Hannah and KidStuf

Let me tell you about our oldest, Hannah. One of the highlights of her week is KidStuf. Each Sunday evening, the children have their own worship service. The stage in the children's building has a set that is used for Sunday School and KidStuf. The Sunday evening service is for kids and their parents, a family style worship. There is music, drama and a few surprises every week. The music is upbeat. There is a worship "team" (i.e. one or two adults and lots of kids) on stage doing hand motions and basic dance steps. This was all a little overwhelming to Hannah the first few weeks but she knows all the moves now! She is totally captivated for 45 minutes every week!

For Hannah's birthday last month, she received a gift that had a headset microphone...the kind the worship leader wears for singing every week. Earlier this week our kids were all outside playing. When I stepped outside from the kitchen to take a peak at them, she had Brock, Corinne and Emma all lined up and she was leading them in her own version of KidStuf - headset mic and all!! They were moving their arms and singing the best they could! It was ssssoooooo cute!! I got a little of it on video.

Part of KidStuf is learning a virtue each month and a memory verse that goes along with it. This month's virtue is "compassion". Each Sunday in Sunday School they get a piece of paper to take home called God Time. It has four days of things to do to put the virtue of the month into action. Today, Hannah went to the dollar store with Brent so she could do her Christmas shopping. (She had $2.69 left from her birthday money.) She came home with two coloring books, one for the twins to share and one for Brock and her to share. She was soooo excited to have gifts for them under the tree that she had bought with "her money". She said, "Won't they be excited to have a gift from their big sister?!"

She also had a card in one of her bags. She wouldn't let me see it. I figured since Brent had been with her to buy it, I didn't need to investigate anymore. A little while later, Hannah came to me with the card. On the envelope, she had written "Mommy!" It was a thank you card. She said, "Mommy, on one of my God Time sheets, it says to give a thank you card to someone who has helped you do something. So I got you a card." Inside the card she had written, "Thank you for helping me clean daddy's truck he likes it love Hannah". Earlier this week I had helped her sweep out the back of Brent's truck as a surprise for him (another God Time idea she wanted to do). Needless to say, I cried a little after she was off doing something else.

We never know how our actions are shaping our children. It reminded me again how important it is to cover all I do with my children in prayer. It also reminded me that we only have them for a season. I want this short time in the span of their whole life to be one of happy memories with mom, not mom off busy doing other things and not having time to help, teach and train them. What an awesome task God has given us as parents! But He doesn't give us any task any greater than the power He gives us to complete it well!!

Our sweet Hannah is such a blessing to our family. I hope one day she'll know how much she teaches me every day!

This month's verse for compassion is Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another."

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Okay, so it's December 1st. Our children were given a book for this month. It's an Advent Christmas Carousel. They are so excited that December is finally here so they can open a window each day. The time just doesn't go fast enough for them. Brock said today, "Why can't it be tomorrow so we can open another window?" Such excitement for the unknown...but maybe not because I heard him telling Hannah later..."I know that Jesus is born on number 25!"

This is the most wonderful time of the year...when we have an open opportunity to share the Good News...with everyone we meet. My prayer is that during this time, I will not become irritated over a long line...frustrated with "the new person" checking me out...aggravated over mislabeled items at a store...but rather I will allow Jesus to live through me to be seen by those I meet.

I know each day that "little eyes are watching me"...four sets of them most days...and I want them to know that Jesus is the Reason for this season!


The Freeland Family

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are thankful for family, good health, good friends, and most importantly - God's love! We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

October

October has come and almost gone. What a pretty month this has been with the leaves changing colors. We are trying to enjoy being outside as much as possible before the cold weather settles in to stay for a while.

Brent turned 40 on the 19th. We spent the afternoon at the NC State Fair. It was our first time for the NC fair. Actually, it was the first fair for the kids. They had fun on rides and eating. Brock was 4 on the 21st. He had a fun party that Sunday. He is showing his uniqueness more and more as he gets older. If you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up, he says "a football player". Cars, trucks and legos are some of his favorite toys right now.

Brian, Debbie and Jessica were here for a few days. It was fun letting all the cousins play. Sweet Jessica just came right in as if we were next door neighbors! I'm not sure she knew what to expect but she was ready for it! The time with them went by tooooooo quickly.

Corinne and Emma are able to remember words and phrases from books now. They are beginning to have their favorites that they bring to us to read over and over again. Thankfully, they have a big sister who can read to them when I'm not able. She keeps them occupied when necessary.

That's all for now. Check back periodically for more about the life of the NC Freelands...

The Freeland Family

Happy First Day of Autumn!

Summer is gone. We had a fun time in Texas and Alaska. Now we're back home getting into a routine again. School has started. Hannah is a Kindergartener now. She's playing soccer again. Brock got a new haircut. He looks like a big boy now. Corinne and Emma are cutting lots of teeth and talking up a storm. We understand about 20% of what they say.

I am going to try to add a photo this time. I think I have it figured out now. I hope to be a little more consistent posting on this blog. Please leave a comment when you can. I will read them.

Until next time...happy first day of autumn!

We're Headed to TEXAS!!

We have been talking about having "courage" lately thanks to the Arctic Edge VBS curriculum this year. We also read about John Bunyan having courage to go to jail for preaching the Gospel. Brock put his "courage" into practice at a birthday party last week. He has always been afraid of bouncehouses. Well, this party was at PumpItUp...an indoor bouncehouse playground. I put Brock inside the bouncehouse with me and said, "We're not getting out until you bounce!" Within 10 minutes, he was bouncing!! Yea!! He had a blast the rest of the party. Today Hannah had "courage" to try a zip-line at a friend's house. (You sit on a round disc swing attached to a rope and slide from one tree to another tree. Hope that makes some sense.) Anyway, she tried it without any tears or thinking about it. She loved it and did it as many times as she could before we had to leave. They both used their "courage" when we went to the Science Museum in Durham last week. Hannah let butterflies land on her and even held them on her fingers. Brock played on playground equipment that used to scare him. They both had a great time with our friends, the Carraways.

On the other end of the spectrum is Corinne. She is fearless and will try anything if given the freedom to do it. Emma isn't far behind her, just a little slower. I found them one day last week STANDING in their booster seats at the table. Yeh, now we keep the trays on the seats when they're not in use! Corinne has learned the many uses of a step stool so we have to keep a close eye on her these days.

We are getting everything ready to fly to Texas. Brent will take the children and me to the airport Friday morning. My mom will pick us up in Houston late Friday afternoon. If all goes well, we'll be eating Tex-Mex for dinner!! I can't wait!!!! Lots of Blue Bell ice cream will be enjoyed as well during this trip!! Hannah and Brock are excited to fly on an airplane since they don't remember the last time we flew. They will be taking turns by the window.

The Freeland Family

Our Resident Artist

Hannah had a WONDERFUL time at art camp. The theme for the week was "It's A Bug's World". She made a paper mache' of a lady bug and it has glow-in-the-dark paint on it. She painted a forest scene on a canvas. She decorated a tshirt and started a "sketch book". She also made a glow-in-the-dark butterfly. She's ready to go again whenever we'll let her! She told Brent last night that she can draw butterflies very good because she is "an artist". When she got paint on her coverup, Ms Susan (her teacher) told her that she was "wearing her art".

Brock is doing a good job of writing letters. He has a few he needs to get in the correct direction but otherwise, he's doing a very good job. He is only 3 1/2 so I'm happy that he's holding his pencil correctly!

Corinne has a molar coming in the bottom right side of her mouth. She still thinks most everything we do is funny and is climbing on anything she can get up on. She has learned that climbing on the trunk is a "no-no" but she'll still go over to it, put her knee up on it and look at me to see what I'm going to do about it. Very cute but I don't let her know I think she's cute! The main lesson she's learning right now is to sit, not stand, on the couch.

Emma prefers walking over crawling now. She still has her "sneaky" walk but she's fairly steady now. She too can crawl up on the couch so she's learning to sit, not stand, as well. She does okay until her sister climbs up with her and leads her down the wrong path:) She has a molar coming in the bottom left side of her mouth. We've started letting both girls walk to/from the van, into buildings, etc. I had forgotten how much more time it takes to get somewhere with a toddler walking beside you...and Emma takes even longer.

Brent is at the lot trying to clear away some of the tall grass. He's meeting a builder there next week to get some ideas on house construction costs, house location on the lot, etc. We're in the very beginning stages of getting ready to build. We'll hopefully know more after he meets this builder next week.

Our dryer quit working Thursday night so we found a used one today. Long story but we were very happy to not buy a new one at this time. At least we can have clean, DRY clothes now. And the man we bought it from was even nice enough to take our old one to the dump! (It was beyond repair even for a repairman.)

That's all for now. I still need to learn how to post photos. I'll try to do that soon. Until then...I'll send photos via walmart.com when I can.

The Freeland Family

Sneaky Emma and Princess Hannah

These days it seems like every day is a milestone for someone. Emma had decided that walking is better than crawling...most the time. She walks like she is sneaking up on you. It's really fun to watch. We started letting Corinne and Emma walk to/from the van this week. Corinne tries to make a break for freedom everytime but Emma is just happy to hold my hand and get to her destination without falling.

Hannah went to a birthday party today. It was a dressup party so she wore her favorite pink dress, her pink stockings, her pink sparkling shoes and her gold cross necklace. I curled her hair with the curling iron. She looked very pretty. (Sadly, she has hair like mine so it doesn't stay curled for very long.) When she came home, she made Brock a crown so he could be a prince. They rode around the house on their stick horses looking for their castle.

This week Hannah will go to an art camp each day. Brock and I will try to work on reading books just the two of us while Corinne and Emma compete for my attention. It should be a fun time:)

The Freeland Family

The Freeland Family

Hannah's tooth finally came out yesterday. We were at a neighbor's house for a birthday party. She was watching a video (it was pouring down rain outside) and said, "Mommy, look what was in my mouth!" It was her tooth. It just fell out while she was wiggling it with her tongue:)

Corinne had her first dentist visit today. She did great...no crying! She still only has 6 teeth but her gums are SO swollen. She'll have more before long, I hope! The other three go to the dentist next week.

Have a nice weekend!
The Freeland Family

4th of July trip to Virginia

The Freeland Family

We are home from our trip to Virginia Beach. I'll try to recap...

Last Thursday was our (Brent and me) 10th wedding anniversary. We had given gifts Wednesday evening since we knew Thursday was a busy day going to VA. Well, Brent kept surprising me all day Thursday with gifts. After we got to Va Beach and got the kids in bed that night, he wanted us to go down to the oceanfront to walk around. Little did I know that he had another gift hiding in his pocket. While we were walking on the boardwalk, he gave me a ring. It is a silver band with all our children's names and birthstones on it. I had been wanting something with their birthstones but had not found anything I liked. He found just the right gift!! I was completely surprised...I even cried:)

Friday we closed on our house. It's sold! After lunch we took Hannah and Brock to the oceanfront for ice cream while the twins napped at Jane's house with her. After dinner we all went back to the oceanfront to ride a 6 passenger bike (we made room for seven though). The twins thought it was just great.

Saturday morning our family went back to the oceanfront for Corinne and Emma's first time in the sand. They really had a good time. After lunch I took them back to Jane's and left Brent with the other two. I picked them up around dinner time. I think Hannah would have slept there if we'd let her! Ask her about the sand crabs the next time you talk to her. Brock prefers the sand to the water.

Sunday we went to New Hope Church with Jane. We have not been back since we moved here 2 1/2 years ago. It was good to see our friends and meet the new pastor. Funny how Hannah and Brock have no memories of being there. Brent took Hannah, Brock and Jane's granddaughter, Kaitlyn, to the oceanfront Sunday afternoon for more beach time. A good time was had by all!

Monday we decided to visit the 'big harbor' instead of the beach. We rode the ferry and had lunch at Waterside in Norfolk. We had dinner with some New Hope friends that evening. We swam about 15 minutes before it started thundering. The twins enjoyed it while it lasted. They were splashing and kicking and laughing. Hannah enjoyed trying to do what she had learned in swim lessons. Brock got in without any fussing so we're making progress with all of them.

We came home today. Everyone is in their own bed. I'm going to unpack and get ready to do all the laundry tomorrow. We'll make a Wal-Mart run too, I'm sure.

Happy 4th of July to everyone! God bless America!!!!

They're Growing Up...

The Freeland Family

Corinne prefers walking over crawling now (unless it's very close to bedtime and she's tired). Emma is like a parrot, echoing most everything we say. Brock can play Old McDonald on the piano. Hannah has her first loose tooth.

Last week was busy with swim lessons for Hannah and Brock in the mornings then VBS in the evenings. Thankfully, Brent stayed home with the twins at night. Stephen and Connie dropped in on us for a couple of days at the end of the week.

This week are more swim lessons if the weather cooperates. We're going to Virginia Beach to close on our house Friday, play at the beach, and see Miss Jane. Should be a fun 4th of July weekend.

And one more thing...Emma decided this evening that she can walk without holding on. She's taking four or five steps before falling or grabbing on to something.

Good night!

These Feet Are Made for Walking

The Freeland Family

Corinne decided today that she prefers walking over crawling. She still falls some but is definitely a walker now. Emma is doing great walking when we are holding one of her hands. It won't be long before she is a walker too.

The weather was seasonably cool today so we ate dinner outside. It was fun watching the twins get excited over seeing birds and squirrels. We went for a walk after dinner and saw our neighbors new puppy, Allie. This is the first dog that Hannah will play with and not scream. She and Brock played with the puppy a few minutes then we walked before starting all the bedtime routine stuff.

That's all for now. I'm off to bed!

Getting started

Hello everyone~

I thought we'd see if this works for letting you know what is happening with our family. I hope you enjoy the pictures and stories we share. Feel free to leave a comment. Have a happy day!