A Time For Every Season....

This week is going to be new - different - we're learning from last week and moving forward, The ugly attitudes and trials from last week were overshadowed by the learning, the fun, the smiles, the giggles, the books read, the time shared... imperfectly together. There is newness in our week forthcoming. I shared with Drew last night that regardless of last week's problems, or even 30 minutes ago, right now we're praying for God's blessing upon this school week - a new start, a new beginning. We're taking what we gleaned from last week and this morning is going to be full of God's mercies. We learned that if hearts, mommy's and the kids, aren't in line with the Lord then we're walking in our own flesh. Our character is being built - one day, one dilemma, one choice at a time. We're now working on character as our primary goal. As a mother I set the tone for my children. if they eve sense a hint of frustration or business on my part bo...

Here are a few pictures in review from our unit study on bubbles. The projects were fun and the boys enjoyed their special time with Daddy learning about dry ice! It was so fun seeing their eyes light up and smiles cover their faces as they discovered new and exciting things.

I survived week #1 of homeschooling. It was a lot of work and fun. I learned a lot, hopefully the kids learned  a lot too. We tweaked out circle time a little, worked a lot on character, a short weekly  memory verse, some catechism's, and read a lot of books. I was sad that we didn't read as many books as I'd have liked, between Abby fussying and Gabe not wanting to sit still or read the book we'd picked it always seemed to end in turmoil. So we're going to move reading time to the front of the circle time agenda and see what that does. This week our unit was Bubbles, we learned all about them and made three recipe's. Then tested them all to see which ones made bigger, stronger, and more colorful bubbles. It was a fun topic for the first week, now we're off and running with Apples! We also hit the park for a fun nature walk and tree climbing expedition. Drew  enjoyed all the fun learning this week. He wanted to consume everything and wouldn't stop ...

Just as this life is all about the journey, so I believe it will be as we tackle this journey of schooling at home. Today was such fun yet so exhausting. I've  been "playing" school all summer trying to work through the differences between the boys learning styles and how to accommodate an almost 3 and 6 year old at the same time. I planned on not really homeschooling Gabe, just including him in on what we're doing so he doesn't feel left out, but he is so challenged by his older  brother that I think he might be learning just as much as Drew. It is fun to  watch the boys grow towards each other by playing, working things out, and talking to one another. I heard a lot of, "... come on Gabe, lets go...." from Drew today which is such a nice change from arguing!  I love how Drew is very inclusive ... most of the time. Here is what we did today, in pictures, since I need to get to sleep! We had a great day, looking forward to another day or fun tomorr...

A cup of tea may temporarily satisfy the palate, but a tea time can satisfy the soul if you take the time to unlock the beauty that is possible there. ~Sally Clarkson, Seasons of a Mother's Heart We're unlocking beauty today....... Pray for us on this beautiful & humid August morning - our homeschooling journey is trepidatiously beginning! The "schedules" have been written, the lap books are ready, the bubble experiment will be made today.  Our candle will be lit to begin our new days beginning, tea is waiting on the breakfast table for excited little boys,  a verse will be memorized, a new song learned, memories will be made today. Please pray with me: for hearts to be drawn to the Lord, intimacy to take place, little hearts to be shepherded and lives to  be changed. My little boys can turn out to be genius', but if I fail to capture their hearts with a love for Jesus, if I fail to shape godly character, if I fail to entice their imaginations with...

I just couldn't resist a photo shoot today - it was very quick but I did capture a few fun pictures of our little girl and her big brothers, I am a little disappointed that I didn't get a great one of all three kids, I really wanted a picture of all of them together for my canvas wall. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow! Abby has the cutest smile, she also does this thing with her lips that you can see in some of the pictures - she roll her lips into her mouth and just grins at you. Today Abby spent the day rolling all over the floor playing with her toys, she also helped mommy with part 2 of her "Once a Month Meals."  Enjoy these cute pictures, Abby is modeling her dress for her Aunt Julie's Baby  Shower this coming weekend!