Sweet Big Brother

"James, give Megan a hug and a kiss"

And show everyone where you bumped your head last week.

NASA

While we were at Disney, we took a side trip to the Kennedy Space Center

The Shuttle was scheduled to launch the next day, so it was ready to go. Unfortunately the mission was delayed until the next month.

While all the kids had fun, Megan took on the appearance of someone that belongs in outer space.

Disney . . .Party of 15

We went to Disney World in June with Grandma and Grandpa Transue, Grandma and Grandpa Dudley, Auntie Beth, Uncle Mark, Aunt Nan, Will and Drew. Since Jay and I had to keep track of the four kids, we found that we had to rely on others to take pictures. Fortunately we didn't have too much to worry about:

Here are some moments from my Sister-In-Law's camera . . .

The cousins . . .(well, the potty trained ones anyways)

Compared to our last trip in 2007

Laura and her cousin Will

Jack and Laura having fun

Laura brought her "Cinderella" doll into the park one day

Laura and Minnie Mouse

Compared to 2007

And just so you know that we didn't leave the babies behind, here are James and Megan

South Carolina Living History Park

Now will you remember to do your chores?

We spent a Saturday afternoon in June at the Living History Park, pretty close by. The kids saw a commercial for it on one of their favorite programs Liberty Kids.

It was a fun trip, a little on the warm side, but we got to see the town, watch a show on all the clothes that the people wore, ate some fresh ginger bread, and watched a woman spin sheep wool. In October they have an even larger production, and since it will also be cooler, we plan on attending.

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

We definitely did not attend two birthday parties this weekend even though our oldest two children are out of town visiting the grandparents. We did it because our 14 month old and 3 month old would have been heartbroken if we didn't go. And the children who were turning two years old would have been so sad if Mr John and Mrs. Kristina hadn't shown up. We didn't enjoy that big Dora cake and ice cream, the pizza, the hot dogs, or the Thomas the Train cupcakes one bit . . . no, not us.

I certainly did not hose down my one year old's carseat in the driveway after he got sick on the way home from the above mentioned parties. And I would never remove all his clothes before entering our house. I am a mother who would endure all, including giving my poor sick boy a big comforting hug when his tummy was upset. . . not stripping him down to his diaper in the driveway, nope, that wasn't me.

Temporary Vs. Eternal

A while ago in a ladies' Bible Study in VA we were discussing the temporary things on Earth vs the Eternal things that await us. A friend of mine commented on how virtually all of our daily tasks as wives and mothers revolve around temporary things. I had to agree that this is true on many levels. I wash dishes. As soon as my dishwasher is loaded and running a glass or plate will appear in my sink. I joke that the laundry is never done since we are all wearing clothes while the last load is being folded and put away. No doubt the laundry hampers will not remain empty for long.

We've only been studying at home for a few weeks now, but today I as I remembered the statement from my friend in that Bible Study I smiled as I realized that I am spending time with my children that will no doubt have Eternal rewards. My oldest daughter has already accepted Christ in her heart. The lessons I teach them about God will hopefully bend their hearts toward Him in their future endeavours. God has graced me with the time, resources and desire to train my children . I continually seek His strength and wisdom to complete these tasks. I pray that the lessons and studying lead well beyond "well educated" children, but educated children with hearts that call upon our Lord and are under the control of the Holy Spirit.

Getting Organized

With a week or so of homeschooling under my belt, I have been utilizing the resources on this website DonnaYoung.org to help track/plan the lessons. Sonlight comes with a wonderful Intructor Guide for all its Cores, but since I am working with two students, a few different IG's (one for history, one for science) I need a system that will help get it all in one place.

I am working with the Excel Spreadsheet for weekly planning.