Fay

The hazards of living in Florida... Tropical Storm Fay is brewing over us. She is marching very slowly across the state and will pass directly overhead during the night hours. We have been waiting for this thing all week. It's about time! Jamie was out of school today and he will be tomorrow, too. (They use the schools for shelters, if needed--for those of you not living in hurricane land.) Too bad I'm not in college anymore...I could have a hurricane party, or in this case, a tropical storm party, ha ha! We'll have to play games tonight and I'll get to snuggle with my hubby. We're not going out. Having Cheesy Rigatoni for dinner. YUM! Check my recipe blog for that recipe. It's our favorite. See you on the "other" side of the storm.

"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." Matthew 7:25

Joshua 4 months old

Joshua Ezekiel turned 4 months old last Sunday

15 pounds, 10 ounces (75%)

25.5 inches (60%)

Joshua rolls over, grabs his feet and everything, sleeps through the night, and loves his nuk!

School Days

Jamie started high school on Monday... That was an interesting day for me. I watched him get on a school bus for the first time EVER to go to school. (The bus picks up at the end of our driveway--how convenient. He is the last stop to get on and the first stop dropped off, too!) There is SO much preparation and paper to sign, etc. I have spent the past two evenings just working with him on his syllabuses and organizing. We went to buy shoes, shorts, shirts for PE last night and couldn't find anything. He wears a size 12 men's shoe and he is 14!!! It's crazy. We'll have to go somewhere else this evening. Also, he still needs school supplies. With everything I think it will run around $200. Please pray the Lord will provide for these expenses. Things are VERY tight. Jamie has signed up for JV football. I feel like I will never see him. That I've lost him to the "world." I didn't have this with his big sister. Even though she's taking college classes, she is still very active with the family. Jamie will be busy with school, homework, and athletics. It's just weird for us. Pray for my mommy heart on this... That's all I know to say.

I'm still alive over here--buried under several children, but still kicking! Since the big kids returned I have been here, there, and everywhere. I really forgot how much they drive our schedule. The school year gets kicked off next week with Jamie starting at the local high school. Orientation tomorrow night--I'm a nervous mama, but praying I'm overreacting to the whole transition. Celeste begins at the college the following week. She's excited about her senior year and I am, too. We're going to Sarasota for the weekend--Celeste, Karyn (Lest's best bud), and I. I'm going to be doing some planning for the home school year and the girls will hit the beach. Pray for good weather. I know it will be so weird to be without all the littles. Stu is even keeping the baby. That will be hard for me... I hope to post a few pics of our trip, so stay posted. We're staying with my parents and they're always fun!

Psalm 100

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations."

(ESV translation)

New tutu

Been busy over here! (Of course, what else with 7 kids---well, 5 right now.) Celeste and Jamie are due back on Saturday night, yippeee! I can't wait! I haven't seen Jamie in about 8 weeks and Celeste in 5 weeks. I am hoping to go to the airport, but we'll have to see if we can work something out. We are in need of a van for our family--12 passenger or 15. I'd like a Ford b/c I like the lines. I've been praying that God would make it possible somehow. We have a 1999 suburban that seats 8 and is in great shape. I lurve it! But there isn't enough room for everyone... I've been wanting to visit Val in Orlando and Saturday would be perfect. Let's see, I'm hoping to have some ads going on my site soon. I've joined some groups on yahoo in order to get affordable clothing. I love Gymboree and Hanna Anderrson! Eden got a new tutu. Picture above. Too cute. Thanks ebay and Christy!

A great giveaway!

Robin is giving away a $50 gift card to Amazon....go sign up for that too!

Blog Give Away

***The Winner is Chrissy. Congratulations new Momma!!***

I am participating in Bloggy Giveaways. I am giving away some Mary Kay products--Velocity Facial Cleanser and Lightweight moisturizer along with Ultimate Mascara in black. I am hoping this will bless someone who has a teen or has some young skin (not me anymore!). Please leave a comment and tell me about your favorite new product or something you have discovered recently. Make sure you leave a link to your page so that I can contact you! **Drawing ends midnight August 1, 2008.**

Oh, I forgot!

Celeste and Eli, Models
Karyn, Alli, & Celeste
The group all together
A little fun...

Yes, being in the hospital during Celeste's Prom made me forget to post some pictures. It was April 19th. Here they are, better late than never! (She went to a Prom with a local Christian school that invites homeschoolers.) Celeste's "date" is a friend of hers from church, Eli.

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!

Tuesday

Up early this morning...try 2:15 to feed Joshua. Well, I had a full night's sleep the night before, so I'll try not to be bitter! Dan, Max, and Tommy are attending VBS at Family Church this week so they are having fun right now. I'm learning to work around a toddler and baby in the mornings. It sure is quiet!! That was a surprise. This afternoon we're going to have a picnic lunch with my friends Charity, LaDawn, and their kids. Then we're off to the Natural History Museum to see the butterflies, the cave, and the discovery room. It's going to be a fun day!

Doings

Little Joshua is smilie at 12 weeks old!

I posted my favorite cornbread recipe. We had it tonight and my hubby said is was better than ever. I used 1 cup of home ground white wheat berries instead of regular white flour. It was delicious!

Milestones, of late

**Tommy is finally potty trained, WOOT!
(Today, a special trip to super wally world to get new underwear)
**Joshua turned 3 months old on the 17th (still not sleeping thru night...grr)
**Eden has enough hair to put up and she doesn't pull it out anymore.
**Max's front teeth are loose.
**Max is reading little chapter books--I thought this would never happen!!!
**Dan is much more helpful since he is the oldest at home right now.

**All 3 boys got hair cuts today.

Back here again...

Oh Lord, I'm here again. I SO don't know what to do... I just have to try to get through
each minute, each hour.

Teaching Textbooks Math 5

I am soooo excited!! This Math program is the one we are going to be using this year (for Dan, my 4th grader) and it SO rocks! You can try the demo at the Teaching Textbooks website. If you have a child that's self-motivated and enjoys using the computer, then this curriculum is for you. It is my opinion that TT blows Saxon away. I have used the upper level math--Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. My daughter passed into college level math as a junior in high school after taking TT Algebra II.

**Update: This recently arrived in the mail. Dan loves it so much he has done 3 lessons in the past day. It makes math fun and does the grading for you! It's looking good so far!**

Homeschool copywork

We were going over some things recently and I realized that one of my children needs some more practice with cursive writing. Copy work can be a great way to accomplish this and learn bible verses at the same time. I found a website that has some free copy work, so I though I'd post it here. Visit here to use this resource.

We are getting geared up for next school year and I'm in the middle of selling some curriculum in order to buy more. We're doing school about 2 days a week right now because it's too hot to play outside (we have no trees--none that offer shade anyway). Hope everyone is having a great summer! I miss my teenagers! They are visiting their father until early August.

Happy 4th of July!!

Celeste gets ready for her party.
Eden sleeping--my camera was finally charged at about midnight.

I haven't posted in a looong time. Sorry! It's busy here. Celeste left a couple days ago and Jamie has been gone for 3 weeks. They return in early August. So here I am with 5 children--3 of them 3 and under. The trip to the grocery yesterday with all of the kids was, shall I say, "fun."

We're having some friends over to BBQ today. (There will be 12 kids from 3 families!) Also, I got my new Nikon camera finally. So exciting. I've been taking tons of pics! I'll try to post more often. We have no plans for the summer. My goal is just to survive. Joshua is not quite sleeping through the night yet, so I'm praying for that soon.

Joshua 2 months old

Joshua Ezekiel is 2 months old now. He weighs 12 pounds, 8 ounces (75%) and is 24.5 inches long (85%). He is quite a big boy! Our Ped said that he acts like an older baby. He is a very sweet, good-natured little boy. He smiles a lot, coos, and is even laughing a little now. We are so happy he is part of our family.

My 40th Birthday Beach Trip

Mima shades Joshua

Josh poolside
Max shows off his shell
My Dad (Pipa) and Eden at Siesta Key Beach

Jamie and Mom
Buffet says "hi" to the kids
The fam at the beach
Eden hangs out with Celeste in the pool
Jamie 14, Jamie 37, Nancy 40!!

I had a wonderful 40th birthday. I will post a link to more pictures soon! My kids gave me an iPod Shuffle. It is SO much fun! I'm listening now! (I should be sleeping...) I went shopping with my Mom and had a GREAT birthday dinner with my family and birthday buddy, my brother, Jamie. It's hard work, but I am enjoying my 7 week old birthday present, too. God is good!

Jamie turns 14

Clifford James "Jamie"

June 2nd, 1994

9 pounds, 2 ounces

Interests: guitar, skateboarding, paintball...14 yo boy stuff!

They had fun out to dinner at Macaroni Grill. We got a sitter for Tommy & Eden. Jamie has really grown since the new year and is now taller than Celeste and I. It will be interesting to see how much he changes while he's gone for summer. He leaves in a week. I will miss you SO much~I love you, Jamie!

Cindy Lou Who says "CHEESE" for the camera!

Momma wears Joshua in her new sling...shhh...