Home School Adventures

As we begin to zero in on the final months of school, I am constantly amazed at what I have learned in this Home School Adventure.

Just this morning I thought of a better way to keep the kids organized in their week, yep it took almost 2 years but I did it. This is one of the things I have taken away from having worked within an Elementary School for 2+ years. File Folders!!  Yep back to some basics.

I had been at Wal-Mart a few months ago and they were clearancing out some file folders, cute ones too with school themes, not missing much when it comes to a clearance, I snagged a few. This morning it dawned on me while I was typing up their schedule for the week that if they had a folder to keep it in maybe it would not get lost throughout the week. Brillant, I know!

 Pretty cute, aren't they!?

Then I stapled the monthly goal sheet I made them, on to one side of the folder and then put monthly writing prompts on the other side.

Here is the inside of my son's folder. I finally broke the monthly goals into weekly goals for both of the kids to help with keeping them on track for the whole month. We will see how that works for us all.

The writing prompts I found online and I might have even paid for them, who can remember, but he has finished his composition for the year and I want him to keep writing.

Here is the schedule I created for them both. This actually came about because I could not get the online program to print it correctly. I also do not like the kids having to review on a Thursday or Friday and not assess until Monday. I did my sons in blue and my daughters is in purple.

I slipped this into the folder and they can cross off what they have finished and then in the afternoon when I take my 'office time' with them we can go over what was accomplished and what still needs more work.

I am available to help throughout their school day but during 'office time' I take a one-on-one 'conference' to check for assessments, grading (if necessary), attendance. This gives them the chance to ask scheduling questions as well or make adjustments. When they tell me they think they are finished, I remind them to double check before I look. We have been doing this for awhile but I am hoping with the file folder it will help even better.

Love My Life

I have to say that I love my crazy life. There are days there is so much going on I don't even know where to begin. The last few days have been like that.

I have finished one homework assignment and submitted it for grading and started working on the next assignment. This term is over at the end of March and then onto the next term. I am currently working on a 25-30 slide Power Point for my class and all I can think of is WOW, that's a lot of slides. At least I started a slide outline and hopefully that will help.

The kids are doing great with their own schooling and my DS is almost finished with 2 subjects for the year. DD on the other hand is not putting her best effort forward. We are working on some improvements.

We have reached 120 days without any information from the VA so yesterday DH sent another letter to them with the hopes they will finally take him seriously.

My mom is still visiting and she is just about to graduate with her AA in Accounting. Very happy for her and glad we can be finished with school for a bit.

I need to remember to pull out my blog organizer so I can remember what it was I was going to be posting about over the next few weeks.

On the positive side I think we actually have a great med routine down with DH. The last few days he has actually woken up early and gotten up. He is awake more during the day as well. What an improvement from where we were a few weeks ago.

I think I need to pick one day of the week to post about my #1000Gifts. I guess I need to actually plan.

How can you not love a busy life!

Catching Up With Life

I really hate when life takes over and all the best laid plans end up kicked to the curb. Sure seems what has happened to our family in 2012.

So much has happened to us all since that dreadful phone call on June 16th but it also seems like nothing really mattered since then. But life goes on, as my Dear Sister, Debbie, was fond of saying and that is how I have to live the rest of my life. I don't have to get everything right I just have to keep trying.

So to play some catch up with our life, DS turned 14 in July, so hard to believe he is 14 and taller than I am (not really that hard to do) and really reaching for his dad (6'). We never went camping this summer like we had planned to do but DD was able to take part in 3 different Girl Scout Camps including horseback riding and horsemanship skills. She had a wonderful time. One camp was iCamp...internet without the internet. Sadly she got sick and ended up coming home Saturday night instead of Sunday Afternoon.

September rolled around and we began our second year of schooling at home using WAVA. I love how great the kids are feeling about school and that even sick they never miss a day.

My mom is now a part-time Albuquerque resident to help my brother-in-law with the kids. She really enjoys it there but we miss her. One of her favorite things in NM is my nephew's football games. My sister used to take 1500+ pictures at every game, she was the team mom, mom has not gotten to the point of taking that many pictures but we have seen many pictures of a #53 Jersey which she claims is my nephew.

In October there was Debbie's birthday and her son had a football game on her birthday. Those kids played their hearts out and they didn't even know. Later that same month we had my birthday, I had no desire to celebrate, it just didn't seem right.

In November my mom came to visit and was able to be here for my other niece's 16th birthday. Mom was back in NM for Thanksgiving and had a nice time with BIL's family. We had a quiet Thanksgiving here with just the 4 of us and our dogs.

December came and with it was the opportunity to bury Debbie's remains next to her Dad in Tacoma, WA. BIL, mom and kids came up on December 5th. My little niece stayed the whole visit with us and I had a great time with her, we really bonded in June. On December 8th we had a graveside service that was small but gave some of the final closure we could all us. On the 10th BIL and kids went home to NM and mom stayed to have Christmas in WA and be able to see her doctors.

Update on our VA claims:
In October DH's final VA claim came through with 100% for PTSD but the VA is proposing to have him declared incompetent for VA Purposes, meaning he would not have ultimate control over his VA benefits. We are now on day 78 of the competency claim and so far there is nothing to report, good or bad. They say that no news is good news but only time will tell.

On the brighter side of life I have decided I needed to be doing something to I started knitting again. It feels so good to lose myself in some yarn and a pattern. So far I have made several scarves and I am on my 4th pair of socks in 8 weeks time. I have a few other projects I would like to tackle soon as well as some earrings I need to make.

So there is a quick catch up on our life for the last 6 months or so.

The Best of 2012

Hard to imagine a best moment of 2012 when there is the shadow of sad moments overhead, but I will give it a try:

The kids - they are doing fabulous schooling at home and have made great strides. The kids make me laugh and smile even when I have no desire to do either. In June when I was in New Mexico, DD asked me if I had a tan yet...how can you not laugh at that. I told her I wasn't sure but I would probably come home with more freckles, she said that would work since I have so many it will look like a tan. Can't really argue with 11 year old logic.

We were able to get a new to us car this year, which makes us all happy.

While we had to put Hailey, our beagle down, we have added 2 dachshunds to the family. What a blessing the dogs have been for all of us.

My oldest nephew graduated from High School...we are all so proud of the man he is becoming.

I did get to take my very first plane trip when I went to New Mexico after my sister passed. Hated the circumstances but loved flying. Spent a good/horrible week in New Mexico. I was glad to be there to help my mom, brother-in-law, and my niece and nephew. Horrible because of the circumstances. I can honestly say that while I have done more than my fair share of crying that week, I also was able to laugh and enjoy those around me.

Another positive would be the bond I have developed with my youngest niece. Even so far away we have a bond. When they were visiting in December she spent the week with us and we had fun. She was only 6 when mommy went to Heaven.

The Summer was kind of bad since I lost any desire to really do anything at all, but thank goodness for September and school starting for the kids. I was able to get motivated and out of the pity party.

The fall also brought DH's VA disability rating to 100% total and permanent, what a blessing that is for us.

Thanksgiving was quiet and then it was time for the family visit and my sister's burial. She was buried in Tacoma with her dad, which is what she would have wanted. Rough day but we have survived. While the kids were visiting we kept them busy and what a chore that can be sometimes.

Mom decided to spend Christmas in Washington instead of New Mexico this year. She is staying with us and the kids enjoy having Grandma here. Christmas was a lot of fun but we are all glad it is over.

As we closed out 2012 the kids are sick with congestion, fever, and aches. So far today is not looking much better.

And suddenly

you know. It is

time to start

something New and

trust the Magic of

Beginnings

Meister Eckhart

Happy New Year!!

Spring Update

I decided it was past time for an update on what is going on in our lives.

We had successful Girl Scout Cookie Sales for my Dear Daughter. She has had a GS Sleepover, an Easter Egg Hunt, and World Thinking Day going on in her life. She is going to GS Camp later this month and is super excited.

My Dear Son has advanced in two of his courses already, Math and Earth Science. We are now starting Algebra and Life Science. His materials arrived on Monday and he got a microscope, boy did that cause some great excitement.

Dear Hubby is still working within his own challenges with PTSD. The VA finally gave a rating on his knee but it was not very favorable by just using x-rays, which to me is just a DUH moment on their part. He really needs an MRI and not just an arthritis doc wanting to push more meds. We have been going through some pretty sleepless nights, like every other night. I am not sure how to handle it but I have been trying to relax and let things happen as long as no one is getting hurt.

We finally got some great news on the VA Caregiver Program and not only do we qualify but we qualify for full time and I have my own income. We are making more money monthly than we have probably made since he returned from his tour of duty. We believe that we are in a better place in life, finally, even if it is not perfect.

Being a full time caregiver I do not have to work outside the home but I have begun volunteering for Family of a Vet and love all the wonderful people I have met through this wonderful organization. Their work is amazing and I am so happy to be apart of something so wonderful. I will continue with my research and advocacy for Homelessness among Veterans and this is a great group willing to support that as well.

We got a new car! We got a 2006 Ford Freestar SEL van. We are really happy with it and it was past time for a newer car. We took on car payments but we have checked the budget and we can easily do it.

We are hoping to be able to buy a house soon but one step at a time.

I am sure I have left some things out but I am working on posting more regularly again.

Downloads

I have started to put some downloads up on my blog. This will be a gradual process since I am still really new to the how-to's of Blogger.


If you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to tell me. Special requests as well.
Maybe I should start an Etsy shop for my 'stuff'.?!?!

Home School Thoughts

Ok so we have been at our homeschooling for many months now...we are in our 7th month and I have discovered that home based education of our own children is NOT for SISSIES!!! My 10 year old DD is going to drive me crazy today, she has been "working" since 9 am and it is now 11:05 am and she has not gotten but one subject finished. WOWSER!!!

How is it my son can get finished in no time flat and she has to procrastinate until I am ready to scream?!?!

I will add more later.

Crazy Times

We have had some pretty crazy times here lately.

I got really sick and am still fighting off the cold part 3 weeks later.
We had snow and more than a dusting, we ended up with about 13" in our backyard. We lost cable, phone, and Internet, but managed to keep the power the whole time. We didn't leave the house for 4 days due to the snow. We had a great time as a family though.

The kids have finished their first semester of school and we have moved on to the second semester. They did a wonderful job of finishing all their work and assessments, so proud of them.

I will be finished with my AA on the 14th and starting my BS on the 19th, my new class load is looking crazy.

We had an evaluation for DH knees for the VA and we sent in the application for the VA Caregiver program with an evaluation for that on the 14th.

We have Girl Scout Cookie Sales coming in March.

So many things, this month is going to fly right by.

My Daughter

My darling daughter is 10 1/2 years old and I swear going to drive me to drink at times. This morning I got her up so we could get the day started at 8:30. By 9:32am she was telling me was finished for the whole day and free to do what she wanted. I called BS and ended up yelling at her.

Her idea of doing Literature this morning was to pick up the book off the shelf, thumb through it, and toss it back on the shelf. WHAT?!?! Then proudly announced she was finished. I asked her to show me her student guide pages and she countered with 'what pages?'...really?!?! I asked her the discussion questions and she had no clue as to what I was talking about. I told her that wasn't dump enough to fall for this line and now she was going to not only do the work but what ever else I decided she needed to do. Then dad got involved. Needless to say she was given the lecture from dad and promptly got back to doing her work correctly.

Now it is after 11am and she is finished for the day and I have given her tomorrow off. We will be doing some work during Christmas Break, couple of days here and there, since we will start in January with semester assessments.

Right now I have daughter picking up her room then she can have the rest of the day to work on holiday crafts for family members.

Dad and I will be going to the VA today and I have just found out I am going to have to change some plans for next week due to the VA, but life happens!

Happy Weekend

I hope everyone has had a great weekend. For the most part I have but I am frustrated with one of my instructors, still waiting on a rough draft to be graded and the final is due tomorrow. (screaming internally)

On a more positive note my darling daughter got to spend the whole weekend with her new friends. They played make-up, played Barbie's, rode bikes, and just enjoyed being 10 together. They brought her home today and she is so tired, almost to the point of whiny but not quite. She wanted to make cookies with me so we made blueberry granola cookies that were/are de-lish-e-oso, as she has put it.

We are now into our third month of homeschooling and it has truly been a great experience. I love the fact they can work independently but can stop and ask questions even if it takes longer than expected. There is no time schedule other than I say they need to be getting started by 9 am. Of course we have had some long days but we have also had those days where everyone seems to be on task and done early.

I have to say we have lived here in Lacey for 5 months now and we still love it. We are happier as a family and we are making some friends. Not that we do not miss people from our lives but we are continuing to add quality to our lives daily. I go through times when I miss my "girls" so much I am ready to move back but those days have become less and less the more I connect with others. Miss you "girls".

Happy November

Happy November, yep 3 days late.

I have been so busy with the kids homeschooling and then my own classes there has been hardly a moment of free time. So glad I only have the two kids.

We have successfully completed 2 months of homeschooling and I still have all my hair, might be a few new gray ones in there but still I haven't pulled it out yet. We had such a great month. We really worked on staying on task and completing subject in a timely manner. Yeah!!

I have celebrated a another birthday and we are now looking forward to the coming Holidays.

I have more homework but that is all for now.

Happy Thursday

So glad it is Thursday today. Actually, I have to say I am just so glad last week is behind us now. It is always so much better when my dear hubby is home instead of away.

I have been thinking about how great of an experience we have been having with schooling the kids at home. Granted there have been a few crazy, going to pull my hair out, run screaming from the room days, but they were more in the beginning than a constant now. We still have some moments but it takes nothing to get kids on task. I found that by saving Art and Science for later in the day there is something to look forward to doing.

Speaking of Science, we have had a great time with both of the kids' science curriculum. Last week with 5th grade Science DD and I made salt water layers and today she and dad made a current using different temps of salt water. She loved it and completely understood what and why it was happening. 7th Grade Earth Science is on Rocks and Minerals now and DS and Dad were doing scratch test using the rock and mineral kit he got for Science. The next couple of days he is busy classifying the rocks into different categories, he is a happy boy.

It has not all been fun and games, grammar is one of those subjects that is easy to use (for most people) then to describe. The grammar is a bit more advanced then what both of the kids were used to, fortunately I have found some different helps and ideas that enhance what we, yes we, are learning.

In many ways I think Literature is their favorite subject next to Science. They have enjoyed the reading so much. They actually end up reading a lot everyday. DS has an online portion of his Math, then reads a couple of extra pages, before doing the exercises. They both have two to three chapters of History everyday to read and answer questions on. I am amazed at some of the conversations we have had about what they are studying. Great times.

Another Week in Paradise

Yep, here we are starting another wonderful week in my own personal paradise. No, I have not moved to a tropical island with some young stud. My classes began yesterday so in addition to my kids' education I have my own. I am taking a general science class and microeconomics. How much fun can we have now!

Yesterday was a busy day with printing out all my necessary course work for the next 5 1/2 weeks and then on to the kids' history course materials, hoping this is the last week for printing them. We really had a laid back day yesterday, I even just laid on the couch and watched at a movie. Pretty strange!

Today my darling children decided they were having a holiday, but I have discovered every Monday seems to be this same holiday...Procrastination Day!!! Yep, there were the Monday morning blahs present in the house this morning. It was rather funny on many levels. After breakfasts' and showers they got started around 9:30 am and both of them were finished by 1:30 pm. Maybe we have Procrastination Mornings not whole days!

Took my darling daughter to the doctor this afternoon for a small round rash on her chest she has had for about a week. It actually began as a bug bite then developed into a rash. I had a feeling I knew what it was but I wasn't positive, sure enough it was ring worm caused by the bug bite. Her scratching at it doesn't help either. Fortunately it was only in that one spot so the cream will fix it right up. She and her friends have been playing outside as much as possible before the weather changes, so I am not surprised at all.

Tomorrow, armed with my grocery list, we will head out to go shopping. This could get interesting.

First Month of Homeschooling

Wow, hard to believe tomorrow is October 1st and a whole month of school is behind us. We have had some ups and downs bother personally and with trying to figure everything out. The kids have taken to schooling at home far better then I had anticipated. I think they are truly learning.

My dear son has discovered the joys of success and a few not so successes, but those have been learning experiences. When he is working online and answers the questions he knows immediately if he is right or wrong and he cannot move on until it is correct. When it comes to assessments he has to wait until it is completed to know how he did and there have been a few repeats. He has discovered there are many times his first thought was correct but he second guessed himself.

Darling daughter, well she is so very different from her brother, like night and day. She struggles with some concepts because she begins to over think things. Just like her mom. If I can keep her focused she will breeze through everything without any trouble. This past week I started to reward her with scrap booking or craft time after school was over. I can proudly say we have scrapbooked 3 days and tonight we have tried a sewing craft. We are having great luck with our craft and she is already planning another.

Overall I have to say this has been a month of learning for all of us. I have learned to give the kids some say in how things are done as well as listening to them when they believe we can try it different next time. They have both learned how much fun learning can be. I think even dad has learned that homeschooling is a job for all and not just one.

Completed Project

Just Some Rambling

Have to say I am very happy it is Thursday, which means tomorrow is Friday. Duey has been with us for a week now and hasn't bit anyone since my dear hubby last Friday. He really is a cute little guy and he loves to follow our beagle around. There have been a few times I have turned around and they are both sitting the same way and looking at me like they are waiting for something, yes usually a treat. Not sure sometimes what is crazier, the kids or the dogs.

I have developed a frustration with people who only want things from you, or in my case, ME, without giving anything worth while in return. I might be just in one of my 'moods' but not too sure yet. There always seems to be a time when these kind of things happen, maybe there is an underlying stress. Who knows!?!?

We went to Costco yesterday and were checking out the Christmas decorations. We were all thinking about putting up lights in the front. Looking forward to the Holidays, not sure what our plans will be just yet but whatever they are we will have a great time. The most important part for me and hubby is being together with the kids for the Holidays. We have had to spend one set of Holidays without him, when he was overseas but we have planned to never be separated again for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

My darling daughter and I are already planning some decorations we can make as well as some other gift ideas. She is 10 and I figure it is about time to show her how to use a needle and thread. Pray for me! She loves to craft and loves one-on-one time with me so this might work to my advantage.

We have had a pretty good we so far with only one rough day and even that isn't too bad with all the VA runs we have made this week. We are on task for our monthly school goals and everyone is learning something, even mom and dad.

A Homeschool Mom...from her, to me, to share

There I was minding my own business writing some of my personal ramblings to share with the world and I was tagged in a blog by another blogger. OK so now what?! After a little research I am able to finish the task put toward me. Thank you Garden Tenders for the tag. So the task is to answer some questions about homeschooling...so without further adieu:

1. One homeschooling book you have enjoyed: What book? I did not get a book when this was laid on our hearts. I did, however, get Learning Coach Guides from WAVA to help me explain the lessons but I have no book on homeschooling.

2. One resource I wouldn't be without: Honestly I think that would be my sense of humor or the Internet but really my sense of humor helps more than the Internet at this point.

3. One resource I wish I had never bought: Well I have bought no resources at this point in time. We have resources which were sent to us through WAVA and all of the resources we have already had, but we have not purchased anything.

4. One resource I enjoyed last year: This is our first year with home based education for our kids so there is nothing to base this question on honestly...but I will say I miss the peace and quiet from last year.

5. One resource I will be using next year: Next year I hope to be feeling as positive about homeschooling as I am right now, minus the peace and quiet thing, but I will be using other mom's advice and thoughts again. Sometimes I just love to read what the other moms are saying about their own days with the kiddos, makes me realize I am not alone on this wild ride.

6. One resource I would like to buy: Ask me again in June. With the availability of so many resources online it is hard to determine what to buy, what to download, or what to ignore for now.

7. One resource I wish existed: A clone of myself to clean the house. Thank Heaven and the Powers that be my hubby is available to help with many chores in the house or some lessons so I can do chores or even breathe.

8. One home school catalog I enjoy: CATALOG!!! Who has time for a catalog? Between the kids, the hubby, the house, and my own schooling I am lucky I have time to read the mail.

9. One home school website I use regularly: WAVA and Facebook Yep you read me correctly, Facebook. I have made wonderful home school or virtual academy families on Facebook and they have been THE BEST resources in the world.

10. This said to tag other homeschoolers but I honestly do not know many home school blogs, sorry. If you have any to recommend for me to read please post in comments.

Now I know there are a few of you out there reading this and laughing and even more that do not feel sorry for me since this is a choice I made. Please laugh at me and my adventure but never think you need to feel sorry for me, I am loving this more than you can dream of. The greatest joy we have experienced has been the chance to have the kids home for school. All those 90 degree days we schooled in the morning, lake in the middle of the day, and schooled again in the evening when it was cooler. No two days are the same!

The Mom in Me

I have to tell you I really feel like I have multiple personalities. I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, etc...not to mention the fact I am a full time student as well as a full time homeschool mom. Would I change or give up any of these titles? Not for anything. There are times I would like to hang up one hat and give it some time off without seriously jeopardizing anything. Not sure if it will happen but one can always dream.

The mom in me would really like to get a shower in a reasonable timeframe but realistically I believe I need to get up even earlier to get that task accomplished. Pretty soon I might have to get up before I get any sleep. Maybe after we have established a clear routine I will get to shower while they are getting breakfast and started in the morning.

There have been a few times when the mom in me is ready to change my name to ANYTHING and then not tell them. I tried changing my name with my nephew when he was 5...didn't work out to well for me, he enjoyed the whole idea. I have never realized how wiggly my dear daughter is until we started schooling at home...my goodness.

So as much as the mom in me wants that shower in the morning, mom really needs the coffee and peace and quite first before the shower. I am sure things will continue to take on a more solid shape as we progress through this journey but honestly it is A LOT harder than I imagined it would be.

First Week of Homeschooling

WOW!!! We have completed the first week of our homeschooling adventure and what a week it has been. We have some ups and downs as well as the normal confusion following any school break. I can see certain subjects that my oldest child has missed in his education since he was a late reader needing extra help on a regular basis. So we struggle a bit with grammar but he has figured out quickly to do it quickly and get it out of the way and on with better subjects. I think he is really liking the options.

My dear darling daughter on the other hand sometimes seems to have the attention span of a gnat. My oh my...we had a lesson where she decided to play around more than actually work so I told her that I really do not care how long it takes her to finish the lesson she will only get 1 hours worth of credit for it. She looked at me like I have grown 2 heads. By the end of the day when brother had been finished for an hour and she was still working, maybe that did the trick.

Couple of other points came to focus when reading the wording in their lessons, it is not the same that they are used to so we hit a challenge. After a bit of rereading I explained that when you see that word this is what they want to know. This came up once for both of the kids but in different subjects.

On a better note Science is a hit with both kids, as is US History. My son also discovered that he loves the vocabulary. The vocab unit is on prefixes of uni-, bi-, mono-, he had no idea these were based on Latin and Greek words and then how many different words you can make with these prefixes. I love seeing the excitement in him for learning. He has also discovered Literature and he is loving the reading as well as the discussion questions afterwards. WOW...what a change!

This has been an awesome week and none of us can wait to see what next week has to bring.

First Day of School

Well our First Day of School proved to be very interesting. We were all set, got up on time, had my coffee and a friend called to say that they were in the hospital having a baby with their 18 year old daughter, my suedo-niece. So the younger kids do not start school until tomorrow in the public school so they needed to be picked up. So we went and picked them up and started breakfast.

I alternated kids and their class introductions while the others were playing xbox and then it was time for a break for ALL of us. Off to the lake, yep you guessed it, PE for two hours. They never came out of the water until I begged them to. I got some relaxation time in and read some of my book.

Finally, we made it back to the house and some more introductions. Then the ice cream truck came through the neighborhood so off we went and had a treat with some basic math added in. Everything is a lesson. Tonight the kids are watching the History Channel and something about WWII, yep we got some history too. This weekend my son found a show about PT-109 and is excited for more history.

I forgot to take some pictures of today but tomorrow when we really get into the thick of some lessons I will take some pictures. We had a great day! By the way we ended up with a "great-nephew" weighing 8 lbs. 5 oz. and 21" long. What a very blessed day!

School Days

School Days are upon us now. Tomorrow we start schooling, what an adventure that could be. I think we are all excited to see the shape that school will be taking here at home as well as to just start a more regular routine.

Lesson plans for tomorrow will be the introductory lessons for most subjects. My 7th grader has to answer a question every week from his teach but the kicker is these have to be meaningful responses with complete sentences. I want to laugh but only because he really does not like to write but maybe since the answer is submitted in an email it might make things easier for him.

I think we will break in the middle of the day for lunch and PE at the park. Give them a bit to swim and burn off some extra energy then carry on with clearer heads ready to work.

I hope my plan works!