Correction

For my friend Sara...who lives in ND.
I did say that while in ND I would only have access to high speed internet at the library. But that was not true. We spent a day and half in Fargo with our friends Marti and Sara and their two kids. And they of course do have high speed internet.....and I did use it. And I even have a pic to show. :)

Holidays

Our Holiday vacation started on December 9 and we won't return home until late on January 4th. And when I am away from home I am just not a very good blogger. I neglect my precious blog :( Mostly b/c my schedule is so mixed up but also b/c it seems to be more difficult without my desktop. I know all my buttons and shortcuts on my computer. but when using someone else's desktop or even our laptop it's just not the same. But even a bigger reason would be my lack of access to high speed internet. In KY my parents have satellite internet which is faster than dial up but still not high speed. When we get to ND I would have to go to the library to gain access. You say.....The library, really?? Yes. Really. And yes this is 2008.
My daily life always involves the internet....I don't see how people survive without it. I need directions, want to listen to Christmas music, need to know where the cheapest place to buy X at, research curriculum, stay in touch with friends, find out what time the store closes, what time church service is, buy household goods, read homeschooling articles, sign up for field trips, find bargin deals for area attractions, sell stuff on craig's list and ebay, find lapbook ideas, keep up with the homeschooling support group calendar and co-op classes, and you know I could go on and on and on.
It is a fast and efficient tool that I utilize everyday, several times a day. It helps me manage my home, our school, and my time. And I guess I am just missing it a little. I think of things I need to do or want to know and say well I guess I will have to wait til we get back home to find out. And as we are heading to ND I know I will lose it even more.....b/c if you think I am going to go out in below freezing temps just to get online, your crazy. I will stay in where it is warm and toasty sip some cocoa, listen to Christmas music, eat homemade yummies, and let the the information world go on without me for a while. I will be oblivious to the new book review I was wanting to find out about and about the 85% off sale that is happening at the online store where I wanted to get that science kit for Rose, and that my friend just received some great news, etc, etc ...but I won't know I missing it, right? So for the next bit I am saying farewell to to the information highway and to my nice little blog world. But don't fear....I will return after Christmas with pictures and probably a montage or two for your viewing pleasure.
So until then...let me leave you with this pic of Rose from a couple of days ago.....

Irvin Christmas

Yesterday we had a our Christmas with my family. There is a pic of Gma and Gpa and all the grandkids and one of Rose opening a present. We had a fun day of visiting, exchanging presents, playing games, eating goodies, etc. It was so nice all being together. Each of the nieces nd nephews are so enjoyable to be with. I will most likely do a video montage of this day when I get back to GA. ....for Gma at least.

Travel Delays

Well we get up at 5:15 AM and head to the the Northern Ky airport bright and early (well actually dark and early) and as you know Rose and I are not normally early risers. We get there and the kiosk can't find us in the system, the agents make a couple of mistakes...yadda yadda yadda....by 8:30 we have missed our flight. So we are currently staying in a hotel and waiting for a flight that leaves tomorrow evening. Delta apologized and gave use hotel, food and shuttle vouchers. Chad was kind of bummed b/c that took a day and half away from his visit with his parents. We are relaxing and still enjoying the day here. Grandma Irvin, Tori and Tim came up to the hotel and we spent the afternoon in the indoor pool. So we made some lemonade out of those lemons. Tomorrow one of our legs will be first class so that will be nice too. So tomorrow we will try again.

To kind of switch topics.......I know I haven't blogged about our trip to Paris. I will do pics and such but probably not until we are back home which will be in January. I loved Paris. I thought it was very charming. BUT I missed Rose terribly! I don't want to go on a trip without her again. It was so hard. I don't think it is natural for a mother to be separated from her child. I just don't see how people do that. Chad will probably be going to Bangladesh in 2010 and he said Rose could definitely go with us then. He missed her too. That is if I go.....I had pretty bad jet lag and right now the thought of another trip that like that just isn't as appealing as it was before. Which is kind of weird coming from (me) someone who loves to travel.

FUN Pool pics:

A Christmas version 1 Corinthians 13

I am currently in the beautiful city of Paris France. But I will have to post about that later. Right now I am going to share this with you (b/c I have been neglecting my little blog during my travels, but don't fret .....I will have much to tell.......later:)

First Corinthians 13 (Christmas version)
Author Unknown

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen,
baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals
and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime:
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen,
carol in the nursing home,
and give all that I have to charity;
but do not show love to my family,
it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels
and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties
and sing in the choir's cantata
but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love does not envy another's home
that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way,
but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return;
but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.

Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things, and
endures all things.
Love never fails.

Video games will break,
pearl necklaces will be lost,
golf clubs will rust;
but giving the gift of love will endure.

Christmas Lights

I thought this was pretty and very cool!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Cheer Video (as promised :)

This was a fun day for Rose.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Cheer photo

I wanted to share a photo from today's Cheer Competition. I will share a video later.
Rose had so much fun today doing the competition.

Georgia Aquarium

Reason #416 why I love homeschooling....... We get to go to area attractions with another homeschooling family on a day without the crowds. -A worker there told us that on this day there was one hundred and some odd people there but two days prior (Sunday) there was over 4 thousand people there. I think that it is safe to say our experience was much more pleasant. And what made it even more enjoyable was we went with a homeschooling friend who has three kids. Plus our aquarium tickets were super duper cheap because it was an off peak day with a mommy and me special! It was a fun day all around. I should also mention that we had an adventure at IKEA (the store) before we even went to the the aquarium. note (for future reference): if you have a 'quad million' little tiny items....don't do the self checkout aisle. And if your purchases take up so much room in the van that the kids have to climb in and out through the hatch door and climb over the seat ...... well, that just adds to the fun.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving weekend at G-ma and G-pa Irvin's (in KY). It was a fun weekend with the family. And this video has "Jingle Bells' for the background music b/c it is traditionally a Thanksgiving song not a Christmas song. (but yes even I like to sing it at Christmas time, too)

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com