Joy in Serving

Matthew fell asleep in the ice cream jeep, he had walked with me and covered a lot of ground for a little guy.

Christiana helping sign up kids for VBS

Josiah and Kaitlyn handing out ice cream

Our church VBS ice cream trailer

I'm always looking for opportunities for my children to learn to serve. I want them to be so use to serving others that it is a natural part of who they are and what they do. Our church is signing up kids for our Gigantic Vacation Bible School. We take free ice cream into neighborhoods that we send buses to during the week of VBS and sign up the kids there who are planning to attend. It has been so much fun to be out there meeting kids and signing them up. My younger children ride in the back of the ice cream trailer and help to hand out ice cream to all the kids that come to them while others of us go around signing up kids.

We went for the first time on Saturday and my children loved it so much they were actually asking me to take them again. It blessed my heart that they had fun and were willing to do something that can be difficult to get adults to do. I'm so proud of my children and pray that they will come to love serving in any way that is needed. In the meantime we will be going to help with VBS sign up as much as we can until VBS starts.

What ways can you find to serve and to teach your children to serve with a willing heart?

Thirsty - Not Me Monday

Not Me – Being brutally honest and living to tell about it.

Yesterday, after being out in the sun for four hours helping sign up kids for our Gigantic VBS, we were all quite tired, thirsty and glad to be home. Once we were home everyone got their fill of water and re-hydrated themselves. I did Not assume that since Joshua had been carried on my back in the Ergo that he didn't need much water. And while fixing supper that night I did Not look over and see this...

I definitely did Not grab the camera first instead of removing my son from drinking water from the dog's bowl, I am much more responsible than that. I also would Not even think of posting it in my blog, that would be way too embarrassing. No Not me :)

Our Trip to Fort Sanders

Our group from church minus adults and my little guy

Abraham Lincoln reciting The Gettysburg Address

Confederate soldier showing us his pack

Southern Lady

Union soldier explaining the fort

Yesterday I took our kids to Fort Sanders for a field trip. It was in an open field with a recreated version of the fort. It was a very warm day, but not unbearable. We got the opportunity to listen to a confederate soldier and to approach the fort as they did when the original battle took place. He explained, as we approached, at what point we began taking hits from cannons, then a little closer and we would have had to climb over sharpened twigs and branches then at what point they would have begun tripping over wires and taking fire from the union guns. As we approached the fort we were told that the confederates thought the ditch in front was only three feet deep, only to find out once they got there it was about 6-8 ft. deep. Once they entered the ditch they either had to make an impossible climb up the wall or on up the other side which was about 21-27 ft. high with the union army at the top. It was basically suicide for the confederates. An amazing sight to see in person and to walk through.

We also listened to the union commander and soldiers talk about their part in the battle, and some interesting facts about what they had to eat and how they set up camp as they moved about and so forth. We met a southern lady and she explained the clothing she wore and all the layers and why and showed us a few games from that time period. We listened to another soldier as he told us about ammunition and guns of the time. Then at the end we were led back to the fort where we watched a cannon blast listened to Abraham Lincoln recite the Gettysburg Address. Afterwards we had a picnic lunch then headed home.

It was a great day. I was amazed, later at home as I questioned the kids on what they remembered and what was their favorite part, as to how much they learned and remembered about our trip. Even the little guys remembered quite a bit. I learned a lot too. It was an interesting day for everyone.

If you are interested in learning more about Fort Sanders you can visit their website at www.battleoffortsanders.com. They will be doing a battle reenactment in October of this year, I'm planning to try to go.

I took the kids to the Lenoir City Museum Tuesday as a field trip to help prepare them for todays field trip to Fort Sanders. I found out that before the army headed over to Fort Sanders they had spent some time in Lenoir City and thought it was interesting enough to check it out. The older kids seemed more interested than the younger ones but as you can see from the pic above of Matthew with his book he did find something interesting.

I love taking the kids out to real places that history happened. It just brings it all to life for them. Which is one of the reasons I love homeschooling so much, we can take as many field trips as we want.

So we are excited about Fort Sanders today and I think I'm just as excited as the kids, if not more :)

Helping With Dinner - Wordless

Wordless Wednesday

For more Wordless Wednesday posts head over tohttp://www.5minutesformom.com/

Making Time

One of the questions I've been asked when people find out I have seven children is "How do you find time to spend with each of them individually?" Well, I make time in my day. For instance, I spend 30 minutes of one on one time with each child during school hours. Each day I walk for exercise for 30 minutes. Each day a different child gets to go walking with me. I also try to find moments throughout my day to spend a little time with someone; cooking, folding laundry, a quick trip to the store etc.

I love each of my children dearly and love spending time with them individually. Even though we are all one family there are so many wonderful personalities that make up each of us. My children make me laugh and they are fun to be around.

I encourage you to make time in your day to spend with your children individually as well. It will be fun for you and them.

Day at the Zoo

Jim and the boys watching the rhinos

A snake we found on the path (not part of an exhibit)

Our kids feeding the camels

Jim showing the kids bamboo

Friday we went to visit the Knoxville Zoo for the first time since we moved here. It was so much fun. Jim had the day off from work so we all went together. I love the zoo and our kids love it as well. I am a little partial to the NC Zoo since I grew up near the zoo and even worked there one summer, but I just love zoos in general. We went ahead and got an annual pass so we will be able to go anytime we just feel like getting out of the house and doing something. The great thing about the pass is that when I go visit my family in NC we can visit the zoo there because our membership covers admission there as well.

We had a great time here at the Knoxville Zoo. The weather was perfect, there's plenty of shade, a great kids play area, petting zoo and more. Now that we've gone and the kids know we have a pass they are already begging me to take them back as soon as possible. I love that they enjoy going because they are learning and don't even realize it. I see future picnics there as well, since you can take food in to this park. I can't wait myself. I get as excited as the kids about going. We are looking forward to many more days at the zoo this year.

What are some places that you enjoy going and taking your kids?