My Rainbow...

Emily's Art

Emily says this is a picture of her family. Daddy, Mommy, Emily, Logan, Brett. Behind her family is a castle that we live in. (We don't really live in a castle :p) There is a river around the castle which is called a moat to keep enemies out of the castle. When we need to get inside the castle we just push a button that we use to get in. I love my family. (These were Emily's exact words describing her picture minus those in ( ) which I contributed.

Family Fun

Here's a few pictures from the recent family visits. I wish we could get together more often, especially my brother and his wife. Brett and Lil' Kyle would be such good buds if we lived closer. Oh well they'd probably get sick of me spoiling their kids ;)

Lil' Kyle testing out the 4 Wheelers at Bass Pro Shops

Emily & Logan being goofy and Brett checkin' out the bears.
My mother and I :)
Logan is King of the Mountain!
Lil' Kyle, Emily, Daniel, Logan & Brett
A Whole clan of folks
Daniel :)
Emily tackling Ken
Brett Cheesing with Ken

Happy Birthday Logan

Logan's birthday was actually September 30th. I'm a little slow getting around and getting this on here but I wanted to share it with everyone. As you can see in the video below Logan was excited about his very first pocket knife.... Me and Chris were dumb enough to think he wouldn't get it open. He ended up cutting his finger pretty good. We bandaged him up and he took his knife to church to show everyone. It was so cute how proud he was of his knife. He wouldn't let anyone touch it though because he said "It's dangerous, it will cut you!" then he would show off his wound. We had to tell him it was ok to let some of the grown men open it up and check it out. He didn't want anyone to get hurt.

Family Fun

Chris didn't have to work today so we took the family and went to the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Yea I know we got tree's everywhere around here but the Nature Center is cool. There's neat things to look at inside that are pretty educational for the kids. Then there are miles of paved trails to walk along. We seen lots of critters up close and took lots of pictures. It was very fun to spend a day with the family. Chris used the timer on the camera to take this first picture it's pretty neat.

Brett Loves To Sing!!!

Brett is our family entertainer. He loves to sing and show off.

We went to Grand Country Square in Branson last week end. When you stay at their hotel you get to use the indoor water park free for two days. They have this huge bucket in there that drops water every so often. I was gonna get a video of it falling down on all the kids and Brett wasn't having it! He ran like crazy as you can see from the video.

Happy Anniversary!!!

Married September 11th 1999!

8 Years & Counting!!!

Homeschool Vs. Public School Not The Issue...

Just to be clear... I never made this issue a homeschool vs. public school issue. My whole reason for posting blogs and writing to the newspaper was to show my reasoning for voting No to a new tax. I obviously think homeschool is better for my family. Choosing to homeschool has been the greatest blessing for us, bringing our family closer to each other and to God. I know that this is a choice we made. I did not impose this choice on anyone in my letters. Some people, as you can see from Mr. Phillips letter, just choose to read between the lines and assume what they like.

Lashback Over A NO Vote...

Recently I posted a blog on my views and reasons for voting NO for the recent school tax levy here in our County. While some may think I should keep that to myself this time I didn't and I sent a letter to the Editor of our local newspaper. In response two from our community lashed out with hateful personal attacks on my charater. I didn't take a debate class in school... I barely finished highschool. (yes there is some ammo for you to use against me on the homeschool issue) I do know that when an issue is in debate you stay on topic... I guess you could imitate the politicians and attack each other personally but I find this disgusting.

I stand by what I wrote. If you think I'm selfish for not wanting to give MORE than I am already giving to a failing GODLESS school system then I'll gladly take your title as selfish. YES I want more to give to my children. I want to take the responsibility to see them succeed. Is it my responisbility to do the same for all children? NO IT'S THEIR PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY! I do what I'm called to do when I pay my taxes and teach a Sunday school class or smile and be kind to the children I meet everyday. Call me selfish if you will but as I have said before I'm already giving to public schools. I just want to keep what I have left to provide for my own. That was my point in voting no... not to give nothing... just not to give more!

My letter to the editor:

It's being said those of us who voted No for the recent tax levy topay for a new high school do not care for the future of our children. What about the homeschooling community? I cannot speakfor them all, but I can for my family.We do not owe the school system anything. Who pays for our children's education? Who spends their time teaching them? Yes, I may not be qualified to do so according to the state and county school system, but my qualifications don't come from any of these. God gave me my children; teaching my children is one of my responsibilities.

It rubs me the wrong way to read letters to the editor stating that those of us who voted No to this tax levy don't care about the future of our children. My children are so very important to me, and their education is my responsibility. Am I also responsible forthe education of everyone else's children? I say no. I'm not saying everyone should homeschool, but parents can be more involved in the education of their children. Let the parents fund these sports programs, band programs, etc. I've seen homeschooling families barely able to make ends meet provide these programs fortheir children. Why can't the parents of public schooled children do the same?Public schooling is a choice, as is homeschooling. Homeschooling families do not get special resources from the government or even a tax deduction, so when the opportunity comes to increase my taxes you can bet I'm going to vote No.

My reason for voting No is just one in many. What about those on a fixed income? You're asking people to sacrifice for a cause that they're not convinced is needed. What is more important, groceries for an elderly couple or a new football field? I disagree that those of us who voted No care nothing for the children of this community.

These are the two responses in the paper this week:

I attend a public school, the one of County actually, and I would like to address an issue that has been bothering me.In a letter last week, I read an affirmation of sincere disregard for the public school system. As the posterity of a teacher in the district, and as one who has benefited immeasurably from public education, I was appalled. This letter was submitted by someone electing to educate her own children herself. While I strongly support a person's right to educate her children, I seriously question the ability of some people to educate their children in an ever-changing, global society; but I'll get back to that.

What I find really to be an astounding claim in the letter was, "We do not owe the school system anything. Who pays for our childrens education? Who spends their time teaching them?" I would like to assure you, at some point, your children and you have or will benefit in some way from the publicly educated. I also seem to remember reading something in a book one time or another, and I think it said to love your neighbor as yourself. I would also like to point out that you, mentioned your children numerous times in your letter. I believe that you care about the education of your children; you have made that abundantly clear. The most evident problem is you don't seem to care about the education of all children. That is the fatal mistake in your concept of educating children in a democracy; although it's not really a democracy, it's a representative republic. However, what do I know, I go to a public school. I have absolutely no problems with voters of this County who cast ballots in the negative of a better school and education for their kids; I would, however, prefer to call a spade a spade.

You, do not care for the education of your neighbor's children. You care for the education of your children, which let's face it, is selfish. Don't misconstrue my last statement there. I can deal with people who are selfish; we all are. What I cannot deal with is someone who is fundamentally not self aware. I know many people who voted No because they want their money; they understand that. It makes them self aware individuals, and I can appreciate and accept that.I would now like to address my concerns with the entire homeschooling concept. Can you honestly teach your children the social skills required to function in today's world? Can you teach them "Romeo and Juliet" or how to conduct a scientifically valid experiment? Can you educate them on logarithms or the anatomy of the human body? If you sincerely can, or you can sincerely convince yourself that you can, keep up the good work and always end on a positive note, logx + log(X+15)=2 X=?

Lynn Phillips

P.S. The government will help you fund homeschooling your children; they are called grants. In the public education system we utilize them all the time. You might try Google.
___________________________________________________________

I understand so many voters in this county have so many opinions about the school issues. We all believe that we can change, in the way we believe to be correct. Our property values have been brought up to date, and we are in turmoil over the extra money this will cost.
We are to benefit from highways connecting us to surrounding communities. We will have an influx of people sooner rather than later. So what are our options?

We have many, many choices ahead. I am very passionate about education. I don't care if it's eighth grade, and then to the world of work and common sense, as one passionate voter expressed at the meeting July 30. But, we have to be civil to one another, listen to each other and discuss the virtues each of us holds dear. That is adult behavior, and a model for the children in our community.

I read this letter to the editor, and I shuddered. I respect her choice to home school her children. If you are qualified and can produce a well-rounded, responsible young adult better than the public system, praise the higher power. But to blatantly state that you have no responsibility to your community, your neighbors, your county and the majority of children scares me. I see that as the fabric of society disintegrating.

We need to care about one another, and wish for the fortune and success of all, not just the individual. I can't imagine a world where the only concern is for one's self. Let's meet one another, talk about our needs and what's best for all. This division of our country/county must stop. We are America, and all proud of it; however, we can bring ourselves down quicker than any outside force ever dreamed.

L. Jane Ford

Happy Birthday Mom We Love You!!!

Homeschoolers Back To School.

The kids had a back to school bash with their fellow homeschoolers at the swimming pool Friday. They had a lot of fun swimming and playing. Here are some pictures of my kids enjoying the day. It was rather chilly toward the end of the evening as you can tell by looking at Brett all huddled up in his towel.

Poor Logan wouldn't jump off the diving board so he let himself down like this.

County Says No To Increased Taxes For Schools.

Yes I vote! Yes I voted NO to have my taxes increased to pay for a new high school. I'm sitting here in my home reading the Newspaper Letters to the Editor and I disagree with a few. So here on my blog I get to voice my opinion!

You say those of us who voted NO for this tax levy do not care for the future of our children. What about the homeschooling community??? I cannot speak for them all but I can for my family. We do not owe the school system anything. Who pays for our childrens education? Who spends their time teaching them? Us parents do that's who. Yes I may not be qualified to do so according to the state or the local School System... but my qualifications don't come from any of these. God gave me my children and it did take me a while to realize what responsibilities he gave to me but teaching my children is one of them.

It rubs me the wrong way to read letters to the editor stating that those of us who voted NO to this tax levy don't care about the future of our children. My children are so very important to me and their education is my responsibility. Maybe if more parents would take the initiative in their childrens education we could make a difference in the future of our world. I'm not saying everyone should homeschool but parents can be more involved in the education of their children. Let the parents fund these sports programs, band programs, etc. Some homeschoolers are poor families but they find a way to provide these things for their children. Why can't the parents of public schooled children do the same? Maybe I'm wrong but that is my point of view. Homeschooling your children is a choice and it's a choice our family has made. We do not get special resources from the governement or even a tax deduction so when the opportunity comes to increase my taxes you can bet I'm going to vote NO.

Thank You

My mother sent Emily a dress the other day from Hawaii! If you know Emily you know that she loves dresses. She decided to wear her new dress to church tonight so we went out and took a few pictures for Grandma Pam! Thank you so much we love you.

I took this video of Chris and Logan playing in the water when we went to the lake. It's cute! Notice Brett posing for the camera!

We took the kids to the lake this week end. It was a busy day to go but we still had fun. One of the main beaches was closed due to high water so the other beaches were packed. I'm not a big fan of swimming with 300 strangers but the kids really enjoyed themselves and Chris swam with them the whole time. Well he doesn't call it swimming he calls it playing in the water. We packed a lunch and some drinks and spent the afternoon trying to teach the kids a little bit of swimming skills. Logan and Brett have been scared to death of the water every time I've taken them but this time they just jumped right in and had lots of fun. I need to get one more small life jacket for Brett so he doesn't have to wear that swimming suit he has. He doesn't like it but I am too scared to let him go without it.

In a faraway land and in another time, a benevolent king ruled his kingdom wisely, and all the people loved him. Well, not all. There was a small group of rebels who worked in secret, seeking to overthrow his rule. They wanted the freedom to engage in immoral revelry, which was not permitted under this righteous king.

The usual punishment for treason was death, but the king passed a law saying that anyone guilty of treason would be allowed to live but would have his eyes put out. On several occasions young men were brought before the king to be tried for treason. After carefully hearing the evidence the king had regretfully pronounced the penalty of blindness upon some of these young men.

One day the king's sheriff brought a young man before the court to be tried for treason. It was rumored that he was the ringleader of the rebellion. The king was disturbed by the hood covering the upper body of the prisoner. But the court lawyers requested that the concealment remain in place to assure that justice would be accomplished. The king went along with the request, assuming that the accused must be an acquaintance or perhaps the son of some state official. He had heard the evidence that proved to be overwhelmingly incriminating. When it came time to pass sentence the lawyers removed the hood to reveal the king's own son. The king was about to pass the sentence of blindness on his only son. With great restraint of his emotions he announced that he would wait twenty four hours to pronounce the judgment. Though it could not make a difference in the court's decision, the king used that time, to no avail, trying to bring his son to repentance. The son felt sure that the father could not forgive him, and the penalty of the law was unavoidable.

During the intervening time, word of the developing situation spread over all the kingdom. There was much speculation about what the king would do. Half of the people characterized the king as a man who placed duty and the letter of the law above his own feelings. They supposed the king would not only take out his son's eyes but also have him executed as an example. The other half of the kingdom believed the king would yield to deep feelings toward his son and free him unharmed. Many believed that he would elicit from the son a promise of allegiance and then set aside the penalty of the law.

The king found himself in a dilemma, with two conflicting compulsions. He desired to save his son, and he desired to remain a just and lawful king. Having blinded others for the same offense, could he make an exception with his son and still maintain the public perception of just? How could the public continue to respect his rule? Furthermore, if he should withhold the punishment, how could he command respect or control of his son? The offense would forever stand between the king and his son. If not punished, wouldn't the rebellious son be even bolder in his rebellion?

On the other hand, how could he pass sentence on his own son? Could a father who begat a son of his own body, and invested so much in rearing him, suddenly shut off all feelings? Could he just blind his son and forget? Would life have any further meaning for a father?

Twenty four hours later the court was reconvened. The royal city was packed with expectant, solemn onlookers. The prisoner was brought into the court. His face not being covered, his bitterness was clear for all to see. Looking at his countenance, one would think he was holding his father responsible for his rebellion.

The king was the last to enter the chamber. With expectancy running high, he was led into the chamber wearing the hood his son wore the day before. Feebly, he was steered to his place on the throne. He immediately commenced to recount the incriminating evidence. Then while the crowd stood in hushed wonder, just when he was preparing to pass sentence he reached up and slipped the hood from his head. The audience fell back in revulsion as they saw the two gaping, bloody holes where royal eyes had once been. The crowd gasped as the king addressed the general public. A servant placed before the people a tray containing the king's eyes. The king asked the general public if common justice could be served by the substitution of his eyes for his son's. The people unanimously agreed that justice was served. The king had found a way to be faithful to his law, thereby maintaining its integrity, and a way to satisfy his love to his son.

One problem remained, the son's rebellion. If the father had been able to elicit prior repentance from the son, the sacrifice would have seemed justifiable. But the offering was made when the son was still a self proclaimed enemy of the king. That too was resolved in the king's bloody sacrifice. Seeing the father's love and forgiveness, the son was moved to repent toward his father. All doubt as to the father's love and wisdom involuntarily vanished. The son fell at his father's feet and begged for the forgiveness that he had already received. He was placed at the father's right hand where he forever thereafter faithfully and benevolently assisted in all affairs of the kingdom.

The dilemma was solved. Sacrificing neither his love to his son nor justice, the law had been honored in a way that elevated it as never before. The king had not only expressed his love to his son, but had brought him to humble repentance. The integrity of the kingdom was maintained and the son was saved all at the father's expense.

You have just read "Parable of the King's Son" an Excerpt from "By Divine Design" by Michael Pearl.
No Greater Joy Ministries, Inc.
1000 Pearl Road
Pleasantville, TN 37033
www.nogreaterjoy.org

This is what Jesus did for me when he died on the cross. He saved my soul by sacrificing himself. I can never thank him enough. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Chris is on vacation from work this week. Yay! We are going to spend the week working on the basement. Double Yay!!! So far we have almost all the sheetrock up. It's a little difficult getting it in this one spot in the stairwell because I'm not tall enough or strong enough to help him hold it up to the ceiling. So if we don't get someone to come help us with that we're gonna have to figure something out cause that is the last patch of sheetrock we need to hang. Then we just have to mud the walls and paint! Yay! After that the only thing left is floors. We're going to lay tile in the hallways and carpet the bedrooms. I can't wait until it is done. Well I guess I can since I have to :p But I'm really excited. So that is what we will be doing this week. Hopefully we can get it done.

Today was Emily's 7th birthday. She's growing too fast! Someone make it stop! She had a good birthday and it was a nice Fathers Day. When she woke up she opened her first present which was a new dress that she got to wear to church. If you can see in the picture her hair was in curls but we had to straighten it because of some serious frizz issue's... She was so excited about blowing out the candles and she finally got to when we went to her Grandpa and Grandma's for dinner and her birthday party. It was a fun time we got to spend time with family for Fathers Day and Emily had a nice birthday.

Brett is such a character! He is going to be the child that gives me the most trouble I'm sure. He's got quite the mean streak but on the other hand he's such a sweet boy. I like to think the mean streak is all an act. He was showing me his mean face the other day and I just had to post it! This is my youngest boy. My mean little man!

Oh look what do you know now I see them all. Glad that's fixed :p

This is a test post. I posted a blog about my garden and it shows up on my blog dashboard as being posted but when I go to my blog on this computer it is not there... But when I visit my blog on my other computer it shows up... so I'm trying to figure out what is wrong with this computer or my blog!

I'm so excited about my garden this year. If someone would have told me three years ago that I would actually like gardening I woulda thought they were nuts. But now I do! I started my first garden three years ago and I hated it. Nothing grew! Then last year I had a garden and it did a bit better but halfway through the season everything but the peppers and cucumbers died. This year however I am learning new tricks and my garden is looking better than ever.

Chris helped me build the little wooden supports around the first row of tomato's. We tried three different ways of staking them up to see what I like best. I have fifteen tomato plants. Bring on the salsa!!!

This is our small cantaloup patch with a couple watermelon plants behind them. I thought they had all died but two came back

Here's a peek at my onions this will be the first time I've tried growing them.

That's my green beans and cucumbers... The cucumbers are growing slower than last year

These are Emily's sunflowers she planted.