My 13 year old and I have really been struggling this fall with Vocabulary,Grammar and Writing. Due to his lack of focus we have been going daily to a library which seems to help him. At first he was just really upset that the work was so difficult. Vocabulary words, grammar and writing were not his thing a year ago. Actually, he wasn't doing much of that. He had a tutor but I don't think she touched on the grammar as intensively as this tutor is.

He meets his tutor once a week but she really has him going. He was just figiting with simple stuff for the past three years. Although, I should of been on top of things, many things in life were distracting me. Now I too am getting focused and going to the library is also helping me. Who would of known?

This past Friday he came running to me, " Mom, I made a 94 on my essay!" His face just lit up with joy!!!

Success in your child's eyes is priceless.

Today I realized that my teen who really struggles to concentrate and get his schoolwork done got it done today.

I think with every family one has to work through each child's needs. I'm down to my last of four sons and he is my challenging child.

This morning we headed out the door with the Spanish books we were supposed to return to the library. I told my son last night that to pack his books because we were going to the library in the morning.

Surprisingly he did! Well, we headed out the door and off we went. Once we got there we found a quiet spot and started his Geography. Well, it took him about an hour and a half to get it all done but we did it!

Hunger started setting in so we headed out for a lunch break. Then, I got an idea to go to a different library and do his Writing and Grammar. So off we went to another library after lunch. Well, it was not as quite since most ofc the kids were off of school by then. That was NOT a quite library and I could see he was not a happy trooper. Homeschool children are used to having places and parks to themselves.

Nevertheless, I told him we were staying till 5:30 if we had to to get it all done. He said if I finish earlier  can we leave. WOW, what an incentive. He got it done with many distractions from the school kids but it was good for him to see into their lives.

I finally figured that being home is NOT getting his work done; with the computer, Wii and TV around (too many distractions).

Unfortunately, getting out involves gas and sometimes other expenses. However, I figure if I can do this at least twice a week we can really accomplish alot.

We as homeschooling moms have to be creative in getting our children to do their work and each of us will find a different way.

Mine is running errands and hitting every library that crosses our paths. LOL

Been teaching at San Antonio Academy. There has been no time to homeschool. I am blessed that my mom is helping me out. Jesse finished his Geography and Vocabulary. That's awesome when you have some support form your mom.

Let me tell you though; that was not the way it used to be. She gave me such a hard time when I started homeschooling. It was not a popular thing and of course how they were going to miss out on stuff normal school kids get to do. 

On what? Well, those are our parents concerns. After 18 years of homeschooling, she has see how my boys have grown up to be Godly young men. Two are now in college and one more about to graduate. Now instead of negative comments, she's there to help me out with my last son Jesse who's twelve.

So if you are just starting out to homeschool, be encouraged. Your parents will see the fruits of your labor in time.

I must say that I really thought this day was a dream. I still look back at photos and see it that way. I never dreamed of such a beautiful wedding. Everything was so perfect. I felt so blessed and honored by my Lord Jesus Christ to have had such a special daughter come into our lives.

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged on this site. Been rather busy this past year. I not only teach my own children but other homeschoolers as well. I've been teaching at various co-ops and not to mention online, too.

I really only have my twelve year old that I'm teaching Vocabulary, Math and Geography at home. Since I teach at so many co-ops he is going to other classes at these groups.

It has been a rather rough year teaching Jesse at home because he loves to procratinate. We tried changing his school time to after lunch since he is sleeping in more. Although, he used to be an early riser, I think he's physically changing. He will soon be a teen but his mood swings tell me he's there already.

Nevertheless, I continue to perserver with him at all costs. I sometimes have to clentch my teeth just to get through some of his school work. SIGH

Although, I'm teaching summer camps now, my mother has taken on the schooling this summer. She is enjoying learning the Voc. with him. It is a nice relief to have her help out.

My eldest is happily married now. He married on Aug. 1, 2008. My second son who is 21 is still going to college but working this summer. My third son is at this moment driving to Colorado with other homeschool buddies who are going on their senior trip although he's just a junior.

Well, that's all for now. I hope to get more focused with my son Jesse come Aug. but then again that's another story.

Mom, is heaven a myth? I don't believe in heaven said my 12 year old on the way home the other day. I was shocked to hear this from a child that has been raised in the church all his life. As a parent, we try our best to raise our children to the Lord but this comment from my fourth son through me for a loop.

I didn't really say much. I must admit I did have some internal anger because I have instilled in my children love of God. Yet, knowing anger wouldn't change anything. It could of made things worse.

I think my anger issue within is mostly selfishness on my part. We think when we do something our children are to do the same. I suppose it's that control issue in us moms. But I know our children are entitled to their own opinions and beliefs. It's just strange when it isn't what we have instilled in them.

I asked him. You mean to tell me your friend Amanda who died three years ago is NOT in heaven? He said NO.

I think people die and that's it.

WOW, I was rather in shock.

Actually at this moment I feel sad and really don't know how to help him. I spoke to my husband and we both agree that as he get's older and encounters his own trials in life. He will find heaven.

I

I was reading about dads and homeschooling. I thought of our last night adventure stargazing through our telescope last night.

My husband was sitting outside around 5 p.m. when I looked up at the sky and saw the moon? It was bright as could be and yet there was daylight. So we pulled out a telescope that was given to our family and set it up. WOW! it was so amazing. It was as if it was around the block from us. we could see all the details.

I write this because my husband hardly participates in the education of my children; however, I think if we allow our husbands to discover things with the kids they are helping develope their skills for discovery.

My husband has never taught the boys. But he has taught them skills with minor auto mechanics, some home building skills and plumbing.

Even though your husband may not help with subjects, they do help develop other skills. Encourage your children to go help daddy. I know my husband is more a loner and never wants help but now he is older and can use more help. I feel for my older sons and how they missed out on dad some but the young sons are benefiting. Pray God's guidence with your children's education where your husbands are concerned.

Well, I just cannot believe it. It really is a miracle!

Once I started drinking the tea, I also began taking ginseng. The pain in my knee is gone!!!!

I have been suffering for 5 years now with knee pain. I really believe there may have been a spur but something else was kinked inside. I think the ginseng has helped my circulation so much that now I don't feel that pinching feel inside the knee. I am actually dancing around the house. I even have energy to do all sorts of things I wasn't doing.

Praise God for his infinite wisdom.

I haven't been blogging lately. I suppose it could of been that I was feeling so much pain that to write was even painful. Nothing of an emergency just joint pain. A friend of mine advised me to see a doctor but I just procrastinated so long till the pain was causing me to not be myself.

I'm still not sure what it is but the naproxen the doctor gave me is helping me alot. I can finally stand up longer than I ever could and I feel like doing things. WOW!

Hope everyone who is feeling under the weather will get checked by a doctor. Don't do what I did. Save yourself the pain.

See ya!

Frankly, I've been feeling anxious and fearful. I'm not sure of the uncertainty that I fell is normal for a pre-menopausal woman. I tell my husband that I wish I was one of those people who could take a "happy pill" but the problem is I hate taking medicines. Does anyone feel these same feelings and thoughts?

Just wondering.

Lately, I've been reading a great book that was aired on the JONI show on Daystar TV. When I saw Squire Rushnell on the show, I heard two of his God wink stories and at that moment knew I had to read the book.

I ordered it and it finally came in. Well, this weekend my husband wanted to go fishing and so I grabbed the book to enjoy the beautiful day with him and my youngest son.

The book is called When God Winks at You. A God wink is like God saying, "Here I am. I love you." and you feel a big hug from God himself. People would say that they are just coincidences in life but they are way too much to be just a coincidence.

I've enjoyed reading 1/2 of the book but while reading it God winked at me and my husband. So this is my God wink blog of what happenned Saturday, March 17, 2007.

We loaded up the Explorer to head out to a new fishing whole my husband discovered. It was very close by. Usually we drive at least 45 mins away to find a spot but this is to say around the corner. Who would of known that in the backyard of a huge subdivision and between a highway you could find a bit of paradise.

It used to be the San Antonio Lake fishing hole. This place must have been beautiful when it first openned. But now everything was as if someone no longer cared for this beautiful natural retreat. It was run down and there were no signs of anyone. We arrive and I'm thinking to myself this is it? But we get to a small white mobile home and there through the glass doors are four dogs to greet us. They were at first barking and then they began wagging their tails. Their heads motioned to signal that their owner was not home. We sat their thinking how this place could be so beautiful if someone had the money. There was a two story home on the left that surely could of been a bed and breakfast place.

As we sat there in front of the STOP sign in front of the home, we see a woman in rubber boots walking up the trail. She mentions how there is a $8 fee per person whether adult or child. The owner had mandated her to request that amount regardless of age. She was a jovial lady who loved to talk and gave us the layout of what her plans are to get the place up and going. Although, she herself was not the owner, she saw the vision and beauty of that place.

After paying the fee we drove to the other end of the lake. It was so peaceful. The sky was blue the water crystal and a cool breeze blowing overhead. What a grand day to fish! Well at least dad and Jesse were going to fish. "Dad" is what I call my husband.

Jesse was so excited. Spending time with Dad and I was the best time of all for him. He didn't have to compete with his other three brothers for our attention. So when we drove up we found that we had to cross to the other side by walking through a pool of water about ankle deep. There was no way around it. The week before we had an outpour of rain and it was still wet in many areas around the lake.

The guys crossed the make believe moat and I sat in the vehicle with my legs propped up on the window. My feet hung out the window with my chair pulled back. The guys settle down and hook the bait and cast. Then the God wink began.

Out of no where come flying in two swans? Yes, two HUGE swans. Where they came from we didn't know. But they were beautiful. Dad thought it was a spiritual experience. I on the other hand I thought it was a birdwatching experience. We have really been into watching birds these days. Just then Dad says, "Look hon, look over there by that tree." I looked but I couldn't see what he was talking about.  So I stared for awhile and then finally saw it!

Life flashback:

Raul and I were newlyweds and so was my cousin Rose. One day we all decided to go fishing in a boat. So the four of us boarded a small fishing boat that sat four. As we were in the middle of Canyon Lake which is one of the biggest lakes around, somebody needed to go to the bathroom. Bathroom? there wasn't anything available out in the middle of nowhere. So we veer the boat near the shore for that person to tend to business.

We all get ready to cast again and Raul saw me having trouble with something in the boat. He leaned forward to help me and in doing so placed the reel down inside the boat. Well, something that day grabbed the bait and the reel, too! "Oh, no." he moaned. My wonderful husband had lost something very special to him that day. It was his fishing reel that his father had given to him as a child. It was gone. There was no way we could jump in and locate it. The water was too deep and it was dangerous since we didn't know what lurked underneath. I felt my husband's loss profoundly. I could see it on his face how distrought he felt that day. He had lost the gift his dad had given him for his birthday as a boy.

***

I saw it, too. It was a fishing rod. Not just any rod. This was a brand new fishing rod with the price tag still on it. It was $29.95. It was shiny and didn't have signs like it was out there for days? We looked all around and there was no one there. Absolutely, no one but God.

It happened to be my husband's 50th birthday weekend. Our family never celebrates just one day. We celebrate for several days around here. I smiled and knew at that moment it was a God wink.

:o)

Lately I haven't really wanted to blog. Kids have been sick with the flu this past week. Although I must say I have had to stay home, the house is in better order. I've realized how crazy it gets when I'm not home. I also noticed I can't keep it straight when I'm teaching so many classes.

I have had time to think about the past and how I've always focused on helping to make another dollar. I realize how fast the boys are growing and where time has gone is gripping. But I know before long they will all one day be on their path to life.

I realize that as they grow they no longer need me as much. However, this flu has made me realize a mother's love helps one through the hardest of times. Each day the boys were so ill that tears would run down their faces. Fear of dying was a reality. Pain they've never felt existed. We rarely appreciate our health when we have it each day. We don't even think at times to Thank God for our health.

I know I've realized this these past few days. I'm grateful God has given me the health to help my boys. I feel needed wiping their tears and giving them hugs. Telling them that "Everything is going to be OK." Reassuring them that they will be themselves again.

I ponder how parents of critically ill children console their children day after day. This is so difficult if only for a couple of weeks. One sees the end of the trial but to see a child dying of luekemia or other illnesses must reach it's toll. I pray for these parents. Lord give them the stregnth to continue to encourage their children to undergo their procedures to good health one day. Help all these parents, Lord.

Amen

Today Jesse said, "Mom, do animals have feelings?" The reason he asked was because he called my Chichuachua "Fat Pooch".

I told him that I think they do. They may not know what we are saying but the tone of voice we say it in. I told him that they love us and are loyal to us.

Just this morning my cat Goobie a black, white, yellow and orange calico cat saw me walking to the corner store. I was gone about 20 mins. As I returned back home and turned the corner. There she was waiting by the van looking down the sidewalk to see if I was coming. She doesn't run to anyone. As I approached, I stood still when she rubbed her whole body next to my legs. I said, "Yes, Goobie, I love you, too."

We call her the "Nanny", too because when Jesse was a baby and he'd start to cry. She'd jump next to him and wait impatiently because she wanted someone to help stop the crying. Even to this day if Jesse cries for some reason. She jumps in his lap to help ease his pain.

Our other cat "Candy" is also a character. She loves only Alex. Oh, my when Alex isn't around she is so sad. She doesn't know what to do with herself. Every night she cuddles on his legs. See Jesse and Alex sleep on the lower bunk bed. Yet, she only sleeps with him.

"Punky" my chichuachua loves me. He won't let anyone near me. We also nicknamed him "Homeland Security". The other night I went to pick up Jesse from Sis. Jennifer's house. I told Raul that I was going to pick him up. He asked, "Do you want me to go with you?" I said, "No, hon, Punky, is going." He said, "OH, alright." in a tone of voice like I was taking a the highest security FBI agent with me. He was not concerned one bit that I was going out late at night.
Yet, I have to admit. I feel extremely safe with Punky riding with me at night. NO one better sneak up or their are going to really get it.

So in my opinion, yes animals do have feelings.

What do you think? Tell me about your pet.