Summertime!

Somehow summertime and the HEAT snuck up on me!  We are incredibly thankful to have the pool in the backyard.  Gregg finally took his first dip with Zeke this past week.  Zeke is willing to go swimming any day, any time!

We have been staying busy with indoor activities when possible too.  Zeke looks forward to our library's story time each Tuesday.  He has seen a juggler, illusionist, and a zookeeper with many animals.  He said his favorite animals were the snake and kangaroo (wallaby).  I liked the baby lemur!

Adalynn is generally still sleeping during our outings to the library if daddy is able to be home!  She is staying busy mastering the art of walking and trying to learn to handle a rambunctious older brother!

Accountable Kids

Zeke has been working towards his "special dates" with daddy, mommy, and now Wynna.  Daddy took him to the library and lunch,.  Mommy took him to lunch, and Wynna plans to take him to ride the train when we go visit IF he earns 10 stars (the requirement for a special date).

We use a chore program called Accountable Kids.  Zeke is responsible for doing morning, afternoon, and evenings chores.  When he completes a block of chores, he receives a ticket, which can be used to watch a DVD (Veggie Tales, What's in the Bible, Thomas, etc.).  If he disobeys, we take a ticket away as punishment.

If he keeps ALL his tickets all day, he gets a star...which goes towards his special dates with us.  He has been working incredibly hard to earn his date with Wynna.  The tickets have taken on a new level of importance!

We were very proud of him for showing complete self control at church today.  He normally runs into the sanctuary after Sunday school, but he stayed right with us today.  It was a great opportunity for me to see that he CAN have self control.  I was beginning to wonder!

We also incorporate "bonus bucks" to teach him to tithe, save, and spend (in that order).  Occasionally, he can earn a "special privilege pass" if we are working for a short time on a specific behavior.  We also incorporate "best behavior cards" if we catch him being good and just want to give him a little extra praise.  Overall, it has been a great program for him (and us!).

Here we are heading out for our special date...

I have begun the process of planning for his pre-k homeschool year.  We will be doing "Heart of Dakota," a Bible based curriculum for his age, in addition to "The Reading Lesson" for reading instruction.  I may incorporate some extra activities for math too.

We started doing a unit on the armor of God.  I felt led to teach him about what it means to stand up for truth and fight evil in a way that glorifies God.  We talked about each "piece of armor" and added them as we studied.  Below is the final product after he was fully dressed for battle!

 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,"

(Ephesians 6:10-18)

Now, we are working through a study on obedience that explains why and how to obey according to God's word, not just because Mommy and Daddy say so.  It has been a blessing.  We are also starting again with reading lessons.  He is so close!  Now to finish organizing the homeschool room!

We pray you are all enjoying your summer and look forward to seeing family up in Alpharetta next month!

Wynna visits!

What a blessed few days we have had.  My mom came down to spend time with us and because I asked her to for my birthday!  I know she is going to go home and need a loooong nap!  We worked on house projects (organized the homeschool room a little, put up vinyl wall decals, and did a lot of laundry.  She took swam with Zeke and our neighbor's little boys, which he loved, of course!

Adalynn even got to dip her feet in the water.  She seemed to enjoy it, so I'll be taking her swimming soon.

 

We had a nice lunch downtown for my birthday at our favorite little restaurant (Little Brother's Bistro).  Zeke always enjoys outings and Adalynn did really well.

We were able to capture the many moods and faces of our sweet girl...

And my favorite...

My mom and I were also were able to spend some time together...just the two of us for an afternoon of lunch and shopping.  That was a special treat.  Then, Gregg and I got to go on a date night with our dear friends, Cherian and Sheeba as a fun ending to my birthday celebration.

Our "prom pose!"  This was Gregg's idea too.  Heehee...

I am always sad when my mom leaves (so is Zeke!).  I must say this time was especially hard because we have begun a tradition of studying the Bible together each morning when she comes to visit.  I look forward to that time and will miss it.  The great thing, though, is that I know we will do it again.  I also know we are each studying on our own daily, and it's fun to get to share what God is revealing.

Another huge blessing was Sheeba's prayer over me for this upcoming year.  She prayed Matthew 5 (The Beatitudes) blessings over me...

"And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

As Gregg and I drove home from dinner, we just praised God in awe of all He has done in our lives.  We knew He was leading us to Americus, and He continues to show us how is is going to use us here and teach us to know Him more.  Our God is mighty and we stand amazed!