Miss Kitty

 

Ever since our beloved Shadow cat went away, there’s been an empty place in our hearts. It’s no surprise that the kids have been asking when can we get another cat but it was amazing when Ian said one day “we should think about getting another cat”. He has not always been a cat-lover but had his mind changed with our first cat and her gentle nature.

A sister of a friend’s was looking for a good home for a few kitties she had. So we called her up to meet. This is what we came home with, (because no one ever goes to “just look” at kitties)

Our little kitty, Tejas (pronounced Te-ha-s, and is spanish for Texas). We don’t know if she is a she or a he yet. Frankly, we don’t know how to tell either. Either way, she’s super cute!

She and Daisy are already getting along famously.

Of course all the boys love her, but Austin perhaps loves her the most. He’s still confused and calls her Shadow sometimes but he also likes to call her Baby. “I’m going to feed my Baby” he’ll say.

She’s a funny little thing. She likes to sleep in weird positions. She likes to pretend she’s a lion hunting prey in the grasslands. And while she’s super snuggly and loves human affection, she can be really feisty and playful with your toes!

It’s been a lot of fun having a kitty in the house again. The boys are anxious for the day she can sleep with them. I on the other hand, am waiting for her to start catching those pesky mice that keep coming in the house!

What We’ve Been Up To This Summer

 

Summertime is for fun-time and our 2013 summer is no exception. Everything seemed more fun this summer, having my sister and her family here. Trips to the park, pool and beach are always better with family!

We made our annual trek up to the blueberry farm. This year, the farm was only open on the weekends so it was super busy, but our crew didn’t have any trouble finding lots of juicy ones.

We made lots of trips to the beach, and the boys loved finding as many creatures as they could, jellyfish, hermit crabs and ugly fish skeletons.

Speaking of the beach, my good friend Joelyn, took me out for my first trip surfing. She has her own board and I’ve been anxious to go out with her. We went down on a Friday night, without our dear children! It was so much fun and much easier than I thought it would be. Of  course, the waves in Galveston are not anything to boast about but its better than nothing!

Ever since then, I’ve been on the look out for my own longboard, I’m hooked!

Austin took swim lessons this summer. He learned a lot and his confidence in the water really grew. We take lessons from Ms. Shanna. She has the most incredible piece of property and teaches in her backyard pool. While Austin was swimming, the other boys were chasing lizards, reading books and playing card games under the big trees. It was a fun couple of weeks with them.

In July, the big boys had a blast at VBS. They learned,

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began” 2 Timothy 1:7-9

Of course we also celebrated the Fourth of July. Mike and Lindsey, and family, joined us for our favorite tradition, dinner and fireworks on the beach. We headed down to Galveston for dinner, watched the parade on the Seawall and sat on the beach while we watched the fireworks. It was a blast. Austin was hysterical at the parade this year. We told him he had to wave and get attention for the people on the floats to toss him goodies. He got everyone’s attention as he raised his hands in the arm and screamed a loud, happy scream in hopes that some beads or candy might be thrown his way. He was a hoot. But, it worked, he scored a ton of beads and candy!

 

It’s only the end of July and I’m sure there’s still more summer fun to be had but I can’t help but feel the impending workload of school right around the corner. We cherish these fun times and the memories we make. I hear many mothers say “ I can’t wait till school starts again”. But I can’t help but sit back, and thank God for the privilege to share joy and laughter with my children. To thank Him for making them and making me their mother.

Kids Triathlon 2013

 

For three years now, Jacob has enjoyed competing in the Kids Kiwanas Triathlon here in Pearland. This year, he was determined to train well and run hard. It was an exceptionally fun year to have his cousin, Aiden and his best friend, Robby, competing with him!

Since Nathan turned 7 this year, he was also eligible to compete! He’s watched Jacob run the course for a few years now and he’s been chomping at the bits to get out on it. We trained hard this summer and he was ready to go!

I’m so proud of all of my boys who competed today. They rocked it.

18 Month Old Evan

 

Evan has arrived at the point where I stop referring to my baby as being _ months old and instead use years to describe his age. Does that mean I can’t call him a baby anymore ?  

18 month old Evan is dubbed “chub” or more recently, “golden baby” for his summer tan and long golden curly locks. He says all kinds of things now. The other day I was at the pool with him and he was using a water squirt toy against one of his brothers. A lady swimming nearby said, “how cute, what is he saying?”. It sounded like “da” but he was actually saying “die”. A word he most certainly picked up from his older brothers! He is fascinated  obsessed with our turtle and walks to the counter and points above saying “peedy” (speedy). He loves to look out the window of the car and find all the dogs, birds and especially the cows, which are in abundance here in Texas. His dad recently introduced him to chocolate milk and its his new favorite drink. He seems like he might soon be ready to potty train, but I am not sure yet.

A sweet friend took some beautiful pictures of him last month to capture this precious stage of his life. You should go and check out her blog, she is super talented! http://sarahsphotomontage.blogspot.com/

Here are a few of my favorites, but really, I loved them all!

That’s All Folks

 

“In a word, the function of eloquence in teaching is not to make people like what was once offensive, or to make them do what they were loth to do, but to make clear what was hidden from them”

St. Augustine

Every year, around this time, I look back and think “we survived”. Another homeschool year down.

By God’s grace, we have completed 4th and 1st grade. There were many lessons learned, for both the boys and I. And I am so grateful for another year that I am privileged to teach and train my boys. Here are a few things I learned this year,

• I learned that teaching two students and occupying a toddler and baby are best done with prepared activities. The Busy Bags I collected from our swap last year were a big help in keeping my toddler occupied.
• I learned to be realistic about how much we were able to do. I would have loved to teach Spanish, typing, Latin, drawing, etc. but I was aware of how little and precious my time was. We spent time with the key subjects and doing them well instead of trying to squeeze in as much in as possible.
• I learned that it is helpful to combine as many of the subjects as possible. We worked on Bible memory and study, history and our Classical Conversations memory work together. That freed up more of my individual teaching time.
• I learned to let go of the idea that my house would be perfectly in order, that my meals would be perfectly planned or that I would have perfectly planned school days. I succumb to what each new day presented and trusted that God would supply my strength and needs for that day. This one was HARD for me. I love an ordered house, tasty meals on the table and a well run school day. That’s not always reality! In fact, that is rarely the norm. There were sick kids (and mom), needs from friends that we wanted to meet, unexpected field trips or play dates and so on. That was my greatest challenge this year, schooling in the midst of life, not putting it on hold because of school. I pray God will help me with this task even more so next year.
• Perhaps most of all, I learned what Paul meant when he said “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 It was a rough year in general, abnormally so. I felt weak and tired, most of the time. As I look back and celebrate all we’ve learned and accomplished this year, I know it was because Christ’s grace and strength kept me. It is my hope that He will do the same next year as we look forward to 5th grade, 2nd grade and preschool (with a toddler in the mix)!

Now if you’ll excuse me, we’re off to have some fun for the summer!

Car Wash Phobia

With my last two sons, I sought out a better way to give birth. My first two hospital births were long and filled with unnecessary interventions. Thankfully, I found a birthing center here in Houston, Reunion Birth Center, that fulfilled that desire of mine.

One of the most helpful techniques used at the birthing center was the large birthing tub. I almost gave birth to Austin in the water but at the prompting of my midwives, I moved out of the tub for birth. With Evan, there was no way I was moving from the tub to birth him. I remembered the pressure and pain accompanied by leaving the tub and made the choice (even though I wasn’t prepared for a water birth) to birth in the tub. So, my fourth son was my only who was born in the water.

All this to say, he is also my only son who HATES the water! I’m curious if any other moms have had similar experiences with their babies who were born in the water? Evan has never, ever liked taking a bath.  Not when he was an infant, not ever. He tolerates the pool but stays very close to me. He is terrified of the beach and freaks out at the sound of the waves.

Recently, I discovered that his disdain for water even extends to the sight of water. Our car was filthy from a trip to the beach and so I took it to the car wash, only to realize that I had inadvertently introduced my 18 month old to his worst fear.

This is too precious not to share,

A Trip to the Alligator Park

 

This post is mainly for my sister, who just moved to Texas and doesn’t share our love and acceptance of alligators here in the south.

We have a beautiful national park, not that far from our home, Brazos Bend State Park. I love going there for the long winding trails and quiet. My boys like going there to get up close and personal with some local alligators. Yes, we consider it fun to walk around a pond and look for those large, jagged toothed creatures. Could they cause us serious bodily harm? Sure, but so could riding in the car!

Here’s proof that spotting alligators, in God’s creation, is wonderful!

This guy was just hanging out, not far from the trail.

There are so many beautiful trails, the boys love riding their bikes along them.

See, beautiful isn’t it? And for those who don’t enjoy spotting alligators, the turtles are pretty fun to watch as well.

The babies enjoy strolling along in the stroller but even Austin got out to play for a while.

These photos were taken on a gorgeous day in January. I’d love to go back now that the flowers are in bloom and the trees are full. Watch out Lindsey, I’m planning your next trip soon!