Birthday Fun!

What a wonderful day it was, a day I got to do whatever I wanted. Yes that means I got to rearrange the house and not even feel guilty about it. He He

It all started with the girls and I starting to decorate for Christmas, then it turned into where are we going to put the Christmas tree. Soon we were rearranging the boys' room so we could move Gav's computer into there which opens up a nice corner in the living room for the tree. Then we had to move a book shelf and the couch, oh and that led to moving the little play kitchen, which led to moving the corner cabinet back to the real kitchen.

It was a huge mess most of the day and I am happy to say about half of it is dusted and put back together. Yep that leaves the other half still undone. There's always tomorrow!

I do love rearranging and making our home feel a bit more homey. It often feels more like a storage shed, so when I get time to play and reorganize I love it.

I did also enjoy a wonderful breakfast with Jeromy and the kids. I got some quiet time to myself this afternoon and I got some really special gifts.

Jeromy gave me my wedding ring that I hadn't been able to wear for a while because one of the prongs had broke. It is beautiful, it looks brand new. He also gave me a ponsetta and chocolates.

Kali made me a quilt. She did every bit of it and has been hiding it for a couple of weeks. She has been so anxious to give it to me she almost spilled the beans. Oh her excitement was adorable.

Ayla made me a pillow to go with the quilt. She had to get very creative to find stuffing and a ribbon for it. She told me all about it and it was so cute to see how she solved her little dilemmas.

Gavin and Eli gave me the gift of their presence. Both of the boys have been so good today and Gavin was soooo excited about his room being rearranged. He kept saying over and over I love my room. He giggled so hard and squealed when he saw it.

I also received many many really sweet notes via Facebook, phone calls and texts. It is so fun to hear from friends from all over the place. It is fun to be able to keep up even in a small way with people that are so special to me.

I truly am blessed and I thank you all for your friendship and love and support.
36 years old and it just keeps getting better.

School Time with Kali and Ayla

We are through the first quarter and here are some highlights.....



The New School Room

by Aimee VanDenBerg

Having a school room has been such a blessing. The girls love it! It has been nice not having everything in the house, though things seem to migrate back in on a regular basis. The girls do about 50% of their work in there, the rest is either in the house or on the go.


Science Center Ground Breaking

by Aimee VanDenBerg

This was a great opportunity for the girls and Gavin. They saw real robots bigger than they are and they even got to hear Governor Butch Otter speak. This is a picture with the governor.


Pumpkin PatchThe pumpkin patch is always a fun "field" trip. (pun intended)


Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center
This was mom's favorite. I had no idea! This is Dr. Bird's personal collection. I always thought it was a bird and aviation museum. You know about birds and flight etc. I was pleasantly surprised, it is his inventions and many other amazing and cool inventions. Dr. Bird invented some amazing medical equipment and it was cool to see it. There is a lot of cool planes as well for those of you interested in that kind of stuff. If you are near by and have an afternoon to spare, head on up, you will not be disappointed.


CHAIN- Our Christian based CO-OP

Science-History-Language Arts-Sewing-Dancing-Socializing-Pajama Day-Num chucks-Creativity

Oh, where does one begin to talk about co-op. I hate it and love it. It is a lot of work-I teach Idaho History, Ayla's class. I assist in a science class and sewing class. It is so much fun and the other families are great. I get overwhelmed every Wed. night and motivated every Thursday afternoon. Gavin has his own class and doesn't need momma. The girls love their friends and I love getting to have a Bible Study time during one of my breaks. The mamas and grandmamas are starting The Power of a Praying Parent.

IDEA-Idaho Distance Education Academy

Another love hate relationship. Becoming more love oriented. This is an Idaho public school program therefor we meet all Idaho State standards, do all testing and we have a contact teacher monitoring the girl's progress. It is all good, it just gets overwhelming and sometimes I just want to do it my own way. Our teacher is awesome and we have made it through our 1st portfolio conference. The girls take samples of their work and show their teacher what they have been learning. A long list of standards needs to be met by the next conference. We are over half way there. Yippee!!!


Overall this has been a great year. Ayla is working hard on reading fluency and making great progress on her speed and voice inflection. Kali is working hard on her spelling, but she gets those genes from her mama.( Sorry girlfriend, I got them from grandpa Mike. Keep at it you will get it. )

The girl's are so self motivated, sometimes they even come and wake me up and say, "mom, it is almost time for school." I do not know how I got such great kids, but I sure do love having them around all day. Praise God for the freedom to homeshcool.

I JUST CAN'T LET IT SLIP BY!!!

It is November!!!!

It is my very favorite month!!!

Yes, it is Thanksgiving and that truly is my favorite holiday!!!

Yes, it is my birthday and that is always fun!!!!

It is also my mom's, sister's and Dad's birthdays. Lots of celebrating and family time!!!!

But, it is also my favorite month because.......

IT IS NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH!!!!!!!

I love adoption!

I love that God has chosen to adopt us into His family. What a family name to carry.

I love that we have been able to adopt. What a joy our boys are to us!!!

I love that so many friends have been able to adopt!!!!

I love reading blogs and stories about adoption!!!!

I love encouraging others that are considering adoption!!!!

I love praying for all of those kids out there that are waiting for families!!!

I love how my girls always ask "can we adopt a little girl?"



I have thought a lot about how I can be involved in caring for the orphans even though bringing home another child right now is not where God is calling us.

I want to help the desperately poor, so less children need to be placed for adoption.

I want to encourage young girls to wait till they are married, so less children need to be placed for adoption.


I want to be part of supporting people to go to those in need, even though I cannot go.

I want to pray more and fast more for those little and big children that do not have a family to call their own.

I want to start an adoption ministry through our church or community.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS I WANT TO DO, SO MANY NEEDS I SEE IN THE WORLD AND SO LITTLE TIME AND RESOURCES IN MY VIEW, BUT.... I KNOW THE OWNER OF THE CATTLE ON A THOUSAND HILLS AND THESE ARE HIS CHILDREN!!!!


Jesus Loves the Little Children
all the children of the world.
Red and yellow black and white
they are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.