Back to School 2011

So our year has begun. I can't believe this is our 7th year homeschooling. It doesn't seem possible. I have been really anxious the past few weeks about starting this year. All I could see is a mountain of things to overcome. We have "tween" on the rise, a middle child, and a super active toddler and all the complications that mixing them together with schooling at home seemed to be a mountain of epic proportion to me, one that I am ashamed to admit I didn't really want to climb. I mean even up to last night praying that all would go well, but just not feeling it. So this morning I took some time before the kids hit the floor running to be still and and lay it all down.

After much refreshing, I am certain of our main goal for this year as directed by the Lord. And it comes from 2 Timothy 3:15

" And from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus"

I have been really convicted lately of our tendency to get sidetracked by THIS life, by things that the world deems as important. And although I love for my kids to learn history, math and science, if they are not firmly grounded in the Word of God it really is fruitless. Since only the knowledge of His word will make them wise for eternal worth. And if we as parents truly believe what we teach that should be our top priority.

I am preaching to myself as I teach it to them. So as I start this year, I am confident that when we put Jesus first, allow the Holy Spirit to empower us and let His word rule our day, all other things will fall into place as we seek to honor him.

On the dry erase board today I wrote

" Welcome back to school. Today we will learn, have fun, honor Jesus and love one another" I think we accomplished those goals for today. So I rate this first day back a success.

Let's try a shot by the window....

"Let's do one with just the boys" Hannah was having NONE of that. It is just a sweet reminder that she IS on this homeschool journey with us.

Hannah's special treat...colored rice. It was AWESOME and she was entertained through 2 language art lessons.

Semiahmoo

Isn't this view amazing. It doesn't matter how many times I see Mt. Baker, I just think it's the most beautiful view ever.

Hannah with her crazy hair. NO piggies per daddy's request.

Kids

JUMP

Hey Mom watch me!

Friends, Melinda and Kristy.

Summer Fun

Summer has been a whirlwind ....is it really almost over? I have found I have been too busy being part of the fun to take too many pictures...but I have managed to take just a few. School is creeping up on us, so I am sure with more routine I will have more time to take pictures and blog. But I must say it's been a blast!The boys and their neighborhood friends at the Birch Bay Water Park. They had a BLAST!

SILLY

The North West Washington Fair is A BIG deal here. We've been to 'fairs' in Maine but this fair is like nothing we've ever seen. Rides, food, animals, concerts, vendors....all on a massive scale. The boys entered a lego building contest with their friend. They got a second place ribbon. They were very proud of themselves.
Sweet Hannah LOVES cows. Well from a distance we have learned. She was so excited to see the cows but had no interest in getting to close. But after I saw this picture can you blame her, look at that cow. It looks like it's hungry for some Hannah.
But from far away she really did enjoy them. "OH COW!" she kept saying.

I like the cow, behind a fence, and on my own terms.

See my new sparkle shoes!

I know I might be biased but I just think she gets cuter and cuter....I can't believe she's almost 2!

BIG wheel!

Friends always make the fair more fun. I had some sweet friends that we tagged team the day with. Big kids on big rides, little kids on little rides. I didn't get one picture of Hannah on her 3 rides she could go on, but that's ok she had a blast.

WOO HOO! We'll see you at the fair NEXT year!

MAINE 2011 Trip of a lifetime!

Maine 2011 Family, Fun, Friends and SUN - how to make a free slideshow

I have decided to follow Jesus

Yesterday was not only Father's day but both Isaiah and Elijah made the decision to be baptized. I grew up in a Catholic home. I was baptized as a baby...or so they tell me since I have no memory of that. I had no choice in that. For me personally in my life in had no meaning. Later when I became a believer and follower of Jesus I decided to get baptized. I wanted to make a public display of what had already taken place in my heart. I wanted to identify myself with Jesus' life, death and resurrection. That is what we believe about baptism. Peter has a similar story.

Allowing your children to make their own decision is sometimes difficult but when they make one such as this it makes you so full of joy you can barely contain it. One of my favorite verses (I actually wear it around my neck with the names of my children) is from 3 John 1:4 and John is writing to believers and he says "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" To be able to watch my boys walk in truth yesterday truly I have no greater joy.

Here are some awesome pictures from yesterday.

Elijah getting prayed for. He was very nervous.
Hold on. "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"

There he is!

Praying for Isaiah.

Isaiah got dunked twice...he didn't make it under all they way the first time...not that we need to be dogmatic about it but if you're gonna do it, do it all the way!

AWESOME

Overwhelmed with joy.

We got the boys new t-shirts to celebrate.

The cakes with the meanings of their names. Praise God!

Happy Father's Day

First Happy Father's day to my dad and to Peter's dad!

Happy Father's day to the Dad of my three awesome kids. This Father's day will be especially sweet because Isaiah and Elijah have decided to be baptized. From the moment we found out we were expecting our children our prayer was that they would know the Lord at a young age and walk with Him all the days of their lives. Isaiah and Elijah have both made a commitment to Lord and have asked Jesus into their hearts years ago. But as of recently they have each come to know Him more personally and have decided to make a public declaration of what He has done for them.

Peter and I also decided early on that we would never pressure the boys into believing. We offered truth to them and expressed if they want to believe it is their choice. The same was true of baptism. We wanted them to come to that place on their own. So we were delighted that came to us and said they wanted to be baptized. We asked them why and they both said expressed their gratefulness for Jesus dying on the cross for their sins and they wanted to follow Him for the rest of their lives.

The name "Isaiah" means the LORD is my salvation. Many times I have prayed "Lord may Isaiah one day know in his heart the meaning of his name that you alone are his salvation and only in You is it found." Elijah means "The LORD is my God" and many a prayer for Elijah has been "Lord my Elijah come to know and worship you the One True and Living God"

I think it's so fitting that they will be baptized on father's day. Peter has been instrumental in guiding them. He not only reads and prays with them faithfully every night but he teaches them the Word of God. He explains to them why they believe what they believe. They are so blessed to have a father who has given himself to the study of God's word and loves Jesus and can pass that on.

This is what the kids and I worked on for him for father's day. I asked each one why the love their dad. Then I wrote it down on a chalkboard and took a picture of what they said with them holding it. Their responses are exactly where they are at and I can't wait for Peter to read what they wrote. It's not about the things he buys for them, or even the places he takes them, it's the private, intimate moments he spends with them that they love the most.

Happy Father's day to my amazing husband.

From the Desks of Isaiah, Elijah and Hannah

Another weeks of robots,some successful some not so successful. Check out the videos at the bottom to see the cool one!

I love craigslist. I love it! I've gotten so many great items for amazing deals. Case and point these super cute sand and water table or in Hannah's case just water table for $10. She LOVES it. I love the umbrella to shade her from the sun that we do occasionally have here in Washington.

Thanks MOM! I love it! Isn't her dress the cutest??

Stay tuned for my next post that will bless your socks off...I mean literally hold on put some shoes on and tie your laces really tight...not that will help because it's pretty amazing!

Video one is Isaiah with the connection so the robot goes around in circles. Elijah did not like that and wanted it to move forward and back. So we made a "controller" and he had to figure out how to wire it up...he did!