Sep. 13, 2006 - Vacation
We just got back from vacation last night. We went to Kentucky Lake with my in-laws. It was fun. A little short. We were gone for 4 days. 2 of the days were traveling so we only spent 2 days at the lake. The kids have never been on a boat before. They loved it. They also went on a wave runner with Daddy. I couldn't believe how brave they were. Even my 2-yr-old was having fun. We went fishing on the last day. They thought that was fun for about 5 minutes. We tried to tell them that you have to wait awhile. But they were done.
Our ladies bible study has been doing this book called, "Conversation Peace". It is a wonderful study. It's all about your speech. You talk about a convicting book. I didn't think my speech was that bad. I don't usually gossip, or yell at people, or use slander or bad words. But while doing this study I realize I complain a lot, I am very sarcastic, and I talk too much. You talk about an eye opener. I have a lot of work to do to try and be better with my mouth. It's a little overwhelming, but I know that it is only a little at a time.
We need to get back into the groove of school. We didn't do any school last week because of the holiday and getting ready for the lake. And now I am having a garage sale tomorrow through Saturday. Maybe we will pick up school next week and just hit it hard for a few weeks. We'll see.
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Aug. 14, 2006 - First Day of School
Well, today was our first day of school. It was so insane! My oldest did fine with the 2nd grade material and my next did great with the pre-kinder material. But my boys.......were not doing well. I was totally overwhelmed with failure all day. They didn't sit still. My 3yr old is all over the place, all the time. And I didn't expect much of them. They are young, but I figured 5 minutes wasn't too much to ask. But tonight at dinner, my husband asked my youngest, who is 2, what he did in school and he said, "A...ah, ah, ah." I cried. He rememebered the letter and the sound it made. I felt like they hadn't gotten anything from that morning but he was listening the whole time.
I have no intention of having genius children and I am not pushing my boys, 2 and 3, to do anything. I just figured they would be as excited about "school" as I was. I guess that's where my intentions are not theirs.
Tomorrow will be a new day. I no longer feel like a failure!
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Aug. 8, 2006 - More Time Well Spent
This week my kids are going to VBS at their grandparents church. It is every night from 630-830pm. Last night I had a meeting at church, so my husband got to spend some time to himself. But tonight...we are going out to dinner. And a nice dinner too. I can't remember the last time we went to a nice dinner. That seems to be a theme among most of my friends with little kids. We use to try to make time each night at home, but now, I am jsut so tired by 9:00 that I want to go to bed.
I have been trying to get up and pray each morning. I usually spend about 5-7 minutes in prayer before I get out of bed. And then usually at naptime I would get to have a devotional study. But we have recently cut out the naps. My sons will not go to bed at night if they have naps. But if we keep them up then they will go to bed at 8:00, without complaint and they are asleep by by 8:15. It is so nice!!! But since we have no nap time, I don't get to have a bible study time. I thought I could just do it at night. But that never works. I am toooooo tired. So, I am trying to get up before the kids and do it then. I am starting out with 15 minutes and then I will go from there. I don't like to set the goal too high so I can acheive it in little steps.
I am off to enjoy my dinner!!!!
God Bless
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Aug. 1, 2006 - Time Well Spent
Well, the time with my husband was amazing. We didn't think it would take all 4 days to get everything painted, but guess what?!!! Would you have guessed it would take that long to prime and paint a hallway, strip wallpaper in the dinning room and prime and paint those walls, fix a hole in the living room ceiling from water damage, prime and paint those walls and prime and paint the ceiling, prime and paint dinning room furniture and recover the seats. What were we thinking!!!! But it's all done now...thank the Lord!
It is really nice to have everything in its place now. We turned our dinning room into our TV room and our living room into the dinning/school room. There was no way to get the table, 6 chairs and all the school stuff in our dinning room. All the school stuff was stacked everywhere. It made school more hectic than it needed to be.
Now we have everything on shelves. Each kid has a shelf with a school box for their supplies, their books, and stuff they use. Actually my oldest has two shelves.
My oldest is very excited about school. We aren't sure when we will actually start. I was going to start next week, but my husband wants to go camping for a few days and so that throws it off. Then the next week I am taking care of my neice's for 4 days. So it looks like we will be starting in two weeks.
My 4-year-old asks me everyday to help her write her name. My oldest knew how to write her name when she was 3 and her name is Meredith. But my 4yr old struggles with it. It's just 5 letters, Megan. My 3yr old can write his name, but it's only 2 letters; Ty. I guess some kids need a little extra time. My 2yr old wants to write his name, but I think that's a little too soon.
It has been very hot here the past few days..98 yesterday and 99 today. It is miserable. You can't even go out and play. We went to a movie this evening. They have something called "Saver Tuesdays", tickets are only $1.50. We saw Over the Hedge. It was cute.
I hope everyone is finding ways to beat the heat this summer.
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Jul. 19, 2006 - A Weekend of Freedom
Well, tomorrow my 4 kids are leaving for Grandma's house. They will be gone for four days. I can't wait. I will miss them terribly, but I have not had a break in four years. Our anniversary was the end of June, but because of schedules, we didn't really celebrate. So this next four days we will. Actually thurs and fri we will be redoing the house. It is getting a much needed paint job. We will also be setting it up for the new school year. I can't wait!!! It feels so good to be getting ready.
I have everything scheduled out for the next two days./ I know, I know, I am a list person. It doesn't have to be done exactly that way. It's just I like to have an idea of how things will work out.
I am planning on sleeping in one morning. I will probably wake up anyway. That would make me pretty mad.
Well, I need to finish patching the ceiling.
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Jul. 14, 2006 - Very Long Week
VBS is over!!!!!!
I am a little sad. I will miss it very much. But I am beat. These past 5 nights have been very loooooong. My kids haven't been getting to bed until 10:00 or 10:30. My feet have hurt everyday!!! I didn't teach a class, but I did the music and then kind of floated around wherever help was needed.
We had never done a VBS. For 7 years we have rented a small building and we never had enough room. But his past Feb we finished our building and this was the first VBS we had. We had no idea how many kids to expect. We thought, maybe 70-75. We had 154 on Mon, 168 on Tue, 176 on Wed, 182 Thurs and 191 today. You talk about an insane time!!! It was such a blessing to see God move like that, but we were soooo unprepared.
There were a lot of familes that didn't not go to our church. And a lot of them said they were going to come and check it out on Sunday. That is what this is all about. Not necessarily to get more people in OUR church. Just to get them in a church and to hear the Word of God.
I am going to bed and sleep until the kids get up, which will probably be aroun 8:00. Not that it will be a lot of sleep.
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Jul. 10, 2006 - Just Life
It has been a hectic few days around here. Between my husband's work schedule and everything for the Fourth of July, it was crazy. You would think I would be relaxed and ready to have fun with a non-hectic week. But, alas, there is more.
This week we have Vacation Bible School at church. So maybe next week. I am very excited about it. I love VBS. I have been in a VBS of some sorts for 26 years; either as a baby when my mom would work, as a kid I would attend, or as an adult I would work. I am doing the music, of course. I can't wait until tonight. We are serving a dinner before. We thought it would be a good outreach. That way no one has to cook. They can come and eat and then stay for Bible School. We have an adult study too.
I guess I can look forward to the following week. Our anniversary was June 30th. We didn't really celebrate it because there was too much going on and work schedules. But next weekend my mom is taking my kids for 4 days. My husband and I don't have set plans. Just free to do whatever we want. I know, I could sleep in!!!! That's something I haven't done in 4 years.
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Jul. 2, 2006 - Being Cast in the Image of Christ
My lesson today at church was incredible. Here is a summary:
When you go to buy a new car you have two choices for the bumper. Option 1: the bumper is black and then painted whatever color your car is. With this option, if someone hits or scratches your car the black paint will show through. Option 2: the bumper is cast in the color of the car, which costs a little bit more. This way when you are hit or get a scratch the color of the car is what shows. It looks a lot nicer.
A coorelation was made between this and our relationship with Christ. When life gets hard and we feel like we are being squeezed, what shows through? Is it a little or a lot of black because Christ is not really within us? Or is it Christ that shows through?
This was so hard for me. I know that none of us are perfect, but we can strive to be and maybe come close. I try to be the proper wife and the patient mother that I am supposed to be. But, I have 4 children-6, 4, 3 and 2- and sometimes life gets in the way and I am not anything like the above.
Everyday I wake up and say that I am going to be more patient and try not to raise my voice to the children. And everyday I fail. I realized that I am never going to accomplish this on my own. I need to go to God and ask for His help. So this is my goal for this week. To constantly be in prayer, to God, for patience and to hold my tongue.
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Jul. 1, 2006 - Always Putting the Kids First
Alright, in my last post I talked about how yeasterday was a big day in our house because we were having a joint birthday for my sons. I totally forgot to mention that it was my anniversary. Funny how things just slip your mind when it comes to the kids. I knew it was my anniversary,, it wasn't like I completely forgot. And my husband even remembered.
My boys had fun at the pool. They got some great gifts and loved their cake. We went to see the fireworks after and they loved it. My oldest son had seen them in Disney World about 6 months ago and hated them. He was very scared, but he enjoyed them last night. It's amazing what 6 months can do.
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Jun. 29, 2006 - Big Day Tomorrow
Tomorrow is a big day at my house. My two youngest (boys) are having their birthday party. Noah was 2 on the 16th of June and Ty will be 3 on hte 9th of July. So, technically they are both 2 right now. They are 11 months apart and it is so much fun. There was a time when it was a huge hassle, and we still have our moments, but as they each get older it gets much better.
We are having a pool party at my brother's pool. The boys love the water. They are like fish. My girls love the water now, but not when they were the boys ages.
It is a sort of sad time. I can't believe my baby is 2. Unless there is a miracle from God we will not be having any more children; my husband had surgery 2 years ago. Somedays I think I want more children and maybe we should look into adopting, but then my kids have a bad day and I change my mind. Maybe that will be different in a few years. Maybe when the kids are a little older. Right now I have a 6, 4, 3, & 2 year old. Things are a little crazy.
I have realized that an immaculate house it just not practical for me. I kill myself trying to keep this house clean. There are always toys around. We pick up the living room 3 times a day. There are usually homeschool books stacked in our dinning room/homeschool room. And the laundry...oh the laundry!!! We have lived in this house for 4 years and I think I have only been 100% caught up 1-2 times. Isn't that sad. I tell myself that I have had 3 babies in the 4 years we have been in this house and so I wasn't able to get a lot done. But I don't know if that is the real reason. I have the kids to chores, but it never seems to be enough. I am going to sit down and make some sort of schedule for keeping up with the house. Somethings has to change before school starts this fall. By the way, my house isn't nasty, it gets vacuumed every day and dusted once a week. But the clutter is overwhelming.
Well, I just needed to get this out of my head.
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Jun. 25, 2006 - I had a horrible night
I had a horrible night. My husband is working 3rd shift this week. One of the guys at work is on vacation and they asked him if he would like to take the shift. He has worked it before and loves it. It's just him and one technician so they can play any kind of music they want.
Anway, I didn't sleep very well. I never do when he is not here. I made sure all the doors and windows were locked and left some lights on all night. He likes me to do that when he is gone. But I just laid there forever.....staring at the ceiling....thinking.
Life around here has been pretty hard lately. Boy satan knows just where to push the buttons. I love my husband very much and I am sure, as Christians, satan doesn't want us to be happy and wants our marriage to fail. But, even though I know what will never happen, he pushes and pushes and pushes.
I laid there last night thinking of all the times I felt my husband has not been supportive. And where did that get me? Just mad!!! After a while I stopped and thought, "What am I doing?" I know it was satan speaking those bad thoughts about my husband. Once I realized that I began to pray that God would remind me of all the wonderful things my husband has done. It's amazing how eveything changes when you ask for help.
My husband has been working a lot lately. He has a full time job at a hospital and then works part time at another one. We recently took a course called, "Financial Peace University" by Dave Ramsey. It was one of the most amazing, eye-opening experience of our lives. We have felt very convicted to get out of debt. We accumilated a lot of debt while my husband was in graduate school. We no longer own any credit cards and all of my husbands hard work has helped pay extra on student loans and house payments. So I konw when he is away all the time it is to the betterment of our finances. But my son has changed a lot lately. He hits all the time and his mouth is horrible, and he is only 3. I wish my husband was home more to help me deal with it.
We had out bible study group last night and we all decided afetwards to go to the drive-in to see cars. It was so much fun. My kids have never been to a drive-in and I have only been once. It's just around the corner. I don't know why we don't go more. The kids had a good time and it was fun to do things with other people.
I hop everyone has had a good weekend. Time to start back into our boring week!
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Jun. 21, 2006 - Excited/Overwhelmed
I am very excited about the upcoming school year. But I am also very over whelmed. I hs my daughter in kindergarten and that was pretty easy. In Ohio, kindergarten is not required, so I didn't worry about having to meet the local schools requirements. Then for 1st grade we did one of those online charter schools. Big mistake! So now we are back to the traditional homeschooling. I have all of the materials I need, but I am just looking at the stack and thinking, "How in the world am I going to do this?"
I know I need to just pray for the strength from God. I know my husband and I are making the right decision to homeschool, so God is going to bless us. I guess I just need to trust Him more.
I know that easire sais than done, but it's true. I find myself trying to do things on my own all the time. I know I should put my trust in God and let Him have control, but I don't. Why is that? I have been a Christian since I was 7 and I still don't have it down yet. But I am learning more and more as I get older.
I have learned so much more as a wife and mother. It amazes me how as a child and as a teen I new God's promises but didn't REALLY believe them or apply them to my life. And now, I can't help to keep God in the front of my mind all day. I have taught my children the importance of surrenduring to Christ. And it's so wonderful to see them make decisions the way God would want them to.
But back to my original thought.....
My daughter has 8 subjects (Math, Reading, Science, History, Health, English, Writing and Bible) and we don't do all 8 every day. She is very excited and my husband tells me I will have no problem. I also have a 4, 3, and 2 year old that I will be working with. The 4 year old will actually do a lot of writing and pre-reading, and with the other 2 I will just reenforce the letters, numbers, shapes, colors and pre-writing. Doesn't it sound like a lot on my plate? I have a schedule made to accomodate everyone and to complete everything for the day. I know it may not always work that way and we may have to adjust as the year goes on.
Well, I need to go pray. Writing this has just made me more nervous!!!
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Jun. 13, 2006 - The Most Rewarding Job
I am truly blessed! I mean truly, truly blessed! I have a wonderful husband. A husband that wants me to stay home, that is supportive of my job at home. I have four beautiful children. Yes, they have their moments that drive me crazy, but really, I don't think I could ever ask for a better life.
When I was in Jr. High, I had to take this test that told me what I should be when I grew up. I have 3 things that tied for the same score; chef, teacher and day care director. Well, guess what? I cook 3 meals a day, homeschool my oldest while taking care of the younger 3. I told my guidence counselor that all I wanted to be was a mom and a wife. He told me that wasn't a career and I needed to seriously think about my future.
Well, I went to college. I didn't finish, but I spent 2 years there. Now I am doing exactly what I wanted. And I dare anyone to tell me this is not a career! I don't think there is a job that is more rewarding! But that is just my opinion.
There are many days I want to throw my hands up and quit. But then I look at them and see what a life, a happy life, they have and know that I am responsible for that. It doesn't matter what they wear today, whether their hair is perfect, or even of they get dressed at all. Somedays we spend the whole day in our jamies. Boy I cherish those days. Sometimes my house looks like a tornado went through. My mother would definately have something to say about that. But she is not the one raising my children. There are so many more important things for their life than whether they are dressed and living in an immaculate house.
My husband's grandfather has been in the hospital for a long time and my girls and I pray for him continually. The other day my four-year-old said, "We should pray that he gets better and if he doesn't then we would be okay because he will go to Heaven. And Heaven is a wonderful place where no one is sad or sick anymore." How wonderful is that? You know she would never have known that had I not been home with her teaching her about the love of our Lord. THIS IS A GREAT and REWARDING JOB!!!!!!
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Jun. 12, 2006 - Something Really Amazing
I have recieved all of Meredith's homeschooling material. It has taken about a month, but it is finally finished. Actually, I shouldn't say that. I haven't received the Science Tests or the English Tests, but I just ordered those the other day.
I have chosen to use A Beka and Bob Jones. She will do Math, English, Reading, History, Bible through Bob Jones and Health through A Beka. Her science is a mixture of A Beka and Bob Jones.
I have read up on many homeschooling styles. For us, the traditional, textbook way works. I have read about the unschooling. I am not a bog fan of that one. I know that it works for some, but it makes me a little nervous.
Recently I have been feeling God wanting me to serve in a new area. I currently teach 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School and sing in the worship band. But I have felt a burden for the Jr High girls. I remember what it was like. Your body is changing, hormones are all out of whack, society telling you to look a certain way and that boys are important. Those years are a pivital and the gound work should be in place so they are prepared for High School. I made a lot of mistakes in my life and those Jr High years were where those wrong ideas were put in my head.
There are two ladies in our small group that teach the youth. Last night they said they were looking for someone to teach the Jr High girls. I just about flipped. You talk about God talking directly to you. I am not sure that I am supposed to jump on it now. I am going to pray about it all day today. I have aerobics with one of those ladies tomorrow and maybe I will talk to her, depending on what God tells me today. I am excited, but taking this very slow, I don't want to make the wrong decision.
Our small group had a bonfire last night. The kids had so much fun. Have to watch four little ones (6, 4, 3, and 2) is a little nervewracking, but we have such wonderful teenagers in our group. We didn't have to worry one bit about it. They practicly took them the minute we got there.
We roasted hot dogs, made s'mores and just sat around the fire and talked about life. Sometimes you can learn so much by just being together.
Well, I need to get back to my little ones. My 2-year-old wants me to read him a book.
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Jun. 9, 2006 - My First Entry
Well, this is my first entry. I am very excited about this coming school year. I homeschooled my daughter in Kindergarten and loved it. We did the traditional, textbook homeschooling. It was so much fun. I love spending time with her. It was really neat to see all the new things she was learning and know that I was responsile for that. Then this past year, we ventured into a world where I hope to never go back.
We tried one of those virtual schools. What a big mistake! My advise to those of you looking into something of that sort...RUN, run far away. Between the constant phone calls with the teacher, the unbelievable ammount of deadlines, having to log hours every day, and constant changes, it was the worst thing ever! They gave us a laptop, curriculum and an account to get reemburssed for educational things. Well, that's the line they use. We followed all the rules and our account never had a positive balance. What a waste! I signed on to get the financial help. I would rather be in debt up to my ears than to have to go through that again. The curriculum was a joke. They used the Calvert curriculum. The curriculum is a good one, they just didn't give us the whole package. Needless to say, my daughter is behind in math. Like I said, I am so happy to be back to the traditional homeschooling.
We my daughter entered kindergarten, she was ahead of the game. At the beginning of 1st grade, still ahead. Now, BEHIND!!! We are spending the summer catching up. I am so mad!!! This is not what home schooling is supposed to be about.
I have purchased all of her books for the next year. I am using A Beka and Bob Jones. We have to get back to the Christian curriculum. I feel like I have really done a disservice to my daughter this past year. Hopefully, I can get that back.
Well, I wanted to get my first entry in. Good night all!
