We interrupt this. . .

Father/Son camping weekend to bring you a brief message from Winter:

"I'm here."

friendly art afternoon

Recently, we enjoyed an afternoon spent with our long-time friends, Chloe and Ellie. I am terrible when it comes to unscheduled 'free-time' so we always plan some sort of activity. {You may remember September when we did science experiments. . .}


I stumbled upon a great art website a few weeks ago and found this art lesson. Perfect for this time of year! And a perfect way to spend an afternoon with our friends.

My group of kids always impress me with how creative and attentive they are during art lessons. It is so much fun to take the same basic guidelines for a project and see the different results.

{I couldn't help but tweak the original lesson a wee bit by sprinkling salt over the still-wet paintings. It gives such a unique, weathered look to the paint after it dries.}

Stunning, is it not?

We generally do at least one art project per week. I was scared of art a few years ago because I tend to be a very black-and-white type person. Since there are no 'formulas' to follow and no right or wrong ways to create art, it was hard for me to get excited about art.

But I knew this was an important venue in education so I closed my eyes, recited over and over and over that it's okay to be messy, and we went for it. I'm so glad to have overcome the fear of art and now I can't seem to get enough.

But I still don't know what I'm doing. That's okay, though. I'm not trying to raise modern day Michaelangelos. . .I just am trying to expose my children to as many facets of education as possible and trusting that God will speak to their hearts as we walk this road and show them where His gift in talent and ability for them lies, and they will take off naturally, when the time is right.

Until then, we are having the greatest time exploring God's world together and enjoying the friendships He has put in place for our family.

So thankful for all the friends He has given us.

Help Wanted

A wise woman once counseled me in the area of child training and child raising regarding teaching children to learn to work - and well.

Her basic message to me was that I needed to try and work myself out of a job. Teach my children how to do most {all} household jobs and do them properly. I treasure the wisdom of older women and am so thankful for their investment in my life.

As a side note, I have learned that is valuable and fun to teach them as early as possible. Even when my kiddos were 9 or 10 months old they were learning to pick up toys and I would even plop them in the middle of the laundry pile and let them "fold" while we conversed.

I'm so thankful for the fruit that comes from training - and I know the rewards are just starting. So thankful for this cutie who helped to make biscuits with me the other night!

Partners in Crime

Do not let the uniforms fool you!

Now Departing. . .

The Land of the Rising Sun.

Next stop: China {with a one-week layover in North & South Korea}

{Due to a miscommunication about which memory card to format for last weekend's wedding, I am missing some beautiful pictures of our origami and of our koi kite parade. {oops} Not to mention Ryland's Haiku which went like this: One time a long time ago, It was fall and I Rode an Elephant. Preschool doesn't get much better than that!}

We are having the greatest time exploring the Eastern Hemisphere with Sonlight's Core 5 this year. The greatest time.

What it looks like. . .

when our leaders kneel before the Almighty's throne.

"Washington was kneeling there with Henry, Randolph, Rutledge, Lee, and Jay, and by their side there stood, bowed in reverence, the Puritan Patriots of New England. 'It was enough,' says Mr. Adams, 'to melt a heart of stone.'"

(Commentary on the first prayer offered in Congress. . .Sept. 7, 1774)

Dear Heavenly Father, that you would cause the hands of the American people to cast their votes for men of Faith, Courage, Reverance, once again, once again.

The Wedding

Just a tiny peek into a beautiful day.

Congratulations, Jeremy and Anna.

Again, I am humbled and thankful that you allowed me the opportunity to have a front row seat at the celebration of your marriage today.