Official

It is official... I am NJ legal.   About two weeks ago I finally got my driver's license and today was the day my vehicle became official.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute and bad weather to accomplish this task.   It took over 2 hours to complete.   It was not the way I wanted the day to go but I am relieved it is done!!!!!

Down on the Farm

We went on a field trip to Howell Living Farm.  A farm that lives in the past.  Turn of the century type stuff.  Some of the things date to 1800's and some 1900's.  We went for the maple sugaring.  And yes we did get to taste some.  It was syrup though on our pancake.  But all in all a fun day.

It was a long one.  We spent over 2 hours going to different stations in the process.  We began at the wood cutting.  As the wood is needed for the fire in the evaporator and in the house for heat and cooking.

 Next stop the house.

 Where we got to see and taste the pancakes.   No making though.   It was a tiny kitchen.  But big in those times.  The ladies were very good about asking questions but I feel one did not allow the children enough time to formulate answers.  Our ages ranged from k-7.  Then it was off to the sugar maple trees where we got to see the tapping process and see the results inside the pails.   Finally off to the evaporator house.  This was were they turn the drippings into the syrup.   Now a real farm would not have had the evaporator house, they would have done it all over the fire.

We are all glad we went.  I especially like it when we walk away and my children say they learned something new!!!   An A+ day when that occurs!   I love love love field trips and even more so when the learning occurs sandwiched with interest and fun.

Only Tuesday

Okay folks, here it is only day 2 of the week and I feel as though it is Thursday already.  My body wants it to be Friday soooooo bad.    We still have a filled week ahead.   While it is nice to get out and about, it is also very challenging.   I am trying very hard to arrange the schedule to go with the time we need to be out but unfortunately it doesn't always go as planned.  Especially when there are big assessments that are due.  Those take a long time for the children to finish.  Some of them are 7+ pages with 40-50 questions.   On top of those assessments there are still the regular work that needs to begun.  The big challenge comes in grading said pages.

We are plugging away as we are trying to get all school done by first week in June.  This will not be easy with all the time we had off in December.  Plus there are days we will be taking off in the Spring.

Near Misses

Well we were out looking at houses this weekend and may I say that we are getting closer.  This time was the first time were I truly felt like we are moving in the right direction.   We only saw 3 houses but 2 of the 3 were near misses.  What I mean by that is, we were the closest we have ever been.  That to me is promising.  I know with the Spring market on the horizon we will definitely be able to find a home that will meet all the qualifications we are looking to have in a home.

Thank You, Lord!

Oh and thanks for the prayers.  Keep praying it is working.

Olympics

This entire week I have been watching the Olympics.  I know I mentioned earlier that I am a junkie!   I even have it so I get updates on my phone!    I really enjoy watching the amazing things that these athletes accomplish.

Needless to say I have been one tired individual staying up late and getting up early to school.   Next week will even be worse as we have a much busier week with a field trip on the horizon.  Stephen also has 2 baseballs and 2 basketballs this week.   Will definitely be napping whenever I can.

These crazy teen years!

It is a roller coaster ride in this household.  My teen of only 3 months is both amazing and confusing all at the same time.   He gets kudos from people on his manners, his eagerness to help, his willingness to be available, his ability to stay on focus and not allow the pressures of what others say change his thoughts or inhibit his responses, and many more things.   But when he gets frustrated he becomes frustrating.   I adore him!   I really do.  It is such a great age and I really want to take these months to speak so much truth into his life.   I am always reading up on the latest about what teens are exposed to.  One of the ways the exposure occurs is via books.   Stephen is an avid reader and I cannot keep up with him!   I am thankful that we are using a program that has him reading loads of classics that he finds interesting and wants to continue with the series, if there is one, or try another book by the author.   But with all the buzz and craziness about vampires and other dark elements in teen literature, I read and rely on Pluggedin.com.  I take what I can from the reviews and apply as much knowledge on the subject matter that I can.  And I use it as an opportunity for many discussions with him.   I am thrilled that we have this wonderful relationship where we can and do talk about everything.   As awkward as some topics are, I am a big fan of him hearing it from me than others (books included)!   In one of the articles at Pluggedin I came across this statement and it is one that is sticking with me for truer words are hard to come by:


"Sometimes when we wade into dark, frightening, permanent territory, we're tempted to take up residence."


I know for myself it becomes very easy to allow a little of the world in and before I know it it is a slippery slope I find myself struggling to climb.  I know as a parent I want the best for my children and that means helping them to not make some of the mistakes I have made.  I want them to learn from my mistakes but I realize that they must learn from their own.  I just want to be accessible and available for them to come running to in their time of need, concern, and confusion.  I am very fortunate that Stephen is like me so I am able to read him and I think that helps him to feel understood.  I worry about Abigail as she is a stifler.  Her phrase is "I don't want to talk about it."   Which means we really need to discuss it!  


Having my children home has given my so much opportunity to get to really know who they are, how they think, and how they respond.  I am not saying you can't know your children if they are schooled out of the home.  All I am saying is that it really has been an eye-opener for me and I am truly blessed to have this chance.  


While I know we are only beginning the teen years (I calculated and due to the ages of my children I will be in the teen years for the next 12 years!) I look forward to this journey with anticipation and trepidation.   I know that there will be times when I want to hang 'em high and times when I won't want to let them go.  So you will most likely find me on my knees before the One who will carry us through this time of our lives.

Sleep Over

Friday night Joshua had is first ever sleep over that was not family.   Granted Abigail was there too but he did it!!!!  We are very excited about this.  He said he had soooooo much fun and that is what helped him.  He and Abigail were gone for about 23 hours.  Stephen had his youth group missions meeting so Bill and I had the evening to ourselves.  Which one would think would be good but we were able to just sit and talk because before we knew it it was about time to get Stephen.

Watched some olympics later on.  I love the olympics.   It really reminds me of my youth.  We would get so pumped to sit in front of the TV and watch.   I remember in the summer time we would create olympic type games in the pool.  Relay races and individual races.  What a great time!!!   Even had the opportunity to attend the 96 games in Atlanta!!!

Have been an olympic junkie these last couple of days.  Love getting excited for the Americans!!!  Go Team USA!!!