Labor Day

Well yesterday was Labor Day and we spent it with family, meeting my newest cousin. Violette is a demure little cutie who already has her daddy wrapped. We drove down with my brother and his wife and all often household. It was a very nice trip. The men grilled hot dogs and bacon dogs which did NOT agree with me later (never again). My aunt and other cousins showed up a bit unexpected so that was also nice. Of course the visit wouldn't be complete without me leaving something behind; that something was the fully loaded diaper bag. Sigh.

Well my cub is almost a year old can you believe it? He is by far the fastest aging child I have had. We have been working on getting him out if my bed and into his crib. Since my DH was off for 5 days for the holiday it was perfect since I didn't have to worry about him not getting enough sleep for work. It has been a job but tonight when I put him in his crib it was only one whine then he turned and went right to sleep. He had a large stuffed dog (thanks to his brother) with my nightshirt on it since hubby insists (for my 'scent'). He seems to like it there so it stays!

My youngest sister is scheduled to go back to California in the morning and my oldest girl is simply distraught, to put it lightly. With the minor age difference they are more like sisters than aunt/niece. I think it will be good for all parties involved but quite frankly I will miss the 24 hour babysitter. :/

Well I may be a cameo in another play as my old character. The Crandles will debut an ep.3 soon so we may see Ms. Mabel cut up again. She is a nut.

Well with the fall approaching, sports season is upon us. My oldest son and baby girl want to join a team. I see my days are filling up again and although I do enjoy the busyness of this stage of my life I have to make sure I don't drown out whats important. I am grateful for friends that know what I'm talking about and have wisdom on the subject. I'm also, more importantly, grateful for a God who loves me so much that he will show me what to give my time to that will be best for our family. Do you have any tips on scheduling or planning meals or other household duties around team activities?

Oh yeah.

I almost forgot family updates! My cousin Anne had her baby girl! Violette (pronounced Violet) Wintergrace (not sure about that spelling yet). She is a beautiful addition to our growing family! My brother and his wife have confirmed they will be adding a little boy to our family in December. So our family will be growing by two more feet! Congrats to both sets of parents!

~Jerie B.

First week of Classical Conversations

I'm so sorry it's been a while since my last post. We have started school here and we are just getting back into the routine that it brings. This past Tuesday was our first week of Classical Conversations. We were so excited we all got up early. Everything was planned and set out the night before. We all went to our respective classes and met up 3 hours later at lunchtime. We were so excited! Everyone had news to share! We had a blast. After lunch we went to the Essentials class and Casey and Carson to the nursery. I think I have truly found my niche in that class! I really enjoy tutoring it! I have fitted great feedback from it which is awesome.

Our CC days are Tuesdays and we look forward to them. The kids were separated by ages which meat my oldest 2 were together and the baby girl was in a class without her siblings. She loved it. The kids did science projects, art lessons, and speaking presentations. If you don't know much about Classical Conversations and want to know you can visit their website www.classicalconversations.com you can request to visit a local campus if you would rather see for yourself. That was what sealed the deal for me. If you are already part of a CC campus feel free to follow me on Pinterest for ideas for class (& home). Be prepared to learn alongside your kiddos. I assure you there will be at least one thing learned that you didn't know before you started. Enjoy!

The school year is fast approaching

Well I have just returned from my second and final practicum to become a Classical Conversations tutor. This one was for the Foundations class. I am excited but a little overwhelmed. I know I can do all that is required of me, it's just a matter of sitting down to do it. Don't think I don't want to, that's not the case. It's my cub. He does not want me to. Perhaps I should say 'he doesn't care if I get to do it'.


This practicum was a real blessing to me. The speaker, Cheryl, certainly heard God in a lot of what she said. It really ministered to me. She gave great parenting and teaching tips. She even had me thinking of having more kids! Yes, I said it. Can you believe it?! Neither can I. It was fun. I met several ladies that I would've loved to have had the opportunity to get to know better in person but it was not meant for now I guess. Either way I truly enjoyed myself and had such a joy and peace when I left.

Of the classes I'm tutoring; the Essentials class is far more 'meaty'. I really enjoy learning that part of the program. The Foundations is more fun filled. The kids don't even realize they've been tricked into learning when they sing the songs. It's funny but I won't tell. They'll figure it out at just the right time. It is such a blessing to have stumbled upon this program. I really like what in seeing so far.

There are no real family updates. We are still expecting 3 new editions to the family this year. One gender is yet to be determined (the Q's). We suspect she may be carrying twins but we don't know yet. My cub is still a mommy's boy and doesn't let me out of his sight for long. I have to watch who I say that to because people frequently ask 'when are you going to wean him?'. As if the breast milk is whats doing it. I feel like our bond is this strong from bf'ing but I don't want to break our bond I just want to be able to finish this work uninterrupted. Then we can do what you want. Is that too much to ask? Well apparently it is. :)

Well as I study to show myself approved, I find myself enjoying this perhaps a little too much. We'll see how my tune is when I'm 6 weeks into tutoring! If you are interested Classical Conversations I strongly suggest you hop to their website Classicalconversations.com.

Happy Independence Day!

It's literally the eleventh hour and I'm just now getting to share this greeting. Does it feel odd to anyone besides me when a holiday like this is in the middle if the week? Among the many exciting things that the 4th brings, (read: fireworks) we have a fun family gathering in the works. Saturday, which is the day we chose to BBQ, we will have my aunt and cousins but more importantly my sister and brother-in-law are visiting from Calif!! Im so excited! She's such a woman now; it's awesome to see them again.

Understandably so fireworks were all that the kids thought about this week. They finally got the chance to pop them tonight. As usual it was a delight! It was the baby's first time so he was obviously a little apprehensive. Needless to say he stuck to me like glue. He didn't want anyone else which is not a far deviation from the norm. Between the three males there was over $200 in explosives. The kids were awestruck. Finally, fireworks!

I have immersed myself in my studies for my upcoming Classical Conversations class. I love it! Around this time next month we will be gearing up to have our orientation. Hopefully all will run smoothly until then. One more practicum (with my shadows Syd & the baby) and I will be done with training. Until then back to the books, with excitement and anticipation, I go!

Happy Independence Day!!

Just a quick pit stop to plug a site. If you coupon do not throw away your expired ones. Military families overseas can use them for 6mos past the expiration date. Got to Couponstotroops.com to donate.

Well it's been a while, hasn't it? I have actually been a little busy. I went to Baton Rouge for a practicum with Classical Conversations. Did I mention God has opened that door for us?! I will be tutoring two classes. I was very nervous but after the classes that is no longer the case. I'm excited now! I won't lie there is still some reserve nervousness but I think it's healthy.

I'm going to Lafayette next month for the practicum for the 2nd class. I will take Syd and The baby, my two shadows. We will have fun. I took V and Syd (& of course the baby) to BR and it was quite the task getting used to bring his ONLY caregiver while in conference. Picture, if you can, me trying to take notes while trying to keep an 8 month old crawling, vocal baby entertained. It was certainly a challenge. By Gods grace we made it though.

My big boy went off to camp this week and this is the first year he is alone! No Uncle or cousins like he's used to. I just want to be with him because he admitted he is sad but I know I can't. He'll be just fine. It's me I'm worried about. I did write to him per his request. He such a sweetie. Come on Friday!

Well the Fourth of July is next week. It's on a Thursday this year. It is unusually difficult to celebrate a holiday like that'll week. I don't know if I am supposed to wait till Saturday or just cook on Thursday. I don't mind it that way but we will have company this year and in sure they have to work Friday morning so I don't want to keep them too long. It will be fun.

This is a very lively stage if life. Babies all around, jobs taking us here and there, weddings etc... I can't help but wonder what the future me will miss most. I know ice said that before and I know I should be enjoying the moment but sometimes I can't help it. Speaking of jobs, I have not worked outside the home in a year!!! I have NEVER not worked that long! I am still adjusting but I know it will be an even bigger adjustment for me when I do go back... whenever that is. Part of me misses being in the workplace and conversing on topics other than who hit whom and why. Another part of me knows how long I've prayed for this and wishes that first part would shut up and sit down.

Well I'm excitedly looking forward to this new phase. I will attempt to keep you posted!