Sorry... still no camera to add new photos, but I thought I'd let everyone know we're still alive and kickin' here.  We've been staying unbelievably busy here.  People always ask if socialization is a problem for homeschoolers.  We answer, "Yes, but we're trying to cut back on all the activities!"  Right now Katie is playing volleyball on the homeschool JV team, so there's practice on Monday and Thursdays and games during the week.  Then she's also doing Student Council and they have a meeting and service project each month... things like beach clean up days, working at the food bank, etc.  She also has youth group activities and cell group meetings with our church.  www.palmvalleychurch.org  The other girls also have periodic church activities on the weekends... Faith and Madison just got back from a local amusement park and Emily had a game day.  Katie is supposed to go ice skating this weekend.  Then of course Fall co-op just started up last week and runs through October.  I'm teaching a children's literature class and a Secret Keeper Girl class for our 12-14 year old girls.  Lots of fun activities planned for both classes.  I'm also covering the teaching of Ralph's bible school classes when he is out of town, so that's a ton of work to prepare, but thankfully the semester is almost over and I think I can turn over my substitute hat to someone else.  I'm going to be ministering with Ralph next weekend, so that's a nice treat.  We all used to always be on the road on the east coast, but since we're so far from everything down here he does most of the traveling on his own.  We've started a home group here at the house that's been a lot of fun on Friday nights, so that still gives me the opportunity to lead worship from the comfort of my own home.  Our friends Barry and Anne Marie have been coming really faithfully, and Barry plays the guitar so it's lots of fun to play and sing along with me on the keyboard.  Good times of fellowship and worship.  Gosh, I WISH I had our camera to show you all some of this stuff!  DRAT!

Oh yeah... we also still HOMESCHOOL!  Can't forget that little tidbit there!  :)   The kids are doing great and it's hard to believe how fast it's all going.  We've covered stuff from the French Revolution to the westward expansion, vertebrates to carnavores, and tons of children's literature from The Great Turkey Walk to The Toothpaste Millionaire.  I guess things are just rolling along.

Isabelle is talking up a storm and sure misses her daddy when he's on the road.  She's using really good sentences now.  Yesterday she came up to me and said, "Dinner ready yet?"  Pretty cool for 21 months old.  I know she picks up tons from her sisters all day.  She's just one of the girls.  :) 

I'll try to update periodically just to let everyone know what's up with us.  Hopefully we'll be able to replace our camera in the next few months.  I'll make sure Santa has us on his NICE list! 

Hope everyone is having a great fall.  Enjoy some colored leaves for those of us who are still running the air conditioner in this city of palms.  You'll notice my use of fall colors in this post.  Sigh.  Guess I need to run now... literally.  The kids and I walk in the evening when the temperature finally cools down.  Adios everyone!  Love ya'll!!

My Perfect Place

by Faith

Grammy's house is very nice

Makes me happy, smells like spice

My favorite thing is cooking out

With all the family bustling about

In the kitchen Grammy cooks

While Asher is looking at baby books

Rachel and Jennifer telling us stories

So much laughter, so much noise

Outside Pop Pop's grilling food

Everyone's in a joyful mood

Later smoking on his pipe

Smells so good by firelight

In the backyard we all play

Everyone had a great time today!