Friday, September 30, 2011

Focusing

I'm learning how to stay more focused on my school work without letting my mind wander when the subject is plainly boring.  :) 

Today, my coach and I discussed different ways to help someone stay focused.  Here are some of the things that we came up with:

1) Read your information out-loud (this is something that especially could help with boring information).

2) Take notes or make flashcards

3) Set short-term goals for yourself and then have a reward to go with the accomplishment (for example: "after reading this entire chapter make, I think I'll have a cup of coffee" - although I don't drink coffee. :)).

4) Picture the information in your head (like described in Dynamic Memory~ excellent course by the way!!  I highly recommend it!!) or use hand motions to help remember the information.

5) Try using headphones or earplugs to screen out the noise. You could listen to something quiet, like Mozart, or just use them to screen out all noise and get some silence. Whatever works better for you.

Extra Tips:
~Start with Prayer
~Make a Schedule.
~Dream big, but make your goals achievable.
~Be reasonable.
~Have fun!

What are some things that help you stay focused?

Goals by: Shiloh & Elizabeth
Photo Credit: Google

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Fellowshipping With Friends...

...In honor of Jordan's 16th Birthday!
We had an amazing time celebrating it by spending time with some wonderful friends!  The very gracious C. family had us over with three other families.  They had all the great activities including Capture The Flag, Zip Lining, Tree Swinging, worship, and Catch-Phrase!  We took a lot of pictures..........
So enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Preparing for an excellent Bible study that Mr. C. put together.
Can you tell that the guys are ready for Capture the Flag?!
It was nice catching up with the friends that we haven't seen for a while.
The Dads deep in conversation.
Ben and Judah up in the playhouse!

Jordan and Evan getting ready to Tree Swing!

Let me tell you, this was definitely a highlight!  Even though it was difficult at first, we all got the hang of it and were Tree Swinging like pros before we knew it!  And... it was well worth the big bruises!  :)
The zip line was a blast!  Can you see Mikell D. and I hovering over earth?

Eden ready to go... and Maddie D. having second thoughts....

Daddy and I tried it out together:
Get ready...

Get set...
Go!
We went so fast that time!
Havilah gave it a try too.
Yvonne S. and Shiloh showed us a thing or two about fashionable zip lining... :)

Off they go!

Back in the house we settled down for a very special time of spontaneous music and hymns.
Jordan entertaining his friends!  :)

I asked Shiloh and Elanne S. to entertain us with this "duet"!

Daddy and the little guys enjoying themselves!

Noah C. on the guitar.
The two harpists (now doing a different duet!).

And now I come to the most depressing part...
...The time to say goodbye!

Last minute conversation that sometimes end up being longer than that!
We had a wonderful time and we are very thankful to the C. family for their hospitality!
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
~Psalm 133:1

Special Thanks to Evan S. for some of the pictures!  :)
Elanee S. and I took a wild ride down the zip line with our cameras... thankfully we mad it back with them still in one piece!  :)

Here is the video:

Posted By:
~Bethany

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Jordan's 16th Birthday!

Yep! Our dear brother turned 16 today!
The LORD surely blessed us when he gave Jordan for a son for our mother and father and a brother for the rest of us. He's the best  big brother to me (and my favorite!), and one of the best little, (but taller!) brothers!
In honor of our dear brother's birthday, we have posted some pictures of Jordan growing up for you to view! Also...please don't forget to comment and wish him a very Happy Birthday!
---
Jordan was born on September 25th, 1995 and since then, he has been a blessing in everything!
He is the best big brother, and he aways is such fun!
Before....
Especially when it came to pillow fights between me and him. (we still do them, by the way!)
After
See?
Without Jordan, us siblings would not be complete! After all, who would talk to us the way Jordan does?!
Yes....he surely was a "cutie pie!"

Something was missing though....
....and that was a little brother! Being the only boy in three girls for 11 years, Jordan did not just want a brother, he REALLY wanted one! And he set to praying...he prayed for 11 years and finally....
God sent us Judah!
As Jordan got older, we realized that he was turning from a "cute little angle boy" to....
...a very handsome fellow!
 Yes.....if you haven't figured it out by now, Jordan is a wonderful big brother!
I praise the LORD for placing Jordan in my family!

Jordan: I love you dearly! Happy 16th Birthday!
May you grow in the LORD from this day forth!
Thank you for being such a great and wonderful big brother!

Don't forget to check our Jordan's Blog at: www.jordanstrang.blogspot.com to see the CD that he made!

Psalm 146:1: "Praise ye the LORD . Praise the LORD, O my soul"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JORDAN!

We love you!
Love,
Daddy
Mommy
Shiloh
Bethany
Eden
Judah
Havilah
and
Benjamin

Posted by:
Eden







Thursday, September 22, 2011

Ready for Winter!


Today, we finished the last bit of stacking.  Here's the finished result.  We've got about 6 1/2 stacks and a stack of kindling.  :)

Friday, September 16, 2011

Judah's 5th Birthday!

It's true.  The cute-pie actually turned 5 years old today!  What a blessing Judah has been to our family!  What in the world would we do without him?!

We love him so much!

Judah at birth.

Awww!  Can't get much cuter than that!!!

Well... maybe you can!

Judah loves music!

Hey!  There's three Judah's! 

The "Threesome".

Evan is one of Judah's best friends!

The family would not be complete without Judah!

Go Judah!  
He practiced running for...

...The Highland games!

Cooling off in the Summer.

God has truly blessed our family by adding every child in his perfect time!

"Happy Birthday Judah!!!  We love you!"

And a special video in honor of Judah's Birthday!
Enjoy!
Posted By:
~Bethany