July-December...it's been a while!

I can't believe it is already December! We are finished with our first semester of 3rd, 7th, and 10th grade. Each year I get less and less excited about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It means my oldest is one year closer to graduation! Ok, let's think about something else! July--the kids swam on the Stingrays team again this year. It was Madelyn's first year swimming. She did great and even enjoyed it (but she won't admit that). Miller went to Boy Scout summer camp again and he got his learners permit! Yes, we have a driver! Coach Dave is an awesome swim coach!

Watch out Leland!

August--Our littlest turned 8! We enjoyed the beach a lot this summer and we started back to school in August, as usual.

First day of 3rd, 7th, and 10th grade

September-November--We are involved in our co-op for the 4th year and enjoying it. Miller is taking biology, public speaking, literature, and American History. Bailey is taking Writing/Literature, American History, and Chemistry, and Madelyn is taking writing, science (Swimming Creatures), and history. Our co-op has really grown over the past 4 years. It's still a huge blessing to us! Some of our group on a field trip to a museum in Raleigh

My little history class with their projects

Kids with their projects for various classes

The day after Hurricane Matthew

Pumpkin Patch

Well, that's the (very) short of it! We've had a great year with some minor glitches along the way but we are very blessed and thankful!

Summer is Finally Here!

We finished school in mid-May and our adventures began the next week. We took a mini-vacation to Great Wolf Lodge and the Asheboro Zoo. A couple times a year, GWL has a homeschool week where homeschool families can go for a discounted price. The waterpark was not busy either day we were there so it was a perfect time to go! We had so much fun riding waterslides together; Miller and Bailey even met some kids and hung out with them some the second day we were there.

At night, there is a storytime and music in the lobby. We missed storytime but we did see the animals give a concert.

We ate supper the first night at Cracker Barrel and enjoyed hanging out afterward, relaxing on the front porch.

The weather wasn't great for the zoo (rainy and a temp. in the 50s) but on the positive side, it wasn't blazing hot or busy! I didn't get many pictures at the zoo (the girls took a lot of pictures on their ipods) but I did remember to snap this one on our way out.

Spring Happenings...

We are winding down; seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. So many things are coming to an end (for a short time) and for that, I am very thankful! This mama needs a break. So what have we been doing lately? Well, in March we took the 2 older ones to Winter Jam concert in Raleigh. We met up with our good friends, the Cowell's. We had to wait in line for a while but the kids had fun playing games and just being together. So thankful for this family's friendship!

April has been a full month but a fun month! We had a fun night celebrating our 6th graders in Tide. They'll be moving up to youth group soon! I am sad to see them go; they have been a pleasure to serve. But I know they will be a blessing to our youth group. We played a couple of games where they got to get the leaders messy. They always enjoy that!

Bailey's recital was also this month. Our friend, Elizabeth sang with her on one of her songs. They did a great job! So proud of how far Bailey has come but more proud that she is using her gift to glorify God.

We have an amazing group of family and friends who love and support us! So thankful! After the recital, we celebrated with Zaxby's and Lewis Strawberry Farm for an ice cream dessert!

Co-op ends next week and we only have 3 weeks of school left! We are all so ready for summer, and that means the pool, the beach, and sleeping late!

2016 So Far...

So I guess I'm a little behind on blogging. Life is keeping me on the go lately! Miller is taking drivers ed , Madelyn is taking swim at the YWCA, and of course we are still involved in co-op and Community Bible Study. We have had a few exciting opportunities in the past couple months though. Miller swam in the North Carolina Home Educators swim meet with some other homeschoolers in February. The team was put together quickly and they only had a month to practice together but it was a fun experience for him. I'm pretty sure they are planning to do it again next year. We drove to Kernersville, NC for the state-wide meet.

The girls and I went to Moore's Creek National Park a few weeks ago for the 240th anniversary of the Battle at Moore's Creek Bridge. We are studying the Revolutionary War in history this semester so it was a perfect field trip! Miller was camping with the scouts so he didn't get to go with us. Bailey voted for George Washington (as opposed to King George III), and both girls made a colonial doll.

We've had fun in science lab too. The girls are studying the senses in anatomy right now so their lab this week was all about the senses.

Christmas Day Family Pictures

Every Christmas we take a family picture. I love to see how we've changed (more specifically, how the kids have changed/grown) over the years. I'm so thankful for our family and for the time we get to spend together. Look how tall Miller is!

The Edwards/Pope family

The Pope/Poland family

And I just wanted to add this picture because I love to see Bailey and my dad playing guitar together.