Monday, September 28, 2009 A Touching English Assignment
Belle wrote this touching paragraph about her big sister. I had to share it!
Have you ever seen my sister when she wakes up? It's a very terrifying experience! She has messy hair and an evil look in her dark green eyes. You can tell she wants to sleep, and you feel the fear as she glares at you. You want to run but you know you can't. She practically looks like she wants to eat you, flesh and all. Oh, how I'm afraid of my sister in the morning!
LOL, there's no drama in my family!
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Monday, September 28, 2009 Five Years of Home Schooling!!!
Wow, I can hardly believe we are entering our fifth year of home schooling! Although, sometimes it feels like it's been a hundred! LOL Again our year has a different structure. Tori has now graduated high school and is working for a year before deciding on post-secondary education. I had no idea what a huge burden would be lifted with her being done! Is that what all home schooling parents feel like? Or just when their first child is finished school??
So, this year I am home schooling two kids again but this time without the distraction of getting another child to and from school and a co-op job. So far it's going well although it is an ongoing challenge to keep Hunter focused on his work. My biggest problem this year is having Tori at home when she's not working, and Ron at home during the day when he's worked all night. Little house, too many people, not enough space, too much noise, and a little boy easily distracted....not a good combination!! SIGH |
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Monday, August 10, 2009 Dog...and Cat...Days of Summer!!
Well, it hasn't been very summery weather here this year! Not that I have minded almost zero humidity and the cooler weather. It would be nice if it wouldn't rain so much, though. We haven't had very many pool or beach days.
Belle is spending her summer at the Christian day camp she's worked at for three years now. She loves it! This year, she is camp counselor for a couple of camps (each camp is two weeks), drama coordinator for a camp, and then will work maintenance for the last week. She comes home on weekends but it isn't enough time to see her by the time she catches up on sleep and does laundry. We also go see her on Visitor's Night on Wednesdays. We have spent some lovely evenings walking along the marina in the next town. I'm really proud of what she's doing out there.....serving the Lord, getting closer to Him through their "devos", and having great fun with friends and the camp leaders.
Hunter has had a more relaxed holiday. He started off the summer with a week of day-long vacation Bible school. They did a great job, and he enjoyed it. At the end of July, he had two weeks of day camp where Belle works. This week, he was supposed to go to another DVBS that only runs in the morning but he is really sick with croup, I think. In our free time, we've been vegging, going to the beach or pool when the weather is nice, getting together with friends, and going out on the boat and fishing with daddy.
Tori had to go to summer school to get her last math credit. She was supposed to attend for the whole month of July but did so well she completed it in less than a week and a half. But they still made her stay for the two weeks which was frustrating. The day she finished, she found out she was hired on at a local grocery store. Unfortunately, it's turned out to be extremely part-time so she is going through the process of working with a job connection agency. Hopefully, she'll get more work. We have had quite our struggles with her in the past month. The law may say she's an adult but the reality is...she isn't! She is like a baby bird...too big for the nest but not yet able to fly on her own. It has been frustrating and stressful for us! We are in the process of drawing up a contract. I pray things will be able to be worked out enough for us to live in harmony until she moves out!
Ron has been busy with work although he had two days off in July when the plant closed for roof repairs. Since all the kids were gone, he and I enjoyed lunches out and Timmy's in the morning. He had business cards made up and since starting to pass those out, his computer business has really taken off. A co-worker at the plant was killed last week in a drunk driving accident so there is an opening for a full-time job. He applied for it today. We have been praying for him to get off the road for years especially since he was advised by his orthopedic surgeon to change jobs because of his knee. We will wait on the Lord and see what happens.
But again plans are up in the air about the new school year. We were planning on putting Belle back in the academy in the fall. We cannot afford the full year's tuition. If I could work in the school for one day a week that cuts the tuition in half. But with Hunter still home schooling it's not really possible. And, of course, if Ron gets this new job then we wouldn't be able to afford the academy at all this year. It is frustrating when I ask the Lord for answers that I end up getting more questions. |
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Saturday, August 8, 2009 The Sum of All Parts
I seriously do not know how people find time to blog on a regular basis! I do find it sad that my track record is only one posting a year. I will try to remedy that this month. I thought our summer was going to be more restful but as happens every year, it's just whipping by and I am left wondering what the heck we've done for two months!
Our school year went very well. Tori went back to public high school for her senior year. She had wanted to be a police officer for the past three years. So, she enrolled in a law course and miracle beyond miracle landed a placement at our Ontario Provincial Police Detachment. She beat out 25 other students across our city. We were so proud and it was a real answer to prayer! She worked in the office and enjoyed the girls she worked with, and even got out in a cruiser with an officer for a ride along. But in talking to another policeman about her education in regards to being hired on there, he recommended she choose a secondary career as they would train her for policing. Well, that turned her in another direction completely and now she has abandoned her dream of being in law enforcement. For now, she doesn't know what she wants to do. She completed her school year with a short stint in summer school picking up her last math credit, and now is working an extremely part-time job at a local grocery store. She is hoping to pick up another job or two and work this next year before deciding about her post-secondary education. She also started dating a lovely Christian guy just before Christmas, and they are quite serious. Right now, we continue to struggle with her. She is a baby bird too big for the nest but still unable to fly on her own. She would not agree, of course, and therein lies the struggle. I continue to bathe her prayer!
As for Belle and Hunter, we all enjoyed our year homeschooling together! Belle did miss her friends from the academy but she joined the Friday Group and had a great time at their regional competition in May. The group also had music, art, and archery lessons. She was busy almost every night of the week. Monday was her small group Bible study, Tuesday she'd go to the movies or Awanas, Wednesday she was a junior leader helping with the Junior Youth Group, and Friday was Senior Youth Group. She also picked up some odd jobs babysitting and doing yard work. As for her school work, that proved to be a little more challenging when working in a new environment with a busy little brother! She had a harder time staying focused and didn't get as much accomplished as she would have in the academy. They were always good to get the best out of her. But she enjoyed being more relaxed at home and spending time with us!
With Hunter, I thought home schooling was going to be a complete failure! By the end of the first month, I was ready to send him back to school! He was unfocused and squirrely, and he couldn't get any work done unless I practically "sat" on him. By the end of October, I was at my wits' end and another home school mom had me convinced my son had ADHD, which I would never have considered before. I was praying for wisdom and asking God to show me what do, and He answered! I realized he had WAY too much sugar in his diet. When he was a baby, he had a lot of feeding issues which just spiraled into eating issues when he got older making him a very timid and picky eater. But, of course, all kids love sugar. I realized there were a lot of sugary drinks in the house as well. So, of course, the only plan of action was drastically cutting down his sugar intake. I arrived at this conclusion on Halloween Day of course!!! I decided on a two sugar treat a day max which included a granola bar, chocolate milk, etc. We took him to a Harvest Party instead of out trick or treating. And within a week, our boy had calmed down and was a different kid. He read better, had less temper tantrums, was more focused, and could actually get his school work done in a reasonable amount of time. So, the rest of the year went very well. I found a lovely tutor for him, taught him a little sign language, and we enjoyed reading together. He got a lot of work done and I was very pleased with his progress!
We also managed to do a lot of extras with home schooling. We went walking, biking, swimming, played games, did our devotions and prayed together, took some rain and snow days off, and enjoyed a little freedom! I loved the fact that on a gorgeous fall day, while other kids were stuck in a class room, we had the privilege of going for a walk and picking up pretty leaves! Thank you, Lord, for a good year!!!
As for myself, in September, I started selling Avon. It is very low on my priority list so I'm not making too much right now. I have also taken over the women's ministry at my church. That is a big job and has proved challenging! But it is kingdom work so hopefully the Lord will bless! |
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Friday, August 22, 2008 Another School Year, Another Change
They say the only constant in life is change. That is definitely the case in the past few years since taking the kids out of public school. The first year, I homeschooled one full-time, one part-time, and had one in private school. The second year, there was one homeschooled, one in the academy full-time, and one in part-time. The third year, I had one homeschooled, and two in the academy full-time. This year, we have one in public school, and two being homeschooled full-time!! Whew! Good thing I'm flexible!!
Tori will be finishing her last year of high school back in public school. She only needs six more credits and is taking university prep. She will be busy but I'm feeling confident she is ready to venture back into the world. I think it will be a good transition for when she goes away to school.
As for the other two, they are excited to come home with me. It will be a new venture for me to homeschool two kids. I am hoping my life might be a little more relaxed. I'll keep you posted! |
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Saturday, July 19, 2008 ....And dragon makes six!!!
My kids and I are allergic to pets. We've tried the fish and the furry ones but we have now discovered the perfect pet! A bearded dragon lizard! I have always love reptiles and our little Miette is a darling! We are all excited to have her and love her although I have to admit feeding her live crickets is a bit of a put off. But if anyone is looking for something different for their children, the beardies are great. They love to be held and they are very interesting. We have had our dragon for two months now and she is totally a part of our family. 
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Saturday, May 17, 2008 Variety is the Spice of Life!
So, it happens every spring, I started planning our new school year for next fall. Tori is finishing up her third year of homeschooling. It has been our best year yet! She is on track both spiritually and academically. So!...a huge decision has been made! Drum roll please.....! She is returning to school! She has been wanting to finish her senior year "in a real school". It is out of district, smaller than the local school, and she has many Christian friends there. She will only need 6 more credits they will be university-prep. I think she is ready to go back although I'm still a tad unsure. I do think, though, that it is a good transition, to step out into the world and still have the safety net and security of her home life before she goes off to university. Everything seemed to fall into place for her and I even ended up knowing their new principal! I had prayed she would be blocked from this school if she wasn't meant to go back. All I can figure is that it is time. Of course, I am already praying for her year ahead right now!
As for my two youngest children in private school....another drum roll, please!....I have decided to bring them home!!!! No one is more shocked over this idea/decision more than I!! But I'm pretty sure the Lord is in it. We are all very excited. And looking forward to another year with yet another look! Oh, and I'm hoping this fall I won't feel like I'm being dragged into the new school year kicking and screaming!!!
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Wednesday, April 16, 2008 Super Signs of Spring Beginning!!!
I can't believe it's been eight months since I've posted here! That's almost a WHOLE year! It's been so eventful I could fill up a blog site just with that!
The fall began and I survived. This year, I worked two full days at the Christian school. That was tough since it's a very long day. But on the flip side, it was wonderful to not have a divided mind. I was either working in the school or I was homeschooling Tori. I loved my two full days of being with her. Since she felt it was the Lord's will she homeschool for Grade 11, it has been a pleasant year. We got a lot done with Hunter occupied at school. She has done mostly ACE, has been tutored a bit by Jamie, and taken two courses through the correspondence. She is now registered for her senior year at a public school across town. I have mixed feelings but God seemed to orchestrate events so that she was accepted, and I even found out I knew the principal. We'll see how things play out in the fall. There is always homeschooling to fall back on!
As for Belle, she has done excellent this year, maintaining an average of 93%. She has made every Honour Roll each quarter is always awarded with a free school trip. This quarter we are going to the Science Centre.
Hunter has also done well with his school although he's struggled with Scripture memory, and long days. He gets bored easily but he's reading now and is extremely good in Math.
Our year continued to be full of setbacks and stresses. In September, my husband's and both girls' bikes were stolen in broad daylight right beside our house. The kids prayed and prayed but they were never recovered. At the end of October, Ron had his second surgery so he was off work again for a month. This surgery fixed the sharp pain he was having and he can now straighten it better but it continues to hurt him. He should find a new occupation but so far nothing has come up. December found him laid off for work again for the three weeks over the Christmas season. Finances were a constant worry since he is self-employed. The kids had to learn that Christmas really was about the Christ-child and not getting presents. Many wonderful friends did up providing for us, and we certainly did not lack during the holiday season! Praise the Lord!
For Christmas, we went up north to my parents to spend a few lovely days in front of the fireplace in their cozy log home. My sister and her family were there. As it always happens, everyone got sick with various and asundry ailments. Ron and Hunter were in emerg on Boxing Day. And then, we had another misfortune. Ron and Belle were in an almost head on vehicle collison on a snowy highway outside of my parents' town. God kept them safe, and our family were also in town so they were surrounded by support. Both were really shaken and Belle had a sore neck and back from the seat belt locking but otherwise they were fine. The person responsible for the accident and her passenger were also fine after a trip to emerg. Unfortunately, our van did not survive, and it was written off. We had a lovely expensive rental car for three weeks but, alas, I was not meant to enjoy it. The day we came home from my parents', I ended up sick with ongoing bladder problems and bronchitis. I spent the month of January in bed except to see doctors, specialists, and trips to the emergency. I was in so much pain I was ready to give up. I had many tests, scopes, was put under twice within four days, and eventually had emergency surgery to remove a kidney stone (11 mms OUCH!) After awhile, the pain went away but it's been a long haul getting my strength back. I am even still exhausted after running errands or doing anything physically taxing. And, to this day, my specialist has NO idea what was wrong with me. Personally, I think God healed me. My church was great! I had a lot of people praying and sending cards including my students at school. The moms were wonderful! They brought meals for a week, and then my Bible study ladies brought some meals. I have no idea how people outside the family of God make it through life!
Chronicling the calamities, in February we found out no financial institution would give us money for a new van. And to top it off, we are still paying the same amount every month only now we have one vehicle. So, we borrowed a van from some missionary friends in Africa, only to have to put money into it when their muffler fell off. Now, our SUV needs work. Last week, the van we borrowed was stolen. Again in broad daylight in the middle of the afternoon. We didn't hear back from the police and assumed it had ended up in a chop shop. I was not surprised something like this would happen given the past year and a half. Four different people told me to wait and see what good God was going to bring out of this latest crisis. So, I did not rant and rave at God but waited quietly. And miracle of miracles!!!!...it was recovered yesterday, and as God would have it, we were out searching for the van when a tow truck pulled in with it in tow!!! We can NOT believe we were there at that exact point and time, at that exact place! We are so happy to have it back as we felt a great weight of responsibility for it. Ron's computer tool box was missing but everything else is intact except for the ignition.
So, even though this past year has been hell, I will end this post rejoicing in the Lord!
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Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Sad Signs of Summer Ending!
Have you noticed the crickets are chirping? And that the evenings and mornings are cooler with the afternoons heating up? Have you seen all the stores with their back-to-school stock in? And the garden centres selling their mums? These are all the sad signs of summer ending!
Two months ago, I was actually wondering what I was going to do with my kids for 2 1/2 months of summer vacation! I must have been out of mind!!! Here we are two months later, and I can feel the familiar tension building up in me as another school year approaches. I usually feel like I've been dragged into autumn kicking and screaming...sometimes literally when the alarm starts going off again at 6:30am. But it isn't always about losing my sleep, it's putting back on the mantle of educator and all the pressure that comes with that. And working part-time in my younger children's school while homeschooling a high schooler full-time isn't exactly a picnic, either! So, I will soak up whatever is left of summer and put off thinking of school as long as I possibly can! Of course, my son laughs at me when I can't help but sneak a peek at all the new school supplies in the stores! 
Our summer has been so different but good! Tori, who is 16, got her first full-time job working at a golf and country club. She works on the maintenance crew and her mornings start at 5:00 am. It is hard phyical labour, in sometimes extreme heat. I am so proud of her for persevering! She is quite pleased with the money she's made as well.
Belle, who just turned 13, has had a very full summer at a Christian camp. She has been through a week of leadership camp, two weeks of being a leader-in-training, two weeks as a camper (hard switch there!), and will finish out with a week on the kitchen staff. She stays out at the camp when she is on staff so it is a new experience with her being away. She has grown up a lot over the summer, sometimes going all "teenager" on me which I am not used to when it comes to my sweet Belle!
With the girls gone most of the summer, that has left a lot of time for Hunter and I to be together. He has taken two weeks of swimming lessons...which he passed with flying colours, and just finished a week of vacation Bible school. We have gone to the wading pool, the beach, and spent a lot of time at a friend's pool. He's become an extremely good swimmer. His biggest and proudest accomplishment this summer has been learning to ride a two-wheeler! I feel like a proud mommy bird whose baby has learned to fly!
As for Ron, he finally went back to work full-time at the beginning of August. This injury has been a long haul and it's not over yet. He will have a second surgery done in October since he still cannot straighten his leg. He is still in quite a lot of pain and his knee is tight and swollen. The financial stress is ongoing and very draining.
Well, that pretty much sums up our life to date! I will not think of the "s-word" until the very last minute I have to....then you will hear me kicking and screaming!!!
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Sunday, May 27, 2007 Spiritual Life Lessons that come from Homeschooling!
I don't know about other homeschooling moms, but every March I start thinking about the next school year. Since I've only been doing this for two years now, it has been an agonizing prospect every year. The first March, the Lord told me to homeschool again next fall. This year, when I was feeling some pressure to register her for public school, I prayed again and I felt the Lord telling me to wait, just wait. So, I waited since obeying the year before had brought such spectacular results. I wasn't sure what I was waiting for, though. In spite of Tori's turn around, she had continued to want to go back to public school. And, even though, she is in a much better place now, I am still convinced that is not the place for my child, or any of my children, no matter what grade they are in! I would love to see all three of my kids at the academy. The other two have done very well there, and I feel such a peace knowing that they are where they are supposed to be. But it has been quite a challenge this year to work three mornings a week at the academy, and homeschool a high-schooler full-time. Despite my continued prayers, Tori is still adamantly against going there next fall. I have been avoiding the subject of schooling next fall because I didn't want to get into a battle of wills. Also, the question came up as to what would happen if she insisted on going to public despite our continued opposition. Does a parent completely wipe their hands of it, and leave her to her own devices or do they take her through the process and stand beside her despite the rebellion?! Advice from experienced homeschoolers advised me to stand beside her no matter the decision. So, to avoid the inevitable conflict, I avoided the subject completely, praying in the meantime, God would block her from the public school, and give me the miracle I wanted by convincing her to go to the academy. Tori and I did have a relaxed and non-confrontational chat about my concerns and problems with public school to which she had an argument for everyone in her mind. Teenagers really should be lawyers! In the end, I closed the subject by telling her to just pray for God's will for her life. She told me she had prayed but I said, "No, you have prayed for what YOU want for your life, not what God wants!" To this, she had no rebuttal. In the meantime, I have avoided, agonized, stewed, and prayed about the situation. Last Thursday night, it dawned on me at about midnight, that I had been doing the very thing I had encouraged Tori not to do. I was praying MY will for Tori's life and was completely convicted! So, I repented and asked God to show me clearly what He wanted for Tori in regards to her education. Not 24 hours later, Tori and I were having a nice mother/daughter chat when she suddenly said, "Oh! I guess I should tell you what I'm doing for school next year." I inwardly cringed and prepared for the inevitable and ugly battle. Then she says, "I've decided to homeschool again!" I was ecstatic with shock and joy! And completely overwhelmed at how amazing God is! His timing was hilarious and has taught me a valuable lesson. When I surrendered my will to His, He knew I was finally ready to hear the answer to my months of prayers. More than just Tori is getting an education through our homeschooling journey!
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Friday, April 13, 2007 Did I Say My Life Was Mental Before.....?!? Let's Upgrade That!!!
Well, if I said my life was mental before, I am now officially upgrading it to absolutely insane! I actually keep erroneously thinking that my life can't possibly get any busier and then the impossible happens!!
In January, my husband had a run-in with a snowboard. When all was said and done, he ended up with a broken leg, surgery, two screws in his knee, and out of work. And, no, we weren't at a ski resort! Just a little kiddie hill where little kids toboggan. So, on top of all I have to do with our kids, schooling, and our home....I now have to take care of my injured husband, do his chores, and chauffeur him around town and to specialist appointments!!!  The icing on the cake is that he is self-employed and so for three months we've had no money coming in! Talk about a walk of faith! And then we find out, he is supposed to be off for another two months! I can NOT believe I have not ended up in a padded room!  It must be the grace of God.
And speaking of God, I have to testify to the fact that He has gotten us through some very tough times. Things have not gone the way we had hoped but I have to be thankful for the fact that we are still in our house, still own our vehicles, and have had plenty to eat. Also, we have been blown away by our caring church family who continue to support us through prayer, encouragement, and gifts!
In retrospect, I guess I'd rather be insanely busy than lonely and bored! |
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Saturday, November 4, 2006 The Divine Super Powers of GOD!
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Praise GOD from Who all blessings flow....! What a beautiful song the Doxology is! Words cannot relay the song in my heart from having years of prayers finally answered! Tori made a decision to become a Christian!!! She made a commitment when she was six but the hell we have gone through with her over the past few years has not bore evidence of that. In fact, she has been so antagonistic of anything remotely spiritual that she had gone so far as to call herself an atheist. I have not gone into all that we have been through with Tori on this blog. It is not something I want to dwell on or remember. But there were many dark days and nights where I thought her and I both were not going to survive the terrifying direction her life was going in and the choices she was making.
Two years ago, I made a bold and crazy decision to homeschool my high-schooler after she flatly refused to go to a Christian school. Me, homeschool!!!....the mom who said I'd never do that in a million years! Man, times flies! LOL I swear that word "never" is a red flag to God and Satan! Anyway, this was a decision that I felt the LORD was calling me to for Tori's sake. She had just graduated from Grade 8 in a small, well-run public school. But there was no way I could let her, in good conscience, go to a public high school. I felt deep in my heart that we would lose her for sure, in more ways than one. I had a mental picture that the devil and I were in a tug-of-war over Tori.
Homeschooling a troubled teen and a very unwilling student is overwhelming and next to impossible without the grace of God. We survived the first year. Tori was a good student and although wasn't loving being home with me 24/7, we hardly had any problems academically. She raised her average from the 70's to the 90's. Her behaviour was still troubled and erratic so it was with great trepidation that I considered continuing to homeschool her through another year. I knew she would be furious when she found out. Out of desperation, I prayed and prayed over what to do with her in regards to her schooling. One day, I said right out loud, "GOD! I wish You would tell me what the heck to do with this girl!" And I clearly heard Him say in my heart, "You know what to do!! You just don't want to do it!!" Well, I knew my fate was sealed. I had to tell Tori she wouldn't be going back to public school. She did NOT receive the news well, as anticipated. She cried, and raged, and staunchly proclaimed that when she turned 16 the next February, she was signing herself into school whether we gave our permission or not. I wisely suggested taking it one semester at a time, instead of arguing and fighting about it.
Many things have lead to Tori’s life change. Prayer being the biggest one! And, while praying, I myself changed as a parent towards her, becoming less judgmental, less sarcastic, less lecturing, more loving, more gentle, more understanding. Many people and churches were also praying for her. Homeschooling definitely was a huge factor, and the LORD has truly rewarded my obedience to do this. Also, having a good Christian teenage friend for her has been a major factor. When Tori was feeling very anti-Christian/anti-God, I prayed that He would bring a strong, Christian friend into Tori’s life who she could look up to, respect, and think was cool but who would be a testimony to her. Not having a particular person in mind, I was hoping for a nice, local girl so her and Tori could hang out together. But God, in His infinite wisdom…and knowing my teenage, boy-crazy daughter…brought a boy along to be this friend I prayed for! I can only say, thank you, Lord, he lives six hours away! LOL Jared knows his Bible very well and absolutely loves to debate. During the last part of our first year homeschooling and the summer, we saw a lot of changes in Tori; her behaviour, attitudes, actions, etc. but the very last to change was the spiritual.
About a month into the new school year, Tori gave me her communications journal and told me to read it after she went to bed. I was a little wary, since the past year or two has either seen the journal completely ignored or used to say some pretty nasty things. But by the look on her face, I could tell that what she'd written was going to be ok. She wrote that a week and a half before, she'd decided to become a Christian. "Not just, 'Ok, fine, I believe but a Christian CHRISTIAN", she wrote. She didn't know what the big deal was but Jared (her now boyfriend) was pressuring her to tell us. Man, how can a mom not dance with joy at that news?!? I wanted to run downstairs and talk to her but I didn't since she wrote she didn’t want to discuss it. Awhile later, she came upstairs to get something and I just couldn't let her go without saying "something"! She started down the stairs and I called her. She turned around and grinned at me. I said, "Can I give you a hug?" She came right up and hugged me.....hugged ME, for the first time in two years!!! I cry every time I tell someone this or even think about it!
And as happy as I am about her decision, I'm even more thrilled to see evidence of a change and the Lord working in her life. I have never seen God change anyone so drastically and so quickly as Tori. She has started praying, joined the teen Bible study at our church, has invited a friend out who has started coming to church and youth group, and her and Jared have set up a daily Bible reading schedule. This morning, her and I sat together on my bed comparing verses in Galatians that we had underlined because they spoke to us.
Now, if anyone had told me a year ago, when we were going through this teenage hell, that today we'd be in heaven, I wouldn't have believed it! But God truly is…..a God of miracles!!
Thank You, Father!!!
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Tuesday, October 24, 2006 Is it Summer yet?!?
I know, I know....the school year has barely got started but I am ready for some holidays!  I actually thought last year was busy, and it was! But, what does that make this year?!? I feel like my life is travelling at hyper-speed and I'm barely hanging on. I honestly don't know how I've made it this far! The grace of GOD, would be my guess!
Why am I so busy?? I'm glad you asked but you might be sorry after you hear my answer! Belle is going to the Christian school full-time. So, there is chauffering to do there, and school activities. Hunter started part-time for kindergarten. He goes three mornings a week and I work those three mornings at the school which knocks a lot of money off their tuition. I come home and make lunch for the three of us because I am homeschooling Tori again this year for Grade 10. Then, after Hunter lays down for a nap, I clean, do dishes, bake, cook, do laundry , and help Tori. If I'm lucky, I might be able to get a game in with her. After picking Belle up from school, I do errands or make doctor and chiropractor appointments. All three kids and I have had a lot of appointments and tests lately. Mondays are our homeschooling day so all three kids are home. Belle goes in to the academy to score her work sometime in the afternoon but at least, we get to sleep in!  Thursdays, Tori goes to Jamie's for her tutoring. And Hunter's friend, Emmit, comes home with us to be babysat for the afternoon. Fridays, Tori spends her day with a homeschooling co-op that the moms have to be involved in. Yet another commitment.
The week nights are pretty full as well. Monday nights, I attend a ladies Bible study at my church. We are doing Beth Moore's "Daniel". It's very good but there is homework five days a week with that. Tuesday, Tori has Bible study with her youth group. Wednesday, Belle has youth group, and Tori goes on Friday night. If I'm lucky, I might get a mommy's night out but it depends.
The weekends are full of activities with the kids and getting stuff done around the house....if I'm lucky.
Oh,
did I mention I have two kids taking five different medications for
various things three times a day?! I think I need a personal
assistant! Any volunteers???
When I write it all down, it doesn't seem like my life should be such a whirlwind of activity. So, then, why is it that I'm not able to sit down the whole day until I fall into bed at 9:00 or 10:00 at night?!?  Somebody pray for this poor girl, would you?!?
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Sunday, September 17, 2006 A Wonderfully Perfect Summer!
Well, before I start posting about our new school year, I should write
about our glorious summer! It was truly the best ever! My
goal for the summer was spending a lot of time swimming for the kids
and reading for me. My kids were finished school two weeks before
the public schools, so we had the local beaches to ourselves.
July was spent mostly hanging out at the beach, wading pool, or sports
centre. We went to the library a lot. I achieved my goal of
reading. I also started a ladies Bible study at our church which
consisted of another book called "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha
World". It is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.
Unfortunately, we ended up cancelling the study since people were busy
despite the initial interest. That just left me with more free
time. The third week of July, our family actually went on our
first summer vacation. Ron works for Baskin Robbins so summer
vacations are unheard of in his line of work! We went away for
four days to visit family, friends, stay at our favourite hotel for a
few days, and to take Hunter for a ride on the real Thomas the Tank
Engine at a train museum a few hours away. He was in his
glory!
August was a lot more busy. We went away for
another three day vacation to visit more family and friends. One
of the highlights of my summer was getting the chance to tour around in
a 2003 yellow Thunderbird convertible. A friend from church was
lucky enough to have her family rent one for her birthday for the
week. She was generous enough to share the blessing! Thanks
again, Kim! I'll never forget that ride!
I'm having a hard time remembering what else filled
our summer. We played the part of tourists taking the kids to
some museums and local attractions. I spent a lot of time
thinking about our new homeschooling year, reading some homeschooling
books, and ordering curriculum, despite not wanting to think about
school before I absolutely had to! The week before school did
start, I took each of the kids on a date to a place of their choice for
lunch and some shopping. Hunter went to the "big" McDonald's and
the Teacher's Store where he could play with a Thomas Train set.
Belle and I went to the movies. And Tori and I went to our
favourite tea room and shopping.
I'm sure we did a lot more things that my limited
memory cannot recall. It was a wonderful and restful summer and I
hated to see it end so quickly. But the good thing about summer
is....there will always be another one!
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Thursday, June 29, 2006 Flying Spaghetti and a Magic Fish!
Life with my son, Hunter, has never been boring! We call him "Hurricane Hunter". And I have coined a quote about him: He makes Denace the Menace look like a Saint! A friend even had a shirt made up for him with that saying.
On Sunday, the kids were eating their spaghetti at supper. As usual, everyone was done and gone with Hunter still working a way at his (the strange child doesn't like to eat!) Since I was in bed with sore ribs (thanks to several roller coasters at Canada's Wonderland), I was not supervising suppertime. I heard Tori yell at him several times to sit down and eat. A friend called and during the conversation, she came upstairs and told me that I needed to deal with Hunter. Apparently, he'd gotten up, went into the kitchen, took the bowl of leftover noodles, took them into the livingroom, and threw them up in the air hitting the ceiling fan. Well, you can imagine where those noodles went....everywhere!! I simply cannot fathom the mind of a boy! Where do they come up with these ideas?!? If I could only harness that power!
On Tuesday, Belle and I were changing the fish bowls. Belle has a glorified goldfish and Hunter has a Beta. His bowl was in the bathroom. We put his fish in a deep cup beside it until the water in his bowl was at room temperature. I took the kids out for a few hours. When we came home, Belle went in to clean the bathroom. All of a sudden, I hear her yell, "Mom, where's Hunter's fish???" I said it was in the cup and she said it wasn't. I asked if someone had put it back in the bowl but she said no. Sure enough, that fish was GONE! We looked everywhere. Of course, the girls and I were afraid of finding a dead fish body. But it's never turned up, even after going through the garbage and looking in the toilet. There are some theories.....there was a fish rapture, the neighbour's cat broke in again and ate it, but the most widely accepted is that it jumped out of the cup and went down the drain. The whole thing is bizarre and several times that night I yelled out, "Where's the fish?!?!"
I should be used to the weird things that go on in this family but I am always amazed when something new happens! 
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Thursday, June 15, 2006 In the Home Stretch!!!
I can't believe it, but I can see the end in sight....our first year homeschooling!!! It has gone so fast. And it has been more successful than I'd ever dared dream! It was a hard year, homeschooling and working, but it's been a satisfying year. I can't give you a run down of all the blessings because there isn't a list. I'm just thankful that we survived.
We used ACE which I am familiar with so there was no bumbling around trying to figure out what we were doing for our first year, no trying to figure out the curriculum, not even any doubts as to whether I was even doing the right thing in taking my kids out of the public school system. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak.
Tori has gone from a 70's average to a 90's. Her attitude and behaviour have improved by leaps and bounds, and she is actually a joy to be around. A lot of time, energy, and prayer has been invested in her this year. The Friday Group has been awesome for her, and she has had the opportunity to make some money by babysitting for a family around the corner on a regular basis.
Belle has done wonderfully well in her new Christian school. They also use ACE so we ran on their academic schedule at home. Everyone loves her at school and she has fit in extremely well. She is thankful that she is around other people who share her faith but she does still miss her public school friends. Next year, I'll have to make more of an effort to get her together with them. They were a good bunch of girls. Belle also made Honour Roll and has an average in the 90's. It has been a great learning experience for me working in the school one day a week. I work with the teens and there is never a dull moment in that learning centre! 
As for little mister Hunter, I had to let go of my grand notions of homeschooling him!  It is so different teaching a boy. He was very unfocused and undisciplined, easily frustrated and impatient. After a few months, I decided that my homeschooling year with him would be a success if I could just teach him to write his name! Well, mission accomplished!  He does love to be read to and he loves putting together puzzles with me. Since he was four, though, I really wasn't going to push him. The hardest thing I did was leave him once a week with my girlfriend as babysitter. Although I liked working in the school, it is a long day and hard for me to be away from him. I've never had to leave any of my children before to work. Next year, I'm hoping to work three mornings instead of all day. As for his schooling in the fall, he had his entrance test this week and passed so as long as there are some other kindergartners, he will go to Belle's school. He will only go four mornings a week. It will be perfect for him since he needs to be around kids more.
So, I think that pretty much sums up our year. I am so looking forward to being off, spending time at the beach, getting some rest and relaxation....oh, and sleeping in....and not making lunches....or keeping a schedule....and driving Belle to school....and.....!!!
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Wednesday, June 14, 2006 There's a what in my window well?!?!
This afternoon, I went onto my deck to enjoy a lovely spring day, doing my devotions on my swing. It was about 3:00 pm. When I walked out there, I distinctly smelled skunk, which I've never minded. I thought it was odd, though, to be smelling it in the middle of the afternoon when they are nocturnal. I wondered idly if maybe someone had hit one during the night, although I hadn't smelled it earlier when I'd gone out. An hour later, my daughter comes upstairs from her room and said, "The basement smells like skunk!" We went out to the van to get my youngest daughter from school when my 5 year old son, suddenly took off around the house. I had no idea what he was doing but he came running back, screaming, "There's a skunk in our window well!!!!" I have to tell you I was so shocked that I just stared at him and told him to hush, over and over. I needed to think and I didn't want the poor scared thing spraying more because a kid was screaming at the top of his lungs! 
After coming home and calling first the SPCA (we don't deal in wild animals!) and then the MNR (we only deal with bears!), I ended up putting a 2 x 4 into the hole to see if it would crawl out. It took me almost ten minutes to lower it down in there. The poor skunk totally freaked, stomping, waving its tail, and showing its butt. After a few hours, it still hadn't come out. It's so cute, and I feel so bad. It was a hot day and it must be thirsty. I twist tied a sand pail to a mop handle and lowered some water down there. Now, that was daring since I had to get even closer to the well than I did with the 2 x 4.
Anyway, as of 10:30 tonight, he was still in there. I don't know what I'll do tomorrow if it doesn't come out during the night. Of course, my husband in working extra long hours today so he has missed all the excitement. And excitement it is!!! The kids have been freaking out and tip toeing out there all evening to get a peek at it. Belle wants to keep the skunk which I'm rethinking my previous "no" as she found her new fish dead tonight, right at 10:00 and way past bed time. She sobbed like she'd lost her best friend. After hugging her and trying my best to console her, I sent her to bed with Hunter so he could hug her and comfort her. Where, oh where, is my husband?!?!
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Thursday, June 8, 2006 My First Homeschool Graduation
Last night, our teen homeschooler's group held their graduation. A first for our family since we are new to homeschooling. It was a small, intimate gathering held in the private dining room at Kelsey's. The cozy room was decorated with ballons and party confetti.
There were two Grade 8 grads and one high school grad. After the meal, came the speeches which were warm and personal, short and sweet! Dessert and fellowship were held in the home of the mom who runs the Friday Group. The kids swam in their pool and soaked in the hot tub, while the adults at ice cream sundaes and chatted over an open fire. It was a lovely evening!
The Friday Group has been a wonderful experience for our daughter this past year. The kids, about 10 of them, met every Friday throughout the school year for most of the day. So, we do our schooling four days a week. Karen, their fearless leader, is very talented and has homeschooled her own girls for years. The group does drama and music. Last fall, they performed William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". Their performance blew the parents away! Just the memorization of their lines impressed me. We parents were very proud that night! It was my first taste of the Friday Group.
After the Christmas break, the group began preparing for their 3 day competition in May. They worked hard for five months to compete in sports, photography, art, music, and drama. Again, they performed for the parents as a practice. All of their performances centred on GOD. My heart overflowed with praise to the LORD for having my daughter involved in this group. The kids have been a wonderful influence on her. It is incredibly satisfying to see peer pressure work for the positive!
So, thank you, Karen, for spending your precious time with our kids. Thank you for all the work you have done with them. And thank you for giving Tori the opportunity to blossom in areas she would never have considered before. May the LORD bless you always!
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Monday, June 5, 2006 All Tuckered Out! Friday, June 2, 2006 Life Lessons NOT from TLC!
Watch out TLC, GOD invented the first series of life lessons....!I read this quote on a homeschool blogger "Old Paths":
"Motherhood is the journey out of my own self-centeredness". (Above Rubies
Magazine)
Isn't that so true and a good phrase to remember?!?! Who else
embodies sacrifice (next to JESUS) more than a mother?? I think.....NO ONE!! What I find so encouraging about this quote is that
the chores we find so tedious and repetitive can be a spiritual life lesson in
being JESUS with skin on. Whatever we do, do it as to the LORD. So there,
girls, stand proud!! We are mommies and we are storing up treasures in
Heaven....and serving them on earth! |
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About Me
Disclaimer: This blog is mostly a personal diary about our homeschooling adventures, my time with family and friends, and a record of my journey with GOD. If you want a peek into our lives, you are always welcome. But if you get bored, please feel free to move on to greener reading pastures! May the LORD bless you and keep you!!
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Can you tell I love this emoticon???
It was great! The day was gorgeous and the entertainment was awesome! I think I'm ready to go on to the Calgary Stampede. 
