Archive for 2014

Fall is actually drawing to a close and winter is begging to be ushered in.

I'm not quite ready to give up the glorious days spent outside...

watching the leaves explode with color...playing for hours without jackets or mittens...

spending each afternoon with a cup of tea and pumpkin bread.

But fall came and went with a flurry of fun.

My cousin's daughter, Caitlyn, came up on her fall break from college to spend the weekend with us.

Our families live on the opposite ends of the country...so she hadn't spent much time with us before.

But she was missing her siblings...and what better cure then a household of kids???

We had a good time showing her all of our favorite spots.

Discovery Place was a must.

Caitlyn wasted no time jumping in and playing (learning) alongside all of the kids!

Next up, Crowders Mountain!

Caitlyn is an outdoorsy kinda gal...so hiking up Crowders was probably the highlight of her trip.

That same weekend we had our sweet little Sophie with us.

Not sure if these two girls would have stayed alive had it not been for Jason's intervention.

They were so intent on their conversations with each other that the trail became an after thought.

Thankfully, Jason kept a close eye on them!!

The scenery on the way up and at the top was absolutely gorgeous!!!

It was such a beautiful day.

The following weekend we were invited to a hoedown.

Well, technically, it was a sweet sixteen birthday party...but it was one of the most fun parties we have been to in a long time!

Everyone grabbed their boots, hats and flannel shirts and kicked up their heels to dance.

There was a legitimate square dance caller shouting out our next steps.

Jason and I probably weren't the quickest...but I can guarantee that we were the most amusing to watch.

Jason was there to have fun...not to win any "square-dance-moves" prize...so most of the steps of the dance had his own "twist".

The kids all got their chance to dress the part and promenade home.

We allemanded left and allemanded right...and dosey doed all through the night!

So.Much.Fun.

Now winter is crouching at our door...but at least we have all of these fun fall memories to keep us warm!

I am incredibly blessed.

I am a stay at home mom.

I have four amazing children.

And I get to be with them...every...single...day!

I am not being facetious...I love homeschooling my children.

I love the interactions we have...the thought provoking conversations...the intense questions...the silly moments...the lightbulb reactions. I love watching them play with each other...help each other...serve each other...and grow together. I love that they have a very real understanding of day-to-day living in our household...they are aware of the responsibilities...the hardships...all that goes into making our home run smoothly.

I do not want to paint a picture of idyllic perfection,,,because, of course we have hard days, grumpy attitudes and frustrating mornings.

But all in all...homeschooling my kids is a blessing from the Lord!!!

Each year, I try to do something special for the first day of school. But since we had the beach trip and then some craziness happen after that...I was scrambling to find something that would "sweeten" the start. And of course...what's better than homemade cinnamon rolls??? The kids agreed...best brainy breakfast for them! We also went to the Homeschool Room to pick out NEW BOOKS!!! That is usually everyone's favorite treat in starting school.

The first week of science involved a very fun...and a very YUMMY experiment.

The kids set up their own "habitats" for their animals. They saw how God created animals so similar to their habitat to protect them from their prey.

This set the precedent...they now expect sugar to be a part of every experiment!

The first week back to school was also a great time to get back into our routine of walking the greenway. About a mile from our house, we have an incredible walking trail. Fresh air and activity help keep those little minds sharp...so most afternoons will find us pounding the pavement!

A great start to another great year.

I am excited to see how God will move in the lives of my children and through my own heart as we once again embark on this homeschooling journey!!!

Summer is usually jam-packed with fun activities...play dates...vacation...swimming...and more. But one particular week this summer was full to bursting with fun.

First off...Jason's parents came to stay with us.

Whenever grandparents come to stay...fun is involved.

Even though they spent several days getting here..they wasted no time resting up...and jumped into the fun and games with the kids.

In fact, they even joined us in dressing up like cows for Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A.

They had a blast getting black and white...and moo-ing it up for the crowd.

We also got to spend time just hanging out as a family...heading to the park...

playing games...reading books...being silly...and just storing up all that grandparent-love we can!!

The last day they were here, we headed to uptown for pizza and Discovery Place.

Once again, Grammie and Poppie joined right in and had as much fun (if not more) than the kids did.

We LOVED having them here...and it was SO hard to let them leave.

We actually tried to get them to change their tickets several times...but AZ was calling them home.

We are always so thankful for the time we get to spend with them and the love they shower on all of us!

We already miss you Grammie and Poppie!!!

During that same week...VBS started!!!

This year, I took a break from teaching music and taught Bible to 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.

I absolutely loved it!
I had the privilege of teaching with Rob Reece, who works at Calvary in the sports ministry.
The two of us together had a bunch of fun...and managed to teach the Bible as well! :-)

I am so thankful that the kids had VBS to help them get their minds off of their grandparents leaving.

They were surrounded by their best buddies during the week and were busy playing, learning, serving, laughing, and loving!

This summer...the kids were able to participate in the missions project they were contributing towards.

Servants with A Heart packs meals for families in Nicaragua.
During VBS, Tyler and Amy were able to help pack up some meal bags.
And all of the kids that attended raised over $16,000 to cover not only what we packed but also to buy goats for the needed villages!

The kids got to be with some of their good buddies...and so did I . It was so much fun to be serving alongside of friends that truly live out their lives for the Lord...even in the midst of trials.

For the finale to the week we all got to attend a live GO FISH concert...complete with professional dancers (not Jason Jimenez!) It was a LOUD and CRAZY and super fun night!!!

A week full of sweet family time and amazing fun filled learning at VBS...it was definitely full to the bursting!!!

When I was a freshman in high school, several of my friends signed up to take missions trips overseas. I listened to their anticipation and growing excitement and couldn't help but want an adventure of my own. My parents weren't quite ready to send me across the ocean...and to their credit, I do not blame them...I wasn't the most mature fourteen year old!!! But they had an alternative.

My grandparents had been pioneer missionaries in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky when my mother was born. They served with a ministry called Scripture Memory Mountain Mission. The missionaries would go into the public schools and were free to teach Bible lessons to any of the students that were interested. If these students would do their provided lessons and memorize a certain number of verses during the year...they received a free week at Camp Nathanael. Many years later, the mission and camp were still in full swing. And that is where I spent the next six summers of my life.

Each summer holds different memories...but the summary of all of them is incredible blessings. God used the people and the beauty of Kentucky to change my heart towards Him and His service. And I cannot help but look back on those memories with a bit of sentimental longing.

I have been back to Kentucky twice since being married. Once for a family reunion...and once just passing through. But each of the visits were brief...and did not include the full camp experience. So I asked Jason if we could attend Family Camp this year...and that way I could introduce my family to my beloved Camp Nathanael.

Jason agreed and I immediately emailed the camp director. But Jason wanted to do more than to just attend...he wanted to serve. He wanted to "pay back" this amazing ministry that poured into his wife over the years. So, he was asked to be the missions speaker for the week and readily agreed.

Leading up to the week at camp, I regaled the kids with story after story of all my years at camp. Their anticipation grew...and the trip there seemed to fly by. They were ready for "the best week of the lives". And of course...that is exactly what we had!

I was pleasantly surprised to be reunited with so many of my friends from camp days. Grown up, married and with kids...we all had a blast getting to know the "adult" version of each other! Although...I have to say...for some, not much has changed!! I also was blessed to spend time with two spiritual mentors that helped shape me those six years I was at camp...and beyond!

Jason did an incredible job teaching and enjoyed partnering with Dr Bill Brown. He also enjoyed sitting tall on his stead and playing the Lone Ranger! :-) He also wowed everyone with his mad volleyball skills each night we played.

Tyler and Amy had a blast. Within hours of arriving, each of them had made new friends...and were hardly seen again the rest of the week.

They were busy creek stomping, hunting for craw-dads, playing gaga ball, foosball, basketball, swimming, riflery, archery, and on and on and on. There was so much for them to do!!!

One of the nights there, we were treated to a County Fair...complete with clowns, face painting, games, treats...

and of course a dunking booth!

Jason was volunteered to be dunked...and he spent the majority of his time...IN the water!!

It was an amazing week...full of sweet reunions...fun adventures...precious family time...meeting new people...being amazed by God's beautiful handiwork...and encouraged by the steadfastness of His body.

Camp Nathanael will always hold a special place in my heart.

I am so thankful for the time the Lord allowed me to spend there...and the joy that my family has now experienced there.

Praying for the ministry to continue to flourish in their lives and ours!!

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