the start of our year

when it comes to school i had no idea we would be on the path that we are.

this year we have decided to home school.

it wasn't an easy decision, but we have been blessed and are so enjoying this new adventure.

that doesn't mean that everyone understands, not does it mean that everyone agrees with this choice, but we made this choice for our family and it is amazing.

sophie completes up to about an hour of school work a day including math, language arts, pe, science and social studies. not only does she have her time at home, but she is also apart of a learning center once a week for three hours. all the students who are being home schooled through this program are able to attend the learning center, so her class is a kindergarten - grade one split class complied of nineteen students, with their teacher mrs. thaine.

{first day of kindergarten}

outside of school, the girls are both in ballet lessons this year. penelope is a baby ballerina and sophie a pre primary. they have the same teacher just at different times and come home to play miss kelly and dance class pretty much every day.

{first day of ballet class}

our involvements continue on with our preschool group that we call "my class" which is continued on from last year. this year we added our tenth little one with the arrival of miss lyla jude. we meet once a week and school lasts an hour before we stop to have lunch together and then a playtime. every mom/teacher has the opportunity to teach once a month and every month is planned into a theme. it is amazing to see these ladies in action, their knowledge and abilities are incredible...truly it is an honor having them teach our girls.

{first day of "my class"}

then there are swimming lessons and french class.

it is a full year, but it is so exciting to see the girls grow and accomplish so much.

we have much, maybe too much. we give thanks because we have so very much to be thankful for.

a note

dear girls my heart tugs tonight on the importance of friendships, of choosing friends, of loving and caring for friends. i can't say there is a step by step program or even an adequate equation that make sense when it comes to friendships. i can't guarantee you won't feel hurt or saddened by those you choose to stand beside you. but if you choose well, i can say they will be a tremendous blessing to you, they will walk your journeys with you, they won't be able to carry your burdens or joys but they will listen to you and challenge you, rejoice with you and weep with you. when you choose a friend, find someone who speaks kindly of others even if they don't know them. watch for someone who isn't afraid for the girl in corner with skin problems, who talks to her effortlessly and is genuinely interested in her days at school. keep your ears open for the one who speaks negatively and unkindly of passerbyers, guard your heart against them, they will also speak unkindly of you. but remember this does not give you permission to speak unkindly of them. look for the one who smiles, who counts their blessings and finds ways to give thanks in all things. they are wise. beware of those who mock and snicker, you could ask that the Lord softens their hearts. watch for the ones who are willing to stand up for others, they will stand firm by your side. it is a rare and beautiful thing, a true friend, someone you can really say you love...please don't tell everyone you love them, know the importance of the word and share it when it is earned and respected. it is a blessing to have someone by your side, someone who will share their candy with you, play dinosaurs with you, listen to your heart and challenge you in the ways of the Lord. this will also build your character. it is a treasure to find someone who will jump with you in your excitements and encourage your progresses while walking through life with you. in return, you ought to be the friend you are looking for. love well, be kind to every person, never say unkind words or thoughts towards anyone. give thanks even when your heart feels heavy, offer grace to those who may not deserve it, i am not sure anyone deserves it. listen when anothers heart is being shared, reach out a hand for someone to hold onto. be the first to seek out someone in need, someone different, someone lovely. if we remember that we all belong to the Father that we are all made in His image, then there should be no boundary that keeps us from being so very kind to others. when difficulties arise, take a deep breath, have confidence in the Lord that He will give you the tools, the grace and the love to walk together. my prayer is that you would surround yourselves with people who uplift you, who challenge and strengthen you in the Lord, who push you toward beauty. that you would uplift, challenge and strengthen others, pushing them toward beauty. these are my thoughts on this rainy november night.

osoyoos

we had returned home from the island, dropped our bags and didn't let go of scott for at least a minute before the next trip was in motion.

i had one week to unpack, wash, clean, rest and repack before the next adventure would take place. we received a phone call explaining that there was room for and need for a traveling friend. and seeing as how our annual camping trip was not coming together as hoped for, and scott was still crazy busy with work, a traveling friend i would become. carliegh and gary were heading to osoyoos and would be staying in a lovely home with extra rooms. gary would be working long and hard days and there was not only a lake and beach area out the back doors, but a pool and hot tub out the kitchen window. i guess i was going. we set out tuesday night after work, the girls and i in our slow yet impressively able 87 tercel wagon, the daveys in their fully equipped (with dvd player..that i may have tried to watch from behind) mini van. i tried to race at some points...i lost! we sang songs, loud. we ate apple slices and pretended we were running. we stopped in manning for a quick break. the girls feel asleep shortly after and i was left to sing on my own.

we arrived.

my mouth dropped open.

amazing.

really amazing.

we woke the next day and put our bathing suits on and i am not sure they came off for the rest of our time there. it was my birthday and i was celebrated in the most loveliest of ways. sparklers and card from five really wonderful kids and one beautiful friend who pretended she was the little mermaid with me as we swam in the pool at night while the lights glittered through its waves (well i pretend, she sat in the hot tub).

following our day in the pool carleigh found a cultural center that we went to explore. snakes, trails, history, underground houses, treats, and stories. kind of a great way to spend the afternoon. it was cut short however due to a certain miss carleigh feeling rather "ill". on the speedy way home i was asked if i would rub her back and hold her hair if she was sick. my answer, not the greatest...but try to remember i was thinking if we were outside and the kids were by the water what i would do then...i responded by saying that after i got everyone in a safe place, then i come in and help her. she, not going down the same metal path as me, gave me a kind of disturb look...great friend she has! there was not much time to share with her where i was coming from before the van made a sudden stop and she pulled to the side of the road and yelled for my help. knowing that the sickness was coming i ran to her aid...everyone was safe in the car...i checked first! we leaned over the fence and then she pointed right, down the beach. my thoughts, who cares whats down there just make sure you are okay. my eyes, found seven warm bodies crouched against the wall...they took a second look. are you serious. best birthday ever. miss ashley and miss jenne along with their five precious little ones had come to join us for the last days. though i did not have to endure any kind of sickness as that was all made up just to get me out of the cultural center, the others did on their long journey up to join us...and still they drove on, after they littered, but we can overlook that this time.

we spent the next while enjoying each other, walks in the rain and some fun photos taken we made our way back and the ladies made dinner and may have even brought champagne. we spent the night talking, and gary did the dishes, bless his heart. it is not often we get to sit together and share our stories. but talking like little girls we found the clock at a time that moms with early risers don't handle well, so we said good night and found our beds. it was a good day. morning came and the bathing suits went back on. we really did spend the whole day in the water. pool to beach. beach to pool. maybe back one more time. it was good. our kids were good. there is community there, something that blesses my heart.

ps. best photo of miss jenne jumping ever jenne and i, along with gary are the competitive ones in the group and yet somehow we were able to make gary race against the clock, to the dock and back in one minute. it was pretty awesome, the whole conversation leading up to the challenge, and even the fact that he did it was pretty sweet...his time, 1minute and 15 seconds. rad dude. i love this photo, and the one that preceded it (though not shown). joy are my thoughts when i see these girls, pure joy in friendship love and grace. i drove home with two sleeping girls. i thought of taking up race car driving...then i remembered what i was driving and slowed down. my heart was full. how could it not be. i give thanks. there are three beautiful ladies who are willing to pour life into me, into each other. who are willing, willing to do and be anything for each other, anything that is upright and lovely. i admire their kindness and love,they are helping to grow my character.