The summer has gone quickly and it's hard to believe, but we are going back to school today.  Back to school.... meaning we are starting school.  ;o)  The girls are excited, as usual.  My son, however, is not!  Of course, that is nothing unusual either! 

DD15 will be in 10th grade this year.  I just can't get over that!  She is growing up so quickly.  She has many classes this year.  She picked out several extra electives including Essentials of Communication, Home Economics, and College Planner.  She will have a full plate!  She is all excited about starting back to school.  Last night she was ready and went to bed at 8:30 .  Funny how different kids are.

DS14 will be in 9th grade.  My, my!  2 highschoolers.... I guess, I'm getting old.  He would much prefer to go to work than sit and do school work.  He is a good hard worker. 

DD9 will be in 4th grade.  She is looking forward to her new curriculum.  She seems like she is an in between of her sister and brother.  Maybe not so enthusiastic, but still excited!   Not only will this be our first day back to school, but tonight will also be a special day for this daughter.  We are going to a mother daughter seminar.  It is meant for younger daughters, so my oldest is too old!  lol  It will be on modesty and girly stuff.  I'm really looking forward to this.  We are also going with friends.  We will go out to eat with the girls and just have a nice night.  Reminds me.... I probably should charge my batteries!  I hope I can take some pictures.

Well, the morning is getting away... I should get busy.  I'm going to try to remember to write in here more often this year.  I probably wont post as many pictures here, because it just takes more effort!  I will if I get things that are good for homeschooling.  If you want to look at more pictures.... you can visit my photography blog that is posted to the right! 

Many blessings to you.  Have a great day.

Summer is winding down quickly.  I have heard many complain a lot about the weather... which is true, it has rained quite a bit.  I find it quite funny that people just take comfort in complaining.  If it is too hot, they complain, if it is rainy, they complain, if it is too cold, they complain..... why can't we just be content?  Personally, I have found the rain to be quite refreshing.  It saves me from watering my garden.  I'm sure I can find other positives to go along with those. 

We are starting to gear up for the upcoming school year. Not too many changes to the curriculum this year.  Maybe I'll go through that at another time. 

This summer has been exciting.  At the begninning we were able to watch a mama Robin.  She layed 3 eggs which produced 3 healthy baby birds.  It was wonderful to watch them day to day grow up and eventually fly off.  I think the kids enjoyed it too... but I was completely fascinated.  Below is a collage I put together of the progression.  The middle picture is of the mama Robin. 

Let's see... oh that was so exciting that we decided to have baby bunnies.  So, we put our bunnies together and resulted with 7 baby bunnies.  They are currently 3 weeks old.  Oh so cute! 

This is a picture of 4 of them that was taken yesterday.  You can go to my photography blog to see more pictures and go back and see them right from the first day they were born. 

The older two kids went to summer camp.  dd15 chose the drama camp, same as last year.  She has really enjoyed going and being part of the drama workshops.  Below is one of the skits they did.  She is the one wearing the sunglasses.

Our son will be coming home today from camp.  I'm praying they didn't get too rained out considering they were staying in tents and cooking their own meals over the fire.  We'll see how he made out.  I'm looking forward to getting him in a couple of hours. 

I'm going to try to keep up on this blog a little better... we'll see how that goes.  My intentions are always good.  Somehow time just gets away with me & I end up putting things off.  Not one of my best qualities. 

I need to go and get a few things done before we have to leave.  Have a great rest of summer.  Many blessings!

Yesterday a friend and I went to a used curriculum sale.  Our 9 year old daughters went along.  Family Life in Bath, NY put it on.  I have been to a used curriculum sale, but on a much, much smaller scale!  We made the decision to go at the last minute and scrambled to put our things together to make the trip.  I'm so glad we went!  It was very neat to be in a place with so many other homeschoolers!  I didn't sell as many of my things as I had hoped, but I made enough to buy the last thing I needed for next year that I also found there!  God is good! 

I definitely would like to go back next year.  We aslo chuckled at the different people there.... They were definitely out on a mission!  List in hand, they knew what they were looking for.  One man came with his list and a walkie talkie.  He said the walkie talkie was his connection to his brain!  Later, we met "the Brain", his wife!  lol 

Please forgive me for my absence.  I haven't forgotten about this blog.  This one just takes more time and energy to do than my photography blog. 

What we've been up to:

Basically trying to keep our heads out of the water!  It's a constant battle trying to keep up with the school work, activities, and just daily life!  The kids are all working hard at trying to finish things up for the year.  I have piles and piles of papers everywhere in my computer room as I am organizing and putting together their portfolios.  We have our end of the year evaluations on the 9th.  I will be so glad when that is over.  I will be able to clean this room up! 

The kids are all in sports.  dd15 is in softball, ds13 is playing baseball and dd9 is in her first year of soccer.  DH has been so busy with side jobs that the running the kids to practices and games falls into my lap.  It doesn't make it easy when they all have something going on in the same night! 

I will have to take time to post a few pictures.  The kids are growing up so quickly.  Right now, I need to head to bed, considering it's already 2 hours past my normal bedtime.  I had the energy to work on portfolios and got alot accomplished tonight!  Yah!  Sometimes we have to do what we need to do when we have the time.... oh and the energy!  lol 

Hope your school year is going well.... & close to coming to an end for the  year.  It's a good feeling to get another year behind us & start looking forward to the new one ahead.  Many blessings to you. 

DD 9 was learning to measure... and what a better way to learn it than by hands on!  She had a grand time playing in the water, but then again, what child doesn't?    She had a review worksheet that wanted her to put what each thing equaled... ex. 1 quart = __________cups 

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Things have been keeping steady-busy.  The girls are both in the high school play, which will be in a week and a half.  We are looking forward to that.  I'll be glad to not have to run to town every day!  However, with that being said, baseball, softball and soccer will all be kicking into gear about that time too.  We have already started some of those practices, but only sporadic. 

We are all anxiously awaiting the warmer weather.  Things in the garden have been popping up... which is exciting.  I love to see the new growth of Spring.  I love to look out daily and see more and more green. 

Happy Spring!

It's been awhile since I've posted again.  I really like using the homeschool blogger and I especially like that it is made up of many Christian women.  However, I find that I don't post here often because of the rigamarow of trying to get pictures on here.  I usually use Flickr to upload my pictures and then cut and paste from there to put on here.  With Flickr I have reached their quota because I'm not a paid member... although I can continue to keep pictures on there the older pictures will no longer show up on this blog.  Any suggestions how to make this easier?

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We are still working on Prairie Primer, but not to it's fullest.  For the most part we are working through reading the books and we do a few of the other activities.  DS13 snapped a picture of us reading together.... although he took the picture because of the dog was snuggled up between us sleeping. 

DD9 has also been working through her Math-U-See.  She is in Beta.  She is progressing nicely & little by little she is understanding it.  She has been learning how to count money and also to add larger numbers. 

DD15 has been busy, busy, busy!  She has been practicing for the High School Play.  They practice daily.  Today her costume came in that we had to purchase for her.  She has to wear a poodle skirt for parts of the play.  She will also have 2 other costumes, in which they will provide.  Her favorite part of the costume is the glasses and the shoes! 

DS13's baseball practices are finally starting up, which he has been anxiously awaiting!  He moves up to a bigger league... so it should be exciting.   In January he got glasses, so here is a picture of him with his specs!  So handsome!

I guess, it's been nearly a month since my last entry.  The holidays are now over, sadly.  We had a nice Christmas and New Years; along with all the other activities surrounding that time.  I'll do a quick catch up....

In December there was 2 church plays.  Our youngest daughter goes with my Aunt and Uncle to their youth group and so she was in their program this year.  They basically did readings, singing and played the bells.  I love to hear them play the bells.  The second play was at our church.  A friend of mine directed it and I stood around and felt helpless helped her as much as I could.  It turned out great!  It was called "Cooking Up Christmas".  Both of the girls were in it.  The oldest was the main character.  It went extremely well.

Christmas went by quickly.  We had a nice Christmas; quiet, but nice. 

New Years we went to a friends home to celebrate.  There were many families from the church.  We had a wonderful time playing games and visiting. 

We went bowling with some friends.

Our friend is engaged to a lady from Thailand. She is actually American, but has been in Thailand as a missionary for the past 15 years or so. She came home for Christmas and came over and cooked up some Thai food for us and another family. I enjoyed it all very much!

The first pan to the left has a sauce cooking in it. It was a peanutty sauce that was for on the satay chicken. The middle pan is actually a soup that has lemon grass in it. The 3rd pan is green curry chicken. The back pan that has a lid on it has brown rice.

This is only a few of the packages she had.  I did not like the Wasabi green peas!  But I loved the other nuts beside it! 

This is Satay Chicken.  I'm not sure what the batter was.... but we grilled it on the grill for a time.  It was very cold and dark out, so we brought it in and finished cooking it in a skillet. 

She left the leftovers here.... I enjoyed them for the next two days!!!  Actually the next morning I got up and was hungry for it, so I had some for breakfast.  Nothing like spicy food for breakfast! 

This week we have been busy trying to get back into routine.  It's been hard over the past couple of months.  We have only been getting 4 day weeks in.  Thankfully, we are not too behind because we started earlier this year, but it means we wont finish as early as we had hoped.  So.... we really need to stay focused and keep those 5 day weeks going.  

DD15 made it for the High School play again this year.  So, her practices started and that will keep us busy.  The play will be the first weekend in April.  She's excited because she gets to sing a solo this year.  How exciting! 

Speaking of needing to stay focused, I should get going.  Have a blessed day! 

Our homeschool group was invited to go to another family's home for a Thanksgiving Feast.  We started out by visiting with the different animals that they have there.  The kids were able able to pet & feed them.  (faces have been blackened out on purpose, to save identity of the children that aren't mine)

There was deer.

There were Emu's.  I never knew what an Emu was until Friday! 

Funny looking birds, aren't they?

There were goats.

There was a donkey.

There was a pony.

Afterwards we had a feast.  We tried to think of things that would've been at the first Thanksgiving.  We also had other things that.... well, just sounded good!    She had a nice display set up. 

We had stuffed clam.  These were very good.

There were mussels there.  (I was too afraid to try them!)  I'm usually good about trying everything, but I just couldn't get myself to try them. 

My son has been going fishing for Steelhead fish.  So, we broiled some and took it with us... along with the venison sausage you can see in the corner of the picture.  We figured at the first Thanksgiving they would have had fish and venison.  You can also see in the bottom corner chicken. 

There were deserts.... Pilgrim hats.  I'm told these were very good. 

Below is a picture of "acorns".  They were doughnuts with chocolate, nuts and a pretzel.  Yumm!  Some other foods there was nuts, pumpkin pie, canned jellies, canned vedgies, cornbread, bread rolls & cake.

Before the feast, each of us was given names of different people that would've been at the first Thanksgiving with a little history behind who they were.  Below is my daughter.  She was "Dancing Moccasins". 

The host had games planned and also crafts for the kids to enjoy.  We had a very nice time. 

We wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! 

I can't figure out how to add this UTube to this blog.  I'm not big on political debate, but this is worth the watch!  I think we need to stand up for our beliefs!  They are in jeopardy. 

Video on Values

It's so hard to believe she is 15 already.  The time has just gone by so quickly.  I'm so proud of the young lady she has become.  Here are a few photographs we have taken for this school year. 

Oh, here is a picture from on her birthday.  She wanted chicken salad and apple pie.  (not together of course!) 

I know I haven't posted for awhile.  It's just been crazy busy.  I started a photography class last Monday through the internet.  How exciting it has been!  dd14 is also taking it, but struggling with the amount of work.  I usually do it early in the morning (like I should be doing it right now!).  It has beent taking me several hours to complete so I can get the most out of it.  I try to do it before the kids get up so that I have quietness so that I can concentrate. 

So far, we have learned the history behind cameras and photography.  We have also studied many photographers throughout history.  We are now moving into the Image creation and design of photography.  Our first photograph assignment will be due next Monday.  That will be exciting! 

If you may be interested:  http://www.scphoto.com/moodle/

Anywhooo... just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten about my blog(s), I've just been busy learning!   Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks!    I certainly hope so. 

The kids and I went to visit my parents last weekend.  What a nice time we had.  DH stayed home because he had things to do and was supposed to go on a motorcycle run with a friend.  Unfortunately, his motorcycle had a few issues before he left and caused him to not be able to go.  He was disappointed.

While we were there we went to Gettysburg.  I haven't been there since I was a teen.  We crammed a lot in, in a short amount of time.  Definitely could go and spend many days there to really get the best of it.  I think there was so much to take in and experience that I'm not sure how much was retained.

Here are a few pictures of our day.

ds13 was diagnosed with Lyme Disease the other day.  Although the blood tests have not come back yet he had a "textbook" picture of the bulls eye rash on his back.  Last week my son asked me to come into the bathroom to look at his head because he bumped it.  When I was in there I happened to see the bulls eye rash on his back.  When I asked him about it, he had said that awhile ago he had brushed something off of his back before he could show it to his dad.  The bite mark was there, but no bug.  I wasn't home at the time.  This was on a Saturday, the 26th of July.

I waited for a couple of days to "watch" the rash.  I wasn't possitive, but definitely thought it was possible.  We live in the woods!  So, the thought of him getting bit by a tick is very probable.  The rash was not itchy or bothersome.  He wasn't aware that it was even there. 

I remembered a picture that was taken a few days before at a party.  He was swimming and that side of his back was exposed.  I was able to see the bite, but no rash at that time.  (SAT - August 2nd)

4 days later, when I discovered the rash it looked like this:

I kept watching and taking pictures of it daily.  Little by little it kept getting bigger.  Unfortunately the doctor's office was on vacation so I wasn't able to take him there.  So, I took him into medical express.  This is what it looked like on Saturday Morning before we took him to med express.

So, they put him on an antibiotic.  So far, I haven't noticed any other symptoms.  Maybe a little fatigue, but I blame that on being a teenager. 

I don't know a whole lot about Lyme Disease.  It's a learning process.  If left go, Lyme's can become to be a major problem.   Thankfully, he is being treated.  I have been encouraged by a friend to take him to a specialist.  I haven't decided to take that route yet.  I guess, we'll see how the blood results come back & see how things fall into place. 

I'll gladly take advice, what would you do? 

We decided to start school today.  It was good to get back to a routine.  The girls were ready, although ds wasn't so sure.  The day went well.  This year we are doing more of an eclectic.  We decided to hang up the Weaver this year.  With dd14 in 9th grade & needing to have grades & a better record of what she is doing I felt we needed to change curriculum.  I know that many people still do Unit studies in the high school years, but I just didn't want to be bothered with trying to figure it all out!  Not to mention, that dd14 wants to be working more independently. 

dd14 (9th) will be using Lifepacs for Bible, History & Spanish.  She has Switched on Schoolhouse for Science.  We will continue to use Math U See  and Learning Language Arts through Literature. 

ds13 (8th) will be using LIfepacs for Bible, History & Science.  He is taking a German course... (I don't recall what the program is called).  Again, he'll be using MUS & LLATL.  I'm also having him go through Apples Daily Spelling Drills for Secondary Students to help improve his spelling skills. 

dd8 (3rd) and I are going to be going through the Prairie Primer which includes most subjects.  We are both excited about this.  She also will be doing MUS and LLATL.  She is learning cursive with A Reason for Writing. 

I bought the Thomas Kinkade art program.  I am having all the kids do this program together.  We did our first lesson today & although it may have been a little immature for the older two at first, I think it'll be beneficial in the long run. 

dd14 and I will be taking a photography course here in the fall.  We probably will start it in September.  (It's an online course and I'm waiting until the schools start so that we'll have more interaction with other students). 

Sooo... that's what's going on around here.  Many blessings to you all! 

It's been 16 years since I've graduated school.  In some ways it seems longer and others it doesn't seem long at all.  I guess, when I look at the number 16 it seems like that number is quite awhile ago, but when I think of the time, it has gone very quickly.  Does that make sense?  I know 16 is a weird number to have a reunion... Easy explanation is that last year it didn't pan out and this year did! 

I had himhawed around about going.  Why?  I guess, when I was in school sometimes I fit in and other times I didn't.  It was always a struggle for me where I fit in.  Also, I was such a jerk when I was in school.  I was an angry, confused kid that did just about anything to "fit" in.  It's people like myself that I homeschool my kids!  (Maybe not that bad, but close!)  I made lots and lots of bad choices.  I'm sooo thankful that we have a forgiving God!  (You can read what I thought a year ago about going to the 15th year reunion that didn't end up panning out.)

Anywhooo.... after a bit of time I decided to just reply and say I was going, because then I would be committed.  I always try to do something especially if I said I would.  Ooohhh... Commitment, sometimes that can be so hard, but yet it is sooo important.

The reunion included families.  We went.  I was nervous.... not until we were on our way.  It took me a little bit of time after we got there to get my nerves under control. 

I have to say, what a great time my family and I had!  I graduated with a small class.  Not possitive how many... anywhere from 73-78 kids.  Out of that many there were 26 of us that went with our families.  Not too bad. 

I knew before I went that I didn't want to bring up the fact that I homeschool.  Why?  Well, because it can cause a lot of controversy.  Also, because they knew me before... and because quite a few of my classmates are in the education field.  I didn't care if it came up, but I wasn't going to just offer it.  Do I sound like a coward?  Yeah, maybe I do.  I sometimes just get tired of feeling like I have to explain myself and sometimes I just feel it's none of anyone's business. 

Well, It was only minutes after I got there that I was approached by one of my classmates & he said that he heard that I homeschool!  lol  Amazingly enough, he and his wife also homeschool their 5 children.  How cool is that?  I have to say that I had a wonderful time visiting with him and his family.  When they were leaving, I laughed as I noticed they drive the same van as I do.  When I mentioned this to my classmate, his comment was... "Who would've ever thought we'd have anything in common!"  Which is true.  He was a very nice, quiet, smart kid & I don't remember every really talking to him very much. 

We were getting ready to leave when homeschooling was brought up again, only because of the infamous question of "Do you go to public school?" was asked to my dd14.   Of course, this was asked when most of the classmates that are teachers were standing there!   When she replied that she was homeschooled, then the questions started!  "what is your reason for homeschooling?"  "Do you go by state curriculum?"  They ceased fairly quickly when I had another classmates wife tell me she works with homeschoolers & that she had something that may benefit us.  The room kind of cleared and I was able to talk with her for quite awhile about science equiptment that we can borrow because of a state grant.  I don't remember all the info on it, but she said she would email me all the information.  Sooo... how cool is that?  God is good.

I'm so glad that we went to this reunion.  I, honestly, had a great time.  It was nice to see my classmates all grown up & with their own families.  We had more kids running around than adults.  I enjoyed visiting with different ones & getting reaquainted with them.   I also was surpised that I was only asked once what "I do".  I figured that would've been the question of the day.  Everyone was just happy to see each other that the conversations were basically about the families & kids.  Some conversations about school days... and remembering the different ones that didn't come, that we would've liked to have seen.   Even though so many of us lead such different lives, we could come together and had a connection from the past.  It was a very nice day.

We've had a nice summer, although we haven't done anything too exciting.  It went by so quickly.  We've been trying to stay home for the most part.  Lots of house projects going on, which keeps us busy. 

dd14 went away to drama camp last week.  She had a nice time.  She met a lot of new friends & some that even live fairly close by.  One of her favorite things was learning to mime.  They had a wonderful program at the end that lasted nearly an hour and a half.  She was excited when she came home that her camera she bought came in while she was gone.  So, she has been finding out how fun photography is. 

ds13 had his birthday last week.  So hard to believe he is a teenager already.  He's growing up so quickly.  He's been busy working with a friend who has an escavating business & has been teaching my son the tricks of the trade.  So, he's been making some money and learning at the same time.  ds13 is even learning how to save his money.  I was a little worried... okay a lot worried, because he can't handle having money in his pocket.  However, I finally encouraged him to put some in his savings.  He's been finding out how exciting it is to see his account grow.  He has a lot of energy & this gives him an opportunity to use up that energy without tormenting his sisters!  lol

dd8 was reminding me the other day that in 5 years she will be 13!  Can you believe it?  I think it hit me like a ton of bricks.  Time just goes by so quickly.... this I know.  When she said that and then dd14 chimed in that she'd be 19 going on 20... Ugghhhh... 5 years just is not much time.  It made me realize that we have a lot of work to do!!! 

Saturday we are going to my class reunion.  I'm getting anxious to go.  It makes me wonder how things will turn out.  I haven't seen most of the people that I graduated with in a long time.... maybe since graduation.  It's not like I don't live close by where I graduated... I guess, I'm not in the same scene as before.  It's been 16 years.  I know, it's not normal to have a 16th reunion... but last years didn't pan out.  So, someone suggested on trying again this year & many people have agreed to go.  We'll see.

We are going to be starting school next week.  The girls are getting anxious & have been asking frequently how soon we can start.  ds on the other hand says he could wait for awhile longer!  I'll post soon on what we'll be doing for school.  Have a blessed weekend!

It's been an interesting 15 years!  I've been blessed to be married to this wonderful man for the past 15 years.  There were people that thought we wouldn't make it.... guess we've proved them wrong.  I'm sure that if we didn't have God in our lives, we may not have made it.  He has kept us together.  The love between us is strong & I pray we will have many, many more years to come!

It's hard to believe that 13 years has passed since my  little guy young man was born.  He has always been ALL BOY!   He still is.  Although, he has been a rough, tough little guy he still was and is a snuggle bug.   

When he was born his face was bruised something terrible.  In fact, they wouldn't take his picture and asked us to bring him back once his face cleared up.  (I was so young... 21)

It ended up he was put back into the hospital a few days later because he had jaundice so bad.  Before he left the hospital they took his hospital picture.

DH was so young too!  There weren't many times he had a mustache, but here is a time he did!  I guess he would've been 23.  It almost doesn't look like him.  lol  DS was a big baby.  Here is is 5 months old.  He usually ran in the 90th percentile for height and weight.

This has always been one of my favorite pics of DS.  Just shows how much of a boy he was.

DS has always loved to put together puzzles or brain teasers. 

I think this one below is from his 3rd birthday!  lol 

Here's a big skip in time.... It's definitely easier once digital cameras came out.  lol 

Oh, did I mention how talented he is?

Happy 13th Birthday Buddy!  We love you. 

One of the neatest things... I think... my brother (and only sibling) also has one son.  Both of our sons have the same birthday only 4 years apart.  What are the chances?  Happy Birthday Dear Nephew!

We were blessed the other day with a trip to an amusement park.  We don't get to go away too often, so I was excited.  We had a wonderful day. 

dd8 wasn't easy to convince on going on roller coasters.  She just wasn't sure.  ds12 was easier to convince, but yet he was still unsure.  dd14 was all for it!   You couldn't keep her back.  We managed to get them all on this roller coaster, which was fun.  The best part was for me to take pictures & later being able to look at them to see their reactions.  It made me laugh!

dd8 enjoyed a ride that was much slower... but the florescent lights were cool.  dd14 had her fingernails painted bright orange & they really glowed.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of them.  Here's a few pictures I was able to capture. 

How cool is my shoe!

ds12 and I both liked this picture.  I love the way it streaked.... as though we was going really fast.  We weren't... it was a very slow moving ride. 

A friend of mine (you know who you are!) emailed and said I must be busy because I haven't blogged.... So, I'm going to try to catch up a little.  Things have been fairly busy, but definitely do-able.  I just haven't taken the time to blog.

dd14 went away last weekend to stay with her grandparents for a couple of weeks.  A friend of hers went along with her.  From what I hear, they are having a grand time with my parents spoiling them both. 

ds12 was picked again this year for the All Stars team.  He does love baseball.  So far they won 2, lost 1.  Tonight they have another game.  If they win, they play again.... but if they loose they are done for the year.  So, we'll see how that all goes. 

dd8 has been planning to get bunnies from her aunt.  She has things all planned out.... She is planning on naming the girl bunny, "Custard".  She apparently wants a boy bunny and a girl bunny so they can have babies.  Is this a smart choice???  I'm not so sure.

Let's see.... other than that we've have been busy with a few parties:  graduation party, baseball party, & an anniversary party.  Thankfully I didn't have any of them, just had to attend.  They all were very nice. 

My garden is coming along beautifully.  It's getting very full and green.  I'm finally getting blossoms on my tomatoes.  I've seen a snap pea.... & have debated about snatching it early just to taste it, but I've been able to contain myself for a little longer. 

DS12 built me a few more boxed beds.  I wanted to plant strawberry plants in them.  He did a wonderful job building them with the help of his dad to arrange them into the ground where I wanted them.  Unfortunately, all my strawberry plants died, but one.  DH brought home a huge chive plant.  So, we planted that in there.  I also was able to dig up some milkweed plants & I through them in there for the time being.  The chives are doing well.  The milkweed went into shock and all the leaves have died except for on one plant.  I'm hoping to have better luck in those boxes!   I'm now debating about turning them into an herbal garden.... ones that will attract butterflies. 

DH has been busy with his own ajenda.  He has finally decided on a rice coal furnace.  We have heated with 2 furnaces (propane and fuel oil).  Our goal has been since we bought this place was to change the heating system.  Soo.... what a better time to do it than now.  The gas prices have been soaring.  I'll look forward to see how well it heats up this place.  We've heard a lot of good things about them.  So, time will tell.  So, he needed to come up with a coal bin and also build a chimney.  Seems as though there is always projects going on around the house.  So, far he has the footer poured.  The coal bin will be attached to the house (more like a cellar way, but without the steps.  Where middle gravel is... it will be a door into the furnace room.  The bigger section is the coal bin & the smaller section attached will be the chimney.   I'm blessed to have a husband that is quite the handy man. 

School wise.... We are finished up for the year.  Our portfolios have been turned in.  I have my affidavits done and ready to be turned in.  I will turn them in when the school calls and says to pick up the portfolios...  Kill two birds with one stone.  This is the first year that I have had to get anything ready for dd8.  I think we'll be ready to start school.  I only have a couple of more things to purchase for the year.  We are looking forward to the new school year!

We have a game tonight, as long as the weather holds off.  It's been raining off and on all day.  We are hoping to get to see the fireworks tonight.  Tomorrow we have a couple of parties to go to.  I do like Fourth of July!  I enjoy the time with family and friends.... Not to mention that I love picnic foods! 

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Fourth!  Many blessings.