Don't you hate when you jump the gun....

Matt was playing Wii. I asked him to finish a chore, he got up with a great attitude and commenced working on the chore. Emily must have sat down at the Wii and began playing. Matt shouted "Hey Emily". I stopped him and asked why was he yelling. He went on to tell me how Emily had taken over his game... blah, blah, blah.

I get so frustrated over this. {{{sigh}}}

I know I did it when I was a kid-- so sorry MOM!

Anyhoo- I began to speak to him, AGAIN, about attitudes and loving PEOPLE over THINGS. We talk alot about this with Matt. He is so sweet and so kind but also so selfish.. the most selfish of all three kids. So we deal with this heart issue a lot.

all. the. time.

So we were just talking and discussing... I could see his hardened heart was not hearing me... I stopped and said a quick prayer for the right words.

Tactic change.

I asked him if he knew that being a blessing to others, and thinking of others was what TRULY  gave you the greatest happiness? He blinked and I KNEW he was thinking... I am happy just doing my own thing!
 I mean and we ARE--- until we TRULY bless others and think of others first and we began to understand that the HAPPINESS we felt doing our own thing doesn't even compare to the happiness we feel by blessing and putting others first!

I related it to A Christmas Carol, I asked him if Scrooge was happy when he was only thinking of himself-- yes... he FELT HAPPY. But what happened when he really began thinking of others.. HE discovered TRUE happiness and he was blessed beyond measure! Matt's little face registered understanding... I saw the chunks of hardened heart falling down around his feet and my heart breathed a sigh of relief. I gave him a hug and walked away....

Later, when realizing that the chore STILL wasn't done I called him to me. I asked why (not in the nicest way because of frustration) why his chore was not finished.

He answered.. I got distracted when you talked to me.

I immediately jumped on him... the reason he didn't do his chore was because I stopped to correct him.. blah, blah, blah! I was REACTING badly. I don't mean yelling or screaming I just simply mean handling it badly!

He replied that he had gone outside to think about what I said.

HEART PLUMMET.

When Matt tells you he has taken time to think on something.. HE HAS. He took to heart what I was saying... from experience I even think he must have spent time with God talking about the situation and asking HIM to help him be less selfish.

I felt so bad. I don't mean that the chores SHOULDN'T be done but if I had just waited. If I had just left it alone. If I had just.... SOMETHING.

Anyway... I felt bad. It is NOT all about chores being done. I need ears to hear and eyes to see.. GOD please allow me to SEE the work inside my CHILDREN.. May I not be noisy gong or loud cymbal but let me see YOU working in them and have words to edify and lift up, words to encourage and strengthen.

I said not another word about the chore which he went about doing.

He was so kind and selfless all evening long... sweet, giving and thoughtful.

God thank you for working in his heart.. thank you for giving me words to speak...

This week....

I have stuff to do...

• school-- we need to DEFINITELY do history and science. We also need to work on Bible so I can finish up the book soon. We need to finish up our Midwestern states study, because it has lasted 1 week and 3 days longer than it was supposed to!  I have a little bit of lesson plans done but REALLY need to concrete them for the next 6 weeks!
• work on VBS stuff
• I have a CT scan on Monday morning
• Tuesday is Flag Day and I hoped to do some activities with that
• Thursday I am keeping a friends kiddoes for a few hours in the morning and we will be doing a few activities with them
• Saturday we are driving to Austin for the day
• I have to catch up on laundry-- the kids "found" a bunch of clothes in their rooms that had not apparently been washed!  Plus I need to do sheets and misc blankets
• I need to start cleaning out stuff for a possible garage sale--which even if that doesn't happen I still need to clean out!
• I need to put my menu and shopping list together for Thursday
• I need to order and return library books to both Houston and Harris county
• I need to move pictures from both the laptop and my desktop to the external hard rive.. just haven't done it in a while and noticed how many pictures needed to be updated while looking for one earlier
• I need to finalize Sea World plans on Thursday
• I also need to finalize Matt's bday party plans for the 26th
• I need to find a babysitter for the 28th-- (hint hint grandparents reading this)
• I also would like to make sure to take the kids swimming at moms house...
• I need to mop... I mop the kitchen often but the rest of the house not so much!  I am going to give Emily a sponge and put her in her bathing suit-- good plan, huh!
• I need to remember to have FUN with my kids and occasionally be the YES mom.
• I need to deal with some Lego League stuff also and get the fundraising letters out, soo we can pay for this league!
• I would love to find Matt at least two more pairs of shorts at a thrift store but am having trouble and looking takes time!  {{{sigh}}} 
• I would also like to send some of my newest picture shots to Snapfish so I can see print quality!

and that is my week--- without stuff COMING up... What are you doing?????

Swimming...

Ice Cream Social...

We had an ice cream social at church for the kids... it was such a blast!  I am so glad that we did it and hope to do it again soon--- I love the kids getting together and just being with their friends.

Weekly Wrap up--- Week 41

So although I have had a much more productive week this week than LAST week where we basically ended up taking the whole week off... I still have not hit the books full force.   I also need to do lessons plans!

I had two days where kids were sick so not as much got done! But it's all good. I am simply focusing on what DID get done! Oh and Emily was gone for a half day on Tuesday.

This is not day by day but just an overall picture for each subject:

Bible-- we focused on our Word of Life scriptures, the kids have a ceremony coming up and Emily was trying to hit her verse test. Matt who hasn't learned many scriptures was challenged by his coach to learn some. We also focused on some heart issues and read scriptures based on those... but no actually book work. Next week we start up our curriculum again! We are looking to finish it mid July!

Math-- all the kids did math this week, Kate's book was lost for a day and a half but was found... THANKFULLY! The kids have about 3-5 lessons left, each kid is at a different lesson. After we finish I am going to take a break getting their next books. We are going to work on LIFE math, math games and flash cards. We will play Math Blaster and do timed tests and worksheets off the Math U See website. We will order new curriculum in Sept.

Science--   We started Chap 3 and learned all about Sea Lions, Seals and Walrus. It is a fun chapter and I love even seeing all the pictures of the seals and sea lions! The kids have kept up with their note booking, copy work and have read some library books on these different sea mammals.

We also went over our review cards for chap 1 and chap 2.

Spelling-- truthfully didn't touch it this week!

English-- the kids worked on nouns and verbs. They read SO much but this is all we did.

History-- we ended up missing our weekly history lesson because of being sick but the kids have each read two Thomas Jefferson biographies this week. We also went over our review cards.

State Study-- We went over the states and capitols. We also watched State Fair as part of our Midwestern states study. The kids also read the book Up North at the Cabin. We also started The Wizard of Oz for Kansas!

In other areas..

• we have changed up chores and how they are done.
• We rearranged the living room
• introduced a new pet into the home
• did eye patch activities
• sold the suburban
• cleaned around the house
• worked on some stuff for VBS
• cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner all week
• was surprised by my husband with a new camera. I did NOT expect it. We talked about it and I thought we decided it wasn't really the best time... too many other things that are important on the list and HE came home with one. He has NEVER in all our married and dating years done something like this! It is NOT his MO! So I am the proud owner of a new Canon that I can barely work--- but I shall learn! :0) We did however get the base and 18-55 lens... I will have to wait for my 70-300 lens! (Hint: it would be wonderful to surprise me with it for my birthday, or an early birthday present!)

Meet Amanda the guinea pig...

Fear vs. need for concern...

So I have been stepping out in faith lately.  I have allowed the kids to be out of my sight.  :0)

You think I jest.  But really I have an issue with this.

There are two parts.

Part 1: Dave and I truly believe that the "family" should remain in tact for the most time.  We do not desire to be away from our children for long lengths of time or actually much time at all! We do occasionally go on a date, we have left them over night at family members but generally we desire and YES enjoy having the kids with us in whatever we are doing.

Part 2: I deal with fear.  I deal with anxiety.  I deal with worry.  THIS IS NOT GODLY.  I am NOT putting my trust in God.  I don't mean I should put them in dangerous situation and just Hope or Assume that God will protect them (which He can but I have no business putting them in dangerous situations!)  I just mean there are some inevitable situations where our kids ARE going to be out of our sight!  Sometimes it is good for them to gain some Independence-- although I believe that this is ONLY necessary as they get older and in very small doses and situations and should be handled with care!  Now I struggle with HOW MUCH, WHEN, WHERE etc... and part of this is just normal struggle to try to make the right decision but A LOT of this is my fear issue.

I think we need to have a certain amount of concern--- without sin.
 A certain amount of wary---- without sin.
 A certain amount or question--- without sin.

We can do this and keep our kids safe without the sin or mistake of NOT trusting God, needing control, assuming we have more care for them than God or thinking we can stop things from happening simply because we are with them!

I just need to find my balance.  I need to apply God's standard and pray and conclude what situation are okay, what is not and how I know!

A few weeks ago I allowed Emily to go with my friend Becky (shout out to Becky).  It was the first time Emily has gone with anyone out side of family members anywhere.  They went to the Children's Museum and had a fabulous time!  She had fun, she was well taken care of, she was safe... all was good.

I learned MUCH more through the experience than she did!!!

She is by the way 8.  :0)

None of my kids have ever really GONE places without me.  THIS IS NOT all because of fear remember..... but I can tell you which situation are fear and which aren't.
The first time I sent Kaitlin and Matthew to VBS.  I knew the teacher, I knew the church.  BUT I was hysterical leaving them. I cried, carried on!  I was so fearful and so scared.. I stayed in the church, made it to staying in the parking lot by Thursday.

THIS WAS FEAR.

Could something bad happen to them at VBS.. yes.  But I cannot live in this fear bubble!  I can not control. 

I have to be able to let go.  I can do it in very small doses... but it is VERY hard!  I generally KNOW when it is my fear taking and when I am just having a generalized concern all parents might feel! 

How do you handle allowing your children to grow up, yet still shielding them???






These are taken from The Amplified-- not my favorite translation but nice every once in a while...


The Lord is my Light and my Salvation--whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27: 1


For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1: 7


So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me? Hebrews 13: 6

I'm singin a little diddy...

Have you ever watched The Little Rascals? Well at one point  Buckwheat gets a dollar and he sings this little song...

"we gotta dolla' , we gotta a dolla' , we gotta dolla' hey, hey, hey, hey."

I just love it and I sing it often.  I know easily amused!

Anyhoo...." we gotta a title, we gotta title, we gotta title, hey, hey, hey, hey!"

Is what I am singing.  It is not as good as a license--- but since it will allow us to SELL the suburban.. I am a happy singer! 

I might even be doing a jig!

We have been waiting for WEEKS for this title and a conversation with bureaucracy last week--- yes I dealt with WAY too much-- led me to believe that it had been lost in the mail and we would have to wait for 30 days past the time it was issued (May 19) to be able to even ASK for a new title to be issued.  So we were looking at weeks and weeks more.  Well Dave and I concluded that either the lady at the regional office is off her rocker, lied or cant read properly OR God simply rerouted our title and it got mailed to my MIL!  SO whoo hoo!  Anyway it happens I am GAME!

 So I shall sing, and dance a jig!

"we gotta title, we gotta a title, we gotta a title, hey, hey, hey, hey!"

Struggle....

I get tired of the everyday struggle.

money.
cleaning.
school.
kids.
husband.
schedule.
routine.


So what to do?  What to do?

Money-- I cut out everything I could (actually everything I wanted, we could cut MORE but are good with what we cut for now.)  We are keeping the air at 78 degrees, which for us is a big deal.  We are turning off lights, trying to wash at un peak times, using the toaster over etc.  Of course just general cutting back in every area.

Cleaning-- part of my cleaning problems lies with I have been out and about a lot lately so things piled up.  So the easy change is simply staying home, we all know this is not always going to happen so that is where daily chores and routines step in.  FAIL.  I have offically decided to nix all chores for a while.  The chore charts I have are not working for me, just like all of the other ones didnt work for me!  So I shall simply make a list of what should be done and we will do until it is done.  In order to keep it "fair", I will put the list up each morning and the kids will take turns picking thier most desired chore first.  So no one should get "stuck" with the worst chore every day.  Emily will have the same pick as the other kids-- if it is a chore I deem her not able on her own I will simply help her on that day.

This will accomplish many things:

number one: all three kids will be well rounded in ALL chores.
number two: no child will "FEEL" they have gotten the short end of the stick all the time
number three:  I will be able to access where the kids are in their abilities so when I DO choose another chore system (because I can't help myself) I will hand out assignments accordingly
number four: there will be no set time frame to this.. I will say go do and they will do.  We will simply get things done as they need to be done. 

My kids do NOT generally gripe about chores-- in fact they pretty much do them with out complaint... it is the REMINDING them to do it that has my goat!  I want them to be responsible on their own, but it is just simply not working for me right now!  So I will just "nicely" bark orders.  Everything will get done, I won't feel resentment or frustration--- and furthermore take the resentment and frustration out on the kids.  So that is the plan for now!  I shall update you when it changes!


School-- I have been only mildly frustrated with school this year.  I remember being MUCH more frustrated last year.  I do feel we have not done as much as we could BUT I think maybe I set my standards too high and I don't always account for the "we do more on one day than another" system we seem to use in my house.  So if I SIMPLY let that go and move on my evaluation of this year was actually pretty darn good.  The other part of my frustration comes more from the curriculum chosen.  I already gave you my picks for next year-- they will only change slightly- and I think some of the  changes will help.

The other aspect is more individual schooling.  I am unsure how SCHEDULE wise that will work out but I am going to simply have to make it happen.  I am going to write out things I specifically want EACH child to grow and work on this coming year... and hope to see great improvements in those areas by this time next year!

I often get frustrated with time-- I want it to happen NOW.  But Biblically I am reminded of SO much sowing and reaping mentality... so much planting and harvesting... those things took time.  Some changes, some evolvement, some growing TAKES time.  I shouldnt be in such a hurry to assume NO change means it is not working-- I need to be patient.
Kids-- I have already adressed some things with the kids as part of my frustration and my plans to work on certain areas in their individual lives over this next year.  So the only thing I will add to this area is actually about each child individually.  I really need to find ways to help EACH child grow.  I feel we do so much together which I want, and desire and feel is biblical-- but sometimes I think I miss the individual kids needs sometimes too.  So I am working on that.
Husband-- hubbie knows what our frustrations are right now and I know each of you have gone through seasons with your spouses!  It is on both our parts and something we simply have to work on individually and together. I have often said in the past that I want to make time for us more and then I fail to do so.  I plan on really trying to make that time happen.  I also want to say that we are hitting 14 years, there are many things I would do differently given the chance but I wouldnt CHANGE my life with him at all.  I just might tweak it!  :0)  I love him more than I did when we got married.  I hate being a part from him.  I just know there are areas we could and should work on ... as does he.  Hopefully this will be the year!  Also trying to remember the whole time and patience thing!

Schedule and Routine I will lump together-- I always try and fail in this area.  I assure you it is partly becasue it is not how and I am wired and partly because I have very little will power-- which falls into many other areas of my life.  I don't yet have a plan for this other than MAKING ANOTHER PLAN... so we shall see.  I do know that I desire it... but that is not enough.  I do know that I do better when it is in play, as do the kids!  So  I guess I should just DO IT!  :0)

What I accomplished this week:

With Memorial Day, license hoopla, Emily having "camp" with friends for three days from 10-2 there was really ZERO schooling going on, so I will not do a weekly wrap up! However I will show you what I accomplished.

I learned that goverment bureaucracy is a pain in the patootie.

I learned that I am a person without an identity.

I learned that now I have an identity but it is only through my maiden name.. so 14 years of marriage has been nullified. :0)

I learned that I really don't like govenment offices and that I am:
# 1 way too sarcastic to be in one without getting carted off to jail (or wherever they take NON Identity people!)
# 2 I am way too emotional to DEAL with those in goverment jobs.
# 3 REALLY, REALLY a libertarian. :)

I learned that I am REALLY, REALLY bad at paperwork!

So I learned a lot and I did actually accomplish things!

I passed a drivers test- of course I only got 72% right but I passed!

I got my marriage license-- not another persons but my own, thank you very much!

I worked on finances and brought down our YMCA bill, cut off a Club Penguin account, brought our Netflix account down and lowered our Comcast Internet bill (which btw was done by simply calling and asking them to lower my bill!  I didn't threaten to leave I just simply asked if I could have a lower bill-- they lowered if by more than 14 a month, which adds up right!)   This will once it all kicks in will save us a total of $107.00 per month! It's something... over 1200 a year!

I scheduled and unscheduled a tonsillectomy. AND then rescheduled it.

I fought the battle with insurance and I won.. well I kind of, sort of, a little bit, in a small way won! I then got defeated again by the surgery center....Payment DUE on day of surgery... because we ALL have thousands laying around right!

I managed to not eat out this week minus ONE morning at McDonald's, but I did a lot of driving and leaving early so I think that is good!

I got a Harris County Public library card-- because you know fines at my own branch aren't enough... I need them all over Harris County. :)

I cleaned my house--- not like scoured or anything but you can walk! I also did laundry and grocery shopped.

I paid the mortgage, car payment, water bill, Internet bill, misc other payments and had a little left over to last for the next 13 days... yeah.

I got our history planned out for the next four weeks-- even got most of my books picked up or at least ordered!

I guess this week has been wrapped up!  Hopefully next week the only bureaucracy we will be dealing with is in the studying of it in history!  What did YOU accomplish this week?

What to do.. what to do...

Sweet huh.

I need pictures like this sometimes to remind me that she is sweet.  I need pictures like this to remind me that I am responsible for raising her to be Godly with or without ADHD.  Here is my special little online test... DO you think Emily has ADHD?  I mean IF you know her in person and can correct any of my scores please let me know...  she is showing a lot more lack of impulse control in the last 4 to 6 months. 

I understand that it is OVER DIAGNOSED but really, could this possible be?  

Defining ADD/ADHD

Medically, ADHD is a specific development disorder which begins in early childhood (by first or second grade) and is marked by distinct daily impairments in: resisting distraction (distractibility), inhibiting responses (impulse control), and regulating motoric activity (hyperactivity). In general, ADHD is a disorder of impaired self control, and neurological research has distinctly shown ADHD to be associated with abnormalities in areas of the brain which control and regulate behavior.

Six or more symptoms in each category must be present with a score of 3 or more.

0 = Never 1 = Rarely 2 = Occasionally 3 = Frequently 4 = Very Frequently

Inattention (low attention span)

Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:
3   Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities.
3   Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
4   Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
3   Often does not follow through on instruction and fails to finish schoolwork, chores or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions.)
3   Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.
2   Often avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework.)\
2   Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys school assignments, pencils, books, or tools.)
3   Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
3   Is often forgetful in daily activities.



Hyperactivity-Impulsiveness

Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

3   Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
4   Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situation in which remaining seated is expected
3 to 4   Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness.)
2 to 3   Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
3   Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor."
2   Often talks excessively.
2   Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
3   Often has difficulty awaiting turn.
2 to 3   Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., at school or work and at home.)



What to do?  What to do????  I guess it is time to start researching, reading, praying, thinking, talking, doing... SOMETHING but the status quo is not working for me.

BUT I love my girl!

I am sorry but I have to add to my sob story from yesterday..

I drove and spent 1 1/2 today getting my marriage license.

I drove down to League City county clerk office (Galveston county). I went inside, asked for a certified copy of my marriage license.

She asked for year of marriage and husbands name.

I gave her the information, she asked no other questions.  I didn't have a problem assuming that Dave was the only Harold Thompson to get married in Galveston County in 1997!

So she notarized it, I paid and left!

SO EXCITED THAT IT WAS THAT EASY.

My friend Julie said it best---- that should have been my first clue!

Anyway, got to Amy's and got it out to show my mom the coveted marriage certificate and IT WASN'T mine!

It for Harold Loyd Thompson and some other woman in 1996!!!

So I called. 

I was told to come back in or they could mail it to me.

A little while later the gentleman called me back and asked for more information so he could have mine printed and ready to go when I got there.

I gave him all my info.  He couldn't find the record.

I am pretty sure I got married!

So FINALLY he said you were married in Galveston county but this record shows that you got your license from Harris County.  SO I went all that way for nothing!  Paid for NOTHING--- well someone else's marriage license!  Gas, TIME, stress!

SO I shall try again tomorrow--- in Harris County.

The saga continues!

Today you find out something about me other than I am a snob...

I started out my day having no identity. And BRENDA I am the WORST PAPER PUSHER ON THE EARTH AND MY IMPORTANT PAPER BOX MEANS NOTHING!!!!!!

So something you don't know about me and YES I am ashamed about but it is what it is...

I have had an expired license for WELL over two years.

IT started with just not getting it done, it snowballed into getting a ticket, which escalated into getting a surcharge from the STUPID DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAM-- where they give you an additional fee for court fees and ticket fees that you ALREADY paid. DOUBLE whammy.

I digress.

The surcharge was something we could not pay at the time and eventually it got ignored and you know how some things go... I SAID I WASN'T PROUD OF IT.

Anyway... so fast forward two plus years later! The surcharge program had an amnesty type program where your fees were 25% of the total balance and we PAID IT!!! Thank you MOM for letting me know about the program!

SO I left my house this morning for the DMV. I had no identification having lost the expired Driver's license (yes I know). I brought ALL the papers that the website said to bring if you wanted to apply for a license that has been expired for over two years and have no identification.

I got in line before the doors were open. I waited. HAPPILY.

I got up in the line--- the line to get the ticket to get in the line anyways! I handed over all my documents. FAIL. I did not have a CERTIFIED copy of my birth certificate. I had a copy and the hospital copy which can be used for SUPPORTING documents but NOT primary documents!

SO I was told GO GET A BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

Okay, off we went to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. HAPPILY, a little less but still happily.

I filled out the form, got in line again. FAIL. Was told I couldn't get my birth certificate without on I.D. HMMM.  Dave had to get it for me because I DON'T EXIST!!!!! So Dave got it. We waited in line again and finally got the CERTIFIED copy!

Back to the DMV (after a catastrophe at the hospital where I was supposed to get my 646.00 cat scan-- but it's all good right).

I got back in line.... the line where you get a ticket to get in line anyways!!!!! Up to the front, I HAPPILY handed over my documents including my CERTIFIED birth certificate. FAIL. You need a social security card-- my social security card got stolen years ago and I had the number but haven't needed the card since--- till now! I did have my W2 that HAD the social security on it-- but it was not sufficient!  This lady DID however give me a PASS to get straight back in her line to get the ticket to get in line WITHOUT waiting again.

SO off to the Social Security Office--- not happily but still somewhat okay, I know what I have to do.

Got in line at the social security office-- filled out the application and waited. Number called. I handed over the COVETED certified birth certificate to the lady... got out all my supporting documents and papers. FAIL. I have NO supporting documents for my name WHICH IS STILL CARRIE WILLIAMS (YES I KNOW!) My birth certificate DOESN'T COUNT!!!

I need my marriage certificate, which I have ZERO idea where it is (yes I KNOW!!!!!!) SO I have to order it. Or I can give them a doctors report (not bill or receipt) that is LESS than four years old AND has the name Carrie Williams-- forget that I have been Carrie Thompson for 14 years!

SO finally with my childhood immunizations records helped (my mom is better at paperwork than I am), which is some good that has come from immunizations! The records allowed me to get a paper that VERIFIED that it is my number (which explain to me how you can verify it is my number but NOT be able to give me a card) Anyhoo!

So no social security card-- still gotta get that! But back to the DMV with my free pass to the front of the line to get a ticket to get in line AND my verification AND my certified birth certificate.

So they took that! WHEWWWWW. I got my ticket to get in line with all my documents and they even pushed me to the FRONT of that line!!!! WHOO HOO.

So I got up the the counter, PROUDLY gave the lady all my documents and she said this says Carrie Williams, who is Carrie Thompson? UM I AM. NO actually I am NOT. She cannot recognize me as Carrie Thompson-- SO as I am crying... seriously. I said fine just do it as Carrie Williams. After I get my marriage certificate to get my social security card to get my NAME back I will go re do my license!!!!!

SO I passed my written test- barely! I am scheduled for my driving test for next week and I have a headache.

I have run the goverment gamete! I have NO one to blame but myself FOR not having my documents--- but to be fair I did take the documents that were originally asked for and I DO already have a license that was issued documents I had before.

SO in the next few weeks we are getting social security cards, ALL certified birth certificates, passports made and BLOOD SAMPLE TAKEN AND GIVEN TO A LAB TO KEEP FOREVER.....

So bet you didn't know all that about me.  PLEASE TELL ME SOMETHING AWFUL ABOUT YOURSELF... I need to feel better!

This is where I want to be....

Just rockin on my porch.  That's it.

Katy girl---

Mom and I took Kaitlin shopping yesterday-- Dave and I were buying her an outfit for her elementary graduation.

Outfit 1:



*I have a hard time with the fact that she is JUST graduating from elementary school she looks so grown up.
*We didn't try to make her look grown up but I think because she is taller and bigger for her age she just naturally looks older.
*She has also never really been a kid that played.
*I can count on one hand items that she "played" with.
*She hasn't had toys in years!
*She draws, deals with bugs, has some webkinz (although more for the website)
*she like to be around animals.... but she doesn't and hasn't ever really played with dolls or "imagined" a whole lot.

Outfit 2:



*she loves Legos and builds often.
*She likes to write, although she sketches much more.
*She keeps a journal but doesn't write in it daily.
*She has so many animal facts in her head that I am generally astounded!
*Sometimes it makes me sad that she isn't still a "child", not in the sense that she is all grown up and I am out of a job... just not a "child" in the sense that plays and pretends and imagines.
*I can't keep the child in books.. she is constantly reading!

* She can't shop in the kids section being as tall as she is, so we have had to shop a little over her age for a while and have tried our best to keep the clothes as "kid" friendly as possible.
*she is very picky with clothes--- how they fit, colors, prints, styles.  Although I will say this shopping trip was a BREEZE!  The first skirt and shirt she picked out and tried on she came out WREATHED in smiles.
*look how grown up she looked last August!

* She is going to be in 7th grade next year.  We have plans for more independent work next year. 
* She will be leaving "kids" church group, but not heading into youth group (which we are not fans of) so we are in the in between stages.... such a struggle.
*she longs for a best friend... but hasn't found THAT person yet.
*she is mostly unaware of boys right now-- thankfully. 
*she is sensitive.  she is generally kind.  she is sweet.
*she loves her family- is irritated by her siblings but still loves her family!

* she loves comics, funnies, funny movies, jokes and pranks.
*she loves science, Myth busters, animal shows
*she sings beautifully.
*she likes to take pictures and is very artistic
*she struggles with math and focusing.  She also is very forgetful!
*she shaved for the first time last week--- so grown up but for me it was one more thing that just shoved her out of "childhood" even though it was needed!

*she wants to do so many things--- often unattainable things! 
*works hard if she is focused and for somethings gets so one track minded that we have trouble getting her to stop thinking about it!
*she likes to just be with me
*she loves to swim!

Kaitlin Vivian Grace Thompson

And here is where you find out I'm a snob...

  Yes, it is true.  I am a home school snob.  I start seeing these posts on face book about how kids are out of school, last day of school, 2 more days and I go into home school snob ZONE!  I detest summer and jillions of kids EVERYWHERE!  They mess up my routines!  Things that are normal for us get busy, crowded irritating.  Business hours change, store routines change, library books are GONE from the shelf, there are people EVERYWHERE!

I just like it when everyone is in school and I can decide to go places on a week DAY verses on the weekEND so that it is less crowded!

Doesn't that make me a snob.


I am sorry but there are a number of home school kids that are NOT well behaved but it is NOTHING compared to the number of public school kids that are not behaved!!!


Then there is the mommy complaints--- they JUST KILL ME!  It can be 1 week INTO summer and moms will be complaining about how much time they have to spend with their kids.  REALLY. 

YOU know how they can't WAIT for the kids to be back in school!

24/7 baby--- I don't wanna hear your complaining. 

If you don't like to be around your children... well maybe you should spend some of your summer months TEACHING and TRAINING them!  Do you really think that if you Don't Like your kids during the summer months that they are a JOY for teachers the other 9 months of the year???

okay rant over.  I will deal with "summertime" just like I always do but I confess I cannot WAIT till school is back in session!!!!

Weekly Wrap up---week 40

Monday---

We started off with our State Study- we are focusing on Iowa today. We learned that Iowa is the Hawkeye state- named for Hawkeye from the Last of the Mohican's.

Kate and Matt are reading the Great Illustrated Classics book... we weren't quite ready for the other!

We learned that Grant Wood the artist who painted American Gothic was from Iowa and painted what HE knew- which was farmers- in fact he started an entire style of painting called All American. We used our Great American Artist book

 to learn more about Grand Wood and the painting. It led us to a website called Brightring.com... which is a great art sight with many free prints! We printed out a photograph of the farmhouse and the kids drew their own people to stand in front of it.

I always thought it was a husband and wife farmer! It was actually a farmer and his daughter and he used his family dentist and his daughter as models!

The kids did math, we baked and they spent part of the afternoon just reading and watching a movie about Jesse James....

Tuesday---

We did Bible-- still working on Psalms 23.  We listened to praise and worship songs that are PSALMS... the kids like recognizing the scriptures in the songs.

the kids did math and their handwriting

Emily and I played the Time game.

We worked on our state study-- Minnesota.
We learned that clear tape, like Scotch tape was made in Minnesota!

We read the Willow Tree Loon-- about a loon, Minnesota state bird, who got caught in an oil spill and the people that helped take care of them.

We worked on our states and capitols and presidents. 

During lunch the kids watched the rest of their Jesse James movie...

Kate is reading Annie Oakley who is from OHIO, one of our Midwestern states.

Matt is up another book on Sacajawea.

Emily is reading Thomas Jefferson.

We did All About Spelling  STEP 4

Wednesday----

The kids did math, actually they worked on correcting math I had checked.  We fixed some issues and moved on!

We watched and Esther Williams film-- it was stupid and had like 8 minutes of synchronized swimming!  I thought it would like most of the movie.  Any suggestions on one of her shows that has a lot of synchronized swimming?

We did history-- simply finished up our Lewis and Clark and got all our papers in our folder.  We also reviewed our history cards up to this time.

We begin talking about the Northwest Expansion Act, the building of The Cumberland Gap and westward expansion....

Thursday---

The kids went through the president cards--- Emily said George Washington was her favorite president but that Woodrow Wilson was her 2nd favorite president.  I asked her why he was her second favorite president.  She said, I like the name.  :0)

We are still working on the 23 Psalms.

We learned about Proverbs and had some really good conversation today!  We wrote down a list of the 7 things that God hates.  One of them being lying about another person, so we talked about the word slander.  Matt said Annie Oakley dealt with slander.... A girl who smoked and drank got arrested and when arrested and asked her name she said she was Annie Oakley... The real Annie Oakley spent years working on clearing her name and reputation!  I was so proud of Matt for putting that together! 

We listened to our Chopin CD again.  On one sonata I said it sounds like he is happy.  I asked Emily to use another word to describe how the piano piece sounded--- she said EXCITED.  I was excited that she came up with such a great descriptive word for the piece!

Did you know that although Chopin was born in Warsaw Poland he lived most of his life in Paris after the war.  He died in Paris but had dirt from Poland poured on top of his grave.  But the gross part is that they removed his heart and had it put in an urn to take back to Poland and it is in the Holy Cross church in Warsaw.  

We also did math and copy work.

After that we went swimming!  Good day--- not an over amount of school work but we had a GOOD learning day and that doesn't always happen!

Friday---


We started with reviewing our science review cards.  We worked on finishing up the Whale chapter.  The kids did their crossword puzzle... we did all our note booking activities and the kids watched
OCEAN ODYSSEY a journey of a sperm whale

We also finished Step 5 for Spelling and also Step 6! 


We went over our Midwestern states and capitols.

and we did Math and copy work.

NOW we have a four day break!!!! WHOOP WHOOP!  No school till next Wednesday!

today...

I just wanted to say that I had a good day today.  I felt like the kids and I had some great conversations.  I got to spend time with my mom relaxing and just visiting.  I cooked and ate a good breakfast and dinner and an okay lunch.  I just feel like I had a good day!

How was your day?

Wordless Wednesday...