Making the Switch

 

This year VBS will be called The Switch.  Why the switch?  Well, I was listening to a sermon about when you learn a language.  If you meet someone who speaks that language (let's say Spanish), you hear what they say to you in Spanish, you have to translate it to English in your mind, then think of a response in English and then translate it to Spanish back to them.  When you make the switch, you are able to hear the words in Spanish and then immediately respond in Spanish - not translating!  You then have made the switch!  This is our desires for our children at VBS.  We want them to know scriptures in their hearts and to be able to respond to situations in a way that is automatically Christ like.  We want them to make the switch from what the world says is ok to how God has called them act.  In the online class I was taking, I was able to learn some really awesome language techniques that helped me think of ways we can make our VBS verse stick in their hearts.  I can't wait to get everything ironed out and for June 9th to get here!!  Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

Reader's Theater

One thing that I learned from my recent class was a way to get your kids to be more fluent readers.  So I decided to implement the strategy of Reader's Theater.  On Fridays we have cleaning day and then once the little 2 go to bed, we have game night.  So I decided to add Reader's Theater in before the little kids go to bed.  I think my kids are more excited about Reader's Theater than game time now!  Of course we do it in the play room, on the stage, with the spotlight and stage lights and a microphone!  The kids now clean faster during the day, so that everything will be ready for Reader's Theater.  They even make tickets for us to come to the show!  It is quite a production.  Here is a clip from a video I took.  The whole video was too long, but the big kids had performed We're going on a Bear Hunt and then the little 2 decided they wanted to join in.  I love how Channing couldn't wait for her turn, so she took matters into her own hands and brought her own chair up to the stage and then read her favorite Polar Bear Polar Bear What Do You Hear story!

Enjoy!

A Renewed Teacher

(Don't mind the side ways picture - I'll fix it later)

So 10 years ago when I received my diploma for Elementary Education, I never really thought my classroom would look like this!!  I set out to teach children and I am so lucky that I get to teach my OWN children.  We just finished up with testing my girls for second grade (our neighbor Nick is in the same grade as them and is homeschooled, so I tested him too - the one in the picture).  I am so proud of their hard work.  This has definitely been a huge learning experience on my part, and I am glad my "students" are so understanding!  For some reason though, I just can't let that teaching license expire!  I worked so hard in college, even started my Master's Degree (had to quit that once I found out twins were in my future), and the thought of that license being expired has just not been an easy pill to swallow.  You have to renew it every 5 years.  The first round was easy because the classes that I took for my Master's renewed my license automatically.  But this time around, I had to work.  I had to take 5 online classes over the course of the 5 years.  I am just finishing my last one.  It has honestly been difficult to do them, just because it is one more thing to add to my plate, but I did enjoy all that I learned from them.  I liked learning new things and then immediately getting to try them out on my kids.  We are definitely learning together!  I will apply for my renewed license in a couple weeks and I am very excited.  I will be certified for another 5 years!!

Fun with Friends

 We got to spend time with my friend Sarah's boys a couple weeks ago.  We enjoy our times we get to spend together and even though we don't get to see each other that much, these kids just cling to each other when they are together.  I love all the happy giggles and smiles and am thankful that our kids get to be such great friends like Sarah and I are.  

Finley loves Ethan.  They get along so well, and she just likes to take care of him any way possible!!

Easter 2013

 Happy Easter!!  This is as good as the group shot got this year!!  I have to take a picture first thing in the morning, or else we may never have one!  

 We did an in home egg/basket hunt this year.  It was cold outside so we hid everything inside.  The kids, of course, loved finding eggs, and once this girl figured out there was food in them, she plopped right down and devoured all its contents!!  She really enjoyed those treats!

 My Chloe!  She had written me a letter that she didn't have any pictures of her and myself, so we had to capture one on Easter!  Man, tears just fill my eyes when I see this child.  This beautiful child of God!  She is going to leave a legacy in this world!  

 The camera man doing his job!  We work really hard trying to capture moments in our house, because we know that when these wall are quiet, we are going to want to sit around and reminisce about all the loudness and laughter we shared together as a family!   

 We had a special visitor for Easter!  My cousin Keith was on a layover in Charlotte, so he got to spend the night and hang out with us for Easter.  The kids were excited to see him and of course Finley snuggled right in and made him her new best friend.  It's so funny how she can weasel her way into everyone's heart.  She had this poor man reading for so long, but all she had to do was ask!!  I was so grateful we got to spend time with him.   

Our friends Matt and Julie and kids and Colby and Gina and kids came over for the afternoon as well.  Matt and Julie were visiting from Tennessee, so we got to spend some time with them.  I am thankful for such great friends!  Easter 2013 was a success!  Oh, and I made gravy from scratch for the first time.  I had to use a video tutorial, but I actually did it as well as cooked a ham!!  Can you believe I am become so versed in the kitchen?!

Just Days

 I love when I blog and I just find random pictures of my kids.  Those moments of my day where I had to stop what I was doing to save the moment.  To capture that day in a 4x6 photo.  They may not be spectacular pictures, but those moments made me smile.  Those moments made my heart sing.  This one of Finley was one of those.  I was in the kitchen and the child came out looking like this because she was cold.  It struck me funny that day and I will cherish that purple hat and gloves.  

 What more can be said about this picture.  The bond of sisterhood.  These 4 girls are so close.  You can see it in their eyes and their selfless acts towards each other.  The way the put the others before themselves.  The other day we started giving the girls "allowance."  The are given 10 dimes each week.  They are to take 1 dime and put it in their tithing bucket and 4 dimes in their savings.  That gives them 5 dimes to spend.  Finley was dry one night.  Carly goes and gives her one of her 5 dimes (this was their first week of allowance).  How special.  They are each others cheerleaders.  They take care of each other.  They are best friends.

There are just days where this girl just plum wears herself out (as well as the rest of us in the house).  She came downstairs dressed to the nines, and just passed out.  Of course one ballerina needs to have a Black and Decker tape measure on hand at all times too!  She is so full of herself and there are days she runs me to the ground, but look at her!!  She is wonderfully made!

  Matt got me some amazing Hot Socks for Valentine's Day.  These suckers are amazing!!  You just stick them in the microwave and then put them on and they will warm your frozen toes right up!  Matt has his protege learning how to heat them, just in case I am in need for them when he is not around.  Harper does a fine job microwaving them and putting them on my feet!

Love Notes

My children love to write us notes.  We get notes or cards for everything.  We go to bed, there are notes under our pillows.  I check their school work, there are notes at the end of each page.  This particular night, Carly and Chloe had cleaned the entire kitchen for Matt and me.  They did such a selfless act of kindness towards us.  They wanted us to relax at night and to be able to go to bed on early.  It is nice to see that our children realize how hard we work.  Yes, we work.  When they go to bed, we clean.  We clean the kitchen.  Matt has graciously started to really take over the cleaning of the kitchen so I can get some work done elsewhere.  He comes home and never complains.  He doesn't even get changed into comfy clothes.  He just lovingly picks up a broom and cleans.  God has blessed our family.  He has given me a husband that is unselfish.  Children that are grateful.  And yet, I deserve none of it.  Thank you Lord for this family.  Thank you Lord for the songs in their hearts.  You are going to use each member of this family as a soldier for you Lord.  Thank you for allowing me to invest my life with them.  

Happy 2nd Birthday Channing

 Really??  2??  Come on now!  I am so tired of these kids growing!  Channing Hope, you are a magnificent child.  You bring so much joy into our lives and your sisters and brother love you more than words can say.  Your laugh is contagious and your smile lights up my days.  You are a unique little individual and I love your snuggles, those great hugs you give and your sweet kisses.  I love how you say love you (La La) and how you say please.  You are wonderful!

 We took her to the park on the day of her birthday for some cake and presents with the grandparents.  

The family picnic

 It's always windy for these outside park parties!  Oh well, she was still able to blow the candles out!

 Of course she had to feed herself.

 Do you think she liked it?

And what do you get from your sister for your birthday?  Yes, a banana.  Carly had to wrap a banana because it is her favorite food.  She loved it!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Celebration

 Well, being the 5th child, there really isn't a whole lot of things you need for your birthday, so we decided to take the crew to Discovery Place Kids to celebrate.  Channing loved it and they all had a blast.

 Chloe and the big 2 year old!

 Ready for the store to open

 I got a little overwhelmed with the amount of customers!  We had fun doing some grocery shopping.

 Submarine (does it surprise you that Channing is trying to scale her way out?)

 Harper loved being the car mechanic

 Channing doing some type of messy art project.

 Captain Banks!

 Water table was fun....and WET!

Little Miss Finley enjoyed everything about this place!  It was so fun spending the day with our babies!  They are growing so fast!

And when you have a long day it is great to come home and have a shower and relax with our sweeties.  Not sure if I really want Channing in charge of giving head massages :)

Prayer Journal

Oh the prayers of a child.  The girls got prayer journals from Ms. Penny and Mr. Brian, their SS teachers, a while ago.  3 days after Chloe is saved I find her writing in her prayer journal this.........

Dear God, Thank you for my family and friends so I can have a great day tomorrow and today and so we can't do any bad choices. So I can live my life with Jesus with Harper, Carly and me Mom and Dad (the saved people in our family) and everyone who has not known Jesus and so they know Jesus and homeless people and in jail to do everything right for Jesus. Thank you Jesus for the whole world. So people at church to understand Jesus. I love you so much. You love me more than the world Jesus. And take care of everybody's boo boos. (Then she drew a line and wrote WORSHIP and under the line she wrote) My God of angel armies is always by my side (2 times) The one who reigns for ever. He is a friend of mine - the God of angel army is always by my side! The one who reigns forever He is a friend of mine - the God of angel armies is always by my side.  

What a prayer!  Thank you Lord for my daughter.

My Little Picasos

 Oh the artwork.......So here is how it all went down.  I run downstairs and start cooking dinner.  I am down there for about 30 minutes and I hear footsteps.  Little fast footsteps.  Little footsteps that should be on the third floor, not in my room.  I go upstairs and as I get to the second floor, I am greeted with Carly, Chloe, and Finley.  All of our reactions were the same.  We all froze as the 2 year old artist glared back at us.  Yes, she got in trouble but I just needed her in her bed as I soak this all in.  She got everything!!!  The Wall.

 The pillows, nightstand and window sill.  

 The quilt.

 Luckily my husband, who has earned the title of Stain Master, came to the rescue when he got home.  He painted the wall and got all the stains out from the SHARPIE Highlighters.  

The perpetrators with artwork on PAPER not walls and beds!!  And yes, perpetrators.  When it happened Finley said Channing was doing it and she came in and told her to stop.  When Channing did not listen to her, she went upstairs to get Carly and Chloe (this is when I came into the picture so I know she was coming down the stairs too).  That evening as Matt and I snuggled under our rainbow colored quilt, we realized the stroke marks were too high for our two year old, but at the exact height of our three year old!!  The next morning, Finley did confess and we had to have a heart to heart about honesty.  I love these teaching moments.  When you see their hearts open and they are ready to hear what God is telling them.  My little girls have a lot of energy.  A lot of great ideas too.  But we know that they are going to be used for great things.  The Holy Spirit will totally take residence in their lives and God will use them for great things.  Thank you Lord for my wild ones!  Thank you for their fierce personalities.  Take them Lord.  Use them!!

Laundry

Because laundry folding doesn't have to be boring.........................

I love giving my children assignments and I go to check for completion and see things like this.  It reminds me to be joyful in everything that we do.  Sing praises.  Make each chore a way to be grateful.  Grateful for our abundance.  Grateful for our Savior's love.  Grateful for redemption and forgiveness.  Grateful for every little thing that you have.  

Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.