Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Homeschool 2012/2013

This year I have grade 11, 8, 7, 5 and a pre-schooler. 

I've been using Tapestry of Grace for 5 years.  This covers every one's LA, Socials, Bible and Geography. ( I have pictures of our lap books and salt maps but I'm having trouble loading them)

For Science we are using Apologia.   We'll be using Exploring Creation with Chemistry,  Exploring Creation with General Science, Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy.  I get the notebook journals for the younger students.  

Math for my grade 8 and 11 students is
Video Text

My younger ones are using Teaching Textbooks Math.

Copy work for Grades 7 & 5 is A Reason for Handwriting.

We use Spelling Power.

I love TOG.  It's such a rich and full curriculum.



Saturday, March 10, 2012

Preparations

   
    I don't know if I've ever shared here what I do. 
    You see since my first labor and delivery was so long and difficult I decided to learn a few things.  With my first I walked, a lot!  That was all I did.  Perhaps if I had known that I was getting ready for a 26 hr marathon I would have done more.
   With my next baby I dug into research.  I realized one of the reasons I had such a hard time with the first was baby's posterior position.   I was ready to do all I could to make sure that baby #2 was not going to be posterior!  I found out that being on all fours would use gravity to turn baby.  I spent a lot of time crawling around on in our little trailer.  Which my 2yr old loved.   I also did side lunges with my foot on a chair or stool.
   Baby #2 was a brief 4hrs.  That was good.  But I still had stitches, not as bad as the first, but I really believed there was more that I could have done.  Or done different. 
  With #3 I discovered that it wasn't more I needed to do but less.  Less pushing.  Or actually no pushing, more of a "blowing air into a balloon" technique.   This baby was out in 2 1/2 hrs, and I didn't push, and I didn't need any stitches.  I had also added red raspberry leaf tea to my prep list.   This was by far the easiest labor, not painful, intense and quick, but not painful.  Unfortunately this one I post partum hemorrhaged.
   There are lots of details that I'm leaving out.  I mostly want to focus on the preparing for labor.  
  #4  I was in the hospital 45min.  I think all total that labor was 1 1/2.  Again, the exercises, the tea, the no pushing. 
  #5 well it had been 6 yrs since #4, I wasn't doing much for exercise and because of the medication I was on for her heart I was pretty inactive.  I was afraid to take the tea in case it interacted with the drugs.  But I still applied my "no pushing" and I didn't get a single stitch.  Plus her head was in transverse position and I delivered her that way (not a stitch!).  That labor took about 7hrs.
  Here we are with baby #6.  I have found new exercises to add to my list.  I have been doing the all fours with pelvic tilts.  I just added one forward-leaning inversion a day.  I make sure I sit straight, not reclined.  I have at least 1 if not 2 cups of red raspberry leaf tea a day.
   If you are pregnant, no matter what number you are on, I highly recommend Spinning Babies.com.
  There is a wealth of information there.  Not just to prepare your body for labor, but even what to do in labor. 
   I've been a little hesitant to write on here what I do in labor.  Only because I don't think everyone wants to know.  If you want me to write about the labor and delivery part let me know.
 

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Amazed

  Well I didn't finish the Joy Dare. 
  I did however while sitting here looking at FB have an amazing realization. 
 9:30 am is around the time that Josh phones from work. He usually catches me still in bed, usually with a pre-schooler climbing around my head or she's stacking up pillows and using my knees as a launch pad.  Anyway the point is my feet have not yet hit the floor.   I started the Hello Mornings Challenge from Inspired to Action.  
  For the past couple of weeks when Josh calls I'm already done my coffee, and school assignments are started. 
  TODAY.....he hasn't called yet and I've already been to the grocery store and back!!!! Miraculous!  Although I probably wouldn't have left the house if the kids were not attending Spiritual Emphasis Week.   And to be totally honest I wouldn't not have dashed in for a few things IF I had not been totally out of dishwasher detergent. ;)
   Yet I sit here still amazed at what has been accomplished in the time that I would have previously still been in bed! ;)

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Joy Dare 19

19. a grace in the kitchen, a grace in the weather, a grace that might never have been.

~ A sink that both sides work, thanks to my handy hubby

~ With this -23 feels like -39 weather I find it really hard to find something thankful.  But the sun is shining and that is bright beauty, we can enjoy from inside.

~ I have a few graces that might never have been.  Right now I'm thankful for a 3yr old girl who came 6 years after her sibs and the little one that will follow her.  Had we been "planning" things they might never have been.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Joy Dare 18

18. 3 gifts from God's Word.
 ~ "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed, trusting (leaning on and being confident) in the Lord" Ps.112:7

 ~ "For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice]." Romans 8:3

 ~ "I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who  live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Gal. 2:20

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Joy Dare 13 -17

When Josh is home it's hard for me to get over here.

13. 3 sounds you hear.
 ~ The quietness of children busy at their school work.
 ~ The giggles of a 3 year old
 ~The diesel truck warming up outside

14. 3 ways you glimpsed the startling grace of God.
 ~ A hug
 ~ The smiles of my children
 ~ How peaceful they look while sleeping

15. one thing you wore, one thing you gave away, one thing you shared.
 ~Maternity jeans that don't make me feel fat or frumpy
 ~boys clothes that have been outgrown
 ~tears for a friend gone Home

16. 3 ways you witnessed happiness today.
 ~ Hubby's happy about yummy coffee
 ~ Madi's happy to cuddle in bed with me, so am I
 ~ 9 year old happy with getting her Math correct

17. one gift that made you laugh, one gift that made you pray, one gift that made you quiet.
 ~ Josh always makes me laugh
 ~ The gift of praying for a friend
 ~ When my friend left this earth and moved into Heaven

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Joy Dare 11 &12

 11. 3 yellow things that strike you as fresh mercy.
  ~ SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!
  ~ Egg Yolk the really bright almost orange ones
  ~ Bananas

12. Something above you, something below you, something beside you.
  ~ A new non-leaky roof
  ~ My sweet Hubby working away to get the furnace installed
  ~ Madalyn drawing away happy as can be with just pen and paper.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Joy Dare 10

10. a gift that's sour, a gift that's sweet, a gift that's just right.

 ~ lemons...yummy and healthy
 ~ brownies and whip cream
 ~ coffee, mmmmmmm

Monday, January 9, 2012

Joy Dare 8 & 9

Yesterday was a very hard day emotionally.  Getting back to what I need, and want to do.  Give thanks.

8. a light that caught you, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely.
  ~Well it wasn't a physical light, but it shone in my heart, to let me see things a little different.
  ~ Perhaps it didn't surprise me as much as make joy swell within me.  My little girls face pressed up close to mine and my big girls face smiling at me.
  ~ The shadow hasn't fallen yet, but if it does yes it will be lovely in a sad way, but lovely.

9. a gift in your hand, a gift you walked by, a gift you sat with.
  ~in my hand coffee made for me by my eldest
  ~I walked by the girls painting together at the kitchen island.
  ~Morning cuddles with toddler, makes rising and shining so much easier.
  

Saturday, January 7, 2012

What I Need a Joy Dare.

  Maybe this is what I need to do right now.  Not that I am feeling depressed or anything really.  As a matter of fact I'm not even sure what I feel.  I don't feel anxious, maybe a little sadness.  I have a friend in a hospital far from here he may die from the cancer and he might not.  Depends on what God will do.  I know God can do all things, but from my own experiences with loved ones dying I've come to realize that God does not view death the way we do.  Especially for the believer.  So we wait, and pray, and hope, and know that we are dearly loved.  God is good and He loves us deeply.
    I have been inspired by Ann Voskamp.  To be thankful, to count His many graces in my life and in the world around me.  I have even attempted to write some down.  But never consistently.  She has started The Joy Dare.  I'm going to try it.   I'll keep track of it here on my blog.  Papers are lost to me.  I start one and it always disappears.  Buying a journal, well that takes me remembering to grab one when I'm down town, which is usually only when I have to buy groceries.
   Here seems like a good place to start.  If you want to join in follow The Link.  Read her blog it's awesome! Scroll down to the Joy Dare. 
   I'm a bit behind so I'll get caught up to today.
1. 3 things about yourself that you are grateful for.
   ~ I love people
   ~ I am a peacemaker
   ~ I forgive

2. A gift outside, inside, on a plate.
   ~ It's not below 0
   ~ My boys cleaned the kitchen and made me coffee
   ~ Toast with honey

3. 3 lines that you overheard that were graces.
   ~ We will rise from the ashes
   ~ There is no reason to be afraid
   ~ Hugs and Kisses Mommy I love you

4. one gift old, new and blue.
  ~ A praying Grandmother who is long since gone, but I believe her prayers are still being answered today.
  ~ New life within my womb.
  ~ Blue for it maybe a baby boy (pretty sure of it anyway;)

5.Something you're reading, you're making, you're seeing.
  ~ I've been reading Ecclesiastes
  ~ Well I'm being used to make this little baby but as for actual creativity on my own I'm not doing anything.
  ~ I'm seeing my children grow up before my eyes, it is happening so quickly it makes me sad.  But I am so, so grateful I get to be here and see it.

6. one thing in your bag, your fridge, your heart.
 ~ My drivers license
 ~ Eggs
 ~ Thankfulness

7. 3 graces from people you love.
 ~ How my husband makes me know without a doubt that he adores me, loves me and there is no one else (besides Jesus) as close as me.
 ~ That even when I blow it as a mother my children always forgive me.
 ~ The love and support of our parents and siblings, to walk in the way that God leads us.
  

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Blank Pages and Time

  I love blank pages.  Never been marred by pen or pencil.  Open to all the possibilities. 
  I especially enjoy looking at blank calendar pages.  For the time that it's blank it means I don't HAVE to do anything.  I like that thought. 
   It never stays that way.  I always have to write some one's lessons in, or remind myself of some appointment. 
     'Cause we all know that if it isn't on the calendar it isn't happening.
   Funny,  I'm always a little sad to turn the page, as much as I love that fresh new page. 
   I know that I have to write on it, or those $70 violin lessons will go to waste. We won't show up for swimming lessons because no one remembered, we'll miss those free skating days, and who wants to miss the free things!
   Turning the page means no more going back.  That month, that year is gone.  How many moments passed me by?  Did I tell my children I love them enough?  Did I show it?
   That time is gone and never to return.  It's a death of a thing, time.  We only get so much.  If we don't spend it wisely we waste it.  Regardless of how we use it we run out, always.
  Time waits for no one.  It has no favorites and cares not for our need of more.  Time can not be saved or borrowed.  It is here for the moment and gone.  Moving on, forward marching, whether we are dragging behind, in-step or trying stay ahead.
  Learning to be here, right now in this moment.  Why is that so hard?  It is the only time we really have, right now.  Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may not come.  How do I just be here, and understand it's the only place I can really be?