A time to vent, a time to cry, and then...time to move on.

Do you ever have one of those days when you seriously question your sanity? When nothing seems to go right? A day when all of the kids seem to be doing their absolute best to drive you crazy...and you seriously think they've succeeded? A day when your decision to spend all day, every day teaching them all by yourself seems like the single most insane thing you've ever done. Well, today was one of those days at my house.

I know I'm not the only parent that has questioned God's plan in giving me children that are much more headstrong than I am. Yes, I also know that they're just being kids. But gosh darn it, they are driving me CRAZY! So, after a day of once again starting my morning out on my knees praying for God's help and guidance, for His help in overcoming my weaknesses (namely yelling too often, losing my temper too frequently, and having a serious shortage of patience), and completely forgetting all about those prayers several hours later after being pushed to my breaking point, I'm back to my prayers for help at the end of the day.

I have recently discovered the absolutely wonderful author, Barbara Kingbury. She writes inspiration fiction. I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful her books are. However, after reading so many books where the main characters seem to hear God speak to them, I'm jealous. Why is it that I don't hear God speak to me? Maybe I'm not listening hard enough. Of course, it could also be the fact that its so darn noisy in my house with the chirping parakeets, barking dogs, meowing cats and bickering kids that I simply can't hear him. In pondering this question I keep coming back to a quote that Morgan Freeman made while playing God in the movie Evan Almighty. He says that when you ask God for something like patience, does he simply give you patience, or does he give the opportunity to be patient? Maybe God really is answering my prayers, because he is constantly offering me opportunities to be patient. I'm just not very good at it.

After spending a good portion of our afternoon lecturing my children about what happens if they don't do their work, cooperate, stop complaining and basically get with the program. Finally losing it completely and resorting to going to my room for a good cry (aka total meltdown), I'm left with nothing more than a headache and the knowledge that today was most definetely not one of my finer moments. I'm now heading to bed where I will once again pray for guidance secure in the knowledge that some how, some way, this too shall pass.

What about you...have you ever had one those days?

Turtle time!

Please pardon the dust that has accumulated over the past several weeks. My life has gotten crazy busy while trying my best to prepare for our new school year. Whenever that happens, it seems that the blog is one of the first to go. So what have we been up to you ask? Well...we've been doing our usual nature studies, which were recently aided by a visitor to our back yard. Isn't she cute?



Well, never let it be said that I let an opportunity like that go to waste. I promptly grabbed one of our many reference guides and did some research. Of course, my trusty assistant got some true hands on experience.



Turns out that she's a box turtle (which we already knew of course), approximately 12 years of age, and obviously female. How do we know you ask? Check out her gorgeous red eyes. Only females have eyes that color. Males have brown eyes.



Peek a boo, I see you!



We studied, enjoyed and then sent her on her merry way. Don't you just love it when learning experiences just fall in your lap?

2010 - 2011 Curriculum Choices

Well, its that time again...time to dust off those school desks and hit the books.  Here's what we're using this year.  I have way more curriculum than I ever seem to get covered.  I do try though...

English

Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind - We actually found and started using this the end of the last school year.  Haley is doing Level 3, and the boys are working on Level 1-2. 

Daily Grams - We are using Grade 4 for Haley, and Grade 2 for the boys.  We have been doing the boy's page orally on the chalkboard since they absolutely hate writing them.  We do a page every day.

Explode the Code, Book 3 for the boys, and Haley does independent reading daily.

Math

Teaching Textbooks 4 for Haley, and Saxon Math 2  for the boys.  We also play lots of math games and read books to reinforce certain topics.

History

Story of the World, Book 1 for the boys, and Story of the World, Book 2 for Haley.  We also do unit studies on topics that interest us.  We complete lapbooks, art projects, read books and much more.

Science

Apologia Zoology 1, Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day, R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey Earth and Space, and lots of hands on nature studies.

Spelling

All About Spelling level one for the boys, and level two for Haley.

In addition to the above, we also study Spanish using Power Glide Spanish, Haley takes a music/choir class each week, we study various composers via notebooking, we use Meet the Masters Art and How Great Thou Art, Abeka Heath and Safety 3, Abeka American History, various unit studies for geography and much more.

What does your school year look like?

Awesome song!

I saw this on another blog and just had to share it. Its one of those that makes you think and cry. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Week in Review

Sorry for the lapse in posting. We've been having a very busy Summer, and time on the computer has been cut short. This past week was a crazy one at my house. Not only was it my first week back to work in quite some time, but I also was volunteering to do the crafts for my church's vacation bible school each day from 9:00 - 12:00. On top of that, Haley participated in a drama/art camp all week. Somehow during all of that, I managed to finish up the costumes I've been working on for the new show coming out at the theatre. Glen was busy all week helping them build the set. Tomorrow we're finally getting around to having the boy's birthday party. It's a pool party with 5 little boys, plus a few siblings. I'm still working on the cake as we speak. Pray that I'll get it all done!

More Nature Studies

You may have noticed that I really love nature. I also enjoy taking photos of nature. Its fun to head out with your camera just to see what you might find. Here are some pictures from our recent pond visit.


What would a visit to the pond be without a dragonfly photo? They are simply everywhere just begging to have their picture taken.



Ryan had fun watching this spider walk on water and wanted me take his picture. Cool, isn't he?


This was by far one of the coolest discoveries we made while visiting the pond. Just at sunset, as we were leaving, I spotted something by the shore. We weren't sure what it was, but stayed to watch it frolic in the water. I took a bunch of pictures, but due to the light being so low, and the distance, I couldn't get a clear one. After doing some research at home, we've decided it must be a muskrat. We've since been back to visit and found several more. They always come out to play right as the sun starts to set. They're super fun to watch!

Birthday Boys!

On this day, exactly seven years ago, my twins were born. Talk about a life changing event! Up until the boys came along, I had always worked full time and only dreamed about being a stay at home mom. Homeschooling was also only a dream. All those prayers finally got an answer in the form of two tiny bundles of joy. The boys weighed in at 5 lb., 10 oz., and 5 lb., 12 oz. I was totally unprepared for having three children all 3 and under. Seven years later, I don't what I would do without them. Life is crazy at best, but always fun. Happy birthday boys!! I love you both!