Happy Thanksgiving

This week has been something else here weather wise. We woke up one morning to find this.

Then we went to rain and winds. One night the winds were gusting to 50 mph. We are now under flood warning and flood watch and as I type this the winds are gusting yet again at at least 30 mph.

I will take the rest of the week off with Thanksgiving here and will return again soon blogging about all our great adventures.

My prayer is that everyone has a safe Happy Thanksgiving! I also pray that those who are traveling have very SAFE travels both to their destinations and again back home. My prayers also extend to those who are less fortunate, those who may not have enough money for Thanksgiving dinners, or even housing in all this wet, cold, windy weather, or whatever weather you may be experiencing in your area, that they find warm safe shelter. 

I am very thankful for all the wonderful people who take the time to donate to the food banks, to the volunteers and churches who take the time to prepare Thanksgiving dinners, and meals year around for those in need. I also am Thankful to all the volunteers who run and operate all the different shelters for these families who so dearly need shelter this time of year. Sometimes it is easy to be judgmental and think that these people have created their own situation, chose to be homeless, when the reality may just be that with the economy, lack of jobs, broken homes, and many other unseen factors have placed them in these conditions. If you haven’t thought about it donate to your local food bank, a little can go along ways in helping those in need.

Selena’s Dentist Appointment

Yesterday Selena had her 6 month dental check-up. I was so proud of her she actually allowed them to clean and polish, well, at least the top teeth. That is a huge step for her. She is holding her report card from the Dentist in the picture above. She has no cavities and outside of a couple of areas she needs to work a little harder on when brushing her hygiene care was great. To all of our surprise she has already cut her 6 year old molars. That explains all the extra hand in mouth and everything else she gets her hands on. I never expected she was cutting molars yet. I am very proud of the job she has done taking care of her teeth, as well as how brave she was at the Dentist.

I am so thankful for all the men and women who choose to specialize in the care of children’s medicine and dental. It is so nice to know that when I take Selena to the Doctor or to the Dentist she is going to be treated with a level of respect that she deserves as a child.

Saturday and Good Friends

I had plans to do a lot around here at home while I had Papa at home to help on Saturday. Friday night though my dear friend Jean, called and asked me to go to the Mall in Olympia with her. She just had bypass surgery the first of October and this is the first time she has been out. Her daughter Tammy decided to join us. It was such a blessing not only to get a break away myself and be in such great company, but also to see Jean go to town and to actually walk almost the entire length of the Mall after all she has been through. She truly is an inspiration considering in the last two years she has gone through a stroke, knee surgery, a heart attack, eye surgery, and now this triple bypass surgery. It seems like nothing but nothing keeps her down even at the tender age of 80 years young.

When I got home Papa was already fixing Selena her dinner. I am so thankful that he understands my need to get out and his willingness to jump right in and take my place while I am not here. I don’t ask to get away very often, so it is always so special when I do, that he never complains or asks me not to go.

After Selena ate her dinner suddenly I heard the piano. Now we have tried to deter her from playing on the piano, since this one belongs to our landlord. I couldn’t resist though letting her just play for a while, since she wasn’t pounding on the keys.

 

I just love her posture while sitting at the piano, the way she tries so hard to make her fingers work on the keys, and the look of concentration on her face while she tries to read the music. I have a feeling that come next year we will look for a piano teacher and get her some lessons.

You might be wondering what happened to our piano from our other house, simply put the estimate we were given to have it worked on was way more then we felt the piano was worth. For the amount they wanted we could easily go and buy her a very nice key board. The fact that this piano was to stay in the house, and I didn’t need two pianos, we allowed our landlord to do what he wanted to do with the other piano. I am not sure if he found someone to buy it, put it in storage or what he did with it.

Saturday was a very good day, spending time with such good friends, coming home to find things in order, knowing that Papa and Selena had some quality time together, then to finish my day off watching as Selena once again showed just how passionate she is for music. To think she has so many options, from the piano, a flute and a clarinet, I wonder if she will choose just one, or be like her mother and absorb all the musical instruments and learn as much as she can about them all. Yes, her mother does have an ear for music and while everyone told us she would never learn to play a musical instrument due to her learning disability, she surpassed all their expectations and learned to play several instruments. Too bad she didn’t keep up with her passion.

I am truly thankful for good friends, and my family who fill my heart with so much joy and love.

What A Thursday

For some odd reason Selena was up through out the night Wednesday night. I think the storm we had probably kept her awake even though she said it didn’t. I guess some night I will have to go in and see how the winds sound in her bedroom. I am wondering if she doesn’t get more noise, since the stairs to the attic are in her room. Anyway we didn’t get much sleep.

We took our baths this morning. I had just been in and checked on Selena, while she was taking her bath. I ran out and threw some laundry in the dryer, came back in and went back in to check on Selena. Guess what I found, she had a 1/2 inch of water on the bathroom floor. It was slowly creeping to the half way point of the bathroom floor. You can see in the below picture the bathmat shows the line to which the water stopped.

The water surrounded the toilet and was making it’s way around the sink cabinet. I don’t know what she did other then maybe thinking she was washing her hair and pouring water over head only to miss and poured the water out of the tub. I never heard any extra splashing, so I am guessing that was what happened. While I had to mop up that water, I thought this would be a great time to deep clean the bathroom as well. I still have some shelves on one wall to get in and clean. This weekend that can be a project that Papa can help me with.

It took me two days to get all the way through my kitchen. While I adore our Landlord, he isn’t the best when it comes to cleaning a place up before renting it. Some might say “Men” for you, I don’t know if that is it, or if he is just so busy he doesn’t think about all the hidden areas that should be cleaned. Anyway I finally made my way through the entire kitchen. Only one window that needs the mini blinds taken down and cleaned, then the valence can be rehung.

Believe me my kitchen is huge, and while it took me two days to make my way through it, I am sure thrilled with the cleanliness, it almost looks like a whole new kitchen, all fresh and calling out to Thanksgiving dinner to be cooked and served.

Now that is two rooms done, with 5 more rooms to do. While at times I think of how much work goes into the major cleaning of a big house, it is all worth it. I will say one thing I sure find a large home easier to keep clean then I do a small house.

Notice my Kitchen Aide Mixer….Do you know I haven’t used this in 7 years? That is right this was just one more piece of kitchen that was in storage as I had no place for it in my other house. I have already showed Papa this item I would love for Christmas just for my mixer and all the tools I have that go with it.

I am truly thankful for the ability to take care of our home. The ability to keep it clean, and the grace and peace that I get from doing so. We can all grumble and mumble about having to do housework, though if we remember it truly is a special gift just to have a home to clean, a home to keep us warm, and a family to share this home with, it can definitely make the job seem a little easier to get in and just do. To me there is nothing better then the freshness of a totally clean home.

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal #22

In my life this week…

This week began with some of the coldest weather we have had in a long time. I didn’t even want to leave the warmth of my home since it was so cold outside. With that being said, I decided it was time to start the Autumn deep cleaning in our home. This is a task that I know needs to be done, could put it off as long as I possibly can, but I know just how good I feel when it is all finished, that in itself gives me the incentive to get in and get it done. It is going slower then I would like, but hey this is a large house, there is a lot more to clean. To think I use to be able to get all the deep cleaning done in a couple of days in our little house, well, it took me two days just to get through my entire kitchen. I still have 6 more rooms to do. The laundry room can wait until Spring, since it is a room off my back porch with no heat source.

This week also brought on a new stress, of discovering that some not so good people are casing the property up here for things they can steal. Believe me there is plenty of pricey items that the landlord has up here that one with the wrong intentions would love to get. We finally put the puzzle together as to who it is, when one came to our door asking permission to help himself to the scrap metal in the field. The owner and I have been working closely to prevent if not catch these people. They do not know who they are dealing with when it comes to our owner, let’s just say there is a huge connection with the local police department and leave it at that.

In our homeschool this week…

While I have been so busy cleaning, Selena has been free to play and learn at her leisure. The only constructive learning that we have expected was continuing to work on her AWANA verses and reading. To think my little one is now reading her verses from her own Bible is wonderful.

I am inspired by…

A dear friend of mine, who after having so many health related issues including a triple bypass surgery, she just never gives up.

My favorite thing this week was…

Watching how well Selena could keep herself so entertained while I was so busy. Also knowing that she is so happy with our decision to visit this new church and how happy she is to have 4 other children from AWANA in her Sunday school class.

Things I’m working on…

Truly getting my place ready for the Winter ahead of us and the holidays.

I’m cooking…

We’ve, Selena and I have been taking time to do a lot of baking, even in the chaos of cleaning. We are gearing up for that wonderful Thanksgiving dinner that will be cooked in our kitchen again this year.

I’m grateful for…

Good health, to think a few years ago there would have been no way I could have kept up with the duties that I have in this home. Sometimes this is something we take for granted until we face something like cancer, that zaps everything out of us. Believe me from here on out I will never take my health for granted again, just knowing that I now have the energy to do so much and truly care for my home and my family is such a blessing.

I’m praying for…

Everyone to have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Reading

Even with two handbooks Selena is just surpassing all expectations in her AWANA work. To slow her down just a little bit we have been making her look up the verses in the Bible, and read them from there.

She still stumbles a bit with finding some of the books but once in the book she is quickly able to find the verse. She of course has to make sure the verse in the Bible says the same as it does in the handbook.

I came up with this idea last Sunday when we came home from church and Selena had to show me what they learned in Sunday school. I then helped her find what we learned in service. She read the words from the Bible so well, it truly surprised both of us.

While at times Selena tries to make us believe she isn’t able to read certain books, we know she can. I love how her reading is just exploding this year. Now if only she would start writing.

I am truly thankful that Selena has such a desire to learn.

Gratitude Challenge

Today November 16, 2011, as I drove home from town this evening and passed the fire station, I realized how thankful I am for all the fine men and women who sacrifice it all to protect us. From the Police, State Patrol, Sheriff, and Firefighters, they are out on the front line in our towns and cities every day making our world a safer place to live. Thank you to all who serve so faithfully.

Cleaning Day Maybe?

Today I spent the day cleaning. I decided it was time to wash all the sheers and valences in the kitchen and living room. Of course you know this meant some extra deep cleaning to be done. I busied myself and Selena would pop in long enough to hold the step stool, watch me sweep the floors then mop them. In the meantime though she pretty much kept herself busy. You would hardly even know she was here at times. Now though I have one more room that truly needs some TLC before bedtime.

You just have love it when you are busy deep cleaning one section of the house and in another section is being lived in with pure joy.

I am thankful for the fact that I am able to provide Selena with everything she truly needs to be a happy self entertaining child.

AWANA Sunday/Gratitude Challenge

One of the nice things about living in a small town is the fact that throughout the community friends are not far away. From the time that we moved here we reached out and became friends with many people. This has proven to be a very valuable resource for us as we raise Selena. Through these friends we are able to easily find all the activities that we desire for Selena to be involved with.

With yesterday being AWANA Sunday, we chose to go to the church where Selena goes to AWANA. Makes sense since at our little church she is the only one in AWANA. This church holds a lot of fond memories for us, from the friends we have met in this church to the fact that Selena was dedicated in this church as a baby.

Selena dressed in her vest and was thrilled to discover a Sunday School class with many of her friends from Cubbies. She had a lot of fun in Sunday School and was able to tell me all about the bible lesson. It felt good for Papa and I to sit in on the Adult Sunday School class, without knowing there were other pressing things robbing our attention. It’s been a long time since I myself have sat in on an Adult Sunday School class.

They had all the AWANA children do something special through the beginning of the service, and also they sponsored the coffee hour after church. Selena enjoyed greeting all the people and handing out bulletins before church. After the singing she chose to join many of her friends and the younger children to go watch a movie instead of sitting through service. It was nice to see how comfortable she was at the church, normally Selena is not one to leave our sides or stray too far from where we are. Not that she is shy by any point but she has always had a little problem with attachment issues.

I haven’t said too much, but there have been issues at our little church, and an underline of tension. We had decided that we needed to take a break and visit somewhere else for a while. The tensions were beginning to penetrate within our home and in all that we tried to do. With a desire to breath life into what appears to be a dead church, trying to get activities that will help grow the church, only to have ideas fall on deaf ears, or all one’s work be cancelled by someone who will not step up with any reason why these things needed to be cancelled. We grew tired, we watched families come to never come back, families try to just leave. I took my position serious, poured love and attention to what I heard many wanted to see, only to end up with nothing. It is bittersweet, but all I know right now is that 2 hours today I felt all this tension GONE. At this point we know we will be visiting at this church and am unsure what will be down the road. Will we return to the church we have considered our home church? At this point that is undecided.

I am thankful for one of the joys of small town life, the fact that friends come from all areas within the small community. They are always there, no matter the season of life you might be going through. With love and tenderness, they are always happy to have you join them in fellowship.

Gratitude Challenge

Today November 13, 2011 I am grateful for wonderful landlords/friends. Sometimes it isn’t easy to find great landlords when one is renting. I feel very fortunate that 7 years ago when we moved here we ended up renting from this family. They have so many times gone out of their way to see that our homes have been in well repair and comfortable. I am truly thankful that while some landlords are only concerned with the rent they receive from their property, that our landlords (brother and sister) truly desire for their tenants to be happy in their homes.

Gratitude Challenge

Today on November 12, 2011, I am grateful for the ability to serve, comfort, and assist dear friends. How many times in our lives do we know of a friend who might be ill, under the weather, just home from the hospital, or struggling with problems. We talk to them on the phone, but to truly take the time and go, in person, talk with them, assist them with a house hold chore, take in a meal, run an errand for them, just truly be there with all our focus, love, and prayers on them. So many times we go through our days and while we know our friends are hurting, or sick, we tell them we will pray for them, but we are so busy that is as far as it goes. Try reaching out, truly reaching out in person. They get something, and you come away feeling truly blessed just for being there for them. I am thankful for the ability to serve my friends.

Gratitude Challenge

Today November 11, 2011 I am grateful for all the fine men and women who have served our country. For those who have so freely sacrificed so much for our freedom. They deserve to be thanked not only today but every day. Have you taken time to thank a Veteran today? 

Awana/Gratitude Challenge

Last night was pajama night at Awana. Selena worked very hard all week as she had missed the week before due to illness. She had memorized 6 verses, and had to recite 18 (many the same) review verses. She would have earned 3 awards, but since we hadn’t done the official handbook work, I didn’t sign off on two of the sections. She was ever so thrilled when at the end of the evening she was handed her awards.

It is hard to see but she did earn the large Jumper patch for her second handbook, and her first lamb patch from her first handbook. I was very proud of her, that was a lot of work on her part.

I had to go into this evening with a chuckle though, because of the time change as we were eating dinner it was getting darker and darker outside. Selena insisted in fact she broke down in tears just positive that we were late for Awana, and that she was missing out on story time and game time. Poor thing, no matter how we tried to explain this to her and showed her the time on the clock, she just couldn’t get over the fact that since it was dark she was missing Awana.

When we got home Selena had quite a fit. They had made large pictures of themselves. She was so proud of her art work, that she couldn’t wait to get home and show Papa. Then she wanted it displayed over her mirror in the bedroom before she would go to bed.

Today on November 10, 2011 I truly am very happy for a wonderful Awana group. Though it is hard work, chasing 16 3 and 4 year olds around, I have to say I assist the best team ever when it comes to working together and providing a safe and fun environment for these children. The director is excellent, and is truly a blessing to suggest having Selena work out of two handbooks, and to take her time to take Selena to do her verses out of the second one. I am truly thankful that we found this group.

You & Your Blog/Gratitude Challenge

I found this new meme at Homegrown Learners, the idea came from Finding Joy, the idea is to take a picture of the things you are passionate about. Of course you know I am passionate about many things, but to take pictures of all of that would be a never ending job. Since we bloggers are all passionate about our blogs, the idea is to take a picture of you and your blog. Now how could I resist having Selena take a few pictures of me with the one thing that I do everyday. Is that passion or what?

When I started my blog I had no direction, then suddenly I was introduced to an entire world of blogging mom’s, homeschoolers, and friends. I have had those times when blogging has seemed more like a job then the joy that I want out of it. It is at those times I have to step away or just rethink about what I am blogging about. This brings me right to a post I had scheduled for later in the week, but have chose to share it with this.

Today on November 9, 2011 I am so thankful for this little face, after all she is the inspiration for my blog.

I am sure my readers have noticed that the content on my blog has been changing here lately, why? See that precious picture of my dearest Selena, well as her reading ability has advanced, and as she approaches a new time in her life, she is becoming more aware of what I am blogging. She sits at my side for the most part and reads everything I type.

Of late she has asked me such questions as:

• Do you have to write that?
• Do you have to post that picture?
• Will you write about this?
• Will you take pictures of this and post them?

You see my blog is becoming a collaborate piece of work between a granddaughter and her grandmother. She doesn’t want certain things wrote about, or certain pictures shared. Out of respect for her I have had to put a lot of thought into my blog. I want Selena to know that I respect her the way that I want her to respect me.

While I truly desire my blog to be about our adventures in homeschooling as much as I desire to support, and encourage others who are homeschooling, I am taking more time to consider what I post. Will you still get updates on what we are doing, of course you will, but they will be Selena approved. Will you still get to see pictures of Selena as we go through this process, of course you will, but they will be Selena approved.

On the days that Selena doesn’t want information about her posted you can expect to see more about the life of her grandmother. I will share tips about saving time and money or things that have been successful for me. I will also share my feelings, desires, as well as give encouragement. I am not sure how this will change the feel of my blog, but I believe from the day that I started blogging about our homeschool adventures I knew this day would come when Selena would be a larger part of my blog.

Winter will be difficult at times, especially since I am not much of a winter person, but we do have the holidays upon us which I will be sharing with all of you. I am making a lot of plans for all the new possibilities since we now have so much more room and property to work with come Spring and Summer.

I just ask that you hang in there with us while we move from this format which use to be Grandma driven to a format of working as a team, a new Granddaughter and Grandmother driven blog. It is going to be a ride, but one that I am embracing and truly looking forward to. I know it will be a lot of fun for both of us, and hope that it will be everything that I hope it to be for you my followers.

I am truly thankful for this new adventure with Selena as my co-author, so to speak. For this time to arrive, is such a blessing, as it truly is a reflection of the beautiful, bright, and sensitive little girl that I love ever so dearly.

Gratitude Challenge

Today November 6, 2011 I am so thankful for the opportunity to catch up with one of my favorite nephews. We may live miles away but when we connect and talk it is just like we were kids again laughing, joking, truly being best friends.

A Child’ Imagination

Today November 8, 2011 I am thankful for the imagination of a child. Who else can create a sandwich out of her favorite hoppy and an egg carton and enjoy eating it too?

All because Papa was teasing her trying to trade her an egg carton for her hoppy. She agreed at first only to discover she had the short end of the deal. She quickly tried to get Papa to exchange the two again and upon him telling her no she quickly stole hoppy away. Then Papa came up with the idea of putting hoppy inside the egg carton. Next thing we knew Selena’s imagination took off, from putting her sandwich in an imaginary refrigerator, to then pulling it back out to eat it.

I am so thankful for the imagination of a child which always seems so endless and sees no boundaries in her creativity.

Our Weekend/Gratitude Challenge

 

We had a pretty quiet and relaxing weekend. We haven’t used our felt board in a couple of years now, so I thought Selena would have fun just playing around with the letters and enjoy something that seemed rather new. She played for hours with it, attempted to spell many words. Suddenly she came running into the living room with the A and announced, “This is the bad news.” I asked her what the verse from Awana said about that and she recited, “All have sinned.” She ran back to the table to come back in with the C. She announced, “This is the good news.” Again I asked what verse it represented, she proudly recited, “While we were sinners, Christ died for us.” She then returned to the table to set up this little display to explain it all to Papa.

Selena and I did break away a bit on Sunday afternoon for a little shopping. We wanted to put together a care package for our daughter and grandson. We picked out two cute outfits for Jr. got him some spoons, tooth brushes, (since he is getting a mouth full of teeth) and his first sippy cup. We came home we went through the Christmas ornaments and I found all the ornaments that we had bought for Kristi from the day she was born, then a few I seldom use along with some decorations and a couple of Christmas stockings. That was one of Kristi’s concern was if she got a Christmas tree what would she do for decorations. She has no idea all this is coming, Merry Early Christmas!

Selena had some of her own money to spend. While we in no way gamble in this home, Selena made the mistake of telling Papa that she bet him that St Louis would win the World Series. Papa being a Texas fan, took her up on the bet and set the anti at $10.00. I guess you know when the World Series was over we had one very happy little girl running around in her way too small pajamas the neighbor gave her doing a victory dance.

I asked her one question,”What are you going to spend your money on?” She simply answered a wallet to keep my money in. She picked out her wallet and a matching purse today, not realizing by the time she paid for them she no longer had any money left to put in her wallet. We quickly took care of that when we got home, not the same amount but a little money for her wallet.

I am thankful for quiet relaxed time with my family.

Gratitude Challenge

Today November 5, 2011 I am feeling very thankful for friendships. Even after 30 years, I have some of the most wonderful friends from High School still in my life. Though we may now live separated by miles the communication still continues. I have been blessed with many friendships, but I do believe that these friends that at one time we seemed to share everything, and now are still a constant in my life is a true blessing.

Gratitude Challenge

Today on November 4, 2011 I am very thankful for my family. My husband, who works so hard to provide for us, but mostly he is so supportive in our homeschool venture, and to my needs. He truly completes me.

This picture seems like it was taken only yesterday, though it was taken on our Wedding day 13 years ago.

My daughter, who has always been the joy of my life from the time she was born. Though we have watched her go through some very difficult times in her life and times when she has made some poor choices, she is still my first born and very dear to my heart.

Her family, including our grandson, Jr.

My son, who has been independent from day one, yet always remained a little bit of a mommy’s boy. I am so proud of all that he has accomplished in his young years. He has turned in one fine young man.

My son, Selena and myself a year ago.

Then there is our sweet little Selena. Her curiosity for life, love of learning, and her constant desire to imitate me brings such happiness and excitement to my life.

Selena enjoying her new world.

Of course there are my three brothers, that I love dearly. They have always been a huge part of my life and always will be. My sister, though she is no longer with me, was a great foundation for me in my younger years. Then of course my Mom and Dad who worked so hard all their adult lives to provide a warm home and all that we needed.

My list could go on, but I will just say that with 14 Aunts and Uncles, truly provided many cousins. Then of course there are my Grandparents who I love and miss dearly as well.