I am in the same boat!! I stayed home with my second because I wanted to spend that time I missed with my first. I had no intentions on staying home long term. I ended up having a third and then homeschooling. Mine went back in school and i had planned on going back to work...but then my oldest came back for 3 years of homeschooling middle school. When he went back I thought for sure I would go back to work...but now we do additional online classes to make up for credits in high school...and I feel like my girls need me here to do work with them after school. I really want to have that time back in my career but I cant imagine not being here to do school work, sports, and all the after school things we do with my kids. Now all 3 of my babies are learning to cook and do things around that house and I dont feel ready to give that up with them. I had NO intentions on this but I personally LOVE it. I feel like Ive been blessed to have the ability to stay home with them and it means more to me in the longrun to be here for my family then work in my career. It is a very hard choice but it is easy to get caught up and not go back. My career really doesnt have a lot of "part time" options for me. I opened my own business at home and I work around my kid's schedules. It isnt the same money but it affords me flexibility!

My words of wisdom is go ahead and get ready for a surgery. I felt so much better after having mine removed. (I had different circumstances) but a NO fat diet ...or as close to it as possible will help for now. Rice & chicken worked best for me. My recovery took forever but it seems I was an exception. I pushed myself and got out of bed right away in the hospital and that got the gasses moving out. I hear that is super important. My friends cooked my family a few meals...if you can put some money and coupons for your family to eat or order out while you are recovering...that was great. I ate light meals...low fat for several weeks after. I can eat everything now...I am just over a year! yeah. I was thinking back a few weeks ago to how things have changed over the year. I am SO happy to have no pain and able to eat everything again!! I had a pillow to cough into around my belly after surgery...huge help and took my pain pills with colace for the first week. No hero here! Then no exercise-house cleaning beyond basic basic basic stuff for 6 weeks!!! If you do that...you will be FINE!! I think most people here will tell you they had been back up in a few days...mine was inflammation not stones and I took a lot longer to get back into my routine. I didnt drive for a week but as long as you take it easy you could be back doing school or whatever you typically do in a few days.

To be honest...I would recommend Royal Caribbean!!! We LOVE those ships. Carnival was "ok" just very crowded and not the same service and quality as RC. Royal Caribbean has a lot of activities to choose from each day...you could do a bunch of things...or nothing at all! The pools are much larger and a lot easier to relax at. The menu selections had an amazing variety. They offer so many extra features like surfing, rock climbing, ice skating, movies, zip lines..etc...too much. The shows are wonderful as well. My parents love princess lines...but I personally have never tried. I always cruise with my kids so I have to choose based on kids. My kids love RC. We did Disney last June and while it was nice it was a bit TOO laid back for us. We like a little bit more variety of things to do during the day which RC offered. AS far as Oct...I agree with reading on cruise critic. I LOVE cruising in May. Just beautiful weather and calm seas. Not sure about oct. I dont like the beach here in South florida in Oct...but that is ME because I hate jelly fish and I always find more jelly fish in Oct, Nov timeframe. We also get cold really easy and dont like being at the pool when it is in the 70's . Brrr...haaa...Im a spoiled floridian! If you have an option of doing a European cruise would be amazing...a bit "less" relaxing per se....just because you have to do so many walking tours...Alaska sounds AMAZING....my parents loved that...but Ive never been. Eastern Caribbean is very relaxing...Lots of easy excursions if you wanted or you just do no excursions. Last couple of cruises we did ...we didnt get off at all the ports...We relaxed at the pool and bar and had an AMAZING time as a couple!!

Thank you all so much!!! We are going to rent a few months and try and find one like you all suggested online or used...then when I know she is committed I can invest a little more money. I wish I had unlimited funds to buy the best....but I do see why investing the money is necessary! I had no idea how expensive these instruments cost. There is so much that goes into selecting one...but I have received amazing suggestions!!

im getting disappointed. Cant get near the scale. I am craving some junk and last night I had a caramel sundae from McDonalds. I have to find something to hit my monthly cravings!! I have been doing my morning workout...cardio/weights and 4 miles biking everyday. I also occasionally am fitting in a walk with my hubby 3 miles in the evening...but I seem to be stuck on the scale. Grrrr....I imagine it is water weight! Otherwise, doing good. I am sticking close to my 1200 calorie non diet menu with a few exceptional days! (like yesterday) one day hopefully my body will get the idea it needs to shed a few more pounds :tongue_smilie:

I guess it is different in all the states. In Fl, you have to be 5 by Aug. 15 or sometime close to that...When I was in elementary it was by a later date...when my hubby was in NY it was calendar year all went to the same grade. Jan-Dec. so his best friend was a nov. child and my hubby a july and both had been in the same grade.

wow!! So much information! :001_smile: I am going to research some of these names. I just cant believe how much money they cost. I will also email her teacher and see if he knows any for sale. My husband didnt want to rent them because he figured it would be more economical to buy it. The rentals are $575+ each if you want to rent to own. Yamaha Advantage 200AD this is the one they rent....I didnt think of renting it for a few months only while I see about buying one. My head is spinning.

No...that is not wrong of you to leave. I also appreciate when a parent realizes their child is interrupting the presentation and addresses it with their child. It takes a lot to actually get up and just leave the event...but it sometimes works better in the long run on enforcing that you are serious when you give a warning. Thank you from another mom that would have done exactly the same thing. :D

Anyone have any suggestions? for my 11 yo. playing in a beginner band. I dont want to buy the top end student ones that are $500+++ but I don't believe a $99 one would be a "great" choice. I saw a few on amazon...but I really dont have a clue. I saw this one that had a great review... It seems to be a middle of the road flute...but I figured I would ask here and see if anyone has any suggestions. :D:D:D I hope so!! :bigear:

would be nice...I just have been filling up the reusable filter on mine! Saving lots of money

OMgoodness...so scary sounding. I would notify your local police that you saw a suspicious male and the circumstances ...just so they are aware! They wont do anything besides keep an eye out...but I wouldnt run in that same area at the same time alone again for a while. I cant imagine what might have happened...You see it in the news all the time. It can happen anywhere!! You should ALWAYS trust your instinct. And have a long talk with your kids about staying close to home!!!

yes... :) I use whatever I have in the house and Ive never noticed a difference.

...my first was only 6.4 and took 24 hours and pushed over 2 hours... My second 8.6 fell out pretty much after 6 hours labor..lol...and my third was the easiest at 8.2. I guess each baby is different.

My little one in 4th is starting IEW. Her brother and sister did it in the past...my 11 yo has been using it since 2nd grade and is an amazing writer now! I am trying my hardest to fit it in with our schedule

My DD is being challenged enough at school this year...Same with my 6th grader. Both are in Gifted and Honors classes...I have no time to add anything right now except my own reading books! They have enough quality work right now! :D Im only adding writing for my 4th grader

My DD now 9 is in 4th...she is transitioning from Private school to public school and having a hard time. I kept asking what the hw was and she wasnt sure what the teacher wanted her to write down and such. I finally just sent a note and asked the teacher to go over it one on one with her on the side and explain what she is to write down each day or week and what everyday things she needs to be doing. I think it really helped my dd!! I left a message yesterday to ask some other questions and go over some stuff with her teacher...but that few minutes the teacher spent with her alone made a huge difference. I think the key is to keep you communication open and write notes everyday if you have to!!

Im starting to use belts to see if that helps!!! I would have sworn it was my counters...till it happened out of the house with my new shirt. Now I think it is the zipper rubbing ...or the button. I have to cover those up with something!!

THANK YOU~:grouphug:

My dd 9 just got diagnosed with a very low peanut allergy...her allergist does not want me to stop them now, though. She has 4 new allergies all of a sudden. He says as she gets older they should start showing up more as she has "shiners" under her eyes which I guess he says are an early sign of allergies. Right now the worst one for her is wheat.

Please pray for one of my husbands police officer friends & his wife involved in a very serious motorcycle accident...she supposedly is stable right now but he is in surgery and needs tons of prayers as his injuries are far worse! Seems he has a serious bleed on his brain. Just terrible!! My husband just left with some other officers to see how he is but it is crazy how fast life changes!! Please pray for them!!! wow...really makes you stop and cherish every moment we have together! Thank you!!!

Yes...the Spectrum I had said Med-High Heat. The asian mart one doesnt say anything...It does burn faster on med-high then the spectrum did! It still works...but I guess that would be the difference

To be honest...You dont need to spend a lot of money. I bought a super cheap one at walgreens...yes walgreens right before I moved into this house in 2000 and it still is working amazing!! I dont have use for all the features as I usually just put the rice on before I start cooking. It is done when Im ready. I LOVE it. You can add more or less rice depending on what you need. So easy to just dump it in there and forget it!

I do not believe "most" public schools teach out of a Phonics book. We used one in Private school, but not in public school.

I buy spectrum at the vitamin shop and it is wonderful. Last time I was at the Asian Mart I found a cheap brand that just said coconut oil...it wasnt solid but turned solid in my cabinet...so I tried it. It was just as good but only cost me $2.00 I would try and see if you asian mart has some for cheap. It is in a plain boring looking bottle....nothing fancy...maybe that is why it is so cheap. It was pure, though.

just beautiful!!