One Day Like This

I tried to embed this video but you can only view it on youtube. Check it out, you'll be humming the tune all day =)

I've been getting a little down lately. Its understandable...Tim's out studying a lot, I'm home with 4 kids ALL day, its winter. When I feel myself slipping into self pity I don't do a good job of loving the people around me. Meaning my kids.

In September we heard an amazing message by Rob Bell. I'm reminded of it often. They played that video at the end and both serve as a great reality check for me. I hope you listen...its so encouraging. You can find it here.

An update on life

I've been slacking on my blog again. I had one of those days last week. (Well, a few of them in a row) and I wanted to blog about it, but I just didn't have the energy.

Tim's latest class has been a doozy. He is gone a few nights a week studying. If he isn't studying, he's working late. He has a lot of deadlines coming up in the next few weeks so we won't be seeing him as much as we'd like. Don't think I'm complaining...but it isn't easy for any of us.

Last week Josh had "one of those days" 3 days in a row. Tuesday morning he wanted to sit on Jesse's seat while Jesse was eating. The scuffle ended with Jesse's full bowl of cereal dumped everywhere. At lunch the same thing happened and Jesse's full cup of water and plate full of food landed on the floor. I figured dinner would have another mess and wasn't disappointed. Josh grabbed Yael's full cup of water and dumped it all over himself. He wasn't too happy about being doused in water...I doubt he's learned his lesson though.

Its a good thing he's really cute...

No washer again

Once again I can not use my washing machine. Saturday I started hearing a horrible noise. I had no idea what it was until I took my bra out of the dryer. (sorry to any men who may be reading this) One side was completely limp. Some how the underwire came out and lodged itself between the drums in my machine.

What are the odds? Do such absurd things happen to other people? Please tell me yes.

I could post every day about Josh...

Seriously. The boy is amazing. He's always doing something to make me shudder, cry, laugh or pull out my hair (I prefer all the gray ones he's given me). Here is an example of a day with Josh...

He loves climbing up on our blue chair. Before I grabbed my camera he had been standing on the top and jumping down. I was sorry I missed that kodak moment.

He loves to vacuum. Its one thing I can let him do that isn't going to end in disaster. For now anyway.

He's had a rash on his bum for 6 months so we decided it was time to pull out the potty. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Once he finally went in the potty he had it down. Now he will do everything all by himself without telling me. I try to pay attention...I never know what's going to happen when he gets an idea in his head.

I decided that it was time to start getting to bed early and waking up in time to get in a good workout. One morning I heard him as I was finishing doing yoga. I decided he'd be ok for 10 more minutes. I was so wrong...

Crud

Well, I was going to regail you with all our holiday shenanigans, but blogger isn't loading pictures for me. >: (

I'll keep trying. But now I have to rescue the kids from Josh.

December 10th?!

That was the last time I posted? What's wrong with me ;0) Its not like nothing's been happening. In fact, the holidays were plenty busy and now that school is in full swing again it doesn't even seem like there was a break.

Rather than have a never ending post full of pictures I'll post a few pictures at a time.

I love homeschooling!!

Even though it can be hard to juggle 2 in school, a baby and an unpredictable toddler, I still love homeschooling. We have days when its difficult to get much accomplished (like yesterday) but the pro's totally outweigh the con's.

Yesterday in history we learned about ancient China and their early form of writing called pictograms. Yael practiced making some of her own. We agreed that the cat is actually a scaredy cat = )

Jesse has learned the alphabet and now is learning how to decode words. He was doing so good with the words I gave him, I decided to do a whole sentence. To make sure he understood what it said I had him draw a picture. Its a simple thing, but teaching my son how to read makes my heart want to burst with pride and joy.

And then there's this... "What do you mean I can't go outside?"

Words fail me entirely.

Its too early!

I'm just not ready to face the day. My alarm (Tucker) went off at 3 and every hour after than until I finally gave in at 7. Now I have a doozy of a headache. Rather than focus on how lousy I feel I'll show you some nice pics.

Yael had a cold last week...Tuck loves her anyway = )

Here he is sitting up! He loves to sit on the floor and play. If I put the boppy behind him it catches the occasional unbalanced wobble so I can leave the room for a while and get something done.

Our enormous Christmas tree is up. It is huge! I've bought about 700 more lights this year and still think it needs more. The ornaments are a little lonely too = )

Ever since we moved I've wanted to put a tree in front of the window. Since we got my parents old furniture I finally had the chance. I sit in the blue chair every night with quiet Christmas music playing and watch the snow fall. December is quickly becoming a favorite month of the year...