7 weeks left on the schedule--woohoo!  I didn't ship them all off this week, after all.    I rounded up some of the missing books and we did what we could, but I took my dear friend's advice to chill out over what I *didn't* have in order.  Mom, I'm sure you do understand about teachers getting tired of the school year no matter what sort of teacher they are!  And I appreciate the kind words from you ladies, truly.  Thanks!

I'm headed to Arkansas in 3 weeks for a women's retreat.  I think the Lord has really set me up because I'm going alone since none of my friends are able to join me--and I can't remember the last time I went anywhere alone for longer than 3 hours at a time!  3 whole days, during which Mr. Moo Bear will become a big boy without his mama (sniff, sniff!) and I'll actually SLEEP ALL NIGHT LONG for at least 2 nights in a row!!!  No one will ask me what's for breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, or dinner!  Or whether they can play x-box, where their shoes are, or if they really have to do all the math problems in the lesson!  I'm going to feel like a new woman.  I'm going to fly on a plane like a big person, and then rent a car and drive to Hot Springs which has darling antique and furniture and clothing shops which I can peruse to my heart's content for a few hours (my friend says I have to get a salt rub treatment at the big hotel downtown, so we'll see about that), then I'll head to Hettie Lue's ranch for the women's retreat.  She's this fantastic older (I'm serious about the older--I believe she's in her seventies!) woman with a real heart for God and a gift for teaching; they own over a hundred acres of beautiful rolling hills which they've made into a kids' camp during the summer and then women's retreats are held there in the spring and fall.  I've only been there twice and it was 10 years ago.  Her presentations are always extremely visual and deeply spiritual, and I'm so looking forward to just being alone with God for the weekend! The day after I booked my flight, I opened up my Bible in the morning to read and found Mark 6:31, "Come away by yourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile."  That is exactly what I intend to do. 

I took the girls to see Disney Princesses on Ice tonight.  Pretty impressive!  We loved it, though Noonie was upset when they all left and she hadn't been able to say hello to them all.  Her blood work results came back completely normal, praise God!  So that's trouble averted. 

We visited the boys' potential high school on Thursday and, dare I say, I love the principal!  He's great.  He's been there 31 years and you can tell he loves it.  He doesn't put up with any swearing or cursing from teachers, coaches, or kids.  He seems to be a good reader of people.  The campus didn't feel like I expected; it was actually very calm and almost home-y feeling somehow.  Apparently there are hundreds of kids who choose to go there rather than the brand-new high school that's local to their area, because they like it better at Clay.  We're still getting all green lights down this path, so we're still headed that direction, and doing it happily since it appears to be a given.  The boys will come with me on Tuesday night for a scheduling explanation so they can choose their classes.  Wow. 

The older boys have a friend staying with them for the weekend.  When they first met, they were only 3 years old!  It's so cute to see them all towering over me and having deep voices and all.  This afternoon they were jamming in their room; one playing keyboard and the other guitar.  It was gorgeous!  They're so talented and fun.

Oh, a book recommendation--if you have teens, you've got to read this book!  It's called, Yes, your Teen is Crazy!  by Dr. Michael Bradley.  I promise you, it's the best book I've read about teenagers.  He's extremely practical and explains a lot of things that you know, but don't know the *whys* about.  I can't put it down, and it's a long book.  He's an adolescent psychologist so he's seen a lot and it's not an easy read, but I'm telling you, he's got a lot of wisdom to offer. 

And I must head to bed! It's Friday--that means when I wake up, it's Saturday!  Yippee!