We started school on the 26th of August the day after Terry's folks left to go back home to Michigan, but it was not the smoothest start that we have ever had, that's for sure. We have enjoyed using BJU Homesat for several years now, and I was excited to have placed our order early this year using our government sent stimulus check. I was confident that I had ordered everything needed for once( I almost always 
overlook something), plus I had found a great money saving site that had saved us a ton at the final checkout. I started to get the schoolroom cleaned out and reorganized before the Upcotts got here so that it would be ready the day after their departure. As I got all the books out for each kiddo, I realized that I was missing several items. I frantically went digging for the order form and found that several things had been back-ordered. I tried not to panic as I realized that it wasn't just one or two things that I could get along without, but several whole subjects. After talking it over together( finances are so much fun to talk over with your spouse;[ ) we concluded that there was nothing that we could do but pray about it. We had committed to a trip to PEI with his folks, and just didn't have the money to re order from the Press. We 
determined to have a good time in PEI, which we did. Then we waited for another payday to order these subjects. In the meantime, we went ahead and started school on the date that I had planned to, and started on these subjects as soon as they came in the mail.
Frustrating us further was the fact that Homesat announced to us that they were going to stop broadcasting in May 2009. We were sad about that, and immediately started praying about next year. Since we have already invested in many years worth of books, we felt that this was what we would use all the way through for our kids using the same books and DVD's for the next child in line. To use the other options that BJU Press has would mean paying out three times as much as we have in the past. May hap the Lord has other plans. We will just have to wait and see.
We have also experienced all sorts of frustrating malfunctions of our DVR, and have missed several classes. That means I teach them myself. Not a problem until now. Mikayla is in her first year of High School and her subjects are beyond what I am comfortable teaching. She has done very well doing the reading and activities in her text without the teacher, and I have been able to give help where needed so far, so that's a relief! Terry worked on the DVR, but these problems are ongoing.
We found out,too, that the satellite Homesat was broadcasting from was losing power, and they were having to switch to a different one. This meant that we would have to re point our dish. This has been a very frustrating ordeal in the past, so I braced myself for it. This time, however, Homesat provided us with very detailed coordinates and directions to help us out, and Terry got it done with only a small amount of frustration. We happily planned a day off for Labor day, glad that we would not have to worry about getting the classes recorded. We spent a fun day with one of Terry's long lost friends from High school days. But, alas, something went awry while we were away, and there were more missed classes. Happily, we have friends whose children are the same age and using this same system, and they burned a couple of extra dvd's for us. We had just helped them get their dish re pointed! Whew! Terry called the number for tech support and was able to get it working again.
The icing on the cake....drum roll, please...Alana has what I hoped were just allergies, but is actually a full blown bronchial infection. That puts me in what we call "no pneumonia" mode. Meaning, air purifiers need new filters, stuffed animals must be packed away, the house cleaned very well, and everyone must be very diligent about hand washing/ sanitizing.
Lanie has to go to the doctor, have breathing treatments at home, and take a bunch of yucky medicine.
In the midst of it all, God has blessed! The kids have done very well with their schoolwork, soccer season has started and Mikayla is playing her heart out, music lessons and band have started, Chris was here for another two weeks and got some more work done at camp, and we have started Kids4Truth. Youth4Truth starts tomorrow and we are praising God for 15 children and youth who have promised to
bring friends. My Dad's health continues to improve, and he is now able to walk down the street a bit and attend church again. Praise the Lord that He helps us through the crooked places in our paths, and even heaps blessings on us right in the midst of it all!
overlook something), plus I had found a great money saving site that had saved us a ton at the final checkout. I started to get the schoolroom cleaned out and reorganized before the Upcotts got here so that it would be ready the day after their departure. As I got all the books out for each kiddo, I realized that I was missing several items. I frantically went digging for the order form and found that several things had been back-ordered. I tried not to panic as I realized that it wasn't just one or two things that I could get along without, but several whole subjects. After talking it over together( finances are so much fun to talk over with your spouse;[ ) we concluded that there was nothing that we could do but pray about it. We had committed to a trip to PEI with his folks, and just didn't have the money to re order from the Press. We 
determined to have a good time in PEI, which we did. Then we waited for another payday to order these subjects. In the meantime, we went ahead and started school on the date that I had planned to, and started on these subjects as soon as they came in the mail.Frustrating us further was the fact that Homesat announced to us that they were going to stop broadcasting in May 2009. We were sad about that, and immediately started praying about next year. Since we have already invested in many years worth of books, we felt that this was what we would use all the way through for our kids using the same books and DVD's for the next child in line. To use the other options that BJU Press has would mean paying out three times as much as we have in the past. May hap the Lord has other plans. We will just have to wait and see.
We have also experienced all sorts of frustrating malfunctions of our DVR, and have missed several classes. That means I teach them myself. Not a problem until now. Mikayla is in her first year of High School and her subjects are beyond what I am comfortable teaching. She has done very well doing the reading and activities in her text without the teacher, and I have been able to give help where needed so far, so that's a relief! Terry worked on the DVR, but these problems are ongoing.
We found out,too, that the satellite Homesat was broadcasting from was losing power, and they were having to switch to a different one. This meant that we would have to re point our dish. This has been a very frustrating ordeal in the past, so I braced myself for it. This time, however, Homesat provided us with very detailed coordinates and directions to help us out, and Terry got it done with only a small amount of frustration. We happily planned a day off for Labor day, glad that we would not have to worry about getting the classes recorded. We spent a fun day with one of Terry's long lost friends from High school days. But, alas, something went awry while we were away, and there were more missed classes. Happily, we have friends whose children are the same age and using this same system, and they burned a couple of extra dvd's for us. We had just helped them get their dish re pointed! Whew! Terry called the number for tech support and was able to get it working again.
The icing on the cake....drum roll, please...Alana has what I hoped were just allergies, but is actually a full blown bronchial infection. That puts me in what we call "no pneumonia" mode. Meaning, air purifiers need new filters, stuffed animals must be packed away, the house cleaned very well, and everyone must be very diligent about hand washing/ sanitizing.
Lanie has to go to the doctor, have breathing treatments at home, and take a bunch of yucky medicine. In the midst of it all, God has blessed! The kids have done very well with their schoolwork, soccer season has started and Mikayla is playing her heart out, music lessons and band have started, Chris was here for another two weeks and got some more work done at camp, and we have started Kids4Truth. Youth4Truth starts tomorrow and we are praising God for 15 children and youth who have promised to
bring friends. My Dad's health continues to improve, and he is now able to walk down the street a bit and attend church again. Praise the Lord that He helps us through the crooked places in our paths, and even heaps blessings on us right in the midst of it all!
