Gasoline Panic

I took the kids to our Homeschool park day today and received a text message from my husband telling me to fill up my tank. Usually my sweet husband fills up my tank for me (and he isn't one prone to unnecessary panic) and so I wasn't sure why I needed to take on this task but... I figured he had a good reason. I knew Ike was lurking in the Gulf and figured it had something to do with that.

Before I knew it there were multiple pockets of parents discussing their journey to the park. They noticed gas prices go from $3.54 to $3.99 as they passed station after station. The lines were long and the demand was surging. I began thinking - we are not in danger or anything. I am used to this sort of panic in Louisiana when hurricanes are on their way. We are usually preparing for the worst case scenario - in case the power stays out long term and we need to get to safety or something. This experience isn't new to me but the fact that we are not in danger and the panic is surrounding us is new. We are not in imminent danger but we are experiencing the panic here! Kind of crazy.

I finally waited through the line at a gas station after passing two stations that were totally OUT of gas!! I found a place where it was $3.68 and I decided to wait in line. The kids were wiped out from our day at the park and taking a nap so I quietly waited my turn. I was three people deep in line, and every pump was with at least 3 waiting behind the one pumping gas, and it was finally my turn. I then see this sign as the pump S..LOW..LY pumped fuel into my van. I had a half tank but... I was hearing rumors of soaring prices. After I filled up I heard from a friend who saw prices at $4.19 per gallon.
As I drove by another local gas station (because the one I was at was difficult for me to photograph) I snapped a shot of the lines in/out. This is so crazy to me! But I guess what happens in the gulf DOES affect all of us! I pray Ike is not the monster they are predicting!
We are praying for you all - friends in the Gulf area!!!

No More Hurricanes!

Praying for all our friends and family on the coast! Gustav was pretty dreadful on all our family and friends in Baton Rouge - I hope Ike does NOT hold the punch it appears it may!

Never Forgotten

Today always brings an eery stillness to me. I can remember the exact place I was when I first heard. I remember the fear the worry the wondering of who would dare do such a thing on purpose!

The stillness is here again and I am remembering. I am thankful that God has spared us from further attacks. I pray God continues to guard over America!

My heart aches for the families who lost dear loved ones 7 years ago today. My heart is also filled with thanks for the military, who continue to sacrifice so we remain safe.

Laughing and Playing in the Rain

So carefree!!!

I get by with a little help from my friends....

Our first early elementary outing with our fellow homeschooling families was a hit! We had a blast! So much fun watching the kids get to know one another. The Pre-K and Early Elementary age kids need a few more outings each year and so we started off the year with a bang! We had a tremendous showing of families that need the support of fellow homeschooling families. We look forward to the year ahead. Friendships formed, Moms encouraged and fun - who could ask for anything more??
The wee ones had fun too!
Sliding anyone??
Two girls who are clearly NOT afraid of messing up their hair - it's all about fun!!
and jumping...

Precious bonds made - maybe even a hero or two was found!
Fun fun fun was the name of the game! And 'classmates' are what make it all the more fun!

Thanks to all who joined our first outing of the year! We look forward to much more fun to come!

Livin' it up with Homeschool Days

While HC does her math pages JB creates things with the remaining blocks. HC working on her Math worksheets (these were what we used before we received Right Start).
She loves doing these.
One of the bigger rewards for her is joining JB in play after the 'work' is done.
We studied the Moon and HC made a mobile of the sun, moon and stars.
She was so proud of herself.
During our study of the Sun (I think) we put some nice plump grapes on the window sill and we made our own raisins. They finally finished becoming raisins (or at least that is the story I told the kids - I was beginning to see gnats and that is the finish line for me!).
Pretty good results huh?
Then HC created a hat like the bear in the story we read.... and she drew a picture and retold the story to me while wearing her hat.
Our last study was on leaves. HC learned about leaves and going your own way vs. going the way God wants you to go. She really enjoyed learning about each of our lessons thus far.
We read the book 'A tree is Nice' and she made a book of her own about why trees are nice.

We are finishing up our study on apples this week and then our first break of the year. We've worked hard and are due a little break from the daily grind. We've added a new math program that I LOVE!!! We are using Right Start and she absolutely LOVES it. She has really learned a bunch so far. We are learning poems in our language studies and returning to our reading. We have a full load but it is just challenging enough to push her while remaining simple enough to keep things fun! I am so pleased with this year thus far. The curriculum I found is really making our year fun - My Father's World is truly keeping HC's interest and that gives me the freedom to slip a few extras in there without her feeling burdened! More updates to come!!

HC the Ballerina

HC has been building in excitement for this big day! Her first ballet class. She was upset to not have her ballet shoes for her first class but we managed through.
We managed to find her shoes and HC has been having fun dancing her way around the house.
She was showing me a few of her moves - I love that she has the chance to try ballet. I hope she enjoys it for the rest of the semester! She seems to love it so much that she is ready for class as soon as class ends. This has been a fun addition to our routine.

Dance away HC!

Enjoying the Weather

Lately the weather has been pleasant for being outdoors. The last few days have been cloudy and felt a bit gloomy but for weeks it has been nice. Here is HC enjoying her scooter at the park. JB was finally able to try the trike. HC dominated it until her scooter entered the picture.
Havin' fun....
here I come........

They would both go to the peak of this incline and ride down with the wind in their hair. The incline was slight but just enough to be considered fun!

The vultures are circling!

I do not like confrontation and I do not enjoy disagreeing with others. I usually keep my blog on the light side but today I am so frustrated. It appears the vultures are circling one single lady and I am tired of watching the sick display.

Governor Sarah Palin is running for Vice President not her daughter. Governor Palin is being pulled apart so violently and so angrily that it is beyond disturbing. As far as I can tell the only issues that matter is how did she run the governments she was responsible for! I am so frustrated with all the media displays. They are showing themselves to NOT be reporters but vultures circling hoping the solo female will crumble soon so that they can finish her off.

I hope all of you out there - whether you are Democrat, Independent or Republican will take off your political hat for a moment and look at the obscene display of the media. They stole her social security number. How invasive!!!!!!!!!!! Pray for Governor Palin and for her family. That is the least we can do with all the attacks that she and her family are currently under.

I welcome your thoughts but will not give room for arguing. I will not give way to my blog becoming a place of division. I only see a fellow American being pounced unfairly and cannot stand to watch silently anymore.