~Missing Someone~

There are so many obvious signs when you miss someone. Whether it be through death as has happened with our family two times too many lately or just when you haven't talked to someone in a while.

Tonight I got a MySpace request from an old friend - someone I haven't even thought about in many, many years but it brought a smile to my face when I got the message and realized who it was. Friends are hard to come by and good friends, even harder. And the best friends are ones that even if you spend 20 years apart make you feel like you haven't missed a day!

Here's hoping for a great week and a quiet month to come!!

So much sadness...

My Pawpaw has been in the hospital for the past week. He has been very sick. My Aunt just called to tell me that he has passed. In one way, I am so comforted that he is no longer suffering and I know that Aaron greeted him with open arms but in another way, I am so sad. I just don't know how much more my family can take - things have been so rough lately.

My Pawpaw was the reason I became a Police Cadet, he was so proud of me. He used to brag to people about it. He loved being in Law Enforcement. He could be a PITA but hey, can't we all at some point?

Saddest of all is that today is my Meme's 75th birthday... I am so worried about her. She knew it was coming but it can't be easy. I know it isn't for me.

God Speed, Pawpaw, I love you.

~Another Mardi Gras down...~

Mardi Gras was never one of my ideal times of year. The last job I had required me to be very involved so after 2 years of that - I was happy to avoid all of the parades, crowds and such. Best of all, my kids didn't even miss it. Thank goodness!

This should be a good week. My Grandparents from Dothan are coming in town Friday and Saturday and Saturday night is my Meme's 75th Birthday party. Should be fun!

Hopefully Big D will be feeling better by then - he has been home from work since Sunday. Older D is getting a cold and he hardly ever gets sick. T's arm is doing well. Oh, and I signed little D up to participate in Kindergarten graduation with our homeschool group so we are excited about that!

I should have a stitchy update soon so be watching.

~A Day of LOVE....~

LOL

This is one of my favorite holidays - no idea why because I usually don't get anything. I think I love the IDEA of the day.

So, to all my friends and family, I say HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

Menu Plan Monday

The last few times I have done this, something has happened that same week... I am hoping my luck has changed - LOL!



This is from Organizing Junkie

Monday - Crockpot Pot Roast with Carrots and Potatoes
Tuesday - Red Beans & Rice
Wednesday - BBQ Chicken & Corn on the Cob
Thursday - Out to Eat - Ruth's Chris for Valentine's Day (yeah!)
Friday - Meatloaf
Saturday - Spaghetti, Salad & Garlic Bread
Sunday - Pork Roast, Potatoes & Cabbage

Here's hoping for a GREAT week!!!

~Best Thing/Worst Thing~

On one of the boards I visit someone ask the question 'What was the one your parents did that you wouldn't?'. Of course, later someone else posted 'What was the best thing your parents did?'. I read the replies to the first with great interest. People listed things like getting divorced, smoke, washing mouth out with soap, etc. I didn't bother posting my response. I think parenting is a learning experience. Whether you have 1 or 10 children - you learn as you go. I learned a lot from my Mom, who learned a lot from my Meme, who learned a lot from my Mamaw and so on. But, we are all human and make mistakes. Sure, my Mom did things as a parent that I don't BUT we are different people AND our kids are different. She was a working single Mom when I was little and then later on she was a married working Mom of two. I am a stay at home, homeschooling Mom of four. Just that makes our situations different and thus, our parenting different. The things I remember are not the mistakes my Mom made, although I am sure she made her fair share just as I have with my children. I remember her being there for me, loving me and silly things like taking me to a professional makeup counter the first time I wanted to wear makeup or letting me have a boy-girl party at 13. But what I remember most of all is her showing me what a strong, independent woman is capable of... she is a special woman and I love her. Of course, I tell her all the time the BEST thing she ever did for me was marry my step-Dad who is, in my heart, my Dad. I have never been less than his daughter and he has never been less than wonderful to me. I only hope that my kids will one day say that they learned from me and remember all of the good things. And, know that I love them.

When my Mom got sick, people commented on how strong I was during the time when we didn't know if she would make it. When my brother died, again, people commented on my strength. My Mom just told me the other day that I would be fine when she isn't here any more because I am a rock. That makes me smile - not because I want to lose her (I shiver at the thought) but because she doesn't even realize that SHE is the reason I am strong.

Her being my Mom. That is why I am who I am. That is why I am strong. She is my strength. I love you, Mom.

~Super Bowl~ Super Win~

COLTS WIN!!!

And once again Aaron is beaming from above! He was a football fan - a HUGE football fan. His favorite team was the Gators followed by the Colts. What a year for his teams! I just wish he was here to see it with us but I know he was watching.

I love you, Raaron!

How does a homeschooler?

I thought this was hysterical!!! It sounds a bit like MY house. Does it sounds like yours?

Q: How does a Homeschooler change a light bulb?

A: First, mom checks three books on electricity out of the library, then the kids make models of light bulbs, read a biography of Thomas Edison and do a skit based on his life.

Next, everyone studies the history of lighting methods, wrapping up with dipping their own candles.

Next, everyone takes a trip to the store where they compare types of light bulbs as well as prices and figure out how much change they'll get if they buy two bulbs for $1.99 and pay with a five dollar bill.

On the way home, a discussion develops over the history of money and also Abraham Lincoln, as his picture is on the five dollar bill.

Finally, after building a homemade ladder out of branches dragged from the woods, the light bulb is installed.
And there is light.

My Pony Girl...

She is FINALLY getting enough hair to actually do something with. Now, if she will just leave it alone. LOL

~Math Whiz Not Found...~

At least not in THIS Mom!! D is already at a higher level Math than I completed in High School. With T having his arm in a splint, I am having to do all of his writing. Lucky for me, HIS Math I know how to do. LOL

But, that brings me to next year. Yes, yet another sign I am officially a homeschooler as I have started researching already on the subjects where I wish to change programs. Math is one of them. For Little D, I may go ahead and order a 1st grade program now since that is his strong point and I can bribe him to do his writing sheets by bargaining with Math sheets - Bad Mommy - LOL! For him I am looking at Math U See, Miquon and Making Math Meaningful. All of them look great, I am just not sure which is best. For T, I am in a bit of a quandry. This year he is doing a program I found online for free and honestly, it is mostly review for him as well as strengthing some skills he was weak in - Math is one of his better subjects. I need to figure out a good 7th grade program for him and I really have no idea what that might be at this point. D has decided he wants to do Geometry next year. Since I am not a Math person, I need something that has the most assistance for ME I can find. This year he has been using Saxon for Algebra I because of the DIVE Cd which he has used all of twice I think. Neither of us like the program as they are little vague on some things and vary the extent to which they want things worked out from problem to problem. Confusing for me and him! So for now, I am open to suggestions. I am pretty sure I know what direction we are heading in everything else (with the exception of T's Science) but this one area is a stumbling block/guessing game.

On another note, my Mom and Dad are coming for dinner tomorrow - YEAH! The kids are excited. Of course, that means cleaning like fools tomorrow and also that they won't stay too long because of the drive from their house to ours ~sigh~. We are looking forward to seeing them.