Wii're Having Fun

You can tell from the title, that we have joined of the ranks of those that own a Wii. But, our Wii is different from all those thousands of Wii's owned by others because of how we acquired it. My husband had the idea about a week and a half ago to buy 5 Wii's to resell for a profit in order to purchase one for our kiddies free and clear. We sold 4 of the five, plus a few other things on Craiglist and ebay, and totally paid for the fifth Wii by embracing the entrepreneurial spirit of America. Then we bought 3 more Wii's and made enough of a profit off of these to purchase 3 games for our children, after also trading my son's xbox games to a local gaming store. We let the kids open it on Monday so they could enjoy it. (They also were with us when the other Wii's were purchased, so they knew the plan.) Tonight, we acquired the three games, Lego Batman for Caleb, Petz Horses 2 for Bethany and Winter Sports for my hubby. Wii!!!!!!!

Christmas 2008

This year has been one of the best Christmas seasons with the kids. I don't know if it is their ages, or maybe I just have more patience with everything. (Some days, anyway) We have been able to do a lot of fun stuff with family and friends. This weekend, we were able to go to "Walk Through Bethlehem" at a local church. There were shops throughout the town and a semi-live nativity scene. (Baby Jesus was a doll!) What made it even better is we are studying this time in history this week. The kids got to see men dressed up as Roman soldiers from around 0 A.D., the time of Caesar Augustus. I am loving how we have been able to tie real live (in this case)things into our history curriculum.

Decorating Cookies

Today, we were invited to help some friends make and decorate Christmas cookies. So much fun!


Ms. Holly cutting out the cookies!



Yum!!! Icing!!!



Thanks Holly for your hospitality!

Terra Cotta Soldiers

The kids and I had the opportunity to head down to the High Museum yesterday today to see a collection of the Terra Cotta soldiers from China. A couple of weeks ago, we studied about emperor Chin who created this army in Story of the World. So cool to be able to be near artifacts from ancient Chinese history! I wasn't allowed to take pictures of the actual soldiers, but I got the kids to pose in front of this close to life size replica in the gift shop. You could take it home as yours for just $1800.

Leaving Tennesee

Before we left, I took a minute to take a picture of the cousins and one last family picture. Yes, we had to go, but not before being able to see the beautiful snow covered trees and piles of snow on top of the mountain.

The Carousel

One of the rides the kids rode at Dollywood was the carousel. When we arrived there, I started to take a picture of my daughter as the ride was standing still. Because of the ride's lack of motion, I was able to get a perfectly posed picture of my daughter.

As the ride began to move, Ron and I jumped in front and got a rare picture of us together. When we were done, I began to snap pictures of the then moving ride. I couldn't tell as I clicked the button on the camera if I was getting my kids in the pictures or not. I crossed my fingers that I got at least one good one.

When I arrived home and uploaded the pictures, I discovered that two of the pictures contained people I had never met or laid eyes on. The people in the pictures spoke to me because of the presumed ages of the riders and the there obvious determination to have fun.

The 3 ladies that appear in the 2 pictures are probably in their 70's or later. One is in a wheelchair, yet she found a way to ride. The other 2 ladies, probably friends, possibly discussing the day or maybe memories of their own childhood rides appear in the second.

Gatlinburg

We are back from a fun week with Ron's family in Gatlinburg. The kids had tons of fun with their Halverson cousins. We shopped, played games, ate out, lounged at our cabin, went to Dollywood and rode all the rides the kids could handle, and just enjoyed each others company. Many wonderful memories were made.

The two pictures above are taken from the deck of the cabin we stayed at. Such a beautiful view!

Talent Show

The homeschool coop we have been attending had a talent show tonight. It showcased some very talented and unique kids. Bethany's 2nd/3rd grade music class sang a song called "Beethoven's Wig" set to the music of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. During these 12 weeks of coop, she got to study many classical composers. Here are pictures of her hiding behind her words.

Story of the World

This year we are doing Story of the World, Book 1, as our history curriculum. The kids and I have both loved it. My son begs everyday to do SoTW. Here is a one of the crafts from our study of the Ancient Americas.

Fall Festival

We got the chance last weekend to attend a local Fall Festival. I got the chance to take my nieces along for the ride. Everyone had hours of fun.

The Halverson crew!

Rainy Days

Rainy days are my favorite homeschooling days. I normally opt not to go anywhere on these days, unless we absolutely have to. This has been one of those days where we have remained put, at home where we need to be.

I have found life barrelling down on our family lately. We could be busy and somewhere, literally everyday. But I am remembering why I don't need to be somewhere everyday. When we have to be somewhere, I tend to rush my kids through there schoolwork, hanging over them, nagging at them to hurry up. They get frustrated and so do I. But on days where home is our only destination, things flow smoother. Everyone tends to have better attitudes and ENJOYS our homeschooling day.

I know I can't be at home everyday, because because places like the library, grocery store, bank, park, etc. call out my name. But I can choose wisely the things I do commit to and have to do. Thank you God for cold, wet, rainy days! Here, I can stop and enjoy my children and accomplish the important things, within my home.

Anniversary Day Pictures

Anniversary

Today marks 11 years of marriage to my God given husband, Ron. Every year we continue on our journey, we grow closer. We laugh and cry and fight and makeup and love God together. I give God all the credit for all the good things that have happened in our marriage. I also credit God for getting us through the not so good times. I thank Him for His grace to be married and for His mercy that is new everyday to equip me to be a wife. I thank Him for His Word that guides me, corrects me and shows me what a Godly wife should be. Thank you Jesus, my Lord, for being the ultimate example to me of what love really is, sacrificial, giving, unselfish, humble and without pride. Not that I always operate in these things, but thank you Holy Spirit for being my guide, for gently speaking to me about ways I can change to be those things. Thank you for my husband who is a spiritual leader, who "washes me with the Word", who prays with me and over me. Thank you for giving me THE ONE for me!

An Evening at the Park

My dear husband asked us all last evening, if we would enjoy checking out a new park in our area. It is a truly beautiful park, with a few miles of walking trails that wind around a lake and through magnificent trees. The highlight for the kids was this manmade "creek". They didn't hesitate to shed their shoes and step right in.




The picture above is the where the "creek" ends, pouring right into the lake. The picture below is of the beautiful fountain in the middle of the lake. We will be visiting again!

Outdoors

I love being outdoors. My favorite thing to do there is hike through the woods, any woods. It doesn't matter how seemingly ordinary the trail may appear, there are still wonders of God's creation to be found. I am attempting (by doing) to pass along this love to my children. They may balk at first, but then, they find themselves drawn in to the wonder of whatever trail we have found ourselves on. We are able, together, to marvel at the imagination of our Creator, as they find insects, flowers, spot birds, mushrooms, leaves....The list is endless.

While here, we can look heavenward and know that God is with us and He made all of these things for us to find joy in. I always feel God close when I am out in the middle of nowhere. That's where this love of the outdoors comes from, because I can feel the presence of the One who loves me, here.

Reading Excitement

For the last couple of years, I have been working with my daughter on her reading. Every time we have sat down together and tried to work our way through words, or through whole simple books, she shuts down. She has simply hated even trying to read. So, I decided to back off.

In the mean time, I was still reading to her and pointing out words and getting her to write and do other language arts things. I kept reminding myself that she will be reading one day. I read other people blogs and homeschool message boards that told me, "Your child will learn to read when they are ready." I read my book again "Better Late than Early" which is what backs up my whole philosophy of schooling. But still, I wanted her to read and enjoy it, NOW!

So, where does the excitement come in? Well, this morning, we made our weekly trip to the library. While we were there, I made my obligatory stop in the easy reader section, to once again attempt to find a book my daughter could connect with. I picked out a few and off we went.

Later in the day, I sat down with my daughter to do spelling with her. After finishing, I just thought we could "try" again with one of the books acquired from the library. So, I pulled out "Jonah", a Easy Reader Bible book. Handing it off to my daughter, I was expecting the normal pursed lips, "Can we please not do this?" look from my daughter. Instead, she began reading! And with each page, I praised her! And, with each page, I grew more and more excited inside. But, I remained calm.

After she finished, she was BEAMING! She did it! She knew she did it!

She asked if I had anything else she could read. I remembered that my mother-in-law had purchased an Easy Reader Bible for my daughter a few months ago. We ran to find the book. Excitedly, my daughter began to read story after story. She told me she couldn't stop because it was so much fun! Tonight, after I tucked her in, I could hear her reading that Bible book.

I believe God answered 2 of my prayers today. 1) That my daughter WOULD learn to read.
2) That she would have a love for God's Word.

I have seen both answers manifest themselves today. I believe that starting with a Bible story has planted a love for God's Word in my daughter's heart. I believe that learning to read has planted a love for reading in her mind. Thank you God for hearing and answering!

New Homeschool Group

I have found over the years that I don't like change. It's not that I don't new things and new places, but when it comes to certain things, change and me don't necessarily get along. For instance, our homeschool coop. We had been part of the same great group for all of first 4 years of homeschooling. And then....I thought about changing.

It's not that I wouldn't change, it's just, I knew the routine, knew and enjoyed the other moms, and could go in and still be the same me. But I wanted something different this year for me. I wanted to be an assistant to some great wonderlady who is gifted at teaching a group of 2o to 30 kids. I wanted to smile and hand out papers and escort kids to the bathroom. Anything, but teach!

But that would mean that I would have learn a whole new routine, get to know a group of new moms and be changed myself in this whole process. So, I signed up kicking and screaming. Not literally, but in my mind I wanted back the security of 4 years of sameness.

We're gone through about 5 weeks now. Did my kids have to push me down the hall the first day? Well, no, but the first week is always the hardest! I can say truthfully now that this has been a good change for not only myself, but for the kids too. I am meeting new moms and learning and growing and changing.

A quote from a not so wise man I know: (Redundant I know, but you would have to know him)

"Change is the only constant in life."

Amen, brother, amen.

Another Horse Encounter

Later in the day, we had another horse encounter. By chance, one could say, but I believe this was a God orchestrated encounter for my daughter who would love to have her own horse. The beatiful view from one of the high hills in West Georgia.

Yes, even I got on a horse to enjoy! Thank you God for this blessing!

Horseback Riding

One of the other "best things" about our camping trip was horseback riding. It was fun and relaxing for all of us. Our guide was great. The horses were friendly. It was a beautiful, breezy fall day. We couldn't have asked for better.

More camping

On our our hike, the kids got to be adventurous and climb over this huge log. Caleb was actually the braver one, this time. Bethany stayed as close to the ground as possible.
We got a beautiful campsite.
This was the view from our campsite. We had the most wonderful camping trip ever!