Jun. 29, 2008 - Moving
I thought a new blog would be in order since we have a new life.
www.homeschoolblogger.com/starlite
Come visit me!
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May. 5, 2008 - Home again
I realize that I haven't been on much lately. Life has a way of moving too quickly and before you realize it, much changes. I also find it hard to write when things may not be going so well, as I tend to want to emphasize the postive, not the negative.
As I write this, I am sitting in my mom's house in Florida, trying to get over some major jet lag. The kids and I left Pakistan Friday night. I have no idea when Mike will join us. He has to clear out the apartment and sell our car before he returns.
These past few months have been extremely difficult and stressful on us. We realized how much they were affecting us, and that caused us to make the decision to return home. We have no idea when, if ever, we will return. At this point we have no plans. It was simply a matter of leaving before permanent damage was done to our relationships. I suppose we do have one plan , and that is for both of us to get some counseling, both together and apart. It is a very difficult and painful place to be in. It is also quite scary as we have no idea of what the future holds, or how long until we can make a plan to move forward with our lives and find the next step.
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Apr. 4, 2008 - Old friends
This week I was able to get in touch with an old friend from high school. It was so good to catch up on what has been going on in our lives over the past 15 years. With us both being MKs, we didn't have to explain what we meant-we just knew what the other one meant. It was so special. She and I were best friends all through high school and I even lived with her and her family one semester of my senior year while I was boarding. We kept in touch somewhat in college, but were always several states away, and then gradually lost touch through marriages and moves. There's no friend so special as that "soul sister" friend!
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Mar. 20, 2008 - Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone has been the #1 foreign language curriculum among homeschoolers for a while -- next week they are unleashing a brand new curriculum, and you can WIN the *all new* Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3… FOR FREE!
This is a $219 program (and believe me it's worth every penny!) and the winner gets to pick from any of these 14 languages: Spanish (Spain or Latin America), English (American or British), Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Hebrew, or Russian.
This will also include a headset with microphone, and students will participate in lifelike conversations and actually produce language to advance through the program. Rosetta Stone still incorporates listening, reading and writing as well, in addition to speaking. Many homeschoolers requested grammar and vocabulary exercises, and with Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3, they're included! For parents, the new Parent Administrative Tools are integrated into the program and allow parents to easily enroll students in any of 12 predetermined lesson plans, monitor student progress, and view and print reports.
To win this most excellent program -- in the language of your choice -- copy these (blue) paragraphs and post it in (or as) your next blog post -- then to enter the contest, go to the original contest page HERE: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/JenIG/501132/ and leave a comment with the link showing where you blogged about it. And please make sure the link works to get back to the original contest page when you post it. And good luck! The winner will be picked randomly on March 26, and will be notified thru the link they left to their blog pg. And if you have more than one blog, you can post them and enter those separately for more chances to win. Yay for free stuff!
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Mar. 17, 2008 -
Wow, am I ever a lousy blogger! I haven't been on here in like forever!
Let's see...what is being going on here in Pakistan? Well, not much and then too much other days! School is going great. Mickey loves doing Five in a Row. Our favorite book so far has been How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World. We read lots of books about the countries in the book, and then made our very own apple pie. The recipe in the book was very easy and it turned out good. I meant to take pictures, but it all disapeared too fast! Caityn and Chelsea have been enjoying Sky and Sea from WinterPromise. We're into the 20th century now and will be starting the space age soon.
We're had a bit of turmoil here again. Last night there was a bombing right here in islamabad. We've yet to hear a full story of what really happened, but here's what I've peiced together so far. It seems a bom was planted in the back garden of the Luna Caprese. i've been there once for a meal, and it is a really nice place where mostly foreigners go. Normally it is quite busy on Saturday nights, but last night there was also a party going on at the UN Club (another Western hangout). So when the bomb went off, there were only about a dozen people there, instead of the normal 30-40. It has been confirmed that one lady died and several others are injured severely.
This was the first attack that targeted foreigners specifically in several years. We're just praying that this isn't the start of a new wave of attacks.
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Feb. 26, 2008 - Bummed about YouTube
This is going to sound crazy, and really petty. After all, I'm supposed to be the mature adult here, right? Well, dd13 and I have been on a pout fest all weekend. Why? you might ask. Since you were nice enough to ask, I'll tell you.
Since we got our new internet connection, we've had a new new hobby-YouTube surfing! I have found tons of the old TV shows and the funniest videos on it. We have free downloading every night after 8pm, so she and I have been watching all kinds of crazy stuff!
This past weekend, Pakistan pulled the plug on YouTube. All the internet servers are blocking it!
Now we need to come up with a new hobby. Watching the paint peel? nah, did that last year.... Track the ratio of sugar ants to the biting kind as the weather heats up? nah, the reasearch would be too painful as those little buggers really hurt when they bite! Sigh. Oh well, life goes on.
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Feb. 20, 2008 - Wordless Wednesday
Since it has officially been wednesday here for 4 minutes, I thought I would get a head start on blogging this!
Our new neighborhood is much more in town-we even get the monkey guy 1-2xs a week!
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Feb. 7, 2008 - Long haul
Since we've been back, I've been doing some thinking-re-evaluating last term, setting some goals for this term, etc. I came across something that I had written shortly before we left and it struck me anew. For several years now, we have worked as part of a team that reaches out to Afghan refugees by means of an EFL school. Various people have come and gone over the years, but a core group of teachers has stayed. And they all are single women-some younger like me, others older. The one thing that they all have in common is that they are single women who spend their days in what would be considered "active ministry". I don't. A large portion of my time goes into the schooling, feeding, and cleaning up after my family.
I try to study the Dari language and Farsi when I have time (haven't yet found a teacher since my return), I tutor an Iranian girl 3-4 days a week, and I am trying to have more staff functions (including fun times) at our house. But still I get the feeling once in a while that it's not "good enough". In no way do I mean to imply that anyone on our team puts down what I do at all. It's just that feeling you get when you try to be part of a conversation about the ministry and the vibe comes to you that "you aren't really part of this-after all, what do you spend your days doing?'
I did a study on Keepers At Home shortly before we left for furlough and these are some of the thoughts that I jotted down.
Deacons in the Bibe are not judged on the basis of their outside ministry but rather their homelife. Titus does not tell the young women to go out and do-but rather to stay home with the children and to take care of the kids and their husbands. Children are a mother's primary responsibility . It comes down to whether or not you believe that your children are valuable enough for your time and focus. In the end, a man is judged by his family, not his work. Can you really call ministry a sucess if you lose your family in the process? However, this is not an excuse to hide behind your family. We are all called to share the Gospel. It reminds me of what Jesus said, "The poor will always be with you." The work/ministry isn't going anywwhere. It will still be there after the kids are older and more independent. After all, we weren't called to save the world overnight-we're in it for the long haul.
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Feb. 5, 2008 - Crockpot ideas?
My one big splurge this year before returning to Pakistan was buying a crockpot to bring back with me. (Okay, so my REALLY big splurge will be buying an AC for our bedroom so we can actually sleep this summer)
However, I forgot one small, crucial thing-recipes for the crockpot! Does anybody know any good websites? Or maybe feel lead to email me a few? 
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Feb. 2, 2008 - Our new house
Since I haven't been on homeschool blogger for over two months, I thought I would show you what we've been doing since we came back. (By the way, I am fianlly enjoying getting to back through and read all of my friends' blogs and catch up on everything you all have been doing!)
As you might remember, we found out in mid-November that we had finally gotten financial clearance to return to Pakistan and discovered that if we wanted to travel on and be able to renew our current visas, we had to be in Pakistan before December 1st. So quickly, we packed, and arrived on November 29th.
Let me just say that it is never good when one of your co-workers meets you at the airport with the following statement: "Let's get you guys settled into a guest house and then we need to talk." Basically, beacuse we had been delayed in returning, our apartment had sat empty for 3 monnths. During that three months, there was some water leakage and possibly some rain flooding that took place. Almost everything was ruined by thick black mold. The most awful smell that I have ever encountered-and living overseas, I have encountered a few!
After tossing most of the old stuff, it was obvious that we needed a new place to live. Mold was growing under the paint on the walls, and it was the type that just being in the room for a few minutes made your throat tighten up and coughing start. So we began looking for a new house-not an easy job in Islamabad since the earthquake of 2005. Rent prices have gone through the roof! Finally, we did find a second-floor two bedroom apartment that fit into our budget.
Here is the before picture of the living room:
And now the after-after two months of cleaning and furnishing and getting it livable:
As you can see, we still need to paint where the AC hole used to be. We filled it in, but it has been damp so the concrete hasn't dried yet thoroughly. In a few months, we will install an AC unit on the wall so that the summers will be bearable. It does get to be 110 F and higher during the summers.
On another note, this has been the coldest winter on record here. We are having temperatures below freezing almost every night. Oh yeah, and the heaters only work in two rooms! BRRR! We have become the masters of quick clothing changes and short showers! But, thank God, our water heater works great so once we get the hot water flowing it does stay hot.
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Jan. 31, 2008 - I'm BACK!!!!!!!!
Finally after 2 months of being back in Pakistan and 6 weeks in our new house, the internet guys came today! I have internet at home! Yeah!!!!!
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Dec. 29, 2007 - Update
Thank you for all of you who have been praying for us. We are getting settled into our new place and are really liking it. God provided a nice upstairs apartment for us. i'll have to post pictures soon.
Despite the political turmoil, we are safe and are glad to be finally back.
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Dec. 5, 2007 - Arrival surprise!
We have arrived back in Pakistan! We had a bit of a nasty surprise awaiting us at our old house, though. There was obviously water leakage somewhere in the house and during the 3 months that it had been empty (after the sub-leasers had left) mold began to grow. and grow. and grow. everything was covered in black and white mold. Very nasty smell!
We spent several days looking and found a new place. It is an upstairs apartment with nice balconies for the kids to play on. Once we get settled, I'll have to take pictures. it is a bit more expensive than we would have liked, but rents here are still outrageous compared to the rest of the country.
We are off to go furniture shopping later today. I think our dishes and kitchen stuff can be cleaned and used, but anything cloth (furniture, rugs, linens) has to be tossed as they are covered in the mold. If were just a light layer, I would try to get them cleaned, but this is a damp, bubbly black and white mold.
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Nov. 21, 2007 - Life
I thought I would drop in here and give you all an update on what is going on. The past two weeks have been....hectic.... and the next week it will be .....what's the word for beyond hectic?
Last week Mike finally came home on Tuesday. On Thursday all of us girls (including my mom!) drove up to Atlanta so that Chelsea could have her trip to the American Girl store to buy her Julie doll. She had saved up all her money for so long to get her! Then we zipped home the next day. On Saturday, my grandma passed away. It was expected and a release for her as she never came out from her stroke. Monday I had the wonderful priviledge of taking Caitlyn to her Hannah Montana concert. It was....loud...fun...and good for her to get out and have some fun. I appreciated the good, clean entertainment. She was almost more excited about the Jonas Brothers! ;)
Now this week I pack. And repack. And sort. And figure out what can be left behind. And do Thanksgiving. Funeral. Family Christmas. Last reports at two churches. And pack. And then on Monday redo it all as that is the day the school book order will arrive and I have to figure out how to fit 400 pounds of books, clothes, favorite toys, a printer, a crockpot, a coffepot, etc into the alloted 500 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We fly out Tuesday evening.. At that point I collapse.
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Nov. 12, 2007 -
My grandma-the one that was put on Hospice two weeks ago- had a stroke on Fiday night. She is still at home but non-responsive. So at this point it is really just a waiting game. Please pray for us as we all process this and prepare to leave at the same time. It is hardest on the kids, I think, as they don't fully understand what is happening.
I got my Rod and Staff order and part of my Amazon FIAR order. The books looked so good that I wanted to start now!
Tomorrow starts the packing in earnest. Over the weekend we sorted adn had a big yard sale to get rid of things that we aren't taking. Now to fit it all in 10 suitcases of only 50 pounds each, when school books are going to take up at least 200 pounds!
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Nov. 10, 2007 - Departure Update
It is either drought or monsoon in our lives! We waited months to see if we would be able to return to Pakistan or not, and this week we found out that not only do we have clearance to go, we have to leave by the end of the month so that we don't loose our visas!
Of course, Mike is still not home and won't be until next Wednesday-giving us about 2 weeks to sort, purchase, pack and repack everything. Need I even say that we are on vacation from school until such time as I decide life is sane again!
So i quickly without giving it the agonizing thought process that I normally go through, ordered next year's school books. It doesn't look like my mom will be out to see us this year so I have bring not only this year but next year's books.
Mickey: Five in a Row Vol 1 and 2. ordered most of Vol 1 books and have some Vol 2 already. Still doing Rod and Staff preschool. ordered Get Ready, Get Set, Go for the Code and Liberty math k.
Chelsea: Rod and Staff English, Spelling, History, and Science. Wordly Wise. and maybe BJU Reading. (I haven't ordered from BJU yet-still going through the billing paperwork to charge it to our mission account).
Caitlyn: BJU 8th grade DVD program. Simple. No more decisions. Full math videos, Science labs on DVD!
We will also do the readers from Sonlight's Core 3/4 as both girls are doing American History.
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Nov. 6, 2007 - Prayer request
Pakistan is having some major political problems right now. The last day to travel to Pakistan on our visas is November 30th of this year. The office might give us special permission to return because of the visas even though our finances are not 100% yet. Visas are almost impossible to renew if you are not there. My grandma was just put on hospice,and my mom has no help on a daily basis is caring for her except me. Mike comes home next week and we will basically have two weeks to decide what to do. All I can say is pray for us that the right decisions will be made.
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Nov. 5, 2007 - What I have learned this week
Whenever I am stressed, I curriculum plan. I have about 5 Five in a row units planned out for Mickey right now. I have the next five years planned out for the girls using three different curriculums! Can you tell I might be stressing just a bit? Breathe in, breathe out........
Much better now. 
I have the latest issue of TOS sitting here waiting to be read. Maybe I should just go read it so that I can learn about all the wonderful new products and ditch the other three plans I made and come up with a new one! Ha! I have discovered a few things about myself lately. 1. I love to plan unit studies and buy literature based curriculum, but when it comes down to the nitty gritty every day, I'd rather have a textbook and a set goal for the day. 2. I hate science experiments. 3. High school science is going to require LABS! I don't do labs. 4. There is a new portable DVD player that has a 12 hour battery life. Buying it and doing DVDs for high school sounds really, really, really good to me some days. Plus I could send in all the work for them to grade and then I am no longer the bad guy!
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Oct. 29, 2007 -
Sorry it has been so long since I blogged. Things have been hectic around here to say the least. Two weeks ago my grandma (89 years old) fell and got a compression fracture in her spine. Problem was, she didn't bother telling us that she had fallen for several days until her back was really hurting. We got her in to the doctor and had x-rays, etc done and they put her on pain medicine until they could do a procedure to correct it. Problem is her pain meds really set her off. She was loopy and incoherant. We thought that in the time around the fall she might have also had a mini-stoke. It got worse and we got her meds changed. But she was still "off" so we got her admitted to the hospital. Her heart and respiration are erractic and they don't think it has anything to do with her meds. Her doctore says she needs a pacemaker, but she couldn't cope with the surgery in the condition she is in. So they are sending her home tomorrow on hospice.
I think we all knew this was coming in the past few years, but that doesn't make it any more pleasant to go through. I am glad we are here for my mom as she goes through this time.
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Oct. 15, 2007 - titles are hard to think up!
I've had some questions about how we manage to do our WinterPromise the way we do it. I think the one main thing that helps is that both girls are good readers and are 10 and 12-on the older side for the program we chose. On Mondays, the girls both do the history and science readings independently. This can take anywhere from an hour to 3 hours (and they don't mind reading that long AT ALL! After that we do the activity pages, timelining, notebooking, and other experiments together. total time: 30-45 minutes-we have discovered that after all, unless it involves cooking, we're not that big into hands-on stuff. At some point during the day I do math with each girl. We're using Saxon, so that rarely takes more than half an hour. That wraps up our Mondays. It is the "lite'' day in our school week.
On Tuesdays-Fridays we do the rest of school, which for Caitlyn includes Saxon 76, Streams of Civ 2, Total Health, Rod and Staff Grammar and Spelling, Wordly Wise, Fallacy Detective, Christian Charm Course, Bible reading, and Literature. Chelsea does Saxon 54, Rod and Staff Grammar and Spelling, wordly Wise, Handwritng, Art, Reading (WP readers), Bible reading, Christian Charm Course, and Beautiful Feet History of the Horse (totally her choice-I bought it to use next year but she couldn't wait!
Mickey does what he wants when he wants. If he wants stories, we do winter promise's Journies of Imagination; if he wants activities we do either cheap Walmart workbooks or Rod and Staff.
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