Emma's Preschool

Olivia and I went to preschool with Emma yesterday. It was really fun, and I learned a lot. Last year, I subbed for Teresa when she or baby Gracie was sick and Kelly couldn't sub, so I'm pretty familiar with the school, what I learned was about Emma. The following are things I honestly didn't know about my "baby":

1. She can go potty without help
2. She can sit still long enough to listen to a story
3. She does know how to share toys
4. She can speak clearly enough for other adults to understand her
5. She can trace her name beautifully (won't do it at home)
6. She can count to ten (at home she goes 1 2 3 8 9 10)
7. She does know how to pick up toys
8. She can make it 3 hours without whining (who woulda thought)
9. She can be outgoing (she has a shy nature)
10. She really is a big girl, not a baby anymore

Poor Emma, now that I know these things her free ride is over! I think she gets away with more because I know she is my last baby. Well, she is three now, time to buck up and face the music. You do have to pick up after yourself, you are expected to listen the first time. She was playing dumb with me and I believed her! Not again, sister!

I really did suspect most the things on the list and make her do them occasionally, but seeing her with other kids and another adult in charge for three hours showed me she is old enough to do all those things consistently. Pray for me as I enter this battle. One thing I have always known about her, she is as stubborn as her father and smarter than her mother!

Should I Go Back to College?

Ok, as if life isn't busy enough or I don't have enough to do, I am now contemplating going back to college. When Mike and I got married, I quit school so I could work full-time so we could afford to live. The plan was always for me to finish college when the kids were in school. Fast forward 9 years, and we've decide to home school, which makes attending classes practically impossible. However, in this day and age, I could attend college online and not have to go anywhere.

I do want to finish my teaching degree just in case something happens to Mike, I would be able to support the girls and myself while still feeling like I had adequate time to be a mom. It would also be beneficial in the event that Montana decides homeschoolers need a teaching credential. Many states require the mom to have a teaching certificate or be monitored every three months by the state. So far, the only regulation in Montana is that I notify the superintendents office and agree to teach a curriculum comparable to what is taught in public school and keep attendance records. I want to protect my right to home school, and right now getting my degree and teachers certificate seems the most practical way to do so.

Please pray for this decision. We don't have the finances to do this, so I would either have to have grants, scholarships or student loans. I am not wanting to go into debt for this.

Halloween, not for us!

This year, we made a decsion as a family to not celebrate Halloween. I have felt convicted about celebrating because of its origins, and Mike made the decision this year. Instead, we are making pizza from scratch (dough and everything!), eating as much candy as we can and watching a kids video with the girls. This will be an even more special family time because tonight, Mike comes home from three days of hunting! The girls probably won't even miss getting dressed up, because they have access to dress-up clothes every single day. I figure since Emma has been going through most her days as Cinderella or a Ladybug or a ballerina-construction worker dressing up has lost its novelty for her.

The church is still doing the Harvest Festival for the community kids at the local elementary gym, we're just not participating. This is what I believe Unity without Uniformity looks like. I believe the Bible is clear on this issue, but others may not see it. I hope and pray that they will see the truth, and how God truely does not change from the OT to the NT to now and they mold to what the Bible says, but I have just been convicted of this, and can't expect everyone to agrewith me right now. I pray that because of our church kids are kept safe and hear the truth of Jesus tonight. Thank You Brenda for doing what you feel convicted to do!

I bought a book called "Mommy, why Don't We Celebrate Halloween?" by Lida Hacon Winword that explains it very clearly and helped me to teach my children.

Hunting Season is Here...

Hunting season for big game officially began on Sunday October 26! Mike left this morning for "hunt camp" and will be back on Friday evening, hopefully with a fresh kill.

If you had told me five years ago when we moved from Washingto to Texas that he would go hunting in Montana, I would have laughed at you. Isn't God great how He changes us!

We are fortunate to live where we can afford for me to stay at home with the girls. Each day is a gift that I need to start appreciating more. I am blessed with the opportunity to homeschool and need to be more thankful for that. Mike is blessed to get paid for what he loves doing-Preaching the Word!

When I look back at all the changes our family has gone through in the last five years, it amazes me. When Olivia was born in January 2003, we lived in Lynnwood in a tiny two bedroom apartment. Mike lost his job when Olivia was 3 weeks old. I went back to work when she was 6 weeks old. Life was a series of who was going to be where when, coordinating Liv's care when Mike was working (school bus driver) and running here and there. We were not happy. We were surviving, not living.

When Olivia was 9 months old, Mike began his first full-time paid ministry-in Big Spring, Texas. What a move! I went from being in a career where I was praised and recognized for my accomplishments to staying at home with Olivia. I went through a period of depression that was never diagnosed or treated. Texas was a place of tremendous growth and hard lessons learned. We were betrayed by people, a church and hurt very deeply. We were slandered, gossiped about and lied to. God stayed faithful. We always had enough food (enough for me to become overweight!), all our medical bills were taken care of, and we always had a handful of good friends. Friends like Tera, who was a great ear and shoulder to cry on. We are still good friends today. We also had each other. Mike resigned in May 2005. Emma came into our lives in July 2005. When she was 2 weeks old, we moved to Clovis, New Mexico for Mike's second full-time ministry position.

Clovis was not the place for us. Another season of growth and pain. Mike was "voted out" of the church in April of 2006 because he wouldn't play politics. Emma was 9 months old and Olivia was 3 years old.

We could have stayed in the south, but we were really wanting to get back to the north and my parents had a house sitting empty in Newport, Oregon so....we moved to Oregon, with no money, no job, just our faith in God...and He is Faithful!

Again, we were well fed, had a roof over our heads, were all healthy and were living on the Oregon coast, one of the most beautiful places I can think of. God provided me with a job and Mike the chance to stay home for 6 months with our two wonderful daughters. We were blessed to be part of South Beach Christian Fellowship. What a ministry there! Those people are in love with God and want to share it! Such big hearts and giving people. I met Ruthie at church and she happened to be my neighbor too, and she was my friend through a very rough patch in my life. We got the chance to visit their family when we were on vacation this year!

During this time, we were talking with two different churches, one in Brookings, Oregon a small coastal town and the other in Pablo, Montana. We had the chance to apply lessons learned in the south and when both churches offered Mike a position, we felt God was leading us to Montana for several reasons I won't go into here.

Ahhh...Montana! We've been here two years, Emma is 3 and Olivia is almost 6. We added Thor (our Yorkie pup) to our family last Christmas. This church is a good fit. We are at home here. Serving God is a joy again! We have a home with a beautiful view of the mountains, a great yard for the girls to play in, a vegetable garden, pretty flowers, a gorgeous maple....and Mike is hunting. I homeschool (which means I get to do fun science projects and lots of arts and crafts along with the 3 r's) We have GREAT friends here. Teresa, the preschool teacher, Mike's crazy mercenary friends, the folks at Pinehaven, Kelly, Alisa, Mandy, too many more to name. I have also lost 40 pounds with the help of Weight Watchers. I am in smaller jeans than I wore in high school, and healthier than ever! Five years ago, I would have cried tears of disbelief if you had told me all I would go through to transition from surviving to LIVING! Isn't there a Bible verse about Christ living in me? GOD IS GOOD!

It is said that a persons true character is displayed through times of trial, I pray that I came through mine with grace and can help others in their journeys. I would go through it all again if I had to to be the person I am today and to be where I am today. I AM LIVING!

Daisy Scouts part 2

I was right, after posting about Daisy Scouts, I recieved the phone call asking if we were going to be involved. I said no!!! Yea for me. I aid we were just crazy-busy this year and were already driving into town 3-4 times a week. All of which is true. I guess I do know how to say no.

Daisy Scout Update

Ok, so we ended last year with me somehow signed up to be the Daisy Scout asst. leader for this year. Well, we already drive into town 3 days a week for preschool and dance class. Thankfully, it is mid-October and I have yet to get a phone call about Daisy Scouts. Now that I posted this, I probably will though. I already have a busy enough Monday with Preschool, homeschool and Weight Watchers. Why can't I just say "I'll think about it" when someone asks me to do something instead of jumping in with "Sure"??????



Did I mention I've been asked to referee Jr. High girls basketball..."Hey Chuck...I'll think about it"!!!!

Lessons I've learned from 2 months of homeschooling...

It's been around two months since we began homeschooling, and we're still enjoying it! I think a lot of our success has to do with:
1. I have covered this in prayer
2. I have a wonderfully supportive husband
3. I have a great support group of other homeschooling families
4. I am convicted that this is what God wants me to do right now
5. I have an amazing daughter who is very easy to teach!

I have learned some lessons, though...
1. Strict schedules don't work for me like I thought they would, I'm more an "order of events" type a girl.
2. It is possible to teach someone to read, when they're ready you just provide the tools, pray, and it all comes together.
3. Some people think you do it because you're "against" public school, and when you choose to not celebrate Halloween, they look at you funny.
4. I am learning along with Olivia, especially in history (in kindergarten, how sad is that)
5. Emma will only do her work on the floor with me coloring with her-yes it took me 2 months of struggling with her screaming through the day to figure this out!
6. Some days it only takes 2 hours, while others the same amount of stuff takes all day!
7. The Hello Kitty pencils work better than plain old yellow pencils.
8. I am doing a good job, even though at times I feel inadequate.
9. The laundry doesn't do itself. (Ok, ok, I already knew this, but I had an image in my mind of how scheduled and wonderfully our household would run. HA!)
10. I have a brilliant 5 year old who makes teaching a joy at times and makes me want to pull out my hair at other times.

Pumpkin Farm and Staryucks....

We went the the Pumpkin Farm on Friday and had a ton of fun! We decided to stop at the local Starbucks first and fuel up. Mine was good, the girls not-so-hot coco's were good, but Mike's Iced Venti Vanilla Latte was NOT! They didn't stir it, and when I tried to with the straw, it spilled all over my nice, white coat. So, we made a detour to Wal-Mart where I bought a stain stick (it worked).

The farm looked a little disappointing at firt, but once we go in, it was really fun. The girls got to pet goats, bounce on big balls, ride horse swings, race in the hy maze and pick out pumpkins!

Summer lovin', had me a blast...

wow, is it really October? I guess so since this morning we had a frost and my tomatoes and corn died. We'll try again next year.

The summer was so fun, busy and way too short. In June, I can't remember anything special we did. In July, we had Nana come for a week, Emma's Birthday, first chance camp, I went to a Third Day concert and then the next day left for Oregon. In August, we went to Labor Day camp where Liv and Em caught 9 fish.

The pictures pretty much cover the highlights of the summer.

We officially started homeschooling on August 25. It has been so good for Olivia. She is adding, subtracting and reading. I can't believe it.

I hear Emma sneaking out from her nap, so I'm gonna go.

TTFN

It's Been A Long time...

I know, I know it's been a verrrrry long time since I've updated. We have had a great summer, which I will fill ya'll in on when my computer is up and running. Currently,we are in Idaho staying at Lake Coeur d'Alene with my parents. Fun!

We started homeschooling kindergarten for Olivia, and she loves it! More later.
Hugs,
Heidi

Preschool Graduation

Olivia graduated from preschool last night. It was bittersweet. We have been at this preschool for 2 years, and I have been very involved in volunteering, subbing, and whatever else is needed. Also, when you have a baby, that's exactly what you expect to have, a baby. Yes you know (in the back of your mind) that they grow up, but now suddenly this baby is going into Kindergarten.

We are ready for summer! Too bad the weather isn't cooperating yet...it's raining.

Until next time....
Heidi

Praise

Mike's dad and his wife were baptized on Thursday night! We have been praying for this for many years.

Laundry Update

Ok, I have tried all the laundry detergent I made, and decided I like the powdered the best for the following reasons:

1. When I was "cooking" the goo, oops I mean the liquid detergent, some boiled over and I am having a heck of a time getting it off my stove.
2. The liquid detergent still left a bo smell in the pits of Mike's white t-shirt.
3. I would rather use 2 tablespoons of powder I whipped up in my food processer than 1 cup of goo.
4. I really have no place to store 5 gallons of laundry goo.
5. The powdered version smelled better.

Correction on T-Ball

I was wrong, games do not get rained out We played in the rain last night. Not just sprinkling, real honest to goodness, feels like home in Seattle rain.

Pizza Hut Nightmare

The poor unfortunate souls who work at our local Pizza Hut. They didn't know that they would have to clean up pee today. Ok, let's back up here. Emma's favorite restaurant is Pizza Hut. When asked what she wants for dinner, she says without hesitation, "Pia Hut" translated, Pizza Hut.

The First Nightmare:
About a month ago, we decided to go to Pizza Hut for dinner (we live to far away for them to deliver). We usually go for the lunch buffet, because well to be honest, we like buffets but also so the girls don't have to wait for food. It makes eating out much simpler. But, naive, innocent, unsuspecting, ok, the word I'm looking for is stupid parents that we are decided a 2 year old and 5 year old could sit in a restaurant long enough for a pizza to be baked without causing a commotion. Well, within 5 minutes, Emma had spilled her drink all over herself. Then when the pizza came, she managed to spill my drink on the pizza. Since she is my sensitive child, of course she felt instant remorse and started screaming. We couldn't get out of there quick enough!

Yesterday's Nightmare:
Ok, we learned our dinner lesson! We were patting ourselves on the back for going out to lunch! Did I mention that a few days a week I baby sit a 14 month old? Well, yes we took her to pizza hut too. Things were going well, for lets see... 5 minutes, then she fell out of the booster seat-onto the floor! She was screaming, wouldn't you and Emma started, but stopped with one look. I moved the booster seat, and let her just sit on the bench next to me, where I swear I didn't take my eyes off of her, and she fell onto the floor again, right in front of my eyes. She is screaming again, Emma starts again, and then stops, Olivia is smart and stays quiet (the only time she has ever been quiet, my little social butterfly!). Mike is getting upset by now. I manage to get her calmed down, when Emma gets a strange look on her face. I know that look. It's the "I just pee-peed in my pants" look. NOT GOOD! So, I manage to get Em into the bathroom and changed and we finish our meal, quickly! There is nothing so embarassing as people applauding when your family leaves a restaurant. Just kidding, I didn't hear anyone clapping, they were polite and waited until we left. I don't think we'll be going to Pizza Hut again!

Laundry Detergent

I made my own laundry detergent today! Two types, powdered and liquid. Well, I wouldn't really call the liquid liquid...more like gel! 5 gallons of laundry gel! I already tried a load in the powdered, just have to put it in the dryer. It didn't explode or anything, and my clothes appear to be clean and smell fresh. I have been cleaning with vinegar for abourt six months now, and am interested in using less chemicals around the house. Don't worry, I still used Round Up on my weeds outside!

Oh, last week I started using vinegar in my downy ball. I had read that vinegar was a good substitute for fabric softener, but was somewhat skeptical until I tried it. My clothes are soft, static free and don't smell like vinegar, actually they smell fresh and clean. Or as Mike would say, "So fresh and so clean, clean".

Ok, so you are probably curious about the process, well I found my recipes online at pioneerliving.com or pioneerliving.org or .net or something like that. Just google homemade laundry detergent and you'll find tons to pick and choose from.

I think I'll try homemade shampoo next, or maybe dishwasher detergent, or a natural pesticide for my garden! This is going to be so much fun!

Daisy Scouts

Some how I have been talked into being the assistant leader for next years Daisy Scout troop. For all of you w/o kids (Synova) Daisy scouts is the youngest version of Girl Scouts. The leader asked me, and for some reason I said "Sure," not "let me think about it". So, next year I'm a girl scout!

Olivia has had lots of fun, and since we're homeschooling next year we thought she should have an opportunity to meet other children her own age. I was going to use this time to do my grocery shopping with only one child, but now I guess I'm going to help. It should be fun though.

I'm also starting to think about putting Liv in a different dance class next year. We quit the one early this year because some of the moves were too suggestive, and the teacher wouldn't let Emma dance with the class (even though she listened better than half the class). How much running around do I really want to do next year seeing that we live 8 miles outside of town?

I am so looking forward to the end of May....the end of preschool, the end of daisy scouts and the end of t-ball. We will be free to do swimming lessons, garden, go to the lake, have picnics, take naps...I love summer time!

T-Ball, what was I thinking...

Olivia had her first T-ball game on Friday. We signed her up late, so she didn't even get the chance to practice. Let's just say Liv gets her athletic ability from her mama not her daddy. If you kow me, you know that means she has less than none. She struck out, forgot to run, when she did run, no one could tell she was running, and they put her in left field. She LOVED it! Here's why, basically, t-ball here has 4 rules:
1. Everyone hits
2. No one gets out
3. Everyone scores
4. At the end of the game we all get fruit snacks and capri sun!
She left the game feeling like the star she is. I don't care that she can't play, she had fun and is learning teamwork, listening and consistency.
After the game, the coach handed me the schedule for the next 8 weeks. Yep, we're going to be having 2 games per week, some as far as 45 minutes away! At least games get rained out when the weather is nasty. I'm too much of a wimp for soccer, maybe her daddy will take her next year when we sign up for that. I wonder what 5 year old soccer rules are...

Her team is the Mariners (very appropraite because of her birthplace) and they have dark blue hats and shirts. This mama's very glad their team color is not red-I was afraid it would be because DQ is their sponsor.

So, basically T-Ball is all fun and games, and hopefully no one will get their eye poked out!

What did I do to Livie's hair?

On Sunday, I learned the hard way that I was not made to be a beautician. I tried to "fix" the last haircut I gave Olivia. I told Mike, "It's not like I can make it any worse." Well, it was worse. Today, we went to the salon to fix it. To fix my utter failure of a hairdo, Caralee had to cut it SHORT! It is still cute though, kinda like a stacked bob. I learned the hard way that saving money on haircuts is not a good choice. Did I mention that about a month ago I "tried" to cut Thor's hair too, another disaster ending up with at least 3 bald patches and shaggy legs! When will I learn?

Thor

Hi! This morning, I was woken up by my dear, sweet 5 year old saying, "Mommy, Thor pooped on the floor!" OH NO! Thor is our 5 month old Yorkshire Terrier we are still making payments on who my husband happens to want to shoot.

Yorkies are funny, they are very temperamental and bossy. Thor is a sweet, little (11 pounds makes him a big Yorkie) cuddly, playful dog. He is doing OK with the potty training, just has an accident about once a week now (really, I promise I'm telling the truth, Mike). Usually, when I do major housecleaning, or he feels he has been in his room too much, he retaliates by going potty on the floor. Well, I should have know because yesterday I waxed my kitchen floor.

I quickly and quietly picked up the poo, hoping Thor didn't make anymore messes during the night...Well guess what there was pee on the kitchen floor, and dear, sweet husband stepped in it. This morning was going from bad to worse. I said a quick prayer asking God to help me control my temper, as I knew Mike was going to be hot!

We managed to salvage the day, and not stay mad long. When Mike came home for lunch, Olivia said the prayer and included, "God, please help daddy not to shoot Thor." We all had a good laugh over that one.