Nature Study Grandma Style

Yesterday my mom took the girls to one of the bigger, nicer parks in our area. They have ball fields, soccer fields, nature trails, a Frisbee course, playgrounds and much more that I am sure I am not aware of. My mom had found this nature trail about a week or so ago and thought the girls would love it. She could take them on a hike and they could identify some of the insects, plants etc. that they had learned about in school. So yesterday was the day. Of course the girls were excited. My mom brought sausage and crackers and had homemade peanut butter cookies, grapes and oranges and a picnic blanket to sit on. A real outing! About 3 hours later I got them back. Wore out! They had hiked about half of the trail which my mom says is about 4 miles long. They learned that they needed to carry their own stuff, they needed something to carry water in and they needed comfortable shoes. They didn't find any flowers. Apparently they had all died. They didn't see any dragonflies (which is the insect we are studying this week) but we figured that was because they were not near any water or maybe it was too cold. But they had fun anyway and have a plan for the next time Grandma takes them on a nature hike . . .

Marriage

What an interesting institution - marriage. God has placed this topic on my heart this week for a lot of different reasons. I believe marriage is a covenant between a man, a woman and God. I also believe that a woman is to be subject to her husband and that a husband should love his wife as Christ loves the church. Oh, I know some women question the "subject to her husband" part. It doesn't mean not equal or lesser in the relationship. It just means hubby is the final decision maker, the leader, the dude in charge etc. Every good organization needs a good leader and I believe God created the man to be that leader. I personally don't have a problem going to my hubby for guidance. Actually it is kind of nice because I don't have to sweat the decision. If it is something major we discuss it for awhile and then make a decision. If it is something minor he will either give me his opinion or just tell me to do whatever works best. I believe because we have these discussions, we tend to make good choices with our children, family, money etc. Yes, he has the final say but we are usually united by the time the discussion is over and the decision is made. For those of you who know me, I am very opinionated and I have a way I think things ought to be. So, it has been a learning experience for me - a growing of my soul and spirit - to listen to his opinion and realize he might be right or have a better way. Marriage isn't for the selfish. For it to work, it is about the other person. How can I, today, please the person I am united to for life? When you have a family that question gets harder because it seems like you spend most of your day pleasing somebody. But, I can see how negligence in the area of pleasing your spouse can have consequences. Some of what we do as a family during the day is in preparation for hubby to come home. A clean house (well, sort of), a nice cool drink, hopefully a little peace and quiet, usually a decent dinner. I don't have all the answers and I know I make mistakes everyday. And I know there are things that I can do better to please my spouse. I am going to be praying this week for guidance in that area. I am going to ask my spouse "What can I do better? Is there something that is being neglected?" It will be a humbling experience for me. But my marriage is worth it. As our pastor has said over the course of the last couple of weeks (our sermons have been on marriage) he has been married to his wife for 25 years "by the grace of God" . . . .

Wait, Wait, Wait

So, I had my weekly midwife check up yesterday and absolutely, ABSOLUTELY nothing has changed. I am no closer to birthing a baby today then I was a week ago. I just assumed because I am 40 and this is my 4th that the thing would practically fall out. (Forgive my sick humor :) Not so and of course I should really know better. I still have a week and a half and there is plenty of time. We did start to discuss some of my options but she said right now I just need to wait. Patience is not my strong suit by any stretch of the imagination. When I am ready, I am ready. I am pretty sure I don't want to continue feeling like this for the next two weeks. I feel like I am ready to pop. Everything feels huge, bloated although every time I ask someone "Do I look puffy to you?" they say no. I am very short tempered - just ask the kids and hubby ;) I have lost my appetite and at times even feel nauseous. I didn't gain any weight last week and lost a pound this week. So I tell myself, really, how much longer can this go on. I have picked a date in my mind November 17th and that IS THE DATE if nothing happens before then. That gives me plenty of time to be induced, deliver the baby with hubby in the room and maybe even possibly get home before he leaves for WI. As a good friend has told me "Just remember what the end result is." This isn't how I planned it, but honestly is anything nowadays how I plan it . . . . :)

Election Day

I went ahead and voted on Saturday. Hubby was home to watch the kids and honestly I didn't really want to stand in line on Tuesday with a 7, 5, and 3 yo being 38 weeks pregnant. Although I would like to think that fellow voters would have had sympathy for me and moved me to the front of the line :) As it was I stood in line for an hour and a half. But what a privilege it was! In front of me was an Asian couple; a single, older white male; two guys who were friends; and a married female named Stephanie who is now my new best friend :) Behind me was a single, college age black guy; three black women (I believe they were all related) and an older white couple. All that to say, what a diverse group all in one spot. Oh, I know we all had our own agenda but for an hour and a half we got to know each other. Stephanie has a dog and she and her husband each have a beetle bug car. (My girls thought that was way cool.) She is originally from NY and South Florida but has lived in a couple different states. She has a sister who lives in CO. I thought THAT was way cool! The two guys in front of her had to do the office Christmas shopping last year and bought coupons for Krispy Kreme. The guy behind me was waiting on his friend to show up and once he did they talked nonstop about what they had done the night before. I had brought my book with every intention of spending my time reading. But it was just too hard. There were people to watch and talk to. Things to learn, things to share. How often do we talk to people outside our circle?? It was one of the fastest hour and a halves I have ever spent. By the time we got to the polling area I was ready to vote, to do my civic duty with pride. I couldn't help but think at that very moment how truly blessed we all are no matter who we voted for. We live in a country where we have freedom to express our opinions and vote the way each of us wants to. As a writer to our local newspaper put it "there is no voter apathy this election year." And no matter what, that is a good thing!! I saw all ages, all religions, all races standing in line together to do their part. As I walked out, I couldn't help but be a proud American . . .

Last Week's Homeschooling Schedule

Monday: Civics and Government - visit friends and old co-workers at the U.S. Attorney's Office
Tuesday: Health and Hygiene - dental appoints for all three kids
Wednesday: Biology - pre-registered at the Women's Pavilion at the hospital
Thursday: Home Economics - cleaned and cooked for the Halloween Party
Friday: Socialization - lunch with friends

One of the harder things about homeschooling is trying to get all your errands and responsibilities done throughout the week. Most weeks there just isn't enough time to finish my chores and responsibilities. So last week we decided in an effort to get somethings out of the way school would be life field trips. As we were joking about this at the Halloween Party Friday some one said "Well, just as long as their learning." But, if you think about it as a child (even as an adult) aren't we always learning . . .

Silent Sunday

Our Halloween Party

Last night we had our annual Halloween Party. It started out a couple of years ago as a Sunday School fellowship. The adults and the kids dressed up and we had a lot of fun. Over the years it has evolved to the same 4 or 5 families and now it is more about the kids than anything! We were trying to figure out last night just how many years we have been doing this. We figured these same 11 kids (give or take a few each year) have been trick or treating together for the last 4 or 5 years. Hubby usually makes the chili and Mr. Ronnie usually stays behind and hands out candy to the other kiddies that come by. The Harris' for a couple of years have come as the characters from the Wizard of Oz - Dorothy and Toto, Scarecrow, Tinman, Cowardly Lion and The Great Oz. I forgot to take a picture but it truly is a work of art. About two months ago, after reading Peter Pan, my kids were going to go as Wendy, Peter and Tickerbell and I was going to be Nanny and daddy was going to be Capt. Hook. Halloween was too far away and they changed their minds numerous times. Natural Girl ended up being a Hollywood Starlet, Little Mama was a Spanish Princess and Boop was Spiderman (which cracks me up because I don't think he has ever seen Spiderman.) I suppose I could have forced the issue, but honestly I wanted to give them a chance to do their own thing (with guidance of course.) The past two years daddy has gotten out his 4-wheeler and hooked it up to the trailer and put hay in it so when the kids (or adults) get tired of walking they can ride. This year he put a chair in it so I could ride like a queen. I actually chose to walk most of the way and am paying for it today! (Really, all in an attempt to get labor started!!) Everyone had a great time and the fellowship was memorable. Much food and candy was eaten. One thing hubby and I share is a love for "entertaining." And our annual Halloween Party gives us a great opportunity to open our home to family and friends . . . .