She calls Him Papa

A few weeks ago M started calling her daddy, "Papa". I thought it was just going to be an occassional thing, but she has been calling him that on a regular basis now. I think it is adorable that she has her own special name for her daddy!

Puppies

We had promised the kids that when we were finally settled in at our new house that we could get a puppy. The time has finally come to make good on our promise.

We went to pick up a puppy from someone who was giving away these full blooded cuties and came home with TWO puppies! The kids couldn't agree on just one, they wanted both of them. So after a mini discussion with Scot, we decided to get both! 

Our thought was at least they can have playmates while we are doing school and there will be plenty of puppies to go around :)

I am not a dog lover, so this is taking me waaaay out of my comfort zone and trust me when I say there are some strict rules that must be followed...but they are kinda cute, aren't they?

Family Lake Trip 2011

Our family spent a few days at the lake and we had the BEST time!

The kids loved fishing even though the water was waaay down due to lack of rain in our area.

 my niece, LB

 S fishing with her cousin, Philip

S and her daddy

They caught a few things, but the memories made with cousins, both big and little, are greater than any mess of fish caught!

We ended the weekend doing a little geo-caching with my cousins, Philip and Cara and of course, little Lincoln.  This was his first geo-cache :)

Grace

I love this song by Laura Story and am so thankful for God's Amazing, sufficient Grace!

My heart is so proud. My mind is so unfocused.

I see the things You do through me as great things I have done. And now You gently break me, then lovingly You take me and hold me as my father and mold me as my maker.


I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?

And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."



At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged, knowing that someone, somewhere could do a better job. For who am I to serve You?I know I don't deserve You. And that's the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on.

I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?

And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."

As I walk with You, I'm learning what Your grace really means. The price that I could never pay was paid at Calvary. So, instead of trying to repay You, I'm learning to simply obey You by giving up my life to you For all that You've given to me.

I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."

M the Surfer Girl

M has fallen in love with the movie Soul Surfer. She has only watched it a couple of times, but she "plays" surfing and sharks all the time. The other day, I caught her doing this in the pool. I asked what she was doing and she said learning to surf!

Notice the crazy waves? Well that was Scot and B making waves for her to surf on...hahhaa.

1st Day of Co-op

Today was our first day of Co-op with our new homeschool group. I am not sure who was more excited, me or the kids! I am so thankful and extremely happy that they finally get the opportunity to do Co-op classes.
They are taking classes ranging from cheer and gymnastics to cooking to geography to book club. What a wonderful experience our first day was!

They have already made a few new friends and are getting to know some other "old" friends even more! Yeah for Co-op!

Laughter

I told M today that she was too funny and she said, "Yeah, I make people laugh and I just love that about myself!"

Homeschool Room Tour

B and M's side of the room

M's desk area. Her verse cards which doubles as the alphabet, are posted across the front area of her desk along with some other charts and games from the curriculum that we use. There are also some of her art projects posted with sticky tack to make them easy to change out as she makes more.

M at her desk. This old chalk board, that was found in a friend's old storage building, is to the right of the window on the back wall of the room.

The good work board is to the left of the window. It was great that they are the exact same size so it keeps everything visually balanced (which is just how I like things).

S's work area. They each have a small bulletin board in front of them to post whatever they need or want. I have also used sticky tack to hang any teaching visuals that are needed from various subjects.

The door to our supply closet doubles as a game visual for M. The bulletin board in the corner has a dry erase  schedule hung on it. Each Monday, I write who has what test/quiz beside the day that it is scheduled for. IThis has been a life saver to have this info at a quick glance!

These were some free prints that I found online. I blogged about it here.

I love adding scripture reminders to this space seeing as we spend a lot of our time in here! Hope you like the tour, now what do you think?

The guys did a little smokin....

meat that is! Scot and my cousin, Philip, smoked some meat before the opening day of football!

It was delicous! They made enough so we could have plenty of leftovers....I am so glad they did :)

Recipe coming soon on our family recipe blog, In the Kitchen on County Road 39

The Tent

My boy loves his tent. He likes to use it on camp nights, but sometimes he just puts it on his bed and sleeps inside it.