That's What Friends Are For!

This month has been a crazy month for us. Yes, I know you are shaking your head, yes, December is crazy for everyone right?

But behind the scenes here at Family, Faith and Fridays, I have a husband who was deployed for over a YEAR return home and we bought a house and moved to another state.  In the snow , no less. On top of that I started a new position with The Schoolhouse Review Crew.  Oh, and on top of that and most importantly, I was determined to make sure my family was able to have a peaceful (well, mostly peaceful) Christmas, focused on the birth of Christ!

Yep, crazy month.

With a little, nope, A LOT, of help from some friends. we survived and manged to blog, well, they did mostly, through our December series, The Gift Of Christmas!

A BIG THANK YOU goes to these awesome friends and bloggers! And can I just mention that only one of these sweet ladies have I met in person.  They are just that generous and thoughtful! I hope you will continue to stop by their blogs and bless them with the same love you bless me with daily!

December 2nd- Robyn started us out with Prepping for Christmas.  This amazing friend, speaker, wife, mom, and Israel tour guide (she has a few spots still open for their next tour!) will inspire you and make you laugh along the way!  You can find her faith filled and humor infused stories at A Closer Walk.

December 4th- Rebeka at There Will be a $5.00 Charge for whining!  If you have not read Rebeka's blog, go now.  Her humor and realness speak to me.  And make me giggle!  And I am pretty sure we could not live near each other becasue we get nothing done amidst the giggling.

December 7th- Leah at As We Walk Along the Road shared her family's tradition of The Jesse Tree.  I love the idea of creating a family tradition that can be done year after year.  Leah is a powerful prayer warrior that blessed me throughout the past year with her loving prayers.

December 9th- Holly at Gypsy Road taught us how to make a Advent Calendar.  Holly is living my dream life traveling with her family, and makes my sons happy with all of her great Lego-schooling posts!  I think I want her life.

December 11th- Cristi at Through the Calm and Through the Storm shared her Chili and Cornbread Recipe.  As a fellow military wife (who totally gets me) and momma, this is a on-line friend I am determined to meet in person this year if it is the last thing I do!

December 14th- Carol shared a beautiful post about Seeking God that brought tears to my eyes! She blogs at Home Sweet Life, is a very talented writer, and is one of my 34 Weeks of Clean buddies!

December 16th- Tawnee from Adventures in Homeschooling shared all about new traditions you can start with your kids.  You will love this fellow military wife's Random Friday posts.  I may just have to jump on that bandwagon in January!

December 18th- Lori shared her favorite Holiday books.  Who doesn't love books?! You can find Lori at At Home: where life happens, blogging about life, her three girls, and reviewing products.  Another sweet prayer warrior!

December 23- Kym at Homeschool Coffee Break talked about the Gift of Traditions.  I love her advice on simple, togetherness and memories!  Traditions make holidays such special memories.


Wow, I am exhausted!  How about you?

We have a Christmas in pictures post going up on the 30th, and then we will start off the New Year with  some move updates, some vacation fun, and more!  Until then,

Blessings!

The Blessing of Friends

Through the years and our many moves we have made a lot of friends.  Some have blessed our short stay somewhere and others made footprints on our hearts that will never fade away.  They are different, but both are loved and appreciated.

But those footprint friends - well, they are the ones that hold us tight and sustain us through the years. They are the ones that still love us when we leave.  They are the ones that do not allow the miles to separate us and fight hard to keep us close.

They are loved.

Two such sweet friends blessed us a few months ago and I have been remiss in sharing.  They are two young girls that met Ashton 8 years ago, when she was just 13, and made her their friend.  Those two had grown up together and yet they let her into their private little world and made her one of them. They did not let the threat of a move keep them at a distance.  They loved her regardless.  They love her still.  And she loves them as well.

And so through the years, phone calls and letters and an occasional visit have kept them close.  And the help of their parents brought them together for a weekend.  And despite the time and distance they did not miss a beat. (yes, I know that is a lot of ands!)

It was a wonderful sight to see and noise to hear.  The talk and the laughter.  The joy!  It brought such joy to this momma's heart while reminding me of the dear friends I have made through the years.  I could close my eyes and just imagine us doing the same thing.  So much fun!  And such a blessing. To her and to me!

And as always, God's timing could not have been more perfect!

So a big thank you to Kelli and Natalie- for the fun, the laughter, the friendship and the love!  For blessing my girl and my family!

Thank you to the many friends that have blessed us through the years.  I may not always say it, but you ALL are loved and I thank you for the blessing of your friendship!

Blessings,

Top 5 of 2014

I can hardly believe that another year has passed of blogging.  This blog continues to morph into something new, sometimes as often as each month, but I still love what I do.  I hope you do as well and I pray that in some small way you are blessed.

There are a few changes on the horizon that I hope you will enjoy.  Be looking for them beginning in January- with a new look to start off the New Year and a new 34 week series!

Until then, I recently enjoyed looking at all my stats and seeing what YOU come back for week after week.

So here they are, the most popular posts of 2014!

5- S is For- So About That Courting Thing

4- College- Been There, Done That!

3- 9 Reasons You Can't Homeschool- Debunked

2- Three Years of Living- In an RV!

And finally and no surprise to me-

#1- Learning to Count to Six Again- Our Daughter's Change of College Plans

Plus, since it is my blog, ;), I want to share with you my favorite of 2014-

The Princess story- A Courtship Series

It was fun to write with my daughter and her real life suitor, and has been a way for us to spread the word on an alternative to random dating!

A BIG thank you to everyone who takes time out of their busy days to pop over and visit Family, Faith and Fridays!  I am blessed by your presence and comments and look forward to spending another year with you!

Blessings,

Are We STILL Talking About College?

WOW, if you want to create a stir - send your daughter off to college and then allow her to come home half way through her junior year!  Seriously!  At this writing, over 1700 people have read that original post and more than 400 have read her follow up.  So before we stop talking about it and move on with life, I would love to address a few things that have not only come up in comments left or private messages I have received, but also some things that have been on my heart.

In response to the "thank you for being bold". You are welcome, but you can thank God on that one. We never felt bold.  Scared, yes. Bold, not so much!  Life decisions are never easy.

About feeling the pressure from others.  Why, oh why, do we allow ourselves to do that?  I mean, really.  Especially from relatives.  Yes, one of my biggest fears when we finally made the decision to let Ashton come home was how our own parents would react.  I had hinted around of the possibility, but once the decision was really made I told them and then held my breathe waiting for the explosion.  Guess what?  It did not happen.  They were loving, supportive and kind.  (Really no surprise if you know our parents.)  But, you know what?  Even if that had not been the reaction, so what?  I would have listened to their opinions and moved on.  They are wise parents but they are not Ashton's parents.  Lesson here - trust that you are a good and capable parent.  It is sad when people do not support us but it is not life changing.

Stay at home daughters.  Wow, this is a subject I am still exploring.  As I mentioned, Ashton had read many books on this subject and then I had asked her to stop.  I though they were filling her head with too many things contrary to what we, as her parents, believed.  Really what they were doing was fanning a flame that God had put in her heart.  Some would say that she is not a "real" stay at home daughter since she is continuing her education, but she has decided to stay home under our roof, care, and love until God sees fit to provide someone else to provide those things for her.  For you stay at home girls out there, I applaud you for going against the norm.  There should NEVER be anything shameful about living with your parents until you are married, if that is what God wills.

College is not for everyone.  Remember, this is a new thought for me and I am still working on what that looks like for our family.  Truth be known, Ashton would probably just as soon be done and continue her sewing business, but she is so close to earning her degree that we all feel like she needs to finish.  BUT, college is not for everyone.  Yes, we need doctors and lawyers and teachers and nurses.  But we also need a good many of professionals who need to get their training another way.  Many mechanics and electricians and barbers and seamstresses need vocational training and experience.  Let's be careful as a society to not box our kids in.  Let's be bold and allow them to explore their interests and then find the best way to send them out their successfully.

There is more that one way to get a degree if you want one.  We have been impressed with online learning from day one.  Lots of colleges offer classes.  Just know that online classes and online degrees are two different things.  Do your research.  Online school can be a cheaper and faster way to get a degree, but online is not meant for everyone.  Know what you want and then go get it.

To the young girls who have messaged me about being at college and wanting to not be.  I am praying for each and every one of you.  I encourage you to sit down with your parents and pray for wisdom and guidance.  Shut out the world's ideas for you, write down your goals and then decide how to best accomplish them.

To the moms that have shared their stories about going off to college and then coming home.  Thank you for reminding me that the best job I could ever have is to be a wife and mom.  If that is what my daughter desires, how could I not want that for her?

For you young men who are struggling with the same college decisions - may The Lord lead you!  Oh, how hard it must be when you are to become, in all likelihood, the head of a household and main breadwinner.  I want that for my sons.  I want them to be able to support a wife who does not have to work if that is her desire.  I also want my boys to be happy.  It is a fine line and I have to trust that The Lord will reveal it in our lives and in yours.

To my sweet daughter - thank you for being the young woman God made you.  Thank you for your patience, honesty, love and forgiveness as we walked this path.  You are going to do great things and dad and I are proud of you.  One day we will look back on this and laugh, right? ;)

And one last thing.  Two really, that we learned through this experience.  If you are struggling - please reach out to others!  Several people have commented to Ashton that they did not know she was lonely and not particularly happy.  Let's face it, those are not just general discussions you have randomly.  Don't be afraid to have deep conversations and ask hard questions.  People can only help if they know there is a problem.  Ask for help and do not be afraid to share how you feel.

Also, if someone means a lot to you, if you think they are great, or if you admire them, whatever, tell them now.  People need to hear those things now.  I told my kids a few weeks ago that when people die is not the time to tell them how great they are or how much you loved and admired them.  Too late, friends.  I know I am a words of affirmation kind of gal, but I do not think that there is one person out there that does not need to hear how much they matter.  How much they mean to you.  How much you care.  Later may be too late. Tell them NOW!

So with that... you, friends, matter to us!  Your comments are appreciated.  Your prayers are precious.  And your friendship is treasured.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  We are privileged to be on this journey with you.

If we can pray for you, let us know.  We KNOW that these are heavy decisions and it would be our privilege to cover you in prayer.

Happy and thankful to again be counting to six!

Blessings,

Liebster Award

I was thrilled to find out I had been nominated by a fellow blogger for the Liebster Blog Award! Thank you so much to Jess at Our Homestead for Him for the nomination!  Are you familiar with it?  I wasn't until now, but what fun!

What is the Liebster Blog award?

The Liebster Blog Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have not yet hit the 200 follower mark. The award is presented by a fellow blogger as a sort of pat on the back "you've got a great thing started" type of award. "liebster" is German for "favorite"

The rules-

1. List 11 facts about yourself.

2. Answer the 11 questions given to you.

3. Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.

4. Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate.

5. Go to each bloggers page and let them know about the award.

6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

 

My facts-

I just sent my oldest to college and I am still pouting.

I met my husband in the 8th grade.

Still married to said husband- 20 years and still adore him!

We are an on-the-move military family and have loved it! Most days ;)

I love to quilt and I love homeschooling!!

My closest friends live too far away!

I enjoy the beach, but want to live in the mountains.

I wanted to be a dance teacher when I grew up.

My children make me laugh- a lot!

I am finding more joy in the blogging world than I ever thought I would.

My real joy, though, is found in the Lord!

 

 

 

 The answers to Jess' questions-

~What is your favorite season? Fall..or is it winter?  hmmm, one of those!

~What is your favorite dessert? honestly, just pass the chips and French onion dip. But, let's don't save them JUST for dessert!

~If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Colorado for sure!

~What year did you graduate high school? 1988, and yes, that makes me 40ish

~What is your idea of a perfect night out? Dinner out with my hubby followed by Family Movie night snuggling with the kids!

~What is your favorite color? red, or pink, or purple- so many to choose from

~What is the funniest thing you've ever done? I'm not really funny, sorry folks!
 

~What is the most favorite item you have in your home? My flannel quilt

~What do you enjoy most about snow(If you get snow!)? The way the sun sparkles off it!

~Who are your best friends? The people who love me despite my faults!

~Why did you start your blog? To share reviews of homeschool materials with fellow homeschoolers.  Since then, I have found I like sharing my ramblings with others who will listen! ;)

 

 

Questions for the blogs I nominated-

What is your favorite flower?How did you meet your spouse?
What is your favorite post on your blog?
What brings you joy?
Beach or mountains?
Cats or dogs?
Who inspires you?
What's one completed item on your bucket list?
Phone calls or letters?
If you had to wear the same outfit for a month, what would it be?
What's your favorite movie?

Fun Blogs I'm Nominating for the Liebster Blog Award! 

Each one is so different and holds a special place in my list (and heart) for very different reasons!  Some are fellow reviewers, some are old friends met along our journey, and some just simply inspire me.  I pray you are blessed by them as well.

Arlana at Holding the Fortress
Nicole at Journey to Excellence
Jan at Encouraging Moms Who Homeschool
Vickie at Tumbleweed News
The Castleberry Family at Farming Wisconsin
Lexi at Lextin Academy
Laura at Radical Living
Kate at Under the Sky
Leslie at There's More to Les


 

 

Thank you again Jess for the nomination, it is an honor to be one on your list!  This has been super fun and I look forward to getting to know new people along the way!  What fun is a journey if not shared with friends?!

And the winner is...

Entry #47- Jess!

Congratulations!  I have emailed you.

THANK YOU to all who entered and took time to visit our blog!  You have blessed us by doing so, and we pray you are blessed equally by being here.  Also, thank you for some great tips- we are already starting to try out several new ones.  Have a wonderful weekend!

THANK YOU, IT girl!

A BIG thank you to my awesome 14 year old daughter, AKA- IT girl, who gave my blog a new look this morning!  She is amazing, and I love it!

Surgery Update and Other Ramblings

Good morning!  A big thank you to everyone for the inquiries, sweet words of encouragement, and prayers.  My surgery was "successful".  The doctor said it was a "textbook" case and he surprised me by letting me come early evening the same day.  While it was not the best sleep I am sure it was better than any I would have gotten in the hospital.  What is with them waking you up every time you drift off to sleep??  Anyway, here are my thoughts on the whole thing, in no particular order:

-I found out that I am slightly braver than I thought.  Ok, maybe it was just the prayers, but regardless, I did not freak out.  At least not yet.

-I have had no real pain.  Yes, it does feel like someone took my insides out, shook them up a bit, and then put them back in to see where they would settle, but no external incision has meant no real pain.  A lot of aches and back pain, but hey, I will take it!

-My bed is too high for recovering-from-surgery-patients and hard to get in and out of!  (CP also bounces around too much in his sleep when he rolls over, but don't tell him I told you!)

-When you have been sick for so long every little thing tends to creep you out, so I am slowly having to learn a new normal.  This includes RELAXING!  Still working on that....

-Anesthesia is creepy!   Don't remember stuff, can hear but can't get your eyes open, who knows what went on while you were out- well, let's just not even go there! ;)

-When you can't exercise, it never looked so appealing.  I long to get back on the treadmill and RUN; remind me of that in 6-8 weeks when I am cleared for normal life.

-There are only so many projects you can do before you start to run out.  I have written numerous posts in the middle of the night when I could not sleep, put a Child's Training Bible together (giveaway to come!), read, scrap booked, finished a puzzle and wandered around the house.  Thought it might be a new kind of fun to be babied for a while but not. so. much!

-Everyone says that you will feel great by the second week.  Today is day five.  I am waiting not so patiently for the second week.

-I told CP that after surgery I would be a new woman.  I even told the doctor if I was not, he would have to go back in and take more out.  I am still waiting.  So is CP!  ;)

-Extra hormones for fifty-some days can make a person looney.  Take those away- expect a crash!  A big one.  Kinda like the baby blues after giving birth, but with no cute baby to make you feel better.

-My mood is highly affected by the sun.  So where did it go and when is it coming back?

-I am thankful it is summer.  At least our schedule is slower and I will blend in with the other mommies lounging at the pool.  Otherwise, I would just feel plain lazy.

-Some days are just better than others.

But above all of this, I have found-

Friends and Family are fabulous.

Prayers are powerful.

Medicine is mighty.

GOD IS GREATER THAN ALL!

Thank you for walking through this with me, my friends!

Stay tuned this week for a new review, a giveaway and a fun Friday vacation edition!