moving in and out

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Cabin in Heber

making Snow Cones

So now begins the work of moving everything back in. Winslow's parents were fabulous enough to come to our house and help Winslow pack up tons of our stuff and take it to their house in NM in case the fire made it into town. Now comes the fun part, putting it all back! In the mean time I've decided it's time to clear out a lot of excess clutter that is in our home. I've filled three bags so far. Pictures of the fire to come later. Thank you so much everyone for your emails, phone calls, dinners, prayers, and for all your love! We are so very blesssed

Homeschool Plans

So what I have found out with home school is...

That you can drown in the amount of info there is

Each child is different in what they like and what the need

You can spend a whole lot of money or not, depending on your likes and dislikes

And everyone home schools differently

 

I have struggled and prayed and prayed more and spent hours and hours searching thru reviews and blogs and talking to trusted and loved friends who are homeschooling their own children in order to make good decisions for our family.

So for any of you who are interested here is our plan

I am loosely following the Charlotte Mason philosophy. 

English/Grammar/Spelling is accomplished thru dictation, copywork, and memorization of scripture and classical poems. I am using Milestones English Language Lessons for the LDS Child  to accomplish this. Rachel is working on the Writing Road to Reading for Phonics and writing letters ( she is just learning the phonics cards, we aren't writing all the rules I'm not sure how in depth we'll get, but I like it.)Rachel is a game person so I have been making up games for her to play. I made flash cards for all the phonics (my book is borrowed so I needed to make my own set anyway) I plan to laminate them and then put magnets on the back so she can switch them around to make words (nonsense or real) on our white board. I have downloaded tons of phonics pdfs from K and 1st grade websites. Rachel is good to go after learning the rules once and I want her to have fun stuff she can do while I am working with Abby and Jacob.

We are using Math U See (which is a hands on planned math curriculum) Thanks Mindy for introducing this to me. Rachel has been doing the program for a little over a week. SHE LOVES IT and Jacob and Abby are itching to start!

We will be reading Classical books both individually and aloud. 

We will be studying US History and Geography ( I have a book for that too that I will be borrowing and we will learn the states and capitals but not until this fall). And reading the Doctrine and Covenants for our morning Devotional. (again in the fall) for the Summer I have printed out all the Articles of Faith and we will be memorizing 1 each week. So each morning for devotional we will talk about what the A of F means and do lessons on them.

And I am looking into science programs, but we won't do that either until the fall (we are going to enjoy as much outside time as we can!) (I have a book I can borrow from a friend called All God's Creations so we may do that.) For the summer (for science) they will each have a journal and we are doing Square Foot Gardening. They will each be in charge of a box and will need to water it, tend it, and record the growth progress of their plants, and of course they'll help harvest it too! I hope to also take them on some hikes for nature. 

We plan to do swim lessons and ride bikes to the park daily (in the morning!) for exercise. It sounds like a lot, but each child has a daily and weekly schedule that allows me individual time with each and some things we do all together. Oh... and all three are taking piano lessons. Whew! 

The only program I have had to buy was Math U See. I am very impressed with their stuff, everything else I have borrowed (MELL I downloaded the file and they copy it into their own composition book.) So we'll see how it goes and switch things around as necessary!

Each child has a tote with all their individual stuff in it (just a small tote that easily fits into the book shelf. Remember I don't have a lot of extra room!) 

For those of you who are super interested here is our summer schedule

(please note, for the summer "science" is just writing down their observations and drawing pictures of what their garden looks like, might take 15 minutes max!) Also note because we will be spending time with swimming lessons and at the park, these activities will not necessarily be all in one block of time. For example I plan to do scripture study in the morning before we play at the park, Then the first block of time may two blocks before lunch, then everything else later in the afternoon.

You may think I'm crazy, but I have to have a schedule so I don't feel overwhelmed. I may write up a totally new one in 2 weeks, but for now it helps me feel in control of my life. My kids do very well during the summer when they know what comes next. Having a schedule made all the difference for us. Plus I'm a control freak. LOL!

Monday

Rachel

Abby

Jacob

15-20 minutes

Family Scripture Memorization and Scripture Reading

20-30 minutes

Math & or WRTR

Copywork

Dictation

30-45 minutes

Reading & Comp Time

Math/English

Play with David

30-45 minutes

Handicraft/ Game or Flashcards

Play with David and Rachel

Math/ Grammar

30-45 minutes

Reading

Reading

30-45 minutes

Tuesday

Rachel

Abby

Jacob

15-20 minutes

Family Scripture Memorization and Scripture Reading

20-30 minutes

Math & or WRTR

Copywork

Typing

30-45 minutes

Reading & Comp Time

Math/Read

Play with David

30-45 minutes

Free Play

Play with David and Rachel

Math

30-45 minutes

Science

Science

30-45 minutes

Handicraft

Reading

Wednesday

Rachel

Abby

Jacob

15-20 minutes

Family Scripture Memorization and Scripture Reading

20-30 minutes

Math & or WRTR

Copywork

Dictation

30-45 minutes

Reading & Comp Time

Math/Read

Play with David

30-45 minutes

Handicraft/ Game or Flashcards

Play with David and Rachel

Math

30-45 minutes

Reading

30-45 minutes

Thursday

Rachel

Abby

Jacob

15-20 minutes

Family Scripture Memorization and Scripture Reading

20-30 minutes

Math & or WRTR

Copywork

Typing

30-45 minutes

Reading & Comp Time

Math/Read

Play with David

30-45 minutes

Free Play

Play with David and Rachel

Math/Grammar

30-45 minutes

Science

Science

30-45 minutes

Reading

Friday

Rachel

Abby

Jacob

15-20 minutes

Family Scripture Memorization and Scripture Reading

20-30 minutes

Math & or WRTR

Copywork

Reading

30-45 minutes

Reading & Comp Time

Math/Read

Play with David

30-45 minutes

Handicraft/ Game or Flashcards

Play with David and Rachel

Math/Grammar

30-45 minutes

30-45 minutes

Catching Up

Okay, I know it has been forever since I took time to catch up. This last week our computer was infected with a nasty virus and we had to wipe it all, so it's going to take me some time to put up pictures but I will try to catch up on all that's been going on.

We have been traveling nearly every weekend and although we have enjoyed our adventures, I am so excited for some time home. In December we learned Winslow's parents were going to sell some property they owned. But it involved a huge project. The amazing husband that I have has given many of his weekends to helping his parents. The kids and I were able to go with him some of those weekends and enjoy time with Grandma and Grandpa. Winslow also coached Jacob's basketball team during this time. 

I decided to get politically involved with the schools and help look for solutions to the every growing Budget issues and the need to increase the quality of our education in our schools.

I have been babysitting 4 extra kids and putting together an Etsy shop and selling custom orders every week to people just here in town. AND drumroll please, getting ready to homeschool my kids. This has been a big decision, one that has been months in planing, praying, and preparing. I am grateful for so many fabulous friends who have supported me and helped me navigate my way thru the many many many options. My kids are so excited for homeschooling to start. I believe that homeschooling is such a PERSONAL decision. Everyone I know has different reasons for homeschooling their children and each of these reasons are individual for each family and child. I would have thought you were crazy if you told me 5 years ago that I would be homeschooling. But since then I have had seeds planted that this last year grew very strongly in my heart. And I feel impressed that this is the time for me to spend with my children.

This month I have also had the opportunity to sing with an amazing singer Nancy Davis. I was very humbled when she asked me to sing with her for her father in law's funeral. And later in the month we sang for the Adult session of stake conference. 

We were impressed to go to Bryant and Audrey's baby blessing in COLORADO where we spent fun time with all of Winslow's family.

This last weekend we went to Albuquerque to the Zoo and the Natural History Museum with Abby's second grade class. Winslow's mom and his sister Evelyn (and her kids :)) came and joined us at the zoo. Ev and I spent Saturday together shopping all around town and enjoyed going to bead stores. 

And Sunday Mike and Kara came to visit us with their family. 

2 weeks from now is the Regional Dance Festival for which Winslow and I have been dance instructors for the RHUMBA for the last 2 months every Wednesday night for Mutual. 

My dishwasher has been out since Mother's Day and I've been washing dishes by hand and longing for the ease of my dishwasher ( I've lived YEARS without it, but I sure do miss it, it takes so much more time to wash it all by hand and my dry hands and tired feet are anxious for tomorow when it should FINALLY be fixed!)

We've been working hard getting our garden starts so we can plant a garden this weekend among the many house projects that have been left undone with all the traveling.

Busy Busy Busy!

Spring Break Friends

 

 

Okay so if you've already read Mary's Blog

then you have seen these pictures. But let me tell you my side of the story :)

Mary is a fabulous friend! 

It was she who reconnected with me after both of us having moved and lost contact. (we had email contact but when I was working I pretty much lost contact with the world I was so busy! Thank you to all my fabulous friends who hung in there during that year and a half!)

Mary and Jeremy came up to go camping by Big Lake and they took the time to come see us. 

Well that was all it took. Mary added me to her friends and family plan and when one of my good friends moved far to the Phoenix Valley I started calling Mary to get me thru some of those crazy moments in life. 

Mary gives me lots of inspiration to be a better mom. And she shares some of my same anxieties!!!! : ).

We have enjoyed spending time with the Saline family both at their house and at ours, Our kids actually thought they were our cousins because we spend so much time with them. They are great friends and we really enjoy their company. 

Mary and I love to play the "if we were neighbors game." Since we live so far away we know exactly what we would do if we were neighbors. Including Pepsi Runs for those days when motherhood is a little overwhelming. Dinners out just us girls. Baking, Laughing, swapping, homeschooling our children together, and much much more! But for now since we live so far apart, we pretend during our times together, that we're neighbors, till the short time together comes to an end, and then we go back to phone calls and letters and emails and blogs that allow us to enjoy being close even when we are far apart.

This year for Spring Break I desperately needed a break from LIFE!

I was totally burnt out on babysitting (I've had 9.5 hour plus days since Jan and it was taking it's toll as well as cold cold weather that had kept us cooped up inside!) I have taken on a HUGE project of helping research the 4 day school week for our district. And I was ready for no phone calls, no extra responsibilities and some R and R!

So, we planned to go down to Pima, AZ and see the Salines over the end  of Spring Break. Well, then I got a call from my Babysitting Mom and she didn't need me for the last half of the week. Poor Winslow, I left him home and got the heck out of DODGE! To Mary's house I ran, well drove. The only real tragedy was that I left my purse at home. Thankfully I brought my wallet!

Mary and I spent hours chatting and rocking on her outside rockers and we watched the kids build forts in the playhouse, swing on swings, jump on the trampoline, and even run in the sprinklers. (it was too cold for me!)

We went the to Temple and Mary made all sorts of Yummy food. Her chicken salad was the best I have ever had. We made fry bread. Mary taught me to make HOMEMADE YOGURT. We crocheted. We really did laugh so so so hard at movies. The kids had a fantastic time. No expensive theme park or grandiose trip necessary. Just good friends. good Food, and good times.

We've decided we must do it again!

Thankyou to Jeremy who watched all 10 kids while we went GIRL SHOPPING and I found the cutest pairs of pants for a steal of a deal!!!

Thankyou to the whole Saline family for putting up with us for 4 days. Thankyou to my wonderful husband who knew how much I needed the break.
I came back refreshed and ready to take on the world again.

Talented

I am so amazed by the talents of my friends. Today I will be showcasing the fabulous Talents of my good friend Mindy Kidd. Having known Mindy since I was nine I know she is extremely talented in many aspects of her life. She is a fantastic pianist, she has a beautiful singing voice, she can dance (which I've always admired, because I only aspire to dance :)), she knows how to make people feel special, she is loving, kind, and compassionate. She is a wonderful mother who spends lots of time with her children and inspires me to be a better mother. She is indeed a true friend. One of her many many talents is photography. So if you live her way (South Jordan Utah) or know anyone who does. Send them her way. She does amazing things, and captures true beauty!
Recently Mindy took some pictures for me for my crochet shop. THANKS MINDY!!!! and here are the results of her amazing work~

Miabella Portraits

(801) 707-1048

to see more of her Incredible work go here www.miabellaportraits.com

or Check out her blog:  www.miabellaportraits.com/blog

Call Today for your family, wedding, baby, any occasion pictures!!!!

A new View

I got to go to the Gila Valley Temple Friday. Amazing. Mary, Jeremy, and I all did initiatory work. The temple workers were so wonderful. I felt so strongly the powers of Heaven at work. Needless to say by the time we were through I was bawling. Such powerful blessings are bestowed upon us within these sacred walls. Every time I go to the temple I feel a renewed sense of my purpose here on earth. I want to be better. I want to refocus my life. I feel so loved. How grateful I am to be sealed to my family FOREVER!

Old Maid

So... I played Old Maid this weekend. I think it was my first time. Winslow and Jacob had gone to NM for Saturday. So it was just me, the girls, and David. It was sooo quiet! I got so much done. Washed EVERYONE's Bedding, switched out mattresses on the kids' beds, mopped floors, did a gazillion loads of laundry. Learned how to make my own games from cool new clipart. (see older posts). And played games with the girls. We had fun playing old maid. Especially after I realized there were more directions on the back of the card. Ha ha ha! It was funny to watch the kids worry about if they were going to be the last one left with the old maid. We played it again on Sunday. Jacob loved it. It's such an easy game to play.
I kind of feel like an old maid. David has energy for days and I have been so tired lately. ( Probably because i stay up so late Crocheting!)
We've also added a new addition to our house. "His name is TOBY." David named him and has refused to entertain any other ideas. So, Toby it is! He's a fun cat and the kids really love him. Winslow (not the cat lover in our family) constantly finds the cat on his lap or under his feet, vying for his attention. The cat loves him. HA!
I am so excited to finally have an ORANGE cat. I love orange cats.

It's Spring Break and we are surviving WIND! Holy wind batman! We might blow away. No JOKE! So we played games inside and did some tidying of the house and tried to call Grandma for her birthday. Tomorrow's low is supposed to be 19! Yikes, a little too chilly for me. We are excited to spend time with the Saline's and visit the Temple. And I get my piano tuned this week. YEAH!