what $40 of fun looks like

ride 1-




ride 2- (Can you tell who hates the tilt-o-whirl?!)






ride 3-


We might as well have gone to Jilly's....

best day ever

This week has been quite a difficult week. Not in the sense that I was overwhelmed with home schooling and meetings and behaviorally challenged children but in the sense that parts of my world were/are falling apart. Literally.

First Dale's mower stopped working properly. His commercial mower that mows our huge jungle.

Then one morning as I was preparing our extremely nutritious green smoothie breakfast my blender decided that all the parts we no longer necessary - so they fell off.

Two days later I was working on a sewing project with my mom and my iron started smoking. Yep. You guessed it. It's a gonner.

All the while my car has been acting strange. I didn't mention it to anyone because how can you describe a car issue when it's just a feeling. You've had that right?! When you just "feel" like something is wrong. Well I was driving to get the kids from school and bam! It felt like I got hit. Except I didn't. Then my car wouldn't accelerate. Then it did but it kept "catching". It was obviously unsafe to drive so I got the kids and headed home. After much collaboration, my mom and I decided it was the transmission. :) I called Dale and he agreed. This was Thursday. Of course we can't get an appointment until Monday.

And that's not even the worst part! That same night Dale was driving home from BTS night and the check engine light came on in HIS car! You can't make this stuff up people!

The good news is.... I have an extremely sweet friend whose husband took her on a long weekend to Sedona. Her (brand-new) car was sitting in her garage and she offered it to me. Oh yeah- we're ridin' in style til Sunday night....

Selah.

Today my generous brother took us to the lake to ski. My kids have been begging since spring. They really had no idea what they were getting into but they were excited to get to go on his ski boat. No one actually skied but the kids got to tube. They loved it. LOVED it. Carsyn said, "It's my best day EVER!" Thankfully Uncle forgot the kid skis. I'm afraid she might be a natural and I would be forced to get into the expensive world of child Olympic skiers.



this is my brother... who loves his boat. it's a ski nautique. he's a skier. skiers know that this boat is something special. he knows.


luke is enjoying watching his sister...


carsyn fell after they slowed- she loved falling...
she said, "i felt safe in daddy's arms."

faster!!!


adam did some knee boarding. carsyn wanted to see how for next time...
they even wanted to drive. i may be in trouble...
she cracks me up!
again with the smile. i love this boy!

day 1

Today we began our home school journey. Reagan was very excited. We are beginning with a 10 day study of creation- (how God created the world and everything in it). We will be connecting everything we learn with how it relates to us as God's creation. Ms. W laid a great foundation last year but I think it's important to be reminded of that on a continual basis.

It also helps to ease us into this new year.

It took us an hour this morning. Afterward she said (in a bit of a disgusted voice), "Is that all?" I think she could have gone on for hours. I distracted her with some reading time and then we moved on. It's gonna be a fun year.

Here is her 1st day outfit. She wanted to wear pajamas but I put my foot down...




She carried her backpack all morning. Not even sure what is in it?! Maybe that's where she is keeping Liz...

home ec

We are officially starting our home school year today however yesterday Reagan had her first taste of home economics. I realize that it usually isn't a kindergarten class but we had an expert in the house who volunteered her time and patience.

love that smile!






ta-da!

moo-vin' on up

So in a previous post I eluded to the fact that our eating habits are changing around here. We are generally healthy eaters but I have learned many new facts that have caused me to re-evaluate! I will not go into much detail but if interested....you can start by reading Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. If you start there it will take you all over- researching, digging, understanding, changing. It's overwhelming and frightening and amazing all at the same time!

A few of our major changes include:
-eating grass fed beef that comes from a local farm.
-the pork and chicken also come from a local, sustainable farm.
-buying free range organic chicken eggs
-buying (and making) grass fed cheese.
-drinking raw milk (from grass fed cows)...


Carsyn does not love the milk. She asks for the cream to be skimmed off the top (which we will use to make butter- of course). The meat is delicious! So much better than that "other stuff". It's nicer looking and has a fresher taste. Seriously. Big difference. Oh and you should try the cheese- AMAZING. Dale is about to embark on a cheese making frenzy too! In 3-4 months we will have a wine/cheese tasting at our house. Cannot wait.

We feel like these changes will make a significant difference in our lives. Mostly because our bodies will be healthier. It also helps the local farmers and the local economy. It's truly a win-win.

bts celebration

Every year on the first day of school we have a special back-to-school dinner. This year we had ribeye, Mediterranean orzo and cantaloupe. Of course no celebration would be complete without a cake. Today while Reagan napped (for 1.5 hours) I decorated. This may be the last cake however. After 5 years of bts cakes I just may be out of ideas....

school

Today was the first day of school for Carsyn and Luke. Last night alarms were set, clothes were laid out and routines in order. They were so excited!

Mama was a bit nervous/sad/queasy though. I have been that way since I was a little girl- change is not always easy for me. I know this school year will be great it's just that they are growing so fast! I feel like each school year brings them closer to the teenage years which brings them closer to adulthood. Which I KNOW will be great BUT... have they learned how to behave in public, or listen to authority, or to love others well, or to follow Jesus no matter what, or to pick up their stuff, or to not park by white vans with no windows, or only to buy Schnucks ice cream????? What if they don't KNOW!!!

These are the times that I struggle the most with... when we are staring the in face of change. I know deep down my kids are in God's hands and he loves them and is looking out for them. I know I can't be there with them forever. If I do my "job" then God will do his. Even if I don't do my job, he will do his! Thank goodness.

So, I guess... here's to a great year of first and third grade!



carsyn and max...

my son is a full day friend now.... :(
his first grade class...

bike ridin' baby

The last Beachy baby has learned to ride a 2 wheeler.... She said, "Riding with training wheels is boring."