We had our Ultrasound and it says that my due date is July 27th. The funny thing about that is that is a day before the EAA fly in in Oshkosh. This is the second largest airplane rally in the world, and a huge highlight of Ryan's job this summer. I don't know how our insurance is going to work and if we will even be able to have the baby in WI. Who knows, well God does, and I rest in the knowledge that He has it all planned out and at the right time will reveal to us what needs to happen.

We had a very quiet Christmas this year. Last year we Ryan's mom came to visit and that made it less lonely here, but this year it was just us. It has been nice to spend so much time with Ryan, but he is back to work as a flight instructor already. Good for our paycheck though!!

Some very good news in our circle of friends is that Jennifer and Zach ( from the "Bringing Home our Ethiopian Princess'" blog are home from Ethiopia with their two beautiful daughters. Please check out their website. Also on the Jesus Babies site is a beautiful telling of one family's trip to Uganda. Some very good reading if you have the time!!

I found out what I was sick with!!

So, after being sick for several days and most of the symptoms leaving except a stubborn case of nausea and extreme tiredness I decided it was time to take another pregnancy test. I had sworn these off a few months earlier as they kept saying "no" when I thought they should be saying "yes"! I picked up my test at the local dollar store and went home to try out my luck. I walked away from my test thinking it might say yes, but it will probably say no so don't get your hopes up. Thankfully, it was Positive!! I have been to the Dr, he confirmed and today I am off for an ultrasound to see how far along I am.

My kids are more excited than I am and I do believe this is going to be the longest nine months of their lives! Sophie is busy drawing pictures of me with the baby in my tummy and she is working on a journal of words so that when the baby turns 2 she can teach him/her to read. Elijah just wants to snuggle the baby and has asked that I take it out so that he may kiss it.

I am feeling a bit better, but still really tired. I will let you all know tomorrow what the ultrasound says.

I'm still here!!

I have been very sick the past few days and so have not written. It has been nice to hear from several people that they are reading the blog. It is much more fun to write when you think others are reading!! I am going to put a list of inspirational blogs on my blog today, be sure to check them out!! One family is in Uganda right now meeting the two children they are in the process of adopting. Reading their blog brought back so many memories of our trip to Africa. We are so excited to get back!! We'll see how the Lord works that out.

It has been snowing like crazy here and we have over a foot and a half of snow. The fun thing about snow here in ND is that none of it melts until spring. Our only mountains here are the large piles of snow in all of the department store parking lots. The kids have only been out in it a couple of times and only want to stay out for a few minutes as it is always below zero here.

Have a wonderful day and I will post more pics soon, sorry I do not have a very nice camera to use right now and so all of the pictures are dark. They give you an idea of what we see though!

Just Gotta Brag!!

The big news at our house is that we are moving to Wisconsin for the summer!! Ryan has been awarded the Clay Lacey Scholarship and a position as a Flight Instructor at the EAA's kids summer camp in Oshkosh, WI.

We are so proud of Ryan!! I know this is going to be a great fit for him. He loves teaching and does really well with highschool aged kids! This is another large scholarship for Ryan, so far he has won $23,000 in scholarship money!!! Isn't that amazing!! Sadly, becoming a pilot is so stinkin expensive we will still have quite a bit of debt upon graduation, but this sure helps out a whole bunch!!

The kids places

What is unschooling?

A reader posed this question to me the other day and I would like to respond to you all. In my profile I wrote that I am an unschooler. In the homeschooling community there are so many different theories and groups. I don't think I fit into any of them 100%, and so I chose this title as I think it is the closest fit.



There are several thoughts on the idea of unschooling, I will only indulge you with mine. This is our theory involving hs, especially concerning the ages of our children currently. Our home is a place filled with games, books, maps, information, music, make believe, and fun!! Instead of having a regular school time, following someonelse's plan for my children, and forcing them to learn, I have chosen to present the ideas and let them take the lead. We keep "educational" items and toys out and ready to be used whenever the feeling strikes. We go over phonics and numbers and the alphabet regularly while driving, lying in bed, or playing. I want to make learning fun for them and I want them to be able to really learn about the things that interest them. Right now Sophie is very into sign language so we learn our Bible verses in sign language and Elijah is all about his ABC's. It is fabulous to be able to watch them grown and learn and figure all of this out.

I suppose I am an unschooler because we do not use a curriculum or live by a "learning schedule". My motto for our "home school" is "Free to Learn". I have many thoughts on the joys of homeschooling, but I think I will end now before you all get bored!!

For a Good Laugh!

If you are looking for a good laugh this winter check out this website http://www.weather.com/weather/local/58201?lswe=58201&lwsa=WeatherLocalUndeclared

it shows Grand Forks weather!! This morning it says -4, feels like -20. Yep, I agree!!

Yummy~!

Spaghetti Squash with Black Beans and Zucchini



1 spaghetti squash, about 2 lbs

2 zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/4 inch thick slices

2 cups chopped fresh basil or 1 1/2 tbl dried

15 ounces black beans rinsed and drained

2 cups chopped seeded tomatoes

2 tbl olive oil

2 tbl red wine vinegar

1 large clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp salt



1. cook squash , many ways to do it, I cut in half, scooped out seeds, placed face down on baking stone, baked at 375 for 35 min, when done shred with forks to look like spaghetti

2. grill or saute zucchini

3. mix tomatoes, beans, cooked zucchini, and basil in one bowl. In another bowl combine remaining ingredients and blend thoroughly. Mix all together and serve over squash.



Taken from "Good Carb, Better Carb Cookbook"



This meal is soooo good. The kids even really liked it and you know that is always a plus!

My North Dakota Garden

Elijah refers to this as our garden. I guess it will do for now. I love my David bust, I found it at a garage sale for just a quarter while in MT this past summer. My jade plant is from my wonderfully gifted soapmaking neighbor Heather. She has a jade tree at her house, I can't wait for mine to look like hers. I am sure this plant will be an issue for us when we finally move!

Wonderful Toys!!

These are some of our favorite toys. I have to say that these blocks have been some of our best investments. The kids love the pattern blocks and like to make up all sorts of games with them. The unpainted wooden ones that Sophia is playing with are from a set called "Handwriting Without Tears". You can use these forms to make all of the letters, as you can see we have found many other uses for them as well.

We have gotten rid of so many of their toys. I refuse to keep a bunch of plastic crap around that doesn't even get played with. The other day I just went through their room and scooped up a bag of junk, they haven't even noticed! We so appreciate open ended toys!! The things that truly get the most use in our house are; books, art supplies, dress up, trucks, animals, blocks, and Sophia's favorite 2nd hand store find, a little Barbie journal. She has played with it for days!! It has been her notepad to take orders when she is a waitress, she has been writing her "cursive" in it, and numbering all the pages. Every friend that has seen it wants to use it as much as she does! It cost 25 cents and after I see how much use it gets I think I would have been willing to pay $10 for such an item!!

Snowy Tuesday!

Here are a few of my favorite places around the house. My favorite blogger, http://soulemama.typepad.com/soulemama/ does a thing called corners of my home. This is my version. I will be adding more pictures in the next few days.

It is -11 right now before wind chill. The snow has finally come to ND. If it is going to be cold, I am glad for the snow, I just wish it would be a bit more gentle. When it snows here it snows hard and sideways! You can't open your eyes and you run from the car to the house trying to avoid the snow drifts! It is extremely hard to get an accurate reading of how much snow we have because of the blowing. Some places will have no snow, and then there will be a 6inch drift. I miss being able to play in the snow, not just avoiding it! Maybe I've just gotten too old!

Blessings to you all!! I have some good pictures of the kids for tomorrow!

Welcome

I had started a blog earlier, but it is a very specific blog. I am wanting to use this one for our family and more about my interests so here it is!!