Kids with Money

Getting a job is to learn more
not just for money.

Money we have does not come from the Lord. Jesus himself recognized money as man-made. Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's". Money is merely a standardized, generally accepted means of acquiring the goods and services we need or want from those who produce or provide them. Money cannot buy happiness because happiness is not a product or service. Yes, money is important; it allows us to acquire life's necessities and some of its luxuries. It is up to me to decide how much I need to satisfy my wants and desires and to figure how much money I need to meet them--thus budget or compromise. While money isn't everything, life is a lot more manageable when your money is managed well. Therefore, I teach my children to tithe, save, invest, and spend wisely.

While DD#1 loves fashion, it was not the first thing she spent her hard earned money on from babysitting job...instead, a refurbished Yahama YFL 221 for $349 (retailed $1300; lowest price found online was around $800.) It is one of the most free blowing and easy-to-play standard flute available, but, one step up in quality and price from the student level of Gemeinhardt's, Bundy's, and Armstrong's.

The advantage of her buying it with her own money: she is taking really good care of her pricey expenditure...brushing her teeth/washing her hands before handling, cleaning after each use, never leaving the flute in a unsafe place...practicing mornings and nights. OM Goodness--she is teaching her 10-year-old sibling how to play it. Shocking! For someone who has been playing for only two days with one informal lesson, she is quite good a flutist.

DREAM...EXPLORE...AND DISCOVER!!

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A Time To Rest

Time is a wealth of change
but the clock in its parody
makes it mere change and no wealth.

Solomon said in Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, Verse 4: There is a time to weep, and there is a time to laugh; there is a time to mourn, and there is a time to dance... Today, first words out of my 7-year-old son, smiling, was it's time to rest.

DREAM...EXPLORE...AND DISCOVER!!

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Don't Miss Fireproof

I felt compelled to encourage you to go see the movie Fireproof while it is still in your theater! The movie was made on a shoestring budget of only $500,000 and as of last weekend had made $17.6 billion. It has stayed in the top 10 since it has been released.


Why, you ask, is a big deal besides supporting a Christian homeschool dad? It was made by the same people who made Facing the Giants and Flywheel and has the gospel message loud and clear. The story is about a fireman, played by Kirk Cameron, who turns to the Lord to save his marriage. You walk away blessed, encouraged and aware. If your marriage is healthy, you are inspired. If it is struggling, you are inspired. Please take the time to send production companies the message that we need more films like this one.

It is a GREAT date night movie. Wish I could've watch it with hubby. IT IS AN AWESOME FILM!! I recommend this to anyone even thinking about marriage and those that are married!! While funny, sad, and exciting, it teaches you something big about marriage. See it while you can...I was told it will only be in town this week.

Crispy air and azure skies,
High above, a white cloud flies,
Bright as newly fallen snow.
Oh the joy to those who know October!

Colors bright on bush and tree.
Over the weedy swamp, we see
A veil of purple and brown and gold.
Thy beauty words have never told. October!

Scolding sparrows on the lawn,
Rabbits frisking home at dawn,
Pheasants midst the sheaves of grain,
All in harmony acclaim, October!

Brown earth freshly turned by plow,
Apples shine on bended bough,
Bins o'erflowed with oats and wheat,
And satisfaction reigns complete. October!

Radiant joy is everywhere.
Spirits in tune to the spicy air,
Thrill in the glory of each day.
Life's worth living when we say, October!
~~Joseph Pullman Porter

DREAM...EXPLORE...AND DISCOVER!!

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Don't Be Coy, Autumn!

Far away there in the sunshine
are my highest aspirations.
I may not reach them,
but I can look up and see their beauty,
believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.
~~Louisa May Alcott

This week, I found myself thinking that we (the land and I) were on the cusp of the coming of winter. I then reflected on this intuition: No, that’s not right. It’s only October. Winter is at least two months away. We have at least a month of autumnal weather before winter arrives. But there it is again.

Some subtle shift in the gout de terroir, the taste of the earth, is registering in my body--it is winter. It feels like a miracle. Trees are burning bushes and God speaks to me through cool air, overcast sky, which makes me feel I’m participating in one of the blindfolded taste tests: Which one is more like autumn, yesterday or today? Frankly, neither...

Mother Nature is doing her laundry as rain put the air through its spin cycle. It’s crisp, the air; no starch necessary or needed--not even a dryer for that matter. I wake up, bounding. It’s an autumn in my step this time of the year. The days are shortening and consuming the burning bushes in order to litter the ground. The air is desiccating the gold, red, rust, yellow, orange, and all related hues in between to finally, brown. I highly anticipate this crunchy brown, this audible carpet signifying the changing of seasons and reminding me of bounty and life and deficit and death. The world needs a nap and who am I to stop it? It works so hard throughout the year. Finally drowsy as the sun continues to dim earlier each day. Soon the earth will sleep. I must fight the same urge with my soups, stews, cookies, down jackets, and waterproof boots with insulation and rubber soles. My nose perks at scents of cinnamon and nutmeg; warm, hearty flavors wafting through the streets and hallways.

Winter has decided to blast us as autumn is being a bit coy. I get the hints, though, and I’m not one to be fooled. Fall, don’t let winter pass you by. Take your deserved turn and let us enjoy you for as long as you see fit. Then let winter introduce the barren trees and frigid air and therefore the crummy, grumpy dispositions of many city-dwellers. Autumn, tarry awhile, while I break out my sweaters and shoes appropriate for stepping on curled, lifeless leaves. Stiff, yet delicate. Non-pliable, perfectly shattering under enough pressure, the only way to celebrate rigor mortis. It’s fun. Let me play with the sound and feel of the crunch beneath my feet. I’d cross streets--against the traffic signal--and jostle passersby to jump on the perfectly dried leaf. It can be my way of helping you with the decomposition of this world so that it can awake again. It’s the least I can do while I dream spending a warm day with my friend and her sweet 'Lil angel in Indiana.

DREAM...EXPLORE...AND DISCOVER!!

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Sweet Cheeky Jasper, New Dog in the Family

A smile is a curve
that sets everything straight.

This is sweet, beautiful, cheeky Jasper, formerly known as Max, joined the family just an hour ago! He is a 6-pound, 4-month-old designer hybrid ShiChi puppy, who just gladly initiated my king-size quilted bedspread...ARRRRGH.


ShiChi is not a purebred dog. It is a cross/hybrid between the Chihuahua and the Shih-Tzu. Jasper will grow to about 10 pounds, the most. One word of cautioin from previous owner: He needs to be clothed when it's 60° out.

Though Jasper is meant to be my 10-year-old's first dog, my 12-year-old is quickly making her claim. Time will tell...how the battle over who has Jasper will play out! Want to place your bet?


Our family picture with all three dogs

DREAM...EXPLORE...AND DISCOVER!!

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