Great news!

Some of you may have prayed with us for little Sarah who was adopted from Uganda by our friends Amy and Court amidst much drama and many miracles. They are going to adopt again!!! I am so excited for them.

Follow their journey here: http://james127family.blogspot.com/

Today's New Skill

Today we learned how to wash the cars! One brother was the indoor window washer and the other was the vinyl cleaner. Then we did the outsides with a new funny scrubber. Next time we'll graduate to vacuuming out the interiors. And, in case you were wondering, we will pay them for this "above and beyond" chore.






I enjoy investing time and money into teaching the kids new skills in a fun way. It will be so nice to someday ask them to go wash the cars and then have them do it. I try to speak slowly and patiently teach them how to do each part and then walk them through it before they launch. We will practice repeatedly through the hot summer! What new skills have you taught your children recently? Please share your inspiration and ideas!

Do you know your trees?

It's been wondrous to see each mystery tree get leaves this year. We bought our house when it was under six inches of snow so we had no idea what the trees in bloom would look like. In the backyard, we discovered that we have two tulip poplars. They are gorgeous and surprised us with blooms last week. (we thought the name was from the leaf shape...!)





Are you able to view your yard and neighborhood as if you've just discovered the trees? Will you take your little ones outside and learn about the trees? If you can't figure out the names, take a small cutting in a ziplock bag to your local plant nursery and ask someone. Keep learning alongside your precious children.

Hug Your Babies

Just found out that a former coworker / friend of my husband's lost his son in a car accident. Hug your babies. We never know how much time we have. (and offer a prayer for comfort if you would.)

Grocery List

When you forget to purchase an important building supply, such as toothpicks, your five-year-old will remind you....

Saturn's Rings

Hello, mommies! I know it's difficult to let your husbands lead when they are home with the kids. I am altogether too familiar with the wrestling before bed that leads to wound up kids or missed/irregular meals when dad's in charge. But let him! Don't squelch the daddy experience or you won't get help and support when you need it.

And it leads to some pretty great things. Last night, Eric woke the kids up at 11:30 to go see Saturn's rings through a birthday telescope that just got unpacked. After screaming over the injustice of being woken up, they loved it. My 5-year-old who was the source of the screaming, came back upstairs in Daddy's arms and told me that they'd seen "the rings that are made of rocks and water!"

And my 8-year-old loved the whole experience. Explained to me about the rings and told me he'd seen the big dipper! Oh, to
view life through the eyes of a child!

So, sweet friends, try to let your husbands be a parent in their own way!

Hands-down best homeschooling book

So, my very very favorite homeschool book has just been re-released. My copy arrived today! Yippee! If you are on the fence about homeschooling or are just looking for a way to supplement and enhance your child's education, you only need two books: Educating the Wholehearted Child by Clay Clarkson and Read for the Heart by Sarah Clarkson. Go to wholeheart.org and order yours today!

I am completely serious. Take it from me, who has read hundreds of books on education and homeschooling, these are the best. And it's a bonus that the Clarkson family is godly, generous, and faithful to support women in their quest for biblical motherhood.

Today we started cursive!

I totally believe in all the theories behind cursive first but was too afraid to do it with my firstborn. It actually worked out well because now both boys can learn together.

Our First Rodeo

What a wonderful adventure! What adventure will you go on this week?