Soooo, I got sick of looking at the disorganized cluttery bookcases,I rearranged everything: all three LARGE bookcases by color.
The kids helped me sort and stack.
Because you never know when you'll need a blue book. 
I just can't tell you how thrilled I am looking at the color piles.
Ahhhhh, refreshing!
Added bonus: it's much easier for the kids to re-shelf the books now. :-)
I. Am. Blessed.
For whatever reason (~God~) my mind keeps returning to a child I've been praying for. I don't know him personally. I don't even know his family. They are friends of friends. His beautiful little face stuck in my mind. And I kept thinking, "that could be my child... my child suffering... my child in the hospital on Christmas fighting for his life..." How can I push that out of my mind? I can't and won't. (stop and pray for him, then continue...)
By chance (no, not really,) I found this post at Our Homeschool and Other Such Happenings, when looking for a homeschool lapbook plan. I cried. Okay, I downright sobbed uncontrollably right here at my computer. This woman loved and lost her baby. And her faith is carrying her through. She knows that God is faithful, no matter what. I just cannot fathom that kind of pain.
I have my children here and now. We played tickle monster this evening, gathered icicles to save in the freezer, watched a movie together and ate fudge from the neighbors. We read books before bed and sang Twinkle* Twinkle* Little Star. I was able to tell each one of them, "I love you more than all the stars in the sky and all of the sand on the beaches" (our nightly "goodbye.") I was able to give them all their "special kiss"-- lip kiss, noggin-knock, eskimo kiss, knuckles, and then a smooch blown from the door. I am so blessed to have them. I love them so much. I would give my life, health, possessions, anything for these children.
Sometimes ridiculous worries distract me. Unimportant things stress me out. Unnecessary things sap my energy. And I get anxious. I worry about what I don't have, rather than focusing on what I DO have.
When I step back and look at the big picture~ LIFE (the here and the later,) intentional living... oh, my, the little things fade away so fast.
It's "easier" on the heart to glaze over the rough things, like the children who live here at the shelter, and desperately need families to love and care for them. Check out the Arkansas Foster site to find out how to help. -(I've never thought it was a coincidence that my maiden name is Foster. People used to joke around that I was a "foster kid," but I'm sure it was just a sign of things to come, that one day we would feel called to be foster -->adoptive parents.)- Oh, it wouldn't be easy. Yes, there would be challenges. But can you imagine the rewards? The look on a child's face, when he is truly a part of your family? Loving and snuggling a child that might have otherwise been without a place to live?
How are the suffering child, the grieving mother and homeless children related?
PEOPLE.
PEOPLE hold value above all else. We are created for relationships. People are in pain around us. People need help. People need love.
My mind has been weighing these heavier things lately. I've been convicted about "singing a little louder." Everyone can do something. No excuses. That precious cancer-stricken boy needs prayer. His family needs support. That mother who lost her child needs our continual support and prayer. So many children in this country and abroad need families. Desperately. You can volunteer abroad in orphanages. Raise money to help, sponsor a child, commit to pray for the missionaries working there. everyone can do something. Did you hear me?
everyone can do something
I have my health, my children, my home, a husband who loves and adores me.
I take so much for granted.
I have so much to give. So much to be thankful for. So much love given and received: an armful of children. Really, I'm choking back tears right now, just thinking about my kids and how much I love them. I pray protection over them every night. I use The Power of a Praying Parent to cover their lives. But we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
And I thank God that He sent His Son, so that even when we are separated from those we love, it is only temporary. Mimi, I love you... 
I want to make the most of today. Every day.
Simple advent envelopes, strung up in the hallway. I had grand plans to sew one with little pockets, but my time ran short...
By the way, my artist child hand-stitched those stockings last year.“How do you do it?”
Simple enough question, right? But let’s look at what that question isn’t saying. It’s implying:
You appear to have it all together. I don’t have anything together.
You appear composed and well-adjusted. I feel frazzled and stressed out.
You know something I don’t know.
The truth is that the blogosphere can be both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing in so many ways. How else could we have a glimpse into what can otherwise be only an intimate family setting? When homeschool bloggers share their lives and their days, it can inspire us, teach us, motivate us and give us ideas to which we would otherwise never see.
But I ask my other homeschool mom colleagues – what are you projecting into the blogosphere?"
... Read more of Darcy's post here.
I agree with Darcy. While I think it's awesome to highlight our accomplishments, remember the fantastic days, and "scrapbook" our experiments, it's also nice to let it all hang out sometimes.If and when you need to.
"Many of us are trying so hard to prove that homeschool is not only a viable option, but a worthy option, for educating our children that our protective defenses won’t allow us to admit that our homeschools are imperfect. But they are. Don’t mistake imperfection for unworthiness."
And tomorrow this man, the love of my life, turns 31! 
Breathing. Or trying to. I'm congested and my voice is gone. Phooey. Do you have any idea how hard it is to call four kids to the table with no voice? I've resorted to whistling.
It's been -weeks- since I posted. What a slacker.
The boys, making slime at our homeschool Christmas craft workshop. The whole thing was great!! Kids made homemade hot chocolate packets, sock dolls, marshmallow blowers, bath scrubs, rag dolls, etc etc. Very well done.
Kids with their friends, after the workshop. We had some face painting fun! I let each of the kids decide how their make-up and/or face paint would be designed.
Fred's grandma taught me how when we were over there last time. I got pretty excited about it, and Fred went out and bought me a loom set and yarn the next day. That night I knit this hat, while we watched a movie.
I have such good-looking little models.
These pictures were taken at Fred's uncle's house. Of course.
~My own "little" family~ 
Pics of the fam that my sis took here in town, before our Thanksgiving meal at Mom and Dad's. Thanks, Julie.
No, my Nature Man does not own a white dress shirt. And, no, the Artist is not wearing red fluffy slippers. Those are the ruffles at the end of her pants.
~Last Day of Co-op Classes~ 
The kids loved all of their co-op classes this semester. We're excited to be participating in even more classes next semester.
I've been a hat-making machine in the evenings. The kids help me design them, and I whip 'em up. Can you guess what my nieces and nephews are getting for Christmas?
Another beautiful model child.
Lovely face, Nature Man. Just lovely.
The Artist and my Mom looking through books. So nice to have my folks nearby. They often attend our field trips with us. :-)
Studying about Arkansas rivers.
First, the nature walk to gather necessary supplies! We left when Dash fell in the water. Brrr...
Check out the awesome humongous leaf that Little Lad is holding, above.
Dash went a little glitter-crazy.
Good food, fun people, hilarious games. Great times!
Now you're pretty much caught up on the "good stuff." We've had some challenges, sickness, vehicle problems, and other "unpleasants." Just so you know. Because we aren't perfect. Life has challenges. All in all, I see good things happening. We are SO blessed, and we know it.
