I cannot believe today is the last day of JUNE!!! We left Baton Rouge a whopping 3 months ago tomorrow. It seems like it and then again it doesn't.
Anyway, we are moving right along on house planning. We picked out flooring yesterday. Carpet, tile and wood. Here is the tile and wood. I was advised by multiple people not to go too dark on the wood. This is darker than I thought we would get but it is still a medium. I have decided I am trying to decorate the house like it is a cottage. That is my favorite type of style. So, I am leaning toward really light neutral walls. Chip is afraid I am going too light. The wood floor was really a compromise that we are both happy with.
Homeschool: Much of my internet time lately has been spent reading about homeschooling. Streed's co-op starts August 2 which is really right around the corner. I ordered some Handwriting curriculum today that he needs for his "school". I think one thing that has me anxious is the timing of things. We will move sometime in Sept. Roughly 4 weeks into his co-op. When I picture me teaching him, it is at our new house--all set up and squared away. I don't know where this vision is coming from. Must be in la la land. Anyway, we will actually start his K-5 year here at the apartment. Good thing it is kindergarten and I basically need to teach him to read. That may be all I focus on while we are in transition. I was thinking today that it really is from the Lord that I am homeschooling him this year. The public schools are good in Bryant (according to most everyone you talk to). But, we would be living in Little Rock at the beginning of the school year and then moving. Streed would most likely have to change schools a few weeks into the year. That would be hard for us all. This way we can ease in to yet another transitional period in our lives.
Me time: When I wasn't reading about homeschool, I was reading Eclipse (Book 3 of the Twilight series). Before you judge, I had not read it since I lived in Hammond. I moved from there in February of 2009. So, it has been well over a year since I have read it. Yes I bought it. It was less than $10 at Kroger the other day. The movie comes out June 30th. I needed to refresh my brain on the goings on of this particular book. And upon reading them all the first time, it was my favorite. Now I am not sure. Guess I will have to re-read them all to see :)
House: We are still super excited about our house. I was studying in James a few days last week and he encouraged us to glory in our high position and gave a warning as to our own pursuits. I really did not ever remember reading these particular verses before. It took some digging to figure out what it meant and to make some application. It made me thank God for who I am and what I have been given in Christ. It also brought me back to a state of thanksgiving for our house that is being built. I was telling someone the other day that I don't even like telling people it is 1800 sq ft because that is really a small house for a family of 5. But, we know and fully believe that this house is from the Lord. I spent time praying for our future neighbors and the ones we have already met. We are excited to start our life here, put down roots and go deep with each other and people. I am still incredibly teary-eyed a lot of the time. I cry at ANYTHING! Especially when I think about being so far away from people. But, we know this is where we are supposed to be so we can be excited about that. Here is a pic of where the house is now. The roof is on, bricks are going up. Sheet rock is in the house but not up.
VBS: We are stalking a few churches for the next few weeks to take part in their VBS's. I signed up to help at the first one. It was a church I had never stepped foot in. I wanted the kids to go because it was on Joseph--His journey from prison to the palace. And 3 year olds could go. I faxed in their registration form. On the form I checked that I would help out in Ella's class. I had a lapse in judgement. I thought I would not know what to do with myself if it was just me and Nate for 5 days. I know that sounds bad. And it was a stupid thought. I could have done LOTS OF THINGS! Instead, I walk up to get the kids in their groups and find out that I am the teacher. That's right. Not a helper. Not someone who was going to get snacks ready or take kids to the bathroom. But the teacher. I was livid for many reasons. Mainly because they did not know me at all. Anyway, I am going to move on. Ella unfortunately got a fever virus that night and we had to miss the next 2 days. We made it for the last two. I met some nice ladies. this was Streed one day going to VBS. he had on his bright yellow VBS shirt, orange gym shorts and dark blue socks. Chip said, "Streed, you make un-cute cute!" I about died laughing. I kept thinking about it and would snicker as the day went on.
Computer games: All of the kids have gotten into playing on the computer. Streed likes to play Star Wars Lego games, Ella likes to either Paint or play American doll games. Nate is happy to play right along. He copies everything they say. He is even asking Chip now if he can play "Brick Breaker" on his phone. He says, "Daddy, i pay bick bake? peas?"
I think thisuldo (i meant to type it like that. my family will get it) for now. I will save the swim lesson drama for another day. I agree with nature--today was the first day of summer--the longest day of the year.
I would think most of my blog readers already know that my mom had surgery today to remove cancer from her bladder. It is a strange day when your mom has cancer surgery. It means she has cancer. I don't say that to be funny, it is how your brain works. Like when I had my thyroid biopsy last summer. Your brain just keeps thinking, biopsy means you just might have cancer.
Background: She was being treated for a bladder infection that returned the month after she finished her antibiotics. Her Ob/gyn gave her a new prescription. In the meantime she met with her GP for an annual checkup. She mentioned to him about the bladder infection. He suggested that at her age (57) that she needed a scan just to check it out. He got her an appt set up, they did the scan on Friday and found what he called 3 cancers.
The doctor said he thinks he got it all and that she should not need any treatment. That is the prayer.
We did something today we have not done in a long time...skipped church. Nate has had a fever since Friday at lunch. He has been super clingy and "sleeping" (i use that term loosely) with us each night. I have been working this weekend. I go in today at noon. Today is Chip's birthday. He is exhausted. He was going to take the older two to church at 9 so I could stay home with Nate and he would be back so I could leave for work on time. At 7:40 he said, "Oh its already 7:40. We have got to start getting ready." I suggested they just not go. He was relieved. It really was one of those things that would not have set him up for success for the rest of the day. It makes me think of Amy Grant's new song "Better than a hallelujah". Would it really glorify God for Chip to go to church only to be distracted because he was so tired and then be really irritable with the kids all afternoon? A few minutes later he was covered up with a blanket in the chair trying to rest. I suggested he just go back to bed. He was in shock. He asked if I was serious. So, he is getting some much needed rest before he has to spend much of his birthday on daddy duty. I hope this helps it be a little better birthday. Poor thing did not get a real present. He bought a desk for his office the other day and we are going to have cupcakes tonight. We really need to do more to make birthdays special around here. Maybe next year...
This evening Chip asked me if I went by the Goodwill today. I said "No, why?" He responded in all seriousness, "Because I need some clothes for the social tonight." We just cracked up. I thankfully have not had to dress up for any theme socials in a few years. They usually start around 7:30 pm. Kids' bedtime. The kids and I were usually standing around at the beach project watching everyone poor out of their rooms in their "finds" from the local Panama City Beach Goodwill stores--kept in business only by the thousands of dollars spent by Summer Beach Project students over the past 20+ years. Ella was about 10 months on this project. She was too clueless to know what was going on. Streed was 2 1/2 and was a little scared by Chip's appearance. I must say there were some seriously scary college students dressed as geriatrics on this particular night in 2007. Here is what the kids looked like watching everyone scurry on their way to their fun night of geriatric bingo.
Sweetly sings the Nightingale, And the cuckoo in the dale. But the Robin I love dear, Singing all the year. Robin! Robin! Merry Robin! How I love you dear.
I found this earlier in the week in Streed's Robin Hood book. I thought I would use it to say Happy Birthday to the Robyn I love dear.
After breakfast we packed up the fam and headed to a brick store to look at brick and stone. It is so fun (not) taking the kids on these adventures. After looking at brick we headed to look at the progress on our house. They have it wired and a few things framed based on some of our decisions. The kitchen was all open to the den. I opted to extend the wall a little to give me more cabinet space. Can lights were in. That was super exciting. I love that window over the front door and the tall ceiling in the foyer.
On the way home we took back roads rather than the interstate. About halfway home we witnessed a white truck lock up his breaks and plow into the back of an unsuspecting Honda Civic. Chip was on the case. He whipped the truck around and called the police. Within minutes the Crystal Hill volunteer dept was on the scene. As was Chip. He had actually spent some time with this department a week or so ago.
Here are the kids enjoying the action. Here is Chip wishing he was a fire fighter. Here am I enjoying the beauty of a wild honeysuckle vine. I was also able to teach the kids how to taste it.
We were invited to experience an Egyptian style breakfast with our upstairs neighbors. It was absolutely delicious. Chip was nervous about if he could stomach it but he too loved it. The menu was beans, falafel, olives, tomatoes, some awesome white cheese similar to the consistency of cream cheese but with lots of flavor, some type of wrap, lettuce, sour cream with seasoning and hot tea with milk and sugar. Below you will see a pic of Nate eating the falafel. He loved it. They are super hospitable. They moved in the same day we did. I think this is an ordained relationship.
Woke up and did a quiet time God blessed this and the kids slept in Played with friends at an indoor play place Lunched at Chick-fil-A Nate napped Others did not Straightened Talked a little on the phone Got dinner started Swam Ate dinner Visited upstairs neighbors Online About to eat some dessert! And I think I may watch Twilight Good night
Today Chip's dad has a scary experience on the way to work. His 2005 truck stalled or cut off, not real sure. So, he pulled off the road. His doors would not unlock nor would his windows go down. He thoughtfully pulled out his owner's manual. While looking through it he began smelling a burning electrical smell. At that point he saw smoke coming from under the hood. It quickly began pouring into the cab. At this point he had to kick the window 6 times to get it to break so he could escape. He made it safely out. Some people driving by stopped and helped put out the fire before the fire dept arrived.
Scary! Me in my flip flops would not have fared so well. Chip is getting me and anyone else he knows a tool from work that cuts your seat belt and breaks your window. We are so thankful that Papa is OK.
I know it's summer but during the kids naps (Praise HIM) I am online signing up for a Mom's-N-More group at church for the Fall, printing off forms to join a homeschool group and forms from the Arkansas Department of Education stating a "Notice of Intent to Home School". Included in these forms I have to fill out is a waiver stating that "the State of Arkansas is not liable for the education of my child". (Thank God for that!) This is scary and official. But I am convinced I can teach him, and want to teach him. I am excited about the opportunity to train him in ways of righteousness and help to prepare his heart for the Lord as well as teach him how to read. We are going to take schooling year by year and reevaluate at the end of each year. And, each child is different. We are following where we feel led to go at this point in our journey of parenting.
Until then, we will enjoy the pool as long as we are living it up at the apartment. next time i take a "timer picture" i will make sure to have on a suit with straps:)
I was going to blog each day this month since I did that last summer. I guess I forgot yesterday because I woke up sick and spent most of the day in bed either sleeping, reading Francine Rivers' A Lineage of Grace or checking to see the results of Noah's MRI. For Mother's Day Chip got me A Lineage of Grace. I have loved most of the other books of hers that I have read and this one is just fabulous. It is actually 5 books in one with study guides at the end of each book. I think it would be fun as summer reading or for a womens' book club. It has brought stories of the Old Testament to life for me. God truly chooses His people and works His plan for His purpose. It is so encouraging.
Once I started feeling better I showered thinking I was going to make it to Streed's final t-ball game. Chip advised me that it would be too hot so I should stay home with Nate. So, Nate and I listened to Pandora radio and looked at countless granite colors online. I am not sure how he felt about it but I had fun. I am going to get some pictures tonight that a friend took at Streed's game. I will add them to this post hopefully later tonight.
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