We started school yesterday with spelling placement tests and math that wasn't finished from last year. Can't believe this will be our third year of homeschooling. If you would have asked me even 5 years ago if I'd be willing to homeschool, it would have been an emphatic "no way!" Don't get me wrong, I believe in homeschooling and have tons of friends who do but I just couldn't picture myself doing it. God is patient though and here we are into our 3rd year. I could kick myself for not doing it earlier! I cannot tell you how much I love being around my kids and watching them learn! Not that every day is utopia around here but I would say that the majority of the days are simply awesome!
Tyler is in HIGH SCHOOL! He's in 10th grade this year. He does have his learner's permit and will be taking a driver's ed course on line (which reminds me I need to go ahead and sign him up this week!). He will be able to get his official driver's license on October 14th (he has to wait a day after his birthday). He will be taking algebra 2, chemistry, english, literature, history and band. He will be taking chemistry at Master's Academy (homeschooling academy) and will also be a part of a homeschool band which meets once a week. Another milestone for Tyler happened a couple of weeks ago. Tyler is now gainfully employed at "Brett's." We are so excited and so far, he loves it. He also likes the fact that money will start to come in on a regular basis!
Allie is in 8th grade this year. She is still the shortest one in school (Spencer is taller than she is!) but is starting to be ok with it. She is going to play soccer this fall and hopefully, her size will work in her favor. She will be taking math, science, history, english, literature, and writing. She loves to read. Example: I assigned her to read a condensed version of "Little Women" a day ago. She started it last night and finished it today. She is amazing! She also started babysitting so she will be rolling in the dough as well. She wants to volunteer at the animal shelter so it looks like we may start doing that once a month. Her schedule keeps me busy. She is very social!
Spencer is in 6th/7th grade. He is catching up to the grade he would have been in (7th grade)if we hadn't have held him back in kindergarten. He is doing fabulously. He will be doing 6th grade science and history, and 7th grade math and english. He also will be doing writing (same curriculum as Allie). He is continuing with his electric guitar lessons with Ms. Bethany. And yes, he still has his long rock star looking hair!
Classes started for Chris as well. I wish I could tell you what his classes are but I seriously don't know! Maybe he needs to start a blog.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
I'm realizing that I am not so good at this whole blogging thing. Sorry!
We did have an eventful week. It was our last full week of school which is awesome. I think I was more ready for a summer break than the kids were!
We were at a friend's house Thursday evening when Spencer fell while playing baseball. It knocked the wind right out of him. Not only did it knock the wind out, it also knocked his front top tooth (adult tooth) clean out. I've never experienced this before so I wasn't quite sure what to do. We tried calling our dentist, a friend who is a doctor in the ER and numerous other dentists in town. Nobody was home. So my friend called a friend of hers (who had this happen to her son) and she told us to immediately head to the emergency room in another county because the hospitals in Athens do not have oral surgeons on call like this other one. Off we went (an hour away) and ended up spending a couple of hours in Gwinnett Medical Center (near Atlanta). We were informed that they only call the oral surgeon if it is an emergency requiring surgery. So we saw a regular ER doctor. After many tears and much pain, Spencer's tooth is now back where it belongs. We just have to wait and see if it will take because there is a HUGE chance the tooth will die anyway. Did I also mention that Chris has been in Kentucky all week and missed this fun family event? He missed the first time we went to the ER as well when Spencer was just a baby with croup. Anyway, back to the tooth ordeal...I end up taking Spencer to see our sweet dentist (who was in a meeting when the accident happened and was so apologetic when he found out I went all the way to Gwinnett) and he told me that I could have popped it back in myself. So now we wait for the bill from the out of network hospital and out of network doctor. You live and learn!
We also went camping in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. I will save that for another blog but I highly recommend going to Cosby, Tennessee and camping at their campground. It's beautiful!
We did have an eventful week. It was our last full week of school which is awesome. I think I was more ready for a summer break than the kids were!
We were at a friend's house Thursday evening when Spencer fell while playing baseball. It knocked the wind right out of him. Not only did it knock the wind out, it also knocked his front top tooth (adult tooth) clean out. I've never experienced this before so I wasn't quite sure what to do. We tried calling our dentist, a friend who is a doctor in the ER and numerous other dentists in town. Nobody was home. So my friend called a friend of hers (who had this happen to her son) and she told us to immediately head to the emergency room in another county because the hospitals in Athens do not have oral surgeons on call like this other one. Off we went (an hour away) and ended up spending a couple of hours in Gwinnett Medical Center (near Atlanta). We were informed that they only call the oral surgeon if it is an emergency requiring surgery. So we saw a regular ER doctor. After many tears and much pain, Spencer's tooth is now back where it belongs. We just have to wait and see if it will take because there is a HUGE chance the tooth will die anyway. Did I also mention that Chris has been in Kentucky all week and missed this fun family event? He missed the first time we went to the ER as well when Spencer was just a baby with croup. Anyway, back to the tooth ordeal...I end up taking Spencer to see our sweet dentist (who was in a meeting when the accident happened and was so apologetic when he found out I went all the way to Gwinnett) and he told me that I could have popped it back in myself. So now we wait for the bill from the out of network hospital and out of network doctor. You live and learn!
We also went camping in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. I will save that for another blog but I highly recommend going to Cosby, Tennessee and camping at their campground. It's beautiful!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Wow, it's been a while since I've blogged!
Wallpaper update (because I know your dying to know!): we have taken down the wallpaper in the dining area and the foyer. That's as far as I've gotten. Just ran out of steam.
I am pushing through with school however it has not been easy for me. I am so not motivated right now. I am praying God gives me a new heart in this area. :) The kids are great and hanging in there with me.
I've started co-teaching a Bible study called "Rending the Curtain" which was written by a completed Jew. It's actually about Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). We've only done the first week but it has been fun to delve into that. We have about 15 ladies of all ages in our group. It's an excellent group and I'm excited to see how God is illuminating His Word to us regarding the whole atonement thing. It was fun last night to see a couple of "Aha" moments for some of the women. There is so much more to the Word when we understand the culture it was written in.
The weather has been awesome the past couple of days and I've loved that the kids can finally go outside for extended periods of time! Today, Allie and Spencer did school out on the trampoline (not jumping, but just relaxing out there with their books). As soon as I get over this cold, I'm hoping to get outside more often.
Chris is plugging along at work. He really loves the Department and the people he gets to work with. This is such a blessing considering his last position.
We are actually going to go on a date with three other couples from our Church on Saturday night. I think I'm just rambling now because I've got nothing left to write!
I am pushing through with school however it has not been easy for me. I am so not motivated right now. I am praying God gives me a new heart in this area. :) The kids are great and hanging in there with me.
I've started co-teaching a Bible study called "Rending the Curtain" which was written by a completed Jew. It's actually about Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). We've only done the first week but it has been fun to delve into that. We have about 15 ladies of all ages in our group. It's an excellent group and I'm excited to see how God is illuminating His Word to us regarding the whole atonement thing. It was fun last night to see a couple of "Aha" moments for some of the women. There is so much more to the Word when we understand the culture it was written in.
The weather has been awesome the past couple of days and I've loved that the kids can finally go outside for extended periods of time! Today, Allie and Spencer did school out on the trampoline (not jumping, but just relaxing out there with their books). As soon as I get over this cold, I'm hoping to get outside more often.
Chris is plugging along at work. He really loves the Department and the people he gets to work with. This is such a blessing considering his last position.
We are actually going to go on a date with three other couples from our Church on Saturday night. I think I'm just rambling now because I've got nothing left to write!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Wallpaper Removal
Ok, some of you have been asking what works better. First, I score the walls. Then, with the advice from my friend Cheryl, I take towels soaked in HOT water and place them directly on the paper. This has been a time-saver for me! I do this first, then peel the top layer off. Then I spray the fabric softener mixture on what's left and scrape away. We did finish the dining room and have started the foyer. My friend Cheryl is going to come over tomorrow and help. What a friend!
Hopefully, we can begin painting soon. I have to wait for Chris to help me "clean up" the walls and fill in some of the holes. As soon as we get the foyer done, we'll be able to paint the front rooms of the house. Very exciting.
Hopefully, we can begin painting soon. I have to wait for Chris to help me "clean up" the walls and fill in some of the holes. As soon as we get the foyer done, we'll be able to paint the front rooms of the house. Very exciting.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Nana's Visit
We had a great week with Nana. Poor Nana was put to work once she got here! We started peeling off the wallpaper in the dining area. We actually have just one wall left to do. Allie and I will finish the dining room (maybe this week?) and then start on the entry. Allie is ready for this because after the entry, we will take the wallpaper down in her room. We used this professional wallpaper remover and also tried the steamer. We had better luck with the remover. My neighbor across the street told me that fabric softener works just as well as the the wallpaper remover you buy in the hardware stores. Chris is getting some tonight so I will post later this week and let you know the results! Thank you, Nana, for your help and your inspiration to finally get in there and just do it!
We also did a lot of just hanging out and enjoying each others company. Nana even sat in on a writing lesson. And since Nana is a "walker," Sadie even got some quality time with Nana during walks around the neighborhood. We celebrated Nana's birthday on Thursday. Chris cooked his famous chickens and we had a lemon cake for dessert. We always have such a great time with Nana. It's hard to let her go. Fortunately, we are planning a trip to Texas this summer so it won't be long and we'll be staying with Nana at her house!
We did get to go to Madison yesterday and tour the town. There are a handful of unique and fun antique shops in Madison. We also drove around looking at all the old homes. A lot of history around here!
Speaking of history, UGA's star quarterback, Mathew Stafford (a Texas boy!) is going to go pro and will be part of the NFL draft this spring. He was actually in one of Chris' classes before he was moved to another section (the class was too big). He's a sweet kid and we wish him much success!
We also did a lot of just hanging out and enjoying each others company. Nana even sat in on a writing lesson. And since Nana is a "walker," Sadie even got some quality time with Nana during walks around the neighborhood. We celebrated Nana's birthday on Thursday. Chris cooked his famous chickens and we had a lemon cake for dessert. We always have such a great time with Nana. It's hard to let her go. Fortunately, we are planning a trip to Texas this summer so it won't be long and we'll be staying with Nana at her house!
We did get to go to Madison yesterday and tour the town. There are a handful of unique and fun antique shops in Madison. We also drove around looking at all the old homes. A lot of history around here!
Speaking of history, UGA's star quarterback, Mathew Stafford (a Texas boy!) is going to go pro and will be part of the NFL draft this spring. He was actually in one of Chris' classes before he was moved to another section (the class was too big). He's a sweet kid and we wish him much success!
Monday, January 5, 2009
January 5th - Allie's Big 13th Birthday
We just finished celebrating Allie's 13th Birthday which is so hard to believe! Nana is here visiting from Texas so it was a very special day for Allie. We were also reminiscing about how Nana was also in the delivery room 13 years ago when she was born. Too fun!
We started back into our school routine today (except for Allie - it's a school holiday if it's your birthday around here!). It actually went pretty smoothly. Spencer finished up around 2:00 and Tyler, around 4:00 which is his usual time.
Chris is gearing up for the Spring Semester which starts on Thursday. He will only have two classes this semester which will hopefully provide more time for research and publishing.
I am gearing up to teach a Bible study starting in February called "Rending the Curtain" which is a study on Yom Kippur. It is written by a completed Jew and I am VERY excited about being able to co-lead this study with my friend, Shoan! I've been pooling all my resources (which are many!) and trying to pull in other things I can share about our Jewish roots.
We are still slowly getting things the way we like it here in our new house. It will be an ongoing work in progress. There is SO much to be done. Every room has wall paper or wood paneling in it. Neither of which I like so it's all coming down or being painted. But it is comfortable and it feels so good to have all our "stuff" around us again. Especially my mom's things. Chris just about has his garage and little room off the garage set up. Tyler spray painted a HUGE "Texas A&M" on the peg board in maroon after he painted the whole thing white. It looks so sharp!
I've also taken on a hobby of sorts. Actually, to be honest, it is more like therapy for me! Our friends own a restaurant down the road from us called "Bretts" (you MUST go there if you are ever in Athens!) and I've been going there and working on Saturdays during the lunch hours. It has been so fun to work with my friend, Leslie and with all the crew up there (mostly college students). They are wonderful and we have such a great time.
God is good and we continue to see Him work in so many ways around us. What a privilege it is to be able to join Him and watch Him move!
We started back into our school routine today (except for Allie - it's a school holiday if it's your birthday around here!). It actually went pretty smoothly. Spencer finished up around 2:00 and Tyler, around 4:00 which is his usual time.
Chris is gearing up for the Spring Semester which starts on Thursday. He will only have two classes this semester which will hopefully provide more time for research and publishing.
I am gearing up to teach a Bible study starting in February called "Rending the Curtain" which is a study on Yom Kippur. It is written by a completed Jew and I am VERY excited about being able to co-lead this study with my friend, Shoan! I've been pooling all my resources (which are many!) and trying to pull in other things I can share about our Jewish roots.
We are still slowly getting things the way we like it here in our new house. It will be an ongoing work in progress. There is SO much to be done. Every room has wall paper or wood paneling in it. Neither of which I like so it's all coming down or being painted. But it is comfortable and it feels so good to have all our "stuff" around us again. Especially my mom's things. Chris just about has his garage and little room off the garage set up. Tyler spray painted a HUGE "Texas A&M" on the peg board in maroon after he painted the whole thing white. It looks so sharp!
I've also taken on a hobby of sorts. Actually, to be honest, it is more like therapy for me! Our friends own a restaurant down the road from us called "Bretts" (you MUST go there if you are ever in Athens!) and I've been going there and working on Saturdays during the lunch hours. It has been so fun to work with my friend, Leslie and with all the crew up there (mostly college students). They are wonderful and we have such a great time.
God is good and we continue to see Him work in so many ways around us. What a privilege it is to be able to join Him and watch Him move!
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