Update

Our family is just getting busier and busier! I thought I better do an update to record at least some of the busyness!

We just finished up our fall semester of our homeschool co-op. We loved being a part of it and especially loved the performance last week where all the children got to show off some of the things they had been taught.

Several classes were taught, such as: Public Speaking (my class), Spanish, Choir (for young children and a young ladies choir), Sign language, and an interpretive dance/music/sign language class for the older girls, as well as science classes, and writing classes.

The four oldest children performed their speeches very well. I wanted to upload them, but the DVD will not be read on my computer so I'll have to figure out some other way. Abby was part of the choir and Sign Language/mixture class and it was touching to see how much she learned from her wonderful teachers. I love the fact that we are in a Christian co-op with members from other churches, and that my children have an environment where they feel comfortable talking about their belief in Christ with others. I loved being able to open and close my Speech class with the children offering heartfelt prayers.

It's also a joy to be able to have my children be with various ages of children and not feel like it's wrong to socialize with someone "not in their grade". My particular class had children ages 5-12. I also love the fact that none of the children are even aware of the latest fashions! Well, maybe the teen girls are :-) But the younger kids could care less what the others are wearing. They are just happy to see their friends!

Abby also had a piano performance in church this past Sunday. She was asked by her voice teacher to accompany the seminary kids while they sang As Sisters in Zion/Armies of Helaman. She did superbly and practiced hours upon hours to learn such a difficult song. She is also performing tomorrow at the Care Center. Her piano teacher asked her to perform this time and so she is busy polishing several classical pieces for that event.

Tomorrow night we are also having a little "exhibition". Another homeschool friend and I invited a few other families to share their talents with us tomorrow night. We aren't sure who will be able to make it, but it should be a fun night for the kids to show off their talents again, maybe a few adults will be brave enough to share as well.

For those that haven't heard, we are expecting again. Our newest addition will make an entrance sometime near April. The girls are hoping and praying for a girl to "even up" the numbers. This baby will be number six for those that have lost count =D

I'm still writing articles once a month for Latter-Day Homeschooling. It's good for me to be stretched a little and get out of my comfort zone.

I also (with MUCH encouragement from Kent) got up the courage to try out for a play again. It was only my second audition, and I was a complete mess. I did, however, secure the part that I was hoping to get! I'll be playing Ismene in the Greek tragedy, Antigone. Opening night will hopefully be in 8 days. I got to try on my costume yesterday, including my mask (everyone will be wearing one). I love it! I play a princess and the costume definitely makes me feel like one. It was also especially made to show off my belly, and it does a marvelous job!

I've been continuing my education in Holistic Iridology and have a few more hours left before I complete my second level of training. I really enjoy it and love being able to read people's eyes to verify that what I'm learning isn't just hooey! I actually have someone coming over tomorrow morning that wants to have their eyes read. I finally counted and I think I've read over 20 different pairs of eyes now and it's amazing how different we all are.

Kent is learning more and more through his own quest of finding what will be most effective for his clients. He brings home the things he has learned and it blesses our lives here at home. Hopefully we are all becoming more emotionally aware and through that more spiritually aware.

Herbal medicine has become second nature in our home. Things like William (3) waking up in the middle of the night and crying that he needs some Arnica rubbed on his leg because it hurts. Or if someone would be bitten by a mosquito, the children would promptly run to find them a plantain leaf.

This last week finally turned cold and snowy all at once. The snow just keeps on coming and the temperatures have already been to the negative teens. It was a blessing to have the warm weather stay until November though! We've been hearing it will be a very harsh winter this year, but hopefully short!

Last of all, we just had our first traditional Thanksgiving family dinner. We've almost always been by family or celebrated with others and this year we decided to just celebrate ourselves. Everything went off without a hitch until Abby was taking out the blueberry pie to cool in the snow and it slipped right out of the pan! We salvaged what we could and laughed about it. I have a very happy, and fat belly right now, for more reasons than one!

I would post some interesting pictures of our recent happenings, but our camera broke! I think that's what I'll be asking for from Santa :-)

Here's to hoping that all of you have fat, happy Thanksgiving bellies!