September 2, 2008 at 12:01 pm (Lee Academy)
Even though we have continued math and some language arts throughout the summer, today marks our first REAL day of school. Every year I like to start the first few days getting the children excited about the upcoming year, last year we had boot camp, this year… the Olympics. Today will be filled with learning the history of the Olympics, decorating t-shirts for our Olympic event against the Long family, and getting used to our new schedule. I decorated our school room (which also serves as a dining room in the rental house) with USA Olympic spirit. We are going to use Hebrews 12:1 as our school verse this year. I want to instill into the children the importance of endurance and hard work. It is a good lesson for us all. I am sure I will use the phrase, ‘Go for Gold” a lot to remind them to give their very best. I will use it for myself too. When I don’t feel like preparing or working I wiill try and focus on Hebrews 12:1 and the pay off for enduring!
Let the games begin…
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August 7, 2008 at 5:23 pm (Lessons Learned)
I asked a dear friend if my five children could spend the night with her and help John while I headed to Guatemala. Talking on the phone with her yesterday I was reminded that she had a pool in the backyard and I began to become anxious over Henry being so close to a pool for 2 full days. Although Ellie cannot swim, I think she is old enough to stay away from the pool and will only swim with supervision. Henry is another story… A couple of weeks ago Henry was enjoying a snack at our neighborhood pool without his floaties on. He looked at me and jumped in… down he went. I grabbed him, bringing him back to safety. Not only did he NOT get upset, he seemed to enjoy the adventure. Thus my fear. It is true that some people truly parent out of fear. In this matter, I believe God used my fear to help me make a responsible decision and ask a friend without a pool to watch Henry.
If you think about it, please say a prayer for all of the people watching our children while we are away. We are blessed to have friends who care for us like family.
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August 4, 2008 at 8:13 pm (Home Sweet Home)
After searching for land for two + years, buying land and having to wait 14 more months to sell our house, the time has come. Our new Home Sweet Home is officially underway… check out John’s blog to see pics and read more. http://www.bulldawgy.com/2008/08/03/and-so-it-begins/
A big thank you to Barb and Pat Dirrim for helping us make our dream a reality, we appreciate all you are doing for our family!
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July 31, 2008 at 9:20 pm (Alvaro Watch)
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April 4, 2008 at 12:11 am (Lee Academy)
This morning Ellie was doing her “school”, she was identifying sounds. I looked over at her and said, “Ellie, you are so smart.” She simply smiled and said, “Yeah, God did it…He made me smart.” I love that at three years of age my daughter knows who is the giver of all things. I am so thankful for the lessons I learn from my children.
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April 2, 2008 at 8:21 pm (Lessons Learned)
Okay, this rumor must come to an end!!!! I know that there are people out there that think because we are a homeschooling family that we MUST think that public school is wrong. The truth is… we do. We think it is wrong for John and Kathy Lee’s children. Does that mean we think it is wrong if you choose to send your child to public school??? Absolutely not. The great thing is… God gave John and I John Michael, Alvaro, Grace, Jackson, Ellie, and Henry… not you. He gave you ??, ??, and ?? . They are yours, YOU get to decide what you believe is best for them. What shows they will watch, what type of schooling they will be enrolled in, what clothes they will wear, what food they will eat, see my point?? I am soooooo sad that people actually think I believe this. If you need proof of my view point call my next door neighbor, Carol (or Tamara, or Ann, and Kirsten, etc…). Ask Carol how many days her son is at my house, eating dinner with us, or spending the night. Guess what, they all send their children to public school.
If you need further clarification of my views, please do not hesitate to comment or call me, I would love to talk about this. The best way to find out what someone believes is to ask, not to assume.
Okay… enough about that. What’s next??? =)
Thanks for letting me rant today…
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March 29, 2008 at 8:23 pm (Alvaro Watch)
Spending Easter in Guatemala with my son was a sweet day. I admit, I long for the day when all of my family can be together for holidays, birthdays…everyday. We started the day at 5:45 AM for a sunrise service. Mike Clark shared about the resurrection of our Savior and invited the children to participate in communion as family groups. It was special to share communion with my son, my nephew- Max, and my sweet cousin Anna.
As a left Alvaro behind, the tears flowed. I do not know when God will bring him to live in a home he has never seen, with family he doesn’t know, in a foreign land. However, I do know that God is in control and I pray that our son knows that he is loved by us and by his Heavenly Father.
I pray that you and your family had a blessed Easter.
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February 22, 2008 at 12:53 pm (Lessons Learned)
For Christmas this year a dear friend gave our family a blessings jar. Yep, it is a jar that you keep all year and fill up with blessings from God. At the end of the year we have been instructed to sit down and read all of the blessings. What a great idea. I already see my children taking pieces of paper and writing down blessings. I want to read them now, know what they wrote. I won’t, I will obey. =)
We are so blessed, remembering that is priority. Thank you to that special “Anne” in my life who always knows what I need.
What would go in your blessing jar???
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February 13, 2008 at 8:37 pm (Alvaro Watch)
Here it is…3:21 on a Wednesday afternoon. I read that 3,000 cases have been registered with the Central Authority in Guatemala and yet I have heard NOTHING from our facilitator. As most of you know, if we did not get registered by yesterday we must start over with our adoption of Alvaro.
Alvaro, you are ours. I know that I am only waiting for technicalities here, we WILL bring you home under the old law or the new one. However, my heart aches to have you here, to hear you laughing with your hermanos and hermanas, to hug you whenever I want, to tuck you in at night, to tell you that I love you.
UPDATE: At 8:30 this evening we received word that we WERE registered with the Central Authority. This is a big step forward and we are so very thankful!
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February 13, 2008 at 7:28 pm (Uncategorized)
As I check out all of these cool blogs I think… should I, shouldn’t I??? Who has time to write these blogs anyway? However, I love to journal – it is one of my top 5 favorite things to do. As I began to think about all of the thoughts that swirl in my head, especially when I wake up I decided to name my blog… When I wake. Mornings are my favorite time of day, why??? 1. To spend time with my Heavenly Father, reading, praying, and journaling. 2. To enjoy a nice cup of hot coffee with 1/2 and 1/2 and vanilla stevia. 3. To greet my children one by one as they come down the stairs, sleepily and ready for some “snuggle” time. and 4. To see that my sweet husband before he leaves for the day. 5. To get a jump start on the chaos that is about to occur!!! =)
My goals for this blog:
1. To post about my real world, real life.
2. To post about the pending adoption of our son, Alvaro.
3. To post about my walk with my Heavenly Father.
4. To encourage you.
5. To share what I am thinking… When I wake!
I am looking forward to this journey, thanks to those of you who have gone before me! =)
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