Starting a School Year
One thing that any home schooling mom needs, this time of year especially, is support. The reasons for home schooling are as many and varied as the families who choose it (and listing them all is not the theme of this post), but I choose home schooling because I am not content with the mundane. Mediocrity is living the 9 to 5, go-to-an-institution life; we rebel against that. My husband doesn't have that kind of job, either. We don't need that kind of life to feel successful. Being forced into that kind of life would feel confining. But even after having made a very careful and conscious decision to be counter-cultural, staying steady and sticking to it can be hard without support.
That's why I am glad that Monday I received encouragement from unschoolers at the AAH annual Not Back To School party. Yesterday I received encouragement from forum friends who are relaxed home schoolers and "get me." So today at home I stayed in the background. Worked on my blog and editing, reading, researching, and giving and receiving encouragement on the homeschool forums with my e-maginary friends. At first, my tween was at a table in the School Room doing sums in her math workbook, my preteen was at his desk doing a math workbook, my teen was at the breakfast bar with the computer digging into his history software, my 3rd grader was at the table in the living room doing his math page. After a while it got quiet.
I silently moved through the house, and found my tween and 3rd grader at the couch discussing her lesson in Serl's (Intermediate Language Lessons). She was sharing an original creative writing piece she'd just written- and he was sharing one he'd written. My preteen was story-boarding for a history project. My teen was digging into his Personal Finance class (DVD and workbook). They were all learning. And laughing. And engaging in relationship.
My productive time today has been punctuated with requests to print spelling worksheets and handwriting practice worksheets. I've punctuated their time with requests to listen to me read a story to them. Everyone is happy and productive. We're encouraging and supporting each other through relationship.
That's why I am glad that Monday I received encouragement from unschoolers at the AAH annual Not Back To School party. Yesterday I received encouragement from forum friends who are relaxed home schoolers and "get me." So today at home I stayed in the background. Worked on my blog and editing, reading, researching, and giving and receiving encouragement on the homeschool forums with my e-maginary friends. At first, my tween was at a table in the School Room doing sums in her math workbook, my preteen was at his desk doing a math workbook, my teen was at the breakfast bar with the computer digging into his history software, my 3rd grader was at the table in the living room doing his math page. After a while it got quiet.
I silently moved through the house, and found my tween and 3rd grader at the couch discussing her lesson in Serl's (Intermediate Language Lessons). She was sharing an original creative writing piece she'd just written- and he was sharing one he'd written. My preteen was story-boarding for a history project. My teen was digging into his Personal Finance class (DVD and workbook). They were all learning. And laughing. And engaging in relationship.
My productive time today has been punctuated with requests to print spelling worksheets and handwriting practice worksheets. I've punctuated their time with requests to listen to me read a story to them. Everyone is happy and productive. We're encouraging and supporting each other through relationship.
Homeschooling 5 this year!
This will be my 11th year homeschooling! And my 9th using Sonlight Curriculum.
We'll be doing Core 100 and Core 4 together this year to study U. S. History, Geography, Literature and Science. 7th grader is using Key To maths including Decimals, Algebra, and Geometry and The Key To Tracker. 5th grader is using Horizons Math. 3rd grader is finishing up Miquon this year.
My 11th grader: I'm putting him on a modified schedule, with a slightly lighter load during football season. To the Core 100, he will add in Honors U. S. History and Honors U. S. Literature & Composition from Hewitt, Teaching Textbooks Algebra 2, Rosetta Stone German, Dave Ramsey's Personal Finance, test prep classes and driver's ed. In January he'll sign up for dual enrollment classes at the community college- he wants to sign up for Physics and German or ASL there.
My kindergartner will use My Father's World K.
Gotta case of the Mondays?
Sometimes I realize that my job as mom to a large family is a really big, really hard job.
[Greenies, don't read this paragraph- I violated everything I stand for!] Last night, I treated the 5 kids with me to McDonald's. The girls had heard there were American Girl toys. We ordered 4 Happy Meals- and the receipt clearly shows 3 girls, 1 boy... but we got 4 girl toys. We were in the drive-through so the error wasn't noticed until we were home.
So my oldest starts badgering me from before my first coffee, "When can we go get my paycheck?" The youngest son is badgering me, "When are we going back to get my boy toy?"
The 2nd son forgot to take his wallet to school, so he has no bus pass or money to get home- will I be there to get him?
My 3rd son is working on some project for his closet- he's out in the woodshop. He is using power tools. He's 12.
My daughters are trying to declutter, sort, clean their room- it seemed so big and nice when we last re-did it in December, but lately it's been half the size they need.
What's for lunch? What's going to be for dinner for that matter? I need to get my menu and grocery list done- I had done one for 2 weeks but the 2nd week got lost. Besides, I think that was almost 3 weeks ago now. I still have the ingredients for some of the meals on that menu, some of them anyway. Someone helped themselves to some of the ingredients so I can't make that dish. Or this other one. We're outta milk! We're outta bread! No tortillas either!
Have I finished my editing work for DH? Have I got the stuff done for Boy Scouts? Then I look in my email~ big mistake! The Cub Scouts still are needing 5 more leaders, there's a meeting Sept 1. Meetings will change from Weds to Tues, meaning that my 7 year long habit now much change. Oh, there's a City Planner meeting Sept 2. I'm leaving town Sept 3, get back late the night of the 6th. Orthodontist Sept 8. Oh yeah- that reminds me! The dentist appointment we had to make for John six months ago-- for Weds at 10? He'll be with the Youth Group at Six Flags. Gotta call and cancel the appointment today or we'll get a no-show fee.
"Mom, when can we go to get my boy toy?" That again? I just got home from taking the teen diagonally all the way across town to get his paycheck, stopping at the bank to make deposits, running into the CVS for milk, and dropping off a bus pass at ds2's school. I am working on editing and staring at this pile of papers on my desk, wondering when I'll finally get home school materials ready to start a new school year. There are still dishes at the sink-- I can still hear a few of them arguing, "They're not my dishes." I still need to pull something out of the freezer to thaw for supper. I have to leave in a few to take the oldest to football practice, then come home and make supper- I'll whip up some biscuits and gravy I guess.
"Honey, be ready when it's time to go get your brother after practice. I'll drop him off at home and run to the store. You can come with me, and we'll stop to get the toy they owe you then."
Of course this will put him late for bed. And it's not the store I want to shop at, but it's the one nearest the Maccas (as my Aussie friends call it).
[Greenies, don't read this paragraph- I violated everything I stand for!] Last night, I treated the 5 kids with me to McDonald's. The girls had heard there were American Girl toys. We ordered 4 Happy Meals- and the receipt clearly shows 3 girls, 1 boy... but we got 4 girl toys. We were in the drive-through so the error wasn't noticed until we were home.
So my oldest starts badgering me from before my first coffee, "When can we go get my paycheck?" The youngest son is badgering me, "When are we going back to get my boy toy?"
The 2nd son forgot to take his wallet to school, so he has no bus pass or money to get home- will I be there to get him?
My 3rd son is working on some project for his closet- he's out in the woodshop. He is using power tools. He's 12.
My daughters are trying to declutter, sort, clean their room- it seemed so big and nice when we last re-did it in December, but lately it's been half the size they need.
What's for lunch? What's going to be for dinner for that matter? I need to get my menu and grocery list done- I had done one for 2 weeks but the 2nd week got lost. Besides, I think that was almost 3 weeks ago now. I still have the ingredients for some of the meals on that menu, some of them anyway. Someone helped themselves to some of the ingredients so I can't make that dish. Or this other one. We're outta milk! We're outta bread! No tortillas either!
Have I finished my editing work for DH? Have I got the stuff done for Boy Scouts? Then I look in my email~ big mistake! The Cub Scouts still are needing 5 more leaders, there's a meeting Sept 1. Meetings will change from Weds to Tues, meaning that my 7 year long habit now much change. Oh, there's a City Planner meeting Sept 2. I'm leaving town Sept 3, get back late the night of the 6th. Orthodontist Sept 8. Oh yeah- that reminds me! The dentist appointment we had to make for John six months ago-- for Weds at 10? He'll be with the Youth Group at Six Flags. Gotta call and cancel the appointment today or we'll get a no-show fee.
"Mom, when can we go to get my boy toy?" That again? I just got home from taking the teen diagonally all the way across town to get his paycheck, stopping at the bank to make deposits, running into the CVS for milk, and dropping off a bus pass at ds2's school. I am working on editing and staring at this pile of papers on my desk, wondering when I'll finally get home school materials ready to start a new school year. There are still dishes at the sink-- I can still hear a few of them arguing, "They're not my dishes." I still need to pull something out of the freezer to thaw for supper. I have to leave in a few to take the oldest to football practice, then come home and make supper- I'll whip up some biscuits and gravy I guess.
"Honey, be ready when it's time to go get your brother after practice. I'll drop him off at home and run to the store. You can come with me, and we'll stop to get the toy they owe you then."
Of course this will put him late for bed. And it's not the store I want to shop at, but it's the one nearest the Maccas (as my Aussie friends call it).
The kitchen moves onward
It's been a while since I last showed pics of my kitchen, which we started remodeling last October. The reason is because frankly, nothing has been done and it's still only half finished. I still have plywood for countertops on my island. I still have a flat-packed, unbuilt cabinet on my floor. We're getting used to the 3" platform on which to stand, although I still stub my toe on it at least twice a day. (My goal is to get this built and in place by Thursday. Hold me to it.)
However, my friend Trish helps me keep it all in perspective. Here's a picture of a nice country kitchen she featured on her blog.
However, my friend Trish helps me keep it all in perspective. Here's a picture of a nice country kitchen she featured on her blog.
Consciousness Sunday
One way to worship Jesus is through social consciousness. I will use Sundays periodically to highlight an issue that needs attention.
Were your groceries produced by slave labor? For a few years, I've been careful about purchasing only Free Trade coffee, and I've added sugar and chocolate to my list. Bananas, strawberries, and clothing. Fish. Turkey.
What can you do? Watch for "Free Trade" labels and refuse to purchase from companies that exploit workers. Be a responsible shopper. Learn about Modern Slavery. Look for ways to fight slavery. Support literacy in at-risk countries. Buy less, and when you do buy, consider buying second-hand.
Were your groceries produced by slave labor? For a few years, I've been careful about purchasing only Free Trade coffee, and I've added sugar and chocolate to my list. Bananas, strawberries, and clothing. Fish. Turkey.
What can you do? Watch for "Free Trade" labels and refuse to purchase from companies that exploit workers. Be a responsible shopper. Learn about Modern Slavery. Look for ways to fight slavery. Support literacy in at-risk countries. Buy less, and when you do buy, consider buying second-hand.
Praying, and relationships [long- blogging is cheaper than therapy]
One thing on my mind lately is a sense of condemnation, "You are no good at prayer."
I meditate/study on an outline I have, "Prayerlessness a Sin by Gary S. Linton" which I copied off the internet years and years ago. It says prayer is a sin because it "does those around you a disservice" and "is disobedience." It "reveals our unwillingness to allow God to work in our life." It "is negligence of a divine privilege purchased at a great price." It "demonstrates our independence," "reveals our unbelief," "leaves open the door for other sins," "hinders revival & God's blessings," and "proves God isn't first in our life."
I get all that. Each of the above has "proof texts" to study/meditate upon. I don't really argue with it all.
Then, our pastor did a blog post on unbelief. And on top of that, I was listening to a sermon by a local church planter, on Ezra, talking about the sin of the people "who built paneled houses" was that they were not inviting God into their lives...
it's all sort of the same thing.
So my personal problem has been like our pastor blogged about-- that I don't have a good, deep, morning prayer daily. I feel guilty, condemned.
I was meditating on this while sitting in the car waiting for my son at the orthodontist. I never get this kind of time at home to just sit without being interrupted KWIM? So I leave all the other kids at home and sit in the car once a month while DS has his braces tightened.
And it occured to me....
my prayer life is no different than my other relationships.
I don't make a huge effort to call my mom, MIL, grandmother, or even best friend. I can go days, even weeks without thinking about calling them to talk to them. Sometimes I feel guilty that it's been so long, and I think "I should call them" but then I don't stop to do it-- it's either midnight... or the busy day when I know the kids will interrupt.
However, my real method of relationship working is found in my iPhone... texting... Facebook. I can shoot a one-liner to someone any time of day or night, and I know that later on I can check for a reply.
And that's how I pray. At any moment of the day or night, I shoot up one-liners to heaven. Lord help me. Lord watch me. Lord forgive me. Lord teach me. Lord guide me. Lord speak through me. I even read the Bible that way-- I open my iBible and find whatever day it is in the annual reading plan and will pick it up whatever day it is, no matter when I last read. So a chapter here, a chapter there. Sometimes though I just pick it up and say "Lord speak" and open it to whatever random verse like Holy Spirit Roulette.
But once a month, I take the time that my kid has orthodontist, and I take a Bible and soft worship music and plan to sit in the parking lot, alone. Sort of like periodically I put the kids in front of a movie and call my best friend, or my mom, to talk for an hour.
Is this a personality style or a spiritual shortcoming? Is this acceptable or wanting?
I meditate/study on an outline I have, "Prayerlessness a Sin by Gary S. Linton" which I copied off the internet years and years ago. It says prayer is a sin because it "does those around you a disservice" and "is disobedience." It "reveals our unwillingness to allow God to work in our life." It "is negligence of a divine privilege purchased at a great price." It "demonstrates our independence," "reveals our unbelief," "leaves open the door for other sins," "hinders revival & God's blessings," and "proves God isn't first in our life."
I get all that. Each of the above has "proof texts" to study/meditate upon. I don't really argue with it all.
Then, our pastor did a blog post on unbelief. And on top of that, I was listening to a sermon by a local church planter, on Ezra, talking about the sin of the people "who built paneled houses" was that they were not inviting God into their lives...
it's all sort of the same thing.
So my personal problem has been like our pastor blogged about-- that I don't have a good, deep, morning prayer daily. I feel guilty, condemned.
I was meditating on this while sitting in the car waiting for my son at the orthodontist. I never get this kind of time at home to just sit without being interrupted KWIM? So I leave all the other kids at home and sit in the car once a month while DS has his braces tightened.
And it occured to me....
my prayer life is no different than my other relationships.
I don't make a huge effort to call my mom, MIL, grandmother, or even best friend. I can go days, even weeks without thinking about calling them to talk to them. Sometimes I feel guilty that it's been so long, and I think "I should call them" but then I don't stop to do it-- it's either midnight... or the busy day when I know the kids will interrupt.
However, my real method of relationship working is found in my iPhone... texting... Facebook. I can shoot a one-liner to someone any time of day or night, and I know that later on I can check for a reply.
And that's how I pray. At any moment of the day or night, I shoot up one-liners to heaven. Lord help me. Lord watch me. Lord forgive me. Lord teach me. Lord guide me. Lord speak through me. I even read the Bible that way-- I open my iBible and find whatever day it is in the annual reading plan and will pick it up whatever day it is, no matter when I last read. So a chapter here, a chapter there. Sometimes though I just pick it up and say "Lord speak" and open it to whatever random verse like Holy Spirit Roulette.
But once a month, I take the time that my kid has orthodontist, and I take a Bible and soft worship music and plan to sit in the parking lot, alone. Sort of like periodically I put the kids in front of a movie and call my best friend, or my mom, to talk for an hour.
Is this a personality style or a spiritual shortcoming? Is this acceptable or wanting?
Bad Parent: I did my kid's homework
I was going to post this last Tuesday night. My kid had started a new school year. What's up with the inane homework the first week of school? This assignment was to write half a page on "what you hope to get out of this class this year." What a stupid thing to ask a young teenager! (We will avoid mentioning that the first response my teen had to the assignment was the teacher's poor grammar. I didn't let him mark it with a red pen, because we all have bad days. Daily.) What exactly does this teacher expect a teen to write, concerning a class mandated by the TDEA? Or is he just weeding out Favorites/Teacher's Pets right off the bat?
My teen had come home from school- the house is chaos. The boys didn't get their room finished this summer, what with all our traveling back and forth, illnesses and general chaos we always live among. So the teens' bedroom was empty of all furniture, covered in sheetrock dust. He can't even really go IN it, except to reach into the taped-off closet for clothes. He stakes out a corner of the dining table as the Tasmanian Devil spins around him, screeching. Or was that just plain old whirling dervishes? It may have been the Wild Things having a wild rumpus.
I hear him yell and find him almost in tears alternating with homicidal tendencies over this stupid assignment. So I sit down with him and read it, and dictate the first sentence to him. I oh-so-cleverly restated the question the teacher asked, as the answer. Then, in a flash of brilliance, I dictated another sentence- in perfect alliteration. The boy wrote it all down-- at first he whimpered, "Mom, you write it." But I wisely insisted, "oh no, if the teacher asks 'Did you write this' I want you to be able to look him square in the eye and assert, 'Yes, I certainly did write this.'" Then I only spurred him to the next sentence, suggesting a few words but leaving him to flesh it out.
Half an hour later he came back to me with a half a page, each sentence in perfect alliteration and proceeding through the alphabet. It was brilliant.
Today I was reading at HippoCampus.org, and came across this blog post on School Projects. Yeah. What he said. How long you reckon before I have all 7 back to home schooling?
My teen had come home from school- the house is chaos. The boys didn't get their room finished this summer, what with all our traveling back and forth, illnesses and general chaos we always live among. So the teens' bedroom was empty of all furniture, covered in sheetrock dust. He can't even really go IN it, except to reach into the taped-off closet for clothes. He stakes out a corner of the dining table as the Tasmanian Devil spins around him, screeching. Or was that just plain old whirling dervishes? It may have been the Wild Things having a wild rumpus.
I hear him yell and find him almost in tears alternating with homicidal tendencies over this stupid assignment. So I sit down with him and read it, and dictate the first sentence to him. I oh-so-cleverly restated the question the teacher asked, as the answer. Then, in a flash of brilliance, I dictated another sentence- in perfect alliteration. The boy wrote it all down-- at first he whimpered, "Mom, you write it." But I wisely insisted, "oh no, if the teacher asks 'Did you write this' I want you to be able to look him square in the eye and assert, 'Yes, I certainly did write this.'" Then I only spurred him to the next sentence, suggesting a few words but leaving him to flesh it out.
Half an hour later he came back to me with a half a page, each sentence in perfect alliteration and proceeding through the alphabet. It was brilliant.
Today I was reading at HippoCampus.org, and came across this blog post on School Projects. Yeah. What he said. How long you reckon before I have all 7 back to home schooling?
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