The rest of the story

Please read the "Count Your Blessings" post below before reading this one.

***********************************

We're home from co-op and everyone is in their rooms.

I've decided to sit down and see if I can gather my thoughts together here.

I guess I basically wanted to add that I do count my blessings, and I try to keep that positive approach to life.







I was recently blessed by two bloggers, Ginger and Carrie with the mathetes award.


Ginger's sweet words were:

Leigh Ann, just know how much I love you for the love you show on a daily basis towards everyone. Your joyful spirit and sweet nature is evident to all and you welcome the young and the old to be your friend. I was amazed right from the start that not only were you a friend of God, but that others were drawn to be your friend as well.

Carrie's sweet words were:

Leigh Ann always amazes me with how put together she is. Her faith and family are clearly number one in her life. I love how she has such a good balance between them!

You both have blessed me with such sweet words. While I'm tickled that I look like I have my act together - I really don't. :-O (A hush falls over the hundreds of Momma Roar readers)

I do want people to know that I love Jesus and He is my strength. And I like to encourage others and make people laugh and smile. (Isn't it fun that there are just as many 'genres' of blogs as there are books?)

I know that every one has differing opinions on these 'awards'. And, if you haven't read my friend Susan's thoughts (to award or not to award), please do.

I am blessed by each of my friends who take a moment out of their day to check in with Momma Roar. "Friends" - yes - you are my friends. I've not met you all in person, but I believe friendships can be made through emails and blogs.

I know that 'protocol' is to include the reasons behind the award and pass it along to 5 more people - but today, I just want to point out one blog to you. One blogger, who in her last few posts has totally captured my attention and is, I believe, the essence of this award.

Christy at Mommy Brain has been documenting her childhood experiences and the circumstances that have brought her to where she is now. When I asked her if it is therapeutic to write it out, she answered, "Yes, in a way...However, I simply feel like I was supposed to. I can't explain it but I felt led to do it."

I pray Christy is blessed for writing it out and sharing it with so many whom she may never get the chance to meet face to face.

I desire to pass along this award to Christy - for showing excellence in discipleship with her commitment to God's call in writing out her past. Blessings to both you and Clay!

Count Your Blessings

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won't survive the week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world.

If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are both alive and still married, you are very rare, especially in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them, or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer them God's healing touch.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.

You are so blessed in so many ways you may never even know. Today, let us praise God for all His gifts, what He has done for us and feel the blessings!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I found this in a little paper/newsletter published locally that has a goal to "bring positive news, inspirational articles and information everyone can use in the local community." It truly is a great little paper.

I have a few things I wanted to add to this, but my time is up. It's Wednesday and that means we have co-op - so its a short morning here. I'll see you all tomorrow!

Mornings with Elle-belly

Elle was sitting at the table, holding a spoon full of cereal. She sneezed. She looks at me with an uh-oh face. I'm thinking, oh the germs! Elle reassures me everything is okay because "I no drop what's on my spoon!"

I appreciate her 'glass half full' approach to life!!


To hear what more tiny ones are saying, head over to Mary's at Notbefore7.

A Parade...A Parade

Our family enjoyed a parade last night. It is "Farm Show Week" in our little town - most people know these by another name, a fair, but we call it a Farm Show. Its something that brings everyone out - kinda like having lots of mini-high school reunions!

We took our blanket, found a good spot, and settled in for a fun time.

We saw the fire trucks - lots and lots of them.

We watched as all the tractors 'putt-putted' by. And there were lots of them. Apply the concept of 'restoring old cars' to tractors and you've got the main portion of our parade!!

We watched and heard the marching bands.

We saw Jean on her school's float!

We saw the HS cheerleaders, the girls in the Homecoming Court, the little baton twirlers.

We enjoyed watching the float from our church go by.

We laughed.

We cried. (just kidding)

We had a great time.

Would you like to know the best part? We didn't have to walk to the car afterwards (which would have been parked miles away, by the way).

Why?

Because, thanks to our local cable channel, its broadcasted live.




Ah yes, the enjoyment of a parade with all the comforts of home. We especially liked having a potty close by! The only thing we could have used would have been someone to stand next to the television set and toss out candy to us!!!

Can you?

Can you see it?

Can you feel it?

Can you sense it?


That excitement in their eyes, the "I can't believe it" shakes, the power building up inside them as they want to shout out, "I did it!"

The best part of teaching for me was that moment when something clicked for a student.

When a kindergartner got the words "Step-Hop" in his head to match his feet and skipped for the first time.

Can you see the excitement?

When the second grader pointed first, with his non-dominant hand and then threw the ball and it hit the back wall of the gym for the first time.

Can you feel the excitement?

When a fifth grader had mastered the steps to a country line dance and could keep up with me through the entire song?

Can you sense the excitement?

Those are the memories I've taken with me from my years of teaching.

But now, to be experiencing a new level of excitement in the faces of my own children - Nothing, absolutely nothing, can top that!!

Can you see it?

Can you feel it?

Can you sense it?

Can you hear my excitement?

Can you?

A Mother's Job Well Done

I just think this is an oustanding message and wanted to share it here. I hope it encourages you and you can pass it on to encourage others.
*******************


Standing in the kitchen with my gown still on and my hair jostled from the night before, I manage to open one eye to see what I'm doing. I pour the water into the coffee pot and let out a big yawn. My youngest boy who enjoys the early morning hours comes happily skipping into the kitchen. "Mom," he says, "I'm starving!" "Will you cook me some eggs and bacon?" I hear what he says but I'm thinking, "Why not something simple?" I pull out the cereal boxes and oatmeal instead. My youngest is also the most persistent, "Mom pleeaaasee! I want eggs really bad!!" Two more young hungry birds have just arrived, they sit down at the breakfast table and chirp in with the melody but also add "some toast and jelly would be good too." I'm still thinking of that nice warm bed that I had to leave only a moment ago. I put up the cereal boxes and drag out the skillet. I'm really not in the mood to have to clean the entire kitchen, but here I go. ……again.

Mothers have a great responsible in raising their children. But somehow we forget the joys of motherhood. It seems we get caught up in the pressures that society throws our way. I believe whole-heartedly that this issue has stolen the joy of child rearing from many women. They are always running here and there trying to hold a job, be a sports mom and have supper on the table by 6:00 o'clock. House cleaning chores are hanging over their head, and they see no end in sight. Wondering whether or not they are failing as a parent has entered their mind a time or two. If they could just make it through the next few years, the kids will be grown and everything will be fine. Not true.

Our society teaches that in order for us to be a successful parent, we must supply our children with the finer things in life and open their world up to every social and physical activity that comes along. For example, little Junior has his own room where he keeps his Nintendo DS, Gamecube, Xbox, Ipod, and MP3 player. He has his very own 19" flat screen TV, with cable access, a DVD player and a Dell computer to chat with his friends when he's not calling them on his cell phone. Outside, awaiting his arrival is a motor scooter, and a four-wheeler. Because his parents want him to be `well rounded', he is presently participating in three different sporting events and a club that keeps him away from his church and family.

What's wrong with this picture? Society doesn't teach us that there are more important things in life than filling our time with things that in many ways make us no better of a person. Character comes from both a mom and a dad who are willing to take a stand and say no to the seduction of influence that the world pressures us with. A healthy child comes from time spent together as a family, doing the simple things in life that make a family grow in their relationship with one another. It doesn't mean that having a few nice things or being a part of a sports team or club is a bad thing. In its place, it is a good thing. But we have substituted this with what is important and it has consumed our time with busyness that we use to soothe our conscience.

The guilt of an overextended mom who is trying to keep her head above water by working two full time jobs is heartbreaking. Trying to run a household and work out in the secular world has ravished her mind and body. She is exhausted. Is there really any way to get off this endless merry-go-round? I say, "Yes!!!" It starts with the word NO. Learn to say NO to the multitude of obstacles that threaten to consume our time and energy. Learn to say NO to the numerous sporting events, clubs, and school activities. Learn to say NO to having every new game or toy out on the market. Learn to say NO to stretching our finances well beyond their limits so that we may have bigger and better things! No! No! No!

Of course we must also recognize the need to say yes. Say YES to simplifying our lifestyle! Say YES to playing a game of ball in the backyard or building a fort with blankets in the living room! Say YES to making a volcano and watching the faces of your children while they squeal in delight. Say YES and do the supper dishes together, teaching them how to take out the trash or do the laundry. Say YES and show them how to bake a cake and take it to a friend or neighbor who's hurting. YES! YES! YES!

`Train up a child in the way that he should go' does not require us to give him/her all of his/her wants and desires. It does however indicate that we are to supply them with a healthy foundation to build upon. Being a mom involves love, time and sacrifice. It is our responsibility to teach our children to recognize their unique qualities and abilities so that they will have the determination to pursue their God-given talents, to be unselfish so that they may put others before themselves, to be thankful so that they may appreciate all that God has blessed them with, and to be compassionate so that they will be willing to help others who are less fortunate than themselves.

The price is too high for us to continue down this path that leads to deep regret. We as mothers need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Debbie Taylor
Pam Hickman
May 2006

copied with permission

Getting Away

Sometimes, no matter what is going on at home, you need to get away.

Sometimes, commitments at home need to be put on hold, because you need to get away.

Sometimes, heading north to enjoy God's Creation, is the perfect way - to get away.

We drove about 3 hours this past weekend, for some very much needed time away. Time away from home, time away from work, time away from the 'everyday.'

No phone, no cable, no internet - just the mountains of Pennsylvania and a family of five who love spending time with each other!

We played in the creek, fished, skipped rocks, started campfires, enjoyed the changing colors on the mountains, rode ponies at a local fair, ate ice cream for lunch, pet alpacas, played Sequence for Kids a lot, blew bubbles, sang, laughed, stayed up late, woke up early - T set up his tree stand and retrieved the stand 2 days later never having gone into the woods to archery hunt (too foggy and HOT).

It was a much needed get away for Daddy from work and for all of us to enjoy time with him!!

I hope each of you had wonderful weekend!

We have our local "farm show" this week and I hope to get some pictures up of that as well!

I Need You - You're All I'm Living For

Ja*rs of Cl*ay is one of my favorite groups!! Enjoy!






Strangely out of place
There's a light filling this room
Where none would follow before
I can't deny it burns me up inside
I fan the flames to melt
Away my pride
Do I want shelter from the rain
Or the rain to wash me way?

I need you, I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you, I need you
You're all I'm living for

I might sound like a fool
But I think I felt you moving
Closer to me
Face to the ground
To hide the fatal cut
I fight the weight
I feel you lift me up
You are the shelter from the rain
And the rain to wash me away

need you, I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you, I need you
(All I'm living for)
I need you, I need you, I need you
You're all I'm living for
All I'm living for
You're all I'm living for

Face to the ground
To hide the fatal cut
I fight the weight
Feel you lift me up
Can't deny it burns me up inside
I fan the flames to melt away
My prideOnly had a second to spare
But all the time in the world
To know you're there
You are the shelter from the rain
And the rain to wash me away

I need you, I need you, I need you
(All I'm living for)
I need you, I need you, I need you
(All I'm living for)
& I need you, I need you, I need you
You're all I'm living for
All I'm living for
All I'm living for
All I'm living for
You're all I'm living for

Leaves

Remember....and tiny talk

I first want to take a moment to pause to remember the Amish community as today is the first anniversary of the Amish schoolhouse shooting.

The Amish closed the new school yesterday and had a meail with some neighbors as well as some state police troopers followed by an afternoon of watching a ball game. The school is expected closed today and they are asking to be left alone.

To read more, you can click here.

Please remember the families that lost daughters in that tragedy; the girls who are still recovering from their injuries; the wife and children of the shooter; and the community. For those who don't know, I live less than an hour from where this occurred.

Watercolor painting of West Nickel Mines School by local artist Elsie Beiler, titled "Happier Days."


*******************

Mary at Not Before 7 is hosting Tiny Talk again this week. Click over to her site to hear more!

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Dad was cooking on the grill Saturday night and Quintin innocently asked him, "Is everything burnin' good, Dad?"

*********************

At the table, with a very messy mouth, I asked Elle to wipe her face. She asked me "Why? Me no done yet."

An angel arrived in the mail

I got some 'goodmail' over the weekend!

In some emails with two dear friends, Susan and Ginger, I was asking them about the act of confessing. I've always thought 'confessing' was only to admit my sins - I'm learning that there is another side. "Whenever the word 'confession' is used we instinctively think of confessing sin, weakness and failure. This is the negative side of that question. Christianity is called 'the Great Confession.' Confessing is affirming something that we believe. It is testifying of something that we know. It is witnessing for a truth that we have embraced."

As I continue to meditate on these thoughts, I received a book this past weekend to help me grow in my understanding. (Actually, the above quoted text is from this book)

Susan sent me the book, The Po*wer of Yo*ur Wo*rds. Inside, in Susan's handwriting, were the dates she last read her book. She has marked 8-26-01 and 1-23-05.

In August of 2001, I was gearing up to begin my final year of teaching - unbeknownst to me, I would become pregnant in the following months to give birth to my first child in June 2002 - which, if I'm correct, was about the time Susan was visiting my "neck of the woods." In January of 2005, I was sitting at home with a 2 1/2 year old and a newborn, just a month old, little girl.

At the bottom of the page, she made this inscription, "To Leigh Ann - May these words bless and build you up in the Lord as they have me. In Christ, Susan 9-22-07"

I am so touched that she has passed along to me, such a precious instrument used in her own spiritual growth.

I knew the book was coming in the mail, but when the box arrived, I thought it seemed a little large for a book. When I reached inside the package, I was in shock when I pulled out an angel music box.

Upon reading her enclosed letter, I learned that this was an angel from Susan's collection. If you've ever read Susan's blog, you know her love for angels. How wonderful to receive one of her special angels to treasure in my house. How wonderful to have a piece of her here.

Even though we have never met, and may never meet on this earth - I have so grown to love and treasure this wonderful friend. Even though we have many years between us, I have indeed found an angel on earth - a special gift from our Lord. I look forward to our emails concerning this book and I can't wait to take my angel up to my bedroom to set on my dresser.

Book Giveaway

Life in a Shoe is hosting a giveaway of Vision Forum's exciting new adventure series, Ballantyne books.






From VF's site: Ballantyne was not just another writer of the Victorian age who penned exciting historic fiction. His strong and uncompromising Christian presuppositions undergird all his stories. He encouraged his readers to put their trust in God for this life and the next, and taught in his stories that the one safeguard against evil is the redemptive love of God....But for Ballantyne, Stevenson might never have made his travels through the Pacific where, notably, he wrote his masterpiece Treasure Island. Reading Ballantyne’s The Coral Island at age fifteen sparked in Stevenson both his life-long love for the South Seas, and a fierce devotion to his fellow Scot. Stevenson even included Ballantyne in the introduction to his book Treasure Island, where he dubbed this proponent of Gospel Christianity and boyhood adventure, “Ballantyne the Brave.” The title stuck.




Life in a Shoe is taking entries until midnight tonight and will draw a winner Saturday!

Our School Room

Its time for Show & Tell this week! To see what others are Showing & Telling, head over to Kelli's! Thanks for hosting this again Kelli!

When we built our house, we decided to make what the architect designated as a dining room, into a playroom. A wonderful choice, I believe.

On either side of the window we have small bookcases and next to the table there is a small shelf that holds the toy bins.

I keep most of our school books in our den, but the ones I'm using daily sit on top of the bookcase. I just recently got a set of drawers to hold paper, crayons, and odds 'n' ends craft items. We had those things stashed all throughout the house, so now having them all together saves time.

The children's artwork is displayed like clothing on a washline with little plastic clothes pins!!

We received the table and chairs through our local Freecycle. If you've never checked this site out, please do! We've been able to pass somethings along as well as find some things that may have gone in the trash. Our table came from a church who was getting rid of them - its actually the church we were go for co-op. The chairs are a bit rusty on the bottoms, so I purchased chair pads and they slide great and the rust doesn't touch the floor.

I have some more things planned for the room, but this is how we are using it now!




Thanks for visiting my show & tell.

One Dream of a Meme! :)

I've seen this at Susan's, Ginger's and Just Mom's and I just wanna be like them...so, here's my meme!! :)

I don't drink.
Alcohol, tea or coffee. Do you understand now, why I need pepsi?

Chore I hate.
Emptying the dishwasher.

Pets.
Riley, a bichon frise, 9 years old.

Essential electronics.
Computer, radio (I need music on!)

Perfume.
My favorite is Sunflower by E. Arden

Gold or silver.
I like both. My watch band is both and my wedding rings are yellow gold and I wear two rings of white gold on my right hand.

Insomnia.
Nope - this has never been a problem with me. In fact, I sleep so soundly and deep, that T ususally has to wake me up. In college, my roommates had to wake me up during the fire drills. I sleep through thunderstorms. If T is not home, it takes me a while until I hear any of the children. Usually their cries become part of my dreams until I realize its one of the children. I hope I never lose this gift.

Job title.
Domestic Engineer

Most admired trait.
Making people smile.

Kids.
2 sons and a daugther (see top of blog!)

Phobia.
Heights. And, people turning their eyelids inside out.

Religion.
I don't like the term 'religious.' I am a follower of Jesus Christ. If you'd like to read my testimony, click here.

Siblings.
A brother, 8 years older than me and a sister, 4 years older than me. I'm the baby!

Time I wake up.
Usually around 7, but have been trying to get up earlier to exercise.

Unusual talent/skill.
I can sew my lips together. Would that make for an interesting vlog? Can we have a Bloggy Talent Show? Anyone with me? I'm not doing it alone, folks!

Vegetable I hate.
Brussel sprouts

Worst habit.
Being too sarcastic

X-rays.
Do I like them? Have I had them? HUH? I've had many x-rays, but do you really want to know about 'em?

My favorite meal.
One that is being enjoyed by many and has lots of fellowship!

Thank you!!

Thank you Ginger and Heather for passing along the You Make Me Smile Award!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Quintin and his dad, when we were up at the cabin earlier this month, were in the truck on their way to go fishing. They had their windows down and Quintin was taking everything in. A wild turkey walked out on the road and T slowed so they could get a better look. Quintin yelled out, "Dad! Look! There's an ostrich!" :)

To read what more tiny ones are saying, head over to Mary's!!

A Whale of a Tale About a Sale

The garage sale went well this past weekend! Well enough that I will be heading to am*azon to purchase some things in my "wish list."

The sale was to start at 7am, and around here - and I'm finding it happens everywhere - that means the early birds will be flocking here as early as they can. I was expecting to be up and ready by 5:30 - but then my sweet hubby informed me that the sun isn't even up then - I wouldn't know, I'm not usually up then either!

So I gained some extra sweet sleep and then T was kind enough to crawl out of bed on his only morning to sleep in to help me carry the tables out of the garage and set them on the driveway.

I thought I had it displayed perfectly - the clothing racks set up at the best spot as to attract customers to come back our long driveway. T went back to bed and I continued to move the smaller things out for the ultimate curb appeal.

Since our house sits back, I decided to walk down the driveway to see if anyone else was ready to go. As I neared the end of the driveway, I felt drops - yes, you read that correctly. "You've got to be kidding me!"

I debated for a few seconds as to whether I thought it was a passing shower or if we were in for a good soak. After standing out in the rain for what seemed like forever - I ran back in the house, up the stairs and into the bedroom. T had fallen back asleep but was awoken rather quickly by my frantic (but soft) "Its raining!"

He came back down and helped me pull everything back in - then went back inside. Now I was faced with what to do since I had no "curb appeal" anymore. I decided to make a sign for the end of the driveway to lure potential junk buyers back to the garage. As I set the sign at the end, my friend Megan came. She and her family had been over the night before so we could organize our kids' clothing and other odds and ends. We spent the first one or two hours in the garage but were able to move outside a little later in the morning.

It was a successful garage sale - but oh my goodness - how tired I became of putting clothing on hangers to only have to take off what didn't sell. We boxed up what didn't sell so we could take it to the local thrift store.

All in all, a great day even with the unexpected rain. It was a blessing though - because it was much more pleasant to have an overcast morning that be sitting in the hot blazing sun!!

Just wanted to update you all and let you know I have found my way out from the of piles socks and one-sies!! Now, please pardon me while I excuse myself to go do a little shopping. :)

Where has this week gone?

I can't believe it is Thursday already. We are participating in a neighborhood garage sale this weekend - and I've waited too long to start getting ready. :(


...If you don't hear from me


....please send out a search party!

A contest and a Thank You

Do you like to read? Do you like Vera Bradley?

Jill at Who Could Ask for Anything More? has her September Jill's Book Bag contest up on her blog. It is a winner's choice biography/autobiography selection and a Vera Bradley bag to tote your new book in!! I really enjoy Jill's blog and her stories about her family and cute son!! If you haven't stopped by her blog, head on over! You're in for a smile!


:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)


And, speaking of smiles - Sweet smilin' Ginger passed along the You Make Me Smile Award! Thank you Ginger - I'm smiling and blushing!! You make me smile too Ginger!









I'm passing along the award to these 10 bloggers who make me smile!

1 - Amber (trust in the Lord) is makes me smile with her cute (0: smilies on her comments as well as her huge heart!!

2 - Sandy makes me smile because she's a great mom who shares stories about her cutie Pattie son!

3 - Jennifer makes me smile because she leaves encouraging comments for me and is a sweet friend!

4 - Diana makes me smile because she is sunshine and always has fun links on her posts that I get addicted to!

5 - Tracy F makes me smile because she is like my long lost twin and sends me fun emails!

6 - Dawnelle makes me smile because Yogi needs a side kick named BooBoo!!

7 - Heather K makes me smile because she checks back in with me to see what we are up too - in the midst of her crazy schedule with 4 daughters!

8 - Tara makes me smile because she's a fellow Weaver homeschooler and her kids are the cutest - her new scrapbook layouts always bring a smile to my face!

9 - ~Amy~ makes me smile because her posts come from her heart - and if you come to my house in November, Amy, I will cook you a birthday meal for sure!

10 - Jezz, Heidi and Monica make me smile because they are IRL (in real life) friends who read and comment - I'm still waiting for the rest of you irl-friends to let me know you are here!! ;) wink-wink

I guess I must stop at 10 - but all of you reading, know that you each bring a smile to my face!

Happy Birthday Mom!

It was my mom's 64th Birthday on Saturday. We enjoy having our parents to our home for a meal in their honor. We were able to have my parents on mom's birthday this weekend!


Having family for meals provides me with a great opportunity to try out some new recipes - this weekend was no exception.

We enjoyed Cheesy Sausage and Tomato Manicotti with a salad, Cheddar Bay Biscuits (just like R*d L*bster) and a slice of heaven - Double Chocolate Cheesecake! YUM. You can click here, to see all the recipes!



It was this good!

It is getting cooler here, Fall is on its way. Colin has been fighting a cold on and off for the past week. He also has some teeth coming through on top, so it could be that too. But he still smiles!

Fall has come to my blog too! I was enjoying all the other Autumn changes I was seeing, so I made some changes today! I want to say thanks to Annie for changing my siggy to match the new look! She's such a sweetie!

Show & Tell

It is Friday and that means that Kelli is hosting Show & Tell at There is No Place Like Home - head on over to her place see more.




I'd like to share a special treasure that I keep with me everyday. These are my wedding rings.

The center stone was from my engagement ring and the outer ones are from a special ring. My maternal grandmother gave me the ring in 1997, when I graduated from college. My birthday is in July and rubies are my birthstone. Her birthday is in April and her birthstone is diamonds. She wanted me to have her ring since it shared our birthstones. She purchased the ring sometime after 1972, after my grandfather passed away. After she picked it out, she would go to the store each week after work to make a payment on it.

Originally, her ring was two rows of rubies with a row of diamonds in the middle. It was gorgeous. I really wanted to wear it all the time, but it felt too large on my hand. I asked her if she would mind if I had it made into something I could wear with my engagement ring. She loved the idea. I had a wrap made in 1998. Last year, for our 10th anniversary, I had the wrap and engagement ring combined into one ring. It is something I will always treasure. My dear grandma will turn 90 on her next birthday in April.

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share today!

Our little comedian!

She's 2 3/4 years old - turning 3 this December. I'm very thankful she's potty trained - however, I notice big differences between her and her brother (besides the obvious!!)

Quintin, when told something, follows directions the first time. Elle? She loves to make a JOKE out of EVERYTHING. (Not sure where she could've possibly inherited this trait?)

She's very capable to walk in, get herself undre*ssed to sit on the potty. She'll call to me and tell me when she's done. I walk in to help her finish and am greeted by this huge wad of TP that she's pulled off as well as a huge grin. I usually tear off what I think we'll need and leave the rest for whomever may visit next.

Each time this happens, I ask her to just wait until I come in, or to pull off less. We don't need this much (you can hear me saying it, right? You've been here too?)

Now, Quintin - he would have pulled off less or just waited. Elle? No, she's too much like her mother. This is what she's handed to me the next couple times after our talk.

Yep, that should do the trick!

So, there's our little comedian comodian!

Mom & Dad - remember you said you wanted me to have a little girl that acted just like I did? Guess what? I think I do!!

We've all got happy faces here today!

**This is an update to my earlier post - see below.**

Its 3:20, the kids are tucked into bed. I know the younger two are sleeping, the oldest is at least in his room. I'm guessing he's not sleeping, but reliving the happy moments from earlier in the day.

I'll back up a little about our co-op. I was planning to wait until Colin and Elle were a little older before joining. I don't know about the rest of you, but it is tough for me to get little ones ready and out the door by 9!

I decided to join after my neighbor (who is in her first year of homeschool) asked me to join. She has 2 girls, 7 and 5, and a boy, 3. Our kids play together a lot and I'm excited about her homeschooling this year. When she first asked I said no. But then I talked it over with T and decided to put in our application. The director got back to me and said she wasn't sure if there was room for us - the prek/k class was already pretty full. We waited about a week and were told they'd make the room for us to join - this particular co-op has over 40 families in it!

First this morning, I took Elle to her class and my neighbor offered to take Quintin with her and her girls to Chapel - I was serving in Colin's nursery for the first session. After Chapel, Quintin went to Art where they will be making a salt dough nativity! They were allowed to paint this morning if they had their paint shirts along. BUT, I forgot to put his shirt in his backpack and it was with me in the nursery! I felt awful. He told me it was alright and just said, "silly mommy."

He moved into Music class for the next session. This is where he had Show & Tell with our family picture. He wouldn't tell me what songs he sang, but he's been humming the tune to "Farmer in the Dell" since we got home. He also was able to share what his favorite colors are. They are orange and blue - I had no idea! But, we need to change them to blue and white! (hee hee, just kidding - Go Penn State)

I had 'free time' for the second session. I spent some time just familiarizing myself with the church and where the classrooms were as well as meeting some of the other moms.

Elle had show and tell in her class, but I didn't get the email about it. I felt bad about that, but I really don't think she understood. I'll have to try to get a picture of them in their backpacks next week before we leave!

For the third and final session I was helping to teach PE for Quintin's age. (I forgot to add that each co-op mom must be involved in 2 of the 3 sessions). There were two other teachers - I let them take the lead as they have been involved previously. We did the bear walk and the crab walk. We listened to a cute cd that had a story to act out about a donkey - Quintin has been humming that tune too!

I really enjoyed the ride home with them as they told me about their adventures. I was excited to share with them what I did too - as they enjoy hearing what toys Colin plays with.

I know this time on Wed mornings - for the next 9 weeks - will be such a blessing to our homeschool journey. It will be a pleasant break in our week - one that I know each of us will look forward to.

I'm thankful for the laid back approach of this co-op - I think it is a perfect fit for our family! And, thank you to those of you who prayed while we waited to learn if we'd be able to join.