Our new playhouse and other happenings

This past week has been a little busy. Can you tell, no posts. When the going gets busy, mom has to cut out the computer time. So since I have been blog deprived I am sitting here in the late evening typing my little heart out, trying to remember this last weeks events.

First off, we have a new playhouse, I am so excited. Here it is coming off of the truck.

Now, it is not IN the box, it IS the box.
Just a wooden box you say, just think of the possibilities. Bill is working on building it for the kiddos. They are going to love it.






So cool.

Next, we celebrated Vay Vay's birthday at home this past week. She was so cute. It was fun watching her open her presents and play with her new backpack and singing teddy bear.
Here she is with Papa.



She liked her new hat.



And wore her new backpack all evening.




Uncle Bobby was the main attraction. It was entertaining just to watch the kids climb all over him.




These past two weeks seemed to have flown by. I can't believe it is almost November. Bella and Will have been attending their 5 week Tuesday classes at the charter school and really have enjoyed them. The Kindergartners stay from 9-12, but in Will's case, since Bella is in classes until 3:30, he can take the 1st grade classes after lunch and stay until 3 as well. He seems to be keeping up. He saw one of his classmates at his choir practice and was so excited and animated to see the little boy, they had fun talking after class. I asked Will what his friend's name was and he said he couldn't remember. He said everyone knows his name but he can't remember anyone elses names...Bill and I laugh at this... Bella on the other hand knows everyones names.

So not only has the 5 week classes started, but so has choir on Wednesdays. Will is in the Kindergarten class and Bella is in the 1-2 class right afterwards. They are learning to read music as well as learning some fun songs. I love the choir class, it is such a great opportunity for the kids.

I think this just about catches me up on the York highlights. I am sure there is more, but I need to get to bed. We are heading to Disneyland on Monday and I also need to finish packing. We are staying for a week, woo hoo. I am planning our itinerary and have printed out the weekly schedule of events at the park to maximize our time. That reminds me, I need to make sure I don't forget the camera!

Lastly, I just noticed I finally have a follower of my blog! Another woo hoo. Someone likes me. (Ok, it's my niece, she has to like me - Thanks KC, you made me feel loved).

Bye for now ~ Cor

Strollers

Who out there owns a Phil and Teds stroller? I am looking into purchasing one but am hesitant because of the cost. I have learned over the years that a good piece of equipment can really be helpful and this stroller looks like it might be up to the york 5 challenge. Has anyone seen 5 kiddos riding on one stroller? Mine would all jump on if they could. They actually do when I use my double jogger for walks. Two ride in the seats and two ride where the foot rests are located. It looks a little comical.

You might be asking, why another stroller if I have a double jogger? Well, for one, our jogger is GREAT and I love it, it is so easy to push, but for traveling purposes it is a nightmare to fold up and load in a car. Since we are a homeschooling family and the kids are getting older now, we have more outings and field trips where we all attend, usually when dad is at work, thus my need for a efficient compact stroller for the little ones. My sister in law just gave me a double umbrella stroller which is working out nicely for small trips but it is a workout to push, especially over rugged terrain. I just need something a little more compact and easier to push with a load of kiddos attached. So let me know if you have any recommendations.

Thanks!!

Bella's Birthday

Bella is now seven! How time flies. We celebrated Bella's birthday at my parents ranch, the kids had a great time swimming and playing and swimming some more.
The birthday cakes were made by my niece, they were fantastic. KC you are very talented!
I will post some more pictures once I get back from our Church Women's Retreat this weekend. Gotta go pack now...

Gentleness and Meekness

I am always desiring to learn more about how to become a woman who pleases God, especially as a Godly mother. I have always read about having a meek and gentle spirit but was not sure what that looked like and how to put it into practice. I have learned a few things along the way, 5 kiddos helps you learn real quick, and realized that the gentle spirit is what a mother needs to train up her children. It is amazing the difference training and discplining can be when I am gentle and meek and not just a drill sargeant, which is what I tend to be at times.

In Eph 4:2 Paul urges us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. My calling is motherhood and cultivating a spirit of gentleness is so important to this calling. I have seen the difference in the response from my children when I have a gentle voice and am calm and kind, they reflect a desire to obey and listen to my instruction. If I am to share Christ with my children, I am to take up my cross daily and model Him in all areas of my life. This includes making a choice to be gentle - Bill has to remind me that I am drilling out orders sometimes :).

I have a great podcast to share from Homemakers by Choice regarding this topic. It has some great application lessons on gentleness. I encourage you to listen, it was such a blessing to me.

My link is not working, you will need to paste this into your browser -

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Homemakers_By_Choice/archives.asp?bcd=2008-10-2

Bags and more bags

I have a weakness - I like bags. Ok, I have more weaknesses, but this one can cause problems. First off, because of this weakness I have a bag restriction from my husband. Now before you think, hey that's not fun, or nice or whatever, I appreciate this restriction! It reminds me to think before I buy, and to be a better steward of what I already have. My husband knows me and my weaknesses, plus he knows how many bags I already have :), and so his helpful restrictions are such a blessing to me. Thanks honey!

Now this is a side note here - This past summer, (hey it's Fall now - it even rained this morning), Beckie Woodfield tagged me and I'm supposed to tell of six unremarkable quirks about myself. Becka Jayne Photography: Tagged!
So this is the first unremarkable quirk - I'm a bag lady, any type too (I am weird), from the recycle type to purses, etc. And it's not really the purses, just bags in general. I know weird... I don't even understand it myself. It must be the fact that I have to carry a lot with me to manage my little ones and I like to be somewhat prepared, thus the need for a bag. But the prettier ones just get me, and I have to fight the flesh to just buy them. (Now I have 5 more quirks to post).

Now back to why I wrote this in the first place - besides being adult conversation deprived at times and needing to write out my thoughts...

The problem with a lot of bags is I do not have a good place to store them. Now it sounds like I have a ton - which I do but don't. I need your help and ideas in creating an organized place to put my bags of many colors so they are not laying around making my office a mess and so I can see them and utilize them better.
So tell me what you think and please give me some ideas for better storage, please please! (I know there are some super organized ladies out there who have some great ideas they would love to share)!

I'm here

I have not written in a few days... Besides being a little busy with school, errands for Bill, and such, my camera went MIA after Bella's birthday party. I know, I can just write, but I get inspired with pictures of the family and I just like to have a picture attached to my posts. I actually know where my camera is, I had left it at my mom's but I still need to pick it up. So this post is pictureless.

This past week we survived the flu again. (Or Foo as Robert calls it). Geneve was the victim this time and no one else has got sick so far. I am getting used to juggling kiddos who are sick. It helps me to be thankful for the times when we are all healthy. I think we all need a good reminder to be thankful sometimes because God has blessed us with so much! I love the joy God gives when we focus on His grace and blessings and praise Him with our thankful hearts.

So here are a few things I am thankful for...

~ A husband who loves the Lord and cares so well for me and our family.
~ The blessing of 5 beautiful children. (I love their precious smiles).
~ The ability to stay at home with these little blessings, to minister to them and train them in righteousness.
~ That God saved a wretch like me.
~ The beauty of God's creation that is new each day.

There is so much more! I praise God for all that He provides!