Intentional Days

We have been enjoying these new warm days so much lately.
They are BEAUTIFUL!
I have caught up on all our cleaning except the oven and refrigerator, which I'm doing today. I'm learning to lOVE cleaning.

I never thought I'd say that (always hoped though haha)
My husband (HI baby!) reads my blog, I'm sure is hoping it sticks.

I've been spending a lot more time in The Word.
Yesterday, Tristin told me, "mom, you've been reading that Bible for 6 hours today!"
Haha. Not quite that long, but seriously some days I can not put it down.
AND to top it all off, my grandma bought me a new Bible yesterday for my Birthday!
Did I ever tell you the story of my Bible?

I got it 6 years ago from my lovely husband, and last year he (hi again babe ;)) set it on the back of the car after church one night.

We drove home, put the boys to bed and I wanted to read it and couldn't find it anywhere.

I drove back and looked everywhere, and cried, and prayed I wouldn't be mad at him.

A week later I was in Oklahoma for a women's conference and I got a call from a girl from church that said a man found my Bible in the middle of a busy intersection in town.

It had been torn and run over. I still think its beautiful (tire marks and all) and use it everyday, but am so excited to have another one from my grandparents.

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Other than all of that we have spent time doing school, playing games, and enjoying SPRING!

The other day we got out a game to play and this is what I found:





I guess if you're missing a green car a tiny hedgehog will do.
He was pretty good at that game.



We also went outside to soak in all the lovliness that comes with Spring.
The little one joined me.



He found some tulips that are about to bloom.



And one that already did.
We also got to talk about pollen and bees, because he was interested in what that "stuff" is. *grin*



We loved looking at the trees with their fresh new leaves and blooms.













My favorite thing of all was to see his collection of acorns he's been working on for a few months. He had many more, but his brothers and their friends moved some.
He wasn't happy about that.





And we spent a little bit of time with the dogs. They are hard to get a picture of, but I'll leave you with a picture of our big dog Sadie. She doesn't appear much in my blog..poor dog.



We are off to the store and then we are growing crystal formations...because another boys asked about that while reading a book that mentioned it. Have I ever told you how much I love homeschooling? Best part? I get to spend all day with some of my favorite people on earth!

Back to Work

As in the plan I had last week.
Spring cleaning and school work...because none of it got done last week.
I was sick all week.
But, I am all good now, so I'm going to roll up my sleeves and get to work!

We had a thunderstorm last night. I loved it.
I couldn't even sleep for being afraid I'd miss something.
I LOVE thunderstorms. Love them.

I woke up this morning, opened the windows to let in the cool, rainy breeze.
That is spring to me. SO wonderful, and such a great way to start the week.

Now for school, cleaning, and cooking.
Maybe...hopefully we can get a walk in too?
I hope so.

Have a great day friends.

Why Hello Spring

It's been just beautiful here the past few days.
80* outside, boys in shorts, flowers blooming, yay!

Just one thing...
I woke up yesterday ready for the week, plans of spring cleaning, sleepover for the boys, a few girl days this week.
I was ready!

Then it hit.
My stomach started hurting.
Then, (to spare you the details) let's just say I had the stomach flu..and so did my hubby.

Boo.

It lasted all day, but am feeling much better today.
I don't have the energy I wanted to get my deep cleaning done.
But, possibly tomorrow? I hope so.

Today though, I did dishes, laundry, and swept the floors.
I am going to hang my spring wreath, and pull a few springy things out.
Then, I think I'll read..if you don't recall I have quite a reading list to get to!

Later this week and next, I will wash blankets, curtains, windows, and under big furniture. It will feel good.

Hopefully the weather is beautiful where you are?
Happy Spring!

Kony 2012

Do you know who Joseph Kony is?
I didn't, but now I do.
And I think you need to know.
Please. Please, watch this video, and learn who he is.
Then...DO something about him.
This made me weep. I can't shake it. Jesus is in my heart, how can I not care?
I don't know if the man in charge of this is a Christian? He doesn't say.
But he..this man (Jason) is risking so, SO much by getting the word out.
He is working hard. Cover him in prayer please?
Then help him?

Jesus commands us to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
The question is, HOW do we love Him with all our heart, soul, and might?
The second command he gives might give us a good start.

To love others as we love ourselves.

If this was happening to you...how would you want to be loved?

30 minutes. Then help change the world.

A Day in My Life

I know. Very interesting.

5:45 AM Wake up to dogs barking. I love when they do that..
Check a few emails, say a prayer for our day and wisdom for Obama, and for Israel.
6:15 Fall asleep. I will regret this.
7:30 Get up. notice that the boys have turned on Curious George. Also notice the boy who LOVES tv is not in there...regret starts now. Find him laying in his bed. He wet the bed. If you don't make him get up in the morning...this is what you get.
7:35 Put him in the bath and go get dressed.
7:50 Boys get dressed and I make them breakfast.
8:10 Hop in car to take oldest to school. Get GIANT hug from his friend! Drop them off and stop by sonic for a coke and burrito...I know I know. Turn up NeedToBreathe extremely loud on my way home.
8:45 Come home start laundry, start watering outside, while boys pick up their room and feed dogs.
9:15 Play a math game with Tristin, he reads to me, writes some new words. Brighton listens to a story online and practices writing his numbers.
10:30 Send boys outside to clean dog poop and trash cans while I put brisket in crockpot and clean kitchen.
11:00 Do grammar lesson with Tristin, read History book, and a few Read Alouds.
12:00 Lunch (chicken salad sandwich) and Bible Study.
12:30 Make grocery list, while boys play outside with friend Jack.
12:45 Realize that I left the water on in one spot a little too long...I set the timer, that didn't help. I, apparently ignore sounds.
1:30 I straighten rest of house, do my laundry, and make grocery list.
2:20 Go for a walk with the family.
3:15 Go out for ice cream...
4:00 Boys play with friends while I pin...as in pinterest
5:00 Straighten up...again
6:00 Eat dinner, clean up, start baths.
7:30 Read to boys
8:00 Take a bath myself. My kindle comes along. Les Miserables.
8:30 Settle down for an evening of Downton Abbey!
Probably fall asleep somewhere around 11:00.

Winter Vacation

We spent last week in New Mexico...skiing!
My husband loves to ski, and it has been a long time, so we packed up and went!
It was the boys' first time, and they loved it! Dan was sure excited about how much they enjoyed it.
I *used* to like skiing, but I think having kids has effected me more than I may know. I could only handle so much...so in the afternoons I took 2 of the boys in for a nap, while Dan and Tibby skied their little hearts out.

It was beautiful there. SO beautiful.















The last day we were there it was snowing. It is incredibly peaceful to watch the snow falling, I just love it.







What a wonderful family vacation! The boys were sad to leave, but it's always nice to be home.

4 Years Old

I can't believe our "baby" is now 4 years old.
Time is just moving too fast for me lately.
Really, I can barely keep up with anything.
Brighton asked for a night in a hotel and lots of swimming.
Sounded great to us!

We started his morning with the donut cake...of course.



Then, we picked up cupcakes, took Jaiden out of school and headed to a hotel...and swam. It was wonderfully simple and fun.









Brighton. I cannot possibly express how much joy you bring to our family. I love that you tell me everyday that I'm beautiful...especially when I don't feel it.

I love how curious you are.

I love reading to you, when I can get you still enough, you LOVE stories.

I love that you are learning so much and growing so big. You are a wonderful boy!

Happy Birthday!

School Plans for March

We have a meeting next week with Classical Conversations. I hope this means there is enough interest in our community to start one here.

School plans for the month of March.

Bible: daily reading out of the Family Reading Bible

Leading Little Ones to God devotional

Hymn for March: Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It

Writing: Scripture Journal and Reading Words

Math: Singapore Math 1B
Family Math games
Khan Academy (review on long addition, subtraction, and intro to multiplication)

Grammar: English for the Thoughtful Child, paragraphs, nouns, proper nouns
the book Word Fun (nouns)
School House Rock nouns:


History: The New Americans (Colonial Times 1620-1689)
Benjamin Franklin, Young Printer
Drive Thru History: Benjamin Franklin (we dvr the whole series)

The Courage of Sarah Noble
Sign of The Beaver (movie)
George Washington Drive Thru History: Washington

America, The Story of Us via Netflix

Geography: Paddle to the Sea book and Film


Read Alouds: Finishing The Aesop for Children
The Blue Fairy Book
Among the Forest People

Free Reading: The Moffats series, the boys love these.
The Saturdays
All of a Kind Family

Fine Arts: Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare
Artists: Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902) American; Hudson River School

This term's composer: Mendelssohn, Romantic


Nature: observing weather patterns
Outdoor Hour Challenge

PRESCHOOL: Leap Frog Letter Factory
Finish Doing My Best Workbook from Rod and Staff
Name Practice
Reading Lots of Books: The Relatives Came
Miss Rumphius
On Market Street (alphabet book)
The Seven Silly Eaters