Yes. But now we have SOOOO long to wait before we find out... what happened! ARrgh!!!!

Ah yes... will you be my informer on the inside? Lol! It does feel strange to be going someplace where I won't know anyone. I know relationships take time to build, and those first few months will be tough.

I like the idea about hanging out with youth. They have volunteer leaders, but not a full time youth minister at this time. I'm excited about a new band starting up that is all youth. Hmmm... well, when I describe my profession, I always say minister, but most churches I know of call their minister Pastor whomever. I think they are kind of interchangable. In England, I'd be a vicar!

I know it can be hard to get to know a new person... hopefully after 2 years I won't still feel "new". Demographically this will be a big change for us. I've been serving in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic urban church. Our new congregation is a suburban, almost rural, church that is almost entirely anglo. I don't think there are any farmers in the church, but I can guess that it would be tough for me to really understand that life. I'm a pretty urban creature!

Good advice. The previous pastor has 2 kids the same age as mine--I think the main difference is that his wife is also a pastor, though she has been on leave for a few years. I know he does pick up kids from school etc...

I would enjoy that... but I think my dh would have a heart attack! He's an introvert, big time. I do plan on having an open house some time this fall--AFTER we are all moved in.

Well, my boys would want their DSs and video games if they were allowed. How about a care package for the parents? Bottled water, healthy snacks, book, magazines, restaurant gift cards. When my dh was in the hospital for over 6 months I really loved any sort of supportive gifts!

Many of you probably know that I'm a Methodist pastor... my dh is a SAHD. We're right in the middle of a transition to a new church. We'll move into the new house June 15, but my first Sunday won't be until the 2nd Sunday of June. In our denomination pastors are appointed by the bishop--meaning that the church doesn't know me, doesn't know much about me, and I've only met a few people a couple of times. I come in pretty much cold on that first Sunday--will never have seen their worship service. I've been meeting with the previous pastor, and with my new associate pastor. This will be the fourth church I have served, so I've done these transitions before... I'll be meeting with all the small groups in the church, there will be some small social gatherings, and I'm planning to have sign ups for lunch/breakfast/coffee one on one with individual members. You all have so much wisdom! From your perspective, what would be helpful for a new pastor to do/know?

It is Mother's Day weekend... I love Mother's Day. Even though I always have to work in the morning, I usually get breakfast in bed, choose what we do that afternoon (tomorrow, due to budget constraints, will be a P&P home film festival--or a museum. I can't decide.), pick a place for dinner, and receive gifts from my dh and children (since they are young, helped by dh). Since we live cross-country from our extended families, we also send gifts to our moms (my mom in-law, mom, and step-mom) and call, sent a gift to my sister-in-law (a new mom), and will call grandmas as well (fewer of these now). My question: Obviously for us Mother's Day includes celebrating our moms and mothers in law, my dh celebrating me as the mother of his children, and celebrating other family moms (sister, grandma). I remember reading that others approached this holiday differently--who do you include? You can also post what your family does to celebrate. (poll)

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!!!! As a fan, the extended editions have so much more content, are truer to the books. There is a significant amount of stuff that got cut for the theatrical releases, hours of material that is really wonderful and watchable, but they just though audiences wouldn't sit still for 3 1/2 hours. Not a problem at home! Of course, I obviously don't feel very strongly about this...;)

I'm with you! My dh got me one the week it came out, and it has been amazing... I use it much more than I thought I might. I love getting newspapers and magazines, love buying books instantly. It's the best!

OK, I know, I know... some of you have 5 or 6 or more! But this past year was the first year we had both of ours at school age, and it's been tough to get work done. My older is 7, has ADHD among other issues, and pretty much works best when supervised and in conversation with an adult. Once we run through GWG text, or do the spelling pre-test he will work independantly for a short time--but most things we teach are pretty "hands on". This is a child who does not play by himself well, will stop what he is doing every 30 seconds and want you to come "check his work"--he's really an extreme extrovert who hates quiet and alone time. He also is working far above grade level. My younger son is 5, and he's just starting to take off on his reading and math. He'll entertain himself pretty well, but I feel like he gets 20 minutes or so of instruction a day, and then has to run around and fend for himself. Next year we want to start some grammar, science, etc... but he also wants Mommy or Daddy right there to hold his hand. He's the one who is quiet and could easily be left behind because he doesn't demand attention in the same way--but deserves it, of course. I'm trying to figure out a fair and balanced schedule that meets both boy's needs... any ideas? Switch back and forth, do some things together? For example, they both listen to SOTW and do the coloring pages/maps, but only ds 7 has done a narration (though ds 5 will chime in sometimes)--how will they both do that simultaneously? They are much farther apart in ability than their age difference might indicate--you can see what they are currently using right now in my sig. But I think this past year was less than effective :glare:, lots of wasted time and trying to keep one entertained or busy while focusing on the other. I'm cross posting this from the curriculum board because on re-reading I think that the main issue is the different developmental levels. I've got one reading "The Cat in the Hat" and one re-reading the "Ender's Game" series again... but they are close in age.

Hmmmm... they will both listen to read-alouds together. The hardest part is that ds7 needs a lot of supervision, but is 5+ "years" ahead of his brother academically in some areas. I've got one who reads "The Cat in the Hat" and another reading the entire "Ender's Game" series again... for writing, math, etc. I just don't know how to give them both help.

OK, I know, I know... some of you have 5 or 6 or more! But this past year was the first year we had both of ours at school age, and it's been tough to get work done. My older is 7, has ADHD among other issues, and pretty much works best when supervised and in conversation with an adult. Once we run through GWG text, or do the spelling pre-test he will work independantly for a short time--but most things we teach are pretty "hands on". This is a child who does not play by himself well, will stop what he is doing every 30 seconds and want you to come "check his work"--he's really an extreme extrovert who hates quiet and alone time. He also is working far above grade level. My younger son is 5, and he's just starting to take off on his reading and math. He'll entertain himself pretty well, but I feel like he gets 20 minutes or so of instruction a day, and then has to run around and fend for himself. Next year we want to start some grammar, science, etc... but he also wants Mommy or Daddy right there to hold his hand. He's the one who is quiet and could easily be left behind because he doesn't demand attention in the same way--but deserves it, of course. I'm trying to figure out a fair and balanced schedule that meets both boy's needs... any ideas? Switch back and forth, do some things together? For example, they both listen to SOTW and do the coloring pages/maps, but only ds 7 has done a narration (though ds 5 will chime in sometimes)--how will they both do that simultaneously? They are much farther apart in ability than their age difference might indicate--you can see what they are currently using right now in my sig. But I think this past year was less than effective :glare:, lots of wasted time and trying to keep one entertained or busy while focusing on the other. If you can post actual schedules or links to what a daily plan might look like, I will be so grateful!

Playing with Playmobile. :D

I used the link that Hillfarm posted (thanks so much!) http://www.simplylivingsmart.com/community/sls-blogs/tags/915/ My dh thinks I'm overreacting, but I'd rather be prepared and not need stuff later. Plus, these are almost all things we'll use up eventually if we don't get sick.

No.

OK.... now that might worry me.

I still remember going to Carlsbad Caverns as a child... so memorable and incredible. I'm determined to take my kids there some day!

Doesn't bother me at all. As long as the behavior is "kid-appropriate" while the children are there, I don't think the building matters at all. Lots of "wedding banquet halls" I've seen are restaurants and bars at other times. If I wanted to go and dance, I wouldn't think twice about it. Of course, I can count the number of times I've been in a bar on... let's see... one finger? I think I went to a bar on my 21st birthday. That was it. I've been in restaurants that have bars, but a real actual bar like on TV with stools and a counter and people just drinking? Never been part of my life.

Well, I'm a pastor and the only people who call me "Pastor Kay" are at my church. I'm very comfortable with just plain "Kay", but at the church I currently serve is just like your dh's... they usually call me plain old "Pastor", even when they know me well. I think it's a tradition/cultural thing, but when I first arrived here 7 years ago I thought it was way weird. Now it doesn't bother me. In only use "Reverend Kay lastname" in formal correspondence, or on the program for a worship service. And on the sign in front of the church. When I was first ordained I had "Rev." on my checks--I just thought it was cool, I guess. It seems like the novelty wears off after the first decade of ministry or so... ;)

OK... so my question is... Perry? Are YOU worried? (I know "the board" has great resources, but I didn't expect a zoogenic flu virus expert to be hanging out here)

And as they are confirming addresses they are using GPS to locate them. It actually is fairly important in some urban areas--like around me--where many people have guest homes, garages or other structures that they have converted to apartments or rented out. There may be one address, but three or four households at that address. If they only send one form to such an address, mosly likely the other tenants will be missed in the count. A friend of mine, an 69 year old man, was doing this work until recently. He approached a shack at a rural address because it wasn't listed, but obviously someone was living inside. The man inside set two pit bulls on him. In retrospect we wondered, meth lab? Anyhow, he had pepper spray on him and was not seriously injured. So try to be nice, huh? These folks have long days.

Maybe it's the school district... the most common reaction I've had from children around here when they hear my sons are homeschooled is "That's so cool! I wish I could homeschool!" Even one boy who was quizzical about what we do all day talked about how he is so bored all the time because he finishes his work and then has to wait around for everyone else. My ds said... "We just go out and play when we are done!" Most of these kids were elementary or middle school age.. though one of our biggest fans is a girl from my church who is a high school senior who is also class president. On the wierdness issue--we are pretty geeky, and I'd guess my kids will always be weird. It has nothing to do with homeschooling.

After your post I was very concerned, went and read online reviews, called my dh, and talked to my boys (ages 5 and 7). I said, "It may have sad parts, when hunting animals eat other animals, are you OK with that?" They wanted to go. Well, I'm sure glad we did! I thought it was wonderful. After your review I was expecting a "nature red in tooth and claw" sort of thing... not like that at all! The amount of time spent on hunting was less than you might think, considering that all animals spend their waking hours in search of food. SPOILERS::: It was 30 minutes at least before there was any hunting--a wolf who catches a caribou, he chases, grabs it's tail, and it sits down. They cut the camera. No blood, no gore. The most 'disturbing' sort of shot was the lions who were catching an elephant, again no blood (and it's shot with a night scope) but they do climb up on it's back, which I guess could be kind of scary for some children. In the two hours there are about five or six hunting scenes (unless you count krill and birds eating insects or fishing), plus a young elephant that wanders out the wrong way (assumedly to die later in the desert) and a male polar bear who doesn't find enough prey because of receding ice and fruitlessly tries to catch a walrus before laying down on the beach, to die later off screen from hunger. Anyhow, my boys thought it was great, didn't make them sad at all, they want to get it on DVD.