Thursday, August 21, 2008
update on Job search
We didn't get Dallas. They decided to go with a manager that had experience in a hundred million dollar club. I am bummed. But I know God has a perfect place for us. As my good friend says, I still have my joy. :-)
He's an EAGLE!!
Introducing Ian Zandi the Eagle Scout!
We are sooo very proud of you Ian!! Great Job!
And to think...we knew you when....LOL
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Plaguemaker
I just finished an AWESOME book and I MUST tell you all about it.
The book is called Plaguemaker by Tim Downs. I have read 3 other Tim Downs books - his "Bugman" books. They are great books, especially if you like forensic science at all. The main character is a forensic entomologist and it makes for very interesting reading. The third one, First the Dead, is about the aftermath of Katrina.
Plaguemaker is the first non-Bugman book I have read by Tim Downs. Here is the plot summary from the Tim Downs page:
New York FBI counterterrorism agent Nathan Donovan receives a phone call from an eighty-year-old man named Li who has a story to tell—a story too fantastic to believe but too terrible for Donovan to ignore. Li tells the story of Sato Matsushita, a brilliant bioweapons scientist, a man waging a personal war against the United States. His mission: to destroy America with bubonic plague—beginning with the city of New York. The old man has tracked Matsushita for six decades and across three continents because he, too, has a mission to fulfill: to stop Matsushita before he can strike—and to settle an old score of his own. Li’s lifelong search has brought him to the most powerful city in the world, a city of eight million souls, a city on the eve of its biggest celebration of the year: the Fourth of July fireworks display. Now Donovan and Li must work together to prevent a modern-day Black Death of global proportions. They must find the Plague Maker before it’s too late—for everyone.
This is the basic plot but it is the way Downs wrote the book that really makes the book stand out and makes it one of my top 5 favorite books ever. He tells the story both in real time and also in flashbacks. Not only that, but he also tells the story from several different points of view. You REALLY get into the character's heads and are able to understand each character's motivation, even if you do not agree with their actions. Furthermore, this book is written by a Christian author which makes it a delight to read in that there is no bad language or uncomfortable to read scenes. (as long as you don't mind bugs and violence) He does not use any of his books to preach or to convert. Instead, they seem more to show the lives of Christian people in "real life." (yes, I get the irony there) The ending of this book is fantastic and such a wonderful testimony to God's love.
I really really loved this book and if you like thrillers, political intrigue, CSI type stuff or Tom Clancy type books, I think you would love this book. I think this is also a great book to give to non-Christian friends. They would enjoy the book without feeling as if they were being preached to and they would be getting a great message about God's love and forgiveness.
Why I homeschool
I just wrote this for my homeschool group and decided to post it here in case I ever need a reminder. :-)
Why I homeschool:
I have two different whys. The first is why I wanted to homeschool. The second is why I DO homeschool.
So for the first: I was in the gifted program in 6-8th grade. We did unit studies and I really enjoyed them. I remember we did a semester on Eskimos and a semester on outer space. I think we did a semester on prairie life too. I loved the way we learned and it was very different from the way everyone else was taught. Naturally, I thought that was the best way.
Later, when I was in high school, my mom gave me an article that told how a 12 year old was being admitted into some Ivy League school. He had been homeschooled and had done unit studies. By this time I had realized that public school was very rarely done in unit studies and I decided that I would homeschool my children so they could have unit studies and be brilliant by the time they were twelve, too. Actually, I think God was putting the seed in my heart knowing it would grow over time into a real conviction.
I met first husband when I was 18. I don’t remember ever talking to him about homeschooling but I know he agreed with me. I went to my first homeschool convention while I was still pregnant with Brittany. I remember them asking me “how old is your oldest?” and I would point at my stomach. They got a good chuckle out of that one. When we divorced (Brittany was not quite 2), I had it put into our divorce decree that Brittany would be homeschooled. I did not want anything coming back to haunt me or anyone saying I couldn’t homeschool her after the fact.
Michael and I were planning on getting married when I told him that I would not marry him if he did not agree with homeschooling. Up until that moment he thought that he could just ignore that part of me and we would “talk about it later.” I flat out told him that if he would not support homeschooling and me staying home with our children that I would not marry him. I guess he liked me, because here we are 10 years later. :-)
Now the reason that I DO homeschool.
I homeschool because I don’t want to be a stranger to my children’s soul. I want to be there with them every step of the way: teaching them, learning along with them, discipling them, growing with them. I don’t want to be on the sidelines, letting other people raise my children. I spend time in God’s face every year asking what/how/when I should teach my children. I don’t expect anyone else to know those things about them. God doesn’t expect anyone else to know those things about them. I see it as something God expects of me. I want to parent my children and I consider teaching them part of that parenting adventure. I don’t consider homeschooling a “part of our day.” Instead it is our life. It is part of the package. I consider everything as part of the whole: which is this crazy, wonderful, wacky family that we have. I think that family is very important. Having school as part of our family life sees to it that we interact as a family all day long rather than being six separate spheres bumping into each other in the evening (before going off to our homework or sports or other activities.)
Over the years I have seen “reasons” for our homeschooling.
- it has made Brittany visiting her family in Albuquerque much easier.
- It has made Michael’s crazy schedules at work easier.
- It has made Kaedra’s stays in the hospital much easier.
But these are all side benefits and not the real reason we do it. We do it because God called us to do it and it is the only way we can see it done. I have never been able to imagine otherwise and I am so excited to have at least 17 more years of this journey ahead of us!!
(now remind me of this on those bad days, the ones where I say “WHY AM I DOING THIS???!?!?” hee-hee)
Why I homeschool:
I have two different whys. The first is why I wanted to homeschool. The second is why I DO homeschool.
So for the first: I was in the gifted program in 6-8th grade. We did unit studies and I really enjoyed them. I remember we did a semester on Eskimos and a semester on outer space. I think we did a semester on prairie life too. I loved the way we learned and it was very different from the way everyone else was taught. Naturally, I thought that was the best way.
Later, when I was in high school, my mom gave me an article that told how a 12 year old was being admitted into some Ivy League school. He had been homeschooled and had done unit studies. By this time I had realized that public school was very rarely done in unit studies and I decided that I would homeschool my children so they could have unit studies and be brilliant by the time they were twelve, too. Actually, I think God was putting the seed in my heart knowing it would grow over time into a real conviction.
I met first husband when I was 18. I don’t remember ever talking to him about homeschooling but I know he agreed with me. I went to my first homeschool convention while I was still pregnant with Brittany. I remember them asking me “how old is your oldest?” and I would point at my stomach. They got a good chuckle out of that one. When we divorced (Brittany was not quite 2), I had it put into our divorce decree that Brittany would be homeschooled. I did not want anything coming back to haunt me or anyone saying I couldn’t homeschool her after the fact.
Michael and I were planning on getting married when I told him that I would not marry him if he did not agree with homeschooling. Up until that moment he thought that he could just ignore that part of me and we would “talk about it later.” I flat out told him that if he would not support homeschooling and me staying home with our children that I would not marry him. I guess he liked me, because here we are 10 years later. :-)
Now the reason that I DO homeschool.
I homeschool because I don’t want to be a stranger to my children’s soul. I want to be there with them every step of the way: teaching them, learning along with them, discipling them, growing with them. I don’t want to be on the sidelines, letting other people raise my children. I spend time in God’s face every year asking what/how/when I should teach my children. I don’t expect anyone else to know those things about them. God doesn’t expect anyone else to know those things about them. I see it as something God expects of me. I want to parent my children and I consider teaching them part of that parenting adventure. I don’t consider homeschooling a “part of our day.” Instead it is our life. It is part of the package. I consider everything as part of the whole: which is this crazy, wonderful, wacky family that we have. I think that family is very important. Having school as part of our family life sees to it that we interact as a family all day long rather than being six separate spheres bumping into each other in the evening (before going off to our homework or sports or other activities.)
Over the years I have seen “reasons” for our homeschooling.
- it has made Brittany visiting her family in Albuquerque much easier.
- It has made Michael’s crazy schedules at work easier.
- It has made Kaedra’s stays in the hospital much easier.
But these are all side benefits and not the real reason we do it. We do it because God called us to do it and it is the only way we can see it done. I have never been able to imagine otherwise and I am so excited to have at least 17 more years of this journey ahead of us!!
(now remind me of this on those bad days, the ones where I say “WHY AM I DOING THIS???!?!?” hee-hee)
Monday, August 18, 2008
Meanderings
This is one of those posts that just meanders around and doesn't say much of anything...
Well let's see....
Brittany is still gone. Coming home on Friday. Seems like a LOOOONG way away! Can't wait for her to come back! She is so much fun and such a delight!! She has been having fun playing with her cousins and brother, getting a manicure and pedicure, going to the Albuquerque zoo and Explora. They had a birthday party for her and have taken her shopping several times. Yes, she is getting spoiled rotten. :-)
I am getting ready for school to start! I am really excited! I think I decided on a Spanish program called El Espanol Facil - The Easy Spanish. I can't wait to get it and get started on it! I am going to start Kaedra on a schedule this Thursday. It is going to be similar to a preschool program with different centers during different times of the day. I am going to start Emily next Monday and Brittany starts the day after Labor Day. I have to finish up my planning this week and get everything ready to go. I have a few errands that I want to get done before starting too, so I can have a really clean slate. (that includes your package, Zandis!!!) Unfortunately I forgot to get dentist appointments scheduled before school started and I need to get those done soon. Maybe they can fit us in next week before we get involved deeply involved in school. After school starts I am hoping to only get out on Fridays which will be our half days of school.
Michael has a "big" interview on Wednesday. I say big because it is the one we really want! It is for North Richland Hills, Texas. Why do we want this one?
2. close to home.
3. good medical system for Kaedra.
4. good housing market for buyers right now (although that might be all over)
5. close to home.
Michael's grandmother died last Wednesday. Michael came home from his Kansas City trip early. Sam's was so wonderful about it. They gave him time off form the convention, paid for his car home and gave him the weekend off for bereavement. Walgreens would have never done all of that! Michael went down to Madill on Friday for the funeral. Lillie Mae (Michael's grandma) was a wonderful, wonderful lady and we are looking forward to seeing her in heaven. She was a precious soul, on fire for God and so very sweet. She was almost 96. I am sure she is rejoicing to see her family up in heaven.
Well I had better get off of here and get some real work done. Have a wonderful week!!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Brittany's Birthday Party
Brittany turned 13 on the first of this month. Yes, she is a teenager! And no, I am not worried about it! I know she will still be the precious, sweet, loving girl that she always is! I am so proud of her and can't wait to see the next 13 years and what she will be like as she grows older!
Because I had a fourth of July party for the extended family and an adoption party for family and a few friends and because I am not really a party person I just didn't want to have another party! I felt bad because I know that 13 is a HUGE number and needs something good to commemorate it! I had a few suggestions for Michael but he came up with one that Brittany really loved. He suggested that I take her and a friend out to eat and then get a hotel room for us, rent some movies, swim a little and just relax. And so, that's what we did! The only difference was, I invited Sherria to accompany me so I would not be a "third wheel" for Brittany and her friend.
We went to eat at Cheesecake Factory. It was a great meal and we got there early enough that there was no wait at all. We asked if they would sing to Brittany and they did, even though we declined on the cheesecake! They made her a little sundae in a glass and put a candle in it! It was so sweet of them! After dinner we went to Walgreens and picked out some nail polish and snacks then we went to Blockbuster and got a few movies, went to Cold Stone Creamery for Brittany's free sundae then went to hotel. The girls swam and Sherria and I decorated the hotel room. We then joined them swimming, although we liked the hot tub better. Afterwards we played twister and watched movies until we all fell asleep. In the morning, we had the free breakfast and I did everyone's nails while we finished up one of the movies. It was a very sweet time and we had a great time. Thanks for the great idea, Michael!!
Because I had a fourth of July party for the extended family and an adoption party for family and a few friends and because I am not really a party person I just didn't want to have another party! I felt bad because I know that 13 is a HUGE number and needs something good to commemorate it! I had a few suggestions for Michael but he came up with one that Brittany really loved. He suggested that I take her and a friend out to eat and then get a hotel room for us, rent some movies, swim a little and just relax. And so, that's what we did! The only difference was, I invited Sherria to accompany me so I would not be a "third wheel" for Brittany and her friend.
We went to eat at Cheesecake Factory. It was a great meal and we got there early enough that there was no wait at all. We asked if they would sing to Brittany and they did, even though we declined on the cheesecake! They made her a little sundae in a glass and put a candle in it! It was so sweet of them! After dinner we went to Walgreens and picked out some nail polish and snacks then we went to Blockbuster and got a few movies, went to Cold Stone Creamery for Brittany's free sundae then went to hotel. The girls swam and Sherria and I decorated the hotel room. We then joined them swimming, although we liked the hot tub better. Afterwards we played twister and watched movies until we all fell asleep. In the morning, we had the free breakfast and I did everyone's nails while we finished up one of the movies. It was a very sweet time and we had a great time. Thanks for the great idea, Michael!!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Introducing Freckles
I haven't officially introduced Freckles yet, so I thought I would do that now. Freckles showed up in our yard July 21st. He was obviously under-nourished and in need of water. He had no collar. We gave him some water on our porch and he stayed there all night. The next day we put him in our backyard, got him some food and called all around to see if he had been reported missing. I also looked online on Craig's List and Dog Finder. Thursday we took him to the vet to see if he was "chipped." They said he was not chipped however he is "clipped." LOL. By Friday Michael said we were going to keep him so I called the pound to see when he would officially be ours. They said 7-10 days of feeding and caring for him. Michael took him to the vet on Saturday to make sure he was healthy and had his shots. He is now officially a member of our family.
Now don't laugh. I think God brought us this dog. I know the kids (especially Brittany) really wanted a dog. I said I would NOT get a dog unless he was house trained and wouldn't run away. I didn't know how we were going to find a dog that was those things. Instead, the dog found us. He is completely house trained and stays with us when we are outside. He has just started venturing a little further away from us, which I'm not happy with, but I am working on it. The vet said he is about one year old. That has been both a pro and a con. He is very easy to work with and eager to learn but he is still chewing on things. We have had a few stuffed animal casualties, but he is learning. He is very sweet and very good with kids. I think he has been beaten at some point because he cowers and hides if you get the slightest bit stern with him. I don't know if it was the former owners or if it was while he was lost. The vet said that should fix as we show him love and proper discipline.
The pictures above were taken about two days after he came here when he was still on the skinny side. (I used them to post for "found" dog) He is a little bulkier now although the vet said he won't get much larger. He is just about the perfect size. Especially since he thinks he is a lap dog!
Another wonderful by-product of having him has been for the little people in our house. Ethan and Kaedra were terrified of dogs (although we owned some during both of their lives) and Emily was freaking out around dogs too. Michael and I seriously did not want our children to be afraid of animals (except for the healthy fear of unknown animals, which I seem to be missing) so we had done things like have one of our friends bring her dog over to let them get used to him. When Freckles first showed up the kids were afraid of him, too, but now they LOVE him! They aren't afraid at all. Michael and I are thrilled with that!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Just a hi!
Just thought I'd drop in and say hi! I love reading Denise's daily blogs about what is going on in her life. It feels like I am keeping up with her, even when I don't get to talk to her very often. Sooooo here I am, just writing a daily little post, with no real point.
I have gone to THREE theater movies recently!! THREE!!! That is more than I usually go to in a WHOLE year!!! Two of them can be blamed on my birthday: Michael took me to "Get Smart" for my birthday date (which I loved) and my Mamma Mia took me to see "Mamma Mia" for my birthday date with her. I thought "Mamma Mia" was (as Denise would say) a hoot! It was so much fun! Then Michael and I went to see X-Files on Saturday afternoon. In case you don't know, Michael and I are X-file fanatics. :-) We really liked the movie and were pleasantly surprised after all the bad reviews.
Michael is out of town again this week. This time in Edmond, Oklahoma. Just far enough that we don't get to see him all week. He has two applications in - Valdosta, GA and Bristol, VA. He has his interview for Valdosta tomorrow morning at 8:30. We have found some really nice houses, especially in the Bristol area. I am particularly fond of that once because of a particularly close friend who will soon be particularly close to that location. ;-) Michael will be out of town again in two weeks, up in Kansas City this time.
My computer, home phone, cell phone and palm pilot have all been acting up lately. Since I love technology so much, it is especially frustrating for me. I feel like we have been put under some alien jamming bubble where the aliens are watching to see how well I deal without my gadgets. They are probably pleased with getting such a reaction.
I am officially working on our school schedule now. I am trying to get everything rounded up, fit into the year, ordered, pre-read etc. I recently did a big huge no-no. I had Brittany read Anne Frank without pre-reading it. There were parts in there that she was not ready to read. Luckily, she brought the book to me and told me and I read what she had read and we had a "good discussion" (aka debriefing) and I read on to see if there was more (which there was) so I put the book away until she is around 60. (jk, right?)
I am working on my own reading list, as well. I have a lot of books I wanted to read this summer so I am still working on them. It is funny, since so many of my friend's summers are winding down and they are starting school I am starting to feel squished for time. But we still have 4 1/2 weeks left of vacation! Of course, Britty will be gone two of those weeks in Albuquerque, but I can probably figure out how to get in a little reading while she is gone!
We haven't worked much on our big house projects because a bunch of things have gotten in the way! Just in the last two months we have had our stove go out, our microwave go out, our oven go out and our plumbing get backed up to the point where we had to call in a plumber. We have also had 3 days without water (we have a water main problem down the street) and two days without electricity (they were putting in new poles down the main street by our house) Throw in a fourth of July party, an adoption party, parents staying for a week, Brittany gone for a 4 day camp and a 10 day mission trip and Michael out of town and it seems like a VERY BUSY summer!! This next month is not slowing down any, so I am just holding on for the ride. :-)
Well, I am going to get off of here and try to fix my palm pilot before I go work on school planning for a bit. Then off to church. Then a movie with Sherria. The fun never stops!!
I'll leave you with some pictures from my birthday:
I have gone to THREE theater movies recently!! THREE!!! That is more than I usually go to in a WHOLE year!!! Two of them can be blamed on my birthday: Michael took me to "Get Smart" for my birthday date (which I loved) and my Mamma Mia took me to see "Mamma Mia" for my birthday date with her. I thought "Mamma Mia" was (as Denise would say) a hoot! It was so much fun! Then Michael and I went to see X-Files on Saturday afternoon. In case you don't know, Michael and I are X-file fanatics. :-) We really liked the movie and were pleasantly surprised after all the bad reviews.
Michael is out of town again this week. This time in Edmond, Oklahoma. Just far enough that we don't get to see him all week. He has two applications in - Valdosta, GA and Bristol, VA. He has his interview for Valdosta tomorrow morning at 8:30. We have found some really nice houses, especially in the Bristol area. I am particularly fond of that once because of a particularly close friend who will soon be particularly close to that location. ;-) Michael will be out of town again in two weeks, up in Kansas City this time.
My computer, home phone, cell phone and palm pilot have all been acting up lately. Since I love technology so much, it is especially frustrating for me. I feel like we have been put under some alien jamming bubble where the aliens are watching to see how well I deal without my gadgets. They are probably pleased with getting such a reaction.
I am officially working on our school schedule now. I am trying to get everything rounded up, fit into the year, ordered, pre-read etc. I recently did a big huge no-no. I had Brittany read Anne Frank without pre-reading it. There were parts in there that she was not ready to read. Luckily, she brought the book to me and told me and I read what she had read and we had a "good discussion" (aka debriefing) and I read on to see if there was more (which there was) so I put the book away until she is around 60. (jk, right?)
I am working on my own reading list, as well. I have a lot of books I wanted to read this summer so I am still working on them. It is funny, since so many of my friend's summers are winding down and they are starting school I am starting to feel squished for time. But we still have 4 1/2 weeks left of vacation! Of course, Britty will be gone two of those weeks in Albuquerque, but I can probably figure out how to get in a little reading while she is gone!
We haven't worked much on our big house projects because a bunch of things have gotten in the way! Just in the last two months we have had our stove go out, our microwave go out, our oven go out and our plumbing get backed up to the point where we had to call in a plumber. We have also had 3 days without water (we have a water main problem down the street) and two days without electricity (they were putting in new poles down the main street by our house) Throw in a fourth of July party, an adoption party, parents staying for a week, Brittany gone for a 4 day camp and a 10 day mission trip and Michael out of town and it seems like a VERY BUSY summer!! This next month is not slowing down any, so I am just holding on for the ride. :-)
Well, I am going to get off of here and try to fix my palm pilot before I go work on school planning for a bit. Then off to church. Then a movie with Sherria. The fun never stops!!
I'll leave you with some pictures from my birthday:
Monday, July 28, 2008
Check out this headline!
I wish I could draw the picture that I have in my head when I see this headline. I imagine a turkey farm with randomly popping turkeys around him. But, good thing, the governor was not near them!
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