quiet time now

Remember this post? Well, I do. Because I'm still living it. I still have not figured out a way to make the hours between 1 PM and 4 PM work.

It seems like I'm always hitting my wall, just about the time I need to walk in the kitchen and start dinner (and I don't enjoy cooking). So, needless to say, I have to...I must, find a way to make our afternoons less chaotic.

Here's what Quiet Time looks like for us right now:

12:30-ish...I'm sitting on the floor, in the hallway, between all the kids' bedrooms, Reading Aloud. I love doing this. The kids love it. This is working. (it also gives Judah and Benjamin time to fall asleep)

1:00-ish...Quiet Time starts. Big Kids (the girls and Connor) are reading for approximately 90 minutes. This is Book Basket time (Science, History Independent Reading) and the last little while is for 'fun' reading.

. what does TJ do during this time? Well, he'll look through a book or two for about 10 minutes, and then he'll completely konk out. Every day. For about an hour. And he's 6.

. what does Wesley do during this time? It depends. Sometimes he peels the paint off his wall. Sometimes he changes his clothes a few times. Sometimes he sings. Sometimes he ______. And yes, I'm still fighting this 3 yr olds-must-nap thing. Because I think they must...but clearly, Wesley does not agree. He's back to being 'quiet' in our bed.

2:30-ish...Snack Time. Cereal. Tea Time has officially been reserved for Fridays. This time is still quiet, because evidently everyone is famished from Quiet Time. It's kind of odd how quiet this cereal-eating time really is.

3:00-ish...we should do Science. Or Nature Study. Or Art. Or Music. What do we do? I don't know. I usually spin around in circles from 3:00-ish until 4:00-ish.

So...

Tell me why. Why do our afternoons get waaay off track every.single.day?

Do large families just not do 'Nap Time?' How in the world do the little ones still get a nap...if everyone else is just going about their business...opening and closing doors? going up and down stairs? turning on faucets?

I've been thinking of really trying to get all our 'school' finished in the mornings. I think it may be feasible. That would push Nap Time back atleast an hour, and the Littles are up at 6:30 AM...I'm not sure they could actually stay up until 2:00 PM.

But it would completely free up the afternoon. For playing, and free time, and no more spinning. Just fun.

Or am I dreaming?

how we celebrate a birthday

Many of you who know us, know that we do not plan elaborate birthday parties for our children. We never have. It's always been just family. We'd do an easy meal, cake and ice cream, and most guests would bring a gift. But there has never been a petting zoo, a bouncy gym, a clown, etc.

BUT...since we have moved down here, where it would take family nine hours to drive to the birthday celebration, I have tried to come up with a few "special things" to make the birthday child's day a happy one to remember:

***Before the big day I make sure I have:

. Red Lipstick - for writing Birthday Messages on bathroom mirrors (I've been doing this a few years now), I buy the $1 tubes, and they last a few birthdays
. Paper Streamers - to hang from the birthday child's bedroom door and dining room entrance

. Balloons - just the simple kind, we blow them up and throw them all over the floor

 

***On the big day I am sure to make:

. Breakfast - at the birthday child's request (this has turned into donuts...often with Brian making an early morning run to Daylight Donuts)
. Dinner - at the birthday child's request (if a child is particularly enjoying dinner, they will anxiously announce, "This is what I'm havin' for my Birthday Dinner!"...you may hear that from the same child, about ten different dinners, all throughout the year)
. Birthday cake - any desert (not just cake) at the birthday child's request (some recents are: Strawberry Shortcake, Oreo Goodness, Carrot Cake, Pumpkin Pie)
. *Everything is eaten on a special "Birthday Plate" ...which is just a cheap black and white plate from WalMart, but it's only brought out on the birthdays for the birthday child...I would like to buy a nicer one that says CELEBRATE on it, but we have to prioritize here, and usually birthday gifts come before birthday plates...

***On the big day the birthday child is sure to get:

. cards - lots of homemade ones from each of their siblings, and one boughten one from the entire family. I would like to start writing a birthday letter to each birthday child every year. I did this once when Kylie turned 9, and she still has it. For now, I've really been trying to write a very thoughtful post on their birthday, like Kylie's 13th or Wesley's 3rd, and Korinne's 10th was fun to write!

. gifts - we try to think of something or a few somethings the birthday child will really LOVE

***An added bonus is being free from chores on your birthday, and believe me, they don't let you forget!***

children's book monday: madeleine takes command

Madeleine Takes Command
by Ethel C. Brill

We finished this Read Aloud last week, and let me just say that we all (Momma, Girls, and Boys) thoroughly enjoyed it, and we were so sad to see it end.

Madeleine Takes Command is a true historical novel about the 17th-century Canadian frontier (New France). In the story Madeleine de Vercheres, a 14 year old girl, along with her 12 and 10 year old brothers, bravely and heroically hold down their father's fort (while both he, their mother, and youngest siblings are away) against the Iroquois Indians, in defense of faith, family, and New France.

Not only was this a refreshing and welcome 'educational' story (we have not learned much about Canadian Colonization...OK, we hadn't learned anything up until this point), but it was also a wonderful book for my children (siblings) to hear because of the combined effort of Madeleine and both of her brothers to stick together, talk things through, and encourage each other through the attack. Their love and respect for one other was very evident.

If you haven't had the opportunity to share this story with your family, I highly recommend it, not only for it's historical content, but also for it's life application for families.

:: Happy Reading! ::

~Kathi

P.S. You can see other Children's Book Monday Reviews over at Elise's place...or Kristin's place.

early morning math class

A few weeks ago, we decided that Math at the end of Quiet Time was no longer working for us, and that a lot of time was being wasted at the start of our day.

We implemented a new morning routine for the older children that included doing their Math bright and early (6:30 AM for Kylie...Korinne and Connor to follow at 6:45). Everyone closes the books at 7:15 (whether they've finished the page or not), and heads to the Family Room for prayer with Dad before he heads to the gym or work.

So far...it's working wonderfully for us. The best thing is that it gets the worst part of the homeschool day (Math!) out of the way...*AND* Dad is still home to deal with any questions (Dad is the Math teacher here in the Bailey Home).

I've done a few things to make this early-morning-math-routine less painful for my little students:

. I make sure to open the blinds in the dining room (where they sit at the table and do their pages). Who doesn't feel better about things when looking at a Brand New Day?! This morning, the birds were even singing, and I slightly opened one of the windows, so the kids could hear them.

. I turn on very soft music. Right now, it's Vivaldi. I wish we had a copy of Hidden in My Heart that would play in our music player, that would be the most perfect early-morning-math-routine music!

. I go ahead and turn the tea kettle on, line up the cups and saucers, and put the tea bags in the cups. Sometimes I'm in the kitchen when the kettle starts to whistle, most mornings Korinne will get it. The girls have been drinking tea in the morning for a few years, but this is something new and exciting for Connor. It makes him less grumbly about having to do early-morning-Math, instead of listening to Mom read Stuart Little (he still grins, embarrassed, if you peek at him while he's drinking from his cup).

. I've even lit our Jesus candle a few mornings.


It's strange that such a small thing is making our days flow more smoothly, but it is. Maybe I should remember this, and switch up our routine more often!



:: Happy Homeschooling! ::

st patricks day book basket

A Pot O' Gold

selected and adapted by Kathleen Krull
illustrated by David McPahil

from Music K-8: "Though it may only be a small emerald isle, Ireland's heritage is very large indeed. In A Pot O' Gold, noted writer Kathleen Krull and illustrator David McPhail bring this legacy to life. This anthology compiles classic and rare examples of Irish culture including songs, poems, stories, recipes, and even a little blarney. From legends of leprechauns and fairies to the classic poetry of Yeats and Joyce, this treasury is a perfect way for anyone to share the wonders of Ireland."

:: Happy March! ::

hey diddle diddle

Hey! Diddle, Diddle! from Kathi Bailey on Vimeo.

isms ... february 2011

I walk in the door, arms loaded down with bags and bags of newly checked out Library books, and Wesley hands me a folded up piece of paper from an old red purse of mine, that he's claimed is his mailbag, and wears crossed over his chest,

"Here's your mail Momma."

"Um...there's nothing on it, Baby"

"...I know, Daddy wouldn't let me write...but it *would* say have fun at the Library Momma."

 

" H-I-O! What's that spell? BUCKEYES! "

The boys are continually reminded by their Father that they may not ask for chocolate milk in the morning before saying "Good Morning."

 

" Can I have my choc ... Good Morning Momma. Can I have my chocolate milk? "

 

" Mommm! Rin hit me! On Accident! "

During Bath Time:

" That was very kind of you Momma. "

" What was very kind of me? "

" Rinsing the soap off of me. "

Me: "Wesley, eat your Peanutbutter Bite (flax ball). "

Wesley: "But Mom, I do not enjoy them."

daybook, february 21st

Outside my window...50 degrees, Fair, Feels like 50 degrees, Wind NNW at 13 mph, Humidity 74%, UV Index 0 Low, Dew Point 42 degrees F, Visibility 10.0 mi, Sunrise 6:43 AM, Sunset 5:51 PM (I heart my TWC app on my iPhone)

I am thinking...I shouldn't love my iPhone so much, and I should apologize to my husband for thinking he was crazy this past year for loving his iPhone so much

I am thankful for...an unexpected text from my Momma this morning (can't wait for this weekend)

From the learning rooms...Immanuel, Rhode Island, Vermont (complete with pancakes and real Maple Syrup), Daniel Boone, finishing Amos Fortune Freeman, starting Madeleine Takes Command, listening to Tchaikovsky's story, Air...

 

From the kitchen...we had big pretzels and homemade cheese sauce for lunch, and BBQed chicken, baked beans, and real mac and cheese for dinner

I am wearing...jeans and an Army tee

I am creating...getting ready to write out my school plan for tomorrow

I am reading...The Excellent Wife, The Mysterious Benedict Society (aloud to the kids), thinking maybe, just maybe, I'll start Chosen By God (maybe)

 

I am hoping...my Mom's vacation day is approved

 

I am hearing...silence (except for the fan, somebody pinch me!)

Around the house...pretty clean and tidy...announced at bedtime that Wesley and TJ's room and the upstairs Toy Closet would be getting an overhaul tomorrow...Korinne asked, "What's and overhaul?"

 

A few of my favorite things...Original-Scent Liquid Tide, April Fresh Downy, and Bounce Dryer Sheets (0 or 2)...I tried Charlie's Laundry Soap (and wasted $40)...tonight, I did my laundry the way I love, and the smell wafting from my laundry room is heavenly~

 

A few plans for the rest of the week: lots and lots of learning (so glad to be using my My Father's World TM again, makes my life so much easier, and our 'school' more fun!), ballet, library trip, and hopefully a busy weekend with my parents!

love letters from connor

To: Kylie

From: Connor

..."I love the Bengals but not as much as I love you."

To: Mom

From: Connor

..."Love Love Love Love Love Love Love Love Love BE MINE"

To: Judah

From: Connor

..."Have a chunky Valentine's Day"

To: TJ

From: Connor

..."It's Valentine's Day! MVP TJ"

...and Korinne's, which is sadly missing, said, "The Colts are tough but not as tough as my love for you."

red hot cinnamon play doh

We are studying Jesus, The Bread of Life.

Our Science, which goes along with our Names of Jesus Study, is about Bread...dough...yeast, etc. this week. One of our Science Experiments was to make homemade play dough.

So, I decided to add a little Valentine's fun to it!

Here's our most favorite homemade play dough recipe (beats boughten Play Doh anyday):

2 C water

red food coloring

2 T oil

3 t cinnamon

1 C salt

4 t cream of tartar

2 C flour

...mix all ingredients in your pan, stir over medium heat until all the lumps are (almost) gone, knead on your kitchen counter like you would bread dough (add more food coloring, if needed), and give to your excited kids. Mine love it all warm and squishy and smelly-good!

:: Enjoy twenty minutes without getting a drink for a little person, or breaking up a squabble between little people, or reading Go, Dog. Go! to a little person! ::

Now...if only our 'bread' turns out as well later in the week!

daybook, january 25th

Outside my window...it is cold, and it is snowing...just barely, but it's snowing nonetheless

I am thinking...about what our goals are for our girls...what goals the girls have for themselves...will they line up...does it matter if they don't...I don't know about this teenager stuff...it's pretty hard...and even harder when you throw God in the mix...OK, so I don't 'throw' God anywhere...but raising a Godly teenager is hard...well, not really, because our teenager is a good kid...but one day...

 

I am thankful for...good health

 

From the learning rooms...a little Chinese history, adding -ing, and birds...I'm kind of tired of birds

 

From the kitchen...cereal for breakfast, leftovers for lunch, and I have no idea what's for dinner...I'm working hard in the kitchen today

I am wearing...jeans and my purple sweater wrap (yes, purple...it's one color I don't mind to wear)

I am creating... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

I am going...I may start going to a Mom's Book Club this Thursday, "Fat souls are better than clean floors." or it may be postponed by one week (the hostess has company this week)

I am reading...The Well Trained Mind, Ch. 16, "Why 1492? History and Geography," in hopes of finding a way to 'beef up' Kylie's History studies. I'm thinking we're going to use Outlining again (which TWTM explains in depth), add in some memorization (Declaration of Independence and Preamble to the Constitution), and TWTM's Notebooking is so thorough...

I am hoping...the house stays quiet for just a little while

 

I am hearing...the fan, TJ breathing (he's asleep, on the floor, in front of the fireplace...a new favorite spot of his)

Around the house...superclean, after all the after-sickness disinfecting

One of my favorite things...read aloud time. Give me a good book, and my babies, and I'm good!

A few plans for the rest of the week...ballet, (maybe) our Mom's Book Club, and The Last of The Mohicans Friday night

not my salvation story

Since we are a Godly, church-less family right now, we watched Love Worth Finding as our 'church' this evening. The sermon was entitled 'Understanding The New Birth.' And, just like most times when I sit in church, and it seems the pastor is speaking directly to me, such was the case this evening. Impossible I know, but it felt that way just the same. Something really spoke to me at the end of the sermon. Dr. Rogers was speaking about how we know for certain we have been born again. And the answer, "If we are now trusting Jesus, we are born again." Emphasis on now. He went on to say that some people have a story. A day. A place. Something in their past, that they know for certain, from that moment on, they were saved (born again). But some people do not have a story. And that is OK, because the bible does not say that we must have a story.

 I'm one of those people who doesn't have a story. I remember a few years back, when we first moved down here, and we wanted to 'join' our old church. The pastor came over, and at the end of the visit, he wanted to know our 'salvation stories.' I don't even remember what I said. But I remember wanting so badly to be part of that church, so I made up a 'salvation story' right there on the spot. It was based on my 'experience,' and it sounded good. But it was made up. It was a lie. That I told to my new (old) pastor. (...and you're thinking, "Maybe that's why you are church-less Kathi!" Maybe you're right.)

The truth is, I don't know exactly when I was born again. All I know is that in 2005, I had just had my fourth child, my husband had just left for Afghanistan, our home was getting ready to be in foreclosure, we were broke, and my life seemed rather bleak (to say the least). I remember thinking, "There is no possible way I can do this alone." As the days, weeks, and months passed, I found myself reading the bible. I found myself praying for my deployed husband, my lonely children, and help...I needed so much help. I found myself taking my family (minus their Daddy) to church. I discovered K-LOVE. I started reading bible stories to the kids. And we made it.

 I believe it was the Holy Spirit calling me to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and God answering my prayers. It is my 16-month long 'salvation story.' And I am still trusting Jesus. Right now.

an english lesson

We use Rod & Staff's Building Christian English Series for our english (grammar and composition) lessons starting at age 9-ish or so. I *heart* it. My girls *heart* it. Really, I'm not lying...you can ask them.

We go over the lesson together, do the oral drill together, and then they complete the lesson on their own. Kylie even grades her own, and we go over anything that she totally flubbed together. I grade Korinne's, and we go over anything she has totally flubbed together. They rarely totally flub their lesson. They are pretty smart girls (in my not-so-humble opinon).

R & S English is textbook-style, but it is also in narrative-style (the book 'talks' to the student, much like a parent-teacher would). We leave out the extra workbook pages, and we don't do the tests. The girls just learn, master, and move on (with review-ish lessons thrown in every 5 lessons). All my die-hard Charlotte Mason readers are now having heart failure. I openly admit, that this (grammar, not so much composition), is one area that I do not completely agree with Charlotte Mason on.

The only thing I do NOT like about R & S English, is that they put the 'grade level' in great, big black numbers right on the front of the book. I'm not a 'grade level' type of homeschool mom, I'm not even an 'age-level' type of homeschool mom...I'm more of a 'are they ready' type of homeschool mom. Once I convinced my girls that the 'grade level' was not important (and that they were NOT so many years behind!), I learned to live with the big, black numbers.

I'm telling you all this, simply because I wanted to share Korinne's lesson for today. It reminded me what a blessing homeschooling is. It reminded me that things matter, things like being polite. Even when the world tells, NO! shows us they do not matter...'put YOU first,' the world says. We say differently, Rod & Staff agrees with us. *And*, we can teach our children a better way (even through English lessons)!

I *heart* homeschooling. I do. I was born to be a homeschool mom.

Here is the lesson, taken from 'Preparing to Build,' Unit Three, Lesson 22, More Practice With I and Me:

God's Word is wonderful. In His Word He tells us how to do what is right. He tells us how to treat other people. Here is one Bible verse which tells us how to treat others:

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; love; in honour preferring one another." (Romans 12:10)

The verse tells us to prefer one another. This means that we should think about someone else before we think about ourselves. It means that we should treat others with courtesy and respect.

We show this courtesy in many ways. One way we show it is when we are walking with someone. When we come to a door, we open the door and step back. We let the other person go through the door first.

We can show this courtesy when we speak and write, too. Yes, even our speech can show whether we are "preferring one another." When we speak or write about someone else and ourselves, we should always say the other person's name first. We should say I or me last.

Say: Mother and I baked a cake.

Father spoke to Robert and me.

Let the name of the other person go first. Then let I or me follow.

:: Happy Homeschooling! ::

daybook, january 18th

Outside my window...dreary, wet, chilly

I am thinking...about how learning as a large family is a struggle...so many levels to teach

I am thankful for...tylenol, advil, amoxicillin, delsym

From the learning rooms...Jesus' healing miracles, France in the 1700s, adding the -ed suffix, plural pronouns, and some Mayflower Compact copywork that went missing (...it just vanished!)

From the kitchen...chicken soup

I am wearing...brown socks, khaki cords, and a red shirt with coffee and books all over it that my mom left me (the beige girl)...I feel clown-ish

I am creating...we put together our Family History and Science Notebooks yesterday

I am going...nowhere...well, Korinne has ballet this evening, but I'm not going

I am reading...I am ordering Large Family Logistics with leftover birthday money as soon as I finish this little post

I am hoping...this flu-ish illness is quick to leave our family, and I stay well

I am hearing...so much coughing

Around the house...tidy, but could use a dusting...and, with the sickness going around, we still have our Christmas decorations up (minus our tree)

One of my favorite things...my birthday presents from my parents

A few plans for the rest of the week: lots of learning, chores, ballet...GETTING WELL!!!

thirty three

. a birthday card in the mail, a day early, from my grandparents "we hope your day is Special." they write

 

. my 3 year old wanting so desperately to give me my 'bob the builder birthday pictures' the night before, but being as patient as a 3 year old can be, and waiting one more day

 

. my childhood best friend letting me know that she remembers tomorrow is my birthday

. hearing the van start up at 6:45 AM, as my husband heads to the bakery for donuts...a double gift. I don't have to make breakfast, chocolate in the morning

. my daughters making and hanging 'happy birthday mom' streamers

. greeted outside my bedroom by SE7EN (count them...one, two, three, four, five, six, se7en) blessings (gifts) from God singing 'happy birthday dear momma' at 6:48 AM

 

. the smile on Wesley's face as he (finally) gives me my 'bob the builder birthday pictures'

 

. my mom and dad and their kitty, louie, singing 'happy birthday to you' over the phone...and then saying, "we'll see you tomorrow!"

 

. a text from my brother, "happy birthday sis!"

. 'happy birthday mom' on my kindergartner's handwriting page

. a 'happy birthday, love you' email from my grandma

. a text from my husband, "won't be home for lunch, have errands to run before b-day bash tonight."

. a voicemail from a sweet lady at our old church. more singing, "happy birthday, God bless you..."

 

. ABC magnetic letters, placed just for me

 

. my daughters in the kitchen, baking for me

 

. a birthday dinner (italian food!), made by my husband

 

. Kylie's watercolor birthday card

 

. two blue, sparkly, burning '3' candles, 33!, and another round of singing, 'happy birthday'...hearing excited giggles, seeing happy smiles, Brian laughing and recording

. NOT blowing out my candles, thank you Benjamin!

 

. packages wrapped in leftover Christmas paper (crocheted dishrags by Korinne, handmade jewelry by Connor and TJ, chocolate kisses...1 for each day of my 34th year, my that's a lot of chocolate kisses, new watch, new bible...NKJV, genuine leather, ultra thin, large print, reference, so perfect!)

 

. sharing a piece of chocolate, chocolate cake with Judah

. having my 8 year old son 'tie' my new necklace on me, beautiful!

. one last voicemail, my sister and her three sons, singing a muffled and excited 'happy birthday (this one to) Aunt Kathi, happy birthday to you'

. choosing one of our hymns, 'it is well,' my favorite

. too many facebook messages to count, thank you all!

 

:: Hello Thirty-Three, welcome to my life, I do believe we'll get along fine! ::

winter book basket

:: In honor of the SNOW that is falling ::

The Long Winter
(an audio radio-show version)by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Winter Poems by Barbara Rogasky

...a variety of poems (Rachel Field, Robert Frost, Carl Sandburg, Emily Dickinson) that celebrate Winter itself. I love it (and I'm NOT a poetry fan), and the illustrations are so cozy.

 

Treasures of The Snow by Patricia St. John
...the movie version of this is also wonderful!


Owl Moonby Jane Yolen
...A little girl and her father go Owling on a moonlit Winter night near their farm. A 'Living Nature Book,' so calm and perfect for quiet, snow-y days and evenings.


***Jan Brett's Gingerbread Baby, The Mitten, The Hat, and The Three Snow Bears all in one Snowy Treasury ***


Snowflake Bentleyby Jacqueline Briggs
...a heartwarming picture book biography about the Vermont farmer who photographed snowflakes. Beautiful illustrations of wood block prints by Vermont artist, Mary Azarian (A Christmas Like Helen's, LOVE!).

 

And, of course, Sleepy Bears!

thoughts on mother culture

To read about our Mom's Night Out, you can visit my real-life girlfriend, Mrs. C.

 

A link to learn what Mother Culture is ... and in case you didn't know, Karen Andreola blogs!

"Charlotte believed that this countenance of contentment, of serenity, can come about even during stressful times when a mother learns to occasionally do for herself what she does for her children - go out to play. Charlotte tells us we would have happier households if we mothers "would only have courage to let everything go when life becomes too tense, and just take a day, or a half a day, out in the fields, or with a favorite book, or in a picture gallery. . ." For a mother to allow herself a bit of leisure to rest and refresh herself by exploring her own interests, to find a little time for herself, especially when so many others depend on her, is a what Karen calls, Mother Culture ®.

 

When a busy homeschooling mother takes part in Mother Culture she safeguards her enthusiasm, so she will be better able to cope with her responsibilities. To partake in Mother Culture is to feed herself with the Word of God, with ideas from books, nature, art, music, etc., thus taking care to keep growing spiritually and mentally. If there such is a thing as the joy of childhood, there is also such a thing as the joy of motherhood, and Karen admonishes mothers to recognize and live within such a blessing."

...and a few more Mother Culture-ish ideas!

today i:

. cleaned up after a Victory Party

. made oatmeal for breakfast (and the kids happily ate it)

. washed our bed sheets (fresh bed sheets are heavenly)

. heated up leftover Victory Party food for lunch (OK, so we had snacks for lunch)

. cleaned out the pantry

. went through my cleaning rags, finally throwing a few in the trash (I LOVE to throw things away, I LOVE it!)

. texted Brian to bring bags of salad home for dinner...added shredded cheese and croutons and everyone's dressing of choice...complete with ice water (and the entire family happily ate it)

. sang hymns with my husband and children out of our new hymnals

. and managed to DELETE my 'Learning' page

... and soon, I'm going to take a hot-ish, warm-ish shower, put on my new flannel nightgown and old cotton socks, get in our bed (which has freshly washed, heavenly sheets on it), and doze off as Brian flips through the channels. And, as soon as he turns the TV off, Judah will wake up, and I will nurse him back to sleep...and then...then I will go to sleep!

:: Good Night! ::

our new year's letter 2010

As Twenty Ten comes to an end, I thought I'd take a few moments and reflect on what the year held for our large, little family:

Of course, Judah had many, many milestones...turning 3 Months Old (leaving behind those precious newborn weeks) is always a bittersweet time for me. By 6 Months, I was feeling a little better about mothering a growing infant, and enjoying all the wonderful 'baby things' that they do and discover at that age. And then, that First Birthday came around, all too quickly, breaking and filling my heart to overflowing all at once. Baby Judah has been a real 'teether' for us, a late crawler and walker, and our first child to leave such a mark on his Momma for so long (something neither of us are ready to give up yet!). He brings his four big brothers, his two big sisters, and his Momma and Daddy more joy than one could think a Se7enth Child could possibly bring.

Our Happy Elf, Benjamin, turned TWO this year! He still LOVES all things Radiator Springs, he enjoys 'doing school' (drawing), and is an expert Escape Artist...disappearing on us whenever he can. When he's found, he's still at that age where he puts his hands over his eyes...if he can't see us...we can't see him! So cute, but so exhausting too! Benjamin also gave up his pacifier in July (accidentally...he lost it in the car on the way to Cincinnati), and will soon be attending SSG Daddy's Potty Training Boot Camp!

Wesley has grown, matured in so many ways this year. He's got almost the exact personality of his big sister, Kylie, and the motor-mouth to match too! He turned Three this year, and likes to dress up in crazy outfits on an almost daily basis (many of which are eternally posted on Facebook!). He still has the hardest time when Daddy goes out of town, and goes BANANAS upon his return. Wesley also gave up his nap this year, but we recently gave it back to him!

TJ. Oh, TJ...such diversity in a 6 year old little boy. TJ's Birthday Post will forever be one of my most favorite writings. He truly is a blessing in so many, many ways! Kindergarten was one of his biggest milestones this year, and the boy would 'do Art' until the cows came home. He also LOVES catching toads (he literally caught a hundred this past summer...one three-legged friend more than once, *AND* I have an absolutely hilarious video of a certain toad-y friend flying a Tonka Helicopter!), and he can set up a Battle like a True Soldier's Son!

Connor spent 2010 learning the ways of the Cub Scouts and attending Camp with his Dad, and playing lots and lots and lots Baseball (both with his brothers, and on his first team). He spent the night with The Gameball and his team earned the status of League Champs! He also experienced an interesting Biblical Breakthrough, and flew away oh! glory. Connor turned Eight this past year, and also turned into my first Little Man. Sigh. Good sigh. Proud Smile.

Korinne turned Ten in Twenty Ten! She spent a lot of time building a beautiful friendship, practicing crocheting dishrags, reading and reading and reading and reading, and Twirling (which earned her a Promotion to Ballet 3.5)! She also appeared in Cinderella and performed in The Nutcracker again this year!

Kylie had a HUGE year! All that talk about becoming A TEENAGER!!! And now, she's almost A Teenager Plus One! Where did fourteen years go? (it was just yesterday she was running down the aisle at our wedding!) She went on The Youthtrip again this summer, and let her dad tag-along this time. She cross-stitched and photographed and crocheted and cooked and wrote and read and read and read...and Twirled, also appearing in Cinderella and again in The Nutcracker. Kylie earned a Promotion to Ballet 4 this fall, and will be starting the Teacher Assistant Program at The FOA this spring term. Exciting! And scary...next thing you know, she'll be driving (they do that at 14 down in these here parts, ya know!)

Brian and I celebrated our 12th Wedding Anniversary and our 32nd Birthdays! Brian has been busy with school, and will (FINALLY!) graduate this spring. I have (sort of) learned (slowly) how to manage a large-ish home. And, we both created a Family Driven by Faith, and are now learning how to Shepherd their little Hearts.

It's a full life. A blessed life. And it's been a very, very GOOD YEAR!

:: Love to All, and Happy, Happy (safe) New Year! ::

happy birthday to my grandma

Happy Birthday to my Grandma who has loved me with Chicken and Dumplings, Bread Pudding, fluffy paisley blankets, baby aspirin, and an always open door (and wallet).

Happy Birthday to my Grandma who always listened and laughed at my frog jokes, and has kept my Snowman Story for 25 years.

Happy Birthday to my Grandma who thought it was absurd that we watched The V...but let us 'watch' Dallas.

Happy Birthday to my Grandma who taught me how to: peel potatoes, massage feet, shine my sink (looong before FlyLady...because who wants their company to have to wash their hands in a soapy-toothpasty sink), make a yummy pot of (Frisch's) chili, super stock my pantry, and be ready for any kind of Emergency that could be fixed with a Bread-Tie.

(yes, those are my Bread-Ties, in my Chicken Bouillon Cube jar, in my Kitchen...and I bet you'll find the same thing in her's!)

I LOVE You Grandma, I hope you have a Wonderful Birthday

Love,

Kathi (your First Girl)

not doing everything i mean to do

I almost didn't open the email from Stacy. I thought it was probably about yet another thing that I had gotten behind on, making yet another person feel angry with me.

But I opened it today. Eight days after she sent it to me.

She was apologizing for herself and her children not being prompt with their penpal letters. I wanted to laugh, and then I wanted to cry. I felt rotten that she would even think for one second that I'd be upset over that. After all, don't we all have enough to do, without worrying that people are getting angry with us over silly things like penpal letters.

I know I do.

So, to all of you who have been expecting this or that from me, I ask for grace and that you might lower your expectations.

My plate is just so very full with all the blessings God has placed in my life. And I'm trying to put first things first, and embrace my current season. That means my family, my home, and all the 327 (thousand) things that need to happen each day to care for them, get checked off the list before the penpal letters get stamped and addressed.

And, to Stacy...I say Thank You!

daybook, december 7th

Outside my window...Sunny and Cold

I am thinking...how quickly days, weeks, months...years go by

I am thankful for...well behaved children (chaperoning a dressing room full of twenty or so girls age 10-15 is a real eye opener)

From the learning rooms...we are on our 2nd (last) week of Christmas Break

From the kitchen...lunchmeat sandwiches and chips for dinner tonight

I am wearing...jeans and last year's Nutcracker tee

I am creating...Christmas memories with my family

I am going...to chaperon the final Nutcracker Performance tonight

I am reading...The Best Christmas Pageant Ever aloud to the kids, and I just read A Car's Christmas, sitting on the floor in the hallway upstairs, as I put them all down for a nap (I might do that more often)

I am hoping...to get just a little rest tonight, and spend some much needed and missed quality time with my entire family tomorrow

I am hearing...Judah, he napped earlier

Around the house...messy, everything needs put back in it's place

One of my favorite things...the new Christmas Plaque that my in-laws gave to us, NINE little snowmen...each with our names on them (handwritten by each of us)

A few plans for the rest of the week: AB. SO. LUTE. LY. NOTHING!!!

christmas book basket

The Christmas Story

by Jane Werner, illustrated by Eloise Wilkin

The story of Jesus' birth, from Gabriel's appearance to Mary, to Jesus growing strong in spirit and full of wisdom. The text and illustrations are both beautiful!

The Night Before Christmas

by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Corinne Malvern (We have Brian's edition, priced at 69 cents. Little Golden has updated their illustrations to this...we prefer the vintage-style one by Miss Malvern)

Connor giggled this evening, as he read aloud to TJ,

"He was chubby and plump,

a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him,

in spite of myself;"

 

The Animals' Christmas Eve

by Gale Wiersum, illustrated by ? (We also have Brian's edition of this one, priced at 49 cents. I gave my copy to my sister for her boys. Little Golden has also updated the illustrations to this classic, but with the same rhyme. Again, we prefer the old one...if you know the illustrator, please share.)

"In the barn on Christmas Eve,

After all the people leave,

The animals, in voices low,

Remember Christmas long ago..."

A sweet rhyming and counting story. A group of animals remember the events surrounding Jesus' birth in the manger, and the parts some of their ancestors played in it.

 

 

As I checked for our stories on Golden Book's website, I discovered that you can get all three of these wonderful Christmas books in one mini-treasury!

 

(They just won't be 32-ish years old, or have your mother-in-law's inscription on the inside cover, the pages won't be torn and worn, I'm sure they'll be a little more than 49 cents...oh, and the illustrations won't be near as beautiful! Let it be a lesson to all us Mommas, who will one day be Grandmas!)

:: Happy Christmas Reading! ::

getting ready day

. Pumpking Spice Playdough

. Family Construction Paper Turkey (...each feather with a family member's name on it...hmmm, maybe we're the only ones whose Turkey grows so each year:)

. Thankful Tree

...cleaning, cooking, and baking (with a smile and a thankful heart)!

Enjoy your Getting Ready Day, make it one filled with memories of autumn-ish, Thanksgiving goodness!

*** *** ***

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." - Psalm 107:1

when you can't go over the river and through the woods

I don't know what it is about this Holiday...maybe it's the fact that I have so many fond memories of my mother hosting our family's Thanksgiving Feasts. Maybe it's the sight of all the lonely, bare trees. Maybe it's knowing that everyone else is getting together. Or maybe it's just the fact that I simply cannot make a Pumpkin Pie as well as my Mother...

...but my heart breaks over not being able to go home for Thanksgiving. My chest tightens just thinking about it, and I actually get angry over the fact that we don't own a church bus (to fit my large, little family in).

Today, as I read Almost Home aloud to the children, something Mary's mother said to her spoke directly to my heart, and made me realize, yet again, that I am exactly where I am supposed to be,

"God weaves families together. 'Tis much like the cloth we weave. When we've filled the whole warp, we must remove the cloth from the loom, even though it settled there so tidily. We cut the weaving, and the pieces go for many different things and to many different places. One lot of cloth may go for waistcoats. Even if those waistcoats end up far and wide, you can always tell that they were cut from the same cloth. If the cloth merely stayed on the loom, how would it fulfill its purpose?"

...to which Mary responded,

"But 'tis such a hardship to be torn apart."

Indeed.

Staying here for Thanksgiving is hard for me. Being away from my parents, my sister and her family, my brother's family, my grandparents...it hurts. But Mary's mother is right. Even though I was weaved together with these people, God made me for something different, and for a different place...so that I could fulfill my purpose, His purpose.

My purpose?

To glorify Him.

How?

Loving my husband who He has blessed me with well. And loving and raising our children who He has blessed me with well. I cannot do those things, and pout and wish to be doing something else at the same time.

So I will stay here, and happily, contentedly love and raise my family to the glory of God. And celebrate His faithfulness to our large, little family...in almost the same exact way my family at home in Cincinnati will be celebrating.

Because I was, after all, weaved together with them.

:: Happy Thanksgiving! ::

on thanksgiving day

While we cook:

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Monopoly, your best Pilgrim Costume, Family Construction Paper Turkey, and a Thankful Tree

Dinner:

. Turkey

. My Mom's Dressing (absolutely NOT inside the Bird!)

. Mashed Potatoes *and* Gravy

. Sweet Potatoes

. Green Bean Casserole (add 1 Cup Ranch Dressing to this)

. Corn

. Rolls

. Cranberry Sauce (not sure why...Tradition, maybe?...I'm the only one who eats it!)

. Iced Tea

Desert:

. Pumpkin Pie

. My Grandma Dutchie's Pumpkin Roll

. Coffee

 

When it's over:

Elf ...and boxes, boxes, and boxes of Christmas Decorations (to be put up the next day)

*** *** ***

How does your family celebrate? Do you watch the parade? Gravy, no gravy? Apple Pie instead of Pumpkin? Do you also spread Christmas Cheer by singing loud for all to hear?

:: Happy Thanksgiving! ::

the blessing of tyler

You were a surprise blessing, it's true!

Even bigger than the surprise of your coming, was the blessings that you brought upon us, long after you were born. Looking back, I see God's hand in it all.

When you were just six weeks old, your Daddy left for Afghanistan. I would have had my hands full with just your big brother and sisters...but God saw that even though my hands would be more full, my heart would be as well (though broken...Daddy being gone). You were able to fill an empty place in my soul, that I'm not sure would have been able to be filled by anything else that year. What a blessing!

As you've grown older, the friendship that has formed between you and Connor is like nothing I have ever seen. The two of you speak your own language. You complete each other. You are Best Buds, and Partners in Crime. To think that Connor would not have that, or that I would not have seen such brotherly love with my own eyes, between my own sons... What a blessing!

A life lesson like no other. The daily opportunity to practice patience and selflessness. You are firm. You stand your ground. But you need me in ways that none of your siblings have yet to need me. A volume of books on parenting would not have been able to teach me what you have been able to teach me. What a blessing!

Joy! Your sense of humor...your laugh...your impersonations...your questions...your silliness...your love of Hank...your singing...they could make the most unhappy of people smile! What a blessing!

Happy, Happy 6th Birthday Blessing #4,

Tyler Joseph.

We love you very, very much

You are handsome, and smart, and full of (good) life!

Love,

Daddy, Mommy, Kylie, Korinne,

Connor, Wessy, Ben, and Baby Judah

i'm tired

Yes, A Month of Thanksgiving has turned into A Week of Thanksgiving. And, I am OK with that. Thank you, Sheri, for the suggestion. I really had intentions of trying to play 'catch up,' but I'm just too tired for that.

I thought I'd just put some thoughts down this evening.

Baby Judah is finally feeling better. So much so, that at midnight last night, he was ready to get down and play with his blocks. I did not let him, which made him quite angry. Which made me realize how quickly he is turning the corner from infant to toddler.

I already have 2 toddlers.

Have I mentioned I'm tired?

The election is also wearing me out. I did just listen to the new FL Senator speak, and I say he should run for President in 2012. I also told Brian he should run in 2024. But he just laughed. (This will be the extent of political talk on this blog)

I made Lazy Southern Chicken tonight, and thought of Sara...not because she is lazy, but because she gave me the recipe. Brian mistakenly bought Garden Herb Ritzseszes (clueless on how to make Ritz plural) crackers for the topping, but it ended up tasting really yummy! Yay for cooking mistakes!...if you call Lazy Southern Chicken cooking...which, I do (but you probably do not)!

This morning we read about Jesus as a boy. The kids wondered aloud what Jesus meant by, "I was doing my Father's business..." And I realized how much my children understand about the bible, and it makes my heart happy. That part of my day did not make me feel tired. It made me feel good.

We are also a little over half way through The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and I just have to say that I love Elizabeth George Speare. We also read a neat little book called North American Indians, and I learned a lot from it. The pictures were beautiful.

After Quiet Time, I went over all 4 schooling children's math videos, then I hung out at the table with them, while they each completed 2 pages. While Wesley drew capital Es over and over, insisting he was doing Math. OK. He was still. So OK.

Which brings me back to Judah (not sure how). Who I am now nursing for the second time tonight. And it's only 10:22PM.

So, I'm going to call this a post. I will probably delete it tomorrow. But here it is tonight!

Sleep well Blogland. I know I will.

Love,
Kathi