A Focus on LOVE

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, LOVE is on my mind.  Almost every song on the radio has the four letter word in it.  All of the stores are decked out with red and pink and some of my favorite candies.  We have made the list of names for our children to give Valentine's to and if they have outgrown that, it probably means they have their own special Valentine that they want to make feel special (OH BOY!!!). I'm glad I'm still making the list for the valentine cards.  But, how is it that we show love to others?  And even more challenging, how do we show love to others who make it hard to do so, push us to our limits, intentionally hurt us, gossip about us, etc.?  I know, the first sentence of this blog looked mushy and now that you've read toward the end of the paragraph you're thinking, "darn, this is not the post I was hoping for."  But, just hang with me. 

I would really like to share what's been on my heart and deep in my soul for a while now.  If you want to stay and read, I think there's something to benefit from what I'm going to share below.  I know that I certainly have been learning through trials and tests in my own life as I've asked the same questions above. What better time to share thoughts on LOVE than right now as we are diving into the LOVE MONTH!  Doesn't that sound bee-YOU-tiful:) It can be if we are loving the way we should. 

So, to start February off right, I have listed a LOVE scripture for everyday of the month in February.  This is to help ME personally  keep things in perspective.  Now when I'm not necessarily "feeling the love," it can be an encouragement to reach out and extend love to someone else.  It's a challenge to myself.  These scriptures below are just daily reminders of God's word and an encouragement to me during this LOVE challenge.  If anyone cares to join me in this, go right ahead.  I'd love it. I'm sure there are some people out there that could use a hug, a compliment, simple act of kindness, etc.  If you have any ideas of how to share the love feel free to comment below.  Maybe you already do this in simple ways and can give some feedback. Or, maybe you are naturally a "LOVE BUG".  Some people are so blessed to be able to have the LOVE drip off of them.  I want to be more like that, showing more love in all areas of my life. 

Following the list of  daily scriptures for the month, I will also include a list of random acts of Love-ness that can be done to brighten someones day to share the LOVE this month.

I really have no clue if anyone is reading my blog..there is a slight possibility that I'm typing this to myself and I realize that. However,  I committed to doing this, so I will continue doing it.  If you are reading and are enjoying, let me know-:)

February 1
Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

February 2
Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

February 3
John 15:13"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

February 4
1 Peter 1:22  Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

February 5
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

February 6
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

February 7
Proverbs 17:17  A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.


February 8
Leviticus 19:18....but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the lord."


February 9
Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

February 10
1 Peter 1:22  Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

February 11
1 Corinthians 13:4-8  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

February 12
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.

February 13
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

February 14
2 Peter 1:7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

February 15
1 John 3:16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

February 16
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you."

February 17
1 Timothy 1:5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith

February 18
Hebrews 13:1-2 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

February 19
Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

February 20
1 John 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

February 21
Galations 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

February 22
John 14:11 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

February 23
John 14:12"This is My commandment that you love one another another as I have loved you."

February 24
Psalms 33:23-24 Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person 24. Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.

February 25
2 Corinthians 5:13-14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

February 26
1 John 4:18-19 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

February 27
Song of Solomon 2:3 ....His banner over me was love.

February 28
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.

Random Acts of LOVE-ness:

• Hug someone who looks down
• Make something and surprise someone with it this month if you are good at making things, for example: cards, a scarf, knitting, sewing,baby blanket, (okay I'm out of ideas)
• If you are in line buying yourself a cup of coffee and someone in line behind you has the same thing, surprise them and pay for their coffee as well ( I know this can get pricey if you are a Starbucks junkie..lol)
• Pick a kid that you know never gets anything on Valentine's Day at school and send them something that day.  They'll never forget it. (If your local school allows this)
• Bake something for someone
• Make a random call of encouragement to someone
• Give a compliment to someone who helps you at a local business, they work hard.
• ...........leave some comments with more ideas to spread the love, I didn't want to copy, I wanted them to be from my heart, so there was no way I was coming up with 28 ideas....I'm new at this-:)

National Blueberry Pancake Dinner with the Family

Last night, our family celebrated National Blueberry Pancake Day at our evening meal.  We had blueberry pancakes, hash browns, sausage, and a choice of milk or orange juice.  It was a tasty meal for sure.  I tried to get a great picture of the kids, but Micah was too busy enjoying his food to look up at the camera.  However, Alana stopped long enough to give me a beautiful smile.  (She is not happy with me putting this picture on my blog)  I had her take a shower while her Father was preparing the meal.  It was such a comforting meal.  I have been running fever since Saturday due to what my NP believes is a sinus infection, so when Jim mentioned breakfast for dinner, nothing else sounded more comforting to me.  Although I felt terrible, we all managed to sit down to a wonderful meal and enjoy some much needed family time. 

The picture below does make this mommy super proud of Micah.  I caught him in action using his fork.  He is becoming such a big boy.  He can use a fork and spoon very well.  He still has some spill-over when he uses a spoon, but he doesn't miss a single bite if he uses a fork.  He says 'poon' for spoon and 'pors' for fork. 

Below I have included a few more recent pictures for your enjoyment.  I'm still running fever and my top priority today is to finish school with Alana before passing out..(just kidding, although I feel like I could fall over.) 



Bonding time with Grandpa Goodman.  Micah loved getting picture with the deer



Micah in PJ's with Cowboy Boot's (this is the only way he will wear his PJ's)



Isn't She Lovely? 

Some Curriculum I've been using with Micah during school time.  He usually sits at the table while Alana does language arts and math.  The flip books and other resources have been wonderful.  He's so young that he mostly plays.  But he loves shapes, animals, picture books, etc.  The school house book had every picture inside the book labeled and he can say almost every single word in the book now.  Cool stuff. 

Home School Mom, It's the Life For Me

We have managed to have a very successful day in the exciting Carlson School house, which leads me to today's topic.  All the question I get regarding home schooling, and might I add, all of the questions that Alana gets regarding home schooling.  It doesn't bother me a bit, however, lately it's been absolutely hilarious at times and so I thought if anyone was up for a good laugh, because I know I could sure use one today, this post would be worth the read. 

 I have made a list of some of the questions that the two of us have gotten recently. Now, no one get offended.  After all, we do not get offended, instead we find great humor in it all.  I'm thinking one day, it will make a great memory book of "funnies" for Alana.  So ready, here goes:

Our Top 15 Favorite's from this year so far (I'm going to try to provide the most educated answer that I can, but some are difficult)

15. Q: Do you guys eat breakfast or just lunch and are you allowed to have a snack?
      A:  My motto is: "Feed the child, feed the brain."(Although, we always just answer with a simple, "Yes, we eat breakfast, lunch, and lots of snacks.") BTW, we also eat dinner every night...lol.
14.  Q: Do you milk cows? (lots of questions regarding having farm animals, livestock,etc)
       A:  No,  we live inside the city limits of  Blountstown, but wish we could have a cow to milk, because I'm tired of paying the cost of milk.  
13.  Q:  Do you eat other stuff besides turkey and PB&J sandwiches everyday for lunch?
     A: Yes
12.  Q: If you are home schooled, do you even do school?
     A: Yes, we even answer to the State of Florida DOE-:)
11. Q.  Does your mom sit on the couch all day?
     A:  Finding the humor in this one..No:)

The cutest questions...asked by kids and and answered by Alana:

10. Q: Have you ever ridden on a school Bus?
    Alana's answer:  I've ridden in a van...lol...(she has ridden on a school bus.) she's just having fun with her answer..lol.
9. Q:  How many friends do you have?
    A:  Alana's answer, "um...".starts counting on fingers, runs out of fingers and then says, "wanna be my friend?" and another friend is gained  (imagine if us adults kept things this simple, wouldn't it be nice?)
8. Q. Do you get Water Day?
    A. Alana's answer: "When it's warm I do almost everyday because if I finish all of my work and make good grades on my tests and other work, I can ride my bike, get under the sprinkler, or get in the pool."
However, Alana has told me 100 times that she wants to be sprayed by the FIRE HOSE...lol.
6. Q. Can you read a chapter book?
    A. yes.
5.Q.  Alana's favorite question:  What do you call your teacher?
   A.  MOM, of course:)
4. Q: Can you go to the bathroom whenever you want to go?
    A:  Yes, unless my mom thinks I'm just going to hide out
3. Q. Does your mom have a Teacher's Lounge?
    A.  Alana's answer:  She tries to hide in the bathroom sometimes. (I really don't, I don't know why she says this)
2. Q.  Can your brother read yet?
    A.  Alana's answer, No, he's not two year's old yet...(I think it's the cutest question) 
1.  Q.  Do you get to watch T.V. while you do school?
     A.  No, my mom won't let me. (guess I'm a mean mom)
.
Now I guess it would only be right to give you 5 glimpses into our home school world.

•  I am too joyful in the mornings.  (Yep, that's what Alana told me. I don't know where she gets this, because NO ONE has ever said such a thing about me.)
•  She compared me to the Incredible Hulk when it comes to teaching math...help me out...I don't think this was a compliment.
•   Someone asked her recently if she enjoyed home school.  Her response, "Ask me on another day."
•  She brought me a math worksheet and she was on problem number 3 out of 25, she asked, "were you wanting me to complete the entire worksheet or is this enough?"  hmmmm....want to guess what my answer was?
• Micah decided to color the walls, toilet, bathroom doors, and cabinets the other day and then came to tell me about it.  Tip:  Windex is wonderful for removing crayon off  all of  the above with one wipe. 

SO many more I could add, but really did want to keep it fun. Hope you all will continue to read my blog.