Homeschool Mother's Journal, July 8th, 2011

The Homeschool Mother's Journal: Summer Edition, a link-up with The Homeschool Chick.

In my life this week...
- Celebrated July 4th weekend with family.  Got to see fireworks.
- Worked the All Request Show again on Tuesday.
- Trying to stay cool.  Not much outside time for us!

In our homeschool this week...
- More prep work.  I can't seem to stop.
- I can already see much improvement in Preston's handwriting when he's really trying to form the letters correctly.  That makes me so happy and proud of his hard work!

A little bear support!

- We recorded some information for Cornell University, who is doing a fun thing called Celebrate Urban Birds.  Basically, you bird watch in your yard, or wherever you want!  Then record whether or not you see certain types of birds.  They send you an envelope with info on birds, a pretty poster of birds and a sheet to fill out and send back.  Preston liked watching for birds, especially since they are FINALLY making use of the bird feeder we made for them!

Which ones do you see?

Callen started saying "bir! bir!"

 We mailed the information off today and Preston wanted to write something on the envelope to the people doing the study:

Here's Your Infurmation

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share...
- Books and accessories for learning don't have to cost much money.  If you're looking for a certain book to use, make sure you check half.com, Amazon (don't forget you can often buy used products through their marketplace too!), various homeschool online classifieds (or if you feel like getting out and hunting - Half Price Books or local homeschool bookstores).  I really wanted the Hymns for a Kid's Heart, Vol. 1 book and was having a hard time finding it, or at least finding it in my price range.  Finally found it listed in the classifieds for a great price (and it was brand new!).  I also got some great flash cards at Target yesterday in the $1 Spot!

I'm praying for...
- Guidance on whether or not to move forward in on a small business venture.  I'm not even really sure you can call it that.  But, it does require a little money to start up, and then a lot of work on my part to make it worth it.  We need the income it could potentially provide, and it actually sounds like a lot of fun.  But, I'm leery about such things just the same.  Praying for a clear answer from Him.

A photo to share...

Preston reading the Book of James to us

Oh Sleeper, part 2...

After I posted about our sleep troubles, I had a few people respond with a few tips.  The best answer came in the form of a book sent to me in pdf form called Sleep Sense Program (thank you, April!).  I read through the parts that would pertain to us and gained some inspiration and ideas.  And put them to use.  Even though we're only on Day 3 of it, it's already working!  Woo hoo!  The two main things I learned is that I need to be putting him to bed earlier than I have been.  And I need to put him to bed awake, and let him fall asleep completely on his own.

First, our schedule has always been slightly crazy and my kids have been nightowls.  When Preston was born, Michael and I were both working 2nd shift.  We'd get off work around 10pm, we'd be grocery shopping with our baby at 11pm... it was no big deal, we'd stay up till 2 and get up at 10am.  Then, for a short while we had daytime jobs, then Michael went nites.  We let Preston, and then Callen as well, stay up till Michael left for work (1030pm) so they could have the most time with him and since I was home, we could just sleep till 9 or 10am, and it was fine.  Then Michael got moved to days (praise the Lord!), and he was originally gonna work 10am, then things changed and he now works at 7:30am... so we've been all over the place and have yet to stick to a certain bedtime/get up time.  So, that's been a big problem with our sleep schedule.  I was keeping Callen up later than he wanted to (he would get sleepy around 8pm, but I always tried to keep him up till 10pm).  So, the first thing I realized is that I need to get Callen to bed around 8:30pm.  And Preston around 9:30.

Second, with Preston, I always nursed or rocked him to sleep.  And even up until Callen was born, he would sleep with me most nites.  So, I never just stuck him in his bed and let him fall asleep on his own.  With Callen, I've been nursing him to sleep, then trying to gently lower him into his crib, all while praying he stays knocked out.  Only, he wouldn't stay asleep, he'd pop right up the second I put him down.  Then he'd cry/scream, and I'd pick him up and try again.  So, the last few nites I put him in his crib around 8:30pm, while he was still awake, turned off the light and left him there.  The first nite he cried for quite a while, but eventually fell asleep, and stayed asleep till 4!  Then, I nursed him and he went right back to sleep until 10am!  Wow!  The second nite (last nite), I put him down at 8:30pm, he fussed (didn't scream/cry!) for about 10 minutes, and went silent.  I checked on him around 9 and he was sound asleep.  He slept till 5am!  I nursed him, put him back down and he laid right down (didn't resist, cry or try to get back up at all!)... he didn't fall asleep right away, but he laid there!  He fell back asleep until about 9:45am!  So yeah... two nites in a row, this new routine has been a success!  Here's hoping it sticks!!!

I'm also excited because putting the boys to bed earlier, means Michael and I might get some alone time before bed.  We have not had that since.... uh.... yeah, never!  Seriously, since Preston was born!  Crazy!  It's funny that I've read books and articles on getting your kids to sleep before, but they never actually helped... so glad this one has!

x

[You can ignore this part, I'm keeping track of our sleep habit for about a week, so I can see how it's working!]

Thursday (02/10)-
Callen put down in his bed 8:45pm, commence crying
Michael checks on and soothes at 9:30pm, more crying
Preston to bed at 9:40pm
We notice it's quiet at 10pm
I'm in bed at 10:30pm
Callen wakes up at 4am, fusses a little for 10 mins, I check on him & nurse him.
Back in his bed at 4:30, by 4:45 he's back to sleep

Friday (02/11)-
I'm up at 7:30am, shower and start laundry!
Woke Preston up at 8am
Callen woke up at 10am! Wow!
Naps for both at 2pm. Preston didn't sleep, but was allowed up at 3pm when Callen woke up.
After bath and bedtime routine, put Callen in his crib at 8:35pm, he wasn't happy about it
Fussed/babbled off and on for 10 mins (not real crying/screaming), went silent
Checked on him at 9:05pm - sound asleep with his musical giraffe in his arms!
Preston to bed at 10:05 or so.
Callen woke up to nurse at 5:20am, got him back to sleep, but as I was sneaking out the door, my ankle popped and he woke right up!  Oops.  Got him back down, snuck out and the door close him woke him up again, but  just left him and a few minutes later he was asleep again.  Each time I was putting him back to sleep, I just laid him back down and he stayed, no fussing - so something is working!

Saturday (02/12)-
I got Preston up at 9, and Callen woke up around 9:45am.
Callen fell asleep for maybe 20 minutes, and that's pretty much all the nap he had today.
Preston = none.
Got Callen fed, changed and into bed around 8:30, he fussed a littled, maybe 5 minutes and zonked out.
Preston to bed a little after 10, he was watching Daddy play Epic Mickey.
I got up and headed for bed around 11:30, when I walked by Callen's room I peaked in and saw that he was starting to stand up in his crib.  Uh oh!  I left him alone to see if he'd go back to sleep.
He started crying, and kept it up for a good 15 minutes.  So I went in an nursed him again.
Put him back down and left the room.  He cried and screamed for a while longer, Michael went in to soothe him.  No luck, more crying.  I think he finally settled down and fell asleep sometime between 1 and 2am!  Yuck.
He then slept till 7, I nursed him, and back to sleep

Sunday (02/13)-
Preston was up just after 9am and Callen slept till 9:30 or so.
Callen fell asleep in the car on the way home from our picnic lunch, around 2pm.
Woke up from nap around 330, I think.
Put Callen down at 8:15pm, he was pretty upset about it, cried/screamed/huffed for 25 mins, fell asleep.
Preston in bed at 10:05pm
Callen woke up around 2am, nursed him, back to sleep... took around 45 mins.

Monday (02/14)-
Callen up at 7:15am

Snuff The Punk

Ok, so lately it seems like everyone I know is under attack.  Health issues, lay-offs, inability to find jobs, depression, miscommunication, loved ones passing away, car issues, house issues, LIFE ISSUES.  It's crazy the amount of strife going on right now.  I mean, I know we're all constantly, on a day-to-day (sometimes hour-to-hour) battle with everything, but it just seems like this year has had a record number of #Fails.  (Sorry the twitterer in me is coming out.) 

Honestly I don't feel like I'm in any position to heap out brilliant advice or even cheerful words of encouragement, 'cause I (along with my family) am right there in the trenches as well.  I feel beat down, worn out, run over and all that.  I've cried.  I've screamed.  I've punched my pillows.  I've accused God of not hearing us!

This past Sunday, Pastor Joe talked about how when things are going badly, we often say "Just pray the devil leaves me alone."  But truth is, the devil is NOT gonna leave us alone 'cause we're down.  He's not gonna leave us alone just 'cause we've asked nicely.  It's these moments he's gonna throw more and more at us, because he knows we're weak.  Things often have to get so much worse before they can get better.  I don't know why God doesn't just step in and "fix things."  Wouldn't that be rad?  Why do we have to go through so many trials and tribulations of just every day life. We know we're here for more than working for the man, paying the bills, driving a nice car, etc.  So why do we have to go through all these hoops?  The devil isn't as powerful as our Father, but he is certainly a hard worker, and he knows us... he knows just what it takes to get us down.  He knows to hit our bank accounts, he knows how to cause tension between spouses and friends, he knows how to get us and he'll do everything in his power to make it count.

But, the last few days every time I hear or read a new prayer request, or a cry out for help, or a "OMGosh, why is life so sucky??!?!" I've had a picture pop up in my mind.  The devil is strong, but not as strong as God.  The devil is smart, but not as smart as God.  The picture that has popped into my head is this one...

No matter what your stance on the band P.O.D. is, this CD cover still has to be a little bit of fresh air in your otherwise horrendous day.  Ok, at least it is in mine.  The good guys will win in the end.  Light shall prevail.  The devil cannot be the victor.  God will snuff the punk!

So, I dunno what you're dealing with right now (well, I do know what a lot of you are dealing with right now), but God has it in His hands, He is Lord over all... and even though it does suck right now, there's a greater outcome.  We just have to continue to be strong, continue to be faithful and remember that God is bigger!

Don't Bother In The First Place...

One thing I'd like to suggest to people who are considering kids... don't bother decorating their room, your room, the living room or the kitchen for that matter.  Once the kids come along there's no reason for style or decor... it's going to be an explosion of blankets, clothes, toys, exersaucers that take up your entire living area, etc.  And when they're old enough to be mobile, it's even worse, so... don't bother doing any decorating, just start with blank space and walls and see what happens over the course of a few years.  Maybe if/when they're off to college, THEN you can decorate your house.  But not too long after that... come the grandkids.