So that title just about sums up what we've been up to. August is a very busy birthday month for us, and my birthday is today. I'm 40 years old, though I don't know that I feel it. Paul is taking us out to dinner tonight for my birthday, and then to the mall for me to spend some of my birthday money. I might also run out this afternoon with the kids and get a couple of things I've been wanting. And as much as the kids would love a day off, we are doing our lessons today.
We're getting into the grove of lessons, though I am finding I don't have as much time to blog. But I think that will change starting next week. My nephew is moving back home this Friday , and so for the past couple of weeks, he's been over almost every night, trying to spend time with the kids and us before he leaves. Last night was the last night he'll be here, and he was sweet and brought us pizza. We are going to miss his game nights over here.
So between birthdays, gone over the weekend, getting back into the grove of lessons and constant company, I just haven't had as much time online. Paul and I were talking about how busy we have been, and we both realized, starting next week we are going to slow down tremendously. Then we'll be complaining we have nothing to do.
Our lessons have been going great. We are getting finished usually right after lunch. I'm thinking the flow I wrote out is going well. We've even done some things in the mornings, and finished up our work in the afternoon. That has always been a hard thing for me. If we left in the morning, I wouldn't want to do the work in the afternoon, but so far I'm getting better with that. Paulie's reading is going great and Sarah's math is off the charts, it's all been a blessing. I truly pray that it continues this way.
So much has been swirling through my mind lately, it's hard to put it all into words. I'm not going to try here, because it will be way too long. Some of it is deep, some light hearted and some just some different directions the Lord is taking us all. I'm not sure exactly what I'll publish and what I'll write for just myself. But if I sound more rambling than normal, you'll know why.
Oh, after my last update on Emily, Sarah's friend, another one came in, so here it is. She was burned over 62% of her body, but only 40% is 3rd degree burns. She had cotton clothes on, so that helped her not get burned as bad as other types of material. She had her first surgery on Monday. We haven't heard anything else since Monday, and we are waiting for updates. Thanks again for all your prayers.
I guess that's about it. A quick rundown of what we've been up too, and why I haven't been on in a while. Like I said, starting this weekend into next week I should have some more time. I'll try and take some pictures of the fun things I buy with my birthday money. Have a blessed week.
Yep, today we did it. It was our first day of school, and I am surprised how tired I am right now. I really didn't think it would wear me out, but it did a bit. I wasn't sure if I would even blog about it today, but I just had to and share some pictures.
The day started out well. We had told the kids today was the day, and though there was a bit of grumbling and complaining on one child's part (both last night and part of today ) that is getting addressed and won't be happening much in the future. We had a good time in the Word reading and talking about it. We've decided to go through Luke. Then I went over our new schedule with the kids and how the flow should be. We picked the book from the library that will be our first history book. We've decided to read some biographies about different people in history this year. The kids seem to like that.
Then they started their work. Sarah pretty much does independent work, so after I told her what was expected of her, she went off to do her work. Paulie is half independent and did great work today. His writing was much neater and though he got a few wrong on his math, the rest of it he did great. We even started an actual language arts program with him, CQLA. That's the one Sarah is doing too, and he did real well. We are skipping some parts, and tailoring others for him, but he did good. Here are some pictures I took today, though I realized I forget to get Sarah at her desk, just on the keyboards for music. Oh well, it's all still school, right?
Our yearly picture with the date.
Sarah busy with her music time.
Paulie does great work while on the work-out ball.
The kids being silly.
So all and all today was a great day of school, though a bit emotional. But I think the Lord is trying to show me something through it all, but it's not always easy to learn or accept. Paulie, the sweet boy he is, can be a grumbler and complainer. I'm not talking about the little bit all kids do, but constantly, whenever he is told to do something other than play. We have been dealing with this for quite a while, years now. I have always 'babied' him in it. I've tried talking him through everything, explaining why we shouldn't complain, given him bible verses but through it all I've 'babied' him. We've explained to him about consequences and yet I would think, "Well he doesn't really understand, maybe those consequences are to harsh." Or, "He still doesn't know what I'm saying or what we expect of him, so we better not punish him to bad." I have not allowed my son to fully grow up, and I've allowed his learning disability to effect how I've disciplined him. I've allowed that 'thought' to control me, to think my son really can't learn and understand, though I know he does. I know he does understand about consequences and I know he understands discipline. And the worse of it all is that Paul has tried to discipline him, and I've told him these things, and have manipulated his discipline of him. So very wrong.
We have a strict rule here that dad does any discipline needed from school issues. If it's something that needs to be taken care of right away, of course I will take care of it. But, Paul wants the kids to know they must listen and obey me during the day, and that he is behind me whatever I say and do while he's not here. It is a true blessing to have that, and I try so very hard not to take it lightly. Well on his usual call during his lunch break he asked how the day was. I was honest in the fact that the whining, complaining and back talking had worn me out a bit. So he said, "I'll take care of it when I get home. I talked with Paulie this morning and I told him he would be grounded if he did anything like that." I immediately felt bad for him and thought, "Well maybe it wasn't that bad." Paul stopped me right then and said, no, it's gone on long enough, he needs to learn he can't keep acting this way. And I know the Lord had spoken to me through my husband, and he was right. I had kept my son from truly learning about consequences and most importantly, I've kept him from learning to take responsibility for what he chooses to do or how he chooses to act. So I stopped myself from saying anything, to worn out to fight anyway, and said, "You are right honey. Whatever you talked to him about before, and what you feel to do is up to you, you are right."
That was so very hard to say. He's my baby, he's my 'disabled' baby, I need to protect him, I need everyone to know he doesn't always 'know or understand', I need to 'explain away' why he acts the way he does. But that's not what the Lord wants for me, and I know I'm not helping my son out at all. Paulie is very bright, and though originally diagnosed as possibly autistic, he truly doesn't show that many signs of it. And even if he did, a dear friend of mine who has a severly autistic son reminds me, "The bible says to discipline our children, it doesn't say only discipline our non disabled children." So true. And though he is behind the 'normal' standard for his age of schooling, he is smart. He can memorize games and movies and say them word for word. When he knows he's right about something, he knows he's right. And he loves the Lord and has such a sweet and caring spirit about him. He just doesn't want to do what he 'has' to do, and everything needs to be fun or he doesn't want to do it. That's just pride, plain and simple, something we all deal with and something he needs to learn to deal with.
Paul and I are of the opinion that we are not going to make school and everything the kids do 'fun and exciting' for them. They need to learn that not everything is fun and exciting and that they need to do their work whether they 'feel' like it or not. Like I'm always telling them, "Cleaning the toilets isn't fun and exciting for me, but they need to be done. And what makes it a drudgery or not is my attitude in it not what I have to do, which is clean toilets." That's what we want our kids to learn. That yes, some things we do are fun, and that yes, school and learning can be very fun. But there are times we just need to do because it's what we need to do, period. And we have taught that to Sarah, and now I'm backing off and allowing Paulie to be taught that too. Because how he responds right now to what he doesn't want to do is unacceptable, and like Paul said, it needs to be nipped in the bud, now.
So that was our first day. We all learned something, it was fun and exciting, and at times just getting done what needed to be done. I know that tomorrow will be another day to learn, grow and though I won't say "better day', because I wouldn't say today was bad, I pray for a less tiring day. I also want to say, what I have written here is for and about me and my family. Not all autistic/disabled children are alike. The Lord does not call us all to discipline and raise a family the same. Please do not read this and think that you are doing something wrong because you don't do it the same (unless the Lord is showing you that) nor please don't feel the need to tell me that you think that we are doing something wrong (if we are, the Lord will show us that too). I'm writing about what the Lord has shown me and my family, as I know He shows you and your family many wonderful and sometimes different things. This is what He has shown us.
So there it is. A very long and personal recap of our first day of school this year. Though it wasn't what other first days have been, I feel the best about this day. I think our schooling this year is going to be a great growth time for all of us, and I'm blessed that we are able to learn it all together. I hope you are having a great week, and if you don't hear from me again in a while, remember we will be out of town this weekend.
I know, strange title, but that word has been going through my head lately. Those of you who have been reading my blog for any length of time knows that Sarah has been having issues with Saxon math. Well, actually math in general. It's never been her strong subject, and usually by the end of the year we are both crying and struggling to finish the lessons. I use to always read blogs where moms are saying, "My kids were asking to do their school work, so I let them start early." What?!? Asking to do their work. Not my kids, and I never imagined they would ever ask for their work. Hmmmm
Well at the end of school in the spring we decided to go ahead and get the more expensive, but computer based math curriculum, Teaching Textbooks. She tested in her grade level, 7th grade, and we got the curriculum early last spring. We had her finish up her Saxon math, then we've been having a summer break, so she hasn't started yet. She actually has been asking to be able to start her math, and summer break isn't even over yet!!! Yep, I couldn't believe it, she's been asking to do her math. So much so, she even asked to do a lesson over the weekend, which of course I said yes to. I'm still in shock, and I think she is too. She is so enjoying it and is learning things too. I pray that this attitude continues and rubs off on her brother.
But I can't end it like that, because truly her brother has been shocking me too. We have a computer based reading program that we haven't used in a while. But we weren't getting the bookwork done like I wanted to this summer, so I told him to start up that program again. At least that way he would be learning something. Lately, he has been asking me if he can do his program too. YEA!!!
I'm so blessed at this time right now the kids are enjoying their work. And even if it doesn't last, which if they are like their mom, it might not, , I am still blessed right now that it's happening. And now I have this entry to come back and read and encourage myself with later.
We had a great time at the kids graduation/swim party. Though I wasn't fully thinking, and I have no pictures to share. All the pictures had lots of other people in them and I never asked if I could put their pictures on the internet. So no pictures, sorry.
But it was a great time. The food was awesome, though I think I've gone into a dairy overload from this past weekend and all the pasta dishes at the potlucks. For those of you who don't know, we have drastically cut out dairy. It was causing Paul to get ear infections, and as I cut it out of my cooking for him, I found I was feeling a lot better too. I never realized how congested and stuffy I was until I didn't eat that much dairy. Well this past weekend was loaded with dairy. Now I'm congested, stuffy and my ears feel funny. Hopefully this week we can get the dairy out of our system, I won't be cooking with it at all.
Anyway, the graduation was so sweet. They brought each class up there and gave them the certificates and all us parents took our pictures. Truly, though, I wish I had my video camera. In Paulie's grade he was the only one up there, so like for every other group all the parents are clapping and such. So Paulie starts to take bows, raises his hands up with this 'thank you' type wave, bows again. He was just hamming it up, it was so cute. Sarah and her friend were in the same class, and neither of them wanted to go up in front of everyone. They were a bit . But they went up and I got some good pictures. Of course now Sarah has to keep walking around saying she's in Junior High since she's starting 7th grade. Junior high, ugh. Then the kids swam for the last hour or so. They had so much fun, and I'm surprised all of us parents aren't deaf. It was too cold outside to use the outdoor pool, so all the kids swam in the indoor pools. Lets just say it was hard to carry on conversations with other moms. Everyone had fun, the kids enjoyed getting their first graduation certificate and it was great fellowship. I guess summer break is fully underway now.
Homeschool play group has been moved to mornings now, 10:30am. We moved it so the kids weren't playing outside in the heat of the day. Of course you would never know we are in summer right now. We won't get out of the 60's today and we'll only be in the 50's tomorrow. I guess our week of 80's about a month ago was our summer.
Also, if you think about it, could you please keep the kids in prayer today. They have their first eye doctor appointments at 3:40pm MT today. I'm sure Sarah will be fine with the appointments, and I'm sure her eyes are fine too, we just want to get them checked. Paulie is the one I'm nervous about. I'm not sure how well he'll do during the appointment, but mostly, I pray if there is an issue with him that they would find it. I don't want the doctor to miss something, or that they do such a routine exam, they don't catch something small that might be affecting his reading and close up work. So please, if you think about it could you say a prayer for us. I am blessed, Paul is able to come with us this afternoon which will help out a lot. I'll try and update tonight, if I can, on how the appointment went. Thanks.
Another cold and raining day, ugh. I am quite ready for our summer weather to come back. We were in the mid 80's for almost a week, and now for the past two days we've been in the 40's with rain. I liked the mid 80's better. Though sleeping at night is a bit better now, I sleep better in cooler weather.
I'm seriously thinking of ending school tomorrow. I am thinking about what few things I want to keep the kids working on through the summer. Yes, we are a worksheet kind of family, and I will have my kids doing some worksheets through the summer. We finished Paulie's math about a week ago. I was printing up some math worksheets for him and realized that only in a week's time he had forgotten some of the basic math concepts. So I think I will have a sheet or two of math concepts a day and continue to work with him on memorizing his multiplication facts over the summer. Plus we are going to continue with his phonics and reading through the summer. And to keep his penmanship up so I will probably have him copy some spelling words. I know it sounds like a lot, but it wouldn't take him more than 1 hour a day to finish those things. Plus, just to get to the point of sleeping in again, not have an schedule we have to follow, will be nice. We will probably just get in a routine of after breakfast and morning chores are done he'll do his lessons, then he'll be done for the day. I think for me personally, not having to have it done at a certain time will be a great relief.
I haven't decided yet what Sarah will be keeping up with during the summer. She has about 20 pages left in her Daily Grams book so I'll have her finish that up. But she doesn't usually forget to many math concepts or things through the summer, so I don't know that I need to keep her going on lesson type stuff. She reads a lot, to the point that sometimes we are telling her to put the book down and do some crafts or play outside. So what I'll probably have her do is some sort of craft through the summer. I've been wanting to have her start a cross-stitch sampler, so maybe we'll get that started. She enjoys doing crafts, but books just call out to her. Actually I'm going to be doing some searching about being a librarian. She is really interested in working in a library and I thought it would be great to start to work that into her lessons, especially in a few years when she starts high school. So I'll be searching around to see what's needed to be a librarian. How fun.
I've also been thinking about what to do with all the papers, art projects and such that we accumulate throughout the year. I actually have two big rubbermaid bins that I have all, yes all, their paperwork from the past few years. I know, ridiculous, but I just always have a hard time throwing out their work. It always made me feel like I was being a horrible mom. But I read today on a blog about different things people do with end of year things. And I liked some of what they did. One mom makes a mini scrapbook album, making a list of books they read, putting in some of their work, things like that. Then another mom takes a picture at the end of the school year, so the mom on the blog I read is going to put those things together. I think I'm going to do something similar. I think I'm going to get one of those pocket folders that has 3 paper hole clips in them. I will probably take some of their work and put it there, I took pictures at the beginning of the school year, and I will take pictures of their graduation at the homeschool group for their end of school year pictures. Making a bit of a scrapbook page with those. Maybe even write something out as to what we did all year. And then after putting that together, I'll throw out everything else. That will be a hard thing to do, but truly, I can't keep every piece of work they do. It's getting out of hand, and I'm running out of space. And when I think about it, I don't have any class work from when I was younger, and I'm ok with that. Truly, I wouldn't want to carry all that around anyway. Now I'm just trying to decide what I want to do with all the papers I've saved through the years. I might just get rid of them all and start with this year keeping these kinds of thing. I know that might be shocking to some, but I truly can be such a pack rat, and I'm trying to learn to get rid of things. So those are my thoughts right now. I'll let you know what actually gets done.
I think maybe I've found a time for me to blog. It seems like between 3:00 and 5:00 my time I have time to be on the computer. Not always two whole hours, but the kids usually go outside around this time, and Paul doesn't get home until after 5:00pm. So we'll see how this works. And the new schooling schedule helps out a lot too.
Paul decided last night that we needed a Starbucks decaf. Now, me being the submissive wife (sometimes), didn't argue one bit. I don't know if I mentioned, Paul has stopped drinking regular coffee too. It was a huge thing when he decided to do it. He's been drinking coffee for almost 20 years. But he didn't like how he had been feeling so he decided to quit. The first week or so was a little difficult. He never really got the lack of caffeine headache, but he just didn't feel well. Now, wow, he has so much more energy, he's more upbeat and in lighter, funnier moods. It's been a sweet change and he likes how he feels now too. We are a strictly decaf house now. Barnes & Noble's is at the local mall (that's where Starbucks is), and Sarah had saved up her money to buy a CD. So we loaded up in the Jeep and headed out after dinner. It was a fun time. We didn't do much but get the coffees and CD, but just to be out as a family was good. But my body definitely can not handle a Cafe Mocha Decaf with extra whip that late in the evening. I woke up at 4:00am with a stomach ache. No more evening coffee for me, though I wouldn't have traded the fun we had.
Today was good, with lots of baking. I had to make my pan chocolate chip cookies for woman's bible study tonight. All I do is make my normal chocolate chip cookie recipe and put it in a 9x13 pan and bake them like brownies. It's a bit quicker, and they are more chocolaty. I also tried making cinnamon rolls again. I think they turned out much better this time. I have photos to share, and I'm going to try a photobucket slide show, but I'm going to save this entry as a draft first, just in case. Yea, it worked.
Tonight I have Woman's Bible Study, and I always look forward to that. I'm really getting to know the ladies, and it's always an encouraging time. I hope that everyone is having a blessed day. Here are my cinnamon rolls.
I'm realizing that I put most of my blog entries out in the evening, so if I have plans in the evening, I don't get any entries out. Hmmm, I'm going to have to re-think that. Because last night we were at our homeschool group's monthly meeting, and I never had time to blog. Oh well, here is what I've been up to the past couple of days.
Yesterday was a pretty good day, though I felt like I was dragging myself through the whole day. With the time change this past weekend, I was so tired. So I got my cleaning started late, which got school started late, and I was dragging myself through both of them. But they both got finished, so all is well. Our lessons went well. I really feel like we are getting into a good flow with them. We are still mainly in the basics. I do have them read history books Mon, Wed, and Friday, and Science books Tues, and Thurs. But other than that, we do basics. For Sarah that's math and language arts, which includes the spelling, grammar, writing etc... For Paulie that's math, reading, writing and phonics. Plus they both do some copywork and Sarah practices her reading by reading a story to Paulie everyday. I've realized and accepted the fact that I'm not much more than a 'basics' kind of homeschooler. We have the art supplies available, keyboards too, but neither have a huge interest in them. We are blessed that they love the Lord, which is the most important lesson we can think of. And the academics are coming along nicely. So all and all, things are going well.
We had our monthly homeschool meeting last night, and it was fun, as usual. They had three homeschool graduates speak and take questions. It was really good. It was nice hearing what these three young adults felt about being homeschooled. What were the positives and negatives, and how they feel about it now. It was all positive, and they were all very happy that they were homeschooled. It was really good.
The only 'thing' last night was Paulie's sore throat. He had no fever or bad cough, just a scratchy, sore throat. But by the time he was done playing with the kids at the meeting last night, he could barely talk. He hadn't drank any water for over an hour, and between that and playing, his throat was so dry. So we got him home, got a little bit of IB in him (which is very rare) and put him to bed early (which is even more rare). He woke up today much better. Just lightly scratchy again.
Sarah started her lessons early this morning, right after breakfast, the kids had a goal today, homeschool playgroup. They worked great, got their lessons done properly before lunch and we got to go to playgroup this afternoon. It was our first time there, and it was great. We've been trying to go for the past 3 weeks, and something has always come up. But today we made it, and we all had a great time. It's at the recreation center downtown, so it's a big gymnasium, and all the kids were running around and playing basketball. Starting in the spring, we'll be meeting at a park, so the kids can play outside. Us moms got to sit and chat with each other. Homeschool shop talk, it was great. The little over an hour we were there went by very fast. We will be going every week, or at least trying to go every week. It does cost $2.00 for the kids, but since its only a few months out of the year, it shouldn't be too bad. I think the kids will sleep great tonight.
And now tonight, Paul and I are going to curl up on the couch, and just relax. I won't be on the computer much, I want to spend some time with my man. So I hope everyone has a great night, and maybe I'll try to put an entry out tomorrow afternoon, since we are going to try to go to church tomorrow night. We'll see if I get it done.
I made my first animated signature graphic with Paint Shop Pro. Goodness, it wasn't as quick and easy as I thought it would be. But, once I got the hang of what I was suppose to do, it went pretty quick. It's a little sloppy, and I will probably try another one sometime, but I am so excited with this one. I'm done for the night, but eventually I will make some more graphics, and put watermarks on my pictures. I'm having so much fun with my new software.
Today was a nice lazy day. We actually got a little snow today, but it turned into a rain/snow mix, and it's done now, nothing stuck. A friend commented how funny it was that we were out grilling, saying it was a beautiful day when it wasn't even 40 and there were piles of snow in the background. She's from the north, so she understands. I guess it is funny to others who live in warmer states.
Well, I have been on the computer way too long, and I'm going to check a few blogs, then sign off and do some crafts. I hope everyone has a blessed night.
We've had another smooth day. We did start our lessons a little late. When I got up this morning I realized our internet was out. So I played with that a little longer than I should have. Only to call the tech support to find out they knew all about it and were working on getting it up and running soon. Thankfully by the time I was done with our bible time, it was up and running. Sarah and Paulie both are doing quite well with their lessons. Paulie is reading much better and Sarah's math is going much better. I'm almost thinking of staying with Saxon, now that I've seen an improvement. But I will still probably get Teaching Textbooks for her. I do want her to learn how to read and listen to things on the computer and just listening to others speak to learn. I don't know if she'll be going to college or not, but I do think regardless, she needs to work on her listening skills. I've been having Paul explain things to her and I like her hearing other things. She's getting a little to hooked on how I explain things, and for a while there, was having a hard time learning from anyone else. So I think the Teaching Textbooks will not only help her with her math, but learning skills too. I still haven't found an English program I like. I have found one that sounded interesting. Has anyone heard or used Character Quality Language Arts, CQLA? I read about it in the Old Schoolhouse magazine. They had an interview with her, and I thought it sounded interesting. They have partial curriculum you can download to try, so I'll probably do that. I just thought I would see if anyone else has heard or used it.
I was thinking about getting Paulie a more interactive math program next year, but I can't decide. I don't mind Sarah having it. She's going into 7th grade, and I want her to do more independent learning. I want Paulie to also, but he also needs lots practice with his handwriting. So I don't want to get a program where most of the answers will just be typed into a computer. So I'll probably stick with what I have for him for one more year, and then go from there.
I know it probably seems like I'm a bit wishy washy with my decisions, but it's how I think. I go from 'here' to 'there' and then back to 'here'. Looking, praying, thinking, then I make my decision (of course all of this includes talking with Paul). I didn't start blogging until after I had already bought our curriculum last year, so you were spared my back and forth chatter about it. This year I am including you all in it. So, just to let you know, this won't be the last time I talk about possibly going with this curriculum or that curriculum. Just to give you a warning.
I'm looking outside, and we are getting pounded with snow again. They've been saying for days we were to get snow, but thankfully it kept missing us. Then today, when they said maybe a couple of inches, we've gotten a good 5 or 6 inches already, and it's still snowing. Our neighbor is plowing his driveway, but the snow keeps blowing back on. I've decided that we are either going to have our neighbor or our other friend plow the driveway. It's getting to deep, and the wind is blowing nasty. I don't want the kids out in it as long as it would take for them to do the driveway. So we'll have that done by someone else, then the kids will just do the sidewalks. They are quite excited about not having to do the driveway.
Well, I should be starting dinner instead of sitting here typing on the computer. I hope you all have a great evening.
We had a pretty good day. It was mellow, and not exciting, but nice. Our lessons went smoothly, and we even got some errands done. I wasn't sure if I wanted to head out or not, but they were saying we were in for a big storm. It was suppose to start today at 11:00am. Well it's after 9:00pm and we've barely had a dusting. I don't mind, I think we still have enough snow from before. It would be nice if we got up into the 50's and 60's like our friends in the Midwest states. But alas, we live in the north around the mountains. But I'm thankful that we get a bit warmer here that the town we use to live in. It really isn't all that bad, and the kids really enjoy themselves in it. They were out playing today after our lessons were over. They are both doing better with their lessons. Less complaining and grumbling, and their finished work is better. I am blessed by that. I have been reading some homeschool articles and blogs that are meant to be encouraging, but I feel like we are lacking in so many areas after reading them. I know I need to keep my focus on the Lord and how He is leading us and not compare with other families or what I read. And I need to learn to take what I read, as the Lord leads me, as an encouragement to try new things, if that's what the Lord wants. The funny thing is, right now things are running smoothly with our lessons, so I'm not quite sure why I feel I need to change things. Maybe because I keep reading about how people have changed their homeschooling a bit to keep it exciting. I don't always think of doing that. I guess because life itself isn't always exciting. I mean, we have to do things even when it's not exciting, and lots of times we can't make it exciting. All we can do is work on our attitudes while we are doing the work. I do pray that in some ways I am teaching my kids that. That even though it's not always fun and exciting and what we want to do, if its something we have to do, we can do it for the Lord.
Well, that was a bit of rambling I wasn't planning on. I do have a quick prayer request. Paul hurt is back shoveling snow on Christmas Eve. Nothing too bad, but enough to be a nagging pain that just didn't want to go away. Then every time it was just getting better, he would have to shovel again. Let me explain just a bit what happened. On Christmas Eve he was helping the kids shovel snow here at home. It was deep and a heavy snow. That's when he pulled it. But at work, they have given him some extra work so he could make some extra money. But the extra work is shoveling snow. So every time his back started feeling better he would have to go to work and shovel again, and hurt it again (our kids and friends take care of our house). But he really didn't want to give up the extra work and extra pay, but thankfully today he told them he couldn't do the extra work for at least a week or more. It doesn't effect his normal job, and he can do his work just fine, it was the extra work he was having trouble with. So I'm thankful that he is taking a break from the extra work, and giving his back time to heal. But I do ask for prayers, first and foremost for his back to heal. But also that he would be encouraged through this time as he is really bummed he can't do the extra work. It's his need to provide and take care of his family. He knows the extra money is needed and hates to give it up, but he needed to, for now anyway. The Lord is constantly watching over us, and with the OT this week, it will help a lot. Plus, he will start up again, as soon as his back feels better. Thanks for the prayers.
This blog is so I can share my journey with the Lord, my journey as a wife and mother, and my journey as a homeschool mom. I pray that you will see the Lord in my life through happy and sad times, and that this blog glorifies the Lord.
This is an award and tag free zone, thank you.
Paul is taking us out to dinner tonight for my birthday, and then to the mall for me to spend some of my birthday money. 
I might also run out this afternoon with the kids and get a couple of things I've been wanting. And as much as the kids would love a day off, we are doing our lessons today.
, and so for the past couple of weeks, he's been over almost every night, trying to spend time with the kids and us before he leaves. Last night was the last night he'll be here, and he was sweet and brought us pizza. We are going to miss his game nights over here.
That has always been a hard thing for me. If we left in the morning, I wouldn't want to do the work in the afternoon, but so far I'm getting better with that. Paulie's reading is going great and Sarah's math is off the charts, it's all been a blessing. I truly pray that it continues this way.
I really didn't think it would wear me out, but it did a bit. I wasn't sure if I would even blog about it today, but I just had to and share some pictures.
What?!? Asking to do their work. Not my kids, and I never imagined they would ever ask for their work. Hmmmm
. But they went up and I got some good pictures. Of course now Sarah has to keep walking around saying she's in Junior High since she's starting 7th grade. Junior high, ugh. 
I guess our week of 80's about a month ago was our summer.
That will be a hard thing to do, but truly, I can't keep every piece of work they do. It's getting out of hand, and I'm running out of space. And when I think about it, I don't have any class work from when I was younger, and I'm ok with that. Truly, I wouldn't want to carry all that around anyway. Now I'm just trying to decide what I want to do with all the papers I've saved through the years. I might just get rid of them all and start with this year keeping these kinds of thing. I know that might be shocking to some, but I truly can be such a pack rat, and I'm trying to learn to get rid of things. So those are my thoughts right now. I'll let you know what actually gets done.
So I hope everyone has a great night, and maybe I'll try to put an entry out tomorrow afternoon, since we are going to try to go to church tomorrow night. We'll see if I get it done. 
