October 2009

Fall/Homeschooling

So, it's been a while since I updated. We have been back to school for about a month now. I am homeschooling them all. Mack is doing so well with highschool work. He frequently says that he likes school which is really nice to hear. This semester I have him doing a computer typing program and an art program at home as well for his electives. Next semester he wants to take driver's ed. and Cooking. Driving....uggh!! I didn't mention that at this next birthday ( which is only a little over 2 months away) he will be 15!!! He's already talking about getting his permit. " You know mom, in a couple of months this will be me" as he is sitting in the driver's seat. NO!! I think I lost your birth certificate....or anything else you will need to get it :)

Josh is still getting done with school at record speeds! The only thing that seems to slow him down at all is Math. I at least still have a grasp on what he is learning, so for now I can help him. But, soon I will need to reach out to friends for help tutoring.

Gabe really surprises me. He does school very slowly......but, he seems to retain almost everything that he learns. So, although I wish that he would speed up so we can be done with school before lunch, I'm glad that he is learning so well. He just took a History test last week that he received 100% in and an English test that he received 96% in. So, I am very glad!!

Then there's Jesse and I. Work slowed down quite a bit for Jesse this year, but we are managing. It did allow him the oppurtunity to go on our youth group bike trip with the boys. He was really moved by the youth group kids and the teaching. He was really impressed by these young people and their commitment. It made him re-evaluate his own walk. He is reading the word more and praying more. He has become softer and more pleasant to be around. And, I just got to do some of my own music for the youth group and gave my testimony to the Women's study goup. It was the first time in a long time that I've gotten to do more than one song and it was the first time ever I gave such a lengthy testimony. I was really blessed!! And, I hope that I glorified God and was an encouragement to all that heard both things.

That's about it for now. No new pictures to put up yet. Thanks for listening and God Bless You!!

A New Phase

Mackenzie Graduates 8th Grade

So, another school year is over. I can't believe that Mack is going to be in highschool this year. We are going to be homeschooling him this year and are trying to get a grant to put him and Josh in a Christian Private High School the following year. It is insane to think about! Just yesterday he was this little 2 year old trying to get onto the kitchen stool without help and not succeeding. And, now he is 6 months away from learning how to drive a car...... And, his brothers are soon to follow!!! I pray for wisdom and discernment, Patience, and Obedience to our Father!!!

New Family Pics

SpringTime

So, it's been a while since I posted anything new. We went through Gabrial's 10th birthday and spring vacation. Over Valentine's weekend Mack broke his elbow in two places and had to have surgery to make sure his nerve was safe and to have 3 pins put into his elbow. This was definitely not what I had in mind when we went up to Mt. Hood for the weekend with the youthgroup. But, God blessed us through it. We have a wonderful family, friends, and church family that helped see us through it and blessed us with visits and calls. Mack is slowly healing and should have the full use of his left arm in a few weeks. I can smell spring in the air. My daffodils are blooming and the grass is growing tall again. Over the last month Jesse and I have been busy with the adoption process. We are trying to add a baby to the Allen Clan. It is a lengthy process, but hopefully a fruitful one in the end. We are hoping to get accepted into Adoption Ministry of YWAM in Puyalup Washington. If we are accepted into the program then there is an average of 7 months wait time. So If you could keep us in prayers as our family starts this new adventure.

Joshua's 12th Birthday

So, as most of you know the winter around the Allen household is full of Birthdays. And, this was the next one. Josh's 12th bday. He decided that Applesbees is the place he wanted to be. So, we went to Applebees and ate some wonderful food. Their Appetizer Platter is rather wonderful :)Then we headed for the Mall so his brother could spend some of his Christmas Gift Cards and So that he could get a memory stick for his new PSP that he bought with his Birthday money. It's crazy to think that this is my little Joshua. He was a little premature when he was born and had no fat on him whatsoever. And, now he is a big healthy pre-teen. Crazyness. Well, as a surprise for him we bought him an electric guitar for his birthday and he has been playing it so well. He seems to have a natural gift for music. He hears it and then goes and plays it. And, my task is to teach him what it is that he is playing so that when I say play an E for example...he can show me a couple ways that he could play that. I have been blessed by these boys. So MUCH!!! God Has Truly Blessed Us. We have three boys that are healthy, happy, and smart. Very smart. Thank you Lord for your many wonderful blessings to us and give us strength to be the kind of parents that you want us to be.