A Tybee Birthday

You need a little background to understand how we ended up in Tybee Island for my 44th Birthday - counting backwards the last 4 birthdays have been .....well to be honest pretty lousy for one reason or another. The Principal has tried so hard to make them happy and memorable - they have been memorable -but well, I'll leave it at that. It seems something always finds a way to spring up and attack on that "special day" so this year The Principal decided to take matters into his own hands and get us out of town - distraction being the method that would lead to a successful natal day !!

We like lighthouses - Tybee has one. Wonder Boy had never been to the ocean - Tybee has one. We love to Letterbox - Tybee has several - it was a done deal - the plan was in place - I was going to turn 44 yrs. old in Tybee Island, Georgia ;-)

We spent 4 great days on Tybee Island - we climbed the lighthouse - which was a blast - what a great view of the ocean - makes you aware of how small we are and how big God is.We visited Fort Pulaski and Fort Screven (the first photographed baseball game in the US was taken here during the Civil War) which date back to the Civil War and of course snuck a little homeschooling in while we were in the area ;-)

Tybee is a really neat place - time almost stands still - it is very unaffected by modern day USA if you knw what I mean - life seems to be very simple and self contained on the island. There is very little influence from large corporate America, the homes are funky, people ride their bikes everywhere - I almost felt like I was not in the United States at all. One other thing we noticed as we explored around the island was the huge population of fat happy cats that seemed to greet you everywhere - well not really greet you so much as look at you while lazing happily in the sun on porches and verandas all over the island.

On my actual birthday we did some letterboxing and shopping and while we were in one shop we met a little fellow who was to become a member of our family. A lady who owns a gift shop in Tybee takes in strays and adopts them out to homes across the country - she says that cats have gone as far as California and that there are cats all over the USA named Tybee & Savannah (which is about 18 miles from Tybee). Over the next few days I could not get the story of the 2 kittens that had been found in the marsh after what they think was an alligator attack on Mom and the rest of the litter. I made a few comments to The Principal - well not really comments so much as "meows" and remarks like - "don't forget we need to stop on the way off the island to pick up my birthday present". This went on playfully for a few days and I really was only half serious - still I could not shake the thought of the kittens and their story. Apparently I was not the only one, because the morning we were leaving when I made a comment with only a note of seriousness in my tone - The Principal surprised me when he said "We can get one of those kittens if you really want one" - picture me standing there in a shop with my mouth hanging open and trying to smile at the same time. We didn't even know if they were still there but after a brief discussion we determined that if we were supposed to adopt one they would be waiting for us when we left later that morning. Well....they were both there and funny as it seems now (I really wish sometimes that we had gotten them both) we took the "girl" and headed to Huntsville, happily with "Tybee" in our care. It is with great pleasure I introduce to you - our little boy Tybee ;-) Yep turns out she is a he - good thing Tybee works both ways - we had a hard enough time calling him him when we found out!! lol

He has completely captivated us in the few short weeks that we have been home. He is the best cat I have EVER had - sweet as he can be and fits in like an old pair of favorite blue jeans. This is by far the best souvenir /birthday gift I can imagine!!

Learning as I go,
Leisha

Yogurt Making Adventures

After being away I suspect it will take a little bit for me to get my blogging groove to return - in the meantime I thought I would share some short posts and just let you know some of the things that have been eating up my time. I have learned to make yogurt!!! Really - I know that sounds nuts to some of you, but in my continued effort to change our family over to a healthier way of eating in 2008 I have determined to cut out artificial sweetener and make things from scratch with whole foods and wholesome ingredients where I am able.
I have been baking all year and have only bought a few bags of hot dog and hamburger buns from the store. I keep fresh baked muffins (now made with homemade yogurt) in the freezer for The Principal to take for breakfast at the office - now I am sending him with yogurt for dessert at lunch. I do have to tell you he was VERY skeptical but told me just this evening how much more he likes my yogurt than the store bought. I have made peach yogurt with fresh peaches that I froze back in the summer and have pureed them to flavor the yogurt and then used either agave nectar or pure maple syrup to sweeten it. I have also made sour cherry vanilla and sour cherry almond both using sour cherry preserves that we got when we were in Amish Country last fall - all have which have been great!!
This machine was just over $20 and whips up a one quart batch of yogurt in 4 - 6 hours depending on your tartness preferences. It really is easy and oh so much healthier. The adventures around here never end.......

Learning as I go,

Leisha

Where Oh Where Have I Been?

I had a friend ask me at church a few weeks ago "Are you ever going to blog again?" So to answer your question dear friend - I am - I'm back - and it is good to know that my absence was noticed ;-) So where have I been ? Well you know that thing called Life? It has been consuming my time - can you imagine?!?!?!
We started 2nd grade with a new approach through Ambleside Online and it took a while to get our groove - now I am pleased to say we seem to be grooving ;-)
The other main contributing factor - can I be terribly honest with you all? I have not been too chipper and just haven't had it in me. Refer back to that "Life Thing". So everything is all better and my chipper is back in alignment right? Nope. However, I have found my way far enough out of the pit to realize that the enemy of my soul is delighting in my funk and I cannot allow that to continue a minute longer!! I make no promises other than to say - I'm going to make an effort to make an appearance a little more regularly again ;-)
To those who have checked and found me gone - please keep checking, and should you find me gone - check again - it's good to be accountable ;-)

Learning as I go,

Leisha

SHE Revolution - Seeking His Embrace

Ladies, can I take just a moment to invite you to the women's conference at our church in a few short weeks ? This year we are stepping into new territory and I KNOW that God is going to show up!! I hope you can too!
SHE Revolution is destined to be a life changing event - join us September 12th through 14th as we link arms and Seek His Embrace !!!

Lifting His Name for His Glory,

Leisha

Movie With A Message of Value

Having grown up in a single parent, and in later years a home struck by divorce, it should come as no surprise to you that I have a divorce in my life. I spent a period of time as a single parent and thought that was ok - that I would do what I needed to do to raise Wonder Boy the best I could on my own. It wasn't until after a few years of marriage to The Principal, that I really, I mean really from the depths of my soul really understood the impact and sanctity of marriage and what a truly precious God given gift it is.

In all honesty (and hindsight) I should not have married my first husband - it was for all the wrong reasons - Wonder Boy is the blessing that defies explanation through the pain and trials of that marriage and consequent divorce. I don't think it was a "mistake" as much as it was a training ground - God was growing me up and teaching me things that would later equip me to reach out in love and be able to minister to those women who were in hurting abusive situations and be able to love on them with a heart of understanding and not judgement. I guess what I'm trying to get to here is to say this - Marriage Matters!!! Our society has perverted and cheapened marriage to be something disposable and even ungodly by in some places being recognised between two members of the same gender. Marriages - between a man and a woman as God designed them are worth saving !! Our fast paced society with it's "feel good, me first mentality" has forgotten that. Fireproof brings that reminder home it would seem. I applaud anyone or anything that takes a stand for the family as God designed it in this day and time. Even though we rarely go to the movies (aside from kid's movies and even those are few and far between - I cannot honestly tell you what the last adult movie I saw at the theater was) - I told The Principal tonight that I want to reserve a date night at the end of September when this movie premieres. Get the word out - let people know - there is a movie in the theaters worth supporting!

One of the things that I came across in reading a little about this movie really impressed me - Kirk Cameron (of Growing Pains fame ) who plays the lead role in this film, out of honor and respect for his vows of marriage to his wife Chelsea, has committed not to to kiss any other woman while filming a movie. Cameron brought this commitment to the makers of this film who respected his conviction and had Chelsea put on a wig and stand in during the kissing scene. So when you watch this movie, rest assured Cameron is kissing his real-life wife. I think it's stand up that the makers of this film are "walking the walk" .... if only that were contagious in society today - part with a little hard earned money to support this film - I don't see how you can go wrong!!

Stepping down from soapbox - until next time !

Leisha

Adventures with Paddle-to-the-Sea

We are using 3 different Holling C. Holling books this year as part of our 2nd Grade Geography. Our first adventure begins with Paddle to the Sea - we are loving this one and imagine my delight and Wonder Boy's excitement when I stumbled on this great looking "Paddle" look a like - last one , on clearance at Target a few weeks ago!! I love a great find - but it's hard to beat a great find at a great price!! We promptly made the necessary adjustments to our beloved Paddle as you can see - it worked out pretty dog gone well.

I don't know about the rest of you homeschool Mom's but let me tell you - this was a big coupe for me. We are really enjoying the story, while learning about the Great Lakes and Northern Regions of North America- Wonder Boy gets a little history thrown in by yours truly as the story begins in Canada, and being the son of a Canadian transplanted in the Southern US there are things he ought to know - so I am getting my time and money's worth out of dear sweet Paddle. The next adventure takes us to Holling's book Tree in the Trail - any suggestions would be most welcomed ;-)

Blissfully Homeschooling Today,

Leisha

The "It" Factor - Need to be Encouraged & Inspired ?

I received this opportunity via email and just had to share it with you gals!! Kathy Butryn (who incidentally hails from my hometown of Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is hosting a complimentary (yes ma'am free) online seminar this coming Saturday August 16th. Kathy is a Life Coach, Speaker, Writer & Instructor who loves her Heavenly Father and does all she does under His guidance and anointing.

The seminar which will take place in 4 sessions throughout the day is to help you -women- wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends to - Discover Your Goals; Stick to Your Priorities; and Build Organization into your life - sheesh who can't use help in those areas!! I have "attended" several of these online events and have come away recharged and refueled every time without fail. SO.....if you have a little free time to pop in and join in on Saturday, and I hope you will, I know you will be glad you did ;-) Everything you need to get involved is located here. Godly women getting together to encourage and edify one and another - personally, I think it makes for a great Saturday!!

In Him,

Leisha