Homeschooling has officially started :)

OK so our homeschool year officially started with well...we actually school year round.  Although summer is very light hearted and not intense in any way.  We are a learn as you live kind of family.  Yes, we have curriculum, but it does not get in the way of the many things we learn all the time.  Isn't that they way it should be?  YEAH!  So August 21st we had our school orientation on a Saturday of course- why not?  he he he one of the great things about homeschooling- so flexible :)  We then had our first day on the 23rd.

This is our Abigail who officially is in 5th grade, but considering I am not really into "grades".  I am more into making sure our children are learning as much as they can in the best way that they can.  She is 10 1/2 and the most helpful compassionate child.  When we did our list of things she likes her favorite song was - What I Really Want For Christmas by Steven Curtis Chapman.  If you have never heard the song- you should.  It talks about the only thing I want is a family.  Yep, that is my babe :)

Here is our Andrew who is 8 1/2 and in 3rd grade ish.  He is smart as a whip and very sensitive.  He love to learn and is quick to pick up on everything.  He too has a sweet spirit and melts me as well as infuriates me too.  I tell him all the time he is too like his mommy.  It's true.  YIKES!  His favorite movie (we don't watch regular tv here, and very little movies), but he loves Little House On The Prairie.  It's something the older kids have been watching with mom & dad when the younger kids go to bed earlier.

Joshua although taller than Andrew....is younger by 6 months and is between 2-3rd grade (told you I don't like sticking to one grade).  This young man is all muscle and has an appetite that is sometimes a bit challenging.  His favorite place is Nashville- HE LOVED staying with the Johnson's and having fun meeting their family and other adoptive families.  I think he really loved all the FUN going on all the time with so many playmates.  He also wants to have billions of children :)  hmmmmm.....wonder where he gets that from???  He is protective of his family and I can't wait - well yes I can- to see him be a great daddy!

If you can't tell this little man is our ham- Matthew who is only 6 months behind Joshua and in 1-2nd gradeish.  He is small in stature, but has a huge laugh  inside.  His comedian lifestyle makes me laugh :)  With his hero listed as Jesus you can guess where his heart is.  Love that he loves polar bears and wants to chase them when he gets older, bring one or more home and play with them.  He is doing so well being in the middle somewhere is a hard place...not yet old enough to get to stay up with the other 3, and too old to really be a "little kid".  He is a charmer for real.

Sarah who is 6 has the face that will immediately draw attention.  I mean look at her!  She is in K-1st gradeish.  She has great reading skills and LOVES to read- ALL THE TIME!!!  Which I totally love.  She has learned a lot in the last year.  One of the first years I have really been able to really work with her (maybe more on that later).  She loves to entertain with her side kicks Elizabeth and Jonathan.  If you want entertainment- they are great!  Who needs to go out?  What can I say....if I am honest she is our hardest child, and yet has sooo much potential.  So we know that God has soo much planned for her.

You can tell by the poses- this is Elizabeth who is in pre K- and is age 4.  She lives life FULL ON!!!!  She is rarely without a smile.  She is very crazy, but oh those cute cheeks are soooo squeezable.  She has enough energy for the whole planet and I think there should be a way to tap that...for me I mean.  She has a beautiful voice and loves to sing.  If you have a bad day- she loves to just wrap her arms around you and love you which of course melts my heart to a puddle.  I love working with her although only a few minutes at a time will do for her- she is very very smart :).

Then there is Jonathan who just turned 3 this summer.  He is another ham...and loves to be cute....which of course he is and man could I just eat him up.  I love that he absolutely 100% adores his baby sister.  I mean if we would let him and if he could he would carry her around like a doll.  Every time she makes a noise he is there going "oh Joanna it is ok".  He loves to be cheesy, and is too cute!  Loves to have his mommy time and is of course great at being moody because well he is 3 :)

And of course last but definitely NOT least Joanna at 5 months....look at that face!  I mean her personality is pretty calm.  She loves to be held all the time, snuggled, and kissed.  She may not know many words yet but that does not stop her from talking your ear off.  Her newest tricks include lifting up her top half of her body (nothing like doing some easy upper body curls?), she loves to help hold her bottle, is starting to like tummy time in short doses, she is starting to "eye" things and be intentional about reaching for them, and spitting to her should be a sport.  he he he he!  She of course is adored by the crew and totally spoiled.  Whoever thought that your 8th child isn't spoiled has never been in our home!  She even has her own chant that kids do for her specifically.  Yeah, that's how we roll here :)

More on homeschooling and a family that was able to visit during our first week of school- that we totally LOVE!  We are excited about what God has done in our family this last year...we have grown in sooo many different ways.  This year- excited to see what else God has planned for our family.  Never a dull moment here!