My Favorite Son (I only have one, so I'm allowed to have a favorite!)

Zechariah Ian Roberson was born in Texas on December 3rd, 1996 busting in on the scene at 8 lbs 2 oz! He was a big boy but loved his momma. He loved to be held all the time. He loved to cry all the time, and he loved to smile this little mischevious smile when no one was looking! His wheels in his brain were always churning. Zechariah loved to fool people. He would just sit there and suck his thumb looking uninterested, but as soon as someone left or turned thier back he would do something and it was just so cute! He was our funny little man all the time. He loved to laugh, to play with trains, to draw trains, and to make you smile. He has always been a very laid back little dude. However he isn't so little anymore. Pretty sure he has one more inch to be taller than me soon! Zechariah turns 13 today! His motors in his brain are still always churning. He is still trying to figure it all out and successful most of the time! He loves legos, Star Wars, & to hang out with his friends. He is incredibly talented young man who surprises most people most of the time. Zech is also truly starting to grow in his relationship with the Lord! He is one of the most deep thinkers and passionate young men and we are so proud that God has allowed us to be with him 13 years now. Thank you Lord Jesus for this remarkable young man you have allowed us to raise! Happy Birthday Zech!

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving! This one word produces multiple thoughts throughout all of our minds. Celebrating the actual holiday, thankful thoughts, the actual first thanksgiving, and some might even think Black Friday is the next day. We had a wonderful day of cooking ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, asparagus, green beans, cranberry jelly, and homemade rolls. Then for dessert pecan pie, strawberry pie, and chocolate oreo balls! After combing through the black friday ads (yes, these are my thoughts sometimes) a nap was on the agenda and now just sitting with hubby, who isn't feeling well today (bummer), and my kids dispersed among the house watching TV, playing computer, or just kicking back and enjoying the day! Football is displayed on one TV and the other the kids favorite show Mythbusters! Soon the kitchen will be messed up again to enjoy leftovers from this afternoon and all of will tuck ourselves into bed and enjoy a long nights rest! Thanksgiving! Thankful for so very many things today! One of my favorites is our Thanksgiving tablecloth. Back in the year of 1999 (maybe sooner, but I can't tell), I purchased a white sheet for a table cloth in order for us to year after year, write down what we are thankful for. We write something every year and I love pulling this out and reading my families thoughts. I've had my children draw or write something every year and it's so interesting how they have evolved each year. There was one year that my son was thankful for K-mart and mom??? Not sure other than maybe we had beeen to K-mart that week? I also have my precious mothers thankfulness one year that will always be with me now that she is not with us at all. It is so precious to pull that out, but one thing that struck me as unique this year is that it is almost full. There is little white left to write something upon. Hmmm.... I'll have to think of something. But I'm so very thankful I started that memory! May each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

Family Pictures

Here are just a few of the family pictures we enjoyed taking!

My Baby!

Isabella turns 11 today! Happy Birthday to my baby. She will always be my baby no matter how old she becomes. I loved celebrating birthdays! My brain automatically goes back to the time of their birth. I can envision each one with amazing clarity, maybe because of the pain, but I choose to remember because of the Joy! Isabella Danielle Roberson was born on November 11th, 1998. A little joy to remember. Mike and I were the only ones at the hospital that morning. I had friends watching my beloved other two children. Scheduled c-section went well, other than some bad news as the doctor advised no more children due to an abundant amount of scar tissue and my uterus was paper thin at the incision. But that another tale all to itself. However out she came screaming and all. To all moms accross our world it is a wonderful sound to hear. She was a bouncing 7 lbs 15 oz! She has blessed us beyond what we ever could deserve. Truly full of smiles and giggles and truly all girl. She loves pink, purple, and whatever color she can mix in. She loves makeup (not allowed to wear it as of yet) and her hair in all the current styles. She loves fashion and shoes (I know not good for my budget). She just truly loves life. Thank you Lord for allowing her to be in our lives for this 11 years!

Motherhood!

I found this encouraging and thought some of you might too...

Four Things I Wish I'd Known As A Young Mother: (Taken from a letter written by Laurel Foster)

I've been a mother for 18+ years. Jeff and I have nine wonderful children. But as a wise man once said, "The more I know, the more I know that I know not." My heart is drawn to mothers, especially mothers with young children. When our first baby, Christie, was on the way I was really scared. I wanted so much to do a good job. The responsibility I felt was almost crushing. My purpose today is a very limited attempt to fulfill Titus 2 where it says that older women should help younger women to love their children. Verses 3 through 5 read "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." My goal is to share with you some things I wish someone older and wiser had shared with me when I was a young mother.

#1: The Most Important Job In The Universe
Mothering is the most important job in the universe. How I wish every mother felt that in the depths of her inmost being. This is no second class calling. It takes every ounce of intelligence, energy, creativity and unselfishness for one person to raise another to successful adulthood. I wish we honored and revered mothers as they deserve. I wish there were tax breaks and other incentives to reward and recognize that laying your life down daily for little children is a career of the highest, most important caliber. I wish every night every mother would be told by every father that her work is essential and appreciated.I was a registered nurse until I was promoted to full-time motherhood. I struggled for a year to feel important in my new career. I think it was Christie's growing ability to communicate to me that I was her whole world that began to give me the confidence that I wasn't wasting my life.My belief, that motherhood is extremely important, has grown stronger and stronger through the years. If it is of any comfort to you, I have never regretted spending my life this way. One of the great cries of the human heart is to be needed. Your children need you. Your work is of immeasurable, eternal value. It is worth the high price of you life.

#2: Precious Little To Spare
I wish someone had told me you can't raise children well in your spare time. It might not have been such a shock to find out I was required to be available anytime, day or night, to help my child. I t might have helped me deal more patiently with giving up plans because of unexpected interruptions. If I had gone into motherhood with the expectation of serving 24 hours a day, perhaps I would have been grateful for every hour I did get to sleep, instead of resenting the three hours in the middle of the night that baby needed company.I honestly thought that children did not require much time, but they do. People exclaim when they hear I have eight children, "Boy, I bet you're busy!" But the truth is that although eight children take all your time, two children take all your time. There is always something more that could be done for one of your little ones.Laying down your life daily means being inconvenienced. It requires being very flexible. Please, give yourself a hug every time you are patient. Pat yourself on the back when you do successfully conquer selfishness to help your little one. Don't beat yourself up if you get angry at that sixth interruption during a project. Strive to improve but don't be harsh with yourself. Remember that the mother of your child has a very difficult, demanding job and be kind to her. Speak words of encouragement to her when she blows it.Giving up your time is giving up your life. It is a requirement of motherhood but it is not an easy thing to do. One thing I have found helpful is to keep things as simple as possible. Be willing to bring store bought rolls to the potluck instead of homemade ones if that will keep peace in the family. Another hint is to ask for help. I got really discouraged a few years ago and my husband willingly took charge of the children from after supper until bedtime. I believe the Lord will bring necessary relief but we may need to ask for it. Older women should consider whether they are following the Scriptural mandate to help younger women.The bottom line, however, is a mother's attitude. For me things work best when my expectations are very low concerning "free time". Your work is important and very time consuming. You can not do such an essential job in your spare time. I wish I had known and accepted that fact years ago.

#3: Change Your Tomorrows Today
It would have helped me if someone had encouraged me to develop skills and good habits as early in my marriage as possible. Hoping we would have more children, I began storing Christie's clothes when she was an infant. Somehow, about four babies later, I had this closet full of clothes that were difficult to use because they were not sorted by size. I am developing a system of boxing clothes according to size, season and gender but I could have saved myself much frustration if I had started this system when Christie was a baby. The same is true of washing dishes. I confess to you that when Jeff and I were first married I sometimes did not wash dishes for days. Now, with a family of ten, we must wash after every meal or the consequences are immediate and overwhelming.The Laurel of today can be the best friend or the worst enemy of the Laurel of tomorrow. It is true you are very busy, but as the Lord gives you time, consider what habits you can develop while you have one child that will help you when you have three children. There are so many areas where this advice would have helped me. I wish I had the habit of putting photographs in albums or even getting film developed quickly. It would help if I wrote one short note a day instead of letting correspondence pile up. I have yet to come up with a system of dealing with clutter other than to have one large box in which to put it. You will be shocked to know I do not clean shelves, closets or even my refrigerator on a regular basis.Even so, I have had success in some areas. I have learned to change a diaper when I first smell it and then to throw that diaper in the trash. I have learned to start Christmas shopping in November. The kids and I pick up the house almost every day. I actually wrote out these thoughts days, not hours, before we got here this morning.There is always room for improvement in skills and habits. Wherever you are, remember that what you do today will affect tomorrow. Unfortunately, that is much easier to see with eight children than with two. If something is needing a little attention now, I encourage you to really stop and consider how to conquer it before your family gets bigger or busier. If not dealt with effectively, a small problem tends to become a big problem. As time allows, without being harsh with yourself, develop good skills and habits and be your own best friend.

#4: Be Content With 80%
Although it is true that we need to strive for improvement, it is also true that we need to accept gracefully the limits of time and energy. I rarely get to finish projects to my satisfaction. Even in something as basic as laundry, it seems there is always one more load to do. That is why I wish someone had told me long ago to guard against perfectionism.Much of my anger stems from situations where I almost complete something and circumstances force me to quit. One little saying that gives me some comfort is "Be content with 80%." Life is much more fun when we congratulate ourselves over the ten Christmas cards we did send, than when we mourn over the fifty we did not send. If your child is sick and you're up all night, please sleep late the next morning without guilt. If a sticky-faced toddler interrupts your devotions and you only had four more paragraphs to read, be patient with him and with yourself. God understands that you tried.Deuteronomy 33:12 says in part, "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him..." There is tension between striving for perfection and resting in the Lord. God knows your heart and, if you look carefully, you know your motivation. You know if uncompleted work is the result of being lazy or if it is due to your first priority (Baby) bumping your second priority (housework). The simple answer is to ask the Holy Spirit how to best spend your time and energy in each situation. I am more relaxed and pleasant to live with since I began to grasp that earthly work does not have to be done perfectly. Frequently, 80% is good enough.So, if we had a chance to talk, and you asked me to share some insights that the Lord has given me over the years, I might tell you to realize that motherhood is the most important job in the universe, to expect little "free time", to strive today to make tomorrow better, and to be content with 80%. Then I would hug you and tell you that God and I both appreciate every effort and sacrifice you are making to raise your children. I would assure you that you are not wasting your life. May God give you hope and help as you daily lay down your life in this high calling.

HEAT Robot Club at work again!

I am long overdue to post the happenings of our illustrious Robot club in these parts of the world. The challenge officially started September 13th with Kickoff day and six of our representatives (4 team members and 2 adults) were allowed to participate in viewing the challenge before us. For those of you who don't remember from last year, we have six weeks to complete the assignment and compete at the BEST Robot Game day slated for October 24th! Our mission was to establish a make believe company, employ team members (they learned the skill of writing a resume and a cover letter and submitting it as any employee seeking a position would), split up the teams, and build, display, cheer, notify the public, notebook, and photograph all the happenings of building a robot. The Robot, SLICK (Supercatalyst Liquid Isoctane Conversion Kontraption), will perform several duties of gathering catalyst (tennis balls), energy (tomato paste cans), H2O (racket balls), CO2 (Small beach balls), Benzene tankers (small back of truck like an 18 wheeler would haul), and more and the team that puts these together to make a formula that would equal Isoctane and Ethanol wins! Now if you haven't figured out as well as building a robot we had to learn a little chemistry along the way. Our Robot picks up, scoops, presses buttons, and so much more. The drivers and spotters are this week working on their strategy to decide what piece of the formula is most important and how many of them they need. We have 3 minutes each round to finish our assignment. This year is different however because we are allowed to build upon what we have already gathered from the previous rounds. Our media/PR team have worked non stop in getting the word out to the public about our mission, our needs (monetary), and our sponsors. The display team continues to work furiously ensuring that our display shows our hard work to the judges come game day. The Jr. build team will meet tomorrow to put the finishing touches on our robot (decor)! The notebook that contains all the demographics of our teams, our technical side of building the robot, all our work thus far and more was proudly turned in last weekend at Mall day. Sarah continues to battle for the best driving position. Her and a friend gathered many supplies this weekend when they practiced and as in the words of a gentlemen beside me (not part of our team or any team, just a spectator) said, "She has changed my opinion on women drivers!" LOL! She was neck and neck with competing for a CO2 (beach ball) with another robot. We all had a good laugh, but in the end our fearless leader of our team agreed that when she and her friend Jordi obtain their drivers licence we don't want to having parking wars with them, because they would win hands down. Sarah is also part of the media/PR team (she might be on TV come this Wednesday nightly news!) Zech is a spotter this year and working well with the drivers and helping them observe the field and part of the Website Team (check it out at http://www.wfmars.com/ ). Isabella continues her cheer leading skills by being part of the Spirit team and Media/PR. Sarah and Isabella are part of the display team as well.

This year has proven to be a challenge of late night meetings, day meetings, dealing with school in the midst of that, and the curve of learning chemistry as well. HEAT Robot club has met the challenge though and their goal is to win 1st or 2nd to go all the way to state! I'll keep you posted!

In the name of Science!

Pungent smells and aromas that I don't quite have words to explain are exuding from my kitchen as I sit 15 to 20 ft away to type this message. My counters, window sills, and even a dark closet has science experiments awaiting to see if the hypothesis my children have written down will show to be true or false. We are trying to grow bacteria, grow a Lima bean, decompose bananas (not sure why, other than something about yeast being a decomposer), show vegetative reproduction (in which my dear son asked me politely that his plant was supposed to stay warm and could I not turn on the fan? this is the kitchen I might add!), and to produce turgor pressure (which is cells expanding). Not only are their aroma's from the kitchen and closet, but my back porch was a pond feeding frenzy last week. Sarah had taken four jars of pond water and placed cultures (rice, hay, pond soil, & egg) in each container to see which one would grow living organisms. Reaked would be a mild word for the smells that oozed from those containers (thankfully they were on my back porch and not my house). My husband might ask the Biology class just to come clean my refrigerator and they might find all kinds of biology experiments growing in there (not on purpose either! LOL). The pictures above represent the different experiments going on at the Roberson Academy just today! Who knows what will happen next? Biology and General Science have been stinky and yet interesting to study. Next year we will be experimenting with chemistry (we might end up blowing something up!).

Musings of Homeschool Mom - Part I

Questions and comments of the general public to a homeschool mom are often amusing. Yesterday, after I had finished my grocery shopping, a gentleman helped me out with my bulging two baskets (yes I know that's a ton of groceries, but that's another story), started questioning me on the amount of food I was buying and guessed that I had at least 2 children at home to scarf down these delectables that I was trying to stuff into my truck. I informed him of my three precious children and then he politely asked what school were they attending. I immediately and profoundly stated, "I homeschool." And this is were I found myself chuckle because he then flatly stated, "Well, there is nothing wrong with that." Hmmm.... I thought, no there isn't anything wrong with that, but why would someone say that to me? Why would I think there is anything wrong with homeschooling my children and found myself giggling under my breath. My giggle was a result of numerous years of hearing comments from, "Are you stupid?", and, "Christian schools are a great alternative", and "Do you know everything you teach?" Also being accosted by flying words from individuals who are vehemently against my homeschooling. I've been the but of jokes and the topic of conversations. Our family has been labled, upholded, put on a pedestal, made fun of, and so much more that we find it amusing anymore to hear the views of the public when they find out our homeschooling ways.

Another interesting subject that I like to broach as people bring up the topic is, "How do you teach all those subject that per say you struggle in or don't know anything about?" Good question I tell them and then I proceed with my explanation. "I haven't a clue how to teach trigonometry, but I'm not past learning yet myself. I have the ability to learn that subject and teach it with my children or I proceed with a tutor in that subject." Every subject I am not an expert in. However I can receive help if I need it or learn it myself and then teach it. The other night I studied biology, mythology, and freshened up with my Algebra II. I was beginning to wonder just who was going to school, but amazingly I find myself enjoying new subjects. Just for you sciencey people, Biology though I still don't get. This is where other moms help out. There are some in our city that LOVE science, and there are some in community that LOVE English, and so on. We all partner with one another in our different interest and either form a group where we learn individually but gather together once a week to discuss what we've learned and do labs (biology, I'm loving that teacher!)or we discuss with one another on different areas in which we can improve.



There are difficulties and joys with this particular job I have chosen. But with any job I believe the same is true. I love how some people believe that what I do at home is not a job. As if I just sit at home all day and really do nothing (Please come sit at my house for just a day and it will change your mind). I am usually up by 5 am and do not lay my head down until 10 and some nights 11. (Last night while laying in bed I was able to slay every Algebra dragon my dear daughter brought in from the school room because she was doing homework very late at night! Okay teaching her how to slay them!) EVERYTHING my children learn is usually produced, bought, studied, or glanced at by me. If you've lost count, I have 3 children, with at least 6 to 7 subjects each, and that would be up to 21 subjects everyday that I'm helping, reading, glancing, teaching, sweating over, grading, and planning for the next day, next month, next year. I'm always, always on the clock. The pay is horrible if you consider it monetarily. There are some days in which at the end of the day your child looks at you and asked you a question that you KNOW you covered in school that very day and they so effectively spit it back out at you, but their mind goes blank and you feel as though all you are doing is talking to a wall and therefore wanting to bang your head up against a wall at the very moment (I know that is a run on sentence but say it out loud without taking a breath and that is how I feel some days). Even so, the pay is received when you children are riding with you and all discussing the eight Kingdoms of Biology and all of them can tell you with relative ease the 1st law of Thermodynamics. The pay is received when they accomplish something and you grade it and your smile shows them your approval and they know they GOT it! Your pay is when your children are always around you giggling, laughing with each other, and expressing to each other something that they learned that day because they enjoyed their day of learning! The pay isn't what I do this for but it is a great luxury knowing that I've done what the Lord has called me to do.

Kendrick

Yesterday I attended a beautiful funeral for 5 year old Kendrick Little. He is dancing with the angels and in the arms of Jesus now after a year long battle with cancer. Oh, how precious his family is and I ask in the Mighty name of Jesus that you pray for them with all your heart. I can't and won't even try to imagine their pain, their hurt, and their suffering. However yesterday, I was given a glimpse of their family and God's grace is shining through them. It was standing room only kind of funeral because he and they touched so very many people all their lives. How glorious it was as they praised God throughout and gave Him all the glory! I was blessed beyond measure to view the wonderful photographs of their family and to stand near them as they entered the sanctuary. Their boys so wonderfully poised and their smiles so childlike. I have no doubt they know where their brother is and with a child's faith they believe. They believe that Kendrick received his victory and is there awaiting their arrival one day. I was convicted that I don't take enough family pictures together with all of us. I would love to be able to tell our story through pictures of our joys and our trials. I tend to only photograph our joys, not our sorrows. It's a thought though. Could you? Thank you to the Littles for allowing us to be part of your lives!

All the way my Savior Leads Me

An 'aha' moment ushered it's way into my Yukon today! I've been praying ever so fervently the last several days asking God to guide me through the dark. My darkness isn't anything more than unanswered prayer and unrealized expectations. I'm needing Him to truly guide me and show me the path that He has me on. It is difficult, steep, and continues to get harder. That is not a reason for me to stop or to venture off the path, it is all the more reason to take it as a stepping stone each step of the way to see All the ways my Savior leads me! So as I was driving home from dropping my dear son off at bible study (my heart swells here and so glad he is focused and wants to do this), I punch in a random CD number and up pops Chris Tomlin's "All the Way my Savior Leads Me." That is when He spoke. He spoke through this simple song, that no matter how dark the road ahead, He is there. And it was that simple. He is there and He isn't going anywhere and my heart swelled with Joy. Defining joy is precarious some days, but today it is simply having confidence in God. That deep confidence that goes to the bottom of your soul. No matter the circumstances, whether we are happy or not, we can have joy! Oh, you will see me smile because of that joy and I can honestly tell you when asked, "Are you okay?" that "Yes, I am or I will be!" Because He will guide me, keep me, answer me, but as David proclaims in many of his Psalms after an agonizing prayer with no apparent answer, I will trust and sing to my Lord! Am I happy about my circumstances, not really. Am I joyful that He is taking me on a journey that will strengthen my faith, produce character, and show me endurance, depends on the day you ask me, but today it is well with my soul. Enjoy the song below:


All the way my Savior leads me, What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial, Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me, Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages:Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages:Jesus led me all the way.

You ever have just one of those days?

Oh my goodness, am I having one of those weeks! Between Sarah's studies, Isabella's lack of studying, Zech's struggling with other things, robotics, Gracie, dishes, house, dinner, groceries, 3 meetings in one day, school in general, and I'm sure I could name a list a mile long, my patience, time, and any mercy I had is wearing thin (for those of you who know me too well know mercy wasn't very much to begin with). To top all of this off, I cannot hear! I mean literally my ears are reacting to the low pressure that has been over us and all day long this loud roaring and ringing permeates every bit of my ears and head and blocks out the sound I so long to hear.

Even so, I'm remembering a bible study that I'm going through is teaching me to walk in the dark. The lady who wrote the bible study is blind and has quite a bit of experience about walking in the dark. She is teaching me that God really wanted us to be well with our soul (with Him and our spirit with Him) even when our circumstances aren't well. I've been amazed at how many scriptures are written about walking in the dark with God!

"... Who walks in the darkness and has no light? (there are so many days I feel like this, Kari insert) Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God." Isaiah 50:10

". . . even the darkness will not be dark to you;the night will shine like the day,for darkness is as light to you. " Ps 139:12

There are more scriptures, but amazing to me is that even when it feels as though the darkness is closing in, when there is no escape, He is there. He is always there. In that fact, I am well with my soul even though my circumstances aren't, because He is guiding me, and He is the Light! That doesn't mean I'm not struggling still. We all find ourselves in situations where we feel isolated from others because we think nobody is going through the same thing or we isolate ourselves. However the truth is that He is with us, has never left us, and is guiding us and so we are not alone.

He is strengthening me day by day no matter what I see. My faith is strengthened by what I hope for, not for what I see because it is the evidence of things not seen! I might see darkness today surrounding me, but I am reassured that He is guiding me and He is not going to leave me! May you walk in the darkness and let Him be your light.

Is the school year over yet?

Yes, I'm already ready for summer again! We are 6 weeks into school right now and it's flying faster than I can keep up. Managing a freshman in high school, one in Junior High, and elementary as well as keeping up with the little toddler running around is keeping me maneuvering more miles than I do on my jogging days! Our schedules are packed so tight with robotics squeezing into the schedule, two other high school classes starting this coming week, and enrichment that I've actually told Sarah just to hang on tight because some Saturday school days are coming soon. Next week alone she has 2 lessons in biology with 37 new vocabulary words to add to her already 50 terms and 2 lectures, 2 labs, and her first quiz! We have robotic meetings scheduled for most of next week on top of all the other conflicting affairs on the agenda!

Can you tell I'm just a little stressed? Well stressed spelled backwards is DESSERTS!!! So I'm going to take a big breath, talk to God, remind myself of the verse on the top of my blogspot page, and splurge a little with some desserts. God will see me through and once robotics is done then our schedule will return to a little less than hectic and we will begin the Holiday season for just more items to find room on my schedule! God has called me to do this and He will see me through it! Do I have the ability? No! Does He? Certainly! He knows it all and knows how this school year is going to end. Are we there yet? Just joking, come along for the fast and exciting ride we are on this year!

Cakes? Learning?

Once upon a summer you embark upon a magical adventure that allows you to meet new people and explore new places.... well that wasn't my summer, however I did encounter and develop a relationship with one of our local homeschoolers. She is an Aggie (gotta love her because I'm married to one too!) and she loves Math, cakes, and children! I met her while attending PE classes and her little three would come bounding out of class full of laughter, crying, and talking. What caught my eye to begin with was she reminded me of me! I had three little ones all in a row just like her. I remember the days of all three in a car seat and diapers all at the same time. I remember trying to make sure I had all three in tow wherever I ventured! It was an interesting time and so therefore my compassion toward this mom drew me in! She is sweet, energetic and loves her kids. Her husband is a public educator and she has chosen to stay at home and homeschool (with his hearty approval!). Toward the end of the school year I had chosen our special learning project for the summer, Word Problems! I'm not strong in these and neither were my two daughters. My son was doing well, but all of us could use some tweaking on our skills and so I hired her to tutor us in helping us develop a strategy in doing these word problems. She is great and we have accomplished the goal! Not only does she love math, she loves cakes too and promised the kids that they would create a cake at the end of our summer together. She and I didn't forget, but our schedules just weren't in sync with one other till one day my young dd asked if Mrs. Laurie was going to help them make cakes! I assured her that she would. Little did I know that in the next lesson of Zech and Isabella's History/Geography/Bible curriculum they suggested they make a round cake and draw the continents on them. Also Sarah's curriculum suggested the same for her Egypt study but obviously with an Egypt theme. I contacted her and we set up a time and they had a blast!

Well I can't say more than the pictures above because they did awesome and Laurie did excellent! The blue icing are the oceans, green for the continents, white for the artics, starburst w/ white icing to represent the north pole, and mountains were mini reeses peanut butter cups and candy corn! Egypt sand is crushed graham crackers and the pyramids are starburst cut and built. Way to go Laurie, thanks so very much for sharing your gifts and talents with this family and many more that you've impacted in the Homeschooling community along the way! However one thing to warn you, I'm still eating cake and there is still A LOT more left!

"Gammers" Beware! Coming to a Theater near You!

Rock Bank Groupies (Isabella/lead singer, Sarah guitar, Zech drummer)

Super Smash Brothers

Another Rock Band pic!

We trekked across our side of the state about 45 minutes away to create a very "un" educational field trip! The Youth of our homeschool group were given the privilege of setting up two different gaming options on the Big Screen of a movie theatre! Wow, was that ever exhilarating! We had a blast! The youth chose the Wii and Playstation 2 with the games of Mario Kart, Super Smash brothers, Call of Duty (World of War, light version), and Rock Band 2! Unfortunately that day it was scheduled for several of our youth to travel for a Theatre Play they were performing, so attendance was low. We were given a tour of the movie theatre and how the put the film in and the controls and such. They even opened the concessions for us and popcorn, coke, and candy was abounding! The owners allowed us to play games for 4 solid hours! Woohoo! Moms lounged in the back speculating on the winners and losers and homeschooling in general. We all had an awesome "non" educational time! Sometimes we do things just for fun!

14 YEARS!

She really is taller than I, but the pic doesn't show that!

Sarah's best of friends!

She received two gift cards among other things for her birthday!

How in the world did I get here? Wait, don't answer that! Yes, I know HOW I am here, but how? How did time fly so fast that my oldest daughter is now 14!!! To put things in perspective she will be a student driver in just one year. Please forgive the ponderings below as I briefly tell of her life and how special she is to me!

Happy Birthday my sweet Sarah,Oh the heart that God has given you,

Too sweet for the world I fear,too bold to keep you near.

I must allow your wings to fly, oh how I fight the urge within

to keep you ever here, and yet see you persevere.

You are beautiful inside and out, too wonderful for words to say,

how much joy you have given to Dad and I, Zech and Isabella!

Sarah, my oldest is beautiful, wonderful, stubborn, a quick speaker, and struggles listening. She is smart and funny, she is intuitive and observant! She is my oldest and therefore I want only the best for her and the best for herself! She loves people, struggles with sin, loves God more everyday and the beauty of her inside is matchless in this mother's eyes.

I wonder what she will be? I wonder what boy she will meet? Will she struggle? Will she follow? Will she lead? Will she always be protected or will she be hurt? If so, will I be here to help her and comfort her? Oh the questions and the ponderings of a mother's heart and the struggle within to keep control and yet let them leave on their own. Knowing that God is in control of everything and that He has a plan for her is the stabling balance that keeps me sane.

Sarah, I love you beyond words! You are my firstborn and I will always struggle to make you perfect. Although none of us can be, in my eyes, you are perfect to me because you are mine! I still can't believe God has allowed me to be your mother. How I treasure our times and moments together, knowing that one day like Cinderella, you will marry your prince and move on to your home to have your very own special children. Happy Birthday!

Exercising????

Many of you have commented and have been curious as to my outcome of all the exercises I began back in April. I shredded during that time and now I'm successfully still shredding away any unwanted calories and keeping my heart healthy. I purchased two more of Jillian Micheal's videos and 6 days a week watch her tell me over and over again to keep strong, that I can do this, and more about jean shopping and bathing suit shopping! However I've gotten bored! I run about 2 miles about 2 days a week to break up the monotony and I scatter the videos over the days so that they are different. I will accomplish 2 shreds in one day or an entire 55 min. video. I am venturing into buying new videos just to keep me going. Even so, I'm about the same at the end of the 30 day shred. Although lots of results from that, I'm toned everywhere but my belly and no matter how many crunches, bicycles, and other things I do that is hard to describe despite being hard to do it just doesn't want to tone anymore. I'm sad on this point, but I won't give up! I realize the importance this is to my family to stay healthy whether my belly will ever shape up or not! So in answer to the many questions, yes I've continued and will continue. Thanks for all of you who were concerned!

HEAT Robotics have begun

HEAT is an acronym for Home Educators Around Texoma. However the robotics team is usually been known for their acronym of MARS which stood for Maniacs Attempting Robot Science. As much as we loved being the MARS team we discovered that we were confusing our competitors and the judges, so we are now the HEAT robotics team. And they have begun....


Off to the races we go and for the prize we compete as we try and fulfill this years robotic challenge. We are still in the dark to what our challenge may be but they have given us a little teaser and some highly valuable information. Our teaser video shows oil wells, lightening, car parts, and the words High Octane are used over and over. We can only guess at this point and therefore most of us are pondering Cars??? Not sure, but September 12th is the official kick off day and be assured I will let you in on the secret. We were also told that our spotters will be very valuable on the field giving us another hint that our drivers will likely not be able to see where they are driving.

With all this information we are assimilating, the Heat Robot club has begun once again. We've had two meetings thus far. One to just inform what is happening and the other one to introduce TEAM mentality! They work as a team for one another, not against one another. It is a great opportunity for any school aged child to learn what it means to be on a team. One aspect we have changed is that this year we are forming a company. Our company has many job opportunities. For example there is drivers, spotters, builders, website upkeep (we will also be on facebook this year), media, morale leaders, photography and video, marketing and oral presentations. This last meeting we had professionals come in and teach them what a resume is, what it looks like, and how they are to market themselves for a particular job. Yes, everyone has to come up with their own resume and apply for the position/s they are wanting! How cool is that? Robot Club, Inc. is on their way to forming their company, performing their jobs, manufacturing their robot, and marketing its abilities.

Come along on the journey with us? We will have a blast, but hold on tight because remember it is High Octane!

School has Sprung!

Well . . . It is school time in the Roberson household once again. Roberson Academy officially opened on August 3rd, with its first high school student, Sarah Roberson, 9th grade, a junior high student, Zech Roberson, 7th grade, and elementary student, Isabella Roberson, 5th grade. Whew, I'm already tired. Sarah started her first year in high school with flying colors. She needed to accomplish the first week of English Lit, Bible, Ancient History, Algebra II, and PE. This week we added in Robotics, Honors Biology and our first lab! September will add in volleyball, a high school writing class, and Logic. Sarah will be studying all throughout the year current events and college preparatory test for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. She never stopped Piano through the summer, but moving up to a higher skill by adding competitions and she is playing for the youth group on Sunday's during their worship time. She will have a very tough year, but for now it is mainly review and getting her back in the school mindology!

Zech started the first week out with Pre-Algebra, General Science (He had started both of these courses last spring and now finishing them out) and PE. This week we added in English, writing course, History/Geography (he is studying extensively the countries and cultures of the world), Bible, and Robotics. September will bring for him enrichment activities (not sure what they entail yet), golf, Spelling & Vocabulary. He will also move up into our local youth group at our church. Because he started some of his 7th grade classes in 6th grade, he will move up to Algebra and Physical Science sometime next spring as well. He is always ahead in the class!

Isabella had an easy first week because she was gone to camp the first three days and then just had to do 5th grade math that Thursday and Friday along with PE! This week however we added in English, Biology (Christian Kids Explore Biology), Robotics (she will still be a junior member), and History/Geography (doing some of what Zech is learning, just not as extensively). September will add for Spelling, Excellence in Writing course, other enrichment activities, and more. She is moving up into the upper elementary classes at our church and truly excited!

School has truly begun and I'm learning as usual. Remembering biology, reactivating the mind on Algebra, reviewing the English and spelling rules, and diving into history! I'm excited and nervous about this year. Keeping track of High school and making sure Sarah gets all the credits she needs at the end and what will transfer and not to college is new for us. Even so, at the end of this year she should have 7 to 8 credits of high school and 1 in college already. She is proving to be a very well rounded young lady with great Writing abilities. Her goal at this point is to be an author. Zech will have a challenging year too of learning upper level math and science skills. Isabella will be challenging to step up to upper elementary!

Our days are long and extra activities are starting. Robotics starts its full schedule of its intense six weeks on September 12th. We are already meeting and gaining perspective on last year and this years challenges and what needs to happen. Honors biology has already proved to be vigorous work, but Sarah enjoyed looking through the microscopes at hair follicles, inside cheek cells, and salt crystals. She is still talking about her findings today.

We will take some breaks in August for Sarah's 14th Birthday and catch our breath shortly for what proves to be a very long, ambitious, intriguing ninth year of homeschooling. Join us on our journey!

Most Memorable!

Out of all the views of Colorado the face behind me was the most memorable. Some of you know Erin and know exactly what I'm talking about. Some of you don't know Erin, so I will explain. Erin is such a delightful, young woman of the Lord! She has a smile on her face in the darkest deepest times. Her demeanor about her is always calm. When I first met this lady she was in a homeschooling meeting in Oklahoma. She was dressed very nice and when she told me she had four boys, I was shocked to say the least! Nobody as calm as she is can have four boys can they? Well apparently so and she has added one more to the pile, little Josiah, peeking his head out from behind her. Erin's husband struggled quite a bit in Oklahoma with his allergies. Due to the fact they did not display themselves in a fairly normal way, sneezing, coughing, or itching, but through his ears and vertigo. He had true vertigo that would last for days and weeks on end. I'm not sure the whole time they were in Oklahoma that he had not even a week free from those horrible spells. Therefore his time with family, job, and church were always extremely limited. Through it all, Erin amazed me! Now before you think she is superwoman, she is not. She completely acknowledged her struggles to many of us that surrounded this woman and held her up with prayer and our very own arms sometimes. But the woman had a JOY that cannot be explained unless you were there with her! This JOY was not happiness but an inner confidence that God was holding her up and having a plan for her. This plan was to prosper her and for her to glorify the LORD! And she did! Glorify the Lord in midst of some very trying times she continued to raise her head to Him. She struggled just like each of us, but her outward and inward stance of JOY was truly so warming to watch. Because of her husbands health problems they moved to an area of Colorado that his vertigo actually went away. However now she is starting all over again. Insecurities, struggles, learning to live where the Lord wants her, a new church, new homeschool group, new friends, and so much more.

So out of all that I had come to Colorado to watch, take in, and see, I saw a beautiful, most joyful woman in the midst of a very real struggle. That is the most memorable picture I come away from this vacation with. She isn't superwoman, nor trying, but she is walking side by side with God holding her in His absolutely amazing arms of His and letting Him lead her. Thanks Erin for allowing this friend to see you as real as you are and still walk away amazed! Love you my friend!

Last Outing

Friday we all awoke to a very beautiful morning! Birds singing, mountain fresh air, and great sunshine! After a great breakfast burrito, making chocolate and butterscotch chip cookies, and Josiah's nap, we packed them all in and headed to Seven Falls. This is a waterfall tucked way back in or around Mt. Cheyenne (apparently under Mt. Cheyenne is NORAD, but you can't tour that anymore since 9/11). It was a beautiful drive as always, driving up and around all those cliffs and curves and Christmas trees (did you know Christmas trees grow all year round up in the mountains? I know they are Douglas Fir's, but it was just so neat to see Christmas trees everywhere I go, I loved it). We had a lengthy walk up a hill before you even saw the falls, but wow they are beautiful and breathtaking. They are named Seven falls because they have 7 points onto which they fall. All the platforms onto which they fall have significant names and , but I don't remember any of them. We first took an elevator up to see from a cliff the falls. Back down we headed up the hill a little more and chipmunks (so very cute) were passing right by us but didn't pay you any mind unless you had food. Then if you notice in the pictures the stairs!!!!! The Stairs! Did I mention the stairs!!!!???? 240 (I think somewhere around that number) steps on a truly vertical incline. 120 one way and a platform to rest and then another 120 and then a small bridge and then a few more (those weren't too bad). Because of the altitude, the constant chatting (from me I'm sure), the delectable cuisine I was receiving, I wasn't doing much exercising while I was there, so 240 stairs and altitude had me huffin and puffin like the big bad wolf trying to blow the pigs house down. I'm glad it didn't blow anything down because that would have been a very long fall. We eventually made it up and I felt so very sorry for Erin. All I know is she is a very valuable friend because she did all those stairs just for me (she has been here before!) and she climbed up all of them with an eighth month old baby strapped to her back in a backpack that had to weigh around 5 pounds too!!! She is becoming a mountain woman!! The view is breathtaking and we walked about 10 minutes back into the trails and found another waterfall called Midnight Falls. Beautiful and it was the perfect end of field trips for me because now I can say I went to Colorado and went hiking in the mountains (yes, I know they were stairs, but I promise it was just like hiking!). We embarked upon a great adventure and down, down we went in a very scary stair episode. You look as though you are just headed straight down. Once we got to the bottom and browsed the gift store we were all in need of those yummy cookies we had brought for just this occasion. I needed that sugar and a cup full of water. Seven Falls was beautiful!

3rd day . . . RAIN and REST

Thursday came upon us, waking up to cloudy and raining skies with the high being only in the 50's!!!! We all adorned our long pants and jackets (or at least I did). Because we were embarking upon The famous Donut Mill in Woodland Park. Peter, Erin's oldest son, was explaining to me their portions and he promised he wasn't joking. When we entered in the aroma about hits you off your socks with donuts, sugar, cinnamon, and other baking concoctions! Peter wasn't exaggerating one bit because their donuts are huge and their portions Texas sized! To explain though, this family run business started their pioneer work in Texas and in fact loves Blue Bell Ice Cream so much, they drive their own refrigerator truck to Brenam and receives that delectable, icy, artery filling cream by the buckets and drives right back to Colorado and serves this wonderful ice cream in the middle of their woods! So Texas sized portions, they know all about. I felt I was in great company. Zech ordered a small portion (covered the whole plate) of sausage gravy and biscuits and a donut. I split his order with him and we were both very stuffed. Great food and great company. They have a map with push pins to place where you are visiting from and needless to say it was covered and I mean no where to put another pin. I must say this place was a great treat. We drove back home to just chill that day. It rained and rained some more and Erin and I were in heaven. What I mean was we were able to just talk and chat and visit about good things, hard things, scripture, friends, memories, and more. What a great day Thursday turned out to be!

2nd day continues. . .

Coming out of the land of Narnia!

Whit's End Characters! (they are characters indeed!)

After the rain, hail, and chapel adventures, we headed out to our cars, made sandwiches, ate, and then buckled back up for just a few miles south to Focus on the Family. Erin and her family had told me of their adventures here but it's hard to imagine unless you've been there. I was expecting a large bookstore (I was right there), and a little play area (this is where I was wrong). The place is enormous in which we only decided to go to Whits End (A fictional place set in the Adventures in Odyssey episodes put on by Focus on the Family) and the bookstore. Whits End starts for the children up 4 stories high to slide down a 75 foot winding slide going in and out doors as well landing down into Whits End. You (their parent) are waiting for them and this is the pic I got of Isabella. Sarah and Zech's pic turned out too, but this girl screamed all the way down. By far the loudest of the bunch! You go through different compartments of Whit's end from theatrical stage and dress up, to Narnia! (Narnia isn't part of Whit's end but it's a fun place after all and fictional!) All seven of the children, my three and her four, adventured through and through until we ended up at Whit's End famous Ice Cream shop and of course you have to finish out the adventure with this treat. So Ice cream we had and the children ventured on some more trying to find all the hidden objects a listing had provided for them to discover. The slide had to close somewhere in this adventure due to another thunderstorm outside and since the slide goes in and out it has to shut down in case of being struck by lightening. After all the kid fun, the adults ventured upstairs for their kind of fun, book store!!! The only thing I ended up buying was Adventures in Odyssey first CD they ever came out with. I believed the kids would enjoy listening even more now that they have some hands on experience and I was right.

2nd day Adventures

Unfortunately or fortunately, you decide, I had lots of individuals tell me I had to go here or there when I went to Colorado. Some of the places I completely understood just by their words. Like, "You have to go to Pike's Peak" (that ones a given, although we didn't actually go up it due to my equilibrium), but others like, "you need to go to the Air Force Academy", I didn't understand. I thought to myself, "Why in the world would I want to go to the Air Force Academy???" However many people stressed that it is a must see, so since it was free, I say, yeah, let's go! Wasn't thinking it was going to be something to write home about but I was WRONG! Wow, was I ever wrong. You see I live near an Air Force Base and so I can somewhat see what happens in the air force by the environment and people I live around, but the Academy is totally different.

We drove up into a woodsy, curvy drive, going up and up and then down in a valley is this massive group of buildings and a chapel beyond your belief over sprung by a huge mountain to it's east and just beautiful. As we went in, we immediately heard over the intercom that the next chapel touring was in the next 5 min. So we got into line thinking this was great timing. However as we assembled outside the rumblings of a storm and lightning were off to our southeast. The tour assistant asked if we wanted to postpone in case it rained but several of us were stubborn and persisted with going on! So off we went and when I tell you no more than a minute had passed when the sky opened and poured out it vengeance on us. It hailed pea size hail and rain that I'm pretty sure was bigger than the hail! So we took off running for cover, but did I mention that I had on sandals that day (not thinking I was going on a hike! I was trying to dress fashionable!) and I didn't run very fast, but finally made it under cover. We opted for the movie instead first of the academy, its beginnings and why its there. It was fascinating. Then we walked around the museum a little and it finally stopped raining. So we approached the tour of the chapel on our own and hoping no more rain. The pictures are glorious but as everyone who told me when I asked why I was supposed to go look at a chapel? Well, you just have to go and you will understand! It's beautiful and breathtaking.

2nd day of Amazing Views!

Did I mention in my last blog the amazing views you see there? Here is what I mean:

This is a beautiful rainbow, the colors were just glorious after one of the afternoon rains they received.

Trees and mountains everywhere! Seriously everywhere I looked they had these beautiful trees and mountains with cliffs and beautiful granite colors!


This is a picture of Pike's Peak. I'm not kidding when I say as I pulled out of Erin's neighborhood EVERYDAY this is the picture that greeted me EVERY morning!

This is a picture out her kitchen window. She gets to do her dishes and stare out at the majesty of it all. And she wondered why I did so many dishes while I was there (I loved doing your dishes Erin!)

It's beautiful!

This is called the balancing rock (The kids are making sure they hold it up!)

The kids and I took off for Colorado this past week and wow, I never expected such awe inspiring views that I received. Now I have to caution you that where I live is not at all awe inspiring (in my point of view). The kids had rented some movies, brought along their ipods, and their DS games, but also found time to amuse mom along the way! I had so much fun laughing with them and really enjoyed my time with just them. About 9 1/2 hours later I pulled into Colorado Springs and had chatted with my friend as to where she lives and directions and such. I was following them but started to feel the effects of the altitude, the weariness of the drive, and it was pouring down raining. As I was driving through the winding roads that take me up to 8,500 ft, I was praying to the Lord to help me make it there. He blessed me as I pulled into their driveway and I stepped onto the most beautiful sight I've seen in years. Trees, mountains, houses that are not copied but each one unique, Pike's Peak, rolling fog, and my friend! I love seeing my friends and hugging them. It's was so nice to reunite and know that I had made it to Colorado. After 9 1/2 hours anywhere was actually great to get too!

We visited that evening and had yummy Chicken Enchiladas. Unpacked, settled in and all went to sleep. The next day woke up to a beautiful 44 degrees! Wow, what a change from the 100 degree weather we have here. Erin fixed another delicious entree of blueberry pancakes with syrup or chocolate chip if you like! After the kids played legos (as Zech would call it Lego "Heaven" due to the fact she has 5 boys, 4 of which are always building with Lego's), and Josiah took his nap, we packed a lunch and headed for the Garden of the Gods. I belted myself back in my Yukon and off we went down the mountain and through the woods and then beyond a big Rock the view became spectacular (all the views there are) and the rocks that form this beautiful museum type quality of the Garden of the Gods. The man who discovered it wished it always to be free and donated it only on the condition it would remain free to all those who came to view the spectacular rock formations. There was a rock with a passage ways, rocks to climb, and we even saw a rattlesnake and I didn't run screaming! We had lunch around 12:30 and in the background it was quickly beginning to rain. My family and hers all packed back in and up the mountain in the rain we ascended once again. It rained every afternoon we were there, however it broke up almost every evening after dinner for Erin and I to take a walk around the neighborhood. The first night at the end, it started to rain again. However good company, beautiful view, and great conversation (in the midst of me running out of breath because of the deep hills and altitude) I didn't mind getting wet! We all showered and tucked ourselves in for the next day! Enjoy the pics!

Summer

Summer always seems to fly by! They say time flies when your having fun, and yes we had a lot of fun this summer. Gracie has been an added blessing to our family during the day and we are truly enjoying her beautiful smile and happy attitude. However she does occupy quite a bit of my time and therefore the reason for the blogging break.

Our family adventured out with two trips this summer. As always somewhere in our year we try and visit family down in south Texas. I went with a new attitude this year to not have anything planned and just wake up each day and figure out what we were to do. It worked! Amazing that all my well thought out plans don't always need to happen. God is good and He allowed us a very relaxing vacation to enjoy family and friends.

During our trip to South Texas we were able to meet up with some friends of long ago. They are precious to us and it was great to catch up with them and where they are at in their lives. Some have been through many heartaches and some have had many joys, but they are all walking closely with our Lord and Savior and that is what matters. Our Sunday School group that Mike was a director of when him and I married, had a reunion of sorts. It was great to see the men and women of faith that truly lifted us up as Mike surrendered to the Ministry. Three more since then have surrendered their lives to full time ministry as well.

This summer also held many projects for us. We as a family continued our history readings of America's history from the Civil war on. We also engaged ourselves in many older movies: Gone with The Wind, Sound of Music, Sergeant York, and some Three Stooges. I introduced them to some I Love Lucy and a few more. We've enjoyed our summer and sad to see it end.

Back to the Blogging!

I have taken a long absence in blogging due to mental writers block, summer, too much going on, and more. However as of today I am back. I have every intention on blogging at least once a week, but this week and most will be more!

Summer:

In a nut shell was a lot of relaxing, some school, a visit to see family, swimming, projects, a visit to Colorado (more on that later), watching Gracie, some rain, visits from other people, and more. Not a lot to report on our summer. We slept in, ate junk food, watched movies (some old, some new, some in between), attended camps, and played lots of computer games, Wii, and nintendo (too much for Momma's liking, but oh well).

School:

We officially started today! However a little shaky as Isabella headed off to camp, Zech just did Math and Science, and Sarah joined the ranks of high schoolers today studying bible, history, and english lit!

I'll blog more tomorrow, but wanted you all to know I was back online!

Meet Gracie Marie!

Sometime last year I was overburden with a desire to help this young family in our church with their childcare situation. Gracie was already here and she was pregnant with Faith. Faith, as much as it broke our hearts, never made it to this world, but landed right in the arms of Jesus. Many months later, Chuck and Reena tried again and they are expecting once again. And once again this burden became so heavy that I finally shared it with Mike. We both started praying and asking the Lord what is it He wanted me to do. So as I was praying, I finally shared with Reena my burden to help them out, but told her I was still waiting on confirmation from the Lord and wanted her and Chuck to pray as well and to see if they were even interested in their children in my home. Lo and behold the Lord had already been working on them (I shouldn't be surprised, I know, but I was) and they kept having the same conversation saying they really wanted someone to take care of their babies at home and my name kept coming up. However in all of this, I said and they said, "Your too busy!" so they and I always dropped it. As the Lord always does He continued to work in my life and finally showed them and I beyond a shadow of a doubt that He thought I could do this. Sooooooo, Meet Gracie Marie! She has been in our home as of 2 weeks now and I'm so head over heals in love with this little 2 year old. She is so cute and so two! I'm in between a parent and a grandparent. Having lots of fun and yet disciplining as well. She turned 2 Friday and we were able to make a cake with her (Isabella made it!) and give her a present! She is very shy around new people, so it took her a good week to warm up to us, but she did and we are having a great time! Thanks, Lord! for allowing me to open up my heart and arms to this little girl and another one on the way!

Summer is here!

Well since school has stopped and summer has started, this is all that we have been up to! I'll get the bad news out of the way first trying not to spoil your fun. School is still happening to some degree at our house! Sarah is finishing up 11 more lessons of Algebra and 5 more units of Science. Sarah, Zech, and Isabella are all finishing up reading a few more books of US History and we are watching movies such as "Gone With the Wind, Sergeant York, & Glory" to enhance our US History knowledge. Zech and Isabella have to do "some" math this summer because they both seem to loose that knowledge over the summer. And we are working on Math Word Problems and Consumer Math this summer. Just trying to cover all the bases that I don't get in during the regular school year. I know, "Yuck! and Double Yuck!" comes to your mind, but it cannot be helped.

Now onto the fun and busy work of Summer! Sleeping in everyday (well the kids are anyway), staying up late, going to sleepovers, and checking emails, computer time, and lots more fun. The Youth Group included a Summer missions event the first week of June and Sarah busily scraped a whole 2 story house along with 20 some odd other youth from our church. The couple living in the house are not wealthy by the world's means, but rich in love. The wife is blind and the gentlemen is elderly and just trying to keep up. Their house needs painting desperately. We saw a need and God provided as usual. Plenty of youth to work and the house was completely scraped in 2 days. Now they are setting up a time to paint (I think a sprayer is in the works). We've also had VBS happening around our church. We have had record number of kids this year and wow they are excited about Jesus! I'm helping in the 4 year olds, Sarah in the 2nd grade, and Zech and Isabella are participating in their grades (6th & 4th). We've had 5 children accept Christ as their Savior already! Another evening we spent playing Capture the Flag with the Homeschoolers and I believe there were over 50 kids attend the event. Isabella captured the other teams flag and was able to win for her team! Go Isabella (You'll have to ask her how she did it, she loves retelling the story!).

For the rest of the summer will be much of the same, games, vacations, fireworks, watermelon, kicking back and watching movies with popcorn to go along! We have camps ahead and water parks to play and swim and much much more!