It's Not Quite Like I Thought It'd Be

Today, my firstborn turns 18.

Eighteen years ago I was struggling with preeclampsia - my feet, hands, face, and abdomen were swollen beyond anything I had ever imagined.  After a protein urine test over the weekend and a doctor visit on Monday afternoon, it was determined that the little boy growing inside of my womb needed to be born immediately.

And, just like that...I was officially thrust into motherhood.

I had a lot to learn...but I knew that God had created me to be a mother.  He had given me this child to nurture, to teach, to prepare for the world.

...Then came sleepless nights...and I thought, "I can't wait until he sleeps through the night!"

...And then came toddlerhood...and I thought, "I can't wait until he learns to go potty...and dress himself...and feed himself!"

...Then there was preschool...and I thought, "I can't wait until he learns to read and write!"

...Early school days came and went in a flurry of commotion...and I thought, "I'll be so glad when I get him to the point where he wants to learn independently!"

...He turned 15...and I thought, "Yay, now he can drive!"

...Along the way, he began to learn to pull a man's load of work around our home and in our community...and I thought, "I'll be glad when he decides on a college to attend and chooses just the right career for himself!"

And, now...he's 18.

High school graduation is near...our school days as teacher-parent and pupil-child are almost over.

He sleeps through the night, goes to the potty and dresses himself, reads and writes, learns independently, drives his own car, and has decided on a college to attend.

He has grown to be a young man that fills me with pride.

He has big plans for his future.

...And they don't all include mom and dad.

All these things I "couldn't wait" to happen...have happened.

My firstborn son is now officially a grown man.

When I held Nathan in my arms for the first time (all 5 lb. 13 ozs. of him), I never imagined I could love him more.  As the years have flown by, I have found that I love him with a greater intensity than I ever imagined. 

There are emotions that only a mother understands - a teetering between wishing he were little again, and yet, enjoying what he has become. 

Today, I admit, I'm sad.  I'm sad for the times I know I messed up and didn't truly cherish the moments.  I'm sad that his hugs are a little different.  And that there are no child-like snuggles or bedtime stories now.  I'm sad that he no longer depends on me. 

Years ago...as I was constantly waiting for the next stage, it was hard to enjoy the moments at hand.

I thought I'd be GLAD when he was finally 18. 

...But, somehow, it's not quite like I thought it'd be...

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!

Officially announcing the newest little member of our family...

Currently 20 weeks and counting...EDD 2.19.15.  Maybe a Valentine's Baby??

We are always getting questions, and honestly, I really do love when people genuinely are curious and want to know about our family and what makes us tick.   I realize that our family is unique - isn't every family??  My family is my favorite thing to talk about!   Unfortunately, it's the condescending questions that leave me feeling misunderstood and hurt.  So...to make this post more fun, here are a few questions we have heard...and the answers we might have given (in no particular order).

1.  "Are you excited?" ...Yes, of course we're excited!  The kids can't wait to add another sibling to our sometimes crazy chaos.  It's the stuff that makes life fun and full of love and laughter!  Besides, how many kids get to grow up having "real, live baby dolls"?  (Forget those Toys R Us versions that only give a weak cry and pretend to wet their diaper - this is much more fun! ;) )

2.  "How many are you going to HAVE?" or "Are you going to have any MORE?"  ...Hey, when you already have 9 kiddos running around, that's a valid question - I totally get it.  For the record, we plan to have as many as God wants us to have.  No, we don't use birth control, ovulation kits, or natural family planning.  We realize that we are blessed we don't have to use those things.  We trust that God, the Creator of everything - from the Universe to the mitochondria in each tiny living cell -   knows best. 

3.  "How do you AFFORD all those kids?" ...Well, Gregg has a wonderful job that he loves with a very good company, making a good salary.  But, we have basic cell phones without internet, we don't have cable television, we don't have car payments, we don't eat at restaurants as often as many families b/c we can eat much cheaper (and healthier) at home, we never turn away hand-me-downs, we buy quality items from yard sales and consignment shops, we rarely buy items that aren't on sale or clearance...you get the idea?  We make what some people might call "sacrifices", but when I look around our home, and watch my children growing, I don't feel like we're sacrificing at all. 

4.  "You must really like being pregnant, don't you?" ...I'm going to be completely frank here.  There are parts of carrying a child that I REALLY love - like feeling Baby kicking around inside of my womb.  That has never gotten old to me!  I love feeling my older children rub their hands along my tummy and give it a hug in their anticipation for a new brother or sister.  I love the wonder and miracle of birth.  It awes me every time.  ...But, honestly, I don't enjoy the morning sickness, the migraines, the 50-60 lbs. of weight gain I typically experience, the aching back, the relentless fatigue, the swollen hands and feet, or the struggle with my prenatal and postpartum body image.  Pregnancy isn't easy for me...but it IS absolutely worth it!    

5. "Do you know what causes that?" ...We get this question ALL. THE. TIME.  I get a kick out of total strangers thinking they are being original and funny.  Gregg usually comments, "Are you asking because you honestly think we don't know...or because you need us to explain it to YOU?"  I've recently started to simply comment, "Yes...and we really enjoy it!"  I don't think we've heard a really good comeback yet.  ;)

6. "Aren't you afraid something will go terribly WRONG, especially now that you're older?" (Yes, people have actually said this to me.) ...Pregnancy and childbirth have their risks.  But, it is a very natural part of life.  I was a Biology major in college, and I know how to do my own research.  I have yet to see any convincing data that shows that a healthy woman shouldn't bear children during her child-bearing years.  The risks of "something going wrong" are there for women of all ages.  Gregg and I choose not to base life decisions on fear of what "might happen."

7. "How do you DO it?  You must have a lot of patience!" ...I never quite know how to answer this one.  It's like asking a mechanic how he rebuilds an engine, when I have hardly any idea what's even IN an engine.  He'd probably tell me he rebuilds it "one step at a time."  ...Or like asking a surgeon how he performs a quadruple bypass.  He'd probably tell me "taking one moment, one step at a time."  I guess that's how I "do" it, too.  Each day is different.  I take "one step at a time." I don't always say the right things or do the right things.  I've learned from trial and error...and just when I think I have it all figured out and I'm so proud of myself, my next child throws me a curve ball.   I was not born with enough patience...but, thankfully, I've developed more over the years.  God gives me grace...and so do my children.  It's part of being a FAMILY.  Over the years, I've been learning that there are some things more important than others.  It's been a delicate journey learning what to let go and learning what battles I must fight. 

8.  "How much do you spend on groceries?" ...This year, we have budgeted $850/month for groceries.  This does not count approximately $2000 in beef/year as we purchase our beef "by the cow." (we have a "cow" line item in our budget - how funny is that?)  Groceries include food items (of course), paper products such as toilet paper (see #9!)/paper towels/paper plates/napkins, cleaning products, and hygiene products.  (It does not include eating out, as we currently budget that separately at $150/month for our family of 11.)

9.  "How much toilet paper does your family use?" (Don't laugh - I've heard this question!)  ...I have no earthly idea! :)  It's a necessity...if it gets low, trust me, I buy more!  I absolutely do not have time to accurately document that one, but I can tell you, we have a lot of rear-ends to wipe. ;)

10. "What kind of car do you drive?" ...Our current family vehicle is a 2008 Ford F350, 15 passenger van.  Gregg drives the "little van" to work - a 2002 Chevy Venture mini-van.

11. "How many bedrooms do you have and how do you place that many kids in those rooms?" ...

       We have 4 bedrooms.  One bedroom belongs to the 5 youngest sons (ages 2-10).  Gregg designed and built a set of quintuple bunk beds for them this summer.  They LOVE them!  Our only issue has been keeping them from frolicking late into the night - it's like having a constant sleep-over with your best friends!

        Another room belongs to the 2 girls, where they share a full size bed.  The room is painted pink.  Thank heavens for some pink!  ;)  We also keep the baby's crib in this room.

        The 3rd children's room has a set of full-size bunk beds that Gregg built years ago.  Currently, our 16 yr. old claims the top bunk, and our 17 yr. old claims the bottom bunk.  The room contains things like antique records and radios...and baseball trophies. 

        And, finally, the 4th bedroom is the master bedroom - that would be ours.  :) 

***SPECIAL NOTE (in case some of you are wondering):  We have 2 bathrooms, which is usually enough.  But, let's just say that ONE advantage to having lots of boys is that they don't mind peeing OUTSIDE ;)...and the girls almost always use the master bathroom.    



12.  "Do you think you are better than other people who don't have as many children as you?" ...Ok, I'll admit, this recent question stunned me.  I'd never really considered that thought.  If we have conveyed that in some of our responses over the years, I openly apologize.  If we did, it was probably b/c we felt like you looked down on us b/c we had "so many."  We've been around the block long enough to realize that everyone is different.  We also realize that we do not know or understand everyone's circumstances or decisions.  Some people wish they had more children, but they couldn't or felt they shouldn't...some wish they didn't have as many...and some consider themselves to have planned their families just perfectly.  We don't look at a couple with 2 children (or any number of children) and think we are "better" than them.  Not everyone was created to be a teacher, or a doctor, or a musician.  By the same token, not everyone was created to have a "large family."  We're just being obedient to what God has called us to do with our lives.  It's ok to be different.  We respect you.  We expect you to respect us, too.

13. "What are you going to do about college?" ...It's called planning.  We know it's coming, at least 18 years before it actually does.  When each of the kids is around 6 weeks old, we open them an account.  We save.  If they get scholarships, guess what?  They get to use the money we've saved for them for something else. It's a good educational motivator. ;)

So, yeah, we get lots of questions...and some funny looks...and some rude comments.

But, we often get some of the sweetest compliments and sincerest questions, too.

We can appreciate and handle both.  ;)

Life is what you make of it...and HERE WE GO AGAIN! :)



 

You Have Been My God

“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.'”  

-C.S. Lewis

 

 

It's not easy holding onto a faith that the world around you tramples upon, devalues, mocks, and misunderstands.

 

It's not easy going against the grain, being different, and always feeling the need to explain your thoughts and convictions...only to have those look back at you with blank stares or condescending gawks.

 

Sometimes...just sometimes...you want to give up.  You know deep in your gut you shouldn't think that way, but you can't seem to help it.

 

You no longer have the energy to explain your thoughts to others.  You no longer have the energy to try to defend yourself and your precious Savior. 

 

Sometimes, you want to listen to Satan's whispers of defeat and false reasonings.  There's a part of you that wants to take the path more traveled. 

 

Sometimes, you just want to be "normal."  (You don't quite know what "normal" is...but you're pretty sure you're NOT IT...)

 

Sometimes, it hits you that a homeschooling, no tv, 9-kiddo-family in a 4 BR home, that would rather go hiking than go to Disney World ANY DAY, no skirt-wearing, contemporary-worship-loving family JUST DOESN'T FIT IN ANYWHERE.

 

And then...God asks more of you.

 

...And, you're not sure you can handle it.  You're so far from perfect it makes your heart hurt.  And Satan likes to remind you often of how weird and weak you are.

 

True friends that can "hang" with your large, crazy family, for an extended time, are few and far between.

 

And, then...

 

God speaks to you. 

 

"I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14 NAS)... He is everything.  Beginning.  End.  Everything in between.  He IS.  He's always the same...forever faithful, infinitely wise, perfectly just and unconditionally loving, all-knowing, everywhere all the time.  He knows the past, present, and future...AND HE ISN'T SURPRISED BY ANY OF IT.

 

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1:25 NAS)...We think we are so wise.  We think we can search and research and figure it all out.  God knew we'd be this way.  He KNEW we'd try to explain Him away.  Even the most educated scientists can't even explain and classify the platypus - a unique creature I'm convinced God had much fun creating, knowing we'd scratch our heads at how it doesn't seem to fit. (sorry...a little tangent there!)  This scripture reminds me that God is so much wiser than us...and so much stronger.  I'd do well to rely on HIS wisdom, and HIS strength...instead of my own.  (I am WAY TOO OFTEN prone to rely on my own.)

 

And this past week, I was in the car alone and heard a song I hadn't heard before.  (Usually, the kids keep me from hearing all the words to a song...but I was able to soak in the words and music of this one.) 

 

 

 

And, it spoke to my heart and was exactly what I've been feeling.

 

No matter how much I doubt His plans for me...

 

No matter how defeated I might feel...

 

No matter what mistakes I may make...

 

No matter how inadequate I might feel for the task at hand...

 

He's "been my God through all of it."

 

Lord, "I look back and I see You. Right now I still do. And I'm always going to."

 

Thank you for speaking to me...for giving me encouragement and strength and reassurance that YOU ARE enough.

 

Through All Of It

By Colton Dixon

 

There are days I've taken more than I can give
And there are choices that I made
That I wouldn't make again
I've had my share of laughter
Of tears and troubled times
This is has been the story of my life

 

I have won
And I have lost
I got it right sometimes
But sometimes I did not
Life's been a journey
I've seen joy, I've seen regret
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it

 

You were there when it all came down on me
When I was blinded by my fear
And I struggled to believe
But in those unclear moments
You were the one keeping me strong
This is how my story's always gone

 

I have won
and I have lost
I got it right sometimes
But sometimes I did not
Life's been a journey
I've seen joy, I've seen regret
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it
Through all of it

 

And this is who You are
More constant than the stars up in the sky
All these years of our lives, I
I look back and I see You
Right now I still do
And I'm always going to

 

I have won
and I have lost
I got it right sometimes
But sometimes I did not
Life's been a journey
I've seen joy
I've seen regret
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it

Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it

 

Songwriters: REED, MOLLY E. / GLOVER, BEN

© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
For non-commercial use only.

Data from: LyricFind

HAPPY 18TH ANNIVERSARY TO US!

Eighteen years ago YESTERDAY we said, "I do." 

Seems like not that long ago we were counting down the months...then the days...then, quite literally, the hours...

photo credit: Larkin Corley

Until we would be together in front of family and friends.  

We could hardly wait to make a lifetime commitment to one another!!

photo credit:  Larkin Corley

photo credit:  Larkin Corley

Eighteen years have passed...

11 children (9 Earthly and 2 Heavenly) have been added to our oneness...

Lots of laughter...

Our share of tears...

Arguments...

Compromise...

Security...

Learning from mistakes...

An unshakable commitment...

Love. 

God has helped us make our house a home, and I wouldn't trade my life for the whole world.

I love this man more today than I have ever loved him.  

I know this kind of love and commitment is rare in our world today.  So, I don't take it for granted.

Our prayer, for our children, is that they would experience the same kind of love one day. 

To my precious husband - you are mine, and I am yours.

HAPPY 18TH ANNIVERSARY TO US (1 day late)!  

I Didn't Want to Write This, But I Wrote It Anyway

Gregg put this song into the CD player last night while we silently folded laundry together...and I realized we're both feeling it.  My precious husband has been burdened on almost every side.

The weight of the world is on his shoulders...and seemingly a new outside complaint or conflict comes every day.

He. is. worn.

And, me?

I'm worn, too.

I have this tremendous urge to tenderly gather my husband and my children together and retreat from everyone - like a mama bear gathers her cubs and retreats into the forest.

But, I know that's not God's plan for us.  We are called to be salt...and light. Retreating, like hermits, is not an option.

I'm just frustrated...disappointed...maybe I've even been disillusioned.

Maybe the world isn't good.

Maybe people really are as selfish as they seem.

Maybe no one is really "real" after all.

Maybe it doesn't even matter...

Maybe it's ME.

For the past 18 months or so, especially, I have watched a large handful of my friends experience excruciating pain and consequences - some pain brought from their own choices, and some from the choices of those they care about most, and some for reasons only God knows.

I have watched death...pain from sexual immorality...cancer...the loss of a child...the untimely loss of a spouse after childbirth...marriages ripped apart...financial messes...a church that has turned others away from God...PAIN.  Silently, I have felt others' burdens as my own.  Many have no idea that I've been screaming out to God to hold them, to heal them, to take away the pain...to teach them and to change them if needed.

I've questioned God.  I've wondered where He is in all of this.

But, I've found Him always here...always very real to me.  I can't see Him, but I know He's here, as sure as I can't see the wind but can feel it on my face.

I so rarely find Him living in those who claim to be His people.  Is it any wonder that those who don't know Christ personally have no use for us?  Most days, I don't want anything to do with "christians," either.  Why is it that we say we are "believers," but we really AREN'T?

Maybe I expect too much.  I expect others to be who they say they are.  I expect them to do what they say they will do.  I expect them to have maturity...and integrity...to admit mistakes and learn from them...to have a passion for loving others more than themselves...to be kind...to have the ability to put themselves in someone else's shoes (or at least TRY).

God is up to something (Isn't He always?)...I just hope Gregg and I can hang on.  I pray that we can be faithful...that our speech will be honest, but with a pure heart...that we can remember that our battle is against Satan and hell itself, not against others.

In God's unfathomable sovereignty, He has planned a time of rest for our little family soon.  In the next couple of months, I hope to blog about all God does. We had no idea, in the planning stages months ago, that our family would need a time of rest as desperately as we need the air we breathe.

I'm grateful.

I'm worn...but I AM grateful.  I'm anticipating a God-change in me...in my family.  I have a strong feeling that it could be a painful pruning.

There are things inside of me that need to change.  I need new passion, new knowledge, new calmness, new perspective, new laughter, new joy...and who knows what else!

I sometimes hear people comment that I have it "all together."  I'm not trying to appear humble when I say, "I do NOT have it all together."  I REALLY MEAN IT.  I've made more mistakes than I care to mention.  I get my feelings hurt, hold grudges, and complain.  I can be more selfish than anyone I know. Sometimes painful, ugly words that I'm tossing around in my head and heart, come out of my mouth...and they hurt others.  I understand I'm not perfect.  I understand that no one is perfect.

Perhaps God allows us to become worn so we can enjoy the renewal.

Perhaps He allows us to become worn so He can prune us.

In our back yard are some beautiful roses.  Each year, Gregg and my older sons prune them until they look like they are dead.  And then, with warm sunshine, leaves begin to emerge.  Before I know it, they are blooming beautifully.

I want to be like that.  

As the song says, I want to see God "mend a heart that's broken and torn"...and "all that's dead inside can be reborn."

I didn't want to write this post, Lord.  I've been avoiding it longer than I can remember.  I have no idea why I'm putting it "out there" now, except that I'm pretty sure You're telling me to write and trust.  Perhaps, I was supposed to write this to help me heal.  Perhaps, it's supposed to help my children one day. Perhaps, it's for someone else.

So...here's to being worn...and, Lord, here's to trusting in your plan.  Give our family clarity, wisdom, and strength to make changes where You want us to change.

"Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Thy presence, and do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.  Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners will be converted to Thee." (Psalm 52:10-13)

Someone Else "Gets" Me

God always knows when I've been feeling down...misunderstood...alone. (Yes, with 9 kids, you CAN still FEEL "alone.")

He knows when I've been running around constantly...always more to do...feeling like I'm drowning...no time to stop.

He knows when I'm longing for adult conversation, mom-to-mom...longing to connect with someone who "gets" my crazy life...longing to laugh...longing to rest.

Today a friend came to visit.  She has 5 children of her own, she gets a very rare day alone, and she CHOOSES to drive 2 hours to visit with ME.

Yes...I am absolutely humbled...and beyond grateful!  God knew I needed to see her.  I think God knew she needed to see me, too.

In 18 years, we have been able to visit with each other only 3 other times.  And, today, we picked up our conversation as if we have always been together.

There was nothing extraordinary about our visit.  Chatting, walking around the yard, lunch, swinging on the front porch...a beautiful, perfect Spring day.

We walked through old memories and laughed about new ones.

We spoke of our husbands' strengths and God's perfect provisions in our lives.

My older children took care of my younger children and basically kept to themselves most of the afternoon.  I really think they sensed how much I needed this day.  The kids actually commented that I "looked like a kid in a candy store" when my friend arrived.  Was my excitement THAT obvious!?!?!  What a blessing their obedience and helpfulness was to me today!!

I didn't do laundry, or cook lunch, or sweep the floor, or pour a drink, or even change a diaper while she was here.  I just visited!  

...

I hated to see her leave.

And, after she left, I thought of a dozen things I wanted to ask about her life...and so many things I wanted to share with her about mine.  I'm hoping we can arrange another visit in the next few months.

But, I'm thanking God this evening for a special day today.

I'm thanking Him for working out all the crazy details of putting two very busy moms together for a day - with very few interruptions.

I'm thanking Him for using my friend to remind me that He is with me and He understands my desires and needs, even when I may not feel like it...

I'm thanking God for using Marcy to remind me that, although my life isn't "normal", SOMEONE ELSE ACTUALLY "GETS" ME.

Our Home Was "EGGED"!

Yesterday morning we awoke to a note taped to our front door...

What a unique reminder of our Savior and His empty tomb!

(Special Note:  Our yard didn't contain the usual 12 eggs...instead we had 3 dozen!  Guess this group of "outlaws" knew a single dozen wouldn't be enough for our 9 kiddos!)

It was a lot of fun...and we were able to talk to the littlest ones about the significance of an empty egg representing the empty tomb of Jesus.

Easter is right around the corner. It has nothing to do with bunnies...or eggs...or pink straw...or chocolate - although those things can be fun.

Easter is a celebration of our Risen Savior.

We can never be perfect on our own...but, with Jesus' death and His resurrection, we can be made perfect!

A very special thank you to our friends, who found the time to sneak around our home late one night. (Glad we didn't hear you and try to shoot you!  Lol!)

Thank you for your effort to bring joy - and a gentle reminder of God's never-ending love to our family this celebration season.

Our home was EGGED!...and we might just have to pass it on...

It's No Accident

Lunar Eclipse Observation 101 - Oct. 8, 2014

Kids awake by 4:15am... (No, I am not a morning person...and, yes, I got called "grumpy" by my 11 yr old. She was right, and I am not proud of this...but I did straighten out my act after being called on it. Go, Mom!)

Much excitement...(just picture a 3 yr old little girl running through the house in pink fleece footie pj's at 4am)

At one point, the "moon gazing" evolved into "star gazing", b/c the clouds kept covering the eclipse...

Part of my moon-gazing, star-gazing crew...
The outside light was on only briefly,
b/c I couldn't get my camera to take a pic in the darkness.
And, the Ritz cracker box -
this was a homemade pinhole box we made several weeks ago
to view a SOLAR eclipse.
Samuel grabbed it with excitement and thought we could view the moon with it.
Nope, little man, sorry.  You can see the moon much better with your own eyes.

So Gregg showed them Jupiter (and 1 of its moons) through the telescope.

At the time of total eclipse there was complete cloud cover, and we were very disappointed.

"We waited 2 hours for THIS?"

"Ummm...this is interesting...but highly overrated."

"Well, at least I TRIED to make school fun.  Do you understand what a big deal this is?  Even when an eclipse occurs, it's rare to be able to see it in YOUR town.  And, even then, the weather conditions have to be just right.  At least we were able to see part of it, right?" (I did well keeping my grumpiness at bay...Go, Mom!  I'm not sure they were convinced it was worth it, though.)

But...then the clouds parted for about 30 seconds! (Thank you, Lord, for answering my spoken prayer from just minutes before!)

We were able to behold the "blood moon" just after 6:30am.

Honestly, I think the kids were tired by then and less enthusiastic than I had hoped.  (and naptime will not come soon enough!)

But, we managed to grab a few photos, and we discussed the physical logistics of how an eclipse occurs.

We talked about how God does, indeed, have an order to our universe, and He gives us glimpses of this every day in "ordinary ways" and sometimes in some "not so ordinary ways."

The heavens truly behold His glory...it's no accident.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

                                    Genesis 1:1

Solar System - part 2

Finished it... (well, almost...still need to repurchase the missing Uranus, paint it, and add it to the dangling wire that marks it's placement on our model)

I was hopeful the small Styrofoam ball would show up, but it hasn't.

All-in-all, I think it turned out pretty well.  The kids learned some neat things about our Solar System: 

1.  God did amazing things when he perfectly designed each planet's mass and gravitational pull to keep it in it's orbit.  And the Earth's position in our Solar System is perfectly compatible with life.  A little closer, or a little further from the sun, and we have NO LIFE. 

Could that REALLY have happened by accident?  Seriously, I don't think so.

2.  Our model is not built correctly "to scale", because it would be very difficult to do.  In reality, the sun is so much bigger than the planets...and the real distance between planets would require a much larger model.

3.  One time around the sun = 1 year.

4.  There used to be 9 planets in our Solar System.  However, in 2006, Pluto was deemed "not a planet" according to a revised definition made by the International Astronomical Union.  So, now we have 8 planets.  Yes, scientific "facts" sometimes change.  It's important to note this.  (I joked with Isaiah, who is 8 years old and very strong-willed, that his birth must have shaken the entire Universe b/c even the planets changed the year he was born!) 

5.  We can name the planets in their order according to distance from the sun.  Why does it matter?  It doesn't really, I guess...except that it helps us begin to get a sense for the beauty and wonder of the Universe.  It "sets the stage" for exploring more of God's creation.

As it turned out, it wasn't really necessary for me to be a "control freak" over the project.  Eva played that role quite well.  Maybe it's a "girl thing." ;)

positioning the sun

taking it outside to show it to Daddy



Yes, sometimes we climb on the furniture...

I really wanted to add Pluto...but, it was deemed "not a planet" in 2006.
Who knew???
Things have changed a bit since I was in school!