For those of you with children, do you ever have those amazing moments where your child does something that makes you so proud of them? I love those moments when they just totally bless you, when you are so blessed to be their parent.
As I have said, the last two years have been very challenging for our homeschooling. We have school when and where we can. Some weeks we'd only get a day or two of school accomplished, other weeks it would be every day, but usually it was 3 or 4 days a week. Since getting back from California last month we have really tried to buckle down and get a regular school routine going. We have 5 days left to meet our requirement for school days this year (2012/13).
Well, yesterday morning I slept a little late, but when I got up I was so very pleased with what I discovered! The boys were already doing their math lessons!! I was so very pleased that they took the initiative and started their school work on their own even though I had overslept and hadn't given them instructions yet.
Sometimes you wonder as a parent if you are raising your children right. If you are doing everything you can to make sure that they grow into good, godly, responsible adults. Sometimes their behavior makes you wonder what you have done wrong! Then sometimes, like yesterday morning, you know you must have done something right.
It is an incredible responsibility to be a parent. Something that no one should ever take lightly. It may even be the biggest responsibility a person will ever have! The job of raising a child, teaching a child, molding a child, helping a child learn their place in the world, can only be done well by the grace of God, and with His help.
I have been so blessed to be able to be a mother. To have 4 wonderful boys, 3 of whom I still have to raise. Lord, help me do this well!
Friday, August 16, 2013
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Arts and Crafts
I have always liked arts and crafts, but since my children have been born there hasn't been much time for that sort of thing. Now that they are getting older, I find they are better at entertaining themselves, leaving me more time for arts and crafts!
Of course, most of the time there are many other things I could be doing, but taking some down time to work on arts and crafts seems very therapeutic for me. I made probably 200 bead bracelets a couple of weeks ago. Some with turtles in memory of Silas, and some with butterflies for a little girl in town fighting cancer.
Now I am learning how to make bows. Someone pointed out, that had I had girls, I would already know how to make bows. With September coming up (childhood cancer awareness month), I want to know how to make different types of bows (in gold of course, the color for childhood cancer awareness). Tonight I made 3, two were successful, one was not.
I packed away Silas' clothes the week of his funeral. I know that sounds soon but I wanted to do it while my mom and sister were here. We packed one bag full of things that I wanted to save (couldn't part with), and one bag that I would save to pass to my nephews when they get big enough (they were all just born this year!). Anyway, now I am using his dresser for an art supply cabinet. I will mostly keep my things in it, the boys have their own art supplies in the "school room".
As a side note, Jason asked me recently, "why do we call it the 'school room'? We do school everywhere except in there!". I told him, it was the school room because we kept school books and supplies in there. He wasn't totally satisfied with that answer, he wanted to come up with another name for the room.
Maybe I should post some photos of my attempts at arts and crafts here. Not tonight, I am too tired. One of these days I should though.
Of course, most of the time there are many other things I could be doing, but taking some down time to work on arts and crafts seems very therapeutic for me. I made probably 200 bead bracelets a couple of weeks ago. Some with turtles in memory of Silas, and some with butterflies for a little girl in town fighting cancer.
Now I am learning how to make bows. Someone pointed out, that had I had girls, I would already know how to make bows. With September coming up (childhood cancer awareness month), I want to know how to make different types of bows (in gold of course, the color for childhood cancer awareness). Tonight I made 3, two were successful, one was not.
I packed away Silas' clothes the week of his funeral. I know that sounds soon but I wanted to do it while my mom and sister were here. We packed one bag full of things that I wanted to save (couldn't part with), and one bag that I would save to pass to my nephews when they get big enough (they were all just born this year!). Anyway, now I am using his dresser for an art supply cabinet. I will mostly keep my things in it, the boys have their own art supplies in the "school room".
As a side note, Jason asked me recently, "why do we call it the 'school room'? We do school everywhere except in there!". I told him, it was the school room because we kept school books and supplies in there. He wasn't totally satisfied with that answer, he wanted to come up with another name for the room.
Maybe I should post some photos of my attempts at arts and crafts here. Not tonight, I am too tired. One of these days I should though.
Monday, August 12, 2013
A productive day
Today was Archie's first day back to work since Silas passed away, actually, since January! He took off for Silas' Make-a-wish trip and for his surgery in February and was going to go back in March. When we learned in March that Silas was terminal, Archie decided he'd better stay home and spend as much time with Silas as he could. I am so glad he did and so thankful that his employer allowed him to still have a job when he was ready to go back!
I have been looking forward to this day as well as dreading it. Looking forward to getting back into a "normal" routine, but dreading missing Archie and being overwhelmed by trying to get back into a "normal" routine that didn't include Silas.
It has been OK so far. I feel it has been a productive day. I've almost got the kitchen cleaned. The dishes are done, the sink is clean, the counters are clean. I just need to sweep the floor, check the fridge for things that need to be tossed, and wipe off the stove.
We had a really good school day today too. The boys whined a little about it, particularly the math, but we got a lot done. Math, Reading, Handwriting, Spelling, P.E. Tomorrow I'd like to do some Science and History as well. Michael really needs more work math, Gideon and Jason really need more work on reading. We will technically be finished with the school year next Thursday since we school year round. I plan to give them 3 weeks off and then we will start back up again. I have most of the curriculum I want to use already but I plan to get some more math curriculum for Michael.
I also wrote a grocery list today. I only need a few things so I will probably run to town after dinner tonight.
The big task that Archie and I need to complete tonight is getting the dining table cleaned off. It is piled high with papers and miscellaneous items that need to have homes. Hopefully it won't take too long to get everything in order.
Tomorrow Jason starts Gymnastics. I am really looking forward to this! I think he will do well if he can listen to instructions. He is very spatially aware and seems to have some physical talent for things like that. I am interested to see how he does.
AWANA will start on Wednesday. I have not found Gideon and Jason's books yet. It has been a year and a half since they attended AWANA. It was just too difficult to take them while Silas was ill. Hopefully I can find their books by Wednesday, if not, I may go ahead and order new books for them.
Overall, I think today has gone pretty well. It still feels strange for Silas to not be here. Perhaps it will always feel strange. I know he is OK now though, and I know that we will be OK too. It is just going to take some time.
I have been looking forward to this day as well as dreading it. Looking forward to getting back into a "normal" routine, but dreading missing Archie and being overwhelmed by trying to get back into a "normal" routine that didn't include Silas.
It has been OK so far. I feel it has been a productive day. I've almost got the kitchen cleaned. The dishes are done, the sink is clean, the counters are clean. I just need to sweep the floor, check the fridge for things that need to be tossed, and wipe off the stove.
We had a really good school day today too. The boys whined a little about it, particularly the math, but we got a lot done. Math, Reading, Handwriting, Spelling, P.E. Tomorrow I'd like to do some Science and History as well. Michael really needs more work math, Gideon and Jason really need more work on reading. We will technically be finished with the school year next Thursday since we school year round. I plan to give them 3 weeks off and then we will start back up again. I have most of the curriculum I want to use already but I plan to get some more math curriculum for Michael.
I also wrote a grocery list today. I only need a few things so I will probably run to town after dinner tonight.
The big task that Archie and I need to complete tonight is getting the dining table cleaned off. It is piled high with papers and miscellaneous items that need to have homes. Hopefully it won't take too long to get everything in order.
Tomorrow Jason starts Gymnastics. I am really looking forward to this! I think he will do well if he can listen to instructions. He is very spatially aware and seems to have some physical talent for things like that. I am interested to see how he does.
AWANA will start on Wednesday. I have not found Gideon and Jason's books yet. It has been a year and a half since they attended AWANA. It was just too difficult to take them while Silas was ill. Hopefully I can find their books by Wednesday, if not, I may go ahead and order new books for them.
Overall, I think today has gone pretty well. It still feels strange for Silas to not be here. Perhaps it will always feel strange. I know he is OK now though, and I know that we will be OK too. It is just going to take some time.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
No sugar
I started cutting sugar out of my diet about 6 weeks ago. I have "cheated" from time to time, particularly when I was away from home. However, I am still eating far less sugar than I did before!
Sugar has always been an addiction of mine I think. I love sugar. Way too much! But its got to go. Its not good for me and it doesn't love me back.
When I say "sugar" I am referring to added sugar, refined sugar, processed sugar. I am not avoiding all carbs, though by avoiding added sugar, that cuts out a lot of carb consumption. I read the labels, I have learned the "other" names for sugar, and I avoid eating anything that has it. I do eat fruits and veggies that have natural sugar in them, I do eat some honey as well. I am also avoiding "fake" sugars as well. I don't mind the natural sweeteners like Stevia (my favorite).
I have struggled with my weight all of my adult life. I have pretty much always been about 20-30 lbs over weight, but when Silas got sick and we were eating out or having meals brought to us all of the time, well, that 30 lbs over weight turned into 80 lbs over weight. I think that continuing to cut sugar out of my diet will be an important part of moving towards my goal of being a healthy weight.
Of course there are other things that I need to do to reach a healthy weight. Drink plenty of water, exercise moderation in what I eat (even if its a healthy food, you can still eat too much of it), make sure that the foods I eat are healthy and not just empty calories, and of course, get plenty of exercise!
Exercise has been hard lately, I don't do well with heat! I suppose that is an excuse. The evenings have been quite nice lately though, I told Archie yesterday we should walk every evening at about 8 PM. It has cooled off some by then and is quite pleasant. In the past, I have always lost the most weight in the Spring and Fall.
Sugar has always been an addiction of mine I think. I love sugar. Way too much! But its got to go. Its not good for me and it doesn't love me back.
When I say "sugar" I am referring to added sugar, refined sugar, processed sugar. I am not avoiding all carbs, though by avoiding added sugar, that cuts out a lot of carb consumption. I read the labels, I have learned the "other" names for sugar, and I avoid eating anything that has it. I do eat fruits and veggies that have natural sugar in them, I do eat some honey as well. I am also avoiding "fake" sugars as well. I don't mind the natural sweeteners like Stevia (my favorite).
I have struggled with my weight all of my adult life. I have pretty much always been about 20-30 lbs over weight, but when Silas got sick and we were eating out or having meals brought to us all of the time, well, that 30 lbs over weight turned into 80 lbs over weight. I think that continuing to cut sugar out of my diet will be an important part of moving towards my goal of being a healthy weight.
Of course there are other things that I need to do to reach a healthy weight. Drink plenty of water, exercise moderation in what I eat (even if its a healthy food, you can still eat too much of it), make sure that the foods I eat are healthy and not just empty calories, and of course, get plenty of exercise!
Exercise has been hard lately, I don't do well with heat! I suppose that is an excuse. The evenings have been quite nice lately though, I told Archie yesterday we should walk every evening at about 8 PM. It has cooled off some by then and is quite pleasant. In the past, I have always lost the most weight in the Spring and Fall.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Getting organized
We are still trying to get the house "organized". It will take a while. It has not been a priority for a long time but now we really want it to be organized in such a way as to make "living" easier. I don't want to have to dig through piles of books to find an AWANA hand book. I don't want to lose math books or pencils. I want everything to have a place and for everything to be in its place!
I have never been a super organized person. However, I am one of those people who can have a desk piled with papers and know exactly where everything is. To others my desk would look like chaos, but to me, its organized, sort of. My biggest problem is when people move things. Because it looks like a mess, they think its OK to shuffle things around, but then I don't know where things are! LOL.
At any rate, we need to get more organized. We have been organized periodically, but not lately. In the 14 years Archie and I have been married we have gone through stages of being very organized, and being completely unorganized. When Michael was little the whole apartment was clean and organized, except one room. When we had 3 kids and one on the way the apartment was utterly chaotic! It was so bad I panicked every time there was a knock at the door. Then when we had 4 kids and lived in a house it was more organized, but one room was usually a mess. Since we have lived in Georgia it has been a constant struggle to find a sense of organization.
Living here, in my mother-in-law's mobile home, it has been a challenge to organize her things and our things in such a way as to live peacefully and comfortably together. When Silas got sick, organization was not on my list. I just wanted things to be clean, to keep him from getting any kind of infection. Clutter accumulated with all of the cards, letters, and gifts he received during his treatment, (not to mention all of the medications and medical supplies!) and well, it was quite overwhelming! (It was wonderful to have the support and I don't want to complain! I am glad so many people made such an effort to make his life better). Now though, its time to get the house functional again. To figure out where everything is and where it needs to belong.
I am not expecting to be organized overnight, it will be a long process. Still though, we are pressing forward!
I have never been a super organized person. However, I am one of those people who can have a desk piled with papers and know exactly where everything is. To others my desk would look like chaos, but to me, its organized, sort of. My biggest problem is when people move things. Because it looks like a mess, they think its OK to shuffle things around, but then I don't know where things are! LOL.
At any rate, we need to get more organized. We have been organized periodically, but not lately. In the 14 years Archie and I have been married we have gone through stages of being very organized, and being completely unorganized. When Michael was little the whole apartment was clean and organized, except one room. When we had 3 kids and one on the way the apartment was utterly chaotic! It was so bad I panicked every time there was a knock at the door. Then when we had 4 kids and lived in a house it was more organized, but one room was usually a mess. Since we have lived in Georgia it has been a constant struggle to find a sense of organization.
Living here, in my mother-in-law's mobile home, it has been a challenge to organize her things and our things in such a way as to live peacefully and comfortably together. When Silas got sick, organization was not on my list. I just wanted things to be clean, to keep him from getting any kind of infection. Clutter accumulated with all of the cards, letters, and gifts he received during his treatment, (not to mention all of the medications and medical supplies!) and well, it was quite overwhelming! (It was wonderful to have the support and I don't want to complain! I am glad so many people made such an effort to make his life better). Now though, its time to get the house functional again. To figure out where everything is and where it needs to belong.
I am not expecting to be organized overnight, it will be a long process. Still though, we are pressing forward!
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Date night!
Archie and I have not had many date nights since the boys have been born. At least, not out. Most of our date nights have consisted of putting the boys to bed and watching Doctor Who together. Which is fine, the important thing is that we are spending time together.
Last night my sister-in-law showed up and very kindly offered to take the boys for the rest of the day! Archie and I jumped on the opportunity and went out on a real date! (We love you Amber!).
I recently had a conversation with the boys about dating. I told them its what married people do to stay connected and build their relationship. Of course a lot of the world has a different idea about dating. I am teaching my boys something different though.
Archie and I didn't date per se. We served together in missions, took walks together, participated in ministry together, had meals together, and spent a lot of time together with friends. We have told the boys that when they are old enough to consider marrying a girl, they should spend time getting to know her with her family and friends. They shouldn't pursue a relationship with a girl unless they have already seen something in her that makes them interested in considering her as a wife.
I pray for my boys future wives, though not as often as I should. Should they choose to marry. I pray for them too, that they will be good husbands and fathers. I pray that I will be a good mother-in-law. Every now and then I hear of one of those special relationships between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law where the daughter-in-law says "I love my mother-in-law so much, she is like a second mother to me!". I would love to have that kind of relationship with a daughter in law or daughters in law someday!
Last night my sister-in-law showed up and very kindly offered to take the boys for the rest of the day! Archie and I jumped on the opportunity and went out on a real date! (We love you Amber!).
I recently had a conversation with the boys about dating. I told them its what married people do to stay connected and build their relationship. Of course a lot of the world has a different idea about dating. I am teaching my boys something different though.
Archie and I didn't date per se. We served together in missions, took walks together, participated in ministry together, had meals together, and spent a lot of time together with friends. We have told the boys that when they are old enough to consider marrying a girl, they should spend time getting to know her with her family and friends. They shouldn't pursue a relationship with a girl unless they have already seen something in her that makes them interested in considering her as a wife.
I pray for my boys future wives, though not as often as I should. Should they choose to marry. I pray for them too, that they will be good husbands and fathers. I pray that I will be a good mother-in-law. Every now and then I hear of one of those special relationships between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law where the daughter-in-law says "I love my mother-in-law so much, she is like a second mother to me!". I would love to have that kind of relationship with a daughter in law or daughters in law someday!
Friday, August 2, 2013
Busy week
We have done a lot this week! We finished swimming lessons yesterday. Each of the boys received an achievement patch. I am not sure what to sew it on. They received them two years ago as well and they just float around the house. Maybe sewing them onto their beach towels would be a good idea?
Tuesday we went to Savannah, Michael and Jason had dentist appointments there. Michael needed a filling and Jason got sealants on his molars. While they were at their appointment Gideon and I visited "Michael's" and got some craft supplies. Gideon wants art to be his "extra curricular" this year so we got him some art supplies. The easels were so expensive, but I found one on ebay that I ordered for him. (he has to share with me though).
Gideon and I also stopped by the Pediatric Oncology clinic to drop off some of Silas' DVD's. The other boys are too "old" for them and don't want them. They can always use DVD's at the clinic! Some kids stay in the clinic all day long for treatment and it gets boring! Silas spent several very long days in the clinic himself. It was so nice to see Dr J and some of the nurses.
After the dentist appointment we went to get a table I found on craigslist. I am so excited about it! I have been looking for a dining table since we moved to Georgia 4 years ago! Its like this one http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40184945/ but used and not that expensive. I love it! I even like that it already has dings in it, now I won't feel so bad when one of the boys does something to it :)
By that time the boys were starving so Archie dropped me off at the hospital to go visit a local girl fighting cancer while he took the boys to get some lunch. Again, I was so happy to see some of our nurses. I miss them!
We missed swimming lessons Tuesday, we just didn't make it home in time. Tuesday evening though we went over to Tabernacle Baptist to help some with the organizing for the yard sale for the little girl fighting cancer. I think it will be huge! There was so much stuff there and a lot of it was nice! Michael wants us to drop him off there again tonight so that he can help out. The yard sale is tomorrow.
Wednesday we went to the BBQ dinner at First Baptist Vidalia where the boys have attended AWANA in the past. They had a "wall of Silas" up in one of the hall ways. It was a bulletin board with photos of Silas and print outs of some of my caring bridge journal entries pinned up on it. :)
I had planned on doing one portion of Michael's testing every day this week, but it didn't work out that way. We did one portion on Monday and then none Tues-Thurs. So today we are trying to get it all done at once. Archie took Gideon and Jason out to put up some signs for the yard sale and run some errands, while Michael and I stay home to complete his test. He has 4 sections completed and 2 to go. I am letting him have a lunch break now though.
This evening Gideon and Jason will go to "Flippin' Friday" at the gym, Michael will go to help with the yard sale, and I can't decide whether to go to the "Mom's night out" or on a date with Archie. I was planning to go with the mom's club but the more I think about it, the more a date night sounds better. Archie is going back to work on the 12th and it seems like a date night might be a good thing. We haven't gotten many of them since we started having kids, and even fewer whilst fighting cancer with Silas.
Tuesday we went to Savannah, Michael and Jason had dentist appointments there. Michael needed a filling and Jason got sealants on his molars. While they were at their appointment Gideon and I visited "Michael's" and got some craft supplies. Gideon wants art to be his "extra curricular" this year so we got him some art supplies. The easels were so expensive, but I found one on ebay that I ordered for him. (he has to share with me though).
Gideon and I also stopped by the Pediatric Oncology clinic to drop off some of Silas' DVD's. The other boys are too "old" for them and don't want them. They can always use DVD's at the clinic! Some kids stay in the clinic all day long for treatment and it gets boring! Silas spent several very long days in the clinic himself. It was so nice to see Dr J and some of the nurses.
After the dentist appointment we went to get a table I found on craigslist. I am so excited about it! I have been looking for a dining table since we moved to Georgia 4 years ago! Its like this one http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40184945/ but used and not that expensive. I love it! I even like that it already has dings in it, now I won't feel so bad when one of the boys does something to it :)
By that time the boys were starving so Archie dropped me off at the hospital to go visit a local girl fighting cancer while he took the boys to get some lunch. Again, I was so happy to see some of our nurses. I miss them!
We missed swimming lessons Tuesday, we just didn't make it home in time. Tuesday evening though we went over to Tabernacle Baptist to help some with the organizing for the yard sale for the little girl fighting cancer. I think it will be huge! There was so much stuff there and a lot of it was nice! Michael wants us to drop him off there again tonight so that he can help out. The yard sale is tomorrow.
Wednesday we went to the BBQ dinner at First Baptist Vidalia where the boys have attended AWANA in the past. They had a "wall of Silas" up in one of the hall ways. It was a bulletin board with photos of Silas and print outs of some of my caring bridge journal entries pinned up on it. :)
I had planned on doing one portion of Michael's testing every day this week, but it didn't work out that way. We did one portion on Monday and then none Tues-Thurs. So today we are trying to get it all done at once. Archie took Gideon and Jason out to put up some signs for the yard sale and run some errands, while Michael and I stay home to complete his test. He has 4 sections completed and 2 to go. I am letting him have a lunch break now though.
This evening Gideon and Jason will go to "Flippin' Friday" at the gym, Michael will go to help with the yard sale, and I can't decide whether to go to the "Mom's night out" or on a date with Archie. I was planning to go with the mom's club but the more I think about it, the more a date night sounds better. Archie is going back to work on the 12th and it seems like a date night might be a good thing. We haven't gotten many of them since we started having kids, and even fewer whilst fighting cancer with Silas.
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