Happy Birthday To You!
Happy Birthday To You!
Happy Birthday Sweet Ashley ~
who is turning "11" !!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday To You!

                        WE LOVE YOU ASHLEY

1 * SHE IS OUR GIFT FROM GOD

2 * SHE LOVES HER LORD & SAVIOR

3 * SHE HAS THE MOST TENDER SOUL

4 * SHE HAS A BEAUTIFUL HEART

5 * SHE LOVES HER MOMMY & DADDY

6 * SHE LOVES HER BROTHERS

7 * SHE IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY ~ ON THE INSIDE & OUT

8 * SHE CARES DEEPLY FOR OTHERS

9 * SHE HAS A SPARKLE IN HER EYE & CONTAGIOUS LAUGH

10 * SHE DESIRES TO BE WHAT GOD HAS DESIGNED HER TO BE

11 * SHE IS A BEAUTIFUL SINGER 

I LOVE YOU * MOM

Tonight was a fun night just being a family.

I haven't been feeling a 100% lately and today was a  pretty low-key day. I text my husband to see when he would be home this afternoon and he said, 45 minutes.....wow the day just slipped by me. The house wasn't a crazy mess but it was in a bit of disarray. As I was walking upstairs to freshen myself up a little I was trying to think about dinner - blehk food does not sound good right now. Well when I came back downstairs I could hardly believe it!!! Isaiah and Ashley had everything cleaned up - I'm talkin' a spotless floor! And they completely cleaned up the kitchen ~ put all the school books away, set the table, emptied the dishwasher and filled it back up! I was only upstairs for 5 or 10 minutes ~ they worked so quietly and QUICKLY! I was speechless. They truly warmed my heart ~ I didn't even have to ask.......deep sigh with a smile.......

Afler dinner my husband and I decided to do a little typing challenge! I've been working with Isaiah and Ashley this year with their typing and so we included them. There's a site called power typing that tells you your wpm so we all did it. We took a few turns and my best score was....64wpm * My hubby's best was 47wpm * Isaiah best 11wpm - so sweet :) and Ashley is at 13wpm - so sweet :)

While we were waiting on Isaiah and Ashley we were challenging Noah, Luke and Elijah (wink!) with a fun guessing game! Guess who's handwriting it is. They just love a good challenge. My husband would write something on the doodleboard and then I would copy him (or vice-versa) and the boys would try to guess which one was mine and which one was Dad's. So much fun! Such silly boys ~ They would say things like, "Oh I just know Mom wrote the top one because, sorry dad your handwriting is not as nice as mom's" And yep - you guessed it - they were wrong. or this one made me crack up, "Oh! Look! This one is 'loopy' ~ it has to be MOM'S!!!!" Yep - wrong again - lots of fun! Lots of Fun!

Well now everyone is in bed and the house is......for now......quiet.

Blessings,
EMichelle

At Co-op this year I am teaching a class called, How to Write Poetry! This is such a fun, creative class! I really enjoy teaching it!

Here are a few poems from Luke!

Couplets:

I heard a pig
Riding a rig.

Triplets:

I saw a big snake
It's name was Flake Jake
It ate a fake cake

Quatrains *AABB, ABAB, ABBA*

There was a hippo was was big
He sat on a very big twig.
He played with a blue ball
He wished to be so tall.

Today I went to the big zoo
I saw a red, blue crab that was rad.
I found a cool tan kangaroo
And then I saw my super, cool dad.

I left my socks on some rocks.
They're orange and green
They're super clean
I found them thanks to a fox.

Haikus:

I'm sitting outside
On a cold, wet, gloomy day
I hear birds twirping.

Colorful fall leaves
Orange, purple, green, red, brown
Falling, falling down

Chants using a Rhetorical Question:

Homework for this week

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

We all know that boys and girls are different. It's just the way God made us! I told my class that they would be working on writing a chant using a rhetorical question about nature - examples I gave was, Can I touch a star? Can I count the sand? Can I slide down a sunbeam? Luke asked if he could write - for his rhetorical question -  "Can I eat a star?" I said, sure and I thought, Can I eat a star??? (wink!)

This class is a wonderful way to get boys, not just our Luke :) to learn poetry in a FUN way! At first I heard, "I don't want to take this class." Why? "Poetry is mushy love stuff for girls."  What??? No it's not!  Poetry is not just for girls and  it's not all about mushy love stuff. Poetry is a way to express yourself in writing - it can be about animals, hunting, fishing, baseball, climbing trees and.... eating stars!!!

Blessings,
EMichelle

SIS DID IT!!!

I am so so so so PROUD of her! She recited The American's Creed this morning and did a FABULOUS job! I even got it on tape!!!

Way to go ~ Sissy
Mom

I can hardly believe it's 12:40 and I'm sitting here typing......I didn't feel very well on the way home from church today ~ I ended up taking a midday nap and here's the result! I have gotten quite a bit done for my classes tomorrow at co-op, so it's really not that bad.

I am teaching a class called, The History of the Pacific Northwest with an emphasis on WA State. I have 11 students, 4 boys guys and 7 girls gals (wink!) No really they are a great group of kids! Tomorrow I will be handing back some work they've turned in this month and I'll be recieving their first Ch. Test. I'm excited to see how well they all did. Class has been going great! I was super Super nervous to teach this age but all in all my worries have been put to rest.

Let's see the first day I went over the Grading Scale for this year. Which is:

10% Chapter Reviews

15% Chapter Tests

10% Assigned Work

40% Student Project

25% Final Test

I taught and had students take notes on 'Tools of the History Trade'. I informed them that the following Monday they would have a worksheet on their notes. Then I went over the upcoming field trip to the History Museum and their People Introductions - what I did was assigned them 'people' some were actual people, like Captain George Vancouver and some were 'people' from a certain time in history, like Rosie the Riveter or A Worker on The Grand Coulee Dam. What they had to do at the museum was find out as much as they could about these people and then come to class prepared to Introduce themselves as that person ~ they did GREAT!!! They were sent home with Chapter 1: to be read & worksheet to be completed by the 19th.

That following Friday everyone but 1 student was able to make it to the Museum. It was a lot of fun and a lot of work......for them that is (wink!) They were in groups of 2 or 3 and they were assigned a certain time in history to really study, they had a worksheet that they needed to be filled out and they also had a scavenger hunt to complete. I thought it was an absolutely wonderful way to get the most out of the museum.

10/12
We talked about the field trip and then the students presented their People Introductions. It was a lot of fun - I'm really proud of the hard work they all put into it. They also had their worksheet on the Tools of the History Trade to do in class - this was over the notes they took in class. We talked about the Rain Shadow Effect in WA State and they were sent home with the homework of copying the Rain Shadow Effect from their books and finishing up their Ch. 1 Review.

10/19
Students turned in their Rain Shadows and their Ch. 1 Review - this consisted of 15 Identifications, 2 Short Answers & 1 Essay. We watched a movie on the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. It was the IMAX movie ~ so the photography was outstanding but I do have to say that the narrator's voice almost put us all to sleep. We had some fun at the end of the class going over Facts about Washington State. Everyone really seemed to enjoy - participation was at an all time high and there was a lot of laughter. I handed out the Chapter 1 Test to be turned in tomorrow (oh wait! I mean today) and Chapter 2 Review which I said was due Nov. 2 but I'm pushing it out a week to Nov. 9th. Homework was to read in their books about the Makah Indians and come prepared to class to discuss, if they should be able to hunt grey whale today.

10/26
Well today.....let's see, I plan on handing back papers and I plan on receiving Ch. 1 Test. We have a People Introduction to hear, due to a student being out because of an injury. We will be mapping; 1 map will be on the Geographical Regions of Washington State. Then we will have a class discussion on, "Should the Makah Indians be allowed to hunt grey whale today." I have fantastic articles to read and my students have been reading about the Makahs in their books - so I'm really looking forward to hear their opinions on the matter. We will also (depending on time)work on a Fact Worksheet on Washington State - to be finished at home. Their homework will be to find 3  FUN Facts about Washington State. For example, Father's Day began here in 1910 or the world's 1st soft serve ice cream machine was located in Olympia's Dairy Queen or the oldest operating gas station in the U.S. is located in Zillah. Fun Stuff like that! They will also need to make a Bumper Sticker that supports the Makah's Whaling or is against the Makah's Whaling, these will be due 11/2. This is why I'm bumping out their Ch. 2 Review an extra week :) Lots to do!!!

Well that's just one of my classes I'm teaching this year ~ but now it's 1:22  and I'm finally tired.

Blessings,
EMichelle

Thank You Heather & Robin for your prayers ~ oh how I cherish them so.

I was really contemplating on even posting the whole, "I'm the Director" yady yady yada stuff.....but yesterday at that time that was real and that's what this blog is for me - it's my reality, ,my journey, My faith through these wonderful homeschool years. And then this morning, as I was waiting for my computer to boot ~ I was thankful that I shared my true (probably toooo true) feelings. Because now I can share God's grace, love, faithfulness ~ I can share how He spoke to me and how I have such peace right now. I'm not quite sure what to do with it! As I sit here typing my only worry is that I'm not able to share God's glory sufficiently! Now that's a pretty good worry!!! (wink)

This morning as I was correcting papers and waiting for my coffee to be done brewing ~  I found myself sitting, staring quietly outside into the early morning darkness. Not a sound. No one was up - not even the pup. And without even realizing it tears were streaming down my cheeks and I started my early morning conversation with my Father.

My side of the conversation *  tears-sniff, tears-sniff/sniff, tears-sob........
His side of the conversation * was come child ~ I could feel the warmth of His arms as I laid all my worries on Him.

As my dear, sweet Lukey would say, "CLICK!" That's when it all clicked. This -- ALL this craziness is not from God. And right now ~ as I go down this journey called......life - that's what I need to REMEMBER. Satan doesn't want me or my family to focus on God, on God's goodness, perfectness, faithfulness.

Satan wants me to be all confused - he wants my husband and I to bicker about money, which were not! He wants my school days to be all crazy filled with stress, which there not! (not right now!!!! Praise! Wink! Praise!!!) He wants us to stop sharing God's amazing provisions, which were not! We do every chance we can! Noah said one day when I got back from grocery shopping, "Mom - I think God blessed us tooo much today." "Why would you say that Noah?" I replied. "Because we just have toooo much food. Maybe we should share with our neighbors." Spoken like a five year old ~ little does he know that ALL that food - will need to feed us for a month and that's ok because right now what he knows  ~ he know that his God is a God that provides, a God that has chosen to bless us with a pantry full of food. The sweet innocent thoughts of our Noah. Satan wants us to focus on what we don't have - which we try to teach by example to our children that that is not the way to live! And he definitely wants us to quit serving in ministry.....which were not! I believe that Satan is attacking from so many sides.

I can't believe how upset I was Wednesday - I mean I almost left church. Everything hit me so hard. I pretty much lost it on the inside. I was screaming, "Are You Kidding Me???" But today I can think of a million things worse and THAT in itself -- scares me. I am so humbled.

I was wrong when I said, "I'm the Director" for I am not. I am not. I am the servant. And I serve the most AWESOME, LOVING, FAITHFUL, FORGIVING GOD. HE IS THE "DIRECTOR". And that's what I want........ I am so so so humbled. 

Sometimes I wonder why God is allowing this all to happen to my family but then again, I do know (even though there are times when I do forget)  that it is through Him that all things are possible and that He only gives us what He knows we can handle.

My Dear Lord & Savior,

Forgive me, for I know that I have sinned against you. I know that I am not worthy of your perfect goodness. Thank you Lord for your son, Jesus Christ who has made it possible for me to have the opportunity to even come to you in my time of need. Thank you Lord for loving me for me. I pray Lord that I am able to spend today focused on you. Praising you, seeing your perfect goodness in all things. Please Lord let me feel your presence as we go through these uncertain, sometimes crazy, changes. Please protect my family Lord from the awful, confusing attacks satan is bringing upon us. I pray Lord that my focus remains on you ~ I don't know where our path is leading us but Lord I know that YOU KNOW. Please Lord help me to be more trusting in the depths of my heart. Amen.

This is my reality right now,
EMichelle

Wednesdays are so busy for me with school and awana. I have prep work to do for the night but more importantly I have 5 Beautiful children who need me for school......love that!

Isaiah got 100% on his Algebra test! 2 in a Row!!!

Ashley is doing great in Poetry! She's been working on Haikus and yesterday it all 'clicked' for her!!!

Luke is doing awesome in Spelling ~ when he was doing his worksheets he kept saying, "this is so easy!" and  "oh! I love this!" (he's almost done with 3rd grade Spelling ~ yes he just started 3rd grade :)

Noah just LOVES school!!! Loves it! Loves it! Loves it! He's penmanship is improving greatly each day! 

Elijah is doing great too! He loves being read too!!!

My day went real well and then it was off to church........and everything changed. 

Sometimes being in a ministry at church can really be challenging and that in itself is really challenging. Last night was a really challenging night......

I came home last night and my dear, sweet husband listened to me for probably about an hour as I went on and on and on about the night. I love AWANA but I don't know why I'm there this year ~ I don't even have a Cubbie this year. Luke's in T & T for the first time and Noah is in Sparks for the first time ~ Sis only has 2 more years of T & T left and I haven't been with her since she was a Cubbie.......last night was hard.

I don't know how to handle the situation at hand and I don't know if I can (or even want to) continue to work with someone who is 'not in sync' with me (their words) for the entire club year. I had absolutely no idea that there was even 'a situation' to deal with - not even an inkling of a clue  - until it was unexpectedly brought to my attention in a very surprising way. I'm so busy Wednesday night, so much on my mind - I just go/go/go - I feel like I have such a huge responsibility - I'm doing this and that - keeping 4 rooms that are filled with a total of 60 kids plus room leaders going that I have no time to pause.....maybe I should?? Who knows. I would just like to know when.

I'm not a Co-Director - I'm the Director. That might sound rude or pompous - but it is what it is. If someone wants to be Co-Director with me that would be great I have a WHOLE bunch of prep work that I would love help with EACH WEEK :) yep there's sarcasm there. The club doesn't magically function from 6:15 - 8:15 each night. There's A LOT that goes into it and it's not all prep work. There are decisions that have to be made and sometimes I have to make "hard" decisions -- but I know from experience that I have to think about the club as a whole.

And I think ~  if you have a question or concern about something that you don't like, or if you think that your way is better ~ there is a mature way to go about addressing it AND in the middle of the classrooms - in the middle of club - is not the time or place to do it. I mean seriously, we are all there VOLUNTEERING. We are all there with the same goal.....hopefully. Serving GOD as we are serving families. I do fine with constructive criticism - but criticism on its own I don't do take well. Seriously who does?

Last night I told my husband that I was done. No more. This is just too much. And today I feel the same. No better. There's a heaviness that's looming over me. My husband said to just give myself a few days and to see how I feel then.....so I am.

My feelings are really hurt.

So there it is ~ My Wednesday.
EMichelle

Yesterday I saw Luke sitting just staring off into the distance.......I asked him what he was thinking about and he said, "I'm trying to think of something bad that's happened this week and I just can't."

In his AWANA book there's a question, Write down something bad that's happened in the last week or two.

"The book even says, in the past two weeks and I just can't think of anything and I'm really trying. Mom, do you know of anything bad that's happened in two weeks?"

Now that gave me pause and a THANKFUL heart.

Luke's day  is filled with LOVE and LEARNING. His bad news would be if he got in trouble and lost his reading time before bed. Yowza that's a big one in our house. That's 'bad news' in our house.

We do shelter our kids from the news media -- as much as we can. And we are not ashamed about it at all. Don't get me wrong ~ it's not like we don't talk about things going on in the world in fact we do ALL the time but we, my husband & I, talk about it. Kids are growing up tooo fast in America. It's scary all the craziness that kids face everyday. Yes scary is the right word. Obviously we can't shelter them from everything but we can and do shelter them from a lot. Why? Why not?

We are greatly encouraged as our oldest son is starting to see, hear and ask about the things my husband and I talk about and things he sees on the news/internet magazines. How blessed we are to be able to have the opportunity to talk with him, with all our children, when they see or hear about something 'bad' that's happening. 

Our oldest was asked in a survey a month or so ago, Where do you hear about World News. Internet, Newspaper, TV, Radio.....Other. He choose 'Other" and then wrote, "I hear about world news at the dinner table."

Now that made me smile ~ with a THANKFUL heart.

Once (well more then once) our daughter was around some girls who were talking about things that my daughter never even considered a thought. Sigh.......but THANKFULLY she came to me and we talked about them. We talked about what she heard but more importantly we PRAYED together about the issue at hand.

When 'bad things' arise we take the time to talk about it, pray about it, learn from it. We don't live in La La Land and we don't want our kids to be completely shocked when they go out into the world. But we do want them to have a SOLID FOUNDATION and we do want them to know how to deal with world issues.

One day, a few years ago I had our kids sit up to the table and I drew a big umbrella on the board. Then I drew all of them under the umbrella. What is an umbrella's job? Right, to shelters us from the bad weather - rain, wind, snow. What is our , me and daddy's, job? Right, to shelter all of you, we are the 'umbrella'. And sometimes when you go out from under the 'umbrella'....."YOU QUICKLY WANT TO GO BACK!" said Isaiah.

"Mommy? Who holds yours and daddy's umbrella??" asked Ashley.
And I said, "God does, Sis. God does."

Now that gave me pause and a THANKFUL heart.

Blessings,  
EMichelle

Fall is absolutely Beautiful.

The cold mornings ~ HOT coffee. A walk with the dog bundled up in scarves, hats & mittens.

Yummy pancakes & eggs for breakfast.

~ 8th Grade ~ before lunch
BSF, Algebra 1, Wordly Wise, Outlining, 1/2 Science

after lunch
Vocab Review, 1/2 Science, WA State History, Typing

~ 5th Grade ~ before lunch
AWANA, History, Grammar, 1/2 Math

after lunch
1/2 Math, Spelling, Science, Poetry & Scrapbooking

Pumpkin Bread is filling the house with its aromatic scent ~ soft jazz playing in the background ~ life is good * Real Good.

1 load of laundry & 1 load from the dishwasher done * YEAH! 2 more loads of laundry and the baskets are empty for......a few more hours (wink!)

Lunch was left over soft tacos ~ one of my favs ~ for many reasons a few being; everyone eats it w/out grumbling :) and it's a quick-fix & quick clean-up!

When our afternoon starts up I'll put Elijah down for a nap and then have Noah & Luke get up to the table for school. Before I know it, it'll be time to start dinner and my wonderful husband will be walking through the door.

I am so Blessed,
EMichelle

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name.Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever.

Amen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Every Sunday we hold hands, bow our heads and say The Lord's Prayer together, over dinner. I don't know what it was but during our prayer tonight my heart was eased. My worries subsided. I know that my Lord, my faithful Father in Heaven, has not left me or my family. I know that we will get through this time ~ with our Lord as our guide.

I don't know what's going to happen with us financially but I do know that what matters most is my faith & my husband and children. This is not going to shake me like it has these past few days. Why should it? There's nothing I can do to change it.

But what I can do is trust that my Father will see us through, like He has so many other times. I can be strong for my husband, keeping our home a safe and relaxing refuge for him after long days. I can show my children through my words and actions how faithful our Lord is and how He is not a God of confusion but a God of peace.

This is my path right now and I am ready to go down it.

I believe that * All things are possible through Him who gives me strength.

Blessings,
EMichelle

Frusteration. That's how I'm starting to feel......or atleast that's what I'm wondering.

I just got back from taking Sis to the doctors ~ an unexpected trip. She's doing ok -- not 100% but with some TLC & rest she'll be back to herself real soon.

When I was driving her there II was not very happy with God - nor was I this morning. But after the visit I talked with my husband about everything and I told him how I felt about God right now. He gently said that he feels the opposite - He's felt God's presence with him throughout the past two days while he's been dealing with all the crazy stuff at work. He said that if it wasn't for God's peace he wouldn't be able to keep it all together.

Hmmm.............I thought maybe my frusteration is wrongly placed.

Maybe,
EMichelle

It's never fun to get up in the morning with a headache. I couldn't sleep last night. Our financial situation keeps running through my head like a freight train. I thought we were doing so well making adjustments from the 20% in pay in February. I really REALLY tried to focus on everything positive then. It was hard and there were a few boo-hoo moments but we did what we needed too.

I felt that God was blessing us more then we deserved. He was answering unasked questions. He was guiding us in stretching our dollars - so Faithful.

And now? I don't know..................I really don't know. I don't feel Him close to me at all. (just being honest)

Yesterday my husband had to do lay-offs and this morning he has to tell the rest of the crew ALL the changes that are taking place. Pay Cuts Again AND No Work / No Pay the week of Thanksgiving - No Work / No Pay the week of Christmas. Last night he was exhausted from the stress - there was a time I saw him just staring off into the distance, so upset about one of the guys who got laid-off.

His hug this morning was a bit stronger and a bit longer than his usual goodbye hug ~ so much is on his shoulders right now --- I wish I knew how to lighten his burden.

Well it's time for my crew to get up ~ it's time to put all this aside and focus on being the best Wife and Mommy I can. Just typing this sentecnce puts a smile on my face.

I Love My Family and no matter WHAT is put in our path I KNOW that we have SO MUCH LOVE we WILL get through this and whatever else the world throws our way.

~ A Woman In Love ~
EMichelle

Hmmmm.......where we do we school? Well that's a question I get asked often and my answer is pretty much at home! (wink!!!)

We don't have a school-room and if we did ~ we'd probably use it the first week and then use it to store our books in. (wink!) I do like to daydream about it though.......I mean let's be honest, who wouldn't want to decorate their own personal school-room? Oh! Pick Me! Pick Me!

We school mainly at the Kitchen Table but some days we school:

- in the Living Room ~ well this next to our kitchen so it happens almost everyday!

- in the Bedrooms ~ to be focused or sometimes because I said that they need to be MORE focused :)

- in the Hallway ~ trying to stay central (wink!) as I'm busy doing chores upstairs (wink!)

- in the Entry ~ trying to find some quiet but not wanting to venture to far (wink!)

- on the Front Porch ~ smelling the lavender

- on the Back Porch ~ getting some fresh air

- on a Blanket in the Yard ~ basking in the sun!

- on the Picnic Table ~ on a sunny warm day........hmmmm

- in the Garage ~ at our craft table

- And My Favorite ~ sometimes in the Bathroom!

Bathroom? Well of course that's only when my youngest is splish splashin' in the tub and my others have a question or need to read to me or something like that. I just think it sounds so funny to say.

And today it was a morning of "Bathroom Learning!" (wink!wink!)

Sis needed me for part of her history today ~ so I told her to get it all out and then we would go over it together. As she was doing that I ran upstairs to tell Noah that his time was up on the ps2 ~ ahhh morning ps2 is not 'normal' around here, but he's not feeling well at all and so when he asked me with those big blues of course I said sure with a kiss on the forhead -- to not only give love but to do a quick mama temp check.

Well he didn't take the news very well -- sigh -- so I ended up sitting with him for awhile, in my room because that's where the ps2 is, talking to him about being thankful for even getting to play and so on. Then I told him to go get one of his new books that he's learning how to read and that I would listen to him. So off he went.........with a smile!

During that time Elijah came in ~ poor little guy his nose is runnin' like a faucet and he has a congested cough :(  I thought that it would probably be a good time for him to take a nice warm bath to help him clear up ~ ~ ~ so I took him into the bathroom to start his bath -- Sis came in and said, oh I thought we were going to do history together but I'll do something else -- you don't have to do that I'm pretty sure your history is locating certain rivers on a world map ~ we can do that while E's in the bath -- so off she went to get her book from the kitchen table where she'd been schooling.

Then Isaiah came in (yep I'm still in the kid's bathroom) and asked me to listen to his report that he wrote up off an outline. I did and then sent him off to do some corrections in his bedroom, where he had been schooling all morning. Noah came back in with his book but it was the wrong one so off he went ~ Sis came back in and we went over all the rivers together * she's so smart! I must say * Then off she went to do some independent reading.

Noah came back and we sat on the floor ~ yes Elijah's splish splashin' in the tub ~ and he started to read to me ~ he's gettting better and better everyday! As he was reading ~ Luke came in and started doing grammar on the floor right along with us. He doesn't like being alone ~ he's usually where I am which is everywhere so there have been times when he's the one I'm stepping over in the hallway!  Isaiah came in and politely interrupted us to ask a question ~ and then back to writing for him.

Elijah was ready to be done ~ so I washed him up and dried him off all the while listening to Noah read. I scooped up E and we went into his room to get him dressed. Noah of course followed me, reading the whole time, Luke finished his grammar and so he followed me too ~ so I could look at his grammar and I'm thinkin' he wanted to hear the end of the story :-) Isaiah was done writing and so he followed me into E's room so I could listen to his paper before he typed it up. Yep! Isaiah's learnin' all about typin' this year.  

When I finished getting Elijah dressed in his room he was quick to go find his Sissy :-)

Noah finished his book and we all gave him high-fives! And a kiss from me!!! Off he went to find Elijah :-)

Isaiah handed me his book and I listened for all the outline points in his writing * yeah! he did great!!! Off he went to type it up.

Luke gave me his paper and we looked over it ~ yeah!!! he did great too! He's so good at spelling/grammar ~ probably from ALL the reading he does!

I just thought it was funny that school started at the kitchen  but then moved upstairs into the kid's bathroom & Elijah's bedroom this morning. It's not the first time and I'm pretty positive it won't be the last.

Ahhh the realities of a homeschooling family.

I love homeschooling!
EMichelle

           Last February my Husband & I were hit with the reality of a 20% cut in pay -- effective immediately. I don't know about all of you but we live pretty much paycheck to paycheck. It hit us real hard - so unexpected, but we managed. On top of that my husband had to lay guys off. That was harder then the news of the paycut. He really struggled with that. It was hard to see him so torn up. At home we prayed for him everyday during that time -- prayed for strength and a sense of peace from God. We also thanked God everyday for his job.

         Somedays - like today payday, mortgage day & grocery day are hard but  I know we'll manage no sense in always being gloom & doom. ( I would go coo-coo) God doesn't want that from us and I don't want to ever protray that to our children. So I keep it quiet but I'm not one to be like la~de~daaa everything is coming up roses -- my kids are smart ~ our reality is not 'invisible' to them nor should it be.

        Well here we are living off what we thought would be "Impossible" and Truly Thanking God that it's not. Here we are.............hit with the news last night that we are looking at another 10 to 15% pay-cut, effective on our next paycheck. I've stopped typing for a minute just staring at that. Another hit. How is this possible.

       Why would God allow this? Where are we going to possibly cut-back??? First thing I think is grocery bill? Are you kidding me we average 500 to 600 a month -- we are a family of 7!!!! and that includes diapers & all cleaning supplies and so on.......I have no idea.

        Oh and there's one more thing, it gets BETTER  -- 1 week off the week of Thanksgiving - NO PAY and 1 week off the week of Christmas - NO PAY. On top of the pay-cut. Are you SERIOUS? Do the owners at work have any compassion AT ALL??? I just want to call them up and say WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING?? Do you not have a family? Do you not celebrate the holidays? Are you that rich and out of touch with reality that you have NO CLUE? The HOLIDAYS???? How can they do this? Sorry for the caps I am just so frusterated -- it's just my emotions ~ There's no other work out there -- this is where we're at. I need to vent right now and then I need to turn around and try everything possible to make it work. I'm not alone but My husband has enough on his shoulders his weight is so heavy. Today I plan to see what I can do here at home to ease this new reality -- no idea about the Holidays but that's something we will deal with another day -- even though it's something that keeps going through my thoughts at 100 mph -- I mean really we were already preparing for a 'lighter' if you will Holiday Season -- but this this just about changes it for us ~ ~ ~ need to move on. Atleast we have a job and a home and cars and food..........

       Well what could be harder than that? In one hour my husband has to look at his good friend and tell him that he has been laid-off from work. Another round of lay-offs. Another emotional day. In my husband's line of work - the guys all know each other. They've all worked together 5, 10, 15 years -- why does this have to lay upon his shoulders?? He was real restless last night and real quiet as he walked out the door this morning. How am I going to do this he asked me in his eyes & in his hug good-bye. My dear husband. I love you so much. He has to do another round of lay-offs -- this time it's harder. Where are they going to go? There's no work out there. There's nothing. The first  round well what we now call 'the first round' of lay-offs in February were hard - real hard. My husband was so upset he was sick with what I thought was the stomach flu but really it was stress. But he said, atleast they get a severence pay & medical throgh the month and vaca pay -- trying to see an up. But now there's nothing - no severence, no medical - vaca of course -- if you have any left, that's the law.  Oh he's just so sick about it. Makes my last paragraph seem pointless -- atleast we have a job. I AM Thankful for that. Very.

             The government is full of it when they say things are looking up. That's just - stupid. Well it is. Anyone with a brain knows that it's not. More and more people are losing their jobs. More and more are getting cuts in pay. More and more families are being torn apart through stress and uncertainty.

            Everytime I felt frusterated I thanked God that my husband was still working. And now??? I don't know. It's hard to understand why God would allow this. I know there are worse things -- I know that. As I'm holding our youngest who is congested and coughing.  But for right now this is what our reality is. I hope I don't come across selfish and 'money focus'  because I'm not.

        Pray for the families who are going to lose their jobs today -- please pray for my husband. This is not easy for him at all. He cares about these guys. He even told his boss that one of them he cannot do -- he said that he would be in the meeting but that he could not look at him and tell him that he was no longer employed there. And surprisingly his boss said that he would do it - so my husband will be in the meeting but he won't have to say it - but this is just one guy -- there are many today, many that my husband has to look at and say, "I'm sorry......."

Oh my dear husband - how I love you.

Isn't it funny how every school year is different from the last?

God never ceases to amazes me on how He is constantly calling me to be humble and lean only on Him in everything I do.

Proverbs 3:5-6 
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

This year looks so different then the previous ~ the only 'school schedule' I'm going by right now is Isaiah & Ashley school with me in the morning (and then indep. studies after lunch) Luke & Noah school with me after lunch.

My days are busy -- not crazy -- but busy. Even now I've been up since 4, working on things for:

AWANA * writing the puppet play / preparing take-home sheets

Co-op * finalizing Test Sheet & grading papers  

School * well the list is long but I love it

AND  I just went to take a sip of my coffee.......it's cold.....sigh.......double sigh........

Well I'm off to freshen up my coffee ~ I hear some movin' around upstairs.

Blessings,
EMichelle

I have so much more I want to write but I don't know how to say it all ~ I know to Trust in the Lord but sometimes it's hard..............E

* What a FUN Field Trip * 

This year at co-op I'm teaching WA State History and this field trip was a must!!! I have 11 kids in my class ranging from 8th - 10th grade. Great group of kids :)

Our day started bright & early * 1 of the parents couldn't make it and so I offered to pick up her girls ~ they are pretty much on the way so it was no biggie. Then we headed off to Tacoma ~ it was a bit of a drive but with it being Friday my husband said that traffic would be light and......light it was! We made great time and we found the 'Free' Parking Garage! Love the FREE! And then we hopped on the FREE light rail which is right outside the parking garage and it took us right to the museum! So Love the FREE!!! Parking at the Museum costs around $8 for under 5 hours and about $11 for all day! So with that said my morning was starting off GREAT!!!

We were a bit early ~ because I was SO afraid of being late -- they said in TWO emails, and I quote, "If you are late to your scheduled lab your lab will be canceled." That's crazy but it is what it is. So needless to say we were early. It wasn't that bad at all -- we walked the "Glass Bridge" which was amazing and beautiful and something we will DEFINITELY go back to -- well not the "Glass Bridge" but the Glass Museum will be a MUST this school year! Everyone made it before 9:30 and we were escorted in the Museum and they went through all the rules. No coats, purses, backpacks, lunches.....yadyadyada.......so we put everything on a cart, got on our special museum tags and were off to the Facilitated History Lab.

It was a fun hour & 45 minutes -- I like that it was facilitated by a Museum "Teacher". The kids had a lot of fun - working together, trying to find clues to the MYSTERY of the VANISHING CITY......the parents had a different mystery to solve but the kids didn't know that it was different so they were kinda funny when we would walk by them. Some would jump up and down so we didn't see a clue they found it was funny. A bonus to the History Lab was our 'school' had the whole lab to themselves, so that was nice. Then we had lunch and visited for a 1/2 hour.

After that it was off to the "REAL" Museum......the layout is as big as a football field * BIG! It's awesome inside, kind of hard to describe because it's hands-on and then again it's not. I had a worksheet for the kids in my class which included 6 questions and 12 items for a Scavenger Hunt -- who doesn't love a good scavenger hunt :) I do! I do! I also gave the siblings who came a Scavenger Hunt that would take them through the entire museum -- that was so fun because it gave them something to do ~ ~ ~ smile!!!

The hardest part for my class was the last assignment they had -- I assigned them names of people, some were real people and some were made up people living in real times. They had to find these people read all the information about them and the time that they lived in and then answer certain questions about them. Sound easy? Well some of the answers aren't out-right given to them. They had to put themselves in that person's shoes -- read all about the time that they lived in and in some cases 'assume' certain things -- for example one of the questions was, Who are your friends? Well it doesn't say who your friends are -- you have to think about it. I found that the kids really wanted to have the answers given to them, not like they didn't want to work but they wanted to get it right....black & white. I basically spent a good hour going around to everyone encouraging them to 'get into that person's shoes" or "put on that person's hat" (wink!) All in all it was a good activity.

This Monday they have to come to class prepared to introduce themselves as the person they were assigned. It'll be fun to see their presentations. They have 2-5 minutes.

I was extremely blessed today ~ my husband was able to stay home with our youngest 2!! They had a great day together ~ going on a walk together *  they even took the dog!!! Playing outside in the          unofficial / official sandbox and E even got a nap! It was a FUN day with Dad for Noah & Elijah!

The weather is BEAUTIFUL ~ another PERFECT fall day out here!!!

Blessings,
EMichelle

Last night was our 2nd AWANA night ~ WOWZA!!! What a night it was.......Crazy-Fun-Fast!!! So much goes on in just 90 minutes, who would've thought (wink!)

I was able to get a lot of prep done during my afternoon * thanks to my super awesome kiddos * which helped my night run a lot smoother than last week ~ when we got to church * my super awesome husband stayed for a little bit and helped me set up the rooms and he fixed the puppet show for me * just love him so much!!! He also checked in A, L & N which completely put my heart at ease ~ N & L are both starting 'new' clubs so ~ how should I say it, there's just a lot going on.

We left home at 4:30 and we got home at 9, which pretty much puts bedtime close to 10!!! That's super-late for us. This is our 8th year in AWANA and every year I am always so so so thankful that I don't have to get my kids up 'bright & early' (or myself * wink!) and send them off to school......we've always had such mellow/slow moving Thursdays and we've always had such Awesome School Days on Thursdays......today is no different.

What an absolutely wonderful morning we had. Everyone slowly got up around 7-7:30, except Elijah who was wide awake at 6 :) a few kiddos climbed into my bed and watched a little show while I finished getting myself ready for the day ~ then we all moved downstairs for breakfast. Once breakfast was done we started up school and I did a load of laundry :) then I took E & N on a walk with our pup. It was such a nice walk with my two younger ones.

Perfect fall day outside ~ clear blue sky, sun shining down, leaves changing colors.....the neighborhood is so quiet.....ahhh isn't it the simple things that are the most rewarding!? I was then able to spend some time with Noah on the computer, and I was able to read to Elijah. I also helped with questions from my older 3 & of course keep them moving along in their studies. 

Then I took E & N to the store for some milk. Milk and Rice is all I was planning on getting but of course when I went through the check-out the total came to $50!!! It's all the little things that add up real quick.....like, 'oh I should get apple juice and jam and since I'm here I'll get some lunch meat and oh yeah I need some more cough drops......'  But anyways - such is life. Noah is such a GREAT helper when it's just him and E. He LOVES being the big brother!!!

Well it's 1 and everyone is coming inside from their lunch-break to start up in their studies.

Bye For Now,
EMichelle

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HUSBAND!

 14 YEARS

A Woman In Love,
EMichelle

We attended Orientation Day for our co-op and lots of things have changed :( But thankfully I attended the Parent Meeting last Thursday so I new that change was in the air...(and not just a new building)....and through God's wisdom I was able to prepare my kids in a way that made yesterday work for each one of them. Thank You Jesus!

When we got home yesterday I went through each and every supply list for my kids and then I started on dinner ~ as I was cooking my phone rang and it was my friend who also happens to be our Pastor's wife and the Commander of Awana at our church, I'm one of the Directors. She had some new info & changes for me since tomorrow is our 1st Awana night of the year.

Wow I thought to myself when I got off the phone......I'M GETTIN' BUSY......deep breathe.....

Everything is in full gear - I'm teaching 3 classes at co-op this year (well actually 2 because 1st hour I'm in the Nursery) and I'm heading up Cubbies in Awana and all my kids are into their school studies!

Field Trips are coming out of the woodwork ~ this year is going to be FUN!!!

I've had my first bought with a grumpy attitude from one of our kids this school year and I'm not too thrilled about it. Added to that I woke up before 4 this morning with an absolutely painful sore throat - so I made a cup of tea and tried to rest ~ of course once I was awake I was awake -- feelin' it now but such is life -- and then Elijah must've heard me up so he got up a few minutes after 6, Praise that he is finally down peacefully sleeping. I was able to school Luke & Isaiah this morning ~ a little bit with Sis and Noah did some online Phonics over at Starfall! We haven't ventured through the entire site but he LOVES #2 which is their 'Learn To Read' button!!!

I have about 2 hours before I'm off to the doctor's for my check-up (blah) so I should go and finish up school with Ashley and get some school done with Noah.

Isaiah is doing awesome being a soccer ref ~ he's anxiously awaiting his first paycheck which I think should be here next week.

Noah's reading is coming along great! It's so fun to have a Kindergartener!!! Everything's so simple & exciting!

Luke is doing great ~ he enjoys his studies, especially Literature and is anxious to start AWANA!!!

Ashley is glad to be back at Co-op & to start up Awana!!! She is in a big class for science this year but extremely thankful that she knows her Table Leader!

Elijah is awesome! He's a busy 2 year old * but what 2 year old isn't!!! He is talking more and we are starting to work on the wonderful life lesson of sharing!

Busy * Busy * Busy
EMichelle

What a WONDERFUL start to our school year! I'm so happy!!! Everything is running smoothly! It was such a great decision to start this week! I do have to say that Sunday night I did question it a little, but Monday couldn't have been a smoother transition!

I almost have to pinch myself * actually I did * joking around of course! My kids thought it was pretty funny!!! (wink!)

Yesterday we schooled, I made two loaves of the Best-Bread-Ever and Oatmeal/Raisin Cookies!!! Yum!

Today we schooled and took a wonderful walk on our neighborhood trail!!! I wasn't feeling the best when we got home so I laid down for a little bit when I put E down for his nap! I'm feeling pretty good now, guess I just needed to catch up on a little rest.....what Mama doesn't! Wink!!!

I hope that you all are having a Super-Wonderful start to your week!

Blessings,
EMichelle