Ummm....Hi, Hello?

We're back...or slowly trying to get there.
This year...I can't even find descriptive words to convey all that we have been through but....we are here.
We are breathing, we are loving and most of all...here.
This is an entirely new journey for all us and although sometimes frightening it is incredibly exciting.
For now...thank you to our dear family and friends for your love and support.
And God??? We are praying...hard and being absolutely vulnerable for your will and instruction.
More posts and pictures to come. We love you so very much!

Worst Blogger Ever

Yes, that's me!!! I'm hoping that as everything calms down after Giselle's gorgeous wedding, I will be able to blog a bit more about our lives and gets pics up of the kids (for Grammy, Ma and Connie). See you soon!!!

P.S. School is going great for everyone in this house. Alec and Sophie are excited about all of the projects that we have been working on and I am planning on taking my NARM exam to become a Licensed Midwife August 18, 2010. I am beyond excited!!!

Back to School

We began our first official week of homeschooling last week. We found a few different ideas for curriculum and we are on fire to learn. We are trying several different approaches with Alec this year. After more research and testing we realize that Alec is very much a visual and kinesthetic learner. This year, the majority of his subjects will include hands on projects and something new that we learned about, Lap Books. He gets to cut out things, glue papers and draw, draw, draw. He is thrilled. So after one week of school he came to me tonight and asked what time we were starting school tomorrow because he couldn't wait to work on Science. I am beyond excited and my heart is overjoyed that he has this desire to learn. He can tell you all about the Skeletal and Muscular Systems of the body :)
Sophie is having fun with her curriculum as well. We have started a daily reading lesson and she is now using a "Five in a Row" program. We have even found a few Lap Books that she is interested in. Of course her first choice is...Butterflies! She is learning everything that she can about these beautiful insects and has grown quite fond of her scissors, glue and markers. This should be one incredibly decorated lap book. I'll be sure to post pictures.
I feel so good about the choices that we have made with our children this year. This is something that I pray about constantly and I have to consciously open my heart to God's instruction. I know that this is where He wants our family to be and although some days can seem overwhelming and frustrating, He gets us through them and on to the next day. I am excited to see this desire and spark in my children and their creativity simply amazes me.

Happy Father's Day

Dad, I love you and thank you for being simply amazing. Happy Father's Day.

Be careful what your pray for

As a student midwife I am able to have my own clients. It works quite well because my precepting midwife oversees and participates directly in all of their care but I am the primary health care provider and I catch the baby, speak directly with the client and schedule all prenatal appointments, etc. It may sound a bit complicated but it is a great way for me to get in specific clinical experience and also offer the client competent midwifery care at a discounted rate.
When I discovered that I felt ready to begin taking my own clients I began to fret just a bit. Jay and I had several conversations regarding where I would "find" these clients. So, we prayed and prayed and prayed. I wanted to be sure that God would place the "right" clients in my path. I wanted women that truly felt prepared and empowered to have their babies in their homes. These first few ladies had to be special ladies. Within a few weeks, the phone began ringing and I now have five clients of my own! At this point if anyone else calls I will have to direct them to another student midwife. I'm busy, busier than I ever expected to be and I am so thankful for these amazing women.

A little madness

Today Sophie volunteered to organize the cabinets under the bathroom sink. She told me that they looked so messy and she had to fix it. For the the next 20 minutes she proceeded to remove all contents from the cabinets, spray and wipe down the shelves and place everything back in their own strategic place.

I'm scared...very, very scared.

Also...we gave Miles his first "bubble" bath today and he flipped his lid. I mean really...he was scared to death. He was petrified of the bubbles and hopped from one foot to the other, trying to get away from them. Sadly, it may have been one of the funniest things I have every seen.
I have never seen a child this concerned over bubbles in a bath.

And Alec...we won't even start.

And so ends the story of the "special" Frates children today.

Ahh, thanks Ma!

Today my wonderful mother offered to drive my children to her house so that I could get a "long" run in. My plan was to run from my house to her house, about 4.5 miles...not too bad. I made this plan at 9:30 am before going outside to feel how incredibly hot it was. Ugh...
Alec wanted to ride his bike with me and help carry water. He loves our little adventures. We had a great plan!
My mom insisted on following me in the car as she was worried that someone was going to hit me on the narrow streets. It was sweet.
Needless to say, I made it about 3 miles before I thought I was going to pass out. It was way too hot and the sun was a bit intense. Thank goodness for my concerned mama following me. I gave up on my run, jumped in the car and enjoyed the air conditioning the rest of the ride home.
No more day time running on hot days. I guess I will have to force myself to wake up early if I want to keep this running thing going. Eek, it's going to be a long summer.