Homeschooling a Houseful

From another blogger

8:01 AM, Jan. 26, 2009 .. 0 comments .. Link

A homeschooling friend sent this to me and I just have to share. I have been homeschooling for 17 years and have had preschoolers or toddlers or babies in my home for every one of those years. What a blessing it has been and will continue to be.

This is from Kendra at Preschoolers and Peace.

We've been educating our children at home for ten years now. In those ten years, I have observed that there are expectations that non-homeschoolers can place on homeschooling moms simply because they lack the practical knowledge of what it means to homeschool.

If you are the mother, grandmother, sister, friend, father, or brother of a homeschooling mom, here are some things you should know:

1. Educating children at home is a full-time job. Don't get irritated if she consistently allows the answering machine to do its job. If she were a teacher in an institutional classroom, you probably wouldn't think of calling her during school hours, so try to realize that while still at home, she is keeping regular school hours, too.

2. Unlike homes in which the children are gone for eight straight hours, her home is in a constant state of activity. The children are not only home, they are home making messes. All day long. Their mother doesn't even have the opportunity to go into their rooms while they are at school and weed out the junk. And if she is like me, you might find odd homeschooly things lying around- like the month we had a dead turtle in the garage fridge.

3. Housekeeping and homeschooling are mutually exclusive. If she is doing her job educating her children academically, then her house is not being cleaned. If she takes the day to clean the house, then school wil not be accomplished.

4. Place realistic expectations on her- she cannot simultaneously teach school, make three square meals, keep a house that looks like it has sprung out of the pages of Architectural Digest, have her nails done, drive children to extracurricular activities, and have all the clothing laundered and pressed. Something's gotta give, and in my experience, it is usually her personal care. So don't expect her to don the latest styles, have her roots meticulously dyed at just the right moment, and her aforementioned nails filed and polished to perfection. And while most of us aren't slovenly, we just tend to put some superfluous aspects of personal care at the bottom of the to-do list.

5. For many of us, homeschooling isn't an option. Many believe it is not only the best way for their family, it is the only way. Many see homeschooling as a Scriptural directive. When sharing a particular struggle unique to homeschooling, comments like, "Well, why don't you consider putting them in school? Maybe homeschooling just isn't your thing" aren't helpful. Instead, offer a listening ear and your fervent prayers on her behalf.

6. If you are truly concerned about the state of her emotions, home, children, or marriage, offer practical help to ease her burden. Personal time is at a premium for her, so consider offering to take her kids for the day so she can recuperate. If you like to do laundry, offer to come over and get the loads going, fold, and/or iron. If you like to cook, consider putting together some meals that she can store in the freezer for days when time is at a premium. If she teaches a broad spectrum of ages and grades, consider offering to come in once a week or more to teach preschool to the little ones. One grandma I know created "Nana U" for her preschool grandson (number five of seven) and not only did it ease her homeshooling daughter's burden, it created a special bond between grandma and the child.

But there’s a caveat here: ASK her what would be most helpful to her. Don’t presume to know what would help her. Taking the oldest children for the day might be fun for you, but it’s quite possibly not at all helpful to her. The living room might need to be vacuumed, but it’s not helpful if she’s trying to take a nap. Someone once told me, “If it’s not wanted, it’s not helpful.”

7. Think about what a financial burden homeschooling may be placing on the family. The loss of her possible income can be a real struggle nowadays, and you might be able to buoy her for another year by offering to purchase little things like simple school supplies. Gifts for the children like books on subjects of interest to the child, field trip fees, museum memberships, and the money to pay for music lessons or other extracurricular activities are the best thing you could give a homeschooling family. Not only does a homeschooling mom not need one more thing to manage or pick up, she would be thrilled to see you take an interest in the many academic items on her wish list.

8. Simple questions like, "How can I pray for you?" and "Is there any way I can help you?" are like a cool breeze in her life. Don't assume you know her needs- ask. You could just be the vessel God uses to carry her on through this very demanding and ultimately rewarding season of her life.

One Year Ago Today

5:56 AM, Jan. 19, 2009 .. 0 comments .. Link

One year sure does go fast. Aren't they cute? I love you both!!

James turnes 5!!!

4:12 PM, Jan. 9, 2009 .. 1 comments .. Link

Happy Birthday to my favorite 5 year old.

A Call to Homeschool

5:48 AM, Jan. 7, 2009 .. 1 comments .. Link

A Wedding...

3:40 PM, Jan. 6, 2009 .. 3 comments .. Link

The Littlest Princess Turns 3

3:20 PM, Jan. 1, 2009 .. 1 comments .. Link

Glitter Text Graphics - http://www.sparklee.com

3, 3, can it really be? It really seems like just yesterday she was welcomed into our family. She is such a joy. She became a princess because she has 4 older sisters who started it and then I too found her to be a princess. Hilarie actually fits into the roll quite well. She will tell you she is a princess.

Hilarie is very social and can turn anything into people having a conversation. Her fingers, her sandwich, pretzels, anything.

When you ask Hilarie how old she is, she will answer, "Too Big." I guess she must hear that a lot!

Happy New Year

7:46 PM, Dec. 31, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

Can it really be 2009? We are beginning 2009 with 5 feet of snow in our yard. This is not really my idea of fun, but my children have certainly enjoyed it. We have forts and slides in our yard, but not one snowman. Maybe I am going to have to build my own snowman.

This year I want to continue creating good habits and building family relationships that will be strong for years to come. This is not really a list of resolutions, but more a list of the things that I must make a conscience choice to do or to be mindful of. Having them in writing helps me to remember what is important for our family. Some of these things are habits to continue, and some are things that I have neglected and am going to try to do better at.

1. Continue striving to know God more. I always have more to learn, I need to remember that. So I will keep learning.

2. Have fun with family. I am very task oriented, like my to do list and like to have it done at the end of the day. I need to continually remind myself that having fun with my family is a very important item on my list.

3. Keep on keeping on when it comes to homeschooling. God has called me to this and it is an honor to be involved directly in my children's education. I need to remember that this is a freedom that is often threaten at the government level and I want to be diligent to keep my eye on things going on in our state's Capitol.

4. Continue to work on my children's scrapbook albums. I have fallen a little behind this past year. I am not sure why...maybe it has to do with new trends that I just must try. My newest find has been the distressing products by Tim Holtz. I got some for Christmas and can I just say WOW! Crackle paint and alcohol ink, here I come!!!

5. BLOG, I am going to try I really am. It really is good for me because it makes me sit down and reflect on the little things.

6. Keep exercising. I so love going to work out. I feel better when I do. It isn't always easy to make the time and I have learned that I must be flexible. I have been able to go to the gym at least 3 times a week since April and I want to continue.

7. Enjoy the simple things in life and enjoy my simple life. We have a large family, but we live a simple, uncomplicated and unhurried life. We are committed to this because we feel it gives us the best opportunity to nourish our children.

8. Encourage other homeschooling moms. I really am enjoying the ministry that God has called me to. As a board member for Valley Home Scholars I have learned some great things and I pray that God uses me to encourage others. I am very thankful that the Lord has me in this ministry as it fits so well with our family convictions and most of my "work" or ministry time can be done at home.

9. Make time for friends. I fail miserably at this, but I am trying. Gathering for a monthly scrapbooking night has been a step in the right direction.

10. Don't blink in 2010, because each year seems to go by faster than the previous, and I really don't want to miss a thing. God is so amazing and He has so much for us to do and to enjoy. I want to make the very best every moment.

11. Wake up praising the Lord, fall asleep praising the Lord and praise Him for everything in between.

God is still God

9:23 PM, Nov. 4, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

I am so thankful that we have a great and mighty God who is in absolute control of all that goes on in this world. I really believe that this election is not an accident. I may not be happy with the outcome, but I trust my God.

I think I get too complacent in my reliance on the Lord. Sure, during those trying moments during the day, I turn to the Lord. But I think I am complacent when it comes to my country. We all need to be on our knees before the Lord, lifting this country up to Him. So many things in our society go against God's Word. We need to be strong, we need to know what we believe and speak up, and stand up for those beliefs.

Praise God, He is Mighty, He is Sovereign. He has a plan and I we need to lean on the Lord and hang on for the ride. I think it will be a bumpy one, but in those bumps, for those of us who are looking, we will see God at work. We will.

My Team WON!!!

12:51 PM, Sep. 9, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

This is my second year playing Fantasy Football. Last season I did horribly and only won 2 games all season.
This week was the first week and my team won.

Just wanted to share that bit of news. Hope everyone is having a great day.

Life

9:30 PM, Aug. 29, 2008 .. 2 comments .. Link

Boy, summer sure did go fast. It is hard to believe that in just a couple days it will be September. It has been a busy summer for us. The children have gone camping and the boys are going again this weekend. I was not able to camp with the family because of a health issue with Hilarie. I guess I have never really shared about that, maybe I should.

When Hilarie was 6 months old she started breaking out with excema. I was still nursing her at the time and I didn't start her on solids until she was 9 months old...and even then, she wasn't getting much because the excema was becoming worse. By the time she was a year old we were being referred to an allergist and she gave us some new creams to try and found allergies only to eggs and cats. Things didn't really get better, but this wasn't the kind of thing I felt we could continue to go to the doctor for. Early this spring we headed back to the pediatrician desperate for some help. I realized that I was often saying she is worse than she has ever been. Then it would get worse. She doesn't sleep because she itches all night and I was finding myself always on the verge of tears. Partly because of the 3 -4 hours of sleep I was getting at night since she was born, partly because of my 45 year old hormonal changes, and largely because watching my child suffer every day is the hardest thing I have ever had to endure as a mother. In April the ped. gave us some medicine that helps her sleep and off we go again to the allergist.
The allergist really has nothing new for us to try, but did find now allergies to milk and dogs. She referes us to a dermatologist. Our first visit to this doctor was two weeks ago and it was hard for me. I really like this doctor, she was very upfront with me. Hilarie has severe excema. Dr. says there is no cure, they don't even know why this happens. Pretty much all we can do is try things to make her minimize her discomfort. She prescribed antibiotics for Hilarie (third time this year, last year we only did antibiotics once) and some new creams and things to try. The hardest thing to try was putting Hilarie to bed in wet jammies. Mommy instincts just don't want to do that, but it did seem to make a little difference.

We had our two week follow-up today and it was not very encouraging. She says that we will continue to try the next level of care but she is not very hopeful that we will see the results I am wanting to see. She is just so severe. So the next level of creams, which of course with them come new side effects or risks. We are sleeping now, the hydroxine really helps, although I hate giving her meds every night. But when I don't give it to her she doesn't sleep because she is itching so bad.

We have daily episodes that are so difficult as she struggles with the severe itching and pain. She bleeds almost daily.

She is the most precious little girl. She is very loving and compassionate and loves to take care of others. When we have had rough moments, like when I try a new cream and it hurts her, it puts me in tears and she puts her little hands on my face and says, "It's OK mommy, I love you too much."

So, that has been the biggest focus of my life, really for the last 2 years. Not much time for blogging because at the end of the day, I am just too tired.

The price of gas

2:43 PM, Jun. 20, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

No purpose for my post today, except for me to mark the last time I think we will pay under $4.00 for a gallon of gas. We filled up both vehicles today for $3.97. That is all. I just want to be able to say, I remember when gas was less than $4.00 a gallon.

One minute

6:43 PM, Jun. 2, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

I know, I know. I haven't been blogging. Partly because of not having time, and partly because there is too much to talk about and I can't decide. From homeschooling laws being threatened, gay marriage being approved and in Colorado, they want to make it so that bathrooms can't be men's or women's. Just crazy. So, when this e-mail landed in my inbox today, THANK YOU JURENE!!!, I thought the timing was perfect and I would share... If you are willing to participate with me, leave me a comment.

One Minute Each Night.

In these very difficult times, it won't hurt to remind each other how much we need to pray for our nation, our leaders, and the grave decisions we are to make in the next several months.

In WWII, there was an adviser to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped! There is now a group of people who are organizing the same thing here in America.

If you would like to participate it could not be simpler! Each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central, 7:00 PM Mountain, 6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, our leaders and for peaceful conditions.

If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass this along. Someone said if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. [AMEN!]

Our prayer is the most powerful asset we have. Please pass this on to anyone who you think will pray for our nation ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT.

Getting the home back in order

7:18 AM, Apr. 17, 2008 .. 2 comments .. Link

The past four months have had me busy with many things. It all began in December with my dad's failing health. My mom needed more help, I am so thankful that I was able to be there for the last two weeks of my dad's life. I would not have wanted it any other way. Then in January we were busy with the final wedding details for our oldest daughter's wedding, which was a wonderful and fun day. In the midst of all the joys of wedding preparations we also found ourselves dealing with a health issue for my husband. 10 days after the wedding, Dan had brain surgery. February found me trying to run a home and take care of my husband who was home recovering from surgery. Not an easy task and I still was not on top of some things that really were beginning to need some attention. In March I found myself busy with preparations for the Inland Northwest Homeschool Conference. What an amazing weekend this was. I had a great time being involved in the planning of this conference and we were thrilled when we realized that more that 1/3 of our attendees were dads. 351 people attended this conference and many people said it really changed their lives. I can't wait to begin work on next year's conference.

That brings me to the last three weeks. If you plant a garden, weeds will take over if you don't tend to it regularly. Well, like a garden, my family had become overgrown with weeds. The weeds I am referring to are SIN. I was reaping the results of my distractions. I wouldn't really say I blame myself. The situation was what it was and there was nothing I could do differently. Things were happening in our life that needed to be dealt with. The sin I was seeing wouldn't have gotten so out of hand had we not had so many things right after another, but we did and I now needed to deal with it.

So, I realized it was time to batten down the hatchets and get to work. It begins with a talk that lets the children know that things, they are a changin'. Momma is back and she is in charge and we are going to get things around here running so that the Lord is glorified in all we do. It really involves more change for me than anyone else. It means I remove all distractions. Ministry work, that will have to wait until all the chidren are in bed. Blogging, e-mailing, scrapbooking, TV, all things things will take a back seat. Doing this always help me to turn my heart back toward my children. Spending time with them and not allowing myself to be distracted allows me to catch sinful behavior immediately and correct it on the spot. It has been a few weeks and though I am tired, actually drained, I am seeing the benefits. I am seeing children with improved attitudes and an improved work ethic. We still have work to do, but that is true until we see Heaven.

So, if you have wondered where I have been, this is the explanation, my garden needed tending too and the weeds were thick.

There is a battle

2:22 PM, Mar. 21, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

This battle that is raging on today is amazing to watch.

It is a battle between

Winter and Spring.
So far...Winter is winning.

Parental rights

2:12 PM, Mar. 7, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

If you are concerned about parental rights in our country, you need to listen to the following:

Focus on the Family Broadcast

Then you need to sign this petition

Read here for the HSLDA Reponse on this issue.

Read this if you want to see the legal document.

This is NOT a homeschool only issue. This issue is crucial for every, EVERY parent. Please, listen, read and sign.

Has it really been over a month?

9:52 PM, Mar. 6, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

I love my husband, I really do. I am amazed though, at how much work it is to have him home. I had to chuckle at myself when I realized that I, am mom who has had 10 children being raised in her home at one time, and I was having a hard time keeping things running with my hubby home. We have survived though and Dan is doing well. Here are a couple current pictures...

He is home!!!

2:59 PM, Jan. 31, 2008 .. 2 comments .. Link

26 Staples

9:08 PM, Jan. 30, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

Dan is doing so much better today. They switched his pain meds which really helped eliminate the nausea.
He has 26 staples in his head, those of course will come out. He also has 4 screws, those will stay. Ewww.
He is really being a trooper. He did have some swelling as the day went on, but he is doing very well.

This picture was taken at 10 this morning.

Want to see the staples? You know you do....

Surgery

8:10 PM, Jan. 29, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

Surgery went well. It took 3 1/2 hours. When the doctor came to talk to me he said everything went well, but when he got inside it was "interesting". I felt like I was going to faint. Besides having a whole in his eye socket, which in itself is interesting, there was actually a whole in the outer lining of the brain, so the next layer was bulging out past it. He didn't expect that. The next surprise came when I was checking in after lunch to be sure he was still in recovery, he was and then the gal said, did you know he was going to ICU. Um, no, they said he was going to a regular room. Nope, ICU. Momentary panic then I told myself that since they did operate inside his head, maybe ICU makes sense. When he made it to ICU I asked the nurse if this is normal to be in ICU after surgery, she said NO. She said everything looked good and her thinking is that because of the uniqueness of the surgery the doctor wanted him closely watched. She had never seen his surgery before, and the doctor hadn't either.

So, all went well but it was an exhausting day for me.

I am going to put a picture on my blog of what Dan looked like when I left today. Poor guy, he was really sick and tonight is still feeling nauseous.

Dan will have a CT in the morning and if everything is OK then he should be moved into a regular room.

Thank you to all who have been praying for us. We really appreciate it. God is good, and even though there were some moments where I felt overwhelmed, I always knew that God is in control and nothing surprises Him.

Here is a picture of Dan from this afternoon. Poor guy....

As if we didn't have enough to do

11:27 PM, Jan. 22, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

I haven't posted what has been going on, because, well, because we have had what seems like a lot going on. My dad passing away on Dec. 15. A wedding on January 19 and inbetween a health issue for my husband.
Here is what has been happening.

Dan started have some extreme head pain/pressure on Jan 1. He went to the doc at 9 am on the 2nd and we went straight from the doctors office to a CT scan. 2 hours later the doctor called to say that Dan had a cyst behind his eye.

He then had a MRI on the 4th and the doctor called in the evening to say that there is some bone missing and the cyst.

Then another CT Scan on the 10th and another evening call from the Doctor. He at that point said that a neurosurgeon had seen all the reports and wanted to see Dan in his office the next week. The doctor told Dan that nobody at this points thinks this is cancer. Whew. He also told Dan that even though he would be seeing the nuerosugeon next week, they wouldn't need to do anything until after the wedding...which btw was the most wonderful, fun wedding. Everything went very well, except for Dan not feeling well.

Ok, we saw the nuerosurgeon on the 16th and he explained it very well. You have an eye socket, it is bone. At the top of that socket Dan is missing bone. The hole is bigger than a dime, smaller than a nickle. Through that hole is....brain. Yep, brain, we could see it. The brain of course is in a sack with fluid around it, so that is bulging too. Actually the doc used the word pooching, we have brain pooching out through the hole. The doc is great. He spoke in words I could understand. That hole in Dan's head, probably been there his whole life. Why is this an issue now? We don't know. Doc says we can wait a couple weeks and see if symptoms subside.

The doc will cut a hole in the side of Dan's head, he will lift the brain and put something in to block the hole. Then the brain should hold that in place and scar tissue will develop and it should never be a problem again. Has the doctor ever seen this before? No, not with the hole in the eye socket. Usually it is over the nose. He says Dan will only need about 4 weeks off of work.

Dan was having so much pain during the wedding that we decided to go ahead and get surgery scheduled, so he is having surgery on the 29th, next Tuesday.

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