As you probably remember, for the last year Briana has been getting ready to attend a college about 45 min. away this fall.  She has always enjoyed interior design, and has been really excited to study it and attend this college. 

Except for the doubts. 

They weren't there all the time.   They would just creep in on occasion.  See, there was an original decision to make about whether to pursue interior design or musical theater.  She settled on the design, because she thought it would be more practical, although, she couldn't fathom giving up either one.  To try to compensate, she was going to minor in theater, although it wasn't musical theater, which is her love.  So only occasionally would she doubt~~until November.  In November she grieved for a long time after the Nutcracker that her stage life was almost over.  She prayed a lot, and eventually settled back in.  Except now in hind sight, I'm not sure if she ever got back to the place of interest in interior design that she had been.  I think it's been a slow simmer this spring.  By the time she finished her recital (which has not only ballet, but quite a bit of musical theater type production numbers), then went to her annual 2 week muscial theater camp, she was in "crisis". 

So last week, exactly one week before orientation and writing a really big check, she came to me and said that this was not what she wanted.  She would enjoy learning some about interior design, but it was not what she wanted to do.  Her heart longs for musical theater.  Even with that, it was not an easy decision.  She loves the campus she was supposed to attend, was reluctant to make such a huge decision, and had no idea where to go from here.  We had one week to decide what to do, and Dad is in Guatemala.  (Can you say, "Okay, Mom, take a deep breath and pray?") 

I certainly wasn't set on her majoring in interior design (it's totally their decision whether they even attend college), but like her, was afraid to make such a big decision in a week's time.  After prayer and long conversations, she has decided to not go to college this year.  She has trust in the Lord leading her.  He knows the desires of her heart, and in fact, He is the author of them.  Yes, the atmosphere of the theater concerns me, but I am fully confident in Him and where He will lead and where He will protect.  Plus, I know she is very strong in her faith, and is not afraid to "miss out" or step out of something she does not agree with. 

So, now what?  We don't have a clue.  In some form or fashion and location, if it works out, we plan for it to include voice lessons, tap, and further ballet lessons.  We have a little over a month to figure that out if she is to start in the fall.  I'm not sure if she will live at home.  We are looking at Christian colleges with musical theater degrees for next year, and if that works out, she will probably be 4-5 hours from home.  I'm not at all ready to say what will happen.  The Lord is definitely still revealing Himself in this, and it may turn out that college is not the way she will go.  Briana's long term goals are to have a family and stay at home, but I know He will do so much through her until then.  He knows the plans He has for her. 

That seems to be the theme for our family this year~~  "I have plans for you.  Just be still and wait on me." 

Spring Recital
Lyrical Solo to Rachael Lampa's "No Greater Love"  (Christian song)

Ballet en Pointe~Briana is front and center

Aladdin

Triple Threat Summer Intensive Program, June 2008

Briana's Monologue~The Stepsister Speaks Out 

Musical Theater Class

Pointe class~below
   See the lady in the pink on the far right side, clapping?  She is the pointe teacher, and her husband teaches ballet.  They were both in the Kirov Ballet (Russian), and we were told this year that he was the succesor to Mikhail Baryshnikov.  This playhouse is ideally where Briana would love to train this next year, but housing is an issue. 

A couple of people have asked about an update on the mission trip.  I don't know much.  I do know that Sunday night, "many" people came forward at alter call.  I know that it has rained torents, as of this morning neither Ashley or James has been sick, they are on their way tonight back to Anigua, and will fly home tomorrow.  I am SOOOO past ready.  I'll update next week. 

Please pray for their flight tomorrow, and for Briana as she continues to seek God's direction for her life this next year.

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 I am so proud of and for Ashley!  I mentioned her college term paper in my last entry.  It is for her philosophy class through Liberty University. She had to pick a religion they had studied, include that religion's beliefs and present the gospel to a person of that religion.  She chose Islam.  She got her grade today.  A 96!!!  Yay, Ashley!  This is a really hard course, but she loves it.  She put a lot of time and emotion into this paper, and I know a great grade was important to her.  And, just for the bragging mom record~~ she made an A on her midterm, too!

As long as I'm bragging, if you didn't happen to see Briana's pictures in the previous entry, be sure to check them out.

Letitia

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.....but only for a few days!  We leave tomorrow for Williamsburg.  Marissa is so excited.  The dresses are done----I think----I hope!  I do still have to make Daniella's mob cap today.  Technically, mob caps probably don't go with the style of dresses we made, but they really wanted them.  I have to draw out my own pattern for it, but I hope it won't take me all day.  Most everything possible is already packed, leaving just the things we need tonight and in the morning.  We have someone coming to house and pet sit for us while we're gone.  Please pray for Briana.  She is not feeling well this morning. 

 It looks like our Williamsburg weather is going to be perfect---low to mid 70's and sunny.  We will be spending 2 days in Williamsburg and one day in Jamestown.  That was all we could squeeze in during Briana's fall break from college.  They just get 2 days off.  Actually, here at the last minute, she ended up with an entire week off, but we didn't know that until Monday, so we weren't prepared to leave earlier.  We didn't need to spend any more on hotels anyway.  Due to the housing market (James is a contractor), we're trying to take this trip as frugally as possible.  We're packing in all of our own snacks and bottled water in a backpack.  Lunch will be very expensive in Williamsburg, so for supper we're taking things to eat in the room---turkey sandwiches with raw veggies and fruit one night, hitting the nearby WalMart deli for some rotisseri chicken one night, and....I haven't decided about the 3rd night yet.  Any ideas?

Speaking of college, Ashley and Briana are both doing great their first semester in college.  I am so proud of them---they are both making A's on everything.  Their schedules, especially Ashley's has been a big adjustment from our homeschooling.  They've had to adapt to reading very long chapters of textbooks--some quite boring--studying for and taking tests (we don't test on our studies in our homeschool--we use discussion), sometimes weekly, trying to learn how to read new teachers and their methods and expectations.  I know some out there might use this to say, "See.  Homeschooling left them unprepared."  Quite the contrary.  Even though some of it has been a challenge to begin with, they have adapted and are learning rapidly.   Also, we have noticed how much more interested our girls are in actually learning the material.  Ashley, and her dad, couldn't figure out a math problem the other day.  When they plugged all of the information into the formula it gave, the answer was wrong.  (You notice I didn't try!!) They finally got the right answer using a different formula.  Ashley ended up emailing her professor (who does nothing in this course but grade the tests-her lectures are on dvd)  and asking him how she is supposed to know which formula to use.  He emailed her back, and his first response before answering, was to thank her for wanting to know and pursuing the answer!!  I wonder how many people out there just skip it.  We got tickled at Briana the other day.  One of her courses is U.S. History 1.  We were watching an old home movie of when Ashley was almost two.  We were in Charleston, S.C., and I was trying to tell them about everything on the tape.  I said, "On the other side of that little park is a HUGE river.  James, what was the name of that river?"  We're naming off names, and Briana (who hasn't been to Charleston since she was about 4 or 5) pops up and says, "That's where the Ashley and Cooper rivers meet, named for Ashley Cooper who.........", and she proceeds to give us the history of Charleston!  Not quite all of it  : ) but I was duely impressed. 

One thing I am very thankful for is that my girls are very strong in their writing skills.  So far, every course--speech, history, sociology.....everything but math, has required writing numerous papers and outlines, and/or essay answers to tests. 

Here are some pictures of some of our recent adventures.

Building model rockets

Washing play dishes---Ladies, do you all make sure to wear your bronze medallions while you wash dishes?

The next few are from a fall festival we went to last weekend. 

Painting with acrylics on real canvas boards

Spinning yarn

Beautiful sunset recently

Make sure to read my previous post for a chance to win a digital camera!

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It's been a different week around here, for sure.  Ashley and Briana both started college.  Ashley started her courses last week with Liberty University's distance learning.  She had taken a couple of classes before at the community college, but, boy, this has been an adjustment.  She's taking a math class, which is a regular 16 week course.  But the speech class she is taking is an 8 week course--double time.  She had to read 4 chapters last week, plus prepare an outline and research for her first speech, plus math.  She's thankful she only signed up for 2 this term.  She lived with that speech book in her hands.  She'll take another 8 week course after the speech is over.  And, yes, apparently you can take speech online.  She has to video tape her speech and scan the audience to show that she has at least 5 adults listening.   I tell you what's sad.  James and I have spent the week trying to (basically undo all we've taught her) teach her to stop reading to try to really learn, but to just read over it to get a basic understanding and overview of the material.   That's the only way to cover that much material in a week.  She has taken 2 quizzes and a test all in the first week.  Hopefully this next week won't be so intense--she only has to read 2 chapters, plus work on her speech. 

Briana just started today at the community college.  She ended up only taking 2 courses this semester, too.  This wasn't the original plan, but they don't offer but about 5 courses that she needs to transfer.  She started today with U.S. History I.  She was pretty nervous going in today, but came home much more relaxed.  I am spending a lot of time praying over her teachers and what she hears and is exposed to.  Okay, don't let the following description offend anyone.  She says her teacher is a "punk rock, country hick, self-described geek."  Should be an interesting semester.  He doesn't care if they come to class and doesn't care if they eat or drink in class as long as they don't make a mess.  He told them he suggested they read the book, but if they weren't going to read it not to bother to buy it.  I certainly would agree with that.  The ultimate college ripoff.  That history book was $108 !!!  She is also taking Sociology, but thankfully she is taking that online.  She has to go to the main campus, 45 min. away tomorrow night for the orientation, then 3 more times during the semester.

Marissa and I are enjoying doing the In The Hands of a Child Horse Project Pack. 

I have seen a couple of others not really impressed with this, but this is our first lapbook, and she loves horses, so we are happy with it.  We are adding a few little things to it as we have an idea.  Nancy had some suggestions that I'm going to read over to add some to it, too.   We have also been using Encyclopdia of the Horse, mostly looking at pictures of the different breeds.

Daniella saw an idea on Dora the Explorer online to start your own "Animal Scientist Notebook".  She came to me very excited to start one, so I got her a binder and page protectors, and she's added a few things to it.  I'll print out a horse coloring page for her to color, and I'll let her copy onto it what horses eat or something.  They are on totally different levels, and both need me with them at this point to work, so I am having a hard time spending as much time with Daniella as I would like.  A lot of times she sits at the table or nearby when I'm working with Marissa and colors or draws or looks at books.  Some days she wants to do tons of copy work, so she sits next to us and writes while we work.  That child LOVES copy work!   I read the same Bible story to them both.  I work with her in Before the Code most days, and we do a few minutes of math.  She has almost finished memorizing  her doubles, and she's learning the coins and their value.  I'm not concerned about doing much book work with her, but it just seems sometimes like she isn't getting much one-on-one time with me.  If I stop and think about it, though, I know she's getting time, it's just spread out and not necessarily sitting at the table working, so it seems less.  Overall, the days have been going really well, though.

Back to college---the worst part of it.......we can't go on vacation anytime we want to now!!  We are trying to plan a trip, and we're having to squeeze it in during Briana's 2 day fall break.  She'll be off from Friday at 1:30 until Wed.  Homeschooling has spoiled us to the good life! 

Edit:  It seems I may have come across as complaining in this post.  I was not at all.  Just jabbering about life, and how crazy this first week of college was for Ashley.  I am VERY thankful I am still able to have my older girls at home with me another year.  I don't take a minute of it for granted.  My life is very blessed.

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Briana, my 2nd oldest, graduates from our homeschool this year!  How did this happen?  She's my baby!  I keep telling her she's too little to graduate.  You know how it works--your oldest is the one whom you expect to accomplish all the firsts in record time.  You push-no, no, no,--you "encourage" them (yes, that's better) to sit up, walk, talk, learn to do this, learn to do that.   The first one graduates, and you're like--"See this is my oldest child.  She's  GRADUATING".  Then the baby comes along, and she's......well....the baby.  AND SHE'S TOO LITTLE TO GRADUATE!!!    Yes, I do know that technically, she's not the baby.  She's the 2nd of four.  But, she was the baby for 8 years before Marissa came along, so she will always be my baby.  Now before anyone misreads, this has nothing to do with how much I love and adore the oldest or the baby, or any in between.  It's just how you see your children in the birth order.  It is something that I try to stay mindful of as I parent them all.

Briana is enjoying her senior year.  She only had one and a half credits to finish, so her required "school" load has been light.   It has been decided that she will go to college, because she has a specific goal in mind.  She wants to be an interior designer.  We have discussed and considered apprenticeships, but have decided to go the college route.  So, in addition to her one credit left this semester, she is also studying for CLEP tests.  She's studying for Composition 1 and U.S. History 1 right now.  If those go well, there are several others that she will probably try.  The rest of her basic courses she will work on at the local community college next year. 

We went last week to have her senior portraits made.  She had great fun with them, and they came out so gorgeous.  It was so hard to choose.  They will be ready for pickup in 2 weeks.   Briana will also be participating in the Smoky Mountain Home Education Association graduation ceremonies in May.  We have started having once a month meetings to prepare for those.   She also made the decision, along with her teacher, to have a senior piano recital, so she has been busy, busy practicing.  She will play 6-8 songs.  Two will be piano/violin duets with another homeschooler.  She is on the praise dance team that our church is having for the Easter musical, and she's also looking forward to her senior ballet recital.  Of course, she still helps me a bunch and volunteers at an assisted living center serving dinner.  It's a fun, busy, and blessed time for her. 

Both of the older girls spent several hours Thursday as volunteers manning phones at a Compassion International marathon at a Knoxville radio station.  They each sponsor a little girl, Ashley's in Ethiopia, and Briana's in Columbia, and they just love them so much.  I have a child, too, in India.  The 2 day goal for the marathon was to have 125 sponsored.  They ended up with over 350. 

I just LOVE being the mother of these girls.  They were fun, and I loved being their mom when they were little, too, but I love it even more now.  They have matured into beautiful young women.  They are fun, mature, Godly, friends.  Of course, their issues are more complex-adult issues that require so much wisdom and prayer, and sometimes long middle-of-the-night conversations, but I am so honored, and love helping them work through them, chit-chatting with them, discussing scripture, lying in the bed giggling, and the relationship we have.  They both have hearts of gold, love the Lord, and love serving others. 

Personally, I didn't really do a whole lot this week--nothing newsworthy, at least.  So, I have lived here vicariously through my daughters.  I did have a splurge of sorts today.  I spent approximately 3 1/2 hours on the phone today.  I don't talk on the phone too often, so that was a really long time.  First I visited with Amy Beth for quite a while.  I really, really enjoyed our conversation.  Then a friend that I haven't talked to in over a year called, and we talked for about 2 1/2 hours at least.  As little as I got done today, it was so worth it.  Talking to these ladies was so encouraging and lifted my spirits today.

My "Big Girls"

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