Cousins Come to Visit!

Marty's cousin Debora and her husband David came for a brief visit today! They brought their son Josh who is just a year older than Malachy....and their daughter Lauren who we met for the first time today.

We had a tea time with pumpkin bread made from pumpkins from our last year's garden and then everyone explored this year's garden.

It was a lovely visit with lovely people.

This is one of our favorite perks living off of a main thoroughfare in our state ......... Visits from wonderful folks!!

You all are always welcome!

David is playing with my dogs and checking out an IPod with Garrett and Josh.

Blessings,

Chari

Blogging with Willa.....

This is how we are spending our evening.....


I sure am going to miss Willa when she leaves on Saturday!

Blessings,

Chari

The Mountain in September

I was thinking....... Yes, I do that occasionally. : )

So, I was thinking that perhaps it would be fun to keep a photo journal of the different faces of this big beautiful mountain that so frequently crosses my view. Hope you enjoy the views!

Blessings,

Chari

Must Be a Great Read

Love it! Willa caught our teen boys reading this afternoon. One a real book and one on a Kindle......but the same title: The Count of Monte Cristo. Ah, living a literature-based life.....

Candlelight at Dinner

Even boys need a little candlelight and classical music for dinner. :)


My two youngest boys and Willa's three youngest boys enjoy some of that lovely atmosphere Charlotte Mason talks about........

Sister & Brother

We took a little walk around Hearts' Haven tonight after dinner with our guests. I turned around and saw this beautiful sight......

Blessings,

Chari

Haven Heartbeats

     I am so loving this late summer weather!!! We deserve it so much! Besides just keeping warm and having more enjoyable outdoor time.......we get to delay the first frost .......which means: more produce from the garden!!! We deserve that, too!

And............................It is so lovely to have a warm soccer season!!

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     I went to bed early one night last week, after a long day at work and another expected on the morrow and my little fella, 9yo Malachy, came in to see me and said, "I have a hug for you." After mauling me with the hug, he went into the bathroom to brush his teeth for bed. Afterward, he awakened me with these energetic words "I just have to give you one more hug because I love you soooo much." It was so sweet. I hope these moments last a lot longer! Having the three youngest with TOUCH as their primary love language means I have lots of extended cuddling time.   :)

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Great quote from a video biographyof Theodore Roosvelt:
"Take care of your morals first, your health next and then your studies." ~~~Theodore Roosevelt's father to his son when Teddy went away to college

We looove this documentary!  It is our second time to view it.  It is from Netflix and is part of the  "American Experience" video series. 

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     My 14 year old son saw a chiropractor yesterday, one new to us. He asked Garrett if he had any siblings. Garrett chuckles and says, "Yeah." The doctor asks what he has…….the reply: three sisters and two brothers. Of course the doctor was easily impressed…….since he is not familiar with the fact that six children is not actually a large family.  :) 

      Then he asked Garrett which sibling who he was closest to…….after a moment’s pause for pondering…….Garrett replied: “All of them.”  Nice answer.

      That got me pondering……..and when I look at all six of my kids to see who is closest to whom….I cannot find any pairs that necessarily favor each other. They all seem to enjoy each other’s company pretty equally…..though they do take the opportunity for seeking out one sibling over another for various reasons.

     I am glad to reflect on this and see that they truly have become each others’ best friends. Quite gratifying. And, I note, that other than providing ample time together through homeschooling and creating numerous memories, I have had very little to do with this outcome.

     Please pray that these treatments will help heal my boy's pain.....so he can feel comfortable on the sports fields!


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     Speaking of this chiropractor.......when he was done with Garrett, he generously threw in an adjustment of almost every one of my joints, gratis!  I have not been to my chirporpactor in years.......and this last month the need was most definitely showing. It is such a relief to have my lymphatic system moving well again!  I was so tight.....e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.  This was such a blessing!  So unexpected.  He says to bring Garrett back in a week and he will give me one more adjustment as well.  Yay!

     I feel so much relief now.....physically, mentally and emotionally.  Phew.  Deo gratias for generous chiropractors.

     I have a niece who feels she has a calling to become a chiropractor.......she already promised that she would give me treaments!  I only have to wait another 10 years.  :)
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     We have company for dinner, a meadow nature walk and a movie night.  The Music Man is the movie of choice.  I need to go get the dinner going now so the rest of the day goes easier!
   
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Blessings till the next time I ramble…….



With love,



Chari

Pears

Our pears are looking simply luscious this year. I am sure this extended summer weather is a huge factor.

Our apples await a good freeze to receive their yumminess. Praying for a long delay in that process.

Blessings this week, as fall arrives,

Chari

A September Sky over Oahu

My sister lives in Oahu. When she and her daughter came out if the store recently, this was their view.


Isn't it simply amazing!!! Awe.

(I have decided to upload most of my phone photos to my blog so I can have them in a permanent place as well as to remember the inspiration for taking the photo in the first place. I am trying to take advantage of all the perks of having this new iPhone. :). )

Blessings on this beautiful day!! Just a couple of days in the season of summer left! I am looking forward to beginning the fall season on a special way. I will explain later!!

Love, Chari

Haven Heartbeats

A ten-day forecast of sunshine??? And the days are warm??? Heaven on earth! I am sooooo not going to complain. Winter will be here soon enough!

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The husband is gone for the week. He is spending a few days with Matthew at Thomas Aquinas College, as Matthew settles in for his sophomore year. Then, the husband will spend a few days quietly enjoying the coast. He could really use some quiet time. I have to figure out how I am going to spend this time while he is gone. I just happened to have only two half days at work this week…..till a full day next Saturday……so, I need to make some decluttering plans.


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I want to be a co-op teacher for homeschoolers……I almost ache with all of the possibilities. I think I could be a natural. Oh, so many possibilities........

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Got this quote from my friend Gloria L. on Facebook. Mark Twain is a frequent companion of mine……so, I thought I would store this quote here:

"If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you're misinformed." - Mark Twain



I often wonder if would have “loved” Mark Twain if I knew him in person, as the person I am today……but, I know I love to read his writings now.
                                                                  SO.MUCH.WIT.

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As of a week ago, we have maxed out on our cell phone plan. Doesn’t AT&T realize that some families are bigger than five??? My 16yo daughter made note that not too long in the future, our family will require 8 cell phones…..and of course, 8 computers…….and eventually 8 cars. Our drive-way already fills up with the cars we have now!

(Yes, I do realize they will not all be living here at that point….but, I hope they will visit at the same time, often enough. Should make for an interesting future…..)

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I have been writing letters again. I am loving it! I hope a few of these recipients will write back to me so I can actually have a mail exchange. It has been a long time.

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Flylady. Do you remember her? I am sure she is still popular, but I do not hear her mentioned amongst homeschoolers like she was when she first started out. When I looked into her “system” for home and life organization over ten years ago, I found there was a lot I was already doing that was similar. Even so, I was able to learn a lot of new ideas and incorporate them into my life. We still do our “27 Fling.” :) Some of those routines I let go of……and I think I want to reincorporate that back into my life. A couple of my kids are asking for a recall of our routines. I am re-reading her book “Sink Reflections” just for new inspiration. There are so many editorial errors….I am trying to just let that go by…..


One of Flylady’s recommendations is to “Dress to the shoes” each day. Needing energy to get things done…….I started doing that again….wearing shoes instead of going around with my usual barefoot self. Once again, I am amazed at the amount of energy I can put out simply because I have shoes on. I need to remember that tomorrow….because the last three days have been a bit of a bust…..a barefoot bust.
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 I really miss Hawaii.  I really miss my sister.  I really miss my sister's car. 

Not necessarily in that order. 

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Got to plan school;  got to plan school;  got to plan school........

Got to remember that I have got to plan school.

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This new iPhone is a huge distraction.........I am sure life previous to it was much more simpler.

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I fell today at work.  There was an uneveneness between sidewalk sections.  My shoe stopped and I was slammed to the ground. Somehow, I only scraped and bruised my palms.  My knees were barely scraped.  I had such a flashback to that last fall on my skateboard when I was 14 years old.  Now that was a nasty fall!  I think I will be okay.....it was really embarrassing.  Not sure if anyone saw it happen besides God.  :)

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Blessings!

Love,

Chari



Haven Heartbeats

Another motive for posting my Facebook thoughts on my blog is because I annoy people enough with my posts :) …and so I can be less of a burden to others in their Facebook perusing.

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I was sweeping last night and I was reminded of something quite amusing: When Sarah was about 7 years old, we were all impressed by what a capable sweeper she was…..and so quick, too! And then the day came, when we needed to pull the refrigerator out to access the outlet behind it, and found months worth of swept items under the fridge. What a hilarious find! And, quite disgusting as well! Blech.

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This summer, I have found a way to avoid making dinner very frequently. J I am teasing. Sorta. But, I have been trying to free up some time by delegating our dinners…..especially since we needed to feed at least nine people every night. (why-oh-why does dinner have to come back around every.single.night?) So, a couple of mornings a week, I assign a pair of kids, or one, to be responsible for the dinner meal. They have come up with quite fabulous meals! They are such good cooks! They get it from their father, for sure. They even invent their own recipes.

 

I really appreciate that they don’t even complain when I ask. And last week, the 14yo boy saw my homemade pizza dough thawing and even offered to make our pizza for dinner. I did not even to ask for help that night, it was offered. I really appreciated that. The pizza was delicious.






And, if I can talk Marty into a night a week, at least, I get even more nights off. :) I always tell Marty to make enough for two nights….so the next night when it is my turn, the main dish is already prepared. I have so got this figured out. :) Shhhhhh…..don’t tell.

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Being the youngest in the family by 4+ years means that sometimes you have to entertain yourself as you are growing up. Sometimes the older kids are too busy or not even present. Malachy learned at a very early age, to play games by himself. He plays Monopoly, cards, and so much more.






So, this morning when 9yo Malachy asked for something to do, I remembered how busy our day was going to be…and suggested he play RISK by himself. I knew it could take all day.  He had not done this in a while and jumped at the opportunity, setting up his board game “just right.” I had to force him to break and have breakfast.






In the end, one of his siblings came over to check it out and they played for a few hours. And, nicely at that!



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I love that when I walk through my property in summer it causes hundreds of grasshoppers to jump out of the way. I even saw it happen when the dogs were strolling across, too.

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OH! We have a very large covey of quail in our front yard…just wee chicks! Adorable!!

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It is soooooo beautiful where I live. When I hang my laundry on the clothesline, I can look west at beautiful Mt. Eddy and its range or I can look east at Mt. Shasta. What a blessing….that I DO NOT take for granted!!!

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Our friend, who is a priest, will be here to stay the night as he relocates to his new parish.  More blessings!  We are having a nice barbeque tonight as Matthew's going-back-to-school dinner.



Haven Heartbeats-Facebook Style

What is the theme for your weekend?

2 minutes ago ·


Comments:

Chari Goldman Bryan: We will continue to have beautiful weather.......I am going to "gut" our storage shed and re-organize and declutter.......I already have it "gutted"...........now, to start the real work. Tomorrow, my family is going on a 10 mile hike.......I am choosing to stay home and continue to declutter that shed....or move myself back to the schoolroom for continued revamping there......maybe this will help me to get going on the school planning.

2 seconds ago

...and the comments:

Donna S Mathwig: School planning...oh yes, thank you for reminding me!


Helen Grice Russo: Cleaning & gardening....

Sherri Degraffenreid We just returned from school shopping in Reno and dr. apts. in Sac. so time to sleep in and unpack and clean today so that Sunday I can go to church and relax after with the kiddos.


Gloria Loyd: Photography! (see recent post:)

Jennifer Goldman Kittrell: Hair & rest.

Therese M Mueller: Canning :) Cleaning. Laundry. School schedules. Enjoying the lovely weather!

MacBeth Derham: Packing and driving.

Chari Goldman Bryan: Macbeth, do you leave today? You should post a note each night/day saying where you are....then we can drive across the country with you. Now that my kids know where 40 is...they are jealous that you get to drive in a part of the country they have yet to see. :) Prayers for your safety!

Chari Goldman Bryan: Thanks for sharing, friends! I can now visualize all of you while I work. :) I am in for a brief moment. It is going well! I think I will take my XM radio out there and a cup of Christmas Morning Tea. See ya later!

Mary Gildersleeve: Mass ... work (11-5) ... getting ready for 2nd night of Oklahoma ... now home, sipping a glass of wine and looking at FB for the FIRST TIME all day (and it's actually tomorrow!)

Vanessa Bryan: Working... Overtime $$$ :-) I'm in your boat ;-)

Laureen White: Company & wedding shower

Haven Heartbeats

I love Facebook…but I want some of my thoughts permanent……especially the family memories…..….and I want to blog more than I want to Facebook……

Since I met Facebook, I have rarely used my blog……..and I am not satisfied with that. So, I am going to try to put my Facebook thoughts on the blog sometimes instead of Facebook. (as if anyone cares  :)  )


I also have to let go of my tendency to always think the blog post must be long……..or more than random thoughts and ideas.  And, I will try to give up thinking I must always include links......just because I can.
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I kind of feel like my summer is just getting started. What with cool weather, baseball and preparing and going to Hawaii…..I feel like I missed the beginning of our summer. Then, we were home for only a couple of weeks…I worked more than usual……and we were quite busy….and then we took a trip to San Diego for Aunt Beth’s wedding to Uncle Tim……and then getting Sarah off to Austria…..I feel like only now can I breathe….and begin to face all of the organization needed in my life.
I just wish I could get enough sleep to support my endeavors. I will begin a very busy work schedule shortly…and then time will be tight again. So much to declutter and reorganize……sigh.

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Two summers ago, we sent our two oldest baby birds into the world…….one literally INTO the world.


This summer, we send three out into the world….the same two, plus the third oldest. We sent her literally INTO the world: a year in Austria.

Sarah left on Monday this week. Matthew returns to Thomas Aquinas College as a sophomore on August 20th. Marty will take him back to school. It is an 11 hour drive from our Hearts’ Haven.



Lucky us…….Anne will not return to Southern Oregon University for her final year until the end of September. This is the MAIN reason I have come to love the quarter system, finally.  We are all so excited to have over a month of quiet (ha!) life with her. She and Maddelyn are going to love this time together. And, Anne says she wil help me with meals so I can get some decluttering done.

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Hanging over my head is the school planning for 2011-2012. I mostly know what I need to do…I just wanted to have so much organization completed before I start into the final planning………sigh.

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Prayer requests that come to mind:
For my mom who is suffering from a nasty chronic disease.
For my daughter who must file a lawsuit against the company who caused her car accident almost two years ago…….come on, people…….just admit blame and let’s all move on!!!

For all of the folks I know who need St. Joseph’s help…….including our own private intentions.



For a friend and her husband who just recently began doing foster care.

 For my co-workers, especially one in particular. Things are pretty overwhelming right now at work. Pray for me, too…for when I have to be there. I am praying for a new situation.

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Just re-watched/listen to The Phantom of the Opera movie while I cleaned my room and bathroom. What an amazing piece of art! If you have never seen it, do! The summer of 2005 (?) was our summer of Phantom. We fell in love with the movie then......and the music.






We saw the musical on Broadway in summer of 2007. While it was good, I DO prefer this movie over the play. It is so well-done. I think it is one of the best musical-to-movie ever done. I hope the Les Miserables movie will be just as high quality. I hope!!! Cannot wait to see it!

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Blessings,

Chari



Malachy's 2011 piano recital

Thought Malachy's grandparents, godparents, aunts, uncles and cousins might enjoy his recital from earlier today. His piano teacher said he was flawless....she did not hear any mistakes.  Neither did I.  I will try to record Garrett tomorrow and the girls on Thursday.










Blessings, Chari

Happy SWEET Sixteen to Our Wee Lass!!!

Maddelyn Claire was born on 5-5-95.

She was born at home, at Our Hearts' Haven.  In fact, she was born in the room she now occupies.  My labor with her was my favorite.  I wish I had time to write the story....maybe I will tell it to her for her birthday. 

She was named for her grandmother, Marty's mother, Marilyn Claire.

There are so many things that I love about Maddelyn......the thing I love the most is that she will always get to be our little girl....and so easy to hug and hold. 

Not sure how the years have passed so quickly that our youngest girl is so old........

I have a few pictures to share....and while they were upright when I uploaded them.....I cannot get them to cooperate.  Ah, blogger........

So, if you could please enjoy, with just a turn of your head.......  :)

This is one of our favorite photo stories...and it is SO Maddelyn!

Picture One:




 

Picture Two:

Picture Three:

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Maddelyn broke her leg when she was 5 years old...uh, I mean...someone broke her leg.  Here she is with her best friend since birth:  Talullah.

Not sure how old she is here......but she sure is sweet!

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This is Maddelyn this year........the year she reaches 16 years of age. 

She is shown here with her other best friend, Catherine,

at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco.

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Happy & Blessed Birthday,

dear Maddelyn,

little girl of our hearts!

We love you!!!

Your family.........of Hearts' Haven

My Wee Little League-er Makes his Pitching Debut!

Malachy (9 years) was the first pitcher in the first game of the 2011 season.   He threw well!  He looked so small down there on the mound. It was a delight to watch this little man who has been throwing the ball accurately since he the first he held a ball as a baby.  His father has been working with him for a couple of years.......and now, we see the fruits.  Good thing his biggest brother Matthew created a pitching mound on our property way back when.  We need it!

In the first inning, he struck out three batters.  In the second inning, he struck out one batter, walked one, and his team made a double-play of a weak pop-fly.  He did not give up one hit.  They lost that game in a shut-out, but they had fun.

They have since lost two other games.  Malachy pitched well in one of those. He did get a chance to score the team's first run of the season, when he stole home.

Though I missed the game today because I went to a homeschool mom meeting, I hear that they won their first game.  Malachy said he had three hits and scored two runs.

So far, he has been able to make contact with the ball most every time he has been up at bat.  Looking forward to the rest of his season! 

Oh!  And one more thing:  one of Malachy's dearest wishes has come true...his dad is volunteering as an assistant coach!  With Garrett also working as a volunteer to assist Malachy's team.......the three boys are spending a lot of time at the ball field together. 

Enjoy this photo essay of Malachy's first experience on the mound......

...if you scroll the pictures fast, you can actualy "see" him throw.  :)

There were more pics.....but I cannot convince blogger to load them for me.....grrrrr.

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Did you know Malachy has an uncle who used to coach Babe Ruth and the local high school team here?  Well, all of those kids have grown and now have children the same age as Malachy and those grown boys are doing the coaching now.  They are doing a wonderful job....and I have heard them say they have definitely been influenced in their coaching style by Uncle David.  They do not put up with goofy kids and actually teach baseball.  Lovin' it!

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Malachy also has two cousins who have pitched professionally.......they are actually second cousins, of some sort.......and they both still play.  The two are first cousins, but about 20 years apart in age.  Keepin' an eye on their careers.  The older of the two won 2 games in a College World Series, including the final game of the series.  The younger one has just started his career.......

Baseball & spring blessings to all of you!

Love, Chari

Thankfulness Times Ten…….



Here are the guidelines I have for this thankfulness theme……

Just find ten things I am thankful for, in the moment. I have no rules...I may go over ten, if I cannot help myself......I may repeat myself.....and, I will write in no particular order of importance. If you feel inspired to do the same....do link yourself here in the comment section.

I am thankful for........

1. A husband who works so very hard for his family……. (I pray daily for his job security and job satisfaction)….and one who keeps asking once a week if he can make dinner for us (Uh….heck, yeah!). He is a natural in the kitchen and such an excellent example to his boys…all three of whom enjoy working in the kitchen preparing a meal. I am also grateful for his attention to the boys and their sports. St. Joseph, pray for us!

2. The chance my high schoolers have to receive a scholarship from the McConnell Foundation to attend the Yosemite Institute for a week in April. Matthew attended. Then Sarah attended. Maddelyn is there now. How exciting and wonderful to live in Yosemite for a week when you are young. I am not jealous. Not.

This is Sarah during her visit in 2010.

3. Wonderful friends and family to stay with when we travel up and down California. There are more than these listed, of course……but this is where we stayed on the latest trip…. We have our second home in San Francisco with the G-Family….and we love and adore their extended family as well. My Great-uncle Howard and my cousin Lynn (my namesake) live near the ocean and were so hospitable: making a birthday party for Garrett's 14^th birthday, taking us to the beach….and putting up with us! J With one evening's short notice (due to a big snowstorm that moved into my original travel plans), my brother-in-law Christopher and his wife Dana put the little boys and I up for a few days in their home in San Diego. It was such a nice visit. And quiet, for once…..not having to run all over the place to see the sights. The boys loved a chance to swim in the pool.

To the left of the pole we have

my Garrett, 14, my Malachy, 9, my Sarah, 18, my Anne, 22 & Charlotte, 5.

To the right of the pole, we have Clairemarie, 10, my Maddelyn, 15,

Clementine, 8, my adorable godson, Benedict, 2.5 and their beautiful mommy, Gloria G.

We spent a couple of wonderful hours at the Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park.

A little pizza party for Garrett's 14^th birthday in downtown San Luis Obispo

with my Great-uncle Howard and his daughters, my second-cousins, Lynn and Claudia.

It was a wonderful night! Thanks for the treat, Unc!!

In San Diego at the grand opening of a piece of freeway in Santee.

Niece Julia, her friend, my Garrett, nephew Benjamin and my Malachy.

4. Living in a very long and gorgeous state that borders the ocean. California is something to see in the springtime!!!



5. The generosity of our friend Patty who has been tutoring my older kids in math for a couple of years now. They adore her method of teaching and all have blossomed under her tutelage. They LIKE math now! J



6. The generosity of our dear friends, Louise and Evan and their lovely and fun children, Miranda and Emileo. They fulfill that need of "family" that we all have when we live far from our own family.

7. The homeschooling lifestyle. I could rave on forever….but the fact that I get to spend so much time with my kids and that they have become each others' best friends is reason enough. Of course……the ability to travel whenever is a pretty awesome pro as well!


8. That my husband refurbished a computer for me so that I could move closer to rest of the world's abilities. It is nice to have some speed and space. I am not very fond of change…but I am being patient….and learning the updated programs…..one.step.at.a.time. Today I discovered how to write a blog post in Word…and publish it from there! This is so wonderful because blogger and I have a few relationship issues when it comes to writing drafts. Actually…..I have not done it yet…..still hoping it works!!


9. For the way Facebook allows frequent interaction with my relatives. Now, I do not miss them as much as I was without FB….we share more fun times and jokes…..and we can be there to celebrate or pray for each other. And most wonderful: we can watch each others' kids grow up via pictures and stories. Especially all of the sweet new cousins!


10. Our six wonderful and awesome kids. This picture will have to be worth the rest of the words…..

The first time all six kids were together since New Year's weekend.

Anne 22

Matthew 20

Sarah 18

Maddelyn 15

Garrett 14….in a few days from this photo

Malachy 9

Tell me about your blessings!

Love & prayers,

Chari

 

THE TRAGEDY OF ANTARCTICA

My wee fella, aged 9, and his "best friend", Clairemarie, newly 10.......are planning to "write" a book of tragedies.  Each tragedy is to be one page only.  Below you will find their first story.  They spent the most of two days WRITING this story instead of PLAYING.  Clairemarie did the typing and Malachy did much of the leading of the story, so I have heard.  I also was told that they had disagreements over the number of "shots" heard.......and that they finally compromised.  I want to get it out here, as is, because they are notice "errors" and are wanting to fix them.  I love it the way it is and I always want to remember it this way.

When you read this, I want you to read it as written, following where the punctuation, or lack of, leads.  :)   It is quote enjoyable that way!


In addition.....do notice the amazing plotline, the vocabulary, the sweet love of family.  I am really proud of these two little homeschooled kids, taking such an initiative at such a young age.  Please understand the violence is related to hearing stories of adventure, like Treasure Island, or what have you.  They imitate what they hear.

The next story will follow soon, written entirely by my little man.  In the meantime, I give you the first time in publication (without the authors' awareness)........

THE TRAGEDY OF ANTARCTICA

 

BY

MALACHY BRYAN & CLAIREMARIE GAZAVE

There once was a wealthy family who was blessed with three children. The first was Matthew the second was Kay and the third was Helena. The first was twelve the second eleven and the third was nine. One day the three children went on there daily horse ride by themselves as they always did. On there way home they heard gun shots then they heard screaming and voices crying out help!!! they rode back to the house to see if everything was alright but all they found was dead bodies and the ruins of there house then suddenly they felt a tight grasp on there necks some strange people had knocked them out . Next thing they new they were in a sell with two people staring at them one said I will get these three! the children did not know what he meant next they were taken to the strange peoples house they were richer then the three children used to be next they were locked up in a room with twenty other slaves then one of the people who bought them came in and said get to work! the children saw there chance and raised out of the room with five other slaves but just then the children heard gun shots they saw a slave fall to the ground but they did not stop running they could hear the gun shots getting louder and louder but they would not dare to look back finally they were out of the house then they spotted a little boat nearby they quickly jumped in just then they heard gun shots and one of the slaves dropped dead then they heard more gun shots and one of the slaves fell into the water dead .it was getting darker and darker as they floated out to sea it was almost midnight when one of them spotted a ship nearby finally they were right next to the ship when they heard a voice calling out do you children need help? Matthew answered yes we are completely lost can you tell us were the nearest island is? the man said why don’t you come aboard and I will tell you so the three children with the two slaves came out of the little boat and on to the ship then the man told them were the nearest island was he said that the ship was headed there too just then they heard lightning then thunder then the waves started to get taller and taller and then the man who was also the captain yelled there’s a storm then another person yelled look out captain a wave the captain was to late to dodge he was swept off his feet by a wave as the rest of the crew and the two slaves, the three children jumped off the ship before the wave hit they swam to a little ice burg the ice burg was only five by four feet ,they decided that they would have to live there since there was no way to get out of the strange place . one morning Matthew and Helena woke up to find there brothers dead body next to them Helena started to cry Matthew said we will have to find a way to live without Kay the next day Helena and Matthew went fishing sadly without Kay as Matthew was fishing he heard a scream it was Helena she had fallen into the water Matthew was to late to save her Helena had drown he had lost his two siblings which were the most important things to him. The next morning when Matthew was fishing the ice burg started to crack Matthew saw Kay who was frozen stuck to the ice burg sink down into the sea Matthew started to sink as well his last words were at least I will be with my brother and sister and that ends the TRAGEDY OF ANTARCTICA.



Blessings, my friends & relatives......

Love,
Chari

Happy 18th Birthday to Sarah L'il Beth!

Our beautiful daughter Sarah Elizabeth was received into our family on this day 18 years ago. 

From birth, she was such a uniquely, beautiful baby....all of the nurses ooh'd and ah'd over her...strangers always noted her beauty.

Named after a couple of ancient grandmothers on both sides of her maternal side and her Aunt Elizabeth, she always thought her name was

"Sarah Little Beth"

.......but of course, being little, it always came out lil Beth.

Congratulations, Sarah L'il Beth!

We love you!

And, we promise, we will let you maintain a part of your childhood for yours to come......we won't make you give it up yet!  ;)

This next year will be full of so many new experiences & adventures, just for you!

Have an amazing year!

AND..........

we must not forget to wish my niece a

VERY HAPPY 23rd BIRTHDAY

to Alexis!

We love you!

Have a beautiful day......and wear the one green, one purple stocking!

What a treat to have two cousins share the same birthday!

Love, Mama/Aunt Chari

PS:  As I write this, Maddelyn is fingering a lovely rendition of Happy Birthday on the piano.

Oh, and Alexis's dad and I share the same birthday, too!