It's a....

BOY! That's right! We seem to have a nice little pattern going, and this guy is no exception to the rule. The boys are thrilled - the girls a little disappointed. However, they quickly reminded themselves how much they've loved and enjoyed little Seth, and that cheered them right up.

Scott and I were grateful that all looked well and whole - we know that is a blessing from the Lord!

No names so far - the girl name was already picked out, but the boy was giving us more of a time. I guess it'll be an exercise in patience, compromise, team playing, and all that...

Calling all Book Lovers

OK, OK, I was going to try to post at least once a month (I know, that's really pathetic, but I'm just not a good blogger...) and I'm really overdue. My excuse this time is that I'm expecting (as you can see on my sidebar) and haven't been feeling at the top of my game, to put it mildly. And then, as soon as I began to feel like a natural woman again, we went on vacation. I'm going to post about that once I get my pics downloaded and uploaded and all that jazz.

In the meantime, I have a book to recommend to all you SAHM out there, since it's summer and you have unlimited reading time, right?!? Right. Anyway, it's called Keeping House: The Litany of Everyday Life, by Margaret Kim Peterson. It's a great encouragement and challenge about what keeping house REALLY is, biblically and theologically, as well as practically. I'm lovin' it. Have any of you out there already read/heard of this book?!?

Till later, then.

OK, y'all.

I need some help. We finish school next Friday, and I need to make a summer plan. I mean, other than going to the pool, the library, and spending a lot of time reading to my little ones. What do you guys do? Modified school? Drop it completely? Organizing tasks that you can't get done during the school year? Keep up with math only? What? I feel like the days go more smoothly with a PLAN, you know? So, if you've got a plan, I'd love to hear about it. Pretty please?!?

Ahoy there, Matey!

A few weeks ago my mom and grandmother were in town. They took all the kids to McDonald's and got each of them a Happy Meal (of course! what are grandparents for?). I guess "Pirates of the Carribean 3" is the latest, greatest, because all the toys were pirate-y (I know, that's not a word...). Seth's toy was a pirate do-rag with a dangley golden earring. I put it on him just for kicks, assuming he'd yank it off and throw it to the ground, just as he'd been trying to do all winter with his hats. However, it was a HIT! He must've know he looked big and bad in it (and when you're the youngest of five, I guess you need whatever clout you can get).



In other news, I just last night, ordered (hopefully) ALL my school books for next year! Last year, with Seth being a baby and all, I didn't order until...shall I admit it? August, and it was hanging over my head all summer. This year, I tried to get my act togther a little earlier. Free shipping is a nice incentive, 'cause books are HEAVY. I think we saved about $30-$40. So Woohoo! Bring on the summer vacation!

memories

We were driving home from the boy's first piano recital this evening (which was a great!), and on our way home, we drove through our old neighborhood. We began reminiscing about our years there. One of the kids favorite memories was our Christmas tradition of driving through the neighborhood with hot chocolate and listening to music and looking at all the Christmas lights.

Bonnie piped up from the back seat. "My favowite part was the decowations. You know, Momma, like the Decowation of Independance."

Well, there was a lot of red, white, and blue...

Drumroll, please...

Tonight was our final program for our Classical Conversations year. The kids were so excited - they each got up with their classes and recited some of the things that they'd learned this year. The kids all did a great job - not one case of "stage fright"! I think I was more nervous than they were! I had to lead my class in it's recitations 8-)! But...I made it!

It's wonderful and exciting to see my children learn and love learning. As Kevin took his CAT tests this week, it was neat to read through them and just marvel at how much he's learned! Some days are difficult, and it feels like we get so little accomplished...but the Lord is so kind to encourage me - and tonight was a real encouragement! It's a blessing to contribute to the raising of a godly generation, even in a small way.

But that's not how I felt this morning as Seth pulled the SECOND glass of apple juice off of the table and all over himself and the floor. I'm grateful to say that the day ended better than it began ;-)!

To Blog or Not to Blog...

As y'all can tell, it's been awhile... I haven't made a post here in months. We've been in a really busy season, and I just haven't had the time to put into it.

Also, I've been reading a few other blogs, and thinking some about what my blog (if I decided to revive it, and if anyone wanted to read it!) should be like. And, to be honest, I'm still not completely sure.

All that said, I'm going to try to give it another go, with an effort to be a little more broad in what I post about.

But first, an update! We are all well, and have been enjoying the spring in our new home - the woods are starting to leaf out and the warm weather is arriving. Seth is running all around and loving exploring the great outdoors! We've been hosting a book study in our home for the past 10 weeks on Wed. nights (Scott leading, me watching the kiddos), and I've continued my tutoring for Classical Conversations on Thursday...needless to say, by Friday, I'm pretty wiped. This week is our last week of CC - complete with final program and awards in the evening! We've had an amazing year - so exciting to see all the kids have learned - even the little ones!

It's has been a great blessing to participate in all of these things, but I look forward to having an easier schedule, more flexibilty, seeking new, maybe "unscheduled" ways to serve. I hope to use the extra time wisely...

And here are some recent pics, of course ;-)!

This is the whole family on Easter Sunday...



All the kids frolicking on the air mattress after a visit from Scott's folks...



Seth enjoying his first WHOLE apple (unintentionally on my part - he swiped someone else's off the table!)...



and looking at books...



And Kev and the girls in our HUGE family room...

* SIGH* Need I say more?

Weeeeelllll folks, we're back! Yes indeedy, after a rip-roaring holiday season, in which blogging not only took the back burner, but more like fell off the stove, our snorkels have been retired until summer, and our noses are emerging! Praise the Lord! Nothing like the extraordinary to make you appreciate the ordinary.

Scott has begun his job NEXT DOOR (at our church) and begins his first series of sermons this Sunday evening. We hit our full school schedule this week - and we're loving our new home! I'll have to post some pictures soon.

OK y'all that's it for now. My blogging skillz feel kinda rusty...More later!

Oh yeah, Seth turned one during our move and had the lamest birthday party ever, but hey, he won't remember! But we did take some cute pics of him digging into his first taste of chocolate - and his gifts!