Adventures goes to a jazz concert.

The Falany Performing Arts Center is located about ten minutes away from Canton, in Waleska, GA, at Reinhardt College.  

I saw Aimee, our local Macaroni Kid blogger, post a give-a-way for four tickets to tonights' show, and I entered.  I entered as many times as possible, and then, told Geoff about it.  We looked up the musicians on Youtube, and just knew this was going to be a show that we did not want to miss.  We were right!  It was amazing!  We got the email that we had won the tickets, and then spent the next two days jumping out of our skin until the show.  (We lead very dull lives.  Charlie has a crazy mouth infection from biting his cheek after having it numbed for a dental procedure.  That's as exciting as our life has been lately.)  

This was really an amazing band.  Shay turned to me at the end, after bopping and singing along all night, and said, "Mom!  They were fantastic!"  Kid has got herself a sense of musical appreciation unlike any other.  While we expose our children to practically EVERYTHING when it comes to the arts, they have a great appreciation for music because Geoff and I are music lovers that truly do love everything from rock to the Dead, classical to oldies, and everything in between.  I became a serious Frank fan some time in my early twenties.  Luckily, we share the same musical taste, and we are passing it down to our migits.  

The only moment of hesitation was right after the Band Director, Jeremy Davis, entered the stage and started introducing himself.  Charlie looked at me and said, "Where's the magician?"  "Uh.  Well.  I am not sure what you are thinking, but we are here to see a jazz concert."  To which he said, "I thought you said we would see a magician." OOPS.  I guess musician and magician do sound similar.  Luckily, he quickly got into the groove with us and we all enjoyed the snot out of the whole show.  (They describe themselves as part Rat Pack in the way they carry out their show.  True.  Lots of banter and story telling.  The time just flew!  

Jeremy Davis- Band leader.  He was a talented musician and had a very mellow way about him.  

Clay Johnson- Lead Vocal- and adorbs.  I told Geoff that I wanted to stick him in my pocket and take him home.  Geoff said we could.  He's cool like that.  He had a very classic voice and I actually preferred the arrangements with his voice better than the original versions.  

Both men took tons of time chatting it up with the kids, and they left on cloud nine.  We bought the CD and had Clay sign it, and we listened and sang along the whole way home.  We got home and pulled up this video I found a few months ago of Michael Buble getting stopped during his concert by a mother who wanted her son to get to sing on stage with him.  The kids loved it.  (Look it up- hilarious!)  I guess we are headed into some long Jazz-inspired home school days next week ;o) Thank G-d, seeing as I am really not into Bluegrass or Fiddler on the Roof- unlike my migits, who were begging for that lately.

Thank you Macaroni Kid for sharing events like this with us!  Geoff had been trying to get me to agree to go even if we didn't win the tickets.  It would have really been a challenge to go this week, so we are extra special grateful for the opportunity.  *You can find the Canton/Woodstock/Cumming Macaroni Kid on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.  She sends out weekly newsletters with all family friendly, local events.  She has TONS of giveaways- ALL.THE.TIME!  Go like her on Facebook and share her with your friends with kids.  

As for the Falany Performing Arts Center- THANK YOU!  Thank you for providing our community with quality arts for the whole family!  We have enjoyed a number of shows there this past winter, and look forward to many more!  The theater is incredibly family friendly and the volunteers and employees are always so kind to us.  

Adventures in Netti-Pots!

FYI I drink two cups of green tea with a vitamin C packet each day, as well as a daily 4000 mg. vitamin D drop.  Those two vitamins work nicely together, and have you read the research on vitamin D supplement being an anti-viral?  That has been our flu preventative for a few years now. Our family not only eats a variety of fresh fruits and veggies each day, but we supplement enough that aside from seasonal allergies, we are a healthy group.  

I used a Netti Pot for the first time yesterday.  Not sure what I did wrong, but my ears popped and hurt, and my nose still feels like it is burning.  I only used half a packet of the stuff for the full amount of water.  It was an experience, and somehow, the automatic hand sanitizer decided to spit out at me and then I was all about laughing but laughing while you have water draining out of your snout is not the best choice at that moment.  Here's the scene-

I have a thing for automatic/refillable soap and hand sanitizers.  (I refill my soap dispenser with my own soaps.  I don't buy refills.) And I have not had to yet, but you can make your own hand sanitizer as well.  That is coming soon!

Why I love Comfort Zone Heating and Air

It's really what they didn't do that is most impressive.  They didn't try to argue with me.  They didn't act irresponsibly.  They didn't take their own sweet time in rectifying the error.  From admission to resolution, Comfort Zone deserves the highest praises.

About four years ago our heater and our air conditioner both died, each in the deepest part of it's season.  The air conditioner was the worst one for us.  First, this piece broke in it that was about the size of a soda can.  A stab in the dark prompted us to call a company that was in the area, Comfort Zone,  and they came out immediately.  During that summer, there was no less than four heating/cooling repair trucks lining our street at any given time.  I took pause and had a brief thought that maybe I had missed my calling.  Once the air conditioner was fixed, I returned to my senses.  Within weeks, the whole air conditioner literally exploded.  It was the Fourth of July, and let me tell you, I was about 15 feet away in the kitchen when it blew, and I think my ears are still ringing from the explosion.  Again, I called back the same company and they were able to determine the cause of the explosion.  (Our old dog used to "relieve" himself on the side of the air conditioner and it literally corroded the box and one day, it finally had enough and exploded.  True story.)  They gave us the fairest price for a top of the line system with a really great warranty.  The rest of the summer was a very pleasant one.  One of our neighbors whose air conditioner also blew a soda can part one day had to lay her then baby down for a nap in our frigid home.  It all worked out.

That winter, when our home was colder than it had ever been, and we froze and killed our seven year old beta fish, we again called Comfort Zone.  I microwaved the fish for a few seconds to try to warm him, but apparently, beta fish don't care for the cold or to be cooked.  If you had doubts, I don't run a pet sitting service either.  My lack of business start ups are due to my lack of abilities-  never for lack of ideas.  Yes, like everyone else on the street that winter,  we had to have our HVAC replaced.  Those guys worked for hours in the attic and in the cold.  They were great, and didn't leave until we were warm again.  If I have ever doubted that angels walk among us, faith was restored.

Well, this past freeze didn't leave without incidence.  Last week, our eight year old came in at five in the morning to announce that he hears a sound.  Hubby, not hearing it due to hearing loss, walked the said eight year old back into his room, and told him to go back to sleep.  Half an hour later, our son returned, and this time, I was awoken by him.  I also heard the "sound."  I walked out of the room and turned the hall light on and saw a water dripping from the second story ceiling down to the leather sofa below.  UGH.  That is the only thought one can have that early in the morning.  It's too challenging to have many thoughts before the sun and caffeine have taken hold.  I called a restoration company that we had great success with this past summer.  They have a 24/7 hot line and sadly, my call from 5:30 a.m. was not returned until almost noon!  By then, I had already called Comfort Zone and had someone at my house to assess the problem.

Upon inspection, it appeared that the condensation line was frozen, and backing up.  Sadly, the line was not able to properly back up into the tray designed for such events that would cause an automatic shut off due to improper installation of the line.  So, the drip ended up flowing onto the dry wall in the attic and fell between the seams and dripped into the living room below.  Luckily, as soon as I turned the heat off, it began to slow down, and within 12 hours, we were drying out, and now, the only issue we are left with is the staining of the ceiling.  Comfort Zone has set up a drywall/painter to come out to my home on Wed. to see what he needs to do to fix that.

From our vantage point,  the whole ordeal was made so much more pleasant by dealing with a  company that not only is professional, but respects their customers.  Brian from Comfort Zone has repeatedly apologized and done everything right to fix what could have been a really difficult situation.  We have had a lot of home repairs lately. We have had incredibly good and one incredibly bad experience while trying to resolve home repair nightmares.  Comfort Zone ranks up their with the best of them.  We used the Comfort Zone in Ball Ground, Ga.  They can be reached at (770)574-4063.  Brian was ethical, and wanted to make sure that his company did the right thing.  He would have no idea that I could have a platform to share my experience with his company for better or worse.  Luckily for him, I like to share my positives with those around us.  

*I regard customer reviews more highly than anything when making decisions for goods and services, and hope that you recognize that while we were not held financially responsible for the repairs necessary in this situation, the point was that this company accepted responsibility for one of their employees' errors, and have done enough work with us over the past four years that I am sharing multiple experiences to highlight why they have earned our praises.  They also replaced my parents 30+ year old air conditioning units in their Marietta home right after installing ours.

Just how bad is that store bought stuff, anyway?

Things that are made for consumers are made to have a certain shelf life.  That need to "shelve" product for longer terms causes additives to be put into your product.  Are those additives all bad?  Probably not, but over time, probably.  There are some stabilizers that are more natural, but there is no need to purchase products that you can easily make at home, more naturally, AND save a ton of money on.

We have some chilly weather in our part of the woods in northern Georgia for a few days, so yesterday I made a homemade potato soup and homemade beer bread.  I was introduced to beer bread by way of a pyramid selling company called "Tastefully Simple" back in the early 2000's.  I could not afford the nearly $7 a box (once you add the taxes, shipping, and handling charges), so I researched ways to make it at home.  I have switched from my traditional beer bread to now adding honey in it and the new and improved honey beer bread is good enough to make you "wanna' slap yer' granny!"  I pulled up my simple recipe, and probably spent about $2 on it with my can of beer as the yeast agent for rising, and other common kitchen ingredients.  I know exactly what was put into my product, and can safely say that I can pronounce every ingredient.  (recipe to follow)

While I was gathering my ingredients, I panicked realizing that the recipe called for baking powder.  I had thrown away my baking powder after some research on the dangers of store bought with the aluminum addition.  So, I made my own!  It is not a double acting powder, but it honestly did not have a negative effect on my finished product.  The bread turned out amazing!  Do your research on aluminum  and making your own baking powder.  There are many scientific studies showing dangers to heavy metals.  I can testify that in the mid nineties, around the time of my hippy-headbanger phase, the Megadeath/Suicidal Tendencies concert had some lasting effects on me.  Heavy metal is nothing to joke about.

Because, what Jewish teen in the early nineties doesn't wear peace signs, black combat boots with shorts and go head banging?  I think that was my first confession when I became Catholic.  

Going to Cabbage Patch Land with your grandparents and mom on your sixteenth birthday is such a fun event when you are freak show like I obviously was.  There is just so much wrong with this picture.  Like, why are both my grandparents sun glasses on in doors? And Ma, that perm? 

So, here is the recipe I chose to use for the homemade baking powder.  Basically, 2:1 ratio of cream of tartar to baking soda.  I then added one tablespoon of cornstarch to the jar since I intended on storing some.  I found multiple different recipes for it, and ended up doubling my recipe and using the following; 4 Tbs cream of tartar, 2 Tbs baking soda, and 1Tbs corn starch.

I love using my contact paper to make my glass recycled jars look all fancy.  One day I will bore of that print. Today is not that day.  

Want my honey beer bread recipe just for fun on this arctic cold kind of day?  Okay!  Enjoy!

http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/honey-beer-bread/

And when you read her blog, you will find that she took it from someone else, and that someone else took it from yet another, and so on.  I found her on Pinterest.com.

I also make my own laundry detergent and bathroom/kitchen cleaners.  I use peroxide to clean carpet stains,  Dawn (original formulation) mixed with half white vinegar (antibacterial properties) and some water on bathroom and kitchen.  I was a sworn believer of those bubble things, but I no longer scrub and man does it clean and not leave a film, therefore, it stays cleaner, longer.  I also make my own sugar scrub that I use in the shower each day!  I am going to make my own vanilla soon.  Want to use up what I have first, then, I will save a ton of money on the homemade stuff.  I do know if you plan on making that, you have to allow for at least a month or more for it to make, and you need to have some containers to store that in.  Need to research a little more into that one.

I have had a homemade fail or two.  Like, those dishwashing detergent tablets.  That were crazy easy to make, and really turned out great, but they don't work well.  That was the most ineffective one I have failed on.  I rely on the internet for ideas, but tweak them along the way as I learn how different recipes and products work.  We love our brownie mix more than any box we have ever bought.  I keep the dry ingredients together in a container or plastic baggie, and when we need a quick dessert, I just throw a few ingredients together with it, and we are set.

Do you have any home made products/recipes that you enjoy?  We stopped buying most prepackaged meals and snacks a few years ago, and while we still buy pretzels and chips, we buy much less than ever before, and stick to the perimeter of the grocery store for our staples.  The savings is appreciable.  What sort of changes have you made to not only save money, but your families' health?

Adventures with Ahrens Christmas Gift Exchange

If you came here looking for the Ahrens Year in Review photo/letter, that is the blog before this one.  Sorry.  Go there next.

Adventures with Ahrens celebrates Christmas in a different way than most families.  We do not buy our children gifts- per se.  All four of us go to the dollar store (the real everything is literally only a dollar) and buy a gift for each of the other three in the family.  Then, on Christmas Eve, we each open our thoughtful gifts, and that is our gift exchange.  $12+tax, and that is the extent of our gifting for the year.  Those $12 take about thirty minutes to enjoy, take pictures, and laugh with.  This year, was like the last few- NO disappointment at all.

Our children get three gifts under the tree from St. Nicholas, just as Jesus received three gifts.  While I am not sure how much money the wise men spent for their gifts, St. Nick spends $100 per child, per year.  He also puts some sweet treats in the stockings, but our children truly love the day and the season for the traditions we have brought to life.

Our children will wake up to open their three gifts, enjoy a big breakfast of eggs, biscuits and bacon with orange juice (juice being a treat to them) and then, we will head to a noon Mass, where the day finds its' meaning.  Then, later in the afternoon, we will visit with Geoff's side of the family for dinner and time together with family that we don't get to see very often.  The day will end with sadness as each year we realize that we must wait until the first weekend of October to decorate the house again.

Our dollar store gifts ready to go… Brody even got two gifts (but not from the dollar store.)  He was needing some minty chew things.  True story.  

Shay gave Chazman a little snow globe since he has always admired hers, and Geoff gave him a little science crystal grow kit.  (I believe it's the borax crystal thing I did last year.)  I gave him some light up toy.  

I gave Shay a plastic vase with hearts on it and some glitter glue sticks to decorate it so that she will have a place to put her flowers that she gets from doing her plays.  Charlie gave her a ribbon toy, and Geoff gave her a Tinkerbell night light.  

Merry Christmas to my favorite boy child ever.  

Charlie got me another pair of those soft socks I wear EVERY.SINGLE.Day in winter, while Shay gave me a glass candlestick and Geoff gave me a measuring spoon that measures up to 4 tablespoons.  

I gave G the manger piece, Shay the Mary with Baby Jesus figurine, and Chaz gave him Joseph.  

Adventures with Ahrens 2013 Year in Review

How was our trip to the mountains you ask?  Well… where to begin?  First, Geoff took his birthday week off, so a week ago Friday was his last day at work for a full nine days.  Saturday night we went to see Charlie's mock gymnastics competition, then Sunday we went to a special lunch with our entire family to celebrate all the birthdays from this past week, and then, at night, headed to a performance of "T'was the Night Before Christmas" at the Falany Arts Center.  First thing Monday morning we headed up to the cabin.  (It is a two hour drive, and we made it in less.  SCORE!)

At the "Always Christmas" store in Hiawassee, GA.  

Daddy's 41st Birthday at the cabin

Grandpa Alan and Charlie pondering the great mysteries of life.  Such as- why is it that it's nearly Christmas and it is almost 70 degrees in the North Georgia mountains?  

I gave the kids the day off of homeschool, and after unpacking, our vacation began.    Tuesday we had homeschool, then we played at the nearby park.  Shay realized that she can swing herself, and spent most of her time on the swings.  The weather was amazing and unusually warm for this time of year in the N. GA mountains.  Won't complain.  Meant that we were comfortable in jackets and sunshine to stay and play longer.  Wednesday the kids went on an amazing field trip with my folks.  (I had them complete the assignments I had pre-planned for Wed. on Tuesday afternoon, after the park visit.)  Grandma and Grandpa took them to Cherokee, North Carolina, and went to the indian museum, a train museum, and a homestead.  They learned about pioneer times, and that followed along with our first book from Laura Ingall Wilder.  I was so pleased they had that opportunity, and even more so since Geoff and I got to just hang out together and even went into town to a fun antique store and back to the Christmas store they have open year long.

Thursday was more homeschool, and the park, as well as Geoff's birthday!  We had so much fun that day.  We did our school work before lunch, then headed out to the park, picked up ribs and Carvel Ice Cream cake for dessert.  Friday was grandpa's birthday and Grandpa had offered to take us all to the Franklin, NC Performing Arts Center to see the Nutcracker.  I am not a huge fan of ballets, and have seen about 10 Nutcracker ballets in my lifetime, so I passed, and Geoff and I got yet another few hours alone!  The kids enjoyed, even though Shay and Charlie have already been, she forgot that there was no talking, and when she Facetimed me from the theater to tell me it was over, she immediately informed me that she was "devastated" that there was no talking but that Grandma and Grandpa bought them hot chocolate and popcorn to share during the show.  Okay- little miss dramatic.

We left after a very late breakfast, and got home around 1:30 p.m.  After we got just out of Hiawassee, we saw a rainbow.  About five minutes after that, we see a horse standing on a ridge by the highway, with a REAL.LIFE.SANTA.CLAUSE on his back!  I honked and Santa waved at us from the hill.  It was so magical that I thought we might not get more than 15 more miles before we started seeing fairies or castles or something.  I called my mom, in hopes of letting her know that this week was magical for us. We enjoyed the calm that their cabin and their company brings us.

While the relationship I share with my father has remained a silent one over the past eleven years, he was there for me and my family during a time of extreme challenge this past Fall, and there seems to be a greater understanding of why we are where we are.  For now, we are able to enjoy each others' company, although it is appreciated because we are so silent.  As I have always said, "Actions speak louder than words."   His actions on my behalf the past few months were so supportive and loving that I could not have felt more loved it he used the words themselves.  While he is not the cause to challenges our family faced, he was part of the solution, and for that, I will never be able to properly thank a man that I don't speak to.

While we were gone, I thought about the past year, and the ups and VERY low downs we endured.  I thought about the fact that I have yet to take the time to make an annual holiday letter and photo collage for our family and friends.  I realized that some things can wait, and other things need to be done in their own time.  This year we had some really hard times.

We saw loss unlike anything our family has ever seen.  My cousin lost his long and painful battle with Cancer.  He went home in July, mere weeks before his 28th birthday.  To say that there is a hole in our hearts is an understatement.  Shay and Charlie felt a particular sense of loss when Scott left us, as they both felt very close to Scott.  Scott took time to get to know each of them one the past 7 years, and even vacationed here a couple times.  Our faith carries us each day, and Scott drops his "anchors" for us to know he is still with us.  We look forward to the day we can all be together again, and for now, we look forward to days when the rest of the family can find peace and learn to find joy again.

This was the design Charlie chose for his pumpkin this Halloween.  After I decided to home school the migit, I was put in touch with a non profit organization that grants up to $250 for education needs of special needs children.  The name of the group?  Anchor of Hope.  Yes, they are funding the intensive reading program we ordered and paid for Charlie's religious education curriculum.  Hard to describe the emotions I had when I was introduced to this group.  

This past summer we decided to re-do our flooring on the main level of the home.  We had the faux hardwoods ripped out, and guess what?  MOLD!  Long story short, it was coming from inside the wall.  So, the wall, the floor and all sorts of time consuming weeks later, we moved back into the house.  We did a cement stain based on our needs, and couldn't be happier with it.  We had friends working on our home, so we felt comfortable, although, it was a really interesting process of overnights and long drives to and fro since we spent some of the time in Marietta at my parents as the children had already scheduled day camps I had committed to.

Honestly, my OCD was nothing if not stretched to the max for six weeks this summer.  

Finished product. 

When people come to clean your mold like this after constructing a room within a room as a "containment system," you know it's serious.  I made the crew humor me.  They were fantastic.  

We made it to the Laser Show at Stone Mountain this past Spring.  

Camps…  both children had offers from both sets of grandparents to pay for them to attend camps this past summer.  I was really looking forward to sitting poolside each afternoon with friends, but I knew the offers were to good to pass up.  Shay loves tennis, and opted for two weeks of half day tennis/soccer camp. It really was amazing, even if it didn't focus much on the tennis she had hoped for.  She loved the time there, and I was grateful that she had some place to be while Chaz was at gymnastics half day camp at his gym.  He did so well at camp that we signed him up for unlimited tumbling and gymnastics classes for the month of July.  That was the best decision ever!  He could have gone to to sixteen classes each week, but we allowed to one hour classes, back to back, Monday-Thursday.  That was where he really mastered his back handspring, and now, in the CHAMPS program, he is working his round off double back handspring, as well as working on his back tuck.  He is quite proud of himself, and still loves working out at home, but is utilizing his gymnastics skills as therapy, less and less.

School began the first Monday in August, and by September, I followed my gut and made a major decision about our children's education.  Long story short, after saying I would never homeschool our children… Yep, I am homeschooling both Charlie and Shayna, and in the past four months, we have gone from questioning that decision to knowing without a shadow of a doubt, G-d is guiding "Ahrens Academy," and both children are doing better than ever!

 I had home schooled Shay after she had far exceeded her academics at preschool for her pre-k year, and then sent her into public school kindergarten.  Shay was quickly pulled into all the advanced math and reading programs, as well as tested for the AIM program.  She missed acceptance by a hair in the creativity department.  I was not all that excited for her to be pulled once a week for the program, just to have to make up work she missed in classes while she was gone, however, I was hoping that she would be challenged more than she had been in kindergarten.  In class sizes with twenty-eight students and one teacher and a part time aide, it is hard for a teacher to keep up with each child's development.  I had a suspicion that if she were to be moved to a class size with a ratio of 2:1, she would be challenged.  It took me a few months, but she finally needed help in math this past month.  She is currently working at a second grade math level, third grade language arts and reading, and third grade science and social studies, based on common core standards.  She is technically in first grade by county standards, however, if you met our young seven year old, you would know that she is WAY beyond her years.

Shay enjoys reading, cooking, playing with her American Girl dolls, singing, riding her bike, and her newest venture- ACTING!  She told me that "acting was her life," after her first play.  Both children went to a half day acting camp this past summer, and as we were leaving on the last day, the director mentioned that there were auditions a few days before school was to begin, and that we should let Shay audition for a part in "A Little Princess."  She got a part!  She actually had a significant part, and that allowed her to really experience every aspect of being in a play.  She had lines to memorize (which she did in less than 30 minutes in one sitting!), she went to countless rehearsals, made lots of friends in the green room, and had the most impressive case of stage fright during tech/dress rehearsal week.  I honestly didn't think she would allow herself to enjoy the actual play and then, want to be in another play.  She was amazing for a first timer, and then, did even better the second night!  The day after the show ended, she told me she couldn't wait to audition again, and this time, she helped pick out her audition piece and worked on a song.  She took on auditioning as a little professional, and wanted to rehearse and perfect her audition skills.  She did well, and got a part in the last play, "Madeline and the Gypsies."  She enjoyed the process so much, she said she wants to continue auditioning and acting.  We saw Shay go from incredibly shy and reserved to a shining star.  She amazes me with her tenacity to push herself, and mostly, does things in her own perfect timing.  She is a perfectionist and has the kindest heart of anyone I know.  She is still a fairly quiet and shy child, but when you see her the direction of Mrs. Tisha Gotte of STARS Drama, you know that she is exactly where G-d wants her.  This coming year I have promised to allow her to continue attending acting classes and to audition for other local theaters, if we find a play that would fit with Charlie's twice a week gymnastics classes.

This was her costume for "Madeline and the Gypsies."  

This was part of her "A Little Princess" costume.  She also played part of the indian dancers in that play.  

Make up was harder than she thought… Ticklish much?

YMCA P.E. class

Sometimes home school looks like this.  

This was taken in August.  

This was October.  The colors on the trees were magnificent this Fall.  

Each year I get a picture of the migits with Geoff from behind as they begin their night of trick or treating. 

Some times, social studies looks like this.  

Sometimes science looks like cookies.  Not often enough ;o) 

Charlie had to have a short hair cut for one gymnastics performance this December.  Different, huh?  He is growing it back out, don't worry.  

Santa was available to us for pictures after a play we attended.  He tricked her into coming close then looked to me and said, "Quick!  Get the picture!"  She was so afraid of him.  Her cheeks even flushed.  

Charlie was pretty stoked.  ALMOST as much as Daddy was.  

Celebrating Grandpa's birthday at the cabin.  

Cabin play ground area.  

Charlie and his gymnastics…  The complete opposite in gifts from his sister.  He struggles with education, fine motor skills, and speech.  However, each of those areas has grown in leaps and bounds in the past four months.  Those gaps are quickly advancing with intense schooling at home.  His speech has never been better, and he has been without private speech therapy since this summer when his insurance stopped accepting speech therapy.  He refused to talk at school, therefore, he didn't get to practice.  Two months into being home schooled he was on the phone with my dad, and honestly, my father always struggled to understand him, always using anyone around as Charlie's translator.  Well, this one day, he was talking to Charlie, and after talking to him, Grandpa asked to speak to Charlie.  (He literally thought he was talking to Shayna!)  I nearly fell out.  His speech was so clear and understandable, and continues to improve each day.  Gymnastics has been a special gift to Charlie, as he not only does it well, gymnastics allows physical therapeutic benefits to his sensory needs.

Charlie enjoys doing tricks on his gymnastics bar in the garage, playing on his tumble mat, jumping on the trampoline and scarying the pants off me with greater complexity moves, classical music, playing on his iPod and Wii, entertaining, and truly desires to be in plays with Shay.  He enjoyed the mini-play he performed during the summer camp, and each time he sees Shay on stage, he asks to be in a play with her.  The director says she is using the STARS Drama as her personal mission to share theater with all families, special needs included.  Her understanding and love for Charlie is such a blessing to me, as a mother.  We will see what this coming year brings, as he is busy with twice a week CHAMPS class, and twice a week they both attend a P.E. type class at the YMCA.

Coach Zach is especially gifted with children of special needs.  I think he is just an angel.  

Charlie was so proud of himself after his mock competition.

Chanukkah

He seriously dresses like this- all.the.time. 

He was actually a pretty good skater!

Sometimes homeschool looks like this.

This robe was retired this month.  

See the sign.  Well, Charlie announces, "Mom- this place has low prices."  And then, a few minutes later he points to the sign and says, "See, they really do have low prices."  I guess he is starting to read.

Sometimes, home school looks like this. 

Sometimes, home school looks like a field trip with other home schoolers to a friend's house where they raise egg laying chicken.  

I love when Geoff joins me at the YMCA. 

Sometimes home school looks like a visit to a pond to collect the ingredients for a biosphere.  

Saw an outdoor free concert this summer.

One of MANY plays this year.  Shay says "Fiddler" is her new fav.  

The black and white of this is her current headshot for auditions.  

This was right as she walked in to her very first audition.  

Just hanging with the best mom a child could ask for.  

Notice the trampolining migit in the background.  That is how it goes most of the time. 

And THIS is why you must monitor your children's iPhoto on their MacBooks.  The creative editing will get you every time.  

One of the few pool days we had at the pool this summer.  

Yet another concert in Woodstock, GA.

She makes me wish I was better.  

Last day of drama camp with the incomparable, Mrs. Tisha Gotte.  

Our G-d family.  

Jenn and I were ready when the migits got off the bus for summer break.  A cooler of water balloons and water squirters.  

We even got to the aquarium this year.  

Trampoline time.  

Friday Family Fun Night, Super Saturday or a Sunday Funday.  It's one of those.  We get super yummy on those days.  

Yet another play.  

One Friday Family Fun Night we invited another family to join us on an around town  photo scavenger hunt.  This family was fantastic competition for us!  We lost by one!  But dinner was great afterwards and my ego healed quickly. 

Our stomping grounds.  

Celebrating with Nana and Grandpa for Nana's birthday.  

Geoff and I had three dates last year.  This was one of them.  Prayers of thanksgiving to have the house to ourselves as the YMCA gave us a free parents night out.  

Outdoor play… where we spend most of our time. 

Everyone enjoys cooking in our home.

Our homeschool has allowed for the most fun spur of the moment experiences over the past few months.  We spend a great deal of time at the local libraries, and have gone through many series.  Our favorites are "Katie Kazoo Switcharoo" and "The Magic Treehouse."  We began the Laura Ingall Wilder series, and both children seem to enjoy learning about the pioneer life.  Geoff and I have actually enjoyed it as well!  We are doing religion classes at home, and follow the same curriculum our church, Transfiguration Catholic Church, uses.  Shay's rehearsal schedules have made for some incredibly long nights each week of tech/dress rehearsal, and having a flexible schedule has been a blessing to us all.

Geoff…  Oh my Geoff. Where to begin?  Same old same old is usually the story with him.  He celebrated (that is a far stretch from the actual verb I could have used) six years with Synovus back in November.  While he works incredibly hard for us, truth is, he would love to have a position that challenges his intellect, and provides better for our budget.  For now, we are thankful and accepting that G-d has perfect timing, and will never let us be without.  Geoff had an adjustment period this past Fall, but we are thriving and growing from our darker moments, and honestly, I love him just as much, if not more,  than the day I said "I do," for life.

We have made some amazing new friends this past year, have enjoyed family time more now with a seven and eight year old, been healthier than past years, and are grateful for each of you, near and far.  We lift up prayers that each of you know that we are grateful to have you in our lives, even if we don't see or speak to you as much as we'd like to.  I will not wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah/ Kwanza.  I will tell you that at this years' end, we pray for your season to be joyful.  My greeting is not a denial of my faith, but an acceptance of yours.

Much love,

Erin