Christmas Cheer

It's hard to believe Christmas has already come and gone this year. We took the week off from school, enjoyed some indoor down time, and had alot of fun projects to keep us busy. The kids have decorated gingerbread houses, strung popcorn garlands, made glitter snowflakes, decorated cone Christmas trees, and built snowmen of Rice Krispies. Josephine was planning on performing a Christmas Recital for friends, but we ended up coming down with colds and were unable to invite them over. For your listening pleasure and to show her what a proud mama I am of all the hard work she's poured into her piano practice, I'm posting her "recital" on youtube. In addition, there is a piece of cheer from my Favorite Four. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!

Josephine Playing We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Josephine's Merry Christmas w/Accompaniment

Josephine playing Jingle Bells

Josephine playing Frosty the Snowman

All four kids singing by their Winter Wonderland

Express Herself

My little fashionista is at it again. Adela is my child with a style all her own. Although she is concerned with others opinions at times, she likes exploring her own ideas and expressing herself in her own unique way. As long as it is modest, I see no need to reign her in...superhero costume to the store, homemade paper jewelry as gifts, clothes on backwards so pockets are more convenient...okay, maybe I'll draw the line at bedsheets for headgear out in public....but still, what fun it is to see what she comes up with next!

A chilly day at Homeschool Camp

Zoom in to see the decoration of code

A wardrobe malfunction

Not quite sure:-)

Let the Cold Begin

We've made it to December without too much snow. And frankly, compared to last year, we've made it to December without too much illness. We've been in relatively good health. However, winter is upon us and thus begins the "cold" season.


The temps have dropped and unfortunately so has the wellness factor. We are a household of ick. It seems when little Eben catches something, so do we all. I wonder why??? Click here if you are curious. I'm also sure this doesn't help!!!

Wedding..finally

When I was nearly 14 years old, my parents sat us kids down at the dining table and made a very important announcement: another child was on the way, making us a family of seven. I was going to be a big sister for the fourth time. I remember feeling SO torn...I loved my siblings and knew I would love this one too, BUT I would be gone from the house by the time this sister started actually making memories. I made it my mission to make a permanent and lasting impression on her heart so that she would know I was her biggest sister and would be there for her and love her always. When Shayla, a.k.a. ShadyLane, arrived I adopted her and quickly became her "second mommy." We were close, we still are...in spite of that mean thing called "distance." We made each other tapes of our voices, talked on the phone, wrote letters and colored pictures. She was even the precious flower girl for my wedding.
Last month, my littlest sis got married. It was a very nostalgic event for me (not that everything in life revolves around me, but after all, this is MY blog;-). My "first" little baby was grown up and getting married!!!! And to make it even more strange, my other little baby girl, Thessaly, was her flower girl!!!
How fast life sweeps us along. How quickly we turn the corner and face the newest challenge or see life repeating itself.
Here are some long awaited and much anticipated pictures of all my "kids."

God has blessed me richly, wouldn't you say?!

If You Give Your Kid A...

If You Give Your Baby Oatmeal,He'll Need To Take A Bath.

If You Give Your Daughter an Empty Hallway, She Won't Be Able To Resist.

If You Give A Boy A Push-Toy He'll Somehow Make It Into A Car.



If You Give Yourself Over to the Father,Your Cup Will Runneth Over!

Click Here to find out what happens...

If You Give Your Kids Some Instruments

Buried Treasure

Josephine has taken to digging for buried treasure. At first, it was just fun digging a hole at the bottom of the hill. Last week, she actually unearthed something. She found a lead Civil War toy soldier.This of course inspired her to dig even further.Today she unburied a 1936 penny. Not sure if they are worth much, but it sure has been exciting to discover buried treasure. It also leaves us with many projects to research...Civil War, the history of the penny, the age of our property, what to put in a time capsule, and oh, so many more!!!

What buried treasures am I busy looking for today?

What am I trying to search and find?

Proverbs 2 compares the knowledge of the Lord to buried treasure.

"If you seek it like silver, and search for it as hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God."

Proverbs 8 assures us if we choose instruction and knowledge over silver and pure gold, it's even better than jewels; nothing we desire can be compared to it.

I think it's time for me to take out my shovel and get to digging in that Good Book; I need to find me some buried treasure!

Just Out of Reach

Often I take the kids on walks though our neighborhood in the late afternoons. It's an excellent way to wind down the day, review what we've learned, recap and complete conversations that were started earlier, or just reflect on whatever's on our minds. Our halfway point and highlight of the walk is a small bridge that crosses over Flat Rock Brook. The kids look forward to this point because they love watching the water, spitting and making ripples, finding frogs, but most of all they obsess over a beautiful white rock that lays down below. Each time we cross it glows up at us, looking like a hidden treasure. Each time they rush to look at it, hoping no one has taken it or moved it from it's precious position. Each time they long to unearth this treasure and tote it home.
A few weeks ago, they got their wish. The water was low enough, they could wade across and dig up their "precious." Upon bringing it up from it's home of many years, they discovered the bottom was not as polished, smooth, or special as the top that caught their eyes. They realized it was heavy and weighted them down. They brought it home, cleaned it, and wrapped it in a special place.
Now, we go for walks and there is nothing special waiting for them. They come to the bridge and are quickly ready to go on. They look down and their eyes only see what is missing instead of the special treasures that still rush beneath. Josephine stated what was on all of their minds, "I think the rock was much more special when it was down there where we didn't have it."
This scenario has been haunting my mind. How often do we long for things, thinking "if only I had..." How often do we beg the Father for things that we think will make things perfect. He sees the whole picture. He knows if it will indeed bring happiness or if contentment will be lossed once it is obtained. He knows if our obsession has an ugly underside. May God help us to be content with what we have, be thankful for the beauties that surround us, and trust Him to know what is best.