Redguard cordially invites you to the 4th annual marriage ministries potluck

Hello, kittens.

I'll bring my Super Nummy Spinach Dip...and some strawberry lightning that a friend of a friend of my redneck stepfather so famously makes (legally...you can store up to 9 gallons for personal consumption (which includes sharing in my book) without the revenuers being bothered). Quantities of both will be limited...for your own good, my kittens.


This year...hmmm. I started homeschooling. That's been a wonderful experience and something I wish I had done from the beginning. Growing closer to my sweet little angels has been the best part of the year for me. AND they think I know everything...which is cool.

Redguard said:

Welcome to the party!

What motivated you to switch to homeschooling for the kids?

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Last year was a miserable experience for both of them. The amount of homework and their obvious struggles with the teaching methods were motivating factors. The straw that broke the camels back was the night my 9 year old brought home 240 multiplication write offs because she had missed answers on a quiz. My 6 year old was in tears every day because of school related stress. It was beyond ridiculous that my children should be so unhappy and struggling the way they were. It was an option we had thrown around for several years, but last year was just horrible in terms of teaching and their whole school experience. We knew we could do a better job.

And it's really fun. I was terrified of making then stupid if I was their teacher, lol...but honestly, if I had known how easily it would all come together for us, I would have done it long ago.

Hello Haven't been around in a while so this potluck is something nice to come back to

I'll be bringing my rum laced eggnog pie with shortbread crust and my from scratch grilled artichoke and tapenade stuffed ravioli with creamy white wine sauce, for a yummy starter I'll be bringing fresh spring rolls with spicy mango & scallion dipping sauce

This year has been pretty big in our personal lives... lost a dear family member to lung cancer, which in turn spurred us to completely change our eating habits and lifestyle and to start practicing what we preach. Got the word from God that there is a new direction for us to be taking so we quit our full time jobs and currently are back in school and teaching on the side (which is new and so much fun!). We have been taking an active role in motivating others in our families to take their health and well being into their own hands and seeing some amazing results! Oh, and we've also bought a new house which should be ready to move into by fall of next year.

I missed the last 3 as well. I'm not much of a cook but I can bring this cheesy broccoli, rice and chicken casserole and some banana pudding. (I fixed the banana pudding for the first time Thanksgiving and it turned out wonderfully.)

What's been going on with us? My son was diagnosed with high-functioning autism in May. Shortly thereafter we decided to home school the kids this year so we've been doing that. Homeschooling is mostly fun but also very challenging at the same time. Lastly, in August we got early entry into a house that we want to buy. We still have not closed on it but I'm hoping that will happen in the next couple of months.

I'll bring my famous Black bean salad with coconut and cilantro Not very Christmassy (new word) but very yummy

Major Events:

Dh ran his 4th marathon.
I successfully completed a MAJOR assignment for OS school (a project the parents worked on for the kiddo's and I headed it)

Redguard said:

For those of you who don't know GolfingMom and her abbreviations, "OS" stands for "Older Son".... not that... other... thing.

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Operating System?



(That really was what first came into my head. I see where your mind is, Redguard. )

Thanks for the lovely invitation, Red. I'd love to attend.

I'll bring my taco salad and milk chocolate chip cookies.

A major and very happy event that happened in our life, is our son started attending college. We're thrilled for him and he's adjusting very well to his new life. And we're adjusting well to our new life too.

He's our only child, and in the past, I wasn't sure how I'd adjust, due to having always home schooled him. We're all very close and I thought I'd especially miss him and be very sad.

But...although I do miss him at times, I know this is the way life is supposed to go...he is supposed to grow up and start his adult life. He's right where he wants to be, is having a great experience all around, struggles here and there, but that's normal. I just feel very blessed that he's our son. We love him so very much.

It's been a very hard year in many other ways...and this wonderful event brings much joy to my life.

And....for added entertainment....he's on youtube. If you'd like to see him beat-boxing with another friend, let me know and I'll pm the link. This was from a talent event at his college.

Redguard said:

Congratulations!

Has he already decided on a major, or is he still in the decision phase?

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Thank you!

He first thought he'd go in as a communications major, but instead went in as undecided, which his college calls "deciding". I like how they put it into the positive and active.

He's also considering psychology. He's def. not the math/science type...so we'll see.

In a "truly perfect world" he'd like a music career and does work on his music on the side. But he knows 3 men at our church who "do music professionally" and still have to have "day" jobs...so he's keeping that reality in mind.

Redguard said:

For those of you who don't know GolfingMom and her abbreviations, "OS" stands for "Older Son".... not that... other... thing.

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ooops...And here I Thought I was up to speed with using OS...

Can I join? I'll bring my curry chicken egg rolls (I bought something similar at Trader Joe's and thought it would be easy to make, so I created my own recipe), and creme brulee.

As for major events this year.. I graduated and started working about a month ago. DH quit his job back in March and has been working on a start-up ever since.

Have we really been doing this four years in a row?! Wow.

Again, I will bring my Crunchy Carmel Apple Pie.

I officially survived my first year of parenthood as of November 17th. I am so tired.

So when did the "No store bought items" rule go in effect?

Since I can't cook worth a crap I'll provide us with some entertainment (and I use that word loosely ). How about some Karaoke? That way others can join in the fun of making a fool out of yourself!

Oblivious said:

So when did the "No store bought items" rule go in effect?

Since I can't cook worth a crap I'll provide us with some entertainment (and I use that word loosely ). How about some Karaoke? That way others can join in the fun of making a fool out of yourself!

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I'm so there!

Redguard said:

Redguard is nothing, if not consistent.

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Or nothing, if not persistent. Now, make our ship go!

[sorry - nerdy star trek moment ]