LifeGem

So I stumbled upon a disturbing thing while I was looking around on the Internet. Apparently you can take the cremated ashes of a loved one or a lock of their hair and the LifeGem company will make a diamond out of it for you. That sounds absolutely creepy to have the remains of someone parading around on your finger. I get the concept, but I'm still creeped out by it. I just think the money would be better spent on something to honor the person's life, like a donation to a cause or something that the deceased was passionate about. What do you think?

Reflections on Teaching Jeremy

So, so far the biggest challenge of homeschooling is figuring out what Jeremy grasps right away and what he is challenged by. I have worked on homework with a number of different children when they came home from school, and it's amazing how different the children all are and how they all have different strengths. I know it's good for everyone to experience the basic elements of learning, but I wish somehow we could celebrate each child's accomplishments and strengths without comparing them to how others are doing. They can't possibly all excel in the same things, and it's good, because we need different kinds of brains in the world. I'm so thankful that I have the opportunity to work with Jeremy and not rush him through concepts he may be having trouble with and whiz by things that are so easy for him. Nothing makes him learn better than my positive input and response to his efforts. I'm really excited to be able to expand our program after the baby comes and take advantage of all the opportunities that will make his school experience a great one! So many groups to interact with and fun things to do to learn and grow that just require me to feel good, so we can go experience and conquer! I'm so grateful for a supportive husband who gives his input on what he wants for Jeremy and boosts me up with confidence that we can do it! I'm so grateful for a sweet boy who loves me despite the many mistakes I make in learning how to be the best parent for him. It is such a solemn responsibility to be entrusted with a child sent from our Heavenly Father, and David and I fast and pray over all the life altering decisions we make in behalf of Jeremy. We would never think of doing it alone, because only our Father in Heaven knows what is best for each and every one of His children. He will always guide us if we ask for His help and direction. After all, this is the experience that He wants for us, to learn and grow and to be happy. Seek and ye shall find, ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you.

Poll Results

So the majority of you are most irritable from lack of sleep. That's my number one trigger, followed by lack of food, rude people and waiting in line. They all make me grumpy, oh and the heat and nosy people and kids who scream just for fun and the rising cost of groceries and gas...it goes on and on. I guess I just need an attitude adjustment sometimes, how about you?

7 months

Per my BIL's request, here's an updated photo of the huge me. I feel enormous and I still have 2 months left. But I just keep thinking this is the last time!

Wii Bowling

So this was not a good bowling night for David and the Wii. He was doing so badly that he started goofing off, doing a wild spin as he threw the ball. He got 3 strikes in a row, it was hilarious! I told him not to try that in a real bowling alley or he'd knock somebody out!

Beach Day

So I decided to go to the beach with Jeremy this afternoon since it was going to be warm. My SIL and her kids came too and the kids had so much fun together! Amazingly we made it the whole afternoon with no potty runs! The kids ran races and built sandcastles. We all had a lot of fun watching the kiteboarders. They were amazing, all their flips and jumps in the ocean. There was a ton of them out there today, despite the San Diego shark attack.

Big Jump!

Big Red Mama and Jeremy

Ring around the Rosy

Where's the butterfly?

Jeremy wanted to take a picture of the butterfly in the backyard that kept landing near him. Can you see it? We obviously need to work on his zoom skills. ;)

Lonely grouchy day

So you notice my new poll is all about grouchy. I think it came to my mind today because that's how I feel. David has been gone all week and the friends that actually call and spend time with me are gone away, and I feel totally no desire to do anything. I was a good girl and went and took care of our friends' mail and animals and took Jeremy to the library to get the books he wanted and did school with him, but I feel no enthusiasm or joy. Anybody else have days like this?

The Magical Red Hair

So I've noticed that when I talk to most mothers, at some point in their baby's life always say to me, "My baby's hair looks red today!" They seem very excited about it. I think it's funny. It's like this magical color that everyone wants or something. I understand, I think red hair is amazing! But I also think it's so funny that we get so much more excited about it than any other color hair. You never hear any mother exclaiming, "My baby's hair looks brown today!"

Jeremy's latest drawings

So I thought I'd post some of Jeremy's latest drawings since that's how I save them. He's been really into drawing mountains lately and now he always puts snow on the top and our family in front of the mountain. He even draws the baby in, how cute! Also there's a volcano, a cat and a zebra.