Only in Texas!!

TODAY IS THURSDAY, MARCH 6!!

(check the date on my previous post)

A beautiful, sunny day

TODAY IS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5. NOTICE THE SHORT SLEEVES, SUNSHINE, GREEN GRASS, PLAYING BASEBALL, ETC.

Science Reports

I asked the girls to pick a disease they wanted to learn more about. Both girls chose very interesting diseases to research: leprosy and malaria. They both made very interesting, informative presentations.

My little 2nd grader did a wonderful job on her report on Malaria. We all learned a lot about this disease. Some of the questions about the diseases they had to answer were: what is it?, how is it spread?, what is the prevention?, what are the symptoms?, is there a treatment?, is it fatal? where is it most commonly found?, etc. If it looks like they made their presentations in their nightclothes, it's because they made their presentations in their nightclothes! The advantages of home schooling are just endless!

Moon Sand

This is the coolest stuff! We had all of the ingredients for a fun afternoon: a warm, pretty day, 3 kids with cabin fever, 3 bags of moon sand, and lots of creativity.

Valentine's Day

Our sweet friends invited us over for a Valentine's Day Party. The kids exchanged cards, played "Candy Bingo", ate cupcakes and just had lots of fun.

Playtime with Daddy

This is one of my absolute favorite sights, Daddy playing with the kids. It just melts my heart. Way back when, when I was still single, whenever I envisioned being married and having children, this was my heart's desire: a Christian husband who would be a loving, fun, tender, sweet, and patient Daddy. God has been so gracious to me in answering that prayer, even beyond what I dared to hope for.

"Are they twins?"

Believe it or not, we were often asked that question when the girls were younger. Even though they occasionally enjoy dressing alike, they have been very different from the get-go. Each one has her own set of likes and dislikes, her own personality, her own sense of humor, her own sense of style, and her own gifts and talents. I am too often guilty of lumping them together as "the girls", even though I am very aware of their differences. It never ceases to amaze me how two children can be born to the same couple, raised in the same house, loved equally, and yet can be so different from one another. Even though I know the reason is, of course, that God creates everyone uniquely, it still astounds me. God is so good. The amazing thing about "my girls" is that despite their differences, they are BFF ("best friends forever", for those of you who don't have tweens)!

"Beautiful feet"

This photo made me think of the verse:

"...How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:15.

Happy New Year!

Our "other son" came to spend a few days with us before school started back up. What a treat to have him here with us as we brought in the new year. We had a fun, little party here at home, just the six of us. I pray that this precious, little boy will be a part of our lives his entire life. One of these days I'm going to write a children's book based on his life---he is an amazing, little guy.

Christmas 2007

A Christmas Eve tradition: while Daddy reads the Christmas Story, the kids place the Nativity figurines in their proper places.

Buzz Lightyear: one of his favorite toys this Christmas.

She is fascinated with monkeys, so she really loved this cute, little guy.

She is very excited about taking photos and making movies with this cool camera. Maybe one of our future posts will be one of her short films.

Christmas night...what a great day we all had!

Our Masterpiece

I'm so glad my sister, the Art teacher, was here to direct the "building" of the gingerbread house. My niece is also very artistic, of course. My kids did a fantastic job, too. My job was to take the photos, that's how artistic I am.

An absolute work of art!

We all had so much fun, not only with the gingerbread house, but also spending time with family so close to the Christmas holidays.

Christmas Piano Recital

The girls' piano recital fell on a very special day---Daddy's birthday.

Mrs. T. is a fantastic piano teacher---the girls have learned a lot from her. My Huela (grandmother) would be very pleased that the girls are playing the piano. She taught most of my cousins and me to play when we were children. She loved music and always sought to glorify God with her talents, as a piano teacher and as the church pianist for 50+ years. I am grateful to Huela for passing on to us the love of music and the piano, but most of all, for teaching us to love the Lord and to glorify Him with our talents and with our entire lives.

What a great job our little girl did in her second piano recital! She played "O Christmas Tree" and "March King". We are so proud of her!

Our baby girl did so well in her first piano recital. She played "Classical March" and "Cowboy Joe". We are very proud of her!

"Cars" Birthday Party

God, we thank you so much for this sweet, little boy. Our prayer for our children is that they would increase in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

The cake was so yummy!

He loves all cars, but Lightning is the coolest car!

The birthday boy with all of his party guests. Thank you for coming to celebrate with us. We love y'all!

He enjoyed playing "Mater, Mater, Lightning", our adapted version of "Duck, Duck, Goose".

I can't believe he's 3!

The Thomas the Train set was one of his favorite presents.

Here he is, showing off all of his birthday goodies. For the last 2 months, every time he'd see something he liked, he would ask, "Can I have this for my birthday?" Once his birthday had passed (Nov. 30), the next question was, "Can I have this for my Christmas?"

He has definitely gotten the hang of opening presents.

The birthday boy chose to eat lunch at Chick Fil-A. Ice cream is a must for any birthday.

The Windy City

Chicago is our favorite city to visit---one of the reasons is the great food! D&J, thanks for this incredible trip.

The Children's Museum is fabulous!

On our way to the Navy Pier.

Hanging out at the hotel---I think we're waiting for our pizza to be delivered.

Poor little brother...we wore him out.

Drake, can you believe we stayed at The Drake?

I bet you can guess why the girls love Chicago!

Thanksgiving

"Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving..." Psalms 95:2

I really enjoy Thanksgiving. I think it's because we have so much to be thankful for.

Thanks, D&J, for taking our whole family along with you to celebrate Thanksgiving in South Bend/Chicago this year. It was a great trip. It was so great being with Aunt Dot for Thanksgiving. She is such a sweetie! She is also very strong---she amazes us and inspires us with her vigor, perseverance, strength, independence and spunk. We love you, Aunt Dot!