Fun Historical Field Trip

We went on another great field trip with our homeschool group this past week. We had to travel a ways to get there, but it was worth it! Since history is our absolute favorite subject, this was the perfect place for us...it was a visit to the oldest stone house in New England...built in 1639.

Here's a bit of history about the house: The house was owned by a puritan minister. It was built by the settlers who had help from the local Native Americans living in the area approx. 32 years after Jamestown and 19 years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth. They called their new home the plantation of Menuncatuck after the Native Americans who lived here.


Here is a view of the house from the main road.



Lionel & Sweet-Pea in front of the house.



Waiting to go inside the house - complete with notebooks in hand. They had a scavenger hunt inside...they had a list of items they had to find which were typical of the time period in which the house was built. They learned quite a bit!



Here they are standing beside the statue erected in honor of Rev. Whitfield, the puritan who came here from England to find freedom. He did end up going back to England once there was a new reigning King - one who favored the puritan beliefs.



Here is our group on the tour. Our tour guide was very nice (the lady in the green coat)...she was very patient with some of the younger kids on the trip.



Sweet-Pea on the very cool spiral staircase which led from the first floor to the second floor. There also was an attic full of great items, from clothes to weaving looms to war items.



This is the main hall of the home...this room was used as the kitchen and main living area. There was a drop down wall attached to the ceiling which would divide the room into two separate rooms if the need arose.



This was one of the bedrooms. There were 3 bedrooms on the 2nd floor. All of them were quite unique but fairly comfortable - as comfortable as one could be in the 17th century!!



Here is Lionel posing with the Revolutionary War uniforms...pretty awesome huh?!? He wished he wore his 3 pointed hat to the house, but we forgot to bring it.



Here are Lionel and Sweet-Pea with two of their good friends up in the attic of the home.



Yeah, this is Lionel acting silly - yet again!! He finds humor in everything, I love that about him! This cannon was actually used in the war of 1812...can't you just imagine hearing Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture playing in the background? ha ha


We had a great time on our trip today. There's something to be said about hands-on learning vs. textbook learning. My kids both enjoy seeing, touching and experiencing history rather than reading all about it the old fashioned way. We like to read living books which tell history in story form. Beautiful Feet curriculum is the way to go if you're like us!

You've Come a Long Way Baby!

Cody has really come a long way since we got him over a month ago. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but he knows we love him and we sense that he's 'at home' with us now.

Photo Hunt #104 - Glass

I've posted this photo before, but this is one of my favorite pieces of glass. It's a hand blown glass ornament with a handmade glass elephant inside. It was given to me the year I came home from living in South Africa. It's over 20 years old already and it's still in great shape - I just have to keep it far out of reach from everyone when putting it on my Christmas tree!

Friday Faves #16 Comic Strip

Friday Fave #16 - Favorite comic strip

I don't have any one particular favorite comic strip, but there are a few great comic artists out there. I prefer the Christian comic writers since I can relate to their funny ideas. Here are a few of my favorites...



Kevin Spear:




Reverend Fun:





Todd Wilson:


(Been there...done that!)

Thursday Thirteen #12

13 of my favorite catalogs

I seem to get quite a few catalogs in the mail these days. Some I just look at and throw right in the trash, some I put away for another day and some I actually look forward to getting in the mail! Here are 13 catalogs I do enjoy getting....

1. CBD (Christian Book Distributors)
2. BBC America Shop
3. Foster and Smith
4. Home Science Tools
5. Museum Replicas Limited
6. Beautiful Feet Books
7. Timberdoodle
8. Vision Forum
9. Discount Dance Supply
10. Spillsbury
11. Plow & Hearth
12. American Girl
13. Scottish Lion Imports

Isn't it amazing how at Christmas time our mailboxes get bombarded by every catalog company on earth?!? I'm sure if it were Christmas time, I'd be sorting through hundreds of catalogs trying to figure out what my favorite ones were...but these I get year round. Got any favorites I forgot to mention?? List them here in the comments section, I'll have to check 'em out...in my spare time, that is!

The Civil War....Risk....and Peanut Butter Cookies

The past few days have been quiet for us. Edward has been home sick from work with the flu (nothing too bad, mainly a cold type flu - but bad enough to make him weak and tired). We were supposed to go out for Lionel's birthday, but that was put on hold. Edwards birthday is coming up soon too, so we will celebrate them together now. We've been watching movies, playing games and hanging out together. It's been nice actually!

Lionel got a Risk board game for his birthday - something he's been wanting for a long time. He loves history and geography, so this was the perfect game for him. We just finished watching Gettysburg, and are going to watch Gods and Generals this week - can't wait. Buying him a Civil War hat for his birthday was a HUGE hit! He's already got a Revolutionary hat...hmm, what's next?!? Here he is sporting his new hat....



Well, today Lionel taught me how to play the game. He, Daddy and I played for hours, and still we're not done. It's amazing how quickly the game can turn though. This is my first time playing, but I have to say I'm creaming the two boys!!! I have defeated and conquered Australia and the surrounding areas, all of Africa and the entire Asian continent! Woo hoo!!! Lionel owns most of South America and Daddy owns all of North America and most of Europe. It's fun to watch them battle it out. The two of them keep fighting at the borders and they're totally forgetting I own 1/2 of the world! ha ha Here's a photo of the board so far - not a great one, but you'll get the point. I'm red, Lionel is blue and Daddy is green - hard to tell the difference between their pieces, but check out all that red!!!! (Yea, I'm just so humble tonight, aren't I?)



Since Sweet-Pea hasn't been able to play the game, she has been in the kitchen doing what she does best...baking cookies! She LOVES watching the FoodTV channel. I think part of Daddy has wiped off onto her...Daddy went to Johnson & Wales years ago and got his Culinary Degree - the same time as Emeril Lagasse...they were in the same class. Whoop-de-do! ha ha Anyhow...she has been so eager to get in the kitchen and bake, so today she made peanut butter cookies - all on her own! The only part I helped her with was putting the trays in the oven and taking them out when the cookies were done. We all enjoyed eating them after dinner...and boy were they good!!!





Have a happy day!

Dale Jarrett

I've always been a HUGE Dale Jarrett NASCAR fan. Lionel got me into NASCAR, and since he had his favorite drivers, I had to have mine. I picked the underdog. I didn't want to root for anyone that was too popular. I always thought it was good to pick someone who is respected and has high values and morals, so I picked Dale. Actually, there's more to Dale Jarrett than many people know - he was the 1999 Winston Cup Champion. Not too many men hold that title. He also is a born again Christian...which is better than winning any race! I will miss cheering him on in the races, but at least he'll be there in the announcers booth the rest of this season. I guess I'll have to retire my UPS Dale Jarrett racing jacket now...but I refuse to put away the model UPS truck and race car from my desk! = ) Here is a moving tribute that was made especially for Dale. We'll miss you Dale!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Lionel - We love you!

I can't believe that today our son turned 13!!! Wow, where does the time go? He's a teenager now. I am so proud to be his Mom and can truly say that God blessed us far more than I could ever have imagined!! Lionel has grown so much over the years, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually as well. We have seen him grow and mature into a young gentleman and although he has a ways to go, he is well on is way to being a true man of God!

Here he is through the years....

1995


1996


1997


1998


1999


2000 - Homeschool Kindergarten graduation


2001


2002


2003


2004


2005


2006 - Homeschool Grade 6 Graduation


2007


2008 - On his birthday with Cody (and his new very cool Civil War Union Cap!)


A note for my son:
"My dear 'Lionel', I am so glad God chose me to be your Mom. I am amazed at the way you have always been helpful to me around the house, and I am proud of you for reaching out to others. You are creative, loving and full of life! I love your sense of humor and I adore your smile - dimples and all!!! You are a wonderful violinist and although you need to practice more often than you do, you have been given a true gift. Use it for the Lord and enjoy it. You gave your life to Christ at a young age and have always tried to do what's right even though at times it's hard. I can't wait to see where God leads you. I pray for you every day and always will. Happy 13th birthday my son, I love you dearly!!!! Love, Mommy"

Friday Faves #15 - Flower

Friday Fave #15 - Favorite flower

I have to say that I really love all types of flowers...there aren't any that I dislike. God created so much beauty in this world for us to enjoy! My husband is always bringing fresh flowers home to me - something he's done that I've always appreciated. He always tries to include carnations in the bunch too!

If I had to pick one flower that is my all-time favorite, it has to be the carnation. It's a simple, yet elegant flower. For some reason I just love the smell of fresh carnations!! When we went to Scotland on our honeymoon, one of the castle's we visited was Floors Castle. They had a ton of carnations growing in their gardens - it was absolutely gorgeous!!!

I also love taking macro photos of flowers...I took the photo above with the 'Friday Faves' logo on it, along with these carnation photos. I have to admit that these aren't the best shots I've taken...carnations are hard to photograph!! Some of my better photos are of roses, wisteria and sunflowers...all of which I absolutely love too.

The next time someone brings you flowers and there's a carnation in the bunch, smell the center of it and see how sweet they are!!

Thursday Thirteen #11

13 of my favorite Bible verses

I wasn't easy choosing just 13 verses! There are SO many more that I love, but I managed to find 13 that are extra special to me. Here goes...

1. Philippians 4:6,7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of god, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

2. Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

3. Proverbs 3:5,6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths."

4. Romans 8:38-39 -“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is Jesus Christ our Lord.”

5. Ephesians 2:10 -"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

6. Hebrews 12:1-3 -" Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sun that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

7. Ephesians 4:32 - "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

8. Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

9. Micah 6:8 - "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

10. 2 Corinthians 4:18: "We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

11. Isaiah 55: 8-9 - “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, “declares the Lord. “as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

12. Philippians 4:8 - "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things."

13. Philippians 3:14 - "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Laughter Really IS the Best Medicine!

I received an awesome book in the mail from a dear friend the other day. It is entitled "Don't Stop Laughing Now!" by Ann Spangler and Shari MacDonald. I have always enjoyed a good hearty laugh. A sense of humor is not only good for your spirit, it also affects your physical health in a positive way!

I have to say that this book is one I hate putting down. The chapters are very short, so to me it's considered an easy read! Some of the contributors to this book include: Luci Swindoll, Chonda Pierce, Marilyn Meberg, Barbara Johnson, Mark Lowry, Dave Berry, Ken Davis, Nate Adams, Sheila Walsh and more! These people all have either written their own funny books, are are great inspirational speakers, and/or are hilarious comedians.

This book is a keeper for me. Many of the short stories in this book make me laugh out loud - not many books do that for me. Just the other day I was reading it in the bathroom (yes, I read in 'the library' - and don't even think of denying it - I'm sure most of you do it as well...it's the only place where a Mom can truly be alone for a few moments of peace and quiet!)...anyhow...I started laughing and the kids called me through the door, asked what was so funny and if I was OK.

So, if you need some sunshine in your life and a bit of clean Christian humor, pick up this book! You won't be able to put it down...at least not without laughing!

Happy Resurrection Day!!!!!

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia! 

May you all have a most blessed Easter!!