Broken Arm, But Not Broken Spirit

Today we decided to go to the state fair with our friends Angie, Kelsey and Ian. We had a perfect day at the fair. Everything from perfect parking, getting in free, no lines, seeing the greatest stuff, samples galore, it just went on and on. I thought maybe we should go get a lottery ticket because the day couldn't have been better! The dog show was thrilling because the dogs did the craziest tricks (headstands!) and the petting zoo was spectacular because of the wide range of animals that were so amazing! After leaving the petting zoo, the kids wanted to go on the gihugic playground and so I sat down at the table to watch. Angie had seen someone she knew and was chatting it up with them. Olivia proudly yelled "Hey mom, watch this!" I watched as she soared across the monkey bars for the one millionth time in her life. Giving her a big smile and a "thumbs up" she continued to do it 2 more times. I was digging around in my backpack trying to find the waterbottle when I heard Avery scream "Mom, Olivia's hurt." I scanned the playground looking for her and there she was lying under the monkey bars in a very contorted position. I got up and ran toward her as 2 other moms arrived on the scene. She was weeping and one mom said to me "it's broken." I helped her up and had her hold her arm in close to her body. We walked over to Angie who hadn't noticed yet and immediatlely we were off the the hospital.Both bones in her arm are broken. The doctors said that it was a very "impressive" break and could they use it in classroom teachings! Yikes! The bones were reset but we have to see a specialist on Tuesday to determine if the set is good and to get the permanant cast. Olivia is so brave. She is absolutely a champ and my hero. She said she felt bad that her friends had to quit playing all because she got hurt. Her heart is huge. I just love her so much. She said, " I am so sorry, Mom. This is my fault because I closed my eyes when I jumped up to get the bar, and I know better than that." Oh she melts me. The positives to focus on are 1. it is her left hand so she can still write. 2. I get to help her all over again. She has been independant for so long that it is really nice to help her dress and take care of personal needs. I am loving her needing me again!!!! She doesn't milk it, and I kinda wish she wood because I LOVE to baby her. Avery is being a little nurse right now too. Secretly, she is wanting to play with that sling so bad! When Olivia got the sling put on by the doctor, Avery said,"Wow Olivia, that looks like a real one!" Olivia laughed and said, "It is a real one, Avery!" Despite the situation, it really was a memory. I just cherish them so much!

Tribute 3: Andrea F.

My best friend is Andrea F. No matter how much time passes that we don't get a chance to catch up, it doesn't matter because we are able to pick right back up where we left off. She is smart, funny, logical and a great cook. I can say whatever I want without a "filter." That is so nice. We are similar and different and it is the perfect combination. She is the first person I call when I need advice, she offers logic and wisdom, and is a real voice of reason. We met about 10 years ago and used to spend EVERY night together with our husbands and dogs. The "F" family helped us train our dog to be the delightful member of our family that she is today. (Thank you guys!) Andrea has helped me with every issue under the sun and for that I am eternally grateful. They live in Arizonia now and it is a far cry from us, but I miss them everyday and hope to see them again soon. My life is fuller and brighter when Andrea is in it. She is a blessing to me that I think about always and I wanted to say how much I love her here in this forum. Thanks A for being you. You are the best! The pic is of Scout...as of yesterday. She sends Sonny her regards!!!! Love you!!

Winding it up!

I seriously can't believe that summer is almost over. I knew it this morning when I went out to the pumpkin patch to check things over and I saw Olivia's pumpkin all healed and ready to pick! I couldn't believe her name was perfectly scarred in and it was all orange! Our soil out here is crazy. I didn't plant until late June, honestly! We have 7 more growing (Avery's is healing now) and 7 canteloupe too. In a way, it is sad! For I know what is coming....and I dred it! Yes, our summer was amazing, fall will be blissful, but the winter will be painful! I know I know! It is still only August! But if my pumpkins are in full fruit, and the weather is in the low 80's everyday, then technically we are hitting fall, which lasts about a minute! NOOOOO!!!! We must be spared this year! No hard snow, no ice!!! I am still healing from last winter's drama!

So Proud!!

Today, I got to pin Frank as Captain at the "official" city promotion recognition event. It was very awesome to see all of the men who put themselves in harms way to be recognized for their hard work and for the promotions. It was so wonderful to see Chief Guido (brother in law) standing next to the mayor, waiting to congratulate the fine men and one woman, who had promoted to the next levels. Frank was so gracious and I was so proud. His parents were so cute to watch them beam at 2 of their sons doing so well and being recognized. I guess, as parents, that beaming feeling never goes away, no matter how old your children are. My girls had front row seats, right in front of the mayor, and I sat behind them. I was beaming at my children, in a loving way, wondering all about what was to become of them in their lives, looking at them like the perfect angels that they were, dressed in little white dresses, perfect hair, when one decided to spit on the other one!!!! **Sigh** The daydream ended quickly! Still shocked!

Walking in your shoes!

When Olivia heard that her cousins were coming over, she raced around, cleaning her room, using the vaccuum, folding her clothes, straightening her bed, she even vaccuumed the stairs going up to her room! I had to laugh because that seems to be a pattern she has picked up on....when someone is coming over, I quickly scurry about straightening up. I told her what a beautiful job she did vaccuuming. She beamed with delight and soon her company arrived. Then a bit later, she came in a bit teary because she had a thorn in her precious foot. I sat her down gently and removed the unwelcomed pest! She said, "Oh thank you mommy. That is much better. I have decided that I want to be so many things when I grow up. I want to be a doctor, a zoo keeper, a gardener, a cooker, and a maid!" I laughed and said, "Sounds to me like you want to be a mommy." She didn't grasp what I was saying in that moment, I don't think, but she will understand someday.

The Plaque

I bought myself a gift today... it is a plaque to hang in our home that makes me feel so warm and positive. It is a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, my favorite. It says "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." It is similar to the Frost poem, which I will also buy if I see it in the right type of display of it. This is going to serve as my reminder when I have an "off" homeschool day. NAW!!! Those NEVER happen!! HA!

A Hippie Gene?

Is there such a thing as a "hippie" gene? Avery is truly a hippie, and has been most of her life. The thing is, we don't really know where she has picked this up! I would say there are hippies in our family, former hippies and maybe a few present ones, but none that she sees much. Two summers ago, Avery decided she wanted to change her name to "Freedom." She certainly fits the name! Her preference in her dressing is tye-dyes. She always picks a peace sign as her symbol to wear. ( I am still looking for a tye dye cross!)

The other day, we were working in her little garden and pulling weeds. She is very diligent in this and will work hard for about an hour, which for her is quite alot. She was pulling weeds left and right and looked up, wiped her brow and said "I sure am good at pulling all these weeds, aren't I?" I agreed that she indeed was very good at getting the job done. "So I have decided I am going to change my name to Weed" she exclaimed! Truly, I fell over laughing! She has no idea what she is saying of course, and if she were 16, I would ground her to her room until she reached 21! I have decided this hippie thing is just in the genes and I better prepare myself for what is inevidebly going to happen here! We were studying a lesson on Leif Ericcson and she smiled and said "Leif, cool name!" Olivia looked at me rolled her eyes and said, "Hippies, whadda ya do? " Looks like it is gonna be interesting! Peace!!!

School Bell!!!!

Well we started our school year today. I was very pleased with it for the mostpart. Turns out the kids were more prepared than I was. Although I had done some lesson plans, I didn't have everything I needed. That 's ok, it was a blast. We started out praying for our school year, looking at the new Bible we presented to Olivia for 2nd graders. Then we moved onto spelling. Olivia's 4 day lesson turned into 15 minutes of whipping it out, then saying "Mom, can I go ahead and take my Friday test today." We did and she aced it so I guess we will go ahead a whip out these each day instead of weeks to get to hard words or maybe even 3rd grade words. That is fine because I think math will be our challenge and we will not be whipping through it at lightening speed. Avery started kindergarten today and instead of practicing "A" she picked up a reader and read "Sam is sad. The cat is on the mat." so we are now skipping the whole 1st semester of kindergarten and going onto second where she will do well. I think both girls like the fact that we can get through an entire day of school in about 4 hours and do what they need instead of wasting weeks, for example, on spelling words that they already know. Watching them grasp concepts is so amazing and such a gift. I look forward to the year and know that I am going to have to be extremely organized with these girls. It is so good for me! We went to the park today and were with some unruly kids. My girls kept looking over at me, shaking their heads in disbelief. We loaded up to leave and Olivia sighed and said, "well that was tough!" Then she told me she was "getting fed up with that annoying behavior." I cracked up at her and she just winked at me like she understood. So much fun. I can't wait for the rest of the year.

Tribute 2: Andrea M.

As the weekend approaches and she "sums up" her summer, I am thinking about Andrea M. When Monday comes, she will begin her new life as a homeschool mom. She will be amazing at it and I am so proud of her for diving into this "alternative lifestyle"! That sounds so strange, but truth be told, homeschooling can be interesting. Along the way, she will hear comments from store clerks like "Isn't there school today?" or "I don't know how you do it." Other comments like "I could NEVER homeschool my kids." or "Are you sure they are getting enough social activities?" Andrea will have days of "I am not qualified for this." or "my kids would be better off with someone else teaching them." but the truth of the matter is she has already been their teacher for the first years of their lives. She has taught them to be disciplined, to take care of their teeth, to eat healthy, to be kind to others, about our Heavenly Father, how to read, which way is the "right" way to hold the baby, how much a toy actually costs, how to bake cookies, the importance of family, how to set up a camp site....etc etc. The reality is nothing is really going to change for her in terms of teaching because she will simply do what she has always done, only with a textbook and materials. She will know when her child is frustrated, better than a stranger who can only care for her child to a certain ability. She will see her childrens' strengths and build on their weaknesses. She will endour the scrutiny of neighbors and acquaintenances who are waiting for her to fail, which she will not! In essence, Andrea is about to give something to her children that no one else would substitute for. I am so excited for her and proud of her. She is blessed with a family who supports her, including a husband, mom, sister and aunt all of whom embrace homeschooling to the fullest and will help her along the way. Yeah, Andrea! I am so excited to be a part of your journey. I can't wait for Monday! Love ya!

What A Weekend!

Wow! We crammed more into this weekend than we have in SO LONG! I am so not rested! We went to our lake property twice, which is amazing because we NEVER go but we had lots of family in town, which made it nice. We also set up the waterslide and had a 2 day adventure with that as well. Essentially, we have partied since last Thursday and I am half asleep as I type this! I love family so much! Frank's sister Anna is truly another sister to me~such a blessing! I cherish time with her. She is here for a week, then leaves to go back home. Then we have more company coming....an aunt, and uncle and a cousin, his wife, 2 kids and a dog! Wow! The fun is just beginning!My kids are lovin life right now!

The Carpenter

When he first started working as an apprentice, Frank knew a little about carpentry work, but not much. He knew the great satisfaction of working with his hands and he knew it would be helpful to learn those skills in life. Just like Jesus was a carpenter and created things with wood, Frank has acquired a skill of being able to imagine something and make it happen. As a wife, this is such a gift. He has designed so many things from scratch, some of which should be pattened! It sure comes in nice when I think of something and tell him about it and soon it is executed. More than that though, he uses it to help others. It is sort of his ministry. He has helped people over and over and he goes unrecognized, which makes him my hero. I do love his gifts and I love how he shares them. Our girls are definitely going to be using tools soon. I recommend this skill to both boys and girls alike. It is so valuable!!! I have learned bits and pieces but the other day I was trying to make something work (another gal and I were doing the project together) and my daughter watched us for a long time and then chimed in that "it might work better if you try it this way." The lady and I looked at each other and decided to try it. Naturally, it worked perfectly. My daughter beamed and I knew she had learned it from her daddy. What a gift!