The kids and I jumped in our Suburban to run a short errand. When I looked over at the passenger side. A large preying mantis was sitting in the Suburban. I told the boys to grab one of our small cages on the porch. Collin yelled that there was a grasshopper in it from an earlier catch. I told him that would be fine and lets go. Obviously I knew very little about preying mantis' By the time we got to where we were going (about 10 min away) the poor grasshopper was lunch. We were amazed at how it ate it and spit the wings and legs out. eeewwwww
We brought in the house and we fed it crickets. We would go catch them and put them in the cage. I was the one mostly catching the crickets and so when I started telling the kids that they needed to go get some or else it would have to be set free. They told me to let it go, they didn't want to look for crickets. So we did.
This also confirmed the fact that we are not ready for pets. Which is fine with me. I can't keep up with feeding and cleaning up after the humans in this house In an effort to encourage the kids about learning and tell them how fun it is I have been pointing out "school" moments. So as they were looking I told them studying bugs was Science and made some sort of learning is fun comment.
Then the next day I had the Geo Boards out and the boys were really getting creative. So once again I mention to them how fun learning is and that when you use your imagination you are "doing school". Then Collin looks up to me, smiles, and says in the most matter of fact voice,
"No, this is fun because we aren't using pencils"
Can you tell the boy has an aversion to writing. LOL
In other news my friend, her son, me and Carter went to our town Parade. The other 4 were actually on a float. Carter was soooo funny. Each time he picked up some candy, he giggled and showed me as if it was the first time-every time. He would even go by the people sitting by us and when he smiled and said candy (which sounds something like nawny) they would just hand over their candy to him. He had so much fun. He was waving to the cars and yelling out hi.
We officially started the school year Tuesday. It didn't go great in the beginning, but got better as the day went on. It is part my fault. I get it in my head on how it's all going to go so perfectly the kids are going to love it and wait with anticipation for their next assignment, the littles are going to be perfect and then SMACK reality. I really need to lower my expectations LOL And I also need to make sure there is chocolate in the house on the first day of school.
Wednesday was much better. I am trying to be very consistent with what is allowed and not allowed. And Kiley and Carter are learning to keep busy. Kiley does have her work to do and I was able to sit with her one on one for a bit too. Carter was nice enough to wake me at 5:30AM and then proceeded to wake everyone else by 6. So he went down for an earlier nap, which allowed me to stand over the kids more. Bailey is already used to working pretty independently, but the boys need some grooming in that area. They finished in a timely manner and saw the benefits of getting it done and ALL of us having good attitudes.
We will be adding a lapbook to our schedule soon. I am waiting until the kids are working more quickly. At this point adding a lap book would make our day a little too long. I am also still deciding which one to do.
:>Michelle
I began smelling this terrible smell in our little room. It is a room off the family room that has shelves of books, the kids toys, art supplies, and our school supplies. I kept smelling what I thought was a bad juicy cup. I figured Carter or Kiley must have put one in one of the toy bins or something. The smell was getting worse and I couldn't find the source. I told the kids that they would have to sort through each of the containers until it was found. About 3 bins in, they insisted it was not in a bin. We all started sniffing around. One of the kids said it was by the shelves under the stairs. I started pulling out the riding toys and big toys I had hid stored under there.
And that's when I discovered this disgusting dead mouse. And some how seeing it made the smell all the more intense. I immediately called Jeff to see if he was near the house. And of course he wasn't. I talked the boys into scooping it into a shoe box. I had not found any droppings, so I had NO clue we had a guest or what killed him. The investigation of how to handle the situation. The boys thought this was cool and fun. As their Mom and sisters were completely grossed out!! As soon as I snapped the picture I was insisting that they hurry and get that STINKING (literally) rodent out of my home.
I quickly began to clean and vacuum the room and under the stairs. When I was vacuuming under the stairs I looked at our glue trap and there was a DEAD vole!! I couldn't believe it! By now I am completely grossed out and think all things need to be bleached. UUGGHHH!
My boys were my heroes for the day. And they were very proud of themselves. They just love all that man stuff.
:>Michelle
I was listening to one of my favorite pastors last week. He made a few statements and asked some questions I couldn't get out of my head.
I jotted them down in my journal. I thought I would share them with all of you.
> You really like Jesus, but if you were honest, you don't really want to become like Him.
> You admire His humility, but do you really want to be that humble?
>You think it's beautiful that the Son of God got down and washed the disciples feet, but is that the goal of your life?
> Is your life headed in that direction of servanthood?
>You are thankful Jesus was spit on and abused and that He took it, but you would never let that happen to you.
> You love that He laid down his rights, but you are going to spend the rest of your life fighting and defending yours.
>You praise Him, sing songs, and love Him, because He loved you enough to suffer the whole time He was here on earth for your sake, but you are going to make sure you will have fun while you are here on earth.
>In short you think Jesus is a great savior, but not a great role model.
>Is the desire of your heart to be like Him? Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6
>The question isn't are you a good Christian, it's are you a good Christ?
I was so gripped by these statements and questions. I began to pray, repent, and ask for Him to exchange my life for His in a deeper way. I truly want to look like Jesus to those around me. And as I start a new school year, I pray that my kids get a more accurate representation of Jesus and the power He has given to those who belong to Him.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3
While I still have 50 other home responsibilities, I mostly have our new school year on my mind. It ranges from I can't believe it's time to start a new year, when to start, what to start with, and where did the Summer go. We did some school through out Summer, but it was optional and well now it's not. I am really getting excited to start and be in a routine again.
Our school routine will go something like this:
Prayer/Worship
Reading
Math
Lunch/Break
Copy work/journal
Lapbooking
And somewhere we will be adding History and Science, most likely most will be done through lap booking. The Bible will be woven with in it all.
I am planning on creating a lap book on the life of David and possibly Daniel. I have been reading the kids the book of Daniel and they are very interested. Other lapbooking topics include, Fall, Christmas, Polar animals, Mike Mulligan, and/or anything else that looks good.
I was also looking through some boxes to see what I had and found Abeka Exploring God's World, Language, and American Heritage. I will have Bailey doing these a couple days a week. She will share her readings with the rest of us (aka teaching her brothers).
And finally I am praying like crazy for wisdom, direction, grace and mercy.
I was making shish-ka-babs not too long ago. A few of the kids were helping me. Carter was watching and then started grabbing the sticks and zucchini. I just let him "help". He put one piece of zucchini on each end and started lifting them like weights and making a grunting noise. I have no idea where he got that from we don't even own weights.
:>Michelle
I have lots and lots and well lots of books. I pick them up at the thrift store and garage sales. I have actually never bought a kid's book in the store.
Well I really needed to get them organized. So often I would know I had a book on this or that topic and then couldn't find it. I was at the store looking at school supplies and got an idea. I started grabbing all the empty and almost empty boxes that hold folders and notebooks.
The kids helped me find and pile all the books in the family room and we started sorting. I lined up the boxes and would give the kids a book and they would find the right box.
Here they are lined up for sorting
This is a picture our neighbor took tonight. It was above the house across the street. We had NO clue! We were setting up the swing set our neighbor gave us (that's my next post). Maybe we should look up more often.
I can't believe that was almost above my house
:>Michelle
I was excited to see an email last week from Angel. I was even more excited when she asked me if her family could come for a visit. We had been trying to get together again all Summer. So of course my answer was YES!
We had such a great time. We talked about school, blogging, church, Jesus, and more. The kids of course had a fun time and played like they were friends forever. Angel, Chris, and all the E's were wonderful guests and we all can't wait to hangout with them again.
Here are some pictures of our day cough - cough *some kids were being silly
and then all the kids decided to be silly.
The girls also set up a beauty parlor on the driveway. Carter was given a mohawk and pigtails at one point. Poor 5th child hahahaaaa
Group picture Anybody else notice that I am sooo short??? LOL
Thank you Angel and family for coming over and we can't wait to get together again.
I was wondering if anyone knows where Lori from MiryClay is??? I really miss reading her posts. She has been gone for a while now. Or if you stop by Lori, please know that you are greatly missed.
:>Michelle
Our friend Miss Polly called and asked if she could take some of the kids to a movie in the park by her house. I said of course! We made the arrangements to meet. Kiley always wants to go and so I picked Collin to go with her. I hadn't made dinner, but should have at this point. But we had to leave and so dinner would be on the run. The kids wanted bread sticks for dinner. I know healthy right Anyways.... I was handing them their bread sticks and took a bite of Kiley's before giving it to her. In a serious tone she asked
Kiley :"Mom do we have the same germs?"
Me: "Yes sweetie you were in Mommies tummy and anyone who was in there all have the same germs". Kiley: "Oh, so if I spit in your mouth it would just mix with yours and be the same???"
Me: "ummm I think so I guess???"
At this point Collin, my very logical son, who could take the conversation no more. Pipes in and says "No that wouldn't be the same, it would just be disgusting, YOU don't spit in a person's mouth!"
I just laughed and we moved on to a new subject.
:>Michelle
Well I have been thinking about it, talking about it, and dreading it. I had said I would start in the Summer and well the Summer is going by and I haven't yet. Until Tuesday. Wondering what I am referring to? It is potty training. Now you would think I was an old pro, since this is my 5th time. I think I am just so aware of what a pain in the butt (haha) it is that I don't want to be bothered.
I knew it had to be done so on Tuesday I put Carter in a pair of underwear and well he peed in it. Big surprise. right?? Actually he came and told me afterwards, so I was impressed. The next time he came and told me as he was going and by 9 am he had went on the potty once and in underwear 6 times. UGH! Then he started to really catch on. He only had a couple more kind of accidents (we couldn't get there fast enough) the rest of the day. And today he has had NO accidents. I can't believe it. I would be so happy if I just bought my last box of diapers this week.
Bailey had potty trained at 2yrs 4mo, which is what Carter is now. The others were 2yr 6mos to 2 yr 8 mos. So we are doing great.
I hope he keeps up the good work. And he also does a dance when I cheer and sing. I wish I knew how to put videos up. It is hilarious!! :>Michelle
Jeff and I had an amazing weekend. My Mom and our friend watched the kids. We went with our very good friends to Ohio. Why Ohio you say??? We have been challenged and encouraged by a great pastor out in CA. He was visiting a church they planted in OH. CA is very far from Indiana, so this was our chance to see him and what their church was like. This church was so amazing to visit. We met and talked with people that we had never met before today. Yet as believers we were able to talk as if we have known each other for years.
We were really excited to hear Francis Chan speak in person. We have been listening to him for about a year now and have been so blessed and challenged on what it really means to call ourselves a follower of Christ.
His message had me repenting and praying for God to break all those things that keep me from living my life for Him alone. He talked about the power we have been given through Christ and the greatness of God that dwells in us as believers. That we don't have to choose sin we can choose to submit to God and his ways. We don't have to be depressed or crushed (2Corinthians 4:7-9) we have the same power that raised Christ from the dead in us Romans 8:11, because we were raised up with Him Romans 9:17. We have been given everything we need to live. 2 Peter 1:3 God is more than able to deal with everything we face and complaining about these things shows a lack of faith and denies God's greatness to work all things for His glory. Romans 8:28.
Here are some of the questions he asked:
>Do we see God seated on the throne? Hebrews 8
>Do we reverence He who dwells in unapproachable light?
1Timothy6:16
>Does the Church accurately represent the power of God?
>Am I praying for God to make me an accurate representation of Christ to the world?
>Are you a good Christ to those who are watching you?
>When I am attacked am I standing up and saying I am not going down, because almighty God dwells in me?
>When I pray, am I asking God to give me wisdom to glorify Him in my circumstances or just for God to take them away and make life easy?
God was pleased with Solomon. 1Kings 3
I went to Biblegateway.com and searched "power" Wow!
Christ didn't die and was raised from the dead for us to live a mundane-get through our day, stay focused on ourselves life. We were made for His glory.
With God all things are possible!
:>Michelle
I love to encourage the kids to be creative in their play. I mean that's what a good mom does! Right?? They play the usual things like restaurant, ebay, house, animal planet, etc... The kids asked if they could play a game called beaver? I finally agreed. I think half because I wondered what this game was. They said that they would only have to move our couch out a "little" bit, so they could crawl in their den. That should have been my first clue. They were playing so nice and laughing, clue #2. I had no idea that it included such, shall we call it creativity. When I looked to see all that was involved in this game here is what I found. If you look closely you can see that Carter figured out how to play. Carter loved crawling through and coming out the other side. Here you can see that Carter escaped out the top and the others are popping their heads out to see.
They had so much fun and other than a wrecked room, which I wasn't going to have to clean, it kept them busy for a long time. :>Michelle
My baby turned 8 yesterday. I can't believe it. I don't think I am old enough to have an 8 yr old. hahaha
She is such a pleasure to have and has always been my little sidekick. I am sure I couldn't have raised the twins with out her, even though she was only 14 months old when they were born. She was fetching diapers, binkies and being their little mama as soon as they came home.
She loves Jesus, her family and friends so much. She writes songs that she says the Lord gives her. They are deep and at times bring tears to our eyes. We truly believe her heart is made of music.
She has been praying for people for as long as I could remember. She is very thoughtful and kind
She is both sensitive and tough at the same time. She wants to have 12 kids and homeschool them all. She loves to swim and play dolls.
I feel so blessed to be given such a wonderful little girl. I am forever thankful to be her Mama.
The boys served her her brownie cake Grandma's girls Sisters and Friends forever!
Tomorrow is her friend pool party. She is so excited.
:>Michelle
If anyone needs/wants some encouragement and to get refocused. Go to this link HERE. click "get a sermon" and click on "power" - watch. If anyone goes there please let me know what you think of the song and message.
So good
:>Michelle
Each Saturday when I go to garage sales I rotate between Cam, Collin, and Bailey for a day out with Mom. They love it and have fun buying things and a prize or two for each sibling. Bailey decided to collect TY teddy bears. She has a lot, since they are at nearly every garage sale for 25 cents each. One of the bears is named Hero and is camouflage. Cameron fell in love with it. He loves stuffed animals and has many himself. He requested baby teddy sitting it. So "Uncle Cameron" was able to take it places and sometimes have it in his room for sleepovers. Bailey was generous with it, but didn't want to give it up. She kept asking me if she should give it to him. I told her that she had to decide. Well the day finally came.
Here she is right before the big moment.
Here is his gift "Cam I know you love this, so I am giving this to you. from Bailey" on the back she wrote. "It is an early birthday present"
And the hug. I was about to cry it was so sweet. I was one proud Mama
:>Michelle
I saw this from Leslie
and here by Emily
I am going to try and do the first thing that comes to mind. Of course at this time of night the brain goes into shutdown mode. So here it goes:)
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? Jeff
3. Your hair? BLACK
4. Your mother? home
5. Your father? Grandpa
6. Your favorite thing? Family
7. Your dream last night? bad
8. Your favorite drink? pop
9. Your dream/goal? Heaven
10. The room you’re in? messy
11. Your church? far
12. Your fear? Fire
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Farm
14. Where were you last night? Home
15. What you’re not? sad
16. Muffins? chocolate
17. One of your wish list items? Maid
18. Where you grew up? Everywhere
19. The last thing you did? Facebook
20. What are you wearing? rings
21. Your TV? waste
22. Your pets? none
23. Your computer? necessary
24. Your life? Busy
25. Your mood?thinking
26. Missing someone? nope
27. Your car? tan
28. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
29. Favorite store? garages
30. Your summer? short
31. Like(love) someone? kids
32. Your favorite color? green
33. Last time you laughed? today.
34. Last time you cried? recently
35. Who will repost this? her
Ok , that was hard to do. I always had at least 2 words to say.
We have been so busy having fun! We went to a parade Friday morning and then we had some friends over for lunch. They were from a new church we have been visiting around here. We have made some really great friends. It's so neat how we all just clicked and our kids and their kids LOVE each other. We hang out a lot too. God is so good. Anyways that whole situation would take about 3 posts.lol On Saturday we helped my brother pack and clean his house. Saturday night we went to dinner with friends and then to fireworks. Sunday we went to church, out for ice cream and to the park with friends. Tomorrow-nothing.
My kids were actually in the parade on the new church float. They had so much fun. Can you see the adoration in her eyes? They are buddies. He is 6 and is just the sweetest little guy.
Later on the kids went swimming and PLAYED.
My kids were in bed by 7:30 and asleep by 7:45. That isn't too crazy or unusual around here, except it was the 4th of July.
We did go see fireworks on July 5th with many of the same friends. So I don't get the mean Mommy award. lol
:>Michelle
I am so in love with Jesus and am seeking to know Him more each day. I am a wife to Jeff and Mommy to 5 children (Bailey 8, Cameron & Collin 6, Kiley 4, and Carter 2). My house is often crazy, but always full of love. This blog is a story of my adventures, God's mercy and grace in my life, and funny days that aren't always very funny at first.
By the time we got to where we were going (about 10 min away) the poor grasshopper was lunch. We were amazed at how it ate it and spit the wings and legs out. eeewwwww
In an effort to encourage the kids about learning and tell them how fun it is I have been pointing out "school" moments. So as they were looking I told them studying bugs was Science and made some sort of learning is fun comment. 
and then proceeded to wake everyone else by 6.
I immediately called Jeff to see if he was near the house. And of course he wasn't. I talked the boys into scooping it into a shoe box.
I had not found any droppings, so I had NO clue we had a guest or what killed him.
The investigation of how to handle the situation.
The boys thought this was cool and fun. As their Mom and sisters were completely grossed out!!
As soon as I snapped the picture I was insisting that they hurry and get that STINKING (literally) rodent out of my home.
cough - cough *some kids were being silly 
Anybody else notice that I am sooo short??? LOL
Anyways.... I was handing them their bread sticks and took a bite of Kiley's before giving it to her. In a serious tone she asked
:>Michelle
If you look closely you can see that Carter figured out how to play.
Here you can see that Carter escaped out the top and the others are popping their heads out to see.
Grandma's girls
Sisters and Friends forever!
I was one proud Mama
Can you see the adoration in her eyes? They are buddies. He is 6 and is just the sweetest little guy.
