Kellie at Hilltop Academy sponsors Flashback Fridays. It's fun, and sometimes sad, to look back and see how far we've come in our lives. This flashback is very special to me. If you didn't know, fall is my        favorite season- for a variety of reasons. Two very special reasons are Bear and Doodles.

Bear was my first born. He came to us in September.  

He was, and still is my buddy. We were always seen together.

He just turned eleven and is quite the young man. We were recently told that Bear was one of the most thoughtful people they had met. They were right. He is very thoughtful and protective. I can't tell you howany times he has gotten out his "weapons" to protect us when he has heard a strange sound.

He's also pretty goofy. He likes to make cartoons and rewrite words to songs. They usually have something to do with "buttocks." I told you that was the new word around the house.

I look forward to seeing what God has planned for him- I know it will be great things.

Happy Birthday Bear!! 

Doodles came to us four years later in October. She came into the world with a bang! 

She was very sick when she was born- one doctor even told Mr. Wonderful he wasn't sure she would make it We thank God for Children's Hospital. They knew exactly what they were doing and everything turned out fine.

Doodles is all girl. She can usually be found cuddling a babydoll or stuffed animal or playing dress up. She's also very artistic. She loves to draw and paint. She's learning violin and is always sing some little song- anything from "Jesus Loves Me" to "Highschool Musical."

Doodles is also a little cuddlebug. She loves to crawl up on our laps, hold our hands and slip into bed with us. It's neat to watch her do this with younger children as well. She's very nurturing.

It's hard to believe seven years has passed since that special day- I can't wait to see what God has in store for her.

Happy Birthday Doodles!!

I love you both and can't imagine life without you!

The last several months I have been learning how to be a frugal shopper. Overall, I've done okay (Mr. Wonderful has been pleased   ) but this weekend I really did well. First, we went to "Go! Toys and Games" where they had a beginning chemistry set marked 25% off of 19.99. We asked the manager if she would be willing to take 30% off and she said"sure." So,half joking, half serious I said "if you can do 30%, how about 50%? She again said "sure."  So I got a chemistry set for Doodles for 10.00!

Couple of days later I went to CVS to get a few of their deals. If you're not sure about how CVS can save you money go to www.moneysavingmom.com She spells it all out for you and links you to other blogs so you can see how others make it work. Today, I made it work!

For 13.61 oop, I got:

(4) 12 pack Coke (we have a couples retreat this weekend)

(2) Febreeze starter kits

(4)  Softsoaps

(4)  Dawn dish detergent

(3) 14 oz M&M's (saving for Christmas cookies )

I know some can get their purchases for a couple of dollars but I preety pleased with this weeks purchases!

The other day Doodles and I were at CVS scoring some great deals. She had been looking at the "seasonal" aisle when she walked by a halloween decoration that had a motion sensor in it. She ran away from it saying...

" I don't like those 'Franken-Einsteins!'"

It was too cute. I hope she always knows Einstein better than Frankenstein...

Overheard at the Orall Academy the other day:

Mom: Who was Paul Revere going to warn in Concord?

Bear: John Hancock and Samuel Adams

Mom: Who was he warning them about?

Bear: The Republicans? No, wait...

Maybe they were, who knows? Regardless, sounds like a little more review is needed around here.

I received this little clip in an email. I usually don't read those emails let alone pass them on, but this one was too good. It won the short story category at Cannes.

We are completely in the throws of the Revolutionary War.   

Common Sense has been written... 

The "Mohawks" have been rallied in Boston Harbor...

( still can't figure out how to rotate that video    )

Lanterns have been made... 

Battle plans drawn up for Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill... 

Boston sieged... 

And now... independence has been declared!

According to Bear's newest madlib, America has been liberated from "Oz" and has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of "bumpy buttocks!"

We also have made a wonderful "Art Gallery" with our timeline. It has really helped everything gel together.

I know I say this every time but this really has been the best unit yet!!

This is Lucy, Bear's first dog. He is totally smitten with her. She is a 7week beagle mix from the Humane Society. We're all pretty happy she is with us except Doodles. We have not seen much of her. Lots of prayers being said about that situation.

More about Lucy~

Sweet dreams pretty girl.

a new view. In my excitement of collecting taxes, I forgot to show our new room. We moved into our addition (pics soon!) that Mr. Wonderful built and that left our old bedroom empty. Amazing what fresh paint and a little elbow grease can do for you...

Behind this wall is small walk in closet with all of my "stuff." Books, puzzles, games, art supplies, etc. Mr. Wonderful put up six shelves for me so I could have everything in one place.

A good part of our year is dedicated to American History and geography, so this wall is our "America Wall" plus our usual timeline. However, since we're really going into detail about the revolution and Continental Congress, I started a separate timeline for that unit.

We're all really happy with our new room and it's nice having a dining room again.

We  started off Konos with bang this year- the American Revolution. It has been a great unit for everyone, although Bear and Doodles may tell you differently.

After talking about the various taxes that parliament imposed on the colonists, we decided to step back in time and see what life was like during the 1760's. Actually, I decided. Our "colonists" were not happy. Especially because I was the queen. Our king was out on military manuevers.

As queen, the paper tax, beverage tax (except water), and transportation tax were given out. Being the smart colonists that they are, they thought I was kidding...then they thought I would give the money back... then complained, got angry, incensed and eventually complained to the king(via cell phone) They were sure the king would see the lunacy of these taxes and that all would be back to normal.

Next day, more of the same. More accusations, more disrespect, and more frustration. I even got a few "notes" along the way.

 Bear decided to boycott. However, he needed papers that I had copied for him for grammar. He had to finally give in and pay the paper tax so he could complete his work. He did settle for water where Doodles was willing to pay for milk.

Next day, to their surprise the taxes continued. Not so bad except they needed a ride to church. Transportation tax collected. By this point, Bear was convinced that I was doing this for the rest of the year and he would have no money left. Doodles threatened to tell the parents of her friends so they would all be mad at me. They were getting it. They just weren't expressing it.

Finally the next day, with some guided discussion, Bear was able to tell me it wasn't fair because they had no one to stick up for them.

 BINGO!  Taxation without representation. Bear and Doodles were sent off to prepare an "educated argument" as to why the taxes were unfair. They came back shortly telling me that the taxes were unfair because they had been enforced without anyone looking out for their best interest. Not bad.

I did keep the taxes. It would have weakened the value of the lesson to have given them back. We're going to use them to do something for the entire colony (family).

Now what can I do with $0.90 ?!?    

our computer wouldn't. Our repairman said it was very, very sick.

Well, it's much better now.

We're in our third week of school and for the most part it has gone well. Mr. Wonderful was gone for the first week so it took a little extra motivation for us to get started. We're sticking with KONOS again this year. We're also using MUS ( Epsilon and Beta ), Spelling Power, Abeka Phonics and readers, Easy Grammar, Picture It! Bible Survey, Bubbleology, and Real Science for Kids: Chemistry.  It looks to be another great year~ we'll keep you posted!

Kellie at Hilltop Academy hosts Flashback Fridays, which usually take us somewhere back to the eighties and those hairdos. Not this week so  much. She tells us that she has found the best husband out there. I'm sure she just hasn't gone far enough North or she would have realized that Mr. Wonderful is actually the best husband out there .  I'm sure Big D is  a close second though  

Although he's not Elvis, he's definitely a "Hunka- Hunka" with more of a John Wayne feel...

He's also a little bit crazy...

and a good Dad...

He loves his country and served it well...

and came home to us as soon as he could

he brought Doodles a lamb from Ireland, and an "Operation Iraqi Freedom" hat for Bear 

and his heart for me

'

He's also very handy.  He built an addition to our house that has three bedrooms, two baths and an attached garage. He did all of the interior work (plumbing, wiring, dry wall, finish work ) and the siding and gutters. 

He participates in our children's education. Doesn't he make a very realistic Capt. John Smith?

 He's also obsessed with the Buckeyes!! He's done very good job of passing this on to our family as well.

And lastly~ he also loves God. I don't know where I'd be these last few months if it wasn't for his faith and perserverance. He always looks for the good and always praised God for it.

We're coming up on 15 years next spring. I also can't wait to see what they hold for us!

Life is slowly getting back to a new normal.

 I' ve been researching stuff for our new units next year- very heavy in history    However, before I go into that any further, I figured I should finish showing what we did last year. Our simple machines unit started off with  "Rube Goldberg" and then we moved on to the various simple machines.  We  found the different machines in our house and neighborhood, did experiments with them and built them with Legos and K'Nex- it was a great unit.

Here's some pics... 

Catapults

having marshmallow wars

figuring out how to lift a bag of books to the top

Success! Gotta love those inclined planes 

Even Lego guys use inclined planes to get places!

building a hand drill (screw) out of K'nex

Archimede's Screw

building gears

Looking for the wedge in a pencil sharpener

building a wedge with two inclined planes

lifting a jug of milk with a wheel and axle

In Him,

I have been a Christian for almost twenty years. I know that God doesn't leave us, that He only wants what is best for us and what will help us go to Heaven. I know that with my head. My heart however, is a different story. It hasn't caught up. I'm learning how to live with a broken heart. One that feels very dejected from God.

The song "Never Alone" from Barlow Girl describes me so well:

I waited for you today
But you didn't show
No no.
I needed you today
So where did you go?
You told me to call
Said you'd be there
And though I haven't seen you
Are you still there?

I cried out with no reply
And I can't feel you by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I'm never alone

And though I cannot see you
And I can't explain why
Such a deep reassurance
You've placed in my life.
We cannot separate
'Cause you're part of me.
And though you're invisible
I'll trust the unseen.

I cried out two weeks ago as I sat in the emergency room after waking up bleeding. Bleeding that shouldn't have happened for several months. That was the day I found out our baby had died. The baby that was a total gift from God. I know all babies area gift from God, but this was the only baby that we had conceived on our own- a totally unexpected blessing.One that we were told would never happen.  A gift that we never expected or had even asked for, and was taken away as quickly as it had been given. Oh, that hurt. It still does.

I know some day my heart will catch up but right now I'm holding on with my head.

I haven't posted for a while. It's been a long, hard last couple months. I hope to be back and back to myself soon.

The school year is drawing to a close! We're all ready for a break. Right now we're wrapping up math, grammar and phonics. Technically they could be done with everything but math, but I'd like to keep them fresh. The rest of our days are filled up with garden planning, field trips, music and art lessons, and of course enjoying life outdoors! 

This is from a museum we visited last week- hopefully I can post some more later. 

When Doodles goes back to her room, you never know what she will look like when she comes out. She is such a free, adventurous spirit! Got to love it!!!

That's a small part of what happens when you are married to the National Guard. And then some-  Easily hurt feelings, loneliness, clingyness, and doubt join in as well.

This just a short separation ( 3 weeks),  I dread the thought of another long one but there are no guarantees .

They don't tell you all of this when the contract is signed.

.

.

This too shall pass.

In Him,