Back in the Groove

Well, we are four weeks back from our extended trip. It has been really nice to be home and back into our routine. The kids have been doing great. This was our second complete week of school at home and it has been pretty good. We are cruising along with our lessons and I have found some neat books for the boys to read and also a new website for the boys to do the accelerated reading program on-line. They have already taken several tests on books they have read this year and passed! They retain information so well; sometimes it amazes me. Jack is doing multiplication with numbers that I have not even showed him yet ... Spencer is reading like crazy and I cannot believe the information he will remember. He almost has a photogenic memory - it is scarey how he remembers things in passages that he reads in extreme detail. Erica is working on pre-algebra and doing well with it. We are also reading a book called, "The Divine Dance" for our bible study and she is enjoying it so much. Talk about a great book for young girls to read ---- they were made to worship their Creator --- not dance for the world. It is so rich; I have gotten a lot out of reading bits and pieces of it. All in all, we are adjusting and I have finally gotten adjusted to them being home with me all the time. I feel the weight of providing their education and doing it well. Sometimes that is scarey. And then other times, I am relieved and relaxed with our new lifestyle at home. I have noticed their stress level has dropped dramatically, especially in Erica. Sure, she still worries about things but they are different now. She isn't worrying about who is going to save her a seat at lunch, will anyone talk to her, who likes her, who doesn't, why are they whispering?, etc. etc. The part where she can just focus on academics and just be home has been incredibly good for her. Even if at times she would like to put Spencer and Jack in a box and ship them to Africa! And they are all in gymnastics and loving it! Erica is going two evenings a week and is thrilled! I'll keep you posted on our progress ..... and report any crimes!!

Somebody Needs a Job ....

Lately, I have been living with a crazy man. Let's just say today, he was on the roof cleaning the leaves and sticks off of it, cleaning all the gutters and actually had a small scrubbrush and was cleaning the mildew off the roof. It has truly become a sickness. He is about to drive all of us mad! He has way too much time on his hands. He has finished so many projects around the house. He pressure washed the whole fence, pool deck, painted the deck, changed the back color of our enclosed exterior wall, repainted the poles on the deck, pressure washed the house, redid some rock beds and is basically trying to micromanage us as if we are his employees!!!! It is pretty funny ... even at dinner tonight as he and I were discussing his sudden inability to be flexible, Spencer piped in, "Dad, I'm with her .. she is right." It is hysterical! Don't get me wrong ... the finished projects are amazing and look wonderful ... but it is getting a little into my space now and I'm suddenly getting implicated!!!! On a good note, he does have a last official interview with Scotts Corporation on Thursday in Raleigh, NC. Scott and I are actually flying up to talk to them and see the area so we will see what happens! Pray for discernment, wisdom and the necessary steps needed for this to happen. The real estate market is not in our favor :( We'll keep you posted!

A New Addition to the Family

Well, let us introduce "Bear", the newest addition to our family! Yep, we are getting a second cockapoo! We will pick him up on Monday, December 15th, just in time to share Christmas with us! And yes, we have caught grief for getting a second one. We have had so much fun with Chip that we are willing to risk a second bundle of joy! This time, we are getting him from a breeder in Georgia, Sherry's Cockapoos. There are great testimonials and wonderful pictures of all our puppies. She currently has four litters at her house! You talk about chaos!!!! But think of how many happy children there will be Christmas morning! I know we have three children who are so excited and can't wait to introduce him to Chip!!! You have to admit ... he is so adorable ;)