100 Posts

Yesterday's post was #100. In the blog world that seems to be a big deal so I thought that I would make note of it :)

Today is Tuesday, normally a "home" day, but today we had a homeschool meeting in town. While there we went to the library. We are just back home and after spending a little bit on the net I am going to do my menu plan and grocery list for this week. It is to my great fortune that Kroger and IGA have their sales fliers online :) It truly does make my grocery shopping that much easier and cost efficient.

Things that I have gotten done today:
bible study
baking (I baked a spice cake and banana bread for the homeschool meeting)
school
lunch (meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans)
homeschool meeting
library
****yet to be done - menu plan and grocery list***

Chad was here today and we had a good morning. I guess that he isn't read to much because he was enthralled with the whole procedure. We read The Grouchy Ladybug and The A Book. He really enjoyed counting the ants! Lee and Greg were able to display some of their Ancient Egypt projects at the homeschool meeting and then they were able to play with their friends. We have had a really good day today!

First thing in the morning I have to go to Effingham and take Uncle Larry shopping. We will go to breakfast and then shop. Then I will go back to his apartment and clean a little or pay bills for him. Usually my mom does this but she is "off" this week. Then when I get home it is payday....that means "pay the bills day". So very busy. Norman also has a doctor appointment. I guess that we will be busy.

Have a great day!

Monday, February 26

Praise the Lord!
It is a beautiful day!
Here it is almost 4 o'clock in the afternoon and I am pretty much finished with my day. We will eat supper in just a few minutes and then leave for taekwondo. Today I accomplished quite a bit, including:
bible study (regular reading plus I finished laziness study)
homeschool
lunch (fried chicken, scalloped potatoes and candied carrots)
laundry (1 load left to fold and then put everything away)
decluttered sewing area
knitted for about 30 minutes

Chad was here today. He celebrated his 4th birthday last week. He had a cold so he didn't go to school and was here for most of the day. His dad came and got him earlier for a doctor's appointment. Norman worked another double last night, so we had to be very, very quiet most of the day. He is back at work now and the boys are outside shooting at birds with their bb guns. I am enjoying the quiet :)

Tomorrow we have a homeschool meeting so I will have to do some baking first thing in the morning. I think that I am going to make a spice cake and banana bread to take with us. I will need to pick up drinks and paper products either today or tomorrow. We think that Greg may be trying to get a urinary track infection so I need to pick up some cranberry juice as well.
I guess that I may be doing a little shopping this evening.

This weeks chore list

I have decided that it will be easier if I make up a weekly chore list and then work from it all week rather than try to decide what to do each day at the beginning of the week.

My list for this week is:
scrub my shower
wipe down my tub (we don't use it much and it has collected dust)
dust and vaccum the living room
sweep and mop kitchen
water plants (did that today!)
bathe Sadie
declutter the toy room
declutter boys room
clean bathrooms
pick up the laundry room
check menu plan and make grocery list
wash sheets
3 15 minute declutter sessions (ala flylady)
15 minunte yard pickup (we need to get ready for spring and the yard is a mess)
declutter my sewing area (I hope to be doing some sewing soon)
15 minute closet declutter (my 8x10 walk-in closet - it is a mess)


I am going back to my 4 week menu rotation. I don't remember why I got off of it in the first place....it was so much easier for my poor little brain!!!!!
I am going to try doing the chores like this for a while and see how it goes. When I do my daily post I can be accountable for my chores.....maybe that will actually make me accountable to post as well. I am also hoping to finish up my study on laziness and post my thoughts/insights on that topic here as well.

Thanks for hanging in here with me this weekend. God has really spoken to me and I can see ways that I can improve my life and make it more pleasing to Him.

Have a great week!!!!!!

Living out my convictions

I have finally come to a realization. I apologize to my few readers for being whiny and self-centered yesterday. I wanted someone to say "this is what you need to do"........I needed someone to make this decision for me......someone to whom I could place all blame when confronted about my decisions. I realize today that I have to make this decision.....nobody else can make it. My dh isn't a believer, so he isn't going to make it for me......In fact I am pretty sure that he isn't going to support me in this decision. So to submit to him, I will wear pants whenever he wishes, and wear dresses the rest of the time. He doesn't mind me in skirts and when I wore them alot before he was ok with it because I was doing it because I liked them. I think that this solution will work for me and my family. I will be doing what I feel is right and continue to submit to my dh.

I am trying to work myself up to the questions that will invariably come my way. I want to be a good witness and example to those that ask about my dress. I want others to see Jesus in me.

I have lived almost 30 years of my life (the last 5-8 wondering about this question) living for me. I think that it is about time that I lived for God. I love skirts, always have, and see that this is a wonderful way for me to be an example of living for Jesus. I will be set apart from the world, even if I look like them some of the time (lots of people wear skirts at one time or the other). I realize that some people may not notice at first, but I hope that my attitude, demeanor and actions will also begin to be discreet and chaste.

This post seems to be all about me again, but in the end I hope that my decision will give God all the glory in the end.

Interesting Article

I stumbled upon this article after I posted below......I found it very interesting and reaffirming of what I am beginning to believe is true and right. If you are interested the link is HERE.

Please feel free to comment if you feel led.

Searching for the truth

Have you ever been searching for something that you can't quite put your finger on, but you are in desperate need to find it? That is how I have been feeling for the last couple of weeks. I thought that I had found some of the anwers when I began my in-depth Bible study of laziness the other day. I was/am learning and growing in the Lord and seeking His will in my life. That is good and worthy, but the learning and growing in the Lord just seems to keep me searching and seeking for more answers.

I am desiring greatly to understand how God wants me to be modest, chaste.....more ladylike in my actions, speech and life. I want to know how this should play out in my life. Should my dress be obviously feminine (as in only dresses/skirts)? How can I do this without being labled legalistic? Are my strong desires to do something indication of a conviction or just my emotions leading the way? And how do I KNOW????

Don't you wish that the Bible came in list form.....you should do this, and this, and this.....here are the guidelines for this, and this, and this.....?? I am confused by the conflicting opinions of people who have studied the Bible in depth and have come to 2 different conclusions......how is that completely possible??? If women are to look distinctively like women then why is this not preached from every pulpit in the country.......?? Are the guidelines of the past thousand years enough to make something feminine when this country has strayed from those norms for the last hundred (mainly the last 50) years?

I have seen so may women lately that I believe are dressing femininly for the Lord. I applaud their efforts and then feel guilty because I have read the scriptures on this and even though I agree with how it reads.......I don't do anything about it. I don't conform my life to the way that I am interpreting the scriptures...........

Why?? Because I don't want to be labeled a "religious fanatic". I don't want people to argue with me about legalism. I want people to see me as a discreet, chaste, modest women....God-fearing in thoughts and behavior. Is there a way to live out my convictions (which I believe my thoughts are becoming) without people judging? I don't want to judge anyone else.....I would never want to do that......and I fear of being judged myself. Is that feeling alone wrong?

Please, if anyone who reads this has any thoughts for me or answers to my questions.....I would love to search the scriptures in a specific direction. I have read most of the "typical" modest dressing verses and would love a new insight......A fresh look at this subject. Also, please pray for me if you feel led.....that I would take my convictions and make them part of my walk with God. Please pray that He will show me the way.

Thank you!
Carie

Hands and Hearts History Kits

Today is such a rainy day. After we finished our chores, we broke out our box of Hands and Hearts Ancient Egypt History Kits and got to work. The boys love to paint and I hate to let them (sooo messy) but this really forced my hand. They really enjoyed making the Egyptian throwing stick and then Wooden Paddle Doll. Right now they are playing Senet. I won earlier against Greg but lost against Lee. Now they are playing each other. I am so glad that I purchased this kit last fall. I was beginning to think that it was a waste of money because we were never going to have time to do it.........but NOW I will definately MAKE the time to do the other projects. We really, really enjoyed them.

If you are interested in Hands and Heart History Kits, there is an advertisement box on the right, toward the bottom that will take you straight to their site. They have loads of other interesting stuff there as well. I also bought History Pockets - Ancient Egypt and we have enjoyed using it as well. The boys are actually going to be showing a completed project at the homeschool meeting next week and we won't be doing it Monday!!!!! Everything is already complete. What a blessing for mom!!!!!

Political Activists

I know that a lot of homeschoolers are politically active, championing causes that they believe are right and good. My boys also have this tendency as well. Here are the causes that they are championing:

Lee:
He wants there to be unlimited peppermints at Ryan's restaurant. My dh tends to agree. Just last night he was again reprimanded by the staff for trying to take a small handfull of mints. Now mind you, he was getting the mints for all of us, not just himself. We had also just paid $30 for a buffet meal that we didn't eat near enough of (did you know that Ryan's has "repriced" their buffet??). He was so steamed that I thought he might blow his gasket. My dh was a little distrubed also. We might have to take this up with management next time that we are there.

Greg:
Greg is very upset by the Nike shoes sign that is on our local athletic shoe store. He has been upset about this sign since he learned to read. He says that it is pronounced Nike (long i, no sound after the k) and thinks that the shoe company is doing a great disservice to all the beginning readers of the world by not spelling correctly. He thinks that there should be a y at the end of Nike (Nikey) so that it will be phonetically correct. This sign drives him bonkers every time we pass it, and it is on the way to Walmart so that is frequently.

I really do hope that eventually they channel this outrage at something that we might actually be able to change :)

Blessings,
Carie

Monday

Our power went off at 7:30 a.m. today and didn't come back on until noon. I was attempting to clean the shower in our bathroom when it went off. I just got finished with my housework and am pretty pleased with my accomplishments for the day.

I cleaned and decluttered the living room, dining room and kitchen.
I swept the kitchen and dining room and dusted and vaccumed the living room.
I cleaned the boys bathroom and my bathroom.
I am still working on laundry. The power being off all morning really slowed that down.
Sadie has a hurt leg so we are postponing her bath until she feels better.
I haven't been on the internet to see what flylady's zone assignment is yet so I am checking and then will get that done.

We have taekwondo tonight and Norman has tomorrow off so we will see how things go. I hope to finish the laundry tomorrow cause I know I won't get it all done today. Daniel cleared my driveway so we can get out!!!! Yeah!!!!!

Snow, Snow Go Away!!!!

Alright, I think that we have had enough of winter. At least here at our house we have. With Friday and Saturday's most recent snowfall (about 3 inches) and the horrible winds the boys and I have been snowbound since Sat. at noon. We were able to go to Effingham for taekwondo testing Saturday morning and just barely made it back up the driveway at noon. Norman immediately changed clothes and went to work.....barely making it back out again. The boys and I went to a cookout at mom's via my dad (and brother) picking us up in 4-wheel drive Jeep through the adjacent corn field. That is also how Norman was able to get home last night and then leave again for work today. Our long driveway is blown shut :) However the adjacent field is pretty much just dusted with snow. Imagine the irony :) Luckily brother Daniel will be able to plow the driveway tomorrow, allowing us to be like normal people again. And with temps climbing into the 40's and 50's this week I think that we will be getting around with no problem :)

Have a great week everyone!!!!!
Blessings,
Carie

Monday cleaning

Tomorrow will be a full day of cleaning. The boys are going across the field to grandma's to make DoodleDogs (Greg's word for snickerdoodle cookies) and to play Monopoly. They will probably be there at least part of the day and I intend to get as much cleaning done as possible while they are gone. I already have my portable CD playing ready to go with some sermon's on CD to listen to.
Here are some things that I hope to accomplish:
***clean and declutter the dining room and kitchen
***deep clean the boy's bathroom
***clean and declutter the living room
***deep clean my bathroom

Also:
clean out the fridge
flylady zone cleaning
work on partial master schedule
call the doctor's office about bloodwork results
Sadie's bath
laundry

A look into our homeschool

I think that it is important for us homeschool moms to see how others organize their days. I find it particularly encouraging and refreshing to see how others do things. I learn so much from my homeschool mom friends!!!!!!

Here is a look at our homeschool today :)

Chad (the little guy I babysit) got here early because school was canceled due to bad weather (he attends PreK at the public school and usually doesn't get here until around 11 a.m.). He arrived at around 8 a.m. Luckily I had knew that school was out and I had already showered and had breakfast. Norman worked a double shift last night so he was just getting home at 8 a.m. He would only be able to sleep a few hours before returning to work, so it was going to be imperative that we be very, very quiet this morning.
My boys got up, got dressed (Lee is still in his pj's for some reason), ate breakfast and brushed their teeth. We started school around 9 a.m. I instructed them to do all the subjects that required me FIRST (usually I let them pick the order) so that I could spend a little time with Chad one-on-one later. We zipped through copywork, Latin (Lee), math and spelling. Then both of my boys got to reading. They have time for selections of their choice and then time for book basket (history, science and literature selections). While they were reading I worked through a couple of preK worksheets with Chad. He likes to be able to "do school" too :)

I started cooking lunch about 10:30 and the boys finished up with their reading. They played quietly in their room until I called them for lunch at 11. We had hot dogs, pork and beans and green beans. When lunch was finished everyone gets "free time" till dad goes to work at 1:30. The boys played and I pre-read the science chapter for later. I also put an apple pie in the over to bake :)

Norman got up, cleaned up and left for work at 1:15. The road were horrible today and it took him forever to get to work......almost 1 1/2 hours rather than the 45 mins. it usually takes. We kept in touch by cell phone so that I knew he made it ok. School started back up at 1:30 and Chad laid down to take a nap. We read a chapter from Story of the World Vol. 1, reviewed our Veritas Press history and Bible cards and read the corresponding pages from Streams of Civilization. Then we started the book Tirzah. In case you were wondering we are studying ancient Egypt and the Old Testament this year. Then we read a chapter in our science book and discussed it. Then we were done!!!!!

The rest of the afternoon is left for playing (quietly while Chad is sleeping) and housework for mom. I am almost done with laundry. I think that we will have soup for supper. I managed to carve out some internet time (I always manage to get some time, it just depends on when!) and will be finishing up laundry, supper and kitchen pick-up shortly. Then I should have some time for Bible study (I am studying laziness) and knitting (trying to finish that pair of socks).

This is a pretty typical day. We are usually done with our a.m. subjects by 11. The best thing that I ever did was write out their daily assignments for them each day and they just check them off. They are very motivated to finish that card. I usually have time to check their assignments as they go. Chad should wake up from his nap at any time and his dad will be here to get him later. I guess that I should go finish up my housework!!!!!

Primary Language Lessons

It has been requested that I share how we use Primary Language Lessons by Emma Serl in our homeschool. I would love to share!!!!!

We started using PLL when Lee was in 3rd grade. It is suggested that you start in 2nd grade and do half in 2nd and half in 3rd. We didn't have both years so we zipped through it at a much quicker pace. I will share how I used it with Lee and then how I plan to use it next year with Greg (2 year span).

Lee is my "non-writer". He does not like to write. I don't push it (many of you realize that boys develop that particular motor skill a little later than girls sometimes). Most of the exercises were done orally, even when instructed to write them. We didn't do any of the memorizing. We used those selections as reading practice (Lee was a slower reader also). I would have Lee write about every 3rd writing/composition exercise. That meant that he was writing about once a week. I usually had him do the copywork lessons as written and sometimes we would use them as dictation. We did a lesson every day (skipping some here and there) and were able to finish the book in one year.

With Greg (next year) we will be stretching the book out over 2 years. He will be doing a lesson every other day (we school 4 days a week). The only time that the days will fall together will be when a copywork exercise is to be used for dictation. I want the copywork to be fresh in his mind when we do the dictation. I am also breaking some of the longer assignments up into several days. I don't want to burden him with too much information too quickly. This will take us about half-way through the book. I felt that it would be better to use the "shorter" half :) of the book this year and work a little harder next year on the "longer" half :) I will probably use most of the exercises orally for Greg as well. His writing is more advanced than his brother's was at this stage, but I don't want to push him to hate it. Most of the written exercises will be composition, copywork and dictation rather than the "answer the question" variety. Those can be just as easily answered and understood orally as written.

I really love Emma Serl's approach to grammar and writing for the early grades. The approach is gentle and thorough enough for our family. We look forward to using Intermediate Language Lessons next year with Lee (we took the year off from English grammar and concentrated on Latin this year). ILL is to be used over 3 years and we will be condensing it down into 2. I will be able to detail how that will work for our family after I get ahold of the book :)
If anyone has any more questions, please let me know!!!

I am a woman

I just read this quote by Elizabeth Elliott and thought that it was so wonderful. It truly exemplifies what I want my life to be.k

The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian does make me a different kind of woman. For I have accepted God's idea of me, and my whole life is an offering back to Him of all that I am and all that He wants me to be.

And my little dog too..........

I have a little dog.

If you have never met my little dog, please let me introduce you. My little dog is named Sadie. She is at least 3 years old.....a black cocker spaniel, weighing about 20 pounds. My little dog doesn't really like men, except Norman, and if they come in the house "unannounced" then she will yelp and cry and hide behind me.

Sadie sleeps in bed with us. Before Norman comes home from work at midnight she sleeps on his pillows by my head. After he comes to bed she sleeps at my feet. She also lays at my feet on the end of the recliner while I am knitting. Sadie loves potato chips, peanut butter, milk and bread. She also love chocolate but we try not to let her have any. My little dog can jump onto the breakfast bar by running across the room and leaping onto it. She gets up there every evening when we leave for taekwondo. She also sleeps on the kitchen table. Sadie would happily spend her days riding around in a car with me if I could let her.

My little dog had a bath this a.m. She has a bath every Saturday morning, but this morning we had some new oatmeal dog shampoo. It is vanilla scented. Now my little dog smells like oatmeal cookies :)

Quiet Moments

My boys went to my mom and dad's house (across the field) to visit for a little bit so I am enjoying some quiet moments and thought that I would post.

There have been so many things happening around here that I don't even know where to begin and gather my thoughts.

School plans have been made for next year. I am hoping to attend the Indianapolis Convention in March so I will buy most of my stuff there. I will place my order from My Father's World to correspond with that time. We probably won't take a lot of time off this summer so we will just go from one curriculum to the next.

Here is the rundown for next year:
Leland - 5th Grade
My Father's World Explorers-1850 (history/bible/science)
Math-U-See (whatever comes after Gamma - I don't have the book in front of me)
Italic Handwriting book F
Spellling Power
Latin Christiana I
Intermediate Language Lessons by Emma Serl
Writing - either Writing Strands 3 again or something else I pick up at convention
45 mins. of required reading every day plus book basket

Gregory - 2nd Grade
My Father's World Explorers-1850 (with the Adventures supplement)
Math-U-See Gamma
Italic Handwriting book C
Spelling Power
Primary Language Lessons by Emma Serl
Prima Latina
30 mins. of required reading every day plus book basket

Now that Leland enjoys reading somewhat he will be required to choose a different genre of book to read and report on every month. Right now he is reading through the Boxcar Children series but I would like to expand his reading selections. Each month he will required to select a genre of books (historical fiction, biography, science, history, mystery, etc.), read it and give a short oral or written report (I haven't decided completely on the form of the report yet). Once that is done, he will be free to read whatever he likes (with approval) until the end of that month. I am hoping to open him up to the different styles of writing and then various things that can be learned or explored through reading. I think that this will be a compromise that we can both live with. Gregory will be exempt from this pattern for one more year while he develops his reading skills.

I am also hoping to put more of a focus on character development this year and next. MFW programs to focus on character and training somewhat, but I know that this is an area that I need to work on with my children. While training my children I know that I will also have to work on my character.

I find that I struggle with depression frequently throughout each month. Most of the time I can't even put my finger on what the cause for my "blues" would be. I am just "blue". I feel that these feelings may be due to some discontent on my part and I am going to work on that. Sometimes I feel like I am pushing God away, when I really do need him more than ever. There are so many things that I daily as my God and I know that He just wants ME. All of ME. He wants ME with no strings attached and with no conditions. God wants me, all of my sinful nature and my many faults. He wants to work in my life and to use me to further His kingdom. I want to give myself to Him. Truly I do. But that is where it gets hard. I find it very hard to "let go" of my life. Even though I consiously know that God can do wonderful things in my life, I find myself afraid to relinquish control. "What ifs" plague my thoughts. I am scared. So this week and next I am going to be praying that God will help me reliquish control of my life to Him. I don't know what is going to happen next but I am excited to see how God will use me. Please pray for me, if you feel led, during this time.

Bittersweet Failure

To those of you who have been following our trials with infertility, I thank you for your prayers. We had what I am considering a set back on Monday. Monday was the day scheduled for my ultrasound and possible IUI. Take note of the word possible. I guess that I never considered that it wasn't possible, however my egg follicle was not mature, so I was not able to have the IUI done this cycle.

My medication dosage has been increased and we are hopefull for a successful round next time.

I can't describe the range of emotions that I have felt since Monday morning. I never, ever considered the possibility that the procedure couldn't be done. The sadness that I have felt over the missed opportunity is overwhelming. I am leaning on God's strength to get me through this sadness and back into an optimistic frame of mind. Once again, I am reminded of how many blessings I have in this life and of how gracious God has been to me. Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers.

Blessings,
Carie

Snowy Sunday

A beautiful day!!!!
This is the first measurable snowfall that we have received this year. Norman has requested that the boys and I stay safely at home because the roads are a little nasty. We are happy to comply :) I am sure the boys will spend most of the day making snowmen and throwing snowballs.

I have only a little fringe left to put on Aunt B's latest shawl. I also completed a "furry" scarf for myself. I have a cute little pair of socks on needles right now. I also printed out a baby pattern.....not for the baby, but an ITEM for the baby...........I would rather not say what as the receiver may be reading this blog. In fact I have several baby gifts to making in the near future :)

I guess that things have been pretty quiet around here and appear to be remaining so...I love quiet winter days!!!!!

Blessings,
Carie

January's goings on

January has been a very busy month for us so far. I anticipate that the rest of the year will be as well. I laughed when people told me how busy I would be as my children got older because I couldn't imagine being any busier than I already was.........I was getting NO sleep with Norman working so far away from home and a baby and a toddler........it seemed never ending.......but now sometimes I long for those LOOOOONG days at home with nowhere to go ;)
School is going good. If we stay on this track, we may get a small break this summer after all. I had told Norman that we were just going to work through the summer, taking time off for camp and any trips, but I think that we may be able to swing a couple of weeks off in addition to those. The boys need to keep up the good work though.

We went on a field trip to the Crawford County Historical Society and the Oblong Oil Field Museum. The Historical society is in a big old hospital. The building is very neat. I think that I enjoyed looking at it as much as anything.

Winter finally arrived here with some cold air and a little snow yesterday. I let the boys play outside in the flurries in the morning with the promise of completed school work later. They held up their end of the bargain and we finished our day with some time at the library last night. Gregory is beginning to read chapter books :)

Would you believe that our Christmas tree is still up????? I told you I have been busy :) We are hoping to get it taken down this week. I was kidding Norman about putting bunny ornaments on it for Easter......you can tell that he is a MAN....he thought that it sounded like a great idea!

We also celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary on Jan. 13th. We were able to go out for nice dinner (TGI Friday's) and a movie......

I am almost finished with another shawl for Aunt B. I have half of the fringe left to put on. I will try to finish it on Saturday. I started the cutest little pink scarf for myself. It is made out of eyelash yarn and a base yarn. I made several others and gave them away for Christmas gifts, but this one is for me. I have 5 baby gifts that I need to get done sometime this year.....with more to come I am sure :) I think that I am going to try a least a couple of sweaters/jackets rather than my standard blankets. We will see.....if the first one goes bad I will go back to blankets :)

We will be starting our first round of fertility treatments soon. Please keep us in your prayers as we pray to recieve more of God's precious little blessings.

Carie

Latin Centered Curriculum Review

I did a review of the Latin Centered Curriculum for TEACH magazine and it can be found HERE if you are interested. Whether or not you check out the review I encourage you to take a look at TEACH magazine. This is a great resource for homemakers and homeschoolers. The homepage is HERE.
Blessings,
Carie

New Year's Resolutions

As promised, here are my resolutions for the 2007. Although not necessarily written down, one of them is to be more prompt with my posting :)

1. Daily quiet time
2. Memorize 1 Bible verse a week - I am thinking of starting with Proverbs 31
3. Exercise at least 2 times a week - I will alternate with walking, Tae Bo and Pilates
4. Establish a cleaning routine and habits via flylady - I have been working on this for the last week.

I hope that with these new resolutions I will be able to more efficiently and effectively run my household and serve my family.

Here's to a wonderful 2007!
Blessings,
Carie

Our first Black Belt

Our family would like to announce that Leland is a 1st Degree Black Belt as of last night. He is the 1st in our family and the 1st in Effingham Taekwondo history to test straight through without any missed testings. It has taken him 2 years to achieve this goal and we couldn't be prouder of him.
Congratulations Lee!
We love you!
Mom, Dad and Greg

Happy New Year

The final days of this year have been so hectic. I really don't know where the time has gone and I don't really know where to start to catch all of you up :)

Christmas Projects
I managed to get all of my Christmas projects done. I am not real sure how but I did it. What a relief and a joy to be able to give all of my friends and family a little piece of me. I am already thinking of gift ideas for next year :)

Current Projects
Although my Christmas knitting is done, I still have things to do. Don't we always??? Anyway, I have 4 more shawls to make for Aunt B. I also have the yarn to make her a pair of socks and 2 pair for myself. I am also making scarves for the boys (camo). I have one done and have started the second. I am hoping to finish them up this week. Before July I need to make 4 baby blankets. I haven't choosen the yarn or patterns yet so I will need to do that.

Christmas
Christmas went well. I got a laptop (I am typing on it right now!) and a bo-staff and case from Norman and the boys. My mom got me luggage, a laptop bag, a gift card to Old Navy (now that I have lost almost 30 lbs. I will need that) and some other stuff that I can't think of right now. Everything was wonderful! Sometimes I miss the peacefulness of Christmas like when I was younger, but this year went really well and most of my family managed to keep most of their opinions to themselves (which really is a blessing).

I am working on my goals for the new year. I will post them as soon as I get them finalized. I hope that everyone has a wonderful New Year!
Blessings,
Carie

Merry Christmas

It has taken me so long to get this post done that I decided I had better tell everyone Merry Christmas now in case I wasn't back before the New Year. I can't believe how busy I have been!!!!!

We made it through the week with family in southern IL after Thanksgiving. It is enjoyable, but I am always glad to get home. We were able to welcome the arrival of a new nephew while we were there :) The family seems to be growing in leaps and bounds......Norman's father now has 5 grandchildren, 4 boys and 1 girl.

After our return, my mom and I went to Indianapolis IN for a day of shopping. We stayed overnight and spent some time in the hotel's hot tub. I came home with contact dermititis....and allergy to something in the whirlpool. I had the worst rash all over my legs. I ended up with 2 shots and a pack of prednisone. I can't sleep while I take prednisone so I am still recovering from that. Then Greg got a stomach bug......and I stayed up all night with him. We have rounded out our week with a church dinner and Christmas carolling :)

School is going well. The boys are really buckling down and I am keeping them on task. That seems to be the worst part of the battle.....me keeping them on task :) I think that we have decided on next year's curriculum also. We like to plan way advance of purchase time so that we can save up the needed funds. Although I really liked the "method" of veritas press, the planning has just got to be to much for me. And the literature selections for the periods of history are too advanced for Lee to read on his own....he just isn't there yet. And I don't have time to use them all as read-alouds. I briefly contemplated Sonlight.....until Norman got sticker shock.....and we have settled on My Father's World Explorers-1850. Greg will also study American History using MFW Adventures in American History supplement that I already have from 2 years ago. I think that we will stay with MFW suggestions for grammar and writing. We will also stay with Math-U-See and Italic Handwriting. And now I can breathe a sigh of relief that the decisions are all made for another year.

I have been finishing up my Christmas knitting.....1 1/2 projects are left to go. I have a couple of new patterns that I am wanting to try out after Christmas and I am going to give my socks top priority as well. Norman has been working lots of overtime lately.......he has worked the last 48 out of 72 hours. He is beat and sleeping soundly in bed this a.m. But it is very hard to do housework while he is sleeping so I think that I will go knit for a while and clean tomorrow!

Be patient!!!! I promise I am around even if I am not posting!
Blessings,
Carie

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

New book

Candy has a new ebook, The Joyful Homemaker, and best of all it is free!!!!! To view or download it you may go HERE.

Enjoy!!!!
Blessings,
Carie

Tuesday

What a beautiful fall day it is!!!!! I am so glad that we live where the season change. Although I joke about it, I think that I would get tired of living somewhere that was warm all the time. Remember that I said that this winter :)

Today has been very good. We began a unit on orderliness this morning. I am in as much need of this as the boys are. I am not an orderly person. I tend to micro-organize....one shelf or cabinet will be perfect while the rest of the room is a disaster. I have tried every program available, but the truth is....I am lazy. So I am working on that and my attitude toward the work that needs to be done. I find that I am much more peaceful when I don't try to rush everything.....and everything seems to get done anyway :) What a blessing!!!! God is so gracious to provide just what we need. We finished our laundry and got everything put away, the kitchen is clean and the boys went to their cousin's house to play for a while.....I am alone...and should really be knitting :) But I will get to that in a minute.

I just had a bowl of my new favorite thing.......sugar-free chocolate pudding and sugar-free Cool Whip. What a delight it is to a woman who craves chocolate and sweets and hasn't had any since Thursday (with the exception of fruit, but that doesn't really count to a choco-holic). I might be able to handle this diet after all......

Monday

Today was definately a Monday :)

I got up at 6 and ate egg beaters (southwestern style) and peaches for breakfast. I bathed Sadie and then myself and got hamburger out of the freezer to thaw. And talked to my mom on the phone (I talk to my mom on the phone every single morning at 7 a.m. unless they are traveling, or we are traveling).

At 8 I was beginning to mix the ingredients for Pilgrim's Bread (from the More with Less cookbook). I had my bible study time and got the boys up for breakfast. The bread was rising and the boys were fed by 9 a.m. and we started school.

I was able to begin lunch prep at 10:30 (diligence by the boys makes an earlier lunch!). We had meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans. When I pulled the meatloaf out of the oven, I put the loaves of bread in (I had re-kneaded them during lunch prep). After lunch I skimmed my mail, folded a load of laundry....took the bread out and put an apple crisp in. I had a piece of fresh warm bread, butter and apple butter for a snack (that is one of the few things I can still enjoy in moderation!). When the apple crisp came out I finished Norman's lunch box up and then settled down to study some more Ancient Egypt with the boys. We had some company around 2 and everyone greatly enjoyed the apple crisp :)

Our company left around 3 and we were off to town.....drop trash off, drop off stuff at resale shop, walmart, drop off movies and then taekwondo. We are just now getting home :) I am tired, but something about the day just seemed calm and perfect. I love being a mother and being able to stay home and work and homeschool. I love the peaceful busy-ness of our days. Greg and I shared a story about Thanksgiving.................Lee worked so hard on his writing assignment this evening...........I love our shared history time (probably more than they do, but that's ok). I thank God every day that he has put me here, with my children and husband!!!!!!

Praising God,
Carie

The Latin Centered Curriculum

I thought that I would post some thoughts on how a Latin Centered Education looks at our house :)

Classical Languages

Leland (and I) are learning Latin. Lee is using Prima Latina and I am using Henle Latin Book 1. I will admit that Lee's studies are going better than mine :) I am thinking of folding Greg into Prima Latina come January since he has his English phonics concepts down pat. I am loving that Lee is learning English grammar through Latin....and he doesn't even really know it. What a blessing!

We haven't gotten to Greek yet :)

Math

LCC recommends Rod and Staff or Ray's Arithmetic for the early years. We use Math-U-See. Leland is working from Gamma (book 3) and Greg is just starting Beta (book 2). They are both working on their facts (addition for Greg and multiplication for Lee). We are using Wrap-Ups and Calculadders to help with drill.

English Studies

Gregory is finishing Alphaphonics. Lee has been finished with phonics for a couple of years now. I am thinking about doing a quick phonics review with him after Christmas just to get everything fresh again. For independent reading they are using the BoxCar Children and the Magic Tree House series. I haven't started suggesting the classics yet. We are working into them. For family reading we are using a Landmark Book, The Pharoahs of Ancient Egypt, which coordinates with our current history study.

For penmanship we use Italic Handwriting. Greg also works from the Copywork books from Memoria Press. We are working at Recitation. Since we took a speech class with our homeschool group I think that we have covered recitation there :)

For writing we are using Writing Stands. I know that this isn't at all one of the recommended resources for the progrymnasmata, but this is what we had on hand and it is working well for us. I may re-evaluate this for next year.

We haven't really gotten into the Literature section yet. For 1st and 4th grade there is a large amount of literature suggested. I think that we will try to read through The Real Mother Goose and The Random House Book of Nursery Stories. Both of these are kindergarten suggestions, but I thought that we would start there. LCC is a lot easier to implement if you have started from the beginning :) If we get those done, we will go on to the Fifty Famous Stories Retold and some of the Fairy Tales (both 1st grade recommendations). Shakespeare is recommended for 4th grade and we will see about that :) He may have to stay in England another year :)

Classical Studies

We are doing history chronologically rather than the way the Mr. Campbell recommends. I do have a book of Greek Myths that we will try to read in the evenings before bed.

Christian Studies

We are following the Bible program laid out by Veritas Press (grade 2). The readings so far have been from Genesis and will follow history as close as possible for a while, I think this year at least. The boys also get Bible instruction from Sunday School class.

Modern Studies

Like I said before, we are studying history chronologically, but we are trying to work in some other geography study this year. So far, we haven't done much, but we are going to work on it.

Science

Science is very laid back and hands on in LCC. I enjoy that. We are using some unit studies to cover some other things that the boys are interested in. So far we have covered the Days of Creation and reptiles. We are working on oceans and have dinosaurs yet to go. If we get all that finished, we will probably drop science from the "main studies" for the year and focus on nature study.

As you can see, a Latin Centered Curriculum can be very relaxing to a family that is tired of juggling all the different facets of a classical education. I am very freed in thinking that if we accomplish math, latin and some reading we have done good for the day. What a concept!!!!! Just think, we learn so much by reading, why shouldn't our children as well? And I say this as the mother of a very reluctant reader....but he isn't so reluctant to listen and we can explore all kinds of diferent topics through literature and good books that we get from the library. I firmly believe in following the desires of your children in certain areas. That thought is what guided our science topics for the year. They will learn more if it is something that they love. The interests of children change daily so you have multiple opportunities to teach millions of topics to your children. Feed their interested, their loves and desires. See where it takes you. I am certain that you will learn as much, if not more than your children.

And on the home front.....

I am knitting, reading and cleaning.....not necessarily in that order :)

I just recieved my newest issue of The Old Schoolhouse magazine....so I will probably be carving out the time to read that through. We rented the newest version of Pride and Prejudice so I am looking forward to watching that while I knit this evening. I am about half finished with a baby blanket and have another to go before Thanksgiving. I am needing to order some camoflauge yarn for some scarves for the boys, but I am waiting to grub up some money. One of the children that I babysit won't be here for about 2 weeks, so that cuts into my spendable income :)

This evening I will work on my review of The Latin Centered Curriculum by Drew Campbell for TEACH magazine. I am sure that Julie will be glad to receive it :) Sorry it took so long!!!!

The boys are outside enjoying another wonderful, warm, fall day. Norman said that it is supposed to get very cool tomorrow. I guess that it is fall.

So far, no adverse side effects from the Metformin. Course, I should probably find some wood to knock on now.....I sure don't want to be sick.

Have a wonderful fall weekend!!!!!
Blessings,
Carie

On the school front.....

Things are going pretty well. Greg is wrapping up his phonics work. He is pleased and I am relieved. I seem to feel vindicated when I manage to teach them to read.....ha, ha, people who thought I couldn't do it.....my children can READ :) So, now that I am done gloating about that; we are learning loads of cool stuff this year.

History

We are using Veritas Press as our spine and learning history starting from the beginning. We are in Ancient Egypt right now and using so many supplements that it is taking awhile. The history pockets are really cool and I am just itching to get started on the History Kit that we got from Hands and Hearts (see ad in the right side-bar). I think that the hands-on projects will really pull the study together. We might even be able to go to the Field Museum in Chicago and see the King Tut exhibit there. We are taking a trip to Chicago in a few weeks, but we haven't finalized our agenda yet :)

Science

We quickly finished our units on the days of Creation, reptiles, and are now working on an oceanography unit. The boys are interested, but would rather that we get to the part about the whales and sharks than have to read about the waves, weather and tidal currents :) I guess that is to be expected. We still have a unit about dinosaurs to dig into, so they are anticipating that.

We are enjoying all the resources that we have for this year. I am really, really liking Veritas Press. I am so glad that I decided to go with them this year. I am also glad that I spent a little extra and got all the supplemental stuff from various places. We are using it all and loving it. Leland is slowly reading through the BoxCar Children series. Gregory has just discovered the Magic Tree House series. He is reading them though quick....about 1 every 2 days. He may be my reader :) Leland is having great success with his writing this year. We are using Writing Strands (Level 3). Last year we had such problems because the book instructed the student to do the assignment by himself. Lee would quickly get bogged down and I would get frustrated because he was "supposed" to be doing this himself....right? Anyway, we dropped it after about 3 months. This year, I blocked off 30 mins. every day that I work through the lesson with him.....2 times a week. Small bites. And most of the time he is getting it himself. I won't say that he likes it, anymore than he did last year, but he is doing it and learning that he CAN do it himself :) That is an achievement if I ever saw one. We are getting ready to really crack down and learn our math facts for the year.....addition for Gregory and multiplication for Leland. Of course, I am not hearing cheers of anticipation on this one, but I am hoping that it will manage to be as painless as possible.

Happy studies!

Diagnosis

At my dr's appointment this a.m. I finally received the diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Of course, I had suspected this for about 6 months, but to finally get the diagnosis means that I am being TREATED and finally can be on the road to good health again. I am on 500 mg Metformin for 7 days and then 1000 mg Metformin thereafter. I am also on a no-sugar low-carb diet. That is the hard part. I know that with prayer and help from God, family and friends that I will get accustomed to this way of eating. I hope and pray that this will help the symptoms of this disorder (unexplained weight gain, hormonal imbalances and infertility). My dr. is very hopefull of this.

Anyway, I want to thank everyone for their prayers for me. I really appreciate it.
Blessings,
Carie

A picture of us

I am trying my hand at a new talent (HA HA)...uploading pictures. If this works, let me tell you it was no easy feat on dial-up....oh how I long for satelite internet :) Anyway, here we are: (2nd try)




From left to right we have Leland, Norman, myself and Greg

Enjoy!

Puttering around the house

I've been busy this a.m.
I cleaned and redecorated the tops of my main kitchen cabinets. I lined up my tea pots and added some 8 by 10 photos to the top. It looks soooo cute :) I wish that I could take a pic and show you :)

I am working on laundry. The kids are done with school. Talked to Aunt B and found out that she wants me to use something called Fray check on the ends of my yarn....so I am getting ready to order some of that. Declutted the kitchen and dining room, but now we have had lunch so it is a mess again. Gotta get to work on that I guess.

CB is here and I will be picking up SC at school in a while. Then we will be running to Walmart and then to taekwondo. This in the only class this week so I am doing the happy dance. It is always great to have a week off from the continual trips to town.....don't tell my instructor though :)

I hope to have some time to knit when I get home. I guess that I will try to get some socks on needles for Aunt B. while I am waiting for the Fray Check to get here. So many projects.......

Stocking Up

This seems to be a common theme in the blog-o-sphere this week. I have to admit that I have felt the urge as well. But I wonder....why doesn't this urge hit in the spring when I could plant a huge garden??? I worry and stew all winter long but come May....I forget.....I know that I am lazy, but my mind needs to overcome my will and just do it.

Since I don't have a big garden to bring in, I will have to resort to what the stores have to offer. We stocked up on veggies a couple of weeks ago.....4 cases of various kinds. We got our 1/4 of beef so the freezer is stuffed. Flour looks good, but I will need to get a hold of several bags of sugar. We could probably do without, in an emergency, but that would only make a bad situation worse. I need to go through my first-aid drawer and see what needs replenishing....and the medicine cabinet. Like my mother, I tend to assume that there will be a big snow/ice storm mid winter. I always aim to be prepared to not leave the house for at least 2 weeks. Now, mind you, this hasn't happened since 1978 (I was an infant) and even then my dad was able to get to the store, but doesn't hurt to be prepared. And there is always North Korea and their nuclear situation to consider.

I am wanting to get some more material for some jumpers that I want to make myself this winter. Mom and I will be going on our annual shopping trip soon and that will probably be a major purchase then. I am also getting ready to order some books for winter reading and some camoflauge yarn for some scarves for the boys. With my other projects, I am definately going to busy until at least Christmas.

I have been hoping to convice dh of our need for a generator, but he isn't as paranoid as I am :) We have a totally electric house so in the event of a power outage...we are done. Moving to my mom's house :) But I am trying not to dwell on that.

So, my thoughts this week are on stocking up....how about you?
Blessings,
Carie

I found these in our church bulletin this morning...

Recipe for a Miracle

2 cups LOVE
4 cups TIME
1 cup ATTENTION
3 T FAITH
1/2 cup UNDERSTANDING
Dash of DISCIPLINE
Add PRAYER to taste
Mix all thoroughly and provide generous portions to each child from birth.

A Poem

I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do,

I had to hurry and get to work

For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,

And jumped up off my knees.

My Christian duty was now done

My soul could rest at ease.....All day long I had no time

To spread a word of cheer

No time to speak of Christ to friends,

They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do,

That was my constant cry,

No time to give to souls in need

But at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes.

For in his hands God held a book;

It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said

"Your name I cannot find.

I once was going to write it down.....

But never found the time."

Now do you have the time?

Is it winter already??

What is with this weather? I enjoy cold weather and all, but I generally appreciate a little bit of transition. We were going to go to the football game this evening, but the wind is freezing so we are going to pass. The boys are going to a friend's house for the night and I will be knitting :)

Candy has some wonderful posts at her blog regarding the condition of the heart for eternity. They are fantastic and very worth the read.

Guess that is all for the evening! Have a good weekend :)
Blessings,
Carie

Yesterday......and this morning

Yesterday we were in Evansville, IN for a taekwondo regional tournament. Everyone had a fabulous time and we finished up with a dinner and play time at Chuck E Cheese. Not exactly my favorite place in the world, but Norman and the kids loved it :)

Around 4:00 a.m. I rolled over in bed and heard my neck pop. The pain was indescribable. I finally managed to get out of bed and into a recliner. With the help of double doses of ibuprofin I am able to move my head very slowly from side to side. But it still hurts. I am afraid this might require a trip to the chiropracter in the morning.
I have never been to the chiropracter and I am really, really hoping that I won't have to go this time.

So, today will be spent on the couch. I might see if I can knit a little, but I doubt that it will be much. Hopefully the kids will be able to entertain themselves while Norman is at work.

Have a blessed Lord's day!
Carie

How do you like it????

My new blog format, that is. Janet at Pine Blossoms Websites did such a fantastic job with everything you see here. She worked and worked with me. I am sure that was no treat, as I had no idea what I wanted or what I was doing. I am still worried that I will mess it up somehow, but she assures me that she has it saved somewhere very safe. So please, leave me a comment and let me know how you like it.
I love it!
Thanks again Janet!!!!
Carie

Tuesday

On Tuesday's we are usually able to stay home all day. Today was no exception. I decided to clean the house, which I do occassionally....contrary to popular belief.....It really isn't my fault that nobody is ever there to see it.

I got up around 6.....did my bible study (I finished Leviticus) and then walked with Sadie for about a mile. Came home, checked email, talked on the phone to S.A. and then bathed Sadie. Started laundry then bathed myself :)

Hung out laundry and woke up boys. It was about 8:30. They finally go through with breakfast/dressed/teeth brushed and we started school. Finished Latin, Bible, Reading/Phonics, Handwriting, Writing, and Math by 11.

I hung out the rest of the laundry (2 more loads) and started lunch (baked chicken and rice with corn). C.B. arrived here on the bus from school (I babysit him). I cleaned the playroom while Norman helped the boys carve pumpkins. We all sat down and ate lunch. Got Norman off to work and C.B. laid down to rest while the boys and I worked through History (Ancient Egypt) and Science (Oceans).

I cleaned the boys bathroom, vaccummed the hallway and living room and swept the kitchen. C.B. killed a spider....with his shoe.....we had to "high 5" after that. Spiders are scary you know! Anyway, his grandmother came and got him about 3:30.

I folded laundry while the boys put it away. The boys worked on their speeches for a few minutes and are now outside playing. They had sandwiches for supper. I had leftover red beans and rice and popcorn for supper......nutritious I know. We are going to start some evening reading this evening and I plan to knit for a while....gotta get to work on the rest of those shawls for Aunt B.

Tomorrow I am going to take Uncle L. shopping. I am hoping and praying that I am not as busy tomorrow....I am soooo tired :)

Have a good evening :)
Carie

This is too funny.....The Toddler Diet

I am borrowing this from Mrs. Wilt at the Sparrow's Nest.......I laughed sooooo hard :)

Over the years you may have noticed that most 2 year olds are trim. It came to me one day over a cup of grapefruit juice and a carrot that perhaps their diet is the reason. After consultation with pediatricians, x-ray technicians and distraught mothers, I was able to formulate this new diet. It is inexpensive and offers great variety and sufficient quantity.
Day 1:Breakfast One scrambled egg, one piece of toast with grape jelly. Eat 2 bites of egg using your fingers; dump the rest on the floor. Take 1 bite of toast, then smear the jelly over your face and clothes.
Lunch Four crayons (any color) a handful of potato chips, and a glass of milk-3 sips, then spill the rest.
Dinner A dry stick, 2 pennies, 4 sips of flat diet pop.
Bedtime snack Toast piece of bread, butter it and toss it face down on the floor.

Day 2:BreakfastPick up stale toast from the floor and eat it. Drink 1/2 bottle of vanilla extract or one vial of vegetable dye.
Lunch Half tube of "Pulsating Pink" lipstick and one ice cube, if desired.
Afternoon snack Lick an all day sucker until sticky, take it outside and drop in dirt. Retrieve and continue slurping until clean again, then bring inside and drop on living room carpet.
Dinner A rock or an uncooked bean, which should be thrust up your left nostril. Pour iced tea over mashed potatoes, eat with spoon.

Day 3: Breakfast 2 pancakes with plenty of syrup, eat with fingers, rub fingers in hair to clean. Glass of milk, drink half, stuff excess pancakes in glass.After breakfast,pick up yesterday's sucker from carpet, lick off fuzz until sticky again, then leave on cushion of your best chair.
Lunch Peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Spit several well-chewed bites onto the floor. Pour glass of milk onto table, then slurp up.
Dinner Dish of ice cream, handful of potato chips, 1 sip of cold coffee.

Final Day: Breakfast1/4 tube of toothpaste (any flavor), bite of soap, one olive. Pour glass of milk over bowl of Cornflakes, add 1/2 cup of sugar. Wait until cereal is soggy, drink milk and feed cereal to dog wih your spoon.
Lunch Eat crumbs off the kitchen floor and dining room carpet. Find that sucker and finish eating it.
Dinner A plate of spaghetti and chocolate milk. Leave meatball on plate. Handful of cheese snacks, eat 2 and place the rest in bowling ball holes or any other convenient hiding place.

Isn't that toooo funny???? It truly does sound like a typical meal at my house sometimes :)

Proverbs 2

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Then shalt thou undersatnd the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and undersanding.
He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stanger which flattereth with her words;
Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

The unique-ness of me

Psalm 139:13-16

For thou has possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

This passage was used this morning during our worship time to help us identify how unique God has made us all. Our speaker was led to discuss with us all the ways that God can use each of our unique details to do His will. I may be the only person who has the unique ability to connect with someone else. Nobody else ever made by God will be exactly like me or have my unique set of gifts. I praise God for making me so unique and I ask Him to show me where I can do His work using the talents that He has given to me.

These thoughts really touched me today. I am 29 years old. I still feel young and unexperienced, but then I see other godly women who are my age - and younger! - who are accomplishing so much for the kingdom of God. I am disgusted with myself for not being able to get my act together. I feel that I am letting down those around me. I wonder what lives I could have touched if only I had followed God's will for my life instead of going my own way. I have been leaning on many crutches over the years....the excuses for why I didn't have it together. No more excuses! The problems that I have are mine alone. I need to deal with them, rather than using them as an excuse for laziness. I will be searching God's word this week to see what God wants for me. I suspect that I already know, for the most part, the area that I will be focusing, but I feel that a time of prayer before I commence will be very appropriate. If you feel led, please pray with me that I will find God's will and direction for my life.

Last Day of September

Here it is the end of September..........where does the time go????? Sometimes I just want time to STOP!!!!! Maybe then I would get something done :)

Today we had soccer games. At overlapping times. At fields on opposite sides of town. I watched the first quarter of Lee's game, took Greg to his game and watched the first quarter. Then I drove back across town and watched the very last of Lee's game and picked him up and then we went back across town, watched the last 5 minutes of Greg's game...went to IGA and then HOME!!!!!

I finally got so sick of the kitchen being a cluttered, disorganized mess that I worked on it. It took about 1.5 hours but the kitchen is in pretty good shape now. I still need to get something with a long handle so that I can get the dustbunnies that live near the ceiling but other than that it is very livable. I might tackle the living room tomorrow. Out of exhaustion I finished knitting Aunt B's shawl. All I need to do is put on the fringe. I personally don't like fringe, but she does so fringe it is. I started working with some new yarn that I just got this evening. It is cool!!!! I can't tell about it because at least one of the recipients of the gifts it will become read this blog............so everyone will have to wait until Christmas :)

I am eagerly anticipating my new Knit Picks catalog....and my new Vision Forum catalog.....and my new Urban Homemaker catalog.........where, oh where are my catalogs :)

Tomorrow will be a typical Sunday....services in the a.m. and then maybe we will go to Grandma's in the afternoon. We will see.

Have a blessed Lord's Day!!!!
Carie

You Can Win.....$700 Worth of Vision Forum Products

This is a great contest!!!!! All that you have to do is go here and read the rules and details....one little email and you are entered!!!!!

Happy guessing!
Blessings,
Carie

Wednesday

Good morning!
Sorry that I haven't been around much lately....life tends to get in the way of blogging :)

We have been busy. Adding speech class and soccer to our already hectic schedule is almost more than I can bear. I guess that it will all be over soon. We are halfway through both. We have a tournament coming up in Evansville for taekwondo and I don't know all of my form....well, I know it, but not good enough for a tournament. In front of all those people I would definately go blank. So I really, really need to work on that.

Aunt B's first shawl is almost complete. I think that there are only 5 more, and a pair of socks to go. I also made up my list of things that I want to knit for Christmas gifts, so I will need to work on those sometime. I guess that I am going to have several projects going at a time for a while.

I went to a different dr. yesterday. He said that the first dr. didn't do the right bloodwork to test me for PCOS. So more blood was drawn. I started my first round of Clomid today. I am hoping that the side effects aren't too bad. It almost seems like I am in a dream. I never thought that I would have fertility problems. Please pray with us that this will work, without anything more invasive. Also, please pray that the insurance will cover the procedures....we are waiting on approval for most of them. I am scared and worried about the whole deal, but I am trying to remember to give it to God. He is bigger than infertility and insurance HMOs.

Thanks to Laura, I have found a wonderful new site for free knitting patterns. Like I need more patterns. (rolling eyes), but anyway, there it is.

Sitting in the doctor's office has given me loads of time to read The Latin Centered Curriculum by Mr. Drew Campbell for the review for TEACH magazine. I will post the link when I am done with that.

Greg's toe is healing nicely. It is still tender, but we aren't having to pad it anymore.

I guess that is all that I have for now. I will try to keep up more regularly, but I didn't really have much to post.
Have a good weekend!

My child in pain

We had to take Gregory to the doctor yesterday. He had dropped a concrete cinder block on his toe Sunday evening and the blood was beginning to spread up his toe. It was really swelled up and looked a lot worse on Wed. morning than it did on Monday. We thought that they would just drain the blood...........we were wrong. :(

First they stuck a needle under his toenail to give him some novacain. They said that this would hurt really, really bad (and for the dr. and nurse to say that.....well it was horribly bad). But the novacain was supposed to keep him from feeling the horrific part. They had to take a skinny pair of pliers and tear his toenail off. The novacain didn't work. I have never heard screaming so intense from anyone in my life. I tried to comfort him as Norman held him down. I was so glad that he was there.....I don't know how I would have handled it without him there. Lee, eager to watch the proceedings, had to turn away....he couldn't watch. When they were done, they discovered why the novacain didn't work.....he had a gash all the way across his toe in the nail bed. That is why there was so much internal blood pooling....the blood couldn't get out and it is still bleeding. Needless to say Greg is getting the royal treatment at this house. No school today.....for anyone.....

This whole experience reminds me of how God must have felt watching Jesus die on the cross for us. The agony for him must have been horrible as Jesus cried out in pain. I can't imagine. I know how I felt yesterday. It makes me ever the more thankful for the sacrifice that was made for me.

Blessings,
Carie

Some final thoughts this evening

In catching up on my reading, I worked through Chapter 4 of Teaching the Trivium by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn. What follows is some thoughts on the subject matter that I thought I would share with you.

First, the Bluedorns describe the Trivium. "First the Grammar of the subject (is studied) - the facts - the who, what, where and when. Second, the Logic of the subject - the theory - the why. Third, the Rhetoric of the subject - the practice - the how."

The Bluedorns (and I for that matter) believe that the classical Trivium is rooted in our created nature. I was so impressed on Sat. at the science workshop (the title of which was Science and the Attributes of God) that the speaker was able to correlate so many parts of nature to the attributes of God. For example, 3 things make up the universe....space, time and matter. There are three dimensions to an object....length, width and height. God is in 3 persons....the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Our speaker refered to this chemical that we were using and in the presence of a alkaline substance it turned one color and in the presence of an acid it turned another color....always. The rule never changed....just like God and his love for us never changes. I believe that this is what the Bluedorns are trying to explain here.

The learning process for almost everything falls into three categories: Knowlege, Understanding and Wisdom. There are many bible verses that refer to these: Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 3: 19-20 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

"""Our Creator worked the fundamental structure of the Trivium into the very fiber of our natural being. We come to know things in the natural world through our natural senses. We come to understand these things with our minds. We put our understanding into wise practice through our muscles."""" pg. 88

The Bluedorns go on the explore the problems with modern education.
"""Our first observation is that modern education majors on the minors. It pursues Trivia, not Trivium. True education should not be like filling an empty bucket. It should be like lighting a fire."""" pg. 93

This reminds me of a favorite book of mine....Ignite the Fire by Teri Camp. This was such an important book in explaining how to nurture the interests of my children. I still refer to this book often.

And continuing: """Our second observation is that modern education interrupts the natural progression of learning.""" pg. 94

And finally: """A true liberal arts education is the mastery of those skills which liberate us from our teachers so that we can learn on our own.""" pg. 99 I couldn't agree more. My goal as a parent/teacher/mentor is to give my children the basic skills and the love of learning. Then I can set them free to learn the things that they need or want to know. This doesn't mean that I don't teach them anything, it means that we leave room for the things that interest them. We follow the "rabbit trails" and see where they lead us. I will never know how the study of a subject will impact my children. God may use my children's special interests for His kingdom. What a shame if I passed by on an opportunity to explore the world that interests them.

In case you, like me, didn't receive a classical education, here are some tips that the Bluedorns give to get us started in the right direction (all taken from pgs. 102-103)
1. Kick the entertainment habit
2. Start reading
3. Ask the Lord to give you an inquiring mind
4. Build vocabulary
5. Have discussions with your children
6. Make sure your children obey you
7. Establish family worship

Happy learning :)

Daily happenings

Today has been a normal day...after a fairly normal weekend. We were very busy this weekend, which is fun for the boys and nerve racking for me :) We went to Lincoln Log Cabin on Friday and had a lovely tour visiting the home of Abe Lincoln's father Thomas Lincoln. On Saturday we went to a science workshop by David d'Armond. They boys had such a great time! They were thanking me the whole rest of the day for taking them. That could be partly due to the fact that I bought the next 2 volume's of Jonathon Park :) Norman had to take my van to work yesterday evening so that he could have the CD player. He hates when he gets behind us in the story :)

I started my Latin studies yesterday. I am using Henle Latin, First Year. It is tough, but very logical so far. I am hoping that it stays tough but logical. I can handle tough as long as it is logical :)

Tonight I will begin rereading The Latin Centered Curriculum by Drew Campbell for a review for TEACH magazine. I learned so many things from reading that book and recommend it heartily. I will save the rest of my opinion for the review :) Don't want to spoil the ending.

I have a dozen books that I am in the middle of reading :) Wouldn't it be nice to finish some up? But then what would I do with my precious spare time???? LOL I am going to start carrying all of my unfinished books in my bag and get to finishing them :) The yarn from my aunt should be here any day and I will have to get to knitting. Maybe I will look into some books on tape.....or I can just listen to more re-runs of Law and Order :)

Have a good week!

American Family Association

Please go over to the American Family Association and see how Walmart has joined forces with a homosexual coalition that promotes gay and lesbian issues. I think that every family needs to determine if they are willing to continue to support Walmart with their purchasing power. Every day I hear something more disturbing about Walmart.

Thanks!!!!!

To Mrs. B at Be Not Conformed for telling me how to do these hyper links. I am such a computer moron :) I need all the help that I can get. Thanks Mrs. B.!!!!!
Blessings,
Carie

September 11

I wasn't going to post about Sept. 11, 2001. I just wasn't going to. It isn't that I want to forget, it is just that I live with the panic and anxiety everyday....I don't generally go out of my way to rehash it. But other bloggers have been encouraging everyone to remember where they were and what they were doing on Sept. 11. So here is our story.

On Sept. 11, 2001 we were at a Day's Inn motel in Metropolis IL. The funeral of my dh's grandmother had been the day before. I got up and switched on CNN (after 9/11 I started watching Fox News) and there was smoke rolling from the first tower. It had just been hit and nobody on the news knew what was going on. Lee woke up also (he was 4) and I remember saying to him "look Lee, some idiot flew a plan in to the World Trade Center, you would think that they could miss that!". We were watching when the second tower was hit. I can't begin to describe the panic that I felt. I was so upset as I woke up Norman. He probably initially thought the hotel building was on fire. Imagine his attitude when he found our that he was awake so that he could watch the news! But quickly his irritation dawned into understanding of the seriousness of what was going on. He woke up his mom and step-dad in the next room and urged them to watch. They left almost immediately.
We watched the pentagon get hit. And wondered how many more plans there were. We watched the towers fall. I was so upset I was sick.....just sitting on the bed and bawling. Then I remembered.....my uncle is a pilot for United Airlines. So the phone calls to my parents began.....they weren't home. Panic turned to terror. Norman walked down to the lobby to get some doughnuts and was told that the Allied Chemical Plant in the area was shut down due to security threats. That was the final straw......we had to go HOME....NOW. I don't think that I have ever showered and dressed and packed so fast in my life. I wanted out of that place and back to the safety of my home and family.....about 3 hours away. We checked out and met up with my sil and got the kids some lunch from McDonald's. And hit the interstate. There was a lot of traffic. We stopped for gas around Rend Lake. It never occurred to us that the prices were raised and thankfully they weren't there. When we arrived back in Effingham though all kinds of problems awaited us. Gas prices had been inflated all over the area...by several dollars. Walmart was the only place that had the same price up and the lines there were snaking all over the parking lot. Thankfully we didn't need gas and hurried home........safe in the country. I got a hold of my parents and found out that my uncle wasn't flying that day. All of my family was safe.

I watched the news for weeks....all day long. It was my constant companion. Finally someone told my dh that the news was probably the cause of all my anxiety....I just couldn't get past my fear. And I think that they were right, when we quit watching the news I was able to control my fear and give it to God.

The repercussions are still here in my family. Sept 11 was my first panic attack. They are frequent companions now. I still watch the news, even for just a few minutes, every single morning. If there is news of a plane crash, I am glued to the TV. Fox News Alerts make my heart jump. And I cry when I watch the specials on TV....but I watch them, over and over.....because I can't forget. I talk to my children often about what happened. Lee doesn't remember that day anymore. Sometimes he will say that he does, but I know that he doesn't. Greg was just a baby. I don't want them to forget either. Nothing will ever be the same again.

I would love to read your 9/11 story. Please post in the comments section a link to your blog. Be Not Conformed has a wonderful 9/11 post and links to othes if you are interested.

Shawls, socks, reviews and kids....Oh My!!!!

Suddenly I have become a very busy woman :) My aunt, from Seattle, WA called and commissioned 3 shawls and a pair of knitted socks from me. She is sending the yarn for the shawls priority mail, last night or today, and wants the first one done ASAP. The other 2 and the socks (for which I will get the yarn) are to be done as I am able. I have another review due in Oct. I have read the book for it, The Latin Centered Curriculum by Andrew Campbell, but I will need to reread and get the review done. I love doing these reviews. I always have an opinion about something and it is great to have a venue to express my opinions :) I also just picked up another kid to babysit. It is only half days and he is a cousin so we are all familiar with each other. He has stayed here many times before, just nothing regular. I know that we will love having him here.

School is going good. Lee is really liking Latin. He is calling it our secret little language :) Hopefully we will have some phrases down so that we can actually talk to each other and keep the excitement going. Greg is wanting to join in the fun, but I told him that he needed to finish his phonics books first...he should wrap that up by Christmas at the latest. I never dreamed that Latin would go this smoothly. Lee grumps a little about the written exercises, but he jumps at the oral ones. And he is a flashcard junkie, so that is going well also. If you would have told me a year ago that Lee would like Latin I would have been on the ground laughing. I never would have believed it. It certainly pays to expand our horizons :)

Also on the homefront, I am beginning my first round of fertility treatments with Clomid in the next week or so. I am hoping and praying that one round is all that it will take, but trying to keep the disappointment level low. How often does this work on the first try anyway??? Prayers are certainly appreciated it you feel led.

That is about all for now....the boys must be awakened so that school can commence. Have a good day!

Praying for the Godfrey's

If you feel led please pray for the Godfrey family. I only know of them online, but they really need prayer right now. The following is taken from http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DandelionSeeds

Quote from Susan's
Blog on Sept. 6th: "This morning has been really rough. We are now
less than 1 week away from the baby's birth and on the way home from taking
Marty to work, it hit me pretty hard. I had to pull over and cry and pray for a
bit. I'm feeling better, but the tears are still just under the
surface..."Please join in prayer to uplift this family during this tough
time. Susan Godfrey (former blog
at homeschool blogger) will be induced on September 12th, with a potential
c-section if things don't go well. Because the baby has potter's syndrome,
it will die within hours of being born. They have known about it since the
beginning of June and her blog has contained many heart-wrenching posts about
the life alive within her that's safe until it enters the world

This just breaks my heart. Please pray if you feel led.

Blessings,

Carie

.

And now there are 2

Socks that is :) I finished the other one and amazingly it looks just like its mate. Life is good :)

On the downside, blogger has done something to my blog. I updated my links, etc. before my last post and previewed my blog and everything looked good and then I saved the changes, wrote the last entry and logged out. When I came back just now my whole side-bar is at the bottom of the page!!!!! ARRRRR!!!! I have no idea how to fix this. I have only enough knowledge of HTML to get myself in trouble (current problem is proof of that). If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Have a good evening!
Carie

A Meek and Quiet Spirit

Do you have a meek and quiet spirit?

I struggle with having a meek and quiet spirit. I complain....a lot. I fuss at the kids....a lot. I lose my patience...at everyone...a lot. I don't feel that I have the kind of attitude that God would want me to have.

I am working on this. If this is a problem area for you as well, I would encourage you to look at a few verses with me.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

"I" can do "all" things....everything....through Jesus Christ......He strengthens me. God will never give me anything that I can't handle. When I am stressed out the main reason generally is fear. I am afraid that I won't get everything done. I am afraid that I will be late, or that everything won't be prepared. I fear failure. But in Philippians we have this promise that God will be with us, standing with us, helping to bear our burdens. And lets face it, what is more important, being on time for another practice or the character/training of my children? I think that my children should come before any outside activity. My boys have been given to me by God to raise, they are my ministry. I should not neglect my ministry.

Teri Maxwell writes in her book Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit (www.titus2.com) that the key to our meek and quiet spirit is time with the Lord Jesus. Do you get the time you need to refuel your heart from God? I know that very often, I don't. I always think of a million other things that I can do with that time. God's word and time in prayer with Him is the most important thing!

Psalm 119:105 reads "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." How can God's word lead you if you are not receiving it daily? How can Jesus come into our hearts everyday if we are not talking and listening to Him?

2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
---Look at what the word of God can do for us! It leads us, guides us, corrects us, teaches us. From God's word we learn the importance of having a meek and quiet spirit.

Philippians 4:6
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Prayer and study of God's word can aid us in having a meek and quiet spirit. Teri Maxwell says "Plan to read your Bible each day.......I like to record what I read each day, plus copy out one verse that has personal meaning to me. Then I take it a step further and write out why I chose that verse.........A prayer journal is important too."

I have been reading my Bible many days. I find that the days that I do, I am calmer and more able to accept "interruptions" as they come. I feel less anxious and there is joy in my heart. I don't have a prayer journal right now, but I have kept one in the past, and feel the Lord leading me to start another one. I like to see my prayer requests written out with their answers beside them. Many of my prayers have been answered, but sometimes we forget! It is wonderful to have a remind of God's grace and mercy in our individual lives. I have a PINK highlighter that I am using to mark the verses in my Bible that seem to be "speaking" to me. God uses His word to speak to us.......I think that it is about time that I listen!!!!!!

Discussions at our House

We have had some interesting discussions here at my house lately. Greg has become fascinated with everything to do with babies. Where do babies come from? How did they get in there? How do they get out???? Don't you know mom?????? Yes, of course I do. Does dad???? Yeah, I told him :) He has also started singing our cocker spaniel to sleep in the afternoons. He is convinced that she can't take a nap unless he sings to her. And boy is he mad if someone accidentally wakes her up! So now that I have explained (in the least detailed way possible) the answers to all of his questions, he want to know what babies do while they are here. How much do they sleep, when and what do they eat, what do they wear, can they talk, etc. Now, this child has been around babies, several different babies, but I guess that maybe he never paid attention. Since he is the "baby" at our house, he doesn't have 1st hand knowledge of a lot of these things himself. ATTN: I am not at this time pregnant. I would love to be, but I am not. I am hoping that maybe this is some kind of prepartion for a surprise that God has for us :)

Also, we are studying history chronologically starting with Genesis this year. After 4 weeks, we have got to Noah (I am worried that ancient history may take as long to study as it did to occur). Anyway, Lee decided that people who believe that the flood was a localized event must be nuts because God promised never to send another flood and we have localized floods all the time.....and God never lies so He must have been referring to another WORLD WIDE flood. Fabulous thinking!!!!! I was so proud. Most of the time they just sit there and don't like to discuss anything. I always wonder if they are listening, but today they were!

I am liking all of this discussion here at our house, but I would like to set some rules if you don't mind:
1. No questions about babies before 8:30 a.m. I am just not awake enough before then.
2. Discussions of all kinds should be limited to days when my brain is actually up to it. We should not sit like dummies on the days that mom is at peak brain production and then expect to have an intellectual conversation on the day when I am brain dead....Fair?
3. In retrospect, I think that I have had my fair share of baby questions, go ask your dad. He knows all the answers, I told him.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Carie