Week in pictures

What a week we had! There was just so much going on. I will try and catch you up~ I don't have anything profound to blog about, but there are things rolling around in my mind. Maybe soon I will get them in writing. I can say that God is good, and He is with us!

So, the pilot is really slow work wise right now, so we spent the whole weekend together. That is amazing. We rarely get to see him for 3 whole days! He and the composer did some volunteer work at the local airport on Saturday to help get it ready for the upcoming airshow. Always good to lend a hand where it is appreciated.

Friday we went to the Seattle Center for a free event with concerts, dancing etc.It is called Folk Life. It had some very colorful charachters, but also some wonderful music, crafts, arts and tons more to see. We brought food and drinks along, and parked after hours, so the whole night of fun only cost us the gas to get there! Since work is slow, we decided to make the whole weekend as cheap as we could. It took a little planning, lunch packing and saying no when needed, but I think it was worth it!

One day, we walked around the airport trail. It is about 6 miles around. Of course, with little ones...we only did about 2 miles before they were done. It was such a nice evening to walk. It mostly enclosed and there is very little traffic. Add that to the fact that it is only a few miles from home and you have another free outing!

There are educational signs all along the trail. My family enjoyed learning some of the history of our local airport. It has been there since 1934 so it was quite interesting.

Another day this weekend, the pilot was keeping close watch on the AWOS to hear the up to date weather conditions and when the wind was just right, we went to fly kites! My friend Carrie had given them to us (another free event!) I would not have guessed that my kids would have had so much fun flying kites! Thanks Carrie!

And these are some random shots of the kids.

This is preschool time. The shaving cream-on-the-table idea comes from my friend Jennifer. They love to write their letters in the shaving cream and the kitchen smells pretty good after!

Yes, we do school too...here is proof!

Thanks for looking! Have a great day!

Free Magazine

Did you know that you can get No Greater Joy free?? I am sure that most of my readers know that already, but I thought it was worth the reminder.

I enjoy reading what the Pearls have to say on many topics.

UN Rights of a child convention

I am sure that most of my readers are already familiar with this travesty of justice that is currently ratified in 193 nations. I have found a great article from HSLDA that really explains it well and in some depth. If you have not read anything about CRC yet...please do so. It will blow your mind what our lawmakers are considering!

Oh, so yummy

Thanks to my friend Carrie...I think I have found a new obsession!

I was never much of a Cinnamon roll person...too much work, I always thought. I have to tell you that this recipe is SO good. My only regret is that I did not double the recipe. 12 rolls for my family and one house guest? Not enough!

I also was blessed to spend some time with the Philosopher while the others napped or played while making these.

Cinnabon Cinnamon RollsRecipe #76864 (I use butter instead of margarine)
1¼ hours 1 hour prep These are THE BEST cinnamon rolls! The recipe is from Todd Wilbur's MORE TOP SECRET RECIPES. Ooooey, goooey and rich! The dough can easily be prepared in your bread machine, just follow your manufacturer's order of ingredients. I put the ingredients in the night before, and then roll out and bake in the morning.
• 1 (1/4 ounce) package dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup margarine
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 4 cups flour

FILLING
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1/3 cup margarine, softened

ICING
• 8 tablespoons margarine
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions For the rolls, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk in a large bowl. Add sugar, margarine salt, eggs, and flour, mix well. Knead the dough into a large ball, using your hands dusted lightly with flour. Put in a bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place about 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface, until it is approx 21 inches long by 16 inches wide. It should be approx 1/4 thick. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. To make filling, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Spread the softened margarine over the surface of the dough, then sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the surface. Working carefully, from the long edge, roll the dough down to the bottom edge. Cut the dough into 1 3/4 inch slices, and place in a lightly greased baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes or until light golden brown. While the rolls are baking combine the icing ingredients. Beat well with an electric mixer until fluffy. When the rolls are done, spread generously with icing.

Mothers day 2009

My family took me to do one of my favorite things for Mother's day....walk around Green Lake!
The Pilot took all the kids out early this morning to get me coffee (and to give me a few quite moments at home alone!) For dinner, he cooked me a fabulous steak dinner with grilled mushrooms and onions,steamed asparagus, and baked potatoes.

They bought me a beautiful fuchsia for my gift! That is a good thing because the ones I planted don't seem to be doing so great yet!

Random shots of life

The artist fell asleep in the dog's bed. Guess where the dog slept? Yup...in his bed!!

One of my favorite magazines!

Here is your chance to win a free 2009 subscription...check out the giveaway!

Why Christian Homeschool Families Are Being Targeted for Public Censure

I found this great article from Doug Phillips that does such a good explaining what I feel about the "world vs. children" attitude that I see so often. As a mother of 7 young children, I am at times treated very badly by perfect strangers as they admonish me for the oxygen that my children are stealing from them (OK, I have only gotten that comment once)
Doug makes a great point in drawing us to the old story of the child catcher of Vulagria who seeks to rid the earth of children so that adults can roam free and follow their own bliss without that dreaded burden. I would also suggest that my readers check out Brave New World by Aldous Huxley for similar ideals of adult Utopia.
I have long felt that these attitudes are a reason that our world is in some of the trouble that it is in. It is IMO, selfish to not have children. It is this attitude of "me first, what about me"? that has plagued our world since the dawn of time. The Serpent tempted Eve with just such a line. Modern feminism sought to shake off the "shackles" of oppression and find themselves by seeking pleasure on their terms, without children.
As Mary Pride said "birth control is the mother of abortion. More and more people are childless...are they happier? More and more people have only one or two children, but they fail to train these children in anything other than the "ME first" mentality that they were raised on and the cycle continues. Is this what God wants for our lives? Selfish, self obsessed and shallow? How much more joy is there is dying to self?
My question is this, are you happy? Are you fulfilled after banishing children from your lives so that you can pursue career. hobby or vice? Has feminism made you whole and satisfied?
I can say that for me there is nothing missing and nothing broken and that is such a blessing. I am whole, I am content and satisfied. Yes, I may be tired and a bit frazzled in tending to a house full of small children but I would not trade it for anything in this world. I believe in biblical submission to my husband and that has freed me to be who I am in Jesus. Sounds like an oxymoron but I have found freedom in laying down my life for others. Alas, that is another topic. I will get to that later!

Mom's retreat

I am back from a wonderful weekend with some like minded home schooling moms. I don't have any pictures yet, but I will get them as soon as I can.
I just have to say it was a precious gift to spend time with other moms who are passionate about serving the Lord in the areas of being a biblical wife and mother. God showed up in some many special ways as we laughed and cried, talked and prayed. I know that lives were changed.
I am so encouraged and refreshed! Guess I better get busy here at home huh?
Same time next year!
Thanks ladies!