Getting Settled In..

We are starting to get settled into to our new home. The last 2 months have been full of many different emotions for my family. We've experienced death and now a new life is coming into our family. With the news that my youngest daughter is expecting, came many emotions for me...first disappointment and then I realized that God has a reason and purpose for everything, including this new baby that is coming into our lives. Thanksgiving has been given a very new meaning for our family. We are very thankful for our new home, family, friends, and basically just being able to be here...I personally am so thankful for the friends and prayers that have went up on my family's behalf. I am looking forward to spending tomorrow with our families. I hope that all of you have a Wonderful and Blessed Thanksgiving!!

We've Moved!!

The last few weeks have been crazy! We made the decision to move from our home that we were leasing to buying our own home. It is an older home and needs work, but it is ours!! It is in a much quieter and safer neighborhood. We are exhausted but are starting to get settled in. We still have painting and some fixing up to do, but the boxes are starting to dwindle. I have been determined to not have boxes for Thanksgiving. I have also been downsizing. I seem to be somewhat of a hoarder..I have decided I just can't keep everything. The kids have done a lot of throwing out too. We have a lot happening with our family right now and would appreciate everyone keeping us in their prayers. That's all for now...

Sam

We are in the process of planning a busy weekend. My youngest has a horse show on Saturday. My oldest son turns 20 on Saturday. Then Sunday evening we are having a small birthday party for my youngest at the local pizza/games restraunt. We were going to just have a small (at home) party, but decided to just have one there instead. My youngest will turn 11 on Tuesday. I feel rather old..I'm not sure if it's due to the fact that the oldest will be 20 or the youngest 11. I guess I need to concentrate on the saying "You're only as old as you feel." Honestly, I kind of FEEL OLD!! On a happier note; we are taking my youngest camping this weekend. This is a surprise to him. He doesn't know and I'm trying to keep everyone from slipping up and telling him. He will be very excited. He has asked to go all summer and we haven't taken him. Yes, our weekend will be very, very busy. Happy, but busy. I haven't (Had) a cake made in a long, long time. My friend will be making a cake for my youngest with a horse on it. I am going to try to make that the birthday theme. I hope he does well this weekend at the horse show. He does horse therapy. Some of you may not know, but my youngest was finally given the official diagnosis of Tourettes Syndrome earlier this summer. It's been a rough go, but we are finally coming to terms with it all now. The medicines one after another were not helping him, only making him sicker. He is not currently taking anything. We've decided to try to keep things stress-free and strive on healthier diet and vitamins. None of the medicines would make the tics completely go away. They had really terrible side effects. He has periods when his tics are better and then weeks when they are worse. But, we've decided that this is just who he is and how God made him. When they are bad we give lots of hugs and massages and lots of prayers. I don't want to mentally stagnate or change his personality. He is an absolutely brilliant and extremely sweet and good natured child. Please remember Sam this weekend as he rides in the horse show. We hope he has a wonderful weekend and that he SMILES a LOT!!!

Grounded....

Well, it's official... I'm grounded. Yes, this sounds strange but I am. My van's transmission has finally called it quits. So now, I am completely at the mercy of my dear hubby for all necessary outings..I know, yes it is horrible. I do not know how long my sanity will last. A homeschooling, stay-at-home Mom who can't escape now and then? Please pray for me, literally. I guess dear hubby will be taking me to the grocery tomorrow for all the necessities. If only I were close to the grocery and library, then I could walk. But it is too far of a walk. Somehow, I Will Survive. (By the way I love that song.) It is a family trait to think of a song for everything we say. My husband and all the kids do this too. Scary? Nah...I think of it more as creative.
It has been a dreary day here and the boredom was definately getting to me. I did all the laundry, vaccumed and changed the sheets on my bed. Still being bored, I got out the sewing machine. Sam and I found some wonderful Halloween fabric and some stuffing. We then cut out some fabric and made some little pillows. He even made one and gave it to the little boy across the street. (Yes, Sam can sew!) A couple of years ago when I first got my sewing machine, we both started making quilts. We have the tops done and that's as far as we have gone with it. Someday soon I plan on doing something with them. For now though, we just do little projects.
Well my daughter is watching Another Cinderella story and I think I'm going to join her. Have a great night!!

Well, I think I am coming down with a little cold..It could just be allergies, but I've had a sore throat so I'm not sure. I'm getting ready to sip on some green tea and then head off to bed. The only reason I am still up is because I can't breathe. I guess I'll be grabbing the nose spray and some vicks..Well, off I go..Sweet Dreams!!

Fall Baking..

Well, I tried my hand at making yeast rolls for the 1st time today!! They actually turned out pretty well. I think I could have taken them out of the oven just a minute or so earlier, but they were really good considering I had never done it before. We had a pretty big supper with brownies for dessert. It was a very good meal. I love to bake and seem to do a lot more of it as the weather cools. This may be why I put weight on in the winter. I've been craving to make a pumpkin pie. I may just do that this weekend. Nothing smells better than a pumpkin pie baking in the oven. Has the cooler weather brought out the baker in you?

Homeschooling..

Today I have been pondering what would make a homeschool Mother send her child back to public school? Would it be that she gives up? Or would it be that when he or she reaches a certain age they give them a choice? I cannot fathom sending mine back when public school was one of the main reasons that I came to homeschool. I'm just wondering if there would be anything that would make any of my homeschool friends change there mind and send there children to public school? I know socialization would probably be on the top of the list. I sometimes feel that my youngest child probably doesn't get as much playtime with others his age as some would feel necessary. But, I don't feel he is neglected or unsocialized either. I feel he gains a lot from spending time with other people regardless of their age. Some of my happiest memories are not necessarily from time spent with kids that were my age. I have some wonderful memories from senior citizens that I knew through church as I was growing up. They had the most interesting and beautiful stories and advice to share. Those are the memories that I cling too. I always got along almost better with older people than myself. I don't think I missed out on anything because of it though. I'm not even sure that I want mine spending endless hours with the public school kids..My experiences with his exposures have not been good ones..Any thought on any of this would be so greatly appreciated.......Jerelene

Brrrr.....

Well, I got my wish....cooler weather. It was very cool with the high today only in the 60's..I thought it was nice, but several of my family members said they were cold. I would take being a little cool over being hot any day!! We awoke early today to the sound of chain saws and talk amongst the neighbors. Many still being without electricity. The local schools were all out today as well, due to electric outages and downed trees and power lines. So, there were many children out running and playing and enjoying their day off. Mine however, didn't get so lucky. We did have a rather layed back day, and a late start; but they did do schoolwork. Most of our neighbors look to have their electric back on tonight. I am sure they are very relieved.
I decided to take advantage of the nice cool temps ( and having electric ) and to do some baking. I made a loaf of blueberry bread and some yummy chocolate-peanut butter chip cookies. I don't know which was better, the smell or taste. Well, technically I haven't had any of the blueberry bread yet...but I am getting ready to go have a try. A cup of coffee and a slice of warm sweet bread....What a nice end to the day!!! Good Night!!!

Yike Ike!!!

Well, I was not impressed with Ike....the widespread damage and power outages through our area left me speechless. Besides being speechless I am now without a yard barn and the good half of our beautiful shade tree in the backyard...Our power did go off and on all day, but by the luck of God has so far remained on. I hope they don't end up having to turn it off to work on everyone else's. We were under a high wind warning. The local news people said the winds were gusting around 60. But with so much damage and in my families and neighbors opinions the wind was more like gusting around 70. It sounded like my roof was going to blow off.. I guess I will now get the cooler temps I was hoping for, but I hate that it had to come with such a hard price. I truly have much greater sympathy for the poor victims near the gulf and in Texas. We, at least didn't get the flooding rains. I am very thankful that my family and friends are all safe. Although, quite a few are without electric. They say it could be days, possibly Friday before everyone gets their power back on. Well, I am very tired after having to do a lot of raking and cutting up limbs. We still have to try to take care of all of the pieces of our not-so-lucky yard barn tomorrow. I am not looking forward to that at all. Stay Safe...................Jerelene

Hi!

Hello, My name is Jerelene...I'm a stay at home, homeschooling Mom. We live in Southern Indiana. My 2 older children are out of school now and I am homeschooling the 2 youngest. I love to make new friends.....

I am eagerly awaiting Fall to come and stay here in my little corner of the world. The trees are starting to change, but the weather is definately not Fall-like. Hurricane Ike is evidentally going to be sending it's remnants our way. We are looking for rain and even a little wind...Then next week is supposed to be more fall-like. I, for one, can't wait!! Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love winter also, but the beautiful colors and smells of fall are definately my "favorite!" Do you have a favorite season? Fall brings out the creativity in me. I'm wanting to get out the sewing machine and maybe put something together. I also love to knit..so if I can decide on a project, I'm going to start on something...That's all for now, I need to do a little cleaning up and grading some papers....