Five Minute Friday

My second week at Five Minute Friday...

Today's word prompt is friend...

Ready, Set, Go:

It's ironic that today's word is friend.  This weekend I get to spend time with my dear friend.  But after reading the prompt, I wondered what makes her my dear friend.  

I decided that our adult friendships aren't always that different from our childhood friendships (and I am not talking about those tween friendships...we all know those can really be some doozies!)

Your childhood friend always wants to do what you do.

If you are building a sandcastle or playing dolls, they want to.

Your adult friends stand behind you too...supporting you in worthy cause or supporting the decisions you make for your family.

Your childhood friend will argue with you over a toy one minute and the next minute you are best friends again.  

Your adult friend can do the same.  You may not see eye to eye on a situation or concern but after discussion and disagreement, you are still friends and respect one another.

Your childhood friend won't judge you for your crazy style of dress or what TV you like to watch or music you like to listen to. 

Your adult friend won't judge you either even if she sees it's not for her.

Lastly, your childhood friend will be brutally honest with you if you don't like you did or said or how you acted.   So will your adult friend...she will tell you when you are out of line or have said too much or too little.  

And after thinking through these things, I realize this is why my dear friends are my dear friends.  They love me for me, don't judge no matter what and they tell me how it is.  I thank God for putting these ladies in my life.  

"A friend loves at ALL times."

Proverbs 17:17

Another First

Playing soccer, football in the backyard, climbing on roofs, climbing on top of swingsets, wrestling...yes, all of these things our older 3 children have taken part in but none have broken a bone...until now.  And it wasn't even one of the older ones...it was Jonas!  
On Friday while the kids were all swinging, Jonas thought it would be a good idea to walk right in front of the swings.  He got knocked down and fell just the "right" way to break his left leg.  We were in the ER that night until about 10.  He came home with a temporary splint but then they put on a hard cast this morning.  So here he is ready for summer!  He is doing great too.  He is learning how to get around despite the fact that he can't run or walk (poor thing, he just learned how to not too long ago!).  He has been sleeping great still too.  He just gets frustrated when he can't move the way he wants or climb the stairs.  Such a trooper!  
The kids have all been so sweet with him.  After it happened on Friday, they all wanted to pray right away and each took a turn doing so and have been praying for him each day since.  And I know God is hearing those prayers.  

This was the next day in his temporary splint.   Those few days were hard because he wasn't supposed to crawl, walk or put weight on it and he was trying to do all three.  At one point, he just threw his head down between his legs because he was so frustrated...so sad :(

Josiah was happy to help me with Jonas while he figured out to move in this thing!  I don't what the face is all about, it's his new face when we go to take a picture of him. 

Josiah making him happy of course. 

 Didn't take him long to figure out how to crawl in his new armor.

At this point, we are told the cast will be on for 2 to 3 weeks depending on his x-rays next week.  We are just thankful that he will heal quickly and doesn't need surgery or anything like that.  It will be a little tough but we will get through.  As I have told a few friends, in light of last week's horrific events in Boston, this is minor.  He has his limbs and we have the strength to take care of him.  We will keep you posted on how he is doing.  Thanks for all your prayers. 

Today I am starting something new.  As much as possible on Fridays, I am going to link up with Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Fridays.  The idea is to write for 5 minutes without worrying about editing, self-critiquing or anything else.  Just to write for the love of writing.  I have been wanting to get some more writing in just for fun and this seemed like a good way to start.  So here goes...

Today's word is "Jump"

Ready, Set, Go...

How many times have I told my kids not to jump in the puddles?  We are trying to get somewhere whether it be into the store, to co-op or simply back to our house.  "Don't jump in the puddles.  You will get all wet."  Yes, puddles are messy, wet, muddy and quite inconvenient. They cost us time because then we will have to change clothes.

But sometimes don't we jump in the puddles of life?  There are times when life is messy and we get all wet or muddy.  Sometimes we even have to change because of a puddle in our path of life.  

God uses these "puddles" to mold us and shape us into what He has called us to be.  He uses the "puddles" to grow us in Him.  These puddles can be a positive growing point in our lives even though we may see them as inconvenient.  
I pray that I remember this next time one of kids decides to jump in the with both feet!

Is there a puddle in your pathway right now?  Are you letting it shape and mold you?

Homeschool Days

Homeschooling this year has gone well for the most part.  It's been a whole new animal since schooling 2 kids.  I have run a classroom of 20+ children before...but they were all in the same grade.  This teaching at 2 grade levels has been a whole different animal.  We work on Science, History/Geography and Bible together but Language and Math are separate for obvious reasons.  So those times are a bit challenging.  And on top of that, I couldn't have 2 more different learners.  Caleb is very task-oriented and wants to just get it done while Josiah has allowed the novelty of homeschooling to wear off and could care less if we do any school at all.  There is a lot of prayer that goes into these days.  I have learned a lot but will be faced with the challenge again next year as we bring Hannah home for Kindergarten.
"God, please give me the strength and wisdom I need."
Yes, that has been my prayer as I look towards next year.  Homeschool convention is in a couple weeks and I am excited to check out curriculum for next year and to sit in the seminars to learn and simply be fed and encouraged.  Some days are wearing and it will be a breathe of fresh air to have this time with other homeschool families to learn and grow.
In March the boys took part in Mount Hope's Science Fair.  The 2nd graders were learning about ocean creatures so Caleb chose the Stingray.  He learned a lot and had to share his information at the fair.  I am amazed at the info. he retained and did a fabulous job of writing his VERY FIRST RESEARCH PAPER!  It was a great learning process...for both of us!

Kindergarten studied Antarctic/Arctic animals so Josiah chose to learn about the snowy owl.  He did a great job creating a snowy owl art project, writing down his learned information and working on his dioramma.  That was definitely his favorite part and he completed it all himself!  I was very proud of both of them.

Josiah loves to create so this project was perfect for him. 

Is this kid proud of himself or what???  He should be!

May the Force be with You

It's hard to believe but Josiah turned 6 in March.  His choice...a Star Wars birthday party.  I have to admit I am so not a Star Wars fan but learned a lot while planning his party.   There was Yoda Soda, Jar Jar Links in a Blanket, Pizza the Hut, Light Saber pretzels and so many more fun treats.  He had about 7 boys come and the idea was for them to complete their missions in their Jedi training.  You know, release Hans Solo from carbonite, save Princess Leia, go on an asteroid hunt and of course take part in Light Saber training.  By the end of the party, they were all Jedis and Josiah had such a blast (no pun intended, I promise!).  

I found this cute invitation idea on Pinterest and a friend help me make it happen.  They came out fun!

Ok, so I really liked the fun food names...especially the Vader Tators! 

Is this one happy little Jedi or what?!?! 

Storm Trooper Scoops and Droid Dip 

To release Hans Solo, we divided the boys up into 2 teams and whoever could release him from the "carbonite" (AKA ice) first won the game.  I didn't know how this would work because I knew giving 9 boys a bunch of sharp tools may not going over too safe.  But, the meat tenderizer did the job and there was only one minor scrape involved.  I didn't even have to bring out the warm water to melt him out!  I think they liked this one the best...I wonder why!  The original plan was for this game to be outside but since we had a snowstorm earlier in the week, that wasn't happening. 

Once Caleb's team got a hold of the meat tenderizer, the were determined and ended up winning the game. 

Happy Birthday Jedi Josiah! 

I am so not a baker so I was proud of myself for making these light saber pretzel.  Ok, no baking involved but still! 

I found this cool idea on pinterest and Dave made the coolest light sabers out of pool noodles!  The boys loved them! 

May the Force be with you Libby Family

It was a really fun party to put together and it makes it all worth it when you child has so much fun and enjoys every minute of it.  But then again, that's Josiah...a lover of life!  Thanks so my friend Kelly who took such GREAT pics of the day.  

Coming up...our recent Science Fair.