End of two weeks

Well, I've made it two full weeks of being dresses/ skirts only. My youngest daughter enjoyed it and it really didn't make much difference to her. She LOVES dress & skirts. For me, it really wasn't that bad. On hot days, the thicker skirts were a little hard to bear, but it was doable. I quite enjoyed feeling more feminine. And feeling feminie led me to think kinder, and more about the things I SHOULD be concerned with. Like cleaning and orginizing the house and taking better care of my husband. I started making him lunches everyday to take to work, even if I was just too tired. I made the effort. (he just has not been good at that this year) As a result, we've saved some money (not fast food trips) he is feeling better, and is much more plesant and happy.
So, I think I'll stick with dresses/ skirts for some time. I do think it's fine for women to wear pants (woman's pants), so I probably will from time to time. But I think that dresses make me a better wife/ mother. God pressed it upon my heart, I listened and good came of it. Praise God. :)
I'll have to get a few more summer type dresses/ skirts, and I'm not sure how or when that will happen, but if God wants me to wear them, they will show up somewhere, somehow.
I've got another "kids speak":
a few nights ago, while tucking the younger two into bed, my husband got a work phone call on his cell-phone. It was the police calling about a concern on his jobsite (he's a civil eng. and working in construction). Of course he had to take the call. He had already tucked in and kissed goodnight our son, but not our daughter. She was quiet while on the phone, waiting her turn, but once he hung up and went in to take care of her, she said, "D..A..D.. I think my sleep is more important than a phone call!" he replied "well, it was the police." so she said,"oh, well then I guess you had to talk to them then." Children, what a wonderful gift from our Lord.
Blessings-Athena

Good afternoon all,
Well, now that I think I've got everything understood (ok, most everything) here on this site, I can start blogging a bit more (maybe).
This past week has been VBS at church. It's the first one I've ever been involved in. My reponsibility (along with my oldest daughter) was pretty easy, just the nursery, we only had one or two kids each night, so - it was really simple. Tonight is the carnival and the end.
The younger two had a BLAST being there, and we were even able to take one neighborhood kid along with us who asked Jesus to be his Savior! Perhaps they will start comming to church.
With it being so easy in the nursery I really didn't have any trouble wearing skirts/ dresses all week so far. I can't help but wonder if things are really busy or tricky, if it would be as easy.
I have enjoyed wearing them, and feeling more feminine. I dresss a little nicer, I act a little nicer. It's amazing. My husband apreaciates how I look too.
There are still a few days to go in the full two weeks, but I don't really see a problem with it. It's been trickier finding dresses for the littelest one, who has always LOVED wearing them. But we are so behind on laundry (again!). But we mananged.
My 16 year old did not join us when she got back from camp with our church youth group. It would have been nice if she did, but I told her she is an adult regaurding this decision and it was up to her. As long as she dresses modestly, we were good (which is always the rule anyway).
Guess that is all for today. I've got to go and throw something in for dinner. Not really well planned out, I think that will be my next challange to myself. Meal plans and sticking to them!
Blessings - Athena

hi again.
Ok, so I was able to post them all here. They are not all from today, but you knew that anyway. If you read back, you'll know a bit about me.
I hope you enjoy this blog and continue to visit.
Blessings-Athena

Hello!GOt a cute one for the ”kids’ speak.” The otherday while eating breakfast (at the table for once) my 15 year old son was eating VERY slowly (I really don’t get it, he is the slowest eating kid on the planet when it comes to breakfast. He eats so fast you aren’t even aware he’s had 3rds or 4ths at lunch and dinner, but breakfast, takes a LOT of time!)I said to him, ”stop talking and eat your breakfast already!””All I’ve got left is milk.”So, the little 5 year old daughter says to me, ”you can’t eat milk mama, it doesn’t have any chews!”She’s right!Ah, the wisdom out of the mouths of babes.
On another note, I’ve decided to try out ”dresses/ skirts” only for two weeks. Started on Monday. So far, so good. I have always loved wearing long dresses/ skirts, but at times they were more of a pain than practical, and made some things more difficult. However, they do make me feel more feminine. God makes it pretty clear that men are not to wear women’s clothes, and women are not to wear men’s clothes. But I don’t think this pertains to pants/ shorts. After all, men would still be in robes then, wouldn’t they.But, I did come across a blog that made the point that, as Christians we should stand out, so others can come to us with questions. Wearing dresses/skirts only, is a good way for a woman to stand out (not sure what you men can do), and feel pretty and feminine too.We’ll have to see if it’s something I can stick to or if I think it’s something I can do all the time. As I said, I’m not thinking that all women should only wear dresses, but I’d like to try. I feel that God has been pressing this on my heart lately, so I’m going to give it a try and see if it’s really what He wants of me.
Blessings- Athena

Good morning.Things have been quite busy around here. For all you ”stay at home/ homeschooling moms” you know what I mean.I think it’s time for a new name for us ”stay at home moms.” After all, do we really stay at home? Sure, there are some days, where you stay in pj’s all day and just watch movies. But let’s face it, with all the things we usually do, staying at home is not on top of the list.Even with the ”lazy” days of summer here. We still have church on Sundays and Wednesdays. Story time at the library, park, beach, zoo, errands. And once ”school” starts again, there’s sports, feild trips and learning co-ops to add to the list.No, ”stay at home” just dosen’t cut it any more. Most of the time I feel like I’m running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Even on the days we do ”stay home” I’m still pulled in at least four diretions.So, I’ve decided that my new position title will be ”running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off mom.” Covers it all I think. ’couse that’s quite a mouthful. So, I’ll just be the ”chicken mom.” Feel free to call yourselves ”chicken moms” too.Blessings – Ahtena

good morning.Have you thanked God today?We all remember to thank Him when something big happens. When we get something we REALLY want. But, do you remember to thank Him for the little things, things that tend to go unnoticed? Or how about the things that go wrong. Yes. The things that go wrong.
When something goes wrong, no, it is not always God. It can be the devil, or people doing something to cause it. However, He is still in control, and there is something to that. When you are running late for an appointment, and you hit every red light, get stuck behind someone going 15 under the speed limit, and get stuck at a train crossing (yep! Has happened to me!). Now that’s LATE! However, maybe, just maybe, you avoided a car crash, or hitting a squirrle! Or perhaps God is trying to teach you something. You did get ready late, or got hung up on the phone or computer. So, He has rebuked you, teaching you to take more time to get ready for something. To put your life in order.It is very hard to thank Him for things, when they go wrong. But, if you are able to do so, really do so, it is quite the humbling experiance. You can see that it is NOT about you, but HIM.
And don’t forget to thank Him for the little things that you use, and take advantage of everyday. In our VERY busy lifestyles (homeschoolers here ), it is too easy to forget those little conviences that, if He had not put things into motion thousands of years ago, would not be.For instance: indoor plumbing. Have you thought of what your life would be like if you had to go outside to go to the bathroom(not a pleasant thing for midwesterners in January!). OR do laundry in a tub?! By hand!! Let us not forget dishes! What about carpeting? Keeps your feet nice and comfortable and your home a bit warmer in the winter. Chapstick! What would you use if it wasn’t there?I try to come up with at least one (but I do go for more) each day. And I try to share that with my kids. Crayons have been one thing that the youngest is thankful for, books for the oldest, and video games for the boys. Things that are important to them. Sure, I teach them to be thankful for the big things too, but to be truely thankful for the little things is just as important, at least that’s what I think anyway.We have a responsiblity to teach our children what really matters in life. And since we teach them at home, there is pleanty of time to do so (ok, maybe there is not PLEANTY of time, but there is more ). So, take the time to teach them about the little things, and see them for yourself too.Blessings – Athena

Good Morning.What a weekend! I knew rummages were a lot of work, but htis one took the cake! Four days, hot and humid to cold and rainy, (with some nice times mixed in). AND it wasn’t at our place, which was the biggest thing, I think. You see, my grandmother had a neighborhood rummage, and invited us to bring all our things over to sell, so, we had to bring it all there, and head over there pretty early each morning. Then, bring it all back home. We did pretty good, but I would have liked to get rid of a few more things. Oh well, our church usually has one in the middle of summer, you ”rent” a parking space or two, the teen group gets the money for that, and you keep your profits.You know, even though we had some rainy times, it wasn’t that bad. The worst of it was on day 2, and it was only in the morning. Rummage started around 9:00 and the rain stopped around 10:00. Nothing more than a few sprinkles the rest of the day. All weekend the weather was calling for rain, thunderstorms and heavy rain. But I knew better. I was praying for weeks that God would give us good weather for rummaging. I knew He would deliver, and He did! Sure, it wasn’t perfect weather, but it was really nice weather, and since it was suposed to not be very good most of the weekend … well, it was just fine. Countless people told me it would rain later, tomorrow, ect. But I just told them, it wouldn’t. And IF it did, it wouldn’t be much. Again, God did it! He simply never stops to amaze me. Yes, I know he is capeable of doing anything, but it still amazes me. He is Awesome.
Got another cute thing that kids say. My mom told me a really cute story last night about my youngest (5).She was upstairs playing with my mom, and pulled out an invisable tape player, ”now granny, this is a tape player, and a tape. And it’s going to tell you a story. You have to pretend that it’s the tape player, not me talking.” While saying all this she was very carefully setting up the ”tape player” and putting a ”tape” in. Then she said; ”now, this is a scary ghoast story, so I can’t listen.” So, she put her fingers into her ears and began to tell the story. She kept her fingers in her ears the whole time she was telling her story! I wish I had been there, but I’m not sure I would have been able to keep a straight face.Kids are so great. Thanks for reading.Blessings – Athena

Good Morning Everone.What a beautiful morning here in the midwest. I woke over an hour and half early, just because the weather is just to beautiful to ignore. And, that is quite unusal. I’m much the ”sleeper – iner” as the kids like to say. Don’t kids say the cutest things. At any age they can come up with pretty interesting things. I really wish I could remember them all. We’ve gotten some pretty good ones. Just last night, as daddy was tucking our 5 year old into bed, she said ”I can’t find Froggo” (she loves frogs, she has three currently; Froggy, Hearty McRibbit and froggo. At least those are the favorites.) So, daddy picks up a random stuffed animal and said, ”Here he is. ” She replied, with a compleatly straight face; ”Daaa…ddd…! That’s NOT a frog, and it’s NOT a O!”These are the things that help us when we start having ”one of those days.” You know the kind I mean – where,on many occasions you are throwing your arms into the air, praying to God ”Please dear Lord, help me with this …” The dishes are piled up (course around here, that’s just normal), the dog is running around chasing the cat, the kids are jumping on the couch, you can’t find your left shoe (Stich must have taken it), and your late for some appiontment or something. The teens are being sassy and disrespectful, and the younger ones are whining.That’s when I try to think about those little comments that come out of their mouths at the strangest time. A smile or a little giggle make me remember that God knew what He was doing when he gave me these wonderful blessings. That I am the one He chose to mother these children. And that leads to more perspective about all the things I have to make parenting easier. A loving supportive husband (not that he doesn’t have faults, but he IS a good one), my mom, who helps us as much as she can, and simply living here, in this country, this state, where things are much more simpler than in many other places. A country where we can still make MOST of our own choices and live the way God shows us.Really puts it all into persepective, just those cute little words, comments or jokes they say. So, share them with others, post them here. And as They come up with more, I’ll share them too.
blessings — Athena

from other site

Hello world!
May 21st, 2010 by Athena
Hello all! Welcome to my Blog. I hope you enjoy it, IF I can make it work right.
First off I will introduce myself. My name is Athena. I’m a Christian, homeschooling mom of 4 great kids. Ages 16, 14 (nearly 15), 8 and 5. Also in my family is my dear hubby, Tony; and my mother, Lori, or Granny, as the kids call her. Our four (and 6) legged member are: Albus – a boarder collie – lab mix 3 years old; Griffin & Sebastian – mixed breed cats 10 & 3 respectively; Lexi & Banana – guinea pigs about 6 months; Bambina – hamster also, 6 months; and Fido, Scrappy & Sammy – hermit crabs, age unknown. We often have other members for short (or long) times that have many legs – daddy long-legs are a favorite and make great and easy care for pets.
I named this blog “somewhere in the middle” because that is where we seem to always be. Not just in the middle of life, but in the middle of opions and various ends of spectrums. For instance, take my Christian journy. I am still a relitivly new true believer. I was saved in October of 2008. Not anywhere near a tradition saving, I’ll post about it sometime. I have since found a very happy church home in a local Assembly of God church. I have become very active in the nursery since January, and have been asked to start teaching the 3 & 4 year old class during service. The children and I LOVEbeing there and worshiping and learning from our new church family. However (and this is where the “somewhere in the middle” comes in), I do take the Bible for the truth, but with a grain of salt, so to speak. A good example is Creation vs evolution. Even though I completely believe that God created everything, and we do NOT come from ooze (ooze to zoo to you , did it really only take 6 days to create it all? Could it have taken longer? Perhaps He kept it simple for simpler times. I lean considerable towards 6 days, however I do not exclude the possibility that it did take longer. I simply don’t know. And, honestly, am not that concerned about it. God did what He did, and what really matters is that I am saved through His son, Jesus Christ. I know many want to know the answer, but I don’t need to. So, that puts me “somewhere in the middle” of that.
In our homeschooling journey, we are also in the middle of those we hang around with. We have friends who do “school at home” and those who “unschool.” We approach homeschooling from both ends. We do whatever works on any given day or month. Each kid in in there own “learning zone.” Some on track, some ahead, some behind – in each of the different subjects. Makes for a lot of work for mom, to keep it all together, but I want them to grow at their own pace, not someone else’s preconceived idea of what they should do. Somethings MUST be done, others are options. Some things are done at the table, others are done on the couch. We have a VERY flexible routine to our day, and move it around when needed by one or more of the members of this family.
And, now, after many years of trying to fit in with some group or another, I am finally content to be “somewhere in the middle.” That’s not to say, that there are times I want to “just fit in somewhere,” I am still human. Just like sometimes I have to think “ahhh.. – we are so behind in school work!!” But I have spent a lot of time praying to God to lead me where He wants me, and to show me what He needs me for. During all that, I have come to see, He has placed me “somewhere in the middle” for a purpose, His purpose. And that is just fine with me. After all, isn’t our whole purpose here on earth to serve our Lord? Who am I to argue with Him. So, here I am, “somewhere in the middle.” Happy and content, for the most part.
I hope this blog will be entertaining and informative to you. I will not apologize for my feeling, thoughts and opinions. Nothing I say is meant to hurt or offend anyone. I welcome and comments and questions. I do insist on one thing. In our home I have one rule about disagreeing with mom. You have every right to not like, or completely disagree with what I say, you may even tell me what you thing, BUT, it must be done in a respectful and kind way. I will not listen if you don’t. And we will get nowhere. So, please keep that in mind when posting.
I hope you enjoy this, and please check back often to see what else I post.
Blessings – Athena

Hello. Good Morning.
I'm a bit new to blogging. I had one at homeschool blogger, but did not like the set up, so I'm trying this one.
I'm a Christian full time wife and homeschooling mom to four wonderful kids. Daughter 16, son 15, son 8, daughter 5.
I am going to try to copy & paste the blogs from my other one here, if not, I'll tell you more about myself next time.
In the mean time, my God bless you and keep you.
Athena