Doll pictures and pesky mosquitos

Yesterday afternoon my Nana came by and picked up Caleb, Sarah and I and took us to Whimpys for lunch.  I ordered a turkey and bacon sandwich with beef barley soup.  It was a very enjoyable afternoon with Nana.  When we got home, she gave Sarah and I two new out fits for our American Girl Dolls.  Mine's the first picture up top.  Nana gave me an English horse riding out fit for my doll.  The second one is Sarah's doll wearing the purple pj's she got.  And if you're thinking I'm too old for dolls think again!  No girl is ever too old for dolls.  : )

Saturday night Mom, Caleb and I watched The Patriot.  It's a movie that takes place during  the Revolutionary War.  It made my top ten favorite movie list, but it was way too emotional for me.  I was crying practically over every scene.

 Kicking a soccer ball around..

 Gymnastics class!

School outside. Hey, when you're home schooled you can do school anywhere! : )

 Tennis!

Working in the garden.

I had a lot of fun taking those pictures.

Tomorrow, Josh, Dave, Caleb, and Dad will be leaving early on the bus for New York.  They're going to see a Mets baseball game.

I got attacked by mosquitos last night.  Literally.  I need some bug spray before I venture out side again.

  This is a cool picture Caleb took with his camera. I was leaning on his bike.  He likes to mess around with his pictures. : )

~ Lydia

A birthday and other jibba jabber

Woo this day flew by! Just got back from food shopping with Mom and Sarah. We also went to Ocean State Job Lot.  I love that store, but my mom passes by all the good stuff in the store. And by good stuff I mean 1.99$ nail polish.  I'm usually forced to pay 7.99$ a bottle but at Job Lot you can get it so much cheaper.  I'm working on saving my money now anyway, so I guess it was a good thing that my mom passed by the good stuff in the store.  Last Wednesday, May 25th, was my brother Caleb's birthday.  Here are some pictures of his birthday cake I decorated with my Aunt Ginny's help.  My mom made the actual cake.  It was a Wowie cake with strawberrys, bananas, and whipped cream in the middle. Yum!  And the clown cake was one I made with my cousin, Rachel F..  I really don't like clowns.  I'm terrified of them.  And then the blueberry muffins are what I made for Caleb's birthday breakfast.  I made Caleb a music CD mix. Here's what songs I put on it.

1. Night Swimming - R.E.M
2. Eleanor Rigby- The Beatles
3. Hurt- Jonny Cash
4. Ultraviolet- U2
5. Shine- Collective Soul
6. Firework- Katy Perry
7. Concerning the Hobbits- Howard Shaw
8. Forever Young- Alphaville     

That's a couple of songs and artists I put on the CD.

I'm planning on cleaning out my room today, if you can still call it a bedroom. It's more like the result of where a tornado might have hit down.  Every time I try to clean my room I usually end up picking up a book from my book shelve and hopping on my bed to read.  And it's usually a book I've read a gazillion times.  But I've got my Taylor Swift CD's to accompany me while I clean, so it shouldn't be too bad. :)

Looks like I've got to go help make dinner now! Speaking of dinner whenever we have potatoes Caleb says taters in a Gollum voice. He,he, it gets me laughing every time!

The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love.  Psalm 33:5

~ Lydia

bare foot in the spring....

 Caleb and I had a grape fight today, which turned into a pillow fight, which turned into a spoon duel.  I have no idea how it all started... but I'm pretty sure I won.  Last night I had a long phone call with my friend, Renee who moved to Nashville 2 years ago.  I really enjoyed talking to her for and hour or two.  I only wish I could see her in person.  I will have my bedroom to myself tonight, so that means staying up as late as I want to, reading with no interruptions from Sarah telling me to turn off the light.      Last night, Friday,   I went to the movies to see Pirates of the Caribbean on Stranger Tides with David and Caleb.  It was the fourth one of the series.  It was opening day, and we went to a 7:00pm show.  I think the other ones were better than this one.  

I've come across an incredibly addicting, really good dip called salsa con queso.  My dad really loves it too. We're the only ones in the family who do.  

My aunt and two cousins are down visiting us for a couple of days.  Sarah and my two cousins, ( Rachel and Allison) have been playing non stop.  They live in Maine, and we don't get to see them much, so it is great to have them here.

My brother Caleb's 16th birthday is coming up next week.  I made him a gift. : ) 

This summer I'm thinking about taking the boating safety class and the test for my boat permit.  I really would like to take my friends to the island without having Caleb tow us there every time. 


Right now I'm sitting in the computer chair looking at my glass of water with water droplets sliding down the side of the glass.  I like to have a drink with me while I type.  Oh, and music. :) Whenever I'm on the computer I have to have music, unless of course I'm trying to concentrate on an email or something.  I usually have music when I do a lot of stuff.  Cleaning my room, doing yard work, indoor chores, cooking in the kitchen, or when I'm in front of the big living room mirror and am putting curlers in my hair.  That can be a most tedious thing to do.  By the time I'm done, my arms are about to fall off!  That's why I only do curls once in awhile.  I wish it were more though.  I love curly hair.  Always have.  Always will.  :)


I'm so glad the weather is finally warming up.  I can now go bare foot out side! I go bare foot all summer unless, of course, I'm going to a store or somewhere else.  Although I have gone bare foot at Stop & Shop once; my flip flop strap had broken.  I just took it off and held it so I had one on and one off.  But what do you expect?! The flip flops came from the dollar store after all.  I love that store though.  It's just about the only store I can afford to buy anything at. Haha! Okay, I could go on and on about a lot of random things but I'm going to go take a bike ride before this gorgeous day comes to an end! 


~ Lydia 

In a boat: at a party: and a light saber duel.

Yesterday my brother Caleb and I went for a short boat ride.  Caleb wouldn't stop bugging me to go with him, so I ended up going.  I was hoping it would down pour while we were on the boat.  I've always wanted to be going super fast on a boat while rain is coming down in torrents.  It never did though.  It was cold but it was a delightful kind of cold, frigid yet refreshing.  When we finally got around to the place where we could go really fast, I grabbed the camera and started recording the fast ride. I posted the video up above.  Hopefully you can watch it.  While we were going fast, the wind whipped at me so hard that I had tears streaming down my face, and my earrings were frozen to my ears!  It didn't take long to reach Prince Cove where we were bringing the boat.  It was a very nice boat ride and I enjoyed it very much.  I'm glad I went!

 On Sunday evening,  I went to my dear friend, Rowan's, birthday party.  I had a great time and was happy to be celebrating her 15th birthday.  We had yummy food, and we played cops & robbers, twister, and frizzbee baseball.  Fun!

 Sarah and I had a lightsaber battle in the living room last night.  We didn't finish, so I can't say who won.  Oh! Owl City's new album comes out today!!! It's called All Things Bright and Beautiful.  I would buy it, but all my money is going to my horse riding lessons. :\  I already own his other three albums and I'm s-l-o-w-l-y putting together money to buy albums from his other projects.  He has a lot so it will take me a while.   Here is a link so you can hear how good it is:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnWw24s5gG8  That one is In Christ Alone...

Am looking forward to my orthodontics appointment today!  I'm going to ask how much longer these dreaded braces will be on. Plus, I'm going to pick a funky color for the bands, maybe orange and neon green.

~ Lydia

Chemical Chaos, open windows, and bouquets of flowers

Chaotic chemical expressions.

Polyvinylidenechloride translation = plastic wrap.

Concave combination utensil translates to = bowl.

Metallio chemical compounder = spoon.

Metallio small solids manipulator = tongs.

Chemistry has a language all it's own. : )  Anyway, this is what I'm learning in my chemistry book.

Okay I have come across a fun, new word to say: chortle.  It has quickly become one of my favorite words to say. Oh, and it means joyful chuckle.

For Mother's Day I bought my lovely mother a beautiful bouquet of flowers, ( don't ask what kind of flowers they are... I don't know) and they came in a cute little vase.

Today, because it was raining, ( I love rainy days) I read for an hour on my day bed with the window open.  I love open windows with rain pouring in!

It's 9:27 pm and I still haven't done my math. Mum and I were suppose to do it right after dinner, but I got busy with other  important things, ( and no, that doesn't mean watching T.V). Of course every time I try and dodge math I'm only bringing more work and frustration upon myself.  Yeah,  I should probably start on it right after this blog post...

I was piled up in quilts today because my toesies were freezing!  It was so cold this morning.

Looks like I am being pushed out of my OWN bed tonight!   Sarah got it into her head that my bed is way comfier than hers, ( which it is :) and that she should be able to have it as her own for tonight.  I wouldn't be surprised if I never get my bed back..... Looks like the couch for me tonight. :\

Good night!

~ Lydia

This is Phineas lounging on Caleb's bed. :)

Pictures of the flowers I bought my mum....

Just a post in the morning

Here is a song that I meant to put on my post about my baptism.  It's one of my favorite songs! Hope you enjoy it.  Warning! This song quickly gets stuck in your head!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSif77IVQdY

It's Tuesday morning.  I just did the laundry and dishes.  As I look outside I can tell it's going to be another beautiful day.  Earlier this morning, as I was reading my daily devotional (that gets sent to my e-mail) I thought I should put the devotionals  at the end of all my blog posts!  They are so good and I love sharing them.  I have profited from them and I hope you readers will too.  I know some of you already get them, but it's good to read them over again.  Here is the link to the web site where I get them.  http://www.gracegems.org/editor.htm

Recently I've been ruminating about how many hymns I actually know by heart.  I was surprised at what I came up with.  I only know about 3!  I thought that that was pretty sad.  I can easily sing all 54 of Taylor Swift's songs, but I can't sing songs that are pleasing and praising God!  That's going to change from this day on.  I'm even getting the whole family to participate in learning a song a week.  The first song I want to learn is Amazing Grace.  I only know the first stanza or so.  I'll keep you all updated on how I do!

Here are some thoughts that Blaise Pascal wrote, ( I have just finished learning about him in history.)

"God alone is man's true good."

"We do not know of ourselves what we are, we can learn it only from God."

"It is vain that you seek within yourselves the cure for your miseries.  All your intelligence can only bring you to realize that it is not within yourselves that you will find either truth or good."

I'm going to start putting in quotes and things like it, so you'll be getting a little knowledge every time you read my blog.  It also makes it more interesting.  I could probably go on and on about many things, but I have to start school, ( you could count this as school.  It's writing :) and I have to go switch over the laundry again.   I do my own laundry, but this week I'm helping Mom out with everyone else's.

In Christ,
~ Lydia
The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. Psalm 33:5

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

A vexing vanity!
By Thomas Watson, insightful
Play Audio! Download Audio

  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

How long will you love vanity?

(James Smith, "Important Questions" 1858)

"How long will you love vanity?" Psalm 4:2

Vanity represents the light, changeable, carnal, and fading things of time. Upon these things, the natural heart is set; around them, the unsanctified affections gather. What a vanity it is to prefer . . .
  human friendship--to divine friendship,
  earthly riches--to Heavenly riches,
  carnal honors--to spiritual honors, and
  the pleasures of a day--to the joys of eternity!

Vanity appears in the intoxicating cup, the mirthful and costly attire, and trifling with God. Surely every worldly man walks in a vain show, like an actor on the stage--and displays the most consummate folly!

Reader! are you in love with vanity? Do you love that which leads from God, keeps Him out of the thoughts, and binds you down to earth? This is vanity! How long will you love it? You have been doing so for years--though warned, convinced, and having promised to reform. You are doing so now, though . . .
   mortality is at work within you,  
   death is very near you,
   Hell is open before you, and
   eternity is within a step of you!

You love vanity, when you may . . .
   obtain divine mercy,
   enjoy peace with God,
   receive sanctifying grace, and
   walk in the way to Heaven.

"How long will you love vanity?" Until . . .
   some sudden stroke takes you away;
   or some affliction puts you beyond the reach of mercy;
   or God's Spirit ceases to strive with you;
   or Satan fills your heart as he did the heart of Judas;
   or God laughs at your calamity?

How long? God your Creator would ask you. "Why will you die?" 

Will you carefully consider this question, and give the Lord an answer? Will you tell Him why you prefer . . .
   eternal death--to eternal life,
   sin--to holiness, and
   Satan--to Himself?

"They who observe lying vanities, forsake their own mercy!" Jonah 2:8  

Convention

Hi all!   I just got back from Worcester, MA.  We left, ( my Mom and I) early Friday morning.  We stayed at the Courtyard Hotel.   The main reason we were in Worcester was because of the MASSHOPE homeschool convention that was going on Friday (8 am to 8:30 pm) and Saturday (9 to 3).   After leaving the Cape at 6am, we arrived there on time, and I went in to listen to Jay C. Wyle talk about science and creation.  It was very interesting.  Thankfully, I was able to sit next to a familiar face, my friend, Amy Chapman, during that hour.  After it was over though, I felt like I hadn't gotten anything out of what the speaker was talking about as I already knew everything he was speaking about, and I felt like I was wasting my time going to hear him speak, so I didn't go back to any more of his classes.  I went to a far better, more beneficial speaker. Gregg Harris, ( father of Alex and Brett Harris, authors of the Do Hard things Book) was/is an incredible speaker/pastor.  He did such a great job that I loved sitting for 9 hours to hear him speak!  I didn't want to miss any of his sessions, and he is the  only speaker I went to hear.  I bought a CD recording of one of his sessions that I particularly enjoyed, The New Mayflower Strategy: Living for The Glory of God in a World With No Exits (referring to the homeschooling movement), and was hoping to put it here on my blog, but I can't seem to find a way how...   After Friday's sessions were over, we went out for dinner, then went back to the hotel.  I just relaxed on the bed, being tired from sitting and walking for so long.   I was so happy that I was able to watch the royal wedding that night on tv!  We got back to the hotel just in time to watch the replay from London where the wedding took place, ( obviously!:) and the bride's dress was just gorgeous!  The whole wedding was beautiful and I enjoyed being able to see inside West Minister Abby.  At around 10 pm, I went down to the pool.  I went down there at such a late hour because I figured all the little kids staying at the hotel would most likely be in bed, so therefor rendering the pool area empty! I just stayed in the hot tub; it was so relaxing.  Then I went back to our room and got ready for bed.  Now I'm sure you're all thinking I'd be really enervated after such a tiring, long, day, but I only slept for 2 hours that night.  I just layed in bed awake all night.  I was just not tired at all!  I got out of bed at around 4 or so. Well, here's the story. At 3am I was thinking to myself I'm never ever going to fall asleep, so why not take my shower now?  That way I won't have to rush to get ready for the convention that day. I poked, ( awoke) my Mom and asked, "Mom, can I take my shower now?" And she said,"No, it's too early." I sighed and got out of bed and tiptoed to the window and watched the early morning train go by down at the railroad station.  After it went by I crawled back into bed, and watched the clock. 3:59, 4:00, 4:01. When would it be 5?! Well, it was going to take an hour for it to be 5, so I prayed, and repeated Scripture in my head.  I took my shower at 5, then just read until it was time to check out of the hotel and leave for the convention.  When we got there, I immediately headed for the room where Gregg Harris would be speaking that day.  Eagerly, I sat for another 5 hours listening to him.  Oh, and yes, there were a couple of breaks in between each session.  After all the speakers were done speaking, my Mom and I went down to the vending hall and browsed around looking at all the neat stuff.  
We got my brother Caleb a book written by Mr. Demmy, ( Caleb's DVD math teacher) and Mr. Demmy was there!  We asked him to sign the book for Caleb, ( because we knew Caleb would just love a book signed by his favorite math teacher : ) and he did.  I also picked out another book for Caleb called,  Thoughts for Young men, and for Sarah a couple of horse books.  I got a couple of books I'd been wanting, ( books from the Elsie Dinsmore series), and I also got a 1 inch indent on my shoulder from lugging around my 5 pound purse.  The purse strap was just rubbing on my shoulder making it really red and sore.... I must have carried that thing around for 4, ( not all at once) hours or so!  Well that's just about everything.  You all have a great week!  Thanks for reading!
PS If you haven't read any of Mr. Harris's books, or his son's books for that matter, you should!  They are full of wisdom.  Check out these web sites:  Gregg Harris:  http://www.nobleinstitute.org/  Alex and Brett Harris:  http://www.therebelution.com/  Joshua Harris (author of I kissed dating goodbye) http://www.joshharris.com/  

In Christ alone,
~ Lydia
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Psalms 100:1