tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84352669547649784832024-03-12T21:58:09.193-07:00Begley BlessingsMommy. Wife. Daughter of the King. My thoughts, and sometimes just a place to think 'out loud'.Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.comBlogger369125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-65135600537925242282018-01-03T06:00:00.002-08:002018-01-03T06:00:31.231-08:00Day 3...So, one of my New Year's resolutions was to do a sugar fast in January. I have gone 2 days without sugar. So far, it's going okay. I switched to tea, instead of coffee, because coffee without frou-frou creamer is just...ick. I had made sure to give the children all the sugary stuff to eat the last couple days of December, so there is very little sugary in the house right now.<br />
<br />
I most miss cereal. I make my own granola, that I used to have each evening before bed. But it has brown sugar in it. So I switched my snack to a piece of whole wheat toast and butter, maybe a piece a fruit. My stomach has not complained. I find that I sleep better if I have a carb before bed.<br />
<br />
I have not told anyone that I am doing a sugar fast. The last time I tried this, I broadcast it loud and clear, and there were a couple people who delighted in bringing junk in the house 'to see if I could resist'. Not really funny. So, I'm keeping it low key to see if I do better this time.<br />
<br />
I tackled several organizational projects the last couple weeks. I have one big on left - the filing cabinet. I want to go thru every piece of paper and purge, organize, and also create a better way to find all our important documents quickly. A sort of home legacy drawer or something. I hope to tackle the purge on Thursday, and the organization on Friday or Saturday.<br />
<br />
On Monday, the children go back to school, and the super busy schedule starts again. But we are halfway done with the school year, so it feels more like a countdown now. Each of the children have a small homework 'thing' to do before classes next week, so I hope to squeeze them in over the next few days.<br />
<br />
I intend to post here every few days to journal this sugar fast. I think having a clear record of what went well and what went wrong is a good idea. <br />
<br />
The piano gets tuned today at 9am. It's supposed to rain today, but I'm hoping it holds off until after the piano is tuned. Keeping 6 children perfectly quiet for an hour is impossible. I have a quick run to the grocery planned for early this morning. And my friend S. is coming to visit around noon. The little boys have a dental appt at 4:30. A moderately busy, but pleasant day.Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-82144845213820030242017-10-01T10:52:00.000-07:002017-10-01T10:52:33.283-07:006 Months Later...My last post was in April. Yikes. Life in general is just...up to my eyeballs.<br />
<br />
So, we have been doing Barton with Nathan for just about 6 months. He is Level 4 now, which I am told is the hardest because there are just so many spelling rules to learn/remember/understand. He seems to be doing fine with the tutoring. He learns the spelling rules pretty quickly, although we sometimes argue over just exactly where a syllable break should be. Of if a word ends with en or in (he insisted that 'kitten' should be spelled 'kittin' because that's how most people say it). Seriously, we debated this point for nearly 10 minutes. In the end, I had to demand that he do it my way. Sigh...<br />
<br />
After a lovely talk with Susan Barton (herself!!), I decided to use Barton as the language arts program in our homeschool. So I started Barton with Leah and Olivia as well. And quickly realized that Leah is also dyslexic. Of course, her version looks very different from Nathan's. Her brain inserts or deletes letters in words, and she is not aware of it. I think her version is harder to tutor. How do you help someone who is not aware of making a mistake?<br />
<br />
As for Olivia, I'm just not sure yet. She is halfway through Level 3, and seems to actually enjoy learning. But at 7 1/2, she's still sounding out 3 letter words. Is this just her personal style (slow), or a symptom of a greater problem? We'll keep watching.<br />
<br />
All in all, I'm happy with Barton. I've learned a ton of why words are spelled the way they are. Anybody out there know why the /k/ sound in the word 'chicken' is spelled with a ck and not a c or a k? There's actually a rule for that...who knew?<br />
<br />
I'm told that after Level 4, kids are able to read with better fluency, and are encouraged to read independently. I figure we should get through Level 4 by mid-Nov.Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-32254664218481939202017-04-21T06:54:00.001-07:002017-04-21T06:54:48.675-07:00Too Many Things To Think About...The last couple of months have been very thinking-intense for me. I have been researching dyslexia and dysgraphia, trying to find ways to help my boy. We have some things in place finally, and now are trying to learn how to use them.<br />
<br />
Our charter school has provided a laptop with Dragon Speech software on it, so Nathan will be able to do his testing orally. This year he also learned to type, so that is an option as well. We have found a couple things online that will read out loud to him and that's been very helpful as well.<br />
<br />
But the thing I'm most excited about is the Barton Reading program we've finally gotten. I've known about Barton for awhile now, but I dismissed it because, well, it's <i>old</i>. 30 years maybe? Surely we've learned things about how the brain works since then, right? So we used a brain training therapy for a year (nod to Dianne Craft), and that helped, but not enough. Then I switched to Learning Success Systems, but my boy was burned out on 'exersizes' after a year of Dianne Craft stuff.<br />
<br />
So, I finally took a good solid look at Barton. I surfed the website, I talked to a couple Barton tutors, and I finally got my hands on Levels 1 and 2. Nathan is beyond Level 1, but I've been 'practicing' with Leah and Olivia as a learn this new method. Nathan will start Level 2 next week.<br />
<br />
Barton is a complete language arts program that builds upon itself, so I can do 30-45 minutes a day of Barton, and drop all spelling, reading, writing and grammar (for now). All that stuff gets added back in as the scholar progresses, but for Nathan, he won't be doing any active reading until he completes Level 4. For now he listens to audio books while following along in the hardcopy book.<br />
<br />
So, give us a few months. Through the summer perhaps. And we will see how this works...Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-45952523951454074382016-11-23T07:12:00.001-08:002016-11-23T07:14:12.315-08:00Working with Dyslexia and DysgraphiaSo, most of you know that Nathan has dyslexia. We have worked very hard this past 2 years with intensive reading programs, and brain training therapy. The therapy continues until the end of March. He has made fantastic progress with reading, but is still considered behind. He is in sixth grade, and is reading solidly at a third grade level. I'm actually excited about that because third grade books are no longer 'baby' books that he was reading a year ago.<br />
<br />
This 'tool' was mentioned to me by our charter teacher. It looks like the best thing ever. It doesn't release until February though. <br />
<br />
http://www.hiddenabilities.org/ <br />
<br />
It's a stylus-style instrument that will read aloud the book as you swipe it across the words. The person 'reading' will be able to read much faster, and in a class setting, would be able to keep up with the class' pace. It's amazingly fantastic.<br />
<br />
However, Nathan also has Dysgraphia. This is the inability of the brain to communicate with the hand to write. Nathan's fine motor skills are perfect, for example, he can build intricate Lego creations with no problem. But somehow, the writing is a different skill set using a different part of the brain. His writing still looks like a Kindergartener - too big, weird spacing, sloppy, mixed upper and lower case letters, etc. After 2 years of work on this, there has been NO improvement. So, this year we are teaching him to type.<br />
<br />
Typing seems to be a decent work around for about half the people with dysgraphia. If this doesn't work for Nathan, we'll have to see about Speech-to-Text programs. He's going into 7th grade next year, and can barely write more than a sentence.<br />
<br />
I'll admit that I'm a bit worried. I know there are 6 more years of his schooling, and the brain is 'plastic' and can be changed over time. I know, I know. But imagining this child as an adult who needs to fill out a job application...<br />
<br />
He says he wants to be a Game Warden (I know, that can change...). That means criminal justice requirements - college. Oiy.<br />
<br />
Sigh. I know Jesus is big enough for this too. In the meantime, I'm doing everything I know to do to stimulate his brain development - piano, karate, typing, brain therapy, etc.Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-52304785281238917502016-08-05T11:20:00.000-07:002016-08-05T11:20:10.321-07:00I'm a rebel!Folks, today I did something so crazy-backwards, I shock myself.<br />
<br />
A certain small someone who shall remain nameless spilled a HUGE CUP of watermelon juice in the kitchen. Then dear Sethy ran up and had a grand time splashing it all over. Side thought - it's really hard to clean a big mess with a 2yr old 'helping' and a 4yr old wailing.<br />
<br />
People, my whole dining room and kitchen were so sticky, I just couldn't bother with sweeping. So I mopped the whole floor BEFORE I swept. After the stickies were gone, I swept. And you know what? The floor was just as clean as when I do it the other way around.<br />
<br />
Y'all. The brazen backwardness of it all just makes me quiver! Makes me wonder what other processes might work backwards.<br />
<br />
And then Seth took off his undies and pooped on the floor.Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-30027744417822679402016-06-09T06:39:00.000-07:002016-06-09T06:39:39.356-07:00Crazy Busy!So, June went off the charts for us. I'm usually pretty good about being purposeful in our schedule to not over commit, leave time for breathing, and just have blank space. You know, margin. I don't know what happened. <br />
<br />
I signed 2 kids up for a Lego Engineering class on Tuesday mornings. They love it. So I decided to sign the big girl up for an excellerated (excelarated? exceller.....) super fast Biology class for the summer. Thursdays. Which completely conflicts with Thursday piano lessons. Oops. After a quick consult with Mrs. B., we got the kinks worked out. <br />
<br />
But swim classes start next week - every day for 2 weeks solid. On Tuesdays, I'll have to send the kids to Lego class in their swimming gear so I can pick them up a few minutes early and jet them over to the pool. Plus, with the Thursday piano/biology fiasco, I just can't even.<br />
<br />
We also have a homeschool conference, a bridal shower, knitting club and a few other activities, all of which just make my brain twitch. PLUS, next week, we get the half a cow we ordered. 387 pounds of meat - I'm trying not to hyperventilate as I ponder if it will all fit the in the freezer...<br />
<br />
But the Lord Jesus was merciful and TWO families invited us to dinner this month. At their houses. In the same month. Who says miracles don't happen anymore?Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-1749350470173709242016-05-05T07:28:00.001-07:002016-05-05T07:28:11.713-07:00Pretty, Happy, Funny, RealSo, this week I've been fighting some pretty severe blues. Just slogging through, you know? So I'm going to try and focus on some good stuff today..<br />
<br />
<b>Pretty</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEB8WyYudM8o2hrl5B8caZc8AILUsYXEEKrUSwKK7wsLyB_8S_PSNLuRssoYH8dhUCfRZA9pMGOt5VH5VvNIiTDpuMA8LG7OnFxrLGPKSo3vQybSSJlwdw-4vqwAVhyphenhyphennd6mRqjmA7gqU/s1600/Family-0994.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEB8WyYudM8o2hrl5B8caZc8AILUsYXEEKrUSwKK7wsLyB_8S_PSNLuRssoYH8dhUCfRZA9pMGOt5VH5VvNIiTDpuMA8LG7OnFxrLGPKSo3vQybSSJlwdw-4vqwAVhyphenhyphennd6mRqjmA7gqU/s320/Family-0994.NEF" width="320" /></a></div>
I thought we are a cute family! My face is flushed because holding a toddler is much like holding a space heater.<br />
<br />
<b>Happy</b> - I'm sure something happy happened this week, but I can't for the life of me think of one. My garden is growing. Sort of. I planted over a hundred seeds of various types, and I now have 12 plants. Maybe I'm not a seed person...<br />
<br />
<b>Funny</b> - When I woke up this morning, I was so happy because it was Friday. Except it's not.<br />
<br />
<b>Real</b> - See above for the Friday thing...<br />
<br />
Hmm...after re-reading this post, I see the blues are still hanging on. But piano teacher comes this morning, so I'll get to listen to an hour and a half of scales and poorly played Yankee Doodle. So there's that...Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-69838752659511838232016-04-12T16:29:00.001-07:002016-04-12T16:29:17.789-07:00A bit overwhelmed...My son has dyslexia. I have started a new Reading/Brain Therapy program with him, but it's very different and I still feel as if I have only the vague outline of what I'm doing.<br />
<br />
Hannah got braces today and is so sore and there is nothing I can do to make it better.<br />
<br />
Seth has a cold and fell asleep on the couch after smearing yogurt all over himself.<br />
<br />
I have a mild cold and allergies and 487 things to do before I go to bed tonight.<br />
<br />
If I 'do school' between 9am and 3pm (which I do), I have to squeeze in all the other stuff before or after. Like workouts, showers, laundry, the orthodontist, nagging kids to do their chores, phone calls to the AC repair place, grocery shopping, and Seth needs new shoes.<br />
<br />
I know that 10 years from now it will all be worth it. But right now, 10 years seems so far away...<br />
<br />
<br />Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-66231046032504501522016-03-18T06:42:00.002-07:002016-03-18T06:42:53.049-07:00Pretty, Happy, Funny, RealThis has been a topsy-turvy week. Not a bad week, just every day is some different, random, sort of thing that makes me wonder What The Heck Is Going On?!?! We have ALL had colds - all 8 of us, in some form or other. But we're on the upswing now, and all is well.<br />
<br />
<b>Pretty</b> - <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziu7zYamMfQxdCOHnYnwgg4D9P77NPzrblE5bys8QJODKnS4vfzBaEIiqFeEk9kFx-R_KqkM6pURTkRxBAj0eQTmEWzOhu3ULJhf10o45zYolVibnrTe3l9a_1fcvAiXmtb7K3LJg4mc/s1600/Hannah+13-0381.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziu7zYamMfQxdCOHnYnwgg4D9P77NPzrblE5bys8QJODKnS4vfzBaEIiqFeEk9kFx-R_KqkM6pURTkRxBAj0eQTmEWzOhu3ULJhf10o45zYolVibnrTe3l9a_1fcvAiXmtb7K3LJg4mc/s320/Hannah+13-0381.NEF" width="213" /></a>Isn't she pretty?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hannah will turn 14 next month, and I just can't figure out how that happened so quickly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Happy</b> - I just ordered Dianne Craft's Reading Program. I'm so happy and relieved to have an actual lesson plan-style program. I desperately hope it works.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Funny</b> - We got Josiah a coaster bike - no pedals. But he stands up and just walks it around. I'm telling myself that he'll eventually figure it out. Right?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Real</b> - Nathan has been having trouble reading for a loooooong time. I put him through a pretty intensive phonics based program last year, and we saw much improvement, but the problem is still there. I finally got every book on Dyslexia that my library system had, and have completely overwhelmed myself. I'm convinced Nathan has dyslexia. But how to teach to this learning ability? How to learn enough myself, and learn the right things, to be able to teach? Without wasting time on stuff that doesn't work? Back to the Happy line - this Reading Program includes Brain Therapy Integration, and I just pray 'Lord Jesus, please let it work'. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been learning a lot on left-brain learning, right-brain learning, phonemic awareness, the importance of crossing-the-midline, etc. It's a bit like trying to drink out of a fire hose. This is going to take awhile to absorb. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-37161187557364039052016-01-28T07:28:00.000-08:002016-01-28T07:28:04.060-08:00Tuesday Tuesday was a day. The kind of day when you stand there, dumbfounded, at all the things that went wrong in a mere 12 hours. Let me highlight 2 things that exemplified my Tuesday.<br />
<br />
<br />
A particular child was NOT doing what they were supposed to be doing, and so was goofing off. Said child accidentally broke something that I loved. I may have let an ugly word escape my mouth, and realized that I had to leave the room.<br />
<br />
It took me longer than expected to calm down, but I managed. Same child was responsible for making lunch - quesadillas. I got them started, everything appeared to be going well. I went to the back of the house to put laundry in the dryer - two minutes, tops. As I pushed the button to turn the dryer on, that child runs past me with a kitchen garbage bag ON FIRE!!! Okay, it was a small fire, but still.<br />
<br />
We got the bag outside, stomped on it a few times, poured some water on it. It was fine. The house was fine, no one was burned.<br />
<br />
Apparently, child found a left over smoke bomb from July 4. Child decided that 6 months was very old, and wondered if the wick would even light. So, they tested the wick. Yup, it lit just fine. Child freaked out and threw smoke bomb in the trash can. Which was full of paper. <br />
<br />
Child was appropriately apologetic, beat themselves up for awhile, and life went on.<br />
<br />
Don't you envy me?Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-34503747481223360692016-01-26T07:22:00.001-08:002016-01-26T07:22:46.214-08:00Some Random Stuff...Sethy is sick this week with a pretty nasty cold. Which makes everything around here more difficult, but snuggling a sick, sleepy baby is a lovely thing. Trying not to think about all the people who will be sick later in the week...<br />
<br />
Boiled eggs, toast and apple slices for breakfast. Quesadillas for lunch. No clue for dinner - something with chicken.<br />
<br />
Pretty: My purple sweater is coming along. Have divided for sleeves and making progress. The pattern has 10 phases, the sleeves are phases 8 and 9! I truly think the hard parts are over...<br />
<br />
Happy: Spent 45 minutes or so in the backyard raking leaves and straightening the pathway stones. The children all helped. It looks so much nicer, and being outside and moving about made everyone so much less cranky in the afternoon. Need to be purposeful about going outside every day...<br />
<br />
Funny: I asked Josiah what he wanted for his birthday. He said he wants to drive a real car. One where the wheels go all the way around. (?) I said "Me too! I want to drive a fast one!" Josiah replied "No, you are too old."<br />
<br />
Real: Starting to think (already!) about curriculum needs for the next school year. Started to freak out a bit, wondering how I would remember all this in July when I need to start ordering things. So I made a 'brain dump' page in my notebook labeled School Prep. I add things to it for each grade level when they occur to me, and I feel better.<br />
<br />
Well, it's 7:21am, and I'm late starting my day. Have a good week!Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-90066376649504451432015-12-31T06:35:00.002-08:002015-12-31T06:35:52.642-08:00New Years GoalsI think this will be a year of head-down-just-keep-going for me. I have a few goals for the year, but nothing spectacular.<br />
<br />
I want to be more purposeful in my prayer life. I will start keeping a prayer journal. I think this will be good so I can go back and see where the Lord has answered prayer.<br />
<br />
I will start a blessings jar. Every time a good thing happens, I want to write it down and place it in the jar. Next Christmas, we'll read them out loud and see what the Lord has done. Count your blessings, name them one by one...<br />
<br />
Would like to lose 5 more pounds. This is gonna be iffy. I have zero self control and I like to eat. I work out regularly, but apparently not enough to make a difference in my weight.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I've been struggling with burnout the last couple months. I'm already pretty organized, and I purge 'stuff' regularly. This homeschooling journey is way harder than I expected. I know it's the best for the children, and I know this is His will for us. But it's way hard and I'm tired. I don't know what to do other than just keep going, try to look for beauty, and don't whine too much.Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-67758660421875041352015-12-11T11:20:00.001-08:002015-12-11T11:20:04.831-08:00What a homeschool mom wants for Christmas...Here a few things that would just be dreamy...<br />
<br />
1. A date night. Somewhere Fancy, without kids. <i>And not making any of the arrangements myself.</i><br />
<br />
2. Chocolate. The expensive kind. You know, those Caramel and Sea Salt ones that cost like...$4 each? That I would never buy myself...<br />
<br />
3. A Day Off. For just one day, someone else can make the meals, clean up, change diapers, do laundry, AND NOT ASK ME WHERE ANYTHING IS...<br />
<br />
4. A gift card to one of the following: Staples, a yarn store, WalMart, Jo Ann's, Target, any local yarn store, any used book store.<br />
<br />
5. Two hours once a week for school planning, meal planning, goal setting, etc.<br />
<br />
6. ONE DAY when Every. Single. Child. says "Yes, Mama!" with a smile when I ask them to do something. And then they DO IT!! I know. It's a lovely dream...<br />
<br />
7. For people to buy my children experiences instead of stuff that clutters up my house. Things like Little Passports (Google it. It's a real thing.), trips to the zoo or theatre, horse-back riding, etc. Except books. Books are great.Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-68939839124591788772015-11-10T08:41:00.001-08:002015-11-10T08:41:25.602-08:00Christmas Gifts for $5 or lessHere is a note to myself (and you) so I can get Christmas spending waaaaay down this year:<br />
<br />
colored pencils<br />
crayons<br />
coloring books<br />
paint with water books<br />
Chapstick<br />
note cards<br />
food - make granola, banana bread, etc<br />
eggs<br />
favorite candies<br />
TicTacs (stocking stuffer hit in my house!)<br />
Matchbox/Hot Wheels cars for boys<br />
used books in persons favorite genre<br />
craft supplies (who can't use more yarn?!)<br />
card games<br />
<br />
<br />
I will update this post as more things occur to me...Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-73721419950064021712015-09-17T06:34:00.000-07:002015-09-17T06:34:06.046-07:00UpdateSo, back in July, I posted about working out, and my goals. Here's the end result:<br />
<br />
I'm down 3 pounds - but that's because I have no self control with eating. I love food. Working on this...<br />
<br />
Also, the goal of 21 days a month isn't working. Life happens. I seem to be consistent at 16 days a month. Don't do Thursdays or weekends.<br />
<br />
But fitting a workout into the normal routine wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. After a good week adjusting, it went fine.<br />
<br />
So I didn't make it to my goal weight, but I did make progress. Based on how I seem to lose, my new goal is 140 by November 1st. Using My Fitness Pal to track my food has made me more aware of what I eat and I seem to be able to be better.<br />
<br />
So, in the end, I'm liking this new thing. The Daily Burn site has several different kinds of workouts and I'm changing those around a bit. I did the Black Fire stuff exclusively since July, but have done each workout 4 or more time and am getting bored. Did a Core workout yesterday, and now it hurts when I sneeze.Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-59669410006366833202015-07-12T12:34:00.001-07:002015-07-12T12:34:49.145-07:00Yellowstone!!<br />
So seeing this guy up close and personal was pretty cool...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdP7sfzx67HZNy7fv87ekUzYVPu8JaxBq4mSoZpNs15k5hupGosKIu93-acMxMcwfTLVyGXCh3UgLx5tGPklNN24OsZObYHFbwbPlmUses4zPoJWogl09g1WzypQU5ln9Zon_GFWVx0g/s1600/Yellowstone+-+East_0093.CR2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdP7sfzx67HZNy7fv87ekUzYVPu8JaxBq4mSoZpNs15k5hupGosKIu93-acMxMcwfTLVyGXCh3UgLx5tGPklNN24OsZObYHFbwbPlmUses4zPoJWogl09g1WzypQU5ln9Zon_GFWVx0g/s320/Yellowstone+-+East_0093.CR2" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hannah cracks up at this picture and talks about how they have a huge head, and a teeny, tiny bottom!<br />
<br />Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-14292317666029357402015-07-12T12:33:00.001-07:002015-07-12T12:33:59.813-07:00Working on myself...So, I've been doing this new workout thing. It's called DailyBurn (dailyburn.com). I've done 6 workouts now and I can really feel a difference. The scale hasn't budged yet, but I'm not nearly as sore, and I'm doing a few more reps. <br />
<br />
I really like that this...system? charts your scores so you can see how you're progressing. You can follow the recommended workouts for each day, or pick your own based on what body part you want to focus on, or even just workouts with a particular trainer. <br />
<br />
The workouts are really hard. But I like them because they move really, really quickly. Generally, there is 20 or 30 seconds of work, with a 10 to 20 second rest, then on to the next move. By the time I feel like I'm going to die, there's only 5 minutes to go. And they show onscreen how long you've been working, and how long to go you have.<br />
<br />
So here's my goals: I currently weigh 146 pounds (yikes!). I want to be down to 140 by Sept 4th (my anniversary - 22yrs!). That's 7 weeks. I'm not really sure if that's realistic, but I'm going to work hard for it anyway. It'll be close, I think. My plan is to work out a minimum of 21 days a month. I've done 6 days so far this month. <br />
<br />
I also plan to post here once a week or so, just for accountability. I'll occasionally post a workout score on FB if I get a good one! <br />
<br />
There is another thing to this. I haven't really worked out regularly for at least 4 years. Children, school, home, etc suck up every spare second. I finally decided to take someone's advice, and put on my own oxygen mask first. I WILL do my Bible study and my workout Every.Single.Day before I do anything else. For 2 months. At the end of that, I will assess if the 'take care of yourself first' principle really works. So far, everyone seems okay. School is still getting done, everyone is fed, housework is fine. I'll keep you all posted on this aspect too.<br />
<br />
I'm kinda excited. I think this could really work.Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-90709235596022228162015-06-09T07:47:00.001-07:002015-06-09T07:47:22.300-07:00Some goalsI've been working through figuring out my priorities for this season of life, and deciding how to be most productive. So for now, here is my morning routine.<br />
<br />
6am - get up and get dressed. I'm usually up, but the getting dressed part gets put off. I love jammies!<br />
<br />
6:10 - get coffee, check email/blogs<br />
<br />
6:30 - bible & prayer<br />
<br />
6:50 - exersize, shower<br />
<br />
7:30 - start breakfast<br />
<br />
This is the goal anyway. The last few days, Seth has been waking up at 5:20 or so. And with my eye surgery last week, exersize was banned. I can do it now, but now it's already 86 degrees and we have no AC yet. It was 108 degrees yesterday. Inside the house got up to 86. <br />
<br />
Well, the natives are getting restless. Off to make breakfast.Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-53874701983673122642015-05-29T20:28:00.001-07:002015-05-29T20:28:39.835-07:00April trip to the zoo...We took the family to the zoo last month. Here are a few pictures of the cuter animals!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qUANqrlHZ4YKveMIQcQTl4AtVLBcQbL-wMS1xqp226Eug3GcHOAyhEUUVb2KrYQOTzdMieblDnMSYYoJoqxQv7G9a-2SCyKizRm64okl1xjv6aq5Gwo_mqvPIBBy7C-8PCeKcYyAHF8/s1600/SacZoo+2015_0021.CR2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qUANqrlHZ4YKveMIQcQTl4AtVLBcQbL-wMS1xqp226Eug3GcHOAyhEUUVb2KrYQOTzdMieblDnMSYYoJoqxQv7G9a-2SCyKizRm64okl1xjv6aq5Gwo_mqvPIBBy7C-8PCeKcYyAHF8/s320/SacZoo+2015_0021.CR2" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-BpwOHa1brP4yUQUZzrhd-md3-IE3XpTNbq8x7liyrranJLSIOXaM55vit6FkKjGNXhCn1o5FD1K1IthSKtv1QlV_hioK9UaQ0JxSpgj6ZUN4_o7VUmhJSr3jsECh-GC892kiUWNTCU/s1600/SacZoo+2015_0052.CR2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-BpwOHa1brP4yUQUZzrhd-md3-IE3XpTNbq8x7liyrranJLSIOXaM55vit6FkKjGNXhCn1o5FD1K1IthSKtv1QlV_hioK9UaQ0JxSpgj6ZUN4_o7VUmhJSr3jsECh-GC892kiUWNTCU/s320/SacZoo+2015_0052.CR2" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdQZMH75MT9WDfZVxXPajdLRKdnCjLjElgpSU4awZ7chvOndAGJmLqVMXFA9IX8u8j5CtDdnL437wHGQEE6xVfNlPVFcJ4FI9WAFiXPMLmV5POwQJwFoBR7InIm4KhjqI3desmuJsOSU/s1600/SacZoo+2015_0105.CR2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdQZMH75MT9WDfZVxXPajdLRKdnCjLjElgpSU4awZ7chvOndAGJmLqVMXFA9IX8u8j5CtDdnL437wHGQEE6xVfNlPVFcJ4FI9WAFiXPMLmV5POwQJwFoBR7InIm4KhjqI3desmuJsOSU/s320/SacZoo+2015_0105.CR2" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-2536508768225816362015-05-28T06:45:00.001-07:002015-05-28T06:45:08.352-07:00Nothing new here...All is well here, my friends. Still plodding through school, trying to keep all the books on the shelves, and figuring out why the floor is sticky.<br />
<br />
We have a family vacation coming up soon, a tour of the NorthWest corner of the US. We've even got next years vacation planned- touring the southwest corner of the US with a big emphasis on Texas. Seriously, the state is huge and there are a bazillion things to see and do.<br />
<br />
I finally caved and logged back in to FaceBook after ignoring it for a year and a half. Looks the same. I see I didn't miss anything. <br />
<br />
Ok, it's nearly time to make breakfast. Have a great day!Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-34325731534834134562015-04-27T16:15:00.002-07:002015-04-27T16:15:45.744-07:00The Toddler And The Unflushed ToiletMay I regale you with a tale from my life? It's funny now, but last Wednesday I wanted to cry.<br />
<br />
So, there was this unflushed toilet (liquid only, Thank You Lord Jesus). And an open bathroom door. We will not speak of how many times I have waxed poetic against these crimes against humanity, and just go directly to the story.<br />
<br />
Seth Michael is an adorable baby. Smart, funny, and the usual amount of curiosity. Can you see where this is going?<br />
<br />
I heard splashing, and immediately knew exactly what was happening. Seth was soaked. The floor was littered with puddles and shredded bits of soggy paper. I'm not sure if I actually said a bad word, or just thought it. Loudly.<br />
<br />
I scooped up Seth and stripped him down and plunked him into a warm bath. I asked an un-named child to Sit.With.Him.Until.I.Come.And.Get.Him. I then went to clean up the bathroom while Sethy-poo played in the water. <br />
<br />
The bathroom was nice and clean and I was admiring my work when I hear Seth crying with a particularly distressed screech. I run to the bathroom that he is in to find the above mention un-named child has disapeared and apparently delegated the Watch Seth task to a younger sibling who has handed him a bar of soap. The water in the tub is now opaque with soap and Seth's hands are slick and he's frantically rubbing his eyes and screaming. I may or may not have shouted at someone. Ahem.<br />
<br />
After I get Sethy cleaned up, he's exhausted. And why not? He's spent the afternoon playing Toilet Polo and washing his eyeballs.<br />
<br />
Just a day in the life of Tyna. Who wouldn't wanna be me?!Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-86489022898825628222015-04-22T08:07:00.001-07:002015-04-22T08:07:31.249-07:00MakennaLast night we attended the memorial service for a 5 year old girl, Makenna Dybevik. Heartbreaking. I've never attended a service for a child, and I hope to never do it again. <br />
<br />
The church was packed, and the congregation was a sea of purple since it was Makenna's favorite color. Truly, the people of Christ rally around their own in times of trouble. May the Church gather around the Dybevik's so closely that they have no room to fall.Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-61518374005786266252015-04-06T07:12:00.002-07:002015-04-06T07:12:26.387-07:00A quick note...I haven't posted in awhile, huh? We all got sick, then pink eye made its rounds, then we had 2 friends from out of state visit in the same week. <br />
<br />
Uh oh...have to hurry here. I can hear BoyCake burbling happily to himself in the back room. He doesn't usually stay happy very long back there.<br />
<br />
All is well here. We start school again today (last week was our week off). We have music co-op this afternoon, so school today will be moderately stressful. Bible study Tuesday night and I have a class on Wed about cataracts. Friends for dinner on Sat. A busy week, but not too busy.<br />
<br />
And now, off to get BoyCake.Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-62867286202471346082015-03-20T09:01:00.002-07:002015-03-20T09:01:53.205-07:00Getting SickWell, the expected is happening. Sinus pressure is building, nose is drippy. I'm getting sick. Feeling okay right now, but I'm sure to degrade as the day goes on. So I'm preparing. It's a quarter 9am - laundry is in the dryer, dishwasher is going. Breakfast is over and cleaned up. Chicken thawing for dinner.<br />
<br />
If I can get about an hour of school stuff in, Leah and Nathan can get their projects finished. Hannah can work on hers independently today. I'd like to get the whole house swept. Hannah needs to clean the chicken coop. I originally wanted to plant the first garden bed today, but we'll have to see. Not sure yet if that will happen.<br />
<br />
Olivia achieved a milestone yesterday: she can now ride a 2 wheeled bike! And this morning she changed her clothes all by herself. My baby girl is officially not a baby any more. <br />
<br />
I also noticed that much of the baby things are going away. Only 1 more in diapers. Joe won't even wear Pull-Ups. All baby clothes smaller than 12 months are gone. I'm considering taking down the Jonny-Jump-Up thingy. I got out the walk-behind-push-toy for Seth this week. He's growing up too. The last baby. I can't quite decide if I'm sad or relieved. Some parts of babyhood are so hard, but other parts are so sweet.<br />
<br />
My oldest is coming up on 13 years old. How did that happen? I still remember feeling nervous that the hospital staff were just going to let us take home this tiny breakable creature. Now she's 5 foot 4 inches.<br />
<br />
Ah well. Perhaps my impending illness is making me nostalgic.Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435266954764978483.post-69116174563194224932015-03-19T06:49:00.001-07:002015-03-19T06:49:15.026-07:00BetterSince my last post, I got a couple really good nights of sleep. I've felt strong and capable the last 2 days. And just in time, because one by one, the children are getting sick. Just a cold, mind you, but when they are sick, they wake me up in the night. Last night I was woken up 4 times. Good thing my sleep was caught up or I would have died.<br />
<br />
But I can go a couple nights with multiple getting-ups. I guess I'm still feeling good from catching up, but I feel like I've totally got this. Check in with me on Saturday, and I'm sure I'll brain dead again. But for today, I got this. Chicken soup for lunch, multiple boxes of Kleenex in strategic places, stocked up on cold meds. School will just be working on their projects in whatever form that child feels up to it. <br />
<br />
Speaking of projects, I am so proud of them! Nathan is doing his project on the octopus. He's copying facts, printing pictures, exclaiming over new things. So much better than last year.<br />
<br />
Leah did her project on the zebra. Very cool, we both learned how to tell the 3 different zebras apart.<br />
<br />
Hannah finished her comparison of alligators and crocodiles. Yesterday she started work on Haiti. I love hearing them comment on how interesting things are. She made notes like crazy, sharing one or two occasionally. I need to go to Staples or somewhere to enlarge the map she's working on. I love it when they are loving learning!Tynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607144691332417374noreply@blogger.com0