Well so far homeschool this year has been relaxed and a lot of fun. It's neat to see the kids take control of their own education. Learn things they are interested in and progress at their own pace , although we have a set core curriculum we have as the basis of their learning for each grade. Each of the kids has such a distinct personality and learn in such different ways. MTA squirrels herself away in her room with her books and assignment and pulls on headphones and she simply works. The only thing she dislikes is math. This next year and the years following we are going with a two prong approach. She will have what is called a teaching textbook. As well as Saxon Math for her grade. She will switch back and forth to give her some variety. I am rather excited about her going into Highschool because her classes become much more interesting.
I am hoping to find some great textbooks and readers at the VNSA book sale tomorrow. It happens once a year and its a huge boon to bibliophiles like Fartypapa and I. This is my first year going and from what I am told there are deals to be had and homechool curriculum a plenty. WOOHOO!. I love getting a headstart on the next years stuff. We school all year so we go at a somewhat varigated pace as per public school. We still have 7 months left in our school year which is great for us because the kids HATE being bored in the summertime. This summer I will have daycare kids too so that should help with the boredom.
We are hoping to hook up with other moms this summer to do outings like the science museum and other points of interest.
Sketch has improved so much from last year to this. It's amazing. He wants to read the Harry Potter series but our books are either being read by others or are scattered about. I'm going to look for a set just for him. Its such a change from a year ago when the idea of reading was awful for him. Now he gets excited about it and doesn't complain at all when its reading time. I love that!
Walker TR is a year younger than Sketch but they are in the same grade because I discovered that they learn better when they can be buddies. They LOVE buddy work. They test eachother on their Spalding phonics cards. Its awesome to hear then correct eachother. LOL.
Macguyver is just trucking right along in his work. I am hoping to get an advanced science book for him because he just eats it up. He always has his science and history book done half way through the year. So I am hoping to find something more challenging for him to keep him busy. He loves math which is a relief for me.
Sketch is like me in that reading was very hard for him. It still is. We are fairly certain he has a mild form of dyslexia. I have a severe form. I couldn't read even a little until I was in 4th grade. Sketch we could say was a firm reader by third grade. He is doing very well now though he still gets frusterated when he messes up his b and d. He transposes like I did and it takes time and repetition for it to solidly enmesh in your brain what belongs where. I am excited to see where he will be in 7 months. He enjoys working with his brother and that seems to have helped a lot. However he is still the artist. He would rather be creating something than doing just about anything else. Something tells me that is how he will be all his life.
The great thing about homeschooling is that Fartypapa and I decide what they should learn and we don't have to conform to anothers idea of what a good education should be. We choose the books. We pick the areas of study. It gives us this great opportunity to involve our children in deciding what they study. I love that!
Walker TR just told me he loves math. WOOHOO! just wait till he gets to geometry or calculus. UGH.
I will report my finds from the VNSA book sale tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Mrs. F
Friday, February 13, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
An Update and a day beginning.
In case you all were wondering Mr. Incredible is doing very well now. He is home with his family and no doubt has some recovery time but all in all he will be fine. It seems so strange to me how such a catastrophic thing can end so quietly. Although I am sure there was much celebrating upon his return home. It just reminds me of how the world keeps moving onward no matter how we feel it should stop in its tracks and wait for us to overcome our tragedy or strife, wait for us to catch up, Wait for us to catch our breath. It doesn't. My family wept when we heard he went home. All of my children stood in my bedroom doorway with baited breath as I read the note that I got saying he went home and was recovering nicely. They all suddenly burst into tears. It was so sudden but so undeniable. They shouted with joy and relief and the tears were just an expression of their joy. It was amazing. What a blessing they are to me.
Soon I will be adding pictures to my blog and making a renewed effort to blog daily. I think its important to document each day in some fashion.
Oh and I have a confession to make. I haven't done anything for Valentines day for my hubby. I am obsessing over this because we normally don't bother with the holiday because we tend to make little expressions to eachother all year long. Fartypapa one upped me this year and he ALREADY has a gift for me. He says its something he would have gotten me anyway so it doesn't really count. He has no idea how much it counts! Its huge! Im on the hook. Help.
More later
Mrs. F
Soon I will be adding pictures to my blog and making a renewed effort to blog daily. I think its important to document each day in some fashion.
Oh and I have a confession to make. I haven't done anything for Valentines day for my hubby. I am obsessing over this because we normally don't bother with the holiday because we tend to make little expressions to eachother all year long. Fartypapa one upped me this year and he ALREADY has a gift for me. He says its something he would have gotten me anyway so it doesn't really count. He has no idea how much it counts! Its huge! Im on the hook. Help.
More later
Mrs. F
Monday, January 19, 2009
Power of Prayer
Once in awhile you have a moment in life where things are so obvious. Things are clear and concise and the grey area disappears. Over the past few days as our family has carried a prayer for this family. I know many others have as well. I know this because I have been told as much but I also know it because of the update I am about to tell you all about.
The words thank you cannot express the level of gratitude I have but they are the only words I have.
Here is where the power of prayer comes in.
From here on in the boy I told you about will be called Mr. Incredible. The Incredibles have been through so much in the past week and over the weekend we got a lovely email detailing Mr. Incredible's progress. First and foremost. He woke up. His family waited for hours before he spoke but when he did it was to say he was dying of thirst and he was starving. All very good signs. He was in fact very hungry and thirsty. He hadn' t eaten anything since before the accident.
Here is an excerpt from the email we got regarding him:
Mr. Incredible's brain bleeds have stopped. He is still in ICU until Monday, then they hope he can be moved to a pediatric bed unit in the hospital. They do not know how long he will be there since that all depends on how he responds. Incredible Mom has asked me to ask the ward members to please send her via email, a photo of those who know Mr. Incredible. They are making a slide show of familiar people, places and things on their laptop computer that can be played for Mr. Incredible over and over. They are hoping this will help with his recovery.
Incredible mom sent an update about his specific condition as well.
Wednesday night Mr. Incredible fell from the banister at the top of the stairs landing on his head at the tile floor. He has several head fractures. The worst being a long line from over one ear around to the other ear. It's not over the top like you'd wear head phones but just a little on the back of his crown. He was unconscious for more than 24 hours and his head is swollen. He woke up yesterday (Fri.) morning and was finally talking by afternoon/evening. We are so thrilled. He's still tied down to the bed so he won't take out the catheter or remove all the gadgets and needles attached to him. He is sooooo hungry. He calls out as he twists "I'm going to die! I need water!" Then he'll call out "Food! I must have food!" He hasn't eaten since dinner on Wednesday. Imagine that for a growing 8 year old boy :-/ He has pneumonia as well probably from inhaling some of the fluid he'd been vomiting out so much while in his unconscious state (different from a coma).
Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. It's only from praying and fasting that he's gotten this far - and Incredible Dad and I too. It's been a tough ride. If you want to send him pictures or make a little movie for him that would be good. According to the head trauma doctor he needs familiar objects (books, toys, etc) and pictures of people he's familiar with.
Thank you so much!
Love to you all.
Incredible Mom.
Now I have changed names for obvious reasons but I really wanted illustrate how prayer has helped this family. This recovery has been a miracle. I know my family has cried and prayed and rejoiced over this past week. When we got this last update every member of my family sobbed and hugged eachother in relief. We know Mr Incredible and his family have a long road to traverse yet but it is amazing the strides he has made. My family thanks you as does the Incredibles. Keep doing what you do. More updates will follow.
Till next time
Mrs. F.
The words thank you cannot express the level of gratitude I have but they are the only words I have.
Here is where the power of prayer comes in.
From here on in the boy I told you about will be called Mr. Incredible. The Incredibles have been through so much in the past week and over the weekend we got a lovely email detailing Mr. Incredible's progress. First and foremost. He woke up. His family waited for hours before he spoke but when he did it was to say he was dying of thirst and he was starving. All very good signs. He was in fact very hungry and thirsty. He hadn' t eaten anything since before the accident.
Here is an excerpt from the email we got regarding him:
Mr. Incredible's brain bleeds have stopped. He is still in ICU until Monday, then they hope he can be moved to a pediatric bed unit in the hospital. They do not know how long he will be there since that all depends on how he responds. Incredible Mom has asked me to ask the ward members to please send her via email, a photo of those who know Mr. Incredible. They are making a slide show of familiar people, places and things on their laptop computer that can be played for Mr. Incredible over and over. They are hoping this will help with his recovery.
Incredible mom sent an update about his specific condition as well.
Wednesday night Mr. Incredible fell from the banister at the top of the stairs landing on his head at the tile floor. He has several head fractures. The worst being a long line from over one ear around to the other ear. It's not over the top like you'd wear head phones but just a little on the back of his crown. He was unconscious for more than 24 hours and his head is swollen. He woke up yesterday (Fri.) morning and was finally talking by afternoon/evening. We are so thrilled. He's still tied down to the bed so he won't take out the catheter or remove all the gadgets and needles attached to him. He is sooooo hungry. He calls out as he twists "I'm going to die! I need water!" Then he'll call out "Food! I must have food!" He hasn't eaten since dinner on Wednesday. Imagine that for a growing 8 year old boy :-/ He has pneumonia as well probably from inhaling some of the fluid he'd been vomiting out so much while in his unconscious state (different from a coma).
Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. It's only from praying and fasting that he's gotten this far - and Incredible Dad and I too. It's been a tough ride. If you want to send him pictures or make a little movie for him that would be good. According to the head trauma doctor he needs familiar objects (books, toys, etc) and pictures of people he's familiar with.
Thank you so much!
Love to you all.
Incredible Mom.
Now I have changed names for obvious reasons but I really wanted illustrate how prayer has helped this family. This recovery has been a miracle. I know my family has cried and prayed and rejoiced over this past week. When we got this last update every member of my family sobbed and hugged eachother in relief. We know Mr Incredible and his family have a long road to traverse yet but it is amazing the strides he has made. My family thanks you as does the Incredibles. Keep doing what you do. More updates will follow.
Till next time
Mrs. F.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Update and a continued request.
I just received an update a few minutes ago and I don't know if anyone is reading but I am updating because it makes me feel less useless in this situation.
Our friends son it has been determined , has several skull fractures and bleeding on the brain. He is currently sedated as they monitor his condition to determine how best to continue his treatment.
It is scarey how easily this can happen to anyone and how much they need our good thoughts and prayers. Please if you can, continue the faith chain and get the word out about this little boy. He and his family can use all our best.
Thanks
Mrs. F.
Our friends son it has been determined , has several skull fractures and bleeding on the brain. He is currently sedated as they monitor his condition to determine how best to continue his treatment.
It is scarey how easily this can happen to anyone and how much they need our good thoughts and prayers. Please if you can, continue the faith chain and get the word out about this little boy. He and his family can use all our best.
Thanks
Mrs. F.
Something bigger than you and I.
It has been far too long since I have posted. So much has happened in our lives and yet I would log on only to find it hard to post here. For a long time I didn't realize why that was but it dawned on me this morning when I received some horrifying news, that I was looking to write about something bigger and far more important than myself.
Now I love posting about my family and have been told I have a knack for humor and finding meaning in mundane and obvious things. Finding a perspective in something seemingly meaningless. All that was very fulfilling for awhile but I recently found myself turned off when faced with posting about myself. I can't explain why except that perhaps I just don't see what others can see in me.
The reason todays post has come so easily is because it is not about me. It has nothing to do with me yet I am inspired. I want to DO something. I want to spread something positive out there that maybe starts a wild fire of positive energy and love.
The story as far as I know it :
This morning I received an email giving the barest of details about a small boy in our Church family. I know almost nothing about him and his family which is sad on its own merit. This is what I know. He is around four years old give or take because as I said I don't really know. Suffice to say he is very young. Last night he fell two stories and landed on his head. As with many head injuries the extent of his injuries are not well known at this time. He was med evaced to a nearby hospital and here you and I now sit together. You know as much as I do. This family has asked for my prayers and now I ask for yours. Even if you don't pray then I ask that you do whatever it is you do when faced with crisis. Do what you do when you are faced with knowing someone who is facing an unbearable burden. Pray, sing, cry, meditate, send positive energy out into the world to aid this family. This little boy and his family will use it all.
My request to you is to simple. If you blog mention this family and their son. The only reason being to give another degree of the world a chance to do what they do on behalf of this family. If you don't blog but you email then do that. This isn't something I want to become a forward that is simply deleted before it's read. I just want as many people to touch this as possibly can. What can happen if one person prays? A miracle. Imagine what would happen if we all did? I truly believe in the power of prayer . I have seen its workings first hand. I truly believe in the power of people. I have felt their workings first hand.
There is no expectation on my part for anyone that reads this. Some people don't pray or even believe in God. This isn't about personal beliefs. I only ask that you do what you do on behalf of this lovely family. Help me start a faith chain. Whatever your faith is give a little of it to this family. They need it. I would consider this a great personal favor. Something I could never repay.
I leave this with you this morning as I look over my own children and count my immense blessings that they are safe and healthy. Imagine how it might feel to be a part of something far bigger than yourself or your own life. Parents know this feeling already. Brothers and Sisters know this feeling already. Children know this feeling already. We all do. When you are part of a family you know what it's like to have your heart walking around outside of your body. You know what it feels like to worry and wonder about a loved one. Come be a part of my family today. We are currently worrying and wondering about a loved one. Do what you do.
Mrs. F.
I will update as I get news.
Now I love posting about my family and have been told I have a knack for humor and finding meaning in mundane and obvious things. Finding a perspective in something seemingly meaningless. All that was very fulfilling for awhile but I recently found myself turned off when faced with posting about myself. I can't explain why except that perhaps I just don't see what others can see in me.
The reason todays post has come so easily is because it is not about me. It has nothing to do with me yet I am inspired. I want to DO something. I want to spread something positive out there that maybe starts a wild fire of positive energy and love.
The story as far as I know it :
This morning I received an email giving the barest of details about a small boy in our Church family. I know almost nothing about him and his family which is sad on its own merit. This is what I know. He is around four years old give or take because as I said I don't really know. Suffice to say he is very young. Last night he fell two stories and landed on his head. As with many head injuries the extent of his injuries are not well known at this time. He was med evaced to a nearby hospital and here you and I now sit together. You know as much as I do. This family has asked for my prayers and now I ask for yours. Even if you don't pray then I ask that you do whatever it is you do when faced with crisis. Do what you do when you are faced with knowing someone who is facing an unbearable burden. Pray, sing, cry, meditate, send positive energy out into the world to aid this family. This little boy and his family will use it all.
My request to you is to simple. If you blog mention this family and their son. The only reason being to give another degree of the world a chance to do what they do on behalf of this family. If you don't blog but you email then do that. This isn't something I want to become a forward that is simply deleted before it's read. I just want as many people to touch this as possibly can. What can happen if one person prays? A miracle. Imagine what would happen if we all did? I truly believe in the power of prayer . I have seen its workings first hand. I truly believe in the power of people. I have felt their workings first hand.
There is no expectation on my part for anyone that reads this. Some people don't pray or even believe in God. This isn't about personal beliefs. I only ask that you do what you do on behalf of this lovely family. Help me start a faith chain. Whatever your faith is give a little of it to this family. They need it. I would consider this a great personal favor. Something I could never repay.
I leave this with you this morning as I look over my own children and count my immense blessings that they are safe and healthy. Imagine how it might feel to be a part of something far bigger than yourself or your own life. Parents know this feeling already. Brothers and Sisters know this feeling already. Children know this feeling already. We all do. When you are part of a family you know what it's like to have your heart walking around outside of your body. You know what it feels like to worry and wonder about a loved one. Come be a part of my family today. We are currently worrying and wondering about a loved one. Do what you do.
Mrs. F.
I will update as I get news.
Friday, November 14, 2008
A special level of sick
Just a few things.
Superman and I are a special level of sick. Our new friends are:
1. Throw up bowl Superman's is pink, mine is blue.
2. Super fuzzy blanket.
3. A wind tunnel fan because it makes using Super Fuzzy Blanket more comfortable.
4. Eachother.
5. Superman made extra special friends with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies 1 and 2. I predict several times.
Soooooooo sick we two.
Superman and I are a special level of sick. Our new friends are:
1. Throw up bowl Superman's is pink, mine is blue.
2. Super fuzzy blanket.
3. A wind tunnel fan because it makes using Super Fuzzy Blanket more comfortable.
4. Eachother.
5. Superman made extra special friends with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies 1 and 2. I predict several times.
Soooooooo sick we two.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Cleaning the fryer and Lurkers.
Alright I would be lying if I said that stupid fryer hasn't been haunting me. The idea of it grossed me out entirely. The idea that someone else's who knows what was fried in there and then not cleaned is just gross. So being the brilliant, compassionate and often inspired mom that I am. I bribed Macguyver jr. to clean it. I know what your thinking , how could I let my child clean something I thought was disgusting. It was easy really. I should be clear, he was eager to earn his reward. Win win I thought. Hey when I was a kid I had to clean up after myself when I was sick because my mom couldn't. Everyone has deal breakers and aparrently old stranger grease is mine. Who knew?
So Macguyver eagerly took to the task and it came pretty clean but not without the utilization of an old electric toothbrush. Later today I will attack it with baking soda and a sand blaster. I hope that this appliance will be clean and useful to our family soon, I have a party to cater the first week of December so either I will be buying a new one or this one will come clean and do just fine for our needs.
I'm still miffed at that freecycler.
Moving onto to nicer topics it seems I have lurkers. People who read my blog but who choose to remain anonymous. I'm cool with that it tickled me to discover that I had more than a couple of readers. Or maybe my readers just check me multiple times a day? LOL. Well no matter, if I do have lurkers I want to say Hello and its nice to not meet you! I am so glad to have you and I hope you will keep coming back. And to the friends I have made here since I began, thank you for the support and kindness you have all shown me. I have found that I really love blogging but I will admit, it's nice to see that people are reading, commiserating, identifying or even disagreeing with me.
I wanted to mention that I will be soon posting pictures on my blogs, as well as pictures of my foodie creations on my foodie blog. I find that I really love reading blogs that have pictures so I decided that I wanted to add that to my little place in the blogosphere. I need to get a camera of course. Ours didn't make it out of the fire. Well thats not entirely accurate. It lasted about a year after the fire. The contractor said that anything we salvaged from the fire that was in any way electric or had small moveable parts, aka cameras, computers etc. They would be toast. Maybe not the day we salvaged them but shortly there after. Truth be told it was never quite right after the fire and it limped along for a year and then died. It is hard to not have a camera. I would love to take pictures of our daily life , especially since the fire. Photos are so precious to us now.
Anywhoo it's time for me to go. I have to put my soup on for supper. Mmmm Ham and Bean Soup with honey cornbread. Recipe to follow on Foodie Flabulosity.
Till next time,
Mrs. F.
P.S. If there are any lurkers out there that want to say hello, please do. I would love to meet you.
So Macguyver eagerly took to the task and it came pretty clean but not without the utilization of an old electric toothbrush. Later today I will attack it with baking soda and a sand blaster. I hope that this appliance will be clean and useful to our family soon, I have a party to cater the first week of December so either I will be buying a new one or this one will come clean and do just fine for our needs.
I'm still miffed at that freecycler.
Moving onto to nicer topics it seems I have lurkers. People who read my blog but who choose to remain anonymous. I'm cool with that it tickled me to discover that I had more than a couple of readers. Or maybe my readers just check me multiple times a day? LOL. Well no matter, if I do have lurkers I want to say Hello and its nice to not meet you! I am so glad to have you and I hope you will keep coming back. And to the friends I have made here since I began, thank you for the support and kindness you have all shown me. I have found that I really love blogging but I will admit, it's nice to see that people are reading, commiserating, identifying or even disagreeing with me.
I wanted to mention that I will be soon posting pictures on my blogs, as well as pictures of my foodie creations on my foodie blog. I find that I really love reading blogs that have pictures so I decided that I wanted to add that to my little place in the blogosphere. I need to get a camera of course. Ours didn't make it out of the fire. Well thats not entirely accurate. It lasted about a year after the fire. The contractor said that anything we salvaged from the fire that was in any way electric or had small moveable parts, aka cameras, computers etc. They would be toast. Maybe not the day we salvaged them but shortly there after. Truth be told it was never quite right after the fire and it limped along for a year and then died. It is hard to not have a camera. I would love to take pictures of our daily life , especially since the fire. Photos are so precious to us now.
Anywhoo it's time for me to go. I have to put my soup on for supper. Mmmm Ham and Bean Soup with honey cornbread. Recipe to follow on Foodie Flabulosity.
Till next time,
Mrs. F.
P.S. If there are any lurkers out there that want to say hello, please do. I would love to meet you.
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