Snowball Fight!

Well, as promised here are a few pictures of my kids enjoying the season's first snow today. Enjoying it with a rowdy snow ball fight. After a time of play, they came in with cheeks bright red. I supplied them with hot cocoa with marshmellows. Simple joys.

And here is our dog, Peppy, our perpetual puppy. You can't really see him in the snow pictures though he was as busy romping as the kids... so here is a recent pic.

Sweet Little Joys- Little Women

Today we have a short day for Veteran's Day. We have taken time this day to discuss the sacrifices made for their freedom. With dad home, my children have little "school" to do but they still have one requirement - to do their reading.

Yesterday, my daughter began reading Little Women with some reluctance, but after her first session she said it was ok. After today's reading she came down gushing about how great the book is.

She eagerly asked questions about what is coming... and I did not answer. hehe. I remember the first time I read the book, and how I responded to some of the plot.... and I am sure we will have some very good discussions about the book in the days to come.

I am so glad we are using Tapestry of Grace because it has introduced my children to so many of the best books! I love that.

Perhaps this is a small joy that some of you do not understand... but every time I see my children curled up with a great book, my heart melts. Tis a good thing.

Thankful Thursday- Blessed Beyond Measure

I am thankful because today I was able to go hiking with my children. Last February I fell on ice and messed up my foot badly... but thanks to modern medicine, screws and pins, and God's mercies, I can walk. Today I went on my first hike on uneven ground since that happened.

I am thankful because God has given me two wonderful children who have lovingly waited for their slow gimpy mom and who rejoiced with me being able to walk with them.

I am thankful because God gave us this beautiful world to live in... and colors it so spectacularly each autumn, and then gave us eyes to see so that we may share in the experience. The beauty of the world speaks volumes about our Creator.

I am thankful because my children love God's world as much as I do. And I am thankful that I get to share this experience with them... through a child's eyes I experience things anew.

I am thankful because my children enjoy each other... and that they are curious and playful and live life so fully. And because my children love freely.. and I get to experience love in a new way with my children by loving and being loved in a way I could not have conceived before.

Our Civil War Day

Yesterday, we took a trip to see a Civil War Reenactment. We are in the midst of a study of the Civil War, and despite my procrastinating, it worked out beautifully that there was a reenactment right when I wanted it... and within a couple hour drive.... and the weather was beautiful. There were over 700 re-enactors there and it was an awesome day.

Tuesday, we had traveled to the Lincoln Museum, but yesterday we met Lincoln. How cool is that?

We had hoped to hear him give a talk, but there was a scheduling conflict, and so Pres. Lincoln just traveled around the grounds, meeting his fellow Americans.

We met him right outside some shops where all sorts of Civil War stuff was sold, from wooden toys, to books, to clothing and uniforms, to yarn, and civil war buttons. We did not want to stay too long though, we had so much more to see.

This tent was the crew of the USS Carondelet. We found this a particularly interesting place as my son is doing research on the Naval ships in the Civil War- the Ironclads and the Hunley, etc. These men are like walking, talking history books, except they are way more interesting.


These reenactors are passionate about their interest and were more than willing to answer any questions we had. Wandering around the camps we saw daily camp life, cooking, talking, and children playing. We came across a drum and fife corps and enjoyed listening to the stirring music, but soon it was time for the battle.

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The battle was awesome! Loud canons booming, with several perfect smoke rings. A battle raging right in front of us. The Confederates were outnumbered 2 to 1, and it was not a good battle for them. We got to see many of the tactics we had read about, and my husband ran a continual commentary. He and my son were busy discussing tactics and weapons both during the battle and on the drive home. The buildings you see are the medical facilities. It was not too long before soldiers were falling on both sides. After the battle they would be tended in the crude manner available during the Civil War.

This was a day we will not soon forget. And one I may yet post more on.

A Step Back in Time

Well, here it is. A long awaited picture with.. gasp.. my children in it. Yes, I finally did it. Here are my children standing next to the child Lincoln at the museum. I loaded the pic just in time.Tomorrow we will step back into the Civil War era again. We will be travelling to a Civil War Reenactment.

I know I will take more pictures there... the museum restricted photography, but the outdoors are the perfect place for photos. And it is perfectly suited to the kind of learning that my son does best... he learns best while moving, walking, touching, etc. And he loves military history.

We also plan to go to a corn maze while we are out and about. The weather will be a cool crisp fall day. A perfect day to travel back into history. Each time we do these kinds of history excursions it brings our studies to life. It can even help bring textbooks to life. lol

Homeschooling at its finest.. a family day outdoors while we just happen to learn something.

The joy of children knowing the Lord

I was not raised to have a personal relationship with God. I went to Lutheran and Catholic schools for the quality of their education and so I knew WHO God was. I knew the Bible as stories.Even so, I did not personally know Jesus.

As an adult, I was so blessed to find my Savior. And now another great blessing... watching my children grow up knowing Jesus. From their youngest days they knew how very special they were to me... but even more how precious they are to the One who placed the stars in the Heavens.... to the One who created them. They grew up knowing that they are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Watching my children grow in their relationship with Christ has been truly awe inspiring. I remember my young son singing loudly and with great joy "Jesus loves me" with such enthusiasm that I had to bite my tongue to not laugh with joy. And there is something so uniquely beautiful and humbling in the heartfelt prayers of a child. Sometimes they are so short, I can not help but smile. Other times the wisdom of my children and their honest conversation with God remind me of what my relationship with the Almighty can be. Jesus encourages children to come to Him and holds them up to be an example to us all. "He (Jesus) called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:2-4

I posted this illustration by Eloise Wilkin from this Golden Book... her illustrations are always sooo sweet.... but my children never looked like these two cherubs when they prayed. They don't wear the "Sunday finest" that used to be the norm, they are rarely so innocent looking when awake... but my children when praying are one of the most beautiful sights I know. My heart overflows with gratefulness each and every time.