Thanks for the prayers, everyone. They are so appreciated.

Well, of course, I COULDN'T write any more last night. Because LAST night was an important one. But you already knew that, right? LAST night was the first episode of the Amazing Race. (Not a show about my husband...But I did think about that..) We had to watch it last night, because I hadn't learned how to get along with my new friend, TIVO yet. But, WOW. TIVO is the stuff! TIVO,TIVO,TIVO!! I am now, comfortably in the drivers seat of what comes outta that box! I LOVE it! (BTW, Amazing race did not disappoint either..) Please remember that this gushing comes from a family who lived WITHOUT ANY TV for about 4-5 years, and could quite happily to return to that state. Take control: GET TIVO.

I *think* that fall is here. No, seriously. I like to go out on the front porch in the mornings before anyone else is up, and read my Bible and drink my coffee. This morning, I promptly came BACK inside, and grabbed a sweatshirt! Oh, the thrill!! (I was also quickly reminded that I need to go and buy socks....For everyone.) This morning was especially nice, because as I stepped back inside, Race called, so I got to have coffee with Race this morning, while sitting on the porch and enjoying the beautiful weather.

We had a lot of running to do yesterday, and so far we have crossed off Modern dance, Martial Arts, Jiu Jitsu, and Art. The rest of our errand running for this week has been lightened considerably, because the boys Martial Arts classes for the rest of the week have been cancelled. So that only leaves Ballet to go! I am hoping to be able to catch up on a lot of outside stuff, and put these young energetic beings to work a bit.

We are missing Race, like crazy. Jack wants me to help him make a "chain of days", so that he can tell when dad is going to be home. SO, I guess that we will do that today. It's just a paper chain that has the exact amount of days till dad gets back. Each night, Jack tears off one link of the chain before he goes to bed. It helps him to visibly see the time getting shorter till dad will be back with us.

Our school lessons have been going well, and everyone has really been putting forth a genuine effort. Oh, doesn't that make the teaching SOooo much more rewarding!

O.K.- before I go- a little reminder as to why I take great pains in my child's education....And WHY they are not in our local public school. Yesterday, a young 20 something guy comes to install TIVO, and fix some wiring that was bad. Nice guy. Really chatty. In his conversation, he had revealed to me that he was "local" and had graduated from the local highschool. (Not sure why he kept up this conversation, but he seemed to be intrigued about the whole home schooling thing that was going on around him as he worked.) Anyway, when he was all finished, he needed to use the phone, so he came into our kitchen, where we have a large world map on the wall. He is chit chatting w/ me and staring at the map, while holding the phone to his ear and waiting for someone to answer. All of a sudden he breaks away in mid sentence and says," WOAH!, I had no idea that Asia was-like- so much bigger than everything else!"

Now THAT, my friends is a teaching example for your wide-eyed children. THAT will make a connection in their wee minds...

Cheers!
Melissa