Lesson#1 9th grade! (From June) Two Week College Prep Program GMCPP

Its official my babe is a highschooler! Summer break is just getting started in June, but Evie began her 9th grade year with the two week long program at the college, her third and final year. This program is only for middle schoolers and she has passed into highschool. She will be eligible to participate in the monthly educational excursions, but not in the two week program next year.This program meets everyday 9am-3pm for two weeks.

This year her program included the Team Leadership Obstacle Course, in which she finally made it to the top of the tower! We were so proud! She was proud of herself for tackling her fear of heights and getting to the top. There was a presentation by four of the leaders of the black engineering group from University of Kentucky, discussing several different types of the engineering programs offered at UK. She attended daily workshops in the fields of (and more) physical therapy, art, chemistry, computers/photography, and electronics. A student of the Kentucky Technical College (where the program is held) of Apache descent spoke with the students and taught them how to make dream catchers (she has made and sold several). Evie also spent those two weeks hanging out with one of her best friends, Elizabeth, who also goes to the program. Elizabeth was homeschooled up through 5th grade. She had a great time and embraced her natural ability to lead on many an occasion. Below are some highlights of her two great weeks!

As always we are very grateful to have been included in this program and will miss it next summer.

Pics for a photo contest

pics for a photo contest

selfie :)

Lesson #52 (From May) Family Yoga

I have been teaching family yoga since Sept. 2012 and I love it. Below are various pics from class. I am always so glad to have my daughter in class with me. Most importantly is that she wants to be there, learning, growing in her own practice.Here are just a few pics.

Lesson#51 (From May) Red Tent May A Gratitude Gathering

Our May Red Tent Gathering was all about Gratitude:

"May is all about gratitude and sharing what is growing in our lives! Let's talk about what we are grateful for and what is growing in our lives that we have manifested. There is so much creative energy bumbling around us right now."

It was a lovely gathering. I was so stressed when I got there, just with building and life in general and after talking and sharing with the other beautiful women in this group I felt so much more empowered and my doubts about myself were gone, or at least buried for awhile. My favorite activity was the wrapping of a red string from woman to woman as we discussed our gratitudes. Then we all cut our strings and wore them as a reminder of our grateful hearts. Mine was too tight and I took it off the next day, Evie however has worn hers since May, and it is now August 2nd.

Lesson#50 (From May) His Holiness the Dali Lama

I really don't even need to write anything else....we spent two days hearing the Dali Lama speak, 14,000 hearts and souls were lifted and filled. I knew it was going to be awesome, but awesome doesn't even begin to describe. I was so thankful to share this with my husband and child,to experience the two days as a family. The Dali Lama makes you smile, I smile while typing that sentence-Happy Life! If everyone followed his advice we would all lead a happy life. That is how he ends many sentences...."therefore, happy life." -HH the Dali Lama.

This event was coordinated through the Buddhist Monks of Louisville and the city of Louisville, who have committed Louisville to become a City of Compassion. The first day was attended by 14,000 people, there were people lined up from the entrance at the Louisville Yum! Center, down the street, and across the bridge into Indiana! The line connected in two different states! This first day was a public talk with beautiful musical performances by locals and more famous musicians such as Ben Sole, performing music written and dedicated to HH and compassion. There was also a panel of speakers from leaders of different faiths. Leaders who have come together regardless of religious beliefs, to promote and help heal humanity with compassion.

Day two was a public teaching on the Buddhist faith. The stage was set as a temple, there was a ceremony of the seating of HH the Dali Lama, the monks chanted and sat around him and the Dali Lama blessed many of the supporters of the talks at the end of the service. This day was awesome as well b
ut very lengthy and in depth. An audience of about 7-8,000 attended. The Dali Lama was so funny at lunch time, he spoke longer than scheduled before lunch, and mid sentence he looks down and says "oh, let's eat now." and waves.

I could speak about HH for hours, his compassion, the love for all humanity that seems to ooze out of his pores. I feel that regardless of your religious/spiritual beliefs that there is no doubt that His Holiness the dali Lama is touched by the hand of God, Allah, The Universe, The Divine, The Goddess, whatever YOU want to call this Grace, this Power, this Energy that touches all of our lives.

Some random quotes that Evie noted from HH the Dali Lama:
"Do not  be a slave to sensory experience."
"To much anger, to much fear, is eating our system."
"Religion of any kind, generaly provides a bases for hope."
"Respect all religions, and respect all non believers for peace/"
"There is spirituality without religious belief, but deeper spirituality with belief."
and of course....
"Happy life, happy family, happy society, and then happy humanity."

Lesson#49 (From May) Library Summer Reading Kick Off Volunteer

Summer reading kick off! Filled with hundreds of children, blow up bouncy houses, bubbles, balloons, patient volunteers, and of course summer reading program sign ups. The largest group ever signed up this day 1650 children, tweens, and teens! Evie helped wherever necessary, and painted a few (hundreds) faces. Evie loves volunteering at the library, but knew her own summer was going to be really full and volunteering was going to be minimal, so she volunteered for the longest day of summer reading...I love my child and her big heart!

This is what the Children's Librarian posted at the end of the summer reading program:

 Volunteer :
"person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service"
We, the Children's Library, had 78 volunteers between the ages of 9 and ? ( fill in the blank) give 850 hours to make Summer Reading 2013 the biggest ever.
We cannot thank them enough ! They make Summer Reading possible! They are appreciated , amazing, fantastic , and all are a blessing!
Thank You all

Lesson#48 (From May) Last of the Archery Competitions for the 2012-2013 season

Evie had a really great season in Archery this year. Her team missed going to state competition by 8 pts. Not bad for a team that consist of 4th-12th graders and is registered as as Highschool team, with half the members in elementary/middle school. The funniest was being partnered with the little boy who was 1/2 her size, Evie was so sweet to him, and he was obviously nervous because well, she's 5'10 and cute :) . One of her best compliments was from a ref. from Richmond Ky. While watching Evie shoot the ref. came over to me and said, "I would hate to come upon your daughter unexpectedly, when she has her bow in her hand. " Evie looks so serious...we haven't really taught Evie how to use the gun yet but she definitely has a weapon!

Lesson#47 (From May) May Art Day-Art in the Park

This art day was held at our favorite little hidden park. It is a secluded part of a public park, hidden away with a nice creek, great playground, large pavilion, and covered with old shade trees. It really is perfect. Our art consisted of using cardboard, cutting it into an image, design, object, to paint and use like a stamp. Also adding anything from nature to their piece as well. Repeating the image and learning to be "okay" with an outcome that cannot be completely controlled. Just as with adults some children are fine with things not turning out the way they originally wanted them to, or thought they would, and some kids struggle with it, thinking their art is "bad" or "ugly" if not perfect in their mind. This art day was extra special for Evie because her dad was here visiting and brought her brother to art day as well. Evie helped him create a picture that they both enjoyed making. It was made by cutting out Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' mask designs and adding a stick for the character "Splinter". I enjoyed watching the much older sister help her little brother. As always art day is best when shared with friends!