Dear Dana....

I'm making an effort to revive this blog. I had forgotten how much I loved to come and see the snowy beach picture, and of course my sunny WI and your snowy FL! LOL! And the colors are all just so beautiful together. You chose the perfect template......I'm going to be SO sad if they ever get rid of it!

Anyway, did I tell you that Leia is reading now? She's been sounding (and spelling and writing) out three letter words for awhile now, but a couple weeks ago she read her first little reader book. It was all three letter words, but it was still a book and she was SO proud of herself. Each week we add in a new book. This weeks book added in the sight word 'the', and a four letter word -trips. She did such a good job! Did I tell you that she also has two loose teeth? Sarah's daughter just lost her first tooth, and she's two years older than Leia. I just figured we had awhile to go before that stage here, so I was really surprised when she came to me telling me that her teeth hurt, and found they were loose! She's already starting to talk funny once in awhile, as she brushes her tongue against them -LOL!

What else? Nathan is doing really well on the potty. He has an occasional accident, and he still wets overnight, but we're on the upswing. He's also forgetting to ask for his 'rewards' most of the time now too =) He loves to sit and listen while we have reading time for school, and I pulled out a preschool workbook for him to color in while I work on worksheets with Leia. He loves that he has his own schoolwork to do, and it keeps him busy so Leia isn't distracted.

Brianna is on her last few weeks of Sonlight's Core 3, and then she'll be starting Core 4. I think I only have a few more books that I have to find before we start. She's excited to start the writing course that Barb is offering on HK, and I found out that there's a youth writing contest offered through a 'local' Writers Guild. Oh and a super school wooohooooo....I ordered Mastering Mathematics yesterday. Thanks for the recommendation. I can't wait to get it and start =)

Hannah's cold seems to be improving, as has her reflux. I'm taking care in not getting too excited, as she's had these ups and downs before, but the last couple days have brought a lot less spitting both during the days, and nights. I know they say that the average age of outgrowing it is 6-9 months. I'm praying she's 'above average', or would I call it below in this case? In any regard.....this break in washing bibs, blankets, burp rags, bedding, and sleepers is a welcome one!

A just overheard funny: Nathan pulled out a flashlight and wanted Leia to help him find a missing slipper. Her response....."No. Our brain is still asleep, because we JUST woke up." LOLOL! It must have made sense to him because he pulled off the one slipper he DID have on and went on to play with the flashlight, while Leia went to let her brain wake up -snort-

My dad's surgery is this morning. With the cold weather, and kids just coming off colds, I won't be going. If you could join me in prayer for the doctor, the procedure, as well as my dad and step-mom, I would appreciate it. I talked to my dad this morning and while he's a tad nervous, he made it SO clear that he knows that everything is in the Lord's hands. He wanted to remind us all that that no matter what happens, he knows it's a part of the Lord's plan, and that he wants everyone to rest in that and not worry, or place blame if something goes wrong. That really eased my heart this morning.

Yikes. 8:30 already! I better run and get breakfast going so we can move into our school day. Talk with you soon.

Love,
Cathy

PS. Paige reminded me about PTBHHM. I'm sorry that I was the slacker there. I'm making it a priority to go through that so the girls can (hopefully) read it. Are you still up for it?