Oh Brothers

Leave it to older brothers to find a brand new way to use the pompoms you got for Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

This year we had a wonderful, relaxing, family-focused time at home.  I was a little apprehensive because every year since...forever...we've gone to my parents' house for a big Christmas get-together, and I knew I was going to miss that. The fact is I did miss it an awful lot, but a couple things really helped.  The first is that during this month my mom and sister sent me 3 or 4 packages of homemade Christmas goodies. I'd get one every week or so filled with handmade ornaments, dish clothes, candy, jams and jellies, and Christmas decorations.  It was wonderful and it kept them close to my heart this whole season.  And the second thing that made it easier is that Mike's mom came to our home and spend two days with us, helping us create new traditions.  So, looking back on Christmas 2007, I feel very loved all the way around.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Sue

PS:  One of our newest traditions is to read a book we were given last Christmas by a good family friend.  It's a beautiful children's story called The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey.  This year on Christmas Eve we lit a fire in the fireplace and all gathered around, and I read it to everyone as a bedtime story.  It's such a heartwarming book with a timeless message.  At one point I had to stop reading because I was so choked up...and this is the second time I've been through it!  It made me cry last year, too.  lol  Anyway, if you're looking for a great book to read with your kids during this time of year, I highly recommend it.

Memorization is Important in any Home School

This year one of my goals for the three kids was for all of them to be able to recite the books of the Bible.  We went over it each morning, and by October they could do it.  I had to laugh, though, at Baylee.  She was a quick little learner, actually the first one to get it all memorized, but she also found a way to entertain herself.  This was her version of the Old Testament up to the book of...well...you'll see.

Books of OT

How Would You Like to be This Guy's Neighbor?

Imagine living across the street from this...

Wizards in Winter

Although I must admit, we LOVE the Trans-Siberian Orchestra around here.  And this song, Wizards in Winter, is my new favorite.

Sue

Homeschool Video

I have no idea who these people are, but this video they created is hilarious.  Kudos to them.

Sue

A Homeschool Family

White Elephant

Our family was invited to a Christmas party last night and we all had to bring white elephant presents.  Baylee gave her big Barbie head with the hair you can style.  She laughingly told us that she hoped a man chose it.  Drew wrapped up the DVD "Buddy," which is actually a decent present.  It's just not something we ever watch anymore.  Zach decided to give away a giant, unopened  bottle of Listerine. You'd think no one would be that interested in a bottle of mouthwash, but you'd be surprised the amount of times that thing changed hands!  I chose to give a stein with "Class of 1989!" on it.  The guy who ended up with it pasted a weak smile on his face and said, "Well, it's only a decade off...."  Finally, Mike graciously gifted someone with a Greek New Testament.  That thing's been sitting on our bookcase in mint condition since 1993 when Mike took Dr. Dewitt's class in college.

It was hilarious seeing people's reaction to our stuff and it was just as fun getting a new pile of junk Christmas treasure to carry home.  But what really struck me was how much my family worked together for the good of the whole.  At one point when Zach's gift was "stolen," he picked out a bag of Bath and Body Works lotion and bubble bath and then set it in my lap with a "Merry Christmas, Mom."  Then Mike purposefully chose a chintzy little piggy bank/safe, because he knew Drew had his eye on it.  Conversely, Drew picked out a book called "No Opportunity Wasted:  8 Ways to Create a List for the Life You Want!" so that Mike had something helpful to go home with.  (snicker)  Anyway, I know it isn't much, but those little gestures of kindness made me so proud.  I love my little family!

Sue

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,
I wish I could see you. I would like to either stay up all night and see you at my house or go to the North Pole. Thank you for sending me all the presents. I like dolls better than anything in the world. And bunnies.
Love, Baylee


Dear Baylee,

Thank you for writing such a wonderful letter! We have had a great year at the North Pole. The reindeer have been playing reindeer games to get in shape for the long trip Christmas Eve, and the elves have been busy getting my sleigh packed with lots and lots of toys.
Once my sleigh is packed and ready to go, I'll be off on my journey around the world. I'm reading your letter right now, and it looks like you've been a very nice girl this year. That makes me so happy. Keep up the good work!

While you are asleep on Christmas Eve, the reindeer will land my sleigh on your rooftop so I can hop down your chimney.

I see that you like dolls. I like dolls too. They are lots of fun to play with, especially if your friends like dolls too! The elves have been very busy this year making many new and different dolls for Christmas!

Oh, the elves are calling me so I must go now. They probably need me to check my toy list to make sure we have all the toys packed. Don't worry, we'll be ready for the big trip!


Ho! Ho! Ho! Have a Merry Christmas!

Your Special Friend,

Santa

Baylee loved this!  She got to email Santa at this site and receive a personalized reply within a couple days.  There's also fun little stories and games.

Sue

12 Days

This is a video of Indiana University's men's a capella group, called Straight No Chaser, singing the 12 Days of Christmas. You must see these guys sing!  Really!  They're wonderful!  Not only is their sound beautiful, but the way they do this song is hilarious.  Go watch!

12 Days

Sue

The Cat Ate My Homework

I'm really not the kind of person who loves animals.  I tolerate animals.  But our cat, Cooper, is so weird that I can't help but kind of like the little guy.  He does things that make you look twice, like sleep with his head on a pillow or lounge on his side with his "elbow" propped up on something.  He's also the only cat I know that comes when you call him.

Anyhow, Zach called me into his room today to see what Cooper was up to this time.  The cat was playing with Zach's pencil in such a way that it looked for all the world like he was trying to use it!  He also took a big bite out of one of Zach's schoolbooks.  What the heck is up with that?

 

Silent Night

This year Baylee is old enough to be in the Children's Choir at church, and boy does she love every minute of it.  Tonight she got to sing with a group of about ten other little girls in the evening service.  They were so cute up there!  Here's a snippet:

Sue

PS:  For those who went to GBC, can you pick out the children of other alumni?  There are a couple!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

What's Your Peculiar Aristocratic Title?

I'm:  Her Most Noble Lady Suzanne the Cannibalistic of Chalmondley Chumleyton

And I'm married to:  His Most Noble Lord Michael the Blossoming of Fiddlehope in the Marsh

 Find out what your eccentric British title is!

A Homeschool Kid's Time Out

Yesterday one of our boys had a bit of an attitude about getting school done, so I sent him to his room and told him he could come out when he was ready to finish his work in a pleasant manner.  You know how you hear about kids who love to go to their room for a time out because it's equipped with a computer, stereo system, and television?  Well, that's not our house.  The kids' rooms have books and toys, but no electronics.  That's why when quite a long while had gone by and the boy was still in there, I started wondering what the heck he was doing.  I peeked in and this is what I saw:

And that picture doesn't even do it justice.  It's an intricate building of several stories made out of Legos.  If you look closely, you'll see that each story has it's own staircase, there's people performing duties at different stations, there's a loft in one area with a banister, and there's even a dungeon on the top floor.  It's pretty cool! 

I guess this is what homeschool kids do when they're sent to their room.  LOL  I didn't admit this to him, but I actually think it was time well spent.

Sue

PS:  I won't tell you which boy it was, but if you know anything about him, then you've already figured it out, I'm sure! 

Two Quick Things...

First, I've gotten several emails and phone calls from friends who are concerned that we're in the flooded area of Washington. Thank you, guys, for caring!  It warms my heart.  Our family isn't in any danger, because we're too far north.  The worst that happened here was some power outs and a leaky roof, both of which have been fixed.

Second, if you know Keven and Candace(some of you know them from college), be in prayer for their family today and in the days to come.  Last week Candace slipped and fell on a patch of ice and broke her arm badly.  Today she's in surgery to have plates and pins put in, and then she'll be on a long road to recovery.  She's a homeschooling mom of four and a youth pastor's wife besides, so she's going to need all the prayer she can get.  Thanks!

Love,
Sue

The Men of the House

Yay! It's Snowing!

So it does snow here after all!  It's been coming down on and off for the last two days, and I love it.  It's beautiful out there.  Although Mike and I did have to venture out last night to go to his company Christmas party, and wow.  The way people drive around here in the snow is unbelievable.  I had to kind of laugh at the snail's pace we were going!  And then there were the drivers that simply gave up, turned off the engine, and sat there in the median (or in one case the middle of the road!) refusing to budge another inch.  Luckily we made it safely there and back.

Anyway, at least it finally feels like Christmas!

Sue

This is Entirely Too Hilarious Not to Share

True Story:

A woman (not me) went to a Walmart Bakery to pick up a cake she'd ordered over the phone.  This is what she found when she got there:

You see, when she called the bakery she was asked, "What do you want your cake to say?"  She responded, "'Best Wishes Suzanne.' Underneath that, 'We will miss you.'"

And to add insult to injury, it's not even spelled right!

Sue