It's come to my attention that it's been a while since I've blogged. I have been pretty busy for me. Not J.D. busy, but none the less busy. I'm not even sure that I can tell you what exactly I've been busy doing.

Most recently, my sister, Wendy and her family came to visit. We had a really good time. I love them SOOO much. We went to a water park, swimming, shopping, we watched "Raising Helen," cooked and cleaned up afterwards, and managed 7 kids between us ages 0-11. Comments on those activities:
1. The kids got along great.
2. We saw a dead mouse in the lazy river.
3. Bodyworks jacked up their prices on guest entry fees.
4. I bought M 2 pair of pants and 2 shirts. I bought myself 3 shirts and a pair of green khaki capris. M didn't want me to buy the shirts because they were too expensive. Normally, I wouldn't pay $15 for a shirt--ever. But, it was tax free and the boy has to have clothes AND my mom paid for our water park and swimming, so I was feeling generous.
5. Raising Helen was pretty good. Worth seeing, but not one I'd want to see over and over again. I did laugh out loud more than once.
6. I wish my family lived here!

Other things we have done:
1. Kid Day with the Davidson's, which included picnic at the park, $3 movie and swimming. (I stopped to buy my kids candy after the movie because I didn't buy them any snacks at the movie theater and Malachi said something like, "Mom, stop being so nice to us! I feel like you are spoiling us. You are acting like Granny and it's scaring me!" LOL I told him to enjoy it because I was going to be back to my old self after we were done swimming.
2. My kids started taking Tae Kwon Do with our old pastor. We are on a month trial, but I think we are going to let them stay in. It doesn't work perfectly with Z's ballet schedule, but pastor said she can work out for free when she can. He said she's good at it. Ballet and TKD probably benefit one another. I think E does well with it, too. The main reasons I'm willing to do this class for them are #1. They need something to do to keep them out of trouble. (I do NOT want the cops at my door EVER again! That's another story for those of you who don't know.) #2. It's taught by our old pastor and I know that he will be a good influence for them. He's going to teach them some really good values that carry over into their lives, not just TKD. #3. It's great exercise. It teaches strength, control and flexibility.
3. School. We have been doing summer school on days that we aren't busy. I have added some things to our curriculum and it is a full day's worth. They could probably get it done faster, but right now they are testing me to see how long I can stand doing school in a day! I'm not sure that I'm passing that test. I'm working on it.

This week I am starting a community Bible study that has a home school program. I have to leave in 45 min and every one's asleep and I'm not dressed, yet. So, I'd better get a move on. My Thursdays are going to be very busy:

9-11:15 Bible Study
1-2 writing class for E and M
4:30-5:30 ballet
5:30-6:30 TKD

Writing and ballet don't start until after Labor Day.

I'll tell you my cop story if you ask me.

Let My Life Be Like a Love Song

WARNING: potentially offensive; home school mom rants about government schools' agenda

Z watched Busytown this morning. You know, Richard Scarrey. The cute little animals. Evidently, Michael Angelo didn't paint Bible stories on the Sistine Chapel, it was nature that he painted. He was inspired by nature when he went for a picnic. Hummmm. . . . I was a little offended. Before I knew that they were going there with that story, I told Z to have me show her pictures of the real Sistine Chapel when the show was over. I asked her what he painted on the walls before I showed her. Then, I showed her pictures of the real one and explained to her that they were all Bible stories. Michael Angelo painted the Word of God in beautiful, colorful pictures on the Sistine Chapel. She recognized the one of God creating Adam from Aunt Wendy's house.

Thank you, God, for reminding me WHY I will continue to educate my kids with a Christian curriculum. It's not just evolution being taught in schools. They change history/social studies books to push their agendas and leave out any glory to God. I know Busytown is not public school, but this is what the world and government does to promote what they want to promote (whoever gave them the most money) and to leave God out (their false interpretation of "separation of church and state").

I know that home schooling isn't for everybody. I would never judge anyone for making the choice to send their kids to a government school. I would never even try to convince someone to home school. Home schooling 4 kids who are all on different levels is very difficult. When people say that I "have my hands full" or "wow, you're REALLY busy". . . I want to say, "You really have NO idea." (unless of course they are also home schooling 4 or more kids) Sometimes I need a reminder of WHY what I'm doing is important and worthwhile. It's not just about protecting my kids from the yuck at school. It's not just about supervising "socialization." It's not just about having that time with them. It's not just about keeping them out of the "institution." It's not just about tailoring their education to meet their needs. All of those are good reasons, but there's something more meaningful. It's about teaching them to see the world from a Godly perspective. It's about seeing how people in history worshipped God with their lives and the blessings that resulted. . . or how some chose not to and seeing the results of their selfish living. It's about the amount of time we have that we can spend studying the Word because we aren't waiting in line at the cafeteria or water fountain or bathroom. . . or waiting for the teacher to get the undisciplined children to behave (well. . . ok. . .that happens at home, too! haha)

If you aren't home schooling and you are offended by this post, I'm sorry. It wasn't meant to offend. It's meant to encourage those who ARE home schooling and meant as a record for myself of WHY I am sacrificing my days to serve my God in this way. I know that I could drop 3 of my kids off for the better part of the day and let someone else educate and babysit them for free. It would make my life A LOT easier. There are a lot of other ways I could serve Him while they were in the care of the State of Texas. Some of those ways might bring in a paycheck and relieve financial burdens. I might even be able to minister to not-yet-believers. But, this is not what God has called ME to right now. He has called ME to educate my children, by the power of His Holy Spirit. Whatever sacrifices I have to make are worth it.

This past week, our pastor started a series on Worship. The main point I heard last week was that worship is sacrifice and that we worship with our lives. That wasn't a new idea for me, but I thought about it. Sometimes in church I hear the Holy Spirit telling me that I need to work in that area. This time, I heard the Holy Spirit say I was doing a good job in this area and I knew what He meant. I don't always have a good attitude about it. I certainly can do much better. But I felt the Holy Spirit saying that my sacrifices to home school was worship to God. I was encouraged to do it with excellence and to have a better attitude. As the song says, "Let my life be like a love song."

Just to be clear. . . no one is sick. They are ok. I guess they are growing or something. I'm afraid I will have trouble putting them to bed tonight, though! LOL Z slept 'til noon!

2 Kids Down

This morning E and Z slept all morning. It is 11:32 and they are still in bed. I tried to wake up Z, but she didn't wake up. E woke up early and complained of a stomach ache, so I told him to go back to bed if he was sick. Life with just 2 kids is SO much easier. . . even if it's the 2 who are more headstrong! I kinda felt like I had it together before there were 4. Whoever says that there's not much difference between having 3 and 4 is lying. Well, E is up now. . . let the 8 year old hormonal drama begin. . .

New Coffee Table

Never had one before! (Say Hi to Boomer. That's "his" spot. Mine is on the other side of the couch where I knit by the lamp. :)) We bought it at the Big Lot's 20% off sale this week.

Rambling

• We are getting rid of our gym membership. I mainly had it for childcare and I think the kids are old enough now that I don't need it.
• It will free up $90/ mo.
• Allister will join an inexpensive gym.
• He's still debating starting on his MA in the Fall. Not sure what to do. Leaning towards working on certifications instead.
• Not a lot of work to be had right now. Every one's going to the other hospital.
• VBS this week. Yesterday I cleaned house. Today I went shopping w/ Iz.
• M got a fever and had to miss VBS.
• His friend who used to live down the street is moving back this week--in the same house.
• J gave us deer meat. So far we've had deer sausage (x2), deer steak, deer chili and deer stew.
• It's very hot. It makes me want to move to the mountains.
• M bought me a Lost PC game. Our video card is too slow to play it. He was bummed.
• I bought the movie Penelope at my sister's suggestion. I didn't realize that it wasn't for kids. It's rated PG. It was a good story and a good lesson. Downside: gambling, drinking, bad parents, witchcraft, adultery and suicide. I think I must have misunderstood about it being for kids. Ooops. I think I know someone who would really like it. (a young adult) The theme of the movie is something she likes to talk about. I'm just bummed because I bought it, not rented it.
• I'm drinking coffee again. Less of it and not as strong. Allister put me on a better multi-vitamin and L-Carnitine and Ginsing. I can see a big difference in my energy. I don't think it's the coffee. I'm only drinking one cup of decaf, which wears off by 11am. I'm way excited about having more energy. I hadn't felt like I had normal energy levels in years.

I Give Up

On quitting coffee. I am just too tired. And it helps me stay regular. . . I'm getting old, aren't I? We played volleyball at lifegroup on Sunday night and I'm still hurting. I have lots of bruises and my arms and legs are achy. I had a lot of fun, though. Then, I hurt my big toe yesterday. This morning I woke up feeling sick: congested, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes. . . and I started my period. It may be best to avoid me for a while! LOL Actually, so far, I'm still in a decent mood. It's the kids misbehaving that puts me out.