Randomness

Just some random things...

Last month a mother from our home school co-op emailed everyone to say that Chick-fil-a was doing a promotion. The deal was that whatever you bought in December you can get the same order if you presented your receipt in January. It usually costs us over $30 to feed our family at Chick-fil-a. We get a party platter of nuggets, four large fries, a large tub of coleslaw and a gallon of sweet tea. A few days ago we took our December receipt in and received the same order for free. Wow! How awesome is that! Thanks to the one who let us know. I hope to get more emails like that in the future.

I joined Facebook this week. Vance had a friend from college contact him about his 25th college class reunion and said that all his classmates were gathering on Facebook. The funny thing is that as soon as I signed up and started a profile Facebook suggested that I become "friends" with 57 people. The unbelievable thing was that I knew every one of these people. HOW DO THEY KNOW THAT? I was shocked and amazed and scared all at the same time. There's no hiding now.

I've been a FlyBaby for about four years now. (Nicky your probably the only one who understands this). Over the last four weeks is the first time in those four years that I've actually followed my Control Journal and today was the first Sunday that I was actually able to "Renew My Spirit" and prepare for the week ahead.

I picked up a new cycling class today. Woo hoo! A little extra dough in the pocket.

Thank you, Lord for your faithfulness. In every aspect of our lives you truly are Jehovah Jireh.

Tooth

For those of you who read this and don't know Vance very well here's some insight into his personality. First, let me say that he is the spender in the family. I tend to hoard money while he can find several things he "needs" at Sportsman's Warehouse. He also likes to buy coffee, breakfast and lunch quite a bit and usually finds someone to invite so he can pay for them. I call this gallivanting. He tells me he's going to pick up paint, look at job sites, etc. but I know what he's really doing...

Well, our son Ryan has had a loose tooth for about 2 months now that just won't come out. Today he showed me that the other tooth is coming in behind it and now the loose tooth has tightened down. I had told Vance about this a couple of weeks ago and that I was thinking of making an appointment with the dentist. Today I made the appointment and told Vance that he needed to be home tomorrow at 9am so I could take Ryan in. He asked how much it would cost and I told him that the dentist told me it would be $112.

I went about my evening doing chores mostly downstairs, when I came back upstairs Vance had pliers in Ryan's mouth. Ugh! It gives me chills just thinking about it. Anyway, we no longer need the appointment and because Ryan was so brave he saved the family $112.

Vance can be so funny. Every time I say I want to take the car in for an oil change or that I need to hire a window washer or we need a plumber he says, "No, I'll do it." I just don't get it. He acts like a cheapskate on these things, but is willing to spend hundreds of dollars on camo thermal underwear with scent block.

Oh well, I'm sure there's lots of things he doesn't get about me either.

He's Just SO cute!!!

This was one of those days where everything seemed to go well. As you can see by the pictures I've got the three older ones practicing their handwriting at the table and the four younger ones (Tristan is in the chair) watching Baby Einstein. No one is screaming, running or jumping. They are all doing what they have been told. This does not happen often so I had to take pictures of such a momentous occasion.

Take a good look at the table...I've got a Bible and a Dictionary, my Control Journal next to those and my timer above that, times table flash cards and piles of books including a book on Charlotte Mason, poetry, math, history...If you would have told me 10 years ago that I would have seven children and schooling them all at home I would have called your absolutely nuts, but how many millions of times have you heard people say that?

Finally over!

The decorations are finally taken down. Now all that's left is putting all the boxes back in the attic. That's a bit of a chore since I usually end up inhaling fiberglass and getting those itchy splinters on my wrists and ankles.

I just wanted to post a little to let everyone know I'm still alive. My brother has been trying to contact me all week. I hate using this word, but I am overwhelmed. The twins are definitely in their terrible twos and Rachie seems to be a part of their gang. Home schooling Glen, Ryan and Will while those three are running around is giving me an ulcer. They've seem to realize that when I'm holding Tristan I can't get up and whip 'em. I'm trying to speak softly and carry a big stick, but they think it's a big joke.

I'm not discouraged, though. Just a little tired and definitely overwhelmed. But, I also know things could be a whole lot worse so I'm thankful for my little mischievous and manipulative children.

New fun!

I got a couple of new toys for Christmas. I'm having a ton of fun with my new Flip Camcorder. I made this cute little film today of the kids sledding.