Long time no blog...

I have so much to update, so many pictures to upload off of my camera.  With homeschooling, fostering, church, co-ops, violin, 4H and archery club, I just don't have the time.

I did want to share the commercial that Ethan just recorded for our local children's theatre.  He has run the sound board for several performances now.  They needed a couple of kids for a public service announcement, he was one of the first kids they thought of.  His voice is starting to change so he was a little worried about that but overall I think he did great!!

What do you think?

Rockin C Ranch

This is so pitiful that I am just now updating this.... I have been so behind on our summer activities that I have to go all the way back to June ;-(

Ethan had his first year at overnight camp this year. I went my first year to camp at his age and like him, didn't miss home a bit!

Do you know how hard it was for me not to be able to talk to him for a whole week; Sunday - Saturday. I was anxious for weeks beforehand! Not Ethan... he had been counting down the days since April!

We signed him up for a great Christian camp that was only about 20 minutes from our house. This camp was a little different than most because it's a working ranch. The owner of this ranch really has a great thing going. Have a summer camp where the parents PAY for their child to be ranch hands for a whole week. He gets free labor and the kids don't realize that they are actually doing work ;-) Win..win situation for sure.

The only hitch in the week.... we got a call on Thursday night that Ethan was running 102 fever and they suspected he had strep :-( Of course I rushed to go get him thinking he would be so disappointed only to get there and realize that he felt so badly he actually wanted to come. I think he was relieved when he saw me. He had never been away that long and to be sick on top of it, I think worried him a bit.

Ethan and Steve on the way to his cabin. We could hardly keep up :-)

Making his bed willingly. Never happens at home

He went with his two good friends Jared and Andrew. These are the best of boys and great friends for Ethan. I did pull them aside before I left and asked them to make sure Ethan didn't wear the same clothes every day and that check to make sure his clothes weren't inside out and backwards all of the time :-) Those details get lost on Ethan most of the time!!

Right before we pulled out to leave him there for the week, I took these shots of a group "get to know you " game.

The shots were on the camps website. We were able to log on and see pics of there cabin activities and leave little notes for Ethan everyday.

Poor Ethan.... this is in the car on the way home. He was so red and hot with fever. He felt terrible.

He managed a smile when I told him we would stop off at Sonic for a shake

All and all I think it was a great experience for him. I know he is already saving his pennies for next year. The sweetest thing about all of it was how much he missed Isaac. The first thing he said in the car when I picked him up was " I am sad about leaving early but I sure missed Isaac!"

Homeschooling Year 6

I love the homeschool mom hair and bib dress of this comic

I can't believe its my 6th year to homeschool my boys. I went kicking and screaming into this , been side tracked a couple of times, but always come back to it. I am in for the long haul this time, if God allows.

We just finished our first official week of school. We started a bit earlier this year for a couple of reasons.

One, because the boys are enrolled in a virtual school that has deadlines that have to be met. I really spend a good part of 2 months researching all of my options for curriculum this year. I wanted to find something that had a good solid , Biblical foundation, affordable and one that would ensure that my boys would not have any academic gaps as they progressed. I think I found it in Christian Liberty Academy. They are an accredited school that not only provides all of the curriculum but online support, tutoring and cater the curriculum to the boys individual skill level all very affordably. I was able to have them take an achievement test, CAT, in April and the school evaluated their scores and picked curriculum that suit their academic level. The best part is that the deadlines that they have to met are very flexible. Instead of a 9 month school year that is a very rigorous, 5day week schedule, we have 18 months to complete one grade level and that provides a lot of flexibility in our homeschool life. Not that we will take 18 months!!! So, this week I started homeschooling an 8th grader and a 4th grader!! WOW!!!

Reason #2 we started earlier than normal is that the boys have found new passion for going to the deer camp with their grandfather and great uncle. They love to ride 4 wheeler in the hills, shoot cactus and work on the feeders. Come September, hunting will start and they have new guns to try out!! I want to be flexible with this. One of the main reasons we homeschool if for the schedule flexibly and for the boys to be able to spend quality time with family. You can't get that time back and I can't think of a better way to spend it than with their BB.

A new struggle this year..... how to school with a one year old under foot ;-) This has been a true challenge for all of us!! Little Bit is not quiet, loves to talk and be right in the middle of all things. He loves to pull papers off the table, try to crawl into laps when math is being done, pull cords of the computer and head phones and mainly just get attention. I have tried high chair time with special toys, food and even crayons that eventually became food!! It is really sometime but as I told the boys all this week, we will figure it out. We will all get used to it!! I hope :-)

So our year began this week.... it went really well. Only a few tears shed....none were mine this time either !!!

You can tell Ethan is thrilled to have his picture taken

Isaac too

I wish you could see his sweet face. Huge smile!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday "Little Bit"

Happy Birthday to you!!

Today is Little Bit's 1st birthday... although we aren't celebrating today, we are having a big bash next weekend. My thoughts have been about what his first year has been like. Premature birth, poor living environment, exposure, addiction and withdrawal from crystal meth, staph infections, various other illnesses, 4 mommies in 4 months.... what a life. I just pray that we can continue to add safety, security and love to his life for many more months.

With all of that in his past, we are celebrating his life today with us!!

Their Courage

Their courage deems utmost respect

Their mission clear, our way protect

It’s sure to each what they must do

No give or take, keep freedom true

With the grand old flag, they'll unite

Whenever they must, march to fight

A life we know counts hard on them

Without their ranks, hellish problem

If our Armed Forces ceased to be

How long could we survive as free

Let’s well realize the truthful score

We need our troops just like before

Boils down to this, words to engrave

Land of The Free, Due to The Brave

God Bless each one for being there

Their loved ones too, unending care

Hope born from love touches the will

Do back them strong, means to fulfill

Americans – Who Serve To Give

One Nation – Under God We Live

©2005Roger J. Robicheau

At this time in our history where patriotism and love of country is not politically correct, we need to take a day to not only celebrate our wonderful country but to think and pray for the men and women everyday that give their lives so that we can have our bar-b-ques, our homes, our cars, our freedom of speech, freedom of religion and our basic life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.