Birthday Pix

Baby Boy is no more. He had two friends over this evening to share his Journey to Manhood, or something like that. There was lots of burping, farting, and nonsense going on anyway.He opened presents from friends first since those were to be ammo. Then they headed outside for the big battle. There were three or four different kind of Nerf guns and lots of bullets. They ran around like wild men. We even had poppers and other "firecrackers" for them.Then we came inside for the "Entering" ceremony. When there are mile markers in our lives, we have the kids crash through a barrier into the next stage of life. We put wrapping paper up on the doorframe and he ran from "childhood" into "young manhood" on the other side.Then we used the paper to start a fire. They played in the fire and roasted hotdogs for a while. Nothing says MAN like a fire. The cake this year was easy. He wanted a cookie cake from Sam's. They put the name on it and even give you the candles. Although it was easier, I missed not making something special for him.

He picked out Over the Hill plates as a joke. His mother is starting to feel like it isn't so much a joke for her.

Back for a Birthday

We made it back last night from WV. It was our annual trip home for the holidays, but it was extended due to a nasty stomach virus. We couldn't travel for several days, and we pretty much felt like we had ruined Christmas. The one good thing was that we had someone to help out with food, laundry, and discipline. Some little bugs still seem to be swimming around in our guts, but we are sufficiently recovered to continue with life. I'll write more about our trip later. Today is a very important day: #2 turns TEN!!! Both of my babies are in double digits now. #2 may be turning 10, but he still likes to cuddle with his Mommy. He is a lovable, snuggly guy, full of mischief and adventure. His party today is a Nerf Gun Fight and Bon-Fire Party. So a few boys are coming over to have a battle this afternoon and then roast hotdogs over a fire. He asked for a cookie cake from Sam's Club, so I don't have to make a cake. That's good since I don't think I am prepared to do that today; we are still unpacking and cleaning. So off to the Lysol can...Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

On The Seventh Day, Part 3 Conclusion

I don't expect to change anyone's mind about what they believe the woman's role in worship is; I only write to ease my frustration and allow you a look into my heart. Within my religious heritage movement there is a deep seeded belief that we must do exactly what the Scriptures say or we are in danger of Hell. That belief overlooks the mercy of a Father who loves us so much He sacrificed his God Son for us. We are His children and, therefore, deeply loved. This does not in any way say that we can purposely disobey Him or act counter to his personality. What it does mean is that we should look so closely at the way the Son behaved that we can see how God would instruct us today. Here is what I see:

There are times when Jesus disrupted the belief system of his time. He "broke" the Sabbath on several occasions. "Which is better, to do evil or to do good?" He seemed to promote looking out for yourself. "Be as wise as serpents." He even suggested there are times when you should break from your family. "I have come to pit brother against brother, father against son, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law..."

In a time when women were believed to be less than a man, Jesus treated women with respect and love. He taught the women as well as the men. He had female supporters and disciples. He responded to women in ways that were unacceptable for a man to respond. He loved women, spoke with women, ate with women, and was ministered to by women. Women blessed him, and he praised their actions. I look at this example and ask myself, "How can God not want me to be a leader in a worship assembly?" Within worship we love, speak, eat, minister, and bless. In what way am I negating the Word if I act as Jesus acted? It is time for all of God's children to be allowed to fully participate at the Table of Worship. ----------- On a lighter note...Yesterday was our Family Christmas. I suppose you could call it "Mom's Christmas." We always go to WV to celebrate the holiday with our families. After we had children, I tried to stop this tradition, wanting to spend the holiday at my house with my children. But I have always been out voted; the men in my family want to go to WV. I understand, I truly do. It is a great time to see everyone together and share our blessings and our lives with each other. But as a woman, wife, and mother, I want those sharing times to be our family times as well. There have been times when I have so resented going home that I have been a bear for the holidays, even I dare say, another "b" word. So last year we decided to have a Family Christmas here to appease me. We picked a day as close to the holiday as possible without stressing ourselves by adding to the packing, etc. and we celebrated my way. (Sounds selfish huh? But after 10 years of everyone else getting their way, I think it was time I got a little space.) We have a great dinner, open presents, go see lights, and share some time together. I love it. I would like to have the experience of my children opening Santa gifts on Christmas morning at my own house, but I so much don't want to spoil the magic for them that we ask Santa to go to WV. Allowing our parents to see the boys on Christmas morning is a blessing too, though, so I guess this way I get the best of both worlds. ------- We leave today for our holiday trip so I will "talk" to you after Christmas. May God bless you all.

On The Seventh Day, Part Two

I have a friend in TX who says that God doesn't let women do much on Sunday mornings because it makes the men get up and take charge like they should. I disagree with that. If God wants the men to do something, I think he expects them to "take charge" all week. It is like in Revelation when God tells the Laodicean church that they are neither hot nor cold, and He will spit them out. Men who only do their part on Sundays will be spit out in my opinion. My mother-in-law likes that our religious tradition puts men in charge. She believes kids need to see men in charge more often, since they are coming from female homes these days. But I wonder what it says to the girls who are at church? Men can run things and tell you what to do, but come Monday you better expect to get your work gloves on. I know there are passages in Scripture that say a woman should keep quiet and ask a man if she has any questions. There is another that states women are not permitted to teach. I don't want to go against what God may have decided especially for women. And I don't want anyone to think that I am angry about the way I have been treated or ignored. What I want to say is that my God did not treat me the way that women are treated on Sundays. He did not ignore me, expect less from me, or consider me incapable or inept. My Lord created me the same as He did the men. My Lord asked for my worship, the same as He did the men. My Lord died on the cross for me, the same as He did for the men. What I want is to be treated as Christ treated me, no matter what day of the week it is.

On The Seventh Day, Part One

On Monday, God blessed me with the gift of prayer. He laid on my heart people that I love, and the pain they were feeling, and asked me to pray. I went to the Throne on their behalf all day. On Tuesday, my child's poor little soul was deflated and bruised. God asked me to sing to the child, to comfort him as David did for Saul. My child was pleased and the distress left him. On Wednesday, a friend and I were talking about God's grace. She had questions about how this mercy could be, and we went to the Word together to learn of His Love. On Thursday, God directed me to my neighbor's door. She was out of diapers and needed help. I bought her some diapers and juice for the baby, and spent some time visiting over a Coke. On Friday, I baked bread for the Sunday Communion service. The Lord was pleased that I remembered his sacrifice even on a week day. On Saturday, I spoke at a Womens' Conference. The Lord blessed me with words and wisdom to share with my sisters. We all were rejuvenated after the long week. On Sunday, I went to God's House. A man offered rote prayer, even forgetting the diagnosis of cancer received by our sister that week. The preacher asked a visiting guy to lead singing since many men were on the retreat. The Bible Study was on mercy, but I wasn't asked to share my testimony. A family showed up needing some benevolence. The deacon took care of them, and shuffled them out the door. A fellow offered a quick prayer for the bread and cup, and we quickly moved on to the next thing. The preacher did a fine job; he always does. I sat and watched it all happen. God told me He can't use me on Sunday. You see, I'm only a woman.

Slowing Down

I started knitting this past summer. A friend at church showed me how. I have made 2 scarves for me and #2, and for Christmas, 3 scarves and 5 hats for my little lovables. I didn't take pictures of the scarves and first 3 hats, but thought I would of the last two. They are the best ones anyway, at least in cuteness; they do have some mistakes. I hope to get all the kids together for a picture with their hats and scarves at Christmas. I finished the last hat last night. Now #5 wants a scarf so I think I will do that up quick, and then I will attempt a baby blanket. I find knitting very relaxing.

I slept until nearly 8:00 this morning---10 hours!! Today and tomorrow don't have "absolutely must get it done" activities, so I am enjoying the freedom. I have bills to pay, 4-H paperwork, house cleaning, and would like to go to the gym. It is rainy and foggy and the kids are enjoying the slow day as well. I hope they stay this way all day.

The Beach

We had a lovely day at the beach. The weather was iffy, but we carried on and had a nice time. It was in the upper 60s with sporadic sun. The weird part was the fog that would drift in and out every half hour or so. The kids had a great time playing on the rocks until the park ranger told them not to (what bad mothers we are to allow it!) and then they just dug, walked, looked for shells, and read. Their real fun came when they got to explore the fort. The mothers' real fun was the sitting on the beach doing absolutely nothing. Heavenly.

The first thing you do at the beach is take off the shoes. Sand on the toes is so relaxing. The kids built a "dribble castle." You let sand dribble off your fingers until a mound forms for the castle. They spent a little time on the skim board. You would have thought it was summer.

The fog drifted in and out without rhyme or reason. At one point on a walk we thought we had lost the children, even walking toward a rock that looked like one of the kids!

Climbing on the rocks was a highlight. We found other rocks to climb on later. #2 found oysters and mussels to harvest. He hopes to go back and get more when they are 3 inches long. The ranger he talked to told him that was the right length. I love our December Traditional Trip. As #2 said, "I can't wait until next year!"

Digging

Yesterday I was walking by the back door when #2 showed up with something to show me. In his hands was a small, furry animal. I thought maybe he had caught a mouse, but instead it was a mole. I had seen the dog earlier with the mole, so I supposed it was dead. No, it was alive and twitching its nose all around. Also yesterday #2 caught a cricket and a fly. He was asking me if the mole dies can he cut it apart and reassemble its skeleton. He also wanted to make something out of the skin; moleskin being so soft, you know. In the afternoon, the kids dug a hole for it to "nap" in. "That kid has to grow up to be a doctor," I told his father at dinner. "No way!" "Why?" "He'll be some kind of mad scientist and try to do experiments on people." Or on himself I continued, he tried sewing his fingers together recently, just to see if he could attach his fingers to each other. (If you notice, it is all of the scary stories or really outrageous stories that involve #2. That is why there isn't a #3.)

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Today we head to the beach. The weather is supposed to be mild. This is the second annual December Beach Trip. A friend and I went last year and decided it has to be a tradition. During the hectic month of December you need a day to stop and relax. This is our day. The 5 kids go as well, but they run around and leave us alone. They will be digging and throwing frisbee, that sort of thing. Gotta run and pack a picnic. Bet none of you in WV are saying that!

Nineteen

I woke up in a comfy, cushy bed full of pillows. My face was sore from the wind burn the night before. I could hear a little movement downstairs, and I smelled muffins baking. That was how December 16, 1989 started for me. Today is my 19th Wedding Anniversary! I can't believe it has been that long. This is the year that I become married as long as I was single. Next year I will be married longer than not married. Whew. What a thought. That won't happen for Hubby for a LONG time since he robbed the cradle! We were married in WV during one of the worst snow storms seen in years. We had to cancel our honeymoon because the roads were shut down. Many people called to say they wouldn't be able to get there. Our cake was precariously driven from my hometown to the wedding site, each layer held by a different person in hopes of getting there safely. It did. In fact, we had a big turn out. By the time of the wedding the city streets were clear, but you still couldn't travel, so every one in town came to the wedding. I think we had close to 300! After the wedding we drove to a nearby city in PA and stayed at a Holidome Inn. There was a Gabriel Brothers nearby and we went shopping. Those are the highlights. Of course there was riding in a car for 2 1/2 hours with no heat, when it should normally take 45 minutes. Then there was getting to the hotel with empty stomachs and the hotel restaurant closed. They did give us a cheese and cracker plate. We were young and in love. It makes a great story. So how will we celebrate? I was thinking some Cheez Whiz and a run on Rugged Wearhouse, the local name for Gabriel Brothers. Actually we are going to a nice restaurant (I have been told, we have never been) and a friend is watching the kids.

UPDATE

550 Verbal 500 Math Needed to get in...500 each. Deep breath.

This Is It

Today is the day. The test starts at noon EST, so pray hard for my attention span, focus, and recall. I took yesterday off of all things test related just to give myself a fresh brain for today. We went to see Bolt in the evening. I laughed myself silly. Now granted, I am feeling a bit stressed, but it did seem to be a very humorous and clean movie. The boys sat in front of us and there was one other family in the theater. I have a tendency to laugh out loud at movies, and the boys kept turning around and telling me to be quiet. ------- #5 was singing this song the other day...Supercalifrage--lipstick--expealladocious. I guess you try to make as much sense out of something as you can. It reminded #1 of when he thought "There's a Bad Moon on the Rise" was "There's a Bathroom on the Right." ------- I started wrapping Christmas presents yesterday only to discover that we were out of paper. I went to Dollar Tree by Michael's and found very cute paper. They had all the holiday shows, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and Frosty the Snowman, even Peanuts. Good buy if you need paper.

Innocence NOT Lost

My children are sweet. I love them with all my heart. I truly wouldn't change them one bit. I absolutely know they are a gift from God. HOWEVER, they drive me nuts!

We spent yesterday cleaning their room. It has looked terrible for quite a while- months- and they have been sent to clean it numerous times. But somehow their idea of clean means moving things to other spots. So about quarterly I enter the room and go insane trying to clean it. I suppose I am either not a good mother or a very poor teacher. I have actually tried to teach them how to clean the room, how to organize, how to make me happy. They just don't get it. I even threaten to send them back and get daughters instead, but then Hubby reminds me that I requested sons, and I slink off to clean some more.

This time of year always involves the Christmas Cleanout. This is when I demand they get rid of 6 things each so that they can have room for what they get at Christmas. Yesterday, however, they didn't have much to get rid of...a magic kit and a marble maze. But we still managed to make a lot of room where there hadn't been any. How? We threw away trash. Yes, trash. For some reason the trash can in their room is invisible when I am not in there. Yes, it is amazing, I know, but they have been reading a lot of Harry Potter. They have learned to put a spell on the trash can so that it only appears in my presence.

#2 likes to put things all over his bed. There is absolutely no space to sleep. I went in last week to cover him and couldn't even get to the blanket because of all the lightsabers and markers. I told him yesterday he better marry a very patient woman. At dinner as we discussed once again how to not get into this predicament again, I told #2 that I need him to stop having ideas. Either stop having ideas, or see them through to the finish and then clean up after yourself. He agreed to the second option. #1 said he would have chosen to just not have any more ideas.

#2 wanted to take a picture of his bed a few weeks ago after one of his cleanings. This is just one end of the bed. He usually has a library or art studio at the other end.

Today I have them cleaning out their treasure boxes. These are large drawer boxes under their beds where they are to keep the things of utmost importance to them. Perhaps I am not such a bad teacher after all. #1 came in earlier to tell me he had made three piles--trash and recycle, things that go in other places, and things that stay in the box. Perhaps there is light at the end of this VERY long tunnel!

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#1 wrote his letter to Santa this week. He made 2 copies for his grandparents and mailed all three letters off yesterday. Santa was able to intercept his letter before the post carrier came. I read it last night. There are two letters in the envelope. The first says, "Read me first." on the outside. It is a nice friendly letter to Santa. The second letter says, "Read me second." and it contains "THE LIST." He told me that he wrote a letter to the grandparents so that he wouldn't appear rude to just send a list of wants. I guess he was afraid of that for Santa too.

So Santa shopped online this morning, and had it all delivered to the drop site in WV. That Santa sure is getting smart. No worries trying to hide things in the van!

Catching Up

I told you blogs would be sporadic for a while! Let's see...Friday we did celebrate by going to the pool with some friends. I also milled some flour at a friend's house since my mill isn't working. I have shipped it off to be repaired. It came with a lifetime warranty. Thank goodness. Those things are expensive! Saturday was #1's first basketball practice. It went well, but of course now we have to add in all of the practices and games to the next few months' events. We don't know anyone on the team; hope it goes well. Sunday was the annual Holiday Banquet at church. It is always fun to get together and eat, and then make fools of ourselves. There are a few who don't look foolish, for those we applaud out of genuine appreciation. The others get pity applause! Sunday was also a bridal shower for one of the church girls. The women met at a local restaurant and ate together then gave her a gift from all of us. It was so much easier that way. I even enjoyed the shopping for the present...Go into Target, plug in her name, go to aisle F1, have Hubby carry it to the register, pay, walk out. Whew! If only all shopping were that simple. Last night we went to a friend's house for dinner and a little stargazing. It was a pleasant evening, AND she kept the boys over night. So this morning I got up and started on another practice test. 660 on Math and 560 on Verbal. I need 500 on each to get into school, so I am feeling a little better. My friend came over today to bring the boys home and to help me with the Math section. She was very polite, but I am sure she was screaming on the inside. I just don't "see" math the way I can an essay or composition. I have also been working on Christmas preparations. I have completed the annual Mother and Mother-in-Law presents, though they are a bit different this year. I'll say more after Christmas, since they read the blog sometimes. I have been knitting as well. I am really starting to get the hang of it, and I miss it when I don't have knitting to do. The rewiring is still a work in progress, hopefully to be finished next week. I'll probably be without power tomorrow. So no blog. Spent this afternoon with 4-Hers working on the calendar and other yearly paperwork. ---------- I asked Hubby the other day if he is rethinking this "going back to school" idea. I think he would have said "Most definitely!" if he were a more emotional man. As it was I got a yes and head nod. We haven't had a meal at the table for quite a while, the house was a wreck, laundry needed doing, food was getting scarce...Need I say more? I think it will be a little better when I am not working and the house remodeling project is done. At least that is what I am telling myself.

Party Day

A friend kept the kids a couple days ago so that I could take practice GRE tests. I had not slept well the two nights before, which was adding up to some very fuzzy thinking, but still managed to pull of passing scores. In fact, the second math test I took went up 40 points! So it was encouraging to me that if I don't sleep well the night before I should still be ok. One week until test time and counting. My scores were good enough to pass, but I really want great scores so that some financial assistance may be available. Pray for me and my old brain.

Yesterday we worked on 4-H Project Record Books all day. #1 did projects in Photography and Theater Arts. #2 did Photography as well, and one in Animal Science called Nest Structures for Mourning Doves. Record Books are different from anything I did when I was in 4-H, but remember that mine is an old brain. I guess things change in 30 years. Anyway, all of the books are typed and assembled, and we are taking today as a party day! (If you knew what it involves, you would say, "Party away, Girl!) We're going to ask all of the boys from our clique to go swimming with us this afternoon.

Another event yesterday was going to Harris Teeter Supermarket. They have Juicy Juice large bottles for Buy 2 Get 3 Free! That makes them 80 cents each!! I bought 20 bottles. I plan to go back on the last day of the sale and get a raincheck. I am sure they will be out by then, and then I can have the same price later...the rainchecks never expire. It's called working the system.

I didn't buy eggs at HT because I have soooo many chickens. What was I thinking? I still don't have any eggs. No one is laying. I don't know why. Here is a picture of the first egg I got next to a store medium-size egg, maybe that is why no one is laying. They are all afraid.

It was as big as my palm!

Art, Elections, and Truth from a Child

The kids had their last art class for the semester last evening. We have taken this art class for 3 years now! It really was time for #1 to move up to the next level, but I didn't want to drive over there twice a week, so I held him back a year. Next fall I will move him up and have #2 skip a grade. They have really improved their skills, learned to use different media, and had a good time being with others in a group setting. The last class is always an "art show." I think this was sponge painting collages. #1 did the moons right behind his jacket. They made maracas using paper mache and ballons. This didn't turn out so well with the camera, but these were my favorite pictures. They used chalk and then smeared white paint on it in swirls. Neat effect.

These are #3-4. #3 also takes art there. Their mother is planning to lie about #4's age if he can't get in next year! They enjoy the class as well.

------------- Yesterday was election day in our 4-H club. Last year it was a very stressful day. There were other families in our club at the time, and they were not nice at all. The kids jeered and refused to vote for people, AND the parents just looked the other way. It was a stressful, hurtful day, and I am glad it was not repeated.

#1 didn't want to run for anything this year. I thought that was a good idea since he has always been something, and needs to give others a chance. I also thought it might be a good year to not have extra commitments that Mom has to help with!

This is #1 with a smile, so hard to catch on camera, and his friend the VP.This is #1 as President (looking like a deer in the headlights!) beside the new Preident-elect.We always start the meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H Pledge. I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

#2 wanted to run for Vice President. The dilemma was that he would be running against his best friend. It was a mutual dilemma. Both houses were going through the drama, "What should I do? I want to run, but I want to vote for my friend." As it ended up they both voted for each other. It is a secret ballot, but the person counting votes told the two moms what they had done. They are such good buddies!

I asked #2 last night how he was doing with the results. He said he was a little disappointed, but he was glad that J won. In fact, J went with us after 4-H to the art show and then joined the guys for their "night out." So I guess all is well.

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Monday I was working on the computer for a bit, and #2 was playing a game on his computer. #5 walked in to my room and started talking about the computer. He was bemoaning the fact that they aren't allowed to play games on their computer at home. I said that my boys weren't allowed to play computer games when they were 4 years old, either. "Yeah," he sighed. "It takes a long time to be an adult. You can't be an adult in just a minute." How true, but for the mamas time sure does fly.

This is #5 at the art show. He is much cuter than this, but seemed to be very tired. Maybe he is sneaking computer games in when his parents are asleep!

Stars and Planets

Did you see the two bright "stars" near the moon last evening? That was Jupiter and Venus. Venus is the one lower and brighter than the other. We got out the telescope I borrowed from my parents and looked at them. It is difficult for me to see through the lense, but after about an hour or a little less, I found the planets! They are round and bright; amazing. We even used the kids' binoculars and got a good view that way. Go out this evening and look just after dusk. ------ I enjoyed sharing that time with my son. He wanted to build a fire and spend the whole night outside stargazing. I assured him it was too cold and windy for that. I have been studying so much lately, and trying to finish other projects, that I haven't spent as much time with the boys as I like. It has made me think about this "going to school" idea. It will really mean a big change in the way our family works. I think it will be good for everyone in the long run, but it will definitely be difficult at the beginning. ------ The other fish died a few days ago. Just wanted to let Jeri know.

Shoeboxes

Our first home together was a small trailer. I think it was 10x50 feet, but it may have been 12x60. We entertained friends there, learned how to live in a small space with a new person, "played house," and jokingly called it our shoebox. The next home was a one bedroom efficiency apartment, after that we had a couple of two bedroom apartments, moved into a house with 3 bedrooms and two living spaces, and now we are in a larger house, though the number of rooms is smaller. I recently found out that the people living across the road from us are a family of four. The trailer they live in is what you take camping. It is about the size of my minivan; maybe 6x10 feet. They have two children living with them, ages 2 and 5 months. I went over last night and saw inside the trailer. You only have room to turn your body when you walk down the "aisle." The last couple of days have been rainy, and they haven't been able to let the little one outside. I can't imagine what you do in a "kiddie shoebox" with two small children all day long. Right now they are without a vehicle too, so going somewhere for a change of scenery is not a possibility. I took the husband to get propane the other day, and to buy diapers. Last night I was there because an ambulance was there. I wanted to make sure they were taken care of if they needed a ride to the hospital. The EMS let them all 4 ride in the ambulance. The mother had fallen and hit her head very hard. The father was calm, but a little shaken, and got the kids dressed and in their car seats. They seem like such a nice couple. Her comment to me the other day was that "at least we have a roof over our heads, and our family is together. That's what is important." That is a difficult thing to say when you are the one living it. I suppose you could look at it as things could be worse. There are people who live in real cardboard boxes. They don't have toilets or electricity. There is no heat. There is no refrigerator to store your food for later, no stove for cooking dinner. That kind of shoebox would be unbearable to me. The husband came by a minute ago to borrow our phone. He said his wife is fine, though they gave her some pain meds. --------- I am registered to take the GRE next Friday. The next two weeks will be brief blogs.

Thanksgiving, Tests, and...Optimists

Thanksgiving was great. We watched the parade, rested, went to someone else's house for dinner, came home and napped. I was thankful for the Thanksgiving. The food was great-- no sloppy joes-- and I do believe it was the best gravy I have ever made. Hubby liked the limas, mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey, stuffing, AND blackberry pie. He was pleased. ------ I have been studying for the GRE lately. That would be one reason for not blogging so much lately. It is so kicking my butt, I have to say. Hubby is trying to help me through the Math part, but whew! I haven't had a REAL math class since I was a sophomore in high school; and I question that, as it was taught by a basketball coach and we spent a lot of the time watching clips and plays. I am going to take a few hours tutorial on an online program called ALEKS. It will be a double bonus since I was thinking about using it for the boys when they are older. I have heard good things about it. This way I will have first hand knowledge of whether I like it or not. I may also ask my friend who is good at math to come over one afternoon and give me a tutorial. Hubby has banged his head against the wall enough times. ------- So the kids were asking the other day what does it mean to have a bad economy. I told them it means that people can't pay the businesses, so the businesses can't pay the employees. Then people lose their jobs and can't afford to buy the things they need. A bad economy is bad for everyone. #2 responded, "A bad economy is good for families. They have more time to spend together." What an optimist!

I Made It!

The last couple of weeks, I kept telling myself, "You just have to get to Thanksgiving." So this morning I breathe a little sigh of relief and relax knowing that I made it. Thanksgiving is an odd holiday for us. I have heard several people say what a relaxing holiday it is for them. There are so little expectations. Basically you visit and eat. Some people go to the movies. Some look through the ads for the next day's sales. But there isn't much you have to do. It is the same for us, but it has a bit of history to it. When we married, we decided that Easter would be with my husband's family, and Thanksgiving would be with mine. Seldom have we had to abide by that decision, since we haven't lived nearby family very often. My family doesn't do much for Easter, Hubby's celebrates both holidays equally well; so it wasn't a difficult dilemma. That, of course, is all my opinion. From my husband's perspective it was a huge sacrifice. Here is why: When we were first dating, my family asked if I wanted to invite Hubby to Thanksgiving dinner. I invited and he accepted. First, you need to know that it was an impromptu event as family arrived unexpectedly. So we ate sloppy joes. Yes, you read that right; we had sloppy joes for Thanksgiving dinner. My husband's family has the traditional fare: turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, lima beans, and pie, especially blackberry. So he felt let down and disappointed to have given it up for sloppy joes. I am thinking that it wasn't such a terrible disappointment since he did continue to date me, and just a few short months later proposed. But I have heard about this incident for the last 20 years! As time has gone by, and we have lived in many places, Thanksgiving has meant many different types of celebrations. We have celebrated with International Students in West Texas (eating cornbread dressing for the first time), travelling to Sedona, AZ to celebrate with friends in a gorgeous setting, attending my first child's baby shower, once or twice my family travelled to us, spending the day with a friend at her family farm (eggs in the gravy were new to me here), and more often than not, just getting together locally with friends. In this town, we have always been blessed to share Thanksgiving at someone else's house, so we enjoy lying around all morning watching the Macy's parade, and then going to eat at someone else's house. I have always tried to make sure there are limas and blackberry pie wherever we have attended so that Hubby isn't too distressed. This year my family is meeting at my parents' house to eat together. They're having spaghetti. ------------ I told this story to my mother recently, and she did not remember it at all. When I left WV a couple of weeks ago, she sent a present to my husband...a can of Manwich.

School's Out, But For Whom?

I managed to survive yesterday. Everyone got where they belonged, and laundry was done, the chicken coop cleaned, and people fed. The septic system is fixed (I hope), and the rewiring is still going on. Hubby and I were able to sneak in a little date at Starbucks yesterday as well. It is a tradition that came slowly to us; why we didn't think of it sooner, I don't know. Tuesday evening is "Guys Night Out" around here. Hubby takes the boys out to eat, and often to do something else, like the library or window shopping, sometimes a movie. But they also have art class from 4:30-5:30 Tuesdays. So normally I drop them off and start my "business," and then he picks them up afterward. Several weeks ago, though, we decided to meet at Starbucks near the university and get in a little visit. Now it has become an important link in our week. Yesterday was the last one for a while, since next week is their art show and then no more classes until January, but at least we will know to meet all semester next time. ------------ The boys were able to finish their school work yesterday. I also filled out their attendance sheets for this semester, and they have completed 102 days of school. That means they are expected to complete 78 days more. We should easily be able to complete that by the end of April. While I was shelving some of the books, I came across one we didn't get to. It is an Usborne Internet Links book about WW1. We finished WW1 this month, and are to begin WW2 in January, so I said, "I want you boys to read this book over break, and look at some of the links." You would have thought I asked them to run naked through a field of mad bulls! "On winter break?! But that's school work." I replied, "It's about war, and it's the computer. You like this stuff. " "But it's school work!" "Think of it as extra-credit." "Extra-credit schoolwork!" Gee whiz. ----------- I came across a grant for people studying for a Doctorate in Education. It is for $12,000! I have to write a 10 page paper, and several other shorter papers, to submit by January 16th. I guess winter break will involve a lot of schoolwork for me.

Eggs and Bon-Bons

I went out to feed the chickens last night and found 2 eggs. Finally!! I actually have had to buy eggs a couple of times because they aren't laying anymore. Well, it appears the new ones are starting to lay. I had thought it would be about Thanksgiving when they would start, so I guess I did pretty well. The problem was that one had a soft shell and couldn't be used, and the other had been broken open. So now I will have to watch them more carefully and make sure they lay and get off quick. Can't wait to have real eggs again. ------- So here is the day of a stay-at-home-mom. This morning we will finish school for the year. Then I pick up the "extra" kids at their school at noon. I take all 5 swimming this afternoon from 1:00-2:30. Then I drop 2 of them off at the dentist's office, and run errands with the other 3 for an hour or so. Then return to the dentist's office to exchange one kid for another and take 3 of them to art class. It is supposed to be my night off, and a good friend invited me to dinner and a knitting club, but I need time alone to take the practice GRE, so I have had to decline the offer. All the while I will have men here repairing the septic system and working on rewiring the house. Where are those bon-bons?

Theatre and House Repairs

Thursday was dress rehearsal, and I was part of the make-up crew. I was in charge of making people look old. These kids are 14-17 years old, and we were to make them look middle aged or more. It was sort of fun. The rehearsal went well, and the play was Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The in-laws came down to see #1 in his first big role. Actually, he has had bigger roles, but not in such a big production. He did very well. It made for a long week, and we are certainly glad it is finished, but it also was definitely a good experience for him.

This is "Matthew Cuthbert" and "Jerry" back stage in the gym waiting to go on.

"Jerry" and "Mrs. Allen" the Reverend's wife. She goes to church with us.

Make-up was one of his greatest trials. He was sure his brother would make fun of him, and that others would laugh. It did not help to tell him that it is part of the job, just like other jobs have uniforms. He did not want to go celebrate with everyone else in public.

The kids get a t-shirt with the play logo on it. They sign each other's shirts as a memento.

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Of course, no visit can be complete without something going wrong. While the in-laws were here the septic alarm went off yet again. It has been doing that a lot in the last couple of months, so I had a guy come out to look at it. He couldn't come until this morning; boy was I nervous and careful with water usage the last few days! Anyway, it is the pump computer board messing up and it has to be replaced. Then last night as I was knitting, #2 pulled a bug off my shirt. He said it looks like a termite. So I guess we need to have that checked out too. That is part of remodeling we didn't figure on. Ugh.

An Education Rant

I enjoyed the conference last night. In fact, it may have been the best one yet. The main speaker was discussing a book, The World Is Flat, and its implications for us as a society and as teachers. It was very sobering and enlightening. The questions put forth by teachers to the keynote and to the international students on the panel were very poignant. It would seem that finally people are waking up to the fact that you can't ask the teachers to parent; parents actually need to step up and do their part. I was stunned by what I heard from the internationals. They are education majors and so they have to go into the classrooms here. They talked about the disrespect of the students...kids eat during class, talk on phones, or just get up and leave when they want! They said, "This doesn't happen in our countries." Well, I didn't know it happens in mine, and it certainly doesn't happen in my classroom. I guess that is one reason I homeschool that I didn't know about. I talked afterward with the keynote speaker; he is a friend of mine from India. I asked him some questions that were politically incorrect, but that I am curious about. It seems to me that we make a lot of excuses for our children, and make the excuses "legit" by tying medical causes or prescriptions to them. He agreed, and said that doesn't happen in India. He said it is another extreme; they don't help a lot of people who perhaps could do better if they could have a little help or training. I think that if our country wants to continue to compete in this new flatter world, we have to give up on the notion that every one deserves equal treatment. I am not in any way saying that people should discriminate based on age, sex, race, or nationality. However, there are some people who are born incapable of competing with the general population. I do believe these children need to be given some training, but they should not be taking away from the education of those who can help promote our country. Now there is no way I will ever get into UNC with that statement in cyberspace to mar my integrity! _______ I had an appointment at WVU last week to speak with some professors about graduate work. They were very encouraging and excited about my interest. Then I had a phone call with UNC on Tuesday; they were not. It was almost as if my background from WV, and my interest in homeschooling were below them. The more I looked into their school, though, the less I felt that I would enjoy my time there. I certainly don't fit into the mold. I am trying to contact the local university, but am not having much luck. I did discover that the person I was to contact, whom I have not had much luck with, is in CA with her son who just had brain surgery. That brings me to another topic. I should never make judgments about anything until I have all of the information. I recently found out that a situation that perturbed me a few months ago was really out of the person's control, because her mother came home one day and abandoned the family. Rash thoughts are better left unheard. Thankfully, I kept my mouth shut, except to my husband. _________ One fish down; one to go. It died last week before we left. The one that remains is the one I nearly lost down the drain. Still feeding flour. Amazing fish!

I'm Back

Overwhelmed. Yep. That's how I feel. And Exhausted. That should be on the list, too. I have been in WV for about a week taking care of my husband's grandmother. She is 94 years old, and her body is still very strong and active. Her mind is failing though. I answered the same questions for four days. It was a bit humorous though; her reaction to my answers was always genuine...and identical. She was appalled that I don't drink coffee, every time we ate. She was amazed at the weather forecast, that she read every five minutes. She was angered at her daughters for taking away the car, every time we went somewhere. She and I went to visit the other grandmother who lives in another town. We went out to eat several times. I took her to the grocery. It was a pleasant time. I got a lot of knitting done, and worked on a wedding movie for Hubby's cousin. But it was also stressful to have to be the one to tell her daughters that Grandma's time of freedom is over. She needs someone to watch over her and make sure she eats and doesn't fall. She fell once under my "watchful eye" and I was sure we were headed to the hospital. But she didn't break a thing! When I arrived on Thursday, she had a big knot and bruise on her forehead from another fall she had taken. I was able to visit my in-laws a bit while I was there, and I spent one night with my parents before I headed back. On the drive back, I took a fall myself in a convenience store. I tripped over some bottled water, and landed very hard on a tile floor. Yesterday my whole left side was stiff and sore. My elbow is still tender, but I think I am recovering. When we got back into town, we had an hour to prepare for a County Council 4-H meeting. So we grabbed a little pizza, fed the animals, packed up the computer and headed out. Yesterday was a catch up day in school, plus a 4-H meeting helping out at Give 2 the Troops, art class for the boys, a phone conference with UNC, and play practice for #1 that lasted until 9:30 p.m. I also had the "extra kids" yesterday, as well as today and tomorrow. Tonight is my annual global education conference that I attend at the local university. The play is Friday and Saturday. I have kids MTW next week and then comes Thanksgiving. The house is being rewired. Other 4-H events are forthcoming. I am studying for the GRE. And I am Overwhelmed and Exhausted. It should definitely slow down after Thanksgiving, so I am hanging on until then.

Youtube update

I was told by a friend that the YouTube video is up and running now. The kids and I just watched, and it was successful. Go to www.YouTube.com and search for 4-H for the Hungry.

Proverbs and Pranks

This time change thing is for the birds! Literally. I hear the roosters crowing in the morning now. I keep waking at 5:00 a.m. ever since the daylight savings went into effect. I guess it is good though. My prayer life is flourishing with that extra hour. I have been asking God for wisdom about what to do when I grow up, as my mother-in-law put it the other day. So today I decided to look to Proverbs, the wisdom book, and see what God might say. The first thing I read was Proverbs 16:1 "We can gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer." I kept reading...verse 9 "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Ok. I have been gathering my thoughts and making my plans, but what the Lord is answering or where he is sending is beyond me. I have asked for open ears and open eyes too, but I feel like I am wrapped in a sheet and can't break my way out. ------------ #1 is writing a book. He started it a day or so ago. Yesterday when we picked up the extra kids from school, he read it aloud to them. It was really good, for a sixth grader. He had movement, action, description, plot...everything he needed. He even used words like "rumble" and "shrill." One description said, "His belly swelled with fear." A lot of what he does is beyond me. He sits in his own little world, writing, drawing, and thinking. I seldom know what he is doing. It was a wonderful glimpse into his world to hear him share his story. ------------ Then there is #2. Sigh. Last night was his night to clean the kitchen after dinner. I used to have them do it alone, but the food flecked dishes draining to collect water got to me. So now I help wash and the boy on duty has to put things away and generally clean up. However, last night I needed to take #1 to play practice, so I did as much as I could and then left #2 with instructions. "Finish drying the dishes, wash off the countertops, and then finish your math lesson." When we got back about 9:00 p.m., the kitchen looked great. The math book was left on the table for me to grade. All looked well. I saw the dog needed water, and took the bowl over to fill at the kitchen sink. I was sprayed and soaked!! #2 had wrapped a rubber band around the handle on the sprayer, so that when the water was turned on it automatically sprayed the unsuspecting person. He is a busy boy, that one. ------------ #2 has a birthday next month, and it is a big one. He hits double digits! So I have been asking him what he would like to do to celebrate. He wants to go to Charlotte to the science museum and ride a bike across the top of the museum. They have a bike set up on a tightrope that you can ride several stories up across the expanse of the museum. When we were there a few years ago he was too short to ride it. Hubby was asking about the safety of it, and I commented that there is a net under it. "Who is Annette? And is she a good catcher?" he asked us. You see what I have to deal with?

Sorry about the YouTube. I think maybe the music voice over was messing with copyright laws, and it was taken off. Anyway, I may try later to divide the movie in half and put it here on the blog. My husband turned with admiration last night and said, "You're becoming quite computer literate." Not something I ever expected to be said of me! ---- Monday is #1's day to do laundry, the brights. Weds is #2's day to do the darks. Last week #2 told me, "I think #1 should wash the darks. All of his underwear are dark, and my hands think it is disgusting to wash someone's dirty underwear." You can imagine all of the smart remarks that came from me after that! I looked at my hands and asked them if they knew it was disgusting to clean up vomit, change dirty diapers, wash muddy floors, clean toilets... It isn't much fun to be my kid.

It is very late, or very early I suppose. I have completed the video, and I am exhausted. I tried to put it on this site, but it is too large for Blogger to handle. So I actually made an account at youtube and put it on there. I can't link it yet, as it is processing. By the time any of you read this, you should be able to go to YouTube and search for 4-H for the Hungry. We will be showing this next week at the County Council meeting. Have a nice day.

I spent a few hours with my friend again last night trying to figure out this movie thing. I was struck by how different from me he is. We were having trouble with a title not fading correctly, and he spent an hour on it! I am not exaggerating; he actually fooled with it for an hour. I was ready to try something different after 5 minutes. Couldn't we just not fade the title? Could we put a different title on the others? Could we just move on? I think at one point he wanted to yell at me, but he kept his calm. My way of handling it would have been to try titles on other frames and then maybe I would figure out what was wrong and could go back to it.

As I thought about this later, I wondered what Edison was like. Did he keep going on one thing forever, or did he try other ways and go back to it? I am pretty sure we would not have electric lights if he did it my way. I would get sick of it and try to discover a new way to cook or something, and leave the light bulb to someone else.

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Hubby comes back today. I think the dog was taking advantage of his absence. She slept in our room last night. I walked in to go to bed, and I could tell there was something in the floor. I turned on the light and sent her out. About 3-4 minutes later the door was pushed open and in she came. I was so exhausted, I didn't say anything and she slept next to the bed all night. She snores.

It is hard to believe that Luke was ever this little. He has become quite a little chub lately. He really likes to jump on Pete, and the howls from Pete are hilarious. I keep encouraging Pete to smack Luke upside the head, but he is a better man than I and just goes somewhere else. Luke likes to look inside the back door and watch what is going on in the house. He and Kelly are good friends now, when the picture was taken it was still questionable.

Just blurbs today... #1 just finished his soccer game and second season. Today was the tournament day, and they were done after the first game. They didn't play well this year, but they did improve, especially#1. I am definitely NOT a soccer mom, but I am glad he enjoys playing with a team. I am also glad they didn't go on in the tournament...It started pouring rain as soon as we walked off the field! -------- The movie lessons last night are to be continued. The teacher was having trouble too, so it isn't just the student. That makes me feel better. ------- I did get a little response from the university, but I MAY have found another option. I am waiting back for an email from UNC. They have a program that sounds exactly like what I am looking for. YeeHaw! (I hope.) -------- The retreat that Hubby is on is his second one since we have been here. The first was when we had lived here a week! He left me and the kids with a pile of boxes and took off for the mountains. Actually, we all thought it would be a good way for him to meet some of the guys and get a little handle on the church. It is supposed to turn cold this weekend, so I hope he packed well. -------- Co-op is over for the Fall session. I taught two classes on Evaluating Viewpoints and had a great time. I really like teaching kids who want to learn. I also co-taught it and that made a world of difference! I only had to prepare for half of the sessions. The boys had a good time in their classes as well. The Spring co-op will be a new challenge for me. I am helping to run the registration. -------- I am ignoring a messy house.

I am getting frustrated with the university. I would think that if someone contacted you about coming to your school, you would want to meet with them. But so far no one seems interested. I am struggling with whether this is a sign to look in another direction, or if it is a test to see if I am committed. ------------- The kids have struggled themselves this week. School has been tougher, and we have even had to do some in the evenings. The sentences are improving, however, so I am hopeful that we won't have to continue this much longer. Yesterday I was wishing that little boys didn't have to go to school. #2 had a friend over to play, and they were such happy little imps. They were barefoot, running through the field pretending to be Olympians. Then they played in a fire for over 2 hours. When they were done with that, they ran around in the dark playing hide and seek. They just had a great time. A few days ago, #2 moved his body into the kitchen while I was washing dishes. He did some kind of a dance, and then shimmied back into the diningroom, sat down, and did his school work. That is so not going to happen in a classroom. Which brings me back to what I should do about graduate school. I have a pretty clear vision about what I want to accomplish, and some new ideas are springing into my mind, but how do I have the most impact? Still working on that one. ----------- The movie thing is still beyond me, so tonight I am visiting my friend to give me some help. Hope he is a good teacher. The last time we did something together, I was trying to fly a virtual rocket, and he took it away from me! His wife said he doesn't let her try video games either. Maybe movie documentaries will be different.

Hubby is going on a retreat this weekend with the men from church. Then next week I leave with the kids to go visit my parents and Hubby's grandmother. So we have decided to go out for breakfast for a date. One of the things that came out of my personal retreat last month was that I need to date my husband more often. I think going out in the day time is safer for us. The boys are still kind of young to leave alone at night; I think they would get scared. Plus, I don't think they are ready for us to be gone for long, so breakfast or lunch is a good time span. We actually went to lunch last week while they were in a day camp, so I guess this isn't a "necessary" date to fill my retreat requirements, but we like each other and want a little time together. -------- Fish are still alive. Sigh.

So it took 138 years for a black man to be President from the time he could have voted. I guess that means another 50 years before women get in office. I hope it goes well. I talked about some of this this morning with #1 and we realized that Tiny Grandma was married and had 2 kids before she was allowed to vote. She wasn't 21. ----------- My children are nuts. I mean down right send-them-to-the-insane-asylum nuts. Yesterday, #2 pulled the rubber cement off of some mail, and threw it against the kitchen wall. While I was standing there. When I stuttered, "What are you doing?!" He looked at me and then realization came across his face. The look said it all, "I didn't just do that in front of her, did I?" A few minutes later, #1 was walking through the dining room and spit on the floor. He had stuck something bad in his mouth, and instinct took over I suppose. He didn't just sort of spit either; it was an honest to goodness full spit! Now #1 is pouting that he has to do work over from yesterday because it wasn't written in proper sentences. He has a slight cold, but he is milking it for all it is worth. He sniffles, tries to cough, tells me how cold he is...He even got out the thermometer and took his temperature. 98.7! Too bad it didn't work in his favor. It will be a long day. ------------ I started trying to make a movie last night on my "night off." It wasn't very relaxing. It is a little movie for our 4-H club. I was hoping to learn the system, so I can teach it to the kids and they can make their own movies. Yuck.

This day has long been anticipated around the world. I can only imagine what John and Barack are feeling this day...fatigue, nausea, anxiety, fear, etc. It will be good to have it done. Whatever the outcome of this election though, there is sure to be change.

So since it is Election Day here in the Good Ole USA, I thought I would share some Constitutional History with you.

The Declaration of Independence started it all when it declared that "all men are created equal." We have been trying to decipher that statement for the last 232 years. What did TJ mean when he penned those words? Over time we have decided that he meant everyone who appears to be related to the human race, even the unborn have some rights.

The Constitution went on to define the rights of citizens here to be those of a Republic. We have the right to vote and decide what we want to happen in our country. But as soon as that was enumerated as a specific right, we had a fight on our hands.

You see some people who belonged to the human race, and were citizens of our country, were not being afforded the rights as such. Many people took up the cause of freedom for peole of all colors, and the 1820s and 1830s saw a rise in men and women speaking up for the rights of slaves.

The Civil War brought about changes in our country, and eventually in our Constitution. In 1870 black men were given the right to vote. They couldn't really practice the right, since people around them were sneaky and mean, but they did have the right.

Women found it offensive that they had not been included in this granting of voting privileges, and the true fight for a woman's right to vote began in full force. Small ground would be taken in some western states where they needed women, but little progress was really made. It took until 1920 to get the right to vote for women. That means that my grandmothers were born without the right to be fully participating citizens in their own country.

It took 144 years for women to be considered remotely "created equal." The fight would continue, for both women and minorities, until the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That would be 188 years after the Declaration of Independence declared us all "EQUAL."

True, life-altering change comes slowly.

This land was made for you and me.

It is starting to look like Fall around here. A few of the trees are turning colors and losing their leaves. The sky is cloudy, and breezes keep stirring things up. Then of course there are the Christmas Carols and Wish Lists. I know that doesn't make much sense, but as soon as Halloween is over, the kids start thinking about the next holiday! A friend gave us a piano book of Christmas carols, so they have been trying those out. #1 is playing "Noel" right now. #2 wrote a wish list the other day along with a note about what he likes to do for fun, and what a good kid he is. He isn't very subtle. The animals have had me laughing lately. Yesterday I was trying to pour out the water from the fish jar, and one of the little boogers slipped out. I tried to pick it up (ugh) and get it back in the jar, but every time I got hold of it, it would flip out of control and end up in the sink again. I was laughing so hard I could hardly hold the jar. Yes, they are both still alive! Then this morning the dog pushed the bedroom door open, stomped inside, and threw herself down on Hubby's rug. It sounded like she was throwing a temper tantrum. Later I found out she was! She had been outside barking at cars in the road, and Hubby brought her inside. Then he wouldn't let her stay in the living room with the boys. So I guess she thought she would show him! This afternoon I gave her a bath. ( My kids learned a new phrase today, "You stink to High Heaven.") She had to be pulled into the bathroom, and then she refused to look at me. She's a character. Then there was feeding the scraps to the animals. I took the bucket of scraps out to the field and dumped them over the fence. Pete, the cat, wanted to get some of it, so he headed through the fence. Milky Way, one of the goats, didn't want to share so she butted him in the head while he was trying to get through the fence. He had his head through and all 4 legs splayed out on the other side. It looked like some old cartoon! Poor guy didn't want to admit that he had been had, so he sauntered over to the barn and licked his pride.

The sugar in the kids' systems has evidently run its course. They are still sacked out in bed. I know it may look like I am writing before 7 a.m., but it is really in our bodies' nearly 8:00. We let them have as much candy as they want the first day after Halloween. #2 had it for every meal, except a little spaghetti and salad that we had at a friend's house last night. Even there, we roasted marshmallows! He will be dragging today.

Today will be a sad day in our house. We will have a family meeting this afternoon to discuss some issues. Chores are not getting done, and school work has not been acceptable. I know they are going to feel like we are being too hard on them, and rebellion will likely occur, but it has to be taken care of. When I think about trying to go back to school, and deal with life as it is, I just about crawl under the bed! So some "pruning" is about to take place in our little family garden.

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The fish are still alive. Maybe I better buy some fish food; then they'll die.

These two pictures are from our church secretary. I forgot to take the camera. Hubby was the troll from Three Billy Goats Gruff at trunk-or-treat. Some people didn't know this was a goat!

Well, now it has been four years. My week of reminiscing is over; you can relax. I will just end by saying, "I am happy to be here."

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The Halloween party went well last night. The kids were charging to get out of the house to start the Great Candy Race. We had kids dressed as an angel, a princess or good witch (not sure), several Star Wars characters, a Greaser, a 60s person, a ninja, and some pirates. Our own were a wizard and a WW1 flying ace. Hubby and I went as Hee Haw singers.

The candy trading afterward was so loud the adults had to go to another room so we could talk. We had lots of food to munch on through the night too. Now the kids will spend the next couple of days on a sugar rush until we put a moratorium on candy again.

This mother brought candy to pay off the kids for what she wanted to buy from them! I just ask for what I want--coconut and peanutbutter!

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I taught a lesson on voting and the Constitution yesterday. It was so very interesting to me, that I started to wonder again about law school. I really have to think carefully about what I really want to do.

I just heard that they are expecting this election day to pass the record voter turn-out of 68% in 1908. I can't believe that that many people think it isn't important to vote! I went yesterday and actually got to vote twice! They had given me the wrong ballot. If I hadn't done the research of who was to be on my ballot, then I wouldn't have known it was the wrong one. If I had turned it in, my vote wouldn't have counted! I wonder how many mistakes like that will be made. A dishonest election worker could really change an election!

Traditions are an important part of where we live. Each home has brought new traditions. The one bedroom apartment tradition was having tea in the morning with a friend. The apartment in Texas was hanging evergreen on the banister. The Philadelphia tradition was taking walks with my baby to look at Christmas lights. The house in Texas was filled with holiday traditions like an Easter egg hunt, trick-or-treating with friends, and fireworks with the neighbors. The traditions seem to multiply with the ages of the children.

We have traditions in this home as well. Birthday parties are held here at the house with lots of friends. We go to hear concerts in the park in the summer. And at this time of year we celebrate Halloween with friends in another neighborhood.

It started out as just going to trick-or-treat with them, since we don't have a neighborhood. I did take the kids to the neighbor's house the first year, and he didn't know what to do. So he got out his change jar (an old coffee can filled with coins, screws, and nails) and let the kids take some money. The friends' party has turned into a big to-do, and the whole family enjoys it. One of the other kids plans it all and makes the food. She puts out quite a spread, and last year was excited about her punch with a hand in the middle of it.

We all eat and visit and then the kids go trick-or-treating. We take turns going with the kids, and when they get tired, they come back for a drink and a break. At the end of the night everyone dumps their candy out on the floor and the trading begins! It is like being in the pit on Wall Street!! I have laid claim to all coconut already this year. Love those Almond Joy and Mounds.

One tradition that hasn't been made is the Haunted Corn Maze. When we moved here, we arrived on Halloween. The church youth group was going to the Haunted Corn Maze and invited us along. We had been here a few hours, when I exposed my poor children to the horrors around them. We had to walk through yelling, "Little Kids!! Don't scare them!" We have never been back.

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Another tradition is that our church hosts a Trunk-or-Treat for the neighborhood. This year I helped the kids with a haunted house, and we did it based on the theme of the Ten Plagues of Egypt. I had a friend buy 2 goldfish and we put red lights under the bowl to give the appearance of the Nile turned to blood. I thought those fish would die before the night was over. Was I ever wrong! Those simple things are living still, and the kids have fed them flour! I didn't get fish food since I expected them to die. I also have been putting them in a jar and straight into tap water! If I had wanted them to live they would have been dead by now.

I have a tendency to make a couple of strong friendships where ever we live, and stick close to them. I suppose I have done that because I know we are moving again soon, and what is the point of investing all of that time in too many people? Sounds selfish, huh? Not that I haven't had more than 1 or 2 friends, but I have had few close friends.

But in this home I have many friends that I consider close. Perhaps it is the stage of life I am in since I seem to be involved in things in my kids' lives, the church, and the community, which wasn't possible when the kids were smaller. Whatever the reason, I do seem to have quite a few friends here that I would label "close friends."

The friends were made quickly, and were such a blessing from God. I have noticed in our previous moves that it takes 18 months to not be homesick, and 3 years for a place to feel like home. It would seem that just when a place felt like home, we would move. This town, however, has felt like home from the start. As our relationships mature and grow, it only feels more right to be here.

Proverbs says, "He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even the bitter tastes sweet." Perhaps I was just really, really hungry when we got here, but this is the sweetest place I have been. Thank you God for this home.

These are friends that I made in one of our other homes. I went back years later to visit them and they still felt like good friends. What a privilege it is to have friends like that.

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Another blessing here has been my job. I have wanted more children since time began, and God has answered me with the three precious boys that I care for. God knows just what I need, and surely He provides.