WHAT DAY IS THIS???

Yes, I still have a migraine...though I think it may be cluster headaches. I couldn't tell you the difference. Both hurt. I'm nauseated. Off and on my vision is blurry and I see spots. I had hoped sleeping on Sunday would kick it...but it keeps coming and going. The going part and then coming again makes me think it may be a cluster thing.....I've not had a moment to really take the migraine meds.....which knock me out. I'll try that this weekend if needed.

Mike has been working late nights all week. It's always like this when you come back from TDY (business trip) or leave (vacation).

Yesterday, I had the PAC (Parish Advisory Committee) annual planning meeting. I was impressed that we accomplished all the work in 3 hours.

We've begun a rolling start on school. We've done a lot of planning this week.

We've been evaluating where we are and where we would like to be in 9 months. Jamin is a senior. He'd like to go to Taylor University. There are two challenges: 1. the PRICE and 2. the requirements for admissions. If he is to make this work he will need to take two sciences this year and Calculus and Trig.... We're also praying and looking at other options. Mike and I have a hard time figuring out why a person should pay $120,000 for a degree that can be earned for $30,000 at a state university. Frankly, once you get into the workforce you are rarely asked WHERE your degree comes from. At least that's been our experience. ::snort:: On the other hand, I would expect at a private university to have less of the "characters" and "issues" that we've seen at a state university. Who knows? We have begun looking at scholarships and Jamin qualifies for a variety of scholarships. He's praying about his options. He may or may not continue to work towards Taylor. We've got emails out to admissions offices around the country. The thought being that it makes common sense to get as many credits as possible to be transferred into Taylor and thus avoid paying the high tuition for four years. There is MUCH to be said for living at home and going to a college nearby for a couple of years. AND he plans to take a lot of CLEP classes and distance credits from Taylor this year.

We don't test. Jamin's first test was the ACT last spring. He was 2 points away from some benchmarks which would open quite a few doors. I've tried to tell the kids to study for the test - but as a matter of principle they think it's cheating to study for a test that is supposed to see what you "know" and not what you "cram". ::snort:: Jamin has agreed to CRAM FOR THE TEST. I think he can take it now and again in the spring and bring it up at least 2 points.

We're really having fun with this and not stressing. We are relaxed homeschoolers. We've always said that we'd follow our path and the children's interests and when/if they need something we haven't done - we'll do it. YES WE CAN!!!!

Jamin didn't work today and so we spent a lot of the day researching various programs, options, et al.

I was heading to the gym when I was informed that I was supposed to be at a meeting in 25 minutes. I headed for the base. This was a "financial workgroup" meeting.

Jamin watched the littles so I could finally make it to the gym this evening. Jared was at CAP and Mike was working. I had hoped to catch some of Obama's speech but would you believe not ONE of the televisions were on a news channel? Everyone was fascinated by football and the World Championionship Poker tournament on ESPN....POKER?????

Ah well - I got a workout in.

©2008 D.R.G.

Glimpses

Zander finally found a use for "church pants"

Nolan had to redo the yard as it rained so much that he never finished

We're still doing a lot of in-house planning for the upcoming school year. I'm getting a "final" sense of what Jamin (Sr) and Jared (Fr) would like to do as far as electives etc this year.

In the midst of the planning Stacia (who you may notice is wearing TRAINING PANTS) came in and began to liberally grace us all with kisses.

There is really nothing quite as sweet as the innocent expression of affection from a toddler. Jamin is our stoic. She CRACKED us all up when she touched his shoulder and said, "Jamin, I know you love me!" and then bestowed a sisterly peck on his cheek as well.

We had dogs show up at our house. It took a bit of time to find their owners....but Jared did. Thanks to Rosie who knew just who we needed to call.

I'll share this because I'm still laughing about it - the dogs names are....::snort:: are you read? Blaze and Viagra. ::snort:: There goes whatever family rating I had left.

Heather is a local friend who I don't see often. Our children are not the same ages. She helps me with the United food co-op. Today she and I went out to lunch and to chat without any co-op business to worry about. It was a treat.

©2008 D.R.G.

Arielle's Excitement....

Observant blog readers will have noticed that Arielle took to wearing Mike's glasses a lot on our vacation.

I took her to the optometrist today.

"What makes you think your daughter has a vision problem?"

"She keeps wearing her father's glasses when she wants to see things."

"Ah".

Arielle is a classic case of near-sightedness....guess that often develops between 11 - 12 years of age. Both her older sisters have glasses/contacts....none of the boys....and I need READING glasses. LOL

The doc said she could use them as often as she liked.....and so far Arielle hasn't taken them off. She's enjoyed games, reading signs, watching a movie.

Umm....not quite right... ::snort::

Much Better


Stacia said, "Arielle, your glasses BEUUUUUUUTIFUL! Did Mom buy them?"

That little stinker is eating a Yummy Earth, all fruit lolipop on my BED....busted.

©2008 D.R.G.

Giveaway Winners

The following 3 women will each receive a children's book (detailed on 8-18). Lisa B., Diann and Sheri. (Florabelle - Zander said that's the name he drew.) I'll be emailing you today.

The Healing Choice will be mailed today, ladies.

Choosing Joy's 3rd anniversary is coming up - look for some fun the week of Labor Day......and beyond.

©2008 D.R.G.

Prayer Requests for our Big Uns...

Josiah begins his second year of college tomorrow. One teacher has already assigned an R rated movie....for Brittish Lit. Go figure.

Krista has resigned from Master's Commission and is beginning a new job tomorrow. She has opted to remain in Spokane, but I know this is a season of transition for her as all her friends are part of MC. Krista will be saving and praying about her next step.

BreAnne is stepping into a new role at Master's. She's the SMC (Spokane Master's Commision) Administrator. This will challenge her. She's sure to be missing Krista as well.

Just "yesterday" these 3 were doing things like this:

©2008 D.R.G.

Happy Birthday to Stacia - AGAIN! ::snort::

Josiah missed Stacia's birthday celebration. Mike picked up an ice cream cake from Coldstone (I was slated to make it but the migraine won) and Josiah came over this evening.

She was so excited. She had a cake, candles, got to wear the pig hat, and received two more presents. I'm glad this worked out this way.

Chanting PIG PIG....

We sang


My timing is off with the migraine ::snort::

Having trouble getting a BITE!

She said, "Thank you, Arielle, you are my BIG HELPER." Then she stopped and said, "You are my sister!" Ah, what a great definition for sister. I pray they are always close.

Mom and Dad sent a package

She received this Ladybug game - which will be fun to break open

She had to show Jamin


This chair is DARLING! Thanks, Mom and Dad


Cy gave her a doll. Here she is saying, "I love you."


Here she tells us the baby's name is "baby G....."

©2008 D.R.G.

Saturday, Really?

I have a list of 17 things to accomplish today. I have finished 6 things. I hope to finish 1 or 2 more before giving in and going to bed. I have a migraine....but simply had to get a few things done. I've not had a migraine for months. Chris would say it's the weather as we've gotten a lot of rain today...could be. I'm not sure what else it could be as I've not been indulging in my triggers....hmmm....I DID have some m/ms a couple of days ago - it couldn't be. It just can't be.

Mike is at the office....studying. I have been puttering, crossing things off my list and moaning and groaning. ::snort::

Here are a few glimpses of our day:

Nolan went solo for the first time. He wasn't able to finish as it began to RAIN.

Arielle helped the younger ones put together this model

Ewwww.....

Jared felt he needed to pay us back for the $100 deposit we put on Worldview. He wouldn't let us pay him to mow or do our windows. Mike needs help cleaning out the mess above. I didn't feel right having Jared tackle this job alone. Ah HA - I'll pay him the $100 deposit to clean and level the pool.....we all feel good about it now. ::snort:: Can you see the GRASS growing through the tarp and pool liner?????

Stacia seems to think embracing mom's decreptitude (reading glasses) is the thing to do, I wonder if she'll still think so when she's 18 and I'm 60?

Now, I'm taking my sick head and calling it a day. Tomorrow is a Unity Service and potluck. I've not been able to make what I planned on. I couldn't drive with blurry eyes and double vision......so I'm going to sleep this off and worry about it in the a.m.

©2008 D.R.G.