Iris Reading

Two years ago when only Emma, Gray and Jay were in school, Iris would come into the school room every day and want to do school.  So I would give her a letter page to color or a preschool page to work on.

I knew last year when I started Charlie in kindergarten, she would really want to be in there.  So I decided that I would just school her with Charlie.  They would both start kindergarten together.  She was 4 1/2 but I said if it got to be too much for her, too frustrating, etc. I would just back off and give her something else to do.  There were frustrations but not because it was too tough for her, just because there are frustrations in homeschooling.

She actually did really well and learned to read with Charlie.  So this year, even though Iris is technically in kindergarten for the state's records, they are both doing 1st grade work.

Well her big sister is a voracious reader.  I can't keep up with the books she's read and how many times she's read them. 

One day Iris came downstairs and plopped herself on the couch with this book.

Another day she went out on the porch...

 ...to read with the chicken...

...like her big sister.

Sunday's Photo Shoot

Emma  ~ 10

Gray ~ 9

Jay ~ 8

Charlie ~ 6

Iris ~ 5

Screech Owl

Saturday afternoon my parents found a screech owl perched in this opening close to their roof. The mockingbirds and blue jays were justa fussin' at him but he didn't seem phased by the commotion at all.

Even when we all gathered around right under him, he barely moved.
After we left to head home, Dad climbed a ladder and picked him up. He was so docile. He didn't even try to get away.

Later, after we met up for dinner with some extended family who were in town, we went back to Mom's and Dad's to see the owl. Emma and I took turns holding him.

I really wanted to keep it but I think it's against the law. But because Mom and Dad have a mockingbird nest with eggs in it next to the house, we walked down the street a ways and let it go there.

He didn't fly away when Dad opened his hand but as soon as he tried to place him in the tree he flew off!

Then we headed back...

Lessons From My 10 Year Old

My daughter is a special girl. And I'm not just biased. She really is.

She teaches her mama things. This past week, she taught me about these verses:

"But I say to you who hear,

Love your enemies,

do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you,

pray for those who abuse you."

Luke 6:27-28

She has a friend that she sees often.  This friend has given Emma lots of opportunities to practice things we have taught her ~ specifically patience and forgiveness with pettiness and standing up for her brothers by refusing to leave them out.

Well for some reason, this friend has decided she wants to make Emma jealous. She says things to her like, "{Angie} is my very best friend and you are just my friend." or even "{Angie} doesn't like you." (Seriously? Who doesn't like Emma?)

On a side note - this is just another reason I'm glad I homeschool...so my kids don't have to put up with this kind of crap every day.

Anyway, there were a couple of days within a week's time when this little girl was just down-right unkind. Emma talked to me about it after I asked her what was going on the first day. I told her we should be thankful for this experience because there are going to be many more girls who will come into her life and treat her the same way. This is an opportunity for her to practice rising above and acting like Jesus would want her to, despite what someone else does to her.

So what did my daughter do? She made pretty little hearts from clay for her unkind friend and for {Angie} as Valentine's gifts.

She wasn't petty or rude. She didn't retaliate with words. She held no grudge.

Instead, she blessed when she was cursed. She was kind to one who was unkind.

Silly Sisters

When I found out my fifth child was going to be a girl, I was excited that Emma would have a sister but I still thought it would have been nice if God had put them closer together.  I wasn't sure they would be close being 5 1/2 years apart.

What do I know?!  These girls have a great relationship.  They love each other very much and are very close.  Here they are being silly on the swings together.

Happy Birthday, Emma!

Happy 10th Birthday to Emma!

I've been looking forward to this birthday brag since I started doing them at the beginning of the year.

There are so many nice things that can be said about Emma. She is patient, kind, and generous.

She is obedient and respectful. It's a rare thing for her to have a bad attitude about something we've asked her to do.

She's smart and creative and a bookworm to the max.

She's hard working and dependable. I can always count on her.

She's a servant. She's the first one to jump up to do something that needs to be done. When she sees me working in the kitchen, she'll ask me if I need help.When there are days that I'm having to discipline and correct more than usual and she sees me starting to wear down, she prays for me and asks me if there is anything she can do for me.

She's a great friend. I tell her whoever gets to be her friend is blessed because she is such a great person. And she's the best kind of friend to have. She's not petty or a drama queen. She's level-headed and easy going. She forgives easily. She's fun. She's not concerned about what others think.

She's unbiased. She doesn't see people who are "different" as different. In fact, I'm not even sure she sees the differences. If she does, she never lets on. She accepts everyone as-is and treats everyone equally.

And whoever gets to marry her is even more blessed because she's going to make an awesome wife and mother one day!

Oh, Emma! I love you so much. I'm proud to be your mommy. You bring such joy to our family and set such a good example for your siblings. Thank you for being a servant and a leader all at the same time. God is going to bless you abundantly for the honor you've shown us. Happy Birthday!

Emma's 1st Soccer Game

Today was Emma's first soccer game ever!! She was so excited and did a really great job.She was all over that field and never hesitated to go for the ball. Here they are at half-time. It was hot and they were tired but they won 4-1! Go Lady Commodores!

Blessings for Blessings

Luke 6:38 Jesus said,

"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

I almost cried when we got the mail yesterday. Emma received a package and Jay an envelope. When they were opened they revealed blessings for their blessings.

Some one of you sweet people blessed Emma with a brand new, never before opened Bible. Just like the one she worked so hard for and gave away.

And Jay's wallet is full again with money (more than he gave) that was wrapped in a sweet note which read,

"Jackson, God bless you for helping the children of Haiti." and was signed, "A friend of God's."

Makes me want to cry again. Truly you are a friend of God's!

Thank you!

Two Stories of Giving Hearts...

aka Proud Mama Bragging...

HIS STORY

This week at VBS the kids are bringing money to help children in Haiti. To make it more exciting and inviting the leaders make it a competition between the boys and the girls. The girls won Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday.

Yesterday morning as Emma came into the bathroom she told me Jay was going to bring $28 (all the money he has) to VBS. He had said this the day before but didn't mention it again.

So I went into the office to make sure that he was giving the money for the right reasons. I said, "Jay, are you giving your money today so the boys will win?"

Without a second thought he sincerely said, "No, it's for the kids in Haiti."

So off he went with a pocketful of birthday and allowance money. I told him how special it was that he would give so much and how proud I was of him for helping other kids.

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HER STORY

For 13 or 14 weeks the children's ministry put an emphasis on the kids having personal devotions every day. Each week they gave a tri-fold devotion guide called Treasure Quest, made up by one of the children's leaders, for the kids to follow each day of the week. It was so great for the kids to have this simple guide that they could follow themselves.

Of course, as an incentive there would be prizes at the end of the 13-14 weeks depending on the points earned for devotions completed, verses memorized, bonus questions answered, etc.

Emma had a goal! The highest level of points won a brand new Bible. She has had her Bible for almost 4 years and it is falling apart.

When the awards Sunday finally came (May 24) Emma was one of only a few (out of a couple hundred or more kids) that made it to the top level. She was so excited. She received a t-shirt, pencil, private party at Monkey Joe's with other level winners, and of course her new Bible!

Fast forward to last Saturday. Tina (who lives a couple houses over behind us) was babysitting another friend's daughter, Dominique, for a few days. Her kids and Dominique had come over to play. Emma had never met her before but at some point during their time together she goes upstairs, brings down her NEW Bible and gives it to this girl!! She said she didn't think the girl had a Bible so she gave her hers!

When she told me later that night I hugged her so tight and kissed and kissed her sweet little head!

I told both she and Jackson that they had special rewards in heaven for their sacrificial giving!