A new blog I found

Hi,
I am adding this blog to my "Places I Go" list (below left). It is an amazing thing to bring a child into your home, whether by birth or a child who is not biologically related to you. It is amazing to love them, nurture them, pass a mirror and wonder how it's possible that they don't look like you and pour yourself out to them...because they are yours. It is totally another thing to do that with a child who you know has the potential to die under your loving care. The above link is to a family who is doing just that. I know there are many more out there. Bless you for your compassion on these dear ones.

Raccoon

In an effort to simplify our homeschooling as well as get things more on track with wanting to have an emphasis on Biblical teaching, we have decided to not return to our homeschool co-op in the Fall. Instead, we will be diving into KONOS. We are really excited about this type of learning. We will be teaching all the children at the same time and they will have assignments based on their learning level. My husband is very excited about this as it will enable him to do some of the things with the children that he has been wanting to do but never seemed to have time. For weeks (since our decision to use Konos) he has been talking about making raccoon skin caps for/with the children. He had it in his mind to pick up five raccoons from the side of the road, bring them home, skin them, tan them and bury the remains. I have smiled at him as he has spoken of this adventure, knowing that he certainly had the fortitude, but that I would in no way encourage him to bring it to fruition. Tonight the long awaited dream of scraping up road kill and bringing it home became a bittersweet reality. Bitter (blaa) to me, sweet to him! He used a large plastic bag to first poke the animal. You have to make sure they are really dead you know. You don't want those possibly rabid suckers suddenly waking up, clawing and shrieking for freedom, while your children kick, scream and throw pretzels in the back seat. So, it was dead and he made the "really good husband" decision to tie it to the top of the van. We/It made it home safely, except for the fact that it was dead of course. He spent time and creativity in skinning his prize, then buried the remains 18 inches underground in the garden. Yes Dad, I am hoping the neighborhood fox doesn't find it either. The skin is stretched (aka nailed hands, head and feet spread as far apart as possible) on a large piece of scrap wood outback. I am awaiting the vultures. My husband is awaiting the salt to help dry it so that he can begin the next step of assembly. I may have to make a needle out of its bone to really get the whole effect. I am not sure which child will get the first cap. None of them are jumping up and down yelling, "oh pick me, pick me!" It may just wind up that Hubby gets the honors. He is so cool. What a manly man!

Kid Quote

This morning after breakfast I was playing Candid Conversation with Daniel (3 yo). This is a fun game where you draw a card and answer the question. The questions are supposed to inspire conversation about that topic. Daniel kept drawing cards, I would read them and then he would repeat what I was saying. Only once did he decide to answer the question rather than mimic me. The question was, "What do you do if someone in front of you drops $20?" Daniel's response, "Clean it up!" Oh my kids are so cute! Do you think maybe I emphasize cleaning up?

Wedding Pics

Mom and Aunt B sent the first few photos that I have received. Thanks!

I had to put this in because my boys are so cute!
My hair was cute too, but you'll never really know.

Ashley and Abigail as the sweet flower girls

I love this photo as Dad and Mom are smiling at their guests,
the Bride only has eyes for her Groom.

The ceremony took place on Dad and Mom's pier.

First dance as Husband and Wife

Wedding Bells!

We just got home from my sister's big day! She is now the Mrs. to her tall Mr. My kids made up most of the bridal party as the flower girls and ring bearers. We didn't take any pictures, so stay tuned for when I have some sent my way.

The wedding was on my parents pier with the guests all standing on the beach. I spent most of last evening rolling my girls hair in spongy pink rollers. This morning I pinned their hair up. They were beauties! The boys all had matching Hawaiian shirts. So sweet! I am sure our family photo will make it as the main photo at the top of my blog.

The story that we will look back and laugh at (but is not completely funny to me yet!) is...
Our John thought it was a good idea to roll down the grassy hill in the backyard. He did this a few minutes before he was supposed to take the ring bearer walk down the pier. Well, he rolled in dog poop!!! It was all down his pants legs, a little on his shirt and my dad (Papa) was having to wash it off the couch (John had come in and sat down to wait). We stripped him down, through his pants in the wash and then ran home to see if we had another pair that would work. We did! We had him changed and looking spiffy before my sister was even ready. We are sure that the delay in the wedding will be blamed on John for the rest of his life, but in reality, it was the bride (hair, make-up)!

After the beach we headed to a nice reception and enjoyed plenty of yummy food, cake, fellowship and dancing. I had to ask the DJ to play something a little less sensual as it was mainly my kids out on the floor and I didn't want to hear one more song about anyone's backside!

It was a fun day. Peter has taken the girls back to the beach for an evening swim. The boys, having missed their nap, are down early for the night. I am hoping to watch an episode of Little House before falling into bed.

Here is the song that played while the Bride walked down the pier to meet her Groom. Be blessed by it!

Did you do this this week? We did!

This is how we started the week:

The Boat.

The Gramommy.

The girls.

The Papa.

The pictures are your only hint! Do you know where we visited this week?

Yes, he's comfortable. Don't laugh. Ergo carrier, get one!

Chocolate. I bought the chocolate covered potato chips.
(not pictured, devoured)

This is how we ended it:

WE ARE SO BLESSED!