Apples

Apple picking trip #1. I am hoping to go again sometime in Oct when we go to get our pumpkins.





Joel Laurencio



Tractor ride to get to the apple picking area

park fun

I have been trying to learn the balancing act of saying "no" to my schedule and "yes" to being spontaneous and then saying "yes" to my schedule and "no" to no other activities. This park day was a "yes" to being spontaneous and the girls had fun. I am also figuring that winter is coming, rather quickly, and we will be spending MANY days inside....so why not get out while we can, right? I am not a huge fan of parks...I prefer woods and trails, but this was a new park, in the area, that I came to check out with my good friend, Robin, and it was very nice.

Michael W. Smith-Healing Rain

So a friend reminded me of this song and I found the music video. It fit perfectly with how I feel about the rain so I had to post it. Hope you enjoy it and start to look forward to the 'rain' just as much as I do. Thanks Jen!! (Watch it to the end...it makes it worth your while when you see the rain come)

cookies cookies and more cookies

Our 5 in a Row book this week is, How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, it is a great book. There is so much geography in the book and of course it has some baking in it. I am trying to find some mini pie plates, but I just haven't had the time to go trying to drive around and look for them so we made cookies instead. I am still planning on making some apple desserts with them this week though to go along with the whole apple theme.

We also learned about the Basilisk lizard and they just thought that was the best thing and have been talking about it to everyone they run into.

Below is a picture of the girls cuddling with Auntie Bree (my sister). They love having her over every day.

Parenting

Joy is not the absence of suffering, it is the presence of God.

We just started a new women's b-study tonight at my church on the book of Philippians. It will be a good reminder about having a God-centered perspective as compared to the perspective that comes to us naturally. I am sure I will have plenty to learn and change.

Just recently, with parenting the girls, I have been able to really see them as my 'sister's in Christ' and to feel for them and to hurt for them when I see them struggling with certain types of sin. That has just made a huge difference for me.

It was a few weeks ago we were heading out to the beach and Emma was having a difficult time controlling her emotions and obeying with a good attitude. We left the house with me being a bit frustrated that she is still having 'episodes' like this---"she is 5 years old right, she should have this down by now?!" Well, maybe 15 min later someone cut me off and I threw my hands up in the air--in a way that they could definitely see what I was doing (not saying anything) and then I obviously got on their tail till we finally made different turns. Then I thought to myself--"wow, I am such a child, here I am frustrated that Emma can't control herself and I can't even control myself...and look at our age difference." Then it really hit me and since then my frustrations have turned into more of an ache to see them do better, prayers, encouragement, and understanding. I am in touch with what a sinner I am and that I am not patient enough, I struggle with pride, and I can be very selfish (just to mention a few)...and I have had just about 29 years to work on this stuff. How can I expect them after 3-5 years to have it down and not to mess up?!? I hate to say that I think my reactions to their disobedience in the past have been because I was expecting too much out of them...much more than even I can live up to and I am so sorry that I made those mistakes. Now I am really trying to concentrate on looking for the 'sin problem' in each of them individually...Emma's struggles are different than Hannah and Nora, of course, but I am trying to get across to them what I struggle with and that I KNOW it is so hard to obey when there is some pride there and that I know it is hard to share because it is easy to think about 'me' and I am not just saying this to them...my heart is aching for them to be able to experience victory just like my heart aches to experience victory. I desire to please my heavenly Father and I know they want to please Kevin and I. Of course I will continue to discipline them for wrong behavior, but I understand a bit more of the ache that God must feel with us, as His children, when we continually mess up--doing the same things over and over again---He remembers that we are but dust, and He loves us just the same. What an awesome parenting manual we have and what an awesome Father we have to learn from.

(picture is of my beautiful flowers...I just love fresh flowers!)

What an artist YOU are....!

Isn't it just amazing?! Sometimes creation just overwhelms me....I don't know how to breathe it all in and I find myself just needing to look away in order to somehow make room for more.

I got my camera in the mail yesterday! Just in time to capture the amazing sky next to one of my beautiful sunflowers--aren't the colors just breathtaking?!

Yesterday we spent time rolling down the hills in the grass...the temps were in the 60's and the breeze was cool and I was just in awe of my creator. What an artist He is.

Another surreal day....

Saturday was just one of 'those days'. The kind of day that you wish you could somehow bottle up to be able to live all over again. The sights, sounds, smells...everything about it was...I have to say....comforting. Let me explain......

I am waking up to the sounds of little girl laughter....such a beautiful sound. The time is approximately 6:30 (which is great, compared to my 4:30), so I feel rested and ready to begin my day. They all climb into bed with me for some morning cuddles and then I leave to get breakfast going. It is a dark, gloomy, cool, cloudy day, and I wrap myself up in an old friend, my faithful, warm, fuzzy, brown sweater, that stays by my bedside year round waiting for those dark days when I will happily reach out for it, looking for some 'comfort'. I open the doors and windows and breathe in the crisp fall air and get a sudden look at God's stunning art display right outside my door...raindrops dripping off my enormous yellow sunflowers. I warm up the tea water, while listening to some music and then I have a remarkable cup of tea while making breakfast. Toasty clothes, a warm drink, dark skies and cool air is just about paralyzing to my senses. We eat and lay around for a few hours....the girls playing blocks and animals, while I catch up on some cleaning, when suddenly a colossal breeze blows in through the windows and when I look up I see a storm coming in. I call to the girls to quickly get their rain gear on and we head out into the gloom. Large puddles, looking into the sky to catch rain on our captivated faces, and red and yellow leaves gliding through the air all around us, as if they are attempting to escape this mighty storm that has come to say hello is what we encounter while we begin our walk.

The rain is here...pouring rain, but we run, jump, and dance in it. We make our way down to the forest to hear the rain play its mighty orchestra. The girls are astonished, and with no sound we meander our way through the path. They giggle and look all around at the different sounds the rain makes as it comes pouring through the canopy above. We take a nice long hike through the woods with me letting them lead the way...taking turns standing under pine trees and giving one another showers. We finally ascend only to find an extraordinary stream running down the road, perfectly made for 'leaf boats'. We find boats suitable and begin the race...down the stream we run, chasing the leaves, splashing in puddles along the way.

The wind finally picks up a bit more and we are aware that it is getting cold and with our now wet clothes we begin feeling a bit uncomfortable. Before heading back to the house Kevin pulls up from work (an early surprise). He joins Emma outside (who is still having fun) while Hannah, Nora and I go inside to get cuddled by big, soft blankets. After a change of clothes for everyone we enjoy a big cup of hot chocolate. While we drink we listen to music, along with the sound of the rain...I then begin to make an apple crisp, the ultimate comfort food. With the smells of the apples cooking, warm clothes on our bodies, the sound of the rain, and the gloomy skies, we cuddle in my bed and watch a movie, well the girls watch a movie, while Kevin and I doze off and take a little nap.

Wow....like I said at the beginning, if only I could bottle up the 'comforting' feeling a day like that brings, to be able to experience it over and over again on days that are not as gloomy outside as they are 'inside'.

Thank you Father for rain, and the reminder it brings of your grace, for the clean, cool air, for the smells of comfort foods, and the warmth of hot drinks, thank you for little girls filled with wonder for your amazing art, for imaginations, for quiet appreciations of music made by nature, for cuddles, for family, and for days that seem a bit surreal.

And the clouds just parted on a corner of my life
And I can see for miles
and the things I was stuck on
Things I thought would never change
They just broke open wide

This is the one thing I know
You said you won't let me go
You said you won't let me go
You've done a good work in me
And you won't quit till I'm free

And the veil just lifted
I can finally understand
The way you work in me
But even if I didn't
You are still a sovereign God
Who has a plan for me

It's good to know you work with hurt and broken souls
That you'll take a soul like mine
And in all the world nothings taken hold of me like Christ

This is the one thing
This is the only thing
You are the one thing
You are the only thing

This is the one thing I know
You said you won't let me go
You said you won't let me go
You've done a good work in me
And now your making me free

Sara Groves: The One Thing I Know

WICKED the musical

For my anniversary this year Kevin bought me tickets to go see Wicked the musical. I have been waiting a few years to see this now so I was SOOO excited. This is down as one of my favorites with Jekyll and Hyde and of course Les Miserables. We went into Boston early because a homeowner that Kevin worked for recently asked to buy us dinner, instead of pay (small job), so they picked the place and we just had to show up. So we went to eat at Via Matta

The food and service was excellent! Those in the area should check out the link above. I wish we would have had time to stay for dessert . All around it was a great (delayed) anniversary gift and a wonderful date night with Kevin. Thank you baby! (He also came home with some BEAUTIFUL flowers for me yesterday...so unexpected and very appreciated...I wish I had my camera so I could take a picture of them)

Thank you God for providing a babysitter at no cost, an excellent 'free' dinner, a husband with a sense of direction because I have NONE of that and would have been lost and would have never found my way out of the parking garage, but I also thank Him for music, for art, for beautiful voices and for stories--great stories.

video/music clip from Wicked the musical

rowspan="2" height="352" width="17">

Green grass against blue skies

In the past month my fairly new digital camera broke, and the next day my printer/copier broke, as you all have heard, but just yesterday, with no warning my monitor just died, while writing an e-mail. So, I had to go out and get another one. I have never had so many electronic devices crash so close together!

I am tired, but surviving. I actually think I am starting to adjust so I am going to keep the schedule until I see differently. I went to the doctors yesterday, first time in almost 4 years and at that point it was just to have babies. It was just for a initial visit checking history, but I need to go back for blood work soon. My family has passed down a nasty history, but hopefully I can break away from that.

Yesterday Nora woke up really fussy and complaining of a headache and that her throat hurt....by early afternoon she had a high fever. Hmmmm, feels too early to start doing this again, since they were all so sick in July, but we may pay a visit to doctor this morning only because there have been too many cases of strep around.

Beautiful day today, I am just amazed at what an awesome artist my God is, the blue sky against the green grass--it just takes my breath away....hope you all enjoy it.

Anacondas,Attentivness,Apples and some beautiful rain

So, we started school yesterday. The girls have been anxiously waiting and these past few days they have been enjoying themselves immensely.

I have finally tackled my schedule and realized that I need to be up at 4:30 and asleep by midnight in order to accomplish everything that needs to get done. Today is my second day following that routine and I am already about to crash....so, back to the drawing board to figure out what I can do.
Here is a look at what our day is like without having to leave the house (I am gone Tuesday and Wednesday nights and Wednesday mornings I coordinate the childcare at my church for their women's study)
I am up at 4:30 to have some tea and quiet before Kevin wakes up...he is a big talker and I am not a morning person. So this is my attempt at being somewhat happy in the morning. I wake Kev up at 5 to go run. I make his lunch and go have my devotions and prayer time, when he gets back I am trying to leave for a run myself, then get back to make his breakfast and try and start all my morning chores. The girls are up by 6:30 and I start them on their chores and go get breakfast ready for them for 7.
For schooling this season we are doing everything in half hour time slots, starting the morning with a devotional at breakfast, then a morning walk to train the dog on the leash. After that we are doing character trait studies and doing games through the week to help tough habits stick....we are also memorizing a few bible verses a week and learning some new songs...we are using egg shakers so they also learn to keep the beat. After that we work on our Calendar, learning months of the year, days of the week, season, etc....and then we are recording the weather and then learning how to graph it. We are practicing all letter sounds for H&N with songs from Sing Spell Read Write. Hannah and Nora are having individual play times so I can work with Emma--quietly--on her phonics (she is doing Sing Spell Read Write), soon after that we have a letter of the week activity that we all do together....we are learning about many different animals/insects that start with that particular letter, this activity usually involves art as well. Then I am alternating individual time with Hannah and Nora to work on their letters, and counting and while I am with them Emma works on a phonics activity and then writing...this year I am having her keep a journal. She is drawing a picture and writing about that picture daily. After that is finished we have been taking a small nature hike to collect leaves from tress (in the spring we will do wild flowers). We are keeping an album recording what we find to make it easier for them to learn the different types of trees, etc...Then the girls have free play while I make lunch with a helper and try to work on some more of my chores. After cleanup from lunch I work on Math with Emma while Hannah and Nora color. Then together we read our 5 in a Row book...which is a great program from those that may be interested. After 5 in a Row I split them up between rooms for quiet time where they can read books on their own. I have my time to play catch up... get dinner started, pay bills, try and keep up with kevin's business stuff, do laundry, listen to voice mail and try and return calls, write e-mails, blog, do prep work for tutoring bree (if there is any), and hopefully have time to take a 15 min cat nap. I let the girls down at 2:30 and give Emma time on the computer and H&N cuddle time...then snack at 3 and then Bree is here from school. Then it is chores, dinner prep, etc...I have been trying to have dinner ready by 5 so I can have things cleaned up and have them ready for bath by 6 and asleep by 6:45 so I can start working with Bree and be done by 9. Then my time is scheduled to be with Kevin from 9-11. Then at 11 I am doing final cleanup, next day prep work, and hopefully READING--(this schedule is for M, Thurs, Friday---Tuesday and Wednesday is worse).

So, I am just going to have to give up activities with the girls....I just have too much planned and not enough time to do it all. I am going to continue this for another week and see how it goes before making changes.

It is raining today. I LOVE the rain, and wish we had more of it. I know I have blogged about that before so I won't mention it again, I know it bothers some of you.

Camera is in the shop. We hope it won't be much longer.

snake stories

Okay, so.....just yesterday Emma screams for me..."Mommy, mommy a snake and a frog!!"

....now, we have snakes in our yard all the time, just the harmless Gardner snakes. Emma loves them and Kevin has been wanting to catch one to keep. A bit off the subject, but months ago he actually went to the pet store and bought crickets to let loose in our basement to feed the snake if he just happened to come around. I really didn't know what to think about that....

ummm, yeah, but anyway. So I go out there to check out the snake and I could hardly see it. It was about the size of a pencil all around...the only way this snake stuck out was that he caught a frog that was 4x his size and he was holding it by the legs.

Well, since I look for these teachable moments...we pulled up chairs and watched this snake eat this frog. It was amazing....although it bothered me for hours because I felt as if I should have rescued that poor frog....you know that they get swallowed alive so the whole time his body was disappearing into the snake I felt as if the frog was just looking up at us with these big eyes saying, "Rescue me, please....rescue me..." Well, it actually makes me teary eyed talking about it right now. I would have taken footage if my camera was working. I did get some on video tape to show Kevin but I won't post it here.

Where my smiles come from....

Recently a friend encouraged me to start recording the small things that happen during my day that I can be thankful for and that make me smile, so here are a few....

Small hands, a dark forest, and HUGE imaginations

Little hands playing with my hair

The fall smell in the air

Hannah saying, "Mommy, I will love you forever."

Sunflowers opening up on a cool morning with bright blue skies.

Being woken up at 5:30 to the sounds of contagious giggles

Still no camera BUT I have it in the envelope waiting to mail now. So, one step closer. My days have been CRAZY.

Tuesday....Hannah and Nora had a dentist appointment. I was so nervous that this would not go well because they hate doctors, like I said before. Well, we got called in and Nora was asked to go first. We have her in the chair, she is holding onto my hand so afraid, and then we get her to open her mouth to start with counting her teeth, the usual....well, suddenly another nurse appears and asks for Hannah. I said, "What, are you serious....you are going to split them up?" which of course meant they were going to split me up....! Yes, they were serious...they double booked their appointment for the same time. I was prepared for a disaster, but thankfully my trusty Emma came through for me. She grabbed Nora's hand and gave her the big sister talk and walked her through it so that I was able to go be with Hannah in the other room. Ahhhhh, they did great, and they completed the entire appointment, even the fluoride treatment, amazing. They are so excited to go back.

I also did the biggest foodshop I have ever done with the 3 girls. That is quite an accomplishment....for all of you that think something like that is trivial---come give it a try! Keeping three small kids happy, when 2 of them are newly potty trained, and have just stopped taking naps, is a HUGE thing. To add to that, making them walk through a store, in a controlled way, up and down and up and down, because I always feel as if I am searching for something, for over an hour. I was so glad that was over.

I have also started tutoring my sister. She needs to be tutored 8-10 hours a week so I am attempting to fit this in my schedule in the evenings. Tonight was our first night and it went well.

Well, I am not going to torture you with all my other 'trivial' daily activities.....

Tomorrow looks like a great beach day! Time to enjoy summer before it is over.

I start the girls 'schooling' on Monday. They are SO excited. Let us just hope that I can keep up with all of this and not bury myself.

Saturday we went to the Hopkinton Fair. I can't believe that we are already in 'fair days'...where did summer go this year? Yesterday, after church, we went over to our friends Candace and Cale's house for a cookout. The girls were in the pool the entire day. We were there till bed time.
Today we are either going to the beach or over to Candace's house to swim....I haven't decided yet. I am trying to decide with tide schedule and temps, etc...what would be the best thing to do.
Tomorrow Hannah and Nora have their first dentist appointment. That should be interesting seeing that they are terrified of doctors and scream to just get their temp taken.

Well, that is really all I have to say right now. I am just not in the mood to talk/type. Sorry no camera still.