Laser

Today my youngest had to have laser surgery at the dentist.  He had a procedure called a frenectomy.   This is Joshua waiting for the Laser part.   He persevered through the needle!   Such a trouper.  For the record, he hates pain!!!!

This is him during the procedure.

Some Guy Time

The baseball games this week were canceled as the field it way to wet.  But the coach decided to hold a hitting and throwing practice.   He held it very early in the day, the same time the game would have been.  One of the other Mom's drove down.  Many thanks went her way, as the younger ones were just not up to that ride and working in the car and such!

Upon the return home, Stephen asked if two of his friends could come over.  We had nothing on the schedule this afternoon/evening that I said yes.  They spent the afternoon playing on XBOX and going outside for a bit.  The three hours went very very fast!   Also 3 teenage boys can eat a lot!

A House!

Well it has been 8 months, 15 days, and 6 hours since we began our hunt for a home.   The Lord answered our prayers and as of 10:39 pm we were informed that the sellers accepted our offer.   Can I get an amen?!?!






We are eager and excited to get this moving in the right direction.   He is so faithful and works in His own timing.

Sunday with Abigail

Abigail and I had the opportunity to go out to eat together after church.  We went to Panera.  Yup, a second visit for me there.  I really enjoy the food there.  And yes, I did get the Cuban sandwich and Black Bean soup again.   When I like something, I can eat almost every day!  I just really like the flavor.  Abigail loves Chicken noodle soup!    The place was pretty clouded for a rainy Sunday afternoon.  But we were able to find a nice little spot tucked away in a corner.  

We had a really good time talking and sharing some things!  It is so much fun to connect with each child and really allow her/him to feel special!   We laughed and talked and just really enjoyed our time with each other.

Upon leaving the gentleman sitting near us admitted to hearing our conversation and asked me how I "did it" - raise her to me so articulate.  You see he is a father of two young daughters, one of which is about to enter school and he just wanted to know any advice.   (He is a teacher at a private school.)   He noticed that we prayed and that we talked about the Bible and he heard Abs talking about her love - anything nature - and he really admired it.

Of course I informed him that we are a homeschool family.  Not to discourage him, I went on to tell him that I believe the "secret" is to allow each child to feel special.  Allow each child a voice! Allow each child to be who she/he wants to be!!!  

I have said before that I don't "get" Abigail at times, and it was in that moment that I realized that that is okay.  Just so long as I allow her the freedom to explore what she loves!    Now don't mistake that don't "get" with lack of love.  Because I do love her to pieces and will take you out if you harm or hurt her in any way!!!!  I just feel that as parents we have these ideas as to how our child(ren) should be and when we stifle any part of who they want to be, we are creating an unhealthy self-esteem for that child. 

To sum it all up - let each member of your family be who they want to be.  Encourage them with a loving environment and they will surprise you as to who they become.

Treat with Hubby

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Tennis

Our neighbors have been playing tennis and will bring the boys too.  Today we picked up some new tennis rackets (ours are in storage somewhere in NJ, I think) and headed over to the court we have here at the apartment complex.   That little speck over there is Joshua getting ready to serve the ball.


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Lunch with the Boys

Panera!!!  I tried the new Cuban Panini with low fat bean soup.  Yummy!!!  Stephen went with a smoked ham and swiss sandwich.  Josh with a cinnamon crunch bagel toasted with cream cheese. 



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Tent Caterpillar

When Joshua and I go on a walk we noticed that the Tent caterpillars were building their home again.  We have been checking out their progress.  It has grown quite large.  Today we were out early and were able to see this: 




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Teeth part ?

I have lost count as to how many times I have been to the dentist in the past year.  I know I posted that this was going to take a little while since I have such bad teeth.  Well Thursday evening was like no other I had ever experienced, an extraction!!!   I needed to have a wisdom tooth removed in order to save another tooth.  It made sense to lose one to save one.  The other alternative was lose both; that was not an option.

It went surprisingly well.  I was all done in 45 minutes.  I was a little anxious about this one.  But God is so good!  I was praying on the ride over and while I was still a little nervous, I had full confidence that it would go well.  And it did!!!

My jaw is still very sore and tender.  I will be on my liquid diet for today and possibly into tomorrow.   Which stinks because I love food!!!!

Bridal Shower(s)

There are several young women at church that are getting married this summer. So the pastors wives decoded to throw a triple bridal shower. That is how me and Abs spent Sunday afternoon.


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Books are Fun!

Okay truth be told I am stealing this idea from another friend's blog.  (Thanks, Carla!)

Bill and I love to read.  There have been times when I have had two books going at the same time.  Of late though, I have been a little lazy.  I am not sure why.  It might be because we are not finishing school until 4 pm or later.  It could also have something to do with all the driving I am currently doing for sports.  Or it could just be that I need a little break.   But suffice it to say that our home is loaded with books.  Living in the apartment has proven quite difficult for my love of books as most of them are stored away in a POD somewhere in NJ.  And the ones we do have with us are scattered all over the apartment.  Check out the photos:

These books are on a shelf in my room.

These books are in the living room area in plastic tubs

underneath and behind the side table by the sofa.

These are in the boys' room on a shelf.

Here is what the most current read is:   The

Percy Jackson series.  Stephen just finished 

and now Abigail is reading it.  I have started

too but have been unable to finish book 1.

I cringe when my children say they are bored.  There is a new world in each and every book just waiting to invite you in, all you need to do is pick up one and start your new journey.   Now you know what we are reading.  What about you?  What are you currently reading?  or about to start? or perhaps just finished?  Would love to hear from you.  (Because I am always looking for something new to read!)

Update

This is the latest update on Abigail's mouth. She lost a tooth that was attached to the braces on Tuesday morning. Up until lunch time it was still attached to the wire but upon eating a banana out it came. We were just 7 days ahead of our original appointment. We went to see Dr. Nic this morning and he asked her if she received any money. We don't do that. I took her out to Starbucks for a frappuccino! (I think that is a far better deal.) She is managing well. There is a minor discomfort today as he did tighten them up. She is also progressing well as her tooth that needs to move forward, is doing what it is suppose to be doing.
Her only problem is the brushing and flossing part. I say only like it is no big deal. Believe I know it is THE biggest deal and I try to stress to her. She is so fortunate to be homeschooled as that enables her to get to the bathroom and brush after anything she eats. But she is pig-headed! (Must be a trait from her Daddy.) I need to show her the photos of the rotten teeth if one doesn't take
proper care!!! Maybe I can scare her into healthy habits! Anyway, here is my sunshine!

Victory 2

On Monday was the second game for baseball that Stephen was invited to play.  He did not get as much game time during this game.   But he was still able to get in.  He was at bat and did not get to hit the ball as he was walked.   He played in left field with no action.  
It is nice to be on the winning end but some type of action is always better.  The next game is next week now and let's just hope that he will be able to get some more action during that game.   Our friend was able to take a picture of Stephen while he was at bat.   He looks good!

Back to the Beginning

As the previous post stated, we put in an offer to a house.  Unfortunately they declined the offer.  We as a family are totally fine with it.  We know and trust God with all that we are and where He wants us to be.  So we will begin the search again!  It is out there and we will find it!

Make 'em an offer...

We spent Saturday morning, with the children in tow, at a house that we were ready to make an offer on.  By Sunday evening the offer went through.  At current time they have not accepted and have recounted only slightly!!!  

Let the games begin!!!

Victory

On Friday Stephen's team had a game that we had to travel over an hour to!  Thankfully Bill came home early from work to stay with the young ones so they would be able to attend home fellowship.  (That is why Bill was unable to come to the game as he leads worship there.)

This was a varsity game that the JVers were invited to.   We did win the game by a lot.  (over 20 runs)  The plus was the JV guys got to play 2 1/2 innings.  That is a great way to build up their skill and their confidence.  Admittedly it did get a little boring but all-in-all it was good exposure.  

Stephen has never played organized ball before so there are some things that he is hesitant about.  It was so nice to see one of the players (our star player) coaching him with hitting!   That alone makes all the driving and hours involved with this league worth it!!!   He was not asked by anyone to do it and he just stepped up and out on his own to mentor Stephen.   That brought a huge smile to my face and warmed my heart more than words can even express.  And warming my heart was a good thing because we were freeeeezing on the sidelines because the wind was wicked!!!!  

It was brutally cold in the stands.  I had 3 layers on and was very cold.   I am ever so thankful that the young ones did not have to come as they would have not enjoyed themselves at all!   Due to the cold and wind I did not even think about taking any photos and for that I am bummed.   But there will be other games to view and capture photos of!  

Go FALCONS!!!!

Another???

I don't recall any of the others having lost teeth so close.


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A little bored?

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Another one gone!

He is happy to lose it as it was interfering with eating. And this boy is all about his food!


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New do!

I don't have any skills when it comes to braiding hair and such. But our wonderful neighbor does. Here are the results.


Isn't she just beautiful!?!?!


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The joy!

Okay the other day was a day that I wanted to forget. Today is the day the makes a homeschool family smile.
Josua is learning about flowers in his plant unit. We had the opportunity to walk around the complex to emphasize the lesson. Isn't that a great location to study parts of flowers!?!


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Nobody told me there'd be days like this!

Okay so yesterday was a day that I would like to scratch off the face of this earth!!!   Suffice it to say it all stemmed from schooling and the choices that the kids were making.   I was really trying to be calm and patience but I was unable to sustain my patience all day long!  I not only cracked but completely broke!!!!  I was ugly!   Talk about the old self.   But I plan on having a good day today (Wednesday)!  Well I reckon nobody plans on having a bad day.

The Woods

Stephen had baseball practice and I volunteered to drive down. The young ones are not realfans of attending practice as it usually is very boring. But these fields have woods right near the field we practice on. So we had an adventure.





Now that made them happy. Not to mention the snacks we picked up! Cookies and Gatorade.

More Easter Fun

My Mom did more fun stuff for the kids.  She had an Easter Egg Hunt!!!  They really enjoyed themselves. My children were antsy all day long as we arrived there by 1:00 pm, and the hunt did not happen until 6:00 pm.  You see we had to wait on two of the other children.   But when it was time they ran around the whole yard!  It was difficult to keep up with all of them and where they were going next and where they had been.

We had quite a nice turn out for attendance.   There was a total of 17 throughout the day but some left to eat elsewhere and some came late as they began the day elsewhere.  And one - Poppop - was in the house but did not make an appearance until 20 minutes before we left as he was sick and did not want to get anyone else sick.  I periodically checked up on him throughout the day.   He likes to rest and sweat a cold away.

Here is my niece Ava Marie sleeping!

Here we have Stephen, Bill, and Uncle Leslie (who just recently

got engaged.  We are all very excited!)

Uncle Frank and Stephen watching The Mummy.

The Sisters!!!

Easter

My Mom has always done baskets for my kids. They were elated because she packs them full!!!!!


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In the excitement of receiving the baskets and me wanting pictures, I dropped my phone and it has a crack. I am sad. :(

Easter Service

Worship at CCMC. This is our church home and family. We are so blessed to have found this place. Thank you, Jesus!


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Bowling Birthday Party

Tonight was a birthday party our whole family got to attend.  Our beloved friend, Joshua Kimball, turned 14 just a few days ago and wanted to have a party.  His Mom graciously invited our whole family as we have known them for 15 years!!!  And what a great time we all had.  Got to see a person we have not seen in 7 years!   All the children that were there we very well-behaved and all seemed to have a great time.  But two hours goes fast when you have 6 lanes of bowlers!!!!

Abigail waiting her turn!

David Kimball and Stephen

Joshua Kimball

Easter Baskets

Since we are out allll day tomorrow we decided to give our kids their baskets a little early.


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Abigail Advertises Art Work

Enterprising Abigail decided that she would use the common posting space at the apartment complex to sell artwork.


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Treat

Stephen and I did not want to stay at home so we went out this afternoon!  And look where we ended up!  It was the perfect ending to a hot day!   Yum!


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mmmmm CHIPOTLE

A very much loved spot of our family. We drove 30 mins.



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Ahh Breaktime!

Here in our household we are taking a mini spring break.  As of now I am officially on a little break.  Some of the kiddos said they are thinking of doing some school work to get ahead.  I advised them that I will not be available to help.  You see it has been quite a time that we have taken a break and this mama/teacher is in need of a serious mental break.  Yup!  So I plan on enjoying this extended weekend!!!!!!!  And the weather appears to be cooperating!