Been Quiet but had to Post

Been kind of quiet lately, actually super busy really, I have lots to write about but no time to do it. I came across this on a blog I follow it's excellent and thought I would post it. I have pictures from valentine's day father/daughter dance...apparently this is quite popular as many church's and friends we know went to a father/daughter dance this weekend.

Promise to post soon.

Here is what Erica had from her website (click Today's Challenge to read the whole thing).

Today’s Challenge:

As a minister to your family, what is God’s plan for you as a homeschooler and parent? Take some time today to remind yourself who you are in Christ. (I realize this is geared towards mom’s, but really can be applied to any parent.)

Super Mom	Abiding Mom
Does	Is (Psalm 46:10)
Tries to impress others	Pleases the Lord (Eph. 5:10, Proverbs 29:25)
Is controlled by an agenda (curriculum, schedule, etc)	Is controlled by the Holy Spirit: (Gal. 5:22-26) (Uses curriculum & schedules as tools for orderliness so she's more free to follow the spirit)
Her self worth is found in her accomplishments (clean house, perfect kids, the perfect bulletin boards, etc.)	Her self worth is found in an accurate view of who she is in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10)
Her peace is found in the “perfect” environment	Her peace is found in Jesus in the midst of any storm (Is 26:3)
She is discouraged by failure	Failure reminds her that God's strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
She expects perfection from herself and others	She practices grace with herself and others (Eph 4:32)
She teaches her kids to be good	She teaches her kids to be Godly (Proverbs 22:6)
She is frustrated with her lack of spiritual fruit	She abides in Christ and bears much fruit (John 15:5)
She does things with her children	She builds a relationship with her children (Deut 6:6-7)
Her perspective is based on what is seen	Her perspective is based on what is unseen (Col 3:2)
She chooses quantity of activities	She chooses the most excellent Way (I Cor 13)
Her kids may recall how busy she always is.	Her children rise and call her blessed. (Prov. 31:28)

Snow Bound

So we have been snowbound for the last few days...like everyone else in the Washington Metro region...actually we could have went out today, but we had a play date with Anna and Sabine. I didn't get any pictures because we were all a little busy, it got a little hairy when the girls decided they were going to play train the dog after playing with dolls for a while, but they had a good time and it was a long time since we have seen them.

After they went home, the girls went out to play with the boys next door and they wound up coming over for a short while and they all helped me make snowcream....thanks everyone for their recipes. We had wanted to make this since my friend Heather suggested it yesterda, and then reading the different versions on Leighann's and Courtney's blog, but I didn't have any real milk or cream, so I couldn't do it before today. So thanks Cindy for stopping at the store for me on your way to pick up the girls.
I thought it was kind of slushy and watery, although the chocolate helped, but all the kids loved it and the boys went home and told Josh and Cara they needed to make snowcream..LOL..
It almost felt like Grand Central station here, with kids in and out all day but I was actually able to clean 3 bathrooms (thanks to my little helpers) another load of laundry, several returned phone calls and some bookkeeping done....Lord knows that's not a favorite activity.
So we have baked muffins, shoveled snow, built trains, puzzles, schooling and tonight we topped off the night with art. We painted today because I promised like a week ago and well I finally had to just say yes instead of we will.....soon...and try to fit it into our crazy schedule. I know it's just paint, but I'm still trying to draw and cut out the right size Flat Stanley's to send to my sister in India...he may even have to go to see Renee and Damien in Thailand....before heading to Hungry to see Zach, Julie and their boys. Hopefully I can get them done this week, the girls will love it if I can pull it off, within a reasonable amount of time.
We are looking forward to getting out of the house this weekend, although we used to look forward to our weekends, now it's a series of go, go, go, with basketball games, tomorrow a birthday party and Awana on Sunday... it will almost be a relief for Monday to come..haha. I for one will be glad that Michael returns tonight, he was even able to get an earlier flight back...YIPPEE...They have continued to plow our streets today trying to widen the streets in our neighborhood and one of the plows blocked my driveway...you can imagine I just about had a fit, but I graciously asked them if they could kindly move the big pile that was now in my driveway to the side so I could get in and out. He obliged but I still had to shovel a little so that it was wide enough for when Michael came home and for me if I needed to get out.
(I love this little man, even if he makes me absolutely crazy with his 2 year old screeching). So that has been our experience the last few days. The weather on line says we are going to get some light snow next week so we'll see...really there are only 51 days till spring. Can't wait.

Snow

We had our first real snow of the season. We had an ice storm not too long ago but this is the first significant snow...we only got 9 inches which truth be told is not too bad. My parents got 18, plus they have been pounded already a couple of times this winter so I am grateful that we only got 9". The hardest part was that Michael is out of town, he was able to get out yesterday before the storm got bad and he gets back late tomorrow night, we are supposed to have a dusting tomorrow so hopefully that won't let him have any delays.

This is as far as Jaden got for at least an hour. He refused to get off the front porch until there was a clear path, and then and only then did he decide he could safely venture out into the snow and pick up a shovel, but he never actually went in the snow. Just stood next to it. It was pretty hilarious.

Kaleigh attempting to clean off the car until I told her to get off.

Jordan was very eager to help. Too bad the snow was so deep she couldn't get under it.

Jordan had to help Madison who got stuck in the snow with her boots.

Attempting to make snow angels, although it was a little too deep. They kind of just stayed floating on top.

All of these pictures were taken before our neighbor came over with his two sons in tow to help us shovel out our driveway and sidewalks. Their service was a great blessing to our family, thanks guys! Now I can get out of my driveway and Michael even has room to pull in behind me, since he can't park on the street when he gets home, hopefully he can get home tomorrow night!

Happy Birthday Madison

My sweet baby girl turned 4...Wow I can't believe I just wrote that. I love her smile, I wish she would show it more often. She is one strong willed child, but when she sets her mind to something she will do it. She is funny and sneaky and lovable all at the same time. One minute she's making me crazy and the next, I just want to hold her and squeeze her and love on her all day long. I always said she's the mix child, half of me and half of Michael and every day I see more and more of it in. She has the very best and the not so very best qualities of both of us. Her mannerism, her looks, her size all of it, is the mix, but there is nothing about her personality that is mixed. She is very set in her ways when she wants to be and still a full adventurer. She is the only one of my children who isn't afraid of heights, she loves the roller coaster and the Ferriswheel. She's still more reserved when it comes to people and can be very shy in some ways, some days they ask me if she can even speak yet since she will not say a word. But she is very choosy about who she shares her time with and who she will let in, in that way she is cautious.

I love that her best friend is her brother, they are always looking for each other no matter where they are, they always want to play together.

She wanted a Minnie cake for her birthday so Michael made her a Minnie Mouse cake and she loved it and we love our wonderful 4 year old.

Basektball

The girls are playing basketball this year, it's the first time they have ever played a team sport and this year they chose basketball. Now we tried soccer once, Jordan hated it and I'm pretty sure Kaleigh wouldn't mind as long as Jordan was doing it to. But this year they wanted to play basketball instead of gymnastics or ballet. So we are trying Upwards. It's a Christian organization league that really advocates encouragement and fair play. No one sits on the bench the whole time while the star player plays, everyone plays equal amount of time and the coaches are extremely encouraging. The girls are learning about playing on a team and not letting each other down and it's still competitive enough to make it exciting. Yes I'm learning to not be one of those parents who cheers too loud, luckily I cheer for everyone, even if they are on the other team. A good shot is a good shot.

Each game starts with a prayer and words for fair play.

Kaleigh is a defensive wiz, she hasn't figured out how to switch from defense to offense, but she'll get there.

She's still learning to dribble the ball, but she gets better every week.

Jordan's game is a little more fast paced so my shots are a little more blurry.

She has a good dribble and we are still figuring out how to play offense and defense.

At the end of the game they go back to the locker rooms discuss some of the key points of the game and then they get stars for whatever the coach thinks they highlighted in the game. It is encouraging in one sense, but can definitely support a boastful attitude if not careful. Luckily my girls seem to be handling it well, they are not all that concerned about the stars, they just like being on a team and having us cheer them on when they play.

Trying out a new look

I'm trying to update and simplify my blog but I'm having a hard time so pardon the crazy colors while I figure this all out.

Catching up through Christmas

Trying to catch up through Christmas so I can start blogging for our new year...

If you click on each collage it will open up the picture in a new tab and make the picture bigger.

Had a good Christmas, the kids stayed home the whole day, had Michael's parents Christmas eve and Christmas day. The kids had a great day, they stayed in their pajamas until about 3:00 in the afternoon, to which they changed clothes just for dinner and got in their new American girl pajamas for bed. At least I made them all brush their teeth before they went downstairs to open presents.

Three days before Christmas the kids made the annual Gingerbread house or in this case Gingerbread Village. Everyone had a house to decorate and lots of candy to eat. We almost attempted to make our own gingerbread but we couldn't add another thing to our already packed schedule.
And just for good measure, we went to the Great Wolf Lodge the week before Christmas. They have a homeschool discount that is almost less than half what it would cost per night. They do it a few times a year, Feb, Sept and Dec. So basically for the price of one night at the regular rate, we stayed for two. If you get the chance, take advantage, even if you have to take a day or two off from school. I wish I would have remembered to take a picture of the room, but if you click on the sight, it's the wolf den room, it was perfect for our family of 6.

We all had a great time and we loved it, we're hoping to do it again, but this time we will will know, swimming in the pool all day plus partying at night, does not make for some happy children, even with a mid day rest. Lesson for all.....all fun in moderation.....but I still would do it again.