"School"

Karis was very excited to get back into "school time." I can't tell you how many times she asked me to do school this summer, but we both needed a break. I am not doing anything much different than I did last year. We started with the letter E this week and number 4. Here are a few pictures of her learning how to write her letters.

Tracing "E" in her Pooh book.

Letters A-E written all by herself.

This year I have decided make a few goals for her for school. We will complete the letters and numbers. We will learn our months, she already knows her days, and we will enjoy learning a little about each of the 7 continents. I hope to show her the different way people live and how God desires for all people to be saved as we learn the continents and about missionaries living there. Maybe this will spark a love for an unreached people group even at an early age, and it will also teach her (and remind me) of all the comforts we have here that we should be thankful for.

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of our school day!

Fun at the Park!

Last Monday, on Justin's day off, we decided to take the kids to the park to play and feed the ducks. We have been to this park a few times, and Karis really enjoys it. I also like the fact that she can't really hurt herself because the ground is made of rubber, but it is a little hot. Noah always has fun in his stroller watching his sister play and eating!

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Clorox and Joy: Two Random Thoughts

I know that I am not the most intelligent person in the world, but sometimes I wonder how I could have graduated in the top 10 percent of my high school class and with a pretty high grade point average in college. Monday Justin and I cleaned off the front of the house (the porch rails and siding, using a mixture of clorox and water). I had already done one whole side before I realized that I forgot to take of my wedding band, thankfully this is only the one I wear when I am working out or just around the house, it is not my diamond ring. I looked down and realized that it was totally black, dug, clorox bleaches everything, including silver. I have also for the past two days endured some very soar and sensitive fingers. I guess next time I should wear gloves it I don't want to the clorox to eat away at my finger tips!!!
Sometimes I wonder if I am even capable of being a mom! God always reminds me that no I am not capable of anything apart from Him!!

This morning the Lord has again reminded me of my lack of joy in Him.

Psalm 4:7 says:

You have put more joy in my heart

than they have when their grain and wine abound.

Do I find more joy in Christ than in all the other things of life? Lately my answer to that question would have to be no. God is convicting me of my lack of joy and passion for Him. I am thankful that His mercies and promises are new every morning.

Fun Around the House

This month I am trying really hard to stay in the budget, it seems that every month I always go over, even when we are out of town. I keep wondering where all the money goes? I have been more diligent about staying home more and trying to be creative about what we do. Karis has had a good time playing in her fort (these where always a hit when I was growing up). Karis enjoyed reading all her books in her fort and tried taking a nap in it but that didn't work.
Noah has recently become intrigued with Calvin. He is always intently watching Calvin, trying to find the right time to pull up on him or grab him! It is very amusing to watch Noah interact with Calvin. I am so thankful that Calvin is so good with Noah, just like he was with Karis.

Karis' photographer debut. What a sweet close up of her brother!!

Karis decided that her feet were cold one day, it was only 98 degrees outside!

Noah and Calvin interacting through the door.

Karis reading in her fort. I am so glad she enjoys reading as much as her parents do!

Karis and I are starting our fun "school" this week. I am ready to be on a bit of a routine. We will still go to the pool a few more times before it closes, and do a few more fun summer activities.

God has really been teaching me these last few weeks. I get so overwhelmed thinking of how to "school" Karis. I don't have these manipulative's, I don't know what to do, I can't do this, why is it so hard to think of an activity for a three year old, etc. I have really had to lay down my perfectionist side and realize that Karis is only three. Doing something is better than doing nothing. Sometimes I just want to be more creative and have other talents than I have. I have to remind myself that I can learn new things and that my talents can aid in that, I just have to be patient and willing to try new things. I am thankful for the talents the Lord has given me, and I am continuing to learn how use them in different ways.

Knobs: Noah's new discovery

I never in my wildest dreams thought that a knob, any knob, would be something one of my children liked to chew or suck on. Noah has recently discovered every knob in the house and will anything he can to get his mouth around it. I have seen him put his body is very crazy positions in order to get his mouth around a knob, in the bathroom, kitchen, on the computer armoire. Does anyone have any explanation for my son's fascination with knobs, it's not like he doesn't have toys to chew on!! Here are a few pics to show you how much fun he is having!

The knob in my bathroom, he is just about to get his whole mouth around it.

"Look Mommy, this is good!"

The knob on the computer armoire is too high for him, so he wil pull himself up in order to get his whole mouth on it.

When I tell him, "no, no," this is the face he makes at me most all the time.

When I thought about the things I would have to clean, babies bottoms, spit up, hands, mouths, I never once thought that I would have to daily sanitize the knobs on all the furniture! Boys are so much fun!!!!

Choc-o-later

Did you know that a calculator is actually a "choc-o-later." Karis has recently been very excited about playing with our choc-o-later. It is so funny to hear her say it and laugh. Kids are so funny. I was trying to think if she ever ate a piece of chocolate that looked like a calculator, but I can't think of any time. Maybe that is really what she hears when I say calculator.

Growing BOY!

Noah will be eight months old on the 10 of this month. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone, he is everywhere and into everything, so unlike his sister. By this time she wasn't even crawling yet! He has been crawling since five months, pulling up on everything (including Justin and I), and is now transferring from one person or thing to another. He really enjoys pulling up on Calvin! I am amazed at how fast he can get somewhere and into something, like the dog food. His other favorite thing to do is chew or suck on knobs, like on the kitchen cabinets or drawers. Where did that come from? Frustration is now becoming evident when he can't get somewhere or a toy he wants. Karis is learning to be helpful with him, even though most of the time she just wants to take out his paci or take the toy he is playing with away. God is good, and the kids are learning to play together a bit. There is just so much playing a three year old can do with an eight month old!!

Noah's favorite time, BATH TIME! We always know when Noah is happy, his mouth is open wide!

The pack-n-play is a great thing for Noah when we are outside. He likes making funny faces.

Our little man standing up. What a sweet boy!!