Making Pizza Sauce (scroll down to Sept 14th) at our home....this is 6x the recipe...and I realize I need an electric can opener or at least a new can opener....
Friday, October 13, 2006
Blog-o-Gram for Michael!!!
Phone home - email home? LOL Do you have a guarantee on these tires? The driver rear tire was resting on the rim when Cy got off work. He put the spare on, drove home, filled up the tire and put it back on.....the front tires were doing this. Is it time to replace all four tires on THIS vehicle too?
School Daze
We got a slow start this a.m. as the dishwasher broke. We were also out of granola. This meant I had to make granola and then do all the dishes by hands. Arielle and Nolan usually do breakfast clean up but I felt it was a bit much this a.m.
They set to work on their table school. I reveiwed Nolan's phonics while I did dishes. The only couch school we had left for the week was reading out of *Looking For Home*.
We had time to work on two quilt squares for the week.
We are enjoying this project. I'm not sure when we'll begin the lapbooks. Tips - you can find graphics for almost anything by going to google.com and clicking "images". We've also found "templates" in some of our reading books - we make a copy and cut them out and go from there. The kids simply trace around them and fill in the details. Last week Arielle did both her squares "free hand".
We got a slow start this a.m. as the dishwasher broke. We were also out of granola. This meant I had to make granola and then do all the dishes by hands. Arielle and Nolan usually do breakfast clean up but I felt it was a bit much this a.m.
They set to work on their table school. I reveiwed Nolan's phonics while I did dishes. The only couch school we had left for the week was reading out of *Looking For Home*.
We had time to work on two quilt squares for the week.
Arielle chose to make a square on The Orphan Trains
Nolan's imagination was captured by our largest President...William Taft (we couldn't fit the full name on the square), who had a special bathtub built for the White House. Note that Stacia contributed to the project, giving Nolan a second chance at the tub. {G}
We are enjoying this project. I'm not sure when we'll begin the lapbooks. Tips - you can find graphics for almost anything by going to google.com and clicking "images". We've also found "templates" in some of our reading books - we make a copy and cut them out and go from there. The kids simply trace around them and fill in the details. Last week Arielle did both her squares "free hand". Jared made up plans for a trench system for an Army. Jamin is bouncing around here like.....I don't know what....he's got a full schedule and we sort of try to give him "space" to work out the details. {G}
New Blog Feature – “Big Family Myths”
*I’m open to catchy names for this feature…suggest away… PLEASE!
I’m considering a new feature on the blog. This stems from several comments I’ve heard online and in real life. I think I’ll do a weekly “Big Family Myth” entry. That is if there is an interest (either for me to write or for you to read :::snort:::). I considered the fact that the blogosphere is filled with large family blogs and websites. Frankly, quite a few of the myths I hear stem from those spots.
I’m nothing if not real. Those who read regularly, see the bumps and bruises as well as the glowing moments in our family life. I do that for a reason. I think it is important for us to see that life is a journey, none of us have arrived, and all NEED grace and should be throwing themselves on GRACE DAILY! I have never tried to portray myself or my family as perfect. If you have us a pedestal – take us down now! :::stomping foot::: So…why would I consider myself able to debunk some big family myths….because I live it. Because I AM real…I have no books to sell or huge public image to protect. I’m fairly open and honest in real life so I doubt that anyone will ask something that my close friends and family don’t already know. Since many of you don’t know me in real life, you may feel comfortable asking things you’d never ask your friend in REAL life but that concerns you or you’re curious about. Frankly, I hope to offer you an avenue to understand your “eccentric friend” with the large family so that you can minister to each other a bit more competently. I also hope to help you understand the lifestyle, both its joys and its limitations, of a large family.
If you are a big family and would like a forum to have some of the myths that are so blithely thrown your way debunked, feel free to post the thought, question or myth. If you are a smaller family and wonder “how it all gets done” or if something you’ve heard is accurate, ask away. Now – be aware that something you may have believed as “fact” may be myth…and some “myths” you may have believed are likely to be fact. Of course, I do not speak for large families everywhere. In fact, I’m only now coming to grips with the fact that most do consider us to have a large family, even in the homeschooling movement.
For the purpose of our discussion “large” is anything YOU consider to be “large”.
Feel free to post the “myths” or questions in the comment section here or email them to me personally. I’ll see if general themes develop and try to handle at least one a week. Never fear the blog will not become ALL about big families…because I live a varied life.
I’m fairly certain that through this exercise we will learn that all of us are basically the same, with a few extra twists or challenges thrown in. I hope that we’ll better understand each other. I hope that less “biting or hurtful or unthinking or inconsiderate” comments will be lobbed at each other. I hope that we will understand a bit better the lifestyles of each other and the particular path that God has led each one down.
By the way, if one of you with a “small family” would like to do “small family myths” let me know and I’ll send folks your way….or I’ll post your entry here once a week…as long as you don’t write more often than I. For the purposes of our discussion “small” is anything you consider to be “small”. I WAS thinking I was a “small family” since we are down to seven at home but I’ve revised my opinion since Mike deployed. :::snort:::
*I’m open to catchy names for this feature…suggest away… PLEASE!
I’m considering a new feature on the blog. This stems from several comments I’ve heard online and in real life. I think I’ll do a weekly “Big Family Myth” entry. That is if there is an interest (either for me to write or for you to read :::snort:::). I considered the fact that the blogosphere is filled with large family blogs and websites. Frankly, quite a few of the myths I hear stem from those spots.
I’m nothing if not real. Those who read regularly, see the bumps and bruises as well as the glowing moments in our family life. I do that for a reason. I think it is important for us to see that life is a journey, none of us have arrived, and all NEED grace and should be throwing themselves on GRACE DAILY! I have never tried to portray myself or my family as perfect. If you have us a pedestal – take us down now! :::stomping foot::: So…why would I consider myself able to debunk some big family myths….because I live it. Because I AM real…I have no books to sell or huge public image to protect. I’m fairly open and honest in real life so I doubt that anyone will ask something that my close friends and family don’t already know. Since many of you don’t know me in real life, you may feel comfortable asking things you’d never ask your friend in REAL life but that concerns you or you’re curious about. Frankly, I hope to offer you an avenue to understand your “eccentric friend” with the large family so that you can minister to each other a bit more competently. I also hope to help you understand the lifestyle, both its joys and its limitations, of a large family.
If you are a big family and would like a forum to have some of the myths that are so blithely thrown your way debunked, feel free to post the thought, question or myth. If you are a smaller family and wonder “how it all gets done” or if something you’ve heard is accurate, ask away. Now – be aware that something you may have believed as “fact” may be myth…and some “myths” you may have believed are likely to be fact. Of course, I do not speak for large families everywhere. In fact, I’m only now coming to grips with the fact that most do consider us to have a large family, even in the homeschooling movement.
For the purpose of our discussion “large” is anything YOU consider to be “large”.
Feel free to post the “myths” or questions in the comment section here or email them to me personally. I’ll see if general themes develop and try to handle at least one a week. Never fear the blog will not become ALL about big families…because I live a varied life.
I’m fairly certain that through this exercise we will learn that all of us are basically the same, with a few extra twists or challenges thrown in. I hope that we’ll better understand each other. I hope that less “biting or hurtful or unthinking or inconsiderate” comments will be lobbed at each other. I hope that we will understand a bit better the lifestyles of each other and the particular path that God has led each one down.
By the way, if one of you with a “small family” would like to do “small family myths” let me know and I’ll send folks your way….or I’ll post your entry here once a week…as long as you don’t write more often than I. For the purposes of our discussion “small” is anything you consider to be “small”. I WAS thinking I was a “small family” since we are down to seven at home but I’ve revised my opinion since Mike deployed. :::snort:::
Thursday, October 12, 2006
This & That – Thursday
Our geo-nickels are here. These are little wooden nickels that we’ll be able to leave in caches. I ordered these here and was very impressed with how easy Mark was to work with. 
Today is House of Faith day for Jamin and Jared. They are enjoying being involved in this ministry. Last week many of the youth volunteers were at a Worldview Camp. Jared reported that one of the girls told him that she met a girl named Mary R who said to tell the G’s hello! How’s that for a small world?
While the boys were occupied the rest of us met Tricia and her girls at the park. It was actually our homeschool support group park day. However, there weren’t many attending today. I DID meet a new lady. That is always fun to do. I think she’s one I’ve heard about but I’m not sure why. She had also heard of me…so I’m guessing Adrienne or the Bible Study that several of the ladies had last spring. I should have asked her for more details. “Are you the Jennifer who….” I noticed today that we are now far beyond the “cuddle at the park in the sling” stage with Stacia. She was down and running today…which is probably good for me. I got SOME exercise in. :::snort:::
In the kitchen I got a load of apples dried. It’s about time to get another care package off to Mike. I made meatballs, rice, corn, salad, bread and lots of fruit for dinner.
The kids and I finished reading *The Great Brain Does it Again* by John D. Fitzgerald last night. I LOVE this series; though these boys are not ones I would want my boys to imitate. We have lots of laughs every time we read through this series.
The significance of the above paragraph is that we needed to pick a new book to read in the evenings. Zander brought out the Duane Gish book on Dinosaurs. This is a signed copy for Bre and Krista in 1995. That, of course, resulted in a jaunt down memory lane. This is not a “child’s” read aloud book….but we read about 6 pages before Zander decided that was enough. The kids have asked if I’d continue to read it to them “maybe for school”. They narrowed their choices down to “Peter Pan” or “The Adventures of Pinocchio”. NOT the Disney versions
– the real classic versions. *The Adventures of Pinocchio* by Carlo Collodi won, with the understanding that I will read the original *Peter Pan* next. We discussed that this book was published in the 1880’s. The great thing is that Jamin and Jared joined after they listened in for a bit. They are going to have great fun comparing it to Disney. Jamin loves old writers and so this was a great choice. It was Nolan’s pick….I compared the size of books and size of print and went with Pinocchio. I’ll look for Peter Pan in bigger print in the next couple of weeks. LOL
Today is House of Faith day for Jamin and Jared. They are enjoying being involved in this ministry. Last week many of the youth volunteers were at a Worldview Camp. Jared reported that one of the girls told him that she met a girl named Mary R who said to tell the G’s hello! How’s that for a small world?
While the boys were occupied the rest of us met Tricia and her girls at the park. It was actually our homeschool support group park day. However, there weren’t many attending today. I DID meet a new lady. That is always fun to do. I think she’s one I’ve heard about but I’m not sure why. She had also heard of me…so I’m guessing Adrienne or the Bible Study that several of the ladies had last spring. I should have asked her for more details. “Are you the Jennifer who….” I noticed today that we are now far beyond the “cuddle at the park in the sling” stage with Stacia. She was down and running today…which is probably good for me. I got SOME exercise in. :::snort:::
In the kitchen I got a load of apples dried. It’s about time to get another care package off to Mike. I made meatballs, rice, corn, salad, bread and lots of fruit for dinner.
The kids and I finished reading *The Great Brain Does it Again* by John D. Fitzgerald last night. I LOVE this series; though these boys are not ones I would want my boys to imitate. We have lots of laughs every time we read through this series.The significance of the above paragraph is that we needed to pick a new book to read in the evenings. Zander brought out the Duane Gish book on Dinosaurs. This is a signed copy for Bre and Krista in 1995. That, of course, resulted in a jaunt down memory lane. This is not a “child’s” read aloud book….but we read about 6 pages before Zander decided that was enough. The kids have asked if I’d continue to read it to them “maybe for school”. They narrowed their choices down to “Peter Pan” or “The Adventures of Pinocchio”. NOT the Disney versions
– the real classic versions. *The Adventures of Pinocchio* by Carlo Collodi won, with the understanding that I will read the original *Peter Pan* next. We discussed that this book was published in the 1880’s. The great thing is that Jamin and Jared joined after they listened in for a bit. They are going to have great fun comparing it to Disney. Jamin loves old writers and so this was a great choice. It was Nolan’s pick….I compared the size of books and size of print and went with Pinocchio. I’ll look for Peter Pan in bigger print in the next couple of weeks. LOL
Happy Birthday to ME!!!!
I was in hysterics tonight upon opening the mail. I received a birthday letter from my primary care manager (our doc).
This is funny for two reasons. This is October and my birthday is in January. I wonder if they have me mixed up with someone else again.
The second reason I was reduced to hysterical laughter? I quote, “Congratulations to you on your upcoming birthday! We are the …th Medical Group would like to take the opportunity to invite you in for your annual women’s wellness examination.” Then it goes on for 4 more paragraphs to explain why one “needs” an annual pap and mammogram.
I’m telling you, this gave “happy birthday” a whole new image.
I was in hysterics tonight upon opening the mail. I received a birthday letter from my primary care manager (our doc).
This is funny for two reasons. This is October and my birthday is in January. I wonder if they have me mixed up with someone else again.
The second reason I was reduced to hysterical laughter? I quote, “Congratulations to you on your upcoming birthday! We are the …th Medical Group would like to take the opportunity to invite you in for your annual women’s wellness examination.” Then it goes on for 4 more paragraphs to explain why one “needs” an annual pap and mammogram.
I’m telling you, this gave “happy birthday” a whole new image.
PWOC
I’ll admit that I’m feeling “just a tad bit” sorry for myself this evening. The military has an international organization that encompasses all the services (Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines I think). It’s called Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC). Yeah, I know, it’s not the catchiest name around, but PWOC IS cutting edge in women’s ministry. Every two years we have a convention. THIS October is the convention. I was planning to attend. NOTHING would keep me away….but then Mike deployed. When we knew he was deploying we began to talk about having my Mom or someone come out to watch the kids. It’s only a weekend. Then, Mike actually deployed and I have a 4 yo who thinks “he’ll never see me” every time I leave the house (not to mention a one year old and five others still at home). Tonight I opened the mail and found an invitation to three fabulous leadership workshops that will be going on at the convention. They sound so inviting…but I know this is where I need to be. I’m “satisfied” with KNOWING this is where I need to be…but I’m a tad bit sad because many of my friends have been emailing to ask if I’ll be there. It would be such a pick me up….but for this season, it is not meant to be. So….I’ll stay home and pray for the leaders and participants…. and try not to feel very jealous when they all begin talking of the friends they ran into, the things God taught them and the fun they had in the hotel. There’s always 2008!!!
I’ll admit that I’m feeling “just a tad bit” sorry for myself this evening. The military has an international organization that encompasses all the services (Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines I think). It’s called Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC). Yeah, I know, it’s not the catchiest name around, but PWOC IS cutting edge in women’s ministry. Every two years we have a convention. THIS October is the convention. I was planning to attend. NOTHING would keep me away….but then Mike deployed. When we knew he was deploying we began to talk about having my Mom or someone come out to watch the kids. It’s only a weekend. Then, Mike actually deployed and I have a 4 yo who thinks “he’ll never see me” every time I leave the house (not to mention a one year old and five others still at home). Tonight I opened the mail and found an invitation to three fabulous leadership workshops that will be going on at the convention. They sound so inviting…but I know this is where I need to be. I’m “satisfied” with KNOWING this is where I need to be…but I’m a tad bit sad because many of my friends have been emailing to ask if I’ll be there. It would be such a pick me up….but for this season, it is not meant to be. So….I’ll stay home and pray for the leaders and participants…. and try not to feel very jealous when they all begin talking of the friends they ran into, the things God taught them and the fun they had in the hotel. There’s always 2008!!!
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