Archery~Why not?

So we woke up yesterday morning, and decided an archery contest was in order. Why not?  We weighted down the target, as it was windy here in Oklahoma, and filled our kids up with sugary pastry goodness, then headed outside for loads of fun!

Everyone hanging out

 

Heath Jr.

Daniel

 

Malcolm



Jeffie Jean

 

Terry

Paulee~She was a hoot!

Anderson

 

Even babe, Mom, and Dad got in on the fun!

 

 

It was a blast. If we were keeping score, Dad won, with Mom in second and Daniel in third. But we have WAY more practice needed before it gets serious! And the kids learned what happens if you let the bow get too close to your face.





Laundry Soap

If you have been here in my little blog world, you know I make our laundry soap.  I have used a couple of different recipes, but they were the same. You needed a large 5 gallon bucket, 2 days worth of time, and could not make more until the bucket was completely empty. That meant there were at least two days I couldn't wash anything.  Or at least, that is how it worked for me, as I didn't have a second bucket.

 

So, I came across homemade laundry soap when looking through Pinterest one day. It's been sitting in my cleaning board for quite some time.  And now that I have a new (to me) washer in our new (to us, again) home, it was time to break out the new recipe. According to The White Silk Purse, this only costs $0.017, but you will have to read all the specifics over there.

Concentrated Laundry Soap

You will need:
2 bars of Fels Naptha
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda (NOT baking soda. Two distinct things)
6 cups hot water
Essential oils

Put 6 cups of water on to heat. It will almost boil by the time you are done. While the water is heating, grate the Fels Naptha.  Add the soap to the water that is heating, and stir frequently. This part takes 10 – 15 minutes. Keep stirring until the soap is completely melted. Be careful not to let your mixture boil over!

When the soap has melted turn off the heat and add the Borax and the Washing Soda. Again, do not confuse Washing Soda with baking soda. They are NOT the same.  You can find both Borax and Washing Soda in the laundry aisle.Stir and stir and stir. You will stir for about three minutes. The powders will dissolve into the liquid. Add a few drops of essential oils to scent your soap how you would like. I had tea tree oil and peppermint on hand, so I added 5 drops of each.

Pour the liquid equally into 4 quart jars. This was almost may favorite part. I didn't have enough of my new jars, so I pulled out some old mason jars Heath's grandmother gave me. Now, add just enough water to bring the contents up to the “shoulders” of the jar. This will leave about 1 ½ inches of head space. Put lids on the jars and let them sit overnight (about 8 hours).

The soap in the jars will separate while it is standing. This is OK. There will be firm soap on top and kind of gel-like soap on the bottom. Sometimes "crystals" form at the bottom of the jar, don't worry. This actually happens pretty quickly.

This next part is really quite fun. In the morning, take one of the jars and cut up the firm soap. I just stick a knife down into the jar and cut it up like a pie. Next, pour all of this into your mixing bowl of your stand mixer. There were a few crystals that stayed in the bottom, so I just swished a tiny bit of hot water around to loosen them up and poured them in the bowl as well. 

Start on the lowest speed of your blender or mixer and increase the speed gradually. Your result will be something that looks like really thick, pale yellow whipped cream. You may need to scrape the sides down with a spatula a few times to get it all the way blended/mixed. It looks much like butter by time you are done.

Pour/spoon the now blended soap back into the quart jars. Your jars will be all the way full now and you may even have a little more for another jar. In fact, I went from having 4 quarts to having 5 quarts. Pop a lid onto the jars and your soap will keep indefinitely. It gets a little firmer in the jar when it sits, but it stays spoonable.

 

It is supposed to take 1 tablespoon per load. I have a coffee measure that I am not sure of the measurement. And instead of testing it out, I just put two scoops in the wash.  The clothes are clean, but do not have any smell. I may have to work on a softener, as I really like my clothes to have a scent when I pull them out of my drawer.

 

Have fun trying this out!

What I learned the first week of school.

This week, we started our first week of school for the new school year.  It has been quite the adventure, with so many twists and turns. And while I am not proud of many of my moments, I was able to make it through the process with a new perspective, and have grown along the way.  I also have a few tidbits of truth to share.





#1. You are never prepared. I know this because, I prepped ALL summer, yet Sunday night was a basket case because I came up with at least a thousand more things I had to do before Monday morning. I was stressing out!! And might have found some chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream (that I SO should not have had) to help me through the evening. I was pretty sure, I was going to throw up before the next morning.



#2. Staying up late is bad. No really. For me, for the kids. It's just plain bad.  Making the kids stay up until 10 to finish Latin is NOT going to instill a love of the language, or for that matter,  really help your position in their heart either.  I proved my point. But then had to deal with crankies the entire next day. We won't say who was cranky, or mention the tears. *ahem





#3. Attitude reflects leadership. I gave a big thumbs up when that line was stated in "Remember the Titans". Now I am frowning and grumbling. 'Cause I am the leadership. Adulthood. Sometimes it stinks. However, I found out that if you throw a fit, you don't feel near as good afterwards as you thought you should. Don't ask how I know.




#4. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Our first two days of school were just plain rotten.  I am talking, we don't speak of them; I am trying to blot them from my memory.  We were rushed, had other appointments to keep, and the goofy teacher tried to get too much done for the first days back.  But each day, we got back on the proverbial horse, and went after it again. And by Friday?  We were smoothly finding a routine, getting things completed, and ENJOYING it. The lesson of perseverance that ole turtle teaches is really true!



#5. Usually, it's not the lessons that are most memorable. From everything that went on this week, we are not going to remember each lesson, each assignment. I'd like to say they will never forget what was taught, but ask me specifics about any grades first week of school, and I will stutter and stammer trying to recall. But we will remember two lost teeth, the feeling of accomplishment in tying ones shoe for the first time. The sense of self-worth when chores are completed, and the shared secrets as we giggle behind books and papers.


We have had better first weeks over the last 5 years, but this one is extra special. It began in a new chapter in our lives, a new house, a new beginning.  We are still trying to define who we are in this new direction, but we are doing it together.  It isn't all roses, life is ugly. But together, we are striving to etch out beautiful spots to remember, together with God.

Because I love her

I wanted to share with you a post from January of 2011.

This is me. In October that is. With my husband, Heath. I have very long hair.

I have had very long hair for a very long time. But I felt the need for change. And the desire to do something that was more than me. So, in honor of my cousin, Nichol, I cut my hair today. And donated it to an American Cancer Society sponsored organization. It will take my hair, and hair from others and will make a wig for some of the most beautiful people I know.

This is me. Today. 16 inches shorter. Because I love you, Nichol.

 

 

Tonight, Nichol is at home in a hospital bed, unresponsive to the world around her.  For seven years her mind, body, and spirit have fought this nasty disease we call cancer, and her time in the ring is coming to an end.  Her husband cannot fix this for her. Cannot make it all better. Her 14 yo and 9 yo daughters can only watch, knowing their hugs and kisses are only for their own benefit.  Her mother and sister have had their whole lives together with Nichol, and now, cannot follow her.  Each one of them, I am sure, would give anything for one last smile, one last hug, one last word. But there is nothing they can do, but wait.  I would shave off every hair on my head if it meant they could have that moment. They wait for God to come collect her. I pray they each find that He will fill the void that she will leave behind. I love you, Nichol.

Our School Plan for 2012-2013

We are starting our fifth full year of homeschooling this fall, and it is the first year I have everything pre-bought and nearly planned out for the WHOLE YEAR. I am a go with the flow type of person, but I have learned that if I don't have a plan, I will not get much taught. So I have been planning for a month!  We decided to wait until after we moved to start our book schooling, so our first day of school is September 10th. And honestly, it is a toss up as to who is more excited this year. My kids are excited about their courses!

The decision to bring our kids home was an emotional one.  And each day is still that way.  Homeschool is the most time intensive  and emotionally demanding task to date.  My husband and I were both public school attendees, and this is foriegn territory for us. But having our children by our sides, shaping them, molding them, watching them grow is beyond worth it.  It is a rich, rewarding blessing, and we are thankful for the opportunity.

So, without further ado, here is our curriculum for the school year.

Malcolm - Freshman

Math- Saxon Algebra II
Science-Apologia Biology
History-Veritas Press Omnibus II/Omnibus III
Writing-IEW Student Writing Intensive Combo Pack Level C
Latin-Memoria Press First Form Latin Year 1
Art-God and the History of Art
Bible-Apologia "Who is God?"
Character-Character First, Series 1

Jeffie Jean - 7th grade

Math- Saxon Algebra 1/2
Science- Apologia General Science
History-Veritas Press Omnibus I
Writing-IEW Student Writing Intensive Combo Pack Level B
Latin-Memoria Press First Form Latin Year 1
Art-God and the History of Art
Bible-Apologia What We Believe Series "Who is God?"
Character-Character First, Series 1

Daniel - 6th grade

Math-Saxon Algebra 7/6
Science-Apologia Zoology I with Journal
History-Veritas Press NT/Greece and Rome
Writing-IEW Student Writing Intensive Combo Pack Level B
Latin-Memoria Press First Form Latin Year 1
Art-God and the History of Art
Bible-Apologia What We Believe Series "Who is God?"
Character-Character First, Series 1

Heath Jr. - 4th grade

Math- Saxon Math 3/Saxon Math 5/4
Science-Apologia Zoology I with Journal
History-Veritas Press NT/Greece and Rome
Writing-IEW Student Writing Intensive Combo Pack Level A
Latin-Memoria Press First Form Latin Year 1
Art-God and the History of Art
Bible-Apologia What We Believe Series "Who is God?"
Character-Character First, Series 1

Terry - 1st grade

Math- Saxon Math 1
Science-Apologia Zoology I with Junior Journal
Writing-IEW PAL:Writing
Reading-IEW PAL:Reading
Bible-Apologia What We Believe Series "Who is God?"
Character-Character First, Series 1
General-My Father's World, First Grade

Paulee Rea - Kindergarten

Math-Saxon Math 1
Science-Apologia Zoology I with Junior Journal
Writing-IEW PAL:Writing
Reading- PAL:Reading
Bible-Apologia What We Believe Series "Who is God?"
Character-Character First, Series 1
General-My Father's World, First Grade

Anderson- Pre-school


Overall-My Father's World Kindergarten (maybe not everything)

Discovery- Hands on activities, signing, puzzles, etc.




Georgia Beth- Toddler

Toys- We have lots of school-time only toys
Discovery-Colors, shapes, puzzles, signing. Just fun stuff!






It looks like we are going to be very busy.  This is actually a pared down version of everything we liked and would love to do if we had more hours in the day. But the Lord gave us 24 hrs, and we will be diligent with those hours.