7/10/2008 - Moving
Hi! Long time, no write for me. I apologize for disappearing but life got busy and I haven't felt up to posting. Part of the reason is the amount of time it takes for me to post pictures here so that has led me to look for another home for my blog. I have moved over to Mahan School of Little Women I am definitely liking the ease of uploading pictures there and some other features. Stop by to say hello and thank you to those who have been faithful visitors here.
4/8/2008 - Have you been to Miami?
We took a trip to Miami last weekend. It was just the girls and I since Dh couldn't take anytime off from work right now. We left on Wednesday and got back on Sunday. I'm sure the question you are asking is " Why did you go?" The main reason was the girls had their yearly C.A.R. state conference in Deerfield Beach. A great secondary reason was to visit my SIL and her family, including the cute twins that are 1.5 years old now. God had worked it out so that they were living down there while her husband worked a temp. job in one of the Miami hospitals. They are actually coming home at the end of this week.
We drove down on Wednesday. That is a long drive (5.5 hours not including the stops) After we arrived, we took a walk over to the beach which was 1.5 blocks away. The girls weren't really able to swim due to rough surf but they enjoyed playing in the sand and water edge. Thursday was a trip to the Miami Metro zoo. It was hot!!! We didn't see too much of the animals because they were off in the shade laying still. Friday morning was another trip over to the beach. The girls didn't even get in the water that day because the surf was even rougher and we saw quite a few washed up Man of War jellyfish so we didn't want to take the chance of someone getting stung. They had a great time building sand castles though!
Friday afternoon, we headed up to Deerfield for the conference which started that night. We were all pretty busy as I was Sr chairman of Pages/Aides/Flag bearers, the twins were pages, Longlegged girl was our society flag bearer and Eldestof5 did everything else or at least it seemed like it. She was running for a state office so she had to give a campaign speech. She did very well in spite of the fact she mistakenly said she had a daughter instead of a dog :-) After the meeting, the children went to the beach to either play black light volleyball or fish off the pier.
Saturday morning was another meeting. Both Eldestof5 and Longlegged girl had state chairman reports to give along with Eldestof5's society president report. It was voted to just accept the nominated slate as elected since no office was contested therefore Eldestof5 is the new state organizing secretary! After the meeting was free time and games on the beach. That night was the awards banquet with the ball afterward. All the girls and guys looked so nice in their dresses and suits. We headed back to SIL's house late as Puddin' had stayed there.
Sunday came way too early for me as I hadn't gone to sleep until after 1:30 and Puddin', who was sharing a bed with me, woke me up around 7:30. In addition, a rain storm had woke me up during the night. I was apparently the only one in the house that had heard it and if it hadn't been wet outside, I would have thought I dreamed it. We headed out by midmorning for home and I was, thankfully, able to make it home with lots of coffee.
I will try and post some pictures this week but I am playing catch up with everything and trying to keep up with keeping the house clean. We have had 2 showings so far for which I am thankful.
4/2/2008 - 3 years old!!
Puddin turned 3 years old last Friday! We find that hard to believe because she talks and acts like she has already been 3. Grandparents came over on Thursday night for dinner and opening gifts. We took the whole family, including Daddy, to Wild Adventures the next day. She had a fantastic time and we finished with dinner with my mom.
4/2/2008 - Resurrection day pictures
Better late then never. Here are some pictures I took on Resurrection day. I will use the one with the girls and I for our annual picture to show how we have changed over the years. I had a wall with all of them from the last 13 years but I had to par it down to just 2 for the house showings. I will also be using the picture of Puddin for her birthday picture this year.
3/26/2008 - New Camera
Dh bought me a new camera, Canon Powershot S5IS. We have been eyeing for awhile since my old camera began having trouble focusing after it was dropped. I am really enjoying the camera and learning all the features. My favorite is the color highlight. I'll try and share some Easter weekend pictures soon!
This was taken in pitch black - very impressed by the flash!
Our beagle Ashlee
Playing around with the color highlight feature
Twin 2 playing at the park
Eldestof5 just a swinging
Puddin' looking a little yellow
My oldest and youngest
Art Class for Longleggedgirl and Twin 1
Puddin checking out the fountain
3/20/2008 - School update
I figure it is time I give an update on our schooling since that is one of the reasons I started this blog. We are a little more than halfway through our year due to breaks and hope to be able to take a break by the end of June.
Math - the girls are making progress here. Eldestof5 has started MUS Pre-Algebra and is doing well despite her dislike for it. She got a little behind due to our not schooling most of last summer but I hope to have her ready for Algebra by next fall. Longleggedgirl is finishing up Fractions and has been challenged to make 100's on these last few lessons because her mistakes are mostly a lack of concentrating. She has rose to the challenge so far. The twins are making their way through division. We have had to slow down with dividing the larger numbers but they are getting it.
English/Spelling - the twins are reviewing Phonics to help with their spelling. We finished up the first book of Phonics Road and are now in the 2nd book. I decided to continue with it because it also contains English and they were having problems with English for a Thoughtful Child. They seem to need more instruction and practice.
Latin - Eldestof5 and Longleggedgirl are picking up Latin along with myself. I am enjoying learning it with them; I just wish I had more time to study it. We are starting Ch 10 of 14 so I need to decide whether to review or move onto Vol. 2 if we finish before our break. I think it may be review to get the vocabulary more concrete before moving on.
Science - Eldestof5 is more than halfway through Exploring Physical Science from Apologia. She is doing well and getting better at learning to study. Daddy has had to help her with some of the physics modules though as that is not my strong point. I look forward to Biology and Chemistry in the next 2 years! I have not done much with the other 3 this year although I tried at the beginning of the year. I may look into an actual curriculum for them to use next year although Longleggedgirl will start General Science in Apologia.
Tapestry - We are in Colonial America with Unit 3 of Y2. We enjoyed our time study the renaissance and their artists but I enjoyed the most learning of the Reformation and the men who stood firm in their beliefs no matter the cost. It will be neat to learn what is taking place in Europe at the same time America was being colonized. Eldestof5 has already been making some connections that are neat to see.
Extracurricular - Longleggedgirl and Twin A are taking an art class through a local homeschool store. They are loving it and learning some really neat techniques. I will try and take some pictures of their work. Eldestof5 and Twin B are getting ready to start volleyball through the Y. That will last through the end of May. We made the decision to not do swimming due to the cost and the time factor. The girls have accepted the decision with good attitudes for which I am thankful.
Puddin' still enjoys playing and coloring during our school time. She likes to pull out her chalkboard and say she is doing "school". I am hoping to work with her with a little bit of structure soon but that is another post.
3/1/2008 - It's not February?!?
Hmm? I guess it has been awhile since I was on here. I do have good reasons though. One of the main ones is the house. We have the kitchen basically done now. The new countertop for the bar is up, the new pantry cabinet is in, cabinets scrubbed and refinished, walls painted and the floor grout is even scrubbed. We also got the dining room painted and I am almost done refinishing the wood floor. The master bathroom has a new cabinet which hubby had to cut out part of the countertop to put in. Light fixture and faucet updating along with a good cleaning is still needed.
This is the new cabinet we put in. The bottom shelves are pull outs.
The top color still looks pinkish in this picture but it is actually the same as what the kitchen is painted.
Another is we celebrated a milestone birthday for the twins. They turned 10 on the 16th. 
Instead of a big party, they asked for a trip to the mountains with a friend. I found a cabin to rent 
and the 7 of us along with their friend, my mom and niece headed to the mountain. 
We even met up with a fellow blogger and her family for lunch on Sunday. We had hoped for snow but the weather didn't cooperate with us.
The last reason is sickness has caught up with us. It started with Puddin in the mountains when she came down with a stomach illness. She had gotten better when Eldestof5 and Dh came down with it. As soon as they were better, Puddin came down with a fever this week for 3 days. Anyone with young children know how fun that can be and it made it quite difficult to paint and clean floors holding a 2 year old. Then she started on the mend and I got hit with a tickle in my throat on Thursday afternoon that was a full blown cough and fever by Friday. I have been in bed most of today. Twin 1 has it also. Hopefully, it won't go any further.
Anyway, that was our February so now we will see what March will hold. I will try to do better about posting!
1/30/2008 - Kitchen Renovation
Wow!! That is what I said when I walked in last Thursday night. I knew it was going to look different but I didn't know how much. I LOVE the open feeling of it. We have been putting some new lights in which have just added to the wow factor. Hubby and the friend who did the work put up the pendant lights last night while I was at Bible study so that was neat to come home and see. They are bright!! Look here for the before pictures.
We also put in a new front door. It is beautiful and makes a big difference. When I got up the first morning, I thought someone had left the door open because of the amount of light coming down the hall.
1/30/2008 - 2,380 miles is a loooong way!
This is a big country and I can definitely say that Texas is the biggest!! Last Wednesday, we spent the entire day in TX starting in El Paso and ending just past Houston. I was very glad when we finally came to the LA line!! :-)
It was a good trip but not one that I want to take again without all of my family with me. I really missed hubby and my girls and I think the feeling was mutual.
My mom and I had a good visit with my brother and even got to enjoy the San Diego zoo with him as he was delayed in leaving until Monday. Of course, I am not sure where the actual animals are, the parking lot or behind the gates!
Our trip across country, while long, was great with some beautiful sights. We didn't get to make any sightseeing stops but, if I ever go again, I will make sure there is time to.
I am thankful for the opportunity to go but even more thankful to be home safely with my loved ones. Thank you for all the prayers!!
Jan. 22, 2008 - Chicago to Cape Town
We were gone and now we are back...the first 3 weeks of January were spent in South Africa, the land of my birth!!! What a privelage and pleasure to have been able to travel there and enjoy hospitality, sunshine and fellowship!!!! This is the first time that the 4 of us have been over- we went when DD8 was 4 months old and then again when she was 4 and second daughter was 2. That time I went solo- not nearly as much fun!
The entire experience was a blessing from God- being able to afford it (thanks in part to frequent flyer miles), having DH able to take 3 weeks off work, homeschooling, the travel there and back (which had me on my knees for weeks before)- and then to enjoy the time with family and friends and to see the sights that took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes!!!! What a joy!
I feel that in many ways, this trip for me was a defining moment in my life- one where I was able to reflect and know that God's plan for my life is perfect. Knowing that He is sufficient to meet all my needs. Seeing how He has taken my life and molded me- releasing me from the holds that my past and ingrained responses have had on me- pointing me to the future that He has planned. Reminding me that He is good and that He wants good things for me, even in the painful realities of life.
My heart is torn in many ways- wanting to be present in 2 hemispheres- to interact with those I love on both sides of the equator. I love that the internet gives me that capability and when the pain of separation stabs at my heart, I know that He can use that to make me mindful of Heaven and of those who may not have the privelage of loving and being loved.
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