A Picture Says it All

What a blast we had on our vacation...the picture sums it up. A lot of smiles, laughs, riding, eating. My kids are still dreaming of camping. There are moments that I think I can smell the campfire, I can still hear the crows in the morning and the sand between my toes at the end of the day. We had a blast, and truly words can't express how thankful I was that we were able to go on this vacation. So...for now I will let the pictures tell the story!

Spinning cookies in the sand...Go Grandpa Michael and Lo!

Victoria is getting more practice driving herself around. The sand wasn't very cooperative the first day so she spent most of the week riding with Grandpa Michael and driving him around on his 4-wheeler. Here is Mariah driving Daddy around and getting practice so that she can start doing it all on her own.

Unfortunately, it might be a while. Daddy and Mariah are sitting in the sand because Mariah decided to make a fast turn while going full speed. The 4-wheeler started to tip and Daddy and Mariah landed in the nice soft sand. None of our other kids have done this. Which tells us that we could be in for it once Mariah is solo. The girl loves to go FAST - must be from all the years of riding with her Daddy!

Then there was the "rainy day" - Mariah cracking everyone up (including herself), the kids teaching everyone their new "hand song", and then playing games on any phone they could get ahold of!

Then our old neighbors from Eugene came for the day...we all had so much fun being together again!

The vacation didn't end at the coast. We traveled back to Phil's parents on Friday and spent the weekend cleaning and enjoying family and friends. Pictures are coming...

God knows how to celebrate...perfectly!!

I am overcome with thankfulness today for the love and care God shows to my children. Yesterday was Victoria's birthday. This is the first birthday without any "Oregon" friends around. The other kids have had their birthdays but we were able to wrap our "Oregon" life in with them, for example...The day after Mariah's birthday, we headed to Oregon for a quick weekend and she got to go to Papa's Pizza with all her friends. Phil was able to take Logan's birthday off from work so that we could enjoy a day at Six Flags and then my wonderful friend and her children arrived for a week-long stay. But, since Victoria's birthday fell on Wednesday (church night) and we were knee deep in preparing for our trip, it was just going to be difficult to plan anything exciting. And, Phil had to work because vacation starts on Friday. I tried to think of how we could fit in a quick, impromptu birthday party in Oregon, but Phil didn't think we would have time. My mom and I planned a little cake celebration while camping, but nothing exciting for the "big day!" So, I must admit, I was a little nervous that Victoria would be disappointed and possibly "lonely" on her birthday. This is when I sit in amazement...

I must admit, I didn't have an hour long prayer meeting about it. I just asked the Lord to help her on her birthday (truth be told, she is a little sensitive), to not be lonely and to just enjoy whatever the day held for her. I NEVER said anything to her about my "mommy" concerns (that just wouldn't be wise!!). Then on Sunday, our sweet friend Jamie asked if she could bring some cupcakes to enjoy with Victoria after church on Wednesday. I thought that was wonderful. What I didn't know was that was just the chocolate icing on the cupcake for Victoria's day...

Victoria was awakened by her Daddy because he went into work late so he could have breakfast with her. Then she got to go to Safeway with him - ALL by herself!! Then the phone calls started coming and everyone was singing to her. Then the presents arrived from Nana and Grandpa - and that is ALWAYS a big hit. Then we were off to church...

After church, Jamie walked Victoria into the Fireside Room where all the kids were blowing horns and yelling "Happy Birthday". The area was decorated and there were CHOCOLATE cupcakes, with chocolate frosting (made with love by Brooke!!). Then they all sang to her and made her feel like a queen. Then came the presents from Jamie - who has truly become our special angel from God who makes my kids feel so loved (God knew my kids needed someone like Jamie!!). Victoria left church last night thinking that she truly was the most special person in the world!! And...that is what birthdays are all about!!

Even God knows how to celebrate birthdays - absolutely perfect!!

One very special, special birthday...

Here I am again reminded of how fast time goes by. Tomorrow is Victoria's once in a lifetime birthday...the special, special one. Little, tiny, petite Victoria who doesn't even hit 45 pounds yet. Smarter than a whip Victoria who can add and subtract like it is nothing. My daughter that tries to look at books and color by night-light. The girl that makes my heart melt every time I look at her beautiful eyes. Yes, that little girl will be 7 on the 7th of October.

As we scurry around the house preparing for our vacation to the Oregon Coast, I love that my "prissy" little Victoria has absolutely no problem turning on the "tomboy". I do love the beautiful little girl things; the singing, prancing, frilly dresses, purses, "clicky" shoes, etc. But I also enjoy watching her run past a group of boys with a football in her hand laughing hysterically because she just scored a touchdown on them. I love watching her follow her Daddy up a hill on her four-wheeler. I love watching her enjoy all that life gives her, whether it is a "Fancy, Nancy" birthday party, a good time of playing church in her bedroom, or a yard full of boys that want to play football. It was hilarious watching her Saturday evening play football on the trampoline with a group of boys. She had no problem tackling, breaking tackles and running over them like they were the road. It totally made my friend laugh. She had always seen Victoria in her "church" clothes, hair done with her coordinating purse in hand...looking as prim and proper as ever. Oh, girls are so much fun....I remember the day we found out we were having a girl. The anticipation was killing Phil's parents and as we walked in the house this was the conversation:

Phil: Well, I got myself another riding partner.

Mom: Oh, another boy. Logan will love having a brother!! (of course, she desperately wanted it to be a girl, but she would NEVER show any disappointment)

Phil: No. It's a girl riding partner!!

I was just reading the blog I wrote before her 6th birthday. In some ways it seems like yesterday and in other ways it seems like a lifetime ago. Time has gone so fast this year with all our "family" changes, that I can't believe it is this time again. So much has changed for Victoria this year. The amazing thing is that she has become such a bright, confident, social little girl. As I watched her play with the church kids today, I was reminded that she is truly the "socialite" of the family. She is so happy to be with people and enjoy them. She is our child that would be out and about constantly if we let her. She truly is just as happy without us as she is with us. With her sweet disposition, she has stole the hearts of several people in our church. Again, the "socializing" stigma of home schooled kids cracks me up. As she prayed her heart out at church Sunday night, I was once again overcome with a thankfulness that she loves God. She has always had a tender heart towards Him and I often wonder what great things God has in store for her. I pray her heart will always be drawn to Him. So, as I get ready to put her to bed one last time as a six year old, I get tears in my eyes and pray that He will watch over her and protect her this next year and for the years to come.

Sleep good, sweet Victoria for tomorrow you will be "7 on the 7th!!"

Pictures...First day of school!!

About 60% of Logan's schoolwork is done on the computer this year. Frustrating and annoying are the first two words that come to mind for this curriculum, but we could afford it and it is considered good curriculum. We are hoping for a couple bonus checks next year so we can buy the other curriculum that I LOVE....The one thing Logan likes about it is that it doesn't take as long....hmmmm, not sure that is a plus.

Here Victoria is....thinking hard!! She is halfway through 1st grade and will start 2nd grade in January (kinda weird, but she has a weird birthday month!!). She is loving it and reading better each day. She is an amazing mathematician at this age!!


Special note about my dining room table...YIKES!! This is how it looks until at least lunchtime or later when I finally have time to reorganize for the next day. This is definitely one of the downsides of homeschooling - a not so clean house!!

And to the right, is the newest addition to Swanks Home Education....She loves it, except it isn't long enough for her. And, no that is not her cup of coffee...that is mine, it is amazing how much coffee one drinks when they are sitting and teaching their children!!

We are finally settled into a routine, but soon quizzing will be added to the mix and that makes it all that more interesting. I still wouldn't trade my life for anything, just add a housekeeper!! I love having my kids with me all day and watching them learn and grow. I am so blessed...

We are in single digits...

Only 8 sleeps until we head to Oregon, walk in our trailer, smell the gas and camping smells and get started on preparing for our camping trip to the coast!! Only 9 sleeps until I get to see my MOM and Michael!!! We are sooooo excited. I am often amazed at how many times I have said lately "I just want my mom!!"...sometimes it is hard to grow up!!

I can hardly wait to stand in my trailer and smell the fun we are going to have. It makes all the hard work leading up to the trip worth it. My kids are dreaming of four-wheelers on sand dunes, campfires, and marshmellows. I am dreaming of the most delicious white mocha from Spencer's and Nina's, four-wheelers, sand dunes, sleeping in my trailer, holding my sweet cherubs by a campfire, and listening to the laughter of all that are going with us!!

I enjoy my life in California, but I miss my get-aways to the Oregon Coast with my family, trailer and four-wheelers.....Ready or not, here we come!!!