A Spring Update

The cars have been weighed and approved for competition.

Bishop is excited and ready to go!

After being interviewed about the making of his car, Bishop got to compete in the sharpshooting event.

He came within 10 inches of the "x" which was the closest of any in his den or any of the dens that went before him! He is so proud of that accomplishment!

Then came the race...

Although Bishop did not take first place, he was truly excited to see his creation perform!
It was a wonderful evening!

Meanwhile, Maceo has been performing in a small production entitled,
"A Grimm Night for Hans Christian Andersen."

He is one of the Brothers Grimm and they confront Hans Christian Andersen on his "stealing" of their stories.

Then begins some very creative presentations of some well-known fairy tales.
Maceo was Rapunzel's prince in one of these retellings.

It was a fun show and allowed Maceo to do what he loves most -
act, be with his friends, and make new friends.

Meanwhile, Christian is busy growing up and getting older.

We celebrated his 22nd birthday!

He chose a breakfast burrito bar for his dinner.
It was a smashing success!

I had a bit more success making his cake then I did making Bishop's despite having a bit of a pan issue. I now realize that every cake pan that I have actually belongs to Keegan, I may need to rectify that. I sent Keegan's 9" pans to her so that she could make birthday cakes for Ian and herself, this left me without any standard cake pans. So I had to make do. Given the candles that I had selected the larger cake was probably a blessing and given the difficulties I had with Bishop's cake the smaller top layer was probably a blessing as well. At least this top layer didn't slide off. I will get my cake-making feet under me at some point, I think.

Happy Birthday, Christian!
I love you!

Scouting - a new addition to our lifestyle of learning

The boys began Cub Scouts last month - just in time to participate in Blue and Gold. Blue and Gold is the crossover ceremony for the oldest boys - they crossover to Boy Scouts from Cub Scouts. Because he started so late, Maceo doesn't technically crossover, he just enters as a boy scout. However, they wanted to include him in the ceremony so he became master of the ceremony for the crossover portion. I love the way that they included him and I was impressed that he was willing to assume such responsibility.


Bishop received his first badges and such at Blue and Gold. He received his Bobcat badge and tradition required me to give him some bobcat whiskers. He also earned his artist, citizen and fitness activity badges. Thus far, he has so thoroughly enjoyed scouting. He stated that his one regret from childhood may be not starting scouting at a younger age and that he intends on starting his children at the youngest age possible.


The pinewood derby is one of the most exciting aspects of Cub Scouts and Bishop did join in time to participate. He and Dad had the opportunity to go to a shop and use some pretty serious equipment to form the shape of his car and to sand it. Then Bishop worked diligently on priming and painting it, applying designs, and putting on the axles and wheels. Then, of course, comes the serious business of test driving. Ahhh, the sweet satisfaction of a job well done!

Lenten Spring Cleaning Update

For whatever reason, this week, I found it difficult to achieve my spring cleaning goals while maintaining my regular chore schedule. Also, I just lacked motivation. Admittedly, the NCAA tournament might have proven to be a bit of a distraction. Regardless, I did manage to get some cleaning done. I finished the back porch, cleaned the dining room including the buffet and china cabinet, cleaned the refrigerator and small appliances, and cleaned one of the vehicles. Something is better than nothing.

Lenten Spring Cleaning Update

Another week has passed and I am still up-to-date with my spring cleaning plans. In fact, I am ahead of schedule. Once again, I mixed things up depending on what time and weather allowed for. I cleaned the hall and hall closets (which was a large undertaking given that many of Keegan's boxes still lined the hallway), spent three days on my bedroom (yes, I really needed three days to get through everything in this room), cleaned the laundry room (to include doing all the laundry that had stacked up in the room), organized the pantry and the built-in hutch, and painted the deck. I am making such progress. It feels good.

Happy Birthday, My Dear Sweet Girl

It is Keegan's birthday. This may very well be the first birthday one of my children has had that I have not been present for. I miss her. I do find peace in the fact that I know she is where she needs to be at this point in her life. I spoke with her today and she was a bit down - her birthday has been less than she had hoped. I pray that she will have a blessed and joy-filled year and that she will find the courage to face each challenge well that this life, this adventure that she is on, sends her direction.

Happy Birthday, My Dear Sweet Girl-

you will always be my precious girl,

no matter what!

I love you!

Saint Patrick's Day

Good St. Patrick traveled far, to teach God's Holy Word
and when he came to Erin's sod, a wondrous thing occurred.
He plucked a shamrock from the earth and held it in his hand
to symbolize the Trinity that all may understand.
The first leaf for the Father, and the second for the Son,
the third leaf for the Holy Spirit,
all three of them in one.

Lenten Spring Cleaning Update

I am completely up-to-date with my lenten cleaning schedule. I had to alter the schedule a bit due to time constraints and weather considerations but I am still on track. I spent two days cleaning the learning room/studio (I went through every educational item, purging and reorganizing - it was much needed); cleaned the mudroom and stairway hall, including the two closets in that hall; cleaned and organized the kitchen storage closet (my home improvement supplies have been moved to the garage and this space is now devoted to emergency food supply); cleaned up the front yard - removing leaves and trash, and pruning all plants that needed it; and cleaned and decorated the front porch. The progress is invigorating!