Ramblings of a mother who one day hopes that she can make her home one of love, sharing, learning and God. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Sun, 29 Oct 2006 08:52:00 -0600 Sun, 29 Oct 2006 08:52:00 -0600 I really need to get a digital camera. These pictures were taken with a non name brand disposable camera. Picture quality is very poor. I can't find batteries for my camera, I think I'll have to order the battery online.   Here are my three little cookie monsters. But who can blame them? Those are oatmeal, peanut butter, chocolate chip cookies. Wow, they were good!     Here is a picture of grammy with her one and only grandson. Grammy is in Ecuador, we won't be seeing her until christmas.  But hopefully she will have a good experience.     This is from the green belt walking trail on the Green River. An early morning walk near my home. This place has a strange, sweeping, barren beauty. I feel it creeping  farther and farther into my deepest parts. My soul begins to harmonize. The voices of the past are loud here. Mankind has not managed to subdue nature. The wild harshness persists. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/228646/ Sun, 29 Oct 2006 08:52:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/228646/ Finally my prayers have been answered. The evening after my last post, when putting my children to bed, I happened to look out the window. Large flakes of fluffy white snow were steadily falling. The ground was already covered with a blanket of white. Telling the kids goodnight, I ran out of the house, softly shut the door, and stood in the gently falling snow.    As if by magic, the depression and darkness that has been plaguing me was lifted, floating away to somewhere beyond my sight. The energy and light that I have been praying for rushed in to replace the discouragement. As my hair pressed against my head with the weight of the snow, it felt like a blessing upon my head. The muted silence of the snow covered earth instantly filled me with such peace. The snow, falling straight down, illuminated by the soft light of the streetlamp, filled my with joy. Tears fell down my face, an echo of the beauty surrounding me.   I can't explain it, but I know that the moment was an answer to my prayers. The fight isn't over. My life is the same. But I pray I will be able to keep this peace. To pass it to my children. That light will continue to glow in our home, in my heart. I am now able to be content with what I can do. The things left undone do not not at my constantly, throwing me deeper into depression. I can remain calm, and joyful. Putting good times with my family first.   My husband and I watched the movie "Click" the other night. While maybe not a masterpiece of the silverscreen, it did give me much cause to think. It does seem like life goes by that quickly, even without a fastforward button. The months and years speed by, blurring together. I can't stop that, I can't slow down the rapid growth of the beautiful children in my home. I can, however, make sure that the blur that they look back on as their childhood is a postive on. Full of as many wonderful memories as mine was. Sometimes I get so sad. Longing for times past, upset for the things my life is missing now, that I forget I am the one who is responsible for the life of my children. That they too are missing things that I had, and I am the only one who can bring those things to them.   Yesterday, after watching the movie, I resolved to take advantage of the time we have. To turn of the addicting brain sucker, for my children and myself. To stay away from the computer when they were awake. To give them good memories. We had a good day.I went to the gym and jogged before the kids were up. School went well. We spent time with daddy at work, had lunch with him there. Came home and carved pumpkins. I just spent time conciously spending the moments of the day loving my children.   When I put Sarah to bed last night she said, "Today was the best day." I am so happy that she noticed the change, and yet saddened that  have been so distant that such a normal day would be noted by her.   Well, one day down. I pray that will be able to keep it up. To live today. No waiting for tomorrow, for a house, for the baby to finish cutting teeth. I will live this day and be greatful for it.   I tend to have epiphanies, show resolve for a day or two, and then fizzle out, go back to the way things were. I can't do that.   Well, I better get off of the computer, and enjoy this beautiful fall day with my little ones.     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/228217/ Sat, 28 Oct 2006 09:43:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/228217/ My blog has been much neglected of late. There are two reasons for that: first, I am so busy, as any other homeschooling mother of four young children knows; the other reason is that I really don't like to be writing discouraging, depressing posts, and, unfortunately, I don't feel like there is much else in me at the time.   My life is complete and utter chaos. The days seem to have five hours instead of twenty-four. In the past, if I was neglecting one area (most likely the cleanlyness of the home), at least I had the comfort of knowing that something else was well taken care of. Now, however, I feel like everything is neglected. I swim upstream all day long making little headway. Any ground that I gain is lost when I stop for two seconds to rest, when I am swept even further downstream than where I started.   The house is a disaster. Our meals are spur of the moment and iffy on nutritional value. School work is inconsistant. Children are out of control. The car looks like a homeless family has been living in it without a method of trash disposal. The t.v. is on too often. Children aren't even getting mommy attention and play time. Baby and two year old are both teething and cranky. Husband is on new schedule and cranky also. Prayers seem to hit the ceiling.   Allright. Now that I got all of those complaints out of my system, I feel a bit better. So, now for some positive thoughts.   We are all safe and well other than little colds. If the house and children are in chaos, at least I am at home with them. God is still there, even if he seems far away. My husband loves me.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/226255/ Wed, 25 Oct 2006 09:38:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/226255/ Last week we saw a friend at the library. When she saw Mary she said she had to take her picture. She is an amateur photographer. We wanted to get some photos of Mary incase her curls don't stay. She is soooo cute! My friend took the pictures and gave me a disk for no charge. She wanted to add to her portfolio. Now I just have the problem of sorting through 75 pictures to see which one I want to put on my wall.     Isn't she adorable? http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/226239/ Wed, 25 Oct 2006 09:24:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/226239/ Well, here we are, two days into our school year, and already the stretch from now until christmas seems unendless. I feel hopeless. Uncapable. The weight of my responsibilties pounds upon me. I just want to lay down and sleep. Let someone else deal with things for a few hours. Of course, much of this is probably due to the fact that I had around three hours of sleep last night. My poor burning, teething little boy kept me up most of the night. He won't sleep during the day unless I am holding him, and cries every time I try to set him down. It is wearing. Poor little guy. Really, deep down, I am excited about our studies. At eleven this morning I gave up on trying to do any school at home, and we took off for the park. The baby fell asleep in the stroller, and my two year old was so distracted that we got a few subjects done at the park. And, we actually worked in our nature journals. I think every fine day this fall we will walk to the park and do school there. Distraction for the little ones. My sleep deprived brain must go take care of baby screaming, laundry timer bizzing, dishes stinking, floor shrinking. : } http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/196758/ Tue, 5 Sep 2006 16:05:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/196758/ Yesterday was the first really warm day that we have had this year, over 70. By afternoon, it was baking in the house, and we threw open all of the windows. The girls were playing happily in their bedroom, and I was in my room next to their's feeding the baby. Then I heard a heart sickening thud, and Elisabeth yelled "Sarah, fell out the window!" Not believeing the possibility, I threw the baby on the bed and ran to their bedroom. The screen was gone, and there she lay, far below. My husband ran outside. She was bleeding profusely from her head, and crying. I quickly called 911, thinking that she had to be hurt after that fall. In the meantime, we saw that she could move her arms and legs just fine, and was coherent, she was moving her head around with no apparant pain, though we tried to get her to hold still.   By the time the paramedics, and then the ambulence came, and then loaded her onto the gurney, we were pretty sure that she was going to be fine. And, after an ambulence ride, and three hours in the hospital, this was confirmed. She had a slight scrape on her side, and a cut on her temple that they put some glue on.   I started writing this on Monday, and got distracted. All week long I have been praising God, and thanking him for keeping this precious child safe. It really opens your eyes when something like this happens. You realize that life is so uncertain, and those you love could be taken from you at any time, even when you were sure that they were safe and well.   The irony of this happening on mother's day was not lost on me. I don't believe in coincidences. This happened, and happened when it did for a reason. As I have pondered over this, I have come up with two reasons for it: the first, to get me to wake up and enjoy these precious blessings NOW. To make the most of everyday, and be in the present moment; and second, I believe it was for my daughter, for her mission and purpose in life. She has a very different mind from mine, it works in amazing ways. While I have always been a lover of words, and have rarely had a book out of my hands since I learned to read at five; she wants to know how and why and what everything around her is, and how it works, and most of the time she figures it out on her own. Her brain makes those connections. And the thing that she is most interested in, is bodies. Last summer, we were living in a house that had a large sculptured chimney, adobe style, with shelves all the way up to the ceiling. She had climbed up to the top. I told her to get down, or she would fall and crack her head open. She then told me that she wanted to do that so that we could see what was inside of her head. Of course, when I explained that she would then be dead, she changed her mind. We have a felt anatomy model, with all of the organs removable, which she loves to play with . Anyhow, after she fell, and the paramedics came, it was like one big adventure to her. Even being strapped down on the gurney, with that horribly uncomfortable neck brace which dosen't allow you to move at all, she just looked around, taking everything in. She said that the ambulance ride was "fun", and when they wheeled her into the room to get an MRI she said, "that's a cool machine". The only time that she cried was when they put the IV in. I would cry if I could too, it hurts!   I really feel that I need to put her in the way of information in this field. I am not much of a one for doctors, preferring nature methods of health care, but they are neccacary, and we do need good doctors, who even have some training in altenative health care.   God is good, and I will praise him daily for these sweet little children He has given me the opportunity of caring for. I know that He sent angels to catch Sarah and lead her gently to the ground.   And here is the little Princess with her usual huge smile: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/134930/ Mon, 15 May 2006 09:07:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/134930/ Yesterday afternoon my husband saw a picture of the girls sledding this winter.  "No more snow." he said, with an exultant grin. (He grew up in Phoenix and hates the snow and cold) "That's a pretty optimistic statement." I said, with upraised eyebrows. "It's May!" he said. "Yes," I said, "And it's also Wyoming." As you may have seen coming from the conversation above, we woke up to snow this morning. On the ground and continuing to fall.   We have a homeschool field trip to the firestation this morning. I invited everyone to join us at the park for a picnic afterwards. That is certainly a no go. I should have known better than to plan anything outdoors here this early in the year.   The kids are doing well. Sarah and Elisabeth have been begging many times daily to do their new math (Singapore), handwriting (Without Tears), and  phonics (Learning through sounds). We are not quite half way through the Ambleside Online Year 1 with Sarah. But I wanted to do it in 18 mnths anyhow, as she wasn't quite ready for the full load when we started this fall.   Mary (20 mnths) already wants to join in anything that her sisters are doing. I have to set her up with  paper, which she writes what she calls "e"'s on, and pencil, which she holds correctly. No matter what I happen to be doing, she brings books to me and says "ree". Books are her favorite toy.   Samuel (3 1/2 mnths) is the sweetest, calmest little babe. He rarely cries, only when mean mommy eats things that upset his little tummy. He sleeps 11 hours through the night, and wakes up smiling! I am so grateful to God for sending my a fourth child who dosen't overwhelm me, but makes my life easier by giving me smiles all day long.   Well, I better go get ready for the field trip. And read a story to Mary, who is hitting a book against my arm as a type saying, "Ree Plee" Lisa http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/128866/ Thu, 4 May 2006 09:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/128866/ Shopping, in the normal sense of the word, is something that I emphatically deplore. But shopping for specific (non clothing) things, with money in hand, and the place where it will be purchased predetermined can be quite enjoyable.   We went to Provo, UT to stay with my little sister while my mom was gone to Ecudor, and I had the chance to do some shopping for things that I can't get here, in the middle of nowhere. The kids were so excited, we went to a homeschool supply store, and amazingly enough only spent $100. There was so much I wanted to buy, I could have easily spent $1000. I am pretty much set up for the next year of school, other than a few items. We also went to a healthfood store, and loaded up on things that aren't available in the cowboy state.   I have spent the last couple of days since returning home catching up on e-mail etc. I think I am ready for another break from this time eater. There really wasn't anything that I missed during the week I was gone. I'll have to remember that.   Back into school this coming week. I let my children gorge themselves on cartoons while at my mom's house, and they are so ready to start school, and get back into a routine. So am I. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/126020/ Fri, 28 Apr 2006 17:54:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/126020/ I've had a nasty cold/sinus infection for days. My head is starting to drain today, relieving some of the pressure, so hopefully I am on the mend. On a positive note, I've lost 5 pounds while sick, and my sweet hubby took the last couple of days off of work to help out. My five and six year olds have been doing a good job of entertaining themselves. Yesterday they cut out and colored pictures from their coloring  books quietly for six hours. They never have a problem playing on their own, I don't think they even understand the concept of boredom, but they usually play so loudly. So it was very nice that they found something to do which was quite while I was out of comission with an exploding head.   First thing this morning they asked if they could continue, and have  been at it  for over an hour. Well, I think I'd better go lay back down. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/116830/ Wed, 12 Apr 2006 10:15:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/116830/ After planning to all winter, we finally got our bird feeder up last week. The first place we put it was too close to the door, and we didn't get any visitors there. The day after moving it to a more private location, we had birds! Only one variety so far: the Black -capped chickadee. I have always loved these little birds, they are so cheerful and enduring, staying around all winter. The kids were thrilled, and run to the window frequently during the day to see if any birds are feeding. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/110661/ Sun, 2 Apr 2006 10:23:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisalouhoo/110661/