Back to the beach!

We were blessed with an opportunity to head back to the beach this past Memorial Day weekend, this time with Dad and Grandad in tow. We had a wonderful time. The kids enjoyed boogie boarding in the pretty rough surf, played lots in the sand, and swam in the pool. We were visited by a beautiful Great Blue Heron each morning. He anxiously eyed the fisherman who'd fish in the surf each day and hoped they'd drop one. 'Twas a wonderful way to usher in the summer.

It's official!

We've finished our first year of homeschooling! It continues to amaze me how well the transition has gone. I know that the credit for that belongs to the Lord. He's worked mightily in our midst this spring.

We really had some great, productive days. Writing year end progress reports and compiling portfolios was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our time and bask in the glow of accomplishment. I know the kids learned a lot and I think this mommy may have learned even more. Truly this has been one of the hardest, but most rewarding tasks I've ever taken on. Aside from all of the academic knowledge gained, we're experiencing a greater sense of family unity and are relishing our freedom from the external schedules and pressures that used to control so much of our time. I feel so much more connected to each of the girls, so immersed in their lives. Perhaps the greatest joy has been training their hearts, not only teaching their minds.

We won't be formally schooling this summer, but all three girls will be reading and journaling. We'll also do a few bits of math here and there in preparation for next year. We've chosen courses of study for each child for next year and plans are underway to begin in the second week of August when dh heads back to school.

Today I thank the Lord for his unfailing love and perfect guidance. I thank Him for leading us to be more completely present in our children's lives and education. I thank Him for equipping us as parents for the job He's entrusted us with.

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk upon the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
~Deut. 6:6-9 NIV

Beach birthday

We enjoyed a wonderful few days at Hilton Head this week. The weather was amazing and it was a great way to celebrate the little one's birthday.

Find Your Wings - Mark Harris

Here's some birthday browsing music to complement today's post.

Cupcakes and Candles

Wow! It truly seems like only yesterday that Brian and I brought home a tiny, fragile baby from the NICU. She came home with lists of instructions and her own alarm system, its colored wires trailed down through her the outfits that we had to rush out and buy, preemie size.

She's grown so much this year. You'd never know she started out so very little. She's exploring her world with excitement and careful, bow-legged steps and she's beginning to say new words each day. I've really had to share this baby too. Her older sisters are so eager to help and enjoy spending lots of time with her. The feeling is very mutual. She's even named them all. Calls of, "Bub, Did-did, and Pap" punctuate our days.

I'm honestly not ready to celebrate this birthday yet. For this mommy it's bittersweet. I know firsthand how quickly little ones grow, yet it still seems to catch me by surprise. It happens quickly and quietly amidst the daily grind of life as we know it.

I'm posting a day early, but we'll be celebrating her special day at the beach. Hopefully the serenity of the waves and the sound of my children's laughter will make the day joyful and comfort my mother's heart. I know that I need to savor this milestone as soon it too shall be a memory.

We'll return home later this week, renewed and ready for cupcakes and candles.