Miss Livy's Glasses

I took Miss Livy to the eye doctor last week. I had been noticing that she was having a hard time reading things far away and had mentioned that somethings seemed blurry to her. She had never had her eyes checked before so I took her in and her vision was off. So she picked out the frames and they got them ordered. Today they called and we went  and picked them up. Nastia and dad told her that she looks very smart. That brought a huge smile to her face as I know she was afraid of what people would say to her. I can't believe how grown up she looks in them. Our baby is growing up.

Camping Trip

We went camping this weekend with our church family. We had so much fun hanging out together and enjoying a relaxing weekend. We even had a church service this morning. Here's our gain with the visitor we had in our tent. Josh's buddy ,Caleb, joined us as his parents aren't the camping type.  Here they  are on their way to explore some trails with dad while mom relaxes.

Dinner Time!

Boy and their fires. Our boys really like gathering sticks to keep the fire going with dad's help. I'm not sure we really needed one as it was 90 degrees and their were all ready two others going in our group.

Thank goodness for the pool. All of the kiddos hung out there Saturday afternoon and after service Sunday.

Movie time! We hung up a sheet so the kiddos could watch The Lorax before bed.

During the movie the adults had a euchre tournament.  ( I should say the guys did, as us mom's made our  much needed late night pop run to Mc Donald's!). 

All of us were exhausted tonight, but I know that  this will be one of those memories the kids will always remember and hopefully becoming an annual tradition.

Batter Up

When you have a bucket of  rotten tomatoes.....

you don't throw them out. (Notice the tomato in midair)

You put on your play clothes, grab a bat,

and knock the smithereens out of them.  The best part is  covering yourself and who ever pitched the ball with tomatoes. What can I say, we are easy to entertain around here.  Make the most of the last days of summer!

Not much has been going on here lately. School is now in full swing and we are adjusting to our new routine while still trying to enjoy the nice summer days. Not much is going on with our adoption right now. We are awaiting to hear back from another grant and a no-interest loan in order to proceed forward. It could be another four weeks before hearing anything. Please keep this in your prayers as both of these prospects would be a huge moving process for us. Have a great week!

Nate showing off his school work. He is so cute when he comes up to me and says, "Do I have school today?"

Daddy-principal- and now P.E. teacher....Jeff had been given the job of being the kids physical education teacher.

He has them doing some kind of aerobic exercise everyday....I really need to get motivated and join them.

So grandad Allen dropped off a load of dirt in our yard. The kids have discovered it to be their new playground. I looked over and they had their rollers on top of it and rolling down. They attempted to get the four-wheeler up it at one point. Oh my what a mess they were.

This is awesome!

I'm having the best time ever!

Thanks for the fun time Allen!

Jeff found this bike wash idea in a Lowes magazine so he and the boys made their own. I should have put them in it after the dirt pile.

First day of school!

Today we started our 2012/2013 school year! I was expecting a lot of grumbling, but to my surprise they said they were glad to be back. Josh told me he liked school today. We will see how long it lasts. Have  a great day!

First day of school!

Olivia 9 years

Josh 7 years

Nate 4 years (starting pre-K this year!)

Those weird homeschoolers!

I sat up their desk last night when they were in bed. They all got surprises for the first day.

Checking out their notes.

Our goals everyday.

Livy asked me to add this picture. She and daddy dug up potatoes from the garden today. She was excited about this big one they dug up. We will see how they taste with dinner tonight!

Lifelong freinds

We are so blessed to have our sweet friends in our lives. We have many friends that we have known basically most of our lives. Friends that have been there in all seasons of our lives in which they hold us up, pray for us, make you laugh until your gut hurts, take in a late night movie when you really need a mommy break, call just to check in, and knowing that in the end they will be there for you know matter what. Right now we are walking the walk of adoption with our lifelong friends Aaron and Christi. It is so nice to go through this season of our lives together in which we can pray for each other, encourage one another when we feel hopeless, and be so happy for each other when good news arrives because we know what each couple is going through. So this week I was really needing some adoption encouragement and at the last minute I called them over for dinner. Thankfully they were able to come over and lift our spirits and the kiddos are always excited to have them over. Here are some pictures of them having a good time.

Eli and Nate getting a drink from the slip and slide. Two peas in a pod.

The boys! Josh loves having his buddies over to play with.

The clan. 5 boys and 1 girl. Soon to be 3 girls as soon as we get our little ones adopted. Livy can't wait!

The two goof-balls, Livy and Adam. They act just like brother and sister.

Happy 4th

Happy 4th! This is the first year since Livy was two that we have not had our annual cookout. Jeff had to work in Walton and because of the heat we didn't plan one this year. The kiddos are not happy about it, so hopefully next year it will be back on. Instead we went to the Walton parade with Grammy and Allen. Here's Liv in her red, white and blue.

They waved their flags for all to see.

Daddy working hard. He and Grandpa Tom were able to watch the parade with us. Hope you are all staying cool and enjoying your day!

What Happened in June

I know I have been terrible about keeping updated. Our June got very busy all of a sudden and flew by way to fast. Here is a little of what we have been up to. I will try and do better this month.

Livy and I made freezer strawberry jam. It's so good and easy to make.

Working hard on our 4-H projects.

Livy and Lanie went to church camp. They roughed it this year by staying in the huts with no electricity or water. They are a couple of tom-boys.

Finished up softball....

and started up all-star season. She loves softball and can't get enough of it. 

 Josh finished up football. He loved it and can't wait to play again next year. It's so nice to find a sport he enjoys (dad's a little excited). This is the video they put together for awards night. Josh is in a couple of the pictures.

I started a new bible study. It never fails to amaze me to know how God gives you what you need in the time you need it. Last summer I did a bible study that talked about stepping our in faith, which I needed to hear His voice about adopting. This one now is all about trusting Him and letting go of fear and doubt.  I really need this right now as we have had a bump in the road with the adoption. Just tonight I read about Peter getting out of the boat because of his faith in Jesus. However, he began to fear the wind and began to sink. But, Peter put his focus back on Jesus and continued on. Mr. MacDonald adds in the study that, "When we trust God enough to get out of the boat we have to keep trusting Him to walk on the water." That's where we are right now. We don't know what He is doing right now, but we are trusting He will provide. Please continue to pray as we are waiting some answers.

Enjoying a break

Ahhhh.....it has been so nice to have a break and to let the kiddos relax and enjoy their summer. Livy made a sampler for me yesterday that simply says "today is not tomorrow." I asked her what she meant by that, and she said ,"to not worry about tomorrow and enjoy today." Such wisdom from a nine year old. So enjoy your today!

Working on our summer reading. Even though school is out I am still focusing their summer around the Charlotte Mason style learning we do in school. We will be doing a lot of reading, nature walks, playing, and as long as mom can handle it only 30 minutes of television a day for all of us.

Picking mommy flowers has been happening a lot around here. Everything is in bloom.

Livy has been busy working on samplers. She is wanting to sell them at Christmas time to raise money for orphanages.

Of course, lots of swimming. Hopefully we won't keep this boy out of the water this year with a broken arm.

Resting after swimming. They are all exhausted at bedtime.

                    Livy playing school with her American Girl dolls. I think she has inherited the teaching gene from her mom.

My project last week. I have always wanted a garden like this....organized.  I love organization. I don't know why, but when everything is organized and has a it's own spot I'm one happy girl. So, why not in the garden? I love how every veggie and fruit has their own box. Jeff, Josh and Matt made the boxes for me and I added the mulch between them last week so there are no more weeds to mess with. Now all we need is some rain. 

The boys working hard. Thanks guys!!