May 19th, 2009

We are more thoroughly enjoying our Sonlight with every passing week, and are happy as can be to continue through the summer! Speaking of summer…Peter’s out of school! He hardly knows what to do with himself, but we’re keeping him busy. 🙂

You know I love sharing pictures of my boys for my family across the nation. Here’s a little glimpse into our house:

 Seth’s photos Seth’s photos Seth’s photo of Jerome his shoe trusty dump truck beloved loader Seth made his own dress up clothes and had me tape them onto him! the snake Jerome discovered one early morning Ian in a “Tee!” where Daddy put him :-) It’s his new favorite place! especially when… Daddy plays with him! playing in the sandbox in the lovely evening light I was out to take a picture of Jerome jumping, but noticed Seth making faces at me. Hahaha! but he refused to look AND smile for a picture! Jerome’s jump Jerome and Gabrielle playing in their “house” every year the boganvilla seems more spectacular! view through the trees Jerome said he was “nursing” his baby I think maybe he was just snuggling baby…but he sure does love her! and I sure love him!

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May 10th, 2009

This is my treat. To enjoy a wonderful day taking pictures with family and actually post them on my blog the same day!

It was a beautiful day spent with Peter’s family…

 Aunt Mary hosted a Mother’s Day luncheon at Grandma Guy’s place. In the same room where we had Easter dinner with Grandma’s family and Mom’s family. The view of the convent from our luncheon room. Jerome playing with Rebekah Anna playing with Rebekah Ian putting his pacy in Rebekah’s toy? Mom brought some fish books for the boys to study before seeing the aquarium after lunch. visiting with Grandma Grandma, Donna, and Eden :-) Ian was saying “Bird” Thank you for the songs, Anna! Lovely treats! I love this series… She’s always so happy no matter what. Their servant hearts are beautiful. Happy Mother’s Day, Donna! Blessed Mother’s Day, Mary Happy Mother’s Day, Noel! So sweet :-) Mary’s friend John played the piano for us! listening Grandma listening they adore Anna He played his own compositions! Grandma enjoying our private concert. beautiful music! :-) amazing Bravo! I love this moment! Mary with Rebekah Grandma with Mary We walked over to the building where grandma lives to see the aquarium and this was going on as we walked in… and Zachary immediately went and sat in the first row until the show was over! The aquarium was wonderful! Ian tries to say fish “Sssshshshsh” The boys each found their favorite fish. This one was Ian’s favorite It seemed to be a rather responsive fish. (Maybe fish have personalities? ;-)) We also had the privilege of visiting Grandma’s room! That’s her portrait and her wedding party on the wall behind her that Mary so thoughtfully put up. This is where we left her, in the sitting room. We love you, Grandma. Happy Mother’s Day! Scott had the boys playing outside in the fountain! Mom with all her children… and grandchildren. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! And I thank God for giving me the awesome privilege and responsibility of mothering these three boys! Happy Mother’s Day!

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May 9th, 2009

I wanted to write a public note of thanks to my Mama. I am who I am today largely because of my mother’s influence.

When I think of you and who you were to me when I was little, words do not come to mind but feelings and pictures do. Some of my favorite times were when my head was in your lap and you would stroke my hair. (No one can stroke my hair as wonderfully as you do!) Watching you crochet, learning, and finally making art with you. Hearing your songs around the house and from the yard. Your singing is somehow a part of me. The smell of baking biscuits is a part of who you are to me. And your curls, too. Hair braiding was a fun thing for us to learn from you, and now it is a part of who I am. You taught me portraiture and gave me your camera. I’m so grateful for the lovely photos you took of my sisters and I growing up. Now I have a wonderful tool to document my own children and a love for photographing people. Thank you!

These are wonderful memories for me and they are what I think about when I think of you.

Thank you for allowing God to give us life through you, and for fighting for us. Thank you for being the godly wife and mother that we were to emulate. Thank you for the sacrifices, the songs, the training, the photos, and the hair stroking!

Happy Mother’s Day!

I love you!

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May 5th, 2009

was actually on April 29th, but her party was this Sunday!

How we all love you dearly, Mom…each in our own ways. That you understand and love us all back is remarkable.

My most favorite thing about you is your love of learning. You are curious of everything good and will take the time to read and discover and share what you’ve learned! And you don’t stop at things, you are curious of people, too! I remember one of the very first trips I made out here you sat down with paper and pencil to take notes of my favorite foods and to mark if there was anything I disliked. I have loved learning with you! You have touched and impacted my life deeply and I love you so very much. Happy birthday, Mom!

 On Mom’s birthday Noel served an amazing lunch in our yard, and Anna came from work on her break. Happy birthday, Mom! Grandma on her birthday with Rebekah Mom requested a pizza and dance party, so I dressed for the occasion. (When I walked out of our bedroom in this getup Peter said “No wonder Mom loves you.”) :-) Peter put his homework down for a minute and grabbed the camera to capture my idea of a dance outfit. Ian was napping, so here’s my Jerome and Seth! twirling so fun! Mom had a big room, a big family, music, and a chance to teach us a waltz! taking a few steps with Dad! so cute! I love watching them together. :-) Ha! Eric and his broom. :-)Scott is a really good dancer! Even if I had my camera out when he was dancing with Donna, they probably would have just been a blur! Beautiful couple, amazing oneness. Lisa, Abby, and Darrell learning steps. Abby and Eric :-) Darrell and Lisa Anna and Jane! Peter wore his fedora for me :-)??? but he didn’t wear it for long. Unfortunately the hat’s too small for him. but it fits me :-) Aunt Brooke with Eden! Darrell and his girlfriend Lisa! (Thank you for bringing her up to meet ALL of us! She’s delightful!) Daddy and Ian dancing and because Rebekah was happy… and Papa could make her look while Abby made her smile. :-) Anna played wonderful waltzes and fun music all night! Lisa’s picture of Donna’s roses birthday cake! candles! Happy birthday to you, Mom! May the Lord bless your new year… with many more wonderful moments! we love you!

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May 5th, 2009

It’s not the end of our first year homeschooling, and it’s not yet the beginning of our second, but I felt that we needed something more for our home education experience. We’ve been having a great time doing school at home, but things were falling through the cracks of busy days and life with three boys…and I knew that we could be enjoying it far more. We want to give the boys a feast of wonderful ideas and books and that just wasn’t happening on my own. I didn’t want to make a commitment to a curriculum until we got a taste of homeschooling and a feel for where we wanted to go with our family’s home education experience. Two weeks ago after much prayer and study I was ready to make that commitment and Peter was willing to make the investment, so we ordered Sonlight. It is a literature based program that I can tailor to meet our family’s needs. The package we purchased works for Seth’s kindergarten as well as for Jerome’s second grade. The day we received our boxes and unpacked them was a fun day, and every day since then has been a wonderfully interesting, fun, and relaxed school day! I am thrilled with where we are right now in our homeschooling journey, and I wanted to share some of our excitement with you.

 Yay! As we were unpacking our new books Jerome said “This looks like fun! Can we start our new school today?”! Even the boxes were fun! everybody enjoyed the boxes :-) I don’t even know all the different things that box has been, but fun it has been for sure!

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