Previous Post Disclaimer

A friend reminded me last night that I meant to clarify in the previous post: Iris Reading that she wasn't actually reading the books in the pictures.  She could with help, but when I asked her what the books were about, she'd say, "I'm not sure yet."

I just thought it was cute that she wants to be like her sister and she does love books!

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.

Just for Fun

Someone posted this picture of me on Facebook.  I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Iris.

Look at the size of that belly!

It was impossible for me to be upset if someone asked me, "Are you sure there aren't two in there?"  I mean, who could blame them!  Ah, memories.

Some Time is Finite

Last night I got to listen to my friend present:  An Evening of Ordered Steps

She shared with a roomful of moms how she has simplified, organized and ordered her home in order to be more efficient with the time she has been given with her loved ones. 

There were many things that stood out but the one I wanted to share with you all was this:

We have a finite amount of time with our loved ones.

We have a finite number of visits with our parents.

We have a finite number of dates we can take our children on.

Her point was, what are we missing out on because we're doing so many other things?  We may be doing a whole lot of great things but are we choosing what is BEST?

We need to evaluate how we are spending our time.  What are our priorities and are they lining up with God's Word?  Ministry is a great example.  Of course God wants us to minister to others, but not at the expense of the little ones we have at home. 

There is a season when we may have more time than we know what to do with.  We must really think about what we're investing in.

Our children were given to us to love, train, instruct, disciple and discipline.  We will be the ones who stand before God and give account for every careless word.

It is a responsibility not to be taken lightly.

Sunday's Photo Shoot

Emma  ~ 10

Gray ~ 9

Jay ~ 8

Charlie ~ 6

Iris ~ 5

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.

Just a Swingin'

Happy Birthday, Iris!!

Iris is 4 years old today! This is the child we almost didn't have. Thank you, Lord, for this gift!

Here's a birthday brag for my sweet baby girl!

She melts my heart. She's so affectionate. I can't help but kiss her all the time. When we pick her up for a hug, she wraps her legs around and hugs you with her whole body.
She's quiet around others but very talkative at home with this cute little girl voice. Sometimes I ask her, "Iris, is that your real voice?" She is definitely the baby of the family. The others dote on her and treat her the way they always did the baby of the family until the next one came along. She's had a good 2 1/2 years extra of it.

Of course, all parents think their kids are the cutest, but seriously, she is so stinkin' cute with her blue eyes, white hair and Coppertone tan. She's pretty easygoing and patient. She plays well with all the children.
She loves to sing. The other day we were in the car listening to the Z and I could hear her singing along. She just makes up words if she doesn't know them.

She's a smarty pants. During school, she'll come in and get her pre-school book and work on a page or 4. She and Charlie learned their letters and sounds watching the Leap Frog Letters DVD.

She's also learned I Corinthians 13, Luke 2:1-21 and the books of the Bible with the older kids - with prompts, of course.

Iris, my love, I don't know what I'd do without you! You are sweet and loving, joyful and precious. You warm my heart continually! I am so thankful God gave you to us! I love you more than words can say. Happy Birthday, Sunshine!

My Bike-riding Girl

Iris turned 3 the end of March and right on schedule started riding her bike. Actually it's Emma's bike that she got when she turned 3.

Here's my cutie pie in Charlie's basketball clothes riding on the back porch. At least the helmet is hers.