The whole family got the flu this week.  Not fun but mom and dad were glad that everyone had it at the same time.  So much better now.  Still waiting for snow.  Last night I said to my 3yo, it smells like feet in here.  He responded:  "that's because we walk all around with our feet."  We can learn a lot from these literal little beings can't we?

The whole family got the flu this week.  Not fun but mom and dad were glad that everyone had it at the same time.  So much better now.  Still waiting for snow.  Last night I said to my 3yo, it smells like feet in here.  He responded:  "that's because we walk all around with our feet."  We can learn a lot from these literal little beings can't we?

Snow, Snow, Glorious Snow!   Finally, we are hoping to go on a family snowmobile ride by months' end.  My new snowmobile last year got just 30 miles on it.  It will be interesting getting three children and two adults on two snowmobiles....now there has got to be either a joke or a math lesson in there somewhere.  Roni's reading is going great.  She has also decided to take on teaching Oscar in the morning after devotions while mom does office or little Cassidy time (or sneaks in the occassional computer moment).   We decided to study Advent and the history of Advent in the church for December.  We are going to do some study on calenders and timelines for January.  If anyone had any ideas or resources for this it would be great.  Our goal is for Roni to understand time as it relates to historical events.  After that on to an extensive unit of Health and the Human Body.  Cassidy is cutting her 4 eye teeth right now, not good for mom's sleep patterns!  Oscar is sooooo into superheros of any sort:  Batman, Spiderman, Superman, and Power Rangers.  He is beginning to learn his letters and absorbs so much that we don't even know until he comes out with something.  "Dad can we wrestle (no R sound of course), I'm gonna bring it!"  Mom points to the letter M , "Oscar the Mandus" (nick name from a poem) says "upside down W."  I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  May the hope of Christ's coming bring peace, joy, and love to your heart and family.

Wow,  the weather in Maine so far this summer has been phenomenal.  We have had lots of wonderful friends and family visit.  Doing fine without a snuggly puppy, although the fall season will definitely be a test of that! 

Please check out this site, www.massresistance.com  and read some of the events that have been occuring in Lexington, Mass. over the last few years.  What I ask myself is:  Why don't the Parkers take their son out of government school ASAP?  I know the line between being in the world and of the world can be blurry at times but come on...isn't it obvious when it comes to the suffering of our children!?  Praise the Lord for this glorious day...for today we still have the freedom to call our children our own.  Mom & Dads keep building the Kingdom.

It is both a wonderful and sad day at Camp Benson and surrounding areas.  A great man, Gerald "Bill" Cloutier has gone to heaven today.  Bill was a thrasher and tearer!  Bill had throat cancer 40+ years ago and lived with a traceotomy for all those years.  Although Bill could no longer waterski, it didn't stop him from having some dangerous close calls with the water and elsewhere.  It was an odd day that you wouldn't see Bill working on some project or another.  Papa Clout had an enormous impact on our family.  We are saddened to lose his spirit here with us, yet, overjoyed that he has a home in eternity with Jesus.  So today, as you read this, please remember that special male role model in your life (esp. those Grand dad) who epitomized fatherhood, manliness, and true, faithful citizens because these are all what Bill was and more.

I've been up since 3am.  I got an adorable, overall well behaved and trained Springer Spaniel puppy a couple weeks ago.  The only problem is that he wants to go to sleep at 8pm and wake at 3/4am.  I had a dog for 13 years, Tucker, who was my best friend and companion for so long, he got sick so I had to put him to rest in October 2005...not even birthing children was a tough as this. 

So here I am, a self avowed dog lover, backed into taking tough action again.  I am going to have to give the puppy up for adoption and accept that a dog is not right for our family at this time or any time in the near future.  What is that burning love for and need to have a dog but that when it gets down to the nitty gritty of daily life it is all work and no play?  It's not that I was unrealistic....I knew what a puppy needs, I know there is a "breaking in" period.  It seems to be a struggle of my ego vs. self gratification, neither of which is a very good place to be or be admitting to even.  "Oh, it will be tough but only for a short time,"  "Dog's are so cute and loving, we need this for me, for our children", "they are so soft and snuggly", "my children need to know the unconditional love of a dog like my very own Tucker."

The tears are streaming, not because I love this puppy and he has to go but because I miss Tucker, because I'm the grown up now who has to make these decisions, I have to admit I am wrong and I'm afraid I'm going to keep having the desire to get back what I had with my old boy and keep making this mistake.  Only with the Lord's love can I heal from this loss and only with His strength can I do what is right.  Boy it is hard being a grown up sometimes.

Well, we took the plunge and bought ourselves a GXT Limited, titanium blue Sea Doo jet ski.  It's a three person and very stable and of course fun.  It has done nothing but rain here in Maine.  I just hope we'll only need to use the jet ski on the lake....Other than the rain, summer is in full swing. 

We are trying to sell a cute little seasonal camp for sale here in Maine.  (It is also for rent if anyone were interested.)  It looks like we may have an offer coming in soon.

We are finishing up our unit study on farm life.  We plan on "schooling" throughout the summer but at a pace to be determined by the weather.  We'll begin a unit on health and the human body.  I will be hosting an Usborne book e-show soon.  Please stay tuned on how to order.  I am considering becoming a Usborne rep but am concerned about putting my priorities in the wrong order.  I will have to give it a lot of thought, if anyone has some feedback on this please feel free to comment.

What a beautiful weekend in Maine.....no rain.  We spent the weekend at the bunkhouse as we call it surrounded by friends, friends and more glorious friends.  What an honor to be surrounded by beautiful people and a beautiful landscape.  I drove a jet ski for the first time this weekend and am thoroughly addicted.  It is so exhilarating and I think we just might have to get one.  All that being said, I am already a little tired of hot dogs and hamburgers. 

Wow, I can't believe I was able to set up a blog just like all the computer literate folks out there!  I will be using this blog to update on any family happenings and throw tirades about the state of our country.  I hope to stay in touch with friends and meet some new ones.  Everyone is encouraged to comment or set up a link to their blog and send me a "ping" (but please teach me as you go).  I love to discuss everything from politics, God, homeschooling, real estate, nature, and well, just about everything.  Please check out my links regularly.

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