So far, so good...

We took a week off last week, but didn't go anywhere. The week was pretty full even without traveling. With gas prices the way they are, we just decided to stay put for the most part. We had a good week though. We slept in!!!!! We even took a week off of school and started back this week with things a little different. With Marisa's help I'm hoping we have Ben figured out. We're taking a few more breaks and I'm also trying to teach him in different ways. Marisa tested him and one of her friends helped her score it and he's reading on a third grade level. I have noticed however when he's asked to spell a word, he really struggles. So this week we've been focusing a little more on spelling the words he's reading. He's doing a good job in Math and Spanish. He also loves anything about Science and he really likes Geography.

Ben also started asking me to teach him piano...my thoughts? Selfish as it may seem, when he has asked, I said "We'll see". What I thought was "Oh lands!!!! No down time whatsoever!" I'm going to have to drink more caffeine than I already do, but then I don't think even Advil PM would help me sleep. It's a vicious cycle...I'm talking about the sleep cycle for me. I'd love to have 8 good hours a night, plus a 1 hour nap during the day.

Well, my mom just walked in...I'll go. It's so nice that she can just drop in instead of taking a day off work or work out coming to see me around her schedule!

Let's keep hoping that Ben keeps up the GREAT WORK!

Rest of the pictures...

Here are the rest of the pictures from JCPenney, minus the ones of me and Scott...our kids are a whole lot cuter than us...
They actually really do get along like it looks! Thank goodness!!
Prissy Princess!
Little angel!
Sonic!

Why Not Trust God Again?

This evening we had choir practice for an upcoming fall concert at church. (It's Nov. 14 and 16 for anyone who wants to come and it will be casual in the gymnasium). I was rather discouraged this morning. Ben did his usual thing during school...had to have it his way or else and I lost my cool. I called Scott basically just to vent and to tell him I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. I was furious with Ben.

Now, for those of you who think my children wear halos on a regular basis, let me clear that up for you! Ben is not your average little 5 year old. I think he has alot of anxiety, he's very smart, very headstrong and strong willed. By 10:00 this morning I was questioning my parenting skills as well as my teaching skills. I was ready to throw his little body into a public school somehwere where other people could deal with his attitude. I was through! Then I realized that Scott was the one who approached me about homeschooling and I was totally against it! So, maybe it's Scott's fault I'm losing my mind! Not hardly...Scott asked me to pray about it and I did and really feel like God changed my heart. Not only did I not think I could do it, but I also wanted to go back to work so we would have more money. By the time I made the decision to do it, I had done a complete turnaround. Not only was I on board with the decision but I was excited about it and had complete peace about it. Even though strange looks from people annoyed me, people's comments didn't even make me flinch at my decision.

So, my question to myself was this...if I believed God changed my heart on the subject, then what was I doing considering an alternative? I also started questioning myself about what to do and how to do it and would I stay sane in the process? I've been talking with Marisa alot about it and she asked me today if we had been praying about it daily. I have to be honest, although Scott and I have both been praying about it, we weren't coming together in unified prayer for our son and how to deal with him on a daily committed basis. I remember the two years we prayed for God to heal us so that we could have children. We didn't close our eyes at night until we had asked God together, unified, for a baby.

So, in the midst of choir practice, I almost lost it! "Why Not Trust God Again?" is one of the songs for the fall concert...

When life seems cruel and so unfair

with each new day it seems a greater problem's waiting there

For each step forward I take, seems I get pushed two steps behind

Don't think I'm gonna make it sometimes

Don't think my nerves can take it this time

When I'm about to call it quits, a solution comes to mind

Why not trust God again?

I know that He can do it

If I pray again, believe again

I know that God will work it for my good again

I know that He will see me through it all

if I trust God again

Is there a mountain standing in Your way?

Is there a loved one you're worried about today?

Is there a blessing you desire that seems intangible?

The God that's seen you through before

He's able, He's still able

I realized, I haven't been trusting God with this. I missed it! The same God that caused Ben to begin to grow inside of me 6 years ago is the same God today. So, I'm committed to praying for that boy. He is extremely special and I know it and I love him so much my heart hurts.

(P.S. The pictures of Ben are from a recent family portrait sitting we had done at Penneys for the church. We went ahead and got a couple of shots of the kids by themselves. I'll post the rest of them later.)

Recent Duncan Fun

Here is another superhero...his name is Shadow. Ben went to a carnival at church (Anna Kate was sick) and they painted his face. He requested it like this. He decided he was going to be Shadow from Sonic the Hedgehog games and cartoons.

Anna Kate learned a new step at ballet. Here she is practicing it. I can't believe how long her legs are getting! She just seems to keep growing and growing and growing! I'll take some ballet class pictures soon! She is as cute as ever in her pink leotard!

We had a recent visit from Patty, Jayme, Bryce and Collin from Lucasville. It was so good to sit and talk with them. Ben and Bryce loved being able to play again...I think they are the same kid in different bodies!
Here's baby Collin...isn't he a sweetie? Yes, I held him, of course! It brought back memories of holding mine...I miss it so!

I thought I would share another of Ben doing his schoolwork. Here recently it seems to be hard to get him to focus but otherwise he is doing very well! He is reading alot of books and seems to be grasping it! Today he pointed out Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Michigan, California, Tennessee and Texas on an unmarked map. I thought we would do well to get Ohio but he just kept going...I was amazed!

I just thought this one was cute. I put her hair in a ponytail for the first time. Scott wasn't sure he like it. Not because she wasn't cute, but because it made her look like a big girl. He's not into watching the kids grow up...I guess it makes his heart hurt!

Anna Kate was all ready for the first night of Cubbies. She already had her vest so I took her picture before we left. Ben will be getting his uniform here in a week or so. I'll post one of him in his Sparks vest before too long. We use their AWANA books for their Bible in the mornings. It really kills two birds with one stone!

Sigh!

Well, it is now 12:19 pm. Ben has been sitting for most of the morning fighting me about school. He is sitting and has been for the past 30 minutes eating his lunch. He won't eat his green beans, so I'm making him sit. I don't force them to eat everything but I do make them eat some veggies. They can even dip it in a sauce of their choice (I taught Colton about ketchup and green beans today! Sorry Marisa!). They just have to eat them.

Some days, I wonder, what in the world am I doing? I've lost my temper more times than I care to admit. Today, I'm in ignore mode. I don't care if it takes him until 8:00 tonight, he'll sit at the table until he gets the green beans eaten and his school work done! EVERYTHING has been a fight today...honestly, I'm tired!

The good news is, at least I'm cool!!!! Our air conditioning is fixed...so at least I can take big deep breaths in nice cool air!

Scott's Big Weekend in Pictures

There are so many pictures of the weekend, but I tried to choose the highlights. From L to R is Dr. David Warren, Scott's Grandad--Leo Skaggs, our Pastor--Larry Greene, Duane Defoe, Dr. Manfred Langer, my hubby, Scott's dad--John, my uncle--Greg Trout and Barry Smith. Scott thought long and hard about who to have on his council. All of these men have had an influence on Scott since he started in ministry and they are all from different areas of his life. Our Pastor was the moderator but Scott has grown to respect him as well and we both felt honored that he was a part of it! The only other man, not pictured, that has had much influence over Scott's life, is my dad. My dad was there though, offering moral support and, of course, taking pictures!

Now, here is Larry with his usual big smile. I think this was after it was all over. Could the smile be relief?
This is right after the questioning, while they were making the "decision". Mary was giving me the "Don't worry, he did a good job!" I was thankful she was there to offer moral support, along with my mother-in-law Sandi and my mom, dad and grandmother.

Well, since he "passed" we got to have the celebration with our church on Sunday evening. Here is Scott giving his testimony. Isn't he handsome?
Here's Larry giving him a gift from the church after the service. They gave him the Archeological Bible and a very nice set of commentaries. It was such a special night!
Here is what Ben and Anna Kate did most of the service! Thank heavens for pants! This is one reason why I have banned dresses from my closet!

What a weekend!

I couldn't wait to get pictures to post something about Scott's ordination this weekend. Saturday morning was difficult. He had around 2 1/2 to 3 hours of questioning by the men on his council but he did a great job, at least, in my opinion. I was very nervous but after it was all said and done, I was so proud of him. I don't even understand why all the nerves. Then Sunday night, wow! It was great! Larry and Mary (and all the others involved) made it such a special night for him, and me...I said in my last entry that Scott had tried to get this accomplished several times before but it never happened. God knew the right timing. All of the details of the night came together so beautifully for him. From the men that were able to be part of it to the place and also this point where Scott is in his life. It was amazing!

The highlights? When his dad was kneeling with him praying for him...what an honor for Scott. Also, the book that was given to him by his Grandad, which belonged to W.W. Skaggs (dated 1895, I think?), Scott's great great grandfather. What a heritage! Lastly, Ben falling asleep and falling off of the pew right after the choir sang! All of it was absolutely perfect!

I'll post more with pictures after my dad gets the pictures on a CD for me.

Scott

This weekend Scott is being ordained. He's been trying to do this for several years but it just never happened. Well, it's finally happening. A weekend is being carved out just for this occasion. The church is even having a special service and reception following which is nice. I asked him earlier in the week if he was nervous, because when I think about it, I get nervous. He admitted he is a little nervous. Scott normally doesn't get nervous about a whole lot of things, so it surprised me a little. Maybe it's the fact he'll be asked questions on the spot, or maybe it's the fact attention will be drawn to him, which he doesn't like much, but nonetheless, he's a little nervous. I have been praying for him all week that God will use him this weekend. I know my husband's heart and I know that is his heart's desire in all that he does. So, anyone who reads my blog, say a prayer for him this weekend. Number one, that God will be glorified in the weekend...I can't imagine Scott doing anything else with his life. Number two, that God will give him clarity of mind and calm his spirit. Number three, that our kids will sense the importance of the weekend and be absolute angels. And, lastly, number four, that God will bless Scott in ministry.

He's also getting ready to start in his last year at Tri-State. WOO HOO!!!!! I can't believe it, but in around 9 months, he will finally be graduating. We have prayed about a school for him to apply to for his masters and he will be applying next year to Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, IN. It is very family friendly, which was important to us. Ben and Anna Kate are at such crucial ages and Scott wants to be there for them (and I want him around too). So here we go! He has two classes this semester, so pray for him in that too. He's pretty good at balancing all of it, but he loses sleep in order to do so. Pray for energy!!!

It's been a big year...for all of us!

Our Last Name

Last night was AWANA for the first time this year. Anna Kate was a Cubbie again. I have pictures but will have to post them later. Ben was a Spark for the first time. (I remember having a roomful of around 25 Sparks!!!!) Ben met us at church because he spent the afternoon with a friend. When he got there I told him we needed to go to class and, of course, he started holding on to my leg and crying. I pulled him up to Debbie Herbert (fun lady!) and she asked him his name, just to get him to talk. He was taking big anxious breaths, but at least had stopped crying. When he told her, she asked "How do you spell that?" He said B-e-n. She asked him his last name and he said "jamin". He was sooooo nervous!!! I had to suppress laughter because that would have been the icing on cake for him. I knew he was scared but that shows me how scared he really was! So, I guess our last names have changed to Scott, Jennifer, Ben and Anna Jamin!

Oh yeah, Anna Kate has now decided she wants to be called "Anna". She doesn't like the fact she has so many letters to write for her name in school!

A Very Serious Question

Sunday was Family Worship Day at RCCC and Ben sat with me in the service after I finished in the choir. He, of course being a little bored, started sticking all of his fingers in his mouth. I whispered to him to stop and he looked at me seriously and asked "Mommy, why do you like your lips dry?"

Oh brother!!!!!