Mommy, What Do I have That’s Like Daddy?

 

This was the question my precious 5 year old son asked me on the way home from church yesterday. We’re always talking about our older boys and what they got from their Daddy and what they got from me, but I guess we’ve never discussed much about what he got from Daddy.

I told him he got his smart brain from his Daddy. He amazes me sometimes with the things he knows and I’ll ask him where he learned such and such.  He just grins and points to his head saying “it’s my smart brain.”

I also told him he got his long slender body from Daddy and his hands and feet. Mark pointed out that he has his bright blue eyes, and his brother told him he got his red hair from Daddy. I’m not 100% sure where that red hair came from. Both sides of our family has red heads. My brother is a red head with 4 red headed children, so for that alone I like to claim his beautiful hair. My grandfather’s nickname was Red because of his hair. However, recently as I’ve looked at Mark’s pictures I’ve noticed he had red hair as a child, just not as bright and red as Lucas’. He also had a red headed grandmother and aunt. I guess he may have gotten his red hair from both of us

I think it’s absolutely amazing that they all want to be like their Daddy!  Daddy is a wonderful example of a godly man and I hope his influence on them will always be this profound.

**STYLISH BLOGGER AWARD!!!***

First I’m named QUEEN of my home and now Penny at Knee Deep in Grace has award me the Stylish Blogger Award! I’m really living high these days!!! 

There are a few requirements with this award and they are as follows:

• Thank and link back to the person who nominated you. Thank you so much Penny, I’m truly honored
• Share 7 things about yourself
• Select 15 (or 10 if you're in a hurry like me :-0) recently discovered, stylish bloggers to receive this award
• Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve been selected! i.e. Make their day  (hopefully)

Seven things about ME:

1. I love the Lord with all my heart and truly believe I can do anything He calls me to do, even homeschooling. (Especially homeschooling!)
2. I have four kids but would love to have at least two more. I’m already 37 and my hubby is 47 so if we’re having more I’d like it to be soon, lol!
3. I am constantly in learning mode, always looking for something new to learn, for me and my kids. I have learned more since I started homeschooling my kids than I learned the entire time I was in school (or either I’ve just forgotten it all).
4. Given the choice I would choose a chef over a maid! I do not like cleaning, but I run out of good ideas for foods my kids will eat, AND I don’t like grocery shopping!  I prefer to bake something *sweet* and forget the meal
5. I would love to live on a huge farm complete with animals, fences, ponds, tractors, etc But there’s no way I could deal with the animal chores. I’m just not an animal person. I’ve got a couple kids that love animals though
6. Although I don’t watch a lot of T.V. one of my favorite shows is American Idol! I think season 10 may just be the best season yet! We’ll see…
7. I have a huge, crazy, love affair with oatmeal cream cookies. Not the Little Debbie kind. There’s a pastry shop in my town that makes The.very.best.oatmeal.cookies. evea!! My son and I have tried to duplicate them, but we can’t. The bad thing is, they cost about $1 each…way too expensive to have as often as I’d like!!

Here are the ladies I’ve selected (It may take awhile to get 15 but I’ll add them as I “discover” them):

1.  Mustard Seed Free School
2. Half Dozen Mama
3. My Own Sense and Sensibility
4. Train Up a Child
5. Stacy's Page
6. I Work from Son Up to Son Down
7. Acorns or Nuggets of God
8. Dancing with my Father
9. Pressing On...
10. Ahoy Maties

Taking a Coffee Break…literally

 

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love, love, LoVe, my coffee. I like it in the morning. I like it in the afternoon time, I even like it at night when I can share it with a friend. I have been drinking coffee since I was a little girl and my grandmother would fix it to ease the pain of my sore throat. She always put lots of cream and sugar in it and it tasted sooo yummy. I drank it that way for many years, until they started making those marvelous creamers. No sugar required with those.

For years I’ve noticed that I seemed to have a hard time finding a deodorant that would actually work to keep me dry. I used Soft and Dry and that worked okay and then I switched to a clinical strength solid and even that didn’t work. It seemed to be worse when I drank coffee.

A few months ago I was talking to a friend and she shared with me that her pH might be out of balance due to some sweating issues she was having. *Really*  I began to look at what causes ones pH to become out of balance and decided that maybe mine was out of balance too.

The only thing that baffled me was that I wasn’t eating or drinking a lot of stuff that would cause it to be way out of balance, except the coffee. On a typical day I will drink 1 1/2 mugs of coffee and water the rest of the day. That didn’t seem like an exceedingly large amount, but perhaps my body just doesn’t tolerate it as well as some.

At any rate, I’ve decided to take a coffee break. Indefinitely. I’m trading in my mug for a tea cup. I really don’t know much about tea other than the southern style sweet tea that my family loves. I bought a fruitful mixture of celestial tea and I add sugar and milk to make them drinkable. I would really like to find out what tea offers what benefits health-wise. If I’m going to be drinking the tea I want it to be helpful in some way. I’ll have to research it to see what I come up with. Some of my friends have recommended gray tea and mint mélange so I’ll have to try those too.

It’s been a week since I started my coffee break. I did end my ‘break’ for one cup of decaf on Saturday. It was a special occasion.  I think I can actually tell a difference. Maybe it has nothing to do with the coffee but I think it does and that makes me sad because I love my coffee. But it also makes me happy to know I’ve finally figured out, after all these years, why I can’t stay dry.

So for now, for me, coffee may have to be more of a special treat than an everyday choice of beverage. I guess it’s all just part of being a Queen.

Queen ME!!!

This week Mark and I celebrated our 15 year anniversary. I gave him (and me) tickets to a marriage conference this weekend to add reinforcement for the next 15 years .  As with most of those conferences you always feel like the Lord speaks to you through some/all of the speakers. That was the case for me yesterday. But at the same time I know that my emotions were a bit loopy yesterday. I just prayed throughout the conference that the Lord would give me control over my emotions and that He would speak to me through His Spirit.

One of the speakers challenged the men to go home, line up all the little kiddies, and let them know that their wife was the Queen. *SMILES* My husband took the challenge and I will say that two of our kids were okay with it but there were two that struggled to let go of the reins.

We have really gotten a lot of laughs out of it. They have two basic rules. 1) No talking while the Queen (that would be *Me*) is speaking. And 2) No going before the Queen, everyone has to walk behind me.  I think it was the first time in a decade that I was the first person in my family through the church door.

Right now my King and little Princes are fixing me some strawberry ice cream with Hersey's chocolate syrup on top. *Big BIG Smiles*  (My 5 year old just brought it to me and said “there you go your Highness)  I’m loving it while it lasts because I know it’ll fade in a day or two.

Blog Walk Week 16 Feb 21-25

Here’s the Blog Walk list for this week. (Notice #1)
1. Our Best Daze (Here I Am!)
2. The Joy of School
3. Spell Outloud
4. to the sea with me
5. Half Dozen Mama
6. Creative Learning
7. Homeschooling My Miracles
8. Beyond The Silver and The Gold - A Filipino Family's Homeschool Journey
9. My Own Sense and Sensibility
10. Happily Homeschooling

FEB is VA Home Education Month

 

I just read that Governor McDonnell signed a declaration recently declaring February Virginia Home Education Month. How awesome is that!

The Simple Woman's Day Book

Outside my window...
Is very warm. The temperature was nearly 70 degrees today. We even let our fire burn out. When Mark got home it was rapidly cooling off so he started a new fire for us. The kids played outside a lot today. It was kind of windy so Shiloh didn’t stay out long.

I am thinking...
How good my bed is going to feel in just a little while. Ahh sleep is coming~~

I am thankful for...
A super sweet Valentine's Day. We had a nice candle light meal as a family. The food was yummy, the kids were beyond badorable (not a typo…a Shiloh term for “adorable”)

From the learning rooms...
Today we finished “The Stolen White Elephant” by Mark Twain. I was caught off guard at the violent nature towards the end of the story. I had to skip and translate a few of the sections. We really enjoyed the beginning of the story and laughed thru most of it. The end was a bit of a shocker though. Oh well, I guess Mark Twain isn’t for kids. We’ll consider American Literature covered for this year and move on to the next section in our Truth Quest guide.

From the kitchen...
Took a break from my endless search for the perfect Oatmeal Cream Filled cookie and let my 8 year old make some brownies from scratch. The recipe was in our Apologia Who Is God? book. He learned that, just as sitting and watching the ingredients create brownies on their own didn’t work (yes we really did sit and watch the ingredients for a few seconds) neither did ANY of creation just ‘become created on its own.’ It had to involve The Creator! We already knew this, but we wanted some brownies so it was a good review, hee hee.

I am wearing...
My cozy Victoria Secret jammies that my little sister gave me. Her boyfriends mama gave them to her and I guess they were not her style so she passed them to me. Lucky me I love them!!

I am creating...
An on going list of curriculum choices to consider next year. I add or delete something nearly every day. Today I came close to taking off all other math options and just sticking to Math U See. I think that’s what I’m going to do in the end, simply because I trust them to carry us through high school. My oldest son has enjoyed the online math we reviewed this year, but he just can’t have everything his way…this ain’t Burger King!

I am going...
To the homeschool group that my husband teaches each Wednesday. We don’t usually attend that homeschool group (we’re members of a different group) but our schedule has been altered this week so we’ll have the opportunity to be there. I’m looking forward to it.

I am reading...
My Side of the Mountain to the kids. I just started Sense and Sensibility for me and plan to smart soon, Jump off the Hormone Swing by Lorraine Pintus. I feel like I need some Biblical guidance on my diet and feminine health in general.

 I am hoping...
Shiloh’s mouth heals nicely. I pray she will be able to eat more variety tomorrow and that her teeth will straighten up so none need to be pulled. 

I am hearing...
Nothing and thankful for it! I love the still of the night when all is sleeping—except me! I stay up late for it and get up early for it! I love me some peace and quiet!!

 Around the house...
So much needs to be done. Each and every room is in need of a top to bottom cleaning. We clean every week but it feels like we’ve just been ‘cleaning at it’ as my brother used to say. In other words, we just haven’t done a good job lately.

 
One of my favorite things...
Is my morning quiet time. I’ve been doing the True Woman Makeover challenge from Revive our Hearts and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m almost done so I need to decide what I’ll be doing next. I really want an in-depth Bible study on either a person or book of the Bible.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Getting a little more settled on some of the products we’re viewing. We’ve got a couple that we’ll have due in the next two weeks and one of them I’m still not really ‘getting.’
I also want to plan on getting Josiah half way through the last lesson in his level 3 Barton book. I’m so ready to be in level 4, but I fear he’s not going to be ready. The contractions are really seeming hard for him to spell. I’m not sure he’ll pass the final test without some extra practice. We’ll do what we have to do to get him where he needs to be!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

OUR VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER

Check out more Day Book posts at The Simple Woman’s Day Book.

Inner Beauty

 

Last Tuesday we were lucky enough to find Despicable Me on the Bookmobile and since we had a Valentine Banquet scheduled for Friday we declared Thursday Family Movie Night.

As I was wiping down the table after dinner, Shiloh was climbing down from one of the bar stools and fell.  As soon as she hit the grown, the stool beside her hit her face. There was no time for her or me to catch it or block it so it hit her right dead in the mouth. I knew she would have a busted lip at the least, but when I picked her up I realized her mouth just didn’t look right.

 

 

This picture was taken the next day

 

 

We consoled her as best we could and convinced her to hold ice on it, but she told us her tooth was loose and big. She was immediately aware of her face not looking like it should (even before she saw a mirror). She started acting somewhat self-conscious. It was actually quite sad to see her so down about her appearance. After all, she’s only 3!

 

 

 

 

              

Daddy & older brother try to cheer her up with flowers and a princess balloon. I think it worked

 

The dentist took an x-ray and there are no broken or cracked teeth in the front, but as the swelling has gone down and I’ve been able to look in her mouth more, I’m seeing lots of bruising on the left side of her mouth. She’s also complaining a back tooth hurting and being loose. We’re going back to the dentist this week, so hopefully we’ll know more then.

The whole weekend she’s hardly eaten anything at all. Applesauce, mashed potatoes, and yogurt seemed to be her favorites. She did eat a few M&M’s today though, lol. She wouldn’t try to eat much, not even oatmeal. When she bites down her teeth hit and it hurts . I really feel bad for her.

We went to the banquet Friday and I ended up having to call her dad to come pick her up. She only wanted to sit in my lap, she didn’t want anyone to see her or talk to her. We had a church stew on Saturday and she acted the same way. She’s such an energetic child that it really breaks my heart to see her so withdrawn. I know part of it is the pain and not being able to eat what she sees. Every time I ask her if she wants something she tells me to save it for when she feels better.

We’ve really started reinforcing the fact that beauty is on the inside and that God looks at our hearts to find our true worth and beauty. We think she’s beautiful no matter what, but more than anything I want her to be beautiful before her Lord. I’m thankful that this has given us the opportunity to teach her about inward beauty more directly.

The Family that Works Together Stays Together…

…or at least I hope that holds true, hee hee, because our family works together A LOT!

We use wood heat and the kids and I take on the job of hauling the majority of the wood from the wood pile to the back door (my dear husband gets the wood chopped and stacked.)

Lucas’ job is to fill up the kenneling bucket (Shiloh helps but she didn’t want her picture taken)

 

Josiah doesn’t handle the wheel barrow very well so I use it and he uses a hand truck

 

Jordan helps both of us stack and unstack our different means of transport

 

Once Lucas finished his job he decided to help his brother Josiah with his job. They’re trying to use the tractor to make their job easier but…

it’s not really looking like an easier method to me

They’re actually going up a small hill so they can enjoy going down the big hill around the corner. They say guys think differently from women…agreed!

These are my two hardest workers so to them the more work involved the better the rest that follows

I always dread getting the wood in, it is a chore after all, but at the same time I enjoy it. It’s good exercise and fun to see my kids work together!

iShine Tween Bible Review

I received the cutest iShine Tween Bible from Tyndale House the other week.

• It’s a small bible, about 6 1/2 by 4 1/2, with a Leatherlike cover.
• The cost is $19.99
• Choose between a decorative pink for girls or a nice blue for boys.

This Bible is the New Living Translation, which claims to be “the Truth made Clear.” (You can learn more about the NLT by visiting their website.)

The Table of Contents includes the following:

• A Note to Readers (Includes the History of the NLT)
• What is the Bible? (A brief explanation of the purpose of the Bible and how to read it.)
• Finding Your Identity in Jesus (Salvation message is presented clearly here)
• Growing in Faith (What to do after salvation)
• The Bible Talks About (This section covers what the Bible has to say about many of the important topics in a tweens life as well as topics interest in general. Some of the topics include: Guilt, Jealousy, God, Hell, Reputation, Purity, etc)
• The Old Testament
• The New Testament
• Great Chapters of the Bible (Where to find the story of ____)
• Great Stories of the Bible (Very similar to great chapters of the Bible)
• Great Verses to Memorize

As this is not a study Bible, the scripture sections of this Bible have very few footnotes and no comments or insights added.  However, there are three special sections that cover VALUE, IDENTITY, and PURPOSE.  Each of these sections are 8 pages long and in full color. Knowing that many “tweens” struggle with self esteem issues, these  mini-devotions will help inspire and encourage them in these very difficult years.

My husband works with Youth For Christ and we are already on the look out for the Tween in our life that will need this Bible. Can’t wait to bless a special girl with God’s Word.

**This devotional Bible was given to me free of charge by Tyndale House in exchange for my honest review

Bookmobile Day!

 

We are so very blessed to have a bookmobile that comes within 5 miles of our home every month. Our family has always loved going to the library but it’s 30 minutes away and after having my 4th child we started doing less library and more bookmobile.

Here is what you’ll find my family doing on Bookmobile Day!

WE LOVE OUR BOOKS!!

Josiah didn’t even take time to come out of his coat! I really wish today could be a lazy book reading kind of day, but we have Campus Life tonight so perhaps some other time

Blog Walk week 15: Feb 7-11

 

 

Check out these homeschool blogs!

1. Heritage Homestead and Homeschool Academy
2. The McClanahan 7
3. The Happy Homeschool Mom
4. Books \'n Other Stuff
5. The Midlife Housewife
6. Because of Our Children
7. This Day Has Great Potential
8. Ladybug Chronicles
9. Freelance Homeschool Mom
10. Ben & Me

LAST DAY TO ENTER TO WIN FAIRY TALE THEATER FOR KIDS!!

 

 

Head on over to Faith Family and Fun to enter for your chance to win a CD collection of your favorite Fairy Tales.  Click Here to learn more.

TOS Review: Dig It, Roman Town

 

My boys have been learning a lot about archaeology from a new computer game by  Dig It. It’s called Roman Town and it’s all about a 1st century Roman town named Fossura. As you work to uncover artifacts you learn about early Roman customs, how they may have lived, the type of art they produced, how their buildings were built and decorated etc. You also have the opportunity to uncover games played by kids in Rome, and even play along if you like. Let’s take a closer look.

LETS GO DIGGING BOYS AND GIRLS

 

As you begin to dig you’ll be given some helpers and tools to make the digging easier, just like a real archaeologist. The side bar shows you how many men you have to dig with and which tools are available. The flags tell you where to dig.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU’LL UNCOVER

Maybe some pottery (above) or perhaps some bones (below)

Notice the picture of the pottery, the side bar shows that this artifact was found in pieces and you must put it together. It’s this and other activities that really help kids learn. With every piece you uncover there is an explanation about the piece and an option to learn even more.

NOW WHAT DID THE ROMANS DO WITH THIS?

After recovering all of the artifacts there are also some mandatory activities that must take place before you move to the next level, know as Dig Site. There are six Dig Sites.

The learning activities are anything from sorting the pieces according to their make up (metals, pottery, bones, etc) to crossword puzzles and true or false quizzes. After completing all the activities and becoming fully acknowledgeable about what you’ve just discovered, you unlock your report.

TIME TO REPORT ON OUR FINDINGS

Once you complete the report correctly, you move on to the next Dig Site.

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This game is designed for grades 5th – 8th but honestly I enjoyed it and learned from it, as did my 3rd grader

  I will say that if your child can’t read, he can’t really learn without you. I would love to see this with sound, but as for now, you must read everything and some of the words stumped me

The cost of Roman Town on CD is $39.99 and there is an Educators edition for $299 and also an Educators Manual in download form for $19.95. If you buy before February 21, 2011 and use the coupon code “TOS2011” you can get the CD version for $19.96

If you’d like to hear what other homeschoolers had to say, click here.

**Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I received this product free of charge, in exchange for my honest opinion/review. For more honest reviews from real homeschoolers, visit the TOS Crew website.