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Last night was our granddaughter's Christmas program at school. In preparation for the program I had gone out and bought each of the children and myself something Christmasy to wear. Nothing fancy. Just some sweaters. I did get my 12yo a necklace and earring set to go with her outfit. We all went, well except my husband who used the cold and snow for an excuse and my 12 you daughter. You see my 12 yo didn't want to go because the green bug of jealousy bit her. Bit her square in the behind. She was jealous that her 8 yo niece would be singing, or in a play, and getting attention. And my daughter wanted the attention. Well God used this as a lesson. I informed her that since she wasn't going to the program by her choice the sweater and jewelry would go back to the store, since she was no longer in need of it. Well the rest of us went, when we got there, the room was filled with tables with white table cloths, framed pictures of each child, (that's how the families knew where to sit ), and garland and ball ornaments in an array of color. They served us dinner of an assortment of soups, sandwiches, casseroles, and desserts. Then there were several group hymns sung, and a devotion given. Then prayer and we were dismissed. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm not the Christmas programs I was used to from the past. LOL But it was a lovely evening. When we got home I informed my 12 yo what she had missed out on. A wonderful dinner, some great desserts, and fellowship with friends and family. No one got more attention then anyone else. We talked about how that green bug took her new items from her, and how she missed out on the fun at the program. We also talked about how God wants us to rejoice with those around us, lift up those around us, to not covet, to be thankful for all God provides for us. We talked about how others sometimes seeeeeeeeem to have better or more than us, but that we each have exactly what God wants us to have when He wants us to have it. Unless we stop God from blessing us as she did in thinking Alicia was in a spotlight. We talked about sometimes our friends or family members are in the position of getting more attention then we are getting, but then there are times we ourselves are the ones receiving the attention. Again God provides for us exactly what He wants us to have when He wants us to have it. Sometimes thru our own decisions we get alot of attention that isn't good attention, because of our behavior, or our sinful decisions. We need to decide if we want attention no matter what, or do we want attention for good. Does it matter if the outside world recognizes us? Or is it more important that God recognizes what we are doing. And that He sees and knows that we are doing our best to bring glory to Him. I love how God takes even the smallest moments to teach us and mold us to better us. Tonight we sang the 12 days of Christmas.Read John 1. And made gum drop Christmas trees. The hershey kiss trees as with the angels in the guidelines are very cute! But in a family this size very costly. So some of our crafts we have altered to fit the budget and still be doable by all ages. We also made 123 cookies. |
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Ok I'm sure you've noticed that when I fell ill and fell behind with our activities and learning, I also fell behind on my entries. I promise that each day will be covered. I took notes as we went so you all wouldn't miss anything. We have made 2 trips to Madison to get my husbands baclofen pump adjusted. It will be so nice when they get that calibrated correctly. We sang silver bells today. We took a drive last night to look at the neighborhood lights, actually had to run out for milk so we all went and then leisurely drove home admiring the lights in the yards and on the houses. I love the glistening of the lights against the snow! It's just so wonderful! It doesn't take a whole lot to please me lol. We read John 1. Discussing the Word becoming Flesh. We made star ornaments out of foam, glitter, makers, and anything else that hit the children's creative bones. We discussed stars, and the brightest star. The one that shined over Bethlehem the night Jesus was born. We made snowballs. No not the ones outside, although we have made a ton of those and thrown them at each other. My 10 you has got an arm on him! These snowballs are the baked kind. A nutty ball shaped cookie. Very yummy! I love the smells of the baking, the time spent with my children, guiding them as they learn to bake and of course learn the all important step of clean up when we are done baking. LOL They don't particularly like this step, but it is a very important step to learn. We get math in while baking. Baking is great for learning fractions! |
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Today marks the half way mark. The excitement keeps building. The light from the candles keeps growing stronger. The children keep learning many many things that they may not of learned had we not decided to do our holidays differently. Like working together. Today we sang over the river and thru the woods. Now we do this with motions and bells in hand. And I can picture us all bundled up in a sleigh, gliding over the snow being led by beautiful horses. The cold nipping at us, but we don't notice it to much because we are having so much fun. I often dream of living in simpler times. Stepping back to the pioneer/ victorian era. We read Malachi 3. Foretelling of the messenger, John the Baptist, reassurance that God is God, as in past, present, so will He be in the future. Never changing, always keeping His promises. Sometimes I look at my children and wish they weren't changing. As in growing. They grow up so fast! Also in their interests. lol Those change daily, sometimes it seems like hourly. lol We made snowflake photo holders. Took pictures of the children to be put in their frames. Praise the Lord for Digital! If I could only figure out how to post them here! I keep working on it tho, so one day you will look and there will be pictures. |
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Today we again did two activities and readings, we are now caught up and where we should be. We sang Angles we have heard on high and winter wonderland. We read Isaiah 11 and Micah 5. Isaiah deals with the branch from Jesse in Christs lineage, and Micah talks about the promised ruler from Bethlehem. It still puts me in awe as I read the stories how from the day God created everything, including man, that He already had plans for Jesus. How even tho we only know small bits of the picture, God has the full picture in the palm of His hands. How He planned the birth of Jesus, who He would be born to, where He would be born, this was all planned at the beginning of time! I cannot successfully plan a day most of the time let alone events that would happen years from now. Think about it, God plan always goes just as He knew it would. Our plans get waylaid most times, illness strikes, toilets overflow, dinner burns, unexpected company shows up just as dinner time. LOL But nothing stands in God's way. We can stall things by our decisions, (free will ) but it all goes the way God planned it. And most times when we do things our way, instead of looking to God and following Him, everything goes wrong for us, but again God planned for this. These are our lessons, so we can learn, so we can desire to reach out to Him. So we can seek His precious gift of salvation. We made peppermint wreaths in various sizes, some used as wreaths, some as ornaments on the tree. Easy to make, cardboard circle, peppermint discs hot glued to the circle, add ribbon for hanging. The circle reminds us of God's everlasting love, it's unending. And we made snowmen from paperplates. These are now hung on doors around the house. I love snowmen. We made candy cane brittle, and easy microwave caramel. We are really enjoying all the crafts and sweets. We look forward to giving the treats as gifts, if I can keep my husband and children out of them so there are some to give. LOL This is the most enjoyable Christmas we have had in a long long time. The children are learning that the best gifts are the gifts from the heart. As God's gift to us. That it takes more time and creates more memories to make gifts for someone, or to write a poem, or make cards, and it takes alot of love. Take your children, hug them, tickle them, love on them, be with them, for time is short. You will blink and they will be grown and on their own. Take pictures of the peanut butter paintings on the cupboards, the over flowed toilet with the spiderman toy barely visible. The flour coated child, ( don't put in warm bath!), although sometimes these things seem like more pain, or more work, they too are actually gifts given to us, from our most precious gifts. These things are what memories are made of. And they make great tools of embarrassment in the future! ROFLOL |
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We continue to try and catch up on activities we missed while I was sick. And continue to add to our tree and other decorations. Which reminds me. Why is it kids find non toy items more interesting than toys? I mean really, why would they want to play with a candle instead of trucks or blocks? The kids are busy working on math copy work, great way to memorize the fact tables. Also they are doing copywork on the birth of Christ. And we continue to do our Advent activities, counting down to the birth of our Savior, we can also look at this as counting down to the second coming. I get goose bumps every time I think of Jesus coming again! I can't wait in alot of ways. So now up to Dec 10, we actually did 2 activities today. WE sang the first Noel and the little drummer boy. Like I said the kids didn't want to miss any part of this. We read and discussed Psalm 89 and Zechariah 6. You know can you just imagine those shepherds out in the field all quiet except the sounds of the sheep. And suddenly this bright light and voices from above! How would you have reacted? Thru out our readings my children are seeing that God when He promises something he keeps that promise, and that we are to do the same thing. When we promise to help someone we help them, when we promise to be somewhere we make sure we are there. Promises are not to be given in passing. Promises are to be kept. Yes sometimes we will promise something and an event or illness will occur that prevents us from keeping that promise. But are we to forget that we made it? No, we are to make it right as soon as we possibly can. We as parents need to remember our children watch us and learn from us. So if they hear a promise being given from us, we better make sure we keep that promise, if we expect the same from our children. And if something does stop us then we need to explain to our children what happened, apologize and then as soon as possible follow thru on the promise. We can hurt our children when we think they will just forget about things we promised, because children never forget. They may not make a big deal about it, but inside they are hurting. And by hearing us apologize and then following thru we are showing them the correct way to handle things that come up in life, making them better people. My children love to craft and create. This year deciding to do advent has fed their first love. LOL today they made Christmas cards with little treats in them, and mini gifts stockings with name tags for those they want to give as gifts. In the mini socks were again little treats. My children are loving creating and blessing others with their creations. The Christmas cards were mailed to family. Grandma said these were her best Christmas cards ever For now the little gift stockings are hanging on the tree waiting to be handed out on Christmas. You know I have to say, our tree this year is the most beautiful tree we have ever had. Why? because everything on it was created by my children, and everything they created points to God. I have tons of pictures but cannot for some reason other than my brain isn't functioning, figure out how to get them posted. I am looking forward to this Christmas. |
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Ok this bug really took a toll. Today we read Deuteronomy 18 and discussed it trying to play catch up. Thankfully since I haven't been well enough to do much, the craft on the 7th was to make decorated pine cone ornaments. Spray paint the ornaments, glue glitter, or little berries to it attach ribbon to hang on tree. Kids had fun with this. And I didn't have to do anything to help. And they made peanut butter bears. With just a little help from me. One thing I have really enjoyed thru this is the life skills they are learning. There is nothing more important then learning what God has to tell them from the Bible and applying that to their lives and learning life skills. For us those are the priorities, the academics come as God intends for the children to learn those. But in the meantime we are to train them to follow God, to tell of God and the salvation plan, and to know how to care for their homes and families. My children get lots of practice in life skills, we are a family of 11. Six still at home, and we have 3 grandchildren that are here almost daily while their momma works. The youngest of the grands is 4 mo old. Child care is a constant learning assignment lol. Sharing, giving, looking out for each other all extremely important lessons. Cooking is always a fun and sometimes scarey class. You never know what your getting or how it will be when you taste it. lol I try to let the kids experiment with seasoning, but sometimes I have to, just have to say nooooooooooo! lol And if all they get to eat when momma is to sick to cook is cold cereal and frozen pizza, well if we throw an apple or banana in hey it isn't to bad nutrionally. LOL Although they did a great job opening cans of chicken noodle soup and cooking it! God is so good when we do our best to follow His lead. His grace shows thru in all we do. And training our children that grace shines like a spot light in times of illness. I am really enjoying this Christmas, the decision to fully focus on Christ, was the best decision we have made while training our children. The kids get so excited when doing the creative activities and I love hearing them discuss who is giving theirs to who. |
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Yesterday, December 7 some bug hit me. By late afternoon it knocked me on my behind. I could not find enough blankets in the house to get me warm. Every inch of me hurt. How do you explain to a 3 yo that him touching mommy let alone crawling on mommy is causing excruciating pain. You can't! So you tolerate the pain and pray they don't want to stay near you for long. LOL There was no doing our activities for the day. Mom layed on the couch, trying to get warm, trying to ignore every muscle and joint screaming out in protest. Kids, did some drawing, and watched videos. Helped dad cook meals, although for some reason it seemed like all of them forgot even the basics of cooking and all they were making was soup and grilled cheese for lunch, and tuna casserole for supper. UGGG Let's play 20 questions with mom who has a headache the size of Wisconsin. As I lay there I just kept praying that none of the children would do anything that would harm themselves or others. That they wouldn't destroy the house toooooooo much. And that they would remember their inside voices above all. The fever was roaring thru my body and the head was pounding. I think I saw lightening bolts a few times when the children needed to ask questions. LOL All in all the kids got fed, and they did laundry, and kept the house fairly well picked up. The older ones helped the younger ones get baths and jammies on. They saw to it that the little ones got into bed. And they themselves went to bed. I was so blessed with their response to mom being sick. Even tho at times it seemed like none of them remembered things they had been taught many times, I realized that in the past no matter how sick I was I still kept moving and provided for them. This was the first time I had ever said I can't. So their momentary memory loss is ok. They were under pressure to step in and take over where mom couldn't. Ok so the kitchen didn't get cleaned as well as it would have had mom been up and on top of things. And there was a mess left in the bathroom after the baths. All in all they did great. No one got hurt, No one got poisoned. And I consider that a great achievement. ( You would have to know the history of my 5 yo to fully understand that statement) but trust me it is a huge success. And we did have a time of fighting amongst brothers. Which just about made me bring out the claws of steel, because the shrill hurt. Today mom is up and functioning somewhat again. Still not 100%, but much better than last night. Although we have missed 2 days of our learning and activities. The children and myself got some great learning in. Yes even tho they knew mom was sick they did ask about the Bible lessons and the crafts. But understood why we weren't doing them. Mom couldn't see straight. LOL So we will play catch up on the activities missed, and will post on them when we do them.
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Today it is still white and beautiful outside. Although there was a shadow put on our neighborhood during the night. Just across the street from us there was a home invasion ending with 3 young men being shot. Two are in the hospital, the third young man is still missing but they know he is injured. Two 20 yo men and one 23 yo man. It's the season of giving but I'm thinking this isn't the type of giving described. I just don't understand people that think they have to steal or do drugs or kill. Or maybe it's not that they have to but they consider it fun. Can you imagine!? We did our daily routines today. Little Eli is feeling better. Rash totally gone. We will have the test results back tomorrow. We sang White Christmas. Living here in Wisconsin we usually don't have to dream of a white Christmas, although there have been a few years that it was a brown Christmas. This year the way it is going we will have our white Christmas. I love waking up Christmas morning to a fresh snow covered world. We read and discussed Genesis 15 we made snow globes out of baby food jars, and made "snowballs". My children are loving this. They are getting more sweets in a week then they normally would and they think that is the greatest of all! But as we read and discuss the Bible passages I can see the wheels turning behind their eyes. I can hear the excitement in their voices over all we are learning and doing. And for me .................................... that is what this season is all about and what homeschooling is all about. |
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We woke up this morning to a winter wonderland. Lots of snow on the ground, the trees all white and sparkly. I love this!!! So fresh, clean and just down right awe inspiring to look at. What a wonderful show of God's creativity! There is no school for our granddaughter today. The children are busy finishing up their trees I can't wait to see them. And they will still present all but one to family and friends as they explain each symbol in the genealogy of Christ to the recipient. Today we sang We wish you a Merry Christmas.................... just what is figgy pudding??? it sounds gross! lol Any way, our family would like to wish each and every one of your families a very very Merry Christmas! We read Genesis 3 and discussed how Adam and Eve hid when they heard God coming in the garden because of their disobedience to Him. And how we also try to hide the sins we commit. Whether its actually hiding an item, or blaming others, or lieing about what happened. And how that makes the sin even worse because we are compounding that sin. We made candy cane hearts................ hearts the symbol of love. And there is no greater love than the love God has for each and everyone of us. We discussed how the red on the candy cane represents the blood that was shed for us on the cross. And the white being our sins being washed pure as snow by the blood of Jesus. That God loved us soooooooooooo much that He sent His son to die for us to pay the wages of sin for us. We made peanut butter Cups ..................... oh sooooooooooooooooo yummmy!!! If any of you would like to do these readings and activiites you can find the whole calendar at http://www.homeschooled-kids.com/advent5.html |
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My grandchildren arrive here at 5 am each morning. I feed them breakfast, take my granddaughter to school at 8. My daughter wants her to be homeschooled but her exhusband says no. We keep praying. We deep cleaned the school room. It amazes me how much clutter and dust can gather in such a short time. Of course I am the reason the clutter gathers.I am forever on the look out for good deals on books, patterns, crayons, paper, pencils, you know all the important things in life. LOL Added a window candle to the school room window. The house is starting to take on an air of excitement and festivities. Our studies today consisted of Finishing up the symbols for the Jesse tree with the Bible verse readings. They are now working on making the tree it self. We were going to make these out of felt and present as gifts to family, but the Lord had other ideas. And the children are not letting me know yet what their trees will be. Occasionally I get asked where is this or that but beyond that, it will be a surprise for me when they are done. Took baby Eli to dr they drew blood for allergy test. The rash has faded no formula for almost 24 hours. Dr wants to try a few different formulas. She believes he is allergic to soy and dairy. So need to do some trials and chart reactions. She says if she is correct there is a very expensive formula that insurance will pay for if she has the right documentation and prescribes it. So for now it is a waiting game and time for lots and lots of prayers. Tonight we sang away in a manger. Discussed why God would have His only son born in a barn, instead of a palace somewhere. LOL When I asked the children this I got a variety of reasons they believed the stable was the perfect birth place. Including cause Jesus loves animals so much He wanted to be surrounded by them from the start. We read Isaiah 40. And discussed this. Discussed what a shepherd is and what a shepherd does. Then the fun! We made cinnamon ornaments. The children experimented with different sizes of cookie cutters. We have angels, trees, stars, churches, crosses. They learned that these ornaments shrink as they dry. And that if you forget to put the hanging hole in before it dries, it won't be getting hung. LOL They also love love the smell of the house with these ornaments. So do I! And we started at the beginning a discussion on season of giving and continued that tonight. May we all develop giving hearts this year! PS It's snowing they say it will be alot! |
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Today is Dec 3. We bleach washed the dining room. Washed the items in the china cabinet, purged unneeded items, organized the buffet, and cleaned my desk. Someday when my new schoolroom is done the desk will be moved to the school room. But that is another story. We put candles in the window in the front entry, the 2 living room windows, and the dining room window. The kids started work on the symbols for the Jesse tree as we read the corresponding verses. Again we will have 6 of these so will share these with family and friends also. We hung our large poster of the lineage of Christ on the wall in the front entry. The candles are the coolest battery operated candles that stay on for 6 hours then turn off for 18, and looks like a real flame. Tonight we sang Oh Little Town of Bethlehem and read and discussed Isaiah 52. Then we made angel center pieces with foam cones and balls, paper doilies for the wings, and material for the garments in various prints and colors. We discussed how God sent angels to Mary to tell her of the child she would give birth to, to announce Jesus birth. In the middle of this our oldest son and his bride showed up to retrieve a dresser I had given them. As we were finishing up with this the phone rang. Our oldest daughter, saying mom can you ride with me to the er to take the baby. He has a rash all over his body. So off we head for 5 1/2 hours in the er. Baby is allergic to his food. Now seeing as all other formulas he has been on he had projectile vomiting we are at a loss as to what is left to feed this little man. We know that God will provide tho. We have to take him to the ped and then to allergist for skin testing to find out just what it is that he is allergic to cause he is currently on soy. So if you all could remember to keep little Eli in your prayers it would be greatly appreciated. Right now he is on pedialyte until they find a solution. I'm thinking time to buy a goat. LOL |
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Anyway, after that, grandma and our new daughter came up for lunch, due to ice storm we couldn't take the wreaths out so had people come here after church. Anyway, we had the wreaths on the dining room table, we ended up with 3 different sizes. And grandma and Lydia chose their wreaths and we presented them with a list of verses to be read each day. They stayed til church time again, after church we gathered around our wreath, lit the first candle, and sang Oh Come, All Ye Faithful, read and discussed Isaiah 40. After the Bible reading and discussion, the children made prayer chain garlands. The children decided to use red, green, and yellow construction paper for these, they said the red represents Jesus' blood, green represents eternal life, and gold is for the gold that baby Jesus was given. On each link they wrote the names of people they wanted to make sure to remember to pray for through out the month of December. Friends, family, missionaries we have had the privelge to meet, etc. This chain was then placed on the tree. It is the only decoration until Wednesday night. The kids asked what the next night's study would be about and what will we be making? Well I won't reveal it until tomorrow so you will have to keep reading. LOL |
Ok day 2 of our adventure. Today we rearranged the living room and set up the tree. Dusted everything, mopped, shampooed area rug, washed walls with bleach water. Have viruses and croup trying to invade the house and if it gets hold we are out of commission for the whole winter. One virus times 8 people, you do the math lol. |
This month has got to be my favorite month. I love the look of fresh fallen snow. Makes the world beautiful and peaceful looking. I love all the different light displays. But most of all this is the month we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Some would argue, that Jesus wasn't born on December 25, but does it matter? This is when it was decided to celebrate His birth. The greatest gift ever given to mankind. Here at Love to Learn Academy, we have decided to focus completely on Christ this month. The whole month. I am praying it will spark a desire in my children to focus on Christ daily. To look to Him for guidance in all they do. So this Christmas, we have decided to do things totally different from years past. Today as I am writing this my children are making Advent wreaths, even the 3 year old is making one. That means there are 6 Advent wreaths being made. When the wreaths are done, we will load all of them in the van with the children and drive first to grandma's house and have her pick a wreath. No child is allowed to say what wreath they made. Then we will take a group pic of grandma and the 6 children with the wreath she received. We will continue this with other friends and family members until only one wreath remains, that will be our wreath. It will be placed in the center of the dining room table tonight with our best Christmas table cloth. Then after that we will clean and rearrange the living room and set up the Christmas tree. But we aren't decorating it yet. This year we will decorate it on a daily basis this year. Making our ornaments as we go, making sure that all point toward Jesus and our beliefs. I will make daily logs as to what we have done each day, what verses we have read and studied. Oh did I mention there will be no gift giving at our house between the children, myself, and husband? That's right there will be no gifts. Why? Well first and foremost as I mentioned before, this year is to be the start of getting the children to focus on our Savior, to understand that the most valuable and precious gift anyone can receive is the gift of salvation. Secondly, we are wanting the children to learn to focus on others after Christ. Meeting others needs. Witnessing. Bringing joy to others. When we told the children about this, I expected a huge fuss, but there wasn't one. There was a time of silence. But no huge arguement or fuss. And now the excitement of what we will be doing is building. Even I am totally relaxed and calm over all of this. LOL We will be giving gifts to the grand parents, and the married siblings, and to our grandchildren. But those also are going to be off the beaten path of what we normally do. Wow in the time it has taken me to write this 2 children have finished their wreaths, and may I say they are beautiful! And if I can figure out how I will post pictures of all we are doing. My 5 year old is having a field day with the digital camera. LOL I pray for all that read this that your Christmas is not just a time of opening presents. That your focus is also on Christ. The whole reason for all the lights and carols. |
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When one of your children is going thru something, how can you not help but feel their pain? For me having any one of my 9 children go thru anything difficult is like I myself is being stabbed in the heart. I'm not talking of skinned knees, or a stubbed toe, although those also bring a twinge of pain to me. I am talking about extremely difficult, even horrific experiences in their lives. How do you guide them when you yourself have thoughts of retaliation? Thoughts of revenge? Thoughts of despair? As a Christian I know the trials we face are building us, strengthening us, restoring us, or for the unsaved leading us to salvation. I know that bad things are not of God. I know satan uses bad things to sway us. But how do you convince a hurt child of this? When they are in the midst of a battle. How do you help guide them to stay on the right path? And if they have strayed from the right path how do you help guide them back? Sometimes our children don't want to hear from us what is right and what is wrong. Sometimes they totally disagree with what we are telling them. And that can cause a strain between parent and child. Sometimes children think parents just don't understand, that parents are here to only take their fun from them, to keep them from becoming adults. Then something bad happens and they want the parents to fix it. Yet not get involved. I don't know how to do this. And yet I find myself facing this. My daughter needs help, wants mom to fix things, but not tell her what needs to be done, not tell her what is right and wrong, she only wants me there to fix things. And as the mom I want to fix things, but I don't know how. There is a barrier between us and with that barrier there neither of us can get the problem fixed. A few years ago she and I clashed, honestly we still do clash. She sees my faults and I see hers. I'm not saying I don't see my own cause I do. I know as a mom I have made mistakes, placed too much responsibilities on the older children, sometimes out of necessity, sometimes out of total exhaustion, and sometimes out of sheer laziness. I have acknowledged this to my older children and apologized and yet this daughter and I can't get past it. This daughter has had her life turned upside down in the past few months. And due to our already strained relationship it causes even more strain. She feels that she is a burden to the family. She isn't in any way a burden but yet she feels she is. For some reason we can't talk out anything, she says I don't let go of past incidents, I say she doesn't hear what I am saying. Either way it's a conflict. She feels mom is trying to keep her a child, I feel she is rushing life. Yes she is an adult, but being an adult chronologically doesn't necessarily mean your an adult maturity level wise. I have read many many times about the prodigal son. And I consider this daughter my prodigal daughter. She is hurting. Hurting emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I want to help. I don't know how. I love her. I can listen when she speaks. I can pray for her. But beyond that I just am at a loss with this child. I don't know how to reach her. I know she wants me to agree with everything she says and does. I know she wants me to like and accept all of her friends. But would I be doing right in doing as she wants? Or would I be letting myself and even more importantly God down? I ask that all that read this to please pray for her. Pray for her healing. Pray for me. That I don't do or say anything that wouldn't bring Glory to God. Pray that she sees the network of people that love her and want to help her. Pray that she sees me as a mom that truly loves and adores her. Pray that she understands that I cannot always agree with everything she does and says. Pray that I am compassionate, when compassion is called for. Forgiving when forgiveness is called for. And strict and consistent when those are called for. Pray that I never confuse any of them. This too shall pass. |
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Ok it's Sunday, day of rest. Right? Well my day started at 5 this morning. I decided blueberry pancakes were the breakfast champions eat this day. And I am trying to raise champions after all. LOL Noa got up as I was starting and decided she would like to learn how to make pancakes. All went well till first flip. Pancake landed half on the griddle half on the stove Well we made it thru the pancake breakfast, did dishes, swept kitchen, straightened the house, cause 8 people in 1500 sq ft, two things out of place looks like total disarray. During straightening, Samuel, the 5 yo took a nose dive off his "pirate" perch, bloody nose ensued. Dripping all the way to the bathroom. Guess he was leaving clues to the buried treasure? lol Got the bleeding stopped. Cleaned up the bloody trail. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh house it at peace. Enjoy it! Not even 30 minutes later during a session of "bull riding" , the bull being big brother Turner or Dane, Israel, got bucked off and head first into door frame. Yep more blood this time a mouth. Leaving a trail for the bull to follow back to the corral. Ice to the lip, another mopping session. And done, Ok so what can we do that is noncontact?? I know! a movie!!! No one can get hurt watching a video right? RIGHT???? Guess what bump on Jacobs noggin. Not sure what he did. He was sitting on the couch watching the video, then boom on the floor. Must have hit coffee table on his way down by the looks of the lump. Ok so sitting, ummmmmmmm let's see what CAN we do that isn't going to create injuries. Read? Ok let's try. Got thru a chapter. Phew no one got hurt! Ok so now we can enjoy a day of rest. Lunch served no injuries! yippy on a roll!. Praying the rest of the day goes better. Praising the injuries were not more severe. And thinking the day of rest, is for those that have no little ones in the household. Wondering if I should go ahead and clean the day is over half done now. And I have many things I want to get done, and need to get done before Thanksgiving. Sunday or the Sabbath when ever you observe the Lord's day is to be a day of rest. A day to focus on and praise the Lord. A day to fill your soul with nourishment from the Lord's word, to prepare for the week ahead. A day to enjoy your family. I'm thinking us mom's will get the rest part of this when the children are all grown. OH WAIT! Then comes the grandchildren. Nope mom's don't get rest. But God in His wisdom new this and replenishes us without us having physical down time. We get rest physically when we can, a minute here, an hour there. And prayerfully a full nights rest. If no infants in the house, and you don't have non sleepers. My day of rest consists of seeing to my families needs, trying to do something fun with the family, maybe going out for one meal of the day, to have a time even if it is short to focus totally on God's word, and to just be thankful for the many blessings God has given me. From my husband, children, grandchildren (which I have 3 of so far), friends, my salvation, a beautiful although chilly sunny day, food to nourish us, a home, non serious injuries, and days that are never boring. |
But that is okay that is why there is soap, water, and dishrags. Got it cleaned up, and half way thru completing the rest of the pancakes, Flip right onto the floor. Not the cooked side down either. 
So time out again for another clean up. Gotta love pancake batter on any surface other than the hot griddle. 
Ok so mommy is thinking if dcfs were to stop by they would think abuse was occuring here in this house. Thinking we need padded walls, floors, and no furniture. |
Well today started like any other day. Breakfast, morning chores, lapbook on Wisconsin. Then the bottom fell out. Literally. Now I still have 6 children at home ages 12 down to 3. I watch my grandchildren ages 9, 3, and 2 1/2 months. The surgery my husband had to place the pump back in September, we found out today something is up with the pump. They want him at the hospital at 9 am tomorrow, they will be admitting him to see what is going wrong. It may require further surgery. Now my older children, all have to work and can't get the day off. My parents were to leave in the am for TN. Well God in His grace, provided for my parents to stay in the area, so they can be with the kids. My youngers decided today was the day to fight and be obnoxious. LOL Guess they were feeling the strain I was feeling. School got completed for the day, I breathed and calmed down, and all the children are back to their normal selves. Sometimes it is so hard to stay focused on God, even tho I know without any doubt that God will provide for all the needs in this home. After almost 3 years since my husband went into the wheelchair, I still have days of total overwhelmness, if that is a word lol. I still get frustrated on days, I still get angry, and I still feel the loss of all my husband was. I still go thru moments of what if's, and if only. Homeschooling on days is a real challenge, and every once in a great great while I sometimes think I just can't do it all any more. But then one of the children finally gets a concept. Or one comes up and just wants to snuggle, or one will smile broadly and tell me they love me. And I know that all is just as it should be. It would be so easy some days to hand these precious treasures over to someone else to deal with for 8 hours out of the day. It would be so easy to let them go to place my total focus on my husband, after all the Bible does say that it is God first, then husbands, then children. But is that what God really had in mind when he placed the line of priorities? Am I to totally abandon my children that God entrusted me to raise and train to follow him, abandon them for others to train? In order for me to focus on my husband and his needs? Am I to subject them to things that I would not approve of under normal, healthy situations? Am I to let someone that doesn't school the way my children learn, or doesn't teach things our family feels is important to be taught even tho it may not be academic based? Am I to look in my children's eyes, these blessings from the Lord and tell them that right now they are not a priority to me, that their dad is what is most important? Yes my plate is full, yes most days I have no time to even shower and if there is time, I wonder afterwards if I even got wet. Yes my husband needs me and is after God in my priorities list and my children are still on my priority list. For me there is no choice. I can not abandon them to be subjected to things that don't go with all we are teaching them, things that will lead them away from the path to follow God. God equipped me to focus on my husband and still provide what my children need. I believe He equipped every mom to do this if the plan for them is to be married to a disabled husband. And I believe that if we are not doing our full responsibilities that God equipped us for and set before us, then we are letting Him and ourselves down. Does this mean we don't need or shouldn't get help once in a while? No, but that help should not be a crutch, or an excuse to bow out of our God given responsibilities. There are days I would like nothing more than to be able to leave my house without any children for a day of shopping or a day of pampering myself. But that is not in the plans at this time. I take my rest when I can get it, I take help when I absolutely need it, like surgery days. It is an hour or a shade over an hour drive from home to the hospital, and believe me my youngest 6 would not handle being cooped up for very long. lol So I take the help of sitters on those days, and I drive the little over 2 hours round trip so I can be with my husband and home with my children. I leave my husband in God's hands. And while I am at the hospital with him I leave my children in God's hands and someone I trust fully. My children can count on me at all times to be there for them, to protect them to the best of my ability, and to continue training them. School may not consist of books each and every day, but life learning is far more superior to book learning and much more memorable. No I do not believe that God gave us these precious gifts to shove aside when life takes a really hard turn in a direction we least expected it to go. Why would He provide these precious gifts for us to just abandon? In order to keep the line of responsibility? I don't believe so. How about you? |
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On October 20, 2007 our son Derek, married his God chosen partner, Lydia, in a sweet, and beautiful ceremony. Alot of parents look at this event as a time of loss. I don't! I have gained. I gained a new daughter and a beautiful one at that. My family keeps growing, and that is great to me! I love large families. Although I look at my house and keep telling my dear husband that we need a larger home. This home will not hold many more additions to the family lol. This past week we studied the state of Wisconsin. Oh boy have I neglected geography! When I asked my children the capitol of the state they named other states. Ohio, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Illinois. Now you have to understand when my children were learning their address, they would say they live in Wisconsin, Illinois. In all our learning adventures it doesn't help when my children have a grandfather that likes to try and confuse them. My children are so easily swayed to wrong info. They are so innocent and gullible in alot of areas. God is taking us thru many changes. He has been keeping me away from puter, tv, and outside influences so that I can hear Him. He is showing me many things. Some in our schooling, some things He wants us to cover and how to cover them. Some in relationships, some friends are being left which is sad but for the best. Some is a permanent severing from our lives, some it is just for a time. Family relationships are being reconstructed and built upon. My role as a woman is being examined and worked on as well. From my role as a Christian, to my role of friend and advisor. May I suggest that if you feel the calling to leave the outside influences, that you do so. God is giving you that feeling for a reason. And yes it is Biblical to take time of solitude. To focus on the things God is leading you to focus on. Adding another daughter to our family increases my duties as a Titus 2 woman. Although she has been well trained in the art of being a Godly wife, there are things that I will be teaching her as well, along with my other 3 daughters. I am excited to be teaching yet another in what I know. And learning with my girls the things I don't know or haven't mastered myself yet. I feel so blessed ( most days) with my now 10 children, soon to be 11, my oldest dd is getting remarried next September. And I am in awe that my role changes not stops as a mom. So many look at their children growing and leaving home as an end to their roles as moms. This couldn't be further from the truth. Our roles just change and there are a whole new set of questions from these children that they turn to us to answer. To teach them on. Our roles as a mom and teacher never ends. It just changes. Goes to different levels. Cherish the time with your children as young ones. Relish the time with your children as adults. |
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Our oldest son is getting married in just 3 short weeks. I cannot believe how fast the children grow up. Makes you realize just how short of time you have to teach them all you want them to learn. All they should learn to prepare them for adulthood. It makes my mind whirl actually. I sit and ponder if I have taught all I should have? Did I set and live the example? It has been quite a fun journey watching my son and his future bride come together. May I say yes God really has appointed each of us our life partners if we wait on Him to show us. My son and his future bride have known each other since they were 4. They met at church. There was a time we were away from that church, and then 3 years ago God brought the two of them back together. They are doing the old fashioned and actually very sweet courtship. It was not easy training my children to follow courtship, our son fought for a long time, until he was reunited with his intended bride. Her family also taught courtship. The two have never been alone. Anywhere they go they have an entourage of chaperones. They have never kissed, never held hands. They have spent the last 3 years getting to deeply know each other. Their likes, dislikes, dreams, fears. They have discussed future living places, future children, ( which by the sounds of it I will be blessed many times over by those 2 with grandchildren. If that is God's plan. ) They have discussed each others roles in the home, who will do what, etc. You can look at these 2 and know that God brought them together. That God predetermined this marriage. It is such a blessing to watch these two. I would very highly recommend teaching your children courtship vs dating. Yes my son approached her father for permission to court his intended. And when the time came he approached her father for permission to propose. We are in a whirlwind of activity preparing for the wedding. Showers, rehearsal reservations, fittings etc. And these two are so peaceful about everything. LOL after the first shower my son was concerned and did fret that they had not recieved pans as of yet lol He has been keeping a list himself of what they have recieved in order to make sure his intended gets all that she needs. What did we give them? A dvd player with the full 2 vol. series of ma and pa kettle movies. Ma and Pa Kettle for any of you that know of that movie family is the image of my son and his intended roflol. Did I mention they are honeymooning in a log cabin on a lake? I have 7 more to look at their big brother and see how God blessed him with a wonderful life partner. Which will help the process with them. I pray anyway. lol I am looking forward to 7 more courtships. When their future spouses will be introduced to them. And to watch those relationships blossom the way my son's and new daughters relationship has blossomed.
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My husband had surgery Tuesday. It was scheduled for 2:30 they took him in at 4:30 didn't make the first cut til 5:20. They placed a pump in his abdomen with lines to his spinal cord and nerves to distribute medicine exactly where he needs it to get the spasticity and tones back to normal range. In other words to make him more limber. More flexible. To help him walk better. The surgery was to take 4-5 hours. Those of us waiting for him decided to go to the cafeteria and get something to eat. While we were eating the hospital went into lockdown, due to a gunman outside the hospital. Sounds like a made for televison movie doesn't it? Oh I didn't mention that there was also a bomb threat. They believe the gunman was making the calls about a bomb being in the hospital. lol Anyway I got call from surgeon at 7:30 saying the pump was in place and working, my husband was doing well and they were closing. That I would get a call in about half an hour telling me he was in recovery and then again when they were taking him to his room so I would no where he was going. Well at 10:00 I went and asked the guards how to find information out about my husband since I hadn't heard anything since 7:30, was told not to worry that we weren't forgotten and I would be called. Well at 10:30 asked again and was told that when he was done with surgery he would be going to the 4th floor. So I went looking for him and found him safe and sound in his room, where he had been for over an hour and a half. They had forgotten about us! Well then was told he would be in the hospital until Saturday if not longer while they got the pump calibrated to the exact dose he needed to have and they worked with him on transfers and walking. When I called my husband this morning he informed me they were sending him home today. I said that can't be right so called the nurses station talked to his nurse and she said no he's not going home but I will do some checking find out who told him this and call you back. So I took the kids up to see dad at 5:00 pm. Found my husband fully dressed and already discharged. To say the least I was not happy. Called our oldest son to drive the hour drive to help get dad home. We got him home after I was shown how to care for the incision sites. All of the children are thrilled to have dad home as I am, yet I am still upset with how it all happened and my husband is so weak yet and extremely sore. The realization of the work that was added to me hit and it angered me more. Not that I mind caring for my husband and not that I can't handle it because God only gives us what we can handle and He has prepared us for. But the fact that he wasn't to come home until he was strong enough to transfer on his own again. So our schooling this week and for however long it takes will mainly consist of caring for dad. Dressing wounds, proper diet, range of motion exercises, and transferring in a way that doesn't hurt dad or us. We will do lapbooks with dad listening to what we are discussing, and we will all gather in dad's room for family readings. We will do devotions in dad's room instead of our usual living room. We recently started using math from 1878 all written math is done on a slate. The kids absolutely love this including my daughter Noa that usually runs when she hears the word math. Somehow the little sheet of paper size slates and chalk made math fun for her. And this is not easy math. Have you looked at the math from the 1800's? LOL But she is thriving now. We are also doing a unit on family focusing on adoption. Our youngest 6 are all adopted, and seeing that each of us get adopted into God's family when we accept the gift of salvation has really shown my children the specialness of adoption and the blessings. Noa had been struggling with being adopted. This has been a real blessing to her to see that connection with the kingdom of God. We are hoping to go to the orchard this next week to pick apples and bring them home to freeze, make applesauce, apple juice, and apple butter to be put up for winter use. Our focus is teaching the children to use what God gives us without just going to the store to buy what we want and need. But to work hard and learn the skills it takes to live without all the convienences of modern society. Never know when these skills may be needed. Noa is doing great with hand sewing. She has made potholders for her hopechest. And has presented some to friends and family as gifts. She has a set ready to give to big brother on his wedding day in a couple of weeks. I know there are some out there that stress when life hits. My advice is to learn from life. Try and have as much fun as possible during the difficult times. Laugh as much as possible. Take time to just enjoy each other and all that God is doing around you. Each day brings new learning opportunities, it's ok to step back from the "books" and just learn thru life. It's ok to take a day here and there to just play. Most importantly hug your children each day and tell them how much you love them and learn together what God wants you to learn. Today it may be math tomorrow it may be wound care. |
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I awoke today to a beautiful sun shining day. Typical fall. It was 54 degrees when I awoke, we are up to 70 degrees. I love this time of year and am sad at the same time. Does that make sense? I love the crispness in the air, the freshness the air seems to carry. The changing colors of the trees. God is a wonderful artist. As I drive down the road and see the views it just awes me, all the colors that God gives us thru living things. The trees, the mums. My oldest son is getting married in a few short weeks and their colors for the wedding reflect God's paint palette in nature. What saddens me this time of year is I know that although the colors are changing and are beautiful it is a sign that all is settling down for the long winters nap. The trees will be bare almost skeletal, no colors other than brown until the snow falls then we get white. No more open windows for the fresh air to air out the house. A few months of being closed up. I don't like being closed up. Oh we go outside in the winter when the tempatures allow it. We build snowmen when there is enough snow and the right type of snow. But for the most part we are closed up. But then I remember those winter months are when we get to snuggle more with a good book. Or play more board games, or watch a few more videos with popcorn! Those winter months are also when we get to celebrate family more. Those winter months bring the celebration of the birth of our Saviour. Those winter months are when 4 of 9 of our children were born, we get to celebrate their life, the gift that God gave to my husband and myself. Those winter months bring about different science studies than we can do in the spring and summer. Like just what does happen to the fish and other aquatic life when the ponds, lakes, and rivers freeze over. You know really we should not have sadness over any season. Because when one thing ends, goes to sleep, dies, another begins, wakes up, or is born. I am so excited because God shows me daily that He is in charge of all. And how wonderfully He has set everything up for us. We have faced a few trials this past week, but learning was done thru them. My dh they found a mass on his clavical, the doctors said everything but the cancer word. Of course I went into panic mode at first. All I could think was now how do I deal with this? I mean dh is already in a wheel chair now cancer treatments? Possibly surgery? Uggggg what will I do? What will the family do? Well I prayed, the panic went away, we set up the needed appts with the appropriate drs. We discussed options. So when we went to appts we were prepared for any outcome. So we could make informed dicisions. We talked with our children ages 3-25, we prayed, and prayed and prayed, for wisdom and God's guidance. We went to the dr's and had all the tests. Was told all looked good. Got home and 4 hours later was called by dr asking if we could come back for another set of xray's and mri. I didn't panic this time. We went back had the pics, all is well they said, there is a mass but it is benign and dh probably has had it for some time. Then dr looked at me said he wanted to examine me. Why? I had a cough, nothing else just a cough. Ended up I have bronchial pneumonia. Came home on 3 meds. The point God was teaching, we had no book study that day. We learned from life. We learned the changing seasons and all the wonderful things God does thru nature. We learned how to pull together as a family to make important decisions including all ages in that process, we learned that things don't always appear as they seem. Could be worse could be better. I learned there is no need to panic. Panic does no good. It makes me physically ill and changes nothing. God has orchestrated each day, each moment of our lives. Every hair counted, every breath. Our children saw the importance of talking things thru, to pray and sit and wait on God. That our Father has everything under control. What more in education could we want for our children? |