December in Review

Sorry it took me sooooo long to update this. I have pics from Alex at her choir concert. She sang a beautiful solo. This is a wonderful Christian home school choir that sings beautiful praises to God and it is so precious! Christmas at Grandma Black's and Papa and Nana Ketchum's.

Leapin' Lizards (or Toads)

We went on a field trip with our home school group to the KU Natural History Museum a couple of weeks ago. I've been slacking updating this! We had a great time and about 30 kids came! We went on a scavenger hunt through the museum and then our friend at church, David McLeod, took us for a 'behind the scenes' tour. We got to see all sorts of amphibians. They have over 300,000 specimens in lab! He showed us frogs and sicilians and many other creatures he discovered on his trip to Thailand. It was very interesting and we learned that one of the frog species only consists of females! It was a lot of fun!

American Royal

The Grace homeschool group went to the American Royal for a field trip on Oct. 20th. There were probably about 50 of us there, so it was a pretty good turn out. We got a "behind the scenes" tour and then we got to see a junior rodeo. It was pretty neat seeing 6-13 year-olds roping and riding! We got to see a cow get milked and a the famous Cowboy Monkey! Here are some pics.

Catch up time!

Sorry it has been so long guys. Nothing new is going on; still busy as all get out! Last Friday, Alex and I went to Bodies Revealed at Union Station along with some other homeschool families. It was incredible and I highly recommend it. I was wondering if Alex would be able to handle it, but the bodies looked almost like plastic. It was very well done and the babies/fetuses exhibit was unbelievable. What was really cool is that throughout the whole exhibit, everyone was pretty loud and crazy, but in the reproductive room, it was silent. People were just amazed at how intricately formed they were. Our Creator is amazing!!! We also have been busy at TLC (Learning Co-Op) learning about gardening. We have planted corn, peas, beans, and lots of herbs! I also got a job teaching the kids fitness program at the local gym a couple days a week--free membership, my kids get to be in the program for free, and I get paid! Woo-Hoo! Haley lost her other front tooth a while ago, so here's a picture. No news on our adoption--continue to pray for us, for me that I would be patient, for Vince that he would not go crazy with me! I am off this weekend for the Grace Women's Retreat, so that should be fun and tiring! I am doing a skit with some other ladies for it. Which reminds me, Alex was in a play with her homeschool group. She was the armadillo in "But Not the Hippopotomas"-by Sandra Boynton. Very cute! Sorry no pics, but hopefully I'll get one soon.

The Avila's

Haley's Window

February 7, 2008

Last Sunday, Haley and Alex were were dancing at Nana and Papa Avila's and Haley's tooth got snagged on Alex's jacket, so Haley just grabbed her tooth and yanked on it and out it came! I think she got 2 bucks in quarters from the tooth fairy. It is a HUGE window! Since the girls have been sick for the past two weeks, we have been unable to go and do gymanstics at the rec center. SO we have been busy doing gymnastics here at home. Haley and Lila are finally better, but now Alex has it! I am so ready for Spring and Summer! So today is a sick day and we took advantage of a snow day on Wed. Haley is doing very well at reading and Alex and I have been busy reading Prince Caspian. It is very good and can't wait to take her to see the movie! Vince and I are attending a fundraiser for the Pregnancy Care Center tonight! If you would like to check out their site it is http://www.pcclawrence.org/. Of course, we are always looking for monetary support, prayer, and donations. If you have donations, please let me know and I can get them to where they need to be! Here are some pictures of Haley's window, gymnastics, and Alex's sick face.

Winter Fun

January 8, 2008

The snow is long gone, but here are some pics from when Vince took the girls sledding. While mom is sick, the kids will play. They went sledding at least 4 times throughout the week. The snow was such a blessing! We had TLC today and Haley is learning all about Kansas and Alex is learning about birds. Lila is in nursery with mommy this month, learning all about sharing and being nice to "our friends". Long ways to go, but she was so sweet tonight when she cried and begged me not to leave for a couple hours. She has been giving me lots of kisses and Haley has been just hugging me out of the blue for no reason. So sweet! Vince and I are listening to music (Oldies Soul) while we work and I found his perfect song..."Love Machine" by The Miracles. "I'm just a love machine, won't work on nobody but you...".

The Avila's

Homeschool Pics

December 5, 2007

Here are some pics over the holidays, including a pic from Alex's choir concert. The one of Haley and Lila are from our TLC Christmas party. The top one is of Alex and Isaiah doing nature journaling. We are getting into the routine again at home and it feels good. I am know married to an addict---a Super Mario Galaxy addict. I never get any time with him--sometimes good, sometimes bad. He's such a boy at heart.

The Avila's

Coffee Anyone?

Hey Friends,
Just came across a site: http://www.saintscoffee.com/. For every bag of coffee (fair trade, fresh, organic) purchased, you will provide food for one orphan for an entire MONTH!!!! The farmers get paid a fair price and children eat and us parents can stay awake and be more hospitable to our kiddos in the morning for only $10!! I think we might give some out as Christmas gifts...just a thought, making a difference one cup at a time! An amazing site that I just love is http://www.tomdavis.typepad.com/. Listen to this guy's videos--he sure makes you think about what is truly important and its not out there pushing adoption on anyone, because that really isn't the most effective way to make broad change...buying coffee, mission trips, prayer, sponsorship, and even running (which I am NOT up for) makes a huge impact! On a slightly different note, contrary to popular belief George Washington's dentures were not made out of wood! They were made out of hippo and elephant bone, gold coils, donkey, horse and human teeth. Probably why you don't ever see him smile-poor guy! How do I know this incredible info? Alex is writing a weekly report about our US Presidents. Haley also knows how to read: read, feed, mat, seed, if, and numerous other words. It's an amazing thing to be able to share in her success!
Adios!