...and summer rolls on

"Ahh, the dog days of summer..." Really, if those words are supposed to make me feel good they have failed miserably! It's not even fit for a dog out there! But, all complaints aside, we have had a busy summer. I've been hesitant to say "busy" since we haven't traveled a lot, nor have we really wandered from home much. And yet there has been plenty to do around here. Apart from our handsome little Ezekiel joining the family, the girls have been keeping the place a picture of constant motion. From digging in the dirt making ant hotels to running miles through the sprinkler to cool off, there's never a shortage of things to do. In fact, I am convinced that if a good toy company decided to sell sticks and cardboard boxes, they'd have the toy market cornered. Who really needs all the noise makers and video games when you can play with a stack of sticks and a nice big box? Throw some dirt and water in (well, don't throw - it's a house rule) and you have before you hours of fun.

I can hardly believe July is nearly over! I have scheduled for us to begin our homeschool work on August 10th! We are excited to start. The girls, Matthew and I have been leafing through the books, enjoying many of the things we've been reading in our science textbook and our history book. We have lots of fun things to read and the projects and activities are really going to be fun. I'm thankful the Lord has instilled in my heart and Matthew's the conviction to teach our children. Not only will we be able to tailor their education and make it practical for life, but we as teachers will learn much as well.

The Lord is showing me more and more what a joy it is to be the mother of these little ones. As many wise people have told me, these are the "best years" of our lives. Sometimes I lose that view. However I have been forced to laugh about something the girls have done, some silly thing said, or a new set of words to one of our favorite tunes (for example, instead of "I may never march in the infentry" our girls joyously sing "I may never climb up an apple tree!"). Oh the freedom and joy of our children's antics! Surely a spice of life!