Books!

My bookshelves are expanding with lots of great books.  I'm starting to get the hang of this researching great books thing and something dawned on me....if I had not started homeschooling...if I had not committed myself to having to research and find the material that I want my kids to learn and read...the books we are reading now, would have never crossed our path...we would have been reading Cam Jansen, Fairy Books, etc forever. Sure I knew there were classics and better books but I guess I didn't know how to find them or didn't have the time to learn why I wanted to find them....Thanks to some great resources, friends, my mom, and the library...I feel like the stuff that I am putting into my kids head is worthy and enriching...we have a stack on the back of the piano of books that we read each night...or each morning..I wouldn't consider them school books but "free reading" or "fun reading."  Right now the stack consists of the Bible, the Operation World prayer guide, Peacemakers Study, Understood Betsy, Charlotte's Web, John Daniel's Quiet Time book, and Parables from Nature.  It makes me feel so good when I look at that little stack! 

I've said before that we are studying American History very loosely this year, I have a president book that has a page on each president, we read it everyday....When we come to a more notable President or one that she is really interested in, we stop and do a little more research, write a report, and do a lap book.  We are at FDR right now.  Emily is super interested in him, WWII, and the Great Depression.  So I went to a great website (Simply Charlotte Mason) that recommends curriculum for good books, living books, classical stuff and searched The Great Depression.  It recommended I get a book called "Children of the Great Depression" and our Library right up the street happen to have it.  It did not disappoint!  It has real pictures of children and families during the Great Depression, stories of families,etc.  It is wonderful!  I've realized over the past two weeks that history, science, literature, even some geography isn't something that Emily has to master right now...I need to expose her to lots of stories, living books, pictures, ideas, life, etc and create a love of learning.  We have to master math, phonics, grammar, and reading but the other stuff is there to enjoy....there to explore.  I have breathed a sigh of relief because it seemed like so much to do and I found myself very overwhelmed.  I've realized though that when we enjoy it together and read about subjects she is interested in, she does retain it.  I've been AMAZED at how much she remembers about the presidents and the parts of history they are part of.  I love it and I'm trying to relax and get into a groove...it helps so much to talk it through with people, other moms, teachers, etc. 

The arrow button

John Daniel has this video game ...it is a golf game and you set your man, get your club ready and use the arrow keys to go left or right to point the club right towards the hole...there are all these things that happen after you hit the ball....a bulldozer pulls out in front of it, another player hits the ball, etc....but the point is to use those keys to point that arrow/club straight towards the hole....as I was sitting there watching him the other day, and as I was walking today around our neighborhood talking to God, I was thinking about how I feel like I'm in the middle of that game......jumping on those buttons trying to point my arrow straight to the hole which in my case would represent God's will/plan for my life.  I think this is the first time in a very long time that I can say...my arrow is aiming straight for God...I desire to be in his plan/will...I've lined everything up, made some tough decisions, worked hard, prayed, run hard, and gotten rid of things to get that path pointed straight on.....but then there are those bulldozers and bumps and other people etc that get right in my path....and throw it off...some of those bumps I have even caused and some represent my failures BUT I can say that for the first time....I keep getting back up, brushing my knees off and trucking right a long and it feels good!  So many times, I've been jumping on those buttons only to point that arrow slightly to the left or the right of that hole...and it is soo frustrating.  Not that I don't have frustrating days....it has actually been a really hard month.  We are at that half way point of our first year of homeschooling and things are sooooo different than I expected, I've failed, Emily has failed, we have frustrations, Molly is a more difficult toddler than I've had, John Daniel is dealing with some selfishness issues, Emily is struggling with math so we are doing A LOT of math, I have more responsibilities, I have unmet expectations of myself BUT I have never felt so resilient...we fall but we get back up and I have to say that even the days that are really bad, that I feel like Emily may have learned more at school, I still have full confidence that we have made the right decision...I'm working less and I'm doing my job at home better, my spiritual life is growing more each day....I feel like I have a clarity that I didn't have before....As I walked around my neighborhood today, I was telling God that he is the only one that knows all the ideas, wants, desires, thoughts, and fears that crowd my mind....even my best friend and wonderful hubby can't fully understand all my feelings and ideas and thoughts concerning  my role as a mother, teacher, and wife...It is nice to know that there is someone that already knows my thoughts and concerns...I don't even have to physically tell Him.  I feel totally at rest with that fact....He is there to listen and knows...A song came on the radio today and Emily and I had a great talk about it....I may not be quoting it perfectly but it said, "Day after Day, He is reigning.  He is never shaken.  Time after time, He is faithful."   I love this!  I believe this!  I'm so relieved that the things of this world are a vapor and that there is A God who reigns and has a place prepared for us! 

The "After" Christmas Tree for the Birds

Making Suet

rolling the suet into balls for the cupcakes for birds

topping the cupcakes with seeds, nuts, and dried fruit

Peanut butter and seed covered pine cones

Sharing with our domesticated birds

Our After Christmas Tree for the birds

Love these cuties!

This is a great tradition and it makes me feel like I'm getting good use out of our nice Christmas tree.  We made bird cupcakes and pine cone ornaments for the birds and squirrels in the backyard.  The kids had a ball and loved watching the birds and squirrels go crazy over the treats when we were done.  My mom gave me the idea and there is actually a book called "The After Christmas Tree" that goes along with the activity...John told me I had lots of patience during the activity which is saying a lot for me!  It was a great family craft/activity!

100 days of habit forming

We got a grand idea from another blogging mom and homeschool family to take part in a 100 days of habit forming..I guess it's like character training.  Emily and I discussed what habits are...good ones...bad ones...why we want to break habits and form habits.  This list is a sort of positive improvement tool.  It's not something that Emily nor I will get punished over.  It isn't something to cause guilt over.  It is just a way to see yourself improving in certain area and then after 100 days you can be proud that something good was accomplished.  We prayed about it and both came up with three things that we wanted to be habits.  They have to be measurable things.  It can't be "Have better manners" because that isn't really measurable.  Three things were recommended by the other blogger because it is doable, measurable, and not overwhelming.  Emily's were cute...I didn't help her...she came up with these on her own...1.  Eat a fruit and vegetable a day  2.  Do a daily quiet time with God  3.  Brush teeth 2 times a day.  I'm not checking on her daily or even looking at her list but we periodically talk about it and encourage each other.  I thought of many...drink 6 glasses of water, read 15 minutes of a fun book everyday, quiet time even on the weekends (because I slack off these days), 30 minutes of rigorous activity a day, 1 load of laundry a day, speak kindly to my children and build them up each day, serve John 1 time each day other than daily tasks like doing his laundry or fixing his dinner, throw 5 things away each day whether it be a piece of paper or a toy or an old shirt, clean and scrub one different thing each day, etc.  I chose three of the above and will probably pick three more after 100 days.  It is just kind of a fun project with Emily....and she is a good accountability partner!

Six Days

A lot can happen in six days.  We are in the middle of John's six days off and a lot has been accomplished!  Our goal during this six days was to work on projects.  I purposely did not schedule myself to work on this six days for this reason.  We each made a list and are slowly getting things done along with some fun things as well.  John has finished taking down Christmas lights in the backyard and we have completely De-decorated finally and put everything back in the attic.  John decided to make custom cabinets for the old camper cabinets that were rotting in the very old camper. He has made beautiful cabinets and a counter top...now he just has to put them in the camper.  He has cleaned up the yard, put quarter round down around the baseboards in the bathroom that needs to be completed, and has completed the chicken coop area.  We were also given a King size headboard for our bed by a friend but considering our bed is only a full size...something had to be done to make it fit our bed.  John took the whole gigantic headboard apart, cut it to fit the size of our bed, put it back together, and covered it with specialty foam and material.  It looks fabulous!  I can't wait to begin work on making our bedroom a little more cozy!  I have cleaned all of our kitchen cabinets with bleach water, done the normal household chores, homeschooled, volunteered at John Daniel's school, cleaned out the pantry, organized the shelves in our bedroom, gone to goodwill, gotten Emily's haircut, grocery shopping, done a return at Walmart, cleaned off our porch, washed all shoes that needed some cleaning and shining (including John's work boots), been to the cleaners, changed bedsheets, and more!  We also in the middle of all this have been on a date to a very nice restaurant, made bird treats and created an After Christmas Tree for the birds (pictures on another post), have bought a cute little laptop and got it all set up and ready to use, John and Emily have been on a daddy and daughter date, played basketball as a family, watched Emily's basketball game, and been to church!  It has been very productive and nice to accomplish things!  I'm writing this on my new laptop sitting in my bed!  John got me a wireless router and now any of can sit anywhere in the house and be on the computer.  Emily used it for multiplication practice yesterday!  Tomorrow we are taking my mom to the Junior Museum for her birthday and a picnic and the cars are getting serviced.  I even went to the dentist this week!  More tonight on mine and Emily's 100 day challenge and the "After" Christmas tree for the birds!  Stay tuned....I have more of my to do list to work on.... :)

One Last New Year's Picture!

New Years!

For New Year's we went to Madison to hang out with our good friends!  It was great family fun!

This little guy has moves!

They live on some beautiful property...

John Daniel shooting a BB Gun..

The girls joined in on the target practice!

John's friend has set up a target practice area on his property...the guys have a big time testing out their skill.

Eating dinner around the bonfire!

Happy 2011!  Silly John, your hat is on backwards!

While the men watched FSU in the chick-fil-a bowl, the kids played board games!

Ms. Amy french braided Emily's hair!

Ms. Harriet made us a yummy breakfast!

Then we had a family game of kick ball...with John still in his pajamas!

John retrieving the ball...

Happy 2011 Ya'll!

I love my hubby this much....

I know...GAG!  But I do and he amazes me more every day sometimes!  John is the most wonderful father and husband...not perfect but perfect for us! The big kids were spending the night with friends on Friday night and I had to work in the clinic.  Molly and John had a great night!  He took her on a date to "chick-fil-a"...he told me he found out she like the yellow chick-fil-a sauce.  He said they sat at the table and just talked and enjoyed eating together!  They came home and it was time for bath.  John put his bathing suit on and got in the tub with her...they had a big time!  He said that she gave him the strangest look when he got in with her....they played with water, bubbles, and toys.  She was a little confused.  Then I got the cutest pictures over my phone of the two of them playing after bath...they cuddled and talked and played.  It was sweet hearing John talk about it!  This week, John has a date with Emily...they are doing a dessert date and then John is taking J.D. to the Monster Truck show at the Civic Center in a couple of weeks which J.D. will LOVE!  I love that my hubby loves spending quality time with each of his children! 

Down on the Farm....

John and I are playing farm right here in the middle of Killearn Acres....we may not have horses,cows, goats or even pigs but we have chickens and now they have a fancy pen complete with signage and a ranch style fence and gate...I love the way my husband amuses himself!

As you can see Brownie wasn't too fond of being "cooped" up even in this very large area...they will have to get use to not having free ranging privileges of the entire backyard....