7 Quick Takes (three memes today)

Jennifer writes on ConversionDiary.com and is currently working on a book for future sale.
I can't wait for it to hit the stands...Jennifer converted to Catholicism from atheism and has much to share about her journey. Her humor is a highlight in my week . This meme is one that she hosts each week, and you can join in via the link in my sidebar. Post 7 mini posts to sum up your blogging thoughts for the week.

Here goes:

1) There are some really really pretty white trees in our area this time of year that are balm to the eyes but BOY OH BOY do they STINK! Truly! I am left wondering why the good Lord would do such a thing! These trees are so lovely that you just want to draw nearer to them and when you do....GAG! NOT fun!

2) My son Jake is thrilled because he rose to the challenge and won $20 in an end-of-the-year contest I hosted for his and Laura's History class. He memorized and recited the Gettysburg Address! Woo hoo! Way to go Jacob!

3) Back to number one for a minute...there are also trees in our own yard that are so exquisite in scent that you'd think God dropped some of heaven's perfume right on your lawn! These trees actually look a little similar to those icky ones mentioned above and yet I could sit out in our field all day just breathing in their lovely aroma!

4) We have just a few more weeks of school left and then will "close the classroom doors". We plan to finish our formal lessons on or about May 25th. My husband and I like to hold a small "awards" ceremony with the kids at the end of the year. In fact, we offer some nice awards and certificates FREE for your printing pleasure on our website. CLICK HERE if you'd like some! Our ceremony is a nice way to celebrate the efforts and achievements of our students and come together as a family to thank God for the blessing of homeschooling. We usually have the kids offer a presentation; either reading a final essay, speaking from the heart about the year's events and milestones, reciting some poetry, or showing some artwork or crafts. Afterward, we hand out the awards, which are signed by both my husband and me...the kids come up and shake our hands and receive the applause of their siblings; and then we all enjoy some festive snacks and fellowship to WELCOME IN OUR SUMMER VACATION!

5) I hope that I have the endurance and perseverance of my Dad when I'm his age...actually, I'm 36 years younger than him and I'd like to have some of his endurance and perseverance NOW!
Many of you have kept my Dad in prayer of the past year as he struggled through some very very serious health problems. We almost lost him several times. Each day is an added blessing that my Dad is with us now...and do you know what he was doing the other day? Cutting the grass! He was cutting his own grass because he doesn't like the way it looks when he hires someone to do it! My mother told him that if something happened to him out there he could "call his own ambulance", LOL My poor Mum gets so frustrated that her superman will just not take things easy and refuses to admit that he is 82 years old and has serious health problems.
Like I said...I'd love to have some of his endurance and perseverance.

6) My daughter Christine has a new fish in her fish tank...it's a few inches long and I can't recall its name but it's nickname is "the weather fish" for it has distinctive behaviors according to the barometric pressure in the atmosphere! How about that?!? A FISH that will let you know when it's going to rain!!!

7) Now then....help me out with some trivia would you? My sister, mother, and one of my brothers and I are having the most difficult time remembering the name of a certain movie from long ago which starred Cicely Tyson. All we can recall is the final scenes, where she plays a very very old black woman (Rosa Parks, I believe) who is making her way up the sidewalk in order to take a drink from the "white person's water fountain". Ok people....please....help us out of our misery here....NAME THAT MOVIE!