Back to School

Yesterday was the first day of school for Adria and Eva. Colin also started work on his homeschool studies. Liam will begin preschool next week.
Adria has developed an inadequate teacher radar. She's a junior this year so school is 'awful' and she 'can't wait' for college. Eva is navigating 2nd grade. They have given all of the students ID numbers that they are required and punch into a keypad at lunch. She was tickled to be one of the few to have it memorized. Colin is doesn't protest too much when it comes to schoolwork. He is excited about a dissection class he is taking. A friend, who also homeschools, has a medical degree and is teaching a group of homeschool students. Liam is anxious to get back to preschool. He can't wait to see his friends.
I am happy to have a routine again. Andrew is about to embark on several trips this Fall. It's nice to have the kids occupied while Andrew is away. Now we just need some cooler, less humid weather.

The Rage of Drivers

Two incidents have brought to mind the impatience of some drivers today. First, let me describe my philosophy of driving as learned from my step-dad. "All drivers and all police are out to get you; so, drive cautiously always watching the drivers around you and never make a cop mad". I'm sure the intent was to scare a sixteen year old as he was teaching her to drive on narrow, gravel roads and unmarked, paved ones. The lessons stuck and have shaped how I drive today.

Incident #1: I was pulling out of a gas station onto a busy, four-lane road in my minivan when the driver(with, I kid you not, a big cigar in his mouth) behind me became impatient and began honking his horn and waving his arms at me. Now I am not too much of a nervous Nelly and not sure how this guy thought I would pitchfork myself into 40mph traffic without hurting myself. He proceeded to swing out, around, and beside me still honking and yelling then threw himself into traffic thus cutting off and enraging other drivers as evidenced by their honking, yelling and squealing of brakes. I was somewhat satisfied as I pulled out a moment later to see that he had been halted in his progress by the fire station down the road. They had all lanes blocked while backing up their trucks into the firehouse.

Incident #2: My fifteen year-old, learning to drive daughter was driving home this morning. She was going a little bit above 30mph(speed limit) on a two lane, residential street. So the driver behind her decides to start honking HIS horn. She handled herself well continuing on and ignoring the jerk behind her.

What is wrong with these drivers? I try to keep myself from going no more that 5mph over whatever the speed limit more as a way to keep from getting a ticket than from wanting to be pokey. I have a friend(you know who you are) who when I told that became upset. She felt like I was trying to keep her and other drivers from driving faster and slowing them down. That wasn't my intent. I wanted to keep from paying more money to ticket happy municipalities and insurance companies. Speeding gives an adrenalin rush that falsely gives a sense of being on time to whatever your speeding to. Whenever I've risked life, limb or points on my driver's license to be somewhere faster, I only get there a few minutes more than if I had slowed down. Is that worth bending a car around a tree or cutting off a semi and causing a triple car pileup? Hmmm.....

Where Did the Summer Go?

I can hardly believe that school is about to start. We have had enough events to keep us busy and the time flying. We traveled to Oklahoma to visit relatives, and Andrew has been busy getting his second book ready for publication.
Liam kept up his speech therapy which was a welcome time for us. To hear how much his speech has progressed in the passed year is amazing. I know we all use that word too much, but a year ago I could barely understand two words in a long string of babble. Now, for the most part, I know what he wants or is trying to communicate with me. We still have a ways to go, but I am delighted with all he can do. And life is less frustrating for him.
Adria was kept busy with friends and Girls Camp and Youth Conference. She is starting Driver's Ed this week and it reminds me of the two short years we have before college beckons. I have to brag about her 5 in AP European History. She worked hard and it was great news in the middle of the summer.
Colin had Scout camp, yard work, campouts and the ever popular XBox 360 at his friend Sev's house. What more could a teenage boy wants expect maybe the yard. It did help him earn a video game he wanted so there was even a silver lining in that cloud.
Eva was my little shadow this summer. Constantly drawing pictures or writing stories to give to me, and, as always, endless questions. She has to know how everything and everyone works. Aside from those activities, we hung out together, danced together, played in the water together and, perhaps, the entire point of summer break, enjoyed each other's company.

Fun Times

I thought I would post a few more pics from our time in Oklahoma.


One of my favorites. The kids were at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Highly recommended for anyone visiting OKC.

Cousin Lydia with her favorite blanket that no one was allowed to touch and caused much anguish when she left it at Grandma's one night.

Aunt Joellen and Eva rockin' out to Livin' on a Prayer.

Eva preaching to the masses at the museum's country chapel.

Colin helping Liam through the museum's Ghost Town. Taking a page from Scooby Doo, Liam believed there were ghosts around every corner.

All were taking a leisurely horse ride, except Eva. I think she was training to be a bronco rider.