In with the New

No more pretending to press a piano pedal.

No more pretending to touch extra keys.

No more downloading a metronome app on the ipad to keep the beat.

No more wobbly, uneven keyboard.

We finally bought a Digital Grand!  The girls never really complained about what they had, but we've known we've needed one for a while.  They were struggling to play their songs because they didn't have enough keys or a pedal.  Now they look forward to practicing, and they sound beautiful! They have a musical in May and they are playing a duet of Annie, "Tomorrow."  Can't wait.  So far, Erika and Emily are taking lessons, eventually Ellie will end up taking some kind of musical lessons, just haven't figured out what yet.  I'm picturing her holding an electric guitar, or just rocking the stage with her voice. 

                          Having fun on our snow days with the piano boxes.  

Math- good times!

Em and math.  She loves it, thank goodness, because Erika can't stand it.  thankful they balance each other out.  Emily pulls it out first thing in the morning and is finished and has it graded before I get home from taking Ellie to school.  Erika on the other hand, groans, whines, cries, and pulls her hair out and then is bribed to do her math.  Thank goodness, there is a DVD with a teacher to help teach the concepts so Erika isn't yelling at me.  

Here's Em using math to make rectangles to find factors.  She is excited because she was doing double digit multiplication that was getting pretty hard for her because she doesn't have her multiplication facts memorized.  A new lesson, a fresh attitude.  that's what it's all about.

Wrestle Time

I can't believe these pictures.  The last time I took pictures of them wrestling was about 4 years ago when we were on vacation in Miami, Florida.  I distinctly remember it because they are some of my favorite pictures. Now the girls are big and they are all grown up.  They don't fit on the bed where they used to wrestle, and sadly, Em wasn't here tonight to wrestle with them.  somehow, I got in on the match and Erika is as strong as I am.  Really, maybe stronger, with my broken elbow that won't heal.  Still, a memory.

Teaching my Children

There's so much in life to teach my girlies.  The curriculum is endless.  I came across this recently and added some of my own.  Some I can even hear my Mom saying to me.  Here are a handful of basics I hope they carry with them:

You can't change people.

Men like it when you ask them to open the jars.

Make lists.  Lots of them.  And check them off as you get them done.  It feels good.

If you're in a contest, you have to find a way to be different than everyone else.  

Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone.

It's just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor one, Elizabeth.  (this one made me smile)

In a fire, cover your mouth and nose with your T-shirt while you crawl out.

When someone is drowning, don't jump in after them.  find a branch.  

Life is too short.  go for it.

There are plenty of great colleges within a three hundred mile radius from home.  

Talk. Communicate.  Let others hear your voice.  

About Me.

I never thoughtt I'd be married to my teen age crush, the mother of three girls ages 6, 9 and 11 or be a stay-at-home mom and be homeschooling.   In my former life, I was a Type A, first born, A student who became a kindergarten teacher as an adult.  And now here I am. 

My life is full of personal growth and a determination to focus on the positives in life even when I'm trying to make lemons at every turn.  And my story is far from over. 

Being a mom to our children is one of my most prized roles.  Parenting is my passion.  I have other passions, too.  Like loving my husband, living my life for Jesus, and keeping family and friends as my priority. 

I'm a work in progress. I'm trying to figure out life, one day at a time.  This is my life.  My blog.  At least the parts I choose to share. 

When someone learns that we homeschool their typical responses are "WOW!" or "I could never do that!" On very rare occasions I receive comments about the big "S" word (socialization) or about testing.  Then of course there are the people that are very interested in why we homeschool.  there is of course no quick and easy answer to this question.  It just works for us.  for now.  We will take it year by year.  The path that God has taken me has taught me not to worry about tomorrow.  It's in His hands.  It all works itself out. 

I look at homeschooling as a lifestyle, an extension of my parenting, not purely an educational choice.  I am not always as patient as I would like to be but children often bring out the best and the worst in us.  I have enjoyed seeing that light bulb go off when they get something.  I love knowing just where they're at and what kind of learner they are.  I've enjoyed truly learning about the girls and who they are as people.  I am forever in awe at how amazing the human brain is and how my children think and learn. 

My children teach me something new every day and I wouldn't trade this time with them for anything.  I am thankful I am able to stay home, as that is not the case with so many of my friends.  I think the biggest lesson homeschooling has taught me is to slow down, cherish each moment because children grow so fast and to just enjoy each phase. 

Air Smooches

Daddy was gone this week after he'd been home the last couple weeks for Christmas. We missed him lots.  Here's Ellie sending air smooches to Daddy.  We're a smooch-y bunch. 

Ellie.  You've gotta love her.  She'll make you laugh.  And cry.  And I am so thankful she's mine.  Just go ahead and say a prayer for me now.  And tomorrow.  Because she's Ellie.

I love my time alone with her driving to school.  She isn't afraid to ask me anything and we talk about a lot.  For a 6 year old.  Like recess, and kids in her class who go to red everyday (that's bad...), fires, daddy, she shares favorite books she's read.  And lots more, you name it.

In the beginning of the year, she rode the bus to and from school, but was riding for over 2 hours and 15 minutes a day.  She wasn't getting home until quarter til 5, and all she talked about was the big 5th graders that got in trouble that got to sit up front with her.  Needless to say, I take/pick her up now.  I wouldn't trade it for the world.

When she started school, she had a difficult time.  A really hard time.  She would cry for hours at night, crying herself to sleep, praying for me to keep her home with me and her sisters.  She visited the nurse's office several times a week, and they quickly figured her "home" sickness out, giving her little sympathy. 

Each morning I sent her off to school, we would kiss each other's hand and she would hesitantly walk into school, looking back at me with those big brown eyes, several times.  I would ask myself, what was she thinking right now?  Does she get hugs from her teacher?  Is she smiling lots at school?  We never dreamed she would have these difficulties, because she is such the social butterfly and always wanting to go, go, go!  

She slowly adapted to the long day and looked forward to going to school each day.  We still exchange kisses on our hands to get each other through the day, and she still glances back and smiles at me.  With a little wave and sometimes she would even blow me a kiss as the traffic guard would shoo her on. 

The last couple times I've noticed she hesitated to kiss me in the van before she hopped out, and would be looking outside to make sure no one was passing by when she kissed me.  This morning, she looked at me and pecked me quickly on the cheek and hopped out.  And looked back maybe once.  You might think this is a good thing, but I'm struggling with it.  No more little girl.  I'll just have to sneak kisses in her sleep.  Whenever I can.  Because her kisses are the best.  :)

Winter Fun

Paper Engineering at our co-op

Lunch at Ellie's school

Helping Papaw snow blow our driveway, kinda (see ellie, walking behind?)

Sadie licking off Ellie's snowblowing venture

Papaw filling in for daddy and playing wii mario cart for the first time EVER!

Builiding at COSI

Cookie Swap

It has become an annual tradition for the last four years to pick a couple favorite cookie recipes, bring all the ingredients we need, and bake lots of goodies together! The kids come and go to help in shifts, as they are also happy to play together.  After dividing up our cookies, we have tons to sample on for the next couple weeks.  Yum!