Finally made a decision

We have been waiting and waiting for new job to give me a start date. Today after much talk between Hubby and I, we made a decision. We decided that we will be shipping out our stuff on the 25th. We also gave our 3rd and final notice of vacating our house for the same day. If new job gives me a start date of 8/1 then we will be leaving this area the next day. If they give me a start date of 8/15 then we will be staying at a friend's house till we leave on 8/3.

It feels great to have made a decision!! Now we can move forward on getting and finishing the packing. That's the hard part....I see some tired people in our future (:

Overwhelmed!!

I am feeling totally overwhelmed. It is nooooo fun trying to figure out what to get rid of and what to keep. Ordered the moving pods and realized that life sucks as we can't take everything! How to figure out what to take and what not to take is overwhelming to me right now. AND I STILL DON'T HAVE A START DATE! Nor do I know how much I'm going to make. It is a totally drag right now! I just want to go and get there and start my new job! The waiting is driving me crazy! Don't know if this helps or not but it is nice to write it down. God, please help me with patience and faith that it will all be okay!

Fayetteville, Here We Come???

I can't believe that it has almost been a month since I last wrote. It has been a whirlwind month. One week and four days ago, I was screaming at the top of my lungs at 10:15PM. I found a e-mail in the junk mail that said as it's title "Job Offer in Fayetteville." Yes, I finally got a job offer with the VA after nine months and over 50 job applications!

We have been calling back and forth to North Carolina, going through mounds of stuff, holding yard sales and packing. There are numerous feelings of excitement, anxiety, overwhelmness and a little bit of scared. But I know that it will all come together and I am truelly blessed with family and friends who some are sad and others are happy for us but all are helping us.

Fayetteville, Here We Come!!!

Tears of Joy/Tears of Sorrow

We have been blessed to have a small farm that is a wonderful experience for our family. In the last month, that blessing has brought tears of joy and tears of sorrow!

We lost our rooster due to scaly legs and Hubby had to put it out of its misery. Rainbow was having problems standing up due to his poor legs. We also lost a hen due to old age.

On April 7th, Charlotte our three year old goat gave birth to two baby does-Midnight and Charlotte Lily. On April 9th, Bit 'O Honey, give birth to Jay's Wings (a buck), Daisy (doe) and Caramel Candy (doe). That was quite the experience for all of us!!! Our first birthing of baby goats.

The same day that Honey gave birth, the girls lost their grandfather (my stepfather) unexpectedly. Unfornately we were not able to fly to see grandma due to cost and new baby goats.

On May 1st, we lost our precious mama goat, Charlotte. She being a goat thought that she could eat anything and ate a plastic bag which eventually killed her per the vet. We thought that she had pneumonia and tried to save her with pencillian. She died surrounded by her loving family. The next twenty four hours were hectic as we were afriad that we would lose Midnight-one of her babies. We found out through wonderful friends that she had not been drinking enough milk.

Today she is a happy, fat goat along with her sister. Honey was willing to accept Charlotte Lily as her own and will let her nurse. Midnight has quickly figured out that the bottle is something to enjoy and loves to cuddle with those feeding and holding her close!

We are blessed with good friends and wonderful children who are a joy with the animals and have compassion for all of God's creatures!

We soon have two families that have shared our homeschool adventures leaving the area. We are hoping to be leaving ourselves soon to a new state with new adventures. Indeed this has been a month of tears-both sorrow and joy!

The Busy Month of April

Well, it has indeed been a very busy month. In 5 very short days, we experienced the birthing of one of mama goats, Charlotte. She gave us two female baby goats, Midnight and Charlotte Lilly. Two days later, Honey, our other mama goat gave birth to two females, Caramel Candy and Daisy plus one male, Jay's Wings. That evening late my mother called to tell us that Doug, her husband, my stepfather, and the girls' grandfather passed. The next night, one of our hens passed from old age. So this is the month of birth, death and new beginnings.

The baby goats are beautiful and relaxing to watch. They are full of energy and we have family nights outside with them. Our family nights are filled with chasing, playing, cuddling and hugging God's creatures. Oh yes and lots of laughter!

I have interviewed for two positions with the VA this month. One was in Oklahoma City and the other in Fayetteville. Both are promising and so we have been working hard to rid of the excess stuff. I am planning to sell six boxes of curriculum in May. The last Saturday in April is yet another yard sale with another family joining us.

Hubby has been working hard in getting the utility trailer up and ready for the trip when the time comes. We are planning to take the two mama goats and two baby goats with us, Midnight (which Oldest has taken into her care) and Daisy (which Youngest has taken to her care). Of course, Flower, our cat is coming. All the rest of the farm is being sold to family friends. Wish we could take all but tooooo hard to take the whole farm across country.

Although this month is busy, I don't see it slowing down any in May. Have a short trip planned to see Pacific Coast family. An IEP is scheduled for Youngest. Have three field trips-rollerskating, berry picking and ostrich farm. Curriculum sale and another yard sale to rid even more. And God willing, packing and moving to a new home!!!

Proud Owners

We had a very busy last thirty hours. We are now the proud owners of two baby girl goats. Charlotte is a wonderful mama. She had no problems and is taking care of her darlings well. The first one is grayish-brown and our DDs named her Lilly. The second one is black with an appropriate name of Midnight. We have all agreed that Midnight is a keeper. It was really neat being there for the birthing. DDs got to see it all and it was truelly a miracle that we all appreciate that we were blessed to experience!

We Are Free!!!

Who knew that this month would bring sooooo much pain and joy? Been stuggling with the girls' Charter School and finally ended the struggle. Hurray for us!!! We left Sky Mountain Charter on 3/10/11 and that night I filed a PSA. We are free at last to do homeschooling like we want to do homeschooling. Currently, the girls are deschooling or unschooling. They are enjoying them selves and no more tears about school. Don't know why we waited so long except that the girls loved some of the curriculum and special interest stuff. But it became soooo not worth it.

Next week, Youngest is going to start testing through the local school district to hopefully get us some ideas on how to help her. Thought that we might put her into the PS till end of school year but just don't want to have to fight anymore with how we think our girls are best served in learning. Trying to read in my spare time to learn all I can and send that information to darling husband so hopefully can help Youngest be a happy learner versus a frustrated one especially with regards to reading and math.

Lots of praying that we get to move to a homeschool friendly area. It would be wonderful to have the girls in 4H, Girl Scouts, music lessons, and art lessons. The rest will come when they are willing and want it.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers for a new beginning on this wonderful road of homeschooling!!

Homeschool Options

Well, we are searching once again. By the end of the month at least oldest will be disenrolled from our current charter school. Not sure if disenrolling youngest at end of month or waiting till end of next month. Definitely not doing STAR testing as it is a waste of our time. This week I should be signing the paperwork to get testing okayed for youngest by our school district. Think we know what is going on but want to have it confirmed to help guide and give some direction on how to help youngest the best we can. I have joined a bunch of yahoo groups. Really like Homeschool Creatively and Learning Able Kids. As bought a book at good old Borders that has websites and ideas in it. Right now just trying to rap up all the curriculum that I need to return to the school. They have lost their minds. Initially it was me thinking that I had lost my mind but in talking with others I realized that it is the school not me. Thank goodness as I was being to question myself. It's good to have homeschooling friends to process thoughts!

Frustrations to Blessings??

I am frustrated with work. Frustrated with our Charter school. Frustrated with looking for a new career. Frustrated with finances. Just plain old frustrated!

Let's start with work....Well, I am now aware that I have a job till June 30th but I really don't want to be in this job anymore. I try to look at it as a blessing. I should be grateful that I have an income coming in. I should be grateful that I even have a job. But I'm not. I just want to be out!

I am frustrated with our Charter school. We did a SST for Youngest and it wasn't very helpful. I was hoping to find different suggestions for curriculum to try but instead we were sent back to do what didn't work in the past. We were told to get a math tutor. How will a math tutor help that is online? I am copying and getting curriculum together to just turn back in and be done. But the kiddos like this Charter school. They like being able to get curriculum that we can't afford. I feel like my hands are tied. I feel like I can't teach what I want to teach them. I feel like I have to hide what I am teaching them and can only show them what they want. I'm frustrated!

I just want to find a new career and get out of town. I don't want to do any more job applications. I don't want to do any more job interviews. I just want to get hired and move. I am frustrated that I have been looking since August 2009 and we are still here!

I am frustrated that we are struggling financial when I make the kind of money that I make. I am frustrated that we made ourselves so thin financially due to lack of knowledge and trust those who were not trustworthy. I am tried of juggling Peter to pay Paul. I am just asking for enough to not have to be calling someone or dealing with someone because of a late payment or bouncing check. I just want enough to not have to worry how to feed everyone and just have the basics. I am just frustrated.

How do I turn these frustrations to blessings? How do I let the worry go be free? How do I trust that it will all work out the way it should be? I am impatient with frustration. Definitely not a good combination. I know that it will work out the way it should but I have to be honest that I am just tired of the waiting. I have to work hard to not force a change because when I force a change, it is rarely a change for the good.

GOD WILL GUIDE ME TO THE RIGHT AND PERFECT CAREER! And everything else will fall into place!

Middle of the night thoughts

Well, it's the middle of the night and I am just rambling along in my head. I feel like a boat bouncing up and down in uncharted waters, not really sure of where I am headed. Should I fight for testing my Youngest or just let it go and keep doing what we are doing as far as homeschooling? Should I keep applying for jobs out of the area or just wait as I now know I have a job till July? Should I continue to try and rid the house of unused, unwanted and just plain junk or am I giving too many things away that I may later regret? Shoulda, woulda, coulda. I have been praying for guidance but at this moment in time, I just question myself if it is God's will or mine. I just don't know. Thank God for the 3 F's-family, friends and faith....it will in the end be God's will not mine. This Too Shall Pass and Let Go and Let God need to be in the forefront of this rambling brain!

Frustration but then maybe a blessing

Yesterday we did a SST for the third time for Youngest. My hope was to hear of some curriculum that would work for Youngest. Some suggestions to guide us. Instead I heard "Perhaps (Youngest) would be better served in your local public school." "Perhaps you are jumping from one curriculum to another too fast for her." "All I am hearing is what she can't do. Are you saying this around her?" One hour and ten minutes later, I had stated that I disagreed with their plan but I would do their plan. Knowing full well that we were getting pushed off till next school year. Today I spoke with our local school district's special education director and was told that we didn't have to wait that long. That I could write a letter asking for a psychoeducation assessment now and why. "It starts the clock" and they have to respond. The respond could be yes or no on doing it. Do I want to do this? Should I do this? Just not sure!

Xmas and the New Year

Wow, I can't believe it's been a month since I last blogged. It has been a very busy month at that! Christmas was spent with family and friends. The 23rd was spent delivery Xmas gifts of homemade goodies. Xmas Eve Day was doing more of the 23rd. In the evening we went to church so the kiddos could enjoy the candlelight service. Xmas Day was spent just relaxing and calling family to wish them a joyous holiday. Day after Xmas was spent delivery more gifts. Did a lot of reading and movie watching.

The 29th brought a snowstorm resulting in giving a late Xmas present to Hubby's mother. We had no electricity for 2 hours and very little firewood left. Woke up on the 30th with no water. That evening the well guy attempted to see what was up resulting in getting stuck in our backyard in the ditch covered in 4-5 inches of snow with digging having to occur to escape. Woke up on the 31st with Me stating "I'm done!" Attempted to find a timeshare or hotel with no luck on New Year's Eve except Las Vegas. Sure not taking two younguns to Vegas on New Year's Eve. Got in the van and drove to spend a long weekend with Grandma. Grandpa, Grandma, Aunties and Uncle all got to have a visit for the holidays. Kiddos went to the World Famous San Diego Zoo with Grandma. Much better than no water or heat (:

Upon our return home, three days later we had a $750 van repair that had to be done. It was a complete nightmare weekend. Trying to find a vehicle when none were to be had. Had to hitch a ride with a friend to get a car one hour away. Love living rural but sometimes it has its disadvantages! Almost got a speeding ticket when I tried returning the car. Rental car versus van....you guess which goes faster! Thank goodness, the police officer took pity on my poor, very lost soul. Oldest was in the car when it happened. You can tell that she is a true homeschooler. After we drove away from the police officer, she said, "Mom that was something that I learned new. Do you want me to write some sentences about it?" Now I can laugh about it but at the time, I was very embarassed to say in the least. "Sure Honey, write those sentences so your teacher can learn all about your speeding mother!"

Work has been a challenge and I continue to pray that God will bless me with a new career. Tonight I just completed another job application. This one is in Oceanside-back to where we came from. Today I had an interview for a position that I would absolutely love!! It would be a new challenge. I would learn new things. It is more money. It is by the farm. It is by my side of the family. And best of all, it is still rural so we can have our goats, chickens, cat and gardening. Keeping my fingers crossed and praying for God's will in whatever direction he leads our family!

I sure didn't lie when I said that we were busy this last month! Till next post..