For blogging, the year, growing children, no matter what it is, it all goes too fast.  My good intentions to blog more often have flown out the window and are now paving roads, I don't know how it can possibly be almost September, and I have no idea how I became the mother of a Senior in high school. 

Time is sneaky and vaporous.  You can't hold it and no matter how closely you look, it gets past you.  At one moment you can hear me bemoaning the lack of time I have to do something and then in the next breath hear me whispering to the Lord that He'd better hurry up and make His second appearance.  Time stand still; Lord come quickly.  I can't have it both ways. 

I have a feeling that this school year will go by like a whirlwind.  There is much planning to be done for the graduation party, there are things that I want my daughter to know before "the end" of her formal homeschooling.  The last moments of hanging on to her being a "child" are going to be shorter and shorter as we near that deadline.  Not that I think she will no longer be my little girl, or that she will cease to learn, but she is reaching closer to her long term goals of yesteryear.  They are quickly becoming short term goals and new long term goals are beginning to form in her mind.  Goals that will take her away from us. 

That's okay, I will learn to adapt.  Just as long as it means that in the end, the very end, we will be together again forever and always in His presence. 

© Copyright 2005, 2006, 2007 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

We decided to go to the beach one afternoon last week to see if anything had changed.  You never know, what with the threat of global warming and coast lines dropping off into the sea. 

We arrived and there it was, just as we had left it the last time, minus the yummy ice cream shoppe.  We trooped down to the water's edge to be sure it wasn't just an illusion.  Tiki and Cheeko romped in the waves, Blue followed the track of a horse that had been ridden across the beach, and Neeto and my mother dicussed the litter and how horrid it was that people couldn't keep things beautiful.  Yup.  The beach was still the same.

I was video taping the boys playing in the ocean when I realized that Cheeko had fallen into the water. Tiki had his back to him and didn't see that another wave was coming and could possibly drag his brother out to sea.  Both boys had been carrying their shoes, and Tiki now saw that Cheeko's were floating in the water so he set himself to the task of picking them up while they bobbed about. 

I started running toward the boys, yelling at Tiki to forget the shoes and to get his brother.  By now Cheeko was crying and he was struggling to stand up. We managed to get him standing and I walked him toward dry land.  I realized that I was still holding the camcorder and I must have turned it off at that point, but I don't remember doing so. 

Cheeko was shivering from his cold, wet clothes but he had quit crying.  A Coast Guard helicopter flew down the coast line then and he turned to watch it.  Then he asked, "Are they coming to rescue me?" 

I got the whole thing on the camcorder, well, the part where Cheeko fell and then a lot of my feet, and me yelling.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the part where Cheeko asked his question.  Oh well.  I don't think he mind being rescued by his dumpy mommy instead of a fit Coastie. 

© Copyright 2005, 2006, 2007 High Desert Hi-Jinks and Sagerat Scribbles.

Well, as I have stated before I think I am going to give my children nicknames instead of calling them Girl 1 and Girl 2, Boy 1 and Boy 2.  So here they are:

Girl 1 = Neeto

Neeto is how every little toddler we know pronounces Neeto's actual name.

Girl 2 = Blue

Short for, "Out of the Blue", which is her sense of humor.

Boy 1 = Tiki

From the book, "Tiki Tiki Tembo, No Saw Rembo," which means, the most woderful thing in the world.

Boy 2 = Cheeko

Because as a baby he had the most kissable cheeks ever, and he still does. 

Now, lest you think one child might be upset about a name given to another or hurt by their's, I can assure you they are not. We have a myriad of nicknames for our children, each one special and loving.  The above are just the most common. 

This article in Times Online out of Britain, reports about a letter they received from 15 doctors who say new evidence shows that those women who have had an abortion are likely to suffer from depression and/or other psychological problems.

Of course those that support abortion would have something to offer in response, not recognizing the fallacy of their own words.

I am by no means an expert, but I do know that abortion does leave a lasting ill effect on the woman who choose to have them.                       

© Copyright 2005, 2006 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

The other day Boy 2 was helping make dinner.  I was making a sweet and sour sauce and asked him to bring me the brown sugar.  He did so with great delight as the one who brings the brown sugar gets to eat one lump. 

Boy 2 opened the box and peered inside.  His eyes became huge and he reached in and pulled out a very large sweet lump.  He walked over to Boy 1, carefully holding the lump so it wouldn't break apart.  He then asked Boy 1, "Do you want a mouthful of joy?"  Boy 2 then lovingly proffered this massive sugar ball to his dear brother. 

While Boy 1 enjoyed his mouthful of joy, I took delight in the loving gift Boy 2 had shared.  My heart was full of joy for these two brothers, who in that moment were the best of friends. 

© Copyright 2005, 2006 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

This really isn't shocking news but angers me just the same.

Abortion clinics in California, and I'm sure all over the country, are asking young girls not to reveal the age of their partner.  Even after the girl has already done so, the clinic repeatedly reminds her not to say her boyfriends age.   

It's a sort of, "Don't ask, Don't Tell" policy they hold.  This way young girls can continue to endanger themselves and worthless perverts can violate girl after girl without consequence. 

© Copyright 2005, 2006 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

For those that believe the atrocities of Hitler would never be repeated, your eyes are hiding behind sand blasted, rose colored glasses. 

From this report it appears that the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecology support infanticide of the disabled.  Why?  To prevent families disabling themselves from the burden of raising such a child. 

The article does raise the question of creating designer families, but who is to determine if a child is disabled?  The article is further appalling in that it really didn't seem objectionable to such an idea, there was more concern for the fact that people would actually carry "at risk" pregnancies to full term instead of getting an abortion. 

I can't even imagine killing my son because he isn't perfect by societies standards.  He is, however, perfectly him and I love everything about him.  Even those things that annoy me becuase they challenge me. I am not disabled for having him. Those that see such children as crippling to others are disabled in their compassion and love.

© Copyright 2005, 2006 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

My beautiful Girl 1 has written another poem, this one about what Christ has done for her, and me, and you.  He moved her to write and her poem moved me.

I have never been a good poem writer so her talent amazes me. When she writes she always hands me the paper and then runs away, afraid or embarrassed I'm not sure. 

So go take a look and help me to encourage her.

© Copyright 2005, 2006 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

I've told you that my dear Girl 1 now has her drivers permit.  We have been going over the basics of driving, first of which is to check the outside of your vehicle before you get into it.  Make sure nothing is behind the car, and that  your tires aren't flat.

Girl 1 finds this a bit tedious and so I find myself repeating each time we go out to drive, "Did you look around the car?  Are the tires flat?"  She claims I don't do this.  I tell her that every time I get into my vehicle four children are getting in with me and they have never failed yet to tell me that I have a flat tire. 

Yesterday, Boy 2 was playing with a car that has soft rubber tires.  He was pushing it forward and letting it go so that it would race away from him.  He asked Girl 1 if she wanted to give it a try.  She said sure and joined him on the floor.  She gave it a push but it didn't go far.  On further inspection she discovered that one of the rubber tires had come off.

Boy 2 said, "See, dat's why you sheck the tires before you dwive!" 

© Copyright 2005, 2006 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

I love the things children say.  They look at life from such a fresh perspective, and it usually makes me laugh!  Be sure to submit your entries to the Carnival of Kid Comedy by tonight. 

© Copyright 2005, 2006 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

Kennedy Duval is a spunky little girl that was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in May of 2005.  Her medical bills are beyond what her family can afford, due to all the treatments and periodic health insurance coverage. 

An account has been opened in the name of Kennedy B. Duval Contribution Fund at Wells Fargo Bank (12005 SE Division, St, Portland, OR 97266) / Acct. # 2246146969. Donations may be made at any Wells Fargo Bank or through her website by using Paypal. The Tax ID Number for the Kennedy B. Duval Contribution Fund is #83-0484895.

Please keep Kennedy in your prayers for her health, and her family in your prayers for their fundraising efforts.  You can learn more about Kennedy at her website, Courage for Kennedy.

Sagerat Salute to Aligirl

© Copyright 2005, 2006 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

Girl 2 decided she would like to read her Bible daily  and she started reading her Bible from the beginning.  Bit by bit, night after night she would read just a little bit more.  She didn't have a schedule or a deadline, just the goal to read the whole Bible no matter how long it took her. 

It took her two years. 

While she was at it she made a list of all the names of Jesus as she came across them. 

When she would have questions she would come and ask me, but mainly she just enjoyed the stories, and plodded through the begats. 

Now that she has read the entire Bible, she has decided to do it again.  By the time she leave home, and at her current rate, she will have read the Bible at least three times through. 

I wish I could say the same for myself.  I'm trying though!

© Copyright 2005, 2006 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

Canon is a little boy in need of prayer.  He is four years old and recently had a heart transplant that he has needed since birth.  While Canon has a new heart, all is not well. 

Take a look at his blog HERE.

Sagerat Salute to Sprittibee

 Related Tags: Canon, heart, surgery, blog, birth

© Copyright 2005, 2006 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

Moms for Modesty Mission Statement

·         As a Mom for Modesty I believe in common-sense modesty for girls and young women. 

·         I believe in refraining from sexualizing our girls and young women. 

·         I believe that it is unwise and unfair to taunt boys and young men by permitting my daughter(s) to dress in an immodest manner.

·         I believe that true beauty comes from within and I strive to teach my daughter(s) this truth.

·         I will loyally shop at retailers that provide girls' and young womens clothing that is modest, affordable and stylish.

The above was written over at Everyday Mommy's blog.  If you agree go on over and join her by leaving a comment.

Sagerat Salute to Mamaduso.

© Copyright 2005, 2006 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

I would like to start by saying that I wouldn't normally blog about this topic.  My mother was rather Victorian in her thinking, at least as far as body functions go.  We were never allowed to discuss such things.  I suppose it helped that my mother only had daughters.

However, today's conversation was too good to go by without sharing it with someone!

While driving in the car today, just Boy 1, Boy 2 and I, the boys were of course being boys and laughing and joking and being generally silly. 

Boy 2 laughed so hard that he passed wind rather loudly.  This of course caused Boy 1 to laugh and say, "You passed gas!"

Boy 2 giggled with glee and said, "No!  I passed diesel!"

Somone, please tell me that one day this too shall, um, pass.

© Copyright 2005, 2006 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

...A Chocolate Fountain!

Oh yes!  What would a sweet 16 party be without a chocolate fountain?  Okay, it would still be fun, and everyone would go home with a fondness for chocolate intact, but it was the perfect party for my sweet Girl 1! 

We had been planning this surprise party for months.  The chocolate fountain being the center of attention.  We don't have birthday parties for every year, only a small gathering of family.  We decided that for Girl 1's 16th we would make it special. 

This in no way means that she is now allowed to date, or that she is eligible for marriage.  It was simply a party to demonstrate our love for her and recognizing that she is now a young lady who has been given responsibilties, which come with special privileges. 

That chocolate fountain above, is a Rival CFF5 from Best Buy.  We researched several different fountains before we finally chose this one.  Trust me, I didn't purchase it for it's sophisticated look, I had wanted stainless steel.  The reviews we read though for the fountains within our price range were not good.  Most of them said that the fountain we hoped to get was very noisy, and didn't work well.  The Rival CFF5 is quiet, easy to clean, and worked like a dream. 

The picture above does show a gap in the falling chocolate, but I think I took this picture when the fountain was no longer full of chocolate.  That and we think the table or our floor wasn't even.  One of our guests said he was very impressed with it, and thought it ran better than the professional chocolate fountain he had seen.  The chocolate on the side of the bowl is from our dribbles while dipping, it doesn't splash at all. 

We dipped, cherries, pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, pound cake, graham crackers, marshmallows, pretzels and potato chips.  We ate until we were sick! 

Anyone want to rent a chocolate fountain? 

(Ignore the "cave painting" in the back ground. I was going to take it down, but was so busy I forgot.)

© Copyright 2005, 2006 High Desert Hi-Jinks, and Sagerat Scribbles.

What is it about boys and their socks?  Sure, you rarely get that pair of hand me down pants because the knees are worn out.  Sure, they stain all their shirts.  Sure, they forget to change their underwear even when you hand them a new pair and say, "Change into these now!" 

Socks, however, that belong to a son is a double sock monster whammy!  The most bizarre holes I have ever seen, the elastic has retired and become string, and don't even bother discussing a deal with the washing machine for the hostages.  Boy's socks don't even make it to the wash in pairs. 

A son's socks can be found in the lawn, in an ant hill, in the dog house, under the couch and in a tree.  When you ask him, "Where are your socks?"  He claims he doesn't know.

I've tried throwing away the footwear reprobates.  For boys that have no clue what they have done with their own socks that they removed from their own feet, they have an uncanny ability to ferret out socks crying out in distress from rubbish bins. 

My sons, who claim to not hear me when I ask them to clean up, can hear the whispered plea of an endangered tube sock.  They then rescue said socks with the skill of a Navy Seal.  Mother must not know that Operation Toe Cover is under way.

"Why?" I ask the dirt covered child, standing there with his arms hugged tight around him, squeezing the last breath out of a dying wad of cotton.  "Why would you dig in the trash for a sock that has a hole bigger than your head?" 

"It was my favorite pair."  Replies the stubborn little voice. 

I only hope he has the same passion for his future wife. 

Excuse me while a brag a bit, it's a mother's right ya know! 

My Girl 1 is so talented.  She taught herself how to crochet and knit.  She has had to ask a couple of people how to do a stitch or understanding a pattern's directions, but for the most part she taught herself. 

Two years ago, her first knitting project was for fair.  She made a knitted dishcloth and won a Grand Champion!  Who knew a dishcloth could be so exciting?  Now you would think that from a dishcloth one might move up to, oh I don't know, a placemat. 

Not my girl.  She made this!

Just in case you aren't convinced that she is talented then look at this baby cape she crocheted.  She is giving it away as a gift for the HSB Baby Shower Contest. 

Boy you people are hard to impress.  How about her crocheted poncho?  I want it!

Don't just read her entries about her needle work, the girl is multi-talented!  Poetry, stories, and if she doesn't make it as a fiber arts craftsman, she's sure to become a writer.  Meet Eyebright!