So many boxes...so little time

The boxes in our house have a song.

"We are the boxes that never end, yes we go on and on, my friend!"

Ok, maybe not really, but it seems like it. We have emptied so many boxes, but there's still a sizable number not unpacked. And yet, we're still in acquisition mode. Tartan got a small trailer to haul things like flat-packed moving boxes or bicycles or whatever will fit in a 4' x 6' space. We also decided to go ahead and purchase a hybrid travel trailer from another homeschool family. It's a cross between a hard-sided camper and a popup. We hope to do a lot of family camping and just "get away from it all" upon occasion.

Writer's block- time to go do the grocery shopping.

Trusting in Jesus (because I certainly can't do this all on my own),
Naomi for the Colliers

We have furniture! (and a lot of boxes)

Our furniture has been delivered so we have places to sit and sleep. We also have an incredible number of boxes to unpack. The kitchen boxes are done and almost everything has found a spot to live in, though there are still a few items sitting on the counters that really need to be put someplace else. Next I think I'll tackle the bed linens and towels and maybe the school books after that. This is going to take a while.

My hob has a gas leak, so I can't use the cooktop until the plumber gets here. Oh, and I still need to finish planning out the school year. And, of course, there's laundry and housekeeping (such as it is) and grocery shopping to do. Have I mentioned I miss Tesco?

On the blessings side, we're all healthy and well. Kyrie has another birthday party to attend this weekend and I just signed her up for the Instruments of Praise homeschool beginners band for the fall. She's going to learn percussion. I've found a Christian dance school that has ballet classes, so Abigail can continue with that. Aidan has a Cub scout pack and we're waiting for the fall to decide on a Scout troop for Alex. Tartan and I are just waiting to see what and how we're going to be involved with outside activities.

Thanks for all the prayers and we're praying that you're well and rejoicing in the Lord.

Trusting in Jesus,
Naomi for the Colliers

So much to do

If I don't write now- who knows when I will? I've been meaning to for at least a week now, but somehow the time disappears. We had a three hour shopping experience at Sam's Club (like a Costco for those of you not familiar with the name) on Monday so it's easy to see where the time went that day, but otherwise it's a mystery. :)

The really great news is that our sea shipment gets delivered TOMORROW! Yea! We're all looking forward to having our house feel even more like home with familiar things around us.

For my female friends back in Banchory, you might find it interesting to know that I'm going to be attending a Women of Faith conference in Houston in September. It won't be quite the same, but I'm sure it'll be a blessing nevertheless. It's a Friday evening and all day Saturday event.

I've ordered and received our school curriculum for next year. That was the fun and easy part. Now I have to review it all and plan out the year. That's the time-consuming part. I'm not really sure how it's all going to come together- but I have to remember not to lean on my own strength. I'll do what I can and leave the rest to God. I got very upset with myself because I accidently ordered a microscope that I got last year. Whether I sell it or have to return it, it'll be a financial and a time loss. On the other hand, in the grand scheme of things it's not worth getting sour about.

Have a blessed day, y'all. (The Texan in me is re-appearing.)

Trusting in the Lord (have to keep reminding myself),
Naomi for the Colliers

Camp Pioneer

Someone's back from camp! Yes, for the last week yours truly has been at Camp Pioneer, throwing tomahawks and other outlandish activities. I signed up for the three-hour Mountain Man session for the week. There, I learned blacksmithing, candle and rope making, leatherworking, bullet making, fired muskets, threw tomahawks (very accurately - when I hit the target at all), and had a really great time. I also did Reptile and Amphibian study - though we didn't see any live animals there. The teacher wasn't allowed to handle anymore live reptiles after he underestimated the length of a rattlesnake. He says he did send the boy a get well card. I had a blast getting to know the boys of Troop 886. One little prank the whole troop joined in was signging the "Announcments song" whenever the staff would say the word Announcements. One staff member walked up to the rest of the staff the first time we sang it, and smugly told the staff to instead say Words of Wisdom. I still remember the look on his face when we started singing "Words of Wisdom, Words of Wisdom, Words of Wisdom". He actually screamed at us. I had a blast, and I brought back a lot of "trophies", including a mug that I gave to Dad as a birthday gift.
On Monday, just after I left, a great game that I ordered on eBay arrived. Upon my triumphant return to the house, I loaded up Neverwinter Nights and started the tutorial. It is a fantastic game set in the plague-ridden city of Neverwinter. A cure must be sought by a brave hero. That is where you come in. So far, I love it. However, my Elven Ranger isn't getting as much game time as I would like - Kyrie and Aidan love the game as well and both have characters.

Curse that Intellect Devourer...

Trusting in the Lord,
Alex for the Colliers.

Frustrating customer service, summer camp, & a birthday

We had cable tv and internet installed on Wednesday and then Sunday it shut down completely. It took them until Thursday the 5th to get someone out to discover that the cable line outside had come loose or been disconnected. It was aggravating not being able to check e-mail or look up anything online and that it took so long to figure out such a stupid problem.

But we're up and running again and now I need to catch up on what's been happening. Sunday morning in the wee hours Alex went off to summer camp for the week. He got back home late this afternoon and it appears he had a good time. I'll let him blog about it himself. While he was gone Tartan had his 40th birthday on the 4th. We spent the evening with friends at an annual get together, we sang "happy birthday", and watched the fireworks.

Thursday and Friday we went furniture shopping. We found a beautiful dollhouse bed set for Abi and Kayleigh. It's a twin on top and we'll put a full size in the space at the bottom. We also found a living room set and a china hutch (our first!).

Hopefully next week we'll get a date for delivery of our sea shipment.

Trusting in the Lord,
Naomi for the Colliers