It's Me, Dixie. Remember?

Due to the request of a very special friend, I decided to write a new post. I don't have a lot to say, a lot of the time, but sometimes I have too much to say and it ends up just ramblings. So, I hate to ramble on about nothing, that everybody cares nothing about.

Since my last post not really a lot has happened, even though it's been a full year. The kids are still working every day. We have cut our school week down from 5 to 4 days a week. They are really far ahead and doing extremely well. Brice has already finished his First grade work, and is in his second Pace of his Second grade work. Courtney is in her last Pace in each subject and she will be done with her 4th grade work. I haven't decided what I am going to do with her yet, because I don't want her working way ahead by starting her 5th grade work. I might get her some creative writing or something like that to work on till May. Bret is doing good as well. He was behind in his English and Word Building when we started, but he has caught up in his English and he will finish his 6th grade English before May. He is still behind in W.B. but working very hard at catching up. He is doing great in his other subjects as well. He only has two or three Pace's left in Science and Social Studies, and three or four more in math. So, all in all he is right on schedule as well.

Brian's job has been C R A Z Y!!! When we moved back to MO he went back to work at H.E. Williams Florescent Lighting company. He worked there from Dec.-Mar. then got laid off until the first of July. When he went back to work he was working 66 hours a week. Talk about long hours. The pay checks were nice, but didn't do much for family time. His hours since then have been anything but regular. The company will come out and say nobody can have over 40 hrs., so they change his hrs and he's coming home at 3:30. He works that a couple days then he is back to 45 hrs a week, so he's not coming home till 4:30. I don't know from one day to the next what time he will even be home. And they switch his going in time too. Sometimes he goes in as early as 6:00, now he is not going in till 8:00 every morning. There is just nothing reg. about his hours at all.

And as for me, same old, same old. Nothing ever new with me. Doing laundry, keeping house, cooking supper, homeschooling these kids. That's about it.

Since last Thursday we have been fighting the stomach virus. UGH!!! I hate when the kids are sick. Courtney got it last Thursday and was sick all day and all day Friday. Bret got up around 4:30 Sat. morning with it. He was sick all day Sat., but by Sunday, he was fine and we all got to go to church. Tonight we weren't so lucky. Carrie got sick right before bed last night. Was sick ALL NIGHT, her and I didn't get much sleep. She ran fever most of the day today, so we got to stay in tonight. I hate missing church, but it was nice just hanging out with my baby girl, I NEVER get to do that. Any way, I hope Brice, Brian and I don't get it. And I hope the others don't get it again.

Well, I guess this will suffice for a "new" post. I don't feel like it's really news, it's the same thing I always write, kids' school, Brian's work.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read it though. You're too kind. Really!

Till Next Time...

Homeschooling

We have been so behind in EVERYTHING since we have moved back to MO. Homeschooling has been no different. We decided to go with A.C.E. this time instead of going back with Landmark. The reason being, that is what they were doing at the Christian school in OK and I thought it would be a lot easier to continue with that, instead of switching curriculums in the middle of the school year. We finally got their PACE's ordered and got them in and were able to start. So, now we are in the full swing of things again. I think the A.C.E. is working a lot better than the Landmark for the simple fact they worked with it in a school setting, they know how it is supposed to be done, and they get it done. I enjoy the fact they have to get up and set goals each day, and then the feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day when they have them all done. Not only for them, but for me too, that we actually made it through another day. :o) Today was sort of a slow day. The kids are pretty much testing in every thing. So, it has been a more "relaxing" day than trying to get 4 or 5 pages done in everything. It has been kinda nice.

Till Next Time...

Back to- Normal?

I am so thankful the holidays are over. I didn't really get to enjoy them this year as I normally do. As any one who reads this probably already knows we moved the day after Thanksgiving, so getting my tree up the first of Dec. didn't happen. My shopping was put off till very late. Our Christmas was unusual, having to have it in the evening instead of first thing in the morning. Our visit to Brian's parents in IL was short, and very quick. Our New Years went by so fast I couldn't even believe it, and now it is all over. On the up side though, Brian was off for 5 FULL days. We enjoyed spending time together as a family for the first time really since we have been here. Then he worked Mon.-Wed. was off again Thurs. worked Fri. and got off half a day Sat. So, we have been blessed with his presence more than normal, and I am so thankful for that. But now he is back to work in the full swing of things. I just really hope he gets his Saturdays off now that the old year is over, and inventory is done.

I got up this morning with plans to get my tree down, and all the Christmas stuff put away, so I could begin again organizing things that have yet to be unpacked. But I woke up not feeling to great this morning. I think I have a stomach bug of some sort. Bret and two of my nephews had it over the New Year. So, I'm sure that's what I have too. And on top of that, I didn't sleep hardly at all last night, so I am a little tired from lack of sleep. At least I'm not in bed sick, I just feel blah, and don't feel like doing anything. I hope the rest of my kids stay healthy though, and don't get sick.

I have ordered our homeschooling curriculum, so I am hoping to get the kids started back a.s.a.p. We have been out a LOT longer than I had antisipated or hoped. I haven't figured it up yet, but I hope they aren't too terribly behind.

Well, that is a brief rundown of what is going on here. I am ready to get back to some form of "normalcy" if that is possible around here, I'm not real sure though. We haven't experienced it since we have been back here. So, I guess we will see.

I hope you all had a very good Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Till Next Time.