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.

how to take your kids to the library

Our little town has the neatest, little Children's Library. For the first few years, I would take a few children, and leave a few home with Dad. Every once in a while, I'd get brave, and take everyone. Then, for a while, we all went (including Dad) on Saturday mornings. Then it went back to me taking a few children.

Now, we are all going (minus Dad, because he has to work) every Thursday morning for almost an hour and a half. We leave the house in enough time to look at books for a half hour or so, and then participate in Storytime.

I did a trial run about three weeks ago, reminding everyone as we pulled into the parking lot that there was NO running, No being loud, and everyone must be on their best behavior or we WOULD, indeed, leave. (knowing I would have to follow through with this, or they'd never take me seriously. also knowing, that I would most likely be cutting our Library trip short, since we were already dealing with some not-so-pretty post-vacation behavior).

We were there about thirty minutes when Benjamin had his first meltdown. I took him to the bathroom, reminded him of the rules, and got him calmed down. About fifteen minutes later, meltdown number two arose. I informed everyone who had books that it was time to check out, apologized to the librarians, and we were out of there. I should have down that with the first episode.

(little side note: Benjamin's meltdown was over a wooden firetruck that all the kids get on and ride. He was fighting with Wesley over who was going to drive. There was also a slight squabble over the Lego table. Both the firetruck and Lego table have been banned on our Library trips. We do not go to the Library to play with toys. We go to check out books, and listen to stories.)

The next week, Storytime started. I knew I would have to have a fool-proof arrangement. So we did a little pre-planning.

I made sure to have all our library books that were currently checked out written down. We went over the lists, checking things off, "Return, Keep," and each child put their books in their own bag (we now use the receipt from the previous week). No talk of fees, overdues, left behinds, etc. at check in.

I told everyone they could check out five books. Since we will be going each Thursday, that seemed enough. I'm not real strict about this rule, but for the most part, everyone sticks to it. The total reaches six, or seven sometimes.

I told Connor and TJ they were to stay together (which was completely unnecessary, but I informed them nonetheless).

I told the girls that they were to spend the first few minutes with their partners (Benjamin and Wesley), helping them select five storybooks, and looking at the model train, and watching the fishies (OK, so we go to the library to check out books, listen to stories, look at the model train, and watch the fishies). At that point, I would take over, and they would have twenty minutes or so to look for books for themselves. Kylie has even begun to get on the Library's website to look for/request books, so she pretty much already has a list and a plan.

Then, at Storytime, Kylie and I sit down with the four youngest boys and listen and craft our way around the world. While Korinne and Connor read at a nearby table.

Check out is all together and orderly. Each of the older, reading children have their own Library card (a perk here at the Bailey home once you learn to read), and they check out their own books, and put them in their own bag. I check out Benjamin's and Wesley's on my card, and help them put their books into their bags. They give the receipt directly to me, I staple them together, and slip them into the so-handy Library Summer Calendar so that we can be sure to have everything the next week, as we check off for the morning's trip. It also helps in avoiding all those nasty Library fines.

Last week was an absolutely beautiful Library trip. I was amazed at how well everyone did, how fun the trip was, and praised myself accordingly.

This week was a wakeup call.

Although it was nothing like our trial run, it did not go near as smoothly as last week. And I knew that I had been premature in my celebration of conquering the Library with SE7EN children. But we're not going to give up! I think as long as we stay the course, each week will get easier and easier. And my grown children will have many, many wonderful memories of spending time with their Momma and brothers and sisters at that little Children's Library in that one little town we used to live in.

Now, if I can just make a plan for the grocery store.

thoughts on copywork

We have, for the summer, left our copywork assignments behind. I struggle to keep our children from being bogged down with 'extra' schoolwork, and to keep our little homeschool balanced (read: eclectic).

I've read the many benefits and purpose behind copywork:

from The Well Trained Mind, "The purpose of copywork is to get into the child’s visual (and motor) memory the look and feel of a sentence that is corrrectly composed, and properly spelled, spaced, and punctuated. " ... "So you should do copywork as long s the child is still struggling with the basics of writing conventions: spaces between words, capital letters, punctuation, spelling. (Generally, this is first grade, although it should extend into second grade or as long as the child seems to need it.)"

from Simply Charlotte Mason, "Copywork is the method Charlotte used to teach and give practice in handwriting skills." ... "As the child carefully copies a noble poem, a Scripture passage, an inspirational quotation, or the lyrics to a hymn, he also absorbs grammar and punctuation rules."

from Higher Up and Further In, "Its [copywork] purpose is to improve the child's handwriting, expose them to noble thoughts, good sentence structure, rich vocabulary and introduce basic punctuation and capitalization rules. Even grammar is incidentally taught but this is just an added benefit and not the purpose for copywork."

from Ambleside Online, "Copywork done properly forces a child to slow down and absorb the punctuation details, notice capitalization, and internalize sparkling prose. For this reason, a child's own stories are not the most ideal source for copywork a la CM."

I feel that right now, having them do their English (grammar and composition) neatly, their Spelling neatly, and having them read (and listen to) great literature is covering all the aforementioned benefits of copywork.

It's very freeing to let go (but I still love Charlotte).

daybook, june 13th

Outside my Window...a storm just blew through. now the sun is trying to shine.


What We're Learning...The Last Supper, skip counting by 2s, how to diagram simple subject & simple predicate sentences, ...


I am thankful for...the little grocery store around the corner that sells good lunch meat and cheese


From the kitchen...we had sandwiches, leftover mac & cheese, and BBQ chips for lunch


I am wearing...jean skirt, yellow top, hair in a ponytail, bare feet


I am reading...Anne of Green Gables, The Art of Homemaking


I am praying...for Korinne's wellness, and that she is the last of the family to battle this very s-l-o-w moving virus!


I am creating...an organized home. all seasonal decor is in the attic. my laundry room cupboard is organized (as are the cupboards/drawers that house our microwave), my closet is almost finished...AND! we purchased another shelf this weekend, so ALL our books now have a home (but it IS already filled)


I am hearing...Kylie flipping the pages of her bible, the hum of the fans


I am remembering...that I need to activate a new debit card, to at least start on Kylie's lesson plans for her Freshman year, and check on my parents (aren't you home yet?!?!)


I am going...nowhere today. Korinne has Book Discussion Tuesday. We may go swimming and to Ladie's Bible Study Wednesday, Storytime at the Library Thursday, Friday (?), the boys want to go Fishing again Saturday...but the girls want to go shopping, and hopefully, hopefully to church on Sunday (if no one else gets the bug!).


On my mind...blooming where I'm planted. I'm having trouble lately. I'm so anxious for Brian to get orders. I don't think it will happen anytime soon, and the position that's (still) open in H@w@ii just haunts me (truly).


Noticing that...everything looks so green and clean now that it rained. The air even feels cleaner.


One of my favorite things...the things my kids say. This morning, Wesley exclaimed, "You look pretty, Momma!" and Benjamin and I had a silly discussion... Me: "You're rotten and stinky." Benjamin: "No I'm not." Me: "OK, you're sweet and delicious." Benjamin: "No, Momma. We don't eat children!"


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...see "I am going"

before and after vacation

We recently took a long (9 hours!) trip home to Cincinnati.

I want to remember to do a few things again on our next trip, and I want to remind myself NOT to do a few things.

...


Remember to super clean the house before leaving on vacation.

...it was wonderful to come home to a neat, tidy home. Deep clean kitchen, bathrooms, etc, make beds, do ALL laundry, empty trash cans, pour a little bleach in the potties and down all drains.

Do not go grocery shopping that last week before vacation. Use up what you have. *Also remember, that does NOT mean you have extra money to spend on vacation! Since you will use up everything you have that week before, you will pretty much need to stock up upon your arrival home.

Remember to be aware of what the kids wear the last few days home, put back what you want to take on vacation. But don't really worry about packing until the day before you leave. Pack super light, but cover all practical bases. *Do laundry on vacation (who wants 10 loads of laundry to do the day you get home? Not me.).

Leave very early. 5:00 AM at the latest. The kids will be 'confused' by the darkness, and fall asleep fairly quickly. Then they will also nap before arriving at your destination.

...eat a quick 'breakfast' before leaving. Donuts and milk is a good choice. Don't use dishes.
(saves us from having to stop to eat twice)


Remember to clean out the fridge and pantry. A 2-week old hamburger is not what you want to deal with upon opening you refrigerator door for the first time. Neither is a couple of old potatoes in the pantry, or apples on the counter in the apple basket.
(So thankful we did not get fruit flies!)

Do NOT forget to set up for a friend to stop by and water the garden and flowers.
(Our tomatoes did not make it...and my hanging baskets of petunias still haven't fully recovered!)

Do NOT forget to stop any UPS deliveries when you stop the mail.

Remember to turn the AC up considerably, but take my advice, and don't turn it off (especially if you live in the VERY hot and humid kinda-south). But do unplug and turn everything else off (I once saw on a news show where it cost a woman hundreds of dollars a year to leave a nightlight on in her kitchen!).


Empty the van the minute you get home. Of everything. Luggage. Garbage. Pillows and blankets.

...Start the laundry right away. Unpack suitcases. Get the sippy cups and travel mugs in the dishwasher. Cut the grass and water the landscaping. Then make dinner, and carry on like you never left (you'll have time, since you left so early in the morning).


***

Smile a smile of thanksgiving and contentedness. You are HOME! (which is almost the best part of going on vacation. almost.)

a tale of two cards

while dusting and tidying up our bedroom the other day, the two contrasting cards sitting on my dresser caught my attention.

one card reads:

Our love isn't just about the special celebrations in our lives - it's also about the simple pleasure of sharing each day with you...It's talking about anything and everything, laughing together, and feeling our worries melt away in the warmth of each other's arms...It's about knowing each other so well, making each other happy, and being so good together.

Happy Anniversary with Love

(and then there is a very beautiful and personal handwritten inscription from my husband. he always gives me cards that ring so true to our relationship. i love him.)

the other card reads:

Hope everYoNe pees WHeRe THeY'Re SuPPoSed To TODAY.

HAPPY MOTHeR'S dAY

(with SE7EN happy little signatures underneath. another true sentiment of my life.)

***

I live a blessed and well gifted life. My heart overflows.

when your husband works long hours

Usually, Brian's day is not long. He leaves the house at 7:15-ish, comes home for lunch for an hour, and then heads back to his office until around 5:00. Except for on Thursdays...he gets to come home a few hours early. I usually forget that it's Thursday, and am pleasantly surprised when he walks in the door. So really, no long hours for us.


He does, however work atleast one weekend a month. We will usually do school on the Saturdays that he works. We school year round, and take a lot of breaks...so by the time his Saturday rolls around, we could use a few extra hours to complete some assignments. On the Sundays that he works, we don't go to church. I realize that one day when he is deployed again, I will have to learn to get myself and SE7EN children ready for church, but for now...we just watch Adrian Rodgers on Sunday evenings once Brian gets home.


When Brian is actually out of town, I try to keep things as normal as possible.


I repeat, keep things as normal as possible.


When we first moved down here, and Brian would be away at a training conference or the range, I would plan to spend the days (and nights) deep cleaning the house, or organizing closets, etc. I soon learned, that would make me super tired, and I would panic when it was the last day, feeling like it was probably not good to have the contents of everyones closets all over the floor upon his return. Stress. Unnecessary stress. Don't do it.


...I would also let the kids stay up late. Super late. And then we would all be super grumpy the next morning. All day. So now, bedtime is bedtime. I do, however, allow my girls who are 14 and 11 to stay up a little late. We watch a girly movie, and then they 'camp out' on the hide-a-bed sofa. Because it would be scary for me to sleep downstairs all alone, with just Baby Judah for protection. I don't stay on the computer all night, I don't read all night, and I don't cry myself to sleep (Scripture Lullabies on the iPod helps tremendously with this, especially song 6).


...I would also whine and complain to Brian on the phone. "boo hoo army crying" I try very hard not to do that anymore. He doesn't like to be away, I don't like him to be away, the kids don't like him to be away...but he's a Soldier, and sometimes soldiers have to be away. And it does no one any good to whine and cry and complain about it. Instead, I try to be encouraging. Share the good things that happened throughout the day, the cute things the kids did or said.


...I continue to ease the burden on myself by eating simply while Brian is gone. Tuna Casserole always. Brian is NOT a fan, so it's the perfect time for me (I was raised on Tuna Casserole) to make and eat one of my favorites. Pizza, delivered. And popcorn chicken or fish sticks for dinner, not lunch, is the norm. Breakfast and lunch tend to stay the same. As do our meal times.


...We continue to do school. Because it's our routine. And routine keeps everybody sane(like normal bedtimes and meal times). Sane = NO yelling! Yelling is no good. Especially when you're playing 'single parent' for a few days.


...We don't go anywhere. Usually. Home is safe and easy. If Brian will be gone for more than a few days, I've tried to invite some friends (for myself and the kids) over about mid-way through. No Library trips. No appointments. No grocery store runs.


...Speaking of groceries...we make sure we have plenty to get through until Brian's return.


...We make sure to talk on the phone every day. And text often throughout the day. And he will almost always find the time to call when the kids are going off to bed.

...

Before we know it. The days (sometimes weeks) have gone by, and it's time for Brian's return. And Welcome Home Day is the best day.


There are always signs. All over the house. My kids love to make signs. And Brian has hundreds that say, "Welcome Home Daddy!"


There is a favorite dinner prepared on Welcome Home Day. The house is super cleaned on Welcome Home Day. Our bed clothes are washed on Welcome Home Day. The yard is picked up and the entry way is made 'welcoming' on Welcome Home Day.


Then he pulls in the driveway, or walks through the door, and there are squeals and hugs and endless chatting. And the tightness in my chest melts away, and the heaviness on my shoulders is lifted. I actually feel my heart swelling with love for my Soldier-Husband who just spent days or weeks away from his family, his home, his biggest responsibilities. And I feel proud. Proud that the kids and I did it. Proud that Brian serves. Proud that we can continue to be the family that we are, even through the hard times.


So breathe. Just keep swimming. Take care of your home, take care of your children...it will all be over soon.


And find comfort in the old saying, "absence makes the heart grow fonder," because it's true. So true.

another wesley-ism

"Momma! I need sauerkraut on my elbows!" ... which, when translated, means: "Momma! I need Solarcaine on my shoulders!"
:: Happy Playing in the Sunshine (but not first sunburns)! ::

~right now

my baby is making "vroom, vroom!" noises with his cars at the bottom of the stairs (a little too loudly)

my toddler is napping in his bed (without his blankie...with BBQ chip dust on his face)

my 4 yr old is listening to my 6 yr old read Biscuit to him

my 8 yr old is drawing baseball players

my youngest daughter just came in excited, thinking she hears the baby birds

my teenager is putting make up on, as she gets ready to lead her little class in their Spring Recital

my husband is talking politics with my father (yikes!)

my mother (who just had knee replacement surgery two weeks ago) is sound asleep in my daughters' room

...i just got on the computer to write a lovely Mother's Day post...but i think i'll go join my family instead.

:: Happy Mother's Day Weekend! ::
~Kathi

how i'm not losing the baby weight

Lately, it seems like all I've been doing is writing posts about what I'm NOT doing...


I'm NOT putting in a brand-new, built-in swimming pool.
I'm NOT a super military spouse.

I did NOT get all my great Easter plans accomplished.

I'm NOT following the rules of blogging.

I'm NOT meal planning and frugally cooking from scratch like I should with a large-ish family.



So...

...in keeping with the 'NOT' theme...I'm NOT currently losing my baby weight. And yes, for the record, I know that Judah is not actually a baby. He's a toddler. A walking, talking, fit-throwing, buzz-headed toddler.

I'm going to be totally honest here, because it always seems like when I talk all-things-body-image, some one will undoubtedly tell me how pretty I am, that I'm not fat. So, I'm gonna just lay the true to size me out:


I'm pretty close to 5 feet, 6 and 1/2 inches tall. I'm 33 years old. I've given birth to 7 children, starting at age 19. And I weigh 200 pounds. Yep, I do. And I think that's almost 8 pounds 8 ounces less than what I weighed the morning I was admitted to the hospital to have Judah (who, coincidentally weighed, you guessed it, 8 pounds 8 ounces).


So...what's my problem? I don't know. Could it be I don't exercise? Yes. Could it be I eat a lot? Yes. But I don't sit around (hello...7 kids). And I don't eat everything, all day, and it's fairly balanced.

And, I didn't have this problem with my first 3 children, but things have changed with the last 4:

I gained approximately 40 pounds with each of the first 3. With Kylie, the weight just went away. How? I don't know. Could it have been the fact that I worked, went to school, mothered, didn't eat, and smoked instead of snacking? Yes. With Korinne, the weight almost just went away. I remember (loosely) following the Slim-Fast plan for a few weeks. With Connor, I never got back down below 165-ish. Then with TJ, I gained the normal 40 pounds, which put me slightly over the 200 mark for the first time. And I got back down to about 180-ish. And then with Wesley, I was so, so, so, sick...and lost about 20 pounds the first trimester with him. Gained my normal 40, lost 20. With Benjamin, gained 20...didn't lose a pound after. And the same thing with Judah. Gained 20, haven't lost a pound.

Here is what I have done: nursed for 19 months, while eating much like when I'm pregnant. And I'm hungry and thirsty...all.the.time! Switched to Diet Coke about 2 months ago, and only drink 3-5 a week. Quit putting sugar in my coffee about the same time. And increased my fruit intake, and some days my water intake. And I exercised for 25 minutes a day, for about 2 weeks, a month ago. And lost 4 pounds. That's it!

And gained 2 back!

So, my great Lose The Baby Weight advice is to exercise every day. And eat healthy everyday (and less). And you'll lose a few pounds a week.

May I take my own advice! (I'll keep ya posted)

children's book monday: miss lina's ballerinas

Miss Lina has eight little ballerinas in her cozy white house in Messina. Christina, Edwina, Sabrina, Justina, Katrina, Bettina, Marina, and Nina. In four lines of two, they dance...doing math, while reading, into bed, at the park, at the zoo, and at the beach.

plie' . releve' . pirouette . jete' .

But when a new ballerina, Regina, is added to the group...the girls are unable to twirl in their well-loved four lines of two, and 'befuddlement' follows. When Miss Lina kindly shares with her ballerinas how nice it will be in three rows of three...order returns, and dance practice continues until it's perfect! (all the number regrouping makes it a perfect living math book)


Just look at those illustrations in perfectly beautiful pastel (pink!) colored pencil! I love the ones of the sweet granny piano player and her cute, little tabby cat (sure beats a CD player...ahhh, to go to dance class pre-technology)! And the story itself is simple, rhyming, and so much girly-twirly fun! P.S. The reviews are right, we immediately thought of Madeline!

We bought this book for our Big Girl Ballerinas, and we all love it, and we're sure your Little Ballerina will love it too!

***speaking of Ballet...it's Trump de la Lumiere week! Saturday night is THE big night! Pirates, and Spirits, and Smugglers, and swords, and bandannas (NO buns!), and black tights...our first NON-traditional ballet, oh my!***


:: Happy Reading and Twirling and Pirate-ing! ::

salute

 

Salute from Kathi Bailey on Vimeo.

homeschooling year round

Since the beginning of our home education journey, we have pretty much been year round homeschoolers.

The first summer we homeschooled, the girls completed public school in mid-June, and by the end of July, we were schooling at home. The next summer we took five or six weeks off, and I can remember sitting in the driveway with Brian, discussing how 'crazy' the kids seemed, and that it was probably due to all the free time. We decided that a few weeks was more than likely enough time off from school, in order to keep everyone in good spirits. So, last summer we took about three weeks off. And it was perfect.

Now, please don't assume that we school five days per week, fifty-two weeks per year. Not at all. We school when we can, and take days and weeks off as needed. If Daddy's off, we're most likely off. If company comes down to visit, we're visiting, not schooling. If there are doctor's appointments and a trip to the grocery store all in one day...you can bet we only got half of our schooling complete. Or none. Nutcracker = no school. Easter Week, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Week, Christmas and New Year's Weeks = no school. And many other days that just POP up (life).

I feel that learning (school) is just a part of life. And I know that my children completely thrive on routine, and knowing what to expect out of a day. If I were to shelve all our books come the end of May until the beginning of September, life would be crazy, and no one would know what to do next.

BUT...

I'm feeling that urge. I want to shelve it all. I want to sleep in. I want to play in the pool all day. Or swing on the swings at the park all afternoon.

But I know, that even if we do proclaim Summer Vacation, that those things will not happen. We are a Large Family. We have an 18 month old all the way to a fourteen year old, and most ages in between. It takes a METHOD to keep all those different ages and stages content, happy, going! My boys have never slept in a day in almost nine years. We can play in the pool like no body's business...for about forty-five minutes. And we can swing on the swings...until someone has to go potty, or falls and gets hurt, or needs a drink!

There is just no way I can put the learning part of our family on the shelf. It would be like halving our life. Every day there would be something missing. Like routine. And brain exercise.

And then I would spend September through May panicking, as I struggled to complete this or that by a certain date.

So...learn, we will. Every day. Because learning is a part of our life. (Almost) the best part. And it gives us the freedom to take February 17th off, to watch movies on the family room floor by the fire, as the snow piles up. Or May 6th off, to meet friends at the park in the spring sunshine. Or October 23rd off, to carve pumpkin moon shines on the sunporch as the leaves fall. Because that's part of life too. (Almost) the best part.

:: Happy Learning (every day)! ::

daybook, april 14th

Outside my Window...it was a perfect evening weather-wise, but I just saw on Facebook where my friend Suzanne is WARNING her fellow Arkansans about the weather...so now it seems like the perfectness may be gone

What We're Learning...how to pray for the different branches of the government, how Spin Brushes work better than manual brushes (according to our dentist), how there is a difference between mopping the kitchen floor sometime last weekend...or maybe the end of last week...or sometime recently

I am thankful for...the older boys' lead tests coming back normal, and for my mom who is a good listener, and for the rest of the 383rd that is FINALLY! home now.

From the kitchen...for dinner, I made pancakes & bacon, and Korinne made warm, cinnamon applesauce

I am wearing...gray capri pants, Army tee

I am reading...The Classical Teacher, Spring 2011 (it came in the mail today, and has some pretty good articles in it)

I am praying...for my mom's recovery from her knee replacement surgery on Monday, and for my Baby Judah, and for my husband

I am creating...I should be creating my Homeschool Highlights post...but here I am, writing a silly Daybook Entry

I am hearing...Hank the Cowdog playing on the Boys' CD player (they are all asleep, why don't I go turn it off? Because I love Hank.)

I am remembering...to help the kids make their Daddy's Uncle a Birthday Card tomorrow...we keep forgetting, so Brian wrote it up on the white board. I have a terrible memory. Lists are my friends. So are white boards. And husbands who write things down for their wives to remember.

I am going...I should have gone to a Homeschool Mom's meeting tonight. We are going to join a local group soon, but after the dentist this morning, I just wanted to be home.

On my mind...wondering if there will ever be 8ight. A lot lately. I'm ready.

Noticing that...Judah went all day without nursing today. I'm ready for that too. No, I'm not. Yes, I am. No, I'm not.

One of my favorite things...TJ's new toothbrush and the joy it brings him :) It's bright orange and green with a suction cup on the end of it...OH! The Place That Toothbrush Has Been Today!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...The Library and maybe the grocery tomorrow. And Korinne has Ballet. And it's Family Movie Night. Remember the Titans (last week was Dawn Treader, HOW DISAPPOINTING!). And Brian's Homemade Popcorn.

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."