Welcome to my reality! Grab yourself a cup of joe and feel NORMAL!!! We have 5 outstanding children, 4 boys & 1 girl. God is our Rock -- it is only through Him that we are able to attempt this journey. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:35:00 -0600 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:35:00 -0600 Sunday our Luke turned 9!!!!!!!!!   It's simply amazing to be Luke's Mom ~ I am so honored and blessed to have such a wonderful Son. I just love you Lukey!   Luke was born 5 weeks early ~ we were so blessed that the only thing we had to worry about was getting him to learn to nurse. He didn't know how to suck and so we stayed 4 extra days in the hospital to make sure he was getting enough to eat, he did great. He came home on Christmas Eve ~ the best Christmas present EVER!!!   He was our smallest baby ~ being 5 weeks early he weighed a tiny 6lbs ~ he even went down to 5.12 (his older siblings weighed in at 8.7 & 9.13) but then he quickly 'turned the corner' and started growing, growing, growing! He also started growing the most adorable curly hair I've ever seen! I wish I had a scanner so I could show you ~ oh what a sweetie!!!    Luke was a quiet babe - one of our good friends said he was, 'false advertisement.' and that was the truth - he was pretty much a perfect baby. He hardly ever fussed. He was just content as could be with his life ~ such a joy! To this day Luke is not a complainer ~ he still has that 'content' attitude about life. He loves to read, do puzzles and be a Detective to ALL who have lost something.   Today is a Birthday I wonder for whom? I know it's for someone who's right in the room So look all around for somebody who ~ Is smiling and laughing, my goodness it's YOU! Happy Birthday Luke From all of us to You! Happy Birthday Luke From Mommy and Daddy, too! We congratulate You And Pray good luck follows You! Happy Birthday Luke ~ May all of your Good Dreams come TRUE ~ ~ ~     Happy Birthday Luke, I LOVE You! Mom http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/753572/ Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:35:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/753572/ We are 'Officially' on Christmas Break ~ for the next 2 weeks! Two whole weeks!!! Yeah!   I told our kiddos this morning that we were 'Officially' On Christmas Break! And they all jumped up and down with JOY!!! They are so so so Happy! But I think I'm happier!!! wink!   It's been a busy fall. Teaching 4 children at different levels and tending to a busy 2 yr. old. Dealing with the financial challenges that have come our way ~ well all I can say is, this year has been quite the adventure ~ oh yeah - and a new puppy! Well he's another entry ~ wink!   When 'Breaks', or 'Vacations' or 'Teacher In-Service Days' (wink! wink!) roll around we (I) am more than ready to jump in with both feet!!! It just doesn't matter how many years we've been homeschooling, I never have it all figured out  ~ I just remind myself that, if I did have it all figured out - I wouldn't need my Lord & Savior! Amen?!   We were very scheduled homeschoolers until Baby E came along ~ this little bundle of love completely changed our school 'set-up'. And he still is ~ 2 + years and going strong!!! These past two school years have been all about acceptance, relaxing, as in - clearing off my overflowing plate of commitments to others and focusing on my commitment to my husband & children.   Oh and patience, patience.....patience. None of this is as easy for me to do as it is for me to type. I am a very scheduled person - wait - I mean, I WAS a very scheduled person. Amazing how Elijah, our 5th child, has taught me SO much about me. I am learning to accept that the Lord wants me to be like clay and to let Him be the potter. Every day I try to remember that.   Jeremiah 18:6 "Oh house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in My hand, oh house of Israel."   Our Pastor once said that we should make Scripture personal ~ to help remind ourselves that The Word is living and real - it's for us, Today. I try to remember to do this every now and then, it seems to help ~ especially when I pray.   So when I think of this passage I pray with our Family Name ~ "Oh house of _______, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, oh house of______."     Merry Christmas, EMichelle http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/753567/ Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:10:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/753567/ We attended our Co-op's Christmas Party this year ~ like we have for the past 5 years. It's a fun gathering of the families to sing Christmas Carols together, watch and listen to children perform their talents and we always finish off with a yummy potluck. It's a fun way to say Merry Christmas to everyone before our break.   Last year Ashley sang with her choir, that was so wonderful! This year she wasn't able to because she didn't have a voice :( she was pretty sad ~ but she did a good job smiling (even though I know it was hard for her) and supporting her class.    Even though she didn't sing ~ she was able to perform, with Noah! She really wanted to sign Silent Night and so we learned together. (I learn so much homeschooling!!!) Well one day while she was practicing Noah was moping around. When I finally got him to tell me what was wrong he said that he wanted to sign Silent Night too. So I told him to ask Sissy if she would teach him! She did teach him ~ he was so so so happy!!! They practiced over and over and over and over again ~ I didn't mind, in fact no one did we just LOVE Christmas music! At the Christmas Party they both got up there and performed. My heart was filled with absolute JOY as I watched my babies ~ sign beautifully together.   Isaiah & Luke performed together too! This was the first time either of them have performed at the annual Christmas Party ~ and to be quite honest it wouldn't have surprised me if they decided not to at the last minute. But they did it and they did a WONDERFUL job! They actually wrote a Christmas Poem together and added Scripture at the end. I'm so PROUD of my boys! I can't even describe my feelings watching them share what they created. I am truly blessed.   CANDY IS SUPER SWEET SANTA IS A FUN TREAT.   BUT JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.   ONCE ON A DECEMBER NIGHT A RADIANT STAR SHOWN BRIGHT.   IT SHOWN SUPER BRIGHT SHEPHERDS SAW ITS LIGHT.   MARY COULD NOT FIND A PLACE TO STAY EXCEPT FOR A MANGER AND SOME HAY.   THERE WERE LOTS OF DONKEYS, CHICKENS AND COWS TOO IF JOSEPH HAD ALLERGIES HE’D GO AHH….CHOO!!!   WISE MEN FOLLOWED THE STAR IT WAS EXTREMELY FAR.   SHEPHERDS SAW THE ANGELS SING IT WAS QUITE A GLORIOUS THING.   EVERYONE TRAVELED FROM ALL AROUND TO SEE THE BABE BORN JUST OUTSIDE TOWN.   WHEN THEY CAME TO WHERE JESUS LAYED THEY ALL KNELT DOWN AND SOFTLY PRAYED.   GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE TO MEN ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS.     Absolute Perfect JOY is what my children bring to my life. It was truly a blessing to be able to see my children get up in front of everyone and show their love for their Lord.     Merry Christmas, EMichelle     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/752835/ Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:03:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/752835/ Yesterday was a good day ~ amid the fast pace of daily life with 5 very different children, who have 5 very different learning styles, 2 very different pups and 1 cat who I describe as 'a wanna-be italian mafia boss' ~ wink!   I am thankful for early morning walks with our newest little family member. It's nice to be breathing in the fresh air these past few mornings. Funny how fitness is so "All or Nothing"  with me. I was doing so good this summer - walking at least once a day, if not twice. (between you and me I lost 16lbs this summer and I wasn't even 'dieting' - I know!) I was even starting to run - but once the weather started changing and school started up ~ I don't know.....it quickly took a back seat. I know that some of the weight has come back - wow - it sure does come back fast! But now with a new pup ~ rain or shine I have to take him on walks so...that puts a smile on face and hustle in my step.   I was thinking this morning on my walk how exercising is a lot like my walk with Christ. I feel like there are times when my walk is strong, I mean super strong - kind of like excersing in August! and then there are times when it's not - kind of like exercising in October.....and November. I need to and want to have a strong walk in my faith; spending time with God daily in prayer and study. I also want to and need to be excersing daily; walking and stretching daily at a minimum.   Well with that said ~ I'm off to do some morning stretching.   Blessings, EMichelle http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/752330/ Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:52:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/752330/ I am so so so excited! Starting January I'm going to attend the Women's Bible Study at my church! It's been over a year since I've been in a study - I think - maybe two years......hmmmm......has it been that long??   Not only do I miss being in a Study ~ but I really believe that in order to give, with the love of Christ,  one must continually be filled. And I'm not right now ~ even though I try - I know that I'm missing something and that something is a Study. A Study that will put my in The Word each and everyday. I love studying God's Word - I love it!   It will be a Great way to start my day! I'm really excited!!!   Blessings, EMichelle http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/752159/ Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:13:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/752159/ There's nothing better then being a Wife & Mama ~ I just love my everyday life - even when somedays it seems like I just can't quite catch-up. Saturday was a day like that - it seemed like everytime I turned around something 'new' happened.   God's grace is amazing ~ He promises never to give us more then He knows we can handle. I said that a few times throughout my day. Quoting Scripture and Praying to my Wonderful Counselor is what gets me through days like the day I'm about to write about.   We did school today ~ pretty much a full day. We never school on Saturdays, unless someone has a project to finish up for co-op on Monday. But this past week was a bit unusual for us ~ we had a lot of unexpected things come up and school well it took a back seat. But that's the Joy of homeschooling. No worries * No stress ~ everything works out. School this Saturday worked out great ~ my husband was at the Base for most of the day and so it seemed pretty much like a regular weekday.   4AM This is when I woke up and realized Roscoe hadn't woken up all night. I thought that that was wonderful! I just love my pup! Sleepin' All Night! That's Great! And then I feel back asleep.   5AM Roscoe greeted me when I came downstairs......I did put him in the laundry room with the gate up. I was so tired - I almost started to cry as I stood on the last step, realizing what may lie ahead. Our tree, we just decorated the night before, my kitchen chairs......I'm sure there's puppy poop & tinkles everywhere. No sense standing there, I thought. I started walking into the family room, no stinky smells and our tree is up and in one piece. I put Roscoe outside and continued my search of destruction. I couldn't believe it! There was nothing. Nothing! I looked everywhere and saw nothing :) I went out with him to the side yard and I saw a candycane stuck on his neck, then I saw some on the floor - with the wrapping next to it. I put the two pieces together to see how much he ate and I'm happy to report candycanes are not his thing!!! Either I came down right when he got out or he's just a little angel pup. I want to believe the second but I'm pretty sure the first is correct.   7:30AM MOM!!! There's no milk! What? How in the world can we go through so much milk? I ask every other day - seriously I'm tired of going to the grocery for milk - I want a cow. So needless to say breakfast was put on hold while I went to the store for......milk.   9AM My Brother-In-Law called to ask about Christmas ideas ~ so I went upstairs to my closet (the only place I have COMPLETE solitude....and 3 shut doors :) When I was done, I came out to give the phone to Isaiah and as I was starting to take my first step down the stairs I saw Elijah out of the corner of my eye getting out 'The Bean Game'. I turned to say, No No E - that game is not for you and I missed the step and fell all the way to the landing - 7 steps. That was painful. I gave the phone to Isaiah, embarrassed that I slipped and in a little pain.   10AM I went in to get cleaning supplies and I hear MOM!?  What is Elijah eating? Can I have a snack? What??? I didn't give him anything. I came around the corner and Elijah was putting "beans" from the bean game in his mouth. I'm pretty sure he didn't swallow any, because they are super hard and he looked a bit confused ~ like Hmmmm....why can't I taste this or chew it? Yikes! Obviously I forgot the reason I slipped down the stairs.So I got those away from him ~ he screamed CRAZY Loud and then settled for a 'treat' - because that is what he thought he was having. "My treat Momma! My treat!" is what he was saying. I did feel bad ~ he had no idea why I quickly grabbed away his 'treat'. But I'm pretty sure he liked his real treat better.    11AM As I was doing some cleaning up Luke said, "Mom my pant leg is wet," as he was sitting on the carpet. What? Oh my goodness - the cat! That is GROSS! Peanut hasn't done that in ummmm....Years! So I'ma thinkin' ~ he's not that happy having a puppy around or he doesn't like being outside right now because it's below freezing out here. I know that a lot of you live with extremely cold winters ~ out here in the Pacific Northwest we are experiencing colder ( A LOT COLDER) temperatures then normal. Brrrrr.....Super Brrrr........   2PM Clink/Clank.....is the sound I heard ~ then a, "Horry Momma Horry." I knew right away - the Nativity. My heart sank  but I wasn't upset - I knew when I put it out that this was a huge possibility but I didn't want to not put it out. Elijah's eyes were huge he knew that he did a boo-boo.....how could I be upset at those big blues? I just said, it's ok sweetie - and together we put it away. I should've put it up higher ~ but no worries it's only material - my little Son's heart was more precious then a thousand words - "Horry Mama." he said standing next to me patting my hair.   3:30PM I went to get the dog dish & cat dish from the laundry room and guess what ~ I spilled "The Beans". Needless to say I'm not a fan of "The Bean Game" right now ~ it's been the cause for my chaos. When I took the beans away from E I was trying to get him to settle down and I hastily set them in the laundry room. Crash!!! Ohhhh that's when it hit me - I've been having a VERY eventful day.     BEST PART OF MY DAY My husband unexpectedly came home 2 hours early!!!     Blessings, EMichelle http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/751650/ Sun, 13 Dec 2009 10:59:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/751650/                                       ROSCOE!!!                                  He's SOOOO Cute!     Roscoe was born on 9/30/09 and we brought him home December 10th ~ yep! Thursday!!! We've been a busy family these past few days!!! But needless to say a busy-HAPPY family, so that's good! He is 1/2 golden retriever & 1/2 german shepherd.          His nose looks grey in this picture but that's just sand!     He is a great not so little, little pup (wink!) We know the family that owns his parents and if I may say ~ they are gorgeous and super-mellow dogs! Love that! They came in and sniffed us when we picked up Roscoe - it was almost like they were checking us out. The Mama stayed right next to me and the Papa was interested in Isaiah. Funny!     The Mama is the German Shepherd & The Papa is the Golden....     We are just so so so happy! He great with our kids they roll around with him and play*play...play*play.... play!! with him! I'm so thankful the family who had him is a homeschool family with 3 little ones! Roscoe doesn't know life any different! We can't wait to take him on walks but he needs one more round of vaccinations ~ we bought him a harness and leash on Thursday and I went to put it on him this morning (so he can get use to the feel because we are a walkin' kind of family!!!) and it was to small! At first I thought I was putting it on wrong but I wasn't he has grown that much in 3 days! I think he's gonna be a big doggie - even though he was the cute little runt of the litter.   He has a little white on his paw as you can see here! Such a cutie!     Our other 'dog' - Sarahbelle (who is a Shih-tzu) and our cat - Peanut are doing pretty good adjusting to a new family member. Peanut is quite the cat - secure in all his manliness ~ he doesn't mind showing Roscoe who the real boss is. (wink!) And Sarahbelle well she's LOVING all the extra attention she's getting - but I'm sure she would be completely satisfied if Roscoe was just a scary dream for her (WINK!!!) All in all she's actually doing ok - she's my little dog and she always will be! I think her favorite time is when Roscoe gets put to bed downstairs and she goes upstairs to sleep in our room. It's almost like ~ sweet revenge in puppy language!     He likes being outside! And he's for the most part - potty trained.     Cheers to a PUPPY CHRISTMAS! EMichelle   PS The date stamp is wrong on the following pictures...they were taken 12-11-09. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/751644/ Sun, 13 Dec 2009 07:37:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/751644/ Here's a super-yummy 1 Dish Dinner  (well it takes a couple pots to make but it ends up being a 1 dish meal! wink!)    This easily feeds our family of 7 & lunch for me :) the next day!!!    Stew: 2-3 cups cut up or shredded cooked chicken 4 cups chicken broth + 1 cup Water 1 1/2 sticks butter 1 chopped onion 3/4 cups flour 1/4 cup heavy cream 5 diced carrots (blanched for 2 minutes) 1 can peas - drained 1 can corn - drained 1 can green beans - drained ~ ~ ~ ~ Biscuits: 2 cups flour 1 tablespoon baking powder (yes tablespoon:) 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon sugar 1 stick butter 3/4 half n' half 1 egg mixed w/ 1 tablespoon water for egg wash   ************************   Preheat oven to 375   Heat up the chicken broth & water in a small saucepan In a large pot melt butter and saute onions over med/low heat for about 10 minutes - until translucent This is when I blanch the carrots Add the flour and stir constantly with a whisk for 2 minutes over low heat - don't leave it :) Add in warm water & broth - keep whisking for another minute or until thick. Add 2 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper w/ the heavy cream. Whisk it all together Then add chicken, peas, corn, green beans & carrots Give it a good mix with a spoon & pour it into a 10x13 baking dish -- don't forget to 'PAM' the dish! Bake for 15 minutes While that's baking make your biscuits Put the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer Add butter and then add half n' half Once all mixed it'll seem a bit sticky and that's ok ~ dump it out onto a well floured board, give it a good 'flour knead' and then roll it out to about 1/2" thick. Cut out 12, 2 1/2" circles (regular biscuit size) Remove stew after 15 minutes and place biscuits on top ~ brush w/ egg wash  Put back in oven for another 30 minutes.   I have made everything ahead of time - storing the biscuits and stew seperately in the fridge. When I was ready to bake it I baked it for about 25 minutes and then an additional 30 after placing the biscuits on top!   Perfect Stew on a cold day!   Hope you enjoy, EMichelle http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/749840/ Sat, 5 Dec 2009 17:25:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/749840/ We had such a wonderful night last night ~ Sis is in choir at our Co-op and she had a performance at Journey To Bethlehem! Her choir sang 3 songs and in one of them she had a solo part! She was pretty nervous but she did an absolutely beautiful job ~ she just sparkled in her beautiful Christmas dress!!! I just can't believe how fast she's growing up....sigh......if only I could stop time......   After the performance we eagerly waited for our turn to go on 'the journey'! We went on it last year but this year was super special because my husband was able to be with us - last year I think he was in Montana working!   This is quite the production! It's so big that the host church had to get  building permits for the outside structures!   It's an experience hard to explain - how I wish I could've taken pictures!!! It's worth the loooong "journey" there! wink!!! Here's the link to check it out ~ believe me ~ you won't be dissapointed!!! J2B     Let me put it this way - WE CAN'T WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!!!   Blessings, EMichelle ps DRESS WARM!!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/749827/ Sat, 5 Dec 2009 16:55:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/749827/ What a wonderful day we had ~ my brother-in-law came down with his wife and filled our house with the joy & love of Family.   BREAKFAST: Cinnamon Rolls & Frosting ~ All From Scratch!!! Fresh OJ & AJ   APPETIZERS: Lil' Smokies Cheese & Summer Sausage Wheat Thins / Triscuits Veggie Tray Whole Cranberry Sauce Ranch Dip Pickles & Olives Tray   MAIN MENU: Turkey - found the secret this year to Moist & Delicious!!! Buttery Mash Taters & Gravy - Simply said, Yum. Super Cheesy Homemade Mac w/ extra large noodles Peas & Corn ~ pleasin' the crowd (wink!) Homemade Braided French Bread * We love this bread served hot brushed w/ butter!!! And it's pretty too! 2 Kinds of Stuffing ~ Brother-in-law & Wife are Vegetarians so I always make a stuffing just for them :)Potat Salad ~ my Brother-in-law always brings this on the Holidays!!! We love it, especially my Husband ~ because it's a dish from their childhood! Whole Cranberry Sauce ~ I only like the whole - and I think that with the amount of leftovers I have I am the only one who likes it period - that's ok - I LOVE IT!!! Pickles & Olives ~ don't mess with Tradition!   DESSERT: Pumpkin Pie ~ made by our beautiful daughter ~ she even made the crust!!! All I have to say is She's Hired! Apple Crisp - served hot from the oven....drizzled w/ caramel sauce and served with Vanilla Ice Cream!Yum! Yum!! Yum!!! Chocolate Fudge Pudding Pie ~ covered w/ Cool Whip & Chocolate Sprinkles ~ a surprise for my brother-in-law! The Moist Amazing Pumpkin Whoopie Pies EVER! If I do say so myself (wink!)   SECOND HELPINGS: Well of course we had a Repeat of Thanksgiving the next day ~ which was yesterday!!! Today we had Turkey Sandwiches for lunch and Pasta Bake for Dinner - we all wanted a break from Turkey! Tomorrow we'll have Turkey Enchiladas & then we'll have Turkey Stew in a casserole dish with biscuits on top.....oh my it's such a yummy dish!!!   Warm Wishes To All of You! EMichelle   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/748121/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:08:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommaof5/748121/