Cherished Moments

I had trouble deciding what pictures to post of our fabulous church homeschoolers Christmas party.  Some unique things have happened this year.  One is that Abigail is graduating and I realize that my time as a home schooling mom is coming to an end.  I'm going to miss these times of the kids getting together to play, to make cards for the Christian Care Center, to exchange gifts.  

Because of Abigail graduating I realize how extremely fortunate I've been to have these other Godly women in my children's live. They are such wonderful Christian examples.  We've shared so many joyous happy moments together and some of life's darkest, saddest moments together.  I'm forever grateful to God for my church family and the role they have played in shaping my children. 

Another change that has taken place this year is I have returned to work at the church preschool.  Two of my sweet preschoolers have joined our ranks of homeschooling families at McDermott.  I can't express what a blessing it has been to see these young children and young moms with their children.  The moms are Frankie's age(ish) and it is a gift to see them with their children and getting to love on the younger children.  It's not a path we will get to travel with Frankie but God knew my heart needed to walk this path.  I'm so grateful He's given me this opportunity! 

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing this is about our 12th year to have a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving with our McDermott home schooling families!  

It's a great afternoon with a lot of great food, Charlie Brown style.  You know, buttered toast, jellybeans, pretzel sticks, popcorn, sandwiches and desserts.  The kids usually watch the Thanksgiving special while they eat lunch and then head outside after wards to play. 

This year we were at Ms. Julie's beautiful home and enjoyed marvelous conversation while the kids had their fill of Nerf wars and trampoline time. 

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:15

Wild Berry Farm Pumpkin Patch

While I played with preschoolers today, Frankie and Abigail went with our homeschool families from church to Wild Berry Farm.  It was a beautiful day for a hay ride and selecting pie pumpkins from the patch. 

The kids made their way through the corn maze.  They also slid down the big slide.  The farm had pumpkin bowling and pumpkin tic-tac-toe.  They even fed the catfish in the farm pond.  

I think the girls favorite part was play tether ball! 

The workers from the city who farm it will come from all the tribes of Israel. Ezekiel 48:19

Taking Off

Today our homeschool group visited Frontiers of Flight Museum.  It has been a favorite for a long time.  When Dad would visit from Tulsa this is one of the museums we would visit.  They have an extensive display of over 30 aircraft.  

Some of the collections include early biplanes, historically important military and general aviation aircraft, the World War II exhibit, the extensive history of Southwest Airlines exhibit area, numerous commercial airline artifacts, the iconic Chance Vought V-173 “Flying Pancake” and the Apollo 7 command module.

The museum is hands on and the kids had a great time touching and exploring the exhibits. One of my favorite things about this museum is that most of the docents are former pilots. Their stories are fascinating. 

May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” Ruth 2:12

Christmas Party Homeschool Style

We are probably ten plus years and counting for our church home schoolers annual Christmas party.  It's a wonderful excuse for great food and sweet friendships.  One of the kids favorite events at the party is the gift exchange.  The oldest kids go first and can choose a gift from the stack, but the younger kids can steal a gift from the pile or select a new gift from the pile. It's fun to see the younger kids steal from the big guys. It's lots of fun for all. 

One of my favorite things is the time hanging out with the other moms and just enjoying being with kindred minded ladies all trying to raise Godly children. There is such a renewing of spirit just being together. We've had lots of sweet home schooling families at McDermott over the years and it's a joy to see them as young adults.  I look forward to see what the Lord has ahead for this group. 

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works Hebrews 10:24

Household of Faith

Such a great morning!  A couple of weeks ago our houmeschoolers at the Church of Christ on McDermott Road were asking how we could help the victims of Hurricane Harvey the devastated so much of the Houston area.  

I reached out to the Lakewood Church of Christ in Baytown, Texas where Caleb interned this summer to see what kind of needs they had.  They are in need of cleaning supplies and pantry items for the community they serve in Baytown.  

With that our home school families got together bringing items to help out the Lakewood congregation.   The kids also made cards of love and encouragement for the recipients!  

After wards the kids played and decorated cookies!  Frankie was very pleased with her colorful cookie! We're so lucky to have such generous and compassionate friends!  

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.  Galatians 6:10

Solar Eclipse

Today's solar eclipse was a total eclipse visible within a band across the entire contiguous United States. 

Prior to today, no solar eclipse had been visible across the entire contiguous United States since June 8, 1918; not since the February 1979 eclipse had a total eclipse been visible from anywhere in the mainland United States!

We joined our church homeschool friends for an eclipse party.  We all had our glasses and viewing boxes to check it out.  No eclipse party would be complete without snacks, so we even had mini-eclipses made from Banana Moon Pies and thin Oreos! 

In the coolness of the afternoon with the sun partially covered the kids played a little ball in the park. 

And when I extinguish you, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars; 

I will cover the sun with a cloud And the moon will not give its light.  Ezekiel 32:7

Valentine's Day at the Christian Care Center

Today we got to hang out with some of our other home school friends from church for Valentine's Day.  We got together and made Valentine's Day cards for the residents of the Christian Care Center in Allen, TX.   Abigail coordinated with the Activities Director for our group to pass out our home made cards and visit while the residents enjoyed their lunch.  

Many of our Church of Christ on McDermott Road church family live in the independent living section.  And several of our Bible Bowl kids great-grandparents also reside in the assisted living portion of the facility.  The facility is very new and incredibly nice.  It specifically houses elderly members of the churches of Christ.  Many of the residents are members of the Waterview Church of Christ that planted the McDermott congregation.  We've even met relatives of our church friends from Oklahoma!  

After the kids passed out their homemade cards they exchanged valentine cards with each other, and played a few cards games together. 

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.  James 1:27

Texas Discovery Gardens

While we were at Fair Park visiting the aquarium, we decided to head over and check out the Texas Discovery Gardens with the Hunts.  

The gardens are located on seven and a half acres of gorgeous gardens.  There is an indoor Butterfly House and Insectarium with a three story walk thru garden of tropical plants and hundreds of tropical butterflies.  

There is also an indoor exhibit featuring fifteen species of snakes native to Texas.   There were docents on hand to answer questions for the kids.  

The gardens, even in winter, were beautiful with pristine fountains and Koi ponds.  The almost seventy degree weather only added to the day.  We didn't know beforehand but found out while we were there that Tuesdays are "Pay What You Wish."  So if you don't want to pay the $8 fee you may choose to pay $4, you decide! Good to know! 

 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.  Ecclesiastes 2:5-6

Children's Aquarium at Fair Park

Today we joined homeschooling church friends at the Children's Aquarium at Fair Park for their Homeschool Day. Several years ago this aquarium closed down to for a complete remodel.  The museum is now home to fabulous fresh water zone with takes of eels, piranhas and snapping turtles found in those areas.  There is also an intertidal zone with exotic fish. 

The aquarium is part of the Dallas Zoo so today for the Homeschool event there was staff on hand for demonstrations with the kids.  There were special feedings for the kids to observe, including the piranhas.  They were also able to pet the sting rays in the petting tanks.  

Praise the Lord from the earth,

    you great sea creatures and all ocean depths

Psalm 148:7

Thrive Ministry

This afternoon we spent with our church family packaging up fruits and vegetables for the families in areas that are referred to as food deserts.  A food desert is a geographic area where affordable and nutritious food is alleged to be hard to obtain, particularly for those without access to an automobile,  

In a study on urban food environments, participants described the lack of supermarkets as both a practical impediment to healthful food purchase and a symbol of their neighborhoods’ social and economic struggles. Within cities, there are more than three times as many supermarkets in wealthier neighborhoods compared with poorer areas. Residents in low-income urban areas are often forced to depend on small stores with limited selections of foods at substantially higher prices.  

Fruits and vegetables are items that require frequent trips to the grocery store and in areas like the section of McKinney where we visit, it simply isn't always economically possible to make trips to the store. Today we served 70+ adults and 50+ children, we ran out of bags of food so we will prepare more next month.  Our McDermott family serves this area the first Friday of each month.  

Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Luke 6:21

Teens Write Now

Abigail is her Momma's daughter, she loves to write!  Sometimes it's poetry, other times she written short stories.  She's put a few of her works on her blog and if you've listened to any of her speeches you know how fun it is to listen to her writings. , but most of them are housed in dozens of notebooks in her room.  She's even entered a few contests and had some success which is always encouraging to an aspiring writer.  

This summer Abigail's friend Elaine, pictured center in the upper right photo, invited Abigail to join her for a writer's group.  The girls are participating throughout the summer in a group of high schoolers and college students in a writing group.  Youth get together weekly with an accomplished published author to share their work, exchange ideas and discuss the ins and outs of being a writer. So far Abigail has received great critiquing on her writing.  Getting praise is always fun, but she learns so much more by listening to and processing criticism. It's a life skill we could all use. 

During today's class, Caleb and I played a few games on the touch screen game table.  Don't worry, we moved when some of the younger kids wanted to use the board! 

He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.
 Proverbs 28:23

Leadership Training for Christ Bible Bowl

The boys came in last night for their Easter break and to spend time with the younger siblings at Leadership Training for Christ, LTC.  North Texas LTC is large enough that it is hosted at the Downtown Dallas Hyatt, DFW Airport Hyatt and the Anatole.  It began in the Dallas area in 1989 and is held in ten other locations across the United States. 

The purpose of LTC is to promote programs that assist young Christians to develop their knowledge of the Bible and biblical principles and sharpen their areas of Christian service.  LTC offers 30+ events from Bible Bowl, Puppets, Web-sites, Teaching Challenge, Service Challenge, Poetry, Art, Video Bible Drama and many others.

The main event on Friday night is Bible Bowl.  This years theme was 'Refuge' taken from Joshua, Judges, & Ruth.  For Bible Bowl the kids take for rounds of questions over the theme for a total of 100 questions.  It is a fairly easy test, Abigail missed eight questions.  

We were at the Downtown Dallas Hyatt Regency location and there were about 600 youth in Bible Bowl tonight. 

"May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”  Ruth 2:12

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Dinner

Who doesn’t love it when Peppermint Patty invites herself and her friends over to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving?  Linus, Snoopy and Woodstock help Charlie Brown put together a quasi-feast of sliced buttered toast, pretzel sticks, popcorn, and jelly beans.  Each year our homeschool families from church get together and celebrate a meal of thanksgiving together.  

The Gungan family has always hosted but with their recent move to Oklahoma the Hunt family graciously opened up their home.  To the delight of everyone, the Gungans drove down for the afternoon.  Lunch was filled with all the traditions of the 1973 holiday classic with a few additions like meatballs and brownies.  The kids enjoyed Nerf wars, basketball and a few games of chess while the moms caught up around the dining room table.  

It was a fabulous afternoon for all and to quote Linus, quoting Elder William Brewster, “We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land.  We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice.”

Here are a look back at previous Charlie Brown Thanksgivings: 

2014 Homeschool Thanksgiving

2013 Homeschool Thanksgiving

2011 Homeschool Thanksgiving

2009 Homeschool Thanksgiving

2008 Homeschool Thanksgiving

2007 Homeschool Thanksgiving 

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge I Corinthians 1:4-5

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

It's that wonderful time of the year when we are reminded of all our blessings.  Each year we spend Thanksgiving at the Gungan's celebrating pilgrims, history and all things Thanksgiving. 

Ms. Donna gives the kids an overview of the history of Thanksgiving and then a quiz!  The kids played Bingo and made crafts.  But of course the highlight is the Charlie Brown luncheon and watching the Charlie Brown cartoon special.   

 

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

It's that time of the year when the Gungan's host a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving for our home school friends.  It is that time when Mrs. Gungan invites the kids over, gives them the history of the first Thanksgiving and then follows up with a test!  She cracks me up!

The kids also participate in crafts and games followed by a lunch including a few iconic Snoopy items like popcorn, pretzels and jelly beans!  While the kids enjoy lunch they watch the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special! 

The older kids are great at helping the younger guys with their crafts.  All of the kids make a list of thankfulness.  

Here is a flash back at previous Charlie Brown Thanksgivings, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Colossians 3:15

Johnny Appleseed Day

When the kids were young we would get together with our home schooling friends to celebrate fall, more specifically Johnny Appleseed. Check this link to see how adorable they were at our first Johnny Appleseed Day in 2008!

Today we got together at the Gungan's for apple tasting, apple bobbing and Disney Legend's Johnny Appleseed movie.  The big kids helped the little guys with the apple bobbing while the mom's visited and sipped on cider!  

We brought along our Spiced Apple Butter to be served on Cinnamon Swirled Bread, and Carmel Apple Cider.

Mrs. Gungan asked all the families to brings canned goods for us to deliver to Metro Relief tomorrow.  We came home with 74 items to donate tomorrow!  Thanks guys!!!!

Ready for a flash back of from our Johnny Appleseed Day in 2009?  Here are the kids reports on the various apples they brought to share with the group.  

For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nationsthat have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye— Zechariah 2:8

Happy Valentine's Day

One of the great things about having so many families from church who home school is that we always have great holiday parties!   Today six of our families got together for Valentine's Day.  The kids exchanged cards and enjoyed lots of great treats.  Abigail made pink cupcakes for the occasion! 

 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10

Sunday Afternoons

One of the fun things about Sunday afternoons is the exchange of children.  A couple of times a month we trade kids, meaning Caleb goes home with Herrings to play video games with Blake, and Baylor comes home with Abigail.  At some point the the girls decided that baking was one of their things to do together.  Today they baked a chocolate cake with chocolate icing!  They also played on the YooStar and made their own movies, with dancing stuffed animals on the moon.  Such good kiddos! 

Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous;

you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Psalm 5:12

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Every year our homeschool group gets together in the fall for a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving at the Gungan’s home.  Much like the television episode, the group gets bigger and bigger as phone calls go out for invitations to the feast.  Guests bring a dinner that would make Linus proud, complete with toast, pretzels, popcorn, jelly beans and more.

Somewhere in the midst of our quasi-feast Ms. Donna gives a great history of Thanksgiving, complete with games and crafts.  The kids play for hours everything from chess to Nerf wars, while the moms enjoy great camaraderie together.  These are some of my favorite people; together we solve the world’s biggest problems and encourage each other in all things mom! 

This year I think we arrived around 10:30am and didn’t head home until after 5:30pm.  And like the Charlie Brown episode, every little Woodstock went home with contented smiles and patting their full stomachs!   

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.
Phillipians 4:6