I am a homeschooling mother of six children, ages 9 through 2. My greatest desire is to follow my Lord and raise our children to follow Him as well. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:01:00 -0600 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:01:00 -0600   One of the charming things about being a parent is that sometimes we find ourselves in the middle of peculiar conversations and experiences.   Recently, I found myself making this statement: "It is fine to kiss the banana so long as it has its skin on."   Yep, that's an odd thing to say, isn't it?  Let me back up and give you the approximate conversation that led to that statement. Joseph:  (scream of outrage) Mom:  Joseph, why are you screaming? Joseph:  (in whiny tone) Mom, Miriam is kissing her banana! Miriam:  I love my banana Mom:  Is the skin on?  Ok, you can kiss the banana. Joseph:  Mom, is Miriam allowed to kiss the banana? Mom:  It is fine to kiss the banana so long as it has its skin on. I had another amusing interaction today.  Angela, at the tender age of 2 and 4 months, is thinking that maybe it is time to give up naps.  I am not too excited about this and put her to bed every afternoon, but fairly often she talks and coos for 90 minutes until I take her out of her crib at the end of "nap time". I had rested and read in bed for awhile this afternoon during nap time, when I suddenly heard Miriam's little voice calling for me plaintively above the Angela's background murmuring.  With a sigh, I got up and dealt with Miriam, then went into the darkened room to get Angela, who was standing up in her crib.  I picked her up and put her on the floor, whereupon she said to me indignantly, "Mom, I need my diaper!" On the floor was a pile of stuff including her pillow, her blanket, and yes... her pants and diapers.  She had not wet anything, for which I was grateful, but it is tedious.  She has gone through phases where she strips her off night outfit at night (and I've had to safety pin the zipper to keep her clothed) but I don't think she's taken her pants and diaper off during naptime before.  I love new phases. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/748460/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:01:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/748460/   The children were cavorting with delight yesterday morning when they found snow out on our back deck.  It was a dusting and nothing more, but I think the picture above is definitive proof.    As soon as chores were done, the older 4 children put on their winter coats, boots, and mittens and went outside to slide on the back deck, which was icy as well as a little snowy.   They spent a few fun minutes running/sliding around.   The little girls aren't as steady on their pins as the older children, so Kevin and I decided they shouldn't go out and slide on the deck.  They were somewhat indignant, but settled for putting on boots and mitten(s) and posing for me in the breakfast room.    I don't like winter much but am praying for a wondeful attitude this year.  Our children adore winter, thankfully.  The big problem for me is finding time and energy to get everyone dressed to go outside.  However, that has definitely gotten easier now that I have older children who can not only dress themselves but help dress the little ones.   I do like the cozy aspect of winter.  It is fun being inside on snowy, wintry days.   I'll post a picture of our chickens soon but suffice to say that for now they are unintimidated by cold weather.  They happily peck and scratch in their yard even when all the grass is covered with frost. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/748012/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:30:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/748012/   Here are four generations on Kevin's side.  Kevin's grandmother is 90 years old and we were very glad she could join us.  Her health hasn't been wonderfu lately but she is doing very well considering her age.  She and Kevin had a wonderful discussion about guitars after dinner; she used to play though can't now due to hand difficulties.  Our children have 2 great-grandmothers living, both on Kevin's side.  I lost one grandmother more than 20 years ago, and my paternal grandmother died a year ago at the age of 97.    And here is our entire family, though you can't see the younger ones' faces well.  We don't often get a family picture.   We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/748011/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:25:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/748011/     Several evenings ago, I peered outside and observed an opossum calmly munching its way through our cats' food on the front porch.     We had a raccoon visitor several months ago who terrorized our cats and ate their food -- we learned from that experience that a wild animal who find an easy food source WILL keep coming back.    So when I reported the opossum, Kevin loaded a gun and went outside to shoot it.  It stared at him balefully until he made some noise, and then took off around the corner (for obvious reasons, Kevin didn't want to shoot in a direction that might hit the house.)    10 minutes later it was back at the food bowl.  Again, it ran off when Kevin came out; again, there was not a safe shot.  Kevin then moved the cat food bowl out into the yard.    20 minutes later it was back.  Kevin stepped outside and fired at it.  It ran off.    The next morning, I made up the poster that is pictured at the top of this blog.  But there was no sign of the opossum that night!    A day later, the kids were out playing and found it dead behind a tree.  Kevin had hit it with that first shot and it made it about 20 feet before dying; it just happened to collapse behind a tree so we couldn't see it easily from the porch and house.  He did hit it in a way that I'm sure it didn't suffer, and I'm glad about that.    So, our cats are happy and safe again.   This of course brings up the issue of guns and gun safety.  I used to be very anti-gun growing up, because I believe it is true that more people are hurt/killed by guns due to accident or domestic arguments than those who save themselves from an intruder or a wild dingo :-).   My views have changed quite a bit since then, obviously.   Since we are livestock owners, I see the need for a gun to deal with predators.  In fact, we've warned the neighbor whose dog massacred our chickens in the spring that we WILL shoot it if it comes back and threatens our current batch of chickens.  He was very accepting of that and has done a marvelous job of keeping the dog under control.    Gun advocates point out that safety is a big part of it, and I agree.  Truth is, our house is full of dangerous items that can cause injury or death - cleaning chemicals, medicines, knifes for cooking, etc.  An automobile is a wonderful tool but also very dangerous if used carelessly.    I've been pleased with Kevin's teaching the kids even now regarding the guns.  They are not handling them yet, but are learning about them.  We are very careful to keep firearms in a safe place, and we don't leave them loaded.  He showed them during the Great 'Possum Event how to carry a gun in such a way that you NEVER point it at someone, even if you are 100% positive that it is unloaded.   Since I've had very different views at times about firearms, I understand those who oppose them too.  I can see their point.    But I'm glad we have a gun to shoot pesky critters.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/747394/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:07:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/747394/   Oh, that's right -- we ate the roof!   I know, I know, normal people don't actually EAT their gingerbread houses.  We've been odd for a long time.    The kids tell me it is very tasty.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/747392/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:06:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/747392/    Today is the first day in 2 weeks that I've not needed a breathing treatment.  I am so thankful!  There is nothing like breathing problems to make me appreciate breathing with ease!   I really feel close to normal, except that I am tired.  I took a deep, intense 3 hour nap this afternoon.  I woke up to hear Angela crying and it took tremendous will power to get out of bed.  I was THAT out of it.   While I was sleeping, Kevin and the children put together a gingerbread house from a kit he got at Sam's Club.  There is nothing more wonderful for the kids than an art project involving candy.  So, here are a few pictures of their masterpiece.     The finished house is quite charming, don't you think? http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/746715/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:20:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/746715/   As I said, I was able to read a lot while I was so sick.  One book I read is reviewed below.  I purchased it months ago but had not previously found time to read it. Review of The Daisy Chain by Charlotte Mary Yonge             This brilliant, complex novel was written in 1856 and is the absorbing and fascinating saga of a large family in Victorian England.  The protagonists are a medical doctor and his 11 children.  There are a great many themes of interest:  the need for Christians to care for the poor, the struggle we have to overcome our sinful tendencies with Christ's help, patience in the midst of suffering, the dangers of vanity and pride, and the roles of women and men in the Christian Body.  This book is not easy reading; the author makes casual references to cultural issues and uses words associated with Victorian England about which I am not familiar. There are also literary discussions between the characters which reference classical literature that I’ve not read.  So I would say it would be for high school students.  One thing of note is that the author (and protagonists) were convinced of the need for infant baptism and Confirmation for salvation, which I do not believe.           It is hard to convey how wonderful this book is.   The characters are very "real" people, with foibles and tendencies that result in sins and failures.  But every single one grows throughout the book.  There are so many ways that God uses their struggles to bring them closer to Christ.  I heartily recommend this book.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/746712/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:09:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/746712/ First, an update.  I am definitely improving.  I am still tired and have very minor breathing problems when I do more than usual, but all in all I am miles ahead from where I was a week ago.  Again, thank you so much for your prayers and support.  I am grateful to be closer to normal again. Below is a blog post I wrote before I got really sick. I didn't post it when I wrote it, but am doing so now.   What is food doing in a homeschooling blog?  Well, let me tell you!             A sentence in an online article jumped out at me a few weeks ago.  I don’t remember the exact quote, but the general idea was this.  Most people who quit homeschooling don’t do it because they can’t teach their children.  They quit because they are overwhelmed with financial stress, with housework and food preparation and cooking, with organizational challenges, and so on.             I think that is so true.  Yes, some of us do get overwhelmed with teaching a certain topic (biology leaps to mind for me.)  But I am more bothered by the lack of time I have for doing VITAL things.  I must feed our family.  Either my husband or I must shop for food and other items.  I must keep the floors clean enough that we can walk on them.  The mountains of laundry get intimidating very quickly.  And so on.  I never contemplate sending the kids off to public school, but I do get frustrated at my lack of time to do all the essentials around the house, including feeding my wonderful family.             So I’m going to write up a bit on food, because it is important.  There are at least 3 huge issues regarding food: nutrition, cost, and time for preparation. God made us with the need to eat.  Furthermore, plenty of research shows that we can’t just eat anything.  A child (or adult) who consistently eats poorly will probably be unhealthy, and might not learn all that well either.  We need to eat a healthy diet.  I feel like I am fumbling my way in the right direction there as we slowly modify our diet towards more “natural” foods.  By that I mean we are raising plenty of vegetables in the summer, and now drink raw milk and eat organic eggs and hormone free, grass fed beef.  All this good nutrition is definitely a work in progress, and I’m making changes slowly.  I admit that as an engineer I get frustrated by the lack of data I have in this area.  Nutrition is not a passionate interest of mine, and every book has a different view of the matter.  I have to pray for godly wisdom. And then there is cost.  A family of 8 eats a lot.  Oh, we eat a LOT!  It is incredible how quickly we can demolish the food that I put on our table. And we don’t have any teens yet J.  There are many ways to cut down on the cost of food.  I’ve mentioned some in previous blogs, and I may discuss other ideas on that topic in the near future.  One basic starting point is not to waste food.  Since we now give our chickens most of our “waste food” I can see we actually leave quite a bit on plates and in scary tubs in the refrigerator.  (Ok, I try to give the chickens the extras BEFORE the food gets scary.)  But really, how often in the past did I throw away some leftover corn into the trash?  Too often, I confess. I now try to save small portions of veggies and serve them at a “leftover lunch” a couple of times a week.  One advantage of having a large family is that usually I can find someone to eat the leftovers.   Time for preparation: Ok, this is a biggie.  I do not have time, I do not have TIME, to spend hours every day chopping and preparing a meal. I watch cooking shows about once every 2 years, but when I do catch one I always chuckle.  The TV cook is surrounded by gleaming surfaces.  All the ingredients and utensils are laid out nicely.  Most of the necessary chopping has been completed.  When she is done with the bowl, she pushes it aside in a regal manner that makes me think some minion is outside the viewing screen ready to wash it up.  I find that the actual COOKING isn’t the time consuming part.  That’s usually quite easy.  It’s all the chopping and preparing.  It’s all the cleaning up afterwards.  The result is that I gravitate towards easy dishes.  I really don't have time for elaborate cooking very often.  I'm at peace with that.  I am also trying to cook up large quantities of basic meals (like chili, veggie soup, and cabbage rolls) and freeze some for a later date. I have more thoughts on food but will close for now. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/746166/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:03:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/746166/ I really do think I am getting better.  Sunday and Monday were better in terms of energy level, and my breathing episodes were rarer.  Yesterday morning was bad again and I went to the doctor for the 4th time.  He sent me to get a CAT scan to rule out blood clots, and also ordered a panel of bloodwork.  That's just as well anyway as I am early stage diabetic and needed to check some things associated with diabetes.  We haven't heard results yet.  Today has been better again. I am still very tired but the breathing is relatively easy.  A friend who is not asthmatic said she had 2 weeks of breathing problems associated with H1N1, which was sort of reassuring.  I guess it isn't that surprising that I've had such a hard road. The picture above is a common one these days.  Thanks to 10 days in bed, I've had time to read and review more than 10 books that have been sitting on shelves.  I've passed them on to our older girls and they have been reading madly.  The older 3 kids have also been spending hours on inventive play, pretending to run a farm where they collect various kinds of animal milk and sell it to people.  What is good about these difficult season?  Well, I've been reminded again that I have a prince of a husband.  Kevin's care for me has been incredible.  I have a tendency to ignore symptoms and overwork myself.  He has been lovingly firm about me taking it easily, and has arranged for child care and taken me to the doctor 3 times.  The first time I went our dear friend Grace gave up a few precious hours to take me, and ran the risk of contracting H1N1 in the process (thankfully, she is symptom free and it is been almost 2 weeks, so I think she is safe... for now, anyway.) Our kids have gotten to spend a lot of time with their daddy.  That's a blessing. As I said, I've been able to read a bunch of books.  I also viewed more than 15 hours of educational videos -- again, these had been lying around without me finding the time to check them out for suitability.  Among other things, I reviewed many hours of Drive Thru History, the Rome and Greek editions.  I decided the Greek was suitable (though there are oblique references to temple prostitution) but the Roman one is too grim for our kids.  The time of Nero was a horrific time for Christians.  I am grateful for all that God has given me.  And I pray He will give me a complete recovery to full health soon.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/745662/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:29:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/745662/ After the gloom of the last couple of weeks, I really want to post a few fun pictures of our family.  This is clam chowder with a twist.  Kevin added blue food coloring, and the end resutl was slightly green. Kids were thrilled. My Dad and Mom were here a couple of days. Here are 3 kids piled on Grandpa. Here is Isaac READING Joseph a book.  This was a red letter moment!  Isaac doesn't read well yet and has never read a book to his brother before. It was a book called Go, Dog, Go. Here are Daddy and his six sweet kids going for a ride.  The weather has been glorious for November, and the kids have been able to play outside a lot. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/744841/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:22:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LarabaK/744841/