Life Is A Song
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Sunday, November 29, 2009
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We are home! (Can you guess where we went?)
I apologize for the unexplained blog absence. Ken kidnapped us and took us on a ride--a long ride. We had a fabulous time, and I'll update more later, as I'm catching up on laundry and decorating for Christmas tonight!
Meanwhile, can you guess where we were? Photohint below:
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Nov. 29, 2009
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Happy First Birthday Caleb Michael.
In honor of Caleb's First Birthday, I am going to repost his his announcement.
It is with Great Joy that we announce that Baby 7-Up has arrived.
Here I am on Thanksgiving at 40 weeks 6 days. Which is bigger, my tummy or the turkey?
Here I am confined to the bed with continuous fetal monitoring and miserable. About 5:30
Because I am a VBAC, I had to have continuous fetal monitoring and she had a hard time getting the heart tones in any other position but this one. My only freedom was going potty, so I took my time in the potty. Finally I simply could not take it anymore sitting in that bed. My bottom hurt. I was unable to change positions to deal with contractions so...
Here I am after I received my epidural.
That yellow button I could push to get extra medicine. I pushed it about once every 15 minutes because I could. 
About 30 minutes before I delivered Baby 7-Up, the doctor decided this was going to be a big baby because although baby's head had descended substantially, the butt was still in the same position right by the diaphragm. She called in a bunch of extra nurses to help with a probably shoulder distortia. Baby 7-Up did not disappoint and it was a worrisome 51 seconds of him being stuck. Me trying to push him out while I had literally 3 nurses pushing on various parts of my uterus and tummy and pubic bone. (I am still sore)
I had asked for Sean to announce the gender because I thought that would be special and it was, once he was finally able to see it because of all the concerns.
Here he is cutting the cord. What is Baby 7-Up? Here you can see.
Its a Boy
Because of the shoulder issue, he was wisked away to the warmer and I did not even get to see him. There were four nurses crowded around him. Finally he got a clean bill of health and there was talk about how big he was. There were wagers made (not really) about his weight and they weighed him.
Yes, 10 pounds 1.7 ounces and 20 3/4 inches long. He is all head with some shoulders and some arms, legs and body to finish him off.
We had no girls names picked out. Good thing he was a boy.
After about 3 hours of enjoying our new son, eating lunch together and talking, we settled on
Caleb Michael
10 pounds 2 ounces
20.75 inches
9:51 a.m.
November 29, 2008
The kids seeing Caleb for the first time.
All seven children and Uncle Ted
Caleb Michael
Have a wonderful and blessed day. I know we will.
Susan |
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Nov. 27, 2009
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A cute video of Miriam
We went to our "new" North Carolina friend's home. There were four families there and we had so much fun. Mandy (another Mom) and I used recipes from our friend Tawna so we made a stick figure so she would be included. And we also made a stick figure of our friend Michele (with one l) because she had car trouble and her family could not come. Anyway, we started playing with them and Mandy caught this video of Miriam giving Tawna spelling lessons. She is teaching Tawna how to spell her name. She says "M. I. R. I. A. M." I ask, "What does that spell?" She says, "Me." Too funny.
Here it is.
Spelling lessons with Miriam.
Its on YouTube. Enjoy.
Susan |
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Nov. 27, 2009
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Bethany Grace
Bethany Grace continues to battle on-going sinus infections. It's not uncommon to find her like this in the middle of the day:
So I am beyond thrilled when she is feeling better and can make it through the day without a nap or needing a rest. She has been feeling really well the past couple of weeks. Last week I snapped this picture of her as we were getting ready to go out for the evening to enjoy the "flipping the switch" of the lights at Gaylord Opryland and then off to see the Rockettes.
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Dec. 11, 2009
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Our new home
Here is the front or our cozy new rental home.
Before the truck arrived with all our stuff. Why can't it stay this clean?
The kitchen
The view of the children playing. Notice the girls looking longingly at our neighbors hoping they will let their 4 year old come out and play. It was nap time. They were so sad.
Girls' room before our stuff arrived and before we painted.
The boys' room before we painted.
Our room we still have not painted. How many coats do you think that will take.
Come back to see more pictures later. |
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Nov. 23, 2009
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T.H.A.N.K.S.G.I.V.I.N.G.
A challenge from a friend.
Here is my T.H.A.N.K.S.G.I.V.I.N.G.
Truth found in the Word of God
Husband that loves and cares for me more than I will ever deserve.
Additional bathrooms. Yes, again, may seem small, but we rarely have to wait now with 3 spots to "go".
Neighbors that are kind and caring and welcomed us into the neighborhood.
Kidlets running around and making noise. What may be frustrating at times, brings great joy to their Mom.
Songs of praise to God that help to keep me focused on what is true and good and pure.
Giving sacrificially. At times it can be hard, but it is true, it is better to give than to receive.
Internet. I know highly spiritual. It is wonderful to be able to stay connected to those we have left behind.
Vision for our family to grow and walk with the Lord and to be the people that God wants us to be.
Interesting adventure that is moving to a new location. All sorts of new things to explore, new people to meet and new things to learn.
No cable. While I miss some shows, I value the time we are spending together as a family so much more. The tv reception is not very good, but I am still able to watch the news.
Growing both physically and spiritually. It is a joy to watch my children grow to be the people that God wants them to be.
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Nov. 22, 2009
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a fun time with our sweet friends
We recently were finally able to get together with our precious friends, The Hall Family, -- well, a portion of the family. We had a great time catching up and are reminded how very sweet our friendship is. God is so good to bless us with so many wonderful friends.
Mark enjoying some time in the pool:
The group gathered to pose for a quick picture before we had to leave.
We've been close friends with this family since Mark was born. It's so great to reconnect. The children can't wait to do it again. |
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Nov. 20, 2009
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Calls needed to stop intrusive health care bill
I recv'd this today from HSLDA e-lert service:
November 20, 2009
Senate Will Vote on Health Care Bill Creating
Home Visitation Programs--Urgent Calls Needed!
The U.S. Senate will vote at 8 p.m. Saturday, November 21, on whether
to proceed regarding H.R. 3590. If 60 senators vote for cloture,
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will then substitute his 2,074-page
bill, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act," in
place of H.R. 3590. This bill will become a shell for the Senate's
version of health care reform, which it will debate and may ultimately
approve.
Majority Leader Reid's bill, the "Patient Protection and Affordable
Health Care Act," is the fifth of six health care bills created by
leaders in Congress that has included federal funding for new home
visitation programs.
While HSLDA does not normally urge its members to act on legislation
relating to health reform, we see the "Patient Protection and
Affordable Health Care Act" as a serious threat to parental rights.
This $848 billion bill calls for home visitation programs which would
empower government officials to teach parents how to raise their own
children. Although these programs will not be mandatory, parents may
feel pressured to participate, allowing the federal government
unprecedented access into private homes and involvement in early
education. To read more on how "The Patient Protection and Affordable
Health Care Act" threatens your right as a parent to raise your
children as you see fit, please see our preliminary analysis on the
bill at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=7260 .
ACTION REQUESTED
Please call your senators today and urge them to vote against cloture
on "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" in H.R. 3590. You
do not need to identify yourself as a homeschooler. You can use some
or all of the following message:
"I am opposed to 'The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,'
substituted in H.R. 3590 because Section 2951 creates home
visitation/early education programs through grants to the states.
Parents, not federal or state officials, should make child-rearing
decisions for their children. Please vote no on cloture."
You can reach your two U.S. senators by calling the Capitol
Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Or find contact information for your
senators by using HSLDA's Legislative Toolbox at
http://www.hslda.org/toolbox .
Sincerely,
J. Michael Smith, Esq.
President, HSLDA
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Monday, November 16, 2009
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Daybook: Monday November 16th, 2009
Outside my window… the sun is low in the sky, casting a beautiful light over the snow-covered fields.
From the learning rooms… we are wrapping up a Tapestry unit this week and preparing for a week off as we enjoy Ken's vacation days!
I am thankful for… Ken having two weeks home and my restored health!
From the kitchen…. a pan of water begins to boil on the stove--we'll have spaghetti for dinner
I am hearing... the washer and dryer running, pages turning as the girls read from the book baskets.
I am wearing … a white blouse and a windowpane denim jumper with a long 50's circle-style skirt.
I am reading… Goodness and Mercy by Esther Davison
I am creating… another flannel petticoat. I think this winter is gonna be cold!
I am praying… to be faithful in the small things, daily, hourly, and minute-by minute; for the big things are often just small things compounded.
Around the house… I'm finished with fall cleaning except for a few light fixtures. I hope to do those this week.
One of my favorite things… a cup of tea, a good book, a quiet evening and a gently glowing candle. (Ok, that wasn't one thing, but I like them all together.)
A few plans for the rest of the week… Ken's off this week and next. This week is a family work-week, next week is play!
A picture thought to share: Double Bubble Trouble
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Saturday, November 14, 2009
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Back to basics
All my children are a bit prone to careless mistakes in their school work, but Kendra won the prize yesterday for the most extreme absent-minded error to date.
I'd just started to grade her math drill when I noticed she'd gotten the first question on the page wrong. Not the frist math problem, but rather the frist question on the page; the blank marked, "Name______________".
I would have understood if she'd forgotten to fill it in, but she answered--incorrectly. In hasty Kendra-scrawl, she'd written, "Kaira."
She was surprised and bemused at herself when I pointed it out. The only explanation she could think of was, "Well, it is a timed test, so I was in a hurry." She must have been hurried indeed to have forgotten her name!
I'll occasionally say the wrong name, but this is the first time one of the children has mistakenly called herself by a sibling name!
Throughout the day I've been sneaking up on her and giving a pop quiz, "Quick, what's your name?" She usually even gets it right--at least when she can stop giggling long enough to answer.
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