Hello!
We are enjoying spring so much here! I planted a flower bed of beautiful annuals last week. I hope that they are hanging on in the cooler weather this week. Spring is here and I am so glad!!!!
Today we did our schooling, houseworking and I have been downloading the preview chats from Cindy Rushton's Ultimate Homeschool Expo. If you haven't heard of this you can go here . I am going to have some fantastic CD's from this!
Well, little Bear is grumpy and needs Momma.....better go!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Revolution Money Exchange
Here is the competition for Paypal.
Join Revolution Money Exchange by clicking on the button below and you will receive $25 for signing up. No strings attached!
To be fair, I will also receive $10 for refering you. If you refer your friends and family you will receive $10 also.
Join Revolution Money Exchange by clicking on the button below and you will receive $25 for signing up. No strings attached!
To be fair, I will also receive $10 for refering you. If you refer your friends and family you will receive $10 also.
You Knit What??
Socks
Yes, I knit socks. My goal is to have all of my personal socks handknit by the end of 2008. Cool huh? I thought so too.
Now, I am not writing this blog post just so that you can think that I am cool. In fact I am writing this to encourage you, my reader, to embrace some kind of hand-craft. Choose something that is both practical and pretty, something that you can poor your creativity into, something that will be YOU. I love cutsie socks. I knit myself cutsie socks. Some people (dh) think that cutsie socks are......weird. Most people think that cutise socks are at least cool for me, even if they wouldn't wear them themselves. Cutsie socks in interesting styles and color are ME. And I love to knit them.
There is something very calming about creating something for yourself with your own two hands. It is almost like a link to the past. I can almost imagine my great-great-grandmothers sitting next to the fire knitting socks for their families. How much closer to your heritage can you get?
So, my challenge for you today is to play around with different things that interest you. Find your creative outlet. Let that creativity flow!
(And when you do, please comment and let me know what is inspiring you!)
Yes, I knit socks. My goal is to have all of my personal socks handknit by the end of 2008. Cool huh? I thought so too.
Now, I am not writing this blog post just so that you can think that I am cool. In fact I am writing this to encourage you, my reader, to embrace some kind of hand-craft. Choose something that is both practical and pretty, something that you can poor your creativity into, something that will be YOU. I love cutsie socks. I knit myself cutsie socks. Some people (dh) think that cutsie socks are......weird. Most people think that cutise socks are at least cool for me, even if they wouldn't wear them themselves. Cutsie socks in interesting styles and color are ME. And I love to knit them.
There is something very calming about creating something for yourself with your own two hands. It is almost like a link to the past. I can almost imagine my great-great-grandmothers sitting next to the fire knitting socks for their families. How much closer to your heritage can you get?
So, my challenge for you today is to play around with different things that interest you. Find your creative outlet. Let that creativity flow!
(And when you do, please comment and let me know what is inspiring you!)
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
How Does My Garden Grow? Pt. 1
I am hoping to make this a biweekly part of my blog where I share how my garden is growing.....interesting things that I have planted or beautiful scenes that I would like to share. Gardening wasn't something that I was fond of at first, but it is quickly becoming a passion!
This afternoon I planted 18 petunias, 12 marigold, 2 mums and 12 salvias in my flower bed adjacent to the house. Dh was able to buy these plants discounted at work and it was such a blessing to me to have them and be able to fill this flower bed up! I don't think that there is an inch to spare except for the spot I reserved to plant a clemantis next to the wall. If everything lives and fills in nicely like I hope it will, this flower bed will be a sight to behold this summer.
Dh also brought home tomatoes and peppers for the veggie garden and chives and cilantro for the herb bed. I hope to get the herbs planted later this week. I have a problem with my hands swelling when I do a lot of gardening and could barely bend my fingers by the time I came in this evening. Greg blessed me by doing about half of the digging but the work still took its toll. Little Bear played in his walker in the yard and enjoyed squealing at the big dogs, Jasmine and Mixie, while he played. He hasn't really interacted with them much yet and Jasmine, especially, seems to like him a lot!
As that bed fills in I will share some pictures with you!
Please tell me, how does your garden grow?
This afternoon I planted 18 petunias, 12 marigold, 2 mums and 12 salvias in my flower bed adjacent to the house. Dh was able to buy these plants discounted at work and it was such a blessing to me to have them and be able to fill this flower bed up! I don't think that there is an inch to spare except for the spot I reserved to plant a clemantis next to the wall. If everything lives and fills in nicely like I hope it will, this flower bed will be a sight to behold this summer.
Dh also brought home tomatoes and peppers for the veggie garden and chives and cilantro for the herb bed. I hope to get the herbs planted later this week. I have a problem with my hands swelling when I do a lot of gardening and could barely bend my fingers by the time I came in this evening. Greg blessed me by doing about half of the digging but the work still took its toll. Little Bear played in his walker in the yard and enjoyed squealing at the big dogs, Jasmine and Mixie, while he played. He hasn't really interacted with them much yet and Jasmine, especially, seems to like him a lot!
As that bed fills in I will share some pictures with you!
Please tell me, how does your garden grow?
Busy Days
This week has been busy so far and looks to continue that way. I hate a week of constant "busyness". I love to just be able to take a deep breath when I wake up in the morning and stay at home. I am frequently criticised by members of my family for my frequent "busyness". As most of you know we attend taekwondo classes 2-3 nights a week. In a town that is 25 minutes from home. I have worked hard over the past few years to consolidate my other errands on the days that we already have to be in town. That has been working fantastically, and has freed me up for other things at home. What I have found though, especially in the last few months, is that other people (more often than not, family members) expect things from me that cause me to be "busy" several other days over the course of the month. I am given responsibilities that belong to others and asked to do things that a "working woman" wouldn't ever be asked to do. I sometimes wonder why. Why would you ask me to do something when you know that I have 3 kids at home that I need to school, feed and clean up after? Why would you give me ONE MORE THING to do when I am already near the point of exhaustion? I find that I don't really know what causes some people to feel compelled to give me these jobs but I have recently decided to look at these things as ministries to others. I am able to do these other things. I have figured out, for the most part, how to juggle my schedule to fit these things in with the least amount of disruption for my family. So maybe, for this season, some of these things are important responsiblities in my life. Maybe instead of asking God to take these things away, I should ask Him to help me fit them in. I should thank God that I have the ability to relieve the burden of others. I thank Him daily for the strength that he gives to me.
If you feel the "added" responsibilities of life weighing you down, ask yourself if maybe this is where God wants you right now. Maybe this is the time of your life when you will be busy, doing the work of God, and hopefully shining an example of his love for all the world to see. Remember to serve with a smile!
If you feel the "added" responsibilities of life weighing you down, ask yourself if maybe this is where God wants you right now. Maybe this is the time of your life when you will be busy, doing the work of God, and hopefully shining an example of his love for all the world to see. Remember to serve with a smile!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Meet and Greet Monday (a day early)
I have been playing with my new digital camera and the software on my laptop. Even with highspeed internet it is a pain to upload pictures. But that's ok. I am learning! So I thought that I would share some of the new ones with you.
That is me, feeding Baby Bear (obviously!) at Christmas. He has grown a lot since then!
This is Leland and Norman. They love to snuggle together!
And here is Leland pretending to be asleep on the back of the couch with our cat, Tiger. Tiger and Sadie (our cocker spaniel) always sleep on the back of the couch.
Gregory with Norman. Now that Norman can play more, him and Greg get along a lot better. They are becoming great friends!
This has got to be my favorite photo of the bunch. Dh Norman gives Bear his baths when he is home off work....they take one together in the big bathtub. Thursday Norman put bubble bath in and ran the jets to make lots of bubbles and him and Bear played for a long time. They had so much fun splashing and eating bubbles!
Enjoy!
That is me, feeding Baby Bear (obviously!) at Christmas. He has grown a lot since then!
This is Leland and Norman. They love to snuggle together!
And here is Leland pretending to be asleep on the back of the couch with our cat, Tiger. Tiger and Sadie (our cocker spaniel) always sleep on the back of the couch.
Gregory with Norman. Now that Norman can play more, him and Greg get along a lot better. They are becoming great friends!
This has got to be my favorite photo of the bunch. Dh Norman gives Bear his baths when he is home off work....they take one together in the big bathtub. Thursday Norman put bubble bath in and ran the jets to make lots of bubbles and him and Bear played for a long time. They had so much fun splashing and eating bubbles!
Enjoy!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Children a Luxury Item?
I just finished reading this article HERE. I am just flabbergasted that someone would consider children a showy, luxury item.
My children are PEOPLE. I love them. I didn't have them to "show off". My dh and I, our family, is far from upper class. We don't even aspire to attain upper class status. We are happy where we are. We have 3 children, and (drumroll please) we might have MORE.
I will let your shock wear off.
Children do not cost a fortune to raise. That is why there are resale shops and yard sales. You don't buy new equipment with every child. In times of financial trouble (gas is $3.55 a gallon here today!!!!!) you switch to cloth diapers, clip coupons and grow a larger garden. If you think that children are exhorbitantly expensive then I suggest that you have a look at your checkbook and consider your priorities. Yes, the hospital bill will need to be paid if you don't have insurance. Yes, some equipment will need to be purchased (but only select things will need to be new, ie car seats and bottles if you use them). I bought my cloth diapers used. We were given a bouncy seat and walker. With this child we bought a new crib, playpen and swing. With boys #1 and #2 we had all that stuff used (through 2 children of our own too, mind you). If there wasn't a 7 year gap in children, we would have used that stuff again (or at least most of it). I don't nurse so we are buying formula. We buy ours in huge cans at Sams Club. That is our biggest expenditure at about $50 a month. That will last no more than one year from birth and then the little tyke can eat what the rest of us do.
I have encountered resistance to "more than 2". I couldn't believe at a family reunion less than 4 weeks after son #3 was born when a "well-meaning" aunt (several of them actually, over the course of 2 days) told us that we wouldn't be able to raise all those kids. When my dh told them that we might have some more, God willing, they about fell to the floor. We started getting lectured like we were obstinant 3 year olds. I don't think that most of them knew that I am a STAY-AT-HOME MOM. We only see these people once a year. I don't think that they would be happy if we caused them to have a heart attack. People honestly believe that you can't afford to have more than 2 children. That is so very, very sad.
I also want everyone to know that our children aren't deprived. We live in a new (4 year old) home. Our main vehicle 6 years old. Our children have a playstation 2 (bought used). They also have gameboys (Christmas gifts), cellphones (Christmas gifts - different Christmas), shotguns (Christmas gifts), nice bicycles.......all the trappings of a middle class life. They also understand that we SAVE for things that we want. They had a 4-wheeler fund. We made up the difference and bought them dirt bikes instead. The look on their faces as they did extra work every week to put into that fund was priceless (and I wasn't the one paying them to do the work - regular chores don't get paid for around here). Now, they are saving their money for our trip to Florida in October........that's right....we travel too!
I hope that Christians, especially, will stop listening to the nonesense that is coming from these people. Children are only as expensive as you make them be!
My children are PEOPLE. I love them. I didn't have them to "show off". My dh and I, our family, is far from upper class. We don't even aspire to attain upper class status. We are happy where we are. We have 3 children, and (drumroll please) we might have MORE.
I will let your shock wear off.
Children do not cost a fortune to raise. That is why there are resale shops and yard sales. You don't buy new equipment with every child. In times of financial trouble (gas is $3.55 a gallon here today!!!!!) you switch to cloth diapers, clip coupons and grow a larger garden. If you think that children are exhorbitantly expensive then I suggest that you have a look at your checkbook and consider your priorities. Yes, the hospital bill will need to be paid if you don't have insurance. Yes, some equipment will need to be purchased (but only select things will need to be new, ie car seats and bottles if you use them). I bought my cloth diapers used. We were given a bouncy seat and walker. With this child we bought a new crib, playpen and swing. With boys #1 and #2 we had all that stuff used (through 2 children of our own too, mind you). If there wasn't a 7 year gap in children, we would have used that stuff again (or at least most of it). I don't nurse so we are buying formula. We buy ours in huge cans at Sams Club. That is our biggest expenditure at about $50 a month. That will last no more than one year from birth and then the little tyke can eat what the rest of us do.
I have encountered resistance to "more than 2". I couldn't believe at a family reunion less than 4 weeks after son #3 was born when a "well-meaning" aunt (several of them actually, over the course of 2 days) told us that we wouldn't be able to raise all those kids. When my dh told them that we might have some more, God willing, they about fell to the floor. We started getting lectured like we were obstinant 3 year olds. I don't think that most of them knew that I am a STAY-AT-HOME MOM. We only see these people once a year. I don't think that they would be happy if we caused them to have a heart attack. People honestly believe that you can't afford to have more than 2 children. That is so very, very sad.
I also want everyone to know that our children aren't deprived. We live in a new (4 year old) home. Our main vehicle 6 years old. Our children have a playstation 2 (bought used). They also have gameboys (Christmas gifts), cellphones (Christmas gifts - different Christmas), shotguns (Christmas gifts), nice bicycles.......all the trappings of a middle class life. They also understand that we SAVE for things that we want. They had a 4-wheeler fund. We made up the difference and bought them dirt bikes instead. The look on their faces as they did extra work every week to put into that fund was priceless (and I wasn't the one paying them to do the work - regular chores don't get paid for around here). Now, they are saving their money for our trip to Florida in October........that's right....we travel too!
I hope that Christians, especially, will stop listening to the nonesense that is coming from these people. Children are only as expensive as you make them be!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Garden Plans
It is that time again. Are we all ready to garden?????
I started some seedlings on Friday. I know that I am late, but I figure that any head start that I can give the little things the better. My cabbage has already sprouted. I haven't seen anything out of my broccoli or the flower seed that I planted. I tend to be impatient.
Most of what we are planting will be the usual stuff. I am going to plant some okra this year. That will be new. I am also hoping to can a lot more stuff. Hopefully, we will be investing in a pressure canner. I have always been afraid to pressure can so I was limited to things that I could hot-water-bath. With the price of groceries goign through the roof I really need to stock up on as much home-grown stuff as possible.
Dh will be getting some veggie and flower plants from work next week I think. I am eager to see what he will get me. Last year he brought home lots of veggie stuff and some mums for our new flower bed. I am sad to say, I don't think that the mums made it through the winter. The didn't get the attention that they deserved last summer with me pregnant and I think suffered for it.
So what are you planning in your gardens this year?
I started some seedlings on Friday. I know that I am late, but I figure that any head start that I can give the little things the better. My cabbage has already sprouted. I haven't seen anything out of my broccoli or the flower seed that I planted. I tend to be impatient.
Most of what we are planting will be the usual stuff. I am going to plant some okra this year. That will be new. I am also hoping to can a lot more stuff. Hopefully, we will be investing in a pressure canner. I have always been afraid to pressure can so I was limited to things that I could hot-water-bath. With the price of groceries goign through the roof I really need to stock up on as much home-grown stuff as possible.
Dh will be getting some veggie and flower plants from work next week I think. I am eager to see what he will get me. Last year he brought home lots of veggie stuff and some mums for our new flower bed. I am sad to say, I don't think that the mums made it through the winter. The didn't get the attention that they deserved last summer with me pregnant and I think suffered for it.
So what are you planning in your gardens this year?
Still Here
I apologize for the lack of posting lately. Little Bear is a handful some days. I have been setting up new routines, exercise habit, Bible reading habit, daily goals, etc. and have barely had time to read email, let alone blog. I hope that you will forgive me.
I have also been dealing with some heart issues of my own lately. They came to a head with an argument with my dh yesterday. We hashed everything out today (over the phone, we do better that way for some reason) but I have a lot of work to do within myself. I have been convicted of my unsubmissive spirit. I have also been placing undue pressure on my dh in areas that he CAN'T change (ie, work, etc). That is not what God would have me doing. I realize that now, and am thankful that I came to this realization now while it will be easier to undo the damage to our marriage relationship.
I realized today how much I idealize the "normal" marriage arrangement. By normal I mean the dh working 9-5 with weekends off; able to spend time coaching teams and camping with the kids; sitting next to his family at church and during the monthly potluck. This is the ideal that I was hoping we would eventually reach. This is NOT going to happen here. My dh works 3-11. He works 1 hour away from home, so he leaves at 1:30 p.m. and doesn't return until midnight. He winds down after work (when the rest of us are asleep), going to bed around 2 a.m. He wakes up after 7-8 hours of sleep; usually around 10 or 11 a.m. Of course, that is if he doesn't work overtime. He works a lot of overtime. His days off are on Thursday and Friday. We spend the better part of those days at taekwondo (dh is part owner of the school). My dh is a wonderful provider, and he tries his very best to spend quality time with us. I am thankful that we can homeschool; otherwise my boys would almost never see their father. We miss out on the weekend camping trips, sitting together at church (dh doesn't attend), going to local football games together; evening dinners with friends are out. If we wanted to invite friends for dinner, they would all be at work. This is the part that I struggle with. I wanted the perfect "family life". I realize that I need to accept that our "family life" is perfect for US. This is the way that our family operates. Me wishing that it is going to be different isn't going to help matters any. I know that God can give me contentment in this area if I am willing to seek His will.
All of this rambling is to say, that if your family doesn't look like the "perfect family" that is ok. All families are different and yours is unique to your unique personalities and circumstances. My relationships with friends may not be as strong as they could be if we were available to fellowship together, but my relationship with my dh and children is more important and I can nurture that in the common atmosphere of our home.....where we all belong!!!!!
I hope to post some more this week. I hope that everyone is enjoying spring!
I have also been dealing with some heart issues of my own lately. They came to a head with an argument with my dh yesterday. We hashed everything out today (over the phone, we do better that way for some reason) but I have a lot of work to do within myself. I have been convicted of my unsubmissive spirit. I have also been placing undue pressure on my dh in areas that he CAN'T change (ie, work, etc). That is not what God would have me doing. I realize that now, and am thankful that I came to this realization now while it will be easier to undo the damage to our marriage relationship.
I realized today how much I idealize the "normal" marriage arrangement. By normal I mean the dh working 9-5 with weekends off; able to spend time coaching teams and camping with the kids; sitting next to his family at church and during the monthly potluck. This is the ideal that I was hoping we would eventually reach. This is NOT going to happen here. My dh works 3-11. He works 1 hour away from home, so he leaves at 1:30 p.m. and doesn't return until midnight. He winds down after work (when the rest of us are asleep), going to bed around 2 a.m. He wakes up after 7-8 hours of sleep; usually around 10 or 11 a.m. Of course, that is if he doesn't work overtime. He works a lot of overtime. His days off are on Thursday and Friday. We spend the better part of those days at taekwondo (dh is part owner of the school). My dh is a wonderful provider, and he tries his very best to spend quality time with us. I am thankful that we can homeschool; otherwise my boys would almost never see their father. We miss out on the weekend camping trips, sitting together at church (dh doesn't attend), going to local football games together; evening dinners with friends are out. If we wanted to invite friends for dinner, they would all be at work. This is the part that I struggle with. I wanted the perfect "family life". I realize that I need to accept that our "family life" is perfect for US. This is the way that our family operates. Me wishing that it is going to be different isn't going to help matters any. I know that God can give me contentment in this area if I am willing to seek His will.
All of this rambling is to say, that if your family doesn't look like the "perfect family" that is ok. All families are different and yours is unique to your unique personalities and circumstances. My relationships with friends may not be as strong as they could be if we were available to fellowship together, but my relationship with my dh and children is more important and I can nurture that in the common atmosphere of our home.....where we all belong!!!!!
I hope to post some more this week. I hope that everyone is enjoying spring!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Crystal Wetherholt
Crystal is a very dear friend of mine. After much anticipation on my part, she has finally gotten her new website up and running. Crystal is a wonderful mother and example of godly womanhood. She speaks with the gift of God on the topics of mothering and godly womanhood. I am excited to see that she is speaking nearby in May and can't wait to be there. I encourage you to check out her website and blogs (linked on her website!) and see where God is taking her fantastic ministry.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Maybe a Lamb
Yesterday was a lamb day. We enjoyed it profusely. After lunch we went for Little Bear's first walk. It was 60 degrees and sunny with almost no wind at all. We walked for a while before he went to sleep. I am glad that he was able to enjoy his first "outside" experience. Before that he had only been outside long enough to go from house to car, car to store and back again.
Greg walked Sadie on her leash. They ran for almost a mile. She was more excited to be outside than the rest of us I think. Lee rode his bicycle. We really enjoyed ourselves. Next time I will try to remember to take pictures.
Today is a rainy day. I know that we need rain as well as sunshine, but it is such a bummer after such a beautiful day. I hope that it is short lived and spring sunshine returns again soon.
Greg walked Sadie on her leash. They ran for almost a mile. She was more excited to be outside than the rest of us I think. Lee rode his bicycle. We really enjoyed ourselves. Next time I will try to remember to take pictures.
Today is a rainy day. I know that we need rain as well as sunshine, but it is such a bummer after such a beautiful day. I hope that it is short lived and spring sunshine returns again soon.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Out Like a Lamb
The old saying is that if March comes in like a lion it will go out like a lamb. I think that we can classify the ice storm during the first week of March as "in like a lion". I am having trouble classifying this last week though. What is up with SNOW all day on Easter???? And does that mean we will have snow for the next 7 Sundays????? Please someone help me figure this out!
While my mind ponders the mysteries of the world, my body works. The house was in such a state of dissaray that I couldn't even think. I have pretty much finished the Emergency House Clean-up posted by Candy and linked to by Crystal. The kitchen looks better. The main bathroom looks better. The rest of the house......not so good. But the laundry is folded so that has to be worth something. When I get done here, I am going to pick up some and then call it a day.
The main focus of the past few days is the revival being held at our church this week. We started with services last night. I think that it was a smashing success. I was honored to be asked to lead the music part of the service. This is the first time that I have done this for a revival. The topic is Restoring God's Church with John Blackmore speaking. Last night he urged us to consider what I will be willing to give up to bring others to know Christ. That is a big question! I have trouble coming out of my comfort zone. I want others to know about Christ, but what do my actions show? This is something that will require prayer over the next few days (maybe weeks!) to sort out in my mind. I am excited to hear tonight's message!!!!
Greg celebrated his 8th birthday on Friday. He got fishing gear, a metal detector and lots and lots of $$$$$ in the form of cash and gift cards. I don't remember ever having as much money as he does when I was 8!!!! Happy Birthday sweetie! We love you!
Well, I guess that I will go for now. Please let me know if you can help me out on any of life's questions......I will be waiting for someone to figure it out!
While my mind ponders the mysteries of the world, my body works. The house was in such a state of dissaray that I couldn't even think. I have pretty much finished the Emergency House Clean-up posted by Candy and linked to by Crystal. The kitchen looks better. The main bathroom looks better. The rest of the house......not so good. But the laundry is folded so that has to be worth something. When I get done here, I am going to pick up some and then call it a day.
The main focus of the past few days is the revival being held at our church this week. We started with services last night. I think that it was a smashing success. I was honored to be asked to lead the music part of the service. This is the first time that I have done this for a revival. The topic is Restoring God's Church with John Blackmore speaking. Last night he urged us to consider what I will be willing to give up to bring others to know Christ. That is a big question! I have trouble coming out of my comfort zone. I want others to know about Christ, but what do my actions show? This is something that will require prayer over the next few days (maybe weeks!) to sort out in my mind. I am excited to hear tonight's message!!!!
Greg celebrated his 8th birthday on Friday. He got fishing gear, a metal detector and lots and lots of $$$$$ in the form of cash and gift cards. I don't remember ever having as much money as he does when I was 8!!!! Happy Birthday sweetie! We love you!
Well, I guess that I will go for now. Please let me know if you can help me out on any of life's questions......I will be waiting for someone to figure it out!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
A Day in our Homeschool
Candy has been posting about how her homeschool works and encouraged us to share what a day in our homeschool is like. It isn't exciting, but here it is!
We get up around 7-8 a.m. It kinda depends on what the plans are for that day and how late we were out the night before. Days after taekwondo classes usually start later than other days.
We begin with Bible. Right now we are reading through the book of Luke. Sometimes we split the reading, sometimes I read to them. Then we share prayer requests and praises and have a time of prayer. I think that this really helps start our day off on the right foot. Then the boys take turns taking baths while the other starts school. Then they switch. I limit bath time to 15 minutes, otherwise they would stay in there all day.
In the morning, both boys must complete the following:
spelling
language lesson
math
latin
handwriting
writing (Lee - once a week)
reading practice
They are allowed to do these things in whatever order they choose. Some of them they can always do on their own (handwriting) and others always need my supervision (reading practice). Most of them vary from day to day depending on the assignment. During this time I also work on laundry and try to either play with the baby or put him down for a nap. He has decided that he doesn't always want to take the morning nap.
After their subjects are done then they are required to read for 30 mins. We alternate between a book of their choosing and a book of my choosing. When that is done they are free until after lunch. They will usually get most of their chores out of the way for the day and then play with Baby Bear for me while I get lunch fixed.
Norman leaves for work and then we commence history and science studies. We also read some poetry at this time. They do any notebooking, mapwork, timeline work and also complete lyrical life science at this time. Hopefully Baby Bear is asleep at this time as well, but if he isn't we just roll him in with what we are doing. He plays really well in his walker so that helps.
The boys have the afternoon free. Depending on the day of the week we may be going to taekwondo. On those days we also usually go to the library. The boys love the new library! If it is a "stay at home day" then they play outside, in their rooms or work on crafts. Right now, Greg has a study on turtles that he and I are working on during his free time.
We try to have read-aloud time during the evenings when we are home. This doesn't always happen. I need to be more diligent about it.
There is our current school day. I look forward to seeing how everyone else works their days!
We get up around 7-8 a.m. It kinda depends on what the plans are for that day and how late we were out the night before. Days after taekwondo classes usually start later than other days.
We begin with Bible. Right now we are reading through the book of Luke. Sometimes we split the reading, sometimes I read to them. Then we share prayer requests and praises and have a time of prayer. I think that this really helps start our day off on the right foot. Then the boys take turns taking baths while the other starts school. Then they switch. I limit bath time to 15 minutes, otherwise they would stay in there all day.
In the morning, both boys must complete the following:
spelling
language lesson
math
latin
handwriting
writing (Lee - once a week)
reading practice
They are allowed to do these things in whatever order they choose. Some of them they can always do on their own (handwriting) and others always need my supervision (reading practice). Most of them vary from day to day depending on the assignment. During this time I also work on laundry and try to either play with the baby or put him down for a nap. He has decided that he doesn't always want to take the morning nap.
After their subjects are done then they are required to read for 30 mins. We alternate between a book of their choosing and a book of my choosing. When that is done they are free until after lunch. They will usually get most of their chores out of the way for the day and then play with Baby Bear for me while I get lunch fixed.
Norman leaves for work and then we commence history and science studies. We also read some poetry at this time. They do any notebooking, mapwork, timeline work and also complete lyrical life science at this time. Hopefully Baby Bear is asleep at this time as well, but if he isn't we just roll him in with what we are doing. He plays really well in his walker so that helps.
The boys have the afternoon free. Depending on the day of the week we may be going to taekwondo. On those days we also usually go to the library. The boys love the new library! If it is a "stay at home day" then they play outside, in their rooms or work on crafts. Right now, Greg has a study on turtles that he and I are working on during his free time.
We try to have read-aloud time during the evenings when we are home. This doesn't always happen. I need to be more diligent about it.
There is our current school day. I look forward to seeing how everyone else works their days!
Are you a Hearer or a Doer?
Are you a hearer or a doer? Am I?
That is the question that I asked myself this evening as I sat down to the computer. I sat down with the express purpose of looking (once again) for the perfect homekeeping system. I am absolutes sure that it is out there. I look for it about twice a month. As I sat down, it occurred to me that I have read about every practical homekeeping article out there (although if you have a new one, I would love to read it!) and tried every organizational system. You would think with all of this knowledge under my belt that my house/household/schooling would be in ship-shape condition.
Sadly, that is not the case.
I am here to admit that I am a hearer/reader/seeker. I am, in fact, NOT a doer. I don't tend to put the things that I learn into practice. I will sit and read about homekeeping/organizational systems. I will make up detailed cleaning rotations and charts. I will delegate jobs to the children. However, I don't follow any of those things. I do what I NEED to do to get by and no more. I am barely keeping my head above water. As I look around my house right now, I stress the BARELY part. How embarrassing!
This tendency of mine tends to follow into my spiritual life. Jesus warns us not to be hearers of the Word only, but doers also. I can't begin to count the times I have noted in my journal or Bible something that I think God is saying to me. I can count on ONE hand how many times I have actually followed through with what God wants me to do. That is truly sad.
Right now, I am challenging myself to be a DOER. I am going to keep a list of the things I need to DO and keep myself accountable to doing them. Homekeeping, homeschooling, ministry are all included here. Most importantly though is my spiritual life. From today on, that will be my main priority.
I urge any of you who read this to challenge yourself to be DOERS, in all areas of your life. Make this a priority in your spiritual life. Post about what your neglected area is and how you are working to improve it. Please leave me a comment! We can encourage each other!
That is the question that I asked myself this evening as I sat down to the computer. I sat down with the express purpose of looking (once again) for the perfect homekeeping system. I am absolutes sure that it is out there. I look for it about twice a month. As I sat down, it occurred to me that I have read about every practical homekeeping article out there (although if you have a new one, I would love to read it!) and tried every organizational system. You would think with all of this knowledge under my belt that my house/household/schooling would be in ship-shape condition.
Sadly, that is not the case.
I am here to admit that I am a hearer/reader/seeker. I am, in fact, NOT a doer. I don't tend to put the things that I learn into practice. I will sit and read about homekeeping/organizational systems. I will make up detailed cleaning rotations and charts. I will delegate jobs to the children. However, I don't follow any of those things. I do what I NEED to do to get by and no more. I am barely keeping my head above water. As I look around my house right now, I stress the BARELY part. How embarrassing!
This tendency of mine tends to follow into my spiritual life. Jesus warns us not to be hearers of the Word only, but doers also. I can't begin to count the times I have noted in my journal or Bible something that I think God is saying to me. I can count on ONE hand how many times I have actually followed through with what God wants me to do. That is truly sad.
Right now, I am challenging myself to be a DOER. I am going to keep a list of the things I need to DO and keep myself accountable to doing them. Homekeeping, homeschooling, ministry are all included here. Most importantly though is my spiritual life. From today on, that will be my main priority.
I urge any of you who read this to challenge yourself to be DOERS, in all areas of your life. Make this a priority in your spiritual life. Post about what your neglected area is and how you are working to improve it. Please leave me a comment! We can encourage each other!
200th Post
I just wanted to note (for anyone that cares) that this is my 200th post :) I don't have anything fascinating to say though!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Family Emergencies
I am praising the Lord today as we are recovering from a family emergency. My youngest brother Daniel was in a severe motorcycle accident on Friday evening. He was transfered from our local hospital to a level 1 trauma center north of here. It seems that God has choosen to bless him with a full recovery! He is still a patient there, but has become fully conscious, and has only a broken clavical and road rash to show for the experience. I am so thankful for our friends and church family as they "prayed" us through this time. I know that I couldn't have made it without them!
I am still trying to catch up on sleep. This week is full, with dog grooming and children's doctor's appointments. Next week will be a 3-day revival at our church. I was honored to be asked to lead the music. I haven't ever led music for a revival before so I am anxious to be pleasing to God. I hope and pray that he will lead me in the selection of music and appropriate speech.
I will try to update with some scripture that I have been reading lately. There are many great gems I have discovered and applied to my life over the past couple of weeks!
I am still trying to catch up on sleep. This week is full, with dog grooming and children's doctor's appointments. Next week will be a 3-day revival at our church. I was honored to be asked to lead the music. I haven't ever led music for a revival before so I am anxious to be pleasing to God. I hope and pray that he will lead me in the selection of music and appropriate speech.
I will try to update with some scripture that I have been reading lately. There are many great gems I have discovered and applied to my life over the past couple of weeks!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
PJs and Coffee
I was just wondering if there was anyone else out there in internet land who was chronically drinking COLD coffee?
I swear that it isn't my fault, maybe I have a touch of ADHD, but it seems like every time I get a new cup of hot coffee something happens, I set it down, and when I come back to it, it is cold...and then we go around again. Lukewarm coffee isn't very good either, btw. I know that mornings are so busy around here and that is part of the problem, but that is precisely why I NEED the coffee :) And to top things off, the last 2 days I haven't managed a shower before 10 a.m. Today is was after 11 a.m. It seems that the boys don't mind that I am doing school in my pj's......in fact, sometimes they are in their underwear.....so I guess that it all works out.
It is a blessing that we very rarely have visitors :)
I swear that it isn't my fault, maybe I have a touch of ADHD, but it seems like every time I get a new cup of hot coffee something happens, I set it down, and when I come back to it, it is cold...and then we go around again. Lukewarm coffee isn't very good either, btw. I know that mornings are so busy around here and that is part of the problem, but that is precisely why I NEED the coffee :) And to top things off, the last 2 days I haven't managed a shower before 10 a.m. Today is was after 11 a.m. It seems that the boys don't mind that I am doing school in my pj's......in fact, sometimes they are in their underwear.....so I guess that it all works out.
It is a blessing that we very rarely have visitors :)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
So Very Busy
I don't know what is going on around here. I feel like I am barely treading water! I seem to be sooo busy but I can't really think of anything that has been added to my schedule to make me feel that way.
On Monday the boys and I went to the library. We live in between 2 towns. We hold an in-residence library card to one of them. Unfortunately it is the town that we almost never go to....(((sigh))). Recently, I discovered that we could have our library card stickered with the bar code of the library in the town that we ARE in 3-4 times a week. Praise God!!! And this library is a lot nicer than the other one (although in its defense, library #1 is in a slightly smaller town). So we are excited and spent 1.5 hours at the library before taekwondo Monday evening. Just hanging out. Cause we could :)
Yesterday I worked like an ant with school, laundry and housework. My parents returned home from their FL trip on Monday (yeah, guess what they were doing during the ice storm?????). So we went to their house to visit Tuesday afternoon.
I was finally able to check email and blogs at 8 p.m. on Tuesday evening. The first time since Saturday.
Today I was busy again with school and housework and laundry. The busyness was compounded by the fact that Little Bear has spent most of the day screaming his little head off and refusing to take a nap. That is not conducive to cleaning. But I have managed and even have a minute online. Then I need to fold the last load of laundry.
Cloth diapers are going great. I don't really know what all the fuss is about. It really isn't any different and I can just hear the money hitting the bank every time I DON'T use a disposable. With the price of gas and groceries going up EVERY DAY, I am relieved to be able to save some money somewhere.
I am planning for school next year. It doesn't look like Sonlight is going to be in the budget....as sad as that makes me. But I am having fun putting things together from Hands of a Child. They have a lot of very interesting Project Packs for a wide spread of age groups. I joined their Super Membership Club and have already downloaded 3 project packs that just happen to be for things that we were wanting to study!!!!! God is great.
I am hoping to find some time to knit. It just isn't working right now. That's ok. I know that this season of life will pass so quickly!
On Monday the boys and I went to the library. We live in between 2 towns. We hold an in-residence library card to one of them. Unfortunately it is the town that we almost never go to....(((sigh))). Recently, I discovered that we could have our library card stickered with the bar code of the library in the town that we ARE in 3-4 times a week. Praise God!!! And this library is a lot nicer than the other one (although in its defense, library #1 is in a slightly smaller town). So we are excited and spent 1.5 hours at the library before taekwondo Monday evening. Just hanging out. Cause we could :)
Yesterday I worked like an ant with school, laundry and housework. My parents returned home from their FL trip on Monday (yeah, guess what they were doing during the ice storm?????). So we went to their house to visit Tuesday afternoon.
I was finally able to check email and blogs at 8 p.m. on Tuesday evening. The first time since Saturday.
Today I was busy again with school and housework and laundry. The busyness was compounded by the fact that Little Bear has spent most of the day screaming his little head off and refusing to take a nap. That is not conducive to cleaning. But I have managed and even have a minute online. Then I need to fold the last load of laundry.
Cloth diapers are going great. I don't really know what all the fuss is about. It really isn't any different and I can just hear the money hitting the bank every time I DON'T use a disposable. With the price of gas and groceries going up EVERY DAY, I am relieved to be able to save some money somewhere.
I am planning for school next year. It doesn't look like Sonlight is going to be in the budget....as sad as that makes me. But I am having fun putting things together from Hands of a Child. They have a lot of very interesting Project Packs for a wide spread of age groups. I joined their Super Membership Club and have already downloaded 3 project packs that just happen to be for things that we were wanting to study!!!!! God is great.
I am hoping to find some time to knit. It just isn't working right now. That's ok. I know that this season of life will pass so quickly!
Friday, March 07, 2008
Back In the Swing of Things
I am slowly getting back into the swing of things.
So far today I have:
washed/dried/folded several loads of laundry (I still have at least 2 loads left to do)
decluttered the kitchen table, coffee table and breakfast bar
put away some of our extra grocery purchases
swept the kitchen and dining room
loaded and ran the dishwasher and handwashed the rest
had the boys do their chores
check email
made lunch (fried shrimp and cajun rice)
decluttered baby stuff
picked up living room
We are having chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, biscuits and fruit for supper.
I also made some phone calls and scheduled Little Bear's 4 month doctor's appt. At this point though it will really be an almost 5 month appointment :)
I am going to go do some reading, bible study and maybe watch some TV before time to start supper. We are having a stay-at-home day. It will be a relief after our hectic week!
So far today I have:
washed/dried/folded several loads of laundry (I still have at least 2 loads left to do)
decluttered the kitchen table, coffee table and breakfast bar
put away some of our extra grocery purchases
swept the kitchen and dining room
loaded and ran the dishwasher and handwashed the rest
had the boys do their chores
check email
made lunch (fried shrimp and cajun rice)
decluttered baby stuff
picked up living room
We are having chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, biscuits and fruit for supper.
I also made some phone calls and scheduled Little Bear's 4 month doctor's appt. At this point though it will really be an almost 5 month appointment :)
I am going to go do some reading, bible study and maybe watch some TV before time to start supper. We are having a stay-at-home day. It will be a relief after our hectic week!
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Ice Storm
What a few days these have been!!!!
Monday evening an ice storm started. It continued all night and into the morning on Tuesday. At 11 a.m. Tuesday we lost our power. Norman had to go to work so the boys and I hunkered down in the warmest room of the house (an interior bedroom). At 5 p.m. I called our electric company only to be told it could be 48 hours before power returned. We were still warm in that bedroom, but the rest of the house was getting cold, quick. So I opted to go into town to my mil's house before it got any colder.
We just got our power on today (Thursday) at around 11 a.m. (exactly 48 hours). We stayed at mil's until around 5 to let the house warm up. We are very blessed that although it was very cold in the house our water pipes didn't freeze. We were blessed to have somewhere warm to go. I feel very blessed that we were able to come home this evening and sleep in our beds!!!! You have never seen 5 people (and 1 dog) so happy to come home to our messy home :) We appreciate it (and electricity) so very very much now!!!!!
I have a lot of catching up to do (dishes and laundry are going as we speak) but I am very thankful for our many blessings!!!
Monday evening an ice storm started. It continued all night and into the morning on Tuesday. At 11 a.m. Tuesday we lost our power. Norman had to go to work so the boys and I hunkered down in the warmest room of the house (an interior bedroom). At 5 p.m. I called our electric company only to be told it could be 48 hours before power returned. We were still warm in that bedroom, but the rest of the house was getting cold, quick. So I opted to go into town to my mil's house before it got any colder.
We just got our power on today (Thursday) at around 11 a.m. (exactly 48 hours). We stayed at mil's until around 5 to let the house warm up. We are very blessed that although it was very cold in the house our water pipes didn't freeze. We were blessed to have somewhere warm to go. I feel very blessed that we were able to come home this evening and sleep in our beds!!!! You have never seen 5 people (and 1 dog) so happy to come home to our messy home :) We appreciate it (and electricity) so very very much now!!!!!
I have a lot of catching up to do (dishes and laundry are going as we speak) but I am very thankful for our many blessings!!!
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