SUPER YUM!

We started off the season with a YUM! Pumpkin Bread!

Then we enjoyed a moist & delicious YUM! Carrot Cake!

From there we have made 2 batches of YUM! Cinnamon Rolls
(1 batch went to our neighbors.....ok/ok 4 of the 10 went to our neighbors *lol)

I have just pulled out of the oven ~
my One & Only TOP SECRET RECIPE......drum-roll please.....(wink!)
Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars with Caramel Topping!!!
SUPER YUM!!!

I just love this time of year ~ ~ ~ my house smells so YUM!

WINK,
EMichelle

Scene ~ pretty simple, I'm grading papers at the table.....honestly only 1/2 listening ~ that is until the very end......this is between me and Noah, who's 5.

"Mama?"

"Yes Son?"

"When is Elijah going to be done in his chair?" (highchair)

"I don't know ~ haven't given it much thought."

"Hmmm.......Mama?"

"Yes Son?"

"How are we going to eat dinner as a family when Elijah gets out of his chair?"

"What are you talking about Bubbs? That's silly - like we always do at the table."

"Hmmm.......Mama?"

"Yes Son?"

"There's not enough chairs for E to join us for dinner. There's only enough chairs for...1..2..3..4..5..6......and E is number 7. We don't have 7 chairs."

"Oh Sweetie ~ it'll be fine. We have some time before we have to think about that."

"Hmmmm.........Mama?"

"Yes Son?"

"Let's pray......I'll lead."

Goodnight,
EMichelle

Today we recieved a coupon ~ $15.00 towards any Turkey or Ham!!!

We'll be using it for our Christmas Ham ~ YEAH!!!

My husband and I feel so blessed.

Thank You Lord,
EMichelle

God would use today to bring our family closer. We've been having a bit of - ok - a lot of bickering lately. It seems like yip-yapping at each other always comes in waves ~ or maybe snow is a better example, a little snowball (called bickering) slowly grows and grows as it rolls down the hill called life ~ and as it's rolling down the hill (called life) it's not only picking up speed but it's growing bigger and bigger ~ rolling faster and faster......and right when I feel like I'm going to be overcome by a huge snowball of bickering God always steps in - right at the moment I need Him most and heals all frusterations (crushing the snowball) Unbeknownst to me ~ God's plan on crushing the snowball was going to happen tonight.

Little did I know ~ that each of my children (with the exception of Elijah) were presented today with a challenge. I say challenge because I don't know what else to call it ~ worldly situation?

I'm holding on tight to the fact that I know ~ and I'm so PROUD to say ~ that my children trust me enough that they each, on their own, in their own ways, when they felt the time was right, confided in me when ~ hmmm....how should I put it, "worldly situations" unexpectedly arose today at, of all places, our co-op.

Instantly I'm takin' back by each situation at hand. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed as my dear children ages 13 - 5 found their own times to talk to me. What was going on I thought? I can't believe everyone was challenged today - I mean I know it's possible but usually it's only one or maybe two....but four?

The last one was when our daughter went down to the store with me to get some coffee creamer ~ it's only a mile away but in that mile....actually within 1 minute of being in the van together, alone, she started telling me about her day and tears started flowing. Deep Breath I told myself as I could feel the Mama Bear in me swell-up. All I could say as I was driving was "I'm so sorry Sis." I just let her talk and I think that that felt good to her. Just to have me, by herself, listening to her. Isn't God good? He knew that she needed to talk to me ~ because I really wasn't planning on going to the store at 8:30 at night - but I realized I didn't have any creamer and my husband was going to be up soon to get ready for his grave-shift at the base. I just know that it's the small things like ~ having creamer, that he would never ask for but greatly appreciate. Because of that quick thought we were able to talk together and when we got out of the van to run into the store she grabbed my hand and I gave her a hug - I love you Mom ~ she said......that made me feel real good inside.

I'm thankful, not for the situations ~ per-say but for the opportunity they bring to talk to my children about what occured and how they can best deal with it. There is apart of me that just wants to be the Mama Bear protecting her cubs and in a sense I am and always will be. But I know that as they get older ~ as harsh as it might sound, and feel to me at times, some things are just part of being in the world. My husband and I both feel that we are blessed for many reasons when these situations arise - today it was just a lot....four!!!!

A few of those reasons are: because we homeschool we are proud to say our kids are sheltered for the most part from the harsh world * when a situation arises 99% of the time we are somewhere in the vicinity * are children confide in us * we are able to talk to them about what happen and at times about the "whole picture" * we are able to pray with them * use the situation as a character builder * pray for those who may have unintentionally or at times intentionally hurt them * we are able to share with them situations that we have been in that are similar to theirs when we were kids/teens and even now being adults * we are able to show our kids that they do matter and that their feelings matter - that we care about them * we want to teach them how best to deal with each situation because one day they will be grown-up dealing with situations on their own....well they can always call Mom! (wink!) We are able to HUG them ~ keep them close.

Tonight before my younger ones went to bed everyone was in the 'boys room' and so I took the opportunity to share with them that all of us seemed to have a bit of a bump in our day ~ they all looked at each other as if to say, "you too?" I didn't go into everyone's situation for I feel that they can share that among themselves if they choose ~ but I did talk to them about the importance of Family ~ especially when we are out in the world. They ALL agreed. I shared with them how our home needs to be a safe place for everyone because when there's days like today we need to know that our home is a place to find comfort and grace. Enough of the bickering I said, you all need each other - today is a reminder that there is enough battles to be fought outside our home ~ let's work together to stop the bickering and the harsh words that have been going around lately - let's focus on grace, peace, love, acceptance. And you know what? They ALL agreed.

Even though They ALL go to bed at different times ~ tonight They ALL went to bed with a peaceful heart - you could just feel it in the air and hear it in their voices as They ALL said goodnight to each other..........

Blessings,
EMichelle

Co-op went well today :) Elijah and I have been feeling under the weather this weekend and so I decided to keep him with me....hmmm.....he was real good.....but I don't know if I'd do that again. I think the next time we (or he) is not feeling well I'll just call in absent for the day. He was quite the trooper ~ but it wasn't really fun for him (or me) and by 4th hour he was, how should I say it, DONE. I would be too if I was 2 and my momma kept trying to keep me quite ~ wink!!!

But all in all it was a good day ~ Ashley did a BEAUTIFUL job singing in Opening this morning ~ I'm so proud of her!!!

Then we were all off to our classes ~ well everyone but E & me. We just hung out together because I didn't want to work in the Nursery or put him in it because of how we were feeling. I did though get a chance to talk with my Facilitator for 2nd - I needed her help 2nd hour so we were able to go over everything which was a huge blessing! She's a wonderful Facilitator and Friend! Isaiah worked on Algebra 1st hour, Ashley was in choir getting ready for an upcoming performance and trying out for a solo!!! I SUPER hope that she gets one of the solos ~ last year she didn't get any and I just know how badly she wants it......my fingers (and toes!) are crossed for her!!! Noah went happily to his art class and Luke bounded down the hall to his ABSOLUTE Favorite class - Math Games!!! He just loves his teacher!!

2nd Hour went by super-fast! My WA State class had their State Posters due today! WOW!!! I am so so so proud of ALL my students! They did an absolutely wonderful job!!! While my Facilitator and I walked around and graded their work - they went around and handed out different awards to each other! It was great to see them all going around looking at each others work! I asked, who would like to earn easy extra credit ~ they all raised their hands and I said Great! Let's take all the posters downstairs and set them up for everyone to admire during lunch! They were all good sports about that - and getting 10 extra credit points!!! They handed in their Ch. 2 Tests and I handed out Ch. 3 Review Sheets. Noah was in his Unit Study Class learning about Volcanoes, Ashley was in Scrapbooking, Luke was in Hands-On Science, Elijah was with me and Isaiah well he's in my class as a student - so that's a nice bonus!!!

We all meet up for lunch ~ not for long because everyone wants to go visit with their friends but they do sit and eat with me.....real fast!!! I needed to go - real quick - and talk with a parent about an upcoming field trip - Elijah was in my view but I did leave him at the table for ohhhh about 2 minutes and when I came back he poured out my entire bottle of water into the baggie containing our lunch crackers.....no worries I'm just SUPER Thankful that it wasn't all over everyone's lunches!!! Then it's time to go into 'Huddle Time' this is where we (as a co-op) have afternoon announcements. I was waiting for Noah to come out of the bathroom and while I was sitting at a table just a few feet away from the bathroom door I didn't see him come out and "sneak" up the stairs. So I was waiting and waiting and waiting with Elijah and waiting some more. I finally knocked on the door and called out his name - no answer - so I opened the door and called out his name - no answer - so I asked if anyone was in there - no answer. WHAT??? WHERE"S NOAH??? Well I went in (well of course I announced that I was coming in) and no one was in there! I started calling for him - I couldn't find him. Our co-op has 2 buildings and so I went to the other building where everyone was in Huddle. No Noah. I started to get worried - where could he be? I started asking and telling other moms that I couldn't find him and the wonderful search party of friends formed. Everyone was looking everywhere and then all of a sudden PRAISE JESUS I was told that Noah was with another mom and safe. OH HOW I RAN UP TO HIM AND KISSED HIM ALL OVER HIS SWEET FACE. "I didn't know where you were mom, I was just kidding by going up the stairs but then I forgot where you were." he said. After hugging him and kissing him and hugging him some more - we talked about what happened and how he should never do that again. How he should never be sneaky because that's how children get lost - hiding in places then forgetting how to find Mom. "Ok Mom", he said. "I'm really sorry. I promise." I took a super-deep breath from the depths of my soul ~ and praised God. So that was lunch.

Then it was off to 3rd Hour - Isaiah has Physical Science which is filled with lots of book work at home and lots of hands-on science projects at co-op. He likes the class ~ even though it's lots of work! Ashley has her Science class 3rd hour too! It's the same in the sense that co-op is filled with sharing and hands-on work and at home she does all the bookwork ~ and there's ALOT of that! She does great!!! Luke has a fun cooking class 3rd ~ it's called Commander in Chef! His class makes favorite meals of past presidents!!! Last week he made Apple Pie (Andrew Jackson) and had Sparkling Apple Cider (William Henry Harrison) Today he made Coconut Pudding for (John Tyler) and Corne Pone (James Knox Polk) Noah went to his FAVORITE class ~ Phonics Fun!!! And Elijah stayed with me during my Free Hour.

4th Hour ~ I teach Poetry and I am BLESSED to have Luke and Ashley in my class!!! Today we worked on their Alphabet Book written in Couplet Forms. It was so much fun! I love to see everyone's creativity come out! The only requirement was somewhere in the 1st line of the poem the needed, for example, to say, LETTER A. Like ~ The Letter A (1st line) Sits on gold hay (2nd line) and then something along the lines of The Letter B (1st line) Floats out to sea (2nd line) the letter H was done like ~ The Letter H flies (1st line) Up up to a pie (2nd line) The class homework was to finish the alphabet and also to do an Acrostic Poem for THANKSGIVING!!! Lots of work ~ but they have 2 weeks to do it! Elijah was with me during this class too :) he stayed in the backpack during 2nd hour but this hour he was pretty much done - and only lasted for 1/2 the time ~ no worries though he was a lot quieter once he was able to get out of the pack and walk around a little :) Noah's Phonics class is 2 hours so that's where he was and Isaiah's 4th hour is Brainy Games -- it's an easy fun class! A few weeks ago he brought home 36 Cube ~ he tried, I tried, his dad tried.......we all tried together - - no luck. We got all the way down to 2!!! It was a fun challenge for a that week! Boy did we try!!!

Now we are home and dinner is almost ready. My husband is sleeping - for in a few hours he's up to pull a double shift. I'll write about that later......but I'm off to finish up the yummies for tacos!

It was a good day. I'm glad to have next week off.

Blessings,
EMichelle 

Blustery Morning ~ to say the least. The wind is blowing so hard I am in complete surprise that the power is still on. Well needless to say I've been up for quite sometime, two reasons - one being our dog has been barking like crazy  because of the wind....crazy dog - that does not make for a happy owner and the other is that my husband is working graves at the base this week and when he's gone I have a hard time sleeping. Hmmmm.....to find the 'bright-side' of being up since 3am - I did forget to set my alarm clock and so now there's no chance that I'll oversleep on a co-op morning!

School's been going well for us ~ last week I taught Noah & Luke during the morning while Isaiah & Ashley did independent studies and then I spent time with I & A after lunch working one on one. It worked pretty good for all of us ~ I'm finding that Noah and Luke need my 'focused' attention in the morning and then they do a lot better the rest of the day. I also find that I'm a lot more patient with my littlest guy and I feel that he's getting the attention he needs from me too ~ it's all a learning process for me - no matter how many years we've been homeschooling every year - or should I say - every month is a new learning process for me. Deep Breath ~ I feel like I've learned this before (wink!) but here I am learning it again. I guess I need more practice.

This year we are going to be schooling Monday & Tuesday the week of Thanksgiving ~ but only 1/2 days for my older two. So it's not going to be a lot. After Thanksgiving we only have 1 Monday for co-op....well actually 2 but the 2nd is our Christmas Party. I cannot believe the holiday season is right around the corner! It's simply crazy. I feel like Summer, Summer, Summer, Christmas. It just can't be. Don't get me wrong I love this time of year it just seems like I missed something - because here it is! wink!!!

Noah has an eye appointment this week ~ which makes for a busy week. Anything added to our schedule makes for a busy week! (wink!) I wouldn't be surprised if he needs glasses - Isaiah got his glasses at 5 and Ashley got hers at 4, we'll see.

Awana has gone real well the past 2 Wednesdays. Praise! I've been praying, praying, praying about it. I have come to realize that I cannot please everyone, even if I want to. Some people are just not pleasable - is that even a word??? Well if it's not ~ for now it is (wink!) And with that said, the last 2 weeks have been good. For one ~ I take time to take Ashley, Luke & Noah to their groups and when I've done that my night starts off on the right foot. Seeing them off allows me to have the peace of mind that I'm a Mom first (at awana) and a leader second. I find that awana is a lot like homeschooling, no matter how many years I've been doing it, I'm constantly learning and growing because it's constantly changing (and so am I)  - from the kids, to the parents, to the volunteers, and even me and my family and all of our needs. I miss my friend who I use to work with in awana at another church. We had so much fun together ~ memories I cherish ~ but with the passing of time I think we've grown apart - not sure how or why but I find that I not only miss her during crazy busy awana nights but just in life. We use to get to church super early with our kids and set up for the awana night together - laughing, parenting, just being friends. Well anyways like I always tell myself, some people God puts in my life for a certain time and instead of dwelling on the time being to short one must move on and be thankful for the time given.

Well it's almost 6:30 and we need to leave by 7:45 this morning ~ Ashley's in choir at co-op and she's singing in Opening this morning!!!

Praying we don't get blown awaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy, (wink!)
EMichelle

At the farm they have a "Game" called Sling-Shot Pumpkins or something like that (wink!) And yep it's exactly as it sounds - you buy mini pumkins, put them in a slingshot and try to hit targets in front of old cars. (last year it was an old boat)

YEP! Just like the maze ~ we've faithfully tried for years with no luck until this year!!! This year we were just about done when Isaiah said, "Oh I have money! (from his job wink!)  I'll buy a few pumpkins!"

With the mini pumpkins he bought ~ He WON!!! We all celebrated!!!! High-Fives All Around!

What was the reward ~ well they blew the air-horn...which was LOUD & EXCITING! And Isaiah got to pick out the biggest pumpkin ~ he wanted ~ how big was it? Well his weighs in at a whopping 132lbs!!!

                                   Noah with Dad!

                                   Ashley with Dad!

                                    Luke with Dad!

                             Isaiah loading up!

                            Pulling.....Pulling.....Pulling

Dad helped a little ~ Seriously those are SUPER tight sling-shots!
                      Noah's face is PRICELESS!!!

                          Lukey says it all ~ TOUCHDOWN!!!

You would've thought we won the Lottery!!! For us ~ We DID!
I think this is one of my Favorite Pictures! It just speaks volumes
about us!

                                           THIS IS THE ONE!

                        WoW Dad! You're Super-Man Strong!

                                            Here It Is!

                                   And Here It Is!!!

Not sure what to do with 132lbs of ~ Pumpkin ~
If you do please let me know! I'd hate for all this to go to waste!

Blessings,
EMichelle

                     Look Mom! 2 Blue Duckies!!!

                           I think they go here!!!

             WOW!!! Where did the water come from!?!

                Ohhh Daddy & Sis are racing duckies!!!!

          Oh! No! the duckie fell into the tub of doom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Now everyone's playing!!!

      Oh! No! another duckie fell into the tub of doom......wink!

                                    You must go back!

                           Noah's favorite duckie!

Fun Times!!
EMichelle

We had such a GREAT day! We finally completed the Corn Maze.....yes we've tried for quite a few year! But that's the past....(wink!) We can finally say * WE DID IT!!!

              I just Love this man ~ so much!

                      We took turns carrying Elijah!

              Seriously Muddy!!! This was a 'small puddle'

            These shoes were once pretty brown & pink!

            The Theme was: Honey I Shrunk the Farm

                   Yeah! We found our 1st mailbox

Oh Please Don't Touch the Muck! I think instead of getting 'mad'
I grabbed my camera in a, "aren't you the oldest?" moment.......
that's why it's blurry - wink/wink!

The past years they gave really yummy pumpkin suckers after the
maze (orange flavor) this year - yucky eyeball gummies were handed
out ~ oh well - I got a funny picture!

              Here's Elijah looking at baby chicks!

                                    Elijah and Sis!!

Fun Day!
EMichelle

The last few years I have been feeling like there has been WAYYYY to much focus on 'Friend Parties' ~ Where's it going to be? How much is it going to cost? Who can come? Can everyone make it? And all extras ~ extra cake * extra gifts * extra theme plates & cups * the list goes on and on and on.....it can be overwhelming! Now don't get me wrong, we are blessed beyond measure with regards to the friends our kiddos have ~ they are so sweet & cool! (wink!) Praise Jesus!!!

So this wasn't an easy decision, for we've always had 'Friend Parties' but it was a decision I think we needed to make even if it's for this year. We have friends who have 'Friend Parties' every other year ~ that's a thought. And we have friends who don't have them at all or who let their kids invite 1 or 2 friends over for an extra special day! Hmmmm.....I don't know what next year will look like - I have no idea what tomorrow will look like! But I do know that so far, we've had 3 Birthdays with us - obviously (wink!) and Uncle B & Aunt S! 2 Birthdays to Go!! None of our Birthday Kiddos have complained once! They love it no matter what! Makes me wonder.....who makes a bigger fuss over Birthday Parties ~ Parents or Kids!?

                             Ashley's Favorite Cake!

                 Daddy brought home a Rose!

                                    Silly Elijah!!!

                        Big Big BIG Smiles!!!

Blessings,
EMichelle

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