Posted in Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things I Want to Teach My Kids
1.) To love Jesus.
2.) To be faithful tithers.
3.) To be hardworking.
4.) To be modest.
5.) To be kind and considerate of everyone.
6.) To be obedient.
7.) To be giving of their gifts.
8.) To be patient.
9.) To love unconditionally.
10.) To always have a desire to learn.
11.) To enjoy helping others.
12.) To be self-motivators.
13.) To always love each other.
Posted in Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen More Random Thoughts
1.) I wish the sun would shine!
2.) I have to clean my counters off today.
3.) Where do all the missing socks go?
4.) Why do dandelions grow super long the day after we mow?
5.) I wish my CBD order would get here.
6.) Being a mom is the greatest job ever!
7.) I want a puppy.
8.) I wish that puppies came potty trained.
9.) I wish that Kai would get potty trained.
10.) Sometimes I wish we were Amish.... except when I want electricity.
11.) It's sad that I think $3.87 per gallon is cheap.
12.) I love hand-me-downs, especially when the littler kids don't know that they are hand-me-downs.
13.) Did I mention that I wish the sun would shine?!

Posted in Thursday Thirteen
Thirteen Random Thoughts
1.) I have about 20 loads of laundry in the basement.
2.) My lawn really needs to be mowed.
3.) There are a million dandelions in my yard.
(My kids think they are beautiful!)
4.) I need to make an eye appointment.
5.) I am excited to plan our summer homeschool.
6.) Owning exercise equipment does not make you skinny -- you actually have to use it.
7.) It's raining, so we won't be able to go to park day today.
8.) My kids need to get dressed and eat breakfast.
9.) We praying for a qualified buyer for our house.
10.) I wish it was "pajama day" every day.
11.) We have way too many shoes and not enough space for them.
12.) I need to put away my snowman decorations and put up my spring decorations.
13.) I want a maid.

Posted in Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things
I am Thankful For:
1.) My teeny baby, wiggling in my belly.
2.) My children's laughter.
3.) My husband's consistent love for me and our children.
4.) Jesus Christ.
5.) My parents' unconditional love.
5.) The beautiful sunrise, even on a chilly morning.
6.) The blessing of having my grandparents still with us.
7.) Snuggling, all warm and cozy, in my bed.
8.) Quick and convenient travel options to visit friends and family.
9.) The freedom to homeschool my children.
10.) Twinkly Christmas lights.
11.) My (used) new dryer that Theresa's husband is gifting to me by week's end.
12.) Coca Cola - the little caffeine kick I sometimes need.
13.) Hot showers, on cold nights, before bed.

Posted in Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Homeschool Necessities:
1.) non-toxic crayons
2.) non-toxic/washable markers
3.) non-toxic glue
4.) scotch tape
5.) masking tape
6.) colored pencils
7.) children's scissors
8.) lots of scratch paper
9.) books, books and more books
10.) games for various ages
11.) math manipulatives
12.) dry erase board with washable markers
13.) large box of miscellaneous artsy/craftsy stuff

Posted in Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Biblical Names for My Baby
(We are having a hard time coming up with names for our new baby, so here are thirteen that may work. If you know me, you know that I have to "tweak" the spelling on my names. Bear with me.)
1.) Ezra - spelled Ezrah
Ezra 7:1
2.) Micah - not sure how I would "tweak" this one
Judges 17:1
3.) Felix - CUTE name, not sure how I'd "tweak" it
Acts 24:22
4.) Tobias - spelled Tobyas, maybe
Ezra 2:60
5.) Zadok - hmm... same problem with the "tweaking"
1 Chronicles 24:3
6.) Daniel - wow! I am drawing a blank with the whole "tweaking" thing
1 Chron. 3:1
7.) Elijah - spelled Elyjah
1 Kings 17:1
8.) Sarah - spelled Serah, like in the Bible
Genesis 46:17
9.) Grace - again, not sure how I would "tweak" this one
Proverbs 3:34 (This isn't really a name in the Bible, so not sure if it qualifies.)
10.) Ariel - spelled Aryel
Ezra 8:16
11.) Tabitha - how would I "tweak" this?
Acts 9:36
12.) Magdalene - spelled Magdalynn
Matt. 27:56
13.) Naomi - spelled Naomie
Ruth 1:2
Any Biblical names you can think of?
Please share!

Posted in Thursday Thirteen
Thirteen Things That Make Me Smile
1.) The sound of my children's laughter.
2.) Watching the sunrise/sunset.
3.) Babies snuggled in close.
4.) Knowing that Jesus loves me unconditionally.
5.) Seeing how much my parents love each other.
6.) My husband's smile.
7.) Visiting my grandparents.
8.) Feeling my baby kick inside of me.
9.) Spending time with family and friends.
10.) My children playing nicely together.
11.) Dewy grass under my bare feet.
12.) Watching waves crash onto the beach.
13.) Feeling the wind blowing through my hair.

Posted in Thursday Thirteen
Thirteen Links I Love:
My church - click HERE
Search God's Word - click HERE
Online Parallel Bible - click HERE
Craigslist - click HERE
Ebay - click HERE
Five in a Row - click HERE
BlinkYou Custom Notes - click HERE
Childcare Land - click HERE
Bry-Back Manor - click HERE
Math U See - click HERE
Hallmark - click HERE
Tasty Crockpot Recipes - click HERE
Whit's End (Adventures in Odyssey) - click HERE
Posted in Thursday Thirteen
Thirteen Books I Love to Read With My Kids
1.) Socks For Supper
2.) The Monster at the End of This Book
3.) The Giving Tree
4.) Gregory, the Terrible Eater
5.) A Bad Case of the Stripes
6.) Ira Sleeps Over
7.) Eloise
8.) The Kissing Hand
9.) Catalina Magdalena Hoopensteiner Walendeiner Hogan Logan Bogan Was Her Name
10.) I'm Thankful Each Day
11.) Is Your Mama a Llama
12.) Are You My Mother
13.) Madeline
Posted in Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Signs That Autumn is Coming
1.) The cool, crisp air coming through the windows every morning.
2.) The cozy jackets hanging on the hooks in the hallway.
3.) The warmth of my babies, in fuzzy jammies, snuggling with me before bed.
4.) The brilliant yellows, reds and oranges on the trees in our grove.
5.) The sound of grass crunching under my shoes.
6.) The many semi trucks driving down the highway with loads of corn.
7.) The smell of wood burning stoves coming from our neighbors' houses.
8.) The farmers' kids sitting in the back of pick-up trucks on the side of the road, selling their vegetation.
9.) The back to school clearances at department stores.
10.) The sight of school buses back in service.
11.) Snow removal trucks driving down the highway, apparently preparing for the first big snow.
12.) My beautiful snow on the mountain bush getting it's buds ready for picking.
13.) The smell of farmers harvesting their crops.
Sunday is the first day of Autumn!
Posted in Thursday Thirteen
Thirteen Fun Things to do
-- FOR FREE --
in Minnesota

1.) visit Como Zoo in Saint Paul
2.) go to one of the many lakes
3.) picnic in the park
4.) go to Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis
5.) visit the Minnesota Museum of American Art in Saint Paul
6.) visit the Minnesota Orphanage Museum in Owatonna
7.) visit the Polish Cultural Institute in Winona
8.) visit the Spam Museum in Austin
9.) visit the Hull-Rust Mahoning Mine in Hibbing
10.) visit the Bell Museum of Natural History in Minneapolis - free admission on Sundays
11.) visit the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis
12.) visit the Saint Anthony Falls Heritage Trail in Minneapolis
13.) take a trip to the ever-popular Mall of America in Bloomington -- this WILL cost you money, once you enter the doors.

Posted in Thursday Thirteen
Thirteen Things in my Purse:
1.) Loose change
2.) A few dollars
3.) Lipstick
4.) Certs
5.) My church journal
6.) A pen
7.) Highlighters
8.) My day planner
9.) Receipts
10.) My Visa
11.) My driver's license
12.) A loose toy, or two
13.) Hair pretties for the girls
Posted in Thursday Thirteen
Thirteen Things I Love About My Husband
1.) His desire to know God more intimately.
2.) His sparkly eyes.
3.) His cuddly body.
4.) His witty humor.
5.) His crooked smile.
6.) His willingness to try anything.
7.) How he really plays with our kids.
8.) His desire to be with our family.
9.) His willingness to help others.
10.) His ability to make me smile, even when I am feeling blue.
11.) His dedication to our family and friends.
12.) His dedication to his job.
13.) His desire to always give his family his very best.