June Happenings

This week we've been able to be a part of having a CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship) club at our house. We haven't done a Bible club since we've moved to this house nearly four years ago. It used to be something we did almost every holiday and usually for a week during the summer. It was so neat to have this opportunity brought to us without even seeking it out. I realized how much I miss doing this and hope to make it part of our life regularly once again! Please pray for the rest of the week as the club goes on and for continued opportunities with the kids in our neighborhood.

Sarah started handing us things. I know, it's one of those small developmental things, but it is so much fun to watch her grow and learn new things (and those sweet eyes when she does it!). She also started blowing kisses which simply melts my heart. I can't believe she'll be one in only ten days! Where has the time gone?

Olivia and I were able to go out on a date for some $.49 and $.99 ice cream :) I love having that one-on-one time with the kids. It's so neat to be able to connect a little deeper with each one. I'm working on being more intentional in this area.

I've been working through the Money Saving Mom's "Makeover Your Mornings" Course this month and it has been really good to start cultivating some habits that I've been wanting to implement for a while. When I complete it, I will probably share some goals and routines I'm starting to try to put into place in my life. 

We've also really enjoyed starting to get back into the habit of going to the library and getting lots of good books. It's become a new addiction of sorts to look for good books at garage sales and thrift stores to build my library with quality books for my kiddos. I absolutely love reading aloud to them and have been enjoying many books that I never took the time to read as a kid. 

Some recent books I've been enjoying with the kids over the past school year: 

Missionary Stories with the Millers

Wisdom with the Millers

On the Alaskan Trail

Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books

21 Balloons

Farmer Boy currently in the Little House series

Pilgrim's Progress

Oliver Twist 

The Story of Dr. Doolittle

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlotte's Web

Abraham Lincoln (Du'Laire)

Paddington Bear (audio)

Miss Rumphius (picture book)

And some books I've been enjoying: 

Seasons of a Mother's Heart

Evidence Not Seen (Amazing true story, missionary biography)

Green Leaf in Drought (another missionary story)

Lord, Change my Attitude Before it's too Late

It's been a good summer so far and we look forward to seeing what else the Lord has in store as we seek Him.

Spring!

We have had a beautiful spring! We were able to go camping the beginning of this month with the homeschool group I'm a part of. This has started to become a twice a year thing and the kids love it! It's so fun when the kids start to remember things you do as a family. The anticipation builds as they look forward to whatever it is, camping in this case. It is so wonderful to get away from all the busyness and noise and enjoy God's beautiful creation. 

 Landon's favorite thing was helping build and tend to this fire. He's really growing up and it's so fun to see him mature and grow.

 These two just bummed around. James loves to have his "bear-bear" wherever he goes. It's so fun to see how he treats him like his baby. Tonight I was reading to him a look and find Thomas the train book and he was grabbing "bear bear's" hand and having him find the items with a squeaky voice (talking for bear bear). He's at such a fun stage, he loves puzzles, Thomas and our marble works set. 

Olivia buddied up with sweet Samuel. They had a great time playing together and I found them holding hands quite a few times :)

 I just liked this picture of our "cool" boy :)

 We've been trying to spend a lot of time outside. The homeschool philosophy that I've adopted is the Charlotte Mason method. A part of her philosophy is spending a lot of time outdoors, taking time to notice God's creation. We do nature study which at this point involves drawing pictures of whatever they find that is interesting and writing a few words about it. The last few days have been so much fun - lots of caterpillars, slugs, worms, birds, and watching our garden grow. I didn't realize how much fun our small backyard could be...

 It's these four that make it so much fun. I love to see the world through their eyes. I love to see their excitement over the many things I take for granted. It makes me slow down and watch that caterpillar and be amazed at the Lord's handiwork. 

 We've had a lot of rain over the last few weeks. Last week I decided to take them to the park and let them splash around in the puddles. They had a blast!

Olivia with her little "Sheila" dog. "Bumpa" (my dad) gave her this puppy when she was 18 months and she loves her. I just loved this picture because I don't know how much longer this phase will last, but I am thoroughly enjoying it right now. She says the funniest things as she is trying to figure out the world around her. 

We had a great Mother's Day together as a family. I am so thankful for our sweet mothers that the Lord has blessed us with. I know it is such a rare thing to have amazing moms like we do. They have both been such an example of selflessness, always putting others first. Their love for the Lord is evident from their lives. I am so blessed and thankful for them.

I always like to go out to the cemetery on Mother's Day. It's the closest I can be to having my five kiddos together. I remember my first Mother's Day. My arms were empty. I didn't feel like a mother, even though my heart was so full of love for my sweet firstborn. I longed to hold him and love on him. I remember singing, "Jesus Loves Me" at church and the phrase, "Let the little child come in" catching me totally off guard. I couldn't sing that phrase, it was too hard. A beautiful reminder that my little Samuel was able to go into Heaven's gates to meet his Savior. I felt so torn, so happy for him and yet aching to be with him.

Anyway, I still ache for him. For my little 8 year old. But I am so thankful. My arms are full, I never would have imagined to be where I am at today with these sweet four children that I have with me today. I know all too well, they are not mine and tomorrow is not guaranteed, so we treasure the time we have and look forward to eternity with our Savior. All things will be perfect there with our perfect Savior and our perfect home and our sweet Samuel. Cannot wait.

Where has the time gone?!

Where do I begin? ONE post last year? Wow... well, I guess I'll start with this past week and hope to go back and fill in some blanks.

My newest nephew was born on March 12th, Judah Nathaniel. We were thrilled to be able to go up and meet him when he was only a day old! He was so tiny and precious! We are truly praising the Lord after a very complicated pregnancy. We are very thankful for him to be here safe and sound! Here's a picture of Logan with his new baby brother.

We were also glad to spend a little time with my brother, Josh and his wife Laura before they move even further north. This will be the first time a sibling besides myself will be moving away from Iowa. A little sad for me because I’m used to going back and seeing everyone when we visit. Hopefully, we’ll be able to plan our trips so that will still work out!

It was just the kids and I who went up. Seth was directing his first Teen Retreat back at a camp the same weekend. Thankfully everything went well. It was an encouraging time for all, a challenging time as they looked into God's word and were reminded the importance of loving the Lord Jesus and each other.

We sadly got sick with a stomach bug a couple days into our trip so, it put a little bit of a damper on things. We made the best of it and had a fun time at my parents. My mom was helping Heidi at her place and my dad left to go work, so we had the place to ourselves. I figured we'd have been alone at home anyway, so it didn't really matter where we were! Sarah started to pull up. Can't believe how big she's getting so quickly. She is crawling all over, I have to figure out a solution to the whole Lego situation, if anyone has any ideas, let me know! They end up all over and she will find them...

The weather was nice after we were better, so I was able to meet up at a park with some friends. I'm so excited for spring to pretty much be here! Landon was thrilled to find a tree that he could climb, he's been wanting to for so long. It was sweet of little Roman to share the pinecones he found with Sarah :)

 And we had fun getting free DQ afterwards! I think it was James' first ice cream cone, he loved it and finished the whole thing! So thankful for so many friends and family that stay close even though we are miles away!