Sunday, December 26, 2010

A new entry?!!

It's been months since I've updated this blog. During that time, seasons have changed, computers have died, it's snowed in GA in late Fall...life's been crazy. All in all though, I'd like to use this blog to add some focus to my routine and keep me on track. It's the time of year where some reflect on the past year and set goals for the year to come. What a great start!

Some things that I'd like to prioritize in the coming year:
-Daily quiet time...learning, praying, hearing what God has for me each day
-Planning and executing homeschool lesson plans...using our time more efficiently
-Getting caught up on things I love...reading, gardening, and scrapbooking

A small list but I'm sure it's more challenging than it seems :)

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Garden Update

I'm so excited about our garden this year. My friend, Katie, bought me the book "Square Foot Gardening", and I think I might actually be able to grow a tomato in Georgia!!! I imported all the dirt for the garden -- vermiculite, peat moss and 5 types of compost. Derek built me a 4'x4' frame with 1'x6' boards, and then we stapled a weed blanket to the bottom. He tacked some 1" lathe on top, creating a grid, so that I could plant each square foot to my heart's desire. I also have a few herbs growing in pots.





Katie and I swapped many seeds and seedlings, and they are all so cute right now. The deer have not found the treasure of our garden yet -- lettuces! I think we might have to make some kind of deterrent down the road, but we'll build it after the invasion. Although, yesterday I found 2 little teeth marks on a leaf of my mustard greens. Those leaves are spicy! I wonder if that is what scared the critter away, or maybe it was our cat, Nickel, who likes to stand guard under the hydrangea bush close by. Chipmunks are easy to pick off when he's got such a great hiding spot.

Ben planted the spinach seedlings I started from seeds.




Jack and I started the bush bean seeds right in the garden. They seemed to pop open overnight!



We look forward to watching our plants grow bigger each day! The weather has turned warm this week (high 80's, low 90's). I can't wait for tomorrow's rain to bring in some cooler temps for the weekend.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Hello Out There!

I'm finding it incredibly hard to believe that Spring is just a few days away. We've endured the "harsh" Georgia winter long enough, and beautiful days have arrived. Did I mention our abnormal Georgia winter? We had about 4 inches of snow in late February that thrilled us to no end. We made snow angels, snowmen and even borrowed sleds from the Culpeppers so that we could tackle the steep 16th hole of the golf course. We were chased off, but that was fun too.

Ben turned 8 in December and Jack turned 5 in February (someone else turned 40 in March, but we won't discuss that right now). When seasoned parents told us not to blink as they grow up, they were so right. It's amazing how big they're gettting and fun to watch them grow into their personalities. They are enjoying their school year so far. Our homeschool co-op has ended for the semester, so we have an extra afternoon each week to either catch up on our studies or take field trips. We're looking forward to our annual strawberry patch run in April. At the end of April, I'll be taking the boys with me to visit Nana, Papi, Auntie Lisa and Karsen in Scottsdale. The boys are so excited, and we're already planning things to do for our 10 day trip.

Derek is enjoying his golf game more than ever and is helping coach a local high school team. He is a very patient teacher and has a good "eye" for swing flaws. I should know! He' s my favorite golf instructor. :)

Again we'll be attempting a garden this year. I'm very excited to try the "Square Foot Garden" method. I've heard great things, and my garden in the past has just fizzled out every time. I hope to actually eat home grown tomatoes this summer!

Well, I've babbled on long enough. We hope all of you are ready for Spring!
Love,
Michelle

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Fall 2009

Hi all!

Fall has been busy for us with school, homeschool co-op, the FLU, etc. Nana and Papi visited us in early November, and we had a great time. They took the boys on a daytrip to Savannah. The boys still talk about the biggest candy store they've ever seen.

We just wanted to check in and say "hello" before the holidays begin. We are so grateful for our family and friends and hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving feasts!

Love,
Michelle

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Hello, Summer!

Greetings from hot and humid Georgia! We've been enjoying the past months with many fun activities and wanted to give you a little update.

Ben finished up his Rookie year of T-ball and has asked me to remember not to ask him to play ever again. He loved to bat, but all the other parts were "way too boring"! Jack and I attended most of his practices and games since Derek was working 2nd shift much of the spring and worked many Saturday mornings too. Jack loves the idea of being part of a team, so we'll see if he's interested in a team sport within the next few years.

In late April, my college friend, Loriann, invited us all to her new vacation spot on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. What a beautiful place! We enjoyed the ocean, the nature trails, the incredible food and friendship for a long weekend. Lori, thanks soooo much! What a nice escape :)

In early May, Derek was invited to receive an award within Boeing -- The Silver Eagle. We were both flown out to Long Beach, where we were able to catch up with great friends and Derek's team was awarded for the great work they do. The boys stayed here at home with good friends that spoiled them WAY too much. They keep asking when we're leaving again.

We've all been enjoying the golf course this year. Derek and I play together or with other friends, but this year the boys have been getting out there with us too. Our little "hitter", Ben, can drive that ball 140 yards! He participated in a golf camp in late June that he loved, despite the heat. Each of the 5 days, the kids did drills and practiced their skills and were rewarded with an hour at the pool and lunch.

We hope that you are enjoying your summer just as much as we are. It won't be long before we start our lessons once again and Fall is upon us.

Visit us anytime!
Love,
Michelle

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Our New Online Diggs!

Welcome to our new "diggs"! After seeing some fun and cool blogs from Google, I decided to make the switch. Kristine, I've "stolen" your background for a few reasons: a) it's super cute b) we've just started a Bird unit for homeschooling and c) it's forecasted to SNOW here tomorrow!


We've had a fun winter season so far. Jack has turned 4 if you can believe it!!! His choice of adventures was a trip to Toys R Us and dinner at IHOP. Who doesn't love breakfast for dinner? He is growing up to be quite the little charmer/comedian. About a month ago he lost one of his top front teeth while "wrastling" with older brother Ben, and that little grin just adds to his cuteness. Yes, he still loves his "bwankie", but he's agreed to try to keep it at home, or in the car, more often.

Ben just finished his basketball season playing in a church league (Upward). He had fun, and he loves playing at home, but he complained a bit about the games being too long -- boo hoo, boy! We are still in the middle of our Homeschool co-op session, and both boys enjoy spending 3 hours every Tuesday with other homeschool kids, learning new, fun stuff and making friends. I'm teaching one Scrapbooking class and I assist in an Aerodynamics class. Both are really fun.

Derek has been working on his golf game and is playing great! He often comes home to tell me he shot par or under! When he comes home from fishing, he tells me how many wild pigs or turkeys he's seen. Does anyone else see the spectral differences in these two pastimes?!!! Something about birdies...I don't know.

As for me, I've still been participating in a Friday morning Bible Study that I love, Book Group once a month and scrapbooking too. I'm looking forward to warmer weather when I can get out and golf with my gal pals!

Hoping this finds you warm and ready for Spring!
Love,
Michelle