I would not worry about the age...I have a dear friend whose parents were 48 when they conceived..they thought they were infertile! Her father turned 88 this year and golfs every other day...stay active...no one knows the future...children lose their parents even if they're young...you never are assured of anything...with your heart in the right place..offer your family as an option and let her heart lead her...

I have different responses..all meant with good intentions...first to inform, and try never to let it 'ruffle' my feathers... Short response: "Not even a concern." (Truthfully, it is not anymore!) Limited Time response: "To be honest, when we first started homeschooling in kindergarten I was concerned about it, but through the years I have found that God provides the outlets they need to build the kind of character traits we value. " Longer time response: "Think about it, when you consider notable historical figures...Washington, Jefferson, Einstein, Franklin...none of those had the type of education that has become traditional in our lifetime...did their lack of a brick school building detract from their accomplishments? I think it's a decision any family has to make, but there are elements of socialization in the traditional setting that I think are harmful....for our family, homeschooling works and with all the opportunities available (dance, rowing, scouts, etc.) we find that socialization is not a factor."

Thanks for the Georgia Tech one! I really liked their form and it would be something easy to rewrite and give to coaches/scout leaders etc. without them having to create a letter...great stuff!

First, having adopted 3 children, you're well experienced!! :) The main issue I see up front is the abusive/wayward father. The child would have a much more stable environment with you for sure....as long as you get both of them to sign over all parental rights to you. The father must sign this as well as your niece. You would need a good adoption attorney to work out the text of the document to protect you all. I'm assuming 5 hours away is another state..so you would need to clarify laws in both states to make sure you've accounted for any loopholes. Second, you will have to decide if this will be an open adoption, where the mother is known as the mother and the child will grow up knowing this...I for one am always supportive of truthfulness in full light...it leaves no questions open for the child and allows them to learn how to handle their unique situation as they go through life's bumps. The amount of involvement b/w her and the child will have to be agreed upon and worked out ahead of time...you don't want loose ends and misunderstandings swirling around the life of a young child. Those are my best thoughts, my husband was adopted and I saw what secrecy can do to a person...it's much better to be upfront and honest..and love that baby! :)

I vote Maltese first and Lhasa Apso second :)

I get it, sorry your daughter has picked up their attitude and not let hers rub off on them..we choose not to buy our kids cell phones or iPods..they are nagged by cousins to get this, do this, wear this, add this feather to your hair...I just come from the school of less is more...teaching my kids to rely on themselves, their talents will carry them through low times. In our culture parents do not give kids all in hopes the giving will be returned...they give kids love and encouragement and that is returned in their old age.

Simply go to the Mayor's office and set a meeting, he can call the chief of police and get this worked out...it's an oversight and unless someone calls them on it, it will happen to someone else...who knows, maybe she'll meet her future husband at the mayor's office and there was a reason for all this...that's how I look at all thorn in my sides..surely there's a purpose! :)

No worries! It is daunting at first..we just finished our 9th grade year.... 120-180 hours of study equals 1 credit hour...some say that covering 75% of a text meets that? So, base it on hours..if your work covers that much material and you feel it covers enough of the subject matter..you're good! :) Tara

We did this for about 9 years...just switched last year, mainly b/c we started taking a few courses at a local co-op and they school traditionally..but I find it is harder to fill out transcripts with my school covering, because they have to fill out transcripts according to my state's forms and they require Aug-May...it's too confusing otherwise. And, for college applications, it just makes it easier to do it like the rest of them :)

All Through the Ages by Nothing New Press I believe....the same lady who runs the classicalhomeschooling site.

Fun! Can't wait to read everyone's list!! :) Here's mine (this week!) The Door in the Wall- Marguerite De Angeli How to Read a Book- Mortimer Adler Our Living Constitution- Good Apple The Gift of Music- Jane Smith The Story of Europe from the Fall.... H.E. Marshall Famous Men of the Middle Ages- Rob Shearer Son of Charlemagne - Barbara Willard Physics- (Holt)

She is four years old and has had weekly visits for 2 years? At four she is in pschiatric care AND medicated? I am not a professional so can not comment on those above, but medication alone with a child who is growing so quickly at this stage can be problematic. If my child had acted like that, I would have spanked her the minute she reached for an item to throw...I would have set her in a chair where I had complete view of her at all times...(while I did dishes or laundry/not distracted by computer/phone/other) and make her sit there for five minutes. At the end of five minutes I would thank her for sitting there and agree that it is a hard thing to do, but her actions have consequences. Then I would spend quality time with her (is she an only child?)...I would take time out to play with her blowing bubbles and chasing them, swimming, sprinkler play, anything where I am actively playing with her and getting some joy to bubble up. That level of frustration and anxiety continues to build unless they get a release...the sitting for 5 minutes is a decompression time...if they are disobedient/unruly with sitting (set a timer..give her something that will DING when time is up..this really helps...the clicking kinds) then I lengthen the time they'll have to sit there...then she has some control over her punishment...the first few times it may take a 20 minute time out, but you stick to your word and she 'earns' her time out by exhibiting self-control. That's what I would do.

I have not read all the previous pages comments, but I have never allowed my two year olds free reign on the board books...I think that was not very smart, and if I were the librarian I would have had the inking that your children were out of control. It sounds like there was probably more running, you've admitted to three cases...what you consider 'two year old bounding' looks very much like running to someone else. You have all your kids plus five kids from another family...the excitement was probably overwhelming...we've been to libraries with other families, but never have any of my children ever jogged or bundled...I'm just seeing a picture of a family that could have been a bit more respectful of the property...and would have let it go with a polite, "I'm very sorry, we will make sure it won't happen again." And leave it at that. If I had two year olds in the library, they were always on my hip, in a stroller or holding my hand and I would give them ONE book to sit in a chair to read with me next to them, the other kids would come up to me and show me books. If I needed to do a large laundry basket shopping day at the library (I've been there done that) I would go when my husband was at home and bring them all back... I am not excusing her behavior at all, she was harsh, crass and rude....but bottom line is don't give people like that a reason...rationalizing with them almost never works.

Agree with all the others...call the police, no problem there...they really are out to help...and seriously, having a police officer in the city the perpetrator is from get a friendly knock on the door is helpful...you have no idea what prompts a person/child to say things like that...they themselves could be in an abusive home...police need to know. My girls frequent horseisle.com and have never had any problems...I highly recommend that site over the one you mentioned. I think the best thing you can do is be in control of the situation, be confident you're doing the right things, do not let her see your fear..she needs to know you've got her back in an assertive loving way....and let her talk her feelings out if she needs to...did she come with you about it or did you find these things? Just print out every bit of conversation b/w the two of them and ask the moderators that you want to be informed of their actions on a daily basis...stay on them! Good luck! Tara

If you're tech savvy you can create your own video/photo booth..the Ipad has a photobooth application now that is really cool! You design a booth (saw one on a wedding show...it was so neat!) and rig up the video camera so when people hit a button it starts recording a short message to your daughter of good wishes...they can also make funny pictures...I'm sure there are plenty of tips on how they run online. Need to have a printer attached and hidden in there for them to get their pics. I actually tape this show called "four weddings" for good ideas on creative food ideas and found the one above there.. If you can find some of her earlier art pieces (one for each year), it's nice to put a montage to see how her mind/interests changed through the years...same for her writings, you could have "Musings of ...." and guests can read through a book of her writings...

:grouphug:Hugs to you, momma...prayers for all.. Can we send pictures or cards? My girls draw uplifting pictures they send in cases like yours...it is not much, but cool to get mail from kids.

Oh! Meant to put this in general forum board! Sorry!

Uh, me thinks you are the one looking great!! Awesome job on the weight loss!! You're almost in Onederland!!!! :)

Thanks to all the horsey people who helped give ideas on how to get her started eating grass...she's (Liberty Belle) grazing 10 hours a day now and still has free choice hay/alfalfa and Buckeye Gro-n-win...she's looking GREAT!! Here are her pics day one, week one, and last Saturday (week two) I let her graze with my other two for 2 hours (they need to lose weight!) and they do great together! We are not sure of her age, but with her tail as long as it is, don't you think she would be at least 2-3 years old? I'm not sure how fast hair grows...thanks again for all the help!

I go to the viewing the night before but usually not the funeral...pick one or the other, sign the guest book and let them know how much you care...also, instead of flowers give a contribution to a charity that would be child-centered (St. Jude, Scottish Rite, etc.)

Why is that picture so big?? On photobucket it shows it as 160x120 barely bigger than a thumbnail...my beagle is not that big! :)

For my daughters, this time would be never. Not only my position, but they are actually more concerned about modesty than I am...they would never wear a bikini...they hate the low rider jeans not only b/c they are low but they are uncomfortable...if I buy them a workout top for rowing or dance, they will throw something on top...they are not fearful or neurotic, they have a sincere desire to not make their body 'the show'....they want it to be about who they are not 'what' they wear. And they see what other girls wear and those that dress provocatively have parallel character issues that concern them...it may be insecurities, overly flirtatious, etc. But, in some cases clothes may not make the man but they sure can affect him.

So far, we have been lucky..our beagle does run out of our fencing (8 acres) because she gets a scent and once they have a scent it consumes them, no amount of training that I can do could ever compete with that. But, she is also very tied to her family...she has always come back even after 9 hours...she knows her way home and I'm sure in the woods she goes 1-2 miles deep into it! I will add that they will want to sleep under the covers in your bed touching some part of something warm..they are pack animals really. If you get a beagle, I would go with a 13", they do not get more than 15 pounds (beagles are notorious for overeating, so you do have to limit their food or they'll eat eat eat...my vet says it's amazing to see a beagle that fits its weight range! Ours is about 13 pounds) ...here's a picture of our Gabby and she loves our black lab mix...the mix tolerates her b/c the beagle kept trying to sleep in her legs all the time...now she just sleeps near one of us! :) Oh, and she only barks when she hears ambulances...now not as often but maybe the high pitch hurts her ears?

For our research papers we require 5 sources, only three can come from internet...try to make one of them an online magazine, I allow wikipedia for certain sources, but there are some phenomenally wonderful online resources that are much more reliable and interesting. The two other sources are usually books, but periodicals/magazines sometimes jump in there, it just depends on the topic. I spend a good time on Purdue (OWL) online writing lab site..google it and you'll find everything you need to know about writing! At least for high school purposes! :)

I am so sorry! Praying the doctors find the cause of the liver dysfunction asap!! Hopefully, it will be a bacterial infection that can be cleared up with consistent treatment...