Here's another link: http://cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2010/09/21/am.costello.home.school.cnn.html That name is less "buggy" lol. Although the term "communal" and "shadow schools" are scary! Don't know why they did that!

I'm so sorry all that is going on - yikes!!! I have a dear friend here that has 12 children. Her olders went through weddings, births, college, graduations, new jobs, etc... while she still had youngers she was teaching. There were also deaths, moves, career changes and all the stresses that come with being a pastors wife. Her children are all beautifully well rounded and some of the kindest people you'll meet. Of the 6 that are grown 4 went to college, 1 married young and owns her own photography business, & 1 joined the military. She still has 6 at home. She did a talk once about how sometimes life learning is the best learning you can give. Academics are important but so is family. I grew up without many life skills because my mom was too busy to include me in any of it. If she just would have clued me in and let me share the burdens I would have had a MUCH easier time in life on my own. Do I practice my physics knowledge or cooking knowledge more today? I'll let you guess. ;-) Jess in OK

< I have to admit I rarely ever get a negative comment. Most people do say they could never do it (which in itself is annoying) but they always say that it's great. It might be because I am in California and our schools rate SO poorly. > Laissez Faire - I hate when people say that too because if someone really wants to do it they can! I wish they'd just say they didn't want to.

I can't imagine what your DH and you and your family are going through. My mom had lung cancer 7 years ago but they caught it early enough to do a lungectomy and got it all. But I remember being so scared. She is a huge lung cancer advocate today since it has a terrible stigma associated with it and doesn't always get the awareness and support they need to help find a cure and/or treatments for it. There are all kinds of walks you can do in honor of your MIL if you would like to. It may help the grieving & healing for your family. http://www.lungevity.org is a wonderful site where you can get more information & support as needed. It's one of my moms favorite resources. Hugs, Jess in OK

I thought it did a good job of portraying the opposite of weirdos actually for a change. And letting people know anyone can do it. Even if they do feel they need outside resources. But I'm biased since I don't feel like a scholar, just a regular mom wanting my kids to have a better education than I got. Jess in OK

Old Navy clearance I've surprisingly found some simple and modest dresses. I wouldn't have expected to but I have, quite often. Mostly for under $10. Find the clearance section and roll up your sleeves and dig. Fortunately a lot of the modest stuff is there because unfortunately no one else wants it. lol

Coming into this late but I would probably tell them that you felt a bit judged just because you have made different choices than they have. And point out how you value your friendship in spite (or maybe because of) your differences. And how much you've learned from each other. If they are people you love being around it would be worth it to me to muster up the strength and say how you feel. It's hard but afterwards you'll feel SO much better and not harbor resentment/hurt feelings. I've done this in the past and my friendships have blossomed because of it. If your friendship can't handle honesty it may not be the best friendship to have anyway. Hugs, I'm sorry! Jess

I sent them a random tip that you like jungle print lingerie. I'll tell them to go for the zebra print & red next time. Muuuuhahahahha

I've heard that baby oil helps get tangles out of hair. Is there a starting point you can start to unravel the tangle or no? Can you break the comb? Rewash your hair? I really don't know, thjese are just random thoughts I'd panic & have in your situation. lol OK, I'm not laughing but you will be... once it's out. ;-) Sorry!

Andie, you better cancel the diaper/chocolate order. & the wine filled baby bottles too! ;-) So just kidding!

Krista... if you want my name-that-tune list of songs I'd be happy to give it to you. I burned my own CD off of Itunes and we had lots of fun! I downloaded songs from the 50's up to today with the word "baby" somewhere in the title or song.

Hey there. OK, I'm obsessive and HATE not being able to find things but I can't find a single thing either. I hope someone does! I've read a LOT of touching poetry though tonight thanks to you, thanks for that. lol There is a site that has a specific parent/child Christian poem page but nothing like the poem you described. Do you remember if it was in a book or magazine? What year? It's going to bug me all night. LOL Sorry I couldn't help, sounds like a great one!

This is probably not it but I found it searching for yours, I thought it was beautiful: Tribute to My Parent's Love I learned so much about life From you, dear Mom and Dad But I learned even more about love And for that I'm very glad You came to know the Savior When I was still a teen Your lives took on new meaning No more that same 'ole routine Now at seventeen I was hard to surprise But you started changing before my eyes So I sat, I watched, I wondered There must be something to this Mom and Dad act like newlyweds Basking in wedded bliss And now they go to prayer meeting Then they go to church Later they read their Bibles Like some treasure hunting search Hmmm. This is all quite interesting indeed Maybe it's just the thing I need? So I followed to prayer meeting And then I followed them to church And before long, you know what happened? I was on my own Bible search They didn't have to force me Not even twist my arm For their genuine transformation Already had me charmed They taught me about love by loving each other An example to me and my sisters and brother So I found life's fulfillment in Jesus The Lover of my soul, and Friend And I have Mom and Dad to thank for this But that is not the end Through life's joys and the trials Over the course of their long life We have all seen their godly example Of a loving husband and adoring wife Now I'm married to the most wonderful man Together we're delighting in God's special plan And each of my siblings enjoy this too A union of spirit, body and soul A love eternal, a life complete Together made one, through Jesus made whole We've learned from loving parents The things that matter from above Dear Mom and Dad you've shown us The greatest gift, our Savior's love -- Mary Fairchild i'll keep looking!

LOL Remudamom!!! Too funny. Yeah, my SIL had a shower like that where they actually drank beer out of baby bottles. Not my sort of thing. When I host we try to do less humiliating games like "name that baby tune" and no internet broadcasting!

PS. I felt better getting worksheets and online educational games, DVD's, books they could do on their own. Take field trips if you feel up to it. Do community things. If you really feel pressured you can always do something like Switched on Schoolhouse just to keep them occupied and used to learning but they'll be fine doing a little at a time...