So often home schooling feels like swimming upstream.
The grass in the public schoolyard often looks oh, so green.
It seems like every day there are at least a few reasons to let "schooling" slip by the wayside. I know that there are very important things that my children are learning by spending their days with me, but I know they also need some consistent practice in the academic areas.
Some days, things go really smoothly.
Other days feel like a struggle all day long.
For so long, our family has been in "survival mode". I feel like I can't keep using it as an excuse.
And my kids WANT to learn.
But there are SO many distractions.
Daisy got sick to her stomach last night.
Ruby's outfit wasn't quite right this morning.
That made scriptures late.
Sarajoy is still doing the several runny diapers a day thing.
Simon needs a buddy, especially with Daisy down.
She woke with a fever and sore throat. Oh NO!
We somehow struggled through math and reading and a little writing before I had to leave for the Dr.
I was tired.
All the kids were tired.
I told them to rest while I was away.
I don't think the toddlers let them rest much.
I decided to get some things at the health food store to maybe hopefully prevent the rest of us from getting strep. And some stuff for Sarajoy's tummy.
And we had to get the antibiotics.
We needed groceries, too.
Two hours later, I got home. Starving.
So while I get welcomed by the toddlers who both want to be held and fed, I try to scrape together a sandwich, return phone calls, and get the kids back to work on their school and chores.
A certain person argued with me from the moment she awoke. She had a reason against every single thing I asked her to do.
It was exhausting.
I finally had to send her to bed.
She was there for hours, and I missed her. I was sad about her choices.
I used the Thanksgiving turkey broth to make some stew and made some rolls while talking to my sister on the phone and guiding the boys through the last of their school and chores.
I managed not to fall asleep at the dinner table, or while doing dishes with the kids, or while doing family night, or while watching Polar Express.
But now I am too tired to even think about tomorrow.
I don't feel sad or depressed.
Just a little overwhelmed and discouraged. Drained.
I want so many good things for my family, and I work so hard for them.
When it comes down to it, it is worth it.
It is worth it.
It is worth it.
So I'll fight again tomorrow.
...
We've Given Up the Easy Life for the Good Life
Monday, November 29, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Gratitude
There is something absolutely nourishing about sitting in a dark room alone with a lit Christmas tree.
I have had a few quiet moments tonight to reflect on the past week.
I realize that few weeks in my life have been as full and joyful as this one.
One week ago, we learned of a crisis in Dallin's family. I had the opportunity in person to bear testimony of Christ to my in-laws. My love and understanding for them grew. My love and compassion for my siblngs in-law grew. I can already see how this crisis will bring this family closer together.
It made me appreciate in a way that I never have the fact that there IS one Man who lived on this earth who was not a disappointment.
I spent most of Monday on the phone with Dallin's family members. I did not mind this at all, except that I was nervous about getting ready for Thanksgiving. I was expecting the first of a large number of guests to arrive Tuesday night.
My friend Becky saved the day!
On Tuesday, my kids and I spent all morning cleaning the kitchen and making arrangements for an extra table. Becky showed up just as we were starting to make ahead some of the Thanksgiving dinner items. Thanks to her, we got 2 jello salads started, the potatoes peeled and cut up and covered in water, the cornbread baked and breadcrumbs made for the stuffing, and an apple crisp made. Meanwhile, her kids were helping clean my house!
And I got to do it while visiting with a friend.
I found a good deal on some carpet remnants that transformed our basement into a usable play area. The store was willing to pick them out for me and deliver them that day! It was so fun to surprise Dallin when he got home.
Our guests were delayed due to a big blizzard, so we rewarded the kids for their hard work by letting them set up our small Christmas tree in the family room. We bought some colorful lights and colorful shatterproof ornaments. Why has it taken so long for these to be invented? How many years have we expected kids to resist shiny balls hanging from a tree? It has been wonderful to just let my toddlers hold them and move them around on the tree.
Wednesday morning, my sister and her 6 kids arrived. They had gotten up at 5:30am to make up for lost time from the blizzard. We invited a friend we grew up with to come over with her 7 kids and have lunch and visit. We had such a nice time, and all the kids played pretty well together. Just when Dallin came in with the pizza, my brother Chris with his wife, 2 kids, and 2 puppies arrived. Minutes after our friend took her kids home, Mom and sister in -law Renee with her 2 kids got here from Vegas where they had spent a few days with my sister Erin's family.
There were 5 of us women working in the kitchen. Some of us were preparing chicken noodle soup for dinner. One of us was making pies for Thanksgiving. A couple of us were sauteeing vegetables for the stuffing. Three one-year olds, three three-year olds and a four year old were in and out and underfoot.
But nobody was feeling overwhelmed. It didn't seem chaotic. Even when all of the big kids came storming in for soup it seemed to be pretty manageable.
Have I mentioned how much I love my kitchen? It was made for days like this, and I am so thankful.
Not long after dinner, my Dad and my brother Steve (Renee's husband) and their puppy got here from Idaho.
9 adults, 16 kids, and 3 puppies.
We all fit pretty comfortably, and seemed to get along just fine. Having my family in my home was pure bliss for me!
My cousin's daughter Lauren joined us for the dinner the next day. We forgot the rolls, and the yams weren't done in time, but nobody seemed to care.
After dinner, I put my baby to bed and crawled into my own for a post-Thanksgiving siesta.
It was wonderful to drift in and out of sleep with the din of children running and laughing and someone playing the piano and puppies yelping in the background.
The big kids walked down to the golf course to go sledding. They also sledded down the gravel piles in the backyard. They took the toddlers for sleigh rides around the yard. They played games with Uncle Chris in the court. The moms stayed up and played dominoes while the dads played raquetball.
Friday my mom helped me work on a Christmas project. I wish I could post pictures, but I'll make myself wait so I don't divulge any secrets too soon. I love to work beside my mom. Sometimes we don't even say much, but I just love being with her.
Saturday morning came all too soon. I was really sad to see everyone go. Thankfully, we had Christmas to put up. We spent the morning cleaning the house and taking down fall decorations. We read our Thankful Chain that we have been working on for 7 years and put it away for next year.
Then we got out the big Christmas Tree and worked on it for a couple of hours. Dallin and I headed out for a date to return library books, get a tree skirt, and do a little Christmas shopping.
4 haircuts and 6 baths later I sit quietly by the lit Christmas tree and wonder at it.
I wonder why some people don't like Christmas. I LOVE it. All the parts of it.
When I look at the Christmas tree, I can't help but think of very happy things.
The memories of this week will join all of the other happy times that mean Christmas to me.
My heart is full of Thanks.
...
I have had a few quiet moments tonight to reflect on the past week.
I realize that few weeks in my life have been as full and joyful as this one.
One week ago, we learned of a crisis in Dallin's family. I had the opportunity in person to bear testimony of Christ to my in-laws. My love and understanding for them grew. My love and compassion for my siblngs in-law grew. I can already see how this crisis will bring this family closer together.
It made me appreciate in a way that I never have the fact that there IS one Man who lived on this earth who was not a disappointment.
I spent most of Monday on the phone with Dallin's family members. I did not mind this at all, except that I was nervous about getting ready for Thanksgiving. I was expecting the first of a large number of guests to arrive Tuesday night.
My friend Becky saved the day!
On Tuesday, my kids and I spent all morning cleaning the kitchen and making arrangements for an extra table. Becky showed up just as we were starting to make ahead some of the Thanksgiving dinner items. Thanks to her, we got 2 jello salads started, the potatoes peeled and cut up and covered in water, the cornbread baked and breadcrumbs made for the stuffing, and an apple crisp made. Meanwhile, her kids were helping clean my house!
And I got to do it while visiting with a friend.
I found a good deal on some carpet remnants that transformed our basement into a usable play area. The store was willing to pick them out for me and deliver them that day! It was so fun to surprise Dallin when he got home.
Our guests were delayed due to a big blizzard, so we rewarded the kids for their hard work by letting them set up our small Christmas tree in the family room. We bought some colorful lights and colorful shatterproof ornaments. Why has it taken so long for these to be invented? How many years have we expected kids to resist shiny balls hanging from a tree? It has been wonderful to just let my toddlers hold them and move them around on the tree.
Wednesday morning, my sister and her 6 kids arrived. They had gotten up at 5:30am to make up for lost time from the blizzard. We invited a friend we grew up with to come over with her 7 kids and have lunch and visit. We had such a nice time, and all the kids played pretty well together. Just when Dallin came in with the pizza, my brother Chris with his wife, 2 kids, and 2 puppies arrived. Minutes after our friend took her kids home, Mom and sister in -law Renee with her 2 kids got here from Vegas where they had spent a few days with my sister Erin's family.
There were 5 of us women working in the kitchen. Some of us were preparing chicken noodle soup for dinner. One of us was making pies for Thanksgiving. A couple of us were sauteeing vegetables for the stuffing. Three one-year olds, three three-year olds and a four year old were in and out and underfoot.
But nobody was feeling overwhelmed. It didn't seem chaotic. Even when all of the big kids came storming in for soup it seemed to be pretty manageable.
Have I mentioned how much I love my kitchen? It was made for days like this, and I am so thankful.
Not long after dinner, my Dad and my brother Steve (Renee's husband) and their puppy got here from Idaho.
9 adults, 16 kids, and 3 puppies.
We all fit pretty comfortably, and seemed to get along just fine. Having my family in my home was pure bliss for me!
My cousin's daughter Lauren joined us for the dinner the next day. We forgot the rolls, and the yams weren't done in time, but nobody seemed to care.
After dinner, I put my baby to bed and crawled into my own for a post-Thanksgiving siesta.
It was wonderful to drift in and out of sleep with the din of children running and laughing and someone playing the piano and puppies yelping in the background.
The big kids walked down to the golf course to go sledding. They also sledded down the gravel piles in the backyard. They took the toddlers for sleigh rides around the yard. They played games with Uncle Chris in the court. The moms stayed up and played dominoes while the dads played raquetball.
Friday my mom helped me work on a Christmas project. I wish I could post pictures, but I'll make myself wait so I don't divulge any secrets too soon. I love to work beside my mom. Sometimes we don't even say much, but I just love being with her.
Saturday morning came all too soon. I was really sad to see everyone go. Thankfully, we had Christmas to put up. We spent the morning cleaning the house and taking down fall decorations. We read our Thankful Chain that we have been working on for 7 years and put it away for next year.
Then we got out the big Christmas Tree and worked on it for a couple of hours. Dallin and I headed out for a date to return library books, get a tree skirt, and do a little Christmas shopping.
4 haircuts and 6 baths later I sit quietly by the lit Christmas tree and wonder at it.
I wonder why some people don't like Christmas. I LOVE it. All the parts of it.
When I look at the Christmas tree, I can't help but think of very happy things.
The memories of this week will join all of the other happy times that mean Christmas to me.
My heart is full of Thanks.
...
Thursday, November 18, 2010
It is past my bedtime
But, I just feel like writing.
I just read that my friend who was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer this summer is doing better. Like they can't find any more cancer better. She will still get a double masectomy and be taking medication, but she is not going to die any time soon.
It is happy news. I already lost a young friend to cancer this year. A mommy with two little kids. I have another friend--a mommy to 8 kids who is suffering terribly from cancer. We are exerting our faith in her behalf.
So it is nice to hear some good news.
My schedule is coming along. I've stretched out what I was trying to accomplish in a day over a week. That's more like it! We're having lots of fun.
I still fight feelings of guilt and concern that I'm not accomplishing enough, but I usually win those fights.
My experiment upon the word has led me to believe that you must need to not be waking 3 times a night in order to be invigorated the next day. Getting up at 6am is on again off again. I got a protein drink mix today to see if that helps. It helped me during my pregnancies.
I think my family has a sensitivity to nitrous oxide. Every time we go to the dentist, we all leave feeling lightheaded, head-achy, tired, and nauseated. Even the people who only sit in the waiting room. Do you think it is because of the nitrous oxide in the air? Dentists offices always have that gag-me kind of bubblegum smell when you walk in. I'm a little concerned because my 10 year old who only sat in the waiting room was not feeling well enough for gymnastics or watching a movie with the family. The last time we were there, just for cleanings, he came home and took a nap. My daughter who did get the work done, collapsed in my arms sobbing when she was done. Very Sad.
Just writing about it is making me feel drowsy...
The movie we watched was How To Train Your Dragon.
I loved it.
I am way excited about the Holiday season, especially because I will be hosting Thanksgiving for the first time ever.
Way excited about the company.
Totally terrified by the cooking.
Wish me luck.
...
I just read that my friend who was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer this summer is doing better. Like they can't find any more cancer better. She will still get a double masectomy and be taking medication, but she is not going to die any time soon.
It is happy news. I already lost a young friend to cancer this year. A mommy with two little kids. I have another friend--a mommy to 8 kids who is suffering terribly from cancer. We are exerting our faith in her behalf.
So it is nice to hear some good news.
My schedule is coming along. I've stretched out what I was trying to accomplish in a day over a week. That's more like it! We're having lots of fun.
I still fight feelings of guilt and concern that I'm not accomplishing enough, but I usually win those fights.
My experiment upon the word has led me to believe that you must need to not be waking 3 times a night in order to be invigorated the next day. Getting up at 6am is on again off again. I got a protein drink mix today to see if that helps. It helped me during my pregnancies.
I think my family has a sensitivity to nitrous oxide. Every time we go to the dentist, we all leave feeling lightheaded, head-achy, tired, and nauseated. Even the people who only sit in the waiting room. Do you think it is because of the nitrous oxide in the air? Dentists offices always have that gag-me kind of bubblegum smell when you walk in. I'm a little concerned because my 10 year old who only sat in the waiting room was not feeling well enough for gymnastics or watching a movie with the family. The last time we were there, just for cleanings, he came home and took a nap. My daughter who did get the work done, collapsed in my arms sobbing when she was done. Very Sad.
Just writing about it is making me feel drowsy...
The movie we watched was How To Train Your Dragon.
I loved it.
I am way excited about the Holiday season, especially because I will be hosting Thanksgiving for the first time ever.
Way excited about the company.
Totally terrified by the cooking.
Wish me luck.
...
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Three
How did my little buddy get so big?
Our little Si-guy is 3 now, and doesn't like to be called Si-guy.
He is the most enthusiastic little fella I know. He lives in extremes. All the way happy or all the way sad.
He gives us lots of reasons to smile.
He woke up to yummy breakfast and bright balloons.
Somehow the kids' dental appointments fell on Simon's birthday.After that, we picked up a Pizza and stopped at Daddy's office for a birthday hug.
We spent some time at the park and went to the library.
When we got home, we walked over to the neighbors' pumkin display and everybody picked a pumkin to buy.
We had dinner, and I started working on his cake request: A Circle.
Gotta Love That! I added a smiley face for fun, and he loved it!
He opened his presents: A bathtub shaving kit so he can shave like Dad. A Cars Leap Pad book, and an Indian knife with a leather sheath.
He was enthralled!
We love you, buddy!
Happy Birthday, Simon!
Our little Si-guy is 3 now, and doesn't like to be called Si-guy.
He is the most enthusiastic little fella I know. He lives in extremes. All the way happy or all the way sad.
He gives us lots of reasons to smile.
He woke up to yummy breakfast and bright balloons.
Somehow the kids' dental appointments fell on Simon's birthday.After that, we picked up a Pizza and stopped at Daddy's office for a birthday hug.
We spent some time at the park and went to the library.
When we got home, we walked over to the neighbors' pumkin display and everybody picked a pumkin to buy.
We had dinner, and I started working on his cake request: A Circle.
Gotta Love That! I added a smiley face for fun, and he loved it!
He opened his presents: A bathtub shaving kit so he can shave like Dad. A Cars Leap Pad book, and an Indian knife with a leather sheath.
He was enthralled!
We love you, buddy!
Happy Birthday, Simon!
Home School Day at the Corn Maze
The big Corn Maze at Thanksgiving Point is done by Cornbelly's. Every year, they have a day that home schoolers can get in for a great rate. I've been in charge of this field trip several times, and had a huge crowd there. This year most of our home school group went to a more local corn maze, so I didn't have to make a big deal of it. I went with my sister Kim, who is home schooling her kindergartener. She took her other kids out of school to come as well. My friend Darlene called me about it the night before, so she joined in the fun with us.
In addition to the corn maze, they have bouncing pillows, giant haystack slides, smaller structures for little ones to climb on, and giant boxes filled with corn to play in like a sand box. We always spend a whole day there, and we always have a wonderful time.
In addition to the corn maze, they have bouncing pillows, giant haystack slides, smaller structures for little ones to climb on, and giant boxes filled with corn to play in like a sand box. We always spend a whole day there, and we always have a wonderful time.
Six
I am so glad that at six she is still so innocent and sweet.
She is a Tuesday's child--fair of face. And her middle name, Linda, means beauty.
She was a beautiful baby and is a beautiful girl.
She wanted German pancakes for breakfast.
For lunch, we had a picnic at the corn maze.
For dinner, she couldn't decide between lasagne and hawaiian haystacks.
She settled on hawaiian haystacks.
The night before, I stayed up setting up her play kitchen. We unveiled it in the morning when she woke up. Daddy had balloons waiting for her that he had hidden in his car.
We spent the day at the corn maze, and picked up donuts on the way home for her cake.
After dinner, she got to open her present: a wooden cookie baking set. Very cute!
We love our Beauty-Daise and are thankful for all of the happiness she brings to our home.
Happy Birthday, Daisy!
She is a Tuesday's child--fair of face. And her middle name, Linda, means beauty.
She was a beautiful baby and is a beautiful girl.
She wanted German pancakes for breakfast.
For lunch, we had a picnic at the corn maze.
For dinner, she couldn't decide between lasagne and hawaiian haystacks.
She settled on hawaiian haystacks.
The night before, I stayed up setting up her play kitchen. We unveiled it in the morning when she woke up. Daddy had balloons waiting for her that he had hidden in his car.
We spent the day at the corn maze, and picked up donuts on the way home for her cake.
After dinner, she got to open her present: a wooden cookie baking set. Very cute!
We love our Beauty-Daise and are thankful for all of the happiness she brings to our home.
Happy Birthday, Daisy!
Just Pictures of the Honey
I thought it was so funny that she had her little foot resting on her high chair tray, but by the time I got the camera ready, she was mad and ready to get out.
Sarajoy enjoys a sink-bath.
Sarajoy enjoys a sink-bath.
First Pigtails
September 26, 2010
I came home from a meeting one Sunday to find Ruby attempting pigtails in our little baby's hair. I helped her finish getting them in and we sat back and oohed and aaahed at how grown up they make her look!
I came home from a meeting one Sunday to find Ruby attempting pigtails in our little baby's hair. I helped her finish getting them in and we sat back and oohed and aaahed at how grown up they make her look!
Six little Indians
Our first Unit of American History taught us lots about the Native American Indians.
We made Indian clothes, miniature tee-pees, and Indian village dioramas.
We made Indian clothes, miniature tee-pees, and Indian village dioramas.
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