Back to School

School time is back again! We have cracked open all the new books and are diving into Ancient History, Math, Reading, plus tons of other subjects. I always enjoy this time of year, but the kids have a different opinion. (no surprise) I feel like the summer was so long and unproductive, though, that it feels good to have some purpose and routine back in life. May God bless our school year!!

This is Hannah's new work station for this year. She has a pretty sweet setup! This is where you can picture her doing all her school, writing her papers, e-mailing her friends and cousins, working on her blog, etc.

And this is Ryan's new workspace! He has personalized it with all his favorite things - and he feels left out without a computer of his own, so if you look closely you can see his computer made of paper and cardboard! haha

My workspace...

Somehow we didn't get a picture of Jacob's desk, but he can be found ALL OVER the place doing school. At his desk, at the table in the basement, at the kitchen table, in the guest room, and even upstairs in the bedroom!!

A broken heart

My son just left home after 21 years.  His car just disappeared out of the driveway, and his room is empty.  All his stuff is gone.  With a quick kiss and a "see ya mom", it's all over.  I know he isn't far away, but he isn't here either... this, one of the sharp pains of motherhood.  I will miss my Matt every single day...

A Visit from the Bodine family!!!

A couple of weeks ago we had a wonderful visit from my brother John and his wife Lisa and their nine children. It was so much fun - we hadn't seen Lisa and the kids for 3 and 1/2 years!! Needless to say I barely recognized the kids... all of a sudden the oldest kids were young adults and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them in a completely new way. They are all such sweet, kind and pleasant children. Over the years I have wondered how on earth they can do all they do with so many kids, but they are really successful at parenting - they are all happy, well-adjusted, fulfilled kids who play sports, are homeschooled, and love the Lord! It was very pleasant to have them around. Seven of the kids are girls, so Hannah was absolutely in heaven with all the girl time.

Yeah, I know it. She does NOT look like she had nine children. She hasn't changed one bit in all these years - she looks exactly the same as the day they married. Quite sickening actually. But I still love her!!

John holding their youngest, Ben.

The girls all had fun with the bunnies. We even managed to convince Lisa that those seven girls just HAVE to have two of our baby bunnies...

Who could say no to these faces??

Look at little Laura with two bunnies on her lap!! Isn't she a cutie pie??

We loved the full house! Hopefully they will return sooner than 3 and 1/2 years this time!!

Matt's 21st Birthday

I literally held back tears as I posted this picture... I remember when Matt was just a little boy running around, riding his bike, playing with legos, enjoying his lightsabers, and enjoying making rice krispy treats with me. He used to talk to me all the time, and I so enjoyed him from the moment he was born. He has always made me laugh, and his infectious smile would brighten up my most dreary days. But now, here he is, a young man. Moving out in a couple weeks to finish up college in Baltimore.

I distinctly remember when he was little and was always in my sight, and I always knew where he was, I would say to Danny, "I can't imagine letting him out of my sight to ride his bike down the street", and now I am going to have to let him out of my sight to leave home...

I remember this sweet little boy like it was yesterday!

And now... he is 21!!!

I arranged to have this huge card put in the yard today - what fun! All day long cars were driving slowly by, stopping, and backing up to read this.

Matt spent his day shopping for his iphone, and going out to lunch with Sherry. We went out to dinner at Rio Grande for dinner as a family. I cannot tell you what a blessing it was to have my son turning 21, and rather than be out with friends he chose to be with us - the people who love him most in the world.

I really can't tell you how much I love this young man, and how much I am going to miss him when he leaves. I have been preparing my heart for years for this, and yet I am not prepared at all. I know that when his bedroom is empty of his presence and I don't hear him coming home at night or see him going off to school or work, I am going to have a huge, empty place in my heart. But I am sooooo proud of my young Matt!! Happy Birthday son!!! Thank you for celebrating it with us!!

Bunnies and a Birthday

We have had the joy over the last three weeks of seeing four adorable bunnies being born and now growing up!! Hannah bred one of her bunnies for the first time, and about three weeks ago Ella gave birth to six babies - four survived. It has been such a delightful three weeks watching them grow... and Hannah and Ryan are so enjoying getting them out of the cage and holding and snuggling them. Hannah has also had new subject material for her photography!!

Slipped in there was my birthday - thank you to Hannah for my beautiful cake that you made, to mom and dad for the gorgeous flower arrangement (my favorite color theme purple!) and to Danny and the boys also for the wonderful and thoughtful gifts I received! Ryan and Jacob wouldn't allow me to do ANYTHING that day that I didn't want to do - what sweethearts! Matt even got off work early to join us in a family dinner out!

I am TRULY blessed to be loved so much by my wonderful family... the biggest blessing in my life is the privilige to love and serve each and every one of them. I don't say this as a cliche, but I really do find my greatest joy in loving and serving my husband and children - I cannot believe sometimes that I get to be Danny's wife and I get to homeschool and love these four special children. I know that at the end of my days I shall have countless regrets, but one thing I know I shall not regret is pouring my entire heart and life into my children, homeschooling them, and loving them more than I ever thought it possible to love another person. I have so many faults and have made so many mistakes, but my children KNOW that they are loved. They know I am FOR them. They know I shall ALWAYS be on their side to encourage them, pray for them, and be their biggest fans. By God's grace I will endeavor to fill their life with love and encouragement all the rest of the days that God has ordained for me to be in this world.

I love you Matt, Jacob, Hannah, Ryan and of course, Danny...

Fourth of July

Fireworks...

Crabs...

Ribs and corn by the pool...

Enjoying baby bunnies...

Beautiful daughter.

Flaming chicken anyone??

Last week Matt came home with a wonderful recipe he wanted to try, something he learned from someone at work. Bear in mind that Matt is not really someone who cooks much, in fact he has just started to learn how to grill this summer and grills chicken quite well, but he really isn't an experienced cook or grill chef or anything. Really. But he came home one night to make the famous beer can chicken, and had some wonderful dry rub to put on it, it was absolutely delicious! Ryan tasted it and said it was the best chicken he had ever eaten! We decided we just might not let him move out in August to live nearer college! It was really, truly delicious.

Part two. A couple days later we got an unexpected visit from my brother. We decided that maybe it would be nice to have some more of that delicious chicken! So this time, my oh-so-experienced chef/husband decided to make it. I explained to him how Matt had done it, but apparently not well enough. We were in the kitchen anticipating another juicy chicken for dinner when we saw smoke coming out of the grill...

Let's just say that Matt will NEVER let Danny live this one down. Rookie chef makes fabulous, mouth-watering chicken, and Danny, well... he didn't.