Sticky Note Research Projects and Mars Sand...

A few weeks ago, we began our adventures in space!  My first grade astronomers were busy at work writing their very first research papers!  Everyone picked a favorite planet or object in our Solar System,  and used a sticky note research planning page to help them organize their information!  Even though I am usually stressed about starting research papers with my kiddos, I was SO impressed with the quality of their work, and this project made it much easier for them {and me}!  

 Here is an example of one of the planning pages:

{Teachers...click the picture of the sticky note page below to take a look at my sticky note research project packet!}

We also had a BLAST "visiting" each planet, and recording our new learning in our "Adventures in Space" journals!

For each planet we visited, student artists created a planet to add to our giant Solar System mural!  They did a great job!

We also just HAD to make shooting stars!  I wish I could share the picture of all the kids outside making them fly!  It looked AMAZING!  {To create the shooting stars, each child was given a square of tin foil, 2 curling ribbons, 3 different colors of crepe paper strips, and a piece of yarn.  They taped the paper strips and ribbon to one side of the square of foil, and taped the yarn to the other side (they use the yarn to fly the shooting stars).  Then, they "crumpled" the foil into a ball!  Easy!

We even created Mars Sand and observed the changes!  All you do is cut some steel wool into pieces and place it in a pan full of white sand.  Pour water over the top and watch it for a few days-- the sand turns orange and red!  This was a huge hit!

In honor of having only 18 more school days left until summer, I will be giving away one copy of my Adventures in Space Journal and one copy of my Sticky Note Research Project Packet to the 18th person to comment!!!  

The Long Road ~ An Update

We were at

Children's Hospital yesterday.

All day.

Austin was booked for

an MRI of his heart.

He also had a follow up appointment

with the Cardiologist ~

Complete with another

Echo and ECG.

Austin was in the

MRI *tube* for well

over one hour ~

Perhaps closer

to one and a half hours!

They wanted to be thorough.

And they were.

What a blessing.

The MRI will reveal something

of the long-term prognosis for Austin.

We will not know the

results until our next appointment ~

A month down the road.

But, as the Cardiologist pointed out,

those readings are to show what

Austin's heart has become.

Barring a miracle, it will not change.
(We do know, however, that our
Great God is able to do anything!)

At the moment, how he responds to the

heart medication is the big question.

We wait and see.

God already knows.

HE is already there.

Oh how thankful I am for this!

The Echo showed

an improvement in heart function

compared to the images
obtained last month.

The hope would be that it would
not have changed for the worse.
Or, at least have stayed the same.

But, there actually is improvement!
What an encouraging report!

We praise the LORD!

It would appear that Austin is

responding well to treatment.

He does not need to have

a pacemaker inserted at this time.

The LORD has done this!

He has used means.

But, ultimately,

He is the Great Physician.
He does the unseen.

We praise Him for His work

in Austin's heart!

Both physically and spiritually.

The most dreaded disease of all

has been dealt with.

Sin.

For that,
we are eternally thankful!
It truly is a comfort.
The LORD knows what He is doing.
We rest in His Sovereignty.

Where do we go from here?

The road is long.

And it is still uncertain.

We must be patient and wait.

We continue to pray.

Thank you to all of you

who have lifted our son up

before the Throne of Grace.

God hears.

He answers.

He does all things well.

Even when we don't feel

like what is happening

is for the best.

It is.
All of it.

Austin has been gaining weight.

He regains a little

more of his strength each day.

He reports that he feels

better than he has in a long time!

Oh how it warms my heart!

As we move forward,

the dosage amount of one of the

heart medicines is to be increased.

Double now, double in two weeks,

and so on.

In some cases,

this process can result

in worsening of symptoms.

We pray this will not be the case!

Each day continues to be a gift.

Each day has grace enough.

Each day has strength enough.
Each day, the LORD is with us!

How Precious He is!

"O taste and see that
the LORD is good:
blessed is the man that
trusteth in Him."
~ Psalm 34:8 ~

Thank you for joining with
us on this journey.
Your kind words of encouragement
do not go unnoticed.
The LORD has used you to bless us.
The prayers prayed on our behalf are
greatly appreciated.
Thank you all so very much!

Many Blessings,

Camille

**Photo of the pier by Calvin ~
Thank you my love! xo

Challenge 9 - Texture

Morning everyone,time for a new challenge the weeks are flying by and we are up to challenge 9.
For this challenge we would love to see some TEXTURE on your card this could be embossing,embellishments,ribbon go on surprise us.

We are sponsored this time by.....

I'm sure you're all familiar with the wonderful work of Kenny K's Shop but what about the man (and woman) behind those wonderful creations. Take a look here to see their journey, http://www.kennykdownloads.com/about-kenny-and-elena.php

Prize: 4 digis

website: www.kennykdownloads.com

The Design Team were lucky enough to get some fabulous images to play with and here are their wonderful cards,please pop by their blogs and leave them a comment......

Shirley

Michelle 

Sandra's

Patricia

Mandy

ALAN

Jen

Fabulous inspiration for you all from the team. 

Hope you're all going to join in with us.And here are the rules:

1. The card must be new for this challenge and follow the theme set.

2. There must be a link in your post back to Cards for Men

3. The card must be for a boy/man.

The challenge will run from now until midnight on the 6th May 2012. Leave a link to your card (not just your blog) in the link list below. If the list is not there for some reason, leave a comment and I'll add you in before the draw. Good Luck!

Taking Notice

Every moment
is a gift.

More than ever,
this rings true.
Each *ordinary* day
has its own beauty ~
if only I would stop and see.

Taking notice of all the
*little* things that make up
life around here.

The beautiful.

We praise the LORD for
HIS Goodness.
Each day.

Continuing to count...

1656. The daily progress
we see in Austin

1657. The prayers prayed on
our behalf

1658. That Austin has an appetite!

1659. The various interests
of our children and watching the
development of each one ~
Fraser loves languages and countries

1660. My clothesline reinstated
for another season...yippee!

1661. That Austin was able to
play a little bit of Badminton

1662. More mud pies :)

1663. Hyacinth on the windowsill ~
Thank you Michele :)

1664. A little girl who likes to read,
and a Daddy who likes to listen ~ J.O.Y.

1665. Gloriously sunny days

1666. Spring bursting out everywhere

1667. The smell of a Spring morning

1668. Opening the windows and letting it in

1669. Orange Cranberry Scones for Brunch ~ Y.U.M.

1670. Another puzzle

1671. The joy a kite brings ~
For less than $5

1672. Seeing it flash past
the front window
over and over and over again

1673. Date night ~ The first in a long time

1674. A gift card to use

1675. A phone chat with Auntie Mary ~
Anticipating her upcoming visit...yaay!

My journal sits on my counter.

I list as events unfold.
Sometimes many all at once,
and other times in a trickle.
But, always by HIS Grace!

Would you like to begin?
Just grab a pen and a journal,
set them out on the counter,
and list out your blessings.
Find the joy in the moments ~
As they arrive.

Enjoy the journey!

Many Blessings,
Camille

Paper Route ~ A History

We have lived on our street
for over 17 years.
When the children were little,
I observed the paper route
family as they dutifully delivered
week after week.

Two papers per home.
Twice per week.

One family was employed
by both papers.
They were delivered
on the same days
to the same homes.

I was intrigued.

As they passed by our home,
on occasion, I let it be known
that if they were ever going
to give up the route,
we would be interested.

At the time,
our children were very young.
If I remember correctly,
Emma was just a newborn.
She may not even have been a
part of the family yet ~
I cannot recall.

But, I could see the potential.
And, I was right! :)

It was something the children
and I could do together.
The routes were
eventually given up.

But, not to us.
Two papers.
Two different families.

And I was back to square one.

This time around,
I called the papers
and got my name on the list.
If ever the routes should become vacant,
we were in line for the take-over.

It took time.
First, one paper became available.
And then, about six months later,
the other one.

Seven years ago this June
was when we began.
Austin was 10 years old,
Calvin was 8, Fraser was 5,
and Emma was 3.

It was busy.

But, we did it.
Together.
The five of us.
Rain, snow, hot sun, and
everything in between ~
We delivered.

And we saved.
I paid the children a small
amount each time,
and the rest was socked away.

After two years and four months,
we had enough money to
go on a family vacation.
All the way to Florida!

The children were very excited that
they were able to take
Daddy on a holiday!
Very excited ~
And so was I. :)

(Of course, travel rewards
were used and whatever we could
get for *free* was secured ~
BUT ~ the cash portion of the trip
was paid for with our paper route savings).

That was in 2008.

When we arrived home from
our holiday, the boys
took over the route as I was no
longer needed.

The boys were old enough to
do it all by themselves.
Emma was still too little.
Her paper route days were over.

Until recently.

Austin withdrew himself from
the roster last summer,
and Emma took his place.
(Thoroughly protected by her
brothers, of course)!

She's pleased to be able
to earn a little money again.
Actually, it's more than a little.
Since the children do it without my help,
they equally divide the proceeds.

It's a sweet deal.

Unfortunately,
that means I am out of work.
(Is a Mum every really
out of work)?!

Currently, I'm trying to
figure out a way to build up
my reserves ~ LOL!

Many Blessings,
Camille

The Desk Fairy

The desk fairy will make her FIRST appearance of the year tomorrow morning.  Yep, her first.  {I kinda forgot about the desk fairy...oops!}  At this point in the year though, we are in NEED of her encouragement!  She will stop by once a week from now until the end of school, just to make sure desks are being kept nice, neat, and organized!  The desk fairy wanted to run screaming down the hallway from some of the desks she saw, but I have a feeling those friends will be wanting to do a little cleaning after they see that desk fairy certificate and small treat!  :)  Click the picture to get your desk fairy certificates, too!  {They are fReE!}

Rockstar Future Teachers

As it says in my sidebar "All About Me", I am a proud graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.  That is SAMford, not STamford as many mix up sometimes.  :)  I wanted to go to Samford since I was a little kid.  It has this magical little campus that is so quaint and precious, and SO ridiculously pretty.  I have many, many great memories from this incredible place.  Like studying (and sometimes napping, in that library in the picture above).

I lived here.  Right above that door!  {This girl is a Phi Mu!}

I learned to be a teacher (all while consuming crazy amounts of coffee) here.

And, I even got married here! 

Needless to say, I was SO honored and excited when I was asked to come in and share some of my classroom ideas with the future teachers at Samford! {And, if I am being totally honest, I was straight up terrified...because speaking to a room full of adults makes me a nervous wreck.  For real.}  They were an amazing group, and sweet enough to take a picture with me to share on the blog!  Thanks, ladies!  {I hope you don't think I'm a crazy woman--talking to stuffed birds named Richard and making you do sprinkler dances and such!  Ha!}

Look at these rockstar future teachers!  

So, many, many thanks to my newest friends over at Samford!  I hope to come back again soon!!!  :)

SO Much!

Daily mercy.
Daily grace.
Daily strength.
Daily peace.

So much
to be thankful for.
SO much!

Numbering.
Counting.
Giving thanks.

To the ONE
Who gives them all.
Praise HIS Holy Name!

"O give thanks unto the LORD;
for He is good:
because His mercy
endureth forever."
~ Psalm 118:1 ~

1628. SO thankful for the storms that
drive us to our Precious Saviour!

1629. That HE is always IN the Storm

1630. Peace, strength, mercy and grace
in the midst of it all

1631. All those who prayed for us
while Austin was in the hospital ~
Such a blessing!

1632. Being carried through
by the LORD ~ Once again!

1633. Free parking at Mr. and Mrs. N's

1634. Two vehicles for such a time as this! ~
(After about 18 years with only one)

1635. That Austin had chest pains
which God used to get us to the hospital ~
They appear to have been unrelated to his heart!

1636. That there was a bed for him
at Children's rather than at the other
hospital he was originally going to be sent to!

1637. The Echo was done ~
it may not have been requested!

1638. How the three children at home
went the *extra mile* and
kept things going around here!

1639. The church ladies, friends,
and family who provided meals for us ~
I hardly had to cook anything during
this whole ordeal...what a blessing!

1640. So thankful that each medicine
given was received by Austin's body and
that he was able to come HOME!

1641. The daily improvements we see

1642. Austin is able to join us
on the beach in the mornings ~
able to walk a little further each day.

1643. Thankful that Austin turned 17!

1644. And he has an appetite ~
First time in about two years according
to his calculations...yippee! :)

1645. God's mercy to us that HE
didn't take Austin suddenly ~
SO thankful!

1646. Each new day and the gift of it

1647. Birthdays to celebrate ~
And a brother to join in who
may not have been with us to do so!

1648. Cards from each of the children
to Calvin ~ Precious!

~ Austin's ~

~ Fraser's ~

~ Emma's ~

1649. Balloons representing
the number of years old the child is ~
What they wake up to on their birthday
(Only until the age of 16) :)

1650. Enjoyment of the *gift*
from Mummy, Daddy and siblings

1651. Fifteen candles! :)

1652. Makin' Mud Pies!

1653. And *Soup* and *Salad* ~
Want some? :)

1654. A camera to catch the moments

1655. Thankful for each one!

My journal sits on my counter.

I list as events unfold.
Sometimes many all at once,
and other times in a trickle.
But, always by HIS Grace!

Would you like to begin?
Just grab a pen and a journal,
set them out on the counter,
and list out your blessings.
Find the joy in the moments ~
As they arrive.

Enjoy the journey!

Many Blessings,
Camille