Warning - Full On Homeschool Blog Post

While I dream about the former, the later it a reality for our house.  

Hands on learning happens a lot, around here.  

And this is one reason we homeschool,
not for the 10 page history paper, but for the Solar Cooker :)

//jugglingpaynes.blogspot.com

I love it when a plan comes together - John "Hannibal" Smith

Well, It's been awhile. . . posting has not been easy these past few weeks.  God is making some changes in our family, and while they have not been easy - they are exciting.

My husband doesn't care for change, he loves normal everyday the same kinda structure.  Me . . .well remember I change the house around once a quarter. . .enough said.  So when God planted urgency in his heart and patience in mine - we hit the same point :) "I love it when a plan comes together" (yes we watch the A-Team)

God is pushing us out of our comfort zone,  pushing us outside what we thought our limits were.  And it is here, outside of everything that seems normal, outside of everything the world calls right, it here that we find God is more real than He has ever been before.  Don't get me wrong, God was a huge part of what we have always been, but here pushed outside of the box - God has no limits.  

"Quiet" time

Today started late.
The princess woke up cranky.
The dog refuses to go outside (too hot).
The dishwasher didn't get ran last night.
The boys don't have any underwear clean.
I will stop now, my list of irritations will quickly bore you. . .

But I have determined - the darkness will not win!

My God is bigger than my laundry, my cranky kids, my crazy dog, and my alarm clock.

I decided in the midst of it all, while the kids cried, the dog barked, and time clicked on  - I was gonna spend some time with Him.  Now it wasn't the "quiet" time, that I longed for.  But it was time with Him, time in the word, chapter from a Christian author, and cup of joe.  And I made it all happen right in the middle of the madness.  And now coming out on the other side, my day doesn't look so daunting.

Time will go on.
The princess will be cranky.
The dog will camp out in the laundry room.
I will run the dishwasher three times today instead of twice.
And I will do more laundry today than I planned.

And at the end of the day.

I will survive.

God gives me strength.

Smile for you :)

Math with my youngest . . .


http://www.babyblues.com/archive/index.php?GoToDay=2010-07-18

Chances are you have one too. . . 

Frustration has hit maximum - overload in t-minus two minutes . . . warning!

I know we have all been there -
Frustration has hit maximum - 
overload in t-minus two minutes . . . warning!  
Suddenly you find yourself pushed to the point past aggravated, past perturbed, right into total frustration.
The kind where you wanna throw your hands up and give in.
Let them win.
Let them have their way.

Then you remember - oh yeah I am in charge.
I set the mood here.
I decide what happens and what doesn't.

Then you realize - you get to pick how it all begins.
Are you thrown into the fire of it with no preparation?
Or have you spent some time preparing?
In others words - are you prayed up?
This seemingly simple event will make all the difference in the world.

I don't know if you will agree with me or not.
I have found, the more time I spend preparing with God before heading in - the longer it takes for me to get to - Frustration has hit maximum - 
overload in t-minus two minutes . . . warning!

The World's Largest Gummy Bear

So a couple weeks ago, we are traveling through Louisiana, on our way to VA for some grandparent time. The troops are getting restless and I really have no reason to stop.  Gas tank not too low, not time to eat, no one says they need to potty, we were all just kinda tired of being strapped in the seated position.

That's when I spotted it  -  A small little billboard in the middle of a field.  Years of weather had taken away its shine and thrill, but I could still read it.  "Next Exit - The World's Largest Gummy Bear" . . .  There is it was, our reason to stop.  Who could pass up the world's largest gummy bear?  What we found was a neatest little candy shop, full of vintage toys, and candy. . . and the world's largest gummy bear - all 6.5 pounds of it!  We spent 30 minutes shopping and looking, I reminisced and the kids laughed.  We entered the car ready for the next leg of our journey.

You know God does that for you.  When the road seems long and you feel trapped in your current position.  He has rest stops that allow you see, experience, and learn awesome things.  You just have to keep your eye out for the road signs.  They are not the big bright flashing ones - those are dangerous.  No, they are the small ones set there just for you.  To point you to a place and moment you can rest and recharge.  Chances are you will get to see and experience something amazing, while you are there.

God's like that . . .AMAZING!

Granola - Yummy!

Here is a homemade Granola Recipe.
It's from a friend at church.

Granola by Barb

6 cups old fashion oats

3/4 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup coconut

i blend mine in the chopper a few times so my family doesn't know it's in there :-)

1/4 cup sesame seeds

i have made with and without - sometimes i throw these in with coconut to chop to release a different flavor

1 cup chopped nuts

 i have used all kinds - peanuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, almonds, again i chop these fine - you can leave them in bigger chunks if you like

1/2 cup nonfat dry milk

2/3 cup honey

2/3 cup oil

2 tablespoons water

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

In a large bowl combine oats, wheat germ, coconut, sesame seeds, nuts, and dry milk.
Combine honey, oil, water and vanilla.
Add liquid mixture to dry mixture and stir well.
Turn into large shallow baking pan.
Bake 325 for 40-45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
Stir several times while cooking.
When cool, you can add dried fruit or chips. - I have used raisins, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, banana chips, and mini-chocolate chips at various times.  Sometimes I combine; sometimes they stand alone.
Store in airtight container.