Now We Know....

Okay, mom had to take matters into her own hands and research this. It was actually SO interesting that I thought I'd share it here as well. First....did you know that there are tons of varieties of jellyfish? I had no idea. The largest is called the Lions Mane Jellyfish as seen in the picture with the diver. Yikes! So, here's what I found. Very cool!

Did you ever wonder how Jellyfish reproduce with that squishy like body? Well now you're going to find out. Individual Jellyfish are either male or female. The eggs and sperm develop in special areas called Gonads inside the body wall. The gonads are frequently very colorful and add greatly to the beauty of the living Jellyfish. When all of the eggs and sperm are fully developed, they are released into the stomach and then through the mouth into the sea. Some of the eggs stick to the frilly mouth lips which surround the mouth of the Jellyfish. There they are fertilized by the sperm and continue to develop. As in all many-celled animals, the microscopic fertilized eggs begin a series of cell divisions which finally result in an embryo. However, the embryo does not develop directly into a baby jellyfish, but becomes a tiny, flattened creature called a Planula.

The Planula, which is covered with rapidly beating hairlike cilia, is able to swim and may be carried a considerable distance by ocean currents during it's short swimming period, lasting from a few hours to several days. The tiny Planula then makes its way toward the sea bottom where it actively looks for a suitable place to attach itself. At this point, a remarkable series of events take place.

The planula attaches to a rock, shell, pier pilling, or some hard underwater object and immediately begins to grow into a Polyp. The Polyp may continue to live for several years. During this time, it captures small shrimp-like organisms and other tiny marine animals for food. Furthermore, each Polyp produced from a Planula is able to reproduce new Polyps by a process called budding. In budding, completely new Polyps develop from the body wall of the original creature, much like a branch growing from the side of a tree. These become detached as separate small Polyps. This is a type of asexual reproduction, since one Polyp gives rise to several "daughter" polyps without eggs and sperm coming together. This happens usually in the spring. Each Polyp begins a different sort of asexual reproduction. At this time a series of grooves appear in the body of the Polyp, which become deeper and deeper as time goes on. Finally, the grooves become so deep, that they cut all the way though the Polyp body. In this way, a pile of disc-shaped structures resembling a stack of coins or tin saucers is formed. As a matter of fact, each of those coins is an individual baby Jellyfish of the Medusa type. It can now break off from the stack and swim away to begin it's own life as a floating Medusa.

Reformation Day

We studied reformation day because of our last assignment with co-op (religion in England) and we decided we would do more to celebrate it each year. Since today IS reformation day, we made these healthy cookie bars yesterday in the shapes of 95s. The kids had a fun time making them. Before we started the baking Jon says, "I'm going to go up and watch a movie."
Mom - "no you're not, we're making cookies."
Jon - "I thought the women were doing the cooking."

What's with all the women's work talk lately?

The Questions I get

Jon - "mom, how do jellyfish have babies?"
Mom - "ummm, idunno. How about we get a book on it at the library?"
Jon - "okay"
Go to library and find books on jellyfish. Jon sits right down in the library and starts looking for the answer. Mom walks by and asks him "have you found the answer yet?"
Jon - "no, I did find that they are little eggs but I haven't found where the egg comes out yet?"

This reminds me of when he was 4 and needed to know where babies come out....I'll spare you the embarrassment of that conversation.

Baby Clothes Reminisce

The other day Gram came over and we sorted through all of Jon and Em's stored baby clothes. I had kept them all trying to frugal thinking we would have more children. Then last year when I was ready to get rid of them Aunt Katie asked us to keep storing them for her. Gram goes down next week for a trip to see Aunt Katie and bring her half of the stuff we are sending and then she goes down again in January when Aunt Katie is due and brings her the rest of it. It was really fun to see all the itty bitty clothes again but it was also a bit hard emotionally. I'm too sentimental. The funny thing about it was that 90% of it were girl clothes! Emilee was quite a spoiled girl. If Katie has a girl, she's got it made. You can't see it all in the pictures but there were actually 8 of those containers packed full! The task of sorting them is over and now Gram and I are pre-washing them all for Katie and sorting them into space bags by size and gender. When Gram was washing the clothes she took Grandpa heard the clothes in the dryer with all the little snaps and had a reminiscent moment. Baby clothes just sound different in the dryer. =0) Then Daddy helped me fold a load last night and he kept remembering Emilee in certain outfits. It's been fun for the whole family....except Jon, he hasn't showed much interest in this sentimental process at all. LOL.

To My Associate Pastor

As pastor appreciation month draws to a close, I want to tell my husband how much I appreciate him in the role God has given him as a pastor. When you set out to "do ministry" full time when we were first married I had an unrealistic and glorified picture in my mind of what we were doing with our lives. I remember when I was in junior high how I had a strong desire to be in full time ministry and my youth pastor saying "well, you could marry a pastor." Boy, was he right! Ministry has been so much more than I ever realized and it's not always been an easy road. I've had the advantage of watching you mature in this role and have been honored to serve beside you as we've grown in this ministry together. I'm the only person who has seen you day in and day out in each phase of your leadership positions and the only one who sees the full picture of what you take on every day and what you accomplish. You are simply amazing to me. I want to be like you.

There are times when I get jealous of the church and how I have to share you, being that ministry is the demanding thing that it is. =0) But at the same time, being your wife brings me so much joy. I love how your music ministers to me. I love your voice. One of my greatest joys is hearing you play and sing to God in our living room. It's been neat to see you grow not only as a pastor but as a musician. The music is my favorite part but I also appreciate all you do for our church overseeing the children's ministry, missions, administration, and all the other things that you do. You are such an example to me, you've taught me so much, you've discipled me, you've encouraged me, you've held me accountable, you've corrected me, you've had patience with me, and you've made me a part of what you do. You've been my music pastor for a long time now and I want you to know that I appreciate your work and your heart for ministry. I'm excited to see what the future years of ministry hold for us...how God will change us, mold us, teach and train us, mature us, challenge us, and grow us closer to Him and closer to each other.

Thank you for your music and your ministry. I love you.

Christmas Cards Anyone?

My cousin, Amy started her own business making cards. She makes them for Christmas, birthdays, parties, etc....check out her website and products here. Aren't they beautiful!?!

She's always wanted to stay six

Emilee was singing a made up song today in the car and it went like this....

"why do I have to grow up????
I wanted to stay 6 years old...
God, why does this have to happen????"

When mommy was little she always wanted to stay 7.

And the Winner Is......

Well, my free drawing is officially closed as of last night at midnight. If you didn't enter the drawing, I'm sorry but it's now closed. I really appreciate all the entries and support through your kind comments! I was also amazed at the number of visitors to this site since I placed the free drawing! Thanks to the Nester over at Nesting Place for her desire to promote the small home businesses of moms everywhere!

So, now to the winner of my free drawing!



drum roll please.....(sorry, drama is always fun!)

SURPRISE!

You heard me! I said SURPRISE!

Yep, SURPRISE because instead of drawing just ONE name from the entries of my drawing, I'm actually giving every one of you who entered my drawing a free CD! Oh ya, each entry is getting the CD of their choice!

So, here's the deal, email me your name and address to this email address (legacyprayerjournals@cableone.net) with your blog profile name so that I can match it to your comment/entry. I also need you to put in the email which version you would like to have.
Family Version
Singles Version
Couples Version

That's it, and then I'll mail you your FREE CD and you can be watching for it in the mail!

You won a $25 value CD! Congratulations to the 12 who entered my drawing and thank you for your support!

Fall Scarecrows

The kids had some friends over the other day and they all enjoyed playing in our fall leaves. They decided to stuff themselves like scarecrows as well. Silly kids. Don't ya just love fall when it's a real season? Can't get enough of the colors.

I'm Really Not a Woman!

Mom - "Jon, can you please wipe the kitchen table down for me, thanks."
Jon - "I've never done this before." as he's awkwardly trying to use the rag to scoop crumbs up.

a few minutes later.....in frustration.....
Jon - "I'm really not a woman!"

Religion and Missions in England

We studied Religion and Missions in England this past two weeks to present to our homeschool co-op and had a great time learning about England. Jon and Em did a great job presenting their

speeches and displaying their illustrations. Mom had to help out with all the reading this time because there was just so much. It was hard to cut down all the info we found. I'm surprised just how much Jon and Emilee are enjoying this countries study we are doing.

someone who can't sing

Jon - "are we going to sing in church again for Christmas?"
Dad- "no, I think I'll have the kids sing for Easter this year instead of Christmas."
Jon - "I don't know any Easter kid's songs."
Mom -breaks out in song singing "up from the grave He arose!" in her most lovely choir voice impression.
Emilee - "um, mom, that sounds like someone that CAN'T sing."
The room falls silent and the three of them (you know which three) start busting up laughing.

See, I'm the musically challenged one of the family. How come when I married a musician, I never saw this coming???

Glasses and the ability to see!

here's our boy with his new glasses. They came in today so tonight after dinner we ran out to pick them up. He is still in awe at everything he can see and read from afar. =0) We got home and he looked in the mirror and said, "I look gooooood!" I thought that was cute and it was encouraging to me that he likes wearing them. He looks so grown up so I'm not too happy about that but he does look adorable and smart...both of which he truly is!

Can We Not Talk About it Any More

Emilee got in trouble today and quickly said
"sorry mama"
Mama went on to "lecture" to make sure she understood that she was not to do it again and why.
Emilee kept saying "sorry mama"
The lecture continued
Emilee said, "can we not talk about it anymore?!" (in a whinny but begging voice because the issue was killing her-not so much the lecture itself.)
Mamma tried to contain herself from busting out-loud laughing.
Gaining composure, Mamma said - "you aren't going to do it again are you?"
Emilee - "I don't know."
Mom - "well you better tell me that you aren't going to let it happen again otherwise we'll keep talking about it!"
horror on Emilee's face....
Emilee - "okay, I won't let it happen again"

What's in a party?

When I was a little girl, my mom always put on the most amazing parties. It was always so much fun to watch her creativity come alive through hospitality and party planning. It's something I love to do now as well. When I was growing up, a birthday party consisted of cone shaped birthday hats, a 9x13 cake, a little favor bag and playing pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey...but not at our house. It was always more elaborate than that. Before the full blown parties of today were started (bounce houses and all), my mom was creatively putting together themed parties for us. And it didn't even have to be a birthday party...

I'll never forget our fun Hawaiian Luau party she did for my sister and I. How much fun we had doing the limbo with all our friends. It was a swim party of course, complete with Hawaiian decor all around the pool area, everyone wearing leis, a seashell punch bowl, Hawaiian music, flowers for our hair and floral print dresses.

I remember my brother's camping birthday party complete with goldfish fishing and a tent. My sister had a doll party complete with a doll cake. I remember my party with the sheet in the hallway so we could pretend fish for prizes just like in Pollyanna. One of my favorite memories is the time she let my friends and I decorate cakes on teams for a contest for my birthday party activity. What a mess and what fun we had. There was the "I got the boot" party when my boyfriend at the time broke up with me right before prom night. Turns out, most of my
friends weren't going to prom anyway so they all came over and we had a crazy fun party. Mom always had the funniest games for us to play.... My high school graduation party was so much fun...dad and mom even rented a juke box for the back patio.

It was almost magical to watch mom decorate our entire house green for the St. Patrick's day parties they always had....as a small child it was breathtaking to see the entire ceiling of our living room covered solid in green balloons. I even thought that the blarney stone in the entry
way might be a piece of the real one...until I grew up and knew better..... These were parties they had with their friends, no kids invited but it was always fun to watch the planning and decorating evolve into something beautiful.

I've had so much fun putting together your little parties, Jon and Em. It's been a lot of work but I've found the value in celebrating the life God has given us (birthday parties) and the value of fellowshipping with our friends and families during celebrations. It's not about the presents so much or the theme of the party, it's more about celebrating God's work and creation in us and being with those we love. Not everyone celebrates the same way.... I just wanted to share with you the purpose behind what I've had fun doing for you. And we won't always keep it up...in fact, I'm looking forward to simplifying in the coming years.

Your birthday celebrations have been up to this point:

Jon
1 year old - bug birthday party
2 years old - Veggie Tales
3 years old - Bob the Builder
4 years old - Firetrucks and Firemen
5 years old - Thomas the Tank Engine
6 years old - Dinosaurs
7 years old - Inspector Gadget Party
8 years old - Local Arcade/Miniature Golf/Go-carts
9 years old - BBQ park party with Em

Emilee
1 year old - pink hearts
2 years old - Butterfly Party
3 years old - Kitty Cat
4 years old - My Little Pony
5 years old - Tinker Bell & Tea Party at local Tea House
6 years old - Build a Bear
7 years old - BBQ park party with Jon

I think that's the right order......

Free Drawing

THIS DRAWING IS NOW OVER AND CLOSED. SEE RESULTS HERE.

Over at Nesting Place, she is promoting homemade gifts and moms who own their own businesses. She is encouraging others to buy from moms who own their own products this Christmas instead of from robots (i.e. stores). I really enjoy Nesting Place and all her frugal decorating ideas.

To participate in her post, I'm giving away a free CD Legacy Prayer Journal (winner picks the version they want) on my blog in honor of Nesting Places' post. The giveaway will end this Sunday at midnight.

What is a Legacy Prayer Journal? For those of you who don't frequent my blog, LPJs are scrapbook prayer journal templates that you can print to use in a 3 ring binder or in a scrapbook. You fill in the boxes with all your family's prayer requests. You can add pictures to give your children a visual of the people they are praying for. It's also a great keepsake to show generations to come. Learn more and check them out here.

Here's how you enter my drawing:
-check out Nesting Place's blog to see some of the other mom's products out there
-leave a comment on here to share why you think you'd like my product (Legacy Prayer Journals)
-and in the comments leave a link to your blog showing that you posted about my Legacy Prayer Journals giveaway linking to this post (okay, you don't have to but it would be nice!).

The winner will be announced on Monday. Check back here for the winner and I'll post an email address to contact each other.

Emilee's Art

Emilee made this letter A the other day out of sticks and weeds. She views the world through art eyes....everything has art potential. She is always saying to me things like "mom, look at the way that mountain is shaped and the how the colors run together...I like that" or "look at the shape of this rock and how it feels, isn't it cool!". She looks at God's creation in ways I've never even considered. She designed a church awhile back from a piece cut of 2x4 that dad didn't need anymore. It had a split sharp piece sticking off of that and it was naturally the steeple. I saw scrap of wood, she saw church!

Every day she makes "art" in one way or another. Her school desk area is always cluttered with scraps of crafts and under her chair are tons of little pieces of cut paper and string. It's never ending. I vacuum under her school chair almost daily and I'm not exaggerating. Every morning before school she has to first clean off her desk from yesterday afternoon's "self guided crafts". It's become part of her school routine...it's like it's become another subject for her:
clean up desk craft mess
handwriting
math
language
you get the idea....

I've always felt that I should have craft supplies always available to my kids and it's proven a few things to me...one, Emilee has far exceeding any inclinations in this area that we thought she has talent in just because the craft supplies are always available to her, two, the limit to which I can handle craft mess in my house EVERY DAY is really being pushed and I never thought it would bother me.

Don't worry, I won't stifle this little blooming artist in our midst by banding her from the craft closet...although a new rule has been set that she's not allowed to get crafts out without first asking. Can she keep this rule? Oh no, she can't. It's become such a normal routine habit of life for her it's like asking her to ask permission before sneezing.

I caught her yesterday at her desk late in the afternoon (that's where you'll find her during any free time she has) with a cut piece of a drinking straw stuffed with a leaf with some string tied around it (all from our craft closet) and she saw me. She quickly froze and hid the straw down low by the table and starred intently at me, wondering if I too would remember the rule or if it had also become "normal routine habit" for me to see her doing crafts so I wouldn't notice. Then she saw in my eyes the "click" that sounded in my head that I did indeed I suddenly remembered the rule. And she let out a nervous little giggle. My eyes got big and wide (the "you're in trouble look") and then we both laughed at my ridiculous attempt to even manage or control a free spirit artist. It's hopeless. Until she is grown and married off, my house will always have a messy bessy art spot. Something tells me that when she's grown and gone, I'll miss the art mess....who knows I may even take up cutting paper into tiny pieces, mangling drinking straws, taping fake colored feathers together, manipulating pipe cleaners into villages and tying sticks together with weeds to make letters....just cause I'll miss her.

just like your mother

Upon leaving for work, Dad kissed all of us goodbye and Emilee chased him out the door for yet another kiss and dad said laughingly, "you are just like your mother!"

I'm always trying to get extra kisses goodbye. We used to have a "two-kiss-goodbye rule"....every time we parted ways we had to kiss twice. We kept this up for I think 8 or so years. Somehow it doesn't always happen now...mmm, I wonder if our busy lives and children have anything to do with distracting us from our rule. Needless to say, I'm always trying to chase down JUST one more kiss. Emilee has certainly caught on to my ways.....and has started practicing for when she is married. Only, Daddy gets all the extra kisses for now. =0)

Grandma's Juke Box

We also got to visit with Grandpa and Grandma when they came to visit this past weekend. (Daddy's parents.) They have a house here near ours for when they visit. They hope to move to it one day (the running joke is when Grandpa let's Grandma retire!). =0) Grandpa brought Grandma's Elvis jukebox here a little while back and it was oh so exciting for Jon and Em to check it out.

Grandpa opened it up and showed them how it works inside and then he let them play some CDs on it and select the songs they wanted. Of course, it's a FREE juke box....meaning you don't have to put coins into it for every song you want to play. They had a great time playing with it and watching the neon lights with bubbles on the outside.


And then the dancing began. Emilee broke out dancing first...the rythm always gets her first! But she was annoyed at mom taking pictures of her as you can see!

Grandpa Dave and Grandma Marie

We had a busy weekend getting to visit with family. I didn't have my camera out for some of it (was just tired from last week so I didn't have the energy to be my regular picture snapping self). We had a great time getting to visit with Grandpa Dave and Grandma Marie. They took pictures and you can see them here on their new blog. We had a fun time visiting with them and Grandma Marie is doing much better with her shoulder as you can see. She is still going through physical therapy and is anxious for the day when her arm is in FULL use! =0) We keep praying for her.

Oh, and for those of you who don't know them and are wondering who's parents they are....they are honorary grandparents to our kids. Grandma Marie is mom's godmother and she's always been like family to our family. =0) And so now they are both family.

looking at the lion

praise from my little one

Emilee - "Mommy, remember when you made me a butterfly birthday cake out of cupcakes?"
Mom - "I sure do. You were turning two years old so I put two candles sticking out of the head for you."
Emilee - "OH, berry cute!"
Emilee - "Mom, you are such a good designer."

(5 years later I get the appreciation for the hard work that I'm convinced was well worth it!)

Jon and Em

Zoo

notice Em likes to pose for pictures...