On my mind - part 2 - A bible lesson

My last post was about Haven.  It is interesting how God weaves our lives in such a way that moments intersect at exactly the right time.  He certainly does it well :)

I am going through the bible systematically as to read the whole thing in two years.  Last year I read all of the Old Testament aside from Psalms & Proverbs.  This year I am in the New Testament and will get the P & P at the end.

So as I am reading the other week in Matt 16:23 "Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.""


And this verse just hit me anew (another wonderful thing that God does for us).  Always Id been hung up on the "get behind me Satan" part but this time as I read it I listened to what Jesus said to Peter - "You do not have in mind the things of God"  So I thought - how often do I only have in mind the things of men or, more accurately, selfish things for me?  How often do I look at a situation only to see what I can get out of it, not what God is intending.


Enter decision for Kinder for Haven.


I had it in my mind what I thought would be best (my plans) and allowed *almost* no room for something different (Gods plan).  The last thing I want to be is a stumbling block to Gods plan for not just my life, but for my childrens.  


So I am resigned (submitted) to allow for God best for my family and I know if that includes paying another year of preschool fees, then I know it will be worth it.

On my mind - Haven

Lately on my mind has been this whole transitional kindergarten thing and what is best for Haven.  When J started school I had my mind set on H going the following year to Kindergarten so they would only be 1 year apart in school.  I had so many good reasons for this.....one of which involves money.  I was ready to be done paying for preschool.

I talked with many people about Havens readiness, one of which was Justus Kinder teacher.  Not that she knew H but that she knew what was needed and her experience etc.  She adamantly suggested I wait to put H in since she would be so young.

I had also asked H's preschool teacher to keep an eye out because my thoughts were to put her in Kinder.  Who better to instruct me than her.

Then the whole idea of the transitional kindergarten came on the scene and I slowly adapted to that idea.  Haven could go to school (for free) with J at his school and be in a class of her true peers.  I finally admitted this was best and had resigned to it, even though it would mean J & H being 2 years apart in school.

But then it seems our wonderful CA govt wants to cut funding for it, which means no transitional kindergarten which means........another year of (pay for it) preschool.  Ughhhhh!!!

But God is teaching me.....that will be in my next post ;)

Best Time Ever! First Snow

We had the best time ever this past weekend at our friends cabin.  They were so nice to invite our whole life group - kids included up to their cabin in Shaver.  That is a big commitment seeing how there are 6 couples with 10 kids among us.  Wow!  One family did end up not being able to make it up so we ended up with 10 adults and 7 kids aged baby to Justus being the oldest at almost 6.  LOTS going on :)

Inside - nice and warm

Everything about this trip was great for us.  We ended up with a room that had bunk beds.  The kids were so excited because J has wanted bunk beds for forever.  That was fabulous.

Then Saturday morning it started to snow.  So not only did we get to see snow fall we got to go play in it!  This was the first time my kids have been in snow.  Our friends have the best set up because basically you walk out their door and the steep driveway is a perfect snow run.

We played all morning on Saturday - despite the fact that often the snow was falling pretty hard at times, then a little Saturday night.  Sunday morning we also got out for some fun.  LOVED it - LOVED it!!  The kids all had a blast.  My kids certainly did.

Heading out!

Everyone rode on the sleds and disks.  As the time went on the kids got braver, going by themselves or on their tummies, etc.  Soooooo FUN!

Checking out the snow - there was also lots of snow eating :)

Riding down the hill

Just as fun for the adults

Throwing a snowball

Haven by herself - so brave

J became king of the hill - he had a blast!

 We also made snowmen, snow angels, and had many snowball fights.

Havens snow angel

J in process

Justus snow angel

Havens snowman

J and me with our snowman at our feet.

It was the BEST TIME EVER!

Getting ready....

We are so excited!  We have been invited to go to the Cabin in Shaver.  We are extra excited because there should be SNOW while we are there!!!  We cannot wait!

So we are getting ready by trying on all our snow gear to make sure it still fits, etc.

Not a lot

Not a lot has been going on around here....just the same ol' busyness.  Working part time has taken some freedom away from me but I cannot ask for a better job and a better situation.

Weve been trying to spend time with family and friends...other than that, its just play time for the kids when its not school time.

The only recent pic I have is of me wearing the apron my good friend Tiff made for me.  Haven is helping me model!

A lesson in Rhyming words

Im thankful my children are smart.  Im thankful they like to practice what they are learning at school.  Im thankful they have great imaginations and often think of their own twist to things.

But then there are rhyming words.  The kids love to rhyme.

Justus the other night was rhyming words with "ducky".  I know you can guess what letter he decided to use.  And he used it.  Neil and I didnt want to place to big of an emphasis on it cause we didnt want him to keep doing it.  So we nonchalantly let him know to be careful what we rhyme because we accidently use words that are cuss words (we have already discussed what cuss words are, just not specifically which ones).  And we went on with our night.

Then......at school the other day, while I was helping out in the classroom, Justus decided to start his rhyming game again.  So all the kids got to hear him declare what rhymes with duck....twice!  Thankfully, the kids are still so innocent, none of them really picked up on it.  So I chatted with his teacher who then set him straight.

Hopefully we wont hear that again!

Welcome 2012

Happy New Year!  We had a great start to the new year by being in church and hearing a great sermon on Colossians chapter 3:12-17.

We celebrated last night by having some friends over for dinner and letting the kids run crazy.  We didnt quite make it to midnight, but it sure was a fun evening filled with some of our favorite people :)

Also, in my bible reading, I am finishing the second half of my journey.  In 2011 I read all of the Old Testament except for the Psalms and Proverbs.  I will complete that part and read all the New Testament.

Exciting times ahead....