Aug. 12, 2008 - Another New Beginning
I stopped posting here because I began a blog over on blogger...which I still use. However, I've been thinking it would be nice to have a place to post just about things related to homeschooling, somewhere my relatives aren't faithful readers. I love my family; they're great! They're supportive, cheerful, easy to get along with...but sometimes it's nice to have a separate venue. So, I put a link to my other blog in the sidebar in case you're interested, but you can't get to this one from there.
Also, I really missed reading the other homeschooling blogs! I like the community here. I miss all my homeschooling friends in Germany. So leave a comment, I'll come read your blog...so happy to make your acquaintance. 
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Dec. 6, 2006 - Big Kid Now
Beth is not the only one learning. Luke learned this week that underpants are meant to be worn instead of diapers, rather than on top of them. All grew quiet in Beth's room, so after several minutes I ventured to investigate. Luke sat on the floor in his diaper, pants around his ankles, as he struggled to pull a pair of Beth's pink underpants up past his knees. He looked up at me, startled then proud. "LOOK, Mom, unn'erpants!" I told him he's getting to be a big boy, but we'll get him his own underpants at the BX. Unfortunately, he lost interest quickly when he discovered that you can only wear underpants if you're willing to sit on that thing in the bathroom with a bare bottom. Not yet, *sigh*. But he's getting there!
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Dec. 6, 2006 - Already?!
I had intended to wait until Fall 2007 to begin anything resembling school with Beth. However, she seems to think it is time! I bought 2 simple workbooks at the BX, one for numbers, one on "Before I Write" (tracing and copying lines). Beth has devoured them and asks me every day, all day long, if we can "do the number book" or "do the letter book". So here we are. We are busy with the holidays now, but I have selected some materials that we can use beginning in January. She loves to color, match things, count, and "read" her own books. She recognizes numbers and the alphabet, and she's beginning to write some of characters.
I'm excited. 
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Nov. 17, 2006 - Finis
I have written my last paper, taken my last final, finished my last class. It has taken me almost two years to finish what would have taken four months before I had children....
But as always, the Lord has used these circumstances in my life. I value my family time more, and I have a greater appreciation for the completion of this goal. I have new understanding for my dad who went to seminary all those years while working full time. I've been able to enjoy my husband's encouragement and relish in yet another promise that he made and kept.
I'm glad I had the opportunity to finish college. I am gladder that my two children came when they did, and that we have had the richness and joy of our life together these last four years!
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Nov. 3, 2006 - Once Again....
At least my blog title is appropriate. WHERE is the time going? We have had houseguests and trips, and I have been taking online classes again. But in 2 weeks I will be Done At Last! Hurrah!
Most recently, my sister and brother-in-law came to visit. Some wonderful friends of ours watched our kids for us, and my sister, brother-in-law, husband and I were able to go spend three full days in Rome. We had a great time, saw lots of awe-inspiring things and ate way too much gelato.
Incidentally, this picture is a small part of the reason my husband was very happy we didn't drive to Rome. Dave is an aggressive Boston driver, experienced in New York City, and has cheerfully navigated through the heart of Paris around the Arc de Triumphe. However, my fearless leader firmly believes that drivers in Rome are possessed and he definitely doesn't want to be one of them!
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Jul. 27, 2006 - Where Were We?
What was it I was saying about events piling up? This last month we had company for several weeks, a church retreat in Switzerland, and the day after we came home my 3 year-old daughter was hospitalized for appendicitis. She is home now, and better, but...whew.
We are in the middle of a heat wave here. I know most of you in the States are, as well! However...the only places that have air conditioning here are our van, the new fitness center, and the commissary. You can chill out with the vegetables for just so long. Actually, we really aren't doing badly. We sleep with the windows wide open, close and shade them in the morning, and keep the fans whirring. Like the old days. (Ceiling fans have been around since the 1880's) The old days are sooo romantic when we fantasize about them while our dishwashers, washing-machines and modems are humming about us. :o)
Today it is 97. The cows are grazing beneath the trees, and the field is vibrating with insects. The kids are watching Cinderella, and I imagine we will have a play-doh extravaganza before supper. I made a lovely large salad to go with the grilled--something. Maybe ribs today. Then we'll have singing and reading. After the kids are bathed and in bed, Dave and I sit out on the balcony and watch for deer and rabbits. He usually sits with his feet on the railing drinking something cold, and I sit with a magazine or my quilting, and we talk about things.
Too often I take these quiet nights for granted. Next week it will be August already. I start the final classes for my degree on Tuesday, and Dave's office will be getting busy with the end of the fiscal year. But for now, the sun is still setting sometime near 10 o'clock, and the evenings find neighborhood couples sitting outside, relishing the the peaceful breeze.
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Jun. 6, 2006 - On Encouragement and Exercise
It seems that my need for community is always increasing. The more I am with others, the more I draw encouragement and inspiration from others, the more I realize that I need them to stave off spiritual atrophy. As when I neglect the Word, when I'm without that communion my aspirations wither, my temper fizzles and my sight fades...only to be exercised into health and vitality again when the diligence of some other soul (often unknowingly) reminds me to "buffet my body and make it my slave".
Creation always has a ready metaphor, doesn't it? How long does it take to get out of shape? Not as long as getting into it! It doesn't matter if I was a world class runner 10 years ago. If I'm out of shape, whose fault is it? I may still be able to finish a 20 mile marathon, but it would be terribly painful...why not avoid some potential pain and injury by staying in training?
Some unoriginal, unexciting, but true thoughts about training:
Ok, so the last one is exciting. Aren't you glad you don't have to do this by yourself? I like islands, but I'm glad I don't live on one. (Do you ever do this? Think things like, "What if each person --or couple-- had to live on their own island?" And then shudder and thank God for his wisdom.) Also, I can't help but notice that there aren't many among us who are naturally good at all of these things. Some of us are planners, some of us are doers, some of us want to do things on our own, some of us wait for the mood to strike us. (Does the mood for hard work ever strike you? It usually only feels good after it's finished!) "...let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yest resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (nope!) And have you forgotten the exhortation that he addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.' It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Heb. 12:1-11 Well, I didn't intend to keep on copying the Scripture, but I couldn't stop halfway and anyway, typing it helps me to remember it. Addendum: In thoroughness, I ought also to have mentioned that the need for constant training is due to the extended nature of our marathon. It's one that may vary in it's starting position but never ends until we can say "..the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." 2 Tim. 4:6ff Thank you, Anonymous. :o) (I still have to figure out how/where to respond to comments.) 
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Jun. 4, 2006 - Grateful
These last few days I have been so encouraged by the other blogs I have been reading. I've seen the evidences of many women striving to live before the Lord and serving their families. What a blessing, this window into the lives of Christian families all over the globe! Sometimes we forget that our family, our church, our town, is not the only one God teaches and changes. It is so uplifting to reflect on the great cloud of witnesses behind and around us, a mighty host! So thank you for writing.
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Jun. 3, 2006 - Events
Events, large and small...they always seem to pile up on one another and impede my progress in many directions. So here I am after a month of preparation, houseguests, travelling and its aftermath, trying to pick up a thread on my fledgling blog once more...before my in-laws arrive in 10 days.
My own parents and some friends were just here. We went down to Munich, where I lived as a teenager. It was great to drive through my old neighborhood and revisit Starnberger See (Lake) and some of the shops that I knew during my first foray into Europe. Too bad the gelato place on the lake was closed...I can still taste that fresh lemon, strawberry, hazelnut...
Where did those days go? It felt slightly surreal to walk in the same places I'd walked 100 times at 16, 17, 18...only now 27, with my husband, and living over here again. Something I never thought would happen! We never know where the Lord might lead...
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Apr. 29, 2006 - Success!
Wonderful email support...and here are the first pics!! I hope. My beautiful family (I can brag on them, they are not listening!)--husband Dave, Elizabeth (3 yrs) and Luke Riley (2 yrs in July). Hopefully more to come...
Dave and I (Amy) before the Air Force Ball
Yes, he is tall (nearly 6.5) Yes, I am short (61 in). "The Long and the Short of It", my mother-in-law likes to say. She is allowed to say that, she's shorter than me.
Beth on the hill above our neighborhood.
The Big Guy and The Little Guy
No, the children are not school age yet! But homeschool is a way of life, right? I was homeschooled myself for a total of 5 years--the remaining were spent in a Christian school. My children are learning now...speed limits, counting, alphabet, new words, how to put away laundry and feed the kitty...and I am excited to continue that lifestyle throughout their growing years.
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Apr. 29, 2006 - The Launch
So, I have succumbed at last. All of this "blog talk" finally grabbed me and here I am, after reading the article in TOS Winter/06, creating my own! I am fairly computer literate, but how on earth do I upload a photo? My pictures don't have a URL...they're just sitting on my hard drive. How do I find blogger "friends", let alone "manage" them? Just kidding.:)
Honestly, help with the pictures would be...well, helpful.
