2 in one night!

I'm on a roll! Actually, Michael is at a work function (a Braves game!) and the boys are in bed... so I'm enjoying a little down time.

What's new in the Robinson household? Hmmm...

We've started a homeschooling schedule, and its been lots of fun! I am so excited to be entering into this part of my mommy career. I love watching the boys discover and learn.

Ezra is learning how to read, using "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons". This book is excellent. I used it with Isaac, and Isaac has been in love with reading ever since. I was honestly thinking Ezra would take a while to be ready to read... but I wanted to give it a shot with this book just to see how he'd take to it. He loves it! The fact that he is able to read words so early on really boosts his confidence and leaves him wanting to learn more. We do 2 lessons a day, and he usually asks for more, I have to limit him! Incredible! Here is a picture of Ezra reading to Michael :-)

He's also working on Math-U-See's Primer book and learning how to add. Its amazing how much his demeanor and attitudes have changed since we've begun actively homeschooling. He seems so much more mature and confident.

Isaac is working in Rod and Staff's grade 2 English and Readers. He is a readng machine and will devour any book left within grasp!. He recently got his very own library card and literally jumped up and down with excitement when I told him. His biggest passion is the Bible, and he really yearns for the Word, and enjoys studying it. Its an awesome blessing to see how much his heart is for the Lord, he has a zeal that's evident already.

Joel is busy being 2. We tried the beginnings of potty training, but I've since decided that waiting until we're home from vacation would be best, to avoid inconsistancies. And because I'm a little overwhelmed by it!

Nathan is busy growing. He found his thumb recently, so he's officially a thumb sucker now... I figured he would be, after we saw him doing it on our ultrasound when I was 20 weeks pregnant! He is such a peaceful baby, so content and happy most of the time. He sleeps really well, too, which is awesome! With the other boys keeping me going all day, I need all the sleep I can get!

Michael is continuing on with his marathon training! He's doing so well, I'm really proud of him and the commitment he's made to see this through.

As for me... hmmm... I never really have much to say about me! The Lord is good to me, helping me to grow and change into the woman he's called me to be. Sometimes it is a bit painful, but always an awesome blessing. He is so gentle with me, I cause myself the trouble through my stubbornness and pride... but He is changing me!! I am always excited to see where He is taking me and our family. I'm so thankful that I have Him to rely on and trust in.

Here is a fun series of pictures of all of us!

And with that, I say goodnight!

Amazing Love

My baby adores me! Its the most amazing thing, this life that God has given me - to grow inside my body, to nourish with my body, to train, lead and teach with my heart. My sweet 3 1/2 month old Nathan, our fourth boy. His eyes scrunch up with smiles as he sees me, his cheeks overflow with gladness, he coos as he nestles and nurses... and its all for me! Me! I could have never imagined being loved this way. He does not know my sins and shortcomings. He does not see how many times a day I let myself, or someone else, down. All he knows is me, in the pureness of his knowledge, and he loves me, unconditionally. Is this how my Father sees me, under the covering of Christ's sacrifice? I can only wonder. My child is such an amazing gift. I understand more and more why God calls them blessings. The meaning gets deeper with each little one we're given. How could I not long for more of these sweet ones to fill our home?!

My kitchen (and sanity) saver!

I recently heard this tip in a homeschooling seminar, and I've been putting it into practice for about 2 weeks now, and I have to share! Its amazing what its done for my kitchen and overall sanity. Its such a simple tip! Here it is:

Load and run the dishwasher EVERY night, even if its not a totally full load.

Then, every morning, it is there to empty, and there is room for that day's dishes to go into it immediately after use. No more dishes piling up in the sink, not even pots and pans, as they, too, go into the dishwasher at night. Brilliant! An added bonus, since there are clean dishes every morning, my children know without a doubt that every morning one of their jobs is to empty the dishwasher.

I used to only run the dishwasher when it was full to the brim. Sometimes that would take a day and a half or two days. Meanwhile, we'd run low on silverware, dishes would pile up as they waited for me to squeeze them into the dishwasher, and the children never knew when the dishwasher might need to be loaded. And the kitchen was a disaster! Which makes any mom crazy, especially if your homeschooling area is in full view of the kitchen!

So simple, but life changing for me! Many, many thanks to the wonderful woman who shared the tip in her seminar, although I can't remember her name.