Just one more thing...

I find myself saying those words (in my head) several times before bed.  My just-one-more-things tend to last for at least another 20 minutes before my head hits the pillow. 

So tonight's just-one-more-thing includes this here blog post.

This is the start of our first full homeschool year.  We began in January of this year (2012) and I was under the gun and pretty much in survival mode working hard to help Graham finish second grade well, one coming home from Pre-K and one curious, energetic 2 year old.  When folks ask me about our homeschooling experience, I usually preface my thoughts with something like "I am definitely not the poster child for homeschooling mother!"  I know it sounds quite negative and self-depreciating, but it's true.  Prior to Graham starting Kindergarten, I spent a good chunk of a year researching every.single.option.  Private schools, public schools, charter schools, Classical schools, hybrid schools, and yes-even homeschool.  Though the benefits of homeschool intrigued me (rich, individualized learning; flexability; more margin for the things we want to spend our energies on) homeschool was not my first choice.  It was not my original plan.   "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."  (Prov. 19:21) Three of the options that stood out most then (almost 4 years ago): Calvert School, Classical Christian education + Classical Conversations are now at the heart of our homeschool plan.  I am amazed at how God's plan has unfolded and I will share more about that later.  We start our "school year" later this month and I am happy to say that while I'm not the poster child for the overly-enthusiastic-homeschool-momma  (grin)  I trust God, HIS love and HIS plan for us, praying that He'll make us poster children for his grace, a precious gift that I do not deserve. 

With that, I have a funny story I want to remember:
Yesterday, Graham asked me Medusa, Paul Bunyon,

And a couple Millie-isms for the day...

Tonight Millie woke up screaming...saying "my nose is RAINING!"  She has a runny nose.  So sad, so adorable.

Millie usually wakes up crying around 2:30 am.  Sleep is precious to us in this season. So, one of us goes and brings her  into our bed and we all pass out again.  This morning, I heard her waking and she was smooshing my cheeks and saying her usual "Git up, Momma!"  "Let's go, Momma!"  I cracked one eye open and she smiled and said "You my bes fwend mommy."   :)

ash wednesday

It's Ash Wednesday.  I'm embracing the ashes, a symbol of repentance of sin. Sin leads to death.  Without the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I am physically and spiritually dead.  The ashes are a symbol, not at all necessary for holiness or relationship with God in Jesus Christ.  The Christian calendar year and liturgical calendar are still fairly new to me.  With each year, I learn a little more, embrace these seasons more wholeheartedly.  These seasons are healing.  In observing them, they become intentional opportunities to open my heart to for the Lord to revive areas that need healing and wholeness.

Source: s258.photobucket.com via Sarah on Pinterest

The season of lent is becoming my favorite time of year!  These forty days, I choose to intentionally repent, reflect, worship and be renewed by the Holy Spirit.  One way I'm intending to lean in to hear his voice more clearly is by choosing not to read blogs.  This is something that I really enjoy ...so much inspiration and encouragement out there in blog-land!)  Instead, I will replace the time spent on reading blogs with more time reading scripture, receiving hope, instruction and  encouragement from the Lord.  To God be the glory!

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 

Psalms 51:10

made in the shade

 

girls day at the salon

Hannah Reece was so excited to spend a few hours at a local beauty school with Raeghan and Aunt Choley.  It was a special "princess party" being offered on President's Day.  The girls received the royal treatment, complete with pink extensions, make-up and a manicure.  I think this is the first time that Raeghan and Hannah Reece have had a special outing together, and they were fun to watch;  skipping around the salon, munching on sugar cookies, and sipping punch.   It was a very special day, Hannah Reece can't wait to go again!  :)

Mornin' Millie

Baby girl wakes up (most mornings in our bed) and is on the lookout for daddy.  Dan is an early riser and is often in the bathtub reading or getting ready for the day.  She slides off of the bed, finds daddy and says "Ah-mo?" Elmo.  This girl LOVES Elmo, almost as much as daddy!  Elmo it is.  Then "dooce".  Juice.  Then "nack".  Snack-breakfast style.   Her favorite breakfast is soy or coconut yogurt or oatmeal, the old fashioned kind, with cinnamon, maple syrup and raisins.  Girl can put a hurtin' on some oatmeal.  

Daddy was the photographer this morning and Bubby was his assistant.  See those "I'm your biggest fan" smiles?  Yup, those are for Graham.  

 Oh yes, she's daddy's girl alright. 

plugs, shoes, fellowship and an easel (our weekend in a nutshell)

Graham has finally found a job that he enjoys.  Yardwork!  I wish I had taken a picture of the look of pride on Dan's face while Graham was mowing the front yard.  So cool.  :)  Dan's been working hard on landscape phase 12.  Just kidding.  Kind of.  But we won't go there.  ;)  So Dan here are Dan and Graham, plugging away to fill in the areas where the weeds have died, thank you weed n feed.  Dan has come up with some pretty sweet watering systems in the front and back yard to keep our new plantings alive till the summer rainy season.  

While the boys worked hard, and Millie snoozed away, Reecie and I headed out to Publix for groceries.  Look at Reecie wiht her shopping list notebook.  My girl.  Shopping isn't so much a pleasure this time of year during "season".  Just like the roads this time of year, it was bumper to bumper traffic in just about every aisle.  We survived and made it home to unload the cold stuff, load everyone up, pick up Grandma and Grandpa and head over to pick up Aunt Shirlee and Uncle Greg from the airport.  Looking forward to our little get-together this Friday. 

The Johannsens asked us to come over last night for their small group fellowship and we had a great time.  I love the way the body of Christ works together to support and uphold one another with God's love.  Brought home some of Beth's delicious chocolate covered strawberries.  Hannah Reece was eager to try a bite.   Sweet girl couldn't get much sweeter, and boy does she have a sweet tooth.  Came by it honest, I think.  ;)

I am in desperate need of some basic items to spruce up my wardrobe.  So my shopping buddy came along and we had a big time.  Instead of clothes for momma, we picked up something much more fun.  New slip-ons for Hannah Reece and an easel!  One side is dry-erase and one is chalk + clips for painting paper.  Red tag TEN DOLLARS, so exciting.  Reece is excited about her new shoes.  I love that they fit securely on her feet.  She loves the sparkly gold elastic straps.  I love the neutral color that goes with everything.  She loves that they have a heel.  Win, win.  :)

a typical morning...

...looks something like this:  stuff all over the vanity (and floor), Millie freshly clean because she stripped down (without warning) to get in the shower with daddy.  Reecie decides a shower might be good too (bonus: clothing change), so she goes in after daddy and Camille.  Then we remember that Graham hasn't bathed in almost a week and has visible wax in his ears...so we drag encourage him into the bathroom to take care of personal hygiene.  Then it's my turn.  Super-duper quick shower. When was the last time I shaved above my knees anyway?)  Blow-dry my hair almost dry and fix it in my new favorite way, a little make-up and dig through my closet hoping that I'll find one thing that might match.  YES!  Last one.  Throw in a load of laundry (because I've now exhausted all of my options) and move on to breakfast.  Ezekiel bread toast and yogurt.  Kiss Dan goodbye, say a prayer and take a deep breath.  Our day has begun.

This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!  Psalm 118:24