Thank you all so much for taking time to respond. I really appreciate it! This is exactly how I took it also. I was very offended that MIL would call basically wanting to teach my DD for a day. All because she is noticing areas that DD is "struggling" with. I probably should have stated that she does not fully support our choice to homeschool. I know she does want to be in their lives, and I really do think that is great. I think the second part may very well be true. She does make a point to see our children frequently, once or twice a week. They sleep over there at least twice a month. I am glad she wants to spend time with them, but maybe she doesn't know what to DO with them. Overall, yes, there are boundary issues. I don't have a very good relationship with her, and neither does DH. She has not always been kind to me, but she has been nicer in the past few years. She has very controlling personality. She is not supportive of many of our choices, and the world hears about it when things don't go her way. She tries to parent our children when they are with her (even when DH and I are around). We don't always give in to her, but DH does like to "keep the peace." I get very anxious anytime she calls or when I know I have to see her, so it is sometimes hard for me to determine if I am being reasonable or not. I agree with others that this is a boundary issue, so I will try to kindly but firmly let her know.

My MIL called this morning to ask if our 2nd grader could come spend the night one night next week. She wants to work on handwriting with her, because she noticed last week that DD writes some of her letters backwards. She also said that my FIL likes to work on math with her, but he makes it too hard so she wants me to send math with her too. We happen to be on school break next week, but my MIL didn't know that when she called. She originally wanted me to send all of her schoolwork with her, so that she could do it with her. I told my MIL that we have school under control. I told her that the kids don't need to do school next week, since they are caught up and we are on break. But MIL kept talking and talking and talking, and I finally agreed to send some handwriting paper so DD can work on her name. (She gets her a's backwards only in her name, and she also writes 9s and 6s backwards) But she kept pushing and told me to just send one math worksheet too. I was fed up just said ok, ok, ok to end the conversation. I am just really upset about it. My husband is understanding, but he thinks I am taking it too personally. He did say that he would call MIL and tell her that DD can spend the night, but only to spend time with them and not to do schoolwork. I just had a thought that I have some math games, maybe I it would be a good idea to send one of those instead.

Definitely potato chips! Salty and crunchy and yum! Now I want dip too.

Taking Charge of Your Fertility is the book I found most helpful. http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Anniversary/dp/0060881909/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399083876&sr=1-1&keywords=taking+charge+of+your+fertility

lol, my older kids say "zample" too! They love going to Costco for the "zamples".

My kids love broccoli! Last night my 5 year old asked for a snack before bed. She made herself a big plateful of lettuce (no dressing) and ate almost all of it. Crazy kids! I love it.

Not really, we have a couple of friends, but where we are looking wouldn't put us very far away from our closest friends. About 40 minutes instead of 30 now. We would be leaving our homeschool group that we love, so that would be difficult. My dad watches the girls one day a week while I work, but if we move that far away I will just quit my job. Another problem is that our oldest DD will be starting feeding therapy at the local children's hospital in a couple of weeks. I'm not sure that she could get the same help at another hospital, but then maybe we could make that into a day that we visit family here too. You're right. We have friends that live 30 minutes away, and some that live an hour away. We really have to make an effort to see them, especially the ones who are farther. This is a really good idea. I've made a pro/cons list, but I am going to do this in more detail. Thanks! Thanks, this is reassuring. :) A little more time won't really help, unfortunately. We live in an affluent area, and even the forclosures and fixer-uppers with acreage are at least $100,000 more here than other places we are looking. We are debt free and plan on putting 20% down, and I don't really want to mortgage too much where we will be too tight. We have talked about compromising and finding a house on an acre. It would be especially nice if we could at least have chickens. :) :drool5:

We are planning on buying a house this year. We really want this to be our forever house. We would love to have a small amount of land, 2-5 acres, and have a small hobby farm. The problem is that anything in the price range we want to be in is at least an hour away, which means an hour away from our parents and everyone we know. Right now, my dad and MIL make a point to see the kids every week, and my mom sees them about every other week. I just feel really guilty moving the kids away from them. An hour isn't that far away. It's much farther than we are used too. I just can't seem to make a decision about whether to stay close and probably live in a neighborhood or move away and have the room we want to have. Half of me wants each option!

Strawberry Shortcake - I remember that I was very nervous. I thought the "real" characters were actually going to be there live. The first drive-in movie I remember seeing was the original 101 Dalmatians.

Hahahaha! My DH and I quote that all the time! Too funny. She is pretty fluffy!

She's home! She's doing great. Her name is Penny. :) She was a stray, and the shelter thought she was 12 years old. She is almost if not completely blind from cataracts, but otherwise she's in great shape physically. I took her our vet today, who thinks she is actually more like 6 with juvenile hereditary cataracts. She does a great job finding her way around though. She is very cautious and has only bumped into a few things. Her hearing is just fine, and we found that we can talk to her to help guide her a little bit. She found the kitchen without any problems and seems to know that good things come from that room. :) She follows me everywhere and sits on the couch with me, so that makes her perfect in my book! Thanks to everyone who has been following!

I don't like cheesecake...or any cake for that matter.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and that you had to make such a hard decision for your friend. You are right, poodles are great dogs. :grouphug:

The shelter called today and said they would love for us to adopt her! Yay! We're going to sign the adoption papers tomorrow, and they said we may even be able to take her home! It is crazy how nervous/excited I am. I feel like I am going on a first date or something, lol.

I'll join in. try to get DD2 Dr. appt to check ears clean up kitchen clean off table quick pick up around house vacuum whole house DD2's early intervention coordinator meeting DD2 Dr. appt clean bathtub and bathroom mirrors work 1-6:30pm clean out purse laundry exercise