Week One Verdict

The results are in: we survived our first week of home school.

I feel a little bit like I did after my first week of motherhood. A little dazed. And a little confused why people tend to forget to tell you how much work it is. I mean really, at what point of my many conversations with many people about home schooling do they forget to say, "Yes, I love home schooling my children, but it is a lot of work." Ok, maybe my wonderful friends said that in other ways, maybe I wasn't listening, or maybe it was just left out because they now know what the heck they are doing and it's not so much work any more. Kinda like mothering.

It's the adjustment phase. Not only to I have to implement someone else's prewritten curriculum, but I have to figure out how to fit it in, what order to do what in with which kid, what will motivate them to finish that stinkin' page of vocabulary exercises that should have taken 4 minutes but for some reason that little bump on the ceiling is much more amusing to stare at for an ungodly amount of time. And, of course, what to do with a little 3-year old gem who is hiding behind the door laughing or pretending to be a frog on the school room table or asking me for his 10th snack that morning. Ha! It's kind of like figuring out how to eat, grocery shop, or even use the bathroom when your newborn is requiring every bit of your attention with crying, nursing, or pooping.

These are the moments when I stop and think, "This is a lot of work."

But for some reason, I plug on. I did have two more children, afterall, so the work must've gotten lighter after the "adjustment phase." And I will continue to home school my children even though I have been dreaming about lesson plans for 7 days now.

We have had some fun, I have to say! Ok, we only did 2 of my 5 "Fun First Week of School" ideas, but that's like almost half (pat myself on the back). We went on a scavenger hunt, played in a bucket of rice, made little autobiographies, made stained glass art with melting crayons and wax paper. If you include the "academic" stuff, we hammered out 5 days of Math and Language Arts, stuck animals to a blow-up globe, learned about the earth, learned a few new Spanish words, got our feet wet with the Metric System, and sketched a self-portrait for art. I'd say it was a great week for education in the Mayers' household!

Michelle was happy to find new places to do school work, like doing her math in her brother's little yellow Tonka dumptruck. Or reading under the table. Hey, it beats a desk.

Jacob is working his way up for his first prize on our incentive chart.

Dominic started pre-school at his cousin's house once a week. He learned songs, practiced cutting, and "coloring fast."

I'll give a shout out to my home schooling friends - I never knew how much work you guys had to do for this whole thing, so hats off to you! I'm looking forward to getting passed this learning curve and making it look easy like you! (Ok, not easy, but manageable).

I'm considering...

So, as many of my friends have now heard me say, I'm considering homeschooling my kids this coming year. I think if I keep using the word "considering," then I'll never actually have to use language that implies I am actually making a firm decision. Which for some reason makes me more comfortable. In fact, if we do (notice the word "if"), then on the first day of homeschooling I'll probably say something like, "Well kids, looks like we might be starting homeschooling today" (notice the word "might"). And halfway through the year when someone asks my kids what school they go to I'd say something like, "we thought we might try something different this year and homeschool" (again with the word "might"). Seriously, self. Commit already.

To homeschool or not to homeschool...that is the question. So many benefits on both sides. Guess that's why it's so hard.

But really, there's just too many things I get excited about, that make it very simple. Like getting done with school work earlier in the day. And then moving on to something else, like learning piano, or Spanish, or how to make homemade tortillas, or gardening, or sewing pillows ('cause everyone needs more pillows). Or having a lemonade stand or a library swap at our house or practicing for a play - one that may or may not ever get acted out, but who cares!

I get excited about the concept of more time as a family. More time to dive into God's word and pray as a family and serve as Jesus calls us to.

I think all moms have high hopes for their children. I know I do. I hope they wind up better than "ok" at the end of this whole "being raised by Rich and I" thing. I hope they love to learn, go to college, treat people with respect, have courage to try new things, be good citizens, love God, know their Faith, choose good spouses and experience a wonderful life. I hope I can somehow help them get to that point. It's tough though, being a parent. Wanting it for them isn't enough. There's that whole "act of will" thing where they make choices and go down whatever path they go down. But I'll pray my heart out for them all the while.

It ocurred to me for the first time today, while reading a book about homeschooling, that this hair-brained idea didn't come to me out of nowhere. It was put on my heart by God himself. I think I missed that notion amongst the fact that I have many good friends who homeschool. I think I assumed it was a nice idea, one that my respected peers were doing, one that had some nice benefits. But I did realize today that God is the one who started pulling at my heart in this whole process. He was showing me the ways that our kids and our family as a whole could be blessed by having them educated in our home.

So, I think we might homeschool. Possibly. Maybe. It's being considered.

Where has my Alice gone?

The title of this post is best sung to the tune of "Where have all the good men gone". It will help you join me in being kind of melancholy about the fact that I don't have a live-in cook/maid/friend/nanny/lady-in-an-apron.

Why, Mrs. Brady, why???? Why do you get this help and I don't? (Oh yeah, you don't exist. But still....) I should frequently remind myself that Alice was a fictional charactar, written in by what I consider a brilliant writer, when I wish Alice would come waltzing through my front door on a sunshine-y day, smiling, and ready to do all of my household chores.

With Alice there's certainly no cobwebs in the corners. When she's around there's no worry about forgetting to get the meat out of the freezer to defrost. Or forgetting to put it in the crockpot in the morning. Or forgetting to buy the darn meat in the first place when you just went to the grocery store.

Speaking of grocery store...I bet she goes for you. Oh, sweet heaven.

I'm guessing she remembers to pull the refrigerator out once a month to vacuum behind it. I bet she also changes and washes the sheets on a regular basis. (Uh, er, not that I don't, of course.)

I guess it's not out of the question that I could fork out the dough to have an Alice-like person come dust my blinds one-by-one. But someone would have to give me said dough in the first place.

In the meantime, my children will continue to doodle in the dust of our TV screen with their fingers.

The white dress and veil

As a mother, I had the priveledge of seeing my sweet daughter receive Jesus in her First Holy Communion.

At the request of a friend, I am posting my explanation about girls attire at First Communion to my blog. Enjoy.

I looked up a "forum" where someone asked, "Why do all the girls at First Communion Mass dress like little brides?" And the answer was, "They don't. They dress like First Communicants."

So that leaves us with, why do First Communicants dress in white dresses and veils? The white dress would be in line with the white garment worn at baptism symbolizing a new creation, made pure by Christ's sacrifice for us. In addition, similar symbolism to a bride at her wedding who is pure and blameless before her husband, a girl at her First Communion (and boys in white shirts) are presenting themselves as the "bride of Christ to their bridegroom" again pure and spotless. Why the dress is fancy is simply that we wear our finest clothes to meet for the first time the King of Kings in the Eucharist. Would he accept someone before him in ragged old clothes? Of course. But since we can, we choose to wear our best.

The veil is simply a headcovering, from the long ago practice of women wearing something to cover their heads at church. (Which I think in some parts of history women wore something to cover their heads to leave their houses at all). Women today still wear headcoverings in parts of the world - our American culture isn't as into it. However, there are some women even at my church who wear veils over their heads (called mantillas - spanish for "mantle"). They are pretty little lace coverings that lay right on the head and droop down to the shoulders. Why did they or do they sometimes still wear them? It is a sign of respect and humility and reverence - again for being in the presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. In addition, a sign of modesty.

Turns out it isn't just a Catholic thing - although most commonly found in Catholic churches both in history and now - but some Protestants wear them in certain traditions as is their way of living out 1 Corinthians 13.

These kinds of events are often blown out of proportion in our wealthy culture - huge parties, hundreds upon hundred of dollars spent on dresses, girls being treated like a queen for the day, expensive gifts lavished upon them, etc. Good ol' USA. (But really, I love my country).

While it is neat that there is this "rite of passage" in their lives, it shouldn't be just that. It is a sacred event.

However, with that said, it is also our culture that finds it difficult sometimes to see the beauty of the tradition, and our Faith is steeped in history with 2,000 years of practices and traditions influencing why we do things the way we do them.

Now I should go and research why a bride wears a veil. Next project.

Remembering

Remembering my dad today. It was two years ago that God freed him from his suffering and took him home.

I wish death wasn't so hard. I wish God's plan was that entire families and their friends could all go at the same time so it wouldn't hurt so much. That's the hard part about death - missing them.

I miss my dad's voice. His laugh and his hugs. I miss him picking on me. Teaching me things. Fixing stuff. Helping me make things and be creative. I wish he could come back and go waterskiing with me. And make me his famous buscuits and gravy.

I wish the kids could run up and give their Papa a hug again. They remember him and still talk about him. Michelle still draws pictures of him in heaven, or of his butterfly. Jacob was just mentioning him the other day. Dominic doesn't have any idea. When I was crying this morning he just looked at me and my tears and kept saying, "Mommy?" Sorry love, there's no way to explain it.

Sometimes I wish he could just come back for a day and we could all talk. I've wanted to tell him how hard it was to see him suffer, to see him in the hospital, to see him dying. As if he doesn't know that, but I want to tell him. I want to ask him what it was like for him. Did he know he was dying? What was that like?

I want to ask him what Heaven is like.

But even in his final months he didn't talk about that stuff. He only talked about what he was thankful for. About how blessed his life was and how much he loved all of us. Maybe that was his way of saying goodbye without having to say it.

I am beyond blessed to have had him for a dad. As I "get older" I really realize the blessing of a good dad. Not everyone gets a good one, not everyone gets a dad at all. But for some reason I did, and he was awesome. Yes, for all the things he could do, for all his talents, for his provision of his family...but mostly for his love. He loved his family like crazy and we all knew it, which is really what matters to a kid. And we loved him, and love him still.

Where to catch a nap

This goes out to all you busy moms (or dads I guess) out there who hit the ground running each day and don't stop until your head hits the pillow at night. Just how do we fit in a little peace and quiet? When can we get 20 minutes of shut-eye in our day? And how?
Yesterday, I discovered the answer: go to the eye doctor. Find a dear friend to take your toddler for an hour and head to this little oasis. That's really all it takes...make yourself an annual check up with your optometrist and you're guaranteed to have some waiting time in there.
After having all my measurements/pictures/pressure readings, etc. done on my eyes, the nice lady took me to a back room, had me read a few charts, take OUT my contacts, and then said cheerfully, "The Dr. will be here shortly."
So there I sat, in a somewhat comfortable over-sized chair, with dimmed lighting, and I couldn't see a darn thing. What do you do when you have no one to talk to, can't see, don't own an i-phone to play on or have a book to read? I know what I did. I closed my eyes. And sat. The only noise was the quiet hum of the computer in the room. And I waited. And waited some more. It was so ridiculously pleasant I couldn't stand it. I think I really did drift off at one point. I wanted to hug the staff and thank them for their serene office environment, for dimming the lights when I read the charts and keeping them dimmed for my mid-morning nap. I am one of the most impatient people I know, but waiting for a Dr. alone is WAY different then waiting for a Dr. with a wiggly, sick child on your lap.
So, the moral of the story is - make sure you keep those yearly optometrist appointments. And if you are one of those who have 20/20 vision and don't need to see an eye doctor, you're really missing out here perfect-vision moms! (Although, admittedly I am jealous of all the luxuries you have because of it). You really should fake it and go in for a yearly visit anyway! Happy napping...

Boys

I should have given up by now. I mean I have lots of other friends who have stopped trying. Researchers and childhood specialists have made attempts to explain them - but really, can a woman ever really understand boys? I don't know why I drive myself crazy, but I keep thinking some day I'll "get" my son.

I think what I have decided though is that I keep thinking that little boys think, when in fact they just react. Their actions are based on impulse, like a natural reflex, a programming deep in their bones that just causes them to do.

It helps me to assign a thought process to my sons actions, like I might gain peace in being able to read his mind. So, in the following situations, this is what I, a woman, his mother, assumes must be going on in that little head:

Look! A little brother. Must wrestle him.

A stick! Must beat something.

A cement pole! Must kick it.

A table! Must hurdle it.

A little brother again! Must tackle him.

A door! Must slam it.

My voice! Must yell.

Something elastic! Must fling it.

Toy car! Must crash it.

Glass figurine! Must touch it.

Yes! My little brother! Must drag him around by his feet.

A couch! Must jump off of it.

[And the best example of all time from a month ago which still has us shaking our heads:]

A plastic grocery bag and a bouncy ball! Must put the ball in the grocery bag and fling it around in a circle over my head and launch it across the room. Oooooohhhhh, I know, must do that in the pantry! Yes! I small room full of small glass jars! Uh oh. Balsamic vinager down. Dad mad. Mom left wishing upon a star she could just understand why her son doesn't think.

But let it be known how rediculously, deeply, truley, and insanely in love with my son I am. He is a treasure beyond words :)

Porta Potties

In a recent discussion between my kids about porta potties (we see them on the drive to school near the construction site of some model homes), here's the conversation of the day:

Michelle - I remember seeing porta potties when we went to the beach.
Jacob - Yeah, me too.
Michelle - That's so we have somewhere to go to the bathroom when we're playing at the beach.
Jacob - Yeah. That way we don't have to go to the bathroom in the ocean. The fish go to the bathroom in the ocean.

Yes, my child, that pretty much sums it up!

Go Steelers!

My hubby informed me recently that I married in to the right family when it comes to football. He of course said this on the heels of the Pittsburgh Steeler's making it into this year's Super Bowl. He also made a cute remark about what a good team I "picked" to like. This is the third Super Bowl they've been in since we got married, which I guess is kind of unheard of!

I never did have a favorite football team, and since my own family growing up didn't have one, I certainly didn't pay enough attention to football to pick one of my own. So, upon marrying Rich 11 years ago I consequently became an avid Steeler's fan. As did our children.

Having your favorite team in the Super Bowl does make it a lot more fun, I must say. That, and having a clue what is going on on the field. This I have to give thanks to my old cheer coach who realized her freshman team had no idea when to cheer for what. After our first game or two of cheering "D-E-F-E-N-S-E" when we were actually offense or "1st & 10, Go Fight Win" when we were defense - she decided it was time for a little lesson. So there our squad sat, watching a JV game and learning the basics about football. It's nice to know what exactly is a "1st & 10."

So, my basic knowledge about football coupled with "my favorite team" being in the Super Bowl is bound to make this Sunday's game a good one to watch (with a plateful of party food, of course).

Being In The Now

So I've been hustling through my 2011 list of things "to do". Got through a lot...I'm now texting, blogging, gmailing, backing up my computer, scanning/copying/printing/faxing in wi-fi. All I need is an i-Pod with some ear plugs and to put on some skinny jeans with converse shoes, some layered shirts that don't match and I could pass as a teenager. (I don't look a day over 18 I'm sure. Okay, 19).

But really, the kicker is that I joined...dun da da daaaaa... Facebook. After all my ranting for the last couple years about it, I decided to swallow my pride, my opinions, my negativity, and give it a try. I've come to grips with the fact that there are people out there, especially "long lost friends" who I'm not going to find and get in touch with by any other means. So, after a few days I have to say its been interesting. Interesting especially when I start clicking on people's faces I recognize from many years ago and check out what they are up to in life. Then it puts me in a very reflective mood and I begin wondering, what's become of my life? I haven't had any earth-shattering impacts on this world, so far as I can tell. I'm thinking when others find me on facebook they're not running to the phone to call so-and-so to say "Remember that Kristi-chick- guess what she's up to!" (Which by the way, I have done already with a few people I've read up on!). It's just not big news to say, "She's married and has three lovely children!" Maybe I should liven things up on my facebook page and make posts that mention I know 7 languages, or will be appearing in concert in LA this weekend. Or that I've decided to reject all material belongings and live as the Amish. Yes, that would spark a few phone calls amongst the people I once knew - which is my goal, obviously.

But, oh well. They'll find me there, facebooking away with the rest of the people who got sucked in to the "now" too. It does feel good to be current.

Reflections of 2010

It's the third week of January already, I want to post some highlights from 2010 before it gets too far away from me. Here's some of the more noteworthy things from the past year:

Michelle - Performed in her gymnastics recital - got really good at one-handed cartwheels. Began going to an orthodontist (ugh) but picked out a really cool mouthpiece/retainer, which is rainbow with butterflies (they really know how to cater to an 8-year old). Played a season of soccer with her friends-out on the field sometimes played soccer...and other times turned cartwheels instead.

Jacob - Finished a couple of seasons of baseball. Learned to read. Made the transition from 1/2 day Kindergarten to full-day 1st grade and did amazingly well - got blessed with a great teacher through an interesting series of events. Became even more of an expert Lego builder and doesn't want help even with the most complicated directions. Said bye to his buddy Bryce who had to move away.

Dominic - Began talking in actual sentences, most pretty comprehendable. Started spending a couple days a week with his good buddy Linnea when we started shared-babysitting. Got a few molars. Called out "mommy," "mama," or "mommy wook (look)" somewhere around 587 times per day. Just before year's end, learned to use the potty (praise the Lord).

Rich - Completed what he called his "hardest year teaching so far." Coached a few rounds of 5-6 year-old baseball. Has his major debut as Elvis at Kristi's grandparents anniversary party and an encore performance at his school's beginning-of-the-year teacher orientation. Began playing basketball again and did some running on his fully-recuperated knee. Got "found out" on a few of his magic tricks, but quickly came up with a few more. Played countless rounds of indoor football with the kids, only minor injuries to report.

Kristi - Kept up with and coordinated all of the above, then took a nap :) Joined some neighborhood girls in running a few times per week, and completed two 5K runs. Went to a mother-son dance at school where my charming 5-year old spun me around with pride, and a very serious face. Visited my dad's grave site on the one-year anniversary of his passing. Missed my dad. Sewed a sundress for Michelle. Made some birthday cakes in the varying shapes of: an airplane, Super Mario Brothers, and a purse.

As a Family - Took a trip to Sea World and Knott's Berry Farm, took another family trip to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (which is awesome by the way) and to say goodbye to my childhood home as my mom decided to sell the house and move out here. Dressed in a Star Wars theme for Halloween as Anikan Skywalker, Queen Amidala, Princess Leia, Jengo Fett, and Yoda. Enjoyed a myriad of God's blessings on our family life in general!

I Deserve A Badge

Somebody come award me an Excellent Mom Badge. Hot dog, I did something right. I seems like after many-a-time of stumbling through motherhood and the whole "running a household" thing, it feels nice to have something go my way! So celebrate with me these small achievements:

• I cooked two new recipes last week, which were delicious and everyone liked them. They were Sausage/Zucchini Quiche and Parmesan Crusted Talapia. I feel like a professional already.
• I dusted off a pot shelf including Windexing three crystal frames that sat on that shelf, it was nice to see the community of dust bunnies get sucked up by my vacuum...finally - how long has it been?
• I succeeded in having a very frank and reasonable discussion with my 2 1/2 year old about being rewarded a chocolate Santa treat (yes, we have those leftover still) if he would just go poop on the potty, as opposed to in his pants. Apparently I chose the appropriate treat of choice, because within a few hours, much to my surprise, he really did do it! Go him, and go me! It was so celebratory, all the kids partook in a Santa treat (that'll get rid of 'em).

The things that bring me peace and happiness...

Garage Options

Just think of all the possibilities of what you can do with your garage...

1 - park your cars in it (had to throw that idea out there for those of you who haven't thought of it yet...you know who you are)

2 - pile all of your junk in it (it's the American way!)

3 - have a home gym

4 - convert it to another bedroom for your ever-growing family

5 - have it act as a storage unit for the next garage sale...and the next...and the next...

6 - store racks of belts and purses for your ebay business - I saw it in my sister's neighborhood.

7 - or...when you kids have the wiggles from being couped up in the house all winter (that being about a month for us), create a 4-square court!

The Proof is in the Turkey

It's official - I can cook a turkey! This is really old news, but I just ran across the pictures and I am so darn proud of it, I had to share. It wasn't raw, it wasn't burnt - SUCCESS. And I did it myself since my mom was home sick that day - although it did take about 8 phone calls to get through it. So, after 33 years of life, and 11 years of marriage, and 8 years of mommyhood, I finally cooked a turkey! Go me! (And Go Rich for carving it!) p.s. Only in certain parts of the country can you wear shorts on Thanksgiving Day, as Rich is sporting, and I am so happy to be a desert-dweller.

Funniest Guy Ever

Dave Barry is officially the funniest guy ever. Feel free to argue with me, but first read his 2010 Year in Review. It's his spin on world news, headlines, celebrities, etc. Here's a few quotes to prove my point:

"Every poll shows that the major concerns of the American people are federal spending, the exploding deficit, and - above all - jobs. Jobs, jobs, jobs...So the Obama administration, displaying the keen awareness that has become its trademark, decides to focus like a laser on: heath-care reform."

"GM...is hoping to score big with the new "Volt," a revolutionary vehicle capable of traveling nearly six miles before its 19,500 triple-A batteries must be replaced."

"BP tries a series of increasingly desperate measures to plug the [oil] leak, including, at one point, a 167,000 pound wad of pre-chewed Juicy Fruit. President Obama, eager to show that he is on top of the situation, develops sever forehead cramps from standing on the shore and frowning with concern at the water."

"...the US economy suffers another blow as the Federal Bureau of Never Expecting Unemployment To Be As High As It Actually Is reports that for the 37th consecutive month, unemployment is unexpectedly high. 'Darned if we didn't get fooled again!' exclaims a bureau spokesperson..."

Hopefully that is enough fuel for you to join me in voting him funniest guy (or at least writer) ever. View the full article at http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/01/1992746/dave-barrys-2010-year-in-review.html

Got my hubby to read it. He told me it sounded like my kind of humor - does that mean it's not his?? Enjoy!

Promises of 2011

Things I'd like to do in 2011 (isn't that called a New Year's Resolution? - sounds like too much of a commitment, I'll stick with things I'd "like" to do.)

1 - Catch up with the technology of today - or at least come within a few miles of it.
For instance:
a. Buy a new phone that isn't embarrassing to carry around (check.)
b. Get and use text messaging (check.)
c. Don't get addicted to texting (no promises here.)
d. Log in to my blog (check.)
e. Post more on my blog than past years (3 in 2009, 2 in 2010 - think I can do it?)
f. Figure out how to add pictures to my blog (do I have time for all this?)
g. Plug in/hook up my new printer/scanner/copier/fax machine that's been sitting in a box for a month.
h. Buy something to backup my computer/photos other than a slew of flash drives.
j. Join (drumroll please...) Facebook (aarrgg), thus finding some old friends and keeping up with old and new ones alike.

2 - Paint my walls.

3 - Pay off my car, er um, minivan - do I really have one of those, good grief.

4 - Figure out if I'm healthy enough, brave enough, patient enough to try and have another baby. Or pray about growing our family another way.

5 - Exercise regularly. Gain strength.

6 - Go parasailing. Anyone want to join me? Sign ups begin tomorrow.

Does anyone have any good blogs suggestions I should follow?