Things I Ask Myself as a Mom

I am not sure if its because I live with five boys (yes, including the husband!) as I have no girls to compare to, but I often hear myself repeating these same questions!

Things I Ask Myself as as Mom...

- How did that get there? Like crayon marks on my walls, stuffed TMNT Ninja in my bed, marbles in my shoe, toy snake in husband's boots, hot wheel cars in shoes, lotion squeezed out on rocking chair, can food in drawer under stove, etc.

- How does he sleep like that? To unusual positions to weird places. Some weird places they fall asleep would be in my closet (hiding), down the hallway, in highchair (during dinner), on bathroom floor (without pull-up on, after pooping mind you), and the latest on the staircase.

- Why can't they pee in the toilet? Not on the lid, seat, around the toilet, floor, trash can by the toilet,   on the rug around the toilet, in bathtub etc.

- What did he just say? Oh the things, like; poopy head, peebuddy, fart face, Bobby head (not sure where this came from?), and basically anything else to do with pooping or farting.

- What is that sound? Usually silence is scary, but with these boys its NEVER quiet. Constant noise. From hearing them jumping off something upstairs, spilling legos everywhere, crying (the hurt cry), belching, farting, making up songs while they poop, ninja fighting, rolling down the stairs (themselves or toys), etc.

Yep, that's my BOY!

Nehemiah 8:10b 'Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'

I am laughing out lout as I am recalling some of these things (yes they all have happened). But sometimes as they are actually happening it is not so funny. I have to constantly remember my strength is in the Lord. And BOY do I need strength with these 4 boys (especially that second child, gotta LOVE him)!

Fall, My Favorite Season of the Year

Sometimes all I can do is just stand in awe of God's wonderful creation around me. Fall is my favorite season! Today as the kids and I were outside, there were about 10 butterflies fluttering around the flowers in our yard! It was so BEAUTIFUL.

Why I Love Fall-

The sun is shining bringing warmth, but there is a nice cool breeze

Tree leaves are changing colors and falling

There are still some flowers

Butterflies are everywhere

Time to pull out the sweatpants and sweaters

I love wearing the fall color, plum

Using my crock pot to make stews and soups

Baking cookies all the time

Drinking lots of hot tea, coffee and chocolate

Candles that smell like apple-cinnamon or pumpkin pie

Going to sleep feeling cool enough for a warm comforter

Cuddles in blankets

Open windows and not using the heater or ac

THANKSGIVING a time to cherish what family, friends, and food we have!

Genesis 1:14 'Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;'

You Know You are a MOM When ...

These are just a few things I have discovered in motherhood. I am sure you could add more, and the list could go on and on. I hope some will give you a good chuckle or at the least you can sympathize with the amazingly crazy life as a mom.

You Know You are a MOM When ...

#100  you stay home with a child who isn't feeling well because no one comforts them like momma

#101 your kid uses your shirt as a napkin or worse a tissue, eww!

#102 you poke yourself with a needle while sewing a patch onto your child's vest, or repairing a tear in their favorite stuff animal

#103 you stay up way too late, because that's the only time you can get all those mom things done

#104 you can change baby's diaper or clothes while they are twisting and turning trying to crawl away

#105 you are holding your baby with one hand while holding your toddler in the other, so he can use the public bathroom

#106 you have to wait to eat your meal countless times, because a nursing baby is always hungry when the meal is ready

#107 you always have one, or at least one, in your lap while you: grade papers, try to read, eat, work etc. ...

#108 you can easily prepare dinner with a child attached to hip, or on the counter ... or both

#109 your alone time is when you are using the bathroom, if you're lucky ...

#110 date night with your husband consists of a Redbox movie with a late night snack while kids are in bed

#111 you say "silence is golden," but is scary when it actually happens

# 112 you've caught yourself repeating your mother, "if your friend jumps off a bridge would you?"

#113 you say "because I said so" to the never-ending question "but why?"

#114 chores like mowing the yard is never done alone

#115 nothing is ever truly just yours

This is my youngest, now 18 months old, eating my toast. I know he looks so darn cute who could tell him no??

Proverbs 31:28a (NKJV) 'Her children rise up and call her blessed;'

Does Homeschooling = A Lot of Patience?

"Wow, you homeschool? You must have a lot of PATIENCE!" I get this a lot, do you??? I always add, "I have patience, I don't know about A LOT." Patience is definitely a God characteristic. Scripture is full of verses on patience, when you have a moment check some out.

Scripture on Patience:
Hebrews 6:12
James 1:4

Act of being Patient:
Psalm 40:1
Romans 2:7
Romans 12:12
1 Thessalonians 5:14

Stories of those who had to be Patient:
Sarah and Abraham awaiting a heir, Genesis 17, 21
Hannah's pain and trust with Samuel, 1 Samuel 1

Patience is certainly helpful with kids, and yes even more so when homeschooling. But truth be told, it really is something I believe most people learn. Some might start out with more than others, but never-the-less we all need it. If I have learned anything in these past few years of homeschooling, it is that I need more patience. Parenting and homeschooling is an emotional and physical task. At the end of the day I am drained ... emotionally and physically. It takes patience to discipline, correct, show love, care for, and to do and mend the many other task as a parent. I endlessly ask God for patience, endurance and strength to be the best parent I can be.

I often tell my hyperactive now 5 year old, "being patient means waiting nicely." Because you know I have told him a thousand times to "be patient," and he has asked ten thousand times "what does 'be patient' mean?" So now, if asked, he can recite it. Unfortunately, that means at every opportunity we must show them how to be patient. Fist part of 'being patient' is waiting, or time. Do you hear the clock? Tick-tock tick-tock. Do we rush without measure when they take their time finishing a seemingly simple task? What is a reasonable time before we are impatient? Who decides what is reasonable and what is timely? I admit this is not my strong suit either.

Which brings up the second part of 'being patient', reaction. Which is arguably the more important part. When that simple task with your young one takes way longer than it should, how do you react? Harshly, yell, boil with anger and frustration? Oh me, this is where I get my toes stepped on! As mentioned before, I have always dreamed of becoming a mother. I love children. I envisioned myself being calm, soft spoken, and God directing mother. As I became one ... where I thought I was fairly good at has increasingly become obvious I'm still lacking. I yell. I get frustrated. And yes at times I am harsh. I seek biblical guidance in this ongoing quest to be patient with my children.

Getting back to the title of this post, if you homeschool does that mean you have a lot of patience? I have meet some parents that homeschool who appear overwhelmed, impatient, and out of control. I have also meet some homeschooling parents who seem to generate this calm, peaceful, and loving vibe. The same to those parents who are not homeschooling. Some are seemingly patient and some are not. Of course this is an over all picture of patient and not based on a single instance.

True, homeschooling means you are spending more time with your child than the average parent. And I would safely assume the majority of homeschooling parents over time have come to practice patience with grace. After all, the alternative would to go insane (ask how close I am to that?haha).

Does that mean I am patient? Uh, depends ... Over all, honestly I would say no. It sincerely is the one place I think I need the most improvement on. But then again ... if I sent my kids to public school, which that would be the 2 oldest, and I only had to manage 2 little ones for 8 hours a day ... My answer might change. So maybe I appear more patient because I manage all four of them, all day?? Not sure. Homeschooling = Patience ? Myth. I believe it most likely depends on the season of life you are in, and/or the amount of time seeking and practicing patience.

Well there is my thoughts, how about you?

Cleaning List and Schedule

Cleaning List and Schedule

Daily:

- Pick up toys, this is not my detail clean but basically enough that they are off the floor.

Boy's job, I still supervise them some-what to make sure everyone is helping, and there isn't too much playing going on.

- Vacuum living room rug.  

Either one of my two older boys or I will do this.

- Dishes, I hate food left on dishes overnight. If there is not enough dishes to start the dishwasher, then the dishes should be rinsed off ready to go in when there is enough.
*Doing the dishes also includes putting food up and wiping down the table and counters.

I usually cook dinner, so it has been agreed that my husband does the dishes. The boys (except baby) are expected to throw away any food on plate after meal and put plate and silverware on counter to be washed. We also are starting to ask older two boys to help unload the dishwasher, or after we have washed them off to help load them in the dishwasher. 

- Sweep kitchen and dinning room floors, of course after dishes are done. 

I usually do this. 

Weekly:

Monday- is laundry day. I try to wash, dry, fold and put up all the clothes. 

I am the main one that does this, but boys do help fold and put up some of their own clothes.

Tuesday- I will wash the towels, bedsheets, and blankets. I usually do bedsheets and blankets every other week.

Again this is mainly my task, boys help some.

Wednesday- Beside the daily cleaning I try to take this day off of any other house chores.

Thursday- Now we start the detail cleaning. We begin with picking up toys downstairs or other misplaced items. Then we go upstairs, empty out the toy tubs in toy room and organize them. For instance the legos have their own tub, costumes in another, hot wheel cars have their own case.

This is primarily the boys responsibility, but I do help and check on their progress.

Friday- Starts off by picking up any toys or miscellaneous things that need to be put up. Then we start vacuuming downstairs; couches and rugs, then vacuum upstairs (there is carpet floors upstairs, downstairs has wooden floors and some tile).

Boys do upstairs (game room and their rooms) and I pick up down stairs. They do the vacuuming downstairs and I usually vacuum upstairs.

Bathrooms- I clean mirrors, counters, toilet, and bathtub. Top to bottom, I wait to sweep and mop the floors when I do the rest of the floors downstairs.

Kitchen- Wipe counters, table, and fridge. Again I wait to do floors last.

Dust- any wooden furniture downstairs. 

Sweeping and mopping- I start by sweeping the tile in the front entrance. Then I roll up the rugs downstairs and move them on tile in front entrance. I also move anything else I can of the floor downstairs into entrance, like: office chairs, tub of blankets, few of baby's toys, dog kennels etc... I sweep out the closets and bathrooms first, then the rest of the wooden floor. I use a cloth sweeper and Bona for the floor cleaner to mop the wooden floors. Next  I sweep the kitchen and dinning room floor. Then I use a swiffer wet jet to clean the tile floors; kitchen, dinning room, and bathroom floors. After all mopping is done I start putting the rugs and all the other things from the front entrance back to their place. 

By the time I get to the sweeping and mopping phase the youngest is laying down for a nap, while the older three either play quietly upstairs or sit on couch and watch a movie. 

This is my ideal cleaning list and schedule. Although if I am expecting guest during the week, I move the cleaning schedule up accordingly. Sometimes I will do the necessary laundry on Monday, hold off on the other laundry and do the rest of cleaning on the day of or before expecting guest.

Monthly Cleaning

Well I really don't have one. I try to pick one extra detail cleaning thing and add it to my weekly cleaning, when I have time. So some things get done once a month and some more frequently as needed. 

Extra Detail Cleaning List:

- Clean ceiling fans

- Wipe doors, light switches, dashboards, etc.

- Clean kitchen cabnits

- Clean out microwave (not used that much)

- Wipe inside and outside of washer and dryer

- Take apart the vacuum parts (the ones I can) and rinse them off and let them dry

- Sweep garage, throw away any trash laying around in there, put away misplaced things that don't belong in garage

- Clean air vents

- Dust picture frames and bookshelves

Seasonal Cleaning 

Its not just Spring Cleaning, I believe every season deserves a good cleaning! Some things might not happen every season of  the year, but at least one season in the year.

Seasonal List:

- Going through all the boys clothes. What fits stays, what doesn't either moves down to the next brother or goes in a box to be pulled down when someone else can wear it.

- Going through all the toys. This will include a keep, throw away, and a give away pile.

- Go through holiday stuff. Is a holiday coming up or did one just pass that I need to put stuff up.

- I also occasionally go through my closet. I either throw or give away what does not fit or I do not want anymore. 

- Go through homeschool room. Organize any papers, books, curriculum etc... Clean, sort, and put away any craft stuff.

Okay there it is. I am sure there is more but that is what came to mind. I don't have this printed out or on a color coded spread sheet. It is so routine, I don't have to have it written down. As boys get older I am sure I will add to what I expect them to do. And this doesn't include our outside chores. But that's another post ...

2014-2015 Curriculum List

Wow, what a busy summer! This summer we have had two deaths in the family, vacation, time with nieces and nephews, camp and VBS. Not to mention for us homeschooling moms, I've had to shop and plan lessons for this year. Formally we have followed public school calendar, as far as what days we took off and when we started and ended. This year I am looking for more breaks in-between, shorter weeks and a new homeschool co-op.  So for now, and until the co-op starts in September, we only have school four days a week. When co-op picks up, it will add our fifth day and once a week we will have art in the afternoon. And focused more on what days my husband has off verses some of the teacher work day public school has off on their school calendar. We have actually already started on August 5, 2014 and will end May 28, 2015. Here is a look into our curriculum choices this year.

Group Studies (this is for all kids)
Bible: We all sit together either in the school room, at table or on the couch after breakfast and start our day with a short reading from the Bible. I really enjoy all the valuable lessons in the parables. So for most of the first trimester we are going through the parables chronologically in the gospels starting in the book of Matthew. When we finish those, I want to go over the miracles in the gospel as well. Either way, I really enjoy reading directly from the Bible and having a small discussion about what we read, and seeing where it will lead us.
Art: First we will read "Katie and the Mona Lisa" and later "Anna's Art Adventure"(haven't got this book yet) then follow this site I found that has a list of several projects for kids to do from different artists.
http://www.redtedart.com/2012/04/13/exploring-the-great-artists-30-art-projects-for-kids/

3rd Grade
Language Arts: Spelling and Vocabulary by Horizons
Phonics: Explode The Code, Books 4 1/2 and 5
Math: Horizons Math, Books 1 and 2
History: The Complete Book of Presidents and States (found at Half Price Books for $6)
- It has flashcards of presidents, stickers from each state to add to a big U.S. map, fun facts and activities for each president and state.
Science: Exploring Creation with Astronomy and Astronomy Junior Notebooking Journal by Apologia
- This is our first year using Apologia. The Junior book is for students that are not strong readers, which is great for us because our oldest is still struggling with reading. It has color pages, mini-books, vocabulary exercises and more. Our previous science curriculum covered more on plants last year and my son really loves astronomy so that's why I picked this one to start with. But there are several options.

I've also added a few short books from Half Price Books store that I know my child has interest in but is not necessary part of the curriculum. He has a free time to work on those at least twice a week, more if desired.

I have bought all my curriculum from here, they always seem to have the best deals (besides the few things I bought at Half Price Books).
http://www.christianbook.com/page/homeschool?navcat=Homeschool

Kindergarten
Scholastic Success Workbook for Kindergarten (bought at Half Price Books)
Includes: Numbers and Counting
                Handwriting
                Alphabet
                Phonics

Math: Horizons Math, Books 1 and 2
Phonics: Explode The Code, Books 1 and 1 1/2

3 year old Preschool
Phonics: Get Ready for The Code A, Get Set for The Code B, and Go for the Code C
Flashcards: Numbers, Alphabet, Alphabet with sounds, and Shapes (forgot to add this in picture)
Readiness Unit Studies: This goes over tracing, letter recognition, colors and more! It is also absolutely free! Love this site, just choice what you want to do and print (also some kinder. printouts).
http://ateachingmommy.com/

We also do lots of puzzles with the preschooler and baby. And all boys enjoy doing learning games on the tablet! Hope your new school year is a blast, and share a ton of memories with your loves.

Confession: I'm a Control Freak Part 2

    
     This post has to do with how my control issues spilled into homeschooling and what I've learned from them, so far.

    When it came time to prepare for our first year of homeschooling I approached it with a public school mentality. From when we started and ended, what days we had off, subjects we studied and even the lesson plans. Our day was jam packed and we had little room for adjustments. I wanted to finish all the curriculum, finish all the lesson plans for each day, and I had a huge list of things I expected my child to learn that year. Since this was my first year staying home I know we bound more than ever, but I could tell he was not liking school work. And that is how he looked at it, work. Not like a learning adventure as I imagined. Which was just as equally frustrating to me. Now if you are thinking well my kids love vigorously working all school year, then that is fine if it works for your family. I knew I needed some routine, outline of lesson plans, and discipline in school structure but I wanted to stay true to some of the reasons why we started homeschooling. Through staying at home and homeschooling I was looking forward to building a strong relationship with them (so it needs to be enjoyable to them and me), giving them an education tailored to their needs and desires (my oldest struggles to read and my second child is really hyper and has a short attention span), and having more time with family each day verses what time is left before and after a regular public school day. So here is what I have learned to adjust in our homeschool.  

1.) Each week block out time for any work that needs to be caught up on. I estimate more time than needed to finish the subject and curriculum. Allowing time for unexpected things in our life not to throw us off schedule. I also only make lesson plans for 6 weeks at a time. Which gives me a chance to edit anything before making the next 6 weeks of lesson plans. That block once a week really helps out when he is just ready to throw in the towel on something. I can tell him its okay lets take a break from this and come back tomorrow with a fresh approach.

2.) Make lessons plans more of a point-of-reference than a set of must-complete list. For instance; in the Readiness Preschool Book I figured out to finish in a school year we would need to do about 10 pages a week. On my lesson plans I have a set block for that subject daily. Outside of that block for the week I'll put, 'do pages 1-10'. Now some days he might do 2 pages and some days he might do 5 pages. As long as he does the 10 pages a week I know we will stay on track. Therefore, in each block I just have to write what pages he did that day.

3.) Homeschool year-round. This school year I made plans to basically follow the public school days. But somewhere in the middle of this school year we have pretty much adapted to a year-round schedule.  Something with being stuck inside long hours during the winter and kids begging to go outside more in spring. This summer my oldest will finish up his math and penmanship book, my  second child will lightly work on math, and with all the kids we really focus on reading just for fun! So next school year we will start first of August, take more breaks through-out year, longer school days in winter, shorter days in fall and spring, and end in May.

4.) Find curriculum that works for your kids. Again, first year of homeschooling I did an all-in-one curriculum set. Which there were some things I liked, but definitely felt it wasn't the best. Especially looking at the over-all cost. I really could have done without all the teachers manuals for kindergarten. I wanted my science and history to be more faith based and more interesting for my child. Best thing I did was to go to a homeschool book fair. There I could really look through curriculum without having to purchase it first. I also asked everyone whom I encountered that homeschooled what curriculum they used and what were the pros and cons. In another post I'll give you my full list of curriculum for next year.

5.) Socialization. I often say, "Homeschoolers are socialized, we just choose where and who our children socialize with." We do sports through out the year, and participate in a lot of functions for the children in our church. Where my control issue became a set back was when I did not allow unplanned socialization just happen. I was so set on finishing all the lessons for the day that I often turned down invites from friends wanting to set up a play date. Lets face it sometimes our kids need play time outside of the home and with other kids. And even more honestly, I need them to get out of "our home setting" and just play. I have found that those play dates makes my kids and my day a little better. Which leads me to the next thing.

6.) Flexibility. Once again, I was wanting to contain the hours in-which we homeschooled to the hours in the traditional public school 8am-3pm time frame. Yes I can set my alarm clock to wake up before the kids, get their breakfast ready and school work laid out so we can start school on time. Then again, I have found kids function better when they wake up on their own (typically 7:30-8:30), and I can get a cup of coffee down and start on some house chores while they finish breakfast. Yes most adults have a 8-4 or 9-5 job, but I just think most of their lives they will have to set their alarm clock why do it now if they don't have to. While my oldest works independently on some subjects, I manage to spend more one-on-one time with the middle two in school during the day. Then at night when the other children are off to bed I have uninterrupted time to work on reading with my oldest. My husband and I both struggled early on in our childhood with reading, as well as our oldest. So we know it takes patience and practice (for both us and our son) when it comes to working on reading. Letting go of that public school schedule allowed us to get out of that reading slump, and we are now heading up the hill.

Proverbs 29:11(NIV) 'A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.'
Now instead of anger in that verse you can replace it with any emotion that drives your actions when you feel out of control. When life is thrown at you or when a child is just being particularity disobedient that day, ask God to help you keep your emotions under control.