Saturday, May 30, 2009

Preparing Our Children for Life...

I have been taking any available opportunity to read a book by Catherine Levison, titled, "More Charlotte Mason Education." In one of the chapters, she discusses something that Charlotte Mason wrote regarding her thoughts on a Liberal Arts education. I have thought about this comment, and think that it is a wonderful motto for our upcoming school year that begins in September. It is this...

"We want to provide our children with an education that will qualify them for LIFE,
rather than just for earning a living."
The end result of a Charlotte Mason education is the children "find knowledge so delightful that it becomes a pursuit and source of happiness for a lifetime."

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

In Memory of Samuel


We planted a Red Maple Tree in our front yard this spring,
in memory of Samuel,
our son who died last year.
Something beautiful to live on until one day we see him again.

Family Vacation











This year for our "family vacation," we decided that we all really couldn't afford to go "out-of-town," but that we could still do fun family things together, even without staying at a motel. So, we did things like go to the Henry Doorly Zoo for the day on Sunday, swimming at the motel (where Saph, Andrew & were staying), garage sale hunting, shopping at Walmart, we went to Big Lake Park to feed the ducks and play on the playground equipment, ate out at McDonalds, Fazolis, Taco Bell, and had Ashley's final senior family picnic/BBQ, etc. I think it was, over-all, a wonderful, relaxing, fun time for everyone!!!!

Graduation After Party for Friends







Ashley wanted just a few friends to come to her graduation dinner the following day after her graduation, so we booked a room at Golden Corral (which is one of her favorite places to eat!) We had a wonderful time with a lot of laughing, joking and goofing around! :+) The food was good too! LOL!!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!


I have such wonderful children that I love more than I will ever be able to show them!!! They make me so happy in so many ways! Here are some of the cards and flowers that I have received already over the last two days. The flowers are from our oldest daughter, Niki. There are 5 pink & white roses (one for each of my daughters), 4 orange roses (one for each of my sons) & 1 white rose (in memory of our son, Samuel, who died almost 1 1/2 years ago now.) Aren't they beautiful?!?! God has blessed me sooooooo much!!!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Graduation Day!!!

(Our oldest son, Zach, was unable to be at graduation.)


The day is finally here!!
MAY 2nd, 2009!
Today was Ashley's graduation!!! What a great graduation it was! (Though long with 34 seniors this year). Ashley gave her speech, we saw slide shows of her growing up years, and then Doug & I went up on stage to give her her much deserved diploma. It has been an exciting several months for her with speech practices, senior meetings, laughter and new friends.