Pompeii

For some reason, I went through serious blogger's block not too long ago. Well, now that I am back in the saddle, I am kicking myself for not blogging about certain things we have done so far during this school year.
I was able to set us up some AMAZING field trips so far and I am just sick that I didn't post about them (simply because I have high hopes of using this blog for my memory holder).
One of the most awesome places that we went to this year is our city's art museum. They were one of the few chosen museums in the WORLD to host some of the ruins of Pompeii. Two of the biggest things that struck me were:
#1. The Coins~ I kept staring at them thinking "these could have been the very denarii that were traded for our Lord". Because they sure could have been. I also had the same thoughts when I saw the perfume and oil holders....these could have been the ones that were used to anoint Him....Honestly, it is really too much to put into words to see these artifacts.
#2. They had the actual cast made from this pile of people who were trying to escape the volcano's fury. They made it as far as the shoreline, only to be suffocated to death. These people were gripping all of their coins, jewelry....and their little gods. No kidding. They were holding these little statues that were no bigger than 3 inches tall along with their little pedestals (we were able to view the actual pieces later in the exhibit). As I stared at them, I thought "These people put their faith in these things. They believed they could save them, and they are no better than the junk you would find at a yard sale." It broke my heart when I stood there face to face with one.
On a different note, it is truly a miracle how well preserved this city was. The way all of the ash and other stuff piled up and packed around everything completely preserved it. Where their were people, there remained pockets of air that they poured plaster into (this process took place in the 1800's). It was packed so tightly around them, that even the finest detail was noticeable. On one person, you could even make out their eyelashes! Words alone cannot describe it.
If you live even remotely close to here and have the opportunity to take your kids to this...GO!
If not, this is really an awesome piece of history to study. They have some great documentaries out there which fascinated my kids before we even went to the exhibit.
I may come back and put a few more posts up about our field trips so far, but I HAD to get this one up here before my brain lost it for good.

Fresh Air

I have a well established routine around the holidays. Starting about mid-November, I get all nostalgic and I begin to deeply miss my Northern-rooted climate. I just don't think that I will ever-ever get used to 70 degree Christmasses when I have experienced genuine white ones for 19+ years of my life. It just aint gonna happen. However, come December 26, I am right back in love with my Sweet Home Alabama and all it's warm temps.
I have been lying around like the Queen of the Heifers for far too long, so today with our forecast of 60 be-yoo-ti-ful degrees, I loaded up 3 out of 4 kids and headed for the closest mountain. We packed up our backpacks and hiked the smallest trail to the top. Once we arrived, we hung out at the conservatory for about a half hour before we made our descent. This little guy here is quite the hiker!

I have to tell you that it was high time that I get this heiny moving because I was starting to feel AW-FUL! I know my carb/fat rich holiday diet has been wreaking pure havoc on my body and to make matters worse, I haven't moved an inch without an exorbitant amount of protest for the last week (at least). It is pretty bad when you can't even sleep at night because of how much you have lounged around all day. Or that my muscles hurt probably due to under-use, and my head was pounding because of all the TV/movies that I have mindlessly watched. Yuck, yuck, yuck!
Oh, and don't let the last post fool you. THAT was the exception.
Anyway, we all decided to come "unplugged" today and it was well, well worth it (Mark and Jake went on a hunting trip today too). There is just nothing like God's creation to renew mind, body and Spirit.
Happy New Year Friends!

F.Y.I.

Here's a little tidbit for you: Fervently jumping on a trampoline after bearing 4 children yields less than stellar bladder control. Even if you just went.
T.M.I.? Perhaps. But I am willing to make this sacrifice for the greater good. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Wordless Wednesday (sorta)

~Jacob "flipping" over his new trampoline~

And What To My Wondering Eyes Do Appear?

So yesterday, I was just sitting here pondering my evening when, all of a sudden, in comes a package aaaaall for me. It was from my sweet friend Missy who gives gifts like none other on this planet, and let me tell you why.....When I opened the blessed box, this is one of the things that it contained:

Y'all.
No seriously....Y'all. This stuff is so mind-bogglingly good that I am gonna go there...yes. I. am. It is better than anything I have had at Starbucks...gasp...YES! I said it!! It's true. And I would never-ever lie about that (because I have no desire to commit the unpardonable sin....even though I am borderline heretical at this point, I realize). I am on my third glorious cup right this minute (I will probably be up until Christmas at this rate, but it's THAT worth it).
I also got this hilariously cute ornament:

When I opened the package and pulled her out, Julianna covered her mouth as she beheld her and said "OH MOMMA! She is beautiful..." LOL! So now she is front and center on our Christmas tree in all her glory.
By the way, don't mind my hair. I am not lovin it right now, but I could not let some of you go on thinking that I had as much facial hair as my last picture indicated....yes, I said "as much" ;) . Gotta love these genes, especially when mixed with a little age. Oy vey.

Everybody's doin' it!

I can't imagine getting out of this season without "elfing ourselves".....
I went through and pulled out the funniest pictures I could find of each of us, so without further ado:
Mark and the Boys and Me and Julianna
Enjoy!