Okay, I have found out over the last couple days that we are going to have a very "relaxing" December....lol....My father in-law & his girlfriend are coming here around the 5th and will stay for 8 or 10 days I think. They are coming after Phil has to return to work so that they will be here to help me with the kids and my recovery. Debbie (Martin's girlfriend) has grandchildren and has helped her kids, so I'm sure she'll know what to do and be a help. If it were Martin alone I'd totally be stressing. Martin with a 3yr old still potty training is just a funny thought all in itself!!! Not to mention all the other things that go along with a 3 & 5yr old. Then when we take them to the airport we'll be picking up Julianne who will stay for 4 or 5 days. If you know Julianne, you know this will be my most stressful time. She knows nothing about kids and hates cleaning. Martin has made her fully aware that he's sending her out to HELP not visit per say. LOL. We'll see how that goes. The thought of Julianne wiping a butt has me cracking up. I think Makenzie will be doing alot of work that week if I'm not up to par yet.
Okay, so here's where my thoughts are going tonight... I can't stop laughing at myself...Martin & Julianne are both highly against us homeschooling cause they think our kids are sheltered. Martin wants to take them to museums every day and do fun things with them to get them out of the house...Well, ya know, our poor SHELTERED children may not notice that he's taking them away from their church on Sunday, Gym & Swim on Tuesday, Music class on Wednesday, and Gym & Swim again on Thursday...I'm thinking that maybe Grandpa would love to take them to these activities and see how our normal life is!!! It would be great for him!! Then maybe Auntie can accompany me while I take them the next week.... Of course we can't forget that they also must do at least 15-20 pages of homework a day as well :) Oh, and maybe throw in some crafts also! hehehe.
I don't know for sure but I'm thinking that Julianne should be leaving somewhere around the 20th. That means I'll probably have a whole 2-4 days before more family arrives! Good thing is we won't have time to mess up the house!!! Just hope that really is true and I can keep things under control so that my cousin doesn't come in and feel the need to rescue me. Kids are really gonna have to keep up as well cause with a crawling baby in the house we can't have little things around. It will be great practice for them!! Instead of stressing, I'm kinda looking forward to all this chaos. It's gonna definately keep things interesting!!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Just not feeling it today.
I feel like my life is just one big circle that goes round and round with nothing ever changing. Of course it does and that's not a realistic view, but it's the best I can come up with right now. I am really happy about getting to know Jan better and hanging out with them, but I always have the kids with me. Seems like everyone else gets a break from their kids except me. I love my kids to death but sometimes a little "me" time would be nice. No one ever offers to take me out or to take the kids for me. I feel like the only way for me to get a break is to throw a huge fit and force Phil to let me out. I rarely get me time, but when I do it's never long enough. I think I maybe get 3hrs every 2-3 months. That's not much. I see many mom's who get more than that at least once a week...Plus, why is it that other husband's take initive to take their wives out, but yet mine doesn't even attempt. When he does, I have to make all the arrangments for a babysitter. It's so frustrating. I know I sound like a huge baby right now, but I don't really care. I feel like no one cares about making me feel good. Seems like I'm just here to teach the kids, clean up after them, ect. Not feeling appreciated gets old after awhile. For once it would be nice for someone to appreciate what I do and reward me for it. I don't get a paycheck or a bonus for doing my job. Sometimes I get a hug, or kiss. I love those things, but it would also be nice to feel like I have a value in life outside of these four walls.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
August 31st
Didn't post yesterday but wanted to comment on it.
Yesterday in the morning we got straight to work. There were a few pages left over from the day before since I had been pretty sick. We got everything done except 3 pages. Then we went to go meet Clifford the Big Red Dog. We met Raeann there and the kids had a blast. After that we played at the park where the even was and then went to McDonalds to eat and play some more. Raeann didn't go with us there but the kids still had a good time. After that we went grocery shopping. Usually that is a nightmare. This time it wasn't!! The kids were awesome! I was in shock. When we got in the car Makenzie said she had a fun time at the store. I made sure to really praise their behavior and let them know that they had more fun because I wasn't having to correct or yell at them. Told them that I would love for every shopping trip to go like that.
Once we were home Makenzie did some more homework. Makenzie is working in her 1st grade math book now. Although she wants to jump to addition we are making her work from beginning to end since the book gets harder as you go along. There were some pretty tricky patterns that she had to do. I thought she would get frustrated or confused. Boy she proved me wrong! She flew right through them and didn't make a single mistake.
Yesterday in the morning we got straight to work. There were a few pages left over from the day before since I had been pretty sick. We got everything done except 3 pages. Then we went to go meet Clifford the Big Red Dog. We met Raeann there and the kids had a blast. After that we played at the park where the even was and then went to McDonalds to eat and play some more. Raeann didn't go with us there but the kids still had a good time. After that we went grocery shopping. Usually that is a nightmare. This time it wasn't!! The kids were awesome! I was in shock. When we got in the car Makenzie said she had a fun time at the store. I made sure to really praise their behavior and let them know that they had more fun because I wasn't having to correct or yell at them. Told them that I would love for every shopping trip to go like that.
Once we were home Makenzie did some more homework. Makenzie is working in her 1st grade math book now. Although she wants to jump to addition we are making her work from beginning to end since the book gets harder as you go along. There were some pretty tricky patterns that she had to do. I thought she would get frustrated or confused. Boy she proved me wrong! She flew right through them and didn't make a single mistake.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
interesting day
Well, this morning was a rush like always to get ready and to church on time. After that we went to lunch with Mom & Rick. They got there extremely late and so we started eating before them. Once they were there we were up and down getting the kids food since we were at a buffet. Phil left for work and finally a few minutes later the rest of us were at the table together and the kids were eating quietly. We talked for a couple min and then my mom told me that her and Rick are getting married! It was pretty funny cause she started with "On a brighter note" and in my head I said "you and rick are getting married?" So when she said it I almost bust up laughing. All I really said was that Phil and I had been predicting a wedding before Christmas. Then we asked the kids if they wanted Rick to be their new grandpa and call him Papaw Rick. Makenzie said "sure." Nick just looked at him like "aren't you already my gpa?" It was funny cause it didn't faze either one of them. They both really like Rick alot.
Since both Heidi and Michael are currently out of the country my mom has to e-mail them to tell them. We're hoping that if she does that tonight then they will find out from her and not through someone else. I guess word at their church already got out and they weren't very happy about it. They met with the pastor to ask his blessing and to marry them. They made it clear that they wanted it to be kept quiet till they told their kids. I guess he told his wife and she told like 8 people at a chior thing. Mom was in another room and went to turn around and tell a friend and the friend said "So, I think someone let the cat out of the bag for you." Mom wasn't very happy! I think that's why they were late today, cause mom said that there were alot of people who wanted to talk to her. lol. At least I heard it from her and not through the grapevine! I'm friends with two people who go to her church.
I guess the plan is to get married in the church office for now. Once Heidi and Michael are back in the country they will have a bigger ceremony with a dinner and stuff at the church. I'm glad about that. We really like him and would like to have the kids involved in the ceremony. I totally understand waiting till the others are back though, and I think that will make them really happy as well. They are both skeptical since they've never met him.
Homeschooling was CRAZY tonight!!! The kids were at the kitchen table shouting "shout it out, GOD IS GOOOODDD!!!!!" over and over. I love to hear them saying things like that but shouting it at the top of their lungs was driving me nuts. They did this off and on for about 90 minutes!!! It was a very trying/stressful time but we finally got today's homework done....Today on two of the pages that needed coloring Makenzie used a white crayon. I had to write down on the page that I watched her and knew she did actually color the correct things. You couldn't see it at all, even if you held it at a angle to the light.
Since both Heidi and Michael are currently out of the country my mom has to e-mail them to tell them. We're hoping that if she does that tonight then they will find out from her and not through someone else. I guess word at their church already got out and they weren't very happy about it. They met with the pastor to ask his blessing and to marry them. They made it clear that they wanted it to be kept quiet till they told their kids. I guess he told his wife and she told like 8 people at a chior thing. Mom was in another room and went to turn around and tell a friend and the friend said "So, I think someone let the cat out of the bag for you." Mom wasn't very happy! I think that's why they were late today, cause mom said that there were alot of people who wanted to talk to her. lol. At least I heard it from her and not through the grapevine! I'm friends with two people who go to her church.
I guess the plan is to get married in the church office for now. Once Heidi and Michael are back in the country they will have a bigger ceremony with a dinner and stuff at the church. I'm glad about that. We really like him and would like to have the kids involved in the ceremony. I totally understand waiting till the others are back though, and I think that will make them really happy as well. They are both skeptical since they've never met him.
Homeschooling was CRAZY tonight!!! The kids were at the kitchen table shouting "shout it out, GOD IS GOOOODDD!!!!!" over and over. I love to hear them saying things like that but shouting it at the top of their lungs was driving me nuts. They did this off and on for about 90 minutes!!! It was a very trying/stressful time but we finally got today's homework done....Today on two of the pages that needed coloring Makenzie used a white crayon. I had to write down on the page that I watched her and knew she did actually color the correct things. You couldn't see it at all, even if you held it at a angle to the light.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Life in general
As usual I haven't been on here too much lately. I know I always say I'm gonna attempt getting on here more, but then never do. Although I don't legally need to keep track of the kids' homeschooling till age seven I'm trying to get into a routine of keeping track. I think this blog is going to be a part of that. Most homeschooling blogs I have seen only post the good/great days. I'd really like to get in a habit of journaling every day I possibly can. I spend an hour on facebook, so why can't I do even 10min on here?! I really need to get my priorities straight on that one since it's really important for me to document my kids' lives for them to read later on...
Well, in the last week I think Makenzie has done about 100 pages in her Kindergarten workbook. She's over half way done now. There is a total of 453 pages. There are so many pages that want her to color things. She hates it. It is so mundane and time consuming to color everything they want. I hate making her do it too, but I've told her that there are two main things I want her to learn in Kindergarten. The first one is: Follow directions, even if you don't see a point to them. Second one is: Try your best at everything you do...This book has her coloring so much that she thought the #1 thing they want her to learn is to color in the lines. Thank goodness she's flying through that book, cause we are both sick of forcing her to color everything. Phil makes her do it perfectly, but sometimes I could care less. I'm trying to limit her to 5 coloring pages a day, but when it has to do with math or writing, it's hard to do! She's almost done with the math, art, and thinking skills chapters. After that she'll only have left the reading readiness. There is still a good amount of coloring in that section, but at least she'll be done with everything else. It will probably still take her a couple months to finish the reading chapter. It's over 200 pages! I'm glad about that though. I really want her to have a firm foundation in the reading basics. She's beyond some of it though so we're also using sight word flash cards to play games. I have the 1st grade math & writing books so we'll be ready for those as soon as she is. We are probably going to start the math one soon. She's totally ready for it!!
Nick is really getting some fine motor skills since we started "school". At first his scribbles were all over. Now he can do smaller scribbles, is attempting some shapes, and can write a one. He's so proud of that, even though to everyone else it's just a simple line. But hey, it's a straight, in control line, so that's great. He won't even attempt letters yet. We are working on number, alphabet, and shape flash cards though. He loves the game we play with them which is also the same for Makenzie. If they give me the correct answer, then they get to keep the card. They love to try and get more and more each time.
Nick has also recently learned to pedel his bike on his own. We rarely have to give him a push now. He is so proud of himself. Today he rode past me and said "Look Mama! I'm getting lots of exercise!" It was so cute. I went and got the video camera so I could record him and sure enough, he said it again and I got it on video.
Don't know if I wrote this down or not before...Makenzie learned late last summer how to ride without training wheels. This summer we had to buy her a bigger bike (which was perfect cause Nick was ready for the one she was using). I thought the transition would throw off her balance, but she's been riding it perfect since the first day. She's an awesome rider.
Well, in the last week I think Makenzie has done about 100 pages in her Kindergarten workbook. She's over half way done now. There is a total of 453 pages. There are so many pages that want her to color things. She hates it. It is so mundane and time consuming to color everything they want. I hate making her do it too, but I've told her that there are two main things I want her to learn in Kindergarten. The first one is: Follow directions, even if you don't see a point to them. Second one is: Try your best at everything you do...This book has her coloring so much that she thought the #1 thing they want her to learn is to color in the lines. Thank goodness she's flying through that book, cause we are both sick of forcing her to color everything. Phil makes her do it perfectly, but sometimes I could care less. I'm trying to limit her to 5 coloring pages a day, but when it has to do with math or writing, it's hard to do! She's almost done with the math, art, and thinking skills chapters. After that she'll only have left the reading readiness. There is still a good amount of coloring in that section, but at least she'll be done with everything else. It will probably still take her a couple months to finish the reading chapter. It's over 200 pages! I'm glad about that though. I really want her to have a firm foundation in the reading basics. She's beyond some of it though so we're also using sight word flash cards to play games. I have the 1st grade math & writing books so we'll be ready for those as soon as she is. We are probably going to start the math one soon. She's totally ready for it!!
Nick is really getting some fine motor skills since we started "school". At first his scribbles were all over. Now he can do smaller scribbles, is attempting some shapes, and can write a one. He's so proud of that, even though to everyone else it's just a simple line. But hey, it's a straight, in control line, so that's great. He won't even attempt letters yet. We are working on number, alphabet, and shape flash cards though. He loves the game we play with them which is also the same for Makenzie. If they give me the correct answer, then they get to keep the card. They love to try and get more and more each time.
Nick has also recently learned to pedel his bike on his own. We rarely have to give him a push now. He is so proud of himself. Today he rode past me and said "Look Mama! I'm getting lots of exercise!" It was so cute. I went and got the video camera so I could record him and sure enough, he said it again and I got it on video.
Don't know if I wrote this down or not before...Makenzie learned late last summer how to ride without training wheels. This summer we had to buy her a bigger bike (which was perfect cause Nick was ready for the one she was using). I thought the transition would throw off her balance, but she's been riding it perfect since the first day. She's an awesome rider.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Homeschooling
Been doing a "school" schedule for about a month now. It's not perfect but is going pretty good. Both kids are progressing alot. I'll write more about that another day, but for now I just had a conversation I wanted to write down...
Today Makenzie and I were watching an episode of "18 kids and counting" on homeschooling. In the episode the Duggar family visited a public school to read to kids. When Makenzie saw how many kids were in a class she was appalled. She said "Mom, that would take at least 11 or 12 teachers to teach all those kids!!" I said "Well, they only have one, sometimes two." She said "There is no way you can teach those kids what they need to know with only a couple teachers."
Since Makenzie has been asking to go to public school with her friends, I then asked her if she would want to go to a class that large and sit at the desks like they do. She said "Mom, I would never learn anything that way with only one teacher. I do not want to go to school." That made me feel so good, and reassured me that I am doing what God wants us to do.
Today Makenzie and I were watching an episode of "18 kids and counting" on homeschooling. In the episode the Duggar family visited a public school to read to kids. When Makenzie saw how many kids were in a class she was appalled. She said "Mom, that would take at least 11 or 12 teachers to teach all those kids!!" I said "Well, they only have one, sometimes two." She said "There is no way you can teach those kids what they need to know with only a couple teachers."
Since Makenzie has been asking to go to public school with her friends, I then asked her if she would want to go to a class that large and sit at the desks like they do. She said "Mom, I would never learn anything that way with only one teacher. I do not want to go to school." That made me feel so good, and reassured me that I am doing what God wants us to do.
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