Sweet Sleep

Last night we didn't get home until after 10. And this happens more than it probably should. No wonder she doesn't sleep all night in her bed. We have worked out a deal that if she stays in her bed all night for 7 days she will get a fish. That was almost a week ago. And it hasn't happened.

I think now she said I don't have to lay down with her at night. And she will sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor when she comes in in the middle of the night. Renegotiating the fish deal.

When we were traveling many years ago, she fell asleep on the couch of the hotel room, with her booty straight up in the air. I guess the bonus of this is, she can fall asleep anywhere. I love her . . .

In Prison

Yesterday I had an amazing opportunity to sing with our church choir at a woman's correctional institute nearby where I live. It was a little disconcerting standing in the courtyard waiting to get in. High chain fences topped by Constantine wire. Hearing the clang of the locks on the double doors we would eventually have to go through.

I just wasn't sure what to expect. But, as I stood there my mind and heart going a mile a minute, God reminded me that there was no difference whatsoever between those women and me. Just a sinner saved by the grace of God through the blood of Jesus Christ, God's own Son. In God's economy, as He looked down on us, all praising Him together He did not see a difference. He saw His creation worshiping together.

The message was so clear. We all our sinners. We all have fallen short of the glory of God. But, through our acceptance and belief in the life, death, burial and resurrection of Christ, we are saved. And we will spend an eternity together. No matter what are past looks like. We have the common bond of the blood of Christ.

It really was so amazing to worship together through the universal language of music. After the concert, so many of them thanked us for coming. And we had the opportunity to pray with them. I was grateful to have been given the privilege with such an wonderful group of people . . . 

Christmas Eve eve

A tradition that the kids have enjoyed has been spending Christmas Eve eve with Sissy. They have great fun because they watch movies and make cookies. I have great fun because it is a night I get to be Santa's helper . . . .

Geography

We are reading this great geography book called Book of Marvels The Occident. It is written by Richard Halliburton and he traveled to some really great places all over the world. Both natural and man made landmarks. The book is super old so the pictures the author took are in black and white and not the greatest quality. So, it has been really fun to google some recent pictures on the iPad.

The pictures we usually run across are fabulous. But, the following picture is the favorite of all of us by far. It is a abbey in Normandy, Mount St. Michael. And when the tide comes in it becomes an island. The pictures were breathtaking. A really great story goes along with it but you will have to read that on your own . . .

The Frozen Tundra

One of the things I wanted to do with the kids while we were in Green Bay was to take them skating. The older kids had skated before on, like, a plastic rink, which was soooo different then the actual thing! So, NK found us a great place to go real skating. And the kids loved it! And, for Florida kids, they did really well. No major spills! Hubby opted not to skate. The last time he did, he fell so hard that the ice shook! I think that was before we were even married.

I grew up skating, so that with the roller skating we have done in the past, it came back pretty quick. There were two girls at the rink who were fabulous. One of which was EG's age. I think EG was a little perplexed by that! Although, I didn't have to help her, really, at all. I just kind of hung by her in the beginning. The rest of the kids just went round and round.

I am glad we had the opportunity!

That morning we were able to go shopping at the Packer Pro Shop for the kids' Christmas gifts from Gpa and NK. And that was big fun. It is so crazy all of the things that they make and sell with the Packer logo. We went back a couple of days later just to look around a little more . . . 

Smartie Pants

So, I finally have had time to go into my email for FLVS. It is the virtual school that NG is using to learn Latin. She really wanted to learn Latin and we have tried a thing or two at the house but it just wasn't working. So, we thought we would give our state virtual school a shot.

I was terrified. She actually gets a grade that is permanent. As a homeschool mom, I always "worry" that my kids are measuring up. Most of the time I really don't care. BUT, when there is an actual grade involved, given by someone other than me, it is a little daunting. Especially for the very first time.

The computer is a mystery to me so I knew I would not be any help whatsoever. And I was right. When I talked with the teacher for our very first conference she asked if I had any questions. I very honestly told her "I did not" because I was CLUELESS. NG would ask me occasional questions and I was able to give a little guidance. But she literally was on her own for everything and I let the teacher know because I didn't want it to count against her. The teacher assured me, based on what she saw, that NG was doing fine. Just fine. In fact, she mentioned that she wished all her students did so well.

Well, I got her finally grade the other day and it was an A. Not just an A but a 95% in Latin. Her first time with a "class" so to speak. She is a great student. She reads books everyday that are college level. She is honest and tells me she doesn't always like them, but she gets them. She doesn't shirk her work. And honestly, with teaching 4, she could totally get away with not doing stuff.

Anyway, I am proud of her. She is a fabulous student and I love teaching her and being very involved in her journey. She will definitely be a student for life. While eating ice cream the other night she was reading through a fictional History book she has read already. Can't argue with that.

Now for semester number two. We will see if she can keep it up . . .