What about finishing "school" work?

One thing I like about homeschooling is that my husband Dave, and I are in charge of what we teach our children. Sure, we are making sure the reading, writing, math, history, science, etc., are getting learned. However, there are more important things to be learned. Namely, turning their hearts toward Christ. Serving others. So when we "take time off" to help grandpa, I don't see that as "time off of school." I see that as integral to educating our children. We really want them to become accomplished, capable people when they grow up. But more importantly, we want them to follow Jesus, lead others to Jesus, be examples of Jesus, etc. And that means right now, we need to teach them to love others, serve others, care for others, put others above themselves, etc. So when my dad asked me this week if I would consider sending the children to "real school," I almost started crying at the thought of it. Sure, they would cover the academics, at least some of them. There would have to be so much reteaching and unteaching, it wouldn't be worth my while. And I would feel that we were sending the kids to the wolves by sending them to "real school." Nobody else has quite the agenda we have in mind....

Why I blog.

This might more appropriately be titled why don't I blog, as I have been essentially asleep at the blogging wheel for several weeks now. So considering my recent blog output (or lack thereof) it was kind of interesting that I was one of 5 bloggers speaking downtown Chicago at a round table discussion of blogging. The round table was held for sales executives at Feld Entertainment who produces events like Disney on Ice, Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus and Monster Jam. As you may recall Feld gave me two tickets to see Monster Jam with Spider Droid in exchange for posting about the event here and here.

The purpose of the round table (For the purpose of full disclosure: It was actually two rectangular tables) was for Feld to pick our brains to see how better to partner with bloggers to promote their events. The event helped put my blogging in perspective.

As I left the meeting and realized that the building we met was next to the the Tribune Tower across from WGN Radio and directly above the Billy Goat Tavern.. Here is a video of a SNL sketch based on the Billy Goat.




Here is a you tube video of the actual Billy Goat.

I ventured downstairs and went to the Billy Goat.

I was early for the lunch rush and was the only non employee in the place. The man in the video took my order. I ordered a Cheeseburger and a coke. The place was starting to fill up as I left. i went up the stairs crossed the street to the WGN building and saw the booth where they broadcast their programs.




This reminded me of why I blog. Not to get free tickets or to post give-a-ways on my blog. But because life is an adventure. An adventure I like to share.

Anniversary Dinner

For more Wordless Wednesday click here.

Bus Station

Sometimes When Amy comes home from work and the whole house is out of order, especially when the chairs aren't pushed in to the table, she says the place looks like a bus station. 2 weeks ago for April fools day we turned the place into a real bus station.

Puppy pic and flowers

For More Wordless Wenesday click here.

Puppyism to start the day

Life can sometimes fall into a pattern of responsibilities, routines and interruptions and sometimes among all of those are gems of enjoyment. This morning I was checking my e-mail when the first interruption occurred. Before I can get to my email, my computer produces a list of people and events that are in the news. I try to ignore this list, but sometimes curiosity gets the better of me and I click on someone's name and instead of catching up on my e-mail I am reading about some celebrity. This morning, I saw the name of SNL Alum Amy Poehler and clicked her name and saw the same thing you will if you click on her name now. As I was reading about her coming speaking engagement, I was reminded of 3 quick things about my youngest daughter: 1) She was right next to me. 2) She (although a preschooler) reads and 3) She has a unique perspective on life. Here is a transcript of what followed. Puppy: Hey! There is only one Amy and it's Mom. Me: No, there are lots of people named Amy. Puppy: Then they need to have a restaurant named Famous Amy's where all the Amy's can go to eat. Like they have a Famous Dave's where you and all the other Dave's go to eat. Background: For (at least) the past two years the restaurant Famous Dave's have had a promotion where on a certain day Dave's can eat for a penny or a dollar (I forget which). Last year we went as a family and puppy started to think that that was the restaurant where Dave's go to eat. Thanks Puppy for pulling a gem from that interruption!