Why I like homeschooling....

Today while on a walk, Micah says to me as we were passing by an elementary school, "mom, do you know what I like most about homeschooling?", I asked what. He said "I'll tell you what I like most about homeschooling, I don't have to wait to see someone until I get home from school, I can just see them now." I asked like who? He replied "you mom". I thought that was so sweet. And frankly that is one of the reasons I like homeschooling too...I can see my kids all day and I LOVE IT!!!!

Other reasons I like homeschooling are: watching my kids grow in maturity, academically, spiritually, in relationships with their siblings and others outside our home. I thank God daily that I can have them home with me.

The other day Micah said he was ready to read to me. I said, "let me run to the restroom and then I will be right there", he said he would meet me in the living room with his book. Then while I was in the restroom he comes to the door and sits right outside the door and says "I have a better idea mom, I will sit and read to you under the door so you're not alone". I had to laugh and thought "Ummm, teachers don't get that privilege of having their students read to them under the door". That just made me laugh and love homeschooling all the more. He didn't get to read to me under the door, we read in the living room as planned, but it was the thought that counts right?

That might have been too much information...but I just wanted to jot it down for memory because I thought it was sweet.

More Pictures

Family Pictures

On Sunday we went over Nick and Liz's house. They spoiled us so much. They made us a very yummy lunch, took us to the park and took pictures of us, went back to their house and fixed us dinner, played on the computer with some funny thing that distorts your face...I laughed so hard.

As this young couple is beginning their family, they are such an example to Mario and I of their gift of hospitality. We love to be around them and can't wait to see them again soon.

Here are some of the pictures they took.

Happy Birthday Mario!

Mario had a birthday a few days ago. We are so thankful for him and I am so honored to have him as my husband. He is an incredible man of God that is so humble and loves to be around his friends and family.

Well Hannah has been planning his birthday for months. Our sweet girl wanted to do something for him so badly. So a few days before his birthday she sent out evites to some friends. Everyone responded that they would be there except two families who were sick. We had approx. 60 people in the house. Hannah planned the whole thing from evites to menu to games for the kids, and made two cakes for him. She is such a blessing and wanted so much for her daddy to have fun....and fun he did (actually we all did)!

The blessing is I don't have to plan anything anymore....I have HANNAH!!!! She is definitely the planner and party person. We LOVE her!

Christmas 2009, New Years Eve, forts and dancing in the rain

Well I have no clue what happened to me in Dec. It was a whirlwind and I wish now I could rewind and do it over again so I can take pictures. I DID NOT get any pictures during Christmas. I think this is the first year ever that I did not take pictures. What a bummer!!!!

But here are some pictures of just random fun things.

Big fort in the family room...the kids slept in it.

Dancing in the rain.

New Years Eve with some of Mario's d-group families.

The end result!!!

Judah ate cereal for the first time that night.

He LOVED it.

Christmas morning...not sure who took this picture...wasn't me.

Children's Christmas Party

My kids planned a Christmas party with some neighbors and some of their friends. It was a last minute ordeal that they planned for Dec 23. I have to admit, Dec. was such a crazy month that I was not looking forward to having a little Christmas party with several kids in the house. I told my kids that they have to do the whole thing and clean before and after. They totally cleaned the whole house, did some laundry for me and planned out the day. Micah and Hannah made sugar cookies (a ton of them) the night before so that the kids that came to the party can decorate them.

I have to admit, it was sooooo much fun. I had a blast and the kids had so much. The party consisted of decorating cookies, playing a game where each child has a name on their back (someone from the Nativity story) and they had to ask questions and guess who they are. Then we read the Christmas story in Luke. And then they acted out the Christmas story, each child played the part of who they were in the guessing game. It was fun to see their talent in acting. After they all left, my kids cleaned up and I got a clean house out of it. But it was all worth it to see the kids have a blast.

Coming up for air....

We have been so busy these last two months, I have not had a chance to blog. So hold on to your seats because in the next couple days, I will blog several things.

But to tie you over until then...we had family pictures taken today and I thought I would give you a sneak peak or appetizer if you will.........