Updates

I must say the main reason I started writing on here was to keep a journal or the happenings in our lives and I am sad to say I do about as well with it as I have any other journals I have attempted in the past. 

Update #1- Baby #3 was born June 16th at home, in the water and most decidedly is NOT a girl!

                                          Daniel Ray Holder June 16th 2012 8lbs 10oz 21 in

Oh, how I love my house full of boys! And yes, I do believe, my white hair has spread.  But....that's besides the point.  What a blessing, my cup runneth over!

Update #2 Jason did, in fact, get the promotion we were praying for and is now the leader of his own crew.  He is so grounded and good natured that he is excelling at his new role.  Of course, I could be biased : )

Update #3 Homeschool has "officially" started with Jacob, my now 5 year old.  (yikes!!)

Jacob (5) with Daniel (2 days)

 

 

 

 

 

 

We started off with My Father's World Kindergarten and I do love the hands-on, book-rich learning.  However, it is soo s-l-o-w.  Jacob cries when we finish a lesson and wants to do MORE. : p It's terrifying how many calls I would receive from the principals office if I had sent Jacob to public school. Because of his brithday they would have enrolled him in PRE-K.  He would have been so far ahead in most things he would have been trouble...pure and simple.
Because I love the Charlotte Mason approach, I believe I will start researching it more and build a curriculum based on that.  I am saving most of My Father's World for Mikey and will start at a younger age.

Update # 4 Speaking of my "little Mikey".......

Mikey after a full day shopping, barely made it in the house before passing out for a nap. 

Mikey is only 3 lbs under his brother who is 2.5 years older than him.  Mikey is strong enough to do pull ups and can carry a gallon of milk without breaking a sweat.  My "little Mikey" is no longer little and is quickly approaching 3 years old. How time flies.......

That's all I can manage for now.  I will leave you with an up-to-date picture of Daniel at 3 months and hope to write here again soon!

God Bless!

Nesting and Changes

It has been a whirlwind of changes around here lately, both good and bad. We anxiously wait to hear news of a possible promotion for Jason while we have been completely reorganizing and rearranging the house.

This past weekend we emptied our large front closet and storage shed and went through everything, only putting back in what we had to have.  Everything else is being held back for a church garage sale in April.

This is also in preparation for moving my washer and dryer from my kitchen, to our large front closet and having an actual bona fide laundry room.  : ) 

In place of the washer and dryer I will have more counter top and some simple shelves covered by a curtain.  I hope to chair before and after pictures with you. 

Besides that we are steadily decorating the children's room. It has never really had a theme and what better time to make that concrete than before a new baby gets added?
We have decided on a rustic Americana theme with red white and navy.  It's as unisex as I could get seeing as how little girl will be staying with her big brothers for several years, until we can add another room on. 

We have relocated all of the children's toys into the den/family room.  That is where we all spend the most time and it just made sense.  Clean up is far easier now that the boys don't have to haul the toys back and forth from the den to their room, just dump everything is some old trunks we have in the den. 

This also leaves their room clean, clutter free and safe.  Yes, safe. If you are a mom you know all to well how dangerous a lego, hotwheel or GI Joe can be left out on the floor.  You go to check on the kids and the next thing you know is your doing the one legged stork hop and falling into a book case.....its tragic. 

We have a fabulous church family who has lent us a nice crib and the boys have their double on bottom single on top bunk beds.  We figure we can fit a few more kids in their before we are at maximum occupancy ; )

I have set myself to learning to keep house better and so far the schedule and techniques I have learned are working marvelously.  Will have to post again about that.

Updates and more

*We found out I was pregnant again for the 4th time this fall and am now at 21 weeks.  It was a surprise, coming only a few months after my miscarriage. We are amazed at HIS blessings! Also, we are 90% sure this little one is a girl and will have another sonogram to confirm.  : ) Due date June 24th.

* My 27th birthday is this next week.  I never thought about being this age and it feels weird. 

* We took a trip to sea world in December and it was an amazing Christmas present from family.   Will post pics soon. 

* We have been struggling with disciplining our strong willed 4 year old.  I can't recommend "To Train Up A Child" enough.  Please ignore the bad press and read it for yourself. I do not stand behind the Pearl's theology but their child training tactics are based in scripture, common sense, and effective. 

* Homeschool has already begun.  And I hear what your saying, "there is no need for formal school at 4 years" But a busy Jacob is a well behaved Jacob.  I move at his pace and he is thoroughly enjoying phonics and science at this point.  Will post more about this later. 

* With pregnancy sickness and exhaustion I have been struggling to keep the house going and have backed out of all activities outside our home. 

* My grandmother is moved out and being cared for by people I chose for her..  She is undeniably not saved and a danger to our children.  We pray for her but that is all that seems to be effective at this point in time.  At 101 she doesn't have much time left so I would appreciate any prayers sent up for her.

* We have begun a new path in life, paying more attention to what we eat and use on our bodies.  We have begun using essential oils for health purposes and all natural body products.  We eat more healthy and  I cook from scratch a lot more.  I will have a separate post for this as well. 

New posts coming soon.  Have so much to write down, so many thoughts to think through.