Homeschool Mother's Journal to Wrap it Up

I've decided to take a little different route for our weekly wrap ups this summer. While we are doing a little home schooling, I thought it would be fun to warp it all up in a different way this summer;)

In my life this week...
We enjoyed our weekend "get away" at my parents:) Seeing the tall ships! The cousins together which doesn't happen enough!

These two are the cousin-twins:) They are a year apart but almost the same size. Hannah is WAY more verbal than Nate... but he keeps up with her in a lot of ways;)

And even Brian made a new little friend:) His name is Clifford, my sister's little friendly dog.


Also did some schooling... history, reading, math facts... yippeeee:) Cleaned out some of the kitchen cupboards, like weeding out all the REALLY old spices (like ones that we loved with and haven't used in years... YUCK).

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
Try it!!!

In talking to a mom just starting the "formal" years of home schooling all the possible curriculum choices can be overwhelming! You just have to try what you believe will fit your family and students best and then stick with it or adjust:)

BTW... this week Brian and I wanted to watch our annual Pride & Prejudice watching;) On a whim we thought we'd let the kids watch a little with us to see if they liked it.... we "tried it"!

They LOVED it:) We have sweet memories of Anna on the couch all (exhausted because it was WAY PAST her bedtime) excited because Mr Darcy was about to propose;) Or Chris saying out-of-the-blue that Mr Bingley's sisters were speaking poorly of Elizabeth Bennett because "they are jealous of her"! LOL... they understood and liked it. I guess there will be a few more joining us in our annual tradition;)

I am inspired by…
Sally Clarkson. Between her blog posts and many books... I am challenged to be a mom who loves the Lord and desires (and prays/teaches/models) that her children love the Lord as well. These two posts encouraged me the most this week ... "do unto others" a mother's momentary choice and 5 Principles of building strong friendships with your children.

My favorite thing this week…
While heading to the see the ships we went over a bridge and down in the river saw a barge. Chris was excited and quickly relayed to us that there was a barge on the river and that it was probably carrying coal since it was a dark, sandy-like material. Then he started sharing about what it was like to be a child who worked in the coal mines and that he wouldn't want that job.


This was awesome because earlier in the week he had learned to read the word "barge" but didn't know what one was. So we got on the computer, read a bit and looked at pictures. It was a quick, totally unplanned "lesson" but one that obviously stuck with him.We also had a history unit about the inventions of the steam engine (which used coal) and the cotton gin. While talking about the steam engines we had taken "a rabbit trail" to talk about coal mining. That stuck with Chris as well.

And then he takes these two little side lessons and applies them to looking at a barge floating down the river :) A proud home school momma moment:)


What’s working/not working for us…
Xtramath.org! The kids have a love/hate thing going on with this program! But I have seen an improvement in their math facts already. We're also working on having positive attitudes while we practice! So it's working but some days it's not just math facts we're working on :/

Things I’m working on…
First, being content in these last days before the move. And contentment begins with being thankful (thanks Ann!)

Second, not getting overwhelmed! There is a lot that needs to be done in the next few days/weeks. And I have a slight tendency to get overwhelmed.... LOL!! Not so slight!! It's just hard to think about getting one house ready to move into and another house ready to be moved OUT of.... besides the normal, everyday cleaning, cooking and child-rearing:) Thankfully, we're moving close... just to a neighboring town, not even 20 miles away!

Third, correcting the children as soon as they disobey or don't follow through with a task. Seems like we all do better when we know that there are some consequences the first time.... not the eighth when steam is coming from Momma's ears;)

We're reading…
Lydia and Chris both enjoyed reading me Good Hunting, Blue Sky this week! Lydia has also been enjoyed some Little Bear books and Chris checked out and read some Curious George books;)

Anna has been reading books from the Boxcar Children series. She really likes these books. I've been trying to get her to read some of the "living" books off some lists I have found... we'll see she's picky about her free reading selections, oh, and she's 8 :)

We are reading The Story of Eli Whitney aloud. This has been a very great man to learn about, we all think of Eli Whitney as the cotton gin inventor but it wasn't that simple... is it ever? His story is definitely one about hard work and determination!

I am reading a book I swiped from Brian's pastoral library called Great Women of the Christian Faith by Edith Deen. I have been surprised how much I have liked these short stories of some of the most ordinary and extraordinary women. I should have swiped it earlier:)

Oh, and I've also started working my way through my World Religions textbook that I'll be instructing online in the fall. Yikes... August is fast approaching.

I’m cooking…
Whatever I can find on sale:) And lots of cookies!!

Just hoping our cookie sheets find a very accessible new place at the new house!! They don't stay idle very long around here:)

I’m grateful for…
My husband!!

We hit the 10 year mark this week:) 10 Years!! It just doesn't seem possible that we've been married that long! He is a great, honorable, hard-working man who loves his family and provides everything we need and then some;) He adores his kiddos and is always willing to eat leftovers for lunch:)

This photo is such a fun moment!! The kids and I had been watching some educational videos on You Tube and then they asked for a "silly cat" video. They were laughing soo hard:)

When Brian came home they wanted to show him the video:) It was precious to see them all laughing at the videos together;) Silly, but it's soo fun and important to laugh together;)

I’m praying for…
Patience! And soft, kind, gentle words and spirit when correcting.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
Gotta love summer... a little schooling outside

 and reading Popsicle jokes!!

Linking up to Homeschool Mother's Journal , Moments to Remember and Weekly Wrap-Up.

No Way!

The Transition : His New Location

I've shared some about the ups and downs of house hunting and I'm really praying that will be coming to an end soon (because we'll finally have plans!). That in itself has been a huge part of our schedule the last 2 months!! And I have NOT been as patient or willing to relax and trust like I should be.... just not having definite "plans" is starting to "eat" at me.

But there are a lot of  "transitions" that we are still making since Brian started working full-time job at the college.

The hardest thus far has been his schedule and location change!! I'll share about the location first...

Since we moved to our parsonage, Brian has worked either at home or just feet behind the parsonage in the church office housed in our fellowship hall. We often giggled about the "tough" morning commute... stepping over the baby gate in the doorway to the home office or walking a few feet to the covered walkway in front of the fellowship hall.

In fact during the earlier days I kind of disliked that Brian was soo close. I felt guilty when I was invited to picnic at the park with friends. Or I felt stressed at lunch to have a full meal ready for him (and the kids). I felt like I needed to have the house in order throughout the day since he could have walked through at anytime. And there were times when he'd be on an important call and I'd be trying my hardest to quiet the fussy babies or loud toddlers.

But Anna commented the other day to me, "Mommy, I really miss sharing the school room with Daddy. He always could see what we were learning!"  How did we get blessed with such sweet kids??

She was right though. With Brian gone all day, it does feel different in our house. We do feel like we are missing him... even the little things like when we set the lunch table for only 5.

Anyway, Anna's comment also made me feel guilty over not enjoying the years of having Brian soo close...  him reading a little bit during lunch with us, or watching kids ride bikes as I put final touches on lunch. Or him being that extra set of hands as I nursed Lydia with a toddling, mischievous Christopher running around. Calling Brian and having him help me buckle little bodies into the van for an outing ...so nice to have help when loading up!!

Those days are gone.... at least during the normal week! And I do regret, I didn't enjoy them more!

Our decision to look locally for a home, versus farther near the bigger city, stemmed from some of this, too! Having Brian's job location closer means that he is closer to us and we are closer to him. He has a smaller commute to work and we can stop by before a picnic or run him lunch... which Brian really likes because

he misses us, too!!



310. a very hard working husband
311. reading about Helen Keller as a family
312. meeting up with Grandma & Granddaddy.... TWICE this week!!!!
313. indoor playground at McD's
314. Nate's delight going through the playground and down the slide "alone"
315. a little "h-whoa" when we enter into a room
316. giggling at the rodeo
317. little cowboy boot steps heard running across the floor
318. some new tunes
319. watching my children participate during a church service
320. cookies!!!
321. learning to be patient... even when it's tough
322. seeing love like 1 Corinthians 13 lived out
323. reciting memorized Scripture with my kids
324. weekends with Daddy

His First Day

I've left everyone hanging about "Brian's schedule" changing....

I"m sorry about that! It's actually a really big change and I really have VERY mixed emotions about it!!

About two or three weeks ago now, Brian announced to our church family that he had accepted a position at our local community college. He had volunteered to teach a course (to get some college teaching experience) years ago. Last year they contacted him about teaching some online classes and he excitedly agreed. Then last August they called to see if he'd be willing to help with student registration since they were in the process of finding a new adminissions counselor and needed some extra hands! We thought it was going to be ONE 20 hour week!!


But he's been at the school ever since... part-time though, learning what he could and helping where needed. We waited for the day when they said "you don't have to come in anymore, we found someone." But that never happened.


Instead he is been there a year and interviewed for the counselor/director position he had been somewhat learning to do already. They liked him and offered him a full-time job!


Many have asked why he can't work at the school full-time and at the church preaching at night and on Sundays.... all I can say is WOW!! For the last year he's been teaching online classes (as many as 4 in one semester), working part time in the mornings at the college,  preparing 3 sermons and trying to visit with sick/hospitalized church members.... it has been WAY too much for all of us! Especially since Brian pours all his energy into each sermon, class and project he takes on!! And because he has 4 little ones wanting to jump on the trampoline with him:)

This is a HUGE change for us though... tons of new things

• Brian leaving the house and being at work (miles, not steps away) from 7:45 to 5ish everyday!!
• Having to move
• Where to move
• House hunting
• Leaving our beloved church family :(
• Possibly changing our homeschool group:(
• and the list goes on..... 

Anyway... enough "stress" ... LOL!!!  

This is a fantastic opportunity for Brian! He is getting to teach (which he likes) but also getting to work with students as the Student Services Director /Counselor (which he has really likes) !! I think the position fits his desire to work with college students and his abilities and strengths:)

So instead of getting bogged down with all the new "uncertainties" we were excited about his first day at his new job... September 1st!!

Brian leaving in the morning

  

The kids and I bringing him lunch on his 1st day :) 

 The kids visiting him in the office:)Don't they look like angels;)

Anyway, so there it is... our BIG change news!! And I'll definitely be sharing more and keeping everyone updated about all the exciting (and still sad) changes we'll be making!

Until then the search for a house continues:/

What Do you Say?

Brian and I are celebrating our 9th Anniversary (it's actually on the 15th, but we have a date in the works for next week.... so it will be a week of anniversary-ing!!).


In thinking about blogging what 9 years of marriage has been like or how blessed I am to married to Brian, I didn't have words...

What do you say about the man who....

holds you up (physically and in prayer) when you are broken?

loves your children unconditionally?

sees every good (and bad) moment of your life?

works hard to provide for you?

has witnessed you birth his 4 children?

laughs at your really DUMB attempts at a joke?

fixes meals (or heats up leftovers) when you are sick
or headed out to Bible study?

uses the coupons you give him when he grocery shops?
Or makes the extra stop so you can shop?

overlooks your flaws?

supports you in your endeavors?

listens and guides through your thoughts/challenges?

eats the new food allergy-friendly dishes you attempt?
(as long as they don't have chocolate)

and yes.... will change that stinky cloth diaper when you're really, really busy?? LOL!!!

You thank God for blessing you with such a loving, supportive and God-honoring husband... and then you pick up his sweaty running clothes from the bathroom floor:)

Not every day is perfect but that's life in a marriage of two very imperfect people learning how to better love and serve one another while loving, serving and providing for many little munchkins who kinda look like them;)

Happy Anniversary, Brian!!
I am blessed and soo very thankful for you:)

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.
Use them well to serve one another.
1 Peter 4:8,10

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Lydia approached me about what she wanted to eat for breakfast....

kind of different since Lydia isn't a big breakfast eater, I"'m usually trying to talk HER into something.

She says," I want to eat two crabs for breakfast."

I KNOW I gave her a confused look.... she's asking to eat something for breakfast AND it's something she's never eaten before (and we've not eaten since having kids!!).

She adds," They don't pinch me when I eat them!"

*************************************************************************
I walk into the room coughing. Brian and Chris look at me.

I attempt to tell them," I feel like I have granola stuck in my throat."

Chris attempts to diagnose me," Is it stuck in your tube? ... [pause]... Is it blocking all your air?"

*************************************************************************
And Brian isn't TINY... but when he studies all day, he comes out with a goofy sense of humor!

Trying to get dinner on the table I asked him if he could get everyone's cups prepared and on the table.

He responds back [totally joking, of course],"I bet Priscilla never asked Elvis to get the drinks!"

Then in his Priscilla Presley voice he adds," Elvis, stop that hounding dogging and get the drinks for supper!"

[groan] LOL!!!

********************************************************************
On Sunday I wore a rather BOLD top that I don't really like... but it was the Sunday before Memorial Day and looks nice on. Anyway, Sunday morning I got some sweet compliments but Sunday night I was undecided whether I should put it on again:)

And that's when my very practical and nurturing Anna says to me, "Mom, I think you should wear it. Remember, it's what is on the inside that matters more than what's on the outside, like your clothes."

I thanked her (she was listening!!) and walking into my bedroom to get the pants, unknowing that Brian wasn't fully dressed!!

But Anna followed me and looked at Brian and said, "Daddy, you can't not wear that.... I have to get out of here!!"


Aren't kiddos funny??? Mary has more and a linky at her blog, here!

I heart faces : Sun Flare

I heart Faces this week was Sun Flare...

Being very new to photography I did a little "googling" to figure out what 'Sun Flare' in photography was

and "how to" do it.

I found some very willing models (Daddy and Nate) and tried...

this was my best shot.



I had to posted some bloopers because my husband was a "hoot" as usual:)

A Cheesy Birthday Dinner

We have a couple of birthday traditions at our house:) I love them because they are so simple and easy and we all look forward to them on our birthdays:)

The first is the Birthday Meal(s). For the meals on our birthday, we all get to choose what to have!! It's fun to see what the kids and Brian picks each year and then make it and serve it them:)

The second is the Birthday Plate. I always seem to forget about the plate.... but this year as I was setting the table for Lydia's birthday, she asked for the plate:) Very sweet.

A meal Brian has really enjoyed since I met him was PIZZA!!! He loves pizza. I remember on our first wedding anniversary we went to a "nice" Italian restaurant and my husband orders... pizza!!!

Since he discovered his allergy to milk/dairy products and it seems to be getting more and more sensitive, it's been a LONG time since he has enjoyed a pizza without the worries about reacting to it... and even then you don't "enjoy" eating a food you know you'll be sick from later :(

So Brian's request was PIZZA!! A challenge since we can't use regular cheese and so the search was on...

Harris Teeter.... Lowes Food... Walmart... Trader Joes.... nope!!

WE finally found the "goods" at Whole Foods... almost 2 hours from home!

(I'm sure I could find it locally in a smaller organic/vegan food store...
always a hassle to stop though with 4 kiddos when we only need 1 item...
on this trip we had Daddy and there was more motivation!!)

The kids were excited because they have never eaten pizza before.
Anna helped with the pepperoni!

The pre-baked pie...
crust, sauce, "cheese", pepperoni, green pepper, "cheese" and Italian herbs! Yummy:)

Out of the oven.... the first time!

I put it back in the oven to try to melt the cheese some more and really toasted ( i mean burnt) the edges... whoops :(

Regardless...

What was the response???

At least, at first everyone was willing to give it a try, except Lydia! Anna didn't eat much and Chris only liked the edges... he doesn't like "slimy" textures:) So my kids aren't die-hard soy-cheese pizza eaters...

but Brian and I were pleased with the taste and were thankful for a bit of "normal". Even if it wasn't really "normal" for us;)

And Daddy got his birthday wish meal:)


This weeks theme is Red:)

Oh, and if you have experience with vegan cheeses, I'd love to hear what brands you recommend!!

We used Follow Your Heart brand this time.... but the oven had to be sooo hot to melt the cheese that it really burnt the edges of our pie :( And it was kind of "watery"! It tasted good though and we plan on eating another pie soon to use up the cheese:)

Happy Birthday to my Hubby:)

Yesterda Brian's BIG day;)

His birthday!!!

How OLD is he??? Let's just say in less than half a decade, I'll be married to a 40 year old... that sounds soo old right now!! But it's not really:) And he definitely doesn't ACT like he is older... he's got the kids convinced that I am older one of the two of us!!!

In a effort to honor him and share a little bit about him at the same time... I am going to use the "i like" model from the i Like book (I'm giving one away on SIMPLE that ends tonight!!) So here goes...


I like that Brian is a man of integrity. You live what you believes and are VERY intentional in your words and actions.

I like that you takes time out of your busy evenings to jump on the trampoline with the kids or read them books at bedtime.
I like that you support us homeschooling 100%... helping with running errands, collecting library books and "quizzing" the kids at lunch:) And encouraging me through it !!

I really like that you'll clean up the kitchen after dinner if I am busy tending to kids or housework.

I like that you leave just as much as me laying around the house:) LOL!!

I like that you support my picture taking!!! And are a willing "model"!!


I like that you are a VERY hardworking and complete every task to your VERY best ability!!

I like that you are a good teacher and pastor and I sometimes get to listen to you teach from God's Word... I really do learn, when I can hear over squirmy kiddos.

I like (well sometimes NOT at first) that you confront me when my heart, action and/or attitude is/are wrong.... phew, he'll tell you that can be dangerous... LOL!!... but he does it because he LOVES me.

I like that you can be soo silly sometimes... whether hamming it up for the camera, chuckling at Readers Digest jokes, shooting Chris' NERF gun at us or trying to make the us laugh.

I like that you are very compassionate!!!

I like that you listen.... a girl has got to get in all her words each day:)

I like that we share the same BIG goals for our future... while the details are still in debate;)

I like that we are so alike in our parenting on the things that matter MOST... yes, I'm still going to shutter when you play rough with the kids... I'm the mom, it's my job:)

I have MANY more "i like"s.... but I'll just share my favorite:)

I like YOU because you are mine!! Remember.... you made vows :)
I couldn't imagine traveling down this crazy parenting and Life road without YOU!!!

I hope you a had a great day with us as we ventured out with the whole family,
My sweet husband, lover, best friend and great father to our crazy bunch of kiddos!

10 Weeks and GQ Daddy

I missed posting some "updates" on Nate last week... I thought I'd only post months now. But I actually "missed" not posting and recording some of his changes!

Nate actually did well traveling both our southern trip and our quick semi-northern weekend trip! Sure, his schedule was off during portions of BOTH trips, but he always manages to keep his nightly sleeping routine. So we got sleep... well blocks of 4-5 hour sleep:)

Something he has started to do the last few weeks is to really fuss more while nursing. I have attributed it to sleepiness, gas pains and being off-schedule. But since it's still happening after a couple of weeks now I'm starting to wonder if there is something going on.

Maybe reflux?? Or maybe he's just a verbally-opininated little guy:) Who likes 30 minute cat naps!!!

He does spit up pretty frequently...


Anyway, I've read through some acid reflux symptom lists and i'm not convinced that he matches many of the symptoms. Just glad we have a late 2 month appointment later this week.

We've also noticed how much he likes to be held vertically versus horizontally. He likes to be held sitting up and facing out, so he can see what is going on;)

I found a Bumbo seat on Craigslist this weekend and picked it up... used once and set aside!


Nate's still a little young for it:) But he has loved the few times we've put him in it;)


While away Nate giggled for the 1st time. I was attempting to nurse him but he just wanted to "talk"... anyway, I tickled him and he did a little giggle in response.... it was soo sweet!! And it confirms my thought that he was ticklish... way more than any of the other kiddos!!


Nate's stage can be sooo much fun!! They are just soo sweet and seem to learn and change so quickly! But it's also super challenging.... more laundry, fussy baby, late/quick and/or cold dinner (at least when I finally get to the table to eat), etc!!!

There have been times these last 2 weeks when I've wished these baby days to pass more quickly. But then Nate will coo and smile....

.... and I'm refreshed and reminded what a sweet age he's in! And how quickly time is passing!

While on vacation last week Brian picked up a new suit;) He wanted to get a picture to send to his parents to show them the suit...

What do you think??? And noticed what has returned!

What is a Daddy?

He's the....

Swing pusher... and makes us fly up in the air!

One who holds us close when we are scared! (or tired of walking)

Teacher of cool toys!

Support when I try something new.
Helper of crafts (at least while mommy has the camera):)

Funny guy!!!
(Brian in Pey's car pushing up his muscle...LOL!)

Happy Birthday Brian!!

The kids are blessed to have you as their Daddy.

And I'm blessed to have you as my husband and pastor!

Saturday Sentences : Hope in Contentment

During a rough day, I looked at Brian and asked, "Why can I not just be content with the family I have? Why do I have such a strong desire for more children? Is it wrong to want more children?"

LOL... my poor husband having to deal with me sometimes!! I'm glad he is a sensible, wise and thoughtful husband. And that he can encourage with a honest and insightful answer!!

But I will never forget how he responded.

He looked at me with compassion. And then gently answered, "Kelly, within a heart of contentment there is room for hope."

He didn't criticize me for being upset and letting the hormones out...LOL! He didn't condemn me for still not having a grasp of what contentment really looks and feels like. But he encouraged me with that statement. And meant that I can have a quiet, content heart and still hope for more children some day.

It reminded me of another time of balancing contentment and hope: my single days. I remember finally getting to a point where I was content being single, not actively spying out good guys to date, but still hoping to get married one day. That was about when I felt the pull to attend seminary to learn more about God's Word and be able to "minister" to others biblically. Kind of funny, because just after my 2nd full week at seminary I met Brian.

And then I remember the greatest hope we can have. That is our hope in our Savior and Lord. We wish for His soon return and the peace and joy that seeing Him face to face will bring. Psalm 33:20 (NIV) "We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield."

I'll share with you with this verse.... It too talks about hoping in the Lord's coming. But looking at their explanation of "hope" was encouraging... because clearly hope is normal, a part of faith and contentment!

Romans 8:24b,25, 28 (NIV) "But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently..... 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.

Thank you God, for the family You have given me and thank you for the ability to hope. I praise You that You have plans for us. Help me to wait patiently and contently for those things that are unseen.

The Beard Decision

A couple of days ago, we asked for your opinions on the beard.... I think Brian was a little surprised by all the comments... so thanks:)

He lasted through church and then all day visiting with my folks on Monday. As we were leaving the beard conversation came up. My dad said EXACTLY what I thought he'd say and then my sister piped in...... LOL, ahhaaaa, LOL... so funny!!!

Before I share her opinion, I need to share one of the notable conversations of the day. We were talking about when Brian first came to meet my family when we started dating. We reminded my sister of what she said the 1st time she met Brian!!! She said, "Yep, your just as nerdy as someone should be who would be dating my sister." LOL... this time she immediately said she was young and didn't realize how rude it was.... I was just glad that I had WARNED him about her before their 1st meeting:)

OK, so that is what my sister thought of him then..... well this is what she said about the beard, "This is the most I've ever been attracted to your husband. I'd venture to say that he is almost 'sexy'... like Matthew McConaughey."

She went on about how clean shaven he kept the beard and that it highlighted his "chiseled chin". But I think we were still in tears over the 1st sentence of her opinion!!

Well I'm not sure what Brian based his beard decision on... maybe as a way to ward off his sister-in-law! The beard came off Tuesday morning :( I was a little disappointed... I had started to get use to it and I did like it on him!!! Although, his smooth face is very nice, too:)

Should It Stay or Go???

During many weeklong vacations, Brian attempts to grow a beard. He'll get it coming in and then decide to shave it off. Well this week was the exception.... he grew a beard and DIDN'T shave it off!! And this morning he went off to church with his "new" look. (Here he is working this afternoon.)

















He got some reactions.... some good, some not... lol!! I think someone confessed that at one time they wouldn't have voted to have a pastor with a beard. And one just shook his head and said, "Don't tell me."

My favorite comment was our neighbor. I flat out asked her what she thought and she said, "It doesn't bother me either way, I'm just glad I don't have to kiss him!" LOL... so funny!

For a comparision, here's one of my favorite pre-beard pics of Brian. I was playing with the camera and this was the expression I got after he's just made a really goofy face that I didn't get:)

Since we all like sharing what we think, what do you think?

Should it stay or should it go??