Not sure I should answer, since we started it, dropped it, then picked it back up and finished the Gospels book today. We didn't use some of it (memory, etc.); just read, discussed, and did the worksheets until about a month ago, when we switched to just reading it. It has some great content. We liked the compare/contrast charts (how the four gospels differ in theme, intended audience, etc.). There are a lot of charts. Dd didn't care for the paraphrasing of the Bible (they use both direct quotes and paraphrasing). It has a pretty strong schoolish, classroom type feel to it. We liked it to a point but it seemed too long, too repetitive. It just depends on what you are looking for. Dd is almost 10 now and a very strong reader. She has gone to church all her life so some of the material was pretty familiar to her. Dd has discovered Bible studies like Elizabeth George writes and really likes those, so for now we are going to work together through one or more of those.

That is one super-cute kitty!! Have fun!

Yes. Yes, I think you will regret it. I haven't tried AS1, but I did try two others (a few years ago). I just noticed the guides on my shelves again and thought that I will probably just recycle them. I usually give away my stuff, but I don't think I want to do that to anyone. I'm honestly surprised that WP is still in business. Have you considered Sonlight, Beautiful Feet, etc.? Even people who don't like most SL say the American history cores are very well-done. You would be better off just picking books and adding some activities on your own. Run, don't walk, to the nearest exit. :)

I am so very sorry for your loss.

I am so, so sorry. Praying.

I am so sorry! Would baking soda or something help take out the smell?

Yay!!!! I'm so happy for you and your family!

Continuing to pray! (My dd is 9, having some digestive issues, but nothing was learned from bloodwork and stool sample. So we will be going to the gastroenterologist (sp?).)

I am so, so sorry. I am praying for you and for his family and friends.

Praying for all of you!

I've been wondering some of these same things. Dd (9 going on 19) says she loves homeschooling and ardently claims she wants to homeschool through high school. At this point, I wouldn't ask her if she would homeschool future children because she says she does not want children (probably 'cause I'm such a great mom ha-ha). I understand about the introvert thing. I enjoy homeschooling, can hardly imagine not doing it (usually!) but it is really hard for me to be around people all day long. As for the worst mom award, I have it here somewhere... :)

Dd just read this somewhere a few days ago! I am trying to remember where...oh, I think it was (of all places) a book about horses. :) I remember saying something like, they must have really had bad taxes (her book said Godiva did it to convince her dh to lower taxes on the common people).

I'm sorry you are so unhappy. Hugs. Does your dh know how you feel? I doubt that my dh would really be happy in his job if he knew it meant I was miserable.

Just a note about living "on the train line." I'm fairly certain that when people say this, they mean to live close enough to a train station to walk to it or a short drive to the station. It does not mean that you will see the station out your picture window. :) I think I said this before but oh well. :) I really think you would love Arlington Heights. It's one of the nicest suburbs anywhere. Lots of families, community activities, music, one of the best libraries in the world, etc. etc. :) We live not too far from Arl. Heights and we feel very blessed to live around here. I say to my dd regularly that we are so blessed to live in such a beautiful area, with so many trees, forest preserves, etc. I also like that I don't have to drive long distances to hardly anything. Dd's wonderful violin teacher is about 8 minutes away, lots of hs activities are within 20 minutes, concerts and plays are within 10 minutes, etc. I have super-nice neighbors and most people around here seem like friendly, very family-oriented people. On a different note, I have friends in Des Plaines and would not recommend it, partially because of the river, and also for other reasons. But I'm only slightly familiar with one section, so I really don't know for sure about the whole suburb. Years ago, we lived in Arlington Heights and I took Metra downtown. I walked to the train station and usually took an express train that was (I think) about 33 minutes to downtown. I never had to stand, but would voluntarily stand the last several minutes so I could get off quickly (only had a few minutes to walk from the station to work). A Metra commute beats a car commute in SO many ways. I usually read, listened to music, etc. I'm looking forward to your updates. :)

So, so cute!!

Bumping for you and for me. :)

I like the idea of one large sink, although I have never had one (yet). But I'm answering your post simply to say that I hope to never, ever have a white sink again (like I do now). No matter what, it almost never looks clean. Sigh.

Your tree sounds so lovely! I'd love to see a picture of it. We have some blue and white ornaments. I'd love to do two trees: one with blue, white, and silver, and one with our usual variety of ornaments. Actually, I think it would be so pretty to have a (very small) tree in every room, but that's not going to happen. Ours is still up but we have started putting the ornaments away. We will miss it, but it blocks 1/3 of the natural light coming into the living room (where we do most of our learning) and I really need all of the natural light I can get these days.

Oh my. I am so sorry.

I think the Simply Charlotte Mason (SCM) website recommends it. Maybe someone on their forums has used it?

Well...we started it this year. Dd didn't like watching the videos. I have to agree with you about the teacher's style - it seemed inappropriate for 4th graders. Sigh. I don't even want to think about the money I wasted (dd also disliked the BJU math 4 videos). I will say that I don't think videos are going to work any time soon for my dd, so it's not just BJU. Oh, except she does enjoy Khan Academy math videos. On the math side, at least we found out that dd likes Saxon! Go figure!

We never decided to quit, but God only gave us one. Frankly, my first thought was - Are you kidding me? 38? I know many women who have had babies after that age. All the babies and moms were very healthy too. (I know the statistical risks for disabilities etc. go up as the parents get older). Would you be comfortable just leaving it in God's hands for now?

Congrats on liking your new cut! Ummm....the picture of your new cut isn't showing on my computer. :)

Yes, I have (usually only when I have had bronchitis). The shower is a great idea (I think what a doctor told me was to run the shower until the paint peeled). I think taking guafenesin (as much as allowed) for a couple days really helps. My doctor prescribes an inhaler that I carry everywhere, just in case. Drinking warm or hot water is helpful. I hope you are feeling much better soon.

So sweet!! Our dd was also 4 lb. 8 oz. when born (at 34 weeks). :)