This will probably sound funny, since I am on my computer right now, ha ha. 

Sometimes life just gets too chaotic and you have to put your foot down. We decided to do just that. From July 21-27th the children and I have unplugged our phone, ignored our emails, put away the keys to the vehicles and just chilled.  Wow!  Of course, we still have to prepare our own food, wash our clothing, and such, but we have scaled back to the bare minimum.  Instead of all the running around, appointments, etc. etc. we are swimming, sitting under the maple tree, picking blackberries, star gazing, reading books out loud, playing board games, taking leisurely walks, visiting each other, listening to sermons at home, doing our favorite crafts (when we want to), and just having fun.  I am really trying to overlook any "messes" that happen and just let the children be. 

On another summer note, I have really enjoyed PEACHES.  They are in season right now, so I am drinking LOTS of spinach/peach smoothies. They are so good for you and I feel better when I drink them. In addition to that, I have been eating more fresh peaches as well. My two year old will eat two in one sitting...the juice dripping off his elbow and running down his chin. It's so cute. Much better than seeing a toddler walking around eating a Little Debbie, don't you think? I sure am going to miss peach season.

Unfortunately, Shawne is not able to join us on our mini-home-vacation, but has been working even harder than usual. We are grateful for his dedication and we miss him terribly. We do try to make the most out of every minute when he is home. I also have been packing a quart of my Green Smoothie in his lunch box, he says it gives him so much more energy than coffee. Yay!

So, if you can do it, I highly recommend having your Vacation At Home. Just tell everyone you'll be on vacation next week. When they ask where you are going, just tell them it's a secret! :o)

Yesterday I saw these--abandoned on the kitchen table:

Because these distractions kept doing stunts directly overhead:

Well, our A/C is broken.  Today, we got the bill for the replacement:  $3,200.00.  Ouch!  That and the tuition payment due this week for Christina's college is about to put us in a tail spin.  But the fact is, we have been through financial crises in the past, and survived.  We have seen God's hand in providing for all our needs.  We have faith that this will happen again.  We also know he has given each of us gifts and talents he has allowed us to develop, just for the intent of providing for our family's welfare and for blessing others.  I am praying today for God to reveal his plan for us to meet these financial needs, and for me to respond to his plan graciously.

Happy Homemaking!

Malia

So my sweet hubby and I are hashing out the final decision for curriculum we want to use for next year.  I had first thought we would take the eclectic route and just try a little bit of everything.  We know that we like Headsprout for phonics and Math Mammoth for math, but I was having a bit of trouble putting the rest of the pieces together. 

Well- then I stumbled onto the Ambleside online curriculum that I previously mentioned and I was intrigued at the idea of an all inclusive curriculum once again- especially since it is FREE!!  I really spent some time looking at it and reading all the message boards, and as much as I love Charlotte Mason and her philosophies concerning education, it just didn't feel quite right to me.  There is so much information and not a lot of structure, which I think I need if trying an all inclusive curriculum.... so now what???

Well- just yesterday I ran into the My Father's World curriculum online.  I didn't want to get too excited too quickly, but I spent a lot of time yesterday and this morning reading comments/suggestions and asking questions of others who have previously used or are using this curriculum and I really liked what I heard.   It is an all inclusive curriculum that has the framework of Charlotte Mason but uses some of her methods in a more unit study manner.  It is not free- one of the drawbacks, but it is not super expensive either and most of the materials are reusable for the next child.  So after much ado and prayer and a long chat with the mister- we have decided to give it a go for next year.  I am feeling really positive about the decision, mostly glad it has been made and I don't have to think/ponder/question/freak out about it any more. 

So now we are just waiting for the funds to come in- hopefully in the next few days and we will place our order.  I have put off our start date for school two weeks due to our move.  We wanted to start as close to the first as possible, but it just doesn't make sense to do that in the misdt of our move.  If things go really smoothly and we are able to settle in quickly ( we are becoming pros at moving- six times in the last 5 years) then we might only put it off one week, but we'll just play it by ear.  The kiddos are so excited and would love to start today, but I am finding plenty of activities to keep their little minds busy for now. 

We'll let you know when we finally order and recieve our supplies and I will post pics!!  Oh and pics of the house are coming soon as well.  That's all for now.

Until next time.....

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Pr.15:23

So how do you "picture" apples of gold in pictures of silver? I was really pondering this yesterday. How would an artist see this and create it? Any artists out there who would like to try and show me somehow? If I attempted this it would look like a kindergarten painting. I changed picture to pitcher in my mind and saw a beautufil silver pitcher with gold apples. That would make a lovely bed and breakfast name and theme.

Anyhow, let's use words fitly spoken so that others are encouraged!

Kaira's always been a shepherdess at heart.  This past week we visited my parents and took a jaunt to a petting zoo near their house, and Kaira gravitated toward the sheep. 

Over and over my sheep crazed daughter nuzzled the sheep lovingly crooning to them and saying how beautiful they smelled!  Only a child who has poured over Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep from age four would have be so enamored as to even love their smell. 

(They were pretty clean, but they still um... smelled like sheep.  Even from 1/2 a  mile away.)

Kieran didn't quite share Kaira's enthusiasm about the sheep.

Purple Grecian Inspired Gown for Sale

This gown is made of a pretty purple chiffon and silky lining. With slimming princess seams and a fit and flair skirt it is certainly a princess dress perfect for any ball.

Price: $25 +shipping and handling

Please note that this dress was just in my stash, so I didn’t make this one, but I bought it because I thought it was so pretty! I just don’t have anywhere to wear it otherwise I would keep it…if you would like to buy it please contact me!

Dress is a size 10 please; contact me for more measurements and information.

The color of this gown is very similar to the one that Giselle wore at the masquerade ball in the movie Enchanted...