Just stuff :)

Good morning all!
Yes, for me its 6:30 in the AM and I am up. NOT awake, but up. Still working on coffee cup number one.

Daycare has done alot for me but one thing is get me up in the morning. SOmetimes when my before school kids have gotten off to school, I would climb back into bed for a couple of hours but that will stop as of Monday because I have new kids starting.

A family of 3 kids will be here. One is 6 and will be before and after school but because it will still be spring break on Monday, he will be here all day. Then I have his two sisters. One is almost 3 and one is 4. They will be full time as well. About 8:00 am to 4 or so PM. I am excited but apprehensive. My work really begins now. Josh who is one of my before and after school kids and is 7 will be here all day on Monday as well so 4 kids all day. Haven't had that in a LONG time. Financially its a good thing. Of course, I won't see most of the money until the state sends me a check on the 20th of the month. But it will come.

WIth daycare I have to be VERY organized. I have paperwork to fill out daily and computer programs that have to be kept up with. I have to keep up with my laundry and house cause with people coming in daily, things have to be kept clean.

I'm glad Angel and Tony are done with school for the year. THey finished their end of the year testing and just have to work on little things like reading and stuff that I want them to practice all summer.

Since one of my before and after school kids will go full time in the summer, I am not going to fill his day spot. Sooo that means I have a spot for one more child.

The stomach bug has been kinda hitting us. A couple of the kids haven't felt really good lately.

I hate this time of year when everyone is sooo sick.

Well, thats it I guess.

Its Easter Egg decorating today.
Nikki

Why go to Church?

~Nikki here..I'm reposting this from an email I got. I thought it had a great point!!!

Why go to Church?

If you're spiritually alive, you're going to love this!
If you're spiritually dead, you won't want to read it.
If you're spiritually curious, there is still hope!

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.

"I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor.

It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: "I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.

But I do know this.. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work.
If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.
Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something!

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible!

Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

All right, now that you're done reading, send it on! I think everyone should read this!

"When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could you get that for me?"

What does YOUR child see?

This was sent to me in an email and I thought it was worth passing along. Give it alot of thought :)


WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you praying to God, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in Him too.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care "the least of these my brethren."


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given to be good stewards.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt , but it's all right to cry.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared what I did and what happened to me and I wanted to be everything that I could be to please you and God.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."


---Nikki here....many good things to think about.
But many things to pray for too. I know a family that is very close to my heart that are going thru some TERRIBLE difficulties....Satan is attacking their family head on and they need prayers. I don't wish to name them hear but God knows who they are and what they need just please pray for these friends of mine. Thank you

Friday has arrived!!!

This was my first "real" week of working with daycare. I mean, I've had the 2 year old here and there but this week I had a real schedule to work with for my before and after school kids.
It was great. The two school age kids I have are great. The 10 year old plays great with both Angel and Tony!!! They get along sooo well together.

On Monday I will find out if I have two more kids enrolled. A baby who is 5 months, and his sister who is 3. That will be like 8-4. I would LOVE that!!! So, things are coming along.

Its been slow but slow is good for me in order to get used to doing this full time again.

I have many plans with this extra money.
1. Pay off bills
2. Fix up my house
3. Do things with kids we haven't been able to do for a while . For example, weekend trip to Pittsburgh or something. Cedar Point this summer....etc.

I can't wait.

If anyone in the Martins Ferry area or Wheeling area read this and know someone who have some baby items they are planning to sell at a yard sale, let me know. I am looking for things like a bouncy seat, exersaucer, play ring, anything to help with a baby and keeping him occupied and happy.

Today, I feel good. Better than I have in a couple of days. There was a stomach thing going around. Joey had it pretty bad but hopefully he is doing better.

May God Bless you all!!!
Nikki

Calling all Homeschoolers!!!!

Where is Spring?

The above picture speaks more words than I can write...

Many are ready for spring and I am definitely one of them!!!

I had my food program interview yesterday and all went well. YES!!! Also had an interview with a mom for after school care for her 10 year old son. It went great. He hit it off with Angel and Tony pretty well too!!!

Ok I'm off to check about this crazy weather I'm hearing alot about.

Some say we are getting alot but so far, I haven't seen that ....

Later gators :)

Nikki

More info on me..

Todays question:

Who gave you your name and why? Did you have a family nickname? How did you get it?

My name, Nikki is not short for Nicole as some may think. It's just plain old " Nikki".

My dad's name is Nick so being the first born in the family, I was named after my dad. Its funny because I have only one sibling and her name is Tami. She is 5 years younger than me and I am named after my dad but she is most like him lol.

Nicknames for me? Well, family all called me Nikki Sue growing up. WHen I visit family now, I feel like I'm 10 again being called Nikki Sue but hey, it IS my name but that is how my family knew me.

~~~~Ok Nikki here....I hope these little question and answer things are interesting enough for you all!! I am posting a new and updated photo of the family that was taken at Christmas time!

ENjoy

Nikki(aka Nikki Sue)

A bit more personal...

I have this book called Reflections from a Mother's Heart.
Its a bit like a journal but there are things you write about that you would like to preserve for your children. What I am going to TRY to do is write from it on my blog a little ....to give my readers..(however many there are of you lol) a little insight to me.

What was your favorite pastime as a child? Did you prefer doing it alone or with someone else?

What comes to mind is a card game that my Grandma Baker taught me when I was a little girl.
You see, alot of my childhood I lived only a few seconds away from my Grandmothers house.
When I grew up and went back to the old house, it had been torn down but my view of her place and my old house was not what I thought it was. Its great to keep memories because they are a huge part of who we are as individuals.
She and I would play a card game called Nutsie.(not sure if this is the correct spelling)
It was kind like solitaire but it was a game that could be played with more than one person. I couldn't explain to you how it is played but it was something that came to mind when I read the above question.
I preferred playing it with other people. I don't usually like playing games alone anyway.

I challenge you to think about this question a while and find your own favorite pastime as a child also. Why did you enjoy it?

Be Blessed on this beautiful Lord's Day.
Nikki

Navy Transition....

Something hit me the other day that never occured to me before.
It was the fact that I won't be moving again in 3 years lol. It may seem very simple to most but for a person who moved 17 times in 20 years, its a big deal.

I was thinking about the friends I've made since moving to Ferry and it occured to me these are the friends I will have for a long time. Its awesome!

I was thinking about Angel's best friend Sydney and it occurred to me that this is someone she will grow up with and won't have to leave again!!!

What a great relief!!!! There are still many transitions that I go thru. Some DAILY.....with Mike retiring from the Navy. But all in all, things are smoothing out alot. God has straightened a path that I thought for a while to be Mt. Everest. God is good.

I am very thankful to be back home after being gone for so long.

I love my church family! Its great knowing I don't have to find another one in 3 years. Of course, I struggle with trying to fit it all in. I want to serve in so many ways in my congregation but I have to serve my family too. Not only take care of my own family but also run my own daycare business. I know with having my own daycare, I serve families who would not have encountered God in any other way. Whether they are here for a few days or a few months, I plan to be the light that some have never even seen!

Be Blessed
Nikki

Whats New?

Hi everyone!
I am in the process of gathering my resources to start my preschool program each morning from 8:30 - 11:30. I have developmental skills checklist for 2 years old thru Pre K and try to work with each child to attain those skills before Kindergarden.

I seem to have a problem though.

It seems people are looking down on me. Not sure why....

Yes, I have mostly been a stay at home mom for the past 20 years but during that time, I've had my own daycare business for most of that 20 years. I've been state licensed, state certified and Navy certified. I've also been a big part of my own soap and body care business before where I made and sold items I made.

I know about my own business, I know about teaching as I've been homeschooling for many, MANY years.

I make it my business to know children and when I tell people I have my own daycare, they ask me if I TEACH anything to children????
Teaching is my business and raising these children to be GODLY adults is included. Not only do I teach the basic skills, I run my business like I live my life, to give the glory to God. I let people know that I am a Christian and will run my business likewise which means teaching the Bible and stories in the Bible and character lessons that bring about Godly character.

Just because I don't have a college degree doesn't mean I'm less than someone who does.
Anyway, guess I needed a vent!!
Thanks for listening!

I am now STATE CERTIFIED!!!

I had my initial inspection to get my certification for childcare today. It lasted a whole 45 minutes and it was easy. Let me say this...God surely blessed my inspection today. THere are soooooooooooo many things she could have really given me a hard time with but she didn't. I've been working on this since summer and it went great.

Let me say this....God is good. For the longest time, I have NOT been looking forward to doing this. I've been dreading it actually but the past month or so...I've noticed an attitude change. This is MY business. My OWN buisness and yes if God blesses it, it will be full and run smoothly.
I am gaining some self esteem that I've been missing for a while. I know being a mother and teacher to my own kids is very rewarding. But no one really gives you much praise for doing it.
With daycare, I hear people tell me how organized I am, how well I work with kids , etc. I don't say this to brag so I hope its not coming off like that. I love being a wife, mother and teacher.
Now, I have a chance to really make difference in lives of children that are not mine.

I also have the chance to teach my children the aspect of this buisness as well. I incorporate my kids into this as much as I can cause there are so many life lessons to be learned with what I am doing.

Thank you God for changing my attitude.
Thank you God for blessing me with this certification.

Now, just to wait for all those wonderful phone calls....

God Bless you all,
Nikki

PS Keep us in prayer please as we just got over the bad flu and now Angel and I are sick with COLDS ....will we ever recover completely???????

A New way to look at a deck of cards...

A New Way to Look at a Deck of Cards

It was quiet that day, the guns and the mortars,and land mines for some reason hadn't been heard. The young soldier knew it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week. As he was sitting there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk. Just then an army sergeant came in and said,'Why aren't you with the rest of the platoon?'

The soldier replied, 'I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord.

'The sergeant said, 'Looks to me like you're going to play cards.

'The soldier said, 'No, sir. You see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country, I've decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards.

'The sergeant asked in disbelief, 'How will you do that?''

You see the Ace, Sergeant? It reminds me thatthere is only one God.

The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments.

The Three represents the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The Four stands for the Four Gospels: Matthew,Mark, Luke and John.

The Five is for the five virgins there were ten but only five of them were glorified.

The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.

The Seven is for the day God rested after making His Creation.

The Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives -- the eight people God spared from the flood that destroyed the Earth.

The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy. He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him.

The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.

The Jack is a reminder of Satan, one of God's first angels, but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the joker of eternal hell.

The Queen stands for the Virgin Mary.

The King stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings.

When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total,one for every day of the year.

There are a total of 52 cards in a deck; each is a week - 52 weeks in a year.

The four suits represent the four seasons:Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

Each suit has thirteen cards -- there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter.

So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for.'

The sergeant just stood there. After a minute,with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said,

'Soldier,can I borrow that deck of cards?'

( this was sent to me by someone unknown thru email)

Where oh where is springtime???!!!

Anyone else out there ready for SPRING?
I can't wait to see everything in bloom and slightly warmer weather. Understand I don't like the really hot weather, but spring time temperatures would be a nice break from winter cold.

Whats new here?

Tony has been fever free now for 2 days so YES!!! the flu is over!!!!

Still no "new" news on the certification thing. I thought I would have heard something but when the bad weather hit, I guess they quit setting up appointments. Who knows....I guess it just gives me more time to get my stuff done.

HOpefully I will have more to report the next time I blog.
Cya cyber friends and family!!
Nikki

I'll rethink NOT getting a flu shot next year!!!!!

Before moving to Ohio, I've never had the need to get a flu shot. Why?
Cause I never get the full blown flu!!! Well, I can't say -NEVER- anymore. The flu had ME down for 5 days straight. Angel had it at the same time as me, and within a day it was Joey's turn and last night Tony started. HOpefully it will run its course and leave forever :)

I saw a neat little saying on a local church's outdoor sign.

It read:

Do you want to destroy your enemy?
Make him your Friend!!!!!

Oh I loved that!!!!!

I am close to being done for my childcare certification. I should be hearing soon on when they want to schedule my home inspection. So I am checking things off a little at a time trying to make sure I'm covered with everything!!!! Don't want them to have to find something and put off giving me my certification even a month longer!!!!


I miss my church family! I hate being ill but hopefully soon, I will be back :)

God Bless
Nikki

Oh this is sooo true!!!

IF YOU GIVE A HOMESCHOOLING MOM A COOKIE
by Sher Birmingham


If you give a Homeschooling Mom a cookie, she'll want the recipe.
She will plan a complete unit study on the History of Cookies.
The family will take field to a farm and see where we get eggs, milk and grain.
At home they will make butter out of milk. The children will want to start grinding their own grain.
Mom will purchase a Bosch Universal Kitchen System.
She will remember she will need a new list of cookbooks.
So she will order An Introduction To Whole Grain Baking w/ CD, Desserts, The Cooking With Children CD, and Lunches & Snacks Cookbook by Sue Gregg, also Whole Foods for Kids to Cook.
Mom orders a 100 lb. bag of wheat berries.
Now she will grind her own wheat grain into flour.
The children remember the farm field trip and knowing they can't possibly get a cow they beg for a few chickens.
So to a trip to the library to research how to build a chicken coop and to how to care for chickens.
On the way out the door Mom see the book, "Chicken Tractor" by Andy Lee & Pat Foreman.
They stop by the Feed and Seed to pick up materials and ask where to purchase the chicks.
There the clerk tells them about egg that can be incubated.
He sells them a book on hatching eggs, eggs, and incubator.
At home Mom and the younger children set up the incubator while Dad and the older children build the chicken tractor.
Back to the library to pick up gardening books and more books on chickens.
The oldest daughter now starts a business grinding flour for the her friend's families.
While her younger sisters are selling homemade cookies to their neighbors.
The boys have started building a new chicken tractor because they want more eggs for breakfast.

That cookie that started this all. the homeschooling mom's three year old ate it.(---based on If you Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff. Sher Birmingham is wife to Bill and author to Successfully at Home Business, School, and Cooking; her website is _http://www.SherBirmhttp://www_ (http://www.sherbirmingham.com/) .)

If your a MOM you must read....

WHY GOD MADE MOMS
Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.


How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.


What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.


Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.


What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.


What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?


Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.


Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.


What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.


What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.


What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Homeschooling..which IS the right way?

The Right Way to Homeschool by Leslie Murgatroyd


Before I pulled my eight and ten year old children out of the school system, I had become friends with a neighbor who was already homeschooling. I asked her if I could come over one day, to “watch” so I could “see” how they homeschooled. When I arrived, my friend was folding clothes on the kitchen table and one of her sons was lying on the floor (in his pajamas, mind you!) doing some sort of “school work”– math, I think it was. The other boy was sitting on the couch reading. They would occasionally ask her questions and she would occasionally remind them of something else they needed to “do”. And that was about it! Not at all what I had pictured in my mind!
I came away thinking, “I can do that!” I also still had this mental picture of us sitting around the kitchen table (not on the floor!) “doing school.” So, that's where we started...at the kitchen table...eventually.


Initially, we just had fun! We went on hikes, picked wild flowers and pressed them, had picnics in our front yard, read lots of books aloud, frequented the library, baked, experimented with baking soda and vinegar...

One day we walked to the local cemetery. There, we studied “math” as the kids tried to figure out how old the people were when they died (1916 − 1995 = 79). We also discussed the differences in our lives now and in the life of someone who was born in 1916 (the beginning of “unschooling”? Nah...there is no way I could do THAT!).


Then I decided it was time to DO something. So, I started looking at curricula. One of my “complaints” about the public school system was that it had not been academic enough. Too much time was wasted teaching the kids how to recycle, how to wash their hands and tie their shoes, and so forth. I wanted those academics! I wanted my kids to memorize the multiplication tables and diagram sentences! After all, that's what I did when I went to school, right?


I ordered books from a popular curriculum publisher after attending one of their “motel meetings.” My kids now had language books, books to improve their reading speed and comprehension, history books, health books and reading books. We were all set! I also got a popular set of math textbooks, with the company's box of manipulatives and all!
I even made up a schedule, allowing the kids to sleep in a little, of course. We started our “school day” at 9 and ended by 1 or 2. This was the life, as far as I could tell! The best of both worlds my children were getting the proper instruction, and the one-on-one attention they needed, yet there was still plenty of “free time” for them. I smugly sat back in my chair to watch.


Lo and behold...the kids came to me one day and said, “This is just like 'school.' We might as well still be in public schools!” (insert a whiny tone of voice). Imagine my complete surprise! I had thought I was doing everything “just right.”


“Okay,” I thought, “so we'll toss out some of the 'books' but not the math book!” My son started watching a lot of TV. Things like the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet...and I mean, hour after hour...and he started to read...book after book. I was amazed at what he was learning. I was frequently heard saying “WHERE did you learn THAT?” It might be an absolutely gorgeous day outside, but instead of wanting to go out and play, he'd often be inside...watching tv...usually, the History Channel.


My daughter started taking a quilting class. She had never learned that lost art of “sewing” before...didn't have the time. I was amazed at the fabrics she selected for her quilt–absolutely gorgeous and very creative. I could never have put those fabrics together in my own mind to come up with a quilt like that. She's made two more since then, and always dazzles me with her ability. She has also made herself clothes, and adorable pillow shams for her bed.


Meanwhile, it wasn't long before the math texts produced tears in the eyes of my kids. They learned to hate math. So, out went those books along with the others. I was starting to get a very nice collection of slightly used curricula!


We decided as a family to start going places and doing things. We spent time in Yosemite, walked across the Golden Gate Bridge, canoed, ferried, went to museums, zoos, to Canada, interesting factories, and every water park we could find. We also attended our state homeschooling organization's family camping trip and The California Home=Education Conferences. We were having fun...and the kids were learning.


They might not have been learning the same things as their peers in the public schools, but they were truly learning–not just memorizing for the next test. They were learning about things they wanted to learn about–not just what some government employees decided they should learn. Hmmm...maybe this “unschooling” thing was something we should consider?


My kids became even more involved in the 4-H Program. They took projects in: model rocketry, dog obedience, market sheep, horse, breeding sheep, quilting, small engines, rabbits, leadership, dog agility, horsemanship, arts & crafts, market beef, babysitting/CPR, and electricity. Their 4-H Record Books became our language program! Weighing animals, increasing and decreasing feeds, became part of our math program.


At some point in there, I had my first major PPA (Parental Panic Attack). I decided that the kids really needed to “learn” math. So out came the math textbooks again. And out came the tears again! I was forced to find something different, and I discovered some workbooks (Key Curriculum) that went over much better than the other textbooks had.


My son is an unschooler by nature. He has proven this to me over and over again. Despite my interference! He does not learn from reading a textbook–he is still allergic to textbooks...any size, any shape, any form. He can learn, however, by reading the maintenance manual for his Yamaha dirt bike! He can learn from watching TV shows. He learns from all the books he loves to read! He learns from life itself. He knows a lot about auto maintenance, just from watching his dad! And I guess that's what unschooling is all about! I don't tell many people that he “unschools” because most people don't understand what that means. I still don't understand exactly what that means. I just see that it works...for my son.


My daughter is a little more eclectic. She doesn't have allergies to textbooks, although there aren't many that appeal to her. She has occasionally asked me to purchase some for her, and I do. She's more likely to want to be like her peers. They have books, they do assignments...and she'll give that a try. I'm wondering how far she'll get with the Basic College Math book I recently bought her... But, she's happy to know that if she doesn't like a particular book that I've bought, she won't be made to use it. (Someday, I'm going to get rich from the Recycled Resource Room at the state homeschool conference!) But she also learns from life. She volunteers at our local vet clinic...says that she might want to be a vet some day. She is taking on more and more leadership roles in 4-H...last year treasurer of the club...this year president!


I used to be very supportive of the public school system... I volunteered in classrooms, was treasurer of the PTA, headed school fundraisers, was on Site Council, etc. I even worked as a teacher's aid for several years! All this was part of trying to make it better for my children. Then I realized that it wasn't going to work. It was time to bring them home, where they belonged in the first place. I had always been one of “those” parents...you know, the one who looked forward to spring, summer, and Christmas vacations...the one who was sad in the fall when the kids went back to school. You know the type...we are far and few between! I quit my job as a Medical Assistant so that I could be home with them. My husband works overtime, so that I don't have to. It's not always easy being a one-income family but it is worth it!


So that's how we have homeschooled in the five years since we began. We've gone from “School at Home” to being eclectic unschoolers. What I have learned from all of this is that there is no right or wrong way to homeschool. It gets back to my basic philosophy in life: “whatever works!” It's been hard, for me, because I'm the kind of person that wants to be sure I am doing things “right.“ It was hard for me to realize that there is no “right” way when it comes to homeschooling. But, my kids are teaching me that. Loud and clear!


-----}Nikki here....
This is something I struggle with all the time. I've been homeschooling for many years.
I hate to hear the kids say " I don't like school"....isn't that what most kids in public school say??
Sometimes, its good to sit back and relax and know that this isn't about public school...its about the love of learning we are trying to teach our kids.......

What about Resolutions...just try these.

Just For Today!

1. Just for today I will be happy. This assumes that what Abraham Lincoln said is true, that "most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Happiness is from within; it is not a matter of externals.

2. Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my family, my business, and my luck as they come and fit myself to them.

3. Just for today I will take care of my body. I will exercise it, care for it, nourish it, not abuse nor neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my bidding.

4. Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

5. Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways; I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. I will do at least two things I don't want to do as William James suggests, just for exercise.

6. Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress as becomingly as possible, talk low, act courteously, be liberal with praise, criticize not at all, nor fault with anything and not try to regulate nor improve anyone.

7. Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not to tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do things for twelve hours that would appall me if I had to keep them up for a lifetime.

8. Just for today I will have a program. I will write down what I expect to do every hour. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. It will eliminate two pests, hurry and indecision.

9. Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax. In this half hour sometimes I will think of God, so as to get a little more perspective into my life.

10. Just for today I will be unafraid, especially I will not be afraid to be happy, to enjoy what is beautiful, to love, and to believe that those I love, love me.

If we want to develop a mental attitude that will bring us peace and happiness, here is Rule #1:
Think and act cheerfully, and you will feel cheerful.


(mine here)---One day at a time so you don't feel discouraged when you had a bad day!!!!
Written by Sybyl F Partridge in 1916 and printed in "How To Stop Worrying, And Start Living" by Dale Carnegie, 1951

Love this picture!

Happy 10th Birthday Angelina!!!!

She turns 10 years old on the 10th of January!!

Happy Birthday to my dear daughter!!!!

Rubel Shelly thoughts....

Taken from www.heartlight.org


A New Year's Prayer by Rubel Shelly

Holy God of Heaven and Earth,

I know that a thousand years are as a day to you, but we humans are bound up in time. As a new year is beginning, please teach me to ...

care more about people and less about money,
enjoy my work but not let it enslave me,
and laugh more easily than I did last year.

As I get ready for 2008, help me to remember things that are easy to forget ...

that it might well be my last year,
that some people are counting on me,
and that you have things for me to do.

Lord, with the things I have accumulated over the years, please let me ...

shake off the monotony of life,
try some new things in this new year,
and mend some broken fences.

And, Father of Mercies, please teach me in this new and unspoiled year to ...

lighten up and enjoy children, sunsets, reading, and long walks,
avoid quarrels and work at being a peacemaker in this world,
and start next year with fewer regrets than I bring to 2008.

May we live it for your glory!I cannot know what this year will bring, and I am grateful for that! But help me ...

eat less junk food,
exercise and take better care of my body,
and learn to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Above all other things, Father, I want to be your instrument for ...

easing somebody's too-heavy load,
relieving some sad person's misery,
and introducing some lost soul to Jesus.

Come what may in the year about to begin, may we live it for your glory, within your will, and to your delight.
We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Im playing around with my new camera that takes video!!!

Enjoy!

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Why do bad things happen to good people? That was something that was discussed in part in our Bible Study last night.Because of the tragedy of Opal Thomas, there are alot of things that might be going thru the minds of Christians and Non Christians alike.

Maybe some doubting questions..." Why would God allow this to happen to such good people?"

I have asked myself questions like this for a long time. I think the biggest tragedy that happened in my life was when my mom died of cancer when I was 11 years old.
It was awful to watch my mom dwindle away and not see family pulling together. My own family was falling apart in so many ways.

But here is the thing....

The person I have become today is (I believe) very much related to what happened to me in my life. That tragedy made me focus on the person I wanted to be and how much children, husbands and family really mean. Of course, I didn't REALLY come to realize it all until I became a Christian many years ago, but when my children need me, I'm here for them. I try not to take my family for granted because I know first hand it can be gone in a moment.

Why did this happen to the Thomas's? I do not know. But God knows and I know that Harold loves God and trusts God. The song that comes to mind is " My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name, On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand...." Our faith must be on Christ and what He did and what promises God has made us time and time again in scripture. Maybe this was Opal's time and God wanted to spare her the suffering by taking her in a way that she didn't suffer and the docs have said that she did not suffer so that is great!!
Alot of people will see how Harold and his family from National Road are handling this loss....What a statement to make to the world!!!! God may be bringing many people to Him thru this loss. Yes, its our loss but her gain. She is with the Lord. She will be there waiting for Harold for when his time is called up yonder and those she left behind. Oh what a sweet reunion that will be.

Harold and the Thomas family, I am very sorry for your loss. I will be praying for your family during this incredibly hard time. I didn't know Opal well, but what I did know of her was all fantastic.
Harold, please know that if there is anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask.
A little poem I found online..

Comfort

Surrounded by friends
yet all alone
the one I loved
God has called home
the hugs of friends
helps ease the pain
and I know my loss
is my loved one's gain
but tears now flow
across my face
as I long for just
one more embrace
then comfort comes
and I see Christ's face
He hugs my loved one
and I feel God's grace.

Author Unknown




Opal, you will be missed here on this earth by many, many people.
But someday, all of God's children will be together and the reunion will be sweeter than our imaginations can even conjure up.
Until then dear sister,
Until then
Nikki Vilano

The grinch that stole Mommy!!!

The Grinch That Stole Mommy

By Jenny Runkel


I hate the Christmas season. Ok, maybe hate is too strong a word. That's the problme with being a writer. Everyone pays really close attention to your words and if you're not careful, they come back to haunt you in one way or another. So which word really pinpoints my feelings about Christmas? Bitterness? Melancholy? Cynicism? Dread? Hmm…that has a nice ring to it. Yes, I think that just might be it. I dread Christmas.

Sad, but true. I dread “the most wonderful time of the year.” I should be traipsing around town spreading cheer and drinking Peppermint Lattes, but I just can’t. To tell you the truth, I feel more like curling up into the fetal position and trying to sleep my way through the craziness. There is just something panic-inducing about the month of December. I have never sat down to try and outline what makes me so anxious whenever I hear Bing Crosby dreaming of a White Christmas, but with another yuletide quickly approaching, it’s high time I did just that.

Maybe it’s the catalogs that arrive before I’ve even finished sneaking the KitKats out of my kids’ Halloween bags. Those things are relentless. The catalogs, I mean. They clog my mailbox daily, promising lifetime guarantees on “gift solutions that make life easier.” Let’s think about that for a moment. Does a chocolate fondue fountain really make my life easier? What about a hand-held gnome that repeats phrases you give it in a “gnome accent?" You know what would really make my life easier? Not getting any more catalogs! Maybe it’s the supermarkets. I went to the grocery store on November 1st this year to do my weekly shopping. I expected the Halloween candy to be on sale and I knew Thanksgiving trimmings would greet me at the door—stacks of cranberry sauce, perhaps even rows of Indian corn. What I didn’t expect was to be hit in the face by Christmas. Literally. A gigantic inflatable Santa smacked me in the head just as I walked down the greeting card aisle. On November 1st! The clerk hauling Jolly St. Nick to his appointed spot apologized profusely, saying that she didn’t see me around the corner, but I know better. I saw the look on Santa’s face as they headed down aisle 14 to meet up with the candy canes. He was definitely smirking.

Maybe it’s the magazines lining the checkout counters. While I’m wrestling my kids away from the Skittles (and remembering that one of them hasn’t had a dentist appointment in ages), I’m faced with photos of darling children in precious Christmas sweaters making their own ornaments and baking cookies while Mom is scrapbooking the moment as it happens. AUGH!!!!

And then it hits me. I don’t really dread Christmas itself. It’s the pressure of the Holidays that make me woozy. All the glitz and glitter that the stores and commercials try to sell us has left me feeling empty and small. Real holidays, at least the holidays I’ve experienced, usually involve hurt feelings and awkward conversations. The catalogs, stores, and magazines don’t show you that side of things. They show the plastic side of Christmas.

It’s not the decorations or shopping that make me crazy, it’s the expectations that I’ve attached to those things. I’ve been listening to my inner “Should” without even recognizing it. This voice tells me what I’m supposed to do, how I’m supposed to look, how my children are supposed to behave. Apparently, it doesn’t stop there, though. It also tells me what the Holidays are supposed to be like. It tells me that I should bake cookies and put up Christmas lights. I should get the perfect gifts for my kids’ teachers, crossing guards, and coaches (not to mention friends and family). I should decorate the house and create a warm, cozy environment. I should write the perfect holiday letter and take the perfect holiday photo. I should catch up with all my long lost friends who send those same perfect letters and photos to me. I should record all these fantastic moments for eternity with pictures and videos. And I MUST do it all in precious Christmas sweaters.

I’m exhausted just thinking about it all. I am paralyzed by the sheer volume of things that need to be done. What am I doing to myself? To my family? This is Christmas, not the Mommy Olympics. Although sometimes it feels like it, there is no one watching my every move and waiting to give me a score, The loud echo of The Should doesn’t have to govern my actions and attitudes

No more! I am a smart, successful woman. I have the power and ability to overcome the lure of The Should and start enjoying the winter wonderland along with the best of them. From now on, I will listen to a new voice in my head. One that is a little more gentle, a little more wise and a lot more sane. I will call this my Maya Angelou voice. She sits on a windowsill in my mind waiting to comfort me with a smile and a nod. When I feel the urge to deck something other than the halls, I will hear her say to me in her warm, buttery voice,

“It’s ok to say no. You don’t need to attend all those parties and volunteer for every activity.”

“Put your feet up and take care of you for a change. When’s the last time you had some peace and quiet?”

“You are not alone. Just about everyone gets stressed around the holidays.”

“Be creative. There is not one right way to do everything. Revel in your unique approach.”

“Work smarter, not harder. Figure out what you’re not great at and let someone who is lend you a hand.”

“Enjoy the little moments. You will one day miss the way your child furrows her brow when writing to Santa.”

“Be gentle with yourself and with others. That is a gift worth giving.”


My inner Angelou. She makes me feel better already. There’s one problem with my plan. The Should won’t go away easily. It’s comfortable in my head. It’s been there for a long time and if I’m not careful, it will choke out Maya at the first sign of stress. I’ve got to think up a way to take that annoyingly persistent whine out of my head before it ruins yet another Christmas.

An epiphany! I know what I will do. I will order the Talking Gnome. I can give my Should another home and this time, instead of sounding like me, it will have a “silly gnome accent”. Maybe that Gnome really will make my life easier, after all.

Mary's Choice
by Phil Ware

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------





The story is familiar, maybe to the point that we have forgotten how incredible it is. Some have trouble accepting the virgin conception and birth of Jesus because it is so outside our experience. Since we believe that God created and ordered a universe beyond our comprehension, it is not so difficult to believe he could create a child in the womb of a virgin. What is truly amazing to me is that this young, peasant, pious, small-town Jewish virgin would accept such an awesome and challenging task.
Let's read the story again with just a few questions and comments to help us hear the story again and rejoice.

Do you think Mary ever imagined an angel would speak to her personally? (Luke 1:26-29 TNIV)

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

How could Mary think God would notice a poor girl like her from despised Nazareth? Even the Bible itself reminds us that people of Mary's day asked, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Why would God notice her, in this out of the way place, among a group of people with no claim to power or position? (Luke 1:30-33; John 1:46)

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
Legend has it that Jewish women often prayed that they could be the mother of the Messiah. But could Mary actually dare to pray such a prayer? What right, what claim, did she have to even be able to utter these words? The angel's words pull back the curtain of life and help us see God's grace at work. (Luke 1:34-37)

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail."

How could she believe God would bless her when it appears in every way that he hadn't? After all, she was poor, her country under the heel of the Roman boot, and her people had been under political subjugation for hundreds of years. Mary had no financial or legal claim to expect God would bless her in this way. Yet Mary does believe that God has seen her situation and has come to bless her, and through her, the Almighty would bless his people! (Luke 1:46-49)

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name.

Looking at the horrid political situation of her time — coupled with the religious hypocrisy and power struggle — how could Mary think of Herod and the Romans, yet still pray for God’s deliverance? God's deliverance seemed blocked by the power-mongers and the dishonest religious leaders in the system. Yet Mary proclaims: (Luke 1:50-52)

His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

How could she believe God would bless her so?
but has lifted up the humble.

Don't you think it must have caught in her throat when she saw Pharisees & Sadducees gloating in their rich and religiously arrogant sense of superiority? But, Mary steadfastly trusted that God would turn the tables and make things right for his downtrodden people. (Luke 1:53-55)

He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

just as he promised our ancestors."

Most of all, Mary surely realized the mess she would bring on herself by accepting this challenge! How could her friends believe her? Wouldn't her reputation be trashed as the rumors of her pregnancy swirled in the small village of Nazareth? She must have realized that even going to live with Elizabeth during her pregnancy would not silence the skeptics and she would be disgraced in her home town — for how could anyone understand this miracle inside her? (Luke 1:56) Don't you think she knew her son, Jesus, would one day be called "Mary's Boy" because no one would believe his miraculous conception? (Mark 6:3) Most of all, Mary surely had to anticipate possibly losing her betrothed husband, Joseph, for how could he understand? (Matthew 1:18-24;Joel 1:9)

Mourn like a virgin in sackcloth grieving for the betrothed of her youth.
When given the open challenge of bearing the Messiah miraculously conceived in her womb by God's Holy Spirit, Mary said, "Yes!" This is the power of God's miracle — Mary is willing to partner with God in a mystery she could not fully understand. Mary said, "Yes!" to the challenges and joys as well as the surprises and wounds. She said, "Yes!" to the precious moments she would share with her baby, but she also said, "Yes!" to hearing her son being called Mary's boy in ridicule. She said, "Yes!" to wonder of the Magi and their gifts and also said "Yes!" to the horrifying moments as she watched her boy crucified before a hardened and mocking mob. While she could not anticipate where all this would lead anymore than she could understand the miracle of her son's conception, Mary said, "Yes!"

You see, one verse, the miracle verse of the whole story, stands out. When faced with this blessing and this cost, with this joy with such challenge, Mary answers the Lord with these incredible words of pledge: "I am the Lord’s servant ... May it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)

Such is the stuff of miracle and grace — the gift of character that forms us to be like the Savior and provides us our way back to God!

Boy its been a while

Things have been so incredibly busy here that I haven't had much time on my own computer.

My two oldest boys computers died and they are almost fixed. Michael got his back and Joey is supposed to get his back no later than Tuesday. THEN I only have to share with Angel and Tony lol!!!!

Its been a busy season getting ready for the Holidays. This week finds me making cookies and fudge....planning Christmas dinner, ordering my Heavenly Ham, wrapping presents, still BUYING presents lol, and trying to find joy in the midst of all the craziness.

I've been going thru many trials and tribulations lately but I have to say that God is bring me thru each and every one of them.
Its like I'm being carried. It feels so peaceful knowing that I'm not alone.

Tuesday I have an interview for a new day care girl who is 2. She will come 3 days a week so thats a good start since my daycare inspection probably won't even happen until the end of January. Boy Ohio is sooo slow at trying to get their providers ready to accept kids. Its almost like they don't want us.

Well, the weather sure was frightful today. COuldn't even venture out for church. This morning, weather wasn't bad but we decided to wait until evening to make sure the roads had been cleared. We got ready to go to evening church when the snow started to come down and come down heavy.....soooo needless to say, we didn't make it.

well, there's an update. They have been few and far between but I hope to do better once I have more time to get on here lol.

Blessings to all
Nikki

Calling all Shoppers!!!

well, its almost the biggest shopping day of the year!!

On that day, I do not leave my house :)

I wanted to share with you all that I finally have my creative juices flowing again.

In the picture you see today are things I made called Wax Dipped Room Fresheners.

They are dipped in a mixture of wax and scent and give off a fantastic aroma without burning a candle. I make these in a variety of animals but the picture shows the ones I did yesterday.

I do these in bayberry, buttercream and gingerbread scent but will be adding lovespell to that soon also.

The crosses you see in the picture are what Joey makes. In case you all don't know who Joey is, he is my 15 year old son. The crosses are made with bent nails and wire and can be done in any color!! The favorites seems to be Steelers colors of black and gold and also USA, the red white and blue ones.

His crosses go for $10 each.

The animals pictured sell for $8.

Its so much fun to do!!! If you have a favorite stuffed animal you would like done to match something in your home, let me know and I'll do my best to see if I can find it to scent for you .

Nikki

Fantastic Idea!!!!!

http://jen365.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html

If you go to the above site, you will begin reading about a lady getting ready to turn 29. So for the next year, she will do something different, that she has never done until her 30th Birthday.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that idea!!!
Now, I want to do my OWN version of this. On December 3rd, I will turn 40 and I want to do something different each day that I am 40. 40 is such a big number for me!!! (Isn't it for everyone???)

Ok everyone, I need ideas. Her ideas aren't exactly what I would do.....but I need lots of ideas...
I only have a couple of weeks to plan this but I want to do this!! I think it would be fun and give my #40 some fun that it needs!!!!!

Jump in and email me or comment me!!!!!
Nikki

Just stuff :)

Hello everyone.
Can you believe Thanksgiving is one week from Thursday? Time seems to fly by. Next thing you know, it will be Christmas...and I am no way at all ready for that.

Things here are good.

Nothing much has changed really.

I'm still waiting on my home inspection for my childcare certification.

I am getting myself into some crafts though.

I make wax scented bears (stuffed animals) and will be trying my hand at candles too. I still continue to make my lip balm and one that about myself that I hate is that I think of a bunch of good ideas, but do nothing.....

Kids are all doing fine.

Happy Birthday Rachel.(my sister in law)

Love
Nikki

What is YOUR identity?

How many of you out there feel like as you've gotten older have lost your "identity"?
I've been married for 20 years and sometimes I feel like I've lost my identity. I tend to take on the identities of those around me. I'm not me anymore. I'm Angel's mom or Joey's mom, or Mike's wife. I "think" at one time I knew who I was....but now, I have no idea :)
I know as a Christian I am not my own but I am Christ's. But how does one find out who you are after giving so much of yourself away year after year to others? I would think back....what music did I listen to years ago, and why did I stop. Yes, I listened to the Carpenters years ago. I loved that music. I think over the years, no one else liked it so I stopped listening to it.
I know as Christians we are to consider others better than ourselves. We are supposed to put others first. But where do we as individuals in Christ fit in then? I know its healthy to be an individual and have your own interests and likings....How does it all fit together to form a healthy human being?
Please, email me your thoughts on this...

Winter is coming....
Nikki

Report cards for parents

City Considers Grading Parents

MANCHESTER, Conn. -- A member of the Manchester Board of Education has proposed grading parents of the district's students with report cards.

Steve Edwards said the idea is meant to get more parents involved in their children's academic careers and to make them more responsible.

"There are people who see it as anti-parent, I see it as pro-parent," Edwards said.

The idea stirred controversy in Chicago after a short-term implementation.

Parents who spoke to Eyewitness News said that they are considering the idea.
"I think it's a good idea because I don't think parents step up to the plate these days," said Manchester parent Maureen Madrak.

If passed, teachers would keep tabs on parents in five different areas. Teachers would evaluate whether students are doing their homework, arriving at school on time, eating a good breakfast, dressed appropriately for the weather and if parents are actively participating in parent-teacher conferences.

"This isn't a program to evaluate a program or someone's lifestyle -- this is a program to help figure out how kids can succeed in school," said Edwards.

Edwards said currently the plan is just an idea and that he plans to discuss it more at future Board of Education Committee meetings.


~~~~Nikki Here.....Interesting article. Hmmmm if parents fail on their report card, do they get grounded by their child??? Detention maybe? Joking aside....Parents need to be involved!!!
There is a book I am very interested in reading called Screamfree Parenting. I will start reading it soon and posting info about it here. If its really good, I might want to start a once a month book club about this book. OOPS, if i say it outloud, I might have to actually do it :) :)
Be Blessed
Nikki

Been in Ohio for 1 year now

Well, the one year mark has come and gone.
What a crazy year its been. That is for sure!!!
When we arrived in Ohio, I hadn't even seen the home we were going to live in.
But God worked it out.
The kids and I managed to get thru the time without Mike here.
God worked it out.
Once Mike arrived home, the retirement pay and unemployment monies were no where to be found...
God worked it out.
With the job situation, so many doors were shut, couldn't understand why...
God worked it out.
Now, Mike likes his job in Pittsburgh and we can see how God was working the whole time.
Remember, God IS working in our lives. Whether it is painful or not, He is working.
Sometimes the anvil is painful but He is molding us. Call it growing pains I guess but God WILL work it out

NIkki

A neat thought on Pumpkins :)

THis was sent to me in an email and I thought it was a neat thought :)



Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff-- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light insi de you to shine for all the world to see. This was passed on to me from another pumpkin. Now, it is your turn to pass it to a pumpkin. I liked this enough to send it to all the pumpkins in my patch.

Just an update :)

Hello!
Wow, its been a couple of weeks since I last wrote and really, my last few posts have just been some neat video's I've found.

Things here are good.
Mike still likes his job in Pittsburgh.
I miss having him home and having the ease of having my van at all times but I'll get used to it again. Its a good thing I'm 4 houses from Convenient Store :)

Michael is now working pretty much full time at Deluxe toy and hobby store in Martins Ferry which is also only a block and a half from our house.

Joey and Tony and Angel are working on school and soon will be making plans for Thanksgiving Feast!! Joey is my cook so I hope maybe he can come up with something really delicious. It will be our 1st Thanksgiving in many many MANY years to be here with family.

My daycare certification is coming along. WHen I talked to my worker, she said she is hoping within a month or so ...to have the interview with me and be done! SOoooo, that means working on my house to getting everything done that needs to be done for it. With my certification, it means I can accept state paid kids. I wish I had kids in here now but so far, nothing.

Well, there is an update. Sorry its been so few and far between. I think of things to write about as I lay in bed, then forget by the time I wake up....

More later
Be Blessed
Nikki

Keep praying for those in war....

Beautiful to watch...Imagine...

Use your imagination as you watch this video....
Be Blessed
Nikki

Special for all mothers!!!!!

What book is described here?

Always have a book at hand, in the parlor, on the table, for the family; a book of condensed thought and striking anecdote, of sound maxims and truthful apothegms. It will impress on your own mind a thousand valuable suggestions, and teach your children a thousand lessons of truth and duty. Such a book is a casket of jewels for your housebold. - Tryon Edwards


Hmmmm the only book that would really teach truth to your children is the B-I-B-L-E!

Looking for a job?

A friend of mine Beth Johnson sent me this in an email...
Enjoy.

If you are not working in the church because no one has given you a job, wait no longer.

Christ has a job for you.

1. Feed the hungry, give a drink to the thirsty, help strangers, clothe the naked, visit the sick (Matthew 25:34-40).
2. Bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2).
3. Comfort one in trouble (2 Corinthians 1:4).
4. Do good, communicate (Hebrews 13:16).
5. Warn the unruly (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
6. Restore one overtaken (Galatians 6:1).
7. Study the Scriptures (John 5:39).
8. Teach (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
9. Give (Matthew 5:42; 10:42).
10. Sing (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19).
11. Pray (Matthew 6:9-15).
12. Bear fruit (Philippians 1:11; 4:15-17).
13. Increase your faith in God (John 6:29).
14. Exhort one another daily (Hebrews 3:13).

Christ has already handed out the assignments. Let us strengthen our hands to the task that is before us.



It gave me something to think about.
With so many "jobs" to do, I should never have reason to say I'm bored lol.

Be Blessed
Nikki

The America We Love to Call our Own!!!

You can read about this beautiful boy here :

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/20/burned.boy.surgery/index.html

This boy while living in his own home country had someone pour gasoline on him and burn him.

He survivied and someone here in America heard about this story and he is now in the States and doctors here are doing the surgeries necessary for him.

Read the story at the link above and for those Christians who read this, PLEASE pray for him, the doctors and all who are caring for this boy.

This story brought tears to my eyes and also the heart of those who are caring for this child.

We are blessed, people, blessed to be living in a nation that cares about people. Not just people that look like us, but all people.

Nikki

PS Mike starts work with the security agency on Friday!!!!

What should I write about today?

I clicked on my blog site, and sat here.....thinking...." What am I going to write about today?"

I thought that I should be writing something to inspire those who read it, but I've got nothin'.....

I thought that you all are tired of me writing the same old thing about family....but that is really all I have to write about .



So, in order to update my blog ....back to the same old stuff I guess lol.



Mike: Had his 3rd job interview yesterday with this security agency. One way or another, he should be working for this agency in some manner. The one job he was applying for ...the interview went well but the owner of the company said if this position didn't get filled by him, he wants to offer Mike another position. Not many details on that...but we should hear something by the end of the week. Hahaha....I feel funny saying that cause that is what they told us before and it took two weeks lol.



Me: Lost two daycare kids yesterday. I only have 3. Two kids that come 2 days a week....and one little boy who comes 1.5 hours a week lol. The two kids that come twice a week were good kids and Angel and Tony had alot of fun with them. They will be missed.

I'm glad to see the warmer weather returning for a bit cause I really haven't had the time to go shopping for cooler weather clothing lol. Uh oh...did I say that?



Kids: They are doing fine. Michael is glad to be home and the kids are glad to have him here.

Our homeschooling year is going fine. Joey is moving right along. We've started now for 2 weeks and already have turned in quite a bit of work to American School of Correspondence.

I really would like him to graduate early to take a year of working before he heads off to Culinary School.

Angel joined American Heritage Girls. Its an alternative to Girl Scouts. Its fantastic and she is excited about it very much. The troop is doing a Varity Show for their first fundraiser so she is trying to decide if she wants to do something for it. She is a bit...LOTSABIT...stagefright...so this is a challenge for her. In a couple of weeks is a daycamp for her group too. I will probably be helping out with that so she will have a blast.

Tony recieved a junior metal detector a couple of weeks ago and its perfect timing cause as we are redoing our backyard, he can take it out and find lots of treasures. Ask him about what he has found. He likes to talk about it.

Ok all, there is your update.
Its 9:30 and time to get a move on with my day.
Have a great Tuesday and be Blessed
Pray for the Josephs as they are in the Ukraine now and they need prayers for safety and that they can do God's work while they are there.
Nikki

A beautiful poem

This poem I am posting is written by the grandaughter of a dear friend who teaches for a school in Chennai India. Her grandaughter is only like 13 or 14 years old at the most....what a talent.



The Faithful and Wise Servant

There's dishes piled in the sink,
And laundry left to fold,
The table isn't fully cleared
Of breakfast that is cold.

Throughout the day there's chores to do
That often can be fun,
But there are days when any job
Seems dull to anyone.

These jobs seem unimportant now,
So easy to let slip,
To set aside for later time,
Then carelessly forget.

The foolish servant idly said,
"My Lord delayeth to come;
Those needful things? Some other time!
For now whatever I want."

Then as a thief would come at night,
Unhailed, his Lord returned;
He cast that slothful servant forth
To sorrow and to burn.

But to the servants who had watched,
Who faithfully had labored
In little things, He gave them much,
and blessed them with His favor.

So when I'm wishing I'd a more
Important job to do,
I remember if I'm faithful now,
I'll get the big jobs too.


~Nikki here....What thoughts for a young one to convey so beautifully.
My son Michael returns from Virginia Beach tomorrow!!! YAY!!!
He's been gone a month and its been such a very long month for his mother :)
I need to take some pictures of the house projects we are doing and let you see the home we bought a few months ago. It still has alot of work to do but the jobs require extra money and that we just don't have right now .
My daycare certification is moving along. My references recieved their letters in the mail that they must fill out and answer the questions the state is asking..not sure what the next step is after that but I still have to take a class to get my cpr and first aid certification and take a class in October as well.
Well, I'm off to my work for the day which consists of schooling, laundry, dishes, and I must remember, these are important jobs that I am doing for the Lord. Its a blessing to be home...
Love to you all
Nikki

Remember those of 9-11

Do you remember exactly where you were or what you were doing when you heard the tragic news that the World Trade Center was hit?

I do...

Mike was away with other Navy guys. He had just made chief and was out and about with them.
We lived in Dahlgren, VA then and I was Navy Certified doing childcare and we lived on base.

When this happened, they closed down the base and you couldn't do anything. Those in care had to leave immediately. I didn't know what was happening.

It was the most horrible feeling.

Imagine those who found out they had loved ones in this situation that we were watching.

Those who are on foreign grounds and those fighting here, they are doing this to keep our freedoms alive that we all take for granted.

Let us look back and remember ....do not ever forget....because there are many who lost their lives that day and days following....and those who are still around that will never be the same.

a Poem i found

Thank you Sistah J (whoever you might be for these beautiful words)


I am loved...I am hated.
I am joy anticipated.
I am instruction to the wise.
I am that which fools despise.

I am knowledge on the lips of few.
I am understanding which the diligent pursue.
I am the way which is often rejected.
I am the hedge of those protected.

I am your strength in times of adversity.
I am your peace in the midst of tragedy.
I am the crooked, made straight.
I am the reward of those who wait.

I am shelter in your pouring down rain.
I am He who is able to keep you sane.
I am the hand on the surgeon's knife.
I am the very hand that saved your life.

I am the wind that encompasses your soul.
I am the only one who can make you whole.
I am the river flowing toward your drought.
I am He who breaks shackles with a shout.

I am the book of Genesis through Revelation.
I am the only hope of your salvation.
I am the First and the Last.
I am the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit...all in one cast.Who am I?
I will tell you, even as I told Moses...I AM THAT I AM.

Copyright © 1998 By Sistah J

Prayer Service

I very much enjoyed our prayer service we had last night at National Road.
It was fantastic to gather with our fellow brethern and offer God our prayers in the many subjects we covered.

I wish we did that more often.

Here on the homefront, nothing much has changed.
Still waiting to hear about a job....
and still waiting for his retirement pay to get fixed.

and Oh how sweet it is to wait upon the Lord.....

Life

Hello!
I almost didn't want to write anything cause there's not much that has changed right now.
Mike still hasn't heard anything from the security agency he applied with and interviewed for. He called them on Friday and they had just finished up with their last interview with a candidate so anytime this week, he should hear something. I find myself looking at the phone and trying to get get them to call telepathicthy.....yeah yeah ...pathetic I know.

Our official first day of school was yesterday. It went well. So well, I don't feel like babysitting today...just want to spend that time with my kids...

Mike never got his retirement pay into his bank.....
Hmmm......this sure is getting old. Of course, we called and of course, the admin office said they will look into it. So....here we are again, no pay, no unemployment....its ALMOST funny....and I did emphasize ALMOST....

Michael should be coming home Saturday the 15th. I am thankful for that. I miss him....
Can a person be thankful yet a bit apprehensive too????

Ok, there's your update. From the sound of my writing today, it seems I'm a bit down in the dumps....guess I am...with all of this stuff going on, its really hard not to feel it once in a while.

Please pray Mike gets this job.
Pray that Donna doesn't need a new car.
Pray that our new homeschool year is a success.
Pray for Michael's safety coming home.
Pray for Mike and Nikki's spiritual outlook as we go thru this tough time....
He seems to be doing great. I usually am, but feel a bit down today.
Thanks family.

Love to you all

NIkki

Watch this fantastic video!!

I came across this on one of my emails.
Now at first, I wasn't sure what I was watching but as you watch, you will catch on. It brought tears to my eyes. Its a skit put on by some teens....

Its fantastic..a little long but worth the time to see it..

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5

Delinquents...who are they?

I came across this...I like it. Tell me what you think?




We read in the paper, we hear on the air, Of killing and stealing and crime everywhere;
We sigh and we say, as we notice the trend: “This young generation . . . where will it end?”
But can we be sure it’s their fault, alone?

Too much money to spend; too much idle time;
Too many movies of passion and crime;
Too many books not fit to be read;
Too much evil in what they hear said;
Too many kids encouraged to roam; Too many parents who don’t stay at home.


Youth don’t make the movies;
They don’t write the books that paint
The pictures of gangsters and crooks.
They don’t make the liquor, they don’t run the bars,
And they don’t make the cars;
They don’t make the drugs that addle the brain:
It’s all done by older folks, greedy for gain.
In how many cases we find that it’s true . . . The label, “Delinquency,” fits older folks, too.
—Mrs. E. B. Grant

Attitude is everything..

(recieved this in an email and wanted to pass along)

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs onher head.
"Well", she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?"
So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
"Hmmmm," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?"
So she did and she had a grand day.


The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
"Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."
So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
"YEA!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"

Attitude is everything ..



Is your glass half empty or half full?

PS. I am looking for a list of good, Christian literature.
Send me your faves my way!!
Just comment me with title and author :)
Nikki

School year appoaching!

Well, another school year is approaching for this homeschool family!!
THis will make our 12th. Hard to believe sometimes. I hear so often, " So are you STILL homeschooling?" And of course my answer continues to be, " Of course!" I can't imagine it any other way. John Taylor Gatto wrote a book called Dumming us Down. If you have never read it and have children in the system, you should read it. He was a public school teaching in New York City and it is excellent!

As this year approached, I find myself focused on more spiritual things with my teaching. If my children have the best academics available but have no moral or spiritual teaching, then they are gaining knowledge of the world and losing the wisdom of God. I need to keep my priorities straight.

We are trying something a bit new this year. Unit studies. At least for Angel and Tony. Joey is still enrolled with the American School of Correspondence and then we add in our own subjects as he needs.

Ron's lessons on reading the bible have touched me tremendously.

So, here is my questions for you today.

Where is your bible? Dusty? Feeling neglected?
Remember, no other place in the world can you find the actual words of GOD!!

Think on that :)

Nikki

Teaching service to our children....long since forgotten teaching!

How can we sucessfully teach our children to get out of "themselves" and learn to be more of servants to others?

I would love to get comments on this question.

Alot of times, I hear that girls are good at this...girls write letters, send cards, draw pretty pictures....but what can boys do and how can we teach service to our children.

I wasn't brought up in the church and neither was my husband so we didn't have this teaching growing up and I want my children to understand this. Jesus talked very highly of serving others.

I want my kids to understand it ....geez, I need the lesson as well :)

Looking forward to the comments and ideas...

Ok, Don't be shy!!!

Just when you think life is getting easier....

Then your oldest son leaves home.....
It started out just for a 2 week visit to see his girlfriend in Virginia. Then he said he wants to try to stay. He left with nothing but a suitcase and some money in his wallet. (and a sad but proud mom at the airport)

Some people wonder about homeschoolers. They think they are unsocialized, afraid to leave home cause they've been with mom so many years...etc. Well, not so with my kids. The stereotype is wrong! But I am proud that my son wants to at least give it a try on his own. Not sure what his plans are or how he is going to accomplish them but I applaud him for at least trying. He wants to come back to Ohio next year, but in the mean time, I definitely feel alot of weirdness.

I hear, " Well, you still have your other family at home." Yes, true. But this is my first son. Its not like I've been used to being away from him like some parents are. Some parents don't teach their own children at home which means even MORE time spent with their kids. I haven't worked much outside the home in his childhood years so that also means I've been with him alot.

Yeah, this is tough. Letting go and letting him make his way.....
I just pray God will keep Michael near to Him. God can take way better care of Michael than I can anyway.

Man, what I've gone thru this past year......

Things here at home are doing fine. Mike had an interview with a security agency up in Pittsburgh. Not sure what will happen with it but it seems very promising.

Our van is broken right now. I think its the starter but hopefully it will be fixed soon as that is our only vehicle. Im thankful we had Mike's dad's truck so at least we have a way to go to church. It only fits 4 comfortably so we are doing service in shifts. Mike and Joey went this morning and me and Tony and Angel will go this evening.

Ok, time for some coffee. I don't get many comments, does anyone read this ?

Cya laters
Nikki

Another day, Not much to say

Hello everyone.
I am surprised each time I log onto my blogger site to see how long its been since I last wrote anything. I really haven't had much to write about so thats probably why.

Mike is still looking for work but any day now, he should recieve his discharge papers which SHOULD have been mailed on the 1st of August! But at least with this paper, he can apply for Federal Jobs and also apply for unemployment. Also with this paperwork, we all can get new ID's so we can continue with medical care. Right now our ID's are expired lol.

We are also gearing up for another homeschool year. I am excited about this one as we are doing unit studies this year. The kids seem excited....I just hope it continues :)

Our new house is coming along. Without having extra money right now, we are just doing the necessities to get my house ready for daycare certification but I still love this place and am very blessed that God gave us this home.

Mike has been home for good now since June 1st. We have been enjoying him and I believe...hahaha...he has enjoyed his time home as well. It tough looking for jobs around here.
But we have faith that God will open the door where He wants Mike to be.

In the mean time, we are concentrating on family and God and making the best of each day that God has given to us.

Please pray for Michael as he leaves Saturday ON A PLANE...hahah...for 2 weeks to visit a girlfriend in Virginia.

How am I doing? I'm good. Learning lots of lessons right now from all of this. WAIT upon the Lord !!!

I love to hear from you all...
Send me a comment or message or something :) :)
Nikki

Fight or Flight?

Here is a little story sent to me by email...



At one Army base, the annual trip to the rifle range had been canceled for the second year in a row, but the semi-annual physical fitness test was still on as planned.

One soldier mused, "Does it bother anyone else that the Army doesn't seem to care how well we can shoot, but they are extremely interested in how fast we can run?"



The lesson I took from this is :

Sometimes when we see a temptation in front of us, we must make a choice....fight or flight.
Sometimes its best to just flee.
God tells us to flee from evil, whether it be from evil desires or sexual immorality.
FLEE!

Put on your running shoes, you never know what evil lurks around the corner!!!
Be Blessed
Nikki

Praise list :

Time with family (even without a full time job ...)

Good morning!

Good morning friends and family!
I apologize once more for not keeping up with my blog. John is doing a much better job than me so do not fret John, you are doing great :)

Things here are fine. Today is Mike's official last day of active duty. As of tomorrow, the Navy signs his discharge papers and he will officially be a civilian.
I feel great about that..

Mike continues to look for work. We knew coming to the valley would mean a hard time finding work but we have faith in God that he will provide.

I just watched Facing the Giants again last night. When you faith grows week, watch this movie...
I cry every time I see it!!

I continue to get my house ready for certification for daycare.

Please continue to pray that God will show us what he wants us to do.

Love you all
Nikki

Update

I didn't realize it had been as long as it has since my last update. I apologize!!

Here is a much needed update!

No change on the job situation as of today. Mike is still working on a job and has his resume out there and now we are just waiting to see what door God will open.
I have a couple drop in children for childcare that start on Wednesday. Its just a few hours a week but its better than nothing. For those of you who read my blog and are local to Martins Ferry or Wheeling area, and know anyone who needs babysitting, I'm your woman :)


Only a few more weeks until our new school year starts. I am still trying to sell last years curriculum to buy things needed for this year so that means, NO , I'm not ready yet. People ask my kids if they are ready to go back to school, but they should be asking me lol.

Michael is now cashier at Krogers. He is much happier than being a bagger....more hours for one...and no more cleaning bathrooms lol.

Kids are all doing fine. Today is our library day. Once a month on a Tuesday, Angel and TOny have an activity day. Today is all about seeds and plants. Should be fun!

Well, I will do my best to update more often.
Love to all
Nikki

Finally an update!!

Hi everyone!
Let me say that civilian life is good.....

Mike is retired from the military....officially he had his ceremony but hasn't recieved his paperwork and still gets a paycheck until August 1st.

I will post pictures...I have about 89 of them that the Navy's photographer took but its hard picking the best of the best :)

We are doing good. I'm a little nervous right now cause there is no job on the horizon for Mike which means I am looking for a full time job right now while I still work on getting my daycare set up.

This is a big step in faith. Mike seems to have unwaivering faith. He knows things will work out...even if we were to lose everything we had cause we still have God. Me? My faith..sadly to say, is a little shaky. I see what I see and I see money being quickly spent on necessities.

I'm doing my best to help.
Getting rid of our cable bill...watching our food bill more closely...things like that.

I guess its a good lesson for us all.

Anyway, I will post pictures soon.
I've missed you all

Nikki