top ten {tuesday}: favorite read alouds

This Tuesday's Top Ten is about our favorite school subject, Read Aloud. I still read aloud to all my kids. Together. At one time. From our History spine, or Science text, our Bible Storybook, a Poetry book I love. It's not easy. There's a lot of, "Settle down." And, "Let's choose a quiet toy." And, "Pay attention." But it amazes me how much of my interrupted reading aloud the kids retain.

But this list is of those books that we actually refer to as 'Read Alouds.' Fun books. The books that are saved for just after lunch and afternoon chores, while the little ones are falling asleep for their naps, and the big kids are hanging out on their beds drawing, or knitting, or staring out their window at all the entertaining folks and their dogs walking down the sidewalk. ... while I, the Read Aloud-er, sit criss cross applesauce on the floor in the hallway (sometimes nursing a baby).


Top Ten Favorite Read Alouds (in random order):

1.  Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo     *an excellent movie

2. Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

3. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (in December, of course. EVERY December.)

4. Boy by Roald Dahl

5. Madeleine Takes Command by Ethel C. Brill

6. Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher

7. Jotham's Journey:  A Story Book for Advent by Arnold Ytreeide

8. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (or Sign of The Beaver or The Bronze Bow and I'm sure Calico Captive too, but we've not read that one aloud. Yet.)

9. The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill

and

10. Treasures of the Snow by Patricia St. John     *also an excellent movie

the first of may { may's book basket }

may day. lei day. may first.

...whatever you wish to call it, it's time to flip the calendar. Time for new poetry, celebrating fourteen years together, a new folk song, being four, the sea shore, and warmer - sunnier - outside days (we do the least amount of school work in spring, when the weather is most bearable here in lovely Arkansas).

I don't really have a May Book Basket to share, I tend to focus mostly on Easter in the spring, and then skip right to summer. But here are just a few titles off our own shelves that will do the trick:

Growing up in Cincinnati, May is Zoo Baby month. (I used to have the coolest Cincinnati Zoo Baby poster ... I wonder what happened to that?) So here are a few baby animal selections:

 Baby Farm Animals, illustrated by Garth Williams ... This classic–full of piglets, kittens, calves, and bunnies–is one of his best. Simple, humorous text identifies each fuzzy, furry, or feathery farm animal capering about the farm.

 Baby Animals by Margaret Wise Brown ... A classic bedtime story--out of print for over 40 years--returns, newly illustrated by Caldecott Honor Book winner Susan Jeffers (we love here Nutcracker).

May is the perfect time to get back into Nature Study:

 Wonders of Nature by Jane Werner Watson ... a rare nonfiction book that’s also a simple, beautiful poem. In this gorgeous Little Golden Book from 1957, Eloise Wilkin’s stunning and realistic artwork is accompanied by gentle text that brings an awe of nature to the youngest readers.

We all know that our birds come back, ready to raise their babies:

 Birds by Kevin Henkes ... Birds come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Birds are magic. Birds are everywhere. If you listen very carefully you will hear them, no matter where you live. And if you look very closely you will see them, no matter where you are. And if you can't go outside right this minute, you can always read this book!

 Birds, Nests, and Eggs (Take Along Guides) by Mel Boring ... A fun, informative take-along guide that will help children identify 15 birds. Kid will also learn how and where birds build their homes and all about their young.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. (I mentioned the Take Along Guides to someone recently. My kids LOVE them. We own almost the entire series.)

And even though those April Showers are over ... the occasional thunderstorm still pops up:

Thundercake by Patricia Polacco ... Grandma consoles her frightened granddaughter by telling her that the dark clouds of the impending storm are nothing more than the ingredients for a Thunder Cake. (I LOVE THIS BOOK. LOVE IT)

Tasha Tudor's 1 is One has very May-ish verse/illustrations ... "There will, of course, always be children who must learn to count. Teach them also to enjoy the process and to count those things that are most important to them. Eighteen stars twinkling in the sky and twelve baby birds learning how to sing are an excellent start." - Tasha Tudor

Since Wilbur is a spring pig ... why not start Charlotte's Web in May?

It looks like I have a May Book Basket after all. What other springtime stories would you include?

:  happy may reading! ::

storytime: ten seeds

Ten Seeds by Ruth Brown

A simple, preschool-ish (Earth Day) story about subtraction and plants. Ten seeds starts out with just that, 10 seeds. All snugly planted in rich, black soil. An ant lifts out the first seed, a pigeon picks up the second just as it's beginning to grow roots, and a mouse digs the next as it grows even longer roots. A slimy slug eats one of the seven remaining seedlings, a mole burrows under one of the six shoots, and a cat claws up the next one. Four tiny, little plants are then destroyed by one ball, one rowdy puppy, and too many greenflies. Then, one lonely sunflower blooms, producing 10 new seeds.

An added bonus to the story is it's true-to-life, two-page watercolor (my favorite!) illustrations.

A perfect and beautiful introductory math book for preschoolers.

All 5 of my older, Rowdy Boys sat, listened, and interacted as Miss V read this story. And then could recall (narrate for all you CMers) the entire story back to me during lunch. Now, that's a story book worth checking out with your Library Card.

daybook, march 19th

Outside my Window ... birds swirling, loudly, trees budding, pollen laying

I am thinking ... I should've prepared better for the week. I'm pretending I did ... we'll see how far that gets me today. Mondays are NOT my thing

I am thankful for ... a husband who leads Bible Study at 6AM in the morning. He could rush out the door for work, and not think twice about the hearts of his family. But he doesn't

From the school room ... Week 2 of Ambleside Online Years 1 and 6. I did ALL the reading for both week 1s. I'm hoping to do the same this week for both week 2s. I also hope to find the time to purchase SCM's Module 1 History Guidebook today. BUT! ... we will not rush through these next 11 weeks to go to it

From the kitchen ...coffee, chocolate milk, rice krispies

I am wearing ... jammies. If you're a nursing momma, you have to get to WalMart and get yourself a few of these nightgowns. They have 6 buttons down the front ... perfect for nursing (and a lot cheaper than Motherhood Maternity!)

I am reading ... the only book I'm reading besides our AO lists is Calico Captive. I have J. R. Miller's Homemaking in my bag, but I haven't started it yet

I am hoping ... for a good week. I do love that each Monday is a fresh, new start. I just don't love Monday for itself

I am creating ... a Pinterest Board ... loving it! Now, if I can just find some time to carry a few of the projects out. First on my list:  our Calvary Hill/Resurrection Garden, which we did two Easters ago, but didn't get around to it last year

I am going ... to get out tonight to get the fun stuff for the kids' Spring Baskets! The first day sort of crept up on me

I am hearing ... Martha Speaks (the kids' favorite) and my grunting baby. Brian said he's going to start calling him Switchblade, he's that grunty (edited:  Brian texted me to let me know it's Swing Blade NOT Switchblade. And the grunter in the movie is named Karl. We saw it a long time ago. Sorry. ...He also texted me a pic of what I thought was a crack in the highway, and asked me what it was from, to which I responded, "earthquake," to which he responded, "It's a stick caught in the wiper blades." to which I responded, "Oh." ... "The boys then." ... he's getting a good laugh out of me this morning. Boo.)

Around the house ... so much to do. Spring Cleaning with the constant thought that my Mother-in-Law will be here Saturday. She'd say, "Don't worry about your house." Like she made sure to tell me, "Don't worry about dinner." But! I'm going to worry nonetheless, and scrub my little house til it sparkles! I like a Spring Cleaned, Sparkly Home anyway

 One of my favorite things ... my homeschool binder with all my articles, booklists, and scope & sequences in it. Even though I don't Lesson Plan, having my binder always with me makes it seem like I do

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... Spring Cleaning, catching up on grading English papers, enjoying the last week of free nights without Baseball, and planning Wesley's 5th Birthday Party (camo ... not barbie)

daybook, march 1st

:: outside my window ... a warm evening

:: listening to ... David Crowder Band, and folk songs on YouTube. Really. Thinking of giving this a try...because this makes a lot of sense. (and not just because it starts out talking about Baseball:)

:: giving thanks for ... twelve days of baby bliss

:: living the educational life ... finishing up Zoology notebooks through Lesson 6, studying the Passion Week, reading aloud The Bronze Bow (again) ...we've been lite schooling with Baby Zach, and Daddy being home so much

:: wearing ... a blue nightgown from WalMart ... perfect for nursing and tucking baby into at night

:: preparing in the kitchen ... I made a quick Spaghetti Dinner tonight, we finished off a pan of brownies the girls made yesterday, lunch meat samiches and leftover mashed potatoes for lunch

:: creating by hand ... I have lamps that need spray painted, and our St. Patrick's Day flowers need some TLC (or replaced)

:: following these links ... Why Would We Observe Lent?, Destruction-proofing your family  or ALL of LMLD's Reading posts, or ALL of Cheryl's 31 Days to Make a House a Home (so good)

 :: turning pages ... Shepherding a Child's Heart (again), Calico Captive, and the AO website

:: finding rhythm ... not quite yet

:: keeping house ... I super cleaned our bathroom tonight for the first time in two weeks (Kylie had been doing it for me). Felt good. Smells good. I like clean.

:: finding joy in ... my life. It's not too hard.

:: praying ... for an easy weekend.

:: planning the week ahead ... we're back to school full-force Monday. I'm so glad we're year round schoolers. Makes life easier.

in 10 days

In 10 days, I will add another photo to this collection. A family of 10 ... in 10 days.

In 10 days, I will wake up (if I sleep at all) with one thought on my mind, "Please, please God be with me today."

In 10 days, I will be cleaning an already clean house in the wee hours of the morning. I will probably be starting a load of laundry while the sun is rising. I will be reminding everyone that, "There is this to eat. And that to eat. And extra milk in the storage fridge."

In 10 days, I will forget all about the terrible morning sickness (if Baby weighs just 6 pounds, I will weigh less than I did the day I got pregnant with him). I will have permanent pregnancy battle scars, motherhood in the trenches with beautiful spider veins. I will no longer have a love affair with Tums.

In 10 days, I will leave my home, and it's making, in the hands of my two daughters. They will care for it, and their brothers, in much the same way I would...because Nana will not load the dishwasher, or do the laundry, or know the flow of our routine like they do.

In 10 days, I will kiss my seven oldest children good bye for a few days. And I will cry. And I will have to make myself walk out the door.

In 10 days, I will be reminded how steady, caring, and responsible my husband is. As he goes back and forth from hospital to home, looking after me, a new baby, and making sure our children and home are in order.

In 10 days, I will give birth to our eighth child, our eighth blessing from Heaven above...our sixth boy in a row. Zacharias Eugene Bailey.

In 10 days.

daybook, december 12th

:: outside my window ...dark and cold, each morning there is frost, and I find myself straining to see out the sun porch door. Is it snow? (it has been. twice already.)

:: listening to ...Christmas music. Oh For Joy and Christmas are our new favorites this year.

:: giving thanks for ...the mildness of Benjamin's little mishap with the piano yesterday. An emergency, true. But a small one.

:: living the educational life ...we're staying pretty on track with language arts and math. I suppose you could call this month Christmas School. Christmas read alouds, Christmas poetry, Christmas copywork, Christmas scripture memorization. More Christmas read alouds.

:: wearing ...plain long sleeve tees, comfy sweats, my beloved gray sweater jacket, Christmas socks, slippers. All day. Every day.

:: preparing in the kitchen ...a french toast breakfast, with extra vanilla and! powdered sugar. Sandwiches and chips and! leftover Christmas sprinkle cake for lunch. A spaghetti dinner (with meat sauce, requested by Connor), made by Kylie.

:: creating by hand ...I've made my little Christmas Craft List. And we're happily creating our way through. This week:  Cinnamon Christmas Tree Ornaments, Yarn Angels, and Paper Snowflakes.

:: following these links ...mostly Christmas crafts. And I'll share those as we go on Fridays. I'll admit, I find myself with less to say when I do more blog reading. Although I realize everyone probably wonders where I am... I'm here. Capturing my family, our moments. Which I was doing less and less of before. But this feels right for now. And good.

I did, however, start using a new comment thingy. In order to be more personal in this space. I think it's working from my side. But I have noticed less comments, which doesn't bother me so much...but I wonder if it's hard to use(?)

:: turning pages ...Simplicity Parenting. A very slow start. I'm so tired right now (30 weeks)...I blog a little, read less, and sleep more.

:: finding rhythm ...in less structure. Which is hard for me.

:: keeping house ...we're taking a more relaxed approach in this area too. Everything is still clean, it's just not perfect. It's comfortable. "A place for everything, and everything in it's place." is not a motto I want to carry around with me anymore. An atmosphere of love, and creativity, and safety is more what I'm after right now. ...I don't have a quote for that.

:: finding joy in ...my camera again. Capturing the normal, everyday, little moments. It's a gift.

:: praying ...for an old friend who is in the hospital, while her husband is at home with their children. For my brother-in-law. For JP, who seems to be always sick...I wish we had more day to day details about our little compassion child.

:: planning the week ahead ...Storytime with Santa on Wednesday at our little library. Knitting Club is on hold for the holidays...but wait! there is another one on Thursday nights, do we want to go? My friend (and her entire family) are performing in A Christmas Carol this weekend, and I hope the girls and I get to go.

monday.

Mondays are hard for me. Always. Every Monday. I don't know what it is, but it never changes. This Monday I woke up in a fine mood. Well rested. Yes, you just read that. I slept through the night. I mean, ALL my children slept through the night. Which means so did I. I was determined to not rush, not watch the clock, not hurry the morning. And things went pretty well, flowing along very smoothly. We did chores. We did school.

TJ finished his second book in the Pathway Readers series, and will start the third book Wednesday. It was one of those I did it! moments. But he grumbled his way through Copywork. Which is a lovely Christmas poem by Henry W. Longfellow. I think it's that it repeats the last line of the stanza so much. ...I thought it would be a nice break from his Copybook, now I'm not so sure. He's also doing What Child Is This? and Isaiah 9:2-7 this month. Maybe. Connor and the girls all kind of sailed through their school work this morning. I wasn't even really needed. Good for a Monday.

We had lunch, then I read the first few chapters of The Bird's Christmas Carol. Then is when the day started to turn into a real Monday. Babies not getting naps out, math was blah, then, since The Flood was still going on...my Rowdy Boys were stuck inside. No good. I can't wait to give them their new boots for Christmas. I'm going to send them out in all kinds of weather.

As it was, they played 'Restaurant' while I started dinner. The Happy Henry Restaurant. Where everybody gets a free hat on Monday (see Ben is donning the free hat/Christmas Stocking). BUT...who will be the Chef? Who will be the Waiter? Does steak cost $30 or $15? Was it a 5 Star Restaurant with a Walkie-Talkie Drive Thru Window? (and YES! these were all real arguments I overheard from the kitchen).

Once I managed to tune out the restaurant drama...I got into a fight with the can opener. The brand new can opener. The $10 can opener. Grrr! Does anyone else have can opener issues? Or is it just our family? Well, I informed Brian there would be no more dinner, unless we got an old-fashioned plug in the wall, stand up on the counter, zoomer-can opener like my Grandma Faye had. He informed me we would just stop buying canned goods. I finally got the green beans open, added them to what was supposed to be Vegetable Soup, but was more like Kinda Vegetable Stew. Judah got about half way up into his chair, glared into his bowl, then scowled at me. Really.

After Dinner, Brian went over Math with the kids. Mostly Kylie. Algebra really gets her some days. It really got her this Monday. She doesn't like Monday either. Her excuse for anything that goes wrong on Monday is, "It's Monday." Hmmm...maybe I should express my dislike for Mondays a little less.

The boys, who had been cooped up all day, cleared the family room floor, and had Hot Wheel races. A lot of them. Little metal cars were zooming everywhere. And my furniture kept being moved in order to find the little metal cars that were zooming everywhere. While they raced, I snapped a few pictures of my Christmas Mantle. And still, after two years with this camera, I cannot take a good picture indoors. Especially at night. But at least my mom can see what my mantle looks like this month. (that's my Elf Church on the far Left. do you like it?)

So now I am tired. And the house is cold. All that rain brought the cold again. I don't mind cold, but I do mind all that rain. I wish it had all been Snow. That would have made my Monday better. The title of this post could have been Snowy Monday. Not just Monday. The house is also quiet. Which makes me wonder...what was I so worked up about? It was just a day. And now it's done.

A Goat and Two Chickens, Please! (a guest post by our daughter, Korinne)

As I look through the World Vision gift catalog, my heart breaks, and I get tears in my eyes. There are children with no food, or shelter, or clothes, or drinking water, and many other things. Hundreds of kids die every day from not having these things.

 

As I look through the catalog my parents encourage me to raise money to get something. I decided on a goat and 2 chickens.

 

Goat milk has protein which helps a child grow. They can sell extra milk,
yogurt and cheese for other things like medicine or clothes.


Two chickens provide eggs. Extra eggs can be sold for other needs. And soon
more chickens will hatch which means more eggs!

Please help me raise $100. I already have $3.72, so I only need to raise $96.28 more by December 17.

 

Thank you.

Love, Korinne

"for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave
Me drink..." - Matthew 25:3

continuing to pour

It has been one of those mornings. One where I find myself living out the verse of this place,

"...At the beginning of the watches; pour out your heart like
water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of
your young children..." - Lamentations 2:19

 

I speak here often of how my life is beautiful. Of how my husband and children are tremendous blessings. Of how we strive to be deliberate. Consistent. In the moment. And it is all real, it's truly who we are. But this morning has been a reminder, to my slightly too comfortable soul, that living fully, consistently, and deliberately is not easy.

I had nothing left to do, but lift my hands toward Him. With lifted hands, and an overwhelmed heart, a heart full of the tasks He had laid before me, I poured.

When it takes the nine year old over an hour of precious time to do a simple copywork assignment. When the toddler rips through the pages of yet another overdue library book. When there are tiresome and tedious disciplinary issues that need constant, immediate attention. When children seem weary (didn't we just wake up?).

I may feel hopeless. But I'm not hopeless. Praise God.

When the chaos of the morning was finally fading, when the book work at the kitchen table was finished, once hungry tummies were full of peanutbutter and jelly, and we were dropping the oldest off at a sweet friend's house to help out... I smiled, for probably the first time in hours, at my daughter and said, "Enjoy your opportunity to serve." She smiled back, knowing everything was okay, and answered, "I will."

I'm grateful to know that I don't have to walk through these hectic mornings alone. I'm grateful that I can repent and be forgiven of negative feelings, harsh talk, and terrible mothering.

I'm so grateful that all I have to do is lift my hands, and He sees, and takes them.

my thoughts on picture study

As the weather gets cooler, and we're spending more time indoors, it's a little easier for this homeschooling momma to fit in some "extra" studies.

For the past few weeks, we have been enjoying the art of Grandma Moses. In October, we studied and narrated Halloween. As the month changed, we moved on to Joy Ride, for the second part of November, we are fittingly using Catching The Thanksgiving Turkey. Then, for the short month of December, we'll be enjoying Christmas At Home or So Long Til Next Year. ... Grandma has so many that I love, it's hard for me to choose. We may just stick with her work until March!

 

We are pretty simple in our approach (as with all our school subjects anymore). We google for a short, easy-to-read biography on the artist, and I read it aloud to the kids. We then look at the picture together, on the computer. The kids then narrate (tell me) what they see in the picture. I don't correct at all. I use our current picture as my desktop background, so they see it everyday. I've also been thinking of buying a few frames from the Dollar Store, to hang our artist's works in on the dining room wall, as we enjoy and study them for a few months.

We don't "copy" like we have in the past anymore. There is just too much creative, original, priceless-to-me artwork being made by little hands in our home everyday, that I don't feel assigning "Art" is necessary.

My goal is exposure. Appreciation. Of good art, that instills good feelings. That's all. (if the picture is sad, or inappropriate...we don't look. there is enough of that going on in real life. no thank you.)

 

We do own a few "Art" books here in our home, that have been well-used and loved. We've never 'scheduled' them into lesson plans, they are just on our shelves. My little artists pull them off when they're feeling creative:

The Usborne Book of ART ideas

(a current favorite of both Korinne and TJ)

Usborne Playtime I Can Draw People

Usborne Playtime I Can Draw Animals

Wesley's Bible coloring page is from our Gospel Light's Really Big Book of Bible Story Coloring Pages(I love this, because it's non-consumable...we've owned it for 4 years now. And because the drawing are very simple for little ones.)

Katie Meets The Impressionists

(part of a series of Picture Books that introduces young children to great artists and their works. I hope to be able to purchase more in the series soon)

***More thoughts on Picture Study***

daybook, november 1st

living seasonally…

I don't know how, but it seems our little corner of the world knew it was November today. The sun was beautifully shining, but there was a very cool breeze in the air, and I had to wear my beloved purple sweater outside this afternoon. The boys played baseball and dirt guns, while the girls read Shakespeare on blankets, and I sat in my chair watching the pecan tree leaves twirl to the ground. I really do love November.

giving thanks…

My mom spent the last 24 hours in the hospital. She is home now, and I'm grateful for her diagnosis, although I know it won't be easy. But my little prayer warrior, Wesley, prayed for her (and her exercise routine) this evening during family worship.

 

thinking deeply…

 

It's so hard when emergencies come up, being military ... far away from loved ones in need, and being able to lend a hand. Living where God has placed me is hard sometimes. But right all the time.

turning pages…

 

1 Peter ... our entire family is using The GOAL Study, and working our way through together.

Passionate Housewives ... I do believe that Carissa is joining me in re-reading this favorite. Scripture really does portray homemaking as beautiful, and I need to be reminded.

one thousand gifts ... (maybe) I've read the first three chapters last spring, and they were too much for me. But I keep being drawn to it.

 

establishing rhythm…

 

We are struggling to find a balance for school right now. So many ages and stages and books to teach and choose. Everything has felt stale and generic. We're making so many changes in focus, curriculum, routine ... but it's slow changes.

I do, however, love to see TJ enjoying and learning Math and hearing him read to me out of his Pathway Reader. He laughs. Out loud. At dressed up kitty-dolls. And he frowns. Out loud. When big brother is mean to little sister. (this part is not stale homeschooling, it is my heart, homeschooling)

cultivating simplicity…

As I googled for simple Christmas (my Christmas Wish this winter), I stumbled upon this little post, ...

"I was just reading about the Ingalls family Christmas celebration. Each child got a peppermint stick and a new pair of mittens and a very large, special supper. That was all. The simplicity of their Christmas celebration was in stark contrast to the pile of goodies under our tree and the onslaught of decadent food that starts in November and lasts all the way till January when we vow to abstain for ever after!"

 

creating beauty…

Korinne is finishing her first knitted scarf as I type. She's used every last bit of yarn that Miss Victoria (the knitting librarian that is going to Paris in spring) gave her. She sits on the couch some evenings, perfectly content, and knitting. It makes me smile.

I reminded myself this afternoon, that it's time to put away the pumpkin moonshine jars, tart warmer, and tea light holder ... and get out my little pilgrims and turkeys. We will be decorating for Christmas in just a few weeks too. Early. The weekend before Thanksgiving. Because we are, indeed, going Over The River and Through The Woods this year.

nurturing hearts…

 

As much as I'm trying to place the proper meaning in the kids of Christmas, I feel like Thanksgiving easily gets overlooked. The focus still tends to be visiting, food, and turkeys here. When I need to be filling little hearts full of real, true, grateful thanksgiving. We have so much. And too often, it goes unnoticed.

"They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteousness. " - Psalm 145:7 NKJV

nurturing minds…

A hard decision to make ... but we have shelved our English books. Complicated no longer works in our simple home. I was ready to do a cheer for Brian after watching this. We will take a long break first though. We have holidays to celebrate, and a new baby to welcome to the world. Then ... we will worry about Grammar.

nurturing senses…

We made s'mores Saturday evening. Over a smoking fire. Outside. In fall. It was delicious. They were delicious. ... My dad enjoyed one for the first time with us. Wesley and Benjamin thoroughly enjoyed theirs too!

nurturing hands…

Lotion makes it's return in our routine. After washing dishes, after bathing babies. Judah actually sighed as I massaged his chubby legs.

nurturing bodies…

I realize I'm so tired, just about the time to start dinner every night. I prepared the kitchen, but sat in the kitchen chair, as Brian prepared the meal. Cheeseburger skillet. With all the fixin's. Oh, and French Fries. Really. Good. French Fries.

tending the earth...

If we keep a few of our pumpkin seeds ... how do we store them until spring? Buying pumpkins for eight children is expensive!

thanksgiving book basket

 From Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt: "Increasingly the Thanksgiving holiday is becoming the time when the extended family gathers. More than a day of remembrance, it calls for a spirit of thankfulness to be nurtured. Thanksgiving was not, as is sometimes said in schools, the pilgrims thanking the Indians; it was a thanksgiving to God. Our celebration should be more than "turkey day," a day for overeating, with little conversation about the truth of it's history or significance in family life." (Mrs. Hunt lists of 14 books, 3 of which I include here in my list)

The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh - an accurate Thanksgiving picture book that tells the story of a family's first year in Plymouth Colony which ends with the Thanksgiving feast.

In November by Cynthia Rylant - we LOVE this book, LOVE it! You can read my review here.

Thanksgiving on Thursday (Magic Tree House) by Mary Pope Osborne - this was a fun, easy read. We enjoy Jack and Annie and their adventures here. I'd like to take a peak at the Pilgrims Research Guide to go along with this.

Thanksgiving Mice by Bethany Roberts - just for fun, more for the Littles. We read this a few years back, when we still lived in Cincinnati, and I'm hoping to get my hands on it again, to spark some interest in putting on a little play of our own (like that needs a spark)!

*I've already added An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, Molly's Pilgrim, and Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember.

:: Happy Almost November, Everyone! ::

why simply charlotte mason?

I received an email the other day, I know not from whom, but it simply asked, "Why did you switch from My Father's World to Simply Charlotte Mason?"

First, let me say, we have not been die-hard, faithful MFW users for the entire four years we have been homeschooling. We've used it, and not used it. And used a few other things...Veritas Press, Ambleside Online, Truth Quest, and Simply Charlotte Mason. (I'm speaking mostly of the History parts of these curriculums in this post)

I've tried very hard to stick with MFW and love it. But, for a few reasons, I've just not been able to do it.

...I think it has mostly to do with the fact that MFW has you read bits and pieces of a lot of resources. I prefer to choose A GOOD RESOURCE, and read it to my children. While some folks really appreciate the fact that MFW has done some pre-screening for the teacher-parents, I found it to be very annoying and almost generic feeling.

During Creation to the Greeks (which we all *LOVED*), I learned to overlook this bits and pieces reading...but as the years progressed, it seemed to get a little more tedious.

...I also feel that the further along we got into the chronological history study, the less Charlotte Mason the curriculum became. We did not even do Exploration to 1850, and instead chose to use Adventures, which I felt was still very CM. (I beefed this up for my girls with SCM's Living History Books List and Veritas Press' Yr 5 History Cards).

We did, however, order 1850 to Modern Times, and even used it for the first four or so weeks...but, we soon found ourselves feeling the same way about it.

...And another BIG reason that MFW no longer works for us, is the fact that we feel very strongly, in our large family, that we need to study as much as we can, together. With MFW, you can only use Years 1-5 for your 3rd through 8th graders. I did not have the time, nor did we have the money, to continue to buy two or three programs per year. (and my younger and older children didn't want to be separated from the rest of the family)

So...

Simply Charlotte Mason is working for us right now. We chose our own spines, since SCM hasn't actually completed Lesson Plans for Module 6 yet (Streams of Civilization II for Kylie, and SOTW 4 for Korinne...neither of which we are super pleased with, but you try and find a better Modern Times World History spine...there aren't any out there!), and we are slowly working our way through the Living Books Selections for grades 1-9.

*We are all learning about the same time period, with a Charlotte Mason whole, Living Books approach, and the cost is extremely low. And we like it.

daybook, october 18th

 

Outside my Window... rainy, chilly...October!

What We're Learning... Kylie's at the Library, learning how to Volunteer, both Korinne and Connor had English "tests" today, Korinne's was over the 8 parts of speech, Connor's was over Nouns and Verbs, TJ is learning the difference between to, too and two (s-l-o-w-l-y), we went over 1 Peter 1 this morning, and our History (SOTW 4) is becoming so dry and boring...I'm not sure how we're going to spend 5 more months with this book! If anyone knows of a well-loved Modern Times History-ish book, please share it with me! Please!

I am thankful for... Tylenol 3

From the kitchen... cereal for breakfast, PB&J for lunch, chicken tacos (made by the girls) for dinner

I am wearing... navy yoga pants, Army long-sleeve tee, navy socks, ponytail

 

I am reading... the new Vision Forum catalog came in the mail yesterday, does that count

I am praying... for Judah. He's 4.5 days into his antibiotic, and has started running a fever again. The nurse wants me to bring him back to the office.

 

I am creating... we're going to go buy orange yarn and green and brown pipe cleaners to make Yarn Pumpkins (like over on Elise's pretty, Autumn table)

 

I am hearing... Judah fuss, Rinny trying to make him happy, the rain dripping from the gutters, and The Incredibles on TV (we take it easy when Kylie goes to work, so she doesn't miss much 'school')

 

I am remembering... that I need to be better about keeping my own appointments, doctor and dentist..

On my mind... fever. for 4 weeks now. I'm exhausted

 

Noticing that... once you start creating, you want to keep creating

 

One of my favorite things... seeing my children do well on English "tests"

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Judah back to pediatrician tonight, knitting class for Korinne tomorrow, I think we'll finally make it to the grocery tomorrow too, Thursday morning I'm having 2 teeth extracted and a bone graft at my dentist, Brian will be taking the day off to help (YAY!), Friday we have no plans except Family Movie Night, Saturday we're hoping to paint the Dining Room (Golden Honey), and Sunday we hope to get out to Church.

how a mom takes a nice, hot bath

In the following few paragraphs, I'm going to give you (A Mom) instructions on how to take a nice, hot bath:

. The first step is to have dinner prepared & cleaned up early. (it helps if your hubby brings home pizza after work...YES! Brian worked today. YES! We know it's Sunday. It's the Army that tends to forget.) I did not plan this step, it just happened. YAY! for early dinners.

. Step #2, have dessert enjoyed & cleaned up early. (NO! we do not have dessert every night, but Korinne made a special treat for everyone. She actually served it, and cleaned it up...which helped with my 'early' theme.)

. Next, OK your plans to take a nice, hot bath with hubby. YES! He will most likely say, "GO! Enjoy your bath." But you want to be sure he knows that he's looking after the kids for a while. Otherwise, he will think you've certainly got it handled...even if you are NOWHERE! in sight.

The fourth step is to lock the door to the bathroom. This is tricky for me. The door leading to our master bath locks from the outside. YES! You can unlock it from the inside as well, but it allows Little Ones to be able to unlock it from the outside too! BUT! It does give hubby an extra ten seconds to catch the Little One who is trying to enter the bathroom where Mommy is trying to take her nice, hot bath. And he will stop the culprit before they can emerge victorious. Hopefully.

. Step #5 is to turn the exhaust fan ON! NO! You are not taking a steaming shower. You are taking a nice, hot bath. BUT! The exhaust fan will drowned out any small-ish noise that may alarm you (A Mom) and cause you to cut your nice, hot bath short.

. The next step is to clean the bathtub of tubby toys and dirt. YES! Every mom of Littles has tubby toys. No big deal. NO! Not every mom has to clean dirt out of her bathtub to take a bath. And I really can't believe I'm telling the world that I do! BUT! It's true. I have FIVE Rowdy Boys, and they get dirty. Like, actually DIRTY everyday. Like, there's dirt in the bathtub each night after they've had their bath. (I will NEVER understand how a mom of boys could ever not have to give them a bath every. single. day. *And, in the hot, summer months...I have to give my boys TWO. One when we come in for lunch and naps, and one we come in for dinner and our night time routine.)

. The seventh step is to fill the tub up with hot water and a little bath oil. YES! The water should be almost too hot. BUT! You take a 5 minute, lukewarm shower most other days of your life, so this one too-hot shower will not ruin your skin. And YES! The leftover Skin So Soft that you had on to combat the attack of the Arkansas Mosquitoes counts as a little bath oil (not that that's what I did, ahem.).

. Step #8 is to put a hot washrag over your face and soak. Continue with this until you hear the sound of little, running feet OVER the exhaust fan (Step #5), then the sound of one of your toddlers wailing in distress (which will take about 3 minutes).

. The next step is to stop soaking and bathe already. If you planned on shaving, go ahead, BUT! only from the knees down. That way, if you wear capri pants or a skirt tomorrow, no one will know the better. And you can explain to poor hubby, that you had full intentions of REALLY shaving your legs...until you heard the wailing toddler. He will then understand.

. The tenth step is to get out of your nice, hot bath and moisturize. UNLESS! A Little Person has broken past the locked door leading to the bathroom (Step #4), and is standing there hollering, "CAN I COME IN?!" Then you will have to forget the body lotion (until you see your knees in the morning).

. Step #11 is to put on clean jammies and smile. Because you are clean. Which you (A Mom) cannot say all the time.

:: Happy Nice, Hot Bathing! ::

daybook, october 10th

Outside my Window... warm darkness

What We're Learning... I'm not sure yet. We took the day 'off' learning, since Brian was home, and I haven't taken a peek at our book readings for the week

I am thankful for... the Army giving days like Columbus Day to their Soldiers, to spend time at home with their families

From the kitchen... the girls made banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, and goulash this afternoon for dinner, we had lunch meat sandwiches and cheese & crackers for lunch, and I made yummy cinnamon toast for breakfast

I am wearing... gray yoga pants, and my Old Navy flag tee from this summer's Independence Day

I am reading... Halls of Fame (Volume 12) and In Your Hands: A Parent's Guide Book (Index) that go with our new-to-us 1951 Edition of My Book House, the Autumn sections of A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections On The Gentle Art of Learning and Lessons at Blackberry Inn, Jim Trelease's The Read ~ Aloud Handbook, and Loving The Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches (for the THIRD! time)

I am praying...

that ALL my boys' health returns soon. We've been s-l-o-w-l-y moving through a stuffy, coughing, feverish, runny nose, sickly eyes virus. Exactly THREE! weeks of it, tomorrow!

I am creating... a home that says Welcome Autumn. We have fall leaves, pumpkins, scarecrows, apple & caramel candles, Autumn Book Basket, pumpkin moon shines, and plans for a few neat, little fall crafts (Autumn Wreath, Jar Pumpkin Moon Shines, Caramel Apple Cupcakes ...). The girls and I also picked out paint colors for every room in the house this past weekend. Now, to just get Mrs. Landlord's approval

I am hearing... Brian's pen clicking in the dining room, the water running upstairs, and night sounds coming in through the sun porch door

I am remembering... the fun we had on our Family Nature Walk this morning. The treasure bags full of nature's goodness, the duck feeding, the flower picking, the 'baby' fish, the 2 year old with his walking stick, Brian stopping to show everyone a spider... Amanda was right, we needed to get outdoors

On my mind... the fevers. I hate, hate, hate when the children have fevers. It consumes me. Worry. So many meds. Worry. Little eyes that beg me to make them feel better. Worry.

Noticing that... I'm not as tired in the evenings as I was a few weeks ago. Energy. Just in time for the Holidays

One of my favorite things... Mimi, our kitty. I really do love her. She hangs out on the window sills of our sun porch and looks so homely and kitty-ish. She also loves us, which is, in my opinion, a unique quality in a kitty

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Brian goes back to work tomorrow, we go back to learning and routine. Korinne has knitting class Wednesday. Kylie volunteers at the Library on Thursday morning. The girls and I have Irish Dance Class Thursday afternoon. Friday is grocery day, pizza night, and Family Movie Night, Brian has Drill this weekend, I hope to do some more decorating Saturday (outside with mums and pumpkins), and Sunday, we will REST

the quarterback wristband

What is a Quarterback Wristband, you ask? Well, I asked the same thing of my husband a few weeks ago...

"What's that on Connor's wrist? His Army wallet?" Brian answered, smiling...

"That's their Quarterback Wristband. You know...it has all their plays written on it."

(duh.)

(huh?)

...The Quarterback Wristband is a thick band with a clear plastic sleeve to slide the play card into. I have never, ever noticed this...but you can't get anything past my football-loving boys.

Here is their homemade (3rd/1st Grade) version, it says:

1.1 YarD Past fD.
2.Long Pass.
3.handoff.
4.fleefiker.
5.all the way to Endzone.
6.Plane Pass.
7.center
8.sack.
9.Get Ball carer.
10.inercepshon.

And yes, it actually was his Army wallet that it was taped to, then Velcro-fastened around his wrist. They sell real Quarterback Wristbands for $12.95...I've started Christmas shopping.

daybook, september 20th

Outside my Window... cloudy and chilly...but I don't mind

What We're Learning... we're in the midst of the Civil War and the Early Church

I am thankful for... a napping 4 year old (who seems to be coming down with something...not to mention his little brother, Benjamin, gave him a nice shiner!)

From the kitchen... pot roast, carrots, and mashed potatoes for dinner. We had turkey sandwiches for lunch (topped with lettuce and cut in half...which was a nice, little touch

I am wearing... gray sweat pants, yellow top

 

I am reading... Peter Pan to the kids and some background stuff on the Civil War

I am praying... that Wesley isn't coming down with anything, that my dad feels 100% soon, and that our little sponsor child is well

I am creating... a family calendar...I think we're about to become a little busier

 

I am hearing... silence, it's been a nice change

 

I am remembering... that silence doesn't always mean sleep...maybe I should go check on everyone!

 

On my mind... Christmas. We are simplifying Big Time this year

Noticing that... the kids probably won't care about any STUFF! we actually cut out of the Christmas Celebration...they always care more about the special things we do, than the 'cool' things they could get

 

One of my favorite things... fall. I'm elated it's finally here. Chili, pumpkins, hot tea, apple candles, scarecrows, mums ... ...

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Korinne wants to go to Knitting class tomorrow, we're going to Church tomorrow evening, the boys have a Lego-thingy at the library Thursday, the girls and I have been invited to a Baby Shower Thursday evening, Friday is the first day of fall...we'll be decorating, making chili and pumpkin pie and maybe watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" for Family Movie Night, Saturday Brian will be home All. Day. (yay!), Sunday we'll go back to church. ...And all of that, makes me smile :)

i married a boy in my 3rd grade class

Once there was a little girl who loved to wear dresses and do cartwheels. She went to a little, shiny school in a little, country town.

Once there was a little boy who didn't care what he wore, and loved to play ball. He went to the same little, shiny school in the same little, country town.

The little girl and the little boy were friends for many, many years. Then one day, when they were not so little anymore, they looked into each others eyes, and forgot all about cartwheels and ball.

The not so little anymore boy whispered to the not so little anymore girl, "I'm crazy for you." And she whispered back, "I love you."

A few months later, the little boy turned soldier married the little girl turned momma. And they spent many, many years loving, and having babies, and whispering to each other.

Then one night, the little girl, who was swelling with their eighth baby, had a bad dream.


*** *** ***

The little girl and the little boy were back in their little, shiny school. The little girl was playing make believe with all the other little girls in their class. She announced to her little girl friends that she wanted THE little boy to "play pretend" to be her husband. And all her little girl friends just stared at her. And then they laughed at her.

The little girl called for THE little boy across the classroom to come save her. And he did. The little girl and the little boy embraced, as they stood in the middle of so many other little girls and little boys. The room began to spin, and the little girl was crying, while the little boy was whispering in her ear.

*** *** ***

Then the little girl woke up from her bad dream, and she was that not so little anymore girl again. She was a momma. And her not so little anymore boy soldier was asleep next to her in their bed. She wiped her tears on her pillow, and moved closer to him. And they whispered to each other.

daybook, august 29th

Outside my Window... a beautiful sunshiny day

What We're Learning... about the Great Exhibition, nouns & verbs, and how we should live by Jesus' example

I am thankful for... the end of Annual Training

From the kitchen... cinnamon oatmeal for breakfast, macaroni with tomato and basil sauce and parmesan cheese for lunch, Brian's bringing home (frozen) pizza for dinner, and we will be having Blue Bell Banana Pudding Ice Cream for dessert

I am wearing... khaki capris and a black maternity tee

I am reading... just skimmed through the current issue of Above Rubies

I am praying... for some much-needed energy

I am creating... a solid high school schedule/credits for Kylie's 9th grade year. This has been the most challenging homeschool planning I've yet to do since we started our home education journey in 2007. I think we are almost there

I am hearing... the clatter of the sun porch ceiling fan, the buzz of my desktop, and the whir of the ceiling fan in our bedroom. It's amazingly that quiet

I am remembering... that I still need to call the pediatrician's office, since we completely missed Judah's check up back on the 19th. I dread DR appointments, and therefore unconsciously forget most of them. I long for a doctor like Amanda's wonderful family doctor. What a blessing!

On my mind... is this baby a boy or a girl? It doesn't really matter at all. But we sure would love another little girl. Except for Benjamin. He wants a boy.

Noticing that... maternity clothes are either skin tight or hot air balloon-ish. There is no classy in-between

One of my favorite things... a Homecoming. Three weeks is just too long to be apart from my Soldier-Husband. I missed him so much it hurt.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... the grocery store and the library, most likely fishing this weekend, Korinne has requested a trip to the Roller Skating Rink, and church

 

what morning sickness taught me (and i almost missed)

The morning sickness with this pregnancy caught me completely off guard. I had never experienced it to such a degree before with my previous seven pregnancies. A little in the evenings with Korinne, a little more all-day with Wesley. But I was still able to function and carry on with our daily lives just the same as always.

Not so with this pregnancy. I was down for the count for many, many days. And it was awful, terrible, I thought I was dying...at times I really did want to die. Then I felt guilty for wanting to die. I felt guilty for not accepting this eighth blessing from God with anything but absolute joy. And I felt guilty for not being able to care for my home and family the way I should.

Brian would look me in the eyes, and assure me with things like, "Stop it. We will pull through. Let me help. Let the girls help. It can't last more than nine months." And I would sputter things back like, "I don't want you to have to help. I don't want the girls to have to help. And I will never make it nine months...I was thinking three months would kill me."

It took a good few weeks, but God started working on my heart. The Holy Spirit showed me that my biggest 'problem' with this morning sickness was me. I was really ill, but I was very sick with pride too. Which was keeping me from taking care of myself and my tiny baby, from taking it easy, and from letting this pregnancy sickness soon pass.

I am Super Woman. I have a happy husband, happy children. I keep a clean and tidy home. I do every single load of laundry there is. Every. Single. Day. I put three meals, and two snacks on the table each day. I homeschool four children, all while keeping three toddlers busy. I am Super Woman. There is no possible way that Brian or the girls could do what I do.

That is not true. It's actually one of the biggest lies I have ever believed.

My husband is a wonderful man. Not only does he completely support me in my role as homemaker, but he can step in and fill my shoes at a moment's notice. And he does it well. My daughters are wonderful young women. They have been trained for years now in the art of homemaking. I have taught them how to clean, and cook, and care for their siblings...as much as I have taught them academics. They are pretty darn good at keeping house for fourteen and eleven.

I was wasting so much energy worrying that our home would not be taken care of to my standards, that I almost missed the blessing of my family, and that would have been something entirely too good to miss. So I let go. I stopped believing my made-up super woman lie, and accepted the help that my precious family was offering.

I am a little past that 13 Week mark in my pregnancy now. Hello second trimester! I've not had to take but ten of my anti-nausea pills, and it's been almost a week since I took my last one. My energy is returning. Life is good, as it always was...I was just too blinded by my 'trouble' to notice. It was a true test of my faith, that I suppose I did actually fail in a way. But I'm hoping that the fact that I WE pulled through, relying on God and listening to the Holy Spirit, brought my grade up just a little.

It is so true that God doesn't give us anymore than we can handle (with Him), but he also never promises that it will be easy. I just pray that the next time I'm faced with trials, that I can say from the very beginning, that I will praise Him in the storm...not just once it's passed.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers,they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." - Isaiah 43:2

children's book monday: does a kangaroo have a mother, too?

Does A Kangaroo Have A Mother, Too?
by Eric Carle


I picked this book up at Kohl's a few years back as part of their Kohl's Cares for Kids campaign. It pretty much sat on the shelf until about a year ago, as I am not a huge Eric Carle fan. Love that Hungry Caterpillar, but that's about it for me.

Last summer, one of the little, bitty boys picked it off the shelf when my parents were down. And my mom read it to the boys over and over. And they loved it! And we've continued to pull it down ever since.

It's a perfect pre-school book. Very simple, repetitive sing-song style, only a sentence or two on each page. With, of course, Carle's well-known, colorful illustrations that capture any reader's attention.

The book moves through about ten different animals(giraffe, dolphin, kangaroo, etc.), asking, "Does a bear have a mother, too?" And of course, to ensure the smallest of children, "Yes! A BEAR has a mother. Just like me and you." (which your child will start to 'read' with you, after only a few pages) *At the back of the book is a section that names animal babies, parents, and groups. Something every small child likes to know!

:: Happy Giving NEW Books a Chance! ::
(you can see what Elise and her children are finally reading, here)
~Kathi

daybook, august 9th

For Today...Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

Outside my Window...another beautiful day. Sunny, but not too hot. With a very nice breeze. Much, much better than that day that was 107* last week!

What We're Learning...we started back to school yesterday. We ended up taking most of the summer off, so it's the first time we're back to schooling like normal folks in a few years. Korinne and Connor are using 1850-MOD, pretty much as-is in the TM. TJ will wait to start First Grade until Thursday (a recommendation from the TM, so that Exploration Day falls on a Wednesday, giving him a much needed mid-week break each week). Kylie is doing...until we're able to purchase AHL. Yes, those plans are much different than the ones I just posted last Friday...but we had a very homeschool friendly weekend, that reminded us of a lot of homeschool-type things we'd forgotten. Ahem, moving on...

I am thankful for...relief from morning sickness during the day. I cannot take one of my prescriptions because it causes extreme fatigue. The other one I can take up to three times a day...which I only need to take once, around dinner time. I'm very thankful. Very.

From the kitchen...we had maple & brown sugar oatmeal for breakfast, chips & queso & corn for lunch, and dinner may just be Stouffer's Lasagna.

I am wearing...jean skirt, gray tee

I am reading...nothing. It makes me ill. We are even listening to our Read Aloud (Farmer Boy) on audiobook.

I am praying...for my mom. Who thinks she broke her foot at work yesterday. For the families of Seal Team 6. Such sad news. I'm also praying that this war will be over soon. Very soon.

I am creating...I rearranged the furniture in my family room yesterday. We brought back down a chair, ottoman, and the computer table from the empty room. It's a little crowded but we like it much better this way. Cozy.

I am hearing...the neighbor mowing his grass, the AC (which NEVER turns off), and Wesley asking a thousand questions (he is also NEVER off!)

I am remembering...that it takes Stouffer's Lasagna like forever to cook, so I will have to think of something else for dinner...

I am going...to head back outside with the kids as soon as the babies wake up. It really is nice out.

On my mind...how to find a way to get everything accomplished in a day that needs done. I know I posted our Morning Routine a while back...and as soon as I posted it, it needed changed. Now I see with a 9th grader, 6th grader, 3rd grader, 1st grader, 2 preschoolers, a toddler, and a baby on the way...that I can no longer fight the schedule thing. Routine won't cut it any more.

Noticing that...I don't have the urge to put my kids back in public school this year. Usually, with all the back to school sales, and the school buses driving around, etc. I get that sad feeling that they're missing out somehow. I don't feel that this year.

One of my favorite things...Blue Belle Ice Cream. It's one thing (one!) that I will miss when we move from here. ...the Banana Pudding flavor is the BEST!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...we had plans to go to the pool with friends on Thursday...but it looks like that will have to be cancelled again. We also have to get to the grocery store before the weekend.

nine now

The Baby Boy~

The baby boy that I hoped so much for.

The baby boy that I admitted to Brian I wouldn't know how to properly care for (after having two baby girls).

The baby boy that would sit on his Daddy's lap for hours.

The baby boy that almost ate a toad.

The baby boy that took three tries to potty train.

The Little Boy~

The little boy who was scared of his Bob The Builder costume (even though Bob was his hero).

The little boy who walked around our home 'playing' leaf blower and weed eater all day (with full sound effects...how did that child not get a headache?).

The little boy who put his pop gun in the microwave only days after his Daddy left for Afghanistan (Brian called, and I cried, "You have to come back home. I cannot raise this little boy without you!").

The little boy who asked for his Soldier-Daddy back three times a day, every single day, for 545 days.

The little boy who played soccer like an absolute maniac when he was five years old.

The little boy who fell in head-over-heels-love with his baby brother, Wesley.

The Big Boy~

The big boy who learned Math on his fingers AND toes.

The big boy who literally dreamed of his own Red Ryder BB Gun.

The big boy who was on the Champion Baseball Team his very first season of baseball.

The big boy who studies (hard) Army Regulation Manuals and the backs of Baseball Cards.

The big boy who loves his Cincinnati Reds.

The big boy whose hero is no longer Bob The Builder. But his DAD.

...

Is Nine Now.

And he is not a baby boy. Or a little boy. Or even a big boy.

He is just a boy.

And I will blink again, and he'll be a young man.

Be still my heart.

Happy Birthday, Connor. I love you.

thinking ::

I'm thinking how awkward it feels to sit here in this chair, staring at this computer screen. I blog very little these days. I rarely read blogs. And I never comment anymore. Kinda makes me sad. But I see other parts of my life falling into better place, so I see that's it's a good exchange.

 

I'm thinking that I despise Morning Sickness. Make that All Day sickness. I'm still able to do everything I need to do, but I carry around a slight nauseous feeling most of the day. When I'm starting to feel hungry, I get nauseous. As I eat, I get even more nauseous. After I eat, I want to die for a while. I know it's all going to be worth it. But I will tell you, I despise it.

I'm thinking about how sad I felt yesterday when my mom texted me the Not Guilty verdict for the Casey Anthony trial. I was heartbroken, crushed. I fought tears for close to an hour. After I had mulled it over in my head for a while, I turned to Brian and asked him what was on my mind... "If Casey Anthony really is guilty, and God is a just God, then how will that poor little girl ever receive justice?" He answered me with a true Brian answer. "Kathi, Caylee is in heaven. And that is justice." And he is right. A few years ago, I would have wanted that woman's mouth duck taped shut and drowned. Now, I just pray that *if* she is actually guilty, she goes straight from jail to the foot of the Cross. Because that's her only hope.

 

I'm thinking how it's totally weird that I homeschool my kids. In July. But it's just too hot to do anything else, and they haven't complained too much about it either...except that our History reading was v-e-r-y long. And the Review Words for Spelling are dumb. And capital Es have four lines going out, not three. And there is only one poem of Robert Browning's in our Poetry book. And a certain 11 year old still can't find here missing Lesson 17 in English...

 

And, right now, I'm also thinking that I should have put the roast in the oven for dinner, and didn't. I have fresh ground beef in the fridge, but I don't want to make anything with that, because I really want the roast tomorrow, and I don't like to do red meat two days in a row. So...what will I make for dinner? Maybe Grilled PB&J with Pickles and V8 Juice. That sounds good.