Reading Aloud :: Farmer Boy

Out of a sense of parental duty, I decided I should start reading chapter books aloud to the girls. I know the benefits of reading with children are many, but I'm going to be honest here, I was not excited about the thought of reading chapter books aloud to my children. I was very concerned that I would view following through to finish a book or a series as an obligation and that I would not be joyful about spending the time reading. I was also worried that the girls would be bored and resentful of my insistence that I read to them. Much to my pleasant surprise, I could not have been more wrong! I am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to read to them nearly everyday, if not for the time I spend with my children, then just to be able to read (something I don't have much time for otherwise at this point in my life). I don't know why I have been so shocked that they are enjoying being read to - I have read to my children since they were tiny and they have always enjoyed it immensely.

***

We started reading the Little House on the Prairie series. I figured I would be safe starting with stories about a little girl and her sisters and family. Presently, we're in the middle of Farmer Boy, and I've found myself in utter amazement with the daily life of the Wilder family. At the moment, my fascination lies with Mrs. Wilder (Almanzo's mother) who spins wool, harvested from the sheep the family owns, into thread, weaves the thread into fabric, and then proceeds to sew clothes from the wool fabric for her family. The self sufficiency throughout this book is amazing - even more than that. I do not for a minute think that those were the "good old days", as I am sure that many of our advancements and technology would have been readily welcomed - times were hard and treacherous then; however, while reading this book I definitely began to consider how dependent I am for everything. I found these thoughts disconcerting...frightening even.

Sweet Potato Fries

I am more than slightly addicted to these - in fact, buying sweet potatoes to make a batch all my own in the middle of the day.

Cut up potatoes. Generously drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt and crushed rosemary. Arrange on a pan coated with cooking spray. Cook in 450 degree oven until done (sorry, I don't time a lot of things I cook).

First Day of School

One very excited second grader...

...and one sort-of nervous kindergartener.

Beach Vacation::Followup

Now that summer is winding down and it has been nearly two months since we returned from our beach vacation I thought it would be a good time for a followup.

I am not exaggerating when I say that this trip is still talked about around my house on a daily basis ("Remember when we went to Pawleys Island..." or "When we go back to Pawleys Island..."). My girls have been on fun out of town trips, but there has always been an agenda - someone to see, something to do. This was the first real vacation for them - the first time our agenda was whatever we felt like doing or not doing.

I have to admit that I was a bit nervous going into this vacation. I am interested in preserving friendships, and sometimes spending lots of time (8 days solid for this trip) with a friend is not in the best interest of the friendship. However, I would have to say that this trip was fantastic! Sharon is an amazing and interesting person, her kids are wonderful and I am so happy we were able to spend that time with them.

Though it is not pictured below, for me the best find during this trip was the outdoor shower. Bathing five children after every visit to the beach can be quite arduous. None of the children bathed inside even once the entire week - we managed to keep the beach outside!!

Early risers (6 am) making breakfast for the rest of the sleeping house!!

This beach tent is amazing!!!

My little surfer girl. She was in her element. The vastness of the ocean and the shore suits her well.

We enjoyed fireworks nightly, courtesy of the folks across the street. One evening when we topped the boardwalk we were greeted by this enchanting scene - mounds of sand all over the beach propped up kayaks and boards.

I am sure my friendly girl introduced herself to every wave that came crashing in around her ankles.

I cannot even begin to describe my joy watching my girls and their friends in non-stop, happy, busy play!!

Endlessly twirling, running, leaping, digging, splashing, hopping, dancing, falling, skipping...

Ava was my kite flying assistant...

...while Hannah managed her kite on her own.

They persisted, tirelessly, in trying to coax some of the ocean to stay and play at their sand castle.

Their dreams come true...mermaids, if only for a few moments!!

Brock. I don't think he minded too much spending the week with four little girls and two mamas - he enjoyed himself too! Hannah initiated several friendly rounds of mud flinging that he more than willingly took part in!

Besides the beach...

Before the trip Sharon and I had decided we would not plan any additional adventures. We knew the area was very historical and Myrtle Beach was a short drive up the road, but we wanted to avoid ending the week with regrets that we had not spent enough time on the beach. We also decided to take our chances that the kids would be happiest either on the beach or at the house - fortunately, we were right, and our decision not to fill every spare minute rewarded us with happy children!!

But.

We weren't on the beach all day, every day.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the trip was what a hit Perler beads were with the kids. On a whim I thought our container of 20,000 beads and four plastic templates would be a good activity for our vacationing group. Never in my wildest dreams did I think they would literally sit in complete silence for hours working on their creations.

The only excursion we decided to take was down the road to The Hammock Shops. The kids wanted souvenirs (and so did the mamas). What a cute place that turned out to be. We were all pleased when we left. I found a Christmas ornament and the kids left with priceless souvenirs (literally and figuratively).

Little girls with matching hair.

This little unassuming building turned out to be the souvenir jackpot we were hoping for!!

As soon as our kids started exclaiming and asking questions about the hammock weaving process a man, pictured in the magazine article below, took them all behind the counter for a hands on demonstration.

He got them started and then left them alone to try their hand at weaving the rope. This was quite time consuming - we were pleased with the attention he gave the children individually. They each left with their own hand woven hammock end piece.

One more stop before the day was finished. This place on the main road had been calling to us since we drove by it on the way in. We finally caved!!

24 flavors of soft serve and 3 sorbet flavors for Hannah to choose from!!

10 years

Bryan and I celebrated our 10th anniversary a few days ago. Of course, this means nearly 16 total years together.

1993

1998

I stumbled across this song about a week ago - I'm going to let it articulate for me.

It's bigger than we thought * It's taller than it ought to be * This pile of rubble and ruins

The neighbors must talk * It's the worst yard on the block * Just branches and boards where walls stood

Did it seem to you * Like the storm just knew * We weren't quite finished with the roof * When it started?

So we build * We build * We clear away what was and make room for what will be * If you hold the nails, I'll take the hammer * I'll hold it still, if you'll climb the ladder * If you will, then I will, build

On any given day * We could simply walk away * And let someone else hold the pieces

The lie that we tell * Says its better somewhere else * As if love flies south when it freezes

What I'm trying to say * In some clumsy way * Is that it's you and only you for always

What I'm trying to say * In some clumsy way * Is that its you and only you, not just for now, not just today * But its you and only you for always


10 years...good times...not so good times. What am I most excited about after all this time? That God is constant and faithful. Seeing His work in my marriage has been absolutely thrilling!

(...and this is what you get when you attempt a family self portrait - hmmm.)

Beach Vacation

For the first time in five years my foot pedal is unplugged and this is what my feet are doing instead...

I am taking a break from listening to doctors and I am enjoying the sounds of laughter and delight coming from these five sweet kids...

Because of the thoughtfulness of others, my friend and I and our children are vacationing on a beautiful beach this week (Saturday-Saturday!!).

My beautiful bridal wreath spirea is fading now, but I am looking forward to the roses and hydrangea!!

See! The winter is past...Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come... Song of Songs 2:11-12

7 Things

I was tagged by Becky @ Boys Rule My Life for "7 things".

The Rules:
1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I work at home. I am not talking about the mom and wife things I do daily. I actually get paid. I have been a medical transcriptionist for nearly five years.

2. My big goal for this year is to apply for college and begin classes in the fall. I have no idea how long it will take me to graduate. I have credits from years ago and hopefully some of those will transfer. My plan: Major in nutrition and minor in Spanish. If I were not 30 and worried about practicality I would study anthropology or sociology and French.

3. When I was in 5th grade I told my mom that I wanted to learn French. Ah, the things that are possible when you are homeschooled! It just so happened that the mom of another homeschool family had previously taught French. I took French continually through 10th grade. When I started racking up electives in high school I had a hard time deciding what to take because they were all pretty lame (well, all but about three). So, I did the nerdy thing and took two years of Spanish. And, just like a nerd, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my Spanish classes, received a special award (in other words, they made it just for me) my senior year for completing four years of foreign language in high school, and I still keep in touch with my former Spanish teacher.

4. My husband and I met in high school. On our first date he was 17...I was 14 (14!!!!!). It was a real date and many more followed. I have no explanation other than that my parents obviously had a serious brain lapse (they willingly allowed it). Yeah, yeah, yeah, we married, high school sweethearts, how cute, blah, blah, blah. Do I plan to let my daughters date when they are 14? NOT. ON. YOUR. LIFE. Future boys, I am praying for you already...but, please do not show up on my doorstep asking to take my daughters out when they are only 14 - I may hurt your feelings.

5. I lived in the same house from the day I was born until the age of 23. My family actually moved out of the house when I was 18 and I moved with them for nine months. The house never sold so, a year before Bryan and were I married, I moved back. Bryan and I lived there after we married and stayed there for three years. I came full circle in that house. My folks brought me home as a newborn to that house and I brought my first newborn home to that same house - I loved that house and that was very poignant for me.

6. I was 28 when I attended my first concert. A year and a half later I took Hannah to her first concert, at the ripe old age of 6. Here's a snippet:

7. Growing up, we had lots of animals all the time. Fish (several tanks), guinea pigs (with lots of babies), cats (with lots of kittens), dogs, a rabbit, and who knows what I am forgetting. One might think that with a history of growing up with so many pets I would be excited to have family pets for my children. Nope. Think again. I have yet to enjoy any of the pets we have attempted...maybe one day. However, I now have an enormous respect for my mom for always wanting us to have all those animals.

I tag anyone who might find themselves here and want to play along.

Eyebrows

Before:

After:

Fortunately for me (and my eyebrows), I have friends who are not afraid to call my eyebrows into question and then offer to handle the situation.

Thank you, Charlotte and Jessica!!

Don't wait around on your friends - check your own eyebrows.

Music Recommendation: Ben Sollee

Listen to more here or here.

Ben Sollee will also perform with The Sparrow Quartet (including Abigail Washburn, Bela Fleck and Casey Driessen) as part of the Savannah Music Festival.