A long year

I can't say it's been the easiest year, or the year I had imagined. But God is at work, as always, and I am leaning in.  The first half of the year I was devoting my full time to the second half of homeschooling all 3 children- Jack in 9th, Josh in 7th/8th, and Lydia Joy in 3rd.  The children had a wonderful school year.  All three managed to make all As and were very good students.  I was amazed at how self-motivated the boys were in school, developing really excellent habits and skills.  Jackson formed some very close friends, Josh seemed more comfortable in his own skin, and I had some much-needed time with Lydia Joy.  Our craft time and baking time forged some sweet memories for both of us!  We needed that time together!
Around May that peaceful year came to a crashing halt as we decided it was time to move out of the house that we were renting from my parents.  The late spring was filled with looking at houses, house plans, properties, etc.  At the beginning of June we moved and our summer of unpacking and house projects began!
We absolutely love being nearer to our church and school communities!  Our house is on a 3.5 acre lot which suits us all so much better!  We love the farmhouse style of the house and have enjoyed making it ours!  No doubt that a move is stressful and time-consuming though.  We had a very bad experience with the previous owner.  He bought this house at an auction as a foreclosure.  He made promises that were not kept and was very difficult.  When we finally- after months of unnecessary drama- made it to closing, he withheld our house keys for several days.  What an ordeal!
After about a month of moving in, the property to the side of our house- several hundred acres-began being developed.  So the almost PERFECT house for us is now next to daily construction.  The noise has been really disappointing, but we are adjusting. The house itself and property, along with our neighborhood, is really wonderful and we are thankful.
One of the most exciting aspects of moving has been having friends in our neighborhood!  By God's grace, we live next door to two sweet girls that are close to Lydia Joy's age.  Having friends to play with outside after school has been a new, very fun experience for her!  We are all thrilled for our very extroverted girl! In addition, we know five other families who live in this neighborhood and have those friends to enjoy, call on when we need help, carpool with, and get together with from time to time. It is a very sweet gift!
Overall, the house has been an enormous blessing. We love being more available for fun get togethers with friends, closer to school- Lydia Joy wanted to go back to her school, and in closer community with our church.  I am praying that this home and area will continue to feel more and more like ours and soon we will be completely settled.  Very thankful to our gracious God for these gifts!

My resident biology expert and his sidekick

These two were the tour guides for the 2nd grade field trip to Ebenezer Swamp. Pretty amazing to have a biologist husband who can walk through any forest in the Southeast and randomly name the native plants and their uses.  He is pretty knowledgeable about animals, as well.  What an amazing gift.  According to the parents, they were a big hit!

Hello spring!

An unusually warm winter- picnic with one of her sweet friends

So much for writing more! It has been an eventful winter! A lot of travel for Andy and flying solo for me. Many good school days. A lot of fun events for the children. Life! Yesterday I washed all of our jackets and gathered our heavy coats to go to the cleaners. We pulled out spring and summer clothes. The kids wore sandals/flip flops. And Lydie did her last winter craft. Usually all these things mean it will inevitably be freezing one more time. But I am moving forward any way. HELLO SPRING!!! I love you so much!!

We are coming to the end of this season of renting a house. We are finally ahead of the disaster of selling our beloved "White House" in Atlanta and paying such an ENORMOUS amount at closing (due to the changing economy). Our savings has a down payment stash waiting and our debt is so very low. No car payments currently (Help my old car to continue on, Lord!). We are ready to buy a house and just BE. And we have been so blessed- even in these transition years. Life has been good- trials and all. Because He is good and faithful.

Winter project

After a wonderful year of homeschooling and being together every day, Lydie has decided to return to her little school in the fall. She is extremely extraverted and misses the company of classmates every day. We are fully supporting her and excited for her. Two of my very good friends teach the two 4rth grade classes, and I know she will have a great year! Her best friend is over the moon, and we are praying they get in the same class next year! And I am SO thankful for this special time with her in 3rd grade. I know her as a student so much better. And every moment together- every book read side by side- has bonded our hearts together in a sweeter way as daughter and Mom! I have loved it!

The boys have thrived in the homeschool/co-op life! Joshua doubled up on studies and is skipping his eighth grade year! He has made all As- even with taking double math classes! He will be ready for Geometry in the fall. He is going to begin an amazing Engineering course on-line that will continue with 4 credits by graduation. His academic ability is simply a gift from God. I hope he will always be a good steward of it!

Jack is really doing so well. He has by far found his nitch the most and loves this lifestyle. He will complete his freshman year with three honors classes under his belt. He has a 4.3 so far. He works so hard. Latin, honors classes, ACT practice every day. The boy is compliant and trusts me completely when I give him hard assignments. His willingness to work hard- even when he can't fully understand how it will be rewarded down the line-is amazing. He takes driver's ed this summer and then gets his license on July 31st. That event will mark a brand new chapter in our lives...I'm not quite ready to turn the page.

It has been such a sweet year. So many developmental changes with two teenagers and a preteen. But it has been so good to see them grow in wisdom AND stature. Looking forward to spring with happy anticipation!

Winter road trips!

Andy and Jack went with the high school youth group to ski in North Carolina. They had a wonderful time and a lot of snow!

Meanwhile, these two took a trip with me to Moundeville after studying about native Americans in ancient history. Fascinating!

The kids and I went to Chattanooga for a quick trip to the aquarium with our co-op. The group picture...with my fingers in it!

Valentine's day celebrations

 Deciding what to wear to co-op for the Valentine's party was a BIG deal. New outfit and fun heart hair made the cut!

 Date nights are not so hard to come by with a 15 year old live-in helper son! We spent the evening in Homewood- Little Donkey restaurant and Octane coffee shop afterwards. Just a fun night together! It was our 23rd Valentine's day together!

First Christmas party of the season

Sweet Ellie was held by everyone and not one tear. What an easy baby she is!

He pays a visit every year

She is my brother's only niece, and she loves it that way!

Jack, the oldest grandchild, plays peek-a-boo with the youngest, Ellie

The grandparents have 12 grandchildren from just 4 children!

Chelle has caught a little grief for this picture! Ha! What a ham!

Dad, Mom, Aunt Charlotte, and Mom's brother Uncle Jim

We couldn't get enough of the babies tonight. Ellie and Erynn stole our hearts.  Aunt Charlotte always has a fun Christmas party. It's laid back and relaxing and we get plenty of time to just enjoy one another.  So glad Aunt Charlotte is in good health this year.  Love this little group!

November already

These days back at home and home schooling again have turned into seasons and it is almost time to buy our Christmas tree!  To say this has been a sweet season for us is an understatement!  I have enjoyed so much a slower pace, focus at home, and all day with these precious souls.  It isn't perfect, but it is oh so good.

Jack and Josh are 95% independent learners. I help mainly with Math and Latin.  I grade their work and review what they missed and they move along.  They require very little teaching.  And by God's grace, they are 100% self-motivated.  As with so many things, Jack seems to set the tone for his younger siblings. He has his sights set on film school and is motivated daily by this big goal. He practices for the ACT every day.  He has made straight A's.  It's a joy to see him work hard and succeed. 

Most of my time is spent with Lydie.  This was my goal from the beginning, as she spent her kindergarten, first, and second grade years with a very busy and tired Mama who was a full-time teacher.  She and I snuggle and read, paint together, play review games with balloons and chalk, and have good days together.  She is doing so well.  She thrives with one-on-one time together!  Of course some mornings I drag her along, or have work to do or appointments and have to rush through the fun stuff.  But every moment is a gift and I am incredibly thankful for this year together.

My only thought looking forward to the new year and the second half of school is to pray it will be as smooth and enjoyable as these last months! 

"The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it."

Henry David Thoreau

Quiet Halloween

Merida and our 50s girl braved the rain for candy together

This years the boys had no interest in Halloween. I think Halloween is really silly. But still, it feels weird that they are too old to participate. They were actually going to go to a campfire/party, but it was rained out. So just Lydie and I went to trick or treat with friends. It was rainy and her cute saddle Oxfords rubbed a fierce blister on her heel. So we were done in an hour. The kids ate the candy for about a day and the rest just stared up at me for weeks until I threw it out. Weird.

My Dad and Harper Lee

My Dad is always full of surprises! He and Mom took us out to dinner tonight. I was telling him that I started a book club and we just read Harper Lee' s newly released book. He said, "Granddaddy and I used to fish with her all the time." Apparently she had a cabin near Mr. Jaffey's, Granddaddy's employer, on the coast. He said Harper Lee was a great fisherman and an excellent poker player. He had funny stories of her kicking Mr. Jaffey out of the boat once. Granddaddy had to drive the boat and the vehicles to ensure everyone's safety! Crazy! Wish I could ask Granddaddy for more details. So many untold adventures!

Beautiful botanical gardens

After lunch yesterday we left the books behind and enjoyed one of the most beautiful places in Birmingham. It was cool, sunny, and breezy at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Lovely afternoon!