Helpful advice for moms from mom expert Hannah Keeley

Helpful advice for moms from mom expert Hannah Keeley

Life is like a Map

What a journey this life is!  I am so grateful for the blessings in my life.
My husband, my children, my sisters and brothers, my parents and grandparents. Friends!
My God, who gives all these good gifts.  I am thankful.  I don't say that lightly.
Really, what would life be without those you hold close to your heart?

Sometimes in our lives it is hard to be thankful, we wonder why we get out of bed in the morning.
We struggle to see meaning in life.  We see all the negative things and they become soooo big!
Maybe you never had those feelings, I have.

Looking back over the past few years feels like looking at the back of a cross-stitch piece.
Or maybe, like following a map and coming up on detours would be more like it.
At the time I didn't understand why the I had to turn there, I didn't see that big hole in the road up ahead.  I am glad I followed the directions  that I heard my Father God speaking to me, It created a whole different piece of art in my life than if I would have just followed the map to a T and ignored the detour signs!

One turn in the road was putting our kids in school instead of continuing to home-school.   I am so thankful.  It has made a big difference in my perspective and energy levels.
I am very impressed with the teachers and Principal at R. L Madsen Public School.
They do a great job with the children.  I have been able to be there as a lunch room supervisor and get to know my kids friends and the teachers a bit.

It is hard to describe the reasons I home- schooled and the reasons we chose to send them to Public schools.
Looking back, doing some soul- searching I realize one reason in my heart was that it was time to let the kite string out a little.  You know, let the children learn to "fly" in this world while they are under our roof.  I felt God was asking me, "don't you trust me to take care of your children?"
I was hanging on to them.  Losing mom when I was 10 maybe played a part in wanting to make sure I had quality time with my children. I wasn't ready to let them go.

Though, as difficulties arose with having to teach and parent I began to wonder if it was quality time anymore.
I think it has been for the best of all of us!

Another detour was with my health.  Last year, in the winter there were days that I still struggled to get out of bed.  I was frustrated! Good grief, the kids are in school now, what is wrong with me? I thought it  was having the kids home all day!  I realized that wasn't all of it.

After talking to my friends, I felt prompted to get some blood work done and check my Vitamin D.
Sure enough my Vitamin D levels were very low.  I started taking 3-4000 IU's a day.  Sometimes more.
I am hoping that will help my energy throughout this winter.  I am recognizing it is a pattern and that I get the Winter Blues!  So I am on a journey to find out what helps that.

A couple things I am going to try this winter is to make sure I do something fun in those freezing cold months!  Like Scrapbooking, card making.  I might try my hand at decorative painting again.

I also find that exercise really really helps my winter blues!

Through this journey of fatigue, I've done lots of reading!
One book I just finished is YOU on a Diet.  Great book!
The one thing that I am taking from that book is that deprivation diets just cause us to crave more food!
I realize we can't just eat everything, and all the portions we might want, but if we listen to our body's signals, it tells you when you have had enough.  Our problem is that we don't usually wait until we are truely hungry to eat.  And we don't stop eating when we are content.  This is Key!
Eat when you are hungry!  Stop when you are content!

If you haven't read it and you struggle with your weight, or you think about food all the time and what you are going to eat to try to lose weight .  You need to read this!
You on a Diet gives you answers to why you crave food.  When we allow ourselves to get soooo hungry, because we are "on a diet"  trying hard to lose weight, our desire for food increases!  When your body is satisfied, you will eat less.
You On a Diet discusses all the different diets and why they don't work unless you do them 100%.

Another thing they say is automate what you eat.  I think a reason so many people are overweight today is that there are soooo many choices!  Simplfy what you eat in a week.  Even if it is just your breakfast and lunches.   It takes the brain work out of what am I going to eat,  and the "monotany" of the same food most mornings and lunches take away that "this is soooo good, I'm going to have another serving"
It is working for me.  My main breakfast now is steel cut oats, a bit of natural peanut butter, handful of blueberries, honey and milk.  A cup of coffee or Green Tea.
Yeah, maybe it is boring, but it sure is freeing! Or yogurt and granola and blueberries or raisins.  Just a few of my favorites.

It also talks about how high sugar foods, and white flour foods leave us unsatisfied and craving more in the end.  Protien and fat are needed to help you feel satisfied.
I'm not convinced yet that I need to completely cut out white flour and sugar,  but my reading has led me to buy spelt grain, and try  to grind my own flour this winter! We'll see how that goes!  Thanks to Jenni for letting me borrow her grinder till I know if this is going to become a lifestyle change! or if it is just another thing I'm going to try!    So, I am on a quest for new recipes!
That is why Wanda has been posting recipes with Spelt in them.

Well, I am hoping this Flu is going away!  I've been sick going on 3 weeks now.  This week it really hit me hard.  I've been house bound, exhausted.  So as I lay here on the couch so much stuff is running through my mind.  So I thought I would write.  Maybe next week when I'm feeling better I'll read this and wonder why I wrote what I did, but oh well!  Enjoy
Wendy

Year 4 of Home-School 2009

Jeff and I camping Labor Day weekend

Opening our Sonlight Box! I am so delighted how much they love
to read.  What a natural way to learn!  It is also so fun to curl up on the
couch with them and read.

We had a sleep out on the screen porch.  Every night Tia falls asleep
with about ten books all around her.  The boys started to follow her lead.

Dylan and Mommy cuddling on the screen porch in the morning.

Tia is starting 3rd Grade -Abeka

Alabama is learning to read!
My favorite handwriting curriculum
A reason for Writing

First day of School -At home

There is something about the new school year, new books, new clothes that brings freshness!

Isn't it refreshing to be able to start new? Such a gentle reminder of God and his grace and forgiveness. How He washes us white as snow! And how He gives us a new day every day to live for Him!

Have a great school year!

My keyboard doesn’t work!

“H n y”  did you know  often you use those three letters?

copy, paste, not fun!  time to buy a new one!

Where did I go?

Hi, I am here, though very quiet!  I'm full force into homeschooling the girls and keeping the boys busy!  Jeff was working on our new deck and screen porch today.  I got tired of trying to keep them out of his way and the tools all over so after supper we left and went to see Walter and Sue's new house.  Then we stopped in on Jenni and the kids and had a fun time there.  I was pleasantly surprised to see MJ Meekis there too!

I just wanted to post a few pictures. ( But of course it didn't work!! )

We got to see all our living Grandparents on our trip this summer.  What a treat.   Sorry no pictures tonight!

Stuff

We are having an awesome visit with my cousin Tish and her family!  It is so cool to watch Emily and Aaron as teen agers remembering when they were little, where my kids are now.  Seeing how they are , so gentle, and helpful, kind to my children.  It is great!  Today Aaron took Trevor after he kept getting into the muffins that he wasn't supposed to be and said, "Come on Trevor , let's go play!"  They have been jumping on the Trampoline with them and playing games.

Anyway, just a note on my throat.  I went on a new antibotic and it worked!  I felt great for the past week.  A day and a half after they were gone I notice my throat, and back of my tongue is sore again!  What is with this?  Anyway, I guess I have some more waiting since it is the weekend!

I didn't mention that the fire men came down and did a practice run to see if there was a fire here how long it would take them to get water.  Our nearest fire hydrant is way too far.  So they went down on the dock and had a pump started and they got water.  Here Tia is trying on the helmet.!

Also we got a bike stroller for the boys.  It pushes so nicely on our driveway.  

Jeff is just getting home from taking Patrick to his brothers place.  He is home for the weekend.  Derek and Patrick also went out fishing with the crew tonight.  They caught their limit.  I went to a garage sale with the kids.   The church is selling all the CCS School supplies.  I got a bunch of books and a microscope, some posters etc.

Elise is gone doing here last phase of Real Estate license.  I can't wait to have her  back!  

   Did you take the test?

Good night all!

painting fun!

Tia having fun painting

Alabama

Tia's creation

Trevor, high chair was really nice!

what a sweet smile

Dylan eating cheerios!

We are starting to venture into the arts!  As much as I love them, I was a bit scared to start with my young ones.... such messes that it can make.  But, I choose to let them loose!  Can't become an artist, if you can't try the mediums!  Of course the one they wanted to try the most was painting.

So, I couldn't say no, because I love to paint too!  We had so much fun!  

We are going to start a course called Artistic Pursuit.
 I bought it through CBD, and then just discovered  it is now offered in the Sonlight Catalog!  And they even put a kit together with all the supplies you need to do the course! Awesome, I wish I would have known that!!  It is for K-3rd grade.  

I am really trying to decide whether we should switch this next year to the DVDs with Abeka.  Anyone with experience, I 'd love to hear your thoughts.  I was just thinking because I 'll be busy teaching Alabama to read this year and having two toddlers, it might be best for Tia to have a different "Teacher" .  

This week

When Our Sonlight order came, they all wanted to dive right in and read!  It was like Christmas.!

RLMC is having seminars this week.  Jeff is staying home with the three oldest so at least one of us can learn something!

I'm enjoying the sunshine!

Trevor loves Thomas the tank.  I bought him some on ebay.  He takes them to bed with him.

Mom, the shirt you gave him, he wears all the time!

Dylan started crawling. 

Good night!

Hibernating!

Dylan has two new teeth!!

Alabama and Tia and their new cousin Hannah.

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately.  About the reason we are alive!  What is our goal in life? Like my friend Iris said  If I only had 6 months to live, what would I find important?

I find we spend so much of our time on things that don't have value.  I rush around doing things, and neglect the really crucial things.  

I have already weeded out of my life many things that I felt weren't necessary in my life right now. Like, crafts, painting, most scrapbooking, and the list goes on.  But still I question if that is enough.  

Important things like putting God first in everything I do, tends to get pushed aside, I'll spend time with God later, when the work is done.  Things like, playing with the kids, listening to them, and really hearing there heart.  Just tonight, I had an opportunity to listen to Tia, because I took the time to be with her.  Just her.  All the others were sleeping or on their way to bed and she was begging to watch a movie with me.  I didn't want to, but I knew she was really crying for quality time with me.  So we did a few house hold chores before bed, getting the house presentable for morning.  Usually she goes to bed.  But as we cleaned up, side by side, her talking non stop she eventually poured out her heart to me.  Some boys at the pool have been making fun of her crooked teeth.  It was good for her and I to take the time to just talk about how to handle teasing like that.  

I've been reading the New Dare to discipline by James Dobson.  I'm learning so much.  I wish I had it 7 years ago!    

I know I need work on disciplining my kids.  It is such a learning experience being a mom.  

Anyway, I decided, since it is cold out anyway, and I have a baby, I 'm going to take 6 weeks to reevalute.  "fast" from any extra cirricular things.  I'm going to stay at home and focus on our family.  (Like I really go anywhere anyway!)  But I'm going to take the time to read some books about children.  I going to invest some time in the in's and outs of daily time management in our home.  I want to get home schooling ready for a new year.  We aren't on the regular school schedule.  Tia is getting ready to start grade 2 and Bama wants to learn to read!  

I was wondering if anyone out there has some advice on raising four young ones and home schooling.  Plus trying to get fit and eat healthy.  Life feels a bit overwhelming at times.

I know I need to relax....But when I relax, I feel like I'm being lazy.  I get lazy.  I guess there is a balance.  

Anyway, I feel like I'm just babbling, so I 'll quit!  I'd love to hear from anyone who has some suggestions. 

Missing You

My Handsome Hubby!
My Faithful Friend!

Well, tonight Jeff went out Moose hunting with his Dad, and Mike and Derek! A first for them!
Okay it's only been a few hours since he's gone, but I don't like to be alone.


I'm happy for them to get out together. Hopefully it will also be a successful trip as far as moose goes! They went to the cabin for the weekend.

The kids and I just stayed home and I let them watch some videos and I made popcorn, then when it was dark I took them all upstairs to our room and let them bring some toys to play with. Dylan cooed quietly on his bed, Trev and Bama played quietly and I read a story "Understood Betsy" to Tia. It wasn't as bad as I had thought. They actually played nicely.

Tomorrow Dru is planning on picking up the three oldest for the day. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I need to go clothes shopping pretty badly. After three pregnacy's and nursing, I don't have a whole lot of attractive clothing to wear. I really don't enjoy shopping these days. I find it rather difficult to shop with 4 kids under 7. It takes me too long to decide if I want to buy it or not. I am not decisive!! Especially when it comes to clothes and what looks nice.

Well, I'm actually getting tired. Maybe I'd better quite. Tomorrow will come soon enough. I just wanted to get something accomplished while it's quiet.

I guess I have tomorrow, I need to tell myself to not take on too much though, I have a lot of ambition but not for doing the things that demand my time now!!

Melissa and Elise said they are coming over tomorrow. And Dru is bringing some movies for the evening. Can't wait!!! I feel like a 10 year old girl wanting to have a slumber party!!
Oh well, I quess we have to grow up some time, or do we?

A long time

I am enjoying home schooling with Sonlight, because I love learning with them, but some moments are overwhelming!!
A beautiful day in August a week before the baby!
So cute! Cousin Jake!!


Yeah Iris, okay I know it's time to write again!! I guess these 4 kids do have my attention that's for sure!!



Everyone was sleeping by 8:30 tonight and I didn't feel too exhausted so I thought I'd use this evening to catch up on some odds and ends.





Here are a few pictures I missed uploading because they were taken just weeks before Dylan was born.
I don't feel like anything interesting has been happening here, except learning to be a mom to 4 is much harder than 2 or 3..... The nursing with a mischevious toddler is what I have a hard time with. I'm nursing all the time, and Trevor is into everything, all the time.....
Today I was on the phone with my grandma and Trev and Bama got out the nutella (chocolate spread) and were digging their little fingers in it. Did I mention I was nursing too? You get the picture. New carpet, etc.....ugh
My sheets on my bed haven't been changed in?... how long? Some things get neglected, I remember when we only had one child. Anything got on our sheets, they went to the washer, now oh well, at least I get to sleep in a soft bed. there are 4 in a bed and the little one said, mommy, roll over.. There is no room!!!
Anyway, I thank the Lord for life, for all the blessings he has given us. I am grateful.
I continually strive to enjoy each day, each moment instead of always looking ahead.
I'm so thankful for family and friends who love me and my family. Thank you for being a part of my life. I can't imagine life with out Jesus. Life is hard even when you have a hope for the future, I can't imagine not having hope, it is what keeps me going.
Good Night all

Sleeping!

I just had to share these pictures with you.! That is Trevor sleeping in his crib!!!!!!!!

I believe we finally have a breakthrough with Trevor's daytime naps! After praying for him this week, and being more persistant with consistency in naps, he is sleeping.

We made butter one evening as a school project. After reading Charolette's Web to Tia, it was a project they encourage you to do, so, here is our attempt, and it worked!!

I can't sleep

Wow, this is a first in a long time!! I can't sleep and Trevor is still sleeping, in His Crib!!!!
It has been months since Trevor slept all night in his crib!!! I've been up for the past hour just lying awake, wondering what I should be praying about. I'm never wide awake in the middle of the night.
I'm really looking forward to a weekend away with friends. We are going to Stormer Lake this weekend to scrapbook!! I hope my pictures show up in the mail before we leave!!!!
I'm really hoping that I can't do a good dent in the kids books. I haven't scrapbooked much in probably over a year!!!
We have been fighting the flu here all last week and through today. Jeff started to go to work and ended up coming home. Trevor's been running a fever all week. The girls are pretty good now, they both spent a day on the couch. Sunday I was sick, but so was Jeff, so not to much rest for the weary!! Thankfully Jenni took Tia to her singing practice and took Alabama to play with Logan for a few hours. That really gave us a bit of rest.
Well, I finally decided to try homeschooling another year. I ordered from Sonlight cirriculum, it is a reading based cirriculum. I am going to continue the learning to read part from Abeka though. I am getting Horizons Math as well. So maybe, hopefully this years school will be fun.
I just couldn't see getting 4 kids 6 and under bundled up every day am and pm to take her to and from school. Next year she would be able to walk to the bus stop. But she has to be 7.
I don't have any recent pictures to post, so I went browsing for some of my old favortites.
The one in the tent is Uncle Mike and Alabama reading him a story camping at Blue Lake, 2005.
The other one is Daddy and Tia roasting marshmellows at Sault saint Marie trip with Wanda's family. Well, maybe I could sleep now if I go back to bed.

Update Time!

What a week. Just a glimpse of what things look like. I've been blessed with lots of help. Jenni asked several ladies to come over for an hour or two each day to give me a nap. I was having a hard time with the two youngest sleeping at the same time. I think i'm going to cut Trevor's nap to one in the afternoon. Maybe that will help. Sue Hochstetler came today, what a blessing. At a time when I needed it the most people are pitching in to help. I have not been feeling well.
I 'll try to get some more pictures with some action. I think our kitchen cabinets are coming this weekend. In time for the superbowl party!
Still waiting on the pictures... I have a hard time uploading them. Any advice? I can't resize them with the program I have, I don't know what else to do.
Jeff started a new job at Pine View apartments in Balmertown. He did some work for Grant Hogg and he really liked his work, so he asked if he could hire him for some upcoming renovations that he has. As of now it is only part time for the winter, but Grant wants to keep him on for the summer too. Well see, Jeff's not sure he wants to give up working on his own.
Okay this is ridiculous, still waiting on two pictures!
Les came and took the kids to Toy Library today, they loved it. I did all my running around that has piled up for weeks.
Trevor is teething, I think we are on the tail end of it. He has been grumpy. Some bad nights.
Tia is learning to help with the dishes and she even folds her own laundry. She is quite a big helper when she wants to. I'm working on finishing up her Kindergarten course here at home. I could use some prayer as we decide wether or not to home school next year. Sometimes I think I'm crazy for even considering it, then I think, if we do the DVDs from Abeka, that might be easier than getting four kids out the door to take her to school. The bus will probably pick her up but not at our door, so i'd have to take her to the turn around, and if we are that far I might as well drive her to school!!
I'm sorry the pictures are taking forever and I'm only doing two. I'll try again tomorrow if I get a chance.

New Table

I had an exciting day, after Tia and I did school, we all had lunch and went for a drive to Red Lake where the Mission food truck was arriving from Ehprata, PA. My mom gave us my parents original Dining room table that they had since I was little. It is beautiful!! She also gave me Wanda and my children's table and chair that we had since we were 3 or so.
Wanda bought me a whole bunch of chocolates for Christmas, and pretzels and chips. It was fun to open all those boxes from "home"
I think this will be our last week of school until after Christmas. We'll take a break to pack and move.
I'm really enjoying this blogging more than I thought I would. I find it a great way to relax. It is just like reading a letter from a friend, when I take the time to go to everyone else's blogs. Thanks for the comments, they are fun to read.
Have a great sleep!! Good night