Monday, August 25, 2014

A New Life

I'm sitting here at my computer in complete silence.  James took the kids swimming this evening just for fun and I stayed home to get some things done.  In the stillness of my home my thoughts have wandered back to the reality I might have had today.  Today, August 25, 2014 would have been the first day that ALL OF MY CHILDREN would have been at school ALL DAY LONG.  Claire would have started kindergarten today.  I can't really describe the feelings that realization has provoked in me.  It would have been fun to send her out the door with her little backpack to conquer the world.  It is a rite of passage I have been through with all of my other kids.  I would love for her to have that opportunity but not at the expense of her missing memories with all of the rest of us here at home.   It sure would be nice to have this kind of quiet.  The things I could get done!  Things are messier that is for sure.  I am tired a lot.  But I am not sure that it is really harder.  It is just different.  What a different life I am leading than the one I pictured wherein I'd pack lunches and do homework and visit crowded lunchrooms at noon.  Our life looks different than most.  As much as it tugs on my heartstrings a little to think of all of the peaceful days to myself that I have given up, I am glad that I have settled into a new life.  It is one of my (many) goals this year to share that life a bit better.  Since homeschooling I have all but completely stopped journaling and taking photographs.  I would like to do better this year.  So, here is a start.

Our first week of school:














My favorite time of day is in the morning when we put on fun music and do chores.  Everyone gets ready for the day and meets at the breakfast table.  We have breakfast and then scripture study.  We all love it.


Just an ordinary moment that I enjoyed.


And another . . .


And another . . . 


It really is the simple things that I love the most.  I love to watch the kids learn and interact with each other.  Audrey is not in many of these pictures because she is doing an intermediate program online and is often studying independently now that she is older.  I hope that I can keep this up.  I have really missed taking pictures of our every day.  

Monday, March 24, 2014

Time is marching on . . .

Time is marching on and it just won't slow down long enough for me to record any of it!  There are so many little moments every day that I wish I could sit down and document and then the moment passes and then the days and weeks and months and well, here we are.  It has been WAY TOO LONG!

First of all, my baby turned FIVE!!  How did it happen?  Look at how beautiful she is.  This is going to sound crazy but I could honestly tell that she was going to be so pretty from her sonogram images.


She has really grown up in the last year.  She has been so much healthier and life has just been sweet.  As you can see from these photos she has absolutely no personality.  In all seriousness I think she is my most spirited child.  She has got flare!

Secondly, my oldest is AMAZING!  She is almost twelve and has really become such an amazingly mature and responsible girl.  I came home the other day after she had been babysitting for a very long time.  She had cleaned and vacuumed my bedroom and wiped down and cleaned my bathroom for me!  It was the nicest surprise.  I cried.  She takes initiative for everything, doing schoolwork, finishing her chores, cleaning out the fish tank, etc.  I never have to ask her to do anything.  She is the best example to her siblings.  I couldn't ask for a better daughter as my eldest child.  What a huge blessing!  Plus, what a beauty. 



The next thing of note is that Rachel has been cancer free for five years!  We had a scare earlier this month and I felt so relieved that she got a clean bill of health.  She is such a character.  She is so full of life and creativity.  She is writing music.  I just LOVE it!  It makes my heart smile to hear her playing away on the piano and guitar and writing lyrics with ease.  



Lastly, my cutest little boy is awesome.  He just is.  He is always happy and on task.  He reads and reads and reads.  He is way into legos and hanging out with his dad.  He's such a sweetheart.  I prayed for a boy and Heavenly Father gave me one.  It was the only time I ever specifically asked.  I have always felt that he was sent here just for me as my own special little gift.

Last but not least, my husband is fun.  I know that this is from Christmas but we decorated our tree, in the morning, in our workout clothes, with Santa hats.   He makes me think outside the box and pushes me out of my comfort zone and into this wonderful place of laughter and fun and spontaneity.  I love him. 

There are so many things I need to catch up on but mostly, I am so happy.  Things are busy busy busy but they are so good.  xoxoxoxo

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