Summer Birthdays

This happens every year. The end of summer rolls around and I've missed blogging about our summer birthdays, so here they are.

Zipporah - June - 4 yrs

* Zipporah is figuring things out. She loves to comment on EVERYTHING. I can almost see the wheels in her brain spinning.

* She has a sensitive side. She can be shy when we go places she has not been or meets new people. And she absolutely despises strange restrooms and automatic flush toilets.

* Zipporah is very "girly." She likes to wear skirts and dresses. She pays a lot of attention to clothing and shoes.

* She is probably one of my least picky eaters. She still asks for peppers, onions, and tomatoes from my plate (a taste her older siblings seem to have outgrown).

* Zipporah can be incredibly strong willed. And in a battle of stubbornness, you will not beat her. But she can also be kind and compassionate. I never quite know when she will switch from defiant to sweet, but it can happen.

* She loves to color and draw. Her writing skills (pencil grasp and such) are phenomenal.

Dear God, thank you for our spunky Zipporah. Please keep her heart on fire for your will to be done in all things. I ask this in Jesus' name. -Amen.

Rebekah - July - 13 yrs

* Rebekah likes to craft and sew. She is always up for making creative gifts from scratch.

* She is a bookworm and reads books faster than some people breathe. Her favorite series right now is Ranger's Apprentice. And she'd like to travel to Australia and meet the author. But she better hurry, I believe he's in his 70's now!

* Rebekah told she is interested in learning how to fix cars and write code (just like her daddy).

* She loves to collect things, like shells or pretty rocks -- really almost anything. She is currently building a small shed to keep her "pretties" in.

* Rebekah is dependable, loyal, and trustworthy. She always gets the job done. And she is an amazing blessing to our family. 

May God continue to bless you, dear Rebekah, as you grow into a young lady of wisdom and grace. -- Amen.

Jacob - August - 10 yrs

* Jacob is a gentle giant. He does not like conflict, though he does like to be playful. Unfortunately with his size, play often turns rough. But he has a heart of gold.

* He is almost taller than his almost two year older brother (Samuel) and his feet have been bigger than Samuel's for a couple years now.

* Jacob also loves to read. He is content to sit with his books for hours. Which is most entertaining because back when he was learning to read, he told us he didn't want to learn. We told him he would love it once he knew how. He said, fine, he would learn, just to prove us wrong. He actually took back his words about proving us wrong and thanked us for teaching him to read! (Yes, we love to tell this story, you've probably heard it before.)

* He is smart, but not motivated. Mom often has to bribe, bargain, threaten, or take away toys/privileges to get him to complete his schoolwork in a timely manner.

* Jacob still has a thing for turtles. Not sure where that started, but they are an animal he loves, be it stuffed, real, or artwork. Turtles are his jam.

Dear God, thank you for Jacob and his gentle but immense presence in our lives. Please keep him ever close to your heart. -- Amen

Jacob is 8-years-old now!

Jacob's birthday was in August and it was wonderful. It is September now, but everyone is still happy that Jacob is a year older.

* Jacob has a kind heart. He does not like to watch many movies because they are often too scary for him.

* He likes to play with Legos and build with blocks or Keva planks.

* Jacob is a great reader and enjoys a good story.


* He loves all things turtle, from turtle stuffed animals to an electric turtle that swims in the bathtub.

* Jacob is stubborn. He fights hard and does not give in.

* Of all our children, Jacob is the one to make friends first at the park or another social event -- often with someone younger (back to that kind heart again).

The shapes in green are turtles, in case you did not realize, decorated by Rebekah.

May God continue to bless you, Jacob, and mold your innocent heart more like his own, every day. -- Amen.

Starting the School Year 2015-2016

Here the kids are after daily Mass this morning, ready to get into the school routine.

(And the kids were actually really well-behaved at church today!  Praise God!!  :)

Without further ado, here is our line-up for this year.

Miriam refused to leave Rebekah's side.  We had to bribe her out of the picture for the next shot.

Silly Miriam again!  She wanted to be in ALL the pictures :)

Pfew, getting these pictures was tough!  Big thanks to Rebekah for helping find the blocks we needed and wrangling the little ones.  Here is to a great school year of loving and learning and learning to love and loving to learn.  God bless us all!

Jacob turned six back in August. . .

I believe I mentioned that I missed a few of my children's (Rebekah in July and Jacob in August) "birthday" posts because I was recovering from having a baby in June.  Well, I finally got Rebekah's post in back in October and now we are nearing the end of the year and the next child's birthday (Samuel) so I better get on this! 

Later in life, Jacob, when you read this, do not think it is because I love you any less that it has taken me almost an entire three extra months to post about you for your birthday!!

Without further ado, I will go into a list of random facts about Jacob (as lists are so my thing).

1) Jacob lost his first tooth today!!

2) Jacob likes to play by himself.  He will join the group sometimes, but he is often completely content if left to his own devices.

3) His toy of choice is blocks.  He likes wooden blocks and cardboard blocks.  He likes magnet blocks.  He likes mega-blocks and duplos, and OF COURSE he likes regular legos.

4) As clearly shown though his love of blocks, Jacob tends to think like an engineer.

5) Jacob likes Ninja Turtles and Spiderman.

6) He is. . . a bit stubborn at times.  (read: understatement here)

7) Jacob loves turtles.  

8) Even though he has a tough-little-boy exterior, Jacob is deeply sensitive and dislikes stories with lots of violence (like fairy tales where someone gets eaten - don't ask how I know this, it is a long story).

9) Jacob tends to be the quiet one when we are out and about, but he talks my ear off at home when no one else is around.

10) Jacob has very grippy toes and likes to use them when he climbs ropes or chains on the swing set.

My dearest Jacob, I do apologize for taking so long to post about you and all your amazing little quirks, but do know that I thank God for the wonderful little boy you are and pray that you will grown into a strong and virtuous man who seeks the Lord with all his heart!

School Days. . .

These are a few of my favorite things. . . 

We are homeschooling again this year.  As difficult as it can be to prepare for (and to survive), the more I do it, the more I cannot imagine going back to traditional school.

This year we are trying something a little different as we have enrolled in an online virtual public school.  So it is "public school" at home.  There are pros and cons with it for us.

There is quite a bit of computer work involved in their studies and they all enjoy that A LOT!  It makes this method "fresh" and "new," and even "fun!"

But there is still lots of book work and traditional reading and writing going on, as well.  We are slowly getting in the groove of how things work.

I am hoping to finally put together "my part" of their schooling this weekend.  (Since Catholicism and Scripture are not offered at a public school.)  Likewise, our Sacred Space could use a face lift and our daily prayer has been sporadic (as we have not quite mastered the new schedule yet).  Although I have some guilt about not starting/doing these things sooner, I keep reminding myself that I am still recovering from/adjusting to this new baby!!  So I need to cut myself a little slack now and again.

We have had one of our upstairs bedrooms termed "the study" for the past several years, and we have attempted to do school work in it for a couple, but this year, it finally seems to be working!!  I believe the secret is having ME in the study with them.  I used to get them started and expect them to do their work, while I went and sat in "the comfy chair" in the living room (away from them).  Although this was great for nursing the baby, the children really need me by their side as they work, even if it is just for moral support.

Here is our current set-up.  The little table is for Paul and Miriam.  They do not do much school yet, but we have a plethora of educational toys that they enjoy.  Then the desk Rebekah is at in this picture is actually Samuel's desk.  Jacob is sitting on my chair (the blue one ) which is truly part of the secret this year.  My husband picked up this chair at a work auction and it is amazing.  It is VERY comfortable and obviously has wheels, so I can scoot over by each of the children as needed.

In this picture, Paul is at the computer Rebekah likes to use.  And the table beside it with the tall chair is where Jacob sits.

Rebekah also has a large desk we inherited from my mom.  It is good for her as she likes to collect stuff (twigs, leaves, craft stuff, cards, etc) and this desk has lots of places to put "stuff."

Everybody loves whiteboards here.

Here are the majority of our "educational toys."  I considered tidying them all up for the picture and then promptly decided a "real life" shot would be much easier and realistic, to boot!  :)

I guess the heart of our homeschooling can really be summed up in an encounter I had the other day.  I was making dinner and Rebekah came to ask me if I "had time" to come help her.  And although it was a simple request, I just felt it resonate deep down.  I love "having time" for them.  I LOVE sitting beside them and helping them learn.  Through the insanity and struggle with schedules and children wearing their "grumpy pants," I feel blessed beyond measure each and every day.

Journal #18

Out My Window:

The snow is melting and after a few days of single digit temperatures, the 30s and low 40s today seem quite warm. Although I prefer the "warmer" weather, I know the kids LOVE the snow, so hopefully we will have more soon for them to enjoy.

Clothing Myself In:

Let's just not go there today. . . well, rather, let's say I was in jeans and boots and a nice shirt this morning for Mass and the coffee shop with the ladies.  After working-out this afternoon I am in . . . less appealing attire.

Around the House:

I finally got it fairly clean for Samuel's birthday party last week and have been having the kids help keep it that way (which they are handling fairly well - perhaps it is time for more responsibility for the older ones).  Unfortunately I can just barely keep up with the kitchen.  The dishwasher is great, but we are now to the point where it needs to be run once a day and at least one good-sized load of non-dishwasher-items SHOULD be washed at least once a day (often more) and THAT is a task I never want to do (mostly because there is no where to PUT said items once clean! - the drying rack fills way too quickly and then the dishes fill the counters and so I end up having to clean everything in the kitchen and waah wah wahh!! :)  As I type this, I think I"m sensing what I might need to focus on for the rest of Advent and this is good as I have been seeking an "Advent resolution" and just could not find one that really seemed to fit. . . until now.

The Baby:

She is starting to show a little defiance now and again.  She has a bit of  a temper.  But she is still cute as all get-out. Her jabbering is adorable and she loves it when I or one of the kids will talk nonsense with her.  She loves to toddle around and explore the world, but books are definitely her favorite.

I should also add here, in case there is anyone in the world who reads my blog that is not my facebook friend (doubtful but possible) that "the baby" will be losing her title, hopefully by mid-June of next year.

The Kids:

I think I will do a pro and con for each.

Rebekah: Amazingly helpful lately and so interested in the world, asking me many in-depth questions about all kinds of stuff.  However, I am still fighting her to stay focused until a said task is COMPLETED. (She tends to get a little "distracted". . . a lot!)

Samuel: I am amazed at how he is growing up and can suddenly do so much!  He puts the toys away -where they go!! (who knew?!?!)  And today he was just writing up a storm in his Simple Sentences work-book, with such eagerness and joy!  We are still working on him being kind to his younger brother, though.  Poor Paul gets picked on a lot, which I find interesting as the older kids go out of their way to be kind to Miriam, but then pick on Paul (usually at Samuel's lead) - really kids?!?!  sheesh

Jacob: I am starting to see the tip of the ice-berg in his intellectual head and oh my he is smart!  The things he states, matter-of-factly simply amaze me, as do the questions he asks.  His brain is definitely buzzing with excitement these days!  Unfortunately he is a bit obstinate as well (must be a family trait) and often tells me he "doesn't want to" do things I ask of him (such as chores) and then proceeds to ignore me.  When I finally convince him to comply, he often has tears by that point (need to work on my motivation I guess) and does so in a desperate grumpy manner.

Paul: As much as I despise sharing toileting habits as comparisons can be deadly and people without kids generally are grossed out, I must say that him FINALLY pooping in the potty is such a relief.  He still expects to be rewarded (by playing the kindle fire kid aps we have) but I have been side-stepping that some and hopefully his request for playtime will diminish soon.  My biggest challenge with Paul is simply the typical three-year-old stuff, such as having to repeat the answer to a question 15 times and having to constantly answer him.  Paul does NOT do well with the silent treatment!

Schooling:

My schooling philosophy is still changing day by day as is my assessment of the kids.  One day I veer wildly toward unschooling letting the kids play and be creative and the next day I am a task master, books, worksheets, sentences, stuff!  Then I think, "We are ahead! We are behind! We don't socialize enough!  We run around to too many activities! (It does not help that I'm a little hormonal - haha.)  In any case, my current understanding is that we are doing "ok" but I definitely want to spend some extra time looking into curriculum for next year.  Now that I'm getting a sense of what works for us I hope I can find curriculum to match my style and the kiddos.  The biggest challenge I face with curriculum is them being faith-based.  Sometimes the Christian ones are anti-Catholic and that is tough to stomach (and it is often hard to tell this up front).  Other ones are what I consider "Catholic over-achievers" and drive me a little nuts, too. I'm just too picky I guess.

Crafting:

I miss knitting but I do not have the patience or time for it right now.  I'm getting ready to send out our Christmas letter (way late for me - hah) and that is my little "craft" right now.  How, you ask?  Well, I got a new printer (a laser printer because my old ink one was just not keeping up with all the copies and printing our little homeschooling family needed).  In any case, since I am cheap, I got a monochrome laser printer (aka no color printing).  So no big deal, I usually print our Christmas letter on colored paper, in black and white.  But this year. . . I included that I painted the house this summer and my pride wanted to show how good it looks now (from the front anyhow).  Well, in order to appreciate A NEW PAINT JOB one is required to have a COLORED picture.  Thus. . . I printed just that picture on the old ink-guzzling printer and have cut it out and taped it to the otherwise black and white letter (in the appropriate place).  You can say it.  I AM A NERD and I don't care.

Reading:

When the stomach flu hit our house about a week ago I decided I needed a good fiction book to read while I waiting for the laundry or sat up with sick kids, waiting for the next puke.  So I found a series I have read before called The Black Magician Trilogy and began rereading it.  It had been quite a while since the initial reading (several years I think) so although I knew the gist of the story, there was much I did not remember.  Thus I enjoyed it the second time around, although I have not finished the last book in the series yet and am dragging my feet as we are no longer sick so I have trouble finding time for leisure reading and I know how it ends (with a main character sadly dying) and I'm not eager for that to happen in the story (if that makes sense).  Silly, I know.  I need to just finish it before I forget about it.  Next chance I get, I promise I will :)

Bringing Me Joy:

- Miriam's giggles.  She has been so joyful lately!

- Christmas music.  (We have a cd of children singing Christmas carols.  It makes me happy.)

- My children enjoying some of the meals I make.  They can be tough critics, so once in a while when they tell me they actually like their meal, I get pretty happy!  (Even if it is just waffles - hey, they are HOMEMADE waffles, thank you! :)

Bible Verse:

But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God."  (Psalm 31:14)

Pictures to Share:

Journal #17

Out My Window:

It is a beautiful day.  A touch chilly with the wind (need a jacket and maybe a little more) but the sun is nice.

Clothing Myself In:

Some cute work-out pants and a bright orange work-out shirt, along with my good tennis shoes.  If you cannot tell I am hoping to work out at some point.  Unfortunately I am still waiting on my back to comply with this goal.  It has been off and on ok.  I'm hoping to sneak a walk in early this evening.  We shall see.

Around the House:

It feels like such a mess!!  First off, being home all day means things do NOT stay clean or tidy because we live here ALL DAY!!  I am still trying to deal with this.  In addition, with my back being questionable I have just not felt up to picking up as I usually do.  I know this too shall pass.  I keep trying to train the kids.  My new goal is to encourage them to pick up without making them feel like it is a burden.  So no rewards and no punishments, just DO IT!!

The Baby:

She is working on her last four teeth (all at once - she is a multi-tasker) but overall she is not too fussy.  She generally wakes up either early (like between 5 and 7am) to nurse or once in the night (randomly - could be midnight, could be 3am) - and this is after she has been sleeping pretty solidly through the night for several months.  But you win some, you lose some.  Soon she will be as big as her big sister (too big to carry to bed!!) and I do not long for that day.

The Kids:

Paul is working on his toileting habits.  He will tell that to anyone who walks in the door (first thing) and to complete strangers when we are out and about.  I hope and pray he figures it all out soon as there is simply no turning back now.  He went forward, he digressed, he struggled, and now it just needs to "click."  We are hopeful, if nothing else.

Jacob is copying his older brother, Samuel in pretty-much everything.  Fortunately, Samuel does not mind so much and he is really not that bad of a role model.  These two are playing together LIKE CRAZY and LOVING IT!!  Jacob is not really interested in "formal" school so I have given him a break for the year (as he is an August birthday, so I would not start him in Kindergarten till next year anyhow - if I were going to send him to school).  This means he basically sits and watches Samuel do his school work all morning, longing for the moment when I declare recess or that he is finished so they can play together.

Samuel is enjoying being the oldest boy, but I do have to call him out on behavior sometimes.  I can see how he is tempted to pick on his younger siblings (esp. Paul) because they are so gullible!  But he generally does ok and takes correction quickly (and shamefully).

Rebekah is really getting into all the extra-curricular activities that homeschooling allows for, such as cooking, piano lessons, and tons of art!  When I pester her, she will buckle down and catch up or get ahead in her regular studies, but then she is off doing her own made-up science experiments or just playing with her dolls and stuffed animals (such a good little Mamma to them).

Speaking of which, Rebekah is really into her "little family" right now, which consists of a giant pony pillow (Rainbow Dash), named Ruth, two beanie baby Siamese kittens called Kitty Pitty and (can't remember the other one now!) and a little lemur named Sarah.  She will change their clothes (pjs and regular clothes -she puts doll clothes on the kittens), line them up, tuck blankets on them, and snuggle them up somewhere she hopes her younger siblings will not find them when she is doing other things (like schoolwork) during the day. 

Side Note: Her sister Miriam LOVES the beanie baby kittens and will beg for them and steal them any chance she gets.  Paul also finds them fascinating and will try to get them when he notices them.

Rebekah went on a trip this weekend with a friend and as she was packing, she SERIOUSLY asked me if I would change "the girls'" pjs and such.  I gave her a look and told her they could survive in the same outfit while she was gone.  She gave me a look right back (with a little begging) and ended up asking Samuel to change them for her!!  (Unfortunately, it does not appear Samuel took that request very seriously - or maybe fully understood what she was asking as he has not touched them since she has been gone, but the whole episode sure does crack me up!)

In the Kitchen:

We have started making pizza on the menu for every Tuesday and now that I have another breadmaker I am able to make four pizza crusts!!  So I make two cheese and two meat pizzas, then freeze the two cheese for Friday, to use at either lunch or dinner.  Generally we have a burrito or taco meal one night a week also.  This really helps my brain some in the planning department.  Add pasta and maybe a crock pot chicken or some such and there is the week!  Thank God!  I really need to learn more recipes but now I'm just trying to stay afloat.  These kids can EAT!

Crafting:

My knitting bag is still missing.  I took it with me to Cup a Joe when my MOMS group met there several weeks ago.  I KNOW I had it there as I remember knitting while there.  But it never made it back to my van, so it MUST be somewhere in that building (which is a big old schoolhouse - and Cup a Joe is on the third floor and there are lots of rooms).  I'm wondering if it might be in the boys' bathroom as I had to go back up to wait for Samuel after already taking the kids to the car.  My aunt runs Cup a Joe and she said she did not see it in the actual coffee shop, but I do not remember if I asked her to check the bathroom or not.  I just hope and pray it turns up again.  I LOVED those knitting needles and really wanted to finish that scarf for my mom some day.  Plus my Montessori book was in there and there were a lot of good activities in there that I was eager to try!

Reading:

I am enjoying Hinds Feet on High Places again and have recently discovered there is a sequel so I might be getting into that soon, as well.  Also, I like to read what Rebekah is reading so I might be checking out some Little House on the Prairie books soon, too (which I somehow missed reading as a kid, so I'm looking forward to it).

Bringing me Joy:

*My husband.  Sometimes he can be so thoughtful.

*Being with my kids all day.  I really appreciate watching them learn and play.

*Some new clothes I splurged on.

Thinking About:

How to decide what is important and needs to be done NOW and what can wait.  Trying to discern God's will at each moment.

Bible Verse:

They who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life, for my sake, will find it.  (Matthew 10:39)

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

"See where you are baptized, see where Baptism comes from, if not from the cross of Christ, from his death.  There is the whole mystery: he died for you.  In him you are redeemed, in him you are saved."  (CCC #1225 - quoting St. Ambrose)

Pictures to Share:

Rebekah as St Therese of the Child Jesus.

Paul as a dragon. . . he did have a "head" but did not like it much.

Samuel is Ironman and Jacob is Spiderman.

Rebekah drew this for me.

9 Quick Takes - Homeschool Focus

I really want to post about homeschooling, but I want to journal, but I have other stuff to share, so the "7 Quick Takes" form won this afternoon.  Unfortunately, as I finally got all my "thoughts" out there it turned into 9 takes.  Deal with it - oh and consider yourself warned! :)

1) Homeschooling this year is AMAZING so far!!  For real!  Partially because my children are geniuses!!

*Rebekah is so motivated and can do A LOT on her own.  Seriously, this girl can practically homeschool herself.  And she LIKES me and WANTS to do what I think is important.  Can life get any better?!?!  :)

*Samuel is SO SMART!!  I have to sit and "help him" or he will run off and play with his brother, but he catches on really fast and is doing amazing.  He is reading chapter books to me (very slowly, mind you) and flying through his site words cards.  He is a wiz at Math and now picking up geography like nothing.  He cuts well and his writing is legible!  (What more can you ask from a first grader?!?!)

*But perhaps the most surprising is Jacob.  He has not been interested in anything very academic AT ALL up to this point.  He has his blocks and he is happy.  But suddenly, it is as if a switch has been flicked in his brain.  He is getting "serious" over his "schoolwork."  He is a cutting fool and has got quite a bit figured out in the letters and sounds department.  He REALLY likes rhyming and is getting better at writing.  His Math is not too shabby either.  Who knew?

*Paul is. . . well, he is enthusiastic, but let's be real, he is ONLY THREE.  So he keeps trying to do what his big brother Jacob is doing, but although he has the desire, he does not really get it all that much yet.  He is a wiz on puzzles, though (real, connecting puzzles - not those wimpy one piece in one slot jobbies), and loves to cut and color.  So I think he is on track for pre-school.

2) Homeschooling this year is AMAZING so far!!  And I think a lot of it has to do with better scheduling on my part.  Last year I never really came up with a real workable schedule.  I think it was because I was still of the mindset that I needed to run our "homeschool" like "real school" and that really was not working for us.  So I fought with that all year and we ended ok, but it was really frustrating for a long time.  This year I am more realistic about things.  We are not going to cover EVERY subject EVERY day.  Some subjects are really important to me and we will cover those (such as Catholicism, Scripture, Reading, Writing).  Most other subjects are at least twice a week with some special exceptions.  So far it is working well for us, but I foresee more tweaking in the future as I feel out if we need to add curriculum or take some things out.  Anyhow, if you are curious to step into the "heart of our homeschool" feel free to click here for our "schedule."  (Side note: We have a different schedule for each week day.  That is just how we roll around here.)

3) Homeschooling this year is AMAZING so far!!  And it is partially due to one of my oldie but goodie ideas that I call the "visual track."  I make it up in a spreadsheet document.  I actually do this in lieu of lesson plans.  Each "lesson" (however I want to break it down - a page, a few pages, a chapter, etc) is put in its own box.  The columns are the subjects (or book titles).  As they complete each "lesson" they color in the correct box.  This way we know EXACTLY where we are and where we are going. We all love it very much.

4) Homeschooling this year is AMAZING so far!!  And part of it it is because of these cool desks we picked up off the local want-ads.  They were from an old high school that shut down.  They work great because. . . there is no need to shift the chair, they can be easily hauled all over the living room (as I put pads under the feet and we have hardwood), they really do not take up much room, and THE KIDS ALL LOVE THEM!!

5) Homeschooling this year is AMAZING so far!!  And perhaps a  little of it is due to the fact that I was able to get quite a bit of cleaning/organizing done in "the study" before the year started.  Thanks so much to Nana and Papa (my parents) and Grandpa and Grandma (Gordie's folks) for each taking the kids for a couple days so I could paint more on my house and do organizing/cleaning/school prep.

"The Study" (aka where we store a bunch of stuff and sometimes do schoolwork - we really like to do our school work all over the house and outside some too - we are just cool like that :)

"The Study" from the inside looking out.

6) I am still working on getting the house painted.  It is taking forever and I knew it would.  It does not help that I am NOT a neat painter AT ALL.  So I often have to go back and touch up several times for it to look "presentable" but I am definitely getting closer.  I'm hoping to have it all done before it snows.  We shall see how that goes. . .

I KNOW I have a picture of our house in all it's original green and off-white glory, but I CANNOT find it.  (It does not help that I have changed computers at least six times since taking it.  I know it exists. . . somewhere. . . I'm just not sure where right now.)  Anyhow, this is an OLD picture (that is Rebekah and Samuel on the stairs) but it shows some of the original color and paint scheme.

Again, this is to show you the original colors of the house (not a great picture for it, but you can kinda make it out).  And I should note, the door is the same color green (even though it is open in this picture and you cannot really tell).

Hello Cherry Cobbler Red!!  Yum yum! :)

And new color scheme, complete with new door color.  It practically looks brand new!!

7) Rebekah is REALLY into reading and I LOVE THAT!!  Gordie really likes reading.  Seriously, that man reads books like most people watch TV.  He reads a book every night!  (ok, not a whole book, but he is reading a book - and I mean, for several hours)  Anyhow, I like reading, too and I think it is very important.  I am so glad that Rebekah has lots of time to enjoy reading at her leisure.

8) I mentioned in my last journal post that Miriam likes to wear pants (or shorts).  Well, here are some shots of her in her "pjs of choice" (the onsesie is what I WOULD put her to bed in, the shorts are her addition that she INSISTS upon).

Rebekah is "helping" her smile here.  She often gives me a good smile initially when I pull out the camera, but my camera is ALWAYS too slow to catch it .  (Usually it has to charge the flash - dumb regular battery-powered camera - such a pain!!)

Miriam likes Paul's bed a lot.

9) I tried to take a picture of the kids after Mass this morning. . . Miriam was not really in favor of this endeavor.

Oh brothers :)