Update

Faithy is winding down her compulsory season. Her last meet she took first all-around. She placed first on beam, second on floor, third on bars, and third on vault. They had a handstand contest with all the teams that participated,and she won! She will start prep-op Level 7 in January. Svetlana will be back to hone the routines they worked on. We are so ready.

We had a good Halloween, it was not a typical Halloween for us. It was still so hot at night that the kids were sucking on ice cubes. We carved Faithy's pumpkin two days before Halloween, and it was soupy with grey hair the day after...ick!

School has been going good this year, Faith started her own blog. We try to update every Wednesday. This last week, we got behind because my hubby celebrated his 51st birthday. We had an amazing day. I made him a really nice breakfast. We played 18 holes of golf, stopping to eat lunch. Then that evening we went to Bern's. This restaurant is an experience.

http://www.bernssteakhouse.com/

The menu was 20 pages, including a 60 oz. steak that will feed six for $230.00. They have a variety of foods. The service is amazing. The waiters have to train in the kitchen for two years before they are even allowed to wait on the floor. They cater to your every need, with knowledge of everything on the menu, and how it is prepared. When you finish dinner, they give you a tour of the kitchen and wine cellar. It was fun seeing all the action, in the individual sections. After the tour, we made reservations for upstairs to have dessert. You sat in huge tables shaped like wine barrels, with another 15 page dessert menu. The valet parking is nice, because you don't feel like walking far when you are finished. I personally, had a bad case of sunstroke, but I lived vicariously through Gregg and Faithy.

We are preparing for Gregg's trip. He will be leaving overseas again, the first week of December. There is a lot of things to squish into this month, but we will do our best to try. I will keep you updated.

Savenger Hunt

Faith updated her school blog... check it out!
http://weeziesblogspot.blogspot.com/

Simple Woman

Hosted by Peggy@ http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/************************

Outside my window...it is sunny with a warm breeze. I can't beleive it's over 100 in October.

I am thinking...what I would like to cook for dinner.

I am thankful for...the smarts God gave me.

From the learning room...we went on a bird and insect Savenger Hunt today. It is great living in Florida.

From the kitchen...no one is in it yet...but I will be soon as I can figure out what to cook.

I am wearing...brown khaki pants and a silky fall top.

I am creating...this new post.

I am going...to have a pretty kick back weekend. Faith starts her Saturday practices. Five days a week for gymnastics...crazy.

I am reading...Blood Red- a vampire book. I am reading it on my Iphone Kindle.

I am hoping...we hear a date for Gregg's promotion pinning so I can start planning the party.

I am hearing...the new puppy bark. He wants Faith to rescue him from her bathroom.

Around the house...we have decorated for fall. We will get our pumpkin soon. I heard the dusting the lid in cinnamon keeps them from decaying faster. We need that in Florida.

One of my favorite things...writing. When I get a few quiet moments.

A few plans for the rest of the week...tomorrow Faith has gymnastic practice. We had talked about going to the beach. Monday is a holiday...so who knows. We are very spur of the moment kind of people.

Here is a picture I though I'd share...Faithy sleeping with her new puppy, Harley. He is a little Westie that is 10 weeks old.

Faith Started Her Own Blog

Faith started her own blog today as part of a school project. She will be sharing exciting things happening in her life and school projects. Jump over and check it out when you have the chance.
http://weeziesblogspot.blogspot.com/

What is Normality?

I am sorry I haven't been around much to post. Things at the Ramsdell's have been so crazy and hectic, I can barely catch my breath. School has been going great and just when we were in the swing of things we got a call Gregg's mom had died. We left on the 6th and didn't return until 27th. It was an intense time of cleaning and gleaning. Long 10 to 12 hour days and long nights going through paperwork. Our daughter, Faith, is an angel. She never once complained and completely occupied her time.

When we got back, Gregg heard the great news that he will be promoted to E-8. He is now Master Sergeant. Whoo hoo! I will be planning a party. We are waiting on General Patrais calendar to when he will be available to pin Gregg.

After the party I will start planning the holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be combined. Gregg will be leaving us November 1st for at least 90 days. Once again, please add our family to your prayer lists. We had a huge family dinner with all the kids when we were home. I will post some pictures when I get some time.

So much more is happening in our lives right now, in time I hope I can share. I am so happy I have faith (not my daughter) to fall back on. Because without God as my rock, I'd be a mess.

School Is Back In Session

We started school today and had a really great time. It is hard to get back in a new routine and start a new schedule. Faith loves school and is such a joy to teach. We are going to be going four days a week, taking Friday's off.

Wednesday will be our elective/project day. She wanted to take Typing and Spanish. We will also do a Bible study from Life Pac.

She started reading Ann of Green Gables. We will review chapters and do book reports, something new this year. When she finishes we will have movie days like last year, complete with all the goodies. It is fun to read a book and then see the movie.

Every Friday, is Faith's day to cook. She got the Cooking DS for her Nintendo DS. She will plan and cook the meal. Although, her first menu cracked me up.

Appetizers: Chips with salsa and cheese sauce
Main meal:Beef Taco's and Dumplings
Dessert:Pound cake with strawberries and whip cream

Everything sounded good except- Taco and Dumplings? what?
So she will save the dumplings for another meal....she is so funny.

This year will be using: Saxon Math 5/4
Rod & Staff- English Grade 4
Editor & Chief- A book where she gets to proof read & correct articles and stories.
Spelling Power & Vocabulary by Beverly L. Gordon
Science Apologia-Exploring Creation with Zoology-
Creatures on the Fifth Day
History & Geography-Alpha Omega Life Pac-Grade 4
http://www.aophomeschooling.com
America's Story-American history covering Christopher Columbus through 1990's

We have a fun filled year planned with many new projects, but she can't wait. We planned the four day school year because her gymnastics schedule is increasing.

She goes Mon-Thurs. and then in January, Saturday will be added. So she will be spending 15 plus hrs a week in the gym. After school, she is still going downstairs to the office to work. She loves it, and the staff here loves her. I will try to post pictures with projects and things we are doing during the school year.

I also want to wish Cyndie, Sue and Camille a happy and productive school year.

Going Home

I went back home to Oregon for a couple weeks to pack up our five bedroom home and visit with the kids, and grand kids. It was a lot of work and very exhausting, but I had some great friends keeping tabs on me. I packed over 260 boxes filled with memories, antiques, family heirlooms and just stuff. We also moved most of the outdoor furniture and indoor furniture.

While I was home I did have a chance to get together with some dear friends. I went to Cyndie and Rame's home for a BBQ. I rode with Dev and Rog up to their home in the boondocks of Grants Pass. They have a beautiful ranch up there. Although, if you knew Cyndie she would never strike you as a farm girl. We had a great night up there, shuckin' corn, and spending countless hours laughing. Dev is very animated and tells amazing reenactments of stories. The kids had a great time swimming, doing nails, playing on the tramp and just running amuck.

I also got a change to have a couple dinners with Natalie. My son, Nick, and her son, Alex, have been friends since second grade. Her daughter, Maryssa and Faith have been friends since Kindergarten. Natalie and I enjoy a passion for cooking, and before I left to Florida we enjoyed sharing many yummy meals together.

Kali just started back bar tending at a small bar in Central Point. I went out a couple times to play some free pool and watch my daughter, no wonder she makes great tips, everyone loves her.

One night we took a break and Jerry brought over his two guitars, drums, microphone and we played until 3:30 a.m., it was so much fun. All the kids had a great time just letting loose. Kali and Jerry have amazing voices, it was fun hearing them sing together.

On the last night of our stay we threw a BBQ at the house. It was like a revolving door that day with visitors. My ex-in laws, Jerry & Dana, came to visit, whom I still adore very much. They have not seemed to age. Then many of Kali's friends stopped by. It made me feel old for the first time. Sarah came bringing her baby, Ayrabella, Kayla is pregnant with her second and brought Marissa, Crystal was there with Dayton and Kali brought Dominic out to play after his nap. These were all gals that spent countless hours growing up at the house and they are all mothers now, where did the time go. We had fun just visiting and watching the kids play.

It was hard to say good-bye to everyone. Walking through the empty rooms was a strange feeling for me. I know once Crystal and Jordon move in, the house once again will be filled with memories of fun and laughter.

On my way back home I stopped in Oklahoma to see Misty and Shannon. We have been chatting on the Internet and by phone for the last year. It was so great to meet these two in person. They are so much fun. Katie and Faith had a great time together doing nails, swimming and running around Celebration Station.

It was fun visit, but it was nice to get back home and get back into a routine. And I really missed the big guy.