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Angie Mc Board Moderator
Joined: Jan 31 2005 Location: Arizona
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 11:04am | IP Logged
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Giving a Shout Out to all 4Real members!
How are you doing? Wildly busy? Stuck in the mud? On track? Cruise control? Afraid of anything? Looking forward to anything? Anything?
Today I'm mostly home. Alleluia! I'm catching up on long overdue correspondence, working on my new blog (would love for you to check it out and connect), need to make a food shopping list (will delegate the shopping), and am praying for a special intention for my 16yo. I'm also reading "Charlotte's Web" out loud...slowly...love it! And reading "Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To" with my teens.
And I need to clear my hallway of 3 folding tables worth of paper clutter .
Hope you can carve out 2 minutes - or more if you are so blessed - to give a Shout Out back!
Have a wonderful day & week. I'm rooting for you!
Love,
__________________ Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
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JennGM Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 11:45am | IP Logged
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I am playing catch-up this week. We've had some crazy travel and other outside commitments and just need to stay at home and relax.
Well, not exactly relaxing. I'm processing registrations for our local homeschool group this week and administering the CAT test and sending in NOI for my son.
What else on my agenda? Cleaning the downstairs, organizing our books, and planning for the school year.
And at night hubby and I are prepping for painting, removing wallpaper all in the downstairs.
Ds is attending pitching/catching camp next week.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 11:47am | IP Logged
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Hey - love this, Angie! Because I've only got time for a quick shout-out these days!
It's been a full summer and we're winding down but not to the relaxed-so-I'm-guarding-all-our-quiet-moments time yet! I'm home today, too, thanks be to God! So, I'm working on lists and doing some shopping online since all my local shopping efforts have fallen short.
My sweet little sister gets married in just 3 1/2 weeks....so.....
I'm making an appt to go get my bridesmaid dress altered (it's 5 sizes too big... )...
Hunting for a dress for my 4yo...
Helping build, edit and finalize the wedding "program"...
Reminding my 15 yo that she has GOT to find shoes to wear with her bridesmaid dress that my mom is making for her (so lovely...vintage 40's pattern)...
Finishing up lessons for the day - yep, we're into our second week of school here and loving our year so far...
Jumping in the pool with the kids after lunch (hey - there's gotta be some fun stuff in there!)...
Grateful that I made enough shrimp and linguine with lemon and garlic for leftovers tonight...
Hoping to plan a date night with my sometime in the next week so I can keep this crazy couple of weeks from getting too far out of hand! Nothing like a margarita, cute wedges, and a fun movie (is there one out there?) to keep a girl sensible!!
Whew! I think we're doing good with what needs to be done right now, but my thoughts are ready to be free from visions of sky blue dupioni silk!!
Looking forward to shouting out again next week this time. It will be a good sanity check for me! Hopefully, I'll see some progress!!!! Have a fantastic week, Angie and all!!
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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SallyT Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 08 2007
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 12:06pm | IP Logged
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Cleaning our study/schoolroom today -- Oh. My. Goodness. The horror, the horror. I spent last week directing our AHG troop's day camp, and in my daily absence, the entire house derailed itself. So today is the study's day to get whipped back into shape.
Also working on lesson plans, writing, working out, and enjoying the fact tht the younger kids are playing with kids in the neighborhood. We've done a lot of day camps this summer, which we've never done before -- mostly YMCA, but also scouting-related camps -- and it's nice to have an unstructured week to reconnect as a family and with friends.
Younger son turned 10 on Monday, and we had a great day -- presents in the a.m., then Mass, then hiking with all the kids, then dinner out -- but the day ended badly, in terms of the birthday boy's behavior, so that he lost the privilege of celebrating with friends later this week (fortunately we hadn't yet invited anyone). So I've had to be the meany, which hasn't been so fun, but he's a kid who needs to see drastic consequences in order for a lesson to sink in. *siiiiiiiiiiggggggghhhhh.* But I didn't generally ground him, so he's out now, which is probably a good thing for everyone's mental health . . .
OK, back to the Study of Doom. Gotta get it done in time for Confession, Mass, and choir practice this evening!
Sally
__________________ Castle in the Sea
Abandon Hopefully
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guitarnan Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Maryland
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 1:18pm | IP Logged
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It has been a crazy week here, but it's fun to have houseguests from another country. We're learning so much from them! They are here visiting DC and Baltimore before flying home this Friday.
My dd has been at dance camp this week; tomorrow I am driving to NY with a friend so we can pick up our daughters on Friday. That will be my last trip for three weeks, yee-ha!
I am way behind on my writing work, so I am spending much of today and tomorrow morning trying to catch up.
__________________ Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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ShannonJ Forum Pro
Joined: July 08 2011
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 1:24pm | IP Logged
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What a lovely idea, Angie!
Had a wonderful visit from family last week. My kids loved having the cousins around. I tried my best not to see the mess accumulating for a few days.
Trying to reclaim the house from the daily disaster that seems to happen during our summer break. Laundry to be tackled today. Seems never-ending.
Had a wonderfully productive-but-relaxing day on dh's day off yesterday. (How often do those two words come together in the same sentence?)
Finally feel ready to dive into the new school year. Finishing up LOI. Still waiting on test scores - hope they make it by the deadline. Weekly baskets filled with tot activities for each 6 week period. Daily Rhythm schedule made. Library schedule made (hopefully to avoid those fines. )
Off to make a BIG pitcher of sweet tea and plan some activities to do with the kiddos while dh goes on his yearly vacation with his dad and brother this weekend.
__________________ ~Shannon
Mom of dd 12, ds 9, & dd 5
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stefoodie Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 17 2005 Location: Ohio
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 1:59pm | IP Logged
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Yay for this thread, Angie! Thanks!
LOL at "Study of Doom", Sally.
Well today, I've got my breakfast area (where I've got my desk) and piles of books/curriculum to finally finish up. The past weeks have been spent decluttering the shelves, picking curriculum and discarding old ones, cleaning half the basement.... Hopefully at the end of this week I will be really really ready to just VEG the rest of the summer. well, except for pro-life work online, and gardening, and sewing, and heh.... I guess I just don't have it in me to VEG.... Between now and fall I hope to get rid of all the overgrown shrubs around the house and prep the soil for fruits and veggies instead. With the way things are going around here we might not be allowed to grow our own food one day .
For the first time also, I've put together a curriculum FOR ME. Which consists of books that I assigned to the kids that I never got around to reading myself, like A Philadelphia Catholic in King James' Court, a half-finished watercoloring course, etc.
Our 3 oldest kids have been gone most of the summer. Our 21-year-old's on an internship in a farm/winery/cafe in Michigan. Our 16-yo is working as camp staff for 7 weeks; he does come home on weekends to do laundry and eat real food. He just came back from the Steubenville conference in Atlanta (pray for him BTW, he's been discerning a vocation to the priesthood and too impatient waiting for the Lord to answer). Our 13-yo has been gone ~3 weeks so far, including a week being guinea pig for the 2013 Jamboree in West VA, and leaving for another week of camp soon. Hubby hasn't been traveling, but camped with the boys for a week and leaving for Germany soon.
So it's really been mostly the 10-yo and the 3-yo and me. Which feels really good most days, as it's like a refresher course on parenting younger ones/littles. Love feeling like a new mom again! We've been working on the 3-year-old dollhouse that still isn't finished. And just enjoying silly conversations with my toddler -- all day, every day.
I'm also working on a Tagalog curriculum.
But for the first time in years, I think I'm finally relaxing about the amount of work I assign to the kids. Hah, that's after 14 years of homeschooling, roughly. I gave my kids a bunch of books to choose from, and said, okay, here's what we've got, pick something for Religion, for English, etc. and I was happy to take what was left over and list them to sell. My resolution this year is not to worry AT ALL about the holes in their schooling, they manage to fill those up themselves anyway, in their own time, as needed! Except for Math and Science and a new tin of Prismacolors, I haven't bought anything. I have TONS of notebooks and papers, we're going to donate half of them to Goodwill. No more school shopping!!
I've been really lazy and haven't cooked in 4 days (but I did get the house mostly clean, so there!). So I need to get off my behind here and get started on dinner! :D
__________________ stef
mom to five
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 2:19pm | IP Logged
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swim team
But I had to share..
My 7 yo just informed me that "apricot jelly makes his tummy dance"
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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mrsgranola Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 17 2005 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 2:20pm | IP Logged
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I rarely take time to post anymore but this one was an easy one to respond to...
Currently:
Oldest (18.5) home from college for the summer, planning his Eagle scout ceremony in a few weeks
Next oldest (16.5) is at a leadership camp at a nearby college until Thurs.
Next one (13) is currently doing TT7 on the computer so she can be done with school
Next one is almost 10yo boy who is perpetually in a bad mood lately and still needs to finish school year.
7 yo girl is next and she's blissfully coloring Mother Mary paper dolls right now- my dreamer
4 yo girl is dumping out her clothes and going thru them upstairs
Baby girl (14 mos) is toddling around, avoiding a nap and dumping out books
Trying to avoid going nuts getting ready for our parish VBS next week that we're in charge of...
DId manage to get a good amount of fresh produce earlier so we can have yummy homemade salsa and guacamole with our supper later.
Trying to get the house in a bit more order this summer with only minimal success thus far. Still have some boxes of books to sell and/or put away and various misc. clothes to find a home for. Will I ever have a clutter-free home? I doubt it...
Also finally starting to try to decide about schoolwork for this coming year. I'll have these grades at home: 8, 5, 2, pre-K while oldest daughter will be a junior at St. Thomas More Academy (Oldest son will be a sophomore at Randolph-Macon College in VA)
Dh is starting his 4th? year of diaconate formation in the fall and works way too much although being in the training dept. for a while at work has allowed him to have more regular work hours and weekends off which is great.
I was dabbling with eating Paleo but that's fallen to the wayside since our great vacation mid June in the NC mountains. I really struggle with my knee and ankle issues but I need to lose some major pounds. I'm trying to not let this get me too down but it's a bummer.
Since we're coming out of a baby school year, this will probably be a more structured year in some ways but I swing back and forth between my ideals on relaxed HSing and MODG curriculum, etc.
Off to change a diaper!
JoAnna in NC
__________________ Mom to Jacob, Grace, Mary, Lucas, Emma, Carrie and Gianna
Parente Adventures
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Grace&Chaos Forum All-Star
Joined: June 07 2010 Location: California
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 3:30pm | IP Logged
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Oh so nice to just pop in for a post and catch up with you lovely ladies
My summer's usually feel very relaxed and smooth...however, there is always an exception year. This is one of them.
My dh started with a new department this June and is on full training for at least six months. The last time we went through this was when he graduated from the academy in 2000 so needless to say we are all being accomodating to dad and his adjustment. Sleep routines, family meals and outings are all just a little wild lately. (and yes, I'm back to acting as Mom & Dad most of the week )
My oldest dd just got back from her first week long camping trip. She had an amazing time. The Southern Hills Girls Leadership group does an amazing job. The week is filled with fun, sports and most importantly faith, prayer and sacraments.
As for the little kids, they've been enjoying swimming lessons every morning for the last two weeks.
The rest of the days are just spent with a little math, some reading, visiting friends/family and our evening outdoors before family read aloud time. A few nature walks have been possible, but not as much as are used to.
And I can't forget tending to our little potager. We just planted three different cantaloupe melon seeds and we can already see seedling sprouting .
I'm thinking will be starting our new term like usual about mid August.
Here's to getting through the summer with grace
__________________ Blessings,
Jenny
Mom to dds(00,03) and dss(05,06,08,09)
Grace in Loving Chaos
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stellamaris Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 26 2009 Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline Posts: 2732
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 4:29pm | IP Logged
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What a very impressive group of ladies you all are! I loved reading about your "people" and all of your "doings"!
I'm busy trying to sort through 25 years of accumulated homeschooling/paper stuff. Spent the afternoon shredding old financial papers and it felt so good to get rid of all of that old garbage!
Went and worked out at the gym with my son, who's also my personal trainer .
I've just popped two chickens and some potatoes in the oven for an easy oven dinner...just add salad
Mostly, working on curriculum plans, picking up after people, and trying to make a little forward progress in the messy corners of my home!
__________________ In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
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SeaStar Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 4:45pm | IP Logged
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Fishing.
Fishing.
Fishing in the rain....
Can you tell what my kids enjoy doing? My dd is a fish magnet- drives the other fishermen on the dock crazy, especially since her pole of choice is a drop line made of a pine stick, fishing line and a hook.
__________________ Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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DominaCaeli Forum All-Star
Joined: April 24 2007
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 6:17pm | IP Logged
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How fun to see what everyone is up to this summer! We had a busy June with a couple much-needed and much-enjoyed days at the beach and *lots* of work on my to-do lists. It was a very productive and happy start to the summer after spending the spring wallowing in morning sickness.
July is turning out to be surprisingly low-key despite our having started back to school. I have two first-graders this year, using mostly AO. So far they love all of their subjects, and I do too.
We're spending the rest of our time:
:: visting with friends and enjoying park days
:: swimming now and then at the pool
:: working on home improvement projects
:: trying to revamp our menus
:: getting ready for baby due in September.
My nesting so far includes lots of cleaning and organizing, some furniture shopping, more chore training for the kids, cooking, lesson planning for Terms 2 and 3...and lots more over the next couple months, I'm sure!
Oh, and my sweet 10-month-old baby girl just started walking! Much excitement for all.
__________________ Blessings,
Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
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joann10 Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 6:34pm | IP Logged
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What fun to read what everyone is up too.
Right at the moment I am in the mountains with hubby for 2 nights to celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary.
I am a little freaked out about leaving the kids...but I am managing to reign in the panic and enjoy the moment.
On the home front..it has been sooooo hot, we have started schoolwork.(It's too hot to be outside.) We are having fun making an Olympic lapbook, followed by a little math and reading.
I was so happy with the kids CAT test scores, I feel satisfied with our current "wing and a prayer" type schooling...so I will stick with it for the time being.
Amy is in the middle of preparations for Christendom college...She moves in on August 17th. That will be here before we know it. She is ready...I don't know if I am!
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pumpkinmom Forum All-Star
Joined: March 28 2012 Location: Missouri
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 6:59pm | IP Logged
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I've enjoyed reading this! This isn't going to be pretty, but you asked.
I am some where between survival mood and on the brink of something productive, but I am sure the productive will pass and survival will kick in. I can't make up my mind on what the productive thing should be!
TRYING to finish up last minute things to start school on Monday. TRYING not to allow things to "pop up" that will delay our start to school. I swear that people around here think I am the meanest mom alive to make my kids start back to school in July. I tell them how much we enjoy taking time off when the weather is nicer, but they still insist on taking my kids to do something when we are suppose to be starting school. This is how I feel about that
I feel really bad about going out and spending $200+ that wasn't in the budget. What is worse that is was stuff that HAD to be bought (socks, underwear, shoes, swim trunks).
My kids are behaving badly and I don't know what to do about it. I had to take away the movie we were going to see tomorrow as I was typing this because I was disobeyed three times in a row by one. The other one was nasty with me earlier today, so I don't think they deserve to do something fun tomorrow. Dh will like that decision as it will help go towards today's bills (see above). But, I really wanted to see the movie!
I really miss a childhood friend that I haven't seen in over 20 years. She is living out of the country right now, but is back for a month. I am sick that I can't afford to fly out to see her. What makes it worse is that she could afford to come and see me.
These things among others makes me feel like the whole world is against me right now.
Because of all of this I am really looking forward to starting school again on Monday. Perhaps two months is too long to be off! We need a routine!
Only happy thought I have is that I am better planned than normal, so the school year should go smoothly, well better than the last two years. Oh, and Dh is taking me on a short vacation very soon.
I swear I use to be an upbeat, postitive, happy go lucky person! I miss me!
__________________ Cassie
Homeschooling my little patch of Ds-14 and Ds-10
Tending the Pumpkin Patch
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Chris V Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 03 2009 Location: Washington
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 7:30pm | IP Logged
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Oh Angie, I love this ... makes me feel connected to you all . Taking the time to point and peck at the keyboard with my right index finger ... holding a baby ... always holding a baby
We are bouncing back from having 3 weeks of family and friends visit. Looking forward to being bored again
It's soon to be dinner and I have leftovers waiting in the fridge. Thank you, Lord
The twins are 7 months old now and trying to crawl. I'm not the least bit taken aback with their forward progress toward further independence. On the contrary, singing praises because I.AM.EXHAUSTED.
... and speaking of the twins, can I just say how much they delight us?! Everyone likes to tell you how much work they are - but how often do you hear people share how AMAZING they are? They are amazing. My goodness. I never thought my heart could be any more filled with love for my little girls, then along came two more ...
Thinking of organizing my thoughts on the upcoming year - then I think about how we never really take a break from learning in the first place - then my thoughts turn to making a list of all the new books I'd like my girls to have. Books, books, books and I get a flutter of happiness just thinking of what I can add to our shelves! ... my MIL recently told me that my house is home to more schooling resources and books than any one of her classrooms, and many combined (... she is a retired Elementary School principle). I tell you, I don't ever seek her approval, but that little bitty was nice to hear! But it's not just having them, it's how you incorporate them into a way of living, a way of life with books for the taking. ... I think about this a lot. .. how to make *all* of this an organic way of life without making my girls "do school". Ms. Mason meets Ms. Dodd, if you will.
Looking forward to our annual pilgrimage to the Oregon coast the first week of August with our five kids, dog, and a slew of blue tarps because chances are IT.WILL.RAIN. Packing up for the older girls plus the twins for a week camping in the rain? I will have fun, I will have fun, I will have fun.....
... enjoying life, summer, sunglasses, a good book, some iced tea while my girls play in the dirt. That's what I do
__________________ Chris
Happy Wife with my Happy Life
Mama to My Five Girls ('04~'07~'09~'11~'11)
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Angie Mc Board Moderator
Joined: Jan 31 2005 Location: Arizona
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Posted: July 18 2012 at 11:48pm | IP Logged
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Thanks so much for joining in, ladies! I've enjoyed every word .
Let's make this a Wednesday habit .
Love,
__________________ Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
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Erica Sanchez Forum All-Star
Joined: March 05 2005 Location: California
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Posted: July 19 2012 at 12:35am | IP Logged
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It's still Wednesday on the West Coast. :)
I have enjoyed reading as well. Thanks for starting this, Angie. I love your picture!
I think it's been a busy beginning of the summer for us and today I kept looking west wondering why we weren't sitting on the beach. Maybe Friday.
Our summer so far:
- five of my kids participated in Chant Camp; my nephew also partipated and my sister stayed at my house for five glorious days
- trying to have the kids do math each day as they are a bit behind; this is a first for us as far as doing any school work over the summer
- very grateful that my mom learned she did not have cancer at her appointment with an oncologist yesterday!
- two annual Fiestas back-to-back, one last weekend, one this weekend at our old and new parishes; fun, but tiring
- a few pool and beach days
- my young teenaged son is at a Miles Christi boys camp until tomorrow; a first for him and I am so happy he was able to participate
- my two oldest will participate in a Steubenville weekend here in San Diego at the end of the month; fun!
I think that's it. I'm kind of exhausted acutally. We are all looking forward to spending a week camping in the Sierras at a lake we love.
Cassie - 'somewhere between survival mode and on the brink of something productive' is pretty much how I feel most days. Hang in there!
__________________ Have a beautiful and fun day!
Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
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lapazfarm Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005 Location: Alaska
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Posted: July 19 2012 at 7:25pm | IP Logged
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INSANE!
That about sums it up. Ever since we moved here to NC last month we have had one set of guests after another--and we don't even have all of the furniture unpacked!
I am loving having so many visitors because when we were in Alaska hardly anyone came to visit. But, it sure is exhausting!
Luckily all of my guests have been folks who love to have a good time *outdoors*, so my tiny, disorganized house isn't quite as cramped and crowded as it could be.
Add to that trying to get a garden in before it's too late, the running around taking ds to Karate lessons, dd to work, other dd to VBS, dh's 50th birthday bash...
It's crazy, but crazy good!
__________________ Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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4 lads mom Forum All-Star
Joined: Sept 26 2006
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Posted: July 19 2012 at 10:11pm | IP Logged
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Do go check out Angie’s blog....just lovely. I am sort of late here...I’ll pop in next Wednesday....but all is going well for now.
__________________ Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
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