Salt and Pepper Shakers

It seems that I often start my blogs by saying, "It is so quiet in here and I am enjoying the time by myself."

You probably don't think that I really have kids much less homeschool them...

It is true though, it is quiet here AND I am enjoying my time to myself. The three oldest are at youth group and Jacie is downstairs watching a movie. I marvel at how much I enjoy these couple of minutes to reconnect with myself and sit for a breather. It is so different having the boys (and our exchange student) old enough to attend a 'teen' function. Does that make me sound sentimental...? It should. I am. It seems like just yesterday those boys were little. I called them my salt and pepper shakers...A matched set- now they tower over me.

They have grown into quite the young men.

You know how I blogged last week about the middle son's attempt at a paper? Well, guess what...? Yup, you guessed it. Papers are due TODAY. This paper is supposed to be four pages long with four sources about a historical event. He chose the Civil War and set about to work on it a couple of days before the deadline. Let me insert here that he knew about this for a month...

Anyway, he worked pretty hard at it, got up and left it on the computer without saving and...well, need I say more? He lost everything. I have done that and can feel his pain BUT am not out to teach him that he can quit so I said, "Man, that stinks. I guess you better start over."

He promptly went down and plagerized an entire page of a book. I made him start over again. Today, he must have figured out that extensions were out of the question because he got himself up at 6 am. I cannot explain to you how significant that is. I have described him as my lazy daisy before- he is...

I have not seen a copy of the finished product. We'll see if he hits the deadline. That poor kid. Everything seems to go wrong for him in regard to school. More than anything, I want him to learn to work around his own abilities in order to be successful. I know in my heart he can do it but it is difficult to watch.

My oldest son did compete in the Horse Quiz Bowl that he was preparing for. He had a hard day. I have to tell you that he is incredibly shy and worries what others think of him a lot. Amidst his hard day- he took 2nd place and will be going to state this month. I was proud of him for taking the chance and making a good showing out of a difficult day. He is amazing to watch when he sets his mind to something.

Jacie has finished her surgery and is awaiting her rehab. You can read about her journey @ http://www.chinaforasister.blogspot.com/

I am blessed.

~Camo Pants