urg!

DAGGGUM!!!!!

It's storming here so I have to shut down my computer. I have so many things to put on here. I've been working on the pictures.

UGH!

Catch ya tomorrow!

MYTH musical

Hello!!

Would anyone tell me why I must stay up so late?

Well I have great news.

Greg and his friends have put up a website about the musical they wrote.

You can see it HERE. It's called MYTH. Greg and his friend Wes have been writing this for over 2 years. And our other friend Mike is composing the music.

They are hoping to gain recognition from anyone who would like to put it on. Do you know anyone you could pass this link on to?

Go listen to some of the songs and check out their site.

Give them feedback and let them know I sent you. :)

Costumes! costumes and more costumes!

Yes I have been busy!

The kids school drama is coming up on Friday evening. And I have been very busy making costumes.

My boys are monkeys so I made hats and tails for them. There is also a little girl who is a monkey so I made her a hat and tail to match. I'll get pictures of them on Friday.

Then Ashley is a gazelle. Hello? Do you know how hard it is to come up with a gazelle costume? I did it and I'm quite proud of myself. And since it was tough coming up with a costume, I volunteered to make the other gazelle costume.

Then on Friday, some of the lions came with manes. Apparantly 4 of them are only supposed to be cubs with with no manes. One girl ended up giving her costume to another person, so I volunteered to make a hat and tail for her. Then it was suggested that they really wanted all of them to look alike. So guess what? I volunteered to make all of them. Here is a picture of Austin in one of the hats holding up a tail. I don't know why they decided to go with cream, but I stayed with what they wanted. Can you tell it is a little white lion? I always get so nervous that someone won't like what I make.

Then there was this little girl and I couldn't tell what she was, I had to ask. So I picked up some materials and thought I would try to make her a costume. I didn't tell her, because I wasn't sure if I could actually make it. Well today I tried it on her and she loves it. Can you tell what she is? A peacock.

I can't wait to get some good pictures of everybody on Friday.

layouts from National Scrapbook Day

I need to go to bed!

We picked up Dalton today and while we were in the car he said, "I love you!" And Aussie said, "I love you too, but I'm NOT in love with you." Then he proceeded to give a lecture about how you can only be in-love with girls, but IF you had a sister then you couldn't be in love with her.

It totally cracked me up!

Here are the layouts I did this weekend.

This one was a round robin. It is where you work on a layout for 5 minutes and then you pass it to the next person. I think it turned out great!

NSD

Tomorrow is National Scrapbook Day! I know what I'll be doing. What will you be doing?

Today and the Discovery Center

I went to the chiropractor today because I have been having headaches every single day; and my jaw was hurting.

He adjusted me and I hurt so bad that I had to have Greg come pick me up at the office. I was having really bad back spasms. The Dr. said that it is because it has been so long since my back had been adjusted. I'm afraid to go back! He had fixed my jaw and it felt good before he adjusted my back. But I hurt so severely when I sat down or walked around that I think the stress made my jaw and shoulder and neck hurt worse. Do I go back on Wednesday?

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Anyway, here are several pictures from The Discovery center. I had so many good pictures it was really hard to choose. This place is really great. It was perfect for their age. If you haven't been and you live around Murfreesboro, you should really take a day trip. It's lots of fun!

When you walk in, there is a big fire truck that the kids can play on and dress up. There is a place to dig. You can touch everything in this place.

There is a big water thing where the kids got soaking wet. They were able to make fountains and even get water all over the floor or even on your brother.

There was a little place with suitcases of dress up clothes from Japan and China.

It also had a play area with a house, a tree house, doll house and many fun things to play with.

The art center was fun fun fun! They painted, played with clay, drew, colored and cut.

I'm not sure what their favorite thing was but they all really enjoyed using the light table to draw.

I modeled for Mason to draw me. LOL!

There was a plane that the kids could ride. Both of the boys had to ride with their friend Kadence. Then upstairs was train sets to play with, blocks, a pretend grocery store with a conveyor belt building pieces and a slide going down to the first floor.

And last but not least they got to make ice cream without any machines. That was so cool! And it actually tasted good too. They added the ingredients into a qt. sized baggie and then put that baggie into a gallon sized baggie with ice and ice cream salt. Then they shook it and shook it until it hardened. Then they got to eat it.

Mother/daughter date

Today I took Ashley on a date. I had planned to take her to a tea room, but unfortunately it closed 20 minutes before we got there. So I took her to Panera Bread. It wasn't much of a substitute but we still had fun. She picked the foccacia bread. We brought the rest home for Daddy.

We went to a few other places and I'll tell you... She was quite the eye catcher. And she played it up really well, waving and smiling from ear to ear.

And yesterday was an amazing day for us! I have so many good pictures, I don't know what I'll share on here. We went to the Discovery Center and then to Chuck E. Cheese for a birthday party. I'll have to update tomorrow. It's time for b-e-d!

Last weeks scrapping and mattress

Just a couple of layouts to share.

Also wanted to let you know that since I've been sleeping in Ashley's bed, I have not had any back aches or neck cramps. I got Greg's permission today with a signed check to get my mattress. Wahoooooooooo!

So I wonder what's next on the list. ?????????????????

prayers please

I can't sleep in my bed anymore! I am so tired all the time.

Greg said, we could get a mattress when we are out of debt and save up for it. That was supposed to be next month, but unfortunately as all of you know we've had a lot of expenses, including a van.

Today I BEGGED Greg for a new mattress. He's upset about the $$$ and he doesn't know if it will even help me. Unfortunately, I don't know if it will help either. It's hard to shell out so much $$$ and not even know if it will help.

I don't like being in debt. But I kind of feel like this is just one thing that we need.

Well today- I went mattress shopping. I found a comfortable one that is guaranteed for 15 years. It is on sale until Monday. I talked to Greg on the phone and we agreed to put a (fully refundable) down payment on it.

Now Greg is a really wonderful man, but he does worry a lot! Please pray for him. And please pray that this will not be a burden on us! Thank you!

We got it!

It's late Friday night and everyone is asleep but me. I love some of these quiet moments.

We got the van! It is a 2005 Toyota Sienna with a nice DVD player in it. It's really smooth to drive and ride. I think we got a good deal on it. Now we feel like we have a safe car to drive to Ohio this Summer.

We feel at peace over the decision.

Things have been looking up this week. Everything is still crazy, but overall it has been a good week.

Does anyone know where to go to buy a good mattress? What is a good one for your back? I don't like those temperpedic (sp?) ones that mold to your body.

Thank yous and a funny picture

I need to post some thank yous! Sorry I haven't done it sooner, but we are still in the midst of all this craziness.

1. Thank you Jill! Jill gave me a lawn mower. Whoooo! Hoooo! Greg has mowed the lawn and it works great. Thank you, thank you!

2. Our neighbors gave us an OLD TV, you know one of the kinds that come in a cabinet. But guess what? It looks GREAT!

3. My friend D'ann has offered another small TV. We might take her up on the offer if we can't get the big screen fixed. Thank you for the offer D'ann!

4. My friend Jana has offered for me to borrow curriculum from her. (I might take her up on some of the books- but we don't use Sonlight.) Thank you Jana for your offer!

5. We are working on a car deal...BUT someone else has made an offer. I really want this car! We will know later today if they actually go through with it.

Thank you all for your prayers during this stressful time!

Oh and now for something funny...Check this out....

Pouring, Snoring and Curriculum

Can you believe it? Our other TV died!

GOOD GRIEF!! When it rains it pours!

Speaking of raining...We had terrible storms last night. It kept us up all night long. The loud thunder would make me jump in the middle of the night.

The electricity went off, I didn't realize when it went off, but I sure knew when it came back on. My CPAP machine came on full force.

LOL- It's Raining it's pouring, poor Chelle is snoring, jumped in bed when the thunder said. And had a hard time getting up in the morning.
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I'm trying to figure out my curriculum for next year.

So far I like the Sonlight core program for History and Geography.
I'll probably stay with A Beka for Math
Handwriting without Tears- for proper pencil holding and correct formation.

I'm still trying to decide what we will use for Language Arts.
I'm going to look at Learning Language Arts through Literature, My Father's World and Sonlight to see what they have to offer. I think A Beka is good, but my kids get so bored with it.

I would like some type of crafty curriculum for Ashley since she loves crafts.

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Oh also, I talked to some other homeschoolers today about Ashley. I was getting so discouraged with her not recognizing her numbers after 12. And they reassured me that it is developmental. And it might even take up to a year. It made me feel better. She can add and subtract well as long as it is with numbers below 10. They did give me a couple of suggestions on how to help.
They suggested a straight number line. I have a number chart, but they said a straight line might help. Also they suggested a game on the floor. Put a number line on the floor and say add 2 and they have to jump 2 spaces. That sounds like some fun Math.

money isn't funny

Just when you think your in the clear...

Big screen TV breaks
Van needs to be replaced before June
You can hear the phone ring but it won't let you pick it up
the mattress has a hole in it
Curriculum and co-op is going to cost over $1000
Need a lawn mower (we managed to borrow all of last year, I don't think that will fly this year)

I had so much hope for that tax return and relief fund and I'm already saying good bye to it. Unfortunately picking up a car payment too! UGH!

School

Yesterday was a hard day for Ashley. She spent most of the day in her room. I told her to take her homework to her room and when she was ready to read to me she could come out. She was SO mad at me.

When I finally saw her homework she had written MOM at the top and wrote F+'s all over it! (They think a plus sign goes after all the grades.)

I couldn't help but laugh at it. I think I'll keep it and show it to her when she is much older.
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Also, I have to say I am tired of Barbie school. Ashley wants to have Barbie school everyday. That means she is the teacher and I have to draw pictures of Barbies. I can't draw Barbies! So I do the best I can and she grades them. If she thinks they're pretty, I get an A+ and if she doesn't I get B+.

I know if it was Austin and he didn't like it he would say, "It was a good try, Mom. But I still love you".
And if it was Mason I would always get an A+ because I did it, no matter what it looked like. He would also give me a thumbs up and tell me it was great.

I love my kids!

School seems to have been getting longer and longer.

I've got to go to bed, I'm falling asleep mid sentence now.

Rent review

We saw RENT tonight.

It was good. The music was pretty and the choreography was excellent. Unfortunately, I thought the music was louder than it should have been, I thought it drowned out what the singers were singing. So I had a really hard time following what was going on.

BUT- the disappointing thing about the show is that all the characters have AIDS, either from being gay or being a druggie. That part just left me with such mixed feelings. Should I clap at the beautiful love song that one man sang to another man? Ummm...the song was beautiful, but I really don't want to support being gay.

And the crowd in the theatre tonight...well I haven't been surrounded by so many gays in my life except the time I found myself in the middle of a gay/lesbian parade in Boston, MA.
I'm just saying it was uncomfortable.

I'm really sorry if this offends anyone; I just have a strong religious background that believes the act of homosexuality is wrong.

So that's my review on RENT.

A day at the Zoo

Yesterday was another beautiful day! We met with two other multiple families and went to the Zoo. We had such a nice time. We actually got to see some animals this time. Usually my kids only want to play on the playground and see the new unseen world (fishes, snakes, etc.).

Ahh my camera finally worked when we were in the bird cage this time. This bird is so beautiful!!!

Here is Rayna- Sweet little sister of Jake and Jonah. She even let me hold her. Oh I could just squeeze her, she is so precious.

And here is Rachel- Sweet little sister of David and Drew. Oh she is so cute! She was copying words anyone was saying. I was telling my kids- Don't Do IT! and she repeated, "do it do it!" LOL

And this is Jake. Ummmm...Braxton where are you? Someone else is moving in. Jake was SO sweet to Ashley! They were hugging and holding hands. Ashley must have gotten a little hurt (no blood), but Jake asked his Mom for a band aid and brought it to Ashley and put it on her. Then in the sun he brushed her hair away from her face. And the one that just really got me, was everyone wanted to have a turn cranking a crank. One of the boys was taking an extra long time and Jake got him to get off and made way so Ashley could do it next, "here Ashley- it's your turn."

I tried not to get too many pictures of them together and get the rest of the group. But the fact of the matter, was my kids were MUCH slower than the others. And Jake just hung out with us. So I didn't get many pictures of the other kids. {sigh}

And here is the last picture of the day, coming out of the New Unseen World.

I just love these friends! We really must get together again soon!!!!