Thursday, August 30, 2007
family update...
It's like a Christmas letter. Without the stress. Or the envelopes. Or the stamps. Or the actual letter!
Anna - What a precious little one my Anna is! Today we had to run to Wally-World and she kept reaching out to hug me! Love it! She has been following me around the house, asking to be picked up. What's a mom to do? Pick her up, of course! Anna still sleeps through the night and wakes up around 8 or 8:30! I am telling you - if the rest of my kids would do that, I wouldn't have to wake up at 5 a.m.! Her hair is growning in a little thicker and her skin looks so much healthier! She loves to take her shoes off and loves to stand on furniture. Argh! She knows that when she is busted for being naughty - she needs to go to the "red chair". I was laughing so hard this morning when she smacked Amy (that ISN'T funny), but then she looked at me and took off running to the "red chair"! I didn't even have to tell her to go or put her there.
Amy - Again - what a precious little one my Amy-Hui is! She is such a blessing to me and she is most certainly my "sunshine". She continues to thrive (in spite of getting smacked by her little sister sometimes) and is finding her new role in our family very well! Amy loves to play with playdough and color. She has taken a recent liking to puzzles; of course she picks ones that are too hard for her and I end up putting them together! We actually made the decision earlier this week that Amy is going to start preschool next week. She is only going two mornings a week. I am torn, but I think that Amy deserves a little something special just for her. She can easily get lost in the shuffle of schooling the older two and just taking care of Anna. I will confess that I am not sure how I feel about it all, but we will try it out. I am going to follow her lead and if it is too soon, I will keep her home.
Austin - This little man is MAJOR into roller coasters right now! Oh my goodness! He talks about them all the time, wants to watch "Ultimate Thrill Rides" on the DVR all the time (in fact - that is what he is doing right now!) and wants to look at roller coaster video online. I don't know where the fascination came from, but he loves it. Unless he has to RIDE a coaster! We are going to Silver Dollar City and Chris is trying to get Austin to ride the Powder Keg with him; Austin wants nothing to do with it! He's pretty funny. He just started piano lessons (again) and is very excited about that. He will also be started rec center outdoor soccer in a few weeks. We are looking forward to the Saturday morning games.
Ashleigh - How is it even possible that Ash is almost 11? Did I miss something? She is the typical "tween" right now: a little 'tude and a lotta fun! I wish we could skip the 'tude part, but I know that it is part of the package. We remain consistent with her and that is what is important. Ash is taking ballet again this year and loves it. She is also going to start flute lessons in a few weeks (we hope) so that she could jump back in at school if/when we send her back. She is also looking forward to being an angel in our church's upcoming "Judgement House" presentation. (Austin and I are also acting in it; Chris is greeting the visitors)
Momma Hen - Still exhausted, I am afraid. But - I continue to be blessed by the effort of homeschooling my peeps. I reflect on the choices that brought me to this "life" that GOD has given me and I can't imagine making any of the choices differently.
Chris - Working. Not a lot, though. He has never been an "overworker". He is faithful to share the joys of work with me, but never burdens our home with the difficulties (I am assuming there are some, since he works with other people). He is an awesome Daddy to these four kids and I fall in love with him more every day.
So that's about it for now. We are busy, but not TOO busy. We have plenty of time together at home and that's what it's all about. Well, that and sharing Christ's amazing love with others!
Anna - What a precious little one my Anna is! Today we had to run to Wally-World and she kept reaching out to hug me! Love it! She has been following me around the house, asking to be picked up. What's a mom to do? Pick her up, of course! Anna still sleeps through the night and wakes up around 8 or 8:30! I am telling you - if the rest of my kids would do that, I wouldn't have to wake up at 5 a.m.! Her hair is growning in a little thicker and her skin looks so much healthier! She loves to take her shoes off and loves to stand on furniture. Argh! She knows that when she is busted for being naughty - she needs to go to the "red chair". I was laughing so hard this morning when she smacked Amy (that ISN'T funny), but then she looked at me and took off running to the "red chair"! I didn't even have to tell her to go or put her there.
Amy - Again - what a precious little one my Amy-Hui is! She is such a blessing to me and she is most certainly my "sunshine". She continues to thrive (in spite of getting smacked by her little sister sometimes) and is finding her new role in our family very well! Amy loves to play with playdough and color. She has taken a recent liking to puzzles; of course she picks ones that are too hard for her and I end up putting them together! We actually made the decision earlier this week that Amy is going to start preschool next week. She is only going two mornings a week. I am torn, but I think that Amy deserves a little something special just for her. She can easily get lost in the shuffle of schooling the older two and just taking care of Anna. I will confess that I am not sure how I feel about it all, but we will try it out. I am going to follow her lead and if it is too soon, I will keep her home.
Austin - This little man is MAJOR into roller coasters right now! Oh my goodness! He talks about them all the time, wants to watch "Ultimate Thrill Rides" on the DVR all the time (in fact - that is what he is doing right now!) and wants to look at roller coaster video online. I don't know where the fascination came from, but he loves it. Unless he has to RIDE a coaster! We are going to Silver Dollar City and Chris is trying to get Austin to ride the Powder Keg with him; Austin wants nothing to do with it! He's pretty funny. He just started piano lessons (again) and is very excited about that. He will also be started rec center outdoor soccer in a few weeks. We are looking forward to the Saturday morning games.
Ashleigh - How is it even possible that Ash is almost 11? Did I miss something? She is the typical "tween" right now: a little 'tude and a lotta fun! I wish we could skip the 'tude part, but I know that it is part of the package. We remain consistent with her and that is what is important. Ash is taking ballet again this year and loves it. She is also going to start flute lessons in a few weeks (we hope) so that she could jump back in at school if/when we send her back. She is also looking forward to being an angel in our church's upcoming "Judgement House" presentation. (Austin and I are also acting in it; Chris is greeting the visitors)
Momma Hen - Still exhausted, I am afraid. But - I continue to be blessed by the effort of homeschooling my peeps. I reflect on the choices that brought me to this "life" that GOD has given me and I can't imagine making any of the choices differently.
Chris - Working. Not a lot, though. He has never been an "overworker". He is faithful to share the joys of work with me, but never burdens our home with the difficulties (I am assuming there are some, since he works with other people). He is an awesome Daddy to these four kids and I fall in love with him more every day.
So that's about it for now. We are busy, but not TOO busy. We have plenty of time together at home and that's what it's all about. Well, that and sharing Christ's amazing love with others!
Friday, August 24, 2007
sheer exhaustion
That's about it. I am so utterly exhausted. I wish I could figure out what I am doing "wrong". I can't imagine why I could possibly be so exhausted. It's not like I am teaching a class FULL of kids or anything. Only 2, maybe 3 if you count Amy.
I have been trying especially hard to make sure the other "stuff" of our home doesn't go by the wayside because of school. That may INDEED be the reason why I am so exhausted: my house is cleaner now than ever before. Now that is wierd. I have been seriously incorporating the kids in doing chores and let me tell you - it works! Generally the house is ready to receive visitors at a moments notice and that has been a blessing! I am Flying and let me tell you - it is just the sort of "discipline" I need to make sure my day doesn't slip away from me. I highly recommend this website! She has soooo many great ideas for keeping a home - whether you are a stay at home mom or a mom working a full time job or a homeschooling mom or a mom with preschoolers - she has a great method for order and clutter free living.
Anna is doing awesome! I feel as if we are really starting to "gel" as a family! She has finally begun to show some "separation anxiety" when I leave and it is WONDERFUL!!! I am falling in love with her more every day and I think she is, too. She is beginning to eat a variety of solid foods now, but she isn't a fan of fruit! Can you believe that?! I believe that she has gained 2 pounds in the past 6 weeks! Amazing!
I will try to update a little later on the whole family and the activites that the kids are part of as we head into fall. We are thrilled that GOD has provided so many open doors for all of us and we can't wait to share!!!
I have been trying especially hard to make sure the other "stuff" of our home doesn't go by the wayside because of school. That may INDEED be the reason why I am so exhausted: my house is cleaner now than ever before. Now that is wierd. I have been seriously incorporating the kids in doing chores and let me tell you - it works! Generally the house is ready to receive visitors at a moments notice and that has been a blessing! I am Flying and let me tell you - it is just the sort of "discipline" I need to make sure my day doesn't slip away from me. I highly recommend this website! She has soooo many great ideas for keeping a home - whether you are a stay at home mom or a mom working a full time job or a homeschooling mom or a mom with preschoolers - she has a great method for order and clutter free living.
Anna is doing awesome! I feel as if we are really starting to "gel" as a family! She has finally begun to show some "separation anxiety" when I leave and it is WONDERFUL!!! I am falling in love with her more every day and I think she is, too. She is beginning to eat a variety of solid foods now, but she isn't a fan of fruit! Can you believe that?! I believe that she has gained 2 pounds in the past 6 weeks! Amazing!
I will try to update a little later on the whole family and the activites that the kids are part of as we head into fall. We are thrilled that GOD has provided so many open doors for all of us and we can't wait to share!!!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
a FABULOUS party!!!
My brother Christopher and his wonderful wife Joy hosted a "welcome home Anna" party for our family tonight and it was fabulous! We are so blessed that our dearest friends are my brother and his wife!
It was a fun night and a great opportunity for some of our family to meet Anna and welcome her into the extended family.
Here is our "traditional" Lakey family picture with the cake at the welcome home party... (it's supposed to be funny; as if we are going to keep having these parties...)
Ashleigh captured this AWESOME shot of Grayson, Anna and Amy looking through the fence
a picture of the littles with the best BIG brother ever!
It was a fun night and a great opportunity for some of our family to meet Anna and welcome her into the extended family.
Here is our "traditional" Lakey family picture with the cake at the welcome home party... (it's supposed to be funny; as if we are going to keep having these parties...)
Ashleigh captured this AWESOME shot of Grayson, Anna and Amy looking through the fence
a picture of the littles with the best BIG brother ever!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
the new "do"
I think it turned out cute! It's off my neck and for now - that is a GODSEND! It is sooooooo hot outside right now!
Saturday, August 11, 2007
first date!
Yay!!!!
Chris and I are going on our first date since we became the parents of four!!! We are kinda celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary (since we got Anna on that day - July 2) and trying to set some goals and priorities for our family over the next year (actually - 11 months).
I am still smitten with him...
After our date I am going to get my hair cut; chopped off actually! Chris thinks he needs to buzz his hair again (1/8"). I really like it "longer"... What do you think?
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Schnikees!
I LOVE it when "it" just HITS me!!! And - I consider myself a pretty smart cookie, but I still am amazed when I "get" it and it's like "wow... that's so stinkin' cool!"
I know - the suspense is killin' ya, isn't it?
WHAT?! What has me so "taken"?
Math curriculum.
Huh?
I finally get it! No - not the actual math curiculum, but the simple fact that if something isn't working for one of my kids I can actually DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!
So - back online today to order a few more math curriculums for one of my little peeps that is struggling with the style of the math that I chose. I just think that there is like NO point in two of us getting frustrated when I know that this style just isn't cutting it for said student.
So - are you scared that someone that uses such awful grammar and uses the word "like" in the middle of a sentence is teaching her kids? Me too. But - I am actually more scared (again - horrible grammar) that said student would get lost in the shuffle and learn to hate math because the learning style was all wrong for the student.
Hmm.
So - we are finished with our first week of school and I am exhausted. Tired. Beat. Kicked and whipped. (struggling to come up with more descriptives here...) I get up in the morning at 5 a.m. and enjoy a little "quiet time" with my caffiene and the Bible. Come 6 a.m. though, I am going almost non-stop until I hit the bed at night at about 9 p.m. I think I am going to need Fridays off more than the kids! (Fridays aren't really "off" as much as they are reserved for the electives that we will participate in outside of the home)
Chasing a 1 year old, teaching a 3 year old, reading to the bigs, starting the bigs on language, spelling and math, taking extra time to actually TEACH math to child who is struggling, getting frustrated with said child, feel badly because I lost patience with child... well - I think you get it.
But - the math thing today was a very gentle (yet lovingly firm) reminder that we are indeed doing the right thing.
Next week we will have add the remaining subjects and continue to "tweak" our schedule. I have actually learned a ton this week about how best to teach these little peeps! Yay! 31 years old and still teachable...
I know - the suspense is killin' ya, isn't it?
WHAT?! What has me so "taken"?
Math curriculum.
Huh?
I finally get it! No - not the actual math curiculum, but the simple fact that if something isn't working for one of my kids I can actually DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!
So - back online today to order a few more math curriculums for one of my little peeps that is struggling with the style of the math that I chose. I just think that there is like NO point in two of us getting frustrated when I know that this style just isn't cutting it for said student.
So - are you scared that someone that uses such awful grammar and uses the word "like" in the middle of a sentence is teaching her kids? Me too. But - I am actually more scared (again - horrible grammar) that said student would get lost in the shuffle and learn to hate math because the learning style was all wrong for the student.
Hmm.
So - we are finished with our first week of school and I am exhausted. Tired. Beat. Kicked and whipped. (struggling to come up with more descriptives here...) I get up in the morning at 5 a.m. and enjoy a little "quiet time" with my caffiene and the Bible. Come 6 a.m. though, I am going almost non-stop until I hit the bed at night at about 9 p.m. I think I am going to need Fridays off more than the kids! (Fridays aren't really "off" as much as they are reserved for the electives that we will participate in outside of the home)
Chasing a 1 year old, teaching a 3 year old, reading to the bigs, starting the bigs on language, spelling and math, taking extra time to actually TEACH math to child who is struggling, getting frustrated with said child, feel badly because I lost patience with child... well - I think you get it.
But - the math thing today was a very gentle (yet lovingly firm) reminder that we are indeed doing the right thing.
Next week we will have add the remaining subjects and continue to "tweak" our schedule. I have actually learned a ton this week about how best to teach these little peeps! Yay! 31 years old and still teachable...
Monday, August 06, 2007
first day of school!!!
It was a great first day of school today! Our school still doesn't have a name, but we hope to have one by the end of the week!
Barefoot. How else do you take a first day of school picture when you are homeschooled?
Barefoot. How else do you take a first day of school picture when you are homeschooled?
Austin working diligently in his journal
\
Ashleigh TRYING to work; Anna trying to "help"
I have decided that I am indeed homeschooling THREE kids - as Miss Amy is very, very interested in learning and doing "homeschool" like the bigs. I am proud to report that Anna only ate two crayons today!
(Actually - she only bit the tips off of two crayons; no consumption occured...)
I can't remember if I mentioned before, but we are easing into school by establishing a routine for mornings and afternoons. We certainly aren't close to knowing how all this will "gel", but I think we started getting a feel for it this morning and this afternoon.
Ash and Austin were able to test out of the first complete chapters of their math books. That was pretty exciting for both of them! They are thrilled to skip over some of the review.
Our theme for the year is Genesis 11:1-3 "Blessed to be a blessing". I am very excited about what I might be able to teach them all this year.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
the wedding
I decided to post some pictures from the wedding...
Anna riding a toy in the nursery
Anna riding a toy in the nursery
Amy watching Anna play in the nursery
Little girls playing in the nursery
Notice a pattern??? Two little girls in the nursery. Who do you suppose took the pictures of the little girls in the nursery? That would be Momma - since she was in the NURSERY and not watching the wedding!
I heard several times that it was beautiful and only wish I knew that first hand.
Congrats to Jordan and Anna!!!
It just so happens that Jordan (the groom) is Amber's big brother!
I like this shot of Amber holding Anna at the reception (yes - Amber chopped her hair off - and it is adorable!!!)
The reception was at Joe and Amy's house and it was a blast!
And what night at Joe and Amy's would be complete without a swim???
Thursday, August 02, 2007
a new niece... (with picture added!)
Yay!!!My brother Adam and his wife Laura added to their family yesterday!
Joining Joshua, Abigail and Esther is...
Miss Hannah Ralene!!! (although I have not comfirmed the spelling of Hannah)
born yesterday (Wednesday, August 1).
She is 8 lb 8 oz and is 20.5 in long.
We can't wait to meet her! I will see if I can post a picture later.
For those who like stats...
I now have 3 nieces, 3 nephews, 3 daughters and a son...
Life is good.
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