Sea Turtles

Four Loads of Laundry

One Big Box of Mexican Bread

Five Very Tired Human Beings!!!

I spent most of the time lying down in our tent.  Yup, I know, my legs are sexy!!!
 Lol!!!!

Now that's what I call a vacation.  So, this year we officially took a vacation.  Last year we worked through Summer and just took a day off when we felt like it. But this year was going to be different.  I vowed to the kids that we would take a "Real" vacation.  You know one where you would actually drive somewhere and stay at a Hotel.  The kids had no idea where we were going.  I kept it a surprise because I wanted it to be special.   We decided on Corpus Christi because this is where my husband, David grew up.  I remember going there once when D.J. was 5 years old.  Our trip would be centered around the Padre Island NS Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery release. There goes the Homeschool Mom in me.  I can't help it.  

Our way up there was not fun at all. It was pouring down rain.  In fact a couple of days before our trip it was down pouring here in Leander.  My only thought was to cancel the trip, but I didn't want to. I prayed it would get better. The public hatchling release was scheduled for Friday, July 19. For safety reasons the turtles would not be released if it there was any sign of lightening or thunderstorms. We just prayed. The kids prayed and by Thursday, it cleared up.  By Friday, we were sent a message that it was set to go as scheduled.  Our tired bodies were up by 4 am and we set off to Padre Island.  The kids still had no idea.  Zach said he saw a sign that said Turtle Release at 6:30 am, so he knew.  Emily didn't want to look that way.  

About 250 people showed up to the event.  There's something just spectacular about creation. Whether it be a human being or an animal like a sea turtle, God's creation is magnificent.  

I admit I cried as the first turtle was released.  Then 67 more were released and off they made their way to the sunrise.  It amazes me how God placed the sun exactly where these little hatchlings would follow. We hope to make this a yearly event.  

If you would like more information on how to attend one of these events, visit, Padre Island NS Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery on Facebook page.  

Until Next Time,

Eat Organic, 

Eat Gluten-Free

I haven't!!! Lol!!

Jennifer

Harry Potter Adventure

If you would have asked me 3 years ago if I would ever watch a Harry Potter movie or read the book. I would have looked at you, prayed to God in my head and then kindly and gently respond "No." D.J. my oldest read all the books. Emily and Zach were not interested in them and I of course could not come to read a 100 page book, a thick 500 page plus book would be totally out of the question.
Lately the only reading I do is through Audible.com.  No picking up a book for me unless it's my Bible.  Recently I signed up for the Adult Reading Club at my local library and I have yet to read the "Love Story" that sits on my couch.  D.J. has picked it up several times to read. He's gotten through half the book. How sad!!! His mom can't even find time to read.

So, lets get back to my Harry Potter Adventure.  Yes, an Adventure I must say because I've only watched one episode.  Our local pawn shop had all the series on Blue Ray so I purchased them for our "Harry Potter Movie Marathon."  The kids had been recently watching the Avatar Series.  I think they got to episode 18, Book 3.  Why was I so against Harry Potter?  Witchery?  Fear of the unknown.  I let D.J. read the series so why was I so against watching the episodes.  Well, Let me tell you why.

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN.  You see Fear is considered to be outside of God's plan.
For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7.
Even young Timothy grasped this concept.  Chosen by Paul to preach the good news, Timothy was persecuted and eventually stoned to death for trying to stop a pagan ceremony to preach the good news.
When we step out in faith, not even death has it's sting on us.  For I feared the unknown.  I feared that a little bit of what I would see or read would take hold of my heart and change me. But will it?  Am I that weak to let a movie like Harry Potter or even a nonreligious book change the way I feel about God?
The answer is no.  God created it and it was good.  The time I spend with my children huddled up on our couch is the love I have for them.  God wants us to enjoy everything he created. Good. Bad. Evil.  God uses all these elements to work in us and through us.

It bothered me when California parents objected to students being taught Yoga who argued that the classes were inherently religious and violate the constitutional principle of separating church and state.
Really?  What about the benefits of Yoga, like strength and flexibility?  I've practiced Yoga for 8 years now and all I know how to do is the Yoga poses.  I don't practice the religion.  But then again, Yoga helps you meditate. In this high tech world we live in, a little quiet time would benefit us greatly.
FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN. That's what the parents experienced. And it wasn't until a judge stepped in and said that teaching Yoga was okay.  These kids weren't being taught the chakras.  At least that's what I read. They were simply being taught the poses.

Being a child of God requires us to see everything as Good.  Looking through the eyes of our creator makes this world a little sweeter.  And what nothing more than topping that off with some Hail Merry's Sweet Tarts.  Yumm.  My new favorite treat!!!

Until Next Time, 
Eat Organic
Eat Gluten-Free,
Jennifer