Updates!

Wow!  Where do you even begin when you haven't blogged in over a year?!!  Needless to say blogging has taken a major backseat to homeschooling and of course the easier world of Facebook!  I'm going to give this a shot again because someday, yes someday, I'm going to publish all these little posts into albums... someone better hold me to that!

A lot has changed in a year and in some ways a lot remains the same.  We took the family vacation of a lifetime last June and went to Hawaii with the kids and my parents for a week and a half; it was amazing and something we will never forget.  On stressful days we like to think back to the peace and beauty that God created on those islands.  This last fall we took on a new endeavor and bought a lake house in the hill country.  It has been a huge blessing to make memories with our families and friends and look forward to all the years ahead at "Baker Hill" as we call it.  The main decorating and furnishing is finished but like most things will grow more comfortable and beautiful with time as we make it our very own.  We are seriously itching to get back this month... I need some front porch rock'in time!

This was our second year in homeschooling and first year in a large homeschool cooperative called Classical Conversations.  Every day I thank God for giving us this opportunity and to opening our eyes to the gift and blessing of homeschooling.  It is truly a perfect fit for our family and the kids LOVE it; I could not have imagined how much they were going to enjoy it, the opportunities they would have, or the friends we have all met along the way.  We will travel this journey as long as God sees fit and look forward to what next year holds with my 4th and 1st grader (WOW)!

Abbey, now 9 has enjoyed being in a volleyball league this year and Dad has fun teaching her new skills; she gets better all the time and her height sure works to her advantage!  She is my reader, oh my goodness, we have to tell her no books at the dinner table and most enjoys reading about missionary biographies as she feels this is where God is calling her.  After only 2 years of playing the piano has improved so much and we love hearing her play; it's pure joy to our ears... she's taught me a thing or two as well as I had no clue how to read music before!  Besides playing with her American Girl dolls and her sweet friends, she is a best buddy to Cole and just the sweetest little 9 year old I know (but I'm certainly not biased)!

Cole, turns 6 this week, my baby!  He too has been involved in sports and those where he can use his height... basketball.  He LOVES sports of any kind though and can play for hours at any of them tirelessly; energy, energy, energy!!  Cole has learned to read this year and this would be my first child to teach to read since Abbey was in school in kindergarten.  There is nothing like it...I'm so proud of him, he's been working really hard.  It's hard to believe this is the same kiddo that needed speech therapy 3 years ago!  Cole too has been playing the piano, this was his first year and he's doing awesome!  I wasn't sure a kinder could catch on but he has done it with flying colors and he loves to play for an audience... he's all grins!

Mom and Dad are keeping busy with work, homeschooling, the kiddos activities, and managing in our date nights.  God has also spoken to our hearts to add to our family so we're waiting on His plan.  We know His ways and timing is perfect and are just thankful how He opened our eyes to the way He wants to build our little family.  Stay tuned!