This is it for my blog, I am closing up this school year...TooDaLoo!!

Well, back on February 26 (I remember this date because it was DH's 37th birthday), we ordered DD a new bedroom set. I ordered it online and got about a $300 discount from the furniture store in town plus free shipping and setup. And then we waited. And Waited, AND WAITED. I was about to ask them for my money back, I really thought we were getting ripped off. But they told me it was shipping and would be there in about 2 weeks. I didn't really believe it, but thought I might as well wait.

The waiting paid off and during a very brief rain storm (There wasn't enough rain to wet the entire sidewalk) the furniture came. It fufilled DD's expectations to the fullest. She laid on the couch while they were setting it up in her room and just could hardly control herself she was so excited. Finally the left and we worked on getting her clothes in the dresser (she hadn't had one up to this point) and her toys in her closet. You've never seen anyone so excited (aside from DS when he got his new bedroom set). She set up all her stuffed animals and I gave her a fancy light to put under her bed, as it is a loft bed. I can't get over how neat her room is. For one, there's finally a place to put everything, and another, she's inspired to keep it neat because it's all so new and pretty. I'm excited for her...The loft bed is capiable of being a single bed for further use down the road, so I'm quite happy with the whole deal myself.

Regarding the rain, DH and I think that we haven't gotten any rain in over 6 weeks. It is the dryest I have ever seen it here and it seems that everyone is getting a few showers but us. We've had what looked like severe weather come right over us and not a drop falls on us. The shower we got Friday was not enough to wet the entire sidewalk. We desperately need rain. I am watering about 3 times every week and our water bill shows that, but I have tomatoes all over my tomatoe plants, so I guess it's paying off.

I worked tonight and again tomorrow night. It wasn't too bad tonight, but tomorrow night I have a different group of pts., so it will be a different story, hopefully not a bad one though. We start 2 weeks of swim lessons in the am (5 days a week for 2 weeks) so I guess I should get to bed, it is 12:24 am and I am not the least bit tired. I hate that, I'll be awake for an hour yet.

Recently I was walking through Wal-Mart and needed to go back to the electronic's section. There are always tv's blaring back there and since I am quite picky about what the kids see, I usually don't go back there unless it's just to walk by - it bothers me that they have to see whatever R-rated movie happens to be previewing at the moment. So, I made a quick dash back there. DD grabbed my hand and I looked down at her to see that she was covering her eyes and walking through "blind."  She knows that whatever it was playing, it wasn't something I wanted her to see and without even stopping to see what it was, she covered her eyes. I have thought about that a lot recently. I can't even pretend to be perfect, I am so far from it, but that's how I want/hope to react to temptation...When I'm tempted, without even bothering to see what  the fuss is about, I want to just cover my eyes and walk away because I know automatically that it isn't something that Jesus would want me to see...or do...or hear...

That's just one of many lessons my children have taught me. I swear they teach me more than I teach them.

Well, this day I have dreaded for 5+ years, ever since my last colonoscopy. My doctor says I am on the 5 year plan, and I was a little overdue for it. But today came and went and I will spare you the details of the colonoscopy other than to tell you all is well. The anesthesia wore off quickly and we ended up going to the lake this afternoon. I could take a nap, but I think that is due to being starved for a day and a half and also worrying about it. I have posted in my window in the kitchen the verse in Matthew 6:25 & 26, and I gave it all to the Lord in the preanesthesia room, something I should have done earlier....When will I learn?

Well, as I said, we went out to the lake and DS, who has been skiing on 2 skis for 3 summers now decided that he was ready for slaloming. He did it!! I am so proud of him, he was all grins, although it didn't last long as he started weaving and soon hit the water, but he did great!! I will post pictures, but I have to figure out how to do that with the new program I have. DD also tried getting up on 2 skis, but isn't all that driven to do it, especially when the water goes up her nose. So she quit after the first several tries, but she did pretty well anyway.

Some of my friends and I are renting a cabin in Blue Ridge, GA for a weekend coming up. We are using it for a planning weekend for our upcoming home school year. It's funny, we all just finished and here we are starting up withdeep into the planning. But that's what it takes I guess. I really enjoy the planning phase...I am actually going to take along my scrapbooking and concentrate on that more, because I think I will be able to have all my plans laid out by that point.

Tomorrow we are planning on going geocaching. First time in ages that we will have done it. I hope that it will be a nice day, rain is in the forecast and we really need it, so if it rains, I will not complain, but it would be nice to be outdoors tomorrow. Some of our friends are planning on going as well, so we will probably meet up with them. More later.

Today we finished up our 180th day of school for the 2006-2007 school year. DS "Graduated" to 3rd grade and DD "Graduated" to 1st grade. I did the ceremonious handshake to congratulate them and they about fell apart with the giggles. We then jumped up and down and screamed, me because I'm so excited to be done for another year, and them because they're so excited to be done for another year!! So much for the mature teacher. Ha! Anyway, we have been finished with NOEO science for about a week and I called it quits with Right Start math about a week ago because we got to a good stopping point. So really, we aren't done, because we still have American Story to finish, but only 3 weeks worth of it, and I know the kids don't mind sitting down and reading, and I like the cuddle time with them. I also told them that we would be taking time to read every day, me to them and them to me, and they're OK with that.

Then we took apart the school room. I didn't realize how much we had hanging on the walls. I kept taking it down and taking it down and there was still more there. So now the walls are blank waiting for more glorious decorations next year. I have plans already for decorating this fall, but will do that the night before we start school so that they will be surprised the first day of school. I'm also thinking that I might put some shelves up in the dining room area for some of the books, etc., so we can do school upstairs if we want to when it gets so cold in the basement during the winter. The little space heater increases the electric bill in the winter.

I've had a lot going on lately. I've decided to work a bit more this summer to help fund the trip out west, as it appears the gas prices are going to be a bit more than we suspected. So I've been working 2 days a week for the past several weeks, although not this weekend. This will be a nice break. Last Monday when I worked, the state inspectors showed up. We knew we were in the window for them to show up, but they showed up earlier than usual and I couldn't believe my bad luck at working the day they showed up. I really prayed about it and had others praying for me too, and it went well. Our facility passed with 100%, so that was a relief to everyone. I absolutely dread going in to work, and that sure didn't help anything!!

Now that school is over, I have quite a bit planned. I would like to get those shelves made, as I mentioned above, I am thinking about painting downstairs above the chair rail, I would like to paint the front porch, of course I have a lot to do with school planning for this fall, and scrapbooking - I'm at least 2 years behind with that. Wow, so if I can get all that done, I will have accomplished something.

The kids would like to go to the pool every day, and I would too, but it is too far to go every day with gas prices as they are. So probably two days a week will do, and then of course we will take the boat out to the lake. We went tonight and DS skiied - he just popped right up, did really well. He doesn't realize how much his sister adores him, she was watching him and just grinning and grinning at him and telling him how great he was doing (he couldn't hear her), and generally just enjoying watching him ski. I wish I could get that across to him. That is another thing I need to work on this summer.

Well, to the shower I go, to wash off the fishy lake smell.

Well, it's been one of those Fridays. I ready for bed (not literally) and it's only 6pm.

The day started with the sound of retching coming from the bathroom. I know you want to know that, but thankfully it wasn't me. Unfortunately though, it was DH, who periodically gets a GI bug from who knows where and is sicker than a dog for a day or so. It always hits him hard and he feels miserable. So he stayed home from work, needless to say.

Let me backtrack. Last night, we were up til late, part of the reason was to hang a swing in the back yard. We have a huge tree right at the back of our property on our side, and finally, after talking about if for years, we decided to put a swing in it. So DH got out the shaky wooden extension ladder and climbed the tree. He sat in the crook of the tree for quite a while assessing the situation and pondering whether or not he should take a xanax as it was quite high After a bit, he scooted out on the limb and tied the rope to the limb. Of course, it wasn't right the first time, so he had to go back up and do it again. Thankfully, he tied himself to the limb with some tree cutting equipment he has. Which was good, but I had visions of my husband hanging upside down from the limb and me having to call the fire truck to come get him down. But at least he wouldn't hit the ground. I said a few prayers and he did fine. I had a patient recently who had fallen out of a tree and had all sorts of trouble, and that was all I could think of. After that, he made the seat and I got to swing the trial run. Well, right away I realized I was in trouble as the rope was a nylon rope and had quite a bit of give to it. My rear was dragging the ground, and was not a pleasant sensation. So up went the seat, and now, I must say, it is too high. The kids can hardly get onto the swing, but perseverance overrules and they somehow manage.

So, back to today...Thankfully we have that swing, because it has entertained them ALL day. They have had a blast with it. I am hoping that it lasts and that we don't hear "I'm bored", but of course, we live in the real world... Anyway, I have been rushing around all day. I went out at 7am to water all my plants up by the road. I recently transplanted all my tiger lillies up to the road. I know it's a bad time to do that, but I was sick of them overtaking my flower beds. I had hostas in the beds that hadn't seen the light of day because the lillies were huge. So I put them all up by the road, and now I have to water them if I want them to last. And I have 3 pink weigelias that need water as well as the hostas and a climbing flowering plant that I can't think of right off, and, and, and. It is too dry for this time of year. I hear we are 10 inches behind in rain. So after that, I figured I'd better mow the lawn as DH was not in the shape to do that. So I really gave it a good mowing and weedwacking and despite the weeds, it looks nice. I always say "Praise the Lord for the weeds, otherwise we wouldn't have a lawn." There are a few sprigs of grass, but it's mostly weeds and moss. (But it's all green)

DS made his first loaf of bread without any help. He did it while I was in the shower this morning and did a fine job. I was impressed. We had it for dinner tonight with butter and honey and he was extremely proud of himself. (As he should be) Wow, it's nice to delegate a duty like that to someone else, even though I enjoy making bread.

I managed to do some reading with the kids too this morning. Then just boring stuff like house cleaning, cooking, etc. But I'm going to go walking tonight with my neighbor, and then hit the hay early. We are having friends over for lunch tomorrow, and I want the kids to bed early tonight as they were up late last night. So here is a picture of the tree and the swing. The red thing on top of one of the branches is where dh had to crawl out to. It probably doesn't look like that big a deal in the picture.

OK, so I can't make the picture cooperate. Will try later.

Yeah! Just 24 more hours and we will be on our way to the curriculum fair. I am taking DH for the first time, and I really don't think he understands what he's in for. He has been to many "fairs" like this related to his engineering work, where you go and walk around a huge conference hall and look at all the vendors wares, but I don't think it quite compares to the home school experience. Home schoolers are much more excited!! (at least if everyone is like me, they are). I have a huge list of things I want to look at or buy at the curriculum fair. I will make two copies of it and educate him all the way there about what to look for!! HeHeHe...More on this later.

I made possible bags for the dc today. A possible bag is one that the frontiersmen used to carry that had things in it that they might possibly want or need such as their flint, string, needle, etc. Well, I had leftover material from when I made ds's indian outfit, so I just made the possible bags out of the same thing. But of course, one for each child. If I was really good, I would have a picture of it to post...I'm not that good.

So, we had to make a quick run into town to get a gift for a friends shower, and ds dressed up in all his indian garb, along with his matching "Possible Bag." DD was somewhat envious of him, but as we drove up to the first store and walked in, she suddenly said in regards to her brother, "you're embarrasing me wearing those clothes in this store." But he was so cute, all I could do was smile the whole way through the store as everyone looked at him and smiled back. He seemed oblivious to the attention and walked around like a wild indian, although I had cautioned him not to act like a wild indian, which to his credit, he did not.

So now, we have possibly everything we need now for the indian outfit!!

That is the title of the book we have been reading as part of the WinterPromise American Story I history class. An excerpt today just hit me and I really appreciated it, considering some personal issues that I have encountered recently. Isn't it amazing how God works! He has his ways of letting you know that He really is there and is leading you, even when it's rocky and bumpy.

To give a little background, the story is about a cotton wood tree that grows out west, the story follows it through the years as it grows and discusses the changes that it sees in a developing country. Finally, when it is old, a western mountain man named Jed makes an ox yoke out of it. This part of the story is about when Jed is lying on the ground in the place where the tree used to stand..."Seems funny not to see her spreadin' above us, don't it?" said Jed. "But if a tree could think, I'll bet she's mighty glad to be a yoke, swingin' along, tinklin' pretty. That tree was too held down. Always pointin' as if she wanted to follow us on the Trail. Now she can go beyond her hill, away out yonder - farther than she ever dreamed."

"Maybe it's that way with people, sort of. They git rooted down, too. Along comes disaster, or what looks like it, an' they feel lost. But maybe, if they only knew - all that's happened to 'em is that they've been freed. Freed to go farther than they ever thought. Maybe there's bells waitin' for them too. Bells that will tinkle inside 'em somewhere..."

This is the second time I have written this out, this time it is in Word, where I will save it and then if I have trouble, it’ll still be there. I am starting to think that maybe Home School Blogger is not the best route for my blogging needs, since this is the second or third time recently that I have written a long account of something only to have it disappear into cyberspace. ARRRGGG.

Anyway, DH and I are on a weekend away by ourselves. We packed up the kids and all their gear and took them to Mama’s Friday afternoon and then we drove down to Helen, GA. It’s a beautiful drive and a fun little Bavarian town set in the “Alps” of NorthEast Georgia. We brought a little food, a few clothes, our bikes and camelbacks that I seriously think saved our lives this afternoon. It’s amazing how light we can pack when the kids aren’t along. I do miss them, but they sound like Mama is keeping them rather busy, so that is good. Mommy’s and Daddy’s need a break once in a while.

Anyway, this morning we managed to sleep in til 8:30, I’ve been dying to do that for ages. The sleep was interrupted though at 6:00am by the shrill emergency alarm that the city is equipped with. You know the sort that goes off once a month for testing and you hope is never used because if it is, you know that you’ll never get out of there in time. We have one by our house and if it goes off, it’s because the power plant near our home is having a nuclear issue…That’s never good I’m sure. So I was mildly annoyed, but I called the front desk and they informed me that the alarm was malfunctioning. That’s nice, 6am on a Saturday morning. Oh well, I went back to sleep easy enough.

We got up and had a free continental breakfast (a muffin and banana). I figured it would do. Then by 11:00 or so we headed to a State Park close by called Anna Rose State Park. It has a pair of waterfalls that are quite pretty. There was a ½ mile trail that went up to the falls. I booked up there and felt quite good about myself, you know, all that walking I have been doing in the mornings with my neighbor is paying off. (Remember that later!) We ambled around up there, found a geocache, something we haven’t done in a year and a half or more, and had a nice, relaxing time. I had my new flower book and had a pleasant time looking at flowers, I don’t think I found any new ones. The trilliums are out, but a lot of them got fried in the cold weather. Too bad. It was a very pleasant time and I really enjoyed myself. We then went and ate lunch at a table in the park.

After lunch, we got in the truck and headed to another State Park that was close by called Unicoi Sate Park. There was a bike trail there that we wanted to try. We finally got to the trail head parking lot and DH realized that he had forgotten the helmets. While we sat there trying to figure out what to do, a truck pulled up next to us and two guys got out. So we asked them if they knew how the trail was, if we would need helmets. I know, it’s bad that we even considered going without helmets. The two guys told us that they’d done the trail before and had gone 3 miles in about 45 minutes. They didn’t think we needed helmets (although they had some on), and said that they would go along with us if we wanted. I wasn’t so sure about going with strangers, but in the end, we decided to go.

The first ½ mile was straight up the side of a Georgia Mountain. I know that some folks don’t consider mountains in the South to be mountains, but if you’re biking up one, believe me, it’s a mountain. The two guys took off and right away, my gears were messing up and DH fell and skinned up his hand but good…I ended up pushing my bike up that first “hill” and was sure that we would never see those two guys again, but right there at the top there they were, waiting on us. I felt bad because I didn’t want to make them wait on us and we told them to go on, but they insisted that it was no trouble and that it was nice for them to be able to stop and rest while they waited for us.

So on we went, encountering trails like I have never biked on before. After a while, I asked DH how far we had gone, sure that it would be at least 5 miles, and he told me that it was just under 2 miles. Wow, my lungs were burning, by rear end was sore (already) and the rocks, the roots, the STEEP inclines and the even STEEPER declines with the hair pin curves kept coming. I kept insisting that I did not have front shocks, but DH was very sure that I did.  I was thinking that it was a very good thing that we did not have the DC with us. We kept on going and always those two guys (Mike and Todd) would be waiting for us at the top of the hill.

I said earlier that it was a good thing that we had the camel backs with us and I really think they saved us today. I don’t think we could have made it out of there had it not been for them. It was the first time we had used them – always before we have used the bike water bottles which don’t hold much water. We each drank 2-3 L of water before we got back.

It started to feel like we would never get back. After 7 or so miles, everyone, including Mike and Todd, were beginning to wonder. I trust DH and his ability to read the GPS, but at the top of yet another mountain, I could have sworn that I saw the lodge near where we parked the cars yet we started down that mountain in the opposite direction. We were all getting fatigued, Mike and Todd had some Cliff bars, which sounded really good at the moment. My muscles were crying out for sugar and I was pushing my bike up the hills because I just didn’t have the energy I needed. I now know what it feels like to hit a wall!! But after about 8 miles we reached a point where there was a sign that said EXIT. We made it down the mountain (which looked so small and insignificant upon looking back, but hid even bigger mountains that we had explored behind them) and I got within 20-30 feet of the truck and couldn’t petal another foot. So without any shame, I got off my bike and pushed it to the truck. I found some warm Gatorade and guzzled it down. I realized that I had drank 2 or more L of water and the Gatorade and didn’t have the slightest urge to pee!

We sat down and talked with Mike and Todd for a while and felt like we made some friends. Although it was probably not the smartest thing for us to do that trail without our helmets, I know the Lord protected us. I also wonder why Mike and Todd hung with us the whole time. They could have easily gone on and we would have never seen them again. It will be interesting when we get to heaven to look back on our lives and see how the Lord placed people at various points in our lives for a reason. Maybe this time there was no reason, but maybe again there was…

We are now sitting on the bed in the hotel and feel all clean and nice, but wow, am I tired.

Todd in front, Mike in back...

Did you know that making bread is a full body experience? I didn't either, but the DC assume that it is, so...therefore, making bread is a full body experience. I decided last week that they needed to know how to make a loaf of bread in the bread machine. So I wrote out my recipe so that they could read it (with explainations included) and went through it step-by-step with them both. They were thrilled and completely sure that they could do it no problem.

So, yesterday, I told DS to go ahead and make a loaf of bread, but to please ask me for help if necessary. I was busy doing other things in the kitchen and watching him as well. He appeared to be doing well, and all of a sudden, he was done! I asked him if he had put in all the ingredients and he decided he wasn't sure that he had, so we went through them all and found several that he had missed. He was so thrilled that he was making a loaf of bread that he didn't notice the flour all over EVERYWHERE until I pointed it out and told him that bakers have to clean up their own messes. Well, thank goodness for a wall vacuum! Although today I still feel like the floor is a bit slick...Anyway, an hour and a half later, the bread was ready to come out of the machine. It was a little sticky...OK, a LOT sticky, as in it could have used another cup of flour, but DS was joyfully kneading it down and plopped it unceremoniously into a pan, and it was ready, WITHOUT any help on my part, I might add. He waited anxiously while it raised and baked. As soon as it was done, we were ready to eat lunch, so I decided that we would have fresh bread sandwiches (YUM, YUM). As stated before, it was a little doughy, but DS was very pleased with his effort and proceeded to eat most of the loaf of bread for lunch, declaring that it was the best bread that he had ever eaten. What he didn't eat for lunch he snacked on last night and this morning, which lead to the need for another loaf of bread.

SOOO, DD's turn to make bread came a little quicker than I had expected. She required a bit more help as she can't read as well and is smaller...But she did quite well too. I think that she did manage to get all the ingredients in the machine and it is now ready to take out of the machine and knead down. So that is what I am off to do now!!

DS sometimes is rather disagreeable  about  home school, especially in the language arts area. Well, today he decided he wasn't going to do several of his worksheets that I had given him to do, so decided to commence with the bad attitude, which always gets him in trouble. I have been really praying for patience lately, as I feel that I am tested frequently in that area, so was very conscious today of my attitude towards him as he proceeded with his attitude...I told him that he'd lost his ticket and that he needed to go to his bed until he was ready to do school. So very grudgingly he went to his room, as I went on with school with DD. A little while later, a note was slid under the door into the homeschool room. It said, "Chase is reddy." My mother-heart melted and when I opened the door there was a sheepish smile on DS's face and he was indeed ready and willing to finish his worksheets, which he did with no further problems. PTL for small things!! (I personally don't think that was a small thing).

I started a new allowance system a month or so ago. Instead of just giving the DC money at the end of the week, they have to earn it based on their attitude. They can get two tickets a day, M-F. One in the morning for their attitude during school, and one for the afternoon for their attitude during the rest of the day. Each ticket is worth $.50, which makes it possible to earn $5/wk. So on Sundays, the turn in all their tickets and get $$ for them. DS is saving his $$ for the Aqua Base Lego set, which I know more about than I care to, and DD is saving her's for an American Girl doll. I'll do this allowance system until it doesn't work any more, and then find another system...

DS just asked me what my favorite thing is, besides himself and his DS. I have to ponder on that. He then changed it to "what is your favorite thing to buy?" Well, that was easy...Homeschool things n stuff...But that was not the answer he was looking for, and I still haven't answered him, although the answer would probably be clothes, although I must say I buy a lot more books than clothes, as evidenced by the state of my wardrobe.

It's been a while since I've been up at this time, and let me tell you, I don't miss it. I woke up an hour ago and couldn't sleep due to a much needed storm,and then I started feeling like I couldn't quite catch a good breath, and it kept getting worse until I was wheezing. I'm not wheezing presently, but still feel like a good breath would be nice. I'm sure the pollen is to blame, the pollen count has been high lately.

Anyway, new subject...I went to bed with DD last night and was listening to her breath as she slept. For months she's been snoring loudly, and lately she's been up once or twice in the middle of the night into our bed, she's got dark circles under her eyes. So last night, probably largely due to a cold and allergies (pollen again), she was having sleep apnea. I didn't think to count the seconds, but my guess is that it was 15 sec. or more between some of her breaths. I'm not liking that...I decided yesterday to bypass the pedi and called and made an appointment with an ENT. Unfortunately, it isn't until the 23rd, so in the meantime, I hope all is well. I called the pedi to see if she could get an appointment a bit sooner, but she said to just keep the appointment that I have. Anyway, I went back in later last night and her nose was clear and she was breathing normally, so apparently the sleep apnea was "temporary." I hope it's gone. I went in there just now and her breathing is normal as well. I'm thinking a T & A is in order with her, and she's not going to like that. She has a hospital/doctors office phobia in a big way.

I got a phone call yesterday from the lady that runs the home school PE asking me if I wouldn't mind leading out for the day. I agreed, but I absolutely do not like being in charge of something like that. I don't have any good ideas, and I'm not a good "up front" person for that sort of thing. All in all, it probably went OK, but I was glad that it was over. The kids enjoyed staying afterwards for a while during the "Big Kids" PE. The big kids come out of the woodwork. You would think there would be a ton of little ones, but it's the opposite. There were probably 30+ teenagers that came to PE (somebody else was leading that one, thankfully). It was pretty amazing, I was impressed that a lot of parents are home schooling highschoolers. I hope to be able to do that with my DC, but need to take one year at a time I think.

I found a new science program that I am going to order for next year. It's not new, just new to me. I've actually known about it for a while, just hadn't looked into it. Anyway, it's Apologia Science by Jennie Fulbright. I don't know the website right off, but it's easy to find. There is Botany, Astronomy, Zoology I & II, and several new ones coming soon. I was all set to do Astronomy. I was sure DS would love that and I was very excited about it. Well, yesterday when I got online and actually asked him which one he would prefer, he was very strongly opinionated that the Zoology II, which is Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day, is the one to go with for next year. So I guess I've been outvoted. DD wanted to do Zoology I, which is Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day, so we may have a little disagreement on our hands. We'll see. At any rate, we will not be doing Astronomy. Oh well, we can do it another year. I guess I should have asked sooner and not gotten all excited for myself. Note: I was excited for myself, not them. Hmmm, root of the problem...

I am still very happy with my math program - Right Start Math, my Bible program - My Bible First, and just bought a spelling program that at first I thought would not be right for DS, but is turning out to be a very good fit for him right now. It is All About Spelling. I was thinking that Level 1 was not going to be appropriate for him, but I think he needs a good quick review of level one and then level 2 will be right where he needs to be. Level 2 isn't even out yet...

Well, I'm going to try to go back to sleep, the breathing is a little better...

I have a nine year old today!! Where has the time gone? I'm too young to have a nine year old, right? Humor me, please. DS has been looking forward to this day for weeks. No, make that months. He has a countdown calendar in his room (corvettes) that he has been keeping track of the days on. The excitement is contagious and I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "Can I open JUST one birthday present, PLEASE?" or "When is everyone getting here?" Well, I didn't think I would be able to take it all day hearing that, so last night, I decided that he could indeed open just one birthday present this morning, but he had to find 13 sticky tabs hidden around the house with little messages on them, such as Happy Birthday, or, You Weighed 7# 2oz when you were born, or, I Love You...You get the idea. The one he could not find was behind the toilet lid in the kids bathroom. Obviously they don't ever put the lid down. I told him that if he did everything he was suppose to do after going to the bathroom, that he would find it. Well, it took another hint or two and finally, all 13 were collected. So I gave him a choice of which present he would unwrap. Of course, he had to shake them all and figure out which one was the Lego present. So he spent the morning happily playing with another, ANOTHER, set of Legos while I did school with DD, who was not at all sure this was fair, but grudgingly did what I asked. She had been sick with the 24 hour bug earlier this week and we caught up to where we would have been had she not been sick.

The big moment arrived 30 minutes early with grandma and grandpa coming at 5:00pm. We had a bonfire outside and used the new picnic table that DH made Tuesday night for the first time. (On a side note, I am so thankful to have a husband who can do anything. He made that picnic table in one night. It  is better than any picnic table I have ever seen. It took us two days to get it all the way across the yard it is so heavy.) It was wonderful to have a picnic table out there, it made eating out by the fire so so so much easier. Then our neighbors arrived as well as DSister and family and DMother. We had a really nice time and the weather cooperated. Thankfully we had had some rain this morning and that slowed down the pollen so we weren't all miserable.

As for DS, who is NINE now, I am forever learning something about myself because of him. He is the best teacher I could have ever been given and he doesn't even realize that about himself! He has brought more laughter and joy to this house through the years with his inquisitive nature, his quick smile and teasing attitude. We do love to tease in this house, and I think maybe it goes overboard at times, but what fun it is. DS loves to be tickled, loves to work with Daddy on whatever, is very serious at times and  a deep thinker during those times. It is interesting to see his mind working out the bigger picture and I'm thankful to be involved in those moments with him. I'm so proud of him and thankful he is part of our family. PTL for the gift He has given me for these past 9 years.

I am rather discouraged with posting my blog. I have recently spent quite a bit of time writing several different posts only to have them disappear before I could post them to the blog. Therefore, I just haven't done anything with it. But I have to get over that, so I will give a highlight of what has been going on:

I worked with a girl that I went to Nursing school with the other night and we had a really good night, and a nice time catching up. She is taking a course about legal nursing and is hoping to be able to work from her home in the near future...Sounds Interesting.

A girl at work choked another night and we had to do the heimlich maneuver on her. That was scarey, but thankfully had a good outcome.

We rode with friends down to the Aquarium this past Friday on our bikes. We got to count it as a day of school - there was Science, Socialization skills day (very important for home schoolers --hehehe), Art and some of us learned to stay behind the leader. Others of us did not, and we are still working on that...

I gave DS got a hair cut today and he looks ready for summer. He takes after me and has colicks in the front of his hair, so it is very hard for it to grow long without looking shaggy. I can't believe how warm it was here today. It got up to 86 degrees F that I know of.

I have found a new LA curriculum (Thanks to Lisa, once again) that I think I like - called Character Quality Language Arts. I am still researching it and so far like what I see. I also bought a handwriting aid for the computer so I can make handwriting sheets for the kids. It's called Start Write (also thanks to Lisa)...

We raked the whole yard today and I am about to go to bed. My back is quite sore and I have already taken Tylenol and Motrin.

We went to Lowes to look at picnic tables. I want to get one this week for DS's birthday -We will have his party this coming weekend with the family. I can't believe how fast time has gone, he's going to be 9 years old - when did that happen?

This is a very disjointed entry, hopefully I will have more time tomorrow night. I spent quite a bit of time this evening getting tomorrows school day planned so it would flow nicely. I'm going to try to do school tomorrow on the back porch if it's nice, and I don't want to be going up and down the steps a hundred times. It's so nice out that I just can't sit in the basement and do school, soooo depressing for all of us. I can't believe the stack of books that I brought upstairs. I didn't realize how many books we use each day in school.

We just got home from Florida to cat puke, thankfully not the highlight of our trip, but memorable nonetheless (is that a word or several?)...

We had a wonderful time. We went down to Brian and Tina's house in central Florida and met up with Randy and Shelly there... all the families together had nine kids, so there was not a dull moment. Brian and Tina live on a lake lot in the boondocks of Florida. Their back yard is a wild life park and a fun park all in one. They had wild pigs come in each night to feed on corn they put out, they have an alligator in one of their ponds and sand hill cranes are just normal birds in the yard. They can canoe from their lake all the way down to Lake Ockachobee (if they want to). Randy and Shelly and DH and I canoed over to the next lake and were amazed at the wildlife we saw. It was a part of Florida I have never seen before and I was really impressed, I actually could live there if I was able to live on the lake like they do. Of course, the weather was quite a bit cooler now than it would be in the hot summer... Anyway, we had such a nice time together and I felt like we got to know Brian and Tina better (I did anyway, DH has known them for years).

We also went to Busch Gardens. I realize now that my equilibrium ain't what it used to be. I rode one ride that made me sick for several hours afterwards, so I was happy to watch the kids with several of the other adults that had a similar problem - At least I was not alone.

We also went to Sanibel Island, a 3 hour tour from Brian and Tina's. It was a rather expensive venture, which we hadn't planned on, but it was fun. The shelling was disappointing to me, but worth it to watch the kids, they love the ocean. It was cool and breezy and I'm lucky they aren't sick yet. Time will tell, DS was coughing a bit last night. You can't keep a kid out of the water at the ocean...

We left last night and drove up to Gainsville and got a hotel. I needed to be back for the Adventure club meeting tonight. I almost didn't make it as we got stuck in traffic in Atlanta. We always have that trouble. Anyway, I made it 10 minutes early, which was good. The meeting went well,  no thanks to me. The Lord watches over me and my last-minute efforts.

I'll try to post pictures in the AM. I know I've been saying that...

Well, here they are, I'm on caffiene, not a normal substance in my body these days: (BTW, I added a picture to a previous blog)

DD and I at the beach...

Randy, Shelly and I in the Canoe heading to Lake Walk In Water...

A black racer that hopefully is still alive...

DD and Carlie on the beach. We didn't plan on the DC getting in the water as it was pretty chilly...That plan went well as you can see.

The whole group at the Scorpion Ride at Busch Gardens. This ride DD insisted on going on even though it went upside down and fast. I was afraid it would scare the dickens out of her, but she loved it and wanted to go again, and did so about 3 times. Oh boy...

This was taken in Brian and Tina's back yard...how nice they don't have to drive 30 minutes to see this sight every day...

DH and I at the beach - A Self Portrait

I have been doing Winter Promise American Story I with the DC and have really been enjoying it. I think I am getting more out of it than the DC and actually didn't think Dd was getting anything out of it other than enjoying the stories I read to them (Right now we have started Little House on the Prarie Series Again, WP started reading Little House on the Prairie and completely left out The Little House in the Big Woods, so I couldn't skip that one) Anyway, I have relearned American History and probably it will stick this time!! So we have been studying the War of 1812 and yesterday I was quizzing the DC on the circumstances surrounding the writing of the "Star Spangled Banner." DS was looking puzzled like he had no idea what I was talking about. Then DD, who I did not expect to learn much from this study, pipes up and says, "Francis Scott Key (I had just said his name, so don't let me let you think that she thought of that on her own) was on a English ship because he was trying to get Americans off, but then they wouldn't let him off, and he watched them bomb the fort and he saw the flag through the little sparklie lights and wrote a song." I was very impressed and DS was a little annoyed that sister showed him up. But you can bet today that he will remember it when I ask him again!! But it's moments like that when I see with clarity the impact that I have on them, whether it be for good or bad. When you don't think they're listening, THEY ARE...

We are leaving for Florida for our Spring Break this noon. I have all morning to clean the house and finish packing. I found out the other day that it is I who is in charge of Adventurer Club Eager Beavers Wednesday night, so I have to finish planning what I am going to do and actually get back in time. UGH. I really, really do not want to lead anything next year. I am going to do school with the kids in the car in the afternoon. We are skipping Math as I have to take to much "stuff" for what we're doing in math right now, so I figure I'll do a lot of extra reading and Bible, Language Arts and History. That should keep us busy for a while. I have a whole crate of books in the car, just in case...

We are going to Randy's brothers house in central Florida, where we will meet up with Randy and spend the weekend with all them catching alligators, then go to the beach Sunday and Busch Gardens Monday or Tuesday. DH went to AAA and bought tickets at a discounted price for Busch Gardens and they were still $222. UGH, I guess we haven't ever paid for a ticket to a theme park with the kids, so this will be a treat. We went to Sea World once and my dear aunt paid for season passes for us for a year. So we made a few trips to Sea World at that point, but DS was living in Florida at that point too...

Went walking three days this week. I wish I could get at least five days in, but for one reason or another, we just can't seem to do that. I am usually too tired on Monday AM from working Sunday night, and DN is usually tired on Thursday am and can't get out of bed, so that leaves us with Tue, Wed, Fri and Sat, and usually at least one of those days something is going on (rain, freezing cold, etc.). When I get back, I really want to try to do a little more.

I know it's a bit juvenile, but ever since DH and I have known each other, we have "Rabbit-Rabbited" each other on the first day of the month. The first person to say it is suppose to have good luck for the rest of the month. I don't know what that says about the person that doesn't get the words out in time...Then if you can say it on the first day of the year, BOY, you have good luck for a whole year. I am currently the YEAR "Rabbit-Rabbit" holder, which has not been my good fortune in many years. So I am basking in the delight of knowing I will have nothing but good luck this year. OK, and if you think I believe that, then try selling me a bridge... Anyway, Today is March 1, and DH just called and got his luck for another month. That's what inspired this entry. Very trivial stuff here. I know, there's probably better stuff to write about, but I slept in and don't have much time, so this will have to suffice.

DC are busy looking at their magazines - DS is looking at his LEGO magazine and drooling over the latest "need" which just so happens to be AquaRaiders. DD is trying to decide what she will buy next with "all her money" out of the American Girl Catalogue. These two catalogues are what inspires them to run up to the mailbox everyday, just in case they are there. Most days the come back with bills, which is why I do not bother going up myself.

It is raining right now, perfect timing. I fertilized the weeds in our "lawn" yesterday and was awakened to thunder and lightening this morning. It is so springy here right now, I love it. I have the worst case of spring fever and so do the DC. We spent the afternoon outside. I had a busy afternoon though. I took a LOAD of trash to the recycling center, including 6 containers of old oil, which they recycle there as well. Dear Neighbor and I then loaded a bunch of trash that we couldn't get rid of through the regular trash (old hot water heater, a batterized 4 wheeler that has never worked, an old drum that recently housed a dead, smelly squirrel, and a whole bunch of other junk) and took it to the dump, which is close to home, unfortunately. That felt really good to get rid of that. Then as I was inspired at that point, I went ahead and loaded all the household trash and took it back to the dump, which is how we get rid of our trash on a regular basis, instead of curbside pickup. (It's a lot cheaper). So there is not a bag of trash around.

Did I mention that it is almost 8:00? DD, who is telling time with amazing clarity, keeps telling me this, I suppose I shall have to get something to eat..