This school year, we started books aloud each day – as part of our school day.  I later decided that the girls needed to practice independent reading more, so they wouldn’t depend on me to comprehend.  I don’t know if it has helped with their reading comprehension, but I sure miss having our story time.  I’m really looking forward to doing Learning Adventures again next year with Sarah.  I love the lit-based curricula!  With “A New World of Adventures”, we will be reading Call it Courage, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Misty of Chincoteague, Little Pilgrim's Progress, Amos Fortune: Free Man (again), Calico Captive, The Sign of the Beaver, Johnny Tremain, Toliver's Secret, and The Incredible Journey.   I’ve heard of many of these, but never got around to reading them.  I’m very excited.  I’m so amused at how excited I can be about “their” education.  Even my mother has commented about my enthusiasm when I talk about things we’ve studied together.  I can only hope some of it is rubbing off on the girls.

For the summer break, we’ll read books, and try to have fun.  I don’t do “fun” very well, so pray for me.  Rachel will continue with Math this summer to try to finish Algebra before next year.  Sarah will do math practice work a day or two each week.  Rachel is volunteering to work at our library’s summer reading program.  Sarah will be competing tennis for the first time.  *exciting* On top of that, we’ve got two family reunions and church camp in July. 

On another note, I haven’t heard from the Dean about teaching again this summer.  I’ve taught for the last several summer terms, but this summer, enrollment is looking surprisingly low.  I’m sure the economy has a lot to do with that.  Quite honestly, I’m hoping they won’t need me.  A break sounds SO good to me right now.  I’ll know after open registration next week.  I’m still contemplating quitting before the fall semester.  I don’t mind teaching.  I mean, the money’s nice to have, but it’s just not in line with my priorities right now.  It almost seems like a burden.

One more thing I want to share…  A few weeks ago, I posted a “wanted to buy” listing in vegsource for the audio CD that accompanies the Apologia Biology Rachel will be using next year.  After a week of no response, I decided not to re-post it, but to buy it since it wasn’t all too expensive.  Out of the blue, I got an email from a homeschool mom in NC offering to send it to me at no cost.  Her daughter has learning disabilities, and Apologia had given her the CD for free since she had a documented LD.  She said she won’t sell it, but will give it to me.  She wouldn’t even accept postage!  I received it today, and I’m still in awe of her generosity.  Most people would get whatever they could for the CD.  It was hardly used (it didn’t help her daughter), and in excellent condition.  This lady has inspired me to be just as generous to someone else.  I was given some curriculum last year from a lady who graduated her youngest child.  She didn’t want to go through the trouble of selling it and asked me to get it off her hands.  I’ve decided to use some of it, but I don’t have a need for other pieces.  If you know of a homeschooler who needs a complete set of Bob Jones Biology, let me know. 

I hope you ladies are having a great week.  *hug*

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I couldn't think of a good title for this blog, so I used today's dinner side dish.  :-)  Plus, it matches my mood.

I hope you were made to feel very special this weekend.  We spent the weekend visiting.  On Friday, we drove to my MIL’s home and spent two nights with her, then spent Sunday with my parents on the way back to TN.  It was a busy weekend, but it was a nice little getaway.  Saturday night was a bit exciting.  Out of nowhere, we were under a tornado warning, with one being spotted only 5 miles away!  We camped out in the hallway for about 10 minutes.  Apparently, the storm decided to leave us as quickly as it arrived.  J  Camille had never experienced a tornado warning before, so she was a little alarmed.  There were no sirens in my MIL’s town (quite surprising, considering this is southern Arkansas).  Anyway, I haven’t updated about my MIL in a while.  Her Alzheimer’s is actually better.  Well, the medicine she’s on has helped tremendously.  It’s really quite amazing!  She still has some confusion, but she’s nothing like she was in January.  Mother’s Day morning, we left my MIL’s home and headed for my hometown.  The girls gave me a card for Mother’s Day and we went to lunch/dinner with my parents Sunday afternoon before driving home last night. 

We have 4 weeks of school left for this year.  I’m looking forward to saying “so long” to this year.  I’ve got a lot of things to sort out before next school year.  This year has been trying, to say the least.  My husband – bless his heart – is trying to be helpful with the home schooling, but his attempts are making things more complicated.  When I vent to him, I often regret it because he thinks I’m requesting his help in some way.   He takes it upon himself to lay down a new “rule” that disrupts my day and that I’m not willing to enforce.  Also, he thinks public school is the solution for a child who doesn’t appreciate the advantages of HSing and doesn’t apply themselves.  About twice a year, he tells me that I should “just send her back to public school next year”.  *sigh*  I tell you, there are times when I wonder why I bother working so hard on something that’s not yielding any results.

Well, dinner’s almost ready, so I'd better run.  I think I’ll spend some time alone this evening.  By the way, if you have any good book suggestions for learning disabilities, please let me know.  Thanks!

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There’s nothing like a birthday to make you feel remembered and appreciated!  Today was my day. 

For the most part, it was ordinary – school and work as usual.  But I received cards and many calls from family and friends throughout the day.  The weather was gorgeous, so this evening I took Camille to the park as promised while Rachel started on a birthday cake she wanted to bake for me.  DH, the girls, and I went out to dinner while the cake cooled.  When we returned home, Rachel frosted the cake and they sang “Happy Birthday” to me before we dove in.  The cake was delicious!!  It is a white cake (made from scratch – one of Paula Deen’s recipes) with a light green cream cheese icing (also from scratch).  I wish you could taste it!  By the time we ate cake, it was nearing 10:00, so Camille was in rare form, as you can probably imagine.  J

Now, the house is quiet.  Everyone is in bed except me.  It’s after midnight, so my special day is officially over (although I wasn’t actually born until 11:46 pm).  All in all, it was a blessed day.  I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. 

Oh…here’s a picture of the cake Rachel baked and decorated!

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You Can Only Type One Word  (if you read this, consider yourself tagged).

This is not as easy as you might think. Change the answers to suit you.  It's hard to use only one word answers. When you're done, post a comment so I can check out your answers.  Have fun!

1. Where is your cell phone?   Purse
2. Who is your significant other?   Terry

3. Your hair?  Ponytail
4. Your mother?  Alma

5. Your father?  Wilbert

6. Your favorite thing?   Travel
7. Your dream last night?  None

8. Your favorite drink?  Pepsi
9. Your dream/goal?   Heaven

10. The room you're in?   Kitchenette

11. Your fear?  Nothing
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?  Relocated

13. Where were you last night?  Home

14. What you're not?   Skinny
15. Muffins?  Blueberry
16. One of your wish list items?   Retirement
17. Where you grew up?   Arkansas

18. The last thing you did?  Cook
19. What are you wearing?  Brown
20. Your TV?  Off
21. Your Pets?  None
22. Your computer?   Black
23. Your life?  Blessed
24. Your mood?  Relaxed

25. Missing someone?   No

26. Your car?  Van
27. Something you're not wearing?  Shoes
28. Favorite Store?  Target 

29. Your summer?  Hot
30. Your favorite color?  Green
31. When is the last time you laughed?  Days

32. When is the last time you cried?  Today
33. Who will/would repost this?  Friends

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