August in Review

I don't have any exciting pictures to post, just a recap of August.  We spent the first 10 day of August in Texas visiting our families.  A blog post will come from that visit once I get pictures from my sister in law.  This was the first time I didn't take the camera, hence no pictures.  Despite this, the kids and I had one of our best trips visiting with both families.  The kids got to spend lots of time with all their cousins and some second cousins.

After returning home from Texas, the kids had two days more days of summer before Alethia Academy started.  We started school on a Thursday to slowly get back into the grove.  This proved a wise decision, and we are now almost finished with week two.  Karis is breezing by with lots of math review, finishing the last of her reading curriculum, learning about dictation and harder grammar, and her favorite, learning cursive.  
Noah finished his letter sounds this week, and we will spend a few more months reviewing and making sure he truly gets them before he starts learning to put the sounds together.  I have been very impressed with his handwriting skills and patience to make all the letters look perfect.  His numbers are proving harder to write, but his knowledge of math facts and other math are the same as his sisters.  We started a new amazing History curriculum this year that the kids and I are enjoying immensely.  Science is also proving a fun and exciting subject as we study the human body.  I am so thankful to have friends that suggest good curriculum and some that write it themselves!

The kids and I have also been able to get to know our across the street neighbors this summer.  They are from India, and we have had them over many afternoons to play.  It has been a joy to share the gospel with them and their moms and to see my children serving and loving them.  I am praying for the Lord to open eyes and hearts to the gospel.

We are continuing to seek God's guidance in our seeking a new job in Texas and in awaiting our adoption.  Life for us is a waiting game, but I am thankful and confident in the One who holds the future in His hands.  His time frame and His peace are what continue to give me peace, joy, and strength to spend and be spent here as long as He has us in this wonderful place.

The Pleasures of Home: Chores

I love my family, my home, and being a stay home/homeschooling mom.  I am however not the best at "staying" home.  I get cabin fever when we have been home all day and am usually ready to go and do something when Justin gets home.  (I know that I inherited my "cabin fever" from my dad, thanks dad!) With the Lord's help, I am hopefully instilling in my children a love for the home too, so I thought I would give a peak into our daily lives as we embrace the "pleasures of home."  

One of our daily routines is making our beds, except on Sundays of course.  

Karis has learned the art of bed making, and I have learned to let her do it herself, with only a small amount of tweaking.  

Noah cannot make his yet, but he does have to arrange his animals and pillow.  His time is coming soon though.

This Makes Me Happy!

It warms my heart to see Karis and Noah so engaged and content reading a book with Justin. It warms my heart to know they are all perfectly content to be with each other, close to each other, holding each other, loving each other.

Daily the Lord reminds me what a precious gift my husband is to me and to our children. He is not only comfortable playing and being with our children, he truly enjoys spending time with them alone, which gives me some time to run errands or spend some extra time with others. The kids love to be with him because he is always more fun than Mommy! They can play with me anytime!

Thank you Justin for pouring your heart and life into me and our children, for desiring to be with them and teach them some things on your own and for giving them security, love, time, discipline, and yourself.

I LOVE YOU!

Sure Sign of Spring: Barefeet!

We had a few weeks of mild weather at the end of February and the kids enjoyed playing outside in their barefeet (which they are not supposed to do, they are supposed to at least keep their crocs on)! Spring is in the air, and we are all excited about getting outside. Today the weather is much cooler, so the barefeet are covered up.

The tree is starting to bud, sure sign of spring.

Blue and pink crocs not on my kids feet!

Barefeet standing on the slide,

kids seeing new leaves on a bush in the backyard,

toes scrunching in the dirt,

and kids digging and playing happily together!

Pride Goes Before the Fall

After a few days of no training wheels, Karis learned how to balance and ride her bike! It is always good to cheer our children on and tell them how great they are doing. Here, out of the mouth of MY babe, she speaks God's truth, "Pride comes before the fall!"

Rainy days mean....

running and sliding down the hallway with sock feet, with Calvin following close behind and trying to to "bust it" as they come to a STOP!

My Little Bookworms

There is just something about stuffed animals, laundry baskets, blankets, and books that draw my kids attention. I guess the book is better when your body is crammed in a laundry basket filled with stuffed animals and blankets!

Run Like the Wind, Mom, Run Like the Wind!

Hi. This is Justin writing this post. I highjacked the blog to let you know how proud I am of Jeanna for running a 10k (6.4 miles) a few weeks ago. And, she finished 2nd in her age group! The kids and I were at the finish line yelling, "Run like the wind, mommy, run like the wind."

Daddy's Home!

Books are the BEST!

There has been a lot of reading going on in our house this summer, which is no surprise here. Both of my kids have loved books since they were old enough to sit and look at them by themselves. I often find them in their rooms looking at books. Karis can "read, recite books," that we have read her only a few times. I so enjoy listening to her read to Noah. He adores her and will sit and listen for a long time. Here are a few pictures of our book time!

Karis reading to Noah!

The "librarian" reading to Noah!

Looking at books together while Mommy makes dinner! The library is such a blessing to us! I so enjoy library day, getting them new books, reading every last one of them, and then watching them enjoy looking at them by themselves! Books really are the BEST!

BizzyBalling

Post from Justin:
I wanted everyone to see a few pics from Jeanna's basketball season. The kids and I had a great time watching all the games. The kids cheered, "Go mommy Go." And I helped the refs out by alerting them to the calls they missed, and sat in the stands proud to be the husband of the best player on the court.

Jeanna's team made it to the final game and lost by 4 points. Jeanna made the most 3 pointers of anyone in the league and played some wicked lock-down defense.

On the final night, we all wore our red in support of mommy's team.

Like Mommy, Like Kids, and a Run in with the bed

Those of you who know me, know I would rather eat the cake before it is baked, the cookie dough, and the brownie batter. I have created two monsters in my two children who, when hearing the mixer always ask for a lick, no matter what is in there! Oh, the taste of fresh cookie dough, homemade icing, or anything else sweet that can be made with mixer!

The kids enjoying licking the mixer beater!

Noah had a run in with his bed last night, and unfortunately for him, the bed won. Something about boys and eyes, at least in our family. This is at least his second black one. He seems to still fall so much, I sometimes wish he had a helmet to wear, (wouldn't that be stylish!). Thankfully, he is okay and seems to not have slowed down at all. Oh, the treasure of little boys being boys!

His sour expression matches his poor black and blue eye! You must be more careful my sweet boy!

Forts and Fun!

About a month ago, we took a trip to the farm, that is to visit Gordon and Betsy Bailes, friends of the family. We have been to their house many times, (Calvin lived with them the first three months we were in Wilson), but we had never seen the whole farm. Gordon and Betsy drove us around in his supped up golf cart and showed us the farm, watermelons growing everywhere, bamboo trees, and old buildings. After the tour, we enjoyed visiting with them and eating pizza. Karis and Noah had a wonderful time, as did I.

A picture at the Bailes' house.

One Monday morning, because it was raining outside, I built a fort for the kids in the extra room. They had fun playing in it, but mostly Noah enjoyed knocking it down!

Noah and Karis throwing the beach ball over the fort.

Karis setting up her kitchen in the fort! Fun times!

Diet Coke Free!

I am now officially diet coke free for one week. I did have one last night with my pizza, but I only had one. It was a little hairy for a few days, the headaches were terrible, but God was gracious and gave me strength, plus a little Tylenol helped. It is not the caffeine that bothers me, it is the sweetener. I have also found that I am not as hungry in the middle of the day when I only drink water and unsweet tea. I am so glad to be free from this and feel much better, no more headaches. God is good, even in the small things!

Sugar Anyone?

This is what I found when I got out of the shower before lunch today. Noah decided he couldn't wait until lunch!

No hiding his guilt, it is "all over his face!"

"Sugar anyone?"

This was a fun mess to clean up, it was caked to his face and the floor. Yes, you might asked the door was baby proofed, but the knob on the cabinet comes off easily.

Fun with Friends and Each Other!

As you can see, blogging has not been high on my list of things to do this summer. I think I have been in a rut, and it is no surprise that sometimes, I don't even look at the computer for days. I think my rut is finally over, so here are a few pictures of what the kids have been doing this summer.
Awhile back, we watched the Brooks' girls for date night. The kids had a lot of fun, especially eating Popsicles.

Noah, Karis, Madeline, and Hannah

Wednesday during lunch Justin came home and watched the kids so I could get a haircut. I came home to a HUGE mess, toys everywhere (I am not complaining just stating the facts). The kids had been going to the store and buying bedding amongst other things so they could make beds to sleep in in Noah's room. They used my Harris Teeter reusable bags to make their purchases, it was a sight.

Karis is her newly furnished bed, pretend napping.

Noah just waking up from his pretend nap, as you can see toys all around. I don't imagine either of them could really sleep if all those toys were in their beds.

Karis loving her brother.

I have soccer camp pictures coming and more fun things ahead. Most of our summer has been spent at the pool, but pictures aren't possible this year as Noah doesn't like floats and he has to watched constantly, he liked to jump in. Hope everyone is having a fun summer.

Necklaces for All!

I don't know what to say about my lack of blogging, except that I have been in a slump. Nothing seemed worthy of blogging, and I just haven't been that crazy about my computer lately. We are having a great summer, lots of swimming at the YMCA pool, playing, grilling, and just recently a wonderful visit from my parents, (more to come on that later).
One morning before we went to the Y, Karis decided to make everyone, including Calvin, a necklace. She and Noah sported theirs to the Y, and Calvin wore his all day long!

True Adoration!

True adoration: Noah looking at Karis so sweetly and listening as she reads him Brown Bear, Brown Bear. Yes, Karis' hair is wet. Hope you're having a great Tuesday!

From a four year olds mind...

Karis got a dollhouse for Christmas. This is how she decorated it the other day:

Daddy and Karis lounging together upstairs with the hippos.

The zebras in the kitchen, and the giraffes watching the baby in the tub.

The lions eating and the kangaroos looking "ticked" because they have nothing to eat. Mrs. Noah (by the way, Noah's wife doesn't have a name in the Bible, so we call her Mrs. Noah) watching all that is taking place.

The cheetahs are hanging their heads in shame because they disobeyed and decorated the bookshelf, they know better than to mess with Daddy's books!

And finally, Mommy is laying down on the floor in exhaustion from cleaning and taking care of everyone. The purple thing is a beater from Karis' mixer, she said it was Mommy's mop hanging to dry after a hard day of scrubbing the floors.

And by the way, Noah is hanging from the roof in a baby swing unsupervised. What?

What an imagination Karis has! I know how that Mom feels just laying down wherever she is, but it is a good exhaustion, knowing I have accomplished something. Hope you enjoyed decorating four year old style!

It's SNOWING!!!

We woke up this morning to snow falling. It started slowly and is now constantly falling. We had our first trip outside about 9:00am this morning before Justin went to work. Noah had a great time until he fell face down in the snow!

Karis, me, and Noah

Karis having a blast!

Noah not too sure what is going on?

Karis, Justin, and Noah

Noah sitting in the snow.

Calvin decided to rub in the snow, if I wouldn't have put his sweater on, we might have lost him in the snow!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Tuesday. What a nice blessing to have snow and play in it today!