Where does the time go?

Time has flown by this summer! I have posted a few pictures from our summer adventures so far. (I uploaded them in the wrong order but you will get the idea)

Brennan has lost 3 teeth in the past week. The tooth fairy is going broke. : ) He looks so cute with his snaggle tooth grin. I took some pictures of him today and the top picture is one of them.

Brennan began Swim Team practice the middle of June and loves it. He is in pre-competetive swimming but Coach D says in a couple of weeks he will be ready for his first little meet. I can't believe it! Coach D also works with Aaron in the pool after Brennan's class and Aaron is a little fish. He will be scuba diving with us in no time. : )

As soon as we got back from vacation in June we headed right in to VBS. The boys are standing in front of the Boomerang Express train. They had a ball and I survived 20 4 year olds for the week! Of course the majority of them were boys. - HA!

The first part of June we enjoyed a RELAXING vacation in Hilton Head, SC. We met my parents and my brother and his family there for a week. It was fabulous! We spent a lot of time in the pool, at the beach (boogie boarding), kayacking, celebrating Aaron's 4th birthday and putt-putt golf. My brother and his girlfriend introduced our boys to tennis and Brennan loves it! We had a great time and it truely was a relaxing time.

Enjoy your summer!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I have such wonderful friends! Today was the first day of VBS. Isn't that how you would want to spend your birthday? - : ) The kids had a fabulous time and yes, so did I. I love 4 year olds! Anyway...on the way in I had my friends Danielle and Carolyn give me a card and some cupcakes. After VBS we had stayed and had lunch with some more friends and my friends Sara, Melanie, Cyndi and Angela (and all their kids) sing Happy Birthday to me and had brought some cake. I am so lucky to have such good friends and take the time to remember me. I love you all! When I got home I had flowers waiting for me at the door from my mom and dad! They are beautiful! Thank you Mom and Dad! I love you -- And Happy Father's Day to you too, Dad! : )

(I am a Father's Day baby, for those of you who didn't know that.)

Saturday my wonderful husband sent me to the outlets -- all by myself -- on the way to pick up our dog at his sister's house. I had a great time shopping--ALL By Myself! It was wonderful! Best birthday present ever. : ) On Sunday the boys made me a cookie cake and gave me my new adirondak chairs, that they had built for me. What a great 3 days of birthday fun. And tonight we are going to dinner! Woo-Hoo!

Following God's Will

I often wonder why God gives us the callings he does. I think He decides on what will be hardest thing for us to do and then asks us to do it? Why? --- Because He wants us to lean fully on him. I can tell you this --- homeschooling is the toughest and most rewarding job out there. The past week has been very challenging with just the attitudes. Then try adding math, reading, phonics, memory work, etc. on top of that. Yesterday, I just went to my room and screamed! Aaron is getting to the age where he is definitely in his own little personality (has been for a while) and likes to express himself quite regularly. For those of you who know Aaron -- You know he is very loud and has an opinion. (I don't know where he gets it). Brennan can be a tad contrary and gives up easily when it gets hard at times. I can be irritated by all of this and start being very loud myself and also want to give up.

My boys don't have a chance by inheriting my sinful nature. I feel sorry for Brian when I call him at work and tell him I am sending them to school! He knows we are not sending them to school and he knows in my heart I don't want to do that so why do I complain? Why can't I just lean on God the entire day and stay calm with a peaceful spirit?

We all have our problems and then adding school on top of that?? Why God do you insist on us homeschooling?

I know that this is God's will for our family by the joys he does give us in learning together. I see how much Brennan and Aaron are learning by learning classically. I also have seen the price of private school! - HA! God is good and in our struggles He is holding us. I guess I just need to vent sometimes and by writing this out and talking to you who read this, it makes feel a little better. (A little!) I am very excited about what we are learning and are going to be learning in CC this year. This is the best part of teaching my children -- I am learning all the cool stuff again! And learning how God is apart of every subject!

I love the verse "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." Proverbs 24:3-4

Am I training up beautiful treasures? I am trying! This is hard work!

The Big "C"

What makes us think that no one we know will ever get Cancer? I am amazed at the amount of people I know or know through someone else that has cancer. I am even further amazed at the many, many and yet many types of cancer their are. I have never been touched so close as I am right now with cancer. My brother-in-law, Rick, has been diagnosed with a rare type of testicular cancer. He is the husband of my very dear sister-in-law, Kelli. They are very strong in their faith, thank God that they know Him! How could you ever get through something as terrifying as this without His peace within you?

Please pray for them as Kelli is pregnant with their 4th child (due in Oct.) and Rick has begun Cemo treatments this week. This will last for 9 weeks. The entire summer! As I said they are strong in their faith but please pray they all will stay healthy and strong even when Rick is not (at this moment). Also pray for complete healing of Rick at the end of his 9 week treatment. I just don't know how I would react if this was in my immediate family (meaning my husband or children); but I would hope that I would handle it with as much grace, faith and cheerfullness as my wonderful brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Thank you all for your prayers!

Yeah Aaron!

Aaron (age 3) is riding on 2 Wheels now! Good job Aaron!

Brian got his workout running around our culd-e-sac for at least 10 minutes or more while Aaron rode in circles. He turns left really well but turning right takes more concentration.

Aaron was not too excited about trying the 2 wheel but we told him he not race on the dirt track until he was riding on 2 wheels AND I would get him some ice cream when he could ride it. 10 minutes later I am making banana splits for dinner. : ) Brennan was very encouraging too and loved seeing his brother succeed. For two reasons I am sure -- one because he loves his brother and the other, because he wanted some ice cream too. : )

Let's go Surfing!

What a beautiful day out at Ft. Desoto today! I absolutely love the beach and thank God for allowing us to live near so many. I needed the relaxation today in a BAD way and God provided it. Even with 5 kids running around I could actually relax and talk with my sister-in-law, Kelli. What a rarity and blessing!
Thank you Grammie for keeping the kids occupied.
They LOVE playing with their Grammie! Surf's Up!

The Surfer Crew!
Aaron, Caleb, Bekah, Andrew and Brennan

Little studs!

These boys are a mess!
They think they are just adorable! (Little Studs!)
I don't know where they get such ideas! - HA!
And yes, I tell them that all time! I will pay when they hit the teen years! : )