written by SAD — I know it has been awhile since we’ve added anything to the blog, but things have been fairly busy around here. We are settling into the homeschooling routine, and the countdown is on. There are very few days left before S leaves for 15 months. I have spent the last several weeks trying to wrap my brain around that reality, and it is upon us. I titled this blog “The Countdown”, but now that I’m trying to put into words all that my heart is feeling, I cannot. So…I will update our regular family life stuff with pictures, and I will try to give you a glimpse into the other later.
Since the last post, we have started school, Tae Kwon Do, ballet/tap, and AWANA. The kids are enjoying all of it! J looks great in his uniform and is eligible for yellow stripe (one step above white belt) testing in the next couple of weeks. M, of course, loves dance and looks beautiful doing it. We have been going to FBC Hinesville for AWANA and have even visited Sunday school a couple of times. With S still responsible for chapel duty, it is difficult to plug in just yet. The kids and I will most likely get more involved after he leaves.
S’s battalion has had family leave time every Friday for the past couple of weeks to give everyone extra time at home before leaving. We took advantage of that time this past weekend coupled with the Columbus Day holiday and went on a 4 day camping trip to South Carolina. We hiked, biked, and did all the great things you do while camping. Because I can’t seem to get away from the “we-must-do-school-everyday” mentality, we had mini-lessons on planning and organizing for a camping trip. The kids had to brainstorm all the things you must do for a campout. They said, “Pack clothes and food.” I expanded…”how do I know what clothes to pack?” They then checked the weather for the area, etc. After we got there, we went geo-caching which again turned into a lesson. “How do I read a map? What does it mean that we’re going north? If I didn’t have the GPS, how would I know what direction we are going?” and on and on and on. Overall a fun (and educational )adventure!
What’s on the horizon? Besides the D-word (deployment), we are taking a field trip next week to Poppell Farms to a pumpkin patch and corn maze. The website has pictures of the maze. It is really cool! We are also anticipating a Thanksgiving visit from my sister and niece. After that, we will head to Texas for a long Christmas vacation, wrapping it up with a much-anticipated wedding in Perryton. All of us, (including S by video or satellite) are in the wedding and cannot wait for the groom to kiss the bride!! J says that it will be okay for him to kiss her then because they will be married! Then he adds, “But I don’t want to watch.”
As many of you know, S has come up with a Deployment Wish List. If you are interested in participating, please let me know. If you did not receive the email about his list, I can forward it to you privately. Also, he created an Amazon Wish List if you would like to send him personal items, books, etc. Please contact me prior to actually purchasing items so that duplicates are avoided. Thank you so much to all those who have already signed up, organized, and purchased items for his ministry in Iraq.
There are so many thoughts and ideas floating around in my head, insights that I want to share with you all, but I just can’t seem to narrow them down into a cohesive pattern. Please be patient with me. I will try to do some real sharing soon. In the meantime….enjoy the pictures!
First Day of School
M’s book report — 3-D scene from a favorite book this month
J’s Apple Art
Camping at Sesquicentennial State Park, South Carolina
Breaking in the new mattress
Priceless! Loving and praying for all of you!
Mom a/k/a Nee-Nee