Project #1

Instructions: Compare and contrast yourself with your siblings.

Leaving the Nest

My two babies are in college. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? I mean, I wished and hoped for them to finally leave the house some day...but I didn't really mean it! 

Lauren is now an official college girl at ATU. We moved her in on Saturday. Her room is nice and... white. We moved the furniture around a little, made the bed, hung a picture or two, unloaded some granola bars and she was in!  She has 2 days of freshman orientation and classes start on Wednesday. I pray she meets some nice, fun girls that she can hang out with and make great friends with.

The house is full right now with clothes for my sale. Sheridan and I are having school each day and I'm working getting ready for the event, so it hasn't hit me that we've lost another child...or gained any room! I'm so thankful she's close.

 

 

Quote of the Day

We've completed our first week of homeschooling. It's been awesome with great bonding and wonderful learning. We've overviewed Asia, Africa and Europe in geography; we've reviewed a lot of math skills and started memorizing measurement equivalents; we've read several short stories; started a Bible study on Genesis 1-4; learned 15 new vocabulary words; and she's completed two projects, one comparing and contrasting herself with her siblings, and the other, an art project with our Bible verse of the week. SO, when asked by one of Erin's friends how she was liking homeschooling, Sheridan replied, "I can get a snack anytime I want at home, and you can't do that at school!" 

Update

OK, so the lady who was doing our home study (since May) was convinced that she needed to see documents that she was not allowed to see. She also was convicted that she would not sign over our home study without seeing these documents. Even though the higher ups at both the Call and the DHS said she didn't need to see the documents, she held to her belief. So, our friend, and leader of the local CALL, asked her for all our information back, and told her she wasn't right for our mission. I'm a "rule follower," so I do understand conviction, but I also understand that sometimes the spirit of the law is context for the actual law. And in this case, there are precious children who will start another year of school in another town, not with us.

Now we are in full sale mode..less than 3 weeks until I move in. The boys room has clothes, toys and shoes filled to the ceiling and I am traveling and preparing for our event. Richard is also "in season" and back to his travelling schedule. Sheridan and I started homeschooling on Monday. Our new social worker has our packet of information and will be visiting us next week to take care of our home study for good. I'd like to be excited, but until it happens, and someone says, "We've got some kids for you to check out," I'm being cautious with my heart.

"Dear Lord please be with these boys, my children and our family. Be glorified with all that we do, and help me to focus more on You than on the circumstances of this world. Amen."

First day of school...for 2

Ryan is in Fayetteville. Classes haven't started yet. We move Lauren in on Saturday, classes don't start at Tech until the following week. But today...Erin got up and began her junior year at the high school and Sheridan and I started 5th grade together! I planned a fun scavenger hunt to collect all her school books...it was a great start, and she thinks I'm fun!...

Of course, it's sale season, and I've been gone 3 days so we did have to take an hour and half detour through Russellville to pick up VIP clothing, but it included a Chick fil a stop for breakfast! Now I'm working on my computer and she's adding and dividing, doing her Bible lesson, looking up vocabulary words. We're going to take a walk through Asia on our map later and read a story about swans. So far...the day is grand!

 

 

Sophomore Year...back on the Hill

 

We moved Ryan in to his new apartment last week. His first apartment will most certainly be the nicest place in which he's ever lived. Perks: brand new apartments, hundreds of apartments filled with other college kids, a HUGE resort-like pool, sand volleyball court, and within walking distance from the UofA (not that he's going to be doing that). I'm telling you, it's NICE. Better than that, his roommates are good guys, the most faithful bunch of Hog fans I know, and they love Jesus! He's going to have another great year at school...if he can possibly squeeze school into his social life!

Teenagers in the House

SUMMER FUN = loud teenagers, cookies and/or brownies, Nertz,a fat bat and a lot of laughter! Every summer we keep count of all our guests and I'm pretty sure we made it up to the 60s.again. I love having a house that the kids want to come to. I usually have to have notice before they all come over, or I go a little crazy...but when they're here, it's always a blast! I'm thankful for this new group of kids who are fun to have around.   

Summer 2013

It's been a busy summer with lots of highlights...I can't believe it's over in just a few days and I wanted to record some of our most fun and memorable moments. God has given us much more than we deserve.

 

 

 

WATCHING OUR FRIENDS BAPTIZED

 

 

VBS WEEK

 

 

 

MISSION TRIP TO NICARAGUA 

FRESH PEACHES PICKED FROM THE ORCHARD

 

 

COACHING AN AWESOME UPWARD TEAM

  

CELEBRATING GRANDMA'S BIRTHDAY

 

 

Upward

 

Just finished a great summer of UPWARD basketball with these kids. What wonderful kids..they listened, learned and laughed all summer!  This was by far the best group of kids we've ever had. They learned all the basics and improved each week. We beat some really good teams and lost to some too. It was a wonderful season.

August Float?

It's the middle of August and it's rained so much here that we were able to go floating on Friday! Richard has really wanted to go back since we took Lauren for her birthday and this is the first time anyone who has floated in August in Arkansas in years! (She was in Branson with a friend on Friday morning)

It was our first time to get in a raft and it was really fun! For as hot as it has been, the day was overcast and even breezy for awhile. I love his crazy ideas...even when we pack up for a day trip in 10 minutes!

Last Swim Meet

The last swim meet of the season was in our brand new Aquatic Facility here in town. It was an awesome night as we've had the mildest summer! I volunteered to work the bull pen for the junior meet...it was a lot of work but fun to be part of a great meet. We did stay out until after midnight (that's a long time to be at the pool) and even Sheridan got in the water as the lazy river was open to kids part of the night. Love to watch E cut through the water.

 

Birthday in Branson

SO happy to meet up with my family in Branson last week and enjoy dinner and a show to celebrate Mom's birthday. We can't all get together easily anymore, and this was a huge treat for all of us! Jeff and Jennifer stopped by our house earlier in the week and we took a family pic to surprise her with. As close as we all live, we have to work to make our calendars all free. We had a blast!