My Fairytale

3rd Grade Curriculum

2011-08-01T19:26:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready to start school again. This summer has been a flurry of activity and it is not quite over. I have come to the conclusion, however, that homeschool mamas don't get a summer vacation. Before we even finished 2nd grade, I was planning 3rd grade. I have worked and shopped all summer and I think I finally have everything ready!

This year, we are using Bob Jones. The exceptions are spelling (we are using Spelling Power) and math (we are continuing with Saxon). I think I am finally going to be satisfied with our curriculum choices. I have tried several different approaches, but after researching our choices, I think this is what is going to work best for us.

I am excited about the new curriculum, but I am even more excited about our "No-Curriculum Fridays" aka "Charlotte Mason Days". I am not ready to jump into the Charlotte Mason method with both feet, so this year I am just going to dip my toe in and see how I like it. I have blocked off Fridays for literature, music and art appreciation, and nature studies. We are starting with Swiss Family Robinson, Vivaldi, and Degas.

Other books on our reading list are: The Hundred Dresses, Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates, Black Beauty, Pollyanna, Winnie the Pooh, The Wind in the Willows, The Trumpet of the Swan, The Adventures of Robin Hood, and Anne of Green Gables. I am sure we will add to the list. I also have several poems I want to share.

Our artists for the year are Degas, Cezanne, Monet, Rodin, Moore, Vermeer, da Vinci, Grandma Moses, and Goya.

Our composers are Vivaldi, Handel, Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and Williams.

I also purchased "The Bumper Book of Nature" for our nature study. I am hoping you will find us at the park, Palo Duro Canyon, Wildcat Bluff, or Lake McClellan on Fridays, sitting on my grandmother's quilt, reading, sketching, and enjoying life.

If you know our little family, then you know we are always on the go! This year Bailey will continue with suzuki violin, ballet at the Landance Conservatory, and Keepers of the Faith. Zack will be continuing with flag football, Lego Club, piano lessons, and basketball.

This is going to be a great school year!

Wonder Woman

2011-06-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

I love life. I love doing things. I love being involved with great projects. I don't usually do things half-way and I don't usually say "no".

In fact, "no" is not an easy word for me to say. I seldom say it. If someone asks me to do something the answer is most often "Yes!" It's not a guilt thing, it's just an "I want to do EVERYTHING" thing.

I have always seen myself as Wonder Woman. I have always been able to get a lot done in a short amount of time and on very little sleep. Really, I can do it all!

But, spring was stressful. Especially the month of May. I kept telling myself if I could just make it to the summer months, things would slow down and I could breath.

So, in June we did VBS, started working in my grandmother's house, went to Wonderland, went on a short fishing trip, had a garage sale, celebrated 2 birthdays and Father's day, went to the zoo, and volunteered at the used curriculum sale. We have 6 weeks left of summer and on the calendar we have church camp, 3 (yes, 3!)out-of-town fiddle contests, a ladies retreat, vacation, summer violin recital, July 4th @ Mom's, and whatever else pops into our lives.

Oh, and school! I have 6 weeks to wade though a huge stack (about 2 feet!) of teaching manuals for our new curriculum. I also need to re-organize our school room and set up our new workbox system. I have 300 pages of learning centers to cut out and laminate.

All of this is piled on top of normal, day-to-day chores and activities and 2 very active kids who are always on the go, creating new adventures and begging to go to the pool.

Please don't misunderstand - I love all of the activity! I really do! I am just starting to realize how over-committed and over-extended I have become.

I am a fairly organized person. I have schedules and lists and calendars. I have always believed if I could fit it into my "box", then I could handle anything. I am Wonder Woman, right? As long as I didn't have to physically be 2 places at once, I could do it. But this morning, I walked into the laundry room, looked at my pile of laundry that I could have sworn was caught up, and I thought, "Wow. I guess I can't do it all. Maybe I am not Wonder Woman, after all."

It's a sad day but, I guess I need to hang up my Golden Tiara and my Lasso of Truth. I need to slide my red patent boots back under the bed, grab my calender, a big glass of sweet-tea, and a fat black marker. Then I need to go sit in the shade and start "x-ing" things off the calendar and penciling in things like "breath", "take a long bubble bath", and "date night with Kris". I received an email from my friend, Leah, today and something she said has really resonated with me. I think it's time to cut out something "good" for something "excellent."

I'm saving my Wonder Woman gear, though. You never know, I may need to pull it back out again some day.

It's Gotcha Day!

2011-06-21T11:01:00.001-07:00

I originally posted this on June 21, 2009. Today is my sweet Bailey's "Gotcha Day", so I decided to re-post. Happy Gotcha Day, Sweet Bailey Jean!!!

Eight years ago today, our Bailey flew home to Texas and officially became a part of our family.

We had waited 9 years to have a child we could call our own. It was, at times, an extremely painful wait. But when my baby girl was placed in my arms, all of that pain was wiped away. It was if it had never happened. The wait was over and we were finally together.

That night at the airport, cameras were snapping and people were laughing and talking. Documents were presented and information passed hands. But I was in another world. I just hugged her and cried and said over and over again, "Mommy loves you, Mommy loves you, Mommy loves you . . . . "

Looking back over my life, I realize Bailey has always been a part of me. I loved her long before I knew her. I will never understand how God put us together or why he chose to give her life a world away from my own. It doesn't matter. She is mine. We may not look the same, but our hearts beat the same beat. We are a part of each other.

At night, while she is asleep, I sneak into her room to watch her sleep. I look at her little face and wonder what she saw in the first few months of her life. Who held her first? Who changed her first diaper? Who fed her the first time? Who was the first to rock her to sleep? I want to see them, too. I want to thank them for loving her. I want them to know how much she has grown and how happy she is.

When Bailey talks about adoption, she explains it this way, "Jesus gave me to my mommy and daddy. Then, he stuck us together like glue. Our family is glue." I couldn't have said it better myself.

Craziness!

2011-06-17T13:34:00.000-07:00

I love summer! I love trips to the pool, VBS, snow cones, trips to the mountains, cook-outs, flip flops, Wonderland, July 4th celebrations, and lazy afternoons. This will be Bailey and Zack's first year to go to church camp as real campers instead of Mom and Dad's helpers and they can't wait! I am loving this summer!

I love summer so much that I usually try to stretch it as far as it will go. I push school to the back of my mind and just drink in the sunshine. But something happened this summer that has forced me to think about the coming school year much sooner. (sigh) The PCHEA Used Curriculum Sale.

You see, I have been wanting to change curriculum. However, the curriculum I chose was above and beyond our homeschooling budget, so I knew I was going to have to get creative. I was going to have to sell our old curriculum and try to find some used curriculum. The only problem was, it was going to force me to think about school during the happiest time of the year - summer!

But, I did it anyway. I cleaned out the old and brought in the new (well, gently used.) I am so thankful that God led me to ebay, the Used Curriculum Sale, and Mardel's 90% off sale. I am so thankful He led someone to my stack of goodies at the sale.

The result? Amazing.

Next year, we will using Bob Jones curriculum for a fraction of the cost and I am thrilled. We are also using Spelling Power and Saxon Math in addition to my friend, Bob's curriculum.

All of this has brought about a flurry of lesson planning, plotting a course of study, scheduling, list making . . . .

Which has left me SCREAMING at myself to stop and enjoy summer! I have to break free from the "homeschool mode"! Quick - someone bring me a watermelon snow cone! It's too early for this craziness!

Top 10 Reasons I Don't Have an iphone

2011-05-22T16:37:00.000-07:00

So, I'm sitting in a meeting at church Sunday afternoon when a man walks in the door and asks for help. He says he needs a gas card and some groceries. We tell him who he needs to talk to and he walks out the door. He stands on the sidewalk for a few minutes, then pulls out his phone and calls someone.

I don't have an iphone. There are lots of reasons why I don't. One reason is I buy my own groceries and gas. Maybe I am being jaded and cynical, but it bothered me.

I get asked a lot, "You don't have an iphone? Why not?" Again, there are lots of reasons. One reason is I don't need a phone to solidify my place in society. In the words of my awesome friend Lana, "Your phone is not a status symbol - it is a way to communicate."

So when did cell phones become our identities? I am a lot of things, but I am not my phone. I am an artist, a voracious reader, a wife, a mother, a lover of shoes, and a pretty good fiddle player.

I simply choose not to spend my money on things like iphones. I'm not criticizing those that do. If you have an iphone, that's fine. Really, it's ok. People who have iphones are not evil. It just bothers me when people who have iphones throw it in my face and try to make me feel second class because I choose to spend my money on something else. You are not making yourself look successful and amazing. You are making yourself look shallow and foolish. You look silly. If your phone defines who you are, then you aren't much.

To be perfectly honest, I could have an iphone if I wanted one. It's not a matter of the "haves" and the "have nots". I could re-arrange my spending habits and go buy an iphone this week. It's just not what I want to do. I know it's hard to believe, but I don't want to spend money on technology. It's not who I am. It's not what I do. It's not right or wrong, it's just me. That's all.

So, don't try to impress me with your phone. Phones don't impress me. People impress me. People who are intelligent, articulate, creative, loving, and passionate impress me. My friend who has helped countless refugee families settle into homes impresses me. My nephew who is currently in Belgium, sharing his faith with people on the streets impresses me. My husband who works endless hours to provide for our family impresses me. A fellow adoptive mother who moved to China to become a missionary in her daughters' homeland impresses me. Claude Monet, Kathy Thibodeaux, Chopin, Dr. Kim Duk Whang, Harper Lee . . . these people impress me. Good grief, the person who invented vanilla Dr. Pepper impresses me more than someone who simply bought an iphone.

So in honor of amazing people everywhere, here are the top 10 reasons I don't have an iphone:

10. I don't try to keep up with they Jones'. They try to keep up with me.

9. Bailey takes ballet at a private conservatory.

8. Zack plays sports.

7. I like to buy nice art supplies for both my children and myself.

6. I have 68 pairs of shoes.

5. I spend money on experiences instead of technology. I would rather climb a mountain, visit a museum, or go to a concert than have an iphone.

4. I am incredibly beautiful, smart, artistic, and talented. I don't need an iphone to convince others I am an amazing human being. My phone is not my status symbol.

3. My children's needs and wants come before my own. They are well-fed, well-clothed, and well-educated. We work hard to give them opportunities many children do not have. They live a full life.

2. I like to read books, not screens.

and the number one reason is ............

1. I don't want one.

The Art of Creativity

2011-04-11T14:11:00.000-07:00

College.

I think I was addicted.

It took me 7 years to get a 4 year degree.

I am not a slow learner. I did not fail classes and have to take them over. I wasn't lazy. I took any where from 12 to 21 hours a semester. I even went to summer school. The problem was, I kept changing my major.

I had 4 different majors in 7 years. Art, Dance, Theater, Education, then back again. I just couldn't make up my mind. I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up. No, that's not right. I knew what I wanted to be. I wanted to be everything.

I came close to getting my degree in dance. I wanted to be a choreographer for a big ballet company. I came even closer to getting a degree in theater. I wanted to direct plays. I also wanted to be an art historian, a photographer, an interior designer, a writer, a butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker. As my dad says, every time I got "in danger of graduating", I changed my major.

If you know me, then you probably know how this story ends. After too many years in college, my Daddy took me to lunch, then took me to the registrar's office. He slapped my transcript on the desk and said, "What can you give her for this?" The answer was, "a Bachelor's degree in General Studies".

So, I graduated. My mom sang the "Hallelujah Chorus" at my graduation. Literally. They called my name, I shook the mayor's hand, my mom stood up and let 'er rip.

I learned a lot in those 7 years and I have so many sweet memories. One day my boyfriend (now husband) rescued me in the parking lot outside the fine art's building. I had driven my car over a parking curb and got it stuck. One time my dad sent me flowers after I made an 'A' on an algebra test. One morning I told my friends in the dance studio about my first date with Kris. They all agreed it was a disaster and I would probably never hear from him again! Two semesters, I helped teach ballet to some desperate Ag major cowboys trying to get their fine art requirement.

I've heard people say the most important thing about college is getting that piece of paper that says you graduated. When you interview for a job, no one ever asks what you learned - they ask if you have a degree. Maybe that's true, but I love that I was able to learn so many different things.

My favorite class was called "The Art of Creativity". It kind of wrapped up everything that I loved about college; about life. I'm in my 30's now, but I still think about that class and that goofy, slump shouldered professor who taught it. That class was a real turning point for me. It helped me see that I didn't have to settle on one area of creativity. I didn't have to just be a dancer or just be a painter. I could tie everything that I loved together and just be an artist.

Looking at my life today, I realize that I am everything I was back in college. A friend of mine once told me I was "too passionate", another told me I had A.D.H.D. My life isn't a life that can fit into any one career path. I still paint, write, create, and even teach. (See? I knew those semesters as an education major would come to good use some day!) I am always wanting to try something new. I guess that is a phase I will never out-grow. My new goals are to master watercolors and read the classics.

So, I guess I wasn't addicted to college. I just love life.

My Little Genius

2011-03-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

My mom has always talked about how smart she thinks Zack is. She is always bragging about the things he says and does. She is always telling me what an "awesome responsibility" I have, home schooling such a gifted child.

When he was about 4 years old, I was listening to my mother go on and on about how brilliant he was as he played in the floor at her feet. Sarcastically I said, "Yup. He's a genius. That little kid sitting right there with Lincoln Logs in his ears is going to be a rocket scientist!"

My mom is a proud grandma and don't get me wrong - I've always been extremely happy that she is so involved in my children's lives. I've always been thrilled with the fact that she thinks my children are amazing.

Mom has been talking about my "genius child" since he was a baby, but to be perfectly honest, I just didn't see it . . . . until yesterday.

Zack had to eat a late lunch because he took too long finishing up his math worksheet. (He likes math, but he likes looking out the window better.) So, he was sitting at the kitchen table, by himself, eating a plate of leftover tater-tot casserole and it was taking him forever to eat. (He likes tater-tot casserole, but he likes looking out the window better.)

All of a sudden, he jumps up from the table and says "Hey mom! I just got a great idea!" Then he goes on to explain that he has seen pictures of Japan after the earthquake and he noticed something odd. The houses fell down, but the trees did not. It's because the houses didn't have roots. So, when he grows up, he is going to build an "earthquake safe house". The house is going to have roots that go deep into the ground. The house will still shake, but it won't fall down on people. It will keep them safe.

OK, so maybe mom is right. Maybe my 7 year old little boy IS brilliant. Maybe I should have seen it when mom did. Maybe I should have seen it when the pediatrician told us at age 2, his vocabulary was extraordinary. Maybe I should have seen it when he started to read at age 3. Maybe I should have seen it when he designed and built a solar-powered oven. Maybe I should have seen it when he started playing, and sometimes winning, the game of chess.

Maybe he IS a genius . . . . .or maybe he's just a goofy little kid with Lincoln Logs in his ears.

My Lovely Brown

2011-01-21T14:47:00.001-08:00

I am not a coffee drinker.

I wish I was, I really do. I love the idea of coffee.

I think chunky, ceramic mugs are cute. I also think I would look really grown-up and trendy carrying around one of those paper cups with the nifty little lid. Coffee makes an incredible accessory. It goes with anything. Even jeans and a tee look cute with a coffee cup. It's like the "little black dress" of accessories. You just can't go wrong carrying around a cup of coffee.

I have tried to like it. I have tasted every kind of coffee I could find, but yuck. Every single sip makes me want to gag. It tastes like charcoal water and who wants to drink that?

Kris likes coffee. He frequents those trendy places with the bistro sets and the tan and burgundy walls. I always have to give him an extra long hug after he meets a friend for coffee. He smells so yummy. You see, I love the way coffee smells. I even bought a coffee candle. Imagine my embarrassment, though, when someone dropped by and asked to stay for a cup of that delicious-smelling coffee. "Oh no," I had to say, "I'm not hip enough to drink coffee. It's just a candle." Oh, how I wished coffee tasted the way it smells!

In November, Kris took me to Starbucks. (He had a gift card and he wanted a cheap date.) I stood there, desperately searching the menu for something I could choke down, when I spotted it - "Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate."

I like caramel. I like chocolate.

I was not prepared, however, for the utter bliss that I would feel upon my first sip of this nectar of the gods.

I truly embarrassed myself in front of my sweet husband. He thought I was having some sort of attack or something. I cannot mimic the sounds of joy that escaped my mouth. I thought I was going to die from . . . I don't know. . . ecstasy?

It tasted so perfectly delicious and on top of that . . . . it came in one of those paper cups with that nifty little lid! Finally, I had found perfection in my world. The most wonderful tasting beverage and a darling accessory all in one package! My heart is, even now, thumping wildly at the thought of this discovery.

But my joy was matched with an equal sorrow when December rolled around and "salted caramel" was replaced on the menu by "peppermint". Peppermint! My heart ached at the realization that "Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate" was a seasonal menu item - available during the autumn months only.

Depression set in over the months of December and half of January.

That is, until this week.

Out of sheer desperation, I asked my husband to drive me to Roaster's. I needed caramel hot chocolate and I needed it bad. Roaster's is a cute little coffee shop. It smells nice. No caramel hot chocolate, though. Fighting back tears, I asked my husband to see if the little coffee guy behind the counter would make me some hot chocolate and add caramel. You know what? The little guy said "OK. Sure thing!" He was even chipper about it and acted like it was perfectly normal for the husband of a teary, desperate, imbalanced female to ask for caramel.

One sip and I knew I had found what I had been looking for. My heart was finally home.

But, oh, what does this mean? Have I wasted almost two months mourning a beverage I could have been drinking all along? Oh, the pain, the regret! What have I done? What have missed?

Alas, after much soul searching, I have resolved to not give in to the regret of past mistakes. I will no longer torment myself. What's done is done. I cannot change the past. All I can do it look to the future and enjoy each day as it comes.

I will not take for granted my luscious Caramel Hot Chocolate. I will relish each and every sip. I will not think on those darkest of days, spent away from my lovely brown. I am bravely walking towards a new dawn; a new chapter.

.....and don't I look fab carrying my paper cup with that nifty little lid?

Time

2011-01-14T10:48:00.001-08:00

The afternoon of News Year's Eve was spent watching videos of Bailey and Zack. It is amazing how much they have changed and grown over the years. We laughed at Bailey (18 months) picking Zack's nose (10 months). We listened to Zack (2 years) "read" The Very Hungry Caterpillar. We cried while we watched Bailey's adoption referral video, filmed at the Babies' Home in Seoul. We were amazed, once again, by the miracle of our children.

Something struck me, while watching videos of my sweet babies. Maybe it is because we were married for 9 years before having children, I don't know, but time does not seem to be zipping by like I thought it would. I have heard time and time again, parents advise me to enjoy every minute because children grow up so fast. Watching Bailey and Zack as babies I was amazed that it really doesn't seem like yesterday. It seems like 7 years ago.

I believe the agonizing wait was, actually, a blessing. I had time to enjoy my marriage and plan for my future. I think this is why I have enjoyed every minute of being mommy. I haven't taken a single moment for granted. I love my children more than life itself.

That is why, I think, I don't dread seeing my children grow up.

Of course, Bailey was cute and silly at age 2. But, you know what? She is beautiful and compassionate, and, yes, still silly at age 7. I am in love with Bailey - not her age.

Zack was a sweet, chubby, drooly baby at 9 months. I loved seeing his pudgy arms reach for me. At 7, though, he gives the best hugs and makes me laugh like no one else can. I love the boy named Zack, not his age.

So, as Bailey's birthday rolls around next month, you won't hear me complain about the fact that she is getting older. You will hear me sing and cheer and celebrate the fact that the world has been blessed by the presence of my amazing daughter for 8 entire years! What a miracle!

I am blessed.

I am excited about what the future holds for my family.

I am ready to celebrate!

Our Homeschool Classroom

2011-01-10T13:20:00.000-08:00

This is our happy little homeschool classroom! It is actually a second living area at the back of the house. (This is the view from the kitchen.)

This is our reading corner. I started reading to Bailey and Zack when they were infants. They have now developed their own love for books and spend a lot of time in this little corner. Library books are kept in the white basket between the bean bags. This makes a huge difference when the due date rolls around. We don't have to search then entire house for library books. The cute little hedgehog bean bags came from Target. They are made out of corduroy and are super-soft and comfy.

These are the snowflakes hanging over our reading corner. We had suns in August and September, owls in October and November. I'm not sure what I will hang up next. Raindrops maybe? or Kites?

This is a handy place to keep our current favorites. These books are the ones that are most reached for. The latest and greatest titles include "Tobia, the Quig, and the Rumplenut Tree", "Tops and Bottoms", "The Wide-Mouthed Frog", "Peeny Butter Fudge", "Super Hero Swamp", and "I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track."

Bailey and Zack enjoy having their own workspace. All of their school supplies are kept in their desks and their text books are in little book bins on the floor beside each desk.

Behind their desks, we hang artwork on a clothesline hung over the windows. There are flashcards on the windowsill.

The big yellow tub in the corner contains "Free Choice Time Activities". There are lots of goodies in the tub that serve as great motivation tools!

These are the built in storage cabinets and entertainment center (which we use as a computer desk.) The desk top is a constant source of frustration because it stays so cluttered. I am still trying to find a way to keep this area organized. It drives me crazy!

This is the front of the classroom. We have a white board/chart stand combo that my mother bought for us, a felt board for storytelling, and one of my many handy-dandy pocket charts. There is also a huge pocket chart (not pictured) that hangs on the back of the door.

Art is very important to our family. These are Bailey and Zack's art supplies that they use daily. The cabinet beneath is also full of supplies. We do something creative everyday!

Behind my desk is Bailey and Zack's library. These books are organized and color coded. I created my own coding system for our little library and it works wonderfully. We have around 520 books that are currently in our system. Bailey and Zack also have their own "private collections" that are in their bedrooms. We love shopping for books and frequently add to our library.

This is the top of my desk. Every once in a while, when working on a big project, I clear off my desk and we use it as a shared work table. Most of the time, though, this is my little spot.

At the end of each messy school day, we take a few minutes to tidy up our classroom. Bailey and Zack have a great respect for learning and work hard to maintain their learning space. Each morning, they walk into a clean classroom, excited about what new and exciting things await!

They Called Him Laughter

2011-01-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

Zack makes me laugh.

When he was born, I said I wanted to name him "Laughter". Kris talked me out of it, but that name would have fit him very well for several reasons.

I first wanted to give him that name because of the Michael Card song about Sarah that says,

"They called him Laughter, for he came after
The father had made an impossible promise come true."

"An improbable infant, a punchline, a promise come true.
They laughed til they wept, then laughed at their tears
This miracle baby they've wanted for years".

Then later, my dad said our story was proof that God has a sense of humor. You know, begging for a baby and then having two within 4 months! That's funny! So, let's name him "Laughter!"

Zack is funny. His one-liners keep us laughing all day. He wakes up funny and he goes to bed even funnier! So, why shouldn't he have the name "Laughter"?

He tells jokes, and puts grapes between his toes. He makes insightfully hilarious comments about the world around him. He makes funny costumes and tries to train the dog to do silly things. He hides in boxes and wears underwear on his head. He helps me see the humor in the mundane. He gives everyone and everything funny nick-names. He belly laughs in his sleep, dreaming, I guess, of his plans for the next day.

My mom called they other day and said, "I just wanted to call and see what Zack said today!"

Bailey has always enjoyed his humor. When they were babies, he would make funny noises to make her laugh. One day, Bailey was upset and fussy. Nothing we did would calm her. Then Kris had a brilliant idea. Go get Zack. We held Zack over her crib and bingo! Her tears turned to laughter! He still believes it is his job to make her laugh and he does. Daily. She calls him "my funny brother".

I tried to keep a journal of the funny things that he says and does, but it's impossible to write down everything. I have decided to quit trying to record everything he says and just relax and enjoy him.

He is a delightful child. He is a little ray of sunshine that burst unexpectedly into our world. He is a joy!

So, why not "Laughter"? Or a least "Isaac"?

Well, because his name is "Zackariah" - "Jehovah has remembered you" - and that name fits him even better.

A Heart Like No Other

2010-12-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

When I was a little girl I was afraid of elderly people. I remember being terrified to visit nursing homes with my parents. I think a lot of children feel this way. There is just something about the elderly that frightens young children. It's sad, but that is just the way it is.

But, Bailey is different.

She loves being around older people. She has a quiet compassion that I cannot explain. She has always had a bond with my grandmother, so maybe that explains her love for the elderly. I don't know. All I know is that she kind, gentle, tender hearted, loving and not at all fearful when she is with them.

She is not afraid to talk to them, hug them, caress their hands.

Last weekend, she played Christmas songs at two different nursing homes. Her violin teacher encouraged the students to stay for a few minutes and talk to the residents. Bailey made her way around, shaking hands and whispering (as only Bailey can) "Merry Christmas."

I noticed the other students were hesitant, as I would have been. Not many stayed to visit. In fact, by the time Bailey has visited with two or three people I noticed many of the other students were on their way out the door. But Bailey wanted to stay.

She is so soft spoken, I'm sure most of the residents couldn't hear what she was saying, but I did. I heard her and watched her and it melted my heart. She took each hand in hers, looked them in the eye, and whispered kind words. They may not have heard her, but they felt her. They felt her loving touch and they smiled.

One man had obviously had a severe stroke. His face was drawn and his hand was shriveled. When I saw him, I wondered what Bailey would do. Would he frighten her? I watched as she went to him, rubbed his shriveled hand, smiled, and again whispered "Merry Christmas."

As tears came to my eyes, my sweet Bailey did her little "happy skip" and said, "I like old people, Mom."

She has a heart like no other.

My Happy Place

2010-09-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

Our Homeschool

2010-08-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

I have had several people ask me about homeschooling and let me start by saying "I AM NOT AN EXPERT." Even though we have completed a pre-k program, kindergarten, and first grade at home, I still feel like I am just starting out.

Anyway, for those of you who are interested, this is how we homeschool.

We are very traditional. For the most part, we follow a traditional school calendar. We also follow a pretty traditional school day. We start at 9:00, eat lunch at noon, and wrap up our school day around 2:00. (I won't go into all of the details of our day but, if you REALLY want to know what we do every day at, say, 1:23, email me and I'll let you know.)

As far as our course of study, we are pretty traditional in that aspect also. I do not feel like I am completely qualified to write my own curriculum (although I know some homeschool moms who are able to do this brilliantly.) I have always purchased our curriculum. I acquire the Texas State Education Standards every year. When shopping for curriculum, I make sure it meets (and most of the time it exceeds) the Texas State standards. This year we are studying math, phonics, spelling, grammar, literature, map skills, art appreciation, music appreciation, handwriting, health, science, social studies, Bible, creative writing, Korean, and art.

On top of the basics, I asked Bailey and Zack to decide what "special topics" they wanted to study. This is where the fun comes in. These are things they are really interested in. I love the fact that I can teach them what they want to know. This is one of the reasons I think homeschool is a good idea. So, I put together units on Robotics, Nocturnal Animals, Veterinary Science, Hot Air Balloons, Colonies, NASA, Korea, Dog Breeds, Human Anatomy, and Christmas. As the year progresses, we will add to this list of special topics.

For those of you who are concerned about socialization - Bailey and Zack also participate in several extra-curricular activities. We are not isolated homebodies. We are an "on-the-go" kind of family. We have an outside activity to attend every weekday, sports on Saturday, and church on Sunday.

Zack is playing football in the fall and will start basketball in January. He is also in a Lego Club and takes piano lessons from Nanny. He would also like to learn some woodworking. I haven't talked to my dad about it yet so, Pa Pa, if you are reading this, give me a call!

Bailey is taking violin lessons. She is in a girls club called "Keepers of the Faith" and she is taking ballet at The LanDance Conservatory. She is "thinking about soccer." I think we may let her give it a try, but she is about as athletic as I am!

Field trips are another important part of our homeschool. As I said, we do not like to sit at home. We LOVE day trips! We are always looking for an excuse to slip out of town to learn something new. Of course, you can find us at museums and community events in Amarillo, too!

So, this is how we homeschool. It's pretty basic. We are simple people.

One of these days, I'll get around to posting photos of our school room. But right I now, I have to go outside and teach the kids how to make paper from recycled materials. I have a feeling this is going to get messy!

What I Did Last Summer

2010-08-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

Wow. Summer is almost over. School starts tomorrow. Looking back on our summer, I don't see how we fit it all into 3 short months, but somehow we managed to pack it all in!

We have had an amazing summer.

We've been to the Royal Gorge, The Denver Museum of Natural History, Rocky Mountain National Park (long story - no photos), Bishops's Castle (strange, but fun), Oklahoma City Zoo, OKC Science Museum, Camp Bond (church camp), and countless trips to the pool.

Zack lost 3 teeth and invented a solar oven.

Bailey played in her first Fiddle Contest and trained Clifford to be on "America's Got Talent".

They ate lunch in their tree house and dug holes in the yard.

Zacky caught fireflies in Oklahoma and slept with a jar full of little flickering bugs.

Bailey learned to roller skate and they both learned to swim.

We've had 2 great evenings at Wonderland, we went to the parade in Canyon, set off fireworks in the front yard, made s'mores in the firepit, ate fresh, homegrown cucumbers and apricots from Pa Pa's yard, had a blast at Bug Camp and Hillside Live, enjoyed a couple of fiddle contests, made homemade ice cream, went to Toy Story 3, Jump-N-Jive . . . . it has been NON-STOP summer fun!

Ah, but school starts tomorrow. That's OK, really. Our little family tries to have fun, not matter the season. So hold on for a little while and I'll be posting photos of our super-great, awesomely fun FALL!

Yes, I Am A (gasp!) Homeschool Mom

2010-08-10T16:04:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make.

I didn't want to homeschool because I thought homeschoolers were weird.

There. I said it.

(I know, I know, my husband was homeschooled. But you know as well as I do that Kris is a rebel. He enjoys breaking the rules. So he doesn't count. He is not your stereo-typical homeschooler.)

I didn't want to homeschool because I didn't think I could ever be "that" kind of mom. Come on, you know what I'm talking about - the classic "homeschool mom".

I just don't fit the mold. I don't wear denim jumpers. I don't know how to milk a goat. I don't have any sister-wives. I don't think public school is evil. I have two children - not seventeen. I wear make-up. I like tight jeans and black high heels. I would rather listen to Train, Hootie, and Better Than Ezra than KLOVE. I am pretty worldy, by comparison.

When Bailey and Zack were getting close to school age, I changed my mind. There wasn't just one thing that changed my mind, but rather a combination of things. I decided I COULD be a homeschool mom. Maybe not the jumper-wearing, goat-milking, sister-wife kind of homeschool mom, but I could be my own kind of homeschool mom.

Over that past couple of years, I've met several other homeschool families. You can imagine how surprised I was to discover that most homeschool moms around here don't fit the mold, either. They are just normal moms with normal families who have chosen to educate their children at home. No goats, no sister-wives. (OK, well, there WAS that one family in Oklahoma City with one husband, three wives, and lots of babies, but that's another blog post....)

So, don't get me wrong. I have met my fair share of weird homeschool families, but I have also met quiet a few weird public school families. Yup. Anybody can be weird.

What's funny is that they probably think I'm pretty weird, too, with my hip-hugger jeans, hot pink tennis shoes, glittery sunglasses, and loud music.

My Battle Plan

2010-08-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

I am a "sticker mom." I love charts and stickers.

I also love lists and schedules......and my label maker. I LOVE my label maker.

I love my household management notebook that I put together last year. It is a handy place to keep all of my neatly labeled charts, schedules, and lists.

I have come to realize, however, that my love of organization is a trait that I did not pass down to my son. He is a messy, unorganized, pack-rat. This has caused a lot of strife in our household. We are constantly butting heads over the state of his room.

Bailey, on the other hand, is just like me. She loves order. She enjoys organizing. I won't let her use my beloved label maker, so she uses construction paper and tape to make her own labels. She likes schedules and lists even more than I do.

In spite of all of my charts and labels, chores are still a bit of a problem at our house.

I think a HUGE mistake I made was the sticker chart. I generously gave out stickers for chores that were then traded for allowance - allowance that was spent on more toys to "clutter up" the kids rooms.

So, today, after I spent the morning gathering up toys to give away, we had a family meeting. We are making some changes.

Kris and I have been trying to come up with a plan and I think we finally put one together that might work.

First of all - the sticker chart is headed out the door. To be perfectly honest, I was tired of trying to keep up it with anyway.

Second, we are not giving allowance anymore. Kris and I don't get paid to wash the dishes. Why should we pay the kids to clean their rooms? We buy them whatever they need and most of what they want anyway. Allowance is just a novelty.

Third, they are going continue to help out around the house. Cleaning up and taking care of the house is just what has to be done. It's part of life and part of being in a family. They will still be helping with washing dishes, folding laundry, feeding the dog, dusting furniture, sweeping floors, wiping down bathroom counters (with chemical-free cleaning spray) - things they were being paid to do.

Fourth, I AM NOT GIVING UP MY LABEL MAKER. I will continue to label the shelves and baskets in the kids' rooms. I will continue to expect them to put their toys back exactly where they belong. Organizationally challenged or not (Zack) this is what has to be done.

And finally, NO MORE JUNK TOYS. You know what I am talking about - Happy Meal Toys, Dollar Tree Toys, Tourist Trap Toys. I am tired of little pieces of nothing that break and get scattered everywhere. From now on, we are only buying QUALITY TOYS.

We had a family meeting to discuss the changes being made and you know what? The kids are fine with it. I think they are actually delighted with the simplicity of it all. No more stickers, no more charts. They will clean their rooms every evening, and be ready to do other jobs as the need arises.

So this is my battle plan. I will let you know how it works out.........

Politics

2010-08-05T07:46:00.000-07:00

So in the past, I have just used this blog to update family and friends on the life and times of our little family. Sometimes I am able to keep it up to date and sometimes I simply do not have time to post pictures and updates. That's just the way life is.

I am sure I will keep trying to keep it updated with photos and stories. In fact, I am going to try to post some summer highlights soon. But, today my blog is going to take a break from it's original purpose and it is going to turn political.

Yes, I said political.

I tend to keep quiet about my political views. I am not outspoken or boisterous about current political issues. I read and I vote, but I am not comfortable discussing politics. I have some very strong opinions about things, but I keep them to myself. That's just the way I am.

However, there have been some things happening lately that have just made me want to say, "OK. Enough is enough." There have been times in the past few months that I have wanted to make my opinion known, but then I have talked myself out of it. I am not confrontational. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I don't want to rock the boat.

But today, I am in a "boat-rocking mood". Maybe it is the rain. Maybe it is exhaustion. I don't know. But today I am finally going to say it -

Enough is enough.

I know that most people in our part of the country are republican. I know that most people strongly disagree with president Obama. We are all entitled to our opinions and I am grateful that we are blessed with freedom of speech.

But, I am angry.

I am angry that there are so many republicans who disrespect the office of the president of the United States of America by comparing our president to a monkey. I am angry that there are so many Christians who have so little respect for a living soul, created by God.

I am tired of people reserving places in hell for politicians. Really? God gave you that job? Really? YOU are the eternal travel agent? I had no idea. That is amazing. I thought we were to love, not judge. Disagree with others, debate issues, vote the way we feel we should vote, make our opinions known .... but not damn others. That is not our job. We are not God. We are not given the right to proclaim who is going to hell. I am appalled at the arrogance. Sickened and disgusted.

I am angry that people who are offended by "democrat haters" allow themselves to become "republican haters". I am tired of hearing people say they want respect and tolerance to be shown to them and in the next breath, rip apart the other "side".

I am angry and I have had enough. So the next time you want to forward an offensive email or post your hate in facebook, think. That's all. Just think. We are called to love, not condemn.

My sweet 7 year old little girl has been so blessed with a Godly wisdom. Every night, before bed time, she bows her head, folds her hands, and prays, earnestly, for President Obama. There is no hate. There is no condemnation. There is only love and a strong desire for our nation and our President to follow God. Shouldn't you, in all of your "adult wisdom", be doing the same?

And you know what?

I am republican. I disagree with Obama.

Easter

2010-05-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

I just realized I haven't posted photos from Easter. Better late than never, though, right?

We started our celebration with an Easter Tea Party at "the cousin's" house. Aunt Laura has hosted an Easter tea every year since the kids were babies. Bailey and Zack always look forward to it.

On Saturday, we colored Easter eggs and baked "Resurrection Rolls". The rolls were fun and when they came out of the oven, they really looked like empty tombs!

On Sunday, the Easter bunny stopped by for a visit while we were at church. When we got home, the yard was full of eggs! He even popped inside to fill Bailey and Zack's baskets.

Then, it was off the Nanny and PaPa's house for dinner, a nice visit with Grandma Neta, and even MORE eggs!

I Would Die For That

2010-03-08T15:38:00.000-08:00

We were married for 9 years before our little ones came along. There were times my heart was broken, but looking back, I wouldn't change a thing.

Dear Mr. Haney,

2010-02-28T05:33:00.000-08:00

This bicycle is absolutely perfect. All it needs is a big wicker basket on the front. It is designed by Libery of London and will be available at Target on March 14th.

I also need these shoes. . . . .

Oh, and I need this dress for Bailey. . . . .

and these cute little aprons. . . .

and oh, one more thing. . . . . my birthday is only 75 days away, Mr. Haney.

Maybelline and Morgan

2010-01-20T07:45:00.000-08:00

When Bailey was 4 years old, she asked me why all of her dolls were "white babies". I had never thought about it before, but they were all "white babies".

That very day, we went to Toys R Us to find an Asian baby. They didn't' have any Asian baby dolls, but they did have a little Asian "Kelly" doll. She named her "Little Bailey". The next Christmas, Santa was able to find a beautiful little Asian baby doll. She named her "Baby Bailey".

My Bailey's newest love is "Faith and Friend" dolls. My mom and dad gave her the Asian doll for Christmas, along with a complete wardrobe. It was Bailey's favorite gift. It even overshadowed her Santa gifts. She named her Maybelline and has played with her endlessly.

So, for her birthday, she asked for another "Faith and Friends" doll. She wanted Maybelline to have a friend. I took her shopping and let her pick which one she wanted. She chose a brown haired doll in a yellow dress. She wasn't the cutest of the "Faith and Friends" dolls and her clothes were a little plain, but that's the doll she wanted. She named her Morgan and has slept with her every night since her birthday.

A couple of days ago, Bailey and I were sitting in the floor of her room, having a tea party with Maybelline and Morgan. We visited about dolls, cookies, puppies and all of the things that are important in her little world. I thought this might be a good time to ask about Morgan.

"Bailey, tell me why you picked Morgan. Did you like her clothes the best? Or her shoes?"

"No. I liked her hair."

"Because it is cut kind of like yours?"

"No."

"Because it has yellow ribbons?"

"No, mommy. I like it because it's brown. I wanted a doll that looks like you."

Oh, my sweet Bailey . . . . .

Donny

2010-01-03T15:50:00.000-08:00

I'm almost embarrassed to say that my first crush was Gilligan. Not the professor, but strange, silly Gilligan. I'm not even sure "crush" is the right word. I wasn't gooey in the knees about him, I just thought he was cute and funny. I've always loved men who could make me laugh.

My first real, gooey in the knees, butterflies in the tummy kind of crush was.... (imagine "One Bad Apple" underscoring here)..... Donny. I thought he was dreamy. My tummy would tickle every time I heard "Puppy Love" and to this day I am convinced "Go Away Little Girl" was written just for me (he was 16 years old and had already recorded 2 albums when I was born). My sister had his poster on her door and I would drool over his purple socks.

Later, as my taste matured, I fell head over heels for Bo Duke and Magnum P I, but my first love will always be (...sigh...) Donny.

So recently, after Donny won the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy, I confessed to my family that I used to stand in the hallway and kiss a tiny, little spot on the wall that I pretended was Donny.

This year, my sweet Daddy gave me the most wonderful Christmas gift ever. He went to a lot of trouble to get it and he was one of the first people in Amarillo to buy it on it's release date. It was (drum roll) the Donny Osmond Definitive Collection Cd! Can you believe it?!?!

I was so surprised! I squealed with delight and for just a moment, it was 1979 again and I was standing in the hallway staring at my sister's door and kissing the wall.

Thank you Daddy! You are the best dad EVER!

A Doughnut and An Angel

2009-11-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

We've all been so pre-occupied with "doctor stuff", that I completely forgot to post pics of Halloween. So, here they are!

Zack was a doughnut. He had been talking about it for a long time and I had to make the costume. He always has to be "different". Bailey was an angel. It was much easier to find a pre-made angel costume. Their costumes were a perfect reflection of their little personalities. (We gave up on trying to put Clifford's clown costume on him this year.)

We carved "punkins", visited Grandma Neta, then went to the church hayride, and trick or treating. It was a great day!

Asthma

2009-11-06T11:35:00.000-08:00

My poor Zacky is so tired. He coughs non-stop and has almost lost his voice. He feels "good" and wants to play, but I am afraid to let him go out side. It has been a hard, frustrating week.

This "asthma stuff" is all brand new to us. What can he do? What should he avoid? How much longer will he need to use a nebulizer? What do we do if he passes out again? What do we do when he starts wheezing? Can he still play basketball? How many more medications are we going to have to try? How many more doctors will we have to see? . . . .so many questions and so little answers.

There have been lots of tears this week - his and mine. There have been lots of doctor's bills to pay and lots of prescriptions to fill. There have been lots of sleepless nights and lots of prayers.

If I could sum up this week in one word it would be "fear" and I am so tired of being afraid.

My Parents

2009-10-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

My parents live the most fascinating life of anyone I know. Things just seem to "happen" to them; things that don't usually "happen" to most people.

A couple of nights ago, they witnessed an attempted robbery at a drug store. The most amazing thing about this is that they weren't really all that shook up by the whole ordeal. The man in line right in front of them said he had a gun and tried to rob the pharmacy. Now, if this had happened to me, I'd be pretty freaked out. But my parents were not really affected by it at all. I think it's because weird things happen to them pretty often.

For instance, a couple of years ago they stumbled on to a "church service" in New Mexico. It seemed a little odd at first, but things started to get really creepy after a while and they realized they were right in the middle of a Cult Meeting.

Then there was the time a police officer asked my dad to climb through a window of a house to unlock the door. My dad was pretty skinny. The police officer was not. And, oh yeah, there was a dead body in the house.

They were on a cruise ship on 9-11-01 and weren't allowed back in the country. We called their congressman. They were able to get into the country 5 days later after my mom was "searched" by a customs agent.

There have been other things, too. Hotel fires, strange weather phenomenons, freak ski accidents, snow shoe adventures that have gone awry, odd encounters with unique individuals. . . . . . .

I used to think it was their adventurous lifestyle that led to these strange happenings. You see, my parents are not couch potatoes by any stretch of the imagination. They are always planning their next big adventure. My dad has said "you can roll your jeep over a cliff and die OR you can roll off your couch and die."

But now I'm thinking it is just "them". I mean, how adventurous does one have to be to make a trip to Walgreens?

Do Do

2009-10-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

Zacky has an imaginary friend named "Do Do".

Yup. Do Do.

Not dodo, like a dodo bird.

Do Do, like, well, you know.

Do Do makes our life very interesting. Like today. I went into Zack's room and opened his closet to get his clothes out for the day. Zack was sitting in his floor playing with legos and he SCREAMED "Noooo! Close the door! Close the door! Do Do is in there! You're going to let him out! I put him in there because he was being mean."

Do Do eats lunch with us every day. He usually has the same thing Zacky is having.

He also rides in the car with us everywhere we go. I have to remind Zack to leave Do Do in the car when we go to church, out to eat, or to the nursing home to visit my grandmother. People can be so judgmental about imaginary friends named "Do Do."

I have to be careful where I sit, because I don't want to sit on Do Do. I've done that before and it was very annoying.

Zack had a race with Do Do one day. I asked him who won and he said " I don't know. I can't see him."

I'm learning to love Do Do. He has a way of making me laugh.

My Seach for Balance

2009-10-02T11:18:00.000-07:00

I am up to my neck in post-it notes, lists, calendars, schedules . . . .

The kids have an outside activity to attend 4 days a week. When basketball starts in a couple of weeks, we'll add a practice and game every week. Oh, and extra ballet rehearsals start in two weeks and run through November. On top of all that is church stuff, issues with my grandmother, and Kris working 2 jobs. It is out of control.

I have to look at our calendar every night to remind myself what we're doing the next day.

With Bailey needing a structured routine, I am wondering if all of this craziness is what has put her on edge. She's had a rough few weeks. I keep reminding myself (and Kris) that she can't live in a cave. She needs to stretch herself a little. She is most happy at home, in her room, by herself. But she can't stay in there forever.

I'm trying to find balance. It has to exist out there somewhere.

Second Honeymoon

2009-09-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

I have, once again, been on a huge purging / re-decorating frenzy. I've cleaned out some closets, again. (I do this every few weeks. It's cheap therapy.) Re-arranged furniture, hung some window treatments . . . .

Then, my mom found this great sale just in time for my re-doing craziness. She bought 2 wire baskets, a clock, a bathroom set, some wall shelves, 20 wash cloths and 8 framed prints . . . all 90% OFF!!!!! I was doing a happy dance!

So, I was able to "fix" my kitchen color scheme, cutsy up my scrap space, and add a new "something" to almost every room of the house.

I think we're on a second honeymoon, my house and I. It's a happy day.

Our bedroom

Kitchen window

My scrapbooking Nook

Hillside Canyon Before and After

2009-09-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

It's been 5 weeks since launch Sunday and we are having so much fun at Hillside Canyon. We leave the house at 6:45 every Sunday morning and get home around 1:30. We unpack, set up, have 2 services, take is all down, and pack it all up again. It's a lot of work, but worth every minute. These are just a few pictures of Exteme Kids. During the week this room is Canyon High School's choir room, but on the week ends it is an awesome children's environment. These pictures are pretty fun, but it's even better when the lights are on, the music is blaring, and the room is full of kids worshiping our amazing God. We just can't wait until next week!

At'l Do

2009-09-25T12:03:00.000-07:00

I know, I know . . . I took a lot of pictures. It's only because I LOVE autumn, I LOVE pumpkins, and I LOVE my super cute kids!

We loved our trip to the At'l Do Farm between Shallowater and Lubbock. It was a perfect day for our little family!

Mountain Climbing

2009-09-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

Zacky has been talking about climbing a mountain for several months. So, we took him up Clear Creek. It's a perfect little "climb" for a 5 year old.

We had to stop about half way up because Bailey Boo got tired.

If I hadn't been so afraid of the wild life, I would have taken Boo back down and let Kris and Zack keep going until they reached the top.

Next time, I'm going to let the boys go by themselves.

Kris

2009-09-11T15:21:00.000-07:00

The other night I was getting the kiddos ready for bed and I heard Kris in the living room playing his guitar.

This isn't really all that unusual. When has a down time, you can almost always find him sitting around, barefooted, playing his guitar.

But it was a little different this time.

You see, he was playing a new song. My favorite song.

He didn't even mention to me that he was learning it. He didn't say a word about it. When I asked him about it, all he said was "You like it?"

The week before he had given me a beautiful flower. No note. No explanation.

A few mornings later, I found a love note that he had left on the bathroom mirror before he left for work.

Bailey saw me reading the note and asked who it was from. When I told her she said "Daddy is always in love with you."

It's little things like this that remind me of why I married this guy in the first place.

The Honeymoon Is Over

2009-08-31T13:52:00.000-07:00

We've lived in the house for 16 months and the honeymoon is coming to an end.

I am very frustrated with the kitchen. The windows are bare. Mini-blinds. That's it. Yuck. And the color scheme? I'm still not sure. This cannot be allowed to continue.

The laundry room. I spend a lot of time in there. Isn't there something I can do to make it more appealing? I mean, no one ever sees it except me, but still . . . . .

And our "school room" is a little too much "school" for my taste. I wouldn't mind so much if I didn't have to share my little piece of scrapbooking heaven with our homeschool classroom. But what to do?

The backyard. Augh! I don't even know where to begin. It's just not. Not at all.

I loved this house last year. I think I can love it again. I've just got to get busy and make something happen. I've gotten too comfortable. It's time to make some changes.

Homeschool and A Violin Lesson

2009-08-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

What a great week! We started back to school this week and it was so much fun! The new curriculum is incredible and the kids are loving every minute of it.

Monday morning, I went into Zack's room to wake him up for school. He is usually an early riser, but he was still so tired from our trip to the mountains that he slept later than usual. He hopped right out of bed when I reminded him it was the first day of school. Tuesday, he was up at his normal way-to-early-for-me hour. He came bounding into our room and said "Mama! Did you forget we have school today? Get up! Get up!" I am so glad he loves school and he is doing great! He is a super-fast, eager learner. It is so much fun to teach him new things.

My sweet Bailey wants to learn and really enjoys school. She is doing really well, even though it's more of a challenge for her. She had a rough day on Friday. Lots of rocking and buzzing . . . unless you have a spectrum kiddo, it's really had to explain. Nothing seemed to help. We finally got through the school day and we were both exhausted. It was one of those really hard days. We were both in tears.

I had to pull myself together and try to calm her down because we had a violin lesson at 2:45. I really questioned whether or not we should even go, but she desperately wanted to see Molly and Lamb Chop, her violin teacher's 2 dogs.

So, we went.

And it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. She played flawlessly.

The music just flowed from her.

I have never heard her play that way before. It was amazing. Where did this come from?

It was a gift. A gift that may not be there next time, but it was there on that day and it touched me.

Love, Love, Love This . . . . . .

2009-08-14T12:17:00.000-07:00

That Kid Makes Me Laugh

2009-08-10T14:21:00.000-07:00

I guess he has his daddy's sense of humor - slap-stick, off the wall, sometimes warped, always a tiny bit odd. . . . . Zack is always making us laugh. He is such a silly little kid. From grapes between his toes, to his not-so-subtle life observations, he keeps me smiling.

Candy Land and My Amazing Life

2009-08-05T14:27:00.000-07:00

Sometimes is it something tiny that can make me stop in my tracks and thank God for my amazing life.

Like today.

I found two little cards from our Candy Land game under the couch cushion and I just froze. My heart skipped a beat. "Oh my goodness" I thought "there are two little kids living in my house. I can't believe I'm a mom."

I spent so many years dreaming of what life might be like if I were a mommy. You would think that by now, I would be accustomed to two little people sharing my life, but I'm not. I am still amazed that after nine childless years, God blessed me with two beautiful children that I can call my own.

Who would ever dream that Candy Land could make a person teary eyed. . . . .

Summer Suzuki Recital

2009-07-29T06:22:00.000-07:00

Bailey's summer violin recital was last weekend. I love the summer recital because it is in the park. There is just something special about music out doors.

Bailey always gets so very nervous and I end up having to sit on the stage beside her while she plays. Her little hands get cold and clammy and her chin trembles. Then when it's over, she does her little happy skip off the stage.

I hope I'm not still sitting there for her senior recital when she's 18. Then again, I'm sure I will miss these days terribly when she doesn't need me close by anymore. I enjoy being her security blanket.

So now, we get a two week summer break and then it's back to work. The next recital is in September.

Bailey and Zack's Lemonade Business

2009-07-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, Bailey and Zack wanted to have a lemonade stand. We painted a sign, found their little aprons, set up a card table, and made a pitcher of lemonade. They only had to wait 5 minutes for their first customer. Our neighbor came over, gave them a whole dollar for one little cup of lemonade, and they were off and running. Two hours later, they had made almost 12 dollars - most of it in "tips". Maybe Kris should talk them into helping him sell real estate!

Homeschool

2009-07-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

At the end of May, I was ready to hang up my "homeschool mama" hat and take a nice looooong summer break. No lesson plans, no class schedules, no frantic trips to the library to find "just that one book" . . . . . And I have to say, I am LOVING summer!

But . . . . .

yesterday I went to Mardel to buy all of our 1st grade curriculum and now I have a bad case of the "homeschool bug" again. I love all of our new goodies and I started making lesson plans last night.

So, maybe I'm not ready for summer to be over just, yet. (We are just having WAY too much fun!) But, at least I know that the first day of school won't be so bad after all.

(These photo's were taken last year, during kindergarten.)

My Etsy Shop

2009-07-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

I started an Etsy Shop a few days ago. I love creating things and this is just a chance to share what I love to do. You can "click" on the images on the right to check out my shop. I think this is going to be fun!

Art Class

2009-07-13T06:41:00.000-07:00

Art classes have been too much fun! I'm not really sure what Bailey and Zack have created. They want to keep it a secret until the big art show in the gallery on Thursday.

They have been inspired by their teacher. Every day, when they come home, they have been wanting to paint, draw, cut, glue . . . .

I have enjoyed having mornings to myself. I've been catching up on some reading and doing a little bit of knitting. I've finally had time to open an Etsy shop (more on that later).

When I registered Bailey and Zack for this class last spring, I thought this would be a great time to work on lesson plans for next school year. This is the last week of class and I haven't done a single school-related thing! Oh well . . . .

An Email From Our Adoption Agency

2009-07-09T16:26:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness. Our adoption agency sent us an email yesterday about a little boy in South Korea who needs a family. He is two years old, has mild special needs, and has been waiting for a family since birth.

We receive emails like this every few months and they never cease to break my heart. We simply do not have the finances to adopt again, but oh, how my heart aches for this baby boy.

Please pray that this baby finds his family soon.

A Few Favorite Quotes . . . . . . . . . . .

2009-07-05T19:09:00.000-07:00

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."

"Don't cry over spilled milk. Get a mop and do something about it."

"The grass isn't greener on the other side. The grass is greener where you water and fertilize it."

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

Our 4th of July

2009-07-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

It was a perfect day.

We went to the parade in Canyon, ate hot dogs, and went to the "Fair on the Square".

Bailey and Zack loved shopping at the fair. Bailey bought a coin purse and a tinkerbell necklace. Zacky bought a wooden snake and a toy race car. All I wanted was a strawberry lime-aide!

When we got home, we had a cook-out. Hamburgers, stuffed jalapenos, potato salad, watermelon . . . . yum!

We finished the day with fireworks at the park, then came home to dance around the front yard with sparklers.

What fun!

Why I Love Summer . . . . . . . .

2009-07-02T14:07:00.000-07:00

Bailey and Zack helped plant a flower bed in our front yard in April. It is so exciting to see their flowers starting to bloom!

Something New

2009-07-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

I saw an interview last night with a lady who is a checker at a super market. She wears her dance shoes to work so she is always reminded of who she really is. A dancer.

Today I thought about wearing my ballet shoes out to run errands. I didn't. Instead I submitted 4 sketches to a company that is looking for a new artist to join their design team.

Nothing may ever come of it, but I feel good knowing I did it. It reminds my of who I really am.

It's a happy day.

I Like to Play With My Food

2009-06-30T09:08:00.001-07:00

I bought Bailey and Zack a kid's cooking set last year with aprons and real cooking utensils that are just their size. I'm always looking for cute recipes for them to try. I love Family Fun Magazine, Taste of Home Cookbook for Kids, Kids Can Cook, and All Time Favorite Recipes for Kids. These cookbooks are the best!

These are a few of our most recent projects.

We have a lot of fun in the kitchen!

Lawn Mower Cupcakes for my Dad's birthday

Octopus and Sea Weed

Grass Hopper Dip and Carrot Sticks

Dinosaur Nachos

Please come home . . . . .

2009-06-26T19:22:00.000-07:00

Kris is working a lot these days. (12-14 hours a day, 6-7 days a week) We just seem to see each other a few minutes each day. He's working all weekend. He left the house early this morning and I'm not sure when he'll be home. He has an open house tomorrow. So, he'll be gone all afternoon tomorrow. I miss him a lot. I want him to come home.

Purge. Label. Re-Arrange. Repeat.

2009-06-25T18:07:00.001-07:00

So, this is the first day this summer that we have been home most of the day. I got up this morning thinking I would get a lot done today.

I did.

I made a huge mess.

I emptied out a couple of storage cabinets in the school room and that's about it. I emptied them. Onto a card table. And my desk. And the floor. It looks like a crazy person lives here.

Maybe that's because a crazy person does live here.

After I started pulling things out, I realized it wasn't so disheveled that I really needed to completely empty everything out. In fact, all I'm really doing is moving things from one shelf to another and putting new labels on things.

So now, I'm going to be up all night, trying to put everything back. I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing I would wake up to a mess.

I do this a lot.

We've only lived in this house 14 months and I've cleaned out the school cabinets at least 4 times already. I've cleaned out my scrapbooking storage area 8 times. I've cleaned out the bedroom closets 5 times. I've cleaned out our coat closet 2 times. I've cleaned out the pantry 3 times.

I purge. Then I label. Then I re-arrange. Then I repeat.

Purge. Label. Re-arrange.

Purge. Label. Re-arrange.

Why do I do things like this?

Maybe I'm addicted to my label maker.

2009-06-25T07:54:00.000-07:00

The summer is swishing by so fast! There are so many things I still want to get done . . . .
I have a stack of books I'm wanting to read, I want to start an art journal, , I want to learn 5 new violin pieces, I want to knit a few more chemo hats, I want to try some new recipes . . . . . .

And then there is the list of things I NEED to do, like re-do the school room, make lesson plans for next year, clean out closets, clean out the garage . . . . .

Our summer calendar is so full, it's hard to fit these other wants and needs in anywhere. The kids start art (day) camp in a couple of weeks, so maybe I can work on some things while they are learning to be little Rembrandts.

Until then, I'll just have to work in five minute sprints between t-ball, violin lessons, Kris' open houses, pool time, library visits, July 4 Celebrations, Dad's surgery, trips to the Discovery Center, VBS . . . . .

It's Gotcha Day!

2009-06-21T05:47:00.001-07:00

"Sleepy Dog"

2009-06-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

Oh no, oh no, oh no. "Sleepy Dog" is in Pampa.

Bailey has a bedtime ritual that simply cannot be changed. Really. It CANNOT be changed. It MUST be done in the same order, at the same time, every night. If one little step is left out, then the whole household will suffer. Really. I'm not joking. She is very committed to this ritual.

There are seven steps she must take before she can go to sleep. Step number six is reading a little book called "Sleepy Dog". She cannot go to sleep if I read it too soon, too late, in the wrong lighting, if my voice is too loud, too soft, or if I'm not sitting in the right place.

Well, much to our dismay, we left "Sleepy Dog" at my Grandmother's house in Pampa on Saturday.

I have read it so many times, that I have it memorized. I have tried reciting it to her, but it's just not the same. She needs "Sleepy Dog". I was going to wait and pick it up the next time we're in Pampa, but I'm either going to have to have my grandmother mail it to us or try to find another copy somewhere.

Oh, "Sleepy Dog", please come home soon! We ALL need you!

An Ordinary Day

2009-06-15T07:59:00.000-07:00

Bailey lost another tooth today. Finally. It has been loose since April. It was just barely hanging in there and she looked really funny when she was trying to eat. I'm sure the whole house will be wide awake most of the night tonight, listening for the flutter of sparkly tooth fairy wings. What joy!

It is Zack's turn to take the team snack for his t-ball game tonight. This is HUGE in his little world. He gets to decide what we take and help pass them out after the game. We were searching the snack isle at WalMart when he said, "Everybody likes raisins!" Really? Do most kids like raisins? I hope so, because that's what we're taking!

Kris is super-duper stressed today. His big trade show is this week-end at the Civic Center. I am so proud of him. The shows he has worked on in the past have been put together by at least 10 - 12 people. He has put this one together by himself. The kids think he is Clark Kent. I think they are right.

So, I guess this is just another wonderfully ordinary day in the Haney house. . . . . . . . . . . . .

T-Ball and Tornados

2009-06-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

T-Ball and tornadoes just don't mix.

We should have known something was up last week when a storm spotter came to the game with his camera. "Something's coming" he said, "you probably shouldn't even start the game." But, being the die-hard t-ball coach that Kris is, he started the game anyway.

Zack was playing the outfield in the middle of the first inning when the sky started looking a little angry. I got in the car and turned on the radio just as the NWS was issuing a tornado warning. I jumped out of the car and grabbed the kids (and Kris) and away we went.

The game was rescheduled for the next evening, and it rained again. This time they were at least able to finish the game . . . .in the rain.

Finally, on Monday night, we were able to play a dry, mud-free, tornado-free game.

Remember When it Rained

2009-06-10T10:18:00.000-07:00

The Treeless Treehouse

2009-06-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

Our backyard is super-duper tiny. It was the only thing we didn't like about our house when we bought it last year. It's just so very, very teensy-weensy. Once we put in the swing set, wading pool, and sand table, it was full. The only way to add anything else was to go up.

So up we went.

These are pictures of the treeless treehouse while Kris was still working on it. The kids really thought they were helping. It would have taken half the time to build if they hadn't helped so much.

We are going to paint it as soon as we all agree on a color. (Kris wants brown, I want green, Bailey wants red, Zack wants orange.) We also have window boxes with marigolds already growing in them, a mail box, and a pulley system to add after we paint.

Eventually, Kris wants to put a roof on it. Zack wants to add a fireman's pole. Bailey wants carpet. I'm just happy it is finished enough for the kids to play in it!

Playin' Trains

2009-06-06T14:24:00.000-07:00

Zack has loved trains since he was just a little guy.

We started his brio/thomas set for him when he was 3 years old. Every Christmas and Birthday we add something to it. It has grown way beyond what will actually fit on his table. He has a huge box of tracks that he keeps under his bed.

A while back, we went to Santa Fe to ride the old passenger train that travels the branch line to Galisteo Basin. It was so fun to make a whole weekend just for Zack.

Last weekend, PaPa took him to a model train club. They watched all of the trains and then went outside and toured a couple of antique train cars that were on display. Then, they stopped at Sonic on the way home. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more!

But Zack's favorite thing is having someone sit on the floor with him and build a new track on his table. He calls it "just playin' trains" and it's the sweetest time to spend with him. I know he'll grow out it one day, but for now, I'm going to enjoy "just playin' trains". . . . .

Free Chocolate Friday

2009-06-05T07:15:00.001-07:00

What could possibly be better than free chocolate?
Click here.

Her Morning Elegance

2009-06-04T07:58:00.000-07:00

This is so beautiful . . . .

Summer Autism Conference

2009-06-03T05:36:00.000-07:00

I just spent two days at an Autism Conference. After 14 hours of training, I am both exhausted and exhilarated. I felt right at home with 750 people who have experience with this disorder. Everyone understood.

I think the most important thing I learned about Bailey's disorder is that "it is what it is." Someone said "when you meet one person with autism, you've met one person with autism." No two are alike. The people with the most extreme symptoms are the ones in the media. A lot of people with autism "just seem shy." No one sees the turmoil that lies beneath.

Most of Bailey's symptoms are extremely mild and for that I am grateful, but that doesn't make the other, more intense, symptoms insignificant. I am grateful that many people will never see her most troubling symptoms. I am grateful that she is a girl (girl's symptoms are very different from boy's). I am grateful that she is verbal. I am grateful that she is learning to read. I am grateful she is so intelligent. I am grateful she is loving. I am grateful she has a photographic memory (we rarely loose things at our house!) I am grateful she is fixated on something pleasant. But mostly, I am grateful she is mine.

If you want to learn more about Autism, visit Temple Grandin's web site http://www.templegrandin.com/templehome.html or watch "Big Bang Theory" - the character "Sheldon" is on the autism spectrum. So are Dan Aykroyd, Daryl Hannah, Matthew Laborteaux (Little House on the Prairie), Albert Einstien, Bill Gates, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson, Beethoven, Thomas Edison, Mozart, Van Gogh, Emily Dickison, George Bernard Shaw, Henry Ford, Bob Dylan, Da Vinci, Courtney Love . . . . .

Summer

2009-05-31T16:27:00.000-07:00

It's summer. I realized this yesterday at WalMart when I looked down in my basket and saw sunscreen, goggles, Popsicles, swim rings, and a new bag of play sand.

Between t-ball, summer violin, art camp, VBS, and a trip to Colorado, I'm not sure life will really slow down all that much.

Like everything else, I will have to schedule some "lazy days" on our calender. That's the only way we'll have time to just blow bubbles and play in the sprinkler. And isn't that what summer is all about?

Wedding Day

2009-05-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

One of the highlights of our spring was Jamie and Shannon's wedding. They are such a sweet couple and we were honored that they wanted Bailey and Zack to be a part of their special day.

Bailey was very shy and quiet about the whole thing. Zack, on the other hand . . . . well, I'm just glad the photographer didn't get a shot of him picking his nose during the ceremony.

It was such a beautiful day. . . . .

Anniversary

2009-05-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

Last week was our 15th wedding anniversary. It came and went without much ado. Zack had t-ball, Bailey had a recital. It kind of slipped by with a promise to celebrate "when things settle down a little".

After 15 years, my heart still beats a little faster when Kris walks in the room and I find myself thinking about him when he is away. I get goosebumps when he holds my hand and sometimes, when he looks at me a certain way, he makes me weak in the knees. Literally.

Life is a little more hectic now. Kris' hair is a little grayer and I have a few little laugh lines. But I act like a silly little teenager when I talk about him.

It's been the best 15 years of my life . . . . . . . .