Hanging Out in Colorado

One of the many joys of homeschooling is the ability to drop everything and head cross-country. Spontaneity is a great thing, for some, and for us it has often been a blessing. So the reason I was so quiet last week was because much of it was spent driving 1136 miles from Indiana to Colorado. My cousin lives here and has welcomed me and the kids into her castle for a couple of weeks. I say "castle" because it's a tudor style home that my sweet girl is convinced is really a castle! Son is quite thrilled to stay in the "dungeon" and we're all pretty happy that they happen to live on a buffalo preserve. Those suckers seem to be a bit camera shy, though, and all we've been able to see up close is poop. Of course, there are also the antics of the prairie dogs, which are prolific and active all times of the day. Getting their picture, though, has also been difficult without a big ole zoom lense.

We've been attempting to maintain somewhat of a regular school time, but the spring-like weather and the general splendor of Colorado has pulled us to other activities. Sadly, however, husband is not with us this trip. Other demands, you know. That makes choosing our adventures a bit less fun.

Traveling for more than a few days does bring it's own set of issues. Overdue library books that I've renewed 47 times are suddenly non-renewable--grrrr! And then there is the dry climate here that has my children believing something's wrong with their noses! :) Then there is the Wii! Oh my stars! I can barely peel my children from it. If they only knew the joys of playing Pong on the old Atari I had when little! Our cousins have a theater room in their "castle" and so if you add the Wii to the large screen with the amazing sound system...and the reclining leather chairs...it's just all pretty crazy. Very hard to compete. Son did ask me this morning if he "could play Wii after he read Bible for awhile??!!" Hilarious.

I'm trying to plan some of our week and trying to make the most of our time. I'll try to post more often while we're here, but I might be Wii racing instead!

Wake Up Call

I am not a morning person, and neither are my children. We have gotten into a bad habit of taking our time to get up. As happens with most parent-induced habits, this Mama began to see the error of her ways, and changed her habit. I began getting up and was eager to start the mornings, however... My children didn't seem to get the same memo and were not cooperating with my new-found "glory in the morning". As a result, my husband heard this every morning:

"Time to get up!"
"Children! Get up!"
"Are you up?"
"Get up!!"
"I TOLD YOU TO GET UP!"
"WHY AREN'T YOU UP?!"

Etc., Etc. It wasn't pretty and Charlotte my husband was certain it was my fault. Imagine that! After reaching his limit, he laid down the law: I may awaken them ONE time, and ONE time only. I set a timer for one hour and I wait. They have that one hour to get up, dress, do morning chores, and eat. If that timer goes off and they aren't done eating, I'm to take their food and they get nothing else to eat or drink (except water) until lunch.

Well, you can imagine their little brains, can't you? They didn't believe it. Oh, they played along for a few days, but yesterday--on a Monday, no less--it was time for the Mama to be tested. We knew it was coming and husband grinned at me as he walked out the door with no hope that the children would make it in time.

First daughter came scurrying down to eat, only to be sent back up to complete her chores. Then son raced down the stairs with less than a minute to go. One bite of oatmeal and the timer went off. I picked up both bowls and began rinsing them in the sink. The mayhem insued. "You don't care if we starve!" "You don't love us!" "IT"S NOT FAIR!!" I called their dad and they each got on the phone with him. All I could imagine was that my day was just ruined and that I may just get pushed beyond my limits with the attitudes. Daddy saved the day and held both children in check and you'll never guess?

What has been proven over and over? That children need and even crave boundaries. They need rules and order and they respond to them.

So we had a very profitable day! Everyone buckled down and we had a wonderful lesson time. We only had a couple of murmers of hunger, then lunch brought relief. I decided to show my children the benefits of good attitudes and took them to the budget movie to see "The Tale of Desperaux." Great movie (You were right, Angel!).

This morning, there was leaping from all beds and a quickening of the feet! Breakfast was appreciatively eaten and our day of lessons has commenced. Think they got the message? It was a hard one even for this Mama to learn, but I'm relieved that my husband saw clearly the need for me to be uhhhh....put out of my misery! :)

Booking

It started with my last take from a used book sale....

I just couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't put them up! There was no order to my shelves. My good friend and booksaleing buddy helped me determine how we use them and put them in that order. We chose our Truthquest History indexes.

With the help of my handy dandy label maker, I labeled every section from the indexes. This label means AHYS book 2 (II), section 15. Gotta love that!

I have a lot of pilgrim books! But we LOVE pilgrim books!

Ta da! Now...don't croak. These are just my American history living books. There are a few fiction mixed in (that are blatantly history related). Here is the rest of my fiction, which I put in alphabetical order by author. I used to have them by title, but that was a disaster! Surprised?

Picture books on top.

Continued... (Oops! There's E's pillow, Angel!)

And continued again. These shelves are FULL. Not sure what I'll do with any more fiction!

Here's most of the science goodies.

Here's our notebooks, literature, art, music, Bible, and more history.



And these are the books in our school room and in current use.

It makes my head spin. I'm grateful for the chance to collect all these goodies AND USE THEM! And I DO have a plan to use ALL of them! More on that soon. So...

No books are on the floor. No piles. Now to check my list and make sure it's up to date.

(See! I have been busy!)

I'll leave you with this...

It's my library book sale bags...
hanging on the treadmill...
which is broken...
and besides...
isn't that what treadmills are for?? :)

Brain Freeze

For all you non-blogging types, brain freeze is what comes upon you after diligently posting twice daily for a week only to come to a screeching halt after eating snow ice cream. There can be no other explanation than sudden brain intoxication and paralysis of the typing fingers.

I'm cured!

Forty-seven cups of mocha, a thorough house cleaning including 16 loads of laundry, a visit to a great new church; time with friends, a little sunshine...that's all it took!

So, what have you been doing lately?

And yes! Those are sprinkles going on the snow ice cream!

Grrrr!

I hate it when that happens!

Oh! The Birds!

We live in an unusual area. It's a fairly new, large neighborhood on a golf course with numerous ponds. In other words, large open spaces with no trees...and with water. As a result, we have unusual bird situations. Too many geese to imagine--flying, honking, honking flying. Then, there are the cow birds.

We don't like the cow birds. Cow birds are not our friends. Cow birds hog the bird feeders and keep other birds away.

They did, however, provide us with this fairly unusual (to some) sight the other morning. We've seen this often, though I know of one friend who was mesmerized by this sight--I guess that gives it higher ranking!

Out our front window...our little bitty pear tree.

Our road and across the street.

Startled! As they fly over, the room goes dark. Quite the cloud!

Thou Shalt Not Steal!

Last weekend my husband discovered that some unaccounted for charges had appeared on his credit card.

Upon further checking, it became apparent that the card number had been stolen. Immediately the bank was on it, but we also did a little digging ourselves. First there was a couple of charges to Greyhound for bus tickets. So after calling Greyhound, we were given a name. Later, Greyhound, not wanting to give out further information to the people who had been stolen from, "refused" to cooperate and produce a phone number. Oh, but they did tell us our home address was on the tickets. You see there was another charge to a internet phonebook/people finding service. How nice for the thief!

Anyway, Greyhound did tell us when the tickets were for and to where. We know it's someone local now and we know they've already gone to Atlanta and should be back here on Dec 20 at such-and-such pm.

It's hard not to imagine a little confrontation in a bus depot over hundreds and hundreds of dollars stolen. BUT, the bank is taking care of everything. Supposedly they cut off the card immediately when we called, though the charges have continued to roll in. The thief bought a $400 Iphone yesterday. And paid their exhorbitant cable bill. Isn't that special?! And ironic, as we have no tv! I really wish I knew that they prosecuted these people. It seems like it would be fairly easy for this one to be caught. Down with thieves!!

It's amazing how violated something like this makes you feel. Yet, being the opportunistic home educating family that we are, we've had a few conversations around "Thou shalt not steal". The main thing with this situation is that we won't lose any $ (I'm pretty sure) and that it's really out of our hands--we're busy with other things on the 20th!

We have NO idea how the thief got our card number. Topping our list is some sales clerk somewhere, or waiter at a restaurant. We also considered trash as possibility. So keep watch over your accounts...careful watch.

The Problem

The problem with having to set blogging aside for awhile, is that when you're able to finally share again, it's SO hard to know where to start!

There's the whole "why" of being gone...and the whole build up of incredible experiences and hardships and answered prayers and new ideas and learned wisdom...bunches.

There is also wanting to share "everything" and having the understanding and discernment to know that would not necessarily be profitable.

Regardless, I did need to set things aside and tend to the urgent matters put before me. Many of you have inquired as to my well-being and I greatly appreciate your prayers and concerns.

I do have more time to share with you now and BOUNDless things to blog! Gettin' busy with it!

One last thought to share before I move on to all things homeschooling...NEVER underestimate the power of prayer. Specific prayer. Prayers of many. Your own prayers.

Pray without ceasing.
I Thess 5:17

A Few Thoughts

It's not about us...
It's about God.

It's not about what will happen in the next four years, or our lifetime,
or even the lifetime of our children...
It's about eternity.

God doesn't care much for nations that turn their back on Him...
This nation has turned their back on Him...
long before now.

The Israelites wanted an earthly "king"...
They got one!
And slavery...for 400 years.

God is faithful.
His mercies are new EVERY morning...
Even THIS morning.

Our God Reigns!

Let there be no mistake on that.

Rom 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Dan 2:21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

A McCain Boy

Today's the day! But yesterday was the event. When my truly excellent friend called and said she was going to the McCain rally, I cringed. Not because of the rally, but my stupid back problems. I knew I wouldn't be able to stand (or sit) for hours. She offered to take the boy though, and he couldn't have been more excited! We had missed the earlier Palin rally which another dear friend, EEEEMommy went to. Oh, and we didn't get the red memo either.

Patiently waiting...hour after hour...

My boy knows who to root for!

I was a bit bummed because my son and friend's son were obviously shoved aside and squeezed out by the "big men" (see that "nice" man in the blue shirt?) who had to shake John's hand. You'll notice the boy in the tan hat (my son whom you can barely see legs and hat!) and John's arms on either side of him shaking hands. I can't help but think how John would have reacted had he known just how hard that boy is rooting for him (and how badly he wanted to vote for him!). Those big ole men would have been bypassed for MY boy!

Husband has since instructed son that people will cheat you and be selfish and to just jab 'em in the you know what with the elbow, next time. Yes! He did tell him that! He did say he wouldn't have to do it too hard to get them to put their hands down. I just shake my head at times like that!

I'm bummed I couldn't go, but so glad he got too. History. Gotta love history! This is our place on the Chain of Christianity. We are here.

Now, go pray and GO VOTE!
For John McCain!

5 & 40+ = :(

Bet you're wondering what THAT's about--"5 & 40+ = :(". If you're guessing I'm not happy about something, that would be true. And the 40+ has nothing to do with my age--though it is mmmmm...accurate. No. Here is the hard truth:

Baby girl is now 5. And she's over 40 lbs. AND. My back is SHOT. I CANNOT pick her up anymore unless I'm okay with a wheelchair in my future.

That being said, I'm sad. She's a snuggly girl who loves being in her Mama's arms. Thankfully, she doesn't mind it being in a chair.

The chiropracter has spoken.

Been Votin'

It took some persuading, but we did go vote today. I love early voting! You still get that grand thrill and sense of accomplishment, as well as showing your children, first-hand, how to make history. I didn't get a "I voted" sticker though...bummer.

I have to say, it was a rather interesting process, this "voting early in a big city" business. Crowded! And, the system of checks and balances they had in place was amazing. No one person did more than one step. I believe we went through 8 stations! One person would check a number, and someone else would double check it and sign off.

When I forgot to put my ballot in the envelope, the lady at the table actually threw her hands in the air and instructed me to put it in. She wasn't gonna touch that thing with a ten-foot pole. I appreciated that.

So. We voted. Then husband thought it would be funny to scare me into thinking he didn't vote for McCain. Not funny! A sense of humor that a wife can strangle appreciate!!!

The kids were with us and excited. They've heard SO MUCH about this election and have repeatedly asked if they could vote. Unfortunately, we don't know where the ACORN offices are, so the answer had to be NO! :)

There is so much to learn through this process. It's exciting to get the kids involved. We've read quite a few election "helps" for homeschoolers and Sean Hannity's radio show has stirred the kids to song writing, quote spouting, and flag waving!

I did hear today that Moody Broadcasting is hosting an election night program for reporting returns and election news from a Biblical worldview. Since we don't have TV, we'll probably be listening in and happy to hear something other than Obama-mania. They stream live here. They are also calling for prayer and fasting on Monday, Nov. 3rd. I have more than one thing worthy of a bit of prayer and fasting, so I'm up for that! Care to join me?

Absent

Even though I blog "without obligation", when a turn of events prevents me from blogging regularly, I miss "communicating" with you all.

God has been teaching our family some tough things as of late.

Perseverance.
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
(Rom 5:3-5)

Patience and endurance.
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
(Col 1:11)

Love.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(1Co 13:4-7)

It's more than likely not a coincidence that our hymn for this month is "Be Still My Soul".

Be Still My Soul

by Ka­tha­ri­na A. von Schle­gel, 1752

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to Order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
to guide the Future as He has the past,
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last. Amen

I will post when I can, but expect that the lessons God is teaching may also include long-suffering. For now, we rest in the Father's hand and wait on Him.

Cooties

There is nothing quite like the NOT warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you discover your child has an extremely contagious infection WHILE you are visiting friends for a play date! Oh yes! The green slime that began pouring down my daughter's face is Conjunctivitis--more commonly referred to as Pink Eye. And no. Her eye was not pink. But it was itchy. Oh the green! Not a pretty color!

It always helps to have a great pediatrician. The nurse on the phone did not hesitate in letting me know what was occuring and that they would NOT require her presence in their office--full of small children and new borns. Did I mention it's extrememely contagious?! Yeah.

So antibiotic drops last night and she is much better this morning though her eye is still nearly swollen shut.

This was a first for us. She wanted to know how she got it.... Dirty hands all over her face, up her nose, in her eyes, in her ears, etc., etc., etc. My sweet friend who was hosting us played the "oh well" card. So brave!

Germs stink.

Celebrating Tasha Tudor Day

I have to admit, looking at Tasha Tudor artwork "awes" me. It is so delicate and beautiful! When I had a little girl, I renewed my interest in Tasha Tudor books; remembering my Mama and how she always wanted to dress me up like the artwork in the books!

I haven't given the artist, who just passed away this June, that much thought as I've grown older, but when I saw, over at Author Fiesta, an announcement for this date, I was excited. I only wish I had more of her books! I've done a bit of research and link-following and been inspired! So, while I read the books we have to the kids today, play in the garden, and share a tea party with them, I'll dream of all things "Tasha" and hope some of it rubs off on them (especially daughter!).

Here are a couple of links you may find interesting:

The Tudor Family Website and Store
Tasha Tudor Notebooking Pages

Mt. Comfort/Indy Air Show!

After living here in Indy for nearly four years, we finally made the effort to attend the Mt. Comfort/Indy Air Show! This airshow "ain't" your small town, county air show. "Really huge" about sums it up. I've never seen so many interesting aircraft in one place. The children were in awe.

Now, the heat of the day was oppressive. The noise was thrilling. The crowd was plentiful. But there was more...

An experience that not everyone gets: to meet not one, but ten WWII veterans; survivors of the USS Indianapolis (sitting the length of the table behind my son in the picture to the left) which was torpedoed and sunk toward the end of the war. Nine hundred men lost their lives aboard that ship that day, yet these survivors, all in their 80's cheerily told us how glad they were to be at the airshow! They spoke of their wives and children; of lying about their age to join up, and about a book that they had collectively written about their experience--a harrowing tale indeed.

We excitedly filled our children in on what their presence meant. We told our oldest son about this chance he was getting that would probably never come again. A chance that is a rare bit of history in the making. The opportunity to shake the hands of men who should have died, but lived a lifetime as heroes of a long ago war. What a thrill...for all of us.

But there was more! We saw all the usual acrobatics of various aircraft, as well as all kinds of displays of weapons (son was thrilled!) and uniforms. There was possibly too much. My favorite plane though? The Raptor!

Now, my husband's head is full of all the boy junk you can possibly imagine. He can recognize the make and model of every car, airplane and motorcycle ever made (even from the sound of their engine!). But even he was taken back by the presence of the F22 Raptor. Now, this jet was big and loud and maneuvered like nobody's business. This being a "show", we all cheered and exclaimed how "totally cool" this jet was, but the grown up in me also was quite humbled by a machine of war. A weapon. Plain and simple. Husband and I could not help but speak of the pro-military effects of a show like this. Lest we forget...

I highly recommend attending this air show if you ever get the chance! We hope to go back every year.

Lost, But Not Found

There is nothing more frustrating to me than losing things. And I do it all the time. Just recently we had the tragic loss of a lovey (daughters) and now I'm suffering the tragic loss of all my winter jammers.

That's right. I cleaned out the closet and set a nice, neat stack of winter jammers in a nice, neat spot next to the Goodwill bag. You get the picture? Enter son who, with a smile on his face, offers to help Mama. Fast forward a few weeks and enter a chilly night. No jammers. I tore the room and closet apart before realizing how gone they really are.

Oh. And that's not all. Desperate me, crying over one particularly favorite old pair, drives cross town to Goodwill dump sight in "hopes" they'll still be there. Hello! Goodwill has a turnover of about a day! So if you happen across a really awesome pair of 4 yr old, red floral Eddie Bauer flannel jammers? They're mine. I want 'em back!

Have You Seen This?

We don't have TV so I was happy to get this link and be able to see this Good Morning America interview of Steven Curtis Chapman and his family, after the death of Maria.

Sunday Night

It's Sunday night. Down to the wire and I think I'm finished. Oh, I'm sure I could come up with something else to plan or organize, but for the moment, I'm done. I'm ready.

I asked daughter if she was excited about starting school tomorrow and being with Mama and brother to learn good things. She said no. But, she said yes yesterday and earlier today. I pick those answers!

Son. Well, I'm trying not to project my anxiety over him "hating" school work. Especially because I know he really doesn't hate it, but is dealing with this 8/9 yo attitude issue that I keep hoping will pass. Now would be a good time. :)

I'm concentrating on thankfulness. I don't want this week to be about my efforts, or my children's attitudes but about how awesome it is that God has given us the privilege of knowing Him and learning all that He has for us. Oh, please Lord. Let us see your face.

I'm nervous about managing both children with lessons. I'm nervous about my own energy level, as well as my patience. I know all too well how the best laid plans of man often fail. That's why it's got to be about Him. I don't want to forget for a moment.

Tomorrow is supposed to be the hottest day of the year, so far. We'll be inside! I offered son the option of having lessons outside, but he wants to be in the school room (pictures to come). Now, having seen the weather, I'm relieved.

I'm really thinking that my response will set the pace for the day. No pressure. HA! I'm not sad that the public school down the road starts on Tuesday. That will help with some issues.

I'm off to enjoy the rest of my evening with a little bit of kitchen cleaning thrown in. Everyone has their clean underwear and 4yo is already asleep--on time! One more to go. If you don't hear from me, send out the troops.

Our Last Hoorah

Today is the last week day of our summer break. Monday, it's back to the books. Though we've had a glorious break, it's difficult to imagine what may be ahead. The planning and scheduling is nearly complete. The organizing is done. The laundry is in a state of "being laundry".

There is never a lack of things to prepare. There never will be! But for today, we will prepare for son's birthday party tomorrow, do a little errand running, and catch a little "play in the sun" between scattered showers. We will enjoy each other and go to bed weary from our day. We may even forget for a moment that our free-time is soon to be limited and our brains will soon be in over-drive!

We'll probably miss our carefree days, but maybe, just maybe we'll appreciate our down time more. We're learning to make the most of each opportunity and here's our chance to put it to the test! May God have mercy on us and show us the benefits of seeking His face. This is Friday, August 1st, 2008.