Marlee's 1st AU game!

Marlee going to her first Auburn game with daddy!

FW: Vacation @Gulf Shores

Vacation @Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores

Evening at the beach

Evening at the beach

Marlee, Phoebee, and I rode the ferris w

Marlee, Phoebee, and I rode the ferris wheel!

Today would be the day

Today is the first day of school for our public school district. I would be sending my 5 yr old away to Kindy for the very first time today. She has always been with me, never gone to daycare or preschool, and today would be the day I would send her out into school world. As we are sitting here, eating grapes and cuddling on the couch, while I'm making a list for the library later, I'm overcome with emotion. So thankful for the opportunities we've been given, for homeschooling, for my husband who supports it 100%, for just those few more precious moments, for the supreme sovereignty and grace of God. I know circumstances can change at any time, but this is the path we are on for now.

We prayed for our friends who started public school this morning, as I hope our friends pray for us along our journey too! I love my friends and I truly believe we all want the best for each other and our kids, no matter what "educational" path we choose. May we all be godly examples and parents to our children, living and preaching the gospel to ourselves, our families, and each other.

Socialization: What exactly are homeschoolers missing?

I'm just going to say, I love this article. This is how I feel about the "socialization" question, put into words that I couldn't vocalize. I've always wondered why people thought homeschoolers didn't socialize. It still puzzles me. But, nevertheless, it's the first thing folks ask! Socialization: What exactly are homeschoolers missing? Seriously, school socializing is nothing like real world socializing. And I can't tell you how many times I had a teacher (or my mom!) tell me "School is not for socializing, it's for learning". Ok then.

Phoebee

This kid totally cracks me up!

Marlee is a Kindergartener!

We officially started Kindergarten with Marlee today! We are going to take it slow and have fun. I want it to be just a natural flow of our life, like learning always has been up to this point. Most of the time she doesn't realize she's "learning" something. Isn't that fun? Shouldn't it be that way while they are little? I think so. There is so much to explore! We are using My Father's World Kindergarten program with Marlee to help me along and keep me on track. It's a beautiful program, centered around God and his remarkable creation. I think this is going to be a good year! We are also using MFW's toddler and preschool toys to keep Phoebee (if Marlee's at the table, that's where Phoebee wants to be!) occupied while we work with Marlee. They both enjoy playing with those things!

I don't know what all this year will hold. I cannot see into the future. I have dreams and aspirations for my kids, for my family. I want us to enjoy each other, love each other, give each other grace and kindness, and give it to others. I want a life long journey with my family, together. But I don't know the future. I don't know God's plans. What is His will? Which way will He lead us? What path is His path? Everyday we have together is new gift, another moment for us to share. What will we do with those moments?

Talking about creation

One of our books for our Kindy unit on creation.

Day 1 of Kindergarten

Day 1 of Kindergarten

Where Marlee Goes, Phoebee Goes!

lacing

first time lacing

Today's Little Things

A few of the little things in life that I enjoyed today:

Making granola for breakfast

Watching my 17 yro try to hoard the granola because she actually likes it

Taking my little "acorns" to storytime at the library

Popping in on my husband at work so the little ones could see him

Making lunch plans with my husband for the next day

Kissing my baby's cheeks covered with salty little tears

Reading books to my kiddos

Holding my 1 yro while she slept in my arms

Playing paper dolls with my 4 yro

Hearing my 4 yro retell what she learned in her class at church tonight

Are all of my days spent in mommy/wife bliss? No. But today was a really nice day :-)

A Few Things

Hmmm, I realized that it's been a while since I blogged. I don't know why because there is so much to say about what is going on in our lives. But maybe that's why... we have so much going on right now it's hard for me to wrap my brain around it, much less blog it. I guess I'll just throw some random things out here for prosperity, but don't expect it to make much sense. Seriously, my brain is out of whack right now.

I am now a little over 6 1/2 months pregnant with Phoebee. This pregnancy is flying by to me! I can't believe I'm so far along. I'm due Sept 12th, but I know I'll be induced in August, probably the last week, which means I only have about 12 weeks (or less) left. Wow! I'm very excited to meet her and completely scared too. I'm not really scared to have another baby, I'm scared because of the current financial situation we are in. For those that don't know, Jeff is losing his job. I guess technically he's already lost it. We pretty much found out his job was going away and then a couple of weeks later found out I was pregnant. ~Happy New Year to us~

This month is at 50% pay and July will be 20% pay and August is zilch, zip, zero, nada. We will have insurance through September. Then I don't know what happens. I don't even know what happens now and next month. How are we going to pay our bills and feed our family? And not to mention another baby coming in less than 12 weeks!?!? I don't know. I just don't know.

I've been missing my mom a lot lately too. Not just the normal 'I miss her', but the angry 'I miss her'. As in I need her. Here. With me. I don't care that she's in a better place or that she's not suffering anymore. I need her to help me. I'm angry that God took her from me before we got to have a real relationship! I don't care that I'm going to see her again one day. I want to see her now! I want her back! It's not fair, I need her. I want her. Why can I not have my mom? Why could she not meet Jeff or be at my wedding? Why could she not have been there when Marlee was born to stay with me in the hospital or when Phoebee will be born, to come be with me? Why was she taken so soon that Shareen barely remembers her? I want to hold her and I want her to hold me and tell me she loves me. I want to tell her I love her. I really, really miss her. I feel very alone.

I guess that's all for now since Marlee won't let me sit here any longer...

My Sweet Babies

I can't believe I'm halfway through my pregnancy now! I've been feeling little fluttery movements for a couple of weeks. I guess it won't be long until I start to feel the big stuff! Monday is my 20 week ultrasound. Although I already know I'm having a girl, I can't wait to see her on the screen again. This time she will be much bigger than the last time I got to see her. We'll get lots of pics and a dvd of the ultrasound. Fun stuff! We've settled on the name Phoebee for her first name, but no middle name yet. Jeff and I both loved it so it was easy to pick. ~Phoebe (Phoebee) - Greek origin - Bright, shining one~  The name Phoebe can also be found in Romans. Although she is only mentioned briefly, it seems that she was a great help to many people, including Paul. I wish we knew more about her, but I'm ready to know MY Phoebee too!

For all who don't know, Marlee took a major spill at the McWane Center and totally smacked her face on one of the toys (a step-on piano) and knocked some teeth a little loose. We have to watch for the next 2 weeks for abcesses or discoloring and she can't bite or chew anything on the front. Pain in the butt for me, but I hope her teeth aren't permanently damaged or she doesn't lose them. Before that fiasco, we finally gave up the pacifier (Sunday, April 18)! We read a book about it and picked a day to put them in an envelope and send them away to babies who needed them. She has been great with it! Asked for it a few times, but once I remind her what we did with them, or sometimes she reminds me, she's fine again. Sweet kid. She amazes me how much knows and understands at two years old! She loves to sing and has an imagination that is out of this world. She loves to be outside, digging in the dirt, playing with leaves and rocks and sticks... so active. Never slows down!

Shareen is testing her boundaries as a teenager! Typical of teenagers I guess, but boy is it hard. Anybody who complains about the terrible twos has never had a teenager! I don't know if it's a girl thing or a teenage thing but whew! She is trudging along in school, driving (legally!) and playing the big sis role well for Marlee. Marlee adores her sissy! Shareen plays with her and helps me a little when I need it. Of course, money is usually involved. "I'll give you $5 to stay here with Marlee while she's napping so I can go to the store." Something like that.... but still a help. Shareen has lots of babysitting jobs lined up for the summer and I'm happy she has the opportunity to make some money (and pitch-in on the car insurance). She will also be volunteering at the Leeds library a bit this summer so she is going to be super busy (which is how she likes it!).

Well, that's it for now. Just wanted to have a little update post on all my princesses. For everyone to read, but mostly for me...