I was going to write a nice big entry but I am so tired! I have continual pain in my back, so that wears me out a bit.

We had homeschool meeting today and my family was it! Oh well, we had fun anyway.

I have to go, I can hardly keep my eyes open.

....so far has been lazy and uneventful since the iron tablet incident. I have switched to a liquid iron which isn't very pleasant tasting but I don't get any nausea, so it's a winner in my book. I hate throwing up!

The boys have been plugging away at their spelling and their About Me project. I decided that once they have finished their first draft, they can finish it off on the computer. That way they are doing they Technology part of the curriculum thing.

Did I mention I really don't like the Curriculum framework? The fact that most teachers don't use the thing, should be a good indicator. Homeschoolers are held to a much higher standard than the school system, which bugs me but I am not sure what can be done to get more freedom for homeschoolers on Australia. I would be interested if there is a committee or something.

Once we have finished the About Me thing the boys will be going on to swans. We have heaps of black swans around here, so it seemed a natural thing to study. There is a swan family not far up the road. They have six little cygnets, which are so cute.They look like balls of fluff floating on the surface of the water. So we will doing that soon hopefully.

Well I had better be off. Next time I should have a bigger and better entry!!

I have felt really convicted lately that I need to be putting my money where my mouth is on a lot of things. I am good at saying stuff but not so good at actions.

Wont be much action tonight though. I dont' feel well. Don't take iron tablets on an empty stomach. It will come back to visit you!

I forgot to add the wise words my thirteen year old had for me after the snake incident.

'you say you like to live in the country Mum. Country means snakes'

Cheeky boy. How dare he point out the obvious!

We are hitting the books hard tomorrow. The Homeschool Moderator will be back in a month or so, so we had better be prepared. I have decided that we will never have everything up to the Education Departments standards but we will do our best.

I have also decided that I am way to nice and uncontroversial in cyber land! In real life most people know that I don't tend to hold back on opinions if asked and since no one is asking here, i may as well say what I like!!

My first sort-of-contro thing is I am a dyed in the wool Homeschool Zealot! Can't think of a better descriptive! i believe that homeschooling is the best thing for almost everybody. There would be a few exceptions of course, one being if your Dh doesn't allow it but these exceptions are few and far between. If parents are willing to lay aside their own wants for a season in their lives, then you can homeschool. Yes it is scary but what is the alternative. Just because one family has kids that turn out alright, doesn't necessarily mean that your kids will. I have seen what the 'system' will do to kids. How can sending your children away for seven hours a day be a good thing?! Childhood passes in an instant. We have such a short time to influence for good or for the world. Why let the world raise them if you have a choice?

The Word of the Lord is true. You reap what you sow. The companion of fools suffers harm. Children are foolish creatures.

Now I don't normally get this animated IRL about this because frankly, I don't know anyone else that is as convinced this is the BEST way. I would probably be mobbed at best, maybe stoned!  To most people I have met think homeschooling is a good option but school is always there and is pretty good too. Sorry, I think it is a poor, poor cousin.

My children struggle scholastically and it would be so easy to put them in school and have be done with it. But this is not what is best for them. They are OURS to raise. Not the governments.

That is my soapbox for today! 

I had better got some other stuff done. Bye for now!

We had a snake on the road near our house today. I hate snakes. I mean in a really desperate kind of way. They fill me with dread. Probably because every snkae around here is venomous. They can kill  you. So I ran over it. Not once but about five times! It wasn't dead after the first two times so I made sure. I don't feel well. The boys want to go and look at it but I am too scared. I think I will go and live in Ireland.

Did I mention I really hate snakes!

For the record, it was a tiger snake.

I will be back later with a proper entry. I had to unload my traumatic experience

Here I am again!

I thought it was high time I started blogging again. We are having a baby! We are due 29th January next year. It will be a boy and his name is Micah. The boys are really excited even though they were hoping for a girl. They keep telling me next time Mum! They really want twin girls. Not sure if I am up for that but it is up to the Lord!

We have changed the way we are schooling a bit. Trying to be a  bit more interesting and I have been investigating how to do notebooking and unit studies. I think that the boys will find them really interesting. Isaiah wont be doing as much as the other boys as he still needs to focus on the basics. He is also doing speech therapy (even though I forgot the last visit . I'm hoping to get back in soon.

Dh has just had surgery on his knee so we have had life turned upside down a bit. Lots of visits to the Doctor.

We have also been going to a city one and a half hours away for Dh and I have to go as well, because I am too risky to give birth here  . The boys are loving being able to go to the beach a lot more. Fuel is sooooo expensive but when Micah arrives it will all be worth it! I am so excited about this baby. We all are. He will be so smothered!

Okay I tried to put a photo in and it was taking forever, so I don't know what I am doing wrong. Maybe because I have slow dial up? I will have to figure it out!

Well I had better go and hopefully I will be making more regular posts!

We are all moved in (mostly) . We do need to get a lot of furniture we have discovered though! That is kind of a nice problem to have though, since we haven't had any room for anything for so long!

We have a lot of stuff happen since the last time I posted. So I will do my best to catch up.

Jordan was found to have some kind of problem with his heart. There was a possibility of surgery and we were very worried. It turned out that, though he does have a valve problem and a small leak it shouldn't effect his life in any way and lots of people have the same problem and never know it. So that was a huge relief and a great time of praising God!

We lost another baby just two weeks ago. This time I was 18 weeks and the baby got to 14. Another boy we named Seth. And no I don't believe God is telling us not to have any more children. The amount of times I have heard that in the last two weeks is amazing! I get a bitbut I suppose people are only thinking of me. I had a lot of tests done (approx 25!) and the baby has has a few tests, we just have to wait to see if there are any answers. We may find out nothing but the Dr wants to figure it out as he has never seen this before ( three 2nd trimester loses in a row). I know, I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt though, that God is in control and He has His hand on me and my family. I know He was with me through the whole thing, even when it was really difficult. Sometimes God seems far away when stuff is happening and you feel out of control of everything but you know what? It is only because WE aren't in control that we feel the distance. He is there, just call. There will be peace beyond understanding. My Dad was saying how he is glad I  have a strong constitution to get through this last year. I can honestly say it has nothing to do with me. Jesus was with me even when I was angry with Him and I was questioning what was happening. The Lord is my peace and my strength. While I wouldn't want to have to go through this again ( I might have to though, there is no guarantee) I am grateful for the surety I have of God's guidance and strength.

We have a visit from the head education curriculum guy this week coming! Not too happy about it but I will be asking him exactly what he wants to see so that they will get off my back! Not in those words of course but I will be honest and say how annoying this is getting ( the constant visits) and how we have had an exceptional year maybe they could cut us some slack?! I don't think we will get any though so I had better be prepared for some humble pie I suppose. It doesn't taste nice but it is good for you! I have to say though that the boys reading has come along heaps. I jsut hope that this guy will see that and not just see all the ground that is still to be made up. I think I am going to move to Alaska!

I suppose I had better get going. I have church tomorrow and I have to go to the markets before that so I need some sleep!

Jenxx

Well I did go quite well for a few days then the World Cup was on and Dh and the boys stayed up until 4am watching it and woke the whole house with their yellingThis was me!

So we went off track a bit adn now we are moving to way bigger housePraise God! so we have been busy going over there and getting things organised. Tis weeks Dh is home afternoons so we will almost definitely be moved in by the weekend. Dh is a dynamite mover. Super organised, so I just follow his lead!

We have been falling down a bit in the bookwork and only doing the tiniest bit of work. Back on track next week.

One of the ladies from a messageboard I am on (The Woodshed) has started up a challenge for July to get us more organised so I pray this will be the kick in the pants I need.Make me more like this!

My friend had a little girl on Monday and she is so cute. Elijah has started asking when we are having another one and said that we just couldn't lose another one. That boy has such a soft heart.

Anyway I had better go as Jordan has decided that he will be a pain and not sleep!

Jen:)

Schedule This almost describes how I feel!!! I am so frustrated at my own laziness and stupidity. It didn't help that after sleeping in waaaayy late again, we went out all afternoon with my Mum. We had fun for sure but I am really letting my boys and my Dh down.

Today we got stuff for the new house. Paint for some turntable cupboards (to see of there is mouse poo!) and screening to go in the windows. The boys had a great time playing hide and seek in the hardware store.

I have ask Glen to give me a hard time about going to bed early so I will be getting harrassed soon.

Jen:)

Okay I stayed up Saturday night and wrote out a schedule. This is how it went today. In other words I slept in waaaaayyy late (I stayed up and watched some of the soccer!) and didn't get anything done. And I mean NOTHING!

 I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. It is just so hard to lay down my smelly rotten flesh.

I will try again tomorrow. I'm not off to a good start as I am not in bed yet!!!

Jen:)

Man it sure is cold tonight! I wish it would rain though. I don't mind the cold if I can get some rain out of it! I LOVE rain!, although that little face should be smiling!

I haven't been doing anything with the boys this week. I  have been totally slacking off and they have loved it of course. I will be writing up a schedule/routine this weekend and praying for the Lords strength to follow it! I have a huge problem with starting things with all the enthusiasm in the world and then fizzling out. I don't plan on doing that this time. Pray for me! My family deserves better than this. I am praying for a servants heart too. My natural inclination is to be very selfish.

We will be doing some work on Jordan's attitude too. I have been going to the Woodshed for a few years now so it is time to put what I have learnt into practice. I will not accept attitude as a 'normal' part of growing up.

I got some organic apple cider vinegar the other day. Jordan and Isaiah (especially Isaiah) actually asked for the stuff!. I am trying to work up to having 1-2 tsp a day but ohh that stuff is sure nasty! Isaiah loves it. Well the thought of it anyway. Once he starts his face goes into all sorts of contortions. Elijah has said absolutely no way. He and Titus both nearly threw up. I have to be honest, I laughed!

We will be getting a Kombucha fungus soon so that will be a project for all  us. We will making Kombucha tea and then we have new fungi to give away. Maybe we can just make heaps of it. I am hoping that some people may want to take one or two but I think most people aren't going to want to be bothered and it doesn't look that good when you are growing it!

We have been looking at getting another dog. I am a bit nervous after what happened with Beau but those puppies sure are cute. The boys have been online with me ( they aren't allowed on without me) and we have been checking out the kinds we are looking at getting. Glen wants two, one large and one small. Probably will be female. I need to even things up around here! We will be moving to a way bigger house soon so they should fit in well. If I can ever figure out how to post photos here I will post pics when we get them.

My fingers are starting to freeze so I had better go.

Jen:)

I decided to change my template. What do you think? I think it is lovely and peaceful.

We have had a bit of a set back with the toilet training. Titus thought that going no.2 on the toilet was too hard. He does seem to have trouble going when he is on there. He strains and strains for very little. But he is quite fine in his nappy.

Oh well I have to go. the boys are not getting the hint that bed time is sleep time. They all share a room, so it can rowdy in there

Jen:)

I really don't have a lot of time to post but I never do so now is as good a time as any!!

The Dr's didn't find any reason for what happened to the last two babies. I suppose that is a good thing but it kind of makes be a bit nervous should we ever fall again.

Another reason I haven't written is because I have been dealing with a lot of issues emotionally so I haven't really been myself. My friend lost two of her brothers in a car accident so it has been a really busy and depressing year.

Anyway, on to different things. The big news today is that Titus is toilet trained!! So I am now doing this!! He is three and a half and man those nappies stink! So our baby is not a baby anymore. I am spoilt. The funny thing is he doesn't really realise he has done anything as he is so used to having a mess all over him!

We have a new program for the two older boys. Well it is still LEM but for older children so it more fast passed (I am sure that spelling is wrong!). I wasn't going to put Elijah on it but I thought I would just give him a go and he flew through it so they both are on it. I am quite excited because we should have it finished in 18 months if we don't take any breaks, or long ones anyway.

Isaiah has started reading a bit so he is pretty happy. I am starting him on LEM next week. This will be the original program. He is hard to keep on task but if I keep to short sessions we will be okay.

So that is a quick update. Hopefully I will be back soon. I am waiting for results from a CAT scan I had a week ago so I will post when I get them. Hopefully it will be fine.

Jen:)

Okay I shold start with the most important news first.

We lost our baby. We went in for our routine 20 weeks scan and found out the baby had died at 15 weeks. I had been quite sure there was something wrong,even though there was no reason for me too. I know the Lord was preparing my heart. It was still devastating though. It was a little boy we called Joash. I will be getting his little hand prints soon. I got to see him which was good.

The boys have handle it really well. I think because the baby isn't something they can see just something we talk about. Elijah wanted to talk about it the most. He said we need to get one to just stick around!

School work wise, well we took last week off for obvious reasons and will work through all of the school holidays. I was going to take Easter holidays off but we wont now. The Homeschool Moderator hasn't told me when she will be back. I am sure I can see improvement in the boys. Especially Jordan. He is reading a lot more. He isn't were he should be still but I don't think it will be long. Elijah is a bit more of a worry but he seems to be improving with consistency and drilling. Isaiah is my next one to get going! This is what I feel like some days!

We got Green Eggs and Ham for Jordan and he is reading it really well and enjoys it, which to me is a miracle in itself! I have been getting Elijah to read some ladybird books and he can whip through level 2 but he was starting to get level 3 but we seem to have miss placed it!

Well I had better go. It is finally cold enough for a fire at night and ours is going out!

Jen:)

The internet has been terrible out here lately so I haven't been able to get on. I don't have a lot of time now but will write tomorrow hopefully.

The homeschool moderator came around last Tuesday and told me that she would have to think about deregistering us if she didn't see an improvement so that was pretty devastating. I have spoken to her since and she said that it wont happen but we have been schooling very diligently this week!

The boys went fishing for three days last week and had a fantastic time. They are quite the outdoorsmen!. We now have a lot of little fish in our freezer.

Well I had better go. I will be back. We have a lot of this to do!

Jen:)

Let's start with Thursday, Australia Day. Had a lovely day, rang my friend and found out that the dog she had had for over 12 years, had died and it may not have been from natural causes. He was a seet thing and it was sad for everyone. Friday. Glen gets a call to go to his Mum's something is wrong with her dog. He was nearly thirteen and very overwieght but it was still sad that he had to be put down. It was also the 2nd anniversary of her dh's death so that didn't help. Friday evening. Glen brings home all his Mum's dog things and throws the fresh meat bones to Beau (our dog). We are talking inside and all the boys come running in (or so we thought). Glen closes the back door and the next thing we hear the strangest growling bark and Titus was screaming like crazy. Glen took off and brought Titus in with blood covering half of his face. I don't think I have ever been so frightened. We rushed him off to hospital. Thankfully he just needed to be cleaned up and the dr didn't think he would put stitches in as they would give him more scars and the wound seemed be sticking together okay. By Sunday Titus looked like he had gone a round with Mike Tyson. His right eye was black and blue and swollen. There are scratches all around his eye and a tooth mark in his head. There is a massive bruise on his arm with teeth marks in that too. His arm is still hurting him a lot. If it still hurts at the end of the week I will take him to the dr. So needless to say, Beau is no longer with us. It was really sad to see him go because we have had him nearly five years and he has always been such a wonderful dog. I realise now though that I put way too much trust in him. He is just an animal. A dog with instincts and I shouldn't have trusted him like I did. I was attributing human qualities to a dog and that is so wrong. He also wasn't fixed so I have a feeling that would have played a part. So I have learnt a few valuable lessons. Always make sure I know where the kids are is a biggy! And never trust a dog around children. They are animals (the dogs not the kids!).

So it has been a very tiring few days. We did get to go to a friends birthday on Sunday which was lovely. The boys had a great time. As soon as Titus saw the food he wanted to where he could wash his hands . At least one of them is learning proper hygiene!

I had a bit of a 'feel sorry for little old me' today. I am getting so annoyed with myself. I lack consistency and it affects every part of our lives. Putting them in school is just not an option though. The Lord showed me that very clearly. It would make a hundred more problems and wouldn't solve the underlying issue of me getting my butt into gear! I was doing a lot of praying and reading of my Bible and I really felt God's strength. Not quite sure of a plan of attack yet but I will let you know!

Anyway this is me waving goodnight! I'm hoping there aren't any spelling mistakes as I can't be bothered going back over this and my spelling is shocking tonight!

Jen:)

For some reason the Woodshed message board is not going tonight so I have no excuse but to come and make an entry!

My Aunty has gone back to her home but not without some drama. She missed her flight! Instead of checking her ticket she trusted what her girls said and it was about to fly out when she realised, so she got an extra night in our wonderful state!

I have no idea how to view my comments without going to my actual blog page so I didn't realise that so many people had wished the baby and I well and were praying for me. Thankyou all so much. So far everything seems to be going okay. I have to have another ultrasound on the 6th of february to make sure this baby is still alive and hasn't passed away at 12 weeks like the last one. I will breathe easier after that. I wish I could go earlier but they are fully booked. A friend said it must be a girl because it is so impatient to come! I have to admit that I am emotionally keeping a distance from this baby, in case it isn't okay. That probably wont make any difference on the long run though. God will get me through, just like He did last time.

I have really let the house go lately. My poor dh is not happy about it. Tea has been late and not nice. The only excuse I have is absolute exhaustion. Either from the baby or the heat or a combination of both. I am so entirely frustrated with myself. There is no school work getting done. I was determined to keep going through the summer holidays but it seems to be one thing after another. Katie B said on her blog the other day that people seem to whinge on their blogs! I am putting my hand up!!!I need to really get in some prayer and get close to the Lord again. I haven't read my Bible for about two weeks and I know that it shouldn't be a religous thing but I think that even reading a psalm it just puts your mind back in focus and my focus has been on poor me and not where it should be. Upward focussed and serving my family. Tomorrow I will do reading with the boys and have a decent meal for Tea. I will get the boys helping me catch up an everything else. They have bacome best friends with the computer there Dad bought so that will be going on restriction and they will live in the real world! I need to live in that world too!!

I got too speak to my lovely Nanna today. She is the kindest person in the world I think. Nanna can't find anything bad in anyone. There is always a positive she can find. I love her to bits and I really wish she didn't live 3500kms away! Everytime she comes for a visit I am like this when she leaves! She said she is really praying hard for me as she lost a lot of babies and knows how  awful it is. I do hope for her sake I have a girl. Nanna really wants me to have one! Glen loves her to like mad too. My boys call her Sydney Nanna (that is where she lives)!

I suppose I should wrap this up now and think about getting ready for bed. I hoping my 5 and 3 yr olds can stay dry ALL day tomorrow. When it gets hot they seem hopelessly attracted to tipping water all over themselves!!

Jen:)

It's been a while, so I thought I had better write something! My Aunty arrived last week and it has been wonderful to catch up with what is going on with the rest of the family. She is going to stay with my Uncle and Aunt for a few days before she leaves. Hopefully I will get to visit a couple of more times before she leaves. I've got a dr's appointment on Tuesday so that kind of puts a spanner in the works and I really need to get some more work with the kids done so we will see. My mother isn't particularly social, so I think she will enjoy having a break from us!

The summer heat has finaaly kicked in and I am not impressed. I HATE summer. We have been spoiled with a cool summer so far, so I really shouldn't complain but I will! This house is like a little sweat box but if you go outside at night to cool off, the mosquitos think you are a smorgasboard! Roll on autumn I say.

Things seem to be going well with the baby so far. I have had a few little bad signs but things seem to have evened out. I am really hoping for another ultrasound soon.

My computer just told me I have a virus called DownloadTrojan. That doesn't sound good..

The boys are doing well health wise at the moment, which is always a blessing. I have done some revision work and I think Elijah has forgotten everything! It doesn't take Jordan long to catch up but Elijah can take weeks. I will have to pray hard and just keep going. It's definitely one way to learn patience.

Hopefully I will get back here sooner. The dial up here only seems to work properly at night. I think the server for our little town gets hot and decides not to work.

Off I go to try and sleep!

Jen:)

Had an ultrasound today and to all our surprises there was a healthy little baby in there!!!. I was so shocked. We have two little pictures. I am really praying this one stays. Hopefully everything will stay fine adn my next ultrasound wont be until I am twenty weeks. Glen wants to find out what it is this time. He is really hoping for a girl. I'm hoping for a healthy baby!

My friend came with me. She is due in the 4th of July so we will be belly buddies! I hope we have the same sex so they can grow up together like our two 9yr olds. By the way I am due 9th of August. I hope I don't go too far over this time.

Speaking of pregnancy, Beau should be a Daddy this weekend (our dog!). My friends dog is having his puppies and we are hoping for beauties! They are both nice looking dogs so we should be right.

I am still so buzzed about the baby! God has been merciful! He is good all the time no matter what but sometimes it seems He is extra good! Well it is getting late so I better goand do that! Becasue every morning is like this!

God Bless

Jen:)

Not in a very chatty mood. Looks like we are losing this baby as well. The good thing is Glen is off tomorrow so I hope the worst of it is over before he goes back to work. I'm only just before 10 weeks so I don't want another d&c. I've been through it on my own before. It's painful but we have pain killers and I know what a heamorrage looks like so I think I'll just stay home for this one. I will ring the dr on Tuesday.

I just feel emotionally drained. I was so confident that this one was okay. I'm not sure what the Lord is trying to teach me. I am going to be doing a lot of praying that is for sure.

I'm so sad. I will have to tell the boys tomorrow. They are going to be devastated. I hope I don't cry too much.

Happy New Year.