I am Thankful for.....

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17


What am I thankful for…..
I know a God who loves me no matter what I do!!! I find myself so far from Him right now that I am thankful that he still loves me!! I pray that I get closer and find joy in Him always.
“Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!”  Psalms 66:20

My children know that same God!! I have to strengthen my relationship with Him in order to help my children see it. They need to be closer too.
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalms 19:14


For Steve, his love and his desire to provided. Steve is an example of the blessings that God has given me. I think every day that Steve was an answered prayer from a 12 year old girl.

For Tyler, his love and his funny personality. I am getting so old, my kids are growing up way to fast. Tyler is old enough to decide when and if he gets his hair cut.

For Samantha, her “not at all like me” attitude and her mothering instincts. She can so be a challenge, but I have to remind myself that she is JUST LIKE ME!! She is so good with the little kids; we call her Evan’s mommy #2!

For Caroline, her sweet spirit and her “just like Daddy” personality. She is a lot like her dad, but she has gotten some of my qualities too. She has some issues that I had at her age and I pray that she can overcome them. I am so sad she has to deal with these things, but at least I can help her through them.

For Jack, his ability to cope when things get hard and his “I love my mom” kiss. Wow, what a sad month it has been. Jack being diagnost with diabetes what not something I ever would have expected. We do know that of all the kids he is probably the one who will handle it the best!! He is doing so well; I just can’t believe that this has happened…

PRAY FOR A CURE!!!! “Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.” Psalms 54:2

For Evan, his I want it now (and you should give it to me) attitude and that he wants to be my baby forever. Why is he so darn cute??? That really causes us trouble. He is very demanding, but he has been able to train his “pet monkey” Tyler well!!  We found out today that he needs his tonsils out (REALLY)!!! I am thankful for reaching our deductable before Jack’s diagnosis and Evan’s operation!!!! (Insurance company may not feel that way)

For parents that are ALWAYS there whenever I need them. It’s true that you worry about your kids even when they are adults, but it is also true that you worry about your parents even when you grow up. Both of my parents have diabetes and I am praying for them to get theirs under control now that Jack is dealing with it. Wish we had done more as a family to help cure diabetes all the years!!

For In-Laws who always want to help out, with time or advice. So thankful that when God blessed me with Steve he also blessed me with in-laws that love my children. I know they do and I know that they only want what is best for them.

For a brother and sister who love me even though I’m not always loveable and for marrying well!! I may not talk to either of them as often as I should, but they both mean the world to me.

For God making me come out of my “cave” and make friends.
“This is what the LORD says— you’re Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go”. Isaiah 48:17

I am thankful for the co-op (sort of), but that is where I have made all my friends (so have the kids). There is nothing like two weekends a year away with your friends!!  Thankful that I can pray for my friends that are hurting and many of them are.
“A psalm of David. LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.” Psalm 143:1

For allowing a disease in our family that we already know a lot about. Honestly, if one of my children had to be diagnosis with a disease diabetes is a good one. IT IS LIFE AULTERING NOT LIFE THREATING!!! We do already know A LOT about it, since my family has been dealing with it for 32 years, but now it is up-close and personal. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

For the researchers who are trying to make the lives of those with diabetes better and longer. Thankful that there are clinical trials out there that we can get involved in so that they can learn more about the disease and try to improve the lives of those affected. Jack and I are each trying to get into two different trials.


I am thankful that God has allowed all of these people in my life. I am so richly blessed and often forget that I am.

Diabetes has now Hit Home!! Praying for a Cure!!!

My focus in life has gotten a little tweaked the last couple of weeks. I will start at the beginning for the future’s sake:

Over the last month or so I had noticed Jack seeming more thirsty than normal. When your “sugar lovin’” 7 year old wants water instead of Gatorade you know something is wrong!! His thirst wasn’t excessive just different, but knowing all the true symptoms of diabetes and having it running through mine and Steve’s families I pay close attention. Well, I had been meaning to take him to my mom’s to check his blood sugar and just hadn’t done it, till Halloween. Not the best day to check a kids blood sugar, but if everything with him is normal his blood sugar should be normal. Well, we checked it and it was so high it didn’t register on the meter, it just read HI. Which means over 500mg? I didn’t think a whole lot about it sense he had lots of sweets that day. The next morning Steve took him to his parents and checked it again and it was 72mg, which is low, but the high scared me more. I thought all was fine. So my mom called that afternoon and had talked to her endocrinologist’s office and they thought that we needed to see our pediatrician. So I called them that afternoon and they had me checking his blood sugar the rest of that day. When I checked it after his “dinner” 8 pieces of bread with cinnamon butter, it was 473mg they doctor told us to go to the ER if it got that high again. So off Jack and I go to the Children’s Hospital Emergency Room. Steve and my Mom meet us there. They take us right back check his blood sugar and it was 179 (which was about 2 hours after he had eaten). They ran other test, not sure what, but long story short the doctor came in and said “Good News, everything looks fine! Get a fasting glucose done and follow up with the Endocrinology Clinic.” I had lots of questions, but didn’t feel like the doctor had time for any. We already had the fasting glucose scheduled for the next morning with the pediatrician so we went home (10:30 pm) and went to bed. The next day we went to the pediatrician’s office and did the blood sugar check it was 92mg. But Dr. Rash was really concerned about the high numbers and wanted him seen by the Pediatric Endocrinologist that day. Her office called they told them they were 4 months out on appointments!! What are you kidding me??? The doctor then looked at Jack’s numbers and had the pediatrician write orders for a Glucose tolerance test and anti-body blood tests. When I asked Dr. Rash her opinion of what is going on she said she felt like it was VERY EARLY STAGES OF DIABETES!

Symptoms

Type 1 Diabetes

•Frequent urination

•Unusual thirst

•Extreme hunger

•Unusual weight loss

•Extreme fatigue and Irritability

Type 2 Diabetes*

•Any of the type 1 symptoms

•Frequent infections

•Blurred vision

•Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal

•Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet

•Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections

Diabetes Symptoms

The next day we went to St. Mary’s (big mistake, they just don’t treat children) early to get the blood test run. When arriving they drew blood and we waited for his glucose level so he could drive the “cola.”

It took so long that he started to have a low blood sugar; lethargic, shakes, cold-sweats, nausea and vomiting. I checked his blood sugar and it was 62mg, very low. When we shared our concerns they thought he was sick and didn’t want to give him the drink. Long story short, they got a hold of Dr. Rash, I got to talk to her and told her he was having a low blood sugar and if he could drink the stuff he would feel better, so they FINALLY gave him the drink. He threw up a little but we didn’t think that would affect anything. Then about 40 minutes after drinking it he threw it all up, he continued to be lethargic, sleepy, nauseated. I then checked his blood sugar and it was 212mg. So we called Dr. Rash’s office and told them our concerns and she told us to take him over to the ER (Kosair) and they would call in Dr. Foster (Pediatric Endocrinologist) and he would be seen. DIDN’T HAPPEN!!!



We go to the ER and they checked his blood sugar once, I don’t remember what it was, I’m thinking it was 132mg. By the time we got to the ER hadn’t eaten in about 15 hours. When we asked if he could eat and I was told they would find out, well an hour later Steve finally asked and was told yes. He scarfed down a hamburger and fries (he doesn’t really even like fries). We really didn’t get any information the whole time we were there. We arrived around 11:45am and left around 4:15pm. They drew blood again, third time that day, for an A1C which measures your high blood sugars over a 30 to 60 day time frame. His was normal 5.4 and the ER doctor came in and said, “It isn’t diabetes, but follow up with the endocrinologist. REALLY!!!! So the next day I called the University Pediatric Endocrinologist of Louisville and spoke with their Nutritionist/ Diabetic Educator. We were to continue to check his blood sugars throughout the day, checking it twice, and cut out all the sugars and watch his diet. Well, we did that (Thursday- Monday). On Monday I called back to give her the numbers and see what we should do next. She said the levels looked great, the diet is working and she would show the doctor the levels and he or she would call me back if we needed to do anything else. Well they never called back, as far as I’m concerned the completely dropped the ball!!! He obviously wasn’t sick enough for them to see. I was still very concerned and call Dr. Rash to express my concern and she said let’s call the other Pediatric Endocrinologist, Dr. Raghavan (there are only two in the city) and see what she says. So the office called and faxed her all of Jack’s paperwork. They told me it would take two weeks once I got Jack’s forms in before they would see him. Just 15 minutes after they faxed his paperwork to them they called me back and wanted to see him right away.

So Thursday we went to see her and she was very concerned with his numbers and scheduled him for the Glucose tolerance test the next morning in her office. She is an awesome doctor who seems to be very pro-active!!!

DIAGNONSIS:
We went in on Friday and they gave Jack an IV which he handled like a trooper, drew blood through the IV, gave him some medicine through the IV so he wouldn’t get sick again and then gave him the “cola” to drink. He only had to drink 45g instead of the 75g St. Mary’s had given him. Then they checked his blood (through the IV) just about every half hour. After about an hour, the whole test took three hours, she knew he was diabetic. His blood sugar went up to over 200mg and stayed there. Something no one else would or could diagnose in a reasonable amount of time she did in an hour.


I cannot even explain how relieved I was that someone would finally look and see what I was seeing. I truly believe that God’s plan was for us to see Dr. Raghavan. This is going to be a long relationship and she seems very interested in helping Jack overcome the cards he has been dealt.

Jack is handling things pretty good. He loves his sugar and it will take awhile for him to get use to eating better. He doesn’t mind getting his blood sugars checked, but he isn’t too sure about getting the shots. Hopefully we won’t have to start doing them for some time. We are in the “honeymoon” stage right now; this is when the pancreas is still producing the insulin he needs as long as he is eating right.

Please just continue to pray that we all learn to live with this life long disease and always try to make things easier for Jack and not harder. We also ask that you pray for a cure…they are closer now then they very have been.

Juvenile Diabetes Association

 

 

American Diabetes Association

 

The Britt's last year of Preschool ever~!

Evan is in the Four Year old preschool class this year and it will be our last year at Kenwood Heights Christian Preschool.  We have been there on and off since 2002 or so.  The other day his teacher told me we either need to have another baby or send a puppy to them.  They can't imagine not having a Britt there.  So sweet, but I think we can put this behind us like we have sleepless nights, diapers, highchairs, etc. 

This was there first field trip....

Slow Poke Farms

Evan, Jack and Steve got to go to this one!!!

Big brother trying to help Evan with his tractor ride.

Love me some Pumpkin!!!

Our Family Closet

We started a couple of weeks ago the transformation of our "junk room" into our family closet.  I am so excited and thankful my husband wanted to do this.  He has drywalled the room (well still in the process) and will later lay carpet, hang shelves and clothing bars. 

Here is our plan:

1. put "all" the hanging clothes in the closet.  You can imagine the amount of clothes we have with seven people. 

This is the wall that will have the hanging bars.  Two, one at top and then one at bottom.  LOTS OF HANGING SPACE!!!

    2.  We will put shelves on the other walls for baskets and totes of clothes.  Will use tote for shoes.

 This wall will have shelves on the left and under the window. On the right will be the hanging clothes.  At the bottom will be totes under the shelves.

   This wall will be shelves too and totes at the bottom.  We will be putting dressers or a table in the middle of the room for more storage and /or an area to fold clothes.

   3.  We will be laying cheap carpet.

   4.  Because of the emptying of my closet we are going to make it a linen closet.  We will be putting shelves      in.  My closet is huge, but not built really well.

    5.  Then the linen closet will then be turned into a new and improved food pantry!!  I am so excited!!

With taking the clothes out of the kids closets they can use them for their toys, crafts and junk.  Their dressers are out of their room too, giving them more room for whatever. 

I will post more once we get more done.  Steve can only work on it when he is off work, so it will take a little longer then we want.  It will be awesome when done.

The 30 Day Mark

We have had 30days of school and it has gone pretty well.  Everyone is getting through their stuff and learning something too!  Honestly, by this time in the school year, yes just 30 days in, I have usually lost my joy.  Things just seem to get hard, I can't seem to keep up with grading papers and doing lesson plans, or we just aren't motivated.  Whatever the reason has been I am really working hard and changing that cycle. 

I have stopped doing lesson plans for a long period of time.  If you don't get everything accomplished you usually feel like a failure.  So, I only do lesson plans for about a week at a time maybe two. It has worked really well.  As for grading, the kids are grading most of their own work which they seem to like to do and their math is graded on the computer. We are staying very motivated and I can contribute that to God.  Batheing our school and family in prayer every night, morning and through out the day has helped us all stay on the right track! 

With things going pretty good right now I need to be armed with the things that will help me stay motivated once we get to day 40, 60, 80.....mark.  So last Thursday I went to the HFHG LIVE meeting and listened to Todd Wilson, The Familyman speak about homeschooling, marriage, family, and life.  It was inspiring.  I left with such a renewed sense of excitement and three new books.  Two for me and one for Steve.   

 

I have started reading both of my and they are great...I am getting so much out of them.  Steve is reading his and really seems to like it too.  It is really nice working to get us both on the same page and not running over him when he tries to help out with school.

Then last Monday night I went to my monthly homschool mom's "meeting" and we enjoyed the teachings of Voddie Baucham  He is awesome I suggest that if you have never heard him you get his DVD on educationing your children.  Children of Caesar  You can watch some of it on Youtube.  He is so passionate about home educating our children and taking them out of the hands of the government.  I ordered two books today that he has written or recommends.  I will update you on those once I have read them. 

I am just thankful that we are able to have a great school year so far.  Praying for continued productivity.





Innocents of a Four Year Old!!!

It is amazing how some people take things so literally!! I know someone who does that ALL THE TIME!! Maybe we are to blame, when I say we I mean my family. We always act like everything he says is exactly what he means.


Who is this literal person? None other than my four year old son, Evan Samuel Britt, aka The Coolest Kid Ever!!!! Have you ever looked up the word literally?? Literally--used to show that a statement is actually true and not exaggerated.

Everything we say to him he believes to be TRUE, nothing exaggerated. I wonder how long that will last. Should I take advantage of this? I’m sure I could find a way.

He loves to brush his teeth and will do it twenty times a day if we will tell him his teeth are really shiny. Not just shiny but “blinding”. You know, “Oh Evan close your mouth your teeth are blinding me.” We all have to do this. Each time he brushes his teeth he will go around to everyone in the house and smile at us. If we don’t flinch when he grins his teeth at us he will chase you around the house. So that one time I said “Oh your teeth are so shiny” and shaded my eyes. He took that literally, that his teeth are blinding me!!! This will help with those dental bills we just paid for the last three fillings he had done!!!

At co-op this week the teacher was teaching about Fairy Tales and this week it was “Jack and The Beanstalk.” Once the story was over she procedded to have each of the preschooler plant two seeds in a jar in order to grow “beanstalks.” Well Evan didn’t want any of that!!! He wanted no part of having a beanstalk in his jar that will result in a giant!!! He was very afraid of the giant. I wonder when she read the story if his eyes were as big as quarters. She had to remind him that Jack killed the giant so he will not come back. Fear isn’t far from a literal kid like Evan!!!

We jokingly call him, “The Coolest Kid Ever” and he believes that he is. Now I believe that he is pretty cool, but he, for some reason believes that when he turns 5 next January his name will change to “The Coolest Kid Ever.”



Boy, gotta love the innocents of a four year old!!! I hope this last a long time!!!!

The Adventure Begins.....

Our school year has gotten underway and is going pretty well. I think everyone is in the groove and working really hard!! I will admit I am STILL a little stressed out about Tyler being a freshman.

Tyler is working pretty hard, but he is only doing three classes right now: English PACE's School of Tomorrow,  Saxon Algebra 1 with, DIVE CD  and Biology, Apologia Biology  at CEC . He begins Notgrass World History and Literature , ABEKA Spanish 1 and Apologetics Who Is God and Can I Really Know Him? Biblical Worldview of God and Truth in a week at co-op. He seems to be doing really well, just not always following my directions. Unfortunately he has some of my qualities and the worst one is; laziness. He only wants to do the minimum amount of work. This year will show him how hard he needs to work.

Samantha is in 7th grade and is a hard worker. I just have to give her a list of what she needs to do and she will sit down and gets it done! She is doing English PACE'S School of Tomorrow , 7th Grade Math and Science PACES School of Tomorrow right now. We start Literature reading: Island of the Blue Dolphins next week and she will start Mystery of History Volume 1 , Intro to Spanish and Apologetics at co-op.

Caroline is in 4th grade and is struggling a little bit with her self-esteem. She usually doubts her abilities so she struggles more then she really needs to. She is working on English PACES School of Tomorrow, Creative Writing and Literature PACES School of Tomorrow,  4th grade math , Sequential Spelling, and  Critical Thinking Activities . She will start History, Apologia Swimming Creatures Science and Art Appreciation at Co-op. We will be doing Galloping the Globe Geography with friends in the next couple of weeks too. We will have to work really hard this year building up her self-esteem.

Jack is 2nd grade and doing really well. We have only done a couple weeks of school so far and he isn’t whining too much!! I do take silly bands for whining, I do have a few of his in my jar!! He is working on Phonics Explode the Code , Sequential Spelling ,  Rod and Staff reading , Rod and Staff English ,  3rd Grade Math  and his reading and math boxes. He will be doing some science, history, geography and BASIC SEWING (yep, sewing) at co-op. He will be following along with Caroline in her science book and working with Geography.

Looking forward to getting going even more then we already have.....

Homeschoolblogger: National Geographic Map Giveway

Check it out!!!! 


Homeschoolblogger National Geographic Map giveaway!!!!!

Joshua Schoolhouse!!!!

Joshua’s Schoolhouse has officially started the 2010-2011 school year.

• We have no buses, so no one gets lost
• you can read your Bible whenever you want, we actually encourage it
• Praying is exactly what we want you to do, first thing in the morning
• uniform days are pajamas, actual clothes are optional
• you are required to tell the teacher you love her!!!

This is the 7th year of homeschooling. We are moving slowly, just a few subjects a day for the first week then adding more. This year we have a freshmen, 7th grader, 4th grader, 2nd grader and a preschooler. This will make me a little busy! Everyone says they are going to work really hard this year…. 

This is my most enthusiastic student!!!

He loves "homeschool" too, but doesn't like to wait!!!

Baseball + Baseball + Dance = June 2010

It was so crazy busy in June running the kids to baseball games, practices, dance classes, dress rehearsals and two nights of recital!!!  With Steve's new work schedule, which we love, I have to do some crazy maneuvers to get everyone where they need to be.  Some nights I had four different kids who needed to be in three different places.

Tyler was playing baseball games three nights a week.  Most games were in Southern Indiana.  He was also practicing once a week.  He is a member of a homeschool baseball team, there are only 6 players.  They have been playing with players from Jeffersonville High School in order to get to play some games.  We really hope that this team is able to take off, we just need more ball players.

Jack was playing at Beechmont Youth Sports on a 7-8 year old machine pitch team.  He really enjoyed playing.  Just can't say he learned a lot since the coach never had a practice and he never taught Jack how to play any positions, but outfield.  Big mistake on my part we will not be playing at Beechmont again anytime soon.  Heading back to Southeast Christian Baseball next summer.  Even though it wasn't the idea situation his team did win the tournament.  Yeah Jack, you are a Champion!!!! 

Samantha and Caroline danced all year again and had their recital in June plus five make up classes and two regular class a week.  They have really done well this year.  They did a duet to Mighty to Save by Laura Story, it was a beautiful dance!!!!  I was so proud of them!!  They work really hard.  The dedicated the dance to their Daddy!!!

Video "Mighty To Save by Laura Story"

Evan was mommy's sidekick!!!  It will really get crazy when he is playing a sport too, but for now he just loves hangin' with me!!!

Preschool for the Britt's is almost over!!!

God puts many things in our lives that sometimes we take for granted.  Eight years ago He gave our family Kenwood Heights Christian Preschool!!!  It has been such a blessing to our family.  All of the kids, but Tyler have gone through preschool there and they loved it.  We are finishing Evan's three year old class tonight at the graduation and it makes me sad.  He will go back in the fall for the four year olds, but after that we will be done.  I can't believe it!!! 
I will try and explain what a huge blessing they are in our lives. 
#1  They make homeschooling the rest easier. Not having to entertain a preschooler during the school day.
#2   They help make it easier for the youngest to feel apart of something that no one else gets to have.  That is important when there are five kids in a family.
#3   He has learned so much from them: standing in line, making friends, respect, how to push in a chair, cutting, painting, leaning what "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit!" means, and many other things.  Most of which he would never have gotten to do at home. 
#4  Most of all he has learned just how much Jesus loves him!!!  They don't just teach them ABC's  and 123"s but the love of Jesus.  Through stories, pictures and their love of the children.

So, I just say thanks to all those special people at Kenwood for loving my children over the years. 

http://www.kenwoodheights.com/

See ya next year!!!

Changes for the 2010-2011 School Year

I have decided to start early on our next school year!  I have gotten  most of the curriculum or at least know what I want.  We will be educating a Ninth grader (yikes!!), Seventh Grader, Fourth Grader, Second Grader and off and on a Preschooler.  We will be utilizing the WorkBoxes this year in different versions: The drawers for Caroline, Jack and Evan and the file folders for Sam and Tyler.  I am looking forward to having a plan every day. 

I think we are going to start this through the summer.  They need to work on something during the summer or their brains turn to muss!  Our summer work will be:  They won't be working all day, but hoping they can get something done everyday and reading EVERY day.


Tyler-working on Algrea-through worksheets, a unit study of his choice and reading at least three different books.
Sam-math (7th grade), a unit study of her choice and reading at least three different books.
Caroline-English;  fun math-money, clocks, measure; her state notebook (covers all 50 states) and reading LOTS of books.
Jack-fun math-money, clocks, measure; lapbooks of his choice and 1st grade Rod and Staff Reading with workbooks.
Evan-his letter books, number books and some fun preschool lapbooks.

All of this will go in their Workboxes (I will post more about this once we get them set up).  Hoping to go buy them tomorrow. 

"Happy Jack" turns 7

Jackson Lynn Britt was born Thursday, May 1, 2003. He was our fourth child and second boy. We were so excited to have another boy!!! He like most of the others was induced, a couple days early, I have a hard time waiting and I think that Dr. Link gets tired of me complaining! Jack was a bit hard to get out. Trying to come out with his head sideways didn't quite work well. He had a huge head!!! I watched in a mirror with him and was quite caught off guard by the size of everything. He was our biggest baby 8lbs 8.5 ozs. He was so fat.  He was so big that I had to have surgery 6 weeks after he was born; I'll let you try and figure out why. Hint: I couldn't sit.

He was a really good baby. He loved to snuggle!!! That is one thing that has changed about him. At almost seven he will wipe off just about every kiss I give him. Sometime I will kiss him when he is asleep just to make sure one or two will "stick." He does love me he just isn't the lovey dovey type. I haven't quite figured out his personality yet. I am not too sure who he asks like, but he does look like my uncle. He has the prettiest blue eyes. One day a girl will get lost in those, I did his daddy's. He will be a lady killer.
Right now isn't the best time for Jack. He is a sort of wiener. He doesn't like school much at all and we have to do alot of yelling to get things done. We are working on the one time obedience thing too. Or according to him three or four time obedience.

He is sort of in a hard spot since he has a brother that is 8 years older than him and he wants to do everything like him. He did start basketball this winter and really improved!! By the end of the season he was playing really well. He has just started baseball, machine pitch. He does need some improvement there, but I know he can. He really does like playing. This is what I hear a couple at every game, “Mom how many outs till my game is over?" or "Can I buy some food after the game?" He does have one track mind, food. He will be starting football this summer. We will see how that goes!

I have surely been blessed with wonderful children!!!  This is the simple story of baby #4.

Kentucky Derby Festavil 2010

The Kentucky Derby Festival has been in full swing this week!! We have attended a few events, but not many. It all began two weeks ago with Thunder over Louisville, which is the biggest Air Show and fireworks show in the nation this year. I have a cousin who is learning right now to fly the KC-10. It is the air craft that refuels other air craft over head. He was supposed to be in the KC-10 when it flew in the show, but was bumped. Next year we are hoping that he is the one who flies it over head. We did not go to Thunder this year, Steve was working, but we were able to watch it on TV.

The one event that we always attend is the Mini Marathon/Marathon, we attend it not participate in it. It always runs past our street, so we do down (with Krispy Kreme Donuts) and watch all the runners. This year the start line was only about 1/4 mile from the end of our street. Since we had rain we did leave the donuts at home, but it was fun to watch all the people. The Hot Air Balloon Race usually runs the same morning as the Mini, but because of the rain they didn’t go off till the next day.

We attended the Pegasus Parade Preview. I had mixed emotions about it. I thought it was ok, but not very festive. We went with about 40 other people from our co-op and got to view all of the floats (which are very small) and balloons for the parade. All it cost was the $4 for the Pegasus Pin; I remember when they were a dollar!!! We did have a run in with the "Gay Pride" float, really. They need a float...I am thinking next year we should have a Christian float or Homeschooler float. Anyone want to help???? Steve and I made a trip to the Chow Wagon, not quite the same as when we were young.

The Great Steamboat Race ran Wednesday, which was a beautiful day. The Belle of Louisville races the Belle of Cincinnati up the Ohio River and back. They changed the format this year to include points...what is this NASCAR???

"Utilizing a point system format for determining the winner, the Belle of Cincinnati racked up 99 points to 60 for the Belle of Louisville to win tonight’s Derby Festival Great Steamboat Race presented by Turner Construction Company. Instead of the event winner being determined by the first boat to cross the finish line at the Clark Memorial Bridge, the winner was the vessel which accumulated the most points from performing a series of six tasks assigned to each competitor throughout the day and during the race." From the Kentucky Derby Festival Press Release



Thursday was the Pegasus Parade beautiful day again, about 80 degrees. More than 225,000 people filed downtown to sit along the parade route to watch. We did consider going, but decided better of it!! The kids don't really know what they are missing. We did participate in a Derby Party at Evan's Preschool. So we got to see a parade, a horse race, and a hat contest!!!

Friday is the running of the Oak's, Louisville's day at the Downs. I have never been, but hope to go one day. It is a race for the Fillies, Run for the Lilies.

Then of course tomorrow is The Derby. We will be relaxing at home and watching it on TV. We did take advantage of this tradition and do a Derby Lapbook that was a lot of fun and will help us understand some of the things they do at Derby.  Better go pick my horse.....

Co-op Spring 2010 has Come to an End

Co-op has finally come to an end!!  We had an awesome session and the kids learned lots of new stuff. 

Evan learned about the Oceans and Solar System, had Playtime and then talked "All About Me."  He really loves co-op.  Here is a look at all the things he made:

Jack learned about Kentucky History, Magic School Bus, Flying Creatures and the Solar System.  He loves to learn about all kinds of new things and hangin' with his friends.

Caroline learned about Kentucky History, Apologia Science-Flying Creatures, Critical Thinking and American Girl-Kirsten.  She really enjoyed all her classes.  Looked forward to everything!!!  She has really enjoyed being with her friends.

Samantha and Tyler had US Geography with cooking, Yearbook, and Literature.  They didn't want to take the Literature, but their mean mommy made them.  They ended up loving it and they each read The Outsiders and Big Red. 

I was the director of the co-op again this session and it went very smoothly.  I do enjoy directing, it is a joy to see all the kids and MOMS get so much out of co-op.  I believe we all start co-op for our children, but continue it for ourselves!!!

Tyler's Mission Trip

Last week Tyler went on a Mission trip with the Southeast Christian Middle schooler, CRASH WEEK.  This was their slogan:

bee's are called a swarm

sheep are called a flock

fish are called a school

rhino's are called a crash

WE ARE CALLED TO BE RHINO'S

Tyler came home pumped up....he had such a great time.  I am really proud of all the things he did.  The place they went that meant the most to him was Exceptional Teens and Adults.  The helped mostly teens with autism, he said it was really hard to see kids his age and older, even adults, acting younger then him.  Looking forward to see what God does with him as he grows up!!!

Here is the letter he sent out to everyone who sent money to help sponser him:

Dear Family and Friends,

I had a great time on Crash Week; I met a lot of people, and made even more friends. We went to four different places Edge Outreach, Exceptional Teens and Adults, Necole’s Place, and Wayside. At Edge we carried water four and a half miles MAN THAT WAS HARD, but a good experience. At Exceptional Teens and Adults we played basketball with them on a goal made of a crate. It was really sad to see people older and the same age as me act younger. At Necole’s Place we played games and made crafts with little kids who did not have dads. At Wayside we played with homeless kids, we played kickball and board games. The morning before we went home we went to the abortion clinic to pray I hated that part because little babies were dying. I should be thankful, fourteen girls went in and three came out without getting an abortion.

At Exceptional Teens and Adults I asked the lady that was the director if they were going to get a real basketball goal. She said maybe in the spring. I then asked if we could raise money for a basketball goal for them and she said that would be great. We ended up getting them one before the week was over and everyone participated in Crash Week signed a ball and my team and the team who put it up signed the backboard. I am planning on volunteering at Exceptional Teens and Adults this summer.

I want to thank you for your generosity!!! Had it not been for you and your kindness I a lot of this would not have happened. Because of all the money I received I was able to help others go on this trip. Also, thank you for lifting me and the Crash Team up in prayer last week.

“Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6

Samantha Rhea

On April 9, 1998 God blessed me with our beautiful baby girl, Samantha Rhea. I tell her she was the easiest to delivery, but the hardest to raise. She was due on the 7th, so was induced on the 9th. We started induction sometime in the morning and she was born at 3:33 pm. She was beautiful a head full of dark hair. She was an easy baby: ate good, slept great, never took a passy, and hardly cried. She was born on Easter weekend, a beautiful Easter I might add.

She went from an easy baby, toddler and preschooler to a very difficult student. We had, well I should say I had a hard time dealing with her. We should have named her ATTITUDE!!! I really struggled to deal with her. I felt she was so disrespectful and frustrating. Everything was an argument. But now she has grown into a sweet, helpful and even sometimes delightful. She is so helpful. I can really count on her to do anything I need: laundry, dishes, watching the little ones, you name it she will and can do it. I give her a really hard time most of the time. I think I figured it out. I forget she is just a kid. She does get attitude now and then, but so did I. I am going to work on how I treat her and make sure I tell her I love her more than I yell at her!!!

We just celebrated her 12 birthday and I can't believe that she is so grown up. We went and bought her makeup the other day and some new clothes (girl after my heart).

"Sixteen Candles"

I absolutely love the movie "Sixteen Candles."  It is amazing how watching one movie can take me back 21 years!!!  I can so relate to Sam's feelings for Jake.  I was "in love" with Steve since I was 12 years old (he was 17).  I remember the feeling I got the day he came over and asked me out for the first time (I was 17, he was 21).  It was March 17, 1989, I truly never believed that would happen.  My favorite since of the movie is at the end when Jake is standing across the street from the church waiting for Sam!!!!  Makes me want to go back in time about 21 years ago........

Hoarder??? Who Me???

We have spent the better part of today cleaning out a room in our basement that seems to catch all the junk. Why is it so hard to throw stuff away? I did pretty good getting rid of stuff. We filled the van up with stuff: clothes, books, shoes, dishes, toys, and baby stuff and took it to the Goodwill. Great place to take whatever you don't need or want.

 Funny story. We had a Christmas tree stand that we used the first year we were here, nine years ago and Steve said, "we don't need that tree stand." I said, "No, but don't get rid of it." Then realized that it is a tree stand and I don't NEED it. So it went to the Goodwill. I am so thankful to the show HOARDERS on A&E. If it wasn't for it, I would never clean out this stuff.

I will post pictures once we have finished!!!  Happy Cleaning!!!

Random....

Found this on a friends blog ands wanted to try it too. Why not, Steve's at work and the kids are playing Wii.

1. How old is the oldest pair of shoes in your closet? The shoes I wore in a friends wedding, navy blue dyed heels (the dress is still there too). They are about 12 years old. Yikes.

2. Did you buy Girl Scout cookies this year? If so, what variety? Four boxes: two Samoyas, my fav; one Tagalongs, Steve's fav; and one Trefolds.

3. Do you know how to ballroom dance? If not, would you like to? No, on both points. My life partner doesn't like to dance. I would NEVER put him through this.

4. Were you a responsible child/teenager? Not always, now that I have teenagers I see how irresponsible I was. God was truly faithful to me!!!

5. How many of this year's Oscar-nominated movies did you see? No, we never go to the movies, well unless they are for the kids.

6. If you're going to have a medical procedure done, such as having blood drawn, is it easier for you to watch someone else having the procedure done or have it done yourself? None, of those things bother me. After having five kids you almost get use to it.

7. What is your favorite day of the week and why? Well, it use to be Wednesday, because that was Steve's day off. He started a new schedule: will work 7 days then off 7 days. So my favorite day of the week would be Sunday. I love to see how excited my kids get about going to church and I love coming home and resting while watching NASCAR.

8. Do you miss anyone right now? I miss Steve, he is at work. But I really miss my Grandma!

9. Do hospitals make you queasy?No, they make me want to have another baby. I always want another one when ever I do Baptist East.

10. At which store would you like to max-out your credit card. Not that you ever would, you responsible person, you. I don't have a credit card!!! I would love to go to Target and spend all I could on whatever I want.

11. Are you true to the brand names of products/items? Some; Cherrios, Heinz ketchup, Jif peanut butter, Snuggle fabric softener and Dry Idea deoderant...to name a few.

12. Which is more difficult: looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when he/she is telling you how he/she feels?
It depends on the person. I love to look into Steve's eyes either way. I would love to hear how he feels about me...on a good day that is. LOL

Britt Family Quarantine

Nothing can frustrate me more than spending time on lesson plans to only have something "throw" a kink in them.  I had spent the better part of last night (since Steve was working till 2 AM) working on lesson plans for the next couple of week.  I was ready to have a productive school day and get lots of work done, only to be woken to the sounds of satan trying to be exorcised out of my 14 year old son at 12:30 AM through his mouth.  I can describe it no other way.  He sounds awful when he vomits; he HATES to do it anyways.  So because of this we spent the day avoiding him, he was quarantined in one room and the rest of the kids have been outside all day.  No school day of us!!!  We will have to double up another to make up for the "sick day." 

As of now, 3:30 PM, Tyler is feeling better.  He has slept just about all day.  Evan is running a 102 fever, not complaining of his stomach though.  Evey one else seems fine.  Saying many prayers and hoping we are a family of only one puker!!

Caroline has Succeeded!!!!!

Caroline finished up her time at Langsford this week. All I can say is WOW!!! In a matter of four months she has gone from a reluctant reader to a lover of reading. She would never have picked up a book to read before now she reads all day long!!

Below is the letter I wrote for Langsford describing our experience:

“When I start reading I don’t want to stop, I LOVE TO READ!!!”

This is what I always wanted to hear Caroline say, now that she has come to Langsford I hear that all the time.
Being a home school mom I was really concerned about Caroline’s reading and spelling for a very long time. One thing that you usually hear from other homeschooling moms is, “Kids learn at their own pace. Don’t push her she’ll get it.” That is true for some, but once your child is nine she should be reading. We had tried different programs for her, but those take so long to get through it could have taken us years. We didn’t have years. She was already so far behind.
The situation had begun to affect Caroline in the other areas of her academics: math, science, etc.; socially she was having trouble socializing with girls her own age in a group; and she had developed a facial tic. That was it. Once it started to affect just everyday life for her something had to be done. I have a nephew and niece who had both come to Langsford years before and decided it was time to admit I couldn’t do it myself so I contacted them. Stephen called one evening and answered all my questions and helped me see that things could get better!!! I set up her evaluation right away and we got started.
She was diagnosed with Nonverbal Learning Disability. We decided, with the recommendations of Langsford staff that she need to come for 110 hours, five days a week for two hours a day. We started the end of November and by the middle of December her facial tic was gone and she was a little more comfortable socializing with other girls. Honestly that meant more to me at the time because that was where I saw her saddest. Now she is at the end of her 110 hours and she is doing great. She started at a low 2nd grade reading level and I think she is now a high third grade. She will read on her own. Today she can read an American Girl book by herself and she has no trouble reading it and comprehending it. That was my goal for her; thanks to all of Caroline’s hard work and the techniques at Langsford she has met it!!! She has succeeded!!!!
I would recommend Langsford to anyone. Everyone is so helpful, understanding and special. Caroline fell in love with everyone and will miss them greatly. She is excited to work harder and continue to improve. I have never seen her so enthusiastic about learning before. This is a new beginning for us and we are excited to get started.

You cannot imagine how happy I am with the experience we have had at Langsford. I can only say it was an answer to prayer!!!
On my desktop I had a note that said, “Lift up Caroline." Well, I did and God has graciously answered our prayers. BTW the note is gone, yes I continue to lift up Caroline and the other Children, but not seeing the note is a reminder that God answers prayers!!!

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
                                                                                                              Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)