The Free Tree: How On Earth!

How does one recover from not blogging since last January!? Honestly!

We're enjoying our children so much! Really, the majority of this blog will be about that as I have no other life right now. A brief update first:

Scott's work is busier than ever. There are always interesting people, interesting growth, and interesting stories. As you know, Scott will happily fill you in when he sees you. The work is very blessed with a constant stream of newbies and spiritually growing regulars.

Ranne's last day of school is, oddly, next Tuesday for a half-day. He's sad and happy. Most of us can relate to that. I plopped down on his bed tonight with his class picture. He went through all the names for me, chuckling at half of them with some silly comment. He sure enjoyed them all. Well, except for the two bossy girls. Ha! Surprise, surprise.

Toby is continuing to communicate more clearly and show a future of being a strong worker. If he's producing something, he's happy. As soon as he begins driving me crazy, I know I've waiting too long in directing his constant energy and desire. He's the best laundry folder, writer, and sibling tender.

Trey continues to want to please. He's amazingly aware of everything being done and said around him. He knows where everyone and everything is at all times. He remembers details as well as Ranne, and he understands the "ought" to most everything.

Claire, in only the last two weeks, is now crawling, pulling up on everything, and sporting three teeth (barely). Tonight was the first time she was making faces just to crack up her brothers. Trey sleeps in the rolling bottom-half of Scott's old trundle bed. She pulled up on that and was body slamming it to shake him and she thought it was hilarious. She's rowdy and silly. Due to that, Scott thinks she and his mom will get along famously this June. She has so many bruises on her head from her wild adventures, I have dubbed her my "Little Bruised Peach".

Aunt Dora is going, going, going. She's decided to give up her Student Center accounting responsibilities to focus on family more fully. The CSC will suffer, but I know God provides and equips. He's used her for so long in blessing the ministry. We're grateful and learned much from her example.

Brendan and his family seems to be doing just great. His work is stable, from what I can tell, and keeps him busy. Sarah has invested completely in homeschooling. She's not just a blessing to the girls, but the homeschool community as well. The girls are precious, outgoing and super fun.

We have decided to home school the children from here-on-out. I have yet to collect their curriculum for this round. We have the math for both and I intend to build the rest of their work based off of a book titled "The Well-Trained Mind". It has very good advice for teaching multiple ages simultaneously as well as a reasonable weekly schedule for their ages. As soon as that arrives in the mail, the work begins. I trust the Lord to provide what we need. The library will be a must for our books. I'm grateful it's not even a five-minutes drive away. There is a very good co-op, from what I can tell, so we're excited about that service opportunity as well as the encouragement and support it may provide.

So, after all that, the picture book begins here. Enjoy:

If you were wondering, we made Valentine's cards for you all. Here is a pic, though they were never mailed.

Daddy and his girl. She just adores him.

Toby's favorite hiding place: between the twins we have in the baby's room.

Trio Creations. Notice the monster and gun theme.

A wonderful visit with Grandma!

The CSC's yard. SOOO many helped both finance this and create it. It looks beautiful and has hosted many outdoor parties already.

We had company over one Sunday and were in such a rush to get in to finish fixing lunch, we forgot Trey was strapped in his car seat. A while later, I rushed out to retrieve him. He was not bothered at all but instead used his time productively, tying his shoe in the 'same' way his dad taught him that morning. Such a patient, forgiving boy!

We had many good times with Aunt Sarah and the girls this last year, making fun projects and learning about maps, space, etc.

A picture of Trey in roller skates is too cute to not post. You can tell he was THRILLED.

Another: too cute!

Any picture like this...well, maybe Awkward Family Photo potential? She looks worried; he looks silly.

And another for Awkward Family Photos. He thought he had clear chap stick on and greeted company who had just walked in the door. I told him, "Go look in the mirror, Sweetie." He came back shyly with tissue asking for help to clean it off. Pretty cute!

Wonderful spring snow!

Sigh...they're just so funny!

Funny thing: all the shoes I've been finding for Claire on clearance have been in Trey's size. He's enjoyed trying them all on. Ha!

Dad's big helper!

She just found the mirror. She was thrilled and kissed her reflection over and over.

Easter eggs and Easter at Brendan and Sarah's!

Weird stringy hair and funny faced girl. Can't be picky when there are very few pics of her and me.

They're such cuties!

A Resource Fair at Ranne's school. They had a climbing wall. We did that for most of the night. You can see his proud face, his climbing, and one of his best school buds and his sister climbing as well.