Halloween 2013... hoping this isn't the last year!

Halloween was a bit different this year with us not rushing home from school or somewhere to dress up and rushing through trick or treating to get in bed for school the next day. Whitney did trick or treating on the Saturday before so that helped but it also helped that we weren't wearing ourselves out because we could make our own schedule the next week :) 
When looking through pinterest for Gage a costume, I found the cutest Peter Pan one.  After I showed the kids, they decided they could be costumes that would go with his. So early in August we already knew Jaedyn and Mikah would be the Tinkerbells and Peyton would be Captain Hook.  At first Peyton didn't really want to go with that because Captain Hook was the "bad guy" but since he was Jake last year, he compromised! And he got to carry a sword, really that's all that mattered! 
So here are a few pics from that night!  I sure love that my kids love to just be kids... hoping we have a few more years of costumes.  I love them so!  Jaedyn's was made by Grama, of course, and was just beautiful! 

The kids favorite part was trick or treating and hanging out with Gage.  He was in rare form that night!  All hyped up.  Every time we would leave someone's house or get in the car, he would scream at the top of his lungs "Bye, Bye, Bye, Bye!"  and then break out into a hilarious belly laugh.  We all got a kick out of him!  He had a blast and so did we!

Our schooling is going well.  Making some changes, tweaking things, finding supplemental materials to make some of our concepts more fun. I want learning to be a journey and to be interesting and fun for my kids.  Trying to incorporate more of that into our day and the process of learning.  Not just memorization or learning one concept and then setting it aside.  It is our first year.  Lots of things to work through and try to make better and also knowing to let some things go.  Not everything that is out there that is "supposed" to be learned actually has meaning to each individual.  Learning lots about myself along the way...

God bless you this weekend!  I have been advised more than once this week.  Take time to enjoy and just breathe!

Homeschool progress, week ? (honestly can't keep track:)

Our homeschooling is going great.  Of course, as per usual, we are just trying to keep up with all the things that our life involves.  Last week we went to the Mainstay Farms in Cleburne.  They have a pumpkin patch so a few of us went and enjoyed a few hours.  Planning on going to the Arboretum with the nations best pumpkin display in the next few weeks.  I just love this time of year with all the fall things, pumpkins, gourds, hay, scarecrows, etc.  Now if we could just get consistent fall weather, maybe in the 60s, it would be perfect! 
We have been studying lots.  Peyton is still getting used to the concept and differences of homeschooling.  He likes to do the parts he wants, when he wants, and when he wants... such a boy.  So he and I have been  butting heads a little and learning respect, obeying, and completing things correctly as well.  It is a slow and tedious process but I am confident I will succeed and he will learn.  That boy sure has a temper but honestly I guess I am not surprised at that... it has to spill out somewhere with that Copeland nature in him.  We all have to learn to handle it. 
Jaedyn's work is signifigantly harder but she loves the science and history. So much to learn and she just soaks it up.  So surprised at all the things she is retaining and applying.  Good thing she is good in math.  I haven't had to call in reinforcements yet but  I see that coming. :)  She is a diligent worker and loves to learn, but I guess that comes with being a girl.  The differences in boys/girls and personalities is so widely different in my two. 
Still feel so blessed I am able to help them learn and be with them.  Such a privilege to see an area, whether in academics or character, that needs addressing and be able to do it right away in a Godly way (I pray).  I love reading with them and learning right alongside them as well. 

Pictures from the pumpkin patch...

 

 

Have blessed weekend! <3

Kirk Cameron Two-Minute blurb on LifeSchooling

http://hedua.com/media/lifeschooling/

Take a minute to listen to this.  Makes sense.  Really am starting to like him and his research. Monumental is a great documentary also from a Christian perspective.  Check it out. 

Another post to come shortly, catching up on blogging! :)

Jaedyn's volcano

http://youtu.be/n_4AaqdCQnQ

Homeschool diaries, week 2



Head injury/unique hair cut

Cuddle up and Reading

Scavenger hunt

KWTX field trip

Sorry to be late in updating this past week. It was a pretty busy weekend and the week has started off that way too. Last week went even better than week 1. Just trying to get used to a huge change in the way we have always done things. Each day brings new blessings and challenges. We spent Thursday in Waco touring the Waco TV station KWTX. The kids enjoyed it. I have to admit I did too. We ran some errands and then checked out one of the libraries in Waco. The kids were in awe. They found out they could check out 65 library books each! So needless to say we will now be visiting that Waco library every 3rd Thursday and taking advantage of some of their research resources. They were sad we couldn't stay longer!

Few tidbits from last week...

* Jaedyn worked on her volcano project with Russell. He enjoyed it and I know he did having that time with him as well as doing a project. He loves them! 

* Peyton likes Pinterest now. Finding all kinds of things to make and do! 

* They both completed a neighborhood scavenger hunt. That was right up his alley. 

*  We have been spending our recess a few times each week with Gage! That is the highlight of their day. 

* Jaedyn and Peyton went to the Whitney football game on Friday. Enjoyed seeing others and some friends. I heard Peyton's response to the question "how is homeschooling going?" Was "it is shorter!" Which is so typical of most boys! Of course Jaedyn's response was much longer! 

*We spent Wednesday studying about September 11. We watched a Christian documentary, read books, talked, and reflected on the impact of that day. We also discussed heroes and those we should show appreciation to often.

* And last but not least, another injury. Peyton was hit at church on accident with a hockey stick. Cut his head open a little so Russell had to shave it and apply some butterfly stitches. Then he had to shave all his hair off to make it not look so "crazy". However, as soon as Russell finished shaving it, Peyton came and sat on my lap and said (while rubbing his head), "my head feels gooder". Clearly we have some grammar to work on! 

Have a blessed week!

First week of homeschool in the books...

And we made it!  Friday, first week (4 days) of homeschool in the books!

Some quotes from this week...

Yes most came from Peyton because lately he is just not at a loss for words.  Guess his sister is rubbing off on him...

**Wednesday morning (I had been up until about 1:00am - too much buzzing in my mind) so I was a little slow dragging out of bed.  P comes in and says "are you gonna get up?" only about 10 times.  He finally says "can I turn on the TV?" and  I thought "well sure, then I can have just few more minutes to close my eyes" When what felt like 2 minutes later, I hear (yelling) from the living room "IT'S TIME TO START, 8:00!"  I sat straight up in bed! 
So he woke Jaedyn up and she drug herself out of bed, got her clothes on, brushed her teeth, and meandered her way to the table to work. Peyton already had all of her things as well as his out on the table with school supplies, etc. ready to go! :)  I got them started and proceeded to take a shower and *try* to get ready.  Peyton came in while I was putting on my makeup in the bathroom and said "Are you even gonna BE the teacher today?"  So funny.  I love that he has been a go-getter all week.  But I do feel a little like the sheep being herded by a very small shepherd.  :) 
While I did my hair as quickly as possible, I told him to get a book and read it and we would discuss it after I was done.  He picked "This Little Prayer of Mine". I was so pleased.  He brought it to me and said "hey mom, this is a Christian book!"  It was talking about Jesus and he realized that it was a "Christian" book.  Love it! 

He has had to look up 3-4 verses per day as his curriculum uses scripture to teach reading, grammar, writing skills, etc.  So he announces every time "gotta get my Bible, time to look up scripture". 

Jaedyn's curriculum is pretty hard but she is enjoying it.  She is doing a book study on a chapter book, learning about earthquakes and volcanos (and looking forward to making a volcano with Daddy this next week), reviewing some math concepts from last year, and beginning her art program.  She has had a few moments where she feels "weird" she says.  She has gone to some sort of school since she was 2 years old (from Kings Kids, to PreK, to Elementary school) so she feels like she should be somewhere.  She has always had every moment of her day planned.  She is getting used to it but I keep it more structured for her and she wants that challenge.  She is helping to plan her own lessons which I love.  We will be doing a unit this week on September 11 attacks and Patriot Day.  So excited! 

**Jaedyn said this week "Can we make cinnamon rolls for breakfast?  I would never get to have breakfast at 9:00 or eat cinnamon rolls while I am working at public school". Guess it is the little things. 
Me - "Jaedyn what do you like about homeschool?" J - "I like that we get done earlier and I like that we learn the truth based on the Bible.  I can connect so much of this to what we are learning in church".

**Peyton has also been heard this week saying...
 "I like homeschool because you can get out of your chair and you can go to the bathroom whenever you want".
"I like being done with all my work by lunchtime"
"This stuff is too easy" (I took it easy on them both this week to get their feet wet in this new experience.) So each morning as he wakes me up he says "Mom is today the day I get the hard stuff?" Love it!
"Mom, can I do some more work in this book during my free time?" Hello, what? Um, did I hear you right?
"Mom, I can say all the New Testament Books of the Bible in order".  After doing bible drill one day Peyton sat quietly on the couch and said them over and over.  Just decided he wanted to do it.  Within a few minutes he said them several times in a row, to Lyndsy when we met her for "recess", and again to Daddy last night.  Love that he is challenging himself.

Today was Homeschool Skate Day in Waco.  We wanted to go to have the kids meet some new friends and become part of the Waco Christian Homeschool group. 
The kids enjoyed it.  Made a few new friends, Peyton's first time to skate, and found out about a field trip to KWTX news station next week where we get a behind-the- scenes tour and watch how they produce the news at the station.  Too cool! 

We have set up a schedule to have recess  with Gage twice a week.  That was a hit! 

I know this seems like a rambling post but really since I am using this blog as a sort of journal of our lives (when I keep it up) I wanted all the things I remember about this week in hard copy so I don't forget these feelings and experiences. 

Things that pleased my heart this week...
*I LOVED being with my kids every single minute this week.  We bonded even more, we kept our attitudes in check, we worked together to learn, and there was less arguing amongst Jaedyn and Peyton.  Since we are together so much, you might as well just get along!

*I am their primary teacher.  I can teach them morals, Christian beliefs, manners, discipline, integrity, honesty, academics as a part of our Christian heritage, and really tap into their interests and teach based on those.  I know I can teach all those things in the evenings as their parent as God would have me do when they come home from public school.  But I get to do that all day and there is more teaching than correcting.  Sure they misbehave but I feel like what I do now as a parent is more in line with what God wants from me and our family. I am on the proactive side instead of the reactive side to their learning, attitudes, and actions.  I feel at peace being mother, teacher, wife, and Christian.  I have been so swamped this week but I also have had a peace that I know only God can give me!

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and support! (and thanks if you made it this far in this post.  It was mainly for me!:)

First Day of Homeschool 2013... Here we go!

6:15am... Peyton comes in to the our bedroom and says "what time are we starting school?" 
I say "NOT this early!"
7:00am... Peyton says "Mom ARE YOU GETTING UP?" I don't respond
7:15am...Peyton says "Can I get out all the stuff?"  I sigh to myself and think "well I guess I better get up before he drags every single worksheet and book out that is in the entire house"

8:00am... He is dressed, teeth brushed, dogs fed, sitting at table and says "what do I need to get out?"

I love that he is so excited.  Jaedyn, on the other hand, is still under the assumption that homeschool was to be more flexible, hence, not having to get up before the sun was completely up. 

After the traditional first day of school pictures, we are off and running!

Within the first 15 minutes, Peyton looks up from his work and says "Can we do this homeschooling thing  next year too?"  Ha, love it!

I know, I know, you can tell how much my son LOVES taking pictures in these!  Sorry! :)

New Beginnings... (again!)

To whomever might read this blog,  (this is long, sorry)
It seems like I am always jumping on here with thoughts and changes God is making in our lives and our family.  And then I get busy and abandon this sweet little blog.  I promise I am TRYING to be better. (I know I have said this before).  But we will see if I can follow through.  I still would like this to be a way to share with family and friends things that are going on in our lives, as well as a journal for myself through life's blessings and challenges.  So cheer me on as I *attempt* to stay current! We shall see....
I must say that the last three years or so has been full of changing perspectives, growing closer to our Lord, and reevaluating the things we hold dear in our lives.  Since that time we, as a family, and a couple, have taken a look at where we are, where we feel God is leading us, and if we are the example for our kids He asks us to be.  I fall severely short in the example department but I hope each day I get a tiny bit closer to what I need to be.  With all that said, when I got married 15 years ago to the one whom God chose for me, I truly never saw us where we are now.  I never was one to value being at home with your children, as society said if you have an education and can work, then why aren't you out there.  Day care is fine for your kids.  Then after Russell and I started placing our hearts on things we need and not just want and taking a long look at if our worth was in money or in family and faith we began to make changes. I stayed home, quit teaching, took a job as a children's director in our church, and started working part time at my photography business to be more flexible for our family.  Not only did my "job" change but we have made changes to our family as well.  We have been through many changes...and now for another change and adventure... homeschooling our kids.  Russell and I have been in prayer strongly for about a year on what God truly wanted from us in the lives of our children.  We had discussed homeschooling here and there but never really put thought into how it could work and Russell had many doubts on how our kids would adjust or benefit.  We prayed last year fervently through situations he faced at school, situations Jaedyn faced at school, through biblical history we were learning at our church, and through our hearts being led to being our children's primary teachers and examples. 
We have tackled the issues of socialization in school, being the example for others, missing out on group activities in public school, being challenged academically, as well as just going against the grain and not doing "what everyone is supposed to do".  And we have been reassured by our prayers and situations put in our path recently that we have made the right decision. 
For those who are thinking what in the world have you gotten yourselves into, here are a few things that have been our deciding points...

1.  Our kids don't have to be in public school to be a positive example to others. They won't be locked in a closet where they will have no human interaction at all each day/week. :) They will participate in activities in the community, sports leagues, and lessons of various kinds with other groups of kids.

2.  We are wanting our kids to have an education based on His word and using His word.  Not just a secular public education where they go to a building 6-7 hours a day and will not hear His word even once or be able to pray aloud at all.  Yes there are many Christian teachers in the school system and we have had some.  I am SO grateful to them all.  But if we are to "meditate on His word day and night" that is not allowed.  ALL of the homeschool curriculum we have picked for our children is based on the Bible.  Most subjects use stories from the bible to teach concepts as well as in History and Science introduce a concept and then reference the Bible to reinforce that it is true and correct according to God.  Bible learning is also a subject in itself. 

3.  We are not homeschooling based on the fact that my kids haven't had awesome teachers.  We have had many great ones.  And I am so thankful to God  for placing them under their care.  But as the Bible says, I am accountable to God for what my kids learn, not their public school teachers.  One day I will answer for how I discipled  them and taught them. It isn't about what kind of grades they get or how popular they are (AT ALL), it is about learning an education that is based on the one true book, the Bible.  Much of our history and science that is taught today includes many things that are not in the Bible, as well as contradictory to it.  If you are not IN the school system you have no idea what is being taught.  I don't want any kind of education contradicting what my kids are learning through me and at church in the Bible.  God won't care about their GPA or what their class rank was, He will care that they followed Him, learned His word, and lived their life according to the plan He set for them, not the world's. 

4.  Socializing in school... is this even an issue?  Most of the socializing in school is not that positive anyway.  My kids will be around others at church every time we go, with neighbors each day, as well as a group of Waco homeschoolers in an organization we will join.  There are several home school families in our area and we plan to get together often and take many educational field trips with them.  My kids are very social and I have no doubt they will thrive with the social experiences we will have.  After all, we have been home all summer (3 months) without school interaction every day and they aren't complete hermits yet! :) 


5.  Academic concerns/challenges... I am excited about the fact that I will be able to see all the ways my kids will learn and be able to tailor their education to those needs.  There are areas that I often don't notice that need extra work or areas where they are sitting and doing work over and over in an area that has been mastered long ago.  I have tutors in areas in which I am not strong that are able to help out Jaedyn if the need arises.  Jaedyn is already making lists of things that interest her and she wants to build into her homeschool program.  She is such an education-junkie! :)

6.  The fact that the government and others are allowing less and less in schools relating to Christianity is also very troubling.  We seem to see lots of things on Facebook, email, and everywhere else that state that we all need prayer in schools, more Christian teachers, etc. but at the same time we are seeing more "tolerance" for many of the things that the Bible says are NOT right and we have allowed those things to permeate our society because people do not want to take a stand.  We are living in a society of  "don't want to rock the boat" or be the one to "stand out" or seem like a "fanatical Christian" but honestly why are we SO afraid of what others will think. That is why our nation is where it is!  Just my 2 cents.  But it is our job as parents to teach these things, not give it over to public school or even our church to do it.  Even the church is a supplement to teaching your child at home about Jesus Christ and his Word. It is OUR job.  And we feel God is telling us to step up and do what He commands.  So we are off on this new journey.

We do realize how others might view this.  Frankly we can't worry about it.  We have MANY friends and family who are wonderful public school teachers, administrators, educational aides, and  work in the school system.  This is NOT about them.  There is a pre-conceived notion about homeschoolers and homeschooling in general.  We may be seen as religious fanatics, control freaks, Bible beaters, or right-wing crazy people... well, we are okay with that.  We feel at peace with where God has led us and as long as He is pleased with us and our efforts with our children, we are happy. 
I appreciate all who have showed support and for those who don't agree but are supportive anyway.  I am sure it won't be easy.  Our kids will have struggles, mistakes, and circumstances which cause them to learn and grow as all kids do.  We are not perfect or even CLOSE, and we don't expect them to be because they are homeschooled.  We are merely doing what we feel is best for them. 
I am so grateful for all the help, prayers, and shoulders I have been able to lean on through this decision these last few months.  Russell and I truly appreciate it!
Please pray for us and the kids as we get started in September and throughout this year.  It will be a learning curve for us all! :)

Here is a useful article as well if you know others who homeschool or want to...
http://www.homeschoolchristian.com/allabout/editorials/starting/edobjections.php


God bless you.  I am sure I will have much more to post on here this year with our new adventure and keeping up with life in general! :)

~Blessings to you,
Jennifer

Catching Up... Jaedyn's gymnastics program videos

For all the family and friends who did not get to attend her end of the year GymTricks Gymnastics Program here are the videos of her performances! Hope these are good enough to at least see something clearly. 

Let me know if these didn't work!

Whew! End of the year craziness!

Lots of pictures and videos to come this next week as I play catch up on the kid's activities lately! Stay tuned... Graduation tonight and Jaedyn's family birthday on Sunday! 

My Babygirl is 11! Man, oh man where did the time go?

Well I just have to say that she was bouncing off the walls ALL DAY!  I even told her to tone down the obnoxiousness just a tad!  But in my heart I have been in a funk this week.  Understandably with all the tragic events of the last month, let alone the last few days, but for my oldest child to be turning 11 is just too much to fathom!  She will be graduating and leaving home in just 7 short years!  Oh my, gaining my composure again... I do, however, realize, especially after watching TV a little today what an absolute blessing each and every child is and that we take all of these things for granted.  Each moment we put them off to do something "more important", really, what IS more important.  I really made myself stop and think and remember what I once heard a preacher say to me on a parent seminar CD... "don't tell your kids what is most important to you, show them!"  I mean REALLY, we all KNOW that, but I have to make more of a conscious effort to show them.  I want them to see me light up when they walk in a room.  I want them to know that it makes my day to be able to drop them off at school and wish them well every morning, and greet them every afternoon as I pick them up with an outstretched hand to hold or hug and ask how their day was.  And to be the last one that sees them and hugs them as they say their prayers at night and right before they drift off to dream.  Those moments God placed in my life to bind me to my children.  Not just the moments they make us proud, and there are many of those, but also the ones where sometimes they don't.  Because those are the times we can teach them and sometimes they actually teach us!  Snuggling my babies at any age has  been the closest to whole I have ever felt.  They drive me crazy, we all know that kids know which buttons to push in us and their siblings, but I am missing something when they aren't with me.  And I begin to think, that is the kind of love  our Father has for us. And even greater!  How amazing that is!  And how we cast that relationship aside so often... Yes, my Lord is amazing and I am so grateful that not only did He give me life but He put  me on this Earth to be a mother to these two precious children, who put the light in my day.  I can't imagine having a harder, more painful, exhausting, and more fulfilling job in my entire life! 
And on this day, I pray for those who are having to live the rest of their lives without one of their children because of the tragedy in Oklahoma yesterday.  God has a plan and all will work out for His glory and honor but I am sure that breaks a heart like no one can even imagine, in fact I can't really think about it too long or I would myself crumble into a ball of tears.
So, as I write this post tonight I just want to send this out there to whomever reads it... I am SO amazed at how a little (now) 11 year old girl can have a faith that almost everyone in her life can see radiates through her and shows each day WHO she is and WHO's she is!  I am not saying she doesn't make mistakes, as her mom I can attest to many.  But she truly has a heart of gold, a soul full of compassion, and a life lived for Christ!  Wish I could look back and see my choices made by how pleased God would have been with me when I was her age.  She witnesses and convicts me often, and of that I am eternally grateful to Him!  I pray God continues to lead, guide, and reveal to her the purpose for which He put her on this Earth.  Because of one thing I am sure, it will be nothing short of amazing!
Hug all your babies tonight and thank our Lord for that opportunity He gave you to be a parent and disciple to those babies! I know I sure am!

**Thank you Roby Anz for your kind comments about my blog posts.  You inspired me, sorry it took me so long to be able to sit down and do it!

One of my favorite pictures of us - sorry terrible picture of a picture with my phone :(

May 21, 2013 - 11 years old
 

Jaedyn gymnastics performance

Jaedyn has been so proud of herself this past semester by pushing herself and practicing an setting goals for herself in gymnastics. She could not wait to show us what she had learned and accomplished. Hoping these videos post correctly so you can all see what she has been working on. She is the student that has been with them the longest and was the only lesson student awarded the Platinum level award. 

Well guess the videos won't post. I will try again later!