Little Cabin In the Woods

The Winner ~~~~~ School Days @ Home....

Beth is the winner of the Ergo baby carrier!  Before Sage drew the name, we prayed it would go to a lovely family who needed it and would use it to hold, love and cherish their little one.  Beth, if you could email me you address I will get it out to you.    May you and your new little one be blessed Beth!

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Speaking of homeschooling ~~~~ We have begun our "official" days of learning.  Of course everyday is a learning day at when you school at home.  Whether it's baking bread, taking a nature walk or reading a story we are always learning something.  In fact... right now Willow is learning all about taking CD ROMs out of their sleeves and putting them in to different sleeves... a matching skill .  She is sitting at my feet at this moment trying her hardest to sing her ABC's. She can sing the ABC part and then it slowly becomes just a tune of jumbled sounds with an occasional letter... lol  She can also count to 3. 

I came across this insightful blog that gives a glimpse into living in China and their culture.  I know I have learned a lot just by visiting.  It is a very informative blog with many pictures!  She also homeschools.     One Child Policy Homeschool 

Sage:  2nd Grade

Veritas Scholars Program ( minus grammar/language arts which I put together separately)

History  Veritas American History and New Testament Judges through Kings

Math:   Saxon Math  3 ~  Math Facts for copywork

Language Arts:

Classically Cursive

Phonetic Zoo

Copywork for Little Girls

Language Lessons for the Elementary Child

Learning to Spell Through Copywork

Language 2

Institute for Excellence in Writing ( this comes with the Veritas program)

Literature :  Veritas Grade 2

Science:  Character Sketches  & Sonlight

Dance , Art, Violin and Piano

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 Piper: Kindergarten

Veritas Phoncis Museum

Language Arts: 

Language Lessons For Little Ones

Math:  Saxon 1

History:      History For Little Pilgrims

Science with Sage

Violin

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Willow: Exploratory pre school

yeah.... you get the picture....

Have a joyful blessed day and may the peace of our Lord be with  you!

 

Ergo Baby Carrier Giveaway

I am giving away an almost new fabulous burgundy Ergo Baby Carrier which was used all of 3 times while I was in China with Willow.  This carrier, a 126.00 value, can  be used on the front, back or hip.  If you would like to have this Carrier ~ complete in her original box with DVD and front pouch ~ just leave a comment answering this question: "How many children to you have or plan to have?"  and I will enter you.....please only enter if you have a little one or are expecting one. ;)  I will have the drawing on Wednesday Aug. 20th and post the winner on the 21st.  I will keep this post at the top of the blog until the drawing....Good Luck!

You can learn more about these carriers and see more views at Ergo Baby Carriers.

 

Blueberry Pickin'

"See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food." (Gen. 1:29)

Each year in August we go to the blueberry farm around the corner to pick organic blueberries right off the bush.   It is a fun time for the girls and I so enjoy watching them running through the fields filling their baskets full of delicious blueberries.   Fortunately for us, the owners happen to be  Jack's girlfriend's parents.  How convenient. ;)   This beautiful Christian family takes great pain in keeping their bushes in optimum health in hopes of producing a bountiful crop of luscious fruit for those in our area.   It is also a ministry for this couple as I have seen them giving their harvest away to those in need.  I know they have blessed us over the years as we bring their berries home to make blueberry jam , preserves, muffins, pancakes, pie.... we also freeze them to enjoy through the winter.    This was Willow's first adventure in pickin'.... not being sure what the little purplish -blue balls were, she decided they were for smashing in her hands  and between her fingers as well as throwing them at her sisters.  Trying to get her to pick only the ripe ones took some encouragement but she finally followed our lead.

Willow picking her first blueberries

Willow tasting her first blueberry... I don't think she likes them...

Maybe they'll be good to smash between my fingers...

yep.  that's good.

Four berries

Piper is always anxious for Sage's approval...

and she's satisfied...

baskets of blueberries for three empresses...

searching...

picking the perfect blueberry

Willow gives up...

Blueberry Field

Willow's little pail

Willow's little hand...

squishing blueberries

Sage ~ the zealous  picker...

a beautiful summer day

taking a break...

and a respite under the blueberry shade

Piper's harvest

very nice...

I quit

I don't even like those things... I'll just roll around in the grass for a while

It was a splendid day... I hope you enjoyed sharing it with us. :)

 

Three Years ago...

...this 2 year old screaming banshee was unwillingly placed in my arms....

she was utterly wretched in her grief, depressed beyond measure

 

She had been stripped from her foster home, her family and all she had ever known....She loved her daddy  , she loated me...

That first year was nothing short of a nightmare.  During the second year the clouds began parting and a bit of sunshine appeared. 

The third year has been a blessing beyond measure.  There are still a few wee issues we are working on, but my oh my how the Lord has provided us with an abundance of His mercy and grace.  I can honestly say now, I love, truly love this child of mine.... my one and only Piper.

don't grow up

Piper has here own unique way of dressing ~ somehow it seems to work on her

that's my girl!

Happy Gotcha Day and Happy Birthday Piper!! 

I celebrate your life!  How blessed I am the Lord chose ME to be your mother...

You can read Pipers story here: Piper's Story

 

 

A walk with Lynn...

 

I had the most wonderful visit with Lynn ~ A Mother's Journal ~ and her family!  Such a delight it was!  Her sweet daughter, whom Piper readily took up with, ran upstairs with the girls to see our seven fluffy kittens.  While our much alike husbands and two of her three sons,  sat inside and immersed themselves with talk of hunting and politics, Lynn and I rocked on the front porch while I held little Willow.  Such a lovely time it was....chatting... my doe and her twins fawns wandered casually by as if to introduce themselves.  I say "my" since I see them most everyday.  Lynn is such a gracious woman full of beauty inside and out. She epitomizes femininity. Her long black hair is well past her waist and shines in the sun, her eyes the bluest of blues... it is as if she came from another time.  Indeed I think she did.  What a pleasant time it was just getting to know her a little better.  I wish she could come and help me with my yard as she has such a love and gift for plants.  I couldn't help the desire of hoping she could come more often... she leaves you with that feeling.   I want to look like her when I grow up. ;)