Wrapping up the summer

Well, the inevitable is coming. School! Unlike those who send their kids to public or private school, that word means something totally different to a homeschooling mom. School means; Late night planning, early morning motivations, reading out loud, family bible study,watching the dog chew on math blocks,  math lessons, reading lessons, disciplining the young ones, checking up on the older ones, changing the baby/toddler, stopping for lunch, history lessons, handwriting, grammar, more disciplining, watching the house turn into a forest of scattered papers..... wait, that may all just be my house. I'm certain that your home runs as smooth as a well oiled machine. Your kids sit quietly at the table and complete all of their work in a timely manner. The dog plays happily outside and never steals the toddlers snack and most of all the house is immaculate by the time dad gets home and he raves of how much you've accomplished.  If that's the case, I'll gladly trade mine for yours. (smile) Just kidding. I love these rugrats that the Lord has entrusted to me and it is a joy to teach them.... is what I tell myself daily... (smile) As we prepare to embark on this adventure to Central America I can only imagine what the Lord will teach us. If we did nothing but love on everyone we came into contact with (and a little math on the side) I will feel accomplished. We will be going down for our first visit in a few weeks to find a home, I trust that the Lord will lead us to the exact place he wants us to spend this year. My prayer is that through the difficult times and the wonderful times of homeschooling we can all know that God is in total control. If all else fails, it doesn't matter where you begin, just begin!
More to come...

Benjamin Button

After two whole years of relentless and shameful begging for candy, my 3 year old Benjamin Button had a nicely embedded cavity between two back teeth. (Don't worry, I take full responsibility). If you knew this little boy, you would know why we call him Benjamin Button. He must of been born 83 years old and has been going in reverse ever since.
One afternoon my little ol' man asked to go to the dentist because his tooth hurt, I took him the next day. Unfortunately for both of us the dentist was 83 years old and well after drilling, tears and a faulty filling that fell out a few weeks later...he came back to me and asked to go back and get his teeth fixed.
I found a wonderful 'Just for Kids' dentist and made the appointment and today was the day.
After breakfast, baths and even a smart hair cut, we were off with 5 other children in tow. Benji was confident as he climbed into the dentist's chair and asked for the mini flat screen television to be turned on. I asked the dentist for silver fillings this time and he offered silver caps. I asked Benjamin if I should stay in the room with him and he said "That's ok" in his 'don't worry about me' kind of way.
Forty Five minutes later, he walks out with the nurse and she is all smiles... "He did so great!"
He smiles and shows me his two silver caps which I quickly snap a pic of with my camera and forward to DH. I show him the pic and he narrows his eyebrows and say "OUCH!"

His new nickname... Megatron.
Thanks to my impeccable timing abilities, I chose this day to take a few more passport pictures, including Benjamin's.  We drive for about half an hour and arrive at the photo center. Everyone hops out of the car and and I inspect faces. When I get to Benjamin I notice that he had been chewing on his numb lip and it is red and swollen! Great!
Well, you can imagine how the picture looked, maybe the photo guy thought his lips were naturally like that. Hope the border patrols don't notice... (sigh)
More to come...

Are you ready for an adventure?

It's Sunday evening and I have just finished reading an awesome book about Global Education. I close this 200 somewhat pages of total awesomeness, sit it on my nightstand and think to myself... We're moving out of the country! I look over to my husband peacefully asleep beside me and  wonder how I'm going to convince him to do just that. Well, lucky for me it didn't take much convincing. After praying that night, next morning and afternoon, I pick DH up from work the next day, give him my spiel and he whole heartedly agrees!
 It's been about 2 months since that conversation and life has been a whirlwind! Who does that?!? Right?!? Well, I guess we do! Ha!
Where are we going you may wonder, well the choice that made the most sense to us was Costa Rica. We have 8 beautiful, intelligent children and can't wait to see them immersed in another country, culture and language. My oldest is 17 and will be leaving for college or the military Fall of 2011, so this was just the perfect time for us.
Got question marks above your head? Well here are some answers:
Q:What about work?
A: Covered, Hubby's company went under, got bought out and the new owners let  go of the entire division. No problem! We knew it was coming 6 months ago.Thank God for our home business that can be managed from away.
Q:How safe is Costa Rica? How about medical care.
A: CR has great medical care and how safe is America... really?
Q: Will you continue to homeschool?
A: Most definitely!  My kids have never been to school. This is a hands on way to learn geography, science, math, Spanish and History! Totally exciting!
Q:What about your house, belongings.
A: House is going to be rented out for a year minimum and the bulk of our belongings sold to the highest bidder. No use of carrying more than what we can carry...literally!
Q: What about church?
A: Missions! Nicaragua is on the northern border of CR and the 2nd poorest country in the western hemisphere after Haiti.
And for those who think "Well, you all are just crazy!" Well, obviously!
More to come...