You simply must pop over to Nature Notes From Above's
blog! A mama Robin has built a nest in a planter outside her kitchen window.
She is doing a great job at documenting the whole thing.  The little babies have hatched now and they sit there with their little beaks wide open, waiting to be filled. (It reminds me of us, as God's children, waiting, wide open... to be filled.)
Anyhow, go check it out! It's truly amazing!

Just to give you an update, the little boy(mentioned below) is now conscious and they're taking him off the seizure medication.  Thanks for your continued prayers!

I had a very eventful night last night! Let me explain...

Around 9pm, I was sitting here, at my computer, checking email and browsing around The Homeschool Lounge.  I had my lovely little 18 month old daughter sitting on my lap.  She was all ready for bed and interested in what I was doing.  As any 18 month old is, she was very curious as to the items on the desk(she knows the computer is 'off limits').  Without warning she picked up a photo from a stack on the desk and flung it over her head, poking me in the eye with it.  It hurt like crazy, as I had no time to protect myself.  She started to cry because of my reaction; yelping "Ow,ow,ow"! 

It bothered me for a while, but after I put her to bed, I went upstairs to watch 'Trading Spaces'.  It seemed to help to focus on the TV, as long as I kept my eye open and didn't rub it.

Well, bedtime eventually came and when I went to close my eyes, it really hurt.  I was so tired and really wanted to close my eyes, but couldn't!
Hubby, my 'knight in shining armour' said that he would run out the pharmacy(we have one that's open until midnight) to get me some eye drops.
When he returned, some minutes later, he said, "Get dressed, we have to go to the hospital."
"What?!" was my reply.
When he told the pharmacist what had happened, she said we should go to the hospital to have it checked out.

So he got a family friend, who lives close, to come and sit on our couch, while we went off to emergency.  It was midnight by now, and I was grumpy because I couldn't go to sleep, that was all I really wanted!

It was 2 hours before we finally saw a doctor, who told me that I had a corneal abrasion.
He put my head in this nifty contraption, shone lights in my eye and dropped all sorts of interesting things in it.  Oddly, I started to feel like I was going to faint.  Medical procedures freak me out.  I didn't faint, phew.  The freezing felt especially nice, as for once it didn't feel like I had a log floating around in there.  He said that the eye should heal itself, but it would take a day(24hrs) or two before it was back to normal.

We were home by 3 am, and now I was hungry but too tired to eat.  I finally was able to drop into bed and the kids slept in until 8am! That was nice, but still not quite as many hours as I need to function normally.

My eye is way better today, still tender, but I'm able to open and close it without discomfort.  I am amazed at how such a little scratch can cause so much pain.  Thankfully it wasn't something worse.  I am also amazed at how God has made our eyes to heal themselves like that!

I have not been feeling well this week and so I've not been around here.  I feel a little better today, although I'm still congested, at least the sinus pressure is gone.  When I have sinus pressure I just can't bear to look at the computer screen.

Amazingly enough, we did manage to get some school done.  I'm so glad my older two are reading and therefore a little more independent.  Today, however was rather weak in the educational department and everybody seems a little restless tonight.

What I really feel like doing tonight is relaxing in front of the TV watching a 'chic flick', maybe something of Jane Austen and consuming a large amount of of something cold, smooth and fruity!  I'm not sure if I'll get to do that, but one can hope....

I can't believe that tomorrow is March! I'm so glad that Spring is coming!  However Easter is rather early this year.  I like it better when it comes in April as it's usually warmer and we can hunt for eggs outside.

Last week was Hubby's birthday.  I asked the kids what kind of cake he should have and suggested that it be of something that he really likes.  Chickadee piped up and said "His second favourite thing is his kids!" (I'm guessing that she meant I was first, I forgot to ask.) Anyhow, we decorated his cake with the faces of 'his kids' and I even had to get the hair and eye colour right.



Thanks for visiting!

It has been a few days since I visited this place.  My absence was not on purpose, but it did help me realize a few things.

Most of my time on the computer is in the mornings or at night after the kids are in bed.  I have been getting up early(thanks to my sweet baby girl!), and so I would often go on the computer sometime after I ate breakfast and before we started school.   I was finding, however, that some of my other morning chores were not getting done.  Sometimes putting a post up on my blog can take longer than expected, especially when there are pictures to add. 

This last week, I was determined to get my morning chores done before going on the computer and found that I really didn't have any time left over.  I thought I'd have time at night, but my brain shuts down around 9pm and I'm usually too tired to stare at a computer screen.

Thus, I've been absent from here, but realizing that there are more important things that need to be attended to in my home.  It has been so good, these last few days, to get a good start on the day.  I love the outlet that blogging provides, but not at the expense of things that should be a priority.

  Sure, if I feel God leading me to share something every day, then so be it.  I love communicating with you all and visiting your blogs, but my wife and Mama role needs to come first.  It is so easy to slip into just seeing how many comments I got on a post, as if that boosts my ego.  But that's not what this blog is about, and so I release myself from that.  I will still continue to blog, but I will no longer feel the pressure to be here everyday.

And now, I will go enjoy some homemade ice-cream that Hubby has just whipped up in his new ice-cream maker(that I bought him for Christmas!). YUM!

Blessing to you all!

 

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core. You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

I was having a rather challenging day with Kingfisher.
I've mentioned him before.  He is my active son.  Yes, I know, all boys are active, but I have two others and he 'out active's' them. (Yes, I also just invented a new word, but I don't expect it will catch on!)  He is a bright kid, he knows a lot of things, but sometimes he cannot be still long enough to concentrate on learning anything.  Yes, I do let him move during 'school', but even then...

I will not dwell on my frustration.  That is not what this is about.  (If you have an active one, you know where I'm coming from.)  This is about God's faithfulness and how He gives us what we need, when we need it.

I was sweeping the kitchen floor tonight, deep in thought about our day.  I had Chuck Swindoll on in the background.  Through my thoughts I heard him quote this verse, three times in a row!

I just want to alert you to pray for  Baby Noah .  I know many of you have a link on your blogs to pray for him, but he's not doing very well right now.  His mom is expecting another baby soon and I'm sure she could use prayer too.  This family has been through so much with Noah, lets surround them in prayer!

I bought a new purse two months ago.  It is still in the shopping bag that I brought it home in, with the tag on it!  I need a new one, desperately.  The last time I bought a new purse, I did not have a cell phone, and so my purse is small.  For the last couple of years I have wanted a new, larger one that would carry everything that I need to have with me.
One of these days...

Well, I watched Northanger Abbey last night.  It didn't live up to my expectations.  But that's how it usually is when you've read the book already.  I did like the actors that they chose for "Mr Tilney" and "Catherine".  I didn't like how they kept showing scenes from her imagination.  I also felt that the ending was very rushed, they could've developed the resolution a bit more.  Oh well, I'll keep watching the others and hope they're a little better.


Well, today I'm making Hamburger Soup for a homeschool family that has just had baby #7! Then I have to prepare to give a book review at our homeschool support group meeting tonight.
It is cold, but sunny!!
Blessings on your day!

I'm simply giddy!!

I have just discovered that Masterpiece Theater is showing a series of Jane Austen movies! 

They are re-airing A&E versions of Pride and Prejudice and Emma, but the rest are new productions.  I have seen other versions of Persuasion (I own the one with Amanda Root and Cirian Hinds) and Mansfield Park, but I like seeing other productions. 

I could never tire of them. 

The only one I didn't really care for was the Emma with Gwenyth Paltrow.  I'm just not a big fan of her.  And I can foresee that I might not like the new version of Sense & Sensibility because I really like the one with Emma Thompson. 

Alas, I will keep an open mind!

(And just for the record, I didn't really like the Pride & Prejudice that was in the theaters a couple of years ago.  The A&E production was better by far,...by miles even!!-or kilometres, I suppose!)(I guess that's two that I haven't liked, but who's counting?)

Anyhow, even if you're not a Jane Austen fan(there is still hope!), I'm sure these movies will be good, especially if you need a 'chick flick' fix! 
Masterpiece Theater usually does a good job.  Jane Austen is so prim and proper that you don't have to worry about anything objectionable(and if there is in the movie, there wasn't any in the book!-I know, I've read them.)

You can check out some previews here:
Masterpiece Theater

And, if you ever want to engage in a little Jane Austen chit-chat(about books, characters, movies etc) you can leave a comment or use my cbox.  I'm open for discussion!

Now I'll have to get some popcorn...

I have a few questions that I'd like to put out to you all out there in blogland.

First: This is also a disclaimer.  For some reason, I do not get email notification when a comment has been posted. I never have.  I have posted for help on the forum, followed what was suggested and still I do not get notified.  I always try and check back for comments, but if I have ever missed a question or something, I apologize.  I do get notified on my nature study blog, which is very convenient.
So if any of you might know why it doesn't work, or how to fix it, that would be greatly appreciated!

Second:  If someone does ask a question, in their comment or in my cbox, should I answer here on my blog or should I go to theirs to respond?  I just wondered if there was a particular protocol.

Third: This is a more interesting question. 

I have taken over the book purchasing for our homeschool support group library.  Basically, I look around for books I think would benefit our group, buy them and then give a review at our monthly meetings.   It's a good idea to try and find books that might not be available at the public library. 

Anyhow, our next meeting is coming up in a couple of weeks and I'm asking for suggestions. 

What are some good books you've discovered lately?

They can be curriculum related,  a how-to manual, or a really great novel.  Right now I'm reviewing a Jonathan Park CD(and I really like it, but that's another post.) so even things like that are good.

We already have some of the tried and true books like Educating the Whole Hearted Child, A Charlotte Mason Companion and The Well Trained Mind.

There are a few new members to our group this year who are just starting out, so it would be nice to get something that might benefit them.
I've been thinking of one of Sally Clarkson's books for moms.  I've read The Ministry of Motherhood and it is quite good.

So, let me know your ideas...

Thank-you so much,
Blessings!

First Thing
Well, here it is; In the last 3 days I have seen two houses already exhibiting Christmas lights!!  I realize that stores get their merchandise in early, so people can shop early, (although in Costco, it's August and that's a little bit much-unless you're my mom who shops all year round!) but to have your lights on this early???  I love Christmas and all it's decorations, but in stretching it out so long, isn't some of the specialness lost??
Just my thoughts.

Second Thing
Upon returning from Chickadee's dance class this evening, I was busy in the kitchen.  Kingfisher came in and said "Hey mom, what do worms eat?"  I was madly trying to remember something from my Biology 11 class, when I (the 'seasoned' mom of boys that I am) asked "Why do you ask?" I had remembered that he had been studying a worm on our front walk.  A goofy grin came over his face and I knew he had it inside the house.  He also knew that I was going to make him take it back outside.  "But he's my pet!" was his plea.  I did make him return it to it's natural habitat, but not without a good look first.  After all, it was 'nature'.

Third Thing
I am thinking of starting a nature blog!!  In even thinking about it, I wonder if I will have the time when I hardly have time for this one.  But something about it appeals to me.  Both
BChsMamaof3
and jenn4him
have inspired me in this direction.  I think it will help me keep track of what we've done.
I'll keep ya posted!