Big Sigh......(or big opportunity)

Just kindof a tough last couple of weeks.....


Still have one that's not sleeping super well, & many other stressful things going on as well.


(as if the house on the market wasn't stressful enough!)

BUT.....as I was getting ready for bed tonight, the kids all came to me w/ a stuffed animal to share, hoping the animals would make me be able to sleep better. (smile)

Now, THAT, alone, is a reason to be thankful. What a thoughtful group of kiddos I have the privilage of raising!

Almost without fail, whenever I need a "lift," the Lord will bring some song to mind that takes that "Big Sigh" & turns it into an opportunity to trust.....& these are words that came to mind tonight:

"Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.


Brightly doth His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.


Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger for Him call;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth be past;
Till within the jasper wall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Refrain

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all."

Boy, this "House on the Market" thing is taking up all my weekends!!

So, I'm just now getting around to posting about Ana's birthday!


She had her family party last week-on her real "Day."


She requested "Shepherd's Pie" & "Tres Leches" cake for her birthday meal. Yummy! (I'm just thankful she didn't pick stuffed peppers or something nasty like that! Ha!)


Last night, we partied w/ her friends at a local bowling alley. We were thrilled to find one that had $1 games & $1 shoe rental....what a bargin! We were in & out of there for under $20!!

Happy birthday from your family, Ana!

Happy Birthday from your friends!

Your friends are one of God's biggest blessings!

(Here they are goofing off between turns at bowling!)

Happy Birthday, Ana! We are so thankful for our FIRST blessing from God!

Considering Homeschooling?

Just thought it might be helpful to see what our day looks like. I know I wish someone had sat down w/ me & showed me THEIR schedule. So, pretend we're sitting down for a up of tea or coffee (my beverage of choice) & looking at this:


8:00 Handwriting-ABEKA

8:30 Science or History-(both ABEKA-we alternate days)

9:00 Math (Math-U-See) 9:30 Typing (games online)

10:00 1/2 hour of “schooling” her younger sister. I did this because they both wanted to do it so bad. We just use cheap Pre-School workbooks they work through.

10:30 Spelling-ABEKA

11:00 Piano practice for 1/2 hr

All this stuff in the AM, she can pretty much do independently. I am usually doing household stuff, or helping the “littles” w/ something. They both play in their rooms for an hour every morning-so I can get a shower etc.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

1:00-2:30 Sonlight (History, Culture & Geography, taught through great literature!) I do this w/ her.

2:00-something fun. paint, advanced coloring books or some other fun workbook. We did a map unit, & also a listening comprehension unit at this time, too. I always have these types of books on hand from the local school supply store.

2:30-1/2 hour of free reading.

Hopefully, this helps a few of you see a "real" school day! Of course, one of the beauties of homeschooling is that we have the option of throwing out the whole day & doing something different if it ends up being a beautiful day & we want to go to the zoo.....or we have an emergency-like a last minute showing on our house, which is on the market! I'll leave you to guess which is the most frequent occurance lately! (wink)

FFF....."Precipitation"

No rain/snow around here!!! Unless you count the "Showers of Love" these cousins have for eachother!

Decompression......

The other day, I spent a good hour or so at the table w/ the kiddos.... Little did I realize how theraputic one painting session w/ Minnie & Micky could be!

What Makes you Smile?

Coming home to THIS: ......is one thing that makes me smile, & it's one nice thing about having our house on the market-a beautiful table several times a week! How about you? Care to share something simple that's made YOU smile lately?

Happy 10th Birthday, Ana!!

Little did we realize how much YOU would change US-for the better!

Those sweet little eyes would draw us in.....

Those hands slipped into ours would encourage us to be better people....

You are daily our delight, Anastasia!

Much love.......Mom

(AKA )

Keepin' It Real.....

Although I’m not going to tell you which child this is……


I did wonder what you all would do w/ the anxiety issues we seem to be having w/ one of our children right now.


He/She has been up at night several times & will not go to sleep when we put said child to bed. (Crying about bad dreams, & missing mommy/needing mommy in the room to go to sleep).


(Have I mentioned that I do NOT do well w/ being awaked at 3:30am!?)

FFF.....At our house, "A" is for Ana!

I am sure the “A” for this week’s Favorite Foto Friday was probably for April.


But, in our house, a theme like that can only mean one thing-ANA!! & how, appropriate, since she turns 10 next week! 10!?!


(As my hubby says, “Who authorized that?!?”)