Hello Everyone (hellooooo....is anyone out there still?)

I finally overdosed on blogging.  First one blog slowed to a stop, then this one.  I have one left, upon which I blog quite steadily.

It's just that there's only one of me (as well as a life too busy to have several blogs), and I should probably have a blog that reflects that. So, I've been thinking and thinking.  Ideas are forming.  I'll probably get my own website, to which I will order my son to do beautiful blog styling to, and include those things that are most important to me: faith, God's glorious creation, family, education, literature, writing. 

There's been lots of changes around our home--we've converted to Catholicism, which hopefully doesn't drive all of you away (any that have stuck around since my last post in January, that is).  My other blog was all about the journey crossing the Tiber.  This blog certainly wasn't the place to discuss the deeper theological issues that have been so close to my heart over the past year, so they had to be poured out elsewhere.

Now, the desire to 'integrate' all the parts of my life is taking precedence.  I've been writing more, even had an article published in Canticle Magazine (the March/April 2008 issue), and it might be nice to work at blogging in a serious writer kind of way.

At any rate, I love you all (especially Bethanyrae, TC, Miry Clay and more), have loved my time at Homeschoolblogger.com, and hope that you'll come visit me once in a while when I get my new blog up.  I'll post of course, letting you know the address.

Please stand in solidarity with all those who are joining the March for Life in Washington, D.C.  Pray for safety for the marchers, and pray for all the pre-born babies in danger of being aborted, and for the mothers who are contemplating abortion.

There is nothing so cheap and tawdry as a highly educated individual who lacks character.  I have had the unfortunate and trying experience of working with someone whose six years of higher education has entirely failed her in regard to business etiquette and treating co-workers with respect.

One reason homeschooling appealed so strongly to my husband and me was the fact that homeschooled children (for the most part) exhibited higher levels of social skills.  They were more polite, more attuned to the needs of others rather than themselves, and moved easily in a diverse population of young, old, etc.  Many homeschoolers also understand that their purpose in life is not primarily to please themselves, but to give of themselves and to glorify their Maker.

And being a homeschool parent, I am always in a learning mode myself.  What am I learning as I go about my short workday with an individual who expresses authority in inappropriate ways? Well, I'm learning patience, I'm more and more grateful for the magnificent decision to bring my children out of the culture at large to educate and raise them at home, and I'm learning that I can remain untouched (in my inner being) regardless of how others are viewing me or treating me.  That last one is a biggie...so many of us spend our lives in the attempt to please man and not God.  We bow down to living images of men and women as a way to win respect or love or to feel good about ourselves.  It is a deadly path.

So as I go off to work today I will be grateful that 10 years ago we felt compelled to bring our children home, to rescue them from a culture that values an education over moral character, and money and status over love for one's fellow man.  Life is eternal.  Our time here on earth is brief.  I pray that I've imparted to my children the important things, the eternal things that they will take with them when they leave here.  Love, wisdom, kindness, discernment, charity, a grasp of truth, the transcendent fact that man is Imago Dei (God's image), and as such, has a sacred duty to love his neighbor as himself.  I pray that I can remember that, too, as I work today with a highly-educated but very ignorant person.  Peace be with us both.

Have faith. It will come again.

This is why I have to constantly buy tissues.  He's got a compulsion for them.  Every since he was a puppy.  At least he's physically healthy.  

This is Pepper.  She has no shame whatsoever. 

These two, of their own volition (which may include a desire to get away from parents ) have volunteered to help out with a junior basketball team on a cold Saturday morning.  One thing about homeschooling, it seems to naturally engender a desire to help out, to volunteer.  I love my volunteers.

I cannot believe he is 16, but it's true.  Had the usual trouble getting a picture this morning (don't ya love his new robe), but he managed to give me a whopper of a picture.  I know he'll regret it later today!

And happy birthday to Shawn, who is 17 today!

Yes, it was 17 years ago that God blessed me with this darling young woman.  Have a wonderful day, sweetheart!

I love snow, and I love my boy, and I love that little dog. :-)