08/31/09

I love these cactus shots! These were the cutest cactus!! :) Again, click to view more detail.


Busy, crazy, busy day. Papers are waiting for me.... :) I'm letting Steve experience homework tonight. hee hee

08/30/09

Pretty pink flowers... again, do not know what kind. Love the rain droplets on them.



We played the Wii this afternoon... a new racing game that we rented. I am very inept in the racing department. At least we had a lot of laughs!

Here is another thought for today:

"Most people suffer poor health," the old saying goes, "not because of what they eat, but from what is eating them!"
Years before science linked healthy bodies and minds, Solomon wrote that humility, reverence, and righteous living would result in physical health. The grocery store newsstands abound with magazines to promote a healthy lifestyle, but how many of those consider a person's spiritual well-being?

Feeling stressed? Cast your cares upon the One who cares for you (I Peter 5:7).

Exhausted? Run to the One whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light (Matt. 11:30).

Worried? Place your concerns in Jesus' hands and trust Him to meet your needs (Matt. 6:25-26).

-Angela Elwell Hunt, Women of Faith Devotional Bible

08/29/09

Another cactus... click to see better detail.


Busy day for a Saturday! Cleaned this morning, went to see Julie and Julia, the movie, with a friend early afternoon (awesome, by the way...), went to a friend's house and photographed antiques, then went to Mom and Dad's tonight to celebrate Steve's birthday. I now need a day of rest. lol

08/28/09

Not sure what this is, but I love it. :) Click on it to view more of the detail.


Whew... made it through week two. I am thankful it is Friday! We are off to run some errands and enjoy some family time.

Here is a thought for you today from a devotional:

"It has been said that the removal of small stones which frequently encumber the fields does not always increase the crop. In many soils they are an advantage, attracting the moisture and radiating the heat. In one experiment, the results of removing the stones were so unfavorable to the crop that they were brought back again. We often cry to God, as Paul did, for the removal of some thorn in the flesh. Later experience teaches us that it was better for it to remain."

Your strength, my weakness -
here they always meet,
When I lay down my burden at Your feet:
The things that seem to crush will in the end
Be seen as rungs on which I did ascend!
Thank you, Lord.

08/27/09

Day lilies anyone? This red was so vibrant and beautiful... I just love day lilies. This is the flower I was photographing that day when Wesley got his finger caught on the cactus. lol :)



Happy Birthday to my sweet Steve today!!!! We're celebrating by going to Krispy Kreme tonight... his choice.... wonder why? hee hee :)

08/26/09

In photographing the cactus that day at the nursery, I found that I fell in love with the way they look. Here is just one of many I took that day.... more to come later, of course.



I have not gone out to photograph much of anything since school began in full force. Have I already mentioned that?? lol If so, I am sorry. I am finding I need some photography time and am thinking I shall work on that this weekend.... I need to feel the camera in my hands.... so therapeutic to me.

Off to review spelling words and Bible verses with two children of mine. :)

08/25/09

Here are a couple more things from that local nursery area. (I have lots of pics from there, just so you know....) I don't know what the first picture is, but the second one is a type of fern. I love how the frond is unfolding.


An eventful day... I won't "bore" you with all of the details, but I am thankful to the Lord for some answered prayers. I am thankful for my family who would do anything for me. I am thankful for my friends who care so deeply. :)

08/24/09

I'm not sure what this plant is called but it surely looks interesting... Anyone know?


I read this in my devotions last night and it was a balm for me. I wanted to share:

Psalm 61:1-3
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

Many days of our lives will be lived in the land of the overwhelmed. There will be times when we are engulfed with heartache, overcome with fear, and devastated by the happenings around us. When depression hits us full force, the only One we can cling to is God. David was at such a point in his life when he penned the words in verse 2.

David was no doubt driven from his home by Saul or Absalom when this verse was written. His tender heart was troubled. The word overwhelmed here tells us that grief had wrapped his soul like a garment. His hope and courage were failing, but still, he had a godly response to the dismal developments in his life.

Being human brings days of trouble, anxiety, and grief. Even our Lord was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). The disappointments of life were not meant for our ruin but for our strength. David was made strong by his heartache. His wrestling with pain fitted him for the throne. And so our battles in life fit us into the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29).

David knew the secret of overcoming soul distress. He said, "lead me to the rock that is higher than I." This is an admission of his human frailty. He is too weak in himself to climb out of this pit. But than God there is One higher than David, One more powerful, One who is the answer. When we are hurt, what we need to do is follow the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit to the Rock. God is not overwhelmed with trouble. He once walked this earth as the Son of God and was tested like us, but never failed.

God is that "rock" that is higher than the floods of life and unharmed by its flames (Isaiah 43:2). We must learn to flee tot he shelter of the Rock and protection of His wings.

The answer for heartache is to cling to the Rock. Our God understands what we are going through and knows how devastated we are. He will help us.

Our mighty God gives us eternal protection.

08/23/09

This bee was hanging on as he grabbed up some pollen. I love the purples and greens in this shot. They are my two favorite colors, you know. :) Click on it to see its details.

08/21/09

I don't know what this plant is, but I thought it was interesting. I honestly don't know if it used to have petals and they fell off, or if it grows like this. You really need to click on it to view the focused area on the left better. It has touches of color in all of that green. Can you tell what those touches of color are????? :)

Here is a poem one of my friends sent me today. I thought it was good... reminds us that we aren't perfect but we're forgiven. Glad we made it through the first full week of school....

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER

By Maya Angelou


'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'

When I say.... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean living;'
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say.... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou;
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as pretty does... But beautiful is just plain beautiful!

08/20/09

More moss today.... have you ever really looked at moss closely? It is amazingly detailed and "stiffer" than I thought. I always imagined it to be like "carpet." I also found that there are different kinds as I was photographing.


The days at school have been so busy. They have been good, though. Let me just say that I realized when I took my kids out for carpool line at 3:00 that I had not seen myself at all today. I saw my reflection in the doors and realized that was the first time since 6:30 this morning! That means, too, that I had not had a chance to go to the bathroom today... does that tell you how busy the days are?

08/19/09

Pictures of moss today... (you may want to click on these to view them larger and see more detail of the moss...)

Wesley had his last speech class today. His teacher said he has done remarkable and can do whatever needed on his own now. Out of the thirty words and phrases he had to say to her over the course of the time he said 8 correctly the first day and all thirty correctly today. It has been a great accomplishment!! We will miss his speech teacher... she was awesome. We gave her a "thank you" gift and hugs before we left. Wesley is really going to miss her... he became quite attached. I am amazed at how far he came in just two months!

08/18/09

These were at Fort Fisher at the beach. I went there when I was about Wesley and Mikayla's age and only remembered the old anchors. I didn't realize this fort was one of "sand dunes" piled up on underground walkway areas. We learn something every day. :) If I remember correctly, this was the last fort to "fall" during the Civil War. Wilmington, NC was quite the happening place during the Civil War because they were still able to get cargo/supplies through since the fort was at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Too bad it fell..... Of course, we all know what happened at the end of the Civil War, but we southerners can dream can't we? ha!

08/17/09

All of these were very difficult to photograph so not the greatest, but look at the size of those lobsters!! Talk about lobster for supper... you could make MANY meals out of THAT! lol (If only I LIKED lobster.) I don't remember, but I believe this first picture is of a reallllly large hermit crab. lol (I may be wrong, and if so, Kevin will correct me.)


Whew... first Monday of school. I survived and I think the kids did, too.

Off to get ready for tomorrow.

08/16/09

Just some jellyfish today.... they were all in the same tank. They are beautiful to watch.

08/15/09

Here fishy, fishy.... NC Aquarium.


Have you ever noticed that when something hard comes along in life how quickly it is to take our focus off the Lord and put them instead on our circumstances? I am talking to myself about this more than anyone!

Some days I feel like Peter when he and the other disciples were on the boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had been up in the mountain praying until the wee hours of the morning and he saw that a storm had come up on the sea. He already knew the reactions of his disciples before it even began, but he stopped what He was doing and walked to them.

He walked on the water to get to them. He loved them that much that nothing was going to stop Him from being near them.

I have always taken for granted that Jesus walked on the water. I know it is a part of the childlike faith I had as a child when I first learned that from the Bible. Now as an adult I begin to view that through different eyes.

The disciples immediately think it is a ghost when they see Jesus. They begin to panic and then Jesus tells them to "Be of good cheer; it is I, be not afraid."

Peter, doubting a bit still, asks if he could come out on to the water and Jesus bids him to come. Peter was fine as long as his eyes were focused on Christ.... he, too, walked on water!! Once he took his eyes off of Christ and began to look at the tumult all around him is when he began to sink. When he cried out as he was sinking, again, Jesus was there. The Bible says He was there immediately.... stretching forth His hand to catch Peter. He then asks Peter why he had so little faith that he doubted.

Aren't we just like that? I know I am. I immediately think the worst when "storms" blow through my life. I take my eyes off of Jesus... I stop praying, I stop reading His Word because I become consumed with the "storm" that is around me. That is the exact opposite of what the Lord wants... the exact opposite of what we should do!

Oh, Lord... help me in my unbelief. Help me to cling to you... hold to your outstretched hand.

Here are words to a song I listened to today. It was something I needed and somebody out there may need them, too.

Hold On
Jesse Dixon

If you feel today that you can't make it
Keep holdin' on, cause you can take it
If you hold on a little while longer
Hold on a little while longer....

If you feel its raining all in your life
And day by day, there's nothin'
Nothin' going right
Just hold on a little while longer
Hold on a little while longer...

You gotta hold to His hand
God's unchanging hand
You gotta hold to His hand
God's unchanging hand
You gotta build your hopes on things eternal
My God will never let you down.

Weeping may endure for the night
But if you trust in Jesus
Everything's gonna be all right
Just hold on a little while longer
Hold on a little while longer....
Hold on
HOLD ON

08/14/09

Here are a few more pics from our beach trip... these are at the aquarium. :)

Steve... he cracked me up....

Well, hi there little guy... just don't come into my house!

If I remember correctly this is a Loggerhead Sea Turtle. He was about 11 months, I believe.

For it to have been a half week of school with the students it has been long. lol It is always that way because there is so much to help them understand. I think it went quite well, though. Glad it is the weekend. I think I'm going to go hit the couch.... the house will eventually be clean again.

08/13/09

A few pictures from the beach... I realized I never showed any of them. Will do better. Still need to get yesterdays pics on here from first day of school... that will come in time.

Wesley found a "sand flea"... a bit like a mini lobster without pincers and such... and he kept him for a while in his bucket. He just loves all critters.

Second day of school... full one at that... and we all survived! I thought it was a good one. Unfortunately, the grading of papers is back with a vengeance. lol

I found out something today.

I actually like/don't mind lightly salted rice cakes.

(You may think I am a bit crazy for that.... but at this point in my life I am finding they are absolutely scrumptious. lol :) )

OK... I need to brag a moment. I am bragging on my sweet Steve. I know I have said many times how blessed I am to have him, but he really is awesome. I have watched him stand by me and with me in some tough moments these last few weeks and I have been amazed. Amazed at his compassion, amazed at his support, and amazed at his love for little old me. I have always known he was wonderful, that is why I married him, but he proved the saying that love grows better with time. I am so thankful to the Lord that he is mine. He is priceless to me....

This was taken on the river front in Wilmington by Wesley - our half pint photographer. :)

08/12/09

A lovely small flower from a local garden area.

The first day of school went really well. It was fun to watch their little faces try to figure out all that they needed to know. I know it is so over-whelming at first because they have so many rules and expectations going at them at once, but I was tickled to see how quickly they caught on and worked for me.

When the day was over and I had a moment to sit back I thought "Well, 1 down and 179 to go..." lol I can see I am blessed with a lot of support from my parents and that is amazing.

Wesley and Mikayla had a good first day. Mikayla was more excited than Wesley... I think he was a bit overwhelmed himself. There is a lot of new expectations for them, but if they take it one day at a time I know they will be fine. I asked them both if they wanted to help out with a small part of traffic duty in the afternoon since we are there anyway and Mikayla was all for it. Wesley said "I don't want to do Safety Patrol!.... I want to do that Kid Choir thing!" ROFL! They have the opportunity to do chorus in third grade so that actually shocked me that he wanted to do it. (It may be because those that stay in the class have to do extra work. lol) Overall their days went very well, I believe. I'll try to post pics later... been a crazy day and I didn't have time to upload the pics.

Now to rest up and get ready for a FULL day of school tomorrow. Yep, I'll be a tired pup tomorrow night. :)

08/11/09

An insect... since I'll be teaching all about these soon, I thought it was fitting. :) (Click on the pic to see him a little better...)


Tomorrow is the big day...school starts again.

On one hand my "Mother's Heart" is a bit sad.... my "babies" are not going to be in my building and just down the hall anymore. While I am excited for them to be moving forward and that they will be learning new and exciting things, it will be a little lonely going down the hall knowing they are not in there anymore. I'll be fine... I know I will, but it is just going to be different.

They both seem to be getting excited. They both prayed tonight that they would do well all year and not get into trouble. lol I'll try to show pics of the "first day of school" tomorrow.

My teacher self is ready, I suppose. I will have 24 bright and shining faces staring at me in the morning. I am sure some of them will be scared to death, some excited and some just not so sure what to think. It will be the beginning of another adventure of teaching.

As I looked around my room today before I left and saw everything so nice and neat, I began to think about what the room will look like tomorrow, next week, a few months from now, and at the end of the year. There will be a lot of learning taking place and much of it not necessarily from a workbook. The room will not always be "spotless" even when we clean it. A room that is "perfect" each day, in my opinion, is a room that has no learning. Sometimes a mess has to be made in order to create something quite fabulous.

I have prayed for each of my students. I couldn't remember some of their names as I was going through the list in my mind but God knew them and knew my heart. I pray that I am the teacher for them that God wants me to be. I know I won't be able to do it without His help.

SO... upward and onward I go, charging into a new year.

Tomorrow I will probably fall asleep on the couch while reading to the kids and start THAT ritual again, too. lol

Before I stop for the night, here are a few more lines from "To Be Educated" by Carolyn Caines

If I can explain the law of gravity and Einstein's theory of relativity,
but have never been instructed in the unchangeable laws of the One Who orders our universe.
I have not been educated.

If I can classify animals by their family, genus and speices,
and can write a lengthy scientific paper that wins an award,
but have not been introduced to the Maker's purpose for all creation,
I have not been educated.

If I can recite the Gettysburg Address and the Preamble to the Constitution, but have not been
informed of the hand of God in the history of our county,
I have not been educated.

If I can play the piano, the violin, six other instruments, and can write music that moves men
to tears, but have not been taught to listen to the Director of the universe and worship Him,
I have not been educated.

08/10/09

My school room is kind of like this snail... SLOW going. It will all be done before the kids get there, though. :)

08/09/09

I don't think I've shown these before. This is on one of our old fences left on the farm. I think the lichen or fungus is quite interesting....



I had a photo shoot last night so no blogging. It was a bit crazy.

Yesterday I had my first ever "professional" massage. I had no clue as to how that would work... but, let's just say it was NICE. It was just what I needed to begin the new year. The lady told me I hold tension a lot.... Hmmm... Yep, could have told her that. lol Sometimes it is hard for me to release stuff... that control issue I have comes through loud and clear again. I find that I battle the "letting go and letting God" handle things every day. We all have our quirks and that would be one of mine.

As I was reminded today at church... I have to be faithful to believe that God is always there holding me in His hands. Faith is easy in the good times, but when stresses come we fall so quickly. The Lord keeps teaching me this valuable lesson and I thank Him for his patience.