Looking Back~Looking Forward

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