May. 10, 2006 - Sad Good-bye's Lead to Happy Hello's
Oh, I hate days like this. I spent the better part of the day doing a couple of things that I really don't like doing. 
First, I sang at my great aunt's funeral. 
I loved this woman so very much. 
She was one of those aunt's that always had goodies in the kitchen, soda in the fridge, and a wet kiss to say "I love you" and "Good-bye" with. 
She spoiled her kids and grandkids rotten (as well as her husband 
) and I never heard her say a harsh word about anyone. (Except once when her dil and son were in a tiff...but water under the bridge, right?). She knew the Lord, and it showed. But, saying "good-bye" on my end is only off-set by the fact that I know she was having a wonderful reunion with her Savior today. While I wept, and consoled my family in song, she was sitting at the Savior's feet, enjoying His words and presence. I get all tingley inside when I think about the reunion she must have had with my Pop (her bil) when she "went home." 
They were very close, and I know that thought comforted my grandmothe as she said farewell to her sister, too.
But the other thing I had to do today was worse. *gulp* I had to confront someone I work with and let them know I was making some changes in my business that would not include them. 
It's not like I broke their heart or anything. I know they weren't even really all that surprised by my decisions. But, no matter how hard I tried to explain it was a business decision, I'm sure there will be some sore feelings. And I really, REALLY hate that. 
However, part of me is super excited about the changes I'm making...so once again, I say "good-bye" in one sense, simply so I can say "hello" in another. Kinda weird, I guess. 
Those are my musings for the day. Hope everyone else has a less complicated life than I do. 
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May. 6, 2006 - Rainy Days and Mondays...you know.
I love spring on the farm, I really do. But we've had almost nothing but rain all week, and I'm just tired of the color "gray." 
My kids are feeling a bit couped up, as well. And I don't blame them.
However, when it's icky outside, I get this sudden boost of energy and decide it's time to do a little "sprucing up" indoors. So today, after learning the soccer games were canceled, and sleeping in a little longer, I decided to start to work on my bookshelves. And I really did look
like ---->
when I decided to do it. LOL!
But I came to a painful realization as I sorted through shelf after shelf of chapter books, workbooks, picture books, FIAR titles, and more. I had a great many supplemental books that my kids were really grown out of. I suppose, b/c of my dd's reading problems, I've probably held on to far more of the pre-K and K level things that most people do. And it dawned on me today, that I won't be teaching little ones (most likely) ever again. And I sat there...and 
. I mean, I expected them to grow...but they need me less and less...and I guess I started to feel a bit sorry for myself b/c of it.
I'm sure I'll get over it...but today, I'm not. 
My dd is continuing to progress with her reading, though there are days that seem tougher than others. Usually, when she's really tired, it just doesn't come easy for her. But, she's at least moving forward.
My 8th grade son is working on a presentation board all about tornadoes for his commencement night. He thinks printing out a few photos of storms and pasting them on cardboard, will be enough. I've had to set him straight a couple of times, though. The hard part is getting me off of the computer long enough for him to actually use it for the research that needs to be done. LOL! 
My youngest is flying through everything he does...but he's really surprising me with his reading. He pulls books of the shelves and just starts sounding things out. It's wonderfully fun to watch, and I know he's proud of himself for being so good at it. 
Well, this is a short update. I'm glad so many gals post on the FIAR boards about their blogging pages, because it reminds me to come in here and work on my own. 
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Apr. 17, 2006 - Where does time go??
Haven't been in here to post an update for over 2 weeks, and I can't figure out where the time has gone. 
Guess I must be busy.
Had a chance to sit down with some other moms in my hs group last week, to visit about what we ought to do if we decide to homeschool through high school. It was just an AWESOME meeting. A couple of the mom's came to be our resident "experts," as they already have kids in college, and they were hs'd through high school. They were just so helpful. The provided me with recommended credits for both non-college bound, as well as college bound graduates. They also provided us with great information on transcripts, counting credits, how to include life application idea in the kids' course work. Just GREAT stuff! And exactly what I needed to be able to plan out the next four years for 14yos, and the next six years (or more) with almost 12yod. Although, we're still considering sending the son to public or private high school, because he really wants to participate in sports. Guess we'll just keep praying about that one. 
Also got our taxes filed on time (for the first time in like...8 years! LOL!)...and although we "should" be getting a refund, we owe some much in back taxes, the IRS will be keeping it. If my business keeps growing like it is, I'll have to start paying quarterly. I guess that's a good thing.
Although, my kids would probably say they're tired of seeing me like this ---->
One day, it won't be such a big deal, b/c dh can cut back on his hours, and be home to pick up some slack for me more often. 
Like, maybe even this fall. 
Not really much going on around here, to be honest. Becoming more and more convicted about my health. It's GOT to be a priority...not just for me, but for the whole family. That means changing some pretty serious food strongholds. It will probably be a real battle. Off to drink my water now!
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Mar. 31, 2006 - Had my OWN March Madness! LOL!
What a crazy month I've had!
First, our oldest son, 14yo, is doing so much better with his school work. He's still not doing a whole LOT, but he's doing enough for me. And he's really learning, too. I think he must have figured out that he was only hurting himself by "frittering" away his days.
12yodd is really improving with her reading. I'm so glad we found ExpressWays to Reading. And just thank the Lord every day that he broughg her tutor into our lives. They're not only great friends, but this program has really saved our lives.
Our precious 8yos is flying through math and phonics. He's struggling with some ADD, but we're working on it. It just seems to be during the writing times. Because, when I'm just reading to him, he is quiet and engaged...but when he's writing his math facts, he had to take wiggle breaks every few minutes. It's actually his reward for staying focused for 10 problems w/o distraction.
I have worked my tail off this month. The company I'm working for had this amazing March promotion, and I have just been so busy. I love the work, and know I'll see the fruits of my labors on my check in April, but I had to sacrifice more than I really inteded. Missed a couple of movie nights (though they're movies we've seen several times. lol ) and lost some sleep several nights so I could work with folks in the MDT and PDT time zones...but now I'm feeling a bit "pooped." And, of course, now I'll be training several of my new people...which is also draining, but a gret deal of fun!
Was so disappointed that the Shockers (WSU) didn't advance any further in the NCAA tournament. I never watch college ball...JUST the NCAA tourney. And it was so exciting to see them get so far,...but I would have loved to have seen them go even further. Excited for those Sr's that can say they've been...the first team in 25 years to make it to the tourney from WSU. I guess I'm still a cheerleader at heart. 
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Mar. 21, 2006 - SEE?? Sometimes they really DO get it!
I sat my 14yos down for a little heart to heart yesterday. He's been insisting for weeks now that he just "can't" get his schoolwork done, and that it's certainly "not" his fault. 
Either Dad sleeps to late (being on overtime and second shift at work) or I'm "always on the phone." (okay...it's possible that, to him, I appear to be on the phone too much...but in my defense, I do have a business to run, and keep very busy with ministry work at Main Street Ministrie, and a bit with our local homeschool group...and I never push him and his school work aside for any of that stuff. At least...not very often. )
Okay...so he's suppose to be graduating the 8th grade, right? We have a commencement planned with our hs group in May, right? And to be honest, we've had a LOT of disruptions in our lives this year. Not only was his father unemployed for much of the year last year, which meant he and his dad taking on several odd jobs to keep us fed and warm, but we had a housefire in December, and it has taken us months to get life back on track. But, I haven't overloaded him with school work. I've taken our "life situations" into consideration, and have really taken it pretty easy on him. But he's done almost NOTHING all year. A little Algebra, some grammar, and a little reading...and that's been IT!! 
He'd rather just spend all morning in his room listening to his CD player, or daydreaming in bed, or plotting how to beat the GameCube games.
(Secretly, I hate that thing. 
)
Anyway,...back to my heart-to-heart yesterday morning...I printed out a scope and sequence from a few schools I found online. Not the entire workload mind you...just the S&S from maybe three subjects for his age group. I also asked a few buddies over on the Five In A Row website what their workloads looked like for their middle schoolers. Believe me! He's not over-loaded. And I just showed him what other kids are doing, and what he'd be expected to do if he were in a different school setting. I explained that other families had strange situations, too. And that regardless of the situation, those kids in those families were still required to do the expected work. (And believe me, I'm a very relaxed homeschooler...and I've always known that he could do what he neeeded to do when it needed to be done...so I've never really stressed about it).
I also decided that he would have no extra curricular activities until he was proving to me that he's serious about getting caught up and moving on to high school next fall. (He'd like to go to ps for sports, but if he can't do the little bit of work I'm assigning, I flat out know he wouldn't be able to complete the work the school would be assigning. And besides, I'm not sure I'm ready to send him anyway. 
)
He tried for a short time to make his usually excuses...but today...he got up, did his school, charted it in his planner, and even did some chores for me. He tried to squeeze in a movie this afternoon, but I told him, "no," and he really didn't argue much. Although, he did make some comment about school being "stupid." It was half-hearted, and I think he regretted saying it right after the breath escaped his mouth.)
I hope we're done struggling with that issue...for awhile anyway. LOL!
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Mar. 18, 2006 - Take time to remember to fellowship!
We have a small group (about 8 couples) that gets together every other Saturday to go through a marriage study from Family Life Ministries called Building Teamwork in your marriage. It's a really easy group study, but I just love the time we spend with other families like ours; struggling Christian couples, who love their kids, battle over standards and morals, and just love Jesus! I learn so much from them. Tonight I learned that the very things that drive me crazy about my husband, these other wives really desire to see more of in theirs! 
Go figure! 
Makes me appreciate mine a whole lot more, I guess.
If you don't have this kind of fellowship in your church, or with some other couples, find a way to get it. It's awesome! 
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Mar. 14, 2006 - Wow! One of those busy days!!
I have to admit...sometimes I wonder if I'm really cut out to homeschool, be a housewife, AND work my own business. This was one of those days! I was on the go from 11:30 until just a few minutes ago...about 11:20pm. 
Tuesday's are just the pits for me anyway, b/c that's really out biggest "extra curricular" day. But if I add on a few business appointments, and a call or two from a friend or relative...MAN! I'm swamped.
I wish I were better at daily journaling, but this will have to do...maybe once a week?? I'll work on it. 
My 11yo dd with the reading/cognitive skill problems, is just amazing me. She's using Express Ways to Reading www.expresswaystolearning.com and is soaring through it. She's reading new words daily, and even able to spell those new words back to me almost instantly. 
If you knew how long it's taken her just to realize and be able to retain that the letter "a" says the "aaaa" sound...you'd know why I'm so excited. She probably still needs vision therapy, but I'm going to start using some exercises from the book Eye's on Track, and I think that will be enough for now. I'm praying so, anyway.
Frustrated about my 8th grade son, though. He doesn't seem to realize that if he doesn't buckle down and get his school work done, he ain't finishing the 8th grade this year, and will not be able to participate in our hs group's little commencement ceremony. I realize that we're really on our own schedule, but I know he wanted to do that this year. So, praying he get's his tail in gear these next few weeks, so he won't have to stay in the 8th grade next fall. I'm actually considering letting him participate in the ceremony, but with the understanding that he has work to finish through the summer. Praying about it.
Keeping my eyes on the Prize!
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Mar. 11, 2006 - Feel like I'm wasting time today,...but can't help it!
Well, here it is, Saturday...and I've done little to nothing most of the day. 
I have plenty I need to do. My oldest is suppose to "graduate" the 8th grade in a couple of months, and I really need to put his final lessons together for him, so he'll know what's expected before he really "graduates." But have I dont that? 
It's time to plan the next six weeks for the other two children, as well. But have I done that?
I know there are at least 4 loads of laundry on the floor in the laundry room that need to be washed, and a huge mound of dishes to do, as well. 
But what am I doing?
Good grief! I'm tired. Maybe I'll take a short nap.
Maybe I'm just burned out. I had a very productive week with my business, and that tends to make me really tired. But it bothers me that I have so much other stuff to do, and I feel guilty for not doing it. And I can't even get my mind around our new scheduling thing. DH is working weird shifts, and since he's helping me with so much of the school work, we really need to be planning our days around his schedule. But the homeschool group we participate in offers most of it's activities (spanish class, P.E., field trips, etc.) at times that would be impossible for us to show up for, if we try to live on dh's schedule. 
Thinking about this makes me more tired, ya know it? 
Oh, yeah...I had a birthday this past week. 
Maybe I'm just getting old! 
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Mar. 4, 2006 - Blog tranferance, and I got my new desk!
| |||||||||
 I don't feel like I have much to say. | |||||||||
| But people keep telling me I do, so I'll jot some things down here. I am a bit overwhelmed at the idea of starting this blog, but I think it's a good idea for me to see how much I am doing, where I'm being helpful, and what's being successful. And I love the idea of friends joining in, too. Our most recent "news," concerns our 11yodd. She was recently diagnosed with some severe vision issues (teaming problems, mostly) and has some pretty significant congnitive delays because of it. Insurance won't pay for VT (est. = $2500), so we're going to do all we can possibly do from home, and she's begun a new reading program that begins with rebuilding cognitive skills. We're two days into it, and I really am encouraged. I'll keep you posted. We're a busy family, with lots of homeschooling extras, and me working as much as I can to get our debts paid off, but I'll pop in as much as possible to share "life" with those who wanna know more. ;) |
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Oct. 18, 2005 - This is our busy day!
Every Tuesday, we are on the go almost non-stop! 
I hate it, personally. I tend to like a slower pace. 
And now that dh is home during the day until 2pm, it seems like the morning is just so very hectic. (What is it about dad's being around that causes that?)
So we're off to spanish class for the 6yob at 11:30, then the 11yog and 13yob have spanish immediately afterward. From there, at 1:30, we head to P.E. This is only a weekly class, but it's a lot of work for me to get us there for some reason. Now, I still try to work in math and phonics or reading in the morning...but it usually doesn't go as planned. Throw in a few work calls..and well...you know.
In the words of Scarlet O'hara, "Tomorrow is another day!" :-)
Oct. 17, 2005 - I was talked into it...I've got my own blog page!
I've wondered often how people make time for journaling and blogging. Well, I'm going to find out. 
Now, I've got my own blog page to keep. I'll be sharing our days, challenges, and successes, with anyone who wants to read about them. 
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