Friends & Family

tlI haven't felt like posting this past week and so I haven't.  I have been buried in thoughts, contemplating  the difficulties of homeschooling and discerning if this truly is a vocation we are called to.  Most days I know with a certain clarity that we are called to homeschool, to swim against the tide.  But other times, frankly, I feel swept away.  Whenever I see my children abandoned by their friends it just does not seem worthwhile.  It whisks me back to my highschool days and a certain utter feeling of loneliness and I want to pack up their backpacks and put them on the big yellow bus lumbering down the highway.
Then, reality hits and I realize that will just bring an entirely new set of problems.  And besides, friends do not have to be our same age....actually our best friends rarely turn out to be our age!

Our cherubs and Dewer Bell, like Tinker Bell a Christmas present from our new friends, the Maixners.  

In reality, a lot of our friends are also our family.  As crazy as they can all be, it's a good crazy and that was revealed to me this weekend by a completely unexpected source.  Without going into details ~ she is part of our extended family in a way and she began pointing out all the good things about our family, how she longed for that for her own family.
It made me cry. All our imperfections, real or perceived, melted away.  What a perfect gift in this Advent season.
So, family is good, friends may come and go, and homeschooling is what we'll continue to do.  It was a long week, but ended absolutely brilliantly!  Friday afternoon we celebrated Dad's birthday with siblings and cousins.  Dad planned his own party at the swimming pool, made complete with pizza.  He will be awarded the Grandpa-of-the-Year prize here in the next week or so.

Saturday, we had a special day cutting Christmas trees, then went to the Nutcracker Ballet.  Upon our return, Shannon and Eric had put up all the lights.

Can anyone explain to me why the first thing my husband did was light a forest fire?

What is it about guys and fires?

Sweet baby cousin, Halle

There is just something about baby girls that warms the heart!

My girls couldn't get enough of this little one.

Mmmm, hotdogs....nothin' better over a bonfire.

Unless, of course, your name is Annika.  

Then, you're counting the minutes before we head home...we didn't bring hot chocolate 

so she quickly lost interest.  

Our last week of school prior to Christmas vacation is looking mighty fine.  We began it with brunch with the Maixners, whom, it was pointed out, are among the few people brave enough to invite us all over.

They had gifts for the kiddos, then led them to the barn to meet the latest project, a baby pony that will need to be broken.  The girls received a horse training guide so they are educated enough to assist in the "breaking."

How exciting, a new little creature to love!  

Blessed Gaudete Sunday!