Been having a lot of fun around here and keeping the momentum of life rolling.
The weather has been beautiful, and thankfully the rain has come at night, so we can be out during the day. However, that has led to a bit of difficulty getting our schoolwork done.

Yesterday, I finally gave in to having a semi-productive day inside, and having fun in nature for the rest. We went to a park after Caleb's nap and got to feed the ducks and geese bread. We found a mama sitting on her eggs- no wonder she kept hissing at the kids and wouldn't move to get the bread! We got to experience the wonders of their intestinal tracts as we stepped in their messes. We got to learn how to deal with disappointments when yucky shoes slip while you're removing them, and get your other leg dirty. We looked at bark and the cones on a coniferous tree and saw how its branches grow. It was perfect weather and we all enjoyed the brief time there before Catherine had to go to dance.

After dance, we were blessed with a fluffy backyard visitor- a bunny! C & C were so eager to get close, they chased it across the street and through 2 yards before we finally gave it some peace!
Last night, Buddy and I got to watch The Blind Side. What an amazingly touching movie! I felt so good after watching, knowing that our time to do that for Hannah is coming ever nearer! It also made me feel a little impatient, honestly. Back to trusting the Lord...

Today I went back to the yarn shop because I'm about back to the place I was when I had to rip it out before. Well, it's wrong again. However, I can combine my pattern with another and come out with a totally different sweater that will fit me. :) I felt a bit of distress coming on after working so hard to redo. As I left, I had hope that I could still make it through. We had adjusted the pattern for my small size in # of stitches, decreased the size of the needles, and the weight of the yarn, all because I misunderstood the pattern. I always had to do that when I sewed for myself growing up, and just assumed I was doing it right. I'm really thankful I can still use what I have and not be at a total loss, times two!

Trying to find some days for SDC while it's World Fest and while Buddy is busy. It makes the time go so much faster, and our days easier if we're occumpied and not home missing him.

Have a great weekend!

In spite of wanting to be with Hannah, I'm so thankful we're not over there, wanting to get home, and unable to because of the volcano. Hoping that those who are travelling will soon be safely home with their families.

Snippets

Samuel tested for Memory Master today. In CC, if you can recite all the memory work we've learned over the couse of the year, you are a MM. It's tough to do, but he really wanted to do it. I had Catherine pre-test, too, but she decided the extra work to shore up all the info was not what she wanted. Fair enough, she gave it an excellent try and showed me more in that test than she had been showing the past few weeks. Monday, he had to say everything, but today was the final, where the Director picked and chose questions. Although he struggled a bit, he did it! I'm so pleased at his hard work and his accomplishment. Now, to think of a proper celebration of his good work.... Actually, he's headed to a Father/Son event at church tonight. Some good one-on-one time with Dad will be a great reward.

News came that papers are one step closer to asking for a court date! The Russian incident appears to not be influencing Hannah's country at all. Praise the Lord!

Time to get back to QuickBooks. Taxes are all done, just trying to make sure I'm caught up on this year.

Have an awesome day!

TeenPact

Yesterday, Samuel and I join our CC Director and her daughter, who happens to be in my class, on a trip to OKC. Every year, an organization called TeenPact has an event in each state's capital where you can go to learn about how bills are presented and passed, how the government works, better public speaking, as well as walking around the capital and praying for the various branches of government. Samuel had to follow a dress code and looked really sharp. He had a love/hate relationship with the clothes, but obediently did as was required.(This is where I've spent many hours waiting for documents to be apostilled.)

We had such a nice time just enjoying the learning, without it being a really intense day, as well as an opportunity to restart my sweater! One of the most fun parts for me was when they had to use parliamentary procedures and would be called on it for not stating things correctly. "Would the speaker in the well please yield to a question?" And they could say, "No." The leaders were teens, and were very impressive. I'm hopeful we'll continue this and that one day Samuel and Catherine can be involved.

Samuel was in charge of the camera, and 59 pictures later, we have nearly every piece of artwork in the capital, several views of the Supreme Court chamber, etc. We went on a scavenger hunt and one of the questions was "what is the Governor's middle name?" We got off the elevator, and who happened to be walking past, but Governor Henry, himself! I got to ask him the question.

We need to pray for our leaders daily and make sure we're acting as commanded by being involved politically. I was reminded that taking back our nation for godly purposes can't be done by wishing or complaining.

Wish I knew how to show this on the page, but just have a link to share what this weekend is all about. It humbles me to see how much He loves us, how much He endured, all the while looking into the future and seeing us, doing it out of love for us.
There's an old song that says, "Oh, how He loves you and me. Oh, how He loves you and me. He gave His life, what more could He give? Oh, how He loves you! Oh, how He loves me! Oh, how He loves you and me." It makes me cry when I hear or sing it. No way to comprehend it, because we could never deserve it. And that's the beauty of it all. In spite of, not because of, what I've done.
Take time this weekend to reflect on His goodness, and aim to live your lives in a way pleasing to Him, accepting His amazing sacrifice, and sharing that gift with others.

Here's how I spend my afternoons at CC- knitting with my friends while learning with Samuel. That green ball of yarn is all that's left of my sweater. Had to pull it all apart since I'd misunderstood the directions. See my 7" lightening? Didn't have enought for Locks for Love, but it was time to get my hair back and I'm so glad I did!

Look at this silly boy! Having fun at CC.