Fall Break is dwindling down

Our boys love fall break. They enjoy some downtime for school so that they can reset their minds and start fresh.

B3 was able to attend the Jr. Ranger Camp for special needs kids at MBSP. All three boys were able to spend some time with Nana and Papa too. Plus, there was time spent together just as a family.

For mom and dad, the end of fall break is a relief. It is a struggle to make sure the kids are taken care of while we work to provide. We also have the reminder of how things are different from when we ourselves were growing up. Both of us at the age of 13 or 14 would have been allowed to play outside or even go to a friend's house while our parents were at work. It just isn't safe to do that now unless there are arrangements made prior.

The boys did have a LOT of fun playing Apples to Apples with G1 and her guy when they came over on Sunday. It was a very joyous and loud game. Makes my heart melt when the grown come back for family night.

B1 and B2 are excited to be going back to school on Monday. For friends or for education, it matters not. They enjoy going to school. B3 is having difficulty. School causes a lot of anxiety for him.

To end our weekend, we have a plan to go hiking.

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October Already? Fall, Autumn, Color, Crisp Air

It is hard to believe that time has brought us to the month of October already. The kids have completed the 1st 9 weeks of the 2016-2017 school year.

There have been a couple hiccups. B1 exploring being in the High School and joining Raiders with the JROTC. Learning that being responsible is not just a nice thing, but sort of required in life. He is doing well with his academics and is enjoying the competition.

B2 is enjoying being an "upperclassman" in the middle school. Good grades, enjoying choir and growing like a weed. He is looking to try out new things to find just who it is that he wants to be. Being the musically creative one, he also wants to see what other things spark his interest. He says singing isn't going to create video games so he has to find something that will.

It appears to be the one having the hardest time adjusting this year is B3. 6th grade is a hard adjustment. He has never adjusted to change easily,  With his special needs, anxiety is becoming a major issue. We are attempting to work with his teachers but it does take time. We are thankful that we have essential oils to support him while his issues are coming under control.

The amazing part of the season is that the air is turning crisp, the colors are vivid in the foliage and it is perfect chili weather. I can not wait until we have a bonfire and hot dog roast. (It is one thing the entire family loves.)

One of the must-haves when it comes to the change of seasons is our essential oils. The protective blend of essential oils is a must have. I love diffusing it in the diffusers at home to give the air a fresh fall scent. The blend has wild orange, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary.

Back to School

It has been a while, hasn't it?

Today is the first day of school for our brood. We are down to just the boys still living at home. The two oldest girls have spread their wings and moved along while our youngest daughter is in college. Seems like just yesterday they were in kindergarten.

It is bittersweet for the boys today. They are growing up and new experiences are coming. B1 is now a freshman in high school. The journey to adulthood is upon him.

 His year will be spent discovering exactly what he wants to do with his life. (The age old question that some adults do not have an answer to.)

He will be experiencing Visual Art, Principles of Mechatronics, Principles of Law, and JROTC. In addition to his core classes.

Currently, B1 is contemplating going into law enforcement. He has relatives already there and would like to serve the community. JROTC and Principles of Law both will enlighten him on that career.

He also loves drawing and figuring out what makes things work. Visual art and Principles of Mechatronics will feed that curiosity.

We fully anticipate this will be a major personal growth year for B1.

B2 and B3 are at the middle school. 8th grade and 6th grade. Major changes for them too.

B2 is in 8th grade and ready to enjoy being at the top of the food chain. He is anticipating choir again this year. He is also excited about being the responsible big brother that keeps an eye on B3.

B3 has a touch of apprehension going on this morning. He doesn't like change, doesn't care to experience the unknown. New school, new teachers, news expectations.

When we went to Open House for the middle school B3 was quite excited about the computer lab and the classrooms that have computers in them. He is our high tech boy.

All in all, it appears the school year is off to a good start. Now for mom and dad to get it together during the day. Ha!

Mom has picked up substitute teaching in addition to adjunct to help with things. We feel it is important to know what is going on at the schools and until a full time position opens up in higher ed, supplementing with substitute teaching will be an added bonus.

Back to School fun!

Growth milestone!

I am so very proud of B1.

For years, when B1 would go to the dentist it was an absolute nightmare. He did not like going to the dentist and would fight every inch of the way.

See, B1's first dentist was all business and he was young with some dental issues. A simple dental cleaning was very painful for him and never ended well. About eight years ago we changed dentists. This was the best thing we could have done. The new dentist is a pediatric dentist, which I highly encourage parents to take their children to, that also is good with children with special needs.

B1 is not a special needs child, but from prior trauma at the dentist it would take a loving hand to convince him that everything would be okay. Our dentist has worked with B1 through cleanings, sealants, and cavities. It has not been an easy journey.

Typically, B1 would have to have the "loopy juice" for anything more than a cleaning. He even had a difficult time staying still for cleanings.

But now, this past week when B1 went to the dentist to have a cavity taken care of he only had to have the local anesthesia and he stayed still. This is a huge step for our soon to be teen boy.

We are not contributing this milestone to any one thing. B1 has matured quite a bit recently, especially since being in middle school. We also diffuse oils pretty much 24/7 in the house. (Balance, doTERRA's grounding blend) Plus we put God first and have made a few positive changes in regard to the kids putting God first too.

What have your kids done lately that you are proud of?

How do you teach your kids to put God first?

Ready for Some Hoops?

Our kids are excited this morning, actually they have been excited all week. One of our neighbors gave us their basketball goal since their kids have grown up and no longer live at home. It has been sitting in our driveway all week with them staring at it longingly.

It was awesome that all we had to do was bust off the old concrete and buy a bag of new concrete to install it. Less than five dollars and the kids are set! Let's shoot some hoops!

Mind you, only G3 has ever played on a basketball team. That is okay though, playing basketball will bring many family memories and will be great exercise. As a whole we have been trying to instill traditions that involve exercise and fun with the entire family. This just adds to it.

Just since we have given the okay for the kids to play, the boys have been all about shooting hoops. Mom and Dad are going to have to get out there are teach them some games to play.

What are things your family does to keep active in the fall? What are some things you do to encourage family bonding?

Fun with Summer School!

Three weeks into summer and also three weeks into a very flexible summer school. So far we are progressing okay. Possibly a little two flexible since I had a pain flair and it threw us out of wack and then had some appointments. Yet, that is the point of being flexible and we are trying to keep summer fun too. Not that the summer school isn't fun. Ha!

As mom this is really helping me see where the boys are having problems at in school and where they are strong at. I can see where they enjoy different subjects and why too. It is very eye opening seeing where my strong readers are and where my strong math guys are. Then also seeing who is more likely to give up when it gets a little hard and who is likely to dig in and get to it.

This summer is not just helping the boys with their academics, it is also helping us see who our children are. I believe it is a blessing and I am already of the opinion that every parent should give a home school summer at least once, if not every summer. After all, it helps the kids maintain during the summer to keep them stimulated and it doesn't really take a whole lot.

My prayer for the boys is that by doing this they will be more than ready for school this fall. Plus I am praying we can get past some of the problem areas. Hopefully.

Keeping Mom's Sanity

Sometimes I think I am the only mom out there that really doesn't enjoy summer. I know that it is not the case. I just get overwhelmed with everything that is going on and my desire for a stress free and relaxing break never happens.

So this year, we are going about the summer a little different. With the economy the way it is we have had to cut back on going to the zoo and the adventure museum, gas is expensive and our people mover does not get good gas mileage. We have decided to stay home for the most part.

In our area (home) we have a bowling center that is participating in KidsBowlFree.com, the local movie theater has free movies on Wednesdays for the kids (check your local theater), we have a couple playgrounds nearby plus a large state park that we can go to with a swim area that is free. These are all things that we are able to take advantage of to keep the kids busy and we have done in the past.

This year, for the boys we are adding a summer home school curriculum. We started with The Complete Book of Bible Activities, Grades 2-4 mainly for B2 and B3 but I think B1 can use it too now that I have flipped through it. I really like how it incorporates Biblical values, morals, and characters into the activities so that the kids are learning multiple things at once. Then I found The Original Summer Bridge Activities 1-2, The Original Summer Bridge Activities 3-4, and The Original Summer Bridge Activities 4-5 for all three boys. These books will last about eight weeks, which is also the length of our summer (we have an altered school schedule). Each book 'bridges' the grade that the student just completed and prepares them for the next year. I am hoping with the new standards that our schools have put in place that we will at least keep the kids from regressing. Then when I was picking up some office supplies in town, I saw Summer Splash Learning Activities Grades 1-2 for B3. I went ahead and got the extra book for him because he likes the challenge and really needs to work on focusing. We are hoping that in addition to the work keeping them from "being bored to death" it will also keep them from the typical summer regression that occurs. An added bonus is that the Summer Bridge books and one of the other books also have activities that can be accessed online too.

How does your family plan to combat summer boredom? Do you have a problem with keeping the kids busy during the summer?

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A New Life!

B2

Our Easter was truly blessed this year. We had a wonderful family service in our church.

The pastor shared the Easter message of how the tomb was and is empty and that Jesus is indeed raised from the dead.

We were excited that while Pastor was sharing the promises that God gave us in Christ's resurrection that B2 was listening well and on the edge of his seat because his heart was stirring.

During the alter-call B2 went forward and announced that he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. We are a very joyous family! So happy that one more of our quiver has chosen the path to the Lord.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Springing Forward

It amazes me how quickly time can get away from you. Or at least how quickly it can get away from me.

Our family has been "busy". Seems we are always doing something.

B1, B2, and B3 'kicking it up'

After seeing how well B3 has done with Tae Kwon Do, we decided to put B1 and B2 in it also. Of course it did not take very long and hubby decided to join to. The three of them are doing well. Hubby has noticed the exercise is helping him a lot. B2 seems to be a natural with the martial arts. I digress tho and shall save it for another post.

G1 is still looking for her identity. She has decided to drop band for her senior year. I am saddened by that, but it is her choice and if her heart is not in it, it may be what is best. She is at the age where she wants to define who she is and we find ourselves turning to God more and more for wisdom and guidance. Which is where I believe we should be going. She's a good kid, and she is talented.

With spring, comes Little League sign ups and the first one out the door was G3 begging to play softball. She's the only one playing this year. B2 is not interested since he seemed to find his niche with the martial arts. Her first practice is tonight. I suspect this will be quite a night.

Hope your Spring has Sprung nicely!

Getting Ready for Christmas

Sitting down after a busy weekend of holiday preparations. Decorating the house because we did not get it done Thanksgiving weekend. Doing the needed shopping. And the list goes on.

This past Thursday we were able to enjoy B1 and the rest of 4th and 5th grade give a holiday choir concert. It was cute and he sang his heart out. I was not in a good place for pictures considering the school could use a bit of an expansion.

This week the high school band (G1 & G3) perform Tuesday, the choir (G1) performs Thursday and the band marches in the Christmas parade on Saturday. It is good to be busy though, makes us appreciate the quiet times more.

The kids are also excited because we do a special devotion on St. Nicholas eve. We do this so that they understand where the myth of the man in the red suit comes from. For our family this works best. B3 with his thought process and G2 and B1 having problems separating fact and fiction prevents the 'typical' santa approach. We want the kids to understand that God is our provider and Jesus was and is God's gift to us. Our Christmas presents are brought by Jesus.

What do you do for Christmas and the holiday season?

Boys will be Boys

B2(8), B3(6), B1(9) after school one day

As parents to three very different boys, it can be quite trying at times to get them all to get along. (the girls not so much) They are so close in age that they end up being around each other all the time. Let's face it, sometimes siblings need alone time.

While our boys have a lot in common (Hot Wheels, Transformers, Card Games, etc), they have very different personalities. B2, the tallest in the group, is compassionate and submissive as long as he is happy. B3, our angle boy, with his list of diagnosis we have to work with him because he processes differently than the other two. Then B1, he has a HUGE sense of justice. And he let's us know if B2 got one more cheerio in the bowl at breakfast.

We are continuously learning how to raise our boys as we go.

It is very difficult to teach one that because he is older he is more accountable for his behavior, when the younger one is doing the exact thing. Both are corrected, don't get me wrong. It's like when B1 grabs a crayon from B3 and B3 grabs it back. The both of them are corrected because we do not grab things, but B1 has to step away because he is older and should know better.

How do you handle discipline with your kids? Do you have this type of situation?

Back to School Backpack Organization

Having half a dozen kids in school can make it tricky when it comes to keeping the homework and backpacks where we can find them.

We have left the teens to their own devices on this one -mostly because they should know better by now.

Our three boys are in 1st, 3rd, and 4th grade and they are more focused on playing than keeping their school supplies together. We have realized this was going to be a major problem two weeks into the school year so we came up with a solution.

In our 'mud' room (laundry room technically with the back door in it) we hung up a coat rack for their backpacks and enough hooks for them to also hang their jackets when it gets cooler. We are on day three and it already seems to be making things so much better for them..

Early to Bed, Early to Rise

This week is our getting ready for the new school year week. You know, when the sleep schedule gets re-adjusted for school.

It has been quite difficult this year to get the schedule on track. We had attempted to reset last week and came up short. Of course, isn't that why we start adjusting before school starts? That way the kids will have one less adjustment on the first day of school.

Being early to rise has had its share of problems. Hubs gets up super early for work and I am having sleep problems, so it is easy to turn off the alarm for when the kids should be getting up.

The one thing we have been consistent with is bedtime. The boys (9,7,6) go to bed at 8 and G1&3 go to bed at 9 although they like to push it towards 10. G2 is our only middle schooler this year so she gets 8:30 right now. Now if only the cats would comply. Haha!

What time do your kids go to bed? Do you keep sleep schedules the same all year long or relax during summer break?

Please Pray

Those that have kept up with us on Twitter know that we were involved in a bad car wreck Sunday evening.
I ask all of our friends and family to please pray for the teen girls that were in the car. They are young and one is fighting for her life. It just shows how one mistake can change the entire life of an individual.

Myself and hubs were banged up pretty good. He has a slight concussion and we both have bruising and soreness. G2 has soreness but being three days after she is feeling almost back to normal. We are praising God that the three boys have no injuries other than seatbelt burn on the neck.

Our family needs prayer for provision. Hubs is off work for the week. He does have vacation time to take as long as his boss let's him use it. We need a replacement vehicle that is compatible with the needs of our family. There is also a matter of our finances being covered. We live on a tight budget.

We believe that God is FAITHFUL and that He is our HEALER and our PROVIDER.

Quiet Around the House, nah... Not Really

This week our three girls are at Youth Camp. I made the mistake of thinking that it would result in having a quiet and non-eventful week. I can chuckle at myself for that now.

I did not take into consideration that B3 will not sleep in his room unless G3 is home. This means that he has been sleeping on a pallet in our room. Which is sweet, I understand the change up throwing him off. B3 is very schedule oriented to the extent that he gets in a routine and does not like to change out of that.

We have not done that much this week because it has been raining here and there and with B1 having summer school any trips to the lake or zoo have been nixed too. This leaves three little boys vying for attention and for some unknown reason deciding to not get along. Hubs noted that since the girls are away he thinks the boys are trying to make up for the lack of silliness. lol

B1 and B2 have gotten to do Tae Kwon Do with B3 twice this week and that is a treat for them. B2 found out he made All Stars with Baseball, those practices start tonight.

Overall it's been a laid back week, just having to intervene in the boys playing at higher intervals than normal.

Big Busy Weekend

This was a big BUSY weekend for our family.

G3 had her 8th grade prom Friday night. I got to chaperone since the storm hit right as we went in (I don't drive in storms and this one had hail). It was fun. They took tons of pictures.

Saturday the schedule got crazy!

B3 had his Tae Kwon Do testing at 11am. He was excited and anxious, and did good. His sparing looked great, he even blocked most hits. The moment that really tickled him was that he broke a board.

B2 had baseball rescheduled for 4. He did great playing 3rd base for the first time. At his third at bat he hit a double bringing in 2 runs and then got a run himself too. He was on cloud nine!

G1 and G3 had their band banquet. There was a lot of fun had by all! The high school band really has a lot of talent. G3 was excited because not only was she the only 8th grader to be in the marching band this year, her section was voted Outstanding Section. (Saxophones)

Leaving the band banquet early G3 had a softball game at 8. In. The. Rain. On. Muddy. Field. The teams rocked it. Our girls were ready and a real team. The opponent did good too. Playing the last inning due to time, we were at bat with a tied score. Two batters got on base and G3 was up. On the first pitch she hit an in the park game winning homerun!. (She's still on cloud nine)

Now, Sunday is our day of rest. Much needed rest.

Anybody else having problems keeping their kids on a schedule?

Sounds a bit controlling perhaps, it really isn't. See, B1 and B3 both of sensory processing disorder. Plus, we have had eleven snows days eaten in the last six weeks. Mind you two of those weeks was Christmas Break.

Needless to say, my sweet and compliant little boys (*cough*) have been a little more difficult than normal. If you think about it, who wouldn't be? We have school, no we don't. It is indifferent if we keep the home schedule the same, because the school schedule is what is throwing them off.

It was not a surprise yesterday when we got notes from both of their teachers saying they were having the same problem. Neither of the boys were able to sit in class and do their work. B1 was getting up and walking around the class, distracting others. B3 was playing with the glue, crayons, and drawing. Neither of them were having a good day.

B1 was reprimanded by having to do his classwork during recess. (Not really sure how I feel there since recess is when he gets the tension out and activity usually brings him into focus.) Missing recess really upset him, after an emotional release he got his work done though. So in all he was handled pretty well.

B3 was not dealt with the same way. To be honest I am not sure what the teacher did. Her note stated that B3 wouldn't do his work unless she stood over him. We have similar issue at home where B3 wants to go play his DS or play robots with B2 or even read with G3.

We spoke with both boys and encouraged them a lot to get their work done in class. B1 we asked the teacher to communicate a little better with us because she had indicated that it had been a problem and just got exasperated. B3 is a different story in that we have had a hard time getting the school to even acknowledge that he has sensory processing disorder, even with the diagnosis.

I contribute both of their behavior to the snow days and the winter break. How do you keep your kids on a form of schedule when there are circumstances that change it?

Wordless Wednesday

Took a week, but patience paid off!

Wordless Wednesday

Anticipation of Snow

Happy Birthday B1!

Going to school on the Birthday!

Today is B1's 9th birthday. He is growing so much. He has overcome a lot of things this year that come with maturity. We are SO proud of him.

Momma & Daddy love you bud!