Indeed, developing a sense of gratitude (esp. through prayer) can be a powerful tool. My dh helps me with this, thankfully. For me, another great example is in the Pixar Movie, "Up". Carl & Ellie start their married life with big dreams, which are inevitably postponed by problems. This strikes a universal chord with every married couple who sees it--because EVERYONE experiences those disappointments. However, as an old man, he finds evidence that his wife truly cherished and loved their life together. Here's the clip of that scene. Again, it strikes a universal chord, because looking back on precious memories is such a gift. It's only a 2:30 minute clip= "Thanks for the Adventure"

Wow. Here's a 5 minute youtube-type thing, explaining the upcoming landing of the new Mars rover. A must see for the future engineers you are homeschooling. :001_smile: August 5th is the projected landing date. http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/25/nasas-seven-minutes-of-terror-curiositys-precarious-mars-land/

And I just checked their website. Catalogs due out in early July. It's hard to wait! :001_smile:

DD and I are headed that way soon. :001_smile: We chose Red Roof Inn, near the airport (fares were much cheaper out of Baltimore-BWI) which has a free shuttle service & about 20 motels within walking distance of the airport. $81 for two. We used Google Maps then websites & coupon codes. Then we're taking the bus/metro rail into DC, and staying near the Greenbelt metro station (about halfway between DC and Baltimore). There's a Ramada Inn there, about $75 per night. We're hoping to spend about $450 each for the week. Here's hoping!

The door looks beautiful. I would try the wreath, or even 3 small vertical curtains, inset into each window? I'm guessing the sunlight is a nice feature for the entryway. Tough problem!

I am happily "finished", though I didn't really feel that way when our #5 was born. (Ours are 10 to 20yo now.) I thought we'd try for another girl maybe? But soon after #5 was born, our oldest became a teenager . . . and now they basically are ALL teenagers. The logistics and the homeschooling high school and the college prep is just a whole new ball game . . . and I'm very thankful for the 5 we have, but thankful that we don't have a few MORE! But happily, I've seen God bring "surprise cabooses" into other families, and it's always a game-changer . . . but always a GOOD game-changer! Thankfully, with a newborn, you are ABSOLUTELY exempt from making that type of a decision this week. :001_smile:

Made 3 meals worth of these Spicy Zuke Quesidillas today: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Spicy-Zucchini-Quesadillas'>http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Spicy-Zucchini-Quesadillas I use yellow squash & zucchini inter-changeably. It's a great meat substitute, with a bit more of the spices. Spaghetti, Casseroles, shredded can be added to LOTS of things. I made Zuke Bread this afternoon, and my family LOVES Zuke Pickles. Last year, I took a regular pickle recipe and substituted zukes. They are more solid and don't get mushy like cucumbers do. Also, try: http://www.tasteofhome.com http://www.allrecipes.com for more!

I came on to post this. There's a chapter in his book "Surely you must be joking, Mr. Feynman" which you can get at the library and read it out loud to him. It is CLASSIC Richard Feynman. He's working on a top secret government project & figures out how to break into EVERYONE'S personal safes (over a span of 6 months or so). This is one of the many reasons to be happy you homeschool your son! My kids have small cubical metal combination safes which are easy to pick. But I'm sure you can introduce him to the wide variety of locks! OK. I found it online here: http://buffman.net/ebooks/Richard_P_Feynman-Surely_Youre_Joking_Mr_Feynman_v5.pdf Skip to Page #86 (out of the 227 pages of this e-book). Some aspects of his life are likely inappropriate reading material for your 7 year old, but this chapter: "Safecracker meets Safecracker" is wholesome fun!

:bigear: Thank you for posting this. Dd and I picked the Baltimore airport (1/3 the price) for our Wash DC trip. Looks like we're taking the Metro! ETA: Google Maps even displays the public transportation route. Metro to College Park, then Bus into the city. 1.25 hours. I truly don't mean to hyjack this thread, but want to thank you all!

Our local funeral home (small town) has a small room to the side with a TV & room for toys & snacks. Maybe even consider getting an older girl to semi-babysit them, so that you are not worried about them. I agree with previous posters that it is a TRUE comfort to see the next generation playing quietly in a corner. But I'd have a backup plan if the kids got restless. Praying that you can be a blessing and help to your dh and the rest of the extended family during this difficult time.

Had our ds bring this home from the library last night. Thanks for the recommendation!

I went back in and added the link to the EasyHotel Victoria http://www.easyhotel.com/hotels/london_victoria.html I am assuming you can avoid the Olympic Crowd by staying away from the venues. You'll have a blast!

:iagree: Exercise wear (even from Walmart) works for me.

Oh. This is just what I needed this afternoon. :lol::lol::lol:

Yes! We can vouch for EasyHotel! (And I--annoyingly--love to give experienced advice about England & France travel!) My then-18yo dd and I enjoyed one night at EasyHotel Victoria, just down the street from the huge Victoria Tube Station & easy walk to Buck Palace. We paid $65 in May 2010. But here's the funny part. We specifically asked for their cheapest room. And we got it. The double bed was surrounded on 3 3/4ths of the sides by the WALLS. It was in the basement, no windows, and the bathroom was tight. http://www.easyhotel.com/hotels/london_victoria.html HOWEVER, it was New, it was Clean, it was Fun. The white duvet cover was likely brand new. The walls were freshly painted orange. They had lobby computer access for $5. TRULY, we were traveling on a tight budget, were completely SAFE, in a completely safe neighborhood, and the hotel clerk was very helpful. He re-heated the jar of soup we bought & kept our luggage after we checked out. We were completely satisfied. Also, stayed at the EasyHotel by Heathrow (just a $2 bus ride from Heathrow and 1/4 mile walk). Very peaceful setting in a small village with windows with decent view. More "spacious", but not "new", but still clean, spartan, fresh looking. Paid $50 there. http://www.easyhotel.com/hotels/london_heathrow.htm Again, this was May 2010, not Olympic August! And we were looking for safe & clean & inexpensive . . . not deluxe. Locations were very convenient. We only used the Tube. I'll try to add more info if it comes to mind. Enjoy! (And try to maintain a bit of a flexible mindset--it helps to laugh!)

I love Sewing with Nancy shows, too. She is on PBS still, with a different project each week (& she sells all the supplies at Nancy's Notions website). Another, more low-key way to begin is to mend various rips and tears of your family's clothes. The thought process is the key to sewing successfully, and mending is cheap & usually quick . . . with a big payoff. Another easier avenue is to alter clothing you buy at Goodwill (or in your own closet) that doesn't quite work. This young woman got "famous" blogging about her daily alteration of a different thrift-store garment. Just looking through her entries gives me some creative ideas. http://www.newdressaday.com/ Yet another option is to have a sewing friend you can SHOW your in-progress projects too. I have two friends at church who are better seamstresses than I am . . . and I am thrilled when they can give me specific pointers that save time (& money). We work together to help alter various wedding clothing for those in our church family, too. I love to sew, but my now-20yo dd was motivated to learn to sew costumes (LOTR, Jane Austen, etc.). Hobby Lobby is a lower cost source of fabric, but the fabric is usually the most expensive part of the project. The local dealer of your sewing machine may help you get your machine to work . . . but they are just as likely to try hard to sell you a NEW one. Be forewarned! I just wanted to chime in to encourage you--learning to sew is a great summer project. :001_smile:

Our 4 boys dropped off 11 county fair entries yesterday AM. Usually we have at least ONE quick run to Walmart for Velcro tabs or more mat board. So sorry you're missing that. Ha. They do it for the prize money, but I like the "easy" opportunity to participate in a County (& hopefully State) event. Two boys did watercolor Star Wars characters. Our eldest ds entered 7 different photography categories. Our 20yo dd is the one who got everyone started on the Fair ten years ago, as she is a craft-aholic. Indeed, fun memories! :001_smile:

Yes, my kids STILL say, "We learned all our science from Magic School Bus." Even though we did neat, living books and WTM scope for 15 years! Ha. The cost of the DVD set is worth it, for the as-yet-uninformed.

What great suggestions! Our family loves geography. Holling C. Holling's classic books have LOTS of text (not just "kiddie" books) with an enjoyable tale: Paddle to the Sea (Great Lakes) Minn of the Mississippi (Mississippi River Valley) Tree of the Trail (Sante Fe Trail) Seabird We've only read the first one.

:iagree: with everything everyone else has said. And yes, I highly enjoy being able to give experienced advice on traveling to England & France. I followed my 18yodd's example and once we boarded the plane, put on my leggings (instead of jeans) to be more comfortable during the flight(s). The red-eye flight IS weird. They served us "supper" at midnight, and there was comotion all night long. But we did manage to sleep about 5 hours, even though we were excited & there were so many movies to watch on that screen right in front of you! But if you get SOME sleep, you can power through that next day. Get familiar with the Tube, and try to be flexible about delays. And have the time of your life! We sure did. :001_smile:

I am rather envious! I'd split the time in half--spend half the time cleaning out the garage/attic/closets . . . and the other half with Guilt-Free Pleasure!

I no longer have this book, but I'm guessing you can Google and get a boat-load of home remedies to try! (It may be a bit of a gamble, though.) :001_smile:

Try to think if you are excessively stressed. Our dd dealt with Telegen Effluvium while in Nursing School. :glare:

I'd suggest giving HER the choice, maybe between several sources. Or you could walk into the Lifeway Bookstore together and just feel overwhelmed at the choices! Leslie Ludy's books Power of a Praying Woman by S Omartian Elisabeth Elliot books I think everyone will have a different choice of "emphasis"--I'm hoping you get lots of different recommendations! Our dd knows it's her own responsibility to deepen her walk with the Lord, but it's also good to have some accountability with her parents. :001_smile:

Our teen boys have recently discovered a new nook. We have 2 small attic rooms adjoining their bedroom. There is just enough open space inside these little attics for a folding chair. I'm glad they have found a new way to get some quiet reading time. (Usually they just lie on their beds.) As a kid, we claimed a closet-like spot under the stairs. Very fun memories.