Homeschool Highlights

States of Matter ~ Solids: In our new Science book, we are studying Matter right now and the three states, solids, liquids, and gases.  We studied solids first.  

One of our experiments studied solids mass and volume.  If if two solids have the same volume, they can have totally different masses.  The kids learned that comparing leaves and rocks.

We also collected solids from around the house made of paper, metal, wood, cardboard, and plastic.

We sorted them by different properties (size and shape).

New Science Book: As I just mentioned, we have a new science book.  I started looking further into Catholic Heritage Curriculum and decided to check out their Beginning Science book.  It is intended for third grade which is perfect.  So far we love the mix of science and faith and I plan to continue with this curriculum next year!

 She's At It Again!: Macie got the same cookbook from the library plus a new one.  She made the cookies again with even less help from me!  I'm so excited that my kids are taking off in the kitchen!!

A Look Back ~ November

Mater Dei Football Game ~ Brian and Gavin went with Chad and CJ to a Mater Dei game again this year.  Unfortuately, they lost, but Gavin had a really good time!

Leaf Prints ~ While the boys were at the game, the girls and I did some painting.  We did some leaf print painting and made a few Christmas gifts. The leaf prints turned out Ok, but not as well as we'd hoped.  It was fun and we had another night making memories and spending time together!

 Save the Turkey ~ Mr. Turkey didn't want to be eaten for Thanksgiving, so Lilah was assigned the job of disguising him so he could be saved.  At first, she wanted to turn him into a leaf, but then we decided he'd be better hidden in a pile of leaves.  We were supposed to work together and it was fun collecting the leaves, making the rake, and helping her with this.  She was so proud of the final product!

24 Hour EEG ~ Gavin had a 24 Hour EEG on November 6th and 7th.  We left at 3ish in the morning on Monday and then spent 24 hours in a room.  I brought school work and snacks to keep Gavin busy.  He was also allowed to play Super Mario Brothers on the wii.  He had a student nurse that helped to keep him occupied as well.  We just got the results back and he didn't have any seizures.  They did detect a "slowing" in the brain which is caused from having developmental delay.  He did have that as a baby/toddler.  They assured me that wouldn't cause the zoning out.  I'm glad we did the test, but no real answers.

Box Car Children ~ Lilah and Gavin put their makedo kits to work and made a car for them to play in.  I swear, kids get just as much, if not more, entertainment from the box as they do what comes in it!

MRI ~ We came back home for one night on Nov 7th and to see Lilah and then were  back at the hospital on the 8th for an MRI of the brain, abdomen, and pelvis.  They were looking at the brain because he's started having a lot of headaches and migraines.  They looked at the abdomen/pelvis to check for vascular lesions in the urinary tract.  Overall, they didn't find anything new.  I always have mixed feelings about that.  I don't want them to find anything wrong, but at the same time, I'm not getting any answers.

Gavin is a reading machine!  He read 3 chapter books this day and read 6 that week!

Dress Up Diva and Sign Maker ~ Lilah cracks me up!  When she comes home from school, I have her change out of her uniform right away so we can keep them decent.  Well, she doesn't just change into play clothes, she gets fully dressed!  This is what she had on to ride bikes one day!

 She's also been making Brian and I signs.  I have to say that her handwriting has greatly improved since starting kindergarten.  She even drew us bubble letters!

Meeting Baby Hudson ~ Uncle John and Erin had a baby!  Hudson Anderson Holt joined this world on November 9th.  We really wanted to go when he was born, but I'd spent most of the week at Riley with Gavin, Macie had been gone in Sturgis, it was a school night, and we were having car trouble.  The kids wouldn't have been able to see him anyway, so we decided to make the trip a week later.  It was a great visit and I got in plenty of Hudson snuggles.  He is a doll baby and we can't wait to go back!

Thanksgiving Christmas Singers ~ It is a tradition on my mom's side that after we eat the meal on Thanksgiving, we sing Christmas songs while doing the dishes.  My aunt made up song books years ago.  She offered them to the girls so they could practice and perform a few songs.  They were so cute singing.  Hannah and Macie took turns singing verses and Lilah just went along with both.  You couldn't even see her face above the book!

 Selfies ~ 

Christmas Decorating ~ The Saturday after Thanksgiving, we decorated the house for Christmas.  I had three little elves to help and I have to say it was the least stressed I've been decorating.  It was so much more enjoyable!

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow ~ Leland had the lead in his school play!  The girls and I went.  He did such a great job!  I was one proud godmama!

Book in a Bag ~ Every other week, Lilah brings home a book in bag that she is supposed to read to every member of her family.  She takes this literally and reads to Emilee...even if she is asleep!

#Blessed

One of my 2017 Intentions was to write 17 posts about blessings in my life to help purge negativity.  I'm finally getting around to it in this #Blessed series. 

I am blessed to live in my DREAM HOME.

I love my house and am so thankful to live here.  Everything fell into place for this house.  So many things happened and it couldn't have lined up more perfectly.  If we hadn't bought our house the year we did, we wouldn't have qualified for a loan. The bottom level has all hard floors and right now has big enough openings for Gavin's wheelchair.  There is a place where we can make a bedroom downstairs for Gavin.  None of this was planned, it just all came together.

This house isn't perfect, but it's perfect for us and where we are able to make a home for our family.  It's the perfect size for us and I always tell my kids that I'm not moving until they move me out!  I thank God every day that I am able to live here and my kids will be able to call this their childhood home!

#Blessed

One of my 2017 Intentions was to write 17 posts about blessings in my life to help purge negativity.  I'm finally getting around to it in this #Blessed series. 

I am blessed to always have my BASIC NEEDS MET.

Even in our darkest and scariest times, we have always had a roof over our heads, food and water, and clothes.  We've never been without electricity.  Some people worry about these basic and simple needs every single day.  I am so happy to say that we've been blessed with our basic needs met and so much more.

I always tell my kids, "There are plenty of people who have more than we do, but there are a lot more who have less!"  Thinking of life that way helps you to appreciate what you have, especially the basic needs that we often take for granted.

#Blessed

One of my 2017 Intentions was to write 17 posts about blessings in my life to help purge negativity.  I'm finally getting around to it in this #Blessed series. 

I am blessed to be a HOMESCHOOLING MOM.

When I became a teacher, I never thought in a million years that I would stay at home with my kids, let alone homeschool them.  In fact, I've admitted that I was formerly against the idea of homeschooling and didn't understand why anyone would do it.  Well times have changed!  God had other plans for me and my family when he called me to be a teacher!

There are days when I want to pull my hair out, but overall, I truly love homeschooling.  It is a great fit for Macie and Gavin and I love seeing them learn and thrive.  I'm able to be in the trenches with them.  When I see how far they've come, it fills me with such joy and pride.  I'm so blessed that I was able to be with Lilah during her preschool years and that we were able to make the best decision for her for Kindergarten.  Because of homeschooling, I have a closer relationship with my children and am able to be there for all of the little moments.  I'm so thankful that I am able to teach them when I know it is the best for them.

#Blessed

One of my 2017 Intentions was to write 17 posts about blessings in my life to help purge negativity.  I'm finally getting around to it in this #Blessed series. 

I am blessed to be the mama of LILAH.

After two kids, you think you have the parenting thing down. Then, God blesses you with a third bundle of joy. Each child comes with their own likes, dislikes, challenges, and blessings.  Lilah challenges me in ways I've never experienced.  She's very particular about what food and clothing she likes, as well as about everything else.  This can be very frustrating at times, but it has also helped me to grow and become more creative.

I'm blessed that Lilah pushes me in areas that weren't that important to me before or that I was anxious to do.  I'm also blessed that Lilah is always available for a snuggle and a smile.  Lilah is such a mother hen and blesses our family with her nurturing ways.  God has rounded out our family with sugar and spice everything nice.

#Blessed

One of my 2017 Intentions was to write 17 posts about blessings in my life to help purge negativity.  I'm finally getting around to it in this #Blessed series. 

I am blessed to the be mama of GAVIN.

I always tell Gavin that he is my favorite little boy in the world. Since he only has sisters, it's easy for me to say, but in all honesty, he is one amazing kid.  Of course we have our struggles, but Gavin has blessed me in so many ways.  Because of his disability and homeschooling, we spend a lot of time together.  Gavin can look at me and I can pretty much tell what he is thinking.  He is also very loyal to his Mama and can be a sweet and caring gentleman when he wants to be.

Most of all, I am blessed to watch in awe of his bravery as he faces very difficult circumstances.  I honestly don't know how I would handle it if I was in his shoes, but he just rolls with it.  You tell him he has surgery, no big deal (you take away electronics and that's a whole different story)!  Finally, I am blessed to watch Gavin grow in his faith.  At 7 years old, he has taken it upon himself to read the Bible.  He's already completed the book of Genesis and is working on Exodus now.  It is amazing to me and inspires me to step up my game! 

I've been collecting different Bible verses when they speak to me and I though John 9:2,3 was very fitting for Gavin (Brian and Macie, too!).

"...'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?'

Jesus answered, 'Neither he nor his parents sinned, 

it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.'"

#Blessed

One of my 2017 Intentions was to write 17 posts about blessings in my life to help purge negativity.  I'm finally getting around to it in this #Blessed series. 

I am blessed to be a mama to MACIE.

I tell Macie all of the time how special she is because she is the one who made me a mom.  I wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember and she made that dream come true on October 13, 2008.  She has humbled me, challenged me, frustrated me, and helped me to grow in so many ways.

Watching a little human that you grew in your belly grow, learn, create, and develop is such an amazing thing.  We have laughed together, cried together, created together, and even screamed together.  Today we are closer than we've ever been.

When we are given children to raise, we have to remember that they aren't ours.  They belong to God and I am blessed that he entrusted this little soul into my care.  I need to give it my all to help her be the best her that HE wants her to be!

#Blessed

One of my 2017 Intentions was to write 17 posts about blessings in my life to help purge negativity.  I'm finally getting around to it in this #Blessed series. 

I am blessed to be celebrating my 10th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

WOW...I can't believe that on New Year's Eve, Brian and I will be celebrating 10 years of marriage.  I've said it, and many others have commented, how we've been through more in our 10 years of marriage than many face in 20 or 30 years.  That being said, it is a blessing that we are still together and sticking it out.  Yes, we love each other and have created a family together, but marriage is flat out hard.  I think it is hard for everyone, but when you add extenuating circumstances such as mental illness, sick children, financial struggles, job losses, deaths, etc, it is even more difficult.

Marriage is a covenant.  It is not something that you can easily decide to quit (even though it is very tempting at times!).  I am blessed that God has protected our marriage even in the darkest times and had faith in us even when we didn't.  Each day, week, and year is a blessing and I need to look at it like that versus a burden (ever heard it referred to as the old ball and chain?).  God blessed me with Brian and I want to cherish that blessing!

#Blessed

One of my 2017 Intentions was to write 17 posts about blessings in my life to help purge negativity.  I'm finally getting around to it in this #Blessed series.  

The number 1 Blessing in my life that I am most grateful for is my FAITH.

I honestly do not know where I would be without my faith.  As crazy as my life is and as difficult as it is to function at times, I've grown deeper and stronger in my faith instead of  pushing it away.  It is my calm in the storm and grounds me when I need it the most.  Going to Mass on Sundays, reading the Bible together as a family each night, spending time with God praying the Rosary or just listening to him, and teaching my kids how to live the faith bring me such peace and joy.

I have such negativity and ugliness thrown at me on a regular basis, so I am blessed to say that my FAITH is what carries me through and helps me to move forward being the best person I can be!  At the end of the day, my relationship with GOD is what matters the most and I strive to have a closer relationship with him every day I am here on this  Earth and look forward to being with him in my eternal home in heaven.

Family Fun (A Random Post I Found in the Drafts)

I randomly found this post in my drafts...It was obviously from January and I have no idea if I've posted these pictures. However, they are super cute and I can't believe almost a year has passed and my babies are growing so fast!

My mom gave me these handcuffs as a joke since we'd done the Escape room and the kids wanted me to lock them up!

Oatmeal Mask

Twins!

Dream Car Museum

Jr. Thunderbolts Game