Mickey...

We are now caring for a friend's little boy to help them out during the week. It's been interesting having a toddler in the house again!


Mickey just came back from his first weekend at home, and boy is he talking up a storm! He is just TOO cute and I could just eat him up.


When he first came to stay with us 2 weeks ago he spoke only 1 English word we could understand - Hello. Here are some of the ones that we can pick up now!

Yi-ya = Mya
Danda = Brandon
Uh = Up
Goggy = Doggy
Come = Come
Dink = Drink
Mmmm-mmmmm = Thank you (it's thank you said with the mouth closed. ;))

He quickly picked up on sign language for more (he loves MORE food!) and he will hesitantly sign please, as well.

He also loves to sing and dance. I often find him in his bed awake in the morning or after a nap just singing sweetly.

Anyway, we're quickly falling in love with the little sweetheart, and I'm thrilled that he's sleeping through the night all the time now!

Homeschool Plans for 2012

As we start our school year in mid-January in South Africa, I have been spending a good amount of time planning for the year ahead. Here is what we'll be using:

Tapestry of Grace, Year 1
Writing Aids (part of Tapestry of Grace, but new to us)
Math U See
Spelling Power
Easy Grammar and Daily Grams (New to us)
Exploring Creation through Botany (Apologia)(Marissa)
Apologia General Science (Brandon)
Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready (Mya)
ABC's & 123's along with African Animals - Rhymes & Recipes (Mya)

It should be an interesting, crazy busy year ahead, but I'm looking forward to it!

We may add Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) later this year, as a friend found the DVD's for me second hand for only $1! I just have to get it from the US to SA.

Along for the Ride

Do you ever feel like you are "along for the ride"? God is in the driver seat and here we go! Sometimes I'm so excited I can hardly wait, and sometimes I'm so nervous that I can hardly breathe! I am learning new things and "going places" I could never go without Him in the driver's seat. I don't know what I will learn, but I know that I don't want it to be any different. And I'm glad that He's the one making the decisions. I will gladly follow, trusting and reminding myself not to worry. He loves me and has my best interest in mind.
And while sometimes I don't understand, and sometimes it hurts, I know that the end goal that God has in mind for me is to bring me to a place where I am like Christ. And with that goal in mind, I am willing to go wherever He leads.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.