Simple Woman's Daybook for Monday, November 9, 2009

FOR TODAY...November 9, 2009

Outside my window... it is sunny, yet the air is crisp. The Liquid Amber trees in our neighborhood have begun to change colors letting us know that Autumn has indeed arrived in Temecula, California.

I am thinking... of how fantastic this table & chairs are going to look after I spend some time refinishing them. I bought this set for $40 at a neighbors yard sale. I am going to use this as my desk/work area in our school room. It fits perfectly behind our love seat, yet the ends fold out to give me plenty of room to grade papers, or work with a child on lessons.

Outside my window...

I am thankful for... a husband that works so hard for our family, and is forgiving when I am ungrateful that he works so hard.

I am wearing... a long sleeved shirt and enjoying it.

I am remembering... how much I enjoyed lazy summer days by the pool, sigh.

I am going... (just went) on a field trip/tour of Global Recordings Network in Temecula with our homeschool group. We learned about how this fantastic organization is working on recording the gospel in people's heart language and delivering the gospel around the world.

I am reading... Shepherding a Childs's Heart by Tedd Tripp. Great book, just it takes me awhile to read. I plan to get more reading now as I have a purchased a recumbent exercise bike, and I love reading while I exercise.

I am hoping... to spend some time sewing this week. I just finished a tote bag for myself. I plan to sew a puppet theater for the kids for Christmas along with flannel pajamas. I will be busy.

On my mind... Stellan and MckMama over @ mycharmingkids.net

From the learning rooms...a less structured day as we tie up some loose ends from last week and discuss our field trip today at Global Recordings.

From the kitchen... who knows!! Like you really think I have a plan?? I so need a plan. Check out Life as Mom for some recipes & meal planning help.

Around the house... getting ready for our Thanksgiving dumpster rental. We are spending four days throwing out the trash we have accumulated (inherited). The junk has been sold & donated now we just have trash, soon it will be gone. I am sooo looking forward to parking my van in the garage again. Just in time for a rainy winter. What a blessing!

From my picture journal...

Long Time.......

Wow, has it been a long time since I have posted. The thoughts have been there, but unfortunately the time hasn't. Life has been busy preparing for the school year and then incorporating the school year. This blog started as way to share how our family homeschools and hopefully as a way to motivate others. Shortly after starting to blog my father passed away and this became a way for me write my thoughts and heal. I'm still healing, but I think its time to move on, in a blogging kind of way. I plan to write one last past sharing what I have learned about mourning and then move on, or move back so to say. Back to my original intent. Well, we need to start our school day, here I go.

Letting My Pride Choose

I almost made a big mistake for our next school year.  I was letting my pride choose the curriculum our family should use for our next school year.  Praise the Lord, my eyes were opened and disaster was averted.  I stumbled upon homeschooling rather hap hazardly.  The year before our oldesets started kindergarten, I would chide my best frined D, "I'm glad the Lord has called you to homeschooling and me to private schooling."  After three weeks of private school, a tiny little seed that the Lord had planted when my daughter was three began to bloom.  We became homeschoolers out of obediance and our lives have never been the same.  I quickly threw togther my daughters kindergarten curriculum.  I had purchased a Hooked on Phonics kit at Costco some months back and figured we'd follow that.  As long as my daughter could read before first grade we'd consider it success.  She did, and more.  The next year with a newborn in our arms my husband and I attend the CHEA convention in a sleep deprived stuppor.  After shushsing, rocking and bouncing the baby through the crowded isles of the overwhelming curruculum hall, we  bought THE BOX.  An all in one first grade kit!  During that school year I read & researched my way into curriculum confusion knowledge.  I swore up & down I would never order THE BOX again.  I was a living book for learning enthusiast.  I found Charlotte Mason and an educational philosophy & ideals were created in my heart.  The following school year I prayed over my curriculum choices.  The Lord knows my children  his children better than I do and he knows me better than I want to admit do, so I asked him to choose.  There were times when I wasn't happy with his choice and times when I was thankful for and understood why he choose the way he had.  Then came this current school year, my fourth.  Hot headed, prideful, expericenced homeschooler that I am.  I picked out my curriculum, for my  children.  An eclectic mix of the newest,  most popular curriculum out there.  Even  some of the old traditional stuff thrown in for good measure.  Ask the Lord for his opinon?  No, I was too experienced for that.  What a horrible year.  I have been stressed and over burdened making my own lesson plans, making my own worksheets to replace ones that were hard to understand, trying to organize & teach everything while managing a home and a two year old bundle of terror, energy joy, all while forcing, coercing encouraging my children to stay on the path I had plotted for them - even if it was dark, chaotic and just plain loud due to Mommy's yelling.  I started out my curriculum order for this coming school year the same as I did last year.  Never again would I purchase a curriculum in a box. I knew what I wanted to teach, even if my son wouldn't be able to sit still while I did all the necessary read alouds.  Hopefully my daughter wouldn't be held back to much because of her brothers immaturity to following along with the history and science curriculum I had chosen for us to work on together (therefore saving time because it's only one curriculum, not two).  Oh, and the now three year old, what to do with him??? I know, we'll place him in front of Noggin and if he moves we'll get the duct tape - Just Kidding! Finally, I turned to the Lord and sought his guidance.  I just can't be everything and do everything-and my kids need a good education.  Oh and a loving Mommy that wants to be around them and they her.  HE made a decision and I am excited about it, and at peace. Peace is good.  Now I just have to figure out what to do with all my free time I have now that I am not researching curriculum & researching the best ways to organize our curriculum, etc. etc. etc.!!  

PS -Oh, and yes-I bought THE BOX again. Actually, this time I bought two boxes.  Fourth grade and second grade.  Oh, and before I forget...I got  hard drives with teachers teaching the lessons  to go along  with our boxes.  Yes,  Life is good.

PPS - I think I'll pursue hobbies again.  That is hobbies other than curriculum researching & lesson planning.

One Year

Dear Dad,

It was one year ago today that we were last together.  We spent a wonderful afternoon together with the kids.  Little did we know that it would be our last.  We talked about so many things. Our conversations brought completion to so many aspects of our life together.  Little did I know.  You spoke of your love for our savior, and what his sacrifice created for you and I.  We had fun with the kids, sharing your love for the B-17 bomber, creating memories... precious memories.  We had a late lunch/snack with the kids at your favorite restaurant, and theirs. I am so thankful that I was prompted to see what it was you ordered, I wanted to remember what my dad ate at McDonalds, silly then, thankful now.  A Quarter Pounder, super size french fries and a vanilla shake.  Once again you talked about eating at McDonalds as a young man.  For $1.00 you would order 2 cheeseburgers, french fries, and a coke-and leave with change, 15 cents.  I acted as though I had never heard the story  before.  I had. Many times. Yesterday I went to McDonalds with the boys. I ordered the same meal in memory of you.  I thanked God for you and for the memory of that last meal.  I will do the same every year until I see you again.  I miss you.  It's not like you were a major part of my every day life.  You lived your life and I lived mine.  I miss picking the phone up and calling you just to talk, share a memory, or get your opinion on something.  I miss those phone calls.  One phone call I will never forget is when I called you out of the blue to thank you for making sure I knew Jesus.  I had told you that you may have messed up on some things, maybe a lot of things, but you had got the most important thing right.  The most important thing a parent can do is make sure their child knows Jesus as Lord and Savior, and you had.  You got the most important thing right.  I'm glad I was able to thank you for that.  There's been so many things that have happened this past year that I have wanted to share with you.  So many times I have thought, "Dad's not going to believe this. What would Dad do?  I wonder if he remembers?".    A year brings a lot of changes.  I lot can be learned in a year.  God was merciful to you and us a year ago.  The fullness of his mercy both you and I will never fully comprehend. I thank God for his mercy, and I thank God for you.  I thank God that I was chosen to be your daughter, your one and only child.  I am honored to carry on and hold your memory close to my heart. Until we meet again in Christ's presence I remain proud to be called.....

Your loving daughter,

Kathryn Mae  

Park Day...The Best Day of the Week!

Hands down, Thursday is the best day of the week.  Normally we go to Community Bible Study on Thursday mornings.  This Thursday we had SAT9 testing at our homeschool.  Thursday afternoons we meet with a support group at the park.  We are there from 2:00 until sometimes as late as 6:00pm.  Park day is so important for our family that I would rather miss doing "school" than miss going to the park.  My kids have the best time playing with their friends, and I have a great time having fellowship with other moms.  This time is essential for our homeschooling.  I get a break, and so do the kiddos.  Yep, Thursdays are the best!!  

Hang in there...It gets better. Promise.

This past Tuesday evening was the monthly teachers meeting for the homeschool ISP I am a member of.  I did not want to go.  I hate being out past 7:30 now a days.  I would much rather be at home in my jammies chillin with the homeboys (The kiddos and my hubby ;-) But the Lord kept encouraging me to go, so go I did.  I am glad I did.  The meeting began with a planning session for next year.  We were lead by one of our school administrators, a veteran homeschooling mom of two.  She shared some of her wisdom from her homeschooling years and then some of the others moms shared their two bits.  Afterwards we broke up into our"small" groups to turn in our paperwork and such.  Approx. half of the group I am in this year consists of new to homeschooling moms, and around 90% of them are not sure they want to homeschool next year.  My heart breaks for them.  It breaks because I remember the hell of my first year, the turmoil of my second year, the getting the hang of it third year, and the joy of my fourth year.  The stark reality of homeschooling can be overwhelming that first year, especially if you are pulling your kids out of a traditional school setting.  Homeschooling is not glamourous.  There are no pedicures while the kiddos are at school.  House cleaning gets done in short burst throughout the day...if at all.  Hobbies?  Hobbies happen after the lesson plans get written, papers get graded, read alouds get read, laundry gets done, and then only if I am able to stay awake.  I no longer get to spend an hour picking out my clothes for the day, doing my hair and makeup, and then picking out just the right accessories.  Most days happen in a blur, while I may be clean and groomed I don't fit the world's image.  But I am blessed.  I am like Mary, Martha's sister who sat listening at Christ's feet while Mary was all about cleaning the house for guests.  Christ said to Martha of Mary, "She has choosen the better part."  So I have, and so I hope these other moms will too.  The blessings are there and my fear/sadness is that these moms will never get to see that because they are giving up too soon.  So I will pray.

Homeschool Burnout

I'm tired-anyone else out their tired?  This years curriculum is so well...last year.  But our curriculum for next is going to be really fun, I cant wait to start it!!!  I have everything already picked out. And the field trips we have planned  for next year are going to be great.  But I still have to finish this year...Ugh.  Are first and third grade really all that important?  

Fine in '09

That's our motto for this year, Things are gonna be fine in '09, 'cuz things weren't great in '08. 'o8 started with a crash. My husband was in the midst of his second nervous breakdown and spent a week in the hospital. We shuffled around the jobs at home & our business. I got some new responsibilities on my plate. A plate that was already full with homeschooling our three kiddos and managing a household as best I could. In May my dad passed away. That really just ruined the rest of the year. There's been packing, cleaning, house staging, estate saleing, mourning, grieving, probate court dates, grieving, paperwork signing, crying , grumpiness, and depression. Yep, '08 wasn't great! My personal motto for myself this year is, "To Thine Own Self be True." Somewhere over the last four years of homeschooling I have become lost. I spend my whole day, every day taking care of everyone else's needs. I know we are to be a servant to others and do our jobs cheerfully as for the Lord. But somewhere in the midst of all this I have lost myself. I start out my day with kiddos pulling on me, and end my day pretty much the same way. It's become a good week if I get to wash my hair let alone finish my bible study. So this year it is operation Take Back Me. I've started slowly. Three weeks ago I started Weight Watchers. During the last four years I have gained a lot of weight. Just not taking care of myself. It's the first step, and an important one. I'll keep you posted on how well I do.

My Friend Jack

So The Engineer and I had a crazy idea. Housing prices are CRAZY, I tell ya CRAZY. Their even crazier if your guy the selling your house. We found a great big house in another part of town. Lots of rooms, a pool, and even a patch of grass in the backyard. This house will get us beyond college with our three homeschooling monkeys. We made an offer and then had to put our house on the market.
That was a week and half ago. It has been crazy. Every day last week I had someone wanting to show the house. Which is great for selling your home, but not so great for homeschooling and staying sane-at least trying to. We've had several showings this week also. I am determined to sell this house. I am doing my best - Can we do it? Yes, we can!! (Too much toddler television in my early mommy years.) Whenever we have a showing I do the following: 1. Spray air neutralizer throughout the home. 2. Make sure the Costco Flameless Candles are turned on throughout the home, atmosphere - it's all about atmosphere. 3. Turn on important lights, we wouldn't want our potential homeowners looking into a dark bathroom, or down a dark hallway. 4. Everything has to be spotless-spotless I tell you! 5. Soft music playing as you enter the home, Cannon in D, very relaxing. 6. Two hours before showing I burn a very strong Banana Nut Bread, or Oatmeal Cookie Candle in the kitchen. Just prior to leaving I extinguish the candle, leaving the candles soft wax still, well, smelly-in the yummy kinda way. 7. The most important. As I back up to a busy street - which really isn't a bother as our home is below street level, but still a deterrent. I make sure our lovely pool is on with the waterfall running.

When the waterfall is running any traffic noise is hardly noticeable. I then open one of the kitchen windows a crack, just a crack-enough to let in the tranquil noise of the waterfall, but not enough to let in the low rumble of a diesel truck that might be driving by behind the house. I do the same thing with the back sliding glass door, inviting the victim, uh I mean potential homeowner, outside to the entertainers backyard. The whole worlds a stage, and I'm setting it. I had a showing on Wednesday and I was going through all my preparation steps and then I got to step 7, cracking open the back slider. What did hear, nothing other than my friend Jack-Jack Hammer that is. It appears the city is running some water pipes across the street. It was loud, no waterfall, unless it was oh say, Niagara Falls was going to drown out that one. I had to laugh. Here I have been running around as though I am the guy in charge, if this house sells it's going to be because of me, and all my hard work! The sound of that jack hammer was the laugh of The Lord. Silly child, you think you are in control. I was reminded of the following in the book of Daniel, Chapter 4:

• 34.
• At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

• 35.
• All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"

I was remind that God puts the rulers of his choice on their thrones, and places the peoples of the earth where He wants them to do his work. You see I am not in control of this house selling show. He is. He will bring His buyer, if He wants to, if it is in His will. It's not my flamless candles, soft music, or even my Oatmeal Cookie Candle that will sell my home. It's The Lord who sell my home. If it's according to His will, He will provide a buyer for our home, and He will provide a new home for us. I hope it's His Will, if not I hope a Spa Day for Mommy when our contract expires is in His will!

Weekly Report, November 7, 2008

Here's the pictures to start off with:

Boy #1 decided to try the Monart Drawing Class. I was quite impressed.

This is his drawing of a Macaw.


This is The Girls drawing of a Macaw - her fifth class.

When we get bored we dress up Boy #2 as Lacey.

Decorating cookies at the fall harvest party for our ISP.

Homeschooling During October

I can not believe that October has come and gone and with it our first quarter of school is behind us. We have been quite busy. The girl begun taking an art class this month. She is taking a class at a local Monart Studio. The drawing method they teach is from the book by Mona Brookes, Drawing with Children. I loved the book and tried to teach it to the kids last year. I drew great pictures, while they on the other hand didn't get it. So we put it aside until now. Rather that me trying to teach The Girl I opted for this class. It is an expense but the improvement I have seen in just the first month of lessons motivates me to continue the class perhaps for the entire year rather than just the first two quarters as I had planned. Here is her most recent drawing from last week, it is a pirate (This is only her fourth class.).

We've changed around The Girl's grammar curriculum a bit. First Language Lessons 3 was not a good match for her. It was too easy. She would roll her eyes as I went through the scripted lesson, and then begin doing the worksheet without me even prompting here. I would get to the part in the lesson where we would begin a problem together and she would look at me very seriously and tell me that she was done-she knew what to do-and her answers were correct. We are now working on Easy Grammar 3. We will continue with Easy Grammar 3 for a few more weeks and then proceed into using some novel studies I had already purchased from Total Language Plus. We will begin by using their study for the book, Sara Plain and Tall. This study will encompass her grammar, spelling, vocabulary and writing studies. I think it will hold her interest more and tie her studies into the written word. What I mean is, she loves reading, and I think study grammar through the pages of a book will help her to associate the two. Grammar will become the written word and not just unrelated sentences to diagram.

A few more happenings in October:

Daddy couldn't understand why Mommy wasn't thrilled with the science project he brought home?

This critter however was more acceptable to Mommy. Observing animals at Mr. Joe's Farm.

The Girl's Lego Castle.

Boy #2 eating his caramel apple at Riley's Colonial Chesterfield.

Our balloon model solar system.

Picking out pumpkins.

The little bit of sewing I was able to do. My fall table topper.

May the Force be With You!

The Big Picture

This weekend God made known to me a little glimpse of how he sees the big picture. I have now inherited every member of my family's personal Bible. It's neat to get a glimpse into such a personal aspect of my family members lives. The scripture they have underlined that meant a lot them and the little notes of encouragement someone wrote to them tucked quietly inside marking a special page. I was looking through one of my Grandma's Bibles this weekend. She had several during her lifetime, but the one a was drawn to was obviously worn and used, it's black cover seems to turn to dust as you handle it. This Bible was given to my Grandma in 1939 by her mother. I remember my Grandma telling me of how she went through this bible and underlined Christs words with a red pencil. I found many treasures in this Bible this weekend, however one of them touched me deeply and seemed as if the Lord were speaking to me. I found several articles of encouragement my Grandma had clipped out of devotionals or church bulletins, a card my Grandma received from her mother for Valentines Day, and a poem my Grandma had copied on a piece of paper and tucked inside. I'm sure my Grandma thought this poem would bring her encouragement during the days after losing her husband, or later after losing her son, but God who sees the Big Picture knew it would also bring comfort to me, her granddaughter many years later. I am as I have said lately "The Last of the Mahicans". I have no surviving family - my grandparent's, parents, and close family have predeceased me. I have felt alone, these past weeks. My Grandma and I were really close. Before Alzheimer's began to take her away from me she was my closest friend and confidant. She was a the biggest Christian influence in my life, and tucked into one of her old Bibles I found what I consider a love note from her to me, something to bring me comfort during this difficult time from the dearest woman in my heart:

"It Matters To Him"

My child I know thy sorrows,
Thine every grief I share;
I know how thou art tested,
And what is more - I care.

Think not I am indifferent
To what affecteth thee
Thy weal and woe are matters
Of deep concern to Me.

But child, I know a purpose
In all that I allow;
I ask thee then to trust me,
Though all seems dark just now.

How often thou hast asked me
To purge away thy dross!
But this refining process
Involves for thee - a cross.

I was reminded of Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. God sees the big picture. He knows what is down the path for all of us. I was touched and moved, that some forty years ago, before I was even born, my God thought of me and what was in store , and chose to leave, for me to find, encouragement and answers in my dear Grandma's hand. I praise my Lord for seeing the big picture, and I thank him for my family, my Grandma, and that I am not alone.

Silence

Why have I gone silent? I fell into a deep dark hole and didn't want to come out. Writing everything down here, makes it real. Somehow, if I write it, I have to accept it. And I didn't want to accept it. I am a control freak - Yes, I have admitted it. I haven't had control of what has happened this past year - God has. It's easy to read that God is in control in your bible, it's easy to write that God is in control as an answer to one of your Bible Study questions, it even easier to tell someone else who going through a hard time that God is in control. It's really hard to admit it in your own life and let go to him. This past month I have been going over and over in my mind how I could have changed things - made them different, less complicated. I couldn't - this was God's plan, plain and simple. However, I've determined that there is something I can exert some control over. I can stay in my deep dark hole and let the enemy win, or I can climb out of my hole into the light and choose to live. God still has a plan for me - and I want to live it.

Win This Quilt

I have been able to do a little sewing this past month. I completed the top to a table topper using a charm pack and matching jelly roll. I will post pictures tomorrow. You can't have my table topper but you could win this quilt.