As of 8am yesterday, I am the parent of a 20 year old!!!   Wow, I feel old.  I look at him and I can't believe that we have a 20 year old.  Of course there are days I look at him and think he can't be more then a 5 year old in a young man's body.  Specially when he is around his siblings.

Well, my daughter auditioned, and she got a part in the Nutcracker.  Part of me is thinking GREAT, then the other part remembers all the extra driving, and think.....darn.  But she really wanted to do it, so break a leg, honey.  NO!! DON"T BREAK A LEG, but you know what I mean.

Reilly is growing.  He is 9 weeks old today, and he has gotten pretty much to be part of the family.  He is a cutie, and yes, there are days he drives us nuts.  But then again, what are puppies for??

Darn, the Red Sox are losing.  But lets keep hoping.  Chloe said to me the other day, "You know mom, people think that yankees fans are the best fans in the world, but really the best fans are people like Detroit Tigers fans. Our local high school baseball team could beat them, but their fans are faithful every year."  You know, she has a point.  Not to mention in our persoanl belief, yankees fans are....No comment.  

Anyway, I am going to go see Beth Moore today & tomorrow with our church women's group.  I have never done her Bible studies, or heard her speak, always teaching the girls mission group instead, but everyone is so excited, I figured I will give it a shot. 

So, you all have a holy weekend. ~madeleine

I CAN'T BELIEVE THE YANKEES WON THE AL East That totally stinks.  The Red Sox have to win today.  Obviously we are not Yankees fans.  Actually Mets fans, and honorary Red Sox, because at this point of the season, the Mets are usually so FAR back that the Red Sox are the only hope.  We need a life.  As I have to keep reminding my daughter and hubby, baseball is not life.

Reilly is sooo cute.  And he is sleeping about 8 hours a night, so life is good.

My daughter has too many yentas working for her.  Poor child, she is just trying to graduate high school. lol. They all mean well.  I think its funny.  There is even a boy from New Zealand in the mix. ( yes, he lives there) Don't ask.  Anyway, we are praying so we will leave it to Jesus. She likes this boy from Texas.  We are in NJ.  Yeah.  Jesus is definitely going to be in control.

Anyway, I wonder what school our son is going to transfer to.  He is s sophmore in college, and now he is transferring someplace else for Spring semester. I hate the school he is attending, and he had to get out of there.  That is also on the prayer list.  It should be intereseting where he is going to go.  He applied to Oklahoma Baptist, Anderson Baptist, Blufield Baptist, and Liberty U. as a fall back.  We will see.

Anyway, going to friends for dinner.  You all be holy ~ madeleine

Samuel & Reilly.  He is one happy little boy. I am one happy momma this morning, Reilly slept for 7 hours!!!  Life is good.

I need a nap.  Last night I got 4 1/2 hours!!  The night before it was only 2.  Boy, the breeder was right.  But Reilly is so cute, he makes it almost bearable.  Almost.  So, other then trying to school & keep an eye on the puppy so he doesn't destroy anything, running out so he can....relieve himself every hour or so, scrapbooking, making dinner, doing laundry, AND driving to dance class. Amazingly enough, it seems I can function on 4 1/2 hours sleep. and not be a monster!

If I can figure out how to put pictures in here, which I still haven't successfully done, I will try to put kid & puppy pictures.

I'm off, BJs awaits me.  Be holy ~ madeleine

My daughter and I have the house to ourselves tonight!!  My husband & our youngest are going camping with our pastor, our oldest son won't come home from college for the weekend until Saturday morning, and I have a Rent a Movie for FREE coupon from Blockbuster!!!!  YES!! I'm thinking Bride & Prejudice.  For those who love Pride & Prejudice, this is a modern Indian film.  Very cute.  I hope they have it.  Or maybe we will watch episodes of Gilmore Girls 2nd season.  We own that!  Either way, snacks will be limited.  Geez, to like water.  (  WW weigh in at 7:30 Saturday morning) Well, you can't have it all. 

We pick up our puppy on Sunday, after church.  We are ready.  So we think.  I think I have read more about beagles then legally allowed.  I am ready for anything.  HAHAHA  I bet its like reading books on having a baby, then you have one.  The breeder told me this week to get plenty of rest.  I don't think I liked the sound of that.  Anyway, probably next time I come in here, I'll let you know just how much the books didn't prepare us. 

So, On that note, I fell like I should go take a nap.  Even though its only 9 in the morning.  And I just woke up 2 hours ago.  

You all have a holy weekend.  ~ madeleine

Well, the gentleman from the state Family services just left.  He came out check out the house to make sure that it is safe enough for us to be able to adopt.  All he said was that we have to tighten up the handrail going up stairs.  AND HE EVEN WENT TO THE BASEMENT!!!   He said no comment on the basement.  lol.  If you saw our basement, you would have a comment.  Okay, its not horrible, but its not beautiful.  I hope we can get a baby.  We asked for a child  that was less then 5, so he or she hasn't gone to school yet.  They can just start at home.  We are praying something works out. . 

Well, back to school and then to the library and support them.  I am single-handedly supporting our town's library, I'm sure.  Those new books they got this year?  All me.   Those new DVDs?  Me.  Yup, We need to go make our monthly deposit at the library. So, on that note....

Be holy ~ madeleine 

Well, we are leaving for Philly in about an hour.  It will be kind of nice when we are not traveling ever weekend.  We haven't been to our home church for worship in about 3 weeks!  We have visited some nice churches in other states though, and thats been kind of fun.And the church we will be going to tomorrow, its the best!  We go there everytime we visit my sister & her family. 

Well, 8 days until we get our puppy!  And I am actually excited about it.  It is going to be like having a newborn/toodler.  Everybody around here is getting excited.  Maybe then our Leonberger will finally get off her duff.  She has been in such a depression since our Sheltie died.

We had a good week of school.  It is always a good week when you accomplish what you set out to do.  The one book Chloë is not happy with is " Amusing Ourselves to Death"  She says its has good points, and there is alot to learn from what the author says,but the way it is written is so not thought out.  Its amazing that it went through an editor, and they agreed to publish it that way! I have to agre with her.  I read it and felt like he couldn't remember the first point he was trying to make, so he went off on tangents, which are very good tangents, but hard to follow.

Well, I have to find something for my sister.  Its her birthday! And she is impossible to shop for.   She has EVERYTHING.  And she is so picky.  And of course, we are celebrating my dad's birthday also, and getting something for him is even worse then my sister!!<~~ this has been my for the past 2 weeks as I am looking for something for them.  :::sigh:::

Well, we are off to do errands before we leave. You all have a beautiful weekend.

Be holy~ madeleine

Well, school started today, and though it didn't go smoothly, I am so glad it started. 

Mystic Seaport was BEAUTIFUL.  OMGoodness, we such such a lovely time.  I was stunned by the serene-ness of it.  The whole place was breath taking.  Chloe took so many beautiful pictures.  I am so thankful Samuel didn't fall in the water this whole weekend.  There were about 783 close calls though.  He is a 6 year old 1/2 irish boy.  'nough said.... 

Yes we ate at Mystic Pizza.  I've never seen the movie though.  but it was cool.  And we went to the aquarium.  Way cool.  I have the best picture of the kids with a shark swimming behind them  Their expressions are priceless. And of course, we hung out in downtown Mystic.  Just perfect.

Anyway, I will be talking more academic in the future.  Maybe.  YIKES! that reminds me, Chloë is getting her license next Monday.  Someone pray for me please.  I am having a small cow.    

On that note, you all have a holy Monday.  ~ madeleine

Well, school is a mere 4 days away!!  And I can't wait.  I have no idea what I am doing.  After 15 years, you would think....  But none the less, I am excited. 

My daughter's ballet classes, start, and she can't wait.  I can't wait for her.

My son is starting tennis lessons soon, and he can't wait! I can't wait for him too!

I am now the new WMU leader at our church, and I can't wait!!  Missions is the heart beat of our faith.  I have so many good plans, I figure if we do about 1/4 of them, we will accomplish much. 

We are going on a mini vacation this weekend and I can't wait! 

Life is good.  God is great.  Period.  

I've been tagged.  Thanks Jaxie.

Are you following any special diet right now? If so, what?

Sheesh, yes.  Weight Watchers.  I lost 8.2 pounds in two weeks so far!! 

What food do you love that others usually think is gross?  

Anchovies 

How many magazines do you personally subscribe to?

Umm... 2 or 3. World, Monthly Budget, Homeschool Digest

Well, we went to our in-laws yesterday, and all I can say is, boy I wish they lived closer.  My mom-in-law is not doing well. At all.  They are in the late 70s and they live about 2 & 1/2 hours from us, and they are dear to me.  I am always afraid to see their name on the caller ID, thinking this is the phone call we just don't want.

On another note, boy I wish we got some rain!  It is sooo dry outside.  My bushes look pathetic.  My flowers are worse.  And to say I have grass would be an insult to real grass.  I have....brown patches.  Actually  my whole yard is a brown patch . 

We are going to Mystic Seaport for the weekend!!  YAY!  One last little vacation before school starts, and before we get our puppy. We made reservations today, so its a go.  I'm excited, I've never been there.  Anyone have good suggestions while there?  We are going to the aquarium, and other then that I'm open for suggestions. 

Anyway, my best friend (and her family)is coming over for a picnic, so I should go. 

You all be holy~   madeleine

I must be 7 kinds of fools.  We are getting a puppy.  Mind you, we already have a dog.  And 2 cats.  And a hamster.  In fact, we had 2 dogs, but our sheltie died about 6 weeks ago.  So....not only are we geeting a puppy, we are getting a beagle!!!   I married an irishman, so I believe I can say this with confidence.  Beagles must be the ultimate irish-type dog.  WAY too much energy for life. lol.  But it was a family decision, were the majority rules.  Needless to say, I was in the minority. Both for getting a new dog and getting a beagle. The only minority,  in fact.

I think I will use this for schooling somehow.  Definitely the training will be an education for all of us.  Reilly(nice irish name  ) will be joining our home on September 25.  How can I use this classically?  I haven't a clue.  Did Homer have a dog?  I don't think so.  Anyway, it will be....fun.

BTW, this is the first year I am "starting school"  so late.  We start on the 12th, and I feel great about it!  I Just got some books in the mail this week.  When I saw City of God, I knew my daughter was going to have a cow.  I am pleased to announce, the cow was actually small.  She must be getting used to it.

Anyway, I should go to bed, I need to be up in 6 hours or so.  Until next time.  Be holy  ~ madeleine

Wow!  My daugher has a blog, and I always thought how much fun it would be to have a blog myself.  But then I realized, I''m old, I'm a mom, I'm a homeschooler.  Blogging is only for young people.  HA!  I am so glad I found this place!  Life is good and God is great. 

On Friday, my oldest son left for college.  Again.  I cried.  Again.  Yesterday was my daughter's 17th birthday.  And today I thought about how if God hadn't given us our little one, this would be the last year of our homeschooling career.  But as it is, this year I start first grade again.  Talk about an exciting,tiring thought. 

I will probably be random in here.  I think no one will read this, but that is totally ok!  As the old joke goes, this will be my teacher report to my self.  Maybe my reality check.  Even a progress report!

Well, off to do chores.  Have a beautiful day! 

~ madeleine