Our Homeschool Journey

 If you had asked me when my oldest son was in kg. what I thought about homeschooling, I would have told you it's not something I would do. I was teaching in a private school for 4 years and just thought kids need to be in school. It was during the school break that summer when God suddenly called me to do just that. I talked to Art about it and he agreed we should try it. I didn't even tell anyone else for some time what I was thinking about but started to prepare. Everytime I had doubts I went back to that moment when it became clear to me what God was calling me to do. 
 Well, it's been eight years since we started. My oldest son graduated grade eight this year and after some debating on how, when and where, we decided to celebrate that with our our kids, some family , his friends and other teachers that had been an influence in his life over the years. Had a great day of  games, food, singing, prayer, sharing memories, and a special message from unlce Aaron. (my brother)
 I'm thankful for all those that helped us out with making it possible. Kathy & Aaron for giving your home and helping organize it all and the influence you have been on James. George Fehr and Tina Fehr for putting together a very special slideshow, (I really enjoyed that) Everyone who helped out with food and also to family, the youth,  and youth leaders for celebrating with us and being a part of James' life during these important years!

A Graduation Prayer

May I live my life to praise You,

Not for fortune, nor for fame,
May everything I say and do
Bring glory to Your name.


May my eyes stay fixed upon You
As I seek the way that's pure,
Tasting Your love and goodness
Sleeping and rising secure.


Planted by Your living streams
I'll delight in all Your ways,
Hidden by Your sheltering wings
With new mercies for each day.


Even in a dangerous land
When storms threaten to destroy,
At the cross I'll stand upon the Rock
My Strength, my Hope, my Joy.


Dear Lord, show me Your favor,
At all times keep me blessed,
May Your face ever shine upon me,
With peace and perfect rest.

Amen.

-Mary Fairchild

Anthony's 7th Birthday!

7 years old and learning many new things each day. You are such a blessing to have in our family. God has a special purpose for your life.

Happy Birthday, Anthony!

Time for an Update

As you can see, I am slow with Blogging now. What might be the reason.... Maybe I have lots of secrets? Ha ha.... No, not me.

Busy... yes, and well this hasn't been a big priority. I do like to write here but there are times it is at the end of my list of things to do and I don't make it to the end of this list and then there are times I really think I should write.

Quite a bit has been going on. My mom-in-law just had heart surgery this week. It went well and I thank God for that. Thank you to those who prayed for her. I could see she was in a lot of pain yesterday. She will need prayers in the months to come. We will need to go over there and help out as much as we can.

Also, our nephew Johnny is finished chemo, for now anyway. I don't really know where things stand with his health now but he looked pretty good yesterday when I saw him. I think he is excited about the fact his hair is beginning to peek through again. He will be turning 13 next month, which will make it a year since his first seizure and then finding out he had a brain tumor.

On a different note... we started our ASL class. I am excited about it! I noticed that learning signs with song makes it easier to memorize the signs. I'm also trying to talk german to the kids more now so they will learn that as well. Who knows maybe knowing different languages will be something God will use in their life yet. I know I'm getting ahead of myself here , but next is spanish. :)

We had a good Christmas. A bit different this year but were blessed. I will post a few pictures of our events yet. Oh and then there was my birthday. I am 31 now!! (unreal) In many ways I still feel like a kid. lol. Honestly, I didn't have a very good day that day. Didn't feel very good and had a sick baby. Jamie really wanted it to be a good day for me and even baked a cake yet. That was very special and thoughtful. He even made me a card and he doesn't even like making cards.

There is my news broadcast :) If you made it to the end of it >consider yourself hugged.

A few new pictures

We went to a park last Sunday and took some pictures. These aren't as clear as I hoped they would be. My sister -in -law took some as well. Hopefully her camera did a better job. Not sure what Emily is doing on this one with her hands but thought it was sweet.

Boys camping in our backyard

The boys had been wanting to sleep outside for a while, but I just really haven't been up for it and I didn't want them to by themselves. So last night I told them they could call someone older and ask them to come camp. Jamie decided to ask his cousin Bradley. They had a good time with it. Played Monopoly untill pretty late, and ya they did stay out all night.

"THANKS BRAD!! Glad you came!"

Men's Camp

Art and Jamie went to the men's camp with the church men this year. Jamie had been wanting to go for years already but it never did work out before. So he was pretty excited about it! They both had a lot of fun and a lot of stories to tell when they got home! I am so glad they got to spend time together like that.

Otto koning was at the camp as well. He has gone through a lot of things and has some great stories to tell. For those who don't know who he is. He was a missionary in New Guinea. He worked among a native tribe that had known only their village ways. He was put in some pretty dangerous situations there.

Otto Koning is also well known for The Pineapple story. http://store.iblp.org/products/CTPS/ .

Johnny was blessed with a little brother

On May 31st, Johnny's family was blessed with another boy. (that's 4 boys now)His name is Matthew. He was 9 lb and 11 oz. mom and baby are healthy and well. This was pretty exciting for Johnny! He has had a great attitude through all that he is going through.

Children are Gifts

God is the creator and giver of life. Children are a blessing from God. They are a gift and God is counting on us as parents to nourish, protect and bring them up in the ways of our Lord.
We walk through this life and watch our children grow. As babies, just watching them sleep is amazing. They seem so peaceful and innocent. Seeing them smile, kick, hold things for the first time, their first words.... It's all so much fun! So many stages come and go. Before you know it they are talking, walking, playing, and with it comes teaching them no means no! If you are a parent, or take care of other people's children, you have a clear picture of all this.
I guess the most important thing I have learned is that children are gifts that I need to give right back to God. Ultimately they belong to Him. Sometimes it's hard to give them back to God. We always feel like we want to be in control of things ourselves.(or atleast those have often been my first instincts.) But really, if we come to the point where we say it's all yours God...Whatever you see best for the day we will do, they are in much better hands and so are we. We are not perfect parents but God is a perfect holy father. Who better then to keep watch over us and our children 24/7 !

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3

Jesus said, "let the little children come to me, and forbid them not, for of such are the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:14

My baby is a year and 3 months!

She is growing up so fast!

Happy Birthday Mom-Grandma

This is my mom, holding my youngest sister. Today was her birthday. In this picture they are singing, Joyful, Joyful will the meeting be. Joyful it will be! I realized again today as I was watching her how much she means to me.She has endured so many things that seem impossible to bare. She does so much for the family. Her hearts desire is that all her children will live to serve and love Jesus. I know my mom well and know that she is praying for me, for my 7 sisters and 4 brothers. She is praying for her son in laws and daughter in laws. She is praying for her grand children. I don't want to take her for granted. I thank God for her and may He answer her prayers according to His will. She is a woman after God's own heart.

Love Is A Mother’s Gift

When God made mothers, He took great care

To fill their hearts with love so rare.

Their children are their greatest prize;

You can see the great love in your mother’s eyes.

Love, love is a mother’s gift

To their precious children, their hearts to lift.

Warm, tender and giving love

That grows them up healthy and happy.

Thank you, mother for all you give

To help me grow and to help me live.

I will love you forevermore,

My mother, my mom, whom I adore.

Love, love is a mother’s gift

To their precious children, their hearts to lift.

Warm, tender and giving love

That grows us up healthy and happy.

By Joanna Fuchs

A Prayer

I wrote this poem before Jamie was born, on the day I found out he had a heart defect. We had lost a baby about 7 months earlier. Him and Jamie are 11 months apart.

Dear Lord, I am asking thee
don't take away what you've given me
I have grown to close to lose him now

to bare it again, I don't know how

He would be in the best of care, I agree

but all the pain and sorrow that would be

I am not strong enough to get by it again

For whatever is to come I will need your hand

I do not know what you have in store for me

But I want to put my faith in thee.

Just give me directions until I reach your gate

where sorrow is no more, love is only; no hate

This is my prayer tonight to you

All this I am sure you already knew

I'm thankful though you listened to all I said

To you I have let out all thought I've had

written January 15th, 1997

©Nancy Wall

Jamie's birthday celebration

We had some friends and family (well I guess they are all family, but also friends) come for supper. I had a very good evening. We had chicken, pork chops, burgers, hotdogs and salads for supper. (barbecued) Relaxed around a fire for a while, cousin Henry sang a few songs yet, kids played.... (you get the picture:) Blessed fellowship!

By now you can tell I like taking pictures, I'm sure!

Jamie's Birthday

That's my boy! 11 years old. He had a good day I think. Him and Anthony went fishing with their dad. We bought him a basketball, 2 t-shirts and that hat. Tomorrow a few friends are coming for barbecue.

I am so grateful that Jamie is doing so well! He too, was born with a heart defect, but is doing great now!! The day I found out about his heart, I wrote a poem, a prayer really asking God to let us keep him. God answered that prayer. I don't have enough time to type out the poem now, but maybe I will share it tomorrow if I get a chance.

Thank you Lord for your goodness and mercy! I praise you for you are an awesome God!

Our baby would have been eight...

Eight years ago yesterday our baby David was born. It's hard to believe that it has been 8 years! In this picture I had just bathed him and I remember how he watched me so closely! He had hypoplastic left heart and passed away on the 15th, 2 days later at midnight. The 15th which is tomorrow is also our other son (Jamie's) 11th birthday. We plan to celebrate that as a gift from God but will also remember everything that happened 8 years ago. He was a beautiful healthy looking full term baby!

If you are wondering what hypoplastic left heart is, here is a place you can learn about it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoplastic_left_heart_syndrome

Muscle Daddy!

Art was trying to show the boys how strong he is! :) It was pretty funny!
Ok, the situation got a little lighter here, but the girls could not be left out you know!
This is what you call good times at our house! Hee hee!:0
A cheerful heart is good medicine

Happy Birthday , Anthony!

2002
2008
We had a special day with Anthony! Time goes by so fast. I am learning to cherish the moments we have, for they don't last long!
Hard to believe how big he is now. I should try wrapping him in a blanket again!:)
I put up pictures of him that we had taken through the years. It was pretty neat!
So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Psa 90:12

Ahhh! 11 Months Old Today....

Kati-Lyn Marie

I can't believe she is growing up so fast.By the looks of it she can't believe it either! Believe it or not though, she was simply yawning. She is taking a few steps and saying a few words too. Only has 2 teeth so far.

All tired out after another full day!

Anthony Loves Jesus!

This evening Jamie started talking about things that scared him. I encouraged him to trust in Jesus and that we are safe . Well this led to so many questions and topics about God, I wouldn't know where to begin to tell you all the details! One of the things the boys started talking about was their 2 brothers that went to heaven. They wondered what they were doing in heaven and so on. Anthony said he wanted to go to heaven one day too, but not without us . He said we should all go at the same time.
He then started asking me about how we can go to heaven and not to a bad place. I asked him if he thought he was good enough to go to heaven and at first he said yep! I'm always good. So I asked him if he never fought with his brother, or lost his temper... things like that. He wasn't so convinced anymore that he was good enough! So I explained to him that we all had sin in our hearts, and that was why Jesus died for our sins, to wash us from our sin. We had talked about this before and he had said before that he wanted Jesus to be his saviour, but today it really sunk in and he understood why Jesus was his savior, and he wanted Jesus to be in his heart! He loves Jesus and wants to serve him and tell people all about him he said. This is the most important thing in life and so precious in children!
I pray for our kids that God will direct their paths and that they will all serve our Lord throughout their life!

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

~Nancy~

Our Snow is Back!

Kids enjoyed playing in the snow again. Wish I wasn't allergic to the cold!:) One day I'm going to go get myself more warmer clothes.
We had a very good day today. I had a burst of energy it seemed and caught up on a few things that were behind. School went great too. The boys are both doing well with most their work! Anthony is reading quite well already. I think he'll be able to read almost everything before he even gets to grade one. Emily is not in school yet but she always wants to join in with the boys.
Sunday is anthony's birthday, so I am preparing to have a few people over to celebrate with us. (He is turning 6!) Time really does fly!

~Nancy~

A Kodak Moment!

I put Kati-Lyn down for a nap before and when I went to check on her, this is how she had fallen asleep! It was so cute, had to take a picture! She is so cuddly! The joys of motherhood are great!