Thought I'd share my favorite websites for kids right now:

http://www.fun4thebrain.com/  Isaiah HATES substraction, but he will play the penguin math game all day long (and he's practicing subtraction for fun!)
http://www.starfall.com/ We've been using this since Isaiah was 4 and we all love it.  I like it because my 7 year old can read stories on it, my 5 year old can practice sounding out words and my 3 year old can learn her letters -- all on the same site.
www.sportsmansparadiseonline.com/Live_Owl_Nest_Box_Cam We've been following this live feed of a barn owl with her babies.  It's really neat!

Hello Hurricane

I just have to share this song because I've been singing it in my head for several weeks now. The first time I really listened to the words was as I was running.  I'm usually a horrible runner and I've never really enjoyed it or even been able to do until recently.  Jason handed me his MP3 player with the new Switchfoot album on it.  When I heard this song, it made me feel like I could run forever and basically just take on the world.  It's a powerful reminder of how when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we can face anything -- that there is NOTHING stronger than God. 
Yesterday I felt like a failure when it came to parenting.  I was easily aggervated, easily angered, without patience, just ugly.  Today, I woke up singing this song and it  hit me that my "hurricane"  is right outside every morning when I wake up.  It's all those feelings of impatience, frustration, anger,and  discontentment that threaten to ruin my day at home with my children.
 I especially like the line, "... before I started building I counted up these costs."  Raising children to follow Christ is far from easy and the costs are high, but God has called me to motherhood and I chose to follow his calling so I am in this for the long haul.  And the only way I can do it is with His empowerment.
Anyway... here's my theme song ... hope you enjoy it!

http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFjvaaF25F4

Lenna

Lenna has started doing some really cute things that I need write down so that I do not forget them.  So here goes:

The other morning while getting dressed, she insisted that her panties match her clothes

She likes to carry her purse, phone, and baby stroller with baby around the house -- talking on the phone as she pushes her baby

The other day, I heard her in her room singing our Sunday school songs (very loudly).  A few minutes later she came into the kitchen dragging her baby doll behind her -- not holding her, but sort of letting the doll "walk" behind her.  She told me she was the Sunday School teacher and she needed a Bible because it was now time for the story.

About a month ago, I had taken my 4 plus the little boy I keep into the grocery store.  As we were leaving, we saw a lady putting her cart away.  Lenna looked at me very seriously and said, "Mommy. . . look at that lady. . . Where are all her children?"  It cracked me up because she's so used to seeing me with a slew of children that I guess she thinks every woman should be followed by a group of little ones.

It is so sweet watching her play at being a grown up.  It is also very sobering as I realize the awesome responsibility of being a role model for my daughter.  It reminds me that I need to go to The Father on a daily basis with very specific prayers for my precious little girl.

Here is Lenna's life verse: 

"But the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle and easy to please.  This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others.  It is always fair and honest. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

James 3:17-18

Is it March yet???

I am ready for Spring!

Happy Birthday and Snow!!!

Here are some belated snow pictures.

And . . .
Today was Isaiah's 7th birthday.  I cannot believe how big he is getting.  I'm always telling him to stop growing.  He always laughs. He has such a sweet spirit and is so eager to please his parents, his teachers, and God.

  I pray that the Lord will keep his heart tender and that he will always want to please Jesus.  I pray that he will not seek to please others of this world, but keep his focus on the only ONE who matters.  I pray the Lord's blessing and hand on my first born son.  Amen.

Peace

I've come to the conclusion that once a week is about as often as I can post.  I guess I was a bit over zealous when I thought I would write 3 times a week.
 Anyway, these past 2 weeks, I've been overwhelmed by the peace of Christ. And it is such a welcome change. This month -- actually this entire year -- has been REALLY stressful with homeschooling and managing all of the other responsibilities that come with being a wife and mother.  I have spent almost every day praying over my homeschooling decisions and second guessing everything about my parenting.  For a long time, my husband was the only one who I told about these struggles.  I think I was about to drive him crazy!  Finally, I broke down and started letting others know that I was really struggling.  I started with my family members and then asked my life group at church to pray and lastly shared with some other homeschooling moms.  Since I've opened up with people in my life and asked my sisters in Christ to pray for me, the difference has been AMAZING.  I cannot   begin to explain the change in my attitude, and my ability to organize, and change old habits.  I'm getting my kids to do things at home that I never thought were possible.  It is ALL God -- I can take NONE of the credit.  It's not perfect, but it's 100 times better than before. And for the first time in about a year, I'm starting to feel a peace again.  I have really missed that feeling.   I am so thankful to everyone who has prayed for me and given me advice. This post is not really about homeschooling, but about humbling myself and allowing God to use others to encourage, inspire, and help me.  I guess I'm not very good at that, I'm learning to be better.  I am so glad that our heavenly Father is so patient and faithful -- because I am a slow learner :)

Birthday #3

Last week we celebrated Palmer's 5th birthday. I cannot believe how the time has flown. When I think of all of my children (who are all unique in their own way), Palmer stands out as the one who breaks the mold. Even my pregnancy was different with him. I gained close to 30 lbs with all of my children -- except Palmer who only caused me to gain 18 lbs -- so of course I loved him right away for blessing his mama with such an easy pregnancy. My other three babies came late and had to be induced -- Palmer came on his own, 3 days early. All my others were 7+ pounds at birth -- Palmer was 9.3. My other three cried the first time I told them "NO" in my stern mommy voice -- Palmer just smiled at me while he continued to test the boundaries. My others didn't walk until after their 1st birthdays -- Palmer was the only one to walk before he turned one. He is my strong-willed, over the top, mischevious, cuddly, class clownish little boy. He is strong and passionate and full of love. I am so blessed to be his mother! I love you Peanut!

Palmer at 20 months - he climbed onto a stool and got into the pecan pie

He LOVES babies -- sometimes a little too much!

Palmer is usually the reason why we can't get a picture of all the kids together -- this is how he likes to pose