My Heart Is Smiling

There are homeschooling days when I wonder if we can really do it.  Days of discouragement and frustration.  Even when I know it's best for our family.  That it's what God has called us to do.  There are still those days.

Today, thankfully, was not one of them.  And I needed to write down what my boy said before I forgot, so on those days I can look back and remember.  Or maybe even to remind him in the futture.

We were discussing timelines and historical dating for history today and I had him make a timeline of his life.  We were sharing events that he might want to put on his timeline and I mentioned the date when he began homeschooling.  He heartily agreed and said, "Yes, one of the best things that has ever happened in my life."  My heart began to smile.  

Later as he was filling in the actual timeline, he was brainstorming what to write under the date and said,"The day my future changed for good."  And outside of the day he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, it probably was that kind of a day.    

I cannot explain how much it means to hear him acknowledge the value of this path we're on.  That he enjoys it and is happy. 

Perhaps it would be more appropriate to say my heart is beaming.
 

Randomness

I was working on a blog entry and the computer keeps freezing on me, so I just decided to write the thoughts swimming around my head.  Lucky reader, you...
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My kitchen is sticky.  I'm sticky.  The kids are sticky.  And if we had a dog, it would be sticky too!  We've been canning peaches and I can hear my crocs (they help my feet and back while canning) peeling off the floor with every step I take.  I feel like I have to keep moving or I might get stuck.  

I think there's a spiritual application there.
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Tomorrow (Friday!) we will find out if the little one I'm carrying is a boy or girl.  If the baby decides to cooperate that is.  Caleb is the only one we decided not to find out with and he made sure we couldn't change our minds.  He didn't reveal himself during the two ultrasounds I had with him.  
  
I'll be sharing the news tomorrow, so check some time in the evening if your curious. 
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After a month long summer break, we started our "new" school year four weeks ago with two subjects and have added a "subject" a week since then.  It has worked out really well for us and given me time to work through any kinks (read: learning how to keep the two little ones occupied during that time) we encounter.

We pretty much homeschool year round for those of you who didn't know.  And no, it's not as bad as it sounds!  For any of us. *grin* 

I am so excited about the year we have planned, I think it's going to be fun and Caleb seems to be enjoying himself so far.  I saved history - his favorite- for last.  We'll be in full swing Labor Day week.  Then I'll start adding more with Samuel.  I eventually hope to have a set of activities to rotate with Abigail also.  So I figure by November we'll be in a sure groove.  Which will give us 1 1/2 months before the Christmas holidays and the baby arriving.     Then it will be time to readjust. *smile*
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Samuel came inside today and said, "The potatoes are biting me."  Turns out the mosquitoes were biting him. *grin* 

I love when Samuel announces to me that it is morning.  He always says, "It's sun time, Mommy."  The rule is that he can't get out of bed until the sun is up.  Once he has a better grasp on numbers we'll be changing that a bit...
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Abigail has been weaned for a week and half now.  I'm not sure if it's been harder on me or her.  She typically asks to nurse about twice a day still.  We both miss it, but I really felt like my body needed to stop.  I sometimes wonder if her lower birth weight (5 lb. 15 oz.) was due in part to my nursing Samuel through my pregnancy with her.  I'm glad my sweet girl still likes to snuggle and hug a lot or I would be really sad!
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Richie surprised me for my birthday by getting an old bike someone had given us fixed.  I haven't gotten on it yet because I'm a little scared I'll hurt myself or the baby, but I'm super excited.  We live in a great neighborhood for it. 

We're still trying to work on the house as we can in hopes of evetually moving.  We've got a long way to go, especially when we keep discovering things like rotten floor beams.  *grimace*  I just keep reminding myself that God is in control.  And that is a really good thing!

So as I head off to bed tonight, that's the thought I rest in.   

Meet Lenny

Lenny, meet world. World, meet Lenny.

Not your average butterfly.

We returned from a jaunt in the park this morning to find that this little beauty had kicked his chrysalis crib to the curb. It was patiently waiting for us in a jar on our kitchen table.

A friend blessed us with a Monarch caterpillar and we've had fun turning the experience into an unplanned unit study on butterflies. Hands on learning at its best! *grin*

Anyway, in the short hours that we've known him, Lenny has quickly endeared himself to our family.

Although I use the term "himself" loosely - we are having a difficult time determining "his" actual gender despite the research we have done.

Gender or not, Caleb quickly named it Lenny. Of all the names in the world and in our imagination, we pick Lenny. *No offense to any and all persons named Lenny. The name just doesn't speak, um, butterfly to me.*

This has got a child's book with the theme of redemption written all over it. Kind of an ugly duckling on steroids type of story. Lenny the Butterfly.

Just remember, you heard about it here first.

Caleb has grown extremely attached to it. And honestly, I think the little guy has become attached to him.

But then again, maybe I've just watched too many Disney movies.

The man cub has been talking about visiting Mexico and maybe running into Lenny. You can only imagine our discussion about butterfly life spans. But, he was intrigued by the thought that maybe next year we'd find one of Lenny's great-great grandchildren in our yard. I hope he always has such a tender heart.

And as a mom, I can't help but wish we had some wild tale about a butterfly who wouldn't migrate so we had to set up a special home for it. I know it's not God's way in nature, but it sure would make one little boy I know so very happy.

It would make a nice book, too.

P.S. Sorry about the quality of pictures. I'm still having issues with my computer and used these from my cell phone.

My Kids Are Not Demented...

Well, it might have looked that way to a passerby three weeks ago when Caleb tied Samuel to a tree as they were playing cowboys (no worries, I was just around the shed and quickly intervened). Anyway, I don't watch The View, but what Joy Behar said yesterday about homeschoolers might have been enough to make me stop.

Well, okay it makes me want to write them a letter. Or better yet, appear as a guest host. Let me deliver my view...



The homeschooling part starts around 5:45 in a discussion about where the Obama girls will attend school.

Raising Patriots

Deep within me lies a passionate patriot. Born in small-town America, raised to believe that our country stands for something. That our flag deserves respect and that those in our military should be honored.

I cannot begin to describe that which rises up within me when I hear our national anthem or other patriotic songs. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that hearing the fife and drums while visiting Colonial Williamsburg last month made me a little teary. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. *bashful grin*

Oh, I'm not clueless to the mistakes this country and its leaders have made. I'm not immune to the shame of the course of direction America has taken at various times, even now in regards to many issues. But I am aware of America's godly heritage. The amazing birth of this country and its call to glorify Him. To be one nation under God.

Caleb sketching various presidents at President's Park in Williamsburg.

And that's what I want for my kids. To know the real story. HIS story of our nation.

With Caleb's fascination and love of history, it makes it all the more important for me to present a biblical worldview for him, including American history. Including where we have failed God. Call it reason number 37 for homeschooling. :) Right now, we have been enjoying going through The Light and the Glory series for children.

God's hand in the forming of this nation is truly amazing! It makes me all the more tenacious about raising children who honor God and understand His involvement in this country in which we were born. We have recently begun praying more consistently together for our nation (usually around lunch). That the U.S. would honor God and that we would be a nation that brings Him glory. We pray for our leaders and their families, regardless of who they might be.

If you don't already, would you consider joining us in prayer for our country? Pick a time of day convenient to you and your children and intercede together for our nation. Please pray that America would continue to support Israel and also for peace there as well. I'd love to hear any ideas that you may have to encourage your kids' love of country and God.

Genius Workbook Idea

I saw something at The Happy Housewife a week or two ago that I just had to share. You can use a sheet protector to extend the life of your workbooks.

Sound confusing? It's not. Cut a slit in the side of a sheet protector and fit it over the page you want to use. Use a dry erase marker to "write" in the book and when you are finished with the lesson, you can erase it and move the sheet protector to the next one. This way you can reuse the workbooks.

For the original entry, click here. She gives a photo pictorial in case you need to visualize it.

This is great for homeschooling, but I think it would be awesome for of all types of other "books". Mazes, word searches, crosswords, bible study guides, etc. I haven't tried it yet because we don't do too many workbooks except handwriting and art and Caleb needs to continue those in pencil, but I can't wait to give it a whirl. I love an idea that stretches my dollars and is easy to implement! :)

A Sigh of Relief

Quickest photo I could find of Caleb already on the computer

We had our first day of our homeshcool co-op today. Caleb absolutely loved it! And I am releasing a HUGE sigh of relief.

It was so funny this morning because I had butterflies in my stomach like it was the first day of school, only with less fear and anxiety. :) He is safe. And since he's so opinionated, I had concerns. Especially if he got bored. But like a lot of things in life, much ado about nothing.

Every Friday morning from now to December (the schedule changes for Jan.-April), he has Art, P.E., Presidential Election, and World Geography. He already soaked so much up just from today's classes and was upset that he didn't have anything to take notes on. You see, he doesn't want to forget what he's learning.

I woke up this morning and realized I never asked anyone what he should bring on his first day...oops! Easy enough to remedy. Then he can write away during class. Of course, knowing him, he'll be asking the teacher to stop so he can have enough time to write. Maybe I should buy him a tape recorder so he can transcript lessons at home. :) You laugh, but he probably would.

I hope all my kids have such a desire to learn. Samuel certainly wanted to stay. He wanted to play so bad. He also did not like leaving Caleb there. He kept yelling,"Fawher". That's his way of saying brother and its the only thing he calls Caleb. Brother and Baby, I wonder if that's what he'll call his siblings for the rest of his life.

I was just so glad our first day of co-op went well. No one escorting Caleb to me after classes. No phone calls from teachers. I'm ridiculous, I know. Can you tell I'm ultra-hyper-sensitive about it? ;) I hope it stays this smooth all year. And fun!

I'll do a post soon about what we're doing at home this year.

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Giveaway

This one is for all you homeschoolers out there! Jolanthe at Our Homeschool Creations (also of No Ordinary Moments, which I read regularly) is giving a chance to win a one year digital subscription to The Old Schoolhouse magazine. Click here to go get the details and make sure you stop and have fun on her blogs.

Since I believe this is a quality product, I wanted to spread the word. I have a current subscription to their print magazine and love it, but have been pondering going digital when this one is up. Anyway, it's a great magazine and they also have a variety of weekly newsletters, an online store, and more through the web. If you haven't checked them out, you should! I learned about them by reading an old copy my Mom had lying around the house, which I've read a few times now. Thanks, Mom!

So, make sure you head over to Our Homeschool Creations and get the details for the giveaway. Don't forget to mention that I sent you when you enter!

"Hoo" Knew Learning Was So Fun...

We have really enjoyed our homeschool journey thus far and the various learning opportunities it presents us with that we wouldn't normally have if we were in public school, especially as we focus on God's creation. To cap off the "end" of the year, we had a friend over and dissected owl pellets together. Owl what, you say? Owl pellets.

No, it's not owl poop, it is owl throw up. I know, makes it soooo much better, right? :)

Caleb learned about owls and food chains and this was how we ended his study. It actually was a really great project and the boys found some really cool bones, including whole rat skulls. I can feel the cringes and collective winces now - don't worry they were fumigated by the company that collects them. Oh, the things you do for hands-on learning experiences...seriously though, we will do it again in the next couple of years.

Caleb dissecting his owl pellet.

My mom did this with my youngest brother and was excited Caleb would do it. However, she failed to mention a few things. She claims to have forgotten, so okay, we'll give her the benefit of the doubt... ;) She also said I would forget and someday someone would blame me for not telling them a few things, so with that in mind...

I would now like to document for the record for all future participants of this activity...they have a distinct odor. It's not overbearing or anything - it actually took quite a bit of time for me to actually get a whiff. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of leaning very closely to the thing to help Caleb pick something apart (while still pregnant-but I don't think that mattered), took a deep breath, and BAM, it hit me. Now, Caleb's friend had already mentioned the smell, but I hadn't had the pleasure of it wafting through my nostrils. Perhaps I was too caught up in the all the rodent fur and not letting myself gag and look like a sissy in front of my first-born. :)

Anyway, there you have it. I highly recommend doing this activity - just thought you should be prepared if you do! Happy dissecting and bone picking!