We went to Charlotte yesterday to attend my aunt's retirement party. My parents and all of my aunts and their husbands were there. It was a big family reunion of sorts. We could only go for the day; it's a 4 hour drive one way. I took a nap this afternoon. Missing a whole day like that takes it out of me. ------------- Happy Father's Day. We took our Daddy out to lunch and then gave him a tea brick from our trip to VA. He likes strong black tea. A tea brick is mashed tea leaves dried together, and they will last about forever. You slice or grate a piece off and make the tea. Hope he likes it. I thought I might put down some memories of my dad and grandfathers to honor them today. My Papaw Sharp always walked slowly with his hands clasped behind his back. I remember him walking down the lane to go and get the mail. He usually had a dog walking with him, and he wore overalls and a straw hat. He didn't hurry anywhere. I can see him tilling the garden, too. He loved his wife with all of his heart. He called her his bride until the day he died, and he gave you the feeling that she still looked like his bride. He took care of her and appreciated her. He liked to read. He read anything he could get his hands on. He gave me a book on canning, The Blue Book by Ball, before I ever thought of canning. I hung onto it for some reason and it has come in handy these last few years. I also remember him spanking me. I was about 6 years old and swinging on the gate. He told me to get down and I told him I didn't have to listen to anyone but my parents. He reassured me that I did. My Papaw Fitzwater was a tall man in my memory, though I have been told that he wasn't overly tall. He had big hands. I remember his clothes as gray janitor's clothes. He worked for the public schools repairing things. I was always proud that he had helped to build a dam in my hometown. I can see him in the garden as well. He liked salad greens. I remember him as being strict sometimes, but mostly I think of him as a happy man. He always seemed to have something to say to people, even strangers. He liked jokes and funny stories. My own father was a good dad. I think of watching western movies together on a Sunday afternoon. I would curl up with him on the couch. I remember trips that we took as a family; family was important to him. We would travel across the country to visit all of his brothers and sisters and their kids. He got me cats and dogs, goats, sheep, and even a horse once. I wanted a kitten from my uncle, and my dad got me 3. "One would be lonely and two might fight. It's best to have three." I think he couldn't say no to his little girl! He brought me my first dog, Lucy, who was my best friend through those Middle School years. My dad is a man of his word. When Hubby asked permission to marry me, he asked my dad to keep it a secret. My dad didn't even tell my mom! When I was 8 he said I could have a "big bed"( double) in a couple of years. When I turned 10 he gave me a queen sized bed. He is a man who wants to help others. He has hired men that other people have totally given up on to help him on the farm. He has taken in struggling kids to give them a second chance. He has strong political views, likes a good joke, and still races my kids down the walk. These three men have changed my life, raising me and raising those who raised me. My Father in Heaven blessed me tremendously when He put me in their paths.

Smoke is everywhere. I have lived lots of places with "weather conditions." We have been in Tornado Alley, Blizzard Blvd, and now Hurricane Haven, but I have never lived where fire was a danger. The whole county is covered in smoke, and has been for 3 days. The huge wildfire in the very eastern part of NC has sent its smoke to visit us with the changing winds. I feel wheezy in my chest, and I don't want to be outside. I feel sorry for the animals; Kelly is the lucky one who gets to stay inside. I'll be taking advantage of the poor conditions to start scraping paint in the living room. ---------- I have a formal interview on Tuesday. I am to bring my own book and read to young children and lead a discussion. I think I can handle that easily as I have always loved reading to children. I still read to my boys at night. I think it is one of their favorite parts of the day. On more than one occasion, a book that they found boring on their own took on new life when I read it.

My kids have asked me before why we don't have lots and lots of money. I told them that evidently God knows we would have trouble handling it and He is saving us from that trouble. I have a relative who hordes money. He has a lot of money, but rarely spends any of it. He makes many frugal decisions that I quite agree with. When he travels he takes a cooler along with him instead of always eating at restaurants. He takes a long time to consider all of the options before making large purchases. He is very wise when it comes to spending. But you get the feeling that the money owns him instead of him being the owner. I also have friends who acknowledge that they spend money unwisely. They quickly run out to eat or go to a movie, when they really have enough food at home to eat, and have other bills to pay off. When it comes to credit cards, they are "Quick-Draw McGraw." The economy owns their money and they just visit it occasionally. This year they have decided to change their habits and pay off their debt, sticking to a budget. They describe the relief of paying off those cards as a wonderful thing. They are starting to own their money. I have been following an interesting conversation the past week or so about how much money is enough to pay a minister. Answers have varied and some have been quite thought provoking. But the best answers have to do with attitude. What does the minister do with the money that he receives? Is he known as a generous man? Does he pay his bills? Is he a big spender with lots of flash? I think those are wise questions for anyone to ask. As some of you receive your government tax money this summer, what questions will you be asking?

I often feel like God puts me on hold until the last second. He once waited until we had $75 left before Hubby received a job. But this week God seems to be full steam ahead. I take care of 3 brothers three days a week. This has definitely been an answer to prayer. I have always wanted more children, and these were dropped in my lap 3 years ago. However, they will not need me after next year, and though the loss of a paycheck would not cripple us, it would definitely hurt. So I started praying recently that God would find the perfect job for me next year to replace this one. Enter God on a sugar rush. Almost immediately I saw an email from a friend about a possible teaching position that is half day. It was originally posted with the possibility of it being a job share and so I was very interested. Then I discovered that option was no longer on the table. So I had to think really hard. I talked to a couple of friends who thought that it would work out alright for us. I talked it over and over with my husband, and finally we decided that I should apply. So I had an "informal interview" this morning at 8:00. I felt like it went well, and was asked to come back Tuesday for a formal interview. That will be a short time with some Kindergarten aged children, an interview with the other Kindergarten and First Grade teachers, and another interview with the Headmaster. They are hoping to make a decision by the end of next week, and definitely by the end of June. There is one other person interviewing. I am not nervous about it. I told this story to the headmaster today, and told him I really only expect God to take care of this; it isn't my doing in any way. As for you, my readers, you can pray that God's plan will be obvious to us as we still believe it is best for our family to homeschool and this will add more stress to our family. I think we are ready to move on to this new stage, but apprehension is present.

Last summer/fall sometime I wrote about the guy who paid me $22 for a hen. I thought the guy was NUTS! Well, last week the neighbor saw me throwing out a dead chicken- one of my good layers too- and said that they are going for $20-$30 at the auction. I couldn't believe it. I thought he must mean for a group of layers, but no, just one hen. So, Saturday a guy showed up on the porch who has been here before to try and sell me a goat. Saturday he wanted to know if I wanted to sell some of my hens, because he remembered my saying I wanted to weed them out. I said no, I was wanting to get rid of some roosters, but not the hens. At least not until I have some new ones to lay for me. As we continued to talk I realized what he wanted was hens for the sale! He finally told me they are selling $18 and up. I asked if that is for a certain type and he said no, just say that they are laying and the price goes up from there. A guy down the road from us is selling chicks that will start laying in September and he is asking $4 a head. Just so you know, grown hens a couple of years ago sold for $4. Last night I ordered 25 new hens on-line. They will come the second week of July. I have been looking at them for a year, but the price is so much that I have put it off. Well I figured the price is half now of what I would pay around here, so I went ahead and bought what I wanted. This way I get the kind I like. They are called Black Star. They are very friendly and lay great. I had 4 from the first time I bought chicks at Tractor Supply. One was so friendly that the dog mangled it and it died. Another was sold for $22, and I guess the other died; I don't remember. So I am down to one, but she is still my best layer. No one around here has them; I've checked. So in July I will be the proud owner of 25 new baby chicks. But for today we have 3 little ones running around with their mother--very cute. I guess all of that is to tell you chicken and egg lovers that prices will be going up soon at the store.

We spent yesterday morning in the yard mowing and weed eating. The heat is so extreme for this time of year that it wiped me out for the day. We had to surrender this past week and actually turn on the a.c. 3 weeks earlier than usual! We don't keep it very cool- 78 in the daytime- but when you come in from the outdoors it sure does feel good. I may actually get in a pool before mid-July this year. #2 hosted a party Friday evening. He wanted to have a party and invite friends. I kept asking what he was going to do and how much would it cost me. It ended up costing me 4 boxes of jello, some sodas, and a cake mix. I didn't think that was too bad. He wanted to play board games and make gum drops out of the jello. They didn't do either, but he said he had a great time. The kids played outside having sword fights and other fun. They came in around 8:45 to watch a movie, and everyone was gone by 9:30. I was mowing the yard while they "partied." I was watching them run around and do as they pleased, and I thought how much I love living here. We have plenty of land for them to run as they please. They like playing in the barn and walking back the lane to swing on the neighbor's tire swing and look for sharks' teeth in the dirt pile. They are living as close to the ideal childhood as you can still get. #2 woke up fevered in the middle of the night. I am hoping it is something simple. He had a tick earlier in the week (that ideal childhood in the woods) and I couldn't sleep thinking what if it is Lyme's Disease. I'll keep an eye on him.

I saw a horrible story yesterday about a "man" who is pregnant. He was born a woman but in her late teens/early twenties decided to be a man, so she took testosterone injections. Later she married a woman who had had a hysterectomy. So now they want a family and the man is having the baby. Later, during dinner, we were having pork chops. We started talking about it being "the other white meat." The kids wanted to know what that meant, so we got into a conversation about people deciding that fat is bad for you, so they bred hogs to be leaner. Then when chicken became so popular, they started breeding chickens to grow huge really fast. Now the hogs have no taste to their meat, and the chickens have more fat. I went off about how people shouldn't play God---I think the pregnant man story was still troubling me. So my weird children's humor kicked in and they said they like playing God. "He's really good at baseball. He hits it all the way to the Harris's house." Gee whiz.

I went out to milk this morning and saw a flash of yellow down run behind the barrel in the goat pen. Sure enough, the chicks are hatching! At least 2 have hatched so far and she was sitting on 6. The second one is brown. While I was milking I could hear the chipping and cracking of the egg shells. What a miracle! It is good to be able to save both goats' milk now. I got a quart this morning that didn't get kicked or stepped in. I am only milking once a day right now. The mothers are still nursing the girls. I had a thought yesterday to put the girls in with the boys, since they aren't old enough to get pregnant, but Jameson chased Emma around so much and panted and bit her that I took them back out. There isn't any grass in the chicken coop where I keep the girls at night, so they will get the privilege of continuing to nurse. #1 slept a couple of hours yesterday morning. He NEVER does that, so I knew he wasn't faking and really was sick. I am doing a good bit better today and he told me he is feeling somewhat better as well. Good. It is short-lived.

I made it through this spring without strep throat. I have had it every May that we have lived here. I think it is in the soil and when I start working in the garden it gets to me. I haven't been doing much gardening at all this year. When I can get Green Giant vegetables for pennies I just don't have the same desire to garden. Though I don't have strep we are all sharing some kind of cold. Sore throat, generally yucky...I thought it was just me, but the kids and hubby woke up today feeling the same way. Faye's milk is finally good!!! Yeah!!! I was getting concerned that maybe she has bad milk. She puts out pretty well, and I was thinking what a waste. But yesterday's milk was good. So of course she stepped in the bucket today and most of it had to be thrown out. Mary is still fighting me tooth and hoof. The kids are crying because they have to be separated from their mommies. Actually I have only separated the boys. They have cried until Jameson has no voice and Sam is nearly hoarse. The kitten, Luke, has figured out how to get out of his box. He likes to hide behind it. --------- #5 said last week, and other times since, "I'm a disaster with rice." He is right. It always ends up all over the floor.

I was milking Mary last week when #2 and his friend showed up. They saw the way I tie her down, and #2 said, "Gee, you're really cruel." Today she got her leg untied on the second round (teat) and kicked over the cup, so less milk. Ugh. She really burns my britches sometimes. -------- We have a new kitten. Yesterday, a man showed up on the doorstep asking if we have a kitten. No. Is the black and white dog yours? Yes. Well she had this kitten out on the road throwing it in the air and onto the road. That's our Kelly. So now we have a kitten, named Luke, and he is teeny tiny. I guess he is 4-5 weeks old. He just clings to you if you pick him up. Hope he survives. -------- We have thought of a job for #2! When the boys are 12 we have told them they will have to have some type of job. We have had trouble thinking of things since delivering papers is not an option. Then the other day it hit me for #2, trees! He loves to climb trees. So we are going to plant a little orchard for him and he can sell things at the farmer's market. It will take a few years to get production going, so he has to start now when he is 9. We have an appointment at the Agricultural Center next week for him to find out what will do best. He was so excited about it...His face lit up when he thought about climbing all of those trees!

I am trying to wait on God, but sometimes he is so slow. We have a gap in children's ages at church that means that #2 will be the only kid in his class at church in the fall. I am praying for kids to move in before then, but knowing the way God has acted in the past, they probably won't come until the last Sunday in August. I have been noticing that this town is changing. We have only been here 3 years, but it already has a diffeent feel to it. A lot of "foreigners" are moving in---that would be people who weren't raised here. This is a churchy part of the world, and the first question after "What's your name?" is "Where do you go to church?" But that has been changing with people moving in and I am not sure that others have recognized it yet. I am meeting more people this year who don't know about Jesus than I have in the 3 years before. I hope we are up to the challenge. As I talked with a friend yesterday at church, he told me that he knows a guy at work that homeschools his kids because there is too much religion in the public schools. Wow. That isn't something you hear very often. I know a lot of people who homeschool because you DON'T hear enough about religion in the schools. I guess you can't please everyone. ---------- We have separated one of the baby goats from the rest because he is capable of impregnating the older goats now. It is so sad to listen to him crying for his mother and sisters. He has been separated 2 days now and he has lost his voice. It breaks my heart. Tough love.

I got a phone call yesterday from an elderly gentleman in our church. He was just calling to let me know that his wife had passed away and he found her that morning on the sofa. He wanted to let me know so I would know why he wasn't at church today. I told him certainly I understood. He replied, "Oh you understand. Well, okey dokey then." Who in the world calls to tell you his wife of 70 some years has passed away and ends with "okey dokey then"? He is definitely a Southerner. We will be going this afternoon to visit him. He is a sweet man, his beliefs astonishing for a man in his 90s. I can't imagine losing my lifelong best friend when my life has been that long. How very lonely he will be.

On Monday I decided to change the office around. My husband asked why he gets sweaty when I move the furniture. He's so funny. ---------- We had friends visiting this week from Ohio. Thursday evening they came over for a cookout and campfire--SMORES! I just enjoy the roasted marshmallows, but some of the kids love smores. When it was almost time for them to leave, they came running in to tell us that the goat was giving birth. We all ran out, and sure enough Milky Way was pushing. She had a baby boy and did great. She was a bit loud when he finally pushed out, but it was her first kid and he was huge. The girls who were visiting decided they don't want to have babies after all. ---------- We bought a dog kennel last night to put the boy goats in. They have been getting pretty active the last week or so. The children wanted to know why the boys keep chasing the girls. They will be doing that themselves pretty soon. ---------- Maybe the new movie around here should be Sex and the Country.

I was tagged by a friend recently. Here are the answers... *Maybe I should…choose my friends more carefully. *I love the smell of…new hay. *People would say that I…get away with a lot. It's good to be a Northerner in the South. *I don’t understand why…boys attract dirt. *When I wake up in the morning…it is to the alarm of a bleating baby goat. Much better than an electrical alarm clock, but no snooze button! *I lost my will power to…haven't lost any, just changed priorities. *Life is wonderful with…all that it offers. *My past made me…a better person. *I get annoyed when…my husband changes my watch to five minutes fast and then shows up to me meet me on time and I have already been there for a while. Does it sound like I might carry a grudge? *Parties are not…for introverts. *Dogs are…sure of who is in charge. *Cats are…sure the dogs are not in charge. *Tomorrow I am going to…stay home with no one's kids but mine...or go to the beach with friends and their kids. I'm a sucker for the beach. *I have a low tolerance for…people with low tolerances. *I’m totally terrified of…snakes. *I wonder why I thought my life would be…completely different. I love it the way it is. *Never in my life…gee, if I knew this one I wouldn't say never in my life. *High school was something that…is long forgotten. *When I’m nervous…I breathe hard. *Take my advice…nothing is as bad as it seems. *Making my bed is…easier when I sleep alone. Hubby rolls too much. *I’m almost always…up for a party. *I’m addicted to…nothing. But a peanutbutter shake sounds good right now. *I want someone…to be my personal secretary. I HATE paperwork.

Last night we watched Hee Haw together as a family. I had ordered it on Netflix. As soon as the donkey came on and the music started, I was thrown back in time. When I was little every Saturday we would go to my grandparents on the other side of the county. We would go eat dinner and watch Hee Haw and then Lawrence Welk. Then we would go home to get ready for church the next day. So when the donkey came on, I was tossed through time. I could see the dimly lit kitchen. Hear Mom and Grandma putting away the last of the dishes. Remembered the cupboard that was behind the table. There was a little countertop shelf to put food on, since the table was small, and Grandma would make a scratch chocolate cake to put there for dessert. We would sit in the livingroom. Most of us shoved together on the couch, Papaw in his chair, Great-Grandma Phillips in her rocker rubbing snuff. The tv was maybe a 19 inch screen on a bookshelf. There was the smell of burning coal from the stoves. It was a weekly ritual, and I was amazed at how suddenly the memory returned. I wonder what will trigger memories for my children.

Just a bunch of blurbs today. ---------- Kelly went missing yesterday. I didn't notice until late afternoon. We were having guests over and I figured she would come then to see everyone. After everyone left we went for a walk in the new neighborhood and she wasn't there either. I guess she went on a hunting trip for the holiday. She came back when I went out to close up the goats at 9:30. This morning she is lying in the floor watching people walk by. I guess she wore herself out yesterday. ----------- We had a nice time yesterday with friends. We had people from different parts of our lives here. It was good to meet a family that hubby is friends with and I didn't know. ------------ Grandma is back at her house now. M-I-L droppped her off yesterday feeling a little trepidation. She is 93 years old, and as strong willed as ever. One of the neighbors said to some other neighbors that she can't believe how Grandma's daughters just let her do whatever and don't tell her what to do. The other neighbors laughed and said, "You're new to the neighborhood. Aren't you?" You don't tell Grandma what to do. ------------ I tied Mary's legs together for the milking this morning and she did much better. Not great, but better. Finally she wore herself out and then we had some bonding time. She doesn't seem to hate me or be afraid of me, but she does not like milking. The babies are all very fat. ------------ Today starts summer break for #5 and I will have him all day now until the end of June. They will go away for July and then I start back in August with all day until school starts. The other 2 kids have 2 weeks of school left still. It is much better when they are all here together. Then I can go do as I please and not have to schedule my life around the afternoon pick-up. ----------- We have a duck who thinks he is a rooster. He needs a girlfriend. And we have a cat who thinks he is a chicken. He sleeps in the chicken nests with the eggs every night. Even the kids sleep in the nests when I put them away at night. Weird animals. ------------ There is an article on Kristin Davis in the Health magazine for June. She is one of the actresses from Sex and the City. She has been helping for several years to raise awareness of poverty in African countries. She said she started to believe in God when she did that. She doesn't think she would believe in God if she stayed in Hollywood. Her reason: People who shouldn't have hope do. There must be a God to give people hope like that.

My husband reminded me of another saying I had been thinking of: #2 asked me how old I was when I got married. 29. How old are you now? 26. "You can't descend in age, Mom." -------- I was thinking this morning of all of the people that I could name who have served our country in the military. All of my uncles on my mom's side, though none are her brothers. My father, my father-in-law, uncles on my dad's side, my husband's uncles, friends, cousins...So I thought I would just list their names here as a Memorial Day list of honor. Family: Floyd Stead, Eddie Sharp, Larry Stead, Dan Stout, George Poling, Bobby Poling, Ed Heavner, Kenny Stead, Chris Stead (Vietnam), Fred Sharp, Kenny McPherson (Normandy), Shuryl England (Vietnam), Josh Sally, Steve Soujia, Todd Stead, Troy Stead, and more I am sure that I am forgetting or unaware of. Friends: Sandy Lindelof, Paul Bernarde, Aaron Bullard, Elliotte Pearson, Kenny Bolyard, Junie Harris (Vietnam), Ron Newton (Vietnam), Anissa Shuttlesworth (killed in Iraq), Pete Wilson, Lora Ebeling, Kim Fry, and again many more. Thank you again to those who have served. Happy Memorial Day.

My kids crack me up with their vocabularies. They talk like little old men sometimes. The other day we were walking through the field when #2 told me the trees were "thriving" and today #1 said that his brother was "wearisome." There were a couple other words that I was trying to remember for this post, but now they have flown from my mind. I really enjoyed my week to get the house back in order, but I am just as much enjoying being with my boys again. --------- This is Memorial Weekend, the start of summer. I was thinking this morning that when I was little it meant the end of school. We started after Labor Day and ended at Memorial Day. Gone are those days for today's public and private schoolers. Of course, they are gone for my kids too as we start in July and end in April--weather has a lot to do with it. Anyway, there is a National Cemetary in the town where I grew up. Each year there is a parade through town out to the cemetary. The first casualty of the Civil War is buried there, or something like that. As school children we would all wear white and march through town with the rest of our school. Our teacher would give us each a little American flag to carry and we all brought flowers from our yards, mine were always snowballs from the snowball bush and irises from Grandma's flowerbed. We wrapped them in wet papertowels and foil to keep them fresh. At the end of the parade route, we would go through the rows of perfectly aligned headstones and try to find one that needed flowers. Each headstone also had a flag. There would be speeches in the cemetary given by school children who won a contest, and by veterans who fought for our freedom. Then we would go to Garden Fresh- the local grocery- and the owner would give everyone who marched through town a drumstick ice cream cone. Children still march today, but gone are the white dresses and sunbonnets, the white sneakers, the yard flowers, and the ice cream. I doubt any one listens to speeches, and many children probably don't know why they celebrate this holiday. I wonder how many young soldiers overseas will celebrate it tomorrow for the first time. And how many will never get to celebrate. Thank you to all who have given us this holiday. Thank you for the reason, not just the relaxation. God bless America.

My family is back. They left last Saturday. Hubby took the kids to WV to their grandparents, and then he went to MI to a conference. They got back yesterday evening. They came back with new shoes and more money than they left with. They said it was just for being the grandkids. Do they know when they have it good or what?

Our internet service stinks. It has been going in and out for over a week. Embarq better shape up or they will be losing a customer. Anyway, here is the letter to each of my boys, condensed for time and space's sake. ------- #1 was in fifth grade this year. Besides growing physically, he grew a lot academically, spiritually, and emotionally. I saw him start turning into a responsible young man that I am proud of. This was a hard year of lessons and he came through it well. This year he started noticing when things needed doing, and usually he went ahead and did them without being asked. He puts away his laundry, and tries to clean up after himself much better now. He is able to look after younger children, and has been very helpful with the Cloverbuds in our 4-H club. Academically, #1 started using a schedule to keep up with his studies, and rarely did he need prompting to finish. Spanish and Math went well. Grammar started falling into place, and his writing achievements were awesome. He won a writing contest at the university. I have seen his artistic abilities improve as well. The university classes seem to be helping, and he is starting to think about being an artist. He is a great public speaker at co-ops, show and tell, and banquets. He even gave a thoughtful campaign speech and won President in 4-H. He enjoyed new sports this year as well. Archery, shooting guns, bowling, and soccer were his favorites. He enjoyed being on a soccer team this past fall, and his team won the championship. I think the surest sign of #1's maturing was his ability to deal with conflicts with other people. He didn't come running to his parents or friends, but courageously and politely tried to take care of it himself. --------- Third grade pushed #2 in some new directions. He continued to excel at academics, but he had to try a little harder this year. He became an avid reader, fervently explored God's creation, and continued to have a positive attitude. He did well in Math and quickly picked up the Multiplication Facts. He loves Science and enjoyed Chemistry this year. Piano was fun, except for the practicing. He still struggles with Grammar, but a Writing class in Co-op opened a new passion for him. The schedule didn't go well with #2. He is still needing personal guidance. He enjoys cooking. And this year he won first place in the Unnatural Resources Fair for designing some drawers. He was also Photographer of the Year for the County 4-H. #2 thinks out of the box, and is often trying to invent new gadgets. His fort ended in a terrible case of poison ivy, but the Christmas knives have found their place doing whittling. He is an outdoorsman, but doesn't like competitive sports. He likes archery, shooting, and fishing. #2 is also a great public speaker, and especially likes Power Point. He won a talent show giving a demonstration of cooking an omellette. #2 needs lots of guidance to complete a task, but he is always happy and eager to get things done. We are very proud of him.

It finally happened!!! This morning as I tried to fight with Mary, yet again, she finally let down her milk. I was able to get about half a cup out of her. Doesn't sound like much, I know, but for what I have been through with her I am happy to get anything. She still stomps and fusses, but it is much better than it used to be. And now finally milk came out, too. The sad part was hearing her cry when I finally got milk. It sounded like such despair, "I have tried so hard and long. I have triplets! Isn't that enough for you?!" So maybe in another week I will be able to milk her without too much difficulty. Now we have to figure out what to do with the baby boys...they are starting to try sowing their oats. --------- We had storms last night and Kelly was her usual baby self. She followed me around room to room while I cleaned. Then when I got out the vacuum, she gave me the dirtiest looks. She still couldn't bring herself to leave me, but she sat in the doorways. After that I insulted her more by giving her a bath. I guess she decided to take her revenge in the middle of the night, because she drove me nuts, licking, breathing, pacing, until I finally put her out at 2 a.m. I'm shocked that she isn't covered in mud. --------- I finished the boys' scrapbook for this past school year. It always amazes me how much we do in a school year. When you are going through the year, you forget what has gone by. For instance, I had finished the year thinking we hadn't done enough writing. Then I went to the computer to print out some samples of their writing, and they actually had done quite a lot of writing. I also wrote a page for each boy describing their accomplishments and how they have grown this year. Tomorrow I will post those letters.

Yesterday in Bible class I had another one of my "disgusted with God" moments, but it worked out for me. We were discussing the last reigns of the Kings before the Babylonian captivity. We have spent many weeks discussing the long list of kings of Judah and Israel. A few of them came out looking fairly decent, but mostly they looked worse than an American politician paying off the Taliban. They were wicked men who turned from God, some even replacing Him with other gods in Yahweh's temple. Then you get to Josiah. This guy was so on fire for God that he destroyed all of the other gods, their high places, their temples, even their places in people's homes. He went out of Judah's boundaries and did the same in Israel. He was a great king in the ways that seemed to matter to God before. Then Josiah was killed in battle and the throne of David seems to be over. A couple of Josiah's sons reign, but they are puppets for Pharoah, as well as being evil as their ancestors had been. Then the Jews are carted off to Babylon. You see what disgusted me was that God could let the evil men reign for long periods of time, if they just would slightly turn toward him. Call out to God in your time of trouble and he will take care of you. Now a good guy comes along and he gets taken out and the nation destroyed. Then I started looking at the bigger picture. It had been prophesied that Babylon would arise and destroy the nations for the way they had turned from their Father. God had to keep his word in order to be God. But in allowing Josiah to so completely turn the people away from their gods and back toward the Lord, perhaps when they were taken to Babylon the people would cry out to God again. You see, the Jews had so completely abandoned God that they didn't even know the law anymore before Josiah. If they had been taken captive then, they may not have been able to call out to God, simply because they didn't know him. If they couldn't call out to God, the nation would be completely annihilated, since it was their faith in the Lord that made them a nation. If that had happened, we would never have had Jesus. Disgust was now gone. Praise and adoration to the Father who can see so much more than I will ever be able. My sincerest apologies Father.

I did well at the book warehouse. I was able to finish up some Christmas shopping for the nieces and nephew, and a little for my own brood. I got a coming of age boy book for #2's tenth birthday later this year. That just stuns me that he will be 10! I also got some books for school for the next couple of years. We will soon be getting into WW1 and 2. The rest of the books were just for fun reading. A couple of weeks ago, #1 was talking to his grandmother about what is planned for this summer. The biggest news that he was excited about was that they get a new book each week for summer break. Then the two boys can trade, thereby getting 2 new books each week. It was wonderful to hear him so excited about that. There was a time, not too long ago, when he didn't want anything to do with a book, and we weren't sure he was going to read. What a pleasant turn-around.

Wednesdays and Thursdays wear me out. Yesterday was triple coupon day at the grocery store and that just added to the fatigue. My favorite buys were the ones where they paid me to buy their product: Taster's Choice individual coffees and Barilla Pasta. I also got Green Giant vegetables for just over 1 cent a box, and Yoplait Yogurt was ending up about 10 cents each. Today I am off to spend more money though. There is a Scholastic Warehouse Sale in Raleigh and a friend and I are heading there to do some book shopping. I used to go when we lived in TX and it was always a great deal. This time, though, I had to decide if it would be worth the gas money. I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday and got an idea of what I would spend and save and decided, yes, it is worth it. Hope it works out to be true.

A couple of weeks ago, I was helping #5 to finish up his lunch when he said, "You don't play. You just work." I agreed with him--I wanted him to finish eating and the more you talk to him the longer he will take. But it has stayed in my head since then. I actually do play, but I work a whole lot more. As I look around here today, it looks like it will be another work day. I guess all of the play was for last week's trip. Last night was my "Night Off." I was planning to go to the grocery and to get pictures developed. As I worked on downloading the pictures on the computer, I decided it would probably be better to go ahead and order them on-line. I saved about $13 according to what I would have spent at CVS, but more importantly I didn't spend any more money on gas. With it nearing $4 a gallon, life is starting to have to change for us.

We went on a 4-H trip this past week. Our club has been working on it all year; fundraising for over a year. It was a nice trip to Virginia. We spent the first day at a museum taking classes on a few different eras in VA history. We learned about the Native Americans, the Revolution, the Bateau (a form of river transportation), and the Gilded Age--Victorian lifestyle. After we were educated, we headed out to see some of the events. We went to Natural Bridge and saw the caverns, the waterfalls, an Indian village, and watched a light show depicting creation. The next day we were off to an Elizabethan garden maze. That was what the kids were most looking forward to. Some of the adults were trying it too. Another mom and I were the winners; it was lots of fun. Then we took a tour of Michie Tavern, a tavern from the 1700s. #1 really enjoyed it. We did a square dance and he really liked that. The last day we went to Ash-Lawn Highland, home of James Monroe, and to Monticello. Our family had gone up early on Thursday to see the vacation home of Jefferson at Poplar Forest, and that was a nice addition to Monticello. Some interesting things to me were:

• A lot of people's success was who they knew. All of the first presidents knew each other and had contact with each other.
• I don't think we could survive in a time like that now. They reused things every way they could, saved what they could, were ingenious even to the point of boiling the dirt in the smokehouse to get out all of the salt during a salt shortage.
• The politicians were seldom at their own homes. They had to depend on others to take care of their homes while they were running the country or being ambassadors to other countries.
• Debt was a BIG problem for our forefathers. Jefferson died penniless. Monroe was deeply in debt as well. But it wasn't as much their fault as debt is today. Jefferson inherited a lot of his debt, and people visited him all of the time and he was expected to entertain them. He also was being a gentleman and signed a note for his daughter's father-in-law, who then defaulted on the loan. Monroe had to pay for all of the furniture for the White House after the fire of 1814 when the British attacked.

#1 says Michie Tavern was his favorite. #2 picks the Indian Village. Hubby likes the indoors of Monticello- outside it was cold. I think I would pick either Michie Tavern or Ash-Lawn Highland. The tour guides make or break it for me, and those were really good ones. I also think it was a great addition to see both Poplar Forest and Monticello. They have a lot in common and it was interesting to see them both.

Now we are back and have to get back into the swing of things. The goats were bears this morning. Mary does not like being milked. It will be along few weeks to get her settled I am afraid.

Today is Primary Day in NC. I actually voted early, as usual. I try to avoid the long lines, and the possibility that the actual voting day may get away from me and I will forget to vote. This is the first time that I actually get to vote for President...in my entire adult life! I know, I am so young. Actually, we have moved every year and didn't get registered in time to vote. I had thought when we moved here that I would get to vote for President, but we ended up moving before early voting in TX, but too late to register for NC. I could have figured out absentee voting I guess, but it wasn't important enough to me. So last week I went to vote in the Primary. I am unaffiliated, so I didn't expect to vote in the NC Primary. So I went in and they told me that I got to choose which ticket I wanted to vote on. So I chose one, thinking that only the presidential part would be different and the other parts would be unaffiliated choices. I started to vote when I realized that they had given me a straight ballot. So I took it back and told them that wasn't going to work for me and I wanted an unaffiliated ballot. I had to convince them that I realized that it meant I couldn't vote in the presidential primary. I said I couldn't vote for anyone on that ballot because I didn't know any of them and I hadn't researched them. I needed to vote unaffiliated because I had researched those people and knew whom I wanted to vote for. They were incredulous, even trying to explain the voting process to me, but I was adamant and voted unaffiliated. So I still haven't ever voted for a president, but November will get here before I know it...And I do not plan on moving before that!

Time just keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping...I was filling out schedules for the kids' day camps and the summer is about gone. They are doing some fishing, electric projects, cooking and sewing, clogging, and more. I looked up church camps, but it is out of the question with price and schedules. So they will have a fun summer at home. We started getting some things into the ground in the garden last week. I put a whole bag of fertilizer on the garden because the boys want corn and we haven't had much luck with corn. We may end up with corn on steroids! We also put out tomatoes, beans, lettuce, and peas. The strawberries are doing well too. The fruit trees look pretty full this year, and the grapes are doing well, too. Perhaps we will have a good year--if the rain keeps coming. Last night was a terrible lightning storm. I thought the barn had been hit, and hubby thought the water tower had been. The dog was in our room, of course. Nothing has been heard from the goat lady. I am hoping that is good news. We had a guy stop yesterday evening to see if we wanted to buy another goat. She is an alpine and nubian mix and already bred. I told him I think we have enough to handle for now. He was able to tell me of a slaughter house though. So if we can't get rid of goats we don't need, I think we can at least butcher them. The goat lady would faint at that news! We took the boys to see Nim's Island yesterday. It is a good movie. It is nice that the boys are starting to be the age when we can see interesting movies together. The new theater has already been taken over by another company. I guess rent is ridiculous at the new plaza. The homeschool curriculum sale was this weekend, too. I made enough money to pay off the books I had bought for #1. He needed science and math this year. A good friend is giving me math for #2. We are also sharing a science with friends for #2. The library is a great help to us for interest and for saving money. I love the university library and we may spend more time there this year. And that is why time is slipping...

Our family does something called "Fun of the Cup." It started years ago when hubby would go away for spring break and I would be left with the kids by myself. So I would fill a cup with slips of paper. The kids would draw one a day and we would do something that it said. We would go to get donuts, or to the zoo, or the park, or toy window shopping. It didn't have to be expensive, just something to look forward to. #1 started calling it "Fun of the Cup" and a tradition was born. So now we are on summer break and doing fun of the cup. This week was to go to Baskin-Robbins. We went last night and surprise, surprise, it was 31 cents a scoop! They were having a special and we didn't even know. Next week we won't get to do the cup since we have a trip planned to Virginia with our 4-H club. We don't do the cup when there are extra special things like trips planned. That is enough to look forward to in itself. ----------- A couple of friends asked me what the goat lady did, so I guess I didn't explain what was going on very well. The deal we made was $100 a goat and then if I decided to keep the kids it would be another $50. She was well-paid, as most goats go for $75, but I didn't want to drive as far as I would have to to get one for that price. She called last week and told me I had been dishonest and the price had been $200 per goat, and now she wanted $100 per female kid and $25 per male. She just continued to lie and I had answers for all of her lies. She even pulled out, "You're a preacher's wife and I thought you would be honest." I told her not to even try to pull that card, she was being dishonest and she knew it. So yestedray I sent a nice note to her with a check for the $50, and completely ignored her dishonesty. I won't be answering the phone the next several days as I am sure she will call and cuss me out. Just leave a message if you call, I will get back to you. ---------- Speaking of the goats, I have to get a strategy to deal with them during milking time. They all try to get into the stanchion at the same time. Darkie has figured out how to knock the feed bucket off the wall. Mary is furious that I should touch her, and she jumps and snorts the whole time. Milky Way is a pig and eats everything and won't move unless the world is ending. Fay is the only sweet spot. She doesn't push and shove, and she stands still while I milk. She doesn't have any milk to give me yet, but it gives me comfort to have a cooperative goat.

My decision is to mail her a check and a very nice note completely ignoring her lies, and continue the deal as it was made. The burden of proof would be on her, and I have the goats. Just hope she isn't a really mean lady...I am imagining hang up calls, stalkings that end in goat thievery, etc. --------- Hubby and I had a nice date last night. The people I work for got tickets for us to attend a Garrison Keillor show. They were good seats, dead center in the balcony. The opening act was a NC band called Molasses Creek. They finished with a funny song about "nature people" that had a chorus of, "I cried bottled water tears over you." Keillor was great. He doesn't seem to have any notes, though he does look at his hand a lot, and he talks the whole time. He was on stage about 2 hours. He shared some childhood memories, some commentary, some recitations of poetry, and sang with us. It was a much later night than I expected. Afterward I had to pick up the kids from a friend's house, so I got home about 11:30. ---------- I tried milking Mary this morning. She went right in the pen and up onto the stanchion. Then when I tried to milk her, she stamped and snorted and jumped! It will take several days to get her used to it, so I guess we will have to buy milk again this week. Afterward, I was petting Fay and touching her so she will get used to it. She was very calm and I looked at her head to see that she had her head in the bucket and was slurping up what little milk I had gotten from Mary. I'll have to keep an eye on her and the bucket!

I was madder than a hornet last night. I am calmer this morning, but still irritated. The woman I bought the goats through is lying through her teeth about the deal. Now I have to decide whether to give her the babies back or complete the deal as it was made. I am leaning toward completing the deal. There was no written contract, she has no proof of anything, and she lied to the wrong person. However, I am wondering about her future relationship with Christ. She knows I am a Christian, and she obviously isn't from other things I found out the day I met her. I wonder if this will taint her so that she will never look to Christ or will she see it later as my honesty and her greed and look for her Savior in that. --------- Today is the first day of summer vacation. Friday we had a surprise swim party for the boys with some of their friends. We took them to lunch and then met at the pool. Afterward I took them on the church camping trip. I told them happy end of school, and #1 said, "And to our teacher, too." Yes, the teacher is happy school is out, too!

Hubby was preaching today about being content from Philippians 4. At one point he said something about evangelizing his neighborhood. #2 got a shocked look and asked, "Why would he want to vandalize the neighborhood?" Close. ----------- Something was said in Bible class that has had me thinking today. We have been studying the book of Kings, and often noting how the Israelites forget what has happened and continue farther down the road away from God. We all seem very surprised by the Israelites inability to see what has happened and to change course back to God. But then I start putting it into my situation today. I know that the USA is not God's chosen nation, but we have historically been a nation for Christ. We also seemed to be a very blessed nation, and many put that down to our basis in Christianity. But if you look at our relatively recent history, you can see how quickly we have turned from God and chosen another path. In the early 1900s our nation started loosening up on alcohol use, how women dressed, and the language permissible in the company of others. Science was changing the world, and we weren't being left behind. Medicine was changing and experiments were being performed on the handicapped and senile. By the 1960s, alcohol and drugs were sweeping the nation. Open ended relationships were replacing monogamous relationships as the norm. In the next 40 years what you saw on television and the movie theater would change drastically. Prayer and patriotism would no longer be allowed in schools. Behaviors of children would change, no one would be blamed for much, our health and wealth would desist, and yes, we would leave God. It all started as a small slide, that has turned into a roller coaster. As I have grown up during most of the changes I can't say that I noticed it as much, until recently I have had it put upon my heart. Much like a prophet in the ancient times of Israel, I imagine my message will not be welcome. I wonder if it will take hundreds of years for our country to return to God...or will we at all?

Yesterday our 4-H club sponsored classes at our church offered by the aquarium. The kids were able to learn about all kind of ocean topics; 6 classes were offered. We met at our church and one of the mothers was asking me a little about churches of Christ. She asked if we are like Baptist and Methodist churches. I have a hard time answering that. Yes, we believe the same basic tenets about Jesus and God, and even likely the Holy Spirit. No, we are not a bit like them, because each congregation decides for itself what it believes. We have universities and a newspaper. We have common beliefs. The only creed we hold to is the Bible. Does the Bible allow missionary support, women to pray, one cup communion? Those are congregational decisions. So are we a "denomination-wannabe" or are we a "non-denomination-wannabe?" How about, "We are Christians." --------- 2 days of school left!

Last night was the 4-H club sponsored talent show. The state project this year is to be an artistic theme, and so the kids decided to sponsor a talent show for the homeschool group. #1 entered two pictures from the art class he took in co-op. He didn't win, but I do really like his paintings. I have seen a lot of improvement in his abilities this year. I wonder if the teacher at the university is helping. #2 gave a demonstration on cooking an omelette. He is such a chatterbox. He didn't have any trouble talking while he cooked, and took first prize in his category. He is planning on doing the same for his presentation next month for the county presentation contest. The talent show seemed to be a success, so now we have to write it all up, add the photos and other stuff, and hand it in. One mother said we aren't doing the state project next year. She says that every year. I thought this was a whole lot easier than the backyard habitat last year. ---------- The last couple of days have been concerned with insurance. The cost of what we have is going up again. I started looking a couple of months ago for other options, since it does always go up. Finally, yesterday, we got paperwork back and hubby was denied. It is so frustrating that he gets denials when nothing is really wrong. His liver functions are elevated sometimes, as are his mother's, but nothing ever happens because of it. We are a family that rarely goes to the doctor, works out at the gym, eats great, takes no medications, doesn't smoke or drink, and yet we can't get affordable insurance. Frustrating. There was a story on CNN yesterday and they said middle income is 25,000 to 50,000. That would mean that we are upper middle class. Stunning.

The movie Expelled ended with one of the lead evolutionists saying if he met God he would ask, "Why did you take such pains to hide yourself?" I was dumbfounded as I see God everywhere I look. I would have to have you prove to me that there isn't a God. I suppose it is what you are looking for. I agree with Romans 1:20 "From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God." ----------- I had such a bittersweet dream last night. Somehow hubby and I separated. I was miserable and we got together for a weekend. We visited his family and the kids were with his parents. His grandfather was still alive, and all of us were so happy. By the end of the dream we were back together. I just can't imagine living without my Lover. ------------ My dad and I went walking over the farm behind us when he was down a week ago visiting. We met the farmer back there and I asked him if he is selling the land. Actually, he had just bought it- or was in the process of buying it. The woman who owned it had passed away last year and it was up for sale. He said he is planning on farming it as long as he can; he is 55 years old. That was good news. He and Dad also talked about how much it costs to farm now. He pays $300 a day just on diesel fuel. The price of fertilizer tripled in the last year, to about $800. The tractor he was driving was about $100,000, and there is more equipment than just that. Personally I am shocked that the prices at the store aren't higher. We figured out what you would have to make a day, and this minister family can't afford to farm!

We went to see Expelled yesterday. The boys mostly didn't understand it because we haven't really discussed the topic before. The movie is a documentary by Ben Stein about scientists in America losing their jobs when they discuss Intelligent Design. Stein does a good job of exploring the real issue...Is it a religion issue? Is it a scientific issue? Is it a freedom issue? Just what is the issue? It would appear that the issue is an absence of freedom to explore all possibilities. The scientists are free to explore evolution and Darwinism, but not to explore the idea that there may have been a guiding hand in the creation of life. It was shocking to hear the head of the science department of the European Union say that there is more freedom in Poland to explore this topic than there is in the USA. The last part of the movie explores what the significance of this is, what could happen if ID is not an option. Stein goes back to Europe, especially Germany, pre-WW2. As life no longer had a meaning or value, it was easily put aside. First the mentally handicapped and then the insane were euthanised. Those who could not add to the gene pool in positive ways were forcibly sterilized. And ultimately, a race that was seen as inferior was nearly anihilated. A thought provoking movie...and full of hidden symbolism and cartoon wisdom. Go see it.

Our cat Pete went missing yesterday. Hubby said he supposed it was about time. We never keep cats very long. Tiger was the longest at just over a year. We like Pete. He was abandoned by the family that moved their house from across the road. He loves attention and is very gentle, unlike Leo. I went through the boys' clothing yesterday to get out summer things and to pass along the outgrown stuff. There were also 13 pair of size 12 pants that I weeded through. #1 is in a 16 now and #2 won't be in a 12 for a while, but I don't think he will need that many pair of 12s. I put the bags of clothes in the van last night before settling down for the night. When I opened the hatch I heard a pensive, "Meow." Pete had been stuck in the van! I have no idea when he got in there. I opened the van door once yesterday to get out my sunglasses. I can't imagine he got in then, so it must have been about noon the day before when we got home from our errands. I didn't smell anything horrible, so I am hoping he didn't do anything in there. ----------- Hubby is reading The Glass Castle now. I think all of my descriptions and gasps had him intrigued. Last night he was laughing over the gypsy neighbors. When they lived in Phoenix they had "weird neighbors." I'm sure that's what the neighbors thought, too. Anyway some of the gypsies stole their pogo stick. They tried to get it back, but the gypsies put a curse on them with a dead chicken. So the mother went over and waved a ham bone at them and put a curse back on them. The pogo stick was back the next day.

What a week! On Sunday I wasn't looking forward to it, and at the end of the week I have to say it was great, but I don't want to do it again any time soon. Testing every morning, visiting lots of friends, taking care of the "extra" kids, and working on 4-H projects. Today I will have several projects to get done, but it is all at home and there won't be any visitors. The boys think testing went well. We'll find out in about a month. I really don't care if they bomb the whole thing, but grammar HAS to be better this year. We spent a couple of weeks before the test reviewing grammar. The talent show Monday evening was a lesson in losing. The boys think I am terrible for putting them in something that they will lose. It was a long talk about how you lose if you don't enter and sometimes you win if you enter, but you never win if you don't enter. They don't like those mother talks. I finished the book The Glass Castle. It certainly made me thankful for the family I have. This is a very dysfunctional family, but the book ends with them all being happy about their dysfunctionality. I guess if you don't know normal then it isn't so bad not to be normal. Another friend is reading the book, and she said it is like a car wreck and you just can't look away. I agree.

What a wonderful weekend! My parents got here Thursday evening and we got to spend some time with them. My dad mowed the lawn while Mom and I took the boys to co-op on Friday. Then we picked up some little friends and went to dinner and then the show. It was #1's moment to shine as the university put on a play called All Aboard, America! Part of the show was his story about being a cabin boy for Blackbeard. He had his picture taken with the cast, and his name was up on the screen when his part of the play was going on. His daddy said that in his unbiased opinion, #1's story was the best. My parents left Saturday before the big surprise of a litter of triplet goats! The mother was acting odd about 7:00 and I went out at 9 to check on her. There was the last one being born. There are two girls and a boy just as perfect as they can be. These are dwarf goats, so the babies are about 4 inches tall at the shoulders. Sunday, Hubby's parents came up for church and we had lunch here at the house. That way we could visit a while before they took off North. Then in the evening friends from Ohio came over to visit, as well as some other mutual friends. It was a long day, but lots of fun. Today the boys started their standardized testing. We test with a group of homeschoolers, and my kids think it is lots of fun. It's a chance to have snacks and visit with their friends in their eyes. The testing is just something they do as an aside. Hoping the best for the Grammar scores. We have worked hard on that this year. I am proctoring the 9-10 graders for the test, and I am liking it. I have always done the Kindergarteners in the past. Procotoring high schoolers gives me the time to read a bit during the test. I am currently reading Soul Salsa and The Glass Castle. They are two very, very different books, but I like both. More about them later. Tonight is a talent show with 4-H. The boys are reading some of their poetry. #1 has really gotten into haiku lately. I was trying to explain limericks this afternoon, but I think we better stay away from them.

I took the boys yesterday to visit their grandparents. They are staying at Carolina Beach, NC this week. It is about 2 1/2 hours from here. I figured if they came that far, I could travel a ways too. So we went down and had lunch and dinner together, and played in-between. Actually, I don't know much of what they did, because Hubby's aunt and uncle were there too, and they took me out for the afternoon. We shopped a little and saw the movie, Leatherheads. It is very funny, old time funny I guess you would say. The boys went to Fort Fisher, the Fisher Aquarium, and, of course, McDonald's. They were using the metal detector on the beach when I got back. It made for a late night, but it was a great visit. It has been damp and chilly here for several days, so it was shocking to see kids playing in the ocean. I went over and asked where they were from. My suspicions were confirmed when they said the Cleveland area. I knew you had to be from up north if you were in that water! We were bundled up.

I realized more strongly today how God's ways are not man's ways. Sometimes God makes absolutely no sense, and I really wish I could see the bigger picture so that I wouldn't be so frustrated by God's "inconsistencies." In Bible study this morning we were looking at King Ahab, Jezebel, and King Jehosaphat. It plainly says that King Ahab did all he could to disobey God. Jezebel didn't really have to have anything said about her- she was obviously wicked. Ahab was told that all of his male family members would die because of the way he behaved. He showed "remorse" and God said, ok it wouldn't happen until Ahab had already died. Then Ahab went on his merry way disobeying all the more. But King Jehosaphat turned his people toward God. He convinced them that they should follow God as their ancestors had done. Then Jehosaphat and Ahab formed an alliance against the Syrians. Jehosaphat made sure to ask God's blessing on the attack, all that you would think he should have done to please God. The answer: God is angry with you Jehosaphat. Now how in the world does that seem like a Godly response? The only thing I could take away from it was, "God's ways are not my ways and he knows ever so much more that I ever will." I also thought about "To whom much has been given, much will be demanded." So maybe I am glad that I don't understand "much."

I started reading Humility by Andrew Murray last night. Here are a couple quotes from the intro and chapter one. "Others have thought that the strength of self-condemnation is the secret of humility. And the Christian life has suffered loss, because believers have not been distinctly guided to see that nothing is more natural and beautiful and blessed than to be nothing, so that God may be all." "The call to humility has been too little regarded in the church because its true nature and importance have been too little understood. It is not something that we bring to God or that He bestows. It is simply the sense of entire nothingness, which comes when we see how truly God is all, and in which we make way for God to be all. Man must realize that this is the true nobility. He must consent to be- with his will, his mind, his desires- the form and the vessel in which the life and glory of God are to work and manifest themselves. Then he will see that humility is simply acknowledging the truth of his position as man and yielding to God His place." I found this refreshing. Humility is not abasing myself because of sin, but realizing God's place in the order of things. Humilty should be natural when we realize who God is. ----------- Boy, the third graders in Waycross, GA stunned me. I have a third grader and I can't imagine his little mind or heart wanting to harm anyone in such a way. He may want to pound his brother, but true harm is never his intention. The truly stunning part of it is that people are asking how could this happen. I think it is rather obvious that these children have been allowed to watch things that are not intended for them, they have been ignored and neglected by their parents, and they do not yet know the love of the Lord. How sad that this should happen. ----------- I was telling my kids about God's telling me in the Bible that He can be trusted. #2 said it sounds like God was giving me an April Fool's joke.

Sunday in Bible class. I made a statement that sort of surprised my husband. I said, "You can't trust God." Now what I meant by that was that God doesn't do things the way you expect Him to. We were discussing Elijah and why he would run away and fear for his life after all that the Lord had already done. I think it is pretty simple. God didn't tell Elijah that he would live, that the tide would turn, that he would destroy Jezebel. Elijah trusted God to do what he said, but not to do what he didn't say. So this morning I woke early and was in bed talking to God about this. I was explaining to Him that I do trust Him to protect me, care for me, provide for me in Heaven. BUT I don't know what He is planning in many ways, you know, the specifics. And in that way I can't trust God to do what I WANT. Then I got up to do a little Bible reading. Here is what I turned to in 1 Corinthians: God can be trusted, and He chose you to be partners with his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. 1:9 Well I guess God told me to put a sock in it!

I was so tired last night I fell asleep for an hour with a cold pack on my back! I am stiff this morning so we are heading to the pool. If that doesn't loosen it up, I guess I am also on the way to the chiropractor. I heard a funny exchange the other day at the field trip. #2 was talking to a friend about his email, and told his friend that he isn't allowed on the computer or to watch tv in the morning when he gets up. "Wow. That's really weird," said the friend. "Yeah," replied #2. Now what in the world is so weird about that?! I would think that most kids aren't allowed to do that before school- they are getting ready for school. Homeschoolers are so in the dark! Speaking of homeschoolers...I finished lesson plans yesterday for the rest of the school year!!!!! We will finish at the end of April. For the most part we will be done after testing on the 16th, but there are a few loose ends to wrap up. Also we will try a couple of field trips, but that never seems to count to the boys as school. The rain just keeps falling. It is a good thing. God bless the rain.

What a week; time flies and all that. The "extra kids" were on spring break this week, so my days were a little fuller than usual. My kids were not on break, so there was always the "Get your work done" talk. Mine did pretty well actually. They don't understand why they don't get a spring break, even when I explain that they get a long winter break and then we get out early in spring. So there isn't a need for a spring break. That all makes sense to them when I tell it to them, but when their friends are out of school, somehow it no longer sounds so good. We had a field trip on Wednesday to Somerset Place. It is an old NC plantation. We were finishing up our study of the Civil War, and with extra children around I thought getting out for the day would be good. It was a great field trip. The buildings are very kid friendly and our guide was as well. After the tour we made brooms. Then we had a picnic lunch on the lawn and discovered a mother fox and 5 pups! Thursday was a stay at home day; much needed. That night I had my second go at "Triple Coupons"! A store here triples coupons one weekend each quarter. There are rules and I messed them up on my first try this winter, but I did much better this time. I was able to get Dr. Pepper for free, Aleve for 74 cents, and several items for 34 cents. I felt like I did well. Friday was co-op again, but with the added bonus of an event on Creation vs. Evolution. The boys were very excited about going to it- I think only because it was to be a special event with all of their friends- but I had to go to the chiropractor for an unexpected adjustment, and we were late. The event ended up going much later than it was scheduled, so I think I am back in their good graces. And that's the week that didn't have time for writing! I spent a lot of time one night in the library, and one night at a friend's house looking for curriculum for next year. I do believe I found what I want, and with the miracle of the internet I can save quite a bit of money on it! Today is catching up on the week's regular work, and going to the pool. I haven't been going like I should (wonder why?) and so I had to make that trip to the chiro yesterday. Hope everyone's spring break was a welcome event. Now jump back into the real world and be useful!

We had a very nice Easter holiday. Church was good, friends came over for lunch, I got a nap, and we watched movies together. The boys got snorkles from the Bunny, and we hope to get to the pool today to try those out. They also seemed excited to get a chocolate bunny in their baskets. That evidently was a new thing. We also went to a "Quinceneara" on Saturday. That is a special birthday party for 15 year old hispanic girls. Our neighbor in Arlington told me about her nieces' parties and I knew it would be a big deal. The young lady was in a gown and her hair all coiffed...just gorgeous. Then she ran around the bases in the softball game! #2 was upset that the guy in the game was letting the girls win. I told him that as a male it is his responsibility to always let the girls win. In exchange for that, the girls will make you chocolate cake, tell you you have sexy legs, and that you look nice in jeans and flannel. So for Easter Sunday he asked if he could wear jeans. I was surprised until I realized he wanted jeans and flannel! Last night we went to visit a friend and he told the other kids that you should always let the girls win, and then they will tell you you look nice in jeans and flannel. What a hoot! --------- I have been enjoying my husband lately. We have been married 18 years, and I love him more now than ever. There is such a sense of peace and ease in being with the same person that long. I love that we know each other so well, and still we choose to love each other. He is a good man to grow old with; he makes it easier for me.

Do you ever feel like you just slap God in the face? I recently felt that way. I was asking God, as I have for so many years, to give me more children. Then I stopped to think about what I was asking. In Texas, we had 5 little kids that lived behind us. They became my children in all but the law. I fed them, played with them, dropped them at school, and put them to bed some nights. I disciplined them, took them to church, taught them, and loved them. Here I have had the "extra kids" for 3 years now. I have done all that needs doing for them- food, diapers, baths, spiritual teaching, etc. One friend who has watched me with them said it is wonderful the way I nurture them, like they are my own. How dare I ask God for what He has already given, as if what He gave wasn't good enough? I am like a little child in the check-out line, wanting all of the candy I see, and forgetting all of the goodies already in the cart. ------------ In preparing for Easter tomorrow, here is an excerpt from The Shack. Mack is asked to judge his children, two may go to Heaven, and three must go to Hell. Mack must decide which ones... "I can't. I can't. I won't!" he screamed, and now the words and emotions came tumbling out. The woman just stood watching and waiting. Finally he looked at her, pleading with his eyes. "Could I go instead? If you need someone to torture for eternity, I'll go in their place. Would that work? Could I do that?" He fell at her feet begging and crying now. "Please let me go for my children, please, I would be happy to...Please. I am begging you. Please...Please..." "Mackenzie, Mackenzie," she whispered, and her words came like a splash of cool water on a brutally hot day. Her hands gently touched his cheeks as she lifted him to his feet. Looking at her through blurring tears, he could see that her smile was radiant. "Now you sound like Jesus. You have judged well, Mackenzie. I am so proud of you!" "But I haven't judged anything," Mack offered in confusion. "Oh but you have. You have judged them worthy of love, even if it cost you everything. That is how Jesus loves."

Well I got a good start on The Shack yesterday while the boys had their hearing exams. Here is one of the ideas that had me thinking (of the many ideas that are presented): all of the killing that occurs in the Old Testament, which makes God seem so mean and wrathful, is redemption for the peoples. Sin is the peoples' punishment. Think of all of the ways that we suffer because of sin. Greed leads to hate, envy, injustice, even murder. Actually most sins lead to those ends. So sin is actually the punishment; it makes your life miserable. In killing those people- the Philistines, Girgashites, Hittites, etc.- they were released from their sins and could be redeemed. It's a new thought for me, and it doesn't work for things like Uzzah reaching out to grab the ark of God, but if I understood all about God he wouldn't be much of a God to serve. The mystery is part of what makes him God. More thoughts later.

My schedule is so flip-flopped I don't know if I am coming or going. The boys were participating in an audiology study at the university today, and the two hours turned into three! So school was postponed, lunch was pulled out of the fridge, and now we are starting to get back into the groove. Both boys can hear well, but #1 as always, had some hearing issues. He doesn't have enough of a problem to do anything about, but I suppose it should give us more patience when we have to repeat things a few times. #2, however, should hear things right away. Yesterday we had the 4H club over to make pottery. One of the members' grandmothers is a potter and every year she does something with the kids. This year they made vases. She will take them back to her house to fire in the kiln, and then we will get them back. It was an all day event, with the younger kids "pottering" in the morning and the older ones in the afternoon. When they weren't in the barn, they were in the house doing schoolwork. (Or on the roof of the fort, or in the yard, or behind the barn...they were everywhere.) ---------- A friend reminded me of this exchange that took place on Sunday... Daddy was preaching about the world having gone wrong. One of his examples was that 1 in 4 teenage girls has an STD. #2 turned to me and asked, "What's an STD?" I thought about telling him it is a gas guzzling vehicle, but went with "It's a disease." instead. He just said, "Oh." and it never came up again. Sometimes church is not a safe place to raise children! ---------- I am reading The Shack. It certainly makes you think twice about God and all of his "stuff." I am about halfway done, but already I am rethinking some things. It is a novel, for those of you who don't want a theological textbook. I'll share more soon.

I admit it here, to all the world...I fed my family banana splits for dinner last night. We were all in a funk. The work all day was tedious, the moods were tired and frustrated, and nothing we had available to eat sounded good. So banana splits were the menu, and we all felt better afterward. We had a County Council meeting last night for 4-H. We played "Are You Smarter than a 4-Her?" and my older son said something that shocked me. I have not at all raised stereotypical males, but when the sewing questions came up, he turned to me and another mom and said, "You should know the answer. You're women." What in the world? I have taught him to sew too!

The weekend was busy and left no blogging time for me. Here is a quick update. The "Come to Life Museum" went well, and the kids really enjoyed it as well as learned some things. The boys went to a JAKES Day event at the gun club on Saturday. I was told that it is a national NRA day event. The boys got to try archery, air rifles, 22 rifles, and skeet shooting. There were a lot of their friends there too, and so they had a great time visiting and shooting. The church picnic was that day too, so Hubby went to that. It seems that it was a success. About as soon as we got home, it was off to a birthday party for the boys. We took advantage of the free sitter to go to a movie and do a bit of shopping. Yesterday was church, and a great sermon by my man. Then I suddenly decided to go see The Other Boleyn Girl. It was a good movie, but wow, what one wicked woman can accomplish. Weekend over. -------- For about a year now I have felt like something is going to happen. I don't know exactly what. I can't even say how I know. But I have this sense of gloom and doom. Sometimes I feel like it is our country--the election, war, attack, economy---I don't know. Sometimes I think it is something within the family- our kids, a relative, us. Sometimes it is the affairs at church that make me think something is about to happen. I really can't put my finger on it, but the last few weeks it has been almost suffocating. It doesn't cause me great depression; it doesn't seem to be hormonal; it isn't changing the way I live...It is just a heaviness that something is going to happen. Yesterday I could barely breathe for it, and so I chose the movie. Probably not the wisest choice as the wickedness of Ann Boleyn rang out to me that nothing ever changes. It is all a chasing after the wind.

Thursdays wear me out. It is about the end of the week to start with, and then I run all of my errands for the week on Thursday afternoon. Of course there are 5 kids to take care of, school to complete, and groceries to put away. I slept well last night. We also worked on taxes some more last evening. We owe Uncle Sam about $300. I like it better when he owes me, but actually what it means is he let me borrow $300 for the year and now it is time to pay it back. Thanks Uncle Sam. Today we have a special event for the homeschooling community. The highschoolers are performing a "come to life" museum. They will be dressed as characters from history and as the kids walk through the high schoolers will "come to life" and tell about their historical character. After that the fire department will have an ambulance and a smokehouse to teach the kids fire safety. They will also have their clowns there to teach as well. 4H is selling refreshments. One family is sick, sick, sick, and another one is out of town. So I will be busy selling my little heart out. The kids will take turns helping so they can do the fun stuff too. Now #1 woke up crying that he is going to throw up, and he has a slight fever. Ugh. ----------- I have a prayer request for one of my readers. My uncle is having vision problems, macular degeneration. He has to have injections into his eye for the next three months. That in itself sounds horrific, but loss of sight isn't that great either. Please pray that the Healer will restore Ed's sight just as He did when he was on Earth.

We have a WINNER! I received a phone call yesterday from the university. #1 had entered a story in a contest a couple of months ago, and he won! His story will be incorporated into a play script, and will be given at the university in April. His story was about being a cabin boy for Blackbeard. He wins free tickets for his class to go to the play. I asked if we could have tickets for our 4H club and they agreed. I will get all of the info in a few days in the mail. He will also be brought up on stage and the audience told about it. We are very proud of our little author.

We were reading on Sunday about how Solomon enslaved the people of the region to build the temple and his palace. There were people that he paid to do the intricate details, but the grunt work was done by the slaves. You might think that with the Hebrew history of enslavement, he wouldn't have done such a thing. But I wondered if it wasn't what they deserved. They were supposed to have been killed when the Israelites entered the land, and they didn't kill them all. So isn't enslavement better than death? If the slaves were treated as they were to be by law, then it wouldn't have been a horrible life. Certainly it wasn't as wonderful as a free life, but still it would have been acceptable. I'm sure that sounds harsh, but haven't we done the same thing here in America? We have taken the grunt work and given it to the people who don't belong here. Illegal immigrants take the jobs that we don't want, and though we pay them, it isn't any where near what they would make doing the same job legally. They can't get anywhere, financially speaking, in this country while they are illegal, and yet we are willing to look the other way because we don't want to do the job. Is enslavement still better than death? It still isn't as wonderful as freedom, but is it still acceptable? It is strange how putting it into today's terms changes how it sounds. I watched a movie yesterday called Steal A Pencil For Me. It was a love story/documentary of a couple during the Holocaust. They were from the Netherlands. It was interesting to listen to them tell the story of how life changed. First they were not allowed to shop when everyone else was, then they were given a curfew, then they had to wear the star, then they had to give up their radios and cars, then no bikes...on and on it went. Each step they accepted thinking that it would be the last. Even when they went away to the first camp, it was accepted because "we will go home again soon." So it would seem that even those within the enslavement can find a way to convince themselves that it is ok. Interesting. ----------- #2 seems to be having another outbreak of poison ivy. I am not sure if he completely recovered the first time. He hasn't been out in anything that would have given it to him again, so it must still be from the last time. He told me a few days ago that his legs were still in a rash. Then yesterday I caught him scratching his legs. I looked and it is definitely coming back. I hit him with Caladryl and Benedryl, so hopefully we can keep it under control this time. #1 was complaining of wheezing yesterday, so he got the Benedryl too. They are both still in bed.

The time change seems to have caught up with my family. We all stayed in bed longer than usual today. It was nice to wake up to sunshine though. I really hate alarm clocks; the sun is so much pleasanter. Spring has arrived here and the flowers and sunshine- on WET grass- are a welcome sight. I watched Myth last night with Hubby. It is a Jackie Chan video. We had a $2 new release coupon that was going to expire, so Hubby asked for a little date. I despise choosing movies, so I told him just get something funny or action/adventure. Jackie Chan was not what I had in mind. I don't think, however, that it was what my husband had in mind either. It was in Chinese with English subtitles. It actually ended up being an ok movie. The flashbacks and dreams were interesting. It was rated PG-13, but I think just for the karate stuff. There wasn't swearing, nudity, sexual innuendo, or mass murder. Very refreshing. --------- Yesterday the boys were doing their schoolwork when #1 came in to me in a huff. "Why does #2 have a movie in science and I don't?" I told him his brother is studying the brain and if he wants to watch, it is fine with me. I didn't tell him, "Because your brother is studying the brain and you are studying sex." If I gave him a video I would be in a lot of trouble!

I broke the news about Kelly to the boys yesterday. I told them she will have to find another home because of the trouble she is causing. I did NOT tell them the ultimatum if she can't find another home. I have put it out on several groups I belong to, so hopefully she will find a happy, country home. The boys took it fairly well. They just want to make sure it is a good home, and they hope it is someone they know. #1 also asked if we could get another dog, and the answer was a definite, "No." I don't think he ever cried, but his voice was shaky. #2 takes most things in stride. ---------- I am planning on spring cleaning closets this week. For some reason the time change is affecting me in the opposite. I wake up in the middle of the night and think it is time to get up. So I have been in bed for several hours now thinking about what to do with this house. I may rearrange some furniture soon as well. I would really like to get the floor in our dressing room changed. It is about the nastiest thing in our house, and refuses to come clean. ----------- Extreme Home Make-Over was a WV family last night, so we watched. It was a family from a town near our hometowns, so it was interesting to watch and hear the things we know about. I was wondering what they would do with the property because, of course, it was on the side of a hill. The family was 7 people living in a 600 sqft home. We figured out that is about 3 rooms in our house! ----------- We have been keeping track of what we are thankful for at the end of a day. Last night space was on everyone's mind. Hubby, however, wrote: Peaches, Melons, Pomegranites, Mangoes, and Apples. Use your imagination! When we went to the prayer healer last week, he wanted to know why I didn't ask for prayer. I said I wasn't sure what to say. He said, "You just tell him you want bigger t__s, and see if he lays his hands on you. I just wish someone would do that once and see what happens!" Is he not a nut?!

I don't know if the drought is over, but we sure are a lot wetter than we were a month ago! Again, yesterday, we had rain. Through the night I could hear it falling, too. When it is just a rain, and not a windy storm, I like having a tin roof. It sounds so soothing. But a storm, YIKES! You will think it is going to blow right off. ----------- Co-op went well yesterday, except the attendance seemed down. I know some people who are ill, and perhaps the weather kept some away. I passed #1's Microbiology teacher in the hall and asked how the class is going. She said it is going well, but they had used blood for something that day, and #1 had a hard time with it. She hoped it wasn't too much for him. I assured her that he has trouble with body parts and blood, and not to worry about it. He freaks out with me too. The poor thing wants to work with animals when he grows up, but he can't think about getting through Biology. I don't know how it will go. She said she was sure to tell him that no animals were harmed in the taking of blood.

Today we head back to co-op. Last week I had to leave early, so I found out several days later that #2 had a homework assignment. He signed up for a creative writing class, all on his own. I was very surprised because he doesn't seem to like writing when I assign something. Well, he loves this class. He did his homework all on his own- I actually forgot! He liked writing it so well that he wrote the story for the six week project. His brother asked why he would do that if it isn't due for 6 weeks. He answered that if everyone gets it done, maybe the teacher will make another assignment! His story was about Mr. Pig who gets caught in a "mafia-like" situation and has to fight against the Big Boss of the Meat Lovers Society. ------------ Kelly has been having seizures about every 3 weeks or so, at least the ones we see. She also is evidently upsetting the neighbor becasue she eats their cat's food. If the kids go near her when she is eating she snaps at them, and the mother is afraid of that. We are trying to keep her inside more, but I am afraid we are going to have to get rid of her. The problem is that she hasn't had veterinary care, and with the seizures, I don't think anyone is going to want her. So it may come to putting her down. I know I have wished she would die before, but this is not what I wanted.

We left church Sunday and headed to Colonial Williamsburg. The in-laws left with the boys before church, and that was a good idea. It evidently took them a while to find where they were supposed to be, get the tickets, etc. They were able to see a few of the exhibits that we didn't have time for. We got there an hour before they closed, so we just went through the palace garden maze and then shopping. It was Homeschool Days at Williamsburg. We got to go for a fraction of the cost, and at this time of year we were able to get a good deal on a hotel. They have Homeschool Days again in September and I think we will go back, at least for a day. We saw many of the attractions: Apothecary, Basketmaker, Wigmaker, Jail, Courthouse, Capitol, and Palace. There were many more as well. It was interesting to learn that the reenactors are full-time employees. They have degrees in the areas they reenact. The apothecary has a degree in Medical History. The wigmaking was also very interesting. They don't use American hair because it is considered inferior to European hair. The cooper (bucket/barrel maker) said that they would have used saplings to bind the barrels together, but it is too expensive now to hire the tradesmen to go out to the woods and look for saplings. #2 offered to do it for $1 an hour. They thought that was a great price and would let him do that. I told them they better find out how fast he would work first. So he showed them his slow walk and they changed their minds!

We had a "Family Meeting" type worship on Sunday. Our church is trying to help more at the women's shelter, but to do that we have to have everyone's help. The service was to help people see how they can help and why they should help. A lot of people were absent, and I know flu is still going around, but it was really frustrating to me. I feel like the members of this congregation are uncommitted, to Christ and to His Body here. One of the questions put to us Sunday was to think of a time that someone helped you, and then of a time when you helped someone and how you felt. I thought of a time that we needed some finanacial help. We had moved to Texas and bought our first home. We had been out of work for about 18 months and so money was tight. A couple of days after we moved in, the roof started leaking. It wasn't covered under the house warranty, and we suddenly found ourselves faced with a big bill. A man at church said he would loan us the money. "Wow," we thought, "what a wonderful thing." Then the money came, attached to legal papers to make sure it was paid back. Now there wasn't any interest connected to it, but there was a paper from a lawyer saying that it had to be paid back in a certain amount of time. Certainly it was fine for him to have done that, but it didn't feel like it was a gift loan. We paid it back way before it was required, and the loaner was shocked. I guess he had loaned money before, and not been paid back. A few years later, one of our students in the campus minstry needed some money to buy a car. She was going to lose her job because she didn't have reliable transportation. We loaned her the money, with no legal requirements. She never did pay back all of the money. However, a few weeks ago-- which is years after the loan-- we heard from her that she has finally taken to heart advice about living on a budget. She is married to another of the students, and they have started a family. In both instances the members of the Christian family were helped. The difference was in whether the members felt like it was a family. The examples of the church helping in the book of Acts seem to be giving with the heart of helping out a family member. Whether the help was repaid we aren't told, but the heart of giving seems to be there. The women we will help at the shelter will likely never repay it to us, but maybe years later they will be able to help someone else. The heart has to be in the giving, however, for it to make a difference.

Well it has been a busy week here. My in-laws arrived on Thursday afternoon, while I had 5 kids running around the house and was on the phone with an insurance agent. It never calmed down much after that. We all ate out a lot while they were here, and the kids ended up with belly aches. I have to say I was a bit mixed up as well. I will be hitting the "from scratch" foods today. Co-op started Friday and went well. Mother-in-law went with us and helped serve the lunches while the moms taught classes. My classes are Economics and The Giver- a literary study. Before co-op was even over, Hubby came to pick me up and we headed to Raleigh to a Renovare conference. We had a nice dinner at an Italian place in Chapel Hill, and then went to the conference. Richard Foster and Bill Vaswig were the main speakers. I have heard Richard a few times before, but reminders are always good. Bill was new to me, though Hubby had told me about him before. He had a class with him during his doctoral studies. Bill is a 77 year old Lutheran minister with a prayer healing ministry. It was interesting to hear him talk about his experiences. Some people did ask to be prayed for, but it wasn't like what you see on television. I do believe in the power of prayer, and I believe that we don't give it the credit that it is due. I was looking for answers at this conference. I even asked a question, but I didn't feel like the answer I was given was any more than I had already figured out. I have been starting to have some success at my "quiet life resolution," but I am feeling some guilt about not doing some things. The answer is I just have to let go of the guilt and know what I can accomplish, not comparing myself to others. We got back on Saturday evening and enjoyed a dinner for two at the Country Club since the boys were out with their grandparents. They had enjoyed a day of bowling and shopping. The boys had looked forward to their visit for a month; it was circled on their calendar. ------- Today I make up for being gone so long. I have extra kids Tues, Weds, and Thursday. Today is 4-H, art, and homeschool meetings. So much for a quiet life; you can't have it every day.

I started yesterday by waking the boys to do a little school before heading to the gym. We went to the gym and then to a friend's house for the day. I took care of her kids as a favor. Today I also started by waking the kids, saying do a little school work and then we will head to the gym. So maybe, just maybe, forcing them out of bed will help get them into the day. The problem is that they still don't go to sleep any earlier...maybe after a week of GET UP!! that will change. Last night I read a bit out of a scholarly journal I have been receiving. It is an educational journal, but this article I read last night was about agrarianism. Here is an excerpt: "In 1941, the Prairie Farmer, America's oldest farm periodical, celebrated its one hundredth anniversary. The centennial cover features a drawing of the iconic twentieth-century "new" farmer: tall, young, and slender. Bulky overalls have given way to tailored city clothes; the straw hat to a fedora. In the artist's words, "he is a strong, virile, keen, friendly, forward-looking citizen standing in a field of gold." Importantly, there are no horses or mules in that golden field. Instead, a tractor tills the ground. "Modern machinery has straightened the farmer's back," the artist happily reports. More boldly, an ad on the inside cover features a slender farm wife in stylish garb beaming over four happy children, with her husband on a tractor in the background. It declares that "every new MM machine put into action on your farm brings you closer to FREEDOM, and closer to the young folks for whom you are farming." At that moment, American farmers and their families still numbered about 29 million souls. The average farm was 160 acres in size. "The Prairie Farmer's cover for September 2007 features a photo of the occupational descendent of this archetypal industrial farmer. The twenty-first-century farmer is fairly old, paunchy from lack of exercise, standing by his only son, and working 1,700 acres in corn... All the same, American farmers and their families now number fewer than 2.5 million souls, 91 percent below the 1941 figure, while the average farmer approaches 65 years of age. Industrial agriculture has achieved its real end: not freedom and an abundance of children, but efficiency through the substitution of machines for people." I am hoping to reread the article soon. It seemed very interesting, but at that late hour not a whole lot was sticking in my head. In-laws come tomorrow, co-op starts this week, two weekend trips are planned, and so the article will have to wait a while. Sigh.

I took #2 to the doctor on Saturday afternoon because the Benadryl wasn't helping any longer. They put him on Prednisone, and the swelling went down quickly. Yesterday at church people were saying how badly he looked, but I would say, "No he looks a lot better." The poor thing looked like his face was at least twice the size on Saturday and his eye was nearly swollen shut. But he kept insisting that he was fine...he didn't want a shot! He took another oatmeal bath last night and this morning he looks much improved. He says his face still itches some, but the rest is ok. I went for a walk yesterday again. Kelly had gone to visit the neighbors yet again. I had to go pick her up in the van on Saturday because there was a storm and she wouldn't come back. When I walked over yesterday, the Dad of the house was outside with the kids. He said, "Hey! Is that your dog?" I answered, "No, I thought she was yours!" He seems like a nice guy, and the kids are sweet, too. I think we will have to have them over for dinner soon to apologize for our little girl's intrusions.

I decided to be proactive the other night and see if I could find some cheaper health insurance. Our's renews in June and it always goes up some. So I got on some of Clark Howard's sites and asked for quotes. Yesterday I answered the phone about every hour to hear another quote. Two agents actually said what I have sounds pretty good and if I'm not unhappy with the service I might as well stay with them. That was good to hear from someone who is not my agent! One guy said instead of looking at it as paying $444 for insurance, look at it as paying $111 for each person. Then it isn't so bad. It does sound a bit better, but then I added the deductible and it came to $319 per person. Should have left it alone. #1 was "queasy" again last night and I think we made a connection. He seems to get that way when he has dark soda. We had popcorn and rootbeer last night while we watched The Brady Bunch. So we will stop dark sodas and see if that makes any difference. #2 has awakened two mornings in a row now looking like a balloon. His poor little face is all swollen and his eye nearly shut. He says it doesn't hurt and the itching isn't too bad, so we are letting it go. I called a nurse practitioner friend and she said if he isn't having trouble breathing and isn't miserable with itching, then let it go. So he has had oatmeal baths, Caladryl Clear, Aveeno, and cold compresses, as well as lots of Benadryl. I just want to hug him he looks so bad. On a sweet medical note...My cousin's wife had a daughter this morning. No name yet, but they are fine. 7 Pounds, 11.7 ounces.

#2 has some kind of rash. I thought it might be another episode of hives, but it is bumpier. So my doctor friend looked and said it looks more like poison ivy. So now I need to go out to the woods where he has been hanging out and see what he got into. He has done a good job not scratching, but it certainly does look bad. ----------- My reading for class last night was about letting people belong to a group before they believe. My religious tradition has trouble with the concept. In the past especially, they wanted you to believe right before you could be part of the group. We are seeing more and more, though, that it is better to let people in and let them see Christ from the inside of a church. It struck me that Jesus did the same. He didn't require that people believe in him before he called them. He worked with what he had and helped them believe by being with him.