Not sure what to do...

At what point do you let your child investigate (search) for things online on their own and not worry about the "trouble" out there waiting to find them? Anna has been looking at and researching ok things online, but she was told something at "school" over a year ago that she had to research on Netflix and we do NOT in any way want her looking at this content or anything like it again. So, now the question is, how much freedom do we give her online. We've blocked a lot off her iPod Touch, but she is not always with us. Sigh. Just not sure where to go with this. She hasn't been at a public school in a year. Well, almost and she is just now remembering things that were said to her there and trying to find out for sure if they are real. Just scary content that she doesn't need to deal with.

Sad...

All the hurt and pain I go through each time someone has a new baby, no one will ever know...I feel excited for them and love the new baby, but deep down inside I am hurting....Its something no one will ever understand....

Happy New Year

or something like that...

*Trees are down.
*Ornaments are wrapped in tissue and put away.
*Lights are off the outside of the house.
*Everything is packed up and in the storage closet.
*Living Room is Vacuumed and Arranged appropriately.
*Dishes are Done.
*Laundry is Almost Done.
*School planning for new semester is beginning.

I guess that's about all there is. Gotta go.

Out with a Bang....

Well, maybe not quite a bang. How bout out with a lousy upper respiratory infection, or something of the sort. I knew yesterday that I should have gone to the Doctor for some medicine, but I didn't, so now I have to suffer through with whatever over the counter stuff I can manage to find that will half way alleviate some of the symptoms. BLAH!! I have so much I want to do, and need to do, but I hardly doubt that I will be getting any of it done. The furthest I've gone today is to take a shower, which helped a little. Ate some breakfast, then I've been basically glued to the couch. Nothing better to do. Don't feel like it. So, lets end 2011 on this blah note.
Hopefully it will be better in 2012. Although 2011 was pretty good. I mean we did buy a house you know. ;-) Anyhow. Let's just get to it. Y'ALL have a HAPPY NEW YEAR! Love everyone. See you soon!!

Christmas is Done

I'm so thankful that Christmas is done. I love Christmas, but working retail at Christmas is starting to take its toll. I hate how commercialized it has become. I hate how people act when they wait too long to buy their gifts and what they wanted it now out of stock. It's all nuts. We did Christmas on a smaller scale this year. Anna did still get one larger expensive gift, but overall, Christmas was small and I rather enjoyed it. Smaller is better sometimes. We also didn't have to go crazy spending the money with others. I will likely continue to keep it small. Emphasizing the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus Birthday.

In the same token, I've about had it with my job...period. I don't want to be in charge of so much anymore. I want to go in and work and go home. I want to be able to spend more time with my daughter and concentrate on her schooling. I'm just not quite sure how to go about this and still bring home the money I need to make ends meet in our house. Something, somewhere has got to give. I'm just not sure what or where or how, but something.

As for school, I know we homeschool so we can do things at our own pace, but right now I feel so far behind. I feel like we aren't doing enough to actually call it schooling. We've basically had the entire month of December off, except for about 2-3 days. Things have just been so hectic. Not sure what to do there either, but it is related to work again, so I guess that has to give a bit. We also need a slight change of curriculum, but the one I want to try is costly. I'll have to pray about that one. I'm thinking the change will help us to complete more schooling though.

Well, I guess that's about it for now. So thankful that the holiday is over and that things are starting to get back to normal. But also extremely tired and stressed out over things. Anyhow. I do hope that all of you have a VERY good New Year. I doubt that I will be posting again before then, so there you have it. Take care.

Anna Funny

I'm watching TV with Anna and she sees a commercial for a certain type of dog food. She said we could buy that for Wall-e. I said "no, cause its e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e!" She turned around right back and said "S-a-v-e m-o-n-e-y!" (Yes, we spelled out the words. She was pretty quick with her response!! LOL!!)

This and That

Wow!! Its November 13th already. I'm not sure where the time has gone. Here is a little bit of randomness for you all to ponder.

Christmas decorations are up. We put up the tree and outside lights yesterday. It looks fun at our house right now. I love Christmas time. Lights are oh so pretty and we really need to leave that tree up all year. I love to look at the memories on our tree. Oh and apparently us hanging Christmas lights outside yesterday made my neighbors want to hang lights this year. Their kids are really all grown, or pretty close. Their youngest is in school at a local college, so they really haven't put anything up, but with us having a "little one" (Sh! Don't tell her I put that) they are probably going to put theirs up too. A little more Christmas spirit to go around.

We have a new manager at the store I work at. He is nice as a person, but absolutely LOUSY as a manager. He has no interest in learning what he needs to know behind the scenes of working or operating the store. All he cares about is customer service and sales number, which are all fine and dandy, BUT, having a store manager not know the inner workings of the company and how to do the daily and weekly paperwork is NOT a good thing. There are two of us there that know more than he does and he is not interested in learning. Sigh! I'm really trying to get along with him, but its trying my patience a whole lot.

Anna's birthday was a huge success. She said it was, "the BEST birthday I ever had!" I am very glad she enjoyed it. Total cost including the gifts we gave her, about $35. I usually spend that on just her cake. I am so glad she enjoyed it. We are thinking of a smaller party next year. We'll see how that goes.

As for Anna, she is doing good too. The PDD diagnosis this year was a shock, but it explains so much. She is behind her peers emotionally and developmentally. She may always be somewhat behind. I have come to understand that she will always understand things different from other kids and not always fully comprehend everything. It only scratches the surface for her. She doesn't see anything beyond what you actually say. If you say its "raining cats and dogs," she will probably always be looking outside for them. Everything in her world is very literal. If I could get everyone to understand that, life would be easier, but it will never be that way. She also copies and says things that she hears others say, even if the timing is not right. She copies me a LOT!! She doesn't always use the words in the correct context though. The word she says a lot right now out of context is "seriously!" LOL! Yes, its cause I say it alot, but her context timing of using it is almost always off. What can I say. She also still does not like loud shrill nosies, but is fine with doing it herself. Again, its the PDD and the sensory part of it. I get it. Most people don't. SIGH!! I guess I'm just rambling now trying to get people to understand my girl. None of this really matters in the long run of things. She will always be my girl and I will always be there to love and care for her. As long or short as I get. She is our gift from God!!

I guess that's all for now. I hope you all have a great week and enjoy next week with your families for Thanksgiving. Take care and I will talk to you all later.