I was picking up Isaiah yesterday at piano, when I could tell something was a little different. Isaiah has just started his 6th year of piano and still loves it. Yesterday, was a moment that solidified that he was meant to play music, something as a mom (a very non-musician mom) figured out when he was very young.
Rebecca, his piano teacher asked her son who is 15 to come down and play a song with Isaiah on the piano. As they started playing, Isaiah on the piano and Tyler on the drums, the biggest goosebumps I have ever had and tears came to my eyes immediately as I listened to them play "Blessed Be Your Name" together, while Isaiah belted out the words of the song. Not only was it amazing music to my ears but it was truly an act of worship that these two young boys (9 and 15) were praising the Lord with their musical gifts. A mom moment I will never forget.
Today as I was having some time with the Lord, I ran across this scripture and thought it to be so fitting.
"Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the heights above. Praise Him, all His angels, praise Him, all His heavenly hosts. Praise Him, sun and moon, praise Him, all you shining stars. Praise Him you highest heavens and you shining stars. Praise Him you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created." Psalm 148:1-5
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
A Fun Weekend With Daddy
Have I mentioned recently that we (the kids and I) think Daddy (John) is our (earthly everyday) hero?! Not only does he fill the few days that he has off filled with getting lots of things done around the house, but he is constantly cooking for us, helping the kids make cookies, plays with us and teaches the kids. He truly has embraced what a homeschool father's role is. He is the greatest teacher! Thank you John for taking over the presentations for the kids for their CC!
Speaking of presentations, John had Isaiah do a presentation on Mount Rushmore last week since he invited us all to go on a trip out to Rapid City SD with him as he had a long layover. The kids were smiles ear to ear as we got to board the airplane early and the kids were able to sit in the cockpit with John. What a neat experience for them. Isabella really liked having the plane to ourselves for a while and then couldn't quite grasp why so many people kept coming onto the plane. We were all quite impressed at his landings!
We jam packed yesterday with a lot of fun! We started the day off going through Bear Country and were fascinated by all the bears that came up to our car.. buffalo, wolves and elk. We then headed to an attraction called Cosmos where the center of gravity was tested and felt! We then headed outside of Keystone to a cave that truly was a unique experience for all of us. We marveled at the creation of it...from the stalactites, stalagmites to the fossils, all so richly designed. It was marvelous! Too bad my battery on my camera was drained. I know, I know, how could I have not charged it before I went, or at least brought the charger?? Well, as you can imagine life is crazy here and with the commotion of everything, I simply forgot! Thankfully both kids brought their cameras, so hopefully we have a few good snapshots with theirs! We then headed off to Mount Rushmore. I don't think pictures of it do it justice, it truly is an amazing site to see in person. Isaiah of course was an excellent resource for all of us as every time I asked him a question about it, he knew the answer! Great job on your presentation bud and great job for being an excellent tour guide!
This weekend was one of those "magical" times with the kids. They were truly captured by the beauty of all that God created. Watching their eyes light up and their expressions as we saw new things and experienced new things are mental pictures that will stay with me forever. Thank you Lord for giving us this time together! Thank you God for blessing John with a job to be able to see this beautiful world You created!
Speaking of presentations, John had Isaiah do a presentation on Mount Rushmore last week since he invited us all to go on a trip out to Rapid City SD with him as he had a long layover. The kids were smiles ear to ear as we got to board the airplane early and the kids were able to sit in the cockpit with John. What a neat experience for them. Isabella really liked having the plane to ourselves for a while and then couldn't quite grasp why so many people kept coming onto the plane. We were all quite impressed at his landings!
We jam packed yesterday with a lot of fun! We started the day off going through Bear Country and were fascinated by all the bears that came up to our car.. buffalo, wolves and elk. We then headed to an attraction called Cosmos where the center of gravity was tested and felt! We then headed outside of Keystone to a cave that truly was a unique experience for all of us. We marveled at the creation of it...from the stalactites, stalagmites to the fossils, all so richly designed. It was marvelous! Too bad my battery on my camera was drained. I know, I know, how could I have not charged it before I went, or at least brought the charger?? Well, as you can imagine life is crazy here and with the commotion of everything, I simply forgot! Thankfully both kids brought their cameras, so hopefully we have a few good snapshots with theirs! We then headed off to Mount Rushmore. I don't think pictures of it do it justice, it truly is an amazing site to see in person. Isaiah of course was an excellent resource for all of us as every time I asked him a question about it, he knew the answer! Great job on your presentation bud and great job for being an excellent tour guide!
This weekend was one of those "magical" times with the kids. They were truly captured by the beauty of all that God created. Watching their eyes light up and their expressions as we saw new things and experienced new things are mental pictures that will stay with me forever. Thank you Lord for giving us this time together! Thank you God for blessing John with a job to be able to see this beautiful world You created!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Obstacle Course
Gabriella made an obstacle course this evening for Isabella. Of course to me it looked like a HUGE mess! Almost every book and lots of toys were scattered in the family room.
I said,
"Oh my, this is quite the mess!"
Gabriella told me,
"Oh no, it is exactly the way it is supposed to be."
So I asked her where I start and she proceeded to tell me where and what to do. I have to say I was quite impressed by the difficulty of the obstacle course and how carefully everything was placed with thorough thought. I had to turn whole books with only my feet and if I stepped into the headband and touched a polka dot, I would be out of the course. There was a lot of pressure to make sure I did everything just right! It was a lot of fun!
I loved obstacle courses set up by my phy-ed teachers when I was a young girl and even in the most recent years at a bootcamp class I attended at the club. I started to ponder how my life sometimes feels like an obstacle course. My course starts early in the morning and does not stop until I hit my pillow. There are days where it can be long and sometimes I feel frustrated when I touch that "polka-dot" where I wish I could go take a break!
I am reminded of one of Isaiah's favorite Bible verse from 1 Corinthians 9:24-25:
"Do you not know that in a race all runners run,, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will that will last forever."
My days are spent loving on my children, teaching them how to love others the way God loves them, but mostly instilling into them the love God has for them and how they were created in His image for a specific plan and purpose. You combine this with the "daily-ness" of life and you have one HUGE obstacle course. The best and most rewarding obstacle course of all, GOD'S!
I said,
"Oh my, this is quite the mess!"
Gabriella told me,
"Oh no, it is exactly the way it is supposed to be."
So I asked her where I start and she proceeded to tell me where and what to do. I have to say I was quite impressed by the difficulty of the obstacle course and how carefully everything was placed with thorough thought. I had to turn whole books with only my feet and if I stepped into the headband and touched a polka dot, I would be out of the course. There was a lot of pressure to make sure I did everything just right! It was a lot of fun!
I loved obstacle courses set up by my phy-ed teachers when I was a young girl and even in the most recent years at a bootcamp class I attended at the club. I started to ponder how my life sometimes feels like an obstacle course. My course starts early in the morning and does not stop until I hit my pillow. There are days where it can be long and sometimes I feel frustrated when I touch that "polka-dot" where I wish I could go take a break!
I am reminded of one of Isaiah's favorite Bible verse from 1 Corinthians 9:24-25:
"Do you not know that in a race all runners run,, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will that will last forever."
My days are spent loving on my children, teaching them how to love others the way God loves them, but mostly instilling into them the love God has for them and how they were created in His image for a specific plan and purpose. You combine this with the "daily-ness" of life and you have one HUGE obstacle course. The best and most rewarding obstacle course of all, GOD'S!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
October 13, 2010
I had to laugh this morning after the girls came down to tell me they were ready to go. Isabella proceeded to change from one pair of pajamas to two different pair of pajamas layered! Gabriella changed into clothes, but layered two pants and two longsleeved dresses....."in case it's cold mom, or if it gets hot, I can just take off these off."
These are the priceless moments!
These are the priceless moments!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Way Too Long!
Fall is a busy time of the year. In some ways it is nice to get back into a schedule and routine and other times I feel like it is too much! I feel like I am constantly fighting for balance in the most precious thing God has blessed us with...time. So as I continuously seek Him for wisdom in this area, I am embarassed that it has been over a year since I last posted!
I ask what has happened in the Fletcher household that has caused this beautiful thing called time to feel as someone pushed fast forward?
Well....
About two in a half years ago, I had a strong sense God laid it upon my heart to homeschool! It was so not in MY plans, but after a lot of prayer and investigating what this all entails, the overwhelming sense of God leading us to new adventure prevailed! We started homeschooling Isaiah last fall (2009).
It has been the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but also the most amazing time for all of us. I have always thought teachers are the most amazing individuals I have ever met, but my respect for them has increased a hundred fold as I have no idea how they do what they do daily. Isaiah was blessed with the amazing teachers at Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion and I thank them for what they did for him. Senora Maendel and the principal gave us their blessing in this new endeavor and without their amazing support and encouragement, it made this transition smooth.
Isaiah is one of the most compliant children to start homeschooling. He just goes with the flow of whatever is placed before him, which as a homeschooling mom, I guess this is a HUGE blessing! His love for reading made our year a huge success.
Just a few things he accomplished last year:
1. He wrote a piano piece
2. He wrote and illustrated an amazing adventure book! (He is taking orders!)
3. He memorized huge chunks of scripture. (Why can't I do that?)
4. He memorized 160 major events chronologically in history (Creation-now)
5. He read more books than John and I have combined in our lives!
I could go on, but I don't record all of this to brag or boast about him. I strongly believe God is the one to boast about in all of this. He is the one who laid it upon my heart and for whatever the reason is, I don't quite know right now. I trust in Him to reveal it, but for now I stand amazed by the few things Isaiah has done this year. I strongly believe without this time schooling at home, it would not have been possible.
Besides homeschooling taking over in our home, we have had a wonderful year full of fun travels (another perk for homeschooling and airline benefits!). But the most precious times are those morning snuggles, curling up on the couch with the kids as I read to them, watching my kids be each other's best friend, taking nature walks, building the coolest and messiest forts in the house, sitting on the porch late into the evening by the fire and playing the "thankful" game, but mostly teaching them about God, who He is and why He created us, to do His work by being His hands and feet while spreading the gospel.
Isabella is asking me to read a book...something I would not trade taking any more time posting on the computer than to read to her. I hope to post some new pictures soon!
I ask what has happened in the Fletcher household that has caused this beautiful thing called time to feel as someone pushed fast forward?
Well....
About two in a half years ago, I had a strong sense God laid it upon my heart to homeschool! It was so not in MY plans, but after a lot of prayer and investigating what this all entails, the overwhelming sense of God leading us to new adventure prevailed! We started homeschooling Isaiah last fall (2009).
It has been the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but also the most amazing time for all of us. I have always thought teachers are the most amazing individuals I have ever met, but my respect for them has increased a hundred fold as I have no idea how they do what they do daily. Isaiah was blessed with the amazing teachers at Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion and I thank them for what they did for him. Senora Maendel and the principal gave us their blessing in this new endeavor and without their amazing support and encouragement, it made this transition smooth.
Isaiah is one of the most compliant children to start homeschooling. He just goes with the flow of whatever is placed before him, which as a homeschooling mom, I guess this is a HUGE blessing! His love for reading made our year a huge success.
Just a few things he accomplished last year:
1. He wrote a piano piece
2. He wrote and illustrated an amazing adventure book! (He is taking orders!)
3. He memorized huge chunks of scripture. (Why can't I do that?)
4. He memorized 160 major events chronologically in history (Creation-now)
5. He read more books than John and I have combined in our lives!
I could go on, but I don't record all of this to brag or boast about him. I strongly believe God is the one to boast about in all of this. He is the one who laid it upon my heart and for whatever the reason is, I don't quite know right now. I trust in Him to reveal it, but for now I stand amazed by the few things Isaiah has done this year. I strongly believe without this time schooling at home, it would not have been possible.
Besides homeschooling taking over in our home, we have had a wonderful year full of fun travels (another perk for homeschooling and airline benefits!). But the most precious times are those morning snuggles, curling up on the couch with the kids as I read to them, watching my kids be each other's best friend, taking nature walks, building the coolest and messiest forts in the house, sitting on the porch late into the evening by the fire and playing the "thankful" game, but mostly teaching them about God, who He is and why He created us, to do His work by being His hands and feet while spreading the gospel.
Isabella is asking me to read a book...something I would not trade taking any more time posting on the computer than to read to her. I hope to post some new pictures soon!
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