Random pics....

I was just looking through our pics today, and came across these Clay took one day when he was playing around. I don't know what it is about this one of Rachel, but it is just so her. I think I may even blow this one up for the wall.

I just like this one b/c of the genuine twinkle expression Leah has. Oh, and you can see her dimples.

Love this pic!

The kids were outside playing in our sprinkler yesterday. Our yard has been a MESS for awhile now, so when we got it cleaned up yesterday, they thought they had a new toy. I also have this storage bench that I keep all our beach stuff in that I moved back there yesterday. So, they were digging in it. I looked outside, and this is how the girls looked....so I ran outside to grab a picture....and it so, CRACKS ME UP!

Noah was excited to have our next door neighbor come over to play too. This boy is so cute, and has the most infectious laugh I have ever heard!

Our 1st Day of school

Our first day of school went really well today. We got all our work done this morning, and then thought it would be fun to go swim while everyone else was still in school. We were the only people at the pool, so I actually joined the kids and swam too. We were very productive today, and after devoting full attention to my kids ALL day long today, and keeping my day structured and on task, I am exhausted! I usually jump from one task to the next all day, and spend a lot of time on the computer working...and blogging. Ha Ha It really is a challenge for me to stay focused all day!

Daddy cooked us cinnamon biscuits for breakfast....yummy!

Noah and Leah....1st day of school! (in the doorway of the classroom, AKA dining room/kitchen table!)
Noah concentrating hard on his reading
Rachel, actually cooperating very well and working with her letters instead of disrupting us! I am very proud of her, even if she did ignore the 3 times I asked her to put on clothes!
Taking a deserved break. I told them if they did their work well, I would let them fill the Barbie pool up with water and play...I always wanted to do this as a kid!
Off to the pool....

Rachel....in Time Out...as usual

1st day of school......

So, I am up late, and it is officially already the first day of school. All day long, all I have thought about is, I am so glad they will still be home with me tomorrow! As nervous as I felt the day I decided not to register them for school, I feel total peace about it now. Sure, I am a little nervous, I am responsible for my children's education! WOW, ME! But, I do know I can do it, and I am very excited about it!

We had a wedding this weekend, and we went to pick the kids up today from Monticello, and by the time we visited with family and got back home, it was almost 9 pm. All I could say all weekend long, and especially today was, I am SO GLAD the kids are not starting school tomorrow! I knew I made the right decision. This is the best lifestlye for our family.

Tonight I was reading Noah a book he picked from the library about rocks and minerals. I tried to talk him into waiting until tomorrow to read it during school time, but he wanted to start it tonight. Just in the first 2 pages, he was so fascinated...just about rocks, and all the things they make out of them. And I was too...I had no idea, or maybe just never thought about it. So, we were both excited to be learning something new, and that is such an awesome thing, to get to learn with, and teach my children.

As much as I have struggled with so many things in the past months, I have felt more peace in the last couple of weeks, than I can remember feeling in so long. I give all the praise to God. It is such an awesome feeling to finally let myself feel happy about my life. I guess I had to reach an absolute lowpoint, (and I definately did) for me to truly appreciate the happy feelings I have now.

Us!

While I had the backdrop set up Sunday afternoon, Noah suggested that we all get "dressed up" and take a family picture. So...we did! He picked out his shirt, and mine and Clay's, and then the girl's picked out their own outfit. Amazingly, we all somewhat match! Now, us girls all kinda have wild hair, and Noah too b/c he decided to gel it, but we had fun!

This one just cracks me out the way Noah and Leah are bugging their eyes out!

Rachel looking at me...cracks me up!
This one is probaby my favorite, even though Noah isn't smiling.
Noah asked for us to please do one for him with just us.

So...this one was suppose to just be Clay and Leah.
This one was suppose to be just Clay and Noah. And where is the one of Clay and Rachel?? She wouldn't get in the picture! Crazy girl!

I took these just playing around with my lighting earlier in the day.

He looks so old to me in this picture! I ended up cutting all his hair off the next day.

Drawing

I am proudly showing off Noah's drawing. About 9:00 the other night, he was in his room with the door shut. He got mad when I opened the door and peaked in at him...later, I checked on him again, and he had drawn this. Can you tell what it is of? I have posted a pic of the poster he was looking at when he drew it. This is the most detailed drawing he has ever done, so I am so proud, and we were all amazed at the good job that he did!

And this is a drawing of.....ME! By Rachel! I love it!

Portrait session at my house...

So I won't be accused of lying when I say I don't do portraits anymore, I am posting this on my personal blog. Some friends of ours that we knew back in the Warren days now live in Little Rock.....(well are actually moving to Maumelle very close to us), came over Sunday afternoon so I could take pictures of this cute fellow! I did maternity pics, and newborn pics for them, and love to see how Braiden has grown! This is one loved little man! I always love working with them....and special thanks to my little assistant Noah whow was standing behind me trying to get him to smile!