Sterling Fair!

August 9

Saturday night we went to the Sterling Fair. We had promised the kids that because the rides weren't operating at the Akron fair that we'd let them ride some rides at the Sterling fair. They sure had a blast. It was a little crazy Dallas was allowed on a lot of the mechanical rides but wasn't big enough for the slide. Other than that it was lots of fun. Brooklyn especially enjoyed getting stuck on the Ferris Wheel with Grandma and Grandpa Mo. I don't think they expected to be on that ride for as long as they were. They just happened to change handlers right before they were supposed to get off and the new handler added a bunch of riders and kept them going around and around!

We ate yummy BBQ Brisket Nachos and had a big time!

Nature Walk!

Some mornings we like to get out and see what we see. This morning we went to the Akron Pond! We discovered strange red beetles, tons of baby toads, cactus, sunflowers and a strange plant called milkweed.

It feels so great to get out and walk before it gets too hot outside!

A New Schooling Journey!

August 1-7

It has been a crazy ride for us with decided how to Homeschool. To make a long story short, I had the kids all set up to school through K12. I just kept getting this unsettled and uneasy feeling about it. I was browsing around a facebook homeschooling discussion board and came across a poster who talked about how she "Unschools". I was curious and couldn't stop reading a bunch of these lady's posts about how they don't require their children, they inspire. How the younger years are for learning about character building and hard work and academics comes later when they are mentally and emotionally ready and passionate about learning. There are so many other aspects that I loved but those were the ones that caught my attention in the beginning. 

I then quickly cancelled our K12 enrollment and placed our intent to Homeschool with the school district. And bought A Thomas Jefferson Education starter books! I also called up my sister in law and got her low down since she's been using the Tjed for years!!!

It was like a light bulb went off in my head. I knew that that was what I was looking for. We have started to implement a few changes in our home and they have been wonderful. Some I can't even describe they are so subtle.

We have noticed many changes in our lives even in this short time!

We have limited our TV watching. I have started to purge unnecessary toys and "junk" in the house. I still have a way long way to go but these initial changes have already been huge. The kids use their imaginations more! We talk as a family and discuss more. We share thoughts and ideas that I never even knew my kids were capable of thinking yet. We are still working on  the hard work part but I think chores are always a step by step process.

We have started to utilize our library and it has been a wonderful thing! I can't believe we've lived here for 7 years and I've only taken the kids a couple times. Now we go almost every week and we are all enjoying the new world of books we've discovered!

I think the best change of all is one we should have been doing from the beginning. Our daily scripture study! We have been reading every morning at breakfast time. Now that life seems more simple and laid back we can truly take the time to discuss the scriptures and learn from them.

Boy this was a long post but I just want to be able to look back on this one day and remember just how I felt when we started this journey!   

Akron Fair Days!

July 30- August 2

Jeremiah got off of work half a day on Friday. We were able to go to the fair grounds and see all the animals and entries all the community members have submitted. Seeing all the blue ribbons and awards, really made my kids excited to try and submit entries for next year!

Brooklyn got an award for her art work she did last year in 4th grade.

On Saturday Jer took the kids with him in a firetruck through the parade! I stayed home. I wasn't feeling well but I know they had a blast honking the horn and being in the parade instead of just watching it this year.

Garden Spoils

We have been very lucky this year that our garden has been growing pretty well. I am still waiting on the tomatoes to ripen. So far we have gotten Anaheim chilies, cucumbers, peas, zucchini and yellow squash, raspberries and some early beets.
I love my new raised bed garden!!!

Mason is Baptized!!!

My parents drove here from Pennsylvania for Mason's baptism. They stayed for a few days. While here we visited, ate yummy food, played in the back yard and really enjoyed being together.

Saturday Mason was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! We are so proud of him! Mason has been ready for this big step for a while now. He talked about it all the time. I think oit helped that he was able to see his older sister get baptized and how she has enjoyed having the Holy Ghost as her companion.

Mason asked his Grandma Mo to talk about baptism and his Grandma Liggett to talk about the Holy Ghost. Grandpa Liggett and Grandpa Mo both said opening and closing prayers. My friend Bonnie played the piano and Brooklyn was the music director. She was very nervous but she practiced and we thought she did a very good job!

Of course I blubbered the entire time! Not sure why I bothered to put any make up on. Ha ha!

We had a very wonderful surprise that day. I invited our cousins Ryan and Jamie Bailey, along with all their girls to come to Mason's big day. It just so happened that My Aunt Rosemary and her two daughters Elie and Alice were here from China visiting her son Ryan. They came as well! It was such a great thing to be able to see all of them and catch up after all of these years as well as have my parents here to see them too!

Jer's mom and dad came and brought refreshments for afterwards. We talked, told stories and got some pictures to remember the day! It all was just perfect. I only regret that all the family couldn't attend and enjoy it.