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MaryM
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Location: Colorado
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We have talked about how support networks change and transition. Hopefully we are choosing to spend time here because it meets a need for us at the present time - whether it be community building, resource sharing, idea gathering, inspiration, prayer support, faith support, fun & laughter, whatever.
What is it that brings you back to the boards (each day, each week - whenever you check in  )?
What benefits are you receiving from being present here?
It is really late and I should be in bed, but...
Hey that is one of the reasons I'm here - I can talk to people even late at night. Actually maybe not talk to them in the present unless they live in the eastern hemisphere. But at least I can talk and later someone will read. 
But seriously I love coming here because it fills my need to be around other homeschoolers who have a similar educational philosophy and approach to learning - the "real learning" way to live our lives.
I love to brainstorm with other people. It's much more fun and productive than doing it all on my own. There is no place local where I find others so excited about picture books, unit studies, and living the liturgical year in great numbers. I have a couple local friends with similar approaches but we can't talk and get together as easily as is possible on these board.
I like having perspective from homeschoolers all over the country and around the world. It broadens my horizons.
And I also have to say I love talking about the Catholic faith. I love that even those who are not Catholic feel welcome here and comfortable to ask questions. (I like to answer questions, too ). Being a part of everyone's faith journey is amazing - it helps me on mine.
So how about you, why are you here?
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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MaryM
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Oh yay, and recently it's been Maryan's fun thread that has been bringing me back (each hour   ).
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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Lauri B
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It's very hard to find uncritical, supportive places to "talk" about homeschooling, parenting, faith, marriage, philosophy and general life issues. Being "online" seems to remove the gentleness we might otherwise show a person when talking face-to-face. This board seems to be a place where people go out of their way to be kind and to reserve judgement.
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aussieannie
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Joined: May 21 2006
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Mary and Lauri, you've nailed it for me already...I've got nothing more to say  ...(no one will believe that! )..well it IS late here in Aus and I'm off to bed, look forward to reading and chatting tomorrow.
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Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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mom2mpr
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I love you all--even though I haven't met you
I have support in my religion, choice of education for my child, career as a homemaker, role as a wife, etc. I can "talk" without worrying about having to defend myself. It is refreshing and fun!!
I come most of all to learn. There is so much (free) information here-about the Catholic faith and education.
Thank you all for making this such a breath of fresh air in my day...
Anne
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Ruth
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| Posted: April 07 2008 at 6:58am | IP Logged
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MaryM wrote:
| Oh yay, and recently it's been Maryan's fun thread that has been bringing me back (each hour ). |
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Yep!
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Ruth
mom to 7 miracles
My family blog
Loreto Rosaries
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JenniferS
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I have to admit that Maryan's thread has kept me peeking back here all weekend. But, I also come here for most of the same reasons that have already been posted. There aren't many homeschoolers in our small town,so it's nice to come here and not be the minority. Oh...and ya'll are an awesome bunch of prayer warriors, too.
Jen
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Maryan
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Where else would someone know how to type a narration while nursing a baby, juggle laundry for five (or more), create a peaceful home environment despite the fact that your children would like to create a racetrack in every room of your house, live the liturgical year with fervor, and teach history to several different grade levels?? And allow you to use  emoticons while you make friendships with other ladies trying to do these things???
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Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
A Lee in the Woudes
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amyable
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Maryan wrote:
| Where else would someone know how to type a narration while nursing a baby, juggle laundry for five (or more), create a peaceful home environment despite the fact that your children would like to create a racetrack in every room of your house, live the liturgical year with fervor, and teach history to several different grade levels?? And allow you to use emoticons while you make friendships with other ladies trying to do these things??? |
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Maryan nailed it for me.
And also the prayer warrior aspect!
I truly feel loved by so many of you.
And this is the only place online I've ever gone where I feel we talk about even "difficult" topics with love and grace.
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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Paula in MN
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I truly don't think that I can add anything to what all of you have already said!
I can come here for ANY REASON - and be met with kindness, hospitality, and comfort. Just like having Mary's arms wrapped around me -- that's what I get from this board.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!!!
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 Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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jdostalik
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I come here to pray, seek prayer, laugh, ask questions and share with like-minded faith-filled friends...Ditto to what everyone has said. This forum is a blessing--I just have to discipline myself to not spend toooo much time here--it's such a great place to be! 
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God Bless,
Jennifer in TX
wife to Bill, mom to six here on earth and eight in heaven.
Let the Little Ones Come
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CandaceC
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Though I do not share in the Catholic faith, I am a strong Christian and have been encouraged in MANY ways through this board! Some of the ways I have been encouraged...
*finding other mothers who consider this to be the greatest calling in the world!
*finding other mothers who value their role in the home and consider it a huge responsibility, thus taking it seriously, wanting to do a good job, etc.
*finding others who have chosen a similar homeschooling path
*similar homeschooling choices - charlotte mason, gentle mothering and learning, making memories with your children, etc.
*I have gleaned SO many wonderful ideas from the ladies on these boards! crafts, recipes, housekeeping, parenting, homeschooling books, lesson ideas, the list goes on and on!
My list could probably go on, but those are the things that jump out at me off the top of my head. I consider these boards a blessing!
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Candace - wife to David since 2000...mommy to Hannah (Feb. 2002), Emily (April 2003) and Caleb (March 2005)
His Mercy Is New
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CAgirl4God
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I check in here, sometimes each day, sometimes more times passes...
I come here for:
friendship
companionship
sharing my faith
homeschooling resources
I love reading the ideas in all the different 'rooms' upstairs. it has helped me to broaden our homeschooling and have more fun!
I love just chatting with the ladies here.
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Loren
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I come for "adult conversation" with like-minded moms. I love getting ideas for celebrating the church year and incorporating our faith into our life and learning.
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lapazfarm
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You ladies are my Homeschool support group. I don't have one IRL, so you ladies are it for me as far as support, info sharing, and companionship in this homeschooling endeavor.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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joann10
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CAgirl4God wrote:
I love reading the ideas in all the different 'rooms' upstairs. it has helped me to broaden our homeschooling and have more fun!
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This is certainly one of the main reasons that I check in.
Also, just knowing there are so many like minded women out there helps me when I am feeling alone in this large family, homeschooling, faith centered life I am living.
I just love everyone here. 
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Barbara C.
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Well, three of my favorite things to study and discuss are homeschooling, parenting, and religion, so this is the right place to be. I agree about being satisfied in my need for "adult conversation" since the kids and I are kind of isolated. Plus, it's nice to talk to like-minded people; we meet very few homeschoolers outside of our homeschooling group (which we rarely get to attend and discourages any form of homeschooling other than unschooling). Our nuclear family is striking out on a different path than the rest of our family (breastfeeding, co-sleeping, stay-at-home mom, and the homeschooling) or our pre-college friends. It's nice to know we're not alone.
I've also learned a lot more about about Catholicism, which is sad considering I attended twelve years of Catholic school.
I often mention this forum to others, though, when they make comments about how they don't think they could homeschool or handle issues with their kids. I explain that with this being a conservative Catholic forum there are many of you with large families, so I figure that if you can manage it all with your large families I can manage with my small one. I un-ashamedly steal ideas from the experiences that everyone on here shares.
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Barbara
Mom to "spirited" dd(9), "spunky" dd (6), "sincere" dd (3), "sweet" dd (2), and baby girl #5 born 8/1/12!!
Box of Chocolates
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DominaCaeli
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I'm not homeschooling yet, so my main reason for coming here is adult conversation with like-minded ladies. I am so thankful that this forum is here! Even when I don't actively participate in a conversation, I enjoy reading others' thoughts and mulling them over. I also appreciate the varied topics discussed here; I like hearing about curriculum, reading the chatty threads, sharing homemaking ideas, and the rest.
I don't know any homeschooling OR large families in real life--I'm rather isolated here at home with my little ones. This board is an encouragement to me that there are others out there living the lifestyle that my husband and I think God is calling us to. It is a blessing to check in with you all each day.
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Blessings,
Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
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LisaR
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when I really reflect , the most important aspect for me with this board has been the Prayer Forums.
I know that I am not the only one who has witnessed God at work through our prayers for eachother, through some pretty "impossible" situations. Thank you for the prayerful witness and support you ALL have been for me and my family, and the prayer request section is the area I check most frequently.
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
Thomas 11
Dominic 8
Maria Gianna 5
Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
many little saints in heaven!
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Mary G
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After checking email, it's my first stop (of many thruout my day) every day ....
I love coming here, before the kids are up, with my cup of coffee and check in with what's happenin' with my 4real pals ....
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Topic: Why are you here today?
