a field trip with jenna

I took the day off Tuesday to go with Jenna on her field trip. We went to Lazy O Farms. I had a great time with her. Jenna has a "boyfriend", Elijah. Elijah was in the car and said "I love you Jenna!". The funny thing is that she didn't really spend time with the girls in her class, she spent the day with Elijah. I had a good time getting to know Elijah's and Reagan's moms (her best "girl" friend as she says). Monday I get to spend time with Jacob and go on his trip.

a proud mom

I'm a proud mom. All three of my kids got on honor roll. Joshua got on the B honor roll (and he is very upset about that) Jacob got on the A honor roll, and Jenna got Pastor's list which is the highest. Here are their grades and teachers comments:

Bible a
Math a
English b
Reading b
Spelling b
Penmanship b
History b+

Joshua is doing well academically and socially is well adjusted when playing with his peers. He is often distracted but responds to my promptings to get back on track. He has a sweet cheerful personality which contributes positively to the classroom atmosphere.

Bible a
Math a
Phonics a
Reading b
Spelling A+
Writing A

Jacob brings a fun sense of humor to the classroom and is a hard worker. Keep working on smoothness and expression in reading.

Bible E
Math E
Phonics E
Reading S+
Writing E

Jenna is a joy to have in class. She is such a hard worker and is eager to learn. I am enjoying watching her come out of her shell and make friends with the other students. I am looking forward to her progress this year.

fall festival

The kids and I attended the first fall festival (we have another one this week). This one was from our church and was at Monica's house. (thanks Monica). The kids really had a great time. They painted pumpkins, played games, had a sack race, ate apples with their hands behind their backs, had a hayride and a nice feast!

fun at the fair

We had a great time at the fair. We ate, and spent too much money....but at least this year we prepared for it. The kids enjoyed the rides. Joshua and Jacob wanted to ride the water ride, so we sent them off by themselves. We thought there was a big hill and a little hill, so we put them where we thought was the little hill. We didn't realize they circle around and they do both hills. My heart about dropped when I saw my boys at the top of that big hill by themselves! I felt so helpless. They didn't cry. They said it was scary, but they still enjoyed it!! I survived too!

Psalm 34:8-13/Psalm 100

Jacob is quoting Psalm 34:8-13 and Jenna doing Psalm 100. You may have to listen closely. I love to hear my children doing this. Last year Joshua quoted the Christmas story and said it before we opened presents.

Weekends

Jack is home. We were very busy Saturday morning, and then had a church picnic in the afternoon. Jacob and Jack enjoyed fishing, Jenna was swinging, and Joshua was in heaven because he got to play football with the "big people". It was a lot of fun.

He Knows My Name

I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands


He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and He hears me when I call

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He?ll never leave me
No matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and He hears me when I call

Joshua and Jacob have been teaching me this song they have learned in chapel. It's absolutely beautiful. I pulled it up and listened to it because I wanted to learn it too. I'm so thankful He knows my name, knows my thoughts and sees each tear that falls. He even hears me when I call! How amazing. The timing of this has been very special because I've had a hard week. Of course Jack has been gone and won't be home till late Friday night, but also because something happened earlier this week that really hurt me. I felt like my spirit had been crushed!! It's made me doubt myself and other things. I don't feel like I should share it in my blog, but I'd be happy to share it with you on a personal level. I know God has seen the tears that fell and heard me as I poured out my soul before him.

Yeah, tomorrow is Friday!! We have a BUSY, FUN weekend planned!!

Josh's project

Joshua had his first project due this week. I tried to get most of everything done over the weekend, but their were some circumstances beyond my control. Needless to say, we were up till 8:30 last night putting the finishing touches on, but I think we pulled it together. I think it is good to have these "deadlines". Although it stresses me at times, I think it is preparing my children for other life lessons. If I home schooled, I could easily not make them do a project, or say "it gets done when it gets done", but everyone has some type of deadlines in life....bill paying, things needed for the boss, tasks that need to be done on a certain day....and I do think it is teaching my kids to plan ahead and not wait until the last minute (although I didn't set a good example last night). It helps them think ahead, budget their time etc. I'm glad it's over....and I'm sure there will be more....like the English test tomorrow, the history test Friday......blah blah blah!!!

that's my girl

Jenna has learned to ride her bike without training wheels (she still needs just a little help to get started, but takes off after that). She seems to do everything a little faster than the boys. She also scored 5 goals Monday at her soccer game. The coach moved her back on defense because every time she got the ball she scored! It was an easier team, but she did score 2 the week before. She amazes me how that she is not afraid of the ball, not afraid to go after it, and not afraid of the other team.!

My dream House......

This is my dream house. It's across the street from the kid's school (although they couldn't go there if we ever bought a house like this). It has a FORMAL dining room, which I have DREAMED about! Look at this fireplace......it had two and a half baths with a garden tub, screened in porch, and a BONUS room!! It's everything I have ever dreamed of. Think of all the room we would have. Oh, it has a double car garage too!! I've actually walked inside of this house because I know the people who are trying to sell it. I need Ed McMahon to visit my house very soon!!!

Jacob, the fireman

Jacob had his first presentation Friday. They have been studying community helpers and they could choose any one, write a small report on them and do a poster on them. On Friday, they could dress up and the parents came to hear them. I was so surprised that Jacob did so well. Joshua has always been a natural at speaking in public, that I thought he might be shy, but he did great. I wish I knew how to post the video so that you all could see it, but pictures will have to do.

Is there such a thing as a clean house....?

Last Friday, I was in heaven. I had the day off, and the kids had to go to school. I dropped them off and then went for my morning walk (which I have missed so much!). I then came home and cleaned and cleaned and cleaned!! The house was so dirty and messy it took me most of the day, but it felt good to scrub it down. It did take me a little longer as I had a pile of fall clothes on Jenna's floor that I needed to go through. The discouraging part is that when Jack got home the next morning, you couldn't tell that I had cleaned it from room to room! I find it very hard to work even 17 hours a week, be a mom, be supportive in school activities, be a soccer mom, do homework, baths, cook and still maintain a clean house. I find action figures in the living room, clothes that forgot to be picked up, toothpaste in the sink......it's always something. I'd be embarrassed if someone stopped by, but I'm thankful to have kids that have action figures and all the other messes that a family of five create! I do have to admire other women who can do all that I do and sometimes more and still keep clean houses!!!