The boys and I have arrived in Seattle, WA. We are staying a few days with grandma and grandpa McCarthy at their home about an hour north of Seattle. We will stay until Friday when we'll head to Spokane (six hour drive) for the weekend for my brothers wedding. Next week we'll spend a couple of days in Wenatchee visiting friends and then be in Ellensburg with my family and friends over the Labor Day weekend. After that we'll spend a few more days in Wenatchee and then head on back to the McCarthy's.
Our flight Tuesday left at 7:15 am so we were up early. We got up at 4 am to get ready, left for the airport at 5 am and arrived at 5:40 am. At the security check point Josiah's back pack caused a little stir with the security. His backpack was searched because a dagger shaped item was detected on the ex-ray. They found his toy airplane. It has a metal body (shaped like a dagger?) and rubber wings, which did not show on the scan. Other than that, it was good. We got checked in and waited for our boarding time at 6:45 am. This was the first plane ride for the boys, so it was all pretty exciting (for them). I do not like to fly, at all, period. But I guess I just have to sometimes. I think I held it together pretty well. After we got seated on the plane Josiah kept asking, "are we flying yet." Or he would say, "have we launched yet?" When the plane started moving, and then sat for awhile Ethan started asking about fuel and stuff. His observation was that the plane was wasting a lot of fuel by sitting there. And then he hoped that we didn't run out of fuel before we got to Seattle. After take off Ethan started to comment on the next worst case scenario he had thought of. I had grown tired of hearing of all the ways we could crash (I've thought about it enough myself) that I didn't need to hear any more of his ideas. He said, "well I guess the worst that can happen now is...." I held up my hand and said (firmly) "STOP!" He did. The flight was pretty smooth, not too much turbulence at all.
After a year in Fort Worth, TX, Seattle is more beautiful than I remembered. I love the mountains and trees! It is also sunny and clear, but not too hot which is wonderful! Yesterday we picked some blackberries along the driveway. We saw two snakes. The first one scared me, a lot. I hadn't seen it and probably got pretty close to pick some berries. The boys ran over to me and then the snake slithered away...I screamed and ran the opposite direction. A little later the boys found another sitting in the sun. They got too close and it slithered away too. They thought it was "cool." After dinner the boys fed the goats. Junior, the big boy goat, does not seem to like Josiah. He kept butting his horns against the gate whenever Josiah came close. Bad Junior.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Homeschool - Part 2
Curriculum. The very word is overwhelming when you start looking at all the options available now for homeschool. Last year I ordered from one publisher (Abeka) and used it exclusively for both boys. This year I new we needed something different so I spent months (literally) looking at different publishers. I talked with other homeschool moms to see what had worked for them and what they liked. I read reviews where ever I could find them. It was a lot of time and energy, but I didn't want to invest in something and then be miserable working through it all year.
Here is what I am using with Ethan this year for 3rd grade.
As far as cost I bought a lot of the books used (but in good condition) from Ebay. Math U See cost about $130 total for both boys. I won't have to buy the blocks again ($40) and I'll be able to reuse a lot of Ethan's material for Josiah when he gets there. School of Tomorrow Paces cost the most (comparatively) since I bought them at a book fair - total was about $120 (I did buy some of Ethan's Paces on ebay). Abeka books for both boys were used and total was $24 for Ethan's history set and Josiah's 3 books. Switched on Schoolhouse was around $60 from CBD. BJU Bible Truths lesson book and teachers guide was $22 off ebay. Ethan's BJU English workbook was $18 from Mardel and the teachers guide was $8 from Ebay. So overall, the cost was less than what I paid last year for the complete sets from Abeka. I love Ebay for this kind of stuff.
Here is what I am using with Ethan this year for 3rd grade.
- Math: Math U See (So far so good.)
- Grammar/Writing: BJU Press English - so far we are LOVING this.
- Spelling: Word Building Paces by School of Tomorrow (okay)
- Literature/Creative Writing: School of Tomorrow Paces (not really impressed, but we'll try it for a few more weeks.)
- Science: Switched on Schoolhouse (haven't started yet)
- History: Abeka as an outline but I will supplement with extra readings and projects.
- Bible: Exploring Genesis (so far so good.)
- Reading list: created a list of books for him to read based on Sonlight's curriculum
- English: School of Tomorrow Paces (like it)
- Spelling: Word Building Paces by School of Tomorrow (great) - Josiah finished the first one in just over a week and took his test and did great. He was so excited to complete something already.
- Math: Math U See (so far so good.)
- Bible: BJU Bible Truths (A Father's Care) - LOVE it!
- Science/History/Health - will use Abeka and supplement with making lap and story books. He loves making books and projects so that will make those subjects fun...haven't started those yet.
As far as cost I bought a lot of the books used (but in good condition) from Ebay. Math U See cost about $130 total for both boys. I won't have to buy the blocks again ($40) and I'll be able to reuse a lot of Ethan's material for Josiah when he gets there. School of Tomorrow Paces cost the most (comparatively) since I bought them at a book fair - total was about $120 (I did buy some of Ethan's Paces on ebay). Abeka books for both boys were used and total was $24 for Ethan's history set and Josiah's 3 books. Switched on Schoolhouse was around $60 from CBD. BJU Bible Truths lesson book and teachers guide was $22 off ebay. Ethan's BJU English workbook was $18 from Mardel and the teachers guide was $8 from Ebay. So overall, the cost was less than what I paid last year for the complete sets from Abeka. I love Ebay for this kind of stuff.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Homeschool - Part 1
I have had a few people ask me about our homeschooling so I thought I'd blog about it. Our decision to homeschool was a hard one, especially because I felt I was being "forced" into it. I wasn't really, but it was overwhelming because so many things in our life were changing at the time. Another difficulty was that I always imagined I would go back to work when the kids were both in school. My plans were not God's plans in that area. Now that we have a year behind us I can say honestly that I'm glad we homeschool and I can't really imagine doing anything else (at this time anyway).
Casey and I made the decision that I would be a stay at home mom while I was still pregnant with Ethan. At the time is seemed like an easy decision. We moved when I was 7 months pregnant and getting a job at that time was not really high on my list. It was a little tough at times. Casey had one permanent part-time ministry position and then had several other part-time jobs to make up the difference. The ministry position eventually turned into full-time. Now, almost 9 years later we are again at a part-time ministry position, other part-time jobs on the side and attending seminary! And, I'm still a stay at home mom, except now I homeschool too.
So, I guess I just want to say that you have to be committed to what you believe. We made the decision for me to be a stay at home mom and raise our kids. If you didn't, I'm not getting on you, I'm just saying that if you want it, you have to be willing to make some sacrifices (like the big house, new phones, cars, etc.). It's not easy, but you CAN do it if it's what God has laid on your heart. Okay, I'll stop there before I get myself into trouble.
So, back to homeschool. We believe our first responsibility toward our children is to love them and train them to love and obey God. So, for us, sending them to public school just does not fit into that equation anywhere. We don't see public school kids being taught that. So, do I "shelter" my children? ABSOLUTELY!!! That's my job, to protect their hearts and minds until they are ready and have the maturity to hear and talk about certain things. Okay, enough said.
I guess that covers our thoughts on why we homeschool. Next I'll post on our curriculum and then how we homeschool.
Casey and I made the decision that I would be a stay at home mom while I was still pregnant with Ethan. At the time is seemed like an easy decision. We moved when I was 7 months pregnant and getting a job at that time was not really high on my list. It was a little tough at times. Casey had one permanent part-time ministry position and then had several other part-time jobs to make up the difference. The ministry position eventually turned into full-time. Now, almost 9 years later we are again at a part-time ministry position, other part-time jobs on the side and attending seminary! And, I'm still a stay at home mom, except now I homeschool too.
So, I guess I just want to say that you have to be committed to what you believe. We made the decision for me to be a stay at home mom and raise our kids. If you didn't, I'm not getting on you, I'm just saying that if you want it, you have to be willing to make some sacrifices (like the big house, new phones, cars, etc.). It's not easy, but you CAN do it if it's what God has laid on your heart. Okay, I'll stop there before I get myself into trouble.
So, back to homeschool. We believe our first responsibility toward our children is to love them and train them to love and obey God. So, for us, sending them to public school just does not fit into that equation anywhere. We don't see public school kids being taught that. So, do I "shelter" my children? ABSOLUTELY!!! That's my job, to protect their hearts and minds until they are ready and have the maturity to hear and talk about certain things. Okay, enough said.
I guess that covers our thoughts on why we homeschool. Next I'll post on our curriculum and then how we homeschool.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Josiah's Birthday
Yesterday was my baby's 6th birthday. It is hard to believe that 6 years have gone by since his birth! For some reason his special day came before we were ready for it, so we didn't plan a party or anything too exciting. We did go out for an IHOP breakfast. After that we went to the pet store in the mall looked at all the sweet little puppies, which we can't have. We did however, let Josiah pick out a beta fish. He was SO HAPPY! All the way back to the car he kept saying over and over, "I have a pet now." He's wanted a pet for a long time! A couple of weeks ago we found a little lizard in the apartment and he was so upset that I wouldn't let him keep it as a pet. Then, there was a beetle, and then a caterpillar, and the cricket. So, I think a fish is a good thing! And, the name of our newest addition is "Fishy."
At home he opened his presents from his grandparents and from one of our friends who had a little something for him. We spent the afternoon at home just resting and playing games. We were going to go downtown for the Barnum and Bailey circus elephant parade in the evening, but Josiah was looking really tired. By the end of the day it was pretty obvious he was coming down with a cold or something. So, we stayed home...it was 102 out so it wasn't too much of a disappointment to stay inside. We ordered pizza and salad from dominoes and then played some video games "as a family," which meant I had to play too. They draw me in by playing a couple of round of Tetris (which I can win) and then move onto the other games in which I have no talent. It was fun though.
In less than 2 weeks now the boys and I will be in Washington! I'm really looking forward to seeing all our family and friends there, but I'm also really looking forward to driving through the mountains and cooler weather. August is, let's be totally honest, miserable in Texas! August 1st was 104 degrees and it's been over 100 every day since. At 9 am this morning it is 90 degrees but with the heat index (humidity) it feels like 99 degrees!
Casey's first day of class is next Tuesday. We paid his tuition last week and it always feels like a punch to the gut. Ouch! Hopefully, he will get some of it back in scholarship money. I started a little school with the boys on Monday. It went well. We will just do part-time for the next week and while we are traveling.
At home he opened his presents from his grandparents and from one of our friends who had a little something for him. We spent the afternoon at home just resting and playing games. We were going to go downtown for the Barnum and Bailey circus elephant parade in the evening, but Josiah was looking really tired. By the end of the day it was pretty obvious he was coming down with a cold or something. So, we stayed home...it was 102 out so it wasn't too much of a disappointment to stay inside. We ordered pizza and salad from dominoes and then played some video games "as a family," which meant I had to play too. They draw me in by playing a couple of round of Tetris (which I can win) and then move onto the other games in which I have no talent. It was fun though.
In less than 2 weeks now the boys and I will be in Washington! I'm really looking forward to seeing all our family and friends there, but I'm also really looking forward to driving through the mountains and cooler weather. August is, let's be totally honest, miserable in Texas! August 1st was 104 degrees and it's been over 100 every day since. At 9 am this morning it is 90 degrees but with the heat index (humidity) it feels like 99 degrees!
Casey's first day of class is next Tuesday. We paid his tuition last week and it always feels like a punch to the gut. Ouch! Hopefully, he will get some of it back in scholarship money. I started a little school with the boys on Monday. It went well. We will just do part-time for the next week and while we are traveling.
Friday, July 30, 2010
July Challenge Summary
I did not do well in posting this past week. However, we've still been watching our budget and trying not to make any extra expenses. Casey left for Hawaii this past Tuesday. We are missing him a lot this week, but I know that it is an incredible experience for him.
I was really struck today by the love of the Lord towards me. It has been one year since we left Wenatchee, WA and moved down to Fort Worth, Tx. Looking back over this past year I can see how much we needed a change, how much I needed a change. I've been listening to a lot of sermons by Matt Chandler, a pastor down here in the Dallas area (Village Church in Grapevine). He is going through chemo right now for a brain tumor. He's a young guy, but I think the Lord has given him amazing discernment and wisdom. One thing that has struck me in his teaching is on what he (or somebody else that he's quoting) calls Moral Deism. Basically that if you want to be a "good" Christian here is your list of do's and dont's. It is RAMPANT in the church today and basically it is living under the Law! I may blog on it more a little later as I'm still digesting this one. Anyway, look him up and take a listen.
We have been so blessed over the past weeks. These may seem like little things, but they were a direct provision from the Lord from His people. First, one of my neighbors gave us a meatloaf and some muffins. She does once a month cooking and had these left over and needed the freezer space for the current month. The boys loved the muffins and snacked on those all week. We'll have the meatloaf when Casey returns from Hawaii. Second, we have really needed another dresser. The boys were sharing a small four drawer dresser and they always had clothes everywhere because the didn't all fit. Well, another neighbor is moving and offered us a dresser. It was her grandmother's and it is old, huge and beautiful! What a blessing from the Lord through this special friend! So, we moved all our clothes around so I could use that one and now all our clothes fit! Thank you, Lord! Thirdly, yet another neighbor was moving and gave us some items to clean out their fridge. It was all stuff the boys really like that I don't buy for them! So, they thought it was special to bring home chocolate syrup, gogurts, hotdogs and ketchup (they love ketchup). It is little things, but the Lord knows how much each meant to me, His special care.
Okay, so about the challenge. I had to get a few things for Casey before he left for his trip, that was about $40. Also, spent about another $60 on groceries since I last blogged and then about $20 in toiletries too.
So, did we succeed in not spending more than we made? NO. We went over by about $170, but that was WAY better than May and June! Even though we still spent more than we made it was such a good exercise for me to look at every single dollar and be accountable for every dollar that the Lord gave to us. Casey will work his second job when school starts up again, so hopefully that will close the gap on our finances a little. I am learning to be content and to rejoice in all things. This is good (TIG).
I was really struck today by the love of the Lord towards me. It has been one year since we left Wenatchee, WA and moved down to Fort Worth, Tx. Looking back over this past year I can see how much we needed a change, how much I needed a change. I've been listening to a lot of sermons by Matt Chandler, a pastor down here in the Dallas area (Village Church in Grapevine). He is going through chemo right now for a brain tumor. He's a young guy, but I think the Lord has given him amazing discernment and wisdom. One thing that has struck me in his teaching is on what he (or somebody else that he's quoting) calls Moral Deism. Basically that if you want to be a "good" Christian here is your list of do's and dont's. It is RAMPANT in the church today and basically it is living under the Law! I may blog on it more a little later as I'm still digesting this one. Anyway, look him up and take a listen.
We have been so blessed over the past weeks. These may seem like little things, but they were a direct provision from the Lord from His people. First, one of my neighbors gave us a meatloaf and some muffins. She does once a month cooking and had these left over and needed the freezer space for the current month. The boys loved the muffins and snacked on those all week. We'll have the meatloaf when Casey returns from Hawaii. Second, we have really needed another dresser. The boys were sharing a small four drawer dresser and they always had clothes everywhere because the didn't all fit. Well, another neighbor is moving and offered us a dresser. It was her grandmother's and it is old, huge and beautiful! What a blessing from the Lord through this special friend! So, we moved all our clothes around so I could use that one and now all our clothes fit! Thank you, Lord! Thirdly, yet another neighbor was moving and gave us some items to clean out their fridge. It was all stuff the boys really like that I don't buy for them! So, they thought it was special to bring home chocolate syrup, gogurts, hotdogs and ketchup (they love ketchup). It is little things, but the Lord knows how much each meant to me, His special care.
Okay, so about the challenge. I had to get a few things for Casey before he left for his trip, that was about $40. Also, spent about another $60 on groceries since I last blogged and then about $20 in toiletries too.
So, did we succeed in not spending more than we made? NO. We went over by about $170, but that was WAY better than May and June! Even though we still spent more than we made it was such a good exercise for me to look at every single dollar and be accountable for every dollar that the Lord gave to us. Casey will work his second job when school starts up again, so hopefully that will close the gap on our finances a little. I am learning to be content and to rejoice in all things. This is good (TIG).
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
July Challenge: Days 18 - 20
Well, we've had an exciting few days. I can definitely tell that the discipline of being on this challenge is starting to make we want to rebel. So far we are still on track, but I'm going to really have to watch things closely.
Day 18: We had a great day at church. We are going through a video series on Philippians by Matt Chandler that is just excellent. If you haven't heard of this guy, you should definitely look him up and take a listen.
I don't think I wrote down our expenses from Saturday (day 17), but it was about $50 in gas and then $6 at the corner market for a couple of things. I also went to CVS and spent $9 out of pocket and got back $18 in CVS reward dollars to use on my next purchase.
Day 19: Spent $0
Day 20: Well, I spent some today! These last few days have been so much harder to NOT spend and I'm not sure why, other than I just want to rebel and do what I want. I think part of it is that I got my (very little) check to cash from the mystery shopping that I do. It doesn't pay a ton, but it does bring in a little extra and I get some free stuff along the way too. Alright, so we did have a really fun day at a city waterpark in Arlington. We started off at Walmart so I could get some snacks and flip flops for the boys. Spent $20 there. It was about lunch time and Rosa's was right there...and it was taco Tuesday...so, I swung through the drive through and ordered 2 taco plates and a pint of beans and the total was $10. It fed all of us, so not a bad deal! We spent from 1-5 at the waterpark and the cost for that was $23.50. Well, by 5 pm we were needing some cold refreshment...our drinks had gotten pretty hot sitting in the sun for four hours, so we swung by McDonalds for drinks. (See, I start spending and it just snowballs!). Spent just over $4 there. So, in one day I managed to spend all of my check! But, I will say it again, we had a lot of fun!
Day 18: We had a great day at church. We are going through a video series on Philippians by Matt Chandler that is just excellent. If you haven't heard of this guy, you should definitely look him up and take a listen.
I don't think I wrote down our expenses from Saturday (day 17), but it was about $50 in gas and then $6 at the corner market for a couple of things. I also went to CVS and spent $9 out of pocket and got back $18 in CVS reward dollars to use on my next purchase.
Day 19: Spent $0
Day 20: Well, I spent some today! These last few days have been so much harder to NOT spend and I'm not sure why, other than I just want to rebel and do what I want. I think part of it is that I got my (very little) check to cash from the mystery shopping that I do. It doesn't pay a ton, but it does bring in a little extra and I get some free stuff along the way too. Alright, so we did have a really fun day at a city waterpark in Arlington. We started off at Walmart so I could get some snacks and flip flops for the boys. Spent $20 there. It was about lunch time and Rosa's was right there...and it was taco Tuesday...so, I swung through the drive through and ordered 2 taco plates and a pint of beans and the total was $10. It fed all of us, so not a bad deal! We spent from 1-5 at the waterpark and the cost for that was $23.50. Well, by 5 pm we were needing some cold refreshment...our drinks had gotten pretty hot sitting in the sun for four hours, so we swung by McDonalds for drinks. (See, I start spending and it just snowballs!). Spent just over $4 there. So, in one day I managed to spend all of my check! But, I will say it again, we had a lot of fun!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
July Challenge: Days 13-17
Happy Saturday! Today is the last Saturday choir rehearsal for Casey. I think we are both excited about that. He's had a 3 hour rehearsal every Saturday since classes got out in May for the trip to Hawaii that the choir is taking. He leaves in 9 days! I'm excited for him. He (and the entire choir) have put in so many hours of preparation for this trip.
Today was our weigh in day and I was a little nervous about stepping on the scale. I didn't really have bad days, but I didn't exactly have great days either. However, I did lose 1 pound which puts me at the 50 pound mark in weight loss. So, that is pretty exciting!
The boys had a great time at VBS this week. We took them to a nearby church where they went on a high seas adventure.
Day 13: spent about $26 at Kroger on a few grocery items. Milk, eggs, fruit, etc. I didn't have too many coupons to use this round, but I did find some good deals on clearance meat and lunch meat. Tuesdays are also what we call the "Food line" at the seminary. This week there was lots of good whole wheat breads, so I was able to get a few loafs of bread, english muffins and hamburger buns.
Day 14: spent $0
Day 15: Ethan came down for VBS in sweat pants. He said he had no shorts. This is not good since we had just finished all the laundry a few days before. So, I spent the afternoon going through their dresser and sorting clothes. (They each have two drawers in one dresser, so sometimes things get "lost" on the bottom). Well, sure enough, the kid has outgrown all but a few pairs of shorts! I saw that Old Navy was having a good online sale so I thought I'd look around. I went through Ebates (to get a percentage back) and they were giving 10% back on the purchase! I had a promo code for 15% off my order and free shipping on $50 or more. So, I got my cart total to $50 and then used the promo code to get my total down to $46 total, including tax. Now, I will get $4.20 back in my August Ebates too! Oh, and I got 11 items total: 7 for Ethan, 3 for me, 1 for Casey. Now, that's a good deal!
Day 16: Payday!!!
Paid phone, electricity, life insurance and tithe with NO bills remaining until the 1st of August!
Went to Kroger and spent about $48 on grocery items. Found eggs, yogurt, turkey breast (raw) and lunch meat all on clearance and saved about $5 using coupons.
So, here is what we ate this week for breakfasts: oatmeal, eggs, cereal, english muffins
Lunches: chicken salad, taco salad, sandwiches, soup, leftovers
Dinners: tacos, porkchops, baked chicken, hot dogs (boys), cereal
Today was our weigh in day and I was a little nervous about stepping on the scale. I didn't really have bad days, but I didn't exactly have great days either. However, I did lose 1 pound which puts me at the 50 pound mark in weight loss. So, that is pretty exciting!
The boys had a great time at VBS this week. We took them to a nearby church where they went on a high seas adventure.
Day 13: spent about $26 at Kroger on a few grocery items. Milk, eggs, fruit, etc. I didn't have too many coupons to use this round, but I did find some good deals on clearance meat and lunch meat. Tuesdays are also what we call the "Food line" at the seminary. This week there was lots of good whole wheat breads, so I was able to get a few loafs of bread, english muffins and hamburger buns.
Day 14: spent $0
Day 15: Ethan came down for VBS in sweat pants. He said he had no shorts. This is not good since we had just finished all the laundry a few days before. So, I spent the afternoon going through their dresser and sorting clothes. (They each have two drawers in one dresser, so sometimes things get "lost" on the bottom). Well, sure enough, the kid has outgrown all but a few pairs of shorts! I saw that Old Navy was having a good online sale so I thought I'd look around. I went through Ebates (to get a percentage back) and they were giving 10% back on the purchase! I had a promo code for 15% off my order and free shipping on $50 or more. So, I got my cart total to $50 and then used the promo code to get my total down to $46 total, including tax. Now, I will get $4.20 back in my August Ebates too! Oh, and I got 11 items total: 7 for Ethan, 3 for me, 1 for Casey. Now, that's a good deal!
Day 16: Payday!!!
Paid phone, electricity, life insurance and tithe with NO bills remaining until the 1st of August!
Went to Kroger and spent about $48 on grocery items. Found eggs, yogurt, turkey breast (raw) and lunch meat all on clearance and saved about $5 using coupons.
So, here is what we ate this week for breakfasts: oatmeal, eggs, cereal, english muffins
Lunches: chicken salad, taco salad, sandwiches, soup, leftovers
Dinners: tacos, porkchops, baked chicken, hot dogs (boys), cereal
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