St. Louis, Birthday, Fair, ultrasound...

Last month the kids and went to St. Louis with Miss Sara and her girls. We packed the van and headed south for 5 days of fun and relaxation (and some vomiting). I have never been to Springfield and we were stopping there on the way. We stopped at Lincoln's Museum and we all had a great time. The movie part was the best!!! Did you notice how we squeezed in...some learning? The moms are so smart.

Next stop...St. Louis Zoo. More learning squeezed in on this. The zoo was free (the best part) and it was really a nice zoo. They even had a bear I never existed. Right now I can't remember the name of the bear. Sara, help me here.

This is where we stayed, on the family farm!! It was beautiful there and the weather was perfect! They had chickens! The highlight of my whole trip. We got to see all the different color eggs the different chickens laid. The kids had fun looking for the eggs on the ground. They also saw baby ducks and they just had a great time. I had a blast. I hope we can go there again.

We squeezed in a day of school. Who says you can't learn on vacation?

Here is another example of learning. The St. Louis Arch. They had a museum and a movie to watch how it all began. We also got in these egg shaped vehicle to take us to the top! Talk about feeling like Mork from Ork. Once we got to the top you can walk around and look down!!

My first born turns 9!!

I think she is 4 in this photo. I use to love doing 'photo shoots' with her. See her hair?? This is when she actually let me do her hair. I miss those days.

Now, look at my big girl!!

Anna wanted to have a birthday 'tea party' with a few of her closest friends. She also wanted to use our good china. I was nervouse at first and then I agreed. Nothing got broken :>) Here is the table that I set up for Anna and her lovely guests. They each had individual votive candles and gift bags displayed by each table setting.

They were wonderful. I had fun wearing my apron and going to each guest asking what they would like to eat. They started out with muffins; then they had a choice of chicken nuggets, miniature quiche and/or pizza rolls. I served fruit on the side and of course finished with the cupcakes shaped like a flower.

Look how beautiful they all look!!
Hannah, Cousin Brittany, Birthday Girl, Marah and Lydia

We had to do a fun photo!

Academic Fair

Every year our home school group NPLH hosts an Academic Fair where the kids get to share what they have been learning all year long. They also have a kindergarten and 8th grade graduation ceremony. This year my big 5.5 year old graduated from kindergarten (sniff, sniff). The kids stood up front and they were prayed over and blessed for their upcoming years in school. They even received certificates!

This year the kids chose to do a combined project on tae-kwondo. It was great to watch my kids work together as a team!!

Last, but not least my ultrasound that took 2 hours! Don't ask me why, it just did. All I can say is that from what I can tell the baby looks good. He/she had all it limbs, fingers and toes. It was fun to see the baby sucking its thumb and bouncing all over the place.

The BEST Mother's Day

I woke up with breakfast in bed. Anna got up early in the morning to start cooking. She even set her alarm and got up! Karl heard her tinkering away in the kitchen and got up to help her while I stayed in bed...relaxing. To my surprise, I got a card, fruit, scrambled eggs, refried beans, salsa and a tortilla!!! It may not sound like the best breakfast for you, but for me it was YUMMY!!! They also gave me a bell to ring when I was done with my breakfast. Yet, another surprise...I was to use the bell ALL DAY!!! Now, would I take advantage of my kids and husband...you better believe that I did!!

We got ready for church and I brought the bell with us. I kind of felt silly and yes, I left the bell in the car during worship. It was fun ringing the bell and watching Karl get all animated to see what he can do for me. I haven't laughed so hard since I have been pregnant! It felt good to have some hard laughs. The kids would come running to see how they can help me out.

We went to the garden and I had Karl bring me chair while I delegated where to plant the seeds. It turned out to be a beautiful day.

Thank you Lord for my wonderful family, your many blessings and providing for us!! We have put all our trust in you, Lord.

I did try the bell on Monday morning to see what would happen....guess what....I was reminded that Mother's Day was over. Should I tell my kids that I am their mom, every day of their life??

Beautiful Saturday morning...

I am tring to keep you all updated in our homestead but as we all know...LIFE, keeps us all busy.

Monday will begin my 19th week of pregnancy! Where does the time go?? I am almost half way through my pregnancy. I can't believe how fast this is going. It was slow in the beginning and now, time is flying by. I am feeling much better these days. The nausea is about gone. Headaches come and go and my legs started to swell. If it isn't one thing, it is definitely another with this lovely, 'fun' pregnancy. This baby keeps me on my toes.

We had a busy week this week: Tae-kwondo (year round); went to my last NPLH (No Place Like Home) meeting of the year (support group for homeschooling mamas); planted seeds in our garden; OAMC (once a month cooking) with Miss Frannie; Anna took the 3rd grade IL Stanford Test (2 days of testing) AND both kids had their Tae-kwondo testing (Joshua has his red stripe and Anna received her blue stripe on her green belt)!! Phew!! I was exhausted by the end of each day. I even squeezed in a few garage sales early Friday morning.

My body is not use to all this moving around. In a few weeks I will be getting my Level 2 Ultrasound, to make sure the baby is doing fine. NO, WE ARE NOT FINDING OUT THE SEX. You will all have to wait right along with us, to find out what we are having!! I think this is more fun! Oooooo, the anticipation.

Today is Karl's birthday and he turned....(drum roll please)....a whopping....39!! His last year in the 3's. It's about time that man gets....older. Guess what he is doing right now??? You won't believe what he was looking forward to doing this morning at 7 am on his birthday. WEEDING!! That is what he likes to do, to be outdoors with nature...weeding. Not me.