http://www.pleonast.com/user/matermagistra recent pleonast.com entries by user matermagistra en-us http://www.pleonast.com/user/matermagistra?l=5&entryID=582846 ...yesterday a little girl that goes to school with Ryan died after choking on her way to school. While waiting in the car rider line, she was in the backseat of her car and opened a bottle of water with her teeth. The cap then somehow went back into her throat, choking her. They took her to Maury Regional, but she was without oxygen for over 20 minutes. She died last night. She was in the second grade, and her name was Chasta Gray. Please pray for her family. 2008-10-02 http://www.pleonast.com/user/matermagistra?l=5&entryID=582208 Those who weren't able to come really missed out. I've certainly enjoyed getting to know Phillip and Tracy and sweet little Andrew. Many of you have been asking about the Father-Daughter Retreat. I asked Edwin when he was going to post about it and he said after the meeting was over he was going to write about it. I know he was impressed with all of Heather and Frederic's hard work. Tessa had a great time and I am so glad she had this special time with her Daddy. Tonight she was busy printing off pictures from the shutterfly site and putting them in her scrapbook and I don't think she has taken her bracelet off except to go to bed. You *can* read some of the things Edwin learned from Frederic on his blog Edwin's blog In the meantime, I know Ben has some pictures on his blog, though you have to scroll down an entry and also Heather has pictures as well. Heather did such a wonderful job with the details. Everything looks so pretty in the pictures. She worked so hard to make this speci... 2008-10-01 http://www.pleonast.com/user/matermagistra?l=5&entryID=581487 Like most of us, I've spent a lot of time thinking about Lauren, Matt and Macy this last week. This morning when I was changing the sheets on the bed I was thinking about Lauren's list of eight unsual or little-known facts. Number eight was about her "Angel Baby" waiting for her in heaven. This led me to thinking about the people I love who are "waiting" for me. It's hard sometimes to think about the fact that though Dad is dead, it doesn't mean he no longer exists. He is *somewhere* and he is still Dad. Death does not change that. Yes, it changes his physical body, but it doesn't change who he is. And where ever he is, he is waiting for me and for my siblings, his grandchildren, Kathy, and his mom. The Bible says that when we die we go to Abraham's bosom...a place God created as the resting place for those who have died while waiting for the Judgment. I don't know what happens there, but something is happening. Our loved ones who die don't just cease to be. They a... 2008-09-29 http://www.pleonast.com/user/matermagistra?l=5&entryID=580957 ...from the father-daughter retreat. Should be within the next few minutes. I can't wait to hear all about it. Sadly, there are apparently no pictures. Speaking of no pictures, I totally forgot take my camera to the apple orchard and that is a real shame because it was a truly wonderful day. Perfect weather and the farm we went to was fantastic. The boys had a great time and I am so glad we went, even if I don't have any pictures to remember it by. Speaking of the apple orchard, I spoke to Ethan's principal and he said that the field trip ban has been lifted. YAY! The whole third grade will be going to Rippavilla for the corn maze in October. Our meeting starts tomorrow! Any and all who are in the area, we'd love to have you come visit us. And...if any of you guys from the homeschool campout need a place to stay on your way up to Indiana, I hope you will stop and stay with us. Even if it is to have lunch or supper on your way or just a potty break...we'd love to have you stop by. ... 2008-09-28 http://www.pleonast.com/user/matermagistra?l=5&entryID=579831 ...before I dive into to the craziness! But it's a good craziness, so I don't mind. I'm about to hop off here and devote all of my energy into getting my house cleaned and disinfected, laundry caught up groceries bought, meals made in advance so I can be calm and prepared for the upcoming week. Tomorrow I am pulling the boys out of school for the day to take them on a field trip to the apple orchard. I feel really down for the schools right now because due to the recession and gas shortage, the schools aren't taking any field trips this year. How sad is that?! Tonight I hope to finish our apple lapbook that we are doing together. Tomorrow is also the day that Edwin and Tessa leave for the Father-Daughter retreat. Edwin is sick with strep throat and is pretty much miserable. He went to the doctor and got some antibiotics, but his throat is killing him. So if you think of it, please say a little prayer that he will get better by tomorrow and that Tessa does not get it too. I don't wa... 2008-09-25 http://www.pleonast.com/user/matermagistra?l=5&entryID=578888 I had the pleasure of spending the day yesterday with Angel and Julie-Ann. It was very nice to see her. We ended up meeting at the mall in Cool Springs because Ryan was not well. Had a nice time, got to visit a while and we even found Tessa a banquet dress...on sale, at that. YAY! I was also reminded of why I next to never go to the mall...I found a store there that I fell in love with. I think it was called Jack and Jane. Beautiful vintage style clothing for kids. WOW. But I didn't buy anything. I was strong (for the moment). UGH. I have to do laundry today and much housework. It amazes me how fast it piles up. I know that the boys' sock basket was full of clean socks just the other day. How did it get empty so quickly? All of my laundry cubbies were empty and I was feeling so good about being caught up...when did they fill back up again?! Our gospel meeting starts next week with Philip Shumake. I am very much looking forward to it. So much to do...but my heart and my mind are in ... 2008-09-23 http://www.pleonast.com/user/matermagistra?l=5&entryID=577708 That's how my heart feels right now. I just now got on the computer to do my nightly check of pleonast before bed and decided to check on my friend Lauren, who was being induced this morning. Instead of seeing her name in white announcing Macy's birth, I see hundreds of comments announcing that little Macy died. I can't find on here anywhere what happened, but I do know that my friend Lauren and her husband Matt and all of their family must feel completely shattered. I feel shattered for them. Please pray for them. It seems most of you know about this already and are already praying for them. Lauren, I love you and my heart is broken for you. 2008-09-20 http://www.pleonast.com/user/matermagistra?l=5&entryID=577254 ...ok, a LOT bummed. Tomorrow I was supposed to have some of my tried-and-true girlfriends over for the day. Alas, Tessa got sick and while she is much better, I am worried about Amy Jane, Carole and Genoa getting sick. After all, Ethan got it first, then Trina now Tessa which means Ryan is next in line. Ah well, we will do it soon...the sooner the better cause I miss you guys! To make me feel a little better, I am penciled in on the mile-long waiting list for the oh-so-hot property that isAngel on Monday.I hope we are past all of the yuckies by then because I really want to see Julie Ann (and Angel, too, of course). Edwin and the boys are going camping tomorrow night. What should I do with my girls? Next week is the father daughter retreat and I have yet to find a banquet dress for Tessa. EEEEK! Well, I gotta run and get Tessa's work for tomorrow lined up. The geography of Ancient Egypt is on the docket tomorrow, along with much reading of God King and much Latin for her online q... 2008-09-19 http://www.pleonast.com/user/matermagistra?l=5&entryID=576722 So instead of getting to take Grandma Lee out on the town like we had hoped,we stayed in instead and watched Nanny 911 and Design on a Dime. :) The family in study for Nanny 911 was a homeschooling family with 6 boys. Obviously,things were a bit crazy. I just *knew* they were going to portray them as having problems and their household in chaos because they homeschooled. I thought for sure Nanny Deb was going to tell the mom that she needed to put them in public school. They started off that way, but I was happy to see that Nanny Deb simply helped the mom get more organized and focused on other issues as the cause of the trouble they were having. That made me glad because I see so many situations where a family has an issue with their kids, and people will say,"Well, after all, they homeschool!", or, "Well what do you expect? They are going to public school (usually said in a tone of utter disgust)". I can't tell you how *much* this line of thinking upsets me. Ba... 2008-09-17 http://www.pleonast.com/user/matermagistra?l=5&entryID=576427 ...Edwin, Max and Lee having a bowling tournament on the Wii. Yep. It's true, and I'm about to go sneak in there and get pictures to prove it. And Lee's kicking hiney. :o 2008-09-17