THAT'S MY KING! -turn off sidebar music and jack up the sound!

I trust this video clip encourages you as much as it does me.

I heard it for the first time about a year ago and just about got up and had me a good, old-fashioned shouting fit right there.....

Every now and then I'll sit down and watch it just for encouragement.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME ------

'SADER BASKETBALL?

Well, technically, it's not Crusader Basketball.

But it was WITH the Fayetteville Homeschool Crusaders.

We had a "road trip" to Methodist College today to see some ladies' college bball.

Half time proved to be very entertaining as they had a little contest for the coaches who had brought their teams. It was a freethrow contest, and our homeschool coaches definitely made stage presence on the court as they were among the very best. Our Boys Varsity coach won the contest and the prize, too!

The photo below shows Coach Shanon getting ready to swish.....She is our JV Girls Coach, as well as an avid photographer.

Coach Josh helps Shanon out and attends Methodist College himself.



And this big fella is Coach Bill. He is the MS Girls coach, which means he gets to spend an awful lot of time with my two girls.
He and Jackie share a very special bond that she is proud of:
Both claim the same day in March as their birthdays.





I think anyone would recogize these two heads (especially one curly head) from the back without their names blasting out their identity from the rear.

Here are a few actions shots from the game, taken by KT.

Methodist Monarchs pretty much laid an old-fashioned "whoopin'" on the Mary Baldwin Fighting Squirrels (no, I did NOT make that up ~ that is really their name!).

But, everyone had very good sportsmanship, which really impressed me.

We took the girls to see the Virginia Tech Hokies last season. I think they, as well as myself and Bar, may just be getting this college basketball in our blood. Uh oh.

I have a friend who knows what sort of humor makes me burst out laughing right in front of my computer screen. Thanks for the laugh, Kim C.

P is for........

today's POST.

Amy, over at Hi, I'm Amy! gave me the letter, "P" to have a little fun with.

The object of this game, appropriately named "Alphabet Super Game", is to find 10 of your favorite things that start with the letter that your blogger (bloggess?) assigns you. So here we go:

1. Photography

Duh?!?!?! Does that surprise anyone? Although I wonder if it counts in phoenetics since "ph" is a phonogram for the "f" sound. Photography is so much fun, it's hard to count as "work" when I'm shooting. I'm just so thankful that God has given me this opportunity.....boy! I wish I could see things through the eye of my lens like I see them with the 2 lenses that he implanted in me.



2. Papas
My daddy definitely set an example for me in the line of what it means to be a "Papa". So, I have a pretty tough cut to make when it comes to this. The folks that measure up, well.... let's see. That would be my own Papa Jack, my kids' Papa Barry, and ummmmmmmm.... uh.........well, obviously my Heavenly Papa. He set the example. I just love how Papas interact with their kids. With their girls, they are sweet, gentle (well, most of the time), and so protective. With their boys, they are instructive, playful, and eventually "one of the guys".



3. Presents
Who doesn't like getting a present from time to time? I love 'em! I don't know if that's my "Love Language" or not, but it thrills me to get an unexpected gift - especially if it is wrapped oh-so-nice (no Daddy, I'm not talking about comic wrapping paper!). I like the bows, the curling ribbon, and beautiful paper. I almost like it better than what's inside. OOPS. I probably shouldn't have let that out. Now all I'll receive will be pretty EMPTY boxes.



4. Piano
After taking lessons most of my young life, just in the last 3-4 years have I truly begun to enjoy playing the piano. I like reading music, but have a real affection for just playing around with chords. I like adding my own flair and interpretation and had a really fun time, both spiritually speaking, when Barry and I played with Exitup. I guess that's one of the things I miss most about living in on the Parkway. Anyway, yeah - add piano that list.


5. Peanut Butter
Granted, now may not be the best time to be enjoying peanut butter in any sort of manner. But, that doesn't stop me from loving it. Peanut butter and banana sandwiches, Reese's Cups, Honeycrust, Grilled Peanut butter sandwiches (heavenly!), and on and on and on..... I love it ALL!


6. Parts of Speech
Yeah, nerdy. I can't help it. I have been so made fun of for loving Grammar. My kids think I'm the Grammar Queen, and they despise it. I love paragraphs, punctuation, participles, prepositions, ...... shall I go on? I didn't think so.


7. Pens
Specifically, colored ZIG pens. I was labeled anal-retentive in college for always color-coding my notes (especially in Humanities - that class was so confusing!). I continually carried around about 10 different colored pens so that I was always prepared. Believe it or not, those pens saved my rear on more than one occassion during a test (I could recall what my study notes looked like due to the colorful pages).


8. Paid
What a wonderful word. Need I explain more?


9. Paleontology Archeology
Where did that come from? I am absolutely thrilled with Creation Scientists and apologetics. I find it incredibly interesting, spiritual, and almost breath-taking when I realize how wonderful God created us, our world, and then He gives us little dibbles of proof scattered here and there all over the place.


10. My Peanuts
I know that I already mentioned peanut butter, but I'm speaking of another type of Peanut: KT Peanut, Jackie Peanut, Joseph Peanut, and Benjamin Peanut (maybe even Barry Peanut). They are the joy in my step and the smile on my face (and sometimes the burr in my fur)..... But, I love them all and am so thankful for them.


Now, if you think you'd like to participate, please send me a quick note, and I'll send you a letter.

THIS IS JUST WRONG

Snow at White Lake.....

that's just "wrong".

It makes my brain hurt!

;o )

We ended up with about 2 inches, although it's still been snowing intermittently all day.

Below is the small stream (well, really it's a small SWAMP) that runs right behind our little house.

Usually, it's just a really yucky green algae color, but somehow the snow created a little magical fairy land in the swamp's reflection.


The kids were unbelievably excited about the snow.

I don't know if it was because it reminded them of home in the mountains, or if they just needed a break. Either way, Ben woke up with sweet excitement just exhuberating all over the place. He was jumping up and down and cutting flips in our bed.

So, we took a break from the math and spelling, and trekked outside for a little playtime.

The older ones showed Ben how to make a snow angel. He was all for it until his mittens came apart from his coat. He just isn't too good at being a good sport when he's cold.

Joseph ended up being completely and totally soaked by the snow in his sweatpants.

No, we don't have any snowbibs. They were all too small for the kids when we moved, so we ditched them. And, well... we didn't think we'd need any down here.

Uh, we were wrong.

The snow really makes our street look completely different.

I have to admit, I prefer the warm look to the cold, white look.

I caught Jackson trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue.

Barry, Jackie, Joseph, and I took a walk down the Lake while KT and Ben jumped on the trampoline in the snow.

Cypress trees covered with Spanish moss and snow is a really neat thing to behold.

God's beauty is so amazing, especially when He shows you a new combination of things you've seen many times, just not together.

And, how many times have you seen a palm tree covered in snow?

We snuck into our neighbor's yard to grab this shot!

The school officials called school off yesterday before the first flake even began falling. Bar and I were both amazed! The weather-guys hit it right on, though. So, there were a few kids scattered here and there on our street doing what kids do best on a day like today:

PLAYING.

This little guy was enjoying some fun on his new 4-wheeler.

The temperature has already dropped a vast amount and icicles are starting to form everywhere, so I even wonder about school tomorrow. Everyone down here is really enjoying the snow. They say it hasn't done anything like this in a few years, so it's a real treat for them. It's not too bad for us either, I don't suppose. It's kinda like having the best of both ends of North Carolina.

PUBLISHED!

Lots of exciting things happening in the Galyean household over the last day or two.

My friend and photography mentor, Charlotte, emailed yesterday with phenomenal news:

The JoyBells (our kids' handbell choir from Galax, Va.) made national news! After making it into the local news last summer, they have expanded their horizon with an appearance in "Overtones!", the official publication of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. Katie is on the front cover (see the really cute teen in yellow-orange above!) with several of our mountain friends.

And, as an additional perk, a couple photos of mine have made it in the publication (thanks to dear, sweet Ms. Charlotte - a.k.a. "Minister of Fun"). Check out the publication here.

I'm so excited, thrilled, appreciative, and happy.

Look out National Geographic, here I come!

TAG, YOU'RE IT......

I was tagged by Michelle at Doublewide Dreamer ..... These things are just so fun, I LOVE being tagged. OK, I digress...... the "rules" for this tag are as follows:

1. Go to the 4th folder in wherever you keep your photos.

2. Pick the 4th pic in that folder.

3. Post it and tell a little about it.

4. Pick 4 other folks to tag.

So here goes:



This photo was taken on May 6, 2008.
I was at the home of one of my best friends. The kicker is: she wasn't there.
She was in the hospital delivering her 5th little girl.
Kim blessed me with the opportunity to serve her and her husband by helping out with the remaining 4 girls, then ages 13, 10, 5, and 2.
We had just finished supper and found ourselves looking out the front window at an unbelievable sunset. KT began running frantically around, looking for the camera. She is the author of this photo, and I guess you can see why I'm not at all scared to hand over the precious equipment to my teenager. She is GOOD!
Anyway, Kim delivered beautiful little Adeline in the wee hours of the morning. We were all scared for a while though as the delivery turned nasty for a bit. Obviously, all are fine now and it seems like some sort of dream, in a way. But, God gave us this awesome sunset I think just to remind us that He is still has it all under control, that He is God of the whole universe, and that He loves us..... enough to just send us "goodies" from time to time - just because He loves us.

So, that's my story from my fourth folder, fourth photo.
Tag - you're it:
Charlotte at UndertheC.
Katie at PlayingforHim
Tara at OurRedThreadJourney
Amy at SevenMoores,couldtherebeonemore?

THE BEGINNING OF THE FESTIVITIES

It all began with the sacred

BIRTHDAY BOLOGNA.....




Yes, I'm all too ashamed to admit that Barry did NOT get a birthday cake from me this year for his birthday. As a matter of fact, we had laxed our vegetarian diet and even had bologna in the house. But, alas, bologna was about it. So, we created a new tradition - THE SACRED BIRTHDAY BOLOGNA.

Hey - don't knock it: It works! ; o )


After the blowing out of the candle and some serious wish-making, the kids gave their daddy his birthday whoopin'. Atleast they tried. Here Barry looks a little ganged up on and in dire straits.

But the story changed soon enough as all were lying around, exhausted and Barry had Joe in some sort of arm-twistie-grip-you-can't-move-ha-ha.

Next came the Christmas baking.

Benjamin just insisted, "I hot, Mommy. I hot. Gotta take my shuht off. Pwease?"

I think they cooperated. It looks questionable, though.

The results:

Pecan Pie



Ol' Kate Balls

Chex Mix

We always open our new Christmas ornaments on Christmas Eve.

This year:

Katie received a sewing machine ornament.

Joe got a house ornament.

Jackie got yet another fairy.

Ben got a soccer ball.

Barry got a treble clef with EBHS colored ribbon.

And I got a piano ornament.

We try to pick ornaments that commemorate the previous year's happenings.

And then our Christmas festivies really took a big leap as we put out the stockings and climbed into bed on Christmas Eve.

Yeah, the "big man in red" came.

Tune in later to see the goods.

BACK AT IT...WITH A LITTLE BREAK

Well, after months - literally: MONTHS - of moving around resettling, reshuffling, finding things, losing them, and finding them again, we are finally schooling again.

I have a few weeks of lessons laid out. Now, let's see if we can stay on schedule.

The photo below was actually at our "old" house here in Etown. There I had a school room. Here at White Lake, I have a school "closet". The closets in this house are very deep, so one of them houses our books, audios, books, crafts, and did I mention books? We are in and out of that one closet a gazillion times a day, but I think it will work for us.

Ben is majoring in playdough.

He is taking time out to include some extracurricular activities like spelling his name.

All by himself and holding the pen the right way, too!

Joseph has impeccable penmanship. This is a paper he was writing on the Nile River and it's occupants. Doesn't it look nice?

I wonder if the fact that I don't have many pictures of the girls schooling means anything? Hmmmmm..... those of you who know KT realize she typically has some sort of book attached to various body parts. As for Jackie, we have added piano to school for her this year, and she has really taken to it.

We also have P.E. class for those of you who wonder if my homeschooled children are well-rounded. ~wink~

We were all outside today in shorts and sleeveless shirts. Ben rode his "big boy" bicycle, KT and I walked the bassett, Jackie walked with Ben, and then Joe and Ben had some trampoline time.

There were other fitness efforts going on at our house today as well.

The new Wii Fit has been quite a hit, but things seem to be turning violent as I caught both of my daughters secretly videotaping me hoola-hooping on the Wii (and it was from the REAR!). NOT a pretty sight! If you can get a visual, try to picture me on this little white board, wildly swinging my hips rather unproportionately, sweat dripping off of my face (it really was), and crying up to the top of my lungs that death was imminent and pending.... Yeah, that was me. They even caught me collapsing in a heap on the floor afterwards, panting like a wild dog. But just you wait..... this Mama knows all about payback.

~evil grin and a mischievious snicker~