We saw the doctor and he said that the records all say he has Spastic Diplegia, but the only way to know for certain is if Peter is tested by a neurologist. So now it will probably take about 4 months to get in, which I am just fine waiting for, and we will be able to find out once and for all if he has that or not. It seems we need to find a name for whatever ails Peter before he can get braces, which I partly understand, but partly don't. Peter still anxiously awaits getting braces, I wonder if he thinks they will be magic shoes or why he is so excited about it, I will have to ask. Whatever the case, I think Peter will need braces to help his feet, especially since he can't really move one foot much.
So look down at your feet, move them in a circle, appreciate your ability! Never take for granted that you can move freely! Count your many blessings!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Living Within Our Means
I gave a talk in church this Sunday, you can see it below:
At 18, I was taught the restored gospel and accepted baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of the first phrases I heard as a new member was “living within your means”. I have thought long and hard about that phrase. At first glance it simply means that you should not spend more money than you have, but I think there is a much deeper meaning here.
The word “means” in the phrase has to do with our money. How do we get money? We work. So money is the value of our labor, and labor is the energy we exert to get the job done. So our “means” can be a reflection of our energy.
At first glance living within our means has to do with living within the money we have. It may sound too simple, but you cannot spend more than you make. At least it used to be that way. Our grandparents had a very different view of credit, back then it wasn’t given out as freely as it is today. If we budget our money, pay our tithing, plan out our expenses, save for what we want… it all sounds so simple, but we can and should avoid credit. If we stop and think about what money really means and what credit is, it might change our thinking a bit. As I said, money is the value of our labor, our energy to perform a task. So when we borrow money, we are borrowing against our future energy with interest added. What will happen if we borrow beyond the energy we can exert to make money? That is when we may feel overwhelmed by debt. In order to explain interest to our children we told them that it’s as if you borrow money and every day that you can’t pay it back you have to pay a little more money. Debt is like a hungry monster always growing with interest. Soon it amounts to double the original cost of the item.
“Interest never sleeps nor sickens nor dies; it never goes to the hospital; it works on Sundays and holidays; it never takes a vacation; it never visits nor travels; it takes no pleasure; it is never laid off work nor discharged from employment; it never works on reduced hours. . . . Once in debt, interest is your companion every minute of the day and night; you cannot shun it or slip away from it; you cannot dismiss it; it yields neither to entreaties, demands, or orders; and whenever you get in its way or cross its course or fail to meet its demands, it crushes you.” — J. Reuben Clark
I went to Ecuador on a mission for 18 months. Ecuador is a pretty diverse country. I saw people with huge mansions and people with one room dirt floors, but I never saw storage sheds or storage rental facilities. Upon coming home to Arizona, I had been gone so long and had so many different experiences that I saw the United States through a foreigner’s eye. I was amazed at how much we own. Driving home I saw one after another of places advertising to store your excess stuff. I got home and was blown away at how much stuff there was. I feel like we suffer from an over abundance of things. As I saw more and more rental storage units the phrase came into my mind, “living within your means”. I felt the Spirit whisper to me that so many people aren’t living within their own residential space. If we cannot afford a large enough house to hold all the things we want, perhaps we have too many things.
The same month I got home from Ecuador, Chris began to make frequent visits to my home and within the month we were engaged. We began our married life with little money but lots of love. Soon after our marriage, we were expecting our first son, Peter. I stayed home and Chris worked hard to provide for us and go to school to further his education. I have supported and encouraged him all the way through college. I knew that he was learning valuable skills to further his potential salary. I knew that his education would increase our means to provide for our children. Our level of education helps us learn unique things, the more unique—the more valuable. Education comes in many forms; it may be college, trade school, apprenticeships, and military training. My brother in law has worked long and hard learning about airplanes in the military and now he is one of the top people in his field. As we further our education we learn unique skills that set us apart and increase our value for work.
During those school years, I felt that I was as much in school as he was. We were both quite busy and living in a college town, the church ward was small and we were given time consuming callings. Chris was called as Elder’s Quorum President and I was called as Seminary Teacher. Our family continued growing; I had two pregnancies during those seminary years. Our time was stretched thin, but the grace of God sustained us. Time and again Chris and I felt bad that we couldn’t do more, but we honestly didn’t have any extra time. We were living within our means giving all of our time and talents to furthering Chris’ education, nurturing our children and helping the church. We can budget our time the same as way we can budget our money, planning how to spend our time. We can increase our earnings through further education. Unfortunately we cannot increase our time, there will always remain 24 hours in a day, no matter how hard we pray to the contrary. We need to learn to live within our time and use it wisely.
Brigham Young set the perfect example of balancing our time: work 8 hours, sleep 8 hours and 8 hours recreation.
Living within our means doesn’t have to be a line drawn with permanent marker, we can increase our means through education, and we can strive to spend our money more wisely, spend our time more wisely, organize and use our living space. As our lives change, our means change. Right now Chris and I have decided that he will work and I will stay home and raise our children. I feel like it’s his job to make money and my job to save money, and it’s important for both of us as well as our children to be content.
At 18, I was taught the restored gospel and accepted baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of the first phrases I heard as a new member was “living within your means”. I have thought long and hard about that phrase. At first glance it simply means that you should not spend more money than you have, but I think there is a much deeper meaning here.
The word “means” in the phrase has to do with our money. How do we get money? We work. So money is the value of our labor, and labor is the energy we exert to get the job done. So our “means” can be a reflection of our energy.
At first glance living within our means has to do with living within the money we have. It may sound too simple, but you cannot spend more than you make. At least it used to be that way. Our grandparents had a very different view of credit, back then it wasn’t given out as freely as it is today. If we budget our money, pay our tithing, plan out our expenses, save for what we want… it all sounds so simple, but we can and should avoid credit. If we stop and think about what money really means and what credit is, it might change our thinking a bit. As I said, money is the value of our labor, our energy to perform a task. So when we borrow money, we are borrowing against our future energy with interest added. What will happen if we borrow beyond the energy we can exert to make money? That is when we may feel overwhelmed by debt. In order to explain interest to our children we told them that it’s as if you borrow money and every day that you can’t pay it back you have to pay a little more money. Debt is like a hungry monster always growing with interest. Soon it amounts to double the original cost of the item.
“Interest never sleeps nor sickens nor dies; it never goes to the hospital; it works on Sundays and holidays; it never takes a vacation; it never visits nor travels; it takes no pleasure; it is never laid off work nor discharged from employment; it never works on reduced hours. . . . Once in debt, interest is your companion every minute of the day and night; you cannot shun it or slip away from it; you cannot dismiss it; it yields neither to entreaties, demands, or orders; and whenever you get in its way or cross its course or fail to meet its demands, it crushes you.” — J. Reuben Clark
I went to Ecuador on a mission for 18 months. Ecuador is a pretty diverse country. I saw people with huge mansions and people with one room dirt floors, but I never saw storage sheds or storage rental facilities. Upon coming home to Arizona, I had been gone so long and had so many different experiences that I saw the United States through a foreigner’s eye. I was amazed at how much we own. Driving home I saw one after another of places advertising to store your excess stuff. I got home and was blown away at how much stuff there was. I feel like we suffer from an over abundance of things. As I saw more and more rental storage units the phrase came into my mind, “living within your means”. I felt the Spirit whisper to me that so many people aren’t living within their own residential space. If we cannot afford a large enough house to hold all the things we want, perhaps we have too many things.
The same month I got home from Ecuador, Chris began to make frequent visits to my home and within the month we were engaged. We began our married life with little money but lots of love. Soon after our marriage, we were expecting our first son, Peter. I stayed home and Chris worked hard to provide for us and go to school to further his education. I have supported and encouraged him all the way through college. I knew that he was learning valuable skills to further his potential salary. I knew that his education would increase our means to provide for our children. Our level of education helps us learn unique things, the more unique—the more valuable. Education comes in many forms; it may be college, trade school, apprenticeships, and military training. My brother in law has worked long and hard learning about airplanes in the military and now he is one of the top people in his field. As we further our education we learn unique skills that set us apart and increase our value for work.
During those school years, I felt that I was as much in school as he was. We were both quite busy and living in a college town, the church ward was small and we were given time consuming callings. Chris was called as Elder’s Quorum President and I was called as Seminary Teacher. Our family continued growing; I had two pregnancies during those seminary years. Our time was stretched thin, but the grace of God sustained us. Time and again Chris and I felt bad that we couldn’t do more, but we honestly didn’t have any extra time. We were living within our means giving all of our time and talents to furthering Chris’ education, nurturing our children and helping the church. We can budget our time the same as way we can budget our money, planning how to spend our time. We can increase our earnings through further education. Unfortunately we cannot increase our time, there will always remain 24 hours in a day, no matter how hard we pray to the contrary. We need to learn to live within our time and use it wisely.
Brigham Young set the perfect example of balancing our time: work 8 hours, sleep 8 hours and 8 hours recreation.
Living within our means doesn’t have to be a line drawn with permanent marker, we can increase our means through education, and we can strive to spend our money more wisely, spend our time more wisely, organize and use our living space. As our lives change, our means change. Right now Chris and I have decided that he will work and I will stay home and raise our children. I feel like it’s his job to make money and my job to save money, and it’s important for both of us as well as our children to be content.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Peter, Hospitals, Doctors, Records
7 years ago, I took our sweet baby Peter home and Chris and I began our life as parents. Upon leaving the hospital, the doctors and nurses mentioned the threat of jaundice of which I knew very little about, except that I should put the baby in sun to help him. What they didn't tell me was that my blood type and Peter's blood type differ to a degree that makes jaundice worse. I was so tired from having delivered Peter that all I could think about was going home and sleeping. I went home and slept, later to have Peter develop severe jaundice, not quite bad enough to be put under the lights but close. Going home, I felt that the jaundice wasn't a big deal, they didn't seem to stress the severity of it or what it is. Had I known about the blood type connection, knowing that he would get it bad because of it, I would have been better prepared.
Later when he was 6 month old, Peter's pediatrician in Farmington, NM suggested we see a specialist because his feet seemed to be deformed, he may have possibly had club foot. I took Peter as directed and nothing was found. Then later when he didn't walk until after 18 months his pediatrician in Socorro suggested we see a specialists to see why he wasn't walking yet. That led to further investigations, lots of therapist, early intervention, and a whole slew of specialists and doctors visits, eventually leading to surgery. We were told that he had "rocker bottom foot" and perhaps he was cramped in the womb resulting in his feet not growing properly. He had surgery on both feet and then braces afterward. The picture above is Peter at age 3 when a lot of these doctors appointments were taking place. After surgery, recovery and with Chris graduating college and moving to Texas we felt we could put it all behind us. We felt Peter had been treated and that the problem was more or less solved with the surgery.
Then during on of our homeschool days I was exercising with the kids. We were using elastic bands and stretching our feet. I noticed that Peter couldn't do what Sam was doing and that he was getting a bit frustrated. Upon further investigation, I realized that something didn't seem right, he didn't seem capable of bending his left foot forward. I then went to his pediatrician here in Houston. He didn't feel the need to investigate the problem if it didn't cause pain. I insisted that he needed to be reevaluated and thankfully the doctor consented to referring us to a specialist.
After seeing the specialist, he agreed that further investigation and treatment would be needed. He said that it appeared that Peter was missing a major nerve running the length of his leg. I was baffled how other doctors prior could have missed that. After the initial visit all the previous medical records from all those specialist in New Mexico needed to be requested a sent over. Luckily all the records were in one hospital system so you would think that would make it quick and easy. 6 months and 3 requests later, they finally got the records, proving that "3rd time is the charm".
The doctor called today to inform us that Peter has a mild form of Cerebral Palsy called Spastic Diplegia. I was blown away, why do doctors not tell you these things? They didn't fully inform me of jaundice and they never mentioned cerebral palsy. How are we to know the right questions to ask? How are we to avoid situations like this? I don't like not being told. Had we not moved to Texas, we may have never been told of this condition. Ignorance is not bliss.
There are things that happen all the time that we don't fully understand, but we all deserve the right to as much information as humanly possible. Withholding information is wrong. But even worse, my heart goes out to those less prosperous 3rd world countries where a sweet child like Peter could have grown up permanently crippled not having access to surgery.
Today during scripture study the kids wrote about their feeling about the verse in the Book of Mormon that says, "we lived after the manner of happiness." They wrote about how keeping the commandments and giving to the poor makes us happy. I thought about all the activities and things that are suppose to "make" us happy. When it really comes down to it, I can be depressed and unhappy in the mist of heaven on earth if I so choose. I could surround myself with everything good and wonderful and still be grumpy. Happiness is a choice. Counting our blessings helps us to get in the frame of mind so that we can choose to be happy. Happiness is a choice, a frame of mind, an attitude. I guess its really our attitude that makes us who we are.
The doctor told us that Peter would need braces the rest of his life and Peter got excited. He anxiously awaits further treatment and braces to help his feet.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Daily life, sickness and the rest
Peter, Sam, Joe and I just finished reading 2 Nephi 10 together and now they are writing in their spiritual journals. Peter and Sam both have 2 different journals. One for spiritual things and the other for secular, daily life stuff. We came up with the idea when we read in the Book of Mormon about Nephi and how he kept two records: one with the more spiritual parts and one with more secular parts and the wars and contentions of the people. So we decided to do the same. Hopefully our secular journal won't be full of wars and contentions though! Today they are writing about verse 23 that says, "Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life." Peter and Sam both wrote that they choose the way to everlasting life through Jesus Christ. They also mentioned several things they are free to choose. Our ability to choose is ever present and it is truly a gift. We are free to choose to obey or disobey but we can't choose the prize, reward or benefits of obeying God when we don't obey. Its the same with parents. The kids can choose to work on their writing and reading, but they can't choose to play if they don't get things done. I write out what they tell me to write and then they copy it. For each page they write they get 1 coloring page. Right now they are choosing to play around and not get their journals done, we'll see if they end up getting it done and benefit from the practice and get the reward of being able to color.
Elsewhere in the house, Chris has been home sick all week, this is day 4. He is going to the doctor in a hour to see what ails him. Hopefully nothing too serious, but hopefully the doctor gives him something so he can get better, being sick 4 days and unable to work is hard.
Peter is really progressing with his reading and writing, proving the saying to be true: Practice makes perfect. Sam and Joe are both learning right behind Peter who is a good example to them. Sam and Peter can be taught nearly at the same level, Sam does better with writing and Peter does better with reading and math. Joe is not on the same level as Peter and Sam but it is adorable to watch him try so hard! I got a large chalkboard and I have them all go and write me letters, words and numbers. Peter and Sam do fine and Joe tries so hard to keep up writing with them. He does extremely well for a 3 year old!
Will has been sick along with Chris. He has been more snugly and cranky lately. Usually during school he will go off and play, or find the vacuum or something else to dismantle, clearly his idea of a toy differs from mine! When he does stay in the same room with us he usually pulls a shelf of books out or makes a mess somewhere. At this point, I have pretty much given up on keeping him from making a mess, I am more concerned with his safety then for the mess. He really likes to plug things in, and he has gotten into my curlers before, so as long as he is not in danger, I let him roam. He usually ends up falling asleep on the floor somewhere and then I clean up any mess he has made. There have been times he climbs up on the table and falls asleep, looks really funny with a baby fast asleep on your dinning room table!
As for me, I am easy going and try and get school, housework, and meals done the best I can. It may look chaotic and crazy at times, but we do fine. I am due to have our 5th boy in May. So far the pregnancy is going well although last we checked the baby was breech. There is still time. The baby is moving a lot, so hopefully with a lot of prayers and exercises he will move into position. We are seeing a midwife and planning a home birth, hopefully all goes well and we succeed in having a water birth. That's what I am hoping for.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thoughts on Prayer
There was once two boys. The first told his father, "I am going to buy a car, wish me luck!" The second came to his father and told him he wanted to buy a car. He told his father why he wanted a car and asked for advice as to weather it was a wise decision for him at that time in his life.
I think about the two boys when it comes to prayer. When we pray, do we ask God to help us do what WE want to do? Or when we pray do we ask God weather something is right, seeking advice and further wisdom. As a parent, I think the latter is better.
Today in church, I heard some rather simplistic sounding talks and a rare moment of calm, silent children made it possible for me to really listen to the talks. Two were about service and the last about magnifying our callings. I felt the Spirit and a desire to do better. I have never been really regular about prayer. In one of the talks it mentioned about praying for the people we serve. I wish I would have done that back when I taught Seminary. Perhaps I could have been a better teacher, there were some students that I really struggled with, thinking they were only there by parental force. Had I prayed for them individually and trying to love and serve them perhaps I could have made a stronger impact. As I had these thoughts the Spirit whispered to me that the same thing could happen now. I can pray for the people I serve by name and make an impact in people lives NOW. My current calling is the Provident Living Specialist seeking to teach people food storage, the church cannery, and preparing every needful thing for possible future calamities. How could I pray for all the people I suppose to serve? Then the Spirit whispered that if I prayed I would be guided to the few who would need me the most.
Prayer isn't a "wish me luck" kind of a thing, similar to calling a parent and telling them our plans and never seeking advice. Seeking the advice of a parent or someone older who has been where we are going is wise. We have the ability to choose our actions, but we can not choose the outcome. We can have divine guidance if we so choose if from a father who lives in Heaven waiting for us to call on Him.
I have been touched by the Spirit on many occasions that I should improve my prayers and communication with God my Heavenly Father. Its difficult to change old habits, but I know I will be a more effective servant of the Lord if I do so. There are times as a parent that I am learning more than I am teaching. My children are quick to pray. Whenever I mention a problem my children respond with "lets say a prayer!"
I wonder if my children were sent to me for me to teach them or for them to teach me. Its probably both. I hope that my weaknesses can become their strengths. We bought a piano a while back with the intention that Peter and I would learn to play it together. Perhaps prayer and also scripture study are the same. My children and I can learn together to follow the Lord.
The bishop, during tithing settlement, asked us to each read the entire Book of Mormon during the 2010 year. So far we are reading a chapter a day, at least Monday through Friday. I haven't been this regular and consistent about reading my scriptures for a long time. Perhaps my children and I can learn together to pray everyday. These sweet spirits are so wonderful to teach as we learn together the ways of the world and the ways of the Lord. My heart is full as I think of our life together learning at home. I am so grateful for my family and our sweet life together. Good night! Don't forget to say your prayers!
I think about the two boys when it comes to prayer. When we pray, do we ask God to help us do what WE want to do? Or when we pray do we ask God weather something is right, seeking advice and further wisdom. As a parent, I think the latter is better.
Today in church, I heard some rather simplistic sounding talks and a rare moment of calm, silent children made it possible for me to really listen to the talks. Two were about service and the last about magnifying our callings. I felt the Spirit and a desire to do better. I have never been really regular about prayer. In one of the talks it mentioned about praying for the people we serve. I wish I would have done that back when I taught Seminary. Perhaps I could have been a better teacher, there were some students that I really struggled with, thinking they were only there by parental force. Had I prayed for them individually and trying to love and serve them perhaps I could have made a stronger impact. As I had these thoughts the Spirit whispered to me that the same thing could happen now. I can pray for the people I serve by name and make an impact in people lives NOW. My current calling is the Provident Living Specialist seeking to teach people food storage, the church cannery, and preparing every needful thing for possible future calamities. How could I pray for all the people I suppose to serve? Then the Spirit whispered that if I prayed I would be guided to the few who would need me the most.
Prayer isn't a "wish me luck" kind of a thing, similar to calling a parent and telling them our plans and never seeking advice. Seeking the advice of a parent or someone older who has been where we are going is wise. We have the ability to choose our actions, but we can not choose the outcome. We can have divine guidance if we so choose if from a father who lives in Heaven waiting for us to call on Him.
I have been touched by the Spirit on many occasions that I should improve my prayers and communication with God my Heavenly Father. Its difficult to change old habits, but I know I will be a more effective servant of the Lord if I do so. There are times as a parent that I am learning more than I am teaching. My children are quick to pray. Whenever I mention a problem my children respond with "lets say a prayer!"
I wonder if my children were sent to me for me to teach them or for them to teach me. Its probably both. I hope that my weaknesses can become their strengths. We bought a piano a while back with the intention that Peter and I would learn to play it together. Perhaps prayer and also scripture study are the same. My children and I can learn together to follow the Lord.
The bishop, during tithing settlement, asked us to each read the entire Book of Mormon during the 2010 year. So far we are reading a chapter a day, at least Monday through Friday. I haven't been this regular and consistent about reading my scriptures for a long time. Perhaps my children and I can learn together to pray everyday. These sweet spirits are so wonderful to teach as we learn together the ways of the world and the ways of the Lord. My heart is full as I think of our life together learning at home. I am so grateful for my family and our sweet life together. Good night! Don't forget to say your prayers!
Getting Better
Well, this is the first time in a while when we have done posts so close together. Hopefully this is a sign that we are getting better.
This week has been a busy one as usual. Chris has a Court of Honor with the Scouts and Peter and Joe went with him. Joe was excited because the last time he went to a Scout activity with his Dad thhe had refreshments at the end. Chris was a little surprised (he had already told Joe he didn't think there would be refreshments) when there was a small refreshment afterwards. Joe is going to think that his Dad gets refreshments every week at Scouts. This coming week Chris has a day hike on Saturday at Stephen F. Austin State Park which is about an hour from here. It should be a fun activity and Chris is going to check out the park for us. Hopefully it turns out nice because it would be an easy place to take the kids and have a good time.
Peter has really taken off with his reading. This week he read several books all by himself and has been kicking butt on his scripture study. He reads more than some adults do and it makes you realize that we don't really have an excuse not to read when a 7 year old can do it. We figure if the kid can read scriptures it should really help his overall reading level. He really likes to read, although he is less enthusiastic to write. He still does it, reading just comes easier.
Sam has been the opposite, less eager to read but he likes to write. Peter's example has helped Sam to have more desire. Sam also was a little sick and was "milking" it a little. Poor kid looked pretty pathetic some nights. He says next time he wants to go to Scouts with his Dad. He normally only likes to trace letters, but this week he is trying to do his own letters. Peter will sometimes write longer papers and so Sam didn't want to do that. I was able to convince him to give it a trial for a week. He also likes to draw something after he does his letters.
Joe is getting more and more interest in school. We do a little preschool period in homeschool and he does well until there is talk of toys. He mostly really likes to count with everyone. On Saturday, he really surprised us when he got up and dressed himself completely. That is the first time he did it without any help. He is trying to stop sucking his thumb and I think we will have an easier time breaking the nighttime habit, but the day habit may be difficult.
Will continues to be fascinated with all power cords. We have to be careful when anything it plugged in and he is near. He always wants to plug things in and he will go from socket to socket plugging them in to different sockets. It has made us extra vigilant with making sure nothing dangerous is close enough for him to plug in. He had a little bit of a cold this week (Sam had it too) but thankfully it has passed. Now we can only hope that none of the rest of us get sick too.
The kids LOVE Legos and we sometimes have a problem because they get them everywhere. Last week when we were frustrated with them (none of their Lego guys has hands and some were missing arms) we decided to go through the entire stash and separate the men and all of their stuff out (we put them in a separate plastic bag). Turns out to have been an awesome thing to do. This week when they played they rarely made a mess. So that was a nice change. Part of it is their Lego guys all become characters from Star Wars (especially since Chris bought the Lego Star Wars game).
I had my first official appointment with the midwife (before it was just a consultation). I have been really impressed with her and it turned out to be a good visit. I am going to start doing pregnancy Yoga and Pilates to help me stay in better shape and prepare for the birth. Home school went better this week and for two of the days I didn't really have any problems at all. Little by little it is becoming easier. I also have been busy changing our landscaping. We are trying to remove some of the heavy vegetation that was here from the previous owners and plant some more productive (aka fruit) trees and bushes. This next week while Chris is gone at his hike, I hope to be able to get out and plant some flowers with the kids where I took some things out. I should be getting some fruit trees and bushes in the coming months once things warm up a little more.
Will turns 2 on Monday and we are going to have a little party with him then.
This week has been a busy one as usual. Chris has a Court of Honor with the Scouts and Peter and Joe went with him. Joe was excited because the last time he went to a Scout activity with his Dad thhe had refreshments at the end. Chris was a little surprised (he had already told Joe he didn't think there would be refreshments) when there was a small refreshment afterwards. Joe is going to think that his Dad gets refreshments every week at Scouts. This coming week Chris has a day hike on Saturday at Stephen F. Austin State Park which is about an hour from here. It should be a fun activity and Chris is going to check out the park for us. Hopefully it turns out nice because it would be an easy place to take the kids and have a good time.
Peter has really taken off with his reading. This week he read several books all by himself and has been kicking butt on his scripture study. He reads more than some adults do and it makes you realize that we don't really have an excuse not to read when a 7 year old can do it. We figure if the kid can read scriptures it should really help his overall reading level. He really likes to read, although he is less enthusiastic to write. He still does it, reading just comes easier.
Sam has been the opposite, less eager to read but he likes to write. Peter's example has helped Sam to have more desire. Sam also was a little sick and was "milking" it a little. Poor kid looked pretty pathetic some nights. He says next time he wants to go to Scouts with his Dad. He normally only likes to trace letters, but this week he is trying to do his own letters. Peter will sometimes write longer papers and so Sam didn't want to do that. I was able to convince him to give it a trial for a week. He also likes to draw something after he does his letters.
Joe is getting more and more interest in school. We do a little preschool period in homeschool and he does well until there is talk of toys. He mostly really likes to count with everyone. On Saturday, he really surprised us when he got up and dressed himself completely. That is the first time he did it without any help. He is trying to stop sucking his thumb and I think we will have an easier time breaking the nighttime habit, but the day habit may be difficult.
Will continues to be fascinated with all power cords. We have to be careful when anything it plugged in and he is near. He always wants to plug things in and he will go from socket to socket plugging them in to different sockets. It has made us extra vigilant with making sure nothing dangerous is close enough for him to plug in. He had a little bit of a cold this week (Sam had it too) but thankfully it has passed. Now we can only hope that none of the rest of us get sick too.
The kids LOVE Legos and we sometimes have a problem because they get them everywhere. Last week when we were frustrated with them (none of their Lego guys has hands and some were missing arms) we decided to go through the entire stash and separate the men and all of their stuff out (we put them in a separate plastic bag). Turns out to have been an awesome thing to do. This week when they played they rarely made a mess. So that was a nice change. Part of it is their Lego guys all become characters from Star Wars (especially since Chris bought the Lego Star Wars game).
I had my first official appointment with the midwife (before it was just a consultation). I have been really impressed with her and it turned out to be a good visit. I am going to start doing pregnancy Yoga and Pilates to help me stay in better shape and prepare for the birth. Home school went better this week and for two of the days I didn't really have any problems at all. Little by little it is becoming easier. I also have been busy changing our landscaping. We are trying to remove some of the heavy vegetation that was here from the previous owners and plant some more productive (aka fruit) trees and bushes. This next week while Chris is gone at his hike, I hope to be able to get out and plant some flowers with the kids where I took some things out. I should be getting some fruit trees and bushes in the coming months once things warm up a little more.
Will turns 2 on Monday and we are going to have a little party with him then.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Holidays and 2010
Well our life has been very busy since our last post. For Christmas, we were blessed to have a lot of family here visiting for the holidays. In total, we had Chris' parents and my brother Mike here (along with their two dogs). It was nice to have so much family nearby for that special time of the year. Also we had two dogs which belonged to each set of visitors. The kids liked having a dog for a little while and it gave us a taste of what is might be like one day.
After the holidays we got back into the homeschooling year and things have been going well. Peter and Sam continue to do better. Peter likes reading better than writing and Sam is the opposite. Overall they are both improving in both. Math and other subjects continue to go well.
We also decided to have our next one as a home birth. It took a lot of thought and consideration but we are excited for the new one to get here. We still have several months, but we can't help but be anxious.
Chris has been busy with the 11 year old scouts (or Blazers) and has had quite a bit going on with that. He is also having a good time although it is sometimes hard to have him away so much. We are trying to figure out the right balance with all of that.
Hopefully we can post more often.
After the holidays we got back into the homeschooling year and things have been going well. Peter and Sam continue to do better. Peter likes reading better than writing and Sam is the opposite. Overall they are both improving in both. Math and other subjects continue to go well.
We also decided to have our next one as a home birth. It took a lot of thought and consideration but we are excited for the new one to get here. We still have several months, but we can't help but be anxious.
Chris has been busy with the 11 year old scouts (or Blazers) and has had quite a bit going on with that. He is also having a good time although it is sometimes hard to have him away so much. We are trying to figure out the right balance with all of that.
Hopefully we can post more often.
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