Goofy

Goofy Daddy!


Goofy Uncle!


Goofy cousins!

Winter Nature Exploration

Well, around this time of year, my kids and I both start developing cabin fever. So, I decided we needed some outside time. We took off into the woods behind our house. These are some things that are we saw.



Here are the kids collecting rocks in the ice cold creek.



Cabin fever avoided today.

Holiday Fun and a Field Trip

Well, after being gone for a few days for Thanksgiving, we are home again. Our traveling took us to South Georgia to my mom and dad's for the holiday. We got to enjoy the company of my brother and his wife and their two girls, along with my grandmother and parents. This is my grandmother posed with my family and my brother's.


This morning we attended a local performance of "The Nutcracker". This was a first for me and the kids. Bethany got called up on stage to demonstrate a ballet move, along with some other kids.



One of our homeschooling friends snapped this picture of Bethany and I, with Caleb in the background. We did have fun.

Our Beautiful Fall Day

Today, I planned to take the kids letterboxing. So, around 9:00 am, we set out on a letterboxing journey. The letterboxes make there home at a fairly new park near our house. I had no idea the exact size of the park, or the length of the trails that we were going to be traveling through.

When we arrived, we looked at the map, and the trails didn't LOOK that long. Well, about 2 hours later and with 5 letterboxes found, we arrived back at our starting point. Whew!

Part of those 2 hours included, taking the wrong trail, which incidentally, was straight uphill. (Smile) Another part was stumbling upon 3 does and one baby deer, that let us watch them, without running away for about 5 minutes. We were so amazed to be blessed by God to see such a beautiful sight.

I can say that this park, is now one of my favorites. The trails also have 2 bridges that cross over creeks, that young ones can play in. (Oh yeah, that was another 10 minutes of our hike.)

Oh yeah, I wish you could see pictures of our day, but as usual, I forgot the camera.

Whirling By

Days, whirling by.
As fast as pages turning by the wind.
Images are blurry.
I try hard to focus.
Laughter, talking, singing are all heard as days pass, quickly.
I try to reach inside to collect memories, inside the whirling, twirling, days.

Family Skate Day

Yesterday, we attended a family birthday party for a friend of Bethany's. It was held at the local skating rink. Boy, did we ever have fun! I think the hubby and I had more fun than the kids. We both remarked later, that it was one of our best family days ever.

Publix- Great Deals

I don't know if you can read the receipt, but I only spent $11.01. I saved $33.16. I am amazed at the savings. I had a coupon for every item pictured, which is what made the savings so great, only with everything being BOGO. Into the pantry and freezer, my stash will go.

My Crafty Gal

Since Bethany was small, I knew she was a crafty, creative little gal. Recently, she has had the opportunity to take a free sewing class. The class is taught by a group of women, who want to pass this art to another generation. Bethany caught on quickly on how to use a sewing machine. I have even learned some things in the process. But doesn't that always happen when you homeschool?

Showing Signs of Life

So, my blog is actually showing signs of life. Like there is actually a blogger who enjoys blogging about her and her family's lives.

My title is also significant because of the week I have had. Monday evening rolled around with me having no appetite for supper. Then Monday night...bam! I was hit with some something, me thinks it was the flu. So, the rest of the week, through Saturday, I was confined inside the walls of my house.

But today, oh today, (Can I get an amen!) I returned to the land of the living. As we drove to church, the sun shined brightly in my eyes and I rejoiced. The leaves (The ones that are still there) gleamed with golden yellows, warm oranges and reds. And the people, my oh my, I got to mingle with people. (Hallelujah!)

I don't wish sickness on anyone. But, I do know that being cooped up in a house for a week with sickness gives me a GREAT appreciation for the good health that my family and I usually walk in. I suppose that we cannot appreciate the pleasures of life, as much, without sometimes experiencing pain. As Solomon said, "There is season for everything under heaven. A time to mourn and a time to REJOICE!" Thank God, that we know from His word that our lives will not be all sunshine, but they will also not be all rain.

So, I am showing signs of life today. Whoohoo!

Our Princess

On the way to our church's harvest festival:

What a kid does...

.....when he is bored.

Procrastination

August 26th is our date to start our 2009-2010 school year. I have all of my curriculum. I have looked through it and made lists of supplies that I need for science. Haven't gotten around to the history supply list. Now, I just need to sit down and get a plan for the year. But I keep putting it off.

More Summer Fun

I am trying to catch up on my summer blogging today. Here are more pictures from the summmer.

Bethany got to celebrate her birthday on the road. When we arrived in NC that night, my mom had a birthday cake ready to decorate. We got to celebrate with many of my aunts, uncles and cousins.


Another NC happening was stopping to see my brother and his family. Here are the kids hanging with their NC cousins. Fun!

Summer

We started off the summer with a surprise. A new cousin, Joy, who arrived a month early. I love this picture of her and Bethany.


Then we had a beach trip to Corolla, NC, a part of the Outerbanks. It included a lot of family fun. Being buried in the sand was just one of the kids highlights.


Then we had a few times out in our boat. (Sigh) We figured this summer that we had definitely outgrown our little, run around the lake, boat. These are pictures from out last time in it. Our little boat departed last night to the hands a family who we pray will get many years enjoyment from it.



Last, the kittens...this is the one we plan on keeping out of the bunch. She is still unnamed as yet. We call her the Eskimo cat.

For My Sister-in-Law

To my sister-in-law, who is just embarking on her couponing journey. Here are the rewards of my shopping trip today at Publix.


5 packages Hi-C drinks
12 boxes Kraft Mac n Cheese
2 packages Luigi's Italian Ice
4 packages Ball Park Franks
1 package aluminum foil
2 packages Jenno-O Turkey patties
4 Lunchables
2 bottles of grill seasonings
1 bottle A-1 steak sauce
2 Bic clicker/grill lighters???

All this for $25.64! I saved $60.71! That means that I would have paid over $86 if I had bought everything at full price. $20 of the savings was in copoun savings. The other $40 was in store savings. (The BOGO's) Everything pictured was buy one, get one free. I had a coupon for every item except the Hi-C's and 2 of the Lunchables.

Our Excitement

I tried to convince myself that it wasn't true. I saw her getting bigger, but thought, maybe she's just gaining weight. Not so, not so. Here is the evidence.




Today, while we were doing yardwork, I discovered our cat giving birth under our house. She had already birthed 2 of the cats. Oh my! What we learned today!

Goodbye Old Friend

Well, we knew you'd be going one day. We just didn't realize it would be so soon. Sniff, sniff.





We are saving the "fort" portion of our old playset. Daddy has promised to use this as a support to build a tree house of some sorts.

Past Due on Blogging

Even though these pictures are from 2 weeks ago, I thought I would post them, as an attempt to "keep up" with my blogging. We attended a free air show at Peachtree Dekalb Airport. The kids got to sit in the cockpit of a small helicopter and look inside of a training plane used by the Air Force. The young man standing with my kids is one of our faithful Air Force soldiers.

Suprise Nature Study

We went outside today, not for any educational purposes. I went out to put more mulch in my garden. My kids went out to play on this mild spring day.

While we were out, Bethany spotted many dragonflies. She began, with much excitement, to catch as many as she could.


She ended up catching 3. Here are the first two she caught.


Even after she caught 3, she was determined to catch more. This is what she found.


As far as we can tell from our research on the internet, she found a baby copperhead. This snake appeared to be totally sleeping. And...no, Bethany did not attempt to catch it, as she has been given the "snake talk", MANY times.


If you click on the above link, please look at the pictures of the copperhead. Then, let me know if you agree with our conclusion about what type of snake we found.

I had to come back and add this. This snake was found in the woods, about 20 feet in. It wasn't just hanging out in our back yard. We will be careful!!!

Climb Every Mountain

One of my biggest dreams is to hike the Appalachian Trail. The hike takes the "average" hiker about 6 months to hike from Georgia to Maine. Okay, I don't have 6 months of vacation coming to me, so I will just continue to dream and do things like we did on Friday.

My hubby got finished early with a job that was supposed to take all week. So, we loaded up Friday morning and motored over to Sawnee Mountain in Cumming, Georgia. Now, Sawnee Mountain isn't the kind of mountain like you see in Denver or even in Tennessee. But you can hike quiet trails up to a beautiful overlook with views of beautiful farmland, lakes and forest land.

We picked the Indian Seat Trail, an easy to moderate hike. This trail takes you up the above mentioned overlook and fabled rocks named the "Indian Seats". You can read about the Indian seats and Sawnee Mountain here.

Giddy with Anticipation

I don't know if other homeschooling mom's are like this, but I become giddy, when I know I am having a night out to myself. Tonight is no exception. Our new church is having a Mom's Night Out, complete with dinner and an encouraging service to follow.

I can't remember when I've done anything like this. Normally, my nights out consist of me, by myself, heading to the library, grocery shopping, or some other fun endeavour. But not tonight, I will be meeting a lady, at the church, that I have been acquaintances with for a few years. She is a talker like me, so I know the night will be fun.

The service part of the night out will be a panel of moms, answering questions about mothering. Can't wait!

My kids and husband have already departed to my mother-in-law's house for dinner. So, I have peace and quiet for an hour, and a night out!

Who'll Stop the Rain?

Yes, I am asking the question about the rain. It's not that I don't appreciate the rain. I actually thank God for the rain, each time I hear or see it. I also have a garden this year and appreciate all of the help I can get. But, my kids are starting to go stir crazy.

It only takes a couple of days of being cooped up inside, to cause my children to begin fighting and complaining that they are bored. So, I am thanking God that tomorrow's forecast is sunny and 80 degrees. We may head out for a nature day. We will see.

13 Days and Counting

Yes, we are all involved in this yearly countdown. This particular countdown involves the diminishing number of school days. At the beginning of every new school year, 180 is a big number. But at the end of every month, I am able to see that number get smaller and smaller.

As each year passes that we homeschool, the kids look forward to the countdown, as much, or more than me. I think Caleb and I are neck and neck this year, regarding who wants to see zero more. It makes me think that my homeschool children are not so different from their public school peers, at least in this sense.

And just for all of the doubters out there, I still do enjoy homeschooling, even after 5 years. The reason I enjoy the countdown is because I am looking forward to what follows. Summer vacation!

Saturday=Yardwork

Today, was dedicated, to yardwork. Yes, after neglecting our yard all winter, we finally got out there, as a family, to just do it. At the end of the day, we took the kids to DQ for a refreshing treat. Mommy and Daddy wanted the treat too!

So, we are planning on spending every Saturday, from now on, putting down fresh pine straw, pressure washing the house, painting the house, etc. I can already feel the soreness setting in!

Spring???

It is really spring here in GA??? We have had 3 brief snow showers, today at our house. No accumulation, but pretty to see.

Caleb's Day at UGA's Vet School

Here is Caleb, standing in front of Alpacas. The last 2 are Caleb performing teddy bear surgery.

Bethany's Day at UGA's Vet School

Last Friday, we got a chance to take a free field trip to the UGA Vet School. Here is Doctor Bethany getting ready for surgery on her patient. Also, Bethany reading to a Saint Bernard named Jake. Last, posing with a Bulldog.