Quick Visit...

We enjoyed a short visit from Dave's Dad and stepmom (aka Grandpa and Grandma Carol) yesterday. They were travelling through NC on their way back home to New Hampshire. We wish they could have stayed longer, but know they had a long drive ahead of them. Love You Both!

Back to School!!!

Our summer is officially over and we are back to school! I can't believe how quickly it flew by... the kids got a special breakfast of cinnamon rolls and fruit smoothies to start their day. I figured the extra sugar would get their brains working faster.

Working Diligently....
Our 2008-2009 school year curriculum consists of....

Bob Jones English
Handwriting
Spelling Power
Bob Jones Math
Beautiful Feet Early American History
Reading
Journal Writing
Art
Music

We start our homeschool co-op on Thursday as well, Nathan is taking classes on Slavery in America & Investigate This (research report writing) and Emily is taking a "Picture This" Art Class & Laura Ingalls Wilder "Little House in the Big Woods". For the first time in 3 semesters, I am taking a break from teaching a class and serving in the itty-bitty baby nursery (hopefully our own little one will be in there by the end of the semester!) :)

Trip to the Beach!

We had a great time at the beach...lots of fun and relaxation!! It's hard to believe the summer is nearly over and it's back to school on Monday!! Here's a few of our favorite pics from the beach...

Nathan tried this crazy Euro Bungy jumping thing at the mall.... brave kid!!


Em looking for shells... Even the big kid likes to boogie board!

Everybody was tuckered out after a long day on the beach and swimming!

Our last day we took them to see "Deep Sea 3D" at the Imax...it was very cool and our NC homeschool card got us a great discount! Em was a little scared though, she kept taking her glasses on and off when things seemed too close!

Disney...NO! Beach...YES!!!!

We're off to the beach for a few days this week! We start back to school next week and wanted to have one last summer fling! Plus, we could all use a few days of relaxation and family time. We had been planning a trip to Disney in September and have been saving for it all year long. We made a family decision last week to cancel the trip and use the money to help pay for our adoption. We have the most amazing kids in the world who were totally on board with the decision and even commented that Mickey will still be there next year and then the new baby will get to go to!!

Be warned, this post has absolutely nothing to do with my kids, our adoption, homeschooling, or any of the usual "blog-worthy" events...just a random thing... and if you have absolutely no interest in household organization I suggest you just move along with your day and read no further. :)

I decided to tackle another organization project today... my overflow/linen closet...since I am a big coupon shopper I like to stock up on the everyday essential items (shampoo, toothpaste, etc) when I can get them FREE or for pennies. It had gotten a little out of control, and since it is where everyone goes when they run out of something it was time to make it a little easier to find things. Plus, I had these great baskets sitting around empty from when I re-organized my school room ... The closet went from this...

to this... Love It!!!

Happy Friday!

It's been another busy week around here! We're getting things ready to start back to school... it's hard to say that when it is still 100 degrees outside, but them time is nearly here. These were picked from the garden this morning...aren't they beautiful?!?!










Nathan & Emily have developed a fascination with the Guiness Book of World Records. Nathan asked to check out a copy while we were at the library this week. I caught them looking at in Nathan's bed with a flashlight this week...I think they are looking for some type of record they could break together. I told them they can not attempt to break any records that involve slicing fruit in the air or growing their hair or fingernails to ridiculously long lengths!


In the meantime, I have been using the rest of my summer to get serious about getting caught up on my scrapbooking. I finally completed Nathan's baby scrapbook...(yes, I know the child is nearly ten!), this has been on my summer project "to-do" list for 3 years. Emily's has been done for years now...his was just harder and he was our first and for some reason we took pictures of his every waking moment?!?!
I also managed to complete our 2007 family book and start a 2008 one!



No baby news this week... keep praying... we'll let you know as soon as we hear something!

BABY SHOWER!!!

My sweet friends from church, Jill and Kelly, blessed our family today by throwing us a baby shower. It was a beautiful shower and we were blessed to receive some wonderful gifts for this baby we are all so patiently waiting for...