39!

Another special number post...

The high today is supposed to be 39, which is a major deal for us to get above freezing. Yesterday was the first day it has been above freezing for weeks. So imagine the elation of my children today as they go outside and their snot does not freeze when they breath in! They were so excited to go out without a coat. And the biggest discovery.... our front sidewalk!!! After much hibernation and pure white surroundings the little flash of grey inspired shovels to reveal what was once only a memory. Spring may show it's face here after all.

100!

It was so cute yesterday...Kami was practicing her counting, and when she reached 100 she said it with enthusiasm and a big cheer. Guess who else was excited to get to 100? Ridge's scholarly side became apparent as he exclaimed 100! in baby babble and gave his arms a raise of triumph.

January

We've had a great start to our new year! This has been a cold snowy month, but we have been happily busy enjoying all the many activities we get to do together.

First off,

Look Who Turned One Last Week!!

Ridge has an infectious smile...

Is always happy...

And loves to play with all his siblings! We love our little man!

Our homeschool group in the area is really growing. We've added a few new activities this semester that are helping the kids social circle grow. There is a great group of kids in this area, and we've been getting them organized into some fun groups. Besides the cooking and science groups, we've got rock climbing, gymnastics, "show and shares", literacy bees, and field trips. Lindsey is also in a girls group called the Liberty Belles, where they read biographies of great women, and also participate in service projects and other activities together. These are the same girls she is climbing and cooking with, so they are really forming some great friendships.

The kids are using the "project" method of learning this semester. They are choosing a subject to study and research and compiling a research notebook to show all they have learned. Friday our group held a "Show and Share" where they are able to share what they have been learning with all the other students in the area.

Here Lindsey is giving her oral report on Florence Nightingale and Nursing.


Porter has been working on his Music Pin for the Cubs Scouts Academics and Sports Program. One of his requirements had him pick a composer of music he enjoyed and study him. He chose Rossini, who wrote William Tell (the galloping horsie song). So for his report, after he showed a picture of Rossini and told a bit about him, he played the song William Tell. While everyone listened to the song, he tried to see if he could do a head stand through the entire thing. It was cute!

Every other Friday the kids have rockclimbing or gymnastics class. They love it,especially because it's with all their friends.


Spencer is old enough they let him belay the other kids.




Another blessing: A man from our ward who is an artist offered to come to our home once a week and teach the kids (and me!) art lessons. It has been so fun to experiment with sketching and watercolors! My budding little artists are having a great time, and always have an assignment they have to complete for the next class.


For our field trip this month, we ate lunch at a local gourmet pizza place, and then we were able to go behind the scenes on a tour and see how it is all done! The kids really enjoyed seeing the big mixer, and huge walk in freezer, etc. Afterwards they all went ice skating, and had a grand ol time.

Some fun times, and I am so grateful they are having opportunities to make friends that they have so much in common with!

Happy New Year, and Happy Anniversary to us!

It's been 15 years of marriage...

Here is my deep pondering for the day. We spent our first summer being married living in the mountains of Montana in a tent, logging together...picking huckleberries to put in the morning pancakes, getting ready for my day as I watched the sun rise, washing hair in a freezing cold stream...being so grateful for a warm shower on the weekend at a friends house....Yes, those are actually some of the best memories, and, I think, a good way to spend the first months of a marriage together. While living up there I realized how little we really needed to be happy. A simple shelter, a warm fire, and some good food...mostly each other!! Those experiences of simplicity helped me form a perspective I have tried to keep in mind as we began raising a family.

So, here we are fifteen years and six kids later....

As we took a little getaway back to Montana last week, I was reminded of those simple pleasures that make life happy. We rented a forest service cabin out in the middle of nowhere. We had to ski all our stuff and kids in a 1/2 mile, so we were away from the road and civilization. No electricity, no running water, just us and the fluffy snow falling gently on the surrounding pines. (And an outhouse with a freezing cold toilet seat...do not sit down with a wet bum, or else!!) We were warm and cozy, and got to spend time together without any interruptions....Well, I guess my deep thought is...it doesn't matter the size of the house or the nifty things you acquire in life...what matters most is what happens inside that house and the love that is there. We had a fun 3 days, and I am so blessed to be surrounded by a great hubbster and 6 marvelous kids!

COZY TIMES.....

Christmas Music for Grandma & Grandpa

The kids have been able to share the gift of music this year. They played these songs in church and also at an Old Folks home. This is what makes it all worth it, in my opinion!


The First Noel- Lindsey's solo


Silent Night- 1st ever attempt to play harmony together!


Oh Come All Ye Faithful

Merry Christmas!

If you look for Me at Christmas,
you won't need a special star -
I'm no longer just in Bethlehem,
I'm right there where you are.

You may not be aware of Me
amid the celebrations -
You'll have to look beyond the stores
and all the decorations.

But if you take a moment
from your list of things to do
And listen to your heart, you'll find
I'm waiting there for you.

You're the one I want to be with,
you're the reason that I came,
And you'll find Me in the stillness
as I'm whispering your name.

Live Christmas

I heard this thought on the radio broadcast Music and the Spoken Word. What a great reminder to slow down and remember what we are celebrating.


Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

"The bright lights and joyful sounds, the festivities and parties all mark with excitement the Christmas season. But now and again this time of year is also filled with stress and worry, with frustration and exhaustion, made all the more poignant because of the celebrations that surround us. Sometimes we celebrate Christmas in ways that actually keep us from feeling the joys of the season.

One woman, after a hectic day of mothering and shopping, found herself so impatient with fellow shoppers that she thought to herself, "Wait a minute, get a hold of yourself. This isn’t what Christmas is about.” Perhaps in our desire to get just the right gift or arrive at just the right time, we become irritated with someone who is slower than us, frustrated with long lines and inflated expectations, or annoyed with the shortcomings of those around us.

Normally we try to be kind and thoughtful, but ironically, in the midst of the celebration of the birth of perfect kindness, we may be more unkind than usual. Perhaps we act this way because, in our efforts to commemorate and even bring "joy to the world,” we feel drained, worried, and worn out. As a result, we may miss the essence of this entire season.

Christmas is joyful and glorious because of how we live it, not necessarily how we celebrate it. Now might be a good time to slow down a little, simplify, and find joy in what is, not what might or could be. Take time to reflect, to ponder the meaning and message of this sacred season. Live Christmas by showing love and kindness. Share Christmas by smiling and cheering up someone who seems discouraged. Extend Christmas by giving generously, even anonymously, of your time, your heart, your goodness.

The best way to feel the joy of this blessed season is to live Christmas."

www.musicandthepspokenword.com
Program #4186