02-10-2012

It has been quite a while since I've posted. So much has happened. Sarah has grown and matured

so much. Our family has become even more important to us this past year as we grow and change. Sarah is in the 8th grade and learning a lot. She takes a ballet and pointe dance class on

Monday nights, a guitar coop on every other Tuesday. Also one of the advantages of homeschooling is that she is also able to do an apprenticeship on Wednesday mornings. She is

currently learning and working at a wholesale auction. As she learns the trade of auctions she is

learning valuable work ethics and skills. We appreciate the blessings of close friends allowing

her this opportunity. She currently is part of a service group, Three Rivers Juniorettes. They

choose and execute service opportunities. So far this year they have formed the group, elected officers, participated in Relay for Life walk, collected and donated hundreds of pairs of socks to

the battered women's shelter, sponsored a self defense class for teen girls, and collected and

donated parent packs and stuffed animals to our local children's hospital. They have lots of other

activities planned. Sarah is currently serving as the vice president of this group. She is also on

the yearbook staff for our local homeschool group. Learning many skills in putting together a

yearbook. She was able to attend the Winter Formal this year. Sarah also keeps up with the

chores necessary to keep our farm running daily. She has learned about goats, chickens, and

rabbits and how to care for them. Retail and wholesale auctions have helped her to learn to

buy and sell retail and livestock successfully. All of this is in addition to her daily studies, and

lots of field trips. What a true blessing it is to work beside and learn with her.

Wolf Tale Blues Drama Production 11-23, 2009

Tonight Sarah and her drama class performed their drama skit. They were so excited. Ms Rose has really worked hard with them and it shows. I'm so proud of how well she is doing. Looking forward to a new semester to see how much she improves. 1) Ms Rose reading a book to the audience. 2)Ben Smith, Della Bryant, Ashleigh Milam 3) Savannah Clayton, Karis Clayton, Patience Hildreth 4)Ben Smith, Della Bryant, Karis Clayton and Sarah Black 5) Sarah Black , Karis Clayton 6) Sarah Black
7) Hope Hildreth 8) Ashleigh, Hope, Sarah 9) Ms Rose

I do not, do not, do not like dogs. Sarah loves this dog. I love Sarah so much and such a small concession has brought her such happiness. She dresses, bathes, brushes, and loves on Princess all the time. She has whole conversations with her. Princess is so sweet natured and just loves Sarah. This was certainly one of the best things that could have happened to her this past year. We are anxiously awaiting the start of a new year.

November 19, 2009

Sarah loves attending the Senior Citizen's Center with her Grandmother. On Thursday Nov 19, 2009 the Seniors had their Thanksgiving dinner with the adopted grands from one of the local schools. Sarah got to go and help serve the dinner and mix with everyone. She has been around for so long she is considered an adopted grand to many of these precious people.

Pumpkin Patch 2009

Harmon's Pumpkin Patch 2009

Thursday morning we all met at the pumpkin patch. The kids were so excited. While we waited our turn they made good use of the time, finding praying mantis on the sunflowers. These kids love nature. The girls are not to be outdone by the boys. Our tour started ot 11:00. After the haunted hayride, we all learned a lot from Jim about agriculture. He talked about the crops grown in South Carolina. Squash, zucchini, tomatoes, gourds, corn, cotton, sunflowers and peanuts. There was a lot of good information on cotton. The different products that come from cotton. Sarah knew who invented the cotton gin. Yea. We learned how corn is pollinated by the tassels to the silk. We also learned how to prevent pollination and how to cross pollinate. Sarah was interested in the different colors of corn and how that can be done. Then it was on to the corn maze. How funny. We went back to the barn and ate our picnic lunches and tasted pumpin juice. We spent the afternoon at the playground and seeing the animals. What a perfect day to be out in nature.

Lowes 10-24-09

Up this morning and out to Lowe's. Sarah enjoys this workshop and earning her patches. What else would we do on a wet, rainy Saturday morning? Some of life's greatest joys come from taking Sarah to things that are free. There truly is no greater joy than seeing her happy. Thank you Lord for all the opportunities you have allowed me to share with Sarah.