Sara is growing up

Our little Sara is growing up. She is now big enough for her exersaucer......

Sara checking herself out in the mirror.

Father and Daughter

On Mondays and Fridays Daniel works from home. His "office" is the rocking chair in our bedroom. So there he sits all day with his computer and Bluetooth. You'd think that sitting there all day would make him thirsty and hungry. Well, it does. Out of concern for her Daddy's wellbeing, Cara has taken it upon herself to become his secretary. Here she is taking care of her Daddy.

Memorial Day

I know this post is a few days late in coming. It was just one of those weeks.

This past weekend was Memorial Day. David and Anna Price hosted a campout in their "orchard". The forecast was rain, but most of us decided to brave whatever the weather might dish out.

So Sunday after worship, those who were camping headed out to the Price's home. After unloading all the 15 passenger vans, tents were set up and a fire started. The young people and children played games consisting of Ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, and kickball.

After they tired out, it was time to cook hot dog, brats, sausages, and whatever else cooks over a fire on a stick. There were a lot of us to crowd around the fire, but we all were able to get some food. Then came the s'mores. Now I just love s'mores. What can be better that graham crackers, gooey marshmallows, and chocolate - lots of chocolate???

Once their bellies were full of food, the young people and children went back to their games. Us older people did what Presbyterians do best - relax with a nice glass of wine and the men smoked cigars. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of that.

Finally some of us started to head to bed. Did I mention the fact that I wasn't sleeping in the tent? Sara and I took the warm and dry way out. We slept in the house! Thankfully we chose this. At around midnight the first line of storms came through. Daniel said this part was worse than the line that came through 2 hours later. A few of us sat up watching the storms come through on the computer. Jeremy was a faithful meteorologist and kept us abreast of how strong the storms were. For the most part everyone remained dry - not everyone, but most everyone.

In the most the fire was started again and things were laid out to dry. Breasfast was served. Some families brought bagels and yogurt. We bought the breakfast of campers:

As you look back through the pictures, take notice of the fathers. What do most of them have in common? Check Daniel out in this next picture. He fits in real well with the men of Providence!

To My Children and Husband....

To All the Moms....

CPC Presbytery 2008

This past weekend the Covenant Presbyterian Church held Presbytery. For 2.5 days the men, with the young men observing, met together to discuss church business. Most of the men traveled with their families, which gave the women, children, and young adults the opportunity to renew old friends and make some new ones.

Thursday morning our family left for the Peoria area. We had decided to take 2 vehicles so that neither of us would be relying on someone else to transport us everywhere. Daniel left in the van to go get gas and I took the car and ran to the bank. The plan was then to meet at the gas station in Mazon, IL. So we are on the road and I realize that I am not wearing shoes! I have my slippers on. So back home we quickly go. Thankfully we were only 15 minutes from home. That did put us a bit behind out time schedule, but not too much. We made it to just outside of Bloomington/Normal before we had to make our next stop to feed Sara.

Relaxing at the rest area while Sara eats.

Finally we made it to the Evans' home where they had a delicious meal waiting for us. During the afternoon Daniel and Bryan Evans went and picked up our camper from the McDonald's home. After that we set up camp and got ready for the Peoria Chiefs baseball game. About 90 people from our group were there. We had tons of fun despite the fact the Chiefs lost.

Sara sleeps through her first baseball game.

One of our group wins a t-shirt in the t-shirt toss.

Mathias and his "angry eyes"

(l-r) David, Jeremy, Garrison, Justin

My Beloved and I

Running the bases after the game.

On Friday morning the ladies and children packed lunches and headed over to Wildlife Prairie Park. We had never been there, so this was a treat for us.

(l-r) Jesi, Susanna, Melinda, Sierra, Adriana, Ashly

Cara on the Gullywhopper slide

Sweet Hannah

Train ride

Friday night there was an ordination service for the 2 elders that had been examined during the proceedings. After that everyone went to a local church for dinner and a dance. The dinner tasted wonderful. Thanks to all the ladies and young men who helped to prepare it! Before the dance I had the privilege of meeting 3 women. Now I have known these women through and Internet chat group, The Patriarch Wives. This was the first time I was meeting them in real life. What a blessing it was.

(l-r) Jean (CA), Stacy (IL), Heather (CA), Heather (AZ), Sheri and Sara (IL)

For the dance, a local home school family provided the music and the calling. This was our first time attending a dance like this and we had to much fun. Josiah, Mathias, Sara, and I did not dance, but it was so much fun watching those who were!

Jesica with Garrison and Ashly with Nathan square dancing

Justin with Susanna and Daniel and Cara sashaying during the Virginia Reel

Some of the Providence young adults and children singing "Shalom" to all the visitors

Saturday was a day of relaxing....In the afternoon several families got together and the Evans'. Good food, fellowship, blue grass music, and dancing were enjoyed by all!

All weekend we had been camping in our camper. The first night was a bit cold. The second night was warmer and we were exhausted! Saturday night was an adventure. The Evan's home gets a fair amount of wind, but Saturday night the wind was so fierce we thought we were going to be blown away. I just couldn't take anymore of it and began to be worried for our safety. So into the house we went, sleeping bags and all. Everything else was put into the van and car and the camper taken down. All this was accomplished in less than 30 minutes.

Sunday morning was worship at Providence. Dr. RC Sproul Jr. gave the message. We had never heard him in person, only on CD, and we were blessed. He has such a gift for speaking the truth of the Gospel. After the service I had the opportunity to meet another PW, Jane.

What a blessing this whole weekend was for our family. We were able to spend the time with like-minded families. These families share not only our doctrinal beliefs but also share in our family's generational vision. We felt part of a sommunity with families from California to Connecticut. Lord Willing we plan to attend next year's Presbytery in Tennessee.

For full photo album click here

Musings on education....

Are Parents Really Necessary? A Guide to Preschool Education

As I read the above article, I thought about our preschool experiences...

Our Preschool Experience

Eleven years ago, this coming fall, Daniel and I sent this strapping young man off to his first days of preschool.

The first day was full of tears. Not just from Mom, but also from the 4 year old little boy who didn't want his Mama to leave. The tears continued day after day, gradually becoming less and less, until he was eventually running to class without Mom. That is when me tears began to really flow. He was starting to become more independent and not need his mom as much as he did before.

This coming fall, this playful little boy will be old enough to start preschool as a 4 year old.

His "preschool" experience is going to be a lot different than that of his oldest brother. Justin went to preschool 3 days a week. We would rush through getting him and the 2 girls dressed and fed. Then I would drive him 15 minutes, ran some errands, and return at the appointed time to pick him up. While he was there he learned how to color, cut, glue, and write his name neater, stand and walk in a line, and play with other 4 year olds, all under the watchful eye of 2 teachers and parent helper. Mathias's "preschool experience" is going to consist of walking to the kitchen to eat a breakfast prepared by one of the 3 aforementioned children. He will most likely be wearing the outfit he wore the previous day, or his pajamas. After breakfast, he will not be rushed out to the car, but will do his chores and then be off to the living room to play with Sara. At some point through out the morning he will probably listen to Cara or Josiah read, do some coloring/cutting/gluing, work on his ABC's or 123's, eat snacks prepared by his Mom, play with play doh, or simply just play. The only time tears will be shed is if he is injured in some way. Then his mom with comfort him with hugs.

Now I raise this question: What exactly did Justin learn in the traditional school setting, that he didn't or couldn't learn at home? Before he went to preschool he already knew how to write his name, cut, glue, color and get along with other children his old age - plus those younger and older than himself. He knew his ABC's and could count to 20. Looking back I realize we pretty much wasted the $100 per month tuition. All because we were expected to place him in school at 4 years old. Justin is now almost 15 years old. He is a very book intelligent young man. Most of all he loves and serves God, is learning what is means to live out his faith in the family, church and world around us, and loves to be with his family. These are more importatnt than any book education.

Mathias on the other hand will be learning all that Justin learned just like his other siblings, in the loving arms of his family. He will not be placed in situations where he will learn to be independent from his family and faith. Instead he will grow and become a confident boy, free to explore his world, , and serve the God he loves, all within the security and with encouragement of his family.

This past week I was reading some different articles on the web about public schools and some of the topics that are taught to the children. Needless to say I was horrified! Sex, the gay agenda, socialism just to name a few....Here are a few articles that will give some food for thought:

New research agrees: Moms do it better

Socialization: Homeschoolers Are in the Real World

Socialization or Socialism?

Superintendent's orders to worried dad: Butt out!

Parents Urged to Stage 'Day of Silence Walkout'

3rd-graders asked to help classmate in gender change