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Can you even believe this giveaway?????
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
I recently overheard a stay at mom say that her kids don't have chores. I really don't know why this puzzled me so, but it did. ALL of our kids have chores, both of the daily variety and the I need you to.......fill in the blank variety.
Aside from making their beds, all the kids obviously need to take care of personal hygiene and keep up with all their stuff that some how creeps and runs wild in areas other than their bedrooms.
The boys also alternate weeks of dish duty and dog duty. Our youngest, only 5, even helps by putting away the silverware, and relining the trash cans with bags after they have been emptied.
We also blitz the house everyday right before Big Daddy gets home. We try to get all the school stuff up and out of the way, babydolls back in thier beds, and pillows straightened on the couch.
Our kids also help with some of the leg work for bigger chores, like mowing the grass(especially if Big Daddy has to work late) or picking vegtables from the garden in the summer.
What about you and yours? I really think of myself as a house manager, not a maid, so I delegate and get the troops moving when necessary.
Aside from making their beds, all the kids obviously need to take care of personal hygiene and keep up with all their stuff that some how creeps and runs wild in areas other than their bedrooms.
The boys also alternate weeks of dish duty and dog duty. Our youngest, only 5, even helps by putting away the silverware, and relining the trash cans with bags after they have been emptied.
We also blitz the house everyday right before Big Daddy gets home. We try to get all the school stuff up and out of the way, babydolls back in thier beds, and pillows straightened on the couch.
Our kids also help with some of the leg work for bigger chores, like mowing the grass(especially if Big Daddy has to work late) or picking vegtables from the garden in the summer.
What about you and yours? I really think of myself as a house manager, not a maid, so I delegate and get the troops moving when necessary.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Back in the swing of things....finally!!!!
Hello Friends,
I hate that my last few posts have been nothing but....here I am again...sorry, I've been gone....better late than never....but REALLY this time I mean it....I'm BACK!!!!
Which, I am sure that, my 3 readers will be over joyed with.
Fact is, Blogging fits very nicely with my homeschooling routine....but not so much my summer routine. Who wants to be on the laptop when there is a beautiful lake across the street, a swimming pool at both the In-Laws and the grandparents, and a new niece next door? Can you blame my hiatus???
With all that said, life is very good
Friday, August 21, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
I'm a little Pee-pot
Big Daddy, who has a lot of amazing qualities, also has a handful of annoying ones. For example....he can aggravate you in a heart beat....but the worse part is that he doesn't let up once your aggravated. Instead he just pokes and prods until you are ready to literally RUN AWAY. FOREVER!!! This was my perdicament the other night in the kitchen when this conversation took place.
BD: Come on Babe...I'm not that BAD
Me: Oh, yes you are. Leave me alone and get out of the kitchen
BD: Really, Babe....I just want to be near you...I've missed you all day(remember this is not sweet nothings...its the aggravation game...trying to not only "get my goat" but slaughter it as well)
Me: You know honey, I've been thinking
BD: what about darlin'?
Me: I once heard on a show about self defense that if someone is trying to abduct you, that you should pee on yourself because they wont want to take you anywhere if you just peed your pants.
BD: what does that have to do with anything?
Me: Well, I am thinking about peeing my pants just so you would leave me alone and let me cook dinner.
BD: Come on Babe...I'm not that BAD
Me: Oh, yes you are. Leave me alone and get out of the kitchen
BD: Really, Babe....I just want to be near you...I've missed you all day(remember this is not sweet nothings...its the aggravation game...trying to not only "get my goat" but slaughter it as well)
Me: You know honey, I've been thinking
BD: what about darlin'?
Me: I once heard on a show about self defense that if someone is trying to abduct you, that you should pee on yourself because they wont want to take you anywhere if you just peed your pants.
BD: what does that have to do with anything?
Me: Well, I am thinking about peeing my pants just so you would leave me alone and let me cook dinner.
Funny HaHa
Life around our house has been quite busy and FILLED with laughter here of late. Had to take a moment and share some of the highlights.
The Beez sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" last week. It went something like this..."buy me some pickles and apple jacks"
Tucking in The Snake last night almost got me a black eye. When I leaned down to kiss him, I scared him to death and he turned over swinging. I caught his clenched fist just inches from my face.
My MIL asked Crack (12yrs old...all boy) which of her perfumes he liked best. He just nodded and walked away. Later he told me about their conversation like this...."Mom, really? She wanted to know and I just shook my head. But the truth was they all smelled the same....except for one...and it smelled like butt."
Trying to convince The Beez to read me one of her new books before she went outside to ride her bikes went down like this:
Me: read this to me before you go outside
Beez: I dont want to read...that's school and its summer
Me: come on, its one of your NEW books that I just bought...PLEASE
Beez: You said that those books were for school....I want to go and ride my bike...not do school
Me: Well, you could read this ONE book and then go out and ride your bike....OR you could read all TWELVE of your new books to me....and NOT go out and ride your bike
Beez: That sounds like a THREAT!!!
Me: Guilty. Go ride your bike.
Beez: OK, I'll read just one.
Big Daddy, who has a lot of amazing qualities, also has a handful of annoying ones. For example....he can aggravate you in a heart beat....but the worse part is that he doesn't let up once your aggravated. This was my perdicament the other night in the kitchen when this conversation took place.
BD: Come on Babe...I'm not that BAD
Me: Oh, yes you are. Leave me alone and get out of the kitchen
BD: Really, Babe....I just want to be near you...I've missed you all day(remember this is not sweet nothings...its the aggravation game...trying to not only "get my goat" but slaughter it as well)
Me: You know honey, I've been thinking
BD: what about darlin'?
Me: I once heard on a show about self defense that if someone is trying to abduct you, that you should pee on yourself because they wont want to take you anywhere if you just peed your pants.
BD: what does that have to do with anything?
Me: Well, I am thinking about peeing my pants just so you would leave me alone and let me cook dinner.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Staying True: My Journey through Homeschooling
My blogging break has been wonderful. It has accomplished everything I hoped it would and I feel refreshed and energized and ready to jump back into the blogging world. Joyfully that break is over, but another one is on the horizon and school is just around the corner.
Most years I have already purchased all my curriculum by the end of the previous year so that I can have the summer to tweak it and prepare myself for the upcoming year. This year with our big NY/DC trip that didn't happen. I knew that I wanted top make some changes but the sepcifics I had not laid out yet. Then a friend offered me her curriculum from last year...Science, History and English Lit/Grammar. It was everything I would need for those subjects except for the grammar work text and I was thrilled. The amount of money she saved me was unreal and I was so thankful. She brought me all the books and I started going through them trying to figure the best way to use it and still be true to myself.
The truth is, I couldn't. I sat there and looked over this great gift and solid curriculum and I was lost. I couldn't find myself with those textbook pages, and I feared failure was on the horizon. I looked over each subject and then in defeat I prayed over them and asked for direction. And this is what I heard in the depths of my soul. "What you see as a financial gift and answer to prayer, is really your lack of faith that I will provide what I really want you to have. Be TRUE to yourself, and to your kids. I have called you to homeschool these precious children, and I will not leave you short handed"
In the span of just a moment, a mere breath within my self I suddenly felt at peace. And I reminded myself of the two things I counsel other homeshooling moms to do. First, know WHY you are homeschooling. Write it down. Remind yourself of it often. You have to know the WHY or you will get lost in the HOW. The first time someone asks you, "Why do you homeschool?" and you stutter and fumble over your answer, you will feel defeated. So know the WHY so you can succeed in the HOW. The second thing I urge other parents to do is this: Be true to yourself. Be the teacher God created YOU to be, not the teacher you see in others. You are uniquely gifted to teach your own children, your own way. This is the gift that homeschooling gives you. Instead of your child being in a group of 20-30 kids who all learn differently, but are required to learn the systems way, you have the freedom to individualize. Meet your child where they are, and bring them on the journey.
The beauty of homschooling is just that, the journey you take with your children to teach them to know God and to love knowledge. Remembering above all things, that diagramming sentences and periodic tables have nothing on the real gift you are giving your children. Hold fast to the knowledge that homeschoolings greatest gift is the beautiful relationship you are given with your children when you stay true to yourself.
In Love and Laughter, Seeking to KNOW Him
Most years I have already purchased all my curriculum by the end of the previous year so that I can have the summer to tweak it and prepare myself for the upcoming year. This year with our big NY/DC trip that didn't happen. I knew that I wanted top make some changes but the sepcifics I had not laid out yet. Then a friend offered me her curriculum from last year...Science, History and English Lit/Grammar. It was everything I would need for those subjects except for the grammar work text and I was thrilled. The amount of money she saved me was unreal and I was so thankful. She brought me all the books and I started going through them trying to figure the best way to use it and still be true to myself.
The truth is, I couldn't. I sat there and looked over this great gift and solid curriculum and I was lost. I couldn't find myself with those textbook pages, and I feared failure was on the horizon. I looked over each subject and then in defeat I prayed over them and asked for direction. And this is what I heard in the depths of my soul. "What you see as a financial gift and answer to prayer, is really your lack of faith that I will provide what I really want you to have. Be TRUE to yourself, and to your kids. I have called you to homeschool these precious children, and I will not leave you short handed"
In the span of just a moment, a mere breath within my self I suddenly felt at peace. And I reminded myself of the two things I counsel other homeshooling moms to do. First, know WHY you are homeschooling. Write it down. Remind yourself of it often. You have to know the WHY or you will get lost in the HOW. The first time someone asks you, "Why do you homeschool?" and you stutter and fumble over your answer, you will feel defeated. So know the WHY so you can succeed in the HOW. The second thing I urge other parents to do is this: Be true to yourself. Be the teacher God created YOU to be, not the teacher you see in others. You are uniquely gifted to teach your own children, your own way. This is the gift that homeschooling gives you. Instead of your child being in a group of 20-30 kids who all learn differently, but are required to learn the systems way, you have the freedom to individualize. Meet your child where they are, and bring them on the journey.
The beauty of homschooling is just that, the journey you take with your children to teach them to know God and to love knowledge. Remembering above all things, that diagramming sentences and periodic tables have nothing on the real gift you are giving your children. Hold fast to the knowledge that homeschoolings greatest gift is the beautiful relationship you are given with your children when you stay true to yourself.
In Love and Laughter, Seeking to KNOW Him
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Hello world!!
I thought my blog break would only be a week or so but it quickly turned into a well needed month.
We have been super busy with summer camp, swimming, and gardening.
Oh, and welcoming a new little one. Presley Fern came 2 1/2 weeks early, but not a day too soon for her momma. She weighed a whopping 9lbs and ofcourse is beautiful.
I am hoping that I will be frequently updating now that I can do it via my iPhone. It seems that I am never on the actual computer.
Thank you too the many friends who have emailed me to check in on me...we are alive and well and just enjoying our summer and our new precious angel.
I thought my blog break would only be a week or so but it quickly turned into a well needed month.
We have been super busy with summer camp, swimming, and gardening.
Oh, and welcoming a new little one. Presley Fern came 2 1/2 weeks early, but not a day too soon for her momma. She weighed a whopping 9lbs and ofcourse is beautiful.
I am hoping that I will be frequently updating now that I can do it via my iPhone. It seems that I am never on the actual computer.
Thank you too the many friends who have emailed me to check in on me...we are alive and well and just enjoying our summer and our new precious angel.
LaughingMomma
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Blogging Sabbatical???
It seems, without even officially planning it, that I have been on Sabbatical. And in some ways that has been VERY good(more on that later). I have missed it, but before our trip I was spending way too much time not only on my own blog...but also visiting each of your blogs. In the middle of all that, I realized I was missing out on my own life while I was enjoying yours.
That is one reason why Twitter(I'm LaughingMomma if you twitter too!!!) works well for me. I am able to capture some great family moments and times of reflection without having to immerse myself in the blog world. It of course didn't help that we had our big trip/adventure right in the middle of it all, and now summer is upon us and my baby niece Presley is about to make her grand entrance very soon, all of which have been occupying my time away from the blogosphere.
Here is a quick update on all things ALOL:
Big Daddy is going to be the BIG 40 in just a few weeks. I had a surprise party for his 35th, and I think this year we will just do a family dinner. He wants, of all things, an old fashioned ice cream maker. I am usually "anti" appliance when it comes to gift giving...after all I was the recipient of a new stove one year for Christmas....and that did go over so well. But that is a whole other post.
The Beez is READING!!!! WOO WHOO!!! All of you who homeschool can probably understand the frustration of striking out when it comes to reading. It usually starts off great with them getting short sounds and reading every three letter word around. Then when you throw them a curve ball with long sounds, multiple rules, and special sounds and they just give up. I am pleased to say that we have rounded the bases and she is now reading everything with great success.
Snake is back to his old self. Which is such a good thing. While we were on our trip
it seemed like every time we had to get on to one of the kids...it was Snake. But once we got back on Mississippi soil he was back to his flying under the radar self. On a positive "note" he has started tinkering on the piano, so we decided to start him taking lessons with my Grammy. I'll keep you posted on his progress
Crack is in the tail end of baseball. Its been a good year but admittedly, I am counting down to the final game on opening day. I love watching my kids play sports...I just hate the time it keeps us away from home. Crack also moves up to the Youth this summer, which is good in that He and Snake will be separate. But that also means that we will have twice as many activities on our calendar.
As for me, well I am just ready to grab a book and hit the pool and the lake. That is the best thing about all the kids swimming....I can actually relax instead of having to "play" the entire time. So leave me a comment with your summer reading suggestions...cause I am definitely in the market for a summer reading list.
That is one reason why Twitter(I'm LaughingMomma if you twitter too!!!) works well for me. I am able to capture some great family moments and times of reflection without having to immerse myself in the blog world. It of course didn't help that we had our big trip/adventure right in the middle of it all, and now summer is upon us and my baby niece Presley is about to make her grand entrance very soon, all of which have been occupying my time away from the blogosphere.
Here is a quick update on all things ALOL:
Big Daddy is going to be the BIG 40 in just a few weeks. I had a surprise party for his 35th, and I think this year we will just do a family dinner. He wants, of all things, an old fashioned ice cream maker. I am usually "anti" appliance when it comes to gift giving...after all I was the recipient of a new stove one year for Christmas....and that did go over so well. But that is a whole other post.
The Beez is READING!!!! WOO WHOO!!! All of you who homeschool can probably understand the frustration of striking out when it comes to reading. It usually starts off great with them getting short sounds and reading every three letter word around. Then when you throw them a curve ball with long sounds, multiple rules, and special sounds and they just give up. I am pleased to say that we have rounded the bases and she is now reading everything with great success.
Snake is back to his old self. Which is such a good thing. While we were on our trip
it seemed like every time we had to get on to one of the kids...it was Snake. But once we got back on Mississippi soil he was back to his flying under the radar self. On a positive "note" he has started tinkering on the piano, so we decided to start him taking lessons with my Grammy. I'll keep you posted on his progress
Crack is in the tail end of baseball. Its been a good year but admittedly, I am counting down to the final game on opening day. I love watching my kids play sports...I just hate the time it keeps us away from home. Crack also moves up to the Youth this summer, which is good in that He and Snake will be separate. But that also means that we will have twice as many activities on our calendar.
As for me, well I am just ready to grab a book and hit the pool and the lake. That is the best thing about all the kids swimming....I can actually relax instead of having to "play" the entire time. So leave me a comment with your summer reading suggestions...cause I am definitely in the market for a summer reading list.
Monday, May 11, 2009
It's Good to be Back Friends
It would be impossible to to recap our last month in just one post, so I won't even try. But I will say that our long awaited vacation was no vacation, but really a 17 day long field trip. We saw just about every monument, memorial, and museum in DC and of course hit all the big spots in NY too. We had a lovely time visiting with my Dad and his fiance Ann while in NY and then with good friends Brian and Lauri while in DC.
The trip was more than I could have imagined if I had not put all the hard work into the thing in the first place. So instead, it was everything I imagined and more. the kids were, as a whole, super troopers. The Beez only complained once about all the walking...and truthfully it was the same time we were all complaining. Walking the Mall in DC-twice- before lunch on the hottest day of the year, with hungry kids was one of the few lapses in parental judgement we made...but in the end it was all good.
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved NY. I especially loved Tarrytown, where my Dad and Ann live. It was not only beautiful, but cozy as well, something I thought impossible in NY. I also loved riding the Metro. Goodness, I could get use to that. And the view along the Hudson was something to behold.
As for DC, is was breathtaking. Big Daddy and I are already planning a return trip without the kiddos. the history and beauty of our blessed country was a treat in and of itself. The Smithsonian Museums left me wanting for more and yet completely satisfied as well.
I have so much more to share, and I hope to do so soon. thank you for checking in with us and I hope to catch up on your blogs as well very soon.
P.S. Cracks surgery went perfect. he has the best looking broken nose I have ever seen...you wouldn't know it if I didn't point it out to you.
Best to you and yours!!!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Jedi's, tree limbs, and baseball
I have been working on a post all week long, but with family visiting and trying to get school completed before our vacation it has been difficult to find the time.
But...... then we had drama last night and into today and I couldn't NOT share it with you all.
Last night as small group came to an end, Snake comes rushing into the house yelling, "Hurry, he's hurt!!!"
As we make our way to the front yard, sure enough, Crack is laid out in the front yard face down. He is scream-crying...you know sobbing and screaming at the same time, making no sense at all. We finally got out of him that Snake had busted him in the face with a TREE BRANCH.
After getting him to his feet we see that he took it right across the bridge of the nose, but that the skin was not broken and he wasn't bleeding.
We made it into the house just as the bleeding started from inside his nose, and then I feared the worst...it was broken.
After a call in to our Ped she assured me that we could wait till morning to be seen, so we iced it, gave him some Tylenol and went to bed.
Now, honestly, when I saw it this morning I thought, 'boy am I glad I didn't take him to the ER last night' because it really didn't look that bad. I mean, for taking a tree limb to the face, it was only slightly swollen, and barely bruised. If you didn't know him you might not even notice anything at all. But, I still wanted to get it checked out so we headed to the Ped this afternoon.
The Xray confirmed the break, and our PED consulted with the other Drs on duty and determined that the break was not that worrisome, but that a possible deviated septum (sp?) was more alarming. After all FOUR doctors on site poked around it was decided that we see a specialist.
Lucky for us, we were able to see the same Doctor that had put tubes in Snakes ears years ago. This man is a hoot!!!! Loud, rowdy, country, and spot on when it comes to ENT cases.
We were sent right over and when he came in he immediately was more concerned with the break than with the deviated septum. He said it looked a "little smushed" so he ordered a CT of Cracks head....and it came back that the poor boy's nose is broken in 5 places!!!!
For fear of messy healing we are headed to surgery next week, just before we leave on vacation. My careful planning of the days leading up to our departure have just been kicked in the teeth and I am now scrambling to make adjustments.
The two best parts of the story I saved for last. Big Daddy is not happy with Snake for breaking his brothers nose and last night(even before we confirmed the break) he decided to give Snake an ear full. I kid you not it started like this:
Big Daddy: "Snake, you are NOT a Jedi. You do NOT have special powers. You can NOT stop objects with a force field......"
I completely lost it. I had tears in my eyes...mainly because Big Daddy was being spot on serious. He was not kidding. He really felt like Snake needed to be made aware of his human limitations. It was HILARIOUS!!!!
Then at the doctors office, after we scheduled the surgery, I asked the doctor about baseball. He said, "oh, ya by the time you guys are back from your trip he will be as good as new."
I replied "oh, OK, that is great, but I was kind of referring to our 6pm game TONIGHT."
He laughed and said, "of course he can play ball. What's he gonna do? break his nose again? Anything he does between now and surgery, I can fix....so let him play ball."
And so we did. Crack caught all 6 innings and had three hits to boot.
But...... then we had drama last night and into today and I couldn't NOT share it with you all.
Last night as small group came to an end, Snake comes rushing into the house yelling, "Hurry, he's hurt!!!"
As we make our way to the front yard, sure enough, Crack is laid out in the front yard face down. He is scream-crying...you know sobbing and screaming at the same time, making no sense at all. We finally got out of him that Snake had busted him in the face with a TREE BRANCH.
After getting him to his feet we see that he took it right across the bridge of the nose, but that the skin was not broken and he wasn't bleeding.
We made it into the house just as the bleeding started from inside his nose, and then I feared the worst...it was broken.
After a call in to our Ped she assured me that we could wait till morning to be seen, so we iced it, gave him some Tylenol and went to bed.
Now, honestly, when I saw it this morning I thought, 'boy am I glad I didn't take him to the ER last night' because it really didn't look that bad. I mean, for taking a tree limb to the face, it was only slightly swollen, and barely bruised. If you didn't know him you might not even notice anything at all. But, I still wanted to get it checked out so we headed to the Ped this afternoon.
The Xray confirmed the break, and our PED consulted with the other Drs on duty and determined that the break was not that worrisome, but that a possible deviated septum (sp?) was more alarming. After all FOUR doctors on site poked around it was decided that we see a specialist.
Lucky for us, we were able to see the same Doctor that had put tubes in Snakes ears years ago. This man is a hoot!!!! Loud, rowdy, country, and spot on when it comes to ENT cases.
We were sent right over and when he came in he immediately was more concerned with the break than with the deviated septum. He said it looked a "little smushed" so he ordered a CT of Cracks head....and it came back that the poor boy's nose is broken in 5 places!!!!
For fear of messy healing we are headed to surgery next week, just before we leave on vacation. My careful planning of the days leading up to our departure have just been kicked in the teeth and I am now scrambling to make adjustments.
The two best parts of the story I saved for last. Big Daddy is not happy with Snake for breaking his brothers nose and last night(even before we confirmed the break) he decided to give Snake an ear full. I kid you not it started like this:
Big Daddy: "Snake, you are NOT a Jedi. You do NOT have special powers. You can NOT stop objects with a force field......"
I completely lost it. I had tears in my eyes...mainly because Big Daddy was being spot on serious. He was not kidding. He really felt like Snake needed to be made aware of his human limitations. It was HILARIOUS!!!!
Then at the doctors office, after we scheduled the surgery, I asked the doctor about baseball. He said, "oh, ya by the time you guys are back from your trip he will be as good as new."
I replied "oh, OK, that is great, but I was kind of referring to our 6pm game TONIGHT."
He laughed and said, "of course he can play ball. What's he gonna do? break his nose again? Anything he does between now and surgery, I can fix....so let him play ball."
And so we did. Crack caught all 6 innings and had three hits to boot.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Reflections of 36
In celebration of my recent birthday I thought I would share 36 things I know for sure. Although they are in no order of importance, I can assure you that these are merely truth from my vantage point....36 years in the making.
- Every year has been better than the one before...without exception.
- Nothing beats In-N-Out Burger....nothing.
- I love the quiet of the early morning, but I will forever be a night owl.
- Thankfully the Lord doesn't care that I can NOT carry a tune...He accepts my worship no different than Chris Tomlin or Michael W Smith.
- I heart feeding people, actually cooking for them, it brings me joy.
- T.V. is highly over rated.
- When your Beloved loves your body, it is easier for you to love it.
- Homeschooling is worth every hair I've pulled out.
- Having a great and satisfying relationship with 5 of my sisters, doesn't make up for the awful relationship(really lack of any relationship ) with my the other one.
- Big Daddy's easiest ticket to lovin....it's a tie between emptying the dishwasher and rubbing my back.
- Three isn't such a bad number.
- I'd rather have $60 bucks to live on for a week and have every bill paid, than to have money in the bank and have creditors calling.
- I enjoy being a Jack of all trades, and a master at none, although in my youth it aggravted me to no end.
- I am blessed to stay home and never take it for granted. I jokingly tell BD when he calls that I am busy 'living the life of luxury' that his hard work affords me. But really, I am only half joking.
- While I appreciate modern media I do not and will not EVER regret NOT allowing our kids to have a cell phone or a Facebook acount.
- RE: #13...if I am a master of anything it is cake...I can make a cake that will make you wish you never had the first bite...and cupcakes too. I can make people who HATE cake not only love it but fight over it. Yes, it is that good.
- I am "that Mom" at the ball field who cheers so loud you don't want to sit by me. But, in my defense, I am also cheering on behalf of "that other Mom" who sits in the stands talking on her cell phone or reading a book. I cheer for every kid....loudly.
- A beautifully remodeled kitchen gets just as messy as the old, outdated one....but I still wouldn't want my old one back.
- There is great freedom in throwing things out.
- Gardening speaks to me. And I speak back.
- One of my proudest "Mom" moments is when I witness my chidren being a good friend to someone else.
- Big Daddy completes me...and he did even before Jerry Maguire.
- Nothing beats having family in my backyard.
- I love that Bid Daddy brings me coffee on Sunday mornings when I am getting ready....even though I usually don't drink it till I get in the car.
- When no one is home and I am folding laundry or cleaning up, iCarly keeps me company.
- Never underestimate the power of a good hair day. It can change your perspective
- I could live life as a Hermit and be happy. I love being home that much.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Note to Big Daddy
Dear Big Daddy,
Here is a review of your weekend activities:
Cleaning out my car...loved it!!!!
Mowing the grass....loved it!!!!!
Sleeping in with you Saturday morning....loved it!!!!
You washing ALL the dirty laundry....hated it!!!!!
Note for further weekend help....feel free to lend a helping hand whenever you feel like it. UNLESS, of course you ever feel like washing clothes again. There is no greater defeat for a Monday morning than a bedroom floor covered in CLEAN laundry.
While I appreciate "the Love", I can name a hundred other ways that wouldn't stress me out all day Monday.
Love you,
Hot Momma
Here is a review of your weekend activities:
Cleaning out my car...loved it!!!!
Mowing the grass....loved it!!!!!
Sleeping in with you Saturday morning....loved it!!!!
You washing ALL the dirty laundry....hated it!!!!!
Note for further weekend help....feel free to lend a helping hand whenever you feel like it. UNLESS, of course you ever feel like washing clothes again. There is no greater defeat for a Monday morning than a bedroom floor covered in CLEAN laundry.
While I appreciate "the Love", I can name a hundred other ways that wouldn't stress me out all day Monday.
Love you,
Hot Momma
Friday, March 20, 2009
Finally Truth
In an effort to NOT have every area of our life out there on the Internet I have been amiss in telling you that Big Daddy has been gone for THREE weeks!!!! I know, three weeks is a long time, but the Lord was faithful. He not only timed this trip perfectly as to not interfere with our upcoming NY/DC trip, but also provided it as a way for us to save some extra money for the trip as well.
While Big Daddy was gone, I was busy, like I shared with Spring Cleaning!!!! And let me just say, that Spring has officially Sprung!!!! It has been so nice to live without all that clutter and to have a place for everything and everything in its place. The other bonus, and hence another reason I have been absent from blogging, is that with the house in tip top order, I have had time to catch up on some reading.
The kids and I also did a whole week of immersion study, which basically meant that we set aside our normal studies in Math, Lang, Science and History, and focused on a few specific areas of study instead.
The holocaust was one of them. We will be visiting the US Holocaust Memorial Museum while in DC, and I did NOT want to just show up and my kids have no idea what it was all about, and then be both shocked and confused. Our time studying the holocaust, was breathtaking. Literally, it took my breath away both with its horror and with its hope.
We read many first hand accounts, watched The Hiding Place, and entered into great discussion about what happened, why it happened, and how it should alter our world view.
I was so pleased with all of the kids....and I felt like each one, on their own level, really gained a sense of the scope of the tragedy.
I have also been busy with choosing our curriculum for next year. Homeschooling is an evolving learning experience for all involved, and I go to great lengths to tweak our learning environment every year. This year is no different, and I am once again taking stock at what really worked for us and what needs to be altered.
One thing that we won't be changing is Math-U-See....we love MUS and I can with great certainty say that this will be our math text of choice for the years to come. It definitely took time to adjust because it is NOT like anything we had ever used prior, but the adjustment was well worth it and we are now converts.
Along with all of that I have also been busy planning our upcoming NY/DC trip. Our house is busting with excitement. The Beez spends hours looking at her American Girl catalogue trying to decide which one she wants...which changes daily as well as every time we read one of the books...I feel she is going to break the bank...but for a five year old, American Girl is probably going to trump any museum or memorial, and I am okay with that.
The boys are excited about the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center site, and Mount Vernon. All in all, I think it will be the perfect family vacation. Big Daddy wants to eat at some great hole in the wall diners with humongous hamburgers...seriously folks, like 3, 5, 8 & 15 POUNDERS!!!! And, me, well I am looking forward to the Statue of Liberty and a Broadway show.
Anyway, so there you have it...Big Daddy gone for three weeks, spring cleaning, reading, vacation planning and gardening.
What have you been up to?
While Big Daddy was gone, I was busy, like I shared with Spring Cleaning!!!! And let me just say, that Spring has officially Sprung!!!! It has been so nice to live without all that clutter and to have a place for everything and everything in its place. The other bonus, and hence another reason I have been absent from blogging, is that with the house in tip top order, I have had time to catch up on some reading.
The kids and I also did a whole week of immersion study, which basically meant that we set aside our normal studies in Math, Lang, Science and History, and focused on a few specific areas of study instead.
The holocaust was one of them. We will be visiting the US Holocaust Memorial Museum while in DC, and I did NOT want to just show up and my kids have no idea what it was all about, and then be both shocked and confused. Our time studying the holocaust, was breathtaking. Literally, it took my breath away both with its horror and with its hope.
We read many first hand accounts, watched The Hiding Place, and entered into great discussion about what happened, why it happened, and how it should alter our world view.
I was so pleased with all of the kids....and I felt like each one, on their own level, really gained a sense of the scope of the tragedy.
I have also been busy with choosing our curriculum for next year. Homeschooling is an evolving learning experience for all involved, and I go to great lengths to tweak our learning environment every year. This year is no different, and I am once again taking stock at what really worked for us and what needs to be altered.
One thing that we won't be changing is Math-U-See....we love MUS and I can with great certainty say that this will be our math text of choice for the years to come. It definitely took time to adjust because it is NOT like anything we had ever used prior, but the adjustment was well worth it and we are now converts.
Along with all of that I have also been busy planning our upcoming NY/DC trip. Our house is busting with excitement. The Beez spends hours looking at her American Girl catalogue trying to decide which one she wants...which changes daily as well as every time we read one of the books...I feel she is going to break the bank...but for a five year old, American Girl is probably going to trump any museum or memorial, and I am okay with that.
The boys are excited about the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center site, and Mount Vernon. All in all, I think it will be the perfect family vacation. Big Daddy wants to eat at some great hole in the wall diners with humongous hamburgers...seriously folks, like 3, 5, 8 & 15 POUNDERS!!!! And, me, well I am looking forward to the Statue of Liberty and a Broadway show.
Anyway, so there you have it...Big Daddy gone for three weeks, spring cleaning, reading, vacation planning and gardening.
What have you been up to?
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Manna for the today...
Thank you Lord for giving me just enough for today...so that I would not waste your gift in the storehouses of my own grip. Thank you for the freedom that comes with trusting you daily and not just in the BIG picture of my life.
Oh, that I would trust you even more....
Oh, that I would trust you even more....
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Things Hidden
Over the past two weeks I have taken our home to task and been busy organizing and cleaning out closets and every corner of the house. In all honesty, I have been doing more throwing out than organizing and it has felt so good....on so many levels.
During my purging sessions I have been surprised by how many things I "had put away" in hopes of working on them or doing something with them at some later date. Unfortunately, later never came, and instead clutter begot more clutter.
I have now taken my soul to task considering the same things. How many character traits, bad habits, old hang-ups, senseless fears, and useless baggage have I kept hidden away hoping to correct it, fix it, use it, or loose it at a later time.
I wonder how much energy is wasted on trying to keep those things hidden away. How much time to I spend trying to make others I think that I have it all together, when really I might have it, but definitely not ALL together.
I wonder what footloose and fancy free might feel like in my soul if I was not so oppressed by my own short comings.
I wonder what good purging does, if it only makes room for more stuff.
I wonder what I might do with an empty cabinet here, or closet there.
I wonder what my spirit might do with a little extra room for growth once the parasites of life have been thrown into the fire.
I wonder if my soul needs a spring cleaning as much as my house did?
I wonder if I dare?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Woooo-Whooooo!!!! 10,000!!!!
Thank you San Francisco!!!!
You were my 10,000th hit!!!!
I am glad you stopped by and hope that you will again!!!! Introduce yourself next time, and stay for awhile!!!
Bridget(in OK) it was almost you!!!! You were 9,999th....so close.
That's all, just wanted to celebrate!!!
You were my 10,000th hit!!!!
I am glad you stopped by and hope that you will again!!!! Introduce yourself next time, and stay for awhile!!!
Bridget(in OK) it was almost you!!!! You were 9,999th....so close.
That's all, just wanted to celebrate!!!
Just Checking In...
Hello Blogging Friends
I have been so busy the past two weeks that I have not had time to update here on the blog....BUT if you Twitter, and you should, than you can always follow me that way. Of course my Twitter name is LaughingMomma, so you can look me up or just follow the link along the right side bar. I LOVE TWITTER because it is like miniature blogging, and is easy to do and updating is just a text message away!!!!
Anyway, the other reason I have not had time to be on the computer is that it is SPRING CLEANING TIME!!!! That's right, every closet, dresser, cabinet and nook and cranny is on the chopping block. And it feels so good!!!
I had been wanting to add some shelving to two of our closets that had wasted space and once that was done(I heart power tools!!!) the organization began.
Our house really had very little storage space with no hall closet or linen closet. It has always been necessary to stash sheets under our bed, and put towels in our closet. Not to mention suitcases and extra blankets under the beds too...it was a mess.
And don't even get me started on the amount of pictures I had stashed here and there and everywhere...oh how I love digital...and now with the new shelves in the closets I have EVERY photo in one location and I even have a shelf for my sewing machine and various notions and material.
Cracks room had a complete overhaul...the boy is growing so fast that I can hardly keep him in clothes. Which meant that every clothing item was gone through!!! I do not have time to share the grief I gave him over how the clothes that do fit were wadded up and shoved in drawers....or worse yet in box with Legos!!! I think my threat went something like, "If I find one shirt out of place than I will take every shirt, pant, short and even your socks and boxers...and you will have to do hard labor to earn each piece back...individually!!!!"
Anyway, his room is done, but poor Beez has not even been able to get in her room for a week...her closet got new shelves too...but she actually has two closets and I needed to switch her clothes from one to the other...which in turn meant that EVERY toy that was in the other one was put under the scrutiny of a mother on a mission....meaning that every toy was brought up on the witness stand to stand trial for the charge of "causing more clutter than joy." I am happy to say, that in the end, the guilty were weeded from the innocent and we are on our way "to a more perfect union."
In other news, basketball season has ended and been quickly followed by baseball...a last minute addition after we had previously decided against it since we will be going on vacation right in the middle of the season and then the boys have summer camp at the end of the season. In the end, I was over ruled and Big Daddy decided that Crack should play one more season. Which meant coughing up $100 for registration and $80 for cleats and pants....my checking account is about to start a revolt , I am sure of it!!!
The boys have also started attending Robotics Club....just typing that I am feeling stretched. I am a home body by nature and I make no bones about that I would rather be at home than anywhere else...but I am hoping that this will be both a good school activity and a good team activity for the boys....time will tell.
My garden got tilled yesterday...that brings joy to my heart...you really have no idea how much I love to garden...I love it. This year I will be adding potatoes, cabbage,pink eyed peas, tomatillos, strawberries and onions to my usual crop of tomatoes, peppers, squash, green beans, zucchini, okra and every herb under the sun.
I have been so busy the past two weeks that I have not had time to update here on the blog....BUT if you Twitter, and you should, than you can always follow me that way. Of course my Twitter name is LaughingMomma, so you can look me up or just follow the link along the right side bar. I LOVE TWITTER because it is like miniature blogging, and is easy to do and updating is just a text message away!!!!
Anyway, the other reason I have not had time to be on the computer is that it is SPRING CLEANING TIME!!!! That's right, every closet, dresser, cabinet and nook and cranny is on the chopping block. And it feels so good!!!
I had been wanting to add some shelving to two of our closets that had wasted space and once that was done(I heart power tools!!!) the organization began.
Our house really had very little storage space with no hall closet or linen closet. It has always been necessary to stash sheets under our bed, and put towels in our closet. Not to mention suitcases and extra blankets under the beds too...it was a mess.
And don't even get me started on the amount of pictures I had stashed here and there and everywhere...oh how I love digital...and now with the new shelves in the closets I have EVERY photo in one location and I even have a shelf for my sewing machine and various notions and material.
Cracks room had a complete overhaul...the boy is growing so fast that I can hardly keep him in clothes. Which meant that every clothing item was gone through!!! I do not have time to share the grief I gave him over how the clothes that do fit were wadded up and shoved in drawers....or worse yet in box with Legos!!! I think my threat went something like, "If I find one shirt out of place than I will take every shirt, pant, short and even your socks and boxers...and you will have to do hard labor to earn each piece back...individually!!!!"
Anyway, his room is done, but poor Beez has not even been able to get in her room for a week...her closet got new shelves too...but she actually has two closets and I needed to switch her clothes from one to the other...which in turn meant that EVERY toy that was in the other one was put under the scrutiny of a mother on a mission....meaning that every toy was brought up on the witness stand to stand trial for the charge of "causing more clutter than joy." I am happy to say, that in the end, the guilty were weeded from the innocent and we are on our way "to a more perfect union."
In other news, basketball season has ended and been quickly followed by baseball...a last minute addition after we had previously decided against it since we will be going on vacation right in the middle of the season and then the boys have summer camp at the end of the season. In the end, I was over ruled and Big Daddy decided that Crack should play one more season. Which meant coughing up $100 for registration and $80 for cleats and pants....my checking account is about to start a revolt , I am sure of it!!!
The boys have also started attending Robotics Club....just typing that I am feeling stretched. I am a home body by nature and I make no bones about that I would rather be at home than anywhere else...but I am hoping that this will be both a good school activity and a good team activity for the boys....time will tell.
My garden got tilled yesterday...that brings joy to my heart...you really have no idea how much I love to garden...I love it. This year I will be adding potatoes, cabbage,pink eyed peas, tomatillos, strawberries and onions to my usual crop of tomatoes, peppers, squash, green beans, zucchini, okra and every herb under the sun.
For the first time I am green housing seedlings for transplant...I have 72 peet pots started, and even have 9 tomato plants green housing as well to get a jump even with the cooler weather still upon us.
Other exciting happenings in no particular order
Other exciting happenings in no particular order
- when kids play light saber in the back yard near a water faucet...one missed swipe can decapitate your said water faucet and create a pool in your back yard...unfortunately, not the kind that you could actually swim in.
- I had an amazing hair day on Tuesday...just thought that I should document that
- Snake went from footloose and fancy free to pneumonia in 4 hours flat last Friday....which translated into horrible night Friday night and all morning at the doctor Saturday
- when contract negotiations are going on at Big Daddy's work, and he is on a business trip, which means everything he hears is second hand, which means I am hearing it third hand....communication is sure to be a complete and utter disaster....no Laughing Momma that day.
And finally, I saved the best for last. Big Daddy has a lot of great qualities...but one of them is most assuredly NOT gift giving. Now, before you judge, let me say that I have examined this from both sides...and after considering that maybe the issue was mine, and that I might be a terrible acceptor of gifts, I have come to the conclusion, that indeed, this fault is mainly his, and his alone.
He does great with a list...in fact this year for Christmas I printed off copies of the gifts I would love to have and he choose great things .....from THAT list!!! And I was never happier. But to ever think that he would just be walking through a store and see something and think, 'Hey Hot Momma would really love that"...not gonna happen. And I am okay with that. He is a great provider and I want for nothing...well except for...(more on that later)
Anyway, a few weeks ago he said he was going to use our PayPal account to buy something and have it delivered here. When I asked him about it, he just said it was for my birthday and I was not to ask any more questions. To say that I was a little scared would be an understatement. This is a man who forgot my birthday once...this is how it went.
For those of you who don't know my real name is April....I know you are shocked that Laughing Momma is NOT actually on my drivers license, but anyway. You should also know that my birthday is in April too...I know that is such a stretch...but work with me folks.
Anyway, this particular birthday, when he left for work I didn't get a "happy birthday babe" kiss on his way out, and I had noticed that there hadn't been any behind the scenes action in the days leading up to my birthday either(you know when dad gets all the kids in the back of the house, they are all squealing trying really hard to be quiet, and he send on up front asking for tape and scissors...which you of course hand over without any questions, and then about an hour later they all emerge and chalk up the last hour to just "hanging with Dad"
Well, the entire day goes by, and nothing form him, absolutely nothing. I had to be at church earlier than he, and many of my friends had wished me well...and when arrives still nothing. As a matter a fact, I later found out that he didn't realize it was my birthday until he overheard someone else wishing me happy birthday...yes folks it was that bad!!!
To make matters worse when he finally did get to me this is what he said, " Look babe, I am really sorry I forgot about your birthday, but you have to know this....I didn't just forget that TODAY is your birthday, I was so not even close to thinking you had a birthday coming up that I guess you could say that I forgot you even HAD a birthday. I am so sorry babe."
After laughing my head off, I hugged him and told him he would never live it down...and he hasn't but remember this folks...my name is April, my birthday is in April, so you would think that somewhere in the course of life when the month changes to your wife's name...money says its time to by a card and get the kids in the back of the house :)
So, the box arrived while Big Daddy was still gone on business and I was sent away while Crack went out and met the UPS truck. The package was hidden and I thought nothing more of it. Well, a few nights later this is what I sound on my bed
That's right folks...a whole box of my favorite candy bar...Abba-Zaba....which is absolutely not available anywhere...at least not in Mississippi.
So, for me, this was the perfect gift on so many levels. First of it is not something I would ever buy myself...especially by the box and online. Somehow, whenever people talk about their favorite candy or candy bars, I always mention Abba-Zaba...but not in a hint dropping way, more in a I am totally bummed no one sells it way. And although buying a box of 24 seems over the top, it was not at all something that broke the bank...which the frugal part of me appreciates.(I am not one who would welcome a new car in the driveway with a big read bow...I don't want anything that we are going to have to keep paying on....now if you win a car and want to give it to me...my hand is out and waiting!!!!)
I guess a box a Abba-Zabs was the perfect gift because it was thoughtful, edible, and just exactly what I have always wanted!!!
Now, if we could just get Popsicle brand Big Sticks delivered I would be in heaven....
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The Magic of Mentors
A few weeks ago something magical happened.
I was blessed to spend the afternoon in the presence of one of my favorite people in the world....and by that I mean, every time I am in her presence, I stand in awe and wish I could stay and never leave.
She is teacher by trade, but more importantly she is a teacher by destiny. It is her very core, and the Lord has blessed her with amazing gifts.
I first fell in love with her when we traveled with our church to a Women of Faith conference in Atlanta. She is hilarious...and I mean in a really dry, sarcastic, speak the truth and mean it kind of way.
She has a love for education, and while I appreciated her passion for education, I kind of laid low at first, not knowing her take on homeschooling.
In my experience, "real" teachers either tolerate us homeschoolers or they hate us....I had never found a teacher by trade to truly be supportive, or let alone encouraging.
That was until I met her. Right away, she showed respect for my decision to homeschool. Not only that, but she became sort of a personal champion on my behalf. For instance, when the boys were doing microscope work I really felt like that needed to be hands on...but our pocketbook was not feeling the same way so purchasing one for home use was simply not an option. I went to our local co-op and was only able to find the "toy" like microscopes for younger children and then it dawned on me to try her.
She was able to check it out from their teachers resource center, and then loan it to me. She said, that while the teachers resource center was suppose to be available to parents in the county, that usually the staff balked at actually letting that happen, and that her signing it out would cut the red tape.
That was the first of many, in fact, I actually have a regular stack of books from her personal collection that we use based on our current topic.
But books and microscopes have nothing on what she gave me that afternoon in her classroom.
Here is that back story. My oldest, Crack, is just like me. We think and process things the same way. He can start to ask a question and I already know where he is going with it. When something doesn't make sense to him, I can usually pick out the exact point of confusion and then clarify it for him. Even in math, our brains work the same...we talk it out logically, and then put it on paper.
But, my precious Snake is totally opposite. Bless our hearts....after homeschooling this sweet boy for 6 years, I still don't know how his mind works. Well, actually, I do. It works just like my husbands. For example,I noticed about two years ago, that BIG textbooks overwhelmed him. It was almost like he doomed himself at the very start of the school year. It was an uphill battle....he couldn't just take a chapter at a time. He did much better when things were broken down in smaller segments. So, I ditched the 3 inch thick text books and started him on AOP LifePacs. These contained the same information, but instead of one huge textbook, it was ten workbooks...which in Snake's eyes was doable.
But, even after making changes in other areas, I still sensed that I was missing something. Somehow, I had to bridge the gap between how I think and how he thinks. It once again seemed like a great time to glean from her vast knowledge and have her help me sort out what was so jumbled in my mind. So, after a few weeks of juggling calendars, out time was set.
First, you have to visualize her classroom...think Mr Magoriums Wonder Emporium, meets the Smithsonian, meets the Library of Congress. It is truly a WONDERful place, and truth be told, if she could teach all three of my kids, all the way through, I would sell my left kidney to make it happen. But, I digress. Her classroom alone makes me a better homeschooler. It makes me want to dig and find clues and seek truth. It makes me want to curl up on the couch and lock the door. But, this day it was to be resting place in the truest sense of the word.
If you don't homeschool, you might not understand this next part, but I find that whenever I doubt a current course of action or teaching style, I doubt every part of homeschooling. And when you doubt EVERY part of homeschooling, a public school teachers classroom is NOT where you want to be. My past experience with other teachers is that when they sense I have something troubling me, that you might as well throw out the BABY(homeschooling) with the BATH WATER(the singular problem)
Unless, of course, it is this teacher. This woman sat down at the table across from me, eye to eye, and said, "so, what is going on?"
I began to weep as I shared my struggles with her. Not because I was sad, but because I knew that this was the place that the Lord was going to do a great work. I knew that this woman, was going to be used by God, to open my blind eyes, and show me what I was missing.
And boy, did He show up. It was the most amazing interaction. I showed her some of his school work and shared what I was sensing. I shared the frustrations of looking him dead in the eyes and trying so hard to understand his view point, and just getting so frustrated that we both just needed a time out. I shared with her the strengths he has, and the interests that keep his attention. I shared with her what he hates, and what frustrates him.
And then, as she began to process and tell me her thoughts, it was like the well spring of knowledge gates flooded open....
She began to connect the dots...the same ones I saw....but that I COULD NOT connect. And suddenly it all made sense.
Suddenly I felt empowered.
Empowerment is, itself a funny thing. Nothing has really changed...only your viewpoint. It is going from backstage, nervous and alone, to the center stage, headlining the show. Really, it is all just about perspective.
So, today, I am joyful that one woman reached out and changed my perspective. That one woman looked at me, and said, "You are doing EVERY thing right. You noticed that something was not clicking, and you sought help and guidance. You are a wonderful mother and a great homeschooler."
Every once and awhile a girl just needs someone to be her Bridesmaid. A trusted soul to show her which foot goes in which shoe and which way her dress goes on....not because she doesn't know herself, but simply because she doesn't want to make a mess out of the miraculous.
So, here is to Mentors, or Bridesmaids, whatever you call them.
Just make sure you call on them because they not only make your day, they brighten your life.
I was blessed to spend the afternoon in the presence of one of my favorite people in the world....and by that I mean, every time I am in her presence, I stand in awe and wish I could stay and never leave.
She is teacher by trade, but more importantly she is a teacher by destiny. It is her very core, and the Lord has blessed her with amazing gifts.
I first fell in love with her when we traveled with our church to a Women of Faith conference in Atlanta. She is hilarious...and I mean in a really dry, sarcastic, speak the truth and mean it kind of way.
She has a love for education, and while I appreciated her passion for education, I kind of laid low at first, not knowing her take on homeschooling.
In my experience, "real" teachers either tolerate us homeschoolers or they hate us....I had never found a teacher by trade to truly be supportive, or let alone encouraging.
That was until I met her. Right away, she showed respect for my decision to homeschool. Not only that, but she became sort of a personal champion on my behalf. For instance, when the boys were doing microscope work I really felt like that needed to be hands on...but our pocketbook was not feeling the same way so purchasing one for home use was simply not an option. I went to our local co-op and was only able to find the "toy" like microscopes for younger children and then it dawned on me to try her.
She was able to check it out from their teachers resource center, and then loan it to me. She said, that while the teachers resource center was suppose to be available to parents in the county, that usually the staff balked at actually letting that happen, and that her signing it out would cut the red tape.
That was the first of many, in fact, I actually have a regular stack of books from her personal collection that we use based on our current topic.
But books and microscopes have nothing on what she gave me that afternoon in her classroom.
Here is that back story. My oldest, Crack, is just like me. We think and process things the same way. He can start to ask a question and I already know where he is going with it. When something doesn't make sense to him, I can usually pick out the exact point of confusion and then clarify it for him. Even in math, our brains work the same...we talk it out logically, and then put it on paper.
But, my precious Snake is totally opposite. Bless our hearts....after homeschooling this sweet boy for 6 years, I still don't know how his mind works. Well, actually, I do. It works just like my husbands. For example,I noticed about two years ago, that BIG textbooks overwhelmed him. It was almost like he doomed himself at the very start of the school year. It was an uphill battle....he couldn't just take a chapter at a time. He did much better when things were broken down in smaller segments. So, I ditched the 3 inch thick text books and started him on AOP LifePacs. These contained the same information, but instead of one huge textbook, it was ten workbooks...which in Snake's eyes was doable.
But, even after making changes in other areas, I still sensed that I was missing something. Somehow, I had to bridge the gap between how I think and how he thinks. It once again seemed like a great time to glean from her vast knowledge and have her help me sort out what was so jumbled in my mind. So, after a few weeks of juggling calendars, out time was set.
First, you have to visualize her classroom...think Mr Magoriums Wonder Emporium, meets the Smithsonian, meets the Library of Congress. It is truly a WONDERful place, and truth be told, if she could teach all three of my kids, all the way through, I would sell my left kidney to make it happen. But, I digress. Her classroom alone makes me a better homeschooler. It makes me want to dig and find clues and seek truth. It makes me want to curl up on the couch and lock the door. But, this day it was to be resting place in the truest sense of the word.
If you don't homeschool, you might not understand this next part, but I find that whenever I doubt a current course of action or teaching style, I doubt every part of homeschooling. And when you doubt EVERY part of homeschooling, a public school teachers classroom is NOT where you want to be. My past experience with other teachers is that when they sense I have something troubling me, that you might as well throw out the BABY(homeschooling) with the BATH WATER(the singular problem)
Unless, of course, it is this teacher. This woman sat down at the table across from me, eye to eye, and said, "so, what is going on?"
I began to weep as I shared my struggles with her. Not because I was sad, but because I knew that this was the place that the Lord was going to do a great work. I knew that this woman, was going to be used by God, to open my blind eyes, and show me what I was missing.
And boy, did He show up. It was the most amazing interaction. I showed her some of his school work and shared what I was sensing. I shared the frustrations of looking him dead in the eyes and trying so hard to understand his view point, and just getting so frustrated that we both just needed a time out. I shared with her the strengths he has, and the interests that keep his attention. I shared with her what he hates, and what frustrates him.
And then, as she began to process and tell me her thoughts, it was like the well spring of knowledge gates flooded open....
She began to connect the dots...the same ones I saw....but that I COULD NOT connect. And suddenly it all made sense.
Suddenly I felt empowered.
Empowerment is, itself a funny thing. Nothing has really changed...only your viewpoint. It is going from backstage, nervous and alone, to the center stage, headlining the show. Really, it is all just about perspective.
So, today, I am joyful that one woman reached out and changed my perspective. That one woman looked at me, and said, "You are doing EVERY thing right. You noticed that something was not clicking, and you sought help and guidance. You are a wonderful mother and a great homeschooler."
Every once and awhile a girl just needs someone to be her Bridesmaid. A trusted soul to show her which foot goes in which shoe and which way her dress goes on....not because she doesn't know herself, but simply because she doesn't want to make a mess out of the miraculous.
So, here is to Mentors, or Bridesmaids, whatever you call them.
Just make sure you call on them because they not only make your day, they brighten your life.
Friday, February 27, 2009
About Last Night 2/26/2009
It wasn't pretty.
Do you ever get tired of being under attack?
Well, I am.
It came from all sides and unfortunately Big Daddy got served from the "All is fair in War and Migraines" Buffet....and it wasn't yummy love and dessert I was serving, it was nasty, messy, worse than left-overs from the all night truck stop kind of messy.
What kills me, is that we are actually doing the "Love Dare" right now, yeah that's right, he is actually showering me with love, and I am giving back the worst of me.
It is like I am the grave digger, busy digging up ancient graves, instead of openly receiving the love he is giving.
None of which was helped by a horrendous migraine/sinus headache that took me all day to get rid of.
So, this is confession. I gave the worst of me to my love. It didn't really hit me how bad I was toward him until I realized that I did have some really great interactions yesterday. Not only did I pony up and put on a good front, I actually showed love and graciousness toward others. I also had some really funny moments that I shared on Twitter, that were not coming from the same "woman wronged" vantage point that I gave to my Beloved.
Of course, everything in my life is intertwined, and the Lord usually hits me from all sides since I am too dense to see the quiet subtle signs that should keep me in line.
Pete, posted about this very thing and linked, once again to a great blog, about the 8 things that can ruin even the best marriages. Whether you have the marriage you always dreamed of, or are dreaming of marriage other than the one you have, please go read the 8 things...it is very enlightening, and comes from a couple who has been in both places.
So, here is to communicating truth, receiving love, and living forgiveness.
Marriage...it's ALWAYS worth fighting for.
But fight the battles against what tries to destroy your marriage.
Don't fight each other.
Note to self: read and take your own advice!!!
Do you ever get tired of being under attack?
Well, I am.
It came from all sides and unfortunately Big Daddy got served from the "All is fair in War and Migraines" Buffet....and it wasn't yummy love and dessert I was serving, it was nasty, messy, worse than left-overs from the all night truck stop kind of messy.
What kills me, is that we are actually doing the "Love Dare" right now, yeah that's right, he is actually showering me with love, and I am giving back the worst of me.
It is like I am the grave digger, busy digging up ancient graves, instead of openly receiving the love he is giving.
None of which was helped by a horrendous migraine/sinus headache that took me all day to get rid of.
So, this is confession. I gave the worst of me to my love. It didn't really hit me how bad I was toward him until I realized that I did have some really great interactions yesterday. Not only did I pony up and put on a good front, I actually showed love and graciousness toward others. I also had some really funny moments that I shared on Twitter, that were not coming from the same "woman wronged" vantage point that I gave to my Beloved.
Of course, everything in my life is intertwined, and the Lord usually hits me from all sides since I am too dense to see the quiet subtle signs that should keep me in line.
Pete, posted about this very thing and linked, once again to a great blog, about the 8 things that can ruin even the best marriages. Whether you have the marriage you always dreamed of, or are dreaming of marriage other than the one you have, please go read the 8 things...it is very enlightening, and comes from a couple who has been in both places.
So, here is to communicating truth, receiving love, and living forgiveness.
Marriage...it's ALWAYS worth fighting for.
But fight the battles against what tries to destroy your marriage.
Don't fight each other.
Note to self: read and take your own advice!!!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Pretty Woman
Last night I took The Beez to the Ballet for the first time.
While I am not endorsing the movie Pretty Woman, if you have seen it, think back to the scene were Julia Roberts arrives at the Polo match. As soon as the team scores, she starts cheering, a la Arsenial Hall with the dog pound style fist pumping in the air.
That was kind of how my little princess acted when she cheered for the ballet dancers. Instead of just clapping, she started "woohoo-woohoo-woohoo-wooho!!!!!!" All in a priceless 5 year old high pitched squeal/scream.
All made even funnier by the fact that we were sitting in the upper section, but on the front row, so every time she started in, the people below us would kind of turn around and try to find the source.
I guess, even at the Ballet, refinement is hard to come by if you live in our house.
About Last Night 2/19/2009
Looking for a little refinement, I took The Beez to the Ballet last night.
We have a beautifully renovated opera house not far from here and we have been blessed to be able to catch all sorts of amazing shows the past few years.
The best part about it, is that many traveling shows do educational performances during the day for local schools, and these shows are only $5 bucks...that's right, not the $25-$90 bucks that is charged for the evening production. So one or two days a month, we journey down to the opera house and catch a show.
Last night was actually the result of me not being able to use a calendar...one of my many faults. I hate being tied down, and unless we are trapped in a sporting season like baseball where we have to be at varying places on different days, at different times, I pretty much just like to wing it. Well, every school show this year has been on Friday. So my week had been planned around spending this morning at the Ballet.
But, yesterday I realized that I needed one additional ticket so I called the box office and asked it any were available...to which she replied, "Oh, Honey, the Ballet was this morning. You missed it Sweatheart....I am so sorry Darling."
So, I screwed up and The Beez was not going to be happy. The nice box office lady did say that there were tickets available for the evening performance, but that they $35-$50 each.
I did not have $100 to spend on an evening out. I was so bummed. But then about ten minutes later, before I had built up the nerve to break the news, the kind lady called back. She had shared my mishap with the director of sales, and he was going to sell me tickets for $12!!!!!
So, after a little jiggling of our scheduled activities we decided to make it happen. I failed to mention, that I had also invited a young lady from church, who loves to dance, to attend the morning show, which I of course missed, so she to was going to come along last night.
The show was amazing. It was not a typical Ballet, as it was no a continuous story played out in dance, instead it was multiple vignettes with some audience particpation. Here are a few of my thoughts on ballet:
- I was surprised that some of the men in the dance company did not have what I would have considered dancers bodies...some of them looked like they could have been playing professional football, with very broad shoulders and short, stocky builds.
- The same can be said of the women, various body types and height. This company also did something unique. Instead of the women wearing pink tights and ballet shoes, as is the norm, they had their tights and shoes dyed to match their skin color. That was neat because they had many nationalities represented within the dance company.
-
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Life Interupted
Last week in Sunday School our pastor asked us, "How has your life been interupted, and how did the Lord use that in teaching you a life lesson?"
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
About Last Night 2/17/2009
The Beez has lost her first tooth.
While I am appreciative of the fact that she really milked it for all it was worth, in the end the stupid thing fell out anyway, and hence opened the floodgate of my soul.
I distinctly remember when our oldest lost his first tooth...we were calling everybody and counting the days to the Tooth Fairies arrival. But with The Beez, although there were lots of phone calls, as there should be with such a rite of passage, there were also lots of tears...on my part.
It is no secret to anyone who really knows me that 4 has always been my magic number for children. It has always been four...maybe even 5...but always 4. After we had our boys within 15 months of each other...no I was not on drugs...we decided to wait a few years to have more. I relished that time as Mom to 2 Boys...it was a magical time. I was so young, and thought I knew so much, but in the end I think we all figured it out together.
Then 5 years later, we were blessed with The Beez...I had always thought I would want 3 & 4 as close to 1 & 2, but reality hit, and so we waited. Once again, I relished being a mom to 3...what a difference pink makes.
With a long awaited DisneyWorld vacation on the horizon, this roller coaster riding momma did not want to have to skip out so we decided to start trying on our vacation for my magic number 4.
Well, I guess roller coasters and reproduction don't go well, because somehow, my previously fertile myrtle self was just not cooperating. Finally, A YEAR later, we were pregnant.
I was beside myself...magic number 4 was on its way.
But, only days after our wonderful news, our world came crashing down with complications that ended up with us in the ER. Our friend was the Dr on call, and he said that either I was not as far along as we thought, or something was clearly not right.
Something was clearly not right. After countless ultrasounds and blood work with nothing concrete on the horizon as far as a diagnosis the Dr assumed that it must be ectopic. For the next 4 weeks the needles continued with blood work every 48 hours to see if the methotrexate had worked and would save me from surgery.
It did not and sadly one of the most frightening days of my life ensued. I ruptured at home, in the early morning, alone with my kids who were all sleeping soundly in their beds and never heard my cries for help for over an hour. Finally, my oldest heard me and found me on the floor of the bathroom and called my dearest friend who got me to the hospital.
Magic number 4 was not to be the summer of 2006.
And neither in the winter of 2008 when another early miscarriage took precious life from within me.
And, so now, as I slip on my Fairy shoes to make a night time delivery, I am reminded it will be the first time, for the last time.
The future for Big Daddy and I is laid before us...Crack, Snake and The Beez.
Three is not a bad number, it is just not what my plan had picked.
But none of this surprises The One I serve, and if His "Plan A" for my life is Mom to 3, then I will cherish my first and last with a fierce heart.
My quiver is full and I pray my heart will follow suit.
While I am appreciative of the fact that she really milked it for all it was worth, in the end the stupid thing fell out anyway, and hence opened the floodgate of my soul.
I distinctly remember when our oldest lost his first tooth...we were calling everybody and counting the days to the Tooth Fairies arrival. But with The Beez, although there were lots of phone calls, as there should be with such a rite of passage, there were also lots of tears...on my part.
It is no secret to anyone who really knows me that 4 has always been my magic number for children. It has always been four...maybe even 5...but always 4. After we had our boys within 15 months of each other...no I was not on drugs...we decided to wait a few years to have more. I relished that time as Mom to 2 Boys...it was a magical time. I was so young, and thought I knew so much, but in the end I think we all figured it out together.
Then 5 years later, we were blessed with The Beez...I had always thought I would want 3 & 4 as close to 1 & 2, but reality hit, and so we waited. Once again, I relished being a mom to 3...what a difference pink makes.
With a long awaited DisneyWorld vacation on the horizon, this roller coaster riding momma did not want to have to skip out so we decided to start trying on our vacation for my magic number 4.
Well, I guess roller coasters and reproduction don't go well, because somehow, my previously fertile myrtle self was just not cooperating. Finally, A YEAR later, we were pregnant.
I was beside myself...magic number 4 was on its way.
But, only days after our wonderful news, our world came crashing down with complications that ended up with us in the ER. Our friend was the Dr on call, and he said that either I was not as far along as we thought, or something was clearly not right.
Something was clearly not right. After countless ultrasounds and blood work with nothing concrete on the horizon as far as a diagnosis the Dr assumed that it must be ectopic. For the next 4 weeks the needles continued with blood work every 48 hours to see if the methotrexate had worked and would save me from surgery.
It did not and sadly one of the most frightening days of my life ensued. I ruptured at home, in the early morning, alone with my kids who were all sleeping soundly in their beds and never heard my cries for help for over an hour. Finally, my oldest heard me and found me on the floor of the bathroom and called my dearest friend who got me to the hospital.
Magic number 4 was not to be the summer of 2006.
And neither in the winter of 2008 when another early miscarriage took precious life from within me.
And, so now, as I slip on my Fairy shoes to make a night time delivery, I am reminded it will be the first time, for the last time.
The future for Big Daddy and I is laid before us...Crack, Snake and The Beez.
Three is not a bad number, it is just not what my plan had picked.
But none of this surprises The One I serve, and if His "Plan A" for my life is Mom to 3, then I will cherish my first and last with a fierce heart.
My quiver is full and I pray my heart will follow suit.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Father Daughter Dance 2009
Big Daddy and The Beez went to their 3rd Father Daughter Dance tonight. The Beez was so excited about her red dress and red shoes AND about FINALLY getting her Daddy to wear a pink shirt. 
I can not believe she is 5years old...were has the time gone?
I can not believe she is 5years old...were has the time gone?Monday, February 9, 2009
About Last Night 2/8/2009 AKA as The 80's Revisited
This is me and Big Daddy all dolled up for the throw back valentines banquet. You were suppose to dress like your graduation year....let me clarify that BIG DADDY graduated in the 80's, NOT me. But really, how much different were the early nineties????
He was so channeling Don Johnson....make sure that you scroll down and see what he had on his feet...I was dying when he put them on!!!
This is me and "Candy"...at least that is what my kids call her. We were collectively working the 80's eyeshadow, the gaudy jewelry, the mauve lipstick and the hair by "Aqua Net"
This is Crack and his lady...she did an amazing job during the show. The youth did a flash back to the previous decades, and she was by far the best dancer.
These are the previously mentioned shoes. Do you love the white pants? I guess you should know that he actually had PINK pants on to begin with, but we liked the mint green shirt over the pink Tee with the white pants in the end. This was also taken after we got home, but when we were there, his pants were tight rolled, right above the ankle...just like the ladies liked them back in the day.
He was so channeling Don Johnson....make sure that you scroll down and see what he had on his feet...I was dying when he put them on!!!
This is me and "Candy"...at least that is what my kids call her. We were collectively working the 80's eyeshadow, the gaudy jewelry, the mauve lipstick and the hair by "Aqua Net" 
This is Crack and his lady...she did an amazing job during the show. The youth did a flash back to the previous decades, and she was by far the best dancer.
These are the previously mentioned shoes. Do you love the white pants? I guess you should know that he actually had PINK pants on to begin with, but we liked the mint green shirt over the pink Tee with the white pants in the end. This was also taken after we got home, but when we were there, his pants were tight rolled, right above the ankle...just like the ladies liked them back in the day.We had a marvelous time re-living memories, and making some new ones.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
HELP
We are planning a visit to NY and to DC in the spring.
If you live there, or have been there, help a girl out and tell me what we HAVE to see.
I have all the "regular" places penciled in, but I am looking for things that might be more from a locals viewpoint.
Things off the beaten path, you could say.
So, speak up and email me at laughingmomma@gmail.com to send us on our way!!!
If you live there, or have been there, help a girl out and tell me what we HAVE to see.
I have all the "regular" places penciled in, but I am looking for things that might be more from a locals viewpoint.
Things off the beaten path, you could say.
So, speak up and email me at laughingmomma@gmail.com to send us on our way!!!
Oh, and if you have any contacts that could get us a White House tour, you better speak up!!!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Insomnia.....While I'm Waiting
Insomnia
I can run with the best of them, but insomnia has been a struggle for me pretty frequently over the past two years.
I have, in the past, lain awake at night worrying. I tend to over analyze everything and so sometimes it is my racing mind keeps me awake.
But the past month, it has not been my racing mind that has kept me awake, but instead it has been my uneasy heart.
And last night, or better said, this morning I laid awake until 3:45.
If I had to be brutally honest I would have to say that it is not circumstance that causes me unrest...but the thought of the unkown.
I am capable to deal with the known, whether good or bad...but ask me to wait and I am a nervous wreck.
And, yet, here I am waiting.
I am waiting on the LORD.
In my time of waiting, this is what I am listening to, it is by John Waller, entitled "While I'm Waiting"
I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait
I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord
So, I wait.
Come quickly Lord.
I can run with the best of them, but insomnia has been a struggle for me pretty frequently over the past two years.
I have, in the past, lain awake at night worrying. I tend to over analyze everything and so sometimes it is my racing mind keeps me awake.
But the past month, it has not been my racing mind that has kept me awake, but instead it has been my uneasy heart.
And last night, or better said, this morning I laid awake until 3:45.
If I had to be brutally honest I would have to say that it is not circumstance that causes me unrest...but the thought of the unkown.
I am capable to deal with the known, whether good or bad...but ask me to wait and I am a nervous wreck.
And, yet, here I am waiting.
I am waiting on the LORD.
In my time of waiting, this is what I am listening to, it is by John Waller, entitled "While I'm Waiting"
I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait
I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord
So, I wait.
Come quickly Lord.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Cleft of the Rock
Exodus 33
14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.
16How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"
17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."
18 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory."
19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will
have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.20 But,"he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."
21 Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.
22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."
It is not everyday that the very presence of the Lord greets us. But sometimes, just sometimes, we are witness to the very power of the Living God.
I have always loved the above passage. I love that Moses says, "Now show me your glory."
I love that in his relationship with the Lord, he felt like he could ask this of him. I love that it reminds me that I too, am valued by the Lord on High, and that asking things of the Lord is NOT boastful, haughty, or for self gain. But, rather, it is the very essence of the relationship we are given through his Son.
I love that Moses realizes that unless the Lord go with Him, he ought not even to go. Oh, that I would have that be my prayer each and every morning.
This week, life for our church family changed with one phone call. It came on the heals of one visit to the doctor, and in that one moment, everything was different.
I write today, not because our greatest and most fervent prayers were answered. But instead because regardless of the medical tests and observations, we SERVE a MIGHTY KING.
I write today because Emily is awaiting a diagnosis.
I write today because Jud was healed not in life, but in death.
I write today because Audrey Caroline is in heaven with the Lord, and Stellan is not.
I write today because Pam is now living a life she never foresaw, but is walking it none the less.
I write today because prayers are answered, and because they are not.
I write today because none of this surprises our Mighty King.
I write today because there is no "Plan B" in the journey of life.
I write today because someone fought the good fight, and won.
I write today because someone else fought just as good a fight, but lost.
I write because when you are in the cleft of the rock, it is because His hand is upon you, not because He has forsaken you.
I write because even though I have not seen His face, I have indeed seen His GLORY.
Monday, January 26, 2009
She's going to be a doctor...
The Beez just had the following conversation with her brothers:
Beez: I need some medicine because I am sick
Crack: How did you get sick?
Beez: Remember when Kannon was sick? She had hand, foot and mouth disease? Remember that? Do you remember?
Snake: Yeah, I remember that.
Beez: Well, I have the foot part.
Crack: What do you mean you have the foot part?
Beez: Well, mom always says that I am going to get sick if I don't put socks on in the winter. And it is winter right now, which means it's cold.
Snake: Okay????
Beez: Well, I took my socks off on Saturday and my feet got cold....that means that I got foot disease, cause now I am coughing and have a runny nose.
Sometimes NOT correcting your child is the best medicine.
Beez: I need some medicine because I am sick
Crack: How did you get sick?
Beez: Remember when Kannon was sick? She had hand, foot and mouth disease? Remember that? Do you remember?
Snake: Yeah, I remember that.
Beez: Well, I have the foot part.
Crack: What do you mean you have the foot part?
Beez: Well, mom always says that I am going to get sick if I don't put socks on in the winter. And it is winter right now, which means it's cold.
Snake: Okay????
Beez: Well, I took my socks off on Saturday and my feet got cold....that means that I got foot disease, cause now I am coughing and have a runny nose.
Sometimes NOT correcting your child is the best medicine.
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