so that there is only one with the question I had in mind! Carry on. :coolgleamA:

where kids have the opportunity to debate with each other? Anything online? Just exploring options!

Good to hear from you! I kept thinking I must be on a different time zone schedule because I never see posts by Imp anymore.

I think it was totally inappropriate. Not funny. Saying mean things and than trying to add something so it seems positive doesn't cut it. I grew up with a mom like this. If you confronted her, she would say I was too sensitive or making a mountain out of a molehill and laugh and say guess you can't take a joke. :grouphug: :grouphug: I am not sure saying anything will do any good. If she is like this and makes comments all the time, I would consider having them move out.

:grouphug: :grouphug:

:grouphug:

It's acutally a conference if that makes a difference :)

Thanks for all the replies. I found out that it is indeed true that when you go to the meeting, than it is assumed you are willing to pitch in and help. Prior to the meeting, it is suggested that you pray about if God wants you to help or not. It is made clear you should only come if you really think God wants you to help not because everyone else is doing it or out of obligation or guilt. I did ask for what the different parts were that people could help with but never recieved the information. I also found out more about the process that takes place at the meeting. The jobs and their descriptions are given out there, which explains why I didn't get information prior. Everyone does give their testimony. After all testimonies are given, there is a time of prayer if you think they would be good doing a position, something sticks out for them, you write that down. After prayer, you gather again and discuss the jobs. If it comes up that a person is overwhelming chosen to do something, they are asked. If they are declined than they will be given something else to do. This process is very different than what I have been accustomed too. Generally, a list of jobs would be given and you would pray over where you felt God was leading you. I can see how some people don't have a problem just being open to doing whatever. I think because of my personality type and past experiences where I have been told God laid it on my heart....or it seems God is calling you to....has never gone well. I have plugged in, even when feeling very uncomfortable, and it has been a disaster in group situations. I am sure that having the background I do, just going with the flow is extremely difficult since I am used to being on guard for being taken advantage off because of past manipulation and abuse in my life. I know I am really skeptical of we all prayed and it seems God is calling you to x,y,z especially if I haven't felt a call myself. Also, if I decline than what happens when I get put in something else that is uncomfortable. I also get that there are jobs that don't really matter in terms of is God calling you or not, like getting the plates and silverware together etc. I was glad that someone explained the process to me. I don't think it is unreasonable, but I just wonder how many people really are comfortable with this type of situation. I know I have a really difficult time making a committment to something when put on the spot and not having time to process things. Of course, sometimes I can just process myself right out of doing something. :)

It's a church event for women. People are sharing their testimony.

There is going to be an event planning meeting. You have been to only one of these events in the past. However, you aren't given any details about what all is involved in planning/help needed for the event. If you come to the planning meeting, the leaders are expecting that you are willing to help. In fact, it was stated that no one who comes says no to helping. Everyone attending will share about themselves, it will then be decided where people will help with the event. Just curious about what people would do :)

Speaking as someone who talks in terms of what I am thinking rather than feeling.. I feel emotions but I grew up in a environment that didn't verbally pair an emotion with an action. So, I am more apt to speak in thinking terms instead of emotion terms. I have been working to connect the two together more. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Dh is older by 4 years

I'm so sorry :grouphug: :grouphug:

Would he help homeschool the kids? He wouldn't have to move around much to do that. This could be helpful since it could free you up to do other things that need to be done that he won't be able to do.

:grouphug: :grouphug: Sorry you had to hear about your brother on the news. Hopefully, he had talked with you in advance, even though seeing something on the news would still be shocking.

:iagree: How did she respond to your email? ETA: The last time I became friends with someone, they were the same way. It was like I was immediately family. Turns out the person was Narcisstic. It was relationship hell. Perhaps she wouldn't have been that way. However, if your gut was sending out red flags, I am glad you honored the warnings. I tended to ignore the warnings in the past because it felt hard to say no, didn't want to hurt people's feelings, blah, blah, blah. For me, I know if I feel overwhelmed or like I can't be real and guard my answers, I need to take a pass. No matter how much work I have done on boundaries, there are certain types of people that I can't be healthy with due conditioning in my family of orgin.

Definetly call Amazon. Our neighbor's kindle died and he called. They sent him a new one. I think it probably depends on the person you get in customer service what they will do for you.

Only occasionally. I know it should be more, but it is a hassle.

:iagree: My thoughts exactly. I guess it would just depend how much you get out books versus the cost. Also, if you were trying not to clutter up your house with books, that would be another benefit to pay.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Here is another UO: I don't like it when I call and the answering machine has a message where everyone in the family says something. "Hi you reached Fran, (speaks for herself) and Dan (speaking for himself) and Tutti (speaking for herself) and Frutti (speaking for herself) and than all together they say "We aren't here right now so please leave us a message!" I realize this is a harmless,family building experience, but...it is so annoying. I just want to leave my dang gum message, quickly...... I also wish that when children were calling for their friends, they would leave a message and than stop calling until we return their call. Please, don't just call and call and call and call. What is worse is calling, than leaving a message than continuing to call. Seriously, if you called my home phone and we didn't answer, than called my cell and we didn't answer than called again and left a message on home phone than called, yet again, to leave a message on my cell, there really is no reason to keep.calling.both.phones. **Whew** glad I got that out there.

Oops double post!

This isn't a question, but the worst thing someone said to me that it was o.k. if I was homeschooling as long as I wasn't coping out because of some bad experience I had or any insecurties. That would be unhealthy. I could honeslty look at that person and tell them that my experiences and insecurities were not the reason I was homeschooling. In truth, I love being with my children. For me, I just was thinking, Why would I ship them off when they were just getting interesting? Also, if someone asked about what would happen if I die? I just think that they were lucky than to have been able to spend all the time with me as I was with them.

Hopefully, I won't get flamed for sharing my thoughts here. :ph34r: SeaConquest, I appreciate your sharing your experience and the impact seeing choices played out in your life. Not that you want the choice to have an abortion taken away, but that it had an emotional impact on you having been part of seeing that choice played out day after day. I am not sure how would respond or feel if I had been working in that postition. I am not sure being in an ER would be a great place to be either considering that people's choices have an impact on their life in unexpected ways as well. I am sure that how people experience these types of situations is different, which is why I won't ever be a doctor. Thanks for apologizing in regards to using a word that impacted others in a negative way. For me, I didn't take that use of the word as a judgement against women having an abortion and that they were baby killers. I took it in the vein of the emotional impact was so strong, this is the word that described the depth of that for yourself. I actually read it as you were surprised that you had the depth of emotion considering you have been a strong proponet for women having the choice to have an abortion. Sadie, :grouphug: :grouphug: I am sorry that you thought the conversation took a bad turn because of that comment. Like I said, I didn't take use of that term as applying to women and accusing those who have aborted as being babykillers. I could see after your thoughts about it, how others might have felt that way. Certainly, I don't think women who have chosen to abort have done so lightly or even value life less. Life throws curve balls at people and there are many difficult decisions and choices that have to be made. Having been in a situation where having been raped by my brother, if I had gotten pregnant, I know I would have aborted. Fortunately, I never had to make that choice. I think that if the choice gets taken away, than people resort to tactics that are harmful and have horrific results. Of course, this can happen in medical situations as well, but I would think it would be less than people taking matters into their own hands. I hope what I have said hasn't been more hurtful than helpful.

In regards to line standing: I take them to amusement parks. Oops *gasp!* I forgot, we don't believe in socialization :rolleyes: The question I get asked more than anything: How long are you going to homeschool them for? Do you think you will do it thru high school? It seems that in my area, homeschooling is fine up until high school