Big Boy

Micah is trying harder than ever to prove that he is not a little preemie baby anymore, but rather, a big boy. Okay...he didn't say that in so many words, but a mother knows. He still loves his snuggles and kisses and hugs, but sometimes he just comes on my lap for more of a "huggle". (That is my little word for a short, quick bit of love from the kiddos.)

*A mini language explosion...now says more (mo'), please (eese), bus (buh), and bye (bye).

*Loves to sit at the table and counter and see what's up.

*Wants to color.

*Often lets me know when he is stinky. Either he brings the wipes over or he pulls up his shirt, points his rear in my direction, and grunts for me to check his pants. Sure wish 3 year old Glory would do the same, *sigh*.

*Top molars.

*Wants to feed himself his oatmeal, ummmm, NO.

*Throws his diaper in the trash and claps and says "yay".

Friday...

We made it through our first of many full weeks of school. This week was not without its bumps and frustrations. I think the "newness" of school may be wearing off now, for all of us. Carlie is reverting back to her old ways of putzing and ditzing around, Caleb is such a perfectionist that things in school have a way of making him crazy. But Ellie is working harder than ever and I am so pleased to see that not only did she not lose any of her knowledge from last year, she seems to be catching onto the new things even more quickly. It is amazing how much kids can change over the course of one summer.

Maggie is cruising through her Kindergarten curriculum. In fact, today is the first time that she just didn't seem to be in the mood for school. I cut her back to only doing one lesson today. She seems to be averaging about a week's worth of school each day. (Sure makes my life easier...I don't have to work as hard with her!) Glory insists on being with us and having school at all times. This gets to be a nuisance as she hasn't figured out the art of speaking quietly and waiting patiently. (She balls her fists up, puts on angry eyebrows, and shouts that she needs to do "cool" and will only wear a "kirt", or as I call it, a skirt.)

But overall, it is going as well as can be expected. The kids are doing a great job at taking distractions in stride and are much more patient with one another than I expected this early in the year.

Still...I am really thankful that it is Friday. :)

Where's Glory?

It isn't very often that we lose our children. We haven't had any separations at the grocery store or any runaways at the mall. That is good news and proof that my declaration that someone might "steal them" is working. I always tell my kids that they should be able to see me and I them. They know our rule is if they are separated from us, they should stay put and we will find them.

Occasionally, at home, we lose a kid or two. They go a bit further into the woods (we only have 2.5 acres) than we like and can't hear us calling. Or they go outside without letting an adult know. All very annoying, but not a huge deal.

But tonight, Glory was missing for a little while. I thought she was with Aaron and he thought she was in the basement with the kids. He checked up, down and out. No Glory. I wasn't too concerned, as she is known to get caught up with a horse toy or book and zone out. But she is also prone to getting into things she isn't allowed. (toothpaste, Dixie cups, hair things, game pieces, water and copious amounts of hand soap, you get the picture.)

I found her, curled into a little ball, in a tight space of her closet, fast asleep. Super cute, right?? Except for the fact that she had her nanny (pacifier, which we are gradually taking away) and a Pull-Up full of you-know-what. (A little background: potty trained-ness only lasted as long as vacation Bible school.)

Oh well. At least she wasn't in the middle of the road, in the cow pasture, or being attacked by the coyotes which are lurking here. :) Just a little after supper nap with a stinky bottom.

School Photos

Although we don't send our kids off on a school bus or with a carpool, the first day of school is always exciting and deserves to be commemorated with back to school pics and outfits. This has been our tradition since the beginning of our homeschool journey 7 years ago. These pictures were taken when we started a week ago.

I don't know why Maggie was so miserable here. Oh well, can't win them all. And she LOVES school.

Glory being her typical self, top and bottom photo.

Maggie is a super easy student. Makes my life a breeze.

Ellie, ever the fashion-ista, was more excited about her new skirt than her workbooks.

Caleb has grown so much over the last summer. He is taller than Carlie now. He was most excited to start history.

Carlie is truly starting to act like a middle schooler. I love how excited she is to learn!

Back to Reality

*The swish of the washing machine and humming of the dryer
*The grind of the pencil sharpener
*The sound of giggling girls
*The coziness of slippers and socks
*The chill in the morning
*Kids curled up on the couch with a book
*Color crayons and papers and scissors spread on the counter and table
*Soups, stews, and oven foods

Fall has begun. School is in full-swing. And it feels wonderful.

The kids have moved right into the fall routine as if it never ended. They are interested in their new science, history, and Bible books. And to top it off, the weather is AMAZING.

Last Days of Summer

I know that people always say things like "where did the summer go?" and "I can't believe summer is over!" But seriously, I cannot believe how quickly it flew by this year. As the kids are getting older we find ourselves doing more things together and allowing them to go more places without us. This Labor Day weekend found us working around the house and yard and taking the pool down for the year. I will miss the lazy days of just hanging with the kiddos, but I am eager to get on to the next thing!


So here is a little recap of our summer and a couple of pics of the last moments of the 2008 pool season!

*Day trip to Rochester

*Park Rapids cabin trip

*State Fair

*Burgers in the park/beach time

*Annual church picnic

*Vacation Bible school and Lakeside Campfire

*Backyard camping

*Bethel roomie get-together

*Gardening and canning

*Pool and swing sets

*Reconnecting with old friends and family on Facebook

Busy Little Monkey

Micah seems to have hit another spurt of development. This week he put himself in time-out, learned to climb up to the counter, play the piano, and sprouted his 9th and 10th teeth. He is also obsessed with closing doors...any and all doors. He did a great job of nailing Aaron in the head with the microwave door last night!!

The Birthday Girl

Seriously, she referred to herself as "the Birthday Girl". "The Birthday Girl would like some oatmeal." "The Birthday Girl is going outside to play." "The Birthday Girl is going to color."

What's Next?????

I have not blogged recently and so much has happened over the last week. I am going to attempt a quick re-cap and then will post pics as I am able.

Thursday and Friday-Shopping for a new kitchen sink and faucet. Both are leaking. Hopefully we will not have to replace countertop as well. (Even though I am always up for a change!)

The Weekend-Anna and Kelly were here and I shopped with Anna. Lots of fun. Wrapped up getting school supplies and bought a few kiddos some cute new things to start out the year on the right foot. Which reminds me...I need to buy shoes for kids. Ugh. Sunday found Mom and I canning, again. (Tomorrow we will be doing more of the same.)

Monday-Aaron and I went to the State Fair without children. So much fun just walking and talking. Nothing exciting, but we wanted to celebrate our 13th anniversary!

Tuesday-Our actual 13th anniversary and Maggie's 5th bday.

Today-First day of school. Basically "orientation" and passing out supplies and books. But this huge and exciting day was interrupted because we had a storm in the night which produced loads of lightning. The lightning, in turn, hit our house and fried the desktop computer (Carlie's school work is on there) and the main level TV, wireless router, digital cable box, phones, that kind of stuff. So our time was mixed with phone calls and a visit from the phone/cable company and an insurance adjuster. Whew.

Which leads up to the title of this entry.

Impromptu Visits

Maggie, Liz, and Glory

A big bonus to living so close to family members (all of my nieces and nephews on my side are within a ten mile radius) is the chance for an unexpected visit. Casey and his kids popped in on my parents last night which lead to an unscheduled play date for the kids. Our kids adore their cousins and always jump right in to enjoy the moments they have together.

Transition Time

Summer is slipping away. Part of me is so ready to be done with it but the other part has loved the time off, if you can call it that. We are two weeks out from school beginning and I need every one of those moments to prepare myself. I am sure that this year will prove to be a crazy one with so many various ages, but we will manage! Whether they know it or not, the kiddos are ready for routine. Mostly they are excited about school and fall and the change that each will bring. They are looking forward to changes in weather and the start of fall activities at church.

But we will pack in as much summer as we can these next two weeks, intermingled with practicing getting into a fall routine. This week is HOT and the kids are loving the pool. I am going to take Carlie for a cast re-evaluation on Friday, so hopefully she will get to swim a few more times before we take the pool down. I plan to let the kids enjoy as much summer as they can while I am planning the rest of our school details and canning.

Hope everybody else is enjoying the rest of August! I know some of you are already back to teaching at public school and some of your kids are back in class. I am sure that you are in our thoughts while we are munching on popsicles and lounging in the pool!

Canning and Cleaning

Mommy's little helper.

A man after my heart.

Canning potatoes and beans.

Campfire

The last three days have flown by in a flurry of driving kids back and forth to town for Campfire (Lakeside Fireplace Church "VBS"). This was the first time I had ever had so many of my kids gone at a time. Maggie and Glory had class with Miss Amy from 9-11. Caleb and Ellie were at church from 9-6 pm. Carlie got there whenever it worked out but did not get picked up until 9 pm. Ellie got to bring her friend (C.V.) home each day after camp. The kids got a lot out of this time, especially Glory and Maggie. I have heard all about how Jesus is their King. They sang the Misty Edwards song with the lyrics "He's not a baby in a manger anymore, He's not a broken man on the Cross, He didn't stay in the grave, and He's not staying in Heaven forever. He's Alive!" (Check her out on Itunes. The song is "People Get Ready".)

Our church truly feels like an extension of our family and I love that the kids are getting so much more than just Bible stories and cute songs with hand motions. Those things are great and have there place, but I want more for my children than what I had. So for all of you involved with helping out at Campfire, thank you so much.

Tonight we will wrap up Campfire with our monthly Burgers in the Park complete with food and beach time. After that I am so ready to get back to normal, whatever that is this year, and start practicing a fall routine. These next couple of weeks will race by me and then a more organized and scheduled busy-ness will begin! :)

Milestones

The past week was a milestone week all around. Glory potty trained herself (finally) and Micah weaned himself. This just proves that you never know what tomorrow (or the next 5 minutes) will bring. I can plan and organize all that I want, but I am so thankful that God is in control. His timing is always so much better than mine. And His care for the smallest details far surpasses anything I could come up with.

What will this week hold? This week the kids will be involved with Campfire at our church, hosted by dear friends, the Vagnoni Family from International House of Prayer. I will make trips running back and forth to bring kids into town. I hope to run some errands and wrap up the school organizing. In between all of that, well I just don't know what will go on. I do know that this week will go by all too fast and before I get a chance to catch my breath, we will be back in the thick of school and the fall routine.

Oh Happy Day!

Yesterday Aaron came home with a laminator for me. To most of you, a laminator would be something that you would use once in a while. Nothing to get excited about. To those of us who are O.C.D. about office supplies, it doesn't get much better than this. I used up all of the laminating packets within an hour of receiving the machine. I can only compare how happy I am with two other memorable days in my life...the day I got a KitchenAid stand mixer and the day I received a label maker.

Princess Stinker

I am not sure who coined the phrase "terrible twos". I think the threes are much worse. I am not sure what is going on with child #5 lately, but the last few weeks have found me challenged like never before. Glory is determined, fiercely independent, bossy, sassy, energetic, naughty, mean, and a whole host of other things lately. She has been catty, telling one sibling that he or she is "my best friend". I think she does that to make the other kids cry. She has been locking herself into bathrooms and bedrooms, getting into all sorts of mischief with water and glitter and chapstick. She changes her clothes ten times a day. She hides things that don't belong to her to keep them for herself. She purposely sits in any spot at meal times other than her own. She screams and taunts and fights.



But she gives the best hugs and kisses. Glory can be so sweet to her baby brother. She is remembering to use her manners when she wants things. She has begun to wear underwear most of the time and gets herself to the toilet. And she enjoys life. The above photo was taken after picking beans in the garden. She loves to be outside and longs for someone to play with her. She still enjoys naps and rest times and being read to. She gets the humor in movies and television shows.



In short, Glory has transformed over the summer from a baby-ish sort of girl, to a little girl. There is no going back now. I guess I had just better roll with the punches and try to figure out how to help an emotional three-year-old through a transitional time in her life. And I will cling to every moment that she lays in my arms, breathing deeply, sleeping after a busy day of just trying to be big.

One downside to having a half dozen kids shows itself when a virus sweeps through the home. Last week (after being at VBS) the kids started getting sick. Nothing terrible, fever, sore throat, headache, and some stuffy noses. But it is so irritating that it gets spread out over a long period of time. Just when I think they are all done being sick, another one starts in. Last week started with Caleb, two days later was Ellie, last Friday found Glory with a fever. She seemed to get hit the hardest. The positive? Glory slept on and on and on. :)

I thought it was over with but then Maggie got stuffy and Micah started running a fever last night. Poor little guy. He wants to smile, but he feels rotten. Earlier in the morning he was walking around and pinching the skin on his neck while gurgling at the same time. Maybe his attempt to communicate that he had a sore throat? I gave him Tylenol and he slept through the night.

Carlie has been up since 4:30 a.m. with a fever and Ellie was up very early as well with a bad dream. :( Aaron isn't feeling the best either. I wouldn't be surprised if he came home from work early.

Today sounds like a perfect recipe for lots of reading, movies, puzzles, and being around the house together. I hate when the kids get sick, but I can't complain as our family only averages 2 or 3 bouts of minor illness a year. Micah is almost 1 1/2and I think this is his first fever. This will be over soon.

In the meantime...I am thinking we should purchase stock in Kleenex. Hope you are all feeling healthy and well.

What's Up?

Things we have been up to this week:

*Swimming in the pool
*Organizing homeschool closet
*Sorting curriculum
*Loving on kids who are under the weather (Caleb, Ellie, Glory, and now Maggie)
*Making food with fresh zucchini, green beans, and cucumbers
*Preparing music for me to fill in for the worship leader today (fun!)
*Feeding the kids supper by myself as Aaron worked late every night
*Grandma took Carlie, Ellie, and Maggie to see Kit, An American Girl
*Micah had his well child visit (22 lbs, 30 inches tall...10th percentile for height and weight)
*Aaron and I had our first breakfast date at 6:45 a.m. on Saturday

It seems that this week has been unusually busy, but I am not sure why. I suppose when I take into account the amount of time spent each day applying sunscreen to the kids alone...well my day is broken up into many small sections of "busy". I wonder what this week will bring?

First Fruits

This week the temperature is hovering around 90 degrees, the humidity is high, and the garden is beginning to explode with fresh veggies. We have had zucchini, a few tomatoes and potatoes, some cucumbers and bits of other things. This morning I was able to make my second gallon of pickles and we have a large bowl of fresh green beans for supper tonight (thanks to Mom, super-duper bean picker). This means canning season is around the corner and I cannot wait to can tomatoes and make fresh salsa, mmm.

This also means school is around the corner. The second box of curriculum arrived on Monday. Carlie started Bible to give herself a little jump start and something to do while in the arm cast. I think I really learn much more from teaching the kids than they do! Ellie is back to reading regularly and Maggie is reading as well. I am so glad that Mags picked up the reading on her own, as that will make Kindergarten a breeze this year. The couple of months off from school have been good for Ellie and she now seems much more eager to read than she did during the school year.

The End of the World As I Know It

Micah figured out how to get onto the kitchen chairs today. It is all downhill from here. Nothing is safe and secure from him anymore. I seem to remember this stage with the other kids as being one that included lots of falls and bumps and an exhausting amount of me taking kids off the table.

Sticks and Stones May Break Carlie's Bones

Actually, Carlie's broken wrist is the result of running and falling in a grassy area at a park. No sticks and stones, but definitely broken bones. She isn't in much pain. The cast will be on for 4 weeks and then will be x-rayed again. Carlie isn't going to be able to go to Valleyfair on Monday or do any more swimming this season, but she is okay with that. I am so thankful that our vacation is over with and she has logged many hours in the pool as well as at the lake. Oh...the cast should be off in time for school to start!! Also on the bright side...Carlie's actual doctor was the doctor at Urgent Care this morning. God is so good to us and I love how He provides for my family beyond my expectations.

Surprise Visit

Last night we had an unexpected visit from a worker in the area who had just finished blacktopping a neighbor's driveway. He had some of the batch left from the job and wanted to know if we wanted our driveway done. What is so funny about that is that I had just been thinking during the day that I cannot wait until we can afford to blacktop the driveway. (We have a large slab of cement where the vehicles park in front of the garage but the rest of the driveway is crushed rock.)

So for less money than this computer I am blogging from, we have a nice blacktopped space for the kids to play, roller blade, bike, and scoot. (We have no sidewalk and our road tends to have people driving WAY too fast.) There is still a small part that they will come back and finish, and maybe in the future we will blacktop the turnaround as well, but I am thrilled with this surprise.

Homeschool Planning

I took the opportunity while Carlie, Caleb, Ellie, and Maggie were at VBS today to order my home school curriculum for the upcoming school year. Usually I am more on the ball, but I just have felt a little overwhelmed by the amount of things I need to teach this year. I spent a lot of time researching and praying about what to do.

I came to the decision that my kids are way ahead in some things compared to conventional schoolers or at least at grade level. So something must be going right around here. Carlie and Caleb love to read...this is a great accomplishment in and of itself. And a couple of my kids are already begging to start school back up!

So my focus this year is not only on getting the basics in, but having fun and letting them explore subjects that they are each personally interested in as well. I purchased Carlie extra geography stuff and she has already started health. Caleb loves to learn interesting facts about things I could care less about. Maggie and Ellie are each going to have an art book this year and I am going to try to stick with that, no matter how much I hate doing arts and crafty-type stuff!

I am gearing up. Now I just need to get myself excited. I have to admit that I do love teaching them and I find it a privilege to get to be the one responsible for their education. I have just really enjoyed having the summer off and hanging out with them. But it is already the end of July, unbelievable.

Now I just need to focus on what to do to keep Glory and Micah occupied during the school year! Thank the Lord for Dora DVDs during math time!!!

Vacation Post-Script

Just wanted to say a big "thanks" to Mike and Penny for all of your generosity toward our family. We love you guys and we have a lot of fun with you. You are much more than family to us. (Sappy but true.)

Home Sweet Home

We made it home from Park Rapids. We did not lose any kids or our sanity. It actually was a lot of fun. The packing and planning part was a HUGE undertaking, but the trip was relaxing. The setting of the resort is perfect for our family. We were able to see the kids everywhere they went. Aaron's brother's cabin was right across the driveway and all the kiddos ran back and forth between cabins, playground, and water area the entire time.

I had the ingenious idea to bring Micah's regular high chair. That was probably the best thought I have had in years. He was happy to sit in there and eat, all strapped in. I also thought to bring scooters and skateboards, which the kids used the entire time.

Carlie and Caleb are old enough now to be out in pedal boats and on the dock with cousin Cody (with life jackets!). They had fun tooling around, fishing, searching for crayfish, looking for bats in the dark, playing hide-and-seek, and swimming. The younger kids had cousins Kelsey, almost 6, and Logan, 3, to play with. They loved being in the water, at the park, playing in the cabins, and going for boat rides. Aaron and his brother had a good time fishing and hanging out. Penny and I NEVER run out of things to talk about and it is always fun to cook with someone else. Oh, Aaron and Mike caught a huge snapping turtle. Catch and release. :)

We had great weather for the trip. It rained on the way there and the way home. Perfect! The only downside was that we had to head for the basement when we got home, as we had two tornadoes in our immediate area. We lost power for a while, but that was about it!

So this week is crazy busy with VBS for the older four and me planning for school for the fall and getting ready for a college friend/roommate reunion at our house this Saturday.

We're On Our Way

Mini-vacation, here we come! We are leaving this morning to go to Park Rapids for 4 days and 3 nights. This will be our second time meeting Aaron's brother and family at this little resort. It isn't anything special or fancy. The decorating is nothing great. (remember those calendars in the 80's that were made out of cloth and hung from some string? the kind with Precious Moments or animals?? that sort of decorating!)

It is also a lot of work. We are taking my parents' small trailer behind the Suburban. Not even kidding...it would be so much easier to go to Hawaii or something. This is like doing the work of camping, only sleeping and cooking indoors. We are taking Micah's full-sized high chair and strapping him in out by the picnic area.

But it will be so much fun. Memories will be made. The kids love the beach area and looking for rocks, shells, and baby fish. They will have a great time fishing and going out in the paddle boat. We will probably venture up to Itasca again so the kids can stick their little toes in the place where the great Mississippi begins. We will have bonfires and roast marshmallows. We will play cards and outdoor games. But mostly we will just be together. We love hanging out with Mike and Penny and their kids. In fact, one of the last things Glory said before going to sleep last night was, "Can't I just go see Logan now?" (cousin 2 days older than her)

Practice Your Fire Drills

The past few days have found us rushing around, packing to go on a short vacation to Park Rapids. Monday morning, as I was sliding a pan of bars into the oven, I heard a clunk. It sounded like something dropped onto the bottom of the oven, but I couldn't find anything. So I dismissed it and walked away to help Ellie out with a sliver. Carlie shouted that the stove was on fire! When I checked, I found the oven full of flames. Chaos ensued. I had to put the fire out with the extinguisher. I had told the kids to get out of the house, which resulted in a lot of yelling, crying, and screaming -mostly from the kids. :) The story is long but the end result is that we are all fine.



The Negatives-

*Fire...enough said
*The Clean-up...who knew that using an extinguisher for 10 seconds would make a mess over the entire main level? Literally, the stuff even got inside of the kitchen cabinets.
*Scared Children...a couple of years ago our neighbors had a house fire which took their entire home and garage.
*Ruined Pan...a new Pampered Chef stone pan (which is a replacement for one that broke) is destroyed.
*Fire Plan...didn't work as smoothly as we have practiced and talked about. Glory didn't exit the house with the kids, but instead took the opportunity to play in the bathroom sink.

The Positives-

*Emergency Workers...responded very well and were very nice. This included 2 police cars and a large, red fire engine. Doesn't hurt that one firefighter could have had his own calendar :)
*Emergency Practice...we have not really had many emergencies, and I think this was a real eye opener for all of us.
*Some Kids...did an awesome job in the situation. Ellie was so proud of herself for listening and not going down to her room to rescue her "snugglers" (blankies), and her "animals" (stuffed).
*Faith Booster...the kids gave all credit for our safety to God.

The Funnies-

*Caleb...coming back in to rescue Glory, but saw all of the smoke and began to scream.
*Micah....jumping into his little swimming pool, fully clothed, while I was sorting things out with the emergency workers.

The First Cut is the Deepest

Yesterday Micah had his first haircut. We opted to have Auntie Nora cut his hair. (She is currently in cosmetology school). To say he did not want his hair cut is an understatement! He squirmed, screamed, cried, snotted, and hollered all the way through. He was so exhausted at the end that he rested on Aaron's shoulder while Nora did the finishing touches.

The end result was a baby who is looking and acting more like a toddler every day. Micah's enormous cowlick is still there, but now is in the form of a super-cute faux hawk! His sweet little baby wisps are somewhere in a baggie, waiting to be put into his baby box along with many other infant firsts.

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

Priorities

Almost every conversation with friends and family begins with some sort a laundry list of the things that are keeping them or us busy. I think busy-ness has become such a part of our culture that we rarely really find time to be quiet before God and let him speak into our lives. I know that this is true for me in my personal walk with Christ. I can find time for a lot of the things that I want to do or need to do, but I have been asking myself, "where is God on my list of priorities?"

The typical Christian answer is God first, spouse second, children third, and everything else somewhere after that. I know that I don't always put God first. I don't always put Aaron second. More often than not, the kids come first. (squeaky wheel gets the grease syndrome) My priorities are in a jumble.

Today, for some reason, I was reading My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. One thing stood out to me. I haven't been able to get it out of my mind today.

Your priorities must be God first, God second, and God third, until your life is continually face to face with God and no one else is taken into account whatsoever.

This passage is not telling me to just close myself into my room with my Bible. He has me in this season of motherhood and things that go along with mothering. He knows that the baby can't wait for a diaper change. The cooking has to be done. Carlie needs to be picked up from youth group. The list goes on. He isn't asking me to shirk my responsibilities as a wife and a mom.

But He is jealous for my love and affection. I am on His mind. He should be on mine. My first thought should be of Him. Every moment should be about Christ. Then every other thing will fall onto the list of priorities where it belongs.

Simple Things

I have never been the kind of mom who likes running her kids from place to place and activity to activity. I don't think there is anything wrong with doing that. I am a homebody by nature. Call me a compulsive nester. I suppose that being pregnant, puking, and nursing babies for almost 11 years kept me at home and started the routine. Also, the very idea of hauling 6 kids to soccer practice, baseball, or piano lessons is overwhelming.

In the midst of a crazy and busy world, we are always the most content with the simple things.

*Micah with a hose. Couldn't be any happier than he was last night. BTW-he already knows how to annoy his sisters by spraying them! Isn't he a little young to be an annoying brother?

*Kids in the pool. This is our fifth summer on the same pool. Worth every penny and the kids never tire of it. I tire of putting sunscreen on everyone!

*Reading books. Carlie and Caleb have become avid readers. Carlie is averaging a book per day lately. She is currently reading the Narnia series. Caleb has spent the last two days in his room because a new (free) Lego magazine came in the mail.

*Family devotions. This summer I found a great book that retells Bible stories in a fresh way and provides thought-provoking questions. I often read it at meal times.

*Stickers and crayons. 1 tub of foam shapes from the dollar spot at Target in combination with crayons and paper make for endless fun.

This list changes with the seasons, but for me, this is what summer is all about. I don't think the kids are even missing being in community ed activities this year! And with gas prices for filling a Suburban...

Good Times Keep Rollin'

I didn't get as many photos taken today as I would have liked, but I know you people from TN like the pictures.

Today was spent hanging out with family and celebrating a belated bday for Dad, 58 years old. All, with the exception of Anna and Kelly, gathered together. We spent time in the pool, playing outside, going to the lake on Jason's boat, eating, and visiting.

Gone Campin'

Okay. So it was only in the backyard. I am almost certain that camping in the backyard is as much work as actually going somewhere. Thursday night found us having our annual campout in the yard. The weather was perfect and it was the beginning of a long weekend. The kids had a blast roasting hot dogs, making s'mores, and running around outside way past their normal bedtime. (I should be clear and honest...I do not camp out. I enjoy a night to myself in our king-sized bed. Micah was in his crib and Glory ended up in the house as well. It was a stretch for me to hang out by the fire.)

The kids enjoyed snuggling in the tent together and listening to Aaron read stories. No ghost stories here, but rather a children's Bible from Focus on the Family that we are loving. When they woke up in the morning, Aaron made toast with jam over the fire and popped popcorn. We all had a ball and spent the Fourth of July celebrating Aaron's 34th birthday, playing outside, swimming in the pool. We wrapped up a very busy day by watching the fireworks on TV in high-def. (I probably won't be brave enough to go to a fireworks display for a couple of more years. Six kids in the dark, crowds of people, bugs...doesn't sound appealing.) Glory is still recovering from big fun...she just got out of bed and it is 10:45 a.m.

Hope you are having a safe and fun holiday weekend! I am so thankful that we live in a free country. God is so good to us!

Proof that Micah is a little stinker!

Just wanted to try out video on here. This is Micah figuring out to take cushions off the furniture and climb up.

Something New

A new computer. Yay! We have officially joined the rest of the world and purchased a laptop computer. With summer quickly flying by and fall approaching, we realized that we would be in need of another computer. Ideally, with homeschooling, we would have 3 computers, but 2 for this year will be wonderful. I was not sold on the idea of having a laptop, but I have to admit that it is nice to sit out here at the kitchen island and keep an eye on things. What mom doesn't love technology that helps her to multi-task?