11 years ago today...

...we moved into this house. Just the two of us.

 

 

A whole lot has changed since then. But we continue to be very grateful for this place we call home.



san jose 2013

My parents took us to San Jose last week and we had a wonderful time. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with our family that lives there, including my 96yo grandmother, Audrey. The kids did great in the car, on the train, on the plane, in the hotel - it's so easy to travel these days! Thanks Mom and Dad for investing time and money into keeping us close with our extended family. Love them all so much!

The kids with Grandma Audrey.

 

My cousin Antonia and her beautiful family.

 

Our day at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo.

 

The Beverly Hillbillies making their way through the airport.

 

Girls luncheon!

 

In and Out Burgers - always a favorite.

grieving the 'no'

I read in a book recently that when we say 'yes' to one thing in life - we are automatically saying 'no' to something else. This seems obvious, I know, but I've never thought about it like this. The author went on to say that we need to give ourselves permission to grieve the things we've said 'no' to.

This explained a lot for me. I've always thought that I experienced regret after making major decisions in life. But perhaps I wasn't feeling regret at all - maybe what I was feeling was grief. Like when I cried so much on my wedding day. Although I was confident in my decision to say 'yes' to marriage, I was also saying 'no' that day to single life - and I was grieving. And even though my first pregnancy was planned and eagerly anticipated - I was a little sad when those two blue lines appeared. This joyful 'yes' in my life also meant saying 'no' to my pre-baby life.

My sweet girl is a bit sad today. Tomorrow all of her friends will start school and she's feeling lonely and left out. We went on a little date this afternoon and I was able to share with her that it's ok to be sad about this. Our 'yes' to homeschooling means we have to say 'no' to other things. Good things. And it's okay to grieve the 'no' that comes along with that decision. It doesn't mean we've made a bad decision, or even that we're feeling regret --- we're just sad about the 'no' - and that's ok.

sewing day

Audrey loves to sew. Unfortunately, her mother does not. So when a fellow mom from co-op offered to have Audrey over for a sewing day - we jumped at the chance! This sweet lady had three girls and their sewing machines in her home all day. They worked on adorable shirts for themselves and their AG dolls. Audrey had a BALL.

When we got home, Audrey asked if we could move the sewing machine into her room. She can sew better than me at this point - so yes - my machine has a new home. And Audrey is one very happy girl.

Thank you Kristi!

2013-2014 school year

Our first official day of school is quickly approaching. Audrey will be a 5th grader, Liam a 3rd grader and Ethan is in Kindergarten! It's going to be a full year, for sure. I have made some curriculum changes and we are all very excited.

For Audrey and Liam...

History - Story of the World, Volume 4
Science - Real Science for Kids - Physics
Latin - Prima Latina
Vocabulary - Word Roots
Geography - Map Skills and Geography Songs Around the World
Spelling - Spelling Power
Grammar - Rod and Staff English
Writing - Writing Strands and Writing With Skill
Math - Teaching Textbooks
Typing - Typing Instructor for Kids
Music - Piano Lessons

For Ethan...

Writing and Math - Scholastic Success With Kindergarten
Reading - Bob Book Series

steven curtis chapman

Audrey and I went on a date tonight to a Steven Curtis Chapman concert. Now to be perfectly honest - I would not have called myself a huge fan before tonight. But Audrey really wanted to go, and I really like spending time with her, so off we went. It was an amazing show! (Dad, you would have loved it!) Fun and energetic. Yet full of truth and honesty about some of the really hard things his family has gone through. Above all - it was a night filled with praise and it was precious to share that with my girl.

loving summer

I really don't want this summer to end. Good friends. Great weather. Wonderful family time. Lots of popsicles. It's been just about perfect...