Happy Father's Day

I love this time of year because I have some wonderful men who love me in my life. I usually replay in my mind all the special moments spent with my father, uncles, grandfathers, step-father, brothers and husband. Although many of them have had some serious short-comings that other women who have passed them in life would love to list, I am so very appreciative of how they have loved me.

Every since I can remember my father has always treated me as a sweet treasure. He’s always listened to me and laughed with me, and for much of my life he was the only one who told me he loved me. Although my mother would say he wasn’t a stellar partner and she could rehearse some pretty horrible love experiences with him, I am very thankful to her for allowing and encouraging a relationship between the two of us after they split. Until today my father and I talk and laugh have a ball on the phone because we live many miles apart. I haven’t seen his face in about two years, but I will see him again in July.



My step-father was also a huge blessing in my life. When he married my mother there were 4 of us children living at home. I was eight years old. He never disciplined us. He left up to my mother. He would quietly acknowledge that he knew we were doing wrong, but never offered a judgement one way or another. He has influenced my political views and my worldview, and I chose a husband a lot like him. He was hard-working, loving toward my mother, respectful toward us kids, and very intelligent. He and my mother split once all of us kids were out of the house, so I don’t talk to him much. Although, I have a lot of respect for him. One year I found his number and called him to say Happy Birthday after about 15 years of not speaking to him at all. I think it really floored him.

My Uncles have always been Wonderful to me everyday of my life. They have always guided me and protected me, and I am thankful.

Finally, the man I married is a culmination of all the best that I’ve known in the men around me. He shares many of their characteristics and most of all he loves me and my children dearly. I can’t think of a better example of a Father.

Thanks Haki for being a wonderful father. Happy Father’s Day!!!!

Beach Days

We moved to Florida to start our new life. We've been unpacking and trying to get the house in order. The first day we got here the girls set first things first and got a new library card. They love the library here because there is a new treasure trove of different books. We went to the thrift store to pick up some throw rugs and scored a mid-century buffet for the dining room.



The oldest daughter found some Manga Magazines, so we are loving life right now.

We take evening dips in the Gulf of Mexico. I love the beach after 6 or 7 pm at night. We watch the sunset while we swim in the water. Pretty awesome. Little baby is pretty crafty about eating sand. We really have to watch him. He loves, loves, loves sand.

Finished Testing & School is out

School was scheduled to end June 4th, but since we skipped a Spring break we are calling it quits a bit early. We tested for two days on Monday and Tuesday. We used a meeting room in the library since our house is filled with boxes. We are moving to Florida in about two days. We pick up the truck tomorrow and drive off on Friday! We are super excited and with any luck we will be on the beach on Sunday.

This year was filled with many activities and a plethora of learning experiences. I can't believe it's over. I really don't want it to end. We have voted to continue throughout the Summer. We'll do mostly projects and read some Shakespeare. Nothing too heavy. We will start a book series too as a family. We have finished the Harry Potter Series and I am going through major withdrawal. We listen to it on CD. Anyone have any suggestions on what we should read next? I am thinking the Percy Jackson Series.

My eighth grader is finishing middle school this year, so we really want to send her to a performing arts camp at Georgetown University as a graduation gift. The camp is really expensive. We are spending a lot to move, plus we have a family reunion to attend this summer, so we are using our faith to provide what she needs to go.

Baby girl went to Stone Mountain Park to for a Girl Scouts Camping trip. I can tell she had an absolute blast because every so often she just blurts out how this thing or that thing at Stone Mountain was great, and that she wants to visit there again when we visit Atlanta.

I went on a mommy retreat with another homeschooling mommy and a public schooling mommy. We went to Jeju Korean Spa. It was pure heaven. The place is filled with saunas, whirlpools, and cool pools, jeweled relaxation rooms and just a wonderful environment for relaxing. I really noticed that my face tightened up a bit. I didn't get special facial or anything. I just paid the $25.00 and got the normal sauna and pool spa time. You can stay all day if you want to, but since I'm nursing I had to come home after a few hours.

I guess that's it. Oh I joined a Facebook group called the Gifted Homeschoolers Forum. I love it because it provides so much helpful info.

Field Trip to A Special Place

We've been a member of a Yahoo Group called The Cabin Path. I would receive updates from the group about homeschool visits. Since we are leaving Atlanta, I put going there on my list of things to do. We went on Earth day, and it was amazing! This place is less than 5 miles from my house and it is 52 acres of nature's goodness. The owner, Sara was extremely welcoming, and she hosts homeschoolers every Thursday. She hosts several other groups as well. The Cabin Path Has a lake, horses, tadpoles, a labyrinth, many many trails, an ancient American Indian Mound, and many native trees, shrubs and plants of Georgia. It is a lovely place, and I truly hope to go back there every week until we leave.

I get Frustrated at the End of the Year

It's a good thing I have this blog or else I would think we have accomplished nothing all year. I am burned out. Sigh...

The Owl Barn, The FCAT, The Presidents

I love, love, love homeschooling!!!! I hate to admit it, but it's sorta of a selfish endeavor for me. Educating my children, plus taking the time to learn new things for myself is exhilarating.

My daughters did a Presidents project that took longer than I expected. However, it was a great learning tool and experience. Once they turned the project in to me, I facilitated a discuss about every interesting fact in the Presentation. We pulled out the globe and looked at the Philippines and how it was from America. Why because of a treaty between the U.S. and Spain over the ownership of the small South Pacific country. We talked about how long the slavery issue in America droned on, and how many Presidents had to consider it before Lincoln actual ended it.

We talked about Bill Clinton's impeachment, the 4 assassinations of our Presidents, the continental congress, and just a bunch of American history. It was an interesting conversation.

Homeschooling allows for some deep and meaningful educational conversations. The kids are genuinely excited to learn new things. That's why I am a little sad to send my 13 year old back to school next year. I am super proud that she got accepted into a performing arts high school, but I am sad that I won't be her teacher anymore. Well, not primarily.

In other news, We have become totally enthralled with the Owl Barn. It's a live streaming of an owl who moved into an owl box after two years of it being built. She's about to hatch 5 eggs and she has a partner too. She has no idea we are watching. Wouldn't it be strange if people from another planet were watching everything we did with such interest.

Anyway, there's my update. I'll post again real soon.

Homeschool Student, 13 years old Now at Morehouse College

Check out this child prodigy. Regular school didn't recognize him as being gifted and now he is just 13 and a student in college!