One Week Closer To The End!!!

We have officially made it through the first 7 days of this deployment. Only about 200 days or so to go! Well, you have to start somewhere, right? Tonight at church I began to think about how many times I have found myself standing alone in the church, listening to the pastor teach. I can remember the first lengthy separation, and standing in the small chapel at Calvary Chapel Fayetteville, listening to Pastor Joey play the guitar and crying because I didn't know how I was possibly going to make it through 2 1/2 months without JJ there. Back then we only had Jaydon. Now, here I am again, alone with the children, sometimes wondering how I am ever going to make it through the next 6 months without my best friend. Although I would not presume to say I have wisdom, I have gained a little more insight into this particular area of our life, and I know that these are the times when we (JJ and I) are truly able to draw closer to God. I think the hardest part of any deployment is the anticipation of it. I must confess, when he told me he was going back again (this is his 5th deployment) I was terrified wondering how I would manage with 5 kids, and no family around to help me, but as the deployment became a reality, I was reminded how God always provides for our needs, most visibly on these deployments. He has always filled every need we have ever had, and I have faith that He will continue to do so during this deployment. So I praise God for this time when JJ and I are able to draw closer to Him and see how He truly fills all of our needs. I praise Him for always bringing JJ home whole to us. And I praise Him for all the people, family and friends, who He places in our lives to see us through this time.

JUST TO MAKE YOU SMILE!

These are just a few pics from today to make you smile.

NEIGHBORHOOD BULLY

Anybody out there having troubles with the neighborhood bully? You would think as homeschoolers we would not have to worry about bullies picking on our kids, right? That's part of why we keep them home, to protect them from un-parented brats at school, isn't it? Yes, I said brats! We all know there are many of them out there, and we have been unfortunate enough to have one decide he likes our neighborhood better than his own. ( as I type those words I am beginning to wonder if there is a reason God has brought this child into our lives...hmmm, I need to pray about that) Anyway, he has been coming around, picking on all the smaller children in our neighborhood, but only when there are no older children around. He is your classic bully. Now, we believe in very traditional roles for our daughters and our sons. We have taught Jaydon that he is not to hit out of anger, or lays hands on another child out of anger or revenge. On the other hand, we have also instilled in him the importance of taking care of those who are younger and smaller than he is, especially his own sisters and brothers. Yesterday, this particular bully and his little sidekick decided they were going to intentionally crash into Joshua's new little bicycle as hard as they could with the little sidekicks bicycle. You should have seen the devastated look on Joshy's face when they did it. He just came over and put his hand on his little bike and look very sad at them. (Joshua is 2, these boys are 8, and they did it right in front of me!) Today, the bully decided Hannah was going to be his target, and he kicked her. Not because she did or said anything to him, but because she had something and he wanted it. Up until the events of this afternoon, I didn't know the kids name or where he lived, just knew he is trouble, and that he doesn't live in our neighborhood (which is on a military installation). So, I was just curious...anyone have any comments on how they think best to deal with a neighborhood bully? I'd just like to hear what everyone has to say about it. I did handle the issue. When I went outside to talk to the boy, he took off running, so I yelled at him and told him if he didn't come and tell me his name and his parents name and phone number I was going to call the military police. He wouldn't come, till he saw me go inside and pick up the phone. Then he gave me all the info I wanted. I called his dad, who proceeded to tell me his child has a psychiatric disorder, and they are doing the best they can, but both he and the mother work and cannot provide constant supervision. In the end, the father showed up at my door with the child and made him apologize. I guess only time will tell if he learned anything from the situation. I just wanted to share because I am very curious to read your comments on the whole thing. Please feel free to share your comments.

WHEN MAMMA HAS TO HANG THE CURTAINS HERSELF...

The curtains end up nailed straight to the wall!! Maybe now the kids will sleep in a little later in the morning.
Josh and Bailey think Mom's silly nailing curtains to the wall.