Santa

Avery:  "FINALLY!".
Me: "Finally what?"
Avery: "Finally a song about Christmas!!!!"

I realized at that moment the Pandora music stream we had on this morning, as we made Christmas crafts, had only played songs about Santa, snowmen, and bells. Come Let Us Adore Him, was the first song that even mentioned Christ. This was the first song that the kids recognized as the "real" message of Christmas.

 Ben and I have decided not do the whole "Santa thing" with our kids. I grew up believing in Santa. and we have a lot of friends who "do santa" and still explain the "real" message of Christmas.  But it just wasn't what we choose to do. For us, it has been refreshing that Avery and Elly are older enough to "get" the Santa and presents thing, yet they are solid in what Christmas means. Santa doesn't cloud the message of Christmas in any way.

Still I'm sure people wonder about us when they ask our kids if they have made their list for Santa and they just get blank stares in return.  :-)

Catching Up

The past few weeks have been such a whirlwind for us, I decided to take a few minutes today to sit down and write a little update on our life!

We are very excited to announce another BOY will be joining our family in just a few short months now! The initial joy of finding out we were expecting a boy was clouded with a little apprehension from our ultrasound. A concerning area on my placenta was identified and we had to see a specialist at the high risk clinic in our area, to rule out any major complications. Long story short, and many prayers latter, I am still considered "high risk" and there is still a concerning area on my placenta - but not what they originally thought.  Even if he needs to arrive  earlier than my due date, there is no reason to believe that I wouldn't be able to at least get to 36 weeks - so we are thankful!

We are continuing to gain partnerships as we prepare to serve with Youth For Christ Military. God has began opening the door for us to serve on a specific military base.  We are excited and overwhelmed by how God works all things together for His purpose.
Our December Newsletter
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A Letter

Me: I have a special letter for you.

Avery: Really?

Me: Yep, it was written just for you. See God knew that you would have lots of questions about dinosaurs, and when they were created, and what happened to them…. so he wrote it all down for you, it's right here…. Would you like me to read some of it?

We spend the next few minutes reading Genesis 1 and Genesis 6&7

Avery: Does God give everyone a letter?

Me: Yes, but some people don't want God's letter, or they only want to read part of it. And there are some people that have never heard God's letter - that's why missionaries are so important.

Avery: So can I be a missionary?

Me: That's exactly what God has asked you to do in His letter, and yes you can be a missionary even now. 

What a special conversation to have with my little guy!  Especially after a rough week with some behavioral and attention challenges. As we sat down for homeschool that morning, I felt God telling me to put the school books down for a minute, and share with Avery what was on my heart. You are special, you were created for God's pleasure, you were chosen for His glory, and He wants you to know everything about Him and the world He has created around you. 

His Plan

I showed the kids an old episode of Mr. Rogers neighbor today, they loved it. I told them that I used to watch this when I was a little girl with my mommy. It fascinates them that I had a life before them, and even more so that I was their age once. The classic question "where were we" comes up every time (I think they just like asking me!) My answer is always the same… "you were in God's plan". So today when Avery asked me, Elly spoke up and said "Avery, don't you know we were still in God's plan!?". What a breath of fresh air… they do listen, it does sink in…. eventually! 

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:14-16

Revved Up Reading

Avery loves math…. and hates phonics/reading. I know once he really gets the hand of it he will realize the endless value of reading, and good thing I am just as stubborn as he is - "I can't" is not an option!
I have found Quizlet (online flash card generator) to be very useful. I love that I can save my "cards" so that they are ready to use with the next kid. But flash cards get old… so today we "revved" it up with "race car reading". I took a simple white board, and made a "city", filling the streets with words, as a review game. Of course my hands on child loved it, and honestly I think it reinforced  a lot of our flashcard work from this week. Even though we did it for homeschool, this would be a great way for a traditional school student to review concepts as well!
There are so many different uses for this same method I plan on using in the future- reading, phonics, math, Spanish, even colors, shapes, and ABC's for the younger kids.

Birds Nest

Birds nest. How simple they seem. A bird manages to put it together with only his beak. Some pine straw, some dirt, some leaves, some moss... sounds easy enough. I had the kids try to create birds nest this week. I asked them if they could make a nest as well as a bird - they both seemed to think so. They quickly found out that it wasn't as easy as thought.

A "real" birds nest

Once their "nests" were built we went one step further. I held up the little birds nest I had found earlier this summer and asked... so if it rains what will happen to this birds nest, will it fall apart? Would yours fall apart? 

 

And then we let it rain. As you can see from the muddy mess, their nest did not fair so well. 

What an awesome opportunity to explain to them that God takes care of the birds, He has given them the instinct to build a nest, collect their food, and anticipate the changing seasons.

And just like the birds we can't "build" our own lives without Christ. Our foundation (our "nest" for our lesson today) has to be firm in Christ. We can make it look beautiful from the outside, put all the right "things" in it, but in the end, it all falls apart when the rain starts.

Mathew 10:29-32   
For only a penny you can buy two sparrows, yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father's consent.  As for you, even the hairs of your head have all been counted.  So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows!  Those who declare publicly that they belong to me, I will do the same for them before my Father in heaven. But those who reject me publicly, I will reject them before my Father in Heaven. 

20 Months... Not A Bad Run

Xander nursed for the last time five days ago. You never really know that it is going to be the last time, until you look back and realize that it was. And while it's bittersweet for me, I knew this day was coming. I've nursed all three of the kids partially through a pregnancy, and I knew that any day my milk would be changing over (your body prepares for the new baby, and the taste of that milk is not so yummy anymore to the older baby!) The "baby" things are ending, he is becoming his own unique person - a little man. It has become increasingly obvious that he is almost two... and soon he will not be my youngest - though he will always be my baby :-)

Announcing.....

"I want to tell you guys why mommy has been so sick"

"Is it because of that yucky commercial?" Elly

"Yes, that commercial did make me throw up, didn't it?" 

"Is it because you smelled shrimp?" Avery

"Well kinda...Mommy has something special in her belly" 

"Is it a sick bug? Avery

"No....What made mommy sick with you, and you, and Xan?"

"............... A baby!!!????" Avery 

"Yep, a baby!"

"I thought you just had to much food in there!" Elly

And with that we announce number four. Due in March (I am about 3.5 months). This has been a very rough pregnancy for me so far. My body is certainly making sure that this is the final one! But we are thankful for the opportunity to raise one more child, and add one more personality to our family. The kids are thrilled, and are already putting bets down for a brother or sister.....

I was a little nervous to announce this pregnancy - most people know that we are about to leave our home and jobs to serve teenagers on military bases (and no our plans haven't changed!). When you are in a ministry position you feel like you are under a microscope - everyone has an opinion!  We actually found out we were pregnant right after we got back from our YFC training in July. We had decided while we were there that we were content with our three and that we wouldn't continue trying for a fourth. Well... God had other plans! So we are moving forward with the excitement of having the large family we always wanted and the joy that we are serving God in the way He has called us. 

A Nice Break

This weekend we had a chance to visit Ben's parents down near the coast. Since I normally work on the weekends it was a nice break from our "routine". The kids got to enjoy some time on a beautiful farm and B&B owned by one of my mother in laws friends. We also got to eat good food (steamed crabs - yummy), play in the water (well the kids did), and mommy got some needed rest!

Their house is situated off the Albermarle sound. It is a beautiful area and the kids always have a great time. Even though I thought the water was way to cold, it only took a few minutes for Avery to decide to jump off the pier right into the water (clothes on and everything). Xander was short to follow (I hear.... "eeaddy, set, GOOO! I caught his arm right as he jumps - ughhh that baby is a crazy one). Thankfully the water was shallow, and after that little man was assigned a life jacket or a hand on his body at all times!

All About Leaves

Homeschooling Avery has been a lot more work than I realized it would be. God has already taught me an incredible amount of patience over the past 5 years, and I'm sure he was preparing me for my biggest challenge yet - teaching!

I love it though, and it's totally worth it. Last week I took the kids to the park for lunch, and as we spread our picnic blanket out, Avery and I discussed what we had learned that day... all about leaves. Which leaves do you see that still have chlorophyll, and which leaves lying on the ground no longer have chlorophyll?  Which trees do you see that are conifers and which are deciduous? How creative is our God to create all these beautiful kinds of trees? Why do you think He gave us so many? 

As I enjoyed that precious time with my boy, I was so thankful that he was home with me, and I have the opportunity to be his educator in these early years. I am the one teaching him to read, write, calculate math problems, and learn about the world that God has created. It has proven to be an invaluable time in our lives already.

"Trees" with fall leaves. Avery cut out an impressive root system for his tree. We had just learned that roots can be as tall as the tree. So he had to be accurate!

Leaf rubbings

Xander "organizing"our leaf collection

Pox, M words, and Blessings

It's been a busy few weeks! Avery had a suspicious case of "chicken pox like" lesions last week. Even our pediatrician wasn't 100% sure. They are clearing up now, and we are holding our breath to see if Elly and Xan show up with any! Ben is busy back at school, finishing up his final year at Grace.

We are continuing to partner with supporters as we move forward in our ministry to military youth and their families. Right now we are 40% supported, a huge blessing. We plan on being on the field by this time next year. It amazes me that back in June we had no financial partners, and now 3 months latter, God is actively calling people to step forward and go with us, bringing Christ to hurting kids!


Last week in homeschool,  we learned more about the letter M... and M words. As always the science component was a big hit - the phases of the moon and magnets.

Xan artist at work... 

Magnetism scavenger hunt

  

Moon Phases and M collage

Sun Days

We finished our first week of Kindergarten (and Pre-K for Elly) today. Overall things went well. Our first unit was on the Sun, and the letter S, as well as math and reading for Avery. It was a fairly easy week, but the concept review is good for us as we get into the "groove". I wanted to make a sundial this week, but ironically it has been cloudy all week!

Planting seeds 

Our Hypothesis. Will the seeds grow in the sun or in a closet.... or both?

Spaghetti shapes.... the letter S, spiders, snowmen, snakes, and sun

Xander enjoyed the pasta too! 

Welcome to Kindergarten!

Our fist day of Kindergarten went well today. The greatest challenge is balancing the other kids and really making sure Avery is learning what he needs to.
 I am confident in our choice to homeschool, although I am fully aware of the challenges ahead of us!  

We started our first unit with the letter S. Avery knows his letters and sounds already so this is a review for him. Elly however needs to build more concrete knowledge in this area.  I love the curriculum that we are using because every day has a focused science lesson. This is where I really see Avery thrive. His ridiculous memorization skills kick in and he can quote verbatim every fact we learned today about the sun and weather.

Avery has always struggled with handwritting, partially because he has a hard time being still! One of the best methods I have found is a chalkboard. First I write the letter, then he takes a small wet sponge to trace over the letter, next he takes his finger and traces over the wet lines, then he rewrites the letter with his chalk. This method is great because he can stand, it's sensory, and it reinforces the skill in different ways. 

 Good thing Xander is my third kid and I can just deflect crying sometimes! He finally stopped fussing and found the markers on the kitchen table. I didn't realize until latter that he had been drawing all over his face, rather than the piece of paper I had given him, Oh well! 

Getting Ready

We've marked the calendar and Avery is anxiously checking off the days until Kindergarten starts! August 22nd. He informed me this morning that he was "ready to start learning some stuff". Guess this summer has been "boring"!  So as I prepare our curriculum and get everything ready for our first year of homeschool,  I am excited too. We have an awesome curriculum, with lots of fun activities planned. I will be integrating a preschool curriculum for Adelyn as well, to tie in with Avery's weekly themes and letters - she is eager to learn, and keep up with brother! There is only one major obstacle that stands in our way....

A certain climbing, messy, throwing, in to everything, impatient, cute.... Xander Man! 

In Their Words.....

Ft Lewis, WA. US Army Base

Military Youth - Our Call to Go.: In Their Words.....:

5 years ago..

Avery turned 5 today.  I never knew 5 years ago that God would teach me so much in such a short period of time. There is nothing like your first child to wake you up from a state of selfish bliss. 

You learn very quickly that colic isn't some made up word for fussy babies, no some babies really do cry for 6 hours straight, every day. You may learn that the perfect delivery you had planned for 9 months ends in an emergency c-section, but a healthy baby.  If you chose to breastfed you learn a whole new level of self sacrifice, and you are suddenly aware of the secret that no one seems to share - breastfeeding does not come naturally, it is hard, and it hurts... for weeks!

But the joys that come with being a mom,  that is unsurpassed. I smile as I think of his mischievous little ways vs. his brilliance in figuring out a concept; his tenderhearted kindness vs. his rough and tough edge; his hyper spinning self vs. the loving little boy who still wants to cuddle with his mama.

We are blessed. I am by no doubt, a better mom because Avery is in my life.  And for that I am grateful.

6 lbs 5 ounces. Check out the huge hematoma on my head. No wonder I was an emergency C-Section!

18 months old, and my little brother looks just like me now! 

Avery's a big brother! 

"Mommy, I was digging for worms.... with my head!"

I'm a big brother.... again! 

Really Avery?

So proud of my 5 year old boy.