Friday Faves - Christmas Carol

Friday Faves: Christmas Carol

Even though it's not a 'carol' by most standards, my favorite Christmas 'song' hands down is "Mary Did You Know" by Mark Lowry (lyrics) and Buddy Green (music). It's not only a beautiful song musically, but the words are very powerful!! The very first time I heard this song was in 1995. My son played baby Jesus (he was just 3 months old - his acting debut!) and they sang this song as 'Mary' and 'Joseph' sat with my son in the manger. I cried then, and I still get teary-eyed now when I hear it. Here's a video of Mark singing it along with the lyrics. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!



Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you've kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb---.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great--I--- AM---.

OK, I admit it, I'm old!

I went to the eye doctor today for a routine exam. I have had the same eye glasses prescription since high school - over 27 years ago! So, I guess it was time that I had a change. The unfortunate part, is not that my vision is that bad...my right eye is actually 20/20, and my left eye is 25/20. It's that I have a real bad astigmatism in both eyes. Give me time and my eyes focus on things pretty well, but time is not on my side, so to read or see clearly, I need to focus quickly. So, my loving doctor said to me "happy birthday, here's your prescription for bifocals". (My birthday was a few weeks ago). So, does that make me OLD? It's not that big of a deal I suppose...many people have them, but hearing that I needed bifocals brought back memories of Grandma. Eek!!!

On the flip side though, I do have a prayer request. I have to go back in a few weeks for more testing. The doctor said that my reading for glaucoma is up a little bit. In other words, I could have glaucoma. I really don't want glaucoma (well, no one wants it) but I honestly feel I'm just too young to have to deal with eye drops, medicines etc. So...I ask for your prayers - that when the testing is done, that they find nothing wrong with my eyes. Thanks so much!!!

Where I've Been...

create your own visited country map

I've traveled to so many places, but when you compare it to the world map, it looks like I haven't been anywhere!!! In all I've traveled to and/or through 15 different countries. Oh would I love to take a whole year and travel the world...well...most of it! Europe is my favorite! My dear hubby wants to go to Tahiti. We both want to return to Scotland (we would love to actually live there!!), and I'd love to show my family where I lived in South Africa. I have to admit that there are certain places I wouldn't even dream of going...especially after seeing what they're like on TV shows like The Amazing Race...good show, but they do send the people to some of the most out of the way, unclean and dangerous places. It always makes me so sad to see how some people have to live when there's so much money being spent on trivial and unnecessary things. Heavy sigh...

SpeechEasy

I've been wanting to post all about Lionel and his new SpeechEasy device, but I just haven't had the time. I'm sure some of you are probably saying "What in the world is a SpeechEasy?" Well, let me fill you in on Lionel's background first...then you'll understand.

When Lionel was very young he stuttered just like any young child would...on and off now and then...no big deal. It went away and we thought nothing of it. Well, after a couple years, it started coming back slowly, yet it kept getting worse and worse. By the time he was 9 years old it was extremely difficult to have a conversation with him because he stuttered so much. I would often lose my patience and would be short with him - not on purpose, but out of frustration. (Don't worry, he knows that and I did apologize - every time!) It was around that time we began to search for some serious help.

Our medical insurance didn't want anything to do with paying speech therapy bills (typical) and they actually told us to bring him for counseling and see if it was mental. To say that it totally ticked me off is an understatement!!! Well, instead of going that route (since we knew it was nothing like that) we decided to contact the Stuttering Foundation of America. That was the best thing we did! Lionel began speech therapy at a local university where the master's students would work with him while the professors (and myself) would observe the whole session through a one way mirror. (Or is that a two way mirror?? I always get confused!?! Anyhow...they couldn't see or hear us, but we could see and hear them!) He has had therapy every week for an hour since then. He did improve a bit, but we found that when he was home, as the week would pass by, he'd get worse.

Long story short (sort of)...we were told about the SpeechEasy device, and that it would help Lionel's speaking - it would almost make him completely fluent!!! The device looks almost like a hearing aid. What it does is cause the stutterer to hear a delay, so it's like he is speaking with himself...pretty bizarre...but quite impressive!! There are 4 different models out now, but when we first called there were only 3. This past August I phoned the SpeechEasy company, and they told me to contact a specialist in NYC. I made a call that afternoon and was able to get an appointment for September. The good part about waiting those 3-4 weeks, is that the 4th model came out just before our appointment with the specialist! This particular model is less evasive in the ear canal, and less obtrusive...perfect for the pre-teen who soon will be hitting puberty and wouldn't want anything in his ear that may embarrass him. The device is extremely expensive, but for what it does...it's priceless!!! Lionel was evaluated by the specialist, and was found that he was the perfect candidate for it. When he tried it in his ear and spoke...I was speechless!!! He no longer stuttered like he was without the device. I had not heard my son speak 'normally' like that in years. It was amazing...words cannot describe the emotions I felt inside.

Getting fitted for the SpeechEasy...


Holding up the SpeechEasy device...


I bet you can't even see it in his ear!!!


Lionel and the specialist...


Needless to say...we ordered the device that day, and we were able to go back into the city and pick it up only 3 weeks later. He wears it every day faithfully and now speaking with him is a dream. Of course it's not a 'cure' for the stutterer, but it certainly does help. If you go to youtube.com and search for SpeechEasy, you'll see a few examples of how it works.

We are so thankful to God for giving the wisdom to the doctor who invented this device. He too was a stutterer, so he knew how important it would be. Lionel has not only improved in his speaking, but he now doesn't try to hide the way he talks. He was at the point where he was starting to clam up, get frustrated and we could tell his self-esteem was affected by it all. Now he will now order food for himself in a restaurant, talk to people he comes in contact with, answer the phone, and is a lot more social...totally unlike the 'old' Lionel. Praise the Lord for small miracles like this!!! He wears it with pride and is not ashamed of it which makes us extremely proud of him!

Kids...TV...and other 'Stuff'

Today was a day off from school, so Lionel had his best friend over for the day. They were pretty much out of sight...playing video games, board games, basketball, cars and anything else they could 'squeeze' into the 6 hours they had together (it's never enough time!) They had a blast! We broke for lunch around 12:30, but they ate so quickly so they could run and play more...we broke for dinner around 5:00, but again they ate quickly so they could get in one last half hour. Kids are just so funny!

Because Lionel had his friend over, Sweet-Pea was feeling a bit sorry for herself. She went into the living room, turned on the television and when I walked by to ask her what she was watching (yes, I do monitor their TV viewing!), she simply said "oh Mom, don't come in here to see what I'm watching. Rachael Ray is on and she's making pasta with salad and a chickpea appetizer" What?!? This girl is only 6 years old. She knew what Rachael was making. Before you ask...Sweet-Pea told me NOT to look at what she was watching not because she was being sneaky, but because she knows I personally cannot stand watching Rachael Ray on TV. She annoys the begeebers out of me!! I love cooking, but there's just something about the show that totally turns me off. I enjoy watching Paula Deen and the Barefoot Contessa, but that's about where I draw the line. Nope, I don't even like Emeril. BAM! There, 'nuf said? He went to culinary school with my husband and I've heard all I want to know about him. :::grin:::

ANYHOW...Sweet-Pea just loves being in the kitchen. She spent over an hour washing dishes for me. Of course I had to rinse all the soap off of them when she was done, but I tell you what...I've got the cleanest dishes this side of the Mississippi! ha ha She loves soap.





We also spent some time doing crafts, visiting my Dad in the nursing home, and just hanging out together - quality girl time. It was great. I hardly saw Lionel all day except for when he was passing by to go play outside, or at meal time. It was actually a nice break for us both. Spending all day every day with the kids is fun, but we do need time apart...it's healthy. I truly do love being home with my children though. I love teaching them school, and I especially love teaching and training them to love the Lord. Our morning devotions have been so much fun lately. We're using a devotional all about hymns, and since it's Christmas-time, we're studying Christmas carols. The Christmas Carols for a Kid's Heart book is on my bookshelf to your right....go check it out...I highly recommend it!

God's Creation

I thought I'd share a little video I put together of some macro photos I took....set to the Michael W. Smith song "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful." You already know I love photographing flower. There's just something so beautiful and delicate about them. God took the time to create so many beautiful flowers of all colors, shapes and sizes...we need to take the time and really enjoy His creation! Can you imagine how glorious the Garden of Eden must have looked when Adam and Eve were first living in it? Oh, to have a digital camera then!!! Take some time today to enjoy God's creation...

Saturday Photo Hunt #86 - RED

Flowers from my dear hubby!


Adorable humming bird eating from a red flower.


Taken at Chutters Candy Store - famous for having the longest candy counter in the world!

Why does it seem like where there's red...there's green??

Friday Faves - Holiday Tradition

Friday Faves: Holiday Tradition

There are so many wonderful traditions that my family has had over the years...cutting our own Christmas tree down at the local farm was one of our favorites. There were others...

Baking cookies together, especially my Gramma's secret Scottish Shortbread. You know the one... The-I'd-give-it-to-you-but-I'd-have-to-kill-you-after-so-why-bother-recipe.

Decorating the tree together...well...basically it was Mom sitting on the couch directing Dad to string up the lights a certain way while my sister and I followed him with the tangled up twisted mess...half of which didn't work (which we didn't know until after they were strung). The ornaments? Well, let's just say that they were old, hand-made or half broken...except for those balls with the hair hanging off of them. Whoever came up with the idea to string soft fabric over styrofoam obviously never had a real tree with real branches that would get caught in them causing them fray all over the tree. Eew!

Another tradition we had was with the whole family. My parents would invite everyone in the family (both sides!) over later in the afternoon on Christmas. Before the company came though, we would not only have to clean the house top to bottom, but would have to arrange every one of our gifts under the tree as neat as a pin so we could do the "hey, look what I got" thing as each of them entered the door. My parents weren't rich nor did they brag, so I'm not sure why they wanted to flaunt the gazillion gifts they bought us for Christmas....from the big fat Bonnie Bell lip gloss on a string, to our bean bag chairs, to the handmade hats and scarves we'd get every year. I think the gifts sat there for about a week before we were allowed to put them away in our rooms and play with them. Go figure!


What's up with those bulbs?!?


Yup, that's me in my big red vinyl bean bag chair - far out!

With that being said, most of those traditions are now gone. Smart decision huh? That last one was a tradition that I personally laid to rest!!!! We have made some of our own family traditions with our children...two of them really stick out in my mind...

We still cut down our own Christmas tree each year - it's a total blast and the memories we make are truly priceless! The best time to go is when there's snow on the ground, but it doesn't happen every year. We hike all over the rolling hills to find that 'oh so perfect' tree. When we do, Daddy and Lionel saw it down together. After putting it on the van, we go grab some hot cocoa and enjoy the wonderful surroundings for a bit before heading home.





The other 'tradition' we have in our family lasts the entire month of December. Beginning on December 1st (tomorrow!), we each write something down on a piece of paper that we're thankful to the Lord for on that particular day. We then put our papers into a stocking we so aptly call 'The Jesus Stocking'. On Christmas Eve, we have a birthday party for baby Jesus (complete with cake) and we open up the stocking. Daddy reads all the papers we put into it throughout the month. The kids especially love to hear all that God has done for us just in such a short time. It's encouraging, and it reminds us that God is always with us! He gives us so much more than we need, when all we truly need is Him!! He is the real reason for the season!

Traditions or not, I hope you make some very happy memories with your family this Christmas!!

My inner child

I just got back from Michaels (craft store) and as hard as it was to leave without spending a small fortune, I got out with just 2 small bags. (Yes, I paid for them!)

Anyhow...I have a stuffed bear that a dear friend bought me for my birthday a long time ago. We were out shopping, I saw him sitting all alone in a worn out chair, and being the emotional sap that I am, I melted! He is worn out and loved not only by myself, but by everyone in our family....this bear has a personality!!

I found this outfit for him at Michaels and just couldn't resist. So...without further ado...here he is sporting his new outfit....


"Ho Ho Ho...got any honey?"

If you give a kid a camera....

Ever read the book "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie"?

Well, this is what happens "If you Give a Kid a Camera"....

Lionel was chasing Sweet-Pea around the house. There were only about 25 photos like this one on the camera...most were blurry!


This is the face only a mother could love!! Ahh...boys...gotta love 'em!


Sweet-Pea found the timer button, so now she can snap photos hands-free. Oh joy!


I'm not sure what she was doing here...and I don't even think I want to know!


All I have to say is "praise the Lord for digital cameras"!!! They have a delete button, and it costs nothing to develop unwanted photos! Ahh...life is good.

What in the world??

The nursing home my Dad is in is approx. 3 miles from our home. On the way there, we pass a small woodsy area, and within that area is the grossest (is that a word?!?) looking tree we've ever seen. We weren't sure what it was, but we knew there was something growing on the tree. It took a few 'drive-bys' to realize that it wasn't an animal clinging on to it for dear life!! Today when we went out, I was smart enough to bring my camera so we could get a closer look.





When we got home, we researched it and found it to be a burl. Call me ignorant, but I had never heard of such a thing...that is...until I realized that burl wood items come from these 'funny growths' on trees. I have heard of burl wood...but never knew where it came from.

I found this on wisegeek.com:

"Burl wood is highly prized by artists because of its unique shapes and ring patterns. Burl wood is a type of fast growing, abnormal growth found on some trees. Burl wood grows because the tree has experienced some sort of environmental stress or damage. This is often caused by either a fungal attack or an attack by insects. The number of trees that produce burl wood is quite low....certain types of burl wood are more rare and prized than others."

So...the kids and I learned something new today on the ride to visit Dad. (See...you don't have to be home in a 'classroom' to learn things.) Now every time we drive by that tree, we'll know what it is that's sticking out, and we'll smile for being that much smarter!

It's still pretty gross to look at though!

Time to Play Catch-Up

The kids and I lost quite a few days of school due to my Dad's health issues, so starting tomorrow, we have to play catch-up. We started this school year in early August to get a jump start...I had planned to take the entire month of December off....but that plan didn't work out very well. God had other plans for us, so as it stands now, we will be working hard in school until at least the 21st of December. It's not a big deal really, but we had high hopes of having a LONG holiday break. We're only behind in a few subjects - not all of them, so I guess I shouldn't complain.

The hardest thing I'm finding is Lionel's history. We absolutely love reading the books that go along with the Beautiful Feet curriculum (Early American and World History - grade 8), but they take so long to read through together. The books we're reading through are:





These books are awesome, but the first 4 take so long to get through. I had Lionel read the first book alone, but he didn't grasp it as if we read it together and talked about it after every few chapters. So...we've opted to read the rest of them out-loud together, only I have to do most of the reading since Lionel stutters...a story which I'll share with you in a future post.

Anyhow, Sweet-Pea often sits with us when we read, so she too is learning quite a bit. Sometimes though my throat hurts so bad and I can't get through our reading of the day. I wish that I could find these books on cd so we could listen together instead, but I haven't been able to. Last year we read through a few of the G. A. Henty books (AWESOME reading!), but I was able to find those on cd here. It was easy to get through last year without taking oodles of cough drops and drinking gallons of herbal tea like I've been doing recently! Any thoughts?

Sweet-Pea has been improving in her reading (1st grade), but needs to work harder on compound words. She has a hard time figuring out where the first word ends and where the second word begins. She'll get it - I'm not worried! Both of the kids are doing fantastic in math...Daddy is a great math teacher!!!! Science is one of our favorite subjects. Sweet-Pea is still studying birds and is thoroughly enjoying every moment of it. She has found a love for birds that she never knew she had. She now recognizes many of the birds we see when we're out an about, and it makes me so proud that she's learned so much already. We're having fun with Lionel's science this month too - we're studying water. He's in Physical Science this year, but there's quite a bit of chemistry mixed in already. Phew!!

Well, it's time for me to get things ready for school tomorrow. The kids desk is covered with some of my 'junk' and I need to clean it up. We just added another cubical unit in our school room (thanks to Ikea!) which we had sitting downstairs in the playroom. I threw a bunch of 'stuff' on the shelves for now, but have yet to organize it. I don't do well with chaos, so until it's all sorted out, I'm probably going to be bothered by it. Here's a photo of what the big wall looks like now...if I ever get it cleaned up a bit more, I'll snap another photo.



I hope you all have a blessed evening! Today was my birthday and I had a fabulous day with my family!! They spoil me and I LOVE it! :::grin::: I also got to spend some time with my Dad which was wonderful. He didn't remember my birthday, but that's ok...he still remembers me, and that's what matters!!

Saturday Photo Hunt #85 - HOT

This photo just cracks me up. Lionel is such a ham!!