Sep. 4, 2008
A new beginning...
|
Well, here we are...September again. And what a shock it was for my children. Mom made a schedule this year. With actual lessons, books and assignments pretty much in place already. Mom decided that the kids have to get up earlier this year, start school earlier this year, and get our chores done too... I have never seen such blank stares in my life. What do you mean we have morning chores, afternoon chores and evening chores Momma? And what is Saturday doing with school work on the schedule Momma? Saturdays are the weekend! I proceed to tell my children, with the enormous support of their father, who is standing behind me waiting for one child to whine or complain so he can add his 2 cents. I can feel his foot tapping behind just ready to pounce. He wants to get in on this but does not want to interrupt. I explain to my wonderful children who were completely lazy all summer that we have to work more this year because according to my standards, they slacked off too much and need to catch up. They had a protest against lapbooks, so I had to find something else to use. Lapbooking was so much more fun, but now they have to actually write on paper without the words listed in their instructions. They have to think. Dad's getting anxious, the foot tapping is getting quicker...he feels it coming as fast as I do. But Mooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmma, it says that on Saturdays DAD is teaching!!! Why does Dad have to teach? I ducked...Dad was on this one so fast it almost made my head spin. He answers the children with this..."If you would have listened to your mother all last year and did what you were supposed to when you were supposed to and didn't give her a hard time and listened with both ears and...." I lose track...he's talking way too fast, and in both Canadian official languages at the same time. How can anyone say that much without stopping for at least one breath? I don't know what he said to these children, but all week, every single thing that needed to be done, got done and almost on time. Having Dad in my corner seems like a pretty good thing. We might actually get stuff accomplished. In the very least, I'll get loads of exercise trying to duck away before Dad steps in so I don't get caught in the whirlwind. |
Jun. 4, 2008
Another day in the Guertin home...
|
I think my kids are suffering severely from spring fever. They don't want to work, they don't want to do chores, they don't want to go outside (who wouldn't want to go outside on a nice day??). All they seem to want to do is argue and fight with one another. I just want to go hide under a tree and read a book or something. I thought maybe the kids would join me, but they don't. I have even given them a lighter work load, seeing as it's so nice. But they still can't seem to get it. So, I think it's time for a day or 2 off again...or maybe I can say we have cleaning to do. That usually gets them working on school stuff, which is much more fun than wiping base boards and cleaning windows...right? I'm praying to God for much patience today, before I end up with kids on a clothesline... |
May. 19, 2008
Quite a productive weekend...
|
Don't you just love those weekends that you get sooooooo much accomplished? The weather was so nice this past weekend that we had family time and devotionals outside while soaking up the glory of God's gifts of nature. Front and back yards were mowed, pruned and tidied up. We put bamboo fences around all the the flower and fruit gardens to pretty it up a little while we wait for the colorful blooms to peek out and pretty up the world....just an all around great day... Until... The pain hit. By the time dark hit last night, every joint and muscle in my body was a wreck. I guess it's time for me to start exercising again, because I am so out of shape at the moment it isn't even funny. Then again...maybe I'm just old. It is my birthday after all...but I somehow don't think my body is supposed to be falling apart just because I hit 29..for the 7th year in a row..... |
May. 14, 2008
Signs of spring
|
It's amazing after the horrible winter we had, that my rose bushes survived. I had forgotten to cover them before our first snowfall. But, it appears that everything has survived. I even have many, many tulips growing just about everywhere, including the middle of the yard. I know for a fact that I didn't plant them there. I think the squirrels must have been having fun burying them in the fall. I just feel so blessed to be able to sit in my office and be able to hear and see all of God's wonders. I think today might be a nature/outdoor class day.... |
May. 13, 2008
Spring fever has hit...
|
Spring fever has hit our house. After the long winter we had here in Canada, my kids really want to be outside. They are giving me a hard time with sitting still long enough to get anything accomplished. So I came up with a compromise. If they finish up any work that isn't done yet (half finished lapbooks and such) today, then we can start an in-depth nature study, and work primarily outside. We have a huge picnic table that hubby built that will give us all enough room to work when weather permits. Then we can keep the things that are 'less fun' for days when it's too icky out to go work. Great idea, right? Now watch it rain for a week.... |
May. 9, 2008
I'm so spoiled!
|
My hubby is just the best hubby there is. (OK, so I'm a little biased...) He came home last night with a new computer for me. He said I have been working so hard on everything lately, that it was time for something new. You see, I usually get a 'new' computer when his needs upgrading. He gets the super duper deluxe model (needed for work), and I get his 'old' computer, which becomes my 'new' one. Well, this time around, I GOT THE NEW one! Bells, whistles...speed! He said I deserve it because I am working so hard. Mother's Day and birthday combined, and I have a new toy. Don't ya just love it when hubbies spoil us? All I asked for was a new pair of earrings...and I got a computer instead. I love my man! Now I have no excuse for not blogging...everything works so well! Get ready folks...you'll be hearing a lot more from me now! Happy Mother's Day! Steph |
May. 7, 2008
I'm back...
|
First of all I want to thank all of my readers for being patient while I was so neglectful of my blog. I believe I'm back in full swing again. I'm sitting here in my office, listening to the birds chirp outside my window. I have flowers and trees blooming, and I just want to praise God for His miracles of spring. We just finished up the live edition of the Ultimate Homeschool Expo. Talk about an uplifting, informative week we had! If you missed it, don't fret! Tickets are still available, as the whole thing is online, and our membership site will be there...forever. You can still purchase a ticket and hear all of the sessions as they get posted, as well as enjoy the Mommy grab bag and vendor hall. Please take a look at www.ultimatehomeschoolexpo.com I can assure you that you won't be disappointed. After such a wonderful week, it is now time to get back to the swing of things. I'm so psyched to use some of the tools I got from the UHSE, and I feel so refreshed and renewed. I hope that everyone is doing well, and wish you the best day! The sun is shining, and I think I'm going to take the girls outside for a nature study on our newly flowering trees and plants. Blessings, Steph |
Apr. 25, 2008
Where does the time go?
|
I can't believe that it's actually the 25th of April. Things have been so busy around here, I seem to have misplaced a week or two. Or maybe I just misplaced my brain. That could be it...yeah... Preview chats for Ultimate HomeSchool Expo, articles a plenty to write, and a new book on our ebook store shelves are just part of it. Spending wonderful days outside, cleaning the yard and watching the buds on my trees is the other part. I love spring...the signs of new life everywhere, the beautiful temperatures that aren't too hot or too cold..it's all just so amazing. God is so good, don't you agree? After the UHSE winds down with it's live sessions, and I have had my fill of new things to learn and new people to meet, I promise I'll do better at keeping this blog up to date. Please be patient just a little longer, and we'll have some wonderful days between now and the end of autumn without me complaining about the weather. Deal? Stay safe, and be blessed. Steph |
Apr. 16, 2008
You know it's spring around my house when...
|
I thought I would give everyone a little chuckle this morning, as I explain life in my house when SPRING hits. Keep in mind folks, I live in Quebec Canada...home of the weirdest weather... You know it's spring at my house when ...our children use snow shovels to dig out their bicycles. ...my husband takes the motorcycle to work, but we still have snow in the yard. ...my girls put all the winter boots away, and take out all the shoes without having to be asked, or for that matter, told to do it. ...my son asks if it's too soon to break out his shorts. ...my husband starts talking about needing a new shed, and a coat of paint on the porch. All of these things are surefire signs that it's spring...except for the fact that I'm still freezing, complaining about snow, and not enjoying the potholes very much... To each their own I suppose...now I'm going to put on some wool socks, and curl up with a book...at least then I'll be warm :) |
Apr. 11, 2008
Announcement
|
I'm proud to announce that there is a new book available on our website. It's titled Taking Care of the Care Taker, and provides tricks and tips for taking care of yourself when you are raising developmentally challenged children. I hope you stop by the store and take a look! Guertin Store New Book!! It's going to be a busy day here today, as I have more writing to do. I hope everyone has a blessed weekend. |
Apr. 10, 2008
Grass!
|
We have grass peeking through the melting snow! What an encouraging sight that is. Here I was, thinking we'd have snow until June, but hope has been restored. Isn't God great? It's been a busy week here in the Guertin home...with me now a more steady WAHM, I have realized that my schedules and routines were far from adequate.I have come to the conclusion that whatever hasn't been revamped, will need to be worked on this weekend. Either that, or I have to once again request more hours in a day. So, I'm off to do some work, with the sun beaming in my office windows. I was even able to open the windows and change the air in the house yesterday! Oh, and don't forget! Counting Down to the Ultimate Homeschool Expo! Virtual Seminar Series With 50+ Speakers! Virtual Vendor Hall! Free Gifts! Special offers! Mp3 Downloads for all audios (over $2000 in workshops!) Tickets Now On Sale! Get More Details at: Ultimate Homeschool Expo! |
Apr. 8, 2008
I have the best friends!
 Hey! I just got an email from my friend, Cindy Rushton. She is "pumped" about her upcoming Ultimate Homeschool Expo. Actually, she is so "pumped" that she has just shared a sneak peek into her Membership Site. You see one of the neat things about the Ultimate Homeschool Expo is that everything is ONLINE. Cindy builds a private, exclusive Membership Site that includes everything from the UHSE in one place--it has audios (from all of the sessions and from the bonus gifts that her speakers give to us), ebooks, complete unit study guides, articles, printable notebooking pages, cookbooks, on and on. I can't believe all of the things that we receive for only $40. It is truly ULTIMATE! Anyway, back to the reason that I am sharing with you... Cindy just sent me permission to give you a sampler of one of her free gifts that is included on the Membership Site. I am so excited to give it to you! It is a audio and ebook set that she actually sells on her website, but she is giving away on the Membership Site. Here is the link: Oops! My Cup is Empty and My Coffee Pot is Broke! Audio Workshop Download With Cindy Rushton Tired? Weary? Find yourself overwhelmed by the tremendous load of motherhood? Do you consider this one of the most demanding, yet rewarding roles you will ever fill…yet that send shivers down your spine? Join Cindy as she exhorts you in your high calling. This workshop shares Cindy’s heart as she shares about those good days and bad days…sweet memories and rather bitter moments that have made life so precious all along the way. Taking you on a journey back in Scripture to meet Hannah, Cindy will share God’s answers to her heart cry during times she has found her OWN cup empty while “everything” continued to hit all at once!! The biblical insights are sure to draw YOUR heart to your Heavenly Father AND to those you are pouring into. Join us as Cindy ministers encouragement and direction straight from the Word of God to your heart, soul, and mind! Download by Mp3 http://www.cindysdesktop.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/OopsNashvilleMP3.mp3 Isn't that FUN? You know the saying that a picture captures a thousand words,well...what about a a gift like this??? And, just think...this is only ONE of the awesome gifts included on the Membership Site. There are hundreds more! Take my word for it, you will WANT a ticket to this event and access to all of the wonderful resources. Grab your ticket here: Ultimate Homeschool Expo 2008 Sincerely Yours, Stephanie |
Apr. 7, 2008
Sure signs of spring!
|
What a wonderful site (and sound) this morning, when I get up and look out my office window! Signs of spring can be seen from exactly where I sit, and it is so beautiful. With coffee in hand, I sat down to make sure I had everything ready for the kiddos' school day. I opened my window, just a crack, and heard the most soothing sound..birds chirping. Not the birds from our household menagerie...but 'outside' birds..right in front of my window. They are having a little party on my cherry tree (which, by the way, is showing signs of buds...yet another miracle of God). Of course, with my window open, everyone can hear this beautiful chirps. Including our own birds. Singing Jim (our finch) is trying to talk to the birdies outside, and it is priceless. Now the sun is peeking over the cedar hedges, and is lighting this beautiful nature scene. The snow is melting still...and they are forcasting a high of 50 degrees F (10 C for my fellow metric-using Canadians). I think it's a great day to work on a spring unit study...on one of the Yahoo groups that I belong to, it's a very hot topic at the moment. Time for this Canadian family to embrace the coming of spring, with all it's miracles. I pray you all have a blessed, sunny day, so we can share in this glory together. In Christ, Steph |
Apr. 5, 2008
A beautiful Saturday morning...
|
I was up early this morning, while the house was still quiet. I made myself a coffee, and sat down at my computer to try and get some work done before everyone gets up, and the quiet is exchanged for 'Mom, can I...?' or 'Hey, I was watching that...gimme the remote back', or the ever famouse 'But mooooooooooom, I don't waaaaaaaaaaanna clean my room...I wanna go to (insert friends' name here) house. Ahhhhhhhh quiet...better enjoy it while it lasts. As I sat down, even with curtains drawn, the sun was just hitting the exact place that would cause it to be shining ever so brightly...in my eyes. So, I'm thinking to myself, God's trying to tell me something. I coulnd't even see the monitor because of the glare, so I grabbed my Bible in hopes that I would maybe have time for some quite time with the Word. I sat and read Isaiah 4:2, because for some reason, althought I am just starting Exodus in my personal study, that's the page I opened my Bible to. I felt like God was leading me there. What I got from this little bit of time I had, just for myself and God's word, was this. You can't truly appreciate nature until you take the time to look or listen to what is around you. Yes, maybe there is still 4.5 feet of snow in my back yard..but that snow was a gift from our Almighty God. And what a beautiful gift it is, as are all of His gifts. So what if the sun is shining in my eyes? I have to be thankful that there is sun at all, because that sun, in my opinion, is like a message from God, letting me know that He is still there. Tomorrow it might be a bird chirping, or rain falling, or any number of beautiful things that happen all around us. My point is, I have to stop complaining when the gifts God sends are not what I expected, or would have liked. I need to rejoice and be thankful that He is sending these gifts to me. What a sad state I would be in if He decided not to send me any more gifts, and I would start to worry. Praising and thanking God for all things...even the snow! Stephanie |
Apr. 2, 2008
Showing our children that learning never ends...
|
Don't you love the way everything works out just the way it was meant to? God is so good at taking every opportunity to show me just how much in control He is of my life. My children have been complaining lately, because I keep saying that everything they do is a learning experience. Another comment I often hear is 'I can't wait until I graduate...then I won't have to learn anymore.' I have been working on a few articles this week. At one point, while the children were fighting instead of doing school work, I grumbled (quite loudly, as a matter of fact) that I was trying to learn about a certain subject, and I needed to have them doing school work instead of arguing, because I couldn't concentrate. Lo and behold, one daughter creeped over to my office, and was looking over my shoulder to see what was on my computer, that was so important that I made that comment. 'Mom, why are you reading about THAT?' 'Mom is reading this because she needs to learn more about it, so she can get her writing done.' 'But why couldn't you just write about something you already know?' 'Because it's part of my job to learn about things, so I can write my articles, and know what I'm talking about.' 'So, you're learning something new?' 'Yes I am' 'You mean...I have to keep learning even when I'm a grownup?' 'Yes honey, you need to keep learning something new all the time, even as a grownup.' 'Every day?' 'Yes, every day darling.' Next thing I know, she's sitting at the table, math work spread all over the table, working like there was no tomorrow. It is probably a good point to mention, my children are not the biggest math fans... So, I mention how proud of her I am, she is working so hard today. 'You know why mom?' 'Tell me why honey.' 'Well, I saw you working, and learning...and I listened this time to what you had to say.' 'Thank you, I am happy you were listening to what I was saying. It's good to see you wanting to learn something you don't already know.' 'Well, that's not really why I'm doing it...I just don't wanna have to learn math when I'm old like you.' Ok, so my daughter thinks I'm old...I can deal with that... But what makes me the proudest, is that there was no arguing, no tears, no I hate math...but just the desire to learn something, with the knowledge that if she learns it today, tomorrow she will have time to learn something else... Thank you God! |
Apr. 1, 2008
Spring...in Canada...oh please say it is FINALLY so!!!
|
I have to brag on God a little here...He has done wonders today with the weather. Although it's a bit windy, we actually had snow-melting weather today. Can you believe it? In good old Gatineau Quebec, it got up to a high of 55F! We had the equivalent of about a foot of snow melt today, and I can see the sidewalk in front of our house peeking through the snow. Spring might just have found it's way to Canada! Praise GOD!!! Now, with being able to have windows open during the day, I'm hoping that the change of air in the house will help my migraines...I have been getting quite a few lately, and I am pretty sure the stale air had something to do with it. With fresh air in my office (and the whole house actually), it makes everyone's work that much better quality...my kids actually completed their reading assignment for the week...and it's only Tuesday. Now, if only I could accomplish as much as them...sigh.... |
Mar. 28, 2008
Thank you God for this beautiful day
|
God is so good to us! There is not a cloud in the sky today, and I actually went out of the house for a few minutes without needing my coat, gloves, scarf and hat! You can also see where the snow is melting off roofs, and trees...and it looks like it may finally be inching closer to spring in my neck of the woods. I'm sitting in my office (which was supposed to be a sun room, but I snagged it when we bought the house for me), the windows are all open, and you can hear the odd chirp from a bird in our yard... Kinda makes me sorry I complained so much about the weather. Nature is such a beautiful thing when you stop and actually look at what is going on around you. I am going to take the kids in the yard (no farther than the door, I'll lose them in snow) and just look around. I want to see if they will notice that there are actually buds on the crab apple tree... And after that, I'm going to sit and sketch the tree in all it's glory from pics I took last spring. Then prepare to paint it in oils...which I promise I will take pictures of, and share with y'all |
Mar. 27, 2008
Sunshine, melting snow and getting the message
|
It's another beautiful day here in our corner of the world. Sun is shining, snow is melting, and it is all just making me feel so...well, confortable I suppose. I am also having an easy time teaching math facts this morning. Some of you already know what a challenge that is in our house. Well, when I subscribed to the TOS digital magazine, one of my gifts was Math Facts NOW! What a blessing this has been to us today! Don't ya just love our wonderful TOS staff? They are always finding us the good stuff. Thanks y'all!! So, I now have 2 kids working on math at the same time...one on the 'school' computer, and the other on Daddy's computer (and yes, I asked permission before touching his 'baby' LOL). There is no fighting happening. There are no cries of 'but Moooooooooom!!!' or sarcastic comments of 'I hate math' out of earshot (at least they don't THINK I can hear them...aren't kids supposed to know that Moms have eyes in the back of their heads, and super hearing???) Just very quiet, learning children. It's perfect. If only all of our learning could be this quiet. Hoping y'all have a great day! |
Mar. 26, 2008
More snow...but good news too!
|
It's snowing again here in Gatineau...but the sun keeps trying to peek through the clouds. But it's all good...God made that snow, and gave it to us for a reason. Can anyone tell I read the Homeschool Minute from TOS today? I figure if I say this often enough, the fact that there is over 6 feet of snow in my back yard, with more to come, will come as a blessing instead of a hinderance. The great news is...I have completely update my website, and only have the store page to revise. I am hoping to get that done soon enough, but I have to review my priorities again first. I have procrastinated long enough on some things (like cleaning my house), and really should be doing that instead of working on the website. Sometimes I forget to ask God for guidance in planning my schedule each day, and it usually ends up with me not getting the important stuff done, before I accomplish the stuff that really could wait a little bit. So, now that I have bragged on myself for the website stuff, I'm going to go sit in my room with my planner, and God, and try and get some order back in my day. Sending snow-filled blessings to everyone! Steph |
Mar. 25, 2008
What alot of work...
|
Wow, web design can be a lot of work when you don't do it often enough to remember the little things! But...the good news is that I only have 2 pages left to redo, and then update the store. Plus all the other work that needs to be done around here...I'm hoping to be done before the snow melts. Sometime around July at this rate. Thanks for your patience during this renovation period. God bless! Steph |