Jun. 13, 2008 - in the wake....
In the wake of the tragic loss of our family pet, I decided to start puting together my son's curriculum for next year. I went to the teacher store today.... EVIL store. I could spend some BIG money there... if only I had it. LOL! I got a larg wall map of the US, a Writing Journal for Evan, and "big paper" for traceing his body for Health. (i'm going to trace his body, print out vital organs and bones, have him color them and then glue them where they belong on his paper body. fun, fun!)
I was going to buy construction paper, but i can't seem to find any packs with the color brown. Why is that?!?!?! I also continued my search for a HUGE filing cabnet. No luck so far.... at least not in the price range I was hopeing for. :( I'm still continuing to look in thrift stores and such.
Also, I'm using the LIFEPAC curriculum for Evan and the "Little Hands to Heaven" for Katie. I was wondering if anyone else was using the LIFEPAC curriculum. This was my first time having to buy a 5 subject curriculum, and all the reviews said it was good. I was just wondering if anyone had ever used it, and what the opinion on it was.
There is a lot of scanning and coppying for me to do in the next couple of weeks. (we home school through the year with only 3-4 weeks off for planning. we keep it light and fun through the summer. With a lot of hands on nature science and such.) I have the LIFEPAC work books that i'm just copying the pages out of so that I can use the same curriculum next year for my daughter. It's one of the perks of having the eldest two only 13 months a part. :D Even then, I should be able to use it for Joshua in a couple of years. :D
I have to admit.... it's kind of weird. I never knew how much the dog was a part of the family. I'm so used to her being here as "crowd control" for the kids. I really miss her. I was actually moapy today.... it was almost as if there was something missing. We have been considering becoming a part of the Dachschaund Rescue. We've been talking about this for years, since our JuJu was rescued from our landlords by us many years ago. I'm praying that God will touch my family's hearts and make the empty ache left by our loss go away.... or at least ease a little.
Most people would say it's silly.... that she was just a dog. But, JuJu was so much more to our family. And I know she was a small dog and this is going to sound NUTS, but I don't feel as safe in the house with out her here.
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Jun. 12, 2008 - Our Good Luck Charm is Gone...
Today was a sad day for the whole family. Our beloved four leged family member, JuJu, has passed away. My eldest son is beside himself. JuJu was his dog, and his best bud. And EVERYONE knows that a boy and his dog have a special bond.
The rest of the family feels the pain of the loss... Just not like Evan. JuJu's puppy, Molly (now 3yo) moaps around the house whining. The cat, Tiger (who think's he's a dog) is hiding in my closet. Katie and Joshua spent the majority of the day crying. The DH cried with the kids, and I have taken the time to mourn the family loss as well.
We picked JuJu up when we were stationed in VA. Our landlords were VERY abusive to the little weiner-dog, and I couldn't take it. So, I bought the dog from them for a small sum, and surprised my hubbie when he came home from an underway period. I was pregnant with Evan at the time, and everyone was concerned. They thought that a dog that was abused as badly as JuJu had been might have adjustment issues, and might not be good with a new baby.
BOY OH BOY! They were WRONG! As soon as our son was home from the hospital, JuJu claimed him. She would tuck him in with her snout, and try to nurse him. As Evan got older, and started crawling/walking, the dog would pull him by the diaper away from any danger. She wouldn't allow our landlords near him. She fought off stray dogs (BIG ONES!) with out a thought of her own life. She did this with all three of our kids. However, she was more of a little momma to Evan.
The Lord blessed us with this dog for seven years... and I wouldn't trade a single one of them. It was the best money I have EVER spent. I see no replacement for our little good luck charm. Perhaps MUCH further down the road. But, for now, our hearts ache too much for our little doxie. Anyone who has pets know how they can get under your skin and become family before you know it.
Please pray for my kids, who suffor greatly from this loss. Please pray for poor Evan. He had such faith that God would heal his puppy. His faith is still good, but his little heart is broken. And he has a thousand questions about God, and Heaven.
I think that there is a place in eternity for our pets and other creatures. It may not be "Heaven" but it does say that God takes account of every creature here on earth. And for a God to put such care into what he creates, and love it SO much, there might just be a place. After all, Angels have no soul, but they live in eternity. Maybe it's just me being a little crazy. However, I told my children that JuJu was just on loan to us. That God needed her back, and He's taking good care of her. That we know that for a fact because HE loves her more than we ever could. Surely that isn't wrong to tell my kids. I just hope we are pleasently surprised when we get to heaven. After all, the bible says: Corinthians 13:9
"Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture!" NLT
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Jun. 10, 2008 - What can I say?!?!?! LOL!
I thought I would share another brilliant moment in my mothering a daughter. I was watching a home video with my daughter of when my youngest was born. We had my dad and my dula drive in from out of state and we had a "pre-delivery" party.
Everything was going fine. My daughter was so excited to see herself in the video, and she laughed at how funny I looked being "fat." Then, toward the end of the movie, it happened. My water broke as I was going up the stairs and my best friend/dula had cought it on tape as she was walking behind me.
Katie looked at me, open mouthed. There are no words to tell you how shocked her expression was. She, looked back at the TV and then back at me. Somewhere, somehow, something connected in her little brain. Her brow was in that thoughtfull pose and she said: "MOMMY! You said BIG GIRLS didn't PEE their pants!!!"
I just about died laughing! What could I say?!?!?! LOL!!!
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May. 26, 2008 - I could use some help....
I could use some information/help with home schooling my soon to be 1st grader. We have chosen Lifepac curriculum. We are a military family, and we have recently moved to the state of NJ. I can't seem to find the information I need about if I have to pay a teacher to "grade" my child's portfolio, and where does my child the take state tests/if my child is required to take state tests. I have "googled" the information, but I either come up with nothing, or I get "run-around's." Is there someone that can help me out. Since Kindergarden isn't a "required" grade, this is the first time i've been concerned with any of these things, and i'm in "uncharted waters," so to speak. I would appreciate any help.
