Away For A Few Days...

We've just finished up our 6th year of homeschooling and I've never been to a homeschool convention. Well, that is about to change. I will be leaving early in the morning with a friend of mine headed for Winston-Salem. I am so excited. I can't wait to see all those books and listen to the wonderful speakers. Hopefully, I'll remeber to take my camera and I may get some pics.

I'm really going to miss my family. Yes, I'm leaving hubby and the kiddos behind but the homecoming will be sweet.

Hope to 'see' you all again next week.

Wordless Wednesday

Spring Piano Recital

Last Monday, we had our spring piano recital. I am really impressed by how much my daughter has learned in her first year of piano. She says she wasn't even nervous this time, which is good, because one day she'll be playing for our church, Lord willing.

The songs she chose were: "Love is Patient" and "Oh, How I Love Jesus."

She'll get to take the summer off from lessons and we'll start back up in September. I can't wait to see how she progresses next year. I'm just believing the Lord to give her a gifting in this area so she can use this talent for His glory.

Posing at the keyboard



The little pianist with Mommy

Playing during the recital with her teacher beside her

Biltmore Visit

We decided to take a quick trip up to Biltmore House on Monday. We had not taken the children since I was pregnant with Gracie. They didn't remember very much about it, but they sure did enjoy their visit. I took so many pictures of their beautiful grounds and of course of my beautiful children. They don't allow cameras inside the estate so I don't have any of that. Enjoy!!

My sweeties in front of the big house

Cool, man!!

Can you get the sun outta my face??

My baby

Sitting in the gardens

He loves his sisters!!

Daddy taking Madison for a spin under the trees.

Walking in the Biltmore Forest

Playing in the fountain

This is just a small portion of the house.

This tree was really beautiful and massive.

I love this picture.

This sort of looks enchanting to me.

Gracie picking a flower.

Beautiful gardens

See ya!!

Mother's Day Gifts

Happy Mother's Day

Before I was a Mom: I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.



Before I was a Mom: I had never been puked on,pooped on, chewed on, peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

I slept all night.



Before I was a Mom: I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.



Before I was a Mom: I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.



Before I was a Mom: I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.



Before I was a Mom :I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

Note: I did not write this...I received this in an email this week. :0)

Just A Mom?

I got this in an email today and I loved it. I'd like to have that kind of nerve! :0)

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. 'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder, 'do you have a job or are you just a ...?' 'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mom.' 'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,
'housewife' covers it,' Said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself
in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.' 'What is your occupation?' she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. 'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.' The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire 'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest,'just what you do in your field?' Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers
and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.' There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more
distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'
Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations' And great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates?' I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts '
Associate Research Assistants.'

Just Had To Share...

My 6 year old daughter handed me a piece of paper she had been drawing on. She told me she was going to give it to God when she gets to Heaven. She also said the picture made her cry. Needless to say, I was teary and extremely touched by her sincerity. She really does love the Lord. I'm so proud of her. Here's her picture.

My Curly Girls

I just had to share this picture. I rolled the girls hair and they slept on it overnight. The next morning, they had the sweetest curls all over their heads. They do have naturally curly hair but this is a different look for them. Aren't they just sooooo cute?