The COUNTDOWN

The weeks of August were meant to be a peaceful, slow moving time. A time of happy reflection on the summer days and anticipation for the last few wonderful activities of the season; county fairs, weekends camping, swimming and eating popsicles. We have proof that the month of August is meant for doing basically nothing in the fact that there are no national holidays this month and the happier fact that Congress takes a vacation from messing up our lives.
However, in the overworked minds of many a home schooling mother there is no respite. August is the month of final reflections on the previous school year and the hurried gathering of curriculum for the new year that will fast be upon us.
In recent days you could find me trying to re-read A Thomas Jefferson Education (a book I strongly recommend to all parents) in preparation for our first attempt to fully follow the educational philosophy espoused by the author. Trying is the operative word. With nine children in the house and a job hunting sister-in-law, I have gotten very little peace. I have decided,as I have about this time every year, that I need a vacation.
So here's to all you other mothers out there frantically gathering, scouring for books on auction sites, tidying the school room and library shelves. And to those of you who aren't sure if you have the energy and patience to get through another year, Remember, just read to them.
I had a mother who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea.
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth;
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath.
I had a Mother who read me plays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.
I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness lent with his final breath.
I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-
Stories that stir with an upward touch.
Oh, that each mother of boys were such!
You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a Mother who read to me.-Strickland Gillilan

The Missouri Tribulation

Missouri Tribulation- n. a phenomenon unique to the State of Missouri often associated with the desire to move to said state or the actual arrival in said state. This tribulation includes such occurrences as; sickness (chronic and otherwise), broken bones, washers and dryers self destructing, main water lines rupturing etc.; adverse happenings follow quickly upon one another, usually within a matter of days. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as The Refiner’s Fire.
While the foregoing examples of adversity may seem somewhat mild, an account of more serious events could be given if this author were not afraid to tempt fate. The Missouri Tribulation has been well documented in the lives of many stalwarts who have continued to remain in the State of Missouri and or dream of coming no matter the obstacles.
(A word of caution to those living within the State of Missouri in a time of relative peace; If you offer your home to a fellow sojourner, who wishes to reside in this blessed place, you will be called upon to suffer the Missouri Tribulation with said sojourner.)
Often associated with the Tribulation is another phenomenon marked by increased fierce reliance upon the Lord and his promises. Thereby softening the detremental effects upon the sufferers. Often those experiencing the Tribulation can be found laughing into any gathering storm while tightly gripping their scriptures and their fellow sufferers, much akin to those who choose to sacrifice life and limb by embarking on a very tall, very fast thrill ride with a dubious name such as Cyclone, Twister, or Corkscrew.
To all my fellow sojourners, God be with you. To all of you who have not had the experience, a life is not truly lived until one has ridden the Tribulation and lived to tell about it. Come on out for a visit!

Jake's Favorite Pastime

Jacob has been working on his Fishing Merit Badge. He has been fishing daily in the neighbors pond. This is his first catch. He brought it home and actually ate it. The smoke detector did go off during the cooking phase of the project. Jake says it was delicious. It was buttered, battered, and fried. His next goal is to catch a catfish. I am trying to suppress my animal rights activist tendencies in order to support my son in this endeavor.

It's HOT

We're still here, just melting in the July heat! More pics coming soon!

One of Bryan's part time jobs

Bryan and I started putting down the tile around 8 o'clock last night. We finished at 10:30. I am not sure that running a tile saw on the front porch in a thunderstorm is a very good idea, but Bry looked confident.

Emilie, the Fairy Princess

I came up the stairs the other day to inquire as to why no one had done thier chores and found this lovely creature standing there. I guess she hoped to magically make her chores disappear.





We needed to remove the debris caused by the Mom-induced tornado in the kitchen. Unfortunately, the house, which is 84 feet long, has no back door. (Another reason to remodel) So we threw the cupboards piece by piece out the bathroom window! The fairy princess changed her outfit to help.

A School Day

These are not pics of a typical homeschooling day. Usually we do not involve desks in the process though at last count we had four desks, one large kitchen island, and a dining room table.

Usually our days are more like this: