Meet Dovie

So this happened last week....

We have been considering getting a dog for a little while but were going to need to be a bit picky. Nathaniel especially was on a full out campaign to get a family dog, even going so far as to give us all his money. I posted something about how cute that was on Facebook and the next day got a message from a friend about a dog she knew that needed a home.

Less than a week later Dovie came to our home.

She is an almost-3-year-old Wheaten Terrier. She is sweet and loveable. We have some things we are working on (like not pulling on a leash, and going potty outside) but in general she seems to be fitting in very well. She has lots of energy, but also stays very calm in the house and can often be found sleeping in her crate. She loves to ride in the van on go on long walks. The boys immediately took to her. Jeremiah calls himself her trainer (although I am pretty sure she is the boss in the relationship) and Nathaniel is fiercely protective.

We are all trying to make the adjustment but so far are enjoying having Dovie around.

A visit

A few weeks ago Oma and Opa came down from snowy Philadelphia for a visit. February is a fickle month here in Georgia but we were graced with lovely pre-sping weather! We ate meals out on the deck in the sunshine. We enjoyed a gorgeous day at the Chattanooga Nature Center. It was lovely!

9

This boy...
Words fail me right now...
Nine years old. Half way to 18.
This boy...has a vivid imagination, a playful spirit, a brilliant mind, a tender heart, a fierce independence, a bold honesty, a love of books and words, a passionate sense of right and wrong. He is a goal setter, a list maker, a leader. He is loud and wild and energetic. He is also quiet and still and thoughtful.

Jeremiah, our prayer is that you will always know that you are deeply loved. Our love as parents is imperfect but God's love for you is constant. My you always feel His love and follow Him with all of your passionate soul.

Night time snow walk

Jeremiah and Nathaniel,
Last night your mama did something a bit out of character. Even though I prefer comfort, warmth, and routine I couldn't resist the magical call of the snow. All evening long the flakes were falling and by your bedtime the world outside was a winter wonderland. Suddenly I couldn't resist it anymore, I just had to get outside. I just had to be part of the beauty and not simply an observer. But, it was your bedtime and we don't usually mess with bedtime in this house. So I bundled up and headed out by myself. I admit I was at first a bit giddy at the silence and solitude. After a few days of all of us being snowed in together it was a wonder to be alone in such an empty, soundless, beautiful world. The flakes were falling wet and fast. Tree branches stretched gnarled and skeletal, dark forms made more visible by their ethereal white cover. The only sounds were the crunch of my feet and the occasional drifting muffled voices. Trees loomed ghostly and gorgeous on both sides of the road.

It was beauty that needed to be shared. I was so filled with wonder and amazement that I didn't want to be alone anymore. I wanted to share it with you. I practically ran up the driveway to come and get you, even though it was past your bedtime.

We threw caution to the wind and didn't even bundle up that much. We pulled on jackets and boots over pj's and a quick hat on the head. Jeremiah, your legs were skinny in your too-small pj's and your cowboy boots clunked loud. We took a magical walk through a Narnia-like world. If we squinted just right we swore we could see Mr. Tumnus dancing through the trees. Jeremiah you traipsed loud, sloshed through slushy puddles, and even kicked your boot off as you kicked at fallen branches. Nathaniel, you held my hand and kept up a continuous hushed commentary about what you saw and what you imagined (2 Fauns and 3 Fauns caves were we might possibly stop for some tea).

We turned toward home and used our very own lamppost to guide our way. I was so filled with joy. Thankful that I had followed my urge to go outside. Loving sharing this snowglobe perfect moment with you both. Tucking this memory away in my heart. And as we walked, taking it all in with awe, Nathaniel, you took my hand and whispered, "Mama, I think Aslan is on the move."

More snow

 (Mrs. Linda helps build the snowman!)

We have heard that the Dutch speed skaters are rocking the winter Olympics. Hup Holland!

This morning we woke to 2-3inches of snow! And the forecast calls for more. Aaron is home because school is cancelled again. We are settling in and hoping that the predictions of epic ice and power outages prove not to be true.
As we were finally finishing gearing up to go outside we saw our new pastor and his wife walk up our driveway! They were out for a neighborhood walk and decided to stop by. We had fun playing in the snow and taking a walk with them.
I got sick (again) last week, so having nature force some rest is nice. I am sick of being sick. But, it is what it is for now...

Snow Days

Snow ninjas

Monday dawned bright and sunny. We had Jeremiah's class and errands to run so I decided to make it an epic day out so that I wouldn't have to leave the house any more this week. I had no idea what the rest of the week would bring...

Tuesday we woke late for us and spent the morning puttering around. School work was started, bread put in the oven, laundry going. It was peaceful and cozy. Mid morning I looked out the window and noticed snowflakes coming down. I didn't think much of it. I don't watch TV and I rarely check the weather. I checked my Facebook feed and noticed that local schools were going to dismiss early. I texted Aaron and asked him if he would get to come home too. It was a pretty idyllic day. Falling snow, cozy house, appetizing smells, excited boys. Aaron slipped his way home. His usual 45 minute commute took him 2 1/2 hours, which felt like forever at the time but later turns out to be one of the shorter commute times of the afternoon. Friends were posting of 4 - 7 hour drives home!

School has ended up  being cancelled for the rest of the week. We have been hibernating here at home. Continuing with our school work. Drinking lots of hot chocolate. Scrounging up enough warm gear for the boys to play outside. Taking hot baths. Popping corn. Watching movies. Drinking lots of hot tea. Taking naps. Staying up late.

It has been a nice, unexpected break.

A Quick School Update

According to my handy-dandy Google Calendar that I used to plan out our school year back in the summer we are supposed to be on week 20 of our Core D from Sonlight. We are in fact on week 16. The fact that I am not stressing about this discrepancy proves that I am a "veteran" homeschooler by now. Ha Ha.

Maybe we spent too much time in front of screens over our 2 week Christmas break. But if I take a minute to step back I can see that we are doing and learning so much! Like our impromptu trip to the Aquarium with friends. Or the hours and hours that the boys spend playing outside with friends on the 9 wooded acres that surround our church, while I am working. The Jesse Tree readings we do during Advent, along with the extra Christmas books that we snuggle to read. Jeremiah avidly reading "spy" books and working for hours on his "Secret Agent File." Nathaniel drawing lots and lots of picture for friends. And sitting down every day to read a little bit to me - and getting good at it! We plug away at math and handwriting even on days that we don't always sit down and do our Core work.

In our Core work we are in the time of the colonists, right before the Revolutionary War. So much seems to be connecting in the boys heads. Things we saw in Philadelphia, books we are reading, a documentary we are watching - all of it is coming together and we are all learning so much.

In fact, when we sat down to watch a documentary about the colonists and the Revolutionary War the boys had to run and get the proper weaponry.

Christmas 2013

I am learning so much about taking life just one day at a time. We had a lovely Christmas Eve Day at the Rapier house complete with a lovely brunch, lots of presents, laughter, cousins, and delicious snack food. I could feel signs of a cold coming on but tried to ignore it as much as possible. Christmas Day and I was completely out of it. I made it out of bed long enough to watch the boys open their Christmas presents. We moved the party we were supposed to have at our house to a friends house. Aaron and the boys headed out to the party and I headed back to bed where I stayed for 2 days.
Even though we didn't really do anything special it was still declared by the boys to be "the best Christmas ever!"

He just keeps growing...

The other night during our small group Christmas party Jeremiah stood in front of me during prayer time. And I realized suddenly that I could comfortably rest my chin on the top of his head! Nine years ago I was pregnant with this guy at Christmas time and anxiously awaiting his arrival. Now he is so grown up.

Quiet-ing

It has been quiet here on the blog. Which is never my intention. This blog serves as the kids memory books really. Every now and then I will scroll back through old posts and I am so thankful that I took the time to record our memories. This year it has been harder. I have had some emotional, spiritual, and physical struggles and so it has been survival mode around here. But I think we are emerging. I feel energy returning.

We are enjoying a much slower and quieter pace after the hectic pace of fall. We are snuggling down and staying in and enjoying our own little nest. I feel more centered, peaceful, and purposeful. I love puttering around the house with no where to go. We work and play to the twinkle of lights and the soundtrack of Christmas music, reminding me that the Light has come and the darkness cannon overwhelm it. We "decked our halls" little by little and this year the boys pretty much decorated the whole tree by themselves. I stayed pretty stress free through the process and considered that a major victory. Our own family traditions are solidifying; Jesse Tree readings, unexpected surprises in stockings at random times, hot chocolate and popcorn while we read books from the Christmas book basket, friends over after the town Christmas parade.

We will not be traveling for Christmas this year. It will be a year for quiet celebration here at home.

Thanksgiving

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
-Psalm 103:1-5, 22

Philly Trip - Downtown Philadelphia

One of the days we were in Philadelphia we went downtown and viewed some of the historic sites. Some of the sites were closed due to the government shut down (Independence Hall, Liberty Bell) but we were still able to see some other things. It was a gorgeous fall day in the city and just walking around the old streets gave us the ability to picture some of the things we have been reading about in our books. Of course, no trip to downtown Philly would be complete without a terrific cheese steak sandwich!

Independence Hall

(Viewed from across the street. Due to the government shut down the whole block the building was on was barricaded off. I must admit I was very disappointed about this because we are going to be reading a lot about this building...Oh well...)

 Liberty Bell

We visited the Constitution Center. It was a great museum. Very interactive and full of detail. I really learned a lot here. My background is such that I don't particularly identify with, or feel patriotic to any one particular country, but it was fascinating to learn about the Constitution. And I can say that I gained a new appreciation for this country of my birth. Here are the boys, more American than I will ever be, with the preamble of the Constitution in the background.

 The boys met Betsy Ross! 

Did you know that George Washington originally requested 6-point stars on the flag because that was the common way to make a star back then. But Betsy Ross suggested a 5-point star because they can be made with just 1 cut and therefore could be made more easily and quickly. Smart lady! 

Cooking colonial style

The Betsy Ross House was open and a good place to visit. (Thanks dad for making us go in even though I was tired and ready to go home!) So many interesting things to learn and great details to see. Again, just being able to walk around the house really helped us visualize things from the books we are reading about the colonial period of American history. And really, how cool is it that George Washington himself walked through that very front door and had to duck because he was so tall?