Beautiful Life





Hey child up and go; A big world is out there waiting for us to live in every day. Outside you will find, there is love all around you; Takes you, makes you wanna' say; That it's a beautiful life and it's a beautiful world and it's a beautiful time to be here, to be here, to be here. -Fisher

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Summer came to an End.... months ago!

I'm A wee bit behind I guess since we are 9 weeks into our school year and have already had our Fall Break! We did not get to do everything we hoped to do over the summer or go every place we hoped to go, but we had some great times, spent with friends and family, celebrated some birthdays, mine included, and took a short family trip.

The 2012-2013 school year finds me with two high school sophomores, a 6th grader, 1st/2nd grader and one reluctant kindergartener. To say it's a little crazy around here on a daily basis is...... well, an understatement. I wouldn't have it any other way!


Yes Mama, we celebrated the first day with homemade cookies and homeschool shenanigans, per our family tradition! And recovered from said first day with a spa experience a-la Isabel.



Cause that's how we roll around here!

The Boy Wonder Twins are doing well so far, though finding that 10th grade is a bit tougher than 9th.  It is amazing to me how things have changed in just one year. They got their braces off a few months ago and are mere inches from growing taller than their dad! They are playing varsity basketball this year instead of just some rec ball. This means a lot of practices instead of just one per week. Two of their 6 1/2 courses are being done with other teachers outside our home. This is good for everyone! But, the really big thing that has changed is that my boys are DRIVING. Driving, people! They just completed the state required driving course and are about a week from being able to apply for their restricted licenses. That's right. In one week, we will have 2 extra drivers around here. From 6am to 6 pm at least. Though I can't believe they are ready, I will be happy to have them driving themselves some. This Mama is ready to be done driving them all over town so much!


 And, to show how responsible they are, 
they asked us if they could buy a car with the money they made working this summer. 
Who could argue with that?



 Look pretty stinkin' cute too, don't they?



 It's just an old "beater" that needs a lot of love, but these are just the guys to give it. 
They love cleaning it up and working under the hood. Their Dad got them an Auto Mechanics curriculum for one of their credits this year and they are learning how to do all manner of things to help maintain it. They named it (yes, they named it) Nacho. As in "This is Nacho car, it's mine!", Noah told me. Bahahahaha! He thinks he is hilarious.

I was thrilled to add a car to the driveway that gets better than 10 miles 
to the gallon and I use it for all my errands now since I pay for the insurance and gas. :)

 Isabel is our middle-schooler. She too has grown up so much in the past year. We had a recent Mother-Daughter weekend to Greenville that reminded me just how much. She has taken on more of the cooking at home and is still very dedicated to her art. She will be entering her pottery in the fair again this year.


We went on the famed Greenville Mouse Hunt and enjoyed lots of time just hanging out together!


Isabel has always been a huge Mommy's Girl and she needs some one on one from time to time.
This hit the spot.


She even enjoyed getting rained on the last day!


Then we have my babies! Not so baby anymore. Claire LOVES school. Every  minute of it. Asher LOVES to play. So, they are two peas-in-a-pod, except when it comes to this!

They get up every morning, do their chores and when it's time to start school Claire is at the table ready and waiting and begging to go....... you will find Asher on the floor with the toy of the day. But, reluctantly he will come over for a few lessons. And that's all I ask at this point!

Crazy? Yes.
Love it? Yes!

Friday, September 7, 2012

Our Summer in a Nutshell...... and Photographs

Part IV

White Water Adventures



 We decided to take the kids to something they've been begging to do as our end-of-summer blast. We were already planning a trip to Charlotte and knew that the US National Whitewater Center is nearby. I was a little nervous that the little kids would not enjoy this excursion because they could not get in a raft.



 But, Paul and the three older kids had the time o their lives!

 

That's my baby-girl looking back on the far right. She really loved rafting!






Yes, those are my boys almost completely under water in the front of the raft!


Turned out there were plenty of things to occupy the little kids too!



My little Dare-Devil!




Claire had a blast showing her ropes skills!


Actually, my worries were completely worthless..... The little kids had just as much fun as the big kids!




Of course, my big kids were in their element! 


And, I don't know if you can tell or not, but that those skinny legs with purple shorts in the way back..... the ones clinging to the pole...... yeah, that's me! 

Not in my element. 

Totally, not.



Close up.
And the one on the ropes,
(not the kid in orange) that's Isabel!

Which is the ONLY reason I'm up there.













Yes, we did do all that, and more in one day, in place!

This went down in the books as one of the best vacation days ever!



Thursday, August 30, 2012

Our Summer in a Nutshell...... and Photographs.



Part III

A Pie
 in the face!

Happy Eleventh Birthday to our sweet Isabel







   
For some very odd reason, this child has expressed a desire to be pied in the face. She has talked about it for over a year. So, on the occasion of her birthday, I allowed her brother's to do just that! 

And

In true Isabel fashion
She LOVED it!

Check that one of your Bucket List, Baby.




Skate Party!
and bad, really bad lighting.

 Maggie, Mary-Margaret, Isabel, Abby and Stephanie
THE BEST OF THE BEST FRIENDS EVER!

 Isabel chose  a skate party for her birthday.
Sadly, I was not in attendance.

I know!

I was on bedrest. Back injury. No fun.

But, Daddy came to the rescue and many teen cousin helped pull it off!
Including getting some photos for me.




Thank you, Brooke, Megan and Brianna!




 Isabel with her long time (since birth!) friend, Maggie!
 

And another Bestie, Abby!










Apparently, it is somewhat difficult to take good photos in low lighting with fast moving subjects! Who knew? HA! I thank Brianna that I have any pictures at all and love even the blurs!

 

 Some of them just looked better black and white.


 And some of them, well..........

Bahahaha!




 Then there was pizza and cookies back at the house.
I did get to come down from the bed for this part!



A hug from her God-sister!
 

 Can't believe she's grown up so much!




It was a HAPPY BIRTHDAY 
for Isabel!