Charlie Browniest

This year I have not been able to get into the Christmas spirit as I have in years past. Usually by this time I have already watched every Christmas movie we own and gotten all of my gifts purchased, wrapped and sent. But this year I haven't gotten into it. I'm not sure why.

Last night we watched "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown" on TV (so blessed America still allows that show on network TV!) At one point Linus says to Charlie Brown "Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you're the Charlie Browniest." This struck a chord in me. I'm feeling very Charlie Brown-y this year. Buying gifts and decorating and even watching movies is not what it's all about. When Linus got up and read from Luke 2 my heart was warmed.

"For unto you in born this day a Savior who is Christ the Lord...

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Yes, indeed. Christ the Lord is what Christmas is all about. My heart was filled with joy and hope for this year's Christmas season once again.

Today, my son asked if Santa would bring him a present because he tried to be a good boy this year. My heart sank again. I was so good at teaching Katie the truth of Christmas. She really understood that we celebrate Jesus being born. But somehow I've missed the mark with Eli. My apathy this year may have given room for Santa to fill the place of God in my sons way of thinking. Well, not anymore. I am getting back to the basics. I'm going to take a clue from Linus and the shepherds and remember that Jesus is worthy to be worshiped. Jesus is not just the reason for the season. He is the reason for living!

Confessions

I home school my kids. You probably already know that if you're reading my blog. But what you might not know is that sometimes I am jealous of those who don't. I rarely talk about it, because all the other home school moms I see seem to love it and are doing a fabulous job of it. I, however, see my house and think how much better it might be to just put the kids in school. I get envious of the moms who take their kids to school and then have 4-7 hours to clean the house, get the shopping done, or even just take a shower in peace. I feel guilty when I have these thought and feelings because I know that homeschooling is what God has asked me to do. I know all the great benefits of homeschooling my kids; I see the growth and development in Katie almost daily at this point. I know that the messy house and lack of showers is just a season. I know all the logical things I would be telling another home school mom who is feeling this way. But knowing all the right answers and feeling the tiredness and jealousy are two very different things. All I can do is hold on to those logical thoughts at this point and know that God does indeed take all things and make them not just a good thing but a blessing in His own special way.
This Thanksgiving I am thankful for my great relationship with my daughter. I am thankful for my ever supportive husband, my energetic son and a God who takes my feeble efforts and makes them work together for good simply because I love Him!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Fun With Adverbs

Today Katie was learning adverbs. I gave her a list of words and let her make silly sentences. Here's what she came up with...

Knights toddle mysteriously.

Dancers cry awkwardly.

Turtles leap shrilly.

Eagles lumber fiercely.

Spies battle gracefully.

Babies wink cautiously.

Some are a little more accurate than she planned, I think!

Tree House

Today I was looking out of my bedroom window and thinking how much I love my bedroom. The last house we lived in my bedroom was the biggest room in the house (Yes, the biggest in the whole house!). This house it is very small, but I love it so much more.

I began to wonder why. Why do I love this room so much? I think it's because I feel like I'm in a tree house. Growing up I always wanted a tree house. And living in my favorite house I almost had one (but it was on the ground, under the trees). Looking out of my bedroom now all I see is trees. I feel like I live up in them and that makes me think of beautiful times in my favorite house growing up.

You may be wondering why I keep saying "favorite house growing up". Well, I am 37 years old and have lived in 22 different houses. I can describe all of them to you rather simply (ie: the pink one, the attic one, the white long one, the mountain side one and etc), but in this one I am just describing it as "my favorite". It was a farm house that had chickens and ducks and horses and rabbits and more animals. And it had trees; beautiful, tall, fun trees! I loved that house.

Living in Scotts Valley I am reminded of my childhood a lot. The people up here are so friendly and laid back. The weather is warm, but has a bit of the cool, misty mornings. And the trees growing high to the sky. It's just beautiful.

I know I've written about my love for my house before, but I just realized another reason I love it. I am getting old and sentimental. This house reminds me of good times in my childhood and that makes me happy!

I was a bad mom!

This morning I had a bad mom moment. It was funny though. Let me tell you about it...
Eli got mad at Katie and yelled out "you're dumb. D. O. dumb".
Katie and I started laughing and Katie said "D. O. spells do, you dummy. D.O.M.B. spells dumb".
I said, "DUMB is dumb. But nice job trying to spell kids.". Then I walked away.
About 2 hours later realized that I should have told them to not call each names. I was just so happy they were spelling that I forgot to correct them.
I know, I know. Bad mom. But it was funny!

Eli is a big boy!

Today is a big day in our house. Eli's crib/toddler bed was taken out and a new big boy bed was brought in. He's been running around saying he's a big boy now!!! He's so proud!
We also had a visit from Katie's E.S. (the teacher who checks our progress in homeschooling every month!). Mrs. Caroline has a 6 month old named Jack. Jack loves Eli. He watches Eli and laughs at Eli. Today I asked Eli if he thinks we should have another baby in our family. He looked at me and smiled and shook his head no. I asked why and he said "I'm your baby. Me and Belle. You don't need more."
So, my baby is a big boy now, but still wants to be my baby! I love that boy!!!

PS His new bedding is gray, black and red and says "Rock Star" with red guitars all over. And since he got a new bed, we got Katie new bedding as well. Her bed comforter is black with bright embroidered peace signs all over. Both sets of bedding is TOTALLY them! I'll send pictures when I can load them on to the blog site!

My Musings on Homeschooling the Parent

Homeschooling has been a strange journey for me. I brought my child home because she was about to drown in the 30 child classroom. I saw she needed more one on one than they could possibly give. I spent the first year working on figuring where she really was, getting her caught up and getting a schedule that worked for all of us. This year she is mostly caught up and now we are getting into really interesting information.

I have learned so much information that I had no idea about. For instance, Mesopotamia means between the rivers and hippopotamus means river horse. I've also learned why chicken eggs are different colors and that a platypus is a mammal even though they lay eggs. Those are mostly useless, yet interesting, items to know, but I've also learned new grammar things. For instance, you can sit down but you set something down. I can't sit a baby in her crib, I set her in her crib. I can sit on the couch or I can set myself down on a couch. This is news to me.

I have also learned things about myself on this journey. I am not very predictable. I don't like doing the same thing everyday. I like mixing things up. I don't mind reading everyday, but does it have to be at the same time in the same place everyday?

More importantly, I've learned that I haven't dealt with all the pain my undiagnosed dyslexia had caused me in my childhood. I wanted to do good in school and be smart, but struggled with my reading so much it was impossible. Everyone thought I was being lazy and just not doing my school work to reflect my ability. Truth was, I had no idea what was going on most of the time and was just able to "perform" to the teachers liking in class. I see this in my daughter and it scares me. So, I am having to deal with my own pain issues as I teach my daughter that she is smart and I see her trying hard too! I, to this day, hate reading out loud. It's hard to do for a dyslexic. My daughter wants me to read to her all the time and I struggle (even with kids books, I'm afraid) but this too is a lesson for my daughter. She can see that a woman can be successful and still struggle with a reading difference. I think she's not going to struggle as I have. And I pray she never feels the pain of not feeling good enough as she gets older!

I know homeschooling was the right thing to do for my daughter. I have a feeling it'll be good for my son. But now I can see that homeschooling was great for the mother! Praise God I obeyed and brought Katie home for school!

Perseverance

One of the great joys in my life is when my kids actually enjoy conquering a hard task at school.
Today, Eli asked to do school. He asks to do school often, but I am usually so busy with "real" school with Katie that I give him something easy like cutting and pasting or mazes. But today I decided he needed a challenge. I gave him a dot to dot book for five year olds. It was HARD. He cried and fussed, but then when he figured it out and completed the page he did a happy dance and asked to do it again!
Katie has always struggled with writing/reading/grammar. Today we were talking about nouns ("A noun is the name of a person, place, thing or idea."). To solidify the rule I pulled out an old magazine and told her she had 15 minutes to find as many pictures of nouns as she can and paste them on the page. She is giggling and searching. I hear her saying quietly to her self "a noun is the name of a person, place, thing or idea...yep, this is a noun." She is having fun learning and she will REALLY know this definition by the end of the day!
My children are finding school a challenge, but are learning to persevere. I am finding homeschooling and housework and being a mom, wife, friend is a challenge, but I am being encouraged to persevere. It reminds me of the verse found in Hebrews 10:36...You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
We all have something we need to persevere in. What challenge are you facing today? Remember, the Lord promises great blessings if you fight through!

Super Powers

Katie has decided to keep her brother entertained while they do chores by making everything about a super power. She got him to clean his room in record time. She got him to help her take the laundry downstairs by saying they were evil villains and needed to be rounded up and put into the "jail" or laundry basket! He keeps saying his code name is "Super Fick Fop". We're not sure what that means, but that is what he wants his name to be. Well, Katie couldn't get her mouth to say it so she said "OK, well, I'm just going to call you FRED". When I noticed him doing the potty dance she told him to go sit on the "super throne" so he can get further instructions. She then stood outside of the bathroom and made up "missions" to do. Now, that their chores are done, she has him doing her bidding. She got him to get her a drink and put her toys away. Katie really is amazing with the preschool set when she wants to be! I love that girl!

Katie and Eli

One of the great parts of homeschooling is setting our own schedule. Sometimes we have a slow starting morning or a super busy afternoon and we set the schedule accordingly. Well, this is one of those slow mornings. The kids decided to just play while they waited for mom to get her act together. As they were playing they were doing real life math. They were sorting according to size. When they realized there were too many small and not enough big to be fair. Then they sorted by color and realized there were way too many groups to be fair. Next they decided to count. They counted 30 toys (I know, they have way too many toys) and Katie said, "I think that is an even number. Lets take turns taking one and see how many we each get!" So they each took one then another than another. Then Katie said, "lets count and be sure we have the same number." They counted to 15 (well, Eli had to have some help at #12, but she helped him and I stayed still, eavesdropping!). Then Katie says, "Mom, did you know that 15 plus 15 equals 30?" Home-school math at it's best!

As they were playing and learning together I couldn't help but think of John's writing in 1John 4:20-21. He writes:

If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love

God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

There is nothing better than when my kids are enjoying each other. I don't just want them to get along, but I want them to enjoy each other. As they grow, I am treasuring these times in my heart and praying their love for one another never grows dim. Because their love for one another is a direct reflection of their love for and relationship with God!

Out Smarted by a Four Year Old....ALMOST!

So, my son is now 4. He is very smart. Today he has begun trying to used words to trick me. The main one went like this...

M: Did you want to go swimming today?

E: Yep. I can go swimming today?

M: yep.

E: I didn't poop in the pool?

M nope, you didn't so you can swim today.

E: Cool. I can poop in the pool today.

M: Yep, you can...wait...you can swim. You can't ever poop in the pool.

E: Gotcha mom. I was just jokin'...

Another one was...

M: Didn't we tell you no throwing things down the stairs?

E: Yes. I didn't throw it down.

M: How did it get down here then?

E: I rolled it.

M:Rolled it?

E: Yep, rolled it...it's not throwing!

M: OK No rolling things down the stairs, bring it down with your hands.

E: Can we talk about this? It's easier to roll it! (Big cheesy smile to try to win me over).

M: You should be a lawyer.

E: I am not a liar!...

What will it be like when he's a teenager?

Drug Problem

Drugged by my parents

"Why Are Some Eggs Brown and Some White?"

Recently Katie and I were grocery shopping. While I was checking the eggs Katie asked me "Why are some eggs white and some brown?". I had no real idea. I thought that it had something to do with the kind of chicken or color of chicken, but really I didn't know. I decided to go home and look it up, but forgot. This is one of the only reasons I would ever get an iPhone; so I can check that kind of information and never have to skip a beat!

Anyway, today Rick was asking me if I'd be interested in an iPad (and was trying to convince me that I want one) when i remembered this question. I decided to get my computer out and look up the question the old fashioned way! Here is the answer i came up with...

Chickens lay the color of eggs of their ear lobes! Yes, you read that right. Chickens have ear lobes! If they are a white ear lobed chicken they will have white eggs. And a brown lobed chicken has brown eggs! So, it does have to do with the kind of Chicken they are. Cool!

Here are my two sources.

http://www.mrbreakfast.com/ask.asp?askid=23

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5357549

Mirror Dream

So, last night I had a weird dream. I dreamed I was in a hall of mirrors. Every time I looked into a mirror I couldn't see myself. I was totally invisible. I went to one mirror and saw Rick, but not me. Then I went to another and saw Eli, but not me. Then I went to another one and saw Katie, but not me. Then I woke up. What's up with that? Any thoughts?

Katieism

I know I've already posted today. But I just remembered a Katieism she said today and didn't want to forget to document it!

Katie was talking to Eli and said "I'm bored with anger at you". We have no idea what that means, but it was funny!

I love my house

This weekend we had a party for the kids' birthday at our house. I have liked my house since seeing it on Craig's List way back in February. But after the party, I have decided that I love my house. Let me tell you why...

First of all, we have tons of parking. We had 7 cars parked in our driveway and no one was blocked from getting out! (Rick cleaned the garage enough for my car and his car to park in there). AND there was room to play, if the kids decided to!

Next reason, the front porch is beautiful! I have my beach chair set up there (waiting for the money to buy a porch swing!). I usually sit out there and enjoy the view (yes, I said view...you can see the Santa Cruz mountains from my front porch) and watch the kids play and feel the beautiful breeze. We set up a table and had the kids make their tie dye shirts out there! It was great!

Next reason, our house itself is really compact, but perfectly laid out. The living area and kitchen are easily accessed from the front or back yards. (And because it's small it's easier to clean up after the party is over!)

Next reason, the pool. We has 12 kids and 1 adult in the water at once and NO ONE GOT HURT!!!! The bigger kids were jumping off the diving board, the middle kids were playing in the shallow area and the little ones were in the "warm pool". It was perfect.

Next reason, the "breezeway" between our house and garage. It was the perfect size area to set up the food table and for people to gather and chat in the shade!

Next reason, the back yard. We have just enough trees to make it mountainy (I know it's not a word, but you get the point)! But not so much it makes it dark and damp! The grass area was great for enjoying the sun, chatting with friends and seeing all the yard/pool area to watch the kids safely!

Next reason, the air. This has nothing to do with the party but, the air is so clean up here in Scotts Valley. It makes it so much more pleasant to be outside!

And finally, because my family loves it here. I rarely hear from the kids that they are bored. They have so much to do outside that they can play, exercise and be free! In fact, this morning Katie was told she had to read, do math and do spelling before she can swim or watch t.v.. It is now almost 1:30 and she still hasn't done most of her school work because she is playing with her brother!

I love my house!

funny sign!

Things I Never Thought I'd Say (Lost Count)

OK So today is a never thought I'd say, but to Katie. Ready?

M:Don't kick your brother.

K:I didn't kick hard.

M:Don't kick your brother.

K:It wasn't very hard, mom.

M:Again I say, don't kick your brother.

K:What about lightly like this (kicks her brother).

M:No it is never OK to kick your brother.

K:But he's not crying hard.

M:Crying or not, don't kick your brother.

K:OH OK. (pushes her brother as she walks by).

M:KATERINA!

K: What? I didn't kick him.

Are you serious? Should I really have to say this? Motherhood is frustrating!

"Bless You"

Eli has always had funny words for common things. Like when he was a baby he'd call his pacifier a "bow bowff". Well, Saturday Katie sneezed and he yelled out at her "Hey, don't get your bless you on me". He meant don't sneeze on me. I never knew he called a sneeze a "bless you". He is so cute!

Good Advise

Yesterday while we were coming home from vacation Eli ran into a wall. He was looking at people behind him and not where he was going. I looked at him and said "You need to watch where you're going, not where you've been." Then those very words struck me. It was as if the Lord was speaking to my heart. Recently I have been wallowing in the past. Thoughts of how I've blown it or not been all the Lord has meant for me to be have consumed my thoughts. But in my very own words to my son, God spoke to my heart. I need to be about the future work of my Lord. Will you join me?

Philipians 3:13b "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead".

Naked Boy

Apparently I am not alone!

Thing I Never Thought I'd Say (AGAIN)

At the dinner table on Mother's Day I had to tell my son..."Stop eating your flip flop. Eat your food!" Why do I have to say these things?

Is Eli a prophet?

Yesterday we were talking about the late Zukey (my brother and sister's dog who recently was put to sleep). Eli asked if Zukey was coming on the family trip to the beach. I told him, "No, Zukey is in heaven and God wont let Zukey come back for his grandparents anniversary." Katie said, "She's dead, Eli! Everyone dies!" Then Eli looked at us and said "Not me. I'm not dieing on earth." I asked what he meant. He said "I'm not gonna die. Jesus is gonna capture me." I said, "you mean Jesus is gonna come back and rapture you?" He shook his head yes. This brought on a whole conversation about the rapture and whether or not Katie wanted to be raptured or die "like a normal person"! Two things popped in my head. Number 1, where on earth did Eli, my 3 year old son, learn about or even hear the word rapture?! And number 2, looking at the world the way it is, he very well may be right. Because the Bible does say Jesus is coming back "after all these things" and many of the "these things" have happened or are happening now. I need to be more serious about teaching my kids to honor and follow God; I need to be more open in sharing my faith all around; I need to be more in tune with what God is saying to me today! Jesus is coming back. Perhaps we wont die; perhaps we will all be "captured".

Another Thing I never Thought I'd Say

"Eli, let your sister pee in peace...OK, then let her change her clothes in peace...either way, give her some privacy please...no, you going into the bathroom with her is not privacy".

OH, my poor future daughter-in-law. She is going to have her work cut out for her!

Spelling With Katie

Katie is writing emails to people. She needs help with spelling often and today was no different. It was a little funny. Here's how it went...

Katie: Mom I need help spelling

Me: OK, what do you want to spell?

Katie: OK

Me: You want to spell OK?

Katie: Yes...OK

Me: O...K...!

Katie: No, really.

Me: Really. It's O...K...

Katie: Can't be.

Me: It is.

Katie: OK...what was that again?

Me: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I'm gonna blog that...OOOOOO....KKKKKKK!

Katie: Oh...sorry...O (type the letter o) K(type the letter k)...thanks mom. How you you spell we?...wii?

Me: You have got to be kidding me?! I am so blogging this.

And it went on from there!

Gotta love homeschooling!

"Mendy Mouse"

Today Eli walked into the office wearing pink Mickey ears from Disneyland. He said "Look mom. I'm Mendy Mouse." My poor boy thinks I'm Mickey Mouse's girlfriend. Sorry Rick, gotta move to ToonTown!

Entertaining Kids

Today my kids have decided to be blessings. Eli is playing piano and singing songs about his dad and God and Belle and other people. Right now the song is "this is the song of my heart. but not your song of your heart. that's your song. i'm singing the song of my heart. daddy isn't home, but he's coming soon. and i'll sing the song of my heart."

Katie is scrapbooking. She found a picture of herself as a little baby with my brothers dog who just died a couple months ago. She made photocopies and is making a scrapbook page for her aunt and cousins. She also painted her own nails and smells like a nail salon every time she comes in the room.

My kids are always entertaining!

Katie's Sentences

Today Katie finished Second Grade Hooked On Phonics. She's moving into third grade reading on Monday! We are very proud of her.

She is also working on sentences right now. She's reviewing proper sentences (capitals, punctuation, complete ideas). As part of her work she had to make up sentences. Here are a few examples of her humor!

1. Maggie wants to go pee.

2. Do you like boogers?

3. I wish I had 1000 dollars!

4. I am a big hairy monster!

5. I jumped into the spaghetti and then peed.

6. I am trying to find a toilet.

I've been told that boys at this age only talk about potty things. Apparently my daughter is well rounded or she's a guy! Either way, she's doing great on her sentences and reading!

PS She's making Eli laughing with her sentences. The boy almost peed his pants she had him laughing so hard! He loves his sister.

Groovy Katie

I think my daughter is channeling the inner Marcia Brady. She has used much of my construction paper to make peace signs and pinned them all over her walls. She keeps wearing the same bell bottom pants over and over. This morning she had a funky headband on with her long hair flowing down the back of her head. Then she told me she's not sure if she wants a VW Bug or a Mustang when she starts driving. (She saw a mint 1960-something mustang on the road and was goo-goo for it!). Luckily she's not as boy crazy as Marcia. Hopefully we can stave that off for a good LONG time!

Things I Never Thought I'd Say part 4

"OK new rule. We only put our hands down our pants or pull our pants down at home when only family is around. OK, Eli. So pull your pants up and take your hands out!"

Katie the cook

Katie has gotten very good at making her own breakfast lately. What is funny is she hates breakfast food. For breakfast this morning she had a quesadilla. Now she is eating Top Ramen that she made all by herself. I don't think I ever made anything for myself at the age of 8. She's such a responsible little chick! I'm blessed!

How Do You Ground Kids Now Days?

A few weeks ago Katie got grounded. We grounded her from TV/Movies for the day. She gave us a sad look, but then proceeded to stay in her room listening to books on CD all day. Last night she got grounded again. This time we said "No TV/Movies AND no book of CD". She was unhappy for about 15 minutes. Then she came down from her room playing with her new camera and told Eli she'll show him how to play her Nintendo DS later today.

How do you ground kids now days? There is so much available to them that they can always find something to do. Maybe next time I should tie her up and stick her in the closet when she's grounded. Although, she is playing with her brother a lot today. Maybe this is a good thing after all!

Things I Never Thought I'd Say Part 3

Here's this week's sample...

"Yes, you are a big boy like daddy. But you can't ask every girl to marry you. You need to drive a car and have a job first."

"Get in this house. You may not play outside without pants on."

Raising boys is so much fun!

And examples of what I've told Katie this week...

"Yes, you are growing up, but I don't think you can wear my bra's yet."

"You may not sit on your brother's face to shut him up. Not only is it dangerous, it's gross. What if he bites you?"

I love being a mom. What would I blog about otherwise?!

Eli's a Big Boy

Recently we've been talking to Eli about getting rid of his pacifier (he calls it his bow bowf) when he turns 4. We've been wanting to give him clear warning that he will be throwing it away on his birthday so he wont be as upset. Well, this morning Katie was making Eli's bed and couldn't find the pacifier. She asked him where it was and he told her he threw it away in the garbage. She asked him why and he said "I'm big like Daddy. I don't need it". They came down and told me and he insisted that I leave it in the garbage can because he doesn't need it. Like I've always said when raising kids be it potty training, bike riding or whatever, they'll do it in their own time we just encourage!

Live Action Play Station

Katie is playing Play Station 2 tonight. She's playing an X-Men game. As she's playing it Eli is physically acting out all he sees on the screen. It amazes me how those kids can find a way to play a 3 year old and an 8 year old game all at the same time. My kids are amazing!

Gotham City is now safe

Eli just put on his batman pj's then put the cat mask from the dress up bin on me and said I have to be cat woman. Now he's running circles around me saying he's mad at me for being best buddies with Penguin. Love his playfulness even at 9 at night. Nighty night, Gotham City. You are now safe. Batman has captured Cat Woman!

Fibromyalgia is SO weird

Fibromyalgia is SO weird. One of the things I hate most is the randomness of the pain (yes, randomness is a word in my world). One day it hurts in my leg and the next it's my neck. Never the same place twice. And never a sign of where it'll be next. Tuesday it was my left knee. It hurt to stand, sit , kneel, anything. Wednesday, get this, it was my thumbs. Both thumbs hurt to stretch them, bend them, move them. Today it's the top of my head. This is the one that I hate the most. It feels like someone dropped something really heavy (like a brick) on the top of my head. It hurts so bad that it makes it hard to think. If any of you ever gets FM, you can call me and I will cry with you, yell at the world for you and pray with you. FM sucks (pardon my harsh language, but it does!)

Eli's Prayer

So I've mentioned before that Eli's gift is prayer. Several weeks ago he began praying one prayer at every meal. It started with "Dear God, thank you for this food and please..." and the rest was all jumbled up. No one really knew what he was saying, but we figured it was his prayer to God so God knew! Well, Sunday he walked up to Pastor Rick and told him that he has been praying for Leah. It blessed Pastor Rick and convicted me because I although I have been praying for Leah I haven't lead the kids in prayer for Leah. The next night at dinner Eli asked to pray again and did his usual prayer. Afterward I asked him if he'd prayed for Leah that day. He began crying and said he just did. Finally, we had him slowly tell us his prayer. It went like this "Dear God, thank you for this food and please bless Leah and she be well. Amen." Apparently my three and a half year old had been praying for Leah three times a day for about a month. What a good boy he is!

Katie is choosing to read...

Katie hates to read. She loves books. She loves stories. She loves to be read to. She loves listening to books on tape. But to actually read the words herself is not her favorite thing in the world. However, recently she has been choosing to read. Now, don't misunderstand, she doesn't pick up books and actually read them. But she reads all the time. As we're driving in the car she's been reading signs. When the mail comes, she reads who the individual pieces of mail are for and from. And just now she turned on a movie and read the name of the producers and tried to read the names of the actors. Who says she has to open a big chapter book to really be reading. My daughter is a reader. She just had to find the things she wanted to read! And I am so glad she did!