Homeschool update: Lydie's mid-year kindergarten update

I teach kindergarten to Lydie four days a week, with Wednesday being our day off. On Wednesdays we drop the boys off at their hybrid school and then enjoy 9:00-2:00 together in Birmingham. We usually spend from 9:00-10:30 at Bible study, each with our own friends. We ALWAYS eat lunch out at the restaurant of her choice, sometimes with family (often with Aunt Chelle and Greyce!). Sometimes we visit Nana, especially if she is under the weather or has a doctor's appointment/chemo treatment. Sometimes I have a doctor's appointment and she tags along and charms all the nurses and doctors. But mostly, we shop and eat lunch together for the rest of the day. She loves boutiques, antique markets, and Target as much as I do! Wednesdays are super fun and I can tell they fill up her little love tank (and mine, too!). On the other four days here is what her morning looks like:

::Morning Routine::

Breakfast and chores: Lydie is in charge of emptying the trash cans in around the house and making her bed/cleaning her room. She dresses herself and brushes her teeth. She also clears the breakfast dishes and cleans the table and sometimes floor. Then all the kids do a list of exercises Andy came up with: 30 push-ups, 30 sit-ups, jumping jacks, wheelbarrow walk up the halls, etc.

Devotion and prayer: We read from one of Susan Hunt's children's devotions. We memorized verses the first half of the year. Now we are working on catechism questions.

Fine Motor Skills activity: She plays with pegs, play dough, lacing, beading, puzzles, legos, etc. while I get the boys started on their work.

Calendar time: We review counting to 100 by 1s, 5s, and 10s, shapes, patterns, dates, days of the week, months of the year, her address, phone #, birthday, emergency 911 #, left/right, coins, ordinal numbers, and holidays.

Singing time: We sing 3 or 4 songs from the Wee Sing series. The singing includes dancing and instruments usually. She loves all of the old classics...Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush, If You're Happy and You Know It, etc. She also works on memorizing a short poem at this time.

Extra practice: Each school day I use the dry-erase board with Lydie. I write letters and numbers and she identifies the name (and sound for letters). I write a group of capital letters and lower case letters and she draws a line to match the pair. I make patterns with letters and numbers and she solves riddles. I write three and four letter words for her to sound out and review sight words. Then we do 3 or 4 Brain Quest K cards.

Math: Horizons K worksheet

Phonics and Handwriting: Horizons K or Spectrum Phonics K worksheet

Her signature in September...

and her signature in December.

Reading: Bob books or Starfall readers.

Units (Read-Aloud, Science/History and Art): I read a book aloud, based on a seasonal/history/science theme and we do an art project to go along with it. Sometimes instead of an art project she will ask to just look at an illustration from the book and try to paint or draw it. I love when she does that! Here are a few of her snowy-themed art projects:

Our favorite winter read-alouds this month have been: Max and Mo Make a Snowman, The Biggest, Best Snowman, A Little Bit of Winter, Winter Tale, and A Winter Walk.

Biggest strides:

~Reading three and four letter words much more quickly, still sounding them out, but much more fluently and recognizing some words without having to sound them out.

~In math, she is counting to 100 well, identifies most numbers to 100, very good at patterns and calendar skills, has memorized her phone number and address, is adding, and is beginning to count coins and tell simple time.

~Her handwriting has matured enormously.

Lydie is easy and fun to teach because she is SO enamored with learning! Her enthusiasm makes for a fun morning, which is such a blessing because I expect a lot out of her. I am looking at her school table now, covered in rocks and clay. She studies those rocks from our gravel driveway with a magnifying glass for fun. And the clay mess is from a clay bowl she made and colored "just for decoration". Everyone needs a pretty bowl for their school table, right? She has drawings and ribbons taped everywhere, even on the blinds above her school table. It's so endearing!

Bracing myself (Couldn't resist the corny title)

Today we had a consultation for both boys with the orthodontist. Josh is still a little young, and can wait a year or so. But Jackson is ready for braces. He also needs a special appliance for the top of his mouth because he pushes his tongue against his teeth (instead of the roof of his mouth) when he swallows, thus the over bite. This little appliance will retrain his tongue over the course of a couple of years and prevent further damage. Good news: No head gear will be needed!

January 31st is the big day. Unbelievably, when they went over his x-rays with me, they pointed out that he has lost all of his baby teeth! I had no idea! (Sniff, sniff.) So no more "tooth fairy" for him! Good grief, my boy is growing up. If you are wondering how much braces cost these days, leave a comment or send me an email. I don't have the heart to post the amount. It's not comforting. Andy commented, "Oh well. At least the car is paid off." Silver lining. Jack saw the quote and said, "Whoa! Do you really think my teeth are worth THAT amount??" He was probably thinking we could take a couple trips to Disney World instead and he would be just fine with it!

One more funny. The orthodontist asks her patients to fill out a questionnaire before they are called back to see her. One of the questions asked, "How do you feel about getting braces?" My 9 year old, Joshua, answered, "I think braces will improve my future." And to the last question (after a dozen questions about their interests), "Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?", he replied, "No. But thank you for asking." Adorable, huh?

Typical

My last post made me laugh. It was funny for me to think of how many people (my husband included) who would be UTTERLY depressed by using a list to relieve stress! But I take comfort in lists and goals. That's just how I roll. Typical me. I even already used my list for inspiration with the kids this week. Paper snowflakes!
Yesterday in the car my son was feeling exhausted. It took him a while to fall asleep the night before and then he said the loud storms kept him up during the night. Exhaustion for him leads to a very melancholy boy. He was lost in his emotions and deep thought on our 50 minute drive home from classes. At last we reached our driveway, and he muttered, "Mom, would we be alive without hope?" And I responded, "We could live. But not well." It's like living with a miniature C.S. Lewis. I love it. Typical Jack, always questioning and thinking. Always challenging me, in a good way.
Today we took a walk around the farm. The dog was crazy with energy and I wanted to take advantage of a break in the rain. We had such a wonderful time...watching our sticks race down the creek, looking for signs of animals (scat and tracks), splashing in puddles, just meandering. When I take the time to be outside life is so much fuller. So good to enjoy typical, simple, farm pleasures.And lastly, here's typical Lydie, practicing gymnastics in the living room. This happens every night! Usually she practices tumbling, but lately she has been laying out my exercise band and using it as her balance beam. Her first gymnastics meet is coming up soon. Exciting! And now for a typical evening of dinner (which my husband volunteered to make!), clean up, cuddles, struggling to stay awake and connect with my husband, stealing a few minutes to read, and dragging myself into bed to prep for a new day. Typical moments: not grand, but precious nonetheless.

Gray winter

As is customary, I am starting to feel the cold ache of winter. Not that it is really cold around here. But it is gray and rainy. And Christmas is over, as well as our much anticipated trip. I am beginning to feel the sting. These winter blues come like a thief in the night, and I truly believe each year that I have seasonal depression. Isn't that strange?

This year it is really such a help to know that it will certainly not last forever. My life is good and God has ordained my steps. And if I can just focus on this very moment, as well as have a few things planned for future weeks (for those really hard days), I will be just fine. Every summer I make a bucket list for the kids and I. I really THRIVE from June to December! And the bucket list sets us off into fun oblivion, which rolls into an exciting school year, the beautiful fall season, holidays celebrations during Thanksgiving and Christmas...and then January. Blah. I am SO encouraged by those who love January. It gives me hope that one day, or year, I won't dread it so much!

This year I have a plan. I am going to sit here until I have 20 items on my WINTER BUCKET LIST. Here goes...

1. Bonfires, s'mores, and guitar playing. Often.
2. Be Josh's biggest fan at his basketball games this season. Make posters!
3. Hot chocolate and good read-alouds with the kids on cold nights.
4. Make paper snowflakes and hang them from the ceilings!
5. Watch the entire Harry Potter dvd set with Jack and Andy(Jack got it for Christmas!).
6. Continue Wednesday date lunches with Lydie while the boys are in classes. So special!
7. Visit the nursing home with the kids often.

8. Plan our personal garden and order seeds.
9. Teach Toby (our dog) a new trick. Take him on a walk around the farm several times a week.

10. Go on two field trips each month. (Winter months are a perfect time to splurge and take a couple of extra fun days!)
11. Drill our neighbor friend's high school exit exam booklet until he feels confident he can pass. One more chance in March!

12. Go on a date with Andy each month. (This may mean candlelight and wine at home when the kids are asleep).

13. Host friends from Atlanta or new friends at our farm frequently. (Already have two visitors coming in January, and one in February!) Attention Laura Beth: This means YOU and your family!! :)

14. Plan the kids' Valentine party at their hybrid school.

15. Do a fun, winter art project every week with the kids.

16. Take one road trip this winter. Chattanooga, maybe?

17. Visit an art museum, maybe.

18. Have a sewing day all day long one Saturday.

19. Try to go to Women's Bible study with friends every week!

20. Read the Bible and other books every day, even if it means just keeping a book open in the kitchen when I am cooking! Here's what I hope to read this winter in the Bible: Psalms, Proverbs, Acts, Romans, and Galatians. I am also reading The Story, a condensed version of the Bible with the Bible study ladies. (I have been hanging out in the Old Testament too long!) For other reading: Family-Driven Faith, Boyhood and Beyond, Cold Sassy Tree, The Glass Lake, and The Shell Seekers. This list is a good combination of non-fiction, parenting, mystery, and fiction. Should be an interesting challenge to get through the entire list by the time the sunflowers are planted!

I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE SUNFLOWERS! But until then, winter is looking up! It might seem depressing, but at least this list proves to me that it is NOT boring!! :) I really do have so much for which to be thankful, and so much to look forward to!!

A new year, a new word

I'm a little late, I know. Just a tad. But on New Year's Eve my little girl was curled up in my lap, feverish and vomiting every 20 minutes on cue, in a condo in Colorado. And then 24 hours later, same scenario with the boys. And in the midst of the illness, there came packing and flights home. Then unpacking, nausea of my own, dirty laundry, taking down Christmas lights, fitting in two days of school on Thursday and Friday, and the death of my precious Great Uncle Gene. So here we are on the 7th.

To be honest, I was so busy enjoying, really enjoying, December and our trip out west that the new year came before I gave it a second thought. Normally when Christmas is over, the new year pervades the thoughts of the following 6 days until I am bursting with resolutions and my word and I am good and ready for the ball to drop! Normally, we would be at my best friend's house on New Year's Eve. But this year was different, and good, too! Yes, here we are on the 7th already! (Time, please slow down!!)

Here is my word for 2012 (it's a doozy):

Catechesis

(Greek origin)

::to resound or echo

::to celebrate or initiate

::to repeat another's words or deeds

As I remember "catchesis", I hope to echo, celebrate, and repeat Christ! And the kids chose a word this year, too! Jack's is TRUST, Joshua chose SELF-CONTROL, and Lydie chose LOVE. Funny, because those are not things I think they lack at all!

Words from the past:

Delight (2011)

Peace (2010)

Satisfaction (2009)

Courage (2008)

As for resolutions, I'll need a few more days to stew on those!

Hello Steamboat Springs, Colorado!

Every couple of years my Dad and Aunt take all of us (26 people, including my brother's family and my cousins' families) on a big vacation. In the past we traveled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 2006 and we enjoyed a Caribbean cruise in 2009. For our third trip we left the day after Christmas for an 8 day trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. (We have also been on many trips around the south, too.) This trip was so.much.FUN! As Andy and I are not part of the family business that my Dad, Aunt, cousin, and brother work together for, we feel so blessed and thankful to be included on this trip where my Dad and Aunt pay for us to enjoy such rich experiences. WE ARE SO THANKFUL!! How can we say thank you enough?? Here were some of the highlights: Exquisite suites with an amazing concierge who helped us daily with rentals, reservations, and recommendations. We were spoiled all week both with the accommodations and the fact that we walked across the street and were on the slopes!

A horse-drawn sleigh ride under starlight was beautiful, even if our teeth were chattering!
We loved our dinner on the ranch (after the sleigh ride), complete with music and "roping lessons". Loved seeing the kids and adults dance and play! A day on snow mobiles with the kids was a blast. The views were spectacular! Ski school and private ski lessons for the children were such a gift! My boys went from never skiing to racing down the slopes with their Dad. Seeing them enjoy and excel at a new sport is such a thrill! My little girl learned how to go fast and stop herself quite well on skis. She was fearless, too. We enjoyed several very delicious meals with the whole gang. (Aunts, Uncles, and cousins just around the corner.) New Year's Eve boasted fireworks and skiers zooming down the mountain with torches! (**And Auburn won their bowl game!)For down time...we had lots of time hanging out with cousins and aunts and uncles. I read a very, very good book cover-to-cover on airplanes and during restful moments. We had a quiet day at a movie and shopping with the kids when we needed a break from the slopes. Downtown Steamboat Springs is really fun and quaint! I am trying to be thankful for the stomach bug the kids got on the last couple of days, which was admittedly horrific, but taught me several things as I listened and watched for God. First of all, if you wake up at 5 am and feel a deep sense that your child should not go to ski school, just don't send her!! (I didn't listen and I am convinced this is where the stomach bug was picked up!) Also, I am learning to pray specifically and trust in God's good hand. I prayed for God to please spare us any vomiting on the airplane trips home. One child threw up in the rental car just seconds before we got out at the airport. Another threw up after we arrived in Birmingham at the baggage claim area. But for 8 hours we had no vomiting or upset stomach on either of the airplanes. This was a blessing that really grew my faith! Thank you, Lord!! With six kids (mine and my brother's) who had the stomach bug on the way home, not a single one got sick on the airplanes!! And it was a LONG trip! And, I am EXTREMELY relieved that my Mom was in our suite as well, and did not get the virus. This is quite a miracle as her immune system is so compromised with the chemotherapy! Yay!! Also, beyond those prayers we were blessed with three kids who did not complain about the trip home, even though they were as sick as could be. Wow. It was actually a smooth, easy trip home-by God's grace! Here was my sweet son beside me on the plane, quietly yawning. Poor guy. It is so deeply encouraging to witness God take a rookie farmer and his wife and continue to provide for our family beyond our wildest imaginations! He continues to bless us, and we are so undeserving! I was so worried that my children would "do without" when we moved here. But instead, they have enjoyed blessing after blessing! In fact, somehow they have had more opportunities, which I am sure is God affirming our big leap of faith in moving here. The sweet love and generosity of our family to share their resources with us in order to give us such a once-in-a-lifetime trip together makes us feel so treasured by family and by God! Thank you!! We had such a wonderful week with fun times that will be permanently etched in our memories!

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

Ephesians 3: 20-21 (New American Standard version)

Finally, an answer

This past month has been very meaningful, even pivotal, for me. God has pointed out my weaknesses as a parent to me. And He is doing a major work in me, restoring me and directing me! It is exciting, peaceful, and encouraging.
We have a unique situation in our family. Perhaps all families are unique who are truly dedicated to following God's calling in their life (as opposed to keeping up with the Joneses!). My husband is a very introverted, intelligent, witty, naturalist. He has a gift for understanding nature, making things grow, and working with his hands. He enjoys long spells alone, outside, with a clear mind. All animals and babies love him for his quiet nature, and teenagers love him because he has a dry, quick sense of humor and he is humble. He is rare and full of integrity, non-assuming, yet attractive and a people-magnet. When I first met him I was smitten because he is unlike anyone I have ever known. I was determined to draw him out and get to know him and felt so amazed that he choose to share his heart with me!
So anyway, you have that personality in our home. Then there's me. I am an extrovert who grows more like an introvert every day. I love being with people, but I love being here on this quiet farm. I love to shop on Black Friday and make friends in the long lines, but I crave being under a blanket alone with a book. If I have had several busy days away, then I will huff under my breath when the phone rings because I need to disengage. I enjoy speaking in front of crowds about things that give me passion. I love having ladies over to my house, planning big events, decorating, being in the mix, having my children around me-literally in my lap, by my side, and having lots of friends and a small handful of soul mate friends. I love big hugs and lots of kisses, and I believe in telling people that I love them and see great qualities in them. But sometimes I am also a wallflower and just need to listen and be still. Sometimes I dream of spending a whole week in a hotel room with flowers, music, good books, and HGTV.

These two very different personalities have converged into three very different children. One is a very deep, passionate, vocal, servant-leader. He is a gifted writer, in fact, a genius with words. The other is just like his Dad in personality (quiet, full of integrity, gifted in so many ways that people overlook, trustworthy, honest) but with different gifts of building, working with numbers, and problem-solving- more like my brother, the engineer. Then there is the little one who is the carbon copy of me. She plays well alone, but gets lonely after a few days and craves her friends. Then after a few days surrounded by people she gets grumpy. She needs balance. She loves being on the stage and creating things with her hands. She is never at a loss for words. She is highly motivated and driven and passionate. She cries when she is sad, but more often when she is moved by something. She gives freely of her affection, and people notice her most often. She cries big crocodile tears when she misses or hurts for someone.

My biggest challenge as a Mom, has been to discern how to combine these five personalities, under one roof, into one big family, and provide for our gifts/talents, hopes, and needs. It has been a bigger challenge than labor and toddler hood combined! And I take it very seriously. Over the past month as I have prayed for our future, God has revealed some hidden fears that I have carried for years, possibly since I became a parent 11 years ago. I have been this crazy combination of reluctantly excited these last years that I have been homeschooling. I have been trying to be open to follow God, but I have been terrified to be different. I have been nurturing my children, but scared that I was making the wrong choice. I have been moving forward, but in so many ways frozen and half-hearted. I guess making such a big move from suburbia to a rural farm also magnified those fears.
This past month Andy and I have visited the two classical Christian schools that are both an hour away. We have made lists of all the great things that are offered there. We have deeply considered the cost to send them there, both of our time, energy, and money. We have read good books and reevaluated why we chose to home school, and whether this decision will be a good one on down the road. I was fairly certain that we needed to think long and hard because Jack will be in 6th grade next year, and I don't want his world to be changing too much in these tough, middle school years. I have prayed long and hard, during day time and night time and early morning hours. I have sat back and listened and watched and been quiet. I have also voiced everything I can think of to my sweetheart as we have waited on the Lord. When we saw a positive thing about being at home or at a school, we noted it but were not quick to act on it. We just waited and prayed. But last night we looked each other in the eye and finally made a decision.
We will continue to home school until the children graduate. That is our plan. Of course, no one is guaranteed tomorrow and there are terminal illnesses and all the things that could happen to me or us. But we feel a deep, quiet but certain voice, leading us to continue the course. We plan to return to our hybrid school next year. It has been a beautiful gift, so certainly wrapped and packaged by our heavenly Father, to have two days in town for me and for the kids, and three to learn together at home. It's more than I could have asked for. It's perfect, really. We are having one of the best school years ever, with only maybe the exception of our first year. That means I am committed to discipling, educating, befriending, being with my one or more of my children for the next 12 or 13 years day in and day out. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted because I think the "we will re-evaluate each year and see" attitude has left open a door that disabled me from embracing all that I could at home. Now when I get tired or discouraged I know I need to take good care of myself because I am in it for the long haul.
God has been so, so gracious to let me see that the grass really is not any greener on the other side. I know many women who are stay at home Moms with children at both public and private schools and their lives are no more fulfilling, organized, or meaningful than mine. In fact, one of them looked at me recently and confessed she often wonders, "Is this all there is for me?". My life is deeply fulfilling and I am so uniquely created for this task, it is a sweet calling, not because it is better but because it is mine-of God. And even as I fail and mess up, Jesus is waiting to pick me up and set me aright again.
I have no idea how to educate a middle schooler, much less a high schooler. But I know God will provide all we need and He will sustain us. He has set us on this course, and He will see us through. I am thankful that he shook out my fears and replaced them with confidence- in Christ and not myself. Gospel confidence. And now on to continue the wonderful adventure! I feel more excited and sure-footed than I have in years!

"The distance between despair and hope can be but a hair's breadth, a slight turning of the heart away from one and toward the other. If I turn away from God to despair, I create a chasm that can swallow up everything good God has for me. But if I turn toward God by faith, he'll begin to fill the empty places in my heart with his hope and goodness."

~Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson

Christmas Eve and Day

We had a very quiet Christmas Eve and day this year. Due to preparing for a trip, we did not go to the church services this year. No matter how much I tried to think ahead, I found myself with 6 unpacked suitcases on Christmas Eve, so we stayed home. I really did miss worshipping with a church body this Christmas Eve and day!!

Christmas Eve morning the children and I cleaned the house and baked cookies. Then we put cookies in bags by the dozens, attached a Christmas card, and loaded up into the Polaris to deliver goodies to our neighbors. This was another moment where we laughed over country life: delivering cookies on an ATV on Christmas Eve. I met a few of our neighbors for the first time. Most of them are older ladies who now call me "sweetie" and "honey", and were such a pleasure to meet. These neighbors of ours are golden and would do just about anything for us, I am convinced. The boys got to play a game of basketball at one house, we had drinks and sat on the porch at another, I saw one neighbor's crafty endeavors as she was sewing a quilt when we came by, and I met a man who makes furniture and promised to come back for a swing when our sun room is constructed.

After a full morning of baking, Andy declared that he was in charge of our Christmas Eve dinner. He is a fabulous cook. I pulled out a puzzle and didn't look up until Andy had created this feast:Hot crab dip::cornish hens::lemon asparagus::honey-glazed carrots::garlic bread

After dinner we watched The Nativity Story movie (fabulous) and tucked the kids in bed after reading in Luke. Andy put together the kids' ping pong table while I wrapped their gifts. Then we were secret Santa to a neighbor up the road, delivering a very special gift card secretly to their mail box. (It was the most thrilling gift we gave this whole holiday season, although I was a little afraid that Andy might get shot when the dogs started barking. Everyone sleeps with a gun in the country, and normally no one leaves the house after dark except to hunt animals in the early hours of the morning!) By God's grace Andy made it out alive, and at 1 am we were all tucked in and asleep until the designated time that the kids could get out of bed: 7 am. :)

The next morning the children were so excited. We opened each gift, one at a time, and lingered over a hot breakfast of caramel rolls and breakfast casserole. The children laughed and played, and we enjoyed the lights of the tree. Books were read, Lego sets were built, dollies were dressed up, and games and puzzles were played. We read the last day of our Advent devotion together and munched on cookies, feeling overcome with the grace and love of God in our lives.

After dinner (bowls of cereal) we decided we needed to switch gears and pack for our ski trip. We had to leave the house at 4:30 am the next day! So we pulled out the kids' warmest clothes and then put them to bed around 7:30 and began the arduous task of packing for a winter trip. And as if it were Christmas Eve all over again, we went to bed excited (albeit exhausted) for what the next day would hold!

"...Mild He lays His glory by

Born that man no more may die..."

Merry Christmas!!