Busy, Busy, Busy...

Emily and Lily were in music camp last week. Somehow, the girls switched personalities during their performance Friday night. Lily just stood there like a shy little mouse and did not sing a word, whereas Emily sang boldly and danced around more than any other kid.

Being goofy in the car.

Lily found a pretty rock and Nolan had to get in on the picture to show his new haircut. Six months ago he screamed if I even said the word "haircut". Now he climbs up onto my bathroom counter and begs me for one.

Our new machine was delivered yesterday. This piece of equipment is a pretty big deal for us. If you would like to see a video of what it does, check it out on YouTube and search for Thermwood CNC Cabinetshop

If woodworking equipment doesn't excite you and you don't want to watch the video, rejoice with us anyway!

Something I never thought I would have to say...

DON'T LICK THE BABY.


I have caught myself saying this twice to Nolan. It just seems strange that I would hear those words coming out of my mouth.

Field Trip!

Yesterday we took a field trip to the Granite Museum in Elberton, GA. It is the "Granite Capitol of the World". One-third of all monumental granite comes from this small town.

This is a granite statue of the state of Georgia. The kids are pointing to the town of Elberton.

This is a carved granite statue of a lion with a fish tail.

Emily with the controversial statue of "Dutchy". This statue was pulled down and burried face down because it was a yankee soldier. He was later exhumed an lies in the museum. I think that's a good compromise, not shamefully burried nor displayed in the town square. Notice Lily's finger is in his ear. I hope she's not making political protests at the age of four.

They gave the kids free samples of granite as a souvineir. Emily took this picture.

Lily and I made yogurt popsicles today. These tupperware popsicle molds were the same ones my grandma and I made popsicles with.

Field Trip!

Yesterday the Pine View Academy took an impromptu field trip to the local cannery. We needed to go pick up some of the meat that we had slaughtered and store in their freezer locker, but coincidentally, the unit that Emily is currently studying in Social Studies is called 'Visiting a Cannery and a Granite Quarry'. Luckily we also live 45 minutes away from the granite capitol of the world, so we'll be going there next week.

They showed us all kinds of huge cookers and equipment where anyone can bring their fruits, veggies or meat and cook it there and can it themselves. I would love to go to a local orchard and get the bruised fruit to make my own applesauce and canned peaches, but I just don't think it will be possible to cook and can at their facility with a four-month-old baby. The tour was going well until they opened the door to the hanging room. Right in front was a huge, headless pig hanging by it's hind legs. Nolan started shaking and couldn't breathe so I quickly ducked out with him and Lily.

I think my clock must finally be winding down. I just realized that I went to go see my friend Jennifer's new baby the other day (congrats Jennifer!) and I didn't hold the baby. Usually I make my friends meals just so that I CAN hold their baby. Very strange.

Cute As A Bug

So Far, So Good

It's been five days without Paul here and we seem to be doing pretty well. He's been out of town for a week before, but not since we've had four little ones. I've been focused on having a positive outlook and stayed busy and that has helped tremendously. I like this excerpt from a book that I'm reading and wanted to share it:
The subconscious mind does not recognize good or bad any more than the soil recognizes the difference in the seed planted. Whatever seed you plant in the soil is the one that grows. In the same way, whatever thoughts you put into your subconscious determine what you become. You sow words and thoughts. You will reap what you sow.

I have made a conscious effort to steer my mind away from thoughts that this week would be so hard and it has really paid off. I have also adopted a zero tolerance policy and have been disciplining on the first offense. Why am I not always doing these things??!!

Our only issue is that the kids don't sleep well when Paul is not home. Only one more night though. I did get a nice break today, too. Our babysitter, who used to watch the kids when I worked one day a week for Paul, wanted to watch the kids today because she is leaving this weekend for the whole summer. I took the baby and we went to the outlet mall. I didn't realize all the stores that were there before! I'm always so in-and-out when I have all the kids with me. I got a $70 pair of shoes for $17 and a $110 sheet set for $40. I really needed the sheets and I'm hoping that they will last a long time since they are 400 thread count combed cotton. Very nice.

So, Paul will come home tomorrow night, be here for a week and then gone again for a week. (Don't tell him, but I think I can keep the house cleaner when he's not around. I don't know why. Maybe it's all the positive thoughts.)

Ruby's Rubies

I had Ruby's ears pierced today. I had to get rubies, of course, even though they are not her birthstone. She did pretty well. I don't think she cried for more than one minute. She was ready for a nap anyway. I like having them done while the gilrs are still babies. They are the cleanest they will ever be because I'm cleaning them all the time.

A Dress for Ruby

I made this dress for Ruby today. I'm pretty proud of myself considering I could barely turn a sewing machine on a year ago. I found the fabric in a remnants bin at the store so it only cost 52 cents. She has plenty of clothes, but when I saw this fabric, I couldn't resist.

Emily started Multiplication this week. Once again, she's a natural. I tried to make the focus on the concept of multiplication, not just memorizing the Times Tables. She picked it up easily because she understood the reasoning for it. We also started Creation Science this week.

Lily is learning about letters and their sounds. I found a website for preschoolers where I can just print out the coloring pages for things like "B is for Bible" and "C is for Cross". Then when she is finished coloring them, we will tape them to the wall.

Nolan destroys things while all this is going on. I have a full time job getting him to clean up his messes and keeping him from waking the baby. He is starting to sing songs so it is very cute.

We will need some prayer if you think about us this upcoming month. Paul will be out of town for two weeks to train for a piece of equipment that we are buying. He will drive to Indiana and back twice. My kids are great, but I will be seriously outnumbered for a week at a time. I will definitely need a spa day after this