Oct. 1, 2008 - Happy Rosh Hashanah

We had a fun day yesterday.
The kids and I invited our neighbors who also happen to homeschool to join us in celebrating this Jewish festival.  We celebrated the Jewish New Year by having apples and honey, sweet challah bread and listening to the Ram's horn blow.  The day was so beautiful yesterday too.
Since learning about Jewish holidays is quite new to me, I did not celebrate yesterday like you are supposed to, like you would a Sabbath.  I didn't think to not schedule school work yesterday, so we did some things.  I think if I had time to research and plan, I could do a little better in making the day special.
  Seems like I can always remember it's Halloween because the decorations are out at Wal-Mart.  I know that Thanksgiving is always a Thursday and I can plan dinner in that way (start thawing the Turkey on Monday, fix stuffing on Tuesday, etc.).  Christmas also means two more birthdays, so I have to double up on presents and parties (so it seems)--there is no getting out of Christmas joy--believe me.  I am just not used to thinking in terms of the cycle of special days on the Jewish calendar, even though I have been taught what they are and what they are for. 
Well, it's time for recess to be over.

Feb. 20, 2008 - cabin trip

Here is Mountain Breeze near Ponca and the Buffalo River. 
We had a really good weekend.  My in-laws and my folks came.
My brother-in-law and his wife were going to come, but she got sick.
It rained a lot and was foggy all day on Saturday.
My dad and my husband and myself went out for a little hike (yes, in a little light rain/mist).  We started out following a horse trail.  Well, horses must not mind going over streams because the trail went right through the stream that was high b/c of the rain.  My dad and husband thought it would be a good idea to go up and around the river and meet back up with the trail.  Well, we climbed up and around a bluff looking down into the Buffalo River.  We "bushwacked" through the woods following some faint deer (or perhaps elk) trail.  I ripped my pants on the brush and brambles.  I was cold and wet.  I was very worried.  I asked to stop and pray.  We did and then not too long after that, we found the horse trail that led out to the place where we were going to meet my father-in-law and get back to the cabin.  We beat him by about 2 minutes.  It was scary and fun all at the same time.  Both my dad and husband thought it great fun and they said they were never worried.  I wonder if they only wished I hadn't come to discourage the great adventuresome spirit they owned.  I now think I wish I were more trusting, but into my mind came thoughts of search and rescue crews searching all night in the rain looking for us.
Well, all's well that ends well, I suppose.

Here's the clickable link from his comment:
Husband's map and description

Jan. 27, 2008 - Lake Catherine

We went camping/hiking this weekend.  Yes, it was cold.  Yes, but just my husband and I slept in the tent.  The kids slept in the RV with my folks.  Here's my dad going on a hiking trail with my two little ones.  The oldest kept the fire going while we were gone and the 2nd oldest did girly things with Nana in the RV like help clean up and crafty things.
It was a lot of fun.  Lost a pound of bacon to a raccoon in the middle of the night.  He's going to be so sick.

Nov. 17, 2007 - Operation Christmas Child

We spent some time this week at our church receiving and processing boxes from around our county.  Our church was a relay center.  The boxes go to Little Rock tomorrow.

Nov. 5, 2007 - making it just fine

Oct. 27, 2007 - Bridge-a-Thon

All 6 of us participated in a Bridge-a-Thon to help raise funds for Education Alliance.  We couldn't have asked for a better day.  It was sunny and beautiful.  We did get a bit sunburn, and on the way home almost everyone konked out (except the driver :)
We walked 5 miles.  We also ran into a friend from college days who had 3 of her 5 children with her.  We were able to talk and chat the whole time--getting quite caught up with each other.  It made it go by very quickly.  The two big kids brought their bike and I think that helped them not get so tired of walking.  My husband carried our 3 month old for a few miles so our almost 4 yr could sit in the stroller--therefore making the walk not so hard for her. 

When I get picts downloaded I'll put one up.

Sep. 17, 2007 - camping with critters

well, we've learned a lesson.  Don't leave bread in a wicker picnic baskets while you go on a  hike.  It will not stop a squirrel.
It was the first time I used it too.  Blasted squirrel.

Mar. 19, 2007 - at the end of the trail

It was so weird.  We pulled up as soon as the guys finished their hike.  We took this picture before they even had a chance to sit down and rest.  Poor fellows, but whoo-hoo, did they have fun!!  16 miles of fun.
Sore and happy!!  I've abbreviated the Ouachita Trail (OT) to Ouch Trail.

Mar. 12, 2007 - Backpacking

My husband has been so excited about this backpacking trip he's doing this weekend.
I'm excited for him and jealous and happy and worried.  I wish I were going.  He wishes I were going.  My dad is going in my place.  My dad has always wanted to go backpacking.  He's talked about since I was little, and if I could go, he probably wouldn't have been invited.  I'm sure they will have all kinds of fun.  I do worry about everyone's health and hydration along the way.  My husband's brother is going too.  My son is going for part of the first day.  I'm going to pick him up at one point where the trail crosses the highway.  Trick will be getting there at the same time :)

Tonight we got all kinds of snacks (well, they're meals for them on the trail) for the trip.  We got granola bars, cereal, oatmeal, rice, tuna, jerky, etc.  We probably got too much, but with 3 big fellows and a little one, they'll probably eat it all up.

I'll be staying with my mom and my daughters at the state park they are starting from.  When they get done on Sunday they'll drive back to the state park and get us.

Last fall, we needed a few items to take a longer backpacking trip.  So we got them for each other for Christmas.  It was stuff like a lighter weight (and more dry) tent, a smaller stove, water filter, and clothing more suitable than our cotton t-shirts.  Well, we got what we needed, then "the test" came back positive.  So now the baby within is too big for me to carry a backpack too.  We might could've back in January, but we couldn't find a weekend to do it.  Now I'll have to wait until the fall at least--maybe even next spring, depending on lots of factors.  It's really ok; you can turn the sympathy song off now--I'll be ok.

Well, I hope the fellows take pictures and leave footprints.--Just for me.

Feb. 10, 2007 - Hiking again

  Today we went to the Janet Huckabee Nature Center near Ft. Smith, AR.  We were around for the weekly snake feeding.  How exciting!!  We saw them drop 2 mice into a western diamondback rattlesnake's cage, and saw the snake strike and swallow the mice.  Awful.  Well, we couldn't take a picture when the snake was eating the mice, so we went back later and got a picture with our exciting event of the day.

  Doesn't the cute little snake look well fed and satisfied until next Saturday?
Too bad the children can't wait until next week for a snack.

Jan. 24, 2007 - the brains of a pregnant woman

Help, I'm losing brain cells.  I went yesterday to the library to return a book I thought was overdue.  Well, ok, it was due that day.  However, I had 5 books that were 11 days overdue.  AAHH, $5.50 fine.  I have no idea why I thought I had already rechecked them or something.  I told the librarian that I thought they had been rechecked, but she said, "no.  Don't you get the email that goes out when you have 3 days left?"  Yes, but,... but,... oh well.  I hate fines.  They make it so easy to NOT forget when the book is due, yet I forgot.  I shall hereby put the blame upon lost pregnancy brain cells.  That's legitimate (but not according to library rules).  Too much fine and no money on me to pay for it, so we had to leave and not check out any books.

Otherwise, since everyone asks anyway, "I'm feeling great."  I hope a good pregnancy doesn't indicate hard labor or slow recovery.  I'm starting to worry that worry is a symptom of pregnancy.

Oh, I forgot to add that this past Sunday after lunch, we went down the Ouachita Trail from the east summit Pinnacle Trail west to the highway and down a little way over an old highway bridge.  It was very beautiful.    I wished I had had a camera.  We'll get one soon, I hope.  There's Valentine's Day coming up and my birthday.  Maybe, maybe. 
The only thing that messed up the fun of it all was being near the highway and the people who HAD to drive 100mph or pass other cars right next to us (remember, I have a 7 yr old, 6 yr old and 3 yr old hiking with us).  If I had been a Balaam, that driver might have just lived to regret what he did.  (Guess I was a little angry)  Anyway, if anyone sees hikers and little children or any real person for that matter, slow down and give them some space--they are very vulnerable out near a highway--even if they shouldn't be near a road, don't TRY and run over them.

Jan. 6, 2007 - a beautiful day for a hunt

Oh, today was so beautiful, we went on a waterfall hunt.  After sleeping in late, eating breakfast, and the guys raking three full cans of leaves (we still have our responsibilities, you know), we decided to go on a waterfall hunt.  A little before lunch, we left with our backpacks and lots of water, stopped at a Subway and grabbed some sandwiches, then found Haw Creek falls.  It was about a two hour drive.  I still don't have a camera, that's the only thing I was sad about.

At first, we had our lunch at a picnic table, then started toward a falls called Pack Rat.  About half way there, the sides next to the creek got to steep and we were concerned the children might slip into the water or we'd stumble about trying to get through.  We turned around at a beautiful spot, nonetheless, that had a cascade waterfall.  We went back to our van and parked near the Haw Creek falls and went over to it, letting the children and daddy throw (skip) rocks into the falls.  There was a beautiful slab rock the water was flowing over.  It was loud.

Then we drove up the road a bit, to find the next falls called Pam's Grotto.  Some family had parked their big truck in the way at the parking area, and so we had to go back to a wider spot next to the highway and hike our way back to the trailhead.  This was a very steep climb, but well marked.  We went slow and helped the little one up the whole time.  When we got to the top of the hill, there was a rock climbing area and high bluffs to look up at.  We followed a fairly level route close to the base of the bluffs.  It got pretty rocky and steep a couple of times close to our destination.  At some point while my husband was carrying 3 yr old, he slipped and hurt his leg.  She was ok after she told us her foot hurt.  My husband had cut his shin a little bit.  We went on and found the falls.  It was so cute, when my 3 yr old saw the falls, she said, "Hi, Waterfall.  I found you!!" She was so excited. 

But the sun was behind the hill and we needed to get back quick.  The hike back seems so much shorter and of course we got back in plenty of time.  At one point on the hike up, we had to call a family meeting.  Since big brother and big sister fought about who should be in the lead, we had to put a stop to that.  We had to give the lecture of "we are a family and we love each other, etc. etc.  we shouldn't be selfish and we should let others go first, and on and on"  I don't know if it helped but fighting ceased soon after the that and the happy family continued on their way.

We found these waterfalls by using a Tim Ernst book about waterfalls.  If you ever want to explore Arkansas, I suggest getting a few of these.  It helps us make those family memories without having to pay all that money for going to Disney World.  (not that if I had the chance to go, I'd refuse.)

Nov. 14, 2006 - good weekend

  I have to apologize for my camera.  It broke, and I can't share pictures with friends now very quickly by the computer.  I have to wait for the 35mm to go through 25 shots and get the film developed and put on a CD.  What a hassle.  I should have been thankful for that big bulky heavyweight of a camera--as hand-me-down as it was.

Anyway...
We enjoyed a fun weekend with my mom and dad.  They have a membership with this RV company that gives them one week a year in a cabin at some designated RV parks.  They invited my family to come.   We went to 1000Trails at Lake Conroe near Houston, TX.  It was a great weekend.  The people running the place were so nice.  My 3 children got to sleep up in this loft area that was probably about 3 feet high.  Only my 2 year old could stand up straight without bumping her head.  Although, she tried jumping once on the little mattress bed they had and that was the end of that misbehaviour.  I don't think she's ever had to worry she'd bump her head.  The temperature (November 12th :) was just about perfect.  We had light jackets on in the morning and by the middle of the morning it was warm enough to take them off.  We played putt golf and on a little playground.  We grilled steaks and had corn and rice.  We also got to visit my aunt and her 3 custodial grandchildren that happen to be the same age as my 3.  They played and enjoyed each other's company.
  The drive there was rough b/c of some storms that went over us.  The drive home was great.  We stopped in my birth city of Longview and showed the children where Mommy lived when she was a baby and where she was cared for when her great-grandmother "Nanny" took care of her when she was 2.  My husband had already been around, but the kids had not been there in recent years, and when you are 7 and haven't been there in recent years, it probably means you wouldn't remember anyway.  We also ate at Henderson's Dairy Queen, the oldest one in Texas (1951).  Interesting enough, the first one was in Joliet, IL in 1940.  Isn't DQ history the yummiest??
  I know that I'm a big fan of Texas, mostly b/c I was born there, but I felt a little out of place with my "red bird" hat on and my "Chicago" sweatshirt and my Arkansas license plate.  I guess I'm territorily diverse. 

Oct. 25, 2006 - state park trip

We had a good time today at a state park near our town.  It was rainy, but a presentation was scheduled and so we went since we hadn't heard it was canceled.  My children and I were the only ones there, except the Ranger-lady.  She showed us the old home that was built 120 years ago and looked inside much like what Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about in her books.  I have lived near this park and have been to this park for about 12 years or so, but I've never seen inside the little log cabin.  I'm so glad we went.

I was disappointed in our group, though.  I don't know why no one showed up or no one called to confirm or cancel the activity.  I hate to think the Ranger feels like she wasted a day with this educational experience she wanted to share with a number of other homeschoolers.

I wonder what can be done about this "I don't want to get involved attitude" that comes from the members of our group.  How can we support each other if no one comes to the scheduled activities?  In a group of about 150, surely someone cares.  I do, but I haven't the slightest clue how to work with the elected officers of our group to get something done about it.  No one  wants to stand up and say anything about the climate of our group.  It's always been "hush, hush; don't make waves."

I'm very frustrated.  I don't get much, if any, support from my church or my home school group.  I'm thankful for my family and that's all I seem to have right now.  Is that all that matters?  Is it wrong to desire other relationships? I really wish I could have some direction in this area.

Oct. 7, 2006 - Cove Lake Hike

Aug. 30, 2006 - baseball and the tooth fairy

We watched our local minor league team play last night. There are only 5 games left at the old stadium. They had a lot of souveniers on sale. I got the kids a mini baseball bat and got my husband a hat. The team lost, but we had a fun time anyway.

My son lost his top tooth yesterday morning. I think I've played up the whole "tooth fairy" thing too much. He talks about her like she's real. I use my Stampin' Up stamp with the birthday princess stamp and wand. I draw her mouth with teeth and color in the one that he lost. I write him a little note that says something like "I got your tooth. Your room looks nice tonight. Don't forget to brush so I don't have to visit you when you're old. Tell sister I'll be visiting her pretty soon." Stuff like that. I've been worried that he's believing too much and when he finds out he'll be sorely disappointed. I remember my mom and dad going along with a tooth fairy/santa claus/easter bunny imaginations for a time, but it was never a big deal. I just wanted to make it fun for the kids. Well, we'll see.

May. 24, 2006 - Fresno

Mar. 27, 2006 - now that I've got the hang of it

Mar. 26, 2006 - a hike yesterday