Five Things I Will Miss From Rhode Island

Reflections from my Rhode Island Wilderness Adventure....I will miss...

1. Our family-friendly schedule. Unlike what we originially thought, Adam's schedule was very easy. This is Adam's graduation day! Doesn't he look handsome?! Once again, he succeeded with flying colors!!! I was glad that the kids and I could attend his ceremony to honor him and his service for our family and nation.

2. My running buddy. After meeting Abby, I am convinced that everybody needs a good workout buddy. Abby, I have not run since our last run in our dark, windy, 'is-that-a-skunk?' neighborhood. I need a new running buddy...(ahem...you know who you are...)...Abby was also one of my playdate buddies with her two sweet boys. Blessings to you and your family as you make a big transition! (By the way, do you like my shiner??? Luke.)

3. Pastor Barr and Newport Community Church. Pastor Barr's messages were filled with grace and truth, and we were blessed by his faithful ministry. This church is one of the most welcoming, helpful, loving churches we have come across. If you are in the Newport, Rhode Island area...visit this one! I will also miss the Tuesday evening ladies Bible study. The study and the fellowship with those women were wonderful...I forgot to take a picture! sigh.

4. Our little friends and the many playgrounds on our military housing. The kids loved their playground buddies.

5. Call me a dork, but I am going to miss Papa Ginos. Granted, it is not Papa Johns, but it was a happy six month substitute.

I will not miss however, the INSANE COST OF LIVING ... RHODE ISLAND, YOU ARE OUT OF CONTROL. Also, I will not miss the fact that I can only choose between Dunkin Donuts and Dunkin Donuts if I want to eat out....(no, that is not a typo).

Wilderness Wanderings

"You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know...that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. Thus you are to know in your heart that the Lord your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son. Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him."

Deuteronomy 8:1-6

Providentially, God has placed my family in the military. Normally, a military family moves about every three years. Adam and I have been married for eight years, and this is our eighth move next week. God has made us wander just like the Israelites. Lovingly, He takes us from familiarity and leads us to the unknown. There is always temptation to think that God does not care because He takes us away from our comforts. But, He makes us wander because He loves us and He wants us to long for the Bread of heaven, Christ Himself. He disciplines us and humbles us that we may learn to keep His commandments, walking in His ways, fearing Him. Even though He tests us, which hurts, even so, His mercy and provision are abundant. And, His promise is sure always:

"The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." - Deuteronomy 31:8

Some Fall Fun

Here are some glimpses into some Murrell fall fun...

Caleb's first art work...on the wall...

Linen Closet Fun in jammies

The boys are beginning to play with each other...

which on one hand is really cute...

on the other hand...terrifying!!!

Pumpkin Patch Fun

My little pumpkin's pumpkin...

And, bobbing for apples at a harvest party....Luke would not wear his costume.

A lovely princess bride and her bundled angel sister...

Cliff Walk

"The sense of beauty comes from early contact with nature."

-Charlotte Mason

My dad is visiting this week. Before he leaves, I wanted to take him and the kids (for a nature walk) on the Cliff Walk in Newport, RI. It really is beautiful, and my camera and lack of photography skill do not do this lovely place justice.

Yes, Luke is picking his nose....didn't realize this until I started uploading pictures. Boys.

Emily's 6th Birthday!

Yesterday, we celebrated Emily's 6th Birthday! I cannot believe she is that old! She is a tender-hearted, sweet, helpful, funny, beautiful, smart little girl. We are so thankful for the special gift of Emily:

And, remembering back...

Fun party for five...

Four

Three

Two

(somewhere is the picture CD for baby/1st year...I hid it somewhere...)

Homeschool Afternoons 2011

Our homeschool afternoons are a lot less busy.

At one o'clock, the boys go down for a nap. The girls and I have our Literature time with a little more substantial reading material that the boys would not easily sit through. We just finished James Herriot's Treasury for Children, several wholesome and sweet stories of barnyard animals. The girls really enjoyed these stories.

Then, after read aloud, we have 30 more minutes of homeschool. This time rotates:

Monday - baking project (I especially want my girls to have some experience in the kitchen)

Tuesday and Thursday - history lesson

Wednesday - science lesson (a unit study on the human body)

Then, after we are done, the girls, for about an hour and a half, have quiet time playing with their toys. And, I do something that helps me relax a bit (like reading/blogging/listening to something edifying), usually involving a large cup of coffee with way too much flavored creamer and a little dark chocolate...

After sanity hour, the kids are up full force again. So, we head outdoors to visit with our neighbors. My favorite neighbor, my sweet running buddy (who has a little mean streak...she makes me run a little further every week)...and her two cute sons plus some other children are usually out on one of the many playgrounds in our military housing. The kids run wild, and we are able to girl talk. We all have a fun time.

It is hard to take a picture of a group of littles under age 5.

Fridays we do not do our homeschool routine. Fridays are left open for fellowship opportunities with friends, going to the library, or running errands. I am really enjoying our new year!

Cutie Caleb

One of the cute things Caleb has been doing is that when he is afraid he will put his hand up to his mouth and make an I-am-afraid little noise. He likes looking at books and right here he is looking at a turtle that makes him afraid.

Mom's Visit

I am late in posting my Mom's visit. Here are some pictures from our time with her:

We were very busy while she was here!

Adam decided not to be a party pooper...

Mom and the Birthday Boy (could not get him to smile)

Adam and I on our once-a-year date night!

Mom and the kids at their favorite spot...our backyard playground area

On our way (in style) to the Plimoth Plantation

Someone is getting cranky...

We enjoyed our time with Mom/Grammie! She was a tremendous help and blessing!

Homeschool Mornings 2011

Here is a picture look into our homeschool routine for this year:

Breakfast

Luke's Chore

Elizabeth's Chore

Emily's Chore: I told her that some jobs in life are stinky!

After breakfast and chores, we get ready for the day. I get Caleb ready first and then he goes into his crib with some books and toys so that he does not get into trouble or hurt.

Learning to take care of ourselves

Bible time: brief time to pray, sing, read, memorize

Preschool for the boys: learning letters, numbers, colors

and, reading two simple preschool books

snack time

Then, table work starts.

Here is Emily reading to our principal who came home early from work.

She does reading, spelling, copy work and math at this time

Meanwhile, the other three amigos watch a 30 min. video

After the video, is table activities and pack n' play time...

Here is Luke with his fav pink/purple tea cup and a Lauri puzzle

(Remember, he does have two older sisters....)

Elizabeth draws and plays with magnetic wooden animals

Caleb has some board books and toys in his pack n' play.

He usually spends about 15 minutes busy before starting to cry to be released.

After Emily is done with her school time, I practice letters and sounds with Elizabeth.

And, she practices writing capital and lowercase letters.

After all these things are done,

I make lunch and the kids run around the house screaming at the top of their lungs.