Have you ever wondered what it is like for our family to homeschool? It is difficult to capture, but I did my best. One morning last month, I secretly set up the camera to record my five diligent students, hard at work. This does not include the living room, where someone else was working for a while, or the mayhem that is also called “lunch”. Yes, I ruffle my hair sometimes when I’m getting tired. Look for it. So, here you have it, in high-speed. ONE day in our life. Every day is different, so maybe I’ll do another video in the future. I hope you enjoy!
funny
There’s A Small Town In My Living Room
I think I just overheard a voting session going on downstairs, so I walked down to investigate. Right now the kids are playing a game called “Town”, in which they are all voting unanimously as to which jobs they will each have in the game. Elijah, who is the president, leads the way. He just told everyone: “The money will be returned to you post-haste.” Jack and Elsie are the mail men, Nadine is the store-keeper, and Betty is the pie-maker. Except for one problem: she doesn’t want to cook right now. So, Elijah called a town meeting where everyone offered their suggestions as to what she could do. “Who votes for Betty to be garbage collector?” Everyone said, “Aye.” The motion didn’t pass because Betty didn’t want to collect garbage. It was determined that she will help Nadine with her shop-keeping with jobs like: running to the bank (Elijah) for money, counting it, and putting it in the shop-keeper’s cash register. The post office is busy writing AND delivering mail. Mr. President is happily handing out money, calling meetings to order, and keeping things in order. “I have come to the decision that we need to have a police station and a police man for shooting, stealing and other suing consequences. Who should be the first annual police man? If something happens, you call the president and I will call the police. He shall remain in my jail.” After going through everyone’s names, and a resounding “Nay” for all to become policeman, except Jack, it looks like Jack is the official “new annual police man.” I think they are swearing him in to office. I hear: “Arise. And sit down.” No, actually this is court in session now. Nadine is speaking: “I am suing Jack Weldon. When I was sleeping, I saw Jack stealing my helicopter. It is worth 200 dollars and it is officially stolen.”
Elijah is calling Jack to the stand: “J-A-C-K,” he spells out his name.
Jack tries to defend himself. “Elijah, I was going to MAIL it to you!”
The questioning continues. “Is it true that you went into the store and took the helicopter without paying?”
“Yes.”
“Was it a helicopter?”
“Yes.”
“Was it worth 200 dollars?”
“Yes. Can I say something? I’m going to pay her 200 dollars when we’re DONE this meeting!” He gives a big sigh.
Elijah really is a kind soul. His verdict: “Since this is the first sue we’ve ever had, I’m giving this as a warning. You will not have to pay 200 dollars or go to jail or anything. You will have to pay 20. Meeting adjourned.”
Then, “I’m officially closed. I’m sorry I’m closed, but I really have to pee,” says Mr. President. “Please, hold your thoughts.”
I just might be laughing really hard over here. I love it when they imagine up games like this.
In the past week or more, our little “town” has had a ton of adventures. The biggest one began on the last day of July.
Nadine was running from a bee, her brother, or both, and she tripped going up the concrete steps of our front porch. I heard her crying and there was a deeper pain in her cry than a typical hurt, which kept going. A day and x-ray later showed her big toe to indeed be broken. So, last Friday we headed to the orthopedic doctor to tell us if there was anything special we should be doing, and to get a better idea of what kind of a break it was.
As we drove to the appointment, Nadine and I were bouncing along in the Eurovan, windows down, enjoying the first day of August. I glanced down at the dashboard and it dawned on me that the gas was really low. Like, lower than the really low it was the night BEFORE when we were driving home from somewhere. I just had driven past my favorite exit for gas. Two more exits to go until a gas station was nearby. I wasn’t really nervous, but something inside of me just kept looking down at the dashboard and up at the exit, which all of a sudden seemed much farther than one mile away. Then it happened. Our van started to sputter. I’ve never been in this situation, but I was pretty sure we were running out of gas. Thankfully, Oceanus has manual transmission, so we coasted off the exit ramp and through one light. I tried to start her again, and we were able to get enough oomph to go through one more light before she gave up her last puff of fumes and coasted to a stop. In the left hand turn lane. Within sight of the gas station. Nadine was talking to her friend on the phone, and I told her to stay on the line with her until I got back. So, off I went with the keys, in my sneaks, running across intersections with “no pedestrian crossing” signs everywhere. After asking a few random strangers in the Wawa parking lot if they happened to have a gas can in their vehicle, I bit the bullet and bought a new can (to add to the three we already have in our basement) and filled it with two gallons of gasoline. Then a sweet lady drove me back to the van. Next thing I know, a friend pulled up behind us to see if we needed any help. It made me feel so much less like a crazy woman having her there with me!
Back on the road again, we filled her up with gas, and made it to the doctor only ten minutes late. The verdict is she has a fracture right on her joint in a tricky place. So he gave her a giant nifty boot to keep her foot flat and stable. She’s also gaining speed on a pair of crutches. Love her spirit. This week as a family we have been reading James chapter 1. She took the “falling into various trials” part very seriously, and now we’re getting all sorts of practice with “counting it all joy”.
Our week has been full of other things too! We started school, on a small scale. It is an opportunity to work out kinks and start slow. Seeing them eager to start has been encouraging! Nadine informed me, after just one day, that I have “improved so much as a teacher!” She makes me chuckle. On Sunday morning I had the honor of watching a sweet baby be born. That never gets old. On Wednesday we went to Marsh Creek with sweet friends to celebrate a wonderful birthday and to watch the sunset over the water. Beautiful! On Thursday we made an impromptu road trip to NJ to see more wonderful friends and played on the beach for the first time in years! I’m still picking sand out of my hair, and I only went knee-deep in the ocean.
I think the small town downstairs will be needing lunch soon, so I better take up the unwanted role of “cook” and whip something together. Hungry townspeople spells g-r-u-m-p-i-n-e-s-s in our near future. I hear there is a library now, and the police station is “officially open”. “Sometimes it’s open, sometimes it’s closed,” says Jack. Nadine counters with, “I just don’t think anyone is going to be bad! But, it’s good to have anyway.” Elsie is protesting her job as the mailman, but after some encouragement she just told the president, “I’ll still be the mailman, but when I get a new job, I won’t.” My, this is so fun. In the words of Mr. President, “I’m sorry I have to go. Please hold your thoughts.”
A Happy Time
I don’t recall what we were about to do or where we were going to prompt Elsie to say it, but she made me chuckle with this: I’m going to have a happy time, even if it’s boring! Now that summer is in full swing, the words “I’m bored” are about as allowed as some other unmentionable words in the urban dictionary. When they are uttered, a math lesson is swiftly pulled up on the computer, or perhaps the boredom quickly fades as they don a pair of goggles, pull out monopoly, shoot a home-made movie, or delve into the many library books I keep constantly in flow. 
This week was so full I feel like I’m bursting a little bit.
Any week where we can be altogether for six days in a row is going to be good. Unfortunately, every kid had a fever sprinkled into the entire week at some point in time. Thankfully, no throwing up, but a lot of laying low. Matthew finished my laundry room window, fixed this and that, hung this, moved that… basically filled up my love tank with acts of service mingled with quality time. I worked on various projects: crocheting a rug out of old sheets, making some chalkboards, beautifying our front porch, and organizing our school room a bit more.
Next, our dear friends, Ruthie & Jamie, arrived from Ohio to share our vacation time with us. We enjoyed the front porch, got wet, went to a water/amusement park, and laughed a lot. One night I even had the privilege of being a doula with an incredibly special couple and their precious baby girl.
The kids found a turtle and named it Road Runner after they rescued it from trying to cross the street.
While at the park, I learned how much Betty loves roller-coasters. If she was a bit taller, she would have gone on everything, but she was content to do the roller coaster her size. Her smiling face as she swooped down the hill of the coaster was absolutely priceless. Falling from 148 feet with Jack and Nadine was also a highlight. I’ve learned that I’m a bit more scared than I used to be of heights in general. 
Nadine came down for her breakfast today and was asking me how Matthew made her bagel. Do you know how Daddy made that bagel yesterday? Because it was amazing. It was because there was a hint of Daddy in it. I know he used butter… When I asked her how it tasted after she made it, she said, It wasn’t even close. Sometimes she takes my breath away.
One of my painting projects was a “new” dresser. I got the dresser for $10 at a yard sale and surprised Nadine with it.
As all the fevers floated around, I overheard this funny conversation between Elsie and Betty:
I have a headache, said Elsie.
Where? asked Betty.
Right here in my head! said Elsie with a mixture of exasperation and amusement.
When Elsie struck up this conversation with Betty she was just stating a fact, which apparently was missing a very important detail in Betty’s little mind: You were sick, she stated.
No I wasn’t!
You you were!
I were last night! Of course. Last night. She likes to be precise.
Betty is learning her numbers, and I couldn’t help chuckling when she got to twenty-nine and said: Two=dy nine!
As June turns the page into July, there is more fun in store! Summer is such a happy time!
The Wind is Blowing Our Faces Into a Smile
There are many lost journal entries this month, as I’ve either been too exhausted to sit down and write, or I’ve been too wiped out by the end of the day. One of those two. Starting with tonight and working my way backwards, however, I will attempt to do a brief overview of our May Days.
The weather today has been awesome. Matthew experienced hail the size of small golf balls where he was working, and we experienced sunshine and dark clouds, changing back and forth all day. I had to explain to Betty five times tonight where all the snow went.
Elsie is my helper. I told her if she wore goggles while she chopped onions, they wouldn’t sting her eyes as much. The other day when we were driving and smelling cow manure which wafted through the open windows, she said: If I could pop my nose off whenever something is stinky then put it back on when something smells good… Well, that would be great. Speaking of smelly, Nadine had this descriptive offering of armpit odor: they apparently reeked of rotten chemicals with hotdogs dipped in mayonnaise. Yum.
Right now my dad is in Africa. In fact, this week he was able to visit the station where I was born and raised. Partly because I was feeling especially nostalgic, and partly because the kids have been begging to pop into our “old house”, I decided to do just that. We stopped in, and it is now a dentist office. Everything is bright blue from the outside. The downstairs is completely different, but the upstairs was just the same. It’s hard to believe I stood on those stairs in my wedding dress over 12 years ago! In my old bedroom, the inside of my closet door still had the glow-in-the-dark paint signatures of my siblings and friends, from back when I was a teenager. There were even a set of my nephew’s baby footprints, glowing in the dark when we shut the door and stood inside the closet. The same day, my same nephew, had just flown his first solo flight!
School is winding down, with our last week stretching out before us! I have learned way more than the kids, I’m sure. Nadine has become a much more confident reader. Elijah has improved in his math skills. Jack is reading and writing. Elsie is also reading and writing. Betty loves books and can write a few letters of the alphabet. She told me the other day: I don’t want to take it easy. I want to take a break. They love games, and have really improved in so many areas. I have a nice-sized list of things I am changing for next year. As my ever-wise husband has told me: this teacher and mama must keep a tight ship. This week Betty also overcame some of her fear of bugs. She managed to pick up fuzzy “calipitters” for hours on end with her second cousin, and she also willingly let an ant crawl onto her hand. She told me very excitedly the other day: Mom! Mom! Guess what? Lady bugs climb on trampolines.
Besides book work, we are out and about for so many activities. Nadine’s horse club has been a huge blessing for her. Elsie & Jack have even gotten a turn to ride when we pick her up at the end of the day. Field trips, archery, friends, blowing bubbles, picking flowers, and riding bikes leaves mama pretty exhausted some days. I am no longer the endless source of energy that I see in my children. I remember having it. I know it once existed. But it has been sucked out of my veins and into their own. So now they just borrow my phone to take pictures of their tired mama.
We do have a lot of fun around here. The beautiful moments of this month I think can be summed up in this one picture of Jack:
Our windows are down. The wind is blowing our faces into a smile. Summer is just around the corner.
You’ve Gotta Take Care of Those Kids
This was the other day in Target:
I was pushing that train of a cart, gently bumping into the corners of aisles as it turned its wide arch. I smiled brightly at the mom with one baby in her cart, sitting quietly on a clean cart-cover. Betty held a receipt, which doubles as a “tag” in a pinch, so she can suck her fingers. Elijah likes to hide under the cart. Sometimes even the extra nearly hundred pounds I’m trying to push doesn’t clue me in on where he’s gone, so I start calling his name and he laughs from his hiding spot. Switching seats, spotting sparkly boots, and constant chatter makes our trip the usual exhausting but profitable excursion.
Last night, armed with four very large containers of popcorn and Christmas jammies, we drove to nearby neighborhood to watch a local light show. The lights were choreographed to a radio station, and it was pretty impressive.
Tonight little miss Betty must have gotten bit by the giggle bug. When the boys got home from grocery shopping with Matthew, it was close to 10 o’clock. The little girls were still giggling up in their beds. Jack looked at Matthew and said very seriously: You’ve gotta go take care of those kids. I’m not joking.
Betty keeps us laughing. The other day she was playing with her little baby. She had been tucked into bed for about five seconds before Betty leaned gently over her ear and made a soft rooster sound. Time to wake up, baby! She would say, after cock-a-doodle-doo-ing into her ear.
Once when Betty was trying to get out of the kitchen, Elsie asked, What’s the magic word? Right away she replied: Betty!
Today, Matthew and I were trying to have a little bit of snuggle time on the couch. We literally had five pairs of eyes glued on our every move. There is a small sensor that goes off when we start talking or kissing. Immediately, all bodies are within touching distance of ours, or there is some urgent sentence that must be uttered. In the middle of our hug, Jack came over, put his arms around us and said, Group hug! Which in turn led Betty to pile on some more love. As Elsie would say: There’s room for more in this hug! Once we started to kiss, however, Betty squealed, Let’s get out of here! They’re kissing!
The other day, Elsie was discussing age order. Apparently, Elijah was of a “medium” age. She then told Nadine: I remember you sucking your fingers! When, in actuality, she wasn’t even born yet.
This is the face I get when it’s time for bed.
It is also the face I am giving, because I am not one who loves going to bed. I’ve been enjoying the sewing machine and crochet hooks this month. Super secretive things have been in the works. There is much more on my mind to write… but it will have to wait. Right now I’ve gotta take care of this mama, who needs some serious rest.
Mangoes, Heartbeats, & IV’s
School is always in session, even when it’s not. Take for instance last night when Elsie looked at me while drinking from a little milk container, straw stuck in her mouth while she talked: Mom? Am I drinking a cow’s pee? I then had to explain the anatomy of a cow. Fun stuff, really.
We almost managed to avoid visiting any doctors for an entire week. My wrist has been acting up (has a lot in the past) and I thought it was finally time to get an x-ray. At the urgent care, I was told it was nothing but a ganglion cyst. Ganglion is one of those words I really don’t like saying. I don’t mind the word “gang”, it’s kind of cool-sounding, really. A lion is so strong and majestic. Put them together, and ganglion is just plain awful. It feels dreadful too. Thankfully I didn’t need an x-ray, but Elsie is bummed we won’t have matching casts. I’m amazed at how she has had zero complaints about her pink cast. She rides her bike, jumps on the trampoline, plays on the playground, and has a personal assault weapon on her at all times. 
We had a fun time with Matthew’s family last night. Jack learned how to use chopsticks. He loves China, including its food. Notice the concentration:
This week, Matthew was able to bring Elijah to work with him one day. He had an excellent report from the boss, and was a big help!
Besides being good with the drill, he is also a handy taste-tester. What’s an African girl to do when she has a few mangoes on her hands? Make mango sauce, of course! That, right there, is a small taste of my childhood in a bowl. I’m always happy when I can share a piece of Africa with my kids on this side of the planet.
Nadine’s love tank is always full whenever she can hold a heartbeat with fur on it.
She has also been incredibly helpful watching Betty each day for slots of time so I can write, cook, and do school with the short crowd.
Today marks the second and last Rituxan treatment for Matthew. Since I couldn’t be with him, I bugged him for pictures. I know he wouldn’t post them himself… but… I would, because I love him so very much! His voice is still weak, and sometimes he still is a bit tight, but he “feels” good. We continue to pray for strength and healing! I am so incredibly thankful for a man who never sits around (except if there’s an IV pumping through him!) and is never lazy. He simply follows Jesus in his attitude, actions, and mindset. I’m not married to a perfect man by any means, but he is a real man. There is nothing remotely fantasy-related in his life. He is all real-life and hard-core. Grow old with me, my love!
At Least
I recently read an article which mentioned how saying At Least, when you’re about to blow up about something, can really help keep perspective. See, keeping my cool doesn’t come naturally. When several things bombard me each day to test my resolve, it’s not easy to keep the decibels low and the attitude right. I’m finding at least has helped me tremendously not to dive-bomb into discouragement, anger and defeat.
Discovering my keys were locked in the van yesterday morning… again, I was upset. At least I didn’t have to be anywhere, and many things were accomplished by being home all day. In addition, someone else was able to find joy in helping me out of my predicament. At least I have policemen for my friends!
Then last night I was moving the plastic slide from one spot in the yard to another. The orange part came unattached and slammed down on my wrist. It is still throbbing. At least I can still move my arm. At least my body knows how to heal.
Betty and the boys have been hanging out almost all week together while the older girls have had some time with Grandma Weldon. Currently, they are practicing knife-throwing at a wooden target outside. It was one of those moments where I almost told them they couldn’t do it. Then I thought, at least they’re not playing video games and at least they’re outside and learning a skill. I love that the target they drew is the Alley Cat. The dreaded feline that poops in our garden and makes mommy mad. Don’t worry, they won’t really kill it, all you cat-lovers out there.
When I told them to get dressed, they reappeared from downstairs wearing the exact same clothes they wore yesterday. The outfits that were just stuffed into the laundry basket after their bath last night. When confronted with this information, I was answered in typical boyish fashion: But this is my favorite shirt! I thought, why not? What is the big deal, anyway? At least there are two less outfits I need to wash this week.
Earlier in the week, we enjoyed a trip to the Franklin Institute with cousin Brian. Betty stayed with Grandma Watt and we had a fabulous all-boys day, complete with Five Guys for the three guys.
Betty is growing into her two-year-old-self very comfortably. She’s learned how to utilize the faucet mechanism of her tear ducts and can turn them on and off quite quickly if she so desires. Along with her strength of will and determination to communicate, she is growing in other areas too. Going potty, getting herself dressed as much as she can, and sitting at the table more and more are just some of the ways she’s growing up. When she cleans up, she does it 100 percent. I will need this girl to keep me in line when I’m old and grey.
On the flip side, when she makes messes, she does so 100 percent. Take the tube of toothpaste all over the chair as one instance.
She loves to eat wockles… or waffles.
Elsie has been enjoying her pink robe. She falls asleep in the funniest positions. She is also full of the funniest things to say. Look mom! I can move my eyeballs! She told me the other day, while she raised her eyebrows up and down. Putting her hand over her heart, she told me, Mommy, my heart is beeping.
Nadine is either exactly as tall as me, or a little taller. She is good at taking her little sisters under her wing, though loves having her own space as well. She loves a good s’more. It is crazy to think how we’ve experienced a snowstorm, gardening, and roasting marshmallows, all in one week. Yes, s’mores was our supper that night.
As the clouds roll over the sun today, I’m reminded of a Friday no one thought was good, two-thousand years ago. Day turned into night as God the Father left Jesus to suffer alone. Our sin was too great for Him to see. Then, darkness, sorrow, death. Everything we experience without Jesus.
Then, the greatest AT LEAST in history. At least it wasn’t the end. God’s plan was finished, yes, but it was not the end. At least after Friday, there comes Resurrection Sunday! Jesus Rose From The Dead Day, as my brother-in-law has so fitly renamed it. It’s not about eggs or jelly beans or hollow chocolate bunnies. When Jesus rose from the dead, He did something no other god has done. Because He didn’t stay dead, He gives us real victory over sin, real freedom from what trips us up, and real life from death. At least it didn’t end on Friday. Praise God!
Got Funnies
Today I’m thankful for the funny things my kids say.
I want to be a policeman when I grow up because they eat donuts and drink coffee.- Jack
I want to be a ballerina, not a ballerina coach. Just a ballerina. -Elsie
Raise your hand if you like oaps [oats] the most. -Elsie
When asking Nadine if something was too hot, she said, Not enough to make my flexibility [reflexes] leave.
While driving, Elijah and Nadine were talking about different colors, and Elijah mentioned the color of Abendigo. As in, one of the men thrown into the fiery furnace. I think he meant indigo.
Of course, Betty is full of cute things every day. Her latest is an exuberant, Let’s go! Whenever we go somewhere.
Take That, Monday
For whatever reason, Monday mornings always seem out to get me.
Petty arguments: “Did you hurt her?” was my question. “Not that much,” was the answer.
Getting on the computer without asking: Someone googled their name and so it was pretty easy to figure out who did it. Another child said to them, “They [meaning google] don’t know who you are. You’re not famous. Yet.” I couldn’t help but chuckle under my breath.
During school, Elijah was writing a short story and was trying to think of a title for it. He was contemplating using A Knight’s Tale until Nadine sternly warned him, “You can’t use Knight’s Tale. Remember? You will have to pay twenty-five million dollars! And then you’ll go to jail!” I’m glad plagiarism and copyright rules are strictly enforced around here.
Earlier this afternoon I was feeling the desperate need for some sunshine, so Jack and I sat outside to practice his reading. After about ten minutes it felt like a bug flew into my hair. There was an awful buzzing sound, which was muffled and then stopped when I shooed at whatever was there. I thought it flew back out, until a minute later when I heard more horrible buzzing coming from my hair. I shooed it again and asked Jack what it was. He looked in my hair and yelled, “It’s a wasp!” I then proceeded to scream and panic and scream some more. I yelled for Elijah to come and get it OUT OF MY HAIR! The neighbors must have thought I was being attacked. I am petrified of getting stung. The thought of a wasp or yellow jacket (which it turns out it was) stinging me on my head makes me shiver. After some more stomping, head swirling, and yelling, miraculously it flew out. I promptly put a hat on my head.
Even though there are fights and disagreements, there are also sweet moments. At lunch Nadine looked over at Elsie and said, “What is your favorite food, Elsie? I need to get to know you better, since we always get into fights!”
Right now they are outside playing “China”, and speaking in some unintelligible language. There are two countries at war I think. Betty may be the ransom, I’m not sure. There are scarves and hats and lots of foreign dialogue. We’re out to get Monday and make it fun!
Thoughts on Bean-stocks and Showers
Happiness is picking a tray or two full of tomatoes at the end of September, and making delicious sauce for homemade pizza! Happiness is also picking fresh basil and making peso for another pizza. We have had a lot of happy pizza meals this month, using up our fresh ingredients as much as possible. While the plants are looking droopy and crisp, there is still some orange and red goodness coming from their branches!
The other day while we were picking said tomatoes, Elsie and I found a ton of beans growing on what I thought was just our morning-glory vine! Turns out Jack grew his bean-stock on our trellis, and we were inundated with beans!
I have about a thousand other things to write about, but I have had about five minutes of free time each day, and usually I spend them just reveling in the fact that I don’t have to do anything. Right now those five minutes are just about gone. Now it’s time to clip fingernails, scrub some dirty kids, and see if I can squeeze a shower in there somewhere. Next to putting away clothes, it’s my least favorite thing to do. Yes, it’s true. I actually really dislike taking showers. I always have. Ask my sisters. My oldest sister used to have to drag me to the tub to scrub my hair. Now I have to really discipline myself to get in the shower. Probably a large percentage of you will look at me funny the next time you see me, trying to gauge whether or not I’ve showered that day. I’d like to believe I almost always do, but I pretty much always really hate it. So, there’s a little unknown fact for you. It’s probably safe to say that I wouldn’t enjoy bubble bath for Christmas. However, like many things I’ve outgrown in my life, this is one thing I’m hoping I will one day grow to love and enjoy. Maybe. Like beans growing on my morning-glory vine, all things are possible!
Grow Old With Me 