Realizations

I finished a book this weekend, Homeschooling the Challenging Child by Christine Field.  This book did a number on me.  I am known for reading something and taking on their views and ways of doing things.  This book didn't tell me what to do, but what I could do, and then told me that I know my kids best.  I know I've heard this a thousand times, but this time it got me.  It told me to look at my priorities in regards to what I wanted my kids to know.  I loved all things teacher growing up, so I think it's been hard for me to really not care about the check list or have some semblance of "school" work.  
I was up late last night thinking about this.  Why do I homeschool?  What do I want them to know and learn?  What do I want them to focus on?  Here are my answers...

I homeschool because I'm scared of what will happen to Rory's self-esteem in an already hard world for her.  She's headstrong and that doesn't go over well with some people.  Even when we're on the playground or in our own homeschool group, she's an acquired taste.  It's been a hard lesson for her.  In school, fuggedaboutit.  Logan still can't go to a class on his own that I'm not teaching.  

I want them to know God.  That's the answer that changed our school.  If they know Him, then the rest is gravy.  I want them to have a servant's heart.  This is my goal.  This is why I homeschool.  This is what I want as their focus.  

So I started today with the Rosary.  They asked questions.  Marley told me, "Jesus died on the cross for us to save us."  They're getting it.  We have family prayers at the end of the day.  I used to start the day with them, but I stopped.  I don't know why.  I feel like I've been given the key to their success.  I'm teaching them to offer their day first thing in the morning.  Our quote to memorize for this week is, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."  -Colossians 3:23  

Then I took a look at what I was doing with each kid, and I tweaked it.  I'm keeping what they respond to, and what was there for my comfort is gone.  There are still things that I'll be a stickler for; Math drills, grammar, etc., but I'm going with what I know about my kids and trying my darndest to trust that this time...again.

For the record...here is what I'm dealing with

Chilly Daybook

Outside my window...
It's dark and cold.  I can't complain too much because I like the cold.

I am thankful for...
people that support me NO MATTER WHAT.  

I am thinking about...
school.  *sigh*

Learning all the time...
We're behind.  There!  I said it...again.  Rory went on a really cool field trip to the local supermarket.  They did a great job teaching them how to read labels and what not.  Rory's been reading all the labels we have and letting me know where I made bad choices.

From the kitchen...
Not much.  We're just relying on standbys.  Healthy eating stinks.

I am creating...
ChorePacks.  Sarah wrote about them and convinced me.  I got them a while ago, and they ended up on a shelf.  Time to get them down and brush off the dust.  These kids have gotten a free ride long enough.

I am working on...
A promotion with Thirty-One.

I am going...
to bring the kids with me to Zumba in a couple weeks for a surprise treat.  I'm so excited!

I am hoping...
Things calm down around here.

I am reading...
Style, Sex, and Substance by Hallie Lord.  Homeschooling the Challenging Child by Christine M. Field

I am hearing...
Grey's Anatomy and cars racing by our house because people drive too fast in my neighborhood.

Around the house...
It's a process, right?

One of my favorite things...
People who know me.  Who I don't have to feel guarded around.  Who don't judge me and love me just the way I am.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Tomorrow is my 10 year wedding anniversary.  I can't believe we've made it this far.  It has been hard work...and well worth it.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

 Sometimes there are no words for this child.

Stand By

Guys, I am drowning this week.  We have so much going on right now, and I'm sorry I'm not about to blog as much as I'd like.  Just to not leave you totally hanging, let me tell you about the fire station trip from my birthday.  We brought them cookies, and the dispatcher asked if we wanted a tour.  Who says no to that?  She took us through the lounge which had 8 leather recliners, a flat screen TV, and an X-Box.  The gentlemen there joked with Kevin and asked if he was there to sign up.  I think he actually looked into it after he saw the X-Box.  Then we joked how they would get a call, and he would tell people to hold on so he could finish his game, or he would ask if the house they were going to had an X-Box that needed to be saved.  :)  

They took us out into the main garage where the trucks are.  They had a black lab that was the rescue dog.  Her owner, Paramedic Mike, was there checking supplies for the ambulance.  This dog was AH-MAZ-ING.  That's a lot for me to say about a dog because we all know I'm not particularly partial to them.  Moving on.  Paramedic Mike would hold up two fingers, and the dog barked twice.  He would hold up four fingers, and the dog barked four times.  He would tell her to heel, and she would sit next to him.  He would pat his leg and she would sit more next to him.  He would pat his leg AGAIN, and she would sit more next to him.  She was a live scent dog, so she looked for people...alive.  She was trained to walk past dead people.  Moving on again.

If we could have this dog, I would take her.  I would want one like that!  All done and what not.  It happened to be the dog's 10th birthday...the same day as mine.  Kevin said it's a sign that we should get a dog.  I told him no...again.  For me to get a dog, there has to be a booming voice or burning bush.  Seriously.

 

 This isn't the video I wanted to show you, but the other one was too long.  This shows you a bit of the dog though.  It was a great time, and we had a lot of fun.  It was a nice surprise to get a tour when we were just going to drop and run.  We will definitely be going back!

My Birthday Acrostic

My mom sent me this email yesterday.  I actually cried.  Thank you, Mommy!


I finally got to look at the blog and realized I hadn't seen it for a
while.I am not very good at it but the following comes to mind when I
think about you.And you'll notice - I'm fashionably late!!

N - Nice.  You are one of the nicest and sweetest people I know.  You
don't give yourself enough credit for all the balls you keep in the air
- your kids and all their activities, mother of a teenager, wife of a
computer whiz, 31 consultant/executive - not sure of your current title,
housewife, cook and excellent baking chef, activity leader, financial
conscience, someone your siblings can count on when they need help,
cheerleader, taxi service, laundress, homeschooler, church activity
organizer, andblogger (and I know I've missed some)!

O - Organized.  I know you don't think you are but sometimes you're so
organized you drive yourself crazy.  I think your assignment of rotating
chores to the kids is really good for them and they will one day be able
to take care of themselves when they get out on their own.  I didn't do
well with that - didn't make you do regular chores - so you had to learn
how to do stuff on your own.  I'm sorry - but I'm proud of how well you
do with everything.  Also, I like it when you call and ask how to do
something - makes me feel useful.

R - Religious.  This one I would never have expected throughout your
headstrong teenage years but you are an inspiration for all those around
you. I can tell that your faith is of great comfort to you and I love it
when you tell me about times you've questioned why something was or wasn't
happening and then it does - and you can see God's hand in it.

A - Adult.  Ok, ok, I know you are - but you'll always be my little girl.
For some reason - I guess because you're the youngest,I can't wrap my head
around your age.  But then you tell me about how you've solved a problem,
or how you've helped someone out, or how you've budgeted, or how you've
driven through Starbucks and paid for the coffee for the person behind you,
or how you've managed to make that tiny house into a home for 6 happy
people, or how you've cared for sick kids, and I'm so very, very proud
of you!!!

I love you, Sweetie!!!

Mommy  

The Birthday Project

Awhile ago, I came across a blog about The Birthday Project. When you click on that link, you have to scroll up. Anyway, my birthday was yesterday, so I decided to do the birthday project. I tend to be a researcher then doer, so I made a list of all the things I thought I would be able to pull off. I wasn't up to 35 (my age this year *gasp*). I figured I would pray that opportunities would present themselves as they did for Robyn. I woke up yesterday morning to get everyone ready for our first act of kindness and to get Kaelyn on the bus. She was torn because she wanted to come with us on our adventure. I wanted her to come to, so she skipped school. I don't think any of her teachers read this, so we're cool. :) And we were off....

Our 35 Acts

1. Brought muffins to my friend and her family for breakfast.
2. Handed out cards to people at gas station.
3. Filled washing machines with quarters at laundromat.

4. Took carts back to stores
5. Brought cookies to our local fire station

6. Smiled at people
7. Left popcorn at redboxes


8. Bought a plant to bring to my home school review lady
9. You know those signs on the back of trucks that say, "How am I driving? Call 000-000-0000?" Well, I called one. After answering 20 questions down to the conditions of the road and weather outside, I finally got the chance to say that I was just calling to say he was doing a really good job. :)
10. Tried to give a bottle of water to someone picking up trash outside, but he said no. :(
11. Put quarters in parking meters


12. Put dollar bills in favorite books at the library

About this Batman book...the first line of this page reads, ""Please stop, Batman," she pleads."" Ummm...was this found in the children's section? I think not.


13. Held door for people
14. Put money in vending machine

15. Paid money toward someone's late fee at the library (Kevin's idea!)
16-19. Bought Chick-Fil-A giftcards and handed them out to people in the drive through. I bought four and while I don't think this is four separate acts, my husband, MIL, and Kaelyn all think it is.



20. Bought and brought Chick-Fil-A to my cousin who just had a baby

21. Brought Starbucks to a friend
22. Paid for the lady behind me in Starbucks
23. Left good tip for Starbucks people
24. While I was telling Kevin about the people asking me if I wanted the Starbucks I bought for a friend iced, he mentioned that he used to love getting his coffee iced. So...on my way back from my friend's house...
25. Bought Starbucks for Kevin
26. There was no one in line behind me, so I left another good tip
27. Left quarters for gumball machine at Kaelyn's work
28. Handed out balloons to the kids in Safeway


29. Left cards on people's cars in parking lot wishing them a wonderful day

30. Left quarters in the toy machines in Safeway
31. Took an Adoration hour for a friend who went to celebrate her son's birthday. :)
32. Missed the end of The Voice for Adoration. I'm totally counting that, and I don't care who thinks what about it. -.-
33. Bought flowers for Jesus. There were two bloomed, so I told Him it stood for Him and me.

34. Offered my hour in Adoration to the person after me. It wasn't my normal hour, so I had no idea who it was.

35. Stopped by the store on the way home and bought Kaelyn's favorite muffins and powdered donuts for the others for breakfast this morning.

We did it! It was getting down to the wire at the end, and while I don't know if the giftcards really count as one each, or if it's stretching it to add that I bought breakfast for the kids or smiled at people, I'm pretty excited that the day went so well. I'll be doing it again next year. Kevin said it was a bit sad that people were wondering what the heck we were doing and why. People are not as open to random acts of kindness as I thought they'd be. I hope that will change for people in my neighborhood now. :) Thanks for everyone that helped me! I really appreciate it!

Happy Birthday, Maria!

Hi. It's me, the sucky sister. I forgot to put Maria's birthday blog up and today, the 12th, is her actual birthday. This will be a day late, but for what it's worth, I called her first thing this morning Canadian time. :) Anyway, Ri, I'm sorry this is late, but here is your birthday acrostic.

M- MEMORIES In almost every single instant of my life that I look back on, my sister is there with me. That wasn't always a good thing since we fought like cats and dogs until we were in high school. There's something bonding about having to ride together to school and singing Jane's Addiction at the top of our lungs. We suddenly got along well...and ever since.
A- ATTENTION TO DETAIL My sister is very organized. On top of wrangling three boys under 7, she manages a business that her and her husband started. I can't get into it because it's that complicated for me, but Ri just has a way about these things. She figures them out, puts them to order, and voila! She also a neat freak, but she doesn't have an "N" in her name, so it's going here. I admire that because I wish I had it...even a little bit.
R- REPUTABLE When we were younger, Maria got good grades, played sports, went to college, never got in trouble...She walked the line. Dita and I? Not so much. Maria didn't rock the boat. She's was an angel, but she was a good kid. Either that or she was more devious than Dita and I and just didn't get caught. That might be it! She's still a by the rules type of person. It's REFRESHING.
I- INTERNATIONAL She's in Canada and that makes me VERY sad. I wanted us to be neighbors and our kids grow up together. Although if I were to be honest, I think our kids would kill each other if they lived next door to one another. Rory and Dale at least. :) Logan and Dayce would be off somewhere playing a video game. Marley probably wouldn't ever put Drake down even though he can walk and such. Along with INTERNATIONAL there is INTELLIGENT, INTERESTING, IMPRESSIVE, INSPIRATIONAL, Etc., Etc.
A- AMAZING/AWESOME While it took a while for us to get along, I can't imagine my life without her. It doesn't matter how long we go without talking, we pick right back up where we left off. She understands things about me in ways that others can't. It's a sibling thing. We are so much alike and different all at the same time. I will forever hold out hope that she will move stateside at some point...or we'll move to Canada, eh? :)

Thank you, Maria, for being a wonderful, supportive, patient, loving, caring, compassionate, understanding, funny (I could just keep going)... listener, friend, and sister. I love you. Happy Birthday!

Ten Thoughts for Tuesday

1. I don't think Zumba instructors take into account women that have birthed more than two children when making up these moves. That's all I have to say about that.
2. There is something to be said about boys being less drama. When I do school with Logan, he buckles down and gets it done. Sure he needs to be refocused, but on a whole, he doesn't spend 5 minutes before each thing complaining about it.
3. Tae-Bo Turbo is my new Zumba at the gym. This class kicks my arse twice a week, and I LOVE IT!
4. Kaelyn goes back to school tomorrow from spring break. Thus ensues kids waking up earlier again. *sigh*
5. I figured out that the only way to not destroy my healthy eating habits instilled from Lent was to eat all the possible temptations in one day. :)
6. My catholic grade school did not show all the footage from Jesus of Nazareth when they played it for us. This knowledge would have been helpful before I started watching it with Rory and Logan this week.
7. It is hard to come up with 35 good deeds. (stay tuned)
8. I'm figuring out that I can make decisions on my own. I don't need to follow to the tee something that I like that someone else does. I can actually tweak things to my needs. This is a long hard lesson I'm learning very sllooooooowwwwllllyyyy.
9. Bread making is proving to be a worthy opponent.
10. I hate my hair. This is something Kevin has heard almost every day for the past 10 years. I'm going to do something drastic to it in the Philippines. Why there? Because last time I was there, they straightened my hair with something that burned my scalp. That's the real deal.

Thank you for listening to my ramblings. For your patience, here is a picture.
How cute is this? I don't know why they were sitting like this. It's adorable.

Easter in Pictures

Happy Easter! Here was ours in pictures. Please excuse the mess of our home while you look around. :) He is risen!







My little chick cake pops. Don't ask.
I'm upset with Rory and Logan for this shot. My mom took a couple of pictures and this one was the only one where I think everyone's eyes were open...but they were looking down. :/


Ok, here's the story behind this picture. My parents took us out to brunch at Clyde's. There was a lady sitting at the corner table that Kevin, Kaelyn, and I discussed as the real live Cruella DeVille. I never claimed to be nice, people! Anyway, I wanted to get a picture of her and did it under the planning that I was taking a picture of my mom and Kaelyn. I'm pleasantly surprised with what a good picture it turned out to be!






Kaelyn's egg is the bunny and the sunrise or set next to it. She was so proud of these eggs...as she should be.