Homeschool Kindergarten Graduation

"what I learned in kindergarten"

The parents presented the diplomas to their children

The kindergarten class of 2008

...... High school graduating class of 2020!

For today

Outside My Window...  cloudy sky, it was the perfect day to take the bike, trike, and scooter to the park and practice riding

I am thinking... about how many of the clothes I can get folded and put away before the night is over

I am thankful for... life

From the kitchen... three chicken breasts I just diced and put in the fridge to marinate

I hope to... take the kids swimming this week

I am wearing... sweats and a t-shirt

I am creating... plans for the school year

I am going... to see Charlotte's web at the library this week and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants this weekend

I am reading... "the Jake Book"

I am hoping... the chicken stir fry tonight is as good as it was last time

I am hearing... the music from the Baby Noah DVD and the dishwasher and dryer running

Around the house... same as above plus the big kids playing school and baby sleeping, clothes I need to finish folding

One of my favorite things... America's Best Dance Crew (that is, until last Thursday -- if you watch it you know why)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Jeoff is off a couple of days so we'll go to the circus, do a picnic, and maybe have a literal garage sale this weekend

Watch the Olympics 

Cozy night is on Saturday 

Celebrate My SAHM Anniversary on Sunday

What else has been going on?

My sisters' birthdays - Ericka and Alesia

What else --- Resentment or Contentment with Commencement?

Resentment or Contentment with Commencement?

It's familiar to all of us I'm sure. The phrase spoken by a Principal, teacher, valedictorian, salutatorian that informs or reminds the graduating student that commencement is not a time to focus on the end of a season, but the beginning of a season. The word commencement means beginning right?

It's back to school time and that means going off to school for the first time for lots of kids. So today I'm reviewing the thoughts and feelings I've had at different points of commencement in my life. What about you? What have your feelings been?

Two instances in my life come to mind. The first was leaving high school, and going "off to college" and the second was leaving home, and moving to California because I had one of those "wanna get away?" experiences.

When I went to college, I had memories and experiences from high school to cherish but leave behind, and I had new experiences ahead of me. Part of me looked forward to these new experiences and part of me really really missed what I was leaving behind (my high school friends, my baby nephew, parents, sisters, grandparents, cousins, and my church family), everything that was comfortable for me. And yeah I was 18 years old but wait I was ONLY 18 years old!!! An adult and a kid.

Although I wasn't as far from home as some, I was still not home. And this was 1990, so any cell phone calls in my family were made by my dad and the cost was probably $9.99 a minute or something crazy like that. At one point I was so desperate to call back home (transparency warning), that I made calls on the phone at my job in the computer center and lost my job because of it. Nowadays when kids move away, they can connect back home via cell phone as much as they want, they can talk, text, share videos of family and friends in an instant via email, Youtube, and even videos on the dog on cell phone. We didn't even have email back then.

BUT, I know that doesn't make it easy okay? It's still hard. Some of the things that transcend changes in culture and advances in technology are the things that we choose to do with the new season we're in.

As I said, this is the first of two experiences I'll share. So what can one do when they're at the beginning of such a season. We know that "it'll be over before we know it" as the saying goes, but the reality is that, "It's not over now. I'm just at the beginning of it and it seems like it's going to last forever." Sometimes you wish you could just go back to the season you were in before (high school, back to the city you moved from, or whatever the case is).

Here are some things that helped me with this first experience (going to college). Would you share some that helped you too?

1. Connect through laughter

Have fun! We know that laughter is medicine for the soul. I don't know about you but, no matter what's going on, even with me and Jeoff and when we are in the most stressful conversations, a big laugh can so take our minds off the pain and bring great joy. Some of my greatest memories from that season of my life are laughing and talking to my room mate, Drena. And before going to bed at night or when I became lonely I could reach into that bank of laughter, along with all the funny memories from home, and it would take the hurt off of my current moment of difficulty. Now almost 20 years later (Oh Lord), Drena & I still reminisce on those times and can remember entire lines of conversations we had and jokes we told.

"Yeah, I can have fun with friends, watch a funny show or video and be happy then but that only lasts so long."

You can also

2. Connect through service

Find someone to give to. There are countless people who can attest to the fact that doing something for others is quite fulfilling. That's not why I listed it though. If it's all about being fulfilling (for you) then it's less about being for someone else. Service is about taking our focus off of our own needs and concentrating on the needs of another. Are there children in the surrounding community who would love to hear the story of a college student and look to them as some what of a role model? or some would like to have a storybook read to them? is there someone you could write a letter to and it would brighten their day to hear from you?, does someone need help moving into their dorm (I think the new term is residence hall)?, what else can you do that someone else cannot do?

"I see, I'll look into that, but although it's not ALL about me there are some things I do need to do for me right?"

Right...

3. Connect to your gifts

Writing, playing an instrument, singing? I wish I had done more of that during this season. Take advantage of it and see where you can go with it. I don't mean how far you can go, meaning impressing other people with it. I mean how far can you go learning what you can learn what you can do. Look forward to the time when you can look back and see year from now, how you went from being okay at it, to being really good at it!

"Cool!"

And/or

4. Connect through student organizations

Allow the Lord to develop you as a young adult. In addition to the opportunity to make the most of the academic courses you're in, college campuses have so many opportunities for students to be involved. Whether it's sports, leadership organizations, clubs, choir, drama, ....it's there waiting for you. There are some who were involved in two or three or more of these. And most of them will never regret their involvement. For me, these were the things that God used to challenge me to become the person I am today. In them, I saw people who were different from me (in good and bad ways) and I made decisions to better myself as a result, I had to work hard to be accepted (or not care if I was accepted). And later see what acceptance is really all about. Which leads me to number four.

"Ok gotcha there, I can do something like that, but that's only when I have time to do it."

There's something you always have time to do...

5. Connect with the Father

As one of my wise sisters told her son (in so many words), "when you get back to your room be sure to go to your Bible and look and let God show you how He wants to speak to you during this season.

During this season of my life (in college), God showed me who I was inside and who He wanted to make me. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't easy, it wasn't popular, but it was what He had to do. No, that part of my journey didn't make me a person who always made the best decisions or a person who always pleased the Lord but it did teach me about how to walk with him. I'm still learning about that but this season was my introduction to it. And that's really what this life in Christ is about. Through the Joys n Pains, the most important thing we can do is walk with the Lord. If you want to know more about what that means and how you actually do that, ask Him and He'll show you. There's also a great (FREE) book to read to learn more about it. You can even read it online.

He wants us to see him, not as the person who is watching to see if we'll do right or wrong, but the one who truly knows us and loves us and who is right there at every moment we need him.

All of these are important and I pray that if you're reading this and you're in this season that as you put whichever of these into practice you feel led to, you would allow Him to walk with you through each one.

If you're past this season, how was it for you? When you moved from one season to the next and had to experience a commencement. Please share! Leave a comment. Post it on your blog. Share any encouraging words with someone who might be at the beginning of such a season right now.

Part two "So You Wanna Get Away," coming soon.............

You Simba-starfish-bucket-shell!

"Mommy, he called me a Simba-starfish-bucket-shell!"

That's what Lamby ran in the room to tell me this morning. She was actually really hurt by this. And just as with the others, I explained to her that there's no such thing as a Simba-starfish-bucket-shell - but she was hurt nonetheless.

Isn't it like that sometimes though, even when we know that what someone called us does not fit who we are or if what they called us does not even exist in this world (like a Simba-starfish-bucket-shell), it still hurts us!

We have to choose which words will hurt us and which ones we'll brush off. The most important thing is that we know who we are in Christ and not allow a stranger, friend, relative, or society's words to define us!

The R.O.C.

Another family placed a bulk order of these and we joined in. We picked it up from her this weekend.

It's especially great for times like these. I didn't use it until we got home and had a chance to explain (reiterate) what the R.O.C. is all about.

The R.O.C. = The Rod of Correction

"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." - Proverbs 29:15

It's like a belt but you don't have to deal with the buckle and the length of a belt. A cross between a wooden spoon (since it's sturdy) and a belt (since it's leather outside), it gives just the appropriate amount of sting!

When I think about disciplining children, no matter what the kindness of my heart says, I need to always go back to this:

Quote 1 from The Mother at Home by John Abbott

How entirely is your earthly happiness at the disposal of your child! His character is now, in an important sense, in your hands, and you are to form it for good or for evil. If you are consistent in your government, and faithful in the discharge of your duties, your child will probably through life revere you, and be the stay and solace of your declining years. If, on the other hand, you cannot summon resolution to punish your child when disobedient; if you do not curb his passions; if you do not bring him to entire and willing subjection to your authority; you must expect that he will be your curse. In all probability, he will despise you for your weakness. Unaccustomed to restraints at home, he will break away from all restraints, and make you wretched by his life, and disgraceful in his death.

Quote 2 from The Mother at Home by John Abbott

If you love 'momentary ease' better than your children's welfare and your own permanent happiness, you cannot murmur at the lot you have freely chosen. And when you meet your children at the bar of God, and they point to you and say, "It was through your neglect of duty that we are banished from heaven—and consigned to endless woe!" you must feel what no tongue can tell. Ah! it is dreadful for a mother to trifle with duty. Eternal destinies are committed to your trust. The influence you are now exerting will go on, unchecked by the grave or the judgment, and will extend onward through those ages to which there is no end!

Coming up with this year's curriculum

My neck is hurting from revisiting the subject and researching online while holding baby in between his naps today and listening to the other kids read stories but now I am taking a break from that, to prepare for dinner.

We're almost done with our list for the school year.   Tonight I'll spend some time putting together a price list and preparing for my meeting with the head of the school and getting even closer to our final list.

The time I spent today has reminded me to go back to our original principles and methodology and not get too caught up in the details of everyone's specific experiences.

It's been good to hear the reviews and opinions of others, as we hone in on what's right for THIS year.  Here's where we are on the list.

Status Report

Here's my status report for this point in this season in life. Just a quick one. Hopefully the future ones will be in more detail.

Age: 36

Married 8 years, one month, and three days!

Four children: Ages 6, 4, 2 and 3 1/2 months

Occupation: Household COO

Industry: Marriage, Parenting

Ministry: In everyday life, showing others what we (the church) are about

Giving Flowers!

I read these two posts as I was thinking about this concept. I realize that to some, it may seem a little morbid but I think it's beautiful. There's even a song that was written by James Cleveland which shares the heart of it.

These posts, and this project, speak of the concept that my mother and grandmothers often spoke of as we were growing up. We often wait until family and friends leave this earth and funerals or wakes are held, before we say wonderful words of appreciation about them, how they lived their life, and what they meant to us. Instead, we should give each other flowers while we're still alive.

So I'm inviting you to join me in celebrating each other. It's not held to a specific date or time frame. I'm starting it today and it will continue for as long as people are interested in participating. You could do it for yourself here or on your own blog, and also invite your own friends and family to participate. If you do this on your blog let me know so I can come visit!

For starters, if you want to participate submit a comment below and let me know that you would like to participate. Then send me an email (JeoffsRib at hotmail dot com).

I will create a separate post for each person's case in the "flower shop" and that's where you can go and pick them up! If you're having a bad day or just need a pick me up, you can stop by your shop and read them again. What do ya think?

After you sign up below by entering a comment, I'll send you instructions for the next step. Telling others about it.

Happy flower giving!!!

Happy Birthday & New Blog Theme

Today is my husband's birthday. I didn't post anything special on my birthday so I'll post something on his and do something new for the start of a new year. I got the idea from my friend Chrystal. It's the start of a new year for us because we've just ended our family's celebration season --- from January til July, we are celebrating our kids' birthdays our birthdays and our wedding anniversary.

So after today we'll start over and prepare for next year's celebration season.

I'll start that off with a new title and layout for my blog (not really a big deal, I know) but right now I'm going with Joy n Pain (see the tagline under the title above, to see what I mean by that). I'm also considering Great Stress, Great Joy, because some of the things that bring us the greatest joy in life -- marriage, children, being a Believer -- can also bring us the greatest stress!

Let me know what you think about the blog titles, what sounds the most appealing (I'm being a people pleaser arent' I?) LOL.....

In case you didn't know, my old blog name was Blog for Life and it's explained here.

The next thing we'll do at the start of our year is begin preparing for the next six months of celebrating everyone else -- family pseudo reunions, back to school parties with friends and cousins, parents' birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!

Pictures in this post ... I included our celebration of Jeoff's birthday. We celebrated on Sunday, at a new play place in our metroplex. We had a blast and it was a super good deal on all you can eat buffet and unlimited rides -- all for $8!

Come back and visit me again some time. I'll be having an online yard sale next week!

Book of the Week

When the Church Leaves the Building by David Fredrickson











Past Books of the Week
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
The Birth Order Book by Kevin Leman
Teaching the Trivium by Harvey & Laurie Bluedorn
Heart & Mind: What the Bible Says About Learning by Ruth Beechick

Photos

This summer I haven't been writing much but I am posting photos here and there. So see below for random photos and photos from events.

Online Yard Sale

I never new there was such a thing but I got the idea from some fellow bloggers and thought I'd give it a try. I'm having a yard sale right here on my virtual lawn!

We all have things that we need to get rid of around our house and we all could stand to get a purchase some items far below the retail price.

Hopefully, some of the items I list here, will be found as great bargains for you!!

Depending on the item, and your location, a shipping fee will be added to the price listed below. If you're interested in a particular item, post a comment or email me at JeoffsRib at hotmail dot com and let me know.

Flash Skills Phonics - Vowels (Grade 1) $2.00

Vocabulary Bridges from English to Latin & Greek by Harvey Bluedorn $12.00

Designing Your Dream Husband - How to Build Your Man Up and Release Him to His Full Potential by Amie Dockery ... like new $5.00



Family Driven Faith - Doing What it Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God by Voddie T. Baucham Jr. $12.00

Seeking Him (Workbook) - Experiencing the Joy of Personal Revival by Nancy Leigh DeMoss $10

I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman L. Geisler, Frank Turek $5

Operation World - Wehen We Pray God Works by Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk $5

Bible Doctrine - Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith by Wayne Grudem $5

The Eternal Church - A Prophetic Look at the Church, Her History, Restoration, and Destiny by Dr. Bill Hamon $5

The Blessings of Brokenness - Why God Allows Us to Go Through Hard Times (Book) by Charles Stanley .... like new $5.00

Jennifer Knapp CD - Kansas - ... used $1.00


What to Expect When You're Expecting ... like new $5 (purchased for $14.95)

The Chronicles of Narnia - The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis ... $2

Rebecca St. James CD - Pray ... $1.00

Kathy Trocolli CD - Love & Mercy ... $1.00

Experiencing God CD - Music for Knowing & Doing the Will of God ... $1.00

Kathy Trocolli CD - Love & Mercy ... $1.00

Microsoft Office Mac 2008: Special Media Edition for Digital Media Enthusiasts - (Also includes Expression Media) - Suggested price is $249, but name your price!

Homeschool 2008-2009

I'm still working on this but here's my list of approaches and curriculum we're considering for this school year. The bottom list is where I started. The top list is the more "narrowed down" list.


This is where we are now:
The list includes all of what we'll use. Some will be only for Kitty (first grade) and The Pupster will kind of tag along with. Everything else we'll do all together and all the kids will glean from it.


Discipline - The Bible, The Rod of Correction

Phonics & Early Reading: Letter of the Week (FREE), and TATRAS - Teach America to Read and Spell

Multiple Subjects: Five in a Row by Jane Lambert.  I love this because we'll be reading books that were already on my list of books to read this year (and learn through reading), and the Five in a Row lesson plans cover a number of subjects such as Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, Art and Science.

The bulk of our homeschool day will be focused on the areas above (1) reading - to enrich the mind, build vocabulary, broaden their view of the world, (2) writing (3) work & service ethic, (4) discipline, and (5) honoring God & parents ... we will pull from the areas below as well but these five are of primary concern.  We follow the Trivum Method of Classical Homeschooling. 

----------------------------

Additional Literature: Veritas Press First Favorites - Volume 1, Billy Blaze Books, James Herriot's, Literature Pockets, Treasury for Children and other Classic Children's Books, A Child's Garden of Verses, The Children's Book of Virtues -- for reading aloud, memorization, copywork and narration

History: Diana Waring's History Alive - Audio plus activity book and read-alouds
Capyboppy -- for reading aloud, copywork and narration

Bible & Godly Character: Big Truths for Little Kids (Catechism), My ABC Bible Verses, For Instruction in Righteousness by Doorposts -- for memorization

Writing: ReadyWriter -- for writing practice

Spelling: Spelling Workout A & B

Geography: How to Use a Map, Land Forms and Bodies -- we'll do narration with these to test comprehension

Science: Things Outdoors, Science With Water, Science With Plants -- we'll do narration with these to test comprehension

Math: Developmental Math, Living Math books, Calculadder, The Complete Book of Math,Wedgits & Cuisenaire Rods

P.E. - Homeschool Family Fitness

Art: How to Teach Art to Children, Drawing with Children, Come Look with Me: Enjoying Art with Children, Come Look with Me: Exploring Landscape Art with Children,

Music: Piano Lessons, Introduction to the Orchestra

Foreign Language: Hebrew & Greek - Little Bitty Baby Learns Hebrew by Johanna Bluedorn, Greek - A Greek Hupogrammon -- memorization

__________________________

This is where we started:

Letter of the Week (FREE)
Lapbook Lessons (FREE)
Homeschool Share Free Unit Studies & More Free Lapbooking
Typing
Veritas Press - First Favorites
Wedgits
Cuisenaire Rods
Timberdoodle
Little Bitty Baby Learns Hebrew by Johanna Bluedorn
Big Truths for Little Kids
ABC Bible Verses
Teach Your Child to Read
Basic Phonics Skills B and C
Spelling Workout A, B and/or C
Italic Handwriting A and B
Shurley English 1 - Grammar - 1st grade
How to Use a Map
Land Forms and Bodies..
Literature Pockets: Nursery Rhymes
Literature Pockets: Caldecott Winners - 1st grade
A Child's Garden of Verses
A Treasury of Children's Literature
20th Century Children's Fables
Where the Wild Things Are
Homeschool Family Fitness
How to Teach Art to Children

Books for Parents
The Well-Trained Mind
Shepherding a Child's Heart
Say Goodbye to Whining...
Easy Classical
Choreganizers

Cleaning challenges ..aargh!

I'll be very honest on this post. More than one person asked me, in so many words, if I needed help with keeping the house clean. Here's part of my response:

Do I Need Professional Help?
When asked if it would help to hire someone, I said I hadn't done that yet because I would have to have someone come regularly. They could come and do a good thorough job but I would still have to work on keeping it up and maintaining it. I have days that I have the whole day to clean and I clean it and it looks great and then it has to be done again. It takes regular maintenance to keep it clean and it comes and goes (times when I can keep it up, and when I don't). It takes improving habits for children adults and it takes child training in maintenance.

But I'll take the help. Regular professional cleaning... sure! In the meantime I'll keep working on improving my game.

Advice from others

I hear mixed advice and information from other people. Including, "I have young children and my house is always clean" (yeah right, I've never heard that). But I HAVE heard people who have young children now and those who had young children at one time.

1) Some say they get really stressed out about the fact that cleaning and keeping it clean and training kids to clean is so hard and frustrating but thank God the kids become older and more able to help.

2) Some say like this older lady whose children are now grown, that they did the main areas of cleaning and other things they didn't stress about because it was more important to spend the time with the children, that they need, like talking to them, reading to them, enjoying those moments that will never come back after the kids grow up and are out of the house. One lady told me that years from now your kids won't remember the house being tidy or not, when they grow up as much as they will remember the time you spent with them and the things you taught them.

3) Some just let their house go! I do not do that. I actually work really hard!

4) One friend's parents paid for someone to come and clean her house and her floor and she said she appreciated it, she really did, but she was left with still having to maintain it and work on rules and habits of keeping things tidy. And she's still working on that.

5) One friend's house I thought always looked immaculate. She told me about the challenges she has throughout the week. I was like what? Not her! That let me know almost everyone has challenges.

Chores

Just last night I put together a new chore/chart system for the kids to remind them of areas to clean on their own, without me having to remind them (hopefully). They get stickers for what they do and that earns them the privelege to watch movies and to go see this show they want to see at the Children's Theater at the end of the month. They have improved a whole lot in that area. I used to not stay on top of them about dropping things on the floor and not putting things back where they belong and having stuff right in the middle of the floor. Now I do that. It is hard, constant work though!!

Energy

I have a lot more energy did than when I was pregnant (of course) and more than I did when Baby was first born. Before I say more about my cleaning challenges, I can say that lately I have been spending energy on another area where I really needed to improve. That's in the areas of cooking. One of the things my husband has talked about over and over and over is healthy eating, and not eating out.. not to just to save money but so that our bodies are healthy and less likely for disease and fatigue. I was bragging to my mother and sisters the other day and telling them that last week I actually cooked 4 times out of 5 nights of the week!!!

Back to energy and issues with keeping up with cleaning...... I have to allocate how I spend the energy in a given day and these are the things I spend that energy on --- reading books to the kids, listening to them read, washing the dishes, fixing breakfast, lunch, and dinner, clearing and clearning the table, sweeping the kitchen, mopping the kitchen, washing each category of clothes, folding and putting away each category of clothes, giving baths and showers, doing hair, cleaning bathrooms and tubs (we use the master bathroom for almost everything so that's the main one I clean.... and the kids bathroom toilet now needs to be fixed but when it works I have to work hard to keep it clean for guests right?) the list goes on.

It's similar to the challenge that it was when the kids were in school and I worked. It's just that season of life, having little kids in the house.

So if I had a long day and was out of energy one night or if I was sick or whatever there may be days where I have absolutely no energy, and if someone knocks on the door on those days, I literally don't want to answer the door. I don't know when those days will come but I know they will. I have really really good days and every now and then I have much worse days. And some of those are when I have someone drop by. I'm working on having more of those drop by days also be clean house days!

Frog and Toad All Year

My kids love these books. We read them first, as one of the many stories in the book, Ready Set Read. Then we found them in audio format at the library and they fell even more deeply in love with them. Especially The Pupster. He wil sit and listen and follow along, over and over and over and he asks for it almost every day. After I'm done with the library loan, this will definitely be one to purhase.

To top it off, we're going to see Frog & Toad All Year dramatized.... at the children's theatre in a couple of weeks. They are so excited! (I am too)

Baked Salmon Fillets

From cooks.com

Salmon fillets, any portion size, boned and skinned
Onion powder, to taste be generous
Garlic powder, to taste be generous
Dried dill, to taste be generous
Mrs. Dash, to taste be generous
Mayonnaise
Paprika

Wash and dry fillets. Spread thin coat of mayonnaise over salmon. Spray Pam or similar product over Pyrex or tin foil pan or rectangular pan (depending on amount and size of portions).

Sprinkle seasonings over fish ending with paprika. Bake in 375 degree oven for 10 to 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily.

(This recipe can be used for chicken as well!)

Family Schedule

Here's a new schedule I'm working on to help keep my life prioritized and in order as we exist in here together all day!! It's difficult to do with so many opportunities to get off track and having a large (or larger than normal) family; and one with littles who can help some but not nearly as much as they will some day!

I started by prioritizing each area of life and the jobs I have to do throughout the day, then detailing out the tasks under each area (without being anal and putting everything down to a T). The ones listed below are somewhat in order by priority. My desire is that this will also help me focus on the things I should be doing with the children (teaching and training) during times that i could be distracted by the phone or the computer.

I also included the chores that I do each day of the week.

That used to just be a list of chores by day, but now I'm including the times of the day I HOPE to get them done!

(The hour-by-hour schedule is on my computer in a nice format with tables, but I haven't worked out how to get that format displayed here on the blog).

Oh one more thing, the children have a different set of chores. I'll post that one later. When I'm on my job of management, they do chores that last 10 minutes or so, and those are done every hour except during lunch, naptime, and dinner/family time.

Morning
A. Prayer with Jeoff
1. Personal – hair, nails, eyebrows, lotion, etc.
2. Children's grooming - baths, brush teeth, etc.
3. Children reading
4. Cook breakfast
5. Eat breakfast
6. Cleaning the home
7. Daddy's clothes (help with preparation, cleaning, ironing)
8. School – Bible principles / heart shepherding :-), reading, memorization, teaching, crafts, etc.
9. Dance practice time (children)
10. Field trips (as scheduled)

(hourly schedule coming soon)

Afternoon

1. Cook (prepare) lunch
2. Eat lunch
3. Personal – prayer, Bible reading
4. Cleaning the home
5. Phone calls
6. Read to kids
7. Nap time
8. Husband requests – admin / projects / check mail and file it
9. Personal email / blogging / etc.
10. Planning - homeschool, family calendar, children's activities, shared community of believers
11. Service to Others – mail cards, take gifts, etc.
12. Field trips - as scheduled
13. Field trips - as scheduled

(hourly schedule coming soon)

Evening

1. Cleaning the home – declutter family room
2. Cleaning the home – declutter kids room
3. Cleaning the home – declutter school room
4. Cleaning the home – declutter kitchen counters
5. Finish dinner preparation
6. Eat dinner
7. Personal – jogging, exercise
8. Piano and voice practice time
9. Family talk
10. Children's grooming - brush teeth, etc.
11. Prayer with children
12. Children’s story time, bed time

(hourly schedule coming soon)

Night

1. Prayer with Jeoff
2. Husband requests – admin / projects
3. Cleaning the home (dishes for the night)
4. Cleaning the home – declutter master bed room and bathroom (if necessary)
5. Daddy's clothes (help with preparation, cleaning, IRONING)
6. Personal – shower, lotion, brush teeth

(hourly schedule coming soon)

List of Weekly Chores - work in progress

Sunday
Clear kitchen counter (including the bar)
Clear dresser

Monday
Clean toilets
Clean kitchen cabinet doors
Clean bathroom sinks and counters
Wipe walls and baseboards in bedrooms
Clear school desk

Tuesday
Clear kitchen counter (including the bar)
Clean kitchen counters
Clear coffee table
Clear dresser
Wipe walls and baseboards in halls

Wednesday
Sweep/Mop Floors
Clear school desk
Wipe walls and baseboards in family room

Thursday
Clean toilets
Clear kitchen counter (including the bar)
Clean kitchen cabinet doors
Clean bathroom sinks and counters
Clear coffee table
Clear dresser
Wipe walls and baseboards in bathrooms


Friday
Clean shower with amonia solution
Dust
Clear school desk

Saturday
Clean toilets
Sweep/Mop Floor
Clear kitchen counter (including the bar)
Clean kitchen counters
Clear coffee table
Dust
Clean shower with amonia solution

Book of the Week

Heart & Mind: What the Bible Says About Learning by Ruth Beechick

Garlic Lemon Chicken Breast

from cooks.com

2 tablespoons grated lemon rind (fresh)
4-5 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons Hungarian paprika
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
olive oil
salt, pepper, garlic powder (for sprinkling)
4 sprigs Italian parsley
4 onion slices (sliced in thick rings)
heavy duty aluminum foil

Cut 4 rectangles of heavy duty aluminum foil, each about the size of 1/2 a standard cookie sheet.

Combine first 5 ingredients (this can optionally be done in a blender).

Spray (or brush) the 4 large rectangles of aluminum foil with olive oil. Place chicken in center; brush with lemon/garlic mixture, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and lightly dust with garlic powder.

Place a slice of onion and a sprig of parsley over each. Fold up aluminum into a loose, square packet and crimp edges tightly to seal well. Place in a shallow baking dish or on the grill.

Bake at 350°F for about 50-60 minutes (this depends on the size of each chicken piece).

4 Servings.

Athletes in the Making

Coach Dad & I took the kids to the park to work on some pitching, catching and batting skills today.

Kindergration Graduation Plans!

Yay! We're officially going to have a Homeschool Kindergarten Graduation for Kitty and some of her friends. I'm very excited to be able to do this for her and I know it'll be something that she can look back on for years to come.

There are some things that our kids will miss out on because they're not in government schools or any other institutional school. Some of those things I am glad they will miss out on, but others, we will create on our own or join a group of other parents in doing them.... but only those that are worth it.

Kindergarten Graduation is one we believe to be worth it.

The program will be in a few weeks.

More and more alert!

I noticed that yesterday our baby reached that more-alert-point where babies (well at least for my babies) can do these things for longer periods of time without crying

- lay on the bed
- sit in the bouncer longer
- and thanks be to God... he can ride in the car longer

We ran an errand this morning and there was no crying in the car at all. Halle -- lujah! My last two babies are not like the typical babies who immediately become quiet and fall asleep when the car begins to stroll. They're often quite the opposite. They've been known to cry and cry and cry until we pull into the garage and stop the car :-)

This is a big big big relief to me because it allows me to get more things done and I can select the times for baby holding and cuddling.

Before this point, if baby was not sleeping, he was either wanting to nurse or wanting to be held. So I would feed him, burp him and cuddle him and he'd sit or lay alone for a very little while, but before long it would be back to feeding or cuddling again until his next nap. I think he figured "as soon I wake up I need to eat" and "to go to sleep I need to eat".

That was fun and cute and I'd love to be able to do that all day but there's lots and lots of work to be done, books to be read, food to be prepared, dishes to be washed, showers and baths to be taken, clothes to be washed, folded and put away, ..... you know the drill. --- reality!

So I'm glad baby is starting to grow up.

This is also making things more fun because he's smiling more and starting to coo. So so cooot! (get it ... cooot :-) LOL )

Easy Fresh Chicken Teriyaki Stir-Fry

from cooks.com

Ingredients:

* 1 pound chicken breasts, cut in strips
* 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1 cup baby carrots, cut in halves
* 1 cup fresh broccoli, cut in bite-size pieces
* 2 celery stalks, cut up
* 1 cup fresh zucchini, sliced
* 2 cups plus 1/2 cup water
* 1/2 cup soy sauce
* 1/4 cup sugar
* 2 Tbsp flour
* Cooked rice

Method

Cook vegetables in simmering water until crisp-tender. Cook chicken strips in a separate pan in oil, using salt and pepper to season. When chicken is cooked, add 2 cups water, the sugar and soy sauce. Mix until sugar is dissolved. After both chicken and vegetables are cooked, drain vegetables and transfer them to the chicken and soy sauce mixture. Bring to a boil, then simmer. Take 1/2 cup water, add flour and stir until flour is dissolved. Add to the simmering chicken and vegetable mixture. Simmer and stir occasionally for 5-10 minutes. Serve over rice.

Notes: You may need to adjust your sugar and soy sauce to taste. My son absolutely loves this recipe. It's a good way to get the kids to eat their vegetables.
Number of servings: 6

Addition Lapbook

My goal is for us to start some of these of our own this summer and be pros by the beginning of next school year!


Find more videos like this on Lapbook Lessons

Daughter of Stephen Curtis Chapman Killed by Car

I can't imagine the pain he and his family are feeling. Here are a few videos of him and his girls, the song, Cinderella, that he wrote about daddy's and daughters, and the story that was reported by the Associated Press.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The 5-year-old daughter of Grammy-winning Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.

The girl, Maria, was hit in the driveway of the family's home Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The brother, whose name and exact age weren't available, apparently did not see the girl, McPherson said. No charges are expected.

"It looks like a tragic accident," she said.

Several family members witnessed the accident, which happened in Williamson County just south of Nashville. The girl died later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, hospital spokeswoman Laurie Holloway said.

A publicist for Chapman's charity organization said the family was expected to release a statement later Wednesday night.

Chapman, who is originally from Paducah, Ky., and his wife have promoted international adoption and have three daughters from China, including Maria. They have three biological children.

The singer's Web site says the couple was persuaded by their oldest daughter to adopt a girl from China. The experience led the family to adopt two more children and create Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption.

The Chapmans did missionary work at Chinese orphanages in 2006 and 2007, according to the Web site.

"After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing — our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that," Chapman says on the Web site.

"We've really wondered whether or not we should just go to China and stay there. But I don't think so. I believe God is saying, 'I want you to go, get your heart broken, your eyes opened, and then take this story back to the church in America and around the world.'"

The 45-year-old singer also has released a book about being a father entitled "Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess." He has won five Grammy awards and 51 Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association.

Stephen Curtis Chapman is an incredible songwriter and I've loved his music for many years. Here are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs of his....

"Dive"

The long awaited rains
Have fallen hard upon the thirsty ground
And carved their way to where
The wild and rushing river can be found
And like the rains
I have been carried here to where the river flows, yeah
My heart is racing and my knees are weak
As I walk to the edge
I know there is no turning back
Once my feet have left the ledge
And in the rush I hear a voice
That's telling me it's time to take the leap of faith, So here I go

I'm diving in, I'm going deep in over my head, I want to be
Caught in the rush, lost in the flow, in over my head, I want to go
The river's deep, the river's wide, the river's water is alive
So sink or swim, I'm diving in

There is a supernatural power
In this mighty river's flow
It can bring the dead to life
And it can fill an empty soul
And give a heart the only thing
Worth living and worth dying for, yeah
But we will never know the awesome power Of the grace of God
Until we let ourselves get swept away into this holy flood
So if you'll take my hand
We'll close our eyes and count to three
And take the leap of faith
Come on let's go

Book of the Week

40 Unforgettable Dates with Your Mate

Past Books of the Week
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
The Birth Order Book by Kevin Leman
Teaching the Trivium by Harvey & Laurie Bluedorn

Lemon Pepper Round Steak

Ingredients:
2 pounds round steak
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/3 cup water
1 can cream of celery soup
Turn this recipe into a puzzle! [click]

Directions:

Cut steak into cubes. I usually do 1x2", or so. Mix flour & seasonings. Coat meat thoroughly. Heat oil in skillet and brown meat.

Place browned meat in crockpot. Combine water & soup. Pour over meat.

Shake on additional lemon pepper and seasoned salt if desired. Cook on low for 7-8 hours. Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.

Rotel Chicken (I forgot the original name)

This is a recipe from Beth Moore. A friend sent it to me and it's directly from Beth's blog I believe.

I modify this recipe according to what I have at home and I sometimes stir fry it, instead of baking it in the oven.

Ingredients:
*1/4 cup butter
*1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
*1 medium onion, chopped
*1 can cream of mushroom soup
*1 can cream of chicken soup
*1 can (10 oz) RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies (This is a staple in
every Texas cupboard and critical to this dish but I'm worried that some of
you far from the Lone Star State won't be able to find it. Look for it near
the cans of whole tomatoes. If there's only one RO*TEL on the shelf, God put
it there and is equipping you for every good work. Believe it or not, Keith
uses two cans instead of one but don't try that at home. We're
professionals.)
*2 cups cubed cooked chicken. (If you don't boil your own, please don't tell
Keith. He thinks that's sacrilegious. You're supposed to always do your own
so that you have fresh broth on hand for whatever recipe you come up with
next. Gosh. This is boring me to tears.)
*12 corn tortillas, cut in halves or fourths
*2 cups (8 oz) shredded cheddar cheese (If you don't grate your own and,
instead, get the kind that's already prepared in the bag like I do, don't
tell Keith that either.)

Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cook pepper and onion in melted
butter until tender. (5 or so minutes. Like anyone cares.) Add soups, RO*TEL
and chicken, stirring until well blended. In a 13X9X2-inch (that dimension
took me ten solid minutes to type. This is more than I can take) baking pan,
alternately layer tortillas, soup mixture and cheeses, repeating for three
layers. Bake 40 minutes or until hot and bubbling. (Good grief. I can't
believe I just wrote that. Hot and bubbling. How stupid is that? This whole
recipe thing is bringing out my insecurities.) Serves 8. Or at my house, 3,
because we eat like pigs.

Kindergarten Lesson Plan - Help with the Morning Routine

Since baby was born it has been even harder to get up and get the other kids going for the morning. After four weeks of struggling with it, I decided to print out a copy of the morning routine for Kitty (the Kindergartener) and let her read it the night before.

Thank God the next morning (this morning) I rolled over when she came in my room, list in hand. She told me that she had already started on the list and they (she and her little brother and sister) were ready to move on to the next thing. I heard her excitedly reading the next items on the list.

Not only is this teaching them responsibility but it's also helping me to get on out of bed! Because by number 3, 4 or 5 on the list they definitely need supervision (#3 & #4) and assistance (#5).

I'm sure I'll make adjustments to their list as we tweak and add to it but here it is so far:

1. Pray.
2. Get clothes and underwear for the day, take them to Mommy & Daddy's room.
3. Get wash cloths & wash faces; put cloths in white bag (for towels).
4. Brush teeth (& help Lamby brush hers).
5. Clean sink and put toothbrush/toothpaste away.
6. Take a shower / bath (put dirty clothes in green bag, for kid clothes).
7. Apply lotion.
8. Put on clothes for the day.
9. Sit down at table for breakfast.

I wrote out the list in sentences because Kitty has a love for details, and of course because she is 6 now. And since she loves reading sentences now, the more words the better.

It also helps prepare her for writing her own sentences and helps her learn the spelling, punctuation, capitalization and grammar. The Bluedorns suggest teaching grammar, spelling, etc. through reading and writing (copywork), instead of formal books on those subjects, at this age.

So her list is about routine... and it's also a lesson plan ...for learning reading, writing, grammar, spelling and more!

My Vote for AI This Year - David Archuletta