Friday, September 07, 2012
Art, Art, Art
I've been caught many times putting "art" in the garbage. I have a little girl who absolutely loves to create things with paper and color of any kind. I am thankful for her creativity, because unfortunately her mommy doesn't have much to work with! However, all the art was overwhelming me, and I had no idea what to do with it. UNTIL... I talked to a super organized and gifted friend who suggested making a photo book. I loved the idea, and it was really fun for Lydi to get to help me take pics of all of her creations. So, below is the finished product. This is my first photo book ever, so I'm sure it could use much improvement. (If I shared the link on my blog, I got a gift certificate) Enjoy!!!
Photo Book
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Monday, August 20, 2012
First Day of School
Today was a much anticipated day in our home! The house buzzed with excitement last night and this morning as we prepared to start school. Lydia must have asked me every 3 or 4 minutes since the time she woke up when we would start school! Our schedule right now has us beginning at 9:00. She was more than ready as the time approached for her to get her backpack loaded and ready to walk out the side door waving bye to me as I cried because I actually have a kindergartener. I quickly gained my composure and then met her at the front door to welcome her to her first day of school at the Parmer Academy!
Homeschooling was something that I would not even consider or talk about this time two years ago, but God has definitely changed my heart and mind in this matter. I am thankful that He has led us to this decision, and even though it's only been one day; we have LOVED it! I may not feel this way next week, but I am thankful for a good first day.
One of my greatest concerns was keeping the boys (mostly Samo) occupied while we had focused teaching time. It turns out that my little men really enjoy "playing school". So, Samo stayed in there with us for 45 minutes!!! This exceeded my expectations, as he busied himself with file folder games, and practicing his scissor skills. Thomas actually stayed right in there with Lydia. He is our studious one for sure! I have no doubt that he will master kindergarten right along with his big sis. Lydia has a love for learning and that really helps. I pray that this never goes away!
Another concern I had was Lydia not having the "kindergarten experience." I'm not even sure what that is exactly, but I just want her to experience life to the fullest and never take opportunities away from her. Mostly, I want her to have friends and see the value of relationships in life. I was reminded of God's goodness and faithfulness to us as we drove to meet two sweet friends at the pool this afternoon. God is good, and since He has led us to keep Lydia at home this year, He will provide all that she needs!
Speaking of the pool, Lydia has learned to swim this summer. She started to get more comfortable in the water at the end of last summer, but this summer she has gone from girl to fish! No kidding, she is amazing me at how quickly she has learned in just a few times at the pool. My heart still skips a beat every time she jumps off the diving board or when she is just swimming around in the deep end, but she can do it. I am so proud of her!
This has been a summer full of firsts both for Lydia and myself. Homeschooling will be an adjustment for me as well, and this is the first summer that I can take all of my kids to the pool and not have a heart attack every time. I'm thankful for this season, and I hope that I will remember these sweet memories of first days of school and fun days at the pool!
I'll try to post some pics from the pool before the end of summer!
Homeschooling was something that I would not even consider or talk about this time two years ago, but God has definitely changed my heart and mind in this matter. I am thankful that He has led us to this decision, and even though it's only been one day; we have LOVED it! I may not feel this way next week, but I am thankful for a good first day.
One of my greatest concerns was keeping the boys (mostly Samo) occupied while we had focused teaching time. It turns out that my little men really enjoy "playing school". So, Samo stayed in there with us for 45 minutes!!! This exceeded my expectations, as he busied himself with file folder games, and practicing his scissor skills. Thomas actually stayed right in there with Lydia. He is our studious one for sure! I have no doubt that he will master kindergarten right along with his big sis. Lydia has a love for learning and that really helps. I pray that this never goes away!
Another concern I had was Lydia not having the "kindergarten experience." I'm not even sure what that is exactly, but I just want her to experience life to the fullest and never take opportunities away from her. Mostly, I want her to have friends and see the value of relationships in life. I was reminded of God's goodness and faithfulness to us as we drove to meet two sweet friends at the pool this afternoon. God is good, and since He has led us to keep Lydia at home this year, He will provide all that she needs!
Speaking of the pool, Lydia has learned to swim this summer. She started to get more comfortable in the water at the end of last summer, but this summer she has gone from girl to fish! No kidding, she is amazing me at how quickly she has learned in just a few times at the pool. My heart still skips a beat every time she jumps off the diving board or when she is just swimming around in the deep end, but she can do it. I am so proud of her!
This has been a summer full of firsts both for Lydia and myself. Homeschooling will be an adjustment for me as well, and this is the first summer that I can take all of my kids to the pool and not have a heart attack every time. I'm thankful for this season, and I hope that I will remember these sweet memories of first days of school and fun days at the pool!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Chopsticks and PB&J
I really wish I had a picture to accompany this post, but I will do my best to describe it with words. We were eating lunch one day last week, and Lydia asked for some chopsticks. I was busy finishing lunch prep, so I just quickly granted her request and thought nothing of it. Turns out, she needed them to eat her peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Now, this may not seem like a big deal to anyone else, but to me it is an answer to prayer... let me explain.
I have always dreamed of raising a family in a land not our own. I've always thought that we would spend our lives on some foreign soil and that our children would grow up in a culture different from the one which we currently live. However, God had different plans, or at least He does for now. He has chosen for us to settle in Montgomery, AL serving the International Community.
I've always feared that my children's world would be small. I wanted them to be "color-blind", and I wanted them to embrace those that might seem "different." So, when my oldest child asks to have some chopsticks to eat her PB&J; I realize something; maybe they are growing up with the best of both worlds.
We are coming to the end of a season in our lives having had a Chinese girl live with us since December of 2010. She was supposed to stay here for 3 months until she graduated the following May, but she has been here a bit longer than she or we anticipated. It has been such a blessing having her in our home. One that has been such an answer to prayer in so many ways. Our children have been exposed to Chinese culture in such a special way, and for that I am very grateful. Here in Montgomery, AL!!! Who knew???? Not me, but thankfully the Lord knows exactly what we need and exactly where we need to be.
As we prepared to leave Puerto Rico, we were unsure about what the future would hold. We were planning to move to Asia and work there. That is, until we found out we were pregnant with number 3. So, we decided to stay closer to "home". Coming to Montgomery has proven to be such a sweet gift and evidence of God's grace to us as His children. Having Li Na live with us has been the icing on the cake. We are super sad to see her go, but we know that there are great things ahead for her!
I have always dreamed of raising a family in a land not our own. I've always thought that we would spend our lives on some foreign soil and that our children would grow up in a culture different from the one which we currently live. However, God had different plans, or at least He does for now. He has chosen for us to settle in Montgomery, AL serving the International Community.
I've always feared that my children's world would be small. I wanted them to be "color-blind", and I wanted them to embrace those that might seem "different." So, when my oldest child asks to have some chopsticks to eat her PB&J; I realize something; maybe they are growing up with the best of both worlds.
We are coming to the end of a season in our lives having had a Chinese girl live with us since December of 2010. She was supposed to stay here for 3 months until she graduated the following May, but she has been here a bit longer than she or we anticipated. It has been such a blessing having her in our home. One that has been such an answer to prayer in so many ways. Our children have been exposed to Chinese culture in such a special way, and for that I am very grateful. Here in Montgomery, AL!!! Who knew???? Not me, but thankfully the Lord knows exactly what we need and exactly where we need to be.
As we prepared to leave Puerto Rico, we were unsure about what the future would hold. We were planning to move to Asia and work there. That is, until we found out we were pregnant with number 3. So, we decided to stay closer to "home". Coming to Montgomery has proven to be such a sweet gift and evidence of God's grace to us as His children. Having Li Na live with us has been the icing on the cake. We are super sad to see her go, but we know that there are great things ahead for her!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
The Latest
Hello Blogging World!!!
Not sure that anyone is still reading, but if you are we're back! Our blog was down for a while, but my computer genius husband resurrected it. I have not posted since last November, and I won't even attempt to catch up on the past seven months. A statement to sum it all up is this... "Life is always about adjusting to the new normal." For us, our most recent adjustment has been learning to live life without babies in our home. It has been strange, and I often find myself struggling to meet the demands of three little people now that they are all very good at expressing themselves! All three can talk, walk, feed themselves, go to the bathroom on their own, and even reason with me to some degree. For the past five years we have had a "baby", but not anymore.
We were recently in Wedowee visiting Ben's family and our uncle asked us "where is your little one?" Good question... we don't have one anymore. I will say that at times it makes me sad, and at other times I enjoy the freedom that comes with our children being somewhat self-sufficient. Still challenging, but just in different ways. I have found that having the three of them so close together was a brilliant idea, and I'm so thankful that the Lord knew what we needed even when we thought we'd go crazy that first year!!!
I have no huge news to report, and since last November we have not moved or changed jobs (which is another adjustment we are making as we learn to live outside the world of transition). It has been such a fruitful season of healing and restoration for our entire family. We have made the decision to home school Lydia in the fall. She will begin Kindergarten! Today she went to a local VBS, and as she was leaving Thomas said "Bye, Lydia, I will miss you, because we are never apart!" This is so true! He and Lydia are truly the best of friends (most of the time). I have prayed this since I found out I was pregnant with Thomas when Lydia was 8 months old!
I've posted some pics of the kiddos taken recently. Let me add that Sam has not yet had his first haircut, but against my wishes it will be happening sometime soon. However, I do think we have ended up with a curly headed kid!!! Glad to be back and hope to post more soon!
Not sure that anyone is still reading, but if you are we're back! Our blog was down for a while, but my computer genius husband resurrected it. I have not posted since last November, and I won't even attempt to catch up on the past seven months. A statement to sum it all up is this... "Life is always about adjusting to the new normal." For us, our most recent adjustment has been learning to live life without babies in our home. It has been strange, and I often find myself struggling to meet the demands of three little people now that they are all very good at expressing themselves! All three can talk, walk, feed themselves, go to the bathroom on their own, and even reason with me to some degree. For the past five years we have had a "baby", but not anymore.
We were recently in Wedowee visiting Ben's family and our uncle asked us "where is your little one?" Good question... we don't have one anymore. I will say that at times it makes me sad, and at other times I enjoy the freedom that comes with our children being somewhat self-sufficient. Still challenging, but just in different ways. I have found that having the three of them so close together was a brilliant idea, and I'm so thankful that the Lord knew what we needed even when we thought we'd go crazy that first year!!!
I have no huge news to report, and since last November we have not moved or changed jobs (which is another adjustment we are making as we learn to live outside the world of transition). It has been such a fruitful season of healing and restoration for our entire family. We have made the decision to home school Lydia in the fall. She will begin Kindergarten! Today she went to a local VBS, and as she was leaving Thomas said "Bye, Lydia, I will miss you, because we are never apart!" This is so true! He and Lydia are truly the best of friends (most of the time). I have prayed this since I found out I was pregnant with Thomas when Lydia was 8 months old!
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