Mayne Island Cob House!

This is the Flickr site I was looking for in a previous post. These picures show the construction process of a very beautiful cob house. Check it out!

They do look sort of Dr. Seuss-ish, don't they? :)

Turning blogs into books?

Has anyone ever actually turned their blog into a book? I've been considering this for a while, and after a recent discussion in my homeschool group, I am seriously considering doing this! I usually put all my favorite pictures on my blog, same as scrapbooking, so it would be cheaper and faster than printing all the pictures out and putting them in a scrapbook. I am so far behind on scrapbooking too! It's killing me!

This is one site that was mentioned to use for turning your blog into a book. It looks really great! Does anyone have any other sites to recommend?

My original blog (unschooling101 - I don't want to link to it directly, but you can look it up by that name) that was started long ago, it seems, is just sitting there, waiting for me to do something with it. I have been wanting to transfer everything to one blog. So I think over the next few weeks (or months!) I will transfer everything here. So even if I backdate them, if you are subscribed through email, you will be getting a lot of *old* posts from me. :) I think you'll enjoy them if you've never seen my original blog. I tried to do some interesting activities and lots of pictures. I have pictures of our hula hoops on there!

We've been busy this week and will be again today and tomorrow, so I will have lots to post with pictures when I get a chance!

Editing photos

I just love this picture of Jonathan, and this is his natural color too. His lips are always so pink! I wish I could take credit for the photo, but Jayla actually took it. Ain't he cute? :)

I don't usually edit a whole lot because I just don't like to take the time to do it, but in some cases there is something specific I want, like in this one. So which one do you like better, color or sepia?

Original

cropped

sepia

8 Random Things meme

I've been tagged by Christy! So, 8 random things about myself. Let's see.

1. I am not a picky eater, but I cannot STAND vinegar! If it is covered up with a lot of sugar, I might like it, but if I can tell that there is vinegar in it, BLECH! I've tried to make myself like it before because I know there are health benefits, but I just can't take it! YUCK!
2. I've only had two cups of coffee in my entire life. The first was with my friend Sara on the plane to Brazil when I was 15. The second was with the same Sara just this past September on vacation. :) I'm thinking I need some more coffee, so she needs to come for a visit soon!
3. I have been to/through 20 different states and out of the country once, but I have never been west of Oklahoma.
4. I just took my very first train ride earlier this year! And so did all four of my kids, each at different times. Jacob went to visit my brother and his family in Texas back in May with my parents, I went with Jack to pick up Jayla in August and then Jayla rode back with us, then Jonathan took a trip with my mom a few weeks ago. Myles has ridden a train in Mexico before, but it was nothing like the Amtrak that we rode on!
5. I can play the flute, but I never really enjoyed it much. There was one church orchestra that was a blast to be in (because of the people), but otherwise I really only enjoyed marching band. And we were AWESOME too!
6. I'm not really sure why we moved around a lot, but I can count a total of (that I know of/remember) 11 different houses, at least 5 different churches and 4 different schools before I was 18 years old. And because of this, at least in part, I accept change pretty well but I have a hard time being content! We have been in this same house for over 9 years now, the longest I've ever been in one place, and I was ready to leave about 7 years ago! Myles is the opposite.
7. I love cob houses and underground houses and want to build one of these someday and actually live in it! I would love to own a whole section of land (640 acres, which is one square mile) with ponds and a creek and have my kids raise their own families on the same land someday. :) I would love a cob community. How cool would that be?! We could meet together for church each week (or every day!), have our own water and power system and of course have a community garden. Our children would take care of us and also each other, then the next generation and so on....In a perfect world.
8. I was in Kung Fu in high school (it was a ministry team, and the same Sara I had coffee with was also on this team) for two years. I earned my second sash before we moved away. In my college years I took Tae Kwon Do for two years and earned my 2nd belt. A couple of years ago I was in Karate for several months and, even at my age and weight and general lack of "being in shape", earned my 2nd belt.....and then I got pregnant again. I haven't been back in it since then, but I totally love the martial arts and plan to get back into it when I can!

Okay, that's 8 things! I bet Sara, who I hadn't seen in 17 years before September, probably knew more of these things than anyone else in my current circles. So I'd better tag her. :) So here are the eight:

Sara
Christina
Misty
Laura
Hobo Mama
Paula
Bethany
Sasha

Wow, that was hard to pick eight because several of my blogging friends have already done this! I look forward to reading these! :)

Right now my kids are all laying in bed, talking and playing. Jayla is adding numbers and quizzing me. Jonathan is "educating" her further in her math. She asked me if I knew what 6 + 6 was and then told me the correct answer, 12. Then Jonathan told her that 12 + 12 was 24, so 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 24, which is also the same as 6 x 4! I love it when they learn good things from each other, especially when they are right! LOL!

Loops & Hoops

If you were intrigued by the recent post about finger weaving with nylon loops to make jump ropes, bracelets, belts, etc. then you might be interested in this book. This is the sister company for Hobby Lobby, so that is where you can purchase this IRL. I found the same book on Amazon for $8 and another site for nearly $5, so this is a great deal!

I am going to get this for my kiddos for Christmas along with a couple more big bags of nylon loops, and maybe some cotton ones as well. They love using them, and I don't have to worry about anything getting smashed into the carpet or staining anyone's clothes! We may even get some loops this week and work on jump ropes for gifts for friends. We made hula hoops last year, and they were a big hit and so easy! We still have some of the materials left, so maybe we'll do more of those again soon. I'll be sure to post pictures if we do!

Prayers please?

Have you ever had those days when you think you just can't take any more bad news or anything negative in your life?

Our whole year has been like that. Well, mostly the past 6 months. I just keep thinking, "God, how strong do You think I am? I can't possible bear any more burdens, and I have no more tears to cry!"

The good news is that God carries our burdens for us, and He walks us through the darkest times in our lives.

I have thought a lot lately about the poem called Footprints. I have loved that poem ever since I can remember.

"One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

But it is still hard. Please pray for us. It's been a very emotionally draining year.