Bragging corner

I truly try not to brag about anything at all, especially in a blog forum, but I am going to do it and hope that you will understand my elation. Report cards came home this week. Austin got 4 B's and 2 A's, the A's were in Math and Latin. I am thrilled for him, because his school work is truly challenging for him, except for math, he seems to be a whiz at it. There were several times this quarter where he came home with some pretty low F's and I was worried if he could pull them up in time.

Luke got 2 A's a B and the rest S for satisfactory. The teacher has told me numerous times, what a hard worker he is, and how driven he is. I am very proud of him, he is still behind in reading, but is meeting the goals they have for him. A tutor comes in a couple of times a week and reads with him, and in the mornings he does a computer program geared to help him catch up.

But Evan was the one that shined the brightest. He got 5 A's and 1 B, which placed him on the honor roll. Since he has never been to school, he had no idea that it is a big deal, until I read him the teachers comments and he saw it on the report card. I am positively glowing over him, and relieved like you can't imagine. My whole homeschooling life, I worried about whether or not they were getting what they needed and if I was preparing them adequately for it. It is a huge relief to me to see them do so well. Granted they are all 1 year behind the actual grade that they could/should be in, but this still proves to me that they are on track, they just might not have done this well.

As a fellow blogger once put it, (and I liked it). I was a reluctant homeschooler. I am not one to think that children learn what they need to know by playing in the creek or planting a garden, (although worthy pastimes) but they need structure and some rigorous school work. So I did what I had to do, but not very well, or with much enthusiasm. School was just something to get through each day. I am sure that I will probably homeschool again in the near future but this has given me the confidence I needed to do it better, the next time I give it a go.

Living the Dream

Me, living my dream.
Evan, number 63, the kicker.
He is on the offense, so I caught this while he was watching his team.
The whole team, and his coach, a.k.a Tiny, the fluffy guy in the picture.I
This is why God gave me boys, because nothing beats watching your kid play football. I admit, I am one of those mom's screaming from the sideline, "GET HIM!, DEFENSE!, RUUUUNNN!!
I love this game, and I love it even more when someone I know is playing. I don't watch anything but the playoffs and the Superbowl from the NFL, but when Nate's younger brother, a.k.a. Uncle Bubba used to play center for the H.S. team, I had a blast in the stands rooting on the team. Evan is not a die hard fan, but he has done very well for this being his first year, and he is the best kicker, so that is his permanent job as well as offensive lineman. He even has the onside kick down pat. His team is #2 in the rec dept. league and we play the #1 team tonight.

I only hope that Luke plays next year, because that child will be a force to be reckoned with. If one of them loves football as much as I, I will have done my job as their mother.

I have just lost my last bit of respect for the international community.

Obama wins the Nobel Peace prize???? What in the world is going on??? I am astounded at this announcement. My shock has nothing to do with the fact that I oppose him on many different levels, I actually like the guy (what we can see) as an individual, as a dad, and even his marriage has sparked my interest. Most of his political policies make me weak behind the knees though.

When did the Nobel committee start giving out the award to people with lofty intentions? My good intentions extend far beyond what Obama has purposed. I want every child in the world to have a home and family. I want there to be a line waiting to adopt every baby that is considered for abortion, for every child that is going to lose their parents to aids. I don't just want to set up orphanages in every poor section of Africa and Asia, but I want to plant schools as well, and not just for children. Every illiterate person in a household should have the opportunity to learn.

But my most lofty goal is that, not only is there unity in the middle east and between the Muslims nations, but my goal is for every Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist, Satanist, to have an encounter with the living God.

What have I actually done to fulfill my intentions? Well, I started an adoption grant program in my church. I am adopting. The children, their father and I pray for the lost frequently. We ask the lord to supernaturally reveal himself to the Muslims during Ramadan. Where is my nomination, and the nomination of those who have actually DONE something. (I rant and jest in the above tirade,) What can Obama, or the Nobel Peace committee laud as an accomplishment for him yet. NOTHING!! Obama, right now, is just an international rock star. Maybe he is just a one hit wonder, maybe he will fall from grace, maybe he won't be able to do anything that he hopes to do. Was he awarded the most prestigious prize our world can offer because he makes them feel dizzy when he smiles at them?, or because of his commanding presence in front of teleprompters and cameras?

I don't blame him for this award, I blame the international community for getting stars in their eyes over his presence in the world. They of all people should be weighing, watching, evaluating his endeavors with a leery eye. They should be above public displays of affection. They should be above politically motivated brown nosing. Good grief! Give the man some space and time to prove himself. Character over charisma, please. When did we exchange merit for popularity? What am I going to tell my children now? Words speak louder than actions, so just speak louder dear children and you shall receive your reward.