Okay got a friend to take care of the homestead for us while we're away. Tomorrow we pack up, and Friday morning we head out. Just a four hour drive... then we set up and have FUN!
Looking forward to the long weekend of family fun!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Joys of Jamesport!
Oh the Joys of Jamesport- they are many!
Super cheap foods, produce, cleaning items, baking goods, gosh the groceries you get there for amazing prices are numerous!
Plus there are terrific Amish friends there who have tons of advice and age old tried and true ways for preserving food, making new things, animal husbandry, ideas of where to go for whatever, etc! They are wonderful people.
Add all of that to the friends I have in Jamesport we get to visit when we go and their park and you've got a fun and productive day trip for our family! Whooo hoooo.
Had lots of fun. Even took a dog we're sitting right now and had a lot of fun shopping and playing! Days like this help me remember why I love my job so much!
Super cheap foods, produce, cleaning items, baking goods, gosh the groceries you get there for amazing prices are numerous!
Plus there are terrific Amish friends there who have tons of advice and age old tried and true ways for preserving food, making new things, animal husbandry, ideas of where to go for whatever, etc! They are wonderful people.
Add all of that to the friends I have in Jamesport we get to visit when we go and their park and you've got a fun and productive day trip for our family! Whooo hoooo.
Had lots of fun. Even took a dog we're sitting right now and had a lot of fun shopping and playing! Days like this help me remember why I love my job so much!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Sunday Post
Right now I am the Primary Chorister in our branch. Which means, for you nonmembers, that I lead the music for the children under 12, teach new songs, talk about the meanings of them, and basically play for about an hour every Sunday.
This morning the junior primary, kids under the age of 8 down to 4, were having trouble focusing on a song we were learning about the Holy Ghost. I felt moved to do something unexpected. I asked them to come sit in a circle on the floor with me, where we looked at the pictures and talked about when and where we can feel the spirit. Each child gave a unique response. One child said they felt the spirit in their head. Another said they felt it in their stomach. I found these answers insightful, because I have known people to say that when they are choosing to go against the spirit they get sick to their stomach, others sometimes get a headache. One child they can feel the Spirit in "any ole place". Another said when they pray. While each gave a different answer, each answer was right.
Then we tried singing it again, and it was like they doubled their numbers. It was touching and beautiful.
In Senior Primary, ages 8-12, we had some visitors. One child had difficulty getting his energy under control(if I had favorites, he would be one). We chatted about the fact that each of them are leaders, right now. And how they influence others for good or ill, at school, church, home, etc. How we need to make sure that we are influencing for good. It was a wonderful experience, because the words were said in such a way that no one was insulted, no one was belittled, no one felt bad. It was just a bit of info for them to take home and think about... if they wanted, but it was all their choice. We sang Follow the Prophet (a song about Adam, Enoch, and a number of other great leaders) as always they sang with great enthusiasm and joy. Some added some extra percussion to the chorus, which I love! It's a song to have fun with. The Spirit and Fun should go together as often as possible!
We try to have as much fun as possible, without getting out of control, in Primary. Sometimes I think, adults forget that FUN is part of religion. Or it should be. Happiness is fun, right? Of course it is. And if you can't find happiness in your religious choice... Doesn't sound very fun to me. So when I get together with these sparkling little spirits every Sunday, I want to encourage their shine and not dull it with unneeded fencing. These are amazing young people. They have great potential wrapped up in their innocence. It is such a privilege to be with them, to work with them, to play with them, to know them.
This morning the junior primary, kids under the age of 8 down to 4, were having trouble focusing on a song we were learning about the Holy Ghost. I felt moved to do something unexpected. I asked them to come sit in a circle on the floor with me, where we looked at the pictures and talked about when and where we can feel the spirit. Each child gave a unique response. One child said they felt the spirit in their head. Another said they felt it in their stomach. I found these answers insightful, because I have known people to say that when they are choosing to go against the spirit they get sick to their stomach, others sometimes get a headache. One child they can feel the Spirit in "any ole place". Another said when they pray. While each gave a different answer, each answer was right.
Then we tried singing it again, and it was like they doubled their numbers. It was touching and beautiful.
In Senior Primary, ages 8-12, we had some visitors. One child had difficulty getting his energy under control(if I had favorites, he would be one). We chatted about the fact that each of them are leaders, right now. And how they influence others for good or ill, at school, church, home, etc. How we need to make sure that we are influencing for good. It was a wonderful experience, because the words were said in such a way that no one was insulted, no one was belittled, no one felt bad. It was just a bit of info for them to take home and think about... if they wanted, but it was all their choice. We sang Follow the Prophet (a song about Adam, Enoch, and a number of other great leaders) as always they sang with great enthusiasm and joy. Some added some extra percussion to the chorus, which I love! It's a song to have fun with. The Spirit and Fun should go together as often as possible!
We try to have as much fun as possible, without getting out of control, in Primary. Sometimes I think, adults forget that FUN is part of religion. Or it should be. Happiness is fun, right? Of course it is. And if you can't find happiness in your religious choice... Doesn't sound very fun to me. So when I get together with these sparkling little spirits every Sunday, I want to encourage their shine and not dull it with unneeded fencing. These are amazing young people. They have great potential wrapped up in their innocence. It is such a privilege to be with them, to work with them, to play with them, to know them.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Gardening!
Well, while weeding we discovered severeal DEAD pea plants. But the kids got a taste here and there. The tomato plants are doing REALLY well! I guess I need cages... anyone have any extras?
We weeded for an hour, the baby zapped herself on the fence twice. I heard, "I'm so hooooooot", "Do I have to do this?", "My boots are hot!", "I'm thristy", "I don't wanna!", and various other complaints. But out oldest didn't say a single negative thing! He weeded huge chunks of space right along side me. The younger ones took the weeds to the compost pile... no matter what. "If you want to come in and have a drink, you'll finish. Otherwise you're stuck out here!" - I made it very clear what their requirements were. The oldest girl cried and sobbed dramatically as she cleared away every weed in the piles with her sibs... I watched from the window while rocking the baby. Well Done!
I know, I'm evil.
The baby's not really a baby anymore, is she? She's 18 mths old now and change. Ho hum. She's so adorable.Stubborn.opinionated.strongwilled. Yeah, she fits right in with the rest. When she starts talking, look out. She love Winnie the Pooh as much as her Momma.
Tomorrow is a gooseberry festival in town. It's tiny, but it will be fun for the kids, and FREE - which means we'll actually take them. Hope to see some of you there!
Thanks for reading. I promise to post more pics of our plants soon! My potted one are going crazy... maybe I should stick to pots?
We weeded for an hour, the baby zapped herself on the fence twice. I heard, "I'm so hooooooot", "Do I have to do this?", "My boots are hot!", "I'm thristy", "I don't wanna!", and various other complaints. But out oldest didn't say a single negative thing! He weeded huge chunks of space right along side me. The younger ones took the weeds to the compost pile... no matter what. "If you want to come in and have a drink, you'll finish. Otherwise you're stuck out here!" - I made it very clear what their requirements were. The oldest girl cried and sobbed dramatically as she cleared away every weed in the piles with her sibs... I watched from the window while rocking the baby. Well Done!
I know, I'm evil.
The baby's not really a baby anymore, is she? She's 18 mths old now and change. Ho hum. She's so adorable.Stubborn.opinionated.strongwilled. Yeah, she fits right in with the rest. When she starts talking, look out. She love Winnie the Pooh as much as her Momma.
Tomorrow is a gooseberry festival in town. It's tiny, but it will be fun for the kids, and FREE - which means we'll actually take them. Hope to see some of you there!
Thanks for reading. I promise to post more pics of our plants soon! My potted one are going crazy... maybe I should stick to pots?
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Hangin up laundry... Privacy
Our laundry line is by a large tree. Every time I hang up laundry the little bird who lives in the tree dances at the end of a branch about 2 feet from my face while he gives me a piece of his mind. Apparently he doesn't feel he has quite enough space out here. I can't imagine how noisy he'd be in he lived in town.
It's a fun experience every single time. Sometimes his mate chirrups in the back, cheering him on, I suppose. "You tell her, honey!"
When I am finished and begin to walk away he swoops around me once or twice, to be sure I got his meaning. Then he goes back and settles in again to keep watch for other invaders.
It's a fun experience every single time. Sometimes his mate chirrups in the back, cheering him on, I suppose. "You tell her, honey!"
When I am finished and begin to walk away he swoops around me once or twice, to be sure I got his meaning. Then he goes back and settles in again to keep watch for other invaders.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The One Room Schoolhouse Home
I'm trying to get our school room reorganized... but before I finish that I need to figure out the schedule we're going to have this fall. Why? So I know where to put things, of course! For an organizationally challenged individual, this is indeed impressive. Applause is appropriate here.
Right now I have a nightmare of a schedule. So I am wracking my brain, and the Internet, for different ideas to teach 3 different age/ability groups, and not take ALL day about it! Last year we got finished up with the kinder years by lunch, and the senior by 2 pm. Lots of free time available for all. I'm looking at my paper and according to this mess, we'll get done my 4pm, if lucky!
You have to remember you need to make time for breakfast, lunch, snack, break times, diapers, and all of the other things you never think of but do constantly throughout the day.
After I get the schedule made up, I'll get down to lesson plans. Whoo hooo. That's the fun part. Well, not as fun as doing the lesson, but the next best. This organizing is a headache and a half. But my brain is an organized person's bad dream... so I guess ...
Anyway, if any of ya'll have any ideas as to how to home school 5 kids, 3 different ability levels, 2 special needs kiddos mixed in, and a 2 yr old running around, napping, and so forth - PLEASE! Let me know!!!
Right now I have a nightmare of a schedule. So I am wracking my brain, and the Internet, for different ideas to teach 3 different age/ability groups, and not take ALL day about it! Last year we got finished up with the kinder years by lunch, and the senior by 2 pm. Lots of free time available for all. I'm looking at my paper and according to this mess, we'll get done my 4pm, if lucky!
You have to remember you need to make time for breakfast, lunch, snack, break times, diapers, and all of the other things you never think of but do constantly throughout the day.
After I get the schedule made up, I'll get down to lesson plans. Whoo hooo. That's the fun part. Well, not as fun as doing the lesson, but the next best. This organizing is a headache and a half. But my brain is an organized person's bad dream... so I guess ...
Anyway, if any of ya'll have any ideas as to how to home school 5 kids, 3 different ability levels, 2 special needs kiddos mixed in, and a 2 yr old running around, napping, and so forth - PLEASE! Let me know!!!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Adoption Challenges...
We have been calling the state Child Services to see about adopting since last November. We were told that we would be able to attend the next STARS class, a requirement to adopt, this Spring. We were also told that because we had more than 4 children in the house we were ineligible to foster, which was fine with us. Spring came, with no phone call. So we called. And called. And called. And called.
Then we got a LETTER. The letter said that in order to use the $ they have to their greatest advantage was to invest it towards to parents who would be attending the STARS program in order to become foster parents. They, at this time, due to the funding shortage, would be moving our name to the bottom of the list indefinitely.
So I called... I'm persistent. I spoke with the circuit manager of our county. She said that in behooved their system to do it this way. I asked her, did she realize that we are interested in an older child? Didn't matter. Did she realize that having adoptive parents go through the class would alleviate the states responsibility of financially funding a child, or sibling group, while funding the foster couple would continue to cost the state money year after year. I kid you know, she said, "Well, I've never thought of it from the prospective parent's point of view before." I asked her if there was a reason we weren't told this last winter when we voiced our interest? She declined to answer and responded by repeating later there may be a spot opening up in the class. There was no time outlined, though she did say that the next three 7 weeks classes were scheduled to be full.
I happened upon a mother of 5 at the park that day... who is going to this class later this June. She began calling last month. She is interested in an infant. They wanted at first to just adopt, but were told that if they opted to foster they would get into the class sooner. They did, and they did. I'm happy for them! Said new friend also agreed that getting information from this office was next to impossible.
So what did I do? As before, when this office failed to give me adequate information I began calling other circuits. I called around to see if we could attend a class in a different county. I spoke with a substitute circuit manager... who said that yes of course that would be possible and wasn't my circuit manager putting us on that list? I didn't think so as it wasn't mentioned at all. This woman became very frosty and began questioning me a lot. I answered, in the hopes of finding out some new info only to find out that is woman was my county's circuit manager's supervisor. She then explained how this phone call deeply concerned her, as her underlings (my word choice) were trained thoroughly. Then she told me how my circuit manager would be calling me soon. She was very displeased.
I was embarrassed and said so. I was sorry for getting the other woman in trouble... thinking that I probably ruined our chances of getting to adopt at all now. I apologized, then agonized about it for the rest of the day.
This happened 2 weeks ago... and have I received said phone call? Nope. Was I rude? It shouldn't matter, but NOPE! I was polite, concise, and respectful every time. But I have received no phone call. Not even a letter.
So.... What do I do now??? Ideas? Have I ruined our chances at adopting? Suggestions?
Then we got a LETTER. The letter said that in order to use the $ they have to their greatest advantage was to invest it towards to parents who would be attending the STARS program in order to become foster parents. They, at this time, due to the funding shortage, would be moving our name to the bottom of the list indefinitely.
So I called... I'm persistent. I spoke with the circuit manager of our county. She said that in behooved their system to do it this way. I asked her, did she realize that we are interested in an older child? Didn't matter. Did she realize that having adoptive parents go through the class would alleviate the states responsibility of financially funding a child, or sibling group, while funding the foster couple would continue to cost the state money year after year. I kid you know, she said, "Well, I've never thought of it from the prospective parent's point of view before." I asked her if there was a reason we weren't told this last winter when we voiced our interest? She declined to answer and responded by repeating later there may be a spot opening up in the class. There was no time outlined, though she did say that the next three 7 weeks classes were scheduled to be full.
I happened upon a mother of 5 at the park that day... who is going to this class later this June. She began calling last month. She is interested in an infant. They wanted at first to just adopt, but were told that if they opted to foster they would get into the class sooner. They did, and they did. I'm happy for them! Said new friend also agreed that getting information from this office was next to impossible.
So what did I do? As before, when this office failed to give me adequate information I began calling other circuits. I called around to see if we could attend a class in a different county. I spoke with a substitute circuit manager... who said that yes of course that would be possible and wasn't my circuit manager putting us on that list? I didn't think so as it wasn't mentioned at all. This woman became very frosty and began questioning me a lot. I answered, in the hopes of finding out some new info only to find out that is woman was my county's circuit manager's supervisor. She then explained how this phone call deeply concerned her, as her underlings (my word choice) were trained thoroughly. Then she told me how my circuit manager would be calling me soon. She was very displeased.
I was embarrassed and said so. I was sorry for getting the other woman in trouble... thinking that I probably ruined our chances of getting to adopt at all now. I apologized, then agonized about it for the rest of the day.
This happened 2 weeks ago... and have I received said phone call? Nope. Was I rude? It shouldn't matter, but NOPE! I was polite, concise, and respectful every time. But I have received no phone call. Not even a letter.
So.... What do I do now??? Ideas? Have I ruined our chances at adopting? Suggestions?
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Camping!
We went camping. Not interesting? Well, it was a first for us. Very cool. Everyone had a good time. It was a test run. We wanted to see how the kids handle it, if the little guys would actually sleep. Worked out great. We will be repeating the experience!
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