7 Years

7 Amazing years already! Its funny to look back on wedding pictures now, we look at them and think WOW we look really young! Ha, I guess that shows we are finally starting to get a little old, or we are finally beginning to realize just how young we were when we got married. The Lord has definitely blessed these passed seven years, from the birth of Sophia Joy Anderson in 2009, Charles Mark Anderson in 2010, the move to Williams, AZ in 2011 and all the blessings from each day that would take a very long time to mention! 

Now another big blessing is heading our way in March 2015, Sophia won't be the only older sibling! Even the timing of our latest blessing is a very big blessing! Let me explain how: I got pregnant this summer and the first trimester ended September 1st, which means all that terrible morning sickness I got from this one ended just in time for our first year of home schooling. We got great airline tickets to go home and see Family around Thanksgiving, a time we would take off anyways for school, and meet the newest edition baby Kane in November! Then the baby's due date is Spring break! I couldn't have planned it any better if I were to pick my due date morning sickness vacation ect. God has been very good to us! 

So I will leave you with a few pictures of our wedding day and our anniversary this past week. 

Our Wedding Day September 29th, 2007

Our Anniversary September 29th, 2014

Count Your blessings by Johnson Oatman, Jr.

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     *Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
     [*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
   Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
   Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
   Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

First Week of Schoool

Well I made it the first week! Thankfully the My Fathers World curriculum gives you an intro to help ease you and your kids into kindergarten. So the first two weeks are actually only four days instead of five, which is why Friday morning I am done for the week! Looking back at the first week, it went better then I expected and yet could go better. Ha, confusing I know, the first day my oldest Sophia realized she was getting "taught" (which strangely she dislikes), and ran for the door! After that first day she seemed to get excited for school. She is very smart and tries to see what she can get away with; Charles on the other hand the first day was soo excited with pint up energy, he was almost overwhelming! Total opposite kids to teach!

The days got better after that, by Wed I was extremly exhausted for some reason, I guess organizing my day between cleaning, cooking, teaching the kids plus trying to get them exercise and have fun, just takes more time and energy then I anticipated. Thankfully it was only four days this week, and Thursday went very well because I was so glad it was the last day of the week! What I would continue doing: starting class with prayer time, it helps to calm kids excitement and helps get my heart right before teaching them. I haven't quiet found a shcedule yet that fits, I know starting with prayer then going to the bible story its a great beginning, but from there I have troubles figure out what to do next. ABC's, song time, story time, calender, arts and crafts... I know having a schedule to stick to everyday may not seem like a huge deal, but having a child with special needs who loves routine makes it more important.

Sophia does better if she knows what to expect, whats next, how her day should look like. So that is where I need to change. I need to figure out what works, and stick with it. I do change things up slightly from time to time, so she doesn't get completely upset if things don't go completely according to schedule. Which works to help her be flexible, Charles on the other hand could care less what is next, or what to expect.

I found my verse though that I want to be the center of my Kindergarten year:
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

With all that being said I will leave you with a few pictures of our first week!

Almost time to begin school

Next week at this exact time, instead of sitting on my computer typing up a long and over due blog post; I will be starting home school with my kids for the first time! I ordered my curriculum "My Fathers World," which going over i'm pretty excited about. Last year I did a lot of pre-school stuff with them, so sitting down and doing "school" work wont seem so crazy. I am definitely a little nervous, which i'm assuming all parents are the first year they teach, and maybe even at the beginning of every year after! ( I think I will be anyways!) 

Although I read a couple wonderful books by Karen DeBeus called "Simply Home school" and "Called Home: finding Joy in letting God lead your Home school." Where one puts home schooling in perspective and why I want to home school, the other helps you to simplify homeschooling before you even beginning.

I want to be the one to teach my kids, not only their ABC's, how to use a scissor, but also about God, why we are here, what He has done for us, and how important He is. I love the idea of Home schooling, I know not every day will go as wonderfully as I imagine, but I know God will be with me every step of the way.

Matthew 6:33King James Version (KJV)

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Pictures of our home school room:

Birthday ideas!

Charles turns four next month, and my poor little boys hasn't had a birthday party yet! I know he is still young and I don't think he realized he hasn't had one, but recently we have gone to a lot of his little friends birthdays! So, now he realizes he hasn't had one! Ha, so now Charlie's favorite past time is playing "birthday party!" The other day he took a shoe box put books in it and topped it with the tissue that used to be in the shoe. Then he goes mom today is my birthday day, take a picture of me as I open my gift! So I take a picture, afterwards he goes yahoo its my birthday Thank you for the great gift! :)

I thought it was just a phase, then I overheard him tell his Grandma on the phone, are you coming to my birthday day grandma! Anytime I tell him about someone coming over or that we are going somewhere he thinks it must be because its his birthday day! So needless to say this year I am finally giving him a well deserved birthday, and I think he will be old enough to enjoy it!

Now I just need to decide the theme. At first I thought miniature golf party in the back yard, but I think I may do construction theme. Put a sandbox out back and put construction vehicles in it. I think he might enjoy that better then miniature golf, and save that for later.

Charles opening his "gift"

Charles excitedly showing me what he got in his gift.

Random pictures of Sophia and Charles

They are taking a drive in the "car" that Charles made!