Yesterday I got up early, well, for me anyway, and went to the center where they squish your breasts and take pictures. This being my first time and all, I was understandably nervous. But once I got there, had the courage to drive over and walk through those glass doors, I was greeted by women. That got it. That knew this was my first time, and showed me kindness and grace. And the nurse, she told me she knew what it was like to be me, because she had been in my spot. Had gotten this same test done. Had gotten the results that said come back. Knew how I felt. Her test had turned out fine in the end. But her sister, well now, she had been battling cancer spreading for eleven years now. When the sister first found out, she prayed to see her daughter graduate. Now that daughter is twenty six and getting ready to graduate. For good. So the sister is nervous about the answered prayer that has been honored all these eleven years. Is it all, this fight, going to end? I told my nurse that God answers so much more abundantly than what we even know to ask for. Who knows the days on Earth or hairs on her sister's head? And she said yes.
The sister has survived with this cancer ridden body for so long because of experimental testing and drugs. She has been the guinea pig for any study they accept her to. Her reason? If they can learn something from her own struggles, it might help her daughter one day. So she keeps signing up and she keeps pressing on. I ask my nurse if her sister has had quality in those eleven years? And she said yes.
The weight has come and gone and come and gone. Along with the hair. But most of the time, yes, it has been good. Not easy. Worth it.
I got back in my car and I started driving home, and suddenly tears sprang up, and I couldn't figure out why. Until I thought back and I realized how many women have died being the help for the next woman to fight the fight. Never before had it struck me so intimately how much these women sacrifice so that I can have the better chance, the better treatment, the better quality drugs. So to all those that fight in any form - not just for second base:) - thank you. Truly.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Hatch School Diaries - Entry Two
My laundry had overtaken the hallway, so it just gets even dirtier as the temporary backdoor floor mat. The bed is unmade and the clock reads 6:29......pm. My dining room is school central, hence any entertaining is done in the kitchen until further notice or college acceptance. I have hung exactly one picture in my whole house and three windows are still uncovered for all peeping toms interested.
I absolutely love homeschool. Love it. I keep asking Key if he is getting more out of school now, and then I look at him waiting for what has a correct answer. He figured that trick out early, so he always says that why yes, homeschool is much more indepth in its learning. I have no idea what the true answer is, but I do know that we feel productive, and so far this is what we have accomplished:
In 28 days we have.......
Kelly -
Learned to read simple books
Gets the hang of word families with short vowel sounds.
Finished twenty pages of phonics
Read seven books in whole on his own
Completed box one of The Bob Books
Made 40 or 50 word flashcards which he practices several times a week
Copied page after page of words, sentences, dates, and favorites stories
Currently copying his reader b/c Key copied the Declaration of Independence (Kelly cannot be outdone)
Finished fifty math lessons
Made flashcards for addition facts through his twos
Listened to lots of history books
Listened to Johnny Tremain on CD
Illustrated 11 out of the 13 episodes of The Revolution on Netflix
Dictated four pages of knowledge about the colonists
Labeled our map of the 13 colonies
Dated the first half of our timeline for the Rev. War
Helped make Johnny cakes
Designed a farm out of building blocks
Visited Brattonsville
Visited Augusta's Rev. War sites, including George Walton's house
Designed and created a boat out of recycled materials
And that's off the top of my head.
Key -
Read Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
Read Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Read Indian Captive by I can't remember
Completed two of the three book reports
Tested out of or completed 45 math lessons
Practiced math facts
Played on Khan Academy
Copied the Declaration of Independence
Learned how to diagram subjects, predicates, predicate nominatives, and articles
Written a blog entry on his knowledge of colonial life
Taken notes for 11 of the 13 episodes of The Revolution on Netflix
Listened to lots of history books
Read lots of history books
Described events for the first half of our timeline for the Rev. War
Visited Brattonsville
Visited Augusta's Rev. War sites, including George Walton's house
Designed and created a boat out of recycled materials
And that's also just off the top of my head.
But what's even bigger than all that stuff I listed, is that at the heart of this adventure, we are getting to know each other. I know so much more about their learning styles, what makes them click, how beautifully they are becoming young men, what frightens them, what their desires are, what they pray about, who they have become and how much I hadn't noticed until now. I am finding also how much I do not know about so many things, and I am learning with excitement and anticipation about math and science and history. Our world is fascinating and until now I had not taken the time to truly explore it. And wow!
What is hardest is letting go of public school and all its trappings. Its standards and its resources and its schedule and its order. Those things feel safe, but outside that safety is this experience that our family is living into. Today we looked through their yearbook from last year. I miss those kids and those people. But I don't miss that day. The one that starts early and frantic and stressful and involves me turning the boys over to others and exhaustion by Thursday afternoon. So letting go is my theme. And it is harder than just the physical act of walking away. I am, in essence, deschooling my brain.
But homeschooling/ unschooling/ schooling is turning out to be one of God's greatest blessings to me so far. We'll reevaluate come those long cold days of February:)....
I absolutely love homeschool. Love it. I keep asking Key if he is getting more out of school now, and then I look at him waiting for what has a correct answer. He figured that trick out early, so he always says that why yes, homeschool is much more indepth in its learning. I have no idea what the true answer is, but I do know that we feel productive, and so far this is what we have accomplished:
In 28 days we have.......
Kelly -
Learned to read simple books
Gets the hang of word families with short vowel sounds.
Finished twenty pages of phonics
Read seven books in whole on his own
Completed box one of The Bob Books
Made 40 or 50 word flashcards which he practices several times a week
Copied page after page of words, sentences, dates, and favorites stories
Currently copying his reader b/c Key copied the Declaration of Independence (Kelly cannot be outdone)
Finished fifty math lessons
Made flashcards for addition facts through his twos
Listened to lots of history books
Listened to Johnny Tremain on CD
Illustrated 11 out of the 13 episodes of The Revolution on Netflix
Dictated four pages of knowledge about the colonists
Labeled our map of the 13 colonies
Dated the first half of our timeline for the Rev. War
Helped make Johnny cakes
Designed a farm out of building blocks
Visited Brattonsville
Visited Augusta's Rev. War sites, including George Walton's house
Designed and created a boat out of recycled materials
And that's off the top of my head.
Key -
Read Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
Read Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Read Indian Captive by I can't remember
Completed two of the three book reports
Tested out of or completed 45 math lessons
Practiced math facts
Played on Khan Academy
Copied the Declaration of Independence
Learned how to diagram subjects, predicates, predicate nominatives, and articles
Written a blog entry on his knowledge of colonial life
Taken notes for 11 of the 13 episodes of The Revolution on Netflix
Listened to lots of history books
Read lots of history books
Described events for the first half of our timeline for the Rev. War
Visited Brattonsville
Visited Augusta's Rev. War sites, including George Walton's house
Designed and created a boat out of recycled materials
And that's also just off the top of my head.
But what's even bigger than all that stuff I listed, is that at the heart of this adventure, we are getting to know each other. I know so much more about their learning styles, what makes them click, how beautifully they are becoming young men, what frightens them, what their desires are, what they pray about, who they have become and how much I hadn't noticed until now. I am finding also how much I do not know about so many things, and I am learning with excitement and anticipation about math and science and history. Our world is fascinating and until now I had not taken the time to truly explore it. And wow!
What is hardest is letting go of public school and all its trappings. Its standards and its resources and its schedule and its order. Those things feel safe, but outside that safety is this experience that our family is living into. Today we looked through their yearbook from last year. I miss those kids and those people. But I don't miss that day. The one that starts early and frantic and stressful and involves me turning the boys over to others and exhaustion by Thursday afternoon. So letting go is my theme. And it is harder than just the physical act of walking away. I am, in essence, deschooling my brain.
But homeschooling/ unschooling/ schooling is turning out to be one of God's greatest blessings to me so far. We'll reevaluate come those long cold days of February:)....
Monday, August 27, 2012
Hatch School Diaries - First entry
For those of you that said you wished you could be a fly on the wall of my house when I announced our decision to homeschool....
The Hatch School Diaries
9am - We begin. Breakfast has been eaten, beds made, teeth brushed. I have had at least one cup of coffee and possibly taken a walk. Possibly.
We meet at the dining room table and start with prayers. All of us take turns offering up our praises and requests, then we recite the Lord's Prayer or I say a simple prayer to get us moving. (I had to put a stop to the daily request for more Legos. That was my little Kelly's constant heart's desire.)
After prayers, math is first; This just felt natural to all of us. At 10 o'clock we take a short break, then move into language and reading. That carries us until noonish. Break. I make lunch and they go run around outside, do their soccer drills, or play legos.
By 1pm we are sitting in the living room where we listen to a book on cd that Key is reading. It relates to our history unit, so Kelly gets information from listening as well. Then on to history, which is currently colonial times and the Revolutionary War. They have assignments to do and I assist with each as needed. Around three we tie things up and turn our house back into a dining room and living room. I have a closet, a big wooden tray, a stack of books, and a portable bin to help us attempt at containing clutter.
I collected my school lessons from a variety of places - stores, used book sales, friends, and online. I have found tons of great resources are free on the computer once I get to digging. The library has become a staple for us at least once a week. I chose various curriculum from advice of friends, teachers, and veteran homeschoolers. Some of it I like; some of it is getting scrapped as soon as I find a better alternative.
For the social aspect and special interest classes, we have lots of options. There are two support groups here in town and four total in my county alone. I haven't researched them to tell you details, but some do play dates, field trips, etc. Some do weekly teaching co-ops and prayer groups. We will pick one eventually. The boys both play soccer and are out at the fields four or five days a week. We have neighbors with children, and we have friends from school last year that have made a point of coming over to visit. For music and art, those will be incorporated into their education as we get more comfortable. So far they have been listening to Bach during math, and will read about him this week. I also have planned crafts for both of them, but for truly educational art, we will probably do more further into fall.
Also, you'll notice I have left out science. No worries. I decided to try concentrating on either history or science, but not both at the same time. So first a history unit, then a science unit. The two overlap at times and we will certainly let that happen naturally. For the year we have four units for each subject ahead of us, and the Revolutionary War unit has proven fascinating. Next up will be a unit focusing on biology.
If you ask the boys, they are happy - really, and while I am a bit overwhelmed with all to be done, I love having the time with my children. I know not everyone has this opportunity, and I am grateful a million times a day for mine.
And p.s. - It is wonderful, but we are not perfect. Things go differently than planned all the time. Today we made Johnny Cakes for afternoon snacks, and I just about set off all the smoke alarms.
Any more questions? Ask away! I'll try to answer all that I can.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Worshipping Air
We moved. To the most precious town this side of heaven. Sorry, I know that's cheesy, but we are still the newbies and are completely enamored with the growing season and the farms and the food and the people here. My new favorite person is this little old lady with dentures that I met at church last Sunday that told me if I sat next to her at the potluck, she promised I wouldn't leave wonderin'. Town is a five minute walk and farm country is a one minute drive in the opposite direction. We are the third to last house before the sidewalk ends, so either way, you get to go somewhere. And it really is beautiful here. Green. Trees. Flowers. Interesting historic homes with porches. Southern homes. Old trucks. New trucks. Lots of trucks. Churches. One two doors down and across the street and one on the other side of the neighbors on the right. And land. Land in every direction, just about. You could call it God's country, could easily hear Him breathing there.
So...Yesterday I was driving home in my newly repaired vehicle through a not so attractive part of a city near us. We go to the city for big stuff and for things like a CarMax car warranty. So when we hit it, the edge of the city, and we kept driving in, my oldest leaned forward.
And he said.
Mom, we don't fit here. And it is, I don't know. Just. I don't fit.
And what he meant was that the place was run down and ugly and tumbling and had weeds all over but no trees and lots of empty strips of stores ran together and it just looked like a place of little hope.
Made me appreciate our new home and big yard and the tree lined sidewalk into town. A place where my boys can roam and wrestle with the neighbor's dogs and swing on ropes hanging from trees. A place that for us, offers new hope after a long hard haul.
And then, I thought of a dinner we went to once where I had to explain God to a group of Hindu women. And they told me about the Catholics in India that were surely more serious than me. They worshipped nothing. No statue or picture of their God. They worshipped air.
Air.
And I thought, God, He floats even in a place looking like little to no hope. In places where a picture or a statue or a fancy replica would not belong.
May not be my version of heaven. My pretty new house with my quiet corner and grass growing in the proper places. My place to breathe Him in.
But God, well, He still floats there. Just on the edge of the city.
Just like He floats near me.
(And He floats in India too.)
So...Yesterday I was driving home in my newly repaired vehicle through a not so attractive part of a city near us. We go to the city for big stuff and for things like a CarMax car warranty. So when we hit it, the edge of the city, and we kept driving in, my oldest leaned forward.
And he said.
Mom, we don't fit here. And it is, I don't know. Just. I don't fit.
And what he meant was that the place was run down and ugly and tumbling and had weeds all over but no trees and lots of empty strips of stores ran together and it just looked like a place of little hope.
Made me appreciate our new home and big yard and the tree lined sidewalk into town. A place where my boys can roam and wrestle with the neighbor's dogs and swing on ropes hanging from trees. A place that for us, offers new hope after a long hard haul.
And then, I thought of a dinner we went to once where I had to explain God to a group of Hindu women. And they told me about the Catholics in India that were surely more serious than me. They worshipped nothing. No statue or picture of their God. They worshipped air.
Air.
And I thought, God, He floats even in a place looking like little to no hope. In places where a picture or a statue or a fancy replica would not belong.
May not be my version of heaven. My pretty new house with my quiet corner and grass growing in the proper places. My place to breathe Him in.
But God, well, He still floats there. Just on the edge of the city.
Just like He floats near me.
(And He floats in India too.)
Monday, July 23, 2012
Settling in York - hopefully
Helen of Troy and Joey of Friends (Troy and Joey) are cutting through the side of my current residence. I can feel the vibrations of the saw on my feet as I sit inside my hopefully permanent home. And oh, how I pray this is it. We really like it here. No more moving from house to house, touring the potential of places but not seeing it all into actual reality. We want to get to stay to use this house. Fit into it. Pare down our things. Make it simple, uncluttered (except for the boys' rooms), beautiful. Our new beginning in this old city.
This house sits in downtown York. Besides moving home to be near Mom and Dad, York is the best place on Earth. At least, for me it is. We can walk everywhere if we want, or we can drive and get there faster. A trip across town? Five minutes. Fifteen walking. Restaurants (a chicken BLT pita slathered in ranch dressing to die for), a theatre, flowers, gifts, outdoor store, antiques, churches, etc., all just down the street. A very pretty street, at that.
And how could I not mention Walmart, one of only two choices for groceries? Walmart? Why yes please. Boys got their haircut there just yesterday while we talked to the sweetest young couple that had come into the city from Hickory Grove, a place too small for its own stoplight, much less its own Walmart. When we left, I saw them walking around the store still holding hands. Ahh, you have to love Walmart and young love. (I would like to find a local barber in support of small business, but Miss Ann at the Smartstyles captured my boys' attention, so we may be going to Walmart for awhile longer.)
And the people. Oh, so welcoming. So kind. So willing to let us make York our home. We haven't found that everywhere. Feeling accepted so early on truly is a blessing not all towns give. Our neighbors? Two Texas ladies with British accents in the big yellow house on the left and a family with their three youngest out of twelve still living at home on the right. The ones on the right cut our grass and feed our kids almost every day. I'm going to have to go back to Walmart soon to restock their juice box fridge they leave open on their porch. (I told my boys not to go up there without permission, but Miss Debbie told them to have all they want, so you can guess who they keep listening to.)
So, back to you, Helen of Troy and Joey of Friends, please do a good job on that side of my house so that we (being Michael) can actually buy it once and for all. Like I have said already, I really like it here.
This house sits in downtown York. Besides moving home to be near Mom and Dad, York is the best place on Earth. At least, for me it is. We can walk everywhere if we want, or we can drive and get there faster. A trip across town? Five minutes. Fifteen walking. Restaurants (a chicken BLT pita slathered in ranch dressing to die for), a theatre, flowers, gifts, outdoor store, antiques, churches, etc., all just down the street. A very pretty street, at that.
And how could I not mention Walmart, one of only two choices for groceries? Walmart? Why yes please. Boys got their haircut there just yesterday while we talked to the sweetest young couple that had come into the city from Hickory Grove, a place too small for its own stoplight, much less its own Walmart. When we left, I saw them walking around the store still holding hands. Ahh, you have to love Walmart and young love. (I would like to find a local barber in support of small business, but Miss Ann at the Smartstyles captured my boys' attention, so we may be going to Walmart for awhile longer.)
And the people. Oh, so welcoming. So kind. So willing to let us make York our home. We haven't found that everywhere. Feeling accepted so early on truly is a blessing not all towns give. Our neighbors? Two Texas ladies with British accents in the big yellow house on the left and a family with their three youngest out of twelve still living at home on the right. The ones on the right cut our grass and feed our kids almost every day. I'm going to have to go back to Walmart soon to restock their juice box fridge they leave open on their porch. (I told my boys not to go up there without permission, but Miss Debbie told them to have all they want, so you can guess who they keep listening to.)
So, back to you, Helen of Troy and Joey of Friends, please do a good job on that side of my house so that we (being Michael) can actually buy it once and for all. Like I have said already, I really like it here.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Our life since the move....
First...
1. Eden Terrace house, aka rental home - Needs WAY too much work to make it a reasonable investment. So a BIG no.
Must find a new home....
2. Bethelfields new build neighborhood - Cannot find lot that will fit house that fits our needs. Fizzles out.
3. Hunter's Place foreclosure - Shifty real estate agents on both sides kills the deal.
Hired new real estate agents and tried again. Still shiftiness from other side, so no go.
4. Millcreek Falls new build - Dishonest sales agent that price gouges. No deal.
5. Peaceful Creek foreclosure - Bank unwilling to negotiate. Nope.
6. River Hills foreclosure - Beautiful, but again, bank unwilling to negotiate. Finished.
7. River Hills estate sale - Good deal, but horrible inspection, and two closings costs for a renovation loan. Over budget. Gone.
8. Peaceful Creek foreclosure take two - Price fell, so put in our offer. Again. Bidding war. Denied. No accepted. Too much running us around. Nadda.
9. Lynwood Dr. Judge's house - Owner financing that really just meant we pay down their mortgage until they get back on their feet, then they sell the house at a premium. Bad financial conditions. No.
10. Current deal, the Congress St. house - Postponed closing and move date four times, bad inspection, shady real estate agent/ seller/ contractor try to cover up problems, caught in lies, new contractor, more inspections, and a last minute prayer. If repaired correctly, it is to finally be our new house.
Searching for a home has taken over a year and lots of money. Lots of inspections.
Silver lining = I know this county better than the average citizen, and I've seen the insides of all those homes people wonder about.
Very tired.
Whole family emotionally drained.
Plus.....
School = Wrong educational choice for us, but good teachers, and we all made friends. Mixed bag of tears and blessings.
Starting homeschool this August as result.
Next...
Soccer Club one = Disaster. Emotionally exhausting, bad training, unhappy and miserable child. Must switch to...
Soccer Club two = Successful spring season. Good new friends. Team falls apart for next year, so...
Soccer Club three = Potential fit. Time will tell.
Then...
Church One = Differing views on lots of things.
Keep searching...
Church two and Church three = Nice services, but still on a search. Long drive and out of our community. Too difficult to participate.
Church four = Again, far away, but possibly worth it. And....nope. Too far from future home. No ability to participate.
Church search stopped until we find a home = No church for quite a while. Lots of sleeping in, but lots of struggling with prayer and faith.
Finally...
Michael's job = SUCCESS!! Thank you Jesus! At least we got one thing right first time around! Of course this is our third town from job changes, so maybe third time's a charm is a better statement for this one.
Now...
Supposed to move this coming Saturday, but the repairs are to be finished a mere two hours before closing on Friday, so we could easily end up in a short term storage and corporate housing complex while we continue our quest for a home.
Please...
Prayers would be much appreciated.
**The above year is the reason this blog is on life support.**
1. Eden Terrace house, aka rental home - Needs WAY too much work to make it a reasonable investment. So a BIG no.
Must find a new home....
2. Bethelfields new build neighborhood - Cannot find lot that will fit house that fits our needs. Fizzles out.
3. Hunter's Place foreclosure - Shifty real estate agents on both sides kills the deal.
Hired new real estate agents and tried again. Still shiftiness from other side, so no go.
4. Millcreek Falls new build - Dishonest sales agent that price gouges. No deal.
5. Peaceful Creek foreclosure - Bank unwilling to negotiate. Nope.
6. River Hills foreclosure - Beautiful, but again, bank unwilling to negotiate. Finished.
7. River Hills estate sale - Good deal, but horrible inspection, and two closings costs for a renovation loan. Over budget. Gone.
8. Peaceful Creek foreclosure take two - Price fell, so put in our offer. Again. Bidding war. Denied. No accepted. Too much running us around. Nadda.
9. Lynwood Dr. Judge's house - Owner financing that really just meant we pay down their mortgage until they get back on their feet, then they sell the house at a premium. Bad financial conditions. No.
10. Current deal, the Congress St. house - Postponed closing and move date four times, bad inspection, shady real estate agent/ seller/ contractor try to cover up problems, caught in lies, new contractor, more inspections, and a last minute prayer. If repaired correctly, it is to finally be our new house.
Searching for a home has taken over a year and lots of money. Lots of inspections.
Silver lining = I know this county better than the average citizen, and I've seen the insides of all those homes people wonder about.
Very tired.
Whole family emotionally drained.
Plus.....
School = Wrong educational choice for us, but good teachers, and we all made friends. Mixed bag of tears and blessings.
Starting homeschool this August as result.
Next...
Soccer Club one = Disaster. Emotionally exhausting, bad training, unhappy and miserable child. Must switch to...
Soccer Club two = Successful spring season. Good new friends. Team falls apart for next year, so...
Soccer Club three = Potential fit. Time will tell.
Then...
Church One = Differing views on lots of things.
Keep searching...
Church two and Church three = Nice services, but still on a search. Long drive and out of our community. Too difficult to participate.
Church four = Again, far away, but possibly worth it. And....nope. Too far from future home. No ability to participate.
Church search stopped until we find a home = No church for quite a while. Lots of sleeping in, but lots of struggling with prayer and faith.
Finally...
Michael's job = SUCCESS!! Thank you Jesus! At least we got one thing right first time around! Of course this is our third town from job changes, so maybe third time's a charm is a better statement for this one.
Now...
Supposed to move this coming Saturday, but the repairs are to be finished a mere two hours before closing on Friday, so we could easily end up in a short term storage and corporate housing complex while we continue our quest for a home.
Please...
Prayers would be much appreciated.
**The above year is the reason this blog is on life support.**
Thursday, May 31, 2012
To the teachers
This is to all the folks out there that I didn't talk to before school ended and to all those I did.
Thank you.
My children thank you too.
It's hard being new, and you made it just a bit better for the boys. You made our mornings tear free. And that's big. You made the idea of school ending a little bitter sweet. You made them smile each day for 185 days.
You loved them.
You taught them.
And for that, again, thank you.
And to all the others that make a school run, a big thank you to y'all as well. For every note they carried to the office and were greeted warmly, thank you. For making paperwork easy, THANK YOU! For caring about the kiddos enough to learn their names - all 700 of them - thank you.
And to Gordon and Chad, my kids never knew keeping care of a place could be so cool until they met you. All of us mommas should be shouting thank you for that lesson right there. Thank you for every bag of trash you carried and every high five you gave and every laugh you drew out of those little ones. They love you. They truly do.
So, to all, again, thank you.
Thank you.
My children thank you too.
It's hard being new, and you made it just a bit better for the boys. You made our mornings tear free. And that's big. You made the idea of school ending a little bitter sweet. You made them smile each day for 185 days.
You loved them.
You taught them.
And for that, again, thank you.
And to all the others that make a school run, a big thank you to y'all as well. For every note they carried to the office and were greeted warmly, thank you. For making paperwork easy, THANK YOU! For caring about the kiddos enough to learn their names - all 700 of them - thank you.
And to Gordon and Chad, my kids never knew keeping care of a place could be so cool until they met you. All of us mommas should be shouting thank you for that lesson right there. Thank you for every bag of trash you carried and every high five you gave and every laugh you drew out of those little ones. They love you. They truly do.
So, to all, again, thank you.
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