Ordinary Lives

Jon reading Oliver Twist

This is more just a special post for my babies. A lot of times I'll post to encourage other homeschooling moms, or to keep my out-of-state family up to date on our busy lives, but this one is 'just a day' in our lives. Family traditions are important and sometimes not by plan or schedule we develop habits that become family traditions. This is a quick snap shot of one of those moments. In the evening before bed time, Jon reads to the kids. Sometimes were just hanging out in the living room, or in the girls’ room or even sitting on the veranda. Currently we're reading Oliver Twist, and this photo is taken from my perspective. This is how I see Jon as a Dad. He's kind and gentle, reading to his babies, and the littlest one climbed up on his lap.

Frankie is 26, Caleb is now 14 and Abigail is 10 and when Jon asks, 'Who wants to read with Dad?' they all stop the computer games, DS games, etc., to hear him read. This is repeated again in the mornings because the last thing before he walks out the door for work is he reads the Bible to us.

Neither event is formal or carries any ceremony, we all 'plop' down around him wherever he is and listen. Sometimes the dog snores through the event, someone always has to stop to run to the bathroom, but it's that safe spot in our day.

teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Deuteronomy 4:9

Dolphin Tale



Frankie, Caleb & Abigail
outside the theater.

“Dolphin Tale” is inspired by the amazing true story of a brave dolphin and the compassionate strangers who banded together to save her life.

The movie begins with a young dolphin caught up in crab trap that severely damages her tail. She is rescued and transported to the Clearwater Marine Hospital, where she is named Winter. But her fight for survival has just begun.

The story is very heart warming and encouraging. This is a movie I can’t say enough good things about. It is heartwarming and spotlights the best in human nature.

The movie actually doesn’t hit theaters until September 23rd, but homeschoolers in select cities were invited by the Homeschool Movie Club to view the premier. We were even provided with curriculum written by one of Apologia’s writers.

It was odd to be wanded upon entering the theater like you would be at an airport. Additionally they searched all purses, and during the movie security guards stood facing the audience to make sue no one video taped or took still photos of the movie.
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As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him
Psalm 103:13

The Ice



Frankie, Caleb & Abigail

Frankie & Abigail

Abigail & Jon

Jon & Caleb

One of the Terry families sweet gift to Sissy for her birthday were passes to The Ice, which is the skating rink at our local mall. Frankie thoroughly enjoys roller skating, ice skating, and bowling. All are things she grew up doing with our youth group in Owasso! They are all events that she excels in and can always 'beat' the little kids!
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We went as a family to The Ice today and she had the best time! All of us enjoy skating but Frankie is by far the best skater in the family! My superstar skated round and round for three hours, smiling all the way!

.‘I will forget my complaint, 

I will change my expression, and smile,’
Job 9:27

Home Depot Day: White Board

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The first Saturday in the month means it must be Home Depot Day. Most of the kids that attend the kids workshop are younger, however, Frankie enjoys the simple crafts and painting. She and I work together, I don't think we've built anything yet with a wood screw that we didn't split the wood, but that's ok, that's why their is a painting station. Today the girls built mini white boards that they can leave notes on!

She Manages Her House

We have quite a few trees in our yard, most require trimming several times a year. Despite the heat today was the day that needed to happen. While the children completed their school work I got out the ladder and supplies. I then proceed to skim and clean the pool. When they came outside Abigail wanted to be the one up fifteen feet in the tree. So with that request she climbed the tree, Frankie and Caleb held the ladder and I. . . um, . . .I supervised from the pool! I rationed to the kids that even the Proverbs 31 woman had servants!

Mikey Socks

It is almost embarrassing to post this on the blog, but Abigail would be disappointed if she didn’t find it here! Abigail has loved Monster’s Inc since before she could walk! She loves all things Mikey and Lil’ Mikey! That includes her Mikey socks. She has had several pairs of these same socks and wears them until they have no toe or heal left. Now that her foot is almost the same size as mine, they don’t make Mikey socks in her size. So I took her size 12 kids socks and cut the toe and heal off, carefully preserving the Mikey face! I then cut apart a new pair of ladies white socks with bright green trim, yielding her a little more wear out of her favorite socks! She was delighted, her prayers at lunch included thanking God for her ‘creative Mom!’ Totally worth it!!!

Frankie Turns 26

Kirkwood family tradition requires that all family members prepare breakfast for the birthday girl. Frankie requested waffles and sausage served with chocolate milk! At about 6:30am we woke her up for breakfast and then we all crawled in her bed while she opened her family gifts! And yes, the dog, Padme', is on the bed along with the food!! Padme' has been trained to be Frankie's Service Dog, she is Frankie's security blanket when we leave the house. Both would be disappointed if she was left out of something as important as Frankie's birthday!!

Frankie's Day Continues

What Frankie didn’t know when she was eating waffles at 6:30 in the morning was that at 9am we were headed to the Terry’s to ‘drop off some things’, but really there was a secret surprise party waiting for her. The Terry’s and Duncan’s were waiting for us with a lovely gourmet breakfast spread and gifts! Afterwards the kids played Clue as the mom’s visited. It was a great surprise for Frankie; the girls even made her a giant cookie!

Frankie's Birthday

One of the great things about birthdays around our house is they tend to be celebrated over several days! Today we met up with my brother Michael and his wife Misty.

We went to Stonebriar to check out the new faith film Suing the Devil. Following the movie we headed to Frankie's favorite restaurant, the Olive Garden for dinner. Of course we made sure they sang happy birthday to her and that she finished off with a layered chocolate cake!!

PEACH Kick-Off 2011

Tonight was our 2011-2012 PEACH (Plano Educational Association of Christian Homeschoolers) Kick-off! Last year we concluded the year with 300+ homeschooling families from Plano and surrounding area. All of our meeting are held at the church of Christ on McDermott Road.

We had a great turn out! Families came to sign up to be a part of PEACH. There were some 45 field trips families can register. There were also homeschool vendors presenting info on sports, art classes, music and more! Abigail decided this would be a great entrepreneurial time for her! She made Lego necklaces and together we made PEACH totes and sold them. She did great business and even had a few orders for additional totes!

Frankie helped me at the membership table and Caleb spent the evening lifting and rearranging tables and chairs and Jon arrived in time for clean up!