Archive for Life
Music is such a defining thing in life
Posted by: | CommentsI recently got to spend an evening enjoying the philharmonic orchestra in our city. They were playing the scores for many movies and it was an amazing evening! I love music to begin with but to be in the room with an entire orchestra and to watch the musicians making music is just so powerful! One of the composers that they showcased was John Williams. Can I just say that that man is AMAZING!! I’ve always thought so but I was sure reminded again.
Anyway, the point of this post is this – as I was sitting there listening to the songs that they were playing it struck me that some of these songs really define our family. Star Wars has always been a huge thing in our family – my husband grew up loving Star Wars (as did I but not nearly as much as he did! ha!) and my children have loved it since they were wee little things. My son has just about every Star Wars toy ever created it seems – family members got him several at each birthday, Christmas, and any other holiday that they felt a gift was necessary. 
My husband took the kids to see all three of the newest Star Wars movies in the theater – this was a huge treat because it’s something we don’t usually do but maybe once or twice a year. All of that to say that listening to the Star Wars music brought back many fond memories of when my kids were little. I loved it!
Another composer they showcased was Hans Zimmer. His music for The Lion King was so beautiful! That man is truly gifted as well! This music also brought back fond memories because my son LOVED The Lion King for years starting from when he was about a year old. He had all the little toys of Mufasa, Rafiki, Simba, Nulla, etc. and he would sit and play with those all of the time. He watched the movie so many times he knew it by heart! The case for that tape (yes, VHS tape - it was a long time ago!) is VERY worn out!
So all of that to say that I am very thankful for composers and music. They bring such a joy to my life in so many ways. I can’t imagine life without music!
Beth Moore
Posted by: | CommentsI know Beth Moore has been around for awhile and I know a lot of women have read her books, done her Bible studies, and attended her events but I have not been one of them. Until this month. And she is FABULOUS! I wish I had been introduced to her stuff sooner!!! I am now anxious to check out some more of her stuff!! Have any of you ever done any of her Bible studies? If so, which one did you like best?
Photography
Posted by: | CommentsSo one of the things that I’ve really been spending more time with lately is photography. I’ve always loved taking pictures and have always loved creating photo albums and then later scrapbooking but I got a new camera last year and have absolutely fallen in love with photography. The problem is I don’t really know how to use my camera to its fullest capabilities. Does anyone know of a good website that has good photography instruction? I don’t really have the money to take a class or anything right now but if I found a good website or even a good book I could get I would be tickled to death. If you know of a good one please comment below!
It’s been awhile
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s actually been quite awhile! I just haven’t really felt like getting on here and writing anything lately. We’ve been really busy with a lot of things plus there have been some difficult things going on in my life. One of my dearest friends’ husband died a few weeks ago. We hadn’t been in touch in several years, we had kind of drifted apart through moves and such, but their family still holds a very dear place in my heart and his death hit my harder than I ever would have imagined. My heart just aches for my friend and her kids every single day. That’s been one of the main reasons I haven’t been on here.
This year has also been a difficult school year for several different reasons. The co-op where I teach has had some issues that have been difficult for me and my class that I teach has as well. It’s just made for a very stressful year so far.
I’m hoping to get back on here soon and have something to say. Thanks to anybody who is still out there paying attention to my blog.
Is there a light at the end of this tunnel??
Posted by: | CommentsDo you ever just feel like life is a little out of control? That’s kind of how I feel right now. There are so many good things going on right now but there are some things that just don’t seem to be going all that well and it really affects everything else in a way that can get so discouraging.
Part of the problem is that life is just too busy. I miss the days, back when my kids were in elementary school, when we spent a few hours on school and then we had time to play together and do other things. I miss the simpler form of homeschooling where I could sit down with my kids and really spend time teaching them new concepts and going over things with them and having fun learning. It’s not that we aren’t doing any learning now but high school is just a little bit different and a little bit more intense than elementary school.
We are also in a homeschool group that meets once a week for classes and we have loved it but this year it’s starting to wear on me. I really never thought I’d say that either. Last year if you’d asked me I would have told you I might just keep going even after my kids graduate! Now, I know that will definitely not be happening. I’m not even sure I want to do it next year! One of the worst things about it is I’m on the board. I’m wondering if I step down from that for next year if it will improve tremendously?? There is a lot of stress, a lot of pressure, and a lot more work that goes along with that job. Maybe things will get better if I give that up?
I’ve also taken on homeschooling another child this year – another high school student. I had great expectations and envisioned how it would go but it’s not really going like I thought it would. It’s not bad, it’s just different. But different enough that I’m having a hard time with it. I’m used to my own kids and it’s a totally different thing to take in someone else’s.
I really think after the end of this month that things will get a lot better. You see football season will be over and I won’t be running all over town or having my kids gone almost every night of the week anymore. I guess we’ll see!
Thanks for “listening” to my venting session. I believe I sound a little crazier than I even thought after putting this in writing! haha!
Well, I’ve decided to jump into the world of Twitter. I’ve never really thought it was something I’d get into but I hear more and more people talking about it so I thought I’d give it a try. Problem is… I have NO idea what I’m doing on there! haha! Hopefully I’ll figure it out soon!
My Twitter name (is that even what you call it?) is MLBAH – momlovesbeingathome was too long. 
Let me know if you have one, who you follow, and what you think of Twitter!
Getting back to God
Posted by: | CommentsIn some ways I never left God but, I’m ashamed to admit, in some ways I have. While my heart has always been for God and He has always been the most important person in my life, I haven’t always treated Him as such. God has been speaking to me through many different things recently and I’ve come to realize that I need to get myself back on track. I need to be spending more time in His word, I need to be spending more time in prayer, and I need to be doing more outside of myself to further His kingdom. My first step that I’m going to take is to try to faithfully have my quiet time each morning before our day officially begins. I’m not a morning person though so pray that I can do this!!
It’s almost time for school again!
Posted by: | CommentsI don’t know about you but we area gearing back up for school again. In fact, in some ways summer has already ended. This week was the beginning of football practice which means four nights a week we’re at the practice field. My daughter also had cheer camp this week so she’s been gone all day for that too. Next week will be a little calmer because cheer camp will be over but the week after that is when school begins. I’m actually kind of excited! Which doesn’t surprise me because I always am by this time of the summer. I enjoy taking the summer off very much but I’m always ready to get back into a routine by the end of it.
One thing that I’ve been working hard on recently is the class that I’m teaching at our co-op this year. I’m getting really excited about it and looking forward to being with the new group of kids and seeing what they bring to the class. I teach high school literature so we get to sit and talk about what we read each week. It’s so fun! The kids amaze me sometimes and it’s always fascinating to hear what they get out of it.
One thing I’m adding to my class this year is two big writing assignments. Last year we just did smaller papers once a month but this year I’m having them write an essay first semester and a research paper second semester along with their other assignments. I found the coolest books to help me teach them how to do this:
by Sparknotes Editors
ISBN: 978-1-4114-9976-8
Publication: Spark Publishing 2006
and
by Emma Chastain
ISBN: 978-1-4114-2341-1
Publisher: Spark Publishing 2008
I’m really excited to have found these! They are going to be a great teaching tool for me this year.
Summer has definitely arrived!
Posted by: | CommentsI had to run an errand today in another part of the city and while driving there my van registered 124 degrees at one point! That is entirely too hot!!! I think the actual temp was closer to 105-110 but those city streets sure draw the sun! UGH! Is it time for winter yet????
Things that have kept me sane the last week…
Posted by: | CommentsSince I have been trapped in my house – and in only my bed for most of the time! – for the last week after having surgery there were a few things that I am thankful for that kept me from going insane. Although if I don’t get out soon the insanity will kick in! 
1. My family
2. Reba
3. HGTV
) are House Hunters, Property Virgins (although the name of this show is ridiculous to me I do like the show), and My First Place. I also like the show Flip this House which is on A&E. I couldn’t even tell you how many episodes of each of these I watched this week! It kept me from going crazy though! haha!4. Friends & extended family
I also had so many friends sending me messages through e-mail and facebook, checking on me, and wishing me well. That was sure nice to find when I managed to get on the computer!! (The nice thing about laptops is that you can ask your kids to bring you the computer in bed! haha!) I also had some nice phone calls from some who wanted to check on me and that was very comforting as well. 5. The thing that kept me most sane and comfortable though…
There are, of course, other things that helped me through the week but these honestly were the bulk of my week. It sounds nice to think of being in bed for a few days and not having to do anything but after a few days – especially once all the medication starts wearing off – it gets old fast! I’m glad to be doing well and that I’m able to get out of bed now. I still have to move slowly and take it really easy but it’s getting better all the time.
