Journey Through Motherhood

Nov. 30, 2009

Today's Daybook

Outside My Window...grey, cloudy, slight breeze, rain is coming,

I am thinking...about all of the things I'd rather be doing(like Christmasy stuff!) and not the things I should be doing(like school, housework, groceries)

I am thankful for...a roof over my head and beds for my family to sleep in,

From the learning rooms...we are well into our studies of Canada, but not going as fast a I had thought and maybe this will take us two years to get through! I'm feeling like we need something to spice it up though.

From the kitchen...lasagne from the freezer for dinner tonight, working on my menu plan for the rest of the week and I really want to do some Christmas baking today, but I know I have other things I need to do, so maybe tomorrow!

I am wearing...maternity jeans(can't believe I had to pull out maternity pants at only 13 1/2 weeks!), black T-shirt, green sweater, slippers,

I am creating...a Christmas atmosphere in my home,

I am going...to a homeschool co-op meeting tonight,

I am reading...Bleak House by Charles Dickens and Hold on to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld,

I am hoping...to have my Christmas shopping done a little earlier this year,

I am hearing...the beep on my dryer telling me the load is done, 5yr old telling 1yr old "No", I guess he's touching something he shouldn't!

Around the house...bathtubs need cleaning, laundry needs folding, and little white lights twinkle in my kitchen window,

One of my favorite things...the quiet of the morning and a hot cup of coffee,

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: start (and finish!) my Christmas cards, get our family picture developed to send with it, watch dd's ballet class, bake,

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

From our field trip to a flight museum a couple of weeks ago.

For more of The Simple Woman's Daybook click on the graphic at the top.
Thanks for stopping by!

Nov. 25, 2009

1000 Gifts

#104. 13 month old 'chatter',

#105. a few golden rays of sun shining on dark clouds to greet me in the morning,

#106. the promise of another blessing to be added to our family,

#107. scarlet red leaves,

#108. hearing the wind in the trees, soothing,

#109. puffy, white cotton-ball clouds,

#110. 'mom' fellowship,

#111. Saturday morning coffee, hanging out with the kids in pyjamas,

Thank-you Lord!

Nov. 20, 2009

Cute Quotes

I love the cute things that kids say.
Here's a couple that make me smile:

Later in the day, after we told the kids that we would be having another baby, my 5yr old son piped up with:
"Mama! You're going to need four arms! You're going to have to grow another pair!"
"I am?"
"Yeah, for the new baby!"
He's probably right!

My sleepy 3yr old daughter wandered through to breakfast the other morning and said:
"Is it Christmas time?"
"No, not quite yet."
She replied "After breakfast will it be Christmas time?"

(Congratulatory flowers from my mom!)

Have a wonderful day!!

Nov. 18, 2009

Blessings Abound!

My heart was pounding.
I looked in the first window, you know, the one that tells you if it's working properly.
Then I watched the second window.
Sure enough.
It was working.
The second little blue line appeared confirming a positive test result!
I went upstairs to my bedroom and sat quietly in my rocking chair.
Back and forth...contemplating.
After a few quiet moments, my husband came in and he knew.
He knew that in a few short months we'd have another cuddly little bundle to hold!

Yep!
Baby #7 is on the way!!

I'm already 12 weeks along and due the first week of June.

We kept our news to ourselves for a little while this time because we were feeling quite overwhelmed.
My other 'little baby' is only just 13 months and so I wasn't really ready for this kind of news. Don't get me wrong, we LOVE babies around here and they are truly a blessing. I just wasn't expecting this so soon and needed time to adjust to the idea before we began telling others.

It still doesn't feel real yet, except for the nausea.
Although it's tapered off a bit now, I've never had nausea this bad with my other pregnancies.
And the tiredness!
I need a nap just about every day!
I'm amazed that such a teeny tiny baby can make you so tired!!
As for cravings, the only thing I've really craved is milk.
And, of course, with every pregnancy, I crave ice-cream!
My pants are already beginning to get tight, which is freaking me out just a little.
With my first pregnancy, I don't think I started showing til I was 18 weeks!!

So. we'll have to juggle around the bedrooms again and figure out how we're all going to fit in our van, but those are minor adjustments. I'm just thankful we have a house to put them all in!

And June is a lovely time to have a baby(we already have 2 June babies). We'll get a good year of school in before the sleepless nights ensue.
And I'll have given birth before the heat of the summer.

So that is our Happy News!

Thanks for stopping by!

Nov. 9, 2009

Still Here!!

Martina Carrying Breakfast on a Tray, 1904

"She did not know anything about a great many things,
but she knew a great deal about loving and cooking
and a woman can go far on that."
From A Tangled Web by L.M. Montgomery

I love that quote! It's so true! Loving and cooking(which go hand in hand) wraps up what we as moms do every day!
Nothing else is as important.

And if I have any readers left out there,
I am still around, occasionally. Life is full this year and blogging seems to have taken a back seat.
I always have many, many ideas for blogging, but alas, at the end of the day I cannot bear to sit in front of my computer screen.
I make no promises to be here more frequently, that would be in vain.
But I will post when the Lord gives me something to say and I can snatch away a few moments of time(like now as I'm waiting for the lasagne to defrost).
As for the goings on around here:

A couple of weeks ago Hubby(who did most of it) and I did some bulk cooking and have 30 meals in our freezer! Yeah!
My sweet Baby has turned one and learned to walk. Fun times!(Busy times!)

We are well into school, although not moving as fast through our Canada studies as I hoped. I may also need to re-evaluated my son's science curriculum as it seems to be quite challenging.
The kids have been enjoying a homeschoolers ice-skating group on Fridays.

Dd just finished a session of horseback riding lessons and the instructor said she was a 'natural'.
The boys continue to make 'stop-motion' Lego movies with the camera and I have to weed through their hundreds of pictures to find the ones that I took!

I'm reading Bleak House by Charles Dickens, it's incredibly thick and I'll need to renew it a few times before I'm done!
Hubby and I celebrated 15 years of wedded bliss in September!

God continues to provide for us in the way of hand-me-down clothing. He is so faithful!

One post I do plan to make soon is about the Pre-School Activity Bag swap I organized this year. Stay tuned for that!

Blessings!

Oct. 5, 2009

Long Overdue..

#96. a warm, happy Summer of memories,

#97. wobbly legs, just getting their balance as Wee One explores the house,

#98. stripes of vibrant pink as another day draws to a close,

#97. an iced coffee from my husband,
Thank-you dear!

#98. the accomplished look on my Wee One's face when he reaches the top of the stairs,

#99. watching my sweet daughter take to the ice, her first time on skates, with utter determination,

#100. a roof that no longer leaks! This is indeed a blessing!

#101. watching my 10yr old trying to amuse his cranky baby brother,

#102. a husband working hard in the yard,

#103. a full harvest moon,

Sep. 23, 2009

I Finally Got It!

About a year ago(and it really was a year ago, as I just went to check the correct link for the post and it was Sept. 23,2008!), I was over at Holy Experience reading about how to make and keep a journal.

I have kept various journals since I was a teen. Writing my thoughts comes easily to me, easier than saying them aloud. At times, when I was young, I would write for hours, late into the night.

Back then I didn't have young ones who would expect my full attention first thing in the morning. And sadly, as I got married and as more children came my journaling decreased. I would write and then months would go by before I would write again.

When I saw Ann Voskamp's Homemaking Journal,
the idea really appeal to me. The scrapbooker(something else that has fallen by the wayside!) in me loved the creative aspect to it and I love pretty pictures in magazines. I also have a knack for expressing my thoughts. When things happen during the day, I re-play them in my mind as if I was writing a story(that may sound strange, but I've always been that way, so I'm used to it!).

So, I bought the blank notebook, found some magazines at a thrift store and began to snip away. I worked on it for a few days, getting the first few pages done.

And then life took over and it sat. And it sat, eventually to be tucked away in a drawer. Another really cool project that I didn't have time for.

Also about a year ago, I joined Twitter. I could quickly type out the events and thoughts of my day, just as a means of expressing myself. It was fun to share cute quotes from my toddlers or what we were having for dinner.

Then, about a month ago, while again reading more about journaling,
I had a 'light-bulb-moment' and I finally got it!

All of the things I was sharing on Twitter, I could put in my journal. Here I was telling the world(my mere 30 followers or so) all about my day, when I could capture those snippets of life for my children, for my family.

I finally had a vision for what this journal could be for me, for my kids and even their kids. I have kept every letter my Grandma ever wrote to me. And now that she's gone, her thoughts, her handwriting is priceless. How special to have something like that for future generations!

I also realized that decorating the pages of my journal did not have to be done before I could start writing in it. I can slowly fill it up with pretty landscapes or favourite things that inspire me.

And what do I put in it? Anything from "These peaches feel cozy!" (a quote from my 3yr old) to "My husband just bought me a chocolate bar. He's so good to me!" to "Thank-you Lord for another warm, sunny day to dry my laundry outside." I always date it, but other than that there are no 'rules'. I'm free to fill it as I like. I leave it easily accesible, often laying open on the kitchen table(where I spend a lot of time), where I can write thoughts as they come to me and where those passing by are free to read.

In a way, I am writing a story. A story of our life as a famliy, recording those precious memories that can easily be forgotten(Did the baby get his forst tooth at 6 months or 8 months?) and reminding us of God's faithfulness and all that we have to be thankful for!

Blessings!

Sep. 1, 2009

I Heard it Again...

I heard it again today and I cringed.

It was the sound of the neighbour yelling at her kids. The weather is warm, windows are open and voices carry. My heart goes out to those kids every time I hear it. I'd like to give that mom a piece of my mind and let her know how it affects her kids.

It is easy to think I'm a better mom, because I would never use such fowl language. But before I let self-righteousness take over, I have to ask myself "Is my speech 'seasoned with salt as it were'? Do my words 'benefit those who listen'"
Even if I never swear at my kids, the tone of my voice can be just as cutting.

Yes, there are times when I raise my voice.
Yes, there are times when I'm pushed to anger.
And yes, I have to admit that I've snapped at my kids when I've been upset about something else.

Do I tell my children often enough how much I love them? Do I encourage and build them up? Is our home a safe-haven where kind words abound?

I pray that it is.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out for your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit keeps me in check. Thankfully there is God's Grace and a child's forgiveness. Thankfully, I have an Almighty Heavenly Father backing me up in this parenting thing.

Be in my speech, Lord. I am surrounded by these tender, young ears, who will only repeat what they hear. May my words convey unconditional love, acceptance and mercy.

These precious little seedlings need a nurturing environment to grow and blossom, with some pruning along the way, of course.

In the meantime, I pray that my neighbours will one day know the acceptance of a forgiving God who loves them more than they could imagine.

Aug. 17, 2009

This Year's Books

With 3 weeks until we officially begin 'school', I thought I'd share what we're using this year.

One of our main subjects of study will be Canadian History and Geography.
About half way through last year, I felt the need to cover it. My oldest is 12 and in all of our History studies, we'd never covered our own country.

I was fortunate to find books from Northwoods Press on sale(as is my usual confirmation from God that He is leading in the decisions I make for our curriculum) that I will use as a backbone and I've been collecting books to add to our studies,(used & new) for the last few months.

Here is what our Canadian History & Geography collection looks like so far:

(I still hope to add to it. There a some historical fiction novels that I'm hunting for.)

These are the books we're using for Science:

For the first time the kids will be doing different subjects in Science.
Chickadee wanted to study birds and so we are using Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day by Apologia. I found a lapbook(on sale!) from Knowledge Box Central to go along with her studies.
I ordered Science 6 from Sonlight for Raven(and miracle of miracles, found 4 of the books I needed, cheaper used!!

). It's the Introduction to Biology, Chemistry and Physics and includes lots of experiments, which is right up his alley. His younger brother(Kingfisher) is going to 'audit' this course with him and they will do the experiments together. My hope is that by Raven explaining the experiments to someone else(who will be excited to learn this stuff!) it will cement the concepts in his own mind.

Kingfisher will also study dinosaurs with his younger brother(Skylark) who is just beginning Kindergarten.

Here are our Language Arts books:

I bought something new for Language Arts this year; Learning Language Arts Through Literature I wanted something that would appeal to my son(Raven) who gets very overwhelmed by workbooks. Most of the novels that are covered we have read or at least own and there are little mini projects to go along with them that keep the interest up. From what I've heard, this is a 'gentle' language arts program, which is exactly what I wanted!

Another new endeavor is that we're switching to Getty-Dubay italic handwriting. Over the course of last year I really noticed that my children's penmanship needed improvement. I had looked at Getty-Dubay when we first began homeschooling, but for some reason I thought printing should be taught the way I learned(ball & stick).
This program makes so much more sense for us, especially with a daughter whi is interested in calligraphy and a son who struggles with 'loopy' handwriting.

These are our Math books(most of them, some are still on order):

Again we're trying a new curriculum; Teaching Textbooks I totally hadn't planned on something different for Math, but I saw this booth at our homeschool convention in June. It appealed to me because the kids get a CD Rom tutorial and it keeps track of their progress. With six kids, I need that!

I found this little series for Spanish:

I have another one from the same publisher on order for French called Ecoutez Parlez. My kids often change their minds about what language they'd like to persue(German & Mandarin have been mentioned in the past), but French & Spanish seem to be the common decision.

And last, but definitely not least here are some of our Bible resources:

I found a New Testament lapbook at Homeschool in the Woods that I though would make a neat project this year.

Also, I plan to use Harmony Art Mom, Art Projects for Kids & Handbook of Nature Study as inspiration for our fine arts and nature study.

Phew! Thanks for sticking with me during this extra long post!
I like to keep most of our new books out of sight until we start school.
Somehow, I think it makes it more exciting!

September 8th is our projected day to dig into all of these books.
Until then we have a few more parks & beaches to see!

Aug. 11, 2009

Camping trip

Last week we ventured on our second attempt at camping this Summer.
Our first trip was in June. Our kids got sick, it rained and the tent trailer leaked. We ended up coming home early.
This time we had a much more enjoyable experience.
It was our first Summer camping with all 6 kids.

We packed up and headed south of the border to Whidbey Island in Washington State. Hubby & I had been there before, but it had been about 8 years since then.

I love Whidbey Island! Miles of shoreline, quaint towns, adorable country houses and a slow pace to life.

Our first campsite was at Deception Pass state park. Our site was totally private, although the website said otherwise.

I just loved all of the tall trees! I could sit and stare at them all day!

We spent a wonderful day at the beach.

I know it looks cloudy, but it wasn't cold. It was just the sea mist. It showed up every morning and burned off in the afternoon.
I enjoyed this:

(The kids thought it was funny for me to take a picture of my feet!)
And the kids enjoyed this:

And there were plenty of these:

...which, of course, we had to bring some home!!

This was another beach at Deception Pass that we explored and I found some sea-glass!

We spent an afternoon exploring Fort Casey. The boys really enjoyed that!

And the Admirality Lighthouse

We also stopped by the towns of Langley,

and Coupeville.

Both very quaint, with lovely little shops.
This was one of my favourite houses:

Something else I liked was all of the Arbutus trees with their noticeable red bark.

Dahlias that Hubby bought me at a roadside stand.

All in all, we had a great time, the kids thrived at being outside all day and we dropped into bed each night exhausted.
I came home to mountains of camping laundry, but it was all worth it!

Jul. 31, 2009

Treasures...

Picked with 5yr old love.

So precious,
I love these days!

Jul. 27, 2009

Prayers...

I've just been reading this blog, with teary eyes and holding close my own, sweet baby.

Jul. 17, 2009

Building Blocks Cake

I have been busy this week planning a 'park day' and a 'book sale'(wich was today) and I didn't think I had anything to use for Show & Tell. Then I just remembered that I do have something to share, so this is my better-late-than-never Show & Tell post.

Last weekend we celebrated my son's 5th birthday and I made a Building Blocks Cake I got the idea from A Pondering Heart (Thanks!)

My son loved it!

I don't normally let my kids eat that much food dye, but this was a special occasion. The little round tops are made from marshmallows!

For more Show & Tell visit Canadagirl.

PS. The turn out at the book sale wasn't that great. I only made $35, but I was able to connect with some other homeschoolers who I'd never met that live in my area!

Jul. 14, 2009

Old Friends

When we first began homeschooling, the main advice that I was given was to read aloud to my kids. And to not only read aloud, but to read good quality classics.
We started when my oldest daughter was 4 with Little House in the Big Woods. We went on to read a couple others in that series(eventually to read them all!) and then when we started with Sonlight, we branched out to read other great books.
I have to say that our read aloud time is my favourite part of our homeschool day. I love having the kids around me(or Hubby, as he takes part in this too!) all intently(well, most of them are attentive, I often have to provide things to keep the little ones busy!) listenning to some great tale.
We've read some great ones, Black Beauty, The Wind in the Willows are a couple of my favourites.

A couple of years ago we read Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. In that book Caddie's brother, Warren gets nervous about giving a speech in front of class.
He is supposed to say:

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.".

He messes up and says:

"If at first you don't fricassee, fry, fry a hen.".

I often hear this quote being said or I'm the one saying it.
It has become part of our family life.
That's the neat thing about reading good books aloud together as a family, they(the books) become like old friends, members of our family themselves!

Jul. 6, 2009

Today's Daybook

Outside my window...it is cloudy and breezy, a nice break from the heat

I am thinking...about all of the projects I want to do around the house this Summer,

I am thankful for...my health, even though I have a cold at the moment, I know it will pass in a few days,

From the learning rooms...I am actually having my kids do some school this Summer, but it will be light. We have 6 chapters left in our history book, they have lapbooks to work on and some copywork,

From the kitchen...Kitty cupcakes, today is our cat's birthday and Chickadee wants to make cupcakes to celebrate.

I am wearing...a gray T-shirt and pajama pants,

I am creating...I made a pair of earrings yesterday! I have not done any beading in months, but I had a little time to myself yesterday afternoon.

I am going...nowhere today, I need to get over my cold,

I am reading...Caddie Woodlawn's Family by Carol Ryrie Brink(sequel to Caddie Woodlawn) aloud to the kids,

I am hoping...that my Wee One will sleep through the night again and that I get a better night's sleep,

I am hearing...the kids engrossed in playing Lego,

Around the house...there is lots to be done, it's too overwhelming to think about all at once(especially when I'm not feeling well!), that I must just concentrate on what I have to do today!

One of my favorite things...when my baby nuzzles into my neck,

A few plans for the rest of the week: to get over this cold, fill out passport application, get ready for my son's 5th birthday party on the weekend,

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Big Shasta Daisies from my mom's garden, as you can see from my banner, daisies are my favourite flower!

For more Simple Woman's Daybook posts visit here

Jul. 1, 2009

Canada Day

"...God keep our land,
glorious and free,
Oh Canada
we stand on guard for thee..."

Happy Canada Day!

Jun. 29, 2009

Tasty Treat

When your camping trip gets cut short because 3 of your kids are sick and then it rains all day and your tent trailer leaks and you don't get to make smores, you can come home and make these in the oven!! (Was that a run on sentence?)

Simply put graham crackers on a cookie sheet, however many you plan to eat, and top with chunks of your favourite solid chocolate bar.
Then cut large marshmallows in half lengthwise and lay 2 halves on each cracker.

Place in a 400F oven for about 5 minutes and watch it closely! Immediately after removing from the oven, top each smore with another cracker. Eat them right away!

Yummy!!

Jun. 25, 2009

Simply Moving...

About a year ago my daughter and I were looking at ballet videos on You Tube when we came across this one. The sound on our computer was not working, but I as I watched I found that it didn't need sound. I could watch this dance over and over. I don't know what the song is, but try watching it without it.

Jun. 20, 2009

Almost Twelve

If you are looking for a resource for presenting 'the facts of life', I recommend this little gem:

Almost 12 by Kenneth N. Taylor
It is published by Sonlight(this version is anyway, apparently there is another publication that they don't recommend-not sure why) and came with the Science 5 package that I ordered from them for this year. My two oldest children have been studying the human body and reproduction was included in that.
I pre-read this book before I gave it to my daughter and had no qualms about letting her read it. Everything is explained in a straight forward yet gentle manner. This can be an embarrassing subject for parents(me included

) and this book worded it just perfectly.
This was not the first time she had heard about 'the birds and the bees'. We do try and keep up the on-going conversation, answering questions as they come up.
This book makes a great addition or starting point on the subject!

Jun. 15, 2009

Nothin' Cuter

There's nothin' cuter than a baby boy in overalls!
Don't ya think?

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