oh, wait, I almost forgot the more exciting news!  Caitlin has a blog!  Yes, my dear sweet teenager is now going to embarass me as much as I mortify her (unintentionally, of course).  

The exact reason behind the blog is actually me fearing a Facebook account for her.  My biggest issue? I know what a time suck it can be.  Perhaps I'll reconsider sometime during 8th grade, but right now, I'm just not sure she needs it.  Therefore, when she asked for a blog, she did it the right away:  asked me for a Facebook account, I promptly said no, and then she jumped on me for a blog. Without hesitation, I said, "Okay!"  

Honestly?  It really is fine with me.  She knows that her father and I (and other friends and family) will read what she writes and she takes that into consideration.  I also look at it as a writing exercise and a good way to strengthen her skills.  Her language is clean and while her writing style is still developing, I think this will be far more mind-expanding than playing Farmville on Facebook, but what do I know?. 

Now, you will notice that it may not always be perfect (she's going to have my head for typing that), but I am not correcting every mistake or inserting spaces for her.  It is her blog and as with her schoolwork, she owns it.  If you notice an egregious error and feel up to informing her, that is fabulous, but up to you.  I tried to point out a spelling error last week and nearly had my head bitten off.  I have no desire to repeat that again!  

Since I have written the above, I should also add that we do not read items until they are published. I am then pleasantly surprised and like having a 'finished' copy to review.  She does take her time and I certainly know what it's like to have folks standing over you while you are trying to work.  I leave her alone and as with her drawings, she reveals when she is ready. 

I was a teeny bit shocked when I read an entry from last Tuesday and she mentioned something we hadn't yet shared with others.  I hadn't yet announced her blog and this put off the reveal a bit further, as we were not ready to make the other announcement.  However, it also helped me make a decision concerning that reveal.  I really wasn't sure how to go about the unveiling of our next post, until I read Caitlin's blog.  Lo and behold, she took care of it for me!  I also must say that I am so proud. This lifestyle isn't for everyone and with all of the crud that has been thrown at us over the past year, this post has me sure that she is up for any and all challenges this life can hand us.

Without further ado, here is Caitlin's blog:   Going Global.

If you are chomping at the bit to learn about our next post, you will have to click here and read her post. It's about halfway through and, well, that's enough of my prattling on, go read it already!  I will also flesh out the details more in a later post, but you can get the basic idea from her writing.  Oh and Google Friend Connect her if you feel like it…I know she'll appreciate the bloggy love!