REALLY BIG NEWS!

No, I'm not pregnant.

But....after 3 years of homeschooling, Levi will be going to 5th grade at our local public school in September.

I have been struggling with homeschooling for quite some time now. As Levi is getting older and the academics are getting more demanding, I am worrying everyday how I am going to continue.

I worry if I'm doing the right thing by homeschooling. I worry if I'm going about it the right way. I worry if I am presenting him with the information that he needs. I worry if I am adequately preparing him for college and the real world by keeping him at home.

And on top of all the worry there is all the reading, researching, studying and relearning. Then the lessons plans and daily routines and trying to balance homeschooling and household demands. Not to mention figuring out how to present all the information in an interesting way, and in a way that will stick with him.

So, I have been very stressed. I have been considering making the change for quite some time, but just wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing. I brought it up to Audie and he was all for it. Then we brought it up to Levi. I was nervous about how he'd take it, but to my surprise, he was very accepting of it. He asked a few questions, we answered them, and he said, “Okay.”

I will miss him greatly. If I could keep him home with me and we could just live our lives, learning from life, and not worry about academics, that would be the best. But I just can't do that. His education is too important.

Of course, I worry a bit about the negative influences he may encounter, but it won't do him any good to shelter him. He needs to learn to live in this world, and make good decisions in the midst of negative choices. I think staying attentive and active in his life will help. Maintaining a good relationship with him, staying open-minded and keeping the lines of communication open.

So that is that. After 3 years of homeschooling, our journey is almost over. I am very glad for the time we had. I think it was great for Levi and it made us very close. I know I did a good job and he learned a lot, but now it's time to move ahead.

I am at peace.

Jake and Truman Becoming Friends

After one week of having Jake around, Truman is more than just tolerating him, he's actually enjoying him.

How It Happened With Luke

I've been thinking for quite some time now that I wanted another dog, but I had kind of put the notion aside for a while. I spent MONTHS researching dog breeds before I got Truman, and I didn't feel like doing that again. Despite all my research, and as much as I love Truman, I don't think he was the BEST choice. So I was feeling a bit nervous about choosing a dog again.

But then yesterday one kind of happened into our lives. I took Truman to the groomers and the lady there asked when I was going to get a second dog. I told her actually I've been considering it. She said, "Come see my puppies." There was a whole pen full of cute and fuzzy 7-week old Australian Shepherd puppies. As cute as they were, I was not tempted. I told her I never want to do that helpless puppy stage again. She told me she actually have a 15 week-old boy that no one had purchased yet, and she brought him out to show us. He was cute but I was afraid Aussies were too much like border collies (high-strung, nervous and intense). I had had a border collie before and wasn't sure I was up to that. She described their tempermant and assured me they were a lot more mellow than border collies. She said we could take him home and see if he would fit into our family. I went home and thought about it, talked to Audie, did some research and decided to give it a try. So when we picked Truman up yesterday evening, we brought the puppy home. I was very nervous, as I don't usually make such snap decisions.

But so far it's working out nicely. He's a great dog with a great personality - loving, sweet, happy, alert, active but not crazy and really smart. He slept from 10pm to 4:30am, which is better than I thought he'd do on his first night, with no accidents in his crate. He has peed several times on the floor, but he's just a puppy and I know he'll learn. Truman has learned so much in the two years we've had him. And dogs make me so happy and give me so much joy, I know it will be worth it.

So today I learned that sometimes what 'happens' into our lives is better than what we strove for.

We Got A New Puppy...Probably....

Luke in his first hours at our house. He's a 15 week old Australian Shepherd. He is adorable and smart and lively. We already taught him his name and "Come." We are keeping him over the weekend to see if we want to buy him. So far so good...

Levi sure loves him and keeps asking, "So do you think we'll keep him?"

Some 'let's get to know you' butt sniffing. Truman is a little stand offish right now, but he seems to be warming up.

Some family bonding time.

Tag, I'm It

I was tagged on Facebook, and asked to write 25 random things about myself. Here they are...

1. I was born in Sidney NY and have always lived less than an hour from there.

2. I've been married for 11 ½ years. We've had our ups and downs, but I love being married to Audie. He's the best friend I've ever had.

3. I was a dairy farmer for 4 years.

4. My son Levi was given a 15% chance of being born without spina bifida or downsyndrome. He's perfectly healthy.

5. I had 30 hours of labor.

6. I've been homeschooling Levi for 2 ½ years now. It was completely his idea and I strongly resisted at first. It is difficult at times, but I love all the time I get to spend with him.

7. I am the happiest I've ever been. I really love my life.

8. I'm a little bit saucy. I like sarcasm, joking and teasing. I LOVE to laugh and have fun.

9. I also have a serious side, and carry a deep sadness that I don't quite understand.

10. I wish it didn't bother me so much that my dad isn't someone I can look up to and have a good relationship with. Maybe that's part of my sadness....

11. I spent years struggling with my faith. I questioned and came close to rejecting everything I'd ever believed. But now it all seems so simple and my faith is stronger than ever.

12. I love interesting conversation and connecting with people, but I don't like crowds or lots of noise. I need plenty of solitude to recharge.

13. Music moves me, motivates me, inspires me, connects me, sooothes me, and heals me. I can't imagine life without music, many different kinds.... even country.

14. I don't have much rhythm, but I really love to dance. I love to crank the music and dance my heart out. I do this often.

15. I really want to learn to play the drums. When the worship band plays at church, I watch the drummer. When I'm alone I crank the music and drum my heart out on any available surface.

16. Writing, music and exercise help me to think, to pray and to make sense of my life.

17. I wear an Ace knee brace every day. I have dislocated my knee several times over the years over the years. The last time (almost a year ago) was the worst. It was out for over 30 minutes and I had to have an EMT help me get it back in. Having a bum knee slows me down a bit, but I don't let it stop me.

18. I love dogs.

19. I have a lot of allergies and intolerances.

20. I LOVE nature. I hike in our woods everyday, in all kinds of weather. I feel closer to God outside than any other place.

21. I would love to live in a little cabin in the woods, off-grid, with just the bare necessities.

22. I have a 4-year old niece from Guatemala who is the sassiest little girl I've ever met. I had no idea I'd love her as much as I do. She's my best girl.

23. I honestly believe that the Bible is the Word of God.

24. The most important things in my life are seeking God, taking care of my family, being a good friend and living simply.

25. Sometimes my dreams are more than just dreams.

Christmas Day at Audie's Parents

It has become tradition to take a group shot every year at Christmas. Back row from left to right...Bob(Audie's dad), Bonnie(Audie's mom), Aryn(niece-Amy's daughter), April(Audie's sister), Ava(niece-April's daughter). Next row...Cary(Amy's husband), Amy(Audie's sister), Shane(nephew-Amy's son), Me holding Truman, Audie and Bill(April's husband). And smiling pretty in the front is the one and only....Levi.

Christmas Pictures Part 2

Levi's reaction to getting his Wii.

Levi when he opened his Zelda Wii game.

Another 'thank you' hug.

It was a Merr-Wii Christmas.