Chore Badges

I did not come up with this idea on my own. Mine is the make-do version based slightly on her idea.

If you would like to get the original go to Titus 2. They have a lot of great resources. I highly recommend their schedule book as well.

Anyway...

Yesterday I used some old name tag holders to make chore badges. We have the same morning chores all the time but because we each start and finish breakfast at different times, we're at differents stages during the first part of our morning. So I often have to keep someone on track. I've tried charts but don't like having to use the ink to print them off each week or to check them.

These hang around their necks first thing in the morning. When they are completed they must hang on their door until the next morning.

Of course, for the younger two who can't read yet, I drew pictures.

This morning was the first day and it went great. I kept hearing Iris (4) going over what all she needed to do.

What do morning chores consist of in the Wagner home?

Also, each child has a day of the week that is theirs. This day doesn't change. Monday is Charlie, Tuesday is Gray, Wednesday is Iris, Thursday is Jay and Friday is Emma. So I also have another list that they will use to remind them of the things they get to do on that day. Here is that list (sorry no pic):

Bring down the laundry / Feed Goldie (fish) / Pass out Juice Plus / Pick what to watch during TV time / One-on-one time with Mommy / Get the mail / Sit by Daddy at dinner

Spelling Bee

Did you see the Scripp's Spelling Bee?

Second place went to a homeschooler a year younger than the winner!

Go HOMESCHOOL!!!!

Still Here

I'm still here. We were on vacation last week and coming back I've jumped into my summer 'to do' list!

Here are some book recommendations for you:

Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham. I posted a couple of things about this book a while back. It has challenged me and changed my perspective greatly!

So Much More by Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin. I'm not finished with this one yet, but it also has challenged my thinking, especially when it comes being a daughter of the King.

Happy Birthday, Jackson!!

Today is Jackson's 7th birthday!

What a special surprise he was to us! We had said we would wait a few years before we had more children - if we had more. Thankfully God had other plans.

Jackson - nicknamed Jay by his big brother - was born 7 years ago on my Dad's 60th birthday.

So let the birthday bragging begin...

He is such an awesome kid. About a year and a half ago he passed his older brother in height but never rubs it in.

He's very sweet and kind. He loves little kids. If there is a much younger cousin or friend over, he just gravitates towards them. He wants to read to them, entertain them, help them.

He loves to help. I have actually had to teach him to ask his little brother and sister if they want help before giving it because he just always wants to help them.

He sees the needs of others. Several times he has seen people on the side of the road and asked if we should pick them up or help them. One time when we were riding our bikes home from the park he noticed a neighbor (doesn't even know him) carrying some branches he had just cut from his palm tree. Jay asked if we should stop and help him.

He's a math genius! When he was in Kindergarten I was quizzing Gray (who was in 1st) on some math facts. Jackson would chime in with the answer. So this year for 1st grade we worked quickly through his Abeka 2nd grade math and then started Saxon's 4th grade math. It's just the way God made him but he cracks me up sometimes at how quickly he figures things out.

He's repentent. Often he has come to our room at night to confess something. He says he just can't sleep until he tells us.

He's an extrovert, friendly and a talker. I used to wonder what in the world he told his Sunday school teachers.

When Roddy's aunt and uncle came to visit last year, I wondered if the kids we're going to be shy and quiet. I don't think they were in the door 5 minutes when Jackson asked them to play a card game with him.

And 3 years ago when my brother was getting married he filled in as ring bearer when Gray (who is introverted) backed out! Thankfully he was on his way to catching up to his big brother in height and almost fit into the already rented tux.

He's loving. He never fails to come in and hug me in the morning. He always wants to sit by me in church. He says it's just because he loves me.

And he loves Jesus - which is most important.

Jackson Mark, we love you so much and are so thankful God gave you to us! Thank you for reminding us of our need to look out for others. We love your smile and giggle. You're a special boy and you're going to be an awesome father some day!

Happy Birthday!

Chicago

Wow! Chicago is beautiful this time of year! Pink trees, white trees, purple trees. Tulips everywhere - especially downtown. They filled the medians and sidewalks.

After Roddy picked me up from the airport Thursday afternoon and took my luggage to the hotel, we headed out to see the Windy City (they don't call it that for nothin').

First stop, a gorgeous park across the street from Lake Michigan. This is a view from the park of downtown and the Sears Tower.

We only had enough change to park for an hour so we headed over to the Sears Tower - the tallest structure in the Western hemisphere. Here are pictures from below and from the 99th floor!

The view from the Tower of the park and Lake Michigan.

The architecture downtown is beautiful. I told Roddy I could definitely live there. Then he reminded me of the winters and I said, "Never mind!"

Yikes!

A storm blew up yesterday. This gazebo used to be on the porch in front of the sliding glass doors to the right! The wind caught the top and twisted it in front of the kitchen windows.Notice the chair (center) on TOP of the flower pot. I don't know how that happened. It's a heavy chair!

Note to self: Nail down gazebo!

Beach Trip

Before I post our Chicago trip I want to get some pictures posted of our Spring Break in New Smyrna with Tiffanie and Preston and their boys.


Thursday the moms and kids headed over. The dads joined us Friday afternoon.


Hanging out on top the Excursion.Iris, Day 2, zonked out...Getting ready to take a walk Friday night...
Here's the surf instructor aka Roddy.

Iris stuck with boogie boarding. The dads got the kids started on a dad-sized sandcastle.
The kids had a blast. We got nice and tan...and exhausted. Lots of fun memories were made, though!!

Today's the Day

Roddy and I are on our way to get breakfast in Chicago before driving over to Indiana for Roddy's reversal appointment (2:30 pm).

When we get home I'll post pics of this beautiful city.

UPDATE:

We're back at the hotel watching the Magic game. What a day!

Dr. Streeter was so great! He talked with us first and told us what would be involved. Roddy tried to tune him out - he really didn't want to know what would be happening to him. I was very emotional, so I was trying to hold back tears the whole time.

The actual surgery took maybe 30-40 minutes and I got to sit in. When he gave Roddy the local anesthesia it really hurt - like he had been kicked really hard. Seeing him hurting so badly made me cry! At the same time the Dr. asked me a question and I couldn't answer. Roddy realized I was crying and answered for me. I now know why women are the ones to give birth - and not because Roddy was by any means wimpy about the whole thing but - because I hated to see him in pain.

When we got in the car I told Roddy I felt such a relief. We had finally made things right. What a peace!

Thanks for praying!!

What If?

What if we lived what we say we believe?

Now think about this:

What do you believe?

About God? The Bible? Your life and purpose?

Do you believe God is in control? Do you believe He is all-knowing? Do you believe He wants what is best for you? Do you believe He is all you need?

Do you believe everything in the Bible is true? And that there may be things you don't understand (don't make sense to you) but that His Word never contradicts itself?

Do you believe your life is your own? Do you believe you have purpose?

Ponder these questions...more to come.

Recession?

Has the "recession" affected you? Before you answer, check this out first...