Singing children = noise?

So I was sitting in the living room trying to watch a movie with the kids and Sarah was singing. Again. She sings all the time, anywhere, and loudly.
It gets on my nerves to be honest. I've told her she needs to sing in her room, away from others that want to hear the movie... maybe she wants to BE the "movie" we are watching. :)
Again I told her to stop singing and go to her room... and then something stopped me, you know that something. That something in the back of your mind that is telling you the right thing to do, that you typically don't want to listen to... yeah, that something.
I stopped to listen to what she was singing. "Praise be to da Lord. Sing Praise to da Lord all-y-body, sing praise." How cute is that?
And then that something spoke some wisdom to me.
How long will it be till she stops singing out loud for me to hear? How much time do I have with this cute girl until she stops wanting to sit at my feet with her dolls and sing? So I pressed the pause button and got down on the floor with her and the other kids and we sang. Loudly. Together.
Sweet times like these won't last long and I was reminded today to take those moments and relish in them, treasure them, love them... not get annoyed by them.
If only I could have recorded her song to share with you all.

Happy day!

Homeschooling today: My Privilege!

I just had a wonderful day homeschooling my children and wanted to share.

Hannah is reading and writing and spelling... at 5. It truly amazes me. And the thing that really blows my mind... I have taught her to do all this!!! Me... Jennifer who couldn't stand school and could never see herself teaching her kids... ME!

I was doing school with Hannah today and it just hit me. I was calling out words and she was spelling them out, and it hit me that I was apart of her being able to do that. (Why now, I don't know) WOW. I wouldn't get this privilege if I sent her to a school where someone else would teach her. And I say privilege. I am very privileged to be able to have my children home and have the ability to teach them. This is something I do not take lightly.
I feel the need to stress that I don't think school's are evil. There are wonderful teachers in the schools. Many of my friends are teachers. I am just plain privileged!
Having this realization today has caused a deeper understanding of why a parent, if they are able, should teach their child. It is our responsibility to teach our children.
That is not to say that if your child is in school, you are an irresponsible parent. There are some cases where public/private school is the option. But I'm speaking of those that are able. Those that can. I think my conviction is on parents of young kids. The early years are so critical to build bonds with your children and teach your values. Not being able to afford the expensive private schooling and knowing that public schooling can't teach my children the values I want them to learn, homeschooling is a privilege I have.
Knowing it is a privilege also stems from a radio broadcast I heard from James Dobson.
This show was about the importance a father's role in homeschooling is, but the last 5 minutes is the part that got me. It was about a Treaty that has not yet been ratified that can drastically change the way we parent our children and the way we home school. This paragraph below is what Michael Farris had to say. You can listen to it here. (I listened to the conversation and wrote out what was said. It is not the entire conversation as one, but only the sentences that pertained to the topic I am writing about. All that to say, they are his words, not mine.)

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is a UN Treaty that every country in the world except the United States and Somalia has ratified and our nation signed it when Bill Clinton was in office. If this bill becomes unratified and it becomes the controlling law in our nation it will radically change every aspect of the child and parent relationship according to the law. The education rules will change, the government will have to decide whether the parents educational choices are, in the governments opinion, in the best interest of the child. Because the UN controls the government. We lose family sovereignty, we lose national sovereignty, which is in essence self government, because when a nation's voters lose control of what the law is and what the rules are, we've lost everything. And that is what will happen with the UN Convention and the Rights of the Child. Right now the parents get to decide what is best for their child, but if the UN Convention and the Rights of the Child is adopted then the government gets to decide what is in the best interest of a child. So how does this effect the home schooled child? It's clear from the decisions of the committee on the Rights of the Child that parents making the decisions to opt their children out of the public school will receive special scrutiny. You will not be able to home school your child unless the UN thinks it's a good idea.

Here are some web sites that are about his issue to further your (and mine!) education.
UNICEF - Convention on the Rights of the Child
Convention on the Rights of the Child - Preamble
HSLDA - Search for UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Oh Lord I pray! this does not come to be and this extremely joyful experience is not taken away from me or Joshua. Joshua has been teaching the kids music. I need to get more pictures of our schooling days. Here is just a taste.

Web Wednesday! In the world but...

To round off last weeks Bible theme, here are a few sites that are Christ centered. I would call these sites fitting right in there with being in the world, but not of it. We can enjoy all the joys of internet without the sites that are of the world.

One News Now is a news site and it does great at giving you the latest news of the week and the news that you may wish you knew about b/c it is Christian related.

Are you interested in being an informed citizen? This site does that for you. It is Focus on the Family's site for us citizens to be informed about what takes place in the realm of "unknown world," as I call it. And here is another one that is good.

Air 1, is a radio station that broadcasts around the US. The site has great info on artists and you can get lyrics and buy music on the site. It's a fun site if you like music.

You've heard of YouTube, here is GodTube!

You've heard of MySpace/FaceBook, here is MyChurch!

PluggedIn is a site that has reviewed movies, music, and TV to help you make informed decisions about what you view or listen to, before you do. A very helpful site! There is a lot to the site, so if you are looking for just movie reviews, Screen It is your better bet.

Good Movies is a site that allows you to buy an original copy of a movie and then you get a free edited version. The edit makes the movie a PG movie (or PG13). I haven't bought movies this way, but have been told it's good. (My husband edits our movies for us) I don't think that movies are bad... they are good. It's a book in motion. Great. But! What the world is passing off as ok for us to be viewing is so wrong. I believe we can be in this world, but not of it! Joshua and I got a PG13 movie the other week to watch and there was nudity in it! (I failed to check screenIt) I was shocked! When did frontal nudity become a PG rating? Anyway... I'm getting off topic.

Have fun with the internet... be smart! :)

Protection on the internet:
Bsafe.com,
familywatchdog.com,
netsmatz.com,
thesafeside.com


This is an amazing man that I "stumbled upon." Nick Vujicic. You can look him up on GodTube too. His testimony is truly one that will humble you and help put your perspective back in line.

Happy Love Day!

Happy Valentines Day
from the Crispin's

Web Wednesday! Resources for your bible studying.

There are a few neat sites that are Bible related.

Bible Gateway is a site that you can look up verses in any language/version and by topics. I use this site very often!

God's Yellow Pages is an ok site. The layout isn't what I like... but I didn't make it! You can find the information in Bible Gateway, but this site does lay out by topics in an easy to see view.

Bible Map is very cool! You can look up verses and a map is visible of the place. I haven't played with this one as much as I would like to. But the times I have been on it have been very fun!

In need of a Bible Dictionary? Here you go!

Are you looking for a bible reading plan? This site will have one for you!

If you know someone (or for yourself) in need of a bible... this site ships them out completely FREE.

I've been interested in Early Christian Writings. It in important to remember that the books that are not in the Bible are NOT the bible. I like to read these for fun. Again, I want to stress that no books are to be added to the Bible!

And this is the best one... A FREE program that allows you to explore the bible in a way that no free program will let you. (That I know of.) You can use it off the internet or you can download it. I would describe it similar to Logos software but it is free. Bible Pro.

100 things about me...

So I've seen this "100 things about me" on several blogs and thought I'd give it a shot. I'm not sure if there are that many things about me... :) We'll see.

Here goes!

1. My name is Jennifer - a very popular name...
2. I went by my last name throughout Middles School and High School.
3. I have lived in 3 states that I remember; (of age to remember) Texas, Arizona and Michigan.
4. I have 3 sisters.
5. I am the oldest, and you can tell!
6. I got married at 19.
7. I have 5 children... yes 5.
8. I get crazy comments on that all the time, like; Did you plan it that way? You know what causes that don't you? Do you want more? How do you do it (take care of 5 kids)? Do you ever get time to yourself?
9. I do get time for myself. Either I take it for myself during the day and in the evening, or my loving husband sends me out the door. (Thank you Joshua!!!)
10. During my time out of the house, I frequent Starbucks. (my sanctuary)
11. I love chocolate and peanut butter = Reese's!
12. I like to read.
13. My fav. "for fun" author is Francine Rivers.
14. I like music.
15. My fav. artist right now is Josh Groban.
16. We don't watch TV
17. We watch a lot of movies!
18. My fav. movie is The Notebook, that my husband tastefully edited.
19. Flowers make me smile.
20. Winter is my fav. season. (not this Texas want-a-be winter)
21. Christmas is my fav. holiday.
22. I love to give gifts and help people in any small way I can.
23. The holiday's don't seem right if my family is not around.
24. Holidays are a big deal to me.
25. Birthday's are big deal to me.
26. Abe Lincoln and I share a birthday.
27. I grew up skiing.
28. I've snowboarded and loved it!
29. I have a need to be around friends.
30. I only have one friend that I've kept the same relationship with since High School, Jean.
31. FaceBook has brought me back in touch with some old friends.
32. In Elementary and Middle School I was a Girl Scout.
33. I have a desire to paint, but am not skilled at all!
34. I am a member of MOPS.
35. My hair is in a pony tail 85% of the day.
36. There is a permanent dent in my hair because of having it up so much.
37. I enjoy the internet.
38. I use the Firefox browser.
39. I home school our children.
40. I like to hang my children's art work up as if it were bought from a galleria.
41. I like to sew.
42. I didn't say I was good at sewing.
43. I like to make albums. (some call it scrapbooking)
44. For one year I was a creative memories consultant.
45. I like to keep a journal... this is why I have a blog.
46. I very much like my blog!
47. There are few things I cherish/treasure: my family, my friends, my hearts desire to help others go through situations I have been through.
48. I would not want to put material items in with that category, but here are some things I really like: my lap top, my iPod, my bible bag and it's belongings, my purse and it's belongings, my Roxy jacket, and my albums.
49. One side of my body is longer than the other. I was told by a Dr. that is normal in girls...
50. Buying shoes can be hard because of the above.
51. I birthed 4 of my children completely naturally (not even an IV) in a hospital setting.
52. I have an incompetent cervix that needs a cerclage in order to carry my children full term.
53. My 5th child was birthed with an epidural because my labor didn't progress as quickly and the Dr. scared me with pitocen, so I took the epidural and then didn't need the pitocen.
54. I enjoyed my natural births better than the epidural. (in the long run, in the moment i liked not having the pain)
55. I like breakfast foods, and I eat them at anytime.
56. I also like Mexican, Italian, and Chineses foods.
57. I don't have a need to wear make up and the majority of the time do not have any on.
58. That's not to say I don't like wearing it. Just was never a thing I did everyday.
59. I married a man that loves me for my natural beauty. :)
60. I like to create things. Either on the comp or with paint, paper, clay, wood...
61. I like to cook.
62. I didn't say I was good at cooking.
63. I like to be creative with food.
64. I don't like to cook mac and cheese everyday for lunch.
65. I am waiting for the day when my children can enjoy the finer foods with more flavor!
66. I love newborn babies
67. I don't like a strangers newborn baby.
68. If I ask to hold your child, I really like you. (that can be taken wrong... i like you enough to care to hold your child, that i do like a lot, because it's your child... does this make since?)
69. I thought I would graduate HS and move to Colorado and pursue a masters in Psychology.
70. I didn't think to ask God what He had planned for my life.
71. If I could do it again, I would study childhood education.
72. That's not to say I want to do it again.
73. I like socks... fun socks with patterns.
74. I have a hard time buying clothes. My style has been preg. for so long that I've lost my non-preg style.
75. I like to run. I ran Cross Country in High School and I run on a elliptical machine at the gym now.
76. I prefer to run outside!
77. I played basketball in school too. Forward.
78. If I were to keep my house ‘magazine clean’... I would be doing 2 loads of laundry a day, 2 loads of dishes a day, sweep the kitchen floor 4 times a day, mop the kitchen floor once a day, sweep and vacuum the house 2 times a week, mop the house once a week, do all the other cleaning every other day….
79. My house is not always magazine clean!
80. I like biscotti with my coffee.
81. Milano Cookies are good with coffee
82. When at starbucks and I order a hot coffee, I get it in a mug (no paper cup for me).
83. My mom is one of my best friends.
84. I love to hang out with my sisters.
85. I like to dance
86.I don't like to dance around anyone.
87. I like to sing.
88. I don't like to sing around others (except my children)
89. When I am by myself, I will sing really loud.
90. I have been told I have a nice voice.
91. That was before I was preg. For some reason I can't sing or hold a "note" for any length of time now.
92. Only God loves this joyful noise. :)
93. Music is the language to my soul.
94. I like to write.
95. A poem I wrote was published in my High School's 'contest of student’s poetry' book.
96. Writing is how I express my soul. Sometimes it is the only way I get out my feelings.
97. I hope to someday get a book published. I am working on one and have ideas for others.
98. I was saved from eternal death in the 1st grade and started to walk by God's grace (truly live the life) on March 8th of '97.
99. I am a princess, heiress to the thrown with Jesus Christ... and you can be so as well (or a prince)! Are you?
100. Truth be told... this life is not about me.

That wasn't so bad. A little easier than I thought it would be. Thanks for reading! :)

Web Wednesday! Free helpful sites in web design and writing

I am starting a new series. A series I have wanted to do for a while now but haven't for whatever reasons. I am excited to introduce you to (da da da daaaa) Web Wednesday's!!!
I love the internet! Love it! There are so many neat and wonderful things you can find. So on Wednesday's I am going to link to a few sites that I have found that I think are neat.

We'll start with a site I found to make the logo for my new series:
This site is neat. For FREE, you can make a logo in any color you can imagine and font... very cool.

The buttons you see to the right under the tab, blogs to check out, were made at this site: Again, for FREE, you can create a button in the color you want and your pick of font. There are some you can buy and they do require you to link to them, as you can see, I've done that.

If you are stuck on a title , this is a cool site that gives you random titles to choose from: Title Generator

If you need to quickly resize a picture but you don't have the program to do it... here is one for FREE: PIXizer

Looking for the perfect font? For FREE!? TypeNow has it!

And the last one for today is a rhyming tool. You can type in a word and find its rhymes, synonyms, and more here at Poetry.com

Kind of a theme going on here. I'd like to keep it that way. Hope you enjoyed!

Some things you don't forget.

I put bobby pins in my girls hair today. (I wear them) As I put one in my youngest girls hair I thought, this isn't very kid like. I have some snap clips, but they aren't bright colors. I have some pony tail holders, but they don't fit in Abrianna's hair... I need some of those classic plastic clips that I had as a kid. You know, this kind:
Though it has poodles and butterflies and that kind of stuff on it. You remember, right? (This is the only picture I could find... where would you buy these things at?!?!)
Thinking about the hair clips reminded me of the time I sold my hair clips while at my dad's house. My friend and I were selling lemon aid. We weren't making much money and so I thought we needed a new product. I had a box full of plastic hair clips. I made a new sign and sat out in my front yard with a box of hair clips for sale. My dad's house was near an Air Force Base. A young soldier come by riding his bike and saw my sign. I remember him riding by and smiling at my sign and then turning around to have a look. I was selling these clips for .25 and he picked out 4 and gave me a dollar. I remember him telling me that he would give them to his mother, and that she liked green.
Funny, the things that you remember. He rode off that day not knowing how much of an impact he made on my little life. We had sold none of the lemon aid and I didn't sell anymore clips, but I got an entire dollar from that man in uniform. I ran inside to tell Paula about it. I wish I could remember what I spent it on... but anyway. What a gracious act, for that army man to stop by my hair clip sale and take time and money to make a young girls day. I can't help but wonder where he may be now, what he may be doing? Is he over seas fighting? That was a long time ago... maybe he's not in the military anymore? In any case, the lesson here is to be kind to those around you and see where God may be leading you to 'make someone's day.'