TESTING , TESTING...

*warning I'm fixin to wax eloquent! ::snort::

Testing is a big issue in homeschool circles this time of year. Should you or shouldn't you? Are tests an accurate measure of what a child knows? Have tests ever showed you something you didn't already know? I'm about to wade in with my opinions.

I took tests WELL. I really don't think I learned a whole lot in school. I could test well; then I did a brain dump. I don't personally feel that tests accurately measure what a child has learned in a year. For tests to do so, I would have to teach to the test. We have too much fun learning to put those sorts of artificial boundaries on our educational experience. Therefore, I do not think tests are really an accurate measure of what a child knows. Our first three children did not take tests. The first test our oldest took was the PSAT - where she scored really high. She is a test taker. I've realized since then, that though I don't believe in tests, I do need to make sure my children know HOW to take tests. I still don't organize our schedule around standardized tests or the SAT prep - but I have taken to teaching how to take a test. ::snort::

Furthermore, I've never been totally surprised by test results in 17 years of homeschooling. I've known we were strong, where they said we were strong. I've known we were weak, where they said we were weak. Tests can however confirm what we sense...and I suppose that could be a good reason to take tests. We've been testing this week. Math U See - my observations hold true. Did you know there are home tests to see if you are in menopause? I'm not. There are also home tests to see if you are pregnant. I am.

Want more details? Keep reading. Yes, we're "old". Yes, Mike's only been home three weeks. I call this one our deployment bonus. ::snort:: Yes, this test, as the Math U See tests we've taken this week, only confirmed my suspicions. Last Tuesday I nearly fainted - and that only happens when I'm pregnant.

I tested last Friday. Mike didn't come home until after the Good Friday service so I had a bit of time to find out and figure out how I wanted to tell him. When I found out I was pregnant with Stacia, Mike was in Korea. I had a month to figure out how to tell him. Christmas was coming so I put off saying anything until Christmas a.m. I gave Mike a quiver that I'd written part of Ps 127 on. In the quiver were 9 arrows...8 with names and birth dates...one with the estimated arrival date of Stacia. He was totally shocked - as were the kids. First he looked puzzled, and thanked me. Ever polite. Then I told him to look closely and he read the arrows and the moment he realized is on film....as well as the moments the children figured it out.

I ran and bought a new arrow. I wrapped a big bow around the top. I took a picture of the test results (I'd bought a bulk package of tests and the test result goes away - I tested twice to be sure) and taped it onto the bow too.

After the Good Friday service, I gave Mike a Blue Mountain Card. Mike is a read every word type of card receiver. This did get me in trouble when I was careful to read each word on His valentine's card this year, but didn't notice that the front had the legs of two women dangling off a bridge. ::Snort:: ANYWAY - at the end of the card I wrote, "Is there room in the quiver for one more arrow?"

I had time to retrieve the arrow while he read. He was properly "surprised". OK - we're both blushing to the tips of our gray roots! He has, after all, only been home 3 weeks. We do not usually tell others when I'm pregnant until the second tri-mester. I've had 5 miscarriages. I told Mike that I couldn't find the quiver and that I was going to put the arrow in the quiver and leave it at that. He laid the arrow on the bed and went to get the quiver.

Jared and Arielle came in. They saw the arrow. Jared immediately got it. Arielle read "preg...nant?" with a question in her voice.....then got red and smiled real big. Jamin was then brought in by Jared and shown the new arrow. He smiled his shy smile that always brightens my day. He asked how long we had known. I told him "Dad's known 5 minutes and I've known about 4 hours." This prompted him to say "From a HAIR appointment??" Mike teased him. "Yes, Mom goes to a full service salon...touch up, cut, wax, styled and a pregnancy test".

Nolan was ushered in and Jamin showed him the quiver. He explained that there is a verse that says children are arrows and each arrow in the quiver represents one of the children. The arrows have names and birthdays on them. Nolan counted them - 10. We don't have 10 kids. Then someone pointed out that there was no name on the arrow. When do we have a baby without a name? It took a lot of leading - but he got it. Then he said, "Oh, you mean you aren't playing a joke on us?" I guess he thought it was an April Fool's Day joke. Zander informed us that he doesn't want "any more boys in his room - only girl babies". The next day he had changed his mind. He now says the baby can sleep in his bed with him and be a BOY.

Mike cracked us all up. One of the boys said, "So you'll be HOW OLD when this one graduates?". Mike so sweetly looked at me and replied, "I've already committed to being an engaged father well into my 60's. ::snort:: Wait up there sonny, I can't get my walker over this trail!"

Josiah was at work. Can you tell none of this went as I'd planned? God is good; He won't let me cower for one moment. The children voted to put the quiver on the mantel and wait for Josiah to notice. He didn't notice Friday night. We were watching movies when he got home. He didn't notice before he left for work Saturday. He noticed immediately when he got home. He smiled and gave his low chuckle. This means that the tradition continues: I've been pregnant at every graduation. During every family circle someone asks for prayer for Mom and the Baby and I'm glad we told them early. I've prayed often since the last miscarriage 3 years ago, the week after Bre's graduation. I've pleaded with God not to make me walk that path again. We do covet your prayers.

Mike called his parents. I called mine. I called the girls on Easter and they "happened" to both be at Krista's host home. They were surprised. It's tough to think of so many memories being made when such a big part of our family isn't HERE...but life does move on. Bre kept saying, "Mom - I'm 22!" and I kept replying, "Bre, I'VE DONE THE MATH!" Krista told me I could have waited six years and I'd have grand kids. I told them both that it will be o.k. When they have kids they can take their aunt to the park. ::snort::

And me? Well, my response is one of great joy tinged with fear. I'm choosing joy and running to the Throne of Grace for strength and peace. The timing is a bit shocking. Really though....discovered on Easter and Born at Christmas...pretty cool. I realized that we could not have CHOSEN a better time to have a baby. This one will either be born when the girls are home for Christmas break or just before they arrive and they'll have two weeks with "her". Seems fair to have a girl and even the numbers, don't you think?

This will seem like a LONG pregnancy now that everyone knows before the second tri-mester...I'm really believing for a pregnancy without diabetes or high blood pressure. I've changed my diet, lost weight, I work out 5 times a week....I'm doing all I can and am leaving the rest with God.

New Life Poem

Here's an email I JUST sent out...

Dear Friends and Family,
Have you ever cleaned out your pocket
And discovered a ten dollar bill?
You weren't really expecting it,
But it gave your heart a thrill!

Have you ever opened the door
And there before you eyes
You saw the flower man standing
With an armful of surprise?

Well, a surprise is exactly what's happened
To us as a man and a wife
The Lord has been gracious and perfectly good
By adding to us a TENTH life!

We could have told you in person
But it's very important you see
That we only see thoughts and reactions
Of happiness, smiles, and glee!

So once you've had time to digest it
And been able to ponder it all
When you have a nice word about all that you've heard,
Feel free to give us a call! (or email)

Highlights of My Tuesday

Hmmm....how do you top fruit flies???? ::snort::

Kim, a friend, dropped by with THESE for me. I've been looking over a year for whole wheat lasagna noodles. I'm also looking for whole wheat manicotti or big shells. If any of you find some do let me know. We LOVE manicotti and lasagna and I limit those meals now as I can't find good tasting 100% wheat noodles. These were at HEB. They are 100% durum whole wheat. I think I remember Becky saying that was just another kind of wheat. Durum semolina is often processed....at least that is what I THINK I remember.

Tonight was Bible Study again. That's a highlight. We are about to begin having "project nights" once a month on base. Everyone will bring THEIR project (albums, quilts etc) and we'll have dinner and work together but separately....we also have a fun lunch/shopping day coming up.

That's it for the day...it's been long and I need to grab some sleep while the sleeping is good.

School Blurbs

We watched a MUS Alpha lesson. I wanted to show the children what I've been telling the children. They are excited. Jared thought that I was showing the level HE would be in and had a strange look on his face. I explained this was the FIRST level and he said, "Man, he isn't joking when he says math doesn't have to be hard!" ::snort:: After looking at the books and watching several lessons, I'm not sure I'm going to get Alpha for the younger ones after all. They ACED the competency test. The only reason I was going to get them for them is because they were slow.... Tricia, a local friend, suggested I spend the time now and through the summer working on drills and flashcards and then start them in the level that they test out at.

I found this book at the library to add to our study of the Civil Rights Movement. *The School is Not White* by Doreen Rappaport. It was good. The illustrations by Curtis James are wonderful. This little book tells the story of Mae Bertha and Matthew Carter who wanted their children to attend integrated schools. The law had been passed 11 years earlier, but in reality no black children were attending the "white" schools. The courage of these parents and children were awe-inspiring. I found the illustration and page about Mae Bertha going to her bed and praying all day the day her children went to school especially touching. It brought the struggles home. The story is told well. There are not a lot of "all, none, any" type statements. They do tell how the family lost their home and job when they wouldn't take the children out of school, and how other groups (black and white) stepped in to help them. I plan to look for *Silver Rights* by Constance Curry. Supposedly, it's an adult book written about the same family. I found the story to be inspiring.

We talked about robber flies and mosquitoes today. Here is a photo of our experiment. We are trying to see if fruit flies will be attracted - they are. We're hoping to catch a house fly and be able to watch it's mouth and how it flies...but so far, nothing but fruit flies.

Evening Recap...

Cy's home tonight. He won't have to work tomorrow or Friday night either. The younger ones took full advantage of his attention.

Dinner turned out....flexible structure is still my motto. I discovered the cauliflower was MIA...can't find the Green Beans either. I'll begin a full out look tomorrow. SO....I used the recipe and added more potatoes. The rolls turned out good. I made a full batch of dough and got two loves of Italian with cheese loaves baked (added garlic, onion powder, cheese and Italian spices to the dough).

Mike began reading Jonah tonight. Everyone enjoyed themselves, except Zander. He did sit. I think the plan is to read a chapter and then the next night act that chapter out. The young ones would really like to put a play together. There's even talk of doing music from Veggie Tales..."Jonah was a prophet ooo ooo....But He Never Really Got it....sad but true...". Our joke is that we'll have a human drama down before the girls are home for two weeks in August....just to show them THEY aren't the only ones who can do human videos. ::snort::

A mystery was solved. Today as I put Stacia down for a nap I kept hearing loud, pounding. It felt like the house was shaking. I sent folks out to see what Zander was doing 3 times....

Zander was doing nothing...the neighbor however was taking down a fence and pouring concrete posts or something. ::snort::

School Days....School Days...

I began the day by giving Arielle, Nolan, and Jared placement tests for Math U See. It became apparent that it is possible to have big holes in understanding, even when scoring well on standardized tests and chapter tests. I have some thoughts brewing on testing and will have to gather them soon. Jared would like to switch NOW instead of next year...and after finding some fairly good sized holes, I also see no reason to continue on our course for 9 more weeks. I'm still not sure what I'm doing with Nolan and Arielle. They aced the Alpha competency test. I didn't think they were quick and fluent.....but they did ace it. I think I'll give them the beta test and watch to see what happens. Margie loaned me her Primer and Alpha so that I can see exactly what's in the year's work.

History Quilt...we worked on squares for our quilt. We are really happy with how this is shaping up. We had gotten behind and so did about six weeks worth of work on this. I think I'll sew it together when we are done. It still won't be "totally durable" but I think we'll like the way it hangs and such if it's stitched. I may do this next year too. They really like working on it. Some of our pens have dried up....In addition to the squares below they did ones on those who hid Jews during WW2, the dust bowl, the depression, Pearl Harbor, the Hindenburg and more.

Arielle checks details

Nolan's service flag (white doesn't show well)

Arielle's Prohibition SquareWork in Progress...but shaping up (I think I got it a bit bigger than planned)
We read about flies. UGH....millions of bacteria germs on a single fly.....ugh, ugh, ugh. We began a fly experiment...I forgot to take pictures but will do that tomorrow.

We continued studying about the civil rights movement.

Josiah registered for a second go at the SAT. I tried to register Jamin but it says that you can only register one student per email. I plan to call them "tomorrow".

The littles and I will continue moving forward this week in our study of the Civil Rights Movement....but we need to tie up some loose ends....We have several half-finished projects. We'll see how we do. Part of our problem is that Fridays used to be for hands on projects.....then Produce co-op entered our Friday morning line up, then drama entered our afternoon line up and I can't seem to get motivated by 2:30 p.m. on Friday. ::snort::

Menu - Week of April 9th

Fresh Fruit, Salad and Steamed Veggies @ each meal

Monday - Cauliflower/Veggie Soup, bread roll ups with meat (men) and some with cheese (littles and me) in the middle...sauces (ranch, marinara, BBQ)

Tuesday - YOYO - Bible Study Night

Wednesday - Parmesan Chicken, pasta salad

Thursday - Easy Beef Stroganoff

Friday - Pizza

Saturday - Oven Fried Chicken, french bread??? I keep meaning to try this!

Sunday - dine out