Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Piano for Katie

When we returned from Guatemala a little over a year ago. The girls began a piano curriculum called "Music in Me". They had wanted to play a little for Katie while we were in Guatemala last February because she is a very talented piano player and they know that she really likes music. Unfortunately, we ran out of time for all of the things that we wanted to do. The girls have been working on a duet of "This is My Father's World" and we decided to try to videotape it so we could share it with Katie. Here it is:

Caleb has been learning the guitar but he wouldn't let me videotape him. Maybe I can sneak it sometime!! He is working on "I could sing of your love forever" - we have been singing it in both English and Spanish. It has been so much to see them enjoy learning and playing music.

On another note, we have been studying India and Mother Teresa for history. The poverty, hunger and hopelessness have been convicting us of how much we are blessed in this country. If you have been keeping up with what is happening in Guatemala, you know that the hunger is getting worse there. The rains usually begin again in May; however, the people need corn to get through the planting and harvesting. The price of corn has gone up from Q125 at the end of 2009 (about $15.50) for 100 pounds to Q160 (about $20) recently. In the areas hardest hit by the drought this price is unrealistic. As the supply of corn continues to decrease, the prices will only get higher. Here is a story published by the United Nations on the situation.

As a family, we are praying about what we can do to help the starving people of Guatemala. It is hard to know that we have more than enough when others are suffering. If you want to help, go to this link to Adonai's blog. It is a "chance to do something beautiful for God" - Mother Teresa.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Where has April gone??

It has been a while since we posted - April seems to have flown by. We are working hard at finishing our curriculum for the year (so we can start some new stuff - but don't tell the kids!!). We have started planting in our garden and working in the flower beds. It just seems like there is always something to do.

Our biggest event this month was the step into "teenagerland" with Caleb. He turned 13 on April 18th. Don and he went to a father/son weekend to mark this transition into a new season of his life. They had a great male bonding weekend. Here are a couple shots from the actual big day!

We met my family at Pizza Hut in a town that is halfway for both of us. Bethany is experimenting with the timer on her camera to get a group shot!


Also, the kids are participating in a homeschool soccer group on Saturdays. It is a great group and they always look forward to it. Here are Bethany and Hannah (with a few of their friends) walking back for snacks after their scrimmage.

Samuel is the goalie for his group of kids.

Caleb has somewhat transitioned into more of an assistant coach role this year. It is so awesome that we can take all four of them and everyone gets to participate.

Someone asked me today about team sports and homeschooling. Everyone always has this notion that kids can learn so much from participating in team sports. I have been thinking about this alot lately. I feel like the Lord has given us all teams in our families. Our kids love to play with other kids yet I think they learn more about being a team when they are home. They have group projects to do for school. They all have to participate in chores. The other day they worked outside pulling weeds and spreading mulch. They all have a job and yet they have to work together. Some speaker once said that if kids can learn to get along at home, they will be able to get along almost anywhere. I feel so blessed with the team that the Lord has given me!