Lazy Days of Summer

Beach time!

 Pool time!

We're enjoying the days of summer, enjoying Nathaniel and enjoying all the events planned this summer.  I've tried to plan the camps, Vacation Bible School and other activities so that we have at least a week's break between each.  That allows us an opportunity to have the necessary free time.  We are doing school "light" during the summer.  We strive for 20 minutes (minimum) each of math, reading and Latin each day.  I'm already excited for the new school year.  I'm making some changes to our homeschool schedule and curriculum.  This will be our 3rd year and I feel that we're honing in on our priorities for our children's education.  I enjoy planning the year with Jim and including him in our scholastic goals for our children.  I'll get into more detail later in the summer, but we will be concentrating on math, reading (a lot), cursive writing, Latin and character traits; all this with God central and foremost in our daily activities. 

I recently read an article by Martin Cochran (editor of The Classical Teacher) in which he stated the following, "We live in a culture in which educational starvation has become epidemic.  Students who are functionally, culturally, and morally illiterate are graduating from our schools.  But some of us have saved up the seeds of the old education and are replanting them again so that, as more and more people realize that the educational crop has failed, they will have some place to go."  (emphasis mine)  Why do I homeschool?  Mr. Cochran could not have stated my reasons better.  What worked so well for over two thousand years has been replaced with the latest experimental ideas of the 20th century, and guess what... it's not working.  But enough of that for now.  I'm going back to enjoying the lazy days...

The Delivery

Nathaniel is now 4 weeks old and such a blessing to our family.  He does have a touch of colic, which means that I'm not getting much sleep.  That's ok.  It's absolutely worth the loss of sleep.  How different my attitude is now that I know that my years of childbearing are coming to an end.  What a special season of life this is and I'll be sad to see it go.  We know that God does have plans to bless us with more children... whether through adoption or birth.  We are keeping the door open to see how He will work in our life. 

As for Nathaniel's delivery, it was pretty textbook.  I woke up quite early on the day of his birth; not from labor pains, I just couldn't sleep.  Before getting out of bed, I said my morning prayers and specifically asked that if God willed it, could the baby please come that day.  Within 2 hours, I started experiencing stomach pains.  Since I could time their frequency, I knew that labor had begun.  I went in to tell Jim and he just about lept out of bed.  Since our last baby, Dan, was born just 20 mins after arriving at the hospital, Jim was especially concerned about getting to the hospital quickly.  The hospital is about a 25 min drive and we arrived there around 9am.  I was checked at 9:30am at 3 - 4 cm dilated.  The labor pains were not too painful and were still about 5 mins apart, so I decided to walk the halls for a little while.  After a few intense contractions, I had the nurse check me again.  Now I was only 4 - 5 cm dilated at 11:30am.  That really concerned me since I was sure I was further along and the contractions were getting really painful.  I prayed and asked God to please let the baby come soon.  After 1 hr I was fully dilated and ready to push.  Nathaniel came out in 2 pushes.  What a relief to have him finally with us and to gaze upon his face.

I only stayed in the hospital 1 night, which was the shortest hospital stay for me.  That's ok.  I was ready to be in my own bed and to be with my other children.  We are all finding a new normal with one more person in the family.  His siblings love him so much, of course, and are a tremendous help.  Even Dan will let me know when the baby's crying.

We have been blessed with a month's worth of meals from the wonderful families at our church, homeschool group and my Titus 2 small group.  The prayers, kindness and generosity of these families represent the body of Christ in action.  We are blessed!

Nathaniel's Here!

Announcing our newest son, Nathaniel Thomas, born May 19th.

I'll write more of the birth story when I have a free few minutes.  In a nutshell, it was relatively easy (as easy as labor can be) and Nathaniel arrived ready for the world. His brothers and sisters are so happy to have him home and we are all adjusting to being a family of 7.  I love it!  All I can say is that I see God when I look at this sweet face and in the faces of all my gifts.  All children are miracles and truly gifts from the Lord.

Are You A Good Person?

I've seen this before on other blogs and the Living Waters website.  It's so good.  I just feel compelled to share.

Off To The Races

Yesterday was the Annual Pinewood Derby for Will's Cub Scout pack.  Everyone had such a great time.

Kate and Anna entered their cars and won 1st and 3rd place for the Open Division for siblings.

Will's car is the armored Jeep with a machine gun on the back.  Oddly enough, it was quite aerodynamic and he won a few races.  He ended up placing 2nd in his den and also won Scout's Choice.

As a leader in the pack, Jim doesn't feel comfortable when the children win so many trophies.  However, it was their design and they did a lot of work on the cars.  It's a good lesson in winning gracefully and not boasting.

So much going on this week.  It's supposed to be close to 90 degrees here today, so the kids are having friends over this afternoon to swim and I get to enjoy some time visiting with the moms who are dear friends.  Will and Anna have routine dentist appointments tomorrow.  I have a doctor's appointment on Friday, a baby shower on Saturday and then it's Mother's Day on Sunday.  My mom, sister, sister-in-law and niece will come over to celebrate both Mother's Day and Will's and Dan's birthday.

The baby is happy as can be and doesn't look like he's coming anytime soon.  I'm about 3 1/2 wks from my due date.  3 out of my 4 children were early, so I'm expecting and hoping he'll be early too. Ultimately, he'll come when he's ready and it's his time.  Since my other 2 boys were born on the same day, May 11th, we're all wondering if this boy will be born on May 11th as well.  Wouldn't that be amazing!  I think it's a bit early, though.  We'll see...  Have a great week!

He Is Risen

He is risen indeed!!  What a wonderful Easter day we had.  We started our day early as Will was the Old Testament reader at church for both services.  I think Jim and I were more nervous about it than Will.  He did great!  Then we headed off to Jim's sister's house for Easter celebrations.  I was able to get some pictures of the kids before we left.

It's so hard to get a good one of everyone and it's just going to get harder as we add more little ones.  That's ok.  I just love to see their individual expressions and personalities in these pictures. 

Our niece once again organized her wonderful Easter egg hunt and the kids had so much fun.  We ate too much and enjoyed a relaxing day visiting with family. 

The older children are gaining a better understanding of the great importance of this day in their lives.  When we have our nightly discussions during Holy Week I appreciate their thoughtful questions and comments.  I look forward to watching them grow in their faith.  

Only 2 more weeks of schooling and the baby is due in about 4 weeks.  Where did the time go?  We're all looking forward to the baby's arrival and enjoying our summer.  In the meantime, we have 3 dentist appts, 3 doctor appts (not including my own), Cub Scout Pinewood Derby, Will's and Dan's birthdays to celebrate, Cub Scout camp out and many small projects around the house to complete in the next 3 weeks.  Yikes!!  But there is nothing else I'd rather be doing than homeschooling my children, guiding and guarding their hearts and spending our days in the Lord's plan.

Baby Shower, Construction and a Birthday Party

What a week it has been!  First, the dear ladies at my homeschool group gave me a lovely baby shower at the park.  Good food and fellowship.  What a blessing they all are to me.

 The conversion of the former playroom to Will's room was also completed this week.  Thank goodness!  It's hard to keep a house clean and the young one (aka Daniel) away from the tools.  Here's a progression of the project.

We are very happy to have this extra bedroom; especially Will.  He's already moved in.  It comfortably holds his bed, chest-of-drawers, desk and chair.  He spent his first night in his new room on Friday.  Then... on Saturday we had a pool party to celebrate Kate's 6th birthday.  It was unseasonably warm that day; about 90 degrees, so it was perfect for the pool.  She had a few friends over and I believe all had a good time.  The theme was Barbie and my mother made a beautiful, delicious Barbie cake. 

She received many Barbies for her birthday, which is perfect.  She has played with all of them already and enjoys and appreciates each one. 

She also received many art supplies which is perfect because art in any form is part of her daily activities.  Finally, her friend Autumn gave her a special doll which Kate made a bed for last night.  So cute!

By the time our guests left for the day, we were beat.  It's been a long week, but a good week.  So many blessings this week as time spent with friends and family.  I also feel pleased with all the projects that were completed this week.  Still more work on the new playroom (aka garage), but it is so close to being done.  There are a few more things to do to get ready for the baby, but having these big ones done is such a relief.  Just 5 1/2 weeks till my due date.   I have an OB appt this week and my last (hopefully) ultrasound next week.

More importantly, this week is Holy Week as we remember Jesus's celebratory entrance into Jerusalem, his persecution, death and resurrection.  Such an important week for me and my family to remember his sacrifice and reflect on the core of his ministry.  How are we continuing the loving ministry that Jesus commanded here on earth to care for the afflicted, hungry, orphaned and lost?  What Jesus sacrificed for us was truly a gift to us that can never be repaid by our works, yet it is with joy and reverence that we do those works.  For God so loved us, so should we lovingly care for others.  This Easter season means so much more to me this year as I strive to walk closer with my Lord.  No matter the circumstances, the Lord is working in my life and knowing that brings me comfort in all situations.  May you have that comfort this Easter season and throughout the year.