Life these days

I enjoyed taking the pictures I recently posted, though as I'm sure you've guessed, I don't take near as many pictures as I used to.

Life is busy around here. Rodney's been traveling a couple days here and there, which I am finding to be quite the sanctifying force in my life right now. I was talking to him last night on the phone, after a very long day with my sweet girls. We were talking about how I want to be joyful and thankful (both themes that have been sermon themes the last two weeks), and he asked me: "If the girls were perfectly behaved, would you be happy?" Good question, and if the answer is, "yes," which sometimes it is (confession), then I'm not finding my ultimate joy and satisfaction in the Lord. Obedient children and sleep have become the current "idol" in my life.

So that's where I'm at, fighting for JOY and GRATITUDE. And I'm currently in the very thick of the fighting.

I am really enjoying the "Classical Conversations" home school program that I'm doing with Abigail. She enjoys meeting with her classmates and tutor every week. And the whole family is enjoying learning the songs (with the motions) particularly with her weekly History Sentence and new Latin conjugations. The accountability of meeting every week and having a simple curriculum motivates me to spend time during the week working on History, Geography, Writing, Reading, and a couple of other subjects too:) She is writing all of her numbers, which is a big improvement for her. And we're currently working on writing her lower case letters. I haven't formally started a reading program with her yet but I hope to soon!

Rodney is leading a study in Hosea this year in our home. I am blessed by his love for God's Word and encouraged by his enthusiasm and the many hours he pours into preparation.

Our gardening has fallen by the wayside lately, as we've grown quite busy. We did spend the last several weekends canning applesauce, spaghetti sauce and raspberry jam. I actually froze a batch of raspberries just this morning. And I made my first baby food for Tabitha -- pears -- though I won't introduce solids until she's 6 months.

The Lord has provided a friend for Abigail who lives three houses down. We actually discovered we were neighbors in Classical Conversations! Amazing!

Tabitha continues to be the easiest of my children right now. Training my children to have the right heart attitude, constantly pointing them to the Savior, takes much prayerfulness. I keep praying that they will recognize their need for a Savior's love and forgiveness. Consistency. Consistency. Prayer!!!

I have lots more on my heart. But that's about all I have time for right now:)

Will post more pictures soon:)