Crab Sex!

Every year we go to Watercolor, FL for our family vacation. And every year at Watercolor, we take the children crab hunting at night (usually 2-3x in the week). This year, we got to the beach a couple of weeks earlier than usual. And we noticed something we have never had the opportunity to see before. It was mating season!

First, we caught a glimpse of these two lovers.

My, what huge arms you have....

You see, the children know many things about mating because they have witnessed the act among dogs and have asked every question under the sun. So to see two crabs mating was immensely exciting (in an educational sort of way).

We kept noticing that the smaller crabs (female) had a orange spongy type sack underneath her hind legs. You guessed it - a FERTILIZED egg sack!

We couldn't wait to get back to the house and begin researching crabs: life cycle, differences between male and female and oh yes, crab sex.

This is what we found out.

Fertilization takes place after the female has molted, so the shell is still soft.

When fertilization has taken place, the eggs are released onto the female's abdomen, below the tail flap, secured with a sticky material. In this location they are protected during embryonic development (it reminds me of how spider mamas carry their eggs on their backs).

Females carrying eggs are called "berried" since the eggs resemble round berries. When development is complete, the female releases the newly-hatched larvae into the water. The release is often timed with the tides. The free-swimming tiny larvae can float and take advantage of water currents.

There are several stages of molts (if you live that long!), until finally the baby crab becomes a "juvenile", at which time it can live on the bottom rather than floating aimlessly with the current.



Finally, a shout out to the CRAB HUNTERS! Creighton Alexander and John Arsenault. What an awesome night!

Raising problem solvers

Often, I feel less than qualified as a homeschool mom....

However, one thing I do well, is to prioritize raising up problem solvers. I make it my educational goal each day and long-term, to teach my children to push through problems toward multiple solutions.

When I look at the young adults I interact with day to day in the service industry, I realize that they have a difficult time solving even the simplest issues. I thrive on finding opportunities to help people push through the struggles they may face - whether with a receipt or an exchange, a substitution at a restaurant or ordering something off menu. When a service associate tells me, "I can't", the hairs on the back of my neck bristle, and I move in for my teaching moment. Don't worry, I am always kind about it. But I do enjoy coaching people into the next solution!

In the mornings, I call the children to school and we pray together. After that, we recite our educational mission:

We ARE energetic self-starters, who can be creative, work independently, and SOLVE PROBLEMS.

In any industry, not just the service industry, these are most often the qualities a boss is looking for. She may not care if we know the life cycle of a Monarch butterfly. He may not ever ask us to sing the US Presidents song. But I guarantee - she/he will take notice if we demonstrate these masterful qualities!

Easter and A Resurrection Garden

I usually dread Easter every year. My homeschool kids don't want to buy Easter outfits, they don't even want to shower half the time. 11am on Easter morning at First Church, Anytown, USA is stressful to say the least. That is why last year, we decided to start a new tradition: Sunrise service, breakfast out, and fun/meaningful activities back at the house for the remainder of the day.
This year, we located a worshipping congregation on the lake who was hosting a sunrise service at 6am. What a blessing it was to sit near the water, gaze at the rising sun, and celebrate the Risen Christ.



Once we got back home, we had our easter egg hunt (that obligatory cultural tip of the hat) which the kids still continue to thoroughly enjoy. We make it harder and harder each year, so it's fun for mom and dad.
After all the children were sufficiently stuffed with chocolate :), we went inside to work on our Resurrection Gardens.

We have been wanting to do this craft together for a couple of years. Finally, we just carved out the time and energy to make it happen!
Supplies: a clay pot, a clay base, soil, grass seed, a rock to cover the "empty tomb", and sticks gathered from outside to make the cross.


Overall, the children were more pleased with Easter this year than any of our previous years together. Hopefully we will continue to be intentional as we turn our hearts toward the most important holiday in the Christian year!

Goat Pen!

I am so excited about my goat pen! I am going to get a goat and start milking soon! Over the holidays, we visited a goat farm and learned a TON about milk, cheese and soap!
As soon as we returned home from our 3 week trip, Creighton and I got to work on our fantastic pen. Standing at 50 inches, this pen should be tall enough for the goat(s) to be unable to jump out....we will see about that. And we are planning to line the bottom with a hot wire. This will deter those nasty predators from digging underneath!

Here are a couple of photos of our progress. More later when we get our new goat!

New Year's Resolu.... (ahem) goals

Do you have any goals for 2013?

Here are mine:
1. Do at least one hands on activity per day with the children.

Now that we are homeschooling, we finish with our work early in the day. The children do a lot of outside play, but still, there are times when they tell me they are "bored". Interestingly, anytime I suggest an activity or craft - they are all ENGAGED. They like spending time with me! I need to remember this because I am told this phenomenon will not last much longer.

2. Exercise 3x per week.

I have gained 15 pounds since moving to Tuscaloosa. With the change of pace and no longer working in a high energy job, I need to kick it into high gear! I used to do yoga 3x a week! And look at my arms just a month before I moved to Alabama!

3. GET OUT MORE

I didn't ever know this about myself. I have a tendency to isolate. There are times where I look up and realize I have not left the house in 3 days. My husband recognizes it and encourages me to get out of the house. #2 and #3 will be accomplished because Creighton has offered to hang with the monkeys 3x a week so that I can go exercise. I am super excited about Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10-11:30am!

4. Stir up community!

When I talk to other moms, whether homeschool or public, I am often surprised that they feel isolated too! Last fall, I hosted a once-a-month friday playdate here on the property from 3:30 - 5:30. So many moms appreciated getting together just to let kids run and climb and play in the creek. Then - I got bogged down with reclusion, and stopped doing it.

So this goal challenges me to step out, reach out and LIVE OUT the community that we are all called to!

12/12/12 @ 12:12!

The children and I were at Home Depot purchasing firewood today at 12/12/12 @ 12:12. You see, after the Tuscaloosa tornados in 2011 we had so much firewood just from clearing trees on our property. Well, that wood finally ran out. Because I am a bit of a pyro, making fire is a huge part of my family's life. Hence, I went out with the children today and bought wood.

I have been talking to my children about how unique this day is. There are only 12 months in a year, so once we hit 2013, there will never again in our lifetime, be a repetitive moment on the calendar like this. I suppose the next one will be 01/01/01 - in the year 3001.

What were you doing today a little after 12? I sent out a text to a few friends and family, as well as a tweet and a FB message. I asked friends to snap a photo and send it to me. I wanted to capture this moment in time. I wanted one little special glimpse into the life of people around the country as the clock struck 12:12.

My husband, who is in Orlando at the Refresh conference, took a quick snapshot at lunch with our friend David, a pastor from Kansas City.


My folks were home for lunch, so they took a photo right outside their home in Oklahoma.

Creighton's mom was Christmas shopping with her sister, Aunt Tina.

My spiritual mom, Anne Baker was at home working on Christmas decorations.

Heather, Anne's daughter and my long-time bestie, reluctantly snapped a photo. She was laying in bed after a sleepless night with sick children.

Meanwhile, her husband Jonathan took the day-shift with the kids in the other room. Heather is pregnant with her 4th baby - she needs her rest!

Back here in Tuscaloosa, a couple of my homeschool mom bff's paused to click a pic. Anna was at Target, grocery shopping with her sister Holly. Teresa was finishing up morning school with the twins.

Simultaneously in Dallas, Shelley was on lunch break with here two guys after a morning of schoolwork too! And my sister Chelsea was on her way back from an ultrasound, where she just heard the heartbeat of her second baby for the first time.

My three favorite people in Kansas City paused to capture the moment: Jenny, was running errands while her boys were in school, and Michael was spending quality time on his day off with his gorgeous wife and two 4-legged babies. Deb was returning from a retreat in Branson with her hubby.

In Tusla, my friend Michelle paused during her Esther bible study to text me a photo.

Ironically, Brenda (another long-time bestie) was with Creighton at Refresh conference in Orlando. She skipped some of the conference to for a flash to the beach. The caption said, Cape Canaveral... #jealous! We will be seeing them again soon when they pop in on their way back down to Florida to take the kids to Disney!

Brenda's husband Travis, was holding down the fort back in Lubbock with their dog and 3 boys!

Madison - my favorite niece was at work. On her lunch break, she stopped time with a thumbs up and a santa hat. Love that girl.

And finally, toward the end of the day, I got a text from my sister Dana that read, "I MISSED IT!" I shot a quick text back to her saying, "Still take one! It is still a very special day in time 12/12/12! So right before bed, she, Madison, and baby DAX gathered on the couch and shot the best pic of the day:

A new way to display my Christmas cards!

About a decade ago, I bought these nifty mantle stocking holders with a built in card display.

They were great! But finally wore out after using them year after year. This year, I have scoured the internet looking for other card display options. Since I refuse to join Pinterest (I have a hard enough time keeping up with my own awesomeness, much less, yours and everyone else's), it took me a while to find just the right thing.

This is what I am going for (kind of).















And this is what I have so far!

I think I have a long way to go with it. But still tweaking! I will be better able to see a vision for it after I get some more cards!

Fire Starters

As an early Christmas present, my friend Meredith Purser gave me some homemade fire starter blocks. SHE KNOWS ME WELL! Many days, she has seen me in my purist fashion, lighting, blowing, lighting, blowing, lighting, blowing my tender to get the fire going. This fun little project has made my fire starting quick and easy.

You see, I am a bit of a pyro, and almost every day this fall, the children and I have built a fire, enjoying it throughout the day. And when Creighton gets home - many evenings, we cook on it.

Well, Meredith prepared a dozen of these AMAZING starter blocks. I have gone through them in about two weeks. So now it's time that I make my own!

They are so simple, and it takes so little time. And it is super cheap!

You know those dead candles you have been storing because you are going to do something with them someday? This is that thing!

1. Gather a couple candles to melt over the range. I lined a pot with foil so not to get my pot waxy.
2. Peel apart your leftover paper egg carton into 12 sections.
3. Gather up your dryer lint and separate it into 12 parts (this is the only thing that might take you some time if you don't already save the stuff). You could also use cotton balls if you want. They make a good tender as well!
4. Fill the egg carton cubes with the lint, then pour the melted wax over the lint - just to saturate the lint and make it stick to the cardboard.
5. Set it under your logs as a starter and VOILA!

Roll Tide