T-Ball, Take Two

Last weekend we got to watch Piper in all her cuteness while she played in her first T-ball game. She was seriously awesome! While Piper doesn't fully play like an all star yet, her delivery of the plays was something to remember. As she was running to home plate she had the confidence of a seasoned player. Not only did she arrive safely to home, but she stopped and stood there with both hands on her hip to take it all in. Cutest thing ever! 

    

 Here is is coming in for her super-man like pose...

Oh, and while I was having a fun little family session after Piper's game, I got my official Texan citizenship. I didn't realize I was lacking in that department. Apparently you aren't really a Texan until you've shot an AK-47. One more thing crossed on my bucket list I suppose. I was terrified and will probably never, ever, do it again. LOL

Dowdy Adoption

Meet the Dowdy's, they are dear friends of ours. Today we are holding a baked goods auction in their honor to help raise money for the upcoming adoption of baby #2. Come on over to FB and click on the Dowdy Family baked goods auction photo album, you will find over 30 delicious treats being auctioned off for this cause.  To bid, simply comment on the photo of the treat you'd like with the price you are willing to pay.  If you are not local to the Bonham, Texas area but would still like to help contribute to this wonderful cause, head over to their adoption website. You will find a paypal link there allowing you to make a donation. We really want this to be a success, please share this with all your friends and family as these special friends of ours open the next chapter in their lives. If you have a soft spot in your heart for adoption this would be a really great opportunity to pay it forward. Anja and Keith are a couple of the most devoted parents I know, and any donation, be it big or small, would bring them closer to growing their forever family.  Thank you so much for anything you can do to help our friends, we are touched by the outpouring of love we have already seen from the community in their honor.

Summer is Coming!!!

It has been said that no news is good news, that certainly seems to be the case with our family. I guess I should have known that blogging would take the back seat to homeschooling and my studies this year (here is where you would say, "your mom goes to college", in your very best Kip voice.). The days and the weeks are flying by, lucky for me, I have three cutie pies to clue me in with last year's swimsuits that summer is coming, YIPPEE! 

The weather yesterday was dreamy. It was the kind of day that has you wishing it were July already. With bare feet and smiles in tow, these girls were ready for some fun in the sun. Don't you just love the first day in spring when you accidentally get sun burned because you don't realize it's even possible anymore? Me too!

Yesterday the girls and I headed to the local park for the annual Easter egg hunt, the picture above was taken before Winnie was exposed to the walking white rabbit. Who could forget the local HG Easter bunny? I mean, seriously, how many bunnies do you know that were sneakers! We love this town! Winnie was clinging for dear life to my arm; It's a miracle I even got the older two in a picture. What can I say, I have mad one-armed shooting skills! Also, it's a miracle Winnie didn't poo in her panties when she saw him, and yes, I said panties! Baby girl is totally potty trained, woohoo!  Did you notice Piper's shoes? She wanted to show them to the EB, she's so cute!

Sunny and Bright

Today was gorgeous outside. Charly and Nate were sick, so after church I took Piper out in the sunshine. She then proceeded to grab our cat and strike a pose. I'm pretty sure this act amused Winnie. Also on our Sunday agenda, take a picture of Piper and I totally shocked at how awesome it is outside. 

Oh, how I love the pace of Sundays.

The end.

Aaannd, We're Back In Session

You know that expression "life is what happens when you are busy making other plans"?  This year I had plans alright, big ones actually. Last semester was my first semester back at school(BYU-Idaho, online) after a ten year hiatus. It went really well, so well in fact, I added another class this semester because I figured I might as well take advantage of having just one child at home. This whole time I was planning my school, I was still considering homeschooling the girls in the fall. Everything would be in order by then and I was praying that I would be ready to take on the huge role of an educator once more. 

Almost exactly a day after I paid my tuition, Charly had a personal experience with prayer that called for an immediate family meeting. And that's when it changed, through the faith of our eight year old daughter, Nathan and I quickly realized our timeline was off; homeschool would be back on much sooner than we thought. I prayed for the same answer Charly had gotten, although I knew I already had it. It was the same answer I had only five short years before.

This past year with Charly in school and then Piper for half a year was filled with so much triumph and great memories. Not only did the girls have the most loving teachers, but I feel so grateful to have formed friendships with people I would have never met without this experience. I'm still not sure if this was part of His plan from the beginning. The way everything worked out just seemed like this was the way it was supposed to happen. My only regret is that I wished I had had more faith. Faith that the comforting feelings I was getting after sending the girls to school was a validation that this was going to be just fine and work out perfectly when all is said and done. 

The funny, and not surprising thing at all, is that since we committed to getting back on track, I have felt such a relief to be doing the right thing for our family. In the back of my mind, throughout the past year, the topic of homeschooling was a sensitive topic for me. It was always the one thing I wondered about constantly, although was quiet about.

Everything has fallen into place, school is in session, at home. The concept of time isn't even an issue. Somehow loving my wonderful husband, teaching the girls, completing my school work, keeping food on the table, taking care of a puppy, laundry, mopping, dishes, learning piano, fulfilling church callings, and all things housework are getting done without extra effort.

The amount of blessings our family has seen, just in the past two weeks is enough to confirm that we are in fact choosing the right, and it feels wonderful!