We have had some busy days here and so I have not been around!

This past weekend,we went to NYC to attend the second reception of the DC wedding. It was a blast! I was able to connect with some old, dear friends! Some of whom I have not seen in every bit of 10 years! It was great to chat and dance and enjoy the interesting food! Go to jsbaby blog (link on my blog). That is my dd and she has pictures of what we did! I would do it here, but it would take forever for me to get that done.

NYC is such a great place to visit. the people, the business of it all. Each time I go back to visit I realize how much I miss it. Don't get me wrong. I do not *think* I want to *move* back, just get back more often!

We went to Times Sqaure. It is So different than when i was a young adult. It used to be the kind of place you would not want to see on TV, let alone go and visit. Now, there are specialty shops and lots of HUGE digital billboards on plasma screens. LOTS of lights and food and cars and people! I cannot wait to go back in December.

This was Josiah's first real trip to NYC. He was a little taken aback, but I do believe he had a good time.  After the culture shock of a Chinese, 10 course wedding meal, I think Manhattan was a nice change!

Now we are home and things are settled. We have no immediate plans of travel or weddings, or visits. Just sitting at home and "being". School is getting done quite efficiently. We have done more school this year than we have in the past 2 years. The consistency of it all is key for our family. The boys reading skills are moving ahead nicely but as usual, we are struggling with writing and spelling!

I am hoping that by next year we will be settled enough to do "fun" type school with my young boys. I used to have the time to do all manner of fun things with the kids way back in the beginning! Lap packs, hands-on leanring, nature walks. Now it is good if we get math amd reading in! We are also hoping that we will get connected with other homeschooling families in the area. We have a scheduled get together the end of this month so we shall see.

I thought we would do the Young Marines this year, but we just cannot commit to an every Saturday thing. The boys were dissapointed, but they handled it well.

Meagan is almost getting excited for her 16th birthday! It is just 3 months away! We do not know if we will have a party, but around here "16" brings a lot of newer responsibilites. More school, of course! But also the dreaded learner's permit and she will be engouraged to find a job outside of the home.

Working outside of the home is a "new concept" for us. For many years we did not want her to work outside of the home. We were very into "sheltering" and "protecting" our children. NOT that we are NOT into keeping them safe anymore! It's just that we had a spirit of fear that was causing us to really 'fear" things outside of our home. VERY unhealthy and unbalanced. i can lock them up and bad things can still happen. So now, we are looking forward to helping her find something she can do to make a little money. There are several cute shops in our little town, plus a family owned grocery store, as well as Highlights for Children. Remember that magazine? We would always read them while waiting for the dentist!! Anyway, they have an office in town and I thought it might be something woth looking into. She has NO idea what she wants to "do" if anything at this point! So, who knows. I am still amazed that I even HAVE a daughter who will BE sixteen!