December Already!

I don't know why it is so hard for me to post regularly. Could it be that I have 5 children ages 2 - 15? That I homeschool? Am involved at church? Have lots of laundry to do all the time? Could be. Although most of the time I just don't think I have much to say that would be of any interest to anyone. I think that's the main thing that keeps me from posting regularly. Life around here is very normal, day-to-day stuff. Kids wanting to be fed, schoolwork, settling arguments, caring for animals, cleaning, and oh, did I mention the laundry?

I can hardly believe that seven months have passed since I started this blog. It was spring time. Everything was green, our garden was in and I had volunteer black-eyed susans coming up all over the place! Now, most everything is brown, except for a few splashes of orange, red and yellow sprinkled throughout the woods. I love each season and the changes that they bring.

Our garden now is only 3 boxes with cabbage, lettuce, brocolli and strawberries.
Even so, I am already looking forward with anticipation to the warming weather of spring and thinking of what we will plant when the time is right.

Juliana, Jacob and I have been doing a creation study about birds. We have so enjoyed seeing all the migratory birds that have been visiting our feeder each day to partake of the peanut butter suet called marvel meal that we make for them. Our conversations often turn towards a discussion of the greatness of God as we marvel at His wondrous feathered creations. Each one so unique and beautiful. I think it has been one of our favorite studies. (In case you are interested, it is Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day from Apologia curriculum.)

We have all had our first cold now. We can usually count on the first congestion to arrive by Thanksgiving and this year it did not disappoint us. I think the only one who was spared was Jacob. (how DID he mangage that?). That's one of the problems of sickness in large families. By the time it runs through everyone in the household you could have spent a month at home and have a desperate case of cabin fever! Thankfully, we are all better now and looking forward to the celebration of Christ's birth.
May the Lord richly bless all of you with the sweetness of knowing Him this season.

A Day at Busch Gardens

Several weeks ago when the weather was so nice I took the kids on a field trip down to Busch Gardens. Jordan had been asking for some time about going wanting to ride the choo-choo train and see the elephants. Juliana and Jacob were looking forward to seeing the birds since we have been doing a bird study together. Jessie was all about riding the roller coasters and Jared was just along for the ride. Some homeschool friends met us there and we enjoyed the day together.

While we were looking at the flamingo's one of them decided to start preening the kids hair. We had just been learing about preening in our bird study so this experience was very fun and interesting. Deven, Jordan's little friend who was with us thought the whole thing was hilarious! He laughed and laughed as the flamingo preened his sister Shaye's hair as well as Jacob and Juliana's.

We got to pet an inguana and ask questions about it. We had never seen a lizzard being walked on a leash before.

In addition to our day being educational, it was just plain fun as you can see from the pictures below.

Is that a Touch of Fall in the Air?

It seems it has become a tradition around here that we have a special dinner on the first day of Fall which gets us in the mood for setting out our fall decorations and looking forward to that first cool, crisp morning which lets you know that summer is officially over and the holidays are just around the bend. Last night we had this "fall dinner" which included roasted turkey breast, stuffing, cranberry sauce, acorn squash, green beans, hot mulled cider and carrot cake for dessert. It was delicious!

The temperature even cooperated yesterday with an overcast sky, a few sprinkling of rain drops and a lovely breeze. I took advantage of the beautiful weather by taking a walk and looking for some of the changes which confirm that fall (in Florida) is on the way. The leaves on our Sycammore trees have begun their turn from green to yellow to rust. A small pile of leaves is beginning to form. I love to hear the fallen leaves blow across the yard and pile up at the bottom of our front porch. I walked to an area of our property where I seldom go only to discover a thicket full of end of summer wildflowers. Butterflies were everywhere and lots of crickets, though unseen, were making their presence known by their constant chatter.

I then made my way out to the chicken coop to check for eggs. Of late, I have had to remind hens that they work for me, not the other way around. Their egg production has been quite inconsistent and I was telling them they needed to kick it up a notch. They seemed unimpressed with my speech. Here is a picture of Rooster Boy and some of the Ladies. Isn't he just "to die for"? These ladies seem to think so.

From there I walked to the part of the yard where I spend most of my time. Todd found this garden pond at a yard sale a little over a year ago and picked it up for $30. It has brought us so much enjoyment. We love to sit out by the pond listening to the waterfall and watching the fish. In the evenings we enjoy watching spiders at work constructing their webs and frogs croaking as if to say, "any other frogs out there?" . There were frog eggs floating on the surface of the pond yesterday, evidence that a little frog romance had been going on out there the night before. :) Jacob especially will enjoy watching the transformation of those eggs into tadpoles and the tadpoles into frogs.

Eventually, the rain came and I reluctantly made my way inside. I had enjoyed my "first-day-of-fall walk" and seeing my Father's handiwork in the beauty of His creation.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008...
Outside My Window...I finally bought a new bag of sunflower seeds for the birdfeeder. So nice to see the birds back there again. How DID they know that I had refilled the feeder after all this time?
I am thinking... that I really shouldn't be sitting here typing this right now but rather getting to my "to-do" list but....I really want to post SOMETHING!
I am thankful for... words of encouragement. A youth leader yesterday told us some great things he had observed in our oldest son, Jared. (Note: if you work with kids, take time to tell their parents the great things you notice. I assure you, they'll be blessed by your words.)
From the kitchen... a chicken casserole and hopefully a yummy, homemade carrot cake
I am wearing... my bum around the house shorts and shirt
I am creating... boxes filled with stuff to go to the thrift store as I clean out a closet.
I am going... nowhere
I am reading... a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I can't tell you how many books I am half-way through right now.
I am hoping... to get some seeds started by the end of this week for fall planting.
I am hearing... Juliana, Jordan and Jacob are watching The Grinch
Around the house... that closet cleaning that I mentioned before
One of my favorite things... laughing with friends
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: closet cleanout and organization, removal of all items that are being given away (you know how they usually sit in that box by your door for a few weeks once you clean them out :( ), some baking, a meeting to plan some special church social events
Here is picture thought I am sharing…

Juliana is such a "ham", she is always making us laugh. Here she is with her funny teeth in.

I'm so glad to be able to participate with the others in this Notebook entry. You can visit The Simple Woman's blog
HERE!

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY August 11, 2008
Outside My Window... I can't see out my window. The drapes are pulled closed to keep the heat out!
I am thinking... Of all of the items that I would like to get listed on Ebay today as well as the stuff I need to finish for school to start next week.
I am thankful for... my dear family
From the kitchen... something with chicken....and hopefully some time for some fresh baked cookies.
I am wearing... pajamas...still....at 12:11 in the afternoon
I am creating... Ebay listings
I am going... nowhere I hope
I am reading... lots of ads for used curriculum trying to pick up the rest of what I need at a great price!
I am hoping... that I won't have a headache like I did yesterday...ugh!
I am hearing...my kids watching a movie in my room while they snuggle in my bed
Around the house... laundry and school shelf organization
One of my favorite things... a good cup of coffee in the morning
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: a girl day with Juliana and some of her friends to go see Kit Kitredge: American Girl, Jacob having a friend sleep over to play and enjoy the pool then finish off the week with a trip to Adventure Island.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I'm so glad to be able to participate with the others in this Notebook entry. You can visit The Simple Woman's blog
HERE!

Long Time..No Post

It seems that it has been forever since I have sat down to post some of the new happenings here. Weeks ago I posted our excitement as well as disbelief over finding out that we were expecting our 6th child, due Valentine's Day 2009. Five weeks after writing that post I experienced a miscarriage at 10 weeks gestation. Of course we were all very sad. However,we are all doing very well now and are looking forward to the start of another homeschool year. Jared will be in the 10th grade (not possible!), Jessie finishing up middle school, Juliana in 4th, Jacob in 2nd and Jordan just finished potty training! YAY Jordan!!!!
We are working on getting our garden ready for it's fall planting. Our spring garden produced a lot of cukes, beans, black-eyed peas, tomatoes and tomatillos. I can't wait to see what our fall garden does as gardening seems to be a continual learning process. Will let you know how it goes!

Free Homeschool Seminar from the Comfort of Home

It has been a long time since I have sat down to post. I have missed it and hope to get back to not only posting regularly again soon, but checking the posts of blogging friends.
I wanted to let you all in on a great opportunity coming up this weekend to be encouraged in your homeschooling. Cindy Rushton is hosting virtual seminar that you can attend for free. http://www.cindyrushton.com/LGO2008.html Click on the link then sign up at the bottom of the page after you read about all of the great topics that will be discussed.
I have never been able to attend one of her virtual seminars but have heard great things about the encouragement she offers so I plan on making this my first one. Won't you join me?
Will let you know what I learn.