Creative Kids

Jonathan kept himself busy during soccer games with his art work. He even gained an audience!

Hannah loves the young adult women visits because she gets to try out new hair styles! Hoping she'll be doing my hair in a few years:)

How many hideouts do you think the Boxcar Children books have inspired?!

The girlies - ready for a party

Hannah and Naomi demonstrated their handwashing system in their home

What a better place for a hideout than in an overgrown tree? One of the reasons I wanted a sister all my life. These girlies have too much fun together.

Good-bye April

 Wednesday evenings in April found us out at one of the local high schools enjoying some family exercise time during Bekah's soccer practice. Once Miri decided to walk, she's was all over the place! With lots of helpful hands:). (That's a feather in Jael's hair.)

Sweet flower child Hannah makes lots of flower necklaces....

 On a cooler morning, Joey and Miri love to snuggle in big sister Sarah's bed. She has memory foam:).

Josh makes sure Miriam experiences fishing to the fullest!

 We ended April up at Hume Lake fishing. It's a family trip we all anticipate each year. We find that fishing between the two Fishermen's Conferences held at the camp each year proves to be successful. This year we didn't catch any whoopers, but everyone did reel one in. Miriam is still unsure about the whole thing!

21 Trout by 11am

The smile says it all!

 

Miriam enjoys a ride with big Sis.

As we close off April, we also are close to completing the bathroom makeover. Bekah has played a huge part in helping get the job completed.

Bekah seals the shower grout

Yea! Washing hands again!

Fail

Josh has adopted the saying "fail" for various situations. Usually when I'm telling a joke or being especially witty I'll hear him murmur "fail." No comment. It also conveys my thoughts regarding today's attempt to remove technology.

Monday went well, overall. We had a family fishing day planned, so much of the day was taken with an outing. By the time evening rolled by, we were pretty tired. There were a few reminders to get off the iMac or that we weren't checking on how our latest dragon was doing, etc. . . Tuesday also seemed to go fairly well, and a full schedule helped. The younger 7 are used to our daily routine and don't ask about iPads and computers unless they need to watch Mr. Demy or other school assignments. Sarah and Josh spend most of the day away at school, where technology is also under a tight lock and key. They were only home briefly before we headed to the church for a full evening.

Today was a different story. It seems every time I was walking by or turned around I caught Josh or Sarah near the computer or iphone trying to check instagram or text-free. The final straw was Bekah asking for two minutes to check on the status of something on a game. Bekah doesn't play video games! She had become a bargaining chip somehow.

Fail. In my weakness He is magnified. A worthy challenge producing good discussions and santification all around. We may have to extend the challenge another week. . .

Join us!

Turn off the TV with us!

This week is National Turn Off the Television week. Why would a family who doesn't own a TV care? Well, we are taking the challenge nonetheless. It would be too easy to casually shrug off the challenge because we don't have a television. When I examine our technology use, I realize that taking a break from the DVDs, Wii, other video games, social media, etc. is just a good idea and reminder that we can have fun family times in lots of other ways.

So, while we are not outlawing all forms of technology - we are being more mindful of our use. Basically, no watching stuff off the computer or putting in a DVD (car included). No extra video game playing or Wii - it's board games and outdoor games this week. While I like to think we do pretty well in all the above areas, there is always room for improvement. How often do I just want to "veg" without thinking after the kids are down? See what's happening on instagram or look at pinterest when my stack of books and memory verses are waiting. . .

The kids always think these kind of challenges are for them - little do they know the sting it brings to adults as well! Nothing can babysit better than media. Unfortunately, what our children do and who they spend time with ultimately disciples them.

I want that to be me.

St Patrick's Day 2013

Flu or not, nothing was going to stop the St. Patrick's Day festivities! While we aren't Irish, we are in good company for dear St. Patrick wasn't either!

Why celebrate this holiday? It is a day to have fun and enjoy silly traditions and folklore, but more importantly it is an opportunity to teach Truth in an age that has forgotten the real meaning of St. Patrick's Day. Paul tweeted on Sunday, "Saw the World's largest 'Pub Crawl' in Charlotte, NC. Sad to think very few would know St. Patrick brought the Gospel to Ireland, not liquor." I find even many Christians have little knowledge behind the life of this godly servant. Want a good read? Pick up the VOM copy on St. Patrick.

For the Micu's, along with reading and remembering the life of Patrick who God called out of darkness into light, we always enjoy a special treat of Lucky Charms for breakfast.

Lunch or dinner always consists of the Irish favorite, Corned Beef and Cabbage! Everyone actually enjoys it once a year:).

And then there's the anticipated Leprechaun hunt. Every year the O'Micus receive a letter from Lucky Leprechaun taunting them with his secret stash of buried treasures. His letters and clues also send us on a hunt around the acres. We never quite catch the little guy or find his gold, but he is always kind and leaves some treats!

Taking turns reading the clues

Figuring out where to head next

Lucky left his treasure in the "hobbit house" Jon and Bek have been busy making

Cookies and a bag of gold candies make for a fun leprechaun hunt

This is the closest thing to a leprechaun we spotted! Not sure what he is doing. . .

Reading - love it!

Lots of reading goes on around the Micu home. Why not get rewarded for it? This one actually rewards Mom! Yep, it's In-n-Out reading time at the local library. You get one of the above certificates for every 5 books read and you can receive up to three certificates. Do the math:). That's right, we have 24 In-n-Out  burgers to look forward to this year. While the sign indicated ages 4-12, the librarian at our library was very generous and said it counted if I read to the little ones! Wish I had asked about Sarah because she gave some to Josh, too.

We also enjoy the benefits of reading through the Book It Rewards Program (www.bookitprogram.com/) that you can sign up for through Pizza Hut. We also tried the Read to Succeed Program (readtosucceed.discoveryeducation.com/) which will hopefully send us to Six Flags this summer.

These times create fun memories and we are always tickled as a family to order what "normal" families might order at a restaurant or pay when attending an event/entertainment park. Having a large family doesn't necessarily mean that you don't do certain things - you might do them with less frequency, be more creative in how you afford it, and enjoy it more than those who give it little thought. What a great way for the kids to play a part in helping the family to have enjoyable, memorable times together. And thanks to the donations of these establishments, it's FREE to us (you just have to read....).

Resources

Today, more than every, we have a plethora of resources at our fingertips. Overwhelmingly so. Great resources that point us to God and the Gospel. Good resources point us to the Word and the Living Word, Christ.

One such resource are some simple books entitled God's Girl and God's Guy by the DiMarcos. It also comes in a 365 day devotional. Sarah has been reading through the girls' devotional with Bekah and Hannah each evening (and the boys pair off). While the material is God exalting, I'm also thankful for the closeness the girls will develop as the read together snuggled in bed. Ok, the boys don't snuggle. . .but I'm praying for close bonds.

If you are looking for a gift, this would be best for for ages 10 and up. Hannah is 8 and I think she can profit from the wisdom, but might be better suited for a little older of a girl/guy. A good read with your son/daughter, as well. I like the devotional because it helps to develop the daily discipline of seeking Christ.

May the next generation be full of "God Girls" and "God Guys."

St. Patrick's Day Fun

 St. Patrick's Day is just a fun day that we all look forward to each year.  It's a great time to remember who Patrick was and how he took the Gospel to those who had enslaved him.  We also just have some silly fun with our local leprechaun, Lucky, who likes to leave us his cereal and a fun morning of clues and excitement.

 We really had to work this year to find all the clues on six acres!  Lucky always eludes us, but is kind enough to leave us some golden treats!

 A compliment from the teen-ager, "Mom, when did you do all this without us seeing?"  I'm SO glad she still loves to run around and help with the excitement.

 Hani helps with the clues. . .

Ok, this has nothing to do with St. Patrick's Day. . .he's just too cute.  Sarah filmed Joey taking on and off her hat and blowing bubbles.  I could just eat him!

Thankful...

It doesn't have to be November to list our blessings!  I am so thankful for God's intervention in my life.  As full and busy as life is today, it is a different kind of busy.  It seems hard to believe that only five years ago my days looked kind of like this:  7:30am - Sarah to school, 8:10am - Josh to school, 11:35am - Jon to school, 3:15pm - pick boys up, 4:30pm- pick Sarah up from school . . .then, depending on the day it was off to piano, tae-kwan-do, AWANA or what not.  All the homework and busyness while juggling preschoolers Bekah and Hannah and baby Naomi. . . So I am very thankful that God directed us to bring our kids home, instructing them as we rise up, walk the way, sit down, etc.  We are blessed.

Jael collecting eggs. . .

Hannah and her flower bracelet

Naomi checks the chicken nest

First Fruits walk. . .

First Fruits with Dad.

"Come here, Tina, you fat lard. . ." , says Bekah.  Know the movie?  Yes, we have started calling JJ, Tina.

Learning about God through His creation

Choosing Books...

We are a home filled with readers.  We actually have to tell our children NOT to read so much.  Crazy.  However wonderful reading is, not all books are beneficial to read.  Here is a wonderful tool that we made into a book mark to assist in choosing our books. . .

"Would I read this book aloud to mother?

Would I feel honored to know the people of this book in real life?

Would the truth of God's Word approve of the conduct of the story characters?

If I 'spend time' reading this book, will I be challenged to live a pure and holy life, a life pleasing to God?

Will the choices and ideals found in this book profit my life?

If I read this book will it help me to better serve my Lord?"

Adapted from Beautiful Girlhood Revised by Karen Andreola

By the way, that is a book worth reading!

Field Trips....

 Last week was super busy with three field trips!  I didn't really plan it initially that way, but was fooled into thinking that the fall weather was approaching.  It might be, but it hasn't made it yet.  While the zoo was a nice day, it did heat up.  We always seem to have some kind of story happen at the zoo (Grandma getting hit with flying poop, etc.).  This was no exception.  We were with our dear friends the Anthonys when their Hannah and our Jael got sprayed by the tiger.  It was pretty gross, but very unique!

 Naomi is reminded of our goats. . .who are still vacationing somewhere. . .  Later in the week we were scheduled to attend the Fair.  Always fun and educational.  But, super hot this year.  Here we are panning for gold.

 Just the place for my kids, digging and hunting for treasures!  Was nice to have Daddy with us on this trip.

 On Saturday, I had a student to test in the mountains so we headed up the hill and Paul took the kids to the children's museum.  We love that place.  It's a wonderful place of learning and dress-up combined!

 We thought Bekah was a bit "spacy" - ha.

 Josh enjoys man "dress up."

 Can you envision Hani as an ambulance driver!!  Hope it's not too much of an emergency, I just can't see her cutting people off and running lights!

Jael is REALLY into dress-up right now so this was the perfect spot for her to try on and try on and try on. . .you get the idea!

Random stuff. . .

Micu girlies all sleep the same!

So sweet, when sleeping:)

Esau is getting lots of attention these days after the death of his brother, Jacob.

Bekah is a super baby sitter!

Josh and little buddy.

The boys are working on fishing nets from a colonial book.

Jon's is looking good. . .might make a nice hammock!

Joshua makes sappawm (mush) and it was quite tasty.  Looks like a Gray-Gray scoop of sugar!

Sappawn

4 cups milk
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 tsp. salt

Measure hte milk, cornmeal, and salt into a large pot.  Cook over low heat, stirring often.  When steam starts rising, set timer for 30 minutes and stir without stopping.  The longer it cooks the better it tastes.  Add raisins, brown sugar, maple syrup, or more milk.