Yay for Friday

I am so glad that Friday is finally here. It's been a more challenging week than last week. I've had my fair share of sleepless nights and cranky mornings, but it's Friday and we've made it through another week of homeschool! So what's new? Gavin started karate on Monday. He loves it. He loves his uniform and he's now a white belt. This week we studied 2 Kings 6:5. His Bible verse was "Bus as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, 'Alas Master! For it was borrowed'." We learned that God is not only concerned about big miracles, but small miracles as well. He finished his story about what his life would be like if he were a pirate. He takes his spelling test today and he got a 100% on his math test that he took yesterday which reviewed all of the skills he's learned so far. In Social studies he is continuing to learn the state capitals. He knows them all from Alabama to New Mexico. In Science he is learning about clouds and a little more on the water cycle. He learned that evaporation leaves pollutants behind by freezing blocks of ice with food coloring. When the cubes melt and the water evaporates, the color is left behind on the paper. In reading he read "An Oregon Trail Diary" and learned about compound words, drawing conclusions, categorizing words and interpreting graphic information. He continues to do great with cursive writing. Next week we will be spending some time updating his blog, so be sure and check that later in the week next week. www.worldofgavin.blogspot.com


White Belt Gavin

Gavin and his karate instructor

Gavin's science experiment

Gavin with his science experiement

2 great websites

I just found 2 great websites today to help with homeschool. One is just for spelling, which I was in desperate need of. It is www.spellingcity.com. You can enter the spelling list and it will teach them the spelling and sound, play games with them and even let them take spelling tests. It's great! The other one is for various types of worksheets and help. It is www.superteacherworksheets.com. I hope someone reading this will find it as handy as I did!

Second Week of Homeschool

This is our second week of homeschool and overall, it's going great. I love having Aaron here to help me with Grisham. It's really helping Gavin and I focus more on schoolwork. I am doing all that I can to make this year the best one yet and keep things interesting for him. One thing that he really loves is "The Wheel of Destiny". I took the spinner out of the Twister game that never gets played and I put all of his subjects on a circle and added a couple extra things like re-spin, student's choice and teacher's choice. He spins before each subject to see what subject we'll do next. He is working on his own blog. You can check it out at www.worldofgavin.blogspot.com. We began homeschool last week. He had 3 full days of school and a field trip to the Frankfort History Museum. In math, he is learning a variety of new skills like coordinate graphing and calculating area. Spelling is his weakness. I am trying hard to keep that fun so he doesn't get too discouraged. In Science he is studying the water cycle. Social Studies, he's still working on his state capitals and he's doing an excellent job! In reading he read the story, "The Lion and the Mouse". He learned about irregular verbs, onomatopoetic words and also did some pages on sequencing, synonyms, categorizing words that describe character traits and recalling details and relating to personal experiences. He's sharpening his cursive handwriting skills, and I must say that his handwriting is the best handwriting I've ever seen from any child! Last, but certainly not least in our book is Bible Study. We began last week with the verse, "Work at everything you do with all your heart as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters" Colossians 3:23. He had this verse memorized by the first day! We made mac and cheese the lazy way, by pouring everything in before the water boiled and not letting it cook as long. We didn't really read the directions well, so it wasn't very good. The next day we made brownies and followed the directions exactly. Gavin learned the lesson that we are greater rewarded when we do everything with our WHOLE heart!

THE WHEEL OF DESTINY

People

As my 30th birthday has passed and Grisham just celebrated his first year of life, I am beginning to realize who the important people in our lives are. They are the people who are there for us. The ones that always have been. They are not the people who make excuses at every corner. They are not the ones who have filled my heart with brokeness so many times. As I realize this, I feel good and bad. It's great that I know without a doubt that I have a few good friends and a handful of family members who would drop everything to be here for us in a moment of true need. But at the same time, it hurts. It hurts to realize that the only thing I can do about those who don't care about us like we care for them, is to let them go. I will continue to uplift them in my prayers and pray that they will have a change of heart and realize how much hurt they've brought to my life. I pray that they will feel so bad about it that they will have a change of heart and want to be a bigger part of our lives. But I can't change other people, only God can do that. So from this day forward, I am going to try really hard to just let them go! I know it will be a daily challenge, but I'm sick of getting my heart broke. May the next tears I cry be tears of joy, when these people open their arms to me and my family and treat us the way God treats all of His children!

The Big Day

Today was Grisham's 1st birthday party. Tomorrow is his actual birthday, but we celebrated today to make it easier on our friends and family who came from out of town. Thank you all for coming on his very special day. I can't believe that it's been a year since I was taking long walks, trying so hard to start my labor. It seems like just yesterday. And now we have a special little boy who brings so much joy into so many lives. He's smart, sweet, funny and SO handsome. He has started his life adventure and he doesn't hold anything back. He loves to learn all he can about the world around him. He loves his family and friends and already has a special place in his heart for God. I believe that he has a special annointing on his life and that even as a child, he will help lead others to Christ. I thank God all the time for our special little guy. One year ago, I couldn't imagine how life would be when he got here, and now, I can't imagine our lives any other way. He's such a special blessing to us. I thank God all the time for giving us our healthy, loving baby boy. Happy First Birthday Grisham, Love Mommy

Grisham's First Haircut...

Below are the pictures. We went to Kiddie Kutters. While waiting his turn, he climbed stairs on his own for the very first time, trying to get to the slide. During the haircut he sat in a toy airplane and watched 102 Dalmations. For the most part, he was pretty still and he didn't cry at all. When he was done he got a certificate with his picture on it and a lock of hair in a tiny ziplock. He also got a balloon and a sucker...which he didn't eat of course. He does look a little more grown up, but we are all very happy with the cut. Our baby is growing up way too fast!

One of my new favorite pictures of him!

Climbing stairs for the first time all by himself. He's going to love to climb!

The airplane he sat in.

A look from the back.

He's SO cute!!!!

During the haircut...

Final Result ~ One Handsome little baby!

Sleeping Baby

This is how baby Grisham loves to sleep: One paci in his mouth and one in each hand!

TO MY DAD

I sit here tonight, just like many other nights and just try to remember what my life was like many years ago. I think about my life, growing up on a farm and how few children have that responsibility these days. It was hard work, yet it was so rewarding. Planting seeds in the garden, weeding the garden, watering the garden...day after day. And then finally getting to eat fresh fruits and vegetables that I planted. Yum. Feeding my baby cows with a bottle. Running in the field with my dogs. How big I felt when I was finally heavy enough to keep the lawn mower going (for most of my life, my dad had to put a block under the seat to hold the button down). Feeding my ducks on the front porch. Riding my cows...yes, cows. They were so friendly...we'll just forget about the part where they became my dinner. :0( You know, things seemed so hard when I was growing up, but I wish that my sons could just experience a taste of what it was like to be me growing up. I think they would have so much more respect for life and for their elders. I never realized just how hard my dad worked until I was all grown up and living on my own. I think back to how hard it must have been to take care of all the animals on that farm, all the land and his family. I complained a lot, but looking back, it was one of the greatest times of my life, and I miss it.

So this is to you Dad. You may not have always been there for me as a little girl, but I was always your little girl and I always will be, I am SO proud of you for providing for me, for ALWAYS loving me and for teaching me how important hard work is. You have worked so hard all of your life and I am so happy for you that you will finally get to enjoy some time to yourself. Just promise me that you'll relax a little bit. Take this time to enjoy life!

VACATION

We just got back from a 7 day vacation. It was wonderful. It was our first vacation as a family. We went to Pigeon Forge, TN. One of my favorite things about it is that it was a complete surprise to Gavin. We packed his things while he was outside or asleep. We told him that for family day we were going to do something really special...go on a bear hunt. But we had to drive for a few hours to get there. He had to use the restroom at the perfect time (a few minutes before arrival). We told him that we would pull over at a hotel so he could use the restroom. We go in and Aaron says, "Reservation for Rosen". The lady says to him, "You are staying for 7 days". So Gavin says, "SEVEN DAYS????" LOL It was the best. I can't believe we pulled that off. If you are ever in that area, Comedy Barn is THE BEST! We were laughing so hard that our cheeks hurt. It was the first time on our trip that Gavin had gotten extremely excited too. We did a lot of hiking and walking...but still gained weight from all the junk we ate. I just HAD to have my fudge...and buckeyes...and taffy...and burgers and on and on and on. :0) We hiked 2.7 miles up the mountain (Aaron had Grisham on his back) to see Rainbow falls. We also hiked 1.5 miles up another spot to see Laurel Falls. We went to Ripley's Believe it or Not, Ripley's Aquarium, and Ripley's Mirror Maze (Gavin and Aaron found their way out in one minute after going through a couple of times).

One of Gavin's highlights is that he got to DRIVE a go-kart all by himself for the first time. I can't believe my son is that big already. He also got to ride the blaster boats by himself (like bumper boats but you can spray people). We had a pool at our hotel, so it was Grishams first time in a pool. He looked SO cute in his swimwear. It was also Grisham's first time on a carousel and baby swings. We played putt-putt 3 times and visited a lot of shops. We ate out a lot, but our favorite places ended up being Fudruckers and IHOP. Imagine that! lol Below are some pics from our trip!

Grisham had his own little pool and he loved it!

Grisham's first carousel ride.

First time on the horse.

Grisham at Ripley's Believe it or Not

Can you see our shadows?

Goofing off while doing some shopping.

Ripley's Mirror Maze

Gavin at Professor Hacker's Golf Course

The four of us at Professor Hacker's Golf Course

Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg

I liked this aquarium just a little bit more than the one in Newport.


Can you find the fish?


This is the face of a saw fish.


Gavin, Grisham and a sea turtle.

I love this picture.

My little blue eyed boy!

Gavin holding a horseshoe crab.

Awe, aren't we cute.

Vacation 2009 - More pics to come soon!

Can you tell that I was a "little bit" afraid to cross the bridge?

Rainbow Falls

Gavin was SO happy to find a salamander on our hike to Rainbow Falls.

The rain set in when we finally made it to the falls.

Grishams face after busting blood vessels trying to go #2.

Poor thing!

I love this picture!

Gavin's first time driving a go-kart all by himself.

Can you tell which one Gavin parked? LOL

Grisham's first time in a real pool!

The pool at our hotel.

Gavin is reaching into the water at the old mill.

Sitting on the rocks at the Chimney Tops trail.

Chimney Tops