Summer Reading Kick-off

Today was the kick off for the summer reading program at our local library. I personally think this is a wonderful program. Children keep reading logs of the books they read, for every 20 books they read the child gets to pick out a free book to keep. Upon completion of 100 books you get to pick out a 5th free book, a library tote bag, a butterfly beanie baby, or book light. Personally I hope the kids pick at least one library tote as they come in SOOO handy. (ok off my little mommy soap box).

This years theme is "Catch the Reading Bug." When we arrived at the library they had an ant farm and a butterfly house going. They also have a box with praying mantis eggs growing. As with years past there where games and activities. The kids played the games and made a book mark. The girls had their face painted, Mr. Christopher opted out of facing painting.

Be sure to check your local library to see what need activities they have for the summer. It is worth looking into. After all, your tax dollars pay for the library.

Compliments

I am one of those persons who find accepting of compliments very hard to do. Most of the time it is because I don't feel I deserve the compliments being made to me. Some of the times it is because I can find fault in what I have done, even though others may not see the faults. I know I come by this naturally. I have seen my mother do the same thing.

When is it ok to just accept compliments and when should we reject them? Is there a reason to ever reject a compliment?

For me I have tried my best to say "Thank you" to a person when they give me a compliment, even if I do not believe it is true or deserved. This way I have acknowledged the fact that this person cares and have hopefully given value to the person.

Compliments something that we should all share and receive.

Just a thought.

Celebration at the Station

Sometimes it takes moments likes these to make you realize how wonderful it is and how blessed we really are to live in the United States. Sometimes it is moments like this that cause you to say "Thank you God."

Tonight was the annual "Celebration at the Station." For the past 3 years we have attended as a family. This wonderful event is held in Downtown KC, on the lawn of the Liberty Memorial (The National WWI memorial). The KC Symphony plays patriotic music and the evening ends with fireworks above the memorial.

This year was special because the last living WWI Veteran was in attendance. A KC native who is 107 years old.

Graduation

The end of another school year has come. We formally closed the 2007-2008 school year today. Today Catherine officially graduated from 2nd grade. As with all graduations we begin the evening with the Pledge of Allegiance. We then present the current class, in this case Catherine R. Pierce. We talked about her finally research paper that she wrote in English this year. Her topic she choose was "The Flounder". Catherine read her research paper and did a great job. She was then presented with her certificate for completion of the 2nd grade. This years family cook out was "Kabobs" as requested by the graduate. So we ate dinner, it was yummy. Bri, our neighbor joined us.

Then it was off to celebrate the rest of the evening with Fireworks and music (see next post for details).

CoCo Key

Today was a fun day! You know there are "perks" to home school and this is one of them. Kansas City is opening a new indoor water resort park called CoCo Key. Today was the ribbon cutting ceremony for the water park. About a month ago an email was sent out by the public relations department of CoCo Key asking homeschooling families if they would like to come and experience the water park. This was a chance for the staff to do a final run through as well as media to come and shoot some videos. Well we said "SIGN US UP!" So today my mom joined us and we took the kids.

I have to say the water park is very nice. Not as big as I thought it would be. I know for day passes it is $20 a person so we defiantly got out monies work as the cost for today was FREE! The kids had a good time. We were able to us the park for almost 3 hours, which is more then long enough for Christopher and Anna.

Bread

Today we set out to make bread by hand. In our house we make a loaf of whole wheat bread about every day to every other day. Well today I go to get the bread machine loaded and wouldn't you know it, the pan is leaking the water. So no bread machine for us today. I then said, well we need bread.

So we made bread by hand. You know what, it taste even better then what we get out of the machine.

8 years ago

8 years ago I was in my parents car with butterflies in my stomach.

8 years ago we made a last minute stop to pick up a wedding knife and cake server.

8 years ago we pulled up to the church to see Tony looking up at a tree, turns out he was watching some birds.

8 years ago I met with my college friend in the nursery to get dress.

8 years ago I walked down the aisle of the sanctuary.

8 years ago I looked into Tony's eyes and said I do.

8 years ago I became Mrs. Tony Pierce.

8 years ago I began my life as a wife.

It seems like I have been with Tony my entire life and yet it seems like has not been 8 years. We have been through many ups and downs in life but we have been on the roller coaster ride together. We have 3 beautiful children and a wonderful family. Tonight we will celebrate with our children before we go to open house.

I can only image what the next 8 years is going to hold for us.

The End of Co-Op

Well today was both a happy day and a sad day, for today was the end of co-op for the semester. For the past 10 weeks we have been loading up the van a 11:30 am and heading to Kearney for Co-op. For the past 10 weeks we have been meeting with 90+ other families for a fun learning time. For the past 10 weeks we have build friendships. For the past 10 weeks we have had a great time. We finally have everything down to a routine on Friday's. At the same time it will be nice to not have to do anything on Friday, to not HAVE to be anywhere on Friday. This semester has been our first one with the group and has been a great experience. I have aided in 3 classes and have found that to be an enjoyable time.

This fall I have put in to teach some classes and we shall see what becomes of that. I know for sure I will be teaching the 4 year old core time (2 hours) and I can't wait!

I know you did not make the mess

Today we attended church in Plattsburge, Missouri. Today was Rainbow Sunday so we attend the church home of our Worthy Advisor. The Sermon really made you think. The minster was talking about how even if you did not make the mess you still need to help clean it up. How as a family we need to help each other clean up the messes as we find them. This was one of those light bulb moments for me. It causes to me to think, how many messes do I see around me that I just walk past saying to myself "I did not make the mess" or "it's not my mess." I think too, we are talking about more then physical trash. This makes me think that sometimes those "Messes" are people. How often are we around people who could use some support, some love, a hug, even just a smile to help them? Just a thought.

Dancing the Night Away

Well last night was the DeMolay Knights Youth Ball. This is an annual event for the Masonic Youth in Missouri. Once again this year I took Catherine. She danced the night away.

Knee Update

Well I saw the ortho today. He said the MRI shows no tears in my knee. The only issue I have is fluid on my knee, so he put a shot of cortisone into my knee. The cortisone itself did not hurt but the needle sure did. So that is all we know till I go back on April 18th.

Family is the Key

Home schooling is more the books, reading, and writing. Home schooling is a way of life. It is the only life where you can spend hour together and never get sick of each other. It is the only life in which kids and adults can learn and grow together. It is the only life that can cause you to really see the value in people of all ages. Most of all home school is about FAMILY. Family is number one and the only thing you think about. I find that by home schooling you really get past the "me me me" way of thinking. You thoughts are about your family and what you can do to help them learn and grow in life.

Creepy Book

About a week or so ago I started this new book, "The True Story of the Bilderberg Group." This book gives me the creeps. I have only been able to read about 2 pages at a time then I have to set it down because you are almost shaking. This book causes you to question the universe we live in. Some of the stuff in this book is to creepy to even want to believe. It shows a side government and society the most people do not even have a clue exists.

Knee Update

Well after being prodded by my wonderful friend on YMX and my hubby I made a call last week to see an Orthopedist about my right knee. For over 2 weeks it has been swollen and had these lumps sticking out from it. Well today was the appointment. The Dr is very nice. He took X-rays of the joint and as expected it shows no bone injuries. He said the lumps are fluid build up due to injury. He is thinking I have a meniscus tear in my knee. He scheduled an MRI for Wed. 3/19. Then I go back on Wed. 4/2 for a follow up. So we shall see what the MRI shows. All I know is my knee hurts. It hurts to walk, it hurts to sit, it just hurts 24/7.

Rolla = Ice Cream

Yes Rolla does equal ice cream in my book and the book of several others. Today we made the LONG trip to Rolla. Well what trip to Rolla would not be complete without a stop at Central Dairy in Jefferson City. This little ice cream shop has become a ritual with us to make this stop. This trip included my mom, Crystal, Elizabeth, Joanie, and myself. This time it was about 10 am when we hit our taste of heaven.

The Rolla visit itself was nice. Short and sweet. Since we ended up on the road so early we went to Columbia for dinner and walked the mall for a while.

Road trips are always so much fun!

State Officer's Practice

I survived! That is the first thought that went through my head as we left the lodge room and went to go eat lunch. I have been working like crazy on my part and other then changing a few words (unless you had a ritual you did not know) I nailed it. I was asked questions through the entire process and I feel like I nailed each and every one of them.

One said thing I noticed, was the lack of people. Between illness and other issues we where missing what seems like a ton of people. I think in reality it was 6 people. I hope all those that where unable to be there are doing ok. They are in my prayers.

Oh another neat thing about the day. Following lunch it was time for the reception and my formal looked GOOD! It was big before now it is really big due to my weight loss and toning! I LOVE IT!

The Joys of Co-Op's

This spring my family joined a Home Schooling Co-op. I have to say I feel this has been a great changes for both my children and myself. There are 90+ families in this co-op. One family had 12 children and is expecting #13. So total there are over 200 kids.

Each child has his or her own classes they can pick, 4 classes. Catherine is taking Ballroom Dancing, Art, Music, and Games. Anna is in a 3 year old class. Christopher is in a 2 year old class.

I think this is also very beneficial for myself as well. I have met many wonderful ladies (mostly moms come although you do see some dads). We have talked about everything from schooling to fun.

If you ever have a chance to find a co-op check it out, it might be a perfect fit for your family.

Back in the swing of life

Well the holidays are 99% over for us. We are getting back into the swing of life and our routines. I find mixed feelings with this. I enjoy the holiday season so much, I love the excitement, the smells, the smiles, I love it all......and at the same time I am some what relieved that is it over and we can get back to a sense of normalcy.

For us the Christmas decorations won't come down till January 6th. As we take them down we are going to sing and play Christmas Music, especially "We Three Kings" and "The 12 Days of Christmas". It will be nice to have my house back in "normal" mode and yet I will miss the look of Christmas. Although this year it has not been as much decorations as in years past, just never got time to get it all out (I have tons).

I love the laid back days and not having to worry about "did we get this assignment finish?" mode and yet life seems more peaceful when we are in our routine and doing school.

So today we will stand once again at the Flag of our Country, say the Pledge of Allegiance, bow our heads in prayer and look forward to this new day and what it may bring to our lives.

Bible Study Restarted!

I have always been one of those persons who set out with big goals on new years only to fall short of achieving them. So once again I have set out a goal, only this year I hope to get further with my goal. Last year a group of ladies and I decided to try to do daily Bible reading, with the goal of reading the entire Bible in one year. We lasted a few months. Well some of us our going for round two and trying again.

So todays reading is Genesis 1-3. This is the passage of creation and Adam and Eve being kicked out of the Garden of Eden. I think with all the times I have started my reading goal I could probably recite the entire passage from memory.

This year we noticed something. One lady in the group came up with a point. She wonders why the first 2 chapters are put in the order they are. You have all of creation then the author went back and gave details about day 6 and creating Adam and Eve. So then I pointed out how easy it is to give what we think is the whole story, only to find we need to give more details. So what details in our lives are we over looking?

Happy New Year!!

Well it is now 2008. I pray that everyone is protected and blessed this year.

We had some friends over for the evening. We played Halo 3 (or I tried to) and watched Blazing Saddles. It was a good time.

Catherine wanted to watch the ball drop, so we switched on the TV at 11:30 pm and she got to see it. She was very happy.