Update...

I am feeling a little better..Thanks for all the well wishes. :) We finally did get the garden plowed as I said in my daybook entry on Monday. But, the rain has decided to come and not leave. It looks like it probably won't dry up til next week. I guess putting things IN the garden will just have to wait. Don't you just hate waiting? Before the rain hit, and as it was still dry on Monday; I went out and stuck my tosies in the dirt. There is something sort of therapeutic about a freshly tilled garden. The smell of the dirt. The feel of the dirt between your toes. The happy little Robins were so thrilled. They thought we had dug that just for them....My family loves zuchinni. We always plant quite a bit of it. The kids get quite aggrivated at my ability to come up with so many creative ways of using it. :) We have it in soups, made into bread, served with rice, with noodles, stir fried, breaded. Like I said..we eat it a lot!! I also love Roma tomatoes. They are great to can with. They make the best salsa. Well, I better go for now..have to get busy.. Laundry is calling. Have a Great Day!!!!

To Celebrate Growing Older..Lessons Life Taught Me:

1.Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance if futile. :) 10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 11. It's OK to let your children see you cry. 12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 14. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But, don't worry; God never blinks. 15. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 16. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 17. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. 18.It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 19. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 20. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 21. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 22. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 23. No on is in charge of your happiness except you. 24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?" 25. Always choose life. 26.Forgive everyone everything. 27. What other people think of you is none of your business. 28.Time heals almost everything. Give time, time. 29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. You friends will . Stay in touch. 31. Believe in miracles. 32. God loves you because of whom God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 33.Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 34. Growing old beats the alternative-dying young. 35. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable. 36. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 37. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 38. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. 39. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 40. THE BEST IS YET TO COME. 41. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 42. Yield. 43. Life isn't tied with a bow , but it's still a gift. ~Brett, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio~

I've read over this several times and Loved it every time. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

My Daybook

~FOR TODAY..APRIL 27, 2009~

• Outside my window**A beatiful sunny day with storms on the way. My windmill is puttering away with all the strong southern winds. I just hope my clothes get dry before the rain hits.


• I am thinking**I hope whatever this bug is that we've got going around the house leaves as quickly as possible. It's horrible. Mark, Sam and I all have it, and believe me you wouldn't want it. :(


• From the learning room** Not much today..maybe Math and a little English. I am still feeling pretty icky.


• I am thankful** Our garden spot has finally been plowed!! YEAH!!! Now it's suppose to rain all week. I was hoping to get the garden started. I guess it will just happen when it happens. I am thankful to the nice man who came and plowed it and then came back and disked it. We really appreciated it!!


• From the kitchen**coffee and chicken noodle soup. If the rain holds off Mark might grill some burgers. I don't know if I'll be able to eat it, but the other 3 that aren't sick might.


• I am wearing**Blue shirt and blue and purple shorts. It's been pretty hot here and I'm running a fever..sweating.


• I am reading**nothing right this moment..


• I am hoping**that it doesn't rain the whole entire week.


• I am creating**again, nothing right now..(sick)


• I am praying**For my family


• Around the house**sniffles and coughs


• One of my favorite things**Coffee Mate Italian Sweet Cream coffee creamer..it is YUMMY!!
• A few plans for the rest of the week**For everyone to get better!! To move some flower pots from the back of the property to the front. I would like to get some flowers in them. I don't know if the weather is going to cooperate though. I also would like to get some herbs going in some pots by the back door. I wanted to do this so badly last year and didn't get to. I'm hoping I'm able to do that this year. :)
• The picture I'm sharing is what the Diamond Frost pot that my Aunt Audrey gave me for our anniversary looks like up close. It's really pretty!!

For More great Daybook entries and to participate in your own blog got to Peggy's at

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ THANK YOU PEGGY!

Bible vs. Cell Phone

I read this in an article in a christian flyer that my parents get in the mail. I thought I would share :)

~Bible vs. Cell Phone~ Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

• What if we carried it around in our purse or pockets?


• What if we flipped through it several times a day? (Or several times an hour)


• What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?


• What if we used it to receive messages from the text?


• What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?


• What if we gave it to kids as gifts?


• What if we used it when we traveled?


• What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go -hmm-where is my Bible? Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill. Makes you stop and think, "Where are my priorities?" And no dropped calls! Trust in the Lord. Have a blessed and wonderful day! ~R Town News, Wolseley, Saskatchewan

PLEASE..check out this video!!

Check out this video..it brought me to tears. Tears for many reasons. Very moving!!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk Absolutely Amazing!!!

My Daybook for Today~ April 20, 2009

~TODAY~
OUTSIDE MY WINDOW: Very Windy, Sun and then rain, and now the sun is shining again..Yeah!!
I AM THINKING: How greatful I am for my sweet hubby. We celebrated 22 yrs. Saturday!
FROM THE LEARNING ROOM: Water Vapor, Capitalization, finishing the last of our state capitals.
I AM THANKFUL: For my family and all the blessings he has given us!
FROM THE KITCHEN: Spaghetti for supper :)
I AM WEARING: a grey, black and white skirt with a red v-necked shirt
I AM READING: 4-H book, trying to figure it all out so I can turn things in by May
I AM HOPING: To get our garden tilled..if this rain doesn't stop soon I don't know when we are going to get it going. This also falls under my prayers..
I AM CREATING: Not much this week..my husband IS building me a brick mailbox as an anniversay present. It will have planters on both sides. So, as soon as he gets it up, I am planting something pretty in it. Probably some purple petunias!!
I AM PRAYING: For some dry weather so our garden can be tilled..also for my Mom as she has been in poor health.
AROUND THE HOUSE: trying to finish some of the painting that has needed to be done since we moved in, in the fall. Everything has to be primered and the primer bothers my youngest that has Tourettes. Now that the windows can be open, we are hoping to get some more done!!
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: Watching the birds outside..we have 2 different kinds of woodpeckers, titmouses, chickadees, redbirds, brown thrashes, bluejays and yellow goldfinches, which are my favorites!!
A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: Really tackle the Math with my youngest..I would prefer to not be on it all summer long. It's been slow going this yr. He's been sick a lot! Planting some more flowers outside (hopefully starting the garden)

The picture I'm sharing is of a Forsythia bush. My aunt gave me and my husband a bush for our 22nd anniversary this weekend. She also gaves us a beautiful hanging basket full of Diamond Frost..it's gorgeous!!
For more Daybook entries and to maybe participate on your own blog go to
Peggy's at http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ Thank You Peggy!!!

22 YEARS

My sweet hubby and I celebrated our 22nd Anniversay yesterday. We dated for 2 yrs. before that so we've been together for a while. We actually started dating the night before Easter and got married the night before Easter too! We were married at 5:30 in the evening. The lady that helped me at the bridal shop we went through had told me it was good luck for the couple to marry when the hands on the clock were going up, not down. Well, she must have been right. We've been together long enough to say I guess we've had good luck in that way at least!! It was a candlelight wedding. My boquet was pink/mave roses, white daisies, and lilly of the valleys hanging around the edges. The men wore black (Mark was the only one in tails, and all black) and the others had burgundy cumberbunds. (It was the 80's.) The bridesmaids wore pinkish/mauve long dresses. I wore and old timey (think 30's, 40's) type off-white dress that came up where you could see my shins down and the train down the back came down in a point (not too long though.) It was covered in lace. Almost flapper-girl like? And a had a long veil that covered my face when I was walking down the aisle. When I got to the front Mark had to pull the veil back. It was so sweet seeing tears in his eyes when he saw me!! He is such a sweet man!! My violin teacher played "meditation by thais" for me. It was beautiful!! My wedding cake had bride and groom teddy bears. (I collected teddy bears when I was younger, loved them actually.) The bottom layer had a glass cinderella carriage that lit up. The cake had lilly of the vallies hanging off around it too. I had pink and burgundy little heart shaped candies and my napkins had burgundy and pink bride and groom teddy bears with our names and the date. It was really sweet!! I'm very thankful for the life we've had together so far and can't wait to experience the rest!!! Happy Anniversary Mark! I LOVE YOU

Charlotte Mason and Puppy Pics!!

I've been looking a lot lately at Ambleside Online. I really want to go more with the Charlotte Mason type homeschooling. It's hard making a decision to change what we've been using. Sam has been using mostly Abeka and Switched on Schoolhouse for Math. We will stick with the math we've been using. I love the idea of doing narration and reading poetry. Some of which we've been doing a little of this year. Kind of testing the waters you might say. I guess this time of year, at least for me is when I try to make decisions for what we'll be doing next year. I was sick the week of the homeschool convention and didn't get to go. :( Well, on a lighter note..
Our puppy Mickey has kind of fallen in love with a cottage cheese bowl. Yes!! You heard me right! He retrieved an empty cottage cheese bowl from the trash and now carries it everywhere and sleeps with it!! It's pretty hilarious.) I thought I'd share some pictures of the adorable dogs at my house. The one of Mickey yawning for some reason looks like he has his dog tags pierced through his tongue. I promise you it's not!! He does have a really long tongue though. Kind of like one of those squeezie toys. He's been losing his baby teeth and yes, the toothfairy did make a visit. Yes, we love our dogs! (I'll just blame it on spring fever!)

I just wanted to tell everyone that I hope they have a Wonderfully Blessed Easter!! I am so thankful that Jesus died on the cross for us...and I am so happy that he rose again and that because of him, my sins can be forgiven if all I do is ask. Isn't it awesome how God loves Us!!
Have a great Easter and don't forget the true meaning ...the eggs, the bunnies, the chocolate..they're all wonderful, but they can't compare to Jesus!!!
Something to share..

A little poem I found....



GOD, I NEED YOU



I missed You today as I got up late,

And rushed around my morning in haste.



My day seemed different, unseemingly long-

As I dragged through work, tired and forlorn.



"God, where did You go?" I'm asking you now,

As in the traffic I sit-just tryin' to get home.



Too tired to cook, let's do pizza, "no prayer"-

Fall asleep watching TV, so unaware.



You wake me up early my Bible in view-

Please help me to remember-



I really need You.

~Judi Williams~

3-MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

I haven't tried this yet..but it looked interesting! I think I will definately give this a try. This is a picture of what it's suppose to look like..Yummy, but no icing? :(

3-MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

1 Coffe Mug

4 tablespoons flour (that's plain flour, not self-rising)

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons baking cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

Small splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.

Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

the cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow the cake to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (This can serve two if you want to share!)

Sound of Music-Central Station Antwerp (Belgium)

A dear friend sent this to me..It made me smile so I thought I would share it!!
Don't you just love Julie Andrews? Be sure to scroll down and stop the playlist music. As much as I love Loui...they don't sound good together!! :) Enjoy!!!!

I am participating in Peggy" ( http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ ) Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today ~April 6, 2009~

. Outside my window...Spring flowers.. the left over daffodils, my beautiful pear tree blooming, and snowflakes!!!

• I am thinking....of the miniature horses we've been looking at. I'm thinking about letting Sarah and Sam join a mini's club. They go to contests and perform at parades. It looks fun, but I know the kids will want one!




• From the learning room....Apostrophes and World War I




• From the kitchen....the smell of yummy pancakes and coffee (we had a brunch-lunch :)




• I am wearing....a green skirt and a shirt with pink trim and pink and orange flowers




• I am reading....Brides of Lancaster County by Wanda E. Brunstetter




• I am hoping....that after tomorrow that the rest of the week will be warm and pretty and that we will have a lovely Easter




• I am creating...a pretty red knitted dishcloth and hopefully some yummy snickerdoodle cookies and tacos later!!




• I am hearing....the wind blowing outside and my daughter complaining about having to go to work...(unfortunately)




• Around the house....the puppy is dragging his toys everywhere, pages are turning in books, keys clicking on the computer and I am enjoying my yummy carrot cake candle burning on the computer desk :)




• One of my favorite things....ordering a pizza and cuddling up and watching a movie with my family (last night!!)




• A few plans for the rest of the week...to have a really good week with school work..to have a beautiful Easter weekend with my family...Hopefully a really nice Easter Dinner too!!

A beautiful picture of the lilac bush in my yard...I also have a white one blooming too!!

Spring Cleaning..

Well, as you can see...I've been doing a little (cleaning) on my page! I am hoping to make it a little more welcoming as well as pretty! I also changed it from Jerelene's Blog to Jerelene's Journal. I thought maybe that it sounded a little better. I am always in awe at how great other peoples pages are. I am trying to learn as much as I can. This blogging thing isn't as easy as it seems it would be. I sometimes get a little discouraged, but one of my reasons for doing this was that I thought it would be somewhat therapeutic for me. The last year has been a rough one for me and I am hoping it helps to be able to write things down. Friendship was also a big motivator. When I first started homeschooling I went to the computer for advice and encouragement. So many of the homeschooling Moms (and Christian Moms) who blog made a huge impact on me. Spiritually as well as motivationally. They are just awesome people. I hope that they know that they really do hold the opportunity of changing someone's life (literally) in their hands :) It really made a difference in my life and I'm very sure in others' lives as well. I appreciate so much, that they take the time to open up their lives , homes, and hearts to others. To all of my blogging Mommy friends...I appreciate you so much!!!

10 Wierd (Maybe) Things about me....

I thought I would do something a little different..One of my friends on facebook did something like this, but it was much more than 10. Too much for me!

1. I vacuum every day. Yeah, I know...(it's an OCD issue) I just can't help myself. :)

2. I love the color purple, (not the movie) the actual color!! It's also my birthstone (amethyst)

When I was a little girl..my carpet and walls were purple. I've never outgrown my love for

it; but I try to stick to clothes and jewelry :)

3. I love cows!! I collect them... no not real ones! I've collected them since my kids were small and it's something I still love. I am a little more selective now though.

4. When I was a teenager I wanted to be a missionary. (I'm not kidding) I guess I didn't realize

that it was probably hot and dangerous. So, instead I married and had my babies. I still

think about what it would have been like though.. Now I think I would love to be a librarian.

I just love the library...cool, quiet, peaceful and full of books!!

5. I am a sweets-a-holic. I love to bake them. I also love to eat them. I am not picky either!

Cookies, pies, cakes...I love them all....especially chocolate! Also, I would love to take a

cake decorating class. (This explains the more to love of me)...again.. I can't seem to help myself! :)

6. Also, I drink a lot of coffee. I love all the yummy flavored creamers. (this also contributes to

the more to love.) The exception would be that during extremely hot weather I switch to iced

coffee and peach iced tea!!

7. I play violin and piano. I toured Europe and played in Notre Dame when I was 16. I was ac-

cepted to play with and orchestra that played all over Europe. We also played in Carnegie

Hall. I played with other teenagers from all over the United States. It was the experience of

a lifetime. I would love to learn to play cello. My youngest has been showing some interest in

the cello as well. I still play some...but not as much. I stay so busy taking care of everyone

else that it has fallen to the wayside to some extent. But, music is still very, very important

to me and I have passed that love on to my children as well.

8. I absolutely LOVE and adore babies!! I definately, would probably have had more if I could

have. It's not something that has went away for me. I guess at this point..I look forward to

grandbabies...Man are they going to be spoiled!!!

9. My Mom is my best friend!! She really is...I would have to say it would be embarrasing to

admit how many times a day I talk to her. I shudder to think what it would be like for her

not to be there for me! LOVE YOU MOM!!!!

10. I love Jesus with all my heart!! I am so thankful that he died on the cross for ME!!!! I

constantly am reminded of his love for me by all the beautiful things that I see...the clouds,

the sky, animals, trees, flowers...and especially my family and friends!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!

Oh, I almost forgot! I showed you a picture of the woodpecker we had at our feeder. Well, turns out that we have 2 kinds. We also have a pileated woodpecker. He is bigger and just awesome to see! We had yellow finches or goldfinches (whichever you go by) at our other home. I have the feeder out but haven't seen any yet. I do so hope that they come here too! I just love them. I think they are my favorite. I had someone come and look at some of my bushes here at the new house. I found out that I have 2 lilac bushes. A white one and purple! I also have a purple-pink rhododendron bush. The neighbors say it is gorgeous. All the way down the north side of the house is blue-purple hydrangeas. I also have a old time clematis vine on the clothes line. They said it has been here a very long time. It supposedly has little white flowers that smell heavenly..I can't wait!

Ducklings!

Today was a crazy day! We had tornado warnings for the second time in 5 days. Thank goodness that it didn't touch down and there was no damage or injuries. My daughter was at work and clocking out as the sirens started. So...we hid out in the Tractor Supply building! After the storm passed we had a few minutes to see some of the new babies at the store..Ducklings!! Sarah let Sam hold one. Of course, he then wanted to bring it home. I had to turn him down on this one. As cute as he was, I really don't need a duck. He was very, very cute though..Him, and all of his little buddies...:)