Long overdue update

I can't believe that it has been so long since I posted!!!!! I really must be busy, or lazy......

Here is an update in the most organized manner possible:

Chicago
The tournament went well. It was by far the most un-organized event I have ever attended. I needed a Valium after about 10 mins. of being there. Everyone did well, though. Lee got a 2nd in weapons and a 4th in forms. Gregory scored 2 4th's (weapons and forms) and Norman won 1st in forms. Mr. G. got a 3rd in sparring. I was proud of them all :)
It was very late driving home. We didn't even leave Chicago until almost 7. I think that we got home around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

This past week......
Has been typical :) I got a shawl and the slipper socks mailed off to Aunt B. She called and said that she really enjoyed them. I was thankful to have them done. I won't be doing any more knitting for her until after my Christmas knitting is done. I finished the pink baby blanket and the scarf for A. The camo yarn that I ordered for N.'s scarf hasn't arrived yet. I am hoping that it will appear sometime tomorrow. I will really have to work but I think that I can get a scarf done by Friday. We went to the library today and I checked out 2 books. I have no idea when I think I will have time to read them :) Maybe while we are gone.

Current News
The doctor's office called the other day and the insurance has approved infertility treatments. I am excited and apprehensive all at the same time. I will call and arrange an appointment after we are back from our trip.
Which brings me to our plans for Thanksgiving :) We are going to visit Norman's family in Metropolis. The day after Thanksgiving is the annual family reunion and Christmas. It will hopefully be a relaxing few days.

My friend and I are working through a study of the book of Titus. We are currently reading chapter 2 and I have so many exciting insights to post, but it will have to wait until we are back. I hope that ya'll can stand the wait :)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Carie

Posting from Chicago

We are having a wonderful time in Chicago! We just checked into our room (it is 9:31 p.m.) and I am on Mr. G's laptop playing around on the Wi-Fi while the boys are all downstairs swimming. We really are enjoying ourselves. We ate lunch at Olive Garden. We found Lake Shore Drive with no problem, missed our turn for the Aquarium, had to go way up and then way down. Norman really had to go...well you know....so we stopped at a port-a-potty.....then we drove down a very nice bicycle path! It was wide and had a center line and everything.....we were a good little ways down it before we realized what it really was :) I have never laughed so hard in my whole entire life!!!!!
We got to Shedd's Aquarium and parked pretty close. We saw the dolphin show and the Sponge Bob in 4-D. That was an experience :) All of the exibits were cool. Greg loved the dolphins and Lee was fascinated with the kimodo dragon. Norman and I liked the 4-D show :)
We ate at a little Mexican sea-food restuarant called El Pelicano's that Norman used to frequent when he worked in Chicago. The shrimp was excellent!
We got a little turned around going to the hotel, but now we are here and getting ready to be well rested for the tournament tomorrow. I am hoping to find a Jo-Ann's or Hobby Lobby to stop at on the way home for some more yarn.....I will be finished with my 2nd project that I brought with me by then :)

I will post some more about our trip on Monday!
Blessings,
Carie

Alternative to E-Bay

I have discovered a wonderful alternative to e-bay for those of us seeking homeschool or family-friendly products....and just in time for Christmas shopping :) It is called Homeschool Buy and it is run by the Suarez family (The Old Schoolhouse Magazine). It looks like a wonderful site!
Blessings,
Carie

Friday

Today has been a beautiful fall day!!!!

School went well this a.m. I was able to work on laundry and have all but 2 loads done. Norman was able to fix my dryer for me last weekend and I am so grateful! He truly is a blessing to me.

Norman let us bring the last of our kittens into the house. So we are enjoying the antics of a kitty again. I love to watch them play :) Sadie is a little disturbed about being displaced as "head" pet, but I have been showering her with love so I think that has made up for it.

We had a homeschool group meeting today. We discussed all of our different approaches to homeschooling. There are many in the group with whom we share curriculum choices, but we all use them differently. It amazes me how one thing can work so differently for different families....

Tomorrow is the last soccer game :) What a relief! I enjoy watching the boys play but it really throws off the balance of our schedule. Speech class ended last week as well, so we will be enjoying a new routine before long.....a little less busy, that is for sure.

We will be traveling to Chicago next weekend. I am really looking forward to the trip. Then again in 2 weeks we will be going to Metropolis for a few days. I will probably be really glad to get back home after all that :)

I am reworking some of our lessons plans to include some things that I would like us to be spending some time on. I really think that I am lacking in some review of material, especially math and memory work. My boys don't pick up things as fast as I would like them too :) Course, anymore I don't either! A little extra practice every day wouldn't hurt.

My mind seems kinda foggy today! I was looking for some encouragement on some online forums that I visit, but there doesn't seem to be much going on today.....so I decided to give some encouragement instead! Keep up all the good work ladies! Whether you are a wife, mother or single woman waiting on God's leading....God has a special place and work for you to do. No matter how tired or overworked you might get, just keep on going! God will always lead and lift you up when you think that you can't go on.

Have a wonderful night!
Blessings,
Carie