*UPDATED*

I am tagging Kristin because I noticed she updated her blog this week and SHE HAS NEVER BEEN TAGGED! :)

I am Weird.

I was tagged...

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with 7 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 7 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 7 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

1. I am a germaphobic...I give my kids vitamin C EVERY day, we use hand sanitizer whenever we leave a public place, I HATE McDonald's play areas because they are germ pits! and I really don't want to work at a day care because most of the kids there are sick most of the time.
2. I like asparagus. And most other green veggies, even brussel sprouts.
3. I hate basements. I'm NOT afraid of them, I'm just so sick of living in one I never want one in a house that I may own.
4. I don't remember the last time I had a candy bar. I like them a lot I just don't usually eat them. Thinking about it makes me want one though.... :P
   
5. I only get my hair cut about once or twice a year. Not that I couldn't use a haircut more often, I just don't take the time to do it.
6. My kids say there's nothing weird about me, that I'm perfect! They must want something or THEY are weird! :)
7. I pack rat craft supplies. I find things that I want to do or have an idea and go out and get it or I find things on sale or clearance that I can't possibly live without so I buy them. I end up with a bunch of things that I really don't need or will never really use but I can't get rid of them because I might need them SOME day.

So, there it is...not exactly that weird but its done. My tag ends here because I think everybody else I know has been tagged.

Ice Skating at Deep River Waterpark

So, moving on to more interesting things... :)

We got to use our new skates last week! :) We went early in the afternoon with some friends from our homeschool group only to be told we couldn't skate because the ice was melting - something about the cooler malfunctioning. But we could come back after 4 when they had the problem fixed. The kids were all pretty disappointed but that was short lived because we ended up going to their friends house for a couple of hours just to play.

I decided to take advantage of the free passes that they gave us and took Sami with us at around 7 that night. The ice was pretty full but the kids had a great time anyway. Sami and I didn't skate long because our skates were hurting our feet and I didn't really feel like falling on my camera. I had it with me in the bag because I didn't want to set it down and have it stolen. The kids skated for about an hour and a half and made a few new "friends" among the other other children. Luke even did this time but he made sure to get his "friends" name, unlike Jozie who just likes to have someone to socialize with, never mind what her name is! :) I guess that's just a small detail that can be covered some other time!

Jozie saying hi!

Jozie with the "skater" - instead of walker...

Luke with the sakter.

A rare moment...

For Jamie and Jodie...And Amie :)

A couple of weeks ago Jamie wrote about our "younger days" with a picture that she doesn't remember why she had labeled "Steve". I told her that I knew the answer to her conundrum and since then, her and Jodie have been waiting for that answer. Today the much anticipated explanation has arrived! Just a couple of words...Lake Ellen Youth Camp 1992...

No more words should be necessary - they would only bring further sickness! LOL

I also found a picture for Amie. We were so young and beautiful...and THIN! Not that Amie looks much different, still as fit and trim and beautiful as ever! But Look how skinny I was! And I always thought I was FAT! I NEVER wore - or even owned - a swimming suit my whole high school or college career...if only I had known then what my kids would do to me!

National Honor Society induction ceremony, Spring '95.

The Museum of Science and Industry

Yesterday we took the kids to the free day at the museum. It was wonderfully uncrowded - we must have went on the right day! We saw most of the sights but missed a couple that I know the kids would have loved. There just wasn't enough time in the day to see it all.

I was pretty impressed with the U-505 Submarine exhibit. There was an atmosphere of respect when you went into the exhibit hall where the submarine actually was. It was filled with history on how the sub was captured and was dedicated to all of the men and women who fought in WWI and WWII. We took the inside tour of the sub and I was awed by the conditions that the men spent 90 to 100 days in. Unfortunately, they didn't allow pictures of the inside of the U-505. Jozie took a pretty nice picture of the rest of us right before we left though!

Jozie liked the chick hatchery where she was filmed by some foreign TV crew. They had this huge camera on a tripod which they moved just to get a better shot of her watching the baby chicks emerge from their shells. Both kids were fascinated by them and there were quite a few eggs in there that were in the process of hatching. There was another incubator with new chicks in it too. The hatchery was a part of an exhibit on genetics and cloning. We didn't spend a whole lot of time explaining it to the kids seeing that we don't believe in cloning or genetic engineering anyway.

Luke liked the Zephyr. It was a train that we got to tour and take a "ride" in. The whole thing swayed slightly and vibrated while the tour was going on and we got to sit with other passengers and listen to their conversations about the history of the train. Of course the history bit was more than he really cared for but he had fun anyway.

We took the coal mine tour and ended up with a private tour! The tour in front of us was full so we had to stay behind and wait for the next one. We were a little disappointed because we had to wait longer but when we ended up being the only ones it was pretty cool. Luke liked this exhibit too because we rode the underground train in the mine.

The one thing that I really wanted to see was Body Worlds 2 but it was $12 each! I could see spending almost $50 to see one exhibit, especially when the kids wouldn't have appreciated it that much. I was a little afraid that Jozie would get freaked out by it anyway so maybe we can get my mom to watch the kids one day and go just the 2 of us.

Oh, I almost forgot the Toy Works. It was an actual robotic toy factory inside the museum. The kids decided that the souvenir that they wanted was a toy so we spent the $5 and they got to see their toys assembled from beginning to end and they also had their names and the date laser engraved on them. They are "Gravatrons" which is basically a high-end top. They were fascinated with all the things that the robots did and when the last robot put their toy into the slot that they took it out of it waved good-bye to them. So cool! :)

My sweet husband let me order Chinese take-out for supper because it was my birthday and I didn't want the pizza everyone else was having. Nobody else really likes Chinese anyway so I don't get it that often. Thanks, Honey! :)

Waiting in line...

The Gravitron factory.

Luke with the Zephyr.

Jozie with the Zephyr.

*Sorry about the bad pictures, our camera doesn't like poor lighting... :( We didn't get many good pictures this time around.

The One Flaw in Women

By the time the Lord made woman,
He was into his sixth day of working overtime.
An angel appeared and said,
"Why are you spending so much time on this one?"
And the Lord answered, "Have you seen my spec sheet on her?
She has to be completely washable, but not plastic,
have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable
and able to run on diet coke and leftovers,
have a lap that can hold four children at one time,
have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a
broken heart
-and she will do everything with only two hands."

The angel was astounded at the requirements.
"Only two hands!? No way!
And that's just on the standard model?
That's too much work for one day.
Wait until tomorrow to finish."

"But I won't," the Lord protested.
"I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my
own heart.
She already heals herself when she is sick
AND can work 18 hour days."

The angel moved closer and touched the woman.
"But you have made her so soft, Lord."

"She is soft," the Lord agreed,
"but I have also made her tough.
You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?", asked the angel.

The Lord replied,
"Not only will she be able to think,
she will be able to reason and negotiate."

The angel then noticed something,
and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek.
"Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model.
I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak,"
the Lord corrected,
"that's a tear!"
"What's the tear for?" the angel asked.

The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy,
her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love,
her loneliness, her grief and her pride."
The angel was impressed.
"You are a genius, Lord.
You thought of everything!
Woman is truly amazing."

And she is!
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

Anonymous

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

So, the real message here is:

· Women know how amazing you are!

· Value yourself as a woman - today, tomorrow and
always!

* I got this as an email from friend.

A Homeschool Resource Meme

It's been some time since I have been tagged so here goes:

1. One Homeschooling book you have enjoyed: So You're Thinking About Homeschooling: Fifteen Families Show How You Can Do It by Lisa Welchel. She was the speaker at the last women's convention I went to with my church in MI. She was not only very funny but a great inspiration to continue my homeschooling endeavors.
2. One homeschooling resource you wouldn't be without: Our local library. There are so many things that I have gotten there that have convinced me that you don't need to buy it all when it's there for free. Especially when there is something that I am considering buying and want to check it out first.
   
3. One resource you wish you had never bought: ABeka Kindergarten 5. I started Jozie with K4 when she was 4 and thought the natural progression would be K5...I was wrong. K5 was almost the same as K4 but it went a little faster and added some more "meat" into it. Had I realized this at the beginning, before I got it, I would have gotten first grade instead!
4. One resource you enjoyed last year: My homeschool group, HSLife. We went on so many field trips that we never would have thought about doing on our own and had a great time learning new things with them. We have also made a few friends that we are sure to have for a lifetime.
5. One resource you will be using next year: Well, if we do end up being able to homeschool next year, we will be changing our curriculum - again! I have decided to be eclectic in my approach next year and I have found a new history curriculum that I am really looking forward to called Truth Quest History. It looks like a lot of fun for the kids and pretty easy for me. I just didn't think what they were doing this year has enough and want them to get more out of it.
6. One resource you would like to buy: I'd like to have a laptop computer for each of the kids so they can work online and not have to fight over the computer with each other and me! :)
7. One resource you wish existed: I'd like to have a free pass to travel for homeschooling! Where everything you need from gas to lodging to entrance fees are waived because what you are doing is for the education for your children. Hey, nobody said that I can't dream! :)
8. One homeschooling catalog you enjoy reading: does the library catalog count? :)
9. One homeschooling website you use regularly: ebay! I find most everything I am looking for, even though I don't always buy them. :)
10. Tag other homeschoolers: Ok, Jamie tagged me and she tagged the only other homeschooler, Amie, that I would have tagged so if you are a homeschooler and you are reading this than you are tagged and leave me a comment so I can see your Homeschool Resources! :)
    

Not Much New Here.

I haven't actually posted a "real" post in some time. I guess we just haven't had much new. We are keeping busy with school. The kids are as crazy as ever since Christmas break and we STILL haven't gotten back to "things as usual". We wonderful weather for Christmas break so they were outside almost every day and now that it has finally snowed we are all itching to be out in it! I even got a couple pairs of ice skates at the local thrift shop that looked brand new for only $5 a piece! that will save us the rental fee for when we do go skating - now I just have to set a date and do it! Maybe tomorrow...

We did have a birthday party for Kristin and I a couple of weekends ago. Kristin turned 21 and I will be...um...25? :) Well, anyway, the age is irrelevant here, we had a bunch of our friends over and used a birthday party as an excuse. We had a GREAT time with our new friends from SLWC. Though we did take quite a few pictures, Risa isn't in any of them. I HATE pictures of myself so I try to be the one behind the camera, not in front of it! So There isn't really a point to posting any of them since you wouldn't know any of them anyways. John didn't really want us to have the party to begin with and almost left the house because he didn't want to be there but later told us that he was glad we did it and that he stayed because he got 3 new guys for his cell group at church and he really enjoyed their company...so much so that Isaac - one of the young adult "bachelors" - has been here quite a bit over the last couple of weeks. It's nice to see that the "older" men in the church are taking interest in the younger ones. Thanks John!

Oh, Bob did install the scanner yesterday so as soon as I find the pictures that I want I will post the promised "steve" explanation... :)

The Muppets

I came across this while I was taking a different quiz that ended up being sorta goofy but I LOVE the Muppets so I thought this one would be fun to take. When Levi and I were younger we used to watch them all the time and argue about who was our favorite! So here I am...

You Are Scooter

Brainy and knowledgable, you are the perfect sidekick. You're always willing to lend a helping hand. In any big event or party, you're the one who keeps things going. "15 seconds to showtime!"

The Muppet Personality Test

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...?

Better late than never I suppose.

The weather has been beautiful lately. Some rain but other than that it's been in the 50's and I can't even tell you the last time that I had on my winter coat. I usually wear a light SPRING jacket! :) But, it seems that this week I will have to dust off the old Columbia because it is finally snowing! The kids have missed the snow quite a bit since we moved from the U.P. but I haven't - much. I like snow as long as I can ski and snowshoe, but if I can't do those things than I don't have much use for it. I don't like shoveling it and I definitely don't like the cold that it brings. I haven't let the kids go out and play because it's a really wet snow and I would be surprised if it even stays very long - thank goodness!

And it all has to come in January, the time of the year that I start to get spring fever! I have been daydreaming about flowers and gardens and working at the greenhouse again. I guess I will have to just keep on dreaming!

Works-For-Me-Wednesday!

This is my first attempt at a "carnival" so please bear with me! :)

This week we are to post "healty" recipes. One of my families favorite thing to eat is Chili! So, I have figured out a way to make it some what better for everyone without them even noticing it! :)

I don't really have a recipt for chili because it's kind of a "What works for me" kind of a soup and I thorw in what I have but lately I have been replacing the ground beef for ground turkey and then I add a can of pumpkin. It makes it less juicy (my family likes chunkey chili) and it adds more vitiamins that they don't normally get. I know it sounds wierd but you really don't even taste the pumpkin. Just don't use the pre-seasoned pumpkin like pumpkin pie filling, that might not go over so well! I usually don't use canned pumpkin, I use pumpkin that I got last fall and cooked and froze. I don't care for store baught pumpkin so this works good too.

That's it, it's pretty easy and if you use the right spices when you cook the turkey they never notice that either.

For more healthier recipe tips, visit Shannon at Rocks in my Dryer.

Museums Fever

I'm pretty excited! Our local paper has been running some articles about the Museums in Chicago and I am itching to go.

First, The Field Museum, The Museum of Science and Industry, The Art Institute of Chicago, and Shedd Aquarium are having FREE - Yes, I said FREE - days in January and February! Every Monday and Tuesday and a full week each! I have told Bob to get at LEAST one Mon. or Tues. off this month and next so we can pay a visit to these exciting places!

Second, The Field Museum is having a night at the museum called "Dozin' with the Dinos" where, for a fee, you can stay the night at the museum and explore with a guide and a flashlight! The kids, Luke especially, would LOVE to have such an experience. Unfortunately, our budget doesn't include a $47 per person column for entertainment. I could see it as a "field trip" but still, the budget isn't there. So, I guess we will have to dream about it and think, "maybe next year..." :)

Happy Birthday Kristin!

Today Kristin turned 21! Her big brother John's birthday is the same day. What a great birthday gift! :)

Happy Birthday to you both! :)

Happy New Year!

We spent last night at church for the New Years Worship Explosion! I wasn't really wanting to go because it didn't start until 8pm and that's when my kids are usually in bed. But we went and I'm really glad we did. Praise and Worship lasted until about 11pm then we had fellowship time in the chapel with games and food. We left about 11:45pm because Luke was feeling sick and I didn't want to have to clean up vomit in the middle of the new year celebration. Thankfully, I think he was just totally exhausted because he woke up this morning fine. They both fell asleep in church and they weren't happy to be woken. They slept through the fireworks which made me think of Uncle Kimmy and his usual New Years gun firing! :) We used to love that part of New Years as kids! :)