Where's Spring?

It has been so cold lately.  We are even supposed to get a wintry mix tomorrow.  I am hoping that my apple trees won't get ruined, like they did last year..no apples:(  We are planning a bigger garden this year and have 2 plots staked out.   Right now we are getting ready for our annual Home School Presentation Fair.  The kids have to stand up and present a report.  The topic this year is Founding Fathers.  Next is VBS, which will be in June.  I am directing the drama again, so we are beginning practice already.  We are using Answers in Genesis VBS again which is always top rate!  We have so much fun with it, but it is tons of work to get ready.

Schooling is going slow!   This time of year it is hard to be motivated!  Julia did take her ACT, she was happy to get that out of the way.

Colton will be finishing up his sophomore year and coming home in a month.  He will hit the job search hard, he would really like to go back in the Fall.  Carlina is still deciding what route she wants to pursue, whether more online college or go down to KC with Colton.

Garrett & Thomas had cavities fixed today, not fun.  Thomas is going to the orthodontist on Friday to see if anything needs to be done about overcrowding.

Springtime animal fun!!

We've added 4 critters to our menangerie....3 of the cutest baby duckings and a friendly gerbil named Smee Murphy.  Katie is the keeper of these critters and is having a blast.  The duckings she has dubbed Myrtle, Seven & Juniper.  That brings our total to 4 llamas, 1 dog, 5 cats (soon to be 4 as Mom is taking one with her back to Indiana), 13 chickens, 3 duckies and 1 mischievous gerbil.  We decided against expanded our chicken flock this year although we will probably regret it as the ones we have don't lay as well.  We also have a strange anomaly in our chicken flock with the large and incredible "Henny".  The cornish rock that was never butchered but kept as a pet.  She produces earthquakes as she stomps around the farmyard.  She is now 1 year old and none of us expected her to live as long as she has, but she is still with us!!  I wish I could put her on a scale and weigh her, I'm assuming it is near a TON!

School daze...

This time of year can be a doozy for schooling!  Must keep motivated.  At least the weather is cooperating right now, very cold.  That keeps us inside and takes away any Spring fever we might be infected with.

Here is what we are all occupied with currently:
Carlina-working on her second online college course..Intro to Lit.  Still working 4 nights a week and a big help to me, of course!!

Julia-plugging away with her homeschooling.  She is a Junior and working on Algebra 2, Chemistry, American History and English.  Also working about 3 days a week.

Alicia is a freshman and working with My Father's World World History.  She is currently reading Beowulf which she doesn't find very entertaining.

Katie is studying the Old Testament and ancient history.  We are reading I Samuel together right now.  She is 11 and in 6th grade.

Garrett is studying the days of Jesus before he was crucified.  He is also learning about transportation and working on spelling and grammar.  He is in 3rd grade and working on his times tables, too!

Thomas is studying the Old Testament, too.  He is officially in Kindergarten but doing some 1st grade stuff. He is learning lots of Proverbs.

Anna is working on writing her name and learning letters.  She is not too interested in that right now, but we work on it a little bit each day.  She would rather be playing Princess or coloring.  She is 4.

David is starting to talk very well.  We enjoy his silly faces and crazy dancing.  He is a big Ham!  But what do you expect from the youngest??!!

We are also going to Awana weekly and working hard on memorizing our verses.

I love having them all home with me!!  I am so thankful for the opportunity to Home school!!!!

Yummy....

Don't these look delicious for Valentines Day?  I found them hereHomemade Snoballs.  Do you make a special dinner or treats for your family on Valentines Day?

January

I am just not a big fan of January.  It is long and cold and  dreary did I say long?  I guess I am just not a big fan of winter in general.  December is a fun month with 2 family birthdays to celebrate and Christmas to look forward to.  But here we are..through January and a bit into February.  I don't mind Feb as much, it is just one step closer to Spring.  Here are some random January fun pictures:

Garrett's Birthday..

Garrett turned 9 on Dec. 29th and it has been our tradition to go to ChuckeCheese.  This year we went in the morning.  I had a coupon for tokens and we skipped the pizza (ick).  We ate somewhere else for a much better price.  We were the only ones there for most of the time.  It was the best experience I've ever had at a CEC..it really isn't my favorite place.  I think Garrett is outgrowing it, so this may be the last year.

What will 2013 bring?

We have had a bundle of snow so far...more then all of last winter!  I can't say January is my favorite month (or Feb or Mar), but I know winter will eventually end!  I still can't get away from my Texas roots.  The Sun is my friend.

I am looking forward to continuing to home school all of the kids.  I take it a day at a time and try to enjoy each day.  My goal is that they (first) Love God with all of their hearts, mind and soul and love their neighbors and secondly, that I can build a great relationship with my children.  No small goals..but one day at a time.

My kids will all get a year older!  This year I'll see them turn 21, 20, 18, 16, 12, 10, 7, 5 & 2.  I pray that they will all mature and grow in the Lord each day.

I am also looking forward to having a bigger garden this year.  We have someone hired to come out in the spring and till up a spot and I am excited about that.  We may also add to our chickens and perhaps throw in a few ducks to the mix.  I also hope to train the llamas to be a circus act.  Really that is a joke as they are wild and practically untouchable.

I continue to purge and organize..this is an ongoing thing.  If I could just avoid buying more books.  Having a Nook helps but I still love to buy kids books.

I want to stay active in a Bible Study with other believers.  I am currently studying Romans with several friends and loving it.

I plan to be content and enjoy each day of 2013.    My hope is in the Lord alone.  Troubling times may increase in our world but I am confident in Him.  We may experience trials and difficult times, but He is always faithful and will never leave us.

Happy 2013!!!!