“Thank goodness I was never sent to school;
it would have rubbed off some of the originality.” -Beatrix Potter
I just found this quote, isn’t it awesome? Especially for home schooling families? It encourages me that yes my children are more likely to be their own very unique individual (and unashamed of it) as we learn together here at home. It is fun for me as a mom to watch and really know my children, which is something I probably couldn’t experience if they were away from me all day. Homeschooling, in my opinion, is very hard work and a lot (almost too much) to put on one person (I teach them their school work, not Rich, although obviously he does parent them which is another subject indeed). But, although it is hard there are some wonderful benefits. My children are secure in their own skins, in their likes and dislikes, their interests,……and it makes me smile.
Anyway, that was just a random thought triggered by the quote. I’m really online to post some pictures that my son Jacob took yesterday of the first heavy snowfall. Unfortunately for them, it did not stick and this morning there is nothing outside except a heavy, silvery frost. The topic of “snow” has been all the rage in this home and I love the excitement Jacob captured in these photos.
Oh my goodness, they are holding hands, is that so precious or what???
I love how Grace is just standing still, watching the snow, in this next picture:
This next one shows the snow coming down in such a lovely way:
And, speaking of Beatrix Potter, the famous children’s author who loved her animals, here is Grace with her very own bunny. Grace and I recently fell in LOVE with the movie Miss Potter. Ever since she watched it she’s been drawing animals and has an even greater appreciation for her rabbit.
I just love Grace’s eyes in this photo, and I wonder what bunn-bunn is thinking?
She’s absolutely adorable, if I do say so myself!
I didn’t mention yet that. . . . .I had the most miserable weekend. I was so exhausted that my moods swung at an alarming (scary) rate. Thankfully I have a patient (and somewhat oblivious) family and we somehow (by the grace of God) got through the weekend unscathed. My spirits are much better now that I was able to get some rest on Sunday (stayed home from every service).
I only mention that now, because my doctor’s appointment yesterday did so much to cheer me up. I recently had the glucose test, and an antibody screening, and those tests came back perfect. My doctor was so happy and told me that my iron levels were awesome—she usually has to put women on a supplement at this point but I don’t need it. Also, I didn’t gain any weight in the past 4 weeks! I got to hear the baby’s heartbeat and my doctor even did a quick ultrasound to check his positioning (he’s head down) and I got to see his face! I keep seeing it again, in my mind, and I almost want to cry I’m so excited. It was a wonderful appointment, she told me that I’m “so uncomplicated” (after all the moodiness this weekend, that phrase alone is giving me great mirth) that she doesn’t need to see me again for another 4 weeks unless I felt uncomfortable waiting that long (she usually sees women every 2 weeks at this point). Although I did have to have my Rhogam injection, that part did still make me happy because now I don’t have to think about that anymore either.
Well, it’s seven o’clock and my children are starting to get up so I better sign off for now. If you haven’t watched Miss Potter yet, do it! I bought the soundtract for my ipod, too. And, I recently read “The Tale of Jeremy Fisher” to David and laughed through the whole entire thing. All of her books are wonderful………..
Thanks for sticking with me this morning, through a variety of subjects! 
And, I just so glad you all enjoyed a laugh at my account yesterday….believe me, if I wasn’t laughing at that point I would have never tried to tell the story. The window IS FIXED, by the way, thanks to my very own Mr. Handsome Fix-It.
Have a great day!
PS, Jacob is in the living room playing “O Holy Night” on his violin. He had lessons last night and must have learned it then. It sounds lovely!
Good to be Home 
Ahhhh ~ the snow! It’s beautiful! We had a bit of the falling stuff yesterday too. I love the pics ~ and yes ~ their holding hands is precious. I think my favorite is Grace with her eyes closed ~ perhaps imagining herself as Miss Potter ??
Oh, I LOVE that movie. My husband and I watched it a few months ago, and he even liked it. Those pictures are just stunning! Makes me wish for snow here. I just love watching how the kids enjoy it with their whole being. Congrats on your great dr. report.
I love the photos! Your children are such treasures! You are rich indeed. I’m glad you are feeling better, too. Exhaustion can kind of sneak up on you sometimes.
I wish you could come out with the kids. We could send the pack of them out to play in the still falling snow. You and I could curl up with some tea and a movie or some of our favorite magazines. And something hot from the oven of course. We have at least 5 inches out there.
I loved that movie! My children loved Peter Rabbit growing up and this movie rates one of the best for me. I bet Grace loved Peter and compared him to Bunn Bunn. You have a wonderful day. I’m praying today especially for little baby yet unborn. Give him a little pat for me.
I LOVE the movie, Miss Potter. . . I need to mention it to Tim as a stocking stuffer for me this Christmas. . .it’s a keeper, for sure. It makes me cry. Sorry you had a rough weekend, but thanks for oblivious children who don’t always pick up on everything, right? Glad you got to see your little baby’s face. I remember seeing Hank’s for the first time, with the newer ultrasound pics, and I was amazed. . .he was so beautiful and looked just like his big brother, Will. I could cry now just thinking of it. Can’t believe you have snow already. . .it’s pretty cold here today too, however. . .sent the boys to school this morning with hats and gloves to accompany their coats. . .that’s a first this year—
Isn’t that just like a normal life? Breakdowns, tears, frustration and then snow and bunnies!
We’ll have to check out Miss Potter. I found a complete volume of her books a long time ago and I love her stories and illustrations.
what a cute quote!
I had a weekend like that–I hate to blame it on pregnancy but I think that’s just what had me going. I felt so uncomfortable and tired. I’m glad your testing went well!
So sorry you had a rotten weekend, but I’m glad baby is doing well. I can’t believe how soon he’ll be here. Can’t wait to meet little Seth!Jacob did an awesome job with those pictures! He’s been learning a lot from him mom.
Beautiful pics…and yes, you are so right- Grace IS ADORABLE! 🙂 You have every right to say it!(grin)How far along are you?? My midwives didn’t start seeing me every two weeks until the 8th month….
Oh I so wish we had more snow here in the Willamette Vallery of Oregon. We boast big mountains like snowy Mt Hood but do you think the valley van get any snow? Nope. I think Im going to move to New England. I love their Courier and Ives winters.
I love the pictures… Glad to hear that you are doing well. I loved the Miss. Potter movie also…
I love the quote, I love the pictures, I love the stories, I love your post… just love love love it all. Oh, and the movie was great too! Have a blessed day!
Beautiful snow pictures. I am sorry you had a rough weekend. Ah the “joys” of pregnancy hormones. Glad your appointment went so well. I love seeing the baby on the ultrasound. Its such a special time for a Mom. Getting to see that little one you love before anyone else does. Have a blessed week!
Did you get more than flurries? I saw the news and Buffalo’s weather – yikes! They are close, but what a difference some mountains can make!!!I was interested that you were getting a Rhogam shot now. I thought those were done after the delivery of a child, so the *next* child would be protected. Interesting. Shows I don’t so much, after all!Still can’t post pictures, but can add them to my photo storage. (scratching my head and rolling my eyes)
Your kids are just to sweet! I just love viewing your blog. I have a daughter who is almost 7, a son who will be 6 in April and a daughter who will be 3 in April so I just love seeing your little ones too. You are so blessed to live somewhere where the children can run and be kids! Love it!
Jeremy Fisher has been one of our all time favs since Scott was itty ! we love those books! The quote is marvelous and I agree whole heartedly with it~! oh, my child want to see snow so bad – they have this craving for it – they’ve not really been in the snow – well, the older ones were when very small in CO. but they all think it must be the best thing in the world! Maybe one day…Praise God for a good report at the docs. – it is a wonderful thing to know all is going well.
Glad the window is fixed. Jacob did an excellent job with that camera, capturing the excitement of the snow, and the love between Grace and the bunny!
g;ad everything is well with the pregnancy!
Weekends seem to be the worse for me with moods. That’s great that your family wasn’t effected by it! Sometimes it’s good noone notices!
Great pictures! You have a budding photographer on your hands. Wonder where he gets it?? Grace is lovely- so thoughtful and quiet. Glad to hear that you are feeling better and that your pregnancy is progressing so well! Have a blessed Tuesday!
I just love the snow pictures. We get so little down here in the South, it’s nice to see someone else get it.I’m glad the doctor’s appointment went well, and I can’t imagine how happy you are to see Seth’s little face and know him a little better. I’ll just pray for more good days than not-so-good ones.(Sidebar: I always wanted a bunny and never got one. So tell Grace I’m just a wee bit jealous!)
Wonderful pictures of your kids out enjoying the snow….I love their wonder and happiness. Yes Grace and Mr. Bunn-bunn are adorable! We enjoyed the movie ‘Miss Potter” too, and have always loved her little books! What a great inspiration for Grace. My David would love to see snow fall. He has been to our local mountains to sled, but never while it was actually snowing. So glad your Mr. Handsome fix it got your window all in place….figured he would…but having it open and so cold in the meantime was no fun…I could so relate. Hormones are a strange thing aren’t they? Yet,God uses them….keep holding on to HIM! Big hugs! JennyP.S. I have been so amazed at what a really black eye Davey do got…so glad the eye itself is OK!
Goodness, I can’t wait for snow. I am a bit glad I can let my husband know I am not the only one whose moods can swing far and wide. My daughter now wants a bunny ~smile~.
I loved the snowy pictures. I’m glad you’re doing better…take care, see you soon.
Your photos are so good. Wow snow! we called home today & the kids were so excited because it was snowing there. I’m glad we are in 80 degree weather for now:) I’m glad all your tests came back ok. That is such a blessing.
I loce that quote. I was homescooled all my life and I will homeschool my kids. it was an awesome education.
snow…i am so “jealous” It is freezing here in Alabama but we have nothing to show for it but cold fingers and frozen toes lol Glad your window is fixed! And glad things are very uncomplicated in your pregnancy happy news! (I have our engagement pictures up if you would like to check them out and let me know what your favorite is…) Have a great evening!
that is suck a fantastic quote! i adore beatrix potter…
I love that movie too, Shan. It’s one of my favorites. Some day I’ll buy it and add it to my collection. Grace looks a lot like the girl who plays Beatrix in the movie. I’m so glad to hear that your appointment went well. The pictures Jacob took are great! Great job Jacob!!!! Have a great Tuesday. Love, Lish
I loved loved loved that movie as well!
Shanda the first two photos are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good, really the best ever!
I loved the pictures as well. I think you know what a Potterhead I am/we are. We started getting the whole set when we were first married and living in the north of England. When Julia (our eldest daughter) as a Bible student in the north (same school we had been at) visited her home, she cried and said, “Now I understand my childhood!”. yes.
I just gave that quote to our communications director. We are an organization that helps to promote school choice, (homeschooling and Christian Ed) in our state. What I sent here (as a comment) before didn’t seem to make it so I will say it again. If it shows up later, then forgive me for being redundant. I am a “Potterhead”…(Beatrix and definetly not Harry!!), raising our six with the whole set as a daily diet. We started the collection when we were going to Bible School in the north of England. When Julia, our eldest daughter went to that same school, she visited Beatrix’s home. She cried and said, “Now I understand my childhood”. yes
Is showed up again. Sorry love!
What a sweet post. I look forward daily to your blog. My dear friend turned me on to your blog. Your are a breath of fresh air.
((((Hugs)))
I am catching up on your posts, and making one last comment because my husband just announced bedtime! lol I am amazed at Jacob’s ability with the camera – these pictures are wonderful! Ooooh, the one of Ethan (right?) and Grace holding hands. Yes. Precious!!! Grace is a real beauty, with such a sweetness in her look…We just had our first snowfall today! Yay!