School

I have my doubts. I have my hard days, but overall I love schooling my girls.I love knowing that I can spend every day with them...that I can be the one to teach them... to see their eyes light up when they learn something new, to be excited with/for them when they finally get a concept that has taken so much work to understand.

I love that they have plenty of time to still be able to play, imagine, create.

I love that science class can take place in the kitchen, at the beach, or while camping. I love that silent reading can take place in a comfortable spot, in pj's, on a rainy day.

It is not easy to have to study each of them individually to find out the best way they learn and how to adjust the curriculum to fit their needs, but while doing so I am learning so much about them, things that I may miss if I didn't see them all day.

There are difficult days, there are things that come up that are not enjoyable, it's hard not having time for myself, to have all my free time consumed with their schooling and prep--it is work, but I believe it is so worth it.

I SPY--my missing mug

I have the hardest time drinking a hot drink. I reheat the same cup over and over again, and then I put it down in some strange place and forget about it and then spend the rest of the day looking for it.

weddings

Here are a few pictures from the last wedding I did with Joe.

A truly WONDERFUL story

I just finished reading this book to my girls and with tears in my eyes I closed the book and wished that I too had an 'Edward'.

What a beautiful story about love. This is--by far--the best children's book I have ever read. It is a book for children but it is not at all childish. It will bring tears to your eyes and will melt your heart and there will be parts that will make you ache deep inside as you (as an adult) read Edward's story. I found myself cheering aloud, hurting deep inside, laughing at the colorful descriptions, and having to take a moment to control my emotions while reading.

This book is worth the money to have on your shelf. Open up your heart and give Edward a chance...trust me, you will not regret it.

Go here to buy on Amazon.

On the 3rd

We are enjoying the beach 'the summer way' as much as we can before fall really makes an entrance (then we will still enjoy it, but differently).

I am so thankful for warm sand, colorful shells, strands of seaweed that bring hours of entertainment, salty hands, cold little fingers that wrap around mine to keep warm, being snuggled up on a blanket with two little ones by my side breathing in the ocean air, and of course--no housework, just a soft place to sit, and a pile of sand to dig in.

Some day I hope to bring a book and a chair, but for now--there are too many "Mommy look at this, Mommy can you do this..." and I know someday that will all come to an end. So for now, I try to enjoy.

September

I love the northern coast in September (but I also love it in the winter, spring, and summer). School starts up, the temps drop, and suddenly the once crowded beaches are empty and everything is just so still, quiet. The beach becomes our private playground, where all treasures remain hidden until we happen to find them. I tend to be a lover of all things magical and if the magic isn't obvious, I search for it, or if I must--imagine it is there, but an empty new england beach, on a cool, foggy morning, or a cool evening at sunset, the magic is inescapable and the beauty overwhelming. I love checking out The Creators art work, it intoxicates me--I can't seem to find a way to breathe it in, and no matter what mood I am in, no matter what difficult thing life has brought my way, when I breathe in that ocean air--I find joy. Then once I again I am reminded of grace, and the ultimate gift that grace is, and everything else in life just becomes easier to handle--then my thoughts are filled with thanks to a Creator who offers grace so freely, and who surrounds us with His beautiful artwork as just an extra.

See you in September?

Life has been a bit busy. Summer is going by so quickly. I just can't seem to find the time to put into this blog at the moment. I want to enjoy the sun, nature, my family, and my friends and still have the time to cook, clean, and at least attempt to wash a load of laundry a day (even if they don't get put away till fall), and I just can't seem to balance it all and keep up a blog as well. So, I am saying goodbye till September, I think...Have a wonderful summerPLAY (the mess can wait)

Mr. Bill

This is our (female) gecko--Mr. Bill (yes, the girls named her)

3 cookouts-- 3 days--and 1 visit from the toothfairy

(this was tooth #2--thought it would never fall out)