Embrace the Chaos

Max leading stretches before the first day of Circus Camp

Jack hanging from the "trapeze"

Max about to do his hip-hop solo

Taking their bow

Ella on the trapeze

Melanie on the trapeze

Beautiful faces, painted or not

Some preliminary drawings for Alex's room makeover

Alex in his room, pre-makeover

Shanna and the boys about to get medieval on that furniture

***I will post pictures of the incredible room makeover after a certain someone has come to see it in person!!!

We had Shanna and family here for the week to go to Circus Camp with us. When they arrived, around 3:00 am Monday morning, our water had been off since Sunday. We had hoped John could fix it, but alas, it was not meant to be. We had 8 children who had to be out of the house by 8:00 am. That in and of itself is no easy task, but with no running water...forget about it! Every bathroom smelled and felt like a port-a-potty. On Wednesday, I took it upon myself (with Alex's help) to fill every cooler we possessed and all our empty water jugs at our neighbor's house. We proceeded to put a cooler full of water in every bathroom, with a cup to fill the tank, so we could finally, thankfully, flush! Remember me saying I had guests...and 5 extra children? Sadly, and frustratingly, the 1.5 gallons it was supposed to take to flush the toilet was misleading. I think we got 2 flushes, if we were lucky, out of those heavy-as-all-get-out coolers full of water. Man, I did NOT want to haul those coolers again. Thankfully, John and Alex hauled the next load, to get us through until we had running water again. We finally did get our indoor plumbing back. I swear Shanna had a religious experience taking that first shower! Amazingly, and to add to the general chaos of the situation, Shanna and I did a total room makeover; from giant mural, to recovering furniture, to painting walls, to antiquing everything, etc....all with no water for most of the time. Shanna finished the room for the big reveal Saturday around 2:00pm, when it was time for them head home. Yes, I most definitely had to embrace the chaos! I will never forget the struggle nor the joy of this most extraordinary week.

Pictures of Our Road Trip

My pictures were of the night before "Learn Nothing Day", while we were all still trying to learn something. Go here, and here, and here to check out some really great pictures of our day at the swimming hole.

Thanks to Alex, we have documentation of our impromptu belly dance session

Some Beautiful Unschooled Girls

Now, I like to talk...and there is no better forum than with a bunch of cool chicks!

Ella getting comfortable at Ren's

Max climbing

Hangin' out on the deck

Abbi, taking a picture of Alex, taking a picture of Abbi

More Learning...Errr, Nothing!

At the last minute, we decided to road trip in order to hang out with some unschoolers to celebrate Learn Nothing Day. What an adventure! Thanks to Ren for letting this horde invade her home...even though she was still at work! As we left the gathering and drove into the sunset we reflected on this whirl wind of a trip. The kids were so happy with the new unschooling friends they met and connecting with friends they already know and love. Did we learn anything??? Against our best efforts, yes we did. Some of us learned more about ourselves, others learned tidbits of information that will continually connect with other tidbits.

I have some great pictures, but my computer is not recognizing my camera, so I'll have to post pictures at a later date.

Bliss

I have found her...my hero, my savior, my new Massage Therapist! When I received the two massages for my birthday at a relatively new clinic called Body Wisdom, I was happy and excited that I could ration out my two massages. I have, however, been spoiled by a few life-changing massages, and therefore, have been disappointed by many more that have not lived up to my expectations. I have some very deep muscle issues that require intense bodywork. So I went in wanting it all, but expecting some fluff and stuff. Not only was this massage no kind of fluff and stuff, but it was so amazingly therapeutic that I wept when it was over. I actually wept...with sheer pleasure and joy. I have found her. She is a genius and I have now worked it into the budget so I can get a massage every two weeks. I am truly in heaven!

Welcoming Friends

Our lives have been so full this summer, not only have I not been blogging, but I haven't been capturing moments with pictures either! I think it's my rebel coming out...I don't want to feel like I have to capture the moment...or write about it for that matter! I paused momentarily in the fun to capture a few images this week. When an incredible unschooling family moves what amounts to across the universe from Minnesota to Georgia, I felt like it required at least a small photographic notation. So, Kelli, Tim, Alec, Abbi, and Kyra...welcome to Georgia! We're so glad you're here. And thank you for bringing Wendy and Shelby more visibly into our lives. I feel so lucky to know you all.

Wendy and Shelby invited us to this very special spot. This bridge is 107 years old!

The swimming area under the bridge

The sliding rocks
Base camp...fried chicken, brie, baby carrots, black eye pea salad, pad thai, chocolate zucchini muffins, honey wheat pretzels, chocolate chip cookies, Wendy, etc.
Natures' water slide
Our beautiful Georgia unschooling girls
More rock sliding


Sophie base jumping at our favorite waterfall/swimming hole
Kyra base jumping, or is she flying?
Warming up on the rocks after a long cold swim
More of our beautiful girls

My Sweet Sophie's Birthday

My Blessing Way

Newborn Sophie
9 month old Sophie
1 year old Sophie
2 year old Sophie

3 year old Sophie
7 year old Sophie
8 year old Sophie
9 year old Sophie

10 year old Sophie
10 year old Sophie with short hair
11 year old Sophie
Happy Birthday!

Sophie turned 11 on June 24th. We celebrated at my parents' house, with swimming, ribs, homemade rolls, and the infamous birthday torte. I am so happy to have Sophie in my life. Her birth was just as amazing as she is. I was fortunate to have two incredible midwives assisting me for what was my second homebirth. After about 6 hours of labour, Sophie was born in the caul. She has proven every step of the way that the old midwives tale of a person that is born in the caul is extrodinary and considered something of a wise spirit. Oh so true for Sophie. I love this sweet, soft-spoken girl who is so unlike me. Happy Birthday my love!

Celebrating My 36th Year

I left my camera in the car, so there were no pictures of me roller skating after a 25 year hiatus. Really. The last time I remember roller skating, I was 11. I am now 36, so that means 25 years have gone by. They didn't even play Thriller. My feet were killing me and I only lasted an hour and a half....aahh youth.

Having Coffee. Loving 36.

Alex gave me this incredible coral bracelet

Ella gave me this beautiful globe
All my bounty
A close up of my gift certificate for...can you see it...TWO massages!