Missing Them

We dropped the boys off at the library tonight. As we were driving away, Rachel stated that she missed the boys already. I asked the girls about what we were going to do when people started moving out. They asked what I meant. I told them that eventually they were all going to do things like go on missions, go to college, get married...and that those things meant that they would move out of the house and be doing things on their own when they were adults. I told them that their Dad and I would miss them. I didn't have the heart to say that by then it would just be me missing them. That really wasn't what the conversation was about anyway.
I also asked the girls about what they wanted to do when they got older. Again, Rachel asked what I meant. She ended up telling me she wanted to learn more about animals. I asked more questions and she came up with wanting to train animals to do stuff. Megan first asked if there was a pizzeria around. She can be random at times - so, I asked her if she was asking if there was one not far from our house or if she was wondering if there was one she could work at when she was older. She said that she wanted to be a pizzeria woman, a mechanic, and an artist. But, not all of them all at once. Rachel then piped in with...'Oh ya, I wanted to be a mechanic too.'. She had commented on it a few days ago and had just forgotten I guess. She had commented on how she wanted to build things.
Both girls have also commented on wanted to go on missions too. So, we'll see what the future holds for them.
I thought it was nice to have an idea that the kids are close and will miss each other when the others aren't around. I'm glad that even at the ages they are, they still like being around each other. (Well, most of the time. There are times I'm not so sure.)

Today's Photos

Here are some things I wish I had a picture of today.
The small grasshopper Jonny found while we were weeding that Jacob held for the rest of us to see. The ladybug that was crawling up my arm...the kids came to look, Rachel was going to get it and then it flew away. After they noticed it landed on my back, the ladybug flew elsewhere. (Apparently, it noticed that my shirt was not a plant.)
Jonny being a 'commentator' as we weeded. (And, the rest of us laughing.)
I will also remember Jacob taking a shovel to the weeds with all the power he could muster. (I have never seen so many and such big weeds before in my life...and, it all happened so quickly.)
The tan compost container that was filled to overflowing after this round of weeding.
The tomatoes that are starting to grow.
Megan helping her Dad stretch his legs.
Jonny struggling with a song on the piano and his attempt to learn it correctly.
Megan reading to Rachel. (I felt a twinge of regret about not reading to the kids more. It makes a difference when they can all read by themselves and read to each other. Their Dad reads to them too...but, I'm not ready to let go of the Mom reading to the kids moments. We do some, but it has been irregular the past few weeks.)
Layne helping a neighbor 'jump start' their car.
The kids running off to 'free lunch' at the park with the neighbors.

The day's half over. I'm hoping there will be more memories to be made.
Jonny is having a couple of friends come over to help celebrate his birthday (that already past). It'll just be a hang out session with brownies eaten in there somewhere. It's nice to not be stressing over plans and prepping before a child's party.

It's the Glue

While having lunch we were listening to Ben Folds (edited by Layne) and enjoying the rain. The day is overcast and yet it's fun to see the colorful flowers and blossoms that are beginning to emerge in the yard. Jonny asked about Family Home Evening and decided to rotate the assignments and inform us of our assignments. (I love it when children think of a great idea themselves and then just do it. I also love that our kids look forward to FHE and that it's a regular part of our schedule.)
It's moments like this when I'm glad we homeschool...especially since we were actually productive this morning. I'm grateful we have the opportunity to spend time together as a family.
It's times like this when I have thoughts pop into my head about everyone homeschooling. I'm not saying it has to be for everyone. I'm just saying, I think every family would love a few moments of making memories in an everyday kind of way. It wasn't a big event - but, it was time with the family. It's the everyday stuff that memories are made of...the glue that holds the memories of the big events together.

Fast Forward A Couple of Years

I've been thinking about starting another blog with a couple of different topics so everything is all together. Yet, I'm not sure I want some of the details about the kids to be part of that. So, for now, I'll do a bit of updating here.
Obviously, much has happened since I last wrote. The two biggest things would be that we are in our second year of homeschooling and that Layne has Stage IV cancer. Both details have put a different twist on our lives.
We still live in the same place and are doing some of the same things. We still get to associate with some fabulous people around here and occasionally get to see a family member or two whenever they happen to be traveling through the area.