Friday Fun

For those of you that cannot see my slideshows I thought I would put up a few pics of the house. It is pretty obvious, but they are of my kitchen, master bedroom and living room.
````````````````````````````````

Today we went into our closest nearby town (I guess if it was the closest, it WOULD be nearby, wouldn't it?) It is just up the road about 5mins away. We went to the thrift store and had fun shopping. The two older boys were each thrilled to get some socker cleats (is that spelled with a c or k?) and all three boys got some church shoes. H even got a cute pair of tennies, and E found some church sandels. I found a dress, a shirt and a blouse. A couple of other items and we were set!

We then went over and ate Little Caesar's Pizza, ran to the post office for my mom and then took her back home. After dropping her off, we headed back out to the library. We had not been yet and wanted to check it out (excuse the pun). It was a cute little library and each child got to sign up for their summer reading program. Even H has her little paper for mommy to fill out for her. J, W, B, and E all got their OWN library cards, which they were very happy about.

So, off we went with our books, videos and summer reading stuff, plus the juice boxes they got for signing up. But, once we were home I realized a bag with MY card and three videos was missing. I called and sure enough, we left it at the library. Soooo, I am going back into town in just a few minutes to get it.

There were some former homeschoolers there at the library, so I felt right at home. I was asking them about some contacts for the area. They gave me the name of a lady whose family owns a cafe there in town. They said she even had the upstairs somewhere with desks in it for homeschoolers! Not sure the whole story yet, but I plan on exploring that lead for sure!

Mom and Dad are having an outbuilding delivered here today or Monday, since Dad is coming back from Co with their stuff and they need a place to store it all. It's a nice building that they rent to own.

We are having one of the seminary students at our church over for dinner tomorrow night. Our pastor is moving today, so S is calling to find out if they need his help tonight or not. They have been working all day, so most may be done by now. Pastor has been commuting from Georgia, so it will be wonderful for them to be only 15 mins from the church!

So life continues to move on and we settle in more as each day goes by. Oh yes, I am attempting to potty train H. I bought her cute little Dora panties. She's a smart little cookie, so I just need to convince her that she CAN do this. :) Patience, patience. I think potty training is alot like teaching a child to read...it take patience.

Update: Since starting this post, I went back into town and talked with the lady that her family owns a small cafe in town. They homeschool and there is planning for a homeschool coop this next fall above their cafe!! We will see as time goes on if it is something we want to do, but it is exciting to hear about the opportunities so close by. There is also a homeschool P.E at the leisure center there.

Mountains and Memories Slideshow

Our Home

D's party

D had such a wonderful birthday! He was so excited to have so many over to celebrate with him. And what a cutie! He would give these big smiles and sweet thank-yous over everything he got. When he saw his cake, he thanked me. When he opened a gift, he thanked the person it was from. He just was such a dearie. Enjoy the slideshow!

Memorial Day Memories and Mountains

For Memorial Day we decided to go out on an adventure. We invited the A family to go with us up into the mountains, just a short ways from us. We were headed to a place called Jones Gap. Our landlord told us it was the best kept secret around. Would you believe we did not even get to Jones Gap? The Lord has other blessings for us in store and what a day it was!

We started out by meeting the A family and leaving their car at Walmart so we could all ride together. Then off to the mountains we went! But, as we were nearing Jones Gap, Mr A asked us if we wanted a little side excursion. We were so excited about everything new and it was so beautiful all around us we were drinking it in. As we turned and pulled into a church parking lot, Mr A led us down the most beautiful path. We walked and walked and then could begin to hear water. Pretty soon the most breathtaking waterfall was seen through the trees. The hiking at this point became more challenging as the daddys had to help us all go down some s-t-e-e-p areas, but it was so exhilarating to be enjoying such beauty all around. As we got down to the bottom this paradise was before us! The water was crystal clear and the stream bottom was soft sand. As we basked in the pure loveliness of it all, we felt as though just this stop was worth the whole trip. The A family has been there swimming before and it so great because the depth is perfect for the children.

So up we hiked back to the van for another adventure. By now our tummies are growling after such fresh air and hiking, so we determine it is best to head to Jones Gap and set up to grill right away. But, when we got to the gap, the park was already full. We thought about waiting till someone left to go in, but found out there were not grills there to make our hamburgers on. So, we decided to go to Table Rock Mountain not far from there. We pulled up there and told that we could pay to come in (15 dollars for the van) but they were very full as well and could not guarantee us a spot. Also, THEY did not have any grills either! By now, I am thinking maybe we are going to end up at McDonalds? Mr A called ahead to Caesar's Head Mountain to see if THEY were full and they were not. So the two daddys went in and bought a little travel grill and we headed off to Caesar's Head. We went up that mountain, and you should have seen the switchback roads. The children were all in the back and with each turn to the right or left they would say "Woaaahhhh" and were giggling and laughing. So up we came to the top of Caesar's Head and what a view it was. 3,500 feet of loveliness awaiting us. We ooohhhh and awwwed at the lookout point and then started trying to figure out where we were going to grill. So what did we see there next to the picnic table? A GRILL! (laughing!)

We went ahead and tried to start the grill. Mrs A had bought a lighter but it would not work, so Mr A went to the little soveneir shop there and bought some matches. After some coaxing and prodding the coals finally got started. And after much patience our burgers were sizzling away. Matthew Henry says "Hunger is the best sauce" and we sure had it by then! You can't get much better for a lunch than sitting in the fresh mountain air with fresh grilled burgers!

By now it was about 3pm and the children were really wanting to swim. The cove that Mr A had brought us to first was so lovely that we decided we wanted to all go back there and swim. So back down the mountain (Whoaaaaa with every turn) and over to the cove that we have fondly named after Mr A. We spent the remainder of the afternoon having the best time swimming, laughing, splashing and exploring in the streams. You will see in the slideshow that S enjoyed battling the falls. He got all the way under them and let them pound down on him. Even the youngers down to H had a blast! What a blessing from the Lord.

Tired and refreshed we hiked back up to the van and then we heading back. The A family invited us back to their house for dinner and we watched a movie together. We arrived back home around 11pm. What a full, fun day! The Lord's creation is so breathtaking! What a majestic, mighty God we serve! I am going to be posting a slideshow, but blogger is not liking my connection speed here. I will try again, but I may have to take my computer in tomorrow when we go into town, and sit at a Wi-Fi place to upload it. I have been able to limp out these other two slideshows today, so we will see.

Happy Birthday D!

Happy Birthday to dear D! We love you sweet boy. It is hard to believe you are four years old! May the Lord cause you to grow up to be a man of courage, integrity and a heart for Him. Kisses to our favorite 5th born child!