Fall Days and Schooling

First day of CC 2012

I am loving our schooling this year!! I am overwhelmed by the fruit Im seeing in my sweet kids. The fruit is blooming and it is so very beautiful to see after a all the labor up to this point. Chesney is reading!  Britton is writing!! Our two biggest struggles over the past few years. It's such a blessing and honor to be able to be a part of their lives in this way.  So, here's a picture roll of this school year thus far:

Chesney read her first chapter book then her creative side took over
and she made a hieroglyph  out of recycled materials. She
then presented it for her class presentation. She actually told me that
presentations are her favorite part of CC.
What's amazing about this is that she's my SHY child!

Cade presenting his Lego creation at his Lego Club

Britton learning to make Gram's famous banana pudding
for his class presentation

Fun times at
at Weiss Lake
with family :)

Britton with his new friend Kaleb

Creation Classroom field trip! A day to explore God's beautiful creation with our CC group. We learned a little history and science at Turkey Creek, which was all tied into the bible and how the Lord made EVERYTHING with a purpose. The end of the day was wrapped up with a full presentation of the Gospel and God's purpose for each of us. A beautiful day!!

Owl dissection at CC
Yep we dug through Owl yak to
find bones! Lots of them!

Britton turns 11 !!

My handsome boy has turned into a young man! It's such a blessing to watch  my children grow, yet so hard to let them go.  Every year older is one step closer to more freedom and independence. I know this it the Lord's plan, but man, it sure is hard!!  Britton continues to be such a joy! He's always talking, always touching whomever he's talking to and always smiling! This year he has grown up so very much. In His 11th year of life he has learned to :

write a pretty good paper and type it too
memorize a million and one facts for CC to become a Memory Master
recite John 1 in English and in Latin
master beyblading
greatly increase his piano skills
love unconditionally
run 2 miles
how to divide
some sign language
how to edit video's and make a movie - Thanks to Apple camp
Britton's says he learned
"how to give kisses to Chesney without her knowing"- (hmmm we may have to have a talk about this)
"how to have fun when Im bored"
"that horse flies hurt"

Britton has officially entered the tween years. He desperately wants to be a teen but is just not quite there yet. Im so thankful that he is surrounded by Godly boys and girls at our weekly community group. Kids that are being raised the same as him. When he's around them ,He is a better person!  The friendships we've made through this group are just what we've been praying for for him. What a blessing to see the Lord hear the cries of our heart and surround us with a group of wonderful friends and a new church too!

For Britt's birthday this year we took some kids bowling then had them come play at our house for a while. He and his friends are very much into Pokemon card trading and Skylanders (a video game) right now. Britton was given Beyblades, Pokemon cards, Skylanders, and gift cards for this 11th birthday. We gave him an emergency prepaid cell phone for his birthday. Although his use of it is greatly limited, he thinks it's the BEST PRESENT EVER...  So. Here. We. Go... I wonder what his 12th year will hold!! I can't wait to see how the Lord grows him, reveals his gifts and uses him for Christ glory!

She surrendered!

My skeptical little girl surrendered her heart to Jesus today! She confessed with her mouth that she believed and ask Him to change her! She did it with me! Both of us crying and trembling we prayed aloud together! This was a huge step in faith for her. She's been fighting it for so long and today she let go and blindly lept into His arms! Words can't express how I feel! It was such a tender, perfect moment. One I will cherish forever. I believe my girl has been saved for a couple of years, I just don't think she believed it until today. Today she decided to stop doubting He IS REAL and SHE SURRENDERED.  Thank you Lord Jesus for saving my baby! How I pray that she will grow in you and that your power will be made perfect in her weaknesses! Use her in a mighty way for your kingdom!!

A lake day :)

I'm so thankful for this place Keith's family has invested in for us! So many memories! Such a great place to get away to! How I wish life would let us escape here more often!

Fun in the sun days!!

 So obviously I've back dated some posts to get caught up. Many of them were actually written way back when and never published til now. Here's the last catch up post. A slew of pics of all our summer fun! It's been pretty great and way too fast, as always!!

chill-in with sweet Hillary
after our end of school year May Day.

zoo camp

All dressed up for a special wedding

At the love shack sweet shop
for our dear cousin's wedding! Oh how I love them :)

Beat up legs+ pouty face+ looking pretty = LOVE

Hanging out waiting on dinner at the beach!

Beach feet :)

A rainy day at the beach with cousins!!

My handsome little man...

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Papaw feeling young and looking it too

Papaw Raymond teaching Cade to swim

Pool time with cousins

Last night with cousins at the beach

That's my girl!

target practice! fun times with friends!

Springville Splash pad fun. Waiting on the
bucket to dump!!

Fun at Old Navy
Back to School shopping

Lulu's Home !

So Lulu finally came home in mid- June. Chesney couldn't be happier! 

We are the proud owners of a rabbit!! We are calling her Lulu for now and hoping that it's a girl!! We will not know the gender of the rabbit for a few more months :D 

Time to build a hutch 

I wasn't sure how this whole bunny venture would turn out, but I've gotta say it's been way better than I ever imagined it could be!! I love seeing my girl so smitten over Lulu. I love giving gifts that are received with such enthusiasm and love!! So. Stinking. Beautiful!  Makes me think of my heavenly Father and how many incredible gifts He's given me, and how much joy He receives in doing so!!

Her baby!!

This picture totally cracks me up! 

Lulu just chilling! She completely stays this way
for as long as you'll hold her!
Chesney's in bunny heaven :D