Speaking from the Heart

The basics of life are food, clothes, and shelter. I am embarrassed to say that many times those things do not suffice my needs. Like Sharpay from High School Musical, Sometimes I want more. As I have found out for myself, having more does not quench my desires. There is always something out there for me to temporary sate my thirst. However, having a relationship with the LORD permanently satisfies my needs . I am thankful that He first loved me. I am thankful that He daily provides my needs.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes. Matthew 6:25

These needs include:

Prince Charming- A wise man who shows his love by his service, integrity, honesty, and actions.

Mom- A wise and strong woman, whom I often take for granted.

Food- Unlike my cousins in Vietnam, I don't have to hunt food for my family. My pantry is never empty.

Water- drinking water is not contaminated; I have instant hot shower.

Clothing- I have the bare essentials to cover my body, and that is all I need.

What are you Thankful for this week? Click on the clip art to visit Iris. You can read more Thankful Thursday or participate in the fun.

I have not been feeling well this week. Therefore, the kids are on their own. They have stayed on top their assignments. Now, it's my turn to grade the work.

To teach The Inquisitor and Minnie about accountability and responsibility, I assigned them writing assignments. Instead of reminding daily to work on their papers, I gave them a deadline. It doesn't matter when they work on their papers, as long as the final drafts are in complete by Friday.

I often get caught in the world view of what I should have or why something is happening to me, and not being thankful enough for the little things.

I am thankful that Prince Charming has a job. Many people in our area are searching.

I am thankful for our home. Although our monthly payment is high, our house is not in foreclosure.

I am thankful for my marriage. Without a doubt, I know Prince Charming loves me.

I am thankful for my children's health and love.

I am thankful for the protection God has around me and the children, as we drive around town daily.

I am thankful for my mom's health. She is 62 and still very active.

I am thankful for another chance of being here with my family. As many of you know, I could have died due to a gall bladder infection 5 years ago.

For more Thankful Thursday, click on the clip art.

"All of our good deeds do not measure up to God's glory. At the same time, we cannot fall from God's grace. He proved that to us when he sent his Son to the cross." For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

As I listened to The Inquisitor explaining God's grace to his dad, I know he is ready for his mission field (Southeast High School) in the fall. Why was I afraid that The Inquisitor will be influenced by his peers? From what I hear and see, he will be influencing them. Thank you, God for allowing me to be his mother.

For more WFW, click on the clip art.

78%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

I didn't make my kids do school on Monday, while the other kids were off for President's Presidents' Day. That would be child abuse.

I didn't tell my kids to cancel their scheduled recorded TV program, so I could record mine. In my defense, I retracted my request. I realized that I could record the same show two hours later.

I didn't tell Minnie to call her dad last Friday and asked him where we were going for dinner. Geez, you would think that I have developed a Friday routine.

I didn't flood our laundry room, after combining a cup of laundry detergent wih 3 shaggy bathroom rugs.

Not me, I am not hooked to facebbook. C'mom, I am already addicted to blogging.

Not me, I didn't put an apostrophe before the "s" in Presidents' Day. You are probably wondering why I homeschool my children.

Not me, I didn't loose Minnie's geography book again. Although she denies it, I think she hid it again.

Not me, I don't use a hair dryer to jumpstart the automatic icemaker. Let me explain. Whenever the icemaker freezes, I have to use the hairdryer to melt the excess ice. This way, I can prolong another year of buying a new refrigerator. Our next appliance purchase will be a new dishwasher.

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over by clicking on the clipart. Once you are there, you can read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

He gave me the whole afternoon to myself. Saturday morning began with taking the kids to their friends' house. Afterwards, I cleaned the house. The plan was to pick up the kids at 4:00, take The Inquisitor to church for a student weekend performance, and then come home for supper around 6:30.

Around 1:30, Prince Charming had a craving for smoked chicken and ribs. Thinking he was going to return home way before 3:30, he went alone. Well, that short trip lasted until 6:30. He called me around 3:45 to tell me that he was picking up the kids. Instead of returning home and turning back an hour later, he and Minnie decided to wait for Mark.

This was such a blessing in disguise. Minnie had one-on-one time with her daddy, and I had the whole afternoon to myself. What a priceless Valentine's gift. No, I didn't blog all afternoon nor search people on facebook. I included a 3 mile cycling into my rest and recreation. Lastly, I don't have to cook tonight. Prince Charming is trying out his electric smoker. Boy, those chicken smell delicious.

Our week started with returning to the orthodontist to fix a broken bracket. On Wednesday, the kids an doctor's appointment. Somehow, we managed to have a very productive school week. As always, biology kept The Inquisitor busy. He is learning about quadratic equation and imaginary numbers in algebra 2. We are trying to finish Rod & Staff 7th grade grammar. I think it is so important to learn the material , because it will improve his writing. Since he will be taking Spanish at Southeast next year, we completely dropped the course.

Minnie finished writing her interpretation of The Princess and the Pea. I can't say enough about Pudewa's Writing Intensive Program. In the program Minnie learns how to pick out 3 key words per sentence. Using the keywords, she writes her story.

Just when I thought Minnie is not comprehending her science material, she surprised me by acing the test without any review. Way to go!! Minnie.

While public school kids are out on Monday, we will continue with school. I am afraid that if I take a break, it might last more than a month.

Not me, I didn't put the wrong year (2007) on the medical reimbursement form.


Not me, I didn't coerce Mini into asking Prince Charming to take us out to eat. That would be so childish of me.


Not me, I am not 26 Scrabble games behind Prince Charming. LOL, this is a good ground for a divorce. Don't you think?


Not me, I didn't go to Blockbuster 3 times on Saturday to see if anyone has returned "Fireproof".


Not me, I didn't get the only copy of "Fireproof" on my last trip to Blockbuster.

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I tried very hard not to do many outside schooling activities this week. A few times, I was tempted to drop everything and go grocery shopping. However, I managed to refrain myself from getting into the car. It's amazing how much we can accomplish when we have a minimum distraction. We skipped homeschool skating today, because I wanted to have the weekend of doing nothing, but clean the house.

The Inquisitor finished 5 lessons of algebra 2 and Rod & Staff Grammar, kept up with biology, and wrote a summary of Johanna Strauss.

Minnie started Pudewa's Intensive writing this week. She read "The Princess and the Pea", outlined the story, and rewrote the story from her notes. Pudewa does a wonderful job of teaching kids on how to write.

I need to spend more time in Science and History with Minnie. I don't think she is grasping the material, because the lesson is too dry. I need to do something different next year. She wants to join Co-operative Education. I am still pondering about the whole idea.

He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) I Timothy 3:4-5

Not me, I didn't enjoy being home alone, while the rest of the family is watching the Super Bowl Game at a neighbor's house.

After telling the Inquisitor why he shouldn't have a Facebook account, I didn't open an account for myself.

Who me? I definitely did not spend the weekend searching for high school friends on Facebbook. It was my twin sister.

Not me, I didn't order take out pizza two days in a row, because I didn't feel like cooking.

Not me, I am not gloating and proud about The Inquisitor being accepted to the IB school.

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.