Tom and I just got home from seeing a WONDERFUL movie: Fireproof
Many of you have probably already seen it but if not...it's a MUST see! It's playing at the dollar theater in Springfield right now at Gateway Mall.
It's put out by the same company that created "Facing the Giants" which is another great movie. (Put out by Sherwood Baptist Church in Georgia.)
http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/
I just sat there in awe thinking how amazing it is that THIS movie was playing in a theater! I know it has/will touch many lives.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
What are you thankful for??
The kids are in Awanas and this past week one of Ryan and Tyler's verses to memorize was Psalm 118:1 "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...."
Then they were supposed to tell me three things they would like to thank God for and I was to write the answers in their books. This is what they had to say:
Tyler~
I thank Jesus for dying on the cross.
I thank Jesus for making us.
I thank Jesus for living in our heart.
Ryan~
I'm thankful because Jesus died on the cross.
I'm thankful because God showed his power.
I'm thankful for Mommy. (sweet boy huh?)
I have SO much to be thankful for!
I am thankful:
Jesus died on the cross for our sins.
God is who He says He is.
God can do what He says He can do.
I am who God says I am.
I can do all things through Christ.
God's Word is alive and active in me.
For his grace.
For my husband.
For my four beautiful children.
They love Jesus!
I get to be home with them.
I get to homeschool them.
For my parents.
For the people the Lord has put in my life.
For my friends.
For Tom's kindness and encouragement
For Bradley's tender heart and love for his siblings.
For Ryan's hugs and his gentleness.
For Tyler's laughter and his thoughtfulness.
For Hallie's kind words and her snuggles.
For our church family.
For God's provision.
For Tom's job.
For my job.
For time together.
For each day.
The list goes on....
God is so good and I'm very grateful for his presence in our lives!
Then they were supposed to tell me three things they would like to thank God for and I was to write the answers in their books. This is what they had to say:
Tyler~
I thank Jesus for dying on the cross.
I thank Jesus for making us.
I thank Jesus for living in our heart.
Ryan~
I'm thankful because Jesus died on the cross.
I'm thankful because God showed his power.
I'm thankful for Mommy. (sweet boy huh?)
I have SO much to be thankful for!
I am thankful:
Jesus died on the cross for our sins.
God is who He says He is.
God can do what He says He can do.
I am who God says I am.
I can do all things through Christ.
God's Word is alive and active in me.
For his grace.
For my husband.
For my four beautiful children.
They love Jesus!
I get to be home with them.
I get to homeschool them.
For my parents.
For the people the Lord has put in my life.
For my friends.
For Tom's kindness and encouragement
For Bradley's tender heart and love for his siblings.
For Ryan's hugs and his gentleness.
For Tyler's laughter and his thoughtfulness.
For Hallie's kind words and her snuggles.
For our church family.
For God's provision.
For Tom's job.
For my job.
For time together.
For each day.
The list goes on....
God is so good and I'm very grateful for his presence in our lives!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday School
I had recess duty Monday for Monday School and took some pictures of the kiddos while they were playing outside. It was freezing...but didn't keep them all from having a good time. =)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Been a while...
It's been a while since I've updated my blog. It seems like the weeks fly by. Last week was a busy week with Monday School, Bible Study, Preschool, Homeschool, Swimming lessons, Doctor visit for my Allergy Shot, Awanas, and Story Time at the library. It's been my typical schedule for a while now.
I was SO blessed last week when a dear friend of mine offered to watch the kids for me for 3 whole hours on Thursday. She said I couldn't go home because she knew I'd do something productive. =) She was right about that. She gave me an idea to go to the Park and go for a walk and that's just what I did. I went to the park and went for a walk..until the rain came and then I just sat in the van for the rest of the time...just me and God. It was SO refreshing. I worked on my Bible Study that I am doing Monday mornings at church. It was such a wonderful time. That's the first time that I've had the opportunity to do something like that. No distractions of the house or the kiddos. It was a much needed refreshing time. What a blessing!!
We had a full weekend. Some dear friends of ours...whom I work with...had their wedding. Tom was a groomsman. Friday we had the rehearsal dinner and Saturday we got there around 11 to get ready for pictures and the wedding was at 2:30 and then went to another location for dinner for the wedding and then had a birthday party to go to following that. It was a full day but I have to say I was SO impressed how well the kids did. Many people commented at the wedding how well behaved they were and I was just SO thankful. It really could have gone the other way. =) They were SO patient! It was a very LONG day for them and I'm just so thankful they handled it so well.
I was SO blessed last week when a dear friend of mine offered to watch the kids for me for 3 whole hours on Thursday. She said I couldn't go home because she knew I'd do something productive. =) She was right about that. She gave me an idea to go to the Park and go for a walk and that's just what I did. I went to the park and went for a walk..until the rain came and then I just sat in the van for the rest of the time...just me and God. It was SO refreshing. I worked on my Bible Study that I am doing Monday mornings at church. It was such a wonderful time. That's the first time that I've had the opportunity to do something like that. No distractions of the house or the kiddos. It was a much needed refreshing time. What a blessing!!
We had a full weekend. Some dear friends of ours...whom I work with...had their wedding. Tom was a groomsman. Friday we had the rehearsal dinner and Saturday we got there around 11 to get ready for pictures and the wedding was at 2:30 and then went to another location for dinner for the wedding and then had a birthday party to go to following that. It was a full day but I have to say I was SO impressed how well the kids did. Many people commented at the wedding how well behaved they were and I was just SO thankful. It really could have gone the other way. =) They were SO patient! It was a very LONG day for them and I'm just so thankful they handled it so well.
Something to try...
When Tom was little he used to drink the juice from lemons and oranges with the soft candy canes. He had the kids try it last week. Sounds like it was a hit. I was at work that day and still haven't tried it but sounds yummy to me!
Monday, November 17, 2008
My Baker
Last night when I was getting the kids to bed, Bradley informed me that he wanted to start cooking more. He was gone to Monday school today so I thought I'd plan something for him to make when he got home. I sure miss him when he's at school. It's been a wonderful experience for him and it's so fun to hear about his day. Today they learned more about bats and he was laughing trying to tell me about a play he and his friend did for the class. It's so fun to see and hear his excitement. He had another GREAT day!! I'm so thankful for the opportunity for him to be a part of this. It's been such a blessing! Speaking of blessings....I have a friend who has four daughters that are going to this school too (they live around the corner from us)and she was so kind to offer to take Bradley to and from school for me. I can't even tell you how much this has blessed me! It's given me an extra half hour to get the other kids ready and off to Bible Study on Mondays. It's been such a blessing.
This afternoon Bradley made some yummy m&m cookies all by himself. He's quite the little baker. He did a wonderful job getting everything measured just right. I'm impressed! They were delicious too! =)
This afternoon Bradley made some yummy m&m cookies all by himself. He's quite the little baker. He did a wonderful job getting everything measured just right. I'm impressed! They were delicious too! =)
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Family Vacation
We just got home from our first family vacation (the 6 of us). We had a wonderful time!! We rented a house in Sunriver and it turned out to be a perfect fit for us. It was so comfy and cozy and so relaxing to be there.
We arrived on Tuesday and got settled in and then took the kids to a restaurant in Bend called "Flatbread Community Oven" It was really fun for the kids. They each got to make their own pizza and then sent it away to get baked. They were yummy.
Wednesday we took the kids to Mavericks...a great swimming pool in Sunriver. We were able to get in with the rental of the house. It was a hit! That night we rented a movie from Redbox and just enjoyed a night at home with movie and popcorn. So relaxing!
Thursday we went to the High Desert Museum. It was really fun too. I got alot of great pictures from there that are in the slideshow following this post. One part was all about birds which was great...Bradley's studying about birds in Monday school. That was fun. They also had a bug section that Ryan LOVED. He's our bug lover. They had lots to see outside and it was a perfect day to be out.
Friday we took the kids to Working Wonders Childrens Museum in Bend. We spent most of the morning and afternoon there with a little lunch break to Quizno's. They absolutely loved this place. We could have spent all day there. It was a wonderful place to let them use their imagination.
When we got back to Sunriver we stopped at a bike shop and rented bikes. My family used to go to Sunriver every September since my dad had a business trip to attend there. One of my favorite memories there was riding bikes. My brother and I would spend all day just riding bikes all around. They have so many bike paths and tunnels. Although, one thing I noticed...when my brother and I used to go we'd ride through those tunnels and now they have little gates at the beginning and end of those tunnels and you have to walk your bikes through them now. It was funny to think of how fearless I was then. And another change of course is they didn't even have helmets then. I'm not sure how we survived. =) I'm sure I would have been nervous for the kids to ride through them now. They all had hills so you'd really get to going fast. They had a hard time keeping up with the bikes just to walk them down the tunnels. A couple times I was about to tell Ryan to let go of the bike so he didn't go down with it. =) We all had a wonderful time on the bike ride. That was a big highlight of the trip for all.
The house we stayed at had a hot tub outside. Tom and the boys went in it Thursday night and Hallie was napping and I stayed in the house with her. But they all talked us into going into it Friday night. It was 35 degrees outside and I have to say, I wasn't really sure about going outside in a swimsuit in that cold of weather but the boys really really wanted us to try it. It turned out to be a really relaxing time.
I put together a slideshow of our trip and it will follow this post. I actually ran out of room on my camera so I guess that means I took alot of pictures. =)
We are so grateful for a wonderful time away and a safe trip. It was very refreshing and relaxing to get this time together.
We arrived on Tuesday and got settled in and then took the kids to a restaurant in Bend called "Flatbread Community Oven" It was really fun for the kids. They each got to make their own pizza and then sent it away to get baked. They were yummy.
Wednesday we took the kids to Mavericks...a great swimming pool in Sunriver. We were able to get in with the rental of the house. It was a hit! That night we rented a movie from Redbox and just enjoyed a night at home with movie and popcorn. So relaxing!
Thursday we went to the High Desert Museum. It was really fun too. I got alot of great pictures from there that are in the slideshow following this post. One part was all about birds which was great...Bradley's studying about birds in Monday school. That was fun. They also had a bug section that Ryan LOVED. He's our bug lover. They had lots to see outside and it was a perfect day to be out.
Friday we took the kids to Working Wonders Childrens Museum in Bend. We spent most of the morning and afternoon there with a little lunch break to Quizno's. They absolutely loved this place. We could have spent all day there. It was a wonderful place to let them use their imagination.
When we got back to Sunriver we stopped at a bike shop and rented bikes. My family used to go to Sunriver every September since my dad had a business trip to attend there. One of my favorite memories there was riding bikes. My brother and I would spend all day just riding bikes all around. They have so many bike paths and tunnels. Although, one thing I noticed...when my brother and I used to go we'd ride through those tunnels and now they have little gates at the beginning and end of those tunnels and you have to walk your bikes through them now. It was funny to think of how fearless I was then. And another change of course is they didn't even have helmets then. I'm not sure how we survived. =) I'm sure I would have been nervous for the kids to ride through them now. They all had hills so you'd really get to going fast. They had a hard time keeping up with the bikes just to walk them down the tunnels. A couple times I was about to tell Ryan to let go of the bike so he didn't go down with it. =) We all had a wonderful time on the bike ride. That was a big highlight of the trip for all.
The house we stayed at had a hot tub outside. Tom and the boys went in it Thursday night and Hallie was napping and I stayed in the house with her. But they all talked us into going into it Friday night. It was 35 degrees outside and I have to say, I wasn't really sure about going outside in a swimsuit in that cold of weather but the boys really really wanted us to try it. It turned out to be a really relaxing time.
I put together a slideshow of our trip and it will follow this post. I actually ran out of room on my camera so I guess that means I took alot of pictures. =)
We are so grateful for a wonderful time away and a safe trip. It was very refreshing and relaxing to get this time together.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
My Little Man
Today was one of those days. One I want to have over and over again. The kids and I got to be home all day. We didn't have anywhere we had to be (until Awana's tonight). It didn't take long to see that we ALL appreciated it. It seems like we've been running in so many directions for so long that to get to be home was a breath of fresh air. We started the day with some homemade orange chocolate chip zucchini bread that I made last night. It was a new recipe I tried and it was delicious! Thankfully it made two loaves because they all asked if we could have it again tomorrow. =)
We got started on our school day after breakfast and I stayed up late last night putting together lesson plans for the rest of the year for Bradley. I did it last year this way and he really liked it. I meant to do it this summer but didn't get to it until now. I make a list of what he needs to do each day with little boxes next to each thing so he can check it off when he's done. It gives him a good idea what is expected for the day and it lets him be responsible to finish and he can feel good knowing he gets to check off another subject or assignment. You can tell he's a list boy when I handed him the list and he reviewed it and next thing i knew he was adding another line to each day with another box that said "Read". He knows we set aside and hour every afternoon for nap/reading time and I didn't think to put it on the list. =) I haven't made one for Ryan and Tyler but obviously Bradley's list is more detailed than theirs would be. Ryan and Tyler are doing well with their schoolwork. There's 170 lessons in the curriculum we use for 170 days of school and they like to do more than one lesson at a time and are already on lesson 108. I'm going to have my work cut out for me to fill in the remainder of the year when they are finished. I have plenty of resources to use so I'm not worried. I'm just thankful they love to learn. It's really been a joy to watch.
After schoolwork was done the kids played together the rest of the day and had so much fun playing house, football (Hallie put her cheerleader outfit on and cheered the boys on), colored pictures, watched each other play on the computer and just all kinds of fun creative things they come up with. There's never a dull moment. It was fun to see them all so happy to get to have a day at home.
I started to fix dinner and Bradley walked in the kitchen and said, "Mommy, is there anything I can help you with?" What a gentleman he is! I told him it was trash day tomorrow so he could help by emptying the bathroom and kitchen trash and take them out to the big garbage cart outside. He just looked like such a little man. He went on his merry way just looking so pleased. When he was done he came back and asked if there was anything he could help with dinner. I was just getting ready to fix some white shell pasta that the kids love to go along with our pork chops and i told him he could make it. So, I told him to read the directions to me and follow what is said and he did an amazing job. He was thrilled! He was beside himself waiting for Daddy to come home so he could tell him what he'd done. Of course once he started helping everyone else wanted to help so Tyler helped me get the baked beans going then Ryan announced he wanted green beans so we put those on too. Ryan and Hallie helped set the table. They had great teamwork. When Bradley was cooking I told him he was going to make a wonderful husband one day and how sweet it was for him to ask me if there was anything he could do to help. He said, "Mommy, you know I told you I don't want to get married" He said, "When you get old and retire I'll cook for you". (ha) I told him I wasn't ever going to retire because I will always be a mommy. He said, "No, I meant from your Ace job" (meaning my bookkeeping job that I work on Fridays). He's so cute. I told him I'd love that! And told him it'll also be good for him to know how to cook so that if he goes to college he'll be able to cook for himself and he said, we'll I want to go somewhere were I can still live at home and I'll still cook for you. I'll have to remind him of this when it's time for college. =)
Bradley was very excited when Tom got home and he asked Tom and I to please taste the pasta first since it was his first time making it and he wanted to know what we thought. =) It was delicious! I know he'll be reading this blog so another Great Job Bradley!! Thanks for all your help today!!
As I'm sure you know, this isn't our 'everyday' here in the Kirkland home but I treasure the times we have days like these. Like I tell the kids, if I could have chosen what four kids I could have in my life..."You are the four I would have picked" I am so blessed!!
We got started on our school day after breakfast and I stayed up late last night putting together lesson plans for the rest of the year for Bradley. I did it last year this way and he really liked it. I meant to do it this summer but didn't get to it until now. I make a list of what he needs to do each day with little boxes next to each thing so he can check it off when he's done. It gives him a good idea what is expected for the day and it lets him be responsible to finish and he can feel good knowing he gets to check off another subject or assignment. You can tell he's a list boy when I handed him the list and he reviewed it and next thing i knew he was adding another line to each day with another box that said "Read". He knows we set aside and hour every afternoon for nap/reading time and I didn't think to put it on the list. =) I haven't made one for Ryan and Tyler but obviously Bradley's list is more detailed than theirs would be. Ryan and Tyler are doing well with their schoolwork. There's 170 lessons in the curriculum we use for 170 days of school and they like to do more than one lesson at a time and are already on lesson 108. I'm going to have my work cut out for me to fill in the remainder of the year when they are finished. I have plenty of resources to use so I'm not worried. I'm just thankful they love to learn. It's really been a joy to watch.
After schoolwork was done the kids played together the rest of the day and had so much fun playing house, football (Hallie put her cheerleader outfit on and cheered the boys on), colored pictures, watched each other play on the computer and just all kinds of fun creative things they come up with. There's never a dull moment. It was fun to see them all so happy to get to have a day at home.
I started to fix dinner and Bradley walked in the kitchen and said, "Mommy, is there anything I can help you with?" What a gentleman he is! I told him it was trash day tomorrow so he could help by emptying the bathroom and kitchen trash and take them out to the big garbage cart outside. He just looked like such a little man. He went on his merry way just looking so pleased. When he was done he came back and asked if there was anything he could help with dinner. I was just getting ready to fix some white shell pasta that the kids love to go along with our pork chops and i told him he could make it. So, I told him to read the directions to me and follow what is said and he did an amazing job. He was thrilled! He was beside himself waiting for Daddy to come home so he could tell him what he'd done. Of course once he started helping everyone else wanted to help so Tyler helped me get the baked beans going then Ryan announced he wanted green beans so we put those on too. Ryan and Hallie helped set the table. They had great teamwork. When Bradley was cooking I told him he was going to make a wonderful husband one day and how sweet it was for him to ask me if there was anything he could do to help. He said, "Mommy, you know I told you I don't want to get married" He said, "When you get old and retire I'll cook for you". (ha) I told him I wasn't ever going to retire because I will always be a mommy. He said, "No, I meant from your Ace job" (meaning my bookkeeping job that I work on Fridays). He's so cute. I told him I'd love that! And told him it'll also be good for him to know how to cook so that if he goes to college he'll be able to cook for himself and he said, we'll I want to go somewhere were I can still live at home and I'll still cook for you. I'll have to remind him of this when it's time for college. =)
Bradley was very excited when Tom got home and he asked Tom and I to please taste the pasta first since it was his first time making it and he wanted to know what we thought. =) It was delicious! I know he'll be reading this blog so another Great Job Bradley!! Thanks for all your help today!!
As I'm sure you know, this isn't our 'everyday' here in the Kirkland home but I treasure the times we have days like these. Like I tell the kids, if I could have chosen what four kids I could have in my life..."You are the four I would have picked" I am so blessed!!
Monday, November 3, 2008
I can't believe it, my baby can read!!
After I got home from Bible Study this morning I decided to to write a bunch of words on the board to have Ryan and Tyler read to me. We are practicing alot of two vowel words right now. After working with them I decided to put some words on the board that were some of the first words the boys read when I first taught them to read and see if Hallie could sound them out. I knew she already knew her sounds but wasn't sure if she'd get the blending part down yet. Much to my surprise, she read every single word. I'm in shock! So at nap time I went and laid down with her and brought her a little "Bob Book" called "Sam" to see if she could read that to me and she did. I'm going to have to get a video of this. Bradley's gone to Monday school today and I know he's going to be so excited to hear her reading.
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