Arranged Marriages

Sometimes I think it would be nice if marriages were still arranged.  I have several friends that I would love for my daughters to have as their mothers in law.  Take my friend Hope.  Not only is she one of the best and kindest women I know, she's also an artist and would be a great help with wedding planning.  Her one son is just a little older than Madeleine--perfect (Abby, if you're reading this, please don't tease your brother!) 

Almost half of our friends are raising either all boys or mostly boys.  So, all kinds of possibilities there too.  My friend Kim has four wonderful (and good-looking) sons and she feels the same way I do about arranged marriages.  Click here to see a picture of one of her future daughters-in-law.  I may start calling her "Ruby" after reading Kim's post!

Sister Outing

Madeleine has always been great about celebrating her sisters' birthdays.  She puts a lot of thought into their gifts and really makes them feel loved by their big sis'.  Grace's birthday snuck up on all of us and Madeleine never got the chance to shop for her gift.  So, she improvised and gave her an outing to lunch and a movie.  I played chauffeur and, as a bonus, had a few hours to myself to do my lesson planning and grading.  

I've written before about my hope that the girls develop lasting friendships with each other and on days like this, I see dimly the fruits of my labors.  What a blessing!

Earlier in the week as we were watching old family movies, Madeleine told her dad and me, "I'm so glad I have sisters".  I would say, they are lucky to have her.

Madeleine bought lunch at Chik Fil A and tickets to Ice Age III

Total cost?  $32

I can't believe how expensive movies are!  (Am I showing my age?)

After the movie, older sis' and younger sis' did a little shopping and Madeleine bought Grace this shirt.  What a generous heart she has.  She didn't buy herself anything because the shirt cost most of her money.  I didn't have the heart to tell her she went a little overboard on this birthday because I was so proud of her sacrifice.  I think we'll give her a big bonus the next time she babysits.

Lucky

So--have you heard my new favorite song yet?  In the joy of discovery, I listened to it more than a few times today.  It's simple, more mellow than I normally like and the best part hands down is the verse sung by Dave Matthews.  I've had personal theme songs on my mind because I am working on Grace's birthday video and have been trying to come up with a song to replace Brickhouse as her theme.  Each of the girls has two special songs.  One is an Elvis song that Chris picked for them at birth and sang to them as babies.  The other is their theme song--a tradition that started with Mia's Brown Eyed Girl.  I picked Brickhouse for Grace because when she was a toddler, she was built just like a brick.  Then Chris put the song on a running mix for me and I really listened to the words for the first time.  Time to find a new song.  One of the songs I've considered is called "Lucky To Be Me".  It's a slow jazz song and doesn't fit Grace at all so I've ruled it out but the title has stuck with me.  I'd love for each of my girls to be able to write their own "Lucky To Be Me" song about their lives.  I know I look at them and think about how special they are and how lucky I am to be their mama.

In fact, despite the never-ending rain and a cold that won't go away, I have been feeling extra-thankful this week in general.  I am a true believer in practicing the art of gratitude.  When I first started, I would write lists in my journal at night or anytime I felt like complaining about life.  I wrote thank you notes to anyone and everyone I could think to thank for something.  Then I read about a woman who always writes "Thank you" on the note line of her checks.  So I started doing that which means I thank the caterer at the school, our church, my friends, whoever.  Most of the bible verses I have up around the house are "thank you" verses and reminders to praise the Lord at all times.  And on my refrigerator is a magnet with a quote by Walt Whitman that says, "You Are So Much Sunshine To The Square Inch".  I love that.  More than anything, that's what I want to be--a positive, grateful person who shines the light of the "son" wherever I go.

Thank you, God--for everything.

And to Chris, for whom I'm most grateful.

"What a day, fortune smiled and came my way, bringing love I never thought I'd see.  

I'm so lucky to be me"

Good Enough For Me

"I'm alive and well and you know, today, that's good enough for me"

This afternoon, I heard my new theme song for the first time.  Madeleine, Grace and I were driving home when the radio announcer said, "and here's (I didn't catch the title at first) with Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews".  So--after I almost rear ended the person in front of me (because what is Dave Matthews doing singing country?), I listened carefully to the song "I'm Alive".  And it gave me a warm feeling inside because it's exactly what I would say about my life. 

As it turns out, Mr. Chesney and Mr. Matthews are buddies and have sung together before.  My faithful man in the know about these things tells me that Dave considers "Grace is Gone" to be both his best song and country.  (I knew there was a reason I liked Dave.)  So now my only question is, how long will it take KJD to admit (grudgingly) that there is something to love about country music?

I'm Alive

Lyrics by Kenny Chesney

So damn easy to say that life's so hard

Everybody's got their share of battle scars

As for me I'd like to thank my lucky stars that 

I'm alive and well

It'd be easy to add up all the pain

And all the dreams you've sat and watch go up in flames

Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain

But not me... I'm alive

And today you know that's good enough for me

Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see

Today's the first day of the rest of my life

And I'm alive and well

I'm alive and well

Stars are dancin' on the water here tonight

It's good for the soul when there's not a soul in sight

This motor's caught its wind and brought me back to life

Now I'm alive and well

And today you know that's good enough for me 

Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see

Today's the first day of the rest of my life

Now I'm alive and well

Yeah I'm alive and well

More Mammal Studies

Chris caught this little guy out by our trash.  Before we released him back to the wild to find his mama, we decided to put on our scientist hats and observe him.  I asked the girls if they thought he was mammal and they said "yes".  Then I asked what they could observe about him that would make them classify him that way.  They said, "he has fur", "he has a backbone" and "he has live babies".  I said, "hmm....how can you tell that by looking at him?"  Mia said, "well he doesn't look like he lays eggs*."  Our little friend let the girls know when they got too close to him by growling at them and when we watched him from afar, we noticed he got much more active in trying to escape from his cage, climbing up the sides and across the top.

I'm told we live in a forrest so we are sure to encounter more woodland--and other--creatures while we are studying animals.  Meeting them will be part of the fun.  

*Something I learned about mammals--there are a couple--like the platypus--that do lay eggs.  Also, bats are the only flying mammals.

Mom Power

SAMS had it's first Mom's Night Out of the Year this week.  More moms showed up to join us than ever before.  We spent most of the evening on introductions and sharing advice and reasons for homeschooling.  I was especially excited to meet five new members of the group and talk to all of the young moms who joined us.  Over the next month, we will be praying for each other's intentions and looking for "aha" moments to share at our next night out--which will be a bit less structured with lots of time for conversation and fun!  Thank you to all of you wonderful homeschooling moms.  Keep "bringing it" to your faith and family.  See you in October!

A Pirate (Princess) Looks At Five

As told by Misty Eyed Molly

Our pirate princess Maggie G

At four o'clock on Sunday afternoon, handsome pirates and beautiful princesses descended on Casa Doyle to celebrate Grace's birthday.  We all picked pirate/princess names (our girls already had theirs--given to them by Greybeard/Uncle Kevin.  Mia is Thorny Rose, Grace is Maggie G and Sophie is Renegade Ruth to name a few).  Then we started in on our adventures.  We had a lot of fun and most importantly, Grace thought it was the best party ever.  Sophie is already planning her party for December.  Mommy will be Sophie-sizing that one or, making it a bit smaller.  Enjoy the photos!

We turned the play set into a pirate ship "The Maggie G"

Castle Grace was close by

Our giant puppet theatre has come in handy at several parties

I forgot to take pictures of Margaritaville which was on our screen porch.

We had a margarita machine, Land Shark beer, references to Jimmy Buffett etc.

Chris and I saw this sign in the Margaritaville store in New Orleans.  We thought it was funny so I made one for us (hint: look for the fine print).

This pirate kept close watch over the happenings in Margaritaville.

Being very wise, he can tell exactly when it's time to say "when"

Something for princesses and something for pirates

Buried treasure game.  The kids were blindfolded and had to dig around in the sand for coins and candy.  I wasn't sure how this would go because I had never seen it played before but the kids really liked it.

Fishing from the pirate ship

It took a few tries to get the hook over the big wall of "water"

Michael played the gift fairy/pirate on the other side

Inside Castle Grace, pirates got tattooed and princesses got dolled up

One fierce pirate!

(whose name ends in only one t)

In the Royal Pastelería, pirates and princesses decorated 

the cupcakes they would eat later.

Two of Madeleine's friends came to help.

Thank you!

After dinner, we watched a puppet show. 

The Pirates Quartet

They led us in the song "Fins" which no seemed to know except the residents of Casa Doyle.

Every time Ella hears the first notes of that song, she puts her hands up ready to go.

Ella loved the puppet show and cackled at several points.

Then she made off with the puppets

Riding to the park for the treasure hunt

Chris took close ups of several places in the park.  The kids each had a picture and had to go where it was taken to find a clue.  The clues spelled "Happy Birthday Grace" on one side and had a map on the other.  It took the kids awhile to put it all together.

One pirate's using heavy machinery

The treasure had a note on it that said that no one could open it until Grace had walked the plank into a sea of hungry crocodiles.

Getting ready to walk the plank

She's awfully cheerful.

Grace tried to walk down the slide and sort of stumbled into the pool.

She's definitely a true princess.

Look at that blaze!

A little swashbuckling

gift bucket

good friends are better than presents

Grace, from one pirate to another....Study hard and stay in school...wait you're homeschooled, I guess you don't have a choice about that.  How about this...make sure your parents watch the season premiere of House Monday, September 21st!

A big thank you to all of our guests--especially pirate/princess parents who worked for margaritas.  You can sail the high seas with us anytime!