Feel free to make up your own story. :)
2017 Year in Review
8 years ago
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
School at Home
While a lot of our friends home school, there are many more of our friends who do not. We get quite a variety of questions asked by our non-home schooling friends, or by others (such as the shopper in line behind me at the store that sees my kids during "normal" school hours).
One question that always strikes me as funny is "Where do you do school?" Umm, well....we home school, so we do it at home. No, I really don't answer that way because I know the intent of the question. We school all over the house, outside, in the van, at the store, at other places of business, etc.
Seriously, school is never "out" because there are always opportunities to learn whether you are explaining what insurance is for (after stopping by the insurance office), teaching price comparison at the grocery store, explaining how a check at the bank really is like money, or going on a walk in the woods.
But for those that wonder where we do school at home I tried to capture some pictures over the course of a few days. The majority of our book work is done in our family room. We have two computer desks there, but more often you will find us sitting more comfortably on the couch (in the family room or living room), or sitting in a chair by the warm fire, reading on the deck (or in a tree or on a swing), on a bed, at the dining room table, or in the guest room at the computer where we have typing, Chinese, and Japanese "class" set up. This, by no means is a conclusive list, but that's where it happens for the most part.
Honestly these pictures look kind of boring to me, but I tried to capture the kids when they were focusing and not posing for the camera. We do a lot more besides "book work" or reading such as games, science experiments, map work, etc., but these pictures capture a part of our schooling at home. It is a blessing to be able to learn alongside my children and to observe them growing and maturing every day!
One question that always strikes me as funny is "Where do you do school?" Umm, well....we home school, so we do it at home. No, I really don't answer that way because I know the intent of the question. We school all over the house, outside, in the van, at the store, at other places of business, etc.
Seriously, school is never "out" because there are always opportunities to learn whether you are explaining what insurance is for (after stopping by the insurance office), teaching price comparison at the grocery store, explaining how a check at the bank really is like money, or going on a walk in the woods.
But for those that wonder where we do school at home I tried to capture some pictures over the course of a few days. The majority of our book work is done in our family room. We have two computer desks there, but more often you will find us sitting more comfortably on the couch (in the family room or living room), or sitting in a chair by the warm fire, reading on the deck (or in a tree or on a swing), on a bed, at the dining room table, or in the guest room at the computer where we have typing, Chinese, and Japanese "class" set up. This, by no means is a conclusive list, but that's where it happens for the most part.
Honestly these pictures look kind of boring to me, but I tried to capture the kids when they were focusing and not posing for the camera. We do a lot more besides "book work" or reading such as games, science experiments, map work, etc., but these pictures capture a part of our schooling at home. It is a blessing to be able to learn alongside my children and to observe them growing and maturing every day!
Michaela started a drafting class this semester, so we have a drafting board set up in the guest room.
Helping Johanna with spelling...
Math at the desk....
or by the fire....
Michaela's bedroom desk...
English at Mom's desk...
Spelling and journal in the family room....
Reading lessons with Ami...
Ami's charts
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Because I Love Snow
I can't help but post more snow pictures! No, it's not unusual to have snow where we live, but I never take the beauty of it for granted. Yesterday I snuck out on my own for a walk in the woods without the kids blazing a path in the smooth snow ahead of me or disturbing the wonderful silence and stillness of falling snow.
Alas, the snow was not undisturbed, as the deer had been down our trail before I had. I followed their tracks to the creek....
Then I had to step back out of my winter wonderland into the kids winter wonderland where they were building snow forts and stocking a cache of snowballs in preparation for warfare with the neighborhood bully (aka. Dad, the Bombster).
Alas, the snow was not undisturbed, as the deer had been down our trail before I had. I followed their tracks to the creek....
....and found it partially frozen over (duh, it's 15 degrees outside!).
One of my dad's favorite fallen trees to photograph in our woods....
Then I had to step back out of my winter wonderland into the kids winter wonderland where they were building snow forts and stocking a cache of snowballs in preparation for warfare with the neighborhood bully (aka. Dad, the Bombster).
(Benjamin's neighborhood buddy, Sam, got to spend the night as it was a school snow day. Fun times!)
Monday, January 10, 2011
More Beautiful Snow!
The kids have been anxiously awaiting the beginning of another snow storm today. We have about 3 inches so far and are expecting at least that much more tonight, so there is lots of fun to be had outside.
Benjamin created a welcome home for Chris, but instead of seeing Chris pull up in his truck after work, we looked up the driveway and saw him walking down! That was not a good sign. Fortunately he did not end up in the ditch like many others he saw on the drive home. We live up a long curvy hill, so he just parked at the bottom and walked rather than attempting to get past the two vehicles ahead of him that were already stuck on our road.
With homeschooling we don't necessarily take snow days, but our rule has always been that if Dad can't get out to work, then we will have a snow day. It's looking like it may be that way tomorrow. Yippee!
It was fun watching Chris be a kid again...first slinging snowballs at the kids, then sledding down the hill, and then I looked up just in time to see him go "skating" past the living room windows on the slick deck. :)
Benjamin created a welcome home for Chris, but instead of seeing Chris pull up in his truck after work, we looked up the driveway and saw him walking down! That was not a good sign. Fortunately he did not end up in the ditch like many others he saw on the drive home. We live up a long curvy hill, so he just parked at the bottom and walked rather than attempting to get past the two vehicles ahead of him that were already stuck on our road.
With homeschooling we don't necessarily take snow days, but our rule has always been that if Dad can't get out to work, then we will have a snow day. It's looking like it may be that way tomorrow. Yippee!
Lots of fun to be had sledding......
And lots of snowballs to be thrown.....
.....yes, the SMACKING is our poor boys being nailed. Ha!
It was fun watching Chris be a kid again...first slinging snowballs at the kids, then sledding down the hill, and then I looked up just in time to see him go "skating" past the living room windows on the slick deck. :)
Sunday, January 9, 2011
More Gotcha Day Pictures
We don't make a huge celebration of Gotcha Day as far as parties or such, but we do keep it in mind all day long and go out of our way to make the Gotcha person feel special. Elijah got to choose where to eat, and true to form he chose a buffet style restaurant. I'm telling you, our meal reminded me of being with him at the grand breakfast buffets at the 5-star hotels in China. That should have been our first clue two years ago that he would be a big eater. Yes, we are still working through some emotional eating issues, but he has come so far. Anyway, yesterday was his big day to celebrate, so we let him eat as much as he pleased. :)
An extra bit of fun added to the day was when a package arrived for the boys. They had been saving up together for a while to purchase a certain Lego kit and they were quite thrilled to finally receive it in the mail.
We ended our day by watching Gotcha Day video clips, as well as watching many more clips of our time together in China. Such wonderful memories we have! I love having a day set aside to do some extra loving on one of our treasures. I could sense a special tenderness in Elijah yesterday, too. There was just an extra bit of contentment, joy, and peacefulness in his spirit. Thank you, Father.
An extra bit of fun added to the day was when a package arrived for the boys. They had been saving up together for a while to purchase a certain Lego kit and they were quite thrilled to finally receive it in the mail.
We ended our day by watching Gotcha Day video clips, as well as watching many more clips of our time together in China. Such wonderful memories we have! I love having a day set aside to do some extra loving on one of our treasures. I could sense a special tenderness in Elijah yesterday, too. There was just an extra bit of contentment, joy, and peacefulness in his spirit. Thank you, Father.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Gotcha Day Videos
I was looking back in our archives at our time in China with Elijah and was surprised to find that we never posted any video from our Gotcha moments. Here are a couple of quick segments from that very special day.
Happy Gotcha Day!
Today we are celebrating our two year anniversary of Gotcha Day with Elijah. It really doesn't seem like that long ago, yet so much has come about in these last two years.
I remember it like it was yesterday, the anticipation, the excitement, the giddiness. We were waiting in The Inn at Shepherd's Field, watching through the windows for Elijah to come across the courtyard. The kids were squealing, "I see him! I see him! He's coming!"
Then there he was...
....bundled up in a puffy red little girls coat, also wearing the black Missouri hoodie that we had sent in the mail. He clutched in his hands his blue bunny backpack and just stood grinning from ear to ear. Of course we quickly embraced him and then we just kept grinning and laughing. He picked Ami up. We measured heights (I was taken aback at how short he was!), held up fingers to indicate ages of the kids, and just kept looking at each other and smiling. It was such a realization of all our hopes over the previous year and half. He told us today that when he saw us, it was like he knew us already. He had received all our pictures over the previous year and knew we were his family.
In looking back over photos from our two weeks in China, I am amazed all over again at how far Elijah has come. Our communication was limited to hand gestures, using our guide to translate, and using the electronic translator.
He was such an energetic happy boy, yet I poignantly remember him using the electronic translator one night in our hotel room to tell me, "I sorrow, Mama."
The deep feelings of his world turning upside down were there, yet he put on such a brave and happy face.
I have said many times before, he is the bravest boy I know.
"Sorrow" no more, Elijah, sorrow no more. You have a forever family who loves you deeply and will walk this tough road with you. You are one amazing boy; one who forgives easily, one who gives generously, one who laughs readily, one who shows great compassion, one who helps considerately, one who works diligently, one who tries with every effort, one who is learning to trust and love unabashedly.
We love you, Elijah. You were our treasure "stored in secret places" (Is. 45:3). We are so thankful for you!
I remember it like it was yesterday, the anticipation, the excitement, the giddiness. We were waiting in The Inn at Shepherd's Field, watching through the windows for Elijah to come across the courtyard. The kids were squealing, "I see him! I see him! He's coming!"
Then there he was...
....bundled up in a puffy red little girls coat, also wearing the black Missouri hoodie that we had sent in the mail. He clutched in his hands his blue bunny backpack and just stood grinning from ear to ear. Of course we quickly embraced him and then we just kept grinning and laughing. He picked Ami up. We measured heights (I was taken aback at how short he was!), held up fingers to indicate ages of the kids, and just kept looking at each other and smiling. It was such a realization of all our hopes over the previous year and half. He told us today that when he saw us, it was like he knew us already. He had received all our pictures over the previous year and knew we were his family.
In looking back over photos from our two weeks in China, I am amazed all over again at how far Elijah has come. Our communication was limited to hand gestures, using our guide to translate, and using the electronic translator.
He was such an energetic happy boy, yet I poignantly remember him using the electronic translator one night in our hotel room to tell me, "I sorrow, Mama."
The deep feelings of his world turning upside down were there, yet he put on such a brave and happy face.
I have said many times before, he is the bravest boy I know.
"Sorrow" no more, Elijah, sorrow no more. You have a forever family who loves you deeply and will walk this tough road with you. You are one amazing boy; one who forgives easily, one who gives generously, one who laughs readily, one who shows great compassion, one who helps considerately, one who works diligently, one who tries with every effort, one who is learning to trust and love unabashedly.
We love you, Elijah. You were our treasure "stored in secret places" (Is. 45:3). We are so thankful for you!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Phew!
It's been A week. It sure is hard coming off of two weeks break from school. I think it took us all five school days this week to get back into the groove. Hopefully next Monday won't be too bad.
So, we're ready for the weekend. Johanna and Ami are having another sleepover in Ami's room. Michaela set everything up for them, complete with backpacks packed with goodies and notes. Such a great big sister!
So, we're ready for the weekend. Johanna and Ami are having another sleepover in Ami's room. Michaela set everything up for them, complete with backpacks packed with goodies and notes. Such a great big sister!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Memorial Box Monday - Elijah's Adoption - A Standing Stone
I posted this Memorial Box story a year ago, but as Elijah's Gotcha Day is approaching on Saturday, it seems perfect to recall God's mighty hand that brought us this treasure.
Most of you who know us are very aware that Elijah’s adoption story is no small miracle. It’s hard to know how to even wrap up his story in the proverbial nutshell. If you are unfamiliar with the miracles that brought our latest treasure home and are up for some reading, I would encourage you to go back in the archives to the middle of August 2008. That’s not when our story started, but that’s when I backtracked and started blogging about it.
In June of 2007 we began sponsoring Elijah through the Philip Hayden Foundation. God planted a seed in our hearts early on and we knew without a shadow of a doubt that Elijah was to be our son. That was our promise from God, but we had no such promise whatsoever from the Chin*se government. What happened between that point and January 8, 2009 when we were united in person with Elijah could be represented by one standing stone after another. Our key verses throughout that time were from Isaiah 45:2-3. “I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” We witnessed leveled mountains, broken down gates, and cut through bars of iron. Our God was mighty and it was an incredible period for our family to live through.
Our Memorial Box is filled with “standing stones” that show God’s faithfulness and hand in our lives, based on Joshua 4. Now we have a literal standing stone to place in our box. You see, Elijah and his new cousin Zane are both from Fujian province. Their home province is know for soapstone. We purchased some on our trip last year, but Elijah’s aunt and uncle also purchased this special standing stone carved from soapstone for our family on their trip just last fall. We felt it was a perfect representation for Elijah’s adoption story. We also wrapped it in twisted “iron” to represent the broken down gates and bars of iron that were cut through that brought Elijah into our family. We thank Him for this indescribable gift, our promised son, and for the journey that He took us through to receive that gift!
Most of you who know us are very aware that Elijah’s adoption story is no small miracle. It’s hard to know how to even wrap up his story in the proverbial nutshell. If you are unfamiliar with the miracles that brought our latest treasure home and are up for some reading, I would encourage you to go back in the archives to the middle of August 2008. That’s not when our story started, but that’s when I backtracked and started blogging about it.
In June of 2007 we began sponsoring Elijah through the Philip Hayden Foundation. God planted a seed in our hearts early on and we knew without a shadow of a doubt that Elijah was to be our son. That was our promise from God, but we had no such promise whatsoever from the Chin*se government. What happened between that point and January 8, 2009 when we were united in person with Elijah could be represented by one standing stone after another. Our key verses throughout that time were from Isaiah 45:2-3. “I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” We witnessed leveled mountains, broken down gates, and cut through bars of iron. Our God was mighty and it was an incredible period for our family to live through.
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| First picture we saw of Elijah |
Our Memorial Box is filled with “standing stones” that show God’s faithfulness and hand in our lives, based on Joshua 4. Now we have a literal standing stone to place in our box. You see, Elijah and his new cousin Zane are both from Fujian province. Their home province is know for soapstone. We purchased some on our trip last year, but Elijah’s aunt and uncle also purchased this special standing stone carved from soapstone for our family on their trip just last fall. We felt it was a perfect representation for Elijah’s adoption story. We also wrapped it in twisted “iron” to represent the broken down gates and bars of iron that were cut through that brought Elijah into our family. We thank Him for this indescribable gift, our promised son, and for the journey that He took us through to receive that gift!
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| Then....shortly after abandonment |
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| Now....a treasured testimony! |
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Happy New Year!
We spent New Year's weekend in KC with the Wolfe brothers and families. We enjoyed lots of games, food, dancing, Christmas gifts, and rough-housing. We also got to Skype with Grandpa and Grandma Wolfe in Russia, the only absent members of the Wolfe gang. Thanks for hosting, K and A!
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| Loved their time to play together! |
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| Zane - enjoying tumbling with the big boys |
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| Sweet Elle with her Aunt JJ |
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| The dancing duo |
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| Looks bad, but really, he was having fun! :) |
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| Table #1 |
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| Table #2 |
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| Table #3 |
Happy 2011 from our family to yours! We look forward to seeing God's plans unfold over this new year.
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| Thanks G/G Clark for the otoshidama! |
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