Alaska Grown Family

Sneaking back in...

2010-07-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

Yeah, yeah, I know.
Long time no blog.
Rather than make excuses, I'll just jump back in, mmkay?

Besides, I have CURRICULUM choices to share! I think we're almost set for 2nd grade and Pre-K!

But first, I wanna share how I got here. I've been spending a lot of time reading over the past few months. I skimmed through The Well-Trained Mind, read Help for the Harried Homeschooler, read everything I could get my hands on by Sally Clarkson (Mission of Motherhood, Ministry of Motherhood, Educating the Whole-Hearted Child...) Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola, followed by A Charlotte Mason Companion. And then I dove into Charlotte Mason's own writings in her Original Homeschool Series. I also love and have read a bunch of Ruth Beechick's work - Home Start in Reading, Strong Start in Writing, You Can Teach Your Child Successfully... I haven't read For the Children's Sake by Sharon Shaeffer Macauley, but it's on my short list!

I spent hours perusing www.amblesideonline.com, www.simplycharlottemason.com, www.charlottemasonhelp.com, www.higherupandfurtherin.com... (these last two are from the same person, HUFI has been replaced by Charlotte Mason Help, but I like poking around the archives of her blog. I joined every Charlotte Mason and Ambleside Yahoo Group I could find.

After all that research, I'm convinced that a CM education is the path for our family. At the very least, we'll be aiming to pursue her ideals and embrace her philosophy. I'm sure iy will be be an ongoing journey for us, especially since I'm honestly feeling pretty inept and unprepared to share some of these things with my kids, having very little exposure or knowledge myself! (Music! Art! Poetry! We'll be learning many of these things together as I see and hear them for the first time, too...) But I am so happy to have "met" Charlotte and am totally loving getting to know her and implement her vision as we go along.

With all that said, here is the basic outline for our upcoming school year:

Ambleside Online Year 1 as scheduled for bible, history, language arts, social studies/geography. I thought about tweaking, spent a lot of time mapping it out and omitting some books, and then overall decided to go with it as designed. I'll pre-read some books (Trial and Triumph, This Country of Ours, etc.) and we won't hesitate to toss things aside as needed.

Daily walks, lots of outside time, weekly art study, daily/weekly music/composer study, handicrafts and skill-building from Dangerous Book for Boys, American Boy's Handy Book, etc. Weekly art classes at our local fine arts academy. Local artist focus and study, "first friday" events... I really want us to embrace the beauty and richness of life as we learn, you know? We have a zoo membership, museum and children's science center memberships, along with a gym membership... We'll dabble a teeny bit in Greek and Latin - word roots, etc. I don't want to get in over my head! I'd like to aim for at least a word (the same word, kwim?) a week in Latin/Greek/German/Spanish (since The Papa is fluent auf Deutsch and Espanol... ) and go from there.

We'll listen to the SOTW 1 CD's again, and use the activity guide for rabbit trailing and as interests dictate.

In addition to copywork and written narration, we're going to use HWOT this year. Last year I didn't use a handwriting program (it was frustrating to him) and now Bug is ready and actually excited (I know! Weird!) about forming letters properly. Monkey is using the wooden pieces and the PreK workbook. We'll play with sand, clay, etc.

Horizons Math 2 for N. I considered switching to Right Start, and ultimately decided to buy the RS Math Games, but stick with what is working. Monkey is started Horizons Math K this week, but I think I might need to find a preschool workbook for him, he wants to "do school" with Noah, but I'm thinking he'll not be ready for the K book as we get further along.

Science Experiments from Academy of Science for Kids. One a week. I bought two kits -- Polymers and Electricity. Bug was ENTRANCED by this lady at the HS convention, and science is his "thing", so I want to embrace that beyond our natural science/outdoor time/ study.

He'll also continue with soccer through the winter (indoor, obviously! ) and he wants to try karate, so we're considering it and deciding if it's worth the shuffle and disruption to family time -- I'm kinda big on one sport at a time, so I don't know if he'll get to do that while doing soccer.

Anyway, that's how it's shaping up!

The last thing that's really bugging me is a wall timeline. I WANT to do one, I just can't figure out exactly HOW I want it to look. Check out this clipart, though -- amazing! http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/sitemap/sitemap.php

Mmmmm. Crackpot.

2009-12-16T10:06:00.000-08:00

Yep, you read that right. I'm addicted to crockpot cookery! (OK, whatever, it's corny, so what?)

I've always been a big fan of simple cooking. When I had my firstborn, I discovered the reality of "the witching hour" - that magical (Hahahahahahaaaaa! Ahem.) time between naptime and when daddy gets home from work, the period when the happy homemaker attempts to get a healthy and delicious meal prepped and ready to put on the table when her hardworking dearest arrives.

What mama hasn't stirred the jarred spaghetti sauce dumped into a pot on the stove while holding a screaming toddler? Or holding the toddler while the two older banshee.. er, kids whine for more miiiiilk, a snack, "can you turn on Noggin'?!", "can I play PBS Kids?", "Moooom, where are the crayons?"...

I've been reading a crockpotting blog for a few months, and bought her book recently.

Now I'm on a mission to cook with my crackpots every weekday. So far we've had her Fajitas, Chicken and Dumplings, Creamy Beef over Noodles, Tamale Pie, Apple Cheddar Turkey Meatballs, Creamy Corn and Spinach Enchiladas, and Lasagna. EVERY.LAST.ONE. has been met with two thumbs up by everyone, including picky picky 6 y/o and never-eats-veggies not-quite 2 y/o.

So. Just a little encouragement to Make it Fast, Cook it Slow. Tell the witching hour who's boss!

OK, consider me a couponing convert.

2009-10-13T19:11:00.000-07:00

I have never really gotten into clipping coupons. Here and there I'd see a coupon for something I knew we'd use, cut it out, and take it along to the grocery store the next time I went that way. Other than that, it just seemed confusing, time consuming, and pointless -- I live in Alaska - prices are higher, we don't have any stores that double or triple, there are no discount grocery chains like Aldis or whatever.

But someone pointed me to Money Saving Mom a few months ago, and she piqued my interest. Something about the ease with which she described how to go about getting the deals, and recognizing myself in her - she's a homeschooling mom of three young kiddos - if she can coupon, I can coupon... right? So I started clipping a few weeks ago.

None of my coupons seemed to be matching up to sales, so I shrugged my shoulders, tucking away the ads every week, just waiting to see if I'd be able to pick up steam eventually.

Sunday was my first shop using store ads along with MSM's (and Pinching Your Pennie - another great coupon/deal blog and message board!) advice. First stop, Walgreens. I spent $36 (total before store discounts and coupons was $58) and received $18 in Register Rewards - basically CASH to spend the next time I shop at Walgreens. I was AMAZED! Not only did I get great things - 4 boxes of granola bars, 2 boxes of tampons, 2 boxes of sanitary pads, a fancy razor, two bottles of hairspray, chapstick, 2 tubes of Crest Extra Whitening with Scope... but they gave me money BACK. WOWZA.

Now there's another deal I need to go snatch up. Apparently Huggies Jumbo packs of diapers are on sale 2/$18. I have coupons for $2/1 package, making my total $14 for 2 jumbo packs. THEN I'll receive a $4 RR at checkout! I'm also going to buy a Vaseline Intensives Lotion for $6.99, since I have a coupon for $1.50 off and I'll get a $6.50 RR! They're basically PAYING me $1.50 to take the lotion home! AND since I'll be using part of my $18 in register rewards to pay for these purchases, I'll walk away having MADE money! It's mind boggling!

Anyway, I just had to share. I'm NO coupon queen, but I'm learning, and having fun with it. I encourage you to look around at blogs from true coupon queens and enjoy!

Saved $71.36 at the grocery store tonight!

2009-10-07T22:20:00.000-07:00

And they practically paid me to take home Snow White on Blu-Ray/DVD! There is a $10 off coupon here and my grocery is offering $10 off when you spend $100 on groceries. They are also giving away a free bottle of Langer's Juice (I got Pomegranate at a value of $5.99!) and a sugar pumpkin with Snow White purchase.

With all of my various coupons and deal-hunting, I spent $102 and saved over $71! That's 41% off! Plus I got a movie I absolutely adored as a little girl for MY little girl. Happy day. =)

Thanks again to one of my favorite bloggers, the money saving mom.

Curriculum Update

2009-09-22T23:15:00.000-07:00

We're nearly settled on what we're using for 1st grade.

Math: Horizons Level 1

Language Arts:

Rreading/comprehension - Sonlight Core 1 with level 2 intermediate readers
Grammar - First Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind
Writing - Writing With Ease Level 1
Spelling - Spelling Workout
Handwriting - Still deciding.

Social Studies: Geography/Maps workbooks, Sonlight Core 1

Science: Usborne Science Experiments, Encyclopedia of Science, Science in Seconds for Kids

Bible: Lifepacs 1

Art: Usborne Complete Book of Art Ideas Usborne 365 Things to Make and Do

PE: Homeschoolers PE class 2x/wk, daily outside time. Seasonally: Soccer, Basketball, Tae Kwon Do...? Hip Hop/Gymnastics? Bug is still deciding what he's interested in trying out.

I think my head is spinning a little less, now that I have it all written down!

Daily Log

2009-09-15T22:38:00.000-07:00

(I feel like saying "Stargate 6.1" or whatever they say on Star Trek here. Hee!)

Today, we:

Didn't do much. On first thought, it's escaping me what we actually DID do... hrmmm...
Ohhh yeah, I introduced Bug to calculators. He checked three pages of his own math work, and then I caught him using the calculator to move ahead. I explained that I would rather he use his brain to do the problems FIRST, then check them with the calculator. =)
I am attending a moms' group on Tuesday mornings, so he spent some time with other homeschooled kids in the "study hall" they offer during - they played Zathura and he worked on some word searches and reading. I really didn't care what he took to work on, just wanted him to have some fun meeting and hanging out with the kids.
We came home, had lunch, Bug and Monkey watched Power Rangers while Chickie took a nap and I cleaned, did laundry, etc.
Bug putzed around on www.sheppardsoftware.com for about an hour before dinner. He did the first level of the states game, and LOVED the castle game.
He spent some time helping Monkey with his take-homes from church last Sunday - "We need to put stickers on the places where God is with you, Elliott... is God with you in a tree? Is God with you at church?" SO sweet! I treasure those kinds of moments.
He read a devotion on anger and told me how he tries not to be angry and to get along with others.
Right now he's been in bed for over an hour and he's still up reading... I think it's currently Spiderman of some sort.
Besides that he was his typical boisterous self, showing me how he could keep a balloon up in the air using only his head, hitting it repeatedly. I think his record was 5 times, not sure...

All in all, a relaxed and cozy day 2!

Tomorrow the big plan for the day is harvesting what's left of the garden and clearing out the flower beds. =)

Daily Log

2009-09-14T15:27:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking I'll keep a daily log of what we're doing, learning-wise, just to keep myself encouraged, record successes and flops, and as a record to reflect upon as needed.

Today, we:

Had devotions about sharing out of 5-minute devotions and Big Book of Devotions for Boys.
Bug wrote a letter to mail to his best friend, Ben.
Talked about time and clocks, doing 4 or 6 pages in a workbook (his lead, I shut it down to move on to something else). Bug learned that the short hand tells us the hour, and the long hand the minute. We also discussed the face of the clock, clockwise, and the numbers.
2 workbook pages of double digit subtraction, used quarters as manipulatives. (Again, I asked him to stop after 2 pages, not wanting him to do too much too soon.)
Went to a homeschool meeting where Bug, Monkey and Chickie had some seriously fun playtime and I got some seriously needed ideas for interaction and field trips.
Bubbles - Bug discovered to his delight that the little bit of solution left in his bottle worked just fine for bubblemaking when he filled it back up to the top with water.
He is rereading Fantastic Mr.Fox and still working on The Horse and His Boy, most of his reading time is at bedtime, usually for at least an hour a day.

Day one in a nutshell. We're both so happy he's learning at home again!

"There's nothing half so pleasant as coming home again.”

2009-09-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

Margaret Elizabeth Sangster must have loved homecomings. I know I do. There's something about the warmth and comfort of just being... at home. It's even more pleasant when the weather is blustery and gray, when you come inside to light and laughter, warmth and good smells. A fuzzy blanket, slippers, a fire... hot tea. Mmmm. I love to come home in the fall.

We've made the decision to homeschool again. After three short weeks of first grade for Bug at the immersion school, not a day going by without a sense of unease and discontent in my spirit... It wasn't the school itself - not even a little bit. By all measures, it is a remarkable public charter option. Our choice is no reflection on the teachers or school.

I'll just say that there's nothing like the peace that settles when you find yourself right where you should be. I feel like the boulder I've been dragging around has been cut off and I'm floating around with abandon. Not that I'm under any illusion that homeschooling is easy - it ISN'T! But we're certain it's right, right now.

Recap.

2009-08-06T22:32:00.000-07:00

We've been:

watering, weeding, eating
having a garage sale and making $477
organizing and redecorating the playroom
blueberry picking
walking, running, hiking, biking
baking batch after batch of muffins to freeze- the zucchini is keeping us hopping
missing the papa, bug and monkey when they went to Washington to visit the papa's mama.
going to the gym almost daily
spending time with good friends

Ahhh. Summer. Why must you end?

I registered the Bug for 1st grade the other day. My first baby. 1st Grade. I don't know how it happened so fast. He is giddy with excitement and can't wait to get back to his friends and his favorite teachers. I'm already missing him. And Monkey is gonna be lost those first days without his big bro.

Didn't summer just begin?

Contentment.

2009-07-23T21:46:00.000-07:00

Yes. Diapers on a line speak contentment to my soul.

I accept that I am strangely peculiar. I'm okay with that.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, I'm gearing up for a garage sale this weekend and stuck in sorting/pricing/organizing/planning insanity. =)

I have shredder, hear me squeal.

2009-07-17T23:06:00.000-07:00

4 bags of shredded paperwork in my garage. And I haven't even opened the filing cabinet(s) yet. (Blush. I'm a paper packrat, admittedly.) But - WOO! - no more! The shredder has changed my life, tell ya what. My closet has never looked better, I'm fluttering around with the glee that always cheers me when my home is organized and in order. I know, it's a sickness!

After a week "off", I am satisfied. We spent days doing much. And days doing very little. It was all good.

The things on the list that I/we did/were better at/focused on:

Sew - Pillows, Reconstructed Denim Skirts for the girl.
Make yogurt. YUM. Granola. Double YUM.
Try once a month (once every two weeks?) cooking.
Try new recipes.
Read more. Frequent the library. Filled up my hold queue!
Spend more time with each of the kids individually every day.
Play WITH the kids more. Stop telling them to "go play", and GO. Play.
Eat healthy consistently. Plan meals. Eat out less.
DAILY devotions. Pray more.
Go to the gym consistently.

Decluttering progress: Red spaces are undone as yet...

Kitchen (pantry, cookware, serveware, pots and pans, fridge - everything)
Upstairs Bath storage
Chickie's Closet
Downstairs Bath storage
Bug and Monkey's Closet
Playroom Closet
Master Closet

Things I still want to work on:

Take the kids to the park, gymnastics center, Bouncin' Bears regularly.
Spend more time with each of the kids individually every day. (Yes this one is in both categories. On purpose.)
Do more crafts. (I loathe most kid's crafts. Bug LOVES crafts. It's a worthy sacrifice.)
Read to the kids more often.
Just hanging out with the Papa in the silence. We fill it up too much. TV, internet, movies...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We have a barbecue planned here tomorrow night. I think we've got a total of 18 adults and 10 kids coming over to grill and chill. I'm looking forward to seeing some family who just flew in from Outside, along with good friends. =)

$72 richer.

2009-07-14T16:12:00.000-07:00

The kids and I delivered two totes of their outgrown clothes to Kid 2 Kid this morning. A little over an hour later, we walked out 72 dollars richer, many pounds lighter, 2 closets cleaner... I'm adding that money to our "redoing the family room fund"; we eventually want to update it with a flatscreen wall-mounted TV, fresh paint, and a rocker recliner for the Papa.

I'm eating spoonfuls of granola mixed with honey-sweetened yogurt as I type. It's almost too sweet - I feel funny saying so, but I was a bit scared to taste my fresh homemade yogurt without sweetener! Next time I'll try it without any extra honey. It is thinner than store-bought yogurt and I'd like it to be a bit more creamy, so I'll probably let it set another hour next time, and if that doesn't thicken it enough, maybe I'll try adding some pectin or gelatin. It tastes very *fresh* and there's a definite difference. The Papa raved when he tried it this morning for breakfast, so I suppose I'm going to need to keep this up!

We stopped by the fabric store on our way home today and picked up some remnants for pillows and fabric for more reconstructed skirts.

I'm going to Bunco with my mom tonight, filling in for one of the regulars who can't make it. I've never played before, so it oughta be interesting!

I made a skirt. Or, rather... I reconstructed jeans into a skirt.

2009-07-13T21:23:00.000-07:00

For Chickie. See?

My friend Emily inspired me with her own version of mama skirts made from jeans, I googled a bit, and wound up just making it up as I went, no pattern. First time doing pleats, and they're a little off kilter, but 'tis ok by me. =) It looks longer than it is in this picture, it hits around her mid-calves. She's outgrown 12-18 month jeans and pants by length, but the waists are still perfect, so I figure she'll get at least another 6 months or so of wear out of these "jeans" this way.

This fabric is a remnant of a favorite mei tai of mine, a custom freehand I carried Chickie around in most of her young life. I love getting to see it on her, especially now that she isn't enjoying being worn as much.

My granola turned out very tasty! I wanted a simple, no frills recipe that I could add to as desired... so I melted a stick of butter, added about 3/4 C. of honey, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, a sprinkle of nutmeg and a couple of shakes of cinnamon. Let it cook until it was all blended and syrupy, then stirred in 5 C rolled oats. Baked at 350 for about 20ish minutes, stirring every now and again. YUM.

This morning's yogurt has been poured into containers and set in the fridge. I'll report on that after I try it with fruit and granola (hee!) tomorrow morning.

Yogurt "cooking" in a thermos on the counter...

2009-07-13T14:27:00.001-07:00

if this works, tastes good, and is really so simple -- well, I'm just gonna kick myself for having waited so long to try it. *Smacking forehead* It's ridiculously easy.

And considering that I added it up and discovered that we go through about $14 worth of yogurt cups every two weeks, and that's when they're on SALE... well, my grocery bill might enjoy the benefits as well as our bellies!

Next up for today - decluttering the boy's bedroom and playroom closets.
Next cooking project - granola. Also feeding the freezer some baked goods.

14 dinners in my freezer...

2009-07-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

$200 worth of groceries.

5 hours in the kitchen.

One sliced thumb. Not deep, but ouch.

Not having to think/plan/prep dinner for at least the next two weeks? Mmmm, happy sigh.

Prepping and putting together.

The larder. I wish it was more revealing, but they're all stacked up in my 5 cu.ft. chest freezer in the order I suppose we'll eat them. Close your eyes and picture aluminum foil lined baking dishes and bowls full of yumminess. You get the idea. Even better, imagine the relaxation of knowing you don't have to think about dinner! I am psyched about that!

I used a book I picked up a couple of years ago, thumbed through often, but never put to use: Once a Month Cooking. I used the first two-week cooking plan and followed the recipes to the letter. There were a couple of recipes I'm certain we'll really enjoy, a couple I'm not sure I'll be making again, and the rest were likely keepers, even if not family favorites... They include chicken, ham and beef dishes, burgers, casseroles, a roast, pasta, rice... The proof will definitely be in the eating, so I'll update as we eat our way through the full freezer. =)

Oh, and tomorrow? I'm making yogurt.

2009-07-10T22:39:00.000-07:00

We played today. Played and played and played. In the circle, in the yard, in the woods, down the road...

We went for a walk in the sunshine. Bug on two wheels (!), Monkey on his four-wheeler, Chickie strolling along.

We watered and weeded the garden.

We baked and ate banana bread using up the 3 overripe bunches of bananas (sigh, we just don't eat bananas fast enough) that had been residing in the freezer for months. We put together an apple crisp for dessert. I suppose I "made" dinner, too - curried chicken over rice - but I just defrosted and heated it up, giving us that much more time to play. =)

Simple pleasures, brimming with goodness.

And now that my babies are all tucked into bed and I'm relaxed and warm after a long bath, I'm off to hang out with and sit close to the Papa.

The kids are still sleeping...

2009-07-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

So I'm here with a quick recap of yesterday.

We spent the morning doing nothing much. I straightened and cleaned, the boys did their morning chores, the girl followed me around with her impish giggle.

I went to the dentist at noon, the Papa met us there and swapped vehicles with me. He took them out for lunch, and I had to get a filling fixed, apparently I broke a piece of tooth off eating almonds. Woops.

After that we came back home, it was time for Chickie to get a nap. Usually nap time is "my time", and I've almost always spent it turning on PBS or Noggin', or a DVD for Bug and Monkey since they no longer nap. Then I settle down with the internet and "escape" for a while. The boys asked if they could play outside, and I told them they sure could, just as soon as I had some lunch and once sissy was sleeping.

I sent them downstairs to play while I got her settled and got myself something to eat. It struck me then in the quiet that I've rarely used that little piece of time when my baby(babies) were sleeping during the day for anything other than myself.

I dug out a few of my favorite devotional books and my bible. Multi-tasking for sure, but after I finished eating, I took the boys outside with me to finish up while they played in the backyard. I started in Genesis, getting to know Eve using Women in the Bible , out of Proverbs using Your Daily Walk, and from Daily Wisdom for Mothers. Those 20 or 30 minutes of reading through a couple of devotionals and soaking up the Truth felt more relaxing and rejuvenating than I remembered it could be. It isn't a chore to check off my list. It's a joy to experience. I forget that.

After that, we went out front in the culdesac and Bug rode a two-wheeler for the first time. I was watching him *not* use his training wheels at all, so I asked if I could take one of them off to reassure him that he really could do it. He agreed, and minutes later astonished himself when he realized he COULD ride on two wheels. It was pretty sweet! What a moment, watching your child take off speeding away from you as fast as his little legs will take him. Conquering his fear and feeling free. I giggled and cheered, clapped and beamed. My kids are growing up so fast.

After about and hour outside, we came in and I offered to let them watch the movie we had rented the day before. Bug told me he would "really appreciate it" (ha!) if I would watch with them... and I had to pause. I *never* sit and watch movies with my kids. Ever. I get recommendations, I check them out, I may see a few minutes here and there, but actually sit and watch a full-length kid's movie? Nope.

I sat. I watched. We snuggled and cuddled. Ate popcorn and parmesan goldfish. The Tale of Despereaux encouraged my little boys to be gentlemen, courageous and noble. I loved it.

It was more than a great day. It was full of simple time and joy.

Where's the off button?

2009-07-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

I'm taking some time off. Away from the computer; facebook, blogs... turning it off for at least a week. I think I'll check in once a day, limiting myself to 15 minutes... but maybe not.

I don't even want to talk about how much time I generally "waste" online... I just want to change it.

Last night I made a list of the things I've neglected, wanted to try or do for a while, or just want to spend more time on. Not in any particular order, just what came to mind as I brainstormed:

Sew - Pillows, Reconstructed Denim Skirts for myself and the girl, Curtains... floor cushions, dresses for Chickie. Lots of projects half done, bugging me!
Scrapbook - Monkey and Chickie have empty scrap and baby books. Bug has three lovingly crafted full books. I have guilt.
Make yogurt.
Make bread consistently.
Try once a month (once every two weeks?) cooking.
Try new recipes.
Read more. Frequent the library.
Take the kids to the park more often. To the gymnastics center. To Bouncin' Bears.
Spend more time with each of the kids individually every day.
Do more crafts. (I loathe most kid's crafts. Bug LOVES crafts. It's a worthy sacrifice.)
Read to the kids more often.
Play WITH the kids more. Stop telling them to "go play", and GO. Play.
Eat healthy consistently. Plan meals. Eat out less.
DAILY devotions. Pray more.
Go to the gym consistently.
Turn off the TV when the kids are in bed and just hang out with the Papa in the silence. =)

So. There you have it.

I'm also going to finish my decluttering and major cleanout, in prep for a garage sale while the Papa and boys are gone to visit his mom in a couple of weeks. (The Papa can't stand the mere thought of garage sales, so I thought I'd spare him!)

I'll report back. =)

Words of Life Wednesday

2009-07-08T22:48:00.000-07:00

Psalm 33:3

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

2009-07-06T19:30:00.000-07:00

True Christian Motherhood.

Too good not to share.

Now how did that get there?

2009-07-06T16:21:00.000-07:00

I'm decluttering.

Room by room, closet by cranny, old out, fresh clean space in. I'm decluttering our home, only keeping what we need and use. Sounds easy, right?

Lord help me.

If you stopped by unexpectedly, you would think I was one of those totally organized freakishly neat people. A place for everything, and everything in it's place... Yeah. My closets and crannies, the areas you wouldn't ever see? They're pitiful. Full of odds and ends, pieces of who-knows-what put here and there. I can't stand it! I was going to get all deep here and explore the meaning behind my messy hidden spaces (and maybe someday I will!), but honestly, I think I'm mostly just tired. It's hard enough to keep the high traffic areas up to my admittedly high standard, much less the stuff behind closed doors!

But it ends this week. I'm getting brutal; pitching, donating, sorting and selling.

The areas I'm working on:

Kitchen (pantry, cookware, serveware, pots and pans, fridge - everything) DONE
Upstairs Bath storage DONE
Chickie's Closet [CURRENTLY WORKING ON]
Downstairs Bath storage
Bug and Monkey's Closet
Playroom Closet
Master Closet [UGH. Dread.]

Inspiration:

Organize Me

Organized Home

Unclutterer

I'll post after pics. You can just close your eyes and imagine the befores. It's not "Clean Home" status, but it's not pretty. =)

Fun Friday

2009-07-03T21:12:00.000-07:00

This week's fun, in no particular order:

Spent two evenings in the sunshine at Cuddy Family Park and Rogers Park Elementary.

Picnic and playdate with friends in Eagle River.

Completed the Hidey Hole.

Played in the sprinkler.

Went to the gym 4x (this is great fun even for the kids, I promise! They love the play center and never want to leave!)

Watered the garden daily. (Can I just repeat what I posted on a friend's blog this week and say -- Mmmmmmm. Just thinking about my garden brings peace to my spirit. I can't believe I waited so long, and was so afraid to try my hand at it - our first real garden was planted about 5 weeks ago. It really took getting my hands dirty to understand the earthy pleasure and pure joy, the connection and awe at how a tiny seed can bring forth food. Real FOOD!? It never ceases to amaze and thrill me.

Noah's 6th Birthday celebration, complete with cake (yellow with chocolate frosting) for dinner, and going to Sports Authority to let him select his two main gifts; a baseball glove and binoculars. He also got a bike helmet and is going to Build a Bear with me, he just doesn't know it yet. And no, we didn't plan the alliterative birthday boy bash, but... =)

Saw sweet new baby moose three different days.

We were pretty excited to see this amazing double rainbow. I wish the picture did it justice. You can't tell, but we could see both "ends", one in the mountains, and the other right behind this church (ABT!) The kids were in awe. And I was blessed when Bug told his brother, "Hey, that's God promising he'll never flood the earth again!"

Six.

2009-07-02T09:40:00.001-07:00

The Bug is 6 today! Our firstborn son, the one who made us a mama and a papa. (Awwwww!) We're so proud of our little man. Papa took him to his traditional father/son birthday breakfast. We wake him up early and they go out to a restaurant before anyone else is awake. As you can probably tell, he's still a bit sleepy in these pictures. =)

We love you, sweet boy. Happy 6th birthday!

Noah at six is so bright and full of energy. He loves to play soccer, read, and be outside. A fierce protector of his younger brother and sister, he is strong, determined and never gives up. He has an impish grin and makes us laugh every day. He's our little director and very independent, and he'll tell you like it is. Softhearted, he is quick to giggle, gives the biggest hugs, and is a great encourager.

BB in whipped cream, for the Birthday Boy!

As they were driving, they came upon this mama moose and her two babies!

Words of Life Wednesday

2009-07-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

Psalm 104:13-15

He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate — bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.

God is good!

A "Hidey Hole" for the kids

2009-06-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

I think they like it. =)

Mama Monday

2009-06-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

OK, blog as list:

Laundry schedule - check. The laundry has been overwhelming me lately, and I finally decided to get back to my old routine; bedding Monday, boys' clothes Tuesday, so on and so forth.

Pack/plan for camping - so much to do/think about. Food planning/buying/prepping, getting the kids and myself packed, need another couple of camp chairs...

Bug's birthday party. He turns 6. 6! Thursday. I am totally unprepared. We need to decide what we're doing and when, and it's going to be late since we're heading out of town the evening of the 2nd.

Weight loss/working out. Made it to the gym 5 times last week (GO me!) and plan to do it again at least 4x this week.

The garden is coming along, I need to take and post some pictures.

Still tossing around when to start my childbirth education work, talking, thinking.

Think that's it for now. :)

Fun Friday

2009-06-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

Last week, we made Reading Nook Canopies from the June/July Issue of Family Fun Magazine. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the description and instructions online, but I'll describe how we did it!

It's SO easy, really.

The frame is a hula hoop. You'll need 2 pieces of 4.25 yards/ea. fabric (tulle, muslin, whatever), total of 8.5 yards. Lay 'em out, find the middle of each piece, put a piece of duct tape on each side right in the middle, then cut a small (1" or so) slit in the tape through the fabric.

Cut 6 pieces of 1/8" ribbon, 66" each (you'll need two rolls of 10 yd. ribbon), make a loop with each piece of ribbon, pull the two ends through the loop around the hoop, then spread the 6 ribbons evenly around the hoop. Knot them all together in the center, making a loop to hang the canopy from.

Then lay out your fabric in a big + shape, middles on top of each other, pulling the ribbon loop through the slits you cut. For the top, I used felt; 1 1/2 yards for each nook, I layed it on top of the hoop and used chalk to outline a circle about 6" out from the hoop, cut out the circle, then just freehanded the leafy looking stuff. Cut a small slit in the center, and loop the ribbon through.

You can cut the bottom edge with pinking shears if you want, or just leave it if you're lazy like me! Voila!

Chickie has completely made her nook her own by stacking up pillows and blankets inside, along with a basket of books and toys.

The Bug and Monkey like to use theirs as a hideaway fort while playing spies. Hee!

A fresh new blog!

2009-06-26T12:55:00.000-07:00

Ahhh... not quite the same as a fresh notebook and thick gel pen, but it'll do!

We are an Alaska Grown Family. I was raised in the Interior; Eielson AFB, tiny but sweet North Pole, and Fairbanks. My husband was raised in Anchorage. We have three kids, all born here. Two at the hospital and one at home. =)

I've been down this blogging road before and never stuck to it, but I really want to have an account to look back on as my kids grow. It seems to be flying by me faster than I remember to breathe, slow down, enjoy the moments...

So.

I'm going to try to stick to a theme a few days of the week in an effort to stay motivated and continue to post. Who knows if this will work... but I'm trying!

Mama Mondays - More personal posts about my progress in various areas - Spiritual, Health, Emotional, Personal Fulfillment, Homemaking, Crafting, Cooking, Sewing... less about the kids and family, more more more about me, me me! (Ha!)

Wordless Wednesdays - Photos tell the story.

Fun Fridays - crafts, projects, what-who-where we've been having a good time doing-seeing-going.

With that, since it IS Friday after all (and thank the Lord for that!) next up is a post slash tutorial on our new Reading Nook/Canopies!

Conscious sedation dentistry. Or in short, I like drugs. =)

2009-02-19T13:14:00.001-08:00

I have always been deathly afraid of the dentist. I grew up an Army and Air Force brat, and no offense, but every dentist I ever saw was condescending, insensitive, and all business. No care or concern for my feelings, and I have memories of pleading for more pain medication, feeling the drill, and needing to use the bathroom going ignored. Once I became an adult, I said I'd never go back. No amount of prayer or positive thinking ever seemed to calm that fear, it was overwhelming to me, so I just avoided it.

I knew I needed to go. I was having some sensitivity in one tooth and could see a cavity in another. I heard a radio ad several years ago for "The Gentle Touch" dentist, who offered conscious sedation, allowing you to sleep through your dental work. I always kept his website in my favorites, looking at it from time to time, trying to work up the nerve to call and go in.

When I finally did about a month ago, I was so relieved to talk to the nicest lady who understood my fear and told me I wasn't alone. I made the appointment for the next day, and I was really happy not to have to wait long and stew about it.

The first visit was scary, and I was embarrassed about having not been to the dentist in so long, having to open my mouth, expecting to be scolded like I always had been when I was a kid. There was NONE of that. Everyone was so wonderful and calming, totally gentle, and everything (getting in the chair, x-rays, etc.) was my choice every step of the way. My dentist is an older gentleman with a soothing voice and quiet warmth, and he just took pictures, told me step by step what he thought I needed done, and reassured me that my teeth looked great for not having been to a dentist in nearly 12 years.

OK, so prep for the actual sedation. I went in a week ago to get the meds and prep sheets. My husband took the day off because I needed a driver and responsible person to stay with me after the appointment. I took a valium the night before to guarantee that I'd get a good rest. The morning of the appointment (yesterday), one hour before, I took two triazolam .25 mg (Halcion) pills. At first I didn't notice anything, but within about 20 minutes I felt sleepy and kind of heavy. I just lounged on the couch and waited for it to be time to go. I kept looking and the clock and realized it seemed like time was flying by.

My husband drove me to the office. I don't remember much about that, or getting inside. When I walked in there was a gal waiting to take me to the chair, and I didn't even say goodbye to my hubby or kids, I was pretty spacey and really sleepy by this point. She sat me in the chair with a warm blanket and put on a blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter. I don't remember much else until I got out of that chair.

At some point the dentist came in, but I didn't even see him, just heard his voice. He asked, "On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being (......something... I don't remember,) and 10 being you just want to go to sleep, where are you on the scale?" I didn't answer him, and I think that was his answer! I remember getting a few shots, but they didn't hurt, it was more like I just thought, "Oh, shots... I don't think I really like shots..." ykwim?

Then I remember someone asking me to open wider and to bite down once or twice, I think for my crown impressions. I don't remember any smells, sounds, or drilling. What seemed like minutes later, the assistant said something about being done and needing to move to the cleaning. I got up, she helped me to the bathroom (I used it alone, she just guided me to and from) and then they set me up in another room with another warm blanket.

I remember parts of the cleaning, some scraping... but again was just thoughtful about it, "Oh, I'm getting my teeth cleaned..." not bothered.

Again, within what seemed like minutes, the hygienist said I was done and sat me up. They brought me some juice and said my husband was on his way to pick me up.

They helped me out to the van (I could walk, was just a bit woozy) and my hubby brought me home. I had some ice cream and then slept for four hours. I think that's the best (only?!) nap I've had in years. When I woke up I was a bit sore in the mouth and still a bit numb, but by evening I was feeling almost back to normal.

Today I feel great! I had a couple of ibuprofen because I was a little sore where the shots were and my gums are a bit swollen, but overall it was an awesome experience.

I highly recommend conscious sedation for fearful dental patients. It was amazing, 4 hours of work (5 fillings, crown prep, cleaning) done with no pain, no fear, and no negative memory of anything. I hope this post and my experience might help someone who has been avoiding dental work to find a caring dentist and overcome their fear.

Yeah, Chickie, that cute little face you make when I stop you from pulling ALL of the wipes out of the container...

2009-02-04T15:41:00.001-08:00

It's not working. Sorry.

OK, OK, it *is* working, a little bit. Stop it. And none of the sweet little pouty "uhhh!" noises, either. Not cool.

Photo recap!

2008-12-19T08:22:00.001-08:00

Tell ya what - when the kids are bored and it's 5 degrees outside, here's a way to liven things up... bring a couple of twin mattresses out into the living room. Fashion a tent above them with a king sized comforter, chairs, clips and other various objects. Blow up balloons and let the kids go crazy.

Poor kiddos. They always look like overstuffed pillows in their winter duds. They love sledding, though -- and lest you think I outfit my boys in helmets for run of the mill snow fun, fear not - we were downhill sledding on a hill where a young girl actually passed away after hitting a tree a few years back. :( They really can move in this stuff, promise.

COOKIES!

My hubby's creation:

Deep in the heart of Alaska!

These snowflake clings are really fun and easy to make, just use dimensional fabric paint on wax paper, let it dry, and then stick 'em up.

Another super easy craft even for littles, puffy scrapbooking stickers on clear ornaments. Voila!

This one is a bit more labor intensive. We loosely followed these instructions.

They turned out really pretty!

I can't get enough of the view above!

Photo evidence of why the sliding glass door is NEVER clean.

Where's baby Jesus?

We're having a most merry Christmas season!

How did three months pass me by?

2008-12-18T14:58:00.001-08:00

Seriously. The days are long but the years truly are short, huh?

In the months (wow!) since I last posted, Chickie and I went to visit my best friend and her new baby girl in Texas. Chickie started crawling and is now standing for a few seconds on her own. (Sniff! My baybee is totally growing up. I'm sad.) She's got a super toofy smile, with 6, or is it 7 now...? little pearly whites in there. Bug is reading (!!?) and writing (!) and doing it all without much instruction or help from his mama. We find outselves leaning more toward unschooling every day. He self directs and retains so much... and he's so curious and bright. I don't want to squelch that spirit with what the curriculum dictates any given day, so we tend to meander and follow his interests. Monkey is very much 2, going on 3... I seem to recall three being worse than two with the Bug. Yikes, I am so in for it.

We're gearing up for Christmas with some serious craftin' round heyah'. The boys have been making ornaments and all manner of snowflakey-inspired items, we've had our fill of hot cocoa and Christmas movies, and I'm totally jazzed for the big day. We got the kids some things I'm really looking forward to enjoying with them and watching them enjoy. Christmas is so much fun as a mama of littles. I don't think it was even half this much fun when I WAS little. The anticipation is so fun to experience through their little eyes.

I'm working on several things.

My diet/health. I had some allergy testing done and discovered that I react highly to wheat, corn, and dairy. :( I also joined a gym and have been working out a few times a week.
Frugality/financial solvency. We switched to a cash only budget (again) a few months back, and it's a fun challenge for me, but I've realized how often I went shopping out of boredom. Not doing that has been difficult. I used to stop by a local department store or the new Target once or twice a week. Now I never go. Good for the budget, but my boredom meter is ever rising. Trying to find new things to do with three kiddos in the deep winter is interesting. Seeing the savings account grow is encouraging.
The art of homemaking. I'm trying to devote time to making my house our home, and doing those things I really love; decorating, scrapbooking, sewing, cooking...

Anyway. Next up, pictures!

A is for Apple

2008-09-17T15:24:00.001-07:00

Caramel Apples, that is!

We washed.

We unwrapped.

And unwrapped some more. Great hand eye coordination activity!

Then we stirred.

Getting melty!

We dipped.

We looked in awe at such beauty.

(Yes, laugh. I know. But they are 5 and 2 after all!)

We cheesed.

My little second cousin is sick.

2008-09-12T08:10:00.001-07:00

Little Caden is just 3 years old, and was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia two weeks ago. Would you please send healing thoughts and prayers his way?

Fort building 101.

2008-09-11T16:48:00.001-07:00

Apparently the blue and grey coats are getting along better these days. They even share a garage peaceably in Bug's latest fort.

On birthin'

2008-09-11T07:42:00.001-07:00

A meme meant for labor day, from Wife and Mommy.

How long were your labors?

Bug: 20ish hours
Monkey: 12 hours
Chickie: 6ish hours

How did you know you were in labor?

Bug: went to the hospital in early labor, induced.
Monkey: spontaneous ruptured membranes.
Chickie: took castor oil at home, but didn't realize I was in labor until about 2 hours before she was born.

Where did you deliver?

Bug: hospital, AK
Monkey: same hospital, AK
Chickie: my entryway, also in AK. (Ha!)

Drugs?

Bug: Stadol and an epidural, which wore off while pushing for.3.hours.
Monkey: Stadol and an epidural.
Chickie: None

C-section?

No.

Who delivered?

Bug: my then OBGYN
Monkey: the on-call OBGYN
Chickie: delivered into mama's hands.

One week into this homeschooling thing...

2008-09-10T16:14:00.001-07:00

and I can honestly say I am the best teacher my son's ever had! Pftthhttt!

So seriously. We started Kindergarten last Wednesday and I want to post a review while it's fresh.

We dig Winter Promise. It's all laid out for you so nicely, read this, do that, try this. Add this if you feel like it, choose from these crafts and projects. It's really versatile, very engaging, and the books are fanTAStic!

The phonics review is very easy for Bug at this point, but I think that's a good thing. He's feeling confident and capable, and is excited about "doing school" every day. We're doing some fun games with phonics cards, and he especially enjoyed being blindfolded and having to pick the right letter from a bowl just by my saying the sound the letter makes.

The most challenging aspect of the LA part of our day is handwriting, but I only insist on one page a day, usually 4 or 5 letters, repeated 10-12 times.

I am thrilled with the Animals Encyclopedia by DK. Both Bug and Monkey will pull this out and look at it for hours. We read a few pages a day, and they won't let me get away with skipping a word, they both love to hear all about habitats, homes, bodies...

I am not as pleased with the selection of Socks as the first read aloud chapter book. The first day, I had to omit/change the words "stupid" and "idiot". We don't use either of those words, and I didn't want my sons hearing it in a story, even if the character was a grumpy big brother. It was easy enough to change to "silly" and "not nice", but it did bug me.

I am very pleased, however, with the Big Book of 5-minute Devotions. The kids really seem to enjoy the pictures and the lessons are short and easy to understand. We've had some good talks later on in the day referring to our devotions, too.

Our school day usually starts around 9:30 or 10, with devotion, prayer, and the pledge. Then we work through our read alouds for the day since we're already all piled onto the futon. After that, we move into phonics and language arts, usually ending with a craft or game.

We have a snack and I usually lay Chickie down for a nap by this time, and then we come back to work on Math - Math U See Primer. We watch the video if need be and then do three workbook pages a day. Math is coming very easily to Bug at this point, but again, I'm happy that he's feeling very confident. We'll step it up if he needs to move through a little faster to be challenged.

After Math I let him move on to doing his GeoSafari Phonics Pad, I save this even though it's part of his LA program, because he absolutely loves it, and would play it for hours if I let him. Three days a week he does Spanish with the Hooked On Spanish program from HOP.

Our total "school" time daily is about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on how deep his questions go and how much time he wants to spend on various activities. He will spend time on his own working on the phonics pad and playing with his MUS manipulatives.

On Tuesday mornings we go to an open gym tumbling class, and on Wednesdays we go to the library for family story time. We're also considering a homeschool PE class during the week.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today we made play dough, yellow at Bug's request.

We haven't had fresh dough in a few months, so the boys were pretty jazzed and played with it for about an hour.

Fresh pizzas were made, along with cut out letter names and a few weapons.

Here are some pictures of our not-yet-completed schoolroom. I have The Papa working on some rain gutter bookshelves for the wall behind this storage bench. This works well for now, but I want to have the books more accessable for the kids.

Here's where we do all of our read-alouds, pray, do our devotional, listen to music, watch DVD's on occasion... where I nurse Chickie, etc.

The worktable and craft caddy.

Computer desk, craft supplies on the shelf above.

Closet with shelving, more craft supplies, paper, etc... Games are in the top of the closet where mama can control them. This works for now, but I want a closet organizer system eventually. Monkey uses the easel while Bug works at the table most days.

So that's it. I have never felt more confident with our decision to homeschool. And Bug is thriving and excited for each new "school" day. (I always want to say "school", since this feels so much like a continuation of our life, not like something forced or strange... if that makes any sense.)

Oh, the irony.

2008-08-19T14:26:00.001-07:00

I borrowed The Complete Tightwad Gazette from the library a few weeks ago. Great book. Full of useful, thoughtful, interesting and creative ways to save money. Like washing out ziploc baggies, which I'm not about to do, but I digress.

We went to the library again today and as we were checking out, I was informed that I had a $1 overdue fine.

You guessed it. I got a late fee on a book devoted to frugality, dedicated to not wasting a single penny... Nice.

Camping is supposed to be fun, right?

2008-08-18T12:05:00.001-07:00

So why am I always having to convince myself that I'm having it? Fun, that is. Consider the prep work:

Plan meals, write a grocery list, shop, pack.
Drag bags out of the recesses of the closets.
Pack:
Clothes for the kids.
Toys for the kids.
Comfort items for the kids.
Various accoutrements for the baby. (Somewhere to sit -- saucer... somewhere to be in case it's muddy - pack n play... backpack carrier for hiking...)
Diapers for two. Wipes for two.
My clothes and toiletries. The Papa's clothes and toiletries. (Yes. He could do this, but I like to be sure he has his toothbrush!)

Clean the house before we leave, because there's nothing I hate more than coming home to a mess.

Make sure all of the camping gear is packed. Don't forget toilet paper!

Drive an hour to a campsite. Set up the camper. Roast weenies and marshmallows while choking on campfire smoke. Sleep (if we want to call it that) on a less than comfortable bed with a baby attached to my boob all night since she won't sleep in the pack n play.

Wake up the next morning to rolling thunder and sit under a tarp (pat myself on the back for remembering the tarp) to wait out the rain for about 4 hours before deciding to pack up and come home.

And I wonder why I find myself muttering, "We're making memories here! This is FUN. Really."

I am a fool for the school supply aisle.

2008-08-14T10:34:00.001-07:00

There's nothing like the smell of a fresh box of 64 crayolas.

Or a pink pet eraser.
Mmmmm... Elmer's, I could sniff you all day!

I love to unwrap a new pack of wide rule filler paper, sharpen #2 pencils, and to crack open a 3-ring binder for the first time.

I was that kid. You know the one -- backpack packed two weeks before school started, new clothes all laid out for the week, up at 5 AM the first day of school, too excited to contain myself. And the nerdiness just lives on, as we prepare for our first official homeschool year with 5 y/o Bug. Kindergarten starts in just a few short weeks. We went through the magical aisle the other day, and I couldn't keep the giddy smile off of my face.

Washable markers? Check
Colored Pencils? Check
Crayons? Check
Ruler? Check

I think the real reason I always dreamed of being a teacher was the stuff. Mead composition books, peechee folders, protractors, calculators. Ahhh, bliss...

This about sums up our day so far.

2008-08-13T14:45:00.001-07:00

My firstborn is not trying to drive me insane. My firstborn is not trying to drive me insane. My firstborn is not trying to drive me insane...

Oooh! Ooooh! Melanie tagged me!

2008-08-12T16:39:00.001-07:00

Melanie tagged me with the "six quirky things" meme!

Here are the rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged me.
2) Mention the rules.
3) Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself.
4) Tag 6 other blogger´s by linking to them.
5) Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged.

So 6 uninteresting quirky facts about myself are......

1. I clean out my ears at least 2 times a day, but often more. I'm q-tip obsessed. It's a sickness.

2. I can put my feet behind my head. One at a time, but I used to be able to do both at once. Interestingly, Bug has never seen his mama do this, yet he does it all the time. Weird, no?

3. I am obsessive about getting to see/open the mail first. And it's one of the highlights of my day. Sad. Even on weekends, the Papa brings the mail to me to open, since he knows the joy it gives me, and the wrath he'll suffer should he rifle through or open anything first.

4. I hate socks and will wear flipflops as far into winter as I possibly can. As long as the snow isn't deeper than the flipflops, I'm good.

5. I love to dance to good booty shaking music.

6. I have to have my feet out of the covers when I sleep, I feel really claustrophobic with the sheets tucked in at the end of the bed, so I always yank them out and kick my feet out completely.

I'm tagging...

Meri
Kristin
Wife and Mommy
Rachel
Naomi
Keri

Long time no post...

2008-08-12T16:10:00.001-07:00

Whoa, how did a month go by without a post? I'm so easily distracted! I've been meaning to get a few things posted, have had thoughts swirling around in my head for a bit...

But first, here's a recap of the last month or so in pics.

My little lady has two teeth and learned how to sit. She's also scootching herself all over the place backward, and rolls like a madwoman. I'm not ready for three mobile children, but there's no stopping this crazy girl.

The girl is sleeping on her own in her crib now, and going almost all night. The last week or so, she's gotten up once per night around 4-4:30 to nurse, then goes right back into the crib until around 8. I'll take it! She's such a sweetie pie, very smiley and giggley. She gets all kinds of attention with those big bright eyes and happy cheesy grin.

I love how she humors me. I'm a goofball for the hats and hairbows, you know...

Big brother love.

Grandma and Grandpa visited for a week or so in July. They met Chickie for the first time.

The boys caught a frog by the creek in the backyard.

We worked on some crafty projects.

That's about it. Just enjoying what's left of summer.

We started receiving homeschool materials last week, and I am so jazzed. Who knew it would be so much fun to open boxes of school stuff? I'll post about that soon.

We have a big camping weekend planned with a bunch of families from church, Bug is beside himself with excitement. Every morning he wakes up asking, "How many more days, mama? 3 days? I can't wait to camp!" We're going out to the same lake where we ran into a big brown sow last year... has me a bit nervous, but I'm sure all will be fine, we'll be in a large group. There has been so much more bear activity/maulings this year than usual. Has everyone a bit paranoid.

I was feeling really guilty about my poor neglected blog...

"That's BAD!"

2008-06-26T15:41:00.001-07:00

We had a group of men digging postholes for our new fence last week. The Bug was on the deck watching them work, when he noticed that one of them was smoking.

"My mama says smoking is bad for you, but you can if you wanta!" he yelled out. I was cringing, half proud of him for remembering, half wincing that he might have been offended by my 4-year-0ld. He seemed to take it in stride, though, saying, "Yeah, it's a bad habit..."

Bug went on, "Well, you'll probably have to get a hole in your neck to breathe out of. That's BAD!"

That's my boy. What can I say?

Stuck on a boat in the middle of a lagoon...

2008-05-28T16:22:00.001-07:00

Yeah. The Papa, Bug and Monkey. They went camping this weekend with a friend of The Papa's and his two young boys. Camping on an island, about 5 hours drive on land and 40 minutes across the bay by sea...

Only as they were trying to make their way home Monday evening, the boat's motor overheated and they wound up having to bail onto a raft and make two trips back to shore. CRAZY, no? My hubby, my 4-year-old, and my 2-year-old. All while I am 5+ hours away and helpless to assist in any way other than fretting over my kids. Are they warm enough? Do they have enough food?

Sigh.

Happily, all's well that ended well, and they made it out the next morning via very expensive water taxi ride. And the pictures are incredible.

The view from their cabin.

A little kite flying:

The hot tub. You fill it with sea water and burn wood to heat.

Fishing hole:

I guess Monkey's favorite part was the fish they dug up for bait out of the sand:

And remember, no matter what...

I cannot comprehend the grief...

2008-05-22T14:41:00.001-07:00

A little girl is dancing in Heaven today.

I'm praying for the Chapman family.

Chickie's unexpectedly unassisted homebirth, January 24, 2008

2008-05-22T14:09:00.001-07:00

On Tuesday, January 22, I was 41 weeks, 6 days pregnant. Huge. Puffy. Cranky. See?

I was still feeling pretty good physically, but growing tired of waiting and wanting to meet my baby. I was also really concerned that I was going to wind up in the hospital, after months of planning for our first out-of-hospital, birth center delivery with midwives. I’d had hospital births with OB care for my two other births, including pitocin and epidurals, and had transferred my care to a group of three midwives associated with an amazing birth center at 26 weeks pregnant. I had my heart set on going to the birth center, and wanted to do everything in my power to make that happen.

Knowing my “risk out” deadline of Thursday, January 24 (their 42 weeks date was one day later than mine, and I wasn’t going to say anything!), was coming very soon, my midwife K suggested inserting a Foley Balloon catheter in an effort to help dilate and efface my cervix. At this point, I was about 1 centimeter dilated and 40% effaced. I agreed, and had the catheter placed at 1:30 on the 22nd. It is basically a balloon put in between the bag of waters and the cervical opening and filled with saline, and it puts pressure on the cervix much like the baby’s head usually does. It came out at 3:30, much to my surprise, since K had said it would likely take between 4 and 12 hours. I called to make sure she thought it had worked, and she reassured me that I was likely between a 3 and 4 and probably thinned some more. She told me she would call me the next day if I hadn’t gone into labor, to decide whether to break my water, or go forward with herbs and/or another method of helping our baby along.

On Wednesday, the 23rd, The Papa and I took Bug and Monkey to Home Depot for some serious walking. We walked every aisle! I was trying to encourage baby to move down. Then we surprised the kids and took them to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch and some fun playtime, knowing it would likely be our last day as a family of four.

When we got home, there was a message from K asking if I’d like to come in and have my water broken than evening, to give me the full advantage of having all day Thursday to labor and deliver at the birth center. We decided that sounded like a great idea and set up an appointment for 5:30.

We dropped off the boys at their grandpa’s on the hillside south of town. The Papa drove the van with the boys, and I drove the Tahoe alone. The whole way there, I spent time just talking with God and praying for a safe, easy delivery, asking Him to be with me and help me. As we drove past the inlet, there was a gorgeous red sunset over the frozen water, and I smiled, feeling such a peace from God that I was going to have a wonderful birth.

When my other midwife, B, checked me at the birth center, she found my cervix 3 cm, 70% effaced or so, and when she gave babe's head a push, it moved up enough that she wasn't comfortable breaking my water. She said she would if I were in the hospital - but she was afraid to break it, have babe move, and then have a cord issue. Also, she didn't want me to have to stay there needlessly, and she wouldn't have been comfortable sending me home with broken waters and an unengaged babe.

So instead, she suggested going home, taking 4 oz. of castor oil in Orange Juice, pumping (she lent me a double electric), and gave me an herbal B&B blend (Black and Blue Cohosh) to swish and swallow once contractions got going steadily. We decided that if it didn't kick labor into high gear within the next 8 hours, we would call first thing in the morning and I would go in to see if the babe had moved low enough/engaged enough to have my water broken the next day in a final attempt to stay at the BC.

And if all else failed – at that point, I knew I’d done everything within my power to have the babe at the BC. I was OK and at peace with going to the hospital if the “plan” didn’t work. B reassured me that she assists beautiful births in the hospital all the time, and that all would not be lost if I did wind up there. She also said she had a gal just last month who was 42 weeks, wanted to be in the BC, with an unengaged babe - she encouraged the same oil/cohosh/pumping regimen, and the gal went into labor and had a great birth at the BC.

We left the center, went to the grocery store to pick up Castor Oil and OJ, and then went out to an awesome Teppanyaki dinner. I ordered Yakisoba noodles and Fried Rice – subconsciously carbo loading? Hee. It was super yummy, and we laughed and joked and enjoyed ourselves, excited about our little secret “get this baby birthed” plan.

We got home around 8 PM, I took the castor oil in two doses, about 2 ounces in as much OJ, and then again. It wasn’t so terrible tasting, and I didn’t mind the oiliness so much, but the texture of the bubbles (I could feel them floating on top) going down was just horrid. I gagged once or twice, but got most of it down. Then we settled in to watch some movies and try to get some sleep. We watched How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days and I posted online a bit, read a few castor oil birth stories, and tried to relax.

A couple of hours later, I was afraid it wasn’t going to work, since I was still feeling ok. I had pumped for about 20 minutes around 8:30 PM, and that brought on some good contractions, and an hour or so later I pumped again for another 20 minutes. Around 10:30 PM, I started getting some cramping and needing to visit the toilet, and I started to feel sick to my stomach and threw up. I started having regular contractions, around every 10 minutes or so, sometime around 11 or 11:30. They were still hard to distinguish from menstrual-type cramps, and I thought it was mostly just the castor oil doing it’s work of clearing me out. The Papa went to sleep around midnight, and I turned on Fever Pitch to distract me.

I got in the shower at 12:30 or so and would lean on the back wall during contractions, letting the water run on my low back, it seemed to help. I didn’t need to breathe deeply at this point, it was just annoying to me – I wanted the castor oil to finish up it’s job so I could get some sleep before “real labor” began.

I got out of the shower and into bed for a couple of hours, waking up about every 10 minutes or so to breathe lightly through minor contractions.

From 2:30 to 5:30AM is mostly a blur of getting out of bed to go to the toilet, getting in the shower for 15-20 minutes at a time, then going back to bed for a few contractions sitting Indian-style, rinse, repeat, over and over. I would sit on the toilet for a couple of contractions, then get into the shower, then back into bed, back to the shower, pace in the kitchen, lean over the counter. At some point, I even ran a bath and tried to lay on my side in it, but it did pretty much nothing to alleviate the contractions - I couldn’t get submerged enough - and I had thoughts of not being able to get out on my own. They got progressively more intense during these few hours, but I still wasn’t having to do much other than slow, deep breathing.

At 5:30 or so, I got in the shower and stayed in for a while. I was starting to make a little noise at the peak of each contraction, just a low “Ohhhhh” sound, imagining my cervix opening and thinking I was likely fully effaced and maybe 4 or 5 cm. I started imagining the birth center tub and thinking I wished it was time to go. Leaning on the back wall wasn’t cutting it any longer, and I started having a lot more pain in the front rather than in my back. I couldn’t have the water on both sides, and it was irritating to me.I think I got out at 6:15 or so, and made my way back to the bed. I remember putting on my bra, thinking that I would probably want to have a bra on in the birth center tub if we did go soon. (I was totally in my head the whole time – constantly thinking, focusing, telling myself I was doing well, to breathe deeply, make low noises, don’t fight the contraction, just get through this one… coaching myself. That was a major part of why I really thought I had a long way to go at this point.)

At 6:30, after a few rough contractions sitting in my bed, I told The Papa (TP), “Maybe you need to go get your cheat sheet or something?! I need some help here!” I was more irritated that he was sleeping through my laboring than anything – and I wanted some counterpressure on my back. He groggily said, “Mmmkaaay… where’s my cheat sheet?” and went off to find it. I made myself a tower of about 7 pillows on my bed at this point, and threw myself across them on my hands and knees. I wasn’t handling contractions well out of the shower, and once I knew he was up, I wanted his support and wanted him near me, touching me during contractions – just firm pressure on my low back. I started to moan into the pillows, reminding myself “low – low – low”, as I wanted to let myself yell in a high pitch.

At 6:40ish I told him I wanted to call the BC, so he did and handed me the phone when B called back. She asked how far apart my contractions were, and I said, “I don’t know, 4 to 5 minutes for the last couple hours or so?” then had a contraction while she listened to my deep breathing. She told me to time them and be sure they were all under 4 minutes apart, and then call back, that it sounded like I was close but should wait maybe another hour or so. I told TP to get out the laptop and go to http://www.contractionmaster.com/ so that I could time them. I knew they were getting intense, and that they were probably 4 minutes apart, but didn’t want to go in to the birth center too soon.

At this point, I was on my birth ball at an end corner of my bed, with a stack of pillows to lean on and the laptop in front of the pillows. At every contraction, I would hit the space bar to start the timer and TP would rub my back until I hit the spacebar again. We got into a great rhythm, and I started to moan loadly through every contraction, still reminding myself in my head to keep it low. TP would repeat little things I had typed up for him on his cheat sheet, “You’re doing great.” “Good sounds!” “Would you like your hair brushed?” during contractions, and I remember thinking “Shut up! Shut up! Shut Up!” but didn’t say it. He would ask me questions during contractions, and I would just shut him out, focusing on breathing. Finally, after I had ignored him long enough and he wasn’t getting it that I couldn’t focus on anything while I was breathing/moaning, I told him during a contraction, “BE QUIET, PLEASE!”

At 7:10 I told him to call the midwife again and tell them we were coming in. He got K, and she said to meet her there at 7:40. TP started running around between contractions, loading things into the truck in two minute intervals, and racing back to our bedroom to apply counterpressure.

He brought me my robe to get into for the drive over, and I stood up and leaned over my pillows, then felt the urge to poop. “Ugh, not now!” I thought, not wanting to spend any time on the toilet during a contraction. I peed a tiny trickle down my legs and started to cry, thinking I couldn’t do it, didn’t know how I was going to get to the bathroom and then downstairs and into the truck.

TP helped me get to the toilet and as we walked there, I said, “It feels like my body is pushing.” I could feel pressure and it did feel like my body was bearing down, but I thought I just needed to poop. I had fear that I was pushing against a 5 cm cervix and was going to cause myself to swell, and actively worked not to push, even told myself in my head “PANT! I’m supposed to pant!” I got onto the toilet, pulled off my pants, and asked TP to get me more. I had two horrible contractions on the toilet and had an extremely hard time keeping my moans low – my instinct was to scream, but I just cried and yelled “Aaauuuuuuugggggggghhhhhh!”

TP helped me get clean pajama pants on my legs and pulled me up, guiding me toward the stairs. I saw the laptop at the top of the stairs and asked, “Did you get the cord? It won’t last long enough without the cord!” (Totally ridiculous! I was thinking about the laptop cord at 7:35, heavy labor, on my way out the door to the birth center.) He reassured me that he had already packed the cord in the truck.We got downstairs into the hallway between the front door and the garage, and I got hit with the worst contraction yet. TP was holding my three pillows in one arm and trying to support me with the other, and I sank into one wall. I yelled, “I need to poop. I’m pushing! My body is pushing! I’m going to poop!” When that contraction was over, another one seemed right on top of it, so I leaned into the other wall and then said, “The baby is coming. We’re not going to make it. The baby is coming!” I could feel the head moving down, feel my pelvis opening, and TP helped me down onto my knees. I yanked my PJ pants down to my knees, leaned forward a bit, and put my left hand down to feel the baby’s head sliding out. I guided the head and my body just pushed it right into my hand. I looked up at my husband and said, “Look, honey, the head is out…” He looked and then looked right at me, wide-eyed and smiling. I think I said, “Maybe we should call 911…” (He had the same thought just before I said so - that if anything was wrong, we wanted someone there, fast.) Almost immediately, the shoulders slid through and then the baby was completely out, warm and wet and slippery in my hands. The water bag broke as the shoulders slid through. I heard a little gurgle, and I rubbed the baby’s back for a couple of seconds, until I saw the arms jerk a bit and heard a cough and little cry. Then I turned the babe over and said, “The baby! Here’s the baby!” I noticed the super-long cord was loosely around the back of the neck and down between the legs, and thought I should unloop it. When I moved it from between the legs, I realized that we had a little girl, and said, “Oh, honey! It’s a GIRL! We have a baby girl! We have a -----(name)! I can’t believe it!”

TP had gotten the phone and dialed 911, and almost immediately after he did, I said in my blissed out, just gave birth joy, “Oh, we don’t need them. Never mind. Just hang up… I’ll just call my midwife and she’ll come here…”

The 911 operator wouldn’t let him off the phone and asked if everyone was breathing, told him to find a clean shoelace (Ha!), cover me and the baby with blankets or towels, and that the paramedics were on the way. I asked TP to hand me his cellphone so that I could call K. I dialed her and told her that the baby was here, and she said she’d be right over in a few minutes.

Within 10 minutes, two paramedics arrived and came in the front door to find me holding my little towel and blanket wrapped bundle right by the front door. They were so incredibly wonderful, stayed back, offering assistance but not insisting on helping in any way. They asked if I wanted them to clamp the cord and I said no, that I’d rather wait, and that my midwife was on the way. They were tickled and so excited for us, and didn’t even come close enough to bother me. They never touched the babe, just peeked to be sure she was breathing and had good color. They asked what time the baby was born. TP and I just looked at each other and giggled. We later estimated it to be 7:39, based on the time of our 911 call at 7:41. They even offered to go outside so that I could get moved back up to my bed. (I was getting pretty uncomfy, sitting in the hallway all cockamamie.

First picture, about 10 minutes old:

I passed the baby to TP and wrapped a towel around me and through my legs, and then we slowly made our way upstairs. The cord was so long, and I’m sure we were a sight, TP trooping up with a towel wrapped babe, me with the cord swinging between my legs. I got set up in bed with pillows and towels, and my brand new little girl set right to nursing before my midwife arrived, and didn’t stop for nearly three hours.

K arrived around 8:10 and sent the paramedics away with many thanks. She checked us over, helped me to deliver the placenta, checked me for tearing (just a couple tiny skidmarks! Woo!) and told us we did fabulously.

About 30 minutes later, B arrived along with one of the birth assistants, and they busied themselves doing laundry, making me breakfast, and running the babe and I a wonderful herbal bath. They stayed for about 3 hours, and we had such fun just going over the crazy events of the morning. Everyone was so excited and happy for us, and we were overwhelmed and in awe. We had a baby, at home… A girl… Just so amazing.
The rest of our babies will be PLANNED homebirths!

Lose 200 pounds this weekend!

2008-05-22T08:18:00.001-07:00

I read this in the bath last night. (BTW, major brownie points won by The Papa, who worked late, then came home and rescued me by dealing with all three kids and bedtime, giving The Mama a much needed break. Love him.)

It was good. Nothing earthshattering, but I need some kind of kick in the rear to get rid of my junk. I'm a clutter hider. I can't stand it, so I tuck it away in nooks and crannys; under my bed, in my closet, in rubbermaid totes in the garage. I tend to obsess about letting go of things that are useful, even if I'm not using them, and have no plans to. Like the box of candles that is overflowing under my sweatshirts. They've been there for going on two years now, and I've added to the box but never taken anything out. Or the cabinet full of crystal above my fridge. Crystal vases, platters, mugs. Stuff we got for our wedding over 6 years ago and have never used. Stuff that isn't my style, but someone picked it out for us, it's pretty, it's expensive... Blah blah blah.

I have these thoughts that I'll use all the "fancy" stuff once the kids are grown. As if it will suddenly become my style or more fun to use when I'm 55ish? Let's face it, etched crystal will likely never be my thing. Will it?

This weekend, The Papa is taking Bug and Monkey camping. A boy's only trip. I think Chickie and I will spend at least part of the weekend decluttering. (OK, so I'll declutter and she'll just be there to drool and look cute.) Losing some dead weight sounds really good right about now.

I'm going to my first Homeschooling Conference tomorrow!

2008-04-24T17:41:00.001-07:00

I am so jazzed/nervous/excited/beyond overwhelmed!

Here's my Tentative K curriculum, all subject to change after I see what I see tomorrow!

Math:
Math U See

Phonics/Language Arts/ Handwriting:
Explode the Code
Handwriting Without Tears
Starfall
Library

Science:
Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science Books - ???
Unit studies: Dinosaurs, Bugs, Outer Space...

Social Studies:
Galloping the Globe

Foreign Language:
Sign Language, haven't picked which

Phys. Ed.:
(various times through the year)

Tae Kwon Do
Soccer
Swimming
Skiing/snowboarding
Outdoor / indoor play

Art/Music:
Violin Lessons? Piano?

I'm going to my first Homeschooling Conference tomorrow!

2008-04-24T17:41:00.000-07:00

Mmmmm.... bread....

2008-04-24T16:53:00.001-07:00

Sun Nut Bread

1 1/4 C Water
3 T. Honey
2 1/2 C. White Bread Flour
3/4 C. Wheat Bread Flour
2 T. Dry Milk
1/2 tsp. Salt
2 T. Butter
1/2 C Sunflower Seeds
3 tsp Active Dry Yeast OR 2 tsp. Fast Rise Yeast

Like the Yoplait commercials - "It is sooo good."

She laughs!

2008-04-21T23:14:00.001-07:00

She's been working at it for a few weeks now, little gurgly not-quite-giggles. Tonight, she really let it go and it sounded like a true laugh - squealy happy happy joy joy out of her almost 3 month old little body.

Her Papa was doing the Grover. You know, "Neeeeaaarrrrrr! Faaaaaaaar!" with her into a mirror. And she giggled, sweet little baby giggles!

I just about cried.

Phooey on To Do lists.

2008-04-20T18:31:00.001-07:00

I like the idea of a "Have Done" list much better. I saw this on a mothering forum I love to peruse, http://www.mothering.com/

So with that, my have dones for today:

Nursed the baby 5 times.
Changed 5 diapers; 3 little bitty tushy, 2 big almost-time-to-learn-to-potty tushy.
Showered, got dressed, curled my hair.
Got clothes out for the two littlest, dressed the girl in fancy duds. No small task, those tights are a pain!
Fed the boys breakfast
Cleaned up
Went to church and learned about Boaz as redeemer. (GREAT message, I needed to hear.)
Went to Costco
Fed the boys lunch
Cleaned up again
Helped The Papa put together a ladder shelf thing to put in the dining room. We need more storage for school supplies.
Removed a splinter from Monkey's hand
Rocked Chickie
Bounced Chickie
Shushed Chickie
Swayed Chickie
Slung Chickie
Held Chickie
Cooed at Chickie
Burped Chickie

It's only 5:30 PM. Not too shabby for a Sunday afternoon. :)

I really should be washing the pile of dishes in my sink...

2008-04-16T15:48:00.001-07:00

But I'd rather start a blog. So here goes nothin'.

I'm The Mama, wife to my perfect match and mama to my little brood. I have the best career I could ever hope for. Wife. Mama. Keeper of my home.

The Papa and I have been married for almost six years - our anniversary is in two weeks. (Note to self - card? Gift? Aaaa!) He's incredible. Humble. Modest. Gentle. Steadfast. This incredible, indescribable daddy and my most loyal and devoted friend. You know how people always say that they don't deserve their spouse? I sincerely, totally don't. He's so much nicer, kinder, smarter, friendlier, everything than I am. Sometimes I have to wonder why God saddled him with me and all my craziness! (And he'll tell you with a grin that I'm God's best for him!?) I love that man so. Did I mention that he's incredible?

Our oldest is Bug. He's a precocious, vibrant, articulate man in a little boy's body. Almost 5, thinks he's way smarter than me, and he truly teaches me something new (usually about myself! Things I don't always want to learn - argh!) daily. Monkey's 2. He's a snuggly, cuddly, gentle and independent soul with a mind of his own. He marches to his own off-rhythm beat, always keeps me guessing. And smiling. Then there's Chickie. She's a sunshiney almost three-month-old. She's all about the drool and giggly babble these days. She melts this mama's heart and I can't get enough of her neck rolls and chubby cheeks.

What else is there to say? I love Jesus. I am a reader, a hot tea and coffee freak, a cheese eater. I'm goofy for my kids. We're a homeschooling family and we love the outdoors. I love to talk about natural (especially home) birthing, breastfeeding, raising my babies. I'm an optimist and there's nothing better to me than a day spent laughing and loving my family well.

How's that for a start to my very first blog post?