Ok, Gina tagged me, and since I've never done anything like this, here it goes:

 

6.  I HATE odd numbers, especially the number 13.  Now...if the number ends with 5, it's ok.  Why?  No idea.  For example, if the TV volume is on 11, I have to change it  to either 10 or 12.   However, I am not afraid of Friday the 13th, I'm not superstitious, just OCD :)

 

5.  Every time I get a headache, I think I'm having an anurism...Headaches just scare me.

 

4.  My biggest phobia is of killer whales.  Ask anyone who knows me well...I get teased about it a lot.  I have nightmares about them at least once a week.  I've dreamed that they have tried to eat my children--I woke up scared to death and genuinely worried that a killer whale will get them.  (even though I live nowhere near an ocean, or an ocean that you would find a killer whale in).  My theory is that my mother let me watch Orca (she worked in a movie theater) when I was around 7 years old and it scarred me for life.....

 

3.  I hate it when people are over competitive.  Even with sports or games, but especially with material things or with children.  It repulses me actually.

 

2.  I love to watch Star Trek: The Next Generation and play video games....translation: I'm a nerd and proud!!

 

1.  I am on a secret mission to win the heart of my little niece, Emily.  She pretends not to like me, but I KNOW she does!!

 

Ok, there you have it, I tag Janelle, she's the only one I can think of that reads my blog other than Gina and Sarah :) 

 

 

Hello and howdy!   Lots and lots going on this week!  International day is on Tuesday and Cam is doing Portugal for her country.  It should be really cute.  We've been working on it over this weekend, so we should be done by Monday night!  Cam also has a piano recital on Thursday night, which should be fabulous!  I'm excited to hear the other kids and just for the good fellowship.  So I will have a busy week...

 

I'm putting a few pics of some finished projects!  I'll post more as I finish projects, I also made a cool hat for my cousin/brother-in-law, Aaron.  It's grey with a black stripe, it turned out nice and he liked it which made me super happy :) !   Ok, done for now, will blog more later! 

The other day, Cam was reading out of her history book and while she was reading this, it really made me think....She was reading about Freedom of Speech and Press and here's what the book says:

 

"However, before I use these freedoms, I must think carefully and ask myself these questions:

 

1. Have I thought about what I am saying, or am I just speaking angrily or selfishly?

 

2. Do I know for sure that what I am reading or what I am saying is true?

 

3. Do my words help other people do what is right?

 

4. Do I use my freedoms wisely?"

 

Wow.....good guidelines, wouldn't you say?  I just thought that this was striking :)  Have a blessed day!

Hello Hello!!!  I'm loving this new theme look, not very original, but hey, I like it!  I haven't blogged in almost a year....and so much has gone on...kinda :).  

 

Everyone here is thriving and well!  That in itself is a true blessing and I thank God for that daily!  God is truly so good to me..even when I don't realize it, He is good.  On my birthday last year I had gone to dinner with Matthew and on the way home, I felt something....it was hope.  I was thinking about the holidays and all of a sudden I realized that I wasn't dreading Christmas!  I was actually excited about it...this is big news for me because I haven't felt like that for quite awhile, especially since my dad passed.  So I really had felt like the Lord gave me a true gift on my birthday:  HOPE!  It was such an odd experience driving home, I can't explain it, but I took a breath and felt such an overwhelming sense of peace and then hope.  I thanked God right there and have been so grateful since! 

 

Another new thing for me is knitting...I know, dorky!  But I have to say that knitting is truly a passion for me!  It's amazing to just make things.  I love making hats and scarves.  I also have made socks!  It is really an outlet of nervous energy for me--stress management.  I get excited thinking about new projects and shopping for yarn.  It sounds so boring I guess, but it's just great fun for me!  I love LOVE the look on someone's face when you give them something you have made!  Especially if they don't know you made it...then you can tell them you made it.  It's so funny...the face is :"YOU made THIS?"  haha!   Anyways, if anyone is in need of a hobby, you might wanna try it.  This year, my goal is to make a sweater that is actually wearable!  We'll see....I'd love to make sweaters for Camryn to wear. 

 

Well, I hope everyone had a really nice and peaceful Christmas (haha, not possible, I know it!! Especially if you have kids!)!!! 

 

Chrissy!

Yep!!!  Today is our 11th Anniversary!!  After 11 years I can say that I love Matthew more than I ever have!  He is such a good husband!  Not only do I love him, but I really admire the man he is....loving, honest, handsome, great father, and he has integrity!  He is my best friend and I truly respect and love him with all my heart!! 

 

So...Happy Anniversary Matthew!!  Marrying you is the smartest thing I've ever done!!!   Love you!!!  mmmmmkay

Hello!!!  I know, get over the shock, I'm blogging!!!  It's been so hectic around here and I haven't felt inspired to blog, however, today I feel the need to answer the question:  Why school your children at home?  You might be a little surprised at my answer, maybe not.  I would like to say that I feel that the ability to school my child at home is a true blessing from the Lord.  It really gives me a peace knowing that my daughter will be with me at home--learning and thriving--knowing she is safe.  Trust me, no kid is going to shoot her at home...unless they shoot me first. 

 

I should have made that a paragraph, so please forgive that error in composition !  I just want to say that as I child, I really sufferred a lot in school.  I was always a year or so younger than the kids in my grade because I started kindergarten at age 4.  I was very quiet and meek (it's true!! I swear!) and I was easily influenced.  If kids threatened me, I was truly scared out of my wits to go to school.  After I hit about 5th grade, it was even worse.  Kids were threatening me because a boy they liked would like me...stupid stuff, but to a child, that is very scary.  Having boys "like" me was strange too, I was so young, I had no idea about things like that.  My parents watched me and I was a very innocent child, until I hit 7th grade...Jr. High School was excruciating...it's no exaggeration, I hated it.  By the time I hit High School, I begged and cried to my mother to send me to the CGT school.  Kids are just so cruel and I felt the sting every single day of my life in school.  When my junior year came up, things were easier, and senior year also.  BUT, I was not truly happy and even though I was very intelligent, I just didn't feel motivated to improve myself and my grades.  Maybe it was because I was being taught by teachers that could care less about me?  Maybe it was because everything going on around me was so confusing and intimidating?  I did graduate and I danced home that night knowing I would never have to be in High School again.  So all of the people who lament not going to public High School, well.....think about this, only about 1% of the kids are cheerleaders and football players.  There are pressures in high school involving drugs and sex also.  People think, "Oh not my kid!!"  HAHA  Open your eyes, it's there bigtime.  So when the whole "if you homeschool your child, they don't get socialization skills".  That makes me laugh!!  I don't want my children being "socialized" the way I was.  I want them to grow and learn in a nurturing environment.  My children spend time with their friends that do happen to go to my wonderful church, but they also spend time with neighborhood childern.  My daughter is very outgoing and kind, she can make friends at the supermarket, she speaks to everyone, says hello and is about the cutest little girl you have ever seen!  So there ya go!  There is reason #1 I suppose.....because I had such horrible experiences in the public school system, I do not want to expose my most precious treasures on this Earth, my beautiful childern, to the same experiences that I suffered through growing up. 

 

Second....I want to know exactly was it being taught to my children every single minute of every single school day (is that possible, well, YEAH!! When I'm the teacher it is!)  There are certain things that I do not want my daughter to learn about in 1st grade.  Will these things come up someday?  Ofcourse!!!  But I'd rather have a discussion with her about these issues when she is mature enough to listen to my opinion and her father's opinion, think about how she feels and make her OWN decision how she feels.  I don't think that a first grader can truly grasp the concept of...say...homosexuality.  I just don't want my daughter thinking about that right now.  She honestly has no idea about it yet, and I'd rather her find out when she is older and can really comprehend the concept.  I want her to have the education and stability in her foundation as a Christian and as a human being to be able to come to her OWN conclusions...I pray she will always have mercy and love her neighbor.

 

That comes to reason #3!!!   I want her to learn about my Jesus and His Father!!  I want her to get a trophy for Bible memory!  I want to pray with her during schooltime!  I want her to say the Pledge of Allegiance and sing "America the Beautiful".  Is there anything wrong with that?  These things are completely erased from public schools and I find them important and significant!  I love praying with my children when we start our school day.  I rejoice when she says her scriptures and I can tell her about God's love through His word!  It's so crucial!  I want her to have a relationship with Jesus and I feel, as her parent, that it's my responsibility to be a witness of God's love every single minute of every single day!  I want her to see her mother and teacher as a light in her world!  I pray everyday for the grace to do this!  Do I fail?  Oh yes!! But honestly, it's a joy to school her and I focus on this:  Thank you Lord for giving me the health, the mind, and the financial ability to do this! 

 

Anyways, I just want my daughter and my son to have the best opportunities when it comes to education and life in general.  I feel that schooling at home is what is right for MY family.  For parents who do send their children to public or private schools....if that is what is best for your family, I say that's wonderful.  I NEVER judge others' decisions to no homeschool.  I do not think they love their children less than I love mine.  You have to do what is best for YOUR family and I support that 100%.

 

By the way, as an afterthought, my daughter is in 1st grade this year.  I must say that she is thriving and learning so much!  She is a fabulous reader (she learned to read in kindergarten...did I mention that I LOVE A Beka!!!).  She is learning about science and history, cursive writing, mathematics, spelling, art and PE!!  She is also getting straight A's...not only is that a huge and wonderful accomplishment for her, it is for me too!!  She has also started piano lessons and is so excited!!  She's doing really well so far!  She has a world of opportunities open to her, and I am going to help her to achieve whatever she decides to do with her life EVERY SINGLE STEP OF THE WAY!!!

 

I'd also like to add one more thing....if at any time I felt like my children were not thriving and learning everything they needed to be, my husband and I would explore other options at that time.  Like I said before, I want my daughter to have many open doors of opportunity, and if I can't give them to her, somehow, we will find a way to make it happen!

 

love you guys!  have a blessed day!!!  Chrissy 

Well, today I think was the best day we had by far!  The Animal kingdom was so neat!  I think it's my favorite park.  The safari was awesome!  Our pictures didn't do it any justice.  One funny thing, an ostrich was standing in the road ahead of a few trucks and we couldn't go until it moved!  That was, well, interesting.....took about a full 5 minutes.  Aidan had a blast in DinoLand.  There was a playground there that was really cool.  There were a lot of those netted bridges--Aidan wanted to go up one, so I thought "Well, sure, that's no problem there!"  Well...it led higher and higher and then there is a netted bridge about 15 feet long, pointing upwards (and steep I might add!), with a rope to hold to help you climb up!  I almost died right there!  So, with my purse (which seriously must have weighed at least 7-9 pounds) I start to climb up behind Aidan and then I had to lift him to the platform.  Then I proceeded down a huge twisty slide wondering how I ended up in that situation.  Now for the really crazy part--Aidan loved it so much, I had to do it AGAIN!  The things you do for your kids, lol!!  The Lion King show at that park is really awesome!  Camryn loved it!  Aidan played with his cars after about 10 minutes of it!  It was so beautiful and the singing and dancing was so good.  At the end, for the finale, the dancers picked kids to march with them and they picked kids in wheelchairs and a little boy with down's syndrome--I lost it and cried, if you could have seen their faces--it was so precious!  The parents must have been so thrilled for their kids--I know I would be.  We also saw a show called "It's tough to be a bug".  It's a 3D show that actually squirts water at you, filters in the smell of a stink bug, stuff like that.  Well, in the middle of it, they spray you with "bug spray" (tons and tons of smoke"--well, the kids both just start screaming and crying during this!!  It made me panic a bit too because it lasted so long and it was a little suffocating to me.  So I was trying to calm Camryn down (she was hysterical)-Matthew had Aidan to deal with.  Camryn wouldn't put on her glasses after that part!  LOL!  Too funny--Matthew actually loved that show.  

 

On the way to the Magic Kingdom (we left Animal Kingdom a bit early so we could have a few last hours to hit rides in Magic Kingdom), we saw a man on the bus with his family.  He was talking to another man, telling him he got wounded in Iraq--I guess that a bunch of wounded soldiers got special passes for the week--we saw quite a few of them).  Well, this guy got 3rd degree burns on 46% of his body, but he was ok and so happy to be at DisneyWorld with his family.  After we got off the bus, I walked up to him and his family and thanked him for making our country safe for my children and I told him I was so sorry he got hurt.  I was almost in tears.  He thanked me for telling him that and for our support.  He was so humble and nice, his wife just smiled. 

 

Anyways, it's so late and tomorrow is travel day.  I'm glad to be getting home.  There is so much more to say, but I'll blog more when I get home!  Pray for us--for a safe and drama free trip!  See ya soon!

Well, another day at DisneyWorld and it was fun....Although I wouldn't really recommend Epcot Center, it was kind of boring, a few good rides, but I won't go back ever again.  We were there for a very short time--We had reservations for the Princess lunch....it was wonderful!!  There were 5 princesses for the kids to meet.  As soon as we got there, they had their picture taken with Aurora (they took a professional picture and they bring it to your table to sell it to you.  Ours turned out so nice, we had to buy it, an 8X10 and (4)4X6's).  We sat down and the menu was all Norwegian food (ummmm, gross!).  I hardly ate a thing, but you know, it was worth it!  We turn around and here comes Cinderella, she talked to both of the kids and took pictures.  Then we saw Snow White...which was adorable!  She got real close to Aidan and was whispering in his ear, asking him his name, how old he was--He was absolutely mesmerized!  It was so sweet and cute!  Then she kissed him and he smiled so shy and proud.  She talked to Camryn also, and signed her book.  Then we saw Jasmine--notice the outfit.  Actually, she was hilarious.  They all had totally different personalities--I thought hers and Snow White's were the best.  She saw Aidan's kiss from Snow White and wasn't about to be outdone!  She kissed Aidan's other cheek and he was all smiles!  Then we saw Ariel, who was sweet and talked to the kids also.  I seriously would recommend this to anyone who has a little girl--truly, it was magical!  I'll never forget Cam's sweet face as she waited and go to meet each one!  I would have to say, this was the best part of the vacation today.  After lunch, we headed to MGM, which is cool, but not my favorite at all.  We saw a really neat Little Mermaid puppet/stage show--it was awesome, Cam and Aidan loved it.  On the way back to our bus, we got soaked by rain, and I mean SOAKED!  I felt like I had jumped into a pool and gotten out!  It was hideous, and before you think it, we even had umbrellas!  So we got to our hotel soaking wet and miserable, lol.  We warmed up, dried off and got some food, which made a world of difference!  So all is well!  We will be hitting the animal kingdom tomorrow and hopefully go back to the Magic Kingdom!  We should have some great pics tomorrow--the animal park looks awesome!  Love and miss you guys!!

This has been a fabulous trip so far, and being inspired by Sarah, I'm making a top 10 list of favorite moments of our first day in one of the parks (The Magic Kingdom):

 

10.  Camryn going on Space Mountain and saying she hated it, then begged at the end of the day to go again!  She loves it now!

 

9.    Going on Splash Mountain and getting my hair and face completely soaking wet (and I mean water dripping off of my face)!  Cam thought it was hilarious--it was worth it to hear her crack up like that.  Also thinking the Lord is working on my vanity issues.....

 

8.    Seeing all of the wonderful Christmas decorations--especially the huge tree on Main St.

 

7.    Realizing that this park was set up pretty much like Disneyland--we didn't have to feel so lost!

 

6.    All of the wonderful employees here!!  You wouldn't believe it!  We talked to several of the wandering helpers and they were so sweet and helpful!

 

5.    Camryn's excited face after she got off Big Thunder Mountain!  (She loved it!!)

 

4.    Aidan on the Buzz Lightyear ride--he is now Buzz's personal friend because he helped kill Zurg!

 

3.    Matthew's face on the Dumbo ride--right before it started up, the slow sprinkle turned into a light rain and his face was pure disgusted!  I laughed so hard at him, he looked royally ticked off!  He finally smiled at me after I laughed for a minute at him!

 

2.    Going on the Dumbo ride in the rain!  Cam and I loved it!

 

1.    Cam's face when she met Ariel and Belle--it took my breath away, and I admit it--I cried a little because she was so thrilled!

 

 

Ok, well, I'll blog more later, we are beat and need some sleep!  See you all soon :)   PS: Check out the photo album for pics!

I just wanted to wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving! 

Well, isn't this title perfect?  This is what I think about quite often is:  ME!!!!  How do I feel about this person?  How do I feel about what this person is doing?  How do I want to spend my day?  How do I want everything to go?  Anyways, a few things have sparked this thought.  I was browsing through Janelle's blog and the scripture about a woman tearing down or building up really struck me--especially about my children.  I want to build them up ofcourse, but do I?  Have I?  I find myself tearing things down at times--whether it be with words or how much time I spend with them.  It's amazing how just a glance at the word of God can make you really think and CHANGE!  I've been more aware of the way I treat my children and husband and I want to build up my relationship with them, not tear it down.  God help me!  And I'm not saying it because they are difficult, I'm saying this because I am the one struggling with being selfless (thanks for the blog Amy!).  I am not a selfish person when it comes to "things".  I don't care about money or "things".  But I am very selfish with my time and with sharing myself--my true self.  I think that people who know me will agree with that.  I'm just praying that I can be less selfish about these things--not like I think I'm some great person (I'm not fishing, please no objections) who has so much to share and I'm just holding it back from the world, but with my friends and family--they deserve my best.  And you know, the Lord deserves my best (now that I think of it).  The other day, Camryn was struggling with some schoolwork (she hates writing) and I told her to pretend that Jesus was going to check it when she was done.  She finished the paper and it was neat and nice and I told her that when we say to do things like unto Jesus (total misquote, but you know what I mean, right?) that it means our everyday tasks (even the menial ones) can be done as unto Jesus.  So I'm putting that into practice too, because honestly, you don't get a lot of self value scrubbing toilets and cleaning spilled milk 100 times a day.  But looking at the big picture, knowing you are serving your family as you would Jesus, that makes it so important!!!  Wow, am I making sense, I know I'm scattered all over the place.  In my house we call it being "skittery".  

 

Have a blessed day!

I just put a new photo album up...enjoy!

Well....now that I've got your attention with that exciting title.....  I am trying to think of something to write about as I type.  There hasn't been too much going on in my life, although I wouldn't say that it's been boring around here--Oh yes!!  I do have news!

 

After days of blood, sweat, tears, and "potty candy" (a bag of m&m's) Aidan is finally potty trained!!  I am serious, I didn't think he would ever be trained!  I think it was also another bribery tactic that I used: Buzz Lightyear underwear.  I know it sounds hilarious, but Aidan loves them and he runs around saying "To infinity and beyond!" when he is wearing them!  So...I was so happy last night going to Target and NOT having to buy diapers!  That should save us a little bit of money ! 

 

Camryn and I started school last week!  She is doing really well so far.  Last week was mostly review and hardly any work to do.  Yesterday was the first day with all of the "seatwork", which is extra writing and some fun activity sheets.  I'm hoping she really enjoys this school year--I want to do everything I can to make it fun and to effectively teach her what she needs to know.  I think my favorite part of the school day is "Storytime".  I have been reading the "American Girl" books to Camryn and she absolutely loves it!  I actually enjoy the stories too and I'm thrilled that she likes books that I actually don't mind reading! 

 

Speaking of reading...I just finished Hinds Feet On High Places a week or so ago.  I had never read it, but I have read Pilgrim's Progress, which is a bit similar.  Well, I happened to find a copy of this book hidden away in my closet with my Jane Austen books and I opened it to just check it out and there was my grandmother's writing on the first page that said, "To Janice with love and prayers, your 'Mom' 3/17/94".  Now it might sound silly, but after I saw that, I felt like I had to read the book, and then return it to my mother.  I really enjoyed it!!  It is such a sweetly written story!  I love the way that the author continually describes "The Shepherd".  It just made him seem more accessible to me.  There is a little paragraph in the book that brought me to tears while reading and I think about it every day.  This is a quote from the book:

 

"'You will not see me all the time, Much-Afraid, for as I told you, I shall be leaping on the mountains and skipping on the hills, and you will not at first be able to accompany me or keep up with me.  That will come later.  However, you must remember that as soon as you reach the slopes of the mountains there is a wonderful system of communication from end to end of the Kingdom of Love, and I shall be able to hear you whenever you speak to me.  Whenever you call for help I promise to come to you at once.'"

 

Isn't that beautifully written?  I have found so much comfort in that and reading that passage made me look at prayer in a whole different light. 

 

Anyways....that's enough for now.  I'll try to blog in the near future...Have a blessed day!

Ok, don't pass out, but I think I'm gunna get spiritual on my blog today!  First I wanted to just let everyone know that VBS has been so fun--my kids are having a blast!  They are singing to the Lord, learning about the Bible, worshipping, eating great snacks, and enjoying being with their friends!  I'm so grateful for it, truly.

 

Anyways...so I have had a scripture on my mind for awhile and different things that people have told me in the past and even recently.  I'll start with this:  last year sometime, I was feeling sad about my dad being ill and I was in the back of the church just sitting there and Heather came to talk to me.  We were talking about joy and I was telling her that I just couldn't be jumping for joy and dancing when I felt so heavy and sad.  She told me (this isn't verbatim) that joy is also knowing that when we are going through something hard, that the Lord is with you--that you have Him.  That was truly a revelation to me--silly, I know, but it was!  It comforted me and gave me some peace--thank you Heather!  The second thing I have been thinking of is this:  when I lost my baby earlier in the year, I had told my husband, "WHY?  Why didn't God fix it?"  So his reply was this: "The only thing that God promises us is salvation."  So I thought for a few minutes and I said, "Well...that's everything."  And he said, "Exactly!"  Well, I have thought about that so much--major revelation for me there. 

 

Ok, the last part, this seems too long, sorry....Well, those 2 comments made to me have been swimming in my head over the past few weeks and I think of the scripture about His grace being sufficient and I sat outside while my kids played and looked at it, here's what I wrote:   His grace is sufficient-what does this mean?  My idea is this-if I'm not mistaken: Paul received that reply from the Lord when he wasn't being healed.  He had asked the Lord to heal him 3 times and that's the answer he got.  I think I understand this now because of everything that has gone on this year-however bad-I still have my eternal Father-my salvation.  For me, in the midst of the storm, I fail to see that His grace is sufficient.  I'm needing to get to the point that I can see it as much as possible, as often as possible.  Life is sad--horrible things happen.  People are traumatized-we need the secruity of this statement--about our salvation.  Without it, life wouldn't be worth living.  (The Lord really tied in these comments made to me, and also this scripture, it really clicked together for me the other day).

 

Anyways, I just thought this was such a good answer from the Lord--not only for Paul, but for us!  I'm rambling, but when I have a spiritual thought, I want to share it because it's not very often.  Love you guys!  Cya soon

 

 

Well, it's a zippy title, but I have no idea what I'm gunna write.  Everyone is doing well here, but Aidan has had a sinus infeciton that has gone into his ear, which is a bummer.  He's feeling better today, but he is still congested and on the edge of crankiness all the time!  He is so hard to deal with when he's cranky, seriously, I wouldn't wish it on anyone (well, maybe I would, LOL)  

 

All joking aside.....Matthew had me listen to Rob Bell the other night and was like "Ok, ya ya, whatever, I'll listen."  It actually bothered me that he was so insistent, but being the completely submissive wife that I am (HA!) I sat there and listened.  It was actually a cool little production, he is definitely out to keep your attention.  But he (Rob Bell) was talking about how rich Americans are.  I never ever thought of it---although I do not consider myself materialistic, the whole "get more" mentality does take hold of me at times.  Anyways, everytime I have gone shopping, I sure do think "Do I really need this?"  "Is this a waste?"  "Could I be blessing other people with the money for this?"  It was really cool, I would recommend that anyone with a few extra minutes take a look at the video.  I don't have the link, but if you google "Rob Bell"  I'm sure it will come up.  The only thing that bothered me a little tinge of a bit....his hair is frosted (No offense to anyone with frosted hair, but on a guy...I don't know). 

 

Oh yes, and my new motto is going to be the scripture "Whatsoever things are lovely..."   Silly? Someone said that to me a week or so ago and when I find myself getting upset about things (not anything specific) I try to think on that.  It really does help.  I really think God has given us instruction to help our mental health, don't you think it's true?  It's just not healthy to be constantly bashing as you go through life--don't you think?  I do. 

 

Well, have a blessed day!! 

Hi guys!   Is anyone still checking my blog?  It's been a long time, but I haven't really wanted to blog or do much of anything as of late.  It's been a hard year...

 

Anyways...not much going on here to be honest.  I've been feeling low since my dad died and honestly with certain situations that have been mixing around.  I've finally decided that I am going to really pray and just ask God to help me to be able to say "Whatever"  (smiles to Julie M.).  I don't want anything to effect my relationship with the Lord and I have let that happen.  So please keep me in your prayers.

 

Anyways...just a short little blog to get me started, I'm feeling so better today after reading a few blogs and just knowing that God is still interested in me (oh wretched woman that I am!) and feeling encouraged by good friends and loved ones!  

Hello Everyone!!  Well...it's summer vacation!  I haven't had an official summer vacation since 1988!  Camryn is all done with kindergarten (her last day was May 25th!).  We did it!  We actually finished all of our work!  I really feel a sense of accomplishment and it feels good.  Camryn did so well this year--she is reading like a whiz and loves math!  I know this sounds crazy, but I am already thinking and organizing for 1st grade !  I ordered her curriculum and a few extras for next school year last night.  She will be getting a new desk, also--she has outgrown her current desk.  Anyways...to all homeschoolers and public schoolers--Congrats!!!!!  You made it through another year!

 

Everyone take care and I'll try to blog more soon if I can think of something to write about...also....coming soon....a picture of the Wonder Rat herself!

Well, I woke up with a sore throat yesterday and I thought, "Well, it's one of those 'morning' sore throats that goes away later."  Well, it didn't go away, but was not bad, so I didn't want to go to the doctor quite yet.  This morning it was worse, I had to whisper a lot because it hurt to talk!  So I went to the doctor and I have strep throat!   Where did I catch this?  The doctor said it is going around pretty bad.  Pray that my kids don't have it.  She told me that I was contagious today and tomorrow, so I'm hoping my kids won't get it.  Aidan did steal my straw though, so we'll see how he turns out!  I can't imagine how grumpy he would be with strep!  So that's my update, Cupcakes is well and tries to escape from her cage nightly---where does she need to be?  where would she go?  No idea....but she tries to escape just the same :).  I'll post a pic of her soon!   Everyone be safe and have a blessed day!

Hi Everyone,

 

Just wanted to thank everyone for their prayers--it's been a hard month, but I'm starting to feel more like "myself" (ha!  is that good or bad?).   I just want to ask anyone who reads this to please pray for my parents.  I appreciate you all!  I will blog more later, when something comes up to blog about!

We went to the aquarium today with the church kids--we really had fun!  The kids were so good!  It truly was a pleasant day!  I put in a new photo album with the pics from today!  Thanks to everyone for praying for us :)