Monday, February 20, 2012

Happy 8th Birthday to Elijah!

Words can not express how amazing our Elijah is. I know each child you have brings a unique and special dynamic to your family. Elijah is no exception, but super exceeds our expectations. He is funny, silly, kind, compassionate, and determined. He is also so cute. I know he'd hate that but it's true. He is adorable.

Today he turns 8! I keep telling him 8 is great, and it is. A month ago I was praying for Elijah to have more confidence. As I was reading through the one year Bible. I came across this verse in Proverbs and began to alter my prayer for him.

When you lie down, you shall not be afraid: yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes. For the LORD shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken. Proverbs 3:23-25

I began to pray that Elijah wouldn't find confidence in himself but rather the Lord himself would be his confidence. The Lord would be his confidence as he does his schoolwork. The Lord would be his confidence when playing with friends. The Lord would be his confidence in all his decisions.

I love being Elijah's mom! It's been an amazing 8 years. I am so thankful for them and can't wait to see all that the Lord has for him.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The little things

PUDDLES! They are super fun to play in. They make a great splashing sound. You can jump, tap, and wiggle in them. When you step out you can make a great trail of footprints.


It's so simple that you might just miss the fun. That's what I love about having a toddler. They really make you stop and consider even the smallest of blessings, which when you really ponder them are not small at all. I have so much to be thankful for.
I know that sounds crazy. But when I sit and consider all that God has blessed me with I can barely catch my breath because I am in awe. It scares me that I am not thankful enough, it scares that I do not show Him how grateful I am. It scares me that there is is that much selfishness in me that I am not continually singing His praises !

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!

Serve the LORD with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.


Know that the LORD, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.


Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.


For the LORD is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100


From the Desks of Isaiah, Elijah and Hannah FUNGI MOLD

Wow I haven't posted in a few weeks....why? Because I am crazy busy. I don't even have time to mentally recap what we've done let alone blog. But I have literally 15 minuets to spare tonight so I am going to quickly blog.

The boys and I (yes add Hannah in that too) are way up to our eyeballs with school. It's good but man we have a lot to cover. In January we added a few more kids to our amazing Science learning adventure. On Wednesday we have a few other homeschool boys come over for some experiment fun. It's a blast. They really love it. We finished bacteria and this month have moved on to FUNGI!
Here are the boys writing down their observations to the mold growing on a piece of bread. This mold had been growing in my kitchen for over a week. The things I do in the name of learning!!!
I am not kidding this bread was something to be studied. It was furry!! The boys then took some and prepared a slide to check out under the microscope. Mold is a fungus....it needs something to feed on to grow. My kids are going to try to grow mold on other food items....can't wait!
The next two pictures are the extra bonus our family gets for homeschooling. Here is Isaiah 11 reading to Hannah 2. The relationships my kids have with each other just blows me away. Not to say it's always peace and butterflies, sometimes honestly it's WW 111. But in these moments it just makes me well up with emotions of pure JOY!
Here's Isaiah helping Elijah with his math. I was pulled away trying to get Hannah down for her afternoon nap. Isaiah stepped in to help Elijah. I loved it! THESE are the moments that the Lord uses to whisper to my heart "keep going, stay focused on ME, I am doing a good work" AMEN!