That's right....a few nights ago our youngest daughter told us she had baptized Chassy (that's our dog).  We were getting ready to pray before bedtime and as we sat together, Chassy mosied on in as if she knew it was "time to pray".  I jokingly said, "Look at Chassy -- she's coming to pray with us".  That's when my daughter piped up and said, "Well, Chassy is baptized!" 

My husband and I looked at each other started cracking up.   Smiling at us, she then went on to inform us that she had baptized Chassy one day.  I know she is concerned about Chassy's salvation and whether Chassy will someday be in heaven with us all.  It was precious.

That is why I wanted to start this blog.  I don't want to forget the adorable moments and things they say.

The other big news besides the baptismal of our dog, is that we have an offer on our house.  Yes, that's right, an offer.  Our house has been for sale since the end of July.  Who knew it would take this long -- only our heavenly Father....we are excited and will be feeling even better once the inspection is over and done with. 

I got teary the other night thinking about moving -- leaving all the memories of this house.....and my older daughter sweetly said, "It's okay mommy, we'll make lots of new memories in our new house."  Oh -- the sweet words of a child.  It soothed my heart.  I thank the Lord for my children...they are truly gifts from above. 

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How was the World Cultural Fair?  Awesome!  We had a really wonderful time.  I was amazed at how much I learned from the various displays.  I think there were 35 children who participated.  There were many different countries, states and time periods displayed.  The children also got up and gave a brief report of why they had chosen their topic and what they had learned.   They each received a participation ribbon too. 

My girls did Sweden and Alaska and we had so much fun preparing.  They told me over and over how fun it was and are already telling me what they want to do next year for the fair!  My older daughter dressed up as St. Lucia and even had a handout that explained how to make a St. Lucia outfit for your 18 inch doll.  We brought Swedish meatballs for her food item from Sweden.

My younger daughter served little bags full of an "Alaska Dog Musher's Snack" -- trail mix.  She spent a long time bagging those up so carefully, tying with a ribbon, writing on a little tag for the baggie, etc. It was cute.  She was VERY proud of her entire display. 

It was GREAT to see how much they learned from this event.  We did not do any of our regular schooling as we prepared during the week  -- but what a fun change of pace for us AND I'll bet my girls will remember what was done this week more than anything we even did in October. 

This event is a GREAT homeschool co-op event.  I hope we can participate from here on out as long as we homeschool.  It was so inspiring to see some of the older homeschooled children sharing that evening -- and seeing their interest and excitement in what they had studied. 

Oh -- and one other added bonus...after the fair one mother emailed me (who had seen the Alaska display my younger daughter did), and told me of a homeschooled girl (now age 25) who is a dog musher and wil be racing in the Iditarod in 2008.  She has a website and everything and you can even email her.  Of course my younger daughter got busy right away, read her website, emailed and told this gal she'd like to meet her.  Amazingly, she lives in our very own state so I am going to look at her "speaking"calendar on the website and try to work this in.  VERY cool.    I also found out there are dog mushing races in the eastern portion of our state.   This would be a dream come true for my younger daughter to go and watch a race like this.  She actually has this on her list of things she wants to learn in school for 2nd grade -- and I quote, "Go to a Dog Sled Team".   

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Today was one of those crazy days where I ran from thing to thing and by dinnertime I began to wonder where the day had gone....and there were still 50 more things on my "to do" list.  When daddy came home, one of the girls asked "are we going to work on our reports tonight?" and he said, " What have you guys been doing all day?" 

I think I started laughing out loud when he asked that.  I can imagine what it looks like from his perspective...I mean he's been at a job from 9-5 all day, billing clients hour by hour...so how could a whole day possibly go by and we didn't get to the reports for even just one hour.  This is a puzzle - especially considering the "reports" were going to be the only thing we did today for school.    I stood there in the kitchen trying to rationalize what we had done....I'm not sure if anyone was listening as I rambled on (or cared for that matter) and I'm still not entirely sure where a couple of the hours went, and that makes me laugh even as I sit here.  Ahhh...the life of a homeschooler.  Maybe I need to change my type of schooling to"unschooling". 

Not to worry, we did get to the reports tonight.  In fact, we are almost done!  I have to remind myself:  we may have not gotten pages 50-55 done in our math or language books this week, but they will remember more from these reports than they'll ever remember from a boring old workbook.  I remember the reports from my childhood more than any workbook I completed.  My younger daughter said to me, "You know mommy, this is my first report ever."   I looked at the pride and joy in her face when she said it.   I wish you could have seen her face too -- it was priceless. 

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First deadline is our home sale....3 more days and our contract runs out as far as listing our home and the offer we have made on it.  We continue to trust the Lord.  Verse to meditate on:  Psalm 37:34, "Don't be impatient for the Lord to act!  Keep traveling steadily along His pathway and in due season He will honor you with every blessing."   Love that.

Monday has been declared "project" day to work on these reports.  The girls jumped for joy when I said we will skip ALL OTHER SCHOOL and just spend the day working on these reports.  We've got to pick a recipe or food item that the girls can share by their display.  So tomorrow morning will entail a trip to the library to find some Swedish and Alaskan recipes. 

I also plan to look for some books at the library on the ettiquette of serving and taking "tea" -- as we will teach this in our American Girl co-op class this week.  I am amazed at how much I am learning in this class myself.

Today was such a great memory making day for my girls...they spent the afternoon and evening with their grandparents playing games -- Monopoly, Probe (what a great word/spelling game!) and Taboo.  They thoroughly enjoyed being with their grandparents and I love the memories and laughs I know they all shared.  I could tell the "emotional tanks" were filled up from being with their grandma and papa. 

It's been a good Sunday....the sermon tonight was on Revelation 3:14-22 -- the letter to the Church in Laodicea.  This church was very affluent and self-sufficient....something very similar to the world we live in today...something we (meaning me) have to be very careful of...I am so easily influenced by this materialistic world. 

I loved hearing the pastor talk about Rev 3:20 tonight, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."  The context of this verse is referring more to being ready for the Lord to return and "eating with Him" refers to the "marriage supper of the Lamb".  What a glorious day that will be! 

It's wonderful how this amazing Bible continues to teach, feed, encourage, lead and sustain me. 

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The rollercoaster ride of trying to sell our home continues.  We found out yesterday we are still in the running with our offer on the home we would like to buy.  Apparently the sellers did not accept the offer that was to "bump" ours.  Amazing....

I went to bed two nights ago coming to peace with the idea that we are here to stay in this home.  And today I am having to adjust once again and dealing with feelings that I want to stay in this house we have for sale.....

A realtor came by tonight to show our home and it was so strange how I started feeling possessive of my home and not wanting to sell it.  I may never know the reason for all that has gone on in the 3 months since we have tried to sell our home....but I do love knowing God is in control.  I can completely trust Him.  That gives me peace that I could not ever come up with on my own. 

Last night I read Psalm 27:14, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."   This verse was so comforting.  I will wait and be strong in Him.....

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So I just spent about 45 minutes trying to figure out how to add music to my blog.  I did it!  It was fun and I feel like I accomplished something.  I'd love to add some hymns another day but for now there are a few of my favorite songs playing.  The "I Can Only Imagine" song always gets me choked up. 

Had a good day of school. It started slow but we did get a few things done.  I am feeling like I  need to start playing more math games with the girls.....I'll try to get some books on this at the library. 

Hubby is headed to bed and I feel like I'm getting a sore throat so I must sign off.....just one more thing...this blogging is FUN!

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I loved today.  We didn't have anywhere we "had" to be today.  I spent the morning tidying and vacuuming as a realtor was going to show the house this afternoon.  While I did that, Darren (bless him!) spent time helping the girls get caught up in their math books.  It was wonderful. My older daughter (4th grade) was behind in her math (6 pages behind) and I really did not want to start Monday this way.   He worked with her for well over an hour.  My 2nd grader also got in on it and I think she is even done with Monday's math assignment.  Math is one subject I do not like us to fall behind in.  I didn't do a good job with my first daughter in 1st grade which meant most of 2nd grade and 3rd grade were major catchup -- and it was a pain.  It's important to stay up on the flashcards.   

Then we went to out to lunch -- such a treat as we have been being VERY diligent to not eat out.  (Let's just not mention the Spaghetti factory on Thursday -- hee!)  It's been a fun challenge for me to get creative with our meals and use what we have on hand.  We are trying to get the credit card paid off and it's amazing how much money we save when we don't eat out. 

While the realtor was here this afternoon we ran a few errands -- but didn't buy a thing.  Whoa!  Are we diligent or what?  We did see some nice trees and bushes we plan to plant out in our backyard if this house does not sell.  Our home backs up to a busy road and that is the one drawback of our home.  So we'd like to get lots of greenery planted back there.  It would be nice.  It might mean a lot of work, but it will be worth it. 

Then we came home and helped the girls with reports they will show at a "World Cultural Fair" in November.  It is an event sponsored by a homeschool support group I am in.  Older daughter is doing Sweden and younger daughter is doing Alaska.  It was fun for Darren and I to work with them on it tonight.  The girls said, "Working on these reports is really fun.  I didn't think it would be this much fun."  I love hearing comments like that. 

On that note -- I am thinking (and need to start praying!) about putting all school on hold (except math, of course!!) and do a Christmas unit study this December.  I know the girls would LOVE it and I probably would too.  Unit studies are awesome and they learn so much that way. 

Time to go work on a few things for the American Girl class I am helping teach.  I love that class too!!  Another great unit study!!

Until next time....

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I just met a friend for coffee and we had a GREAT discussion about unschooling.  That word tends to scare many, but I'd love to head that direction in my journey of homeschooling.  There is SO much you could do and enjoy on this path.  Tonight my friend and I had a fun time sharing ideas and talking about things our kids would love to do (if only we could give up the workbooks). 

It's good to do this -- I mean, just get together with another homeschooling mom and come up with some fun, creative ways to learn.  Too often we are caught up in our workbooks or strict schedule all in the name of "covering" ourselves and these children miss out on other great ways to learn. 

I want to remember that these precious girls are only going to be young once.  I really want to enjoy my time with them to the fullest - which I think I do, but it still is just good to be reminded of this. 

I still would love to have a "game" day once a month with the girls -- where we just play games all day or have an afternoon where we invite another homeschooling family over to play games.  The kids would love it. 

It's late...there's much more I'd love to write, but bedtime is calling and co-op is in the morning, so I better get going. 

Until next time...

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Wow.  I must really have a lot of time on my hands to be able to blog 2 days in a row!  Actually, this is sort of relaxing and fun.  Is anyone bored reading this yet?

Today was a BUSY day, but good.  Another open house -- yes, our house has been for sale for 3 months now.  I sometimes cannot believe we are still in this house.  I think I really thought it would have sold by now.  The Lord is teaching me a lot.  I think something that I cannot seem to learn (in life) is that I am not in control of things - He is (which is awesome), but I sure seem to forget it. 

It was a good open house (I mean several families through -- some even with agents) BUT the realtor told me tonight that a little girl threw up in the house today.  Yuck.  Well, it sounds like she made it to the back deck but still -- is that nasty or what?  Ever since we came home I think my stomach has been feeling "weird" -- I think I am paranoid we are all going to get stomach flu or something.  (another "control" issue, see what I mean?)  I have washed my hands a lot ever since we came home.  I don't really have to worry about using the same towel as the little girl (if she even used one), because my family doesn't use the "fancy" towels hanging up.  Those are just "for show". 

Another issue which I have no control over is how long our dog will live.  It's a LONG story, but we have a dog that we bought for our youngest daughter.  She LOVES that dog to pieces, but if we make it through having a dog, it will be a miracle.  Last night our dog Chassy, (wow,am I really using a "real" name?) was making disgusting noises at 5 am. this morning.  I had to get up, take her potty and my hubby Darren (you can decide if you think that is his real name) said she HAD to be banished to the garage for the rest of the night.  Poor Chassy.  So that is what happened.  Chassy was very shocked by this and had to bark her head off for the next 2 hours.  Ah...the life of a dogowner.  Moral of the story:  If you want to give up some control in your life, then get a dog -- by all means. 

Until next time.....

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WOW!  Did I really start my own blog?  All my myself?  It's amazing I was able to set this up without asking for Darren's help. (He constantly is rescuing me when I am overwhelmed or confused.) 

I have been wanting to start a blog for awhile now.  How ironic considering that I have made sarcastic comments in the past about people who "have time to blog".  And here I am...joining the ranks of those who "waste time" blogging.  :)  (Get used to that.)  I like to add smiley faces to everything I write.  I'm not sure why exactly, but maybe it's because I want to make sure people know I'm joking or smiling as I write something.  Also, if you knew me, I am a very smiley person -- people are always telling me that. 

So...back to why I started this.  I think it's mostly because I've wanted a place to record what is going on in our family as well as journal about our homeschooling.  I know, I know...I could just do this in Microsoft Word, but how boring is that?  :) 

Now don't get too excited, this blog is not going to be something that I write on everyday (bummer for you), but I hope to touch base on it at least once a month.  Yah...that sounds reasonable....once a month. 

Just to whet your appetite...next blog entry will be about "selling our house" -- which we are in the middle of.  In fact, I finally sat down (after tidying up this house) to relax here and decided once and for all I would start this blog.  Yes, tomorrow is another open house....so that will mean some serious scrambling and cleaning will go on before we head to church tomorrow morning.

Until next time.....

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