Just a quick note…for efficiency of loading the pages, the pictures appear smaller than they have in the past. However, if you want so see the pictures larger, you can just click on them individually, and they will blow up big time…
FYI RE: The Posted Photos
Sep 20th, 2011 by leigharev2
Camping: Sand Flat Campground
Sep 20th, 2011 by leigharev2
In an area known as the High Sierra, about 28 miles east of Placerville, toward Tahoe on Hwy 50, we spent a few nights tent camping. David and the boys had been there a couple of years ago, and we ended up staying in the same spot they did last time.
It is located on a lovely spot of the river. The only downside was that it was right off the highway and we could hear it occasionally, but it was not disruptive. It only had vault toilets, and no sinks or showers. A little more rustic than what I am used to, but no complaints. It is a lovely spot to spend our days.
We prioritized quiet reading time everyday. Everyone had their own book and their own quiet spot.
Our sweet little spot on the river…
The boys loved collecting the quartz in the area…
The pine cone that looked like a chicken leg…
We went on a terrific hike that took us along a canal. It went on, and on, and we finally had to turn back…
This is kind of hard to see, but can you see the bee in the center of the photo? We witnessed a unique behavior, (well, unique to us anyway). All along the canal, for as far as we walked, bees, hundreds…thousands(?) of them, hovered over the canal and along the pathways. They just hovered, occasionally darting around, but for the most part, just staying in one spot.
More of the quartz collection…
Tradition. Storing the watermelon in the river. Retrieving said watermelon…
Eating the watermelon and spitting the seeds…
Enjoying the sun and water…
This is a neat spot within walking distance to our campsite. The large, flat rocks were great for sunbathing, and warming up after freezing in the icy river….
My master collector. This time, he collect little plastic pellets that were on the ground.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Sep 20th, 2011 by leigharev2
About 90 minutes from us is a large theme park; the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. They have a wonderful incentive for area children within 120 miles. If they log 40 hours reading within a certain timeframe, the child receives a ticket to the theme park. Many schools participate, and the teachers get tickets as well.
Well, both of the boys participated and received a ticket. As their teacher, I received one as well. In addition to that, they offered the child’s pricing for David as a special incentive. What easily could have been a $200 for the four of us and parking, we ended up spending only $50. We also packed a sack lunch, and although we had to eat it at the car, we saved some money that way too.
It was about three months after the reading challenge finished that we received the tickets. The boys had forgotten about it, so we surprised them one day with a special road trip….
Half of the property is rides, and half is animals, mostly aquatic…
I realized I have never seen a real dolphin up close before…
Waiting for the sea lion show to begin…
Even though the sea lions were very entertaining, the little one that stole our heart was a sea otter the “stole” the pirates key…
The orca whale show…
We rode plenty of rides, and enjoyed watching the animals. It was a nice, full day…
Golf Ball Stack
Sep 19th, 2011 by leigharev2
Broccoli Salad for Broderick
Sep 19th, 2011 by leigharev2
As you probably know, once a month, our small group provides a meal for the homeless that live along the river in Sacramento. Our family needed to make broccoli salad for 60, and made it a fun, team effort.
David, manning the deli slicer…
My lovely cousin, Katy, joined us for the weekend and assisted…mixing the big batch…
The final result. YUM!
Beverly Bradley Retreat
Sep 19th, 2011 by leigharev2
I have a story to share. I don’t think I have shared it on the blog before…
Hmmmm…..do I tell the long version or the condensed one….let’s get started and we will see how it goes…
The name…Beverly Bradley.
I first became aware of Beverly and her husband, Reb, when I was first researching homeschool…
In Washington state, you have to be certified to homeschool. To be certified, you have to comply with one one four requirements:
- Have 45 college credits
- Meet regularly with a WA state teacher and have her sign off on your lesson plans
- Meet with the school superintendent and get his/her approval to homeschool
- Attend a college approved homeschool course
Even though I had the college credits, I did not feel like that made me any more qualified to teach my children. So, my other option was to take a homeschool course. Most of the options that I found were ones that covered two full weekends. I just thought this was not ideal. I mean, if I was going to homeschool, wasn’t there some sort of study that I could do at home?
Then I found it….a correspondence course written by Barb Shelton, and approved by a Bible college in Kelso, WA.
After reading through her very thorough course overview on Homeschool Oasis, I signed up.
The course required reading many, MANY, books. The course was self-paced, but she encouraged me to take it slow and let the Lord speak to me in how I was to proceed with homeschooling my children. I ended up taking eight months to complete the program and it is a journey that I will always be grateful for. This course laid the solid foundation for which I can confidently go forward in educating my children.
As a part of the course, a couple of the Bradley’s books was required reading. Both of the Bradley’s have books published, and both spend much of their time traveling and speaking at homeschool and Christian conferences.Fast forward about five years and we move to California. Our small group decided to do a study on courtship vs. dating and wanted to use the Bradley’s curriculum for it. I thought, “Great! I already did that for the homeschool course, and it would be nice to have David go through it as well.”
We completed the video series and study. Then, shortly thereafter, I learned that Beverly Bradley was going to be speaking at a local homeschool bookstore in our town. I thought it would be nice to hear her speak, but did not think to much more about it.
The evening of the talk, almost one year ago, I took one look at Beverly, and the Lord distinctly shook my soul and said, “Leigh, you need to pay attention. Stay present. Listen.”
I spent the rest of the evening like a deer in the headlights, listening for what the Lord had for me to hear through Bev. Truth be told, I don’t remember a single thing she said that night.So, I started to pray, “Lord, I know I heard you. What is it that you want from me that has to do with Beverly?”
I then learned that Beverly lived just 30 minutes from me and comes each month to speak at this bookstore.
I kept praying. “Lord, I know I heard you. What is it that you want from me that has to do with Beverly?”
I heard…” Serve her..”
Serve her?! WHAT?! What does that mean? Serve her?Kept praying…
The Lord made it clear I was to serve her and to be open about what that looked like. OK….
The following month, I invited Beverly to join me for dinner prior to her speaking at the Bookstore. She graciously accepted. We sat down, I took a big gulp, and shared with her the divine experience I had the month before. I told her what my skillset was and if there was anything I could do for her…
…and a beautiful relationship was formed…it has been almost a year, and I have served Bev as her Retreat Coordinator and Communications. In the past year, we have put together a women’s weekend retreat, a marriage weekend retreat, and two or three women’s day retreats. It is a lovely synergistic relationship, where iron sharpens iron in our faith, and I attend to the logistics that frees her to encourage, speak, teach, listen, and share as the Holy Spirit calls her to.
These are pictures from a women’s day retreat that we had in Auburn, CA. a few months ago….Hospitality Queen, Barb M. managed the breakfast room…
Beverly, in front of the registration table…the focus on the retreat was resting in the Lord. Resting in our tongues, our minds, and our souls….
From the planning of this retreat, I met a precious new friend named Stephanie. She gifted the retreat with lovely handmade bracelets that each lady could take home as a remembrance of this special day. The bracelets were stunning and probably cost more than the cost of each individual retreat registration itself. Soooo special and appreciated.
The ladies got to each pick their own bracelet.
Love This!
Sep 19th, 2011 by leigharev2
A while back, David was raving to friends about how much he would love to have a deli meat slicer and how awesome it was to slice meat during his Ken’s Market days.
A few months later, we received this incredible gift from them (along with a few bandaids…) David has had a great time, slicing EVERYTHING!!! Thank you, Newsoms! We love you!!
Science Experiment: Taste Test
Sep 19th, 2011 by leigharev2
We conducted an experiment where we combined salt and cocoa with water. After running it through a paper towel, we tasted the liquid.
A’s response: It was so horrible! In fact, i think it dissolved in my mouth and tasted like crud. It was really bad. I thought it would taste like cocoa, but it did not.
R’s response: It was the worst liquid I ever had! I had to spit it out in the sink. I bet you will never want to have it.
Worship
Sep 19th, 2011 by leigharev2
Look at What was in our Front Yard This Morning
Sep 19th, 2011 by leigharev2
One of the country club golf course ducks decided to visit our yard….
