Precious

Relationships

Our family is part of a very special world. With Jess working in the NICU where unfortunately some babies don't make it and Delaney is friends with several children that struggle with health we are often reminded that life is all too short. We talk a LOT to the girls about God and life and appreciation of life and building relationships and that ALL relationships take work. We talk about making words count and building relationships. We talk about how God is with us. God is constantly showing us our path. It's up to us to sit in the silence long enough to hear the message. We talk about not taking life for granted. Learning. Living. Laughing. Loving. Giving. With all of our selves. Realizing that life is just too short to give half effort in any of those things. We don't focus on death AT ALL. In fact death is rarely discussed. We talk about LIFE. We talk about LIVING. We talk about God and finding our peace in God. We talk about believing and faith.

Today we talked a lot about ALL of these things. We took a walk to downtown Overland Park to visit a new restaurant. We walked half a mile there and half a mile back. It's called the Shake Shack. It's all local, organic, and sustainable. Infact, while we were there a local farmer brought in his tomatoes. They sell burgers, hotdogs, salmon sandwiches, and veggie burgers. They also have fries, onion rings, and shakes. Everything is local, organic, and sustainable. Everything! The place is set up like a 1950s diner with everyone eating at the counter top while sitting on stools. We enjoyed the fall day. We talked about local products. We got some exercise. And we enjoyed laughter, singing, and good food.

Life is short my friend. When you look back on your life will you regret what has happened over the years? The decisions you've made? The effort you have put into relationships? The mean or made up things you've said about others? Or will you look back and say that overall you've put your best effort towards relationships and words and decisions??

No one is perfect but we are trying to be more conscious of the things we say, the decisions we make, the relationships we keep. We challenge you to do the same.

Charlotte's Poem for Jess

Charlotte's poem for Jess

Twas the night before Wednesday
And all through the house
We prepared for Mom time
Even her spouse

Homework done
Top Model recorded
Just for her we have
All this love hoarded

We make sure we have pop
And Chef Boyardee pizza
And all of Mommy's
Favorite treatas

Tomorrow will be swell
Won't it be nice
To fill Mommy's cup
With tea, water, and ice

We love our mommy
She's the best
But before mom day
We need our rest

Good night!

Purple Stride 2010

We gathered together on October 16th and 17th to honor Sandy Stewart. Our daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. We gathered as a family to pay tribute. We felt the hole our lives now have because you are not here. We felt the love you still send us all. We laughed. We cried. We told stories. We will continue to honor you, Sandy, in our daily lives. I am sad that I (Kathy) was unable to get to know you as fully as others did but you impacted most of my family so you impact me. We love you and we know you are shining down on all of us.

Char loses the braces

These were the before pictures I already posted the after picture. :) We are proud.

Singing

When we say she loves The Little Mermaid...like may be an understatement

Jerking makes it hard to sleep

This is an example of fairly mild jerking that Delaney does while she sleeps. It's called myoclonus. It can get so bad that she almost comes off the surface she is sleeping on because the jerk is so dramatic.

Talk about Cute!!!

Valdean and my dad sent these outfits and pair of pjs to Delaney. I am so overjoyed at how cute they are. Thank you so so so so much!!!

Gift from Nanny

Nanny sent Delaney her very own art easel!!!!

Co Op

Science

So it's a LOT of work to find curriculum for homeschooling especially since we piece together different types from different companies to meet the needs of each individual child.

I was SO SO SO excited to find this science curriculum for Julia because it was interactive, bright, fun, and incorporated lots of different things into the science lesson. Today in the "writing link" it asked her to write a poem. The lesson is on minerals and rocks.

It definitely shows Julia's humor. And I wanted to share it.

Poetry Rocks!
Everybody uses rocks.
Even when they have the chicken rocks.
They use clay
Well the kids play with chalk
And grass can look like a bass
Bricks dont stick
This is my poem about rocks....
They really rock!!!!

A fall day

Making sugar cookies from scratch from epicurious.com from the ipad



Passed out




Julia working on homework




beautiful girl

Talking on the phone

All the kids talked to Grandpa Mikey on the phone today. And This picture was just toooo cute to pass up.

Peace Talks

We have been talking a LOT about peace, peaceful choices, peaceful spaces, peaceful words, peaceful actions around here. This morning I encouraged the girls to sit together and discuss their idea of peace. What words they think are peaceful and what words they think take away from peace. What actions they think are peaceful and what actions they think take away from peace. How they plan to show peace to themselves, to others, to their home, to their community, to their friends, to the world.
Julia's answers as told by Charlotte
What is peace? Helping and kindness and love

How can you show peace in your life, your house, your community, your world? Do your chores, open the door for someone else, helping grandparents

What are peaceful words/language? I love you, love, God, heaven, helping can i help you, silence sometimes silence is the best way to be peaceful

What are non peaceful words/language? I hate you, get out of my life you suck

What are peaceful actions? Helping, hugging, kissing

What are non peaceful actions? Screaming, hitting, kicking


Oh and I totally forgot to share some super exciting news. Charlotte got her braces off!!! And she's got the most gorgeous smile!

Charlotte's answers as told by Julia
What is peace? Helpfulness, kindness, caring, not losing your temper

How can you show peace in your life, your house, your community, your world? Noticing when someone is in need and helping them before they have to ask for it, helping whenever possible, taking care of yourself

What are peaceful words/language? May I help you, Compliments that you mean to the heart not just saying it

What are non peaceful words/language? I hate you, get out of my life, compliments that you don't mean, insults, unkind or rude remarks

What are peaceful actions? helping, being kind to yourself, having patience, learning to control yourself

What are non peaceful actions? stomping, kicking, yelling, losing your temper, procrastinating, pushing your work on other people

This exercise was about more than just the answers. It was about listening to each other deeply enough that they understand and retained their words. It took three times for them to be able to explain the other person's thoughts on the questions. I want them to understand that asking questions is about more than asking...it's about LISTENING to and taking in the answer the other person responds with. It's about looking them in the eyes and truly caring about what they think. Our girls are amazing girls. They are thoughtful and caring to others in the world. As they get older they are losing their thoughtfulness towards one another. They are reading Heartsongs. I am hoping that the poetry of another kid will sink to their hearts. And inspire them to write their own poetry. Or inspire them in other ways. I am eager to see who our girls are going to grow in to!

Louisburg Cider Mill Take 1

This morning me, Charlotte, and Delaney went to the Cider Mill. They were having a craft fair and live music. We of course got cider donuts and some jug cider as well as some soup mixes. Julia stayed at home with Jess who is sick.

We are planning on returning one night for the corn maze and hay ride. And returning another day during the day to pick up more donuts and cider. It's a fun fall tradition.