Homeschoolers Thanksgiving Day

For the past month the boys have been meeting each Friday with two other families to study the lives of Indians, Pilgrims, and Thanksgiving Day. Today we all came together for a day of feasting, singing "We Gather Together", reading of the Scriptures, and prayer.After some wonderful food we took a hayride through the fields. It was a beautiful Fall day, and I was so grateful for the chance to share it with my friends.Julie, now a precious Mama of four, was a student of ours in Italy almost 20 years ago.I am very appreciative of the chance to see her grow into such a fine wife and mother. This evening, after everyone had left to return home, our daughter Chelsea called to tell us their dog, Afro, had died while they were gone. It is so hard to bear your child's broken heart, no matter how old they are.We will all miss that sweet, ACTIVE dog, who brought Chelsea and Justin a lot of joy.Jon's here for the night, so the boys are momentarily distracted from their sadness over Afro. Big brothers show up at just the right time.

Gabriel's First Birthday

Last night we celebrated Gabriel's birthday with cupcakes, punch, and ALL the family except for Brandon (who was greatly missed:)His favorite gift was his balloon from his Great-grandparents. He also received a shopping cart, a talking vacuum and a teddy bear made with LOTS of love from his Grandma.Even his Uncle Jon surprised us by driving from Searcy and arriving right before the party was to begin. We sat up late eating snacks, playing "Guess Who?" (by the way, it's alot of fun if you play by Justin's double question rule:). It's always fun spending time together. We all wish for Gabriel many years of good health, happiness, and years of service to God. We love you, little boy!

Two Little Indians

This afternoon, for three hours, Jordan and Christian had a special "unit study" on the Indians out at the Blackwelders place in the country. Dana had put so much work into her day. They each had a special notebook to put their papers in.We set up their tepee. They made necklaces with real bison teeth, sewed together canoes, made coup sticks with feathers, made headdresses, made small tepees, made fry bread (served with apple cider),played two Indian games, ran races, and rode horses. They were busy every second. It helped having just eight children total (Julie joined us with Ellie, Ivy, Owen and baby Oliver).It was a beautiful Fall day in which I was especially grateful for friends who are kindred spirits.Today was also extra special because Chelsea celebrated her 21st birthday AND I got to talk to Brandon in China AND my big brother, Kenny, called me from Texas and he sounded wonderful (he's been in Nigeria for over 20 years, so phone calls are far and few between.)We are blessed. Now, all I have to do is come up with an incredible two hour program on the Pilgrims for my part next Friday. Wish me luck!

A Day in the Kitchen

Today was as close to a perfect day as I've had in a long time. The boys were so helpful all day, while I spent the day getting a months worth of meals in the freezer. This was my first time to do this since Terry was diagnosed gluten-free, so I had to try a lot of new recipes. I made Chicken in Apricot Sauce, Marinated Chicken, Lasagna, Chili-Corn Casserole, Meatballs, Stuffed Green Peppers, Frozen Cranberry Salad, Gator Salad, Cranberry Nut Loaves,Taco Meat,and Ham dishes. The house smells wonderful, my kitchen is clean, and I can now step out to the freezer each morning when it's time for school and pull out the evening meal.I also got all the Halloween decorations packed away.Thanksgiving will be here soon. I'm so excited! We're celebrating at Chelsea and Justin's this year..making memories in their first home together.

Trick or Trunk

The boys had a wonderful time trick or treating this year. They really didn't even go around to all the cars for candy, but instead headed off to play with their friends. They went on the hayride, had their picture taken, swung at the pinata (though we got tickled when Christian said he almost broke the "pieta"-, a famous statue at the Vatican:), and did the cake walk. Christian won two cakes and was unhappy that they wouldn't let him try again.We decided not to do the neighborhood trick-or-treating this year since we have celebrated quite a bit already. Fortunately, the boys didn't even mention it. We're meeting with friends all this month to do a unit study on Pilgrims and Indians, so I guess they've got plenty of opportunities to hang out with friends.Thankfully, there is only a handful of candy left...so no more sugar highs!