From left:  Tiny, Shorty, Boss, Spanky, Katy, Terk holding Little Bud. 

We were visiting a park in the center of our town with a walking path through some "woods".  These same paths were frequented by my dh with his bike as a child, in fact, alot of the paths were formed at that time by bike riders.  Today there is a sign stating that bikes are not allowed per a city ordinance.  It is a shame what things have come to, although I'm not sure I'd like to be walking along those pathes when a bicyclist came racing through.  These are narrow, dirt paths, not wide paved paths that are often concidered bike paths.

Maybe someday, I'll actually start keeping this updated, but I wanted to post a current pictures of my "babies" for all to enjoy.

And to update, Spanky and Boss had a birthday about 2 weeks ago, so are now 5.  I now have three more birthday's before Christmas.

Well, I’ve been composing this post in my head for weeks. I’ve been confronted multiple times by family members, both well meaning and those of questionable meaning, about getting one of my children tested by "professionals" to see if this child has a syndrome. There have been a couple of friends who have confronted me also, but they had just had their child tested and "diagnosed" and were so deep in their own research that they seemed to be seeing "monsters under every bed". I’m tired of it. This is where I begin to doubt my decisions and wonder if maybe I should get this child tested. Then I speak to others and they don’t really know what I’m talking about, they love this child and think highly of her/him.

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In considering this over the years, and it has been years as the first person brought this up about 7 years ago, DH and I have decided that whatever our child’s "problems" they are working themselves out with our help as we raise him/her. This child had a brother diagnosed with, treated for and dies from cancer when they were young. Could this be part of the "issue"? None of these people who have told me to have my child tested have dealt with a death of a child/sibling at a young age. In fact, for most of these people our son who died was the first person they had lost who was young and close to them, some of them, it was the first person they’d lost that was close to them.

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Another issue, most of these people are comparing my child to children the same age who are in public school and whose mom’s work at least part time. My child likes to spend time with his elders and learn from them. S/he likes to play games and talk to his/her grandparents, aunts and uncles, great-grandparents and great-aunts and uncles. This child helps the neighbors clean their yards and is praised for their work ethic.

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The children my child is being compared to are my cousins and my cousins’ children. These children sit sullenly at family gatherings if there is no activity for them. They snub all of my children, not just the one with the "problem".

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These people have spent very little time with my child, with the exception of one. That one is easily swayed by the observations of others. They do not see the changes that have occurred as this child as gotten older and matured. They did not have much contact with this child from age 18 months till age 5 years. When they did regain contact, our family was in the middle of a crisis with our younger son having been diagnosed with cancer.

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I know my child. I have researched the "problem". I have looked at the recommended course of treatment. In my opinion, my child does not meet enough markers to be diagnosed. Most of the treatment options would not apply because my child does not have the portions of the problem that can be treated. The one area that might possible benefit from "treatment" I feel we are doing much of what would be done by correcting our child when out of line and informing them of the correct way to handle a situation.

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One of the "issues" that often arises is that of lack of social skills and thus lack of ability to function within social circles. This child is involved in a robotics club. They attend church group meetings weekly. They are involved in our homeschool coop. Guess what? When asked, these people think the world of my child. They have observed that this child thinks differently than most, but not badly. This child does have friends within these groups.

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In conclusion, I’m tired of people thinking ill of my child, especially people who have not spent the time to get to know this child. This child is "gold", as my DH has put it. I do not expect to have any problems with this child getting into the troubles usually associated with the teen years. I will not do anything differently in the raising of this child. If this child decided when an adult, to get tested, it will be their decision. In the mean time, my goal is to raise a child who is a success as an adult, and being a social success isn’t near as important to me as being a success in the "game" of life and in ethics/ morals.

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So, I hope this is the last I have to deal with this subject, but considering the people who constantly approach the issue with me, that is not likely. I will most likely have to bring up the points I made here again. I just hope that I can remember them when it comes right down to it.

Oh, the joys of having boys. Last night, as we were getting ready to leave for church I sent the kids outside to wait while I finished up a few things in the house and we loaded in the van.  Shorty and Boss come running in to tell me that Boss had a dragon fly go up his nose.  I wish I'd taken pictures of him describing this to me.  He claimed it landed on his nose and he tried to get it off, but it flew up his nose and was now in his brain, tickling him, of course.  When I asked him where it was, he takes his hands and plays them over his forehead, saying it is in his brain.   It was soo incredibly pricelss and I can't remember it all.  Ack!!!!  Need to keep the camara closer and type as they tell me stories.

What is it about blogging?  Some people seem to find the time to write such insite that hundreds flock to their site.  Others just want to keep in touch with friends and family, but sometimes find them selves in the limelight when their site link is passed around.  Then there is me.  I want to have a place to record the happenings in our family.  Only I don't take the time.  I spend my online time reading about others lives and neglect the sharing about our family.  I really want to share about our lives.

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Another problem I encounter is not wanting to embarass my children or bring shame upon our household.

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Recently there was something which happened at an event which I really wanted to vent about here.  I was so hurt and angry but instead of blogging, I hashed it out with my dearest husband.  Part of me still wants to share and I may in the future if I can figure out how without causing hurt to others myself.

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So I sit here with Little Bud behind me taking books off the shelf and needing a nap.  I'm actually writing this on paper with pen, planning to type it later.  Spanky is working on a pre-school workbook next to me.  She is trying to learn her numbers.  If I do school with anyone else, she wants to be included.  Life is good around here most of the time, although my own laziness and lack of skill and gumption for housecleaning is frustrating my husband.  Better get off my chair and get something done. Baths need to be taken and food prepared so we can leave by 6:30 for church.

(I wrote this story to help my son with his writing.  My thought was to write a story using the same information given by his Writing Strands book.  So we were both going to write a story about a kitten raised by a duck.  His is better than mine.  I'll post mine now, and ask him for his later.)

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Miss Tabby lived in a barnyard where she was being raised by a duck named Mama.  Mama had found Miss Tabby in the barn with her eyes still closed and had taken her under her wing to raise along with her four ducklings.  The issue of what to feed MIss Tabby had perplexed Mama, for Miss Tabby turned her nose up at corn. Mama was able to enlist the help of the farmer's daughter to feed Miss Tabby milk.

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One afternoon Miss Tabby fell in line behind Mama and the ducklings on a trip to the pond.  As Mama and the ducklings entered the water, Miss Tabby started to follow.  She put one paw in, but the sensation of water was just so Yucky!  She extended her second paw but that water felt the same.  Miss Tabbby decided to wait for Mama and the ducklings on the shore and investigate her surroundings.

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A field mouse surprised Miss Tabby as she investigated.  Wow, what a fun toy!  The mouse tried to run for cover but Miss Tabby was persistant in her chase.  The ducklings looked on in wonder and curiousity.

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Soon Mama quaked and Miss Tabby and the ducklings fell in line for the walk home.  All were ready for dinner and bed.

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(So, what do you think?)

Our homeschool coop held a fall party on October 30th.  One of our mom's is a professional face painter.  She gave us free use of her service for this day.  So, here are their pretty faces: Kady

Tiny

Yes, that is a bookmark and I usually add a length of chain to the top with a tassell.  If you get this, leave a comment and I'll see what I can do about making contact in a private manner.   Also, if green is not your color of choice, I can do it in blue and white or lavender and white or all one color.  Let me know.

Size 9 month  -   $25.00  + shipping

Cotton crocheted hot pad and dish cloth - $7 + shipping

Pictures of a few projects I would like to sell.  Was going to post them now, but can't find my camara's cable.  Ack!!!

My Baby finally was able to get in to get his tooth pulled.  His original appointment was Aug. 3.  When he arrived, the staff said that since he hadn't been home to confirm his appt. the day before they had given it to someone else.  Well, they did not leave a message and from our caller ID, I'm not even sure they called our number.  They set him up for the next day and he told them he was confirming it right then.

At the appt. to pull the tooth, the dentist wanted to have him in for some more extensive work.  He declined, saying that I needed to get in first.  Not sure if that was quite the only reason.  Think he might just not be anxious to have the work done that they are suggesting.  At the same time, I will take him up on the offer to have my teeth worked on.  See, I've never had my wisdom teeth pulled and they came in when I was in my mid-twenties.  They pushed my front teeth into a "buck tooth" formation.  I'm hoping if I get those pulled, that they front teeth will migrate back.  Also, I have two broken teeth on the bottom.  Figured I'd get them pulled instead of the wisdom teeth.  I have an appt. on Tuesday at 2 to have things looked at and x-rays taken, so we shall see what the dentist thinks.

Saturday, we (mom, brother and I) gave my sister a baby shower.  The baby is only 2 months old.  Life just kept happening.  We were able to have it at the Riverside Cup of Tea where my mom works.  It was really nice.  I took Little Bud, Spanky, Shorty and Kate with me.  Tiny had been invited to a birthday party that she chose to attend.  It was a long day for all of us, but everyone was great.  Little Bud was a hoot, going over to my nephew and investigating his cousin.  I think he wanted cousin to get out and play, but it will be a few more months before that happens, maybe by Christmas.  Spanky and Shorty had a blast playing with the hats and feather boa's that were in a trunk for just that purpose.  I'll have to wait to post pictures til I can access my mom's camara as I had forgotten mine.

In the mean time, enjoy these pictures of Little Bud showing off his blue eyes and his new teeth

My Baby is still in quite a bit of pain.  He is taking max dosages of Ibruprofin as the narcotic pain reliever that was prescribed isn't working very well.  He does have a scheduled extraction for next Friday, the 3rd.

The kids and i spent the day at Mom's getting ready for a garage sale today and tomorrow.  I was supposed to go today at 9am but had horrible hives last night.   I woke with my eyes almost swollen shut, so didn't think it was a good idea to try and drive across town.  My Baby took the older 3 to help Mom at about noon.

We really need to sell alot of this stuff.  Most of it will go to Goodwill if it does not sell.  I might take the books to a used book store first to see if I can get some credit towards other books from them.

Well, that is pretty much it.  I might see if I can post some pictures later.  Need to post a picture of the sweater I made.  Am trying to decide if I want to start crocheting and selling purses and such.

Kendra

Well, dh's been having tooth pain for about a week.  He was able to get some pain killers, but Friday night they were not touching the pain.  Saturday (21st) he woke up after just a few hours sleep with his cheek swollen.  We knew that this was getting serious an needed to be taken care of soon.  being a Saturday, our options were limited.  The one Saturday dental clinic was booked solid, so we ended up in the Minor Emergency Center.

We took the kids to my parents, except Little Bud, and headed to the MER.  No problem getting in.  Didn't have to wait very long.  The doctor looked at him for about 3 minutes and prescribed more pain killers and antibiotics with a reccomendation to see a dentist ASAP.  Well, that cost us $135 plus another $20 for the prescriptions.

This morning I called a dentist my dad had seen and was told that they didn't do many extractions but would set up an office call and take x-ray, then if they could do it,they would, otherwise we would have to go to an oral surgeon.  Each additional thing, of course being an additional charge.  DH's comment: "Would that I could charge like that" 

I ended up calling the World Impact ministry, Good Samaritan Clinic, this morning.  They had at one time offered discount dental services.  Well, they are not currently able to do that, but they gave me the number of another place called Healthy Options.  When I called them, they could get DH in on Wednesday.  They only do filings and extractions, but their quoted cost of extractions was alot less than any other place I was calling. They also base their fees on income, so, it may be less than the quoted amount.

Well, I'm off to shower and start hunting through closets for anything and everything we can sell in our garage sale this weekend.

This picture was taken July 5th, 2007.  From left: Terk, Tiny, Step-daughter, Boss, Shorty, Spanky, Katy.

Little bud was in the stroller and i forgot to put him near the others for the picture.

I know I need to post some more pictures.  I'll try and do that soon.

Today we had our second day of easing back into a school schedule.  I'm working on having everyone do math drills and our My Father's World Exploring Countries and Cultures.  We are studying North American nations, starting with the United States.  We are reading a book I found at the library called "We Were There, Too"  It is a collections of short biographies of young people who contributed to the USA's history as young people.  Very interesting stuff.

Well, we are off to Walmart, then church, so catch up later.

This is my first try at blogging.  I am hoping to to use this as a way to update chosen family members and web friends about my family.  Identifying information has been left out purposely.  My children will have "code" names that are familiar to family as that is the nickname they were given by their daddy.  Terk is 12yo boy, Katy is 10yo girl, Tiny is 7 yo girl, Shorty is 5 yo girl, Spanky is 3 yo girl, Boss is 3yo boy and Little Bud is 7mo boy.

I am also going to use this as a way to showcase some things I'm making to possibly sell.  At the moment I'm just having fun croceting some usefull items.  I'll have to get the camara out later.