A break of pictures!

We got a break! We went up to Asheville and got to enjoy the snow without the mess of having to go anywhere. My brother shoveled half of the driveway, so we didn't even have to worry much about ice and slush when we did get out.

We went to see the new Veggie Tales movie, and the kids really liked it! We had free tickets for the kids, so we didn't even have to pay much to see it. We also went to the Brew and View, as the locals call it and saw The Game Plan. We went mostly for the garlic knots and the pizza...Parmesan crust is the best! YUMMMM!

We were able to take the kids to get some pictures taken. They turned out really well. I am happy with them. Aralyn was actually the best one while we were there. She did what the lady asked her to do and nothing more. Aidan was acting embarrassed the whole time and so he didn't look very natural. Alora was trying too hard...the fake smile, the extra hug for Aralyn, which throws off the entire 3 person pose, the moving of her dress or her hair or her feet to a "better, more comfortable or more warm place". We were constantly having to more her back and tell her to stop hugging someone. Despite the fact that it is nearly impossible to get a wonderful picture of 3 kids, we were able to get a few of them together that we liked, and even some of each of them separately that we liked. We still need to mail them off with letters to our family and friends, but they will hopefully be sent soon. (This coming from the gal that still hasn't mailed her friends something that she has had for them since before Christmas....they might get pictures with them now!)

We are going to see the Ringling Bros. and Barnum &Bailey circus on Thursday. I haven't told any of the kids yet. I haven't' been to the circus in a long time. I think Aralyn and Alora are going to love it! Hopefully I won't forget the camera!

We finally finished our Big training. It was 6 long days of nothing but training and while it wasn't exactly boring, it was a drain on us. We have gotten nothing done for that time and it makes it hard to keep the schedule going on track.

We are also planning to go to Winterfest. The kids are all really excited and looking forward to it. Our three are going to be staying with grandparents and so they will be having fun without us. I think Adam's parents are really looking forward to the time with them. I am sure they miss them a lot.

Adam and I have been practicing guitar. Kind of the "teach our self" way. Our fingers are so sore! My hands are not the strongest things to begin with, I don't have rough hands, my fingers are "double jointed", so they "pop" backwards and my left index finger was the one that I cut a while back, so it still isn't as strong as it was. Those things make it pretty hard for me! It takes a lot of finger strength to hold the strings down firmly enough that they don't buzz. Adam's hands are strong, and rougher than mine, but his fingers are bigger, which makes it a little bit hard to get all your fingers on the frets for some of the chords. The only thing I have going for me is my tiny fingers. HEHE But I have always wanted to know how to play an instrument, so I am giving it my best shot. I am sure that Adam will have it down long before I do, but at least I am trying.

Well there is my hodge podge of information for the past month or so!

Recommendation

Our children's latest and greatest and most favorite CD right now. They absolutely love Slugs and Bugs and Lullabies! We love it too, the music is great, the lyrics are catchy and sweet and just so fun!

And two of the ones who love this CD so much! You should hear them sing along! Aidan is loving it too...especially the song with his name in it...Who's Got the Ball?

Take 2

We might have a little actor/singer on our hands. The church is having auditions for the children's musical that they will be performing in the spring/early summer. Aidan is very interested in getting a part and trying out for the musical. I am excited for him. He is listening to his little booklet of songs and dialogue and getting really into the music. I think both Adam and I who both did musical things in school are proud to see him get into the love of music.

I just ordered Aidan's 2nd grade materials and Alora's kindergarten. I wanted to wait until fall to start Alora, but she is really persistent with me. I may try to get some worksheets and things for her to do everyday for now and start her in the fall with her curriculum. The main reason to do that is so that the days for keeping up with a year of school are a bit easier to work out evenly. She is really excited about starting and wants to look through all her things now.

Aidan is doing really well with the end of first grade. We are into a final review/testing period and he is breezing through it. I have ordered 2 kinds of science for this coming year and we are going to see if the new one is going to work for us. He really loves stars and space and so I got a full year unit study on creation from an Astronomy base. I have heard really great things about it and it seems like it will be perfect for Aidan. The girls will probably get to participate too and I think they will enjoy it as well.

Adam and I are really looking for to having our time off this month. Last month we stayed here and got some things done without having the boys to worry about during the day. It was good to do that, but we were still here and had to deal with a few issues anyway. The month before we drove to Alabama and while we enjoyed going down and seeing Adam's grandparents, we really didn't get to relax. This time I think we are going up to North Carolina and spending some time with my parents and to the lake to see my grandparents too. I know that that will bring us a bit of relaxation and rest that we haven't had for a while.

Aralyn and Aidan are feeling poorly today. Hopefully this last bout of throwing up and tummy issues of one kind and another is the last of the virus going around this house. Poor Aralyn feels really bad today.

New year!

Well, here comes a new year. Full of busy times and lots of memories and lots of un-thought-of things to come.



Here we are just trying to get everything together and come up with a workable routine. It can be hard to plan much of anything for during the week since we never know when new boys will come, boys will leave, they will get suspended or sick and need a doctor's appointment, or something else will throw off our schedule. It definitely takes being very flexible to do this job without going crazy.



This past week or so we have had all sorts of stomach issues with some of the boys and our two girls, Adam and me. Not fun! It is just making its way around the rooms and hopefully in a week or so we will be done with it and on to better things.

There are lots of little projects that need doing this month. Several "fix-it" type things, none of which will take all that long or be all that much work, it is just getting the time to get it accomplished.

So far we haven't been able to find doctors up here. It is getting pretty close to time to go to the dentist and get check up s and all and we really need to get that done soon. I think there is a book around here somewhere that has all the local doctors that take our insurance. I figured that would be a good place to start, as I am a bit picky as far as caregivers are concerned. I know that we will be able to find what we need and want with such a large area to draw from, it will just take a while to weed through and if I had a list to start with, that would help in the matter.

I have lots of pictures of the kids on my camera and phone, I just haven't really had time to get them off of there and onto here. Hopefully this week will be the time to do that. I sure hope so...I want to get that done soon.

Happy new year to all! May your lives, where ever they are, whatever they be, be more blessed this year than last, be full of love and joy and hope!