Better picture

16 y.o. turned 17 y.o. in January and I didn't post any pics. This is a better hair day -- right after a shower. Among other things, he got some game boards from one of his aunts. He loves playing chess or checkers.
His little sister had to get in on the act. They were eating "Grandma Alice's Black Bottom cupcakes" -- hence the black face and teeth.

After her brother having a birthday, 3 y.o. now says, "I'm three but I'm going to be 17 on my birthday."

Colossians 4:2-6 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Farm and Writing

Here's husband, 17 y.o. and 3 y.o. hauling corn from the bin to the barn. It was COOOOOLD. Although the snow is gone here, I think the high was 16 degrees. I like having the four seasons, I just wish winter were shorter :o)

I found out the the magazine I wanted to send a manuscript is closing. The one I originally wanted to send it to, Brio and Beyond, was discontinued by Focus on the Family but has been taken over by someone else (as have Breakaway and Brio). The new magazine will only be online - not in print. I may still send it to them.

I sent another article to Highlights for Children yesterday. The research spread out over the last year. My two critique partners encouraged me to rewrite it for a picture book or easy reader. Highlights for Children buys "all rights" so (if they buy the article) I would have to change it completely for a picture book. I hope to start it tomorrow. Today was taken up with homeschooling and other things.

Writing

I was able to get several writing goals accomplished Monday and Tuesday. I sent off for some magazine samples. I've written an article and am trying to make sure I'm targeting the correct magazine for it. I also finished rewriting a picture book manuscript and sent it to an agent I met this past Fall at a conference in Iowa. Then, I rewrote the ending for a non-fiction magazine article (for kids) and sent it to my ICL (Institute for Children's Literature) instructor.

Other than that, I got most of the craft room organized. I still need to finish cleaning 3 y.o.'s room, so she can actually use her own room!

Yesterday and today, we went to a visitation and a funeral. It was for my husband's great-aunt. She was a sweet woman.

Tonight, I had Bible study. Before hand, I went shopping and got a present for 16 y.o. He will be 17 on Saturday.

Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hat Hair

The other day when I posted how cold it was, I didn't post this picture. It is 16 y.o. after he came in from the below-freezing cold. (It ended up -14 that day!) He had one of those face covering hats on. Can you say, "Bad hair day?" haha He's probably 6' tall with this hairdo.

We went to St. Louis for him to have an appointment at Children's Hospital. It went well. I haven't gotten the final report yet. It showed that the homeschooling I am doing with him has really benefited in some areas - especially math. Now, I have to decide whether to send him to the public school for his last two years of high school. There are some programs that are not available for kids who are home schooled. Arghh.

Matthew 11:25-26 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."

Brrrrr rrrr rrrr

Wow, it's -10 degrees (MINUS 10!) today (not including the wind chill). Husband and 16 y.o. are out hauling hay to the cows. Hope they come in soon. They were bundled up to the hilt.

I'm taking 16 y.o. to St. Louis today. Tomorrow, he will have some testing done at the St. Louis Children's Hospital. Hopefully, this will give me some direction on whether to continue homeschooling or have him return to public school - and where he is academically. His seizures seem better lately, but then anything is better than 4000-6000 per day!

Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Facebook

Found some family, friends and high school friends on Facebook. Not sure how often I will go on there. Like a lot of things on the Internet, it's fun -- but it can consume too much time.

Husband and 3 y.o. went sledding today. It looked like it was going to snow a lot, but we only ended up getting about 1/2 inch. Oh well, 3 y.o. had a blast - she doesn't mind the cold which is totally unlike me. I can hold a soda and my hands hurt from the cold!

16 y.o. helped to feed the cows/bulls/calves/steer with husband and then they hauled hay. I think the high tomorrow is supposed to be 3 degrees. Brrrrr

I am going to work on a picture book manuscript. I'm trying to get it finished to send off to a publisher that I met at a conference this fall. Her deadline is February - so I want to finish it this week.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Cleaned up

I spent the day cleaning the house.

Stepson helped me move the mattresses in the downstairs spare room. Then, I moved furniture around because that will become my craft room. Last week, husband put up a long shelf for my rubber stamps. (All this is so 3 y.o. can get her room back!)

Tables we had put out for the Christmas party were put away.

I dumped the toy box downstairs and separated out 16 y.o.'s toys he wanted to keep, baby toys to give away, toys that were supposed to be in a different place, and the rest went back into the toy box.

Next, we took the decorations off the tree and the tree was brought outside. Then I vacuumed the house.

Right now, it is snowing out. It's a very fine snow and there's a dusting on the ground. Husband and stepson are going to a men's night out tonight. Not sure if 16 y.o. will go too.

Tomorrow, I will be helping at the local food pantry (unloading boxes for distribution on Monday). There's other things I did today, but that's the gist of it. Tomorrow night, I have the Bible study that was postponed during the holidays.

I've GOT to get some writing done.... but right now, I'm tuckered.

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..." Matthew 6:33

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” - Ephesians 5:1-2