So almost all churches and many Christian private schools would be closed? :001_smile:

I think, if you wanted to HS, almost anyone can. I know a single Mom who homeschools her children. She works a regular job and they just don't have a M - F 9 - noon, 2 - 4 schedule. They are unique. She wanted it for her family, so she did it. I know people who do it fully for free. So $$ wasn't an issue for them and their kids are getting an incredible education. I think if you want to, you can (barring any health reasons, etc). I think most people could by that definition. I think more people should than do. And I will leave it at that.

Of course, many I have heard say marriage isn't a right and they can get married, just not to someone of the same sex. I think many wonder where it ends with redefinition. Will plural marriages become legal? They should if same-sex marriage is allowed. There would be no reason not to allow it, right? I am not saying I use those statements, I haven't before. But I have heard them more than once.

I would screen shot what she said, document what's happened in your family, and file it away just in case. Then, I would get this woman 100% out of your life. I would unfriend AND block her on FB so she can't even PM you or see anything you have on your page. I would change your number if you can block her number. I would even ask your very close family members, if they don't want to unfriend her, to not say one single word about your family to her. Not even, "they are doing great". No news is good news. I would get the house in order. I see a few people have made some awesome suggestions there. I haven't read everything yet. But know that my husband has walked into some HORRIBLE houses and CPS hasn't touched the kids, not even a threat of it. So don't kill yourself to the point of exhausting yourself. No, you don't have to let them in, not even the cops. My husband is a cop and, unless he has immediate probable cause (he hears a woman screaming as she's being beaten, he sees a very, very neglected child in his sight, etc, he sees drugs being used, and so on) he can't make entry unless it's either given to him by the home owner or by a search warrant. Same goes for CPS. But, know that once you let them in, your right to illegal search and seizure flies out the window. So, you can't get upset later about that. Choose wisely. And no, it doesn't make you look guilty to say no to a request for entry. My husband, unless you are someone really bad, normally just goes on his merry way. Oh, CPS might threaten you with "well, I will just get a search warrant" to which you nicely smile and calmly say, "OK, thank you, that would be appreciated before entering our home" and then you immediately call your attorney. Even if CPS and a cop show up you don't have to let them enter without a warrant. I would relax. She's probably blowing smoke and doesn't mean it, just wants to be a mean-hearted person, attempting to hurt another person with her words.

Just like public school kids and teachers. :tongue_smilie:

Not horrible, not a laptop. Slower than my regular internet, but decent. There, how's that for a blase answer? HEheh

Leave hubby at home. If he doesn't want to go, no reason to bother him about it. Get up, get the kids ready, go. I wouldn't leave the kids home if possible. It will help your daughter get used to church if she goes each week. I have two children with Autism. I know how hard it was for them, is for them. We worked long and hard to get them to this point, and they aren't like other kids in church. But, our church loves them how they are and I have relaxed over the last 3 years. Does he have a therapist? If so, I would confer with them about ideas. You aren't the only ASD family to walk through this one. We have walked through it, and still are. It used to be my son couldn't stand anyone near him during worship. So, we sat in the back, as close to the back door as possible, and not anywhere near another person. I brought ear phones for him (yes, we got stares at our old church, who cares). I brought some fidgets for him. It's taken a lot of therapy, working with them at home, and flat out PRAYERS. But they are getting better.

I agree with the cheap fabric idea. I think it's just cheaply made, even nice brands. So these things happen. When we were kids I don't remember things wearing out like they do now. Even feeling the denim from then (My Mom has a lot of our clothes from when we were kids) and the cotton shirts from then, they feel much thinner now. You should feel the yummy cotton t-shirts my brother had as a child. They are so thick and rich and my Mom did NOT buy expensive clothing back then.

I didn't word myself well. I am sorry. I should have said "general you" after that. I am sorry if you thought I was attacking that you had done that. Please forgive my very bad wording.

I had a woman do this to my kids. I looked at her and said, "do I get to quiz you on things I think you should know when you are done". She smiled, laughed, and stopped. I don't know if she was offended, but I know I was. Does she quiz public schoolers when they come in? Nope, I know she doesn't because I have been in there when public school kids are present. I hate that. I just hate it. It's like they are trying to prove we are messing up our kids.

I agree. My mom is a labor and delivery nurse and says she feels she should add "personal body guard" to that as well. The rule is, tell the nurse who's allowed in and they will keep everyone else out. They are very diplomatic about it, they are good at it. They don't say "you aren't wanted". They have a soft line they give those who aren't wanted in the room. It must work as my Mom has only had to call security 3 - 4 times in her 27 years of nursing in labor and delivery. She gladly called and had that person removed, just saying it's very rare.

I was 10 when I got braces. I had far too many teeth for my small mouth. They pulled 5 permanent teeth (yes, I did say 5, and that's not my widsom teeth). Now I wonder where those 5 teeth would have fit. Hehehe. I have no issues chewing. I would, if she's concerned about it, get a second opinion. If there are too many teeth, there are too many teeth. But some doctors do things just because they always do it, even if it's not right for the patient's situation.

I think I write and speak the same way. The problem often comes in tone that's impossible to be understood most time. I speak direct and many online think I am angry or have a rude tone. If they were sitting here watching me type or hearing these things in person they would hear a calm, relaxed, "everything is fine" tone. But I hate putting smilies on every single post to indicate that feeling.

Listen, I will not go on and on and on in these circles. You vote how you want (you are all voting your beliefs, so ironic that you don't want me to vote mine) and I will vote how I want. I don't ask why you vote a certain way. I view it as valid and important to you. I ask the same. You can roll your eyes, think I am dumb, think I am hateful, but you don't know me. You know some black words on a screen. You may or may not know God (I don't know each of you and your personal choice in that area). We are different. There you go. You won't make me change my mind. I will always put God first in all things. That shouldn't make anyone angry, upset, or annoyed. If you seek tolerance, practice it first. But, honestly, just like you, I am not tolerant of all behaviors. I love God. I love people. I love those whom many of you would actually say you hated. I put God's ideals above man's. It's just a simple way of life for me and my family. You choose your lifestyle, I choose mine. But to ask a person to not vote their tried and true beliefs that have taken them a life time to develop and come to is wrong, unless you are willing to pull the right to vote from every American out there and allow free reign on all issues (which would actually be you exercising your beliefs there as well). Beliefs are a part of us and cannot be seperated from our person. I think we have exhausted that topic. So, if something new pops up, I will engage it. Otherwise, this topic has been very fun. It's the nicest of all threads I have ever seen on the topic on the various boards I have been on since the creation of the internet.

You are right. You are free not to. Just like I am free TO recognize it. Freedom. Thanks for proving my point. My freedom to recognize God's way is valid, important, and what I will use until my last dying breath. Just like some will not to their last dying breath. And yes, God started out with ruling the whole world. We just decided we didn't want that perfection.