Telephone Booth

Remember the old telephone booth. We came across this at an antique store a few months ago. I believe my children asked what it was...

This Past Week

 Here is a snake that was accidentally killed while Brian was weed eating the garden.

 There are peaches growing on our tree.

 We have fresh strawberries from our garden.

 Our raspberry bushes are overflowing with berries. There is nothing like eating fresh berries everyday. These berries are delicious!

 Brian gave Jarrett a GI Joe haircut.

Shane is proud that he finished his Gamma math book. He has done amazingly well with his multiplication facts. He has pretty much mastered long multiplication problems. Word problems seem to be his stumbling block. I plan to go over word problems for the next 3 months until he masters them for the 3 grade level and then start him on 4th grade math. If all goes as expected, he will be doing 4th & 5th grade math while he is in 3rd grade.

A New Addition

We welcomed a piano to our home in March. Brian pick it up while the children and I were in California. We purchased it from an older lady that used to play it. Her parents bought it new for her when she was 18 years old. She said it was purchased in the 1950's. I think it is beautiful! The wood is mahogany. Carissa's piano teacher actually found this piano for us and told us about it. I am glad we held out until we found the right piano and for the right price. Brian thinks it is worth more than what we paid for it. I think he is right from what I have seen online. Well, now we have to get it tuned and the inside dusted.

I Will Miss My Grandparents

Here are my grandparents before they were married. I think this picture was taken around 1944.

A Home School Article

My good friend Liz Nieves is now a published writer. Yippee! Here is her 1st published piece. I hope you enjoy it.

I am so proud of her. Her article really ministered to me and maybe it will to you too. Take a look.

Congratulations Liz!

Home Again

Hello everyone! Yes, I have been away for awhile. I was on vacation from March 3rd-April 29th. I was in the state of California visiting family and friends. I will be posting some photos of some highlights of our trip in the next few weeks.

My grandfather pasted away on March 9th and I got to talk to him before he pasted away. My family has been through a lot this year. I am still trying to adjust to being back home.

Talk to you soon.

A Mother's Job Description

No job on earth takes more physical, mental, social, emotional,and spiritual strength than being a good wife and mother. If a woman is looking for the easy life she might try teaching tennis, cutting diamonds, or joining a roller derby team. There is nothing easy about good mothering. It can be back breaking, heart wrenching and anxiety producing. And that's just the morning.


Stephen & Janet Bly (from the book Feminine Appeal)

I am reading the Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney. This is a very good book and very inspiring. I plan to read it again once I finish it. This is one of the few books that have ministered to my heart.

Roller Skating

 Here is Jarrett learning how to skate.

 Even Brian enjoyed himself.

Here are some pictures from last Sunday, during Family Skate Time. The children really enjoy skating. Jarrett actually was getting the hang of it by the end of our skate time. I think I may have to give it a try next time.

Update on Carissa's Scoliosis

Carissa had an appointment with the doctor earlier this month. Her scoliosis is progressing and is now at 70 degrees. I have not been happy with the current treatment that past few years. I feel the doctors have lacked in teaching her exercises from the very beginning. The brace that she is wearing is obviously not working.

I would like to try different treatment from the Clear Institute. It is very intense. I have contacted one doctor but I want to actually talk to some patients that went through this treatment. Here is a website with some information about treating scoliosis.

The doctors have told us that she has about another year left before she stops growing. This means we really want to lower the curve before she stops growing. We need for her spine to de-rotate and straighten out as much as possible. I don't want her to lose movement in her spine or fluid in her discs. I don't want Carissa to suffer with back pain as she gets older. Right now she has constant headaches, fatigue, and lack of energy. The doctors have said that it is because the high degree of the curve. This high degree curve can cause decreased oxygen and lung capacity. Which means it causes permanent lung damage. You should see her x-rays!  The doctors have said that she has a very aggressive form of scoliosis.

Please keep Carissa in prayers. We want her to be healed.

Also, pray for my husband that he will be in agreement with me on this. I know that this new treatment will be very expensive but it is worth it. Insurance will not pay for this treatment. You really cannot put a price tag on health.

Uncle Johnny

 Here is a life that has been lived for 55 years. Yes, he had handicaps but he was deeply loved by his family. His family will miss him terribly. He grew up being the youngest of 10 children. I would say that he was taken care of through out his life. He made us laugh with his funny quirks and jokes.

He passed away on February 11th, 2012 at home surrounded by family. Our family was aware that this day was coming because of on going heart problems he had. His heart was only working 11 percent at the end.

I know that I will see him in heaven someday. In heaven he will be whole without any of his handicaps. He believed in Jesus Christ and constantly talked about heaven and Jesus at the end of his life. He knew where he was going because he would say, he wanted to go home in heaven. He was ready to leave this world.