Wednesday, August 25, 2010

5 Years


Zachary welcoming his sister home from the hospital

When I found out I was pregnant with a little girl, I honestly wondered what life would be like with a daughter. Zachary would be 2 years old when she was born. We were so in love with him. He had made us a "family". "Boy stuff" came easily to me (dirt, sand, trucks, bikes, ...) , Zachary was so laid back and easy going. What were we in for with a girl?


Emma at the BMX track for practice

Well, I had no idea. It was not as difficult to get used to as I thought. Emma Dawn came into this world quickly (and by "quickly" I mean, any faster and she would have been born in the hospital parking lot). Emma is an amazing little girl. She can be more of a girly girl that I have ever been one moment, then jump on her BMX bike and keep up with her big brother. She lives in a sort of a fantasy world, that I'm so privileged to get glimpses into. She is soft-hearted and kind. She has an amazing love for Jesus, and we were so lucky to get to hear her ask the Lord into her heart when she was three years old. She has taught me so much, and I'm sure my lessons are only beginning. Speaking of lessons, she has just started kindergarten a few weeks ago and she has been a joy to teach already. She so eagerly wants to learn and do well. Perhaps one of the best things about having a little girl is that I have gotten to watch my husbands heart grow even more. Oh, the love this girl has for her daddy is incredible!!


Buried in the sand at the beach

Mt. Laguna, modeling for the camera

I'm so happy to celebrate this day with her. Her 5th year of life. I am so blessed that the Lord sent her to us to raise for Him. She enriches my life so much. I am one lucky lady to be the mama of Emma Dawn.


My beautiful kindergartner on the 1st day of school

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

His Gummy Smile

I had to take a few photos today of my babes gummy smile because he just might wake up in the morning with a small pearly tooth. I can not say that I am looking forward to it. I love his little gums. It's a part of him that still says to me, "Yes, I am still your baby". I know he will always be my baby, but this is just another milestone in his growth, and I just don't want that "growth" happening too quickly. I would, however, like this uncomfortable time for him to be over. I just can't imagine the pain of cutting a tooth and then having a new sharp edge in your mouth to try and get used to. Awww yes, growing pains are hard on the babies and the mamas.
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Friday, August 20, 2010

The Simple Woman's Daybook

This is a new idea I got from The Simple Woman at http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/. I think I will find it a fun way to snapshot what is going on in my life.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... I am blessed to see the only tree we have on our property gently blowing in the breeze.

I am thinking... Feeling lonely is not always a bad thing.

I am thankful for... My amazing husband who takes great strides to help me, daily.

From the learning room... School was (thankfully) done everyday this week, which included a field trip Thursday to the aquarium. I have been given hope at teaching two children for the first time this year.

From the kitchen... I cooked (or we ate left-overs) everyday this week (so far). This is something I strive to do more often. Eating out has become a bad habit out of my laziness to not plan meals ahead.

I am wearing... Let me just say, "Thank you Lord for elastic and cotton" I've been in my comfy clothes all day and plan to stay that way!

I am creating... For today my creating comes in the form of this blog.

I am going... No where today, and that's just the way I like it : ).

I am reading... Lessons at Blackberry Inn by Karen Andreola. After finishing her Pocketful of Pinecones last week I couldn't wait to start the sequel. Terrific read for this homeschooling mama.

I am hoping... Dan does okay with all three kids on his trip to OC for the evening.

I am hearing... Only the typing of my fingers and the A/C going on and off. Quiet is so rare.

Around the house... Trying and succeeding at keeping up with household clutter, although that is always a work in progress.

One of my favorite things... The completion of a school day well done. One where my kids are left with wanting more and all are brains are happily stimulated.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I'm looking forward to spending the afternoon tomorrow at an end of summer party, followed by a Sunday with no real plans. I also want to continue to practice being calm and patient with myself and my family.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This photo of my family was taken a week ago today. We said good bye to our dog Jack (on the right) that day. He had been our first boy and we got to love on him for almost 12 years. It was a sad day, but also a good day. Sad to say goodbye to a trusted friend. Good that our family got to experience this life and loss together.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

New Wool Soakers

My wonderfully creative mother knitted Luke another pair of wool soakers. We use wool soakers for overnight to keep our bedding dry after a long night. I purchased his first pair, and love them. Wool is very absorbent and we have had great luck with it stopping leaks. I asked mom to knit him a pair and she did, super quick too. I had considered taking it on, but was worried that they would not be done until he was potty trained. Well, the first pair she finished turned out great, but she underestimated the chunk of her grandson. They work, but, lets just say the more coverage the better. So she made a second pair, and they are perfect! So cute too in his camo colors. The leg cuffs are long enough, and the waist goes up high enough... they are perfect. Such a lucky little boy.

So my latest request, a long pair for winter ;). We are so lucky to have such a talented Nana.

Oh, and by the way, ignore the fact that the cute baby is playing in the dirty diaper pail while mommy tries to snap the perfect photo.
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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

<3'n School

Today was a good school day. We have lots of fun with school, but if I'm being honest, some days are much better than others. Today was good.

Today began the first "real" unit of kindergarten for Emma. She did really well, just as I expected. I also managed to get Zach's whole school day in as well as his reading time and some extra math practice. In the middle of our day we managed a trip to the library. Usually a trip mid-day would throw the whole day off, but we managed to stay on track today. By no way was it a perfect day, but I am rejoicing in just getting done what needed to get done. God is good, and I believe He is using this time to teach me how to teach two grade levels, keep an 8 month old happy, keep house (whatever that means), keep commitments, try and work, etc... I am a work in progress, and I am learning how to let go of my fears and just trust that God will meet me where I am and get me through what NEEDS to be done. I have no control of anything, so I might as well just hand it all on over to the Lord.

Any how, the above photos are from today and yesterday. Zach has been working on fractions this week. Today I got out the measuring cups and let him play with water. "How many 1/4 cups will fit into a cup?" Oh yes, we had fun. That was followed up by cutting up and apple for snack into 1/2, then 1/4's, then 1/8ths. Yes, fractions can be fun and yummy.

The other photo was yesterday. We put together Emma's "Creation Book" that she had made the first 7 days of kindergarten. Zach decided to get his out and compare them. That was fun for all of us. It was really fun to hear Zach be able to read it to us and see the progress he has made the last couple years.

Yes, we have fun homeschooling. It is not all great, but I am so happy that this is what we have decided to do. And I am happy the Lord continues to meet me right where I need Him and continue to teach me too.
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Monday, August 16, 2010

sleeping baby

I don't think I can over do the sleeping baby shots. They are so stinking cute when they are sleeping. I'm sure I will look back on them years from now and think about what a great sleeper Luke was (yeah, right). There is just something so peaceful about their little baby breath all hot and humid on you. Their relaxed face. The sweat on their head. It is so hard not to touch them. Play with their little round feet. Stroke their chubby cheeks.

As I type this (on an insanely small phone) my baby is fast asleep across my lap, snoring his little baby snores. Off to a precious dreamland I cannot even imagine. What could he possibly be dreaming about? He knows so little. I suppose he could be dreaming about his big sister stopping to spend some time with him at a game of peak-a-boo. Or his brother running by with some toy that's "not for the baby" but looks like so much fun. Or the doggy that now gets to be in the house and is starting to look like more and more fun, and less and less scary. Maybe he is dreaming of daddy and the way he gathers him up and holds him so strong and securely. The way he takes him outside and shows him the moon. Or maybe, just maybe he is dreaming of being on mama's cozy legs, cradled perfectly, warm and full of good milk, so happy to finally be in bed for the night. Is this a glimpse of that perfect peace that surpasses all understanding? Possibly.

All I know is when I see this little angel sleeping and there is a camera close by, I am going to take my chances at the shutter waking him up because someday seeing these photos will bring me right back to where I am right now. A very blessed mama.
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Friday, August 13, 2010

Pocketful of Pinecones

I recently became brave enough to start reading a "real" book. Reading anything besides picture books and books from our curriculum these days is pure leisure, and leisure just does not happen often these days. If it does, it usually consists of sleep. Anyway, I thought since this books chapters are only two or three pages, at best, I would give it a go. I am so glad I did!

Pocketful of Pinecones, written by Karen Andreola, is a wonderful book that tell about nature study in a very fun way. She writes this book as a fictional diary of sorts that goes through a whole year, season by season. The diary is written by a mother in 1935 who decides to homeschool her two children. She writes about her days and her learning how to teach her children. From the back of the book, "Woven into the story are more than 100 examples of what to look for on a naturewalk, Latin names for the living things observed by the characters, study questions, nature poems and verses... , a supplement containing selected quotations by Miss Charlotte Mason, an annotated list of books with a nature theme - both fiction and non-fiction." It sounds like a lot to take in, but it has been such a wonderful encouraging read for me, not only as a teacher, but as a mother and a wife.

I am nearing the end of this book, which is a milestone with three kids underfoot. I have enjoyed it so much that I would be sad that I am nearing the end, except that when I ordered it from Christianbooks.com, it had such wonderful reviews that I also order the sequel, "Blackberry Inn". So I look forward to another wonderful book to come. And just imagine... two complete books under my belt! Amazing ;-).
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Thursday, August 12, 2010

Luke on the Uke

Dan has been trying to play uke with the big kids a couple times a week. They are starting to pick up on a couple chords and getting good at strumming. I am hoping one of them learn to play I'm Yours, which I have had in my head for weeks (and sounds great on the uke).

Last night Luke tried his hand at the uke. He was actually strumming a little, but mostly he was just plain adorable. I'm a little bias, but he is darn cute!
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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

School Days

We have been schooling through summer with Zachary taking a couple weeks off here and there. He started 1st grade in January and it looks like he will complete it early September.

Emma started kindergarten last week. She has been so excited to start, I couldn't hold her off another week. Our K curriculum starts off gently by teaching creation the first 10 days. It's perfect because I feel like I have training wheels on while I learn to teach two grades at once.

I had hoped to go to the CHEA conference again this year, mostly for encouragement as a mother and teacher. But the conference fell on Zachary's birthday weekend and we made other plans. Although I missed the conference I have been listening to many podcasts and reading a book called Pocket Full of Pinecones by Karen Andreola and this has been refueling my batteries for the upcoming year. We are excited to continue our journey of homeschooling this year, and so thankful that the Lord has led us to this path.
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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Corny Baby

He may be a little young to eat corn on the cob. He probably should have a few teeth first, but this kept our little man so happy at Joe's Crab Shack. And you have to admit, he is adorable!!
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