Make a Smilebox slideshow

Camp Karen

My niece Caitlin is staying with us for 2 weeks. Rachel and Sarah love having another girl around. Even Jacob is asking for his turn to 'sit next to Caitlin' at mealtimes. Here are some photos of the fun they have been having so far....it's only been 5 days!

Ring, ring

Rachel is now the proud owner of a cell phone.

Not just ANY cell phone, mind you. Not what you would consider a starter cell phone.

The name of the cell phone says it all...."enV2". .. which is the new and improved version of the plain old "enV".

I'm sure she will be the enV of her friends now, and maybe even a parent or two!

Kidding aside, the phone was a well deserved reward after doing 2 years of math in 8 months. We are really proud of the way she pushed herself to meet a goal. Way to go, Rach!

Butterfly Kisses

Rachel and Keith went to a Father-Daughter Dance tonight at First Baptist Eau Gallie. He regularly goes on 'date nights' with each of the children, and Rachel chose this one for her turn. They danced a lot and really enjoyed the strawberries dipped in chocolate fondue. Rachel came home with a goody bag full of discounts to restaurants. Hooray for me!!

A Star Is Born

(Click on the triangle to play video.)

Our family really enjoyed the new American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The highlight was when Sarah was chosen to be in a video that was played during the show. She had to say, "Blake, you are my American Idol," and blow a kiss. Of course, she had no idea who Blake was, and she really didn't like the way I was pushing her through the crowd when they were looking for a volunteer. But she was chosen and I stood there and beamed like a mama whose child was really going to be on American Idol would.

Once you get in the theater, there are many reminders that flash photography and videoing are prohibited. All of a sudden it hit me: I was going to have no proof that my 9 yr old daughter was a star unless I broke the rules. This was very hard for me. I don't like to break the rules. I like to be compliant so I don't get in trouble. But this was a risk I had to take. I kept my camera down low in my lap and zoomed in on the big screen, waiting for just the right moment. I was so afraid that a guard was going to see me, come storming across the aisle, confiscate my camera, and throw us all out of the theater. But I was able to video it without incident, and felt guilty about it the rest of the day.

I don't feel guilty anymore. Just proud of my star.

Little Walking Feet

Every time I think Jacob has outgrown sleepwalking, he does it again.

Tonight he walked into the homeschool room, dropped his puppy and blanket, and then went into the kitchen, where I saw him. I asked him if he had to go to the bathroom, and he replied "Yes", and then proceeded to the pantry. That's when I knew he was sleepwalking again. It's been a couple of months. I directed him to the bathroom, but he turned around and walked out of it, so I just guided him back to bed. He will have no memory of this in the morning.

Wish I could train him to clean during these episodes. His room is a mess and my pantry needs organizing.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

This is our adopted stray cat, Gracie. She is an outdoor cat, and has been hating all the rain we have had lately. Rachel put an umbrella out on the lawn, and Gracie plopped herself down right under it. If the grass wasn't so brown it would be a great photo!

A Little Bribery Always Works....

Jacob has never liked to read. He even said he hated books. Reading was definitely not something he would do 'just for fun'. All that changed with a single purchase: a REALLY BIG beanbag chair. I mean HUGE. Big enough for all 3 of them.

I put it next to the bookcase and said they could only sit in it if they were reading. It didn't take long before Jacob got a book and tried it out. He read an entire chapter book in one day!!

That must be one comfy beanbag chair.

The End of Childhood...

Today my oldest child officially became part of the youth group. This little baby who was born via emergency C-section...who would not sleep through the night...who was literally kicked out of the hospital after 5 days of stubbornly refusing to drink after her tonsillectomy, is done with childhood.

I'm excited for her, and sad at the same time. The next 6 years will also go by faster than I want them to. I intend to cherish every moment I have with her, before she is gone. I know God has great things in store for her!



Memories of Rachel:

First word - Dada
Second word - Hedgehog
Favorite thing to do - talk!
Favorite ice cream flavor - Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie
Favorite book series - Warriors
Favorite activity - horseback riding
Favorite Bible verse - Phillipians 4:13
Best character quality - compassion for others
Hidden talents - writing, organizing, planning