Catching up

JoAnna Turns 8

This is a picture of JoAnna the day she was born. She was born 8 days before Caleb's 7th birthday. We told him that JoAnna was an early birthday present. Dr. Prior gave us a special gift that morning. JoAnna and I almost died in childbirth and Caleb is holding a miracle in his arms. When Chris died I truly realized that the Lord was watching out for me the morning of JoAnna's birth, b/c Caleb and Lydia could have been orphans.

JoAnna with her pink princess cake.

Caleb Turns 15

Caleb has always been his own person. He is very much like his father, he doesn't care what other people are doing he chooses his own way and what he wants. One year Grandma asked him what he wanted on his birthday cake and Caleb responded, "I want a pineapple upside down cake!!" I think we were all a little taken aback, b/c we were thinking "cake with frosting." Not Caleb. He wanted his favorite.

Caleb, several years ago with his first pineapple upside down birthday cake--made by Grandma.

This is Caleb's 15th birthday with his pineapple upside down birthday cake made by mom. I told him that if he didn't smile I wouldn't let him get his driver's permit...thus the funky smile.

School Gets Under Way

We started school this week. Some people think it's a little early, but I like to be ahead. When things come up I like to be able to say, "Let's take the day off and go." When we are ahead I can do that, with no stress. I also enjoy being able to take the week off when my parents come down. It is too hard to get school done when the children want to play games with grandma and grandpa.

I caught Caleb snuggled under his daddy quilt reading one of his school books...notice that Tessa is getting in some quality snuggle time.

Lydia concentrating on her Teaching Textbook Math 7 program. She is already 4 weeks ahead and it is only 4 days into school. Today a look of realization came over her face and she asked me, "You mean, if I finish all my work by Christmas I won't have anything to do for the rest of the year?" I told her, "Yep. You finish the work and you're done." One of the best parts of home schooling, in my opinion, is when the student 'gets it' they can move on and they don't have to wait for the rest of the class to 'get it'.

JoAnna with her science book. After I took this picture we read our whole weeks worth of science and she wanted to read more, so we did. We are learning about mammals. Let's hope we actually finish science this year.