Friday, March 31, 2006
One of the sweet things about being an elementary art teacher is the love offerings I frequently receive. Here's what I found this morning.
Clay.
The sixth grade is working on "Roman portrait heads." As you can see, we are currently sculpting features, so the heads are all bald!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Spring is here...
Stephen and I took one last ski trip to New Hampshire earlier this week (he's on spring break). I know I look like a goober, but I thought I'd post this anyway. =) I'm addicted to snowboarding and I have to say bye to it until next winter. (I'm not really expecting any sympathy here...)
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Healthcare Blog
I noticed today that "Baby Thomas Part 2" is on HospitalImpact.org (March 29th post).
Also, Sarah has a happy post today on thomasbickle.com.
Also, Sarah has a happy post today on thomasbickle.com.
Full Disclosure.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Desk II
I'm a semi-neat desk, messy-wall type. I don't usually lose things either. Whatever it is, it's on my wall...
......
So you're probably not that surprised to learn that I'm a "messy desk" sort of person. I very rarely lose things, however.....
Monday, March 27, 2006
My Husbands Blog
Please check out my husband's blog, www.healthcaretomorrow.blogspot.com to see his entry about Thomas Bickle. Sarah was sweet enough to take the time to answer some questions for him. His blog is viewed by healthcare professionals all over the country. I'm hoping it will draw some attention to the Bickles.
I.....can...no....longer....resist....
. . . becoming an Arbonne consultant. I said no a few months ago, but my friends are just doing too well with their new businesses. I like the fact I can work on it at home, and I really like the product line--it's always nice to actually believe in the product you're selling.
Wish me luck...
Wish me luck...
Sunday, March 26, 2006
WG's Haircut
Apologies to those of you who don't know me very well and don't really care about my hair, but I wanted to show Sweetpea, Lizard and Sarita. It's been really fun having it short!!
Friday, March 24, 2006
Lizards World:Meet Ethan
This little story is a good way to introduce my 3 year old,Ethan, to you.
Tonight while we were praying before bed I told the boys that sometimes we had to try to be very quiet to hear God's voice. So I said lets all try to be very quiet and listen.
They obey and get very quiet. All of a sudden Sam and I hear Ethan in a very low voice say , "I love you guys!" Ethan then said, "See, God says he loves us!"
Hilarious. (Picture taken by Sam.)
Tonight while we were praying before bed I told the boys that sometimes we had to try to be very quiet to hear God's voice. So I said lets all try to be very quiet and listen.
They obey and get very quiet. All of a sudden Sam and I hear Ethan in a very low voice say , "I love you guys!" Ethan then said, "See, God says he loves us!"
Hilarious. (Picture taken by Sam.)
If I must define myself politically...
....I think I'm a Crunchy Con.
A Crunchy Con Manifesto
By Rod Dreher
1. We are conservatives who stand outside the conservative mainstream; therefore, we can see things that matter more clearly.
2. Modern conservatism has become too focused on money, power, and the accumulation of stuff, and insufficiently concerned with the content of our individual and social character.
3. Big business deserves as much skepticism as big government.
4. Culture is more important than politics and economics.
5. A conservatism that does not practice restraint, humility, and good stewardship—especially of the natural world—is not fundamentally conservative.
6. Small, Local, Old, and Particular are almost always better than Big, Global, New, and Abstract.
7. Beauty is more important than efficiency.
8. The relentlessness of media-driven pop culture deadens our senses to authentic truth, beauty, and wisdom.
9. We share Russell Kirk’s conviction that “the institution most essential to conserve is the family.”
10. Politics and economics won’t save us; if our culture is to be saved at all, it will be by faithfully living by the Permanent Things, conserving these ancient moral truths in the choices we make in our everyday lives
.--Rod Dreher is a writer and editor at the Dallas Morning News. A native of south Louisiana, he has worked at National Review, the New York Post, and the Washington Times. Crunchy Cons is his first book. You may e-mail him at rdreher@dallasnews.com.
A Crunchy Con Manifesto
By Rod Dreher
1. We are conservatives who stand outside the conservative mainstream; therefore, we can see things that matter more clearly.
2. Modern conservatism has become too focused on money, power, and the accumulation of stuff, and insufficiently concerned with the content of our individual and social character.
3. Big business deserves as much skepticism as big government.
4. Culture is more important than politics and economics.
5. A conservatism that does not practice restraint, humility, and good stewardship—especially of the natural world—is not fundamentally conservative.
6. Small, Local, Old, and Particular are almost always better than Big, Global, New, and Abstract.
7. Beauty is more important than efficiency.
8. The relentlessness of media-driven pop culture deadens our senses to authentic truth, beauty, and wisdom.
9. We share Russell Kirk’s conviction that “the institution most essential to conserve is the family.”
10. Politics and economics won’t save us; if our culture is to be saved at all, it will be by faithfully living by the Permanent Things, conserving these ancient moral truths in the choices we make in our everyday lives
.--Rod Dreher is a writer and editor at the Dallas Morning News. A native of south Louisiana, he has worked at National Review, the New York Post, and the Washington Times. Crunchy Cons is his first book. You may e-mail him at rdreher@dallasnews.com.
Today.
"Mrs. F., is this yours? I found it on the floor." A fourth grade boy holds up a small cylinder of
purple, grape-flavored, glitter lip gloss.
"Ummmmm, no. Thanks for asking, though."
purple, grape-flavored, glitter lip gloss.
"Ummmmm, no. Thanks for asking, though."
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Lizard Praises God!
My husband and I are adopting a baby girl from China. We just recently completed our homestudy. Once the homestudy was complete we mailed it into USCIS (immigration). We had been told this process of being approved by them could take up to 6 months! This wait was to come before the actual wait for China. This USCIS process began with us being fingerprinted last Wednesday, the 15th.
Well, we received the approval document today! It only took 8 days!
I'm in shock. This essentially means we will be able to get our dossier in to China in April!
I will keep everyone up to date on what's happening!
Well, we received the approval document today! It only took 8 days!
I'm in shock. This essentially means we will be able to get our dossier in to China in April!
I will keep everyone up to date on what's happening!
For my PCA friends.
When the Reformed speak in tongues....... http://www.sunlesssea.com/weblog/index.php/archives/2006/03/17
(Thanks to Tulip Girl)
(Thanks to Tulip Girl)
You-Know-Who Tripping Out on the Blog....
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Addicted Lizard
I admit it. One week in and I'm addicted to blogging. I think about it all the time! Now there are 2 blogs to keep up with! My kids are still being fed, dressed and bathed so I'm not in a dire situation yet, but that could always change! help me, help me, I have to blog..........
We love good food.
Our new recipe blog, Sweetpea Cooks!, is up and running. Check it out!
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Praise God.
Guess what? Because of the Dallas Morning News article, and because of the "blog-a-thon" action going on online,
5000.00 was raised for Baby Thomas.....in the last 24 hours! Amazing!!!
If you donated or prayed for the Bickles, or both, thank you!
And of course, you can still donate 5 bucks by pressing the little blue button....
A chance to help a young family.
Check the sidebar to see the button WG created for Sweet Baby Thomas Donations. Even five dollars will help, if we all donate! Just click on the baby blue button...
Brilliant Idea.
Okay. Several of you have expressed that it'd be fun to have a recipe exchange. I, for one, desperately want/need to gain confidence in the kitchen. Since some of us live in Texas, some us in VA, some of us in CA, and some of us in MA, etc., I think I'll start a group blog just for recipe posting--and link it to this one, of course. We can post our favorite recipes for one another!
I'll have exactly two to contribute. :)
If you want to be on the blogging team, leave a comment on this post, and I'll send you the blogger invite. If I don't have your email already, email me at thefundiesATpeoplepc.com.
Also, what do you think we should call the new foodie blog??
I'll have exactly two to contribute. :)
If you want to be on the blogging team, leave a comment on this post, and I'll send you the blogger invite. If I don't have your email already, email me at thefundiesATpeoplepc.com.
Also, what do you think we should call the new foodie blog??
Baby Thomas in the News
The Dallas Morning News ran a story yesterday about baby Thomas Bickle! See if this link works:
www.dallasnews.com
Thank you for your prayers. Check the Thomas blog to keep updated and to donate!
thomasbickle.com
www.dallasnews.com
Thank you for your prayers. Check the Thomas blog to keep updated and to donate!
thomasbickle.com
Monday, March 20, 2006
Semi-Retirement.
Hi. I'm back from a truly restful holiday. Baking bread, growing basil seedlings, making a french memo board, watching movies, reading, spring cleaning, sleeping in.....we had a lovely week.
I'm excited to give the children my best these last few months of school....which leads to my announcement: I'm retiring from full-time teaching! My feelings are mixed--I've had an amazing five years at my school, working alongside some really dear families--I've watched many children grow from 7 year olds to twelve year olds! I love this place and am thankful for all I've learned here-about teaching, about children...... Amazing....But I'm reeeeally looking forward to cooking for my husband and myself, learning how to better run a household, working on my health, leading a quieter life for awhile. I do hope to do some part-time work somewhere.
Exciting!
I'm excited to give the children my best these last few months of school....which leads to my announcement: I'm retiring from full-time teaching! My feelings are mixed--I've had an amazing five years at my school, working alongside some really dear families--I've watched many children grow from 7 year olds to twelve year olds! I love this place and am thankful for all I've learned here-about teaching, about children...... Amazing....But I'm reeeeally looking forward to cooking for my husband and myself, learning how to better run a household, working on my health, leading a quieter life for awhile. I do hope to do some part-time work somewhere.
Exciting!
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Lizard's World: Thinking about Adrienne
My sister-in-law, Adrienne, died August 19th, 1999. Today she would have turned 28. I miss her.
Adrienne took this photograph of Wedding Girl. I've always loved it.
Adrienne took this photograph of Wedding Girl. I've always loved it.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Lizard's World: Meet my Sam
I thought I would introduce my boys to you. Today I will tell you about Sam. Sam is 5 and he has a language delay. To be exact he has a auditory processing delay which means it takes his brain longer to process what he hears, therefore it is taking him longer to develop his language skills. He has been in various forms of language therapy for 2.5 years. On top of this he has had elements of sensory integration disorder and he has a lethal tree nut allergy!
Life has not been simple for Sam. He has known alot of frustration unable to communicate his thoughts and fears of eating the wrong thing.
Despite his challenges Sam is incredibly sensitive and sweet. He has the heart of a little lion. But my favorite thing about Sam could possibly be his beautiful green eyes.
This is a picture of Sam at my sister's wedding with my parent's adopted daughter Destiny.
Sam is also a budding photographer. The first image he took on a trip to the Dallas Zoo. The second he took of his brother at the San Francisco Zoo. These images make me smile.
Life has not been simple for Sam. He has known alot of frustration unable to communicate his thoughts and fears of eating the wrong thing.
Despite his challenges Sam is incredibly sensitive and sweet. He has the heart of a little lion. But my favorite thing about Sam could possibly be his beautiful green eyes.
This is a picture of Sam at my sister's wedding with my parent's adopted daughter Destiny.
Sam is also a budding photographer. The first image he took on a trip to the Dallas Zoo. The second he took of his brother at the San Francisco Zoo. These images make me smile.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Blogging Newbie
This is a test, this is only a test....
This is Lizard's World
This past weekend we were in Dallas for a family reunion. This is a picture of my boys, ethan and sam with their very distant cousin, marson, or as ethan calls her, "that little fella."A Big Sweetpea Welcome to the Lizard.
I'm breaking my blog fast to tell you, with excitement, that our dear friend Lizard will begin blogging with us soon. Lizard went to art school with W.G. and me, and is the mother of two beautiful sons and wife to....Lizard's Husband, I suppose. Anyway, I'll let her tell you more about herself as she shares her thoughts here.
Welcome, Lizard!
Welcome, Lizard!
Speaking of buying less...
I LOVE SHOES!!
These are Mohop shoes. They're made in Chicago from recycled materials and you can customize your look by changing the ribbons that tie the shoes on!!
Mohop Shoes
Less is More
I've really been trying in the last year to be more of a conscious consumer. A times it can be overwhelming to think about buying things that don't hurt the environment and recycling and fair trade, but I ran across this article on the website "New American Dream" and it was really encouraging--from the angle of not buying more than we need and staying out of debt. (which we all undertand in theory, but it's helpful to be reminded.) I just thought I'd share...the first part of the article is here, the rest you can read by following the link.
Less can mean more
It may sound strange, but sometimes getting more of what really matters can actually mean getting, or rather, buying less. Advertisers will tell you that you need the latest gadget to have More Time or that having More Fun requires buying the latest video game. Whatever you want More of, they have the answer. But is that really true?
Maybe you want more freedom from debt. If so, you're not alone - a record 1.6 million Americans declared personal bankruptcy last year, while 60 million families carry an average credit card debt load of over $7000 and shell out more than $1000 a year just in interest and fees. One of the best ways to create more distance between you and the wolves at the door is to pay attention to where your money goes, to examine potential purchases and find alternatives that don't require buying new items.
read the rest of the article here: newdream.org
Less can mean more
It may sound strange, but sometimes getting more of what really matters can actually mean getting, or rather, buying less. Advertisers will tell you that you need the latest gadget to have More Time or that having More Fun requires buying the latest video game. Whatever you want More of, they have the answer. But is that really true?
Maybe you want more freedom from debt. If so, you're not alone - a record 1.6 million Americans declared personal bankruptcy last year, while 60 million families carry an average credit card debt load of over $7000 and shell out more than $1000 a year just in interest and fees. One of the best ways to create more distance between you and the wolves at the door is to pay attention to where your money goes, to examine potential purchases and find alternatives that don't require buying new items.
read the rest of the article here: newdream.org
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Quote of the Day
"Love is something more stern and splendid than mere kindness."
--C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
--C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
Update on Baby Thomas
Thomas had to have a tracheotomy yesterday because he was still having trouble breathing and they were worried that the breathing tube would cause damage to his throat and vocal chords.
He has a blog now through blogger:thomasbickle.com which will work better for them to keep friends updated and will help them raise money to pay for the medical expenses, and the fact that Scott will have to quit his job to take care of Thomas full time. They have insurance through Sarah's job, so she will go back to work soon.
Thank you so much for your prayers!
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Scrapile
(from the website) "SCRAPILE is the collaborative work of designers Bart Bettencourt and Carlos Salgado. Seeking to create a positive environmental impact with their work, these two have developed a unique method of collecting and repurposing discarded scraps of wood from New York's woodworking industry. Since it's conception in Fall 2003, this project has continued to yield an ever-evolving line of furniture and product which by its very nature insists each piece be one of a kind."
I love seeing this kind of creativity in business. I'm not sure how necessary it is to recycle wood scraps...seems like it might be more productive to recycle products that aren't biodegradeable, but it's creative, nonetheless. And I really DO like this table. Maybe Stephen will make one for me. =)
Scrapile Website
Sold on Vivavi: Contemporary Furniture and Sustainable Design
Monday, March 13, 2006
Prayer Request
Dear sweetpea blog regulars,
Please pray for one of my dearest friends, Sarah (who is also a frequent visitor to this blog). She and her husband are in the hospital with their six-month-old son, Thomas who was diagnosed with a brain tumor almost two weeks ago. He has since had surgery to remove the tumor, but is awaiting chemotherapy treatments and may need a tracheotomy. They have a website through CaringBridge if you'd like more information:
Thomas' Website
Thank you!!
Please pray for one of my dearest friends, Sarah (who is also a frequent visitor to this blog). She and her husband are in the hospital with their six-month-old son, Thomas who was diagnosed with a brain tumor almost two weeks ago. He has since had surgery to remove the tumor, but is awaiting chemotherapy treatments and may need a tracheotomy. They have a website through CaringBridge if you'd like more information:
Thomas' Website
Thank you!!
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Vacation.
Sweetpea will be fasting from the blog this week....
Maybe Wedding Girl will chime in??? :)
Ciao, friends.
Maybe Wedding Girl will chime in??? :)
Ciao, friends.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Thought of the Day.
"You must be the change you want to see in the world."
--Mahatma Ghandi
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
A Praise.
Continuing with the springtime theme:
This is my Father's world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees,
of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought
This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong
seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
-Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901
(My favorite verses from one of our favorite hymns, This is My Father's World. Sung at our wedding.)
This is my Father's world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees,
of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought
This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong
seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
-Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901
(My favorite verses from one of our favorite hymns, This is My Father's World. Sung at our wedding.)
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Week off.
Spring Break Goals:
#1: Build and plant the aforementioned square foot garden.
#2: Make this spray cleaner:
Lavender and Tea Tree Spray Cleaner
This spray cleaner disinfects surfaces, wipes out mold, and discourages its return. Lavender and tea tree are known for their antimicrobial properties.
1 teaspoon borax
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 cups hot water
1/4 teaspoon lavender essential oil
3 drops tea tree essential oil
Mix all ingredients together and stir until dry ingredients dissolve. Pour into spray bottle for use and long-term storage. To use, spray as needed on any surface except glass. Scrub and rinse with a clean, damp cloth.
#3: Use the spray cleaner, all over my filthy house.
#1: Build and plant the aforementioned square foot garden.
#2: Make this spray cleaner:
Lavender and Tea Tree Spray Cleaner
This spray cleaner disinfects surfaces, wipes out mold, and discourages its return. Lavender and tea tree are known for their antimicrobial properties.
1 teaspoon borax
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 cups hot water
1/4 teaspoon lavender essential oil
3 drops tea tree essential oil
Mix all ingredients together and stir until dry ingredients dissolve. Pour into spray bottle for use and long-term storage. To use, spray as needed on any surface except glass. Scrub and rinse with a clean, damp cloth.
#3: Use the spray cleaner, all over my filthy house.
What it feels like to be well.
Today is Day 18 of Operation Healthy Me. The last few days, I've really felt fabulous! Maybe the no-sugar diet, iron, potassium, thyroid, b-complex, fish oil, (I could go on), are starting to kick in. I don't know if the energy will stay with me, but I'm praising God for these last 3 days. I've gotten more done in these few days, (fun things and necessary things) than I have in the past month!
Monday, March 06, 2006
Meglomania?
Check the husband's blog for an informative article about Thomas Kinkade. Yikes!
All things new.
Spring is here, and I feel giddy. So do my students, evidenced by their classroom behavior!
1.Here are my sixth-graders sketching from our garden.
2. The very first wildflower has bloomed in our wildflower bed!
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Visit My....
....Virtual Gallery! Woodcut prints, designed, cut, and hand printed by me. :) I only have a couple of images right now....working on some others which I'll post soon.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Gracen
Here is a portrait I did of Gracen, Leah's baby. She and her husband will leave any day now! to pick up sweet Gracen in Taiwan.
