I'm sure that there is a lot I can say and tell you about how things are going around here, but for some reason I am drawing a blank.  In my case though, that can be a good thing!  That means less drama that has been playing out in my life.

Let's start with the most obvious friction in this family. My daughter Jackie.  Her home life and work life are still pretty drama filled.  Of course like I've said before, I feel sorry for her, but we reap what we sow.  It's sad to think that she did not heed my warnings about putting friends before family.  She basically has no friends left.  She's used/manipulated them too often is my take on it and they've just gotten tired of it.  She has been spending more time over here. The hard part is that she can't really come over when Dad is home because he is just wrapped up in his bitterness toward her over her walking out on the family and our values per her friends advice.  "Where are those friends now? Turning their backs on her."  I just pray that one day this will all turn around for all of us. 

Right now, she's trying to manipulate our oldest son B, her younger brother, to move out of the house and possibly become roommates with her after he turns 18 in May.  I, of course, knowing my daughter and her ways broached (sp?) the subject of "moving in with his sister" and he then informed me that she was infact talking to him about it.  See, June is lease up time and there's no telling what the girl roommate is going to do re-up or move out.  Then of course, her brother is also a roommate.  What will he do? Stay or go?  Jackie is determined that she will stay no matter what cuz she can't afford to move out and start over and she's pretty much burned her bridges.  At first I thought my son B was holding up to the pressure, but yesterday he made a comment about moving out.  "It would save me money in the long run to move out."  ????  There was no logic to that comment.  I told him the only benefit to him moving out was that after 6 mths on his own he would be able to qualify for a pell grant.  At home he would not, so everything would come out of his pocket for college.

Which that brings me to another thing. Brandon is now finally done with his schoolwork from last year and the year before. He got all D's and 1 C.  I still need to go in and grade his projects but I dont see his grades coming up that much.  If he's super lucky maybe to a C, but I doubt it.  He is currently taking American History and Beginning Algebra in community college. History he has and A most likely but Algebra I don't think he's fairing as well. I know he's recieved a C or two on some exams or daily work..although I think everything they do is exam based.  Anyway, I guess we'll see.  The "news" is that he has decided to get his GED instead of doing his senior yr of HS at home.  On one hand I'm not too disappointed about it cuz our diploma is unacredited in our state anyway and the BOE changed the college rules on us last year.  All homeschoolers must attend a community college and recieve thier Assoc. before being able to attend a 4 yr college.  They didn't like the fact that our Homeschool kids were outshining the PS kids in academics I guess.  So, does it really matter that he wants to move on with his future instead of wasting time with HS?  Probably not.  But on the other hand I'm a little disappointed cuz it's jsut typical of this generation and my two older kids to try to get around things they don't want to do.

I did just learn that another homeschool family, whose kids are genius', is having the same thing happen with them.  Although all their kids went to public school about 4 yrs ago. The boy who is between my two older boys age has decided to drop out of PS HS and move on with his life too.  I dont see that as any bad thing with them because all their kids are focused and motivated to go forward with their goals in life.  Mine aren't wired that way.

I can't remember if I udated about child #3 and the California thing or not.  So, just to recap incase, we aren't moving in February now either.  The manager who wanted to represent/groom J called to tell us to stay put.  The ecomomy was pretty bad out in LA he said and he didn't want our family to put ourselves in any financial strain with no guarantee's of job interviews for J.  So, for now, and we will continue to keep an eye out on the economy, we will be moving in Sept. of next year.  I'm sure that one part of the issue was that they couldn't take on anymore clients because of the economics out there.  We were really wanting to go with a manager instead of an agent but maybe we should just go with an agent.  but, as far as I'm concerned we are going in Sept.  period!!  If we are gonna do this we need to do it and find out if this is gonna work or not.  So, that's the news on that end of things.  The good news is it gives us a lot longer to save money. 

Oh yeah, J also got his braces put on in Nov.  He has top braces on right now and a "retainer" on the bottom teeth.  It's like a mouth guard. It's a piece of clear composite that is molded to his teeth.   He has to wear it for about two months 24/7 until his teeth realign on the bottom then they can put the braces on.  He has clear braces up to and the bottom will be the regular metal.  That way it doesn't draw as much attention when he smiles or talks.  Although, that retainer messes with his speech right now.  And it really causes bad breath!!  YUCK.  Poor Justin.  He soaks it in moutwash twice a day and brushes it but it just won't get rid of the smell.  So, he has to stay far from people when he speaks.

The younger children are doing OK.  School is going ok.  We have good days and bad days.  They are on target.  I wonder if I'm being a little too lazy with M the youngest though.  He's in 1st.  I have him foing math, handwriting/ scripture memorization, science, history, and sometimes spelling and phonics. Just not consistent with the spelling/phonics.  Is that good or bad?  He has already finished his two explode the code books 1 and 1 1/2.  I am going to order some more and make him do the same ones over again.  I wasnt happy with the book tests.  He got like a C on them.  C the oldest girl, is doing pretty good in school this year.  Still having a little trouble with context clues.  We've backed off the neuro-feedback therapy just to evaluate how it's worked. And it has made such tremendous difference in her. You'd never think she has/had ADD.  She's not twitching anymore.  she still has some small concentration issues but it's also due to her choices.  Who would want to sit and do schoolwork when you could pet/play with a dog who wants to play?  Anyway things are moving along here.  The chickens are laying again.  So we are now up to 4/5 eggs a day.  Plus, the new chicks are laying now.  Although, they are little baby eggs..lol  It takes three to make one of our other chicken eggs. 

Our two new kitties Tom and Rudy are also getting big and they matured as well, so off to the vet they went.  Both are its now we still like to say they are boys though..lol  They are catching mice already and are great companions for each other. 

Catch everyone next time.  Merry Christmas in case I don't update till after.