Saturday, June 26, 2010

What Happened to June?

I can't believe the month of June is almost gone. Since the purpose of this blog is to create a family record, I'm going to give a rundown of what has been happening since I last posted, June 6.

6/6 - The evening of my last post, I ordered all my curriculum for next year. Thanks to my parents, who help us out with homeschool curriculum each year. They do this because they give SO much financial help to my sister all the time. We wouldn't have had a single penny for curriculum this year otherwise.

6/10 - Gerren had the rest of his braces taken off. His teeth look great! Landon came home from New Mexico. He had so many stories to tell. Here's a picture of him at the facility on Kirtland AFB where they film the History Channel show Future Weapons. (click on the word "picture" - the link didn't show up very well when I looked at it)

6/12 - Landon and I went to a meeting for those attending Boy's State at the American Legion in Crystal River. Unfortunately, some of the American Legion members sat in the back smoking through the entire meeting! I thought I was going to die!

By the end of this week and all through the next, my curriculum began rolling in. I ordered a lot of used books from Amazon.com and half.com, so they came one at a time. I spent the week logging books on the computer, writing lesson plans, etc., etc. I spend a lot of time planning during the summer, so that it is simplified during the school year.

6/20 - Some friends of ours came over in the late afternoon so I could give the kids a presentation on helping with chores. Their mom wanted them to see that other kids do chores, too. :) After we were through, the boys played airsoft and the girls played together while the parents talked. They generously ordered out pizza, and we had a great evening together.

6/21 - Monday was an at-home day, thankfully, since the next three days were very busy.

6/22 - We went to the free movie in Crystal River and then for haircuts (Gerren and me). I spent the late afternoon doing more school planning, cooking dinner, etc.

6/23 - Our realtor, the other Linda Meahl, brought the "caravan" through at 8:45 this morning. I took Landon to CCF to take the CLEP American Government test at noon. He got a 68 (a low score for him - he was hurrying to finish so he wouldn't have to go to Ocala with us). A perfect score is an 80, and you get college credit for anything over 50, so a 68 isn't a problem. :) The girls, Gerren, and I headed to Ocala for his eye doctor's appointment followed by Aldi and Sam's Club shopping.

6/24 - Another evaluation day - although I did have some empty spots for a break from people cancelling. I know that means the last day I do in July will be packed out. :) Finished the week's grocery shopping at Walmart afterwards. Greg was working late, so there was no rush to get dinner on the table.

6/25 - Finally another at-home day. I spent the morning with various and sundry household chores and finished all my planning for next year. Everything is ready to go. I do need to come up with a time schedule for the kids, mainly so that I can have the time with each one that I need. If we are still living in this area (please, God, sell our house and give Greg a job in St. Louis!), Landon will be attending CCF in Ocala pretty much full-time: 8:00am-3:00pm M, W, F and 9:00am-12:00pm on Thursday. He will only be taking Economics at home. It's a semester course, but we'll spread it over the entire year, since his college schedule is so full.

His schedule is tentative, though, as we are waiting on his AP Calculus BC test results. If he gets a 4 or 5, he'll stick to the schedule above and take Calculus III, General Physics w/Calculus I, General Chemistry w/Qualitative Analysis I, and Freshman Composition II. In the spring, he'll take part II of Physics and Chemistry as well as Differential Equations and Technical Communications. He should be able to finish his AA by the time he graduates high school in May 2011.

If he only gets a 3 on the AP test, he has to take Calculus II, which will change his schedule. I'm not worried that he got less than a 3, but we're praying for a 4 or 5. He said it was the hardest test he's ever taken. We can get the results over the phone on Thursday, July 1.

6/26 - Our realtor and another from her office are having an open house here today from noon to 3:00pm. So, we're rushing to get out of the house.


Sunday, June 6, 2010

What a Week or Two!

Well, it's been a long time since I've blogged - AGAIN. Landon and I head to the FPEA Convention in Orlando very early Friday morning, May 28th. He worked the CAP booth, and I went to many seminars and wandered the vendor hall as well. I was SO blessed by Andrew Pudewa and Todd Wilson of Familyman Ministries. Todd has been at our convention before, but I'd never heard him speak. I don't know why. He was awesome! We spent the night at a nearby Hampton and enjoyed the conference on Saturday as well. We didn't leave until 8:15pm as the CAP cadets were helping the vendors tear down. I had a great time with Landon as always.

We visited Reflections Church in Citrus Springs for the 2nd week in a row. We are really loving this church. We went to the later service because we were home so late Saturday night.

We had a relaxing Memorial Day by the pool (except for Greg who had to work). Landon went to a CAP party at the Shewbarts.

On Wednesday, June 2, I had a full day of evaluations. I do this 3-4 times in the summer, so I can have the rest of the days off! :) I also helped Landon pack for his trip to New Mexico.

On Saturday morning, Landon and Greg left the house at 3:00am to get Landon on a 6:00am flight to New Mexico. He is attending the JROTC Aerospace and Technology Honors Camp at the University of New Mexico. CAP cadets are allowed to attend this camp as well. Landon had to go before the Special Activities Selection Board in order to be selected. He has a busy week ahead of him.

The rest of us (except Greg who had to work) picked 16-1/2 lb. of blueberries Saturday morning. Although we picked from 9:00-10:15am, it was still HOT! I'm thrilled to have enough blueberries to last an entire year tucked away in my freezer.

We went back to Reflections again today. This was their 1 year anniversary, and they had a guest band leading worship. We like the 9:00am service, because we're home shortly after 11:00am. Greg is able to have more time to accomplish something on his only real day off.

It'll be strange around here without Landon this week. He'll be home very late Thursday night.