Survival...

Our school life is a tad bid different. When I say tad...I mean it is drastically different. 

I use to have a schedule for our day. Each kid new what was happening and what was about to happen. We started our morning with breakfast at the table and followed by calendar time. Then school all together at the table. We did this until everyone was finished for the day.

 Now, we wake up when we get up and eat breakfast on the couch under blankets. Then we play or color or even watch more TV. 

I do school separately with each kid. 

Why this change you ask? 

We are surviving here people. Two, 1 year olds who "rule" the house and what happens. That's why! It's easier to sit and do school singularly with BL and the twins crawling over me. Then to manage two doing different grades while I'm pretending to be a jungle gym... 

Everyday we get our essentials in. 

They just are done in different ways than before. 

We do it cooking, in side walk chalk, we do it orally, we have done it on the computer through games and card games. 

Some days we haven't gotten to school until my husband gets home. 

It has taken me a little bit to mentally adjust to this style we are doing. This season that I am in. It really had me down and truly second guessing myself. But guess what!?!?! My kids are still learning! Bear is READING! She is adding and spelling beautifully. She is doing above her level. BL is above his level. He is showing me some major critical thinking on how he thinks and his math skills are out of this world (scares me how he thinks with math)! He loves history & geography. Everything he can soak in about history he is there and doing it. He is infatuated with our Presidents. We have several books just about our presidents history and their stories before coming president. 

They are getting more real life these day. We have been camping more this summer and that gets LOTS of extra science and life skills in. Picture above Carl and BL are using magnifying glass to start "fire". We only allowed smoke :) 

Carl is coaching both of the kids soccer teams this year! I have never enjoyed anything more than I do watching him coach our kids & nephews. Brings tears just to think about this man and the love I have for him. I just LOVE us!

I have had to go back and remind myself why we are homeschooling the last few months. I have had to remind myself that we are still accomplishing what our goals are. Just in a different way. I had to reevaluate. Which is okay!! I know that our children are still growing in so many ways. I am growing in so many ways! Our marriage is growing right along. So many things are going right! 

They're just TOO cute to not have this to show!

In a couple months we will be out of the up hill we are in for our school. We will reach the top and when we do, it will be quite the sight! I will look back on this segment of our life and praise the Lord that He got us through the not so easy times. 

James 1:1-13

Specifically has spoke to me. I have not questioned God's goodness. But perhaps his wisdom in our homeschool journey. But, God is the one who gave us more children. I know that he is bringing me though this trial (and error) of life right now. Our journey this season has been lots of TRUST. Trusting in each other. Trusting in ourselves. and foremost TRUSTING God! And through all this trials God is giving more wisdom. The last few months I just keep asking God for wisdom and guidance. God has given me acceptance to how our schoolhouse is right now. I still need to be reminded time to time. 

There are purposes for God's trials. 

That purpose is to remind us (me) He is still in control!

Many Blessings To YOU!!!

Wow! Been Awhile. Lots of new things happening.

Just to start off instead of it lingering. We are expecting! We will be meeting a little girl in February! This will be gift number five for us!

We have really start to prepare for this one quick. 

She will be here within a blink of an eye! Lots of holiday's coming up and this time of year just goes by quick naturally.  

With three in diapers, we have decided to take a hand at cloth diapering. I am excited to get my stock together starting. 

Homeschool has been a new learning experience in our home. With two one year old in the house we have had to work more at school and schedule. I say schedule..but I truly mean NO schedule. While they are napping that's when we get most of the schooling done. Some days we wait till dad gets home to finish up some of the things that needs more emphasis. 

Speaking of dad...he is now working for a different company here in our town. He got into a really big wreck in May.

His breaks failed and slammed right into another semi. Praise the Lord that he was alive and okay!

Other than several internal bruises and external scrapes he was able to (almost) walk away. The paramedics of course didn't allow that. With few weeks of physical therapy he was back on his feet. After the wreck, he knew how hard it would be to continue to drive the semi. 

God truly works in some crazy mysterious ways! With this wreck opened a door to a local company. A local company that's values are so close to ours. He has really enjoyed the move and job change. 

The last several months my heart has been heavy. Heavy with the mercy that God showed with my husbands wreck. Heavy with our decision of homeschooling still. Heavy with job change and the finical side that always brings. Heavy with the new arrival coming. 

In all those things and many many more, I have been overwhelmed. I get overwhelmed easily. 

In anytime that I feel this way, this verse is thrown in my direction. It is one of my favorites. I also have to listen to the Ricky Skaggs song Lead Me to the Rock. 

Many Blessings To YOU!!! 

Mercy

We are finding the area and perimeter of our gingerbread men! The best part for them I assume, was eating the marshmallows after measuring! I did learn my lesson today. Do our workbooks BEFORE the fun part and eating marshmallows.....

Cinderella, as she is being referred to these day even enjoyed it! She now knows how to measure the perimeter and area of ANYTHING! 

Finding the area. Once again. Do the school workbooks BEFORE measuring with marshmallows. Hard to get the rest of the work done after all the fun part!

We have been doing the Adventure in Odyssey's: Whits End Mealtime Devotions for a few weeks now. We have really enjoyed this book and our meal time talk! It starts off with a mealtime prayer. Gives you a new fresh way to bless our food. So they learn that they can pray for other things other than mommy and daddy and the food. Then moves into the Appetizer course of the devotion. This has a fun question or activity. One of the first lessons we did the appetizer was to put a bowl of ice-cream in the middle of the table. Then it just sit there until the end of the devotion. Next is the Main Course. This usually used an object lesson or a just thinking idea. After the Main Course is our Table Talk. Carl will ask the questions to help with an interesting discussions of our devotion. The ice-cream that was put in the middle of the table turned to showing that it wasn't everlasting and that God is everlasting. We have really enjoyed our mealtime devotions. It seems that it is easier to get that in during dinner since we are all automatically at the table together!

One mission that has been on my heart along with my family's heart is Mercy Ships. If you have not looked up this mission organization you MUST!! This is a ship that serves as a hospital!!! The ship delivers hope to those around the globe that is in a dire need of medical attention. Mercy Ships have delivered more than a billion dollars worth of medical attention for FREE to those people that their country does not provide access for their medical needs. 

The ship provides eye surgery, dental care, and life transformation surgeries. The surgeries go from birth defects, tumors, and neglected trauma. Along with the attention they give to the people they are also training their own people to tend to medical needs. Along with the surgeries they are providing orthopedic care and physical therapy. They also tend to women's health along with addressing mental health issues. I just absolutely  LOVE what this ship is doing for the people! There are several ways to give to them. You can pick where your money goes or just make a blank donation.

Many Blessings To YOU!!!

Beginning to Look like Christmas!

Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!! I know we did!!

This weekend our downtown had their annual Lights up the Plains and the kids had a blast!! I love our downtown! They do so many fun things! The weather was great (did get chilly towards the end). 

Sorry for the phone pictures. I love seeing all the lights and the people that we run into! This was the first year that we had a parade downtown during this time! 

Over view of the large light tree they had on the courthouse lawn.

Ended the evening with fireworks! Can't get any better than that!!! Pretty sure that the display was better than our 4th of July display we had! One year we watched the fireworks while it was snowing. Super neat experience!! 

Made a wreath for the front door this last weekend. 

Window display of snowballs! This was a super fun thing to make!! I wanted it to fill the window all the way down. However, the babies wouldn't leave them alone and I would have cotton all over the place! 

This is our traditional non-traditional tree. When I was growing up living at home my mom never had the traditional Christmas tree. I am letting that live on with my kids as well! Last year we had a tomato planter and turned upside down and tightly wrapped it with lights. This year I opted for a tree that the babies couldn't pull over or mess with. It's string art on the wall! 

We are also doing the Jesse Tree. If you don't know what the Jesse Tree is, represents the genealogy of Jesus. It tells the story of God's salvation plan beginning with creation and going through the Old Testament to the coming of the Messiah in the New Testament. The name comes from Isaiah 11:1, "Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and branch from his roots will bear fruit." 

We are using this to celebrate Advent this year. Each of the ornaments represent a foretelling of Christ. And uses scripture for each day.

I still have more decorating to do!! Next week we are starting our gingerbread unit!! 

Many Blessings To YOU!!!!

Hello Personalities!!

We started our day off with some airplane building/decorating.  Some days when she wakes up ready to create those sometimes are our scary/hard days...so far (knock on wood) has not been one of those days!! Besides she thinks she is now the WORLDS STRONGEST GIRL because she can pick up an airplane. 

After breakfast I thought I could possibly get a picture or two of the  babies. I was pretty much wrong. They are too much on the move and go go go to sit for a picture. Last night I laid down in bed and was just in awe that in 2 months they will be a year old. I am assuming having double is why the year has gone by so quick along with just the nature of my aging. Here are a few from the morning that I could snap that wasn't a complete blur! 

He is one silly silly boy! I love seeing their personalities unfold. Just as soon as I think I have them figured out, they totally change on me! I swore he would be like his older brother. Calm, sensitive, in tune to everyone around him and she would be our rowdy, loud, and and not so in tune to anyone around her. I do believe that what I thought a few months ago is changing! He is a flirt. He is funny. He is messy. He even has an ornery face already. She is calm with a bit of a wild streak. She is sensitive to her surroundings.  Active yet keeps it together. 

I love watching our kids grow and change. I love how different they are yet we have the same goal. 

Today is our last school day of the week. It's our unit test days in all our subjects! 

We ended our day with reading The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks book. And then did a guided drawing. 

The guided drawing..was not really her speed. More his speed. After it was all said and over with we had a pilgrim girl and boy with a turkey. I found the instructions on a blog I found (which I can't find the link to now). If I find the link I will add it to the post later. 

Such a great week we have had and will continue our Thanksgiving learning next week!

Many Blessings To YOU!!!

Turkey, Intestines, and Homeschool

He is such a great brother. Feeding sister while I was getting breakfast together for the big kids. This picture just melted my heart and couldn't pass sharing! I love how my kids get a long most (all) the time. The genuine friendship and love they have for each other is the exact reasoning for why we homeschool. That bond! The bond that our family of 6 comes before anyone else. The desire to do and choose our siblings and parents/spouses over anyone else. 

As we got our day started we of course did our normal calendar time and then read the Thanksgiving story WITH sound effects!! It was SO much fun! The kids cannot wait till their dad comes home so we can read it to him! 

In Science he is learning all about the body. This week has been about the digestive system. Super excited for him when he was able to draw the system and label. Including adding what the lengths are on each of the parts. He was pretty amazed with how long the short intestines were. We have also been watching The Magic School Bus: Human Body.

I mentioned we were in the middle of a curriculum change. So, far I have felt that we are getting what we need in all our areas. 

I have had a few friends ask me about homeschooling and how we afford it and what made us finally take the LEAP! The more and more I read and learn about our government and education, I just am so glad we are not having to go through all that. There are far more positive things that has came from our homeschooling experience and will continue to come to off set the financial sacrifice. That in an of its sell should not be a blockage in your road for NOT doing homeschool. Along with all the wonderful one on one actives my children are getting and extra love and attention, they are also measuring up ahead of those in public school. 

Just throwing out a few things that has been asked of me. Along with keeping our kids on the same grade level (which we don't) as the rest of their peers, socialization (which don't get me going there), and many more. I love answering question about why we homeschool and the reasons for it. I have a passion for education. I always have. Just never thought that THIS is how God would have used that passion and teaching tools he has equipped me with. 

Many Blessings To YOU!!!

Plymouth Rock

We love counting down in our family! We are counting down our days till Thanksgiving. While we count down, we are doing Thanksgiving things daily. Yes, I know, I know, I haven't blogged in forever. We have been in the middle of a curriculum change and teething babes. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Not because of all the sales and hype of shopping the day of and after. I don't participate in ANY of those "festivities". I will go as far to say I will never (my momma always told me not to use the word always and never). Well, I'm using it. I love Thanksgiving for the simple and constant reminders of the daily routines of being thankful. I love being with family. Face it, I love thanksgiving food too. 

Kids are watching a video about Plymouth Rock. 

Normally the babies are sleeping during our school in the morning. Today, they chose to participate in some. 

He decided school was boring and was going to take me up on the now afternoon nap! He of course had to finish his cheerios first and milk! He loves food!

This superstar is READING!!! I helped her read through the story only once and she was a professional from there after!! I am so pleased with her progresses!

The month of November the kids have been working on the "We are Thankful for:" tree. I am just amazed at some of the things they are thankful for. Some of the simple things in life such as their beds, backyard fort, all to serving a mighty God, military service men and women, and even our president. We have so much to be thankful for and I am anxiously waiting or what they will say for the rest of the month.

  

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

1 Chronicles 17:6

"give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Not only should we be thankful just the month of November. I am often reminded through my children we are to be thankful IN all and FOR all that Christ has done for me. 

The babies are now just over 42 weeks old. I Just cannot even fathom that we are THIS close to one year mark! Itty Bitty has 6 teeth now and Bubbers has 4 now. So, when I said they were teething, I meant it!! They are working on a couple more I think. I love watching and hearing them interact. 

Hoping to share a few things I'm thankful for in a blog soon.

Many Blessings To YOU!!!

Veterans Day

Started our day with a little review of English for this guy. (Don't mind the the snot rag. We are a family with lots of outdoor allergies, and waiting for the first good freeze!)

We have been doing different types of Science and History/Geography this year. Haven't really been pleased with any of it. We are now trying Alpha Omega's LifePac. He LOVES History, so I am really hoping that this really keys in for him.

One thing this girl does not like in school. Copy work....The only struggle we ever have. 

Finished work leads to ART!! I knew it would take her a little longer to cut than her brother, so she started her art before he did. 

We watched a short video about Veterans Day. 

Along with the video, I had a little history sheet that I read and he answered questions over what I read. Which the sheet and the video went together very nicely!! 

Onto our art project for the day. We made poppy's. They (I mean BL because Bear was so far gone from our school day by this time) now know why the poppy is worn at this day. My family are hockey fans. No, not just fans...MAJOR fans and the Canadians all are wearing their poppy flowers the last two weeks. So, we have been talking about them already.  

I love that the kids are into art and doing art. I don't know what I would do they didn't like to do art. This momma likes to do art!! 

Their finished poppy art! I love them!! I think I will frame these!! They were supper simple and fun. The kids (7 and 4) were able to do every part unaided.

Ending with this. My granddad (Big Papa). He was in the US Air Force. Our school is named after him and our youngest is named after him as well! I am so grateful for him and  the men and women of the past, present, and future that are serving our country. It wasn't until recent years that I realized that serving in the military isn't just a normal typical job. Takes sacrifice from the person serving in an unselfish way. I just am overwhelmed with appreciation for those who have fought for ME. Here is a huge THANK YOU!!!!

Many Blessings To YOU!!!