We love Ruby!

Emily's 9th Birthday

Lots of fun. Slumber party with five other girls!

Adoption Day!

November 18 we celebrated the 8th anniversary of Adoption Day!

We went to the Adventure Science Center, out to lunch at Olive Garden, and watched the video from our trips to Russia. We attended the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes, which was great!

Trunk or Treat

Frankenstein & "Fashion Girl."

Trip to Texas

We got our own guest house quarters for this trip to Texas, thanks to friends Dannie & Staci!

Ruby got her own babysitter, dog Cowboy, who taught her it is OK to hang by yourself when the people are gone, and who played and played with her.

We got to spend three whole days with grandson Prather, who enjoyed the time with his aunt and uncle (Emily & Daniel.)

My favorite meal: pizza at Luigi's.

The kids got to ride horse, and Emily could usually be found hanging out near the colt. The playset was a bonus, too!

A 4th birthday celebration at "home" and Chuck E. Cheese with Prather was great!

Katie!

We got to hear Katie Davis speak today and were lucky enough to get a photo with her!

For those of you who don't know, our family has been following Katie's blog for about two years. (You can find a link to her blog, The Journey, on the right hand side of this page.) She graduated from high school, moved to Uganda, and had ended up adopting 13 girls there and runs a mission for hundreds of kids to eat and go to school. Her stories are Christ-centered and inspirational.

She wrote a book called Kisses from Katie and is doing a book tour here because this is where she grew up. I highly recommend the blog and the book!

Bottle-Feeding the Calves!

If you show up at the pumpkin farm at the right time on a not-so-busy day, you get to do this!

Indian Class

My class with their medicine bags! (Yes, that is me with a turkey feather in my hair. I found it this morning, fresh off one of the turkeys we see all the time!)

Aquarium Visit

We took a day trip to Chattanooga for Home School Day at the Aquarium (while the pet sitter came to feed and play with the puppy.) We met a couple other home-school family friends. I don't know why they all look so strange in this picture!

We got "behind the scenes" passes and got to see where the food is kept and prepped (including zip-lock bags of frozen mice and rats, mealworms, and various fish.) We got to go to the top of the huge tank to see how and where the sharks are fed, and Daniel got to try on SCUBA gear.

We got to feed shrimp to the rays in the sting ray exhibit.

I got to be part of a bird show, holding a dollar bill for a cockatoo to come and get and then bring back. I realized later that I stared straight ahead and never looked at it on my arm. I think I would have screamed if I had seen it perched there!

We saw the IMAX film Born to Be Wild, about saving orphaned chimps and elephants. It was a great story. The chimp champion is Birute Galdikas, who I studied in Anthropology class in college. (We are both older now....) My favorite part was seeing the other orphaned elephants who have been re-introduced to the wild come to see the three youngsters ready to start this phase of their life.

All in all it was a fantastic day!

Tonka Trucks

Daniel and Emily's big sister gave them these Tonka trucks when they were adopted almost eight years ago. They have been "riding" them for years, but took the trip to a whole new level today.

Cummins Falls

I heard about this place on the news in early August. It is rated in the Top 10 swimming holes in America. The land was purchased and it will become a State Park next year, but for now you can visit in a guided hike offered once a month. I figured it would be neat to go before it got busier, so I signed us up. They even said Ruby could come!

We had a great day. It was quite a hike into the falls and swimming hole, but well worth it. We had to hike through the woods, and then through the water for 3/4 mile. Ruby wasn't too sure of the water, and got chilled, so I carried her most of the way there and back. We were glad to have brought snacks and plenty of water!

This is me. Afraid of heights and much closer to the edge of the top of the falls than I'd like!

Eddie, Daniel, and Emily played in the falls while I sat with Ruby. Then Eddie and I traded places.This is a nice view of the swimming hole. Cold and refreshing!

Color Blind

I'm beginning to wonder....

We named our golden retriever Rosie.

We named our black lab Koko.

We named our brown retriever mix Ruby.

People must be kind not to ask us if we are color blind.

We have our reasons. Rosie was named after the golden retriever in a story in Reader's Digest that we read just before we got her. Koko was named after the Anasazi flute player and gorilla who knows sign language. Ruby came from a dog named Rudy who Emily met this summer. I guess that is enough logic for us.

The Wizard of Oz...

... and Ruby Slippers -- our new DOG!

Emily has wanted another one for awhile. Eddie wanted a puppy that was trainable, not one already with bad manners, and a smaller breed. I wanted a dog, but not the work of training one, and a larger breed like our old dogs. Daniel didn't want one at all.

Last week Emily asked to go to the pound to look and Eddie agreed. I looked online at some shelters/pounds around here. One had beagle mix puppies - NO! Another had a sad-looking "brown retriever mix" so I picked to go there.

And we came home with her. About two minutes in a room with this little 7-pound cutie and Eddie was mouthing to me that we needed to get her. Turns out her mom was a golden, and they think her dad was a black lab as all her brothers are black. (Our old dogs, who both passed away last year, were a golden and a black lab, so this pup was a combination of our much-loved companions.)

Ruby looks like a chocolate lab -- brown coat, brown nose, light brown eyes. She is very sweet and snuggly. She is learning quickly and is finally getting into eating so she can gain some much-needed weight!

More Camp

Last week Daniel and Emily went to afternoon pottery camp at Cheekwood, another excellent program. They learned all about throwing clay, making designs, wheel speed ... making something out of nothing. We cannot pick up their creations yet as they must be fired in a kiln. Can't wait to see them!

Daniel was followed around by the youngest kid in the class (younger than the age limit, so why he was allowed in I do not know) who claimed he was his best friend ever. He was hit repeatedly by a girl, and I had to explain that this meant she liked him. I could not explain WHY girls this age do that to express affection, but he found the meaning to be true. He listened to a boy who would rather play video games than go to church for 3 hours on Sunday.

Emily was a little evangelist, inviting her friend (who lives an hour away from us) to church, telling her about God, and giving her a Bible.

Perhaps the seeds will grow in others because of what was planted by the words of my children. I can only hope!

Both kids had discussions about

Camps

This past week both Daniel and Emily had camps.

Daniel had tennis camp in the mornings. You have to be nine to attend, so he has been waiting two years to be able to go! He learned a lot and had fun with a few of the kids. He also got to drink Gatorade since it was so hot, which was a first, and a favorite! Each day the coaches watched for particular behaviors and prizes were given at the end of each day to one child in each group. On Tuesday, Daniel won the prize for Listening for his group and got a gift card for a free hair cut (at the place where we go already, too!) Friday the prizes were for things like "Most Improved." Daniel won the top prize of the week, for Sportsmanship, and got a $20 gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods. Eddie had the red-eye home from Alaska the night before so he was able to be there on Friday, so we both got to watch him play and receive the award. Our eyes got leaky.

Emily had an all day science camp taught by the public school teacher of one of her friends. They attended together, and enjoyed each other's company as well as the activities each day. Each day Emily would tell us about the things they made and did in the car, and at home she would show us how to do some of the things, like making duck calls out of straws. It was neat to see her so excited and happy. The family had three dogs, so Emily also enjoyed petting them every day. The treats -- brownies, cookies, Rice Krispie treats, etc. -- weren't bad either.

Daniel and Emily are rarely apart so it was neat to see them get to do their own thing and then tell each other about it.

I spent mornings (while both were in camp) at the library working on my science class for this year. I put together notebooks for the kids, make quizzes and final exams, and note cards for review games. It is a load off my mind to have that done!

Vermont Vacation

We decided on a northern vacation this year to beat the heat, which we did as the heat index in Smyrna one day while we were gone was 114! My friend Joy grew up in Vermont and worked one summer at the Inn where we stayed. The Northeast Kingdom, as the area is called, boasts miles upon miles of hiking and biking trails interconnected through private property and accessible right from our Inn. We took several day trips around the area, let the kids go to "camp" two times, and hiked and swam and restored our spirits. Here is the trip in a (still rather large) nutshell:

Our lodgings. The Wildflower Inn, Lyndonville, Vermont. Our room is on the right. Playground on one side, barn on the other. The food was excellent and it was so peaceful and pretty. Cool nights with the windows open. (We didn't see Larry, Daryl, or his other brother Daryl, either.) We were awakened to the bellowing of belted Galloway (oreo) cows, a braying donkey in the distance, and a white-throated sparrow singing his heart out. Observation Tower at the top of Burke Mountain, Vermont. Note the lack of sufficient railings and forms of protection. I almost didn't make it up, and then barely made it down. (I have a fear of falling. This was freaking me out! Had B.O. at the end of the day like never before. Must be a nervous sweat smell!!!Ski lift ride up Burke Mountain, Vermont Skinny dipping in the East Branch Passumpsic River, Vermont (just the kids!)

********************* EDITED OUT!! *************************

Airheads popsicles at the park, Lyndon, Vermont Observation Tower in the middle-of-nowhere, Vermont Oldest grave at a cemetery in Vermont. I love to look at old gravestones and consider the stories they tell. The raspberries were good, too, and the cows next door were entertaining. A young bull kept pawing the ground and trying to bellow. Echo Lake, Vermont. Cool swim on a hot day! The minnows even nibbled our toes, just like Laura talked about in On the Banks of Plum Creek! Swimming in the Passumpsic River, East Branch, Vermont. I set the timer and ran for it, only to twist my ankle and then have a submerged (but smooth!) tree limb go up my swim suit leg and out the top of my suit. Take a close look at my face! Portland Head Light, Maine coast. Glad we took the drive! More Portland Head Light Family of mountain goats (we love to climb rocks!) Looking out from Cannon Mountain, Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire, after the tram ride up Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire, Flume Gorge, "The Pool" with covered bridge. Beautiful! The pool, which wasn't as cold after swimming in river water! (Caught mid-jump into the deep end) Cog Railway ride up Mt Washington, highest peak in the US east of the Mississippi and location of the world record wind speed. (All more significant since reading Not Without Peril, stories of tragedies on the peak.) Beautiful chapel just down the road: One of Emily's friends:She also loved the donkey, goats, and horses. The barn was right by our room so she hung out there a LOT!

Lake Champlain (major festival going on so we couldn't take the ferry across to NY.)

Summer School Class

This summer I taught a class on the book Minn of the Mississippi for eleven students ages 5 to 11. Moms read the chapters to kids, and then met once a week for two hours of activities.

It ended up being the best class I've ever taught!

The book is about the Mississippi River, from end to end, taught through the journey of a turtle named Minn. I took the platform and ran with it. We learned about water with lots of experiments (bending water, counting drops on one side of a penny, floating and sinking, solid/liquid/gas, and more); boats and nautical terms (starburst -- oops, I mean starboard); tying knots (and making knots with pretzels we then got to bake and eat); Indians and Indian Mounds, including making our own in sand; state names, two-letter abbreviations, and name derivations; drawing boats; fishing & lures (this part taught by one of the students!); egg parts; turtle types, diet, nesting, and finding nests; turtle in sign language, Spanish, and Mandarin; canals, dams, waterfalls, and floods (including making our own flood, dams, and sandbagging to save a farm); and more!

In addition, I read my kids a biography on Marquette (one of the first white men to see the river,) a condensed version of Huck Finn, a biography of Mark Twain, and some of a book on Indian Mounds and the Indians who made them. Our field trip on the paddleboat was also part of this supplemental material.

I have never laughed so much with a group of kids. There were times when I laughed to myself (they say and do the funniest things) but there were many times we laughed together. The older kids helped the younger kids. The moms got to talk while I taught. The kids stayed after and played.

It was just fantastic and unforgettable!

The last day I asked the kids what activity they liked the best, and each said something different. Considering that the class extended over six weeks, I was glad they remembered activities from weeks past, and was thrilled that some part appealed to each one, making all the work worthwhile.

My next big creative class will be this fall, on Indians, ending with a field trip to the Pow Wow at a state park near here. January will be Junior Achievement, and next summer I'm thinking Seabird.

Independence Day!

I was sick so Eddie took the kids to see fireworks without me this year.

A few days later I managed to make these flag cookies. The last time I remember making them was when we lived in Cody, WY. (Eddie remembers them once since then.) I recall the experience because I made a whole big pan full for four adults and I think we ate most of them. Friend Rae had her pregnancy checkup the next day and had gained five pounds. We blamed it on the cookies! :)

General Jackson Field Trip

We have been studying the Mississippi River. To supplement our study we took a ride on the General Jackson, a paddleboat right here in Nashville. The 2 1/2 hour cruise was great. The buffet was good, and we went up and down each staircase at least two times. We got to see this barge going by, too! The crew:

Paddle wheel in action:

First Day of School!

4th and 3rd Graders!

Keeping up my skills

I'm back to doing some volunteer resume coaching for friends. I really enjoy helping someone put what they do well into words and gain the confidence that will carry over into interviews. It also helps me remember when I used to get paid money for working. The benefits of my current job outweigh the rest, though!

VBS

After a year of reprieve from leading at VBS, I was back as a crew leader again this year -- this time for seven going-to-be Kindergarteners. They were a whole lot of fun. Five full mornings in a row wore me out in a different way than my regular exercise. I took THREE naps that week.

Daniel and Emily were both on the praise team and had a fantastic week.

Easter -- at Bit Late

Our two cute bunnies: Celebrating with our local family:

Easter Egg Ice Cream Cake: Yellow ice cream yolk, white cake albumen, frosting shell, and candy dye decoration (made with help from D & E)

Day at the Botanical Gardens

Friends, fun, and flowers:

Hanging around with friends:

Field Day

I coordinated another Field Day for our co-op and it was great fun!

Daniel's ribbons:

1st - Hula Hoop, Back-to-Back Race

2nd - 3 Legged Race

3rd - 50 yd dash, Mile Run, Broad Jump

Emily's ribbons:

3rd - 3 Legged Race, Shoe Toss

Daniel with his 3 Legged Race Partner, Caleb:

Emily with her 3 Legged Race partner, Nora:

More Water Adventures

Water heater came in Thursday afternoon and was installed. It was so late in the day I took the kids to Sonic for dinner and came home to find water running out of the garage, even worse than in the morning. The plumbers I thought I could trust had botched the job - and have no way to contact them after hours!!!! So, no water for the night, and another igloo cooler shower in the morning. Plumbers came and fixed the issue. Which lasted less than 24 hours. But at least Eddie was home on Saturday when the water started gushing again!

http://s7.cdn.hardwareandtools.net/s7/zoom/flasht_zoom.jsp?company=HardwareandTools&sku=034223022143&config=Scene7SharedAssets/Zoom7&locale=en Used this 2 gallon water cooler for a shower today.... Worked in the yard this morning and came back into the garage to fun water running out -- the water heater was leaking! Called Eddie, turned the water and the power off, and called a plumber. Thankfully one of the other people from our mission trip works at her family's plumbing company, so we called them. A new one will be here later today or tomorrow. Meanwhile, I was sweaty and stinky. Decided to collect water from the hose where it is draining out of the old heater so I'd at least have some warm water to bathe in. (Many friends offered their showers, but I don't want to be away if the plumbers call when the heater is in.) Got the cooler upstairs and realized the spigot would be a shower stream of sorts, and it worked!

Chattanooga for the Day

We went to Rock City today before our annual pass ran out. It was a beautiful day to enjoy the outdoors, fresh air, scenery.... We also went to see the Hubble Telescope IMAX show, which was INCREDIBLE! We are studying space right now and I am so glad we went to see this!

Little House

We are reading the Little House series from start to finish. We just finished Little House in the Big Woods and built a model of the house from Lincoln Logs using a picture from a Little House resource book I have as a guide.

Next we are drawing log cabins with the help of the Draw Write Now series.

Home Sweet Home

It is good to be home! We are blessed. A home to live in, keeping us dry and safe. A bed to sleep in. Plenty of food to eat. Clothes to wear. A way to clean our bodies -- and our dishes and our clothes. Children who have two parents to care for them. Friends who were sweet enough to make us notes and pictures to take on the trip, which were sweet and inspirational and touching and funny. Thank you, Lord.

Misc Photos

A traffic circle. There are a lot of those, of various sizes, all over town. View out our hotel to the left. People walking to work, school, etc. in the morning.

View from our hotel to the right.

View straight out from our hotel. We saw animals grazing and children playing on this land.

House immediately across the street from the hotel. Sacks of charcoal for sale. I saw the woman sweep her steps every day. Since they are dirt, she is wearing them away!