Thursday, March 29, 2012

and more pics

so now that I've finally got my camera back out to use....I can't stop taking pictures!!!


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Victory in Alberta for homeschoolers

From the HSLDA website:

The impossible has happened in Alberta, Canada. Homeschoolers were fighting for their very freedom to teach truth according to their conscience and convictions. A bill that was destined to pass, and would have given the government authority over the education content of every child in Alberta, including homeschoolers and private school students, was defeated Monday.

The ruling party has called for an election and by so doing, the legislative session is officially ended; therefore the government’s attempt to take over all education in Alberta was defeated for lack of a vote.

The government had a vast majority of support from the legislators but as a result of a constant barrage of opposition from homeschoolers via email, phone calls, personal visits to legislators and rallies, the dangerous bill was defeated. The last rally mobilized over 2,000 homeschoolers who expressed their outrage in speeches and loud cheering for freedom and liberty. Observers said it was the largest rally at the capitol they had ever seen. The Canadian homeschoolers learned that grassroots lobbying can make a difference.

The challenge homeschoolers face now is the upcoming election. If the incumbents get reelected, the bill could come up again for passage. So, the homeschoolers are determined to get behind candidates that will support the right of parents to control the content of their child’s education in the homeschool setting. Canadians are learning that price of freedom is vigilance. A by-product of this legislative battle is homeschooled children are learning civics by application.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Photos

Photo session.....such beautiful weather today!!!







Monday, March 26, 2012

Baby update

I had an ultrasound today to check baby's growth. She is about 6 lbs 7 oz and 19 inches. She was head down at the beginning of the ultrasound and flipped to transverse by the end. Please pray baby will turn head down by my next appointment (next week). I don't want to end up with a c-section!!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Canadian homeschooling update

Here is the update from the HSLDA website and petition I posted earlier:

Homeschoolers in Alberta, Canada continue to fight for their freedom to teach biblical truth to their children as part of their homeschool program. The government of Alberta is attempting to pass a law that would require parents to teach as part of their homeschool curriculum political correctness, which in Canada would include tolerance for controversial lifestyles.

HSLDA posted a petition in opposition to the oppressive proposed law and garnered more than 12,000 signatures. We sent the petition wording to Paul Faris, president of HSLDA of Canada, to read at the protest that took place on Monday on the steps of the Capitol in Edmonton, Alberta.
The protest rally was a huge success. Over 2,100 parents and children showed up to demonstrate their outrage at this giant attempt to restrict their freedom. Observers commented that it was one of the biggest demonstrations in the history of Alberta. The homeschoolers expressed their rejection of this proposed bill and informed their representatives that if they voted for this legislation, they could expect opposition in their next election.

Faris said: “Unfortunately, I don’t think the government is going to back down, but they have heard from us, and they know there will be consequences. It seems that they are bent on bringing their destruction over this issue.”

On Tuesday, there was still slight hope as the parliament had not voted on the law, and it was apparent that there was some hot debate taking place among the legislators. Please continue your prayer support for the Albertans.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Recent pics

Here are some recent pics of the kids....long overdue! I feel like I haven't had my camera out in months :) The weather has been beautiful and I actually had to turn the air conditioning on today. I usually can tough it out a bit.....but I guess these last couple of prego weeks are making it a little hard.









Friday, March 16, 2012

Canadian Homeschoolers

I received this in my email from the HomeSchool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). It's probably headed here soon too!

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:
Our homeschooling brothers and sisters to the north are facing the possibility that they will be banned from teaching during schooltime that the Bible is true. The law would require that homeschoolers’ academic content contain politically correct views such as tolerance for controversial lifestyles.
The vote could be as soon as Tuesday, March 20, 2012. Alberta homeschoolers have rallied, called and written to legislators, to no avail. Last week, thousands of U.S. homeschoolers called and e-mailed the premier and education minister, to no avail.
HSLDA of Canada is calling for thousands of homeschoolers to come to Edmonton to protest on the steps of the legislature building on Monday, March 19, 2012.
You can also show your support by signing this petition, which we will deliver to Paul Faris, president of HSLDA of Canada on Monday.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Home again

Hubby's surgery went well. We went back to the same doctor he's familiar with, instead of finding a new one closer to where we moved. We were able to stay with his parents and have a good visit over the weekend. We were also able to get a little more packed up at the house. Still no news....the offer from before didn't work out unfortunately. We continue to wait and pray!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Reading Eggs

Anyone with small kids will probably enjoy this. Our 4 year old is having a ball! It's called Reading Eggs and helps your children learn their letters, sounds, words, sentences, rhyming words etc. Even though our boy had already started reading words and small sentences, I started him at the beginning of the program and he is loving it! Good reinforcement for him. He has now progressed onto map 4 and loving it. The older kids love watching him do it. The characters sing and make it so much fun!! Give the free trial a try :)
http://www.readingeggs.com
Promo code: UST84MED

Quick updates

We haven't heard anything yet about the house situation. We replied with a counter offer, which they then replied back with another counter offer (we just can't go with)....so unless they have a huge desire for this house, I'm not sure it will work out. We did have another positive showing on Tuesday, so you never know......maybe another offer could come through :)

Hubby heads for another surgery on Monday. We thought it was best we get it done before baby arrived. I look forward to the day when he doesn't have to go through this anymore!!

We are done our school year, so for now I'm just giving review worksheets to keep them familiar with their equations etc. It will be nice to take a break through April and May when baby gets here!!

Speaking of baby, I have an appointment tomorrow. I'm going every 2 weeks now. With just over a month to go....I'm getting anxious for her arrival :)

Monday, March 5, 2012

Finally....an OFFER! *and update

We are very excited to have the first offer on our house.....albeit a LOW first offer, but none the less someone is interested! Now we pray for wisdom as we deal with this family and hopefully come to an agreement. Because of our financial situation, we can not go lower than a certain amount. Please pray with us that we will be able to get the amount we need in order to sell :)

Tomorrow we have a 4th house showing in a row! Saturday, Sunday, Monday and now Tuesday! Would be nice if a bidding war started *grin*.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Serious tornado warnings and *Update

We had our very first family tornado drill this afternoon. The kids are very anxious but it is necessary they know what to do. We have some very severe weather headed our way this afternoon and into tonight. The news is telling us to not take this lightly. We have our little bunker set up downstairs (tables with mattresses on top) and the kids know what to do. Hubby may even try to get off early as the news says the worst may hit around 5pm. We may even end up sleeping downstairs :) Please keep us and the surrounding area in your prayers today.
God is in control!!

Update: around 4:10pm sirens were turned on and we headed to the basement. Hubby was summoned down to the shelter at work. He kept calling every 10 mins letting us know the tornado was heading right for us. We crammed under our mattress covered table downstairs which was not a happy place for our 2 yr old :) She was quite cranky being squished in there for about 40 mins. Hubby calls around 4:50pm to let us know he is on his way home....looks like the tornado headed just south of us. We will keep watching the weather through the evening....our God is good!!