Top 10 Signs that School is Drawing to a Close

10. It's light before the alarm clock goes off.

9. Homeschool conference has come and gone, but you left more there than you took home.

8. Your list is planned out for next year, even though you are struggling to finish this year.

7. You are looking forward to any used curriculum sales coming up.

6. Several subjects are completed.

5. You are counting down the hours or days left until school is done (ok, I've been doing that since February).

4. You tell yourself that next year you will be done by the end of April so you can enjoy the beautiful weather more.

3. You clean off your shelves to make room for all of the new stuff coming.

2. You catch your kids reading when they are supposed to be doing science, and you don't care.

1. Your tadpoles are all dying, and even though you are sad, you are delighted that you will have your counterspace back!

My Saviour Lives!

Under His Mercy

We've really been enjoying our morning devotionals together. We've returned to using Character Building for Families, only we are in Volume 2. We used Volume 1 about 2 or 3 years ago, and it's nice to see the maturity that has taken place since then. The current topic is "Mercy." This followed "Desire for Jesus." We also usually cover 2 days at a time, because the attention spans are much longer now. An added blessing is that my personal devotions have often prepared me for what we are studying together.

Today as we discussed the topic of forgiveness and recognized that sometimes this is really hard. Corrie ten Boom shared about meeting one of the meanest guards from the concentration camp, and how he asked for her forgiveness. Relying on the Lord's strength, and not her own, she was able to extend her hand and grant that forgiveness and was blessed with feeling the Lord's spirit through her body. I'm reminded that the Lord gives us strength when we are weak, and that our strength will be renewed when we wait on Him. May we each trust in Him to do what we must.

Swimming Creatures

My kitchen counter is serving as Science Central these days. Besides the tomato plants, popcorn plants, and radish sprouts, we have 7 bullfrog tadpoles. I'm actually quite amazed that they are all still living (I even expected some to be DOA), as they came with no instructions, but I've found them to be rather content unless you place them by an open window to enjoy the fresh air and sunlight only to have the blusteriest wind of the season blow the block calendar off the sill and nearly into their tanks. Sudden noises is not one of their favorite things. I keep thinking the biggest one should be getting some legs any day, but I read somewhere that the entire process can take 14 months. I'm hoping that is from the laying of eggs and that these are about 12 months old, because since it was my idea, I have to clean out their tanks every day. Suffice it to say, they are pleased with their new tadpole food I bought for them, and I hope that the rapid growth it talked about occurs. (and in case you are wondering, I've joked about naming them all Legs, but we will probably call the conservation department to see about releasing them into the wild when they are grown).

In other swimming news, Frodo and Smeagol have joined Gandalf, Sam, Merry, and Pippin in our fish tank (we also have a Flintford--the great fish who almost ate---, Jonah, and Mickey). Smeagol is an albino catfish and appropriately eats the scunge off the bottom of the tank. Frodo has rings around him (he's a black skirt).

And lastly, we will not be buying swimming passes again. I've discovered that two family members do not enjoy swimming much at all, and our schedule has not meshed with the pool's schedule very well. I'm hoping we can at least get our money's worth by going in June and July before the passes expire.

Quiet Rest

As one who always struggles with getting my personal devotion time in, the new book I'm reading is really hitting the mark. It's called "A Place of Quiet Rest" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and she gently reveals the importance of this time through scripture and the example of Christ himself. This is the verse that struck me the most:

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)

Those of you who know me know that I'm not much of a morning person, yet I know that when I make an effort to get up and spend time with the Lord that my day goes much better. This particular verse comes after several verses describing a day in the life of Jesus and what must have been a very exhausting day, yet he knew how important it was to go to his father and be refreshed in the spirit so that he could continue giving to those around him.

Quiet rest...a peaceful part of the day...basking in the presence of the Lord...praying and listening to him. Is it worth a few more minutes of sleep to miss?

Sweet Cherry Otter

Miss Rose has a new song that she loves to sing over and over, especially in the car. Here's how it goes:

Sweet Mow
Sweet Cherry Otter...

I've never met a sweet, cherry otter before, but perhaps if it comes to carry me home, I'll get that chance.

(and for those of you still scratching your head, start singing Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, and I think you'll understand.)

It's never a good idea...

to tell your husband that you just bought a really unique storage box but that you need to get a loan to pay for it. Yes, that amazing box cost me $55,000. I'm very glad that it was in my dreams, because when Mr. Tech was a bit miffed and told me I couldn't have it, the lady at the store wouldn't let me take it back, and the other lady who wanted it wouldn't give me full price to buy it from me, because it wouldn't be new anymore, and I realized I had messed up big time.