Monday, September 24, 2007

Book Review: Wake Up, Night!

Wake Up, Night!
A Glow-in-the-Dark Lift-the-Flap Book
Kidsbooks Inc.
ISBN: 1588650820

This title was shared with our family by Wendy T. in FL. She reads her copy to her niece, Hannah. The book is perfect for bedtime stories. Each page features a glow in the dark moon rising a little more as the story goes along. The beautifully drawn animals you are "waking up" are hiding under flaps. At the end of the book, the full moon has risen the animals are in silhouette as the child goes to sleep. It only takes a couple of minutes to "charge" the glow in the dark features. Our youngest children have asked for this engaging and interactive story to be read to them over and over. They are fascinated by the artwork, hiding animals and especially the glow in the dark features. Even our oldest have sat in for a reading!

Thank you Wendy for sharing this lovely story book with our family!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Virginia's Breastfeeding Law & Jury Duty

I was asked if I knew. Here it is:

(Now don't abuse this law and take it as license to be an exhibitionist. Nursing in public can be done discreetly with modesty.)

SUMMARY OF ENACTED BREASTFEEDING LEGISLATION

VIRGINIA

Virginia has a law that exempts breastfeeding from their criminal statutes, clarifying that it is not a violation to breastfeed a child in any public place. In addition, Virginia law gives a woman a right to breastfeed on any property owned, leased or controlled by the Commonwealth. Effective March 20, 2005, mothers who are breastfeeding are exempt from jury duty, upon request.

A resolution, H.J.Res. 145 (2002), encourages employers to recognize the importance of breastfeeding and to provide breaks and space for employees to breastfeed or express milk; however, this resolution does not have the force of law.

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-387 1994 Va. ALS 398; 1994 Va. Acts 398; 1994 Va. Ch. 398; 1994 Va. HB 1188

Section 18.2-387 Indecent ExposureEvery person who intentionally makes an obscene display or exposure of his person, or the private parts thereof, in any public place, or in any place where others are present, or procures another to so expose himself, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. No person shall be deemed to be in violation of this section for breastfeeding a child in any public place or any place where others are present

Va. Code Ann. §2.2-1147.1, 2002 Virginia House Bill # 1264, 2002

Right to breast-feed
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a woman may breast-feed her child at any location where that woman would otherwise be allowed on property that is owned, leased or controlled by the Commonwealth as defined in § 2.2-1147.

Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-341.1 Exemptions from jury service upon request.

Any of the following persons may serve on juries in civil and criminal cases but shall be exempt from jury service upon his request:

8. A person who has legal custody of and is necessarily and personally responsible for a child or children 16 years of age or younger requiring continuous care by him during normal court hours, or any mother who is breast-feeding a child, (emphasis mine)

You can find other state's laws on breastfeeding here:
http://www.llli.org/Law/Bills38.html

Monday, September 10, 2007

Crucifixion of Christ Sculpture Park in Groom, TX

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This and the following pictures are from Elaine and Mike, RV full timers who are currently in Vermont. I met Elaine through Paperbackswap.com and she is just a lovely, friendly lady. We are enjoying Elaine's e-mails as part of our homeschooling. She's teaching us History, Art, Geography, and so much more.
"These pictures are from a spot in I am told this sculpture is in the town of
"Groom along I-40 east of Amarillo TX" Crucifixion of Christ that a man sculptured out of metal near Amarillo,TX. The cross is a made of metal also. The man did this out of the kindness of his heart. Someone donated the land to him. "
I have other e-mails and pictures from her which she has kindly given us permission to share with people who visit the blog. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do. And, we hope some homeschooling families will take the time to look these places up on a map and learn along with us.
I know I got a couple out of sequence. It's a busy day here. :-)
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"The process of shaping the child...shapes also the mother herself. Reverence for her sacred burden calls her to all that is pure and good, that she may teach primarily by her own humble, daily example." Elizabeth Elliot from The Shaping of a Christian Family

Sunday, September 09, 2007

On Infertility:

I found a lot of comfort in the Scriptures which talk about how God controls the womb. I stopped looking to myself/doctors and started pleading with Him to open my womb. I also came to a place in my faith where I asked that if there would not be any (or any more during the secondary infertility) children that God would change my heart so that I would be content. I felt like I was letting my husband and others down and well, it was just very difficult times.

I also found these links helpful:

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/ChartGallery/ charts your cycle to help you pinpoint ovulation. One big mistake women (and even doctors) make is that they do not "baby dance" (s*x) until they think they have ovulated. A woman has to baby dance before ovulation. If you wait until the test kits say you have ovulated, it's too late.

http://www.tryingtoconceive.com/ has many helpful tips with suggested herbs and supplements for both spouses to correct infertility issues.

Here's a book I highly recommend (even though I dislike the title) and why: http://contentmentacres.blogspot.com/search?q=fertility This book educates a woman as to how her body works and explains why ovulation predictor tests are often used incorrectly. I thought I knew all there was about how the female body worked until I got this book. It is WELL worth the investment.

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Crazy Bird

Another one from Brandon

Sweety Chick

Brandon wanted to show everyone this.
He just loves it!

Bethany at the Race!




She had a blast with her Daddy last night and is still sleeping this a.m.
She was pretty excited about seeing a car lose the rubber off of it's rim.
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Friday, September 07, 2007

Junkers

Clint and Brandon brought home another truck last night. So far, we've been able to get two sets of tires which will work on our own cars, saving us nearly $750. They also found many hand tools in one of the cars. Brandon found some nice car mats for the Escort.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Hot Doggin'



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The Oldsmobile, a junker Clint and Brandon picked up, still runs and we had a blast hot-doggin' that around our place yesterday evening. Clint came home and caught me doing donuts in the front field with the two oldest in the car. He said he saw a shot of green go streaking across the yard and wondered "What in the world is that?!" Right on the heels of that thought came "Wendy's got ahold of that car!!!!!" When I finished, I told Clint and Brandon they had to take turns. Clint can really swing the backend around. It makes for a thrilling ride! Clint's gonna teach me how to do that. ;-) Brandon did really good! Amanda has absolutely no interest in driving. If you ask her if she wants to drive, she gives you a very definitive "No thank you." She'll hop in and ride in a heartbeat though!

Powhatan's Chimney



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Here's our gang (Brandon, Amanda, Joshua, Caleb and Bethany) inside of the chimney.
It sits where Powhatan, Pocahontas' father, could have had a gorgeous view of the York River.
It's now in a neighborhood and is a little strange to visit because it is in between two people's yards. There is/was a Geocache hidden in or around it.

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Cars, cars, cars

Clint and Brandon picked up another vehicle to be recycled last night. This one is still drivable. It has had an engine fire though. They have two more to pick up tonight and two more they might be getting. They'll get them ready for the junk man and haul them this weekend. If this keeps up, Brandon should have a tidy little sum in his bank account for his future!

OOPS!



So, we take their picture at the top of the hill. And then we turn around and see....

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Click the picture so you can read the sign.
They had the sign so you could only see it as you were leaving the park!

Pictures Tyndall's Point



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Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Weekend

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I have a couple of minutes before lunch is on the table to post about our weekend.
Clint and Brandon picked up their first vehicle to be scrapped. They have another one to pick up tonight with two more lined up. Brandon is saving the money he makes off of it for his future. It gives them something the two of them can do together too.
Emily and I went along and met the such a sweet lady. Her name is Dinah and she knows my family in Chesapeake. She loves to fish on Bailey Creek, which was named for my paternal family. She held Emily for the longest time and ended up giving her many hugs and kisses before she handed her back over to me.
We ran the errands and did the grocery shopping. We ate out at Ruby Tuesdays and enjoyed a nice, big salad with our sandwiches.
Clint worked on a patch to the roof for a spot that has been leaking.
We went to Tyndall's Point Park and had some fun there. Then we headed to Powhatan's Chimney so the children could see that. We took pictures and will put those up as we get time
Amanda made fried ice cream for everyone again with the leftovers from where we had it last week.
Amanda found a farrier's tool in the ground while she was in the barn with Hot Shot. It looks pretty old. She's always digging up some "artifact" or another around here. Hot Shot got a bath. He likes his baths, but gets in a mood about being tied up. As soon as she untied him, he took off for the barn while snubbing her affections.
Emily has been in her 2 month growth spurt-right on time! She's been eating every two hours during the day and eating once or twice at night. I am pretty tired from it and can honestly say it's been draining..pun intended! She's grown noticeably.
Luke 15:4-7 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Thank you

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to Wendy T. in WVA (We've been blessed with two Wendy T's!) for the t-shirt!
I love it!! It got so many compliments and comments when I wore it this weekend.
Thank you also for the clothes you sent Bethany. She'll enjoy them!