Josiah Isaac
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Home's cool
20 Reasons Why We Have Decided to Homeschool
- I get to choose who by, when, how, where, my child is socialized.
- Making a deposit for lunch money is called going grocery shopping.
- God will be the driving force, the explanation, the be all, end all, Alpha, Omega, center of everything they learn. Amen.
- If the jeans have holes in the knees, they're wearable! (I'll just pull out the piles that are towering in the linen closet).
- I will know which media my children are presented with during the course of a day.
- My children will use the same manners at dinner as they do at lunch.
- Once my children know their letters, they can feel free to move on with it, already!
- Reading time can be full of enriching material (such as the Bible) rather than some meaningless Care Bears Celebrate the Holidays book.
- I can see my children's accomplishments and commend them more each day.
- We can spend more time together as a family.
- Bible reading and prayer can be an integral part of each moment of our day.
- When they're hot, they can take their shirts off.
- If they want to kiss someone...well, I'll be right there!
- Our own private bathroom - no more "stall" incidents.
- I get to learn all this stuff. (some of it for the first time - so that's where Alabama is!)
- Learning will happen each day. And I'm not talking about learning all the words to, "Sam and so-and-so sittin' in a tree".
- We can take time off to go and have fun whenever we want! And that can be educational too! (just don't tell my children)
- Rest time for EVERYONE!!! Hooray! (This quote was borrowed from Noah)
- Homeschooling is the best way for our family to communicate godly values and walking with God to our children.
- God has made it pretty clear to us that this is what He wants for our family.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
If I can do it, you can too!!
This sport is so exclusive that no one knows it's exact title.
It is, however, extremely dangerous and physically taxing.
This picture was taken shortly after his acceptance speech. As you can see, Caleb
does not care for the spotlight, barely glancing up at his admiring fans to give
a humble smile.
Noah, the second-place winner, was very
admiring of Caleb's skill and plans to continue his training. I see
him as a fearsome foe in the 2014 Olympics.
Baby sitter
"I think it's your turn to hold him, Mama!"
Isaac thought Josiah's lap was a comfy place to sit when he got tired of standing by his activity table.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Feel free to point
Things people have said to us when we're out and about with the chillen:
"Wow, you have 5 boys?!"
"You sure have your hands full!"
"You must be busy!"
"Are they twins?"
"Are they triplets?"
"Are they all boys?"
"Are they all yours?"
"Wow, what are their ages?"
"5 boys? Are you gonna try for a girl?"
"So are you done now?"
"My sister has twins."
"My neighbor has twins."
"We have twins."
"Think of the grocery bill in a few years!"
"Are they identical?"
"Do you have 2 sets of twins??"
"Your children are so well-behaved!"
"I just wanted to tell you that you're doing a great job."
"How in the world do you do it? I can barely handle my 2!"
"I can't even imagine."
"Are they always this well-behaved?"
"Were the twins a surprise?"
"Were you going for 5?"
We've had countless people stare at us, come up and say something of the above, point at us, visibly count us, share something of their own experience with kids - some in very detailed accounts - and talk audibly about us from where they're sitting.
And I've decided to just embrace it.
After all, who am I to say that this isn't exactly why God has blessed us with these children? (And we only have 5 - good grief, we're not the Duggars!) Every time we're noticed, we have an opportunity to reflect Him. If the primary purpose of each of our lives is to bring glory to God, then whenever we step out of the house and rub shoulders with the world, our every action should proclaim Him. Every contact with an individual is God's nudge on them to get close to His love. And (scarily, sometimes) WE'RE it!
I am beginning to be more bold about my responses to some of these questions and comments, but it's hard to not just give what I think of as the standard reply. I need something shocking, something fresh, something stimulating to their thinking. Something that proclaims Jesus. Both to them and to my children, who watch and listen to everything I say. Even when they pretend not to.
What would you say?
"Wow, you have 5 boys?!"
"You sure have your hands full!"
"You must be busy!"
"Are they twins?"
"Are they triplets?"
"Are they all boys?"
"Are they all yours?"
"Wow, what are their ages?"
"5 boys? Are you gonna try for a girl?"
"So are you done now?"
"My sister has twins."
"My neighbor has twins."
"We have twins."
"Think of the grocery bill in a few years!"
"Are they identical?"
"Do you have 2 sets of twins??"
"Your children are so well-behaved!"
"I just wanted to tell you that you're doing a great job."
"How in the world do you do it? I can barely handle my 2!"
"I can't even imagine."
"Are they always this well-behaved?"
"Were the twins a surprise?"
"Were you going for 5?"
We've had countless people stare at us, come up and say something of the above, point at us, visibly count us, share something of their own experience with kids - some in very detailed accounts - and talk audibly about us from where they're sitting.
And I've decided to just embrace it.
After all, who am I to say that this isn't exactly why God has blessed us with these children? (And we only have 5 - good grief, we're not the Duggars!) Every time we're noticed, we have an opportunity to reflect Him. If the primary purpose of each of our lives is to bring glory to God, then whenever we step out of the house and rub shoulders with the world, our every action should proclaim Him. Every contact with an individual is God's nudge on them to get close to His love. And (scarily, sometimes) WE'RE it!
I am beginning to be more bold about my responses to some of these questions and comments, but it's hard to not just give what I think of as the standard reply. I need something shocking, something fresh, something stimulating to their thinking. Something that proclaims Jesus. Both to them and to my children, who watch and listen to everything I say. Even when they pretend not to.
What would you say?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
A little tender loving care
Ode to a 3-year-old
I love your smile
I love your grin
I'll love you if you're fat or thin.
I love that you imagine
Things you can be
A lion, a Tigger, a doctor is he
I love your soft heart
And your gentle ways
And all the delight you bring to my days
I love your sweet voice
As you say the lunch prayer
And your love for our Lord you're starting to share
I love you even when much noise abounds
My voice, my thoughts, the drum, it drowns
I love my sweet Noah
He just turned three
I'm so glad God gave you to me!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Aren't I just the cutest little blue marshmallow?
Josiah has a new habit. He and Isaac always nurse at the same time and there has been a fair amount of hair pulling, scratching, eye poking, and the like over the past months - all unintentional of course. Well, lately, Josiah has discovered Isaac's nose, and while Isaac is blissfully eating away, Josiah will reach over and squeeze his nose shut. Which results in a meal interruption for Isaac as he stops to take a breath. So I turn to the experts. How do you stop one twin from plugging the nose of the other while eating?
Monday, December 21, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
I'm dreaming....of a xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tattling. I hear it once or twice a day (or 50 or 100 times) around here. Today at lunch, thankfully while my back was turned feeding the babies their veggies, I hear Noah whisper something to Caleb. Caleb's response is typical of all my children lately, "Noah, stop!" Add in great amounts of whiny inflection. Then, "Mo-om! Noah...(insert giggle)...Noah said white Christmas, naked people."
Uh - your guess is as good as mine.
We did just start watching White Christmas with them the other night. But as those who have seen this movie will confirm, there are no naked people involved.
Caleb: "Noah, stop saying that!"
Noah: "But I like to say it!"
Caleb: "Why?"
Noah: "Because it's FUNNY!"
Gotta give him that. There's just something about the word naked. Right? Please tell me my humor has not been influenced by my children!
Uh - your guess is as good as mine.
We did just start watching White Christmas with them the other night. But as those who have seen this movie will confirm, there are no naked people involved.
Caleb: "Noah, stop saying that!"
Noah: "But I like to say it!"
Caleb: "Why?"
Noah: "Because it's FUNNY!"
Gotta give him that. There's just something about the word naked. Right? Please tell me my humor has not been influenced by my children!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Can I get that to go?
It is a recent tradition for us to do Bible Trivia with the kids every Sunday night. A couple of weeks ago, Caleb was asked, "Where was Jesus when He was arrested?"
A few moments of silence.
"Um...the Olive Garden?"
Do you think we're maybe eating out too much?
A few moments of silence.
"Um...the Olive Garden?"
Do you think we're maybe eating out too much?
Thursday, December 3, 2009
5 years of Caleb
We celebrated Caleb's 5th birthday at the Children's Museum.
He got to bring a friend from school, so we had 4 blonde boys running around!
Happy birthday, Caleb!!
Sadly, I had to tell both Caleb and Sam what the cake was...
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Y don't you take a drink?
Noah's learned some new letters over the last couple of weeks:
I: The I is a springboard. Jump, jump, jump..."I can do it!!" as he dives off.
M: along with the man climbing the mountains, he gets to the top and digs for M&M's.
P: Can you see that big nose on this letter? Sniff, sniff. P-U!! Emphasis on the P, of course.
R: This letter is a pirate running - see his leg sticking out? And as he runs, he yells, "Arrrrrr!"
Y: I used this one with my oldest when he was learning - first, convince them that this is a fancy glass. You grab the handle, hold it out and say, "WHY don't you take a drink?" Use hand motions and always say the same thing, they'll get it.
More to come soon! He's learning fast.
I: The I is a springboard. Jump, jump, jump..."I can do it!!" as he dives off.
M: along with the man climbing the mountains, he gets to the top and digs for M&M's.
P: Can you see that big nose on this letter? Sniff, sniff. P-U!! Emphasis on the P, of course.
R: This letter is a pirate running - see his leg sticking out? And as he runs, he yells, "Arrrrrr!"
Y: I used this one with my oldest when he was learning - first, convince them that this is a fancy glass. You grab the handle, hold it out and say, "WHY don't you take a drink?" Use hand motions and always say the same thing, they'll get it.
More to come soon! He's learning fast.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Guess he's ready for macaroni
I know I've had 5 when:
*The pacifier that's been behind the crib for weeks is found, given a brief dusting, and happily given to the screaming child in the crib.
*Leftover food from my oldest are passed down through the next 2 kids until it's finally gone.
*My older child has to inform me that one of the babies is crying.
*Even after being through the laundry, the waist of my pants is still creased from the muffin-top that is my stomach.
*One kleenex is used to wipe 4 runny noses.
*If the onesie is just a little wet or just a bit poopy, it's got a lot of wear left.
*I don't bother changing my spit-up stained outfit until it's time for bed.
*Toilets get flushed at certain times of the day. One in the morning, one in the evening. Unless by some miracle, someone under 7 remembers to flush.
*I make my 2-year-old do the vacuuming.
*Sometimes french fries, tomato sauce, or onion rings qualify as a serving of veggies.
*Everywhere I turn, I see a framed picture of one of my children smiling back at me.
*I have to catch myself in the process of starting to cut up my husband's steak.
*If it doesn't smell, it's clean enough.
*Sometimes trying to come up with a name ends up sounding like family role-call.
*I gear my 7-month-old's readiness for certain solids based on what I've seen him successfully consume off the floor from under the kitchen table.
*The pacifier that's been behind the crib for weeks is found, given a brief dusting, and happily given to the screaming child in the crib.
*Leftover food from my oldest are passed down through the next 2 kids until it's finally gone.
*My older child has to inform me that one of the babies is crying.
*Even after being through the laundry, the waist of my pants is still creased from the muffin-top that is my stomach.
*One kleenex is used to wipe 4 runny noses.
*If the onesie is just a little wet or just a bit poopy, it's got a lot of wear left.
*I don't bother changing my spit-up stained outfit until it's time for bed.
*Toilets get flushed at certain times of the day. One in the morning, one in the evening. Unless by some miracle, someone under 7 remembers to flush.
*I make my 2-year-old do the vacuuming.
*Sometimes french fries, tomato sauce, or onion rings qualify as a serving of veggies.
*Everywhere I turn, I see a framed picture of one of my children smiling back at me.
*I have to catch myself in the process of starting to cut up my husband's steak.
*If it doesn't smell, it's clean enough.
*Sometimes trying to come up with a name ends up sounding like family role-call.
*I gear my 7-month-old's readiness for certain solids based on what I've seen him successfully consume off the floor from under the kitchen table.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunglasses needed
Shine the light.
"For you were once darkiness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." Ephesians 5:8
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A little of this, a little of that.
Sam had art class today. His assignment was to draw two real animals, and then an animal that results when the two are combined.
He drew a butterfly on one side of the page.
On the other side, he drew a dinosaur.
And the beautiful animal that emerged from the two?
A dino-but.
Courtesy of Sam.
He drew a butterfly on one side of the page.
On the other side, he drew a dinosaur.
And the beautiful animal that emerged from the two?
A dino-but.
Courtesy of Sam.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
N-O-A-H
I am so excited about Noah's recent progress in "school". I started doing pre-school work with him about the time the older boys started in school, so he's been working for about 6 weeks now.
And he's learned about 15 letters!
I had to come up with some new memory tricks for Noah. So I thought I'd share what I do for each letter.
A: "Up, down, and across! Hooray for A!" Fist in the air.
B: The two loops are bees wings. Bzzzzz...says the bee!
C: "See, it has it's mouth open!"
D: "DaDEE has a big tummy!" (Brian loves this one)
E: As we count the lines going out, "One, two, threeeee....Eeeeee!"
F: This was tricky. I told him it looks like a Fffflag. And then made up a little ditty. "F is for Flag. Funny, funny flag" Stress the F sound.
G: Not yet
H: He just picked this one up on his own.
I: Not yet
J: Not yet
K: Not yet
L: Lllllick. This one has his tongue out!
M: Mmman climbs a Mmmmountain. We trace the mountains with his finger.
N: Up (Voice goes up), down (voice goes down), up (voice up again). "N,n,n,n,n" (Come down a 5 note scale). It worked.
O: Make lips round like an O. This one's pretty obvious
P: Not yet
Q: Look, it has a tail! It's so CUte!!
R: Not yet
S: Sssss says the ssssnake. And it looks like a snake, too.
T: This one's really bizarre, but I only had to tell him once; See the bridge, and a ttttiger is walking across. And you know what he's drinking? T!
U: YOU could sit inside of it!
V: Not yet
W: Not yet
X: Follow with finger and say, "X it out!"
Y: Not yet
Z: Follow with finger and say, "Zzzzip up the Z!"
He has a lot of fun going through these and after a few days of getting through all the ones he knows, I'll add one or two more.
And he's learned about 15 letters!
I had to come up with some new memory tricks for Noah. So I thought I'd share what I do for each letter.
A: "Up, down, and across! Hooray for A!" Fist in the air.
B: The two loops are bees wings. Bzzzzz...says the bee!
C: "See, it has it's mouth open!"
D: "DaDEE has a big tummy!" (Brian loves this one)
E: As we count the lines going out, "One, two, threeeee....Eeeeee!"
F: This was tricky. I told him it looks like a Fffflag. And then made up a little ditty. "F is for Flag. Funny, funny flag" Stress the F sound.
G: Not yet
H: He just picked this one up on his own.
I: Not yet
J: Not yet
K: Not yet
L: Lllllick. This one has his tongue out!
M: Mmman climbs a Mmmmountain. We trace the mountains with his finger.
N: Up (Voice goes up), down (voice goes down), up (voice up again). "N,n,n,n,n" (Come down a 5 note scale). It worked.
O: Make lips round like an O. This one's pretty obvious
P: Not yet
Q: Look, it has a tail! It's so CUte!!
R: Not yet
S: Sssss says the ssssnake. And it looks like a snake, too.
T: This one's really bizarre, but I only had to tell him once; See the bridge, and a ttttiger is walking across. And you know what he's drinking? T!
U: YOU could sit inside of it!
V: Not yet
W: Not yet
X: Follow with finger and say, "X it out!"
Y: Not yet
Z: Follow with finger and say, "Zzzzip up the Z!"
He has a lot of fun going through these and after a few days of getting through all the ones he knows, I'll add one or two more.
Friday, October 9, 2009
White top, red sweater, and blue jeans
I pledge allegiance.
To the...
Flag??
Really???
Sam, with Mom's opinion in his back pocket, made the choice to abstain from saying the Pledge of Allegiance in school. Now, he says he just stands quietly and prays.
He thanks God for the country we live in.
And that's about as far as I'll go with devotion to `my' country.
Devotion to my God is a whole different story, however. I pledge Him my allegiance, weak and human as it may be. Looking ahead with joy to my true country!
Besides, have you thought lately that as far as our nation goes, we are definitely not "under God"? Maybe "beside God" or "over God". Ask Noah, he might be able to tell you - he's learning those "under, over, next to, down, below" words.
So we're also refraining from lying.
To the...
Flag??
Really???
Sam, with Mom's opinion in his back pocket, made the choice to abstain from saying the Pledge of Allegiance in school. Now, he says he just stands quietly and prays.
He thanks God for the country we live in.
And that's about as far as I'll go with devotion to `my' country.
Devotion to my God is a whole different story, however. I pledge Him my allegiance, weak and human as it may be. Looking ahead with joy to my true country!
Besides, have you thought lately that as far as our nation goes, we are definitely not "under God"? Maybe "beside God" or "over God". Ask Noah, he might be able to tell you - he's learning those "under, over, next to, down, below" words.
So we're also refraining from lying.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Your toast
We had toast with dinner the other night. Sam and Caleb each wanted one more piece and the rest of us were just finishing up, so I told them they could go and put their own bread in the toaster. As you will see, letting them help out in the kitchen is apparently a very rare occurrence.
Sam, after putting the bread in. "Now what do I do?"
Dad instructs him on pushing the lever all the way down.
They were standing side by side, gripping the side of the counter and staring at the toaster.
As I was enjoying my last bite of cheesy scrambled eggs, I heard Caleb jump up and the toast pop up at the exact same time. Sam start whining and throwing a full-blown fit about how "Caleb made the toast come out!! Caleb!! Stop!!"
"Sam, Caleb didn't make the toast come up when he jumped. It popped up on its own because it was done."
He calms down slightly but is still whiny.
"Then I get this one!" He grabs at the toast he can see - the other one is a bit shorter and hidden down a bit inside the toaster, being the end piece.
Then Caleb starts complaining and wondering where his is and when it will be done.
I take it out of the toaster.
"It's right here, Caleb."
His eyes light up.
"Hey look!" he announces to the family. "Both pieces came up at the SAME TIME!"
Aren't toasters AMAZING???!!
Time to start cooking lessons.
Sam, after putting the bread in. "Now what do I do?"
Dad instructs him on pushing the lever all the way down.
They were standing side by side, gripping the side of the counter and staring at the toaster.
As I was enjoying my last bite of cheesy scrambled eggs, I heard Caleb jump up and the toast pop up at the exact same time. Sam start whining and throwing a full-blown fit about how "Caleb made the toast come out!! Caleb!! Stop!!"
"Sam, Caleb didn't make the toast come up when he jumped. It popped up on its own because it was done."
He calms down slightly but is still whiny.
"Then I get this one!" He grabs at the toast he can see - the other one is a bit shorter and hidden down a bit inside the toaster, being the end piece.
Then Caleb starts complaining and wondering where his is and when it will be done.
I take it out of the toaster.
"It's right here, Caleb."
His eyes light up.
"Hey look!" he announces to the family. "Both pieces came up at the SAME TIME!"
Aren't toasters AMAZING???!!
Time to start cooking lessons.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Happy Birthday Olé!
My gramma celebrated her 90th birthday this past weekend!
Isn't she beautiful?
We all love her.
"And in a few weeks, it'll be your turn, daughter."
A round and a round and a round we go.
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