It's a blueberry day!

Bushnell, FL

We went on a little fieldtrip this morning before we started math and phonics. We picked beautiful blueberries! It was a moment to see how they grow on the bush, which to pick, and how their centers are yellow NOT blue! Another example of the amazing work of God's hand.

Spiritual amnesia

If you have about fifteen dollars to spend, I have a plan for it. Buy the book, Crazy Love. Now, let me preempt you with it is not a hot under the collar romance with Harlequin beating down the door, it is not a memoir of some less than competent person seeking after their prince charming.

It is a rock your world, spin you around, sail through the wind, slap your knee amazing challenge written by a man who knows God is love, but wants us to KNOW His love. In just the first thirty pages I was left in silent awe at the Creator's relentless ability to show me His majesty.

pg. 29. "There is an epidemic of spiritual amnesia going around, and none of us is immune. No matter how fascinating details we learn about God's creation, no matter how many pictures we see of His galaxies, and no matter how many sunsets we watch, we still forget." Crazy Love

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech of language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4

WARNING: not for the squeamish

Nightly visitors have caused quite a commotion around these here parts as of late...Steve has all but got out his shot gun...tonight, he was not giving in...he was going to win this battle and call his land his...no varmint is going to eat our cat's food any longer !

And so my 6'4" hero is still my hero. He did it! He cornered that stinkin' animal, and secured him, and then walked down to an unsuspecting neighbor and let him go across in the field. Yes, another act of random kindness. So special.

No Little Debbies, no flowers, just good ol' opossum.

Amateur paleontologists BIG TIME!

Today as an early Mother's Day Present, my family took me Fossiling. It was great fun. We got up bright and early and headed two hours south.

We met up with my friend Melissa and her family and crew to have a day becoming hunters of fossils. She has written a great curriculum for Florida Fossils, and we were proud to partake. She was super patient with all of us who had tons of questions.

Mostly "What's this?" and after a few scoops, we were moving to a new spot. She clued us in quickly that it is best to stay in one spot and hunt. We were on the Peace River south of Gardner FL. The river is so completely low and so much of the sediment has been washed away, we were finding fossils left and right.

Have collindar will work.


Water shoes are a must. So is sunscreen.

This is a great find. Steve found this shape in the hard limestone. It reminds us of a dinosaur footprint. I put my flop next to it so we could tell how large it is...the only problem, is there was only one print. Steve named it the unipedisaurus...the One Foot Dinosaur. Can you see the three claws and the heel print?

Dugone bones.

We came home with about twenty sharks teeth, even a tiger shark's. This is when you remember that we are on a River. Fresh water. Dead center of the state of Florida. Two hours from salt water, either direction. We were told this center of the state is called "The Valley of the Bones".

We gathered about fifteen dugone, (similar to manatees) bone pieces, one even looked like it had been bitten because of the marks. I am not sure about most of these black things...someone could just be really foolin' me and I would be caught hook line and sinker.

Speaking of a sinker, we found one of those, Olivia thought it was the coolest fossil because it already had holes in it so we could make it into a necklace. Gotta love the girl. I did try and share the truth with her, but she would have none of it.

We all had a complete and utter stinkin' good time, the girls kept saying they can not wait to go again.

It was a wonderful family time to celebrate my special day.

Our Prom Queen

Kay-Kay went to her Junior-Senior Prom tonight, and she was a lovely sight to behold. We love her so much and so blessed to call her part of our family.

There were no tears involved, just smiles of happiness, Olivia put in her two cents when they were getting into the car, she piped up with "Brandon should have opened her door!" Oh, I about died...she is always watching, seems like she is taking notes.

Little girls and tea

The day began with my youngest over and over asking if today could be a tea party day. Then came the British accents.

Next came the role playing with phrases like,

"Mame, could you please attend a social event in our humble home?"

"Those manners are not proper for a young lady."

Then came our short grocery trip and with polite requests came,

"this would be perfect for our afternoon tea."

"Delightful."

I was done for. Even a dip in the pool could not interrupt the thought process of a little girl who wants teatime. Perfect treats. A picked flower just right for the centerpiece. Lovely clothes. A table spread that would make my new blog friend, Sandy, from 4 Reluctant Entertainers proud.

It seems like their future is bright when I see their talents being practiced on each other. What a lovely time we had.

just life

Pool Party for Taylor's 9th birthday. These kids can flat out drain a pool of water with all their splashing. They are all a blast.

Another birthday celebration at Rebecca and Marc's house. Time with the cousins is always fun.

It was Grandma-ma's 89th birthday this past week, so we got together to share the love. We sat around the pool table and chattered, snacked and loved her company.

This past Friday was our last Co-op of the year. Olivia completed her science study of Animal Habitats with a study of the desert and snakes. She is a great student. Our craft was this adorable cactus made out of homemade playdoh, (thanks Aunt Krista).

Stephanie has some reports to add to her "Going West" project book and then her History study for the year will be completed. She told me last night she was glad she was not a pioneer going west, cause she did not want to starve and have to eat her oxen or dog or even her family. Oh, I am so glad too.