here's a sweet picture of my little man!

What do you love about being mother? Join Amy for Mondays on Mothering to share your mothering joys!

Until Next Time,

~Linda~

Mondays on Mothering - Random Thoughts

Here are some random things I love about being a mother!

~ Little sleepy heads coming out in the morning, rubbing sleep out of their eyes, climbing in my lap to cuddle!

~ Slobbery kisses from a teething baby!

~ Being great friends with my eleven year old son!

~ Little hands helping me cook dinner and sneaking tastes before everyone comes to the table!

~ Having my kids still think I'm "cool"!

~ Doing "girly" stuff with my daughter!

~ Sweet baby giggles!

~ Hugs!

~ Admiring Play-doh creations!

~ Having an excuse to color!

What do you love about being a mother? Join Amy for Mondays on Mothering!

Until Next Time,

~Linda~

Elizabeth's Birthday

My little girl just turned three! I can't believe how fast she is growing up! On her birthday we asked her, "how old are you?" "Free," she said! "How old will you be on your next birthday?" "Fifteen," came her response! HA! That is about the truth, three going on fifteen! Heaven help us! I wanted to share some pictures of her special day.

On her actual birthday, she wanted to go to our favorite Mexican restaurant "Arrierrierrieo." Actually, that's El Arrierro.

How old are you Elizabeth?

She's not sure about the big hat.

She's even less sure about the singers!

OK, this is just too much!

She was willing to give it a try, but she steadfastly refused to use the spoon and actually eat the ice cream!

She did share with Daddy though!

At her birthday party, she would not open the presents at first. She finally got into opening on the last two or three presents!

She loved the cake, but again, Little Miss Stubborn absolutely refused to blow out the candle! Daddy had to do it, no one else would do! The cake is supposed to be a Princess Castle. Some people thought it was a crown, but what the hey! It looked pretty and tasted great! She's holding a jewelry box that Evan made for her in his woodburning class. She loves it!

Happy Birthday Princess! I love you!

Until Next Time,

~Linda~