It's my Senior Year!

When I started my first semester of school back in the Fall of 2009, I had no idea what I was in for.

Well, I thought I had some idea, but I really had no idea. ;-)

After working away at my books each Fall, Spring, and Summer semester since . . . and working on CLEP tests on the side, I'm excited to say that passing my 6th CLEP test today gave me the last 3 credits I needed to finally consider myself a "Senior".

It's my last year of school! (More or less. Preferably less.)

It's the beginning of the end!!

It's . . . it's . . . it's . . .

. . . a wonderful feeling.

And I'm ecstatic. :D

~ Mrs. Arcfide

Mikaela's 1st Driving Lesson

This month has held many "firsts" for Mikaela.

She ice-skated, chased ducks (and almost fell into the Canal), colored cookies, and is experiencing her first time away from Daddy (for 2 weeks) while he's on the West Coast at a conference.

Even though she misses her "Aarwon" and looks sad whenever she hears his voice on the phone, she is thrilled to be visiting with her Gran'mama and Great-Grands at their island home. The frequent bike-rides, walks on the beach, hugs & kisses, new toys, and ice-cream treats makes her one Very Happy (and spoiled) Toddler.

This afternoon brought her another of those "firsts". She received a Lil Lightning McQueen from her Gran'mama for her 2nd birthday. After she bumped into a couple of vases on the veranda, we decided it was time to move her outside to the driveway.

It was hilarious! She would scrape against the walls, or end up in the flower beds. We need to work on her steering, for sure.

Check this video out!



~ Mrs. Arcfide

Mikaela's 2nd Birthday Party

I'm still trying to believe that my baby is 2. It seems so . . . surreal. Where did all that time go?

We did throw a party for her earlier this month, with pictures and videos to prove it actually happened!

Enjoy reliving the experience with us, and do Mikaela a favor by shedding a tear or two with her at the end, ok? She had quite a traumatic end to an otherwise happy party.



~ Mrs. Arcfide

Fall = Hayrides + Fun

It's my favorite time of the year again.

Crisp air, golden leaves, hayrides, bonfires, smores, and harvest parties.

One day after her 2nd birthday, Mikaela got to enjoy her
first horseback riding experience. She LOVED every moment of it.
"Mama, pease?" She says.
"Pease? Pease? Pease?"

In her mind, she's riding an animal that "moos".
Yes, in Mikaela's world, both cows and horses say, "MOO-ooo."

Aaron humoring the kids by doing some flips
on their trampoline. They never get tired of seeing his tricks every. single. year.
Neither do I. ;-)

Shelby and her friends.
"You need to send me this picture!" she says.

Hayride through the corn fields.

~ Mrs. Arcfide

A Light Out

She was my favorite English teacher.

She showed us she cared.

Years after I graduated high school and moved on, she still inspired me, and taught me so much about life and faith as I witnessed her fight against cancer.

Hundreds of people who love her and her family lifted her up in prayers over the past three days, as she developed an untreatable blood clot, and battled for life in the ICU. We needed a miracle.

I teared up when her husband shared that she passed away this morning, at 10:20am. Our loss is Heaven's gain.

Thank you for touching this life, Mrs. Schmuck ~ my heart will always remember you for your wonderful testimony, and love for God.

~ Mrs. Arcfide

Little Dancer

I've been meaning to post some new portraits I took of Mikaela recently . . . but picture uploading on blogger has been incredibly slow lately. Perhaps it's just my browser, I don't know. Hmm.

Anyhow, here's a recent video of our little dancer. She certainly didn't inherit her moves from me! Before too long, she'll be begging for classes . . .



~ Mrs. Arcfide

Another one hits home

Homeschool Blindspots - the full article is here.

"I am convinced that the most contagious parenting is living a heartfelt faith before your children. Fruitful interaction is not about what you do to your young people, but who you are with them. It's about having a real faith in God, and expressing it in a real relationship with a real person--not about methods and self-working principles. God intends that the side-effect of loving Jesus and enjoying the grace of the gospel will be that all people--including our children--will be touched by the Savior in us."
- Reb Bradley

~ Mrs. Arcfide

These happy, golden days

I treasure them.

The moments when she flings her little arms around my neck, with childish abandon.

The unchecked kisses she liberally rains on my lips, face, and neck.

Her little voice calling, "Mama? Mama?" even if I'm just in the other room.

Her pride in learning how to wear, and walk around in flip-flops.

The association she makes between the animals in her picture book, and the sounds they make.

Her singing, "Jesusss" and humming the rest of the tune to "Jesus Loves Me".

Her big eyes filling with tears when she hears her da-da's voice on the phone.

Her saying "Uh-oh", when she wants a diaper change.

Her sharpie scrawling on my books and table.

Her bulging tummy, and perpetual appetite for food and snacks.

Her crazy dancing when Dada returns home from work.

Her long blink complete with a wink, when it's time to "close your eyes and pray"

Her obsession with typing on our keyboards

But best of all, those generous kisses on my face . . .

I treasure them.

~ Mrs. Arcfide