Out of sOrts

Lizzy has been out of sorts these past couple of days.  

You see, "the best Nana Ever" is out of town and things have been kind of off. 

But, don't worry. . .  "the best Nana" will be home today and all will be right with the world. 

We are so Happy! 

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Communal Global

Weekly Kodochrome

ABC Wednesday

Once upon a time

This may look like a big pile of rubble to you. But, to us it's history. . . it's our past. It times Margaret, our mother and I shared with our dad. 

Our father was a visionary. He was able to see beauty and opportunity in everything. . .  Even a big pile of bricks.

Once upon a time, many years ago, there was a old abandon mill that fell down. There was no hope for this big pile of devastation ~ until one day our father drove by and saw art laying in the rubble. He saw hand made bricks that could be used again. If only he had someone to pick them up, clean them off, and  get them to a new home. 


Never really seeing a problem, our father knew he could always count on the woman in his life to figure out these minor details.  So, one Sunday afternoon, after Mass, our father convinced our mother and two of his little girls to go out for a Sunday drive to see a mill that fell down.  It just so happened that the owner of this mill didn't mind if . . .someone picked up the bricks and cleaned up the area just a little bit.  


And that someone you see just happened to be. . . me, my mother and sister. . .that's three. 


So Margaret, our mother and I set to work with our father by our side. We piled, cleaned and scraped bricks. Two little girls, a devoted wife and the visionary moved, one by one, well over 10,000 bricks to a new home in the country.  

Through out the years the bricks were used many times. 

Once there was a devastating fire in our childhood home. The bricks were used to rebuild, remodel and repair to make the house "better then ever".  There were so many bricks not all of them could be used at that time . . . So they waited. . . until at long last. . . the visionaries son used them on his own home many, many years later. 

NOT 
the END


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Favorite Photo Friday

In the Studio

Unknown Mami

 Ni Hao Yall

Tickled Pink

Even when I catch her being naughty and doing things she shouldn't do:

Like when she slips outside, without anyone noticing,  to dance and celebrate in the pouring rain. 

I can't help but see how this 5 year old child embraces life and I have to say. . .  "Hold it Missy!!! I need to get one more picture and then you have to come in and take a warm bath." 

The way this little girl see beauty in everything. . .  just tickles me pink. 

Our Father's Hands

Our mother has always said, " Bill  was born with a hammer in his hand."  He has always had a love for building.  Because of our father's construction business this natural talent Bill showed could be nurtured. As the years past it came to be ~ our father would design and our brother's would build his creations.  George worked on everything electrical and Bill would handle the building and craft work. 

As Bill grow older he truly became our father's hands. 

It has come to pass in this bitter sweet moment of time our father's last creation is being made reality now that Bill has decided to remodel his own home. . .

AND

"Our Father's legacy and dreams will live on his family."

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ABC Wednesday

Favorite Photo Friday

In the Studio

the "Why"

Through the years of writing this blog I have talked very little about our home school life. Sure I have sprinkled hints of home school here and there; however, I have never really talked about the why. I have received many e-mails and much encouragement from friends outside of this blog saying I should share the why. Just last week I received an e-mail from Brandis, a blogging friend,  asking me if I would do this very thing as a guest host on her blog. Without giving it much thought I dove in. I wrote a post talking about  " why" we home school. Mainly it's a post about what brought us to this wonderful life of homeschooling. I shared the post with my son first and then with his approval I sent it off to Brandis. To my surprise this son of mine said, "Mom that was really nice. You should post this on your blog." 

~So, here it is ~ 

Everyone home schools for a different reason: it maybe family practicality, religious reasons, academic, the list just goes on and on. But, the truth is "why" a family homeschools is very personal.  I have home schooled all our four children for 9 years now. 

I believe in home schooling.  

I believe most families would love homeschooling their children. There is a closeness to home schoolers that just can't be matched anywhere.  Home schooled kids are not weird. They are not antisocial. They are just normal children. Home schooled kids have to be made to do their homework, made to get up in the morning, made to go to bed at night and for the most part they have to be made to practice their piano just like other kids. 

I was not always a home schooling mom. 

At one time my children went to school. But, I soon realized public school was not the path we needed to take. I had a son that was struggling terribly in first grade. He wanted to read but just couldn't get it.  Time went by and I talked to the teacher weekly about his struggles. I talked to the teacher about my son's upset stomach and how sick he felt every morning going to school. It was clear to me, even though I was telling her often this teacher was not aware of my son's distress. It was clear to me she was not listening. Unbelievably, she was not aware, by any means,  that one of her students was not reading. She told me time and time again my son was fine. But, I knew better. I knew he was struggling and desperate to achieve. 

Then there was the day my phone rang. It was the school principle. He wanted to talk to me about my first grader who had just been caught cheating on a daily spelling test.  I  remember it all like it was yesterday. I went down to the school and learned my young son had spelling tests daily. I learned that the children in this first grade class had 10 minutes in the morning to study 10 new words each day and then they would be tested on them. I learned my little boy kept his new spelling words out on his desk so he could see them while taking the test that day to  finally make a passing grade. He wanted to feel good about himself, if only for a moment. 


My reaction was not at all what was expected by the principle or the teacher. My reaction was not anger towards my son. My anger was directed towards the teacher. My thinking was, and my thinking still is, 6 year olds do not cheat. . . unless they are desperate and he was. 

 That day I learned most of the children didn't pass these spelling tests. I learned this teacher was trying a new program that was not working for her class but she wanted to stick to it because it was an expensive program. I was appalled the school would let such a thing happen. I was told by the principle not to worry because "next year things would be better". 

I demanded my son be tested for reading issues. I told the principle my baby had been struggling. I told this man how my son would tell me when he tried to read words would slip off his paper and it all made him sick to his stomach. I told the principle how many times this year I told my son's teacher about these issues and she told me time and time again my son was fine.  And now, here he was in trouble for cheating and I blamed them. I made it clear that the school was not to punish my son for this act. I would take care of it at home and I did.


As time went on that year the company my husband worked for was closing and moving to China. His job was ending and our young son was still not reading. After months of persistent fighting with our school our little boy was finally tested for his reading issues. The report came back visual perception problems. . .bottom line 

Dyslexia 

An IEP was set up for this child.  This smart little boy of mine would have to leave his class mates during science and history and go to a remedial reading group to learn the one thing he wanted so badly. This first grader was also required to keep up with the other studies he would be missing to go to the remedial classes. I knew my son was bright. His IQ tests showed me his intelligence was way above average. I already knew this about him. I knew if a 6 year old was going to take apart a VCR and put it back together. . . mostly right. . . he had to be smart. I could not figure out how in the world a school expected a child to keep up with reading subjects when he was struggling so much with reading. When I pressed the school to keep my son out of gym or art I was told this was not allowed by our school district. It was plain to see this plan would cause more frustration for this wonderfully bright, loving child of mine. 

 My husband and I knew if our son was going to achieve we had to help him ourselves. 

~ and so our home school journey had begun ~ 

To much disapproval from everyone around us we took all the kids out of school and started a new year. I learned a lot that first year. Little did I know this thing called dyslexia that  my son had came from his mother. 

I learned Dyslexia runs in families. 

I got mine from my father, he from his mother and so on. I also learned Dyslexia is a gift. It's a gift that has to be worked around to reach the gift of reading. With a lot of hard work it can be done. But, never the less, this gift of Dyslexia brought us to home schooling and I am so grateful for that. 

I can honestly tell you as a dyslexic home schooling mother of four this is one gift I would never trade for anything.  

Home school is something I know I have to do for my son. I take one year at a time. Not everyday is bliss. There are many days I wonder why am I still doing this thing. And then there are those days that I know why I do this thing. 

It doesn't happen often but every now and then I will hear a "thank you" from one of my kids. Like the time my oldest said "Thanks Mom." "Home schooling me was the best thing you could have done for me."  and that my dear Friends nine years later was my ah ha moment when I knew following my gut and home schooling our children was right. 

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Favorite Photo Friday

In the Studio

Look at her. . .

Did I blink? 

Look at her. . .

When did she get so big? 

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Communal Global

Weekly Kodochrome

ABC Wednesday

~ Just ~

I have come to realize I haven't posted any pictures of my oldest daughter lately. 

This is not because I don't Just adore this oldest daughter of mine. I haven't posted about her because well. . . simply. . .It's not easy getting this daughters photograph.  Every time I whip out my camera, she turns her back, puts her head down,  or she walks away. 

And that leaves my photos blurry or worse ~ I am left without even one good picture of her. 

So today, I realized it has been awhile since I have posted about this beautiful daughter of mine.  This daughter that's JUST perfect for me.  This daughter that's strong willed and wonderfully funny. This daughter that challenges me and drives me to be  a better mother . . .  To be a better woman. . . everyday. She makes me rise to the occasion . . .what ever that may be and be her mother.  


In this picture I can see a girl blossoming into a young woman. She is growing up beautifully right before my very eyes.  I am thrilled to be able to say, I have been with her every moment of her life. This daughter of mine. . . that I JUST simply adore. 

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ABC Wednesday

Black and White Wednesday with like Christmas every day

My Bearded Baby

Look Y'all. . . My baby has a beard. 

He's my bearded baby.

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My 3 Boybarians

Communal Global

Weekly Kodochrome

Between the Sunbeams

Come a little closer and look between the sunbeam and the two bears ~ you can see a joyful face. 

You know who that is. . . that's May Ree Lizzy Beth. . .the girl with many names. For her birthday,  that was in July. . . the birthday I didn't have a chance to post about. . .the fifth birthday. . .remember?  She was given two bears: One from Me. . .the light one. . .and one from "the Best Nana Ever" . . . the dark one. 

Guess which bear she kept. 

You got it!  

 ~ The Dark One ~ 

and My Spirit Thrives

On this Fabulous Friday I am redefining the finer things in life while I embrace every moment in the Studio of my Life. . . As I embrace the beautiful gift I received in the mail a few weeks ago. 

It is a painting by one of my dear blogging friends,   Robin,  from Well of Creations. It's an original ~ Signed and everything!  The inscription on the painting says,   

"With God, My Spirit Thrives. " Psalm 31:5

 Robin sent me this painting because. . . well. . .  I really, really liked it. She read between the lines and just knew I needed a little lift. . .and you know what?  This did the trick! This adorable painting lifts my spirit and I can feel it thrive more then I can tell you.  I smile every time I see the painting and read the words written on it. This gift is just perfect for me.   With all my heart I thank you Robin. ~ Your the best!  

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Favorite Photo Friday

 In the Studio

Her Hollow Leg

I have come to think of Fridays as a day off for me. A day I take a step back, a step away from our busy school week and rest.  . . well. . . kind of. 

Friday mornings Liz and I drive Kathryn and Stephen to Spartanburg,  a good 50 minutes  from our house to a class. . . a Biology class.  Biology is something I am NOT capable of teaching in this home school life of mine. 

I thank God every Friday all our high school sciences are taught by Dr. Bennett. Who is a college professor at one of the local colleges. He teaches home schooled kids science at a college level. . . every Friday. And I, their teacher, four days a week,  leave two of my babies at this class knowing they are in the best of hand. And most importantly, their high school future looks brighter because of Dr. Bennett.  

Did I say, Thank GOD! I don't have to teach Biology??? 

Let me hear a Hallelujah! 

Thank You! 

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So anyway, My little friend and I drop these guys off for the whole day and we go out to play, get some running around done and do a little school work. 

Our first stop for the day is always, without a doubt, Panera Bread.  My girl likes the cinnamon rolls there. I get a coffee and an apple and we sit and talk, work on her school stuff  and just spend time together not rushing.  

But, here is the funny thing: 

This girl must have a hollow leg. 

Because she eats. . .

the whole DARN thing! 

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Black and White Wednesday with like Christmas every day

Wordless Wednesday but with Words

I is for . . .

In remembrance of September 11th my sister and I wanted to do just a little something, in our own way, to remember that dark, dark day . . . to honor the dead. . .to honor the living. . .to Remember. 

Since she is a runner ~ you can tell because of the hat ~ she suggested we run 9.11 miles. . . and because I am a glutton for punishment I said, "Okay!"

. . .So we did. . .

We ran, we laughed,  we talked and we remembered. . .9.11 miles

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My 3 Boybarians

Communal Global

Weekly Kodochrome

ABC Wednesday

The Home School Journey

I have home-schooled our children for 10 years now. I even home-schooled our oldest son all the way to college. When you home-school you never know what the day will bring. There are so many things going on in a life the day could change in an instant.   

One thing you do as a home-school family is study.  

And, boy do you study many, many things. Through the years my kids and I have studied: Ichthyology, Theology, Economics, all the maths, Nato, English for 10 years now, American Literature, World Literature and the list just goes on and on and on.                     

~ But ~ 

Do you want to know what my favorite subject to study in school is? 

 ~ reading ~ 

This year my girl has started 5K. Now that she knows all her letters and their sounds  ~ it's time to put them together to create words. Real words! and we couldn't be more excited. The journey continues   

A 9 -11 Baby

On this day of nine eleven ~   My brother's baby girl had a baby boy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jamey King are proud to announce the birth of their son, 

BRANTLEY  TROY  KING   

7lbs 13 oz,  21 1/2 inches long 

September 11, 2011    

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Unknown Mami

 Ni Hao Yall

Just the two of us

The other day I was talking to my youngest;  we were talking about spending time together and how wonderful it was that it was just the two of us. . . alone at last . . .without. . .the other kids.

She told me she didn't really see why she had to share me with everyone else and sometimes it was just hard for a girl like her. 

As we talked, I  could see her little heart filling with pure Joy and that it was dripping with Love.

She was eating up the attention I was giving her and I was thrilled with the attention she throwing my way. It felt good to be alone with this little daughter of mine. . .just the two of us.  She took a deep breath and sighed. I could tell whatever IT was  that was on her mind was big. I could see whatever it was that she was going to say next would be ever so loving. 

I was ready. 

In her sweetest most serious little voice she says ~ "Mommy, I just love . . .

"Nana."      "She's the Best".  

and I smiled and laughed at myself. . . and then I said very seriously and lovingly ..."Yes, my darling she is the best." "She is the best Nana ever. "

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Playing alone with:  Show off your Shot

Favorite Photo Friday

H is for. . .Happy Birthday

Tomorrow is "Stevie Wonder's" birthday. . . He will be 17.

  17??? 

He's one of those kids that just makes heart sing. This son of mine truly is a pleasure. He would give the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it more then he did. He has always been this way, even when he was a very little guy.  Kind, Generous, the Helper. . .that's my Stephen

~ May he never change. ~

As I think of the years gone by. . . I wonder. . .   Where has the time gone? How could 17 years come and go so fast?  How could he be 17? 

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My 3 Boybarians

Communal Global

Weekly Kodochrome

ABC Wednesday

G is for . . .

Good Grief  am I behind ~  Life has Gotten in the way of  bloGGinG. ForGive me for not stopping by and commentinG. I will fill you in soon on all the happeninGs. . .

In the mean time: G is for little Girls and Good Friends and an afternoon filled with bakinG, playinG and happy, happy Grins

ABC Wednesday