Three Days Until Christmas Eve

Another weekend has passed.  Are you ready for Christmas? I have now lost count how many times I have declared,"I am done!" and then found more things to buy for Christmas.  I am now really done because the wrapping paper is finished.  And we were at Walmart yesterday.  (How did I forget the wrapping paper?)

The kids baked gingerbread cookies with Nana yesterday after church.  Today Grace is going to make sugar cookie dough to bake tomorrow.  I want her to make peanut butter blossoms, too.  That should give us enough variety for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. What I do not want to have are tons sitting around for weeks on end.  No, no, no.  Won't do.

The kids went to see Star Wars with their grandparents today.  I had the morning all to myself.  I wrote a long list and only partially got the laundry done, cleaned one bathroom and made one phone call. I thought I could get a lot more done.  I still have trouble walking up and down the stairs with my boot on, but it is the only way I can do it right now, slows me down a little.

I am very thankful to have school behind us for a couple of weeks.  It has been a great semester for my online learners.  Both of them made the honor roll.  I am still very pleased with their school and the kids' work ethic.   I am really looking forward to next semester, too.  Now that we know what to expect and how to keep on track, it is going to be even more enjoyable.

This week will surely fly by.  I wish that I could slow it down a little.  Last year was a horrible Christmas, losing my grandma on the 23rd.  I cannot help but remember the time leading up to her death and of course how much I have missed her this year.  It is such a long time not to talk to her.  She was one of my best friends, really.

Instead of being sad, I will focus on the wonderful things we have this season, health, provision, and most of all a Savior who deserves celebrated.  Have a wonderful Christmas, friends!!

I recently found this picture of my grandma, a few years ago when she was visiting. It shows her vest for life.  She loved Christmas.   

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas 2009

September Arrives

September has come in like a lion, with a full on heatwave and drought.  Thankfully, we can cool off inside our nice air conditioned house, what a luxury!  I am praying for rain, however.  Our world is quickly turning brown.

This week has been full.  We had lessons to make up from being off last Friday.  We have had our share of quizzes, tests, papers, projects, band rehearsals, and meetings. Friday is the next home game.  Yay!  Our musician has been asked to audition for two honor bands, one state, the other district, by the way.  (Hapy, happy!)

I think I am enjoying school a lot more this, our 4th week.  We are having successes and struggles, but they feel like growth, not something negative.   I am still vital to my kids' education in this setup.  Oh my, do they need my guidance!  But, I am more like their director, than teacher.  I like that.  I love how Grace can have a one on one with her Algebra teacher whenever it is needed.  I love how Trevor is doing more than the bare minimum to get by because he loves getting good grades.  

And, it really does not seem possible that it could be almost Labor Day weekend.

Sweet Sixteen

This past Sunday and Tuesday we celebrated our Grace's sixteenth birthday.  Sunday was her family party. Tuesday was her actual birthday.  We seem to have gotten away from the friends party, probably because her friends live an hour north.  We did try to arrange a friends outing up north, but it did not work out. We are still working on making new friends here.  :)

Sunday's party was grand!  Her grandmother made her this beautiful angel food cake from scratch.  It was amazingly well decorated.  We had such a feast, too, and lots of presents.

Tuesday, we met Daddy for lunch at Chick fil A near his office.  We also made a library stop, and she spent a big gift card at a craft store.  She picked out marinated lemon pepper chicken, watermelon, salad, and cupcakes for her birthday dinner.  We rented Monster's University, and took a 5 mile bike ride, such a lovely day!

I am so proud of the young lady she is becoming. The Lord has big plans for this sweet girl.  

Not!

Like many mothers, I decided to write up a summertime plan for my kiddos, to keep them off the computer 24/7.  I shared my document with them, asking for their input. This is their editing.

Summertime Party! WOO! WOO!

1. Read for at least 20 minutes.  Does include computer, and STO wiki.
2. Write something: journal, friendly note, email, cookbook, angry letter  .
3. Math, as in adding ,and subtracting and making cookies from cookie clicker.
4. Play, build, minecraft, craft or do something creative for at least 40 hours.
5. Complete chores, per Mom. Just your regular chores.
6. Eat cookies for at least 20 minutes. Or 45 if you are man enough.
7. Spend time in the virtual outside. Because virtual outside is way better than the real outside.
8. Make sure your room is tidy. (Dust, vac, purge, sheets, pick up 10 month old Chinese food)
9. Garden, weed, trim toenails and hair, rip up plants and put them in a stew for dinner, mow as needed.
10. We love you, Mommie -Grace and Trevor </ 3

It's Been Almost Nine Years

My family when I first started blogging. 

Have I really been blogging for 9 years this coming October?  Truly amazing.  And yet, here I am plugging away, trying to record the happenings of my little family.  I never set out to be a blogger's blogger.  I have always been content to write when the notion strikes, as this blog really is just for me.  I did not want to forget these precious days that slip into years so quickly.  

Over the years I have made friends here, for which I am thankful.  I have felt the tug away from blogging for several years now with the popularity of other social media.  But, I am committed to this format, the humble blog.  When I look back at this record, I am so thankful that I have kept up with it.  I know that my ramblings are not very brilliant.  This post is a prime example of said rambling!  

I was just thinking about all the life that has passed these last 9 years of being a home educating family.  We have been blessed.  And I am glad to have captured some of it here so that I can look back and remember how God has been faithful, which is so good to do now and then.

In life, one is always adapting, always changing.  I have only a few years left as a home educating mother, if I am allowed that privilege.  I want to hold onto these last years.  I need to take  more pictures, be even more committed to recording them here.  I really am excited to be a part of my children's launch.  I know it will be difficult for me, but there is no stopping it.  (As if they'd let me!)  At least I am not alone on this journey.  Thank you, the few, the faithful, my blog friends!!  

Things Always Work Out

Here we are, at the last Saturday work day before tax season is over! I am pretty excited to soon have our family time back.  Looking back, it doesn't seem so bad, but in the thick of things, it was so hard.  Next week, we  may even get a couple extra days off, maybe.  Actually, he will probably just work from home a couple days, and not as many hours, because he is a manager now, and they are never totally off.   That is almost like time off.  

As for the questions of what to do this coming school year, those are sorting themselves out.  My oldest went back to school after spring break, and had a chat with his band leader.  It seems that if Ryan wants to, he can be in 6 bands next year.  Of course he wants to, so he went to see his guidance counselor and they set him up to take concert band (which includes marching and pep bands), beginning jazz for saxophone, advanced jazz band for guitar, and a combo jazz band.  That young man is going to spend a lot of time in the band room!  He is also going to take physics, AP literature, combined calculus/trig honors,and US history. I think it was a good decision.  I could not make it for him, and I would have supported him coming back home or going to community college.  I am thankful that we found such a good music program at our small local high school.  It's just a small town high school.  Who would have thought?  

My youngest is also going off to school, 8th grade, at the public school.  He wants to go, and we can't think of any reasons to keep him home, if he really wants to go.  We are calling it his "rumspringa" after the Amish children who get to go off and taste what the world has to offer before joining the church.  He will see that public school is not all that it seems to be or maybe it will be a good fit.

My daughter will be home, and we will be working on making 10th grade a great year.  One of my hopes is to find a place nearby to volunteer together.  I am thinking about our options, like an animal shelter or nursing home.  I can't believe that she will be 16 this summer!  I have a lot of planning to do on her behalf.  I also need to locate all the books that we already have from when my oldest was home educated.  

My world is going to be so different next school year.  I know there are some who might not agree with our decisions, especially in my homeschool friend pool.  I think it is best to look at each individual child and decide what best fits their unique needs when making school decisions.  I also do not think public schools are all that great, unless you can use them to your advantage, like band. I cannot provide band at home.  In addition, as much as I try, I cannot keep them home forever.  I have to let them test their wings, especially my young men.  They are going to be in the world supporting their families one day. My daughter, well, she doesn't need that exposure, so I am glad she wants to be home sweet home.  Above all, I am grateful to the Lord's leading us.  I truly feel this is His will.  

Almost Easter, Time to Plan for Next Year?

In just a few days it will be Easter.  This is just another reminder how fast the year is going.  But this post is not to lament that fact. It's a bit of an eclectic brain dump that I am in need of here.  So many things to consider as we try to make plans for our next school year.

First of all, number one son is in the home stretch of his first year in a public school.  He is thinking hard about finishing at home next year.  The only thing keeping him from that decision is jazz band.  He has grown as a musician this year through his involvement in the public school band program.  He was even inspired to get a saxophone for his birthday, and is moving right along in that endeavor.  He is also working on his piano skills, because as he tells it, the piano is where music is written.  He takes his SAT next month.  That will probably help him to make the decision.  He is so bored by the public school's inefficiencies.  Dual college credit is a possibility if he leaves public school next year.

Secondly, my youngest has expressed a desire to go to the middle school next year, just to "see what it is like."  Well, we can guess what it is like from our high school experience, but he can't seem to get it out of his mind.  What I would love is to find an affordable class or two for him to take somewhere.  There are homeshcool classes around, but they are expensive.  I am praying for guidance.

Third, our current homeschool year is quickly winding down.  We only need 40 more days.  I have loved our studies this year, Sonlight 20th Century World History.  It's time to think about next year. I am not sure who will be home next year, so it is hard to plan for certain.  It is impossible, when I think about all the combinations!  So, I am just in a waiting mode.  I am waiting on the Lord to show me where to go next.  I could have 3 scholars or 1 or 2!  See my problem?  It will all get straightened out sooner or later. We are also waiting on the high school to see what classes my oldest could take if he stays.  He is not going to stay if they will not let him take advanced courses.

As for the one scholar who will certainly be home, well, she is the challenging one who loves to read, create, serve others, and hates all things math and science.  That doesn't add up to a Core 40 high school diploma, so we may have issues next year with biology, geometry, and a foreign language to tackle.  She wants to be a mom.  I want her to be a mom.  But is that God's plan?  We don't know.  We need her to be prepared for other possibilities.  It is hard when they get to be 10th grade and graduation is looming nearer.

Slow down time, cries my heart!

This and That

It's the Monday after daylight savings time!  Mondays are hard enough.  Tax season is hard. Trying to get over this cold has been hard. Add to an already full calendar,  and you get a bad case of spring break fever. Thankfully we are home scholars and can switch up our schedule to suit our needs. But, we need to hang in there one more week. Then I'm sending my students to grandma's house for a few days! While they are away, I will start spring cleaning.  They can help finish when they get back.  Time to evict the dust bunnies. 

I can't wait for the weather to warm up so that we can get outside and get the yard back in shape!

He's 17!

13

14

15

16

17

Throw Back Thursday

Just five short years ago...

Cooking with Nana

It's always a joy for these two to get to spend some time with their Nana.  We are so blessed!

Back to Work

I am happy to report that we have jumped back into our studies, this being our second week back to work. It is never easy to pick up where we left off a couple weeks earlier.  We really had a rough break, too with much time devoted to saying goodbye to a loved one.

One of our bigger challenges at home has been our science.  We are using Apologia Physical Science. The kids really don't enjoy science, and that saddens me, because science is cool.  I don't know if it is our curriculum or my presentation.  We are not giving up. We will just keep trying, and I will be looking for ways to spice things up.

Currently in our history, we are up to the 1960's.  Our curriculum is taking more of an overview of the 21st century, which is fine. My students are enjoying the books. Grace is plowing through her classical literature class, reading Oliver Twist at the moment.  Trevor is reading Peter Pan.

On the home front, we are now into my CPA husband's busy season.  He is now a manager and is even busier than ever.  He leaves in the dark, and returns after dark.  This is normal, so we adapt and think about camping season in late April.

On the public school front, our oldest is continuing to enjoy his school.  He got the highest grade in all of the chemistry classes last semester.  In fact, he got all A's.  I am really proud of him.  I had such apprehensions about sending him.  He is showing us that he is quite capable and very smart!  Jazz band has been a highlight for him.  His new challenge this semester is taking an online class through the school.  That will help him meet all his credit requirements.

I am thankful for some rough weather we had last week.  It was so cold that our evening activities were cancelled.  It was nice to get back to our studies with a few less distractions.  It was actually wonderful.  It was a blessing.  Now we have to get back to them this week, but maybe we are more rested and ready.  Here we go!

Happy 2015

 From my blog to yours, happy new year! 

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May your 2015 be filled with mercy and grace.  Thank you for being my friend. 

~Jenn 

Another Glorious Week

Hello friends.  Another week is behind us.  This time we celebrated my youngest's 13th birthday.  I am not going to linger trying to figure out how he is already 13 years old.  Time is going crazy fast.

Monday was back to school and work for all five of us.  It is always hard to send my oldest off to school, but he really loves it, so I am adjusting.  That afternoon he needed me to pick him up because he was bringing a guitar to school that he could not take home on the bus very easily.  He also wanted me to take him to Target to get a new CD.

Nothing much went on Tuesday except for school and laundry.  By Wednesday, we decided to take the day off from school to celebrate our birthday boy.

We could not have a full birthday celebration with church that night, but we did manage to spoil him pretty rotten.  Grace and I blindfolded him and took him to lunch at his favorite restaurant, Panda Express.  Then we got him a DQ ice cream cake for after church.  In the afternoon, I let them rent a movie, Muppets Most Wanted.

Our week otherwise was pretty uneventful.  Ryan also took the PSAT on Wednesday.  He and I went to dinner on Thursday before his karate class on Thursday.  Friday we stayed home and enjoyed a nice quiet Halloween.  The weather turned out to be the most frightful part of the day.  It was a snowy, rainy, windy night.  Jeff set up my bike trainer, and we are all making good use of it.

Happy November!

Growing by Leaps and Bounds

Comparing our feet! Mine are women's 12. 

I got a bit of a shock yesterday.  The night before at AWANA, Trevor came home and said his toe was really hurting again.  Immediately if was soaked in Epsom salt, hoping and praying it would not get infected again.  But then it occurred to me that he actually might need new shoes, as his old ones were a year old.  I had asked him a couple months ago about his shoes.  He said they were fine.  But, he has been doing a lot of growing lately, so I knew it was time to do something.  And no wonder his toe was sore!  He played kick ball with shoes that were 2 sizes too small.  He needed a men's size 14!!

Now, I am in shock.  I do not know anyone with that size of foot.  And he is not yet 13.  Not to mention that recently I had to buy him 36 inseam pants.  All his clothes in fact are too small.  I am praying his winter coat is OK.  Boots?  Ha!  Who can afford those?  He is 6 feet tall with size 14 shoes.  I am in shock.  I am in shock.

Catching Up

Hello Friends!  My sadly neglected blog is, well, sadly neglected.  I have this hang up about pictures.  I want to post pictures to go with my blog, but then I have to jump through hoops to get them from my phone to a computer.  So, I don't post anything.

My problem is that my phone is an old, old Apple, and it won't automatically upload to my Google photo storage anymore.  It's like I live in between two worlds!  At one point things were working, though.  And now the uploading has stopped.

(These are taken with my tablet. It's Android, so it works with Google.  But I don't take my tablet with me, so I don't have many pictures on it.) 

I realize this is all gibberish and not worth anyone's time reading, but it is what is holding up my blogging, that and I don't use a desktop computer anymore.  I have a tablet, a netbook, and a phone that doesn't like either, certainly a first world problem!

Otherwise, all is well here, mostly.  School is going well for my oldest.  He is getting all A's at this point.  The everyday aspects of public school wears on me.  Also the rigid, inflexible attitudes.  Yet, there are things they do that are better than my own offerings, namely math and science, so we adapt and move along.

Our homeschool is moving along nicely.  We are able to keep up with our reading, which is an accomplishment with Sonlight in high school.  Grace loves reading, so I think I have finally found her happy place.  She really enjoyed "Romeo and Juliet."  Right now she is reading "Jane Eyre."  She is also requesting more C.S. Lewis books.

Trevor, doesn't share Grace's love of reading, but is flying through high school geometry at age 12, so I am happy.  He has been working on reading "Huckleberry Finn."  We read "Tom Sawyer" last year.

Last weekend we stayed in a quaint little cabin at a state recreation area located in a state forest.  We had a great time riding our bikes, walking in the woods, and just hanging out together.  We had to cancel our Labor Day camping trip due to Ryan having strep throat.  That was a first, canceling due to illness.

This weekend we have a bike tour and family reunion.  I am bringing a big pumpkin cake, pasta salad, and fruit.  We will also get some fried chicken.  I am looking forward to seeing my family.  I hope I can ride my bike the required 10 miles.

We are busy with AWANA as Trek (Jr. High) leaders.  My oldest still does karate.  Life is full.  I need to find a way to upload some pictures from my phone, but decided not to keep me from writing.
~Jenn

Week in Pictures

Hello friends!

We are off to a good start to our school year.  We just finished our second week.  We are really enjoying all the books, but it is a challenge to get everything done, so I think we are still adjusting.  We also added karate back into our weekly schedule.

This week we even managed to get the house tidy,in addition to lessons.  I am working on finding the best time to get groceries.  It's a big job, going to more than one store, so it needs a time slot during a day that isn't already busy.  Things one must juggle when home educating your children.

Here are a few pictures from our week.

 I took Ryan to look at a used guitar that would be used to play in jazz band at school.  He thinks he might like one for Christmas.  :) 

 Ryan helped Grace with her math homework.  She says he explains it better than me.  

 

Trevor had to go to the doctor because he had an infected ingrown toenail.  Learned that he is now 6 feet tall!  No wonder I am feeling so short these days.  

 Blue Bell ice cream was on sale.  I refuse to buy it full price, so this made my family very happy.  

Finally, we found a used bike for Trevor.  He was using a spare bike and it was way too small.  We had found a new bike for lots of money in his size, but didn't feel comfortable spending several hundred dollars on one, so we were very thankful to find this older, used bike for a decent price.  

Thanks for stopping by! 

Jenn