Jenna Interview

Jenna Faith Hay, Fall 2012

What was the best thing about this summer? Uhh, I don't know.

If you could go anywhere this next year, where would you go?  I don't know. To Branson and Silver Dollar City, that's all.

What grade are you in? Uh, I don't know. I forgot.

What would you like to learn this year? Uhhh, about trees how they grow.

What is your favorite subject? Math, because it's SO fun.

If you could change anything about your life, what would it be? I would change the snacks. How would you change the snacks? I would change them with my magic wand. Well, what would you change them into? I would change them to a castle snack.

Who are your best friends? Jesse, Addie and Dani, Ashlyn and that's all who I like. And Jace and Jace's friend. And that's all who I liiiiiiiiike.

What would you like to be when you grow up? I would like to be a momma like you and you teach. And that's who I would like to be. Like you.

What's your favorite book? Dora and Boots

What your favorite food? Um, macaroni and cheese. I mean cheese sandwhich. Chips and cheese.

What is your favorite color? Purple

What is your favorite holiday and why? Uhhhh, Christmas and Halloween because they are my favorite days.

What's your favorite toy or game? It's Little People, and my game is find the A.

How do you like to spend your time? With Aunt Holly

If you were given $1000 dollars, what would you do with it? I would keep it.

Who is God to you, and why is he important? Because he tells the truth. Is that all about God? Yeah!

What's your favorite Bible verse?  (singing to the tune of  Are You Sleeping) Do not be afraid, Do not be afraid, Your prayer has been heard, Your prayer has been heard, Luke 1:13, Luke 1:13, Your prayer has been heard, Your prayer has been heard.

Do you have anything fun or special to share? No.

Here are some shots of Jenna from our family photo shoot. As you can tell, she's not too sure how to do this pic thing! Ha! But she sure is cute!

Emma Interview Fall 2012

I had a friend who started interviewing her children last year in hopes of continuing it on an annual basis. 

I love the idea! So, here goes nothing!

Emma Grace Hay, Fall 2012

What was the best thing about this summer? The best thing about this summer was getting to swim.

If you could go anywhere this next year, where would you go? I would go to Florida.

What grade are you in? Second grade

What would you like to learn this year? I would like to learn more math problems.

What is your favorite subject? Math, because it is fun and you learn more.

If you could change anything about your life, what would it be? 

Who are your best friends? My best friends are Sarah Stone, Ashlyn, and Jordan.

What would you like to be when you grow up? I would like to be a gymnastics girl in the Olympics.

What's your favorite book? My favorite book is The Boxcar Children.

What your favorite food? My favorite food is pasta.

What is your favorite color? Blue

What is your favorite holiday and why? Christmas because Jesus was born and some people knew that he was going to save the world.

What's your favorite toy or game? My favorite toy is, um, let's see, Little People, and my favorite game is War (cards).

How do you like to spend your time? I would like to have a tea party.

If you were given $1000 dollars, what would you do with it? Spend it on family and people who need food.

Who is God to you, and why is he important? God to me is a great person and he is important because he is awesome, nice, and he answers your prayers. And he listens to what you have to say, and he loves you very much. And he gives you strength to go through things that are really scary. And that is the reason he is the person that I love.

What's your favorite Bible verse? My favorite Bible verse is Luke 1:13 because it tells you to not be afraid because God is always with you, and he will never be not with you.

Do you have any special advice you would give to another 7 yo girl? Yes, praying to God, knowing God, and learning more about him, and going to church.

Do you have anything fun or special to share? No

And here are some more shots of Ems from our family photo shoot. If you can't tell, we didn't have to encourage her too much!

(Might be my fav!)

Banana Thief

So, it got quiet in the house.

Or, at least quieter ... which we all know is never a good thing with four children. I quickly noticed Micah was missing and took off to find him. 

I found the little monkey in the kitchen. Two bananas were on the counter, and I guess he decided he was hungry. So, he did his best to open them, and basically squished the banana out through a little opening he created. 

The culprit discovered.

Hey, mom! What's up?

Yeah, I'm not done here. I'm just going to finish this up.

My little monkey!

Murder Mystery

Our good friends, Josh and Crystal Ennis, love to throw murder mystery dinners-as well as great Halloween parties. We were finally allowed into the secret world of their dinners and joined them for our first one this past fall. 

The dinner this time was a spoof off of Roman times, so we were asked to dress the part. Crystal loves to decorate and immerse her house in whatever type of party she is throwing, and, of course, she did not disappoint! She had armor, columns, and all things Roman. 

The Flicks, Ennis's, and Tate's joined us in our Roman fun. 

Jeff and I really had a great time and laughed our heads off at these couples! 

Jason and Kristin

Cracks me up!

Our hosts, Josh and Crystal

Sadly, I didn't get a pic of the Tate's. The night was long but spent with good company and a million laughs! In the end, guess who the murder was? 

Yep, me! Ha!

First Day of GS

And, shortly following the girls' firsts of the year, the boys had their own very first.

Their first day to go to a mother's day out program.

Jeff and I decided that we would put them in the Good Shepherd once a week. This gives them a chance to interact with some kiddos their age and have fun, while it gives me ONE day a week to really focus on just the girls and school. It also gives us the flexibility to run any errands or see friends.

It has been such a great decision! The boys LOVE their Ms Dean (Nadine), and it has been nice to be able to work with the girls without four little hands pulling me every direction to solve problems and clean up problems. 

I won't lie that their first day was an almost train wreck for me as I was up at 1 in the morning the night before emailing the director with my worries. It seems that I have become a little more attached to my children in recent years. I know there were a lot of different aspects to this attachment, but I nonetheless was not feeling it. Luckily, the director is a good friend, and she was able to speak some truth into my wired brain and help me to relax. That conversation along with MANY pictures that she sent me throughout that first day helped me to survive! Thank you, my dear Julie! :o)

And, we haven't looked back since!

So here are my adorable boys on their first day of GS.

Micah man pointing in the direction of the dog barking during our photo shoot.

 "I mean, a DOG, mom!!!"

 How could I EVER ask him to focus on smiling for a picture?!?

Don't you just want to eat him?!!? And the lunch box?!!? Oh my!!

Toddler hands. So CUTE!

And, here's my Noah. This was the closest thing I got to a smile when I asked for it this day. 

The dimples melt me.

 Every. 

Time.

He would NOT let go of the fire place poker that was sitting in the garage! 

And, he would NOT hold his lunch box! 

A little brotherly love.

Yes, at this moment I thought that there was NO way I was taking my babies into the big, bad, dark world!!

And then we had THIS moment, and I KNEW I was taking my boys into the world. IMMEDIATELY!

Ha! Actually this picture makes me laugh! Come on boys! Just sit and take a picture! Um, not so much!

Best I could get of stinky holding his lunch box.

And, of course I was a COMPLETE glutton for punishment and wanted all four of my kiddos in a pic! 

Yeah, I know I am crazy.

I love them with with all of my heart despite their inability TO SIT STILL, SMILE, AND LOOK AT THE CAMERA!!! 

Is it really that hard? 

Really?

First Day of CC

Shortly to follow the first day of Hay Academy, we began our Classical Conversations group. We meet with a group of 60 ish kiddos each Tuesday and work on some classical educating. It's an amazing and exciting program of which we are super proud to be part of. 

So, I chose this time to go ahead and take the typical first day of school pics! Here are my girlies.

Miss Emma Grace Hay

2nd Grade

Miss Jenna Faith Hay

Pre-K

The beginning of her education journey!

Jenna never stays serious or focused for long! :o)

Sisters!

This year my super amazing and creative friend, Jen, began the official 

home school journey with her girls.

She had the super fun idea of making a breakfast for our girls and to make them a few fun items.

I can't believe that I didn't even take a pic of the cute little clipboards that we made for them. She had the great idea to put Colossians 3:23 on it as we all know that getting our children to work hard at all they do is a goal!!

Here is the fun decor Jen put together!

The crew reviewing their gifts!

Dani and Addie on their FIRST DAYS of Pre-K and K!!

Unfortunately, I did not do a good job being the photographer of this event! As I remember, I was a bit nervous and scattered as it was my first day to tutor as well. I think we all felt a little out of sorts as it was a first for many things. It was a great tradition that I hope we can continue and perhaps even infuse some of our desires to pray over the girls with specific verses and truths for the year.

I am so grateful to have such a friend as this along with me on this ride! Thanks, Jen! :o)

First Day of School

So we've decided to homeschool our little punks for the second year. This decision really is nothing short of being all about God! Honestly, my selfish desires lead me in a different direction. However, I have been able to find peace and joy in what God has called me to do for my family. It has certainly ranked up in the top 3-4 toughest things I've done in my life as well as ranked in the top 3-4 of most spiritual growth I've had with the Almighty. 

Interesting how those two seem to very often if not always be connected!

So, since God has called me to this home centered education business, I have tried to make it fun for all. We officially began our first day in early August for this year. Emma is in the 2nd grade and Jenna has begun pre-k. 

I made little goody bags for them to find when they came to their "desks" on the first morning.

Since our home is, um, cozy, we do not have an extra room to make into a school room. But, don't worry, if we are ever able to buy a larger home, I've got some FUN ideas for the space! Anyway, since we do not have a separate room, we do our work right in the hub of the house--the kitchen!

Who doesn't love new crayons and pencils at the beginning of the year!?!!? 

I LOVE to go back to school shopping!

This year Jeff and I included a little note to each of the girls about the upcoming school year. 

We tried to speak some truth and encouragement into their journey for this year.

I've decided to try to introduce a new character word and Bible verse each week. 

It's been fun to put a definition behind all of the daily "nagging" that I seem to pour out on the kiddos!

It truly is a joy to know that I get to see the "aha" moments each girl has as she learns a new concept. It's also comforting to know that at this early stage in their development that their family gets to be their  number one influence. I just keep praying that God helps me to make this a place where our relationships are strengthened and bonded in such a way that as siblings they are each other's number one encouragers and friends, and that as parents we can lead them to the heart of Jesus.