Summer

I was just sitting here thinking of how I love summer.  I love these relaxed days of hanging out with Mike and the kids, getting to see more of friends and family, and having less of a schedule.  We have been reading through the Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos, and continuing with our scripture memory at a lighter pace.  We've been reading books, and the kids are reading some too, although I'm not making a big deal out of them missing some days.  I'm taking the advice of a friend, and taking much more of a break from school work than I thought I would.  I originally thought we would continue with math and writing and of course reading. However, now that we've slowed our pace down a bit we've been doing some of those things here and there in more of a real life scenario...they're adding up their own money to buy something at the store, or writing a thank you note to a friend, etc.  It's a good reminder that we are always learning, even if it isn't scheduled learning.

One thing that Mike and I are trying to be very purposeful about, is being very alert to opportunities to bring scripture into our every conversation, and taking the time to stop what we're doing to talk about things as they come up.  One of the verses we're memorizing is Psalm 1:1&2 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night.  We'll be learning the rest of Psalm 1, but this is where we are so far.  Emma and I had a great conversation after reciting this verse, about what it means to meditate, and that God's law is His word...and what it looks like to truly meditate on His Word day and night, as well as what the reward is for doing this.  These little opportunities are a good reminder to me that when I get too busy, or when our schedule is too full, conversations like this are what we miss out on...and I'm not willing to miss out on these seemingly little things in order to do more,  because they're actually the important things.    David Hazell (coauthor of My Father's World) has some cd workshops out that are AMAZING, and they have one titled "Family Ministry, teaching your children to reach out".  I'm ordering it, and I'll let you know what ideas we get from it.  For now, the kids have been taking the initiative - coming up with ideas to reach out in our own neighborhood.  It's been such a blessing to see their hearts for the Lord, and it's challenged me in my own walk and actions as well.

Well, there's a little peek at "what we've been up to this summer".  (I've been getting this question a lot lately :)
I was hoping to add more pictures but this is the best I can do for now...I basically only take pictures with my phone now, and it's so hard to download my pictures...it stresses me out messing with it, so, for now, here you go...  :)

Almost finished....Can't believe it took me a year to paint...it only took 1/2 a day & 1 can! Still need to make curtains...

My mom teaching Emma to shoot with a Red Rider bb gun...she didn't shoot her eye out. :)

My mom teaching Emma to shoot with a red rider bb gun...she didn't shoot her eye out.

Today...

...we had a lovely morning nature study outside. (After Bible and scripture memory as usual) The first thing we saw (and heard) was a cardinal. We watched it for a little while with binoculars. Emma is getting very good at recognizing the songs of many different birds - especially the cardinal, blue jay, and dove. You should hear her bird call...very amusing! I'm not quite sure how she does it, but it actually sounds very much like a dove!

Next we found a large grasshopper that didn't seem to be the least bit afraid of us, nor did it care one bit when we caught it for observation. We studied it, read about it, and made a nature journal page. Here E and A are with the grasshopper right before we let it go. It really wasn't scared of us at all...it finally did decide to hop away though.

This is the blog we use for nature study...wonderful!

http://www.handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/

So we did move on to more "schoolish" things after that...math, geography, copy work, hymn study, poetry and reading for today. Afterward Emma spent the afternoon having "school" for Alex...much to his delight. This is one of those things that I just loooove! First she taught him to read; then they went into her room for a well over an hour doing more school. I think she was teaching him math, then I heard Tchaikovsky echoing down the hall...looks like Emma has studied up on Charlotte Mason as well! LOVE it! :)

It's been a wonderful day...something about the clouds, cooler temperature, and a little rain...it's refreshing. It's His joy that comes in the morning. And the rest of the day, as well...

Back from hiatus

Well, maybe, that is...
We all know my track record for blog posting is not the best...BUT...I'm not apologizing, as we have had a lot going on over the past several months. So much, in fact, that I may not even write a summary of everything that has happened...at least not right away. For now, let's just say that God has been faithful. He has changed us, helped us grow, and never has He for one second let us go...through grief and joy, and through the ordinary days that lie in between.
The bottom line is that I've had several sweet, far off friends who've asked for updates, so, here I am, attempting to be a more faithful blogger, once again. :) Let us see how that will go...