Thanks to those of you who prayed for our return to health.  We haven't returned completely, but we are definitely on the upswing.  This has been an icky bug.  Harrison and Charity got it worst and the rest of us just got it!  Thankfully Neko is nearly better, just a teeny weeny stuffy nose on occasion. I was most concerned for him and Charity.  She has done beautifully - I think having a repaired trachea is very helpful...

We are hoping to be totally well by Christmas, but even if a little cough remains, we're thankful to be on the road to recovery.  Just wanted to let you all know!

Tears spilling over my eyelids and down my cheeks...

...as I sit watching my precious baby girl (who isn't really a baby anymore) singing "Away in the Manger", as only she can sing, adding her own unique hand motions. 

God, You didn't have to return her to health, but you did.  In fact, You gave her even better strength and health than before.  You didn't have to allow her to survive multiple "near-death" moments, but You did.  Along with that, You gave us the strength to bear it.  I am overwhelmed at your  goodness to our family.  This child who has long been our treasure and joy - without whom we would have lost so much.  Thank you Lord for what You have done.

That would have been enough.  For always.  But, You didn't stop there. 

You gave us Neko, and now our hearts are overflowing.  For all of Your good gifts, for Jesus, we thank you.

"Away in the manger, no crib for the bed, the little Lord Jesus, laid down His sweet head, the stars in the sky looked down where He lay, but little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. "

We have had a few weeks of sickies around here.  It seems like it's been two different bugs, but could be the same one?  Either way, we are all hoping to be better by Christmas.  Neko is stuffy, and so we're keeping a real close eye on him.  Doctor said to bring him in if he gets a fever.  So far, the sickest are Harrison and Charity.  Everybody else is tired and a little ill-feeling, but not full on sick yet. 

I made a list that I put on the refrigerator yesterday.  It gives seven things that the children are to eat or drink each day.  There are vitamins and garlic and some of my other "secret weapons"  I'm hoping this bug gets out of our house quickly, but in the meantime, we are listening to stories, coloring and blowing our noses :)

For about three weeks now I have been seeing it.  Well, maybe dreaming or hoping, but I think it's there - the pre-smile.  I am sure, I assume, that Neko wants to smile at me.  I imagine that he is just gearing up, psyching himself up for that first big smile.  Of course, I am confident that he wishes he could say "thank you" for all of the hour long feedings in the night, as well as the many poo-poo diapers I've changed, and for sure, my diligence in keeping him safe from the over zealous loving arms of siblings.  With each one of the children, I have longed for the smile, the one that really makes everything more than worth it.  Not like it isn't worth it anyway, but you know what I mean...it's just the icing on the cake. 

So...I went grocery shopping a couple of nights ago leaving the children with Will.  He ended up holding Neko for about an hour, and the two of them had a ball.  He claimed that Neko had smiled at him, and quite honestly, I didn't believe him.  Not that he would lie, but I just couldn't bring myself to accept it.  However, last night while Will held him, I leaned over Will's shoulder and watched with wonder as Neko smiled several times with a beautiful full mouthed grin.  He wasn't looking at me, he was smiling at Dad!  Was I jealous?  Not even a bit...I realized this time as before, that Daddy is very deserving of the first smile.  After all, he's the one who puts up with my bursts of energy that usually result in a crash somewhere along the way, and he's the one who willingly gets up early to take the baby so I can have an hour more of sleep.  He's the one who will sacrifice his health and comfort sitting up all night holding a sick child and he still goes to work the next day.  He is a good listener and a hard worker.  I think the smile was rightfully his! 

Don't get me wrong, I'm still waiting...and thinking, maybe...oh, wait, was that a smile?!?

SpellQuizzer is a spelling program that helps kids learn their spelling and vocabulary words.

Having homeschooled "officially" for about 8 years, I am always thrilled to find a product that will help me  help my children.  One subject that is ever so important to producing good readers, writers and communicators, is spelling.  I loved spelling, but didn't always like the studying that was involved in preparing for my weekly spelling test.  My folks were very good about drilling me, and testing me at home so I'd be adequately prepared, but I'll bet if a software like this had been available, they'd have been thrilled. 

For my own children, I find that each one needs individual time with someone else who can quiz them orally.  Though I enjoy this, it is time consuming, until now!  I recently came across a wonderful  product called "SpellQuizzer".  Each week, I use my microphone (which can be purchased very inexpensively) to record each person's spelling list for the week.  Sometimes I use a silly voice and sometimes I include a little sentence or definition to help aid vocabulary building.  The kids love it!  They take turns with earphones, listening to and then typing in the spelling word.  "SpellQuizzer" checks their work and allows them to repeat the missed words until they get them correct.  I could see right away that they enjoyed using this program, however the results that came out of it, showed me that we needed to implement this into our spelling program for the rest of the year.  Two of the three received 100% on their tests and the third child missed only one word. 

A time saver, a fun activity, and a help for learning to spell well...I'm in!

The SpellQuizzer web site has pre-made downloadable spelling lists that you can download and use with SpellQuizzer.

SpellQuizzer is great for homeschoolers.

Thank you Lord, for Neko, and for the priviledge of being able to be his mommy...would You always give me grace and mercy in loving my children and allow me to see them as Yours, on loan to me for a little while.  Help me to do everything I do with the good of their eternal souls.  Raising them to love You and worship You for all their lives.  You are so good...

Today was our first pediatrician visit for Neko.  It took a couple of weeks to get an appointment with our very much in-demand doctor.  We love her to pieces and appreciate her gentleness and calm demeanor with the children.  Today was a bit of a challenge since the rooms are very small and all six children were going to be in the room.  Tucker volunteered to read books to Harrison and Ellie, Chloe had Charity, and I was in charge of the star of the show.  It ended up that Charity took over holding Neko since Charity was rather "busy" and needed a little more Mommy attention. 

 Neko had gained over three pounds in his nearly 7 weeks, and is now in the 25% of the growth chart.  This little fella eats all the time...he's gearing up for his wrestling career apparently!  Neko loved having his clothes off and wiggled, kicking and squirming on the little exam table.  He was bright and alert during the visit and our doctor was very pleased with his good health.  She has high hopes - as do we - that he will not struggle with health issues as Charity has. 

Our evening was fun-filled as well.  We headed over in our coordinating outfits to the Sear's Portrait Studio for family photos.  We haven't done this for three years, so everybody was understandably excited.  The photographer was good about getting Charity and Harrison to smile, so we ended up with a number of cute poses.  We all had a great time clapping and cheering trying to get each other to smile at the appropriate moment.  She even managed to get Neko with his eyes open looking at the camera. 

So, feeling rather tired and thankful that so much was accomplished today, I'm off to bed, hoping for a couple good hours of sleep...

In case you thought I fell off the side of the earth or something...I didn't...

Just been a little busy :)  I can't even remember what kept us so busy on Saturday and Sunday, but I'm sure it was something! 

Monday we travelled to my hometown for a funeral service.  We made the two-hour trip there, stayed for three hours and then came back home.  The service was for a dear family friend.  She had gone in last March for a routine surgery, and was never able to fully recover.  She had a series of set-backs, which finally ended in her passing away last week.  Aunt Juanita, was loved by everybody, simply because she loved everybody.  She made us all feel like the most special person in the world, and of course to her we were.  Lots of people shared memories, and we all came away feeling her loss profoundly.  We're so glad she's finally well, and with Jesus, but boy will she be missed!

Neko handled his first "road-trip" very well.  He slept there and back.  It was fun to introduce him to my friends at the church there.  It was also good to share Charity with everyone who hadn't seen her since her hospital stay. 

This week we are getting ready for our school co-op on Friday.  This year we're studying the 50 states of the USA and each family presents one to three states per meeting.  Our theme on Friday will be the Kentucky Derby.  Hopefully, I can get some great pictures.  Now to clean up the tornado that blew through my kitchen....

My four oldest children went to the Nutcracker today - thanks to their Grandparents.  I have taken Tucker, Chloe and Ellie a couple of times in the past.  Each year our San Jose Performing Arts Ballet Company offers a significant discount to all of the school children.  It is their dress rehearsal, so we come knowing that there may have to be a stop and start again, although I've never seen that happen.  The ballet officially opens tonight, but a roomful of school children get to enjoy it first!  My wonderful parents (who happen to be very busy right now) came specially to take the children since Charity isn't quite old enough to sit through two hours yet.  I stayed home with her and Neko.  Here they are ready to go...

In the evening the kids' choir sang at the downtown Christmas in the Park event.  We love going to this event each year.  One of the favorite things is the "snow".  Here's Grandpa and four of the children getting caught in some of the white stuff...