I have another child now: a little girl who was born a year ago; her name is Clover Jade.  She looks just like her big brother, Eagan Patrick: the same red hair, the same big blue eyes, the same freckles adorning her cheeks and nose.  They definitely look like two peas in a pod: you can tell that they are brother and sister!

Eagan dotes on his baby sister: he is always trying to make her laugh; he loves helping me, his mommy, with the baby.  At first, Eagan was jealous, but he's since learned to love her, and we couldn't be more proud of him! 

Eagan has really grown up!

Eagan is a lot happier since I have been homeschooling him (if I am out looking for work, then my husband,  York, teaches the child.  York is very good at that sort of stuff: he is a retired teacher; he loves helping his son learn about the world around him!  And Eagan happens to be extremely smart!

I am glad the kids no longer tease him:  when Eagan was in public school, the kids gave him no end of grief.  You see, Eagan is disabled: he has only one eye (he lost one of his eyes when he got shot by a BB gun; the BB pellet went into his eye and damaged it; the doctors had to remove it); the kids would call him "Popeye" and other nasty names.  The principal at the elementary school wouldn't do anything about the bullying, so I pulled Eagan out of school and now I or York teach him here at home, where he doesn't have to worry any longer about being made fun of.

Eagan does have friends, but they are from the homeschool group I belong to.  Once a month, the mothers or fathers gather together with their children, and we go on field trips or picnics together and catch up on what is going on in each other's lives.  It's a great way to meet other families and learn about new homeschooling techniques designed to further enhance our children's education.

We look forward to it.  In fact, on Tuesday of next week (June 17), we are going to go to the Tampa Bay Zoo and have a picnic lunch. 

The kids are really looking forward to seeing the animals: Eagan loves the cheetahs and the lions the best.

Since being taken out of public school, Eagan's grades and personality have really blossomed dramatically: it's as though we are raising a totally different child, and it is absolutely wonderful!  We also are involved in our local church and we enjoy learning about Christ and serving Him to the best of our abilities!

Well, Eagan is calling me, so I'd best see what he wants.  Also little Clover Jade is crying.  Maybe that is why Eagan is calling me.  I will write in here again; I'll try to do better in my journaling!  You know how it is when you have two small kids to take care of: never a moment's rest!  God bless; this is Jackie Prentice signing off!

~Love, your friend in Florida, Jackie.  :0)