A Visual Update

I've (again) been horribly negligent about updating my blog. This has been the busiest and most emotionally tough school year that I've experienced. Without God, I don't know how I would have been able to survive let alone thrive (at times). I'm so glad that He is in control! On the positive side, school has been awesome this year. I truly love homeschooling and getting to know the young adults I'm privileged to raise! I have so much fun with Peter and Anne! I've begun to do Tai Chi and am feeling healthier and more positive! Peter earned his youth black sash in Kung Fu on January 9th. I'm so proud of him. He has worked so hard and earned this sash in 2.5 years. Another Kung Fu accomplishment is Anne's: we found out on Monday that Anne is invited to the next Kung Fu Promotion Ceremony where she'll receive her red sash with a black stripe (she'll be one sash away from black!). The challenges of this school year have included loosing my Grandmother on September 11th, 2009. Although we know that she's in Heaven, she's missed. Also, my Uncle who was like a Grandfather to my children, had a stroke in October and due to family circumstances has moved away. We miss him terribly! In February we discovered that my father has a serious heart condition. He's having a defibrillator/pacemaker implanted next Thursday. God has been so gracious and Dad is feeling better with the medication he's taking. He has to be cautious and listen to his body...God is in control and we're trusting Him.

So, here's my "visual update":



















Anne and Peter enjoying the warmer weather at a nearby Nature Center.





















I took this photo of Anne yesterday. She cuddling with Mandie (our Schnauzer) while doing her math lesson on the computer. Teaching Textbooks has been the best math curriculum we've used (and we've used A LOT of them to find it)!

I captured Anne breaking TWO boards with her foot at Kung Fu last month. This was the first time that she had done this and you tell see she's surprised. Keep in mind that she's a whooping 75 lbs. and is 4' 10" so this is quite an accomplishment IMO. She's a petite powerhouse! LOL

Peter is breaking six boards with his hand here.

It's Spring!

It's FINALLY Spring here! The pollen is so think on my car that you can write in it! Allergies abound, but I'm thankful for the sunshine. What a winter we had; there was so much snow and cold weather. We've lived in the Smoky Mountains for seven years and this is the first winter that we've had a lot of snow!

Here's a spring view from our front yard that Anne took a photograph of.

Here's a Narnia-like landscape (with the same tree).