I have been trying to find my comfort ground, since I have lost weight.  Last year I went on this physical and spiritual transformation.  I studied Prov. 31: 10 to the end and I lost over forty (40) lbs and went natural.  So many changes and although I thank God for all of them,  I am now trying to find what clothes I like, what hairstyles I like etc. and the going sometimes gets a bit rough.  Prov. 31 was and still is life changing, becoming a woman after God's own heart.  Raising godly children and hearing my husband say I am a virtuous wife.  Some changes we (God, of course) have accomplished, and others we are still working on.  Hopefully, though one step at a time we are making progress.  Praise God.

Vermont

Around the first of June, we were invited to a "Run for Jesus Retreat" in Vermont.  We spent a weekend and had a blast!!  The girls stayed with their friends' (Illiana & Merika) grandparents.  It was nice to spend some quiet time with Benny.  I think the last time we did that was in December at a Couples Retreat. 
There was a concert in the park, with my friend Sonya Hines singing.  That was fun, although Anna's asthema was kicking up a bit.  The next day I participated in a 5k run and placed 4th among the ladies.  That was a highlight for me because I had never done that before.  All in all it was a fabulous weekend.
Sheldon, Vermont, seems more 'country' than Syracuse, but the yard sales were out of this world.  I could have stayed shopping all day! (Which I did, come to think about it) even Benny got into the spirit of shopping and normally that's like pulling teeth.
We, eventually had to get Anna and Cleo,  because Anna's asthema persisted through out the weekend.   By that time though, we missed them and were ready to pick them up. 

Cleo's Birthday

Sometimes, I know that the Lord has blessed us more than we can ever imagine!!  Cleo turned 12, and she is so much of a leader.  So different in some ways to me or her dad.  So much of us in her and then so much of us are not in her.  She is very independent and so knowledgeable, because she reads soooooo much.  She doesn't make friends very easily, but can be quite friendly.  Soo not like me.

She wanted a birthday party at laser tag and didn't have enough people to invite.  She needed eight and we ended up with six, but she had a great time.  How I thank the Lord for that.  Everyone surrounded her and just loved being with her.  She is a great child and I thank God for her.

Cleveland, Ohio

We went to Cleveland, Ohio in March.  We had a great time, although it rained the WHOLE time we were there and it was COLD!!  Although, Syracuse was colder when we left.  The first day we spent at a Library.  In every state we go to, we find a library.  Some are better than others.  But this one was great!! Goodness, it was huge!!!.  I think this library took up a whole block!  The girls enjoyed it.  We did our school work and then the girls were let lose to attempt to devour every book in the library.  I can let you know right now, any time I am at a hotel, it is a vacation.  The next day we stayed in the hotel for the most part, because it was still raining.  The day after that, the girls and I went to a strip mall and guess what we found?   A book store, of course!  LOL!!  Seriously, we do spend a lot of time reading.  Anyway, how are some photos of the girls.

Some "school pics"

Pics. of Awana Quiz

Awana Quiz

On Saturday January 30th, the girls participated (as part of Central Baptist Church Awana Club) in the Central New York Awana Quiz 2010 at Eastern Hills Bible Church in Manlius, NY. There were sixty nine kids from Central New York who partcipated, in four categories, Book One, Book Two, Book Three and Four. There were thirteen kids from the church's club, two for each category, except Book Four, there were six teams. The church participated in all four categories. Book One (because of the number of kids had to be divided into two groups) we placed First in the fisrt group and Second in the second. Book Two, also had to be divided we placed Second in the first group and First in the second. We placed First in Book Three and Third in Book Four. Anna was part of Book Two, her team was first and she and her teammate won the championship award, because they both scored a perfect number. Cleo took part in Book Four, she was without a teammate, she placed third (she got three questions wrong on the written quiz and pefect on the multiple choice. She has participated three times in this quiz. She has received Highest Honour award, in Book Two and Championship Award in Book Three. She was not pleased with her performance, but I know she did her very best. How I thank God for my girls and my prayer is that the things of God will always take priority in their lives!!

Upwards Basketball

The girls are part of a basketball team called 'Rockets'.  They have been playing basketball for about two weeks now, and are having fun.  Their team have played twice already, and they are improving every week.  They do such a great job!! Cleo is at times a bit uncertain about some moves.  She does not like not knowing what to do and hates being the centre of attention, so it becomes a bit challenging.  Anna on the other hand loves being the centre of attention, even if she does not know what she is doing!(lol) as different as different can get, that my girls.  How much I love them!!

Swimming

The girls have been swimming for a few years now.  They began swimming, because we needed to add P.E. to their homeschool schedule.  It is mandated by the state that some sort of physical activity, be part of their schedule.  They are part of a developmental swim team and they are becoming quite good, (spoken as a mom, I know!)  Cleo has received several compliments from her instructor, about her form while swimming, she isn't the fastest, but she is definately good!  Anna is not far behind her.  She has improved so much.  They started out in 12 ft of water!  I was not at all sure that Anna was ready, (she is only nine!) but she insisted on trying and the instructor also encouraged her.  She began, holding to the railing every few minutes, now she swims the length of the pool without stopping!! Let's just say I am proud of their accomplishments!!                     

Fun in the snow

Christmas with the Ferguson's

I think the Christmas Season is the time I miss my extended family the most!!  Christmas in Saint Lucia was always a time for family; parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brother, cousins. There was always laughter, food and people.  Oh yes, it sometimes brought annoyance, if someone did not get what they wanted; but primarily it brought happiness.  Sometimes it saddens my heart, that the girls are growing up without that experience.  Around that time of the year, always comes the question; what am I doing here?  But God is faithful, He reminds me of His love, His mercy, His grace!!   He never does anything without already knowing the outcome!! The song says "His grace is amazing to me!! That is certainly true!!

Christmas was rather quiet, this year.  We bought the girls a Wii and of course they showed us how to play it (lol)  It was a good day.  There was laughter, peace and a sence of comfort that came with the day, that was surely lacking.  We had been so busy lately that it was good to do nothing.  The girls and I baked bread together.  It was truely a good day.