Another Child?

This can be an easy question or a difficult one.  Some desire to have another child but that desire remains unfulfilled.  Some don't even want to consider another child because life is just too hectic at present.  Some are just not sure if this is the "right" time.

Wherever you are on the question, maybe none of the above.  I would like to share our present situation with you.

In February, my husband and I knew that partaking in the marital embrace could result in a pregnancy.  Our little one was about to turn 9 months old.  He was crawling everywhere and getting into everything and bringing a smile to everyone's face as he did it. 

March came and my temperatures were up (we use natural family planning) and we were pretty sure I might be pregnant.  We did have some possible doubts because my cycles were also behaving in a premenopausal way.  We confirmed our pregnancy and told the kids on my daughter's 7th birthday at the end of March. 

Once in a while I would think about how I would do a task with a nursing baby and 17 month old running around.  I wouldn't spend much time pondering and just answer myself like I always did.  "God will help me and it will all work out."  This wasn't new because I always before had a new baby and and an older baby to care for together.  I told my now 10 month old that he was going to be a big brother.  I was hoping for a boy so they would be close in age and the same sex. 

All the kids knew the routine.  Mom is having a baby for us.  I always presented a new sibling as a gift to my children.  I think this helps avoid any negative feelings by the children because they know from the beginning it is more their baby than mine.  I am the one growing their gift.  Little ones would latch onto this excitement and hug or kiss my belly and say to me, "When are you going to get my baby out?"

Outsiders and unfortunately family members can look at an expecting mom with small children and think and say unkind discouraging words.  How are you going to take care of them all?  How are you going to watch a newborn and a toddler at the same time?  You should have waited longer before coming out pregnant again.

April came around and my baby turned 11 months old.  The one in my womb was around 10 weeks.  All was going well.  Everyone was growing, healthy, learning, loving, and enjoying life. 

On April 23, my happy, healthy, beautiful 11 month old stopped breathing and his heart stopped beating.  Totally unexpected and unexplainable.    On April 24, my 11 month old entered into eternal rest. 

Currently I am still pregnant, a little over 3 months.  I pray that I will carry this baby to term and have my arms filled once again.  This baby is by no means a replacement for our dear departed son, but amid my pain and sorrow, this baby represents a hope within me.  A hope to nurse again, a hope to hold a baby of my own again, a hope to kiss little feet again, and all the things that mommies love to do.

I present this story to you because the question of another child can seem clear cut at times or so we think.  We don't know the future and perspective can change overnight.  When we conceived our current pregnancy we had no idea, our baby son was going to die in a few months.  Don't be afraid to be open to life.  God will not give you anything that you can't handle.  If things are hard and it brings you to your knees and you're praying more- isn't that a good thing?  Don't misinterpret my thoughts; I am not saying, "Just have as many kids as you can and it will all work out."  

I just want you to prayerfully consider if another child is a question for you.  If you are expecting a baby now and wondering how you are going to accomplish it all; know that God is ready to take your efforts and bless them if you allow Him to do so. 

A Request for Prayers

I have a heart that is filled with sadness and joy at the same time.  How can this be?  Our beautiful, wonderful, sweet, 11 month old son, passed away on Tuesday.  He was picture perfect health and had a great day with all of us on Sunday.  I nursed him to sleep and didn't know that moment would be the last time I would see him and feel him with life in his body.  We don't know why or what happened, we might never know.  This is the sadness because we miss him dearly.

The joy comes from knowing that he died without sin on his soul.  He went straight from our arms into the arms of our loving Father.  It brings a tremendous amount of peace knowing that he is in eternal happiness. 

I desire with all my heart to live a life worthy of being able to see my son again.  I replay in my mind many things like watching him crawl around and then look up to smile at me.  He liked hanging out with me while I did the laundry and would pull all the letter magnets off of the refrigerator.  I would kiss his hands while he nursed and clap hands with him. 

I would always hold him and say, "Thank you God for William."  I encourage everyone to remember that life can send some very unexpected experiences - so live it with a heavenly goal in mind.  Don't have any regrets about the time, love, or support that you can give to others.  Love everyone to the fullest and if you have to say goodbye to a loved one then have the peace of knowing you truly loved them.

Please pray for our family.  William leaves behind 8 siblings here on earth and one that I carry in my womb.  We are all hurting and rejoicing as I mentioned before.  I know that we are floating on everyone's prayers for us.  Thank you.

The Completed Workbook:

A symbol of triumph or a missed opportunity?

There are some that are coming near the end of their current school year.  The excitement is building as both student and parent realize there are a few lessons left or a smaller number of pages in the workbook to be completed.  There can be a great sense of accomplishment as the workbooks are filled and finished containing a year of hard work.  

We use workbooks as well, but I want to be careful on how I use them.  I like the idea of finishing off a workbook and completing all the pages.  I also like the idea of just using what a student needs from a workbook to increase their skills and knowledge.  It can be tempting to consider mastery of a subject as complete once all the pages are done.  Oftentimes I have found that a workbook page can introduce a topic, but the real mastery doesn't occur with just getting all the answers right on the page.

Here is an example...

My boys were getting all the answers right on their grammar exercises.  One day I decided to play a game with them instead of using the workbook.  I made a story up with blank spaces for parts of speech.  I then would call out a part of speech that I needed to complete the story without them knowing anything about the story.  The resulting story would be pretty silly based on their choice of words.  It didn't take long for us to begin reviewing what I thought they already knew.    They started asking questions like:  What is an interjection again?  An adjective describes things right?  What is the difference between a verb and adverb?

Once we reviewed the parts of speech and they became confident of supplying an adverb when I called for that part of speech the fun really started.  They wanted to play over and over again and they were getting the correct parts of speech after we did real life examples.  The workbook helped to introduce the concepts but the real learning happened when we weren't using the workbook. 

A mom once told me she wished they had time to play games and do things like Fun School but there just isn't enough time to have fun and get all the workbooks done.  Is our goal to admire the stack of completed workbooks or learn?  Ask yourself that question when you feel there just isn't time for fun, perhaps if you think of the fun as learning then you won't see that time as wasted.  You won't feel the pressure of having to use all your school time to complete exercise pages because learning can happen even when you don't finish the book!

I have nothing against workbooks, like I said we use them.  I do think we need to stop and check to make sure the material is actually being understood.  If we can make it fun, then it makes school learning more enjoyable for everyone.

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes can be a meal!  Our family of 11 usually has a few servings leftover when we combine it with a pound of shredded brisket.  Smaller families can cut this recipe in half or you can make the full amount and split in half so you can have one meal for now and freeze the other half for later!

5 lb bag of large potatoes

3 cloves of garlic

8 oz cream cheese

1 stick of butter

1/2 cup of milk (add more after mixing if you like it creamier)

salt and pepper to taste

Scrub the potatoes.  We leave the peel on the potatoes.  Cut into quarters.  Fill large pot with water so that potatoes are submerged.  Add the peeled garlic cloves.  Boil potatoes for 30 minutes on medium-hi heat.  While potatoes boil, put the cream cheese, butter, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.  Potatoes are done when you can pierce them easily with a fork.  They should be soft but not smushy.  Drain the potatoes and add them with the garlic to your large bowl of ingredients.  Use a hand mixer to mash the potatoes, garlic, and ingredients. 

If you are freezing half, allow the potatoes to cool and then freeze.  Take your potatoes out and allow them to thaw the day before for a quick easy meal!

Add the following toppings to the individual servings according to preference:

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Chopped Green Onion

Sour Cream

Paprika 

Leftover Bacon or BBQ meat

If you only have a little bit of meat; chop it up to feed more people!  Skip it for a meatless option.

Yield:  8-10 servings

Getting Ready for High School

I've always put together our school year with resources that I feel are engaging and academically sound.  I admit it takes longer to research subjects and materials, but we have found it completely rewarding.  My daughter already had her expectations for me to design her High School Plan.  She has thoroughly appreciated our homeschool methods and didn't want any changes.  Since I've always created custom lesson plans for her, she never thought I would consider other options.  I was thinking about the workload for myself and tinkered with the idea of looking into some established home school programs.  She shunned the idea of even considering that as an option.  I still looked, it is great for inspiration.  Also it helped me realize that we both loved the freedom to choose books, topics, and materials that really make our school a place of learning.

I know that there are many of you out there considering your plan for high school. I want to encourage you. It is a huge undertaking but well worth the pursuit.  It is possible and more and more families are choosing to continue homeschooling into high school.  You can too!

So now, I'm in research mode as I prepare to pull together a curriculum for my soon to be 9th grader.  I'm learning about state requirements, college requirements, my student's requirements and so forth. This is an exciting time, but also filled with a lot of work.  I'm thankful for www.MySchoolYear.com because it is a tremendous blessing knowing that I can easily create a transcript or print reports when needed.  It's easy to keep track of all her classes, grades, projects, awards, volunteer service, standardized test scores and more with this invaluable service.  

I can focus on discussing, assisting, instructing, and spending time enjoying school with my High Schooler and the rest of my kids! Learning and spending time with your family- isn't that the best? 

Is it that time already?

Spring Cleaning is in the air!  Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work?  Honestly, I don't think I'ver ever done "Spring Cleaning".  I think it is a great concept and works well for a lot of people.  It just hasn't been a good fit for me and my family. 

Why?  I just don't have the time or the energy to do an intense overhaul of my entire home.  Maybe I will some day but until then we live in a filthy house!  No, just kidding.  Our house is not immaculate with 11 people running all over it, but we do try to maintain cleanliness and orderliness.  Here is our method:

All Year Cleaning! 

I begin by making a list of all the rooms in the house including the linen closet, garage and outdoors. 

Then I combine the items on that list to end up with 12 numbered areas.  I usually combine the smaller spots together like linen closet and hall closet together and leave the big areas like the garage to stand alone. 

Once I have my list of 12, I assign a month to each number.  Months that are busier for us, like December tend to get the easier spots from the list of 12.  Months where the schedule is relaxed get the bigger jobs.

Each month I know which areas are going to get a complete overhaul and we have the whole month to get it done!  A complete overhaul means cleaning beyond the daily duties for us.  Washing the windows and window coverings, cleaning out light fixtures, taking everything out of drawers or cabinets and reviewing what to keep and get rid of, rearranging for efficiency, and so forth. 

This method has been so enjoyable because you feel a sense of accomplishment all year long!  It helps keep things from piling up that are not used or need replacing.  No worries about items collecting dust because they have been hidden in the back of drawers or closets for years.

Broken toys get fixed or tossed, items in good condition that are no longer needed can be donated, and space is opened up for a cleaner and more organized look that makes daily life easier!

If "Spring Cleaning" doesn't fit your family then maybe you need a year to get it done like us! 

One of my favorite features is the Bookshelf!  There are so many ways to use the Bookshelf that I get excited about all the possibilities.  My purpose is not to overwhelm anyone but keep things simple, so here are a few ways you can use it in your school.

I am responsible for adding the books to the Bookshelf that we check out from the public library.  I use the check out receipt from the public library to enter all the book information and I assign each book a reading level.  My students read through all the books during the month.  At the end of the month they are able to add the books they read to their reading logs.  They use the last day of the month for recording the date. 

Here are step by step instructions that you can print out or show your child so that they can learn to add to their reading log when the books are already on the Bookshelf.

1. click on student name
2. select "add from bookshelf"
3. when the pop up window appears, the reading level for that student is selected, leaving the Author and Title blank
4. click on search
5. a list now appears with all the books in that reading level
6. Click on "add" by all the books that have been read

The reading log is now updated!  You or your student have the option to visit the reading log and select the book to enter a date of completion or notes.

Want a nice print out for the next library trip? 

I have all reading levels.  I like knowing that once I've added a book to the Bookshelf it will remain on the shelf for future students to add to their logs.  I also have a nice list of Book Titles in a specific reading level that I can use or print out for future checkouts.  I don't have to remember all the great book titles that my older kids have enjoyed when the younger kids reach those reading levels!

1. Simply select Bookshelf in the brown Library section
2. Using SmartGrid click on "filter"
3. Select the desired reading level from your own classification system
4. SmartGrid buttons allow you to download into PDF or Excel for printing or data manipulation.

Now enjoy those books!

Avoiding Homeschool Burnout

The final blog in the Avoiding Burnout series is here!  Visit Energizing the Day, Fun School, and Finding a Way Out, if you missed the previous posts.

The first 3 posts were focused on what a homeschooling parent can do to avoid the dark clouds of burnout.  This post is different because there is nothing for you "to do" but be encouraged.

Though I don't know everyone personally that reads this blog, please know that I am sincere in my following statements.

Things You Need to Know

YOU ARE SIMPLY AMAZING!  What, don't think that pertains to you?  So you are just responsible for your childrens education which spans the spectrum of academics, spritual growth, physical well-being, and character formation to name just a few and your standard duties for each day?  It is amazing, and admirable!

YOU ARE APPRECIATED!  It is easy to feel that the sacrifices you make go unnoticed.  Is anyone grateful for your work or is it just expected?  It often isn't expressed in words by children, especially if they are very young.  Want proof that you are appreciated?  Who do they run to when they need help or are hurt?  YOU!

YOU ARE HARDWORKING!  It doesn't mean you are busy every minute.  It means that you are doing your best to handle whatever is on your plate.  I've been at church with a baby that is climbing all over me, nursing off and on, and getting into things.  I truly have felt at the end that I truly worked that hour!  Know that it is work and praiseworthy!

YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!  Some days you wonder if anyone has learned anything about anything.  Are all your efforts being put to waste?  No, it is a journey and you are making an impact.  Remember there are times when you get to see those lessons you've been imparting come to life.  It is because of you!

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!  We all have those days that can be defined as hard, crazy, unbelievable, you name it.  No one is perfect and we all have imperfect days.  Most likely if its happened to you, its happened to any of us!  So keep that in mind for when you need it!

THANK YOU!  You can never hear that enough.  Thank you for giving your time, energy, wisdom, love, and attention to your children and homeschooling them! You are making the world a better place in more ways than you think!

Know someone that could use some encouragement?  Share it with others; we're all in this together!

Avoiding Burnout

Continuing the series on homeschool burnout this is the third in the series, visit the first post on energizing your day, and the second post focusing on fun!  This series is dedicated to avoiding the dreaded dark clouds of burnout.  Let these ideas inspire you to make some sunshine in your homeschool!

Changing the scenery can get everyone excited about a school day!

Here are some suggestions for finding a new study spot.

• Pick another room in the house to spend your day!  This is the easiest location because you have everything accessible to you at home for school work and entertainment for younger kids.  If you forget something just go get it and you are set for the day. 

• Head out to the public library.  Plan to check out books of interest in science or history based on what you've been studying in those subjects.  You can also bring your math books along and reward the kids with a book to check out when they finish their work.   Your little ones will enjoy having a story time session with you!

• Have you ever noticed how food courts in the mall have plenty of table space?  Get there early and find a corner spot.  When everyone needs a break use those coupons you’ve been saving for a snack or drink.   We’ve brought our own lunch to the mall and haven’t encountered any problems.  Since you are at the mall, you might get an errand done at the same time!  The bonus is it is totally stroller friendly and hi-chairs are available!

Note:  Expect the food court to get crowded during lunch time.

• If you live in an area that isn’t too cold out then take your school outdoors.  It could be your backyard or a nearby park.  You can use the outdoor setting for subjects such as science and nature, art, or geography.  Playground equipment will allow everyone to get some good physical education!  You can also learn at a park if you choose one with a memorial, or a specific dedicated theme.  We’ve been to rose gardens, Japanese tea gardens, and arboretums all with no cost for entry.   

Plan ahead the night before making sure you have the proper study materials, snacks, drinks, activities for younger kids, strollers, diaper bags and anything else that will make your outing pleasurable.

Who needs added stress?  NO ONE!  How often we are quick to add stress to our daily lives.  We do this by not planning properly, allowing enough time, or sometimes by simply not asking for help.

When you are using the www.MySchoolYear.com website and need help, simply ask!  We don't want you to add any stress to your day.  Simply contact us at support@myschoolyear.com  and we can step you through a situation that may have seemed hopeless, to a happy resolution. 

It is that easy and the best part is NO ADDED STRESS!  We are happy when we can help someone because that person took a step to find a solution rather than giving up and being dissatisfied when there was a better way. 

We are here to support you because Homeschooling is important to us all!