After yesterday's post about comments and reactions I wanted to share how much I'm loving having a large family! I felt guilty about that post and thought about deleting it because I don't want to sound like I don't like having a large family, because I do!! I'm so thankful for each and every one of these little people.
Summer at "camp Bond" has been so much fun. We're enjoying lots of free time to explore and play and weekends full of trips to discover this new area. Every day I go to bed and wake up with a list of fun things I'd love to do with the kids. Dan bought a badminton set from Walmart for $16 and we've had so much fun with it! Dan and I love to play together each day after he gets home from work. Mareea and Thea love to jump in and say "I'm on mama's team" and stand with us on our side of the court. We've been so blessed with a big, shaded yard and nice breezes that we can spend hours outside in July!
We set up a Frisbee golf course in the yard with some small baskets and $1 walmart frisbees. The kids really like that, too. We're amazed that little Thea can throw and catch a frisbee so well! We really shouldn't be...she's learned to ride a two wheeler already at 4 and was climbing trees higher than I could reach her at 2! We figure her speech delay is compensated by her high level of gross motor skills!
Inside we're working on a puzzle and playing lots of board games. We found Stratego at the thrift store for $2 and the children will play it all day if you let them. Dan loves it, too. They keep asking me to learn to play, but I have not yet. I have, however, been playing some great games of Ten Days in Europe with the boys and Memory with the girls.
Today I'm hoping to teach the boys a new card game and make homemade finger paints for the girls. We are working on getting Giddy on a good nap schedule so it means we're home more. While I would have thought they would not like it, the children seem to really enjoy being home. They'd stay here all the time if it was up to them! I guess that's a good thing, right? We want them to love being at home.
I'm thankful to home school even in the summer. There's no fear of "what will we do with the kids home all day" because they're always home all day...now I just get to enjoy them and play with them without schoolwork! And they're used to being at home and not telling me they're bored or asking to constantly go play with other friends...their siblings are their friends. I love it.
I'm off to start another great summer day with my wonderful large family!!!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Gid is 8 months
I cannot believe how quickly it has flown by! We are enjoying our little man so much. He is crawling all over the place and today he started pulling up to standing and climbing the stairs...ack! He's all boy. He loves to play with balls and crawl after them when they roll away from him only to hit them again. I am constantly fishing things out of his mouth. I can't believe all the tiny things he finds on the floor! Everything from leaves to bits of paper to legos. Today he tried sweet potatoes and seemed to like them. We had tried carrots a few days ago and he was not a fan. He just quit opening his mouth. I had about decided to give up on solids for awhile, but it seems he may be more interested now. I think we'll try oatmeal next.
We love you, Giddy!
We love you, Giddy!
 |
| This is the best picture I could get of him! He's always moving. |
Today I took the children grocery shopping. It was so much more crowded than I anticipated, but I wanted to get it over and done with so we went in anyway! While I was there, a woman came up and loudly asked, "are they ALL yours?" When I told her they were she stood there staring with her mouth open for several seconds and then commented on how wonderful it was. This happened 3 times. The third time we were trying to walk into the NEX and the lady was in the middle of the street blocking our way with her mouth hanging open.
I.hate.it.
It makes me so uncomfortable to have people staring at me or noticing me. Even Gid's baptism made me want to be swallowed by the earth...and all I was doing was standing there! Having a large family means people stare all the time. Sometimes I meet older women who had large families and I always enjoy having them tell me how wonderful it was. Other times I meet people who literally shutter when I answer "yes, they're all mine" and make horrible comments about how I'm crazy and they'd pull their hair out if it were them. Helllloooo...my children are standing right here! Don't they know that it might hurt their feelings to hear other people say things like that?
We've been visiting churches at our new home. Sometimes I want to cry afterwards. Why can't I just be treated like another mom?? Why can't other moms just say "hello and welcome...want to have coffee sometime?" Instead they stare at me like I'm some sort of freak show and comment (over and over) about the size of my family or the fact that I home school. In this area of the country there even seems to be some disgust over it. And I'm fairly certain that I will never be invited to a play group (or invited to anything) because of it.
I would never in my life look at someone and say, "You only have 2 children?? That's crazy! It must be so boring at your house? Don't you know what you're missing?" or "You send your kids to public school to be in a class with 25 other children and taught by a stranger?!?!" I would never say these things because that would make me a nosey, judgemental, know-it-all!!!
Genuine interest is different. If someone really want to know how we organize our day or what homeschooling is like I love to tell them! I like to share how wonderful a big family is and how we feel so blessed to have each and every one of these children. But I find most don't really want to know...they just want to stare and make dumb comments.
But of course there is a silver lining. My children get to see me respond to these people. To smile and them and tell them, "yes, ma'am, they're all mine" or "we don't have a full house yet, but we're working on it!" or "I just really love babies!" or "God has blessed us".
Thanks for letting me get that out. God has called me to this lifestyle and I do my best to bring Him glory with it...but it is not always easy!
I.hate.it.
It makes me so uncomfortable to have people staring at me or noticing me. Even Gid's baptism made me want to be swallowed by the earth...and all I was doing was standing there! Having a large family means people stare all the time. Sometimes I meet older women who had large families and I always enjoy having them tell me how wonderful it was. Other times I meet people who literally shutter when I answer "yes, they're all mine" and make horrible comments about how I'm crazy and they'd pull their hair out if it were them. Helllloooo...my children are standing right here! Don't they know that it might hurt their feelings to hear other people say things like that?
We've been visiting churches at our new home. Sometimes I want to cry afterwards. Why can't I just be treated like another mom?? Why can't other moms just say "hello and welcome...want to have coffee sometime?" Instead they stare at me like I'm some sort of freak show and comment (over and over) about the size of my family or the fact that I home school. In this area of the country there even seems to be some disgust over it. And I'm fairly certain that I will never be invited to a play group (or invited to anything) because of it.
I would never in my life look at someone and say, "You only have 2 children?? That's crazy! It must be so boring at your house? Don't you know what you're missing?" or "You send your kids to public school to be in a class with 25 other children and taught by a stranger?!?!" I would never say these things because that would make me a nosey, judgemental, know-it-all!!!
Genuine interest is different. If someone really want to know how we organize our day or what homeschooling is like I love to tell them! I like to share how wonderful a big family is and how we feel so blessed to have each and every one of these children. But I find most don't really want to know...they just want to stare and make dumb comments.
But of course there is a silver lining. My children get to see me respond to these people. To smile and them and tell them, "yes, ma'am, they're all mine" or "we don't have a full house yet, but we're working on it!" or "I just really love babies!" or "God has blessed us".
Thanks for letting me get that out. God has called me to this lifestyle and I do my best to bring Him glory with it...but it is not always easy!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
From the Photo Vault
When looking through my photobucket album I found these...oh how precious...how time flies...I would love just one day back from these times...
 |
| Waiting for Daddy at one of our many homecomings |
 |
| Landon living the last of his babyhood during my maternity pictures. Picture by Rita Lawrence |
 |
| Walking out to Kole Kole pass in Hawaii |
 |
| A little Ashton who was very sad ( i believe it was over not being able to watch a video). |
 |
| Landon's Halloween costume. |
 |
| When my 3 oldest were so little. |
Nap time
At 2 pm we start nap. The baby sleeps in his crib and Mareea sleeps in her room. I chose 2 because I found that the littles weren't tired enough to sleep after lunch yet. I also like that when nap time ends it's almost time for Daddy to be home! Thea picks a toy and sits on my bed, Q sits on his bed, Ashton goes to the boys' room and Landon goes to our "play area". Mareea and Gid are the only ones that sleep. Quintin reads, draws or writes. Ashton likes to make "sets" with his guys and read books. Landon loves to make paper airplanes, do puzzles or "invent" with cardboard boxes, scissors and tape. Thea usually chooses little pet shop or cars and the car garage. They stay there about two hours. It's a time for uninterrupted imaginative play or reading. Mama won't come in and tell them to go clean a bathroom and a sibling won't come mess up what they're playing with. I find that nap time helps them to learn to play independently and learn to enjoy that independent time.
If there is a certain child who is not being quiet during nap time and waking up the babies, I first tell them they need to be quiet or will have to take a nap. If they are loud again, I take away their toy and have them lie down. This usually fixes the problem. We sometimes watch a video after nap. If they are loud during nap they lose their video. Because we watch very little TV, it's very sad to lose out on it.
For me, I find that nap time gives me a chance to rest my legs and my mind. No running from place to place to help littles and dealing with the constant distractions that come with having lots of little blessings. I can read a book, chat with a friend, sleep or exercise. Sometimes nap gets interrupted. This is OK. I used to get very upset about it, but now I'm pretty much over that. If I get all of nap to myself...that's great! If not...oh well...I'm thankful I have children to interrupt me.
I'm off to enjoy my nap time...
Monday, July 18, 2011
More Tie Dye
A busy Weekend
Weekends in Newport are full of fun activities. We enjoy a cooler summer than I'm used to and it makes getting out during the day a lot more pleasant. Friday night Dan took the older boys and Thea to local baseball game. I stayed at home with the babies and played with them. It was exhausting! I sure missed my helpers. Quintin loved the game and we're hoping to go to as many as possible. The tickets are $2 for Dan and $1 for the kids so it's something we can really afford and that they kids seem to really enjoy.
Saturday we went to our first 4H fair. We've actually never been to a fair as a family and were excited to go to this one. It was pretty small, but the kids had fun. Thea and Mareea were able to ride a horse. They both chose the bigger horse of the two which I thought was funny. Those girls have no fear! Quintin flew to the top of the rock climbing wall the National Guard had set up and seemed a little disappointed it was so easy. But I could see he was quite proud of himself and trying not to show it! Gideon rode in the mei tai and kept us busy trying to keep his hat on. We enjoyed looking at all the animals that were to be shown. Thea loved the cows and Mareea loved the chickens. "That chicken is sleeping. Wake up chicken! Oh! That chicken made a big noise!" She cracks me up. The boys loved the Birds of Prey exhibit where we were able to see a falcon, hawk, raven and two different types of owls. I loved those owls. They were just beautiful. At one point the lady pulled back the feathers on the side of the raven's head so we could see it's ears. I'd never seen a birds ears before and found it quite interesting.
Saturday night we walked on base to hear the Navy Band play. They were really good! We got there after the main band had played and heard the show band. We were pretty uncomfortable by the water in our shorts. I don't know why I keep forgetting how cool it gets in the evening! We had to leave after about five numbers, but it was late anyhow and the children were able to hear their first band concert.
Sunday was church at "rock band church" as the kids call it. We're having a hard time finding a church here. It's discouraging, but we're going to try some of the churches we went to again and pray for God to give us wisdom in which to choose. After church my wonderful husband drove us to Warwick to Chipotle. We needed to go to Target anyway so I didn't feel so bad driving so far. Dan went to a RI program called Gardening with the Masters which was an opportunity to visit the gardens of master gardeners in RI. He only went to one, but he really enjoyed it. He learned a lot about garlic and how the grocery store sprays it so it won't sprout. GROSS!!! LEAVE MY FOOD ALONE! More fuel for us to want to have our own little hobby farm.
That's about it. I have a broken camera and a dead phone so no pictures :( I've got to figure out something soon!!
Saturday we went to our first 4H fair. We've actually never been to a fair as a family and were excited to go to this one. It was pretty small, but the kids had fun. Thea and Mareea were able to ride a horse. They both chose the bigger horse of the two which I thought was funny. Those girls have no fear! Quintin flew to the top of the rock climbing wall the National Guard had set up and seemed a little disappointed it was so easy. But I could see he was quite proud of himself and trying not to show it! Gideon rode in the mei tai and kept us busy trying to keep his hat on. We enjoyed looking at all the animals that were to be shown. Thea loved the cows and Mareea loved the chickens. "That chicken is sleeping. Wake up chicken! Oh! That chicken made a big noise!" She cracks me up. The boys loved the Birds of Prey exhibit where we were able to see a falcon, hawk, raven and two different types of owls. I loved those owls. They were just beautiful. At one point the lady pulled back the feathers on the side of the raven's head so we could see it's ears. I'd never seen a birds ears before and found it quite interesting.
Saturday night we walked on base to hear the Navy Band play. They were really good! We got there after the main band had played and heard the show band. We were pretty uncomfortable by the water in our shorts. I don't know why I keep forgetting how cool it gets in the evening! We had to leave after about five numbers, but it was late anyhow and the children were able to hear their first band concert.
Sunday was church at "rock band church" as the kids call it. We're having a hard time finding a church here. It's discouraging, but we're going to try some of the churches we went to again and pray for God to give us wisdom in which to choose. After church my wonderful husband drove us to Warwick to Chipotle. We needed to go to Target anyway so I didn't feel so bad driving so far. Dan went to a RI program called Gardening with the Masters which was an opportunity to visit the gardens of master gardeners in RI. He only went to one, but he really enjoyed it. He learned a lot about garlic and how the grocery store sprays it so it won't sprout. GROSS!!! LEAVE MY FOOD ALONE! More fuel for us to want to have our own little hobby farm.
That's about it. I have a broken camera and a dead phone so no pictures :( I've got to figure out something soon!!
Weigh in Day
Well, I've walked past the scale every morning so tempted to jump on and see if I've lost anything. Today I got on and lost...nothing. Exactly nothing. So I suppose I should be glad I didn't gain?? hmmm....
I had some trouble with my goals from last week. I was able to exercise Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but Thurs. and Fri. I could not get Gid to nap and by the time I did Mareea was awake and it was too late. Saturday and Sunday we were busy with weekend stuff and it didn't happen either. I've thought about waking up early to exercise, but Gideon still sleeps with us and nurses in the early morning very often and I'm afraid if I tried to exercise before everyone woke up that I'd just have to stop because he was needing to eat. So I don't know. In some ways I just want to say "forget it" and not even worry about it, but on the other hand, it's so important that I can't do that. We've done lots of walking with the kids this week, but I seem to need serious cardio that walking does not supply. If we had a paved walking path anywhere around here I could walk/run with the kids on their bikes, but there's not. I guess I'll have to get creative and think of something.
I was really good with not getting snacks from the Nex/commisary/walmart until last night. So I'm OK with that. I did well with portion control in meals. I did horrible with not eating until after dinner and only having dessert twice a week. These are things I'm going to work on this coming week.
I had some trouble with my goals from last week. I was able to exercise Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but Thurs. and Fri. I could not get Gid to nap and by the time I did Mareea was awake and it was too late. Saturday and Sunday we were busy with weekend stuff and it didn't happen either. I've thought about waking up early to exercise, but Gideon still sleeps with us and nurses in the early morning very often and I'm afraid if I tried to exercise before everyone woke up that I'd just have to stop because he was needing to eat. So I don't know. In some ways I just want to say "forget it" and not even worry about it, but on the other hand, it's so important that I can't do that. We've done lots of walking with the kids this week, but I seem to need serious cardio that walking does not supply. If we had a paved walking path anywhere around here I could walk/run with the kids on their bikes, but there's not. I guess I'll have to get creative and think of something.
I was really good with not getting snacks from the Nex/commisary/walmart until last night. So I'm OK with that. I did well with portion control in meals. I did horrible with not eating until after dinner and only having dessert twice a week. These are things I'm going to work on this coming week.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Healthy Living
When we were living in VA for a few months, I was really good about exercising each day either in the morning or during nap time. When we moved here I expected to continue, but things were so crazy it didn't happen. After about a month and a half off, I've started working out again. When we got here to RI I know I gained back some of the weight I had lost. It was pretty depressing! With eating out all the time while living in a hotel and not being able to exercise it was bound to happen. However, when I got the scale back (finally) I found that I had kept some of it off. I have lost 15 pounds since we left Ohio and hope to lose 20 more. Right now the goal is to loose 8 pounds by August 8th. We'll see how it goes! It's a struggle to get back into eating healthy! It's just so hard for me. That's no excuse, however, so here we go.
The Plan:
Exercise 6 days a week. (turbo jam and abs workout 4-5 days and sculpting 1-2 days)
No eating after dinner, except for dessert twice a week.
Weigh myself once a week...on Mondays
No snacks from the NEX, commissary, Walmart, etc.
Measure out my food with each meal to help with portion control
Eat slowing and chew each bit 20 times.
We shall see how it goes!
The Plan:
Exercise 6 days a week. (turbo jam and abs workout 4-5 days and sculpting 1-2 days)
No eating after dinner, except for dessert twice a week.
Weigh myself once a week...on Mondays
No snacks from the NEX, commissary, Walmart, etc.
Measure out my food with each meal to help with portion control
Eat slowing and chew each bit 20 times.
We shall see how it goes!
Monday, July 11, 2011
5 a Day Books
I found the idea for 5 a day books from the Imagination Tree blog. The idea is that each week I pick five books to read daily. Two of them should have repetition and or rhyme. I am primarily doing this for the girls since they are in preschool and the older boys' books would be way too long to read five of them daily! Last week was our first week and it was a hit. I thought the girls would start to ask for different books at bedtime since we were reading the same two each night, but by the end of the week Thea picked them out to read for bed before I even got upstairs. They grew to love the books and be able to "read" them along with me. They'd also fight over who got to take them into bed to look at before they fell asleep.
Here are the books I'm going this week
Along with those five books daily, I have picked out a longer story book to read each day. So a different book each day Monday through Friday. These are books like Blueberries for Sal and Katy No Pocket. I've also decided to do this with the boys. We're reading The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe together at night before bed, but I've added in longer picture books each day such as The Clown of God and The Cat and the Fiddler. It's working out well and I love it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)