May. 15, 2008 - Ready to travel
Hubby and I are getting ready to take a trip for our 25th wedding anniversary, which was May 7th. We are going to visit some surrounding states, taking in Pennsylvania Amish Country, Antietam Battlefield in Md, then on to Virginia...we just haven't decided what we are going to visit there yet. Although I will miss being with the kiddos, time away alone together will be so nice!
We are working hard to finish up the paces the kids are currently working in and should accomplish that tomorrow. I have not yet decided if we will pick up where we left off when we get back home or if we will call it quits for this year and start again next. We're a little more than 3/4 of the way through the year, so my vote is to quit for the year....I just haven't told the kids yet. I will wait and let it be a surprise when we get home.
As it turns out I'm going to be schooling 4 kids next year. Leah had hoped to get in enough credits this year to graduate from high school, but since she has been working several hours a week at Chick-fil-a she's not made it far enough through her work to graduate, so she will finish up next school year. This will be the first time in our homeschooling experience (13+ years) to have 4 students at one time.
Blessings,
Ronda
Apr. 17, 2008 - I have spring fever....
and I'm so sick of school right now....I'm worse than my kids! I will be so glad when this year is finished and we can take a break. The sad news is the kids have 3 or 4 more paces left in each subject, which if completed as instructed would take us 9 to 12 more weeks. I don't think we'll make it that long. One more pace and they will have completed 9 booklets, which is three-fourths of the 'text' and is considered enough to count as completed. Don't tell my kids, though, just in case I can get them to work much quicker and finish them sooner, lol!
The reason we are so behind is that we took the month of Dec. off to do a Christmas unit, so that should count for something. Plus we've had more sickness than normal the past couple of months. Between the respiratory flu and recently an intestinal flu we've had a few weeks off this winter/spring. Also, for the second semester of the year we began attending a Friday co-cop for Spanish, music, art, and PE, so that has cut into our schooling time here at home.
Hubby and I are getting ready to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversay in a couple weeks. Time sure does fly! I'm looking forward to getting away for a week or so later in the month to celebrate by ourselves. We will have a busy few weeks before that time, though.
Mar. 8, 2008 - Just when we thought spring was on it's way...
...we are hit with a winter storm. 2-4 inches of snow today and another 1 or more tonight. Makes the 60 degree weather we had Thursday seem unreal. Oldest DD & I had fun getting her to work this morning as we did some fish-tailing down the road. I absolutely do not like to drive on slick roads!
We've started attending a new co-op on Fridays. We already attend one that meets one Friday a month for art history and science dissections. The new co-op meets the other Fridays and has classes in Spanish, music, art, and phys. ed. The kids have been enjoying working with clay in art class and yesterday we glazed their pieces they made previously. We're hoping they will be fired by next week's class. They are also loving Spanish and music and have been going around today singing the Spanish alphabet and the song they are learning in music class.
We are tired today because late last night we just finished a week of campmeeting services at our church. Sure was a great week and we are really blessed! I already feel that I will miss being together with our church family tonight! Hopefully we will be meeting together tomorrow morning, if this storm doesn't leave more than anticipated.
Feb. 20, 2008 - More Snow
We're getting more snow today....1 to 3 inches predicted. We currenly have a couple inches already on the ground, but it has stopped snowing for the moment, so maybe it's over.
The kids are still not feeling well...seems to be a different one ill every few days. The joys of a large family! E was sick at his stomach yesterday and feeling achey, J just recovered from a fever and cold..still coughing, though. S was sick last week, fine over the weekend and today is complaining of a sore throat and has a fever. I'm looking forward to some spring time weather!
Feb. 13, 2008 - Well...I spoke too soon.....
The younger kids are all 3 sick again. They all have fevers and achiness and generally are feeling 'blah'. I had the same thing last weekend and spent a couple days in bed. Fortunately, it only lasts a couple days then it's gone!
We've had about 2 inches of snow in the past couple of days, and the kids are bummed that they can't go out and play in it....but none of them feel well enough to go out anyway.
Feb. 9, 2008 - Better
We are all feeling better! The flu is going 'round and 'round here in our area. Thankfully, we've avoided most of the worse parts (the stomach virus) and we definitely don't want it!!
Thanks for the prayers! 
Love,
Ronda
Jan. 27, 2008 - We've been sick
We have not been able to do any school for the past week because we've all had colds/flu/bronchitis and then some. I don't like stopping mid-stream in the paces, especially when the kids only have 2 or 3 days left before testing out, but when everyone is sick it can't be helped. I'm praying we'll be able to work tomorrow, but the 2 younger boys (E & J) have fevers and coughs at the moment. I took 'S' to a Med Express on Friday and she had bronchitis and is on an antibiotic, so she's much better. I've pretty much decided that if the boys aren't better by tomorrow I'm going to take them in, too. They've both had the fever and chest congestion for several days.
I had flu-like achiness and fever on Friday and was pretty much wiped out all day. I'm feeling better, but am still not 100%. Been doing alot of sneezing today. UGH! I feel a nap coming on!!
Blessings,
Ronda
***EDIT***
I ended up taking the boys to Med Express today because I didn't want to have to delay school any longer than necessary. Turns out they both have strep throat, so they are now on an antibiotic, too.
Jan. 14, 2008 - Next Year's Curriculum
It's that time of year again.....looking at all the great curriculum out there and trying to decide if we want to try something new.
Next year I will be teaching 5th, 3rd, and Kindergarten. Here's what we're looking at:
I'm trying to decide between using Our Los Banos American History (which I love the looks of and the lesson plans are free online!), for history and add Heart of Dakota's Bigger Hearts for His Glory for Bible, science, poetry, hymns, and art and misc. activities, or if I should just use Bigger Hearts for everything and add in some OLB activities and books for the 5th grader. I do plan to use our Animated Hero Classic Videos and activity books either way.
ACE Math
ACE English, Word Building, and Literature & Creative Writing, OR Queen Language Lessons and Spelling Through Copywork OR possibly for the 3rd grader Rod & Staff English and the language arts as recommended in Bigger Hearts. Trying to decide!
For kindergarten for 'J' I need to choose between ACE's ABCs with Ace & Christi and Phonics Pathways. He can listen in on the OLB &/or Bigger Hearts activities if he wants, and I have a sneakin' suspicion he will want to, since he thinks he needs to be involved in what everyone else is doing.
Jan. 10, 2008 -
Sorry it's been so long since I've added an update. We've started back to school but I haven't had much time to check in here and add an entry. It seems I'm always on the go lately, just running kids to the dentist, doctor, dance, work, and on and on.......LOL.
Our two oldest were involved in an auto accident on Monday evening. They were rear ended while stopped in traffic at a light. They are both o.k., but we did take them to the dr. yesterday because their necks were still sore. The x-rays showed no major damage, just whiplash and severe muscle spasms. I've not heard a complaint about their necks today....must have something to do with the muscle relaxers and extra-strong ibuprofen.
Tomorrow is our first art and dissecting co-op of the new year. I think we're supposed to dissect a crayfish....fun, fun, fun!
Dec. 6, 2007 - Merry CHRISTmas!
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*The politically correct police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
*December 25th is just a "Holiday".*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
*At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me. *
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !*
Dec. 5, 2007 - We have snow!!!
It's very cold and we have received about 4" of snow today. The kids are thrilled. They've already been out playing in it and built a snowman. Now "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas......!!"
We are doing a Christmas unit this month. Yesterday we learned what Advent is and today we learned the true story of Saint Nicholas. The kids seem to like taking a break from the paces, although they don't like having to wait for *me* to be able to do their schoolwork.
Dec. 2, 2007 - 12 Days of Homeschool
To the tune of "Twelve Days of Christmas".
On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can you homeschool legally?"
On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the fourth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the fifth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "YOU ARE SO STRANGE! What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the sixth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How long will you homeschool, YOU ARE S0 STRANGE, what about P.E. , do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the seventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"
On the eighth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"
On the ninth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "They'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"
On the tenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the eleventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the twelfth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can they go to college, I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the thirteenth day of homeschool I thoughtfully replied: "They Can go to college, yes you can do this, they can have graduation, we don't like the prom, we do it cuz we like it, they are missing nothing, we'll homeschool forever, WE ARE NOT STRANGE!, We give them P.E., and we give them tests, they are socialized, AND WE HOMESCHOOL LEGALLY!
On the fourteenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How can I get started, why didn't you tell me, where do I buy curriculum, when is the next conference, WILL PEOPLE THINK WE'RE STRANGE? I think we can do this, if you will help us, can we join P.E. and we'll homeschool legally."
http://www.waldsfe.org/Humor/12days.htm
Nov. 17, 2007 - Let's go MOUNTAINEERS!!!
How 'bout them 'EERS?
Oct. 22, 2007 - Is cooler weather going to arrive????
The post-surgery kids are doing really great and are back to normal. They went back to the surgeon for their 2 week check up on 10/11 and he said they have healed 'beautifully' and that their throats actually looked like it had been longer than 2 weeks since their surgery. To celebrate we went camping for 4 days last week....Sunday afternoon to Wednesday. We went to our friend's farm where we are away from everything and everyone. We have a picnic shelter and an outhouse. We take our pop-up camper, 4-wheelers, and supplies and enjoy the solitude by riding 4-wheelers, hiking, shooting BB guns, fishing, and whatever else we find to do in the wild. The fall leaves were pretty, but not nearly as gorgeous as they have been in past years because we've not had much rain this summer/fall. As always, our time ended all too soon, and we had to be back for Wed. evening church since hubby had to lead Praise & Worship. It was probably our last camping event of the year, since cool weather is supposed to arrive tomorrow with the high temp only supposed to reach 65 degrees F, with rain. Maybe it will finally be fall!
Oct. 3, 2007 - Let the healing begin...well, actually continue...
Well....it's over! I'm just now finding time to update, but the surgeries went well last Thursday. The kids were both so very brave, mostly due to a bet E made with S, saying that if she cried before the surgery he would get $5.00, but if she didn't cry they both would get $5.00...LOL. He had it made either way!! The hospital staff thought it was so cute and I overheard their nurse explaining their bet to another nurse working that day. There was no crying before the surgery, which really surprised me. I figured S would have a major meltdown when it was time to go, but she didn't. For their bravery I gave them each $10.00 and lots of bubble gum and soft treats plus all the goodies I bought for them (see previous post).
Unfortunately both kids were very sick at their stomachs all day after they came out of the recovery room. We got to come home about 5:00 in the evening and fortunately we made it home before they had any more stomach eruptions. They were pretty wiped out Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but have since made remarkable progress. They are pretty much eating anything they want except very hard, crunchy items and still want popsicles and coke (helps cut through the mucus, according to the nurse). They are not supposed to have milk products but they have both had a milk shake. On Friday we could not get Sarah to eat or drink anything because it hurt so much, so when she requested a milk shake we let her have it. They've both done really well staying quiet, mostly by watching TV and dvds, which is not my idea of brain food, but I'm letting them do it just this week. They have to stay indoors for 2 weeks, but we are going to start school again next Monday. If they can sit up all day and watch TV then they can read and do their school work.
My mom and my sister came to visit on my birthday and offered to stay with the kids while hubby & I went out to eat and celebrate. My sister then took J, the youngest, home with her for this week and it has been such a help. He is the loud, active child, and was really getting on the kids nerves the 4 days he was here. It has been so quiet in the house...it's amazing!
Sep. 25, 2007 - Kids' Surgeries
Just 2 more days until S & E have their T & A's. Sarah, especially, is not looking forward to it at all. I really don't blame her, but she is soooo uptight about it and has had several crying spells. I am trying to stay upbeat, but not dwell on the upcoming surgery. I have repeatedly told her that daddy & I will be in the waiting room praying for her & Elijah, and that the surgery won't last very long at all....about 1/2 an hour, and that she will not have any more snoring afterward (she snores ALOT!). She was very happy to find that they will give her gas to make her sleep before inserting the IV, so that helped somewhat. I will be glad when it's all over....but then we have to stay in the house for 14 days.....they are not allowed to go out until after a check-up with the doctor in 2 weeks. They are also supposed to stay in bed for at least a week. I won't have much trouble with Elijah...he's a quiet type who likes to play game-boy, watch tv, read, or play quietly; Sarah, on the other hand, is a totally different story! I did buy each of them 2 new gameboy games, a new movie, and a couple new coloring/activity books. They both also have MP3 players they like to listen to, so hopefully I can keep them both down the entire time. I'm getting several library books for them and hopefully can find a few movies for them there, too. My birthday is Monday (Oct. 1), so it appears it will be a thrilling day! Unless hubby volunteers to take the day and watch them for me I will be housebound right along with them! That's his only day off next week so I'm not sure if he will or not.
Blessings,
Ronda
Sep. 13, 2007 - Weight Loss update
Just updated my ticker above. I was pleasantly surprised this morning to find that I had lost 3 more pounds. I had hit a little plateau and was slightly disturbed that I had not lost any weight for a couple weeks. In retrospect, I think it was probably due to PMS, because now that my period is nearly completed this month I lost 3 more pounds!! YEAH!!
I recently saw my friend who was my inspiration to start this diet and she has lost 60 pounds! She looks great. I really hate to call it a diet (South Beach) because it is more of a healthy eating plan. If you struggle with your weight you might want to look into South Beach. After the initial 2-3 weeks of getting rid of the cravings (but never having to go hungry!), following the diet becomes much easier and the pounds just melt away. My husband and I cannot see ourselves ever going back to eating the way we used to. Once you realize how much better you feel you never want to go back!
I had several comments from friends at church on Sunday about my weight loss. My mom recently gave me some clothes she had outgrown that fit me, so I gave her all my clothes that are now too big!! I've dropped 2 sizes, from a 20 to a 16. So, since I'm no longer wearing the clothes that are too big, people are noticing.
Blessings,
Ronda
Sep. 6, 2007 - I got to shake hands with Jeff Gordon!!
If any of you are NASCAR fans, particularly Jeff Gordon fans, you will be pleased to know that I got to see him this evening at our local DuPont plant. Since hubby works for DuPont immediate family members were also allowed to attend the event. Sadly we were not one of the 100 employees chosen to have a personal item autographed and have a photo taken with Jeff, but at least we were there!
Ronda
Aug. 23, 2007 - We have a new butterfly!
We're beginning our 2nd week doing paces and I still feel restless (for lack of a better term) about our curriculum this year, but I am having such a hard time letting go of the familiar curriculum path. I am seriously contemplating taking a break when we've completed the first round of paces (3 weeks total--so sometime in a week or two) and try doing our own unit....just to see how it goes and if we actually follow through. If it doesn't work out we can always come back to the paces, but I'll never know if we don't give it a try. That would give us 2 or 3 weeks to try a mini-unit before having to take a short break for Sarah & Elijah to have surgery to their tonsils removed.
Our dentist recommended all the kids see an orthodontist, and the ortho took one look in their mouths and said that S & E have huge tonsils, which affects their breathing patterns, which will affect any ortho treatment. So.......the tonsils & adnoids will be removed on Sept. 27th. They're not too excited about it, but at this point just want to get it over with.
On a more exciting note our last butterfly just emerged from the chrysalis this morning! We've all (even hubby & I) learned so much doing this little project. We have watched 4 butterflies emerge after transforming from egg, to caterpillar, to chrysalis, to butterfly. I truly think this project is what has given me a 'bad taste' for using paces. Actually doing/seeing the entire process in real life is so much more meaningful than reading about it in a workbook and answering questions. My next step is to print out the photos so we can make our own monarch butterfly life cycle book.
TTFN!
Apr. 25, 2007 - Weight Loss
OK---for years I've heard that following a low carb diet can result in weight loss, I've just never tried giving up the carbs to see if it was true. A local friend of mine has lost 40 pounds following the South Beach Diet, said the weight just falls off and she does not go hungry or have to weigh, measure, or count anything, so I began looking into the diet online, checked-out the book from the library and hubby and I decided to give it a try.
I've been fairly sure for quite awhile that I'm a 'carb-addict'. I only wanted to eat breads, pastas, starchy vegetables, sugar, etc. Following this diet has confirmed it for me. In the six weeks since I began I have lost 18 pounds with very little effort. The first 2 weeks were the hardest, having to give up practically all carbs and sugar, but it is the only way to totally get rid of the carb cravings. After those 2 weeks I was allowed to add in some fresh fruit and whole-grain bread and pastas. I'm still limiting myself to one serving of grain and one serving of fruit per day because I have quite a bit of weight I need to lose. I cannot believe how different I feel! I don't have to measure any food and I can basically eat any time I'm hungry.....I just have to make sure I eat low-carb. I keep low-fat cheeses, cut low-carb veggies, hard-boiled eggs, etc. on have to snack on betweek meals. I purchased some sugar-free chocolate candy at the Dollar Store and when I have to have chocolate I eat one. My appetite has decreased dramatically. I am just amazed!
I recently read Jeannie Fulbrights blog about The Only Way to Lose Weight (link under 'friends') and discovered that the diet she recommends is basically what I'm following on South Beach. She also recommends one day of 'cheating', ie..eating anything you want, in order to keep your metabolism from stalling. We've found Sunday is a great day to do this as we often eat out after church. By doing this we can still have our Mexican, Italian, attend the church social, or eat in Amish country (!), etc. and still lose weight!
<- Last Page • Next Page ->
