He is Risen!

"For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, 

He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. 

The death He died, He died to sin once for all; 

but the life He lives, He lives to God." 

Romans 6:9-10

As We Wait for Spring

We made some flowers because there are none to pick yet.

The view from our patio. 

My favorite kind of homeschool day!

Praise moves!

Our solar system!

Crafty Goodness

I know my blog title may make you think we live abroad but we are currently living in Virginia. My husband is in training and we are absorbing some good quality time with America before we leave once again. Today I spent two hours in Michael's! With my children (electronic devices in hand)! It was amazing and exhilarating. I stocked up and re-stocked and purchased some things to get me organized. I just had to tell you how great it was! Soon, the rest of my crafty goodness will be here and then the fun begins! Maybe some of those things that I have pinned can come to life! You can see all my exciting pins here: Pinterest

This week at Oak Branch

Pictures of The Mayflower but it seems they have been overrun by pirates.

This is a workbook that we received from Jason's new employer to prepare for overseas moves and living.

Joshua's all about Joshua page.

Nikolas's first page that is all about him.

Meatloaf and Sweet Potatoes but healthier

1 pound ground chicken 

1/2 cup of gluten free rice cereal

1/3 cup ketchup

2 TBsp mustard

2 TBsp minced garlic

2 teaspoons Nature's Seasoning

1 Tbsp McCormick's Perfect Pinch-Original

1 egg

black pepper to taste

cheese (whatever you like)

Mix everything together in a bowl EXCEPT meat and rice cereal, until the egg is beaten and mixed in well. Then add meat and mix well. Then add cereal and mix well. 

I shape mine in the pan like a meatloaf, it cooks faster this way than in a loaf pan.

375 for about an hour. When it is cooked through, I topped it with cheese and put it back in to let it melt. To be safe use a meat thermometer. Don't mess with poultry.

For the sweet potatoes, I just peeled and sliced them. I cooked them in coconut oil and added sea salt to taste. I let them get soft in the pan and then laid them flat on a cookie sheet and let them finish in the oven. They were really sweet and went really well with the meatloaf. 

I used frozen French green beans from Trader Joe's. Just cooked them on the stove top in coconut oil with sea salt and pepper.

Some Days

Some days look like these ones. But I promise we have sit down and learn days, too. 

Watching Beakman's World aka Science.

Nikolas performing a puppet show aka Performing Arts.

Joshua writing about ice cream aka Language Arts.

Homeschooling is pretty great.

Writing the Word

I was inspired by Sam over at Sam's Noggin to start writing the Word.
Why write the Word? Here is a video to help explain that part.
How do I do it? In the picture, you'll see my ESV Bible and my Frixion pen, along with my Luke Journible. I take some time each day and write it out. I use Frixion pens because they are erasable, like, seriously erasable. This may sound simple but have you seen how many words are in the Word?? It is time consuming, this is not a weekend project. More like a marathon than a sprint, much like our Christian journey.
Why use a Journible? Here is another video for you to watch. Close by, I keep a notebook to use for personal prayer and as a study journal, as well as a separate, small journal for prayer requests. But my Journibles will be a keepsake of the handwritten Word.
You can learn more and purchase Journibles at Heritage Books. This is not an affiliate link. I am sharing because I really love this idea. This is the verse that inspired Journibles, from The Message.

Deuteronomy 17:18

The Message (MSG)

^18-20 This is what must be done: When he sits down on the throne of his kingdom, the first thing he must do is make himself a copy of this Revelation on a scroll, copied under the supervision of the Levitical priests. That scroll is to remain at his side at all times; he is to study it every day so that he may learn what it means to fear his God, living in reverent obedience before these rules and regulations by following them. He must not become proud and arrogant, changing the commands at whim to suit himself or making up his own versions. If he reads and learns, he will have a long reign as king in Israel, he and his sons.

Go get inspired by Sam, like I did. 

Wherever You Are Is Where I Call Home