Here we are last year at the beach in Mexico. He went with us on a mission trip. This shows how much he loves me because there is NO WAY he EVER would have gone for himself. Leaving the U.S. was a HUGE stretch for him. And to top it off it was with a whole group of people from our church. He knew I wanted to go, and even though he is pretty much content to stay home and be with just his family. He took us. I think he actually enjoyed himself, he might not admit it.
Today Garrett is 10. Yes one final birthday for this birthday marathon we go through every year. I told you to check back REAL soon!
Garrett was born the day after his brothers first birthday. He was my littlest boy for 7 years before he gave up that title to his younger brother. He was a teensy bit sad when I told him I wouldn't be calling him the littlest boy any more. To his credit though he came out a trooper and has not had a speck of jealousy since.
Here he is with his littlest brother. Notice the biking shirt! It's his favorite. He'd live in that everyday if I'd let him!
Garrett is an outdoorsy kid at heart. He's not afraid to get dirty! He is going to be one of those kids who is just naturally good at sports or anything physical. He is quick on his feet and catches on to games easily. He is willing to try most anything. When he was four he got his first shiner by doing as his daddy said and "keeping his eye on the ball". He ate octopus tacos while in Mexico last year, while we all looked on in amazement. Pronounced them a bit chewy. He beat his brother at learning how to ride a bike, yet as a lefty the handwriting was a loooong time in coming. This mom has had to really work on the not comparing thing. He loves to get books on motocross and mountain biking from the library and can't wait until he can get a dirtbike just like his older brother. Knowing his dad it won't be too long. Along with his brothers he has learned how to run his dads bobcat excavator (with close supervision!). He is often the first one out the door when daddy needs help working.
He is also musical and lately he has been listening to Michael W Smith tapes and writing out the lyrics to the songs. He has a great singing voice and an infectious smile.
Today Collin is 11! Yep another birthday in our household. (Guess what yet another is coming soon! Check back......... real soon.)
Collin is the child who keeps me on my toes and on my knees. He has a very black and white personality. Has a hard time grasping concepts that are in the gray zone. I'm learning to never assume he understands something until he has explained it back to me. Very sensitive... intense is a good descriptive word for my middle child. When he is up he is very up when he is down he is very down. A talker and a lover. He has said in the past that he wants to grow up and own a restaraunt and be the president of the US. He has also said he is not sure if he wants to own the restaurant or be the cook. LOL I told him to own it and cook both. "Can you do that?" was his reply.
Here he is working on a volcano lapbook project in preparation to our visit to Mt. St Helen's in June.
Collin is incredibly creative and talented. I'll have to post the second part of his story that he is working on. OOOooooo I just saw it lying on the desk here. (really I'm not kidding it just happened to be here.) If you missed the first part click here and read that then come back and read more of ....................The Battle for the Sword
Chapter 1 - Two Common Boys
They where comeing to the end of the meadow , and at the end of the where two boulders and they jumped behind them "I have to take a rest"said Jimmy. "OK"answered Jacob, then they both sat down "whats that big brother?" "It looks like tracks" they both were looking at 3 or 4 tracks in the ground "do you know what typ of tracks those are?" "NO?" "I thought you knew every typ of track" "not this one" " Go get Joe to come here and thene stay home" "why?" "because I said so!" Thene Jimmy ran home crying "I hope he gets Joe" Then Jacob studyed the tracks. The tracks looked like something with a small palm and very long fingers. Just then he heard a hissing groul. He got up and looked around but he couldent see anything, He started to stand up and leave because he was scared but he only could stand up before something came up behind him. He turned around and gave a sharp yell "AHAHAH" "dont worry its only me ..Joe" Jacob sat down panting of fear "why did you scream?" Ο didnt scream!"OK, but why did you yell?" "I tought you were some monster" " ..moster?" .why would you think such a thing?" Jacob paused then Joe sat down on a rock then got up a little.
This story goes on for more pages than I want to type out right now. I forced myself to enter it in just as he wrote it mistakes and all. I think maybe I'll get Collin to start a blog and he can enter in his own stories. Would you all be willing to give him some feedback?
We'll work on the spelling and grammar too --- I promise.
Brett turns three today! If you ask him how old he is he holds up his hand, takes a few seconds to get the correct number of fingers up and says --- four. (he's really only three) The first thing he said as he came up the stairs this morning is "it's my happy birfday!"
I still remember when I first new for sure that I was pregnant again. This was a surprise baby, we thought we were done with our family of 3 sons. I did not always like that decision but had come to terms with it. Now I can't imagine life without my littlest boy. I was surprised but excited. I knew DH was NOT going to be happy. I told him, and no he was NOT happy. In fact he wouldn't even discuss it for the first few months. He would just change the subject whenever I brought it up. When I started showing, then it became real and he started dealing with it. Now our youngest is the apple of his eye! He loves his boy, and his boy loves his daddy!
Look at them now!!
His brothers all were very excited! I had not known what we were having with the two middle boys, and with the oldest the ultrasound said he was a girl! Wrong. With this pregnancy the doc wanted a ultrasound because due dates were uncertain. We decided to know what the baby was going to be. Everyone was there during the ultrasound. When the technician said it's a boy, we all laughed. One brother cried a bit. He was very dissapointed.
This pregnancy was more difficult on me emotionally. I'm not sure if it is age or what but, hormones were working overtime and I was a basket case! His delivery ended up being an emergency C-section. His umbilical cord was around his neck three times!
He is the life of the family. We sit around the dinner table sometimes just laughing at his antics and he is absorbing it all. He will keep husband and I young. I look at my oldest and remember when he was tiny and I know that his life is flying past. I will be graduating the oldest as I teach the youngest to read. I have many years left of this life of a home educating mom. A life I love and would not trade for all the prestige and recognition in the world.
~ At 6 feet tall Adam calls me his little mama. He is now a friend and helper to me. He plays the violin and mandolin. He is not currently taking music lessons but participates weekly with our praise team at church. He has made some really neat things in a wood turning class that he goes to. An early Christmas present from Uncle Mike was a book on how to build your own PC, so I imagine he will be working on building his own computer soon. Adam works one day a week for a local business owner doing all kinds of odd jobs. I get many compliments from people that he works for.
~ intense, creative, perfectionist. A very black and white personality combined with a creative artistic flair make for a very interesting person. Collin is incredibly smart and sees the world in a whole new way. He keeps me on my toes and challenges me to a new level. If he is having trouble with a concept in school, just draw a picture of it and he gets it. We have even been known to draw scenes from books we are reading so that Collin can see what is happening! Collin continues with his piano and is interested in art and management.
Garrett 9 yrs ~ fun loving and a great smile! These are the best words to describe him. He loves ice skating and shooting sports. He has been taking guitar lessons this year and loves to create his own songs. He likes Michael W. Smith and he tries to play along. He especially wants to learn to play with a slide. He is a great helper to Tim and loves to be out with him digging and constructing.
I guess I'll start by telling a bit about the boys. We'll begin with the youngest.
Brett 2 yrs
~ All boy, he loves trucks and cars. He loves music and is sooooo cute when he sings and dances along. He adores his older brothers and has quickly learned to play with the big boys. No baby toys for this little guy. We subtitled this picture "Brett the mouse". He pulled this huge chunk of cheese out of the refrigerator and nibbled on all sides before he was caught.
My name is Sharon. I am wife to my wonderful husband Tim, and mom to four fantastic boys. We have home educated for 11 years.
I thought it would be fun to start a blog. Why? Hmmm.... mostly to record our life's activities and share my thoughts, struggles, and triumphs.
I've realized that life is happening way too fast!
I would love to share resources and ideas with other homeschoolers. But I want this to be more than about 'school' I want this to be about lifestyle and growth, and about everyday mundane happenings.
The thoughts and reflections of a mom who loves being at home, and is doing all she has ever desired in her life..... Really... I love my life that much!
"And all thy sons shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy sons.
In righteousness shall thou be established." Is 54:13-14
Keys for Kids -- daily devotional for kids
I think he actually enjoyed himself, he might not admit it. 
Here he is with his littlest brother. Notice the biking shirt! It's his favorite. He'd live in that everyday if I'd let him!
Collin 10 yrs
