Duggar Episode This Weekend

I am a huge Duggar fan! I just want to make sure that if you are a Duggar fan that you know they are going to airing an episode about the birth of the tiniest little Duggar this Sunday night! Set your DVR/Tivo or whatever you need to do. I know you do not want to miss this episode. And go here to watch a little short video of the moments with Jim Bob Duggar before the birth of Josie Broklyn Duggar. It is so sweet and heart wrenching... and I had to hold back my tears for that little one minute video. I will be crying like a baby when I watch the full episode!! Also, there are a few photos of Jim Bob, Michelle, and Josie.

I also just found this link. Apparently, I missed them on the Today show yesterday. Bummer! Thank you Lord for my internet!! Really... THANK YOU LORD!!... for my internet connection and for the Duggar family and the blessing they are to my life and many others out there. It is great to see a family doing it God's way rather than the world's way that we THINK is "normal".

I can't wait to see this episode!! Seriously, I think thhe Duggar show is why I haven't called to cancel my Dish Network service, yet.

Income Tax Time

Let me just say this... Income Tax makes NO SENSE!!! I mean, I love getting money back and I am quite happy to get these annual "bonuses", but this stuff is C~R~A~Z~Y! I remember when we did not have children and people we knew always got big money back, while we were happy if we got $100 back... or if we, at least, did not have to pay in. Last year we got a significant tax return last year, so we made some changes to our W-4 form, so we would get our money up front month to month. It worked out well this past year and even covered the cost of my health insurance premiums. It was pretty good year for us financially for a single income family with four kiddos and homeschooling costs (books, supplies, conference expenses). I have been feeling like we accomplished the goal... we made it through without incurring further debt with more expenses this year and less money than most people live off of. I decided in my little mind that our income tax return would be low and really that was the goal. I mean, so that we had more of that money throughout the year to live on and less accumulating interest for the government. If someone is going to make interest off it, I would like it to be me. ;) Guess what?! I did my taxes (TurboTax) and I was pleasantly surprised to see that we are getting more back this year than last year. That was fabulous and my husband did not even believe I was telling the truth... shame on him. ;) BUUUUUTTTTTT.... it is nuts! It makes no sense. We are getting back way more than we even paid in for the year because we have four kiddos. Seriously, did these laws really get VOTED IN? It is no wonder our country is in financial ruin because they do not understand the basic principles of math. You know 1 + 1 = 2... U. S. Government version is 1 + 1 = 10. LOL!

I have a theory.... it goes something like this and it is sooooooo simple. If you make money you get taxed a set percent across the U.S.. Everyone pays in the same and at the end of the year they divide up the overrage and return it or spend it on a voted on worthy cause. The other part of the theory is for the U.S. not to spend money BEFORE they have it. It is soooo simple. And yes, I know it will NEVER happen. Still my theory, though. ;)

TIP OF THE DAY: The Number One rule to get out of debt is:

Only spend money you have!!

If you don't have it, don't spend it!

And yes, that means loans and financing things...

it is simple.. if you don't have it, don't spend it!

PANIC !!!!

Caden had a 104.0 temp at 3:00 PM and I am working it down. I just checked him (3:30 PM) and it is down to 103.7, so I am happy to see the numbers going down.

Do you panic when the kids are sick and the temps run high? I don't. And strangely I think that somehow that is when it all comes into perspective to me. It's the seriousness that calms in a strange way. It's in that moment that everything stops and I focus only on what is important. I'm talking about temps here, but I am also talking about the various trials in our lives. It is in the toughest of times that we define ourselves. Your either going to panic and make a huge mess of it or your going to come to that calm place where you can draw strength and get through it.

Sometimes we find that calm easily. Other times we have to work hard at it.

Be intentional... Be purposeful.... work hard to find the calm.

Does it sound like I am experienced in this? Is that intimidating to you? Do NOT be intimidated because this is a huge struggle for me and therefore, very easy to write about! ;) I could write a book on homeschool panic, but I am learning to calm myself down, step back, focus on the big picture, the important things. I have to work on this from moment to breathing moment... seriously! If I can do it, you can to! Let's do it.

Sickness!

How do you stay on track when there is sickness in the home?

All was well... so we thought. The last four weeks have been filled with stomach viruses and crusty noses at our house. The week after Christmas we were on the road travelling and realized that four out of six of us had a stomach virus. We survived that and once we were well we attended a birthday party. The party throwers failed to mention that they had a stomach virus. Guess what? No surprise... we got it... five out of six of us. This weekend we went to church, but laid low... no big ventures out. We went out to eat last night... and I'm glad we got out the house for a bit because we did not realize a virus was coming. ;) All the kids were put to bed and we were getting ready to drift off to dreamland ourselves. Suddenly, we heard screams from Caden. I think his head was hurting and his fave was bright read and hot. It was obvious, but the thermometer confirmed our suspicions.... 102.3. My husband gave him some tea and I gave him Motrin. Within thirty minutes he drifted off to sleep and I continued to sit with him. I never go to sleep until I see a drop in fever. Suddenly, Caden started talking in his sleep.... so sweet... until the puke began. Oh, thank God for my husband who came running to help!!

So.... How do you stay on track when there is sickness in the home? We are always having someone sick here... so frustrating... ;) (trying to smile through it)

What Would You Miss If It Was The End Of The World?

We were driving along in the car a couple of days ago and Cody said something about the year 2012 being the end of the Mayan calendar and discussing a recent DVD he watched called "The Star of Bethlehem". Way back in the back of the van Savannah (9) thought her daddy said that 2012 would be the end of the world. She blew us away with what she said! She started her sentence with, "That's not fair!! I haven't even gotten to...."



But first, what we thought she was about to say:

"...be a teenager, yet."

"...have a boyfriend."

"...have some new toy."



What she said was,"That's not fair!! I haven't even gotten to have babies, yet!"



I am sharing this for the comic value, but I have to say I am very proud to hear what she truly values!! It means that we have accomplished one of our goals and that our children will know what a blessing children are rather than what a burden the world sees them as.

Letting the FUN Happen

Sometimes it is so hard to just let life be lived. Sometimes we just have to let the fun happen. Some of the most burden relieving advice I get it is when a homeschool mother says not to worry about teaching your kids a thing for now. I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful neighbor who has five children (four of them or grown and gone on) and she tells me all the time that you really do not have to teach your kids until around nine or older. Just let them play and read to them and play games with them and enjoy them. Her four older grown and gone children are successful. I am not sure all of what they do, but one just got his law degree a year ago. So, they are not lacking in their education.

Another friend has advised me to "do the opposite of what you think you should do".

Today I was visiting with a friend that has five children with her oldest being fourteen and she said that you really do not need to teach them grammar until they are older. We discussed that earlier in the year my husband (the public school English teacher) comment on my 3rd graders Grammar work being the same as what he uses for his 7th grade students. So, they spend four years repeating the same thing. Now, I do realize repetition drills it in the heads, but I have a feeling that they teach it for four plus years is more about the fact they are not given one on one teaching. My 3rd grader gets it and it is not that she is a genius. Anyway, today my friend was saying that really she thinks it is not necessary to teach Grammar/English until probably 7th grade.

And I hear that there is a book called "Better Late Than Early", although I have never read it. I hear that it is wonderful. Maybe one day I will read it. Maybe you will have the time to do it sooner than I and you can learn from it.

I am so struck by how intelligent these children are! Do we really need to rush them.

The lady I was talking to today said that the best thing you can do is focus on character while they are young. Amazing to talk to her about this because that has been what has been on my heart this past week. All the academics in the world is going to be worthless if they have poor character. A very wise comment she made was that it is much harder to shape their character when they are older and it is just so important to do that part while they are young. Another thing that she was talking about was teaching your children to serve their daddy and to make him feel special when he is home.

We let the fun happen today..... after their playtime with friends I usually try to do their school with them before Daddy gets home... and some while he is there sometimes. Today I let them play while I rocked the baby and did a few things. When their daddy got home they played together. Wii have a Wii, you see ;) ... but my kids rarely get to play it. It was a gift from grandparents and they probably get to play it less than once per month. I know... no fun.... so, today they played the Wii with Daddy while I watched them from the kitchen doing my cooking and laundry. It was nice to just let them play today... and to see their daddy come home and just get to play with them without the stress of "what to do next".

I have a hard time with this... feeling like I am not giving them what they need... like I am not preparing them for life... yet, I know it is better to prepare them non-academically.... to mold their character and their spirituality.

Today the kids played with other homeschool buddies... went in their new secret wooded clubhouse... jumped on the trampoline.... climbed trees.... got stuck in trees ;) .... watched TV.... played with their siblings... played the Wii with Daddy.... made a new friend played with her.... drank hot chocolate even though it is not cold at all... We just let the fun happen!

And you know what? We are doing it again tomorrow! Crazy huh?! We are going to homeschool co-op, then to the park. We might run an important errand.... and I doubt we will do very little of our "school work" ... and that will put us behind.... again... but that's okay because we have friends coming over on Saturday and we are going to let some more fun happen. ;)

Just posting this to say.... RELAX and ENJOY your kids. What is life really about if we don't enjoy this. God gave them to us to enjoy them!

You Want Another Great Tip?

You know you do! Okay, maybe you don't, but I just made some REALLY HOT hot chocolate. I am not patient at all, so I don't want to WAIT on the hot chocolate to cool. That is not fun at all. I want to drink the hot chocolate... and WITHOUT scalding all the taste buds off my tongue. I did this same thing last week and an ingenious idea came into my mind. Hot chocolate is great with marshmallows or whipping cream or milk or cool whip... hmmmm... non of these are cold enough to cool it down, though. They just add a delightful creaminess to the hot chocolate. What wonderfully fabulous cool thing is creamy and frozen that could be used to cool it down while adding to the yumminess factor of the scalding hot hot chocolate? ICE CREAM!!! Double slam YUM!! Just add a teaspoon at a time and stir it in. Depending on how hot your hot chocolate is it may require 2-3 teaspoons of ice cream. Just another fabulous reason for ice cream to exist!!

Have You Ever Burned A Pot? (Solution)

Of course, you have NOT! ;0 You never burn anything do you? Let's say you have a habit of burning ... hmmm... green beans.... well, charring them much like the pot in the picture below. And no, that is not my pot, but let's just say there MAY have been some posts burned like this in my house before with say... green beans... for some reason I don't turn the burner down from high after I get them boiling and this has been the result even with me standing there tending to my other dishes on the stove. And maybe it is all the voices around me that distract me...
At any rate... someone told me a tirck to burned pots several years ago. You just pour some of this...

...in the pot and leave it sit. I spray mine on, if it is all up the sides like the pot pictured. I clean the rest of the kitchen and dishes and leave the pot overnight in the sink... Lights out! In the morning the bleach should have eaten all the black charring away. It's like magic! And if you are going to burn your pots up you might as well use the moment as a great chance to show your kids a little "science"! ;)

Spring Has Sprung !

Last week we had busted pipes from the freezing temperatures and this week it feels like Spring!! I have had the doors open two days in a row during some outdoor playtime!! It has been in the 70s. Ironically, I thought I wanted some cold weather, but... no... I don't really anymore. I have had my fill. I am over wanting to live in the mountains and all that. I'll just enjoy vacationing in the colder regions. And usually, we still have our Christmas decorations out, but we actually put them away the first week of January this year and that did not even seem sad to me. I'm ready for Spring! And yes, it is early, but this is Texas and I am used to warmth! Give me 100 degree temps over those miserable 20s (and below) anytime!

Seriously, it is time hear to start preparing for Spring. We always get more cold weather, but by next month people will be planting their gardens here. I usually wait until mid-April myself, but I don't do much. I have been thinking about starting some plants indoors from seed this year. I usually just do it straight in the ground after fear of a frost is gone. The Wal-Mart here is already getting the Spring plants in. Yeah, the South is crazy... I'll love the South! I would trade the horrid humidity for some dry air, though... but the humidity does help our faces stay moist and youthful. I need that these days! Gotta love the the South!

Can I Make You Laugh?...

You know we all need a good laugh sometimes! So, do you ever catch yourself saying something that you just realize you have to share.... even though you might should keep it to yourself. ;o

You know you have kids when you hear yourself say, "If you make booty stew, don't touch the booty stew!" Yeah... Sahara thought it would be interesting make booty stew (poop in her diaper) and then reach in and pull some out! Eeeeeewwwww! She actually thought so, too. She stood there bewildered at the funk on her tiny little fingers and all the other kids starting yelling for help right along with her.

MY Grocery List

I have been so inspired by several of you out there to develop a Home Binder. I have a looooonnnng way to go, but I am going to get there. Ironically, I already have a lot of the work done.... I just have it in different spots all over the house and I don't really use it because it is a mess. Okay... so you live and learn...

When I was pregnant with Caden (yes, over three years ago) I hand-wrote detailed cleaning lists for each room of the house. It goes as far as to say to things like wipe the window "ledges" and such. It was great plan, but rarely got looked at as it was hidden out of sight in my laundry area. I also have various meal plans written on calendars and meal planning pages. There are some typed in my computer and some scribbled madly on notebook paper... again, hidden in little spots around the house. I even have a typed list of meal ideas broken down by the main ingredient of everything I knew how to cook at that time (I think it may be older than Savannah!!) and there are even more of those hand jotted on scraps of paper. All were hidden in my laundry area (or on my computer)... WHERE NO ONE COULD SEE THEM... including ME!!! I was trying so hard to keep it all out of sight that I did not even make them easily available to myself!! Well, that is about to change. The most fabulous of these finds is my Grocery Shopping List. I used this one!! It was fabulous, but for some reason I forgot to print out several copies and I think my printer at the time was broke and I stopped using it. It has been over a year, I think, since I used it last. I have some revisions to make because things have changed some (like now I make waffles, not buy them) and I want to set it up by the aisles where I shop, so it will be even more efficient. I want to share this with all of you that are interested, because this little list makes life so much easier. It is hard to forget to buy peanut butter if peanut butter is written there on the page and you have to read it. I just quickly read through my list and check off or write the quantity of that item in the box. I also make note of more specific details like for the "Gogurt/Yogurt" item I might put a 2 in the box and circle "Yogurt" and write "Peach & Vanilla" out beside it. There are blank spaces for things that are not on the list like batteries, etc. or I make notes on the side or back. In theory, if the list matches up with the store then when I go to the store I will have all my little boxes marked and I will whiz up and down the aisles without forgetting a thing!! With this list that COULD HAPPEN!!

You should be able to open the file and modify it. It might have to be saved to your computer and then, opened in Microsoft Excel to make changes. If you are interested and can not get it to work for you let me know and I can email you the document. If all fails, maybe I can help you make changes to fit your home. Hope you find it useful!

FREE Curriculum Online for Future Christian Homemakers & Random

I was just blogging around and came across a great site with a FREE curriculum online for teaching girls to be Future Christian Homemakers! I love it! It is the same stuff you would do if you were teaching your girls, but they have it all ready to go with the handouts and some cute ideas for added delight already done for you. Just to see what a lesson looks like I clicked on the one for Yeast and Breadmaking and the handout (about 11 pages) has a pictures of them making a bread bear! So cute for kids to do! You can include your boys, but this is designed to be done with girls. As we all know when we are at home schooling our kids all day we just have to include them all. Caden is going to be so cute in the kitchen with us in his new apron we got him for Christmas.... he was wearing the girls pink ones, so when I saw a simple blue one at Target in the $1 bins we snatched it up as a gift from us girls. He LOVED IT!! This might be the very thing I need right now to ignite some excitement around here that has been lacking. We just need to spend some time doing the fun things we used to do all the time before homeschooling took over our world. And I know.... that was supposed to add to the fun, but it has added a whole new level of stress around here. Being the Teacher is a bit overwhelming and some days I just want to go back to being Momma... only now since it has become a conviction I know that I must search out that way that they are ONE AND THE SAME. It was only a hundred or so years ago that THIS WAY was the NORMAL WAY. So, I am working on it. And crazily I have been thinking that as much as I like some aspects of our curriculum (MFW) I have been considering a different way.... more like the way it would have been done a hundred years ago. I just feel so stifled sometimes following "someone else's plan". I really knew this before I started this curriculum, but being new to homeschooling I wanted to have some guideline to follow to help me know where to begin. My Father's World is great for that!! What is hard for me is that one week in K we are studying the Senses and alongside that we are studying the Seasons for Adv (Science portion). I feel like I am in a constant juggle and trying to just get each week done and go from one thing to the next. I would much rather have a Yearly lesson plan that has Topics we will study and us just go through them like we want to. Maybe we would want to do the Senses during the holiday season for a week (because Christmas time lends itself to studying the Senses naturally) and do the Seasons for a day or two at the change of each season. Doesn't that seem more natural?.... I think so. Right now we are studying George Washington, but I would rather do that during President's Day week. Of course, I guess that is a bit ridiculous because we need to study in chronologically and then, on President's Day it would be a great day to "review" it. {{{I am just thinking and typing here}}} I think I might always use MFW's LESSONS PLANS as a guideline, but I think I might choose my own read-alouds and move some parts around. I do love it, but sometimes I just want to go to the bookshelf and pick up a book and start studying whatever is in that book! Or maybe I just need to break MFW up into sections and do 3 weeks of it and then, 1 week of a Unit Study... Like I said... I am just thinkign here... Uhhhh.. does typing while my kids wander off to play Candyland count as school... Sahara is running around here with the Candyland instruction pamphlet singing herself a sweet little song... I just want their hearts!

God's Training

Do you ever find yourself talking to others about your problems. Hoping somehow they will have the solution… sometimes just needing to be heard… sometimes really wanting them to solve it. I find myself doing this and waiting for an answer, yet at the same time I know that others can NOT provide the answer. Their lives are different than mine. In this I do sometimes gain some better perception and it is often helpful, but wouldn’t it be so much wiser if I just took it to God!?

And it got me thinking… I was thinking that the problem lies in that I was not taught to bring it to God!! Not so astounding really… I mean, we tend to do things the way we have learned to and the old saying that “bad habits are hard to break is true”. It takes careful TRAINING to change our ways!! TRAINING!!!

And that got me thinking… How important it is to provide proper TRAINING of our little ones. I am soooo failing in this area. And my focus has been soooo wrong! I have started the character training techniques, but I push them aside for the academics or even other Bible studies. I still think I am putting God first because it all Biblically based, but the reality is I may need take my focus off the curriculum and pick up our Bibles (along with a character study for guidance). The attitudes in our home are so far off right now (maybe not by the world‘s standards, but by mine). Chaos and confusion abound. Inconsistency. Lack of self-control. Lack of patience and kindness. The focus has been off! Home SCHOOLING has been the focus. Home SCHEDULING has been the focus! It has been a juggling act and I don’t want an “act”. I want to prepare my children for their lives. I want their character to guide them… and in the end if they are dumb as a rock I know that they will have good Christian character! And you know what, if we get it right they won’t be dumb as a rock because they will learn character qualities that will guide them to desire and achieve knowledge and wisdom, such as, perseverance, diligence, responsibility, thoroughness, etc..

So, once again I am changing my attitude…. Setting on a bit of different course… breaking away from what “I” have in plan for us. I don’t want to be guided by our schedule, our curriculum choice, or anything else BUT GOD !!!

Character Study

I just found this Character Study on the internet and I wanted to share it here. [Also, a little secret is that if I post it here I will be able to find it again myself. ;) ] LOL!

I have not used any of it, but I looked at the one for patience and it looks doable. I am looking for something that the whole family can go over one Character issue daily together in a short amount of time... maybe during dinner or shortly after. If you have one you do as a family feel free to recommend one. I am not looking for lots of hands on activities... just a sort of devotional type thing. I have had the recommendation to do a Proverbs a day reading, but there is some of that I do not find age appropriate for my children. I also, have the chart the Duggar family uses that I am considering..... really I was looking for something with less to start with, but I could just pick and choose a few that I want to focus on. One idea I have is to choose seven (for the days of the week) and just do those daily to really drill in the Character areas I think we should focus on. Ideally, I think 5-15 minutes a day would be what I want to spend discussing it and then, of course, back it up through little moments throughout the day.

Daddy Love

Cody & Sahara

at the lake

November 2009

Just Thinking: Husbands and Blogging

Hmmm... Sometimes I have random thoughts I want to know about all of YOU out there, but I never thought to ask you. ;) I'm getting smart here!! So, I will ask a question and I want YOUR answers in my comments (pretty please with sugar on top... and sprinkles... and a cherry). So, her goes the first one...

Does your spouse read your blog or back you in blogging?

And then, I will answer, too. My husband backs me up in blogging. He wants me to have that "outlet" since it is my only "outlet", but he does get tired of it sometimes. We just don't have a lot of spare time, so he gets a little jealous of my time and I try to limit my time here because of him... and my kiddos. He does not read my blog. I wish I could get him to because I think he would see more of me. Sometimes I reveal things through writing that he may not see in me. A momma's heart caught up in the moment of day to day living and sometimes it is not obvious that we "think". I have deep thoughts and I pondering bigger things than what setting to use on the dishwasher. You know what I mean... I would love him to see just how much my heart is on Godly things and even though he sees me as so strong, if he read this blog he might see that I am not. Maybe he will one day... and then, maybe I will Facebook with him.... LOL!

YOUR TURN !!!

To My "Followers" & Why I Blog & Men

I just wanted to say thank you. If you are out there and you "follow" my blog it may not seem that I notice you, but I do. There are some that I correspond with via blog and off blog and others that I never get a comment from. Some of you like to lurk in the shadows and that is okay. I read some blogs that I am just a lurker. In reality I am more of a commenter, though! LOL! Some of you know that already. ;) However, you got here and for whatever reason you "follow" this blog I want to say "Welcome!" I want you here and I want you to feel comfortable when you visit. I would love to here from you, so feel free to leave comments even if it is the tiniest comment of all. I love to read them and I love knowing there are others out there. If you ever have a question just ask away. I am very open and honest and eager to tell (my own info, that is).

When I started this blog it was just to be able to sign on and comment on another blog. Then, I thought I would use it to make money, but... I have never even tried to and I truly don't care if I ever do. It is sort of a therapy for me and a way to connect with others that I have common ground with. I use it to gain knowledge about life, homeschooling, my Christianity, and share information. Honestly, I thought I would be able to share the experience of what it is like to be a homeschool family when your husband is a public school teacher (or if the wife was), but I am finding that not to be as rare as I assumed it was. I just wanted to let you all know I see you! ... and I am glad to have you here!

One more thing... Are there any men bloggers out there. I would really like to start reading some posts from Christian male bloggers. I would love to have my husband read some of it, too and I sooooo believe that men should be "teaching" and not just us women. Blogging could be a great tool for that!!! Do you know any good ones to share with me!!???

Duggar Update ???

Has anyone out there heard any sort of update on Baby Josie Duggar? I have been patiently waiting, but I really would like to know how the baby and family are doing. It concerns me that there seem to be no updates even on Michelle's blog page on TLC. Does anyone know anything?

School Memories Christmas Ornaments

I am just brainstorming here! As I was taking the ornaments off my tree I was looking at a little handpainted ceramic ice skate ornament I made the year Savannah first ice skated. Then, there's the ornament of a pregnant lady and spouse for the year Sierra was in my belly and there are little blue handblown glass booties for the year Caden arrived.... many moments are captured on our tree. It just got me thinking that throughout the year while we make all these school projects how interesting it would be to if we created some of these projects in the form of ornaments... and I am taking about the traditional Christmas ones. Imagine a tiny baby doll decorated as an indian when you study about indians in your schooling. As the years go by of decorating the family Christmas tree each year you will see that little indian doll and remember when you studied the indians with your children. Of course, it would be difficult to do this with every project and I am not sure you want that many ornaments, but maybe it would be a nice thing for some of them. Bringing something back from a field trip that could be added to your ornaments is another great idea. A photo in a frame or a special glass ball that is decorated (painted, collaged, etc.). I am trying so hard this year to think of ways to pre-plan for the next Christmas... like gift buying throughout the year... making gifts that the kids can give to each other or us or the grandparents, etc. I used to do that sort of thing, but as each child has added to the family it is harder to pre-plan anything. LOL!!! Anyway, just wanted to share a crafty idea for a Merry Christmas in 2010 and the years to come!

ATTITUDE

My attitude is dangerous....

Not always that it is bad, but that I just want to "chill".

I want to let the kiddos play and do what kids do best and I want to sit back and watch and "chill" (sit back and do very little).

Confession time! I don't want to do school!

I know that I should want to... I know they have to learn something

... and their little brains need some stimulation, but...

I also love to watch them play.

But it is dangerous....

I know it sets them up to be lazy and unaccomplished.

I know that if I sit around being idle I send the wrong impression to them.

I become the bad example!

Yet, they are only young once...

and I want them to enjoy it, too.

It is such a hard balance to find, but...

we are working on it.

We are trying to get in a groove and I am taking a

"gentle approach"

to getting back into our schooling this week.

Because it is my attitude I am trying to control....

I know that I am not doing enough "schooly" stuff,

but I am not getting overwhelmed and freaking out, either.

If I am freaking out they are learning THAT is the way to handle

life's issues.

So, I am watching my attitude....

so, they will develop a better attitude.

Many times I hear people (even myself) complaining

about their kids bad attitude

and I think that they are what we teach them to be....

Raise your hand if you see your bad attitude in your kids..

MINE is raised! Guilty!! Ughhhh!! That stings!

I am their example of what their attitude should be like.

When I see them grit their teeth,

I know where they learned it.

(..and we will stop with that little detail... hehehehe!)

ALL of my bad attitutudes seem to reveal themselves through my children

They are the seeds I sow....

they are fed with the watering I bring

...and they are tended and cared for by ME!

It's not all pretty to admit, but it is important to admit!!!

Our attitudes will become their attitudes and later...

when we are fussing at them for their bad attitude...

it will be our own bad attitude in reality.

Confused? Ponder it awhile! Read it again.

Watch your children and see who YOU see.

Is it good or is it bad?

A Blog Button For ME!!

Who hoo! I have been too lazy to attempt making a button for my blog. I figured I might get myself all flusterated with the process. ;) Tonight I got a delightful little surprise from Tara! She made me a button for my blog. How sweet is that!? Too sweet...that's how sweet!

So, go grab my button and add it to your blog, if you like. And leave me a comment and let me know that you did... well, because it is just fun to know that someone out there wants my button on their blog. And ...one more thing... if you have a button of your own let me know, so I can add it to my blog.

It's Just Nice....

It's just nice to have a supportive group of friends that don't think you are crazy for things like buying a bus! Thank you all for your support in ALL AREAS OF MY LIFE'S JOURNEY! I get more encouragement and support here than anywhere in my life. And just for the record my family and real world friends are supportive, but it's that kind of support that comes with sly little grins and without really meaning to their eyes and expression seem to say, "Oh yeah.. their crazy." And for the record those that have seen the bus like the bus.... so they say. ;)

Thank you for all for being such great friends!

Frugal Series, Part 7: The Bus

A [fuzzy] peek inside the bus (taken with a hubby's iPhone). Pardon the pic quality, but this pic will give you an idea of what the inside is like. Both sides have 8 seats like this and then, 5 in the rear... pure openness... Hallelujah! At the front I plan to put up a guard/gate of some sort, so the kids cannot enter the driver area while we are going down the road and will keep them away from the door area (even though they can't get out). I like safety!

Hmmmm... I am not sure how frugal buying a bus is, but long term I believe it is. You have to have "vision" for the future to see how some things really are frugal when they may not seem so at first glimpse. I say this because dipping into our emergency funds is may not be the best thing we could have done... The verdict is still out on that and only time will tell if it turns out fine. I am confident it will because I believe God has and always will provide for our real needs.

We chose not to finance the bus. My husband said that we would not buy if we were going to finance it. If you have been following my blog I have recently posted about how we are attempting to get debt-free. The only thing we have left is our mortgage and we are working on paying that off as early as possible. One rule of thumb that I am following is to put back three months worth of paychecks into a savings as and emergency fund in the event it is needed. I had just recently reached that goal along with having some other pre-planned annual expense money set aside, also. The goal is to NOT touch that money... Ooops!

So, how is spending part of that money "frugal"... well, I am so thrilled you want to know. It is because we will not be throwing money away on finance charges and interest!!! In the event we have an actual emergency we could simply sell the bus (I don't think we will need to resort to that) or finance that "emergency" or form another strategy to deal with that issue. I'm only going to hash out that issue if I have to..... so, let's assume it will not happen. ;)

And the information everyone seems to be interested in is.... Just how much did we pay for the bus? Was it a bargain? Well, it's like I told my husband.... if I don't think it is a bargain then you know I wouldn't buy it! He knows all to well how true that is. These buses sell for $50, 000 and up when they are new. I am not sure really, but they are not cheap and I have not been able to find a "bargain" on one in the last few months of searching. We bought this used bus from a church that had it on a dealership lot. They were asking $7,900 for it. Now, I am not one to try to bargain with a church, BUT my husband did NOT want to buy it. So, he says to me, "If they will take $6, 500 we will do it... no, no... if they will take $6,000 we will do it." So, I called the man and told him that I was uncomfortable asking, but that my husband said we would do it for $6,000... to which he said he thought his church would go down to $6, 500, but he would ask if they would go lower. He would have to call me back... during this time I looked at my husband and asked if he was really serious, because if he was not he was wasting our time and this man's time and they were obviously willing to negotiate down to what we were willing to pay. In fact, they were needing to get rid of it due to health problems of their current driver and no one else wanted to be the new driver. So, the man calls back and says his church said they would sell for ....... $6,250 and we could take it home that day... on a Sunday (Lord forgive us for dealing on a Sunday, but we had to get back to Texas). In the blink of an eye we swapped some information, signed a few quick papers and we were outta there with a bus!!! It went so smooth and easy! I think God sent us there the day we first saw it... because that town was not even in our plan to go through. I think God greatly honors that I will wait for his blessings. I am not always patient, but I will wait and we get blessed double from my point of view.

So, since I shared all my financial details here I have a question, too. Do you think it was a bargain? It does have 103,000 mile on it, but it is in great condition. It's a 1994, but has been well taken care of... No, it's not all shiney in and out, but it satisfies us and we are happy with the imperfections because they are minor things to us, like the dirver's set needs a seat cover and there are some discoloration to the plastic from aging (yellowing of the white interior) and one of the headlights could use a fix-up. The heat is superb in it and it runs great and everything in it is "clean-able". I am going to have to spend close to $100 to add another stripe where the church name is all the way down the side (not shown in photo because I blocked it out). And I plan to add seatbelts to it, also (for some of the seats, at least).

We are also loving it already. We drove it around town to "check it out" a bit more. And last night we drove it to the relatives, because they all wanted to see what kind of bus the crazies had bought. To their surprise they loved it and this weekend we are going to incorporate it into my nieces thirteen birthday celebration. She wants to take all her friends for a ride because she thought it was way cool that her craZy aunt and uncle have a shuttle bus!! Ha! Who knew buying a bus could make us "cool" with the younger crowd! LOL!!

In reality this bus could be used as an investment, although we purchased it for our personal fun for travel. Apparently, there is a whole market for a sort of limo-bus service for proms, wedding party transport, and other groups and my husband already has a CDL license, if he needed it to chaffeur such events. So, you see this really could be a frugal purchase!!

Resolutions COMMITMENT 2010

First of all, I am not big on "New Year's" resolutions. I believe we should always be in a spirit of resolving to become better and set goals for ourselves. Some resolutions need our attention yearly, some need it monthly, some weekly,... daily, ... and some need it from minute too minute. ;) I also have in the past had the attitude that there is no point making resolutions that you are going to break before January is even over. I do suppose it is better to make a resolution and keep it for one month than to never try... hmmmm?.... At any rate, I think it is something that, if you are going to do, you should take careful consideration of each resolution on your list and be completely committed to conquering your goal. With that said, I do not think it is too late to make resolutions or reconsider our list of resolutions. The definition of resolve states that it is "to clear up", "to settle", "to deal with SUCESSFULLY", "to find an answer to", etc.. These are such serious words indicating the seriousness of what a resolution should be about.

Now, I am not trying to take the fun out of it all. If that is what you want, then go the fun route. If you just want to have fun with it and make some "resolutions" just to be silly and laugh when you break them two days later, then that is fine.... if that is your expectation then, ENJOY! I'm not trying to be a Kill Joy. What I see, though is people setting unreachable goals that send them into despair when they do not accomplish the goals. On New Year's Eve almost everyone resolves to lose weight and by January 31st we have millions of people suffering from full blown depression because of their failure to succeed.

First, we should not set ourseleves up for failure! How do you avoid this, you might ask? Carefully consider your level of committment to the goal BEFORE you put it on your resolutions list. Ask yourself if you are truly committed with all your heart to the task at hand. If not, then skip the grief and leave it off the list.

And without further mumbo-jumbo yada-yada-yada I give you my resolution list for 2010:
- To be a better wife; more appreciative; focusing less on the things that "don't happen" and more on the things that do get accomplished; more compassionate; to be the wife I wanted to be with a relationship built on respect for one another
- To be a better momma to these little ones; getting back to the momma I envisioned for my family from the beginning ; get back to more loving them and less "just getting it all done"; to mold them, guide them, and prepare them for THEIR future {Somebody pinch me because Savannah is HALWAY there}
- And to really find our groove for homeschooling... I never deamed it would be so hard! I am a great juggler of tasks, but I have not figured this one out. Every schedule fails... every plan changes... and life happens. And so it must become our way of life for it to all fit together and work. I just have to tweek it more.... but really it is the teamwork part that is missing. So, this resolution is unclear.... it is more about getting my husband on board ...in a pleasant way. He is supportive, but I believe he is uncertain and uncomfortable with his role as the homeschool daddy. So, I guess this one is more about unity in our relationship than anything. We have to find unified ground!

And..... the WISH LIST... lol! These are more the kind of thing I WANT, but not necessarily COMMITTED TO accomplishing. Like, if it was easy and just happened without my hard work I would totally be putting on the resoluitions list:

- Get skinny!! Lose fifteen or more pounds... up to a 25 pound weight loss would be pretty nice (while we are wishing) ;)

- Get everything all caught up!!! Totally organized to the max!

- Master the goal of Cheerful Obedience in our home.... it could happen and I am not mocking it, but I don't expect to "master it".

;) I'll let you know how I'm doing by January 31st! Maybe I will have a time of reflection monthly and post our progress and accomplishments, as well as, setbacks, etc.

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not...

He LOVES me!
...and he thinks I'm C~R~A~Z~Y !!!
...yet, he's crazy enough to go with my crazy ideas...
...and just look at the "souvenir" we picked up on vacation

...and No, it's not a motorhome.

It's a bus.... Yeah, that's what I said...

a BUS !!!

.... and the kids are so thrilled to have their very own

"school bus"! (not quite a big yellow dawg, but they think it is).

Tonight we went for a drive and they were counting all the seats!

So funny! It has TWENTY-ONE seats! LOL!!!

So, guess what everyone is asking us???!!!

I bet some of you know... are we planning to have that many kids?!! HA!

... the answer to that one....

(drumroll, please)

NO! and NO WAY ! and triple NO WAY !!! ;) LOL!

I don't think we are quite that c~r~a~z~y, just yet.

Although, just for the record I do ADMIRE those of you who have that goal and working on it.

So, the deal is I have been looking around for a small motorhome, so it would be easier to travel. The thing is that I have done some motorhome travel with my parents in three different motorhomes and it is just not completely my thing. I pretty much like that you can get up and walk around in motorhomes and go to the restroom. I don't like falling into counters and cabinets and hitting my head on cabinet doors and trying to microwave things going down the road ... and I have no interest in dealing with septic systems and such (although I would if necessary). Anywhoo!... I wanted one of these motorhomes that is the size of a large van, but they are all cabinets, bathroom, sink, stove, bed and not enough seating for all of us. We need SEATS!! Not 21 of them, but we need SOME seats and I like the idea of having the flexibility of taking more than just our family. That would just not be an option in one of those mini-motorhomes. In my search I started seeing these buses. I know it is strange, but I also noticed that some of the larger families use them (much larger than I aspire to be... wink-wink). Still I did not like the rows of seats, so I was not sold on that idea either... UNTIL I saw some that have the seating along the perimeters of the bus!!! How perfect!... I mean, in my crazy mind. To me that was the perfect solution. So, in this bus there is a driver seat and in addition to that EIGHT seats along EACH side and FIVE seats along the back. That leaves the rest all open room and that is a space about 4 foot wide and who knows how long! I am c~r~a~z~y ELATED!!!

This means that I do not have to bend over the back of my van seat with a headrest pertruding into my abdomen as we go down the road trying desperately to reach all four children to hand out drinks and snacks while meanwhile my husband hits a pothole or swerves while he is daydreaming in his posh little driver's seat and wondering why on earth I could be screaming in pain as my feet fly in the air and fall into the space between the two front seats!!! Yippppeee! I'll miss that you know! ;)

There is no plan to "convert' this into a sort of motorhome, but one of the great things I like about this bus is that when we are going on long trips we can just grab the mattress off one of the kids beds and put it on the floor in the back! When we are done it can just go back in the house. Another thing I LOVE about it is that there is no carpet in it. That means it will be easy to clean and there will be no worries of staining... and we can just enjoy it worry free. I can't wait to take a vacation!! Whoo-hooo... now I have to start planning.

God Can Change YOUR Ways To HIS Ways

I wish I had known what I know now about babies... what a blessing they are, I mean. My mother always devoted herself to her two kids, but never ceased to tell us how awful it was to be a mother. I did not have my first until I was 28! I was soooo amazed at how great it was and was filled with regret for choosing to prevent such a blessing for TEN years. The first moments I held Savannah (9) I said, "I could do this four or five times!" I think I shocked even myself when I said that and little did I know then that I would actually do that very thing and do it because I WANTED to. What an amazing way God can change us. Even after that I still used to say I wish I could have started having my babies in my mid-twenties.... even that has changed in the last year. Now I wish I had started ASAP and done it God's way! I think of the "blessings" I have robbed myself of... and the on-the-job-training that I could have gotten at a younger more naive, energetic age. And, by the way, I still think of myself as young... and secretly nineteen (37), but oh how my body has started telling a different story in the last three years.... eeeeekkkk !! I won't go into all that, but I will tell you it is real and not in my head and it is a great source of frustration to me. If you know anything about me you have to know I think I can do it all.... with a few exceptions. ;) So, I don't admit defeat lightly and it makes me down-right grumpy to fail at anything. I am one of those people that thinks pregnancy is fabulous and I love to be pregnant... except, it's gotten rougher by the sixth one crammed into an eight year time frame (remember I have had two losses).... Even though it is harder now I still ponder more... they are so stinkin' sweet! I love this saying:

"The first time I held my baby I understood why people

feel the need to keep having them."

I certainly changed the instant I had my firstborn and I am not saying I am ready for another, but I don't think I would ever be upset if another little blessing was sent our way.