Fun on Lake Lanier

Last night our good friends, the Barr's, took us out on Lake Lanier in their new boat. What fun we had! It was a beautiful, hot afternoon, just perfect for a day on the lake!

Getting ready to push out...

Jason took us to a little cove they recently found and we anchored not far from a private beach. My kids had never swam in a lake, so after a moment of hesitancy, they all jumped in. Shortly after we arrived, another family came boating by and asked if we minded if they used the picnic table that was on the beach. We didn't care, so they unloaded their things and it wasn't long before our kids were swimming and playing with the kids from the other family (they had 8 children with them). Abbi made a little friend named Esther and they had so much! Esther's is a homeschool family and we made sure to trade phone numbers before leaving.

Above - Abbi and Amelia

Amelia is the baby I've been watching 3 days a week since November.

We had such a great time of swimming, playing, eating and Bible study.

Above - Jason and Sara

I have no doubt that all of the children (and adults) were ready for bed!

This and That

My computer died a few days ago so I can't share what I had planned because I can't get to my photos. My tech. support (Jon) is working on it this week (he thinks my internal power supply quit) so I thought I'd share what we've been up to the past few weeks. I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged. But, well, we've been busy!

The first week of June, my friend Leslie tested my kids (along with her older 2). This is something the state of Georgia requires every 3 years beginning in 3rd grade. So this was Jacob's second experience with it and the twins first. I think overall it went well. We took 4 days to do the tests (about 2 hours per day) and the last day was pretty rough for the twins. They had 2 extra sections to do that tested listening and remembering skills. They did one extra section the 2nd day and the other extra section on the 4th day. And that day there were tears from both of them. My poor babies! But, they all survived and now we don't have to think about it for another 3 years! Hallelujah!

We're wrapping up with school...before you gasp and say "You're not done with school yet?!" keep in mind that we didn't start until the middle of September and we've had some unexpected days off this spring. They all just have a few more days of Science and Language Arts. We finished up Poetry last Friday. The twins have 1 more book to finish for History, which they'll finish this week. Jacob has a bit more History because he chose to take some days off and sometimes he chooses not to do all of one days work in one day. I leave that up to him and now he is seeing why I recommended how much to do each day. He has about 3 more weeks of History (but he only does it 3 days a week, so if he was motivated, he could finish much sooner). That leaves math...the boys each have about 4 more weeks of math. Math is the one thing we never rush through. And it only takes about 10 minutes a day, so I don't feel bad that they still have several more weeks.

In their spare time, after school and chores the kids each keep busy with various activities. Jacob and Caleb are forever building and playing with Legos. They're now into the Pocket Models and are really enjoying their new hobby. Caleb knitted himself a winter hat this past week and Abbi started one for her. It's 98 degrees outside and they're knitting winter hats. Abbi also knit a hat and scarf for her AG Ruthie doll for Christmas. Last year she made her a quilt. Abbi's trying to decide what to make for Kit this year...she did the hat and scarf last year. The kids aren't playing outside as much these days, unless we're at the pool, because it's SO HOT! They each do lots of reading...the boys are reading the Hardy Boys series and Abbi has been reading the old Nancy Drew books for awhile now. She's on #48. A few weeks ago I started a list for each of the kids with all the books they've read. I didn't include 'smaller' books (like Magic Treehouse), but only big chapter books. I also didn't include all the books on CD they've listened to. Jacob's list had 64, Caleb's had 50 and Abbi's had 144 books. I think Abbi is up to 160 now. She's a reading maniac! Needless to say, her favorite subjects are reading and spelling.

The kids also started working on my mom's birthday gift. My mom turns 60 this year and I've been wracking my brain trying to think of something for the kids to make for her. It finally hit me last week and the kids were all on board. I'd share what the gift is, but Mom might be reading this, so you'll have to wait. Now, if I only knew what I should get her! Any ideas??

We bought Jacob a new bike last week. He outgrew his other bike last summer so we passed it onto Caleb who had outgrown his bike (which was Jacob's first bike). As we were walking back to the bike section, I was feeling a twinge of guilt that Caleb was never going to get to pick out his own bike since he always inherits Jacob's. I was still feeling the guilt as Jon and Jacob were pulling different bikes down to try them out. I was thinking about how Caleb would never get to experience 'picking out a new bike with daddy.' And then Caleb came to me and said, "Mommy, I sure am glad I'm the younger brother." I asked why and his reply made me want to drop to my knees and praise God. He said, "Because I will never have to come here to pick out a bike...I'll just get Jacob's old one!" And he was so happy about it. How precious is he?! What I saw as a privilege, Caleb saw as a boring chore. He'd much rather just get on the bike and go than waste time picking it out. We also got a bike rack for the van so now we can finally go ride bikes at some of our favorite parks.

We've been to the pool several times and I love to watch my kids swim. I was scared to death of swimming when I was a kid and it amazes me how brave my kids are in the water. I was at least 11 when I quit wearing a life jacket. Seriously. But the kids are all very good, strong swimmers. They know so many pool games...they played several yesterday and at one point all the kids in the pool were playing too. (Who says homeschoolers don't know how to socialize?) They played Marco Polo, Categories, Silence, tag, etc. I always learn things that I didn't know when they play Categories.

Last week, Jacob took a class in 3-D Computer Animation. He learned a lot and had a great time. They used the same software that was used to make the Shrek movies (and others). The first day was basically an introduction. The 2nd day they made a ball, gave it color and learned how to make it bounce through hoops. They also made characters (Jacob's was a Ninja), gave them voices and made their faces move to what was being said. The last 2 days each student made a blooper (like at the end of Toy Story) which Jacob loved. The teacher should be emailing me everything Jacob did so we can all see. I can't wait!

Well, I think that catches you up for the most part. Are you wondering what I do with MY time? If I'm not doing school with the kids or cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, etc. then you can find me either stamping & scrapbooking or reading. My stampin' clubs ended this month for the summer and I'm gearing up for my summer classes. The new Stampin' Up! catalog comes out July 1st and I can't wait to see it! I've also been doing LOTS of reading lately. Which means either of 2 things, or both...either I'm neglecting my children in the afternoons or I'm staying up way too late because 'I'll just read one more chapter and then go to bed.' And before I know it, I'm done with the book. I've also begun learning sign language. I checked out some books and a video from the library. I must admit, that it's hard (for me) to learn sign language from a book. What are they really doing with their hands? The video is extremely helpful. Abbi is learning with me and we've learned many things so far. We've only watched the first section of the video and here's what we can sign:

What's your name?

My name is _____.

I'm happy to meet you.

Yes/No

I'm learning sign language.

Please sign slowly.

Where do you live?

I live in _______.

Please/thank you/you're welcome

How are you?

What's your phone number?

My phone number is ___________

Alphabet and numbers

Are you deaf?

Are you hearing?

I hope you've enjoyed the little re-cap of what we've been up to lately. Next time I'll show you the stampin' projects I've been working on.

My Bucket List

Last summer, Jon and I rented the movie Bucket List (with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman). In August my mom and I had a discussion about her bucket list and she told me some of the things that are on hers. That prompted me to make my own. I figure at my age, maybe I can actually accomplish some things on my list before I die. Each day is a gift...I don't want to waste any of my days. And I certainly don't want to reach a ripe old age and look back with regret that I didn't do some things I wish I had.

Right now, my list is not that long. I found myself wanting to write things about my kids...like, I want to live long enough to see them all graduate, to see them all happily married with children. I want to see them all live their lives for the glory of God. But that's not something that's really in my control. So here's what I have so far.

1. I want to be a surrogate mother. Yes, you read that correctly. It was something I had been thinking about since my trip to Belarus, but writing it down made me realize it's truly something I desire to do. I've done my research and read tons of blogs and testimonies from women who have done it, and that sealed it for me. This is not something I've shared with many people (I'm sure all of you reading this are shocked) because I discovered that there is some controversy with surrogacy. There are two types of surrogacy, Gestational and Traditional. Traditional is where the surrogate's egg is used with donor sperm to fertilize it. Gestational (which is what I would do) is where the Intended Parents create embryos that are transferred to the surrogate mother, and the surrogate mother gestates the child but has no genetic link. So, Jon and I prayed about it, sought counsel from friends and pastors, and finally decided to move forward. This is one of those things that I can only do for a few more years since age is a factor. I found an agency in Atlanta that deals with surrogacy and filled out the 22 page application as well as gave pictures of myself, Jon, the kids, the main rooms of the house, front yard, back yard, pets, etc. I got all my records from previous pregnancies (which was a miracle in itself...both OB's that delivered my children are retired. And when I had my first miscarriage, Jon was still in the Navy. I even got those records!). I had an interview and all went well until I was asked if I was willing to do 'selective reduction' if it ended up being multiples. The most embryos they would transfer is 3, so I knew that there was a chance I'd be carrying twins or even triplets. Well, I already know I can carry twins. Been there. Done that. Triplets might be stretching it a little, but I trust that the Lord would not give me more than I can handle. My answer was 'no' I would not be willing to do selective reduction. And right there my interview was about over. The interviewer told me she would still enter me into the system, but the chances of me being chosen was very slim. She said the intended parents want to be able to make that decision for themselves. That was back in November, and I haven't heard a thing since.

2. I want to be debt-free. Little by little we're getting there.

3. I want to adopt a child. Or two.

4. I want to learn Sign Language. We went out to eat a few weeks ago and at the booth next to us was a young family. Parents and a toddler. The parents were signing to each other the whole time and it was hard for me not to keep looking at them. What were they saying? Sometimes they would laugh. What were they laughing about? I realized then that they couldn't eat and talk at the same time they way we do. I had never thought about that before.

5. I want to live in the Northwest again while my kids still live at home.

6. I want to go on a trip with World Vision and meet the child we sponsor in Brazil.

7. I want to go on a trip with Buckner and wash the dirt off of children's bare feet before sliding on their first and only pair of shoes. I want my kids to come with me.

8. I want to learn how to quilt...I just wonder if I'm patient enough.

9. I want to visit the Holy Land with Jon and the kids.

10. I want to visit each continent.

11. I want to read the entire Bible chronologically.

12. I want to be a long term missionary overseas somewhere...Belarus, perhaps?

13. I want to drive up the East Coast.

14. I want to visit Washington D.C. with Jon and the kids.

15. I want to get braces.

16. I want to visit the Grand Canyon with Jon and the kids.

So, that's it so far. What's on your bucket list?