Bullet Points...

I have never done just a bullet point post...
however,
sometimes, we all know, life gets the best of us.
*Garett is doing great, except when a sibling forgot and hit him in the shoulder; but tonight he seems to be doing good...
*My front cap broke over the weekend, and I spent way to many hours in a dentist chair this morning...tonight the nummy is wearing off and I don’t feel so good...
*I love all the questions I have received about “You Ask...Home Education" and I can’t wait to get to posting my answers....thank you all for asking. I truly feel honored and pray that I give helpful answers...
*Landon has had fever and is feeling yucky...
*Keshawn waved goodbye to me when Kalyn took him for a go-cart ride...oh my, I love that little guy...
*Honestly, I love my camera and lens...this is strait out of the camera....no editing, which is good, I don’t have time to edit...I don’t have time to think right now....

*and, remember this cute girl pictured here with our son, Jace....she is on vacation in the Colorado mountains and we get to go see her and her family tomorrow...really excited to see my “Karlie Girl”.

That’s all that is coming to mind for now...I will try to write a better post soon.
Loves,
me

ASK AWAY...Children’s Education

It’s the time of year when all home educating mothers are preparing for the next year.  I haven’t written much about our home education because there are so many wonderful blogs who address home education and there is so much helpful information out there.  
However, I began to think that I have been home educating for 17 years now, have graduated one, and it might be helpful to share some of what I have learned in all those years. 
But the way I want to share is to ask YOU TO ASK ME.  What would be helpful to you? What are you wondering about?  
I’ll spend several post in August answering any questions that you have and spotlighting some of my favorite resources.  
I can tell you now, we all are created differently by the LORD as a family and our home education should reflect what we feel like THE LORD wants it to look like.  It wont and should not look like mine.  Mine doesn’t even look like mine...it has changed often with the seasons of our family.
That said, that are so foundations that have kept us strong, kept us going, and kept it fun!!!
So, ASK AWAY....

So Much....

My little Garett broke his collar bone.  Poor guy...but he is doing good.  There is really nothing to do but be careful and let it heal for a few weeks.
I feel behind!!!  I have been in town 3 out of 4 days this week and I really DON’T LIKE to have to go to town that much.  It really messes with my home schedule.  So things that I wanted to put up on the blog will have to wait....
except for one thing....
this really is one of the most important things.
If you look to the right you will see something new...a slide show of precious waiting children in China.  You can learn more about each of these children at ASIA’s blog spot.  This is the agency where we found our precious Asher.  There are (I think), 30 children from this last camp who are waiting for their forever family. And this seems the perfect place to share something that was on that blog here a while back...

Parents

Parents worry--that's their job, right? That's what I"m doing as I care for my daughter who has a high fever. Parents do whatever they have to in order to care for their children and help them heal. Who worries when Cherry, Quentin, Mark or Anna spikes a fever? They are sent to the infirmary where they are treated by a nurse, who they may or may not know. If the condition is serious, they go to the hospital where they are left without anyone they know. No one sits with them, worrying and caring for them by their bedside. They are left to their own fears and to fend for themselves in the hospital. I know how important it is to have an advocate at the hospital, even here in the U.S. Nurses are overworked and don't stay on top of pain medication. In China, pain medication is not widely used, so an experience in a hospital is indeed a scary thing. Many of these children have conditions that are easily correctable or treated here in the U.S. These children deserve to have parents by their side helping them through these experiences. Even if you don't speak the same language, compassion and love are univsersal languages. Where else can I look to find the families that will treat these children with compassion and love and help them reach their full potential? Do you see potential in these faces? Could you be a parent to one of these children?

Could one of these children be yours, or may be a child of someone that you know?

And, important information about waivers, which is the special blessing that helped us.

Waivers

Do you think you may not qualify for China anymore? Is there just 1 requirement you do not meet? CONTACT ASIA IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE HOPE JOURNEY CHILDREN!! CCAA may be more willing to grant waivers for families adopting boys!!! So help us find those families for those boys! We have a process for getting waivers, so just contact us for more information. We have lots of boys available!!!!marcisk@asiadopt.org 
Spread the word:-)

Blog Hop 2010

Once again, Pensive Robin is hostingBlog Hop ‘10 for those not attending BlogHer.

The goal of this blog hop is to introduce bloggers to one another. Just like at a party where you meet new friends, you have a chance to mix and mingle by visiting the other bloggers signed up on the Mr. Linky and finding new bloggy friends.

It is always fun to meet new friends, so join in if you can!!!

I have been marred for 21 years to my best friend.  I’m a stay at home mom to our 10 darlin’s, age 1-17 years, and mother to 11.  Our oldest son is 20 and lives in Texas. We are excitedly awaiting to bring home our newest son from China.  

We are passionately living each day to “Declare His glory among the nations...” (Psalm 96:3) as a family and praying to encourage others to seek the LORDS adventure for them. I am passionate about the Bible, family, enjoying the beautiful mountains of Colorado, photography, herbs, home education, orphan ministry and especially mothering.

If you are here from the blog hop - WELCOME and thank you for visiting. I look forward to meeting you also!

Loves,

Shonni

6 Things I Love About China....

O.K., no more teasing....

1. I have always loved the art of China.  This picture to me captures such an old tradition in China culture.

2. MOUNTAINS...hey, I live in Colorado for a reason!!!

3. The ancient culture of China is absolutely fascinating and I never get tired of learning more about it. 

4. Who can resist these guys...they are completely adorable!

5. The country side is so exotic, surreal, and just breathtaking!!!  

6. And besides the fact that our 3rd daughter was born here, we now have A SON waiting in China for us to bring him home!!!

I’m so glad that ya’ll let me play around before I told you this exciting news. It is definitely a love story we didn’t see comin’.  His name will be Asher Eli, he is 6 years old and of course we are in love.  I can’t wait to show you pictures, but trust me, he is ADORABLE.  I will unveil more of our journey to him as I can. For now, would you all keep us and Asher in your prayers.  

Surprise Appointment....

I’m sorry that I have not been able to write.
I am feeling much better!  And we are rushing around for a VERY important meeting....
it was suppose to happen tomorrow, but needed to be changed to tonight.
So in 30 minutes our social worker will be here,




Why?


That is the tease I have been dragging out, isn’t it...


But we do need a home study....
More as soon as I can!

What I’m Learning While I’m Sick

I got some beautiful things to play with in my PSE from Polka Dot Potato but had not had time to play around with any of it.  I don’t really scrap book anymore...I just don’t have the time, but what can I say is...I LOVE photography, and some of these new digital toys are amazing.  So while I have been sitting here sick now - going on my 3rd day - I have been playing around.  I couldn’t resist showing you these two.  Now, ANYONE who knows anything about digital scrap booking can probably see that I REALLY DON’T know anything about digital scrap booking...LOL, so if any one has any suggestions PLEASE DO share.  I love to learn new things. But for my first attempts, I hope these are at least “eye” pleasant.