Summer days and homeschool love

We have been in the school mode for a few weeks now and it's going very well. Even with a two year old and baby in tow. I'm keeping things light, fun and informal with Hunter. Jay started with Math and Explode the Code everyday and I'm slowing adding a few more subjects to fill out our school day. I'll post more details later in the week.
Even with school in full swing here in Texas, fall hasn't shown any signs of visiting. Triple digits. Hot. Hotter. Hottest. Oh. My. So a few days ago I was wondering why I've been so grumpy and irritable by the afternoon and I realized it's because we haven't been outside in weeks. Sure I've kicked them out for a few minutes in the morning for as long as they can stand it but we haven't been playing outside until.....



a storm last week (yeah, like crazy wind and a quarter inch of rain) knocked down this ginormous branch! (we weren't home. More on that later too) The boys can't help but sweat it out because it's so fun to play on!! I deliver water, they play outside. It's a beautiful arrangement and my summer grumpiness has passed! Now if some cooler weather will just come I'll be a happy mommy!

Alive and Kicking!

Things have been wild and crazy around here the last few months. There has truly not been a dull moment. Here's are the key points:

• WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BABY! Part of the blogging silence has been due to awful morning sickness. I'm in week 13 now and feeling like life may go on and I will not die. That's a good feeling!
• Tyler broke his collar bone 2 weeks ago after falling off the play ground.
• We moved into our house! (before and after pics to come) There's still a lot of work to be done but I am so happy to finally be living in my house!
• Unpacking
  
• Tyler has an inguinal hernia that will need to be surgically repaired. It's not really a big deal (if surgery on a 2 year old can be "no big deal") It's a minor, routine procedure. We are hoping to schedule it March.
• More unpacking and organizing
• Homeschooling. Which mostly consists of reading lots of books, playing outside, and learning through everyday living.
  
• Jay started choir at the First Baptist Church! He loves it and just thinks he is so big and important (and he's right!)
• Hunter is growing like a weed! I think he gets bigger every morning. He is just so sweet and kind to all of us. There is the occasional food meltdown but that's to be expected every now and then.
• Tyler will be 2 on Monday. Where has the time gone?
• And more unpacking and organizing.
  

I hope to one day have a post that does not have to be an update but just a sweet post about every day life in our home. That seems a little ambitious at this point though! =)

Dreamy Weather!

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens

This described playing outside with the boys all day yesterday. We are going to do it again today...and tomorrow...and for as long as this beautiful Spring weather will allow...

It's Monday again....horray!

So, last week was good! I feel like I'm back on top of my life. It's amazing that a goal and a little determination can get you where you want to be. ;) This week had it's trials, like any other, but I feel good! This is week two. I hope I can stay this focused and determined!

Last week we finished our If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Lapbook. The boys had a great time with it.












This is we will do Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and go see the movie this weekend. I'm really excited about it! Lapbooking is amazing and fun! I'm off to start some breakfast before my little people wake up! Hope you have a great week!

This is the week....

This is the week that I get on top of life...and I get life OFF OF ME! The last few weeks I have hardly been able to keep my head above water and this is the week that I get back in the boat, grab an oar, and I get to decide where we go from now on. This morning I woke up at 6, rotated laundry, walked a mile with my good friend Ginny, put banana bread in the oven and now doing a quick blog update before I look at the dinner plan. It's a good start! I'm going to look at starting a....*biting nails...gasp*...schedule! I have to manage my time better. I can't let life smother me anymore. Wish me luck!

If I had time to blog this is what I'd blog about!

It's been WAY too long since I have blogged...I miss it! And I know you are dying to know how we are doing! ;) So I'll tell you...mostly in pictures!

Quick Update (without the pics) We closed on our house and moved in with the in-laws. It's going really well. It's actually been fun hanging out with everyone and always having some to chat with in the kitchen while fixing breakfast or doing the dishes! I've laughed A LOT in the last month! =)
Here's what else we've been up to!











Jay lost his first tooth! (and now another one too)










My sweet little Boo-Ba!










I was invited to attend the birth of Juliet Faith Davis! She was born on August 16th and weighed 9 lbs, 10 oz and 21 inches long. This was my 6th birth to attend! (well, 3 were my own, but I was told that they count to...since I was there and all...) It was amazing and I am so honored to have been invited! I love babies, birth, and serving mothers while they experience the most amazing gift that God could give women. I love it!!!!










The Blue Hit was the TLM Showcase Series artist in August and they were awesome! Velvet Vocals, Groovy Guitar, and Charming Cello! Doesn't that description make you want to check them out! September is going to rock also!










The sound guy and the intern!








Iceskating for my mother in law's bday party!!!!








The boys working on their Family Lapbooks. They are so fun! I'm in love with lapbooking. Check it out!

So that's the Amelang update!

Time Keeps Tickin' Away

I've been thinking a lot about one comment I make too often "There's not enough hours in the day..."
I was in the car on my way to pick up J and H from my mother-in-law, T was asleep and had time to think about whatever I wanted (how often does that happen?!) and my mind went to I Have So Much To Do Land. I hate that place. It stresses me out. It makes me feel like a failure because I just can't seem to get it all done. Suddenly I stopped and I felt like God was saying that He's given me 24 hours every day and I should be grateful for them and not wish for more. The same way I would not wish for more money, a new car, that really cute pair of shoes from Store X. I was being ungrateful for the gift of time that I've been given. I need to make sure that I'm making the best of every minute and then I will know that there are enough hours for exactly what needs to be done.
That's what I'm working on. What's the highest priority? Dishes, laundry, email? Probably not. Reading, playing cars, taking walks with my boys...yep! I'm learning to cut the things that aren't so important. The time suckers that have no return. I want to go to sleep at night feeling like I accomplished exactly what I was supposed to that day...even if it's just that I read to my little men all day. I want to feel like that was something great even if the dishes didn't get done. Who cares? There will always be dishes to do....

Life, the Universe and Everything

I've officially entered the new millenium....I have a blog! I'm a little behind. I checked out Pandora Radio a few weeks ago and I'm loving it. I have all my fav 90's songs because that's all I know. I'm okay with that really. I don't own an IPOD, IPhone, flat screen tv, or any other nifty gadgets that make life "cooler" or "easier" and I'm okay with that too. Life around here is pretty simple and basic...like me. I spend time with my boys, my family, and friends and try to take life as it comes and not get wrapped up in the details. I love my life....laughing with my boys, walks to the park, Saturday morning tickle fests in mom and dad's bed, and the little sweet moments that can't be counted. My wonderful husband who's leg I fall asleep on while sitting on the couch trying to make it through a movie. (He's so sweet and stops the movie so he can finish it with me the next night...or however many more nights it takes for me to see the end!) My friends that can't be replaced and have no idea how they have impacted and changed my life. And my family that have guided and encouraged me long the way. For all of this, I am grateful to God. Join me on my journey through life as a mother, wife, friend, daughter and woman.