• Nov. 8, 2009
Weekly Wrap-Up
If you would like to join the Weekly Wrap-Up please visit My Heart’s Desire (link on the left).
From the Heart: Another week of ups and downs for me. I am beginning to think this is the new normal but I’m not willing to accept that!
The major down was on Wednesday when I received a call from the facility my dad is living in to inform me that he had fallen in the night. Stubborn reasons: won’t use his cane and he won’t call for staff assistance. Thankfully he did not have major injury, just the typical strained and sore muscles. However, I did have to arrange a doctor visit to make sure and that meant x-rays of his back as well. Wouldn’t have been as bad if dad hadn’t chosen to just be a miserable grump the entire time we were with him. I was so ready to just explode but I held my tongue! The kids were once again placed in a situation I did not want them to be, but that afternoon I did not have a choice. I did cancel his leg ultrasound appointment that was scheduled for Monday the 9th because he doesn’t want to have it done and I was done with being the whipping post.
The major up is that we managed to surprise the kids with both Ellsworth and Jolie (basset hounds) on Friday afternoon. The breeder made us an incredibly generous offer to take both of them and reluctantly Tim and I agreed. Neither of us really wanted the responsibility again so soon yet at the same time we both wanted the loveable creatures with us. Ellsworth is 7 ½ months old and a bundle of energy. Jolie is 3 years old and content to lie down somewhere and watch the happenings. They are both crate trained so that has made their transition easier. Anyway, it was fun seeing the children’s faces just light up when they realized what was happening.
The kids with both dogs.
Jolie
Ellsworth
With the Lord: So how many weeks can I say “I’m not there yet”? I’ve got my chronological Bible on the bed stand and plan to begin that (again) tonight. We will be beginning a new Max Lucado study on Wednesday nights so I need to be praying for time to do the homework required to really get more out of it.
As Wife/Mom: I woke up Saturday with a horrible sore throat and a cough. Reminiscent of my pre-allergy drop days. A cold that comes and goes every few weeks. I do have an appointment with the doctor on Tuesday so will manage through it until then. I am tired of not feeling well!
My “must do” for the coming week is to get our meal plan in place. Just makes things go smoother in that area.
I also need to work on a new chore list for the kids. With the two younger dogs in the house there are more things that will need done each day.
In the Schoolroom: Was wonderful having a full week of schoolwork accomplished by Punkin’. She did a great job! I do need to look into a different spelling program as the one with Horizons is just not working. It’s good, but I’m guessing it is the randomness of it that isn’t working. Maybe something sequential would be better. Advice???
Sweetie Boy is still pretty much stalled on Reading. I can get him through his penmanship and math most days, but haven’t touched the reading. I stopped at a curriculum place in the neighboring town last week and picked up a number 2 ½ Explode the Code and a set of Bob Books to try with him this week. Just don’t want him to lose what he’s learned and since he loves drawing and colors he may enjoy ETC because he can color it all up as he works.
We also began our Kings, Queens & Castles unit and that has been fun so far. We're reading "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins" and then the kids are drawing pictures from each section we read. We shopped for costumes and Punkin' chose a queen naturally. Sweetie Boy decided he would be a guard so he bought a plastic sword. He wouldn't let me take his picture though. Crazy boy! Since the "queen" photo she has taken the gown to grandma's and they've modified it so it fits her better. Very fun!
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Oct. 31, 2009
Weekly Wrap-Up
If you would like to join the Weekly Wrap-Up please visit My Heart's Desire.
From the Heart: I must admit I’ve been up and down all week long. I am longing for a week where I can control what changes our schedule instead of the other way around.
This past week appeared to be going well and then it all changed about 3 a.m. on Wednesday. Punkin’ was up sick. The entire day was just “out of control” as she was throwing up again about 9 a.m. just as I needed to be walking out the door for my doctor appointment. I managed to get an appointment for her at a time where I could just make it home, gather the kids and go. Didn’t happen. I needed to stay and have a dose of C put in my system so dh ended up having to take Punkin’ to the doctor. We finally met up again about noon. The verdict was fluid on the inner ear which explained the throwing up and pain. She’s still having pain so I’m praying another day or two of Dimetapp Cold/Allergy will keep an infection at bay.
These events in turn changed other plans such as our family trip to Colorado. There was no way Punkin’ could experience the altitude changes this trip would involve. Her ear could not be subjected to “popping.” So after much debate the boys headed out on Friday morning and the girls stayed home.
Maybe this week will be different. No doctor appointments on the horizon and no illness to keep us from accomplishing schoolwork. I’ll let you know next weekend how it goes!
With the Lord: Again, I’m just not where I want to be. I do keep thinking all the craziness I’m feeling (such as described above) would not be so troublesome if I were in a better place with the Lord. My next stop after writing this wrap-up is going to be with Him.
As Wife/Mom: The hubby and I were actually able to get away for a couple of hours on Thursday again as both kids were well enough to go to grandma’s for the first time in two weeks. We enjoyed a matinee showing of “The Time Travelers Wife.”
I have enjoyed my one-on-one time with Punkin’ this weekend. Friday we spent much time cleaning her room and figuring out what types of containers were needed to make putting away toys and activities easier. It looks great in there now! I also splurged and bought a Barbie Thumbelina DVD for her to watch and a new board game for us to play. Also found Pet Shop Monopoly on sale so we picked that up too. Total “spoil the girl” day, but that rarely happens so I enjoyed it as much as she did. Today (Saturday) we enjoyed a live performance of Beauty and the Beast. When we knew she was going to be missing out on the trip Tim and I decided this would be a special treat for her. It was done very well for a local music theater production. Tonight we played more Monopoly and then watched Parent Trap together before she headed to bed.
I must admit I am enjoying the break from Sweetie Boy as it had been a rugged couple of weeks with him during his current growth spurt and attitude towards school work. Praying I’ll be refreshed and ready to go with him again on Tuesday!
The kids keep asking about a new dog and as way of an update we will not be getting the dog from Kentucky as they were able to secure him a good home locally. Easier for everyone that way. We have been talking with the breeder we had purchased Shelby from and plan to take a "field trip" to visit this individual and love on her basset hounds. We are trying to decide what to do as she does have a 7 month old male named Ellsworth and a 3 year old female named Jolie that need homes. We had thought of waiting until spring/summer and get a puppy from one of her litters instead. I'm sort of thinking an older one that is already trained somewhat would be nicer for me as the one that is home all day.
In the Schoolroom: Yet another week of “not so much accomplished” in this area. Punkin’ pretty much was done on Tuesday and Sweetie Boy didn’t do a bit of his reading work (not worth the fight) but did keep up on his math and writing. I have a full week planned for both of them and with any ounce of luck we’ll get back on track!
Our “together school” was hit and miss all week but we did have fun early in the week doing experiments with rocks and dirt, classifying rocks and learning about the different rocks with the help of Usborne sticker books on Rocks and Minerals. The coming week we are going to start our “Kings & Queens” unit and it should last at least three weeks. My plan is to finish up in time to have a week of doing fun Thanksgiving crafts.
(3 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Oct. 24, 2009
Weekly Wrap-Up (10-24-09)
If you would like to join the Weekly Wrap-Up please visit My Heart's Desire.
From the Heart: Sadness hit our home on Monday. Our sweet Shelby dog was not doing well by morning so we dropped her off at the vet first thing so he could have a look at her. The tumors had doubled in size since the exploratory surgery less than a week earlier and her lungs were squished so her breathing was very labored and unfortunately a bit painful. The tumor near the back end was also beginning to pinch off her blood veins so she was on track for paralysis. As I’m sure you’ve concluded, we did put her down that afternoon.
Our home is quiet without a basset roaming around! We have been looking into some options for another one and have two in the works. One is with a rescue in Kentucky and they are trying to decide if they can actually transport this far. We also have been emailing with the breeder we got Shelby from 13 years ago and she has a 7 month old little guy that is adorable. We’ll see!
With the Lord: Once again this area is lacking and I’m not entirely happy about that. I have spent time reading my Bible and working through some of my Bible study along with planning Sunday School for the K class. (I am filling in tomorrow.) This is not enough! The only way I will be able to hear Him is to be listening so that time is definitely a priority.
As Wife/Mom: I can honestly say I feel as though I just kept things running at home, but not as well as I would have liked. I’ve had to resolve within myself that it was okay and to just let it go and get those meal plans and chore charts in place for the coming week.
One thing that I am not quite sure how to tackle is Sweetie Boy’s white lies and intentional “hiding” of things that he knows are not right. I think the words “God tells us not to lie and to obey our parents” are heard and sent out the other ear at this point he’s heard them so often. Any ideas on helping to change this behavior would be welcomed.
We had a fun time tonight at the annual pumpkin carving party that friends from church host. I go as the family photographer while dh assists in the carving. Punkin’s was a tribute to Shelby and Sweetie Boy created a face. They are both cute.
In the Schoolroom: Punkin’ got in a full week of lessons and did great. Two 100% marks for math and spelling tests! Sweetie Boy on the other hand did not even get through two full days worth of lessons. His focus was just completely gone all week and I wasn’t going to fight it and make him hate doing the work. He’s only five and wouldn’t even be allowed in a public classroom due to his birth date so I have no issue slowing down to meet him where he is right now. The length of the stories he is to read has increased so much that I’m already thinking we are going to stretch one day of reading work through the entire week. Then maybe we can keep the math and penmanship going each day.
We finished up our “Tree for all Seasons” on Friday and the kids have enjoyed filling up those branches with their ornaments. We also did a few fall craft projects so spent one morning collecting leaves at the park. It was a great time except for the killer geese that chased us and tried to bite. One actually got me on the arm as I was trying to get her away from Punkin. Broke skin through my jacket!
This coming week we need to begin a new “together school” unit and think I’ll go ahead and get the Rocks & Minerals one ready to go for Monday even though we only have four days this week. (Another quick trip.)
(4 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Oct. 18, 2009
Weekly Wrap-Up (10-18-09)
If you would like to join the Weekly Wrap-Up please visit My Heart's Desire.
From the Heart: An absolutely wonderful time was spent with my girlfriend at Women of Faith last weekend. I truly needed the time to just be away from “the stuff that bogs one down” and just be with God and about 10,000 other women praising His wonderful name! As always there is at least one speaker that appears to be speaking right at you and I took away further reminders that worry does not gain us a thing. When we worry we are not putting our full trust in God. That statement really hit me where I’m living!
One thing that is making me a little sad is that our dog (she’s 13) has lymphoma and we may have 2-4 months left with her. We’ve had a rough dog year as the other two bassets died within three weeks of each other this spring.
With the Lord: I must admit with my crazy schedule this past week I have not been in the Word as I should be and I notice when that happens. Things just seem to get a bit more out of control…or should I say out of His control and into my own. This week…back to my weekly Bible study and also reading my daily devotion book that I purchased at the conference. Those will be a starting place!
As Wife and Mom: I actually spent three solid days with my family away from our daily routine and it was wonderful. We were all coughing thanks to the colds we’ve been sporting for weeks, but we did it together! LOL We had a great time in Portland, OR visiting the zoo and the children’s museum. The first day of travel we did stop at Multnomah Falls and enjoyed hiking there even though it was raining off and on.
In the Schoolroom: School? What’s that? We did manage to get a full day in on the 12th but that’s been it since the 7th. Sweetie Boy kept up with his assignments on the 8th but Punkin’ was just too sick. I’ve been working at rescheduling their independent work so we’re ready to try again this week.
We were supposed to be starting our study on Rocks this week but we’re also behind with our Seasons (sequencing) study. Will just see what happens and rearrange further down the road with the planned units. Our Tree for all Seasons is really beginning to look full as we’ve made it through July with decorations.
I also gave them a homework assignment with their dad on the 6th to create a paper solar system while I was gone to Mom’s Night (Friday School group). I figured I’d come home to taped up circles in the hallway, but instead I find a huge mobile hanging from the beam with planets hanging down. I had forgotten one thing….dad was leading the project!
Have five more weeks left leading Sharks at Friday School. This week will be studying different characteristics of sharks and comparing them to fish. Going quickly so I bst figure out something for the next eight week session that begins in January.
(4 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Oct. 3, 2009
Weekly Wrap-Up
From the Heart: I know I’m supposed to be wrapping up the past week, but at this time I am beginning to look forward to the coming week. I will be on a plane with a very precious girlfriend headed to our annual Women of Faith weekend getaway. I can’t think of a better place to be for feeding my spirit and spending much needed time with a sister in Christ. I feel this time is needed more this year than in the past and I know that’s because I’m just beat down after the past month or so dealing with my dad’s situation.
I also love this time of year. My favorite! The cooling of the temperature, the beauty of fall and a lot less lawn mowing. (Yep…I’m smiling about that one!)
With the Lord: Psalm 34 (I’ll let you go read it for yourself!) has been beside me since ladies Bible study on Wednesday. We are picking apart Psalm 23 and this week we were looking at the verse that talks about walking through the shadow of death. What wisdom is spread throughout this passage in regards to His faithfulness to us during the difficult times.
As Wife and Mom: I felt much more in touch with the family this past week than I have for several weeks. I am thankful that things are getting to a “normal” place again after all the chaos of the past month. Just the flip of the calendar page brought peace instead of stress as it looks empty.
The kids have both been nursing colds again this week and I was actually able to double up on doctor appointments Thursday. The kids told their daddy that “we were in a car race today.” What happened? We took my dad for his cardiologist appointment at 10. Prior to that I had phoned and miraculously got on our very busy pediatrician’s schedule for 11. His office is directly at the opposite end of the building on the same floor. We were done in plenty of time so I told dad to just stay put while we checked Punkin’ in for her appointment. I found out that the pediatrician was 30-40 minutes behind so we made a dash for it and took dad back to his “home” and headed back. We only had to wait for five minutes to get in with the doctor. Worked out pretty well and I promise--I went the speed limit! Anyway, Punkin’ did have a sinus infection so she’s now on antibiotics. I’m going to call my doctor on Monday as I realized I’ve been nursing my cold for over a month now. Betting I have the same issue.
Sweetie Boy threw us off guard once this week by proclaiming “I wish I did not belong to this family.” Not exactly sure what brought that statement to light other than he’d had fun at a friends house and it may have seemed a lot more lively that day than our “boring” place. He’s since told us that he loves us and has been content to stay with us.
In the Schoolroom: We had a great week with our “together school” (KONOS) as we continued our study on sequencing. We made hearts for February, shamrocks for March and umbrellas for April to hang on the Tree for all Seasons. W read about George Washington’s teeth and learned about Abraham Lincoln’s love of books. We learned about St. Valentine and St. Patrick. We read a wonderful book to learn why we have night and day. Made it so easily understood for two young children!
Our Friday School group began the first week of classes and I am leading the K-3 group in a study about sharks. For the first lesson I gave them a verbal quiz to see what they thought they knew about them. Was pretty funny! We also got the lapbooks decorated on the front to individualize them and then studied about the shark as The Perfect Hunter. I think it will be a fun study for them and it isn’t hard to fill eight weeks.
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Sep. 27, 2009
Weekly Wrap-Up
If you would like to join the Weekly Wrap-Up please visit My Heart's Desire.
From the Heart: Today I have realized that I am just sad. I am so thankful that God orchestrated a wonderful assisted living place for my dad, but I’m just sad. Sad because of where his anxiety and/or depression is leading him -- a dark place. So hard to dig out of once you’re there. I am praying and working at finding peace with the situation instead of the sadness, but I’m struggling.
With the Lord: I have been faithful to my daily Bible reading and am enjoying the Chronological Bible very much. I have not devoted the time that I want to for the Wednesday Bible study and have not begun my Kay Arthur study, but there were so many pulls on my time this past week. No excuse. Just a fact.
I am still so thankful to God for His provisions with dad and am standing amazed of His faithfulness to me even though my dad is not a practicing believer. I don’t know what’s in his heart as far as God is concerned so I’m not going to say that God hasn’t been working on him because I know He is able.
As Wife/Mom: I am so happy that more time is being spent at home with the kids and my husband instead of being pulled so much to care centers and dealing with my dad’s “stuff.”
My daily devotion time with Punkin’ has been a blessing. We began this together little over a week ago and it has been a wonderful time of just spending time together and guiding her thoughts about living a life pleasing to Christ.
Both kids have chosen to have little colds so much time spent handing out the Tylenol. Also has made me step up my Neti-Pot to keep those germs away! I do not want to be sick for Women of Faith on Oct. 9!
Went with Sweetie Boy to his Kindergarten class at church this morning. We’ve held him out since mid-summer due to several things. A couple of our reasons: emotional readiness (such a follower and he barely turned 5) and the other the behaviors that were coming home because he is a follower. Our plan is to allow him to go to class once each month and I will stay in as a helper so I can see any changes with him. Today we had a long couple of hours as he tried on some of the behaviors. We hadn’t missed that the past month or so!
In the Schoolroom: I could begin with all the things that haven’t been accomplished yet, but there was so much that was so I’m choosing to dwell there today.
Other than the routine math, reading, spelling and writing work we finished up our construction segment regarding sequencing and moved on to the calendar and seasons. Our first “must do” was create our Tree for all Seasons. We found some tree branches from the black walnut that looked like they would work and then we mixed plaster and got the branches secured. We began with January so had to make snowflakes! This will be a fun project to keep up as we study events and people that have something to do with each month.
We had a great time at the field trip on Wednesday with other home school families and it was definitely worth the effort on my part to coordinate. One particularly fun thing I learned later from my dh is that the guide who had the two older groups said they pushed him with their questions. There were some he really had to dig for answers as he just couldn’t remember!
Friday School was just another social day for my kids. They had fun playing and eating lunch together as did the mom’s! We begin classes this coming Friday. I still don’t have my outline for what I’m going to do regarding the K-3 Shark class! I’ve been trying to dig up a video that dh can assist in showing during the second day of classes as I will be gone to Women of Faith.
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Sep. 19, 2009
Week Wrap-Up
If you would like to join the Weekly Wrap-Up please visit My Heart's Desire.
From the Heart: Very thankful that this was a more normal week for us as a family. We only went to the care center on Monday and then there was one more appointment to sign papers with the assisted living place on Friday afternoon. Thankfully on Friday I was able to drop the kids off with their daddy so they didn’t have to go along and be bored. Nice to have a week where I didn’t feel guilty about spreading myself so thin with the kids!
With the Lord: I’ve been praising God all week for his provision where dad’s care is concerned and after having a momentary lapse of allowing myself to doubt and worry I turned it all back over to Him and got out of the way. Friday morning I finally received a call from the new asst. living place that they were going to take dad and would like to plan on moving him Wednesday. Was never happier to write a $450 check in my life! God is so good!!!
I splurged and bought a One-Year Chronological Bible and it arrived on Friday. Great day for God things in our house! I began reading it that night and am enjoying this new journey. I also purchased a study by Kay Arthur on the names of God. Haven’t begun it yet.
As Wife/Mom: Hey…we had food on the table this week instead of eating out so much! That’s an accomplishment compared to the past three weeks.
I bought Punkin’ a devotion book for girls and we have begun spending time together each day with that. Just seemed like the right time as she’s been dealing with another emotional growth spurt. They are so rough on her! Wanted to remind her somehow to trust God when she is scared, upset, anxious, etc.
I took lots of new pictures of the kids too as my new camera finally arrived. That's a mom thing, right?
In the Schoolroom: Friday was a train wreck as far as actually getting school work accomplished. I did get Sweetie Boy through his lessons but Punkin’ has some work before her for tomorrow night. Hasn’t finished her writing, math or reading! Yikes! What happened? We began Friday School so we were gone from 10-1 and then I had to head over for the paperwork at 2:30 and didn’t get home until almost 4:30. You get the picture! I had hoped she’d take my hint and at least work on the writing while I was gone, but she didn’t.
We had a fun first week studying sequencing and will continue with that as we didn’t get finished with our building project or the book teaching how to build a house from blueprints on up.
I also need to plan for a week without Wednesday lessons as I am coordinating home school field trips that day at the Waste Water plant and then we will be moving dad to the new place. Will barely have time for supper and getting to church by 6. Gotta love the flexibility of homeschooling!
(2 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Sep. 12, 2009
Weekly Wrap-Up
If you would like to join the Weekly Wrap-Up please visit My Heart's Desire.
From the Heart Yet another busy week attending to things concerning dad, but I glimpsed a few moments where the day had a sense of normalcy--or at least what used to be normal for us as a family. That was encouraging to me! I believe God has led me to an Assisted Living facility and will know whether we can begin making preparation to move dad by Tuesday afternoon. I came home Friday without a solid answer from the nursing staff and I must admit I stressed for a time and then I just stopped and told myself that God had placed this in our path over the past week and He will bring us through to the end so "get out of the way girl!" I am also trying hard to let the need to be in control of the Medicaid application process go into the hands of our most capable Father. So many little things can trip me up. Another praise is that his apartment is boxed up and we have help lined up for Monday or Tuesday evening to move everything out. That will leave cleaning and I can check that big "to do" off my list of extras!
I am making strides with my new gluten- and dairy-free lifestyle. Still not thrilled about it, but am seeing progress. My doctor visit on Wednesday offered a great massage and much relief to some stressed shoulders! How's this for a wonderful prescription? "Monthly or Bi-Monthly Massage is a must."
With the Lord Began the study based on principles from Psalm 23 on Wednesday. Had a hard time finding time to really spend on the lesson this past week, but plan to make it a priority for this week. I also ordered a new Bible that should be arriving by Tues/Wed. I've been wanting a Chronological Bible to read through so that was a gift to myself.
The countdown is on for Women of Faith. 26 days! My good friend Janette and I have flown to Portland, OR the past five years and Seattle before that to attend. Precious girlfriend time and time just focusing on God.
As Wife/Mom Am noticing that my daughter is trying to deal with the pulls on my time due to my dad's situation. She has had a hard time getting to sleep at night and the past 3-4 nights she wakes up after sleeping for about 1 1/2 hours crying and shouting out "Mommie, where are you? Mommie? Mommie!" Just breaks my heart.
I am also finding myself a bit shorter on patience and I know it is just from being pulled in too many directions.
I wil be spending some 1:1 time with Sweetie Boy on Sunday mornings as we have pulled him from the classroom environment and I resigned as the Kindergarten teacher. Seems odd not planning for that, but what great timing with everything that has been going on in my life. God is good! I have the materials they are using so he will get the same story from the 2nd hour class and we'll do some little craft stuff together. We'll just find a quiet spot to be and then he will just come with me to the adult class and draw or color. Considering taking him to the K class once each month but I would go with him so I could observe how he is doing and how the 13 other boys are operating.
In the Schoolroom We finished up our brief astronomy study and will begin working with our KONOS material on Monday. We will be starting with sequencing which uses building houses, etc., as the example of needing to do things in order. I think it will be fun. dh is supposed to be coming up with a hands-on building project for the kids to help him with.
Punkin' is still fussing about penmanship but she does a great job. She's doing Grade 3 cursive so it does push her a bit since she's only 7.
Sweetie Boy continues to try and get out of certain things that I'm asking him to do. Mainly when it is practicing the formation of letters. The appearance is "I've done this once before...I don't need to do it anymore." Hmmmmm For a boy that would not meet the age requirement for public school Kindergarten...he's doing very well. I love that we can teach to their abilities instead of their age!
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Sep. 5, 2009
Weekly Wrap-Up
Have a few minutes on my hands so thought I would get this done. If you're interested in joining this visit the following site and follow the directions: My Heart's Desire
From the Heart: Another tough week. Dad chose to call 911 again on Monday and this time the doctor would not release him to his independent apartment. I have spent much of this week running back and forth between the care center he is now “living” in and getting paperwork, medicines, etc. coordinated. It just saddens me that it has come to this because he is so healthy physically. This is nerves plain and simple that he can’t keep hold of because he “wants someone to take care of him.” My prayers were answered with this outcome because there was nothing else I could do for him and God orchestrated it all beautifully on Monday. This week I am praying that he will get better with the new anxiety medications and that I will be able to find an assisted living place for him sooner rather than later.
With the Lord: Am starting a new study on Psalm 23 (and other scriptures) for the Wednesday night ladies study at church. Still would like to begin a Women of Faith study just for me, but it may have to wait until my load lightens a bit. I have been doing a lot more praying and praising with the current situation!
As Wife/Mom: Once again another week of feeling horribly insufficient. I’ve been giving lots of hugs and loves to the kids as they’ve been drug along to appointments and such at the care center all week long. Was thankful they were back on schedule with grandma and pop-pop’s house so they could just have 5 hours of fun, fun, fun on Thursday.
My birthday is today (9/5) and the kids took me to Burger King for lunch and this afternoon we’re going camera shopping. Can’t wait as this current digital camera has been horrible. Thought it would be better since it was a Nikon but it has not.
We’ve also been having “home ec” this weekend as we are canning pears and peaches. The kids work with us side-by-side and the work goes so much quicker. Today we managed 32 quarts of pears! Monday we will tackle the remaining pears (just 3-4 quarts) and the peaches (about 20 quarts).
(2 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Aug. 29, 2009
Weekly Wrap-Up
This is my first time joining in with Weekly Wrap-Up and I am looking forward to this journaling opportunity to help keep me focused on my priorities! If you're interested in joining this visit the following site and follow the directions: My Heart's Desire
From the Heart: This has been a tough week. We came back from a wonderful vacation to find my dad near a nervous breakdown. I've spent much time going back and forth between my home and his apartment, taking him to doctor appointments and tests and feeling like I need to get back in touch with my own life. I am just praying that some of the natural changes I've presented to him will help.
With the Lord: I am finishing up a Beth Moore study on Daniel and I kept reminding myself all week that I do not want to live in selfish Babylon! This alone has kept me going with some choices I had to make in what to do for/with my dad. Will begin a Women of Faith study on my own this week to keep in the Word, but any suggestions for a wonderful personal study would be appreciated.
As Wife/Mom: I have felt horribly insufficient. I know there are times that we can't do the things that we usually do or want to do, but the feeling remains. I'm just hugging on everyone more and making sure they know I appreciate how they've gone along with all the craziness due to grandpa this past week. Throughout all of this I did manage to put a very cute Wall-E birthday cake together to celebrate Sweetie Boys 5th birthday today (Saturday). I love you, buddy!
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Aug. 29, 2009
Trust Me
While I was waiting at the hospital on Thursday for dad to be finished with his heart stress test I happened across this daily devotion lying on a table. God is so good to place just what we need before us if we pay attention!
Trust Me in the midst of a messy day. Your inner calm--your Peace in my Presence--need not be shaken by what is going on around you. Though you live in this temporal world, your innermost being is rooted and grounded in eternity. When you start to feel stressed, detach yourself from the disturbances around you. Instead of desperately striving to maintain order and control in your little world, relax and remember that circumstances cannot touch My Peace.
Seek My face, and I will share My mind with you, opening your eyes to see things from My perspective. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid. The Peace I give is sufficient for you.
John 16:33; Psalm 105:4; John 14:27
This picture is of a place within the Colorado National Monument where I would drive to when I was needing to get away from everything and have a good cry, need to think decisions through, etc. I miss this place very much and had such peace when we stopped there on our drive this past vacation. "My place" now has a guardrail and is much too visible to all travelers now, but I am thankful for the time God gave me to have this spot to meet with Him alone for several years. I think I need a new place and I don't know where that might be!
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Aug. 12, 2009
The School Year Is Planned!
Always feels good to have the year mapped out! Here's the plan:
Horizons for reading, writing, spelling and math.
KONOS unit studies for everything else.
Astronomy & Constellations (non-KONOS...just putting something together)
Planets/Moon/Calendars/Seasons
Rock Classification
Kings & Queens
Military
Christmas
Crime & Punishment
Plant Classification
Valentine
Indians
Easter
Explorers/Navigation/Ships
For the summer I am hoping CurrClick.com has a couple more "Continental Hop" units completed as the kids have enjoyed those. We've skimmed the surface on Africa, Australia and S. America so far. Very fun.
We also do a few things around the Iditarod each year. We have our map showing the odd/even trails and choose two mushers to follow each day. Always fun! We were able to take advantage of a field trip to visit our vet this year as he was a volunteer and he shared photos and answered questions.
Will also throw in some generic arts/crafts when the unit doesn't call for as many as my kids love to be making something.
(2 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jul. 29, 2009
Missionary to Africa?
Now, how did this thought come into my life? Two days ago my daughter (7 1/2) told me that she dreamed God wanted her to be a missionary in Africa. I just told her we would definitely have to be in prayer about that as a family. When I told the hubby about it he shared that he has always had a dream of being in mission work of some sort and he wants to explore Africa. How come I didn't know that in 26 years of marriage?! Today dd told me God told her the reason she needs to go is because there are so many there that don't know Him.
I have never, and I repeat never, had the dream to be on the mission field. Travel maybe...but mission field...no. I did pray last night that God needs to reveal His desire in all of this to me. I just don't know what to do other that that.
How does one even begin to research going into the mission field? (big sigh)
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jul. 22, 2009
On the road to gluten- and dairy-free...
...we took a field trip to the Co-op in the neighboring town (a 30 minute trip one way) to see what we could find that wasn't carried in the regular grocery stores. The kids' goal was to find something they thought was really "Ugly Bugly" since that is what they nicknamed this particular store as they viewed many items. Here is what they chose.
Sweetie Boy had the winner--smoked Tofurkey hotdogs. They just looked nasty!
Punkin' chose the Tofu-Ella cheese. I think this seemed awful to her after she'd felt the tofu packages and learned what they were all about AND her daddy makes the best goat cheese so who would think this was good.
So we made a long trip enjoyable. Only came home with some chicken seasoning, rice crackers, Greek Hummous and some adorable bunny grahams (those are for the kids). This trip to gluten- and dairy-free living is something else!
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jul. 8, 2009
Photo Tag
I thought this sounded like fun when I stopped by Leslie's blog.
If you want to do it this is what you should do:
1. Go to Your Pictures on your computer
2. Go to the 8th folder
3. Go to the 8th picture
4. Post that picture on your blog and the story behind it
Have fun!!!
Pretty self explanatory isn't it? My 8th folder was "Easter" and then I chose the first folder inside that of "2006" and then the 8th picture. This makes the kids 4 and 1 1/2! Punkin' was enjoying her first year of getting to dye eggs by herself while dad just hung onto Sweetie Boy to keep him from cracking all the eggs as he toddled by. Fun memories.
If you choose to do this, please let me know!
(2 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jul. 5, 2009
Keep on Learning!
Here's the reason we homeschool! These two beautiful creations from God are worth it!!
Summer just keeps going and thankfully I have been able to spend a lot of time entering lesson plans into my tracking/planner program. Feels so good to be so far ahead of the game this year!! Both kids will be using Alpha Omega's Horizons for Reading, Writing and Math and we will mostly use KONOS for our "together school" that covers everything else. We will begin with the Obedience Unit.
Currently we are still working through our Art Treasury book and we just began our South America "Continental Hop." Am having both the kids use the Usborne palette to work on things such as vowel sounds, beginning reading and math concepts. Gotta keep the learning going!
(3 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jun. 15, 2009
Avercamp Artwork
Another fun day copying an artists style! This is from Hendrick Avercamp and he used watercolors.
Punkin's above and Sweetie Boy's below.
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jun. 14, 2009
The Angels are Rejoicing!
More people have professed their love for Christ and have followed His command to be baptized. My dear, sweet daughter was one of those.
The church we attend had a very nice picnic/baptism service out at the lake and the storm held off for the event. Punkin' said, "God is making sure the rain doesn't come until later mommie." I think she might have been right! She wanted the Children's Pastor (Sara) to be the one to baptize her and one of her best friends (Grace) was also baptized at the service.
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jun. 14, 2009
The Threat
PARENTALRIGHTS.ORG
The right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children has been recognized and upheld for centuries. But there are dark clouds on the horizon.
Today parental rights are coming under assault from federal judges who deny or refuse to recognize these rights. Adding further danger to the child-parent relationship, international law seeking to undermine the parental role is advancing on the horizon. Together, these threats are converging to create a "perfect storm" that looms over the child-parent relationship.
In the early 1980s, a landmark parental rights case reached the Washington State Supreme Court. The case involved 13-year-old Sheila Marie Sumey, whose parents were alarmed when they found evidence of their daughter's participation in illegal drug activity and escalating sexual involvement. Their response was to act immediately to cut off the negative influences in their daughter's life by grounding her.
But when Sheila went to her school counselors complaining about her parent's actions, she was advised that she could be liberated from her parents because there was "conflict between parent and child." Listening to the advice she had received, Sheila notified Child Protective Services (CPS) about her situation. She was subsequently removed from her home and placed in foster care.
Her parents, desperate to get their daughter back, challenged the actions of the social workers in court. They lost. Even though the judge found that Sheila's parents had enforced reasonable rules in a proper manner, the state law nevertheless gave CPS the authority to split apart the Sumey family and take Sheila away.1
DANGEROUS PRECEDENT
Parental rights are under attack in our nation, with the first threat originating from within the federal court system. As this story illustrates, a growing disregard for parental rights has been spreading within the courts of our nation.
Across the country, many judges are beginning to deny the vital role of parents in the lives of their children, instead inserting the government into a "parental" role in a child's life. This dangerous assertion is leading to the severance of the child-parent relationship in numerous instances across the nation—removals that cause unnecessary pain to both children and their parents.
A thirteen-year-old boy in Washington State was removed from his parents after he complained to school counselors that his parents took him to church too often. His school counselors had encouraged him to call Child Protective Services with his complaint, which led to his subsequent removal and placement in foster care. It was only after the parents agreed to a judge's requirement of less-frequent church attendance that they were able to recover their son.2
HANGING BY A THREAD
Not all judges hold a low view of parental rights. Some, like Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, believe that parental rights are among the "inalienable rights" of Americans enumerated in the Declaration of Independence but they are finding it increasingly difficult to rule in favor of parental rights when it is not explicitly included in the language of the Constitution.
In Troxel v. Granville, the last major parental rights case heard by the Supreme Court, Scalia himself voted to deny parental rights the status of an enforceable constitutional right. And other federal court judges are following in his footsteps, citing a mounting belief that no right can be protected by the federal courts unless explicitly stated in the Constitution.
The dwindling support for parental rights found on the federal level has opened the door to a growing, blatant disregard of parental rights within the lower courts of our nation. Parental rights violations are on the increase across the country, as courts exchange parental involvement for government control in the lives of America's children.
The right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is hanging by a thread.
A West Virginia mother was shocked when a local circuit judge and a family court judge ordered her to share custody of her four-year-old daughter with two of the girl’s babysitters. Referring to the sitters as "psychological co-parents," the justices first awarded full custody to them, only permitting the mother to visit her daughter four times a week at McDonalds. Eventually she was granted primary custody, but forced to continue to share her daughter with the sitters.
When her case finally reached the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in October 2007, the beleaguered mother was relieved to finally be granted full custody of her daughter.
In their October 25 opinion Supreme Court justices wrote that they were "deeply troubled by the utter disregard" for the mother's rights. One justice referred to the mother’s right as the “paramount right in the world."
Chief Justice Robin Davis summed up the case in one simple question."Why does a natural parent have to prove fitness when she has never been found unfit?" he asked.3
THE THREAT FROM INTERNATIONAL LAW
The precarious state of parental rights within our nation is reason enough for serious concern. With cases like these filling the courts, every parent should be concerned about the protection and preservation of their rights.
But another storm is rapidly forming on the horizon.
International law that seeks to empower the government to intrude upon the child-parent relationship is becoming an increasing threat. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), a seemingly harmless treaty with dangerous implications for American families, is approaching possible ratification by the United States.
If this treaty is made binding upon our country, the government would have the power to intervene in any child's life to advance its definition of "the best interests of the child." The scenarios that could occur—and are occurring—as a result of this dangerous notion are both manifold and frightening.
Under the UNCRC, instead of following due process, government agencies would have the power to override your parental choices at their whim because they determine what is in "the best interest of the child."
In essence, the UNCRC applies the legal status of abusive parents to all parents. This means that the burden of proof falls on the parent to prove to the State that they are good parents—when it should fall upon the State to prove that their investigation is not without cause.
A SHELTER IN THE STORM
There is only one solution to this approaching storm: a constitutional amendment that places current Supreme Court doctrine protecting parental rights into the explicit language of the U.S. Constitution. This amendment will shelter the child-parent relationship from the coming storm, ensuring that parents have the right to direct the upbringing and education of their children.
No government, regardless of how well-intentioned it might be, can replace the love and nurture of a parent in the life of a child. Parents care, not because their children are "wards" for whom they are responsible. Parents are willing to brave danger and sacrifice, hardship and heartache to ensure the best for their kids.
Learn more about protecting parental rights through a constitutional amendment, and join the campaign now. We must not wait until it’s too late. Take this opportunity to sign the petition to protect parental rights today.
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jun. 9, 2009
Artist #2
I just think this artist series is too fun! Today we studied about Katsushika Hokusai and here are their attempts at creating his style.
Punkin's is above and Sweetie Boy's is below.
They were supposed to be waves in the sea but our bubble wrap was too hard to pop! We painted the entire bubble wrap and then placed our white paper on there and gently rubbed it to catch the paint.
Also caught a cute photo last night of the rabbit and one of our goats just hanging out together.
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
Last Page • Next Page
