Learning everyday.

Every child is homeschooled when you really think about it. All parents are teachers in some way. Recently, two of my younger siblings have said that they wish they were homeschooled, I was touched really, but then I thought, you are homeschooled!! Maybe you aren't homeschooled in Math or History, but all parents are doing their best to teach their children how to be contributing adults in this crazy world.

Every day my children are learning, whether I am formally teaching them or not, they are learning. I have tried lately to be even more cautious of how and what I say to them. The Duggars are one of my favorite families to watch and learn from. Say what you want, but their children respect them and love them. What more could a parent want? Raising a loving and respectful child is more important to me than what college they go to.

So to all the parents who officially homeschool and those who unofficially homeschool, I commend you, for teaching your children and for being amazing parents!!!

End of the school year....

I really can't believe that it's almost the end of the school year! I have reviews for Adam this Saturday!

So let's see, first of all, I was just thinking that at the beginning of next school year I will have a 1 year old, a kindergartner and a second grader! I am overwhelmed just thinking about it. I know that God has some amazing things in store for us in the coming school year and even over the summer. I entered Adam in a Bible Bee, and we as a family will be studying for the next 12 weeks, helping him to learn and memorize 250 scripture verses. Should be tons of fun. Paige is really excited to be learning the verses as well, although she won't be competing like Adam. I am so excited to start school next year.The kids are learning so fast and doing so well. I really feel like the new curriculum that we will be using together as a family will be beneficial to all of us.

Now for some updates on the kiddies....

Catherine is really the sweetest baby. Always happy, always smiling, she lights up my day and really knows how to melt my heart. She is crawling everywhere, and I am positive she will be taking her first steps any day now. She says Momma and Dadda and means it. She waves and claps and dances, and keeps us all laughing. She already has a heart of gold, I know that I will continue to be just as proud of her as she grows.

Paige, my little Peanut. My strong-willed baby. She is her own person, she is independent and sassy. I know that no matter what she does in life she will be the leader. She makes me laugh and want to pull my hair out at the same time, she is Me. I don't know what I would do without that little girl in my life. I really can't wait to see the person she will become. She will definitely keep us on our toes for years to come. Right now, she is learning to read and doing pretty well, and picking up basic Math concepts. She has a yearning to be good, that is the best way I can explain it. Even though there are days where I swear her only purpose is to push boundaries, she wants so badly to be a good person, and that warms my heart.

Adam, Booger. Boys, will be boys. He is rambunctious and inquisitive (about everything), happy and hyper, everything a boy should be. And he is SMART. He blows my mind sometimes. Especially with Math. I was teaching him subtraction and he said, "mom, this is easy. I got it.". He picks up new things so quickly and wants to know more all the time. I find myself researching things just to help him all the time. Right now he wants to be a spy when he gets older, so we have been learning different things about spies and what they do....which it's kind of hard to explain sometimes. He also has a heart for the Lord, recently I have had people comment on what a spiritual person he is. And he really is, he prays all the time, he reads his bible by himself, and everyday he has a questions about God. God has great things in store for all my children, but I am most curious to see what Adam does.

Life always has firsts and lasts, and as the last day of the school year approaches, I am a little sad to longer have a first grader, preschooler and infant. I wish I knew a head of time the last time my baby was going to say "momma" instead of "mommy", or the last time that they would crawl instead of walk, or when they wouldn't ask anymore how to spell their name. Life is full of lasts and firsts, so here is to the quickly approaching last day of the 2009-2010 school year!

Giving

So, I decided to take a trip to Home Goods today, they usually have a good variety of Doug and Melissa which I adore. Anyway, as we were checking out, I was asked if I would like to donate a 1$ to the Cancer Foundation. I almost always say yes, and so the lady gave us a paper to sign saying we gave. Adam then proceeded to ask me why I gave an extra dollar. I told him that there are people who are very sick, with a disease called cancer. And that we gave our dollar so that doctors could do research to help those people.

As we were walking out there was a jar for donations in the entrance way for the cancer fund as well. Adam said "Mom, I have a dollar in my pocket, and my Nonnie is sick in the hospital. I am going to give my dollar to help other sick people, because everyone deserves to be healthy." I had to wipe my eyes. He had been saving that dollar to buy a candy bar, and he didn't even flinch or think twice in giving that dollar away to help someone in need.

My son, has a such a giving spirit. He never flinches or thinks twice when asked to help with something important. And he never hesitates to pray for someone in need. He believes and has faith beyond what I feel that a 6 year old is capable of. My children teach me daily about life, these simple reminders and lessons have such a profound affect on me. I really feel that God has given me these amazing children not only for me to teach them but to learn from them as well. Thank you Lord, for these amazing gifts you have given to Daniel and I.

Adam's progress

So, Adam has now been on his new food plan for almost 3 weeks. And I have to say it has been fantastic. The biggest change has been the fact that he is able to wind down at the end of the day. He falls asleep between 830-900, where before he would be up some nights til 1100 or midnight. We have stuck to almost everything giving in here and there and allowing them certain things. The main thing that we have been trying to regulate is his sugar intake especially after 3pm. And I have cut all dyes from both of their diets for good.

We did allow them some cake at a birthday party and I noticed almost immediately that they were hyper and not listening as well. Their listening skills have improved quite a bit with the new plan, they still act like kids and do things that they want at times, but that's how almost all kids are. I have been very impressed with Paige's ability to retain all the information that I give her, Adam as well. When told to do something they follow direction's much better than before.

To all parents, I would just say that simple snacks like fruit snacks, or chocolate milk (our kids LOVE chocolate milk), are the snacks that they definitely should not be having. Atleast not everyday. They are easy, and they are full of sugar and dye. I used to say that I had a very healthy household, but I realize now, that I wasn't doing all I could to keep my children healthy both in body and mind. Now in doing all this, I know that there will be times when our children will "overdose" on candy or treats. But again they are children, and I can't deny them little pleasures here and there, because I don't deny myself. 

If anyone feels that their children may be just a bit to hyper, or not listening when they should. Then I highly suggest this new food plan for you, just google ADHD diet and you will have the "plan". This is such an easy thing to do and a healthier way to live.

Adam.....

I have been noticing some changes in Adam recently, he just isn't listening like he used to. I have to repeat myself about 5-10 times before he responds or does what I asked, he is forgetful, and he also had been really wound up. I know a lot of people say, "oh he is just a boy". That I get, I have 3 brothers, but I just felt this was something more. So I started to research ADD and from what I can see, he has it. Not sure that its ADHD but definitely ADD. I have spoke with the doctor and  for right now we are not going to test him, but I am changing his diet. After reading and researching for about 2 weeks I came across different articles that support the idea that a child's diet can affect their moods. I agree, I mean chocolate gives me high, and other foods make me feel awful, so I thought it was worth a try. Today is the first real day of the diet.

For the next 3 weeks, Adam can't have dairy, sugar, food dyes, chocolate, and a couple other things. Then week by week we will slowly introduce certain things back in to his diet to see if his mood is affected by those things. Please pray that this is the answer and that I can help him and Paige stick to this new diet. It will be quite a change and if nothing else, he will be a healthier child. Thanks.

Choosing a new curriculum....or staying with the old one.....

So, I went to the Homeschool Fair in Frederick, MD on Friday. And now I am stumped. I have been using a curriculum called My Father's World, which I do enjoy quite a bit, however it is a bit expensive, and I have to purchase a lot of text books. On one hand having the text books on hand is great but finding a place to store them while not in use is not. My Father's World also includes everything that I need except a phonics program and a Math program. The other curriculum I am looking at is very appealing because my children will actually attend classes one day a week, where they will participate with other students and do science activities, etc. It is also an all inclusive program, however instead of using textbooks that you purchase the children and I will get to choose what we would like to delve deeper into outside of the class. We can get books from the library or purchase smaller curriculum over the course of the year if we choose. I can also use the same curriculum for Adam and Paige, so the overall cost will be much cheaper and much easier on me.

I am pretty sure that I have made up my mind, but I just need to take some time in prayer to make sure that is what I want. Any thoughts?

A new start for blogging....

Starting out.....again,


So, I have tried this before, but I really really really want to do this. So let's do an update of sorts....

It's April! Where has the time gone!?! Catherine is already 8 months old. I can't believe it. She is crawling and pulling herself up to stand and walking around the furniture. She already has a mind of her own, and she makes us laugh like crazy. She is such a happy baby, I really hope that her disposition stays the same throughout her life. Paige, my peanut, is so smart. We have started a book called Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, and she is picking everything up so quickly. I love how much she loves to learn. She asks me how to spell words all the time, and loves doing her "school work". She is such a blessing and joy to me. Adam, where do I begin, he is doing wonderful. He has been a bit upset with me these past few weeks because I attempted to go back to work, and, long story short, we are behind in his school work. We will definitely catch up, but we will also be doing school until July. So, we might start a bit later next year.

Now a bit on me, as I said before, I "tried" and failed at heading back to work. I just can't do it, I miss my babies, and I know that the Lord has called me homeschool. My first responsibility is to my children and I honestly felt like I was failing them. Everyday I was overwhelmed and upset. I couldn't do it. Please pray for us though, we really need to stick tightly to our budget, for this to work. I know that we can do it as a family!!

So, my hope is to update this atleast weekly, but I can't promise.....keep your eyes out for my next blog!