A couple of quick excuses and an even quicker update. We decided to bail on Verizon DSL about a month ago and that turned into the ultimate ordeal. We were without Internet for close to a month. We tried a different service that did not work out and we finally settled on Comcast Cable. Although it is more expensive, it seems to be the most reliable, which is important for the classes Rich is taking torwards his Master's Degree. Excuse #2 would be...I AM SO PREGNANT and there are still 4 kiddos running around this house that I am trying to keep up with. While our Internet was down I realized how much time I was spending on the computer neglecting the cuddling, loving, training, schooling, and homemaking that I should have been doing instead. So, there ya have it. Two super great excuses for my out of date blog.
Now, for the update. Rich has started his first of 3 classes that he will be taking through Liberty's Distance Learning program this summer. I believe it is Reading and Language Acquisition. He is so gifted in the way he is balancing 2 jobs, being a super duper daddy, a supportive and loving husband, and going to college. Makes my belly hurt just thinking about it. Please keep him in your prayers as the next year will be very very busy and full of a ton of expectations. I ask that Rich is patient with himself and the plan that God has for this next year.
Dante is, as always, AMAZING. He turned 10 at the end of April. I blinked and 10 years of my life have flown by. I am so thankful for how accountable he keeps me to all that I say and do. He has taken on a huge amount of responsibility with all that goes on in our family. He is a fantastic big brother and friend. He has also starting pitching in and working at blessing Rich by doing quite a few extra chores around the house, including cutting grass. He got a new bb gun for his birthday and is pretty sure he is the coolest thing in town when him and daddy shoot it every weekend. We are wrapping up another year of homeschooling and excited about next year.
Elijah is changing before my eyes. He is still super caring, sweet, and sensitive, but can keep up with the big kids like he is 10. He is working on a phonics program that he is almost finished with and trucking right along with some beginning math, which is picking up on quickly. He loves dressing up like a cowboy and riding his colt (bike) up and down the street with Dante.
Justus has turned into one of the sweetest 3 years I know. He cheeks, eyes, and dimples make him very hard to resist. We are surely working at some serious tomato staking with him, but he is just as cuddly as can be. He would love to be able to do everything that his big brothers are doing, but I am not sure I am ready for all of that. He just loves riding his tricycle around the picnic table in the carport.
Isabella, Isabella has found her spot among the boys. She knows what she wants and will let you know. She has become great at sign language as a form of communication. It is so cool the way they can figure out how to communicate at such a young age. She will bring you a pair of her shoes and say "side" meaning she is ready to head out to play. Also, when her diaper is poopy she will tell you "EEWWW, Gusting." meaning "EW, I am DISGUSTING."
As you can tell, I spend a lot of my day putting on shoes, wiping messy faces, buttoning up cowboy shirts, changing "gusting" diapers, but the best part of all is the smiling. Rich and I smile at the blessing of these little people. We cannot imagine life without any of them. They each add such a unique and special piece to our flock.
Finally, Nana is here to help with the children and the birth of baby #5. She is having a great time hanging out with her grandbabies and is definitely ready for bed at about 9:00 each evening.
I hope to update the other sections of my blog as time allows.
Love,
Amy
