Nature in our own yard

Yesterday was an amazing day outside!!!  A bit windy and rather warm for March, but I like it that way!
We spent some time outside planting(my love this time of year)and looking at God's beautiful creation.  And it was all in OUR OWN yard!!! 
The past few days we have heard something moving around in the front bushes.  It is so full of English Ivy there is no way to see inside.  Well I think we may have discovered something it could be.  Me and the boys were FREAKING out!  And pretty excited to see this HUGE lizard in our yard.  I guess it is a boy thing.  BUT much to our surprise Brant informed us it is "just" a fence lizard, as he called it.  Oh well it was fun to see the boys' excitement anyway.
And then our Redbud tree.  You know it is Spring when you see it blooming.  It makes me smile.
Then I discovered another surprise.  Last Spring Brant discovered an acorn from our Burr Oak tree that had been pushed down in the dirt and was growing.   These are not your little typical acorns.  They are big, about 2 1/2-3 inches long.  This sweet one made its way into the ground and from Winter to Spring starting growing into a little tree.  I am SO glad Brant's eye caught it one day and dug it up.  From there we planted it in a pot and hoped it would grow.  And this Spring it is budding out!!!!  I am so excited about this little tree.  A new addition to our family that I can watch over and protect.
We also added a sign to our "gardening school".  It is nothing special.  I worked with what I had here at home, but it is kinda cute.   It was a wonderful day of surprises and fun.

A day of nature in our own yard!!!

First Trip to the Fort Worth Zoo!

I can't remember their exact age in these pictures, but they had to have been over 15 months or close to two years old.  The only reason I know that is because Ryan has a cast on under that shirt.  For some reason I do remember that.   Anyway as we prepare for the boys' Jungle Safari birthday party(FIVE years old!!)this year I thought about their first trip to the zoo. 
BTW the zoo is on the agenda(the boys love to talk about their agenda)for the birthday weekend.

Enjoy the pics!

God's sweet children

This is such an amazing week as a Christian, but at times a hard week thinking about what Jesus endured for us.  For the month of March I was teaching Children's Church.  Yesterday was my last day and the lesson was from John 12:12-36.  Where Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the donkey and the crowds meet him with palm branches. My lesson yesterday for the little ones(ages 4 years through 1st grade)was to try to make then understand how sacred and sad Jesus must have been knowing what was coming for him very soon. Then to put it into something they understood......being sacred about going to the doctor, being scared because you did something wrong, having sad feelings because someone close to you died, having friends make fun of you.....and it went on and on.  The stories these sweet children were eager to tell me, made me laugh and want to cry because they are so precious and innocent.  BUT most of all they are learning about Jesus!  They also could tell me what Easter is all about.  Jesus hanging on a cross and dying for OUR sins and as they told me, "going to Heaven and waiting for us".  He is RISEN!  Praise God!
This was a true testament for the parents of these little ones that they are doing the right thing.
Later yesterday my boys were here at home walking around preaching the word of God. They held a book, would open it and would recite words such as, "I will glorify God!"  Matthew would say it and Ryan would repeat.  They are doing responsive reading like we do in our church.  Pure delight for this momma!
All this is a sign telling me to continue what we are doing. So on those night when we sit and read our bible stories and they want to laugh and play and I get mad, hearing them pretending to play church tells me they do hear what we are teaching.  And those Sundays when they do not want to get up and get ready for church.  Guess what?  They are getting it.
It makes all the hard work seem a little easier when you can hear them talk about Jesus.  Like yesterday morning when Ryan wanted to invite Thomas(an imaginary friend)to church because he is not a Christian.  And then tells me he wants to help Thomas believe in God and to follow Jesus.   I was blown away!!!
So as we start this amazing week of bible stories for Easter, our Resurrection eggs, crafts for Easter, baking cupcakes for Easter and so on and so forth, I am thankful for the many blessings I receive from God's sweet children.
Most of all I am thankful He is RISEN and He is ALIVE! And these sweet children know ALL about it!! Praise God!!!!

SOUR never tasted so good!

I inadvertently picked up the Sour Starburst Jellybeans last night at the store.  As you can see the jar is almost gone.  Yes I said last night.  Might just be the new favorite!  And BTW I did share with 2 mad hungry boys that have a mean sweet tooth!

Transforming our space update and Gardening School

As I mentioned last week I am transforming our space(the dining room)to make it suitable for home education.  Although I did not want it to look like a public school, I did feel the boys were young enough to enjoy some colorful decorations that teacher stores offer.  I'll make sure to put my funky spin out it as I go.  Today I was only able to get the closet done. Our new supply closet!!!
I took our coat closet and completely cleared it out.  With everything gone I had a nice size space to work with.  Now I have all our supplies in one spot.  Very nice!  I still need to add a few more things in the closet for color, but I am pleased with it so far.  The boys LOVE it!
Now on to gardening school.  If you missed a post, me and the boys are taking over the gardens this Spring and Summer.  Brant is just too busy with work right now.
Planting, watering and taking care of the garden daily will be part of our daily school lesson.  That is why it is called Gardening School.  It was Matthew's idea. 
So we have 4 raised beds.  We planted fruits and veggies in two, flowers in one and the 4th bed is a dirt pile, a pirate ship, a garbage dump, etc.  You get the picture.  It was so cute!  The boys called Brant and ask if they could have one bed to play in.  He gave them the green light and they were so happy! A dirt box!! Story of my life.....dirty boys!  They say boys are 90% mischief and 10% dirt!
Anyway we did get them planted, but when it came down to it, the boys were not into it as much as I had thought.  None the less it will be a daily lesson.  For the boys and ME.  Brant got home and ask if I had watered after we planted everything.  "OH, I was suppose to water it too?!"   Oops............
All in all it was a very successful day. 
The dining room is looking more like a place to have school and eat.  The gardens are planted and the boys have a new place to play.

If The Devil Had A Wife

No I am not talking about me and Brant....hehehe!
It is a book that was written about a family from my little home town! A very wealthy family and it is all the rage in Orange, Texas.
All around town there is a buzz and people are asking, "Have you read the book?"
Well I got "the book"(thanks Mom!)and I am about to dive right in. 
I had read a few pages of it on Amazon before receiving it and had to have it!! There is so much history in it about my home town.  Oh and the mystery about this family!!
It says it is a True Texas Tale.  And people around town say they believe it to be 90% true.
So I am off to get started on this Texas size mystery.  If I have intrigued you any check out the site below about the book. 

http://www.ifthedevilhadawife.com/

8 and 10 months old

Love these little faces! 

Gotta start young on that Blue Bell

It's all up to us!

I have been given the duty of our garden this Spring and Summer.  WHAT?!  Yep, Brant's business is so busy(PRAISE GOD!)there is no way he can handle work and the gardens.  I love getting my hands in dirt.  I love taking care of plants and flowers.  BUT I have never planted foods.  I have watched Brant do it, but I have not been the one responsible for the growth.  Well guess what?  Not just me, but me and the boys will be responsible for the garden this year.  And BTW God is really the one responsible for the growth.....I will just be an overseer of His amazing plan.
Brant had an awesome idea to make this part of our schooling.  I agreed.  And the boys will LOVE it!
This is something they can learn and keep up with.  They have watched Brant for a few years now, but have not actually gone through the whole process.  I will let them do most of the planting.  They will be responsible for watering and checking on their gardens.
We have 4 raised beds, but we will only plant in 2.  Today we will prepare the beds and get the soil ready for planting on Friday.  We do school M/W/F, but I suppose school may go to everyday since we will have to water and check on the gardens daily.  Especially if our friends(bunnies)come back around.....they like to sample and dig homes. What a wonderful excuse to be outside with nature daily!
I plan to plant okra, watermelon, another type of melon, cucumber, lemon cucumber and squash .
So far our gardens have been a fun hobby for Brant.  We get some food from it here and there, but nothing major.  Oh I so hope we(me and the boys)can produce something.  Even when Brant plants the gardens and we get a little food from it, I get so excited to see things growing. The feeling of eating something YOU grew is such satisfaction!   And it just seems to taste that much better.
I told the boys this morning Daddy would not have time for the garden.  And ask them to guess who would be taking care of it.  They guessed every family member, but me!  Thanks guys!
I finally told them it would be the three of us.  They were very excited and surprised. 
And decided we should call it "Gardening School". (Sounds like a sign project in the making)
So here we go on our new journey of being urban gardeners. 
This season it's all up to us.

And this is where life with twins began.........

Counting down to FIVE years old!

The boys' birthday is just right around the corner!! 19 days to be exact. As I count down to the birthday of the blessings God so graciously gave us, I will be highlighting some pictures of the boys over the past five years.
The one above is my joy times TWO right after they were born!!!

Spring Training!!

3.60 miles
126 calories BURNED
Heart rate well over 150!
Man this is hard after being off all winter, but hey, I lasted 15 minutes longer than I thought I would.
No big gasps people......you gotta start somewhere.

Perfect timing

If you learn anything about me know that I am always looking at how God has worked in my life.  I find it amazing to look back at how things have happened and know without a doubt God had it all planned out.
Even with the boys sleeping patterns(and mine)!
I am a morning person and Matthew has taken after me.  I usually have to beat him at getting up.  So about a month ago I started getting up at 5AM.  Not only to beat Matthew, but to have some time alone.  Time with God most importantly.  It has really worked out great!  I love being up in the morning while everyone else is sleeping.  The house is so still and quiet.  It allows me to really focus on my time with God.  A time I can really talk to Him and open up my heart.  I usually wake Arthur up because I whisper while praying.  At first he thought I was talking to him, but has since learned to just crawl under his cover and go back to sleep.
I have an hour with God and then my day begins.
Matthew usually gets up by 7AM.  He is probably awake before then, but he knows he is not to get out of bed until it is 7:00.  Or like he says, "Until the number closest to me is 7."  I have trained him well thank you very much.  Just kidding.....yes there are days he gets up before 7:00.
Now he is up and this is our snuggle time.  And he likes to snuggle.  I love this time to sit and hold him like a baby.  And kiss and hug him until he gets mad.  Shortly after that he wants me to play in his room.  Or do a craft.  It really doesn't matter what we do as long I am with him.  And giving up all my attention.  He will not stop until I give in.
All the while Ryan is still sleeping.  They have always been like this.  Matthew up first and then Ryan.  Even as babies Matthew was up and Ryan was the good sleeper.  And as they got older naps were always a struggle for Matthew, but not Ryan.  I can remember Ryan telling me he was ready for his nap and walking me to his room.  LOVED that phase!
BTW naps are a sweet memory.  For the boys that is.  I still love my naps and get them daily.  Usually at 8:30PM right after I get the boys to bed.  Hey a nap before bed is good for you!
Ryan usually is up by 8:30 or 9AM.  Then I get to hold him for a very short while.  Ryan may sleep late, but once he is up, he is UP.  Not much sitting around holding and snuggling for this little guy.
It is all such perfect timing.  By this time I am ready to start my marathon of things to do and Matthew is SO ready to play with someone besides me.
So as we went through all this morning it hit me what "perfect timing" God has made for us.  He knew the needs of each one of us and had it all planned from the beginning. 
I am daily amazed by the grace of God and His perfect timing.

For me it has!!!!

OK I do realize it is not officially Spring until Saturday,  but Spring has sprung for me. 
The trees are starting to bud, I can wear flip flops every other day and my allergies are driving me CRAZY!!! 
Now that screams SPRING!!! 
I LOVE Spring!!!  It is my favorite season for many reasons.  Time to be outside, get your hands in the dirt and plant, the boys birthday and our anniversary.  Of course I would love Spring!!!
Isn't it amazing how God made all the things I love in the same season?!?!
It may be a little chilly today and this weekend we may have a freeze, but Spring has sprung for me!
The SON is shining!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I LOVE GREEN!  It is my favorite color. 
Not just today, but everyday. 
Today I can go overboard on the green though. 
So what will you do today to celebrate St. Patrick's Day?  

Although we do not celebrate the true meaning, today gives me good reasons to do some fun stuff!!  Wear green plaid, bake cupcakes with green icing and candy, color green shamrocks, draw a rainbow, dance a jig and give lots of Irish kisses to my sweet boys.  

Isn't everyone a little Irish on St. Patrick's Day?

Transforming our space

Today I am spending some time organizing and rearranging to transform our dining room into a Dining room/Learning Center.  I love my home, but the lack of storage is not making this easy.  I am having to be really creative.  It is fun though to see things coming together.  You will walk in the front door and immediately know we learn at home.  And I like that.  Some people would be bothered by that, but I am proud to say we "homeschool".  Shouldn't my home reflect that?
Anyway I have lots of shopping to do and it will be a work in progress.  I'll post some pictures along the way.  I am starting now because I hope to get it all done before July.   
Until then I must get busy and transform our space.

6:30 AM

Most days my little rooster wakes up ready to create.  Even at 6:30AM!! 
This drawing is of the stars, moon and sun. 
Matthew said, "This is the sun going down and the moon coming out". 

He loves to draw, color and create.  He has his Daddy's ability to be an artist. 

Education

“It is infinitely well worth the mother’s while to take some pains every day to secure, in the first place, that her children spend hours daily amongst rural and natural objects; and, in the second place, to infuse into them, or rather, to cherish in them, the love of investigation.

Let them once get in touch with nature and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight and habit through life."

CM

My new friend, CM-Charlotte Mason.  You will be hearing a lot about her because her method of home education is my choice when the boys start "first grade".  Her approach is absolutely a breath of fresh air and we are taking it all in and feeling refreshed.  You may be asking what about kindergarten.  We plan to use a curriculum that will combine the best of Charlotte Mason's ideas and classical education with a Biblical worldview and an international focus. We will be using "My Father's World".
http://www.mfwbooks.com/index.htm
Until September we will do busy work with letters and numbers.  And rejoice in being outside in NATURE!!

MUD!

Dirt and LOTS of rain all day long.  MUD and BOYS!  Need I say more. (The rest of the MUD pictures are on their Shutterfly web page below)

Nature Walk

Today we went on a nature walk.  If that is what you want to call it.  We should have taken trash bags and called it, "Clean up our park day".  It truly saddens me to see God's beauty trashed up by idiots who just do not care.  None the less we had our nature walk and talked about what God has given us.  We love being outdoors and today's weather was just beautiful!!  The boys each had their own little bag and picked up flowers(weeds), bark, sticks and leaves.  We are excited for Spring and the many walks we will go on.  At least then when we take our nature walks we will have something pretty to see along the way.  BUT even in winter we have to see the beauty of our little world.  A time of year to stay warm and cozy, eat comfort foods and enjoy the SNOW!  Yes it is fun and very pretty to see falling all around you, but enough of that.  We want SPRING!!!
What an amazing thing Spring is!!!  And right around the corner too!  God knew after a long, dreary winter His people would delight in the joys Spring would bring.  A time of growth and refreshment.

And many days outside to enjoy NATURE!