Dinner 7/26 - 7/30

Monday: Left over tacos
Tuesday: Calzones and garlic bread
Wednesday: Asian beef stir fry
Thursday: Beef roast (crock pot)
Friday: Salsa chicken with cous cous

Freedom and the Soul

This is a wonderful quote from Whittaker Chambers (1901-1961) who was an American editor and writer:

Freedom is a need of the soul, and nothing else. It is in striving toward God that the soul strives continually after a condition of freedom. God alone is the inciter and guarantor of freedom. He is the only guarantor.

External freedom is only an aspect of interior freedom. Political freedom, as the Western world has known it, is only a political reading of the Bible. Religion and freedom are indivisible. Without freedom the soul dies. Without the soul, there is no justification for freedom. 

"for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever." 1 Chronicles 9

Hobby

Well because I've got sooooooo much extra time (note the sarcasm), I've decided to start making Ronni's bows. I got the idea at one of the many festivals around here where there was a woman selling bows for $12! Unbelievable! So I decided to just make my own. I found a website that shows you how to make them, and slowly I've been learning how to make them cute. Here are some pictures of a few of my favorites:o)

I also made her birthday bow:o) AND I've ordered some Dallas Cowboys ribbon to make bows for football season! LOVE it:o)

It's been too long

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted anything. C'mon Patti get your life together!

We had the kids' birthday party last weekend and it was a blast! We couldn't have wished for a better day. We had so many friends and family over! What a blessing! Here are some pictures from the party!

I just love the picture of Ronni with the blue balloon! It's hard to believe that Matthew is 3 and my baby girl will be 1 tomorrow! Can time slow down for a minute?

Wow! We've been soooooo busy!

Life has been super crazy lately. It's like we're always doing something! Here's what we've been up to:

Donny and Matthew had a day together at the Oakland zoo; just the two of them:o)

We spent a tourist day and drove around The Bay. We went to a windy Pier 39, ate lunch, and saw the Sea Lions.

We crossed the Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Richmond Bridge. Look there's Alcatraz!

The kids and I went to the Contra Costa County Fair. We saw sheep, goats, pigs, cows, and so much more. Matthew wanted to ride all of the rides, and he especially loved the roller coasters! He rode the dragon coaster four times in a row. And he got to pet that huge snake... oh yeah it's real!

We've also gone to festivals, parks, Chaddy-poo's Birthday, and just played around the house:o) We're really enjoying life up here!

Life is definitely never boring with our two kiddos. I can't believe that next month Matthew will be 3 and Ronni will be 1! Come visit us; there's always something to do!

God Bless America

For my birthday, Donny got me The American Patriot's Bible, which is so cool in so many ways! Today I ready an excerpt about Irving Berlin, the writer of the song "God Bless America". He was born in a poor Jewish ghetto in Russia, and his parents moved to New York when he was five. He wrote the song in 1918, and revised it in 1938 in response to WWII when the Nazis were threatening Europe. The song is a prayer for God's blessings and peace in his new home: America!

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God bless America, land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above

From the mountains, to the prairies,

to the ocean white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home.

Sibling Rivalry

With all the thoughts on homeschooling the children, I got a book called "Preschool at Home: What do I do with my Child before Kindergarten?" by Debbie Feely. Well I read it today (it's less than 50 pages and a super easy read), and the paragraph on sibling rivalry was really interesting, so I thought I'd share!

"Sibling rivalry is a concern for many families. My mother's tried and true method for dealing with five fussing children was to require us to sit together on the sofa until we were ready to be friends. I had Jeffrey and Robby (her two sons) sit on the entryway step. It rarely took more than three minutes for them to be laughing together. Timeout together is far more effective than separation. A child may fuss and squabble because he is hungry, tired, or just because he needs some loving attention. A snuggle on the sofa with a story, or a quiet time for him to share his heart are ways to restore your child to good humor."

What a different approach! Something for me to keep in mind as little Ronni is growing up and testing her brother:o)