This blog is my attempt to document our busy but BLESSED lives raising and educating our children for His glory. A child of God, wife to one, and mom to 6 fabulous kids. We are in our 16th year of homeschooling using a Classical ~ Literature based approach.

Come along for the good, the bad & the ugly.



Monday, November 30, 2009

She got the height



My little-BIG sister is 12 years younger than me. I remember the day she was born I came home from school to find our Uncle Anthony at the house because our mom we in the hospital delivering her, my little sister. I am going to have to hunt for some pictures from our childhood, the parents weren't too quick to get the film developed. Allie is all grown up now in her Junior year at Boston University and I couldn't be any prouder.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thanksgiving 2009 picture recap

Here are a few photos of our Thanksgiving at Aunt Joyce's house. Good times were had by all. It's always nice to get away for a few days.












Chat later!

Monday, November 23, 2009

I'm still here...

It's been awhile since I posted, but I am still here. The girls were sick off and on and I think we are finally all healthy,Y-E-S!!! So, we got the New Super Mario Brother's game last week, can you say addicting. We've been playing that game so much and having a great time. Marie and I made it to world 6 before mysteriously the game was erased, bummer. But that means we can go back and find the red flags and different coins we missed the first time around. Montana being Montana says in a very stern 3 year old voice, "Madison and Mikayla you are in big trouble!" Too cute, we were all laughing hysterically.

In true procrastinator fashion I waited until this morning to get my kitchen cabinets off, Mike returns home from his mini deployment tomorrow afternoon. I will post pics later, it not quite ready for show, but I love. love. love it!!! Amazing how much more light I have with those cabinet doors off. I also painted a little stool that Montana uses in the powder room to reach the sink. Yes, I will post pictures, just not now, you see I am supposed to be at the library, then to Lowes to pick up porch trees, to the dreaded post office, the grocery store, and finally home with the girls in tow. Whew, that makes me exhausted just thinking about it because it's raining out. Now, we are Washingtonian's and can handle rain, but what about these lovely Virginia people, can they handle it? No comment!

Okay, I better go, the baby is fed so I have at least 2 hours before she will need to eat again. Oh, one more thing, I get to see my little sister on Friday!!! She is going to stop by our Auntie's house and spend the day or two. I haven't seen her in 5 years. The girls saw her in Aug. but I was in the hospital about to give birth to little Kenzie bug, so I missed her. I will definitely take lots of pictures, the camera is already packed. Off for now, I really need to get these errands done so we can be home before dark. Chat later!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Happy 9th Birthday Madison


Happy Birthday my spicy Chica! 9 years ago you came into our world full of life and raring to go. I can't believe how fast the years have gone by...slow down already. You are a wonderful daughter filled with many talents, especially cooking. You make us smile and laugh each day with your quirky but definitely cute actions. Madison loves to be outside riding her bike,skating, or just hanging out with sisters and friends. I am so proud to be your Mom, or MaawMaaw as you say. Keep growing, dreaming, and pursuing your goals. Hope you had a great day!
Love you always and forever!!!



Friday, November 13, 2009

Five Question Friday, Nov. 13th



This is my first posting here at Mama M's Five Question Friday. You can join in on the fun too. If you don't have a blog just post your answers in the comments section. C'mon you know you want to...

1. What is your favorite "eat" on Thanksgiving?

Mashed potatoes, turkey comes in at a close second.

2. What is the name your best girl friend and the best trait about her or how you met (or heck, both!!)

I don't have one true best friend, but I do have several friends that are close and dear to my heart. You know who you are!

3. What would you say is one of your "weirdest" quirks?

I probably have a lot, but the one that drives me nuts is waking up several times during the night to check the house alarm light. Every night (especially when hubby is gone) I wake up and peek my head over the foot board to make sure the little red light is shining on the alarm box.

4. What is your favorite genre of music? (Hip hop? Classical? Rock? etc.)

Christian and Christmas music. I have been known to put the Christmas CD's on in the Summer!

5. Are you a Night Owl...or an Early Bird?

Night owl by nature/ Early bird to feed the baby. I stay up reading books and the blogs, write my posts, or lists for the next day. Drives my hubby nuts when I keep the bedside light on too long.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Nor'easter

Morning!
We are expierencing our first Nor'easter and I have to say it is not too much fun. We don't live on the coast or near the river so we should be good, I am hoping and praying so. The girls are worried that our house will flood with water and they are upset because they don't know how to swim. Madison suggested she put her life jacket on and then she will stay above water and swim with Cadie if needed. Let's pray the water doesn't get so bad that we need lifejackets. The wind is blowing fiercly and thankfully we have not lost power. The next storm surge comes around 4 pm and will last until sometime mid-Friday. I am worried about those trees though. The wind is blowing hard and the trees are swaying away from us but our neighbors in the back might find themselves with a tree(s) through their roof. I will take pictures later and update...

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Thank You...



for doing what you do as you sail the oceans blue.



***next time not so close to the edge***

FREE download of Martha Stewart Thanksgiving

Get your FREE download of Martha's cookbook here. Thanks to The Freebie Blogger

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

It's time to vote


Get your vote on over at The Homeschool Post. Voting ends at midnight on the 21 November. So hurry up already, get over there and VOTE!!!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Whew, what a weekend we ended up not going to the ornament exchange because Montana was sick Friday morning with a cold, then I caught it too yesterday. Thankfully McKenzie is not showing any signs of sickness just the usual stuffy, congested nose. She finally went # 2 again, early this morning. The pediatrician doesn't seem to worried that she is only pooping every 8 days since she is not showing any other signs of distress. I on the other hand find it strange, but she is not in pain, no fevers, no distended belly. So I guess she just isn't a pooper. Sorry if this is just grossing you out or TMI. Montana is feeling a lot better too.

I have been waking up so early lately, 5 am and not being able to go back to sleep. So this morning about 1130am I got so tired, you know the kind of tired when your eyes start burning and you kind of can't even function because you are in some kind of a fog, and I had to close my eyes and quickly. The girls ate lunch and I crashed for a good 30 minutes on the sunroom couch. I felt so much better after that nap that I was able to get the girls finished with school and some laundry done.

Tonight we made brownies and the girls wanted to put some caramel in them too, as if we needed any more sugar. I have officially put away the Halloween candy. It was getting out of hand, we were consuming way too much. Okay, feeling that tiredness sweeping over me, until tomorrow...

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Air bender




Madison & Mikayla decided that they would play Avatar today and apparently to be Ang you need an arrow on your head. The better to bend air with.

Montana saw before me what they were doing and decided in her 3 year old wisdom that she needed glasses. Luckily I caught her before she colored green marker around her eyes.



Monday, November 2, 2009

McKenzie update



This morning was McKenzie's 2 month check up. She is growing great and everything checked out with her belly. We ended up getting assigned to one of the nurse practioners, Janice, and I am really happy with her. She took her time and answered all my quesions and then some. She even has a great sense of humor.

McKenzie is not taking her shots too well though, every time she moves her legs she squeals. She ended up getting 3 in the leg and one orally. The oral vaccine is supposed to be bitter, but my girl sucked it down so quickly the nurse got a good laugh out of it. I told her she didn't eat for the first week and a half of life so she is making up for it. Waiting to hear if she qualifies for the RSV series of shots. The nurse thinks she does but wants to make sure Tricare will pay for the shot series. Evidently, it is $50. a poke. Otherwise we may have to travel to the Naval Hospital, which will be a pain in my keyster, considering they will not even allow anyone under 18 in the hospital if they don't have a medical appointment.

On our way to the drug store to pick up some infant Tylenol we got to see a medlife helicopter take off and fly right by the drug store. Pretty neat site, the girls were fascinated and even stood outside in the drizzle to wait for it to take off, and my girls are not too fond of rain and getting wet. All in all a pretty good day. Mike has left the pier and will return later this month, right before Turkey day.

here are Kenzie's stats:

height: 21 1/2 inches
weight: 7 pounds 6 ozs
head circumference: 14 inches

Country Living Please


A fellow blogger, Lakeitha from Home to 3 Duncan Boys is having a giveaway. How would you like a subscription to one of many different decorating and magazines? I know I would! I would love a subscription to Country Living in my mailbox! Head on over to Lakeithas to enter, because you can’t win if you dont enter!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

The Old Schoolhouse FREE digital Holiday supplement

2009 Holiday Digital Supplement/Idea Book

Just sitting around surfing the blog world and I came across this downloaded for the free Digital Holiday Supplement from the Old Schoolhouse Magazine. I just browsed through it and what a wonderful resource it's going to be for our Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. There are recipes, inexpensive and hand-made gift ideas, crafts, decorating ideas, and so much more. All of that with a budget-conscious mind frame.

Go on, you know your curious, download your FREE copy by clicking the icon above.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Who needs a chair...





to do schoolwork when you can bounce on a bouncy ball.






and roll around on it upside down