Suga Mama on life with Chocolate Droplets - Homeschool Blogger

Torn

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 21:46:00 -0500

I am supposed to be writing in my planbook for tomorrow's lessons. Nothing so spectacular, "R" sound words for Sundai, rounding to the thousands for Ser, something preschooly for Zion. But I can not stop watching this game, Giants vs Colts.

Surely deciding between football and school work is nothing compared to what the Manning parents must be goin through. How do you hope that both of your sons win the game, when you know one of them is going to lose? Maybe they are used to it by now.

They just showed the commercial with pics of the boys growing up playing football. I can already playback some mental film of my boys playing on the lawn with their helmets on, tackling each other. I try to imagine what they will be like when they are older. Who will do what, will their personalities play out the way we think?

But right now, they are still my little boys who need to be taught tomorrow so that they can go off to college and be whatever they desire.

Instead of being torn between planning and the Mannings, I'll choose to prepare for my three sons and 1 daughter (so far) so that we can have a great day tomorrow.
SugaMama

Just a minute

Tue, 5 Sep 2006 21:02:00 -0500

to tell you guys about my WONDERFUL weekend with my husband!!! (I am supposed to be in the bed by 11:30 and I still have to plan for tomorrow, put away the dishes and clean the school room)

Anyway, we drove to NY for a friend's wedding. The long and short of it; the wedding was very intimate, emotional and short, the reception was delicious, dance packed, full of pictures and long. Sunday dh planned a trip to the Vanderbilt Muesum.
It was beyond beautiful and breathtaking! Then we drove along the Long Island coast and ate lunch near the shore. Ofcourse I can't tell yall everything that happend, children do frequent this site!

Now its back to life/ back to reality. We began school today and it went pretty well. We got through everything except science ( a friend called with a follow up to a desperate situation) and the read aloud of The Strawberry Girl. I don't know what it is about that book that I just can't seem to finish. but I need to show the kids how to stay the course and complete an unpleasant task.

For those of you with little ones, you would appreciate our new toddler friendly schedule. Here is a glimpse:
7:00       All children wake up, dress, make up beds
7:45         Eat breakfast and Bible lesson
8:15         Clear table, brush teeth, prepare for school
8:30         Preschool w/ younger two, older two handwriting
9:00         Sesame Street, 1yo stays in playpen for 30 minutes
9:30         1 yo comes to upper campus (bedrooms) to play while
                I teach an older child.
10:00         Snack and Science for all
10:30    1 and 3yos play with rotated toys while I teach
11:00    Play on porch or in tub with a tiny amount of water                 while I sit on the floor and teach an older child.
11:30        Free play/recess/prepare lunch/mini date with Bob                         Barker
12:00        lunch
12:30        Nurse 1 yo, read history and nap story to 3 yo
1/1:15       Lay youner ones down for nap/ Read aloud to older                     ones/ finish up school work
2:00 ish    Jump in my bed for a 30 -45 minute nap /whole house nap (and I " pitty the fool" that rings my bell during this time of the day!)

So, today we got pretty close to that! Praise God! Now let me go and look at the plans for tomorrow and clean up or tomorrow's blog will be pretty sad!
Suga

Last Saturday before

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 00:10:00 -0500

We hit the books!!! Monday we go back to school and all of us are eager for it! The kids saw the co op they will be attending on Fridays and they are excitied!

It was like signing up for college courses. All the ones we wanted had a big orange marker through them that read FULL. But, they will be there all day Friday.

Today, Saturday, was almost my "get the whole house cleaned in one day and plan for school the next week" let down. I woke up late b/c we went out to visit our dear friends last night and I really needed some sleep. Then I had to scrub everything down b/c we bombed the ants (which did nothing)! Slowly the kids got up and I rushed them out the house to my hair consultation.

Yes, Mamas, I can't wait! Tuesday night I get my wig twisted!!! I really could care less what style I get as long as its clean and stress free and cute!! I told dh I needed to be there at 5:30, a whole 30 minutes before. I needed to build in some me time, enough to get a magazine or book from the library, coffee or somethin'!

Anyway, when we got back the kids did chores, the 3 yo slept and peed MY BED!!! while the almost 12 month old slept in the air conditioned car behind the locked gate. That's right, I let my baby sleep in the car with the air on, in our car port behind the locked gate. I had to eat something 'fore I died! I fixed my plate and sat in the car with him, almost went to sleep too.

Finally, I took him inside and ofcourse he woke up and was up for the rest of the day. I'm talkin 7 hours of nothin but catching a baby, getting him down from the steps, changing poopy diapers on a diaper rashed butt, checking for teeth marks after he bit his older brother and the list goes on and on! The kids swept and mopped their bedroom floors and the little boy came over to play.

I am tired, but guess what? I can't go to sleep! Its 1:33 am and I finally have some me time! OK so I had some me time after he went to sleep at 10, but I had to plan for next week and listen to dh (yall know how that is) plus watch SNL (Antonio Banderas was on) and then finish planning during the commercials... Any way, I am about to go to bed and pray that I can finish planning tomorrow. Dh already said he may have to work tomorrow instead of going to church. Do I really want to go without him...

We'll see.....

The Least of these

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 22:18:00 -0500

Week two of our break and what have I been doing?
Have I been relaxing with Bob at 11 o'clock EST?
No.
Have I been decluttering and packing for this huge move that we are about to make?
No.
Is my plan book overcrowed with new ideas for our next 8 week school session?
No.
What have I been doing instead? I'm glad you asked.
Yesterday we spent the day at home. Now, last week, my neighbor had some men fixing her house and they happened to have a little 6 year old boy with them. The boy sat on the steps in what ever shade he could find, playing with whatever stick he could find while his Daddy built a deck. I thought surely the child would not sit out in the hot sun all day. Ofcourse, that's excatly what happened.
So, I made up my mind then and there to invite him to come and play with us. So, Monday morning who was out side bright and early at 8 am, this little boy. When my children and I went out to play I asked his father if he could come over and he did.

He played nicely with the children, but since I didn't know him from Adam, I had to be there listening, watching, observing. After lunch, I asked his Dad if he could stay a little longer and play on the computer. Once Dad gave consent, we walked back across the street. It was on that very short walk that God opened up a window of opportunity to share the gospel of Christ:

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out some change.
"This is for you."
"What's that for?"
"For feeding me lunch!"
Totally astonished and humbled, I shook my head and told him he didn't have to pay me for his lunch.
He astonishly asked,"Well, why did you feed me lunch?"

This is where the Holy Spirit whispered, "This is your chance!"

I asked him,"Have you ever heard of someone named Jesus?"

Thinking for a moment, he said," Yeah, didn't they KILL HIM ?"
At this moment, I liked to die laughing! As a child growing up in an "urban" environment exposed to stuff far beyond his years, he asked this so "as a matter of fact".

Not wanting to confuse the child, I said yes, but he's not dead any longer. I'm sure that was really clear! But, moving on quickly I added that Jesus once told his friends that if they ever see someone in need of a friend or food or drink or clothes or any kind of care, they are to give it to them. And when they do so, its like doing it for Jesus.

He just kinda looked at me, not really understanding but accepting. I heard the Spirit say that he might not understand it now, but that He would bring it back to his remembrence when he could.

I hope I didn't sound like I was complaining in the beginning of this blog. I am happy about serving my Lord. I am also equally reminded that after serving Jesus was quick to slip away and rest. In the mean time, my children and I are spending our last week of break, serving the least of these.
Suga

You are amazing God

Sun, 20 Aug 2006 23:57:00 -0500

I don't even know what to title this blog... I guess it will come to me by the end of it.

So let's see... what have I been doing since my birthday?? We went to the library, and oh, I had my date with Bob.
I did tell you all about my man on the side, right?
I didn't tell yall about my daily 11 o'clock date with Bob Barker?
That is my show!!! During school I look at the clock strike 11 and sigh as I go on with school, but not on the two week break! I was able to enjoy Bob on The Price Is Right and holla out the answers to the bid right along with everyone else. This particular show was good. This young guy named Peter was so excitied to "come on down", that he began to do back flips. Turns out, this guy is a professional tumbler!

What does a professional tumbler do, exactly? He did plenty of back flips after he won, "A New CARRRRR!"

Saturday I got up early and met my dear friend Shawn at the farmer's market. I was sooooo excitited to be out of the house early before the kids had a chance to stop me. I took the long scenic route through the city to the farmer's market. We strolled through the vendors and marvelled at all that was there. It was a field trip!

I bought a different type of kale and cooked it according to Jamie's (the farmer who sold it to me) directions. Then I found something really interesting, edible flowers called Nasturtiums
They were really good, I have to find were I can get some seeds and grow them on the porch.

Afterwards, I went home, gathered up the kids and baby sat for a friend who is recovering from breast reduction surgery. That was fun, sitting under the shade of the tree with the children, eating leftover pizza and fruit from the farmer's market.

Came home, bathed the kids, watched Mulan for the first time, put them in bed and had a long talk with dh about various topics, one including the dreaded "What are we gonna do about this potential of having more kids thing?" I am so tired of having this conversation! If you've read the blog on "Raising tomatoes" then you know how I feel. Right about now, I am giving up, throwing in the towel, overdosing on birth control pills and following it with a spermicide laced oj chaser! I spent much of the night asking the Lord to change me, make me into one of those women who doesn't care, who can't stand the thought of getting pregnant again. At least we would be on the same page and I wouldn't feel this huge tug of war! UUUGGGGHHHH!

Ok.....I feel better now. One of my coping mechanisms is to visulaize myself "over or past" what ever my current mountain is. So last night, I imagined what I am going to think about this when I am 67 and after menopause. Will I think about allowing God to control my fertility? Maybe. Will I be over it by then? I better be!

This Sunday's service was Indiscribable! The message was titled so, and it was full of images of this universe that we call home. It showed our solar system and the Milky Way galaxy and where we live in that enormous vastness. Our planet was a speck in the lower right corner! The speaker (I'm too tired to go upstairs and find the bullentin with his name on it... forgive me) kept showing pictures like the sun, the birth and death of a star. He explained how long it would take us to get to the other galaxies and how it would take all the energy of the US over a period of a few trillion years to be able to run the sun for one second! Then he went way out and showed us even more amazing stuff that was how ever many light years away. Finally, he said he had one more image to show us, and this one was the furthest we could go. It was a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross.
GIRLLLL, I lost it!!!! Normally my eyes water because of this new makeup I'm trying, but this time it was because I caught a glimpse of just how great and wonderful and awesome and powerful and words that i don't have to describe how indiscribable my God is! He called the stars by name all kazillion of them and yet he knows my name and wants to listen to me!!

That is too great for me to understand! I wanted to run and cry and shout and sing how great my God is!!!! But all I could do was stand there and cry and allow my soul to be humbled. This is how Moses must have felt when he wanted to see God's glory and God only allowed him to see the tail end of him.

And here I am mad,upset,worried, about all the things that seem so big to me right now. Yes, they are important, but I can't lose focus of Who loves me and how big He is.

Chris Tomlin said it best:

Indescribable,uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful,untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
Incomparable,unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amaing God
You are amazing God

Is Today Your Birthday?

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 22:42:00 -0500

When I was little, my Daddy had a whole bunch of records (remember those?) that he would play for me. One of them had this little song to teach you the days of the week. The young child would sing, "Is today my birthday?" and the parent would say, "Not yet, today is Monday, Monday, Monday!" Well, it has become a tradition in our home to sing that little song to the birthday person starting a week prior to the date. We all get a twisted sense of joy yelling "Not yet!"

Well, today I said, "It is, it is, it is my birthday!" Because it is my 32nd birthday today!!!

I thought a lot about how to celebrate. I think birthdays are very special, cause its the one day in the whole year that you should feel especially special. So I wanted to do something that would make me feel just that. A trip to my favorite museum and having a pic nic at a very nice park would make my day.

The museum didn't work out (I still had four children to tend to), but we did make it to the park. I asked a good friend to visit with her children and they were the perfect compliment to my day. On the way home we drove through downtown listening to my favorite smooth jazz station. I tell ya, its the little things that make me happy.

Last night I cooked a large pan of Baked Ziti and my favorite Cranberry apple toss salad. I made enough so that I wouldn't feel like I cooked on my birthday. After dinner the family went out for ice cream.

I have soooo much to be thankful for. I had a great childhood for the most part, my parents are still alive and well, my dh and I are still happily married and I have four gifts that I get to open up every morning.

Above all that, I have a relationship with the One who made heaven and earth, He wants to talk to me and hear from me. I am richly blessed !!!

Living my Dream

Tue, 8 Aug 2006 15:15:00 -0500

We have been having some really great home school days! As you know we are using Sonlight for history, language arts (for the most part) and science. In fear of boredom and wanting to shake things up a bit, I jumped ahead and began learning about Ancient China.

I got some really great books from the library. One is called Ancient Science by Jim Wiese. We have done all kinds of ancient Chinese lessons like building kites, making "gun powder" and a magnitized compass and ice cream. Tomorrow we make our own paper (paper mache).

We've read about Ancient Chinese life through good books like The Magic School Bus and Growing Up in Ancient China. A blanket on the front yard in the shade has become a favorite in enjoying these books. Yesterday they flew their kites up and down the grass. It really made me thankful for the opportunity to be home with them and to learn right along with them.

Today we weren't supposed to do school, but we had a few extra things to finish up before our two week break next week. A good friend called and asked me to keep 4 out of 5 of her babies for her. (Check her out at her blog) So in a flash, I had an instant "big family" for a few hours. In total I had 8 children ages 8,7,6,6,4,3,20 months and 11 months. As you might imagine the youngest 2 were the busiest and the hardest to manage, just because of what their ages demand. The older ones were great. I called everyone into the foyer as I stood on the steps and gave instructions on where to play and when lunch was to be served. They understood and went to play. They set the table and cleared it. It really wasn't a big deal.

AAhhhhhh to live my dream for 2-3 hours today felt good. It really felt good to have a house full of children ... busy... very busy, but good. I know this is not for everyone, but I really believe that God may have meant it for me. This is what I've always wanted, even as a young girl. I can't remember ever not wanting it.

So, we'll see. I have no idea what God has planned for us in terms of more children, but I am learning to be content with whatever (whom ever) He gives us.

What's YOUR dream? Have you lived it? Are you working towards it?

Looking through the trees

Sat, 5 Aug 2006 22:36:00 -0500

Saturdays are always big let downs for me. Its not Saturday's fault, its mine. I always have these high hopes for Saturday, like cleaning the whole house, that never get done.

I actually planned only 3 very realistic things for today. Give a child an enema (long story), finish laundry for the week and destroy the dust bunny family residing in my bedroom under the air conditioner.(Sorry dust bunnies, nothing personal) I could have done these 3 things if it were not for two reasons. My 11 month old and a serious case of sleep deprivation because of the 11 month old.

We did manage to give the enema, that had to happen. The laundry is not finished and its 11:49 pm and the dust bunnies get away yet again.

Needless to say I was very frustrated! I was so sleepy that I probably wasted some time walking around in circles. Finally, when I realized I was going no where fast, I decided to give up and join the kids. We went out side and laid down on a blanket.

There are few things in life that are as simple and satisfying as lying on your back on a warm summer day (with little to no humidity) and gazing up through the trees at the perfect blue sky! The only thing that made it even better was doing it with all my kiddos. It was soooo cute! All our heads lined up on the blanket next to each other, pointing out the dead branches on the trees, waving at the airplane that flys by and praying no bird poop falls into our eyes!

At that moment, I realized how trivial my frustrations were. Yes, they are valid and important to me, but at that moment I realized that somewhere in the world, a mother cannot lay on a blanket outside her home with her children. Instead of counting birds, they would be counting bombs and missles. Running after fireflies would turn into running away from gun fire.

Too many times, I take my life here in America for granted. Well, not tonight.

Thank You God
for the blessing of looking through the trees
and being able to do so
in peace.
How ever You see fit
to bring peace, bring it.
In the mean time, use me
as your servant to
serve those in need
because of war in their homeland.
Help me to be a better keeper of
my home
and
thank You
for the lessons learned while
lying on my back
on a blanket.

Quiet moments and a Big Mouse

Tue, 1 Aug 2006 22:10:00 -0500

Today was our no school day. Instead of hitting the books, we went to Chuckie Cheese to celebrate the 3 year old's birthday. All his 3 year old friends were there along with their bigger and/or smaller siblings. They had a great time.

I realized how much I have changed from a first time mom to now a mom of four children. I never would have let my first child out of my sight at such places. Now, I position myself where I can see the door and make sure they don't leave the building! I even forgot all about my baby today. While setting the table, I figured I should go lay my eyes on the 3yo. While looking for him, my dear friend handed me my baby. I forgot she had him!! Anyway, we made it through the day without any kidnappings and missing children!

I probably was tired from staying up late last night looking for a house in Georgia. That's right. If you are a reader of my blog, you are the first to know (even before my real life friends) that we are moving to Goergia this fall. By Thanksgiving, we hope to be in our new home. Dh called yesterday and said that his contract will not be renewed after November. We've wanted to move to Georgia for about a year now, but we weren't sure of the timing. I prayed last month for God to show us what to do and when. I see this as Him kicking us out of Maryland and into our new home.

Speaking of yesterday, we had a really good school day. Although we began late, we finished all our subjects and had some quiet time. Just before naps, we were all laying on the sofa. I had finished reading a library story, when I felt so sleepy! The older kids ran and got some blankets and pillows in hopes that I would fall asleep. (They probably wanted me to sleep so that they can play a computer game!) We all snuggled up under some blankets on the sofa with the AC on full blast, and just kinda sat there, quietly. It was nice, having all my babies piled up on the sofa pretending to sleep. Actually, I did dose off for a few laying next to the 3 year old.

Ahhhh, these moments are why I love home schooling. In order for us to have a great home school day tomorrow, I better sign off here, do the dishes and go to sleep.
Suga

10 O'clock in the Morning

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:08:00 -0500

There is something about 10 o'clock in the morning, something that I love to catch and hate to miss. I realized it two weeks ago as I was dropping off the older two at VBS. By the time I saw them safely in the building and got the two younger ones safely strapped in their car seats, it was 10 o'clock. 10 o'clock and something warm and exciting came over me.

Maybe 10 o'clock represents a second chance. You know how you plan on doing something in the morning, but you haven't gotten it done yet? When 12 noon rolls in, its too late, the am is now the pm. But 10 o'clock allows time to finish that morning task.

Maybe 10 o'clock is just the perfect time of the day. Not too early, not too late. just right! Its not too hot in the summer and not too cold in the winter. Just the right amount of sun in all seasons. The time that has demanded a merge of breakfast and lunch.

I've found, however, that 10 o'cock only has its signifigance when I remember to acknowledge it. I am disappointed when it slips by me and its already eleven thirty or some other "just not right time of the day". I almost have a little "party" within myslef at the site of the hands strike ten!

Our school days are at their greatest when we are on time by 10 o'clock. That means that preschool / handwriting is done and I have completed 30 minutes of individual time in either reading or math with a child, with one hour and thirty minutes still within in my grasp! Oh TEN O'CLOCK I LOVE YOU!!!

So, now that you all think I am crazy, why not solidify my room with the padded walls with a poem dedicated to 10 o'clock:

It could be one, two, three or five
that gets me going, keeps me alive.
Six, seven, eight are fine
when I want to wine and dine.
Nine, eleven even twelve are great
for a party or a play date.
But if a smile is what your after
then let it be 10, because 10 o'clock is when I begin
to shine from the inside with a radiant glow
why it happens
I don't excatly know
but it does everyday at the end of 9:59
the world stops for me
on the turn of a dime
for now its my duty, now its my time
to wink at the clock
and silently grin
for the Good Lord had granted
me the good
time of
ten!

SugaMama