Sharing the life, love and learning of a stay-at-home, work-from-home, homeschooling family of five and its many joys and challenges! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:03:00 -0600 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:03:00 -0600 Ok, so it seems my blog entries are annual, as opposed to daily or weekly.  Perhaps I can improve upon that in the near future.  But I make no promises.  I was just sitting here in front of a warm laptop ruminating on all the things I have to be thankful for and in that spirit, here is a partial list: - A sweet baby girl snoozing in her crib upstairs - 2 other lovely daughters snuggled on the couch knitting and playing make-believe games - a wonderful husband who is currently at home - a warm house on a windy, cold blustery day - a fragrant ball of french bread dough rising in the kitchen - the anticipation of a big thanksgiving dinner at home - hot showers on cold mornings - my electric heated mattress pad - homeschooling (a great reason to cuddle on the couch reading good books together!) - clutter, which indicates that I am well-provided for - family that lives nearby and a church family that blesses us greatly - a hot cup of tea - well defined seasons So, its not the most interesting blog entry later.  But it may be a productive little snippet for me to revisit at a later date when homeschooling isn't going so well, my family is driving me crazy and I'd rather saw my arm off than wash more dishes or do another load of laundry. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/746049/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:03:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/746049/ Our family doesn't have cable TV.  Nor do we have an antenna.  We haven't watched a single TV commercial in our house in about 8 years actually, and we don't miss it.  We DO however, watch a fair amount of movies and TV shows on DVD, and my husband and I have this little game where we spout movie or TV quotes at each other (because they are so lodged in our subconscious - yeah, we still watch a lot of that lovely glowing screen) at appropriate, and sometimes inappropriate times in our conversations.  One of our current TV favorites is "The Office".  If you haven't seen it, its full of wonderful, embarassing, I-can't-believe-he-actually-said/did-that hilarious moments. All that said, sometimes quotes from these shows pop out of us during our day-to-day lives.  For instance, yesterday, our family was down by our local "scenic" lake, taking advantage of the mild weather and still-lovely fall foliage, while a good friend took our family pictures.  It is very rare for me to talk my husband into putting on something other than a work shirt and sitting still for any picture.  It is even more rare for the photographer to catch him in the unlikely event of an actual SMILE.  And who knows if the kids are going to be looking in the right direction or keeping their fingers out of their noses.  So we just take what we can get and THAT is what goes in the Christmas card.  Yesterday, Jamie (my husband) was especially NOT thrilled with picture-taking time and seemed completely unwilling to even smirk. Afterward, I looked at the pictures, thinking, "actually that's pretty good...at least he doesn't look like he HATES all of us!"  A picture taking success.  But immediately I started cracking up and spouted this Dwight quote (from the Office): "I never smile if I can help it.  Showing one's teeth is a submission signal in primates." Jamie finished my quote:  "When someone smiles at me, all I see is a chimpanzee begging for its life." Actually, now that I take a second look at this picture, I am the ONLY one showing my teeth.  Does my whole family know something I don't?  Am I the chimp? http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/621362/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:43:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/621362/ So, as I mentioned in the previous post, much has happened in the 2 years since I last posted.  But the really big news, which is fairly recent, is that we are expecting baby #3!!!  I say WE, (even though I am the one carrying the bundle of joy, getting fat, roiling in nausea and morphing between Jekyll and Hyde multiple times a day), because my Knight-in-Shining-Armor Husband has been bravely, and even cheerfully, putting up with the fun that is ME right now.  More than that, he has made sure the kids don't starve, the laundry isn't too out of control and the house is fairly quiet while I have been curled in a nauseous haze in some corner. Naturally a new baby is big news for anyone, but for us it seemed extra big because I was diagnosed with a hormone disorder that makes getting pregnant extra challenging.  That, I guess, partly explains why our children are fairly widely spaced (age 9, age almost 5, age -6 months).  I'm finding their ages to be somewhat of a blessing for me though, since: 1 - I have no other children in diapers to deal with (I shudder at the thought of a poopy diaper in the midst of my hyper-gag-reflex-everything-stinks-to-high-heaven-all-day-pregnancy-sickness phase), AND 2 - my children are old enough to be really helpful, or at least understand the concept of being really quiet when I am cocooned on the couch in a blanket of raging hormones. All that said, I just completed week 12 of this pregnancy and it feels as if the clouds are parting, the sky is clearing and the joy of the upcoming event is beginning to shine through!   Translation:  Every thought, smell or morsel of food doesn't make me want to throw up.  HOORAY!  One really appreciates feeling GOOD after spending months feeling AWFUL! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/620988/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:11:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/620988/ Apparently there are wolves in my bathroom.  I know this because my 4-year-old wouldn't go in there to get her hairbrush this morning without begging for her dad to accompany her.  Since my husband is quite innovative and also, let's face it, a little tired of being the Bodyguard when it comes to open closet doors, dark upstairs rooms and wolves in the bathroom, he suggested she take his cell phone with her and call him if there was trouble.  Never mind the fact that she doesn't know his phone number.  Apparently, she thought it was a pretty good idea because she wandered off with the phone.  And I chuckled inwardly as I envisioned his little black flip phone lying in the bottom of the toilet (I know how these things happen).  As it turned out, the phone came back safely a few minutes later, but her hair still looked like she'd just rolled out of bed.  Apparently that little piece of what I like to think of as "miracle technology" provides no real protection against the threat of bathroom wolves and the Bodyguard is left with his job security. I realize its been nearly 2 years since I've posted anything in my blog.  And life has taken many interesting and wonderful turns since then.  (More on that later!)  I was just recently inspired to return to bloggy land after seeing an article in our local newspaper featuring one of my favorite fellow bloggers of yore and her new genius blog!  Check it out here: Grocery Cart Challenge.  Not only was I inspired to return to blogging, but my 9 year old daughter also decided to try her hand at blogging, which to me is just a great excuse to develop her writing skills and avoid any extra, forced homeschool planning on my part.   Here's her first attempt:  A Wonderful Life.  More importantly, Gayle's website has challenged me to drastically re-evaluate my shopping/menu-planning skills and try to cut my $500+ a month grocery bill down to more like $300 a month or less, which, to me, would be like a miracle.  For those of you looking to do something similar, check out her wonderfully motivating and clever site and I'll be sure to occasionally share my successes and failures in here.  Accountability can be incredibly motivating after all. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/620926/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:27:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/620926/ This morning we had snow. Had I not looked outside when I got up, I still would've known because my 3 year old looked outside immediately and said, "Sister!  Have you looked outside?  It's like a MIRACLE!" So in appropriate snow day fashion, we took the day off of "school".  We played outside in the snow for the morning, then drove to my parents house and spent the middle part of the day sipping cocoa and watching silly movies (I mostly dozed on the couch, to be honest, but it was lovely). We were sure to head home in the early afternoon because I wanted to avoid icy roads as the temperature dropped.   Now, it being evening, I started to feel guilty about all the "schoolwork" we didn't do today.  But as I thought about it, I realized how much "school" really happened.  Playing outside?  Our evening brisk walk in the snow?  Hello?!  P.E. Class!  We scrapbooked for a couple hours in the evening...that's like art, reading, writing, spelling, storytelling, all rolled into one.   My oldest sat and did Sudoku puzzles part of the evening too.  Math!   And the hot cocoa and movies?  Well, no good education is complete if you don't know when to step away from the busyness, snuggle up together, laugh, snooze and enjoy chocolate! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/267274/ Wed, 10 Jan 2007 18:35:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/267274/ I'm one of those talking and walking in my sleep types. Well, to be fair, its been MANY years since I've walked in my sleep (as far as I know)...but my husband says I often will wake him in the night speaking my garbled alien sleep-tongue.  He's learned to live with it. But last night, he said I woke him at midnight, reaching under the covers on his side of the bed and trying to pull them off of him.  When he asked what I was doing I said, "I'M TRYING TO GET MY COOKIE CUTTER!" Apparently he tried to wake me and explain how out of my mind I am, but I only responded with a, "huh?", "What?" and promptly zonked out. Sooo...any dream interpreters out there no WHAT I was thinking with that one?  Or if not, can you tell me where my cookie cutter is?! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/265246/ Sat, 6 Jan 2007 18:43:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/265246/ We all survived our first day back to "school" post-Christmas break! Yesterday, I planned on spending the day getting "organized"...on paper anyway...mapping out a rough lesson plan, a menu for the week, etc. etc...all related to the New Year's sentiment of pulling one's life together. Anyway...mid-morning I decided that organization was for "LOSERS" and I was gonna spend the day playing poker with my family (no money...just chips...I'm REALLY BAD at it), eating popcorn and shirking reality. And it was a lovely New Year's Day.  By evening, I was  bit panicked with the "what'll we do tomorrow?" feeling...not wanting to plop my kids in front of Veggietales for the day because I couldn't get it together to pick out a couple activities, a book or two and a general "goal".  Nonetheless...miraculously, it all came together within an hour or two after the kids were in bed.  My husband, who had been out hunting for the day, shot an elk and was dealing with that which left me with complete silence and solitude!  Normally, I would be anxious about him being out in the dark and the woods and my being home all by my little lonely adult self.  But it proved to be the perfect opportunity to do all the planning I had been putting off that week. So...even though I had the added reponsibility of watching my sweet little 10 month old niece today, we managed to carve out time for reading, vocab, lively discussion, math, phonics and to start a new page in my daughter's nature journal. I EVEN had leisure to do some of my own reading "homework" for a homeschooling course I am taking through Homeschool Oasis.  A fellow veteran homeschooler and friend, Barb Shelton has designed a wonderful course called "A Season of Re-Education and Renewing of the Mind".  Although I am "legally qualified" to homeschool in Washington state, I found myself struggling with my own education in the light of what we try to do at home.  In the midst of my floundering, God lead me to this course, which has really been helping our homeschool as well as my own spiritual growth.  On top of which, the course has a GREAT reading list.   Now to find time to DO all that reading!  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/262762/ Tue, 2 Jan 2007 14:44:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/262762/ Its official...I am morphing into an old fogey.  In fact, I'm thinking of going out today and investing in a plastic rain bonnet, some rollers and a pastel housecoat. First of all...my new year's was not spent dancing the night away in a lovely little sparkly black dress, drinking champagne or kissing and throwing confetti.  I did tell my husband though, as we went to bed at 10:30, that if he was awake at midnight, he'd darn well better kiss me. We spent the evening with my parents and sister and brother-in-law, drinking herbal tea and played Pictionary and Texas Hold 'Em.  I realize "poker night" and herbal tea doesn't QUITE qualify me for old fogey status...but its only a few small steps to pinochle and Metamucil shots. Secondly, at midnight, when I was awakened by the sound of my neighbors, who sounded as if the strings of firecrackers they were lighting were being thrown at the side of my house...I had no urge to get up, stand outside and yell Happy New Year!  What I really wanted to do was lean out the window (I can almost see the pastel housecoat and rollers now) and yell "SHUT UP!  SOME OF US ARE SLEEPING!" So anyway...its New Year's morning and I'm headed out for a bowl of high fiber cereal and a cup of tea.  A little "hair of the dog that bit me" you might say.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/261911/ Mon, 1 Jan 2007 06:48:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/261911/ Today is that most dreaded of days.  The day I take down the Christmas decorations and pack them away for the year.  It's always a bit depressing...UN-decorating.  Like saying "fun's over!  Back to work."  Although, in a way, I've come to enjoy it for what it is.  As the tree comes down, my living room seems to grow again and magically de-clutter.  It also inspires in me a great desire to ORGANIZE.  I spent most of this post-Christmas week lolling about in my pjs until 2 p.m., tidying up, putting Christmas detritus away and thoroughly cleaning the closet.  I have half a truckload of stuff to take out of here to Goodwill or the Community House.  It's very satisfying.  I always wonder how I manage to ACCUMULATE so many unnecessary things...right up until my family starts opening Christmas presents. Christmas was lovely...busy and messy...but lovely.   I plan to post a Christmas slideshow like the absolutely beautiful one that my friend kampsplete added to her blog.  But since my aunt took most of the pictures, I will have to wait until I get a CD of them.  So more on our Christmas fun later. So...I will endeavour to increase the frequency of my postings, now that the holiday season is moving into the distance.  For now, I wish you all a very Happy New Year! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/260654/ Fri, 29 Dec 2006 07:57:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/260654/ My youngest daughter was OH SO EXCITED to see Santa.  Right up until she got into his lap.  Then she was all business.  "I'm invisible!  Give me my candy cane so I can climb my mother like a tree!" Meanwhile, my 7 year old was quite smug in her pretty dress.  Her only request being "I want a drum set!" and a sweet little "Thank you Santa!" At least no one was screaming, right? http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/255258/ Fri, 15 Dec 2006 17:29:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamakrush/255258/