I Love This Song!!!

Caitlin's only day

Only child (for a little while)

For a brief few hours today, Caitlin was an only child. She helped me worry over whether or not I was going to get lost trying to find Vandy's house. In fact she asked several times: "Mommy, you sure you know the destructions how to get there?" It's sad that even my 4 year old knows I can get lost with very little effort. She and I went to 'lunch' at Sonic and ate dessert first and 'real' food last. We went to the park and she played all over the playground, and she helped me sort the stacks of Girl Scout cookies while Go Fish guys blared on the radio. It was nice to be able to focus on just her for a little while. I need to do it more often.
Then we went to pick up Cierra and she asked to listen to the "Bellawood" song on Daddy's CD again so we did and she fell asleep in the backseat of the car.

Turtle Dances

On friday my hilarious thought of the day was turtle dances. Here's the situation: I was driving Cierra home from school down Brewington. When I got the curve where the pond with the waterwheel is on the left, there was a turtle in the road. SO per my usual routine, I stopped the car and got out to "rescue it". Well I found out the turtle was much larger than I expected when I reached down and realized the width of its shell was wider than my hands side by side and longer than Randy's boot. But I'm no wimp so I started to pick it up anyway and it weighed about 15lbs (3 bags of sugar). Still I can handle it. Yeah right, about 5 inches off the ground it decided it didn't want to be helped. ( I figure it was afraid of flying) The thing quickly turned its head and snapped at my hand. Okay at this point my dignity went kaput and I squealed, yes I squealed and of course dropped the turtle.
So new approach, walk around in front of the turtle and "shoo" it off of the road. I tried to use my foot to move it, it snapped ( whoever said turtles were slow, never tried to 'help' one in a bad mood) and hissed. I never knew turtles could hiss. I tried 'shooing' it again, and almost lost a leg. (Ok maybe that's an exaggeration but I do believe that was the turtle's goal). Then my last attempt (this sounds so stupid in retrospective) I tried stomping on the ground to scare it the other direction. No luck. Also at this point the turtle was so sick of me it used its' own tactics and started to chase me. Yes, chase me. That is also when I noticed its' very long claws. Being the somewhat intelligent human being I surrendered while yelling 'Demon Turtle', climbed in the van and watched it return to the exact same spot I found it in. I could hear its' thoughts as I drove away "Stupid human, this is MY spot". Everyone in the line of cars that built up behind the van wnet home with at least a smile and a story to share.

Cookies Cookies Cookies

Okay It's Girls Scout cookie time. I have come to realize over the years that this is not just a fundraiser for the girls but a major industry with a cut throat mentality. It is easy to get sucked into the GRRR of the competition element. This year I find that I can finally say it's whatever. I set up the cookie boothes for the girls, I have put in their initial orders but now it's up to them. I will send whatever is left over to Randy so he can distribute them to either airman who need a boost or to the orphanage the chapel goes to visit. We shall see how things go.

New RKs and the social class issue

Last night I had a new little boy show up for Ranger kids. I was excited to see a new face and really hope his family continues to come. I realized though that this is going to be an interesting time because he's definitely not from a "churchy family". He started his introduction to the group with 'There was an 8 year old picking on my little brother today and I knocked the boy out and I'm only 6'. I knew I had a challenge on my hands because this is a mentality that is learned at home. My struggle is how to teach a different mentality without saying your family is wrong for thinking that way. I guess it's just one step at a time. Then after church was over, the teacher of the younger group approached me and let me know that next week she is sending his little brother up early because "He's just not going to work in my class". So now I have the double challenge of brothers with a "fight first" mentality and a boy who is too young for my class. More planning is going to be needed on my part.

NYC

I received a phone call today from an acting camp in New York City. The guy was calling to answer any questions Cierra and I may have had and encourage her to make the trip for a 4 week seesion. The cost: approximately $7000. She would live in a dormitory in New York for 4 weeks, gain 6 college credits and be on her own for the first time in her life. I would love to give her this opportunity, but again I have to be the one to say: I'm sorry we can't afford it. Are our circumstances limiting her future career progression? Are the choices I've made going to limit her dreams. I can tell you it's times like these that it hurts to be a mom. All I can do is pray that her true path is shown and she reaches her dream in spite of me.

Another Day, Another day

It can be very frustrating sometimes when your kids know what they need to do but choose to see how long you will go without reeling them in. I let the boys go today, no yelling, no threatening, just waited them out. Once they started working they actually completed their assignments fairly quickly. Now tomorrow it will be a matter of do they want to paint their model rockets or not. If so then they will have to get it together quicker. I need to continue to consistently working with Caitlin on her stuff while she's still excited about it. Cierra is helping me bring back math skills that are covered in dust bunnies. It's been a long time since I had to teach pre-cal skills. SO overall not too bad a day.

A passionate child

Cierra went with Sammy to see a piano/comedian perform. At first I don't think she wanted to go but in the end she was glad that she did. What fasciantes me is that on the somewhat eclectic list of music that he played, Cierra new the lyrics to all but 2 of them. After the other kids went to bed she talked about all the different songs and how she recognized them and knew which performers did the best version of each, etc. I have always known how important music was to her, but to witness the passion and excitement was a joy. How much experience I am able to provide for her at this moment is limited by where we live (small town life), finances, and time. I can pray though that the college that will provide the greatest opportunity for her will present itself and be attainable.

Another day

Ookay today was interesting, not bad, not great but ok. Caitlin finally had the typical gum in the hair childhood incident. Now her hair is a little shorter but she's happy with it. Ms Monique tried getting it out to no avail. Poor baby looks like her mom now. Just smaller.

Before:

After:

Wednesday Blues

Not sure what it was about today but everyone seemed a little off. The boys accomplished very little, grocery store took forever, Cierra is still down and not really talking which worries me, and Caitlin's room is a nightmare. Taxes were rejected because I typed Cameron's SSN in wrong. Okay Shelly told me I had to find 1 happy thought each day... Okay still working on that one. Going to pray then go to sleep. Tomorrow should be better.

Science Project

Today for science the boys assembled their windmill kits. It was the perfect day for it because there was a wind advisory. They had a fun time and used Caitlin's hair to tell which way the wind was blowing.

Days Fly By

 I noticed that although I am on the computer every day, I have missed a few days of updating the blog. On Saturday we went bed shopping for Caitlin, had lunch at the bowling alley and then took the dog to the dog park on base. Of course she whined when the kids went to the park next door to play. There are pictures and video on the web album. Eventually I may learn how to embed them here but not so far. Cierra sang beautifully in church on Sunday and I have been trying to upload that one but so far no luck. The kids spent the day Friday learning about cleaning so that Cierra would not be embarrassed about the mess that had accumulated all around the living room and kitchen. She had 3 friends come over to rehearse some of the Peter Pan lines and stuff. I was really impressed with her friends and enjoyed having them over. So the business continues but so far so good...

Valentines Pictures

The Valentines Day photos provided by the Hearts Apart program.

Awards night

Cierra's in charge!

Awards night

Cameron waiting for his turn.

Awards night

Corbin reciting the memory verse.

Awards night

Caitlin wasn't feeling too great but did a good job anyway.

Made it thru

Last night was the awards night for Rangers and Girls Ministries. It was my turn to present the RKs and I did fairly well. The boys knew their Gold Points, did their handshake for everyone, and showed off their flag. I have been working on the sign language merit with Cameron and Corbin so hopefully they will be able to pass that one soon. I will post a video of the song they choose as soon as we have perfected it. Caitlin actually said her memory verse and motto. She also got a button that says "Honor Rainbow" because she has completed 22 units. Denver was sad because he has one more unit to finish in order to get his button. They showed the video of David and Jonathan for the church and the parents enjoyed it. So far so good, Now I have a couple of projects to put together before the parent meeting on Sunday to keep the program interesting.

Its morning and all is quiet-for now.

   I can say that the only sounds in the house right now are the clicking of the keyboard keys, and the jingle of the dog's tags. I know it won't last for long because soon the younger kids will be awake and the buzz of childrens' energy will begin. I will enjoy the quiet for now. Homeschooling is an interesting conundrum. The joy of having your children at home and watching them grow and learn everyday is a blessing. The frustration of stubborn days where work takes forever to get done is a lesson in patience. Which, by the way God, I quit praying for patience. So why still test me in that area? We have been working but I can't get over the stress of what if I have to put them back in school, will they be able to succeed?
   Also helping the oldest figure out how to write papers at a different level as she makes her way through her college classes without the suggestions being perceived as a personal attack of her self worth is a challenge. She already says "My mom's my biggest critic." instead of "My mom's my biggest fan" which bothers me. My goal has always to have her be her best so the world would know how special she is.
  My goal for today is to get the younger kids through their school work before 23:00, get the oldest to rehearsals this afternoon, and mark off at least 2 things on the TO DO list.  Good luck to me!

Project Beginning

Diane came over today and we started working on the "movie" for the song that Rhonda is singing this month. It was neat to work on it with someone who understood when I said I was looking for the 'right' picture to fit the moment in the song. It also made it easier to eliminate some photos and leave others. I will post the movie here when it is finished.

Exported Videos

I believe movie with baby photos

I received these photos in an uplifting email, chose one of my favorite songs, and I hope you enjoy it.