I Need A Pick Up

Lately Jackson has been coming up to me and putting both arms around my legs and saying "I need a pick up" meaning he wants me to pick him up. He says the sweetest things.

An Afternoon Fishing With Daddy

Last Wednesday Ben got off at lunch and took the kids fishing. They went to one of his co-workers parent's pond and caught these 2 huge catfish. One of them actually pulled Ben's pole into the water and he had to get in a John boat and go get it back. Madelyn was so excited...look at those hands on her hips. (Where oh where does she get that attitude????) Jackson was not so into the fish as you can tell. Ben of course looks like he just won the lottery! I am so thankful for a husband that really enjoys spending time with his kids.

The Lord's Supper

I had to write this so that I can always remember it. We began each day of school with Bible study. Madelyn reads a story out of her Beginner's Bible and then I read the same story out of my Bible. This Monday our lesson was on the last supper. Madelyn had many questions and really got into this lesson. Today she came to me and said "mommy can I have a piece of bread and some fruit juice?" I said "baby it is too close to supper for a snack." Then she said "but mommy I want to eat the Lord's supper to please God." Also before I forget this, last week she was taking the SAT's at TCPS and the teacher had said that they could bring a book to read in case they finished early. So on Monday I sent Beverly Cleary's Henry and Rigsby with her. When I was packing her bag for Tuesday she said "Mommy I would rather take my Bible to read today." It has been such a blessing and encouragement to watch Madelyn grow in her love for the Lord. There have been many times lately when I have come into the living room and she will be on the couch with my Bible. It is amazing that God is using my little girl to encourage me in my walk with Him. Thank you God!

Decorating Easter Eggs

Madelyn was so proud to be able to color the eggs herself this year.
A very excited bunny!

One cool fellow!

A very happy bunny! I could eat him up!

Homeschool Easter Party 2010

Shelly Green, Clara's mother, hosted the Easter Party. She had such neat ideas. The day included Shelly reading the Resurrection story from the Bible, painting crosses, making hot cross buns, and having a parade to take witness bags to the neighbors. For lunch we had fried catfish and hushpuppies and grape juice.
Madelyn and Clara painting their crosses.

Getting ready for the parade. They had so much fun taking the witness packages to the neighbors. I am so thankful that Shelly had that idea and that Madelyn got to experience sharing Jesus.

Look at those sweet girls.

Here is Shelly reading the Bible. You could tell she really put a lot into preparing this lesson. I am so thankful for her.

Planting Our Seeds

In science we are studying plants. I found these cute little seed kits at Lowes. We have a pumpkin, sunflower and watermelon planter. Here is Madelyn with the sunflower one. Of course this picture was taken about a month ago so you should see our plants now. Madelyn loves to see how much they grow from week to week. I think she is really learning a lot and having fun. I know I am!

Easter Egg Hunt 2010

I took this picture before we left for the Easter egg hunt. Do you think they are excited?
This is the best picture I could get of them together. The sun was so bright it was hard for them to look up long.

The little kids hunted eggs on the kiddie playground. Jackson found an egg in this tricycle.

Madelyn was very serious about hunting eggs. Look at that expression on her face. She was looking for the prize egg.

Wearing Mommy's Shoes

Jackson loves to put on my shoes. Here he is sporting my black heels in his Elmo sleeper. I thought it was so funny! What a fashion statement!

Daddy's 34th Birthday

Madelyn helped me make Ben's favorite cake, butter recipe cake with chocolate icing. Ben's parents came up for the day to help us celebrate. Happy Birthday Daddy!

Just Family Pictures

A Warmer Day

We finally got to take the bike and tricycle outside to ride them. It has been too cold up until today. Madelyn was so excited to try out her new bike. Poor Jackson's feet don't quite reach the pedals so he just scooted along. Maybe by the summer he can learn to pedal.

Tupelo Snow January 2010

Our school day wasn't very productive today because guess what....It snowed! Hip Hip Hooray! It was extremely cold so we had to go out in 30 minute segments then go in and warm up for about 30 minutes and put clothes in the dryer to dry from rolling in the snow.

There was not really enough snow coverage to build a snow man but they still had so much fun!

Look at that sweet little face!

Madelyn's First Day at TCPS

This was Madelyn's first day at TCPS. They have a homeschooling program where you can attend one day a week and do art, music, computer, chapel, library, recess, show-n-tell, and PE. She goes every Tuesday from 8:00 - 1:30. She has really enjoyed getting to meet new friends and has the sweetest teacher.

Madelyn's Salvation

Madelyn asked Jesus into her heart on October 2, 2009. She had been asking questions for some time now. We were doing a bible lesson on the women at the well and the living water. She wanted to know how she could get this living water and I explained to her that Jesus was the living water the Bible was talking about. I told her that to have this living water the Bible was talking about she needed to ask Jesus into her heart. Of course to this she said "Jesus has always been in my heart" So we talked some more and called our pastor who told us some questions to ask Madelyn to make sure she understood everything. When Ben got home we talked some more and she kept insisting she was ready. So in the kitchen we all kneeled and she said her own prayer and asked Jesus into her heart. I will never forget my little girl crying as she asked Jesus into her heart and telling him how she needed Him to forgive her of her sins and that she wanted to be with Him forever. As she said Amen she looked up and said "I feel quiet different" What an awesome experience! Thank you Lord for allowing me to be there when my daughter came to know You! It gave me such a picture of what God means when he says we should all have the faith of a little child.

Christmas Morning 2009

We had such a wonderful Christmas morning. I made waffles for breakfast and the kids played all morning. Santa brought Madelyn some Breyer horse stables and a bike. He brought Jackson a train table and a tricycle. Someone needs to talk to Santa about spoiling my kids!!!

Gingerbread House 2009

Every year we decorate a gingerbread house. This year Madelyn did most of it herself. I thought she did an excellent job. Jackson was more interested in eating the candy.

Christmas Eve 2009

We always let the kids open up the presents from us on Christmas Eve. This was such a fun and special night for our family. After the kids opened presents we read the real Christmas story in the Bible. We have really tried to help Madelyn understand the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

Christmas Outfits 2009

Fall Paintings

One of my favorite things about homeschooling was Thursday pajama day. I let the kids do school in there pajamas during the winter since most of the time it was too cold or yucky to go out. Here are the kids doing our fall paintings. Madelyn painted Jackson a tree and I dipped his fingers in paint and helped him put leaves on his tree.
Madelyn getting ready to make her handprint turkey.

The finished project. What a happy face!

Dressed up for Church

I wish I could remember what had Jackson so tickled....

The Cow and the Monkey

Trick or Treat 2009

Homeschool Fall Party 2009

We have several homeschoolers at our church and we have sort of formed our own little group and decided to coordinate and each host a party for the year. I hosted the fall party at our house. The day consisted of making a pumpkin out of construction paper, making carmel apples, pumpkin bowling and pizza.
Madelyn and Clara waiting to dip there apples.

Jackson and Mommy dipping apples.

Pumpkin bowling! I think all the kids got a kick out of this. By the end we only had one pumpkin that survived. So funny!

All the kids, what a wonderful group!

Holly Farms Pumpkin Patch

We went to Holly Farms Pumpkin Patch with my friend Shawna and her children Carson and Emilia. It was so much fun. We got to go on a hayride, pick out our own pumpkin, play in the corn maze, play on the playground and pet the animals.
Here we are in the corn maze.

Oh yeah and we got to ride these. It is five gallon drums being pulled by a lawnmower.