A Peek Behind the Monitor
Jan. 14, 2006 at 11:01 AM
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6:30 AM - Wake up to the sound of my husband already working at his computer. (He works from home.) Think about getting out of bed. Thought passes. I roll over and go back to sleep. ( I stayed up after the Education Forum the night before to work on my next article due on the Jan. 15th and Friday's featured blogger.)
8:00 - Wake up, take 2. Steve is still hard at work to make a 1PM deadline. Kristin is up and babysitting at the neighbors. Other children are all still sleeping. They also had a late night the previous night. I let them sleep. Check email. Read Proverbs 13. Verse 4 convicts me, "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, the soul of the diligent is made fat. (I was a sluggard today and slept in.) Kristin arrives home she gets on the computer to post entries. Sky is gray and it's raining. Rain in January. Wierd.
9:00 - Children are all awake now. They lay around for a few minutes. Elaina starts singing, "My bible, my bible, I have to find my bible." I don't bother inspecting their rooms. I just remind children to pick them up and shower. Steve asks me to make him eggs and toast. (He only has eggs and toast when he is going to miss lunch.)
10:00 - All the children now want eggs for breakfast. I cook some for everyone and put dinner in the crock pot. Kristin and I work on featured blogger for HSB, send off emails, and check blog. Others clean up kitchen and start their work. Katie is working on her math. Lizzy is helping Elaina write a letter to grandma, Jason is on his keyboard in the basement. Josh is somewhere. I'm not sure what he's doing.
11:00 - Toss in laundry. Josh is now in the basement with Jason. He is playing his violin while Jason plays his drum. They are practicing an orchestra piece along with a CD. Lizzy brings me two over due items from the library. They are videos at a dollar a day. We get in the car immediately and get them over there. Meanwhile, Josh gives up on practicing his violin with a drummer. He can't hear himself. He starts practicing alone.
12:00 - Back home, it's leftover pizza for lunch. We have an early lunch because they have homeschool band rehearsal. I read The Red Pony by Steinbeck as they eat. They're all grossed out when I read how they have to treat the sick horse. Why during lunch?
12:45 - I take three of the children to homeschool band rehearsal. Kristin and Jason do schoolwork.
1 :00 PM - Steve leaves for his appointment. I put Elaina down for a nap after reading her Bless the Lord. Go down the basement to clean and listen to Rush. Other two work on unfinished work from the week. Get a strange marketing call from someone telling me how to increase traffic on my blog. No thanks I say and hang up.
2:00 - UPS knocks on the door. A heavy box is brought in. The next issue of The Old Schoolhouse has arrived. They sent MANY copies. Distracted we sit and read for a little while. This issue is all about blogging and writing. It looks excellent. I send an email and check my blog.
2:30 - Back to basement for me and school work for them.
3:00 - Others arrive home from band. Hungry as usual. I check the BBQ pork in the crockpot. Children have a snack. Katie makes a salad. I remind Kristin to update my blog with a few things. I want to take a nap but instead go back to the basement to work some more with the boys.
4:00 - Steve's still not home. Elaina wakes up. Everyone starts munching on the cucumbers in Katie's salad. I continue cleaning in the basement.
5:00 - Interrupted by a phone call. It's Jake and he says he wasn't supposed to call me. Whatever, I give the phone to Kristin.
Shortly, the phone rings again. Someone claiming to be Tim Challies (without the Canadian accent) is worried about my daughter. There are hints of laughter in the background. They blather on about salvation and the assurance of something and ask me if my children are ok. First a call from someone worried about my traffic, now someone else is worried about my daughter? But this one's a hoax. It's Agent Tim, and a few friends trying to give me a hard time. (I think they're just looking to increase traffic to their blog.) We have a great conversation.
5:30 - Dinner time.
6 :00 - Clean up dinner. Write a post about Jackson Bortz . (Please read this.) Steve tired from a long day takes a nap. Clean up. and check email and see what Kristin did on my blog.
7:00 - Steve and I chat about the day for a little while. My friend calls and we help her set up a blog for their mission trip to Korea.
8:00 - Play Yahtzee and answer an email and read. I'm exhausted and just want to go to sleep but I'm trying to stay awake to watch the 20/20 Special.
10:00 - Watch the 20/20 Special. I should have gone to sleep. The children watch it with me. Then it's off to bed.
This is a pretty typical Friday. Wtih band I don't plan on doing a lot of other things with the children. They are free to finish up their schoolwork or do other things.
Other who participated:
Did you write about your day? Let me know and I'll update the list!
Harriette at South of the Gnat Line is also talking about her day.
An Open Letter
Aug. 19, 2005 at 9:26 AM
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(One of the goals of my blog is to record my thoughts to help my own children in their life and in their parenting. It is with that goal in mind that I share this letter to my daughters.)
To my dear daughter on the first day of homeschooling,
As you begin homeschooling, I thought I'd share a few words of advice and encouragement from someone who's been there. You are about to begin one of your most challenging and rewarding days. Don't be surprised if your excitement is tempered with a little nervousness.
If you're anything like I was, you'll have read many books (and blogs) by now about how to do this. Everyone has an opinion. And most will want to share it. Here's some of mine. Take it for what it's worth, after all you didn't turn out so bad. (Did you?)
You'll probably fret alot about the first day. Should you make it a special event? Or try and be low key? Knowing you, you'll probably even wonder what you should wear. My advice is go comfortable. The day will be longer than you think and nothing like you expected. So try to relax and enjoy it. (I know, easy for me to say!) And knowing you, you'll probably have have the schedule already made out. Exactly what should happen when. But if your children are anything like you, they'll probably wake you up before dawn. Eager to begin before you can even think a coherent thought.
There will be frustrating moments -today and throughout this journey. Moments when you will wonder if you can continue and moments of calm that you wish you could bottle and carry with you forever. This cycle will continue for what seems like forever. Your husband will be there for you. Lean on him. When you are weak he will be strong. But sometimes you will look at him and wonder, "Does he really get what I'm going through?" In his own way he does. Trust him. And trust God to speak to him and keep a quiet heart.
The day will go quicker than you can imagine. Before your know it, it's lunch time. You didn't get as much done as you thought in the morning. So you grab a quick bite and push hard the second half of the day until you're done. It's finally over. What a story you'll have to tell your friends. It wasn't as hard as you thought. Your husband cheers you on with a kiss.
And then....the doctor puts that baby in your arms and says, "It's a girl." You relax so much more now. I couldn't be prouder of you. Congratulations! You've survived you're first day and the joy will be with you forever. You've just overcome one of the biggest hurdles of homeschooling. And the rest...well, let's just say "it's academic".
Love,
Mom
Transformation of the Inner Me
Aug. 12, 2005 at 9:00 AM
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I AM WONDER WOMAN! Yes, it's true! But before you click off in total disgust at my apparent arrogance let me explain how I came to this profound conclusion.
I AM WONDER WOMAN - Stage One
I can do it all. Have lots of babies while my husband is in night school and working full time. Potty train all my children by 6 months and use only cloth diapers before then. Wear a size 6 outift the day after delivery, that I sewed the day before delivery. Home educate using only "living books" that are still sprouting roots from the binding. Eat only organically grown non-genetically modified foods where no animals have been harmed. And in my free time tell everyone else how to do it too. Yep, that's me, I AM WONDER WOMAN.
I AM WONDER WOMAN - Stage Two
I wonder if I'm doing anything right? Are the children learning anything? I'm beginning to wonder if I am going nuts. Becoming gen-u-whine squirrel feed. I wonder why I ever thought that I could do this? Did Charlotte Mason ever had a bad year? I wonder what Debi Pearl would do right now? I wonder what's for dinner tonight? I wonder when the last time my children's sheets were changed? I wonder why I don't care when the last time my children's sheets were changed? Yep, that's me I am wonder woman.
I AM WONDER WOMAN- Stage Three
"Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?...There is no one like you, O LORD" 1 Chronicles 17:16.
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:9
I stand in awe and wonder before a faithful God. Thank you Lord, that I am not the woman I used to be. I truly am a wonder woman.
Keeping Them Safe
Jul. 18, 2005 at 12:01 PM
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As I was walking into the grocery story some time ago, I glanced to my right and noticed a frail older woman walking with her son. She had a cane in her left hand and was holding the elbow of an adult man (I assumed her son) to steady herself as she walked. As they neared the entrance to the store a car came into their path. Instinctively, the mother took her hand off his elbow and held it across his chest. Her actions indicated that she worried about the safety of her son as he crossed the parking lot. The story is humorous in one sense. A frail old woman is no match for the man or the car. But yet her mother's heart is always ready to nurture and protect her "young". I thought about that story when I read Michelles comment on my blog,
I so much want to keep them home and protect them from hurts,
We all do. But that is not always possible. The best way to protect them from hurts is to trust in the one who can watch over them at all times. Just as the mother entering the store, we can try to protect them from what they may encounter. But we are often out matched in our strength and abilities. Trusting the Lord will provide us with the security we need to provide our children with the confidence they need to survive whatever they encounter.
What is a Teacher?
Jul. 16, 2005 at 11:56 AM
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A teacher is someone who can...
--Give a hug without getting arrested.
--Bandage a knee without calling the school nurse.
--Change a lightbulb without calling the custodian.
--Make the children wash the bathrooms.
--Have a relationship with the principal without getting fired.
--Teach a child's mind while capturing their heart.
--Teach what they believe in and believe in what they teach.
--Meet the child's need and not worry about meeting the state guidelines.
--Commit to a lifetime of work without pay.
--Pray! in class, out loud, with the children and the ACLU can't say a word.
There is is only one that can fill that job description
A teacher is a mom
"Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching." Proverbs 1:8
Our Family Photos: Modern and in Period Clothing
Jul. 2, 2005 at 9:53 PM
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Taking God out of Education. A personal story.
Jul. 1, 2005 at 9:04 AM
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I went to the University of Michigan in 1981. I became a Christian shortly after I arrived my freshman year. When I was a senior, I took a class in Sociology. It was a requirement I somehow missed in my early days. I was the only upper classman among about 50 freshman. It was a pretty uneventful class until toward the end of the semester. The professor started to talk about "religion" and free will. He lectured us for about 30 minutes on why there was no such thing as free will. Most of the class sat there feverishly taking notes. My temperature was rising but it wasn't from taking notes.
He concluded his lecture with the question, "So, does anyone still think they have a free will?"
He was met by blank stares from most, a few shakes of the head, and one hand that went up. Mine.
"Yes, I have free will." I stated emphatically.
"Oh, really. And what young lady do you have the free will to do?" He said, looking down at me.
"I can worship God any where I choose." (The class groaned.)
"I coud make it illegal and put you in jail." (The class squirmed.)
"Yes, but I can still worship God in jail."
"I could cut out your tongue." (The class stared at me.)
"Yes, but I can still worship with my mind."
"I can have you killed." (The class was silent.)
"You haven't solved a thing, I will now be in heaven worshipping my creator eternally."
At this point, a friend interrupted the discussion and said to the professor, don't argue with her you're never going to win.
The flustered professor looked at his watch, muttered something about having to get going and dismissed class early. Intimidtion only works for those who are not convinced of their own beliefs.
I passed the class.
A photo
Jun. 29, 2005 at 1:37 PM
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Since this is photo day and a few curious souls have asked what I look like. Here I am. And I should mention that this photo was taken by Brian Beer. An excellent photographer. He took our Civil War photo (including the one on my site of the children.) His wife Judy blogs here under Healthy Home.
