March Miscellany

Between being pregnant, finishing up our Classical Conversations year, enjoying the beautiful weather and lots of birthdays, March FLEW by!

Playdough was a hit this month.  The girls made many creations.  Here are some of Reecie's favorites.

We are not big network TV watchers (mostly Netflix shows for us), but the month of March is the exception.  Basketball has been our background noise for much of the month.  :)

The kids made these awesome models at CC that show the layers of the earth + the layers of the earth's atmosphere, both were included in our Science memory work.

Daddy helped everyone fill out their own March Madness bracket.  My alma-mater FGCU made it to the sweet 16...very exciting times for our little town to be all over the news media.  They've nicknamed Fort Myers "Dunk City".  Not bad for a school that's only 16 years old.   

 I was not loyal in my bracket, however, and went "chalk" for the winning bracket. Winner gets to pick a family fun day after Lydia is born.  Hmmm, what shall we do?  :)

More basketball!

 On Logan's birthday, he asked me to take these pics and tell anyone who messes with Lydia "they can have some of this from her cousin Logan".  :)  He is so excited about her!  Always running up to give my belly big hugs and says "I just can't wait for Lydia Kate!!" Sweet cousin.

Graham is blazing through books these days.  His favorite series is Encyclopedia Brown and he can burn through 2 or 3 each day if he has enough free time.  Enclopedia Brown with a little Star Wars on top.  :)

In the Groove

Last week was a bit rough after two weeks of no school/no structure.  It felt like usual after Christmas break was over...except that this year....our kids stay here with me!  No farming out of bad behavior or overstimulated brains from too much TV.  Oh I remember these times when I taught in public school.  The first week back was almost always a wash!  Which allows me to extend a little more grace to myself and the kids when transitional weeks come.  It's normal!  :)  So, we started out slowly.  Just the basics.  And a few  extra crafts and outside breaks.  This is the time of year we LOVE to be outside.  Florida winters almost make up for the sweltering tropics the other 9 months of the year. 

I'm happy to say that this week has been SO much better!  Dan and I pow-wowed about some things in the order of our days that needed tweaking and also, we have established a family Sabbath.  This will occur on Saturday, since as a minister, Sunday is a "work" day for our Dan.  Our homeschool week goes from Sunday-Thursday since Dan has Fridays and Saturdays off (mostly).  :)  

Without further ado, here's a little of what we've been up to lately!  

Millie LOVES her glitter glue/paint as much as her big sister!

We make it go a little further by squirting small blobs on the paper and painting in the blobs with paint brushes.  

Daddy and Millie snuggin'.  She is ALL about Daddy these days.  And Nana and Papa.  :)

Big girl hanging out in the front yard last weekend.  She is Daddy's yard helper and enjoys working side by side with him.

On Saturday, Graham's best "home brother", Johnathon came over for a birthday celebration. Dan took them to play putt-putt golf,  and at Graham's request, cheese fries and root beer afterward at Rib City.  These fellas are too funny.

This is what I get when I ask the two of them to pose for a picture--instant bunny ears.  Are they nine + ten or what?  ;)

Today, we had a little crafty fun!  I found some festive pipe-cleaners in the $1 section of Target, so we twisted and hooked lots of little hearts together....

....made glasses....

....and lollipops....

and this cute garland!  I love it.  It hangs on the entertainment cabinet in our living room.  I need to remember that pipe cleaners are such a great way to entertain.  Pretty sure that we spent close to an hour doodling with these things.

This was Hannah Reece's math project in her Saxon K program.  We created a "pictograph" together.

I love her illustrations.  I accidentally flipped her oven upside down...oops!

Our Favorite Winter Activities by Hannah Reece
"We play in the snow."  (She wanted to include that from when we lived in N.Carolina several years ago!)
"We play on the playground."
"We swim in the pool."
"We go to the farmers market."
"We drink hot chocolate."
"We like to read."
"We bake treats in the oven."
"We celebrate Jesus at church."

Hello 2013

It's a new year! 

I love fresh starts.  I don't love resolutions.  Maybe because I have terrible follow through?  I am thankful that every day is great for a fresh start! God's word says "His mercies are new every morning." (Lamentations 3:23) Praying that my (spiritual) eyes would be open to SEE God's mercies anew each day and receive them with a thankful heart.   

My "one little word" for this year is ENJOY.  Last year was work, hard work.  My (unannounced) word for 2012 was INTENTIONAL.  Bringing the kids home to school last January was an intentional choice, led by the Lord's prompting.  I am thankful that with intention (and obedience) came great provision, protection and relational and spiritual growth.  

My aim this year is to intentionally ENJOY the presence and relationships that the Lord has provided.  Enjoy our family.  Enjoy our friends.  ENJOY walking with with GOD.  

Having been a follower of Jesus Christ for almost 31 years, many of those years were spent striving, performing and working to deepen and cultivate my faith.  Often times in my own strength.  

In the last ten years, God has done a mighty work in my heart.  He has slowly, gently led me to a place of peace.  This has been a gradual process.  Like any relationship, it's stronger when time is spent together, I am learning so much by spending time in God's word and being quiet before Him. The real change has been in realizing that God pursues ME.  God loves me!  I can rest in Him.  His strength, His peace, His love.   

Jesus said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30

For years I glossed over this passage and continued reading, looking for the "to do's" and clear application points.  How could I be a better Christian?  What do I do? Well, yes, but what about "working out" my faith, Jesus?  What about my quiet times with you?  That isn't just going to happen you know!   What about sharing my faith with others?  What about being "salt and light"? Where should I go, how do I do it?   Striving, striving, striving.  Until I could strive no more.  

You know what?  Jesus met me there.  In that place of weariness and futile striving.  Not with condemnation, but with gentleness and patience.  With rest for my weary soul.  Oh how I love Him!  Truly, his burden is light.  The heaviness that I've felt for all of these years is the fruit of fear and self-reliance.  Fear of man.  Fear of failure.  Fear of not measuring up or not being/doing enough to meet God's expectations.  Fear of letting people down. The freedom from all of that is exhilarating!   At times I am still tempted to fear and give in to anxiety, but when I choose to trust GOD to do his work in and through me, leading me every step of the way---there is true freedom.  Surrender.  Peace. The only voice I need to respond to is the Lord's.

Until marrying Dan and experiencing the Presbyterian tradition first-hand, I never new what confessions or catechisms or any of those words meant.  I thought confessions and catechisms were for Catholics only. Now I know that a confession (of faith) is merely a unified statement of belief, based on scripture.   I LOVE the first line of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (inspiration for my word this year):

Question:  What is the chief end of man?  
Answer:  Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy him forever.  

ENJOY.

Blessings + favorites

This morning, I caught a glimpse of this:

and it took my breath away.  

How many moments, like Mary, mother of Jesus, have I treasured up all these things and pondered them in my heart?  (Luke 2:19)  More than I can count!  It's one of the many things I love about recording our memories here on this blog.  These memories are a treasure, a gift from the Lord.  

I'm not raising the "savior" but raising a child is hard, holy, precious work.  The other night, Dan said, while watching the kids, "I'm trying my best to engrain this moment into my memory."  I smiled and laughed!  I couldn't have said it better!  I feel that way hourly, it seems.  Even in the hard moments of mothering, it seems that God ,in his rich mercy, provides perspective and grace.  I know that these precious moments with our children are just a blink in time...in the span of their lives.  What a privilege to witness the making of these future man and women. 

That candle is one of my favorites!  It is some type of fresh pine scent from Mrs. Meyers brand.  I burn it from morning till night.

I think Trader Joe's makes the YUMMIEST semi-sweet chocolate chips!  I've been enjoying them   all by their yummy little selves, but I can't wait to load up some homemade cookie mix with these bad boys and some pecans, too!

My favorite Pandora station "George Winston (holiday)" plays all. day. long. in our living room.

I discovered "kits" this week at our public library.  Each day, for the first thirty minutes of quiet time, Graham reads his chapter book (currently reading "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever") I lay down with Camille for the first part of her nap, and I've needed something "independent" for Reecie-our beginning reader.  I was looking for the old school tapes with books at the library, but these are even better! She LOVES following along with the books on cd and it makes her feel so big to have her cd walkman and headphones on.

We have been working on memorizing Exodus 20 with a song and hand motions this semester in Classical Conversations.  I put the self-timer on my camera to work so that I can remember these precious moments with our children!  I didn't notice at the time, but the way Reecie is helping Camille with her motions makes my heart just ache with love for them!

I feel like this Christmas/advent season, I am moving slower, enjoying the ordinary, savoring these moments more than I ever have before.  I'm just so grateful for God's grace and the opportunity to set a comfortable pace.  No rushing, no hustle and bustle, no unrealistic expectations on myself or on the kids.  For me, this has been one of the greatest blessings in our home school journey so far.  Pacing ourselves.  Being intentional.  Not feeling the constant external pressure to be, do, and fulfill obligations.  I am a happier, more content person, and I think it is making a difference in the way that I nurture and love our children.  So thankful for these people God has entrusted to Dan and I!

Home Brothers

Johnathon and Graham go WAY back.  I first met their family when I was pregnant with Graham and Johnathon was a new baby!

Johnathon, Oliver, Graham + Aiden at Trunk or Treat

Johnathon celebrated his 10th birthday last week and Graham will be 9 next month.  Though completely different in personality, these boys are so awesome together.  Jill and I laugh that it's like watching two little old men interact, and it's been this way since they were little!  They almost anticipate each other's next idea or thought because they know each other so well.  Now they call each other "home brother" and love talking about how they will design their bachelor mansion with a bowling alley, giant pools, movie theaters.  Their plan is to play all day long in their bachelor pad leaving no time for anything else.  Like a job. :)  So funny.  Today, I snapped a pic of Graham's birthday sentiments for his home brother:

a peek at our week {in pictures}

My goal is to delete/edit my pics from the week on Friday nights.  Here are the first "fruits" of my photo purge/sort.  We're easing back in to some scheduled days and I'm trying to make sure to build it time for things that are energizing and enjoyable to me so that I don't slip into "Mom-the-martyr" mode.  :)  Organizing and journaling on our pictures is one of those activities for sure!  After the joys and challenges of the week, a little memory-keeping exercise like this reminds me of all I have to be thankful for.

Dan came home on Monday night after interviewing our new church preschool director ready to celebrate!  It's been quite stressful at work this summer and this was a huge relief..  He called the emergency babysitting squad (Grandma and Grandpa) and they scooted right over to watch the kids for an hour while we noshed on some cheese fries at Rib City.  No eating after 7 is out the window when you need to celebrate.  :)

Went to the library on Monday, which means a gigantic pile of books and 7 dvd's (the library's limit)   I think they were watching Princess and the Pop Star Veggie Tales with every blanket in the house piled on top of their bodies.  I almost forgot Millie was in this pic!  Can you spot her? 

This boy is so sweet on his sisters, and right now, Miss Millie has his affections.  The feeling is mutual! In fact when she got into some trouble she ran to Graham to tell on me!  "Grammy....momma....me feel so sad!"  So, so pitiful.  

Our little "pantry raider" is now the "panty raider"  ;) This pic is going to get me into trouble one day with Camille....I'm sure of it. (Don't worry, this blog is private only for you, family and super close friends!)  

Sitting across from these three at lunch...I was overcome with gratitude to God for entrusting me with their lives and hearts!  

Graham getting in Daddy's sermon writing process.  Dan is intentional about helping our children understand and be a part of the ministry God has called him to.  One of the many things I admire about him. 

We rearranged Graham's room and sorted out  all of the Lego (a friday morning tradition).  A clean slate in the Lego room always gets the creative juices flowing.  Here, Hannah Reece is demonstrating her awesome Hello Kitty village.  She is so proud of it!  She asked me to take pictures at every angle; here is another:

our blue-eyed beauty

our buddies Asher and Jadon came to play.  We loved how the kids all piled on the sofas right away and started looking at books and reading to each other.  Makes some homeschool momma's hearts feel happy!  I  enjoy stimulating conversation with their mom, Sarah, politics, theology...nothing's off limits.  Grateful for friendships like these.

So sweet!  This little cocked-head pose is how Camille poses for the camera lately.  

Thank you, Lord.  

  

ice skating

Why on earth would we be donned in our winter gear in 90 degree weather??

ICE SKATING LESSONS!

 up and down, up and down...but not for long!  :)

sneaking in sugars and snuggles with daddy

"Mom, guess what?  Today I just fell three times.  I never want to stop skating.  I wish for skating lessons every day!"  -Hannah Reece