Praise God - Thanksgiving!

I feel so blessed as I sit here to post my thankfulness to God for His blessings on me. . . .

Take the time to reflect and then share what God has done.

May God bless you and yours with a lovely Thanksgiving tomorrow.

~~~~~

THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR BLESSINGS ON ME

(a good song)


1. The world looks around me as I struggle along
They say I have nothing, but they are so wrong.
In my heart I'm rejoicing, how I wish they could see
Thank You, Lord, for Your blessings on me.
CHORUS:

There's a roof up above me, I've a good place to sleep.
There's food on my table, and shoes on my feet.
You gave me Your love, Lord, and a fine family.
Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings on me.

2. I know I'm not wealthy and these clothes are not new,
I don't have much money, but Lord, I have You,
And to me You're all that matters tho' the world may not see.
Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings on me.

Small Fryday Contest time - hosted by MCKMama

What a blessing this fellow blogger is to me, and I am excited to enter her contest that she is hosting on her blog: http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ I have been witness to the power of God in this family, and I enjoy reading of the miracles He is still unfolding in their lives day by day. (I have their button at the top of my sidebar also.)

Pay her a visit and be blessed!

This post touched me. . . .

Read it here in it's entirety and prepare to be blessed like me.

Starting the homeschool train!

We are so loving this homeschooling thing. Since making the decision to jump off of the treadmill of "normal life and expectations" a few weeks ago, our stress level as a family, and mine as the mother, has lowered tremendously.

That seems like an impossibility since I have taken on MORE responsibility and have less free time being a full time wife, mother, homemaker, homeschooler, and teacher of 100+ online students. . . but I think I have a peace in knowing that I have made the best decision for our family and I LOVE what I am doing every day. I love having my kids home with me and I feel blessed being able to invest the best of myself into them all the time.

Don't get me wrong - things aren't rosy and perfect, and we are not all beautifully living in harmony 24/7, but we are growing together as a family - and I am loving that so much!

I wish that I had more time to share what has been happening - but I am especially thankful for being given this chance to homeschool and wanted to share this as a "thankful " post. I don't take one minute for granted!

From a light-hearted post to a heavy one. . . .

I haven't written much by way of response to the election; I have been processing it for a few days and been too busy to post. Usually my blogs don't delve into controversial topics, but I was reading a blog written by my friend Trista, that really opened the floodgates of emotions for me.

I am including my comment left on her blog below since I really shared my heart - and I felt like I could also share it here. You don't have to comment, but if you decide to, please remember to be respectful and aware that I have sensitive people who also read my blog. Thank you.



Trista - You have hit a nerve with me today and have really encouraged me to speak out on a topic that is near and dear to my heart - for many reasons.

I have never been able to understand the "logic" of a profession that will take any step possible to protect and *save the life of an unborn BABY* (prescribe medications to save a pregnancy/administer NICU procedures to keep a preemie alive/perform life-saving surgeries in and out of the uterus, etc.) - and then on the other extreme do whatever it takes to ENCOURAGE and snuff out another life (or as these precious babies are also called, "the products of conception") *at the same level of development* - My mind cannot comprehend what these doctors, nurses, and other professionals are thinking. I also can't understand how much they may be motivated by *money* to murder rather than save lives.

I know that they are motivated to save or not save life based on many factors - such as the wishes and viewpoints of the parents about the pregnancy for example- but how can they not see the lack of consistency on their part? Is all truth relative? Is there such a thing as truth anymore?

Having a special needs child is life-altering; dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, carrying and then delivering a baby may not be in someone's plans; multiples are risky - - - but life is worth saving, no matter the cost. Of course that is my conviction, but I have had to talk this walk myself on some level or another and I don't regret choosing life.

I read something the other day talking about how many famous and note-worthy people would have been aborted for convenience sake if it had been legal in that time of history. Beethoven was an example. (Where would this world be without his music?!?!?!) My mind reels thinking of so many potential lives that have been needlessly sacrificed on the altar of abortion. I know a couple who 3 months before their large Catholic wedding made a decision that haunts them to this day. . . . Both of them live with such regret to this day knowing that they cared more about their reputations than their firstborn child.

I have also been through a D&C for a miscarriage - and I am so haunted by the procedure myself, even after almost seven years. The impact on a woman's mind and emotions, not only her body, is beyond words. My heart aches for women who have undergone this procedure and for their precious children taken so soon. . . . vacuumed and scraped from the "safe" place in their mommy.

I am rambling here, but this post made me realize I am also mourning the election of a man who will not seek to protect the lives of all Americans - born and unborn - I literally get chills thinking about the policies he will set into place that will not encourage taking responsibility for our actions or providing incentives to place these beautiful children with potential adoptive couples longing for the child they can never have. . . . The lists of these parents are MILES LONG!

The children aborted since the 70's would be here now working and helping to save the Social Security crisis - another weird fact, but as a politician, he might appreciate that. So much potential for life and creativity that only God knows the depth of has been taken from our society before it was time. . . .

I am not bittered but broken in my spirit that our future president is not Pro-life. I will be praying for him and the others who have the power in this country to reverse our very own Silent Holocaust taking place every day in clinics and hospitals around the country.

Thank you Trista for taking a stand for life. I am taking your hand and professing that I am with you in praying for and respecting our new President as our leader, but all the while praying and beseeching God to spare our unborn children.

God have mercy on us if we remain silent.

Bloggy quizzes - for comic relief and in honor of my anniversary!

I needed to take a break from working this afternoon, and my real-world friend Traci, from high school(!), had a fun quiz on her blog today.

I decided to try out a few just for laughs! They were pretty accurate, although I don't claim to be a perfect wife! (I'd like to be though. . . . :0)

Your Dream Engagement Ring Has a Round Diamond!

A round diamond is classic and timeless, just like your style Your diamond will always look with the times - and goes with everything Of all diamonds, round diamonds show the most sparkle They are often chosen by sweet, dependable women who make marriage their #1 priority.

(I never recieved an engagement ring from my precious DH, but this is what I would have picked out!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You Would Be a Good Spouse 95% of the Time

You have what it takes to be an amazing wife or husband. You are caring, patient, giving, and romantic. You are willing to work for a marriage. More than anything, you're not about to let your ego ruin a relationship. You are humble and unselfish. And that's the key to being a good spouse.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You Are a Blueberry Muffin

You are a nurturing, domestic, homey person. Of all the types, you are the most likely to make your own muffins at home. You don't like to rock the boat, and you're most content when you're making everyone else happy. You are very loyal. You'll defend your family and friends, even if you secretly disapprove of what they're doing. You tend to be a bit shy and withdrawn. You don't make friends quickly or easily. But once you do make a good friend, the chances are high that you'll be friends for life.

Isn't that funny? I am a Blueberry Muffin! Who would have known? Makes me want to bake some now! LOL! My DH's favorite one is blueberry too!

I would like to be my hubby's Prairie Muffin though!

~ Have a super weekend! ~

Happy Anniversary Dear One

This week my husband and I will be celebrating our seventh anniversary. I can't let this time go by without telling him again how much I cherish and love him.

I love you sweetheart - my love - my soulmate. Our love on earth will only be matched by our love in heaven.

Forever and always, I'm yours.

XOXOGinaXOXO

First day of school tomorrow. . . . :-)

So, we are crossing the gangplank to embark on this "new" journey of homeschooling full-time! I am so excited to be able to follow God's leading of our family into this area. To be honest, I am only going from part-time homeschooler to full-time. It's just a tiny step, right? :-)

I felt led to follow up to my last post also. Those of you who are my readers, I want to let you know that I do not consider myself a "super-christian-homeschooling-mom-better-than-the-rest-of-you" with all of the answers - Far - from - IT!

Even though I am a trained teacher and currently teach High School English online, I feel inadequate to walk this path when I consider the responsibility I am choosing to take on. . . . . but then I remember the verse that promises that the Lord will be with me, and I know that I am going to be OK and that my kids are going to thrive learning at home. It really is the best thing for our family.

I don't know what the future holds for us, but I am at peace knowing that God is leading the way and will be faithful to show me (and Randy-Hubby) where we should go in this big step.