I'm sad...Nate posted Isaiah 40.
And no, I don't know these people IRL, but honestly, some of my best friends I know only through the internet.
Please keep them in your prayers.
3.31.2008
3.30.2008
More prayers for Tricia and Nate
http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/2008/03/tx-update-743pm.html
They've just begun their dry run for transplant...hopefully this is it. Keep Gwyneth in prayers as well, as their focus will definitely be on Tricia. And please pray for the donor's family, who has lost a family member today.
They've just begun their dry run for transplant...hopefully this is it. Keep Gwyneth in prayers as well, as their focus will definitely be on Tricia. And please pray for the donor's family, who has lost a family member today.
3.29.2008
Phrase of the Day
Dan pats me on the back while I'm preparing breakfast.
"Mom, you are SO cute. Your hair reminds me of bed." teehee
Time for a shower.
"Mom, you are SO cute. Your hair reminds me of bed." teehee
Time for a shower.
3.24.2008
That's a joyful smile
"Where did we ever get the crazy idea that in order to make children do better, first we have to make them feel worse? Think of the last time you felt humiliated or treated unfairly. Did you feel like cooperating or doing better?" Jane Nelson
Easter, continued
"When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments; tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become." Louis Pasteur.
So, one picture of Josh hunting eggs. He is standing astride the line between child and adult, and like Pasteur, I am overflowing with two sentiments. Part of him was embarrassed to want eggs, but he still so eagerly desired to join in. I think the wonderful thing about unschooling is that we strive to accept that every person is where they are at in life because they need to be there, and I appreciate what Sandra Dodd recently said about her children. "It's one of my favorite unforeseen benefits of unschooling, that they grew up without shucking off former stages in an attempt to prove they were big. They just WERE big, from the beginning. We didn't let anyone make them small. And because they were strong, they could afford to be gentle. "
And our eggs, before and after. Poor planning meant that everyone only had two eggs on Easter. However, we did visit the store today and purchase three dozen to dye. We never did get there, too busy working on cub scout belt loops, brownie scout try-its, and all manner of assorted crafts and games. Plus, the contractors were in the park using a crane to remove limbs. That was fun.
So, one picture of Josh hunting eggs. He is standing astride the line between child and adult, and like Pasteur, I am overflowing with two sentiments. Part of him was embarrassed to want eggs, but he still so eagerly desired to join in. I think the wonderful thing about unschooling is that we strive to accept that every person is where they are at in life because they need to be there, and I appreciate what Sandra Dodd recently said about her children. "It's one of my favorite unforeseen benefits of unschooling, that they grew up without shucking off former stages in an attempt to prove they were big. They just WERE big, from the beginning. We didn't let anyone make them small. And because they were strong, they could afford to be gentle. "
And our eggs, before and after. Poor planning meant that everyone only had two eggs on Easter. However, we did visit the store today and purchase three dozen to dye. We never did get there, too busy working on cub scout belt loops, brownie scout try-its, and all manner of assorted crafts and games. Plus, the contractors were in the park using a crane to remove limbs. That was fun.
Easter morning...
"That Eastertide with Joy was Bright...the Sun shone out with fairer light" traditional hymn
3.23.2008
building with k'nex builds brains
The weird thing is, if you google 'lego' and 'math', you get some links about how to teach math using legos. Like this one which isn't too bad.
However, I've watched my kids sit down with a box (okay, it's a HUGE box) of legos and figure it all out on their own. That's why unschooling is so cool. I Trust that my kids can learn this stuff, without being spoon fed. Anyway, my four year old figured out a pretty cool truck. And then modified it to hold a nuclear warhead (made again, from k'nex, no fears here)
Anyway, for more about unschooling math, check out Joyce's website here.
3.22.2008
I nearly didn't survive...
My computer had a small cosmetic error, and I had to LEAVE my BABY at the mall to get fixed. Sigh.
anyway, got it back right before we headed out of town for a small easter/spring break trip to see family. Got to meet the newest cousin (born the same day of my friend Phoebe's lil gal) and spend the night, see all the siblings-in-law and cousins, whom we haven't seen since Thanksgiving. Enjoyed the sunshine this afternoon. Watched kids wrestle and jump on trampoline and dig through sand burs and run the burn pile and splash through mud puddles. Watched them crawl over the car the menfolk were working on and listen to their questions about this bolt or that spring, watch the babies crawl around and then start to walk (WHAT?! When did that boy get to walking?) See the older girls walk in (and ask Whose girl are YOU? What?! How can you be this big?) And with twenty six first cousins born in thirteen years, I'm forever going, Which one are you again? LOL!
I'm still glowing from seeing so much family, and having them cook for us (it's nice to be the guest teehee) Of course, still tired from staying up to 2am talking, then hearing lil nephew cry for a few hours while my SIL and her hubby tried to get him settled (and youngest BIL trying to help) Man, I LOVE our big family. I grew up with just me and my mom and my brother. Got my step family every other weekend, but it's nothing like growing up the oldest of eight (dh) and then most of us having kids.
Of course I have no pictures. The best times never do. Take my word for it, the sky was blue, the sun was warm, and the kids were happy. God has truly blessed us.
anyway, got it back right before we headed out of town for a small easter/spring break trip to see family. Got to meet the newest cousin (born the same day of my friend Phoebe's lil gal) and spend the night, see all the siblings-in-law and cousins, whom we haven't seen since Thanksgiving. Enjoyed the sunshine this afternoon. Watched kids wrestle and jump on trampoline and dig through sand burs and run the burn pile and splash through mud puddles. Watched them crawl over the car the menfolk were working on and listen to their questions about this bolt or that spring, watch the babies crawl around and then start to walk (WHAT?! When did that boy get to walking?) See the older girls walk in (and ask Whose girl are YOU? What?! How can you be this big?) And with twenty six first cousins born in thirteen years, I'm forever going, Which one are you again? LOL!
I'm still glowing from seeing so much family, and having them cook for us (it's nice to be the guest teehee) Of course, still tired from staying up to 2am talking, then hearing lil nephew cry for a few hours while my SIL and her hubby tried to get him settled (and youngest BIL trying to help) Man, I LOVE our big family. I grew up with just me and my mom and my brother. Got my step family every other weekend, but it's nothing like growing up the oldest of eight (dh) and then most of us having kids.
Of course I have no pictures. The best times never do. Take my word for it, the sky was blue, the sun was warm, and the kids were happy. God has truly blessed us.
3.13.2008
Wichita Wildlife Reserve
"God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars." ~Martin Luther
We had such a great time, even though I had the flu the day before. I'll post more pictures later!
We had such a great time, even though I had the flu the day before. I'll post more pictures later!
3.12.2008
Spring is near
"And the spring comes slowly up this way. " Coleridge
Spent a great deal of time outside today clearing dead leaves and twigs from our front garden. We have one bright sunny flower, and the rosebushes are leafing out (relief, since I trimmed them for the first time last fall lol!)
We put out a few bags of cedar mulch. I read that you aren't supposed to disturb the old layer, just refresh it a bit. Saves time and cash anyway.
Spent a great deal of time outside today clearing dead leaves and twigs from our front garden. We have one bright sunny flower, and the rosebushes are leafing out (relief, since I trimmed them for the first time last fall lol!)
We put out a few bags of cedar mulch. I read that you aren't supposed to disturb the old layer, just refresh it a bit. Saves time and cash anyway.
3.11.2008
Homebaked yummies
“When we decode a cookbook, every one of us is a practicing chemist. Cooking is really the oldest, most basic application of physical and chemical forces to natural materials.” Arthur Grosser
We've decided that we can save money and health by making all of our snacks from scratch. And hey, if we're making muffins, one pan does not do for a family of nine...so we double it, or even quadruple...so we're way past chemistry and into math at this point lol!
We usually make peanut butter, banana, or plain yellow muffins, although we do have a great gluten free, oatmeal-chocolate chip one that everyone loves.
Emily make double chocolate brownies yesterday. Minus the health but O M G. They were so good.
We've decided that we can save money and health by making all of our snacks from scratch. And hey, if we're making muffins, one pan does not do for a family of nine...so we double it, or even quadruple...so we're way past chemistry and into math at this point lol!
We usually make peanut butter, banana, or plain yellow muffins, although we do have a great gluten free, oatmeal-chocolate chip one that everyone loves.
Emily make double chocolate brownies yesterday. Minus the health but O M G. They were so good.
3.10.2008
Learning moments
"Simple things (that) we can do to raise our children to be creative, confident, and in control of the environment around them."
From Gever Tulley, Five Dangerous things you should do with your kids
I decided we had plenty of things that we could take apart. So one morning, I asked Sam if he would like to take apart our toaster. man, did he ever. I saw all those things that Gever spoke about, and more.
From Gever Tulley, Five Dangerous things you should do with your kids
I decided we had plenty of things that we could take apart. So one morning, I asked Sam if he would like to take apart our toaster. man, did he ever. I saw all those things that Gever spoke about, and more.
3.06.2008
Crafty days
"Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality." Beatrix Potter
Busy day, with lots of crafting. I'll have to upload pictures of FYI craft day crafts. I didn't have my camera there, but I got pictures of what my kids brought home of 'recycled crafts'.
Piggy bank
amazing what you can do with puff balls and google eyes, the girls were much enamored with Puffles from Club Penguin.
Rachel built a floating raft for them
Emily built a playground, complete with teeter totter.
Busy day, with lots of crafting. I'll have to upload pictures of FYI craft day crafts. I didn't have my camera there, but I got pictures of what my kids brought home of 'recycled crafts'.
Piggy bank
amazing what you can do with puff balls and google eyes, the girls were much enamored with Puffles from Club Penguin.
Rachel built a floating raft for them
Emily built a playground, complete with teeter totter.
3.04.2008
Hmmm...Veggies
"How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?" Pink Floyd
Pictured above you have proof that by allowing choice, kids will choose what is good. Avari is showing me her 'trees', and the snack tray is one that the kids made for a movie party.
Pictured above you have proof that by allowing choice, kids will choose what is good. Avari is showing me her 'trees', and the snack tray is one that the kids made for a movie party.
Tuesday Truthful
The truth brings with it a great measure of absolution, always. ~R.D. Laing
Under the sink...don't look too closely at all the crumbs and such.
Under the sink...don't look too closely at all the crumbs and such.
3.02.2008
Funschooling Young Individuals-First birthday party!
And of course my batteries run out. :-P
But we had cotton candy
And crafts...balloons, beads, face painting
and parachutes
and *this* cotton candy is corn free!
But we had cotton candy
And crafts...balloons, beads, face painting
and parachutes
and *this* cotton candy is corn free!
Blech
I've been sick.
Deathly ill on Thursday night/Friday...enough so that dh took off to stay home. Felt better Friday night, so went hiking Saturday with the scouts. I was so worn out! We had a great time, but I have no energy, and it'll be a day or so before I get pictures on. Or will it? teehee
Deathly ill on Thursday night/Friday...enough so that dh took off to stay home. Felt better Friday night, so went hiking Saturday with the scouts. I was so worn out! We had a great time, but I have no energy, and it'll be a day or so before I get pictures on. Or will it? teehee
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