3 Girls And A Mom (and Dad and puppy dog too!) - Homeschool Blogger

January blahs.... or January ba-va-boom!

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:13:00 -0600

I think that Jan/Feb can be tough months of the year for homeschooling moms in particular. In the warmer weather, the kids go outside to jump on trampoline, ride bikes, swing... PLAY and be active during our school breaks throughout the day.

In the cold (I'm talking FREEZING cold) times, they go out, but only for short stints.

This isn't really a plug for the YMCA, but my girls like to swim and we enjoy "open swims" and "homeschool swims". We'll use a racquetball court or the gym (if available) to practice volleyball serves and passing techniques... just to play and be active.

My three like to play together - most of the time - and they do enjoy games inside. They run like wild indians in the basement at times. (yes, girls get crazy-busy too!) We like to cook and baking on a cold day just seems extra "yummy".

So what makes up a "ba-va-boom" day? (a term I'm pretty sure I just made up - LOL!) Simple pleasures, in my opinion.

Making the choice to be content and find fun things to do. I often tell the girls to take just 5 seconds to think of their blessings whenever they feel "blah". FIVE seconds. I know we are so blessed that it almost seems silly to get down. The snow and ice ARE pretty. I can call up a friend or friends and we get a play date together.

I prefer things like "ba-va-boom" versus "blah"....

Hip hip hooray! It's the beginning of the last "R" month for awhile....

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 13:07:00 -0500

My favorite months of the year do not have an "R" in them.... May, June, July and August. My warm months. Sunshine. Hot weather. Beautiful flowers and fresh green grass.

I love it!

Now today is not warm, no sunshine, no beautiful flowers (although tulips are getting closer) BUT I know that it is coming!

Happy April!!!!!!

Check this out!!!!!!!!!

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:06:00 -0500

Rosetta Stone has been the #1 foreign language curriculum among homeschoolers for a while -- next week they are unleashing a brand new curriculum, and you can WIN the *all new* Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3… FOR FREE!

This is a $219 program (and believe me it's worth every penny!) and the winner gets to pick from any of these 14 languages: Spanish (Spain or Latin America), English (American or British), Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Hebrew, or Russian.

This will also include a headset with microphone, and students will participate in lifelike conversations and actually produce language to advance through the program. Rosetta Stone still incorporates listening, reading and writing as well, in addition to speaking. Many homeschoolers requested grammar and vocabulary exercises, and with Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3, they're included! For parents, the new Parent Administrative Tools are integrated into the program and allow parents to easily enroll students in any of 12 predetermined lesson plans, monitor student progress, and view and print reports.

To win this most excellent program -- in the language of your choice -- copy these (blue) paragraphs and post it in (or as) your next blog post -- then to enter the contest, go to the original contest page HERE: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/JenIG/501132/ and leave a comment with the link showing where you blogged about it. And please make sure the link works to get back to the original contest page when you post it. And good luck! The winner will be picked randomly on March 26, and will be notified thru the link they left to their blog pg. And if you have more than one blog, you can post them and enter those separately for more chances to win. Yay for free stuff!

Went to Hearts at Home National Conference yesterday....

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:52:00 -0500

Well the first PRAISE is that I made it to conference. I know that sounds silly but I didn't know if I could tolerate the day away in pain. My Ibuprofen and ES Tylenol diminished it enough to make it tolerable. (I had a surgery on 2/29 and things aren't quite as good as we hoped but doc thinks he knows more of the situation at least.)

I had dinner there (which was really yummy) and then I had volunteered to help with registration from 615-715pm. I had signed up for MNO too but knew there was no way I'd make it. I actually left the registration place about 645pm b/c they had a lot of folks to cover it and I felt quite crummy and "done" by then. The gal I talked to was very gracious but I knew it was wise to get on home.

Julie Barnhill WORN OUT MOMS NOTES
One Tough Mother Qualities:
* don't shirk responsibility - accept ownership of the truth
* relationships are complex
* don't argue with a 4 yr old
* be available --> say, "I'm here for you"
* don't pretend everything is OK when it's not... BUT... don't despair
* natural inclination is to wirhdraw when child is *difficult* but we must stay with them
* listen as much or MORE than you speak
* recognize there is a right time to be a child's friend and now is probably not it
* don't ignore your own issues
* with teens, stop flow of $$ or vehicle use if kids don't respect their responsibilties (remember the mom last month who sold her kid's car on ebay b/c she found booz in it? That was "one tough mother" and good for her... and good for the kid even though he probably doesn't see the good yet)
* don't feel guilty for standing your ground --> secret to mothering is to OUTLAST THE KIDS (they whine and whine and ask repeatedly so sometimes we might be tempted to give in just to make them stop... DON'T DO IT... perservere Moms... You must outlast them!)
*speak to other mothers and family members you can trust and use discretion (seeking counsel or prayers for a situation)
* pray for them (kids) to "get caught" or "get busted" for things they do that could harm them physically, emotionally, sexually, spiritually, relationally
* do not give a defense to argumentative friends/family who don't agree with how your're rearing/guiding your children - follow God's lead

Hope parents can learn from being in pain:
* remind self that God is in control EVERYday
* God has allowed my circumstances, heartbreaking as they are, to change me.... Let God have it.... Let Him carry it.... Let God be God....
* we are not alone (God knows heartbreak of disobedient children... Adam and Eve's disobedience and their son killed their other son... how devastating is that? God knows pain.)
* prodigal son had no reason to leave home
* God is only one who can change our kids... not our job as moms... sometimes we might set out to change our child and realize this child is just like *me* and has my "negative characterisitics" which help me recognize my weak areas that *I* need to improve upon with the Lord's help/grace
* the enemy is at work but not more powerful than God
* no timetable on prayers
*God has/will change us greatly
* God will supernaturally change us through His work and thru our trial

Wow! Convicting and engouraging words from Julie and this is the workshop that I only attended half of it. I chatted with some ladies and shopped the first part of it. Glad I decided to go on in late.

Kendra Smiley HELPING YOUR KIDS MAKE THE NEXT RIGHT CHOICE
Pray to God for our children to make the next right choice, whatever it is

All choices --> result in consequences

We've all made bad choices... need to move on and make the NEXT right choice

Inevitable! (poor choices are part of life) --> Cannot be entirely eliminated

Cycle of learning to make GOOD CHOICES from our BAD CHOICES and experiences

WAYS TO HELP MAKE DECISIONS:
1. weigh the pros and cons
2. seek wise counsel
3. take the emotion OUT of the choice/decision

As parents we can.... do A, B, C and D:
A) MODEL GOOD CHOICES
* respond in a Godly way
"Parenting is the biggest SHOW N' TELL"... and showing will always *trump* your tell

B) ENCOURAGE GOOD CHOICES
* life can be a discouraging place
* applaud the process of diligence/discipline
* tell children, "I love you" and call them by name

C) GUIDE GOOD CHOICES
* can be tricky when they ask for your advice
* opportunity and privelege to help them

D) ALLOWING CHOICES
* even when they're going to FAIL...
* they can learn from icky things too

Karen Ehman KEEP/GET YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW
www.karenehman.com for worksheets to print and more info

doing "have tos" so we can still do that "want tos" in life...

How do we "get" with the program? Well.. we NEED a program!

De-junking Basics
* 5-6 boxes & label them "put back" "take back" "toss" "charity/garage sale" "nostalgia" and "recycle"
* RULE --> if have NOT used it, needed it but couldn't find it, worn it... Toss it!
* think about where you do what you do and set up things in your home appropriately
* might set up a "JUNK JAIL" to help kids learn to do their part in picking up their misplaced items and after a reminder/warning the item is taken to "jail" and "bail" must be paid to get it back

paper Handling - can be overwhelming with so much junk mail
PURGING YOUR PILES - separate according to the following:
"trash or shredder"
"long term storage" (ie. manuals for appliances, will, etc)
"short term storage" - (ie. "mom's brain in a binder... see below)
"hot file" - things to do now - clipboard with compartment and planner sheet on top (see her website to print off)

Mom's Brain in a Binder
1 1/2" binder with clear pocket in front for family photo or pretty paper
clear page protectors
plastic 3-hole-punched folders
plain labels

Can include daily/weekly/monthly choires...to-do list... invites... bday lists... MD appt reminders... etc.

Remember that SAHMs must create their own structure

Cleaning your house
www.thecleanteam.com website about speed cleaning
*wear apron with pockets for rags, scraper, small brush, scouring pad, etc)
* when cleaning.... work from TOP to BOTTOM

Shopping and cooking
*menu plan --> 1-2 week rotation --> base menu on weekly grocery store flyer sales --> freezer cooking --> crunch time cooking
* make a grocery list... many super markets have a layout of the store so you can make your store to follow the store's layout

kitchen short-cuts
plan menu in logical order... ie cook enough ground beef Monday for the other recipes of the week

clean up in kitchen
* line pans in foil or parchment (no foil in tomato-based)
* crock pot liners
* chop up onions, green peppers, carrots and freeze

laundry
* each member of family gets own basket and kids who are old enough can have their own "stain stick" to apply to their messies
* later children can do their own laundry... we're training them to be adults and training ourselves out of a job

That's all for now!

Christmas break started a little earlier than I "scheduled".

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:26:00 -0600

And that's not really a *bad* thing!

I planned to do full school days Mon thru Thurs this week. I've been fighting a bug and I worked a 12 hour graveyard shift at the hospital Saturday night and I think I'm just not recovering as quickly as I figured I would.

Oh well! Life goes on!

The plan today is to take inventory of the sugar and flour (and other ingredients) in the pantry for baking goods we're planning to fix.

The past two days were spent sewing. (that counts as "home ec" right?) The girls (with a bit of help from me) made several pillowcases for relatives in themes picked out especially for each one. (Elvis for grandmother, Harley motorcycles for grandad, etc...)

Have a Merry Christmas!!!!!

What a GORGEOUS "Indian Summer" day!

Mon, 8 Oct 2007 10:59:00 -0500

It's going to be over 90 degrees today... in October and Illinois. We could have snow in a matter of weeks!

Last night the girls went to a friend's birthday party from 5-8pm. I dropped them off and got home so DH and I could go to the lake. He had the jetski hooked up to the van and off we went. It was lovely. We had about 45 minutes on the water and witnessed a spectacular sunset. Beautiful! It was a nice mini-date!

Today is Columbus Day. We might go play at the lake later when DH gets home.

Also, Thursday we're going to see a replica of the Nina boat. It looks quite awesome! It's in Peoria, Illinois. www.thenina.com is the website that talks about it. Maybe it will tour near YOU sometime!

Anyway... that's my ramble. I just forget about this blog and don't post. It is fun to come back to it and read it just for myself! LOL!

Happy Fall!... or is it still Summer??? *wink* *wink*

With March comes the approach of Spring!!!!!!

Thu, 1 Mar 2007 16:32:00 -0600

....and weird weather... and cabin fever... and maple syrup field trip... and soon will be Spring Break which this homeschool mommy is LOOKING FORWARD to most definitely!

I'm not feeling too well as I think my gall bladder is trying to stir something up. I had an ultra sound on Tuesday and will find out results tomorrow (Friday). It's an odd feeling being in "limbo". Will I need surgery? I'm a registered nurse and I've taken care of many patients but never have had surgery personally. At least I know that majority of the time, things do go smoothly. I have certainly seen my share of sick people. I'm also fortunate in that I'm not really "sick sick". I just don't feel too good and sometimes it's worse than other times.

Well... that might have been TMI!

Girls have been squirrelly today. I think it's because we need to get the ants out of their pants! It's so soggy out and we left our boots at Grandma and Grandpa's house or I'd just let them run out there and have fun. Kids DO clean up... even if it's the mom (that'd be me) who cleans them up. LOL!

I have bible study tonight with my best friend and a nice group of ladies from church. I think I'm going to stay home just to rest and because I feel OK for awhile and then I.... don't.

Have a great TGIF tomorrow! :)

Margie

Today is Mom/Dad's FIFTIETH anniversary.

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 17:37:00 -0600

It's so.... wild to me that they've been married so long. It's hard to believe that Dad is going to be 76 in July. Mom is going to be 75 in June.

They were so sweet on Sunday at their Open House party. I can't tell you how precious it was and I just felt such love from the whole family that it was overwhelming.

I called Mom this afternoon and as we were chatting... they had flowers delivered to their home. So sweet. A friend of the family sent them. I mailed the DVD of their party pictures set to music so they'll get it tomorrow I imagine.

They're slowing down but yet they are still quite active. They enjoy their pontoon boat and fishing boat rides. It scares me some b/c Dad's judgement is not always too keen. Last Fall they went shadding. (rope with special net behind the boat to catch shad which are bigger than minnows and used for bait) The net got caught up on something and they couldn't get it out of the lake. Dad wanted to go get his swim trunks on and get IN the lake water to try to get the shad net. It was like 50 or maybe 60 degrees but his plan was to take a shower as soon as they got back to shore. (from being wet in the water) Mom talked him out of it. Those types of things freak me out. It's so not worth it to put himself in harms' way. KWIM?

I just want to protect them. I get worried.

It's odd b/c they're my parents and they're the ones in authority over me but.... well... it's just a new weirdness.

I'm SO rambling.

If anyone actually read this.... you're an angel. I am not sure what my point was other than I've just really got my parent's on my mind a ton lately.

Check out this pic from a few years ago.

What do you see?

Thu, 25 May 2006 11:51:00 -0500

Look at the photo and you're right that it is a semi truck. Being the goofy gal that I claim to be, I took a picture with my camera the other day as we travelled along the interstate. (DH was driving, not me!)

At a "Secret Keeper's Girl" event last week, they talked about the mind's eye completing a picture. SKG was talking in reference to women's clothing and making sure that we dress modestly to avoid tempting guys to "complete the picture".

Anyhoo... the example was to look at a "FedEx" sign and see if you could "complete the picture" that is actually part of their advertising campaign.

I'll go ahead and post the answer b/c I don't know if anyone really reads my blog since it's the end of May and I hadn't posted here since March. LOL!

Do you see the "arrow" between the "E" and "x"? The arrow helps depict speed, I guess. I've never EVER noticed!

Last day of school for awhile! Praise God!

Thu, 25 May 2006 11:48:00 -0500

I know the kids are ready for a break but I'm more ready! I love it. I do! I just need to take some time off and re-group. Re-focus. Rest. (well I doubt that will truly happen but maybe!)

I took this photo the other day after church. My youngest and second DDs are practically twins. Youngest is in the middle of this picture.