On Saturday we'll be celebrating my parents 50th year of marriage. I am so thankful that on March 15th, I began to prepare for this moment, even before that I had an idea of what I would do. Thanks to facebook, I remembered a few things from my childhood and gathered together paints to put a picture together. It isn't finished but it's completed enough to make a story. Their real anniversary isn't until July 4th, so I have time.
I went back to my parents to gather photos, to put together a slide show. We'll be doing a photo finish of all the things we need to complete before leaving for this party. It was a strange moment in which memories apear. Things you haven't thought about for decades suddenly come back to you, or not. Preparing and looking at the past and the present is amazing.
People, places, and things are all built up into this moment of time and suddenly you realize the impact of a faithful marriage together. All the God moments, the people who play a part into the lives of two people, and the lives they touch. It's inspirational to those of us who are married to continue and a bit daunting to realize some of us won't ever make it this far in life for one reason or another. It's a huge accomplishment. Suddenly all the degrees, and studying and accomplishments in life don't seem to have as much meaning as being faithful and loving one person for this long. Suddenly till death do us part has a stronger meaning and something to look at.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Choices by My Second Child, Daughter #2
I teared up reading this. http://imightneedanap.com/2013/04/19/prom-night/ I can only remember the year my sister skipped her Junior year od High School and fast forward into her senior year. It all worked out for her, for me I took a step back in life and watched my brother's Junior year of High School happen, then we would part ways for at least 9 months out of the year. I also would be able to have another year with my oldest brother attending the same college together.
I'm thankful that my daughter has another year to grow up and move on in life, her senior year holds so much indefinite things and things I wanted her to already of done and then I think she could easily be a sophomore this year if I had my way when she was younger, she wanted to go forward, and now she seems to be turning her head back looking at a younger brother that she is already missing in some ways.
My daughter, I watch in amazement as she can memorize pages and pages of lines for a play, Bible Quizzing, spelling words that bore her so she doesn't memorize them, nor see the beauty in being able to write with words that add color and description to the moment. Once upon a time she wrote creative stories, when she didn't have others to look at. Perhaps putting her in an accredited school caused her to lose some things but I hope she looks back and smiles at her high school years.
My kids life is much like mine was when I was a child, but different as we no longer have orders telling us to move. My husband and I have made choices that have caused their lives to be a certain way, we have also permitted them to make choices as to what they want for their childhood/young adulthood. We have financed school choices, learning opportunities. Encouraged church life, or discouraged it in my case.
For the most part my Junior in Highschool has soared in what she wants in life, and she will continue. I hope she doesn't miss things along the way as she pursues her wants, and I say slow down, life happens so quickly. Step back, don't grow up so quickly, or think you have. There are so many choices to still be made, make the one you want, but make sure your heart is in the right place. Make sure you've listened to me, yeah I know that seems like a stupid idea to you. Look back on your Junior year as the year I didn't listen to my Mother, but then I did what she said anyway. My strong willed daughter, whew we have and will continue to have these days. Slow down for a moment.
The page has turned once again and I smile as you regain a relationship with that younger brother, the one you had seemed to forgotten but realize your stepping forward but stepping back. It's not easy being the kid in the middle, the oldest or the youngest but somehow this year my three teens are growing wings and soaring and realizing that having siblings is a gift to cherish. Not like my husband and I planned this we were just following orders in the beginning and somehow along the way our freedom was handed to us to do what we wanted in life. Who knew it would be 5 children each so different with challenges, joys, and abilities. I'm exhausted as the Mom trying to keep up with them. No education could prepare me for this, but it helped.
Now what to do next year?? Choices coming up.
I'm thankful that my daughter has another year to grow up and move on in life, her senior year holds so much indefinite things and things I wanted her to already of done and then I think she could easily be a sophomore this year if I had my way when she was younger, she wanted to go forward, and now she seems to be turning her head back looking at a younger brother that she is already missing in some ways.
My daughter, I watch in amazement as she can memorize pages and pages of lines for a play, Bible Quizzing, spelling words that bore her so she doesn't memorize them, nor see the beauty in being able to write with words that add color and description to the moment. Once upon a time she wrote creative stories, when she didn't have others to look at. Perhaps putting her in an accredited school caused her to lose some things but I hope she looks back and smiles at her high school years.
My kids life is much like mine was when I was a child, but different as we no longer have orders telling us to move. My husband and I have made choices that have caused their lives to be a certain way, we have also permitted them to make choices as to what they want for their childhood/young adulthood. We have financed school choices, learning opportunities. Encouraged church life, or discouraged it in my case.
For the most part my Junior in Highschool has soared in what she wants in life, and she will continue. I hope she doesn't miss things along the way as she pursues her wants, and I say slow down, life happens so quickly. Step back, don't grow up so quickly, or think you have. There are so many choices to still be made, make the one you want, but make sure your heart is in the right place. Make sure you've listened to me, yeah I know that seems like a stupid idea to you. Look back on your Junior year as the year I didn't listen to my Mother, but then I did what she said anyway. My strong willed daughter, whew we have and will continue to have these days. Slow down for a moment.
The page has turned once again and I smile as you regain a relationship with that younger brother, the one you had seemed to forgotten but realize your stepping forward but stepping back. It's not easy being the kid in the middle, the oldest or the youngest but somehow this year my three teens are growing wings and soaring and realizing that having siblings is a gift to cherish. Not like my husband and I planned this we were just following orders in the beginning and somehow along the way our freedom was handed to us to do what we wanted in life. Who knew it would be 5 children each so different with challenges, joys, and abilities. I'm exhausted as the Mom trying to keep up with them. No education could prepare me for this, but it helped.
Now what to do next year?? Choices coming up.
Friday, April 19, 2013
My Life's Journey
Wow, April 2013 could you be any busier?? I am sure you could. I'm taking a time out to stop and smell the roses. Okay the turtles, time to clean their cage, but I have a second in between cleaning their living space and going to an eye appointment.
I have so enjoyed this month. Went to Tennessee with Sweet Georgia Sounds. Turned out it is part of a group of 40,000 people who are part of Sweet Adelines. Not sure how this all works but know it's been fun.
Second weekend I went to North Carolina to Ridgecrest. Enjoying the new church I am part of but not a member (I am part of the church and this is what matters.) Joining churches is a strange thing and I am learning about what all that is about. For now the Alliance church is the one I am enjoying the most and spend my time, energy, and some money....spreading it around a bit because my life is not about one place. Still the nomad traveling and figuring out but know this world is not my home.
3rd weekend coming up and so happy for once to be in my own little piece of land called home. Pounding another stake in the tent area soon. 5 years and counting!!!
I have so enjoyed this month. Went to Tennessee with Sweet Georgia Sounds. Turned out it is part of a group of 40,000 people who are part of Sweet Adelines. Not sure how this all works but know it's been fun.
Second weekend I went to North Carolina to Ridgecrest. Enjoying the new church I am part of but not a member (I am part of the church and this is what matters.) Joining churches is a strange thing and I am learning about what all that is about. For now the Alliance church is the one I am enjoying the most and spend my time, energy, and some money....spreading it around a bit because my life is not about one place. Still the nomad traveling and figuring out but know this world is not my home.
3rd weekend coming up and so happy for once to be in my own little piece of land called home. Pounding another stake in the tent area soon. 5 years and counting!!!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
The Bible as a Book
Recently I was basically bashed for quoting the Bible. It seems people can no longer use this in a reason why people are the way they are. It's words are thrown out as the wrong way to live. As to where an idea came in the first place when it is the Bible the person becomes the thing to retaliate at ..... well anything the Bible says.
Now yes, I believe what the Bible says is truth. I don't assume other do, but to prove a point of direction where beliefs come from the belief that homosexuality is wrong comes from the Bible. You can't change that. It's clear, it's written. This is where people take the belief that homosexuality is wrong. They found it in the Bible.
The Bible is also where other things are found....The 10 Commandments were said in this discussion to be 'the big ones'.....oh brother I thought, as my brain tried and did have flashbacks about what I had been taught about why the law was written in the first place....was it that all have sinned or what was it....I'll have to ask on Sunday night. Its about the Law or maybe I'll look it up...
Well take this passage:
Now yes, I believe what the Bible says is truth. I don't assume other do, but to prove a point of direction where beliefs come from the belief that homosexuality is wrong comes from the Bible. You can't change that. It's clear, it's written. This is where people take the belief that homosexuality is wrong. They found it in the Bible.
The Bible is also where other things are found....The 10 Commandments were said in this discussion to be 'the big ones'.....oh brother I thought, as my brain tried and did have flashbacks about what I had been taught about why the law was written in the first place....was it that all have sinned or what was it....I'll have to ask on Sunday night. Its about the Law or maybe I'll look it up...
Well take this passage:
Galatians 5:17-19
King James Version (KJV)
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Vs. 18 explains it to me....but it was a longer sermon series or a Bible study.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Vs. 18 explains it to me....but it was a longer sermon series or a Bible study.
Friday, February 22, 2013
What Type of Homeschooler Am I?
I can't believe I've been at this journey for 18 years. It all began when my oldest was sick in first grade. I pulled her out and of course she was doing Abeka. Abeka was what I was raised on 6th-9th grade (along with Bob Jones) So of course when I found a private school that was affordable I put her in. A quick look at Abeka and I realized it was still boring....so I began to read to my two little girls while my baby grew up.
I read Little House on the Prairie, American girl Books and had my daughter do some of her Abeka work. She breezed through first grade. We got involved with girl scouts and other homeschoolers. Found a homeschool group and joined, found a care group and joined.
Second grade I ordered Sonlight, AWESOME. I learned so much this year, I put her in co-op and enjoyed this year so much. Reading the books was great but she had problems writing and reading wasn't going as smoothly as I thought. Dyslexia, yep but her auditory learning was incredible so I focused on her strengths and read, read, read. And these little girls learned. Kindergarten for Sarah and second grade for Sarah.
Third Grade and first grade, oh it's becoming a blur, what did we do that year. I can't really recall.
Forth grade and 2nd grade I believe we tried Bob Jones and the horrible try and catch the class on tape, or was this the year we did SOS...again life is a blur from so long ago. I know we did an amazing co-op downtown where Marci taught Karen simple machines with Knex and Common sense press. Meet the Masters was done for art. And a fantastic class on Africa was done.
We also did a co-op at West Acres and my daughter Sarah began to read, it was so much easier with her. I taught a reading class but learned PLAYS were the easiest way to teach kids. They had to pay attention to what was being read in order to come in on time. This kept the kids focused on not only their words but also their friends. My daughter loved this class. My baby now four years old....and this must be the year I also had a forth son.
Fifth, Third, Kindergarten, and toddlerhood.... oh it's a blur this was the year we attempted Bob Jones. I felt overwhelmed. I also didn't enjoy it. I stopped and went to Prairie Primer (maybe I had started that the year before.) It was wonderful and what I needed. Numerous field trips, we explored the world.
6th, 4th, 1st, and pre-school....yep not a clue, I know we schooled I can't remember if we were moving this year but I think that happened when my oldest was in 7th....
Florida: 7th, 5th, 2nd, and pre-k what a year!! Joined Sea World, joined the Aquarium and had a blast. F.I.S.H was the best homeschool group I had ever joined and we loved it. Sports, co-op classes, graduation recognition for all kids....it was an amazing group. Chess club with the top in the nation teaching my kids how to play chess...basketball for my oldest. A VERITAS co-op of parents teaching classes that lasted 2 hours. It was awesome. We paid the teachers directly and they named the price. We signed up and if their were enough kiddos the class ran. Most kids graduated with their associates degree but I didn't know anyone that didn't have some college finished before their senior year. The kids were also welcome to walk in to the public school take a class and walk out.
8th, 6th, 3rd, Kindergarten: Move to Kathleen....hardest year so far. I hated it. I enrolled the three oldest kids in Veritas classical School but the drive was a killer 45 minutes and their seemed to be one thing after another that went wrong. Price of gas went up to $4.00 a gallon. The tires went flat thanks to some guy dropping his tool box on the high way...I stopped after 6 weeks. Our house in Florida was also not selling. The girls were older and I sent them to public school where they lasted a few days before the 6th grader begged to be homeschooled again. She hates cursing to this day. The 8th grader loved it for about 10 days and then just found it so stupid she wanted to learn something so home again. About this time the K12 free public school at home was starting so I had signed up the youngest son, then the 3rd grader.....then all but the oldest.
9th, 7th, 4th, 1st...we moved to Bonaire. And thankfully Veritas Classical School moved to our town also. The oldest attended. the rest K12. co-op and Bible Quizzing, soccer, and busy.
10th, 8th, 5th, 2nd and wham another baby. Stuck the boys in school and homeschooled one tough 8th grader.
11th, 9th, 6th, 3rd...and special needs 1 year old.... Veritas for the oldest two. Classical Conversations, K12 (I attempted to learn and teach the old Essentials book.) My oldest son grew leaps and bounds from his severely dyslexic (I had been told to take him to numerous specialist, Garfield Comics worked for him and he loves to read books now.) Of course co-op continued. A new one room school house for my boys. Both attended and loved it two days a week. Of course this was way to much but we picked and chose what we wanted to do.
12th, 10th, 7th, 4th.... . My two oldest stayed at Veritas and the boys just did the one room school house. We continued with co-op but mostly it was only Bible quizzing.
So here it is this year and my oldest is at college, one is at Veritas, two boys are at Classical Conversations and one son still attends the one room school house. And all three are still doing Bible Quizzing....while I struggle through learning about my youngest and teaching him.
.....So what kind of homeschooler am I? What ever I want to do, it's done. Mostly I enjoy sending my kids places to learn. I enjoy the flexibility of co-ops, people who want to teach for one day a week meeting schools like Classical Conversations, Veritas.....it works somehow. My kids have enjoyed life, they are happy, and important love to learn but this has taken many twist and turns in discovering how to get them to the point. The most expensive lesson with much prayer sending my oldest to Madagascar. It worked and her love of learning returned. I am an unschool, schooler I send them to classes for school but I want them to learn. Not be concerned about grades, but have failed as the second child cares too much. I am a classical learner and my brain is mostly wired for this. I enjoy it the most.
I read Little House on the Prairie, American girl Books and had my daughter do some of her Abeka work. She breezed through first grade. We got involved with girl scouts and other homeschoolers. Found a homeschool group and joined, found a care group and joined.
Second grade I ordered Sonlight, AWESOME. I learned so much this year, I put her in co-op and enjoyed this year so much. Reading the books was great but she had problems writing and reading wasn't going as smoothly as I thought. Dyslexia, yep but her auditory learning was incredible so I focused on her strengths and read, read, read. And these little girls learned. Kindergarten for Sarah and second grade for Sarah.
Third Grade and first grade, oh it's becoming a blur, what did we do that year. I can't really recall.
Forth grade and 2nd grade I believe we tried Bob Jones and the horrible try and catch the class on tape, or was this the year we did SOS...again life is a blur from so long ago. I know we did an amazing co-op downtown where Marci taught Karen simple machines with Knex and Common sense press. Meet the Masters was done for art. And a fantastic class on Africa was done.
We also did a co-op at West Acres and my daughter Sarah began to read, it was so much easier with her. I taught a reading class but learned PLAYS were the easiest way to teach kids. They had to pay attention to what was being read in order to come in on time. This kept the kids focused on not only their words but also their friends. My daughter loved this class. My baby now four years old....and this must be the year I also had a forth son.
Fifth, Third, Kindergarten, and toddlerhood.... oh it's a blur this was the year we attempted Bob Jones. I felt overwhelmed. I also didn't enjoy it. I stopped and went to Prairie Primer (maybe I had started that the year before.) It was wonderful and what I needed. Numerous field trips, we explored the world.
6th, 4th, 1st, and pre-school....yep not a clue, I know we schooled I can't remember if we were moving this year but I think that happened when my oldest was in 7th....
Florida: 7th, 5th, 2nd, and pre-k what a year!! Joined Sea World, joined the Aquarium and had a blast. F.I.S.H was the best homeschool group I had ever joined and we loved it. Sports, co-op classes, graduation recognition for all kids....it was an amazing group. Chess club with the top in the nation teaching my kids how to play chess...basketball for my oldest. A VERITAS co-op of parents teaching classes that lasted 2 hours. It was awesome. We paid the teachers directly and they named the price. We signed up and if their were enough kiddos the class ran. Most kids graduated with their associates degree but I didn't know anyone that didn't have some college finished before their senior year. The kids were also welcome to walk in to the public school take a class and walk out.
8th, 6th, 3rd, Kindergarten: Move to Kathleen....hardest year so far. I hated it. I enrolled the three oldest kids in Veritas classical School but the drive was a killer 45 minutes and their seemed to be one thing after another that went wrong. Price of gas went up to $4.00 a gallon. The tires went flat thanks to some guy dropping his tool box on the high way...I stopped after 6 weeks. Our house in Florida was also not selling. The girls were older and I sent them to public school where they lasted a few days before the 6th grader begged to be homeschooled again. She hates cursing to this day. The 8th grader loved it for about 10 days and then just found it so stupid she wanted to learn something so home again. About this time the K12 free public school at home was starting so I had signed up the youngest son, then the 3rd grader.....then all but the oldest.
9th, 7th, 4th, 1st...we moved to Bonaire. And thankfully Veritas Classical School moved to our town also. The oldest attended. the rest K12. co-op and Bible Quizzing, soccer, and busy.
10th, 8th, 5th, 2nd and wham another baby. Stuck the boys in school and homeschooled one tough 8th grader.
11th, 9th, 6th, 3rd...and special needs 1 year old.... Veritas for the oldest two. Classical Conversations, K12 (I attempted to learn and teach the old Essentials book.) My oldest son grew leaps and bounds from his severely dyslexic (I had been told to take him to numerous specialist, Garfield Comics worked for him and he loves to read books now.) Of course co-op continued. A new one room school house for my boys. Both attended and loved it two days a week. Of course this was way to much but we picked and chose what we wanted to do.
12th, 10th, 7th, 4th.... . My two oldest stayed at Veritas and the boys just did the one room school house. We continued with co-op but mostly it was only Bible quizzing.
So here it is this year and my oldest is at college, one is at Veritas, two boys are at Classical Conversations and one son still attends the one room school house. And all three are still doing Bible Quizzing....while I struggle through learning about my youngest and teaching him.
.....So what kind of homeschooler am I? What ever I want to do, it's done. Mostly I enjoy sending my kids places to learn. I enjoy the flexibility of co-ops, people who want to teach for one day a week meeting schools like Classical Conversations, Veritas.....it works somehow. My kids have enjoyed life, they are happy, and important love to learn but this has taken many twist and turns in discovering how to get them to the point. The most expensive lesson with much prayer sending my oldest to Madagascar. It worked and her love of learning returned. I am an unschool, schooler I send them to classes for school but I want them to learn. Not be concerned about grades, but have failed as the second child cares too much. I am a classical learner and my brain is mostly wired for this. I enjoy it the most.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
BAH HUMBUG!!!
I just feel like life is flying by, and I am kinda down about it. There is no stopping time, it just passes. Oh I feel the time passing and wonder what I do with it. Did I spend it well?
Today I went up in the attic....no there weren't any family heirlooms up there, my house has stuff up there, but nothing to rummage through and feel that homey remember when box. I just felt the need to get one space organized and I did.
Husband is away again and I am alone with the children, the page in life has turned where one is headed to college after the holidays, but still living at home. The rough patches in life.
Today I went up in the attic....no there weren't any family heirlooms up there, my house has stuff up there, but nothing to rummage through and feel that homey remember when box. I just felt the need to get one space organized and I did.
Husband is away again and I am alone with the children, the page in life has turned where one is headed to college after the holidays, but still living at home. The rough patches in life.
Monday, October 8, 2012
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