End Of Summer Wrap Up

I can't believe that summer is over! My weeks have gone by like days! So much has happened, so many changes to our lives.

Summer ended fast and furiously. Ethan had a great opportunity thanks to our awesome friend , Alisha. She is the best director at our local children's theatre. Although Ethan has no interest in acting, he LOVES electronics. Knowing this and having faith in a 10 year old boys, she allowed him to be a "junior apprentice" on the sound board at one of the 2 week summer camps. Typically he would have to be at least 14 yrs. old to be able to do this but Alisha trusted that he could do it (even though I had my reservations). And she was right! He did an awesome job. Some of his duties were making sure the sound board was up and running each morning, checking all of the mics, changing batteries in the mics if they were low, running a sound check, queuing up all of the music and turning on the appropriate mics when there were solos during the performance. It was a BIG responsibility for a 10 year and let me tell you, I was proud of that boy!! And on top of all of that, he had a blast!! He is already talking about next summer! I think we have found a niche!!

On top of the performance at the theatre, we had a bonus, Oma and Uncle Jeff came down for a quick visit and were able to see Ethan in action. I tell ya, this was huge for him. He was so excited to show his super techy Uncle Jeff his mad sound board skills!! It was a perfect way to end this summer of camps, moving and general craziness.

Ethan and Isaac on the set of "Pirates"

Isaac, Uncle Jeff and Steve
This was like the 4th picture I tried to take. You can see by Steve's face, the silliness of Isaac in pictures can be quite annoying :)

The Cast of "Pirates, the Musical"

Ethan on the job

Ethan and Alisha

We had a great weekend visit with Oma and Uncle Jeff. We were able to squeeze in a lot in just 2 1/2 days. There was the play, lots of swimming, lots of eating out, a visit to our new church and a long leisurely Sunday afternoon lunch at our favorite vineyard! Short but sweet!!








I am not going to make any bones about it, I am thrilled that this summer is over! No love lost for this one! I was crazy, busy, frustrating, stressful and {{HOT}} sprinkled with a little "it's about time"!! But in case I seem a little ungrateful, I do have an amazing new house and I am homeschooling again!! Those things really cancel out all of the other :)

Now on to our school year. I am really excited about what we are doing this year . I am going to share but that is for a later post. We have already begun and its seems to be off to a great start. At least now we all have a better perspective of how it could be!! That above all helps with attitude; mine and the boys!!

Now on to fall, my favorite season!! I would say that life is going to slow down now but you know me better than that ;)

A Poem for YOU, Homeschool Mom!

Another lovely day,
another clean slate!
Another day to work on
an already full plate.
What will we do first?
Reading, Writing, Math?
What if something unexpected
shows up in our path?
Another lovely day,
another quandary arises,
How do we teach these children
of different shapes and sizes?
Shall we follow Book A, or Idea B,
or the voice of the "pro?"
Can we follow our hearts
on which way we should go?
Little Suzy wants to make
a pattern for a doll,
but she's "behind" in algebra,
and can't spell much at all…
And little Johnny is working
on a project made of wood,
but what about his "social studies?"
And other things he "should"
Grandma needs some help,
but our workbooks are a-waiting!
There are other shut-ins
with a visit anticipating.
And what about that neighbor
with the baby on the way?
Can our "studies" suffer
if she needs our help today?
There are many things that pull us daily
this-a-way and that,
And we can get so sidetracked,
that our accomplishments fall flat.
The path is bright and our feet will go,
if only we will pray,
And listen to the voice of God,
who leads us the right way.
Relationships are more important,
inside our homes, and out,
and how we treat each other
is what homeschooling is about.
It's not wrong to be good spellers,
but if we lie and cheat and steal,
And if we hate our brother,
good grades are no big deal.
So dear homeschool Mom,
don't worry and don't fret;
If little Johnny can not read
as well as you think, yet.
Little Suzy will learn her math,
while baking for the neighbor,
and friendships formed inside your
home will strengthen, so don't waver!
If you will pray and seek His face
for each question on your heart,
And read His word, and know His
voice,
you will know right where to start.
Don't be tossed to and fro
by this world's ideas and plans,
Listen to your Lord,
your lives are in His Hands.

© 2006 Nancy K. Baetz

Yeah!! We start school on Monday!! I have never been so ready in my whole life! Last year really taught me to appreciate why I homeschool! Not academics, attitude is what its all about. Loving others, delving into the lives of those who need us!! How refreshing!! I feel God moving in my heart! Oh the places we could go this year :)

Happy Homeschooling~~

Won't You Join Me Over Here

I am ramping up my other blog and going to start a new book discussion. I would love for you to join me in this read! I am excited to change my view of God and really fall in love with Him. You know the head over heals, totally insane, CRAZY kind of love.

Here is the preview video of the book "Crazy Love".



Check my blog out ~ HERE ~

Finally...Pics of Our New House

Front View from the Driveway

I know this is long overdue. It just seemed like it would take forever to feel "unpacked". Even though I still have boxes piled up in the guest bedroom, everything else is coming along swimmingly :) We hope to be completely done with everything by October. That includes some sod for the front and a gravel driveway, handrails and safety bars for the loft, a brick oven on the back patio and a few other small details.

We are loving it out here. The quiet country in our dream home. Who could ask for more?

~Our Family/Media Room~
This room has our TV and musical instruments in it. Steve is setting up a small recording studio in here so he can finally record all of the songs he has written.

Main living as you walk into the front door

I absolutely love my country sink. It's a copper apron sink.

~My Dream Kitchen~
I love being in here. Not just because I love to cook but because it really feels like the heart of the house. Not to mention my super awesome 6 burner gas conventional/convection oven with a built in bread proofer, dehydrator and perfect turkey setting.

~The Boys Room~
We purposefully have small bedrooms so that our family space could be as big as possible. We know that the sulky, lock myself in the bedroom phase is coming soon :)

~Upstairs Loft/Playroom ~
This is a space just for the boys. It has a TV, all of their video games, all of the Ethan's computers, Isaac's "Creation Station" and two built in desks for them. As you can see, this space is already very used :)

~Main living looking down from the loft. ~
Our ceilings ended up measuring 24ft tall. Even upstairs, the ceilings seem far away.

~Ceiling view from the loft~
I looked far and wide for the barn lights. I wanted them to look as authentic as possible. Most barn fixtures are a fortune. Each fixture can cost around $400 a piece. I found these for dirt cheap at a discount warehouse. I spent about $200 for all twelve of them and I think they fit the style perfectly.

~Ceiling view from main living room~
You can sort of get a feel for how high the ceilings are. They were not supposed to be this tall. There was a glitch in the framing but we love them!!

Notice there are no pictures of the master and guest rooms. They will have to come later. Wouldn't want to scare anyone away :)

Well, that's my home that my super awesome husband dreamed up and built for us. I am so proud of him. I could not have asked for anything more. God has richly blessed us with this home. I can't wait to share it with others. I can't wait to have little foster kids running around in it :) Soon, hopefully very soon!!

So Why Is It.....

When its a 109 degrees outside, your car's a/c goes out? And when you get an estimate to fix it, it's around $2000? All I can say is AUGGGGHHHH!!