Happy New Year!

I want to apologize for my unannounced absence. My mother's health has been poor and I have just been overwhelmed taking care of her and trying to keep up with school, church, house, and life in general.

It has also been difficult for me to find things to write about. Now that Gess is older I don't have as many "ah ha" moments to share. Our school is pretty structured and she is doing amazingly well.

I also feel bad that many of the tips on here are now outdated. Information that was once so hard to find is now available in so many places. Tricks that we had to use are now nicely packaged into new curriculum or even software. You know, Gess learned to read without an Ipad or any app for that matter. While I think those tools are nice I actually think that our hands on approach was probably somewhat better anyway. I do think touching objects is better than clicking on them.

My plan for this year is to try to blog at least once a week. I realize that barely makes mine an "active" blog but its the best I think can do for now. Feel free to follow me on Facebook and/or join my Homeschooling and Down Syndrome Mom's group to talk with me and other moms facing the same challenges that you do.

Because of our stressful year we spent a nice quiet evening at home New Year's Eve and even went to bed before midnight. That was not, however, before being spanked at Monopoly by Gess. She just loves that game and we don't play it enough because it takes so long. She sure does love counting the money and buying things and having property of her own so the time is always worth it.

I hope you and your families have enjoyed the New Year. My prayer for this year is summed up best in this very old one. May you discover the riches of God's goodness in this new year.

"Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.
Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee."
-- Frances Havergal (1874)