I am BACK!

I am happy to say that I am back again! I have been away for a while now. I am hoping that I can return to a nice normal now. What we are doing: We are using ACE for Rebecca this year and she really likes it. We have enrolled into the Christian School Part. I always forget the name of it. But, they do the record keeping for us. So nice. Carl is doing work books and different websites. I am also working on his speech with him. He has trouble with the letter S. Most websites say not to worry most fix by age 7. I am hoping that be the case with my lil Man. Cassia is really starting to talk and can say a complete sentence. She is 17 months old. That is just how Samuel did too. I guess they may be similar in their ways. She looks like a pale version of him lol. Samuel is studying for his GED and working. He chose this path and we agreed he could go this route. He is doing well, playing many instruments now. Jasper and I are well, and probably doing better than we have in a long time. I am thankful for my family. God has been very good to me. I am very blessed. Though this past 6 months has been rough, God proved He is faithful. He is a friend above all. He sticketh closer than a brother! Definitely! I have learned a lot about myself. I have realized what's really important. My kids, My Husband. They are my family. I thank My God for them. I have 4 at home, they are my focus. So, that about tel's all I am going to tell for now. I am excited to be back and hope to post again tomorrow!

Talk about bedhead!

Cassia woke up with such bed head today lol!

Lazy bones

Can't seem to get this lil' girl moving this Sunday morning.

It's here!

Well, cooler temps have arrived. Soon we will be building our first fire of the season. Right now we are using a heater that looks like a wood heater, but, it's electric. It's cozy.

This week didn't go so great. First, I was going to cut the grass. I made 2 good rounds and the drive belt came off. It was shredded. Jasper just replaced that belt. So knowing it was so hard for him to change out, that's it for the grass cutting this season. Then that same day my dryer goes out. It's a heating element. So, not sure if we will just get another dryer or replace the element. Depends on if he is willing to do the work I guess.

Everyone here is doing good. School is going, it's been a struggle for sure to stay on track. Samuel likes going to United. His grades are good and he has made some new friends. Rebecca is really growing. She is such a big helper. She's like a lil Mama. Always willing to help. Carl has gotten tall too. He is wearing size 5 clothes now. I can't believe he has gotten so big so fast. He is learning his letters and their sounds. He still has some speech issues, but is doing better. Cassia is running everywhere. She is sure enough growing. She is even talking small sentences! Now isn't that ridiculous? She is 14 months. Where did the time go?

Well, today is going to be busy too. So, I better get started if I am ever going to get finished. Have a great Saturday!

New School Year!

We officially started our new homeschool class year! Rebecca is in 4th grade this year! Whoa! Where did that time go? Wasn't she just a baby? Sigh! This year Carl also begins some small educational tid bits. Mostly to occupy him. I know he is eager to learn so we will see how he does! Cassia and Bella Grace will not be left out. Wonder color markers and paper and other things to help motor skills.

There have been some changes yet again for us, but it's just the way it goes sometimes. I am going through things setting things up a lil better for our school year. I hope I can be completely set up by next week!

We have much to keep us busy:




Language Arts Music Arts & Crafts Bible Health Arithmetic 4 Fourth Grade Science History and Geography Reading and Literature Oral reading Reading comprehension Speed reading Vocabulary building Penmanship Review of cursive writing formation through skill practice, word games, original composition, and sentence dictation Spelling, Vocabulary, and Poetry Weekly word lists with challenging words and vocabulary Reinforcement activities Six poems committed to memory Language Writing Process Letters— friendly, post cards, thank-you notes Gathering information Writing with details Writing an encyclopedia report Writing book reports Creative writing Dictionary skills Map study State history for six weeks Eight documents memorized The Years of Discovery The Years of Exploration The First Americans The English Come to America The New England Colonies Plants Plants: Provision for Man and Beast Animals Insects: Miniature Marvels of Creation Birds: Winged Wonders The Middle and Southern Colonies A Picture of Colonial Life The Great Awakening The French and Indian War The American War for Independence Building a New Nation Our Nation Grows Matter Matter: Water, Air, and Weather Energy Energy: Sound and Hearing Physical Fitness Your Body Framework The Muscle Builder Your Breathing Machine Personal Hygiene A Winning Smile Your Body’s Cover Keys to Good Grooming Place value of whole numbers and decimals Mastery of fundamental operations Story problems Estimating answers English and metric measures Converting measures within the same system and solving measurement equations Roman numerals Addition, subtraction, and multiplication involving fractions Estimation Averaging Factoring Divisibility rules Introduction to decimals Making change Reading a thermometer Lessons such as Salvation Series, Genesis, Life of Christ, Paul (includes memory verses, hymns/choruses, and Bible doctrine) Music Theory/Flutophone Traditional, patriotic, fun songs Grammar Sentence structure,Kinds of sentences, Punctuation, Capitalization facts, Abbreviations, Possessive words Recognizing and using all eight parts of speech Diagraming verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs Correctly using troublesome words The Civil War New Frontiers An Age of Progress Beyond Our Boundaries The World Wars Time for Freedom and Responsibility Interpersonal Relationships A Healthier You Earth and Space Geology: Planet Earth Oceanography: Wonders of the Sea Astronomy: Consider the Heavens Solving equations using addition and subtraction axioms Graphs and scale drawing Basic geometric shapes Perimeter and area Using an English and metric ruler Time lapse Basic drawing and painting techniques, color concepts Well it didn't copy correctly, but, you get the idea! With that said I need to get busy! Have a great day!

Updates are harder these days

I seem to stay so busy now. I wonder when It will slow down. Cassia is 10 months old now and so precious! I cannot believe she has grown so fast! The children are well. Everyone finally seems to be adjusting. It's not been the easiest of things.

Our weather finally seems to be realizing it is technically near summer and has warmed up a bit. I can't help but wonder if summer will be very hot this year. I am sure before long we will miss these cool days we have had.

We took a trip to NC and GA. For the most part it went okay. Had some bumps along the way, but they have since smoothed out. Jasper's Dad wound up in the hospital for the last few days of our trip. He has something going on with a valve that they are going to treat with medications. Hopefully that will work.
Renee, the babies and I left Sunday, because she needed to be home for work on Monday. Jasper and the older kids stayed until they knew Benjamin was out of the woods. Not long after our journey began a belt broke in her tire and we had to stop to get new tires on the back. That took 3 hours! So it was like 1:30 a.m. or so before we got home.
Just a few days after Jasper returned home, my transmission went out on my van. I am so thankful it got them home safely. We decided to go with something other than a Chrysler next time.

Well I better go, kids are getting up and breakfast must be made.

The weather just can't decide

One day it's hot, the next its cold....Ahhh spring! Soon it will be hot weather and we will wish we had these cool days of spring. The grass is already growing quite a bit. Samuel is attempting to cut it down. We have 2 fields that were very high last season and so they are much thicker than the rest of the yard.

I have begun my container gardening. I have several plants now. I have Hosta, several types of Day Lillies, Hen and Chicks, Irises, Butterfly bush, and more. I am glad to have something this summer to see bloom. After construction is completed on our new rooms, I plan to get a few trees. I would love a weeping willow.

We have several things coming up to keep us busy:

Convention (Begining Thursday)
A Surprise (Can't tell ya yet)
A visit from Auntie Linda and Uncle Richard (May 13)
Rebecca's 9th birthday! (May 17)
A possible trip to NC/GA (End of May)
Blue Ridge Youth Camp * (July 4th week)
Landmark Youth Camp (End of July)
Cassia's First Birthday! (August 9th)
Carl's 5th Birthday! (November 13)
Georgia trip (Thanksgiving)

My we will be busy! Once I began typing it became real just how much we had going on over the summer! I hope we can fit it framing up for our expansion to the house! We really need it!

Spring has sprung!

Well, it's spring time here in the valley. Robins are everywhere and the jonquils are in full bloom. I am so glad to see the temps coming up and the days getting longer! All this has me motivated to get the house in order. I mentioned to Cortney, it's time to spring clean the house, she says why do people say that? What is it about spring that makes you ant to clean. I told her houses have been shut up all winter long, it's time to open windows and clean out all the stale dusty air. Kids, gotta love the innocence. So, with that said you can know I have begun the process.

Cassia is growing so very fast. She is almost 8 months old! Yes, can you believe it? Me either! She is so sweet and rotten. I love her so much and she is my buddy. We do almost everything together. lol Mainly because she won't let me put her down! Spoiled? Just a tad bit...lol She loves the outdoors so when the kids take her out, when warm enough, I enjoy some much needed me time. Even if that involves cleaning and such...lol

Carl has really grown a lot lately. He is very much a boy! Into everything, asking 100's of questions. Oh how I love that lil handsome guy! He is My buddy too! He told me he was outside shooting coyotes, but, got scared when he saw a huge snake in the field....lol no coyotes, no snakes, just a huge imagination! THAT is my Carl. :)

Rebecca is counting down her days to her 9th birthday! She too has grown a lot this year. I am amazed how fast the time goes. She still loves her Hello Kitty stuff! I think she always will. She has become such a great helper with Cassia. I am glad for the help. She is a little mama. Cassia goes to her better than anyone other than me. Rebecca loves that!

Samuel has become quite the young man. Doing school, working 1-2 days a week with Dad, he too is growing up. At 15, I think he has a good head on his shoulders. He is saving his money, that is a smart man. I am proud of his accomplishments and who he has become. He is an excellent musician. Playing the guitar, bass and piano. This Mama could not be prouder!

Our new addition: Cortney.... She has been with us since the end of November. It's been quite an adjustment for everyone. Little by little we see everything settling down. It's an learning experience for us all.
She has drawing talent that I have tried to encourage her to enhance. I see such potential there.  Hopefully soon she will develop a desire toward it and go with it. Who knows what she can do, I know it will be great to watch once she starts! Drawing could lead to painting....time will tell.

Well that about wraps it up. My me time is almost gone, so I will close this and surf a bit. Hope everyone is doing well.

Until next time.......

So Many Changes

That is what we have gone through here. It takes a lot of patients to go through these changes and some are not that easy. In the end it's coming together very well. We have our niece living with us. She has been here since the last of November. We have had many ranges of emotion here, but it is understandable for everyone involved. I am happy to say we seem to finally be finding our places yet again and we are functioning more as a family.

So, now I have 2 teenagers, a nearly 9 year old, a 4 year old and a 6 1/2 month old! Yes! I stay super busy!! I have been trying to get organized better even before Cortney came, but it has been tough! I do a little here and there.
Cassia is demanding Mommy give 100% of me and that makes thing hard to manage. I basically have to wear her to get some things done! The only one who can do anything with her is Rebecca. It's funny.

Our school year is on track and the children are doing very well. We have had a few bumps along the way, but seem to be past that. I am encouraged to see the changes.
School Picture day is Wednesday. Renee' will be doing them. I can't wait to see how they turn out.

School And More

So far so good, well, for the most part. Most of the kids are staying on track. I am hoping we can continue a good pace from this point on. I am the only one up right now. Jasper went to work in Charlottesville, so I am up enjoying some me time! It's usually the only time I can get it.

Jasper is still working on the kids play room outside. It's a huge project and though I like the idea would have preferred my new living room being added first. The one we are using right now is so small. Hopefully soon we can get started on that. I plan on primitive decor in the living room and roosters in kitchen. I am not sure yet what I want for the master bed and bath.
I am so looking forward to warmer weather coming. It's not far off I know, but for now seems like it. With warmer weather coming the kids can get out more.

Cassia is growing so fast! She will be 6 months old on the 9th! Where has the time gone? Why is it zooming by so fast? She is jabbering some now saying ba ba, da da and ma ma. She also is getting up on her hands and knees and rocking. She is so sweet and pretty. I am trying to train her on a cup. So far she only chews it! She is eating some baby food, though I do not give her a lot yet. She is at the stage where she only wants Mama and cries if I leave the room. It makes it very hard to get things done. I am  hoping this one is grown out of soon.

Rebecca, Carl, Cassia and me are all down with colds. Rebecca and Carl have it bad. They both slept in living room last night. I feel sore in my sinuses and it burns a bit too. I'm hoping they will feel better when they get up.

I have wanted to post more today, but my eyes are getting heavy sitting here. I will close this for now.  Have a great day everyone!                                                                                                                                                      

The Weather Today!

We are expecting severe weather today in Elkton, Virginia. Heavy rains and high winds. It's the price we have to pay for such a beautiful day we had yesterday. The sun shined and it was warm. The kids played and had a great day. It was a lovely break from the bitter cold week. The cold is coming again. I am hoping that this time won't be so bad.

I have so much to do. I have been looking at a blog for organizing the home. Oh the ideas! I can't wait to do some of these. I have decided to do the stove room into 3 sections of shelves with lots of tub cubbies. We need the organization for all the school supplies. I will have lots to keep me busy once we get started.

The kids are doing well in school. We seem to be staying on target, which I am glad. I have not decided when we are taking our spring break yet. I am thinking maybe the end of March so I can get my birthday off. :) I always give the kids their birthday off. I love being a Home Educator! We do what WE want! :)

Cassia is growing so fast. She is almost crawling. She gets up on her hands and knees and rocks. She has started to explore and it's so fun to watch her. she will be 6 months old on the 9th of February! I am amazed and saddened how fast the time is going. I am trying to enjoy every day.

Well that's it for now. I hope everyone who reads this is having a blessed day!

Settling In

    Our home is going through some adjustments lately. We got custody of our niece on November 29, 2012. We had Cassia in August so it has been a lot to get used to around here. Over all it's going great. I have been trying very hard to get some sort of schedule going that will work for us. With school in session and those new schedules, it makes for busy days.
    Today I worked on my livingroom. it had gotten into a shambles from the holidays. Today I took down Christmas decor and dusted. it looks nice in here. Then I cooked supper and now I am blogging lol In between doing that there was school, toddlers and nursing going on! I am pretty worn out!
     Cassia has dozed off, Carl is in time out, Bella-Grace is rolling in the floor, While Samuel, Rebecca, and Cortney are upstairs being crazy! The house is very much alive!

Compare these lil faces

I do believe Cassia looks a lot like Carl!

Pictures from my new camera

Carl 4 years old

Rebecca 8 years old

Cassia 4 months!

Cassia's First Christmas Gift!

Opening a gift from Uncle Richard and Auntie Linda!
She looks so excited!

Cassia Found Her Toes!

I took Cassia to the Dr because I thought she had an ear infection. She was fine. Just discovered her ears! While waiting for the Dr, she discovered her toes! She is growing too fast! Cassia is now 15# and will be 4 months old on the 9th! She also screamed because the nurse who was black kinda scared her...lol!

Saturday Night Post

It's ten minutes till 11. I am the only one up. Jasper has a rotten cold and was in bed by 10. Rebecca and Carl went to bed at 9:30. Cassia and Samuel were a bit later. I am going to do this post and then hit the shower.

Today Renee had the day off, so I took the kids shopping and we went to the pet store just to look around. They had fun. I also went and got a few groceries. It was around 6 when we got home. They seemed to enjoy the day. I did too.
Poor lil miss Cassia was pooped. She didn't have her long afternoon nap. So She was over tired and a little cranky. I got her to sleep but she would wake up easily until around 10 tonight. She zonked so soundly I was able to cut her fingernails.

I am working hard on my house. I am sorting through things tossing junk, getting ready for a possible house guest. Can't go into details right now. Just know, I am working hard getting things ready just in case!

I also called my mom today. She seems okay. Somewhat confused but not too bad. We didn't speak very long but it was a nice chat anyway.

Oh my my eyelids are falling. I need to jump in the shower then to bed. Have a great SUNDAY!!!!

Just sitting here

I am holding Cassia while she naps. She is growing so fast it is not even funny. She is becoming more vocal and beginning to drool everywhere. She still has her hair. I am hoping she keeps it! Her eyes are turning brown. Was really hoping that they would be blue but that's okay!

We are still moving rooms around. it's been so cold I haven't been able to get top the front porch to go through all the boxes. I am going to have to get them moved and things sorted asap! I have just a few days until we go to Georgia!

The weather has turned cool here in Virginia. This week we are in a warming trend. I am thankful for that. I have things to do and the warm weather will help me get them done! We have missed the 2 big storms so far that have hit the East Coast. I am sure we will get some snow later in the season.

I hope to be able to log in more soon. Until then it will be hit n miss.

Lil Miss Cassia

Isn't she too little to be trying to play! lol

Nursing and More

Before I had Cassia I made the decision to only give her breast milk. There had been reports of tainted baby formula that led to infant deaths. I just could not even bring myself to consider using formula. So I have been loaned a very nice Medela Electric pump. I am going to nurse and pump.

I took lil miss Cassia to the Health Dept. on Thursday. She was 11# 5oz, and 22 in long! My goodness she has grown! She is 7 weeks old now!! She has a sweet personality and loves being talked to. She is a good baby. She does well sleeping for the most part. I have to make sure she is up by 6 pm and keep her up from that point on so she will sleep the night.

Samuel has been having to see Drs and Dentists lately. I took him to see his Dr because he had what appeared to be a hernia. After being examined it was determined that he had lost weight fast and it made his belly button stick out more. I am glad of that! He also went to the dentist who referred him to an orthodontist. He gets his braces on MONDAY! I was shocked how fast they were moving on that! He will have pretty teeth when finished!

The rest of my crew is doing good. Next weekend, JJ turns 22! Yikes!!! We will be going to his place for a birthday dinner!