When we lived in Arkansas people used to ask me what I missed about Michigan and I would always answer "the Lakes".  Then the conversation would turn toward how many lakes there are in Arkansas and that it is the Natural State.  I understood what they were saying and how it was all meant to help me over my adjustment to a new place but I still missed the Great Lakes.

We took the kids to Lake Michigan last weekend and they had a blast.  I found my heart leaping at the sound of the waves breaking on the shore as we passed through the "tunnel" toward the beach.  It was pure medicine to sit on the sand and enjoy a day at the Lake together. 

There had been a rather devasting storm the night before (lots of flooding and wind damage) and we had the shore to ourselves for most of the morning.  It was fabulous! 

Here are some of my favorite memories....

Pickles ran right up to the shore and stood there a long time as the waves (2-4 foot) crashed at his feet...

Pumpkin really enjoyed herself.  If the water was warmer I think she would have been drenched head-to-toe

Peanut sat with momma on the blanket and "took-it-all-in" for awhile...then he really got in to putting sand in the buckets (and on the blanket) but he didn't like the cold water on his toes (lake temps were around 60 degrees).

Pickles really loves to dig in the sand and making a castle was one of the "must-dos" on his list.

Joy!

Momma's favorite things from the day were...

...wave jumping with Pickles

...digging in the sand with Peanut

...watching Pumpkin make castles with daddy

...smelling sunscreen on happy children

...taking a LOOOONG family nap when we got home.

We had some rough days around here recently for Peanut.  He is getting his first molars and he's been a sad little boy.

It's hard to see in this picture but his cheeks are flushed, he has big tears in his eyes and he wore pjs all day.  Poor kiddo!

We also have some exciting tooth news too....Pickles has his FIRST loose tooth!  He is very excited and asks me to wiggle it for him at least three times a day.  WooHoo!

Teeth are coming and going!

Go have a look at my mother's new Etsy shop.  She does great work and is quite the budding artist.  Love you, Mom!

And she is taking Pickles and Pumpkin for a few days....yea!!!  They are excited to go to "Camp Grandma's".

Here's the link  LKGlassReflections

Here is a recent family photo.  We took this while visiting the Creation Museum on our trip to Cincy last month.  I hope to post more info about the trip soon.  It was a blast!

He was up all night (insert smiley with big dark circles under her eyes), has a fever, and was tugging at his ears yesterday.  SO...this morning we are off to the doctor.  We leave for our spring vacation/homeschool convention trip next week and we want our little peanut to feel better by then.

Thanks for praying for  peanut!

We had a wonderful field trip with Grandma and Grandpa K. last week.  We visited the butterfly exhibit at a local botanical garden.  It was so much fun and the children really enjoyed themselves.  Here are some picture highlights.

I hope the butterflies will soon be blooming outside too!  Happy spring to you.

Our baby turned one last Saturday!  We were so busy having fun with Grandma and Grandpa that I didn't have the energy to post.  So, here is the belated birthday post for our littlest man.

Peanut is the sweetest baby and loves his brother and sister very much.  He has truly been a joy this year and we look forward to another fun-filled year together. 

He really enjoyed his cake!

MORE Wee Wedgits!  The kids love Wedgits!!!

Happy Birthday Peanut!  We pray that you will grow in wisdom and love Jesus!

We are getting an iPod to use in daily life and school.  I'm so excited!  I frequently collect unique, free and fun audio files for school stuff on the internet but I've had no way to use them (except while sitting at the desk top).  Where do I get FREE, FUN, and USEFUL audio files?  One of my favorite places is Homeschool Freebie of the Day.  Go check it out.  If you sign-up for their emails then you get a list of what is coming up for that week and you can plan what  you'd like to download.  I also really like the new Behemoth site that Vision Forum has put together.  They also offer a couple of free downloads everyday. 

Well, I've got to run.  There hasn't been much blogging because we've been dealing with an illness (now daddy has it :(  )  around here and I'm off to buy more bananas, applesauce and white flour.  

How do you know your entire family LOVES homeschooling?  When you plan a family vacation around a homeschool convention!  We are going to Cincinnati in April for the Midwest Homeschool Convention!!!  I first saw an ad for the convention through a local homeschool email group and then went to check it out (online of course).  I was shocked to see the incredible list of speakers, tons of vendors, and the budget friendly registration fee.  We paid much more to go to a smaller local convention last spring. 

I wasn't sure if we could swing the cost of traveling that far, but then once dh and I started thinking about it we decided to try making it a mini-vacation for the entire family.  So we are traveling with all the kiddos and Grandma and Grandpa.  We will stay at an extended stay hotel with a pool and kitchen facilities.  While dh and I enjoy the great speakers, fellowship, time alone, and vendor hall the kiddos will have a couple of afternoons of Gma & Gpa time at the Aquarium, the Children's Museum, or the Zoo.  Then we all plan to stop by the Creation Museum before we head home. 

I'm also happy that they allow you to choose whether you want to bring your children with you or not.  The convention we attended last year didn't allow children and it made dh and I sad.  We had always had so much fun at the yearly convention when we lived in AR.  It was a family event and we usually took the kiddos with us on the last day to see the vendor hall, have a picnic, and fellowship with other families.  Pickles was really sad last year when he couldn't go.  So, this year he is excited to go again with us.  I'm hoping he gets to see Little Bear Wheeler while we are there. 

So, I'm busy making my curriculum list, setting a budget, talking with dh, researching, and praying about each step.  We are all so excited about the joy of planning a new school year!

Will we see you at the Midwest Homeschool Convention?  Hope so...

FOR TODAY February 2, 2009...

Pumpkin just makes us laugh....here are a few recent quotes.

"I live in a nut house!"  She was describing what it would be like to be Grandma Nutt in the Candyland game.

"I'm going to get up, get dressed, make my bed, go p** and p**ps and have break-fast....tomorrow!"  I can tell she'll be a list maker like momma.

"I'm going to be a momma and have a baby Peanut, too!"  Then big brother tries to talk her into being a farmer or a vet or a doctor.  She shakes her head and says, "No, I'm gonna be a momma like momma."

She's also overcoming obstacles lately....when asked if she could reach the bathroom faucet to brush her teeth she said, "No".  I was puzzled as to how she got the water on.  It became clear when she described the process of putting "my foot on the handle and then....".  Pumpkin definately has a "can-do" attitude when it is something she wants.

We are also celebrating how she has triumphed in potty training.  We are so excited for her and she got some adorable big girl p*nties.  We love you Pumpkin.

Here is a photo of how we are kicking off our Thanksgiving vacation!  I LOVE IT!

The snow started falling in big fluffly flakes at about 8:30 a.m. and by 9:30 when the children went out to play there was already at least 1/2 an inch on the ground.  It is just after 11 a.m. now and the deck railing has at least 1 and 1/2 inches.  I love those big, soft, fluffy flakes!

They played for about 30 minutes and then decided it was time for cocoa.  I love a cozy house on a snowy day!

Today is Pumpkin's birthday and she is very excited about the whole affair.  All week whenever she sees, hears or thinks about the number three she breaks out with "Three!  I'm going to be three!".  It is adorable. 

Pumpkin is the first girl to be born, on my husband's side, in three generations.  I'm sure you can imagine the joy she brings to the family.

She is all girl with a bit of spunk mixed in to keep up with her big brother.  She has always been a very happy child and seemed to have a constant smile as a baby.  Ask her what she wants to be when she grows-up and she'll say, "I'm goint to be a mommy". 

Happy Birthday Pumpkin!

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, BUT a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

I had  this article in my in-box from HSLDA.  A reminder to pray for our fellow homeschoolers in Germany and remain viligant in our own fight for parental rights.  Visit this website to read more about making your voice heard. 

I'm not usually one to get overly worked up over things.  God is in control of the past, present and the future.  What do I have to worry about?!  But I do believe that we have incredible freedoms in America partly because citizens are active in their government and make their voices heard.  So, in the coming years as the attitude in our nation seems to be sifting further toward demanding our children be raised by the state take a stand and make your voice heard!  Do all you can to be an active participant in this nation. 

Then rest in the fact that you know God and that He alone holds your future. 

Pray dear friends, pray, pray, pray!

Hear the Word of the Lord....

O Lord, lead me in Thy righteousness because of my foes;

Make Thy way straight before me.

There is nothing reliable in what they say;

Their inward part is destruction itself;

Their throat is an open grave;

They flatter with their tongue.

Hold them guilty, O God;

By their own devices let them fall!

In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out,

For they are rebellious against Thee.

Psalm 5:8-10

Assignment: In the memory verse Jesus tells us that He will never leave us, not even at the end of the world.  He assures us in this verse that He will be with us and that means through everything we go through in life.  I thought it would be interesting to write about the things we would never leave home without.  For some it might be baby needs, others it might be a gym bag and bottle of water, and for some it might be your Bible and a notepad or small journal, maybe even your son or daughters favorite blankie!  I’d like for you to write about something that you would never leave home without.

I wanted to say the “momma bag” but I’ve been good at forgetting to take it lately and have even found myself in a “messy” situation without the proper diapering equipment.  So, my real answer for this moment of life is Fruit Leather!  I found this great snack at Costco and it is perfect for tossing in your purse (along with the necessary diapering equipment) because it is small, individually wrapped, nutritious, yummy, fun, all-natural and quiets the masses when the grumbles start. 

WE LOVE FRUIT LEATHER!!!