Approx. 2 weeks ago...
Connor: "How does a GPS work?"
Mommy: "Well, it uses longitude and latitude to figure out where we're at..."
Connor: "What is longitude and latitude?"
Mommy: "Um...they are invisible lines that run horizontally and vertically all over the earth that people use to pinpoint locations on a map."
Connor: "Woah! There are invisible lines all over the place! Where!?!"
I explained that the lines weren't real, that it was something people used for maps. They. Aren't. Real.
Today at lunch...
Connor: "Mom, can you tell me more about those invisible lines that are everywhere?"
Sigh.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Homeschool Conversations
Learning that I homeschool typically starts a conversation with other women and today was no exception. One of the women at the doctor's office asked me many questions. It surprised her that one of the reasons I want to homeschool is so that I can prepare my children to think for themselves rather than regurgitating facts. She thought that the main reason people homeschool is to remove their children from peer pressure. While that is the case for many people, and that is one of the benefits of homeschooling, it is definitely not my primary reason. She had honestly never thought about it as a way to encourage them to learn life skills. I like when I can make people think!
My conversations at the doctor's office reminded me of this video a friend of mine posted on her facebook page a while back. This really is a typical conversation I have when I go out and try to talk to other moms. (Although, no one besides my mom has ever compared me to Michelle Duggar!)
My conversations at the doctor's office reminded me of this video a friend of mine posted on her facebook page a while back. This really is a typical conversation I have when I go out and try to talk to other moms. (Although, no one besides my mom has ever compared me to Michelle Duggar!)
They Are Always Listening...
As we sat in the doctor's office waiting for Honor and Connor's seven-year well-check, I was asked the typical questions from the other moms in the room with two children each: "How old are they?" and "Are they all yours?" When I answered, I was told, "But the older ones are in school right, so it is easier now." When told that I homeschool, I received the typical exasperated stare, followed by the mouth dropped response of: "Wow! You must have a lot of patience! I could never do that!"
I responded that I didn't start out with a lot of patience, but God has increased it more with each child and with each year. I then said something to the affect of, "some days are harder than others since they are with me all of the time." All of the ladies in the room nodded their heads in agreement. Then one said, "But you enjoy it, right? Otherwise you wouldn't do it."
I nodded my head and said, "Yes, I love it. I wouldn't have it any other way."
That's when Samuel, who had been playing with the beads, climbed into my lap and announced to the room in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, "My mommy likes me a lot!"
Yes, Sunshine, I do. More than you know.
I responded that I didn't start out with a lot of patience, but God has increased it more with each child and with each year. I then said something to the affect of, "some days are harder than others since they are with me all of the time." All of the ladies in the room nodded their heads in agreement. Then one said, "But you enjoy it, right? Otherwise you wouldn't do it."
I nodded my head and said, "Yes, I love it. I wouldn't have it any other way."
That's when Samuel, who had been playing with the beads, climbed into my lap and announced to the room in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, "My mommy likes me a lot!"
Yes, Sunshine, I do. More than you know.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Why Is That?
After one too many teenage tantrums, I took my 7 year old daughter into the bathroom to have a talk about showing respect to her Mommy. I explained to her that she won't always get her way and that's a good thing because sometimes what we want is not what we need and sometimes what we think we want is not as good as what will be coming. We talked about patience, being thankful for what we have, and thinking of others before our self. It was a long conversation and by the end, Honor had calmed down and I could see her heart change.
Finally, just before we were about to leave the room, Honor looked up at me and asked,
"Mommy, how come parents know everything?"
I answered, "Because our parents taught us everything they know."
Now, I can only pray she continues to think that way when she's 16!
Finally, just before we were about to leave the room, Honor looked up at me and asked,
"Mommy, how come parents know everything?"
I answered, "Because our parents taught us everything they know."
Now, I can only pray she continues to think that way when she's 16!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
My Book
So...
I wrote a book. It was the first real piece of fiction that I've ever written for fun. The goal was to finish it and give it to my dad as a present because he has always told me that I should write. It took me over two years, but I met my goal. I self-published the book and sent it to my Dad. It looks like any other paperback you might pick up in the store. 392 pages. I had it sent to him for his birthday. When he received the package from UPS, he called me to thank me.
"Hey, Dad, just remember, it's my first book EVER. It's not that good. I mean... I like it okay, but it's not really publishable. But I hope you like it!"
"Soo...what you're saying is, you sent me a book that is not very good for my birthday present?"
"Well...I sent you a novel that I wrote for your birthday present. I hope you like it!"
Yesterday I received a call from him. He was already halfway through the book he'd gotten the evening before. He used big words like "enthralled" to describe how he felt about my book. And he thinks I should attempt to get it published for real. "I've read WAY worse books that were published by actual publishers. You definitely need to sell this!" My dad has read hundreds of fantasy novels in his lifetime so he has a basis for comparison.
My husband agrees. He hasn't read the book, but he figures if I wrote 392 pages, it must be worth getting published. (To be fair, he hasn't read the book because I wouldn't let him read it until it was finished and I haven't received my own personal copy in the mail yet...).
Let me explain something about both my dad and my husband: they do not give false praise. If my dad doesn't really like something, but still wants to give me encouragement, he will say "it's nice, but..." and give me pointers on how to fix it. My husband will skip the "it's nice" part altogether. Neither are mean about it, but they are very honest in their opinions. So for both of them to be excited about this is very flattering.
And a little scary.
I told them both that I have absolutely no idea how to even begin to submit a book to a publishing company. I don't know how to write a query letter. I don't even know WHO to send it to. (TOR is definitely my first choice, but I highly doubt they would accept a novel from an unknown author...)
Truth be told, I don't think it is publishable. I enjoyed my story, but every time I look at it, I find another word to replace, another something that's off. I ended up having to just say enough is enough and leave it where it was. It is hard for me to let my dad read it. And I am scared to send it out there. But the funny thing is...I'm not scared of rejection. In fact, I expect rejection. What I am scared of is, what if they actually accept it? Then it will be out there for the whole world to mock and tell me what a bad writer I am (I mean look at Stephanie Meyers... ). They say you shouldn't look at reviews, but honestly, I am addicted to reviews. And I take them all to heart.
So...I'm seriously thinking about it. Maybe.
I mean, you can't let fear rule you, right?
I think I'll let my husband read it first...
I wrote a book. It was the first real piece of fiction that I've ever written for fun. The goal was to finish it and give it to my dad as a present because he has always told me that I should write. It took me over two years, but I met my goal. I self-published the book and sent it to my Dad. It looks like any other paperback you might pick up in the store. 392 pages. I had it sent to him for his birthday. When he received the package from UPS, he called me to thank me.
"Hey, Dad, just remember, it's my first book EVER. It's not that good. I mean... I like it okay, but it's not really publishable. But I hope you like it!"
"Soo...what you're saying is, you sent me a book that is not very good for my birthday present?"
"Well...I sent you a novel that I wrote for your birthday present. I hope you like it!"
Yesterday I received a call from him. He was already halfway through the book he'd gotten the evening before. He used big words like "enthralled" to describe how he felt about my book. And he thinks I should attempt to get it published for real. "I've read WAY worse books that were published by actual publishers. You definitely need to sell this!" My dad has read hundreds of fantasy novels in his lifetime so he has a basis for comparison.
My husband agrees. He hasn't read the book, but he figures if I wrote 392 pages, it must be worth getting published. (To be fair, he hasn't read the book because I wouldn't let him read it until it was finished and I haven't received my own personal copy in the mail yet...).
Let me explain something about both my dad and my husband: they do not give false praise. If my dad doesn't really like something, but still wants to give me encouragement, he will say "it's nice, but..." and give me pointers on how to fix it. My husband will skip the "it's nice" part altogether. Neither are mean about it, but they are very honest in their opinions. So for both of them to be excited about this is very flattering.
And a little scary.
I told them both that I have absolutely no idea how to even begin to submit a book to a publishing company. I don't know how to write a query letter. I don't even know WHO to send it to. (TOR is definitely my first choice, but I highly doubt they would accept a novel from an unknown author...)
Truth be told, I don't think it is publishable. I enjoyed my story, but every time I look at it, I find another word to replace, another something that's off. I ended up having to just say enough is enough and leave it where it was. It is hard for me to let my dad read it. And I am scared to send it out there. But the funny thing is...I'm not scared of rejection. In fact, I expect rejection. What I am scared of is, what if they actually accept it? Then it will be out there for the whole world to mock and tell me what a bad writer I am (I mean look at Stephanie Meyers... ). They say you shouldn't look at reviews, but honestly, I am addicted to reviews. And I take them all to heart.
So...I'm seriously thinking about it. Maybe.
I mean, you can't let fear rule you, right?
I think I'll let my husband read it first...
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Patience
Samuel wanted Connor's wallet. Connor wasn't willing to give up said wallet. Samuel does need a place to store "Mommy dollars"...
Mommy: "Samuel, you cannot have Connor's wallet because he needs it, but if you are patient, I will see about getting you a wallet later this week."
Samuel: "But I want to be patient NOW!"
I think I need to work on teaching him the meaning of that word...
Mommy: "Samuel, you cannot have Connor's wallet because he needs it, but if you are patient, I will see about getting you a wallet later this week."
Samuel: "But I want to be patient NOW!"
I think I need to work on teaching him the meaning of that word...
Friday, August 12, 2011
Honor's Fifth Tooth..
Honor lost her fifth tooth over at Grandma's house this evening. She left the following note in her "communication box" for the Tooth Fairy...
The Tooth Fairy left her some money anyway and thanked her for the nice note...
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Maggie IS Part German Shepherd...
Okay...so I had a few comments on "Smooth Move" that Maggie does not look very German Shepherdish, but I assure you that it is just the photo. So, as proof, I am going to show comparison photos... She most definitely more black German Shepherd than anything else. These pictures still do not do her justice. It is difficult for me to get her to stand still AWAY from me while not on a leash. She prefers to stand right next to me or right next to Jasmine so when I walk away from her, she drops her ears and looks all pitiful. In the sun you can see the rusty brown under coat that is typical of black German Shepherds (you can kind of see it on her rear end in the top picture of her, but it is more prominent than that in real life--I'm not that great of a photographer and I just can't get her to hold still long enough for a good picture!).
Breed Standard Black Labrador Retriever
Breed Standard Border Collie
Breed Standard Black German Shepherd
Black German Shepherd Police Dog
(This one looks the most like Maggie in real life...minus the "boy" parts)
Random Photo I found titled: "Black German Shepherd-Collie Cross"
Maggie
Maggie
...Are we agreed????
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Big Deal
"The walk" was not the only interesting thing that happened to me today.
Actually, the kids and I had a wonderful day together. We started off the day with devotions and had great discussions about staying focused on Christ. After that I had intended to take them to Office Max for their back-to-school sale, but I couldn't find the store. Since there were no school supplies we absolutely had to have, we skipped that and went to Subway for lunch. I got complimented on how well-behaved my children are (and was told my hands are full about four times in 30 minutes...)--the children are always well-behaved when they have food in front of them.
After that we went to Bashas.
I may have mentioned my fondness of Bashas before. It is a grocery store--with a free built-in daycare! I LOVE this. I get to shop for a whole hour while the kids make crafts. It's a win-win situation.
Well, today they were having the best sales (or I should say, the most applicable sales to my family), so the kids got to go to their favorite grocery store (it is about 20 minutes away...). I dropped the kids off and headed down the aisles with my grocery list in hand. They were having a wonderful sale on Powerade, which is something we don't usually drink, however, my husband and brother-in-law have been working out in the heat building things around the property such as a goat house and a commercial greenhouse and I thought the extra electrolytes would be good for them. I bought 30, 32-oz bottles (the maximum the sale allowed).
Over the intercom I heard, "Howdy folks! I'm Jenna over in the meat department and I wanted to let you all know about an excellent deal. We are selling Jenny-O smoked turkey sausage for $1.99/package--normally $6.99/package. That's a $5 savings! Head on back and experience this in-store only deal while supplies last!" I did not rush back there since turkey sausage is not a staple food in our home, but I figured I would check it out when I got to the meat portion of my list.
As I walked down the back aisle, Jenna headed out the meat door. "Hey! You look like a young woman who knows a good deal when you see one! Have you seen these turkey sausages? It's a great deal!" I kept my eye rolling to a minimum and dutifully walked over to see the turkey sausages. They looked like big hot dog to me--maybe a bratwurst. I almost walked away, but then I remembered the kids are having a birthday party in a couple of weeks where I am serving hamburgers and hot dogs. These would work. So, I smiled at Jenna and picked out four packages--64 total.
I meandered over to the chicken (which was on my list) and Jenna hopped back on the microphone. "Ho, folks! Hurry back and pick up your turkey sausage--they're going fast! I caught a young lady walking by who had a cart full of Powerade and I knew she knew a good deal when she saw one! She picked up four packages! Come on back while supplies last!"
I think the most embarrassing part of the experience was the fact that the entire local fire department happened to be shopping next to me at that exact moment and knew right away who the "young lady" was... gave a new meaning to the term "fire-engine red".
Actually, the kids and I had a wonderful day together. We started off the day with devotions and had great discussions about staying focused on Christ. After that I had intended to take them to Office Max for their back-to-school sale, but I couldn't find the store. Since there were no school supplies we absolutely had to have, we skipped that and went to Subway for lunch. I got complimented on how well-behaved my children are (and was told my hands are full about four times in 30 minutes...)--the children are always well-behaved when they have food in front of them.
After that we went to Bashas.
I may have mentioned my fondness of Bashas before. It is a grocery store--with a free built-in daycare! I LOVE this. I get to shop for a whole hour while the kids make crafts. It's a win-win situation.
Well, today they were having the best sales (or I should say, the most applicable sales to my family), so the kids got to go to their favorite grocery store (it is about 20 minutes away...). I dropped the kids off and headed down the aisles with my grocery list in hand. They were having a wonderful sale on Powerade, which is something we don't usually drink, however, my husband and brother-in-law have been working out in the heat building things around the property such as a goat house and a commercial greenhouse and I thought the extra electrolytes would be good for them. I bought 30, 32-oz bottles (the maximum the sale allowed).
Over the intercom I heard, "Howdy folks! I'm Jenna over in the meat department and I wanted to let you all know about an excellent deal. We are selling Jenny-O smoked turkey sausage for $1.99/package--normally $6.99/package. That's a $5 savings! Head on back and experience this in-store only deal while supplies last!" I did not rush back there since turkey sausage is not a staple food in our home, but I figured I would check it out when I got to the meat portion of my list.
As I walked down the back aisle, Jenna headed out the meat door. "Hey! You look like a young woman who knows a good deal when you see one! Have you seen these turkey sausages? It's a great deal!" I kept my eye rolling to a minimum and dutifully walked over to see the turkey sausages. They looked like big hot dog to me--maybe a bratwurst. I almost walked away, but then I remembered the kids are having a birthday party in a couple of weeks where I am serving hamburgers and hot dogs. These would work. So, I smiled at Jenna and picked out four packages--64 total.
I meandered over to the chicken (which was on my list) and Jenna hopped back on the microphone. "Ho, folks! Hurry back and pick up your turkey sausage--they're going fast! I caught a young lady walking by who had a cart full of Powerade and I knew she knew a good deal when she saw one! She picked up four packages! Come on back while supplies last!"
I think the most embarrassing part of the experience was the fact that the entire local fire department happened to be shopping next to me at that exact moment and knew right away who the "young lady" was... gave a new meaning to the term "fire-engine red".
Smooth Move
So...
I won the "Stupid Mom" award for today...
It's Tuesday. Irrigation sign up day. Normally this is a job for my dear, sweet husband, but he is out of town helping a friend build a dance studio and won't be home until late. We live in Arizona so if we want any kind of green, we need to irrigate every other week in the summer. It is the "other" week and so I decided that I would take the kids for a walk. With the dogs. In 104* "dry" heat.
"Remember that one time we took Jasmine for a walk with the wagon?" Honor reminded me in hopes that this time would also be a wagon time.
Okay.
So, I hooked the dogs' leashes to the wagon, put three of the kids in the wagon, attached a second leash to Jasmine, handed that leash to Ariana, grabbed the leashes connected to the wagon and began the 1/2 mile trek to the sign up box. Everyone was excited. We live on a little over 5 acres so there really isn't too much need to take walks for exercise. The rare adventure around our neighborhood is a real treat.
The walk to the box was great. Jasmine and Maggie tuckered themselves out pretty quickly and so it was a fairly smooth ride for the kids. However, when we got to the box, we came across the first problem: other dogs. Granted they were behind a fence, but it was very difficult for me to get Jasmine and Maggie to sit down long enough for me to sign up. But we did. All was well.
Ariana and Honor switched places and we began our trek home. "Mom! I want to go for a longer walk!" Samuel cried from within the comfortable confines of the wagon. He wasn't pulling 120 pounds in 104*heat.
"We are going for a longer walk. We have to walk home now."
"Okay." He was mollified.
We turned around and CRASH!!! The wagon spilled over. The three inside were quick to assure me, "We're okay!"
Honor noticed the problem right away. "Look at the wheel, Mom!"
Connor had felt the need to see how the wheel had been attached. "Had been" was the operative phrase. "Connor, what part of this did you take off?" I asked as I tried to rescrew the red cap back on top, which just kept spinning and spinning.
"I don't know." Standard response.
"Okay, kids. Out you go. Connor, you walk the wagon, Honor, you walk Jasmine, and Ariana and Samuel, you walk next to me." And I held the leash of the two tired dogs who now carried a much smaller load.
We walked about a block before Samuel started lagging behind. "Samuel, keep up!"
"I'm tiiiirrrreeedd," was his very whiny response. So much for the "longer walk."
"Come on, Son. Hop on my back." Whines all around from the other three who still had to walk. I was pulling two dogs attached to a wagon and carrying 42 pounds in 104* heat and they were whining about being hot and tired. It's all relative I guess.
Because I had to have one hand on Samuel's bottom, I had let go of Maggie's leash. She had been very tired and actually walking behind me so I wasn't worried about her taking off. We went another block when tragedy struck. Neighborhood dog...without a fence.
The large reddish brown-dog came out of nowhere to protect its property from this large herd of invaders. It ran right up to Jasmine and started barking. That set our two off. I wasn't quick enough and Maggie took off. With the wagon. Pulling it over Connor and Ariana (thankfully it was just a big, plastic one and not a metal red rider!). That gave Jasmine extra strength and she took off, snapping the smaller leash that I was carrying. Honor was the last line of defense. I'm actually quite proud of her. She was dragged a good ten feet before she finally admitted defeat. I quickly bent to drop Samuel off my back, but he didn't understand what I intended and fell about a foot rather than jumping off. So, I had to leave four SCREAMING children while I chased down two not-so-tired dogs and a wagon with a broken wheel. Of course, Jasmine thought this was just a great game. She didn't realize I was actually trying to catch her. In her mind, I still held the leash and was now going for a jog. She just sped up. I love that dog.
(Maggie--80 lbs German Shepherd/Border Collie mix... Jasmine--40 lbs English Springer Spaniel)
"Jasmine, SIT!" I finally yelled. To my great surprise, she halted immediately and sat. Since Jasmine is our "alpha" dog, Maggie immediately stopped as well. I grabbed their leashes and the wagon and headed back to my children who were lying on the side of the road as if the world had just ended.
"It's okay, kids. You'll be fine," I reassured them, all the while uncertain if they really were okay or not. They were. Fine, I mean. Only Honor had any scrapes at all and surprisingly enough they were very minor.
I put the kids back into the wagon with the broken wheel because it was safer than letting them continue to walk. The dogs were now thoroughly exhausted, having used their last bit of energy chasing the dog who had disappeared completely by this time. We walked home, bedraggled and nearly passing out from heat exhaustion. Maggie didn't even wait to go inside before lying down. As soon as I disconnected her leash (a little before we reached our property--they only wanted to go home anyway) She found the nearest shade tree and made herself comfortable. As a family, I am certain we drank two gallons of water in a matter of minutes.
But we will have irrigation next week.
I won the "Stupid Mom" award for today...
It's Tuesday. Irrigation sign up day. Normally this is a job for my dear, sweet husband, but he is out of town helping a friend build a dance studio and won't be home until late. We live in Arizona so if we want any kind of green, we need to irrigate every other week in the summer. It is the "other" week and so I decided that I would take the kids for a walk. With the dogs. In 104* "dry" heat.
"Remember that one time we took Jasmine for a walk with the wagon?" Honor reminded me in hopes that this time would also be a wagon time.
Okay.
So, I hooked the dogs' leashes to the wagon, put three of the kids in the wagon, attached a second leash to Jasmine, handed that leash to Ariana, grabbed the leashes connected to the wagon and began the 1/2 mile trek to the sign up box. Everyone was excited. We live on a little over 5 acres so there really isn't too much need to take walks for exercise. The rare adventure around our neighborhood is a real treat.
The walk to the box was great. Jasmine and Maggie tuckered themselves out pretty quickly and so it was a fairly smooth ride for the kids. However, when we got to the box, we came across the first problem: other dogs. Granted they were behind a fence, but it was very difficult for me to get Jasmine and Maggie to sit down long enough for me to sign up. But we did. All was well.
Ariana and Honor switched places and we began our trek home. "Mom! I want to go for a longer walk!" Samuel cried from within the comfortable confines of the wagon. He wasn't pulling 120 pounds in 104*heat.
"We are going for a longer walk. We have to walk home now."
"Okay." He was mollified.
We turned around and CRASH!!! The wagon spilled over. The three inside were quick to assure me, "We're okay!"
Honor noticed the problem right away. "Look at the wheel, Mom!"
Connor had felt the need to see how the wheel had been attached. "Had been" was the operative phrase. "Connor, what part of this did you take off?" I asked as I tried to rescrew the red cap back on top, which just kept spinning and spinning.
"I don't know." Standard response.
"Okay, kids. Out you go. Connor, you walk the wagon, Honor, you walk Jasmine, and Ariana and Samuel, you walk next to me." And I held the leash of the two tired dogs who now carried a much smaller load.
We walked about a block before Samuel started lagging behind. "Samuel, keep up!"
"I'm tiiiirrrreeedd," was his very whiny response. So much for the "longer walk."
"Come on, Son. Hop on my back." Whines all around from the other three who still had to walk. I was pulling two dogs attached to a wagon and carrying 42 pounds in 104* heat and they were whining about being hot and tired. It's all relative I guess.
Because I had to have one hand on Samuel's bottom, I had let go of Maggie's leash. She had been very tired and actually walking behind me so I wasn't worried about her taking off. We went another block when tragedy struck. Neighborhood dog...without a fence.
The large reddish brown-dog came out of nowhere to protect its property from this large herd of invaders. It ran right up to Jasmine and started barking. That set our two off. I wasn't quick enough and Maggie took off. With the wagon. Pulling it over Connor and Ariana (thankfully it was just a big, plastic one and not a metal red rider!). That gave Jasmine extra strength and she took off, snapping the smaller leash that I was carrying. Honor was the last line of defense. I'm actually quite proud of her. She was dragged a good ten feet before she finally admitted defeat. I quickly bent to drop Samuel off my back, but he didn't understand what I intended and fell about a foot rather than jumping off. So, I had to leave four SCREAMING children while I chased down two not-so-tired dogs and a wagon with a broken wheel. Of course, Jasmine thought this was just a great game. She didn't realize I was actually trying to catch her. In her mind, I still held the leash and was now going for a jog. She just sped up. I love that dog.
(Maggie--80 lbs German Shepherd/Border Collie mix... Jasmine--40 lbs English Springer Spaniel)
"Jasmine, SIT!" I finally yelled. To my great surprise, she halted immediately and sat. Since Jasmine is our "alpha" dog, Maggie immediately stopped as well. I grabbed their leashes and the wagon and headed back to my children who were lying on the side of the road as if the world had just ended.
"It's okay, kids. You'll be fine," I reassured them, all the while uncertain if they really were okay or not. They were. Fine, I mean. Only Honor had any scrapes at all and surprisingly enough they were very minor.
I put the kids back into the wagon with the broken wheel because it was safer than letting them continue to walk. The dogs were now thoroughly exhausted, having used their last bit of energy chasing the dog who had disappeared completely by this time. We walked home, bedraggled and nearly passing out from heat exhaustion. Maggie didn't even wait to go inside before lying down. As soon as I disconnected her leash (a little before we reached our property--they only wanted to go home anyway) She found the nearest shade tree and made herself comfortable. As a family, I am certain we drank two gallons of water in a matter of minutes.
But we will have irrigation next week.
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