Happy Birthday Jesse-Grace

I almost can't believe it. Our "baby girl" is turning 14! It's crazy just how fast 14 years can go by. I remember people telling us to savor the moments, not take time for granted, and to cherish even the "hard stuff'. They were right. We have officially had more time with our girl than we have left with her. I thought I'd share 14 things about Jesse and 14 of my favorite pics of her in celebrate. So with out further ado....

1. You are an amazing sister. You love your brothers not matter how crazy they make you. 

2. You have found a sport you love and are good at. You have shown great dedication to your sport and it has paid off. 

3. You are beautiful. Never doubt it!

4. You love Jesus. This is one of the best things about you. Your faith will get you through a lot cling to it. 

5. You are super creative. 

6. You have a servants heart. Your kind beyond your years. 

7. You love to learn about neat places. I hope you get to travel to all the places you love reading about. 

8. You rock at being a cousin!

9. You are not afraid of an adventure. 

10. You are compassionate with a heart to give. 

11. You are a good friend. 

12. You made us parents and with you we started a family. Thanks by the way ;)

13. You're crazy sassy. It is one of the things we love about you. 

14. You might have entered this world small but you have always been a fierce force to be reckoned with. I know as you grown into an adult this will be a wonderful trait! I know you'll learn to use it for lots of good.

Five Points Academy

This year we decided to name our home school. I know in a lot of states each family is asked to do this for reporting purposes. But, here in Alabama that is not a requirement. Actually we home school under a cover school so technically you operate under that school name. It was after picking our theme verse and sharing it on facebook that a friend shared the idea for our school name. I thought that it would be super fun to name our school. You know so when people ask where we go to school we can have a quick answer.

This is the verse we picked to be our theme or the year....
1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
The verse covers 5 points that we should exhibit to be a good example: speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. So that is how we became "Five Points Academy". Our goal is to cover each of the points this year and with any luck "master" those so we can be a good example to the world.

I think we are going to make a couple different posters for our school room with our school name and each of the points on it. The kids love the idea of having a school name and even suggested we get some t-shirts made (or have mom who sews whip us up some ;) ). Since I love when family can keep up with what we have going on in the classroom and around our home I even created a instagram hashtag #fivepointsacademyhomeschool.

I really can't wait to see what all we discover this year at "Five Points Academy". One thing is for sure. It will never be short on excitement, learning and fun. Praying blessings on not only our school year but on all students both home school and other wise as they embark on this year.

First Day Of School 2014-2015

Yesterday was our official first day of school for the 2014-2015 school year. We are so excited about our 4th year homeschooling. It has been such an amazing journey and we are so blessed God called us to this. Of course we were extra laid back but who can have a first day of school without snapping a couple pics.
I am hoping to finish pulling together our school room and get some pictures up. Also I can't wait to share our school name and verse for the year.

First Day Of School At "Five Points Academy"

Everyone around the school table working on a new "about me" poster. We do this every first day of school it is neat to see how much they change from year to year. 

Cooper is so excited to be joining us! I am kind of nervous about homeschooling a kindergartner since the other two went to public school in K but I know God gives me all the grace I need to make it work.

It is hard to believe Jesse will be in the 8th grade. It honestly seems like just yesterday I was snapping her first day of K picture. 

Duece was kind of the "reason" we started homeschooling. He was in the 2nd grade the year we started. WOW. A lot has changed since those first days but it has all been for the good. 

This is our attempt at a "nice" group photo....

This however is reality...

This neat bell is in our yard. The kids said it could be our school bell like on Little House On The Prairie so I can call them back in after breaks!