I have decided to decorate my house with photos. It is cheap and I love a good picture! I have been looking on etsy and getting lots of good ideas. Here are some I took for Chip's office. There are a few more stations to go to so these are not the winners as of yet.
We had to stop by a fire station the other day. The two older kids were asleep in the truck. So, Nate got some special treatment. He got to climb in a truck and wear a real helmet. Chip is in love with this picture.
I was kissing the kids before I went to bed last night. They were asleep. As I was kissing on Ella's face I thought, "I love kissing on you because you are so squishy!" Then I kissed on Streed and thought, "I love kissing you because you are so sweet!" I then went to Nate's room. I kissed him and thought, "I love kissing you because you are so...stinking cute!" That was the only "S" word I could think of.
I can honestly say I am excited. I attended my first homeschool meeting last night. I was way overwhelmed when I first got my curriculum notebook. Then, as one of the co-directors went through the notebook, parent responsibilities and what the kids would do while at the co-op I got really excited. I am already impressed with the level of organization and professionalism of this co-op. I know I have nothing else to compare it to but I can tell they know what they are doing. I can honestly say Streed is going to learn a lot this year, as are Ella and I as we learn right along with him.
Streed and Ella are so excited about starting school. They wanted to hear all about the meeting when I got back last night. Ella was cracking up when I was telling them what all Streed was going to learn. If I know Ella, she was really thinking, "Yeah right he's going to learn that!" I was spouting things off quickly to make them laugh. geo=earth thermos=heat helios=sun She was really getting a kick out of this and some history facts I was reading. They really do start learning greek root words in the K5 class because it helps with their vocabulary as they get older and begin encountering larger words.
I will give more details later. I got his math curriculum in the mail today. I am ordering his first LLBean book bag this week. My little buddy is growing up. He is quite the little man. He is so polite and considerate of others. Last night I went to the meeting by myself. As I observed those in the room I heard a child talking to his sister. He was probably 6. He said, "Hey, I want to introduce you to my new friends." It was so sweet. (No he was not socially awkward. He was a really cute kid. They all were!) I immediately thought, "Streed is going to meet some really neat kids and make some really good friends." I even saw and talked to one lady I met at the library a few months ago. I was filled with much emotion while there: thanksgiving, sadness, excitement, disbelief, confusion, anxiety &peace
The stone is up and the driveway and walkway are poured. I was really nervous waiting for the stone. It was the first thing I picked out so I was anxious to see how it would look. I love it. I love that it matches the trim and is a contrast from the brick.
This random dog was following us all over the place today. It jumped in our neighbor's car, in our van and literally on top of my van hood and tried to climb the windshield. I have not seen dogs ever in this neighborhood. But, it is funny because several have been wandering around while the poor guys are pouring all the driveways. The dogs keep running right through it.
The moldings are all up and are being prepped for paint. Some actually were primed today. It is really coming together. Every time I go I get more and more excited.
This is my built-in for the dead space. It is a little different than I pictured but I was out of town when it was built. I think it will be really great though. I can totally see the bottom shelf housing some toys or special books in baskets. I like that there is space above it to decorate. Lots of potential.
Chip's office doors obviously the mantle. several of the homes have really elaborate mantles. i asked her to make ours simple. i think it came out great! just a pic so you could see over the windows. the closet organizers are all in. these were a surprise. i was not expecting them at all but they are going to be so great. this will be the boys' closet. the rods are not in yet but each side of the middle organizer will have double rods. this was actually going to be Ella's room but the closet is perfect for two kids sharing a room.
I realized tonight that I had literally forgotten about my blog. Here is a run down of the past 2 weeks.
We picked berries. It was for the birds. It was so stinking hot and most of the lower branches had been picked. Except for the pink/red berries--those were ripe for the picking according to Nate. And then once anyone got a few/30 in the bucket he would dump them out. We find ourselves saying often, "We will have a lot of fun stuff to do once the kids are older!" It was beautiful out there though.
We finished swim lessons at the YMCA. Streed really should have been in the older group but they are slightly by the book! Ella really did learn to swim but she is still not confident. The first day of the lessons I was not sure it was going to work. She screamed "MAMA" to the top of her lungs when the instructor tried to do anything. She finally warmed up by day 3. I snapped this first picture on the way to their last lesson. I LOVE IT!
We attended a 4th of July party hosted by the church we have been visiting. It was at someones house--complete with food, drinks, shuttle parking, face painting, pony rides and professional-grade fireworks.
Visiting family for a few days. It was hot but nice to be away relaxing. The kids loving seeing THEIR horse.
Vacationing with friends who are like family for a few days. Jill's neices were there so there were 6 kids under 6. The water was gorgeous. And the company was great.
We also visited two special families on our trek back from PCB to Little Rock. But, my memory card was full and I was actually over taking pictures by that point :) We just enjoyed catching up and let the kids play.
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.
I can honestly say I am excited. I attended my first homeschool meeting last night. I was way overwhelmed when I first got my curriculum notebook. Then, as one of the co-directors went through the notebook, parent responsibilities and what the kids would do while at the co-op I got really excited. I am already impressed with the level of organization and professionalism of this co-op. I know I have nothing else to compare it to but I can tell they know what they are doing. I can honestly say Streed is going to learn a lot this year, as are Ella and I as we learn right along with him.
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.
