Another long gap between blog posts.  I really should get better at this--would like to make it a priority again, but haven't gotten around to it.

In bullet points:

*Getting back into a school routine.  Only 8 weeks left of Core 3 Sonlight.
*Last week, my husband had meetings in Grand Rapids.  Since he was driving, we got to pack up the school books and go along.  The weather was nice.
*Highlight of the trip--my sister and her husband came up for the day.  We went to the Grand Rapids Public Museum.  It was awesome!  A place to go if you're ever in the area.
*Back home, no snow on the ground yet.  It is an absolutely gorgeous day today, and the frost patterns on the top of the van this morning were beautiful!
*I'm getting a new camera--an early birthday present.  When one's birthday is in January, it makes sense to shop the pre-Christmas sales.  I got the camera and memory card both on sale at a price almost as good as Amazon in the States, and I don't have to pay shipping. (It was also less expensive than the same camera in a store in G.R.)  I'm very excited about it, as the current camera is getting worse and worse.  It should arrive tomorrow.  (Perhaps I should plan time in the schedule to figure out how to use it....hmm...)
*Time to call the kids in from the sunny outdoors to get back to the books.

Here are a couple of the latest photos from the old camera.  These didn't turn out too badly.  I really like the one with the red and gold leaves together.


This one is a farm just on the edge of town--an early morning shot.

     Well, it's down to the last few days before Thanksgiving & we are trying to get in our last few things before we start up our December studies. We are  almost finished. Just a bit more reading. Shouldn't have a problem with that Monday & Tuesday of next week.

     Today we went to our local baseball park & met our HS group & we played baseball with them. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it. I think there are some great prospects for future baseball players in the group. They all hit good, & some of them have a good arm on them for throwing the ball.

     Tonight we are all kind of doing our own thing, playing, watching a bit of TV, washing clothes, & on the computer. That about sums us up. Until next time, Traci

Welcome and soon to be Happy Thanksgiving!  Are you like me and still in need of that last minute run to the grocery store? I have a list that is huge but I hesitate to get it. Why? After all the big day is just days away!

This year has been rough on me physically. I am spending most of my day in a wheelchair now due to possible MS. I am use to being up and cooking for hours on Thanksgiving day. I wake up early and cook through the day making all sorts of special side dishes, baked goods and of course the big turkey. This year I physically can't do it.

How many of you also deal with these restraints? Maybe not a mobility issues but a fatigue issue. How do we accomplish this grand plan without leaving us useless or not able to finish? For me Thanksgiving has highlighted a problem that I have been ignoring for a couple weeks now.

I need to realize my weaknesses and plan accordingly. I tend to plan with high hopes and higher expectations of myself. If I don't reach those I can get discouraged and guilty feeling. This is not how the Lord wishes me to be. Paul exhorts believers to be strong and run the good race.

I now realize that my race may be slower than others. I chose to keep running. I chose to not stop. I need to learn to pace myself. This Thanksgiving may not be like we have had in the past. I believe it will be better!

If you are dealing with physical problems stop blaming yourself for the differences between your family and the "normal" family. You are normal, for you!

So join me in being thankful to the Lord for where we are right now! Blessings to you and your family! Happy Thanksgiving

Heather lives in West Virginia. She and her husband have been homeschooling their 5 children for 8 years.  Due to a genetic disorder their children have multiple special needs. Living life to the fullest for the glory of God is their goal!  Visit Heather's page at  www.homeschoolblogger.com/gfcfmomofmany/ or at Special Needs Homeschooling.