Ok....Let Me Sum Up

The events many call 'Life' have kept this family busy. Pictures often say it best.

September

Monterey

Took a family vacation up the CA coast to Monterey.

Visited the Nipomo Dunes and Hearst Castle along the way. Drove past the old State Capitol building. Got to walk along the pier and drive through the country side.



 

December

 

Field Trip

Long Beach Aquarium with Classical Conversations Challenge A group

Had the opportunity to dissect Squid. So fun

 

Replacements

C. got a new bunny to replace the one who died. The new one has been dubbed 'Hofbrinkle'.

The tree house was falling apart so a new one was created. This one is higher up in the tree, complete with 2 levels, and netting to keep small kiddos from falling out.

 

Hardscape was placed.

Pavers were installed to form a patio, fire pit, walkway around the house, and steps leading from the street to the front door.  Now we get the opportunity to landscape!

 

Mom's New Car

After several years nursing her old one along, Dad purchased Mom a new car. We hid it in our garage till Christmas Day then sent mom on a hunt to find it. She was Surprised and quite speechless.

 

New Year's Eve Party

Our first of what we hope are many parties. We had fun pulling out the popcorn machine which was thoroughly enjoyed by all the kiddos. There were multiple games - complete with prizes!

 

February

 

Birthday Fun

H. turned 17!! and ...now has his driver's license.

The Heart of Friendship

Over the summer C and a friend had the opportunity to grow closer to one of the Grace missionary kids. C and her friends thoroughly enjoy playing with their American Girl dolls. Our sweet MK friend has loved them too, yet hasn't had the blessing of owning one....until our girls stuck their heads together.
A few months ago, while at the thrift store, we came across an AG doll. It had been loved previously yet had the unfortunate adventure of visiting a child's beauty salon where most of the hair had been "cut & styled". We bought the doll with the intention of finding someone, someday, who would enjoy her as much as C enjoys her dolls.
When C and her friend found out that our MK had always wanted a doll, they pooled their money to have the doll's head replaced with the intention of giving it to their sweet new friend. Three weeks ago we took an excursion to the AG store in LA where we dropped off the doll at the hospital. It would take two to three weeks for the doll to arrive. We found out the missionaries leave this Saturday. Would the doll arrive in time? We prayed. We watched. We waited.
Last Tuesday I called the AG hospital to see where the doll was at in the repair process. It hadn't even been added to the system! I called again on Friday. Sometime between Tuesday and Friday the doll had arrived at the hospital, had the necessary repairs and been shipped out. It arrived this morning.
To avoid the possibility of missing our MK we surprised her this afternoon with "Unbirthday" gifts.
She opened the giant box and found the new Elizabeth. She then opened two smaller boxes, each containing an outfit....Elizabeth needed clothes of course!
It was such a joy to watch our friend become speechless. She had no idea what the girls were planning and is so excited that she has something to take home with her. Elizabeth will never have traveled this far before. The girls are already making plans for when our dear missionaries come back next summer.

A speechless friend

It was a pleasure to watch the sweet girls consider someone else as more important than themselves. They willingly, sacrificially, and happily gave their own money to give a friend love. That is priceless....

Fast friends....can't wait to see each other again next year!

Preparations for Race Time

"Let us run with endurance the race set before us"

 

Hebrews 12:1 calls us to run with endurance. To accomplish the endurance portion the runner must be prepared and conditioned before the race ever begins. As the school year quickly approaches the verse comes to mind consistently. Lists have been prepared and the backpacks, writing implements, books, lunchboxes, and clothes are quickly checked off the list. Do we add spiritual preparations to that list? Do we fill them with truth, give them every opportunity to understand the Creator and their own position before God?  Are we equipping them with the necessary tools to stand within the raging waters of peer pressure, idolatry, political correctness, and hatred toward God? Are we giving them the mindset to do "All to the glory of God"?

I love that Hebrews reminds us that the run is in present tense. It is constant. It is continual. I love that endurance is how the running takes place.

"Endure: to support without breaking or yielding to force or pressure"

Are we preparing our students to run without yielding to force or pressure? Are we prepared to run without yielding?

As I prepare for the race that begins next week my desire is to endure throughout this race.

I want to: teach with consistency

                remain excited about the topics we study.

                be prepared for each strand

                help my students understand that personal investment will bring ownership

                remember that others are watching and witness is important.

               

A Man of Fortune

I just finished reading the book Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates. I began the reading with reluctant duty yet finished it with an encouraged heart and another addition to my favorites category.
Yates weaves historical facts from the life of Amos Fortune into a lovely piece of literature.
While many view this literary piece as an opportunity to see the successes of a slave turned free man during the colonial period I unexpectedly found another more valuable thread.
During Amos' early life as a slave he was led to the Lord by the Quaker family who purchased him. What was unexpected and remarkable were his views on the white families he interacted with and the mindset he maintained regarding his own responsibilities to God and toward others. While many encouraged and endeavored to show obedience through the command of "slaves be obedient to your masters." from Ephesians 6, Amos focused more on "Bear one another's burdens..." from Galatians 6. He loved the family he worked for, sought to be a help, and I believe, loved them. Several times he was offered his freedom yet he turned it down. Once he gained his freedom, he worked heartily for the Lord and viewed his worship as a daily task requiring his attention rather than a Sunday only experience. His hard work, integrity, and love for his community gained him a deep respect from everyone. I found myself wishing to know more about this kind man who viewed his service to God of primary importance. It is wonderful to think that we will meet in glory.

More Beauty & the Beast

The girls had an absolute blast throughout production week. We will do another production in the future...

 

 

The flatware entertained

 

R.I.P.

Christopher the Christmas Bunny was a joy and pleasure to have as part of our backyard family. His fluffy tail, sneaky antics with the chickens, and friendly behavior will be greatly missed.

Beauty & the Beast E.S.C.A.P.E.

Primping for the performance

Our four lovely villagers



Sometimes girls just wanna have fun.....

while the flatware's entertaining....

 

 

 

 

Months of practice culminates in 3 days of performances. Lots of fun with friends and family.

Memory Masters Beach Day

After working to learn over 400 facts it was time to have some fun.

Ballet Dance Recital

Cute as little buttons.

Walk like an Egyptian

This week our Classical Conversations Essentials goups hosted a 'Walk Through History' for all the families. A few weeks back the students were given a research essay on a famous person from Ancient Times . They had the opportunity to dress up as the individual and present information they learned. The other students then toured the time line where they heard about everyone from Hatshepsut to Marco Polo, asked questions, and received a treat.

The students did a remarkable job on their characters. Each worked creativly on an outfit, some had displays, others props.