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Well we have made the decision to put the kids in public school next year. As I hope many of you understand it was a very difficult decision... 2 out of the 3 are looking forward to it. The other is warming up to the idea. They have to go at the end of the month for their grade placement testing. I'm trying to not be too concerned about it and see what the results show. On the plus side it is a small school system. (650 students K-12) It's just a few miles down the road and I plan to drop them off and pick them up most of the time. I'm planning to remain working part-time, so I can be involved with them at school. (Maybe I'll sign up for substitute teaching. Do you think a ps wants a former homeschool mom as a substitue? LOL) Although I'm considering FINALLY finishing my bachelor's degree. I really want to get that done. Right now since I have to work--and our lives are not as flexible as they once were--it's the best choice to make sure they are getting a consistent education. We have given thema strong foundation (educational & biblical), but we did not accomplished near what I wanted to this year and so that is where the decision came to enroll them. I know I will miss them and have to adjust--but it does give me a since of relief since my plate has been so full lately. Gosh, I will miss the comraderie of the homeschool moms. Our family is in a new season/chapter of life. My hubby and I feel so much more at ease than we did a year ago. There are many things we miss about ministry but the stress is not one of them. We are getting further away from our "hurt feelings"--but continue to look to the Lord for full healaing--it just requires a little more time. (As some of you may know being hurt in the church environment can be the worst kind. However, God is not the one who hurt is--he is faithful.) Overall, life is good. We love the house and where it's located. We've paid off a couple of debts! (Woohoo!) We have consistent income (thank the Lord). George is serving as a teacher in our church. We are beginning to dream again and looking forward to the future. (That's a blessing to be able to have hopes and dreams again.) I'm not sure but I've been considering moving my blog towards the end of summer...since we won't be "homeschoolers" anymore... I'll have to look and see what other blog sites are out there. God Bless and thanks for reading. I will try to write a few more times before the end of summer. Thanks for your support, prayers, and comments over these last few years. PS My grandfather remarried this weekend. He's happy and doesn't have to be "alone" anymore--that makes me happy. I just wanted to share that with those who remember my grandmother I lost almost two years ago. |
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I've been wanting to get over hear to write for a few days but because of the ice storms our internet service was down a couple of days and I've been tyring to limit my computer time. I really miss reading up on all of you. But I'm trying to be more active, and setting at the keyboard doesn't count. Okay, Jan 8 I began Weight Watcher meetings. Monday was my first week weigh-in (drum roll) I lost 5.7 lbs. yeah! {fireworks, backward flips} I'm so excited. I've got to get this weight off and keep it off. I've been having to make myself eat my final points in the evenings. I've been working out everyday, yes everyday! I am actually enjoying it. I really like going to the gym, but because of the distance I try to do that only three times a week and workout at home the other days. I've been using Walk Away The Pounds (2 or 3 mile) by Leslie Sansone and Shape Your Female Fat Zones by Denis Austin. They do really work me out. I'm so excited: can you tell. We've been slowly getting back into school mode. It seems so sluggish after the break plus the cold, icy weather has made it hard, too. I'd rather curl up on the couch and watch a movie.. but that doesn't do anyone any good, huh. So we've been plugging away. Our history and science has gotten behind, so the next break we will spend some time making those up. It seems the harder I try to get up earlier to get started the more stuff that need to be done. Oh, well. My 6yo son has been working really hard on his school work. Flying through his math. His writing has gotten so much better. I'm so proud of him. My 5yos has been working on learning his letters. (these last few weeks he's more interested in playing with Legos). DD8yo is reading away. She is picking up multiplication extremely fast. (All hail the Math U See) I just love homeschooling. It's the best! I'll be back later to post more. And update our debt reduction. I hope you enjoy the new pictures and music. God Bless. |
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We brought the New year in at home. Another nice, quiet day. I love those. We start back to school on Monday. You know one difference between homeschool families and traditional school families... As a homeschool mom I look forward to Christmas break as much as my kids do!! (or any break for that matter) Now, now I love homeschooling, but these past few weeks I've been able to get some extra house cleaning done and time to sit and relax. On breaks I realize how much work homeschooling really is-- not bad just a realization. Okay sometime this month when I can get the money together I am joining Weight Watchers. This time I'm going to try the meetings. I did it online a couple of years ago and lost 25+ lbs. Now I'm going to commit to the meetings to see if I can loose more and keep it off. We finished up our travel last week. We had a blast visiting my dad and brothers. We taught my brothers how to play Extreme Uno (a new way my hubby learned while in Ukraine). My grandpa seems to be doing much better. Thanks for your prayers. My step-mom gave me some jewelry her mom had bought for Christmas. Also, my grandpa gave all the daughter in laws a bracelet that has my dad and bros names and birth stones on it. Apparently my grandma had ordered them way earlier in the year--they were just like a bracelet she was buried with. (Isn't it amazing people of that generation didn't wait until the last minute. They were prepared way ahead of time.) What a blessing. We were suppose to attend a wedding in St. Louis area this weekend, but after our travels across the state these past few weeks we just didn't have another 10 hr round trip in us. (Sorry to our friends.) My husband's mom and brother came to visit Tues and Wed then left this morning. They are on their way back to Nashville as I'm writing. I'm planning to sit here and relax today (ok, and do laundry)! Then tomorrow we start prepping SweetieGirl's room to paint. Finally after a year of promises we are actually doing it. Then Sat we have the first Upward basketball game. Geo Jr is playing and SweetieGirl is cheering. And we have a birthday party that day, too. If I don't rest today. I won't get a chance to. Oh, I've got to share with you about my toilets. (yeah strange I know) We have well water and a septic system and I had noticed these yellow stains on the inside of toilet that would not budge. My sil suggested LimeAway. I had previously bought the spray and had no success, but that was a while ago. I decided to give it a go-- this time I bought the gel type and sat and scrubbed those toilets yesterday. They look as good as new. I am so pleased. I just always felt like the were never cleam b/c of those stains.. but now I'm not ashamed to have someone in my bathroom. yeah. (One of my praises today.) I'm going to work on getting a new slideshow together. So stay tuned for that. God bless each of you this year. |
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I'm not sure if it's because I am older and care more or if politics has changed. It seems that everything has a political motive. Has it always been this way?
My political opinions seem to deepen the more mature I become in my faith. Is it just me?
On Tuesday here in Missouri we will cast our votes for Senate, one of the heated races in the nation. We will also bevoting on several amendments, but the one with the most weight is Amendment 2 dealing with Stem Cell Research.
Growing up I was always told that voting is like choosing the lesser of two evils. As an adult I disagree. I try to vote for the canidate that seems to align most closely with my Christian worldview. I'm not a straight party voter. I try to be an informed voter and that doesn't include weighing the arguments from campaign ads. Sometimes they tell me what I need to know in the add, but usually they spend too much time attacking the other canidate. I try to read several different media sources and find some truth. I also try to pay attention to voting and political news throughout the year.
My point is to encourage everyone of us to know who and what we are voting. Don't just vote because that name sounds good or they look nice on television. Pray! Seek God to lead you do vote for who (or what) will carry out policies that will please Him. Is that not our purpose to live as Jesus did?
Some think that Christians should not be involved with politics, but I don't see how you can be a Chrisitan and not. Just because we know Christ is coming back doesn't mean we hand over the "hand basket."
Let me say in response to my previous post about Missouri Amendment 2. I do support Stem Cell Research as long as it is Adult Stem Cells. What I do not support in Amendment 2 is that it allows for embryonic stem cell research. I will not support it or any other with that clause to allow for human embryos to be used for scientific research.
Why is it that people see an embryo as a baby if it is to be used for invitro fertilization. (Which is a wonderful option for couples that otherwise would be barren.) But when the embryo fetus is fertilized and grown for about 14 days and then destroyed for it's stem cells it's not seen as a baby. Craziness I say.
I pray that more cures can be found through Adult Stem Cells. But I will not support the destruction of embryos.
God Bless.
(I did not write to offend--but I wanted to speak somethings on my mind and heart.) |
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You'll notice the new picture cube above. There are a few pictures from Halloween. We just returned from Cape Girardeau, MO. It was the Missouri Baptist Convention. I had the pleasure of enjoying a luncheon with Joyce Rogers, wife of the late Adrian Rogers, as the speaker. She gave encouragement to pastor's wives to enjoy ministry with their husbands and always support them. She helped remind me to not take the small things for granted and enjoy each moment God gives me with my husband.
Wednesday Dr. Richard Land, President of SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, spoke about Missourians taking a stand against Amendment 2. Even though we know Christ will return someday, we don't know when that day is and we must fight for Christian values. It was a priviledge to hear him speak.
We were able to visit with some friends we haven't seen in a while. We also spent some time with family since they lived farly close. It was the best time I've had with family in a while. My kids enjoyed playing with their cousins. They can't wait until our next visit.
Please pray for the state of Missouri as next Tuesday we will be voting on an amendment for cloning. (If you live in Missouri please view the 20 reasons to vote NO below.) I pray that it will not pass to save baby and women lives!
Thanks! God Bless. |
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My friend kindredspirit or CreativeHomeschooling Relieve a little Halloween stress with some bowling. We enjoyed this at our house. I got this from an e-mail today.... Mrs. Goodnest
A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her. She said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed. The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor boy he knew. She did this for the whole week. As the boys walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally he said to Timmy, "Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?" Timmy nonchalantly replied, "Yeah, I know who she is." The friend said, "Well, who is she?" "That's just Shirley Goodnest," Timmy replied, "and her daughter Marcy." "Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us? " "Well," Timmy explained, "every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!" The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always |
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Karla tagged me. My first tag ever...so here it goes.
ONE BOOK THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE: The Bible & The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey |
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I got a new hair color today. It takes me sometime to adjust.
Did you hear this crazy news? They changed the rules for planets and now Pluto is out--it's a dwarf planet. Here's the article I read.
I guess since we had such a good school day on Tuesday we had to make up for it today. It was a sturggle to get the kids to do anything, although we did get our work done. But I am so glad today is over. Hopefully, we will have a much better day tomorrow.
And I walked 1.2 miles on Wednesday. Woohoo. |
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I got this in an e-mail and it was too cute not to pass on.
Click here for relief from the hot weather: http://home.valornet.com/sabruf2/countchr.html |
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Hello friends,
Just to let you know I'm working on visiting each of my friend's blogs over the next few days. I haven't been able to get to each one in a while and I really enjoy reading everyone's...so be looking for my comment. Thursday night I read many great posts and look forward to many more.
I entered the contest for giving reviews. I was reminded by Dena when I visited her blog Thursday.
Today or yesterday, since it's 1:30 am, we went school shopping. It is our "no state sales tax" weekend. First, I had to return a book to a fellow homeschooler. It was so nice to meet Patti face to face; I love talking to anyone about homeschooling but especially veterans.
I let the kids pick out their school supplies with guidance or they would have gotten one of everything. The kids had a great time. Then we went to GPH, a Christian/Homeschool bookstore, to pick up an order. The order was the Rose Book of Maps and Charts (this will help with MOH and bible study-it is lovely), I Can Do All Things, and Making Brothers and Sisters Friends.
Then I was off to Mardel, another Christian/Homeschool bookstore, looking for Handwriting books. I decided to use a D'Nealian curriculum. After looking at two books of the same type of handwriting I finally picked one; then when I get home I decide I should have gotten the other. So is life. (I'll keep all your suggestions for future reference. Thank you.) I was able to find a little caddy I wanted for colored pencils, markers, crayons, etc, so everything is in one neat, portable place.
I bought a cute D'Nealian preschool book that has a booklet for each letter for Mac. SweetieGirl picked out a cursive handwriting book for herself; I wasn't planning on her getting one. She was introduced to all the cursive letters last year and writes her name in cursive almost always. The book she selected has her writing recipes to poems to short stories. Wow! She did a great job picking one out.
I was excited to find one Bible coloring book and one Bible puzzle book for the sale and they are both reproducible. I'm going to have the kids journal about our Bible time; I know those will be great additions. The journal idea came from one of my daughters previous Sunday School teachers (oh, she was awesome)...she had the kids journal every Sunday. One week was scraps of material, another magazine pics, or a picture of the child with friends or a drawing-all as they applied to their lesson. It is a treasure of the lessons my daughter learned that entire Sunday School year. What a treat!!
We began reading Making Brothers and Sisters Friends. We're only on page 3 and I'm hooked; we're reading it as a family. I know we are all going to learn a lot.
I also received my This Old Schoolhouse magazine yesterday; I just got to look at a few pages today. When I got the mail this morning I got the Charolette Mason books I bought and The Way The Learn (I'd been wanting this one for a long time.), and Writing Strands, Level 3.
Now this week I'm working a friend's shift at the store because she's on vacation. I have no idea when I'll have time to get my reading done...but I can't wait. There is so much good material to read in my kitchen.
BlubberBlogger friends I ate out way too much today. I had a Wendy's Taco Salad for lunch, but for dinner at Texas Roadhouse I had grilled bbq chicken with a loaded baked potato. It was good, yet I'm sure the scale will pay be back on Wednesday.
**I have added a few new pics the to the slideshow here and to my other blog site. **I want to note that if you are interested you can make your own slide show here or get a music video here or check out John's Christian music codes for awesome music. (Caution: I do not necessarily endorse everything about these sites.)
I have got to get to bed. I have a brunch and to work for a friend tomorrow.
Everyone have a GREAT weekend! |