Hello

Hello Everyone,  I know I have been gone a LONG, LONG time and I am sorry.  We have just had a lot going on.  We have had our fair share of illnesses and been busy with school. Seems we get really busy this same time of year every year with doing things. 

I have been spending a lot of time with my camera :).  A friend of mine in Feb. took me and the boys to take pictures of this one park that had flooded and then iced over.  I got some really great pics :). 

The boys with their friend 

bridge near the park

I have many more cool pics of this park but maybe I will show those another time :)

Also in Feb. the boys had Science Club within the MOMS Club®

Then of course we have been doing school work as you can see it’s not the most fun thing for the boys LOL.

Then in March I played more with my camera….

Can you tell they are getting sick of me taking pics?

Also in March we went to the Natural History Museum.  The boys had a lot of fun looking at everything!

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Then this past weekend (March 21) we had a birthday party for both boys.  Since Jarod’s birthday falls so close after Christmas (Jan. 3) we decided to have a combined party for both boys.  Poor Jarod has never had a birthday party because where his birthday falls and we just don’t have the money at that time.  But he and Chord had a lot of fun this year with it!  They had it at our local bowling alley! My Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law bought the cake but decorated it themselves (aren’t they awesome?!)

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Then today was Chord’s official birthday!  Can you believe he is nine years old now?!  I still can’t figure out where the time went.  Anyway we took the boys to the Zoo today.  It was a bit chilly but so worth it because there was hardly anyone there :).  So we didn’t have to rush through it like in the summer months.  We also got to hear an elephant trumpet a little and one of the Lions roared at us LOL.  Well I wouldn’t say roar exactly it was more like it was calling or something.  It scared Jarod though LOL.  But it was the coolest thing to hear.  Usually they are sleeping on the other side of the Rock so we can’t see them but this time one of them made an appearance.  I only wish I took a video of it instead of just pictures.  Anyway here are some zoo pictures!

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In other news, Harlow has decided to not continue with the schooling.  He was having a rough time with it and it wasn’t making him happy and his negative attitude about it was rubbing off our family as well.  So he is now not going to school but still getting unemployment and actively looking for a job.  Even if he has to start from the bottom he is willing to do it.

Please pray that he can get into a Rest Area which would be a State Job.  His friends brother works there and he told Harlow there will be an opening there soon.  So pray that there is an opening and that he does get the job. Even if he starts off at a low wage it’s a state job so it will have good benefits and in the long run he will make better money down the road.  So please keep thinking of us :). 

I am sorry I have been gone so long.  I also wanted to thank all of you who have commented or emailed me wondering how I have been.  I really appreciate it :).  At least I know I was missed a little LOL.  I hope everyone is doing well!!!

Our Weekend Alone

The weekend went well :).  We didn't go out or anything because 1) we didn't have much money LOL and 2) because it was pretty cold out and slick roads.  Even with that though we had a good time just spending time with each other.  I didn't miss the boys as much as I thought I would LOL.  I think it's because they are getting older and I know they can handle being without me for a bit.  That and people I (and hubby) trusted had the boys.  Still missed them a little though LOL.  I am a mom after all!

When we went to leave them at their cousins (we left just after 7 p.m. the party started at 6 p.m.) I told Chord we were leaving.  He got this big grin on his face and says..."Your leave?!"  He was excited LOL.  Don't think they missed us too much LOL.

So after leaving we came home and just watched some TV together and spent time talking (not about the kids hehe) and cuddling!  It was really nice.

Sunday, we had a gift card for Applebee's so we went and had lunch there.  It was good but neither of us could finish our food LOL.  After that we headed to my mom's and hung out there for a bit and then we left there around 2:00 p.m. to go to Harlow's sister's house where the boys and their cousins went to make Christmas cookies and other Christmas crafts.  So we stayed there and visited.

It was so cute when we walked in the door. The first think I see  is Chord having a white circle on his forehead with a red M in the middle of it plus a crooked mustache  painted on his face LOL.  Then I see Jarod done up like Rudolph the red nosed reindeer with little antlers painted on his forehead as well!  I have some of the other things they made on our Christmas tree.  They had such a great time and so did hubby and I :) . 

We left hubby's sister's house at about 5:30 p.m. and got home just after 6.  It was a wonderful weekend had by all!  I hope your weekend went well too!

Just My Blathering's LOL.

The last couple days we have been busy.  We got some gift cards from a family that wanted to help a family have a nice Christmas and our Pastor and his wife thought of us and we were very blessed.  We got them yesterday and I have to say I am in awe.  It was a lot more than I had thought it would be.  So we dropped the boys off at my moms and went Christmas shopping. 

We didn't know what all to get the boys so today hubby took them to Toy's R Us so they could pick out some thing for now.  Kind of like early Christmas presents.  Hubby and I also got some new shoes and a couple other things we were needing.  The boys just got new Shoes from Grandma not too long ago so they weren't in need of new shoes.

I am just so thankful that this other family wanted to help us out so the boys could have a good Christmas.  I know the boys would have been happy with the little we had for them and what their Grandma is giving them but it's so nice to give them a little more.  The boys are so loving.  They love their toys and stuff sure but they also love giving and helping others. I so want to be just like them when I grow-up! :).  So to be able to get them some things they wanted makes me so happy!

I remember Chord at three years old helping me go through his toys to give to another family that was having a hard time.  We went through his toys and he gladly gave some  that he didn't play with.  (I remember when I was young I was so not like that.  I was the complete opposite and very selfish if I do say so myself LOL.) then at the age of five he demanded that he use his own birthday money to buy his brother a bike. Even though we had told him we would do that.  So he bought his brother a bike.

Jarod loves to share his toys with others.  He too has gone through his toys to give to another child.  He also give the gift of himself :).  If he see's another child crying he feels their sadness and will do what ever silly thing he can do to make that child feel better!  He has this energy about him that you just have to pay attention to him.  Not in a selfish look at me kind of way but a hey look at me so I can make you smile kind of way.  He seems to have away of commanding peoples attention but at the same time making it about making other's happy and not about himself.  He can sure make people forget about whatever they are worrying about and make them smile if even for just a moment!

Both boys are very compassionate.  I have seen them both cry for someone that was hurt.  I have seen them go to prayer when they know someone is struggling or hurting.  They will defend the little guy if they seem him/her getting picked on.  They will open doors for people and they will comfort the sad. 

I can't say that they are that way because of the way hubby and I have raised them.  Sure that might be part of it but it really is who they are.  Of course they have days where they misbehave or fight.  They are human you know LOL.  But I am continually amazed on who they have become and who they are becoming. 

All that just to say I feel so blessed to be able to give them a few good presents for Christmas because they truly have it down what Christmas is all about and not just a once a year thing!!  I am a blessed mom to have the boys I do.  They help me grow up a little more and show me what I need to be like :).  So to whoever it was that let us give he boys this I really do want to say Thank You for such a blessing.  I know the boys will be thankful too.  Not just for the  toys but of the thought behind it all. 

Sorry if this is incoherent and hard to follow LOL.  I am tired and maybe a little (or a lot) emotional :).  Please forgive me :D.  God Bless everyone and if I don't get on to blog before then I wanted to say HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL!!!!

Why Are School-Age Boys Struggling? | Newsweek Education | Newsweek.com

http://www.newsweek.com/id/157898/output/comments This is what I have been saying for a long time.   They say one out of five parents are concerned enough about their behavioral or emotional health that they take them to see a doctor or health professional.  But they also say one out of ten girls.  To me that number is still high for girls.  So I really don't think it's just a boy thing.  What I have been saying about schools is they don't let the kids be kids.  They are too worried about test scores that it is no longer about the children. 

More and more schools are now not only getting rid of P.E., Art and Music classes but also getting rid of recess or limiting the games they can play on the playground.  Games like Tag and Dodge Ball are no longer allowed because of fear of being sued.

My personal belief has been that schools don't let the kids be kids.  I know not all schools are like this but the sad fact is a lot are.  They expect the children to just sit still and learn all day long with hardly any breaks in between.  Then they send them home sometimes with hours worth of homework.  Then you have some parents who have the poor children over scheduled with extra curricular activities.  Now I am not saying they shouldn't have extra curricular activities but (again this is my personal opinion) I don't think they need to have their whole day planned out.  I believe kids need to run around and just be kids.  Children really do learn a lot through play.  Anything from learning how to share to figuring out how to work out a conflict with each other. 

I am not saying children shouldn't be able to sit down quietly and learn but I think they also need time to just run and have fun.  Being in the sun (natural lighting) and getting exercise  is beneficial for learning.

I am by no means an expert and I don't claim to be. This has just been on my mind since I read this article and wanted to put my thoughts down.

Why Are School-Age Boys Struggling? | Newsweek Education | Newsweek.com

Babies and more on Our Homeschool Moments.

The boy's and I ran to Meijer's this morning to pick up a couple of things for Create and Play tomorrow and hurried home because just after ten a.m. my brother brought over his little girl so we could babysit. She has a little bit of separation anxiety but the boy's and I got her to get over it pretty quickly.

I don't want any more babies or kids but I did enjoy having a little one around. Also since I don't have girls I played with her hair LOL. I was really surprised she sat there and let me do it LOL. She has got all these uncontrollable curly hairs LOL. Boy though an almost two year old can wear you out LOL. She wasn't into everything it's just having an almost two year old around I think LOL. The boy's enjoyed playing with her too. Although they didn't like it when she wanted to get into their Lego's LOL. So we had to distract her lol. But all in all the boy's loved having her around and she had fun too. Sometimes I miss my boy's being that little.

Because we had a little one with us today schooling got done a little later than usual but it still got done. Lately Harlow has been helping out with the teaching. Today as I was getting ready to teach Jarod his math he said he wanted daddy to help him because the last couple day's dad has helped him while I was working with Chord. So Jarod is really enjoying time with dad teaching him his math. Its neat because he was fine with me teaching him other things but wanted daddy to help him with his math. It's really nice that Harlow takes the time and enjoys doing this. In the beginning when we started homeschooling I was doing most of it. This is our third year into it and I have notice Harlow helping now without me having to say a word.

Homeschooling the boys really has made our family closer. My hubby works afternoons so he sleeps later than we do but he makes that time count for something and willing to help. I have realized now that our homeschooling isn't so much about academics (of course it has it's place) but it's more about family and getting to know who each other are. We aren't worried about who they are hanging out with or what exactly did they learn in school today. Instead we are talking, reading and playing together as a family. We are watching our boy's blossom into who they are. I am so glad we made the decision to homeschool. It isn't for everyone but it is for us and it's been such a blessing.

This and That

Today the boy's got to spend more of the money they got from Grandpa today. They also made some Thank You cards to send to Grandpa in Arizona. They loved making them. Jarod even wrote in (with me helping him spell the words since he is only five and still learning to read) his card. I know my dad will love them!

Tomorrow I am going to meet up at a coffee shop with some of the MOMS Club members and just talk about raising kids and what not. Should be interesting. I'd like to see how other's deal with things. Never know I might learn something new LOL.

Well I still haven't figured out my computer problem. I still can't seem to download the Adobe Flash Player no matter what I do. I have tried all th suggestions but to no avail. Hubby is going to try to see if he can do something. He probably can't (I can pray though right? LOL) but he said he would try.

Sunday, is the boy's play they are going to be in at church. It's supposed to be a snow storm though so we shall see if they will cancle Church or not. They have once before when it was really bad out but hopefully it won't be that bad.

I don't really have a lot to post about today. I think I am just tired from this busy week LOL. That's ok though because sometimes it's good to be busy and I have been keeping God as my focus now too so that helps. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Warning Mommy Brag

My boy's were so sweet this morning. They first woke me up at almost seven a.m. so I could get them some cereal for breakfast so I get up and go into the kitchen and there were the boy's making me a pot of coffee LOL. They both helped in their own way to make me a pot of coffee and you know what it was good LOL. Chord, my oldest even turned the TV on to the show I like to watch in the morning. It was so sweet that they did that for me. The reason they know how to make coffee is because they see me make it every morning and have even helped me make it before. For some reason they love to make the coffee even though they have never drank it LOL. I feel like such a blessed mom with my boy's. I love how they think of others before they think of themselves.

Chord has always been a giving person. I remember when he was three years old and I know of a family that wasn't going to have a Christmas for their children because they were having a hard time that year. I had told Chord and I said how about we go through some of your toys and find out which ones we can send them. So he helped me go through his toys and I let him pick out what he wanted to give and he picked out quite a few to send the family. I had also bought a few newer toys for them also but I couldn't believe just how giving Chord had been. When I was little if my mom wanted to give my toys away even when ones I hadn't played with in ages I would say "No, that's min!" LOL as I got older I got better but it just amazed me at three years old Chord was happily giving away some of his toys.

On Chord's fifth birthday we bought him a bike. We were going to later go by Jarod (his younger brother) a bike in a week or two. Well Chord had also gotten some birthday money from my dad (his grandpa) and he insisted on using that money to buy his little brother a bike. I told him its ok mommy and daddy would get him one the following week. He insisted on buying his brother a bike so we took him to the store and he used his birthday money to buy his brother a bike and he was happy with that. That is just how Chord has always been. If someone is sick he feels bad for them. Once his brother was sick and he cried for him and said he wished he could be sick for him. It always amazes me on just how caring and loving he is. He is just a very empathetic person. I am the same way but it took me years to be that where he seemed to always be that way.

Jarod has learned from Chord and us how to be caring and giving to others. When he was younger he was a lot like how I was that it was mine and no one else's LOL. But as he has gotten older (he will be 6 in Jan.) he's learned to be very giving also. But one thing about Jarod is that he loves to make people laugh. When he sees someone crying or sad looking (especially babies) he will do whatever he can to make them laugh. He will pretend to beat himself up or act as goofy as he can to make someone smile. He also loves to cuddle. He is the one who will just come out of his room and come up to me or hubby and say I love you and give you a big hug. He is the kind of person who can light up a room when he walks in. Even when the light is shining on him he always seems to make it about making people laugh not necessarily to get all the attention. He loves everyone he comes into contact with and they seem to love him LOL. He's got a lot of energy and rarely sits still but he is always loving and caring and uses that energy to bring joy to others.

Chord and Jarod are so different in their personalities but together they make a great team. They are always there for each other and for the people they love. They amaze me on how well they get along and how much they love each other. They are each other's best friends. My prayer for them is to always have that love for each other and for others. God has truly blessed us with these boys. Yeah I am a proud mommy LOL!!