I had inteded, when I sat down at my computer this afternoon, to add some pictures. Unfortunately, the cord for my camera is MIA. Hopefully it will turn up soon and I can post some pictures soon. I need to find it soon because my camera is bursting with pictures waiting to be uploaded.

Anyway, we had a just BEAUTIFUL day today. The temperature was in the 60s with clear skies. Needless to say, we were outside a lot today. We went to the library for story hour, then, because it was so beautiful, we went to McDonald's to play on the playplace.

When we got home I went outside and cleaned up our yard. We have a onery dog who likes to chew on the kid's toys. There were little bits of toys everywhere. The kids and I were able to pick up enough that Darin should be able to clean up some of the leaves the next time we get a pretty day.

I am getting a little anxious for spring, but am well aware that it is stil winter. It only gets warm long enough to tease us, then turns off cold again. I have started planning for my garden. Vanessa wants to plant some green beans. I want some tomatoes. Darin and Vallerie have yet to put in their opinions.

Well, here's hoping for more nice weather,

Abby

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It has been a very long week. I spent the last two days in bed sick. I am much better now, but still can’t talk very well, and reading aloud is definitely out. I have missed our Circle Time. I had thought about coming up with a catchier name for our Circle Time, but I wasn’t fast enough and that is what the kids are referring to it as, so I think the name is stuck. That’s ok I guess.

Fortunately, so far, I am the only one who seems to be under the weather. I am not sure why, but the last few times something was going around, I was the only one who got sick. I am not sure but maybe I push myself too hard. My body then gives up and quits for a couple of days to recuperate. I’m not sure, but I am looking into it. I am not interested in being a martyr for my family. They do much better when I am well.

I have spent all day trying to catch up on housework. It is amazing how quickly dishes pile up when no one puts them in the dishwasher. I have also tried not to overdo it, but that is quite hard not to do. I am tired of being in bed. I am also going a little stir-crazy with this weather we are having. For the month of February, we have had every kind of weather, from snow and ice, to thunderstorms and tornados. It has been interesting to say the least. I am ready for some sun. Spring can not come too quickly.

We have All-City passes this year. I already have a couple days marked off in March for when Silver Dollar City opens. If the weather won’t cooperate on the first day we will go the second day. It will be fun. Vallerie wants to go to Silver Dollar City for her birthday this year too. We are going on a Saturday so Darin can come with us. That will be even more fun because he can ride the rides with them, and I can shop!

I hate being sick. It isn’t fun, especially with an eight-month old. She doesn’t understand that I don’t feel like playing. It is very sad. I am so glad I feel so much better.

But I have a question for all of you… What do you do when Mommy is sick? Do you still try to do some school, or do you take the day off? Do your kids have chores that you still expect from them? I am curious what everyone else does… Thanks for responding.

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Happy Valentine's Day everyone... Ok it is a day late, but whatever, Happy Valentine's Day anyway.

We have had a very busy week this week, but a good busy. On Sunday night into the day on Monday we had about one inch of ice. Everything that we were supposed to do, lessons, shopping, playgroup, ect. all of it was canceled. How nice. We were able to stay home and do some schoolwork, and we got a lot of organizing done. I should have taken a before and after picture of my room. It was really bad. If I ever get this blogging thing down I will post some pictures.

I found a new website that I have enjoyed reading this week. I have gotten some really great ideas for homeschooling with all of the kids. The website is www.preschoolersandpeace.com. She uses a lot of Terri Maxwell's ideas (www.titus2.com) which I also use and love. I am looking forward to using what she calls "circle time." It is a time when you sit down with all of your students and do bible study and scripture memorization. Plus reading books together, and learning songs together. I am interested to see how this will work with my own kids.

I have found myself struggling with the never-ending battle of figuring how busy is too busy. We all enjoy our playgroups and other activities, but are we trading something good and fun, for what is best?

I don’t think there is one final answer to that question. Every family has to figure out what works best for them. All I know is that it has been really nice not running around like crazy trying to get things (outside the home) done. We have had so much good quality time together this week. So do I try to cut out some activities outside the home (we don’t really have that many) or do I try to make the time that we are home more productive? Or maybe both… Hum, something to think about.

While I am thinking, here is a video that I enjoy… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V1gLr5jW7o

Blessings

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I found this on a yahoo group I am a part of and thought it was cute.

The Mom Test

I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter. She picked up something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that. "Why?" my daughter asked. "Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty, and probably has germs," I replied.

At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Momma, how do you know all this stuff, you are so smart." I was thinking quickly. "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mom Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mom."

We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information. "OH...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test you have to be the dad."

"Exactly" I replied back with a big smile on my face.

When you're finished laughing, send this to a Mom.

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I love weekends. I took a two and a half hour nap today and it was AWESOME! Darin watched the baby, and the big girls went to Grandma and Grandpa's house. It was nice and quiet around here.

Oh yeah, by the way, Go Patriots! They just won the AFC Championship. Hooray!

We dedicated Tori today at church. It was very special. Of course, she was very naughty after we sat back down, so I had to leave the sanctuary and nurse her. I thought she would eat and fall right off to sleep, but no. She played around until Pastor John gave the alter call, and suddenly she zonked. Poor stubborn baby.

I talked my mom into going shopping yesterday. It was so much fun. We went to the Disney store and I did some shopping for my nephew's birthday. He likes "Cars" so we got him some "Cars" toys and pjs. I also got some shoes at Nike for my Zumba class. I was torn between getting some new shoes, and some new clothes, but my shoes are in really sad shape. Shopping makes me so happy.

Vanessa and I also went to the JCPenny yesterday before meeting Mom. They were having a huge sale and she was able to spend her birthday money on three pairs of jeans. It was such a huge blessing. I thought she would be lucky to get one pair of pants, much less three.

Vanessa also had enough money left over to buy another Webkinz. We have really enjoyed playing on Webkinz together. She can't read yet so she has to have someone sit with her and tell her what things say. It has been really nice being "forced" to play with her. There are some really fun games that we have played together.

It has been such a good weekend.

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Ok. I made an executive desicion today. WE ARE STAYING HOME!

There, the decision has been made, let's see how much gets done.  I have a list of work to be done, but I struggle making the kids work when they haven't been home to play with their toys in days. But don't tell them that mommy is torn...

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Do you ever have a week that you think not a lot is going on, but then in the middle of the week you realize that you haven't been home even one day? Where has the week gone?

There was almost nothing on the calendar, and yet here it is Wednesday and I haven't been home one day this week, and tomorrow doesn't look good either.

My laundry has piled up, the toys are a mess, the dishes are waiting to be taken from the dishwasher... Oh well, some magical day I will have all the time I need to clean my house and get all the laundry done. When there are no more sticky fingers to make a mess or peanut butter sandwiches flipped upside down on the floor, then I will get the house clean.

Of course, then there will be no more sweet hugs and kisses from my babies, or "I love you so much" from my darlings. I guess there are trade-offs to everything.

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I am so excited that it is almost Christmas!

I had an argument today with Vanessa that tomorrow is Christmas Eve. For some reason, to her Christmas Eve doesn't start until tomorrow night. Go figure. I am not sure where that logic came from. Oh well.

I have been looking at my schedule for next (calendar) year. I am going to be starting Weaver's Interlock with the older girls. I think we will take the rest of this school year and all of next school year to do the Interlock Volume. That would cover the rest of Kindergarten and 1st grade for Vanessa, and, if Vallerie is interested, Preschool her. Then when I start 2nd grade with Vanessa we will be in Weaver Volume 1 and Vallerie can do the activities with us at the Kindergarten level.

I have a hard time not pushing Vallerie. She is very bright, and picks things up very easily. But I don't want to burn her out by the time she is 6.

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