Yeah, it definitely is the most wonderful time of the year. For us. :) Joel speaks around 3 times a month in the Summer, as opposed to 30 times a month during the school year. It makes a huge difference. We dedicate that time to other ministry projects that we have been putting off as well as some much needed family time and family projects. Yeay for Summer!
VEDA (video every day in April) recap
Veda was fun. But, I"m not gonna lie, much harder to complete this time. The videos weren't as polished by any means. Ohwell. They got done and that was the goal. One popular video was actually my very last VEDA in which I spoke about some of the reasons we are choosing to homeschool our kids. Here it is.
Joel 3 is doing very well learning to read. He doesn't enjoy his reading lesson at first (like when we say, "Joel its time to do your reading lesson!") but once he's into it, he really likes the 'story' at the end and of course, the picture that goes with it. It has been so fun to see him learn in this area and observe his style. For instance, I am very visual so when Joel forgets to make the sound of a certain letter I point at it but he doesn't look at where I am pointing, he would prefer to sound on the word again slowly and in a different way as he like looks up at the ceiling or something. I am thinking, "what is he doing?" and then he gets it! He likes to hear himself talk, thats for sure. :) Judah, on the other hand, is very visual. He can look at a pattern of objects and point out what one doesn't belong quicker than Joel can. It is cool to observe these different gifts.
**edit - as I am finally about to get this post done, a couple months later, Joel has regressed with reading a bit. It started with a short 'break' that we gave him of about 1-2 weeks, actually after that break he was much better. Then we forgot about it too often and when we reintroduced the reading lesson book 1 full month later he couldn't remember vowel sounds! Oh well. We will truck along, with an emphasis on reading the story (not the drills). He seems to do much much better while reading a story and he enjoys it more! Go figure!
Luther and Mommy
On April 19th we celebrated Luther's 1 year birthday!!
It has been so much fun to see his personality really come out these past few months. I am thankful that he really enjoys books and brings them to me like his brother Joel did at this age. Although, he is much more of a handful than either of them were! He is so curious and wants to know how everything works and how it feels and what will happen if he breaks/tears/throws/hits it. He loves to play games much like Judah at this age, but also is very very hurt if spoken to harshly, much like Joel.
At 13.5 months I decided to wean Luther. It was bittersweet. Sad that I couldn't nurse him longer which was my goal. But happy that I have my body back. Here are some of the things I learned the past 14 months while I struggled to feel 'normal' after Luther's birth -
1. our bodies are broken. Self-explanatory. Because of sin, this is a consequence we reap. No 'perfect' treatment of the body will make it 'perfect.'
2. God is sovereign. We can chose what we want to chose, but ultimately God is in complete control. Why waste so much time 'figuring' things out when you should use that time to just pray. Ask Him for help. He's the only one who can really Help you.
3. As a Mommy I am extremely valuable, even if I am not nursing or pregnant. Yeah. This one was tough. Apparently being pregnant or nursing for 4 years straight can really mess up your whole self worth. I began to realize a fear I did not know I had - NOT being pregnant or nursing! Weird.
My Bday on May 21st...
The 'other' Boys
Joel 3 attended our church's VBS in June and he had a blast. I was shocked at how much he loved it. We weren't sure if he would be apprehensive as he hasn't left us for that long without many people he knows. But, we couldn't have been more wrong. I seriously don't think he's ever enjoyed anything as much as he enjoyed VBS. He loves crafts, games, singing, and sugary snacks, so it was really just a perfect combination of all the stuff he loves. He came home each day super obsessed with the theme, which was International Spy. We were instructed to play spy with him which apparently is a scavenger hunt.
Joel is finally starting to mature a bit as he can understand some reasoning, and is helpful and obedient most of the time. Of course he does have loud complaining fits a few times a week still, which are quite dramatic. But overall, I am liking the age of 4 quite a bit.
Judah has finally given in to the fact that he is almost a full 2 years younger than Joel. He has been pretending for quite some time that he is Joel's age and can stay up with him, run as far as him, and do most things by himself like Joel.... but that facade is over. He loses it at around 1200 if he hasn't eaten lunch or gone to bed, He pees on his shorts if nobody helps him go potty, and he asks "pick me up please?" if we have been walking far distances. Maybe its some sort of growth spurt. Of course, he is still ever so cute saying things like, "I haaafff stuff-ing for you!" and his "Why he do that, Mommy? Why?" Also his 'conversations' are very cute now as well.
Joel has enjoyed working from home a little bit more often now and taking care of Joel and Judah. It helps that Judah is a bit more self-sufficient than last Summer and Joel is more mature, but they are still a loud, overwhelming couple at times. In fact, we have resorted to putting Judah in a pack n play in the basement almost full time now, because the two of them cannot control themselves when they are alone but together. They just get waaay too excited and do dangerous things. I wonder where they got that tendency? But anyway, back to Joel ;) He has enjoyed running much more recently than ever before and actually set a new record for his 1 mile run. 6:30!! Yep that's quite an accomplishment for a former defensive tackle.
Joel decides to warm up...
So does Joel 3...
So does Judah...
And, So does Luther...
Joel ran a 6:30 mile, this pic was taken at 6:32.
Joel finally turned 30 on June 26th, so I had to write it all over the cookie cake ;)
in other news...
Joel 3 split his head open again in late April. Here's a video of me explaining the story.
he did a great job getting the stitches, which was a HUGE answer to prayer.
One of the cutest things was Judah's reaction. Judah, is apparently so close to Joel that he thinks they are the same person. At first he said "Joel has hole!" over and over again. Then it turned into, "Judah have hole?" over and over again. Very cute. He had to be reassured that his head was ok by looking in the mirror frequently.
Mayn, stitches every other year is starting to get expensive!!!
Time with Family
We are so grateful for extra time with family during the Summer. My brother, Michael, recently treated us to a trip to the Cincinnati Zoo with all of Joel's cousins! It was a blast. Joel said his favorite part was the Popsicle and the Carousel. Judah said his favorite part was the alligators. Luther enjoyed riding the train and started bouncing up and down and smiling while the train was going.
The next day, we left Cincinnati early for an 8 hour trip to Virginia to vacation with Joel's family. Our destination was a farm in Gordonsville, VA. The car ride (first car ride over 2 hours with 3 boys) was long and difficult at times, but not any worse than expected.
A tired Judah eats his lunch in the car...
The farm was great. We had a blast relaxing with family. The kids loved going on golf cart rides with GranDad, feeding the horses, and swimming in the hot tub (set on the coolest possible setting). Joel spent most of his time tagging along with his cousins, he had a new favorite cousin each day. Judah roamed around alone and mooched the most golf cart rides off GranDad, I think. Luther enjoyed scaring us half to death by falling into the hot tub (it was really just a slight head dunk), clumsily maneuvering the adult-sized broom and dust pan, and playing with the fire poker.
Here's a video of the cousins feeding the horses...
Here's a video of our place, we loved it!!!
Well, guys, thanks for hanging with me on this LONG post.. I will try harder to post more often and shorter. For everyone's relief. :)
