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Monday, March 2, 2009

Snow Storm 2009

Well, we finally got some snow. We've had snow in Charlotte, but this side of town hasn't been hit real hard yet. But last night we got I think around 4-5 inches. The kids went out Sunday night (3/1/09) as it started and played in it a little. It was hard to get Michael in. He was so afraid there wouldn't be any more snow in the morning. We had to do some hard convincing to get him to come in and also to realize that there would be more snow in the morning.

We all bundled up and went outside about 8:30 AM. We had a lot of fun throwing snowballs and building a fort. Michael had a blast excavating us out of the snow.

Unfortunately, I made him stop so I could take advantage of a photo opp!

We all started building a fort so we could have a snowball fight. It took a while to build this fort cause it was so big! And of course, us females had to plan it out!

Madisyn had a good idea of filling buckets of snow to build the fort. We found another bucket to make it go a little faster. Mike and Madisyn did most of the building. I helped pack in the holes and Michael helped excavate!

When it was finally finished, Michael decided he would test it out and play king of the fort.

Finally it was done and they all enjoyed throwing snowball at each other. I think daddy enjoyed it just as much if not more. Madisyn, Michael, Chrissie and Tony decided to try to pound daddy with snowballs!

I usually don't like going out and playing in the snow mostly because I don't have any snowboots or good gloves to play. So I get cold pretty quick. But luckily the sun was out and helped keep me warm. I actually stayed outside for 2 1/2 hours and played. I think that is a record for me! I did alot of picture taking during that time of course, but somebody had too! It's not very often that we get this much snow so I had to make sure I got it on camera. I couldn't resist the beautiful way God rested the snow on the treetops and everything He created. So had to take pictures of it.

I'm glad we got out and played in it when we did because even as I type this which is in the mid-afternoon of the same day, a majority of the snow has already melted. Madsiyn was hoping so bad it would snow this year. She has been so disappointed that we haven't gotten much snow so far. But finally, she got her wish and was able to enjoy some winter fun!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Presentations

In our homeschool co-op, the kids do weekly presentations. We enjoyed putting our presentations together. Madisyn did a recent presentation on the state of North Carolina and Michael did one Winter at Valley Forge.

I normally don't get to watch Madisyn's presentations because I am teaching the 4 and 5 year old class. But I was able to step out for a few minutes to watch her this time. It was nice to be able to see how far she is coming along on public speaking. Michael is also doing very well at presenting. He is definitely not shy!

Because Michael is a big fan of construction equipment, he decided to do a presentation on just that. He was beaming as he talked about what an excavator and bulldozer and dump truck do. He is also the only boy in the class. So he was in all his glory!

He was also very protective of his John Deere construction vehicles as he passed them out for the girls to play with.

A Day at the Circus

A couple weeks ago, when Charlotte got some snow, we decided to go to Discovery Place. I felt bad for the kids, because all of the snow on our end of town was melted by 10:00 am.

Discovery Place had a circus exhibit which the kids enjoyed very much. They got to put on costumes and act out a circus. Of course Madisyn was the Ring Master.

Jeanie and Zada McCoy came with us. Which worked out perfect. Because as soon as we got there, both of my kids wanted to go in different directions. So Jeanie took the girls upstairs while I stayed in the little kiddie area with Michael for a little bit.

While the girls were upstairs in the exhibit area, they got to walk on tight wires. Madisyn was all over this! I didn't get to see it, but I know what a dare devil she is and she said it was lots of fun. I hate I missed it.

When Michael and I got upstairs, they dressed him up and joined the circus fun! Too cute!

Madisyn even decided to try a little workout while we were there! Doesn't she look strong!

We had a really good time. It was good to break away from the normal routine and get out and just have fun! Even though my kids had no idea there were learning at the same time! Aren't we moms sneaky like that!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Catching Up!

It's been a while since I've posted to our blog. So I'm in the process of trying to catch up! Plus, I've had one person in particular (you know who you are!) who keeps asking me when I'm going to update our blog. So here it is!

Because it's been a year...correction....over a year since I've posted, I'll just start with last month and try to post the highlights from last year when I can.

Last month, we had a busy, but blessed month. I was actually sad this year to see the Christmas decorations come down. Usually I'm ready the day after Christmas to get everything down and back to normal. This year, I didn't want to take everything down. And even little Michael sat in the chair after everything was put away and had a really sad look on his face. I asked him what was wrong and he said, "I miss the tree." I told him that when I was a little girl, I use to always be sad too when the tree came down. But I also told him that the Joy of Christmas lives in our heart everyday. That Joy can be with us even when the tree comes down. Because that Joy is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Who is always with us!

We took a couple field trips last month admist our trying to finish up Christmas shopping and everything that goes with it.

Our first field trip was to Samaratin's Purse. That was a really fun and informative field trip. We learned so much about how our gifts boxes are prepared and sent to little children all over the world. The people that work there were so nice!

First the kids got to draw pictures of themselves and write a little note to put in a box and prayed over the boxes being sent.

Then they learned about how the boxes were sorted through to make sure they didn't have items in them that can't be sent. Some items were chocolate (cause it could melt!), toy soliders, money, liquids. After learning about this, then they got to form teams to be in a relay race to see what team could go through their box the

quickest and find items that didn't belong.

Then we took a tour around the facility. It really helped us to have a good vision of where and how it all happens.

Then went into what looked like a tent and they mimiced what it would be like to be in country across the world during a distribution of the boxes. Each child was handed a box, just like the children from around the world would be.

After that we all went upstairs for light refreshments and face painting. It truly helped start out our month with a feeling of what the true meaning of Christmas is...which is giving.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Autumn at the YMCA

Autumn is my most favorite time of year. And this year's autumn has been so beautiful! The colors are more vibrant than I've ever seen!

Although we are experiencing a severe drought, the conditions are actually perfect for fall colors to be at their best. Madisyn and I did a study a couple years ago on trees in the autumn. For fall colors to be at their best, the trees need dry, cold nights. And we have been having those.

For the past few weeks when I get in my car to go home from teaching at the Y, I have parked in front of a patch of beautful trees. In fact, sometimes when I get in my car I just sit there for a few moments and soak up the beauty of God's creation.

Because I love photography and taking pictures, I decided to capture this moment in time before all the leaves were gone.

This particular autumn just reminds me of how good our God is. Even during a severe drought, He has given us these beautiful colors to enjoy. And that even goes with life itself. Even during trials, He is still good and continues to bless us time and time again. Even when we don't deserve it. Thank you Lord!

Our Newest Family Member

Madisyn has been asking for a dog for about a year. But we didn't feel she was quite ready for the added responsibility.

While training her in the area of responsibility and diligence with chores and schoolwork, we started searching for a dog over the summer. We found some that priced from $2,500 (RIDICULOUS!!!) to $600. Then finally found one in our price range and the breeder lived in the same town as my mother in law and father in law. We started seeing improvement in Madisyn with her chores and schoolwork, so felt she was ready for more responsibilty.

We were hoping to surprise her on Christmas day with her new puppy, but that wasn't going to work out. Although the breeder was willing to keep the dog for another month, she suggested we take the dog sooner rather than later so he would have a chance to get used to us and us to him. In addition to starting the house training process. Which so far he has done pretty good. The breeder did some ground work while she had him and we can tell she did a good job!

We gave the puppy to Madisyn on Saturday. She had no idea she was getting it, because we have been telling her all this time she is not getting a dog! She was so surprised! In fact, she was speechless. She couldn't say anything at all. She just stood there for a long time with this big smile on her face holding the puppy.

So far the puppy seems to be a keeper. Plus the fact he has the smallest, most adorable face you've ever seen! He's only 1 1/2 pounds right now, so he's pretty small. He looks like a ball of fur!

Madisyn is doing really well with the puppy so far. This will be our first week with doing school and having the added responsibility of the puppy.....so we'll see how she does.

We haven't found a name for the puppy yet, although we are leaning toward Corky. Corky is the name of the first dog Mike and I had. We got him a month after we were married. He became like our first child. We loved him so much! But when he was about 10 years old he contracted some kind of disease that started shutting down all his internal organs. He died within 2 days of showing signs of not feeling well. That was a very sad day in our lives.

One reason we thought of naming him Corky is in honor of our first dog and because he looks so very much like Corky did when we got him. Only this dog is a darker color of apricot.

Hopefully we'll find the right name for him soon. In the meantime, we have been enjoying him. You can't help but enjoy him cause he's so cute!!

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Crossway Homeschool Spelling Bee 2007

Madisyn particpated in the spelling bee at our church on Friday, October 26th. We worked hard all month on her words to be sure she knew them. It paid off, because she got 2nd in her grade level.

I was so nervous when she was called up for the tiebreaker. It was between her and another girl named Abigail. Most of my pictures turned out blurry because I was shaking so much from being nervous! ha ha ha

I was very proud of our little girl. She kept cool under pressure and even was a little animated when she spelled a word correct that she had no idea how to spell.

At our last spelling bee, 2 years ago, she also placed 2nd. I know in her heart she really wanted 1st place, but she was such a good sport by embracing and congratulating Abigail who took 1st place. One of the moms, who was a judge, stopped her after the spelling bee to tell her how she was blessed by her congratulating the other girl and that her humility pleased the Lord. Madisyn truly has a heart for people and it's times like these that it is evident.

Mike and I are the ones who have taken 1st place, for the Lord to bless us with a beautiful, caring, loving child.