Just when I thought spring had finally arrived, it started snowing again this morning.  I guess we have to wait a few more days before things start to turn green around here.  I was pleased that the snow had melted so slowly, and didn't create any flooding in the neighborhood this year.  Our basement actually stayed dry and the sump pump didn't have to kick on very often. 

I hadn't realized how long it had been since the last time I wrote, but wow, a year has gone by!  So much has happened, and time has passed by so quickly.  There just isn't enough time in a day. 

We are planning big things here including Boy Scout Whitewater Rafting, planting an orchand on our other property, building the kids new beds this summer, and my son needs to organize his Eagle Project.  So many details to get those big projects done will mean my time is maxed out again this year.  I hope to be able to login more often. 

I was able to post about our latest field trip yesterday, and hope you get an opportunity to read about the Chinese troupe we watched perform.  It was fantastic!

Happy Spring Everyone!

The attack at Virginia Tech has left me numb.  I am having a hard time grasping the fact that so many lost their lives today while at a place parents expect them to be safe.  Over thirty families are dealing with a loss tonight, a shock they will need faith to overcome.

I'm feeling protective of my kids, and I'm actually grateful that they want to stay in front of the tv tonight, because at least I can see them at all times.  I realize I'm being overprotective, but I can't seem to help myself. 

I have a young man who all too soon will be leaving home to pursue his independant life.  I have been contemplating for the last month how I can help him find his passion, so he can get a jump start on his education.  Tonight I'm sitting here wanting to wrap him in the baby blanket I brought him home in.

I mourn for the victims and the families. I mourn for America, that we once again have to deal with the fact that so many youth do not have respect for human life.  I mourn for those young lives lost, and pray that they were welcomed into heaven with loving arms.

God Bless us all.

I don't know about all of you, but I was so tired of snow today, I washed all the winter clothes and packed them away.  We are supposed to have snow this week, but I just want spring to come!  I figured if I packed the snow clothes away, the snow will go with it.  Nice rationalization huh?

We watched our good friend's little girls this week, and had all kinds of things planned, but we only got to finish one.  The toddler got sick in the middle of the night, and I spent the next 18 hours cleaning up and cuddling her.  Poor little thing was so sweet about it, and I'm sure her belly hurt.  I've never seen a baby that was ill and didn't cry or at least fuss, but this little one just calmly took it all in stride.  The only thing she did differently was that she wouldn't let me out of her sight, and wouldn't let my husband touch her - and he is usually her favorite.  It broke my heart when I thought about it, the girl's mother died over a year ago, and to this poor little girl, I was the closest thing to a mommy she had right then.

Isn't it amazing the things that come into our lives and make us contemplate the path God has put us on.  This poor sick little baby was put in my care at a time when she needed a mom to put her needs first, and I was chosen to be that mom.  It was a pleasure to be her comfort, and I feel more than ever that God is totally in control.  What a blessing to know he even provides for the needs of an small baby in her time of need.

I got to sleep in this morning!  It's  amazing what an extra hour of sleep can do for a person.  I woke up and immediately started my chores - in an empty house.  My lovable hubby had taken the kids to the Sportman's club for their Saturday shooting lessons, and left me with the critters.  Sweet, sweet quiet!

Well, kinda....

The dogs started whining and wanting me to get up within seconds of the family leaving the house.  They can't stand to have the kids out of eyesight for a moment, which on a normal day is the reason we made them part of the family to start with.  The trouble starts when the kids have activities the dogs can't attend.  Round and round the house they went, checking every window and door, trying to jump on the furniture without mom catching them, desperately searching for 'their kids'.  I had to let them out a half a dozen times in three hours because they just had to check outside again, the kids might be playing outside without them you know!

The chinchillas were clinking their bowls together, but for the most part, they are silent.  They are still little, and my daughter is in full control of the amount of socialization they get, so I just peeked in a little to make sure they had water.  They are so cute, but little sis is trying to get them to 'love me the most' so the rest of us are hands-off until she has them trained to come to her willingly.  She's getting close, and the dogs are even getting more tolerant of these little rodents, so we should be able to introduce them to the rest of the house before summer starts.  That's the deadline anyway, because they have to be brought to the cooler areas of the house when it gets hot, and the AC doesn't work well in the bedrooms.  They tend to overheat above 70 degrees, so they will have to live with the rest of us for the hot parts of summer.

My frogs are fantastic, and never make any noise.  They don't love me, but they are trained to come when I tap their tank and even come to the top and take food out of my fingers.  Everyone finds it weird that I trained my frogs (formerly the kids frogs...) to eat from my hand, but I've always trained my pets to do something out of the ordinary.  I once taught my first cat to fetch and catch pop bottle tops, which was fun to watch - and she loved it.

Well, I hear the truck pulling back into the drive, so I better get ready for the noise level to rise.  Time to be mommy again, which isn't so bad now is it?  I miss them after a few minutes, let alone hours of them being away.  Remember, we prayed for this chaos didn't we!

The wind is whistling around the corners of the house and it's snowing.  Can you believe it?  Snow again!  Just when I thought we wouldn't need to shovel until next winter, we are supposed to get more than 2 inches of snow overnight.  Don't get me wrong, I love all the seasons, but I was looking forward to blue skies and green leaves.

I have a lot to do over the next few days, but it doesn't look like any of it will involve yard work.  Shoveling maybe....

I see green!  Lots and lots of green!

The warm temps over the last couple of days and the saturating showers have given the yard new life.  As soon as it warms up a bit, we will have green leaves on the trees too.  Spring is finally here for good!  I was starting to wonder if God was just teasing us with a glimpse last week, because it was there and then swiftly returned to snow and cold. 

Our weekend with the extended family went fairly smooth, with no broken bones and only one small cut.  The girls were cooking dinner and accidentally nicked a finger each, but luckily one one needed a bandaid - but of course, both HAD to have bandaids.  Dinner still tasted fine, even though mom had to pitch in at the last minute after I performed first aid.  It must have been good, the boys barely spoke as the shoveled it in!

The return of spring is making me itchy to spend time outdoors.  I've been pouring over catalogs, trying to figure out which science kits to buy, how many butterfly gardens we need and even contemplating praying mantis habitats.  So many insects - so little time!  If we didn't live in the city, it would be easy to capture our own, but they spray so many chemicals around here to keep the mosquitos down, we have few surviving species.  It will be a lot easier to touch nature when we move out to our country property.  I can't wait!

The kids are outside! Yeah!!!!!

I've been waiting all winter for the kids to go outside after schoolwork is done, and now I finally have some quiet.  Not much, however, as all the neighborhood kids are milling around in the yard too.  It seems there has to be at least one disagreement an hour, or the kids aren't happy. 

My niece and nephew are coming for the weekend for their Spring Break, so I have to prepare.  They are picky eaters, and I have to make sure to find foods that they will eat that still fit my definition of acceptable.  It's amazing that I ended up with the diabetic gene, along with my kids, and my sister and her kids are rail thin and can eat anything.  God definitely has a sense of humor!  I've told my sister that we are well prepared to survive the imaginary drought that global warming is causing, while she and her kids would need to put on a LOT of weight. 

We have a lot of fun, and a lot of squeals, when the kids come for the weekend, and I'm sure this weekend will be no exception.  Last time they spent the weekend, my niece broke her wrist riding bikes, so I would love to put her in a body cast so it won't happen again.  Her kids are fragile, and my kids seem to bounce when they hit the ground.  Everything about our kids is the opposite, but that is what makes it so exciting when they visit.  Especially the part where they act like siblings - and fight like them too!

Hope you all are enjoying the beginning of spring as much as we are!

Boy, am I glad the requirements for Eagle are almost complete!  My son is sitting at the table finishing up the last of the photos for the troop scrapbook.  This is the last time he will have to make pages, as the Court Of Honor is tomorrow, and he will be able to turn the whole thing over to another scout.  I think mom is just as excited as he is to have his six months of leadership as the troop Historian over, and he can now concentrate on what he wants to do for his Eagle Project.

Does anyone struggle as I do when their kids are working on scrapbook pages?  I want to take the tools away and do it myself!  I am a perfectionist and have to try so hard to be patient when he puts something on the page that isn't just 'perfect'.  I have to keep reminding myself that this is his responsibility and I need to support him only when he wants it, not when I think he needs it.

As they say 'Never help a child with a task in which they feel they can succeed.'

This is good practice for being patient.....

I am so glad that I found this book.  My husband and I have tried numerous churches over the years, and never found one we both felt comfortable in.  Now that I have read this book, it makes perfect sense why we have never 'clicked' on the same church. 

The author, Gary Thomas, explains the nine different ways to worship God, and the vastly different ways those temperments feel close to Him.  Mr. Thomas goes into detail about the varied experiences of the temperments and how to incorporate your strongest temperment into your daily life.  He also examines the pitfalls that await you, so you can be aware when you have strayed from the true path.

I found out that I am a Naturalist, with strong Ascetic tendancies.  I always knew I felt close to God in the outdoors with his creation surrounding me, but never knew how to use that in my worship.  My husband was not surprised to find out that I also love solitude when I worship, as he is exactly the opposite.  This book explained in plain english the reason why we could never agree on a church home, as we are looking for vastly different experiences.

We now have a new starting point in our search for a family church, and we realize that we will never be able to find the 'perfect fit'.  In the meantime, we have decided to start a bible study at home with the kids, another decision we had delayed.  Should it take time to find our church home, we can no longer wait to instruct our children in His word.  The main difference is, Mom is no longer afraid that I will be ineffective because I didn't fit the traditional mold.  I feel much more confident that I can give my children the grounding they need - in my own way.

The puppy got fixed today, and the poor thing doesn't feel good.  She is very somber and yelps every now and then when she tweaks the stitches.  It's going to be interesting, as we live in a Cape Cod and all the bedrooms are upstairs.  We will be carrying this German Shorthaired Pointer upstairs for a week until she can play and run again.  I used to think she was small, but she is heavier than she looks!

We were going to have beautiful puppies, at least that was the plan.  The plans had to change when we realized we were not going to move this year.  From the time we picked her out until a few weeks ago, through numerous cycles, and weeks of watching over her like a hawk, we had planned on puppies.  The realtor changed her life when we were informed the market in our area took a huge hit and our home was worth $20,000 less than two years previously.  Due to the fact we can't afford to sell it for that price, we decided not to proceed with puppies.

The kids are not happy, but realized it's hard enough living in 1000 sq feet with two dogs, two frogs and two fuzzy chinchillas without adding a dozen puppies to the mix.  We barely have room to move when we are in 'project phase', and can't find a corner large enough for a whelping box.  Thus, our baby needed to be fixed.  She would have made the best mother, and I grieve for her loss.  If we didn't live in the city, it might not be so bad to have the pups outside a lot, but that could cause numerous tickets where we live now. 

So tonight I'll cuddle her and  tomorrow I'll baby  her some more.  I remember how it feels to have your feminine areas tender after surgery, and I feel bad for her.  Hopefully, she will feel better soon and be back to the happy little girl we all love. 

We had to go to the outlet today, as big brother has grown out of all his summer clothes and Boy Scout camping season is right around the corner.  It always amazes me how fast they grow.  Little sis found some really cute camo shorts and some modest denim ones too.  She has 'graduated' to ladies clothing now, which ironically, cost less than the childs version.  I look forward to hitting the clearance racks for women's clothing instead of picking through the too small kids versions.

I had a lot to accomplish today, so this posting is late, but better late than never.  Hopefully tomorrow will slow down for us all.

It's a dreary day here.  The rain is fluctuating between drizzles and downpour, and I can't seem to shake the blah feeling.  I can't wait for spring to really arrive, with it's crocus, tulips and fresh green grass.  I need some color, and I hope it comes soon.  My lovable hubby always finds it funny when I step outside and sniff - smelling for that 'dirt' smell that comes when the ground is finally thawed.

Even though its a damp, stay in bed with a good book day, we have much to accomplish.  I already met with the bank early this morning, and have another meeting tomorrow that I have to prepare for.  The kids diligently finished their work for the day with dad's supervision, and the three of them were very cooperative - dad included.  It was wonderful to come home from dogging raindrops with groceries and have the schoolwork done for the day.  Daddy got a big hug when mom got home.

My niece has a concert tonight, so I have to be finished with the chores for the day early.  I can't miss this one, as another will not come up until next school year.  She loves her flute and drives her mother crazy playing all over the house.  I hope she sticks with it, as she sometimes struggles due to the fact her hands are still small.  She seems to love it despite the extra effort, and makes music for her family every day.  What a blessing!

My daughter finished the sticker book I purchased for her a few weeks ago.  I bought the book and showed her how it worked and put it on the shelf.  She didn't seem interested at the time, so i figured we would come back to it later.  Two days ago she picked it up and worked diligently for two afternoons filling in all the state names, capitals, state birds, etc. until she triumphantly brought it to me last night.  I had listened to her pronounce names aloud and read every sticker, with little help, and was so proud that she had decided to start and finish this project on her own.  I love it when they learn on their own!

I better get back to the chore list, as these are chores only mom can complete.  Have a wonderful evening!

I think I like my new washing machine, but even better my daughter loves it!  Our old one spent months making loud noises and finally started spilling water on the floor.  I was not about to pay another $500 for a new drum for this monstrosity, so I just used it until it was totally dead.  On Saturday, lovable hubby spent hours running to Lowes (several times due to their errors) and installing a new high-tech front loading washer and dryer just for me.  I'm not sure it's a love gift, just a tool, but that man loves his tools.

Now my daughter is running to the laundry every time she heards the bells ring.  I hardly have to lift a finger when it comes to laundry the last few days.  I'm sure she will tire of the chore soon, but I am enjoying it while it lasts!

Now if I could get her, or big brother for that matter, to love cleaning the kitchen just as much I'd be in heaven!

I don't know about you, but I'm so happy I made the decision to stay home!  I used to be a 'career' woman in my former life, but now I have a full time job taking care of my family.  My only wish is for a cleaning crew, as I am far from world's best housekeeper.

Who has time for housekeeping when there is so many other things to do! Curling up wih a good book, cutting fabric with my daughter for a new quilt, sorting pictures for the scrapbook, packing the camper for a quick trip, researching our next field trip, hugging daddy when he comes home, or racing the dogs around the backyard are so much more important than vacuuming - don't you think?  I figure if the hardwood floors and the furniture stay dusty for a few weeks, just think of the fun we must have had!

We are an eccentric (I mean eclectic!) homeschooling family with a wide range of interests.  My son is currently a Life Scout, gaining ground on his Eagle Rank.  My artistic daughter loves to try new crafts in addition to her cake decorating and quilting.  My lovable husband is an avid 2nd Amendment supporter and enjoys outdoor activities nine months out of the year - just not winter.  I find my greatest joy spending time experiencing nature the way God intended with my family all year round.  As a family we spend as much time together as possible, as time is fleeting, and all too soon the kids will be moving on with their lives away from the nest.

Homeschooling came into our lives after much encouragement from members of the family who have always had their children nearby.  It was after much hand wringing that we decided to take the plunge, and have not regretted our decision.  No, homeschooling is not easy, but it is worth every bit of the effort.  Our long term goal is not to create all A students with graduate degrees, but self-confident, happy children prepared to meet the challenges of life with a good work ethic and positive outlook.  They will be the ones to choose whether or not they wish to attend college, join the military, serve apprenticeships, or open their own business.  We feel our job is to help prepare them for the trials of life, and give them the tools they will need for a lifetime of learning.

I look forward to sharing our learning process with you, and hope it helps other family find their way.  We are all given gifts by God, and its our responsibility to use them to the best of our ability.  I hope you enjoy reading about our trials, and can glean ideas on how to (or not to) prepare your own family for their future.