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.

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.
 

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! ;)

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.

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

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

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.