ASSIGNMENTS

The last couple of weeks have been very introspective for me as I have considered the changing pace of life- for myself and for others.

Stress and difficulty plays no prejudice to anyone. We all experience it. What we we do during those times is the key. Most of the time it is the springboard into our next assignment in life.

Teaching has given me the opportunity to give many assignments. My children have not always taken them with the excitment that I have hoped for; nevertheless, it has been an assignment that they must complete.

There have been days that our 2 hour work schedule turned into an all day marathon of completing a few simple assignments. And being the persistent teacher I am; we deadlocked until the objective was met. During the afternoon, friends would come to the door to play. But because he wasted his valuable learning time, the luxury of playing the inviting, warm sunshine had been missed. When my little one realized that nothing else would take place until the assignment was done; he dried his tears and amazingly began to work out the IMPOSSIBLE problems with ease. I knew that it was never a matter of his ability to complete the assignment; but his attitude. My G-man now makes himself a checklist everyday of his assignments. He finds much pleasure in completing his own to-do list. He told me the other day, "Mom, you know, if we all will just accept our list of to do's without complaining; we get a great reward at the end of the day."

Brilliant kid!

Then my Father, God spoke to me. He reminded me that He has given me some assignments. And just like my boy, I have been obstinate- refusing to face the work and problems that are easy to solve. It's just I have an "I don't want to." And the longer that I refuse to do the work that He has intended to do; the longer this season will last. Time for an attitude change. I would hate to miss opportunities that await me because I refused to "do my assignments."

I now feel that God has given me a new assignment. No, I am not jumping up and down and excited about it. But He has shown me; it's time to move on to learning some new challenges so He can open up brand new opportunities for me.

Father, help me become the student that I and You would desire. Teachable and Obedient, ready to learn the easy and hard problems You give to me.

Perfect Princess Power!

Having a princess in the family is a special feeling. While the boys have been downstairs watching the kickoff of Nascar season, the girls have been busy creating!

We had feet baths and pedicures, made ornate watercolor fans, and adorned our heads with handmade princess hats.

Lily and I agreed that the boys certainly could not have beaten our fun night by a long shot!

Thanks for being in my world, Lil'!

"Lost" finatic here!

Watching "Lost" has turned into a date night for my dh and I! I had a meeting tonight and knew that it would be recorded for me. But to my surprise, my sweetheart waited up for me until 10:30 to watch it with me. An experience that is richer when we watch it together! Thanks, Honey!

This week, my summation is that the "rescuers" are with the Dharma Intiative and they are after Ben because of his hostile take over on the island. They have finally caught up with him! But for some reason Dharma has gone to great lengths to keep this island covered up; including faking the recovering of the plane. Still not sure what that is about. And I still wonder about the true inhabitants of the island. Who are they?

I predict that one of the six is Sayid. I also think Sawyer has to be one of them too. And last of all, my guess has been that Jon is in the coffin. I think somehow he is manipulated back to the world.

Lasty, going out on a limb here, my prediction that Michael is the man planted on the freighter. Now that would be really crazy, but I have learned that Lost has written in some unexpected, crazy things.

It will be interesting to see what happens as we continue in the season.

Happy Birthday to my Lil' Caboose!

Three years ago this week, you graced my life! And oh what a blessing you have been! You brought peace to my heart and completion to our family. There is not a day that goes by that you don't crack me up! The Lord knew I needed something else to keep me on my toes.

Strong and determined already! You will cup my face in your chubby little hands to make sure I hear you at all costs. Somehow you convince me and your siblings train tracks several times a day. Why isn't once enough? And if a day goes by without watching Thomas or a train documentary that we have Tivoed, it's a miracle. You're the only child that talks about himself in third person. I think you just love hearing your name!

The other day you helped set the table for the first time! I saw the excitement of the sense of accomplishment in your eyes.

Mischievious- yes you are! You've stuffed play dough in our outlets, dumped sugar on the counter, and have dug in the trash can. I have survived markers on my walls before, but markers on my carpet?! You have taken the cake!

I believe that God has sent you straight from Heaven to complete the5chaps! I love seeing you grow and learn everyday! I have no doubt a strong, faithful man you will become!

Happy 3rd Birthday!!
Love,
Mom

Lighting a Fire!!

Last week, I posted in response to a meme commenting my thoughts on the famous quote of William Butler Yeats, "Education is simply not filling the pail, but lighting the fire."





Well I did it! The blogging left me on a heart search of how exactly I could reach my 10 yr. son. He is the sweetest kid with a tender spirit, but I had run into some walls in reaching him as far as homeschooling goes. He told me he hates school! What a blow to the teacher! We have actually butted heads since he was 4 years old. I, as a public school teacher, was determined to raise a child who loved learning, books, and school. But that romance ended early. I began to ask myself what I was doing wrong. But my 7 yr. daughter as taken an excited affinity toward school. She loves it and picks up her studies quickly.





This week I decided to change things up a bit and create a lapbook. I knew that Lily would love it, but I never anticipated that G-man would go for it. We spent our mornings and afternoons finding information on rainforests and coming up with creative ways to display our findings. I will have to admit that I found Evan-Moor's teacherfilebox very helpful.





G-man presented his rainforest book at co-op on Wednesday. In class, he went from a kid who sits back and watches to a whiz raising his hand with all the answers and new information about rainforests. He even became very passionate about the deforestation of rainforests and is looking for ways to make a difference. That also led us into a discussion of politics and the role of lobbyists.





I have been so psyched about our improvements and the real learning that has taken place this week. We are going to create another lapbook in celebration of President's Day in the next couple of weeks. I hope this spark spreads in our Quests4Hope!





Pictures of Rainforest Lapbook



G-man created an anaconda you see on the left. He wrote a report in first person as if the snake is telling about himself. Lily made the leaf-cutter ant and dictated what she learned. They also included various facts about the forest floor of the rainforest.









Both children wrote poetry about the vines in the rainforest and posted them on the leaves. They also studied the Kapok tree and included information under the pod they created. I believe the most fun was learning about the jaguar who is known as the "King of the Rainforest" as he is at the top of the food chain.

The children enjoyed making drawings. G-man included a deer in the powerful jaws of his jaguar.



The 5 Chaps have started a fire!