Earthmuffin Manor - Homeschool Blogger

Moving

Wed, 21 May 2008 21:14:00 -0500

I am moving! Thankfully, no packing is required. Please visit my new blog: Earthmuffin Manor.

Our New Arrivals

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:44:00 -0600

They have arrived and man, oh man, are they cute!!!! 5 handsome boys and one sweet, little girl! Everything went so well! God's design is amazing!!!!! Here are some pictures of our little cuties:

I Interupt This Absence With an Update!

Sat, 9 Feb 2008 07:53:00 -0600

After such a long absence, I'm not really sure where to even begin with an update! All is going well and my absence has been only because life has been tremendously full of bloggable moments! Here are just a few:

We got to visit the Ballard Locks in Seattle, Washington recently. We all enjoyed it very much! Though we didn't get to see any big ships go through the locks, we saw several HUGE yachts travel through and that was enough! A very fun trip!

Aren't these two smiley kids wonderful? They teamed up and started a load of laundry for me (with a little parental supervision) and were so proud of their work!

Look how this baby has grown! Miss Sarah Grace is days away from being 7 months old! Where has the time gone?

Life here at Earthmuffin Manor is going well. I knew this would be one of the most challenging years homeschooling as little Sarah came along and the boys would still need lots of help. I am learning so much as I go and readjusting my expectations, or atleast trying to. Despite the challenges, I continue to be so very grateful to get to teach them at home (or at the Ballard Locks, as the case may be!). I am learning most recently that despite all the great resources out there for homeschooling, when I fail to go to the Ultimate Source (God) for wisdom and knowledge as to the course I should be taking with my children, I may get an instant answer but not always THE answer. I'm so thankful for God's faithfulness to me; His willingness to wait patiently for me to stop fumbling around and come before Him and ASK!!!!!!

Miss Sarah has been dealing with some food allergies even though she has been exclusively nursing. We know with certainty that dairy is one of them but we are suspecting there may be another one. This has been a bit difficult as she is too young to have an official allergy test done, leaving elimination from my diet the only way of pinpointing the culprit. Currently I have eliminated dairy and soy. I also was eliminating wheat but it didn't seem to have an effect one way or another. I am praying that the Lord will lead us to the answers and protect her little insides in the meantime.

Hannah is such a delight! I am enjoying her little imagination so much lately! My favorite so far was when I overheard her pretending to be her feet taking turns in the slats of a chair: "No, its my turn now"; "You can have a turn when I am finished"; "Please, you need to be patient"! She told me the other day that when she grows up she will have a baby in her tummy and Daddy will help it come out like he helped Sarah to come out. When I tried to convince her that perhaps her husband would like to help her, she firmly corrected me, "No, Daddy will help me!!!!".

Kaleb is enjoying playing indoor soccer through the YMCA in our town! This is the first time we have signed him up for any sort of organized sport. We have many, many thoughts on organized sports and the such, of which I won't go into now. But for this season in our family's life, it is a good fit and its fun to see him so excited! I am throttling back with school for him a bit. He enjoys reading and being read to, and likes to write stories and draw pictures and I am feeling God pressing me to leave it at that. I find myself all to often lumping him in with Noah as far as my expectations of him go. Too often I fail at simply letting him be nearly 6. I am learning!

Noah is doing well and is getting so TALL!!!! The other day he told us that he thought it would be neat if I had some button we could push that would make me 'pop out another baby'. He said, "It would be so cool. It would be like Mom was a Baby Dispenser"!!!!! Oh, we chuckled about that one! I am finding the need to tweak school a bit with him as well. I think we've fallen into a rut and I see him being bored with school lately. If I could accomplish one thing through homeschooling, it would be that I would instill in my children a love and passion for learning. I am missing the mark on this lately and I'm seeking the Lord and His wisdom on how to change this.

Along with all the above excitement, we are waiting in great anticipation for our springer spaniel, Sage, to give birth to her first litter of puppies around Valentine's Day!!! Craig and the kids are excited but I'll confess.... I'm a nervous wreck! I've had four babies of my own and attended nearly 30 births but I've never been this stressed out about a birth before! If I could just talk to her and tell her what's going to happen and what to do and that it will be okay.... My husband has started referring to me as The Basket Case. Anyway, I'll be sure and post pictures of what will most certainly be the cutest litter of puppies you've ever seen!

Anyway, there's a quick update! I have hopes of blogging a little more regularly but I've hoped that for the past 4 months!!!! Thanks for checking in:)

"In Whom I Am Well-Pleased"

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:16:00 -0500

I believe that one of God's dreams for me is that I would be pleased with my children, the gifts that He has given me. When Jesus was baptized, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased". As always, God has set the stage for us, as parents. It is missing the mark if we merely feed, cloth, and physically care for our children. It is not enough if we teach them reading, writing and arithmetic. We are falling short if we merely train them to obey, be respectful, and chew with their mouthes closed. God set a high standard and it is what we are to strive for; we are to be well pleased with our children. We are to delight in them, to find pleasure in them, to enjoy them, to find them delicious! We must both train them to be pleasurable and take the time to be pleased by them. If one never looks into the eyes of her son, she does not see the twinkle that lies there. If one never strokes the cheek of her daughter, she does not notice the soft sweetness of her skin. If one allows her child to be a tyrant, she never has the chance to find the secret places of his heart that long to please. If one tolerates disobedience, she never has the opportunity to savor the fellowship that comes with peace between mother and child. Our children will never, this side of heaven, attain the perfection that Jesus came to earth with. However, God longs for us to take the time and put forth the energy to be pleased with the precious gifts He has blessed us with. I need to remember this dream God has for me. So.... wanna see my pleasing children?

A shower made easy, thanks to Froggy goggles!!!

Noah and Sarah Grace, chillin' at Grahm's and Papa's house.

Hannah felt like Sarah wanted to join her in playing dolls!

Kaleb, the Picasso!

Miss Sarah Grace and her pretty toes...

Interruptions Galore!!!

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:07:00 -0500

This just in: homeschooling with a 2 year old and a newborn is..... shall we say: "challenging"!

Okay, so I really do hesitate to post anything remotely negative about homeschooling because: #1. I don't like complaining. #2. I really like homeschooling. In fact, it is a dream come true for me. #3. I don't like complaining. #4. I would never want to DIScourage anyone contemplating homeschooling or having 4 children. #5. Did I mention that I don't like complaining? All that said, here's the scoop:

Sometimes I get a little task-oriented. In fact, I am more a Martha than a Mary; a characteristic about myself that I am constantly working on. My task-oriented nature has its benefits, such as the ability to actually homeschool. I suppose if I had no drive within me to finish a task, my children would really not be doing well. However, this characterisitc makes it very difficult to be a sweet, tender, loving, patient, kind mother when I get interupted 14,000 times while simply trying to teach one math lesson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH (this is a cyber-scream is frustration. Can you hear it?). I knew this year would likely be challenging, perhaps even one of my most challenging ones ever. My oldest is not quite old enough to be completely self-directed in school; my kindergartener, of course, is going to need me right beside him at all times; my two year old is active and busy and definitely in training, as she should be, which requires my constant attention; and the baby is three months old so of course, she is going to have needs that occassionally cannot wait until the math lesson has been taught. All this adds up to many, many interruptions during the scheduled school time.

Here's the bottom line, though: I was considering my options, my solutions to my interruption saga. Is it the interuptions that are the problem or is it my ability (or lack thereof) to roll with it that's the problem? Perhaps a bit of both. I can scale down the interruptions by forethought (such as having some set activities for the two year old to do, near me, while we school) and by training ("You may get a drink before we start school but once we start school, you must sit there, parched, dying of thirst, until we are done", says the mean momma). But a lot of it falls on me rolling with the punces a bit more. No amount of forethought and training is going to help the multiple times when the 2 year old, who is potty trained (YIPPEE!!!!), has to go potty. Or the three month old who suddenly has an overwhelming need to be held. Or the 5 year old who suddenly HAS to know why God doesn't kill Satan. Or the 7 year old who feels moved to pray for Grahms RIGHT NOW. In fact, sometimes in my task-oriented mentality, I forget that this is part of the reason why we choose to homeschool. We wanted to be available for our children as much as possible so that when questions arise, like why God doesn't kill Satan, we can be right there to answer them. Homeschooling isn't all about math or grammar. In fact, some of the best life lessons are learned from an interruption! I will do my best to minimize UNNECESSARY interruptions; however, I am praying that the Lord will help me to eagerly tackle the interruptions that perhaps aren't interruptions at all. Perhaps it is in the interruption that the real lessons for the day are learned.

Just a side note: Some days, I roll with the punches much better than others. The other day I was not so lucky. I rolled, alright. I rolled right out of bed with a big, dark cloud hovering over me. I knew from the moment I slipped into awareness that I was GRUMPY!!!!!! I began praying immediately. I knew my potential was great to be an ugly, yucky person that day. Everything within me wanted to avoid that at all costs. And so I prayed, and coveted the prayers of a few people close to me. God was faithful. My day was difficult, challenging, exhausting (its tiring to have to control your firey tongue ALL DAY LONG!!!) and I felt like I barely survived. But God was faithful and, though I felt like I was holding on by a mere thread most of the day, that thread was enough.

I was contemplating that particular day a few days later. I think I have this hope and expectation that when I finally attain the status of "Good Mom", I will not have challening days. Every day will be filled to overflowing with joy and peace and happiness and love and that these will be EASY to come by. And then I thought of what happens to a muscle that never gets used. A muscle that never has to lift anything heavy or move a limb or support a skeletal system. It becomes weak, it deteriates, it ceases to be strong and it is unable to serve it's purpose. It becomes useless. Challenging days are not fun, but they cause me to work; I have to work hard at being obedient to Christ even though nothing within me feels like it. I have to work hard at being patient and kind to my children when everything within me wants to be impatient and frustrated and critical. I have to work hard at serving my family when all I really want to do is crawl into bed, pull the covers over my head and let them fend for themselves. This is the exercising of the muscle. When days like that draw to a close, I have been made stronger beacause I had to work hard. It made me realize that challenging days are not a reflection of a lousy momma, they are the gift of a loving God, a chance to exercise the muscles of self-control, a chance to practice dependence on One stronger than I, a chance to work HARD at being the person I believe the Lord wants me to be. I really would rather not be a completely useless muscle! Thus, the next time a storm cloud rolls in, I pray that I would see the opportunity and face the challenge head on!

Family Table

Sun, 7 Oct 2007 08:31:00 -0500

It's been a very busy month full of so many moments worth putting down in writing (or typing, as the case may be). However, the moments have left little time for anything but living them. So for now, I wanted to share the lyrics of a beautiful song I heard recently:

THE OLD FAMILY TABLE
By: Tom T. Hall (BMI)
Dixie Hall (BMI)

CHORUS: THE OLD FAMILY TABLE WHERE THE HUNGRY ALWAYS CAME
IT'S BEEN THROUGH ALL THE GOOD TIMES THE HAPPINESS AND PAIN
AS THE CHILDREN WENT AWAY THEY WOULD ALL LOOK BACK AND SAY
SAVE MY PLACE AT THE OLD FAMILY TABLE

VERSE 1: EVERY NIGHT AT SUPPER TIME WE ALL HELD HANDS TO PRAY
WE TOOK OUT A LEAF EACH TIME A LOVED ONE WENT AWAY
THE TABLE IS MUCH SHORTER AND SO MANY LEAVES ARE GONE
IF IT COULD TALK THIS TABLE COULD TELL STORIES ON AND ON

VERSE 2: THE FIRST LEAF THAT WE TOOK OUT WAS FOR LITTLE BABY JOE
WHY GOD PERMITS SUCH THINGS TO HAPPEN ONLY HEAVEN KNOWS
WE PUT HIM IN A PINE BOX AND WE LAID HIM IN THE CLAY
AND WE WEPT AROUND THE FAMILY TABLE ON THAT AWFUL DAY

VERSE 3: WHEN THE GIRLS GOT MARRIED THEY WERE SO PROUD OF THEIR RINGS
WE SAT AROUND THE TABLE PLANNING WEDDINGS IN THE SPRING
WE PUT AWAY ANOTHER LEAF WHEN ANDY WENT TO WAR
NOBODY KNEW HOW MANY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS WE WALKED THE FLOOR

VERSE 4: SO MANY ELBOWS RESTED THERE UPON THAT WOODEN PLAIN
IT'S DOUBTFUL THAT THE WORLD WILL EVER SEE IT'S LIKE AGAIN
THE OLD FAMILY TABLE SCARRED AND WEATHERED TO THE EYE
WILL BE OUR FAMILY TABLE IN OUR HOME UP IN THE SKY

I am so very thankful that God has gifted us with the need for a leaf in our family table! It would be my sheer joy to need a leaf (or 2!!!!) in my family table for years to come! Squeeze those around your table a little tighter today, enjoy their sweet presence a little more and linger there, at the family table, a little longer today.

Yesterday

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 08:26:00 -0500

I rejoice in today. And yet I grieve.... not that yesterday is gone, but that yesterday is gone so fast.

Long-winded Blogging at It's Finest!!!

Sun, 9 Sep 2007 23:29:00 -0500

Our computer has been on the fritz as of late. It now has new 'guts' and I've got some catching up to do. Grab a cup of tea/coffee, sit back and get ready for some blabbering:)!!!

Salmon season has come to a close here in our neck of the woods. The guys made it out for one last hooray but alas! They came home empty-handed, or 'skunked', as they would say. They had lots of fun, however, and here is proof. This picture needs some explaining! Craig and the boys were anchored next to our neighbors-who've-become-friends. They have two daughters that are about the same ages as our boys, and the four of them have this idyllic friendship that they will reminisce about with their children and grandchildren in years to come. It's really very sweet. All that's to say, they were fishing next to the girls and the kids got this grand idea to 'transport' a baggie with gum in it from one boat to the other. It was really quite the clever put-together that required one of the girls to cast her line with a weight attached to it into our boat. Then they attached the baggie to the line with a paper clip and slid it from their boat to ours! It was a success (after literally hours of working at it) and the feeling of accomplishment far outweighed the possessing of the gum! Such treasured memories for these kids!

I recently went on a bit of a sewing spree. I must confess to getting a tad obsessive when it comes to sewing! It draws me into the wee hours of the night with its productive thrill and leaves me dark-eyed and fatigued in the morning. It has been fun to have a little girl to sew for (and now another!!!) and this is my latest creation on one of God's sweetest creations: my Hannah!

Miss Sarah Grace is growing and changing daily, as infants have a way of doing. Her smile is one of the sweetest things I've ever laid eyes upon. Seriously, she melts the very core of me with her endearing smile. To be adored as she adores her daddy and I is honoring and humbling all at the same time. Sometimes my praise and thanksgiving to God for her life brings me to tears. I am so very grateful for this little girl. Look at this smile (meant very much for her daddy!):

And I had a strong suspicion that she was going to make our third thumb-sucker. This week she proved me right!

And our latest science project: a female Garden Spider being courted by a large suitor! I hate (yes, I know we are not to use that word in our home but I actually mean it, so that makes it okay!) spiders with every cell in my body but I must admit this has been interesting to observe. Mrs. Spider has made her abode right outside our dining room window, in between the window and our outdoor shade. We have gotten to watch her capture and consume several various insects resulting in an ever expanding girth. And now the arrival of a mate. They will both die soon after their purpose is accomplished (as will the sac of eggs, but don't tell my children!!!!) but in the mean time, it really has been mightly fascinating.

Final Days of Summer

Sat, 1 Sep 2007 22:46:00 -0500

One more summer full of sweet memories to tuck away in my heart...Memories that I will revisit when the sprinkler has long been put back up on the high shelf, the swim trunks and sunscreen tucked away in the closet, and the 'farmer's tan' faded from sight.

Tea Time!

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:57:00 -0500

I was blessed to get to have a baby brother when I was five, a brother whom I wanted so very badly that when my mom held this little bundle of baby in her arms and announced that it was a boy, my five year old heart was so filled with joy that it spilled right on out and I stood there and cried! I was so very glad to have a brother. As the years went on, however, as most little girls do, I wanted a sister as well. So it is with keen interest that I watch the happenings of a sisterhood sprouting in my two little girls. Recently, the ring-leader of this sisterhood decided that it was time for their first tea party. With all my heart, I hope this is only the first of many....

First we pour the tea...

Then we present it to our honored guest...

The honored guest, with her many cups of tea...

Hostess and hostee, Miss Hannah Joy(with a yogurt-covered raisin in her mouth!) and Miss Sarah Grace....