My daughter returns home this week after spending two weeks away with my sister in Calif.  We've missed her a great deal, although she would claim we only miss her for the free babysitting.  lol!  After she's home for about a wk, my brother and his wife are visiting, and then later more family visits.  The end of Aug is closed with a trip to Cedar City, UT to the Shakespeare Festival, and then we finally get to breathe - till school starts, that is! 

In the past, I've always looked forward to relaxing in the summer.  This yr., if I didn't "schedule" relaxing time, I wouldn't get any!

Tags: Family Summer

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I homeschool.  I think I've mentioned that before.  I haven't done a lot on this forum yet because I'm swamped with preparing for the fall.  After praying about it, I've decided to use the theme "Latter-day Prophets" - although I need to come up with a catchy title.  We'll be singing the Primary song "Latterday Prophets" everyday, and learning about all 16 prophets, their teachings, what life was like during the yrs they served, etc.  The nice thing is there are other academics that are spun off from this - history, math, language arts, handwriting, science, etc. 

For instance, during the study of Joseph Smith we learn about the First Vision.  So that will spin off about how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have bodies just like us.  Then we study the human body - learning about all the differnt parts and their functions.  Then we learn how to take care of it, which then turns into the Word of Wisdom studies - another revelation from Joseph Smith, but goes academic with the interaction of nutrition, excercise, and hygine.  BTW - there is an AWESOME book by Henery B Erying's father called "Faith of a Scientist" and "Reflections of a Scientist" to view for free on the Footprints website (it's a geneology website).  It is an excellent resource - it's about the reconcilliation between science and faith, and was written for the generation going into college to help strengthen their faith when they ran into all those "theories".  I highly recommend it for ANYONE to read.

And that's just one example.  I love homeschooling - I love teaching the gospel side by side academics.  To me, facts testify of Christ.  It's only when you get into "theories" that you loose Christ - in my opinion, that is.  I use the TJed method (see www.gwc.edu) with my children.  To me, it incorporates everything Dr. Kimber taught us 10 yrs ago - Dr. Kimber taught us to teach testimony before academics - that's what DeMille teaches with his "Core Phase" language.  The only one this plan won't effect is my oldest - she goes to a Commonwealth school in Pocatello every Friday.  She's in "Scholar Phase" - but she is always welcome to join us.  Which, sometimes she does.  This is her third yr to go to Commonwealth.

Till later - I need a Sunday nap - Primary wore-me-out! 

Tags: Prophets Homeschooling Education Science Eyring

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Today my oldest daughter headed off for girls camp.  I was a little worried about her because yesterday she had a root canal done.  It was the best the denstist office could schedule.  When she left I could tell she wasn't feeling up to par.  I got a call this afternoon from one of the leaders, letting me know she is in lots of pain.  I called the dentist, and they told us to have her alternate her pain meds with advil or motrin.  Wow! 

So with my two oldest girls gone (I did mention my 11 yr old was in CA, didn't I?) it's been more than a little busy around here.  These four boys of mine are four tornadoes looking for a place to dismantle.  Do you need some demolition work done?  My boys will do it for FREE.    We would call it "Perpetual Motion Inc."  All teasing aside, it's been great watching how each one steps up to the plate in his own unique way.  One of them learned how to buckle his own car seat this afternoon, another pitched in and helped me clean up after the twins, and the twins...  well, they throw their diapers away and took nice long naps today.  What better help could I ask for?

Other news:  My husband just got a price for building a website - $700.  That's a good deal isn't it?  He's launching a buisness that involves an invention of his, so we're going to need a little help in that area - neither he nor I know anything about building websites.  It's all very exciting - but I admit I'm very hands off - only because mine are very full at the moment. 

Uh-oh - a friend just drove up - I've gotta go be southern.  Til tomorrow. 

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I'm a long time blogger.  I have blogs on homeschool blogger and on blogger.  But I'm frustrated because I can't seem to find other LDS bloggers.  I know they're out there, but where?  So I'm hoping to make some LDS folks over here.  I'm tired of the regular blogosphere - I'm ready to read about people who believe in something besides a can of beer and a bag of pretzels!

My husband and I have been married for 17 yrs - he went on his mission to Italy.  We met at a stake dance in Houston when I was 15 and dated throughout high school, and wrote to each other throughout his mission.  I came back from BYU during the Christmas break, and that was it!  We were sealed in the Dallas Texas Temple - and never looked back.  :)

I'm a homeschooling mom of seven - ages 14, 11, 7, two four yr olds and two two yr olds.  One of the four yr olds is a nephew that we have guardianship of.  The 3 oldest are girls, the 4 youngest are all boys.  I cried when I found out the last twin was a boy - I wanted one more little girl so badly.  Ah well - Heavenly Father knows best.  They're a riot, and sacrament mtg is a hoot, only because I refuse to have a sour attitude about these four youngsters being so wiggly. 

We moved to Idaho about 4 yrs ago.  We live in the Snake River Valley.  The culture here is very different than from back home in Texas!  Still, we've made some life long friends and have learned to adjust.  I've even driven on ice and gotten stuck in the snow!  In fact, just a few wks ago we got caught in a freak snowstorm on Teton Pass and almost slid into the guardrail, but managed to manuver into the mtn instead.  I do believe that is the scaredest I have ever seen my sweetie!

Very recently I had a hard time with my testimony.  I'm so thankful I went immediately to Heavenly Father and that I know the spirit when it witnesses to me.  It was only a very brief period - but it was very frightening to me.  As I told my husband - it changed my whole place in the world.  I did go talk to my Bishop, and had a lot explained to me, as well as conversations with Heavenly Father.  I have a very strong testimony now - I guess you can say I've been tried/tested with that one.  And yes, the opposition came from the inside of the LDS church.  I have never been without a temple recommend - and I'm glad to say I'm not without now.  :)

Some of my favorite things are (in no particular order):

1.  Snuggling with my sweetie

2.  The sounds of my children laughing

3.  The scriptures

4.  Writing

5.  Evening walks with cool breezes

6.  Made beds

7.  My digital camera

8.  Simon Dewey's Artwork

9.  piano or acoustic guitar music

10.  Strawberries

So anyway, this is who I am.  I look forward to meeting you.

Tags: Hello Family Friendship

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