Unconditional Love

It is hard to find in this world - but I have it. It comes in the form of a furry, four legged canine. My Pokey is a big dog in a little dog's body and he adores me. I have been sick all week with a head cold - you know the kind that turns you into a 'big ball of gross' (I'm quoting my husband there). It didn't matter to my Pokey.
He encourages me to stay in bed; he'll kiss me even when I'm germy; he forgives me when I fall asleep and forget to let him out until later; and snuggles right up to me wherever I happen to sit. With big, black eyes he stares at me with love...OK, either my cold medication is getting to me or I gotta get out of the house soon!

Take a Deep Breath

Do you smell it? Do you feel it in the air? Spring is finally here! I cleaned out one of my smallest gardens the other day (the larger one still has some snow on it) and prepared it for planting. The dirt felt great under my nails! I know, weird - but isn't great to see the next season arrive?!

Looking Forward

We've been away alot over the last week and a half. The weekend of the 5th I attended a home education conference. It's been several years since I've been to one and I really enjoyed it. The conference itself was well put together and organized to be 'user-friendly' and the speakers that I went to see were good. From learning how to make science fun (which is weird 'cause I already think its fun), to working out a template for unit studies, I learned alot and feel excited about starting some of the ideas now, as well as planning out grade 4 for September.

I did attend a session that was to point out ways to be more organized - this was a dissapointment because I could have taught the speaker a few things. The fact that this presenter didn't bring enough pamphlets for her audience was the first clue that the presenter could learn from SAHMs. I think alot of the experienced homeschoolers were dissappointed with this one. When the speaker wasn't a homeschooler herself, and she was there to promote her business rather than encourage parents, the presentation fell a little flat.

The surprise of the weekend was that my husband came with me! Originally, I was going to be driving alone (3hours each way) and just making a long day of it. Since he took the time off work, we left Friday morning and stayed overnight for the Saturday conference. We made a mini vacation out the whole thing and it was great.
This is an annual conference and I will be encouraging the homeschoolers of my church to come next year. Maybe we can make a ladies' weekend out of it all - or maybe I'll just go with my husband again! That's a win-win situation!

Think Positive!

I stood in the middle of my garden the other day. Or, at least where my garden is situated under the snow. We have had some warmer weather lately. You know, the warm breeze that just smells of spring? Without any doubt, I am ready for the next season. For the majority of my life I have been a fall/winter person. Snowshoeing, toboganning, winter hikes - I love them! But this winter has been overwhelming, even for the winter people.
This is not a complaint (I can give thanks for each season), just positive thinking. Change is coming, spring is around the corner. And if it gets cold again with more snow, I'll just stand on my garden again.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)