Eight is NOT Enough! - Homeschool Blogger

What's New Here

Fri, 12 May 2006 05:43:00 -0500

I got up early this morning just so I could take a few minutes and write something for all you poor, pathetic people who have nothing better to do than ckeck everyday to see what is new in this neck of the woods. I won't say your names but you know who you are Karen and Tammey. Just remember, you asked to know.

I have spent the last week chasing little ones to the bathroom so that when "nature explodes", we are at least on the toilet and not the living room floor. Just so you don't think that is all I have done, I have also washed bedding, cleaned toilets and pails, disinfected and educated the children on staying away from the sick ones at all cost. This has been a little challenging considering it has poured for a week straight. (If this isn't enough information, we could discuss my dogs disgusting eating habits that have banished him to the barn:) My mother in law came up earlier this week to bring the much needed sick supplies. You know, ginger-ale, popsicles, lysol, gas masks, etc. She drove in the yard and left everything on the front step and left. And people say we are past the days of quarentine. What ever happened to helping out those in need and bearing one another's burdens???? The sixth victim came down with this bug during the night.(The real reason I am up early--the truth always comes out!) I already have his bedding in washing and he is now sleeping in my bed contaiminating my room all over again. The things we do for our children. Only three more to go and we are free and clear!!!!!!

As I mentioned earlier, it has rained heavily for the last week, off and on. However, even in all this rain God has brought something good. I looked out this morning to see this rain has produced some beautiful blossoms in Caroline's flower garden. Isn't that just like our Lord. Only He can take something dreary, soggy and miserable and make something lovely out of it. Just imagine what He can do with our lives.

Today I have to balance my husbands checkbook. You can only appreciate the magnitude of this task if you know Kevin. For those of you who do, fall on your knees and beg God for wisdom and guidance and patience on my part.

We have been working on obedience training with the two youngest ones. It has gone quite well for the most part. Our two year old is now up to five minutes of quiet,still sitting in a chair. He is really funny and takes this quite seriously. If anyone uses the word chair, ie; clean the chair, move the chair, it's under the chair, etc; he makes a beeline to the nearest available chair and scrambles up like there is a mad dog after him. I just pray, noone ever uses the word in public.

The three middle boys, ages 5, 7, and 8, have taken over feeding the baby calves with the bottles. These bottles are huge and my five year old is not. The calves, like most of the animals at this funny farm, run free. Every morning and evening the children go outside with their big bottles and yell to the calves. If you are looking out the window you will see three little boys running as fast as they can for the front steps with three hungry calves hot on their trails. It is always good for a good belly laugh. They race to see who's calf eats the fastest. I think the current score buts Betsy in the lead with Angel and Baby close behind. And peole say this isn't school. Where else are children going to learn how to take care of other's needs, consider others above themselves, and the most important lesson, watch your butt when you are walking.

Surely, this is enough information for you people. I want you to know, I know the real reason you visit me here. It's just so you can read about my crazy, abnormal life and thank God it is not you living it!!!!!!! Hey, but thats okay, we all have to do our parts to brighten the day for others. Have a wonderful, sick-free day and thank God for all the blessings in your life. Don't forget the rain.

I'm Back!

Sat, 29 Apr 2006 05:59:00 -0500

wow! I cannot believe how long it has been since I have posted. I apologize to the faithful few who have continued to visit me and wonder about my where-a-bouts. The truth is, I have simply been consumed by a web of fatigue that has taken control of my life and I am just now breaking free. Homeschool is going very well and everyone is healthy. We are all enjoying the newness of spring and waiting for warmer weather. We have added three baby calves and a new lamb to our little farm this spring. Chicks are on their way. It is time for the day to begin, and its another busy one, so I will stop for now. I hope to write something a little more intelligent in the next couple of days. Have a wonderful day in Christ.

Spring

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 07:24:00 -0600

Is it spring at your house? How do you know? Are the flowers starting to bloom? The grass starting to grow? At our house, we know it is spring by the amount of dirt everywhere, better yet, the mud everywhere. However, I am trying to keep an attitude of contentment and not complain about the overwhelming mess everywhere. So, I wrote a poem last night to remind me to be thankful for everything, even dirt. I thought I would share it with you:

SPRING
The dirt is on the perlins,
on the mantle, on the floor,
give me just a minute,
I'm sure I'll find some more

Muddy handprints on the door
Muddy pawprints on the tile
I really should clean the floor
but I think I'll wait awhile

For surely if I scrub the floors
and get it clean inside
3 dogs, 2 cats, 8 children,
will run inside to hide.

The children went outside to play
they should have stayed in here,
for now they're little mud-monsters
with dirt stuck in their ears.

I suppose I should put them in the tub
but I fear I'll clog the drain,
Perhaps I'll set them on the step
and simply pray for rain.

I thank you Lord, for the Spring
for the dirt that you have sent
I promise to be thankful,
and in everything, Content.

Have a wonderful, dirt-filled day!!!!!

Birthday Tribute

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 09:10:00 -0600

Today is my sister's birthday. I won't tell you her age, because that isn't proper and all, but I will tell you I was born on her second birthday and I turned 37 today. I was her best gift that year and as a present to me she gave me silverware. Of course, this was thrown at me in my bassinet, but it was the thought that counts. Since that time, she became very protective of me. As young girls we shared a bedroom and she would tell me to crawl past the bedroom window so that the witch that lived in the abandend house across the road would not see me and kill me. Not many sisters would care that much about their little sisters, do you think?

Besides being so protective, she was also very proud of me. She would brag about my cleaning abilities when Mom and Dad would go to town, then she would tell Mom she did the cleaning.

When it came to babysitting, she was the best. Her favorite way to watch me was to help me climb the big Maple tree in the front yard and then leave me there until our parents came home.

However, now that we are grown she has become my best friend. She was there to encourage me to homeschool when most people thought I was crazy. She is also one of the few who loved to hear about any new pregnancies. Actually,she laughs hysterically everytime I tell her a new one is on the way. I have actually helped her spiritual relationship with God as she is able to repeatedly thank Him it is me and not her expecting again.

All kidding aside, I thank God everyday for the relationship I have with my older sister and for the love of God I am able to see in her live. She is a blessing to all of us.

I love you with all my heart Tammy, have a wonderful birthday.

More on the Laundry Monster

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 06:37:00 -0600

Okay, so I can't get the laundry monster off my mind. The children always tell me I overkill everything, but the truth of the matter is, I have so very little brain, and if something is consuming it, I must free it up for more important things, you know, like how to use knives, how to do drive a car, etc.

Now, that we have determined we do not want to tame the ugly beast I wanted to talk about key points on how to get the dragon to leave your home.

Step One--Know your enemy. This beast after all is really just Satan trying to take away our joy and thanksgiving. Instead of being thankful for the eight little bodies , one medium body, and slightly large body(this is not me, give me a few months before you refer to me as large), that are healthy enough to dirty all these clothes, we find ourselves complaining for the extra work and mess. This is not from God, of course, as He tells us to give thanks for everything. I am not certain, but I believe that includes laundry. (Although probably not ironing!)

Step Two--Organization. An organized and functional laundry room will frustrate the little demon and he won't want to stay as,with all beasts, he thrives in messes and chaos. My laundry room is located in the back corner of the basement. Above my washer and dryer hangs a rod with coathangers to hang things as soon as they come out of the dryer. This isn't actually a rod, but a sapling cut from the back yard. I like to keep things rustic you know. Next to the washer and dryer is an ironing board with iron. This is not merely for putting things on but for ironing. I also have six white kitchen garbage cans that are labeled: Work, darks, brights, whites, lights, and towels. If you live in a town with a little more to choose from you could actually get a differant color for each load, our Wal-mart carried white. Even the younger children can sort the laundry. If you put pictures on each basket, they like to make it a game. In the corner stands a stack of large stacking drawers labeled with each child's name. These are their laundry baskets. Last, is a little dish of small colored elastics that I use to match socks. (These are in every room of the house and my apron pocket, all socks are washed,dryed and sorted this way.) If you don't have a laundry room, I am afraid there is no hope for you and I can't help. Check another site for wisdom.

Step Three--Be diligent. In the morning, I start a load and then set the timer,(which I carry in my apron pocket as well because I cannot hear the buzzer upstairs.) When the load is done, I move to the dryer, without the timer, I get sidetracked and it's afternoon before I get back to it. My particular dryer has a wrinkle gaurd, (Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!!!), just in case I happen to be busy and can't get to it. When a load is done drying I turn on the iron as I open the door. I shake out and neatly fold or hang up everything as it comes out of the dryer. If something needs to be ironed or rubbed off, I do it then or the children will outgrow it before I ever get back to it. Now, before you get the idea that I don't like ironing let me clarify. Ironing is actually my second favorite job. My first being, banging my head against the wall until I pass out. (HaHa, I read this a couple of years ago and I still laugh hysterically everytime I hear it.) At the end of each laundry cycle, individual piles are placed in the appropriate baskets. The children empty their baskets and hanging items in the afternoon as part of their work schedules. (I keep the five youngest's ironing on a seperate rod in the laundry room. On Thursday we prepare their clothes for church and hang them upstairs).

Now tell me, what monster would want to live with such inane organization. Even my children don't want to live around it.

I cannot neglect to say as well, that a lot of people use this time to pray for their family. I find that God meets me more in the laundry room than anywhere else in the house. Maybe it's because this is the one room that the children will not come looking for you. They could have a limb hanging from a piece of skin and they will go three miles to the nearest neighbor before they will step foot in this room. You don't suppose they are afraid they will be asked to help??? Have a great day and enjoy your laundry.

( I just finished reading this and had to edit. Before you get the idea that I am always this organized and on top of things, let me tell you, I am not!! Some days I can get very lazy and nothing gets done, the beast moves back in. I confess my sin, shoot the animal and get back up off my butt and go to work. (however, now I can call my laziness pregnancy:). Aren't you thankful for new days?)

The Laundry Monster

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 10:31:00 -0600

I keep reading post about taming the laundry monster and I have to ask, "Why would anyoe want to tame this ugly beast?" Are we hoping to make a pet of the thing? I don't know about you, but I cannot figure out why anyone would want to keep this thing that is always making messes on my laundry room floor, eating all my free time and feeding the grumpy bugs that grow inside of me! I don't want to tame it, I want to shoot it!!!!!!!!

Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!!!!!!!!!

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 12:58:00 -0600

We are having a baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!. It's been one year since we lost Caroline and God is sending us another blessing. All looks well, but we have a long road ahead of us. I would appreciate your prayers....oh, and WE ARE HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Missing the "good things" in life

Wed, 8 Mar 2006 16:16:00 -0600

It has come to my attention that there are people who feel that my children are missing out on life because I homeschool them. They seem to feel this most strongly in the case of my thirteen year old daughter. I have done a lot of soul-seaching and have decided that perhaps they are correct. No, really, listen, I'm all for homeschooling but what if there is some truth to what everyone is saying. I am a loving, devoted mother who wants what is best for her children, and what good mother would want to deprive their child from the "good things" in life.

I just read an article last night about a young 14-year old boy who was assigned a book to read for his English class. The book repeatedly used vulgar language, talked of a father's longings of incest, and how to commit suicide. What a shame, all my poor girl gets to learn in English is proper grammar and how to diagram a sentence. Sorry dear, for what you have missed.

There is currently a young girl, about my daughters age, at the local public school who is expecting her first baby. She really wanted an abortion but her mother said no, because she had already had two. Too bad my daughter is missing out.

Surely with all they are missing in life, there is no possible way they will ever grow up to be decent, hard-working, honest, God-fearing, productive assets to our community.

I guess some of us just really don't love our children. I mean, while other little 13 year old girls are living life this way, my poor daughter is stuck at home teaching three of her younger brothers elementary school. Here she only learns how to consider others, the value of a soft answer, how to be creative, lesson planning, problem solving, encouragement, organization and other boring, useless things that have absolutely no value in the real world. I guess that there is no reason for her to know how to cook, clean, do laundry, iron, bathe babies, sooth a child, handle sibling rivalry, bake bread, etc. Of course, in today's society we would never want our little girls to grow up to be good wives and mothers. They need a career to be whole and complete, don't you agree?

I know that she probably isn't very normal. Maybe she should go to a public school. How many thirteen year olds do you know who have a good attitude, respect her parents, get along with her brothers and actually enjoys the babies in the family. Definately not normal.

I hope that someday my children and others will realize that I love them too much to ever wish them to be normal. I hope they realize that the "good things" aren't of this world but of our Fathers'world.

Goodwife

Wed, 8 Mar 2006 14:44:00 -0600

The children and I have been studying the early settlers of our country. I especially liked learning that the English settlers in the early 1600's referred to the women of the house as "goodwife". Of course, this was providing that she was a good cook, mom, fire-tender, cleaner, worker, etc. I couldn't wait to inform my husband of this wonderful term when he arrived home. Being the smart man that he is it didn't take him long to see that I would like to have this title of "goodwife". (Not much gets by him. Feeling this was settled, I was feeling pretty smug with my new title. However, pride goeth before a fall, and I soon had a fall. I commenced to burn his supper because I was checking for comments on the computer. The earlier "goodwives" didn't have such distractions mind you, so this should have been overlooked, don't you think????? I probably would have been shown grace but I failed to make the needed phone calls for him and didn't have the pants hemmed he asked me to do six months ago. . Maybe tomorrow I will be a "goodwife". It could happen!!!!!

Warning!!!!!

Wed, 1 Mar 2006 18:23:00 -0600

Do not, I repeat, do not put three boys in the tub together. I don't know what I was thinking. I hope the water will recede in a couple of days and I will find the bathroom. Check back for an update.