Day 43. Four Full Days.

It was hard to get back to school today. We had four days off in a row! We did tons of fun family stuff like thanksgiving, Black Friday Shopping, and cutting our tree down. On Saturday, we went up to Apple Hill and had lunch at a local pizza place and then picked out our tree. It cost a bit more then buying by our house, but it's so worth it. We make a day of it. The highlight for us is standing on the mountain, after we find the perfect tree, and yelling "cutter" at the top of our lungs. What could be better then tons of people in good moods canvasing the mountain for the perfect tree. It's freezing, it's Christmasy, you randomly hear "cutter" being yelled unexpectedly...candy canes, apple donuts, and this year we bought an ornament to remember these trips.

Unit tests, fractions, and endless pronouns filled our morning. The kids enjoyed the class store today at the end of the day. They all had about 80 sticks saved up. Grand prizes were purchased! Cameron will be fishing on the Wii until he is forced to stop, and Hattie and Eva are dressed in their ball gowns and fur coats. All is right in the world today.

Now there are just 127 school days left until summer.

Day 42. A Land Far Far Away.

Oh this week is SO thrown off. Shawn is off work for two weeks at home. I want to take two weeks off with him. I spent a great deal of time today beating myself up for not doing "better" so that I could have planned to have school days off with him. Then I realized...that's a waste of time to be upset about. Let's make the best of it.

It has been nice to have him home for many reasons...(not just because he brings me my diet coke in the morning). It's freezing outside today and we are all indoors, snuggly, doing school. Days like this make me want to live in a big white house in the country with a wrap around porch, and a balcony that I can sit on in a big white fluffy robe and drink hot chocolate and watch the sunrise....Shawn will have a work at home job, the kids would be brilliantly home schooled by their mother who got up with the sun, worked out, did my Bible study, prayed over my kids before they awoke, and then made a fresh breakfast for everyone....all while music played softly in the background. While I aspire to that, I sit in the middle of loads of laundry, planning my grocery list to go out and get my last minute necessity's for thanksgiving.

School is very basic these days. Gettin' through the necessaries and feeling guilty about the passed over frills...Guilt is a terrible thing. It sucks your joy.

Tomorrow we will spend thanksgiving, like we do every year...just us five. I cook a big dinner...in my pj's. We all watch the parade, look at the black Friday ads, just be together....It's perfect.

Now there is just 128 school days left until summer.

Day 41. He Shall Supply.

So, my kids are not so happy about this. I discovered that there are unit tests in our curriculum. Maybe I am just oblivious as a parent, but I definitely do not remember this in school the last couple years. I think its kind of cool. Cameron does not. Tomorrow he will be tested on all the words he has learned so far this year in spelling/vocab. Any of them are fair game. Hmmmm. Same goes for science for him and history for Taylor.

School today began with a list of chores around the house and if you finished them in the allotted time, with no complaining, and then sat quietly at your desk...you received 2 sticks. For a brief moment in time, I had children that should live on the Truman show. This could become a new routine.

We went over the kids completed project that they had to do in Bible last week. It was on the character trait of orderliness. It entailed making a "to do chart" for a week. The kids did a really good job. One of Taylor's columns was a square to check off the squares on her calender. I adore her.

I am absolutely amazed at how many times I get the comment, "I could never homeschool my kids". Now, if you are reading this and have said that to me, please don't be offended. I have heard this two times, just today. I have talked to a couple homeschooling friends and they say they get the same comments. I guess it comes from one of three places... One~maybe homeschooling has interested them at some point and they have looked at it and decided it wasn't for them. Two~they think that homeschooling is so insane, that they could absolutely and would completely never consider it. Three~perhaps they just are simply commenting it isn't for them, or actually, maybe there is four.... Perhaps, it is intended as a complement. I don't know. I never quite know how to respond. It's not really that big of a deal other then how often I hear it.

All I can say is, I probably have said this to someone before homeschooling landed on my door. I have two thoughts about this now being on the "other side". First, I think as a parent you do what you have to do. When there is no other available options that work for you, due to a variety of reasons, you will do things you never thought you would or could.

The second and more important is, that when God leads you to do something, HE will enable you to do it. He doesn't enable you to do everything in the world before hand, just in case you might have to do it one day. He cares for the big things in our lives as well as the small. He provided the bathroom (painted a pretty Ralph Lauren metallic blue) that I hid in for 15 min., before my kids came looking for me today, he blessed me with the husband that is cool with me going out tonight to get some me time in Target, and he has surrounded me with school teacher friends and homeschool teacher friends to help my find my way in this foreign little world that I am living in.

Now there is 129 school days left until summer.

More cubes.

The rest of the cubes go like this....

Our fish...still alive and kicking...except for one, who's body is yet to be discovered. Then I have 2 pails of wooden alphabet blocks and bristle blocks (LOVE them...remember from when we were kids?) I found buckets with attached lids and they're see through as Emma doens't read yet. They have sorting toys, lacing toys, and bendaroos. Next there is a cube of resource type books. Then a cube of the felt pieces and fraction blocks, along with a light bright. Finally I have a box of Emma's Bible "curriculum" There are about 12 vhs tapes (yes we still use those at times) of beginner Bible stories. I have her watch one while I do Bible with the older two kids. She then usually draws a picture of something she learned in the story.

Day 40. Gumdrops and Ponies.

As my job is winding down, today brought a potluck lunch at work for a going away party. My mom came down to watch the kids from about 11-5 today. Allowing me to attend the lunch and work on wrapping up more projects down at church. I have been working more than usual these past few weeks as I am trying to finish up well.

My mother is a brilliant sub. I asked her to review Roman Numerals with Cameron. Wouldn't you know it, ...my rather large clock in the classroom has Roman Numerals. She's amazing, I tell you. I missed that one completely. I was able to work with the kids for about an hour today and she finished up with them in the afternoon.

I have been so pensive lately, I am exhausting myself. I am in one of those times in life where I am learning like crazy and hopefully growing half as much. I have always known I am a people person, but I think this year I have learned how deeply my desire to love on people runs. Our lives are not always filled with gumdrops and ponies. Life is messy. Circumstances hurt you. People fail you. The trick is to roll up your sleeves and walk through it. You can't ignore reality and have deep meaningful relationships. You can't ignore reality and live a deep meaningful life. You can throw a band aid over it, but inevitably it will be ripped off.

"For as deep as you have hurt, is as wide as you can experience joy." I love that. I read that awhile back, not sure where. It stuck with me. Living with Authenticity means looking at reality. Reality isn't always pretty. Many times it hurts. However, turning your face from it, doesn't make it go away. Slow down enough to see the forest through the trees. Fix what is broken. Love who is in front of you, selflessly. Do what God asks of you, sacrificially.

I want to live a life that leaves a legacy. A life on the infamous road less traveled, I suppose. Gumdrops and ponies may or may not be a part of that.

Since homeschooling has come in to my life, I sit everyday for several hours and am forced to look at reality. My reality right now lies in the eyes of my children. I am reminded of what an awesome responsibility parenting is. I am reminded of how often I have put my home, my kids, and even at times, my husband on the back burner. It is never intentional, but happens all too easily. I may just put a jar of gumdrops on the corner of my desk to remind me.

There are just 130 school days left until summer.

Expedit.

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Ikea's greatest invention. Check it out on their website. These shelves come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and combinations. I purchased this 8 cube, white shelf for just $50 off Craigs. I store all the quiet things and other resources for the kids in it. The First cube has 3 magazine holders, labeled one for each child. The kids store "seat work" in these. I found this great how to draw book at Costco for about $8.00. The older two kids, each have a sketch book to fill with drawings. They also have the writing prompts and vocab journals from Lakeshore. Brooklyn, our puppy, apparently needed to be photographed as well....More cubes tomorrow!

Day 39. Just Do It.

I have started unpacking the Christmas stuff in the garage. A Christmas tree has already made its way into the classroom. I usually unpack everything and then bring it inside. It usually takes me a week or so to get through the whole process. I really want to have the house done by thanksgiving day this year, so I can sit and enjoy the decorations all day.

I usually love it, but this year as I started opening the boxes, I was forced into a huge reflection time. If you would have told me this time last year that next year "you will be homeschooling your kids and you will have quit your job"...I absolutely would have had you committed.

I am an avid after Christmas clearance shopper. I buy everything for the next Christmas when the things are on such good sales. So, as I started opening box after box...I found gifts for the kids school teachers, and the office ladies at BCS. I then found the gifts I had purchased for my co workers. Next box brought the gifts I had purchased for the leads in my different ministry areas.....finally, came a bunch of table linens and decor that I had bought for some holiday party I would be throwing at work. Great stuff, and I paid very little for it. Unfortunately, the kids have no teachers other than me, I have no co-workers, and I won't be throwing any Christmas parties at work. Very weird.

Life can change in a heart beat. We had three friends pass away unexpectedly this past year. Two were in their early thirties with small children and wives left behind. Both died with absolutely no warning. One playing basketball and one in his sleep. Another friend died in her sleep as well, leaving young adult daughters and a husband behind.

Time flies.

Live Each Day as if it were your last.

Embrace every moment.

These types of things are said all the time. During tragedy we may begin to embrace it. However, when life returns to normal, we quickly tend to forget. I am not usually one for New Years Resolutions, but I will make a resolution now. With new determination I will let go of the things that bring me down, the things I can't change, and the pain I have experienced in the past. I want to live each day making every bit of good happen that I can. Find the place where God wants you to be and be there, with every fiber of your being. No matter what the cost. Just Do it.

This morning I woke up and took the kids to Noah's bagels for breakfast. Pumpkin bagels with cream cheese. Um YUM! We came home and did school. It's getting very "routine" now. I must sit down and throw in some excitement...for my sanity and the kids. I have been working really hard on getting my work wrapped up and in good shape for the new girl, this past month. I have just 4 more days of work however, and then I will have lots of free time. Now there are just 131 school days left until summer.

Chill Time.

Chill time started in my house years ago. I don't remember when or how it got it's name, but it is an almost everyday happening in our world. I think it is actually more for me, then the kids. When the older two started outgrowing their nap time, I made up a quiet toy bucket that they could take on their bed for chill time. Now as they are 9 and almost 11, I don't make them sit on their bed anymore. However, they are to be in their room and not come out unless they are bleeding or throwing up. That's the actual rule.

Emma still naps for me. Hooray. She usually sleeps 1.5-2 hours each day. So, the kids have chill time while she is napping. When I started the school year this year, I did school sometimes in the afternoon and put Emma to bed in her "nap spot". Yeah, that's outlawed now. After just a short time homeschooling the inevitable claustrophobia has set in. I HAVE to have some down time each day. It's a must. So chill time/nap time is sacred. My hope for 2010 is I can join a great gym in town. It's $100 a month for me and the kids. However, that includes childcare, child classes like b-ball and cheerleading, and sanity for me. We shall see.......

Day 38. Goin' Old School.

I am still on a high from this past weekend. I developed and direct a worship driven children's performing arts program at our church. We run about 12 weeks out of the year and then perform a 15 min spot in "big church". While the performance is amazingly fun to watch, the whole process of getting there, is my love. Each of these kids are so unique and amazing. Even at such a young age, they have such a heart for God. To have a chance to be involved in their little lives on any level is honestly such a privilege to me.

I wish the parents and people at church could somehow see and experience all the moments we have leading up to performance. From the kid who came in to the program completely unengaged and then ended up helping the four year olds find their way on stage with all the gentleness a young man could muster, to the four year old who thanked God during our prayer time for the man on the big boat who saved the earth, to the five year old backstage who told me we can't go out there until I teach you about light beams! These kids grow, develop skills, develop relationships with each other, and bless me beyond words. I sat and cried as I watched them this past Sunday. They rock.

We went "old school" this session complete with choir robes. Add in some hip hop dancers, drama, art, sign language, a splatter paint set, 50 adorable kids, and a video, complete with dancing pastors (the adorable man in the white shirt is my hubby) and you've got yourself a great time! With two sound checks, three performances, and four services of 1204 people this weekend...Monday morning brought a tired teacher! We got through school fine however. I, in pajamas, with a big diet coke by my side. Now there are just 132 school days left until summer.

The Pantry.

I came up with this idea, almost a year ago. It's not really all that spectacular in and of itself, but the time it saves is quite impressive. I bought these big baskets at Costco. Three for 19.99. They are kind of a paper material, so there are no sharp edges inside. They are labeled and live in my pantry. Whenver I get home from Costco or the grocery store, all snack type foods get put into individual size portions in baggies. I usually make the kids do it. I taught them to look at the serving size on the box, find the right measuring cup and have at it. This goes for goldfish, dried fruits, almonds, cashews, crackers, marshmallows anything that can go in a bag!

The amount of time it saves with packing lunches and kids grabbing a snack during the day, really really surprised me. It also is teaching the kids an appropriate size to be eating. I definitely do not want the kids to become neurotic about food and dieting. However, they should learn what a healthy amount of food is. I want them to start to own that now, instead of me constantly saying, "oh that's too much." Too many times I caught them reaching into a big box of goldfish and grabbing handfuls and mindlessly eating. No more!

This is working....

Day 37. Walk a Mile.

Today I slept in a bit as I have a ragin' cold. I hate colds. I think more than the flu. You feel absolutely awful, but not quite bad enough to stay in bed. Yuck. Emma has it too.

I was able to get the school work done with the kids today and cook lunch. Other than that, this day has been spent being as lazy as possible and just hanging around. I did accomplish giving the few people I talk to the most their own personalized ringtone on my phone. I got an iphone a few months ago and hadn't had a chance to do that yet. Not only is it fun, but its actually surprisingly useful. To know who is calling, will determine to what heroic measures I will take to get to my phone. I have just 11 more days of work left and then have a holiday week of Cameron's 11th bday, Thanksgiving, and my 15th wedding anniversary. Then of course the holiday's are upon us. A lot of things to look forward too!

I have ordered a book, "Homeschooling for Dummies". I was flipping through it the other day at Borders and it had some interesting things in it. Things that appear to be written from an advocate of Homeschool's perspective. Also, I will fully embrace the fact that when it comes to Homeschooling, I will consider myself a dummy! So, I fully intend to benefit from this piece of literature.

Homeschooling is quite the emotionally charged topic I am finding, the more involved I get with it. Not since I decided not to nurse two of my children have I been given so many unsolicited pieces of advice in all my life. I don't think education choice is a matter of right or wrong. It is a matter of what you as a parent, decide for your child. Be careful what opinions you offer up until you walk a mile in someone else's shoes, ya know? I also thought I would never be here. Not in a million years. But I am. God knows what He's doing. He made my kids and loves them more than I. He will provide and continue to guide my path.

There are just 133 school days left until summer.

Children's Place Outlet.

I have never found deals quite so amazing at any other store than this one. When the kids were in toddler sizes, I frequently would buy items for .66 cents a piece. It's hit or miss, but when it's on they are great deals.

I ended up at the Children's Place Outlet in Folsom yesterday and they had lots of rounders for 1.99 and 3.99. I purchased $340 worth of clothes for $80. Several t shirts for next summer and some winter things too! Good enough for me!

Day 36. Just do it.

Today I am tired and my head just might actually explode. So, after a morning run for 64 ounces of caffeine and crushed ice, I declared it our first official jammie day.

I used to think that I a fairly disciplined person because I can accomplish a lot. Then I heard a sermon years ago that defined discipline as doing something you don't want to do. O.k., so today school was a matter of sheer discipline on my part, as my bed was calling out to me....loudly!

It is so awesome to me that every time I am in a shlumpy mood it seems that our work load for the day is super light. Today was no exception. Not sure what the deal was, but we got through school in 2 hours. Did everything.

I find it very interesting to watch how comfortable my kids are becoming with the whole home school thing. They are definitely testing their boundaries. For example, Taylor asks me today..."Mom, can I just copy Cameron's answers?" "um, why?" I ask. "I just don't feel like doing it." she says. Ironically the subject was Bible.

We had October's class store today. Prior to shopping time I worked the stick system to get some "complaining free cleaning" done. They could earn 5 sticks a piece for 5 chores done with no whining. 15 chores done for me while I stood in the kitchen and passed out pretty colored sticks. I am a genius. Then I dished out 5 more sticks a piece for 5 things that they liked best about school.

The kids are doing great at saving for their grand prizes. No tears today from Emma. She spent 20 of her sticks, Taylor spent 10, and Cameron spent 2. It's sooo funny to watch their personalities emerge in these situations. They love the ability to have the power to make the decisions to spend or save, but at the same time completely crave the answers from me on what they should do. I explain their choices, but absolutely do not tell them what to do.

Another day done. More lessons learned for all of us. Now there are just 134 school days left until summer.

Crock Pots.

How I never had a crock pot until last year, I will never know. It is PERFECT to throw food in, in the morning and end up with pure deliciousness at night. I feel very obligated now that I am home a whole lot more, to have a whole lot more of home cooked meals on the table. This is our favorite Crock Pot Creation so far!

Cranberry Chicken

2-3lbs boneless, skinless breasts ( I use the Foster Farms Chicken breast tenders from Costco)
1 (15-ounce) can whole cranberry sauce
4 tablespoons brown sugar
1 (2-ounce) envelope onion soup mix

Place chicken in crock pot and top with cranberry sauce, brown sugar and onion soup mix. Cook on low for 6 hours.

I serve it with stuffing and a veggie. Yum.

Day 35. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

I have 3 weeks of work left and about 8 weeks of work that I want to accomplish before I leave. I want to leave everything super clean, organized, and ready for the next person...to the best of my ability. So, grandma to the rescue AGAIN!

The kids completed their full day of school. After they accomplished their work, they headed out for some grandma field trip fun. Kinda wish I could have joined them, but I was able to accomplish a lot at the office. I also had the special treat of eating lunch with three other grown ups. I ate an entire meal in peace, with adult conversation and that's always welcomed in my world.

First stop for the kids was to Safetyville. For just $2 you can enter this town built to 1/3 scale of a normal city. It's complete with real sidewalks, crosswalks, and buildings. Next stop was the mall. Dinner at Carl's and Build a bear!

I picked the kids back up from my mom at 7:30. I love my kids tremendously, but we were all in need of a break from each other. Now there is just 135 school days left until summer.

World's Best Bran Muffins.

Yeah I just said that. Bran Muffins CAN be good if you add enough other junk to it! The health value is not high on these, but they are yummy! This recipe is one my mom used to make all the time growing up. It makes a ton of batter that can be stored in the fridge. It rocks in the morning to just scoop out the dough and pop them in the oven. You end up feeling like a domestic queen with very little effort. That works for me. Here's the recipe!

Bran Muffins

1 15 0unce box bran flakes cereal

1 cup melted margarine

3 cups sugar

4 beaten eggs

1 quart buttermilk

2.5 cups white flour

2.5 cups whole wheat flour

5 t baking soda

2 t salt

Mix dry ingredients. Add eggs, margarine, and buttermilk.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Can store in refrigerator for 6 weeks.

Day 34. Boo.

With the weekend comes Halloween. When I assigned the kids their work for the weekend, I made sure and discussed with them our schedule and that we were gonna be busy. They needed to plan their work in advance in order to accomplish it. We talked about some options and then I let them go.

The kids were very excited about Halloween this year. Between Shawn and I over the last 6 years or so, which is most of their memories of Halloween, one or both of us has been working, or in charge of our Church Fall Festival. Not this year, as our church did not have one. So, we had LOTS more time on our hands. We carved pumpkins together, a first for all three of my kids. Sad, but true. We also attended a large church festival in town, as regular attending people. It was strange, but fun. We came back to the house and trick or treated in the neighborhood, as well. I loved being with my family, but I enjoy putting on a party far more than attending one.

The kids ended off putting a lot of their work off until Sunday, despite our Thursday conversations. Cameron, especially, ended up really upset about the fact that he had decided to wait so long. This has been consistent with him for the past few weeks. This week however, I think we had a light bulb moment for him. For the first time, he talked to me about ways he could make sure he didn't "forget" to do his work. Putting notes up on the mirror and in his room. YAY! Crossing my fingers for next weekend. They need to take ownership of their work and learn to start figuring out how to accomplish it independently. Sometimes, unfortunately, a little bit of suffering is the best lesson. It all got accomplished and now there are just 136 school days left until summer.

The Wonder of Felt.

I filled the classroom with some quiet toys and things to do for the down time for the kids, in between lessons. One of my best and most used purchases was these felt boards. I found a pack of 5 boards with 5 different scenes to make on the boards. They were at Lakeshore and were 19.99 for the whole set. I dumped all the pieces in a plastic box, and all three of my kids will play consistently with these. There was camping, pet store, cafe, etc....The best part about them is they truly are quiet!