Emmeline, our Victorian Lady, is 14

 

Emmeline was born an old soul, born in the wrong era, but how glad she is here now in our life.  Emmie is fourteen years old now and has had a wonderful year with lots of reading (no surprise there).  She discovered the works of Charlotte Brönte, Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Goudge.  She fell in love with the Victorian era, with the history of food, clothing, hair, styles and culture.  We love these things about her. She is a thinker, who values lost things and cultivates her own crafts and loves based on these discoveries.  This year she has become such a gifted embroiderer. She also excels at cello and piano, has a language love like her Papa and love of out doors.  She likes spicy foods sometimes and loves to cook.  She is beautiful inside and out and feels like another adult in our home.  She is a favorite to Levi who requests Emmie piggy backs, craft time and stories.  But she is also still the chicken whisperer.  How she catches our wild rooster, Theodore Lawrence, I will never know.  Perhaps one of the things we love most about our Emmie B is her tender heart.  She cares for those in need, has walked through difficult seasons of life and gives of herself with a joyful heart.  Happy Birthday dear girl. We love you so. 

Another year of adventures

We have begun another year of learning together, one of adventures and discoveries and growing.  It's hard to believe we have a 9th, 7th 2nd and pre-preschooler.  As we started off we tried to capture the last bit of garden and field beauty around us. We also made 51 quarts of cortland applesauce.  We took a trip to Hawk Falls for a quick hiking trip and another trip to the creek. We also added two little kittens to our family. They are named Jack and Warnie after C.S. Lewis and his brother and join the ranks of ginger cats. Wendell is glad for some playmates.  Soon after that Adam was in a bad car accidents and our life has felt like a rotating list of therapy appointments. We praise God that is He will be ok.  

This year's lineup of school subjects includes Geology, Marine Biology, French, German, Latin, Plutarch, Algebra 1, American History, Medieval History, Shakespeare, another play, Creative Writing, Language Arts, Nature Studies, Time Line Studies, Pilgrim's Progress, Poetry, Music, Art, Bal a Vis, Geography and some Historic Dinners.  May God bless our year together.  Our School is called Coram Deo Academy and every year we remember what it means: living in the presence of God, under his authority and for His glory. 

 

Garden beauty

 

Summer Recap Part 5

It'd be easy to become engulfed in the sadness of the world;  of broken hearts and  angry people who act wrongly and of questions and hurt multiplied.  We do cry out often to God "why do the wicked prosper" for it is not wrong to wonder and question and to long for a world without the brokenness.  But the beauty and goodness is there if you dig for it. It's all around, gifted to us by a loving God who cares for the small things and the big things, from a maker who designed us for truth and beauty and goodness.  The joy is there because it is from the light-maker. And it is in Himself that we can find peace and hope.