Homeschooling Legal Battles

Homeschooling is a right that I have taken for granted. I know that in the not too distant past, many families had to fight legal battles for the right to educate their own children. This week, I was shocked to learn of a legal battle brewing in Californina. The 2nd District Court of Appeals ruled that California parents without teaching credentials do not have a right to home-school their children. Wow! I had no idea that was even a question anymore! We had been intending to join the Homeschool Legal Defence Association (HSLDA) for several months, but had not gotten around to it. I joined yesterday after reading about the court ruling. It was a good reminder that homeschooling is a blessing that I should be very thankful for. I will be praying about the situation in California and watching with great interest!

Quote of the Day!

"It would be really hard to play hide and seek with Jesus!" --Bailey (after she had explained to Olivia that God knew everything about her)

An Unexpected Blessing

Mark and I have said for several years that we would like to have four or five children. So, for two years now, we have had four children. Occasionally the question, "Are we done?" would arise in our discussions. Having four children under seven can be a "little" overwhelming, so there were times when we said, "Yes we are done!" Then other times when they would just be so cute, that the answer was, "No, lets have four more!" (OK, Mark really never said those exact words!). Last week we discovered that it was no longer a decision for us to make. Much to our surprise and delight, we are expecting Number Five!

It is kind of a strange feeling to have a "surprise" pregnancy. With the four others, we "planned" for them. Despite the fact that God knit our little ones together, it still felt like we had a little to do with the timing (I guess that is kind of an arrogant feeling!). With this one, it feels completely different. This decision was completely out of our hands, and that is exciting to me. I can not wait to meet this unexpected little blessing!

What's in a name???

Olivia decided to change her name this afternoon. I guess she figures that she has had the same one for over three and a half years, so it is time for a new one. She now wants to be called Butterfly Little Kim. It is kind of catchy, don't you think? Of course, we should not get used to it. Earlier in the day, she went by Katherine Little Kim, so who knows what it will be tomorrow(maybe "The Daughter Formerly Known as Olivia?!?)! Maybe someday one of these trendy names will be her stage name! You just never know what will happen next with Olivia!

I have heard it said...

Here are a few of my favorite quotes I have heard around the Johnson house lately...


--"I have lived a long time... seven years!" --Isaac (said very seriously!)


-- "Well, how rude!" --Troy Stuart (when the toy farm magnet oinked at him when he opened our refrigerator door)


-- "I have always thought the devil is shaped like a kite!" --Bailey (I am still trying to figure that one out!)

-- "My one leg did not get a lot of sleep last night." -- Olivia

-- "That was just a bird singing in my nose." -- Olivia (when she was blowing her nose)

-- "Oh well, I will just have to get another one!" --Bailey (Said during a game of pretend in which Olivia told her that the prince was dead.)

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had a great Valentine's Day! Our morning was "normal". We worked on school and chores around the house. Isaac and Bailey are part of a science co-op on Thursday afternoons, and they had a little party after class. They exchanged Valentines and ate enough sugar to last until Easter. After they had consumed as much as they could hold, we headed home for our own family V-Day celebration. We had a special dinner -- stuffed shrimp (the girls said "No Thank-you!"), pizza rolls, french fries, and crab dip with crackers. The pizza rolls, being a rare treat, were the hit of the party. I had bought a red, plastic table cloth for the table. Bailey said, "It looks beautiful Mom" (I think that it might be time to invest in some table cloths and napkins!). Anna Grace consumed her weight in crab dip. The children each got a little bag that had watercolors, a straw, pencil and candy in it (it is wonderful how little things still thrill their heart). I had fixed a basket of treats from Fresh Market for Mark and included a cd of Weather Channel music (we call it MTV for older people!). My sweet husband gave me lotion and chocolate and a promise of a new Bible. What a sweetie! My favorite part of the day was just being with my family!

Tornado sirens, volcanoes and talking trees...

We had our first experience with tornado sirens last night. We knew there was a possibilty of severe weather before we went to bed, but we were both able to fall asleep anyway. "Nature" called Mark out of bed around 3:00, and he turned on the television. There was a severe thunder storm heading our way, and a tornado had already touched down in a nearby county. They were advising everyone in our area to "seek tornado shelter." The tornado sirens were going off, which made the situation seem more serious. I was thankful that Mark had woken up, because I do not think the sirens alone would have worked. They kind of sounded like an ambulance siren off in the distance.

So, we woke the children up (what a painful thing to do!!!), and we all huddled in the laundry room until the weatherman gave the all clear. The two younger girls had no understanding of what was happening, but the older ones, especially Isaac, knew enough to be afraid. Isaac said, "Should we pray?" So, we prayed for safety and tried to reassure the children. It was very strange to hear reports of "funnel activity" in places near our house. The storm was past our area by about 3:50, so we began trying to get everyone to go back to sleep. Isaac was still afraid of the thunder and lightening, so he got in our bed, and I headed to the guest bed. I went to check on the girls a couple of times. At one point, Olivia said, "Is there really a volcano out there?" I was able to say with confidence that there were no volcanoes anywhere near us!

Everyone eventually went back to sleep, although everyone is still a little groggy this morning. Olivia told me that she had a dream in which Daddy rescued her and Bailey from the "talking tree at church". What a night! Praise God that He answered Isaac's prayer!