Life is Full

I am currently reading aloud Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The boys are really enjoying it! This evening, at the end of the 3rd chapter, they were clamoring for more. But alas, it was already past bedtime. I am surprised at how much I am enjoying reading to them. We have really learned a lot about life in the late 1800's. So tonight I am feeling very blessed to be in my centrally-heated, cozy home instead of the 40 below weather in Almonzo's era with wood-burning stoves. We are trying a new approach to our homeschooling. It's more of a Charlotte Mason approach. I need something I can involve all of the children in; something that accommodates everyone here. Otherwise it can be crazy! In addition, we are using Remember Me Pockets for February from CurrClick. This is a fun and inexpensive "unit" study to do this month. We enjoyed doing some Groundhog Day activities today and learning about Laura Ingalls Wilder. There's more than we can do this month and it was only $4.99!

Also, a fun announcement: My good friend, Chris, had her 8th baby on Friday! She's a girl and so beautiful. Hop on over to Joyful Mother and take a gander. Congratulations to Chris, Donnie, and the whole family!! Jesus has surely blessed you!

Friends

Besties!!!
My gorgeous friend, Valerie

Yesterday, my best friend, Valerie, came up and had lunch with me (and the kids). We enjoyed visiting with each other. I hadn't seen her in 11 months!!! (We talk every day, though.) She has been a sister to me (one I don't have) for the past 8 years. I love ya, Val! Valerie has 5 children ages 11, 9, 9, 7, and 23 months. Our little girls are 5 weeks apart--Eden and Samantha. She was present for the birth of Max and Tommy. That's a very close friend, don't you know?!?

Oh, and Joshua slept through the night last night. He woke up at 7 this morning. I got 7 hours! Woot!

Here's a couple pictures from the church Christmas party we attended last week. Our good friends, Teri & Dan Garard, are with us in one of them. It was a fun time! I hope I look pregnant and not just fat!

In addition, we went to Orlando on Saturday and took LOTS of pictures at Samantha's 1st birthday party. Samantha is Val's (my BFF) daughter. Here's the link.

Orlando Quick Trip

We went to visit my best friend, Valerie, in Orlando yesterday. It was a last minute thing. She has 5 children and I have 6. There were 3 additional friends over to make a house full of 14 children. (10 in the pool!) I made a little video of our little trip. I can't get it to post to Blogger, so you have to go here to see it!

Babies!

Congratulations go out to 2 of my friends. Misty had baby Simon on Friday, May 4th. He weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces. What a beautiful baby! He has 2 older brothers and 2 older sisters. Also, Stephanie had a 3rd baby girl early morning on May 5th. Her name is Elizabeth. She weighed 10 pounds, 10 ounces! Congratulations ladies! God has truly blessed your families! Now go get some sleep before those babies decide it's party time.

Psalm 128:3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

Little Road Trip

On Friday, Celeste and Jamie performed at the Lake City Relay for Life with Mimetime. Mimetime is a group of kids from our church that does Mime and some signing to Christian music. I drove up with Celeste, Jamie, Eden, Tommy, Lettie (a good friend from church), Isaac (mimer and her son), and Katie (Lettie's daughter). We had a good time! All of the Mimes and company went to Moe's for dinner afterwards with everyone. YUM!

Welcome baby Karson!!

Karson Thomas was born to our friends Josh & Kristy this morning. He weighed 8 pounds, 14 ounces and joins his big brother, Kaleb, and big sister, Emma. I went to see him and he is SO CUTE!! What a wonderful blessing!

Another picture

Above is another picture of my best friend Val's children with mine. There's eleven in all between our two families! If you think you're seeing double, you are. Val has identical twin boys! The picture is not the best. I've been having some difficulty with my camera at times, but enjoy it anyway!

Best Friends and Babies

On Sunday we drove to Orlando to visit our friends, Heath and Valerie. We hadn't seen them since last August and we were anxious to get our babies together. Val and I were both pregnant with our fourth children at the same time. I was present for the birth of her fourth child, Becky. She was there when I hadmy fourth and fifth children, Max and Tommy. I missed her this last time because she had a 5 week old. It's so nice to have friends that have a big family--they have 5 and we have 6 children! Valerie is like a sister to me and I really value her friendship. We talk almost every day. We love you guys!