What we've been up to...

Pig ears!

Really?! I didn't know people eat these! We saw them at the commissary a few weeks ago and decided we should try them. I wasn't sure how to prepare them, so of course, I googled it and found a way, just joking! We did not put them in our cart!

A typical school day...

The kids have "responsibilities." I'm amazed at what they can do and how well they can take care of things. They are rewarded with an allowance, which is exciting to them. The older two are learning a lot about money and how to handle it. Right now they are in save mode! It's been challenging to keep up with it, teach them about giving, spending and saving, but I know it's one of my jobs :) So, folding towels is one of the things they are responsible for; the other day while they were working on school work, the little J decided he would do it for them! I love his technique and he was sooo proud of himself for doing this for his siblings!

Jamison has recently taken a liking to drawing. A week or so ago, I walked by his room and saw that he was sitting up in his bed (he was supposed to be going to sleep and it was dark in there, except for the light from the 3 nightlights). I walked over to him and asked what he was doing, he responded with, "drawing a picture, it's an angel, it's you!" I sure do love that little one!

Jordan is having a blast at his archery class. We participate through the home school co-op; there are so many things to participate in and this one is a hit for Jordy!

Me and my boys!

Can you say COOL? O-my-soul! I could eat him up! Love that he loves to wear a tie and look all sporty for church!

How are we?!

It seems as though the story of my life is that I want to blog, really bad, but I just can't seem to make it happen. So, here's a quick update and some pictures that I know you will all enjoy :)

We are in week 6 of homeschooling and I can honestly say that I love it! It has been a big change for all of us, but we are getting it! There are still some kinks to work out, but when I look back on the first couple of weeks, we have made HUGE progress! It's kinda like having a baby, it just takes a lot of learning, patience and love; and I am thankful to have an awesome God that is walking us through this!

So, Greg is busy coaching Jordan's Upwards football team. He is having fun and his love for football comes out when he's coaching! Jordan is enjoying it as well, he's already made a touchdown and pulled a few flags! The only decent picture I have as of now, is Jordan as he's hiking the ball...he looks so cute and makes me so proud; I love him to pieces!

Looks like a I have a little seamstress on my hands...she gets it naturally...from her Gamma! She made this pillowcase for her friend's birthday. I cut it and pinned it, she sewed it and she sewed perfectly, straight lines! Since then, she has been at the machine making pillows and blankets. All on her own! She's a natural!

Do you see the excitement on their faces? Can you somehow sense the dread that I was feeling as I took this picture? After months of begging, we got them a hamster. That's right, we paid for a rodent. I still shudder when I think about it and I still can't like her, like they do. Her name is Midnight. The kids have enjoyed holding her and playing with her. But, before you get too happy for them and her, there's an update: she has bitten us three times! Greg, Jordan and Jamison say it's very painful, and by their reactions...I believe them! So, after two weeks, we have decided she needs another home. I don't trust her and I might get really mean if she bites anyone else in my family!!!

Bye, bye Midnight! Can you see me smiling, now?!?!?!

What's in your purse?

This is what Jamison puts in his! HE will NOT be happy about this picture one day. He keeps using this purse to pack up whatever he feels is necessary for leaving the house. Yesterday he had a few balls in there...

Do you see what my sweetheart is doing?

She's reading her bible, by flashlight. She read Genesis 1-2, it was her idea. I love it! My prayer is that my children would love God's Word...

Until next time...

Academy of the J's

WELL...some say that's a deep subject, and I agree. But, an even deeper subject that's been on my heart for the last year is...school. For many reasons, we decided to change things up in our family this school year. Instead of the kiddos going to public school, I will be "schooling" them. I know, you all are scared, aren't you?!?! I am, too!!! We have completed our first week and at this point, we are doing just peachy. It was a good week, still many kinks to work out, but they will get worked out.

I am reminded of Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." So many times in life, we try to handle the things that come our way and we don't think we need Christ to help us or get us through it...I knew from the beginning that this wasn't one of those times. I knew I would have to fully rely on Him and His strength, patience and mercy. Thankfully, those are new everyday!

In all seriousness, I just have a peace in my heart that this is what my family needs for the time being. We are learning together and making memories...that's what it's really about. If you ever visit with an older lady, maybe a grandmother, she will tell you to enjoy the mothering days, because they go by too quickly...I plan to enjoy this year and enjoy the time I am getting with my kiddos...

Some of our curriculum, not all of it had arrived when I took this picture

Our first day of school!

Jamison-almost 4, preschool

Jannah-8, third grade

Jordan-6, first grade

Cousin-Time

This is super delayed, which seems to be my new normal for blogging! When we came back from our GA trip, my niece, Carley came with us! So that turned this 5 ring circus into a 6 ring circus :) There were lots of good times! I had to laugh so much at the dynamics of them all and I also laughed at how much she is like my sister...funny how our children are so much like us!

Crafts, crafts, crafts...

Longacre Park, feeding the geese

I love this picture, they all look so small in front of the tall corn; I like it so, because I really don't want them to grow up anymore!

City Park in St. Louis

Peach pickin'at Eckerts

Now this is quite an army!

Gampa came to pick Carley up and he also dropped some furniture off for me! That will be in a later post...

They are busy making a fort!

I miss you, Carley-poo!

Grand Slam Vacay Part 2

I'm back and I still have lots more to share from our trip to Virginia! Have I mentioned that we had a blast?! Our second week got even better, when we picked Gamma up from the airport, the kids were surprised!! They had overheard me talking about her coming, but didn't know when or if she really was going to come. After picking her up from the airport, we went out to eat and then headed to the piers; we were just in time to see the sunset behind the massive ships. Norfolk is home to the largest navy base, and it is huuuuge!

Mermaids are all over Norfolk; this was one of our favorites, so we stopped to see it after leaving the beach one day. I tried to tell the kids I used to be a mermaid, they don't believe me!

If ever I'm missing, you can find me where there's sun, sand and waves...just sayin!

We packed up and drove about 35 minutes to Virginia Beach. Jannah is making something for Gamma, she may be 8 years old, but she still loves to play in the sand and pretend to cook things! I think I see culinary school in her future.

Jamison doing a little body surfing

G and Jordan trying to dig to China

...almost there!

We went to the Cape Henry Lighthouse, it's actually located on an army post. This is the old one, built in 1792. It is no longer operating, but a beauty to look at and open for people like us who want to climb up to the top to look out.

Here we go...

And, here's our view from the top. We only had to climb 192 steps to get there! The new lighthouse (the black and white one) was built in 1881. It is operating and the light can be seen from as far as 19 miles off shore, WOW!

Stay tuned...there's more to come!