A Whirrr

Life seems like a whirr right now and sometimes I wish it would slow down a little.
We are busy and I am thankful for all the opportunities we have, but sometimes I would just like to stay at home for an entire day?!?!?

Monday we had our writing and algebra class and then did some school after lunch. I then headed to Tupelo to do some errands to get ready for our homeschool group's dinner on Tuesday.
Tuesday we did a little school, then I tutored and then headed out to work on the last minute details of the cookout. Tuesday night was fun as we ate and visited with almost 200 homeschoolers!
Wednesday was writing and algebra again and then we had a delightful picnic with Rachelle and Tammy's family! The weather this week has been soooo nice!
Thursday we did school, I tutored and then we went skating with our homeschool group. Thurs. night, I ate out with some friends from church.
Friday was coop and then I had to run a few errands and then on Friday night we had dinner with our neighbors down the street.
Today, we did some cleaning and then some shopping and finished up a wonderful book study with our church with an 'end of the book' dinner and discussion.

A busy week , but I am truly thankful for my family and for the opportunities to spend time with them and with great friends!

Ben's party

I am not sure who's idea it was for the roley poley shooting, but they seemed to have fun!

Jared and John fishing.

Josh is intently waiting for a bite

Ben has an interest in fish now and has purchased this aquarium and fish with some of his birthday money. We just put in 4 fish to start with and we got 4 more this week

This is at the end of his party last Tuesday night when they were making s'mores by the bonfire.

drinking hot cocoa on a chilly night

The boys had fun roasting the little tiny marshmallows on pretzels over the candles!

My little boy is growing up too fast!! :(

Taking a turn in the boat

Jonah caught a whopper !

Karen made the cutest bonfire cake!

Last Tuesday , we had several of Ben's friends over for a bonfire and cookout. They fished, rowed in the boat, played in the woods, shot roley pol lies out of the BB gun and ate and then after supper played spotlight. Ben enjoyed this time with his buddies!

fall fun with friends

Registration at the Race for the Unborn. I think the race raised about $1700 for the cause of fighting for the unborn. Most of the money will go to the Mississippi Personhood organization which is petitioning to get an amendment to the MS constitution which would define a person beginning at the point of conception which would outlaw the killing of unborn babies in MS!!

Granny Rene with John, Claire, Molly Chunn and Ben

Here is Scott about to cross the finish line! He ran/walked the 5K in 32 minutes. This was his first race.

Anna has improved these past few months from not being able to run for even a quarter of a mile to being able to run for 3.1 miles. She was disappointed with her time at this race but she has much to be thankful for!

Anna and Granny Rene

Mary Jo, Roan, Lynn and Emily at the Johnsons after the race

Thanks Coach Duley!!!

Shelly, Steve, Scott and Steven (how about that for S names?!?!) are enjoying the weather outside at the Johnson's cookout

Some of the Spartan girls chowing down

Here is our official Spartan photographer who never gets in the picture! Thanks Julie for all your wonderful photos that you share with us all!

Scott getting some running tips from the pro! :)

Claire on the pony ride at B'ham Ridge

We had a wild hayride. We did not know what to expect. It took over an hour and we went WAAAy out in the country, through mud and past scary creatures (which petrified John).

By the time we returned to the church we were frozen. It was fun though and my kids want to go back to this event next year!

Ben bundled up for the hayride!

Last Saturday was a busy day! We started the day at the Race for the Unborn (a 5K at Ballard Park) Mom was able to come down and watch this run. Anna and Scott ran and Ben, Claire, John and I did the 1 mile fun run/walk.

After the 5K, the Spartans all went to the Johnsons for a cookout. There were about 100 people there and the food and fellowship was wonderful. We have enjoyed being a part of this team this year!

Then later in the afternoon we went up the hill to B'ham Ridge Baptist for their fall festival. They had blow up slides and bouncy thingys, a cake walk, pony and wagon rides and LOTS of yummy soups and food! We enjoyed seeing people from around the B'ham Ridge community where we live.

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Science fun at Credo

Friday before last, Ben and Claire's class went to the vet's office for a field trip. Dr. Pounders did a wonderful job showing them how a vet exam is conducted and even let the children examine the patient.

Then, last Friday, their class dissected starfish! They were all so excited. But, as the dissection progressed and the smell and goo started flowing, some of them got a little woosy.

We are going to the zoo this Friday and the older class is dissecting a rat and the younger class is doing a rain forest class where they will interact with rain forest animals.

We are having a fun semester in Credo!

Dinghy fun

Scott had been looking for a small fishing boat to take out on some ponds in the area, and he finally found one. We are now the owners of this impressive yacht! The kids have had a ball rowing around our tiny pond in it. It has not been tried in rougher waters as of yet!

Spartans!

Spartans varsity and junior varsity

The whole Spartan team

Last weekend in Clinton the varsity Spartans ran in the Mississippi College XC meet. It was muddy and rainy and cold, but the Spartans did a great job! The girls team came in 2nd overall in their division and Julie, Danielle and Catherine finished in the top 15! The boys team had a good day as well!

Anna, Claire and I were able to be there for the girls race and it was so exciting to cheer them on!

A beautiful wedding

The happy couple!

Lauren and Joseph arriving at the rehearsal dinner.

Lindsay and Jeremy - they are getting married next May!

Claire and I at the rehearsal dinner.

Mom and Dad and Claire.

My brother, Hule and Loretta

Rosella and Jerry - the proud parents!

Waiting for the wedding to begin...

Lauren and Joseph!

The wedding party

Ann enjoying he reception!

Mom , Loretta, Cathy and Jim

The children had fun at the reception playing in this adorable playhouse designed and built by Lauren's Dad!

I thought these pumpkin centerpieces were extra cute!

Their backyard was a great place for a reception. The bluegrass band from Starkville was very entertaining.

My nephew Joseph and Lauren were married Saturday in South Mississippi in a lovely wedding.

All my siblings were there and we had a great weekend visiting with each other and celebrating the wondrous occasion. The rehearsal dinner was so pretty. It was held in a beautiful old house in Magee and the food, flowers and fellowship was delicious! On Saturday, they were married in a sweet ceremony at Lauren's church and the reception was held at Lauren's parent's home.

It was quite a blowout! They roasted a whole pig and had more food than I had ever seen! We had such a good weekend visiting and laughing! After the wedding we went back to Jerry and Rosella's and stayed up late reminiscing.

I do pray for many years of wedded bliss for Lauren and Joseph and hope that their union will bring God much glory and their lives will be spent in His service and love!