Back Home

We had a fabulous Christmas week in Mapleton. We now feel like we are truly back home. We have 'haze' in the air, a child that threw up today, errands to run, laundry to do, and water on the floor by the washer/dryer. Yea for being home. Back to reality. Here's to diving into 2014.

Thankful

Today we each said something we were thankful for as we were eating dinner. Rachel came up with the idea, so we went with it. She said that she was thankful for Heavenly Father. Layne mentioned that he was grateful for Christ...and that he married me. (He has to throw things like that in every once in a while.) Megan said that she was thankful for clothes...Jonny said something about the beans we were eating.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear Jacob state that he was grateful for seminary. I was surprised because most of his comments about seminary have something to do with how he has to get up early so he can be there for class to start at 7 (on the dot). It was a pleasant thing to hear because he said that he thought it was fun. And, I think it's a good place for him to be. We usually talk about what was discussed in class while we're driving home. I'm glad it's been a good experience for him so far.

Missing Them

We dropped the boys off at the library tonight. As we were driving away, Rachel stated that she missed the boys already. I asked the girls about what we were going to do when people started moving out. They asked what I meant. I told them that eventually they were all going to do things like go on missions, go to college, get married...and that those things meant that they would move out of the house and be doing things on their own when they were adults. I told them that their Dad and I would miss them. I didn't have the heart to say that by then it would just be me missing them. That really wasn't what the conversation was about anyway.
I also asked the girls about what they wanted to do when they got older. Again, Rachel asked what I meant. She ended up telling me she wanted to learn more about animals. I asked more questions and she came up with wanting to train animals to do stuff. Megan first asked if there was a pizzeria around. She can be random at times - so, I asked her if she was asking if there was one not far from our house or if she was wondering if there was one she could work at when she was older. She said that she wanted to be a pizzeria woman, a mechanic, and an artist. But, not all of them all at once. Rachel then piped in with...'Oh ya, I wanted to be a mechanic too.'. She had commented on it a few days ago and had just forgotten I guess. She had commented on how she wanted to build things.
Both girls have also commented on wanted to go on missions too. So, we'll see what the future holds for them.
I thought it was nice to have an idea that the kids are close and will miss each other when the others aren't around. I'm glad that even at the ages they are, they still like being around each other. (Well, most of the time. There are times I'm not so sure.)

Today's Photos

Here are some things I wish I had a picture of today.
The small grasshopper Jonny found while we were weeding that Jacob held for the rest of us to see. The ladybug that was crawling up my arm...the kids came to look, Rachel was going to get it and then it flew away. After they noticed it landed on my back, the ladybug flew elsewhere. (Apparently, it noticed that my shirt was not a plant.)
Jonny being a 'commentator' as we weeded. (And, the rest of us laughing.)
I will also remember Jacob taking a shovel to the weeds with all the power he could muster. (I have never seen so many and such big weeds before in my life...and, it all happened so quickly.)
The tan compost container that was filled to overflowing after this round of weeding.
The tomatoes that are starting to grow.
Megan helping her Dad stretch his legs.
Jonny struggling with a song on the piano and his attempt to learn it correctly.
Megan reading to Rachel. (I felt a twinge of regret about not reading to the kids more. It makes a difference when they can all read by themselves and read to each other. Their Dad reads to them too...but, I'm not ready to let go of the Mom reading to the kids moments. We do some, but it has been irregular the past few weeks.)
Layne helping a neighbor 'jump start' their car.
The kids running off to 'free lunch' at the park with the neighbors.

The day's half over. I'm hoping there will be more memories to be made.
Jonny is having a couple of friends come over to help celebrate his birthday (that already past). It'll just be a hang out session with brownies eaten in there somewhere. It's nice to not be stressing over plans and prepping before a child's party.

Pictures

I desperately need to post some pictures...and more pictures. Just a bit BORING around here. Oh, and pathetically out of date. I will attempt to post some after sifting through the thousands I have taken. I may or may not be posting more often too. No guarantees.

Race to the Moon

The kids and I went to the play, 'Race to the Moon' this morning. It was great. I loved that we were able to be entertained and learn all at the same time. We've been talking this month about the performing arts. So, it was perfect timing for attending a play. (Thanks to the homeschool mom that coordinated so we could all go. Bless you.) I had them watch for the performers facing the audience and enunciating their words. It was fun to hear them talk about it after. They had some opinions about it because we were in a theatre that had seats around three sides of the stage. 

We had also discussed historically what the race to the moon was and how events played out. I had them watch for some of those things too. I think they learned more about that subject as it was presented in the play. I was glad. It's interesting how with homeschool - some of the 'scope and sequence' from a typical public school gets mixed up a bit. I'm not sure when or if this particular competition between Russia and the USA is covered - but, I do know that there probably aren't many 1st and 3rd graders that know much about it. I also know that 7th and 8th graders can understand it pretty well. (We'll be covering it again later as we move along the timeline we're doing for history.)

It was nice to spend the morning enjoying the kids and seeing a fun performance - with other homeschoolers and for an inexpensive price.

We saw some school busses on our way over and predicted that they were on their way to a field trip. I'm really glad that our kids have had more chances than just the end of the school year to get out and experience life outside a classroom. 

Tornado Research

We had some wind blow through our backyard after dinner. Rachel asked about tornadoes. We (Megan joined us) got the iPad out and started looking for answers. (It was one of the only times 'siri' has actually worked for us. I would give more details - but, that would be a story in itself.) As we were exploring, we talked about what tornadoes were, places where they are common in our country, and gathered some general information on the topic. As we were searching, Rachel started making up a scenario about a tornado coming to our house and washing away the iPad. She said that would be 'the saddest'. I asked her why and she responded with the idea that we wouldn't be able to find 'stuff' out anymore...and she wouldn't be able to play games. (I think the last one might have been the real truth.) I loved exploring and being excited about learning something new - and getting questions answered. It was just for a few minutes - but, they were learning new things and will hopefully remember them a little better because they were getting the information as they wanted it.
I love it when exploring means we get to cover several 'subjects' at once. I think that's how we utilize the information anyway. So, why not learn and discuss it that way?
I also think it's great that a 7 year old knows that we have the technology to get answers when we want it. We didn't have to wait to ask someone next week...or, make a trip to the library in the next day or two. We could do it right then - and be excited about it. She was glad to be reminded that we have more than just the iPad to 'look things up'. We are grateful for technology around here. (I'm not sure what we're going to do when Layne goes back to work and takes his phone with him. We won't have 'data' anymore while we're out and about. Maybe I'll just have to get my own really cool phone.)

Dinnertime Miracles

It was about a half hour before dinner time and I was not even in the kitchen. I'm not sure Layne knew that, but he sent the boys to ask what they could do to help. I told them I didn't even know what we were going to have and if they would figure something out and fix it that would be great. The odd part was - they did! I was so grateful. There were no complaints or comments about never asking again...just a 12 and 14 year old heading to the kitchen. I think they considered it their excuse to have pizza. They pulled a couple of frozen ones out of the fridge and did some veggies. Dinner was fixed with basically no help from me. Jonny also commented about how there would be less to clean up (not much in the way of pans/prep dishes). It wasn't gourmet - but, it did the job and we're on to other evening happenings. Hooray for capable and willing children!

The Painting

We went to a performance the other night. During intermission we were out in the lobby looking at a painting. I asked the kids (Rachel, Megan, and their cousin Kate) some questions about it. Things such as what they thought the picture was about and what was their opinion of it? Why did the artist use those colors? What message do you think the artist wants us to get from this work of art? (OK, so I might not have gotten to that one.) One of the questions led to a discussion about the large sun in the painting and the fact that the person depicted was not really that close to the sun. I asked them why they thought that. Kate made the obvious statement that you can't get that close to it because it was too hot. The way she said it also let us know that her six year old brain knew that was an obvious answer and that I should have been able to figure that out without asking them. I almost laughed out loud. But, I didn't (although, her father did). Sometimes things like that happen and you can have even more fun with it. So, I asked if they could think of any other reasons. (I also like to extend ideas whenever possible.) Megan came up with the idea that the sun is made of gasses and they could hurt you if you got too close. Kind of fun to explore the mind of a child. Kind of fun to learn/be reminded of what you know in an everyday setting. After all, I think most of what we learn is applied in an everyday setting anyway. So, we might as well learn it that way. I also think it's fun to find out what my kids know by the ever probing question. Wouldn't it be a great world if everyone kept questioning enough for us to continually be learning?

Sunday Discussion

Our Home Teachers were just here. We talked about General Conference a bit and as we did so the conversation turned to missionaries and missionary work. The boys were asked where they wanted to go. Jonny responded with Australia and Jacob stated that he'd want to go to Japan. Those opinions didn't surprise me a bit - they actually sounded a little familiar.
It came time to end our visit with a prayer. Right before we did, Megan made a little 'ahem' sound (or something like it). We weren't sure what was going on. So, we asked and she stated that she wanted to go to Brazil. We then asked Rachel where she wanted to go. She couldn't really think of anything so our home teacher jokingly suggested Disneyland. She could talk to Mickey Mouse and all the Disney Princesses about the gospel. A couple of other thoughts were shared about how missionaries could set up a booth or talk with people while they were in line. Then Rachel came up with the idea that she wanted to go to Mapleton. I asked if she wanted to go on a mission somewhere in Utah and she responded with resolve that she would go to Mapleton. Hmm...we'll see. She obviously feels like it's a place where she likes to be.
I felt bad for a minute because I didn't think to ask the girls about it. We've talked about it before - but, I think in the moment we had just been talking about older kids or those who were about to go so I didn't think to ask the younger kids. I'm glad Megan spoke up! (Her mention of Brazil was not a surprise either - she's been saying that since the stake did a primary activity about missions and that's where she 'served' her mission that day. So grateful for all those who have a positive influence in our children's lives.)

It's the Glue

While having lunch we were listening to Ben Folds (edited by Layne) and enjoying the rain. The day is overcast and yet it's fun to see the colorful flowers and blossoms that are beginning to emerge in the yard. Jonny asked about Family Home Evening and decided to rotate the assignments and inform us of our assignments. (I love it when children think of a great idea themselves and then just do it. I also love that our kids look forward to FHE and that it's a regular part of our schedule.)
It's moments like this when I'm glad we homeschool...especially since we were actually productive this morning. I'm grateful we have the opportunity to spend time together as a family.
It's times like this when I have thoughts pop into my head about everyone homeschooling. I'm not saying it has to be for everyone. I'm just saying, I think every family would love a few moments of making memories in an everyday kind of way. It wasn't a big event - but, it was time with the family. It's the everyday stuff that memories are made of...the glue that holds the memories of the big events together.

Fast Forward A Couple of Years

I've been thinking about starting another blog with a couple of different topics so everything is all together. Yet, I'm not sure I want some of the details about the kids to be part of that. So, for now, I'll do a bit of updating here.
Obviously, much has happened since I last wrote. The two biggest things would be that we are in our second year of homeschooling and that Layne has Stage IV cancer. Both details have put a different twist on our lives.
We still live in the same place and are doing some of the same things. We still get to associate with some fabulous people around here and occasionally get to see a family member or two whenever they happen to be traveling through the area.

To Be or Not To Be

I just found this draft...originally written 5/27/12

This seems to be our phrase these days. It's been a challenge to not know if a loved one has cancer or not. We were told weeks ago that Layne has colon cancer and that he needed to have a procedure as soon as possible. That has since been corrected. 'They' don't know if he has cancer or not. There is a mass that has pre-cancer cells, but there's not enough evidence either way to know if there are cells that have developed to the cancer stage. We won't know until his surgery at the end of this week. We have gone for weeks now...thinking he has cancer and then not knowing if he does or not. The not knowing is hard. And yet, knowing doesn't seem like such a wonderful option either, unless we know it is not cancer.

The hard part about not knowing is not being sure of what to think or how to plan. For the most part, I try not to think about it; to keep busy with other things. Although, I haven't found a way to move quickly past the 'what if' thoughts that pop into my head occasionally. A couple of my first thoughts were about how I would miss him and how would I support our family and raise 4 kids by myself. I have also had times when I have noticed and appreciated the little things about Layne and having a companion that I love.

Layne is more anxious than usual. It's hard for him to not know and especially to deal with the unknown of how it will be to have part of him taken out and how his body will heal and function once that happens. He is one to worry. So, it's been a bit rough. He has done his best to joke about things occasionally.