Great to be Home

I'm...

* upset that I slept in and missed church today. guess i shouldn't have stayed up until nearly 1am last night on my computer. couldn't be helped - i missed it in the 8 days we were gone.

* excited to start on a new blog design soon. don't ask me how i'm going to get it done. i think it is going to require a bit of a miracle and maybe a bribe to someone that knows more about web design than i do. i drew it out on paper last night.

* renting a carpet cleaner today. two cats alone for nearly 8 straight days is not good for builder-grade carpet. to say the least. especially when we changed their food brand before we left. ick.

* glad that i can breathe through my nose again - being sick for two weeks and stuck in Houston for 8 days with a humidity level of 485 was awful. now that i can breathe again, Kevin is sneezing. we just can't live together in the same city. what a pity.

* going to wipe all the computers clean in the house this week - starting today. time to restore full operating speed and delete any bugs we've picked up over the past year. i love it when my computer is at top speed and totally fresh. thank Jesus for extra desktop backup drives! makes the process so much easier.

* on my way out the door to go get a breakfast taco. nuff said. the rest of the day just has to be good from that point on. bacony goodness and pico de gallo are from heaven.

* downloading pictures... to come later. no time for frilly stuff before breakfast.



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Buzz Words: computer, harddrive, data, vacation, home, personal, life, random, me, pets, blogging

Even Though I Never Win Anything... I'm Thankful

Had to post this photo because I love this bag. My husband calls me the bag lady. So I need another bag, of course. You can't be a bag lady without a lot of bags.

I bet you thought I would be posting something about Thanksgiving today. Ha! Not this year. However, I am certainly thankful and enjoying my favorite holiday.

I'm thankful for:

1. Jesus
2. My hunk of burning love (Kevin)
3. The monsters (kids)
4. The gummy bear - turned Sumo Wrestler (due in March)
5. Family (it's great to be home in TX and able to spend the holiday with them)
6. My sweetest fuzzy love (Quaker my mancat)
7. Maternity Jeans (don't know what I would do without them)
8. My camera (I had to sit on my hands so I wouldn't put this in the top 3)
9. Freedom to homeschool the kids (we love it)
10. Flickr (my new best friend)
11. Friends - of course (and yes, they are more important than Flickr!)
12. Texas
13. Turkey, dressing and cranberry sauce (wish I could eat it all year)
14. Grandma Betty's chocolate worm pie (oh, my. dear. It's good!)
15. Gas prices being low right now
16. My husband having a job right now - even though the economy stinks.
17. Cold weather (I love winter in Texas)
18. Striped socks.
19. Blogging, Twitter, and Email
20. My "imaginary friends" (online buddies)
21. Good books
22. The team at the HSBA
23. Photoshop and Lightroom (because one day I'll own them both)
24. My vehicle (that's big enough to fit another baby without upsizing)
25. Health insurance
26. My OBGYN
27. That my husband got a full week off for vacation (even if we are turning in to complete useless vegetables)

What are you thankful for?



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Buzz Words: art, cats, beauty, blessings, Thanksgiving, personal, painting, illustration, life, pets, memories

Illustration Wednesday: Cat

I painted this cat when I was in my tween years. We had a stray that I named 'Soda Pop' that eventually ran away after leaving us with a litter of kittens. I always thought of this little painting as 'junk', but my son loves it. He keeps it on his wall above his desk in his room. Beauty is truly in the 'eye of the beholder'. You just never know what someone else will love - something you paint, something you make or even just your smile. Life is beautiful. That's something to be thankful about this week.


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Buzz Words: art, cats, beauty, blessings, Thanksgiving, personal, painting, illustration, life, pets, memories

Houston Homeschool Bloggy Joe-Down!

I just had the best time chatting with three other super-mom-bloggers at Panera Bread on Westheimer in Houston. We got together over brunch and enjoyed a cup of Panera's wonderful hot beverages... coffee, hot chocolate, etc.



Don't you always wish you could meet up with your favorite bloggers in person? They are such neat people, bloggers. And most likely they are the only ones who understand your obsession with the computer (my family is still scratching their heads and calling my friends "imaginary"). I showed them!

Today's Bloggy Joe-Down consisted of the following fab four:

(from left to right in the photo)...
Myself
Rhonda of Imagine
Sherry of Semicolon
Marsha of Our Homeschool and Other Happenings

There were 2 or 3 of our proposed group that weren't able to make it today. So sorry about that (we missed you)!



Maybe next time we meet up if you are a homeschool mom blogger in the Houston metro area, you can come along, too! Shoot me an email if you want to be included on the details... cuz I'm sure we'll be making this a habit! I have to admit, Panera makes a GREAT hazelnut latte! They even have a microwave on hand in case your coffee gets cold while you are chatting or working on your laptop. Can't beat that for blogger-friendly hospitality.

Enjoy your holiday week! I sure am!


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I love... F.... (otos, lickr, un, amily, avorites)

I think I've mentioned that I'm addicted to flickr and photography. I see you nodding your head and rolling your eyes....

Well, the Homeschool Post had another one of those meme thingies... and they were asking me to list a bunch of favorite sites and all that jazz. I'd rather list favorite THINGS (through photography, of course).

So here are some of my favorites:

SPRITTIBEE'S FAVORITE THINGS (as pictured above)

1. the color orange (and lizards).... Lula by m4de
2. photography.... Bieka, A Very Old Camera by Fernando Delfini
3. homeschooling.... Jaymi - Learning by CrzysChick
4. breakfast tacos.... Migas breakfast taco by Homesick Texan
5. my kids.... spectators by SprittiBee
6. Jesus.... concepcion-jesus by SprittiBee
7. poppies... Poppies by SprittiBee
8. cats... Video on Flickr? I SAY NO! by by fofurasfelinas
9. cuteness... Reminder to self: Slow Down on the Caffeine by Flipped Out
10. spicy foods... chilli flower by omnia
11. blogging... workspace1 by OK Creative
12. being held by my beloved... Déclaration d'Amour by Telzey

Yep. Those are some wonderful things that make my heart go pitter-patter. You can make your own flickr mosaic, too - it doesn't require a lot of talent... just some time. It's fun.



... and to play fair with the other Homeschool Post memers, here are some links:
My Blog Index (all my posts sorted by topic) - you can find out a lot of stuff I like in there, I'm sure
My Big Fat Homeschool Link List
My Nature Links and Photos - and poetry, and quotes...
As for favorite blogs... there are plenty to pick from in my sidebars... life is too short to list'em all.

I'm enjoying all this sicky free time catching up on blogging and surfing (although I've spent a record amount of time in flickr today - even for me). Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Signing off to go get another cough drop...

How the South Won the Civil War

The post with these photos is not telling any sort of story... just mental drool today, sorry. However... I thought I would share the pictures to give me something fun to do on vacation. Everyone seems to have instantly turned in to a vegetable. I can't stand the sound of snoring or Star Wars video games... so I opted to hear my fingers click on the keyboard instead. I thought I was going to enjoy ten days of mindless vegetation this Thanksgiving holiday, but I find myself wishing I was back at home on our regular routine instead. Isn't that crazy? Last week I was wishing I could be relaxing at Pop's house. This week I'm wishing I was home with the cat, the laundry pile, and our familiar busy-ness. That proves that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence - no?



Another thing I wasn't counting on this vacation was my mood. Not sure if it is the pregnancy hormones or the tail end of this nasty cold getting to me, but I'm just a big ball of emotions lately. I feel like everyone is ignoring me, I'm ultra sensitive to the slightest glance or word, and I erupt into puddles over silly stuff. Now is not a great time for a chick-flick, that's for SURE. Still, I'd rather be this way than as sick as I was yesterday! I'm sure I've confused my poor husband... but he'll get over it. Men tend to bounce back. The past 16 years have probably done well to desensitize him to my mood-swinging tendencies while pregnant or sick. Or whenever else I feel like it.



Instead of whining like a martyr, I figured I'd do something beneficial and share my favorite pictures from yesterday's Civil War reenactment that we went to. I was bummed beyond belief when I got home and discovered that my worst fears had come true... I was right about the angle and the sunlight - and only about 20 shots out of 200 are worth honorable mention. I was mad about the way the visitor viewing area was set up, but I should have used my criminal mind to sneak off into the bushes and get photos from the woods on the other side of the field. After all, that is just what the pro photographer with the EOS professional and lens hood did (I'm still daydreaming about his camera and photo gear).



Being the one with the camera glued to your cheek at field trips really limits how much 'fun' you can have with the family... but the photos are such a delight... and taking them is as much enjoyment as the field trip itself. My brood have resigned themselves to being patient as mom disappears in the crowd to snap a shot of some obscure object. The kids have learned to stay with Daddy. Yesterday was no different. I'm not sure they would have missed me much if I had slipped away behind the cavalry and wound up on the other side of the battle.



As for the title of this post... the reenactment was in Texas, and we southerners like to even the playing field. Who knows, maybe there's still a tad of resentment over reconstruction and the end result of the Civil War, ya thunk? Either way, we had a large crowd of Yankees and Rebels alike watching from the sidelines. I wanted to take a poll, but political correctness got the better of me. Helped to know that my husband would have smacked me, too. He's Mr. Polite. Everyone seemed to get along just fine as they gulped down fresh lemonade and grazed on funnel cakes with enough powdered sugar to send kids into diabetic shock. Highlights of the day were few (my nasty cold made the event hardly bearable - raw red noses and congestion do not mix well with smoke, horse dander, dust, or pollen). The two things I enjoyed the most were singing along with "The Bonny Blue Flag" and getting to see the South win Friday's skirmish. It gave a little thrill to see their hands go up in surrender. Made me wonder if the tables had turned... how many of us would be eating cheese grits for breakfast? Funny, as a Texan, I do love the South... but I've traded my grits for breakfast tacos. Blame it on our Mexican heritage and neighbors (many of which live here as Mexican Nationals). There's nothing like pico de gallo and eggs to keep you going until lunch.

When in Texas, do as the Texans do. Then learn some Spanish cuz you'll need it... if for nothing else, you'll be able to figure out the TexMex menu better.



I really like the civil war era in history - it is such a rich reading topic. With family on both sides, I wish I could have read all the letters that they saved before they ended up burning in Uncle Ned's log cabin up North. I like getting the history from the people of the time... letters, stories, biographies, living history, etc. Just listening to people who put on these living history displays is a treat. Two of my favorite movies about the era are Gods and Generals and Cold Mountain. History flicks are normally what I'll rent if given a choice. If you have a good Civil War book to suggest, I'd love to hear about it. Leave it in my comment section.



Thanks for reading my decongestant-and-sinus-pressure induced drivel. Hope you enjoyed your Texas-style photo tour of the alternative ending for the Civil War. In honor of our triumph, I'll be expecting you to add the word ya'll to your vocabulary if you live North of the Mason-Dixon line. It does wonders for time management. And really, the grits won't kill you. Although... if you aren't used to spicy foods - you'd do well to avoid the pico or at least work yourself up to it real slow-like. It helps to have a glass of milk handy.



Adios, amigos.



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Buzz Words: Civil War, history, food, photography, humor, personal, photos, field trip, Southern, South, life, pregnancy, mom blog, opinion, photographer, hobby, camera, enjoy, pictures, whine

Displaying Your Photos

I'm off to TAKE a bunch of photos over the next week or so, and wanted to leave you with this super idea (posted over at the Homeschool Post). I shared the 'Wall of Inspiration' idea on my Foto Friday post over there. If you have been following my blog since this past summer, you'll know that we redecorated our school room and used this idea in July. I'm LOVING the photo-line over my desk that I enjoy changing out and looking at ... even when the PC is OFF (which is rare around here).

I'll be traveling and field tripping today (should I ever manage to get my sicky self in to bed for some rest). Don't worry, though... I'll have plenty of internet access where I'm going (and lots of time to blog and RELAX). Let's just hope that hunny doesn't catch what the kids and I have over Thanksgiving holidays! My mom was coming down with it tonight, poor thing. She's been helping with house work and taking care of us and now she's got a scratchy throat.

Have a super weekend! Be sure to follow the link to the Homeschool Post and leave some linky love: we want to see your flickr photostream to be inspired by your photos!


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Our Homeschool Journey: Changing Course

Homeschooling is a journey. Sometimes the path is clear and straight - the sun is shining, and all is well. Other times you have to turn on your fog lights, pray for protection and guidance, and hope that you don't run over anyone since you can hardly see ten feet ahead. A big part of preventing a wreck is keeping your eyes on what is ahead and keeping your hands on the steering wheel (foresight and a plan of action). This is our story... the story of how I learned to navigate a little better on our homeschool path.

For the past two years, the homeschool road has been getting darker. With the sun set and curves ahead, I've been praying about what is around the next bend. It isn't that I haven't enjoyed homeschooling... it is just that the children have been in the process of growing up - becoming more mature - and our needs have been changing. Eventually we were bound to come to a curve in the path. Just as a child graduates from baby food and picture books (well, maybe they can still enjoy picture books - I do) they grow out of certain curriculum and teaching methods. I have known for a long time that mine have been needing more than unit studies... less of a strict and stressful (parent-led teaching) schedule... and a lot more nature and literature. I knew that as they grew, what may have worked for them at 2 and 4 might not be the best mode of 'transportation' to continue stimulating them intellectually at 10 and 12. And with the gradual changes came a fear of the unknown for the navigator - because it meant I was going to have to steer off the beaten path.

And so began my search into Charlotte Mason. I knew enough about her style to admire her in passing.

A long time ago, I had read about learning styles, teaching styles, homeschool methods, and such. After skimming through these things, I just decided to go with what was working for right then and not worry about stereotypes until much later in the trip. After all, I started homeschooling when my kids were 4 and 2. Anything worked back then. It isn't hard to educate a toddler and a preschooler. Unit studies were the favorite, so we ran with it. The kids loved learning in a topical, hands-on fashion. They thrived as young kids spending a lot of time on drama, games, dress-up, activities, and field trips. Somehow, though, I ended up getting a little overwhelmed by my perfectionism (fancy that)... the rabbit trails got longer and longer as the kids got older. The lists got burdensome - even for me. We ended up spending too long on things and fizzling out because I was not willing to move on. The planning consumed me and I always felt like a failure because we didn't get everything done.

This began to wear on the kids. Not just me, but the children. We were all feeling like failures and the joy was quickly ebbing away from our learning experiences. The list was taking on a life of its own. The word 'school' was enough to send my kids running to their rooms. I knew something was very wrong.

And so we came to the curve in our homeschooling road.

Me being a mom, I knew that things had to change... and they had to start with me. Thus began the prayers, the discussions, the research. Now here we are with a brand new plan forming. I felt my heart opening and my life beginning to drastically simplify. This was a welcome feeling knowing that our new baby (due in March) was bound to bend us around another hairpin curve.

If you don't know anything about Charlotte, like I didn't when my kids were younger, you might just fall in love with the woman if you keep reading. Her ideals and utmost respect and admiration for children are praiseworthy. Here are some reasons below why we're changing course and planning to turn towards a more Charlotte Mason teaching style:

1. Charlotte believed that the home life should be relaxed, positive, and enjoyable. Lately our homeschooling has been leaving me stressed and negative. I could use a good right turn.

2. Charlotte believed that one of the most important parts of teaching were to help form good habits in the student. I think we all need a good dose of work on habits in our home. After all, self-motivation is the beginning of inspired learning and good work ethic. I don't want children who can't be trusted to do a job unless they have someone watching over their shoulder. I want to work myself out of a job.

3. Charlotte believed that all life is a classroom and the goal of the 'teacher' is to help the child become self-educated. I believe the way we have done unit studies has taught my children to rely too much on me. Being teacher-led so much has bred in them a hesitation to seek information without being told to do so. Also, because of our topical focus, it has quenched their desire in some cases to learn about other topics that they were interested in because they weren't "part of our unit". I don't think this would be a problem if we had been doing unit studies on occasion, but we have done them for 7 years! I can't tell you how many times we have set a book aside for a later date when we were "studying that topic". I want my kids to love to learn and follow their heart's desires (which God put there), not just a unit study scope or sequence. Life doesn't come at us in neatly sequenced topical units. We have to be able to multi-task and change gears - all in a matter of hours each day - to be effective and able adults.

4. Charlotte believed that we should be feeding the children the best intellectual food (God's Word, literature, fine art, nature). I feel that while unit studies can have many of these things added in at times, there is also the tendency to overlook them for lengthy periods or not spend as much time in them as you should. I have pretty much kept up with our Bible, but I know we have lacked the great literature and fine art that we would have been getting with more of a CM method.

5. Charlotte believed you should keep lessons (table time) short and make them a daily routine (part of your life, not 'school'). In other words, there is no "SCHOOL", there's just a family that spends a short amount of time EVERY day (besides the Lord's Day) around the table doing 'lessons'. Instead of the rigors of bells (yes we had a bell system - at home), the stress of a long list of assignments, the twaddle of busy-work, and the madness of expecting the children to stay busy when I was busy elsewhere... we plan to truly dedicate a two hour span each day at the same time TOGETHER to do our 'lessons' so that it becomes a welcome and positive habit - "a discipline and a life". No more endless school that exasperates my children. 8 hour school days are for the birds. Well, actually they aren't - they are for NOBODY. Nobody that isn't being indoctrinated to become a number in some socialistic workforce, that is.

I want to be one of those women who says that she's done with formal school by lunch time... the ones I have always scratched my head at in wonder (for the last 7 years). I want to keep our table time short so that the REAL individual and inspired learning (the self-led and delight-driven kind) can happen EVERY day. I want to free up half of our day for the FAVORITES of our educational life... art, poetry, science, nature, reading, ministry, family time, hospitality, personal interests, music, etc. I want my kids to forget the TV and video games ever existed because they are having so much fun LEARNING and DOING.

6. Charlotte believed that a child has a great capacity to remember, memorize, and store information. She suggested that language should be taught by reading and copying great writers (straight from the horses mouth, as us Southern girls would say)... by listening and repeating (narrating) what you have heard. I want my kids to do much more narration, dictation, and transcription so that they learn naturally to be good writers, speakers, and thinkers. I don't want to TELL them what to think (like most textbooks do). I want to hear what they think about what the great minds of the past have said. I don't want my kids to rely on the cliff-note version of regurgitated children's literature. I want them to discover through the finest intellectual sources that life is so much richer than textbook summaries and facts that some narrow professor found to be important.

Unit Studies are great, but we read far too much encyclopedia-type books and not enough living books. I want them to be exposed to and fall in love with amazing art, morsels of written truth, stirring poetry, heroic deeds and moral greatness. I want them to form their own opinions, treasure their own growing intellect, and have their own favorites. I also want them to learn about the people who wrote great books, painted great paintings, made great music, etc. I want them reading biographies and autobiographies about people that matter - not just reading little clips or facts that are not associated with any internal meaningful life experience.

7. Charlotte believed that the habit of boredom comes when a child is forced continually to do what doesn't come from their heart. I have seen this boredom growing in my family. It begins slowly and turns in to the desire to hide and isolate - to put distractions and twaddle before true learning (which if done properly is much more interesting and fun than anything on TV or the computer). I find that not only are the kids bored, but my husband and I are bored, too. It has infected all of us - and the family unit is, in my opinion, off track when we can't have fun without spending time in front of a screen every weekend. I think freeing up more time each day for self-driven learning will benefit all of us. Watching others create and grow is inspirational and contagious. Now if I could just get Dad to agree to joining us for family time each night!

8. Charlotte believed that you should spend time outdoors every day. I can think of no better way to get more nature in our lives, more sunshine in our lives, and more spring in our step. Not to mention it would be a wonderful way to continue my daughter's and my interest in photography. My kids need more vigorous play, exploration, and time alone with the beauty of creation. My long lists and our current schedule just are not cutting it. I have to free up time for this, and CM is the perfect excuse to do so.

9. Charlotte believed that the most productive time of the day was the FREE time. Free doesn't mean Gameboys and Xbox. Sounds strange, but if you truly consider it, you'll admit that you are most driven to learn something (see #7) when you are INTERESTED in it. There's something to be said about child-led education... with a little discipleship and guidance from the people who love the child the most, of course.

10. Doing school the CM way is the result of a heart change brought about by prayer (and a God-given curve in our homeschool road). I needed to revise my goals, revive my joy, and re-commit to the purpose and path we had set out on when we chose to homeschool. Doing school in a box doesn't allow God to guide us and doesn't allow us enough time to listen and connect with God or each other. Unit studies themselves are NOT bad. You can do CM and unit studies together, actually. I just think it is time for a little detox for the bee family. I want to slow down and refocus on the atmosphere, the relationships, the priorities and the joy of learning as a lifestyle. I think CM will provide the perfect 'driving conditions' to safely get us to the destination we have in mind.

Our entire schedule is going to change... and I think we're all going to be a lot happier travelers in the near future. For now mom is reading and researching (mapping out the trip), taking her notes and making her lists. We're looking forward to enjoying our holidays and starting fresh with this next decade semester of homeschool... a brand new method and a brand new MO (method of operation). Every homeschooler is going to eventually come up on a curve in the road. Often changes in course are truly a gift from the Lord. I think ours will turn out to be a heavenly short-cut.


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Buzz Words: homeschool methods, Charlotte Mason, homeschool, education, learning, teaching, unit studies, motivation, children, parenting

Almost Wordless: My Romeo

This little critter is my furry-sweet love-bug. His name is Quaker. We named him that because we found him at the shelter the week of Thanksgiving last year.

Aside from the big hunk of burning love that I sleep beside each night (the one I married nearly 16 years ago) he's my favorite man. Ok, mancat.

I had no idea how good of a cat he would turn out to be. He's the goodest kitty. A very piously sweet fur baby - which suits his religious little name well. He even lets me rub his overly fuzzy belly.

I figured I would throw him a token post on his anniversary-of-adoption month. It was a year ago next week that he became part of our crazy little family.

We love you Quaker.


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Sick Day Blahs

I've been diligent with attacking my list and my overstuffed email box this weekend... and had lots of high hopes and plans for today as well. When we got up, I had some emails to attend and my son had the worst sore throat of his life. He's watching his sister play video games right now... which tells me (since he's not playing) that he's truly miserable. He isn't talking, either. No school for us.

So I have time for deskwork and more of that obstinate list of things to do.

In the mean time, I have updated my Big Fat Homeschool List with a few items from the 600 emails I deleted... I've updated my flickr account with some photos from the past (I'm putting all my favorite past blog photos in there)... and I'm dreaming of redesigning my blog. Those are some ongoing projects that will take lots more time (and sick days) to accomplish.

For now, I'm off to more practical things.

So I'll leave you with a few links and get back to work on this doldrum Monday. Hope you are having more fun than I am.

Monday Links

How to back up your blog. Hackers are on the loose. Just this morning a friend of mine had an awful experience with her blog being hijacked. Not fun. Take her advice and get your ducks in a row in case you are next.

100 Home Made Christmas Gifts for the craft impaired. Better get busy - Christmas is just around the corner.

Pecan Pie, anyone? This is my hubby's favorite. I'm bookmarking it for later... cuz I'm sure I'll eventually use it myself.

18 ways to live within your means. Wow. Great article - especially right before the holidays! Wish I could get my husband do do #s 3, 4 and 10. He's a magazine and online advertisement junkie. I joke with him that he's always got a "gotta-have-it" he's researching.

Take a free reading test. Find out what grade level your kids are reading at.

Need help with writer's block? Short and sweet article to get you blogging again.

Feeling sad? Look to nature. Or if you can't go outside, look through the lens of someone else's camera.

And here's a cool link if you like digital photos and have some stored online to play with. Big Huge Labs has neat flickr tools and toys for endless creative play. Photos are a bloggers 'icing' on the cake. Don't be afraid to jump in and start learning how to use them for your own blogging adventure.

See you tomorrow. Hopefully it will be a better day.



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Still Checking Off My List

Busy, busy. I'm checking off my list this weekend and have no time for twitter and blogging. Just stopped by to say that I hope you have a super weekend. This is probably my shortest post ever.

Field Trip Foto Friday: Clinton Presidential Library

When in Arkansas, one has to notice that President Clinton has been there. You can't get far from Texarkana without passing through Hope, Arkansas. You might not see much of the town if you blink or stay on the freeway, but you'll certainly see the sign that states "Hope, Arkansas: Birthplace of President Clinton". The Clinton library is hard to miss, too. It is an icon of the city's upbeat urban feel: a long, slender, modern glass building that has a spectacular view of the Arkansas River and downtown Little Rock. In all of Arkansas, there's not a more populated and hip place to hang out than downtown Little Rock.



We hoped to get to visit the museum while we lived there and found that they had tours for homeschooling kids if you call well in advance and plan your visit. I don't think we had to pay anything for our visit (except maybe my husband's entry fee?).



The term 'Library' in the title certainly doesn't mean the kind of Library that you or I would think of. Archives and information, yes - but you can't go there to check out books. Instead, you can get a glimpse of a span of US History and learn about the man behind the desk and the years he was our president.



My favorite two things in the museum were the White House video (done by Laura Bush) and the replica of the Oval Office. However, there were a lot of really interesting photos and some neat artwork given to the Clintons.



The elevator beside the building's glass exterior is an excellent spot for portraits of your kids. I got a few shots of mine there, as you can see.



Another great thing about this field trip is that you can get there on the trolley system that runs through downtown Little Rock. Other famous stops on the line are the River Market (where you can get fabulous food or buy produce at the farmer's market), the Peabody Hotel (where you can watch them roll out the red carpet for their duck mascots), and a few other nifty museums and libraries. The Clinton Museum is just one stop on a list of neat places you can see - all within a few blocks of downtown Little Rock.


Quick Links:
Sprittibee's Homeschool Series (links to other field trips, book lists, etc...)
Official Clinton Library and Museum Site
Arkansas Trolley Field Trip

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It's a Toss Up: Nap or Check List Off?

Man, the last two months have been flying by at the speed of sound. I seem to have blinked and lost three weeks. My desk and email boxes wax overflowing. Every day this month (and probably next month, too) there is something written on the calendar. And yet... the laundry doesn't stop, the meals must still be made, school must still get done, and the house must still get clean. Funny how your house doesn't care how busy you are - it never gives you a day off.

So we took a teacher in-service day today. To fold, sort, wash, dry, put away, organize, purge, clean, sweep, vacuum, set in order, and get all those loose ends tended to. Sometimes those things just have to take priority. Now if only I could talk the kids into dusting. I'd have it made.

I thought about posting something light - more photos is always my first choice. Have I mentioned that I love photos? But I figured getting my brain in order would be a better use of my blog time.

So here goes the Big Fat November To-Do List... and these are in complete RANDOM order. Just like my ADD brain... hence the need to write them down so I can prioritize. The priority is in bold. Those are my 'next up's.

Hey, I would have done it on notebook paper. Typing just saves me some time and allows for clean edits and mark-offs. You get to share the pain with me this way, too. And we all know that misery loves company.

NOVEMBER LIST

Finish reading Little House in the Big Woods
Get another black ink cartridge
Print letters I saved on PDF on the desktop and mail
Update calendar
Look up pecan pie filling recipe
Finish Menu
Help kids clean their rooms
Check Bank Account online
Set the chicken out to thaw in the fridge
To-do paperwork file on desk, sort, handle as much as I can
Do some admin work (posting schedule) for HSBA
Register for field trip coming up
Library books due - return them tomorrow evening
Return last 3 library books we kept yesterday to finish
Miss Co-op meeting b/c of swollen feet (edema)
Vote for favorite bloggers at HSBA
Finish laundry (Back up to 3 more loads)
Buy baby book
Finish grading, record
Finish entering assignments in records
Finish taking notes from book I just read
Start "Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach"
Pay bills
Study about Civil War/Texas with kids
Have them journal about the trip to San Antonio
Print photos for their state books
Post photo on food blog & link to the FGT recipe
Post fried chicken recipe on blog
Handle medical paperwork - submit insurance
Gift for Niece
Nursing home Friday
Sandwiches for Small Group Sunday
Plan for next co-op
Plan field trip for January for local co-op
Take hubby to work Friday
Niece's birthday party Friday night
Email sonogram photos
Hubby to unpack his suitcase (been on the floor for 2 weeks)
Kids to practice choir music like crazy
Email friend at choir
Figure out what's for dinner
Buy the kids binders, sheet protectors, and dividers
Kids to make book list
Measurements and weight
Mail Flat Stanleys
Clean and organize large inbox
Clean and organize small inbox
Binderize last year's school papers
Go through kids' closets and purge/give away/help clean
Remember to take vitamins
Mail prizes to HSBA winners
Post HSBA winners 22nd
Post Foto Friday 14th, 21st, 28th
Help with children's church 16th
Choir 18th
Keepers 18th
Leave town 21st, field trip, visit family
Thanksgiving, make Sweet Potato Bliss (Mmmmm)
Mail birthday cards
Iron clothes for holidays
Find babysitter for cats
Plan out next month
Print dayplanner pages for next month
Send sister's baby shower gift
Finish adding posts to index on blog
Blog redesign
Plan coffee with friend over holidays out of town
Oil change before weekend
Kaden's haircut
Homeschool, Keep house, Cook, Blog, Twitter - the usual

What is so sad is that I'm sure I'm forgetting things. And there's probably a pile of things hiding in those papers in my in-box. So without further ado, I better get cookin'.

Oh, and by the way - the baby is definitely a BOY. That was our news from yesterday (that we were already expecting). I don't want to even think of all the things we need to do before MARCH when he gets here!

I need to put NAP on that list somewhere.




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Almost Wordless: Punkin

Can't you just smell the turkey, the dressing, the warm and fragrant pies?

While you are gearing up for Thanksgiving, be sure to stop by the Carnival of Homeschooling this week. Don't forget to sign up for the November/December Homeschool Swap, either. OH - and make sure to vote for your favorite blogs at The Homeschool Post.

If you are really bored, stop over at my flickr account and check out some photos from our latest field trip to San Antonio.

So much to do, so little time.

I think this pregnant mama is going to cheat and eat some roasted chicken with dressing and cranberry sauce some time soon! I'm not sure I can wait until Thanksgiving!

I'm off to my 20 week sonogram! I should have some news tomorrow...


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You Still Have Time to Vote!

Okay, maybe the elections are over, but you can still vote! That's right. The annual Homeschool Blog Awards gives you and additional two weeks to cast your vote... for all your favorite homeschool bloggers, that is.

We had nearly 600 different blogs nominated - many in multiple categories! Believe me - there is someone out there that loves you! What a huge and wonderful list we have enjoyed browsing through as we set up the polls. I only wish that ALL of them could have been in the final voting stage (but you would never have been able to review them all before the two-week voting period is up).

Voting begins today (is already under way) over at The Post. Remember to visit the blogs and make an 'informed choice'. You can visit the blogs by clicking their NAME. To vote, you click the bubble beside their blog title. You don't have to vote right away if you would rather take some time to browse first. You have until midnight on the 21st! Winners will be announced on November 22nd!

Good luck to all those who were nominated and made finalist!


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I Love You This Much

Just wanted to tell you on this Lord's Day that "Jesus loves you". You know, I used to think that sounded really passé. Then I heard this preacher who had nearly lost his faith give a sermon on how he found it again... and the phrase took on a whole new meaning for me.

On an island where he went to reflect, he was caught in a storm alone. The tide prevented his escape to the mainlands so he hid under a rock outcropping in the pounding rain. No longer could he read his bible and picnic - meditating on God's word. Prayer and confusion in the midst of the tempest was what became of his mission. Soaking wet, cold, and broken; he discovered that God didn't love him because he preached. God loved him because he was His child... and if he NEVER preached another sermon, it wouldn't change how much God loved him. When the sun came out again after that brief sea storm, he was forever changed. His joy returned and he was able to preach again without feeling empty inside or blocked. He was preaching because he loved it - not because he had to.

It feels good to be loved without strings attached. Just loved because you are the masterpiece of who you are... because Your Father made you that way. You don't have to do anything to earn His affection. He was willing to die to be with you for eternity.

Find rest this Sunday in His outstretched arms.


Credits: Statue photographed is from Mission Concepción in San Antonio, Texas.
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A Hobby for Heather

I couldn't resist that title. Reminds me of the Holly Hobby and Heather bedspread I had as a little girl. I'm quite sure that dates me beyond repair... but so do the crow's feet. If you keep reading, however, you will find that this post has nothing to do with aging - and everything to do with photography. That's what drives my creative motor - the taking of many pictures. It always has.

The neat thing about today as opposed to yesterday, though, is that my camera is a little more cooperative... I have a bit more experience with experimentation... and the older I get, the more I appreciate the memories that the photos capture. Youth is wasted on the young. Just think - if I had all that energy again - how many more pictures I could take!

Taking photographs is not magic. It is just like playing piano or learning to draw. It doesn't matter how much you feel capable. It matters how much you LOVE it and are dedicated to PRACTICE it. And if you love it enough, it won't matter what people think of your pictures. Here's an example.... my son was a gifted artist at a young age. His sister struggled with drawing, but she LOVED to draw. She often got frustrated that the stuff she drew was inadequate and not as good as her brother's pictures. I kept telling her that if she wanted to draw, she just had to keep doing it until it came easy. She did. Now she can draw very well. And the funny thing is, you often see her drawing more than her brother.

So it goes with a "photographer". Is that how you see yourself? A camera nut without an expensive camera? That's what I was for many years. I finally decided that I was going to have to just buy the camera I needed to move on with my hobby. So we bought it on credit. My Canon 40D. And I use it so much that it is filthy. Now I dream of new lenses and Photoshop CS4. I dream of Lightroom and tripods... and photoblogs.



I get a lot of comments on my photos and I truly appreciate it. They are a part of my heart. Everywhere I look, I'm always finding things that need to be photographed. I stay agitated in the car as we drive along our way if I forgot the camera or I can't take time to stop and pull over. My husband's canned response when I ask him to stop the car is, "No, Heather. We don't have time for pictures." I have to convince him on long trips that I really do need to use the restroom or he won't stop the car. He knows me too well.

Just yesterday, I stopped on the way home from our field trip.

"Why are we stopping, Mommy?" I heard from the back seat. Do they have to ask?

"I have to take a picture." I said as I popped the trunk and got the camera bag out.

Both of the kids were looking around to find the item I had been so interested in and couldn't see a thing worthy of taking a picture of. I could tell they were confused. "Of what?" Kaden asked.

"The grass." I answered, turning and heading for the ditch along side the road.

"Oh." I heard him mumble. He poked his head out the car window to look for this magical patch of grass.



I didn't just see grass. I saw little shafts of wheat shining in the autumn sunlight like golden fluffy daimonds. I saw sparkling orange sunlight and long lazy shadows, as if those blades of grass were their own miniature redwood forest... and the dust floating around them were pixies. It was a spiritual experience.

Call me crazy. It had to be captured. Because that is just what I do. I take pictures.


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Field Trip Foto Friday: Hike and Trails

I know I've shared quite a few of our Pinnacle Mountain adventures already (see links below)... but this one was unique. Instead of spending all of our time going up the mountain, we also took the to the trails and visited the swampy forest surrounding the base of the Ozark foothill. We took this field trip in the spring of 2007 while my kids were in 3rd and 4th grades. Homeschooling them in Arkansas for a couple of years (while all our family was in Texas) was sometimes lonely, but the natural state offered us so many wonderful field trip opportunities that it was hardly a painful exile.



Not only did we enjoy our nature walk on this day, we got to share the time with friends who were visiting us from out of state. That is always a treasure when you are far away from home. Familiar field trip spots are brand new when you can look through the eyes of others who haven't seen them before.



The beauty of this place still haunts me: the jagged rocks, panoramic views, distant purple hills, twisted swamp trees, and moss covered cypress knobs peeking out of the water. It was an area we enjoyed exploring over and over.



This root photo was taken by Frankie - who also loves photography. She's a budding artsy-fartsy type and has quite a bit of talent. She likes to borrow my camera when our family and hers get together. Have I ever mentioned that I love to take pictures? Life would be so boring without nature, photography, literature, music and art. Oh, and kids ... and friends ... and food.




Our kids miss Arkansas and Pinnacle very much. It was one of their favorite places and they would always point it out as we drove over the Arkansas River in to Little Rock. We need to find a good hiking and walking trail somewhere near our current residence that might take the place of this old standard. I'm sure there are plenty to be had - and the terrain here, while different, is just as lovely in its own right.

If you live near Pinnacle Mountain in the heart of Arkansas, make sure you take advantage of this natural treasure! There's a lot of fun to be had on the trails and hilltops of Pinnacle.


Quick Links:
Sprittibee's Homeschool Series (links to other field trips, book lists, etc...)
Pinnacle Mountain Hike
Pinnacle Mountain Rendezvous
Pinnacle Mountain State Park homepage


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