On being a wife, mother, homemaker, homeschooler....

• Dec. 1, 2008
In the Christmas Spirit

We had such a nice weekend. I am officially in the "Christmas Spirit"! We decorated Friday and Saturday. My hubby is very insistent on doing this the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Saturday night, my sister came over, and we all watched "It's a Wonderful Life" and had homemade hot chocolate and popcorn. Well, everyone else watched "It's a Wonderful Life". I will have to go back and watch the last half b/c I did what I always do during movies after 9:00. I fell asleep!!! I have seen the first 15 min. of so many movies!!

Here's the recipe for the hot chocolate. Hubby and I really enjoyed it. My kids seemed to prefer the yucky packages!! Can you imagine???? My 14yo, Abby just informed me that she liked it also and doesn't normally like hot chocolate.

Rich "N Thick Hot Chocolate by BAKERS 1 cup water 2 (1 ounce squares) BAKER"S Unsweetened Baking Chocolate 1/2 cup sugar 3 cups milk 1 tsp. vanilla

Place water and chocolate in heavy medium saucepan; cook on low heat until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring constantly with wire whisk. Add sugar; mix well. Bring to boil on medium-high heat. Boil 3 minutes, stirring constatnly. Gradually add milk, stirring with wire whisk until well blended. Stir in vanilla. Reuce heat to medium. Cook until mixture is heated through, stirring constantly. Yields 4 servings.

Last night, we had our small group and my in-laws over for an Advent party. It actually was a "small group". Our "small group" usually turns out to be a "large group", but some were out of town and some were sick. It was such a nice time to focus on what Christmas is all about!

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Nov. 28, 2008
More Funnies

Seth, who is 5yo was with his 6yo friend, Luke, the other day. Luke's Mom overheard this conversation:

Luke: "Seth, I have something embarrasing to tell you."

Seth: "What? You got a girlfriend or something?"

Yesterday, Seth walked into his Nana's kitchen. Nana said, "Seth, do you need something?" Seth quickly responded with, "What do you have?"

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Nov. 28, 2008
A Curriculum Review

I want to share with you a curriculum I have discovered. It's called "My Father's World". We have so enjoyed it. My Father's World combines "Charlotte Mason's ideas and classical education with a Biblical worldview" (what I put in quotes is from their website). I really BELIEVE school should be done this way, but I just didn't know how to do it before. I tried, but ended up spending a lot of money, time, and frustration.

I am using their 9th grade curriculum for Abby. Abby can work independently. She is studying history beginning with creation. A big focus is on writing. She is also focusing on literature, which includes reading through the Old Testament. I feel that she will truly have a well-rounded education with this program.

I am using "Exploring Countries and Cultures" (part of "My Father's World" curriculum) for the rest of my children. Nate is in 7th grade, but I am EASILY able to adapt it to meet an older child's needs.

I am all about easy and I must say this is a pretty easy to use curriculum. It is all laid out for you. The preparation time I spend is gathering library books and materials for projects. Speaking of projects, I don't do every one and I DON'T feel guilty! I still feel like they are learning.

In "Exploring Countries and Cultures", a big focus is on missionaries. To enhance their learning, I plan on having friends who have either visited other countries or who are from other countries come over and describe their country to us. We did this for Brazil. My friend brought a Brazilian treat and she painted the picture for us of what life in Brazil is like.

I actually switched to "My Father's World" (ninth grade), in October. We had already bought our curriculum, but it was not working for us. I really hesitated to spend MORE money. I have to say this has been worth every penny spent!! This curriculum has truly been a blessing to our homeschool. It has given me a peace of mind and freed up a lot of my preparation time. You can learn more at: http://www.mfwbooks.com/

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Oct. 10, 2008
Are You Kidding Me?

I have been having some trouble with my breathing, so I went to the pulmonologist. Note: not the psychologist, but I couldn't tell the difference!!

I was in the room waiting to see the doctor and in walks a nurse practitioner in training.

She said that she was in training and could she ask me a few questions. I say ok.

She asks me my symptoms, finds out I have 5 children AND I homeschool and she diagnoses me!!!

She says it is stress and I MUST take time for myself!!! I should walk, whatever. Learn how to deal with it. She tells me some people take drugs to help them.

Yes, I say, I take time to walk and read my Bible. I find those things important.

She pretty much pretends she doesn't hear me and tells me I need goals for myself AND looks at me and asks me so, do you have goals?

I sit there thinking about how I can't believe I'm having to listen to this and smile as sweetly as I can and tell her I'm doing what I always wanted to do.

She informs me that yes, but "those" children will grow up one day and then what am I going to do?

Then I see the doctor after that and he doesn't even try to diagnose me. I am a mystery!! He doesn't know what's wrong. The tests he's done have come back with good results.

I left there not even sure of how I should feel. I wanted to laugh and cry!!!! I think she thought she did her good deed for the day. I really wish I would have just said some profound things that would point her to Christ.

She definitely feels differently about Motherhood than I do. I find the job I am doing so important and know God will provide the time I need for myself when I need it. I will trust Him for that!

My goals are to raise my children and point them to Christ.

When they are gone, I know God will provide me with plenty to do. I don't have goals to start a career. I see plenty of Godly examples around me (thankfully) of women who are serving others after their children are gone and they are definitely not BORED.

Which leads me to the whole subject of fulfillment. Motherhood and Women staying at home with or without children is not seen as fulfilling. I cannot find fulfillment in Motherhood b/c of my many failures. But I can find fulfillment in knowing I am doing what God wants me to be doing! AND that is where I and the nurse practitioner in training (AKA psychologist) differ!

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Oct. 10, 2008
"A Funny"

I am sooooo bad about jotting down what my kids say. It seems that these things will forever be etched in my memory, but when asked "Mama, tell me stories about when I was little", I really have to think.

I looked in my planner the other day, and saw that I had written little notes to remind me what my 5 year old, Seth had said. I looked in dismay because I realized I don't remember!!!! :( I know I told Grandparents, so maybe they'll remember????

So here's a funny I will share in my blog and hopefully I will also write it in a journal I keep. This journal has my kids cute sayings. Of course, I wrote more for my 1st, a little less for my 2nd, a lot less for my 3rd, etc. I have 5, so you know it's getting bad. But we do have good times. Does that count? And I haven't given up on this journal!!!!

Here's the funny:

Seth's Sunday school teacher was telling the class about Samuel "anointing" Saul.

Seth pipes up with, "Yeah, I HATE when people do that!!!"

Do you know what he thought she said?

Ohhh, those little minds. Which brings me to why I want to quit teaching him kindergarten (not really, but sort of). It took an hour yesterday to teach him b/c he was so unfocused!!! It's hard to teach a child when he's under the table or dropping his pencil every second!! But guess what!! He read words yesterday!!!!

When I told the principal of my unfocused child, he informed me he was not "unfocused" but "undisciplined" and things must change! I do agree. That principal is so smart (and cute!)

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Jul. 9, 2008
Swimming Lessons!

Seth started swimming lessons on Monday. He was very fearful and just sat on the steps. When I told my husband, he said to Seth, "You mean you went to swimming lesson and did nothing?" Seth raise his little 4 year old hand and said, "Look. I got in the water!" As if, what more could you ask of me? I had to leave the room so Seth wouldn't see me cracking up! Meanwhile, hubby was not amused!!! I know he was thinking, "I'm paying for swimming lessons so you can sit in the water!" Thankfully, today, 2 days later, Seth is actually learning to swim! Yea!!!

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Jul. 9, 2008
Suzy Homemaker

I have really been working on evaluating what I do in light of eternal value. It really has been helping my attitude. I'm not just washing dishes, I am serving my family. I am not just bringing the kids to swimming lessons, I am serving them. I am not just washing ANOTHER load of clothes, I am serving. It's not drudgery! I remember in high school, there was a woman who lived across the street from a guy I knew and he and his friends would make fun of her and call her "Suzy Homemaker" b/c she was always sweeping her walk. They thought it silly that she should care to do that and they obviously didn't think "Homemaker" was a worthy title. I beg to differ! If I am doing this with an eternal mindset, then this is a huge, important job! I had a dream last night and really, I don't usually put much thought into my dreams. I have some very goofy ones! Well, I dreamed someone wanted me to give parenting advice. My advice was to read a book!! (Very original, huh?) The person asked me, "Will the book make me feel bad; like I have not parented right?" I said, "Yes, it probably will. We can always do better. Don't you see? The job of raising our children has an eternal value!!!" I teared up as I told her and when I woke up and thought about it, I was almost in tears!! Make every moment count!

(2 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Jun. 21, 2008
Thinking I'm Teaching, But Instead Being Taught!!

Last week, my 13 year old daughter, Abby needed to serve someone. She wasn't exactly excited about it. She had other plans for the day. I talked (okay, maybe more like preached) to her about how she had to have a good attitude. Christ came to serve, not to be served, and I went on and on. About 15 minutes later, I received a call asking me to help someone. This was not my plan! I also had other plans for my day!!

I realized that whole conversation was not for Abby, but for me!!! Well, I have to confess, I struggled most of the day with having a servant's heart!

Being taught isn't always easy!

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Apr. 6, 2008
Life is full; Life is good

I think since the birth of my Lyddie in January I have contemplated life and the miracle of life so much more. The older I get, the more I realize how precious life is. I know I won't always have these moments. I won't always have my children at home with me. I won't always have the ones near and dear to me on earth. My life is but a fleeting breath. That is evident when I look at my beautiful 13 year old and it seems that just yesterday, she was placed in my arms.

My husband and daughter just took a mission trip to Haiti, a FOURTH world country! It has made us reevaluate life. What is our motivation for the things we do? I would not be one bit surprised if my sweet daughter ends up there. It has made me hold her a bit closer while I have her at home with me. She will be an adult before I know it. And my precious oldest son right behind her.

My husband and I were talking this morning about the lives that are around us that we have the opportunity to touch. We live in a neighborhood where there are children everywhere; many without fathers at home. Sometimes it's irritating when we go outside to play with our kids and other kids show up. But we want to embrace these moments and remember God uses families, OUR family, to reach out to others.

Oh God, may I make EVERY moment count!!!!! May I not be lazy. May I not just sit back. But dive into every moment of life you give me with the people around me. May I be motivated by love for You. May it show in my life.

(2 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Mar. 28, 2008
A Day (or Two) in My Homeschool Life

I was thinking it would be nice to write "a day in the life" of my homeschool. I enjoy reading others. You know, they get up at 6:00, get dressed, have quiet time, get kids up, get all househould chores for the day done AND start school by 7:30, done by 12:00 noon, etc., etc. etc. Okay, I'm just being facetious because I really do enjoy reading them!!! But really!!! That RARELY happens in my house. Since I have had the baby, there have been very few "normal" days. Monday, the kids went to co-op and Tuesday was standarized testing, so there was little "curriculum" school done on those days. I decided that I have GOT to turn my ringers off and get REALLY serious about school so that we can FINISH this year!!! So yesterday was that day. WELL! Here's 2 days in my homeschool life.

Wednesday (yesterday)

7:40ish get up & stumble to get coffee (I have been staying up rather late since I had Lyddie. It's about the only time I can get anything done without my little attachment! I do enjoy my little attachment, but it is nice when she is sleeping. :) I also check e-mail, respond to e-mail, look a few things up online. 8:30 Look at Seth and realize his rash is getting bad, so I call dr., talk to the nurse, who tells me I need to get some medicine. Eat & feed kids breakfast, take care of baby, do some chores and get dressed. 9:30 Have Bible time and read-aloud time with kids 10:45 Finally get out of house, go get medicine, stop by library while out. 12:15 Lunch 12:45 School with Hannah and guide her on making an Indian village 1:30 A friend stops by and we have coffee 3:15 Math with my oldest, Abby, and go over school with both Abby and Nate, 11yo.

During the day, In between all this, I try to straighten house and the kids do school on their own.

After this, I rake yard, work more on Hannah's project, & fold clothes. Hannah goes to ballet. She does have a ride, Nate mows, Abby goes to a babysitting job, and my husband goes out to a business dinner. We eat leftovers, so thankfully, don't have to cook!

I'm not stressed about the way my day went and I contemplate why! Then I realize that I had asked a friend to pray for me that morning b/c I was feeling overwhelmed. Isn't God awesome?

Thursday

7:40ish again! Get up & get dressed. Yea me! I should do that right away everyday. I read a chapter in my Bible as I brush teeth 9:00 As I sit nursing baby, I think I should go to this funeral for a man from my church and I should bring Seth to the doctor for his rash. As I'm thinking, my Aunt calls and asks if she can watch my kids while I take Seth to the doctor. What a treasure she is! I call doctor, am given a morning appt., call mother-in-law and ask if she can take Seth. She can 9:50 I am at funeral home. When funeral is over, I meet mother-in-law at doctor's office, find out it's poison ivy, and then hurry home to feed baby by 11:30.

12:15My mother-in-law and husband's Aunt are going to bring lunch over and eat with us. It turns out to be an unexpected little party. My Aunt, husband, father-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, her niece, and me & 5 kids. We then sit around after lunch outside and have coffee.

4:00 My sister-in-law leaves with all kids except baby and I decide I will get some things around the house done. A friend calls and reminds me that we are supposed to go visit a sick lady together. She calls back and says her car won't start. I go and pick her up, we go visit, and I bring her home. 7:00 Get home and feed baby. It's still light outside so we all go for a walk except for 13yo who has been outside playing basketball, and decides she's had enough exercise. While we were walking, I regretted not making her come. Oh, well. Another time. 8:30 Decide to give my 2 boys haircuts.

The kids did do school on their own in the morning. We are doing Bob Jones satellite which has been a life saver!

My days had many surprises, but were very full and good, as is my life.

So much for my organized school days. There's always tomorrow!!!! :) And maybe one day I will write about a "normal" day. I just don't see it being this year with a newborn around. Oh, yeah, probably not next year with a curious one year old. Or the next year with a busy toddler. or the next year with...

But that is the joy of homeschooling, isn't it? You live life and school somehow always gets done!! I do have to say no to things and honestly, we do have some days of what I consider "normal". They just don't happen every day and I'm okay with that!

* Sorry about the strange format. I tried to fix it, but couldn't.

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Mar. 18, 2008
Jesus is Number One!

Last week at church, my 4 year old sat by his friend. He said, "I want to sit by you b/c you're my best friend. But my first best friend is..." I quickly hushed him and pulled him aside. I tried to explain to him how that might hurt his friend and besides, we can have lots of best friends. He said, "But I was going to tell him that my first best friend is Jesus!!!"

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)