When Healing Is SLOW

By now, may of you know that I am 5 days post-op for gallbladder surgery.  It was not my idea of a good time, but seeing as I had a marble sized stone removed along with my gallbladder, it needed to be done.  Yes, I tried all the home remedies to avoid it...they didn't work, unfortunately.

So I went in Friday morning for surgery and got to come home mid-afternoon.  They said I did great.  What do they know??!

• I expected I would have a heart attack before the surgery because I was so scared.  I did not, thankfully.

•  I expected that I would be able to avoid the severe nausea that anesthesia and pain killers gives me.  I did not. 

• I expected to have my appetite back immediately.  I do not.

• I expected to be up and dressed and ready to go.  Nope, not that either.

See how this is going?

Let me say, I AM thankful for a successful surgery and the wonderful doctors and nurses who took care of me and pretended that I was NOT the biggest baby they had seen all week.  I am thankful that I am not in severe pain and was able to ditch the pain meds two days into healing.  I am thankful for friends who have sent food, cards, flowers, and sweet messages, and I am super thankful for my sweet family that has taken on running the household.

BUT...

I am frustrated.  I anticipated I would be sore, but I did not think it would feel like someone has tried to stir fry my insides. I did not think that no food would sound good to me.  I did not expect that taking a deep breath would send a pain straight through my rib cage.  I did not expect all I would feel like doing was sleeping.  I did not think going up or down the stairs would wear me out for the day and I certainly did not think I would not care whether I was showered or dressed.  Frankly, both take too much energy.

So, am I healing?  Let's hope so.  Everyone says I am.
Would I like a do over? Yes!  But I would have to start from day 1 again and quite frankly, no thank you!
Do I have a greater respect for people who have surgery of any kind?  YES!

It does not matter what surgery you are having done, cutting into a body is not natural and it does take a toll on your body.  Listening to others and their experiences is good in some ways, but expecting that your story will look the same is not reasonable.  I am pretty sure that is where I went wrong.

Expectations.  They will get you every time!
So will surgery!

Here's to next week looking better!

Blessings,

34 Weeks of Clean Rinse and Repeat: Week 26- Storage Areas and Attics

 

 Confession time! Here is what happens when you are hosting a 34 Weeks of Clean series!  Each time you clean a room, stuff gets shoved to the storage area.  Whoops!

Before-

The totes hold school books.  There will be a separate week for that!

Behind the desk are the college kid's things she will take back!

And....No after pictures. It still looks like that. I had my gallbladder taken out last week so this week's assignment didn't happen. Have surgery and you too probably won't get your assignment done! I promise I will do it as soon as I am well enough to boss my helpers around get to work on it. ;)


I share this with you to say, things happen.  Life happens.  Not even the Queen of Clean, whomever she may be (not me!), leads a perfectly clean and organized life.  I know, can you believe it?  So while we are doing our best to take back our homes, we must also give ourselves the grace to just do the best we can.

BUT, no excuses.  Let's do our best!

On that note- today we are tackling those pesky storage areas and attics.  Well, today and maybe a few more days this week! ;)

So storage rooms and attics, here we come!

•     If at all possible, take everything out.  This won't be possible for us, so we will concentrate on sections at a time.

•    Sweep out the area!  Don't forget the cobwebs in the rafters.  Boo hiss on spiders!  Have I ever told you I am afraid of spiders?

•     Go through everything BEFORE you put it back.  Get rid of things you do not need (no hoarding), do not use, or is no longer useful.  Remember the "Do I use it? Would I buy it again?" rule!

•     Make a plan!  Please don't skip this step.  Think about where you want to put things BEFORE you do so.  It will save you time and energy.  Ask me how I know this.

•     Be creative in storage!  You may have noticed the little desk in our storage room.  My husband actually works in there sometimes since we currently do not have a separate office space.  Hey, you do what you can!

Unless you are in transition, I would honestly have to tell you that if you do not have enough room to store your "stuff," you may have too much "stuff."  It is my dream to not have anything in storage areas with the exception of seasonal things like clothes and Christmas decorations, but until we stop moving that is not reality.  One day soon, maybe!  The only thing we can do in the meantime is keep the stuff to a minimum and remember that our joy does not come from things, but in God alone. 

And maybe a newly cleaned room! ;)

Blessings,

Novare Science & Math- Homeschool Review Crew Review

Have you noticed that Christian Science books are hard to find?  I have been doing this homeschooling thing for 19 years now, and really, it is one of the main subjects I have the hardest time finding curriculum for. Recently, we had the opportunity to review Novare Science & Math's science book, Earth Science: God's World, Our Home. 

Written by Kevin Nelstead and intended to be used by middle school age children, typically in 7th or 8th grade, this 501 page hard-back book packs a punch.  This is one of the most comprehensive science books I have seen in a long time.  It's 15 chapters cover-

• Earth in Space
• Visualizing Earth
• Thinking About Earth
• Matter and Minerals
• Rocks and the Rock Cycle
• Plate Tectonics and Mountain Building
• Volcanoes and Earthquakes
• Weathering, Erosion, and Soils
• Surface Water and Groundwater
• Landforms
• Unraveling Earth's History
• Oceanography
• The Atmosphere
• Weather
• Climate and Air Pollution

At the end you will find an extensive glossary as well as an appendix of minerals.

Also available is a Resource CD loaded with things you will find most helpful.  For the schedule-loving moms out there, (that's me) a 20 week, 5 day a week sample lesson schedule is provided.  Topics are listed as well as the text reading for the day, any learning checks to be completed, as well as quizzes and tests scheduled.   In line with the mastery based approach that Mr. Nelstead uses, beginning in week 3 there is a weekly Review Guide provided to make sure your student is remembering all they have learned so far. There is also a Learning Check guide for each chapter section that provides you as the teacher sample answers to the Learning Checks.  Short answer quizzes and answer keys are also on your Resource CD and are administered once a week, as well as chapter tests.

What is a chapter like?
Each chapter is set up basically the same.  The chapters begin with Objectives and a list of vocabulary words that will be learned.  The main chapter subject is broken up into smaller sections making for easier reading.  At the end of each chapter is a Learning Check.  These Learning Checks are usually 2-6 questions on the material just read and can be answered orally or on paper, depending on your preference.  At the end of each chapter is a more thorough question section called Exercises.  If your child can answer those questions well, they are prepared for the test for sure!  Chapters are generally about 20 pages in length and usually take a week to a week and a half to work through.

Sprinkled throughout each chapter are exquisite pictures, full color maps, and scientific charts to help break up the text and provide visual interest.  Also to be noted are the numerous Bible scriptures that are quoted and referenced.

Our thoughts and usage-
Normally, before we begin any program, review or not, I try to read through the first few chapters myself before I introduce my kids to the program.  Earth Science: God's World, Our Home was no exception. The preface for teachers is a very detailed conversation on how the author feels is best to use this book in teaching and is very informative.  Immediately I was impressed with his thoughts on Mastery teaching, integration and especially Kingdom perspectives.

"The study of Science provides us with unique ways of seeing God's creative presence in the world."

 Yes, and amen!

Unfortunately, and much to my disappointment, this is also where we parted ways in agreement.

"...we accept the mainstream scientific view the the universe is 13.77 billion years old and Earth is about 4.6 billion years old." (p. xvi)

No, we are not old earth believers.  And I do not ever want to make this a place for that argument.  Like Mr. Nelstead, I agree that this is not a thing that needs to divide believers.  Had his belief been mentioned and then moved on, I was very ready to continue the book in our school, even using it as a conversation with my boys about the differences in beliefs, Old Earth and New Earth in particular.  But after comments such as, "We find that according to the soundest principles of Biblical exegesis"  and "the generally accepted value for Earth's age at present is about 4.6 billion years," our family decided this was not a book we were comfortable having the boys use independently.  Ironically, Mr. Nelstead won't even touch the subject of evolution, which to me is no more controversial than the Big Bang theory he supports.

That being said, if you are an old earth believer, or do not have strong feelings one way or another on those teachings, this is a science book worth using.  I found all other information presented to be well laid out and easy to understand.   Even my youngest son (in 5th grade) and I have enjoyed reading several chapters together.  Since we recently had two tornadoes touch down in our area, the Weather chapter has been his favorite, followed by Earthquakes and Volcanoes.  What's with boys?!

You can see what my fellow Crew bloggers had to say about Novare Science & Math by clicking on the banner below.

Also available-
Introductory Physics
General Chemistry
Science for Every Teacher

 

34 Weeks of Clean-Rinse and Repeat: Week 25- The Yard

I hope you were able to have some fun with last week's assignment and get out and enjoy some nice weather!  Since the warmer temperatures have finally found us here, we have enjoyed the new arrangement on our back porch immensely.  Don't ya love when a little change can make a HUGE difference?

Anyway, we are staying outside for one more week- so let's tackle that yard.  Now I know that this is going to be a bigger project for some than others.  Some of you have been blessed by amazing property, while others are pretty close to our neighbors.  We fall somewhere in between.  Whatever the case may be for you, embrace what you have been blessed with and do the best you can!

So here we go!

• First, assess the situation.  Stand in your front yard and take a look at what you see through fresh eyes.  Does something stand out to you?

Shrubs that need to be trimmed. 
Paint that needs a touch up.

Broken toys or stacks of things that need to be thrown out or at least put away.

• Now do the same thing for your back yard.  I am convinced that the houses we drive by that look like a confused mess are not seen that way by the owners.  I believe that when the mess belongs to us we fail to see what others see.  Today, try to see your property like never before. Ask yourself, if you were driving up to your house for the first time to potentially buy it, what would you think?

• Now, GET STARTED!!  

Mow the grass.  Edge. Weed eat.  Tend to the flower beds.  Throw the junk away.  Put things where they really belong.

Make your yard say welcome!  And make it a place that makes you smile when you drive into your driveway!

My new firepit

And make sure you take some pictures to share with us!

Speaking of pictures, how did you do last week?  Be sure to share your progress so we can cheer you on!

 

Don't worry friends, we are headed back inside soon!  But until then, this week is a surprise spot-check for your pantry!  Go ahead, peek inside and see how it compares to several weeks ago.  Is it still sparkling and organized?  If not, take 15 minutes tonight to put it back in shape.  If you devote just a few minutes each day to keeping your house organized, it will make your life much simpler!

Blessings,

Schooling Year-Round While Other Kids Have Summer Break

I admit it. I am one of THOSE moms.  Hi, my name is Michele and yes, we school through the summer months!

Before you call the school police on us, let me explain.

During the official school year, August through May, we typically follow a Sabbath School Schedule as much as we can, doing school 6 weeks and then taking one week off.  We have a college student who attends a school in a different state so we have to be flexible because of her schedule sometimes, but we stay as close to the six weeks on, one week off as we can. 

My kids thrive on schedules and consistency and so do I.  It's just how we roll around here.  For that reason, when summer hits, I am just not ready to throw school out the door because-

1. We need some consistency
2. I do not want our learning to end
3. There are so many programs out there to explore
4. It cuts down on the "I'm bored" complaints 

But HOW do you do it when other kids have a summer break and yours do not?

Easy!

START EARLY- In the day that is.  For us, getting school done early and out of the way is an incentive to get to do other special activities.  My boys know when they are done with their assignments they are free to play.

BE CHOOSY- We do not do every subject in the summer.  We continue math because that is a skill that is easily lost with a two or three month break.  We also use the summer months to catch up on anything we may have fallen behind in, as well as adding any electives the kids want to try.

BE FLEXIBLE- There are days when things come up and that's ok.  Sometimes things trump school and we just move on the following day.  Don't become wrapped around the axle when unexpected things happen.  There are lessons to be learned even in those things.



BE CONSISTENT- That being said, we also try hard to be as consistent as possible.  If the kids think they have a bargaining chip every day then school can become a battle.  Just letting them know this is part of our daily routine keeps the complaints to a minimum.

DON'T FORGET TO READ- Whether it is as a family or as individuals, read, read, read!  Summer is a great time to visit the library or pull favorites off the shelf and encourage reading.  In the heat of the day or after a busy morning are great times to incorporate reading into your quiet time.  We keep a stack of books in a prominent place in our living room for our kids to choose from for summer reading.  For older kids, they have wish lists they mark off as they read.


INCLUDE OTHERS-  Want to do art? Invite the neighborhood kids and teach them all!  Never been to a local museum? Take a field trip and include another family or two!  This summer we even have Biology dissections scheduled with 5 or 6 other families.  Let's face it, some things are just more fun with friends!

MAKE IT FUN- Above all, make summer a fun time for learning.  Teach a new skill or explore a new subject.  Let your child choose and let their imaginations run wild.  You may discover a new talent or favorite subject along the way.  Summer unit studies are a great way to immerse your kids in a subject that fascinates them.  They will learn what they love!

So yes, I am THAT mom, but my kids don't seem to mind too much.  It is what we do, and we have fun doing it!  How about you- are you ready to learn this summer?

Blessings,