4th of July

"I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts."
Psalm 119:45

Sending all of our love and many prayers to my best friend and others who are serving overseas. Thank you for providing and protecting us!! And for that very special man in my life....sweet 16. :)

Happy Father's Day...miles away

Sometimes it takes a child-like faith to remind us how God wants us to respond in the best and worst of times. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by our responsibilities as parents and spouses leaving us in a spiritual fog when we lose focus on Christ's sufficiency to bring us through. However, it is my prayer for you, my sweet husband, that even in your absence you are still successfully leading our family in every way. We love you and miss you. Happy Father's Day to the most precious man, husband, and father.

"And such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God." 2 Corinthians 3:4-5

Sweet Prince

Oh Baby! My sister-in-law is due in August so we celebrated on Saturday with a baby shower themed "Sweet Prince". I managed to do her cake for her special day but sadly I think my cake making days are over. Sanity does have a price! However, it brings me much joy to know it was well appreciated and enjoyed. Congratulations Jess!

Homeschool Field Day

The Starmer kids enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon with their friends to celebrate the end of the school year (even though we've been finished for 2 weeks). As a tradition, kids participate in events like standing broad jump, max sit ups in a minute, a sprint run, and finish with a shoe kick event. There was a great turn out despite the cold and windy weather. Everyone is looking forward to summer play and more social events before the new school year begins. This was a great way to conclude the incredible school year we had!! Congratulations Mason, Meredith, and Madelyn who are now officially in the 9th, 6th, and 5th grades!! Yahoo!!! You gave it your best!!!

For you:

Best Effort (Wisdom Hunter Devo)

God expects our best, nothing more, nothing less. Our best plus God’s best is a productive combination. Indeed, we can fall into the false belief that God will take care of everything without our efforts. Or, we can take on the unnecessary stress that everything depends on us, without thoroughly trusting in the Lord. Neither is healthy nor right—He simply expects our best—He understands our limitations.

We are trying to do our best here as well. Praying for you!

P31 Sisters

"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 NIV

My Proverbs 31 Sisters are such a gift!! These 9 fine and godly women have been of the greatest support to me in the last year. Thank you all for your love,fellowship, friendship, and godly counsel. Sallie, you will be dearly missed but we are ALL forever connected as sisters!!!!

Last night the P31 Sisters met in Jen's wonderful garden for snacks and doing what we girls do best....talking!! Getting all of us together is not an easy task. However, these moments are so cherisable!!!!! There is just nothing more sweet to the soul than being with a bunch of sisters for coffee, stories, and guarenteed laughs! Can't wait till next time!!!!

In random order: Jen, Marina, Sallie, Heidi, Renee, Annette, Penny, Amy,and Tricia, and me.

One Great Birthday!!

MEGAN, ROB, SHANNON, & KELLI...
MADISON, LAUREN, AND ME..

I have the dearest hubby in the world. Back in March he actually pulled off a very sweet suprise birthday party for me. I can honestly say I had NO idea!!! My friend Shannon was also apart of the master plan (you stinker!)The two of them successfully pulled one over me. Thank you sweet friend for offering your home for wonderful appetizers and fellowship. Thank you also to all my great friends who showed up! I had such a great and memorable night!!

Friday nights are about as sacred as going to church on Sunday morning. This is "Date Night"!! We both treasure this night together and find ourselves always looking forward it at the end of the week. The kids also know this. Since this is a very consistant event in our house, they look forward to pizza and movies with the grandparents and playing Wii. We have no video games so you can imagine how this once a week treat works to our favor. We rarely get excting hugs when we return. Rather its,"Do we have to go?". LOL!

Thank you honey for making #36 so memorable!! I love you!!

Day 7

Our Latest Family Picture

All Dressed Up

This is such a precious picture to me as these were my first CrossFit workout partners!! Connie was one of very first clients!! Missy, my SIL, promoted CrossFit more than anyone else I know!! Thank you ladies for supporting me over the years! You are both my inspiration!! What a great night to regather and help celebrate the first CrossFit Iowa wedding! Congrats to Carlos and Tiffany!

Let the School Year Begin!!

I can hardly believe that this will be my 8th year of home schooling my children! It has been an interesting adventure to say the least! Each year I think, "This year I will figure it out." I'm still saying that each passing school year. However, I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to train them to be respectable, intelligent, and honorable servants in society for God's glory. The privilege I have to witness them grow into young adults is priceless. I know not every family has felt the calling to do so but, I thank God he has provided perfect circumstances for us to educate in a loving, safe, and most importantly an atmosphere of TRUTH!

So as we begin another year, I still get excited about traditional school supply shopping, new backpacks, and lunch sacks. Heck, I even by myself new stuff! (This year it was a new bag with a lap top cover..whoot!) I still remember how exciting it was so have new stuff!! As things hit clearance we stock up and 'play' with our bargain findings by organizing...sometimes over and over. What can I say. I am a true nerd and organizing freak.

This year we are schooling in our kitchen as we lost our home school room in the basement due to flooding a couple years ago. I have taken the old pantry and turned into a home school closet stocked with all the supplies and books we need for the year. I love a challenge to make something work and so far, this has been great!!

The higher shelving is reserved for extra supplies (stockpile) for future use. This makes it easy for me to distinguish what I use more frequently. I will not be climbing shelves on a daily basis! No thank you! The middle shelves store binders and supplies that we do use most days and are clearly labeled. I also stocked an old spice rack on the interior part of the closet door with small items like hole punchers, small dictionary/thesaurus, and extra erasers when you need something fast.

Wednesday, September 1st was our first official day of school and we are off to a great start. Now, we are enjoying the holiday weekend and great weather. Tuesday will be here soon and we will be 'organized' and ready to go! Happy school year!