Missing the Close Stuff

I can not believe that I passed by Quincy Bog at least 4 out of 7 days a week for more than 10 years and never visited!  I was excited to meet a dear friend and her family during my NH visit and we explored the Bog.  Later, I found out that my grandparents helped to get the bog started and invested money in this natural area.  What a fun time, even in the misty rain!  I like that there is such a beautiful place, so close to where we are!  So, I guess the moral of this "story" is don't look far away to see God's beautiful creation.  It is often in those common areas that are overlooked.  We tend to think that you have to go somewhere far away to experience the neat and exciting places.  If we stop and examine our own "backyard" I think it will be amazing what we find.

Thanks dear friend for suggesting this lovely spot to meet up and for being a dear friend!  It was treasured time for sure!

Turtles, worms and volcanos, Oh my!

We have continued with our daily themes this week.  The boys have really enjoyed this part of the day and look forward to the surprise of the "research topic".
Monday we learned about turtles.  Did you know that a group of turtles is called a bale?  And, the largest turtle is a Leatherback sea turtle that can weigh up to 2000 pounds!  Did you know a turtle does not stick its tongue out to get food, but only uses it to swallow?  For "Turtle Day" we did a word search, read a Franklin book, wrote stories about turtles, did a maze, played a turtle memory game online and made our very own turtles!  Here are the crafts they made.

Tuesday was Earth Worm day.  This was inspired solely by a book on cd I found at the library called "The Diary of a Worm".  It was such a cute book and the research was fun too!  When I told the kids about "Worm day" they did not seem too excited...at first.  But after digging for worms in our yard and racing them I think it was quite the hit!  The race was Zack's favorite part of the whole day!  For other activities we did another maze with worms in an apple, and the kids came up with words that related to worms for almost every letter of the alphabet (by themself!) and we learned some facts.  Did you know that the longest worm recorded is over 22 feet long?!  And, on one acre of land there can be over 1,000,000 worms!  Did you know they can have up to 5 hearts?  So many interesting facts that I never would have known if it were not for a bit of worm research. :) 
Here are some pictures from "Worm Day".

The worms had some assistance getting to the finish line, but we did watch them squirm for about 15 minutes!

Today was dubbed "Volcano Day"  It was initiated by a scientific volcano movie Zack found at the library.  Zack and Owen both did a word search with many words related to volcanoes (it was really a bit too hard for them, but a challenge is a good thing!), then they solved a volcano riddle.  They had to match the corresponding numbers with the appropriate letter to determine what the largest volcano is.  Do you know?  It is called the Olympus Mons and is on Mars.  We watched the volcano "movie" and also made our own volcano eruption! We made a volcano out of playdoh and used some food coloring, baking soda and vinegar to make it erupt.  It was really a fun activity!  The kids wanted to do it so many times that we ran out of vinegar!  Oh well.  All for a good science lesson!

I missed the big "explosion" since I was on pouring duty and camera duty, but none the less, you get the idea.  The kids expressions show how excited they were about this project too!

And, to top off the day, as I was writing this I peaked out the window while I was waiting for pictures to upload and saw a beautiful orange sunset.  I must add that to the days happenings because it was so strikingly fantastic!

I have really enjoyed these "research days" and love the engaged time with my boys.  The added structure sure helps with establishing the routine of summer vacation too. 

Tomorrow...it will be Zebra day and Owen's gonna love it! :)

Elephant Day

Today was the first day of summer vacation.  I knew last night that I was going to need to have some structure planned so I decided I was going to start planning purposeful educational days.  I asked the kids what there top 5 favorite animals were and am using that list in addition to some of my own ideas.

So, today was a day filled with elephant facts and happenings.  We started off the morning learning several facts about the large beasts.  For example, they can swim very well under water and use their trunks like snorkels, and a baby elephant weighs about 250 pounds and they eat 16-20 hours every day! 

After the brief learning session we played an elephant game...Horton Hears a Who.  Here are a couple pics of the kids enjoying the game:

A little later we also looked on the map to see where the elephants live.  We learned they live in Africa and Asia.  The African elephants are larger than the Asian elephants and have bigger ears too! 

Then, they each colored a picture and wrote a brief story about an elephant.  It was fun to hear their creativity of the stories.  I wrote for them this time as they told their story to me, but for future, Zack will write his.

After our stories we did some elephant races.  Did you know that elephants can not run?  They walk really fast (up to 25 mph) but it all a swift walk.  So the kids "walked" as fast as they could on all fours and raced around the living room.  It was quite entertaining to watch!   Then, to finish off our special day, we read the book "Horton Hears a Who".  It was a cute book with the main point of no matter how big or small, everyone is equally valuable and makes a difference. 

Who knew elephants could be so fun?! :)  Next week will bring some more fun!  There is quite the long list of things the kids want to learn about after today's activities.  Now to decide which thing or animal next...!!



Race Day

Dan and I checked 2 mile race off my "Bucket List" this morning.  (Just for clarification, Dan has done some 5K races growing up, but I have never run a race before).  So this hot Saturday morning of June 4th, 2011 we dropped the kids off at a friend's house and we drove over to the race site.  We barely snuck in in time to get our race shirts.   In all honesty, I really only wanted the shirt!  It would be proof that I ran...or at least was in the race even if I did not run the whole time! :)   When we got our shirts...I was utterly disappointed.  I almost quit before I started.  They are the ugliest shirt I have ever seen!  Seriously, who wants a dirty off white colored shirt?!

OK, so shirt experience aside, here's the race low down.  Dan ran the WHOLE thing!  And, if you have never been to Mt Horeb it is not called "Mount" Horeb for nothing!  There were some good hills along the way!  Oh, and good, meaning torturous!  As  for me, I ran the first mile without stopping (aside from 2 brief shoelace hindrances), and about 1/2 of the second half.  I was good with this.  I have never before run a whole mile consecutively...not even in the elementary gym class forced mile run. 

Going into the morning, Dan had the realistic goal of finishing under 20 minutes. (Internal, unrealistic goal of under 18)  His time was 19:10.  Great job for no prep work!  I did not have a time goal (I just wanted the shirt!) but I finished somewhere between 25:00 and 26:02...I forgot to look.

All in all it was a fun morning.  I'm glad I "ran" the Norsk Run.  Would I do it again??? ...We'll see.  Would Dan do it again?  Yeah.

Growing

There are so many stages of growing, both as a child and as an adult.  Last weekend was the beginning of a new stage.  Perhaps it does not seem big to you, but it is huge to me!  My kids have taken to calling me Mom.  Not Mommy.  Not Mama. Not Muma.  Mom.  I have been dreading the day for years.  I have, in the past, corrected them when they had a "slip" and said Mom instead of Mommy or Mama.  I still cringe when I hear my new title. 

They can not be old enough to call me that, can they? 

I suppose it was inevitable.  I am trying to accept this new title graciously.  I still have a long way to go to be successful in that goal.  But I'm trying!

It is interesting how we as adults grow in our knowledge of Christ that we can revert back to childhood and desire the father/daughter (son) relationship of protection.  We learn more about Him and we are reacquainted with how little we know about Him.  The more we learn, the more we know we need to learn.  Also, as I grow, I want more and more be be held "in the shadow of His wing".  I want the ultimate protection that only He can provide.  I want to be the one with the childlike faith and want to be more and more in awe of our Creator.  I am taken care of by my Abba, my Daddy.  I am safe and secure in Him.  As I grow older and as I grow closer to God, the knowledge that I have grows I become more and more of a reliant child. 

As my children are feeling older and perhaps more independent calling me Mom, I want just the opposite (for myself and for them!) in our Christian walk.  Abba father is the title I strive for.  God is the title for the Creator and God of the Universe.  Abba is the title of my protector, guide, hope, and many other intimate relational helps.

I want to feel like I have an Abba/Kirsten relationship with God the Father.  And, I want to be the best "Mom" I can to my growing children.

Call To Worship

I sat down to eat my humble sandwich dinner of cheese and butter on 9 grain bread and thought, I want to write a blog tonight.  So, my next task-figure out what I want to write about. 

I walked over to the cupboard to round out my "dinner" with some Wheat Thins.  I put my small used plate (from my sandwich) on the counter and thought...hmmm, I can use this plate and put some crackers on there.  So I pulled the cracker box off the shelf and walked to the counter to fill my plate and saw a paper that said "Call to Worship" on it.  Perfect.  That inspiring line will be my focal point.

In all things we are called to worship.  When things are not going as we desire, we are called to worship.  When moments are overflowing with evident blessings, we are called to worship.  When times are frustrating, yet again, we are called to worship. 

It is so easy to worship out of thanksgiving when we receive something that we have been waiting for or when we are pleased with how life is going.  But, what about those times where everything is not just as you would like.  What about those times when your defiant child is being, well, defiant?  What about those times where your plans are changed and you did not want them to be changed.  What about those times where a loved one is hurt emotionally or physically?  What about when honesty does not prevail a hierarchy of politics in the business environment?  What if all my "what if" examples occurred today and I was feeling overwhelmed with sadness in many areas?  Yes, it is then that I need to remember we are called to worship in the good times and bad.  

One of my remembered quotes from my father-in-law is "Nothing is a surprise to God."  God knows what is occurring in everyone's life as well as in everyone's heart.  He knows where we need to rely more on him and He knows where we feel solid in Him.  God is available as a friend, mentor, encourager, and supporter.  My job is to give Him the worship He deserves (in all circumstances!) and to turn my burdens over to Him. 

For my child who is having moments of deviancy, I pray God will soften his sweet heart to be more loving, gentle and rational with ears and a tongue of respect.  For my plans that were changed this morning, I thank you God that I had prayer time at home instead of at church because apparently my prayers were needed to be focused on where I was this morning, at home.  To my friend who is emotionally hurting after job complications, I pray God uses this time as a refreshment and that there is something great waiting for your sweet compassionate ways.  To my friend who is struggling with business hierarchy, I pray that you will be a bright light to those around you and not feel guilty for doing your job well.  For the sadness that I experience, God I pray that it is a compassion that never ceases for people. 

I worship You God for who you are (GOD!) and for how You comfort and care for each of us. You deserve to be worshipped and I want to be one falling at Your feet giving you all the praise I can muster, in good times and in bad.  



From each cloud and below to each blade of grass and above, in all things, I worship You.



For the Love of Flowers

I have been in awe of flowers this spring.  The intensity of my admiration for the beauties grows each year.  I have a hunch that it is due to the significance of warmth that is approaching and snowy days are of the past but none the less, I am appreciating flowers greatly.  I also am enjoying experimenting with my camera.  I know I am by no means a great photographer, but hey...I enjoy the hobby none the less.
God has given me some beautiful subjects this spring to capture with a lens as well as a bit of added creativity by me.  My favorite photo of the evening is this one...


The white in the middle is the moon.

And just to entertain myself, here are a few of the runner ups from this evening's photo shoot outside.



Apparently I was taking a while with my picture-taking. I had been playing with the lighting and the flash and the angles etc.   So, when I was just taking some of our front porch (with the thought of my last blog-sitting on the porch enjoying company) Dan peeked out to see if I was out there.    So here he is too. :)

How great it is that God creates such beautiful scenery for us to enjoy.  I hope I can continue to recognize and capture the little miracles; like flowers.