Brother and Sisters

This is my little brother. Tony. He was here visiting us from TN for a month. It was the most time I 've spent with him since we were kids. I had forgotten over these 13 years what that connection to another feels like. That connection of a shared life. The memories we share how they are sometimes so much alike and other times so very different. The sense of loyalty we share is something I have always been aware of from my perspective. I however was humbled by the loyalty my brother showed to me while we were together. He has been gone a week now and I have missed him. It took everything I had to not cry when he left.
When people ask me why I have such a large family my response is usually that my brother and I hardly had time to grow up together after our parents divorced that it left me feeling much like an only child and I refused to allow that to happen to my kids. I wanted them to have lots of options of people who knew and loved them (even if that includes a slug now and again) . Now I haven't changed my mind about my kids having lots of love, I however have realised that I had it too and he is my heart. I love you toad.
P.S. Tony is moving back to michigan next week. Happy Day!!!!

Back to School

Well I survived our first week back to school. We added on new student, bumped one up from k to 1st grade and have a new baby to round it off. 4 grades in all plus the 2 year old and baby make for an incredible situation of chaos. My goal is to find an even ground of controlled chaos around here and Friday seemed to make a whisper of a promise that it was possible. I have followed Holly Pierlot's example of different kids doing different assignments at different times. This allows me to help in the areas needed while the rest do independent work. If it proves to be successful I might publish it here as an example for any of you. Until then I will be working on my prayer life so as not to go insane. Wish me luck:)

Something to ponder upon

I received this from a fellow homeschooler who lives in a nearby town. I was inspired to share this with you readers as I struggle to live this virtue and to lead my children to it.
God Bless you all.


JMJ From Our Church Paper........
Modesty
Modesty is one of those words that we often hear, but probably cannot formulate on our own a good definition. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes modesty as "refusing to unveil what should remain hidden" (CCC 2521). This definition comes from the article detailing the ninth commandment; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife and it is expressly referring to the way we dress and the battle for purity. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says "Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in her heart" (Matt. 5:28). It is notable that Jesus directly addresses men for he knows full well that men are attracted to women first through what they see. Women in turn are generally not as visually oriented in finding a man attractive. It is then a lifelong battle for Christian men to maintain custody of their eyes, for the devil uses images then thoughts to lead to the addictive sins of pornography and sexual immorality.
Sin affects the whole Body of Christ, the Church. We are all responsible for helping our brother and sister in the Lord to live moral lives. Unfortunately how women typically dress today does not reflect that love that one should have for her Christian brother. When clothing reveals more we should stop and ask why is that. We cannot blame the hot weather because typically it is only women who bear their midriffs, have low necklines, expose their back, or wear high slit dresses. It should be obvious that these are designed to attract the attention of men. Unfortunately what such clothing really says is "I am an object; and I want you to look at me." The truth is that women are made in the image and likeness of God and share in that dignity. To reduce oneself to an object to be reveled at does not befit the dignity of a human being.
We really have to be countercultural in our dress for the media and designers are bombarding us with images of the female body that do not equate with what we believe as Christians. We all have a responsibility. Women need to seriously examine what they wear. Husbands, fathers, and brothers, need to lovingly request of their loved ones, please do not wear that. I do not want others looking at you as if you were just a pretty object.
God Bless You, Deacon David Cybulski

M&M's- a mothers favorite tool?

We just returned from an outing to our local grocery. The children were so well behaved I let them each pick out a candy bar. I of course was especially well behaved so I got a bag of M&M's.
While munching on my delectable treat little Rose came by with her adorable eyes and gave me a sweet "pweese" while holding out a kiss ably chubby hand. So yeah I caved and gave her one. As I asked her to name the color of her prize inspiration struck and I thought of how valuable the M&M is to a mother when used wisely.
Use # 1 Teaching colors to a toddler.
A kid will always give you there undivided attention when your waving chocolate in front of their nose.

Use # 2 Teaching Math
Adding (kids love this part)
Subtracting(only if they are subtracting by eating them)
Counting (this can be suspenseful)

Use #3 Toilet training
I have used this bribery tool with all of my kids (love it)

Use #4 Therapy
Mom always gets to help herself when a chocolate emergency arises

Now if any of you parents out there want to condemn me for using sugar to "train" my kids well go for it but my kids will know their colors, math and use a toilet all thanks to the special candy that won't melt in your hands. While most importantly their mother will live to tell about it.

To hire help or not to hire help

My husband and I were fortunate enough to attend our states home school conference this weekend. It was filled with lots of books that inspired projects and excitement of next years new adventures. We picked out a new math program all together that I am super jazzed about and found some great catholic fiction for the kids to read ( I can't seem to keep enough books in the house for them at any given time)
There were some awesome speakers at the conference as well. I was hoping to attend all of them but only made it to two. I find that listening to speakers is always a source of great inspiration for me. It's great to get a fresh perspective on things and a bit of a kick start. One of the talks was Laura Birquest on Homeschooling from toddlers to teens. It was surprising to hear her say that the age group I am schooling is the most challenging. I don't know why I was surprised but it was weird to hear somebody say that. My kids are newborn to 9 years six in all.
This talk full of some pretty good ideas complied with both my husband and dad giving me the run down on how I need to hire help around the house has left me at a loss. I still feel like I should be able, with the help of my children , to take care of my house and other responsibilities. I have yet to read a book or a blog for that matter of a homeschooling mom that has hired help. For me I can't help but think its a lack of order in my life that has put me in the boat I'm in. Granted I have been trying to dock this boat various ways for 9 years but hey when you have kids as fast as I have life changes quickly. I am so conflicted.
Any feed back would be appreciated on this one girls. Especially by fellow homeschoolers that are or have dealt with this scenario.

He has arrived!!!!!

Hello Everyone!!
Baby Ethan arrived this morning at 6:04 am at 8lbs 6oz 20 in. with brown hair and blue eyes.
Pictures will be posted when I get home from the hospital.

Praise be to God!!!!

Expectations

I have been blessed with a group of women in my life that have taught me a great deal about God. Most importantly how my relationship with God is so apart of all the aspects of my life. We all have had struggles to fulfill our parts in said relationship but use each others experiences to learn and grow from them.
At my best (from my perspective) I spent my mornings with God. I would rise early, sit on my porch read the daily readings and reflections from my little book and spend quiet time in prayer and conversation with Our Lord. That was like two years ago. Ever since I have struggled to find some type of daily prayer and meditation that I could hold on to in my crazy schedule.
Strike that. I haven't made myself make that time a priority in my life.
Self discipline has always been a problem for me granted I have improved over the years but, there is still so much room for improvement. What I am really trying to accomplish is finding the line between realistic and unrealistic expectations of what I should be capable of.
Example...... is it realistic to expect myself to do a load of laundry every day. Now to some of you this is a no brainer, in either direction. Some would say duh, you have six kids how do not do a load or 4 everyday. Others may say duh, you have six kids how can you expect to have time to do a load everyday. This is a conversation I have had with nearly every person I know. I always get a different response but the one I receive most often is, "Kelli, your being to hard on yourself, you already have so much to do in your day its not realistic." or one of my mothers favorites is " you need to hire someone to help you out around here."
No I don't!!!! OK sure every mom says" if only I had another pair of hands around here.'
But when it comes down to it my friends this is my domain and I'm just to pig headed to let anybody in to mess up my (somewhat faulted) system. I know that everyone is just trying to be supportive and kind and really who wants to hear that " Yep, your right your a lazy bum." but come on.
So in short I am forever trying to find that balance that makes my life work best for my family and maybe by the time this little baby ( who has yet to come out) is a teen I will have found an answer to my riddle. What are realistic expectations for a homeschooling mother of six?