Random Facts

I thought it would be kind of fun to get to know you all a bit better and share a few things about myself as well :0)
Random Facts About Me
1. I have blond hair and green eyes

2. I have 7 children

3. I believe in Jesus!

4. I hardly ever go to bed without my cheeks hurting from laughing so hard at my super funny husband!

5. I am plump, and don't care nearly as much as I should about that.

6. I love to ride around with my family and look for deer...we do this almost every night.

7. A goal of mine is to join actively in the fight against abortion

8. I REALLY want to adopt more kids through the foster care system

9. My favorite season is fall...or maybe winter.

10. I'm not sure if I'm going to can anything this year...gasp!

These are just random facts about me...please share about yourselves :0) Have a blessed day in the Lord!

When Daddy's Home!

When Daddy's home, what do we do??? We have a water fight inside the house, of course! Have I ever mentioned that I have the funnest husband EVER!

Portfolio

The end of school is upon us, and we are thankful :0) We love school, but this has been a crazy year! We have adopted 5 kids and did the first half of the school year with an online charter school, coming home for the second half of the school year. we enjoyed each of these things, but there was more change in this year than we are used to! LOL
At the end of each school year my state requires that every student from 3rd grade and up have an evaluation done and have a portfolio made. This is quite and undertaking and takes a bit of time. For those of you who may not know what a home school portfolio is let me explain :0) Pa state law required a portfolio containing samples of the childs work throughout the year, and other documents that are required; like a log and booklists.
I thought I would share how I put mine together :0) I have only 3 students who are required to have a portfolio made..5th grade and (2) 3rd graders. Here is a list of what I include in mine.
Math~ we use Teaching Textbooks, so I just print off and include their grade sheet..as well as 5 extras, like math worksheets or games.

English~ 8 writing samples that very in length and topic
5 grammar sheets
8 spelling tests
booklist

History~ 12-18 pages of notes

Science~ 12-18 pages of notes

Art, Music, Gym...~ I just do a simple write up on what we covered in each and include some samples of art.

Field Trip list and write up of each one

Geography~ I include maps and a write up of what ws covered.

Pa History~ I include any worksheets or essays

Civics~ write up

Safety & Health~ about 5 samples and write up

I also include as many pictures as I can...the pictures range from school things to the kids being silly. I always make sure I take lots of pictures throughout the school year! I make these up scrapbook style, so they are special.

I include my list of objectives and affadavids...and any other necessary paperwork

I include any lapbooks or other large assignments that would be interesting and show what we were covering, many subjects can be covered at one time using this style of learning!

I have created a checklist that I use to keep on track throughout the school year. I just simply know what my evaluator wants to have and through the year I keep those things in mind. As I come across a great paper to include in the portfolio I simply slip it into a folder marked portfolio and the childs name...then I immediately go to my own folder and put a checkmark next to the item that was put away. this way I always know what I have and what is still needed. I find this way to be MUCH more organized and simple than ways I did before! One year I threw all the papers into a box and had to sort through each and every paper at the end of the school year to make a portfolio! It took FOREVER and I was STRESSED to the max! this way there is little to no stress at all!! When the end of the year comes along, I just grab my folder, a binder, and page protectors...and within a few hours I am done! I know moms who stay up late and get very worked up when this time of year rolls around as they have not kept track of their days (log)...have no booklist, or papers! EEK! At the end of the year I am also ready for the next school year...I will also hand in all papers necessary for next year so we are going to be all set...books bought & plan made! Summer is for summer... not mom at the computer trying to plan next school year...I want to be in the garden and pool with my kids :0)

*** Spell check wouldn't work...be sweet...forgive any errors you may find! Thanks :0)

In the mind of a 4 yr old

Today at breakfast my 4 yr old daughter announced this... " I don't want to go to Hell of college either!" LOL....I LOVE that she is already having eternal thoughts....but college choices are bit far off, don't ya think?? hehe!!

The things we don't talk about

I am in a really bad spot right now...and am asking any who may read this to pray for me. There are many things people don't "talk" about...one thing for me is my oldest adopted daughter. Her name is Savannah. I love her with every part of my heart, but it's not enough. She has RAD (reactive attachment disorder)...she cannot attach to anyone, and is full of rage..and I am her main target. She hates me as much as I love her. Kids with RAD can't love...it hurts them to love. They can't trust...they hate. they have been hurt too much...never loved the right way. She destroys things, throws fits, and is as mean as the day is long. She will sabotage everything we try to do...just to do it. I KNOW she is hurting and want to help her. We have done therapy galore, and it seems to have been exhausted...not many people know about this or what to do about it. I have researched this disorder and it seems every story I have read has taken years to recover. Some famous people with RAD are; Adolph Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Edgar Allen Poe, Jeffery Dahmer, and Ted Bundy....and Helen Keller. Only one of those got help. Savannah has taken things to a "new level" toady...and the truth of the matter...you know...the things we don't talk about...is I am SCARED out of my wits! I am terrified that someday she'll kill us all when we sleep...I am scared that if I have another baby, she'll kill it or hurt it...I'm scared she's going to burn my house down someday, I'm sacred that she'll end up in jail for stealing or murder, I'm sacred that she'll never be able to feel real love, I'm scared for the people who try to love her, I am scared she will keep all the walls up around her heart and never let us, her family, in. I'm scared that she'll want to go be with her VERY dangerous and dysfunctional birth family if she ever ran away..would they hurt her or even kill her? Will she hurt herself? Will she ever accept Jesus? I feel SO alone...my bones hurt. I cry out to God..MANY, MANY times a day. This is MY lot..I know. We have been chosen to help and love Savannah...and we want to, we just don't know what to do??We have been trained...we have been foster parents for 8 years...we even won and award before...kids we have had were recognized and given plaques for the most changed life...what are we doing wrong? Is her damage just too much? With out Jesus, she'll never be able to pull herself out of this awful place. We are all right there with her. I'm not saying I'm spending my days walking around depressed or freaking out...not at all. I DO find joy in Jesus...in my salvation. these are all the things that creep up...the things I don't talk about. I have talked with my friends, but nobody gets it. what I wouldn't give to just have someone give me an answer...I know God has the answer, I must just not be hearing it. I just wanted to share this...this is raw and real...and I am praying that if any other parent of adopted kids is going through this they know they are not alone...this is a very real and very scary thing to live with...we are more than willing to do so, for the sake of my child and for God's glory...but that doesn't make it easy... thanks for the prayers.

My crazy life!

Our life seems to never be "normal"....lol...these beautiful young ladies have new roommates! Ducks moved into their barn! LOL...the horses are not impressed, I'm sure! LOL...I have no clue who's ducks they are, they are tame, white ducks. They are not afraid of people at all. The hens hate them and are squawking at them all the time...the ducks don't care one bit. Another funny thing, the dog doesn't care about the ducks! LOL...I wonder what's next!

What Does She See?

This is my oldest child, Ashley. She is an amazing girl...full of love and compassion for others. She is on fire for the Lord and wants to dig into His Word to learn more & more. A true gift from God. But lately, I notice she is watching me...I mean really watching me. What does she see? I can tell what she is seeing by what is happening in her life. I see many of the bad habits she has gotten from watching me. She is starting to develop an unhealthy relationship with food. This is all me. She sometimes says some of the things I say when I am exasperated...nothing horrible, just little prhases or common grumbles. I also see some of the things manifesting that I have tried, with much prayer, to instill into her life. She has a great prayer life...and is comfortable praying out loud in front of people or with a friend. She DOES NOT gossip, and will turn away from it when her peers are doing so. (I have seen that one with my own eyes). She has a heart for children who need special help and wants to adopt because of all that we as a family has gone through. The part that has got me really thinking and being very careful is I see her watching with wonder. She is watching how I interact with Rob. She was watching us embrace in the kitchen the other day...I turned around and there she sat...just watching. No expression, just watching. I have a child who has serious mental health issues and can be very frustrating to deal with, when an issue arises, I find her watching me. She has been trying to mimic how I sit and eat at the table, I don't mean mimic in the preschool way, she's floundering and trying to figure out how to do this "young lady" thing. She even answers the phone the same way I do. My point is, she is always watching me. What am I teaching and showing her? I now see that everything I do...even if I think she's not watching...matters to her. God has been laying it on my heart lately how important my job is as mom. This is new territory for me, as she is my oldest child. When they are little, you teach them and care for them, you clean them and train them in manners...and when they get bigger it seems to have changed a bit. It's like she's asking me to show her, not just tell her. I feel blessed and challenged with this awesome responsibility, and with God's help, will try my best to be up for it! I know I will fail, but God will pick up the pieces. I need and want to be prayerful about all of this...because she is watching.

Super Cool Fun!

I posted before about our vacation plans to Dover, De. for the NASCAR race....We will be gone for 4 days, and I don't want to miss that much school..so I decided we are going to make this super cool and educational! I am creating a ton of great information on NASCAR, such as; NASCAR history, famous people in NASCAR, Christians in NASCAR, NASCAR terms, NASCAR safety, our favorite drivers and their stats, the history of the racetrack we are going to, and of course we are FEATURING Ryan Newman!! We are his #1 fans I'm sure...lol...We are going to make either a cool folder for all of our info or make a lapbook. We are also going to use this trip as geography too...lots of great stuff! at the track we will also get to see the engines and safety devices used as they are on display. I am so excited I can barely stand myself...lol...

sorry

sorry the last post is all smooshed together?? Not sure why??

Today's Thoughts

I am doing lots of learning today and wanted to share what's on my mind! Fact : when you are 3 and you wear dinosaur pants and roar really loud...you are REALLY a true life dinosaur! Watch Out: It gives you a head ache and a heart attack...when things are quiet and then out of the blue you hear a dinosaur...it's a bit scary! Learning: have Rob bring ear plugs home from work...or hide the dinosaur pants! fact: Did you know when you are the "hider" in hide and seek, all you have to do is stand still and close your eyes....shhh....nobody will see you! Learning: that does NOT work...you will be found first EVERY SINGLE TIME...and you'll cry too! Question: when you are 3 and pee your pants, why do you think nobody will notice?? Watch Out: you must be always watchful...as the "pee pants kid" REALLY does not think anyone will notice, he may just plop down on the couch before you DO notice! YIKES! Maybe he should take lessons from the astronaut...hehehe... Learning: remind 3 year old to go potty before he goes out to play! Life is FULL of fun and learning...laughter and some scary moments too! they are all a gift from God! Have a great day in the Lord!!

Zip Lock Bags & God

As I was making monkey bread for breakfast this morning, I was shaking the biscuit pieces with cinnamon & sugar in a zip lock bag. I found myself thinking and chuckling about how glad I was that I trusted this zip lock bag or else I would have a real mess on my hands! That led me to think about all the other things I put my "trust" in...my vacuum, my computer, my van, my phone, my checkbook, my church, my friends...the list goes on and on...I had to evaluate where I was with God....do I trust Him more than a zip lock bag? you bet I do! The tricky part is putting things into perspective...and to not lean on the "things" that I "trust" during my daily life more than I lean on my Lord....He must be forefront in my mind...hmmm...something to think about for me today :0)

Sweet!

Today is a great day to be sweet to our husbands, is it not? :0) I am going to try to think of three sweet things to do for hubby today! I thank God everyday for hubby and pray for him lots and lots...but I want the "do" something more! Join me...do three sweet things for your loving man today and let us know what they are! 1. Got up at 4:30 am and made him his lunch for work...the sweet part was this...I went out in the snow in my pj's, wearing manure boots (it's all I could locate..lol..I mean it was 4:30!) and started his car so it would be toasty warm! 2. I am going to send him a sweet text in a few minutes telling him how much I APPRECIATE him and how much I RESPECT the man God has grown him to be. 3. And lastly, I am going to just LISTEN to him talk about work...without interruption...I am going to ask questions even though I know NOTHING about robotics or tube mills...( rob makes corrugated tubing with robotic tube mills)...we are going on a date tonight...so he will be able to control the conversation...for once..hehehe! :0) I love my man more than anything and am so blessed and thankful to God for him! Go bless your man...and have fun with it!!

When Hubby Shuts Down Plan "A"

I was working on painting the little girl's room and was at a point where I needed Rob's help...even though he has expressed to me he was not wanting to get into any projects right now. He said it was fine for me to do things that I could do by myself, he was just too busy. I think I ignored that or something....LOL....Not on purpose, I was just "focused"! The little girl's room has a very tall ceiling that is peaked and I "needed" him to paint it. That was my plan "A". I had already painted the trim, and the room looks silly as is. He said "no"! gasp! LOL...what...."no"?? Had I listened to my loving husband the FIRST time, as I should, I would not be in this "mess" of sorts! But here I am. I now have a goofy room that I cannot paint! This is my natural consequence, and I deserve it....fully! So what do you do when hubby shuts down plan "A"?? You move on to plan "B" with a more gentle and submissive spirit! And I'll guarantee that it will not involve Rob's help :) He loves to help me, don't get me wrong....but he just re-did our kitchen and since we did it as we could afford it...it took 3 months! Lots got put off during this time...all 3 of our vehicles need repair, barns need cleaned out when the manure thaws, pastures need work, hooves trimmed, etc....you know, guy stuff :0) Plan "B" looks like this.....do the best I can to make the ugly, goofy, room look pretty! LOL...I am going to HURRY and get that room done, so I don't have to think about my offense to my husband anymore! I'm so glad for a forgiving husband and mostly a forgiving God!

Dover...Here We Come!

We are SO VERY excited!! Our family members are HUGE NASCAR fans....my husband and I usually have my SIL watch the kids and we go to a race for our anniversary. God had different plans this year! She said "no, she couldn't"! GASP! We were a little shocked and bummed and j=kinda just blew it off after that...thinking we just wouldn't go this year. We then got the "brilliant" idea....let's ALL go! We looked into going to the track that we normally go to...and tickets would be over $500 for all 9 of us...ouch! That doesn't count all the other stuff...lodging, food, gas...etc. SO, we looked at other tracks and found the best deal! Dover, DE has an awesome deal....we (Rob & I) buy our tickets and all kids under 14 get in for $10~ that's IT! Our tickets were only $246! We don't get "the" seats we would have would it have just been Rob & I...we are sitting on turn 3...not great...but that's OK. It is also Ty's birthday weekend...and Savannah's is right after...we thought we should make it a big deal :0) We are going to stay at a Jellystone park for 4 days!! You know....with Yogi Bear! We rented a cabin and a campsite right next door! This is the longest vacation we have taken as a family of 9...we are thrilled and just can't wait until May 13th so we can GO!

ps...just so you know...when you watch the race on tv...and you see a really large, dorky family all decked out in Ryan Newman gear...that will take 4 of my babysitting checks to buy...that's us! Go #39...Go ARMY! Whoo0-Hoo!