;) I hide my face because I wanted you to see my beautiful hand (NOT). You didn't see my puffy eyes in the photo did you? Good.

:D

:hurray: Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Miss you!

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: We hope not.

"Actually, you are one of the posters who's posts I really enjoy" - You make me blush. I enjoy your posts too and sometimes think how cool it would be to homeschool in a different country.

"Edited to add: Does it help you if you look at the descriptions as guidelines instead of rules?" Wanted to let you know this comment cracked me up and has been wanting to talk like a pirate. :)

"I think there's a whole lot of magical thinking going on in the US"

I think its fairy dust spread through those pretty clouds that blow across the country. ;)

"One of the neatest things I find about being a Christian is that there is great freedom in "style"--of worship, dress, language, relating--what defines the Christian is not who that Christian is, but who our Christ is. I do think there are standards, but it's pretty flexible."

Thank you for summing up how I feel about Christianity. I didn't always feel that way and since I have changed my perspective I haven't been able to fully articulate my feelings. I may adopt your definition, thank you.

(HUGS) We miss you. Glad to see you pop in.

I would take more time for just-for-the-fun-of-it field trips, crafts, movies based on books (instead of feeling the need to analyze everything we see or read), lunch dates with Dad, etc.

I just read this post (hugs). Thanks for the reminder that it is about the quality of time spent together, not just the time spent on academics. My ds is going with my dh today. DH is lining up some out-of-town work, he's in construction, and ds is riding with him. They will be together all day. I love homeschooling.

To answer your question, no, I haven't "let myself go". Myself has gone on its own. It didn't need my permission.

I think I love you, that was just beautiful......

You know the reclusive artists & writers who live alone (redundant, sorry!) in an old shack on a cliff overlooking the beach? That would be me. I come out & live in the world as a sort of sacrifice for my family. Or I let them into my shell.

I absolutely love this statement. you are welcome to be my reclusive neighbor, or course you'll never see me either. :) I went to write-in for Nanowrimo last week. Three other people whom I had just met, boy that took some nerve to go, sitting around a coffee shop with our noses stuck in laptops. We paused every 30 to 45 minutes to chat briefly then went back to writing. I have never felt more welcome in a group and I feel like I have found "my people".

Is this distracting too? Wait I'm supposed to be writing aren't I?

1am! Girl, I hope you got some sleep. I'm loving the AC book. We will probably finish it next week. I'm planning on buying the rest of the Foster books now. I think it's a nice overview of history for this age.

5 Minute Pity Party begins now. Use yours to stomp, whine, cry, scream in the closet.

A book for part of computer science next year. :) http://www.bookdepository.com/Edexcel-IGCSE-ICT-Student-Roger-Crawford/9780435044114

A little gift to someone else who enjoys getting them...

A note on my new avatar for those of you who might be curious. This is how my brain feels after working on my NaNoWriMo for the month. I have one week left and after that I'm sure the expression on my face will be just as surly. :) Have a beautiful day.

“Be men now, dear friends, and take up the heart of courage, and have consideration for each other in the strong encounters, since more come through alive when men consider each other, and there is no glory when they give way, nor warcraft either.†- The Iliad book 5 line 529-532

Absolutely adorable pictures of your kids. :)

And I'm on my way to the store to buy some fleece pj pants. I hate winter.

And Merry Christmas to you!

And your boys are just so adorable too! I saw their picture on facebook the other day and thought so fun it must be in your household, plus the comments, boy, I love their comments. You are a brave and wonderful soul.

Are we supposed to stop and actually do school????? I thought it was all about me, don't be bursting my bubble now. :) You know there is something in a mother that is just nuts anyway. We have so much responsibility, but we still don't want to allow someone else to educate our children. Too bad I don't feel that protective or responsible for household chores. ;)

Are we there yet? Just wanted to let you know I was thinking and praying for you and your family during this transition time.