Happy Birthday, to my oldest son.
It was eight years ago today he was born, and the joke is--we didn't know it! Because his birthmom saw beyond the immediate crisis. She recognized there was a future to be had, even if it couldn't be with her, and painstakingly placed him for adoption. It would take her ten days past giving birth to make that decision. As a family we have a whole lot of respect and honor for her.
And because of her selflessness, her ability to see beyond the current situation, and because she chose not to have an abortion earlier in her pregnancy--we have our son.
To JM, we say with all cheerfulness "Happy Birthday!"
To his birthmom, we say from the bottom of our souls:
Thank you from the bottom of our souls for giving us JM and making this a day we can celebrate his milestone, and your amazing gift.
Mar 6, 2009
Mar 4, 2009
Jack and Tasha
Jack UPDATE: He is now Pablo
Tasha
Jack er...Pablo and Tasha.Coming to our home Friday afternoon. Cuteness covered in fur.
UPDATE: It was discovered upon having said cute things home for a few hours, it because really easy to call Jack my oldest son's name and vice versa, we are now going with Pablo. This is an homage to Pablo and Tasha from one of our favorite shows, and I am sure yours too, Backyardigans.
Mar 3, 2009
Monday, March 9th
And it is confirmed, I am going and so is JM. We are holding a rally at the steps of the capital building in support of virtual schooling. After the rally we are splitting up, from what I understand, into groups and hoping to go to legislator's offices to garner support for virtual schools.
In our chat group, several legislators have responded to some parent's letters. And it's been interesting. The head of the Department of Education gave a slick, political answer. The mom who received it was all happy that she got a letter showing support for virtual schools from such a high official. Ummmm.....no, it was political smoke once several of us caught her verbage. Her verbage was "we look forward to finding common ground (are you gagging yet?) for virtual schools in Oregon. Keeping our tax dollars away from for-profit companies......"
Her innuendo is that she is supporting Oregon's virtual school, NOT Connections Academy (CA) because, allegedly, it is for profit. It isn't. The Oregon run CA is run by a non-profit board out of Scio, OR. It has complied with all rules and regulations to exist as a non-profit entity, recognized by the state. Oregon's CA does however, use CA (nationwide) resources for it's curriculum. Just like public schools would need to purchase books, materials, resources from for-profit companies, so would Oregon's CA.
If we were to hold that standard to regular schools, then they would not be able to purchase pencils, paper, books, telephones, fax machines, or computers. I do not know of any company that is non-profit that sells those products. Let me know if you do, I am sure this woman would love to know.
And honestly?? What in the world does her rhetoric have to do with the renewal of a charter? A charter that was recognized as having perpetuity four years ago. If that is the concern, why is this being hammered out as a renewal of the charter? Why wasn't this for-profit vs. non-profit brought up as a concern in 2005? It's a political figure blowing smoke at an issue.
Another legislator answered in one sentence to a parent "I am sorry, I support public schools." A little rude, but at least he didn't blow smoke. CA is a public school! It is part of Scio, OR's public school system. It hires teachers based upon Oregon's teaching qualifications. It isn't a private school, and for this man to give such a narrow minded, one sentence answer, tells me he doesn't have any smoke to blow because he isn't knowledgeable on the issue. It also tells me some teacher union lobbyist has been contributing to his campaign recently.
We also got a letter from a homeschooling official in California. She is urging us to take on this fight because again, this could set precedents for other states, and California just went through a scary thing like this over homeschooling. California is paying close attention to this.
Also, if the Department of Education gets a grab on virtual schools with this kind of heavy handed ruling, then watch out traditional homeschoolers in Oregon! You heard the guy "I support public schools." The next jab will be at legislating traditional homeschoolers.
Seriously, if anyone wants to take a day out of their schedule next Monday to join me for the rally, please consider yourself invited. You do not have to be a virtual school parent or student. This is a rally of support.
In our chat group, several legislators have responded to some parent's letters. And it's been interesting. The head of the Department of Education gave a slick, political answer. The mom who received it was all happy that she got a letter showing support for virtual schools from such a high official. Ummmm.....no, it was political smoke once several of us caught her verbage. Her verbage was "we look forward to finding common ground (are you gagging yet?) for virtual schools in Oregon. Keeping our tax dollars away from for-profit companies......"
Her innuendo is that she is supporting Oregon's virtual school, NOT Connections Academy (CA) because, allegedly, it is for profit. It isn't. The Oregon run CA is run by a non-profit board out of Scio, OR. It has complied with all rules and regulations to exist as a non-profit entity, recognized by the state. Oregon's CA does however, use CA (nationwide) resources for it's curriculum. Just like public schools would need to purchase books, materials, resources from for-profit companies, so would Oregon's CA.
If we were to hold that standard to regular schools, then they would not be able to purchase pencils, paper, books, telephones, fax machines, or computers. I do not know of any company that is non-profit that sells those products. Let me know if you do, I am sure this woman would love to know.
And honestly?? What in the world does her rhetoric have to do with the renewal of a charter? A charter that was recognized as having perpetuity four years ago. If that is the concern, why is this being hammered out as a renewal of the charter? Why wasn't this for-profit vs. non-profit brought up as a concern in 2005? It's a political figure blowing smoke at an issue.
Another legislator answered in one sentence to a parent "I am sorry, I support public schools." A little rude, but at least he didn't blow smoke. CA is a public school! It is part of Scio, OR's public school system. It hires teachers based upon Oregon's teaching qualifications. It isn't a private school, and for this man to give such a narrow minded, one sentence answer, tells me he doesn't have any smoke to blow because he isn't knowledgeable on the issue. It also tells me some teacher union lobbyist has been contributing to his campaign recently.
We also got a letter from a homeschooling official in California. She is urging us to take on this fight because again, this could set precedents for other states, and California just went through a scary thing like this over homeschooling. California is paying close attention to this.
Also, if the Department of Education gets a grab on virtual schools with this kind of heavy handed ruling, then watch out traditional homeschoolers in Oregon! You heard the guy "I support public schools." The next jab will be at legislating traditional homeschoolers.
Seriously, if anyone wants to take a day out of their schedule next Monday to join me for the rally, please consider yourself invited. You do not have to be a virtual school parent or student. This is a rally of support.
Mar 2, 2009
Henrietta!
Someone on my chicken chat group had a mixed breed pullet that needed a home. Her name is Henrietta, and she is just under a year old. I was told she would be a mixed Wyandotte and Black Australorpe. While I was at work yesterday, the kind folks dropped her off at my house and my husband stowed her away in the animal carrier for her to just kind of settle down. I came home and did a huge double take....she looks like Lizzie! I wasn't expecting that! Her body shape is a bit different. She is bigger, and her tail doesn't stick up, it's rounded. That will take a bit of getting used to. The guy told me she also just does her own thing. She doesn't' socialize with the other hens, and just pecks around on her own. Sure enough, he is right.
This morning, I put Henrietta in the pen and let the Goldie and Beaver run around the yard. Well, Goldie was the one who just seemed beside herself pacing all over the perimeter, as you can see by the picture. I have a video too I'll try and post. She was verbalizing, and just agitated. I thought, well let's get the fight over. I opened the door to the gate of the pen, and I just knew Goldie would go after Henrietta. Nope. She immediately went up into the roost. Again, I thought, maybe she needed to lay an egg. Nope. She came out and started pecking in the dirt. I went to get the egg, no egg. I think Goldie just wanted to check the roost to make sure Henrietta hadn't messed with it. All is peaceful. Henrietta could care less about Goldie and Beaver and as a result, they don't care either. Everyone is just pecking around outside. I am also kind of wondering since Henrietta looks like Lizzie, if that has helped introductions.
I hesitate to say this, because I said it a few weeks ago, I think all is well. After the raccoon attack, hens not getting along, hens dying, etc. I think we are on a level of normalcy again.
Conversations....
Friday evening I am cleaning the house, at a fairly clipped pace. My inlaws were due to come Saturday afternoon, and things needed to look better.
Me: JM, you need to clean your room.
JM: Why?
Me: Grandpa and Grandma are coming, and we don't want them to think we're slobs.
JM: Mom, I think they already know.
Me: JM, you need to clean your room.
JM: Why?
Me: Grandpa and Grandma are coming, and we don't want them to think we're slobs.
JM: Mom, I think they already know.
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