Although, we've had a touch of winter return (there is snow on the
mountains and the frost killed my irises--boo hoo), today is a beautiful
spring day, and the allergies....I mean flowers and trees are blooming
everywhere. Marissa is quite stuffed up right now with what I assume is
allergies. She ran a fever last night, but it's gone today. The
yearly craziness of spring is also in bloom.
In one week's time,
Briana
took (and passed) her driver's test, took an English Comp CLEP test
(still waiting on the results), and was in a ballet competition (her
group won a platinum). (Anyone care to guess where-or should I say
who-this year's spring craziness is coming from? : ) Love ya, Bri!)
In addition to her weekly piano and ballet lessons, she's also going to
practice once a week right now with the violinist she'll be playing
duets with at her senior piano recital. We also just found out today
that she will be playing three duets with him at a wedding May 4th.
Tomorrow night she has an interview to be a camp counselor this summer.
She thinks she did well on the CLEP test. We already know she passed
the multiple choice. The test was more involved than what we had read
about it. The college she plans to attend requires you take the essay
version of the test. We were told to expect 50 multiple choice in 45
min., and an impromtu argumentative essay -45 min., handwritten.
Instead, there were 88 multiple choice in 90 min. and TWO argumentative
essays in 90 min. They were not particularly easy subjects, either; one
especially. She said on the 2nd one there were a couple of times she
was at a total loss as to what to write, and she prayed, "Lord, I need
you to give me words." And, He did! Of course, we don't know how the
English dept grades, but she is a good writer, and she thinks she did
pretty well on them. It will be great if she passes. She'll get the
college credit for Comp 1, without having to take the class. She's
studying now for the U.S. History 1 CLEP test, which is supposed to be
one of the hardest.
Yesterday, Marissa, Daniella, and I went with a few other
homeschoolers to a Mother-Daughter Tea at a local Inn. It is pretty
place, and the food was very good, but quite pricey for the little
amount of food you get. It was a pleasant splurge, however, and we had a
nice time.
On Sunday, we celebrated Daniella's 5th Gotcha Day. We had their
usual request of homemade ice cream sandwiches--Toll House cookies with
vanilla ice cream between two. If you have never read Daniella's
adoption story, you can read it
here (part 1-the agonizing) and
here (part 2-the happy ending).
Ashley is contemplating some changes in her life. She originally
elected not to go to college, but now is considering an online AA degree
from Liberty University, supplemented with correspondence courses in
Christian counseling. She is praying about it. She also found a
program that she is very interested in and praying about for next year.
It is at a ranch about 45 min. from here that is for children and teens
who have a tough home life. The position is for a mentor--kind of an
assistant to the house parents. You live in the home with the girls,
tutoring, doing Bible study, helping with cooking, and being a mentor.
You can do 3 months in the summer or 9 months for the school year. She
could come home on the weekends, and would have a few other days off
during the time period. It would be a really big change for her (she
just finished saying the day before that she had no desire to go off to
college to live.) This type of ministry is something that she has had
on her heart for several years, so we will definitely be in prayer about
it.
My girls are growing quickly ladies. In another month, 2 of my 4
will be graduated and moving toward their life callings. This season
may be a little crazy some weeks, but they will quickly become
cherrished memories. I hope you all make some special memories with
your children this week.
I'm off to start some supper and do a little scrapbooking. My
parents will be popping in for a few minutes tonight. We are dog
sitting for them while they are in town for the day at Dollywood.
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." Philippians 4:23
