Summer Plans
Posted By Jacque on June 4, 2008
We have not had a vacation for years, so planning that is on the top of our summer list. I am in the process of planning a lo-o-ong trip with several stops to see family and friends. We haven’t been out to New Mexico as a family since 2002, so it is about time.
So, why the long trip? Well, as you know(if you read my blog), we have been talking about moving back West for over a year now. We have been looking at Texas, New Mexico and Arizona for all this time, seeing all the different terrains and weather and populations. We are hoping to cruise through the southern part of Texas and check it out. We are completely relying on God to show, lead, and direct us to whatever area we are going to. We are desiring a similar life as here, with freedom to homeschool, land to garden, learn, play and raise our goats and chickens, and be nearer to family, but we aren’t quite sure where we can do that. I have looked and looked at Mapquest, but, of course, it’s nothing like the real thing. We did drive all the way across Texas once, but that was 17 years ago, when Jocelyn was but six months old. I can’t believe it has been so long. I can’t believe she is seventeen! And, besides, Texas has changed anyway, so this will be very interesting.
One thing that we have gotten on our toes about in preparing for a vacation is making sure the barn stalls and pasture are secure for our animals. I would hate for a predator to get in or one of the goats to get out and get hit by a car. We have had several chickens hit by cars, so we will likely keep them penned up for the most part. I hate to keep the goats penned up, but we may have no other options. Last week, we got the buckstall fixed and their fence secure, so we just have the does’ fence to do. I am not looking forward to two days of six hours straight work in the hot sun. And, Friday is supposed to be in the 90’s. Yuck.
Having animals sure cuts down on your ability to just go off for a week, but I wouldn’t change having them for anything. In the past few years, we couldn’t have left, but this year, we are so fortunate to have friends who are willing to help us out. We have only known them for – not even a year, actually – but they are good people, goat lovers, homeschoolers and Believers, and they are willing to care for our goats and chickens and the dogs and rabbit!
I am still apprehensive about leaving them, because we never have left them, and I have seen how quickly things change with animals, but, my friend and her boys know goats and chickens, so I know they will be in good hands. And, she may have the bucks and Eamane sold, so that is great news! Now, If I can get rid of about 15-20 hens and 4 roosters, we will be all set!
Besides fences and stalls to fix, we have skirts to make and pants to hem and holes to mend too. Of course, that isn’t a new thing. I have had these things on the mending table for weeks months, of course. Too bad we didn’t get those done when it was winter and the potatoes and onions and tomatoes didn’t need to be planted, huh? Which is something else we need to get in in the next few weeks.
So, for vacation, here are the stops we are planning so far:
Dawn in Georgia
Our friend, Brooke
The Lirette Family in Alabama
Grandpa and Aunts/Uncles in Louisiana
Sprittibee in Texas
Family in Las Cruces
(maybe time in Phoenix to meet friends? anyone want to make some plans?)
Vicki in Kansas
Home, glorious home!
So, how is that for a trip? A big, long field trip! We also have great friends we would love to meet in Arkansas, Cali, Washington, Oregon, Oregon, and Colorado, but you all are wa-ay far out of our travel plans. 
and we are none too happy about that, I will tell you! So, we won’t be posting any dates or anything (and do not want comments referring to dates!) 
, but I just wanted to let our friends know what we are busy planning while continuing to work on school.
In addition to all of that, I got an email from Kumon Publishing last month, asking if I would like to receive some of their workbooks to review. They are for younger kids, but I picked out several, and I was pleasantly surprised to receive several – like six! They look like they will be great fun and great learning, and I can’t wait to use them.
I am also reviewing for TOS, and LOVE the products they sent me. I have never used In the Hands of A Child products, but I am thrilled to get to review a couple of their Project Packs as well as some lapbook projects from Knowledge Box Central. A couple of them are patriotic, which will be fun to use for next month!
I also to find some Creative Memories to put into my (former) CM Unit’s garage sale of previous CM products in a couple of weeks. sigh. And believe me, I have plenty!
I think Amanda is trying to get me into the summer mode. After seeing Dawn’s pretty Summer Toes, she came “this close” to scheduling me a pedicure and getting some pretty toes for myself! But, instead, I think we are having a girls’ night and doing our own. She bought some French Nails polish and some flower decals, so it should be fun!
Home Improvement projects, animal husbandry, homekeeping, sewing, landscaping, gardening, and traveling across the US: what more could a homeschool family ask for? lol I hope you all have a fantastic summer replete with all kinds of fun learning experiences too.
blessings!
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7 Responses to “Summer Plans”
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I sure wish we could see you all. :O(
We pray you have a wonderful journey and we’ll be praying for your safety.
Know this… I will be calling you to say hello from time to time. ;O)
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If you were here longer, we could go get our toes done together! I’ve rubbed the polish off of two little toes with my hiking shoes.
We’re excited to have you! We’ll talk on the phone and work out the directions.
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Oh, Sisterlisa- I so wish we could drive out there too!! And you can call me anytime! Not just when we are *not* home!
Dawn- Amanda just did my toes last night, so we will see how long they last! It would be fun for all of us gals to go and get the works!
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You would not believe how excited we are that you are coming!!!! Now to get the house cleaned so that it’s presentable for you all!!! Time is slipping by very quickly, and yet, not quickly enough, as we want you here NOW!!! *LOL*
Safe journey my friends, my prayers are with you!!!
Hey, can I link to your “Validating Homeschooling” post for my HSN blog?? Or possibly even copy it?? Let me know when you can!!!
*HUGS*
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I hope you have a wonderfully blessed trip! I’m so happy for your whole family to get an adventure like this.
Would’ve been great to see you, but it’ll have to wait for another time.
God speed,
Dianne
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[...] presents Summer Plans posted at Walking Therein. June 3 Passed through St. Joseph on the Missouri River. Laid in our [...]
Hi Jacque,
) and 2. you teach math, science, reading, social studies, and …PE?? Very broad, and very easy. No testing, no records, no hassles. I hope you all have success in finding a new place, and that you clearly discern the Lord’s leading.
I’m sure you have checked it all out, but just in case you didn’t know, Arizona is a wonderful place to homeschool. Our only requirements are that 1. you file a statement of intent to homeschool with your local school district (whether or not you do that… I won’t tell
Sally
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