Emma's Memorial Day watermelon

What's On my Nightstand...

•  My Utmost for His Highest  by Oswald Chambers(See post from a few days ago for more info on this)
•  Classical Christian Education Made Approachable by Leigh Bortins
• The Core  by Leigh Bortins - both of these books have to do with our new homeschooling journey (again, see post from a few days ago for more info).  This book has opened my eyes to so much about education and why the classical model works and has worked for many, many years. 
• Raising Maidens of Virtue by Stacey MacDonald- Great book about raising girls. 
• My Utmost for His Highest in Today's Language- Sometimes I read both of these at the same time to make sure I'm understanding what Oswald Chambers is saying.
• My Bible
• The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliott.  A very interesting book that explains how Elisabeth Elliott was raised.  I have really enjoyed this book.

What are you reading??

Emma at 22 months

Emma Grace is already 22 months old.  She is quickly approaching her second birthday.  I knew this would happen.  I knew before she was born that her "babyhood" would pass so quickly and it has.

But oh, how we have enjoyed this little girl.  She has brought many smiles into all of our lives.

Her hair seems curlier each day, and her eyes are still a beautiful blue.  She is a strikingly beautiful baby.  (Said by a very biased mother!)

 She is talking all the time and laughs and giggles as she plays.

 She loves babies, balls and anything her brothers are playing with.  She LOVES to be outside, just walking around, inspecting everything.

 Emma

Emma and Paul.  22 months and 22 years.

Classical Conversations

We began a whole new homeschool journey this past year. Well, it was mostly Ellie who began a whole new journey, but it affected all of us. Last summer, we knew we wanted to do something different with Ellie for the upcoming school year. She was entering 7th grade and we just weren’t satisfied with how our homeschool high school was going. We felt we were missing something, and we knew Ellie was capable of much more than she was doing.



Paul received an email in the middle of the summer about a new school starting up in Macon. The students would attend one day a week, and then work from home the rest of the week. We attended the meeting and were impressed. It seemed like it would work for Ellie. We decided to think and pray and even fast before we made our decision.

God confirmed in both of our hearts and in early August, Ellie began attending Classical conversations. She took a very rigorous courseload, much harder and much more work than she had ever done before. It was hard and very challenging, for all of us. But she stuck with it and completed the year, doing very well. These pictures show one of her finals. She had to draw the entire world by memory, labeling over 200 countries/capitals and geographical features.

I think she has surprised herself with what she is capable of. And this is just the beginning. I know she is going to do leaps and bounds more than what she did this year. Classical education just makes sense. They begin by drilling young children and filling their minds full of facts, in all different subject areas. They, as their minds mature, they take that knowledge and learn how to use it.

 I am so excited for this upcoming school year. I feel our homeschool has a vision and a goal- we know where we’re going and how we are getting there. Sam and Ben will also be attending Classical Conversations one morning a week. Paul will be teaching Ellie’s class and I will be teaching Ben’s class. It will be a family affair this Fall! We are all looking forward to it.

If you are looking for something new for your homeschool that is really something old, check out ClassicalConversations.com. Paul and I have been amazed how that this concept spills over into so many areas in our children’s lives, from child training to discipleship to education. We believe it is one of the “ancient paths” that the Bible speaks of.


(These pictures are of  Ellie's maps in progress.)

Mother's Day 2012

 These are the only pictures I took on Mother's Day.  They weren't the best, but the kids looked so nice before church.  Sam was already gone, and no one else would pose for me.

 After church, Paul cooked lunch for his family and for me, in honor of Mother's Day.  He cooked filet mignon, chicken and sausage on the grill while Anna made homemade fettucine alfredo.  It was delicious.

 Sam, Ben and Emma gave me Mother's Day balloons.  Well, Emma gave me a Elmo balloon.  Well, not really.  She wouldn't let me have it!  Paul said when she saw it at the store, she insisted on having it.

 Later, Paul gave me a very generous gift card to buy whatever I want.  I love that!

Then my big kids (Anna, Ellie and Paul) took me out to a movie.  We saw Mirror, Mirror and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.  It was cute and funny and better that I had hoped.  Then we went out for dinner and I enjoyed the time with the kids very much.  We got home and Paul and I jumped in the van and headed out for dessert.  I was very full by the time the night was done, but very satisfied.  Being a mother is the hardest thing I've ever attempted to do and it is nice to have that effort recognized!  Thanks family for a great day!

Oh yeah, I received a very uplifting phone message from Zack and then got to talk to him later in the day.  Not the same as being able to see him, but it was so nice to hear from him!

Sunday, May 17

 Can you feel the excitment and energy these two were exuding before church one Sunday morning?

 They did look awful cute though.

 Not sure what she was pointing at.

 Trying to get away from Ben.

 She looked so cute in this red floral dress from Aunt Rebecca.

 Even though you couldn't tell by her face.

 Ahh, there's a happy face.

 More happy faces!

Sure do love these kiddos!  They make me smile just by looking at them.  What a blessing from the Father.

I'm Back!

WE GOT INTERNET BACK AT THE HOUSE!  Woo-Hoo!

Hopefully this will mean more frequent postings.

Hopefully.

:)

Sam's Quilt

Sam has been asking for a quilt for a few years now.  He noticed that he was the only one of the kids that I hadn't made a quilt for.  So I told him that after Emma was born, I would make him a quilt.

 Around Emma's first birthday, I started him a quilt.  Then I needed to put the sewing stuff away, and it stayed away several months.  When I realized his birthday was coming up, I decided I was going to finish his quilt.

 And I did.  He was very pleased with it.  It is a superhero quilt, with Spider man, Superman and Batman.

 It came out very well, and very colorful.  I wasn't sure about it when I started it,but when it was finished, I loved it.

 I found the perfect fabric for the backing walking through Walmart one day.  Spiderman, Ironman and Captain America.  Perfect!

Enjoy it Sam!

Last softball/baseball game of the 2012 season

Last week was the last game of the season.  It's always kind of a disappointment that when the girls are finally getting the hang of hitting and fielding, the season is over.

 But they went out with a bang.

 Anna is the picture of concentration.

 This was when she hit the first of her two homeruns.

 Crossing homeplate.  See the grin on her face?  She was very happy.

 Ellie has improved tremendously this season and I think next year, she will be a force to be reckoned with.

 Sam had a blast playing baseball this season.

 And he made sure to employ the "Dziadul tongue" as he caught the ball.

It was a great, fun season!