Archives

Wedding!

Jul11

A couple of the homeschool gals have asked me about pictures from the wedding. I only have what snapshots that have been sent to me. I didn’t even take one picture!  What was I thinking?? So, without further ado, here are a few…

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I love that picture! I will treasure this always.

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Husband and wife. The deed is done! Notice the bridal bouquet. Some of the flowers are from my garden. 🙂

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I wish this one was bigger, but when I tried to make it bigger, the head of my lovely daughter-in-law was cut off! If you click on it you can see the larger picture.

The wedding was lovely, the reception was beautiful, but most importantly, my son and his **wife!** are extremely happy! Thanks to all of you who prayed and those who sent wedding wishes.

~Lisa

Take time for Y-O-U

Jul8

Last week was a “relax and enjoy life” week. I have been running on fumes for the past 6 months and took the advice of several wise women who told me to take some time off after our son’s wedding. It was one of the best pieces of advice I have capitalized on and I would encourage you to also spend some time on taking care of you. I know you are a great mom and have all kinds of things planned for your family, but do you have anything planned for you? When is the last time you did something just for you? Just as I suspected, you can’t remember! 🙂

So, today I want you to come up with an action plan that you are going to enact either this week or next. What is something you like to do? How are you going to see that it happens? It doesn’t have to require money or a lot of time, but plan something. After all, if you don’t take out time for you and get refreshed there is nothing for you to give to your family.

Do you need some ideas? Here are a few things that come to mind. These activities can be as long or as short as you like, but if you are going for the short side of time, please give yourself at least an  hour. I had 30 minutes down, but then I thought of how many hours are in the week and one hour is minuscule  Please feel free to share your ideas as I am sure that your ideas will go waaay beyond my own!

  • Spend some quiet time with God. Put on some peaceful music and pray. Praying is just talking to Him about what’s going on. This helps me tremendously. He already knows what’s happening, but when I talk to Him about it, I realize I am not alone.
  • Attend a bible study group.
  • Read a book.
  • Read the comics.
  • Work on a crossword puzzle or play soduku.
  • Watch a chick flick or a funny movie.
  • Grab a coffee, smoothie, soda, with your hubby. (No talking about the kids or school issues though!)
  • Grab a coffee, smoothie, soda, with a friend. Not particularly all of those, but you can if you want! (Ask your hubby to keep the kids for 2 hours.)
  • Go get an ice cream cone or low fat yogurt if you must!
  • Sit in your garden.
  • Take a walk or go for a run.
  • Ride your bike or lace up your roller blades and get going.
  • Eat cookies in the closet with the door closed. (Makes me feel daring.)
  • Invite a friend over. If it is hectic during the day, do it after the kids are in bed. Don’t feel guilty for not including the kids. This is y-o-u time!
  • Buy your favorite candy bar or try a new type of chocolate bar. Yum!
  • Try a new recipe.
  • Reorganize a closet. (NOT my idea of fun, but my sister loves doing this and it makes her happy when she is done.)
  • Crochet or knit something.
  • Scrapbook or make cards. Pick a small project if you don’t have the time. Otherwise you will just get upset and frustrated.
  • Call a friend. When is the last time you called to just chat? Set your timer if your time is limited and promise to call again- soon!

Remember, recharge your batteries and take time out for you. You are an amazing woman!

~Lisa

Milestones

Jun27

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This week is a HUGE milestone here with the McAfee clan. Our oldest son is getting married! I’d count this as a homeschool accomplishment, wouldn’t you? 🙂

The picture above is my sweet mother-in-law and sister-in-law cutting flowers from my garden for the wedding. When they finished there were only a few buds left and they will likely be harvested tomorrow as we are a few shy of feeling good that we have an adequate amount.

I am tremendously blessed to have a husband that does what he can for our family. That includes making a flower delivery to my sister’s house.

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We began at 6:30 am and worked until 3:30 pm harvesting, arranging, and packing floral arrangements into boxes for the wedding that will take place tomorrow. More pictures to follow!

~Lisa

Enjoying the Journey

Apr22
English: Path to Callaughton. This footpath le...

photo: Michael Patterson

I was going to post more information about preparing for college, but I wanted to spend this week encouraging us all to enjoy the journey that we are on. This past week was difficult after the reports came in about the occurrence at the Boston Marathon. How many people were affected by this tragic event? How many will never walk again or live life to its fullest?  How extremely sad!

It’s odd how events all mesh together to give you a different perspective; a better appreciation for what you have as you watch others go through difficult times. I am doing the bible study of One Thousand Gifts and this week we talked about slowing down, not rushing through things and seeing what God has for us. I also talked with Dale last week about enjoying the journey of life as we travel together on this path of life. How thankful I am to have a husband who loves me, two great sons who are figuring out life, amazing students who bring exuberance and laughter to their studies, and friends to laugh and cry with as they move along their road too.

Ecclesiastes 3 says it best.

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and  a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to weep and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

Remember to enjoy the moments you have been given. Enjoy your  journey and encourage someone along the way.

~Lisa

 

Being a Blessing

Apr1

alone-15155_640I have been recently challenged in being a blessing to others. What do I say and how do I act towards others? I’d like to also encourage you this week to be a blessing to not only your family, but to someone else. Here are some ideas:

Family

  • Start school an hour later if you have older students. 🙂
  • Go on an unexpected field trip.
  • Read a favorite book together.
  • Have a friend over to play.
  • Older students- have a friend over or allow them to take the car for coffee with a friend.
  • Fix a favorite snack one afternoon.
  • Have dessert first!
  • Play a game together.
  • If you have assigned chores, let them have a day off or pick a chore to do that is usually theirs.

Friends

  • Set up a play date.
  • Send a card.
  • Call and tell them one or two things you admire about them.
  • Make a meal or a dessert.
  • Offer to keep a their children for an afternoon.
  • Have coffee with someone you want to get to know better.

Thank you for being a blessing to me by reading my blog. Honestly, the feedback that I get from you keeps me writing and wanting to be a blessing to others. Have a great week!

~Lisa