The Journey Home - Homeschool Blogger

Baby Boy Mark Edward!

Sat, 24 Feb 2007 09:59:00 -0600

We have our boy at last. At birth, a healthy 10 lb baby boy! He was born, at home, at 6:41 a.m. on Feb 9^th. We have named him Mark Edward. Now, at two weeks old, he’s nearly 11 ½ lbs.

At a week overdue, this was my quickest birth yet from start to finish; first contraction at 1:00 a.m., and delivery at 6:41. I waited 1 hr before calling the Dr., since I really wanted to make sure that I was in labor first, but then before I knew it, I was wondering if Paul and I would be having a baby on our own. Half an hr. after speaking to the Dr. for the first time, he called again just to confirm directions and try to gauge when to come out. I told him that I've been shaking like a leaf, and he said... " Actually... I think I'll come right now." :-) And, the nurse and Dr. arrived in plenty of time.

Our older girls came into our bedroom once the baby was really arriving, and so this was the third time they have had the opportunity to see their new baby sister or brother come into the world! It’s amazing how they take it all in stride. My 5 yo told me well before the birth that she did not want to be there, though. She knows what she’s ready for. So, as soon as the baby was born we woke the little girls to come see. They are so thrilled. Actually, of course, we all are. I still have to catch my breath sometimes as I take it in.

In the time after losing Gregory, I prayed fervently to God that I would be able to have another baby, and that the baby would be a boy. Actually, I more than prayed, I begged. Of course, I know very well that many people were also praying for me, and that the gift of this baby boy for our family may actually be an answer to their prayers even more than my own.

Here are some pictures of our angel.

Here is is at 4 days old.

And two picures taken by my daughter when he was 10 days old.

Sixteen Year Old Homeschooler on Campus

Tue, 6 Feb 2007 12:49:00 -0600

Last semester, my 16 yo began taking her first college courses. The large community college requires that “early enrollment” students take just one course their first semester. She was able to take a second one as well because it was just a two-credit course, and we were using it as the lab portion of our Apologia chemistry at home. The class was just lab/computation so there was also plenty of math. So, she spent two days on campus each week. The other class she took was Digital Photography.

Her experiences were very positive. In the chemistry course, students were quite friendly. The instructor/course seemed to have scared away a good percentage of the students originally enrolled, since the first quiz sort of shocked a lot of people (being tougher than they expected). There were quite a few non-traditional age (older/returning) students in the class as well, and I believe that they were sort of anxious about doing well. My daughter noticed the shrinking size of the class, and picked up on the anxiety of some of the other students. We talked about the class dynamics a good deal and I coached my daughter to pay no attention to the vibes she was picking up on. She also complained that the students had so many basic questions that she felt that the class was not allowed to cover all of the material for that day. But, the work she was doing and the grades she was receiving nade it clear that she was doing very well. Towards the last quarter of the class, a student even asked my daughter if they could meet to study together. The student was having some difficulty and wanted my daughter to help her. So, they met and studied for several hours, and the student was so grateful. After that, the same student arranged a group study day with other people from the class, so my daughter went to that as well. All well and good, I say.

The digital photography course was also a good experience. The interesting thing was that the class, of course, would involve a lot of critique. Assignments are completed, the work is put before the class, and the photographers have the opportunity to talk about their own work and to comment on the work of the other students. My daughter said that each critique day she was the first to talk. Actually, she would wait to give the others a chance to be first but nobody ever spoke up! I know that critique can be a scary thing because you put yourself on the line, and express your opinion. But, my daughter felt comfortable doing that. I have to admit that we had a little chuckle about “so much for the 16 year old un-socialized homeschooler”. She noticed that many students seemed not to take assignments very seriously, and turned in work that she felt could have been so much better if they had put more effort into it. For example, some students included very distracting things in the background of the photos, and seemed not to be aware of it. Another thing was the use of poor quality printers and paper, which took away from what could have been a stronger photo. Again, the class turned out to be a very positive experience. One comment that the teacher made about her written work (critiques of various photographers etc.) was that her written work was as beautiful as her photographs.

At the risk of being a bragging mom, I will include one of her photographs below. She submitted this photo and a couple of others to a publication called American Photo on Campus. It is a nice little glossy magazine. They responded to her via email and said that they would like to publish the following photo, and asked that she answer biographical questions, and her goals for the future etc. Her photo and the bio will be included together in an upcoming issue. I assume the next issue. Isn’t that cool!

A Dream

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 08:24:00 -0600

Some months ago I had a very unusual and powerful dream. Actually, I thought of writing about it then, but was hesitant to speak of it to a broader audience (my blog readers of two or three ;-) But, I decided that now would be a good time to finally reveal it, thinking that after the birth, I might not find it pertinent.

When I was about three months along in this pregnancy, I had a dream, which actually caused me to wake up, and sit up. There is a radio station that I listen to while driving in the car, and around noon, the host is a child psychologist. He is a Christian, and has a huge family, and a sense of humor too. Well, the format of the show is that callers are to call in to the show, and he answers their questions. However, in my dream he called me! His head and shoulders and the telephone receiver appeared like a hologram just to my right. In my dream I said “hello” and, immediately realizing who was on the other end, I was perplexed. I said, “Did I call …you?” And he said, “No, I’m calling you because your baby called out to me and said that he’s going to be just fine, and he wanted me to tell you.” After that point I was wide-awake, and sitting up. I went over the dialog in my head, several times, just to make sure that I wouldn’t forget it.

I felt that this dream was such a gift. I also felt that obviously the dream was about the baby I was now carrying, not about Gregory who we lost. After all, I know where Gregory is. And, then, I wondered, is this a dream telling me the sex of the baby I was carrying, too?? We shall soon see.

People have asked me...well actually, many people have asked me whether we know the sex of the baby yet. I've told them that we've always wanted to be surprised. One gal said, "Oh my gosh! I can't believe you're not dying to know!" Believe me, I am dying to know. (But I still didn't ask to be told the sex of the baby, though I will admit I have been tempted.)

Yay, I can add an entry again!

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 08:05:00 -0600

I have been locked out of my blog for some time now, but just asked again for help, and this time the trouble shooting tip worked for me. Yay!

Well, I am due any day now. My due date is Feb 3rd, though I think it's really more like the 31st of Jan. We're having another home birth, and I'm all ready now, as of yesterday. Everything has been tweaked to the nth degree around here, so that feels good. But, I'm feeling sort of tuckered out and ... deflated (though you couldn't tell by the way I look ;-) I'm having a good deal of lower back pain which is a really bummer because I want this birth to be perfect, especially coming off of our last sad experience. I hope this pain is just pregnancy related, but I have had different lower back issues before which this reminds me of, and they haven't resolved quickly before. I did get one of those big exercise balls for sitting on while at the computer or for dinner etc. That seems to be helping a bit.

That’s it for the present moment, though I plan to be adding a few more entries ASAP since I feel like I’ve got a lot to catch up on.

Barbara

Whole-Brained?

Thu, 5 Oct 2006 11:03:00 -0500

The Mission� Sort last seasons clothes (Or clothes from several seasons because I didn�t know what to do with them earlier.)

I keep telling myself, I�m a reasonably intelligent person� I should be able to do this. But, I continue to stare at the baskets of off season, and outgrown, and worn, and stained, and maybe will fit next season, and maybe I should give away� and then I just get overwhelmed and walk away in a daze.

Last year, in moment of clarity, I got an idea. Bins! I know, I�ll use bins! Then, I�ll label them with tape on the side with things like 2T, 4T, 8 - 10, 12 -14� things like that! What a brainstorm. I tell you, where do I come up with this stuff.

So, here I am again, sorting clothes for the change of season, coming face to face with myself. Now, I wonder if I am left brain or right brain. I have a friend who is really into that. But, something about going around with half a brain just doesn�t sit well with me. True, I do tend to resist labels, and much prefer the idea that I am "whole brained". So, maybe I'm just "whole-brained", with various, random, occasional, chunks missing.

Jumping Off the Cliff

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 10:50:00 -0500

I was recently having a telephone call with a good friend, and she was talking about the new season starting� that season of the new school year. She was saying that her oldest is doing well, but here we go, sort of starting all over with the next one down, and seeing the youngers coming up and knowing that the feat of �education� will need to be �performed� again and again. Sounds a little daunting. She was wondering� �Can I pull it off again? Maybe my first child was just a fluke. Maybe she was just easier?�

This reminded me so much of when I was in art school. I so remember the feeling that I had when I was finishing up a large piece. (In grad school, I worked on large pieces and they took perhaps a full semester to complete.) In the beginning of work on a new piece, I would have some degree of apprehension, but mostly adrenaline as my idea began to take solidify, plans were made, materials were purchased etc. Then, the real labor would begin� the art making time. I would live and breathe that piece. As the piece began to take shape, it was quite exciting� the form emerges and the concept reveals itself! But then came the questions and the need to face the fact that this piece is wrapping up� and you know what THAT means. Another piece� that�s right. With each piece, the ante is upped. (I�ve pulled it off again. And, now, more will be expected of me.) Towards the end of my work on a piece, as all of the fine touches were to be put on, I always remember slowing down a bit, almost not wanting the time to end, because, after this, it will be time to venture into the unknown again. .

It�s a dramatic thing when an important job is completed. I always felt that after I finished a piece, I was, in a sense, saying to the world �This is the best I can do. This is all of me.� That�s pretty scary, and humbling. And, how much more monumental is our job of raising our children. Add Homeschooling to that and you�ve really got a whopper.

But, I think September is the time that many people go through a down time before the intense work on next school year takes shape� before the real labor begins. It�s a time to look at our past works and wonder if we can pull it off again. Or, maybe �the best that we can do� doesn�t look that great. �All of me� maybe isn�t too impressive. But, here comes the next wave� the next school year. Ready or not, we are called to do it.

Let�s jump off the cliff, into the unknown, and try to pull it off again.

Joyful News

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 13:51:00 -0500

Just a quick note to say that I am blessed to be carrying another dear baby, and look forward to the end of January/beginning of February for the due date, and to hold our baby.
We have ALWAYS had a “fall harvest”, so this will be my first winter baby. And, you sure can’t get any more winter than that, here in Chicagoland. But, there is surely NO wrong time for a baby. My birthday is in mid January, and Paul’s is in Feb, so the baby will be born cradled right in between Mama’s and Papa’s birthdates. I like that picture.

I finally found the link to this cute pregnancy counter I remember seeing at other's blogs.

It is at http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com

Baby's due date is Feb. 3rd.

New Coloring Book Page

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 17:22:00 -0500

Over the next few months, I will be sharing a small collection of full page, one-of-a-kind, coloring book pages. For the time being, they will all be supporting your ancient history studies. A medieval set will follow sometime after that.

The thumbnail image, and available in PDF, is of a Neo-Assyrian Tree of Life. Symbolically, a tree can be a symbol of the resurrection in that in the winter, a tree appears to be dead, but emerges with new growth in the spring. Also, we are given many images of trees in the Old and New Testaments. One compelling image is of knowing a tree by its fruit. Luke 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. Here are a couple more. Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. And, also, Jeremiah 17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that speadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Click on the link under the thumbnail image of the design to access the file. You will need Acrobat Reader. Feel free to print up as many as needed for your family. Also, at the right on this page, I have a place for you to add your email address if you would like to be notified when I post a new blog entry. If you are interested in receiving more of my coloring pages, please subscribe there.

Neo Assyrian Design Coloring Page

New History Portfolio Products

Mon, 4 Sep 2006 07:28:00 -0500

I am so excited to announce that I have two new History Portfolio products. The first is the Teacher�s Guide for the Ancient History Portfolio. This new guide has been complete for a few weeks now, and I've just been trying to deal with glitches with the printing part of the operation. So� I can only take pre-orders for this next week or so (after I add the info to my website). I have also just completed another set of Full Color Maps.

The first new product, the Ancient History Portfolio Teacher�s Guide, will provide something to put into each and every �image box� and �text box� in the Ancient History Portfolio. The guide is absolutely jam packed with hand drawn images to color, plus crossword puzzles, word searches, full page, one-of-a-kind, coloring book pages, plus numerous suggestions for reports, narrations, and copywork. The History Portfolio books occupy a unique niche in the market, and the new Teacher's Guide will make them more broadly appealing especially for families new to a notebooking approach. Please take a look at some sample pages.
http://www.homeschooljourney.com/TeachersGuide.html And also visit:
http://www.homeschooljourney.com/aContents.html#pics to view some examples of History Portfolio pages completed by students of various ages, and get an idea of how the new Teacher�s Guide could now be used.

The second product is the new Medieval Full Color Maps. Click on the link to view and print a sample map. http://www.homeschooljourney.com/RomanEmpireMap.pdf The Full Color Maps are to be used as a reference when working through the History Portfolio volumes, so only one set is needed per family. The maps look best when printed on card stock or photo paper, and once printed, will provide a reference tool for years to come. There are thirteen maps in the Medieval set, directly correlating with the 13 black-line maps integrated within the chapters of the Medieval History Portfolio. My website does allow purchasing of the maps, but I don't have the informational page up yet.

And finally, I will soon be launching all of my new and updated web pages, which my husband and I have been working on. If you think of it, check back in a week or so and see the new look.

Thanks for reading!

Barbara

Moses in the Bulrushes

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 18:03:00 -0500

Well, it�s been a while since I�ve written about our baby Gregory, and about my healing process. Bottom line, I�m sure not healed. And who would expect me to be? Nobody. But, knowing that my baby has entered into eternal life, that Kingdon of Eternal Life is less far away to me, because he is there.

There was so much I never wrote about during the months from September to now, having been in transition, nearly visibly so, as I moved from crawling to standing, to walking. I do have a few �phases�, and revelations from those months documented, so to speak. Maybe one day I will add them to my blog and stick them in a category regarding Gregory. I�ve got to figure out how to do that.

But, a few things this week have caused me to re-live, or re-visit, some experiences and thoughts of the past months. This week, a death of an elderly neighbor, an infant adoption, along with some other things really dredged up my memories. I sure have been crying a lot, though not from reaching the bottom, but from seeing the top.

One particular thing I would like to recall, and talk about, is my experience, and revelation, while reading a lovely picture book to my 4 yo. It was Moses in the Bulrushes by Warwick Hutton. The events of the week made me think about the book again. We own a copy, and we�ve read it plenty of times. But, shortly after Gregory died, my 4 yo picked it up and asked me to read it. I knew it would be a tough read for me, at that point. But, I began to read. I reached a certain point in the story, and slowly, with all I had in me, gathered enough control to read the words aloud. The hard part began with the page where Moses� mother sits on the water�s edge and makes a simple ark for him. Carefully, thoughtfully she makes a vessel to carry him away.

If you haven�t seen this book, I want to give you a picture of the beautiful watercolor full-page illustrations. The colors are gentle and the overall expression is of stillness and quietude. The text is quite spare, reinforcing the elegance of the images. On each double page spread, there are typically just one or two sentences.

As I continued to read, I watched myself, and allowed my thoughts to move in and out about the story. I felt myself overwhelmed with emotion. There was the obvious� Moses� mother letting go of her baby. That is why I knew reading the story would be hard at this point. But, as I read, I thought about adoption and thought of the awesome beauty of it: The Pharoah�s daughter taking and raising a baby, knowing why the mother was unable to raise the baby herself. And I watched myself some more as I struggled to say the words. I wondered, �why am I so upset?� Well, I knew to a degree, but just felt there must be more. Reading on� a double page spread shows the Pharoah�s daughter carefully unfolding the covering, and cradling the baby in her arms. The image on the next page shows the baby�s sister speaking to the princess. But, the next page is overwhelming in the simplicity and power. There, we see Moses� mother sitting alone in a room, next to an empty cradle, with gentle noises about, but the mother lost in thought. And, through the door we see the young girl running towards the door with the wonderful news! The mother will have her baby back! And the story revealed itself to me. I realized, that I, too, will have my baby back, in God�s time.

After this reading, I was telling my friend about it all, and about my revelation. I had just recently, as per request, lent her my copy of Christine Field�s book, So You Want to Adopt. She reminded me of Christine�s words at the end of the book, about how one day, the mothers of the adopted children will be united with their children again, and there will be no separation between the family members: mother and father, children, and adoptive parents. I can�t quote exactly since I don�t have the book back yet.

Just this week I got out the Warwick Hutton book again, and thought about my sister in law and her husband who just adopted their first baby, after waiting many years, and I was, and am, so overwhelmingly happy for them. And I particularly thought about the birth mother, and felt for her, and felt kinship with her. But I was consoled in knowing that she and her baby, and me and my baby will not be separated forever.

Since I love the picture book so much, I did look around in case you wanted to look for it, and I found many copies at Alibris.

http://tinyurl.com/h87x4

Thanks for reading.

Barbara