My, we have been so remissful in keeping you posted. I guess we each thought the only one was doing this job. With school in session, it seemed as though we would have so much time on our hands, but no that is not the case.



One job that has been added is that of grocery shopping. We are scheduled to shop two mornings a week. Since we have never shopped HEB (Texas food chain), it has been good for us to do so and see what we might have been missing. The produce is always great. We are still buying watermelons and cantaloupes...yum! Fortunately, the girls are all good fruit and vegetable eaters.

So what keeps us busy with school in session, let's see. Getting everyone rounded up to catch a 6:30 bus, then making school runs for those who missed the bus or have been banned from the bus (yes, we have had 3 girls not allowed to ride for 10 days). The only good thing about this is that we charge them $5.00 for a ride to school. This money comes out of their accounts and goes into our cottage fund which we will use for summer vacation. We tell them that next summer when we are eating "high on the hog" that we will express our thanks for their contributions.

Then we have teacher conferences, open houses, PTA meetings, homework assignments, etc. They seem somewhat taken back by our hands on approach. I call and email their teachers regularly to see what is going on. Our 15 year old wanted to go to Open House with us, so we said sure she could by our guide. On the way into the school, she commented that this was the first time any parents had been to an Open House. Moments like that really helps us build bonds.

I have to plug these schools down here. They are doing a A1 job of educating these kids. The schools are bright and clean and well maintained. There are tutoring sessions at all levels. In the elementary it is a given that a child will stay after school if they are having problems in any subject. And when they don't bring in homework, there is detention the next day. The school has district goals but has set their goals several % points higher than that. The high school works off a system called referrals and that is misbehavior that warrants discipline. It begins at eating lunch in a separate room and ends at "boot camp". Every chance I get I thank all of those who are working so hard to do the best for the kids.

One last update. We now have a 4 year old. She has livened our cottage considerably. Bundle of energy and hasn't a clue what listen and obey mean. But we are working on it.

Thank you all for thinking of us and keeping us in your prayers. We will try to do a better job of this blog.