Summer cuts

You are my sunshine...

This gal will keep us on our toes and knees that is for sure...but she is MY SUNSHINE!

Her big brother left sharpie markers on the table and she decided to use them for make-up.  Luckily it came off really easy and her face was the only thing she decided to draw on :)

Bath time!  One of her favorite times...

Today was a hard day for Miss Molly.  First, we spent a good portion of the morning waiting and waiting and waiting...first while getting her big sister's hair cut and then while in the ER with her Great Grandmother...she did really well but she IS TWO!  I decided to take them to Chick-fil-a for lunch after being in the ER with our Memmy.  I was ordering our food and I hear a fearful, hysterical cry...I look around quickly thinking Molly was hurt and there she was backing up under a table...trying to get away from the CHICK-FIL-A COW!  I quickly picked her up and told her that it wasn't going to bother her and she was fine and anything else I could tell her to calm her...the hostess who saw the whole thing went over and told the cow to stay far away from Molly...he quickly left and went to entertain outside.  From there on out, poor Molly couldn't even eat, she would calm down when he would stay outside but as soon as she saw him walk back inside, she would freak all over again.  I took her into the glassed in play area to get her calmed down and she just kept saying, "Chick-fil-a cow go outside"...it was so sad.  When he would come inside, she would sit down under the climbing platform in the corner and hold on to her sister or brother for dear life.  To say the least, she stayed in the play area the entire time...she still wanted to talk about him and she kept her eye on him the whole time...but she wanted NOTHING to do with him.  I haven't had a kid like that before....wow, totally surprised me! 

Tonight, John and I decided it was time to "cold turkey" take the paci away for good....she tries to steal it sometimes and asks for it and well, I just had to get up the nerve to do it...it's kind of sad to me...a right of passage or something but it shows she is growing up and I'm in denial!  We collected all the paci's and secretly cut the tips off.  Then we showed them to her, let her look at them and try them.  We discussed how they were broken and we needed to throw them in the trash but that if she would throw them away, we could have an ice cream party...she seemed cool with that and threw them away and we all had ice cream!  During our ice cream party we all sang, "go Molly, go Molly, bye bye pacis!"  She danced and sang too! Tonight when it was time to go to bed, we started by laying down and reading books, we did a puzzle, and sang some songs...she asked for the paci but we reminded her that it was in the trash because it was broken. I told her that her friend, E, didn't have a paci...and she answered, "E's paci's broken?" and I agreed and she said, "E's paci in trash?" and I agreed again...E has never had a paci but it made her feel better at the time. I put her in her crib...she cried and I turned out the lights.  I let her cry for like 20 minutes...she wasn't screaming but crying on and off.  She started crying for Emily which was hard for her big sister!  I went back in and took her out of the crib and we got in the bed again and snuggled and I asked her what song she wanted to sing.  She said, "Happy Birthday" which is one of her favorites.  I started singing and when I get to the part, "Happy Birthday to...." I usually let her fill in the blank...she usually says Daddy, or sissy, etc.  She sang, "Happy Birthday to Chick-fil-a Cow!"  I about cracked up but I thought it was just perfect and a perfect way to end our night....I put her back in her bed, she cried about 10 more minutes and fell asleep.  She is still asleep...let's see how the rest of the night goes!  Most of the time, at lest with my other two kids, it is mommy that has the hardest time...

today...

The kids and I cleaned the bathrooms, cleaned the bedroom ceiling fans, washed a load of whites, folded a load of darks, cleaned glass windows, watered the garden, blew off the driveway, swept the floor, cleaned the kitchen, mopped the floor, washed the table off and put a fresh tablecloth on, put clothes away, picked up kid's room, vacuumed the living room, vacuumed the master bedroom, put big garbage can by the road, set out recycling......

....this was all done after 8:15 pm tonight.

It is so annoying to me that I'm such a night person and can accomplish this much in the evening but at 10:30 this morning I just wanted to go back to bed.  I can see our summer being very backwards but what's a gal to do...I take after my momma!

The boy and his whistle...

Next year in our Classical Conversations Co-op, the kids will be learning how to play the tin whistle..not sure why except it is kind of classical in nature and that it is a good beginning instrument for young kids.  While at the convention, I bought their tin whistles because the booth had them for a decent price and I knew we needed them.  I came home and gave them to the kids...kind of as a surprise but just to get them excited and interested in what we will be doing.  John Daniel is very into his tin whistle music.  For the past two days he has been trying to "learn" how to play it on his own.  He decided to try wearing his IPOD and copying the music with the whistle.  Today, during rest time he asked if he could go outside and play it.  I said, "Sure!" I looked outside and he was walking in a circle ALL the way around the backyard, IPOD in his ear, and playing the whistle as loud as he could to copy the music...it was the cutest thing ever!  It sounded horrible but so cute!  He came in so excited about the music he had made......

Letting Slider go....

It's the little things...AND BIG THINGS....

This weekend was full of excitement and anticipation and joy!  Two things stick out in my mind...first and foremost...the most wonderful and joyous thing of all..

My son decided along with his Daddy that it was time and he was ready to walk down in front of big church today and profess his faith in Jesus Christ.  I can't tell you how much we have prayed about this and discussed with him...John has really lead him in the discussions and prayers.  I have done a "quiet time" with him going through a book about what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ after you make that decision.  You know, over the past so many years, I have personally contemplated when a child is ready, what does one have to "know" to accept the gift of eternal life, and on and on and on...seriously, I have prayed numerous times for my children to know and understand and for them to have confidence and peace about their decision and for us too to have this peace.  He came to us in December and said that he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart.  John was so patient and steady in the way he approached this and prayed with him, talked with him on numerous occasions and asked questions.  I have been really proud of both husband and son.  We all decided that we would like to go through the book that I mentioned above for greater understanding on what it means to be a follower of Christ.  The name of the book is, "I'm a Christian now, what next."  Understandably, there are many theological debates about children coming to faith in Jesus and God has put me in the position as parent over these children and honestly, after praying and soul searching...all I'm doing is doing my best and doing what my "gut (the Holy Spirit)" is leading me to do in encouraging and leading John Daniel ....I do believe with all my heart that John Daniel is a believer and is now in the Book of Life...I believe in being saved by Grace, I believe that since John Daniel persisted in his questions  about salvation over many months, that he is ready and understands salvation...John Daniel (as John showed him with scripture) confessed with his mouth the Lord Jesus and believed in his heart that God raised him from the dead....I just can't doubt or argue with that...I just can't and it feels good to have prayed for this over many months...John Daniel decided today that he wanted to tell his family of believers and become a member of his church.  I know he doesn't understand everything but he certainly has the faith of a child and it is beautiful! 

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:14. Proud of my young man....



And the little thing....I was standing in the big exhibit hall at the Gaylord during our conference and decided to check into another grammar curriculum for my Emily...I picked up the 4th grade Daily Grams (the grade she will be in next year) and got so excited to see that a LOT of it she is doing or already knows...PRAISE GOD!  I have taught her something!  John asked if I got down on my knees right there and threw up my hands in joy (he knew how excited I would be about this) but I didn't ....I did share it with my girlfriends and him of course...it just felt good to know that I've had her home for a year now and we HAVE accomplished something and maybe she is just a little ahead in that area....we all need a little pick me up every now and then...even the smallest thing!

Re-energized....and ready to conquer the world with books and math:)

I went away with three wonderful homeschool mommies to the Florida Parent Educator's Association yearly State Homeschool Convention.  We left early Thursday morning for Kissimmee, Fl.  We were all really excited to stay at the hotel where the convention was being held, the Gaylord Palms Hotel.  It was gigantic, fancy, beautiful and probably the nicest hotel I have ever stayed in.  The Gaylord discounts the cost of the hotel rooms for FPEA members and holds the convention there and pretty much caters to the FPEA members needs.  They set up a cafeteria, movies for kids, tons of kids' programs, open the pools for all, had face painters, balloon artists, etc.  They really do make it a family oriented environment.  You see lots of dads walking around with lots of kids assuming their wives are in the exhibition hall or a seminar.  But I don't really think that the dads mind much...there is so much to do! There were three major areas in the hotel, the Everglades (lots of bridges, waterways, fish, etc), the Key West area (a restaurant on a boat inside the hotel, more water with fish) and the St. Augustine area (replica of the fort, water fountains, fish, streams)...it was all beautiful! 

Four very excited mommies on their way to the exhibition hall to see all the vendors...boy were we overwhelmed!

Outdoor family pool!

As soon as we got there, Abbie noticed that EVERYONE had a cart that they pulled around..well she was sold and bought one right away (of course a vendor was there selling them).  Well it took me a few hours longer to be convinced but all it took was buying a couple of big books and lugging them around in my arms and/or in my purse and I was sold...plus another friend mentioned using it at VBS and co-op so I, too, bought a rolling cart!  I think probably 85% of the people there had some type of rolling bin, luggage, etc that they carried all over the conference...it was the joke of the weekend really...OUR BOXES got lots of attention! 

The more adult pool...where we spent part of Friday and most of the day Saturday.

The vendor hall...literally hundreds of vendors.  It was nice to touch and look through all the books and curriculum choices that we have researched online or read about.  And they usually have very educated vendor representatives there to answer questions.  We all bought our share of books!

We also got to hear some amazing speakers, encouraging, uplifting, Godly, long time parents, writers, educators, and seasoned homeschoolers...really I feel very prepared and ready for next year!  Above is Retired General Boykin, one of the first members of the elite Delta Force with over 36 years in the military...he was amazing and so spiritually grounded..I cried through the whole thing!  It was so worth it and I'm so glad that I got to enjoy my time with three friends.  We discussed about every topic there was to talk about! :)  And I came home to my sweet family and wonderful hubby ready and re energized to start the week and enjoy summer!  Thanks John!

Bragging...

I have felt the need to apologize...I brag on here a lot about my kids and hubby.  I am sorry for it in a way I guess.  I use this as my "scrapbook" and memory book sometimes and we all, I do believe, want to remember those sweet, precious, good, glorious times.  One day when John Daniel and I had had a really bad day...he had to be rebuked for something and had to apologize,etc....I had written this long blog post about it but then had to erase it because I had remembered that I told him I wouldn't share with anyone about the offense.  So, not by any stretch of the word are my kids perfect...but I love them and I'm getting increasingly more JOY out of being with them and watching them grow so I love to share.  I am also a words type of gal and tend to uplift others with that and when I hear others speak nice things about my hubby or kids, I like to share and it makes me feel good.  So I guess I am apologizing...in a round a bout way but most likely will continue to speak good of my loved ones...because they are what make me happy on this earth!

I'm at it again....

Our filet mignon..got it for $2.25 a lb.

Fresh Organic veggies from Annie's buying club...

We recently bought a quarter of a cow...from a friend that raises cows.  It was their first time raising one to butcher (they usually sell them to bigger farms to plump them up) and our first time buying one..We got a ton of meat..and figured out that it came to about $2.25 lb.  We got roasts and steaks and hamburger meat and ribs, etc.  John has so enjoyed cooking it and preparing it different ways. 

We also just joined an organic buying club co-op.  The pick up spot is about 1 minute from my house on the street right up from us.  The same truck that drops off organic produce at Earthfare, then drops off at the pick up house.  The price is good and we get all kinds of fruits and veggies, not just local stuff...even mangos, strawberries, apples, etc.  Tonight John made me the most delicious meal from our meat and veggies!  It was delicious and I couldn't help but take pictures!  He is a great cook!

Trophy Time

This was the first season we have done city sports and we had a great experience.  The coach was great and very encouraing and had a lot of energy!  Last night the team had a pizza party and trophy ceremony...

Over and over the coach told John and I that J.D.was the most mannerly kid he had ever met!  He said that he just loved this kid and was so impressed by his maturity and behavior...which of course makes a momma proud!

All smiles!  First ever trophy!

Paint a pony

John Daniel's kindergarten class visited the Painted Pony on Monday...John says that this is how he would want his farm if we had one...small animals, just enough to have fun, nice barn, small scale...it was really nice and fun for the kids...They painted the white pony (horse), ate snack, saw different farm animals and even some blue jay eggs.  They went on a hayride and sat on a tractor.  Fun time!

Friends

I think I've said it before but I truly LOVE the friends my kids have.  They are a joy to watch grow, a pleasure to be with and we love their families.  It is a blessing to have like-minded people to "grow up" with and raise kids alongside.  I saved these pictures to post just to say how much I love their friends....I hope and pray they are friends for a very long time.  I hope I can show these pictures one day at their wedding...

I have several very close friends that I have been friends with all my life..since Kindergarten and the friendship never gets old. We love God and although don't have the same things going on in our lives, when we get together...it is as if we were never apart.  We truly have unconditional love for each other and I pray this for my children....that these great friends that share their same likes, interests, love of God and family, and support them in whatever they do...can be in their lives for a very very very long time!  I'm very proud of the friendships that they have made and maintained!

We just pray that these two don't end up in "Juvy" together :)

The Journey

It has definitely been a journey...Emily has gone from dancing as a three year old...so cute so precious to participating in a story ballet with costume changes, professional looking hair dos, makeup and choreography as a 9 year old in the upper division...

But the Journey that I'm writing about is the story that her Ballet Director wrote and choreographed as part of her interest in a mother/daughter relationship and research on her great grandmother being an immigrant from Sweden.  She wrote "The Journey" to showcase what was the largest number of single Swedish Immigrants to the US in the 1890's...the prayers and love and sorrow that their mother's had for them and the dangers and mystery that was ahead of them.  The story had ups and downs, love, sorrow, joy, and fear.  There were villains and make believe all mixed in to the 2 hour story ballet...and my Emily got to be a part of it!  It was an amazing story of redemption and one that he director wanted to bless those that watched.  She, herself, is a believer in Jesus and wanted to show with the ballet that He is the one that was with the immigrants along the way...

Years before, the younger girls each would go out and do an individual dance, class by class..but this year the Director decided to intertwine all the classes...younger and older girls in the Upper Division in one story...9-18 years old.  Even the teachers had parts and Mrs. Stuyverson danced a small part...It was amazing and such an undertaking...

The younger girls loved being a part of something big and having a chance to dance with the older girls.  The older girls that do Pointe were the main characters and danced throughout the story and then the younger girls all had different parts, even acting out parts and showcasing ballet, tap, and jazz.  I cannot believe how they got it to all come together...We were all so proud and so stunned...truly it was better than I ever imagined!  Emily had three main "songs" that she danced to and then was on and off the stage doing small cameos as an Irish child and fairy princess.  The Irish music was my favorite and Emily got to be right in the front during the tap and Jazz performance which was neat...She smiled so big and seemed really confident.  There teachers were not standing in front of them and they had no help in remembering where to be or what to do...this was a first!  It was definitely SHOWTIME! 

Mommy and Daddy were so proud!  The long hours of practice and hard work, driving, and cost was worth it!  Emily had many fans come to support her...Nanny and Papa, Cousins Natalie and Loren, Pop Pop and Nee Naw, Granny and Granddad, friends, and of course brother!

She has the most wonderful ballerina friends who have been dancing together since they were 3 and 4 years old!

John said to me on the phone from work last night after everything was over, "I was just calling to say hey, it is one of those days where I don't want to be here (work).  I'm just so proud of my family, I want to be there with you guys!"  It was a great weekend!