| bbbss |
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Playing dress up. what
a beautiful little princess.
I could just eat her up.
a beautiful little princess.
I could just eat her up.
| Oh!! My poor heart. I can't tell you all the emotions I have seeing my sweet Eden looking so big and grown up next to her little sister. My heart aches. How did this happen? She was my baby just yesterday!! And she is just so exquisitely beautiful. Oh my heart. Oh my poor heart. |
More homeschool fun! We are on to
Italy now. We made gelato and
homemade ravioli. It was so much fun
and Joy was determined to get in on it.
Italy now. We made gelato and
homemade ravioli. It was so much fun
and Joy was determined to get in on it.
She is so bright and curious. I love it.
I give her every opportunity to do what
the others are doing whenever
possible, with lots of supervision of
course. I still contend the very best
thing you can give a child is siblings,
and the more the better. Joy's big
brothers and sisters have been the
best thing in the world for her. Thank
God for them all.
I give her every opportunity to do what
the others are doing whenever
possible, with lots of supervision of
course. I still contend the very best
thing you can give a child is siblings,
and the more the better. Joy's big
brothers and sisters have been the
best thing in the world for her. Thank
God for them all.
After studying the
Sistine Chapel
and Michelangelo,
Maggie and Si
tried to make their
own artwork on
the "ceiling". Not
as easy as you
would think!
Sistine Chapel
and Michelangelo,
Maggie and Si
tried to make their
own artwork on
the "ceiling". Not
as easy as you
would think!
Now it is time to make
homemade ravioli. After
46 years, I have never
made pasta from scratch
so this was a fun education
for me as well! It was
really fun and ended up
tasting great. Don't know if
I would do it again or not.
It's a lot of work!!
homemade ravioli. After
46 years, I have never
made pasta from scratch
so this was a fun education
for me as well! It was
really fun and ended up
tasting great. Don't know if
I would do it again or not.
It's a lot of work!!
What else is there to
say but "YUM!"
say but "YUM!"
| And gelato for desert. What could top that? |
03-02-2011 UPDATE
Not much new at the barrel of Bakers. We've been doing some homeschool projects that are fun. The weather has
been ideal - 80 degrees in February? Unheard of!! But so lovely!!
What else? Joy? Well she is adjusting so so well. She is my little buddy. She is saying so many things, learning
so many things, understanding so many things. Already it seems like she has always been with us. And I couldn't
have asked for a better transition with her siblings -- they adore her. How did I get so lucky? I think part of it is that
they are at such a great age for adding her to our family. They all are quite secure in their place and role in our
family and therefore she is totally welcomed and loved. She is sleeping well, eating well, and her health is very
good.
What else? Art is continuing to work in Florida. It is far from ideal, especially with a new child home. Joy looks for
Art the weeks he is gone and walks around calling, "Daddy?" But it is money, and we are thankful for it. However, I
see nothing wrong with praying that after three years that he might get some work locally.
For those who pray, Canaan is looking for a new job, and will be applying for the Physical Therapy program at our
local college this May. Only 18 students are accepted. He has met all the prerequisites, but it is a point system,
and I do not know how competitive it is. The program is offered only once a year. We are really praying that he is
accepted to the program this fall.
Jordan has moved out and has been "on her own" for two months now. We miss her fiercely. I don't even know
how to process it. Every day my heart breaks.
Silas has recuperated fully from his last surgery. Who is next? Well Joy goes in April to the ophthamologist to see if
her eyes will require surgery, which is likely. Eden goes to Cleft Clinic in April and we will see if there is any
upcoming surgery for her, which I dread, but on the other hand, sort of hope so that something would progress for
her.
The Fab Four are all signed up for Upward soccer in the Spring. There are sooo excited. I am hoping it is a great
experience for all of them.
Not much new at the barrel of Bakers. We've been doing some homeschool projects that are fun. The weather has
been ideal - 80 degrees in February? Unheard of!! But so lovely!!
What else? Joy? Well she is adjusting so so well. She is my little buddy. She is saying so many things, learning
so many things, understanding so many things. Already it seems like she has always been with us. And I couldn't
have asked for a better transition with her siblings -- they adore her. How did I get so lucky? I think part of it is that
they are at such a great age for adding her to our family. They all are quite secure in their place and role in our
family and therefore she is totally welcomed and loved. She is sleeping well, eating well, and her health is very
good.
What else? Art is continuing to work in Florida. It is far from ideal, especially with a new child home. Joy looks for
Art the weeks he is gone and walks around calling, "Daddy?" But it is money, and we are thankful for it. However, I
see nothing wrong with praying that after three years that he might get some work locally.
For those who pray, Canaan is looking for a new job, and will be applying for the Physical Therapy program at our
local college this May. Only 18 students are accepted. He has met all the prerequisites, but it is a point system,
and I do not know how competitive it is. The program is offered only once a year. We are really praying that he is
accepted to the program this fall.
Jordan has moved out and has been "on her own" for two months now. We miss her fiercely. I don't even know
how to process it. Every day my heart breaks.
Silas has recuperated fully from his last surgery. Who is next? Well Joy goes in April to the ophthamologist to see if
her eyes will require surgery, which is likely. Eden goes to Cleft Clinic in April and we will see if there is any
upcoming surgery for her, which I dread, but on the other hand, sort of hope so that something would progress for
her.
The Fab Four are all signed up for Upward soccer in the Spring. There are sooo excited. I am hoping it is a great
experience for all of them.
Here is a new style I tried on Joy. It is called
"bantu knots" and I like it, but her hair is so
short they wouldn't stay in very well.
"bantu knots" and I like it, but her hair is so
short they wouldn't stay in very well.
We love this outfit Grandma and Grandpa
sent Joy. Hannah says she looks like a
choir lady and just needs a tambourine.
"Oh happy day, oh happy daaaaay...."
sent Joy. Hannah says she looks like a
choir lady and just needs a tambourine.
"Oh happy day, oh happy daaaaay...."
| My Sunshine, My Lemonade, my singing Canary. |
| Eden and Isaac are doing a study on birds now. Here are their robin paintings, with handprints for wings. |
I don't usually leave
drawers open, but
somebody did, and I came
back to find Pizza snoozing
away.
drawers open, but
somebody did, and I came
back to find Pizza snoozing
away.
| We made cardinal masks. |
Well, sometimes there's
just no way to explain it.
just no way to explain it.
| When Canaan noticed Joy was calling Peapod "Pizza" instead of Peapod, we decided it was a good time to change her name anyway. She is Canaan's cat, and he liked it. So a new tag and zebra stripe collar were in order. She is one spoiled and very loved kitty!! |
Maggie and Si were studying Spain,
and made us a yummy dinner of paella
and churros.
and made us a yummy dinner of paella
and churros.
Be still my heart.....
As my Daddy always
used to tell me,
"Spring has sprung,
the grass has riz,
I wonder where
the birdies is!"
used to tell me,
"Spring has sprung,
the grass has riz,
I wonder where
the birdies is!"
The boy who can make a gun
out of anything, even thin air.
out of anything, even thin air.
In science, we
made alum
crystals, and
sandstone.
made alum
crystals, and
sandstone.
Studying Picasso in Spain. We
created our own picassos and cubist
art. I think they get it!
created our own picassos and cubist
art. I think they get it!
The bird study continued with owls.
Here are their owl cupcakes.
Here are their owl cupcakes.
03-20-2011 UDATE
Come on get happy! A new theme for the website. Perhaps I won't keep it long, but Canaan suggested it and I
thought it would be fun. I finally updated all the kids' pages, and added a page for Joy. Some of their pages had
not been updated for over two years! I still have not completed Joy's slideshow, nor her "Journey to Joy" page.
There are some other pages that still need updating as well, but this is quite a lot of updating for me, so I will
publish what I have.
There has been a lot of sickness in the Baker house lately. Most of it has been Mom and Dad, with back to back
colds, and a nasty stomach bug, but I'd rather it be me than the kids. Hoping we're over the worst of it and on
the mend.
Spring is finally here and everything is in bloom. It is beautiful here. North Carolina really is the ultimate place to
be for climate. You get all four seasons to the hilt, and three months of each. We have started thinking about
the garden, and our strawberries and raspberries are already thriving. It's incredible to see that new life coming
back after the cold winter.
There is not a lot new going on. We have been doing some interesting home school projects, and Joy is
continuing to adjust to our new family and us to her as well. Art is still working, much in Florida.
Come on get happy! A new theme for the website. Perhaps I won't keep it long, but Canaan suggested it and I
thought it would be fun. I finally updated all the kids' pages, and added a page for Joy. Some of their pages had
not been updated for over two years! I still have not completed Joy's slideshow, nor her "Journey to Joy" page.
There are some other pages that still need updating as well, but this is quite a lot of updating for me, so I will
publish what I have.
There has been a lot of sickness in the Baker house lately. Most of it has been Mom and Dad, with back to back
colds, and a nasty stomach bug, but I'd rather it be me than the kids. Hoping we're over the worst of it and on
the mend.
Spring is finally here and everything is in bloom. It is beautiful here. North Carolina really is the ultimate place to
be for climate. You get all four seasons to the hilt, and three months of each. We have started thinking about
the garden, and our strawberries and raspberries are already thriving. It's incredible to see that new life coming
back after the cold winter.
There is not a lot new going on. We have been doing some interesting home school projects, and Joy is
continuing to adjust to our new family and us to her as well. Art is still working, much in Florida.
Studying Portugal now. We made I forget what it's
called but it was good! Portuguese sausage with
potatoes and garlic and kale, golden raisins and feta
cheese. Yum!! For dessert, Pastels Nata (?) I think it
was called. Below, Maggie and Silas are making the
custard.
called but it was good! Portuguese sausage with
potatoes and garlic and kale, golden raisins and feta
cheese. Yum!! For dessert, Pastels Nata (?) I think it
was called. Below, Maggie and Silas are making the
custard.
Here is a great picture for our three
month post placement report. Silas
chopping wood with a machete only
three feet away from Joy.
month post placement report. Silas
chopping wood with a machete only
three feet away from Joy.
Okay, maybe the swing
pictures with Hannah would
be better. She loved it until
one chain of the swing gave
way and Hannah and Joy
went sprawling on the
ground. The fun never ends
around here.
pictures with Hannah would
be better. She loved it until
one chain of the swing gave
way and Hannah and Joy
went sprawling on the
ground. The fun never ends
around here.
Okay, after watching George of the
Jungle several times, Dad went out
and bought some rope and rigged up
a very safe Tarzan rope. It was tons of
fun!!
Jungle several times, Dad went out
and bought some rope and rigged up
a very safe Tarzan rope. It was tons of
fun!!
Even mom gave
it a try, and I will
admit, it was fun.
it a try, and I will
admit, it was fun.
Joy is my biggest cuddler ever. She
loves to get up and snuggle in at any
time.
loves to get up and snuggle in at any
time.
Eden doing her
Tarzan yodel.
Tarzan yodel.
Maggie did a
wheelbarrow all the
way back to the
house. She is such a
strong, healthy, fit girl.
Thanks to Hannah.
wheelbarrow all the
way back to the
house. She is such a
strong, healthy, fit girl.
Thanks to Hannah.
03-25-2011 UDATE
Another update so soon? Well why not? I added a few pictures of Art's Tarzan rope he put up for the
kids in the backyard. The spring weather has been outstanding, and the kids have just been loving it,
running and laughing in the backyard with Hannah and Canaan. It's so wonderful. The only thing
putting a damper on all our joy is missing Jordan.
Jordan has been gone for two weeks now. She has decided that she does not want to be part of our
family anymore, and has decided she wants to live a different lifestyle. This has grieved us all
incredibly, and we pray for her daily, if not hourly. We welcome your prayers for us and for her. My
heart is irreparably broken. The most difficult part is explaining to the little ones, who wonder where
she is and why she doesn't care for them anymore. There are no answers, and we do not even know
where she is.
Beyond this, life continues. We are enjoying spring, planning our garden, continuing to homeschool.
Hannah is beginning her cerification for Personal Trainer this week. She is excited about it. We are
also looking forward to family coming up to visit us this week. It should be a good, and hopefully
encouraging time. Family is so important.
Another update so soon? Well why not? I added a few pictures of Art's Tarzan rope he put up for the
kids in the backyard. The spring weather has been outstanding, and the kids have just been loving it,
running and laughing in the backyard with Hannah and Canaan. It's so wonderful. The only thing
putting a damper on all our joy is missing Jordan.
Jordan has been gone for two weeks now. She has decided that she does not want to be part of our
family anymore, and has decided she wants to live a different lifestyle. This has grieved us all
incredibly, and we pray for her daily, if not hourly. We welcome your prayers for us and for her. My
heart is irreparably broken. The most difficult part is explaining to the little ones, who wonder where
she is and why she doesn't care for them anymore. There are no answers, and we do not even know
where she is.
Beyond this, life continues. We are enjoying spring, planning our garden, continuing to homeschool.
Hannah is beginning her cerification for Personal Trainer this week. She is excited about it. We are
also looking forward to family coming up to visit us this week. It should be a good, and hopefully
encouraging time. Family is so important.