The Christmas Tree Stand

For the past two weeks a Christmas tree stand has been holding my husband hostage, but it's only temporary and by next week we'll all be together again and happily on our way to Florida for Christmas vacation. The lawn care company Paul works with sets up a Christmas Tree stand every year for three weeks at the end of November through the middle of December. They had over 700 hand-picked (beautiful) trees delivered from a tree farm in Michigan a couple weeks ago and now have only 7 left. SEVEN! And seven more trees means almost no more stand for this year. It's been quite an adventure having daddy gone so much during this Christmasy season. We'd normally be watching movies together, making chocolate-covered pretzels, wrapping presents, or sitting by the fire dreaming about our children's faces come Christmas morning. I've been in survival mode for the most part (hence the reason I haven't been blogging) and am looking forward to Monday (the day we leave for FL) and the dreaming can begin.

So yeah, it's almost midnight at present and I'm exhausted - absolutely - but the house is clean and the laundry is put away and there is so much to look forward to in the coming weeks! Speaking of, Izaac has shown great interest in the presents under the tree and I can hardly wait to see what he'll do when he actually gets to open some. His favorite though are the candy canes on the tree. The boys and I have laughed at his adorableness, he plucks a candy can off the tree, breaks it open then sucks on it with a satisfied grin. Elijah and Joel have done their fair share of sneaking candy canes too and, to tell the truth, so have I. We're over candy canes now. Totally. I think we've bought 5 boxes of candy canes so far and you'd never know it by looking at our tree. If I eat any more I might never want another one as long as I live.

I forgot to mention that, thanks to Kevin Pollock (owner of the tree stand) we were able to purchase a big, beautiful frasier fir and stand for $25 this year. A real tree! A dream come true for me. Now I don't have to burn a wanna-be fir-scented candle from Wal-mart because I have the real thing in my living room and it smells beyond good.

The night we put the tree up, after the kids were in bed, I looked everywhere for the lights we'd used on our fake tree the past 6 years so that in the morning we could all decorate the tree together, until Paul remembered they were attached to the fake tree. But the next morning we woke to find the boys had already adorned the Christmas tree with every ornament we own (plus candy canes and a few foreign objects). We didn't have the heart to tell their proud little faces that the lights are supposed to go on first. All we could do was smile knowingly to each other and say to the boys, "Wow, what a amazing job you guys did!" Two days later we took all the ornaments off to put the lights on and the boys cheerfully helped.

It's been so fun these past couple of weeks, even with Paul gone. We've missed him a ton. Thankfully we'll have our normal schedule back soon, since no one buys Christmas Trees after Christmas.

photography

Joel: [camera on Elijah, click]
Elijah: Are you photographing me?
Joel: No. [click]
Elijah: Are you photographing me?
Joel: No. [click]
Elijah: Are you photographing me, Joel?
Joel: No. [click] I'm taking pictures of you.

"On This Thanksgiving Day"

"Shining sun, a warming, soothing blanket of light

On this Thanksgiving Day.

Winds quiet, still, listening,

Listening for the whispers of winter.

Trees watching, pausing, waiting,

waiting to catch the coming flakes.

The sky hovers blue, as far as eye can see;

Up, up, hovering, covering, seeing, sheltering,

On this Thanksgiving Day.

Marvelous land, nesting the animals, resting for winter, thoughtful, still, quiet

On this Thanksgiving Day."

Thanksgiving, 11.27.08

One of the Best Thanksgivings Ever

Considering last Thanksgiving meal was eaten around a Cracker Barrel table while I was almost nine months pregnant I had a lot to be thankful for this year. Although my brother and his family and cousin and her family were unable to come, which would have made the day perfect, and although we did shed sentimental tears over it, once Thanksgiving morning came everyone felt much better and enjoyed the day. For breakfast, we ate our traditional special-occasion strawberry Toaster Stroodles while Christmas music played; we went around the table telling what we were thankful for, and teared up a bit when we told each person we were thankful for about them. Next came Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and football while I cooked (and listened to more Christmas music). We arrived at Mom and Dad's at 1:00pm in the pouring rain and ate one of the most delicious Thanksgiving meals ever. The boys were excited, especially during the meal when Papa showed them the two movies he'd bought for them that morning and they spent the next couple of hours watching them. Later Mom, Dad, Paul and I played Phase 10 and laughed and laughed. I've never played a game that moved so slow or lasted so long. Dear goodness. It was such fun enjoying everyone's company, joking and talking, snacking and playing a game. By the time we left, it was dark outside and very cold so Paul started a fire in the wood stove and the boys went to bed after lots of hugs, giggles and Happy Thanksgiving's. (Okay, Joel has talked absolutely non-stop since I began writing this blog. Literally, he's sitting on the arm of the couch next to me and telling Elijah a never-ending story that keeps evolving from one grand hero/rescue/danger to another and it's too cute because Joel's not normally the big talker of the family. Now Elijah went out the door, Joel laid his head on my shoulder and said I love you, Mom. Such a darling. *sigh* and this classical Christmas Music is wonderful).

After the boys went to bed, Paul watched one of his "band of brothers" movies (about WWII) and I watched the final story of Anne of Green Gables, and bawled my eyes out when Anne, after having searched for months and nearly given up, finds Gil among the pow soldiers at a German camp. The perfect ending to a perfect day!

Thank You, Lord. You're wonderful.

Gluten-Free Day 4

Izaac, who is sleeping soundly in his crib, has unknowingly completed day 4 of a gluten-free diet. I've read dozens of stories in the past few days of people having severe eczema disappear when they removed gluten from their diet and am even more hopeful that this diet will do the same for Izaac.

The boys understand why Izaac can't have gluten and will offer him something he can have when he comes asking for what they're eating. (Just to clarify, Izaac does sit in a seat and eat normal meals and snacks. He doesn't just wander around eating whenever he gets a chance, yet if he sees someone eating, he wants to eat too). It amazes me how understanding Elijah and Joel are, probably because they know how much the eczema bothers him and I'm sure they're as eager to see his skin clear as I am.

As I research the benefits of a gluten-free diet, not only am I not freaking out anymore but I am inclined to go on it myself! Maybe I should. But if I do, I'll wait until after the holidays.

Gluten Free Day Two

Putting my baby on a gluten-free diet is daunting. I never expected to feel so ill-equipped to feed my child. Especially this adorable eleven month old (today!) who taps a tiny hand on my leg, bounces his diaper bottom and says m-m-moe for a bite of what I'm eating. He earnestly likes to eat and knows how to weasel food off of anyone's plate, happily smacking on whatever he's given. Paul and I laugh and Paul says to me, oh my goodness he's a little moocher just like your brother used to be!

I guess it's not bad he has to learn not to beg food from everyone at the table but I'm so used to him eating what we eat and now I'm having to make most of his meals separate. This is freaking me out! Not a lot, but enough. I am trusting the Lord and I know it will get easier but right now I feel like I'm lost in a foreign country asking for a phone, I don't know this gluten free "language" yet and it is a whole different world. (Do you know how many food items gluten is in?)

Take yesterday, I cooked broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, turnips, green beans, pinto beans and carrots and my house smelled like sewer gas! I blended up the sewer gas concoction and nearly lost my breakfast tasting it. I gave a spoonful to Izaac and he loved it! How, child? But thank You Lord! At least I know it's healthy and I didn't trash the air in my house for nothing. I threw open every window and turned all the fans. I lit candles. Two hours and 64 degrees later, my house smelled acceptable; I just made sure not to open the fridge more than necessary - they don't make tupperware like they used to.

I'd say it wasn't the best start to our gluten-free journey but Izaac is on his second day without gluten and I know it's going to help him. That's all that matters. When his skin clears up and he can play with bath toys instead of scratch ceaselessly during bath time, gluten and wheat will be our sworn enemy and we won't look back. I'll just have to make sure I keep plenty of GF snacks and foods in my purse/diaper bag.

So I'm excited and nervous and out of sorts. But hallelujah, Mom went to a health food store today and is bringing back lots of gluten free goodies! Thanks, Mom! Now all I need are some recipes cuz you better believe ain't no sewer gas concoction happening in this house again. Hm, maybe I should have mixed the potent veggies with yummier ones. Instead of mixing them all together.

Eczema

Izaac has what I would call severe eczema. It's not so severe that it requires hospitalization but it covers his body from head to toe with unrelenting itching, redness, burning, scaling, pussing, scabbing, especially on his arms/hands, feet/legs. His hands, feet and scalp are covered with scales from the dry skin and scabs from excessive itching. We've tried every cream, lotion, oil with only temporary relief and have only seen results that don't last and we're tired of seeing our baby suffer! Recently we switched from formula to raw goat's milk hoping we'd see a change, yet even though the milk hasn't helped his eczema it is good to know he's getting milk full of live enzymes and other great nutrients. I discovered eczema can be caused by allergies, especially food allergies, and since I am willing to try anything, Izaac is starting a gluten/casein/wheat free diet tomorrow. Today I went to the pioneer market and packed my refrigerator full of fruits and veggies to prepare and freeze for Izaac. I also have half a bag of gluten free noodles to use as well.

My sister-in-law and brother have had their oldest little boy on the same "diet" so I am grateful to have someone knowledgeable to help me out.

I'm ready for Izaac to not itch so bad he scratches himself into a frenzy.

I'm ready for Izaac to have clear, smooth skin as a baby should.

I'm ready for Izaac to be well.

And if he could talk, I'm sure he would agree.

So for the next six weeks at least, I am going to keep Izaac away from all gluten, wheat and casein and continue to pray and believe for his skin to clear up!

Joel and Jesus

Yesterday Joel was having a "bad" morning - not listening, whining, four-year-old stuff. During Bible time while the music was playing and Elijah and I were listening to God and praying and drawing what He showed us, Joel was laying on the couch angry. Every time I prayed that he would know how much Jesus loves him he would scrunch his eyebrows and turn his head away. Normally during time with God, Joel sings and dances and prays and draws, so something was really bothering him. As I was praying, I quietly grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil (which Elijah sweetly sharpened for me) and began to draw as best as I could a big red heart and inside the heart a picture of Jesus smiling, holding a little boy who was looking up into Jesus' face with a big grin. The boys both intently watched me as I drew and both were eager to know who the boy in the picture was. After the drawing was done, I wrote Jesus and Joel inside the heart. When Joel saw he was the little boy in the picture he said It's ME! and then moved on to do something else. A few minutes later though he quietly took the picture, hid beside the couch and for five minutes sat and studied it. When he came out, he began to scribble on a piece of paper, then with a smile looked up and me and said Mom, that's the love of God.

This scenario could be played out one hundred times in different ways, because if there is one area that the enemy targets especially in kids it is to steal the knowing that God absolutely loves them. It is a constant battle over my kids, not that they behave, not that they act perfectly, but that they know God and His love for them. Because when our kids know Him He will give them the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him. An added bonus is that when they feel loved by Him they are happy - and there's nothing much sweeter than a happy kid.

"You've got your hands full"

Variations include:

Boy are your hands full

My, my your hands are full

Whew, you need another kid

When I was running errands the other day I heard this eight times. I counted. Eight. People are well-meaning but sometimes their comments are exasperating. As if I had no choice. You're right, I do have my hands full, I don't where all these kids came from they just showed up on my doorstep and now my hands are so full I don't know what to do with all of them! So by the time the last person's comment arrived I replied with Yes! My hands are full of blessings! I could have gone on, Yes! I wanted all of them and love them and enjoy spending time with them and could not imagine life without them and cry because they are so wonderful. I am so happy my hands are full! I don't mean to imply that any person's comment was meant the way I took it and most of the time comments roll off as I know people are well-meaning. But eight times in 2 hours. That was a little much. I have inherited dark circles unfortunately and don't have the time to apply makeup everyday; add that to my too-long pants and wind-blown hair and I can only imagine what people must think. Oh well. At least now I know what not to say to other people with little kids, especially when mine are grown and I forget what it's like. I'll try to remember to say things like, what beautiful children you have! And avoid the all-too-popular, you've got your hands full.

Lists

I am a list fanatic. If I do not have a list my brain does not work. I'm pretty sure there must be a scientific term for my list obsession but for now you'll just have to take my word for it. My list-making used to get on Paul's nerves and he would say well if you'd stop making all those lists you might actually get something done. I told him my brain is attached to paper and without paper and words (aka lists) my brain won't stay organized, causing me to forget what I'm supposed to be doing every five minutes! If I have nothing written down to point me back in the right direction, forget it. Maybe I'll remember my all-important daily goals, but chances are i won't and will be trying to recall them the entire day. What was I going to do again? I know it was important. What was it? Paul is accepting of my lists now seeing first hand how much they help me and I'm grateful. Now, if only it didn't take me so long to write a list. Making a to-do list is like digging through mountains of laundry to find a Leggo gun. It wouldn't take so much effort if my mind wouldn't keep wandering off in a million directions. Okay, first thing I need to do tomorrow is... oh goodness what was it again... it's uh... number one is... [REACH FOR IT]... oh that's right, first thing is spend time with God. Second thing... oh but where is my Bible...

This scenario could go on for a good hour before my list is done, BUT once it's done, sweet relief. I am done digging and I can go on about my day without worrying I'm forgetting something. Oh but wait... where did I put that list again?

My List of Not-So-Favorite Things

1. Putting fuel in the car

2. Forgetting things

3. Being cold

4. Living 30 minutes away from Wal-mart

5. Going a few days without salad

6. Clutter

7. My handwriting

8. Cleaning up the kitchen for the 13th time at the end of the day

9. When I realize my brilliant organizational idea is just another excuse for not working

10. Eating ice cream as a substitute for TCBY (the country's best yogurt - found nowhere)

My Granny

I called my Granny tonight. It was good to hear her voice. I've been missing her, especially this time of year when she bakes deliciousness and frets over her dressing (stuffing) recipe. I love her. I love her voice, especially her laugh, and even her tears have come to be precious to me. There will come a day when I won't be able to pick up the phone and hear her on the other end and then I'll miss her and I'll regret not letting her know how much she means to me. No. I'm going to call her often and send her gifts and letters. When I'm in Florida I am going to see her and eat her food and wash her dishes and listen to her stories. I have the privilege to see her and hear her and hug and kiss her and I don't want to throw it away for trivial things. She means more to me than I can ever express and I want her to know it.

HeyTell and Joel

At 7:30 this morning Joel asks to send a HeyTell message to Paul who is on his way to work. I agree and Joel grabs the phone. With HeyTell (an iPhone application) as soon as it's opened there is a big orange button with a selected name above it, as soon as you hold down the button whatever is said will automatically send when the button is released. So, as Joel grasps the phone and presses the HeyTell application button I whisper (Izaac was asleep) "Now, when it opens DON'T press the orange button." Joel now gets his I'm-gonna-do-this-my-way look and clenches the phone, waiting to jab the orange button when it appears. I try to pry the phone away and whisper louder "Don't press the button!". Soaring through my mind is the fact that it's 7:30 in the morning and I don't want to be that person who wakes someone up with a pointless message and as I'm struggling to pry the phone away he presses the button when I hiss "Don't PRESS it!". To my dismay, it sends the message and my friend receives a message from me at 7:30 in the morning sounding like a freaky person in a halloween costume: Don't PRESS it! I learned two valuable things this morning. #1 stay in control of the phone when the four year old wants to send a heytell message and #2 if it is in the four year olds possession, don't talk until the phone is safely removed.

It's the Little Things

Here are a few little things that make me smile big:

1. The way Joel talks in his "big boy voice" when he's acting tough

2. The way Elijah and Joel look at Izaac adoringly as if their hearts might burst from loving him

3. Izaac's laugh and the way he yells out "moe! moe!" (more) after every bite he eats

4. The way Paul makes our boys laugh - watching him enjoy them

5. Hearing Elijah talk about his dirt bike

6. Having (hilarious, serious, sweet) conversations with my kids

7. Watching a movie with my best friend in the world, the guy I married

8. Eating at Panera Bread

9. Sunrise and sunset

10. Beautiful days

11. Rain

12. The sounds of fall

13. Putting away the last of the laundry

14. Attempting to paint landscapes

15. Taking care of my baby, especially carrying him around on my hip

16. Watching people get touched by God's presence

17. "Kathy's hugs" (a dear friend of ours is known for her motherly hugs)

18. How Avery (Joel and Elijah's 4 year old friend) sometimes refers to Joel and Elijah as "Joel-Lijah"; "Where's Joel-Lijah?"

19. Thinking of friends and family who love me even when I feel like I don't deserve it

20. My Dad's laugh, his humility and the way he holds his grandsons

21. My Mom's kind and giving heart and her unintended humor

22. The way my brother makes me laugh like no one else can

23. Jodi Anne's (my sister-in-law's) laugh and the way she can make anyone feel special, important and loved

24. Katie's (sis-in-law's) expressive personality, affectionate hugs and how she makes things beautiful with decorations and flowers

25. Pam's (sis-in-law's) tender and caring heart, and how she puts others first and thinks of ways to make them happy

26. The way Anne (my mom-in-law) loves, how she doesn't grumble, complain or gossip but prays and the way she always thinks of others and gives gifts

27. How Garry (dad-in-law) reads to his grandkids, the way he smiles lovingly at them and how he can make anyone feel right at home

28. My nephews and neices beautiful faces and sweet little voices

29. The way Ashley (cousin) has been a friend I've known since before I can remember and how she writes and tells stories

30. The cozy feel of clean sheets

31. Something baking in the oven on a cold day

32. Admiring my babies when they're resting. And holding them close, kissing their velvety hair, touching their little fingers, looking into their eyes to tell them how much they're loved, dancing with them, praying with them

33. Childhood memories

34. Every kid I know or have ever seen - they're all marvelous

35. God

36. The way my house looks when it's clean

37. Throwing away junk

38. Giving away clutter

39. When my hair cooperates

40. When my jeans fit

Ladybug Imposters

The great invasion has begun. How they get in I do not know. Where they come from is a mystery. They stink. They're crawly. They look like wasps during flight. They feel like spiders when they land. They are identical to the sweet ladybug with one exception (that I know of, going by someone's word): they're not red. So now that I know they aren't true ladybugs but some sort of imposing beetle I am completely over them and will stand by willingly to watch them get sucked into the vacuum hose. Thankfully there aren't so many that Paul has had to break out the vacuum yet; last year there were so many of them you could only see patches of our white ceiling, and our house reeked! Hopefully we won't have armies again this year. Such a nuisance. Do real ladybugs stink this bad? I just crunched a few in the window and I'm not loving the odor. On a lower note, last night we had a wind storm so severe it's a miracle our house didn't blow away. Turns out our house was spared, but not our brand-new 15 foot trampoline. Blown from the side of our house, it flew over our car, bounced through our front yard, smashed through the tree line and landed in a heap in the woods. We of course didn't know this until morning. Izaac and I peeked out the window into the morning only to see a very mangled, out of place trampoline in the woods. Quite frankly I said, "O crap". But Paul and Red Buffalo (our tractor, sorry not a real Indian) managed to extract the bouncing wonder and after some banging and bending, the boys were able to jump once again on their favorite of all favorite toys. Ever since Paul brought it home the boys have spent nearly every free moment on it - I can't imagine how we lived without it to tell the truth. The net unfortunately didn't survive the whirlwind, but no biggie, those things cost less than my last grocery bill *cough. Some exciting news, the house is clean. I thought our clean house was lost forever under the "storm" that happened during the packing and unpacking for our week-long trip to Texas. Ministry times were amazing and we met some wonderful people but anyone that's been a part of a week-long conference will know it was no vacation (so we are eager to go to Gran and Grandad's house for Christmas! )Yeah, so homeschool in Texas, no way. N-o way. I tried. But in the end, missing four days of kindergarten seemed insignificant compared to the torture of attempting school in Texas. The boys (all three) did amazing on the drive to and from Texas and during the late late nights and morning sessions. I would like to shout out a gigantic THANK YOU to Grandma, Kathy and Sara for helping with the boys! Wow, I could not have done anything I did without you ladies. Thank you again sooo much. Izaac was a pretty big deal with the ladies in Dallas, they couldn't believe he was walking so well at nine months; it is pretty cute seeing a 2 foot tall baby toddling around. In the last few days his personality and voice have come out - folks, he is now 10 months going on 2 years. Pitching fits, saying words, pointing for what he wants, (demanding what he wants) are all part of his newly found voice. Thankfully he is very easy to redirect and calm and can say (his version of) quite a few words. He is hilarious and he knows it. Elijah is riding his dirt bike like a pro and looks adorable in his little outfit! He says, "I can't do a backflip yet but I'm doin' pretty good". Joel can do a front flip on the trampoline and almost land on his feet - ah, it's precious watching him - and he and Paul set up a deer stand together Sunday afternoon - it was a big hit (no pun intended) for Joel. What have I been doing? Cleaning. Pretty much. No adventures in the woods or fun outings for me. Unless you classify going to wal-mart an adventure. And spending way to much money on... what?... and wondering where the cashier is hiding all those pricey items you did not purchase that would make your total that high. Or thinking, did I leave a few or four or five bags behind? Not my choicest adventure but at least I was able to go alone. On the way home though I had to stop and get gas (for the car, I already had gas) and while I was entering code into the machine I noticed the prices per gallon were lit up under glass that was cracked as though someone had tried pressing the glass to get gasoline instead of the actual LARGE button below, and thought how glad I was I wasn't that technologically deficient, at least I knew how to press a giant button. Thinking such high thoughts of my smartness I pressed the green button and as I was about to squeeze the pump handle I see santa clause (maybe not but he could have passed) flailing his arms, running towards me saying something about diesel. He huffs out that I have the diesel nozzle in my car and shouts "you could have RUINED YER CAR by puttin' that diesel in thare!" Totally embarrassed, I said thank you for POINTING THAT OUT!! So CLEARLY! Because I had NO IDEA diesel would RUIN MY CAR!!! That man saved my car though even if he did hurt my pride so I said thank you a few more times to his face then several more times on the way home in the car that was working because it didn't have diesel fuel in it.

Festive

The pale-orange sky is layered with drifting, blue clouds floating lazily over the colorful tree-scape. I hear walnuts cracking on branches as they fall into cushions of leaves while squirrels spring from tree top to tree top; they aren't chattering this morning and I wonder if they are like me, too busy "surviving" to frolic in the crisp, autumn air. Oh, how wonderful is the scent of distant chimney smoke! It brings to mind happy memories with family and friends. It makes me wish I could throw off every outside responsibility and meet family and friends in a giant house in the mountains somewhere and have a throw-down good time together. The ladies would bake and paint and sew and snuggle babies while the men folk did something manly (whatever that may be) and after the kids were tucked in their beds, we would all come together and play games by the fire, eat cookies and laugh and laugh. We would do nothing all week except be festive, enjoy family and eat.

While Cinderella may have gotten her dream, as far-fetched as it was, I think my chances of getting all my favorite people into one giant house are slim, so for now I am going to have to learn to be festive in the midst of the many responsibilities I have and enjoy this season any chance I get. Don't mind me, I'll just be over here playing in the leaves.

Izaac Clapping (August)

Nature Walk

This morning I threw open the windows first thing and stood for a moment to let the cool air pass over me. With weather like this I couldn't see missing the opportunity to go on a nature walk in order to make a Reptile Groups poster, so when it was time for science I picked up the baby and the three amigos and I headed out under the brilliant blue sky to look for reptiles. The only reptile we ended up seeing was a northern fence lizard but other insects, animals and plants also captured our attention. We petted the miniature donkeys and goats - Izaac half-laughed, half- winced at the big, furry animals and Elijah yelled out about the well-fed, brother and sister donkeys "look, they're both gonna have babies!"

Under rocks and pavers we found roly-polies, worms, fire-colored centipedes and "termites" as the boys insisted on calling the almost-microscopic white bugs (I don't know what they are?). We found (more) clams by the pond and frogs as small as a fingernail. The sky was so blue and the grass so green and the breeze so fall-ish I could have sat by the pond all day, holding my sweet baby, watching my boys explore and startle then laugh.

As we walked together, we figured that the best thing about homeschool is being together. Yes. Being with each other, especially on days like today, is priceless. The sound of the wind in the trees, our laughter echoing off friendly hills and into ravines, crickets singing of autumn.

I heard someone once say enjoy the little things, because one day you'll look back and they'll be the big things.

What a day!

What a day! I must have taken a hundred deep breaths between 1:30 and 3:30pm - conservation center and library - but we did have fun even so. Joel had quite a "selective (SELECTIVE) hearing" issue today which accounted for most of my deep breaths, Elijah had a few of "those" moments (I tell you, those lamaze classes helped me in more ways than one) and Izaac just wanted down! At the conservation center, we explored the displays, books and toys that centered around our science theme - reptiles! - and enjoyed each new discovery. Then. The resource room. Those poor conservation ladies probably thought I was a teenage mom with too many kids - my baby was whining, my four year old was doing wheelies with the stroller and my five year old was bouncing back and forth from reading to whining - and for goodness sakes all I wanted to do was get a few posters! I practically inhaled the dust from that conservation carpet to stay calm.

The library was fun (I won't bring up the two bathroom breaks, the poopy diaper/clothes or the spit up all over the floor). Fun yet interesting. Joel doesn't understand "I'm sorry, honey, you can't get 25 books remember because the manager made a new rule that people can only check out 15 books", so that left me bending awkwardly over the little kid table to sort through the books while holding a very heavy baby (who was leaning toward the floor) in one arm and a bulky diaper bag on the other shoulder; my hair was disheveled; I should have worn a belt; the tag on my shirt was scratchy; and let me just tell you, thank God for the fruit of self-control, or I would have lost it! Thankfully the kids fell asleep in the car and stayed asleep when I put them in their beds and the Lord gave me a beautiful rain and a quiet hour to myself.

I wouldn't be telling the whole story unless I told you that I thoroughly enjoyed these boys today (deep breaths or not). Though Joel was a bit "hard of hearing" he was also absolutely hilarious and sweet! Elijah brought tears to my eyes during his spelling assessment, when I saw how hard he was trying and how well he was spelling and then how proud he was of his accomplishment (and soccer sticker). Izaac is still the best baby ever, especially when he is allowed to roam freely and Elijah always says, "Izaac is the world's most favorite baby."

This morning, when Joel was at the table painting and I was on the floor beside him feeding Izaac, somehow the conversation came up between Elijah and I that I am smart. Joel tilted his head like a college professor, pointed his paintbrush at just the right angle and gave a little half-smile. He then kindly said, "Hm. But you're not smarter than me, Mom."

I am loving homeschooling! Moms who stay home or read to their kids or teach them anything at all already "homeschool" in a way, so to me homeschooling feels like the natural progression for our family. I sometimes refer to myself as being "in kindergarten" because I'm re-learning so many things - I should be a genius by the time the kids all graduate (*cough* it's a stretch I know).

Elijah and Joel and I aren't the only ones learning in this house, I'm convinced Izaac is learning more than all of us put together. He has explored every inch of our house already and has found some favorite toys - crackling paper, rolling wheels and electronics. He also loves books! Especially books that require the reader to make animal sounds. I love to watch him pull up, let go and stand by himself for 3-5 seconds at a time. He brings endless joy to our family and it's safe to say he is adored.

My camera batteries are dead but I'll try to post some pictures soon.

What a day!

It feels like I've finally settled into a curriculum that fits our family and covers all the bases. The McRuffy Math and Phonics and Reading have been great - the boys look forward to their math lessons and Joel is beginning to read. With Science and History, I have been improvising each day but hope to find some time to lay out a long-range plan and get all my materials together, that way I won't have to scramble for ideas every day; although in science, whatever we learn about goes into our nature journals, whether it's animal pics cut out of a magazine or drawings with crayon.

When I started out the school year I didn't know what language arts really was and I had a few different ideas; now I've decided to scratch the term "language arts" and replace it with Penmanship, Spelling (Elijah) and Phonics/Reading (Joel). My main goal for penmanship is to teach them the correct formation for each letter, so I am zeroing in on their "problem letters", concentrating on one until they grasp it before moving to the next. We are use the whiteboard often to make giant strokes, practice letters and play "teacher" (they seem to retain it better when they have to teach it); we make crafts for the particularly tough letters and it helps them grasp how the letter is made and each day (well, beginning this week) they trace a sheet full of the letter we're working on. They trace a vocabulary word (our new one is "holy - belonging to the Lord") as well as their name (four to a page).

We made mailboxes with 3675 on them (I'll post pics later) to help them learn our address - plus it was a fun craft and it's always great to get special notes and pictures!

P.E. is definitely a work in progress now that Izaac is no longer content to sit and watch yet unable to walk yet (soon, though). We go outside and I find ways to help them use up some of their energy.

More later on how I am keeping track of finished work, books, papers, lesson plans, etc.

Field Trip to the Conservation and First Week of School

Hummingbird Celebration was at the Conservation Department this Saturday so Paul and I loaded up the kids for some more education on the world's smallest bird. Not only did we learn more about the little buzzing creatures but we also had a fun family day (I love those!).

The first week of school went wonderfully and what an education I'm *cough*... the kids are getting! While they're learning about kindergarten things, I'm learning how to organize, schedule, teach; be consistent, flexible and relaxed. I realized very quickly (the second day of science) that learning about one animal a week wasn't going to cut it, so we're learning about a new animal each "class" along with review of the old ones. Science and history (which I also had to change - we are now learning about indians, per the boys request). The boys are excited about the new things they're are learning and all the crafts and discoveries they're making. Today we discovered Freshwater Flat Clams in the pond! Paul broke one open and pretended to eat it - I thought the boys were going to turn white - and when we came home we learned all about them (even how to cook them haha).

I think one of the funniest/"poor baby" moments this week happened after we had made our "iPhones" out of construction paper and foam squares. Joel asked me,

"Mom, when are we gonna make the covers for these things?"

"What covers, honey?"

"The covers - you know - that make the phones work like yours."

It nearly broke my heart (and made me laugh, simultaneously) to tell him that his phone was pretend. His head fell, his shoulders slumped and his phone dropped to the floor - talk about a let down! Can you imagine, a fake phone?! Who would ever want one of those! But, he's better about it now and will be practicing his phone number on it tomorrow.

So many wonderful things have happened in school this week and I'll share more soon in another post. One more thing, I just have to say homeschooling is a blast!

First day of school

Today was so, so, so much fun!! After breakfast we spent time with God, then did math (the boys didn't want to quit), went outside to play soccer for p.e. (the weather couldn't have been any more perfect); snack, language arts and science came next. We learned about the Ostrich - the world's largest bird - and then discovered the cassowary - the world's deadliest bird!

It was such a blast spending quality time with the kids today; I didn't realize how distracted I'd been until I was able to forget about all my other responsibilites and put my entire focus on the boys - doing projects with them, teaching them, learning and laughing along with them. At one point this morning tears came to my eyes as I was resting in the grass and Elijah gathered me in a one-sided huddle, with his face close to mine he began whispering his next soccer strategy and I realized, "wow, I would have missed this moment...". I have no doubt Paul and I made the right choice for our family. And even though it's only the first day, I have a feeling that even through the rough times, many more beautiful memories will be made to treasure for a life-time.

What a wonderful first day of kindergarten - good job Joel and Elijah!

Izaac - pulling up and first tooth

Curriculum and Organization

This is so much fun! I've been working on writing lesson plans, getting curriculum together and organizing for school to start tomorrow. The boys and I went "school shopping" last week and had all sorts of fun supply ideas for "homeschool" - it was really crazy but really, really fun (next time I won't take the baby and I definitely will not choose the shopping cart with the big plastic monstrosity of a child-restrainer attached to the front). My first step in getting all these supplies organized was to find a place to store them out of sight. I cleaned out my two linen closets, condensed our blankets - storing the ones we rarely use upstairs - and combined towels, sheets and a few of our favorite blankets into one closet; the other closet is now used entirely for school supplies and cubbies for the boys.

I purchased Sterilite containers to hold everything needed for each subject (i.e. everything needed for math - workbooks, teachers manuals, games, cards, supplies - in one container; all phonics materials in another and so on) as well as a container for craft supplies and another for computer/notebook paper. I also purchased two crates in the colors the boys chose for their cubbies, which will hold their "learning notebooks", Nature journals, school boxes, math manipulatives. Underneath their cubbies is a two-drawer plastic thing - it's holding supplies in one drawer and educational books in another.

For their workspace, I wanted to have something other than the kitchen table so I purchased two little folding tables from wal-mart and put them in a nook in our living room (away from the kitchen and away from the food!); they're sturdy but also light and will be easily folded up and stowed away on the weekends and whenever we're not having school. The boys like having their own "homeschool place" to work.

My favorite new supply is the laminating machine. I guarantee that from now on if it can be laminated it will be laminated.

Math

For math I have both boys in McRuffy Math Kindergarten - it looks fabulous and I can hardly wait to teach it!

Language arts

I purchased McRuffy's phonics and reading for Joel and it too looks amazing - I can hardly wait to begin!

The boys will also trace one word and it's meaning each week for language arts; these words will be ones that define what it means to be a godly man; we will also use words from the Bible such as "revelation", "knowledge", "understanding". Along with that, they will practice writing their letters correctly and Elijah will use sight cards to write entries in his journal each day while Joel and I work on phonics.

Here is a toy made by Leap Frog that helps kids learn how to write their letters correctly; the boys absolutely love it and play with it throughout the day.

Science

Make Nature Journals. Learn about one animal each week. Record what we learn in our journal. Go exploring. Read about God's creation. Make crafts and do projects.

We already made our nature journals - it was too fun! We took a walk and collected leaves, small branches and flowers. We then painted two pieces of cardstock (one for the front cover and one for the back), used painted leaves as stamps and glued branches to our artwork. After everything dried, we laminated them then took them to Staples to have each notebook spiral bound with 30 sheets of plain white paper. By the end of the year we'll have journals filled with interesting facts and pictures of 3o different types of animals, along with anything else we discover along the way.

Top left: Joel's journal

Top right: Elijah's

History

In this subject, they are going to learn their address and phone number; they're also going to learn about the American flag and then two states a week - we'll learn fun facts about each state and what God says about them - especially Missouri, the "Psalm 24" "Show Me Your Glory" state! I plan to use a few workbooks, readers and maps I picked up in different places, as well as printouts and crafts.

Here are a few laminated sheets I created to help our homeschooling days go as smooth as possible - I threw the bathroom one in while I was thinking of it - and I plan to use velcro on the wall so that when and if I need to change out rules or schedules it won't require reconstruction of the house.

Tomorrow our new adventure begins!

Books I'd like to Read

Just a quick note to say I saw this book in Barnes and Noble, it's about how to be an organized teacher (it includes practical organizing ideas for school supplies, curriculum, filing, charts, incentives) and I am hoping to find it at the library, or if I can't find it there, to buy it. It looks inspiring!

Here is another one I found online that looked interesting :

Daily lesson plans

Today I am working on creating daily lesson plans for Language Arts, History and Science for 30 weeks of school. It might sound overwhelming but to me it's fun! Of course, I'm not going to sit the kids down and say "boys, here are the 450 homeschool lessons - not including math - you'll be doing this year... let's hear a big Yay!" but at least I'll have a well laid-out plan hidden away in my teacher notebook that will help me stay focused and on-task throughout the year. I've already mapped out the general plan for each week so all I need to do now is make it specific for each day... I'll post it on here, along with the daily routine when I'm finished.

Our homeschool why

Many times throughout the day on a recurring basis Elijah gathers his journal and a few markers and says, "I'm going to spend time with Jesus now and draw the pictures He gives me." He will spend anywhere from ten minutes to an hour during these times; sometimes I'll see him grab his Bible and begin highlighting; and now Joel is beginning to follow his pattern. This is something the Lord is doing in him and the Lord desires that it continue. This work that God is doing is supernatural and for a purpose; Paul and I both know that if we were to send him to school it would interrupt what God is doing in his heart. We know what we're supposed to do, and are willing and excited to continue to provide an atmosphere that encourages and supports "time with God" multiple times throughout the day. We're certainly not anti-school or anti-social; neither do we look down on others who send their children to school or think homeschooling is better; all we want is to follow the leading of the Lord concerning our kids. Eddie James said it best the other Sunday (when we were in FL) when he prophesied that the Lord has placed a prophetic mantle on our (meaning the people of God's) children; they have been born for more than a good education; they've been called as prophetic messengers! This is our why. If it wasn't for the Lord speaking so clearly to our hearts Elijah would be trotting off to school on Monday and that would be okay with us. But honestly I'm thrilled to be schooling them at home; ecstatic that God's purpose for our family will be done; and I'm pumped because I know we are totally going to have a blast!

Books ordered! Kindergarten Math and Phonics

After reading extensive reviews on different math curriculums, I decided on the McRuffy Kindergarten Color Math Curriculum for the boys. Since they're both on the same level mathematically I ordered one curriculum for both and added an extra workbook and set of manipulatives. This curriculum incorporates games and other hands-on techniques for learning math - I'll post pictures when it comes in the mail. I can hardly wait to get it, organize it and start teaching it! The plan is to keep math as upbeat as possible and not drag the sessions out too long.

I also ordered from McRuffy Press The new Kindergarten Special Edition (SE) Phonics and Reading program for Joel; Elijah is already reading on a fourth grade level so this year I will stick to having him (more like letting him!) read aloud for his phonics and reading time.

Although we will have a daily schedule, lesson plans and "class" rules, I want, this school year, for my kids to be able to be creative kids and enjoy learning. We're going to collect bugs, press flowers, make projects, learn about (read, draw, make craft, touch/see in real life) one animal a week, play math games, as well as practice writing, sitting still, listening to instruction and focusing on completing assignments.

I'm looking forward to this exciting new adventure!