Well, it is exciting to see how God works in our lives inspite of ourselves.   I am always amazed at how selfish I really am, as opposed to how unselfish I think I am.   Thank goodness HE lets us see ourselves as we are, a little at a time, not in one whole ball of wax.

Tonight is our homeschool support group's education fair.  Kind of like a science fair, except you can bring anything not just science projects.  As it turns our, we did a whole dinosaur display. Samuel is so proud of it.  It is a good job, for a first grader.  We are still not finish with our study, we still have more books to read, and of course, go to NYC to the museum. 

Chloë may have an apprentice job with a possibility of full time position in a dance studio!!!  It is something she has been hoping for for a long time!  I hope it works out!  But in the end, its all in God's hand.

Well, off to get cookies for the Fair.  NO JACKETS TODAY!!!  .  its about 50 degrees outside.  Just a sweatshirt/sweater needed!!  Anyway.  Be holy & obedient.  ~madeleine

So, Samuel is truly enjoying Reilly & Daisy. They love/tolerate him.  Like when they are sleeping on the recliner, and he can't stand it anymore, and joins them.  Yeah, they love/tolerate that. 

Chloë has a terribly case of senioritis.  I am almost as guilty. of having senioritis mom syndrome.  And what is with our support group not being able to agree with what color the graduation gowns will be??  Its a graduation gown, by no means a fashion statement.  Pick a color and move on!   I know I am being a bit short, I need to be more patient with petty things, I suppose.  Santification takes a life time.

On another note, we might be getting a new car.  Wait, a newer car...BIG difference.  I don't know if we still can, but if we do, its a Suburban.  AKA gas gussler.  We have a volvo wagon now, I love it, but its getting old and tired.  Chloë keeps telling us to put it out of it's misery.  What does a 17 year old know, except when she drives it, she is in a volvo station wagon.  Not cool. 

Off to make dinner.  You all be holy, I will certainly be trying.  ~ madeleine

Reilly & Daisy.  They really are delightful.  They have their moments, but thats ok too. 

On another note, We were making a preliminary list of people for
Chloë' graduation picnic.  How do we know this many people??!!??!  The ceremony itself will be June 10.  There are going to be about 15 kids graduating.  When Lance graduated 3 years ago, he was the only one.  God is good.

We went out to breakfast this morning, my mom my sisters & I.  It was nice to just hang, all us girls.  Then they came back to my house to see Daisy.  My mom wants her.  lol. But my dad is not a dog person, by any stretch of the imagination.

Anyway, we will see what the Lord has in store for us.  I am patiently/impatiently waiting for peace in this home.  Lord grant me mercy for all my failures.

Back to the ole grindstone......madeleine

We are getting another beagle!!!!!

So, I am trying not to smile too much. 

School has become that reality again.  Yeah we are going through the year's hump, but we will get over it soon.  I was signing up for us to volunteer at this year's curriculum fair for our state, and my daughter commented, that if I buy anything while there this year, it will be for Samuel only.  WOW TALK ABOUT SHOCKER!!!  My 2 oldest will be out of school this year!  I thank God for Samuel & hopefully we wil be able to adopt, or maybe miracle of miracles, we can have our own! .  If he wasn't around, my kids would be out of high school, and I would be 38.  :::sigh::: but God is great.

So, we are expecting 10 - 12 inches of snow tomorrow.  I'm not sure how to think about it.  Part of me is excited, you know, a good snow storm.  The other part of me is like....ugh.  All the coats, gloves, hats scarves, and raw cold.  Again.  Well, we will just be thankful we have a warm home & plenty of food.  Bring it on.

God has been really working in my life with my submission lately.  Well, He is trying to work, I am not being as good about letting Him.  Coming from a hispanic family, knowing & growing up in a matriarcal society is the right thing.  Not quite what the Lord requires.  My poor dear husband.  He is ever so patient.  after 21 years, I have achived about 1/4 mile of that race.        Yeah.  Not good.  I pray God soften my heart.

On that note, I should go.  I have chores to do.  You all be holy~ madeleine

Ok, so I am probably the only ridiculous homeschool mom on this blog thing who LOVES football.  This week has been such a turmoil.  I don't want to even read the paper to see what the commentators are saying, and yet every morning I run to the sports page after devotionals.   Some one needs to pray for me.

I have been wearing my Pittsburgh jersey ALL week, and I get the funniest comments or looks.  Like the time John & I went out to dinner, and I had my nice skirt & lovely shoes, and my jersey.  It totally matched, but I was the one wearing the jersey, not John.  Yeah.  BTW, I have been a Steelers fan since like, 1979, not just jumped on the band wagon this season like so many people assume....

The kids are trying to figure out what to do for the summer. I think Lance is looking to go to a Native Americans children's home in Nebraska.  Hope he can get in.  Chloe is actually thinking of working in a Central American orphanage for a year.  If she does I will miss her something awful, but I will be so happy.  Praying for God's will.  Samuel on the other hand is looking forward to the pool.  lol.

I was listening to Michael Card's CD, I think it is on the book of Romans?  Maybe Hebrews.  It is so good.  I have most of his stuff because he really captures the heart of worship.  He is my favorite.  Its been so long since I have been to one of his concerts.  Maybe about 8 years.  I hope he comes around here soon, again.

Well, 2 more days, and I will be weeping , or you won't be able to slap the smile off my face .

Until next time, be holy ~ madeleine

Today is our 21st Anniversary!!!  And let me say that if it wasn't for Jesus, we would have never made it this far! You need to understand that I was a 17 year old in high school, and John was a 19 year old in college when we got married.  No I was not expecting, just crazy circumstances.  And for us to have beaten the odds so far, and still be crazy about each other, ( okay and drive each other carzy, too)its all Jesus.

So guess what John gave me today??!!??!!  Go ahead and guess!!!  A BEN ROETHLISBERGER PITTSBURG STEELERS JERSEY!!!!!!!  See, he well knows me & loves me..  Its so beautiful. I gave him a Quick Verse Bible study program 2006 for the computer.  Wow.  It would seem that the gifts are reversed. lol.  Yeah, you can tell where we are in life. .

On the same note, and yet different....

Welcome to Steelers Country.     GO STEELERS!!!!!

Have you ever felt like you are ready to move?  I am ready to move out of this state.  I love it here, but I am so tired of how expensive it is to live here.  I have the smallest kitchen known to man kind.  And to move to a bigger house in NJ is just not an option. 

There.  I am now going to confess my sin.  I am complaining.  Lord, let me be thankful for where I am and what I have.  Let me "bloom where I am planted". 

Well, here it is.  Its the New Year!!  It seems like just a week ago, we were celebrationg 2005.  Life is good and God is great.

Well, Christmas was incredibly painful.  I was flat on my back for a week.  Christmas was spent crying from the pain.  But none the less, it was lovely. We were all at my parents, and my mommy took care of me.  I know I'm 38, but when she comes puts me on her bed, and sees to my comfort, well, like I said before, life is good.

So, John gave me my favorite gift for Christmas!!  First, something from Samaritan's Purse!!!  I loved it.  Then, a Vera Bradley pocketbook & matching wallet. 

New Years was good.  We went to friend's, and Joh proceeded to fall asleep on the couch.  But another guy did the same thing right next to him, and then the host did it, so it was ok, I guess.  Us wives just shrugged our shoulders, and kept on talking.

School start this week, and I can't wait.  Can't wait for the routine (in theory) again.  This is it.  Chloe graduates in June.  Where she will end up going to college is still up in the air.  Oklahoma Baptist & Southwest Baptist have already accepted her.  Now we just have to figure out finances. 

Little one needs to go to bed.  Good night ~ mad

It has been a really neat Christmas season this year.  Chloë's Nutcracker performances are done, and thought they were terribly cumbersome, I'm glad she did them.  My Aunt is here from El Salvador for a month!  She speaks no English, and it has been fun having her.  My mom is going to miss her when she leaves.  We have dragged her all over.  She is so sweet & kind.  She is also about 4'8".  Which makes her about 4 inches taller them my 7 year old. lol.

Lance brought his new girlfriend home last weekend.  She seemed delightful, though she seemed terrified.  Sheesh, no one should have that kind of power over someone enough to terrify them.  I tried to make her feel comfortable.  We even went out, just the girls and went to go see Pride & Prejudice.  WHAT A GREAT MOVIE!!  After the movie, we just sat there and dreamed a little.   Yes, I found my Mr. Darcy.  The girls are still hoping...  By the way, the theater was packed, and there were only 2 guys on the whole place!! ...wonder why??lol.

I am ready for Christmas.  Well, almost ready.  I just need some stocking stuffers, like candy & clementines...

Tomorrow, we go into the city for our annual family Christmas in the city day.  It should be fun.  It is the lastest we have ever done it.  Still, its before Christmas!  Anyway, on that note, I should go to bed.  May His blessing be poured out on you & your loved ones, now & always.  ~ madeleine

So, alot has happened these past weeks.  John's surprise 40th birthday party went off quite well, and he was surprised!!  We had about 80 people show up inspite of the snow.  It was fun!

Nutcracker on the other hand, is insane.  This next Sunday is the last performance!!  YAY  .  I'm about 1/2 way done with the shopping.  And the house is officially decorated for Christmas.  I have about 10 huge boxes full of Christmas stuff.  I have way too much stuff for this little house.  But John loves the decorations, so I do it for him.  And the kids ofcourse. lol. 

School on the other hand has not been good.  We need to catch up.  Yuck, I don't like it when that happens.  But it seems to happen every year at around this time.  Anyway, if I am not back before Christmas, You all have a beautiful, holy Christmas!  Many blessings! ~madeleine

been tagged by FLHSMOM to answer the seven sevens then tag 7 other people.

Seven Sevens

1. Seven things to do before I die.

1. Go on a Canadien Rocky Mountain 10 day train ride.

2. Adopt

3. Move from NJ( ilove it here, but its sooo expensive)

4. Write a book.

5. Get & stay organized

6. See my great grandchildren marry Godly spouses.(children & grandkids, too)

7. Live in CO or MN or TX

2. Seven things I cannot do.

1. get organized

2. sing

3. dance

4.appreciate opera

5. Math

6. Paint/draw

7. stay on budget for Christmas

3. Seven things that attract me to my husband

1. His faith

2. His commitment to family

3. His sense responsibility

4. His  eyes

5. His love of a job well done

6. His laughter, and his ability to not be able to tell a joke without cracking up WAY before the punch line.

7. His willingness to surrender for others

4. Seven things I say most often

1. duh

2. put your slippers on!!

3. Get your schoolbooks

4. what are you doing??!!??!!

5. I love you

6. Are you kidding me?

7. turn the music down!!

5. Seven books (or series) I love

1. Bible

2. Shadow of the Almighty~ Jim/Elisabeth Elliot

3. Any Janet Oke book

4. Chronicles of Narnia

5. The Mark of the Lon series.

6. History books

7. Piercing the Darkness

6. Seven movies I watch over and over again (or would watch over and over if I had the time)

1. The Mission

2. Steele Magnolias

3. While you were Sleeping

4. Everybody Loves Raymond series.

5. Signs

6. Return to Me

7. Bourne Identity

7. Seven People I want to join in, too

1. RedSoxFanInYankeeLand

2. bajamama

3.Wings As Eagles

4. pro3128

5. TamInAz

6. Anyone else who wants

7. anyone who has nothing else to do

I love Thanksgiving!!  I am baking all day today, because tomorrow we are leaving for the Macy's parade at about 6 am.    We've done it several times, and were not planning to go this year, but Chloë's friend came from Texas, and she wants to see it. So... ITS SUPPOSE TO SNOW!!  Which makes us happy, but not when we have to stand in it for 4 hours. 

My mom took the girls into the city today, and showed them the cool city sites.  I think there may be a Broadway show involved.  Knowing my mom, there is.... Anywa, I need to go make more pies.  Life is good, and God is great!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone! ~ mad

Today is Samuel's 7th Birthday!!    He truly is our Samuel!  We had 2 kids, and wanted to have like 6.  At least.  It took 10 years of prayer & doctors.  And truth be known we surrendered everything after 5 years of doctors & trying.  5 years after that, God decided it was time.  Hence, we named him Samuel.  When I got pregnant with him, I was so selfish, I asked God if this was the last time, could he make it twins.  Well, in God's infinite wisdom, he said no.  And if you ever met Samuel, you would know why.  Never seen such an active bundle of energy.  And the mind & reasoning skills of a teen.  I can't imagine having 2.But he is so precious.  Happy birthday my son. 

OK, for the record, I have never know anyone who calls it noo joisey, just foreigners(people from other states).  Everything else is true.  And my personal favorite is #42.  Yeah, its illegal for a customer to touch the noozle.  Life is good. 

You know you're from NOO JOISEY if:

1.  You've been seriously injured at Action Park.
2.  You don't think of citrus when people mention "The Oranges".
3.  You know that it's called Great Adventure, not Six Flags.
4.  You've ordered a hard roll with butter for breakfast.
5.  You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven.
6.  You've eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk, at 3 a.m.
7.  You remember that the "Two Guys" were from Harrison.
8.  You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery.
9.  At least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen
and you know what town Jon Bon Jovi is from.
10. You know what a "jug handle" is.
11. You know that a WaWa is a convenience store.
12. You know that the state isn't all farmland.
13. You know that there are no "beaches" in New Jersey - there's "The Shore", and you know that the road to the shore is "The Parkway", not the "Garden State Highway".
14. You know that "Piney" isn't referring to a tree.
15. Even your school cafeteria made good Italian subs.  And you call it a "Sub" not a "submarine sandwich" or worse yet, a "hoagie" or a "hero".
16. You remember the song from the Palisades Park commercials.
17. You know how to properly negotiate a Circle.
18. You knew that the last question had to do with driving.
19. You  know that this is the only "New..." state that doesn't require"New" to identify it (like, try...Mexico, ...York, ...Hampshire - doesn't work, does it?)
20. You only go to New York City for day trips, and you only call it "The City".
21. You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a fast food sandwich.
22. You consider a corned beef sandwich with lettuce and mayo a sacrilege.
23. In the 80's, you wore your hair REALLY high.
24. You don't think "What exit" is very funny.
25. You know that the first "strip shopping center" in the country is Route.
26. You know that people from 609 area code are "a little different".
27. You know that no respectable New Jerseyan goes to Princeton - that's for out-of-staters.
28. The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar.
29. You live within 20  minutes of at least three different malls.
30. You can see the Manhattan skyline from some part of your town.
31. You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers.
32. Every year, you had a least one kid in your class named Tony.
33. You  know where every "clip" shown in the Sopranos opening credits is.
34. You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of the Willowbrook Mall.
35.  You've been to at least one mall in Paramus.
36. You know that people from North Jersey go to Seaside Heights, and people from South Jersey go to Wildwood.  It can't be the other way around.
37. You were not raised in New Jersey.  You were raised in either North Jersey, Central Jersey or South Jersey.
38. You don't consider Newark or Camden to actually be part of the state.
39. You remember the stores Korvette's, Rickel's, Channel, Bamburger's
and Orbach's.
40. You've eaten a Boardwalk cheesteak with vinegar fries.
41. You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February.  And finally...
42.  You've never pumped your own gas.

I love living here....

Well, here is my family.  Lance our 20 year old son, John, hubby, Samuel, 7 in 13 days! and Chloë our 17 year old daughter.  I took this picture in the end of May and it was about 40 degrees outside.  Its on top of the Empire State Building.  Notice Chloë's purse...its made out of juice boxes!!!  We got it at a flea market in the city a few weeks before this day.  It is made in the Philippines, and that is how some women make a living out there, by making these purses!  She has gotten more compliments on this 10 dollar purse, then on her 200 dollar Louis Vitton ( my sister gave her, I would never spend that much on a purse)( sheesh , I don't spend 200 bucks on anything in general!).  I like it better too. lol.

So...it is now November 6th.  Our school year is going pretty ok.  Chloë took her SATs yesterday. Again.  She has vowed never to take them as long as she lives.  Even if she gets a 200.  lol.  Samuel is reading so much better! I am so proud of him. 

John turns 40 this month.  He is such a grump about it!  Of the 21 years we have been married, this is by far his grump year.  Poor guy.  And Lance is going to Rutgers.  Yeah, No nice Baptist school, but God is still in control.  John & lance are going apartment hunting this weekend, while Chloë & I go tot he Revolve Tour.  Samuel will spend the weekend at his BF house.  Life is good.   

Well, its Reformation Day.  I think we will go get Luther the Movie.  I actually asked for it for my birthday.  No one got it for me. lol. But its a well done movie.  I think the actor is Joseph Finnes?  Maybe we will make it part of sschool. Both the kids have seen it already and really like it.  Yeah, thats what we will do. 

Well, the great news is that Chloë does not have the Black Friday performance on her schedule!!!  When she was trying out for the Nutcracker, Black Friday was a concern for us.

We are out the door, with our flyers, coupons, and schedule ready by 6am. We will shoot for 5:30 this year,but we will see. I know some people think Black Friday is hell on earth.  Like my mom, my sister, and just about everyone I know.  But we love it.  We enjoy standing on line for 45 minutes, sharing life with the people in front of us or behind us.  Sometimes they have good stuff we missed or we have good stuff they missed, and Chloë or I run and get it.  Or sometimes we are stuck with grumps on each end, so we just talk among ourselves, and solve all the world's problems.  I know this is part of the routine, and I enjoy it instead of fight it. 

By the latest 9am, we are at the mall.  This is after being at at least 3 stores before then. Like Kohl's, Target, Marshal's and/or maybe an electronic store.  We hit Macy's before their coupons expire.  By 10:30 we have breakfast.  We treat ourselves to a Cinnabon.  With extra icing.  We do this once a year, diet or no diet, because it will take us the rest of the year to burn off those 2,385,983,457 calories.  Usually we have it with a Coke ,just to make sure we are totally sugared out.   We don't get home until about 4pm or so. 

Then we veg out and watch a Christmas movie, while hubby gets pizza, or we have left over turkey. Which ever he decides to make for dinner.  Because the deal is, I save him literally a FORTUNE, so the least he could so is provide dinner. 

Well, all I can say is, when she got her schedule this week, she called me all excited.  So what if she is on schedule all December, and every time before Thanksgiving??  Black Friday is still ours!!  You know how it tells us in scripture, He gives us the desires of our heart?  Well, I am thankful He has given us this desire.  It is our tradition, our joy.  Thank You Jesus.

~madeleine

Well, our son got in!!  All the schools he applied to transfer to!!  YAY  Now comes that hard part.  Choosing the right one.  Lots of prayer going to be involved.

 AND Chloë sent her college applications today.  My baby girl.  She is applying to Oklahoma Baptist also, and to Southwest Baptist. She also got her high school graduation pictures taken today.  We went to Target.  With a coupon. .  They did a nice job!

We also got Samuel's 7 year old pictures taken.  He is so cute, my baby boy.  But he is a pip.  The photographer was cracking up at his antics.  He is a character. I keep saying that if it wasn't that he was so cute, I would have to lock him up in a closet. He is ALOT of work, this boy.  But we will keep him.  

And Reilly is 11.3 pounds worth of joy.  He went to the vet today for his boosters.  Thats how I know how much he weighs. lol.  He was terrified of the Dalmation there.  The Dalmation has the deepest bark, Reilly scooted into the calender rack, and we had to drag him out.

John & I are going out on a date tonight.  I can't wait.  I don't even know what we are going to do.  We might just walk around the lake, but it is so BEAUTIFUL around here, that might be just the perfect thing to do.  Fall has come to NJ, and I wake up thanking God for the beauty around me.  I love the crisp air, the leaves changing their color to a breath-taking view, and I LOVE wearing sweaters.  Life is good.  God is great.

Anyway, Nothing much else new.  You all have a beautiful week.. Be holy~ madeleine

Well, I can't believe how much fun our beagle puppy is!!  The only one who isn't haven't any fun is Shelby, our Leonberger.  She has suddenly turned into a grump.  She is only 5 years old, and no we haven't ignored her for the puppy.  If anything we play with her more often so she won't resent him.  duh.

Anyway, the Beth Moore thing was fantastic!!  I want to love the Word of God, have the passion, the thirst, the excitement that she has!!  Live it like that!!!!   Thank you Jesus for the reminder!

YANKEES ARE OUT!!!!  YES!!!!   Life is good.

Well, I have to go food shopping today.  We have no food.  Well, we do, but things like cake mix, lemonade mix, dog bones...not anything real useful-like.

Our son got accepted to Anderson College!!  We just heard from them yesterday.  I hope he gets into Oklahoma Baptist.  Thats my first choice.  He likes Anderson better.  He will ultimately decide, but there is no harm in praying... .. Either way, he is down south for the next semester.  I will miss him sonething awful, but I know God will use this for His glory. 

You all have a beautiful day.  Be holy~ madeleine