Yep. That's what this mom is doing.....the Happy Dance! 
My sweetie and I are going to
Charleston, SC all by ourselves. Remember last post I said we were on
Plan B. Well, we ended up on like Plan D or E.....maybe F or G. But,
ahh, at last, we found THE place. The place that we both liked the
looks of and the location and the atmosphere. We will actually be
staying across the harbor in Mount Pleasant, but the hotel is right on
the harbor, with a marina out front, a sandy beach ~no swimming, but sand to stick your toes in,
overlooking huge amounts of water! There are chairs and swings out on
the beach, low lit at night. And, we can take the shuttle over to
Charleston to the historic district and shops. I'm just too excited.
It quickly became obvious that one of the things I had my heart set on
as we were looking for somewhere to go was water. Big water. I love
the rivers and streams we have here, but nothing does my spirit good
like looking out over big water~~calm lakes, the ocean, or a harbor.
Did I mention how excited I am? Just the two of us, big water, and
sand! I will miss my girls, but.......did I mention how excited I am?
I'm also happily looking forward
to August when the whole family will be going to the Gulf Coast, FL. We
have a 3 bedroom townhouse right on the gulf.....nothing but sand
between my door and the water.
I guess I'm going through "big
water and sand" withdrawals. We didn't go to the beach last year.
However, I did remember as I was typing that I did get an hour on the
water and some sand to wiggle my toes in when we went to Jamestown in
Oct.
I love to go new places and see
new sites, but there's just something about the sand and water (most
especially the gulf) that draws me and ministers to me. That was the
best hour of the whole trip to me. : ) I guess I have it pretty bad.
Letitia
Doin' the Happy Dance
Weekend before last I attended a women's conference at Johnson Bible College. Betsy
had asked me to go to be on a "panel" of 4 veteran homeschool moms to
answer questions in the Home Learning Class. It was a neat experience.
I got there on Friday afternoon, and we had one class, supper, listened
to the conference speaker and music, then an ice cream social. The
next morning after breakfast, we had 2 classes before hearing the
speaker again.
Our Home Learning class was really
interesting. We had women across the page. There was a teacher with no
children yet, who wants to homeschool when she does have them, young
homeschool moms, one mom about to pull her teens out of ps, one who
wanted to supplement her daughter's ps education, but left knowing she
needed to take her out, and several grandmothers. I was surprised at
how many teachers/former teachers were there, considering we had small
groups. We did have one grandmother/high school grammar teacher who was
there to learn all she could in order to use against her
daughter-in-law who is homeschooling her daughter. She was blunt and
adamant that she didn't like homeschooling, did not have an open mind to
it, and she wanted to prevent her daughter-in-law from ruining her
granddaughters life. She was in tears at one point. She was horrified
that.....get this ladies.....she does school work with her on the
couch! I really felt sorry for this lady. She was completely horrified
at this, and asked how on earth her grandaughter would ever learn to
sit at a desk if this is what her irresponsible DIL did. She was very
critical of the lady, and continually called her undisciplined. I lay
awake for a long time that night praying for this grandmother. I also
feel like this young mom is doomed. Unless the Lord changes her heart,
this grandmother is going to make sure this child is back in ps. We all
talked to her, but I don't think anyone made any head-way. She said
she was praying about it all, but you can tell she thinks she knows
God's will.
Besides that, though, I met some neat
ladies, and had the opportunity to talk to a couple one~on~one. I
really enjoyed the music group that night, which was surprising to me.
If some of you remember, I am not particularly that in to music. I like
praise and worship, and soft insturmental, but I'm not in to concerts
too much. I really liked these girls. They had pure, beautiful voices,
and a wonderful range. I even bought Ashley one of their cds. This is an article that talks about one of their performances, but also talks about their music. And this is a link to one of their cds.
We are going this afternoon to have our
family picture made for our church directory. I'm really hoping these
come out decent, so I can order one. We haven't had an in-studio family
picture made since Marissa was about 3~~that's pre-Daniella (and she's
7!). Yesterday, I had to go buy Daniella a top to wear....LOL....I
actually bought 3, trying to get something to match everyone else. It's
hard to match 6 people, without clashing! I wasn't sure if I was going
to have to send James out last minute this morning to buy himself a
shirt, but I think we're good. Now if the smiles will cooperate this
afternoon!
Briana
is super busy this week with practices for her recital this weekend.
They are working on their production numbers~~still learning dances less
than a week before the recital. Tomorrow night is the AWANA family
picnic, and misc. other appts. this week. Best of all, James and I are
planning a little get-away next week. Someone will be here staying with
the girls, and we're going......um....somewhere. We couldn't find an
opening (that we could afford) where we originally wanted to go, so
we're working on plan B. I'll keep you posted.
Letitia
I hope everyone is getting out
and enjoying their spring. We can't believe how cool it has been here
this May! Normally in May we have hot days~high 80's. Then it cools
back off for a while in June. This May it has been so pleasant in the
days, and quite chilly a lot of mornings. It's been wonderful weather
to get out and enjoy activities without being hot.
We haven't done very much in
the way of formal "school" the last couple of weeks, except a couple of
days of math, Bible time, and lots of reading. Here are a few
highlights~
~All 6 of us went to the zoo.
This is the first time the big girls have been in several years. It was
almost empty, and, again, a beautiful, perfect temperature and day. The
zoo has a Monarch exhibit right now, and we all loved it. The screen
pavillion was *filled* with Monarchs. The elephants were having a ball
that day~dancing and being funny. One was stealing the other's hay, and
that one was raking his all up trying to keep the first one away from
it. The "hay stealer" also grabbed onto his ear with his truck; pulled
his ear around over his face, then walked backwards in circles for
several minutes. We read and saw that day that each elephant has it's
own personality.
~All 6 of us played miniature
golf. The little girls are getting quite good these days. They've
really learned to slow down and aim. It won't be long until Marissa is
giving us a run for our money. In fact, she was only 8 strokes over the
winner (ME!! : ) ) She would have been even closer, except toward
the end for about 2 holes, she had a cramp in her side or something, and
she really bombed out on those 2 holes.
~They got to pet a foal and watch it nurse. THAT made their day.
~Went to the aquarium for a class
on pollution. Saw the "Babies" exhibit, went through the shark tunnel
(got a glimpse of the ellusive sea turtle, Sally), and got to touch the
sting rays.
~Played baseball with our homeschool group
~Went to Dollywood for about 2
1/2 hours yesterday after baseball. Experienced thankfulness that the
approximately 400+ kids at the front gate were about to board their
yellow buses to *leave*!!
~Have been observing (not
necessarily by choice) the cicadas that are taking over. "Those are
ugly creatures", as she shivers. Have seen one coming out of it's
shell, and have discovered they have big red eyes. Have been "enjoying"
their loud songs. Today, we researched and found some neat facts about
them.
~Watched the men from the water
dept. hook up the meter to hook us to city water, and helped dad hook up
the pipes. (We've stalled as long as possible going off of the well,
but the water has gotten really bad, even with laser filters, etc.)
~Made, painted, and weighted cars for the AWANA Grande Prix. Marissa's car won 3rd for Best Design in the older kids.
~I got 3 free puzzles (Scramble Squares) from Betsy
this weekend, and they are *such* a challenge. Marissa and I had to
cheat a little to find a starting piece. James conquered his without
help, but it took probably close to 2 hours.
~And, as always, have had some great learning conversations about geography, history, science, math, God, and life.
And, I had my own 24 hour learning and get-away experience this weekend that I'll share about later.
Letitia
It's amazing to me that my little girl turned eleven today!
Last Saturday we took her with 2 of her friends and Daniella to Wacky Bear.
Trying to choose the perfect bear
There were so many "oooohs" and "ohhhhhhs" over all of the little clothes.
Coming to life
This is a good friend of
Marissa's. They play together a good bit. She's only a year and a half
younger than Marissa. She's just very petite. Marissa is actually
very small compared to most kids her age. Another friend below in the
blue soccer shirt, is also smaller than Marissa, and she is 9 months
older than Marissa.
They love their bears~meet Bubbles and Morgan.
A successful shopping excursion~4 bears and a dinosaur, not to mention several outfits that the girls bought themselves.
The extra little girl on the
right end is a sibling that came along. No, Daniella is not that tall
(on the left). She's sitting on the window ledge~hence no feet below
the bag. Can you see all of the photographers reflected in the window?
We left Wacky Bear and went to a
small park close by. It was a beautiful sunny day, great temp with a
breeze, and the park is right on the river.
Playing tag. The two facing this way are on base.
Yes, the bears went to the playground, too!
Taking a rest
What we're resting from
A great time was had by all, and it was a happy day for the birthday girl.
Today the family is going to play
putt-putt (mom has 4 free passes!) I have a strawberry freezer cake
made (her favorite that she has every year), and I'm making one of her
favorite meals for dinner.
Happy Birthday Marissa
I struggled for a couple of years
with my ministry. Most of this occured after we left the home church
setting and returned to a "traditional" church. Some of it occured as I
read about other homeschool moms. It took a long time of prayer, my
sweet husband's encouragement, and the encouragement of a couple of
other ladies in my life~one here on
blogger; one in my church~for me to accept that God is pleased with my
ministry of motherhood being my main ministry at this point in my life.
You, see, I knew that in my heart. I knew that this is what He called
me to, but I let other people and their perceived expectations make me
think I was falling short because I am not a Sunday School teacher,
choir teacher, committee member, etc. This is not to criticize those
who are, but to encourage some out there not to do those things out of
others' expectations, guilt, or confused thinking. Of course I pray for
others and encourage others as the Lord gives me opportunity, but
without a doubt, discipling the 4 girls that God gave me is my
ministry. I have finally reached the point in the last year that I do
not feel guilty, and I do not have to be concerned about the judgements
of others.
I hope Julie
doesn't mind. I stole this great video off of her blog. Listen, and
let the words minister to your heart, especially if you have young
children who need you every waking minute.
Happy Mother's Day
Ellen at ellenfunlearning asked
if I'd like to join in her Homeschool Hi-Lights. If you've never seen
Ellen's blog, you have to check it out. She has the most ideas, at
least in one spot. Fun ideas. If you are a relaxed homeschooler, or if
you need a fun activity to go along with a study, just a break from the
regular routine, or something good to fill some summer hours, be sure
to go by Ellen's for inspiration.
I'm not sure I'm together enough
to keep up with this weekly, but I'm excited to share with you today!
We happened to have had a great week last week, filled with quite a few
hi-lights. Here are a few.
~We're working on the American
Revolution study (History Through the Ages). Marissa enjoys history
anyway, but this week was just fun. One of the projects we made this
week was a board game driving home the impact of the taxes the British
govt. was imposing on the colonies. She loved it~we played it 4 times,
and it had it's desired effect. She commented several times about how
hard the taxes were on the colonists and how she could understand how
they felt.
~About 2 weeks ago, the little
girls found a caterpillar dangling from their fort. They watched and
photographed him over the next few days as he formed his chrysilis.
They've babied that little thing. Saturday they went out to check, and
the Red Spotted Purple butterfly had just emerged and was drying his
wings. They were proud mamas!
~The taxes game I talked about
required 2's and 3's multiplication. My math hating daughter(!), who
was doing well with it, had a reluctant "ah-ha" moment. LOL. She said,
"You know. You're right. Having your mulitiplication memorized does
make things a lot easier. I have to admit it." (Said while hanging her
head, saying it reluctantly, but yet with a smirk on her face.)
~My history & art loving,
math hating, 10 year old daughter : ) has also never enjoyed writing.
Umm.. that's mild. I stopped trying to make her write anything creative
a long time ago. All of our writing is done in lapbooks, AWANA book,
and her own list making. You cannot imagine my excitement this week as
she has sat at the computer typing out a creative writing story all on
her on; no prodding from me. AND, it's quite good. She's only shared
excerpts with me so far, but they are really good~mature phrases that
you can tell she has picked up from her reading.
And, not necessarily a homeschooling highlight, but a highlight none the less, espcecially for Briana~
It's a 2005 Saturn Ion with only 30,000 miles. She has been sharing Ashley's car,
but since she will be going to college this fall, we wanted her to have
a dependable, low mileage car. She will be coming home many weekends.
I prayed the Lord would help us find just that, but much
lower priced than everything we'd found so far, and if "possible" that
he'd also give her one she really liked. Not only did he meet the
parents' needs and give her one she liked, it's the exact color she has
been wishing for the last year.
Letitia
