Are you a mother? Do you ever wonder if you accomplish much each day? When you see the floor that didn’t get mopped or the laundry still not put away?

If sometimes you feel discouraged, I’ve a few questions to ask you.

Perhaps it’s time to take a look at all the things you do.

Did you fold a paper airplane?

Did you wash that sticky face?

Did you help your child pick up toys and put them in their place?

Did you pull a wagon, push a swing, or build a blanket tent?

If so, let me tell you that your day was quite well spent.

Did you turn off the TV and send your children out to play?

And then watch them from the window as you prayed about their day?

When they tracked mud on your kitchen floor, did you try hard not to scold?

Did you sunggle close as prayers were said and bedtime stories told?

Did you wipe away a tear?

Did you pat a little head?

Did you kiss a tender cheek as you tucked your child in bed?

Did you thank God for your blessings for your children heaven-sent?

Then rest assured, dear mother, you time was quite well spent.

Did you make sure they brushed their teeth today?

Did you comb tangles from her hair?

Did you tell them they should do what’s right, though life’s not always fair?

Did you quiz her on her spelling words, as you tried hard not to yawn?

Did you marvel at how tall he is and wonder where he’s childhoods gone?

Did you buy another gallon of milk? Was that broccoli you cooked?

Did you straighten your sons tie and say how handsome he looked?

Did you hold your tearful daughter when her teenage heart was broken?

Did you help her find some peace of mind, although few words were spoken?

Did you help him choose a college and get the applications sent?

Did you feel a little wistful at how quickly the years went?

Did you help her pack a suitcase, and try hard not to cry?

Did you bravely smile and smooth her hair as you hugged her good-bye?

Do you hold them in your prayers although your arms must let them go?

Do you tell them that you love them so they will always know?

To make a home where love abides is a great accomplishment

And to serve God as a mother is to live a life well spent.

(From Chicken Soup for the Mother of Preschoolers Soul)

Well sorry, I haven’t been taking many pictures, but I did realise there was a few on my camera, so I’ll update with pictures.

First of all, we’re still camping. It’s been almost 5 months, I feel like in the story of in the LOG when they could either get breakfast, or get their summer clothes.

It was either get furniture, or not be stranded and get another car. The Lord has really supplied and the kids are happy and progressing TTL.

Here’s the kids bedroom right now, I’ll post another picture when we get their beds.

Here’s some photos of at the music museum.

to Anaik and Serena!! I love you so, so much! And hope you have a wonderful, year!! Full of love and life.

Love you!!!

Pabs & Jess

I was following the attempted rescue of the hostages in Columbia a few months back, the governments were trying to negotiate the release, it failed.

This time, Columbia didn’t tell anyone that they were planning a rescue, they did it perfectly to the tiniest detail, they went in acting like the FARC, even treating the hostages badly, until they got on the helicopter, then the hostages realised that it was a rescue, after 6 years.

This is a movie in the making!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/07/02/betancourt.colombia/index.html

I really like Barack Obama. Not following that closely in the elections, but definetly want him over Hilary Clinton. But he dances!! I think that’s what the US needs, some young blood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsWpvkLCvu4&feature=related

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/06/19/gas.incentives/index.html

I enrolled my kids in a charter school. Monday I go down to meet the teacher. (if you don’t know what’s a charter school, it’s homeschooling with the public school extra, parents are paired up with teachers, and they get samples and make sure the kids are progressing at a good pace etc..), there’s some catches, we can’t use a curriculum thats from a religious supplier (like Abeka), tho the other moms manage it, by handing in samples that are on just paper. And I need to see how much it works for Eric. I’m praying that we’ll get services that will really help him, not just them say “no, he’s too high funtioning for the serivces we offer”, then it might not be worth it for us to have Eric enrolled.

There is the option to have your kids go to classes 2 days a week, which is enticing, but Alex has already started 3rd grade in Feb. it would mean we’d have to start his 3rd grade again. So we won’t do it this year, but see how it works for next year. And for that Eric needs to catch up to starting 2nd grade in Sept. Anyways it’s a bit of a juggle.

The greatest thing…. they have surfing classes in the summer YAYYYYY!!! I really wanted my kids to learn to surf, but it’s so darn expensive.

I’m really looking forward to Alex in basketball, or soccer, Celine in ballet etc.., pray that it all works out. I have to lug my kids around to everything so pray that it all goes smoothly.

I don’t know if this is a new thing, but I’m seeing lot of fancy dresses, even casual/nice dresses. In the shows that are on, Desperate Housewives, Sex and the City, in all the stores, ads etc…, I’m getting the itch to wear skirts, dresses etc.., totally not me, but it’ll be fun — esp. when I get around to it.

While looking up tips on how to keep kids from daydreaming, I found this article, and when she said “but there are days that I want to march all these kids over to the elementary school and hand them over to the principal.”

Words right out of my mouth!

So.. how about some none kids news… we have room mates (well, not exactly, but Yippee..)!!

Rick and Maria moved into today with their cute kid, Trevor, and darling baby Lina. We’re so happy to have ppl with us, it’s so much fun. The kids are having a great time, and for the first time in weeks Alex had all his school done in only 3 hours, verses, the bored 5 hour school, lamely done.

We still have two rooms here (huge house), so ppl visiting is still an option, which is great for us, we have ppl coming to visit us a lot.