Friday, December 20, 2013

Celebrating hard work and good lessons

My three handsome men.  Hard workers, these guys, enjoying Flip Burger.
 We took the kids to their favorite restaurant and a movie tonight. We were celebrating all of the rich lessons they have learned in school this year. Biblical worldviews, many new things about God's world and Himself, interpersonal relationships, and perseverance.
When we go out to eat, she can always be found squished to my side in a booth.  I love it.




We are at the midpoint of the year. As has been the case in the past,  the children' s strengths and weaknesses, which are so varying, are in full bloom. Jack has little drive to work to his fullest potential,  but is eager to do the right thing and works hard when we ask him. He excels at writing and memorizing information. This gift is such a blessing in his classes which are so challenging and require him to recite long passages frequently.  He still considers Math to be a struggle. We work an hour to an hour and a half on it every night. He is learning how it feels to push through difficulty and reap the consequences of hard work. He has made all A's this year, including in Pre-Algebra. He got in the spelling bee again this year, as 1 of 3 representatives from 7th grade. We are so thankful for all he is learning. The biggest change in him this year is he questions everything and is occasionally argumentative. He is obviously learning to think for himself and stand on his own two feet. Good thing he is kind and tender or this stage might undue me!
Frozen was a great movie!

Joshua continues to make school look effortless.  He has made all A's with little effort. He is very independent with schoolwork and I often do not know what he has done until it comes home with a grade. It is rare that any of his grades dip below a 95. He also got in the spelling bee again this year. His academic strengths are in the math and sciences. He is a great reader, but is the only one of my children who doesn't love to read. If we go to Barnes and Noble, the other two are thrilled.  He is biding his time with the doodle books, puzzles, and such. He is an engineer through and through like my brother.  He struggles with losing things and with being often too reserved. But he has sweet friends, most of whom are completely goofy and loud, which is such an answer to prayer. The biggest way he has changed this year is he has become SO affectionate, hugging us constantly. It is so sweet!

Lydie is having a great year in first grade. She is a very diligent, motivated student. She is smart and seems to learn easily. Her most difficult aspect of school is memorizing, and she is required to do a lot of it! She gets the big concept, but has trouble remembering word-for-word details. Thankfully, she has made so much progress this year. Lydie has made almost all A+ due to hard work. Her work ethic and attention span are her greatest strengths. The biggest way she has changed is her spiritual growth. She has developed quite a prayer life and the beginning signs of discernment and wisdom. Praise God!

We are extremely thankful for a good first half of school.


I have more pictures of Lydie because the boys went to a different movie.  Ours was shorter and we had time to shop around.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Celebrating Jesus at school

16 precious gifts from God in Lydie's class
 This year I was able to attend Lydie's Christmas party.  As is often the case, I attend events in my own children's classrooms thanks to the kindness of my room mom's willingness to keep the class going while I am away.  I am deeply thankful to be able to work as a teacher, and yet not miss out in my own children's classrooms.  This is very important to me.
We provided plates and napkins.  Seeing her middle name on something at Christmas never gets old!
I am so full of gratitude as I reflect on Lydie's little first grade party.  These darlings sang, and quoted Luke 2, and each had a short speaking part, reminding their parents of the biblical account of Christ's birth and what it means for us even now in 2013.  They sang so innocently and boldly.  I am extremely thankful that they can worship and learn, all for the glory of God, in their classrooms.  I pray our freedoms are never taken away from us. 

Singing to Jesus!
Lydie's teacher is probably the most gifted teacher I have ever observed.  She has experience and wisdom and it oozes out of her responses to the children in every area.  If they are distressed, she has a biblical comfort.  If they are excited, she encourages them and thanks the Lord with them for whatever they are enjoying.  She points them to his guidance, grace, and mercy so naturally and tenderly.  Lydie responds so well to a gentle voice.  It is so inspiring to listen and watch her with our children.  I am very grateful that she shares her mornings with her teacher, especially during this season of Advent.  So thankful for the body of Christ and how we can minister to one another!

**Joshua was sick on Christmas party day!  We were so sad that he missed out!**

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Sweet Christmas program

This year our school Christmas program was short and sweet, so sweet.  I loved the beginning as the children sang in a processional as they entered the sanctuary and walked to their seats.  They then sang older Christmas hymns, less well-known, which were beautiful and rich.  The last song was a more modern and popular song, "Mary Did You Know?.  But the last verse was sang by a trio of ladies, one of which is a dear friend, who sound angelic together.  It was so beautiful.  Another addition that I loved was the violin and guitar students played songs as well.  It was a beautiful night, and such a lovely welcome to the Christmas season! I am so proud of my students and my children!
My three sweethearts
Joshua, 11 years old
Jackson, 13 years old
Lydia Joy with two of her best friends.  Beautiful girls from precious families!  Love them!
Lydia Joy, 7 years old
 "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices!" 

Monday, December 09, 2013

Random fun from December

Uncle Rick's birthday dinner 
What a pride-and-joy look he's giving his youngest daughter.
A friend's choir performance
 
The Nutcracker
Beautiful dancers and sets
A couple of nerdy-birds imitating the soldiers
My nieces' fun Christmas program
 
Time for books and Starbucks

My precious students, with their beautiful crayon-resist Bethlehem skyline drawings in the background
I love these little souls so much.  I am so blessed to spend my mornings with them!
 Lydie and her best friend on "Christmas Spirit Day" at school

Lydie at her cousin, Anna's, gingergread birthday party
Fun!
Lydie and Mom
SEC championship football game with Hester in Atlanta
My brother gave me two free tickets to the SEC championship football game in Atlanta.  My sweet friend from school and I went together and had a great day!  I enjoyed so much the time with her and especially the exciting football game!  War Eagle!  Made me think about how pushing 40 doesn't mean we can't be spontaneous and fun!  Carpe diem!!
This day was such a blast!  Auburn won the SEC championship and we were there!
“Jesus was God and man in one person, that God and man might be happy together again.”
George Whitefield 

Friday, December 06, 2013

Walk through Nativity

When we lived in Atlanta, one of my favorite Christmas traditions was a local church's recreation of Bethlehem.  We participated in "Walk through Bethlehem" several years.  I really missed that tradition when we were at the farm!  So I was thrilled to be able to go to something similar this year.  We walked around the parking lots of a big, local church and enjoyed actors, beautiful backdrops, and live animals recreate the story of the life of Christ.  Afterwards, the church served hot chocolate and cookies.  What a wonderful ministry this church has to organize such a large event for our community!  Joy to the World!




Sunday, December 01, 2013

Our Birmingham house all ready for Christmas

The sitting room/library/coffee room was the perfect spot for our tree.  Still hanging on to the "live" tree tradition!

Coffee bar, decked out and ready for friends and family!

A little décor for the banister

The foyer.  I made the "JOY" letters this year.


Dining room




Kitchen


My baby boys, Christmas 2002

Lydie's 2 year old Christmas handprint







Family room


Ready for the countdown...
" O come all ye faithful joyful and triumphant
Oh come ye O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him born the King of angels;
O come let us adore him Christ the Lord."