God's Rewards

We had a great day working on our farm today. The sun was shining and the weather was just wonderful, so we decided to do some clearing in our woods. After a long day of dragging and burning brush, we walked to the top of the hill to return all of our tools to the barn and found two new additions.

We are so grateful that they picked such a wonderful afternoon to come into the world. Enjoy the pictures and be blessed!

This is Lilly and her new son and daughter Kramer and Elaine. (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

Shhhhhh don't tell on me....

O.k. so I think there is this "unspoken" rule among the great photographers that says you don't show your original unedited photos to ANYONE. But since I don't consider myself even a very good photographer, YET, and you all know how I feel about rules, I don't feel that this applies to me so here goes.

Shhhhhhhh........o.k. for those of you who don't have all that fancy editing software, a.k.a., me...I used the photo editing software that came with my laptop. You heard me the "l-cheapo" software by Microsoft. My challenge for myself was to edit all of my pictures taken during the I Heart Faces Photo Walk with my free software.

Now, do I realize that there is an abundance of neat stuff that can be done with above mentioned expensive soft wares? Well the answer is a resounding YES! But I am not in a place right now to purchase said software so here goes nothing!

Just for fun:

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So that's it folks. I'd love to hear your comments. Let me know what you think! : ) And I promise that next time I'll try not to wait so long to post.

I Heart Faces Photo Walk

So I was lucky enough to be able to make the trip to Nashville TN Sunday morning to go on the I Heart Faces Photo Walk. It was so much fun to meet and see so many other bloggers/photographers.

Not that I would even put myself in the same category as them as far as either goes. None the less it was great fun! Freezing cold but great fun.

I'm editing the pics now so hopefully I'll have them up this week. I am also not a great photo editor nor do I have all the expensive software to go along with it. But I do the best I can with what I have and I think that's just great, that's what Building on the Good is all about anyway, isn't it?

Here's a little preview of what I shot......

stay tuned!

Happy Valentines Day!!

I know it's not Valentines Day yet but I felt "lovely" today so Pink-Laptop and I decided to make our treats for our home school Valentines party. Later this week we are going to meet with all of our group and make Valentines for our Meals on Wheels friends and then hang out with our friends at the Waves center.

These little candy holders are so easy to make. Here's how:

First cut a piece of card-stock 6x6 inches square. Then score at 4" and then again at 2" turn paper and score again at 4" and 2". Then score the corners just to the first fold. Punch holes in the 4 corners, run a small ribbon through the holes gather around a sucker and voila your ready to fill with candy.


HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

My Ears Are Burning

Lately there has been much controversy and discussion among my Charlotte Mason friends about my use of Switched on Schoolhouse so I dedicate this post to them and to all of you out there in Cyber-Space who have questions about the dreaded "Which Home School Curriculum will I use Drama".

First let me preface this post by saying everyone is DIFFERENT! We all have different convictions and callings from the Lord. In order to truly follow what He has called us to do we need to fully trust in Him, keeping our eyes focused on Jesus and not the other runners in this race we call life.

I believe that the Charlotte Mason method is a wonderful way to teach your children, grow closer to them ,and spend sweet moments reading books that you may have never heard of when you were in school. I have loved these moments with my kids and they have continued through this curriculum change. There is no reason to ever stop reading to your children.

In my opinion, each of us at some point must determine to help our children become independent learners and show them what that means. My way of doing this has been through Switched on Schoolhouse.

Some of you may find this shocking but, I am not Super-Mom and I am happy to admit that I do need a little help grading my kids work, coming up with what they should study, and creating a lesson plan. Can I do this on my own? YES, I have for the last 5 years. Do I love that with Switched on Schoolhouse it is already done for me? YES!

Most articles I've read recently say deadlines are not respected by home school students at the college level. I find that very telling of what home school children need to be taught when considering the gaps that the anti-home school community speak of.

Has this been an easy transition? NO! Did I want to throw in the towel and quit many times? YES! But there are few times in my life that I can remember anything that was beneficial to my family being easy. In fact I don't know of many examples in the Bible, my road map for life, where a blessing was just handed over with no preparation before hand. God wants to mold our thinking. He is the potter and we are the clay.

Take this time to let Him mold you into the mother and teacher He wants you to be. It will not be easy but it will be rewarding.

Lastly, although Switched on Schoolhouse is a complete curriculum and you don't need to add anything to it you can combine it with the Charlotte Mason reading philosophy and have the best of both worlds.

Until next time, enjoy the journey!!!!

On a roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a great time making this for my nephew's 4th birthday. I think some of my favorite kiddos will be getting these for Christmas. : )

Go here to make one for yourself.

From My Kitchen Window

This is what I see when I look out my kitchen window.

It's the view I take for granted because I am usually washing the dishes when I look out. Sometimes I look out and I wonder why I get to be so lucky to have all that I have.

Then I remember singing a song in church as a child, "Count Your Many Blessings See What God Has Done", and I stand there in awe of how good He has been to my family and me.

I don't just mean monetary things either. I have the most wonderful, hard-working husband in the world. My kids are healthy and happy. My parents, sister, and in-loves live just down the street. My friends are always there when I need them. I am truly in the place I used to only dream of.

I challenge you to take a look at the "little things" and realize how great they really are.

God is good.