Ahhh... The window was done last week. It's really nice to have a screened in window in our basement. All the kids are looking forward to the big move.
We were suposed to have our last rummage NEXT weekend, the 10th and 11th. But, my youngest son's 1st soccer game is the 11th. So, that's out. So, we're having it THIS Friday and Saturday. At least it's all just sitting in the garage from the last one. So, it won't be too hard to set up. We actully haven't had one here, at the house yet. We had one at my grandmother's (grams) - huge 100 family one. Then our church had one - where you could "rent" a parking space and sell your things. So, this last one is at the house, and what ever is left over heads out on Saturday at 6:00 pm sharp! I pray that we have a profitable one. We really need the money, or else I would just give it all away. I do plan on letting my homeschool friends come at 5:00 on Saturday (the end time for the sale) and they can take whatever is left for free. :) For us homeschoolers, that is always a good thing, right?
Also, I just got back from getting blood drawn. Fasting is a bummer when you have to do it for doctors. It's not so bad when you do it for the Lord, but doc's. Ugg! I was due for a cloesteral, and since it's a new dr. she needed to do it anyway. But the bigger worry is my iron. IT's been VERY low. SO low they have been having me take 325mg of iron TWICE a day! I've skipped a day here and there, and only taken one from time to time, but for the most part, I've been taking it. I've gotten less tired, but we shall see what the blood work shows.
Yesterday was my hubby's birthday. We had a small celebration. He wanted breakfast for his birthday dinner, so that was nice and easy (well, except for all the bacon - every one in this house LOVES bacon, and since we don't have it often, when we do, I cook a LOT of it) - he had a small gift, and he shared my oldest daughter's cake. Her birthday was last Friday. She's 17 now! They often share cake. :)
On Sunday night, my younger son (8) said he didn't want a story so he could go to sleep faster, wake up sooner and it would be that much sooner he could have cake! :) Goofy kid, we didn't have the cake until AFTER dinner anyway. Gotta love how they think.
Blessing - Athena
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Well, my oldest turns 17 today. But not until 8:00 this evening. Drives her nuts when I say that, but it's when she was born. :) Seems like just a few years ago, she was toddling around with her baby dolls and now she's off driving and on her way to being an adult. Sigh... Does anyone else spend the day thinking about just what was going on the day of their child's birth, on their birthdays. 17 years ago, at this time, this day, this moment; I was just getting to the doctor's office to verify that I was in labor. She was also born on a Friday. :)
Our egress window is all done. Now, over the next few weeks we'll be moving things around and getting ready for the "big" move. We'll be having a rummage sale the weekend after Labor day, then what's left of that, will be taken, immediately to Salvation Army. After that, the "big" move begins.
You see, we're a bunch of pack rats around here. And as much as I love my mom, she's a hoarder. She just has a LOT of stuff. Now, we (meaning my hubby, kids and myself -- mostly me) have purged a LOT of things this past summer. And this last rummage is the end of it. I pray for good weather and a nice profit, so that we can buy a few more things to help organize what's left. So, once the rummage is over, we will move what's left of my mom's things from one of the bedrooms in the basement to the garage, then we can move my son into that room. We can't do it right away, because all the rummage things are in the garage at this time.
I'll figure out how to post photos, and take some before and after pics. to show just how much we are accomplishing around here. I'm not the best housekeeper around. There are often dishes in the sink (no dishwasher), the floors need vacuuming or mopping. Piles of clutter on counters and table. And, of course, the ever present mess of toys and school things. Not to mention we are ALWAYS behind on laundry. It is messy, but not filthy. No real garbage, no nasty things all over, no bugs (except for the occasional ant getting in, and spiders). I've just come to see that, this is how our home will be, for now. I have been working hard to get it more clean and organized. I've got lots of good ideas, but putting them into practice can be a bit hard for me. Also, we just don't have the money to buy the things we need to sort it out. And I don't mean the super nice looking already made organizer things. I mean even the simplest totes or magazine holders. But, a little at a time we do get them. I just keep praying and trusting God to help me on my journey to becoming a better wife and mother, in regards to this part. And he is helping me.
I guess that's all for now. I could spend forever just typing here, but I've got to go get some dishes done.
Blessings - Athena
Our egress window is all done. Now, over the next few weeks we'll be moving things around and getting ready for the "big" move. We'll be having a rummage sale the weekend after Labor day, then what's left of that, will be taken, immediately to Salvation Army. After that, the "big" move begins.
You see, we're a bunch of pack rats around here. And as much as I love my mom, she's a hoarder. She just has a LOT of stuff. Now, we (meaning my hubby, kids and myself -- mostly me) have purged a LOT of things this past summer. And this last rummage is the end of it. I pray for good weather and a nice profit, so that we can buy a few more things to help organize what's left. So, once the rummage is over, we will move what's left of my mom's things from one of the bedrooms in the basement to the garage, then we can move my son into that room. We can't do it right away, because all the rummage things are in the garage at this time.
I'll figure out how to post photos, and take some before and after pics. to show just how much we are accomplishing around here. I'm not the best housekeeper around. There are often dishes in the sink (no dishwasher), the floors need vacuuming or mopping. Piles of clutter on counters and table. And, of course, the ever present mess of toys and school things. Not to mention we are ALWAYS behind on laundry. It is messy, but not filthy. No real garbage, no nasty things all over, no bugs (except for the occasional ant getting in, and spiders). I've just come to see that, this is how our home will be, for now. I have been working hard to get it more clean and organized. I've got lots of good ideas, but putting them into practice can be a bit hard for me. Also, we just don't have the money to buy the things we need to sort it out. And I don't mean the super nice looking already made organizer things. I mean even the simplest totes or magazine holders. But, a little at a time we do get them. I just keep praying and trusting God to help me on my journey to becoming a better wife and mother, in regards to this part. And he is helping me.
I guess that's all for now. I could spend forever just typing here, but I've got to go get some dishes done.
Blessings - Athena
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Hello all;
Well, today our egress window should be finished! Yeah! I think we'll all have to give it a try, I know the kids are jumping at the bit to do so. :)
We've had a good start to the "school year" here. Since we just go with the flow most of the time, our school year is unpredictable. More like, we homeschool year round. I am a firm believer that children are always learning. From the time they wake up, to the time they go to sleep. But, when I refer to "school" I mean the book work we do. I'm hoping that this year, we have finally found our system.
You see, even though I have been homeschooling for 8 years, we have changed our approach often. There has always seemed to be something different and that puts us in a place to change what we had been doing. I've come to see that, with this family, that's just the way it is. I've stopped trying to live up to others goals, and expectations. And just pray and follow God's lead on our family.
We are just simply a different kind of family that most. Yes, everyone is in there own way, but with just about all the other homeschooling and/or Christian families out there, they seem to only take a couple years to find their place, and it works for quite a while. With us, things tend to change quite frequently, and then often swing back to what they were before. I used to try and make us like other families, find our place and stick with it. Then something or another would come along and everything would change. I think that every one in the home should be happy and comfortable with our day and homeschool adventure. Not that we are ALL happy ALL of the time, just in general. So, that means, changing when things need to change.
Example: We tend to take off for December. We would all rather spend our time celebrating the birth of our savior, with all the common ways, making cookies, decorations, visiting friends, getting involved in church things, ect. But usually pick back up in the second week of January. This past year, NONE of us were ready to start up again. We all just needed a break. Dad was able to be home a few extra days, so, we just spent January with an unschool flair. Trips to the library to get good movies (modern, older classics, and educational), read from "The Boxcar Children" series - out loud- and just spent a lot of time together. February rolled around and we started out slow with some 1st time lap booking (I've been homeschooling for 8 years, and had never heard of it before!!!), had a ball doing that, and by the end of February we were back to working in the books. We "quit" for the year two weeks into May. We had a rummage sale to get ready for and it took a lot of work (we are pack rats here, and I have been determined to clear out and clean up the house) - and through the summer, there have been lots of other fun things to do.
SO, this week, we are reviewing the things learned in the last two weeks, working on Bible Quiz memorization, finished up a lap book on Dragons, and just generally, taking a small break from book work, but will be right back at it next week with the full schedule.
Just our "somewhere in the middle" mind set. We are always somewhere in the middle of something around here.
Blessings - Athena
Well, today our egress window should be finished! Yeah! I think we'll all have to give it a try, I know the kids are jumping at the bit to do so. :)
We've had a good start to the "school year" here. Since we just go with the flow most of the time, our school year is unpredictable. More like, we homeschool year round. I am a firm believer that children are always learning. From the time they wake up, to the time they go to sleep. But, when I refer to "school" I mean the book work we do. I'm hoping that this year, we have finally found our system.
You see, even though I have been homeschooling for 8 years, we have changed our approach often. There has always seemed to be something different and that puts us in a place to change what we had been doing. I've come to see that, with this family, that's just the way it is. I've stopped trying to live up to others goals, and expectations. And just pray and follow God's lead on our family.
We are just simply a different kind of family that most. Yes, everyone is in there own way, but with just about all the other homeschooling and/or Christian families out there, they seem to only take a couple years to find their place, and it works for quite a while. With us, things tend to change quite frequently, and then often swing back to what they were before. I used to try and make us like other families, find our place and stick with it. Then something or another would come along and everything would change. I think that every one in the home should be happy and comfortable with our day and homeschool adventure. Not that we are ALL happy ALL of the time, just in general. So, that means, changing when things need to change.
Example: We tend to take off for December. We would all rather spend our time celebrating the birth of our savior, with all the common ways, making cookies, decorations, visiting friends, getting involved in church things, ect. But usually pick back up in the second week of January. This past year, NONE of us were ready to start up again. We all just needed a break. Dad was able to be home a few extra days, so, we just spent January with an unschool flair. Trips to the library to get good movies (modern, older classics, and educational), read from "The Boxcar Children" series - out loud- and just spent a lot of time together. February rolled around and we started out slow with some 1st time lap booking (I've been homeschooling for 8 years, and had never heard of it before!!!), had a ball doing that, and by the end of February we were back to working in the books. We "quit" for the year two weeks into May. We had a rummage sale to get ready for and it took a lot of work (we are pack rats here, and I have been determined to clear out and clean up the house) - and through the summer, there have been lots of other fun things to do.
SO, this week, we are reviewing the things learned in the last two weeks, working on Bible Quiz memorization, finished up a lap book on Dragons, and just generally, taking a small break from book work, but will be right back at it next week with the full schedule.
Just our "somewhere in the middle" mind set. We are always somewhere in the middle of something around here.
Blessings - Athena
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Greetings,
My grandfather passed away a few months ago, and with the inhairtance, we've decided to put on egress window in the basement, so the older two could move into their own rooms. This way, they will have another exit, just in case of a fire. It's a little more than half way done, the hole has been dug, the cinderblock wall cut, and the window put in. Might just be finished off on Monday, but Tuesday at the latest. All four kids are excited to get their own rooms. The older two a bit more, but still, the younger ones like the idea of being able to keep the older ones out of their rooms. :)
These guys are doing a really great job. They are keeping it pretty clean in their little tarp room in the basement, and with the area they are working in being tarped up really well, we're really not getting any mess anywhere else.
However, when they had to cut up the basement wall, we needed to be out of the house. It's quite loud, but also, the dust from that is pretty bad, and as I have pretty sever asthma, and the oldest, second youngest both have it, and the littlest has mild symptoms from time to time, we really couldn't be here. So, we popped into the car, and headed for a Motel 6 Thursday morning (they weren't sure when they would get to the actul sawing, Thurs. or Fri.). Made sure it had an outdoor pool (less expensive) and had a great time. The only real draw back was with taking our two dogs with us, we had to have someone in the room the whole time. So, my 15 year old son, who HATES swimming, stayed there with him while I watched the other three swim (i don't swim either. Fear it). He was fine with it for the most part, he got to play his DS while we were out, and watch cable. Things I don't let him watch with the younger two around. (I am more flexable as they get older, they need to learn to make choices, and things like tv programs are a good way to teach them how to - I could do a whole post on that) And since we don't have cable at home, it was an even bigger treat.
Heading out there put the travel bug in me again. I want to take the kids on a road trip. The old fashioned kind. Where you pick a destination, just jump in the car, and take a few days to get there, stopping at all the interesting places along the map, like the state parks, zoos, and the world's largest pretzel! I guess I'll have to try to set aside some money and try to plan one for next summer. It'll be the last family vaction before my oldest legally becomes an adult. (NEXT summer that is)
Blessings - Ahtena
My grandfather passed away a few months ago, and with the inhairtance, we've decided to put on egress window in the basement, so the older two could move into their own rooms. This way, they will have another exit, just in case of a fire. It's a little more than half way done, the hole has been dug, the cinderblock wall cut, and the window put in. Might just be finished off on Monday, but Tuesday at the latest. All four kids are excited to get their own rooms. The older two a bit more, but still, the younger ones like the idea of being able to keep the older ones out of their rooms. :)
These guys are doing a really great job. They are keeping it pretty clean in their little tarp room in the basement, and with the area they are working in being tarped up really well, we're really not getting any mess anywhere else.
However, when they had to cut up the basement wall, we needed to be out of the house. It's quite loud, but also, the dust from that is pretty bad, and as I have pretty sever asthma, and the oldest, second youngest both have it, and the littlest has mild symptoms from time to time, we really couldn't be here. So, we popped into the car, and headed for a Motel 6 Thursday morning (they weren't sure when they would get to the actul sawing, Thurs. or Fri.). Made sure it had an outdoor pool (less expensive) and had a great time. The only real draw back was with taking our two dogs with us, we had to have someone in the room the whole time. So, my 15 year old son, who HATES swimming, stayed there with him while I watched the other three swim (i don't swim either. Fear it). He was fine with it for the most part, he got to play his DS while we were out, and watch cable. Things I don't let him watch with the younger two around. (I am more flexable as they get older, they need to learn to make choices, and things like tv programs are a good way to teach them how to - I could do a whole post on that) And since we don't have cable at home, it was an even bigger treat.
Heading out there put the travel bug in me again. I want to take the kids on a road trip. The old fashioned kind. Where you pick a destination, just jump in the car, and take a few days to get there, stopping at all the interesting places along the map, like the state parks, zoos, and the world's largest pretzel! I guess I'll have to try to set aside some money and try to plan one for next summer. It'll be the last family vaction before my oldest legally becomes an adult. (NEXT summer that is)
Blessings - Ahtena
Friday, August 13, 2010
Morning,
I'm not sure if anyone is actually reading this blog or not, but I have having fun writing it when I can, so here I go again. :)
Our first week of school has gone quite well. With a three month break (we don't usually break that long) the kids are excited and eager to learn again. We've had to do some reviewing this week, but, surprisingly not too much. It is such a joy to teach them and see their faces when something "dings" in their minds.
I only make lesson plans a week or two at a time, my kids can often get stuck on something and I want to be able to keep working on it, with out feeling like I'm getting behind. Or, if we WANT to keep working on something, as well. In the past I have done six months, one month - I just always seem to end up feeling like we are way behind, then work the kids hard to get caught up. Everyone (including mom) ends up feeling frustrated and upset and school is no longer a joy. And that of course trickles to my husband. So, I've learned that just a week or two at a time -- and ALWAYS in pencil -- is what works for us. If you are reading, and do homeschool, how do you plan your work?
Got another "kids speak";
about a month ago, we were at church for our Wednesday family night activities and my youngest daughter(5)was with her little group, and they went out to play for a bit. Now we had had a LOT of rain for a while and some of the area was a bit muddy, as they were coming back in her teacher had come over and my daughter ran to her, slipped in a muddy spot, and landed and slid, on her whole back. She had mud from her shoes to her hair. She was cold, dirty and wet. But not hurt in any way, just annoyed.
What was I to do? I was in the nursery, so I couldn't just leave. But, amazingly someone had just gave me some clothes for my littlest one, mostly shirts (since her daughter did not wear too many dresses), no pants or shorts, but there was one dress! Now usually I like to wash gifted clothes, but I thought an exception could be made here. :)
So, off we headed to the bathroom to get her out of the muddy clothes and get her into the dry one. I even had to wash out her hair a bit, it was so muddy. Even her underwear was muddy and cold. (church keeps some pull ups for the younger kids in case mom forgets or runs out, so we used on of those, poor kid -- better than nothing).
Now, here's the funny the funny part, just a week or two ago, she had the dress on again and while daddy was tucking her into bed, he asked about the dress she had worn that day, saying something like, " is that the dress you wore when you got all muddy?" she replied; "Daddy, this is the dress that saved me from being nakedtized!" Where this stuff comes from, who knows, but it sure is cute. :)
Blessings-Athena
I'm not sure if anyone is actually reading this blog or not, but I have having fun writing it when I can, so here I go again. :)
Our first week of school has gone quite well. With a three month break (we don't usually break that long) the kids are excited and eager to learn again. We've had to do some reviewing this week, but, surprisingly not too much. It is such a joy to teach them and see their faces when something "dings" in their minds.
I only make lesson plans a week or two at a time, my kids can often get stuck on something and I want to be able to keep working on it, with out feeling like I'm getting behind. Or, if we WANT to keep working on something, as well. In the past I have done six months, one month - I just always seem to end up feeling like we are way behind, then work the kids hard to get caught up. Everyone (including mom) ends up feeling frustrated and upset and school is no longer a joy. And that of course trickles to my husband. So, I've learned that just a week or two at a time -- and ALWAYS in pencil -- is what works for us. If you are reading, and do homeschool, how do you plan your work?
Got another "kids speak";
about a month ago, we were at church for our Wednesday family night activities and my youngest daughter(5)was with her little group, and they went out to play for a bit. Now we had had a LOT of rain for a while and some of the area was a bit muddy, as they were coming back in her teacher had come over and my daughter ran to her, slipped in a muddy spot, and landed and slid, on her whole back. She had mud from her shoes to her hair. She was cold, dirty and wet. But not hurt in any way, just annoyed.
What was I to do? I was in the nursery, so I couldn't just leave. But, amazingly someone had just gave me some clothes for my littlest one, mostly shirts (since her daughter did not wear too many dresses), no pants or shorts, but there was one dress! Now usually I like to wash gifted clothes, but I thought an exception could be made here. :)
So, off we headed to the bathroom to get her out of the muddy clothes and get her into the dry one. I even had to wash out her hair a bit, it was so muddy. Even her underwear was muddy and cold. (church keeps some pull ups for the younger kids in case mom forgets or runs out, so we used on of those, poor kid -- better than nothing).
Now, here's the funny the funny part, just a week or two ago, she had the dress on again and while daddy was tucking her into bed, he asked about the dress she had worn that day, saying something like, " is that the dress you wore when you got all muddy?" she replied; "Daddy, this is the dress that saved me from being nakedtized!" Where this stuff comes from, who knows, but it sure is cute. :)
Blessings-Athena
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
It's been quit busy around here the last few weeks, there just never seems to be enough time to get on and post when I want to. Oh well, I have to put my family above the computer, so that's just the way it goes.
I wore shorts the other day, for the first time in a few weeks, it sure felt weird at first. I was uncomfortable in them - physically. As the day wore on, they weren't bad, but when I had to run out, I was constantly aware that I was in them, and wasn't real comfortable - mentally- in them. I'm sticking with skirts/ dresses for the most part now. I have throw on shorts for just around the house - my husband does like them on me, and wants me to wear them. He is fine with me usually wearing skirts, if I want to, but he like shorts/ pants on me. So, from time to time, I will wear them, for him.
Since we homeschool, we started early this year, just yesterday. We tend to do book work for a bit, then take a break for a bit. I just go with the flow and do what it seems we (the whole family) need to do at any given time. I pray and try to listen to the Lord about when and what to do each day/week/ month.
This year, for those who are interested, we are using:
Senior:
Abeka math - consumer book
Writing Strands - book 6
Abeka Science - 7th grade (she is not the best at science, so we are doing this easier one for the year, and we'll see where she goes from there)
Rosetta Stone - Italian
Various books for reports and just to read.
I will be adding things as the year goes on, but she does plan to still homeschool next year instead of going off to collage. So, she has some time to try and catch up. She is not planning on a 4 - year degree at this time, she feels called to missions, so, we are just going with the flow, and sticking somewhere in the middle.
Sophomore:
Math-U-see Epsilon
Abeka read and think - gr 6
I've got an old 4th gr English book and am using part of it to refresh his English skills.
Various books for oral book reports
I will also add to his work as the year progresses. He has certain disabilities and they tend to hold him back with school work. It's not so much the difficulty of the work, it's acutely doing the work that can be hard for him. So, we take it pretty slow. As long as he moves forward, that's fine by me.
4th grader:
Math-U-See Beta He will finish this book by Christmas and move on the the next
Abeka read and think - grade 4
ACE spelling - first level
Abeka English - 2nd or 3rd grade - He will fin sh this one next week and we will move onto Writing Strands level 2
Reading different books and "readers" just to improve his reading skills
1st grader:
Math-U-see - Primer, she will finish this by Christmas as well, and move to the next level
Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons. She's about 1/4 of the way through, we haven't seemed to finish this book yet, once they pick up on really reading, they get pretty board of this book, well see if she finishes it or not.
The three younger work together on history and science together as well as reading the Bible. My 15 year old is starting to read it on his own from time to time and I am working on getting him to do it more often. The oldest reads hers quite often.
For Bible, we are all working in Picture This Bible. It's a great way to study and understand the Bible. The kids fill in and connect the dots on a sheet of paper and then color it in (the younger two have the "answer" page, since it's a bit much for them to write and connect quickly). It's designed for middle school and up, but the younger two enjoy it and are learning too. So am I, for that manner. Each page is one book in the Bible (there are a few that have two of the smaller books on one page). As we work, we look up passages in the Bible, and learn the history of it. I can't recommend it enough.
Well, that's all. I've got to get this day started if I want to be productive today.
Blessing - Athena
I wore shorts the other day, for the first time in a few weeks, it sure felt weird at first. I was uncomfortable in them - physically. As the day wore on, they weren't bad, but when I had to run out, I was constantly aware that I was in them, and wasn't real comfortable - mentally- in them. I'm sticking with skirts/ dresses for the most part now. I have throw on shorts for just around the house - my husband does like them on me, and wants me to wear them. He is fine with me usually wearing skirts, if I want to, but he like shorts/ pants on me. So, from time to time, I will wear them, for him.
Since we homeschool, we started early this year, just yesterday. We tend to do book work for a bit, then take a break for a bit. I just go with the flow and do what it seems we (the whole family) need to do at any given time. I pray and try to listen to the Lord about when and what to do each day/week/ month.
This year, for those who are interested, we are using:
Senior:
Abeka math - consumer book
Writing Strands - book 6
Abeka Science - 7th grade (she is not the best at science, so we are doing this easier one for the year, and we'll see where she goes from there)
Rosetta Stone - Italian
Various books for reports and just to read.
I will be adding things as the year goes on, but she does plan to still homeschool next year instead of going off to collage. So, she has some time to try and catch up. She is not planning on a 4 - year degree at this time, she feels called to missions, so, we are just going with the flow, and sticking somewhere in the middle.
Sophomore:
Math-U-see Epsilon
Abeka read and think - gr 6
I've got an old 4th gr English book and am using part of it to refresh his English skills.
Various books for oral book reports
I will also add to his work as the year progresses. He has certain disabilities and they tend to hold him back with school work. It's not so much the difficulty of the work, it's acutely doing the work that can be hard for him. So, we take it pretty slow. As long as he moves forward, that's fine by me.
4th grader:
Math-U-See Beta He will finish this book by Christmas and move on the the next
Abeka read and think - grade 4
ACE spelling - first level
Abeka English - 2nd or 3rd grade - He will fin sh this one next week and we will move onto Writing Strands level 2
Reading different books and "readers" just to improve his reading skills
1st grader:
Math-U-see - Primer, she will finish this by Christmas as well, and move to the next level
Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons. She's about 1/4 of the way through, we haven't seemed to finish this book yet, once they pick up on really reading, they get pretty board of this book, well see if she finishes it or not.
The three younger work together on history and science together as well as reading the Bible. My 15 year old is starting to read it on his own from time to time and I am working on getting him to do it more often. The oldest reads hers quite often.
For Bible, we are all working in Picture This Bible. It's a great way to study and understand the Bible. The kids fill in and connect the dots on a sheet of paper and then color it in (the younger two have the "answer" page, since it's a bit much for them to write and connect quickly). It's designed for middle school and up, but the younger two enjoy it and are learning too. So am I, for that manner. Each page is one book in the Bible (there are a few that have two of the smaller books on one page). As we work, we look up passages in the Bible, and learn the history of it. I can't recommend it enough.
Well, that's all. I've got to get this day started if I want to be productive today.
Blessing - Athena
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