THAT HORRIBLE "V" WORD DEBATE...

I read this book almost cover to cover in 2 days, and I would HIGHLY recommend reading it. I also had this really long post written with my thoughts on it all, but lost it all when I went to post it....hmm... anyway, I'll try to get some of my thoughts written again, but it might be a while. I did want to recommend this book, however. It gives OODLES of information on everything you would want to know about vaccines from an un-biased perspective. I found it very helpful!

SIX WEEKS OLD TODAY!

He's eating well, sleeping well and I even feel like he's somewhat on a schedule! I cannot express how thankful I am for his life. What a blessing! Thank you, Lord!

FROM TEARS TO ENJOYMENT

Finding a Language Arts curriculum that Myah actually enjoys has been one of the biggest challenges for homeschooling...until now. In the past, we've done more workbook style lessons in this subject area, which did not fit her learning personality well at all to say the least. Though we aren't very far into the book, Primary Language Lessons has been something she has been eager to do and in her own words, "I like it much MUCH better!"

Here is a blurp from the back cover:

"An experienced teacher of the early twentieth centery, Emma Serl recognized the two things necessary for teaching proper English: capture the child's interest and drill, drill, drill. PLL is a drill book, but with a difference. Imaginative lessons and short, jargon-free instructions for teachers make it a pleasure for both student and teacher -- especially when the teacher is a home schooling mom."

"It makes liberal use of writings by the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson and Samuel Taylor Coleridge as well as fables, folklore and maxims. It also uses reproductions of prominent paintings... it helps train children in art appreciation as well... The exercises cover proper English usage, composition, punctuation, memorization, speaking, letter writing, dictation, reading, and etiquette in writing.... The best results in the use of good English come from continued practice on correct forms rather than from the learning of many rules."

Not to mention, this book is full of nature-related material! Lesson 1 included a section of a painting by Landseer titled "PIPER AND NUTCRACKERS". It has 2 squirrels eating nuts in the hollow of a tree with a little bird watching. All she had to do was answer 10 questions about the picture, but I was amazed at how much "language arts" material this assignement covered.

Whew! I think we finally found our fit!

SCHOOL

Well, we have officially started. We did two days last week, and I'm hoping to get 3 days in this week. Next week we are traveling, but I do plan to do some school while we're gone as the kids and I will be in a hotel room quite a bit. Last week was very difficult and I wondered how on earth I was going to get through this year, but today went much better and I was able to see how it just might be possible. The difference? I was organized! I spent yesterday getting caught up on housework and laundry and last night preparing for today. I had all my copies made, read through my lessons and had piles of books organized for each kid on the table this morning when they woke up. If only I could always be that organized! The thought has crossed my mind to take Mondays off from school to get caught up regularly. I think it would make the rest of the week much better, but I'm not sure I can get all our school in 3 days per week and meet the required hours for the state. We already have Fridays off to go to Billings. It is something I am considering, however, or at least keeping that day very light.

One thing that is working VERY WELL this year is that Myah is spending about 30-60 minutes each morning with Kiana. It allows Kiana to feel like she's a part of school and she is really learning a lot from their time together. I have a list all laid out for Myah of what to do with her each day and she just goes through the list. This gives me time to work individually with Joel on his stuff and when he has his math and phonics/reading done, we do Bible and science all together. After that, I have time to work individually with Myah on the rest of her subjects before she does her independent work. When Aden isn't napping, he is usually sitting in his bouncy observing Kiana writing her letters and counting. He's getting a very big head start on this learning thing! :)

It's a crazy schedule, so pray for us when God brings us to your mind!

A DAY OFF WITH GOOD FRIENDS FOR SOME GOOD FISHING

We are so thankful God has brought some great Christian friends into our lives out here. There is nothing more a wife could want for her husband than to have good godly men for her husband to hang around with. I'm thankful for these families in our lives. No one deserved a day off more than Evan. He has been working so hard for so many months now, I'm glad he got a day of fun with the boys. (Just wish I could have joined him!) We are also blessed to live very close to a world class blue ribbon trout stream, where people all over the world come to fish. This same day the guys went fishing, VP Dick Chaney was also on the river. He fishes it often. Enjoy the pics!

Aaron & Evan



















Mark got the award for the day!

THINKING BACK A BIT

Aden's birth has been very special to me for more reasons than just the normal joy of giving birth. I think it has a lot to do with losing Josiah 1-1/2 years ago. (To read my story, go to Jan. 2007 archives.) Today I was going through a bunch of stuff, and found the book I put together with all our memories of him. I just cried, of course. It's amazing how raw those feelings are even after this much time has gone by. I read through some e-mails & cards, but what got me most was my journaling. I am so thankful I wrote as much down as I did. It was such an amazing way to process things and grieve. Even reading through it all today was healing as I was able to see how I've grown through the experience and the time that has gone by. Aden has not replaced him by any means, and that was very obvious with my emotions today, but I am so thankful to have him in my arms. He is my sunshine behind the dark clouds I experienced for what seemed like a very long time and I praise God for him. He is another precious blessing from God!

One thing that I don't think will ever change is how difficult it is to answer when people ask me how many kids I have. I don't want to leave Josiah out of the bunch, as he is definitely one of my children, but sometimes it's still painful to bring up that I have 5 kids and then have to explain how we lost one. One thing I did have instilled even deeper into me is how each child is such a blessing from the Lord. No matter how long we have with them, no matter how difficult or easy they are, God has a plan for each one. I am thankful for each and every blessing he passes our way and am so eager to see God's faithfulness in their lives and see how He uses them for His kingdom purposes.

EASY DINNER TONIGHT!

CHICKEN STIR FRY
4 chicken breasts
3 Tbsp. Corn starch
2 Tbsp. Soy sauce
½ tsp. Ginger
¼ tsp. Garlic powder
3 Tbsp. Oil
2 C. broccoli
1 C. celery
1 C. carrots
1 small onion
(I use whatever veggies I have on hand)
1 C. water
1 tsp. Chicken bouillon (I use a different chicken flavoring I get from Costco -- it works too, w/ less sodium.)

Cut chicken into ½ in. strips; place in ziplock. Add cornstarch; toss to coat. Mix soy, ginger and garlic; add to chicken. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Cook chicken in 2 Tbsp. Oil till no longer pink. Remove chicken. Add 1 Tbsp. Oil and sautee veggies until crisp tender. Add water and bouillon. Return chicken to pan. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Serve with rice.

POST STORM PICS

We had one of the worst storms I've seen since living here in Montana Sunday night. The ground outside was completely white from the hail that fell. Our garden is pretty much history, and I'm so sad because it really was doing well. This was the first year we were actually having success with watermelon and cantaloupe. I was babying those buggers like crazy! We had oodles of zucchini, beans and tomatoe plants that I think are pretty much done. The corn is history. It's disappointing, but I feel even worse for some of the farmers around here. Here are some photos...

Flowers

Kind of looks like winter, doesn't it?


Corn



Watermelon

Cantaloupe

Zucchini plants

Tomatoes

All I can say is, "Thank you, Lord!"