Boy Scouts

Bobby (front - missing both front teeth!!) and Stephen (back right) with Mr. Ed - one of their Scout leaders. They are enjoying scouting. This week they learned about fire safety with a tour through a smoke house.

Family Affair

As I have mentioned before, we are always looking for good family TV we can all watch together. This weekend the children loved Family Affair. Remember Buffy and Jodi? I loved my Mrs. Beasley doll when I was young!!! :-)



We watched the very first episodes where Uncle Bill gets Buffy, then Jodi, and then finally Sissy. Everyone loved it. They can't wait for the next episodes to come in the mail.

We also watched the very first episode of the Andy Griffith show. It was so cute. Opie is little and meets Aunt Bee for the first time (and doesn't really like her to begin with). Without having cable, the Andy show is kinda new to our little children, while the bigger kids enjoy seeing it again as well.

Homing

"Well, of course that was all nonsense! She wasn't going back on the principles her mother had taught her. She was going to go steadily on trying to do as nearly right as possible. And perhaps some day God would give her a break!"

Jane in Homing by Grace Livingston Hill

Re-Creations

"Oh, but my dear! No one can take a daughter's place in a home when there is trouble, not such a daughter's place as you occupy, I'm sure. And as for the other thing, if you have it in you it will come out, you may be sure. You'll begin by decorating the home interior, and you won't lose anything in the end. Such things are never lost nor time wasted. God sees to that, if you are doing your best right where He put you. I can just see what an exquisite spot you'll make of that home, and how it will rest your mother to know you are taking her place."

Mrs. Maxwell to Cornelia in Re-Creations by Grace Livingston Hill

Congratulations Emily

Yeah!!! Emily got Terrific Kid at school today. Stephen got it yesterday. A good week for our kids huh? Bobby was home sick yesterday, so I didn't get to see Stephen get his award, but I was able to see Emily's today. Mrs. Wells talked about what a good girl she was - never having to be called down, always working hard and trying her best!! Where some of children seem to just get school with out much effort, Emily works very hard. I'm very proud of all the children. They are all doing so well in school.

The Honor Girl

"When the table was set, Elsie ran out into the yard, and picked a handful of yellow roses from the straggling old bush in the yard, and put them into a vase in the centre of the table. The always had flowers of some kind on the dinner-table at Aunt Ester's. It gave the one little festive touch now that showed a woman had been at work trying to make things beautiful."



The Honor Girl by Grace Livingston Hill

I really do love blogging!!! You just can't tell it from my lack of posts lately. Wow, things have been crazy around here!!!

If you would, please keep Troy in your prayers. He is working hard and trying to grow up. It's such a tough age and time in life. He has consumed most of my thoughts and energy lately. Which is a little hard considering I do have 6 other children!! Anyway, the others seem to be clicking along pretty well.

Brian is talking still of joining the service. If he does, he'll be leaving a couple of weeks before Christmas!! Again, hard for a mother's heart to think of!! More prayer!!!!!!!

I guess I am still adjusting to the children all going to school. I thought I would have all this time and get so much done. I feel like I am farther behind than when school started!!

Our washer died this past week. Our washer is a needed servant around here, it is used all day - every day; so the lifetime expectancy of a washer in this house isn't too long!!

Artie is so good at fixing things that we were hoping that he could fix this too (he has fixed it several times in the past). We ordered the part needed - a floater something - and waited over a week for it to arrive. So, everyday I've been lugging dirty clothes to the laundromat to wash. Now, for an average size family, this isn't quiet as big a deal as it is here!! We go through lots of clothes - one day has - 8 jeans, 8 shirts, 8 undies, 3 bras, 16 socks, 4 towels (we usually share when it works out), and then trying to wash one set of sheets a day to get through everyone's. Add in gym clothes, coats, wash clothes, dish clothes, dish towels, blankets, stuffed animals who need a bath, the list just seems to go on and on!!!! :-)

Okay, it's not quiet this bad, but.....

The part came in. So much for the washer's life - the part didn't fix it. Water is still pouring over the top of the washer. Now, I have to wait until Artie can go and get me a new one. It's not like a washer is something I can just run out and pick up during my grocery trip to Wal-Mart!! He's got to remove the old one and then find and bring home a new one. Hopefully, by this weekend, we'll be up and running again. Until then, I'm spending my days at the laundromat (trying to keep my clothes on my body!!). It is taking the place of my exercising right now. I don't have the time or the energy to do both!!

The one good thing of spending time at the laundromat, I was able to finish up my new Beverly Lewis book - The Forbidden. Ohhh, it's good. It's the second in the series of The Courtship of Nellie Fisher. The third one comes out this October I believe. I can't wait. I have now officially read off of Beverly's adult books and looking forward to the new one's arrival. Brenda is reading her series for teenagers - Summerhill Secrets and loving her as much as I do. I might just have to actually buy the new one at full price. Most I got at the library, off e-bay or through Paperback Swap. I never pay full price!!! :-)

So, I do plan of blogging more, it life allows!!! :-) See you all soon!!

I read the best quote today at the Sparrow's Nest



"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis is one of Troy's all-time favorite writers.

This quote is so great for dealing with teenagers. All you can do some days is look at them and shake your head wondering what are you doing, why aren't you thinking???? Then you look at God looking at you asking the same question and it kinda puts things into perspective for me!!

Graduation!!!!

I just got a call from Brian and he has finished up all his schooling. Today was his last day. He is officially a high school graduate!!! He's worked so hard to get here. I'm very proud!!! He's such a smart guy, I can't wait to see what he does next!!

Myrtle Beach 2008

Here's a picture that Brenda's D-Group leader, LeAnn (in the middle in the white shorts), sent me from their beach trip. They had so much fun. They got up extra early each day to go out on the beach and have their quiet time. (Brenda is in the green tank top)

The beach trip is always such a fun time and special to have time to really focus on God. Brenda was happy to strengthen her relationship with God to an even deeper level. If you pray for her, her prayer is to be more diligent in her alone time with God - reading her Bible and praying.

Democratic National Convention

I don't post much on worldly affairs - there are plenty of other people who take much more of an interest in them than I do. But I have to say, I have been watching the Democratic National Convention on TV this week.

They have good stuff to say - end the war responsibly, lower taxes for working class, clean up the environment, unity, peace, love.... it just goes on and on. Yeah, all that's great, but what does it matter if we still allow our country to kill off it's unwanted babies. What makes us different from the Nazi's? Kill those we don't like, approve of, want?

Our pocketbooks are probably tighter than most of any who read any writings I do, but what does it all matter if we continue to kill our nation's babies? I know and understand the economy is important, but I pray that people will vote not out of their pocketbooks, but out of their hearts for the unborn.






I saw this picture on Highlights from Higher Ground: From the Mission Field of the Home - where the hungry are fed and the naked are clothed. This is what the Democrats see when they open their hotel windows each morning.

It's good to see people taking a stand. American Right to Life Action "successfully captured a Guinness world record by displaying a 530-foot tall and 666-foot wide abortion protest sign weighing more than 2,700 pounds, sewn together with four miles of stitching linking 2,400 twin sheets. " according to WND. The article said that supports began planning as soon as they heard that Denver was picked as the host city of the convention.

Brian Rohrbough, vice president of ARTL Action said "the group wants voters to recognize that Democrats have nominated a candidate who will support the killing of unborn children. 'We want the public to realize that anyone who promotes killing the innocent is evil and should not be supported," Rohrbough said. "We're trying to point out that the Democrats have aligned themselves with this vicious practice of killing innocent children. The reality is if the candidate doesn't realize it's wrong to kill another person, then they're not fit to govern. It doesn't matter what issue they're right on if they're wrong on the issue of the sanctity of life."

My friend Gwyn is home!!!! It's not for long, but she's home!!

Gwyn and her family have been in Costa Rica for the past year at language school learning Spanish. They are in route to the Dominican Republic to work at an orphanage - Restoration Ranch. But, I can't even think about that right now. She's here for several weeks and I just want to enjoy the time we have together.

Today we spent the whole day alone together. Guess we probably haven't done that ever (maybe in high school???). It was so nice to be able to talk about everything under the sun. We weren't interrupted or had to spell out any secrets!! :-)

It was such a nice day. We went out to lunch and shared some yummy cheese fries!! We're planning her birthday outing soon. Shay's promised one more day of keeping the children for her so we can go and celebrate her.

I can't believe I didn't get any pictures, next time!! They are off for a fun late afternoon at the dentist now. Gotta get everything checked up well before they leave the country again.

Here is a picture of the house they are gonna live in at the DR...

Here is the front of the house. No worries about the children running out and playing in the road huh? :-) Gwyn, gotta do something about that Clemson orange though!!!!

Living room and dining room - I think this is going to be such a beautiful house for them. I especially love all the arches and angles. Gwyn will fix it up beautifully I know!!!

Kitchen - way bigger than the little kitchen she had in Costa Rica.

Backyard - what do you call it with no yard? Back area? Lots of room for riding toys!!!

Here's a link if you are interested in checking out the progress of the Restoration Ranch.

First Day

Stephen's Day

On the way to school, Stephen grabbed hold of my arm and wouldn't let go. He said "I might just take you with me." :-)



First thing - word search

Breakfast

Art

Mrs. Gordon read 'Don't let the pigeon drive the bus'

Silent reading time - read 'Nemo' and '3 Billy Goats Gruff'

Lunch

Recess - exercised!!

Packed up

Story time

Practiced Leaving

Stephen's favorite part - word search. This boy loves pencil puzzles - word searches or any type of puzzle on paper.



Bobby's Day

First thing - Breakfast - chocolate milk and a muffin, he said they just "hit the spot"

Art

Mrs. Mann read 'Miss Nelson is missing'

Word search

Snack - chocolate chip cookie

Lunch

Recess - played with his friend Colby tag and hide and seek

Pack up

Practice leaving

Bus

Bobby's favorite part - having Mrs. Mann, his teacher from last year, back again as his teacher this year.



Terry's Day

Started the day in the cafeteria for breakfast - a blueberry muffin and apple juice

Went to the kindergarten room

All sat on the rug - criss cross applesauce (Indian style)

Everyone told their names

Mrs. Cannon read 'The Kissing Hand'

Sang songs about school

He thought it was pretty cool after the bathroom they didn't have to wash their hands (they used hand sanitizer!!) :-)

Lunch - chicken nuggets, french fries, ketchup (that part was important to Terry), juice bar and chocolate milk

Recess - tag and a 4 person seesaw

Rest time

Favorite part - Recess, lunch, singing songs

So, we are a week into it and all still seem to like school. The homework seems like a lot with all four of them - plus three speech classes - plus helping Brenda with Algebra and spelling, but I know we will get into a better rhythm as we work through it. Alls well~~~~~

Emily's Day

All the little children wanted to tell a little bit about their first day at school. Emily's first...

First thing - did a word search

Breakfast - chocolate milk (didn't want to eat the muffin - maybe a little too excited?)

Math - worked on multiplication

Social Studies - (South Carolina history this year) - learned about the SC flag

Recess - played on the swings

Big deal - got to wash her hands in the classroom - didn't even have to go in the bathroom! :-)

Lunch - chicken nuggets, juice bar, chocolate milk

Art

Practiced leaving~~

Favorite part of the day - new teacher - Mrs. Wells

The First Day of School

What is Mama going to do with all her babies at school?



Everyone kissing Mama bye!!

Troy and Brenda ready for the first day at school - Troy at the high school and Brenda at the middle school.

Emily, Stephen, Bobby and Terry at the elementary school.












Terry's First Day of School






He was excited because he could reach the tall water fountain all by himself!




So, his mama and daddy followed him all the way to the class room.



Follow Me...



Down the long hall

He looks so little in that big hall!!!

Hey, we made it!!! Here's my room. But it's locked. Time for breakfast in the cafeteria..

Have to get my name tag so the teacher will know who I am...

Apple Juice

and a Blueberry Muffin















These three classes are all beside each other - Stephen, Bobby and Emily....

Stephen's Class with Mrs. Gordon

Bobby's Class with Mrs. Mann


And Emily's Class with Mrs. Wells

Brenda's 13th Birthday Party

Brenda started off her birthday party with a Jonas Brother's birthday cake. What could be better huh?


There were presents
bowling dancing,


a cake fight :-)

and games. I think the girls had a fun night. Brenda has been blessed with great girl friends!!

I'm so proud of the young woman she is turning into.

She finished the evening off by spending the night with her friend, Emily.

Air Conditioning

It's official ~~~~~ we now have air conditioning!!!!

For those of you not up on our crazy heating/air conditioning ~~~~ it's been a long time coming. (It's a 100 year old house and then there was a house fire that destroyed what we did have)

It's done now and we don't owe a dime on it. It could have been done much quicker, but we have made a commitment to God not to go into any more debt and we just waited until we could afford the air. It really is a luxury not a need. So my darling (HVAC Tech) husband has our house cool!!! We slept under covers last night for the first time since I can't remember when. It's sooooo nice!!! It's such a blessing to have a husband who can do so many things. It is such a big weight off his mind knowing this is taken care off. There are still some things we are going to keep working on to make it better (insulation, second unit for the upstairs) but it is cool today and that is all that matters right now!!! :-)

Busy Weeks

We are busily getting ready for school. Here's the countdown so far...

Dentist - done - 6 out of 6 children - plus an extra visit for 2 cavities for Emily

Eye Dr. - 2 out of 6 so far - 4 more to go next week - Terry had his first eye check up - he wasn't too keen on the puff of air or the eye drops - said he didn't think he would go back there!! :-)

School clothes, shoes and book bags - 5 out of 6 - Still have to do Troy's next week (I've been working on this one per week for the past 5 weeks - that way it wasn't such a chunk out of the budget. This is the first year that I've had to buy school clothes for all the children at the same time. $$$$ In home school, it didn't matter so much. Gwyn pointed out I am saving a lot of money this year with not having to buy any home school books - so I guess it really evens out!)

Registration - 1 of 6 done - Troy got his class list and school id yesterday, all the others go next week

Hair cuts - none done yet - what have I been doing, just sitting around?

I'm still looking forward (albeit a little nervously) to all the children going to school for the first time this year? Everyone keeps asking me what I'm going to do. (Stephen told a lady at church that I was going to spend my day watching Dr. Phil!!) :-) Even with them all gone, I don't think I'm going to have to hunt too hard to find things that need to be done!!! :-)