Nov. 26, 2006 Thanksgiving in the Smokies
| We are spending our Thanksgiving holiday in the Smokey Mountains. A friend of mine has a cabin in Andrews, NC, and she generously let us use it for the week. It has been a while since we have taken a family vacation like this...meaning one with a long drive. (Always dreaded with small children!) That was offset though, by the overall sense of excitement about going to the mountains and possibly seeing snow. (four of the five of us had never seen it) Our plan was to leave Saturday the 18th, even though I had to run 16 miles for my marathon training, two of my three boys had flag football games lasting until 2:00 in the afternoon, we had to drop the dogs off at the dogsitter, and pack the car. PHEW! We finally pulled out of our driveway at 6:00pm, drove 6 of the 10 hours, and stopped for the night.
Now, I knew my husband was ready for a break from work...but "vacation dad" came completely out at the hotel when he said, " Boys, you need to be doing some more jumping on the bed!", and, "we get a free continental breakfast, so eat till your stuffed and stuff your pockets on the way out!". Mom had to step in on that last one. :-) The kids were in good spirits for the second leg of our trip, but it wasn't too long before we started hearing, "how much longer", and, "are we there yet?" I wonder if Ma and Pa heard that from the back of the wagon years ago too.
It has been completely wonderful since we arrived. The cabin we are staying in is beautiful. It is on 2 1/2 acres with a stream. We missed the fall leaves, but the mountains are still majestic in winter. The boys have been staying busy climbing over the stream and hiking up the mountain in the backyard. We have sat by the fire, roasted marshmallows, played monopoly, and even saw snow! The first day it did not snow where we are staying, so we drove up the mountain until we found it. It was only about 3/4" thick, but it was beautiful. The entire top of the mountain was white. We got out to play in it, but after a few snowballs, we realized what Floridians we really are! Only one of our three boys wanted to stay and play, the other two were sitting in the car with the heat on full blast. It was much better the next day. We were sitting outside by a fire, and it was snowing lightly for several hours. It wasn't heavy enough to cover the ground, but there was snow coming down all around us. What a picture!
Along with seeing snow for the first time, we also saw several wild turkey crossing the street and a hunter field dressing a freshly killed deer. ( a sight I could have happily gone without seeing). We will be here for four more days, so I am sure there will be more experiences to come. I am without internet, as well as cell phones or t.v., so this won't be posted until we get home. It sure is nice to be without the distractions of everyday life though.
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Nov. 12, 2006 Marathon Mama
| I am going to run a marathon in January. This is not something I ever thought I would do, or ever really had the disire to do. I don't consider myself an athlete, and up until recently, I didn't consider myself a runner. With all the miles I have been doing though, I think I have earned that title! I got talked into running a half marathon last January by a friend of mine. I ran with a group called Team in Training, who raises money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. It was a really great experience. When I first started training, I couldn't run around my block...but after 5 months, I ran the 13.2 miles. The funny thing is, I distinctly remember saying at the end of that race, I don't think I will ever do a full marathon. Well, here I am. My husband and I both signed up for this race. It was going to be something we did together. I thought, what a great reason to do it. I couldn't wait for all the time we would be spending together during training. The thought of running 26.2 miles scared me to death, but hey, if he can do it, I can do it, right? Well, my husband has since discovered that he absolutely hates to run. So, here I am, training for this marathon without him. I decided to go ahead and go for it. It is a bit daunting at times, but I didn't think I could do the half marathon and I did.....so why not the full? The really cool thing is that, I am doing it. I have been training since August, and am up to running 14 miles. This has done so much for me and my spirit. I have so much more confidence in myself now. I realized this is one of the few times in my life that I have set a goal, and then really worked hard at accomplishing it. So, I am a runner now. I can say that and believe it. I am running at least 20 miles a week, and have 8 weeks to go before the race. So, check back to this marathon mama's blog, and I'll keep you updated on my progress! |
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Nov. 7, 2006 Smokey Mountain Ideas?
| My family is taking a trip to the Smokey Mountains the week of Thanksgiving. We will be staying in a cabin in Andrews, and are looking for ideas of things to do while we are there. I thought I would ask my fellow bloggers. I am sure many of you have some favorite Smokey Mountain spots! We don't mind taking day trips, and would love to go into Gatlinburg. We just don't want to spend our week trying to decide what to do! So, any ideas? We have three boys, ages 10,7,and 5, who love the outdoors. Anything withing a few hours drive of Andrews is fine. Can't wait to hear some of your responses! |
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Sep. 1, 2006 Cruise picture Aug. 31, 2006 Home Sweet Home
| I'm Back! I got home Monday from a cruise with my girlfriends, after five days of being away! I still can't believe I got to do it. My two best friends and I have known each other for almost 20 years....and we all turn 30 this year. To celebrate, we went on a five day cruise together, leaving behind kids and husbands. As a homeschool mom, getting time away from my kids is rare, so I am sure you can understand when I say I was ready to go! I packed my bag and didn't look back! We had the most wonderful time. I have never felt so relaxed in all my life. There was not one thing to worry about or take care of. No one to think of except myself. Absolutely no responsibilities. No laundry, no cooking, no cleaning, no whining, no fighting. It was wonderful. The first few days I thought to myself...."this is bad....I am not going to want to go back!" But of course, after four days of laying by the pool, eating, snorkeling, shopping, eating, and um, some more eating.....I was ready to go home. I had started to miss my kids and the wonderful man I had left behind. ( I was beginning to realize how much he loves me to let me go on such an extravigant vacation without him!) So, I headed back home, sundburned and 5 pounds heavier! It was a long drive from the port back to my house, and it was filled with anticipation and excitetment to see my family and tell them all about my trip. What I didn't anticipate, was how drastically my feelings would change after I got there. The welcome home was wonderful, we were all happy to see each other. I passed out the special gifts I had gotten for each of them and everyone game me an account of all the things that went on while I was gone. Trouble began when my husband had to leave to go in to work, and I had to jump right back into "mommyhood". Now, I know this sounds awful and completely selfish of me. I mean, come on, I just got back from a 5 day cruise! But there was no "easing" back into it. He left, I had to finish homeschooling, clean up, try to make dinner in a house with no groceries ( I am convinced they lived off of ice cream while I was gone) and manage three boys whose emotions were flying because mommy was gone for so long. Needless to say, I had a slight breakdown that night. ( where is the guy who turns down my bed and puts a chocolate on my pillow? where is my midnight buffet?) It has actually taken me a few days to get back into the swing of things. I am remembering our routine, and forgetting about the long lazy days on the ship. I am remembering how to prepare dinner, and forgetting about the elegant, white tablecloth 5 course meals. I am remembering grammar, and forgetting calypso music. I am also remembering that vacations are nice, but home is where I love to be....surrounded by the people I love, and who love me more than I realize. In the words of my 5 year old son the night I got home. "Mommy, I love you more than ice cream". |
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| I am leaving tonight to go on a 4 night cruise with my two best girlfriends! I still can't believe I am going, even as I write this. The three of us all turned 30 this year, so we decided to start this decade off the right way.....a girlfriends cruise! When we planned it over a year ago, I didn't really think I would be able to go. I didn't think there was any way my husband would go for it! Not only did he say ok, but he is thrilled for me. I tell you what, I am married to the most wonderful, generous man. He is going to take care of the kids....AND homeschool them. Our cruise is on Royal Carribean. We are giong to Cozumel and Key West. I am sure I am going to be rested and relaxed when I get back and ready to jump back into life! I can't write anymore because I am too distracted! I'll fill you in when I get back! |
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Aug. 22, 2006 The truth revealed
| If any of you read my last post, you would see that I have been having trouble with my oldest son doing his school work with a good attitude, and in a timely manner. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I think 8 hours is a bit long to be doing school! Well, for some reason or another he decided he was going to do a little of his work tonight so that tomorrow wouldn't be such a long day. I said great! The less we have to do tomorrow, the better, since I have two others to school as well. So at 7pm he sat down to do his math....he didn't stop working until 10:30 and got EVERYTHING finished! He was like a little machine. He was so determined to get it all done so that he wouldn't have to do it tomorrow. I pointed out to him that it took him all day to do the same amount of work just two days ago. ( he gave me a sheepish grin) So, I guess he works better at night. I have no problem letting him stay up a little bit later if it means he can do all his work without complaining. If he is tired....he can sleep in, right? Isn't that why we homeschool! I could tell that he felt a real sense of accomplishment too. It feels good to strive for a goal, and then reach it through diligance and hard work. I am so proud of him. I made sure he knew though, that he can never take that long to finish his work ever again, now that I know how long it really takes. If he really does work better at night, I am even more glad that he doesn't go to traditional school. How frusterating would that be! I know I prefer to work at night. I get my best housework done after the kids are in bed. ( that might be a little harder now that he is staying up to do his school work!) I guess flexability is the key. Homeschooling allows us to find what works best for our children....and then do it! |
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Aug. 21, 2006 Why is this so hard?
| Well, today was one of those homeschooling days I dread. I knew it was going to be bad right from the start. My 10 year old son had a bad attitude about his work from the beginning, and no matter what I did to try to improve it, nothing worked. Let me say that my kids attend a partnership school where they attend classes two days a week, and I homeschool them the other days with lessons assigned by their teacher. So, we don't have the flexability to say "we'll do it tomorrow" because they have to turn it in tomorrow! This can be stressful at times, following someone else's schedule, but I have learned that it is the best way for me to homeschool. Well, a normal work day for my fifth grade boy is about 4-4.5 hours. Today took about double that because he kept dragging it on and on. All the while I was hearing how it was too much work, and how he can't do it, and how public school kids don't have to do this much work. I felt like such a nag......constantly telling him to sit down and do his work. That is not how I wan't our homeschool days to be. It seems like homeschooling sometimes brings out the worst in us, not the best. Part of me says, if he wants to spend all day on his work, that is his problem. I shouldn't worry how long it takes him. But on the other hand, I don't want to still be dealing with school stuff when I have a million other things to worry about, like laundry and cleaning up and dinner. I can't be nagging him to do his work until dinner time. It is draining on both of us, and I end up getting ugly when I don't really want to. It is days like this that I wonder why am I doing this. How can this be making our relationship better? We aren't enjoying each other at all. How do I get him to work diligently and complete his work in a timely manner? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! |
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Aug. 19, 2006 Let's Get Organized!
| I found the coolest thing to help me keep my homeschool stuff organized. I heard about it from some other homeschool moms who swear by it. I was in great need of something to help organize all my teacher books, workbooks and supplies. It is called the Apprentice Desktop Organizer (it was featured on the show The Aprentice). It has lots of room to store all the things I need on a homeschool day. 
I put all my teacher books in the middle so they are easy to locate, the kids books go in the side pockets, and then there are four small sections on each corner for pens/pencils, rulers, stapler, etc. This is a lifesaver for me since all of these things are normally spread all over my dining room table. (Goodbye family dinners!) The greatest thing is.....it spins! It is so handy, and I can still keep it in the middle of my table, and I doesn't take up much room. You will find it at Staples for about $30. Let the organizing begin! |
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Aug. 18, 2006 Mall Madness
| What is the invisible force that makes a usually sane, competant woman think it is ok to take three young boys to the mall for an afternoon of shopping? This is the question I am asking myself now as I lay on the couch recovering from our outing. I thought to myself earlier today, "we'll just go in for a little bit. I just need to find some shorts....they'll be ok." Wow, how wrong could I be. I did all the right things before we went in. I gave all the standard threats. No running, no hiding in the clothes, no asking if I will buy something...etc. Then I added the secret weapon...."if you guys can behave, we will get a pretzal from Auntie Anne's." I thought I had covered all the bases. I knew things weren't going to go well when, as we walked into Macy's, I heard a collective sigh and "not THIS store!" I guess I should give them a little credit by saying, they were not BAD. They were trying to make the best of a boring (in their eyes) situation. I guess I could chalk it up to "boys being boys". Maybe my expectations were too high. Is it too much to ask for them to follow me around in a single file line with their hands at their sides, not making any noise? Instead I got three boys darting inbetween racks of clothes, playing tag, playing hide and seek, doing ninja moves, and laughing and pointing in the bra section!
Needless to say, I never did find any shorts. I love my boys, and I don't mind taking them places with me....just not the mall when I am on a mission! If I had to be completly honest, the thought of playing tag in a department store full of clothes racks does sound kind of fun....just not in front of the kids! |
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Aug. 13, 2006 First day of Kindergarten
Here is my little man on his first day of kindergarten. This was last week, but I just got this picture up. Even though he will only be going 2 days a week, it was still hard knowing my youngest is starting kindergarten! He has done very well, and our homeschool days have been fun. He is really eager to learn, and can't wait to be reading. Having two older brohters helps...he wants to keep up with them! |
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| muddy footprints on the floor dirty hand prints on the door loud giggles from down the hall a masterpiece in crayon, on the wall bikes and scooters in the yard old playdough, stiff and hard bugs and lizards in little cages games and puzzles for all ages clothes forgotten next to the hamper fishing poles stuffed in the camper being there to wipe a tear little boys to love so dear |
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Aug. 9, 2006 Homeschooling Day 1
| Today was our first official homeschooling day of the new year, and I am happy to say we lived through it! It didn't go exactly as I had pictured, but hey, I am learning to settle. At the beginning of each year, I always invision what our days will be like. ( I am sure other HS moms can relate) We will all sit together on the couch, me reading the classics, the kids listening intently with their hands folded in their laps. Working at the dining room table, all together, me patiently helping each boy one at a time, them patiently waiting for me to help. Older siblings helping younger siblings....you get the idea. Then reality sets in. "I CAN'T DO THIS, I JUST CAN'T", moans middle child. "THIS IS TOO MUCH, WHY DO WE HAVE SO MUCH WORK!", yells oldest child. "I WISH I COULD GO BACK TO PRESCHOOL", squeals youngest child. And it goes on and on. " I can't concentrate with them talking all the time", " I don't want him to sit here while we read, I want it to be jut me and you!", Can I take a break......Can I have a snack....etc. I think it is like having babies. If you remembered the pain and discomfort, you probably wouldn't have more children. Through the summer, we tend to forget what it is really like to be our children's teacher! We did get finished with our work though ( with a big sigh of relief) and now that the first day is under our belt, we are ready to forge ahead! If anyone knows who invented learning, could you pass on his whereabouts? My son would like to have a word with him. :-) |
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| Well, this is it. My youngest son starts kindergarden tomorrow. How did this happen? It was just yesterday that I was bringing him home from the hospital. I am feeling a mixture of emotions tonight. I am so excited for him and this new adventure, I know he is going to love it. I am also feeling sad, which surprises me. Being a homeschool mom, I don't get much time away from my kids. As a matter of fact, it has been 10 years since I haven't had kids home with me all day. My three boys are now going to a partnership school, where they go to class 3 days a week, and I homeschool them the other two. I thought I would be relishing in the fact that I am going to three whole days to myself. Think of all the things I can get done! But I am starting to realize that this is the closing of a chapter in my life. A chapter that I enjoyed more than I realized. We are moving into uncharted territory. We don't plan on having any more children, so this is the LAST time someone will be starting kindergarden. I am thinking back on all the stages we won't go through again. ( some of those we are thankful of!) I am also excited though. There are so many wonderful things to come. I am so looking forward to seeing my boys grow into young men. I am eager to have some more time with my husband, who will be home with me one of the days the boys are in school. I am also looking forward to seeing what God has in store for our family in the future. I know kids have to grow up...and I am thankful to be participating in their lives so fully. And besides, he can still be my baby even though he is starting school...right? |
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Aug. 3, 2006 The Miracle of Life
| My good friends had their first baby tonight. Watching them go through this has brought back the memories of my children being born. What an awesome experience that was. Sometimes I wish I could relive it, just to feel that joy of holding them for the first time again. Looking down into their faces, seeing their foggy little eyes looking back up at me. It's funny, there are babies born every second of the day, but for that moment, you feel as if yours is the only one. Such a miracle. We take it for granted, and say God doesn't perform miralces anymore. My friends have no idea how this little life is going to change them. Nothing is ever the same, nor do you wish it to be. When I try to think back of my life before I had kids...it doesn't seem like much of a life. Everything was about me. Now I am consumed with meeting the needs of these little people who need me so much. God could have chosen many different ways to snap us out of our selfishness. Wasn't he generous to let us learn by loving our children? |
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| So, this is me, and this is my first time doing this blogging thing. I have been looking for a way to get my thoughts out without annoying my husband, and this seems to be the perfect thing. Who knows if anyone will read it. What is important is that I can just let it all out, what happened with my day, how the kids drove me crazy, what scares me, what my random thoughts are, and I won't get that glazed over look that says, "what are you talking about". :-) So, blogging lets us both win! |
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