Learning Day At Upper Newport Bay

Aut: Look it's a "Light footed clapper rail."

Scientist: huh?

Austin: And if you look a little to the left you can see a "Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi."

Scientist: ummm...really?

Austin: See take a look....

Scientist: What school did you say you are from?

Austin: Oh, we're homeschooled!
~just a lil braggin':)

The 7 C's

I never posted about one of the big highlights of our trip. The Creation Museum in KY!

For those of you who have been there know that it features a ‘walk through history’ based on the ‘7 C’s of History.

‘The 7 C’s of History’ is a phrase that helps us remember the events that have affected (or will affect) the universe: Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross, Consummation.

Austin on his mission to prove Darwin wrong.

Creation:
God created in six normal-length days (6 literal days) around 6,000 years ago (Not millions of years). His completed creation was ‘very good’ (Genesis 1:31), and all the original animals and the first two humans (Adam and Eve) ate only plants (Genesis 1:29–30). Life was perfect, and not yet affected by the Curse.

Corruption :
God told Adam that he could eat from any tree in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8) except one—the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He warned Adam that death would be the punishment for disobedience (Genesis 2:17). Instead of listening to the command of his Creator, Adam chose to rebel, eating the fruit from the tree (Genesis 3:6). Because our holy God must punish sin, He sacrificed animals to make coverings for Adam and Eve, and sent the first couple from the garden, mercifully denying them access to the Tree of Life, so that they would not live forever in their sinful state.
Adam’s sin ushered death, sickness and sorrow into the once-perfect creation (Romans 5:12).

Catastrophe:

God also pronounced a curse on the world, changing it completely (Genesis 3, Romans 8:20–22). As a result, the world that we now live in is merely a decaying remnant—a corruption—of the beautiful, righteous world that Adam and Eve originally called home. The good news is that, rather than leave His precious handiwork without hope, God graciously promised to one day send a Redeemer who would buy back His people from the curse of sin (Genesis 3:15).
As the descendants of Adam and Eve married and filled the earth with offspring, their wickedness was great (Genesis 6:5).

God judged their sin by sending a global Flood to destroy all men, animals, creatures that move along the ground, and the birds of the air (Genesis 6:7). Those God chose to enter the Ark—Noah and his family, and land-dwelling representatives of the animal kingdom—were saved from the watery catastrophe. This earth-covering event has left its mark even today. From the thousands of feet of sedimentary rock found around the world, to the ‘billions of dead things buried in rock layers’ (aka ‘fossils’), the Flood reminds us even today that our righteous God cannot—and will not—tolerate sin, while the Ark reminds us that He provides a way of salvation from sin’s punishment. The rainbows we experience remind us of God’s promise never again to destroy the earth with water.

Confusion:
After the Flood, God commanded Noah and his family—the only humans left in the world—and the animals to fill the earth (Genesis 8:17). However, the human race once again disobeyed God’s command and built a tall tower, which they hoped would keep them together (Genesis 11:3–4). So, around 100 years after the Flood waters retreated, God brought a confusion (a multiplicity) of languages in place of the common language the people shared, causing them to spread out over the earth. From these various groups are descended all the tribes and nations in the world today. Despite what you’ve been led to believe about our seeming superficial differences, we really are all ‘one blood’ (Acts 17:26)—descendants of Adam and Eve through Noah and his family—and all, therefore, in need of salvation from sin.

Christ:
Our salvation comes through Christ, the Creator God who stepped into history to become a man who would do what the first Adam did not do—live a perfect life in obedience to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:45–49).

Cross:

He was the Redeemer who had been promised 4,000 years earlier and who came to save the world from sin by dying on the Cross and rising three days later—paying the death penalty for those who receive His free gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23).

Consummation:

Those who have repented and placed their faith in the finished work of Christ look forward to the consummation of all things in the future, when the Curse will be removed and God will provide the new heavens and the new earth for His children. There will be no death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4).

So, that’s a summary of the message you will experience as you make your way through the museum. They also be provide details of how true science confirms that biblical account of history, and they answer the skeptical claims leveled at the Bible. Many non-Christians are challenged as they walk thru, many receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. As Christians it helps equip you to better evangelize to the lost and exalt Jesus Christ as the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer!

Beary Basic Sale and Giveaway!

Update: We just added another dress to the sale: I love the bright colors in this dress, perfect for summer.

This style is called the "Orange Paisley"

Back by popular demand!

(many of you have asked where I get all the girls dresses. Also many of you have emailed and asked if we can run another sale or contest......well the people at Beary Basics are willing to do a sale and giveaway!!!)

just for YOU!

*Beary Basics*

is now offering a summer sale for Don't Blink readers

.....one week only!.....

Sale ends May 5th!

Hurry place your orders, these dresses are limited to availability!

Sz: 12mo to 6x

SALE ON THE FOLLOWING DRESSES

reg. price $48.00 plus shipping

$25.00 (including shipping!)

This dress is called the "Coral Floral"

available in open back or sundress with ties on both shoulders. (note baby jumper is sold out)

This style is called the "Water Lily"

with cute sleeves, tie in the back and a ruffle at the bottom.

This style is called "White Rose"

note: baby jumper is sold out!





and I think they named this dress after Farrah...
This style is called "Wild Child"

The dress on the left is called "Brown Rose"

Beary Basics dresses can be found at high end boutiques around the U.S. You may have seen them in some major department stores or in your favorite magazine.

dresses are made in USA %100 cotton

great quality!

I've been a big fan of Beary Basics for over 5 years!

Way before FB was even around.

Become a Facebook fan of Beary Basics here!

My girls love their clothes because they are cute and comfy! I LOVE to dress them in Beary Basics dresses too....can you tell? or how about here..or at the park or how about dressing them up for a party or every Easter, when we go on vacation to SD. Yep! Love their dresses:)

FYI:they only go up to 6x (Faith wears sz8-10 but I buy the 6x for her to wear with leggings) The girls also wear their dresses with leggings when they get too small for dresses.)

So how do you place an order from this blog post????

Easy...just email me at

Carlsbadryan@aol.com

(put Beary Basic in subject line!!!)

~leave your name

~which dress or dresses you want to order and the sizes

~your shipping address

I will send you a paypal link and the dress will be shipped out to you once payment is placed!

All who leave a comment letting me know you placed an order or became a fan of Beary Basics on FB will be placed in a drawing to win this dress! (by random.org)

Sale and contest ends May 5th!

well not this dress, but this print (which I love)

Loved it so much I bought 3 of them:)

Yes, you will see some marketing and PR sneak in once in awhile on my blog...

I'm thankful for the opportunities that have been coming our way.

Thank you for your continued support.

I think Playtex the makers of sippy cup need to give us a call...

What do you think?ha!

Happy Shopping!

Beach Living.....

I'm sitting here eating Haagen -Dazs coffee flavor frozen yogurt...yum! It's low fat...um..hmm sure it is.
At least I got my workout by kayaking today! This picture was taken yesterday after the girls woke up from their naps. We went out for a stroll....
Today all 7 of us went out in 2 of the Kayaks. We cruised around the bay then Mommy's team raced Daddy's team......Daddy's team won. {cheaters!}
Rematch tomorrow! It's on!
.........but my arms are so sore!


This little guy found some black paint tar to paint himself with. We spent some time getting it off the little warrior..
Farrah getting ready to go shopping with her new garage sale find Roxy purse.....

Austin found a starfish up on the sand...poke it, is it dead?

it's alive! Put it back in the water....but please...no, you can't keep it as a pet!

playing lots of Frisbee......

Who wants to weenie roast I mean hot dog roast? I made the mistake of saying weenie and Landen couldn't help but laugh(I should of known) and then he asked with a serious face, "Mommy are they weal "real" wieners?" LOL poor guy!

we roasted...ahem, hot dogs, corn on the cob and of course marsh mellows!
looking cute in time out!
getting ready for a boat ride...gotta make sure you have your sunglasses and purse...never know what you will need to buy at sea!
our friends came down with their 2 kids and surprised us. They stayed two nights and we had so much fun bike riding, kayaking, golf cart riding, swimming, boat riding, eating, and lots of laughing!
The husbands worked and my friend and I loaded the kids up in the bike trailers and took the kids on a long bike ride. It was so nice to be able to actually talk and catch up! We have been friends for over 9 years but it's been over a year since I've seen her. She's the kind of friend that will wipe my kids boogers. The kind of friend that I could just grab a diaper out of her diaper bag without asking because I forgot to bring diapers with me to the beach. The kind of friend that I haven't called in 6 months but we caught up right where we left off...The kind of friend you can pray with.

We both were able to share about whats going on in our lives.

Then Landen and her son had to go potty while on the bike ride...we both looked at each other and at the same time both said, "just go find a bush"

Gosh, I love true friends, true redneck friends!Ha!

Friends that can show up to your RV "home"and you can serve them hot dogs for dinner and just have a good time!

no impressing required!

.......are you kidding me??? Did I just really finish all that coffee frozen yogurt. ugh!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Well it's Friday and I'm suppose to have a new kid by today according to Dr. Kevin Leman's book. I'll let you all know how that goes.

We did our part yesterday for Earth day...

cleaned up the beaches...
We learned about the Ozone layer and storm drains.

We have about 5 weeks left of school. I'm not sure if we will school through the Summer or not. How many of you take a break? We are always learning but I think we might take a break from normal curriculum. I'm proud of the kids and how they are doing in school. Faith has been doing very well with division and Austin basically teaches me Math. They are both ready to move on to the next grade. Landen is working on reading and is getting ready for Kindergarten. (any suggestions on K curriculum?) and Farrah has mastered the potty! Finally!

We are finishing up by doing unit studies on New Zealand and Australia. So the kids have been talking in Australian slang all week. Kinda fun!

Farrah has been enjoying playing with her new birthday toys. Especially her lip gloss and stickers.

She must apply that lip gloss at least 1,000 times a day!

and a couple times on Finley throughout the day as well......

ok, sis one more time!

These two are 15 months apart and are best friends, but they do fight!

As you can tell....

They are both sporting matching shiners!

We have also been sporting these helmets all week....as we have rode a total of 18miles this week.

They sure keep me busy!

SAVE THE WHALES! SAVE THE RAINFORESTS! KILL THE BABIES?

I know I have been "re-posting" a lot lately. I'm just recycling blog posts:) My part in celebrating Earth Day. Not really, we are going to a beach clean up today. Learning about storm drains and eating at Subway for lunch. Enjoying their new Sun Chips in bags that are the world's first 100% compostable chip bag. According to the packaging, the bag breaks down completely when placed in a hot, active home or industrial compost pile.

Since the kids don't have a big pregnant belly to paint this year we will be doing another craft made from recycled material. I'm not sure what yet, maybe something with shells and recycled juice boxes? I'll google something.

I know I've shared this every Earth Day since ...but I love this picture.

This was Crazy Farrah in my belly. I remember her moving all around as Justin took this picture:)

The kids did a great job in painting Mama's big belly that year.

But this post came to mind and I thought I'd share it again. This was one of my Earth Day posts last year.

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The kids are taking their SAT tests at a school in Claremont (which is a hippie type city) If you live anywhere near this city you know what I'm talking about. (The city I used to get the look of death as I drove my Hummer through it) I love Claremont though. If I could afford to live in this city I might. I love the old town charm and the shopping (especially the downtown shopping) but it seems like it's where all the liberals unite. As I was driving I couldn't help but notice the car in front of me with all the bumper stickers. Austin was sitting in the front and we started reading them. I have to admit some were funny. Let's see if I can remember them:
Make Coffee Not War

Squeeze Me I'm Organic

Be nice to your mother

Keep The Planet Clean it's not Uranus

We all live downstream

Meat is Murder

Save The Whales

Save The Rainforest



some peace signs and then one in bright red said" Keep Abortion Legal"
What the heck!!!!!!
Our laughing stopped! Was she serious? Meat is murder. Save the rainforest, save the whales, save this, save that but kill the babies????


I was tempted to pull alongside the car and get a good look at this crazy lady. What kind of person, I wondered, could seriously maintain that "meat is murder" but abortion isn't? Or that wearing fur is a "crime", and killing an unborn child is a "choice"?
What was she seriously protesting? How could this crazy driver possibly defend scalding a child to death in a saline solution, or tearing it to pieces with a vacuum pump, or cutting it up alive?

Or maybe the crazy tree hugger was objecting to waste? It is a favorite argument of environmentalists that the destruction of the rainforests is going to mean the extinction of a wide variety of plant and animal life that could one day be of value to humankind. But if that argument is valid for trees, or for endangered species, it is even more true of human beings. Who knows but that a child who was aborted today might have found the cure for cancer. We are killing off a whole generation of people.
Or was this mother nature freak taking a stand for choice? Did she believe that a woman has an absolute right to choose whether to carry a child to term or not, and society had no right to interfere with that choice? I guess that would explain her sticker that read, "keep your laws out of my uterus." Well, if society has no right to condemn a woman's choice to extinguish the life of her unborn child, then what right could society possibly have to condemn that woman or anyone else for that matter from eating meat or wearing fur? Aren't these "choices" as well? And isn't human life of greater value than animal!!!!!!

I've argued this with many college students. This whole "vegan" "going green" trend, ok cool, but then their for abortion???? Makes NO SENSE TO ME!
Don't get me wrong I believe we need to take care of our Earth that God made not "some mother" I reuse, I recycle, I am know to pick up litter but I also take a stand for saving innocent babies too!

We are so concerned with protecting our rights, preserving endangered species, saving the environment and economy, we forget about those who don’t yet have a voice to speak out. We need to stand up for this. Many say they are Pro-Life but your not unless you are Pro-active!
And the money that is involved!!!!!!
Abortion is a big business.
So how much are these abortion mills making? Actually abortions really aren't that expensive. You can kill your baby for a couple hundred dollars. The older the baby is the more it costs (harder to murder) This money factor is usually kept quiet. The financial aspect is even more interesting when you see what Planned Parenthood get's payed per abortion by tax payer money. About $8,ooo!!! More than I payed for prenatal care for my pregnancy! The abortionist made more than my doctor in less than 10 minutes than my doctor made in 9 months! Planned Parenthood received $272.2 million dollars in taxpayer money under Title X (heathcare) and an additional report for the year earnings of more than $882 million. That money sure could help save some whales don't you think?.....


ABORTION IS GREEN????????? WHAT???????????????
Wanna hear what the government's green guru had to say???????

(I would love to have lunch with Jonathon!!! and ALL my kids!!!! What a conversation we would have!)

COUPLES who have more than two children are being “irresponsible” by creating an unbearable burden on the environment, the government’s green adviser has warned.

Jonathon Porritt, who chairs the government’s Sustainable Development Commission, says curbing population growth through contraception and abortion must be at the heart of policies to fight global warming. He says political leaders and green campaigners should stop dodging the issue of environmental harm caused by an expanding population.

“I am unapologetic about asking people to connect up their own responsibility for their total environmental footprint and how they decide to procreate and how many children they think are appropriate,” Porritt said.
Porritt, a former chairman of the Green party, says the government must improve family planning, even if it means shifting money from curing illness to increasing contraception and abortion.



Times Online

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article5627634.ece

If I still had my Hummer, I'd load the whole thing up with all kinds of Pro-Life stickers and parade it through Claremont with all my kids hanging out the windows! I'd love to see the looks:)

Why?

*I'm still working on answering emails....forgive me if I haven't got back to you yet.





I wrote this post in March of last year and thought I'd share it again.






The topic of why we homeschool came up and I'm so glad I took the time to write down my thoughts......
A friend and I were talking about our kids being the light in public schools.
Do I keep my kids in a "Christian bubble" or should I let them go out into the schools and be the light???
Here's my thoughts on it.....(thoughts in comments as well)



after I share a few silly pictures I took of Finley tonight!

the family clowns!

My silly 20 month old!

She either mad dogs the camera or gives me this silly smile.

ok, onto my post............

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You know I have to sneak in these types of post once in awhile:)

I get asked almost every day: So Why Do you Homeschool?


As if in two sentences I could tell you what is in my heart and soul.
As if in three minutes I would lay out my deepest emotions and bare my spirit to your curiosity.
What's your intent? Do you really want to know?

We homeschool because we believe strongly in it.

There. Easy, Comfortable enough.. I smile and move on....

Well today I was asked, What the hell are you doing homeschooling? I just have to know.
Yep,those were the words...

Ok, you want the real answer? I'm not sure you do, you see the real answer takes time, time to listen, and time to love and understand me. The real truth
is not so comfortable. It exposes my deepest beliefs and longings for my children, and may force you to look harder than you want to at your own decisions.

A child’s mind is so fresh and new, ready to be impressed by whoever is raising them. My husband and I want our children to grow up with our morals, values, and standards. So why would we want to give our children over to the government or to society to raise, teaching them their standards, morals, beliefs, and consciences? Just saying... you really wanted to know right?

My question is to you why don't you homeschool? Fair enough I ask you right?

You don't have time, you have to have two incomes, and your personality clashes with your child. You would never have the patience. You would not know where to start. You believe that children should have social lives. To you my response is the same as before.

We homeschool because we believe strongly in it.

Strongly enough that we will do what we believe is best. Not a surface best, not the easiest, most comfortable best, not what we want to be best, but the best that comes from deep, soul-searching conviction. The best that stands strong in the face of judgment, criticism, and misunderstanding. The best that is willing to go through anything.
I often wonder is it judgment or just curiosity? Or are you actually interested?

Oh,you are interested great...let us sit down. I'd love to talk. This may take a few minutes.
Austin is busy making a rocket, Faith is practicing violin and the three younger ones are napping...so let's chat!


You see, our vision of learning is different. We do not believe that learning is confined to the school building and consists of stuffing facts into brains for the prescribed amount of time. We happen to think that learning is 24/7, and that knowing how to find the information you need is more important. Learning should be focused on what the child is interested in. Not that children should only study what they like, but every aspect of learning can be of interest.

Everyone learns in different ways and at different rates. A child should be challenged at his level and in his direction without having to follow the demands that everyone learn at the same speed and by the same methods.


We want our children to have time to be children. Growing up is not meant to consist of spending five days a week away from home being raised by others. We did not sign up for weekend children, or to be part-time parents. We are not coparents with the government or anyone else. Spending time on the bus, at school, and doing homework, there is no time during the week to just be children. You see there's 7-8 hour days, then there's music lessons, sports or Little League,Scouts, dance/gymnastics, church and youth group, and a myriad of other activities commanding our time and attention. We want our children to have time to play, to create, to have down time, and—most importantly— time to be a family.
Yes, my children are responsible and have chores too!



Are you sorry you asked? I have more. You are now committed to hearing my heart, so hang on a little longer.


Life is flexible for us. When it is a good time for a vacation, we can take one. If something special causes us to be up late, we can sleep in the next morning. Having a big family, I think homeschooling just fits in. I think it causes me to be more relaxed. Seriously!

We know our children. We know what makes them tick, what their learning styles are, what they are interested in, and what motivates them. We are attuned to what the Holy Spirit is directing for their lives. What do others know of that? What could they possibly know of what is good, or best for our children? Why would we give someone else the most precious things in our lives, living human beings who are vulnerable and unprotected, to raise, teach, and mold into their images? Whose image do you want your children molded into? Because if you think that it will be your image or God’s image, then think again. You cannot mold a child into the image you believe God has for them within the first five years of their lives. Many people do not even have that; they send their children off to nursery school or preschool from three months of age, on. Unless you homeschool, once a child hits kindergarten they are no longer yours to raise. The time spent with them is so limited.



A friend once asked if she could come over and watch us "do" homeschooling. I laughed and suggested that she move in with us for a few days. For my family, homeschooling is more of a lifestyle than an activity.

I love it and wouldn't want to raise my children any other way. We have a good time. We enjoy each other and we are relaxed and content. Our days flow along pleasantly and happily. (most days) We laugh a lot! Humor ranks high in our household. Trust, love, and responsibility are in the atmosphere, not something that must be taught. Acceptance, diversity, consequences, and flexibility are the norm. Life in our house is good because it flows through a canopy of love, trust, and acceptance.
I've been accused of being.... Overprotective. If shielding our children from harsh reality until they are emotionally mature and have a strong foundation is being overprotective, then yes, Yes we are very overprotective!!!!

So why do we homeschool? It’s hard to say. I guess it’s just because we love our children.
I have many friends who are ps teachers (great ones at that)who I go to for help.. and many friends who's children attend ps. I've noticed most of my readers are teachers. Thoughts???
You asked, I'm just sayin!
Again, posting in love!

Crystal Cove

A perfect day at

Crystal Cove!

We enjoyed the tide pools and lunch at Beachcomber Restaurant. Yummy, with a view!

I love it at Crystal Cove. It has cute little cottages and reminds me of the 50's. Gidget style.

They also have a lot of Education programs:)

Faith is my artist and tells me all the time, "Mom, why do I have to learn Algebra if I'm just going to paint?" Ha!
In fact, I'll never forget on the way to drop her off on her first day of Kindergarten she said,"Mommy, I'm going to be an artist, why do I have to go to school?"

I make sure she gets plenty of painting in (after math!)

She got to meet Artist Greg LaRock. Very nice man and awesome painter! If I had the money I would of bought one of his beautiful paintings. I'm sure I'll have a house full of Faith Ryan paintings soon enough though:)

Mr. LaRock stopped in the middle of his painting to talk to Faith. He took the time to demonstrate a few techniques and take a picture with her.

It made her day!