• Sep. 30, 2008
Our Adventurous September

 My how time flies when life keeps you hoppin'!

We had all but finished cleaning and organizing our house when we got some house guests from Louisiana the end of August. My older sister and my 79 yo Grandma live on the Westbank and were evacuated due to Hurricane Gustav. The Tuesday after they arrived, Sept. 2nd, the day I had planned our first day of school, I ended up spending the day in the emergency room with my Grandma who was dehydrated and had stomach flu on top of recovering from gall bladder surgery the week they evacuated. So my sister stayed with the girls and took care of things here as best she could. She literally spent the day in my shoes with them and implemented the lesson plans-thank God I had them planned out well in advance-to the best of her ability. They planned on leaving the 6th or 7th but ended up staying in lieu of Hurricane Ike on the way and forcasted to hit right where Gustav made landfall. So we watched and watched Ike to see what it would do once it entered the Gulf of Mexico. Eventually it became clear that Ike was headed for Texas but was so BIG that they might as well wait until Ike was done. Grandma and Sis left on the 14th at the girls' bedtime. In all this time we accomplished 3-4 days of actual school. The rest I canned green beans and made zuchinni relish and kept up on the house work as well as visited with Grandma-who we hadn't seen since our honeymoon 5 years ago-and my older sister-who had moved back down south and had been gone for two years.

The morning after Grandma and Sis left I discovered just how tired my preggy body was and didn't get anything done but the bare minimum. We are slowly getting caught back up on our lessons-doing only the Konos activities that will drive home the concepts so we can get back on track and math, english, and phonics. We are just about caught up with Konos but will take a bit more to get caught up with the three R's.

Here it is October already and I am still playing catch up and feeling quite overwhelmed and well, frazzled. In just 2 and 1/2 months we'll be expecting baby Simon to make his debut anytime and we really need to have everything-schooling and house work-complete and ready to go before that. In the midst of my hurried, stressful days our pastor's wife announced a new Bible study she wanted to host at her home called The Frazzled Female. Of course, I jumped on board-feeling led to-feeling I could really benefit from this Bible study. I am having a blast doing this study and letting God work on me and change from the inside out. I am slowly getting control of my life again with God's help and the encouragement of the wonderful ladies in our group.

Our almost 3 1/2 yo is finally potty training! I am so excited! Sad to say but Dad did the other three so #4 DD is the first one that I have been hands on with. We ran out of Pull-Ups so I resorted to the underwear and plastic pants method and it is working really well! She has some accidents-we started last Wednesday-but mostly goes on the potty. One of my "to have done before baby is born" items was to her potty trained fully and she is well on her way.

Guess that's it for now. Hope everyone else is having a great school year so far! Ours has been quite the adventure and it's only been a month since day 1!

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• Aug. 29, 2008
Cleaning and Organizing

We've been busy around here getting our house cleaned and organized all week. We are doing the last two rooms today. Then I should take pics to print and hang so they can remember what the rooms should look like.  I am really excited about the progress we have made so far. My goal is to have the whole house done before we start school on Tuesday-which is fast approaching.

I have salsa to finish making and to can tonight and green beans that need to be snapped, cut and canned as well tonight. We also need to check our garden for produce that is ready. Our acorn squash are starting to get the right size and we more than likely have more zuchinni and yellow squash ready and need to check the green beans as well. We are going to be really busy around here all evening. Tomorrow I am hoping to help DH get outside work caught up. I can use the riding mower and he can weed eat. The girls can pick up toys, etc. off the ground. I see a long, long nap in my future somewhere this weekend. Sunday and Monday sound like good days!

Well, back to the rooms that need to get finished and then on to washing jars and canning.  

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• Aug. 21, 2008
Making Progress...A Little at a Time

 So far my planning is going well. I have through mid-March planned out. I have our tentavive school schedule planned-which I have no doubt will need tweaking as we work through our first week or so back. I have our books ordered from the library for our first two weeks of lessons as well.

 Preggy number 6 is going okay. I am just now starting to have heartburn. I am beginning to feel baby move a bit. Being preggy with a boy has been different in some ways that I never experienced with the girls. In the beginning there were migraines and lightheadedness. Those are gone and have been replaced with extreme cranky mood swings. My poor family.

 I am going to our HS group's first mom's night out of the year tonight!  I am looking forward to it so much. I even made some Granola Fruit Bars to bring along.

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• Aug. 12, 2008
Exciting news to share..

We recently found out that we are having a BOY!! After all girls, it was quite a shock! We are so thankful to God for such a blessing though! Now, if we can just settle on a name for this little one...

Our garden is finally producing in bits and pieces-we got ours out later than expected. We are getting green beans, yellow squash, crookneck squash, zuchinni, cucumbers, and jalapenos. Our corn should be ready in a few weeks, as well as the tomatoes.

I am still working on our school planning. I am trying to combine some MOTH scheduling tips along with the suggested schedule for Konos in the Konos manual to simplify the year and have a plan in place for each day. I am going to purchase some portable timers for the girls to help us keep track of time for each lesson. Brooke is pretty much self directed-all I have to do is provide her with ample direction for her morning lessons. Crystal and Megan will move from one thing to the other at the same time. Samantha and Rachael will move from one activity to the next together as well. I am finding it more and more necessary to plan and schedule things as our "little" family continues to grow. I have become far to lax this summer though and am afraid I will pay for it later on when we begin our school year. I have planned to start school on September 2nd and do five day weeks this year.

Well, I need to get back to my "To Do List." Until next time..thanks for stopping by!

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• Jul. 29, 2008
That Time of Year For Me Again

Planning for the new school year is full swing for me right now. Since I am expecting to deliver in December I am just going to plan the complete year out in advance. I usually do this anyway but it is more necessary for second half of the school year since we will have a new baby.

I found a great resource for free e-books. The link is http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page . I was able to download McGuffey's Eclectic Primer (for beginning readers-which I wanted to purchase but downloaded for free). I am using this with my 6 yo DD right now. We started on it today and she really loves it and so do I! She is already reading the first lesson by herself and can spell some of the words from memory!They also have the McGuffey's readers and the Spelling book and so much more! Go check it out sometime!

We will be doing Konos Volume 3-States and Regions/Civil War unit. It is a 16 week unit. I hope to be able to keep it going! We will be finished right about the time we break for Christmas and the new baby. We will continue with the Saxon Math and Shurley English programs as well.

I really cannot wait to get in full swing but DH is planning a possible trip to Holiday World next month so I am waiting for a definite yes or no and a date before we get started.

Well I'm off into my little world of laundry for a while!

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• Jul. 8, 2008
Where does the time go?

Here it is the beginning of July already! I have not been online as much as I would like but life is so busy. I am currently 14 weeks pregnant. This pregnancy is quite a bit different than the others. I get headaches with this one. I never had them with the other ones.

We put out a garden with my mother-in-law this summer. It is really big-I am guessing a little under an acre. We will be quite busy with the upkeep on it. But I enjoy it. We have the rows far enough apart to till the weeds up in between the rows so there is less to do by hand. It will be nice once it begins producing.

Dh and I have been out on the motorcycle a few times now. It is something we enjoy doing together now. It is also something we have to make time for. It is time well spent though.

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• Jun. 9, 2008
I Am So Blessed

I was at Wal-Mart last night and saw an old teacher of mine. I stopped and talked to him for a few minutes. It has been 10 years since I have seen him. We caught up on how life has turned out for me. I have husband who loves me and my older two as his own...we've had three more children together and one on the way...went to college for Early Childhood Education...I am now a stay at home mom and I homeschool all the children. He reminded me of how much of a blessing it is to be able to do so-to be home with my children and teach them at home-to watch them grow up and learn new things.

While this lifestyle is a challenge and I pull my hair out at times, it is such a blessing that I shouldn't take for granted!

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• May. 23, 2008
I did something I never pictured myself doing yesterday!

My DH bought a motorcycle this week. I wasn't completely on board with the idea of getting one when I know the money he used could've been used for other things. I have to look at like this though. He has always provided everything we needed or that I have asked for without much in return so getting a motorcycle for him after years of meeting his family's needs only seemed fair.

Well, yesterday, my MIL watched the girls while DH and I went riding on the motorcycle. I never would have pictured myself on the back of one but I have to admit it was fun! That was the first time in months that we had gone off completely by ourselves. I did enjoy every minute of it! Hoping to go again soon since I won't be able to go riding much longer. There will come a point where my pregnant belly will prevent it! LOL

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• May. 19, 2008
Exciting News to Share

This weekend, my husband and I celebrated our anniversary. We couldn't get out and go anywhere so we spent time together hanging out in our bedroom catching up on our favorite tv shows.

The more exciting news around here is that we are expecting number 6. My estimates put us due December 21. I will have the doctor confirm next month how far I am and the due date.

So far I have only had nausea and acid reflux and some tiredness. Not too bad. Could be a lot worse.

I had better get off here and get some things done around the house.

Happy Monday!!

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• May. 7, 2008
Wordless Wednesday/Bumper Stickers

The sticker my husband would like to put on our 15 passenger van:

here are some more:

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• May. 6, 2008
For us Tired Moms

I am feeling tired right now so I thought I'd post some links for tired moms! Have fun with them!

www.apparenting.com/what_would_you_suggest_to_this_tired_mom.html

www.funnymom.ivillage.com/parenting/2007/07/another_tired_mom_story.html

www.mom-defrazzler.com/

www.squidoo.com/tiredmom

www.fatiguebegone.com/tiredmomquiz.htm

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• May. 5, 2008
Meaningful Monday

Okay, so I have been slacking again with blogging. I have been really busy around here the past week and haven't really had time to sit and type anything out.

I wanted to share today about an epiphany I had Friday morning. It was a nice morning and not to cold outside so I decided to walk around our property for a little while before the kids woke up. I had time to really hear myself think. I realized how awful I had been to my children all week and how often I didn't spend time in prayer. I am such a busy mom that I-and I hate to admit it-don't always spend time with God and in the Word. I have become such a Martha lately, always thinking about all that I need to get done, who to delegate what task to, fixing meals, etc. I didn't take the time to follow Mary's example and spend time with the Lord in Word and in prayer. I really missed out on a blessing last week. I tried to accomplish everything in my own strength when I know that this body can only do so much when I am not focusing on my Lord.

So, this week I am setting a goal to make time for Him each day--even if I have to get up super early to do it.

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• Apr. 24, 2008
Update on our week

Tuesday my oldest and I cleaned and organized and put together the room she and DD #5 are sharing and did some laundry.

Wednesday I did some laundry and caught up the kitchen work. We had Awana that evening so I didn't get much accomplished.

Today, I dismantled the crib and took it outside for DH to diapose of. I also hauled out some of our storage tubs to be put in the our storage building. DD #5 was in charge of cleaning the floor in the multipurpose room while I was doing laundry ( still doing laundry right now-it is amazing how much dirty laundry little girls can accumulate in just three weeks in their bedroom).

Tomorrow I will hopefully finish the multipurpose room ( which houses our computer, our school things, and the shelves known as our pantry). I would also like to get the Mount Laundry completely finished. LOL I am thankful for the nicer weather that has enabled me to make use of our clothes lines. I actually enjoy hanging clothes on the line and taking them down. It is the one job I don't feel like delegating!

I am wondering where all this energy is coming from-not complaining though as it will probably be awhile before I am able to just concentrate on the house.

Need to get going-dinner dishes are waiting!

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• Apr. 21, 2008
Monday Madness

 I don't have much time to post today. We are in the process of some major rearranging and housecleaning right now. So far we have moved the girls things--everything--downstairs and moved mine and DH's things upstairs. We still need to take down the crib in the other downstairs room and clean and organize that room and put bed, etc. in for my oldest DD who will be sharing with DD #5. DDs 2, 3, and 4 are sharing the other downstairs room. All of this so DH and I can  can be more aware of what is going on. Will be cleaning up computer/school/multipurpose room and doing laundry most of the day tomorrow. It really has been madness around here today! I cannot wait to have everything in place and get back to doing school again. Have a great evening all! I'm going to get back at it!

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• Apr. 18, 2008
I have been..

I've been taking a break from blogging this week. Hopefully I will be back at it next week! Hope everyone had a great week!

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• Apr. 12, 2008
HSB Front Porch contest

The HSB Front Porch is having a contest and you can win a $50 gift certificate just for blogging about The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Spring Promo before midnight April 30, 2008. Subscribe now to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and receive 25 BONUS gifts valued at over $550! The Winter Promo sold out, don't miss out on the free gifts this time!

They are also giving away a $150 gift certificate to the Schoolhouse Store. All print subscribers (new or renewing) between April 3 - 30, 2008 will be automatically entered into a drawing. No purchase neccessary to win. To enter without subscribing, please send a postcard with your name, address, telephone number, and email address to:
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Spring Promo Contest
PO BOX 8426
Gray, TN  37615

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• Apr. 11, 2008
Faithful Friday/ The Easy Button

I am sure we are all familiar with the Staples easy button commercial. Do you ever wonder what it would be like to have one that really worked? What would your easy button do for you? Laundry? Dishes? Sleep in? Clean up after sick children? Break up sibling arguments before they become blood baths?

 I often-too often-let myself wonder what life would be like if I only had X number of kids or X amount of work to be done in a day. The reality of it all is that right now, I have five daughters-whom I love deeply-and only have so much time in a day to do all that I can before the sun goes down. I often do not complete everything on my "to do" list.

 There is another "button", if you will, that can help us in this busy life. Not so much a button though. Does the name Jesus Christ sound familiar? He did so much for us in the 33 years that He walked this earth. His gift to us is salvation. With that salvation comes peace, hope, joy and so much more. While life still isn't a smooth ride, with Christ I have assurance that whatever I do in His name will not be in vain. So while I may not always complete everything that I set out to in a day, I can know that I have done all that He has set out for me to accomplish in a day. He is my "easy button".

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• Apr. 11, 2008
Thankful Thursday/Mom's ALL Night Out

Our homeschool group has a Mom's night out at least once a month. This month it is a Mom's ALL Night Out at another mom's home. I am really excited about this opportunity to really get to know the other moms better and to pick their brains and share together.

What about the girls, one might ask, who will watch them? Dad will of course! For all that I do in a month, I only ask for one night out of every month to get together with other moms of like mind. It is my "me" time, if you will. I always come home encouraged from these events and refreshed as well.

I am thankful for the times I am able to refresh, renew, and refocus on the most important things in life.

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• Apr. 9, 2008
Wordless Wednesday

Hands on learning at its best.

"Give me some!"

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• Apr. 9, 2008
Tuesday's Thoughts/10 Keys to Homeschool Success

I received this article in an e-mail and thought I would share it. It serves as a reminder of the goals I have set as a homeschool wife and mother.

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