Joni Zander's Comments

Joni,

Thanks, again, for hosting us and sharing so much info about the Oregon area. KDcat and I enjoyed meeting you and your family so very much! We've definitely settled on Portland, OR, as our new home (once our home sells). So, we'll be neighbors and I look forward to seeing all of you again.

Lots of love to you!

Wendi
XOXOXO

Hi Joni!

Evyn is fantastic! We are having so much fun. Her latest thing is going to pretend school, kind of ironic. We asked her if she ever wanted to experience real school she could, we got a big "NO WAY!" haha! That's my girl, and fine by me. I don't think real school is nearly as fun as her pretend school. lol!

We are all doing great! She had the one seizure and that has been it. Since then she has been just as creative and imaginative as ever. Doctors said she had abnormal brain activity, I say shes my daughter and abnormal brain activity is normal when your that imaginative. :) She is doing so many fun things, It's interesting it seems as she gets older her interests exponentially increase. I can say I'm a bit jealous, I wish I had the same opportunities. (I need to build a time machine)

Sadly Katie stopped her blog. I think it was becoming difficult for her to keep up, especially when Evyn moves through things so fast. Katie has also been busy planning trips and our big trip to the Shine conference this year. I think the extent of any update can be found on her Facebook. That is mostly just in case the state ever asks us what she has learned in the past year. Louisiana basically leaves us alone since private schools are completely unregulated, but we don't want to take any chances.

It's awesome to hear from you. I don't get on much due to constant work. (a good thing considering the economy) I'm not sure if Katie has been on in a while.

Hey Joni....
Invite reminder......

Looking forward to the open call in forum to discuss homeschooling, unschooling, schooling, attachment parenting... you get the idea!

When: March 31 at 4:30pm EST
Where: Comfort of your home just log in on your computer

Look forward to seeing you there!
Christine

Oh, yeah! I remeber Bekka, Zane and Logan. I talked with Bekka a few times last year. Very cool young people. Well, I'm looking forward to meeting Steffi, now.

Hi Joni,
Thanks for your kind comment! I am still on staff at NBTSC (and plan to be for the rest of my life) and I can't wait to meet your girls. BTW if they aren't registered yet, sign them up quickly. Sessions are filling up at record pace.

Nathen

That sounds like a plan jade really wants to see Stephi too. Why were you guys rejected from the Conf I didnt even know that was possible?

Okay Joni,
You are officially a subscriber! Enjoy the magazine!
I hope to connect with you more in 2009.
smiles

Hey Joni!
Are you ready to start your subscription to AuthenticTimes.com?
I can start it with the New Year's Day edition.

I hope your holidays are going well!
smiles and joy,
Rain

Just a couple of days ago there was an article in the Austin paper about Chimay. How's that for interesting. Here's a great quote from it (having nothing to do with that particular beer - just to warn you) "It is time to fulfill our moral obligation as Americans to run out and buy stuff…All of which, no surprise, makes me think about beer."

The kids didn't go to NBTSC this year but I think Ronny is going to apply for junior staff for 2009, and Jessica is going but I'm not sure which session yet. They still love it there. I'm sure they'll be happy to hear your girls are going too.

That was an epic New Years trip wasn't it? Remember the downpour we drove through to get there? I thought for sure we were going to get swept away!

Warmest wishes,
Cindi

Yes. Hello! How are you? I think of you often. I hope your life in Oregon is what you dreamed it would be. We are in full Christmas mode now...tamales and gingerbread houses, Anna and Brandon are coming in two more days. Do you ever come down this way? I would love to hear what you've been up to.

I joined this site and then promptly forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me. I need to add some info here.

Merry Christmas!
Cindi

Yes, indeed they are.

She was a trooper through the whole experience, more than I was when we were in a wreck a week before Live and Learn. She responded to needles with a simple "ouch!". When I was her age I was screaming crying and had to be restrained for them to take blood. I'll never forget being held down by two nurses in Germany. She also took perfect direction during the CAT scan, EEG and the MRI. The nurses commented on her being a calmer patient than most adults. haha! Later she told us she loves the Hospital and the food allot. Even though she likes it, I hope it doesn't happen again. I may just take her to the Hospital to walk around and eat at the cafeteria though, for a date night. knowing her she would really like that.

Thank you!

Hi, thanks! The website is really old now I need to update it I never seem to have time.

The blood tests, CAT scan, and MRI all came back negative. The EEG showed some abnormal brain activity on the right side of her brain. It was so abnormal the neurologist suspects she has had seizures before just not grand mal seizures like she had Thursday. He also thinks due to the activity in her brain that she will most likely have another and if that happens they will diagnose her with Epilepsy.

I can't begin to describe my fear when I woke up and she was having a seizure next to me. I'm better prepared now, if it does happen again I now know what to do.

She is already getting annoyed with us every 10 minutes asking if she is ok or needs anything etc... She is settled were still getting there. The images of her having a seizure are still very vivid in my mind. It might take me a little more time than Katie to get past that.

She is doing what she does best now... having FUN!

Seems that Austin really should be in Oregon .. . . .

So good that I need a drinking buddy, huh? That's as good a reason as it gets to go out and make new friends. Maybe I'll just stand around in the beer aisle and see if someone wants to split one. LOL. Thanks for the info on where to locate. Maybe Santa will leave one in my stocking!

Hi Joni,
You are welcome. I'm embarrassed that I didn't answer before.

Yeah, baby. Dark beer. I have never heard of Chimay. I've tried several darks, bocks, porters, ales, stouts and still haven't quite found 'the one.' My current fave is Rogue's Shakespeare Stout. Have to drink it in small quantities however, 'cos I'm always quite aware that I've had it come the following morning. I'll look for Chimay.

Thanks!

Hey Joni,

I posted recently about finding a tribe or area to live in. You've posted some about liking where you are and my family is planning a trip out your way around the conference out there in the spring. Would you be willing to chat some about the area and stuff as we plan our visit?

I don't see a way to message you privately, but would like to email back and forth or talk 'live'

Mike Millow

Hey Joni,
It's nice to know that you are being thought of. Hope you guys are doing well.

We met Amy and Joey at one of our park days. It was cool finding out that Amy speaks Spanish. I'm looking forward to getting to know her and Joey.

Joni,

What are the home educating laws like in Oregon? I looked on HSLDA , and it said that the children have to take test for the state? Do you guys have to do that or are there ways around that?

Ric Masten has really appealled to me for a long time. I like poetry. Well, certain poetry. Ted Kooser is fantastic. But that might be a bias toward Nebraska as much as loving the rhythym of his portraits. But Ric Masten is this fantastically playful hippy Unitarian minister dude that just reminds me of all the Unitarian ministers that I've known. Not a lot really. But a few.