Blessed

This was what Daniel did Friday after coming home from work so that I could take a nap.

He's a keeper, that's for sure.



P.S. Don't forget to make your guess!

Make your guess!

Time to make your guess about this baby: gender, arrival date, weight, height, etc.!

The prize is all the glory of being right. Pretty good, huh?

(I also put a small banner on the left-hand side of my page that will take you to expectnet.com any time you want.)

In a nutshell

Daniel is back on the campuses in full force and loving it. Last Thursday was the first official day of incontro '09 and there haven't been a whole lot of spare minutes since. In these first 2 weeks of school, the goal is to meet and interact with the majority (all?!) of the thousands of college students who flood our area each year. I'm not sure how many packs of gum, water bottles (all with incontro 09 labels fixed onto them), and church cards have been handed out so far, but I know it's lots.

As a family, we're really blessed that when Daniel does get a chance to come up for air, he spends it completely on us and not at all on himself.

I'm enjoying our return to our own homeschooling routine and the order and predictability that comes with that. When we began our school year a little over 2 weeks ago, I did so with the intention of being able to take a several weeks long break in October when the new baby arrives and not so that we could already be taking a break due to an outbreak of atypical (aka "walking") pneumonia in our home (that now includes me in the sick bunch), but sometimes life throws curve balls!

I won't lie: I've struggled with my share of Beginning-of-the-Semester blues in the past week (I keep wondering when I won't mind "sharing" Daniel several evenings each week throughout the school year), but I'm also seeing how God is calling me to a more generous and global perspective through such a small thing as learning to find joy in the little sacrifices. And I'm glad-- really and truly glad-- that He doesn't stop chipping away at my selfishness so that His light can shine through more clearly.


Gabriel is just, well, old these days. His most frequent infraction around the house is being the Third Parent, if you know what I mean. Sometimes I stop and think about the little boy who used to daily bring me to tears because of his complete disregard to authority and house rules, and I wonder how that 3-year-old could so quickly turn into a Rule Enforcer himself!

Poor guy was the first to come down with pneumonia and, consequently, he has been sick for a good 10 days by now. Aside from a rib cage that's protruding more than it was 2 weeks ago and a bit of a hoarse voice from coughing, he seems to generally be no worse for the wear. And only 1 day after getting proper medication, he is already dramatically improved. Kids sure do bounce back fast.

Bronwyn is the healthy one of the bunch at this point. Well, she and Daniel. We have often joked over the years about how Bronwyn inherited Daniel's constitution of steel, but it seems to be true! This little girl doesn't get knocked down by much. She continues to have energy, enthusiasm, attitude, and drama in abundance, even while the rest of us struggle.

And she groans each morning this week when I tell her we aren't going to sit at the table and do school, because she loves school. I have to admit that she's learning very quickly, much more quickly than I ever anticipated. Last week she read a small reader to Daniel with only a tiny bit of assistance here and there. Yesterday I realized she was reading the label on the orange juice and only getting hung up on certain vowel combinations because we haven't covered them yet (like "ea"). She is a sponge!

Jackson is the most affectionate preschooler I have ever met. The boy loves giving hugs, and he is especially partial to Daddy, Papa, and Uncle Rick. I feel so blessed that he is surrounded by men who will let him climb up on their laps, ride on their shoulders, and wrestle them to the ground. He thrives on such interaction.

He is a dream during our school time. He plays quietly and contentedly for the entire 60-70 minutes that the older 2 kids and I are at working together and has yet to interrupt us even once. And then, when it's time to be done playing so we can work on our daily chores together, he jumps right up and dives in (it's amazing what a 3-year-old will do for a checkmark on a chore chart!).

It's pretty unusual to see Jackson turning down food the way he has lately thanks to pneumonia and an ear infection, but I know that in a few short days, he'll be right back to his normal self.

Aubrey is a firecracker! She is a busy, busy girl. If Gabriel's our melancholic, Bronwyn our sanguine, and Jackson our phlegmatic, Aubrey is definitely our choleric. [see Four Temperaments] She has opinions by the dozen, lots of independence, and drive. She doesn't watch any movies/TV, has only recently learned to sit still through an entire story book (thanks to Mama and Daddy insisting that she do so), snuggles just long enough to nurse a couple times a day before jumping down and running some more, and wants to go everywhere/do everything she sees other people going/doing. I guess with that sort of activity it's no wonder she just weighed in at only 22lbs2oz, clothes and all.

She amazes the medical community. Up until going in yesterday due to the pneumonia we're dealing with, it's been several months since she last saw a doctor, and even now, this sickness hasn't made her skip a beat. The cardiologists are sure surgery is still in her future, but they are astounded-- and thrilled-- that she remains as healthy as she is without it. We never stop praying that God will supernaturally uphold her (as He has!) and that her life will continue to be a marvel to many!

Paladin #5 is well on his/her way and I can hardly believe it. This summer has flown by and, with it, the pregnancy. In 7 short weeks or so, we'll be meeting this new little one. I've said "boy" all along and some recent prophetic ministry seemed to confirm that, so for the first time (!), I might just be right. My doctor is convinced this baby isn't going to be as big as the others because I've measured very small so far, but having had prior experience with measuring small and then still delivering 8-1/2lb+ babies, I am absolutely convinced otherwise and am guessing that Baby already weighs about 4-1/2lbs.

Several weeks ago, we were looking dreadfully unprepared for the baby's arrival (by our culture's standards, anyway!), but God has completely provided for us through others' generosity, and it has been an awesome testimony to me of His faithfulness when we are open to His call. We were given a used-once car seat for just the price of S&H to get it to us, my aunt gave us some of her baby gear that she is no longer using, Danica is lending me her entire newborn diaper stash, and this past Sunday a mom in the church gave me her Ergo because she had been praying and felt like the Lord told her she should.

Now we just need a name! The front runners are Thaddeus (Thad-- pronounced Tad-- for short) or Claire. Those aren't for sure yet so I haven't bothered spending oodles of time matching middle names, but we'll get there.

And that's our family, in a nutshell!

First impressions

We are now finished with Week #2 (and 12 days worth) of our official homeschooling year. While there is a great deal left to be discovered about the curriculum I am using this year, I thought I'd give a bit of a First Impressions review.

First for the Pros:

1. The price is amazing! I spent only $180 for all the textbooks and workbooks for both Gabriel and Bronwyn and I have been so pleased with how comprehensive and complete this package is! All I've had to buy in addition to the curriculum itself, is pencils, construction paper, and paper clips. Oh, and the other day I used some aluminum foil from the kitchen drawer for a science project assignment. Last year I pieced together a curriculum for Gabriel, thinking I would both enjoy that (which I did, but I didn't want to have to do it x2 students this year) and that we would save money. At well over $100 for just one student last year, I definitely didn't save money!
2. It is so great to have much of Gabriel and Bronwyn's work combined. Our "book" school time is seriously no more than 60 minutes total-- and I don't have to multiply that as I cover a million different things with different children. Devotions, history, science, read-aloud, and phonics are all combined. When they do their grade-specific handwriting, math, and fine motor skills assignments, I give them their separate books and find it's very easy to oversee them simultaneously.
   
3. The assignments are simple and so clearly laid out for the teacher. Wow. I love that instead of having to create our work plan from scratch, I simply get to tweak it to work best for us.
   
4. Everything is tied together, from devotions to history to science. At the end of the day, the kids have learned lots of little things, but there is clearly one Big Idea. I love this!
5. The history/social studies book is terrific! We are already covering things that Gabriel's books last year never began to touch on, such as how to make timelines and what B.C. and A.D. stand for, the definitions of various pertinent words, what the different continents and oceans are, and more. And we've only gotten as far as Unit 3, Day 2 out of 34 units!
   
6. Daniel and I are both really enjoying the family devotional assignments (we do this portion of schooling during our 8am breakfast so that Daniel can be part of it). I went ahead and purchased the devotional HoD publishing recommends-- even though we already have lots of children's Bibles-- because I thought we might appreciate how they link daily devotions with what the kids are learning in history and science. I'm so glad I did! We don't usually end up reading right from the book (it's just our preference to have it coming out in Mama or Daddy's words), but it has been a great springboard. And I have to say that so far I am very pleased with the specific verses that have been assigned for Scripture memorization.

Now the Cons:

1. I'm most disappointed with the handwriting workbooks. They are way beneath my kids' skill levels and are, consequently, quite boring to them. This could be a case of You-Get-What-You-Pay-For, since there was a more expensive option, or it could just be that the need for a handwriting curriculum really does vary from student to student. Honestly, between making birthday cards and various little art projects my kids are always doing, they get much better handwriting practice than most curriculum provides, it seems, and I think in the future I will just skip it and design something of my own using a children's writing tablet.
2. The science textbook is far less exciting/interesting than the history/social studies textbook. Sure, the lessons cover the basics and there are some nice science "games" that help reinforce what's being learned (and that the kids love!), but there is no real depth (comparatively). I can't say that I'm crushed by this since I personally have no great love for science, but I do hope in future years (assuming, as I do now, that I will continue with HoD) for something the kids can really sink their teeth into.
3. I have to do a good bit of flipping to the Index of the Teacher's Manual for the 1st and 2nd grade text/workbook assignments because the basic daily assignments are all assuming usage of K books. This isn't the end of the world, but it would be nicer if all the work was listed together (i.e. the 1st grade math assignment following the K math assignment vs. the 1st grade math assignment being listed in the Index only).

I'm sure there are more cons, but I haven't discovered them-- yet! I am very, very, very happy with this curriculum choice. Overall, it is a great fit for my kids and for me, and it an especially ideal situation as we head into a school year that looks to provide lots of upheaval (namely, a new baby due in mid October).

Our garden saga

This is year #2 of vegetable gardening for us and we are still learning a lot. There are days I really find joy in the process, and there are others that vex the perfectionist in me. I have to remind myself that nothing is failure, so long as we come away with knowledge and experience.

Right?

Having learned the hard way last year that some things just can't be started from seeds-- even indoors (except for in a greenhouse)-- this far north due to such a short and cool growing season, we bought tomato and pepper plants and only grew our herbs, lettuce, and squash/zucchini plants from seeds. We looked to be on a much better track with everything, even with all the cool and rainy weather, so you can imagine our disappointment upon realizing that our tomato plants (particularly the cherry tomato plants) had been struck by blight. Already, we've pulled out one plant altogether and yanked numerous leaves off others. The fruit hasn't yet been effected, but I can tell that it's only a matter of time. Until then, I am ripping off every leaf that starts to go bad and harvesting each tomato practically the minute it turns red.

I'm trying to look on the bright side: now we know. I will probably always be on the lookout for blight after this and will hopefully be able to catch it early enough to treat it in the future.

The other thing I've learned the hard way is that I should have bought way more lettuce seeds than I did. I had no idea how easy it is to grow lettuce, nor how incredibly tasty fresh baby lettuce leaves are! Next year, I will stock up in the spring so that we can keep replanting.

And I will buy a salad spinner, because that would totally make washing and drying all that loose leaf lettuce a hundred times easier.

In the meantime, we are suffering from the basil-blues that it seems many gardeners are experiencing this year. My aunt thinks it's all the rain. All I know is that I miss harvesting huge basil plants and having the smell permeate my entire kitchen. The few measly leaves we get each week are hardly satisfying.

But we are enjoying some early-harvested peppers that I really ought to let stay on the vine and ripen to a nice red but don't because I'm just too impatient, and I have absolutely loved having fresh cilantro around for all my mexican cravings. And, not surprisingly, our zucchini and summer squash plants are gigantic and producing well for the second year in a row. Now I know why everybody has so much squash to give away each summer; I think it's probably nearly impossible to not have those things thrive!

All in all, it's been a good summer even though we are busily making notes for next year. Part of me wonders just how many years it will take before we move beyond Novice to Experienced, but it is a process and-- overall-- a very fun one.

This summer's standby

Maybe I'm the only one, but it seems that in every season I have my Standby Dinner. You know: the meal I find myself making over and over and over again. Then, eventually, I get sick of it and replace it with something else.

All of this takes place subconsciously, of course, until either Daniel or one of the kids says something to me about it.

This summer, my Standby Dinner has been "mexican lasagna" (that's what I'll call it, though there might very well be an actual name for this sort of dish out there somewhere). I've had quite a hankering for mexican food this entire pregnancy and this meal satisfies that craving in me (for a day or so, anyway!), plus it's quick and easy to put together, and I make it with black beans, which-- in case you didn't know-- are loaded with iron.

In a large pan, I saute garlic, onion, and some bell pepper(s) in oil. Once the onion is soft and translucent, I add meat-- ground beef or shredded cooked chicken-- if we want meat, otherwise I skip this and just use 2x as many beans. Then I throw in a couple cups-- more if I'm not using meat-- of cooked black beans (dried taste better, but canned are nice for those last-minute meals), some frozen corn if I have it on hand/feel like it, a whole bunch of fresh cilantro (which was growing by leaps and bounds in our garden until it all went to seed last week when we were out of town), and whatever seasoning I feel like that night. Cumin, chili powder, coriander seed, etc. Salt & pepper, of course, to taste.

(Some fresh lime juice would probably be really yummy, too, but all my fresh lime juice is going to guacamole this pregnancy. )

made with ground beef and no corn

In a 9x13" baking dish, I first spread a [thin, for the sake of my husband & children] layer of salsa. Then I stack whole wheat tortillas about 3 deep (you'll probably need 1-1/2 tortillas for each layer). Next I spread half of my meat/bean mixture over the tortillas. Sprinkle shredded cheese. Repeat all the layers one more time.

Bake, covered, at 350* for about 30 minutes.

Can be made ahead and kept in the fridge, which comes in very handy for Sunday lunch.

I love it served with tortilla chips and pico de gallo and/or guacamole. And don't forget extra salsa and sour cream.

(Sorry I don't have a picture of it baked; I guess I get too busy eating to remember to snap a photo!)

A Summer Birthday

We doubled school assignments on Tuesday so we could take the day off from school yesterday and spend the morning (and a picnic lunch) at a nearby playground.



Fresh flowers from the garden at the dinner table: one of the delights of summer celebrations!



Another delight of summer celebrations: big bowls of fresh fruit.



I love the expression on her face!

The much-anticipated opening of gifts!



"Snow White" receiving one of her birthday phone calls.

FIVE!

Bronwyn is five whole years old today. And what a treasure she has been to us these years: we love life with her!

:: She is a most cheerful little girl and greets each day with delight. Her mother and older brother especially benefit from her sanguine and carefree disposition.

:: She loves playing dress-up. More than most anything. Oh, and puzzles. And animals. And good food. And pretty dresses on Sunday mornings. And playgrounds. And new shoes. And ribbons in her hair. And splashing in mud puddles. And... well.. pretty much everything!

:: She is quite the gardener. The boys could care less about what Daniel or I may be doing at any given moment in the gardens, but Bronwyn is often found pulling weeds with us, or admiring the tomatoes on the vine, or wielding the hoe between the rows of lettuce.

:: She wants to take dance lessons this year. I am going to do my best to find some sort of program for her to participate in as I think dancing will be a good fit for this not-athletically-inclined girl of ours. (She'll swing the bat and run as hard as she can, but I must say that she looks quite comical the entire time. Hmmm... wonder where she gets that from?!)

:: She began her year as a homeschooling kindergartener this week, which is very exciting to her. I think she may end up being much easier to teach to read than I had anticipated, which is very exciting to me.

Happy Birthday to a lovely little girl! We think you're awfully special!

Take a deep breath...

... cause here we gooooo!!!!!

Tomorrow morning we are beginning our school year. I'm both excited and nervous.

Last year simply felt, from the get-go, like a really fun chance to get my feet wet, but this year...

*gulp*

This year I have to admit that I frequently find myself wondering, "Can I do this?" The need before me to learn how to juggle the altogether eager appetites of both a first grader and kindergartener, along with the activity of a 3.5-year-old, the demands of training an almost-2-year-old, and the never-ending task of running a home, is a bit daunting. Especially once you add in the newborn who will be arriving in about 10 weeks.

(Uh, is it just me or have the past 7 months absolutely flown by???)

I'm not so nervous about the actual teaching as I am that I will get so overwhelmed in what I need to do in a day that I forget to bring my children along and teach them as we go instead of just getting some check marks in the workbooks.

(Not that there isn't a perfectly acceptable time and place for just getting the work done, but you know what I mean...)

But I'm also excited: excited for this awesome opportunity and privilege! Quite frankly, as legislation gets weird and I wonder often what our government will decide to do next, I don't take getting to stay home and be the one who teaches and coaxes and learns alongside my children for granted. I'm so thankful to be doing this.

So very thankful!

The Island

Last week we left home first thing in the morning, full of anticipation and excitement for 6 days at my aunt's house on Long Island.

It was a great week. Highlights included several hours and a sand-filled picnic lunch on the beach, riding the waves and soaking up the sun; lots of walks around Northport, where Huck & Judy's house is prominently situated at the top of a hill overlooking the harbor and downtown; indoor and outdoor playgrounds; sitting on the big porch and laughing until our stomachs hurt; Aunt Judy's delicious cooking (her fettucine alfredo is to die for); and touring Sagamore Hill.

Mostly, though, it was just great to be together. I didn't care a whole lot what we did, so long as I got to enjoy the company of my family.

And I got to do just that.

Our Baywatch hunk