End of Summer

I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted. I try to keep my children busy at home and with each other and not a mom who is always running from here to there. Well these last two weeks I have been the mom that is running all the time. I really am only doing one activity but with three children involved it seems to take up a big part of my day. This activity that we are doing is swim lessons which all of my children are enjoying because this means they get to be at the pool everyday. We have two days left and I am burnt out. I am also trying to get all of my schooling figured out for this year. I am doing a new History this year called Truth Quest History. I love it and am really enjoying doing the research on what books the kids will be reading. So far I have all my books for early exploration through Columbus this I will be doing with the younger children. The older children will be studying Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. I have only gotten through the life of the Ancient Egyptians and mummies and pyramids so far. This is very interesting material that the girls will be studying this year. We are all really excited. The main focus the girls will be looking for is "Who is God? " and "Who, then, is mankind?" They will then look at the Egyptians life style and belief and try to figure out how the Egyptians would have answered these two main questions. This will help them as they study History how different civilizations viewed these two important questions in life. I think it will be a pretty interesting and thought provoking school year for all of us.

Well I thought I would clean up my camera and download some pictures today and was surprised at how I have some great pictures of the kids but have not posted them. So here they are. Enjoy Family and Friends who are far away. Fourth of July at a FREE airshow. Who can pass up on something that is free.

The girls being Silly.

Oldest and Youngest!!!

Watching the Fireworks!!!

Fourth of July Picninc

Watching fireworks in the van becuase

it was raining outside. (What's up with mom's eyes)

Watching fireworks with coats and blankets.

We really don't miss the Arizona heat.

Bible study with Big Sis

Fun with the little man.

Planting for Nana and Papa.

Birhtdays.

Easter!!!

Birthdays....

Hope you all enjoy a look at what we have been up to and I hope to get better at posting.

Mommy's Going to Plant Some Ribs

The girls have been going to vacation Bible school the last couple of nights and have really been having a great time. Last night our 5 year old came home with a little flower pot that she had painted. I asked her if she would like to plant something in the pot. She was so excited she said," Mommy can we plant some weeds."

Being the mommy who thinks everything has to be in order I told her lets plant some flowers or maybe some herbs that we can use when we cook. She thought that was a great idea. I told her we could maybe plant Basil, or Rosemary or something that would make our food taste really good. She got so excited she ran downstairs and said, " Creighton mommy said we can plant some ribs like we had at that place the other night." When I heard that all I could do was laugh. The only reasoning I could come up with for this was that the other night we had ribs and she just thought since I said we would cook with them it would be something she could eat. I am still pondering how planting herbs could lead to her thinking we would plant ribs. I guess they kind of sound alike. Thanks Brecky for making us all laugh. You are truly a joy to our family.

Long Time no Post

Wow time sure flies. I can't believe how long it has been since I blogged. Really can't figure out a reason why. We have had a pretty lazy summer. Gone to the pool a few times. Had some bar-b-ques nothing real special. Just enjoying the weather and letting the kids play.

Levi is now 9 months old and has 4 teeth. I can't believe these months have gone by so fast. I am beginning to look at school curriculum for this fall and am still in shock that my oldest will be in 7th grade this year. And my 5th born will be starting kindergarten. It should be an interesting school year as I again teach another little one how to read. I so enjoy those first achievements and I really enjoy it when I am the one who gets to hear it first. the Lord has been so gracious in blessing us to be able to home school these children and I know He will continue.

Well everyone out there have a great 4th of July and I hope to not be away from blogging so long this next time.

The Sweet Smell Of Summer

The days here are getting longer and warmer which is a blessing to all of us. The children are spending more hours of the day outside rather than inside. Laughter and tears seem to be heard in the distance around this place. Laughter of many fond memories that the children are making and tears of many scraped knees. All of these are sounds that I try to record into my memory because I know that someday it will be quiet. We as mother's are so busy and sometimes forget to stop and lavish in the Joy of our children. I am guilty of this many times over. But each night when I lay in bed and reflect over the day's events I smile and can seem to only remember the joyful times of the day. I thank the Lord for blessing me with those moments and taking the bad moments away. What a great God we serve. I will end this post with a quote from my ten year old, "I don't know what it would be like without Jesus."

Papa Gary's post

Here are some pictures to kind of bring you up on what had happened so far this spring in R.O. Iowa.

The kids wanted some chickens...... so grandpa was asked to help build a chicken coop. these are some pictures to show how things went....... bear in mind that there were other projects that just had to be started while building the coop.









I had lots of help with building........
















Trying to get it right........















Accuracy counts........















More measuring ..... we will get it right...




















We keep going, and measuring......













I had to keep talking to my 5 year old to convince her not to run......









Working to get it right..........

Get the nails started............

Go in dog gone nail...........

Well I got the other one in, I won't give up on this one.............

There is suppose to be 6........ looks like they are all here......

HEY..... I was suppose to pet you...... you pecked me...........

See we have 6 baby chicks..............

They are all eating...........

Hey..... unhand me........ I am not happy with you holding me....

Nice new home...... but the kids make me nervous............

A Still Small Voice

That still small voice. How many of us really stop and listen for His direction? Just a little disclosure about this post. I believe I am writing this post to help me listen to the still small voice. Please do not take offense to anything that is written. I wonder if we sometimes think we are doing God's will when really we are doing our will. In the world we live in we really don't have to listen very long because no matter where we turn we could say we heard his voice. In a song, or a sermon, from a friend with a confirming word. Maybe we really do need to take time to turn off the music, turn off the phone and just sit at His feet and listen to what He is saying. Not just pray about it and then the first thing that looks like it is a yes jump on it and say, "Oh this is from the lord." Maybe He will say No or not at this time. How do we know if we don't quiet our hearts and just listen. I think I have spoken enough, I am now going to spend some time in a quiet place and listen for His beautiful voice to guide me where He wants me.