Homeschooling mom to be. - Homeschool Blogger

What do I start with?

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:41:01 -0500

Well, it certainly has been busy here! My husband moves his business this coming weekend! We are all so excited about it, but it is a LOT of extra work on Luke especially. He can't really pack anything up before hand, since it's all in use for the business on a daily basis. So all the packing will have to be done Friday night. We hired movers, since there is a lot of heavy equipment to be moved. My parents have also volunteered to come and help out, as there will a lot of organization to do at the new office after the move is completed.

We bought my oldest daughter her own little desk to start working at this year. It's an old school desk, with the chair attached. It's not exactly what I wanted, as the lid doesn't lift, but it'll do. She's so excited about it, but it's in the garage until the basement is free after the move. I also went to an Army Surplus Store, and got a Kindergarten curriculum for $6. It's actually below Mercy's level, but I can adapt it for her, and use it as-is for Nadja, who's 3.

Well, I was pretty naive, I guess. I figured since Mercy is only 4, kindergarten level was the logical place to start with her. I knew she was smart, but I went along with the "standard" anyway. I guess it just goes to show that I know my daughter better than I thought, and that you can't lump ages into one mould. So I'll be looking for first grade curriculum, and in the meantime, I have enough resources to get her started.

We're going apple picking soon! I'm so excited, this is my favourite time of year! I love the cooler weather, I love everything about fall, the colours, Thanksgiving, apples. We used to go every single year from my childhood until I got married, and now we're continuing that with my own girls. Last year, we bought a small pumpking and made our own pumpkin pie from scratch with it. It's such a great experience for my girls. At least they know that pumpkin pie filling does NOT originally come from a can!

I think part of why I love fall so much is that I always have a sense of anticipation. This year, that's heightened by knowing the business is moving out, and who knows where we'll go from here, except God! It's a great place for me to be, I've allowed myself to be way too cynical in my thoughts in this past year. God's really convicted me of that, especially when my 4-year-old told me every day was a bad day! I couldn't really blame her, she's only reflecting back to me what I was showing her. So together we've been working on choosing to be happy, and praying about it when we find it hard to do so.

We've been reading the Little House books, and today the girls made a covered wagon craft. My girls LOVE crafts. They're so easy to occupy, I just have to find a craft for us to do together! All in all, it's been a very pleasant time. The only downfall has been that we're trying to expand our family, without success, at this point. But God has a reason for that too, so we'll wait on Him. God bless you all, and have a wonderful week.

Mama J.

What do I start with?

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:41:00 -0500

Desk and Miscellaneous.

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:31:00 -0500

I'm getting excited! I was looking for and found an old-style wooden school desk with a lid, and a chair attached. I'm hopefully going to look at it tomorrow. My mom gave me the "Little House on the Prairie" series of books, as well as a curriculum that goes along with it. I started reading the books to the girls, hoping they would learn to settle down and listen. They did! We got through the "Little House in the Big Woods" in about four days! We're more than halfway through "Little House on the Prairie".

I started looking through the curriculum last night, and it looks like something the girls will love doing! I'm not planning on doing any formal schooling with them at the moment, but at least this will help with my organization. And that was why I wanted to start looking for a desk. I'll have space for it now, because we have more news!!!

My husband is hoping to start moving his business out of the house on Labour Day weekend! It will make our days so much easier. If it were just my husband working here, it would be fine, but with more people coming in for work, it's been difficult. It's been hard on the kids, too. They are not allowed to jump, or run, or play in the house. They can't be kids. I can understand why, it's hard to work in a basement with noise above, but they are children, so I'll be happy when we have the house to ourselves. I'm planning on using the basement space as a school room.

At the moment our dining room walls are plastered with posters for my four year old. It does the job for sure, and I have no complaints, but I know it distresses my mother-in-law. She's already been through the stage of kids having their work, or their things, all over, and now she'd like to relax and enjoy a house that is set up for her tastes. I feel bad about her not getting that at the moment. So that's another bonus of my moving their things downstairs.

Well, I think I've rambled on long enough. I'm taking the girls to a Children's Museum on Thursday, but I have to get my house clean before then! Thanks for sharing my day-to-day babblings!

Mama J.

Last month of summer.

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 08:24:00 -0500

Can you believe we're into August already? My husband and I tried to take the girls to the beach, at least once, on Monday. It was sooo cold! We stayed for about an hour so they could play in the sand and watch the waves, but it was a waste of a two hour drive! Actually, I shouldn't say that. We did get to spend some time with just the four of us, which has been pretty much non-existent lately. That was wonderful! We also did a "trial run" for camping. Our dream is that next summer we can take the kids and go camping on Prince Edward Island, the most beautiful place ever! But my husband wanted to make sure the kids would be alright, and it would work well. It did! I'm excited, and hoping that we can carry on with those plans next summer.

I had to get a whole lot of blood work done last week. The doctor is looking into PCOD as the cause of some of my issues lately. That is Polycystic Ovarian Disease. I looked it up, it's not nice. But I know that God knows what He's doing. I don't know if that's what I have or not, so there's no sense worrying about it right now, right? In the meantime, I'm just doing what I know to stay healthy. Eating right, exercising, having fun with my family. If you guys happen to think of me, your prayers would be greatly appreciated. I should know by sometime this week.

My girls are getting so big. It amazes me everytime I look at them. But they're also big for their ages. My four year old is 43 inches tall, and my three year old is 41 inches tall. Sometimes I have to remind myself that they are only 3 and 4 years old! It's easy to let my expectations get a little too high when they're so big! But things have actually been going pretty smoothly lately. I've been much more able to just enjoy the girls. I'm hoping to start thinking of baby #3 soon. Anyway, it's forecast to be a beautiful day, so I want to hang some laundry outside. I'm going to throw open all the windows and get some music cranked up to do my housework. I hope you all have a lovely day as well. God is good!

Mama J.

Where did the time go?

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 09:14:00 -0500

I am finding it hard to believe we're into July already! The summer feels like it's just beginning! Since we've not been doing any formal schooling, I'm continuing casually with the lessons for my girls. Mercy is such an avid learner, she is so thirsty for knowledge. One of her favourite activities is to ask me about something and look it up on the computer together with me. Her last one was what a xylophone is. The first was, "how do they make couches, Mama?". It's actually really fun!

I bought little dollar store cups with bean seeds in them. I didn't know how well it would work, it was dollar store, after all. But we started them in the house and then transplanted them outdoors. They grew amazingly well indoors. Unfortunately, my husband is NOT a garden person, and planted them in the worst spot possible, where they get no sunshine at all. However, they're hardy little things and they are growing! I also transplanted some peppermint from my sister's garden. She thought they were weeds! I'm going to try my hand at drying the leaves for tea.

We have no travel plans, or even fun day trips planned, since my husband cannot get away from the business at all right now. He's even been working longer hours in the evenings and usually a few hours on the weekends as well. But with my mom, if we can cut costs way down, I might see if we can't find something to do. I have heard of some really good children's museums in neighbouring cities that we might check out.

In all of this, we've had to come to some difficult decisions as well. My sister-in-law is set to get married on August 1st. After a lot of discussion, my husband and I had to come to the decision that our girls will not be allowed to spend the night until they are married. At the moment, her fiance is living there part-time, and they are expecting a child in December. I realize this may sound harsh. My girls pick up on things really quickly. We've already told them that people shouldn't have babies until they're married, since that what God's Word says. It's nothing personal, which I pray they understand, but I simply cannot jeapordize my children's grasp of right and wrong for the sake of some visits. They will still be allowed to visit with their aunt and their cousins, just no overnight stays until the wedding takes place. It was a hard decision to make. People make mistakes, and learn from them, and move on, but since this is an ongoing thing, we felt this was our responsibility to protect our girls from that type of exposure until they are mature enough to handle it.

Other than that, we spent a lovely day visiting with my newlywed sister on Saturday. Her husband is in landscaping, so he was working. We found a walking trail near her house, with some park stops for the girls to have some fun as well. My sister and her new husband are settling into their very cute apartment nicely. It's so nice to see the result when God brings two people together! They're so happy! I am so thankful that the three of us who are married, God has brought amazing matches for us! It's so uplifting to see among a world where divorce rates are so high, and vows are conditional.

Well, I'm sitting beside my open window, listening to the birds and my girls, and it's a beautiful sound. I hope we can add to that in the future sometime. Things are moving very slowly with getting out of here. I guess God is trying to teach me to be content wherever I am. I keep thinking, "When we move I'll do this....." But perhaps He wants me to do it now, regardless of where we are. I hope I can learn my lesson well and not disappoint Him. Have a blessed day enjoying the wonderful sounds of summer!

Mama J.

Oh, for stronger faith!

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:08:00 -0500

How do you encourage your husband when you're questioning things yourself? My husband runs his own business. It's been rocky since the beginning. Even though things have improved, there are still many, many bumps in the road. Getting from here to there has taken a lot longer than we dreaded was possible. He's so discouraged today. We haven't submitted our taxes yet, since we have to pay to do that, and we don't have the money to pay. If we don't submit our taxes, we don't get our money from the government, which means we won't make ends meet at the end of the month. He's been working long, long hours to get the business to a point where he can move it out of the house, thus created more space and opportunity for more work to come in, but it just isn't happening for him right now.

I have to be perfectly honest, there are many days when I wonder if having his own business is really worth it. So far it has not resulted in the freedom, time, etc. that he keeps telling me we'll have. We have no insurance or drug coverage, he works from 7:30 in the morning, and often doesn't come up for supper till 6 in the evening, and then half the time he has to return downstairs to finish things up. I'm trying my best to be supportive of his decisions, but it's becoming more and more difficult as it feels like we're slipping further and further back. I'm trying to put some more time into prayer about it all. We're still here at my in-laws house, and if things don't improve, we're likely to be here for a long time.

I'm struggling a lot with where we are now, and I feel as though I'm failing in my job to encourage my husband. I'm trying not to be unreasonable. I have never told him I want him to get a regular job and leave his business behind. I'm trying to show God's grace in it. I'm trying to stay positive instead of thinking how far in debt we are and how more and more impossible it feels to climb out from under that debt. If you guys could pray for me, I really do need it. I don't want to add to his already big burden by complaining.

Mama J.

Too busy or not busy enough?

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 07:43:00 -0500

I know, this probably sounds like a strange question. However, my children do fight more when they're bored. The problem is, I don't just want to fill their days with constant motion and activity. I truly believe they need to entertain and occupy themselves for a while as well. A lot of this is my fault. Some of the things I said I was going to do with them, I never did. For example, I was going to make them sit quietly on a rug or a chair or couch for a time each day. They would be required to read or play quietly, NOT with each other. This would help me get them to sit still in church, restaurants, etc. I haven't done that yet because I know it's going to be tough. Well, I guess I'll have to suck it up and do it! Lol, my poor kids definitely need it.

I am starting to get my 4-year-old to count by fives. I'm hoping by doing this to teach her time soon. As it is now, she can look at a clock and give you an approximate time based on where the hour hand is. So I've gotten her counting up to 30 so far. It's a lot of repitition for her, and I don't mind. Believe it or not, when I was in school, we were never required to memorize multiplication tables. I am going to make my girls do that, because I believe it's invaluable. My girls learn so much by repitition, memorization, it is worth it.

I guess my challenge comes with my 3-year-old. She doesn't sit still, she's on the go all the time. For the most part, I don't consider this a bad thing. But I think before I can begin to really teach her much, she must first learn that there are times to sit still, and that will be difficult. I think the child moves unconsciously! Actually, it's very funny. If music starts, and there's any beat to it, she starts moving, even if she's in the middle of crying, or falling asleep! But as funny as it is, there is a downside to it. So I've got quite a challenging week ahead of me! But I hope it'll make our lives easier and more peaceful. I know kids have to be kids, and they play, and get noisy, but they do have to have limits, I believe.

I love my kids, and I want to equip them with all they'll need when I have to let them go. It might seem like I'm being "mean" for a while, but it is necessary, and as long as I keep reassuring them of how much I love them, I think it'll be good. That and a lot of prayer! Well, my little munchkins are out in the sunshine playing, so I'm going to go enjoy it with them. God bless.

Mama J.

Sibling Rivalry.

Thu, 28 May 2009 08:47:00 -0500

I don't know about you guys, but my home feels like a battle zone lately. No exaggeration, my two girls can't even look at each other without fighting. I have no idea where this is all stemming from, but I'm not sure what to do about it. I talk with them every day about the importance of being kind, treating each other as they want to be treated, etc. I have had a lot of people suggest I separate them. I've done this for up to two hours, but as soon as they get back in the same proximity, they're at it again. It's very tiring.

We made cookies yesterday. I'm hosting a bridal shower for my sister on Saturday, so our house has been a whirl of activity preparing for it. It's so exciting! It's been dragging out the process a bit because every time I settle into something, I have to go separate the girls again. This is really baffling me. I have no clue what to try next. Any suggestions would be welcome.

My husband's business has been looking at some commercial spaces for rent. If they could move it out of the basement and to a space, that would really be an answer to prayer! Of course, it would also mean a lot more away time for Daddy for the first little while. It would increase the number of jobs coming in, but they wouldn't be able to hire someone to take on the excess for a while anyway. But that's ok, if it means the business is growing and actually has a chance of making it. Please pray for us in that regard! Well, I'm off to finish wrapping shower gifts. My little sister is getting married in two weeks!!!!!

Mama J.

Like a kid in a candy shop!

Thu, 14 May 2009 08:37:00 -0500

My mom just gave me two boxes of school stuff! Things she had used for my youngest siblings in the past few years, and I'm getting excited to use them for my kids now! I spent this morning organizing them into a very small space, but it was great fun sorting through it all! I am so excited to see how my kids are going to do with it all! Some of it is still above them, but it really does amaze me how quickly they learn.

This came at a great time, as well. I've been pretty much doing only reading with my 4-year-old, and was really starting to feel like I needed more for her. I had bought a few little math workbooks, but this is great! My mom gave me a whole set of math "toys" to use with her! Plus, things that I know would be below my 4-year-old, I can do with my 3-year-old. I'm so anxious to get started, but I'm sure it'll be piecemeal for most of the summer. My sister's wedding is next month, and we have the showers to host for her as well. Not to mention family birthdays, dress fittings, anniversaries, etc.

I'm still praying about finding another place to live. It's difficult, though admittedly not impossible, to get school work organized while confined to such a small space for my use. We had come across an ad that seemed too good to be true. A large home well below our price limit. The fellow said he and his wife were missionaries to the U.S. and the house was already paid for, so they just wanted to rent it out to help with their costs. However, when we drove to the address to check out the exterior, it was already occupied. We found out that the fellow is asking anyone who replies to his ad to send him approximately $1400 for rent and damage deposit, etc., and he doesn't own the house! He's got the same ad in several other Ontario cities as well.

You know something, my husband always makes fun of me for being clumsy, but I think he's rethinking that lately. He played in a racquetball tournament last weekend and pulled a muscle in his thigh. When that finally started to feel better, he stubbed his foot on his desk yesterday, and his second-to-last toe is all purple and swollen this morning. I just told him the girls come by it honestly, since they seem prone to tripping over flat surfaces. It's raining out here today. I think I got quite a bit accomplished with organizing, but there's much more to do. I'm going to visit my mother this afternoon, I have a doctor's appointment and a dress-fitting for my sister's wedding, so my mom has kindly offered to watch the girls for me. I do hope the rain lets up by then, since my girls can get quite noisy. But I do like rainy days! Well, I used to like them much more when I had the time and freedom to curl up with a good book to while away my rainy days with! Well, I hope you all have a wonderful day! God bless you.

Mama J.

Many Tough Lessons

Sun, 10 May 2009 19:15:00 -0500

Have you ever had people complain about your kids, just for being kids? I'm there right now. My kids are not bad kids. We take great care to make sure our children behave as much as we can. The thing is, they are still 3 and 4 years old, and they behave as 3 and 4 year olds do. But apparently this is a big problem. It's so discouraging. I've never prayed so much in my life as I have since I became a mother. It's really scary in some regards, knowing the huge weight of responsibility that we as parents have. But then to have people complain about them on a regular basis, people whom my children are supposed to love and trust, I worry for them.

My kids are genuinely feeling it, too. The other day, I told my older daughter to do something, and she cried. When I took her aside to talk to her, and asked her why she was crying, she replied, "everyone gets mad at me all the time!" and this is from a 4 year old! Doesn't that say a lot about the extent of the complaining going on around here? I wrestle a lot with it. I feel like if we don't move soon, our family is going to start coming apart at the seams. And yet God seems to keep the doors closed for us to move right now. I admit, I get upset that God won't allow us to move, and that He won't give me His reasons for keeping us here. I'm trying my best to be patient, but I feel like I'm losing ground on a lot of issues that we had had fully under our belts before.

I'm trying my best, also, to handle this in a way that will be an example to my kids. I tell them to respect elders at all times, but they don't see the disagreement. I can't use that as an excuse, and so I feel like I'm being used as a door-mat. I'm at a very frustrating place right now. My poor husband, I don't want to complain to him all the time about it, but I truly don't think he realizes the extent of things either, since he works all day. I just really need a lot of prayer. I have my back up against a wall and I'm still being pushed.

Mama J.