So it's pretty much a waiting game now. Not if but when will the power go out. I've gathered up all my flashlights and candles. We bought our lunchmeat, bread and enough Coke to last us awhile. Carbonated beverages trump milk in my book.
And so we wait.
The sound of it hitting the windows is getting old already - 2 hours into it.
Chris is at work. He wouldn't listen to me and stay home. He won't be home until 6 am. Hopefully sooner. I would be a lot more calm if he was here with us. Not gonna lie.
And this week, of all weeks, I'm dog-sitting for our neighbor. They're on a cruise. I hope they get sea-sick. Not really, just kiddng. Okay, maybe a little. And all I have is their garage door opener. So, what happens if the garage door is frozen... or the elecricity goes out... sigh.
The kids, I think, are a bit excited about the "idea" of it at this point. Let's see how they feel after a day of no power. I remember going through an ice-storm when I was about 12 and being without power for about a week. It was not fun. I think I re-read the whole Little House series.
So, I'm hoping that I'm just being overly cautious about all this. And tomorrow, or whenever, I can post again and laugh about how nervous I was. I'm crossing my fingers....
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Where were you??
When I logged onto my internet home page today, the main headline was about the Challenger crash that happened on January 28, 1986. It always takes me back to where I was that day.
I was sick, and was at home for the day from school. I was watching some silly game show(back when there were only 6 channels to chose from) when Dan Rather cut in to tell us the awful news. Even at that young age I knew it was something horrible and beyond my young mind's comprehension. We had been studying about this flight in school. This was the first time NASA had trained a teacher, Christa McAuliffe, to be an astronaut. I went to tell my mom and together we sat on the couch and watched the tragedy. You just don't forget days like that.
I'm sure everyone has days that stick out in your mind. The JFK assassination, 9/11 or countless others. Where you were when you received that phone call, found out some important news, saw someone for the first or last time. Maybe you can even remember what the weather was like or what you were wearing. I can even remember smells. Yes, a little strange I would admit. The mind is a funny thing. And associations of the mind are a strong thing.
It was a June afternoon, I was fixing a salad for dinner and Chris was outside with the kids. I received a call from my brother that something was really wrong with my dad and I should come down to the hospital right away. He didn't know anything and couldn't give me any details. I rushed out and was sitting at the intersection of Holt Road and Washington Street when a feeling came over me that there was no reason to rush anymore... he was already gone. And I would soon find out it was true. I think about that every time I go through that intersection.
Ryan was always my baby who woke up early. So it was just us on the couch early on the morning of September 11, 2001. We were watching the news and saw it all happen. I've never been so confused and scared. I didn't know what to do but hold my baby boy and wonder what this world had come to. I will never forget sharing that moment with him.
And still to this day I have a strong aversion to Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds perfume. I was already experiencing morning sickness and a weak stomach with my second pregnancy. So it didn't help that the ultra-sound tech was wearing an enormous amount of that particular perfume when she did my ultra-sound to confirm my due-date. I was only about 6 weeks along. But an added bonus was when she told me I was having twins! I was by myself (Chris was working) and I started crying. What?!?! There was no way!!! What I see now was good news... was a little hard to handle that first few minutes. They even offered to call someone for me. (funny to look back on it...) And so I never smell White Diamonds perfume without thinking of that ultra-sound tech and her life-changing news.
Strangely, I can even remember how I was sitting in church when an earthquake hit here back in the 80's. We all ran out of the church because we thought it was an airplane crash. (The church was just a mile or so from the airport.) Now that was some rockin' pews.
Or when the clock reads 6:37, 1:58 or 2:53 and I always think of how those are the times my kids were born!
Does anyone else remember or take note of details like this?? I hope so. Those are part of our life stories.
But, I don't know... maybe I'm just the odd-ball who remembers what song was on the radio during the first car accident I was ever in. I never did like Reba McEntire anyway.... :)
I was sick, and was at home for the day from school. I was watching some silly game show(back when there were only 6 channels to chose from) when Dan Rather cut in to tell us the awful news. Even at that young age I knew it was something horrible and beyond my young mind's comprehension. We had been studying about this flight in school. This was the first time NASA had trained a teacher, Christa McAuliffe, to be an astronaut. I went to tell my mom and together we sat on the couch and watched the tragedy. You just don't forget days like that.
I'm sure everyone has days that stick out in your mind. The JFK assassination, 9/11 or countless others. Where you were when you received that phone call, found out some important news, saw someone for the first or last time. Maybe you can even remember what the weather was like or what you were wearing. I can even remember smells. Yes, a little strange I would admit. The mind is a funny thing. And associations of the mind are a strong thing.
It was a June afternoon, I was fixing a salad for dinner and Chris was outside with the kids. I received a call from my brother that something was really wrong with my dad and I should come down to the hospital right away. He didn't know anything and couldn't give me any details. I rushed out and was sitting at the intersection of Holt Road and Washington Street when a feeling came over me that there was no reason to rush anymore... he was already gone. And I would soon find out it was true. I think about that every time I go through that intersection.
Ryan was always my baby who woke up early. So it was just us on the couch early on the morning of September 11, 2001. We were watching the news and saw it all happen. I've never been so confused and scared. I didn't know what to do but hold my baby boy and wonder what this world had come to. I will never forget sharing that moment with him.
And still to this day I have a strong aversion to Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds perfume. I was already experiencing morning sickness and a weak stomach with my second pregnancy. So it didn't help that the ultra-sound tech was wearing an enormous amount of that particular perfume when she did my ultra-sound to confirm my due-date. I was only about 6 weeks along. But an added bonus was when she told me I was having twins! I was by myself (Chris was working) and I started crying. What?!?! There was no way!!! What I see now was good news... was a little hard to handle that first few minutes. They even offered to call someone for me. (funny to look back on it...) And so I never smell White Diamonds perfume without thinking of that ultra-sound tech and her life-changing news.
Strangely, I can even remember how I was sitting in church when an earthquake hit here back in the 80's. We all ran out of the church because we thought it was an airplane crash. (The church was just a mile or so from the airport.) Now that was some rockin' pews.
Or when the clock reads 6:37, 1:58 or 2:53 and I always think of how those are the times my kids were born!
Does anyone else remember or take note of details like this?? I hope so. Those are part of our life stories.
But, I don't know... maybe I'm just the odd-ball who remembers what song was on the radio during the first car accident I was ever in. I never did like Reba McEntire anyway.... :)
Saturday, January 15, 2011
What would you do?
Morgan and I went to the Titanic exhibit at the Indiana State Museum yesterday. We enjoyed it very much. It was the second time I have been, the first for Morgan. We met a homeschooling family for lunch and the field trip. The company was great and the exhibit was very interesting.
When you start the tour they give you a boarding pass of a real passenger of the Titanic. It tells some details about why they were traveling, who they were traveling with and what class they were. When I went before I had quite a juicy story. I was a teenage girl running away with her boss from the candy store she worked in. Scandalous!!! He was a married father, so they were traveling under fake names. Shocking! She was also pregnant at the time and didn't know it. Outrageous! You also find at the end whether you survived or not. My passenger had survived, but her male companion did not.
So, this time around I received a lady that I could much more relate to. She was 35 year-old mother traveling with her 13 and 16-year old sons. Her back story was maybe controversial, but I can totally see the place that she was in. Her husband was a champion boxer and apparently she had left him and returned to her native England. However, her boys were home sick for their home in Rhode Island. So they were returning as 3rd class passengers.
At the end of the exhibit I found out that she had survived... but her boys had not. That is what I can't quite get out of my mind. I just don't understand it. Now, I'm not saying I know anything of the circumstances, but how could she do that? How could she get on a life boat and leave her boys? They were not men by any means! We would have all went... or we would have all stayed. That is just beyond my comprehension!!
Now, one can imagine that maybe she really thought they would be okay. Or maybe they were all together, but somehow she survived and they didn't. Maybe they were considered men at that age back then, I don't know. But I would seriously guess that she went on a life boat and the boys didn't. I know you shouldn't say what you would do until you are put in that situation, but I think I know myself enough that it would never even be a question to me. I'm sure they didn't force her on the lifeboat.
So what would you do? I know what I would do. No question in my mind. I would never leave my kids.
And the funny thing is, almost a hundred years later nothing really has changed. Mothers still choose themselves over their kids. And for my previous passenger, the teenage girl, that still happens today as well. I guess human nature is human nature whether it is 1914 or 2011.
When you start the tour they give you a boarding pass of a real passenger of the Titanic. It tells some details about why they were traveling, who they were traveling with and what class they were. When I went before I had quite a juicy story. I was a teenage girl running away with her boss from the candy store she worked in. Scandalous!!! He was a married father, so they were traveling under fake names. Shocking! She was also pregnant at the time and didn't know it. Outrageous! You also find at the end whether you survived or not. My passenger had survived, but her male companion did not.
So, this time around I received a lady that I could much more relate to. She was 35 year-old mother traveling with her 13 and 16-year old sons. Her back story was maybe controversial, but I can totally see the place that she was in. Her husband was a champion boxer and apparently she had left him and returned to her native England. However, her boys were home sick for their home in Rhode Island. So they were returning as 3rd class passengers.
At the end of the exhibit I found out that she had survived... but her boys had not. That is what I can't quite get out of my mind. I just don't understand it. Now, I'm not saying I know anything of the circumstances, but how could she do that? How could she get on a life boat and leave her boys? They were not men by any means! We would have all went... or we would have all stayed. That is just beyond my comprehension!!
Now, one can imagine that maybe she really thought they would be okay. Or maybe they were all together, but somehow she survived and they didn't. Maybe they were considered men at that age back then, I don't know. But I would seriously guess that she went on a life boat and the boys didn't. I know you shouldn't say what you would do until you are put in that situation, but I think I know myself enough that it would never even be a question to me. I'm sure they didn't force her on the lifeboat.
So what would you do? I know what I would do. No question in my mind. I would never leave my kids.
And the funny thing is, almost a hundred years later nothing really has changed. Mothers still choose themselves over their kids. And for my previous passenger, the teenage girl, that still happens today as well. I guess human nature is human nature whether it is 1914 or 2011.
Friday, January 14, 2011
I can see clearly now.
Warning: This post is not meant to be sad, depressing, etc. In fact it's quite the opposite...
Sometimes I feel like I'm going through life with my eyes closed. I have no idea what is going on around me... I'm just coasting through on cruise control. I just try to survive the day... forget finding the deeper meaning or reasoning to it. And now, I've woken up to find I'm 33 years old, married and have 3 kids growing up way too fast. The last few months I have really tried to stop and look at the things in my life. Physical, emotional and everything in between. Here are my observations:
1. My kids are growing up way too fast. I feel like my teaching time with them is becoming limited as they are now out in the real world more and more... and putting the lessons I've taught them to use. It's a very surreal experience to see your teaching being put to use.
2. I had lost my thirst for knowledge. I was so busy with life, I didn't even have the attention span to read a magazine article, much less a book. I am deliberately taking the time to learn new things. Maybe I can gain back some of those brain cells I've lost over the years.
3. My relationship with Jesus should be more of a relationship... not just me needing/wanting/expecting things. I was pretty selfish. And I'm working on it. Lord, help me.
4. Family relationships. I need them and they need me more than I knew. My niece and I are so much alike its scary. I think we have both found solace in the fact that we are not alone in our quirks. And maybe we can help each other with those quirks. Or laugh together about them, if nothing else.
5. You just never know how something you do will come back to you. Maybe I should just word that as, "God's timing is better than our own." Back in the fall Morgan and I tried to join up with some homeschooling groups to no avail. They were closed, cliquish or for younger kids. I contacted a few people with not really much response. We basically gave up. Then, out of the blue, we received a call from one of the families we had contacted before. They wanted to meet up for a field trip. We met, they are a beautiful family and I am thankful.
6. Relationships. Oh, relationships. I'm talking everyone from my neighbor to my husband. I'm trying very hard to be more deliberate. Not just be lazy and take the easy way out. I want to go out of my way to do something for them. You don't realize how much they mean to you until they're gone.
7. My time. I began to notice how much time I was spending reacting instead of being proactive. No more putting off what you can do tomorrow. I'm trying to anticipate, plan and execute. I'm trying not to worry as much either. Doesn't do any good anyway.
8. I ain't no spring chicken anymore. My bones hurt. My joints hurt. I'm seeing wrinkles and too much gray hair. I don't WANT to lose weight for vanity reasons, I NEED to lose weight for health reasons. In my mind, I still feel like I'm 20 years old. But my body don't. I need to not abuse this body and take it for granted.
9. My purpose. Yes, I do have a purpose. Be deliberate. Be thankful. Explore. Examine. Make the most of your life. All those feel good things. Maybe there is something to all of it....
I'm not saying that these are huge revelations, just observations of areas that I need to improve. And they are specific to me, not observations of others.
God, thank you for opening my eyes!
A closer relationship with Him has showed me that there is more to life than just the day-to-day. I don't want to be just a by-stander in my life. I sometimes feel like I'm reading a great book and I have to read between the lines - and that is where the real story is told.
Sometimes I feel like I'm going through life with my eyes closed. I have no idea what is going on around me... I'm just coasting through on cruise control. I just try to survive the day... forget finding the deeper meaning or reasoning to it. And now, I've woken up to find I'm 33 years old, married and have 3 kids growing up way too fast. The last few months I have really tried to stop and look at the things in my life. Physical, emotional and everything in between. Here are my observations:
1. My kids are growing up way too fast. I feel like my teaching time with them is becoming limited as they are now out in the real world more and more... and putting the lessons I've taught them to use. It's a very surreal experience to see your teaching being put to use.
2. I had lost my thirst for knowledge. I was so busy with life, I didn't even have the attention span to read a magazine article, much less a book. I am deliberately taking the time to learn new things. Maybe I can gain back some of those brain cells I've lost over the years.
3. My relationship with Jesus should be more of a relationship... not just me needing/wanting/expecting things. I was pretty selfish. And I'm working on it. Lord, help me.
4. Family relationships. I need them and they need me more than I knew. My niece and I are so much alike its scary. I think we have both found solace in the fact that we are not alone in our quirks. And maybe we can help each other with those quirks. Or laugh together about them, if nothing else.
5. You just never know how something you do will come back to you. Maybe I should just word that as, "God's timing is better than our own." Back in the fall Morgan and I tried to join up with some homeschooling groups to no avail. They were closed, cliquish or for younger kids. I contacted a few people with not really much response. We basically gave up. Then, out of the blue, we received a call from one of the families we had contacted before. They wanted to meet up for a field trip. We met, they are a beautiful family and I am thankful.
6. Relationships. Oh, relationships. I'm talking everyone from my neighbor to my husband. I'm trying very hard to be more deliberate. Not just be lazy and take the easy way out. I want to go out of my way to do something for them. You don't realize how much they mean to you until they're gone.
7. My time. I began to notice how much time I was spending reacting instead of being proactive. No more putting off what you can do tomorrow. I'm trying to anticipate, plan and execute. I'm trying not to worry as much either. Doesn't do any good anyway.
8. I ain't no spring chicken anymore. My bones hurt. My joints hurt. I'm seeing wrinkles and too much gray hair. I don't WANT to lose weight for vanity reasons, I NEED to lose weight for health reasons. In my mind, I still feel like I'm 20 years old. But my body don't. I need to not abuse this body and take it for granted.
9. My purpose. Yes, I do have a purpose. Be deliberate. Be thankful. Explore. Examine. Make the most of your life. All those feel good things. Maybe there is something to all of it....
I'm not saying that these are huge revelations, just observations of areas that I need to improve. And they are specific to me, not observations of others.
God, thank you for opening my eyes!
A closer relationship with Him has showed me that there is more to life than just the day-to-day. I don't want to be just a by-stander in my life. I sometimes feel like I'm reading a great book and I have to read between the lines - and that is where the real story is told.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
My random thought of the day.
My random thought of the day is this:
I really don't know what I would do without K-LOVE. I never thought I would say that... but a year into listening to mostly christian music, I find myself not living without it. It really makes my day go smoother and reminds me of God's goodness. It reminds me that I'm not alone.
I really don't know what I would do without K-LOVE. I never thought I would say that... but a year into listening to mostly christian music, I find myself not living without it. It really makes my day go smoother and reminds me of God's goodness. It reminds me that I'm not alone.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Ode to an old, faithful friend...
Last week I spent a lot of time cleaning out my scrapbooking stuff in my craft room. Sad time. I realized that I had not even touched the stuff in probably a year... so it was time to make a decision and just get rid of it all. It was hard. I cried.
Yes, I cried. The money invested? Maybe. The time spent? Perhaps. But it was something more than that...
It was a huge part of my life for about 10 years. And sadly, I feel like I'm turning my back on an old, faithful friend. But I've had to realize that friend was weighing me down. I would see the stuff collecting dust and I felt guilty. I just don't have the time or energy to devote to it. My creative juices are being spent elsewhere. My time is spent elsewhere. So, what choice did I have?
At one time I knew every manufacturer, paper pattern and could name the correct color of any cardstock. I searched high and low for that unique paper and embellishment. We even planned trips around scrapbooking events or stores that I could visit. I enjoyed stamping, altered art projects and just about any paper craft. Scrapbooking introduced me to a lot of new friends. The crops were the best!! But I also liked to work on a project at home after the kids went to bed. It even opened the door for me to visit California and perhaps the greatest place ever, The Craft and Hobbyist Association's annual convention. Ahh... heaven on earth.
I began scrapbooking shortly after Morgan was born. Back then patterned paper and decorative-edged scissors were your only supplies. As I was scrapbooking each picture, I could relive each memory. I used to scrapbook every picture I ever took, then scaled it back to just my favorites and finally just scrapping ones that really "spoke" to me. I didn't even scrapbook birthdays or holidays in the end, just pictures that showed everyday life or how the kids were growing up. I loved to quote a favorite poem or scripture. And the supplies and embellishments made such a progression. Some of my favorite things to use was pages from old books, vintage lace and buttons.
The kids growing up was the biggest problem. (Yeah, maybe they're the real problem...) The older they became, the more I had to fight them to even take their picture. And if I got the picture, it was some cheesy, fake smile or a grimace. That scaled back my picture options. Besides, I just don't get as many photo opportunities with the kids now. They're not losing teeth anymore, no more first haircuts, and the pumpkin patch just doesn't quite excite them like it did at one time.
I think that the end of my scrapbooking represents so much more. Its the end of an era. My kids are growing up!! We are entering a new phase of our life. I think that is what bothered me the most. Not just getting rid of some paper and embellishments (okay a lot of paper and embellishments), but knowing that some of those special moments will never happen again.
So now we enjoy getting the scrapbooks out and looking through them. They are not the same as a just an ol' photo album. I'm glad I took the time to record thoughts, quotes and the special moments that we maybe would have forgot. I enjoy looking at them myself. For that I am thankful.
And, to be honest, I didn't get rid of ALL of it... I kept a little bit. (probably about as much as the average scrapper has!) Who knows when the mood to create might strike again!! I will always do some kind of craft. Plus, I have a little crafter in the house... Miss Rachel loves to be crafty just like me!
So enjoy some of my favorites...
A few of my favorites...
My girls... and I loved this patterned paper.
A favorite pic of Rachel. Loved these rub-ons from Daisy-D's.
Different things you can use...ledger paper. Loved the flowers and velvet ribbon.
One of my favorites... loved the paper, the title and the pic of the kids.
Morgan and George, the cat. Used beaded wire and gem flowers.
All dressed up from a musical at church. I loved to use simple, one-word titles that really got the message across.
My style of scrapbooking... a letter to the kids from me.
Ryan.. the sky is the limit!
Probably my favorite scrapbooking page I ever did. Loved Heidi Swapp designs.
Not too many pages like this, I usually didn't use this kind of bright colors.
This page has so many layers... it must weigh a pound!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Yeah, it's different. We know.
It's Saturday!!! And all is quiet here at our house... no one is up yet and I'm enjoying it.
I've talked a little about Morgan and our homeschooling choice for her. But, I do have 2 more youngins' that I haven't really talked about. The twins...
Yes, the twins. What can I say? They turned our life upside down from day one... and still do today. They are good kids. But double everything? It can get a little expensive, tough and stressful. Parenting twins is an experience all its own. Do I buy 2 birthday cakes or one? How do I make them feel like an individual? Besides all the double diaper duty, double feedings, etc. of years past.
When they were babies it was hard. And, I would say it is easier now, but still presents its own complications. Rachel is a tomboy and loves to play with Ryan and the guys. Rachel and Ryan both used to spend the night with Ryan's best friend that lives down the street. I soon realized they had reached the age that is was no longer appropriate for Rachel to spend the night with them anymore... so imagine trying to explain to her why her brother could but she couldn't. Or why when Rachel has a girl friend come over... that girl friend may not want Ryan in the middle of what they are doing. Thank goodness Rachel's best friend has a very close brother and she understands when Ryan wants to play with them too. Little things like this I never anticipated!!
Rachel and Ryan have grown into their own separate persons. They are the best of friends (most days) and really do complement each other. Rachel and Ryan are very shy by themselves but not when they are together. Rachel is the bossy one. Ryan is the sensitive one. Rachel has an incredible sense of humor that she likes to use on gullible Ryan. I actually see a lot of myself and Chris between Rachel and Ryan. The bond between twins is amazing!
I want to accept and nurture each one of my children as the individuals they are. And with that, I decided that I would not homeschool Rachel and Ryan. At least not this year. I was unsure of myself mostly. I didn't even know if I could do it for one child, much less 3. They enjoy school, seem to be thriving and they just didn't want to. But the situation that we find ourselves in, homeschooling one child and not the other two, has been kind of a sticky one. I don't feel like the homeschooling community has accepted us because we still have kids in public school. And public school people don't understand why we have decided to homeschool Morgan. I don't know... my only option is not to worry about what everyone thinks. They are my kids and I'm the one who has to raise them. Yeah, it's different. We know!!
I'm still up in the air about next year. Ryan wants to homeschool, Rachel doesn't. I'm not sure how I would do it and still work the few hours a day that I do. But, where there is a will there is a way. I'm buying curriculum for them as I come across it in anticipation that I will. I'm thinking that being twins might actually come in handy this once. I would only have to one curriculum!
I will continue to pray about it and see where God leads us. I truly believe in homeschool and how it has benefited Morgan. Without the stress and rigidness of public school, I have seen her blossom into the young lady she was meant to be. Those around her would testify to that.
Oh, such is life, I guess. But I do know one thing... my kids are pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.
I've talked a little about Morgan and our homeschooling choice for her. But, I do have 2 more youngins' that I haven't really talked about. The twins...
Yes, the twins. What can I say? They turned our life upside down from day one... and still do today. They are good kids. But double everything? It can get a little expensive, tough and stressful. Parenting twins is an experience all its own. Do I buy 2 birthday cakes or one? How do I make them feel like an individual? Besides all the double diaper duty, double feedings, etc. of years past.
When they were babies it was hard. And, I would say it is easier now, but still presents its own complications. Rachel is a tomboy and loves to play with Ryan and the guys. Rachel and Ryan both used to spend the night with Ryan's best friend that lives down the street. I soon realized they had reached the age that is was no longer appropriate for Rachel to spend the night with them anymore... so imagine trying to explain to her why her brother could but she couldn't. Or why when Rachel has a girl friend come over... that girl friend may not want Ryan in the middle of what they are doing. Thank goodness Rachel's best friend has a very close brother and she understands when Ryan wants to play with them too. Little things like this I never anticipated!!
Rachel and Ryan have grown into their own separate persons. They are the best of friends (most days) and really do complement each other. Rachel and Ryan are very shy by themselves but not when they are together. Rachel is the bossy one. Ryan is the sensitive one. Rachel has an incredible sense of humor that she likes to use on gullible Ryan. I actually see a lot of myself and Chris between Rachel and Ryan. The bond between twins is amazing!
I want to accept and nurture each one of my children as the individuals they are. And with that, I decided that I would not homeschool Rachel and Ryan. At least not this year. I was unsure of myself mostly. I didn't even know if I could do it for one child, much less 3. They enjoy school, seem to be thriving and they just didn't want to. But the situation that we find ourselves in, homeschooling one child and not the other two, has been kind of a sticky one. I don't feel like the homeschooling community has accepted us because we still have kids in public school. And public school people don't understand why we have decided to homeschool Morgan. I don't know... my only option is not to worry about what everyone thinks. They are my kids and I'm the one who has to raise them. Yeah, it's different. We know!!
I'm still up in the air about next year. Ryan wants to homeschool, Rachel doesn't. I'm not sure how I would do it and still work the few hours a day that I do. But, where there is a will there is a way. I'm buying curriculum for them as I come across it in anticipation that I will. I'm thinking that being twins might actually come in handy this once. I would only have to one curriculum!
I will continue to pray about it and see where God leads us. I truly believe in homeschool and how it has benefited Morgan. Without the stress and rigidness of public school, I have seen her blossom into the young lady she was meant to be. Those around her would testify to that.
Oh, such is life, I guess. But I do know one thing... my kids are pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Our journey to homeschooling Part 2...
So yesterday I talked about what led us to homeschooling. The journey didn't stop there.
I sat down to plan this all out. Once again, the planning thing is what always gets me into trouble. I had ordered the LifePac curriculum from Alpha Omega Publications. What I liked about it is everything you need is right there in the workbooks. There are 10 workbooks for each subject that you work through at your own pace and then test over at the end of each workbook. It is a student-led, Christian curriculum. It gave a few extra activities you could do for each subject and workbook... so I planned those, extra spelling and vocab activities, extra worksheets on various things, current events and book reports. I wanted her to not miss one thing! I decided my grading scale, class syllabus and goals for the year. I had the whole year planned out... in pencil... but still planned out. I was ready.
Well, the first day came. I had a "Welcome to Meyer Academy" session with Morgan. I went over all the plans I had made.
She looked at me with a blank stare.
And asked how on earth we would ever do all this work. If she had school 24 hours a day she didn't think she could do all this. Okay, so I'll chill a bit and not have you do the extra activities. And maybe not 5 book reports but 3. Ummm... yeah, that should work, I thought.
And then we really dug into the work. And after a few weeks we found that the LifePacs, as they were intended, were not the best thing for us. I never considered the way that Morgan learns best. And a lot of the material she already knew... so there was no reason to do 50 math problems for something like that. But I told her we had to do them... because that was our curriculum!!
She looked at me with a blank stare.
And finally I realized that I was her teacher, I was the principal and I was the superintendent of our school. What does that mean?? It means that I have the freedom to decide what is best for her to learn, how she learns it and how she is tested over it. So being the over-achiever, organized person that I am... I had to fly by the seat of my pants and figure out what was best for her. Even if it made me uncomfortable. And what happened?? It clicked. We found the freedom to explore different books, websites, tv shows and the world around us. What a concept!! Individualizing a child's learning experience to fit them!
So here we are half way into the school year and we are making it. We are still using the Lifepacs for every subject but History. For those subjects we use the LifePac as a guide, but we don't follow it to a "T" by any means. And we are making History a bit more interactive rather than just reading out of a book. She has sailed through some of the subjects and is already working on some Freshman work. Morgan is a auditory learner and a lot of what we do now is not on paper... until she takes a test over it. And a grading scale??? That was the most ridiculous. Morgan has straight A's... but because we go over it until she gets an A!!! Again... what a concept!
2010 was a great, big 'ol learning experience for all of us. Especially me. Patience, prayer and the faith that you can do it. I found the courage to do what my kid desperately needed. I still totally support public school. There are great teachers out there who gave me a smart pupil to start with. But it is not the only option. I want to share that with other parents. You have options!! You can do it!! There are tons of resources out there!! And other parents who were once in your shoes.
Is it hard? Yes. But is it worth it?? Oh, yes, it most certainly is.
Happy learning...
I sat down to plan this all out. Once again, the planning thing is what always gets me into trouble. I had ordered the LifePac curriculum from Alpha Omega Publications. What I liked about it is everything you need is right there in the workbooks. There are 10 workbooks for each subject that you work through at your own pace and then test over at the end of each workbook. It is a student-led, Christian curriculum. It gave a few extra activities you could do for each subject and workbook... so I planned those, extra spelling and vocab activities, extra worksheets on various things, current events and book reports. I wanted her to not miss one thing! I decided my grading scale, class syllabus and goals for the year. I had the whole year planned out... in pencil... but still planned out. I was ready.
Well, the first day came. I had a "Welcome to Meyer Academy" session with Morgan. I went over all the plans I had made.
She looked at me with a blank stare.
And asked how on earth we would ever do all this work. If she had school 24 hours a day she didn't think she could do all this. Okay, so I'll chill a bit and not have you do the extra activities. And maybe not 5 book reports but 3. Ummm... yeah, that should work, I thought.
And then we really dug into the work. And after a few weeks we found that the LifePacs, as they were intended, were not the best thing for us. I never considered the way that Morgan learns best. And a lot of the material she already knew... so there was no reason to do 50 math problems for something like that. But I told her we had to do them... because that was our curriculum!!
She looked at me with a blank stare.
And finally I realized that I was her teacher, I was the principal and I was the superintendent of our school. What does that mean?? It means that I have the freedom to decide what is best for her to learn, how she learns it and how she is tested over it. So being the over-achiever, organized person that I am... I had to fly by the seat of my pants and figure out what was best for her. Even if it made me uncomfortable. And what happened?? It clicked. We found the freedom to explore different books, websites, tv shows and the world around us. What a concept!! Individualizing a child's learning experience to fit them!
So here we are half way into the school year and we are making it. We are still using the Lifepacs for every subject but History. For those subjects we use the LifePac as a guide, but we don't follow it to a "T" by any means. And we are making History a bit more interactive rather than just reading out of a book. She has sailed through some of the subjects and is already working on some Freshman work. Morgan is a auditory learner and a lot of what we do now is not on paper... until she takes a test over it. And a grading scale??? That was the most ridiculous. Morgan has straight A's... but because we go over it until she gets an A!!! Again... what a concept!
2010 was a great, big 'ol learning experience for all of us. Especially me. Patience, prayer and the faith that you can do it. I found the courage to do what my kid desperately needed. I still totally support public school. There are great teachers out there who gave me a smart pupil to start with. But it is not the only option. I want to share that with other parents. You have options!! You can do it!! There are tons of resources out there!! And other parents who were once in your shoes.
Is it hard? Yes. But is it worth it?? Oh, yes, it most certainly is.
Happy learning...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Why homeschooling has worked for us.
Well, the time has come to get back into the routine of things again. School is back in session in the Meyer house after a few weeks off for the holidays. I actually never thought I would say that. I never thought I would be homeschooling any of my kids. Never say never!
You just don't know what life will throw at you. I'm a list-maker and a planner. And I had it all planned. (I should have learned my lesson when I only "planned" 2 children.) But thankfully, God really does know what is best for us... and the journey that led us to homeschooling is one of the main reasons I wanted to do this blog. I wanted to share our fears and reservations and how they eventually turned into triumphs, empowerment and happiness. But they only changed when we saw God's plan and let Him do His work.
Earlier this year Morgan was going through a very tough time. She had some medical issues going on... and on top of that school was just basically stressing her out. It had been a progression of things getting worse over the last couple years leading up to the point that she was not able to go at all. People underestimate the power of stress! She was in advanced classes, Avon has a very rigorous band program even in the 7th grade, and she is a perfectionist. With the combination of all that stress and missing almost 3 weeks of school due to H1N1... she had reached her limit. Her school was very accomodating and let her do her work at home the last semester of last year, but basically told us that it could not be a permanent thing. Understandable. Our plan was to take the summer off and just deal with it later. I knew what we had to do in the back of my mind, but I didn't want to think about it.
We quickly found ourselves at the end of the summer and the decision of what to do about school was upon us. Selfishly, I wanted her to go to school. I knew it was going to be a big undertaking to home school her. Would she miss out on friends. She loved playing in the band. How would I work part-time and do this. Would she receive a quality education from... me. Not that I didn't want to do it... but I just was scared. Plain and simple. I was scared of the unknown. When it comes to your kids though, wouldn't you do anything? Chris totally supported me in whatever decision we made about this.
(About that time we finally found a doctor who would take Morgan's symptoms seriously. She was eventually diagnosed with PCOS, pre-diabetic insulin resistance and a thyroid that was not working. She also has bouts of anxiety and OCD because of dealing with the untreated medical problems for so long. Her journey to a diagnosis really is a story of its own that deserves a post (and more!) dedicated to it. I will talk more about it another day. But, God is truly working miracles in her life!!)
And so we made the decision. We would be homeschooling this year!! And when that decision was finally made I immediately felt a sense of peace. Through all of this the only way I can describe it is just turmoil. But with that decision things changed. I felt empowered. I talked to some friends who home schooled. I ordered a curriculum that I had no clue about - but thought looked good. I started searching on the internet. I bought a teacher's plan book. I read all the state rules regarding homeschooling. And I prayed and asked God to give me the strength. I also prayed that He would give Morgan the strength as well. She was excited, but apprehensive the same. Her biggest fear was missing her friends. I promised we would find some support groups or something. And a support group for me as well.
The day before school was to start I went into her school to withdraw her. I don't think I've ever been so nervous in my life. It felt so final. Yes, I had a peace about it but I still couldn't stop thinking about all the "what-ifs". I've heard how schools give parents a hard time when they withdraw their child. But the school counselor knew my heart. And she knew Morgan. Even she was very encouraging and wished us well. I appreciate everything she did for us.
Tomorrow I will continue talking about our first few weeks of homeschooling... the disasters, the successes and the few tears that were shed as well. Along the way it also changed my whole concept and perspective of education for my children... and a few life lessons for me as well.
Until then... have a blessed day!!
You just don't know what life will throw at you. I'm a list-maker and a planner. And I had it all planned. (I should have learned my lesson when I only "planned" 2 children.) But thankfully, God really does know what is best for us... and the journey that led us to homeschooling is one of the main reasons I wanted to do this blog. I wanted to share our fears and reservations and how they eventually turned into triumphs, empowerment and happiness. But they only changed when we saw God's plan and let Him do His work.
Earlier this year Morgan was going through a very tough time. She had some medical issues going on... and on top of that school was just basically stressing her out. It had been a progression of things getting worse over the last couple years leading up to the point that she was not able to go at all. People underestimate the power of stress! She was in advanced classes, Avon has a very rigorous band program even in the 7th grade, and she is a perfectionist. With the combination of all that stress and missing almost 3 weeks of school due to H1N1... she had reached her limit. Her school was very accomodating and let her do her work at home the last semester of last year, but basically told us that it could not be a permanent thing. Understandable. Our plan was to take the summer off and just deal with it later. I knew what we had to do in the back of my mind, but I didn't want to think about it.
We quickly found ourselves at the end of the summer and the decision of what to do about school was upon us. Selfishly, I wanted her to go to school. I knew it was going to be a big undertaking to home school her. Would she miss out on friends. She loved playing in the band. How would I work part-time and do this. Would she receive a quality education from... me. Not that I didn't want to do it... but I just was scared. Plain and simple. I was scared of the unknown. When it comes to your kids though, wouldn't you do anything? Chris totally supported me in whatever decision we made about this.
(About that time we finally found a doctor who would take Morgan's symptoms seriously. She was eventually diagnosed with PCOS, pre-diabetic insulin resistance and a thyroid that was not working. She also has bouts of anxiety and OCD because of dealing with the untreated medical problems for so long. Her journey to a diagnosis really is a story of its own that deserves a post (and more!) dedicated to it. I will talk more about it another day. But, God is truly working miracles in her life!!)
And so we made the decision. We would be homeschooling this year!! And when that decision was finally made I immediately felt a sense of peace. Through all of this the only way I can describe it is just turmoil. But with that decision things changed. I felt empowered. I talked to some friends who home schooled. I ordered a curriculum that I had no clue about - but thought looked good. I started searching on the internet. I bought a teacher's plan book. I read all the state rules regarding homeschooling. And I prayed and asked God to give me the strength. I also prayed that He would give Morgan the strength as well. She was excited, but apprehensive the same. Her biggest fear was missing her friends. I promised we would find some support groups or something. And a support group for me as well.
The day before school was to start I went into her school to withdraw her. I don't think I've ever been so nervous in my life. It felt so final. Yes, I had a peace about it but I still couldn't stop thinking about all the "what-ifs". I've heard how schools give parents a hard time when they withdraw their child. But the school counselor knew my heart. And she knew Morgan. Even she was very encouraging and wished us well. I appreciate everything she did for us.
Tomorrow I will continue talking about our first few weeks of homeschooling... the disasters, the successes and the few tears that were shed as well. Along the way it also changed my whole concept and perspective of education for my children... and a few life lessons for me as well.
Until then... have a blessed day!!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Twenty - Eleven
Rockin' it old-fogey style...
Chris and I rang in the New Year watching American Pickers and Pawn Stars. And, of course, Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve. Yes, we are old-fogies. I don't mind, we actually don't get quiet time like that together very often. Morgan and Ryan were at friend's houses and Rachel was being her typical quiet self here at home. We ate at La Hacienda earlier in the evening and those people, even at 7 pm, were a little too drunk and loud for me. The thunder was quite a nice surprise for New Year's Eve though. I don't think I ever remember that before.
The New Year...
I was out this morning and saw quite a few people jogging. Target and Wal-mart are selling tons of organizational products. Gyms are selling memberships like crazy. All the diet companies are flooding television with their diet commercials. Yes, the resolutions have been made by all. I would venture to say that today is probably the most well-intentioned day of the year. Tomorrow, well, not so much. My only resolution is to keep up with this blog. I've made and broke resolutions in the past. So, I basically don't bother anymore. Why wait until January 1 to create a new life for yourself? Like the Toby Mac's song says... "If you gotta start sometime why not now?"
Looking back...
So how much time does everyone spend in reflection from the year past? I guess it just depends on what happened during the year. I love to watch news shows where they talk about all the major news events, the people who've passed, etc. Some of it I totally forgot the next week while some of it stays with me. One thing I did do last night was work on my "2010 family photo album". I used to scrapbook every picture I ever took of the kids - but those days are long gone. Now a lot more of the pictures go into the album than into my scrapbook. Its alright though. It was fun to look back over the year and see what our family has done. I couldn't believe how much the kid's had grown!
2010 started kind of rocky for our family, but I have to say we left they year a whole lot stronger. It has been a year of patience, learning and prayer. I may not understand why things are - but I do know God will never leave us alone. I sometimes feel like 2010 was such a huge lesson-learning time for me that I still can't wrap my head around it. I could go on and on about it... so I'll save it for next time. :)
If I had to pick one event that affected me the most out of 2010, I would pick The Rock and Worship Road Show. Mercy Me, Remedy Drive, Family Force 5, Fee, David Crowder Band and Francesca Batestelli just to name a few of the artists. It was just an amazing experience all around. Morgan, myself and her youth-group attended the Fort Wayne show back in the spring. I have never been to a more moving concert. To be in that big of an arena with people who love God, love the kind of music I do, watch people lose their inhibitions in worshipping - it was just phenomenal. It will be something I will never forget. I am a little disappointed that the concert is not coming here this year - and a lot of the bands are different. Bummer.
So for now... Happy New Year, everyone!! May 2011 be your best year yet...
Chris and I rang in the New Year watching American Pickers and Pawn Stars. And, of course, Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve. Yes, we are old-fogies. I don't mind, we actually don't get quiet time like that together very often. Morgan and Ryan were at friend's houses and Rachel was being her typical quiet self here at home. We ate at La Hacienda earlier in the evening and those people, even at 7 pm, were a little too drunk and loud for me. The thunder was quite a nice surprise for New Year's Eve though. I don't think I ever remember that before.
The New Year...
I was out this morning and saw quite a few people jogging. Target and Wal-mart are selling tons of organizational products. Gyms are selling memberships like crazy. All the diet companies are flooding television with their diet commercials. Yes, the resolutions have been made by all. I would venture to say that today is probably the most well-intentioned day of the year. Tomorrow, well, not so much. My only resolution is to keep up with this blog. I've made and broke resolutions in the past. So, I basically don't bother anymore. Why wait until January 1 to create a new life for yourself? Like the Toby Mac's song says... "If you gotta start sometime why not now?"
Looking back...
So how much time does everyone spend in reflection from the year past? I guess it just depends on what happened during the year. I love to watch news shows where they talk about all the major news events, the people who've passed, etc. Some of it I totally forgot the next week while some of it stays with me. One thing I did do last night was work on my "2010 family photo album". I used to scrapbook every picture I ever took of the kids - but those days are long gone. Now a lot more of the pictures go into the album than into my scrapbook. Its alright though. It was fun to look back over the year and see what our family has done. I couldn't believe how much the kid's had grown!
2010 started kind of rocky for our family, but I have to say we left they year a whole lot stronger. It has been a year of patience, learning and prayer. I may not understand why things are - but I do know God will never leave us alone. I sometimes feel like 2010 was such a huge lesson-learning time for me that I still can't wrap my head around it. I could go on and on about it... so I'll save it for next time. :)
If I had to pick one event that affected me the most out of 2010, I would pick The Rock and Worship Road Show. Mercy Me, Remedy Drive, Family Force 5, Fee, David Crowder Band and Francesca Batestelli just to name a few of the artists. It was just an amazing experience all around. Morgan, myself and her youth-group attended the Fort Wayne show back in the spring. I have never been to a more moving concert. To be in that big of an arena with people who love God, love the kind of music I do, watch people lose their inhibitions in worshipping - it was just phenomenal. It will be something I will never forget. I am a little disappointed that the concert is not coming here this year - and a lot of the bands are different. Bummer.
So for now... Happy New Year, everyone!! May 2011 be your best year yet...
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