The Stringing Stringer Sisters

Semper Fidelis!

My Boys are Growing Up!

I've enjoyed my children at every stage of their growing up, and I truly mean that. But I have to say that these past few months have left me a little sad, as we've entered a whole new phase of life with "The Boys" getting more mature. I truly am going to miss those chaotic days of having two toddler boys spinning their double mischief! We've made some great memories! Now, they are not running around distracting us from lessons, they are in school themselves! And even though I am missing their wild days, I just love this new stage they're entering....a mouth full of big teeth and empty spaces, freckles, clothes that reflect their personalities, watching how they blossom and carry themselves differently...it's exciting.

You've got to love those grins!

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

I have read a fascinating book by John McTernan called AS AMERICA HAS DONE TO ISRAEL. (Click on the picture for a link to Amazon)

I have listened to radio interviews and followed John McTernan's blog for some time. He is an interesting and brilliant man with a passion for God's Word, for history, for pro-life work, and for Bible prophecy. Not only that, he is a police chaplain and has a prison ministry. He's a big burly guy with a New York accent, and has this contagious enthusiasm that comes through not only in his interviews, but also in his writing. AS AMERICA HAS DONE TO ISRAEL walks through America's history, beginning at the American Revolution up to the economic collapse of 2008, showing a direct link between God's blessing or God's judgment on America as a result of its treatment of the Jewish people. He cites (with over 200 footnotes) dozens of events where America has been guilty of pressuring Israel to surrender land to the "Palestinians", and then how disaster struck America within 24 hours either by fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, or economic tragedy. He even maintains a blog that he updates with events as they occur.

In light of our current Muslim-loving, Jew- and Christian-hating President, his unforgiveable snubbing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and many other issues including that hag of a reporter Helen Thomas, I think we as Americans have reason to fear. God is not slack concerning his promises, and as the Scripture from which McTernan takes the title of his book states,

"For the day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen: as thou hath done [to Israel], it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head." Obadiah 1:15

God's prophetic time table is set in motion, and things are set to happen over which we will have no control. Even so, we can pray as Scripture commands us,

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee."

Psalm 122:6

Tough Week!

I stuck to my guns, and now we are officially "passie-free". It wasn't easy, though! Last Monday morning, just after I had explained to Summer that passie was "lost", Caleb ran over her toe with the vacuum cleaner and tore half her nail off (he felt so bad, he was just playing with her). Of course she screamed "Passie!" for about 30 minutes, but I knew it was now or never.... Then, she woke up Thursday morning with a horrible virus and cried for it again, but Mean Mama wouldn't give in. She is still walking around the house shrugging her shoulders and lifting her hands asking, "Where passie go?"

I've been reminded of a truth that I learned a long time ago as a mother, that children need to be challenged. We've watched our little Rosebud truly blossom this week, picking up about 5 new words/phrases (including "Thanks" and "Sorry"), and even walking along cooperatively with KK and Sis in Wal-Mart (instead of being confined to the buggy seat). She even puts herself to bed now, running over and kissing me and Jason when she sees the other kids doing so, and saying so seriously, "Night. Love you." I guess I'm a little surprised at myself at how tempted I've been with this child to "baby" her. (Maybe because I'm an older mother now?) I've observed (in dismay) many other parents who equate love with indulgence, and I've seen those kids grow up and suffer because they still expect that same treatment as adults.

"Lord, give me the wisdom to gently, yet firmly, mold little souls into willing servants that will obediently answer Your call when that day comes."

Here she is practicing songs at church with all the "big kids":

We knew she was finally feeling better when she came running down the hall like this:

She had taken her dress off and put on Bubba's motorcycle shirt (well, sort of...), and swiped Sis's lipgloss from her purse.

Look at those beautiful eyes! I love that mischevious girl! I can't believe she'll be 2 years old next week!

Teacher Trouble

Little Miss Priss is having a hard time making her pupil stay seated.

(I know her hair looks like a rat's nest and she is half dressed....but you can just call us "casual" homeschoolers.)
- Posted using my iPhone

Reason No. ###(i've lost count!) To Homeschool

"Hate crimes" against the free speech of Christians are being committed on so many levels it's impossible to even keep track of it (which is "their" plan), but this story just particularly upset me, I guess because you can hear this innocent little girl crying in the background.

She loves her kitty cats

...and for some reason, they love her too!








-Posted using my iPhone

In Honor of the Brave Soldiers of "D-Day"

"The eyes of the world are upon you." Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 6, 1944

What a beautiful video this is! It features a former Marine, and is a fitting tribute to what the brave soldiers who stormed the shores of Normandy were fighting for.

Goldilocks Waiting Patiently at Piano Lessons

Posted using my iPhone

D.P.

Okay. I'm going to do it. I'm going to get rid of Summer's passie. Next week. I am. (I've really gotten soft in my old age.)

We have a code word around here. It's "P.D.P" which stands for "passie, doodle, and peep-eye". They are Summer Rose's best friends, as you can see from the video below.

Peep-Eye is the stinky silk blanket. "Doodle" is actually a "Snoedel" doll that all my kids had as babies. Sis and Summer have truly LOVED their doodles. Here's one of my favorite pics of Sis with her Doodle when she was 2 years old. She and Doodle were helping me make biscuits. (I'm not going to say anything about the current whereabouts of Madelyn's own Doodle, since she is a faithful reader of my blog.)
Just for a little perspective, here is a photo of an as-yet unloved Snoedel:

I know some people are against passies, and of course some babies just won't have them, but being a preacher's wife and spending a lot of time occupying babies in church, I'm glad that all of mine loved a passie. However, with the boys I was very disciplined about taking the passie away at 1 year. The plan: no passie except during nap or night time for 1 month, then no passie at all. But the girls have been a little different.

Madelyn was such a miserable baby, having a severe milk allergy and reflux, and all that made her happy in this world was her brother KK and her passie and Doodle. I just didn't have the heart to take her happiness away so soon, so she kept hers until around age 2.

Now, I was already putting my usual plan into action just after Summer's 1st birthday when she fell and knocked her 2 front teeth into her gums. The dentist actually urged me to insist that she take a passie as much as possible to discourage her from putting any biting pressure on her teeth as they come back down. (Babies don't bite passies, they suck them.).

So, here we are 3 weeks away from her 2nd birthday, and I've put it off long enough!! This girl seriously is in love with that thing, and I know it's going to take nerves of steel on my part. The Doodle and Peep-eye can stay as long as she wants, but passie has to go!

I'm going to begin next Monday morning. So, by this time next week, as we head out the door, I'll shout, "Someone grab D.P.!" instead of the usual "P.D.P."

Why am I blogging this? Maybe to hold myself accountable. I guess I kind of feel like Pharaoh:



"SO LET IT BE BLOGGED, SO LET IT BE DONE."
- Posted using my iPhone

Come to the USA!

A century ago President Teddy Roosevelt put it this way. He said:
“In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American…There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language … and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”

Spring Recital!

Here are a few short clips of Caleb and Madelyn at their Spring Piano Recital. We've had another busy weekend, but it was fun. You can see Sis stumbled just a little on that last duet, but she recovered well. Way to go, guys!

Meet Frogger

Well, I finally gave in to my little scientist's pleas for an amphibian. KK never cared for bugs or critters, and Sis was always happy with her cat, but Seth captures something to study and love almost every day. He climbed up in my lap every day last week, whispering in my ear how he would pay for it himself and take good care of it, if we would only give him a chance. How could I resist that? So, off to PetSmart!








On the way home, we were discussing what to name the new member of the family. Our kids have been watching "Leave it to Beaver" on Netflix, and Seth said, "Why don't I name it Beaver?" After a second, Bubbie says, "Hmmm, I think I like 'Leavit' better". (get it? leave-it to beaver??) He keeps us laughing! You just never know what's coming out of his mouth next!

As you can see from the blog title, "Frogger" won out over "Leavit".

;-)
- Posted using my iPhone

I just love boys!

Ever since he could walk, my Bubbie has brought me "flowers".



(Yes they are pine needles, and I'm terribly allergic to them, but I still treasure this thoughtful bundle because I always get a kiss along with my gifts!)
- Posted using my iPhone

(Please don't plan anything for me this weekend. Thank you.)

Wow, what a busy time we've had at our house these past couple weeks. I won't bore you with all the details, but here's a brief summary: Baby Bottle Change Drive, Homeschool Recital, Urgent Care (x4), Emergency Room (x2), adult-onset asthma, MRSA, Mother's Day, wireless router down (gasp!), non-profit tax return, LMO newsletter and brochure printing.......

All this, and I still managed to keep myself and Jason and all 5 children fed, clothed, relatively clean, and relatively happy through it all! Whew! I can't truly say that we got a whole lot of school lessons done, although we learned a lot about working together and also how to prioritise. I'm so thankful for my children, who aren't spoiled and self-centered, but who pitch in and keep the house running and help with the baby when I am sick or have obligations to fulfill with the crisis pregnancy center. By occasionally sharing their Mom with LMO, they are making their own contributions to the fight against abortion, and I admire them for that.

Below are a few snapshots from this past weekend. Our local Baptist homeschool group met for a little family night recital and fellowship. I included a video of Caleb and Madelyn playing a duet. We have laughed and laughed at Madelyn dancing on the piano stool!

Best Sign Yet!

Garden Recipes

I'm getting so excited about our garden. Jason works so hard on it every year. To be perfectly honest, I help with the harvesting, but I don't really help too much in planting, except when I'm asked. For one thing, plants hate me; secondly, I'm allergic to nature. However, when the time comes, I love to cook, can, and freeze everything my husband plants! I just pulled the last bag of squash out of the freezer from last year's garden to cook for supper, and I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes to use with fresh squash. Enjoy!

SQUASH DRESSING
1 lb fresh squash; sliced, cooked, and drained*
(*you can use a 16 oz. bag frozen squash)
1 small cake cornbread, baked and crumbled (I use 8in iron skillet, makes about 2 cups crumbled)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 c. melted butter
3 eggs, beaten
3/4 tsp. sage
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Mix all together. Baked in a greased small casserole dish (7 x 11 or 9 x 9), uncovered, at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Ruffled Feathers

The kids found a Mama Killdeer bird in the front yard, and it caused quite a commotion!

LMO Newsletter

Below is a link to the newsletter from the crisis pregnancy center that I direct. We have our Annual Baby Bottle Change Drive coming up soon (Mother's Day to Father's Day), so I've been busy and haven't had much time for blogging! Last year, we raised over $13,000! Pray for a good response this year.

LMO 2nd Qtr 2010 Newsletter

Remember November

I realize the damage has been done, but it still makes me feel better to think about sending some of those lifetime liberal moochers home to get a real job.

The Oath Keeper

Call me a "Birther", a crazy, right-wing nut who actually thinks that Barack Obama should have to comply with the law and show proof of his U.S. birth before being allowed to hold the highest position in the land.

Below is a video made by Lt. Col. Terry Lakin, explaining his actions and reasons for refusing deployment until Obama does what Little League baseball players are required to do to play ball: show his birth certificate (the REAL one, the long form, which he has NOT produced).

Before you criticize Lt. Col. Lakin, perhaps you should research his exemplary record. I've heard criticisms such as, "Obama is our President. He should just accept that and obey orders." But the question is:

Are we a nation of law? Or a nation of popular vote? Just because Obama was elected by the people as President, doesn't mean he is above the law. That's the one thing that has seperated America from all other nations in the world: Lex Rex, the Law is King (vs. the King being the Law). We are not a democracy living at the mercy of 50%+1; instead, we are a Constitutional Republic, that provides the safety net of laws to which even our leaders (especially our leaders) are held accountable.

That's why our U.S. soldiers take an enlistment oath to uphold and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, and THEN to obey the orders from the President. A soldier who puts his life on the line has every right, and also an obligation, to question whether the President himself is an enemy of the Constitution. The Consitution is the Law; not the President (despite what Hollywood says.

I'm thankful that there are still soldiers who take this oath seriously, and ask you to join me in praying for Lt. Col. Lakin, as he has been charged with 2 counts by the U.S. Army.

And if you're interested in getting the facts about the birth certificate saga, World Net Daily and Joseph Farah have an exhaustive and well-researched archive:

WND Complete Archive: Is Obama Constitutionally Eligible to Serve as President?

Study Confirms Link Between Autism and Use of Cells From Abortions in Vaccines

Wow, what a frightening and interesting article. The links provided in this article are the original sources for this hypothesis, including the original study conducted by the EPA. This is certainly something I'm going to follow.

Study Confirms Link Between Autism and Use of Cells From Abortions in Vaccines

(Just f.y.i., the 2 vaccinations that contain aborted fetal tissue cell lines are the MMR and the chicken pox vaccine.)

Jason's New Toy

He's happy!






- Posted using my iPhone

The Global Whining Crisis

As I'm sure you've heard, today is Earth Day.

I celebrated my first Earth Day in the 10th grade. We were shown "Captain Planet and the Planeteers" and read all kinds of doomsday stories about how terrible human beings are. I was in the Science Club, and we actually got to sit out classes to make posters to hang all around the school, "Please Recycle", "Be Kind to Trees", "Don't Waste", etc. I was a born-again Christian then, and I have to admit the whole thing felt weird, but I didn't have the training, intellect, or the information at that time to realize what was REALLY going on. What WAS going on? INDOCTRINATION! While parents- who grew up hunting, fishing, having babies, using paper plates and pesticides- were at work, their children were in government schools being indoctrinated. How else can you explain, in one generation, the change that has taken place? The change from embracing family and children.....to despising children, even killing them in the womb, and elevating polar bears and spotted owls to a level higher than humans?

I've posted before about sustainable development, the localized plans to implement a U.N. program called Agenda 21. For Earth Day, may I suggest that you take time to research Agenda 21, and what it means for your family (especially in light of the soon-coming vote on cap and trade in our legislature). You may not realize it, but you've surely encountered effects of Agenda 21 already. For example, limits on what you can develop or build on your own personal property (minimum acreage requirements, etc.), over-reaching game and fishing regulations, emissions tests, national education standards, just to name a few.

Here's a great website to start your research into Agenda 21:
Freedom Advocates
To sum it up, Agenda 21 (which is based primarily on the Global Warming HOAX) is the U.N.'s way of forcing Americans (and all other nations) to relinquish our national sovereignty, and submit to global government. It's being aggressively implemented in America by the progressives in Congress and our President. It's a sort of watered down communism called Fabian Socialism, where the change from capitalism to socialism is done peacefully, by evolution instead of revolution. No guns, just inflation, taxes, and regulation. Socialism requires an end to private property. Rather than just come and take your property and business with guns, they'll just regulate what you can do with it (Do you really own it if you can't even build on it and develop it as you want????) and tax you out of business. Pretty soon, you won't even be able to afford to poot , and I SO WISH I was joking about that.

So, Happy Earth Day to all the tree huggers! And good luck cooling down that sun (after all, it's only 93 million miles away and 10,ooo degrees F)! And even better luck getting the animals and the human race to stop passing gas! Of course, with a genius like Al Gore as your leader, how could you fail? (I know he invented the internet, but even he will have a hard time inventing anything that's funnier to my boys than passing gas and burping. Wish him luck!)



And just as a side note, Doug Phillips has a great blog post about the radical environmentalism in the movie Avatar:
Doug's Blog: This Earth Day: Avatar v. The Mysterious Islands

So cute!

Here's a short clip of our little kittens. It's one of the prettiest litters I've ever seen! 4 beautiful calicoes and 1 marmalade tabby. You can hear Seth in the background, and there at the end, he says, "Well, I have to go harvest!" For all you TapFarm people out there, you know this is serious business! I wonder how many 6 year olds play TapFarm!? :-)

Home Sweet Homeschool

I know President B.O. has plans for my children (and yours!) from cradle to career, but I'm so thankful to have mine at home and still running around in pajamas mid-morning. It just breaks my heart to see a nation of little children who have to kiss their mama's "bye" before breakfast every morning. What precious times and experiences and opportunities are being missed!

" Thank goodness my education was neglected."

~ Beatrix Potter

(a brilliant student of science, nature study, art, and of course, an accomplished author)

Garden Time!

Posted using my iPhone

Hear that rumbling sound?

No, it's not another earthquake. It's the Founding Fathers rolling over in their graves.

Court Rules National Day of Prayer "Unconstitutional"

The framers of our Constitution, the architects and builders of this great nation, would not even recognize it today.

“Hold on, my friends, to the Constitution and to the Republic for which it stands. Miracles do not cluster and what has happened once in 6,000 years, may not happen again. Hold on to the Constitution, for if the American Constitution should fail, there will be anarchy throughout the world.”

— Daniel Webster (1782-1852) Author, Lawyer and Patriot

Medusa had a good nap!

Help?

KK and Sis have help practicing their duet.



- Posted using my iPhone

The Manchurian Candidate?

"Surely something must be terribly wrong with a man who seems to be far more concerned with a Jew building a house in Israel than with a Muslim building a nuclear bomb in Iran." ----Columnist Burt Prelutsky

It's scary. We have a president who hates Americans and Jews, and who loves our most violent enemies.

Summer Melody

Summer's new passion is singing. It's so precious to watch her walking around the house with a book in hand just singing her own little melody. She now climbs up to the piano and accompanies herself! Above our piano, I have a picture collage of her first year hanging on the wall. As she is singing, she pauses occasionally to look up and say, "Bubba", "Sis,", and "baby". (Ignore me in the background there at the end helping KK with a math problem. "I told you, you cannot skip steps!" LOL)

:-)

My Blahg

Sorry my blog has been so "blah" this week. We changed our school schedules around a little, and I've been like a drill sergeant with the poor kids LOL. The little guys got a few more responsibilities added to their daily routines, and we spread things around a little differently with the big kids. I'm happy to report that we've had an extremely productive week, and even managed a play day with our best friends! I was so worried about adding Bubbie to our schedule this year, but praise God we are right on track. I can feel the negative vibes I get from people when they find out that I homeschool and they skeptically look at the 5 kids I have. (I find that funny when you consider that most public school classrooms have 25-30 kids, but anyway....) I have learned through the years, however, that "school" is easy. The hard part of homeschooling is discipline and time management. It's an ever-evolving process and an act of grace that helps me stay one step ahead of my children! And, most importantly, I can truly say that we have enjoyed this week, fractions and all. Life is so much more pleasant when you aren't living under the tyranny of the urgent, but function under a schedule and routine.

Here are a few shots of what we've been doing this week.

Our cat Dixie had kittens! Summer absolutely loves the "babies".

This is Butterscotch, the one we're going to keep:

Couldn't you just eat that grin up?

Sis took this picture:

My pink lady apple tree is blossoming!

I know this is a terrible shot, but aren't they a handsome group?

My Little Scientist

- Posted using my iPhone