Textbooks are for Tables

  The kids have been getting up early and getting most of their school work done while I'm walking in the morning.

 And that's fine with me.  More than fine.
It gives us time to do the good stuff - like looking for caves and exploring old church ruins. 

You Can't Put the Kids in the Fridge- because the shelves are too close together

  
  Today we put the Christmas break behind us and started back to school.  One of us was in a great mood - ready to actually learn/teach stuff.  
  The kids....not so.
  I understand.  Math is just dumb.  Taking a two week break does not make the 7 times table any more appealing.  And nobody loves underlining all the adjectives in the great, big, lovely, zippity dippity sentence.  
But come on.  Did they have to be so rotten and grumpy?
  Homeschooling could be so much more enjoyable if it weren't for the kids.

Don't Close Your Eyes

  
Isaiah, our 14 year old, had an E.E.G. scheduled for 8:00a.m. yesterday morning and when I pulled out the instructions Thursday night I noticed he was only to have 3 hours sleep that night.  I was a little worried about how he would stay awake because I was sure I wouldn't be helping him out with that!  Luckily he has a bunch of brothers and sisters who were more than willing to pull an all night-er with him - watching movies and playing board games.  By all reports and by gauging their moods (which were NOT good)  - I would guess that the whole gang made it till the early morning hours. 
  His E.E.G. went well.  The technician remarked how well he slept for the test.  Results to follow.

Welcoming Jesus to Our House

  
This month our family is celebrating Advent.  Each Sunday evening we sit together and read verses that help us prepare our hearts to welcome - not just the new born baby of the manger - but more importantly the living Lord of today.  It's a sweet time apart from the busyness of the season.
  I believe that real advent candles are supposed to be white and purple and beautiful.  Making due with what we have on hand, our four candles are actually 3 snowmen and a Christmas bear.  
It works.

Make Mine Cookies and Cream

  
  We had a goal this school year of having everyone memorize all the books of the Bible.  (We tried last year but went brain stupid somewhere around Joel and Amos.)  So I decided to up- the- ante with a promise of Chick- Fil -A milkshakes when everyone had all the books down perfectly.
  Between the lust for the highly desired and rarely purchased milkshakes and the shame of having Samuel, the baby of the family, memorizing the books effortlessly and reciting them just a hair slower than the speed of light, the competition became fierce.
  And today the last two boys were able to nail the list perfectly and off we headed to Chick-Fil-A where they enjoyed the rewards of their work.  
  And yes, I memorized the books along with the kids but refrained from ordering a milkshake because I like the size jeans I'm wearing.  


  

Leah Rose!

One of the best thing about having 18 kids is the grandkids that follow along and today I had the joy of welcoming Leah Rose into the family.  She's perfect and adorable.
  Oh Leah - the things we're going to do together!  I love you.

Your Grandma Loves You!

This weekend was sleep-overs for the grandkids at our house.

Our house was blessed (and noisy) indeed.