First Day 2011

We are all ready to go...

to Excelsior again!! :-)

The boys are all in different classes this year!  Joshua has moved up into the 3rd and 4th grade class.  JCT is with the 1st and 2nd graders, and Elijah is with the pre-k/K class!  They were all excited to be back!

Our first day was actually 4 weeks ago, but I am a wee bit behind in the record keeping department!  This pregnant/little baby up off and on all night deal is wearing me slap out!!  

Anyway, Eriky and Jack hang out in the "nursery" while I teach classes from 8-10.  

Well, I leave Eriky in the nursery with Mrs. Patti, who has 6 children and is PRECIOUS!  He stays in there while I teach Elijah's class Circle time, Literature, and History.  Then, at 9:30 I leave that room and go to JCT's class to teach geography.  When I get out of geography, I always find Eriky in Elijah's class??  I'm not sure how he gets in there, but, it never fails, he is always in there with a big cheesy grin on his face!! Jessica (who teaches during that time) always wants him to stay with them at least through snack and recess!  So, I nurse Jack, talk a bit in the teacher's lounge, and let Eriky have exactly what he wants! Silly monkey thinks he is Elijah's age!!  If he had it his way, he'd be in that class this year.  Next year, sweet Eriky, next year!!!

All the prep and planning has helped!  We've really had a great year so far!  The workload has increased a lot for Joshua this year.  Latin is much more challenging ~ conjugating verbs, etc, not just memorizing words like it was last year.  But, he loves learning Latin!! It is his second favorite subject after Literature.  The thing I am most excited about is that he is loving all his studies this year!  He is really loving to learn!  Yesterday, we crammed for all his Friday tests.  He had tests in History, Latin, Astronomy, Literature, Bible, and dictionary drills in grammar.  So, we sat down and went over all his notes for those classes in the afternoon.  I fixed him a snack, got Elijah and JCT settled in playing, and began quizzing away.  He had an art class and football practice later in the afternoon, and we studied up until it was time to leave.  He usually gets a couple hours to play outside every afternoon, so I apologized to him as we began to study.  I said, "Buddy, I'm sorry, we are going to have to work through the afternoon."  He said, seriously, he really said this, "Oh, I don't mind!  I like it!  It's fun!"  I was floored, but thankful!  All his classes genuinely interest him this year, and that is so fun!

Last year I was very guarded about Excelsior.  I liked it, but I was just not ready.  I wasn't so sure.  But, this year with Joshua gaining so much from the older program, I am increasingly more thankful for the program.  The moms put so much into their classes, and they make learning so hands on and fun for the kids.  For example, today Joshua was tested over the Gilgamesh trilogy.  His sweet literature teacher, Mrs. Connie, does a tasting for every book they read.  They feast on the fare of that particular time period.  So, they ate like Mesopotamians today ~ goats milk, jerkey, and a sweet bread.  Joshua actually tasted the goat's milk, but he said he didn't like it!!! Then, she brought them all clay tablets that they got to carve their cuneiform initials into!  I am so thankful for all that the moms put into their classes, and it challenges me to do all that I can to make class fun and exciting for their children, as well!

A few months ago I went on a mom's night out with a handful of the other moms.  I never took the time to post the pictures, so I am going to do it now.

The sweet girl on the left is Nichole.  She teaches Joshua astronomy, and she makes it so fun!  He is outside observing the sun and the stars day and night!  She is also the mom of four boys, and my Joshua broke his collarbone playing football with her boys!! :-)  The girl in the middle is new this year, and she took over my job as lunch lady.  Bless her!  And, sweet Summer is on the right!  I love her because she says whatever she thinks, and she hunts deer ~ not that we have that in common or that I'd ever want to kill a deer ~ but it just says something about the kind of girl she is!!  She also teaches Joshua grammar, and makes everything a competition which he, of course, loves!  I had to speak to her church's women's ministry this week!  I was so nervous about it, and sweet Summer sat right beside on the front row and gave me lots of encouragement and moral support! 

Shanna is on the left, and she is my parter in teaching preschool.  We are a team from 8-9:30 on Fridays. She actually worked in a preschool, so I have learned so much from her!  Side note:  I LOVE teaching the preschoolers!!!!!  They are sooo sweet and cute!  Shanna is great ~ laid back and fun!  Meagan is in the middle.  I spent the afternoon at her house today letting our younger kids play while her son Miles and Joshua stayed for their afternoon classes.  She is a sweet girl.  She teaches JCT astronomy and Bible, and she teaches Elijah catechism. And, Tammy is on the right.  Tammy did lunches the year before me, and she helped me tremendously!  Now she teaches Joshua Latin.  She is a hard teacher but a very good teacher.  She is one of the most organized people I know!

Amy is on the left, and she is a college math professor, so she is my go-to girl for any and all math questions!  Then, on my right is Penny.  Penny is so helpful.  Penny has two grown children, a son in college and a daughter who has already graduated from college.  And, now Penny and her husband are raising round 2!  They adopted two sweet children from China.  They are in 4th grade, so Joshua gets to hang out with them for some of his classes this year.  

All in all, we are really enjoying this year.  I'm not sure how we will make it all work next year, but I feel sure God will put all the pieces together just as He would have them to be.  I'm trying so hard not to look at the left or the right, but to keep my eyes fixed on Him.  But, sometimes that is not easy!  Day by day.... Breath by breath....

Another welcome surprise!

Although, since little Jackaroo was only 3 months old when this little one was conceived, I'd say this one was a bit more of a surprise than the last two!  It is so funny to me how we planned and tried so hard for the first three kiddos, and the last three have all been sweet surprises from the Giver of all good gifts! :-)  

When I called Dr. Y's office to make a new pregnancy visit, the receptionist took my name, looked me up in her computer, and then said in a confused voice, "Ok.... now.... were you just here in May?" I giggled nervously and said, "Yes, Ma'am, I was."  Then, she laughed and said, "Just wanted to check and make sure I had the right patient!"

I'm feeling great!  Not so sick as I was last time.  In fact, I feel so good it kind of worries me...

But, I'm a worrier so that is to be expected.  I think I worry a little more each time.  Just praying for a healthy little one!  

Elijah and I walked Rain today just the two of us.  Out of the blue, he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, you know what is the best part???  I'll tell you, Mommy, I'll tell you what is the best part!  The best part is that now Jack will have a little baby friend!!"

Our very own half dozen.  :-)

The Calm Before the Syllabus...

Thursday night.

Thursday night Erik and I go to our co-op's parent meeting, and it is then and there that we will receive two very important things....

My baby monkey!!  :-)

I had to throw that pic in!!!

#1 We will receive syllabi for all of our boys' classes!  

#2 And, we will, also, come home with a large box full of books, books, workbooks, more books, and a couple additional books.  I get all giddy when I go through the history and literature books!! :-)

We have so enjoyed easing into the school year ~ just doing the core subjects.  I keep reminding the boys that more is coming.... And, so Thursday night I will receive all of their assignments for next week through the end of the school year, and I will spend several hours this weekend playing with hours and minutes and fitting it all into a neat little schedule or attempting to, anyway!  And, the calm before the syllabus will be over. :-)  

I am so excited about all that they will learn this year, and all that I will learn, too, right beside them!  

Here are a few pictures of the boys enjoying the slow pace of the last two weeks...

I caught him just like this... cute!

A happy bunch of boys!

 James got to play with pattern blocks as part of an assignment the other day!  He got to use his imagination and make something.  I thought his design was so pretty!!!

 Big boys receive happy tokens for reading to little boys!

Meet Buddy.  He has been a big hit around here!

 Eriky's turn to say Grace at lunch.

I can hardly contain my giggles when he prays.  He is so serious about his praying!

He is a ridiculously cute pray-er!!!

Lije climbed his very first tree this week with the help and instruction of his expert tree climbing brothers! :-)  He was soooo excited!  Of course, I had to help him down the first couple times, but eventually, he got the hang of it!!

Silly monkey!

Lije fell asleep on my lap while listening to one of his big brothers read to me.  He is four, and he still falls asleep in my lap about once a week.  I know it won't last much longer, so I am soaking it up!!!

Playing games with Lije. 

I don't have many pictures of the big boys!  Oops!  Their work isn't as colorful or fun!  We've had a fun week and a half.  I'm a little concerned about fitting everything in after I see the dreaded syllabi tomorrow night.  But, I know it will all work out!  Step by step.  More and more I am learning that God orders my days, and they often do not work out according to my plans.  But, He knows what truly needs to be accomplished each day.  And, sometimes a broken heart or a child who simply needs a little extra attention comes before the checklist.  Isn't all of life about being sensitive to His Spirit?  Guide our steps, Lord, each and every little step.

Four Month Old Jackaroo!!

Hi, Mr. Four months!

Man, you are stealing my heart!  You have such a sweet personality, and it is really beginning to shine through!!  Your brothers adore you!  They are absolutely crazy about you ~ never leaving you alone!!  They always want to hold you, lay beside you, tickle you, or dance in front of you and make you laugh!!

You have such sweet big brothers!!

 You are really beginning to be a lot of fun ~ playing with things and interacting with us!  You are still sleeping in the pack and play beside our bed, and you are not yet on a firm schedule.

  You look like a combination of all your brothers.  I can see every one of them in you at one time or another.  I love how they love you and how you love them with all your big smiles and giggles.  We are so glad to have you in our family!  We love our little Jackaroo!

Good Old Rain Dog.

I often tell people that Rain has been with Erik longer than I have.

I guess that isn't entirely true.  Erik and I had been dating a year and a half when Erik got Rain.  He says that I mentioned wanting a dog, but I knew that my dad wouldn't let me have one.  So, Erik claims he bought Rain for me.  But, really, I think he bought Rain for himself. :-)  Or, maybe, he bought Rain for us.

Regardless, thirteen years ago a single guy living all alone, bought a dog, and our little family began.

Rain has always been a healthy dog except for a few UTI's.  And, I think we've always assumed he'd be with us forever.  Fast forward to a couple weeks ago...

Rain started panting and pacing unable to rest well or find comfort.  So, we took him to the vet, and they discovered a large tumor on his spleen.  So, we opted to have surgery to remove it.  But, when he went in for surgery, we didn't know what they would find upon opening him up.  And, we didn't know how well he would handle surgery being so old and all.  They gave us a little time alone with him before surgery...

It is crazy to pet your dog's soft fur and silky his sweet ears and know that it just might be the last time.

One five pound tumor later and Rain was good.  He had a few setbacks, a little bout with pancreatitis, but, all in all, he did well for a dog his age.

He had to stay with the vet for 5 days, and we missed him so much!  The boys did very well until Erik's brother and their family left, and then suddenly they began to notice his absence.  Joshua made a sign and hung it from the mailbox asking those who pass by to please "Pray for my dog Rain."  And, he made this replica of Rain and lay it on his bed...

We went to visit Rain several times during his stay.  They let us take him outside and pet him and spend a few minutes alone with him.  But, those visits were hard because Rain wanted so badly to come home with us, and we felt horrible leaving him.  At home the boys missed his barking ~ which we all hate normally!  JCT spilled some yogurt on the floor one day, then looked up at me and said, "If Rain were here, he'd eat that for me."  And, Elijah remarked one day that, "It just isn't the same without Rain."

But, finally, we got to go pick up our Boo Boo and bring him home!!!!  Doesn't he look happy!!!

He is taking quite a few meds, and his pathology reports are still pending.

But, we are so glad to have him home with us...

And, I think he is glad to be home with us, too.  We don't even mind all the barking.  We're actually kind of thankful for it!

First Day Pictures.

Saying the pledge....

Eriky was trying to figure out exactly how do I do this????

Sweet brothers...

Joshua ~ 3rd grade

James Christofer ~ 1st grade

Elijah ~ 4 year old preschool

Erik Daniel ~  (Almost) 3 year old playschool

Happy Days!!! :-)

Rest and Trust

I sat quietly with pen and paper two days ago.  I was alone with hot tea and a head full of dreams, and my pen ran furiously across my paper as I prayed my dreams to Jesus.  I was supposed to be writing about my goals for school this year, but instead of writing about scholastic goals, I found my mind fixed on goals of another kind.

Last year everything was new and a bit intimidating.  This year I am still a bit intimidated, but I am praying to trust and rest and breathe, to live each moment and not be swept away under the workload.  I am praying that my focus will be first and foremost their hearts and souls and then their minds.  A nourished, healthy, full soul will make the learning more of a joy.  It is His world.  All things are His.  All subjects begin and end in Him ~ the detail and precision of math, the story of His world from creation to the present, and the exploration and curiosity of the scientific world.  All things are His, and it is a privilege and a joy to walk this journey.

I am constantly aware of this...

But, I have five boys, and my home can be a tad busy.  And, when I sit down to schedule, I find that I need four more hours than the day gives me!!  And, so, practically, resting and trusting looks something like this...

Sit down, calm down, teach math to Joshua, leave him with work to practice on, deep breath, sip of hot tea, sit down beside JCT, teach JCT math, leave him with work to practice on, deep breath, long sip of hot tea, and on it goes....

So, my prayers/goals for this year are simply summed up in this...

Rest.... Trust.... Slow.... Breathe Deeply.... Smile easily....  Laugh loudly.... Grow.... Embrace the moment.... and Enjoy the journey....

Each day is truly a gift.

First Day of School ~ Just Kidding!!

 I've been telling the boys for weeks now that today would be our first day back to school, and they believed me!  Joshua took an extra long time waking up this morning...

I made pancakes and eggs.  It was a celebratory day!  I kept asking the boys, "Are you guys ready to work hard???"

Well, after breakfast we began the morning with our back to school treasure hunt!  The boys love a good treasure hunt!

My clues don't rhyme.  Call me lazy!

And, here is the treasure....

 Homemade notebooks, school supplies, favorite new books they've been wanting, some new preschool toys and games, and t-shirts to wear on the real first day of school (tomorrow)!!

 Erik and I prayed and chose four character traits to focus on this year. We had t-shirts made with the character trait written across the front, and a verse about that character trait written on the back.  We plan to do this every year.  This year our character traits are...

Focus ~ 1 Peter 5:8
Self Discipline ~ 2 Timothy 1:7
Honesty ~ Proverbs 16:13
Love (loving God first and others better than themselves) ~ Mark 12:33

Here is Elijah with a book that I checked out of the library over a year ago, and he absolutely loved it.  Off and on over the year, he has mentioned the book.  I tried several time to buy it, but it is out of print.  The cheapest I could find it for was nearly $50!  Finally, I found it for a reasonable price and bought it!!  He was excited, and instantly began flipping through the pages showing Eriky the yellow ball on each page!

After all the fun died down and the boys' minds began to turn toward school, I made a little announcement...

"Today, we are going on a field trip!!!"

I wouldn't tell them where we were going, but I did tell them to quickly change into their swimming suits!!  We met some friends and caravanned to a local splash pad!  I think the boys enjoyed their first day...

After the splash pad, we grabbed chickfila and headed home!  I barely got baby Jack down when a little thunderstorm rolled in and stayed for several hours!  Pure peace!  I made coffee and met one on one with the boys going over what will be expected of them tomorrow.  I showed them their new workbooks and books.  They paged through them while I explained various things. I gave them their clipboards with this week's assignments written out for them and their new laminated chore charts. :-)  Hopefully they will be ready to begin our new year tomorrow!!

Family Time

We had a great time visiting with Erik's brother and his family this past week.  Jason and Jen have 5 kids, too, and their ages line up fairly close to our childrens' ages.  Needless to say, the kids had a blast.  Jen was my best friend in nursing school, so we are always excited to get some time to talk, as well.  And, Erik and Jason, well, they do what they do best... bring out the silly in each other and go to the movies! :-)

We decided to celebrate all the kids' birthdays all together, all at one time.  We don't live close enough to go to each other's parties, so we decided to have one big birthday party.  And, Deana B bought the kids balloons, and Erik decorated the cookie cakes for us!!

I made a picture video of our time together, but some of my favorite moments were not caught on film!  Moments like when I looked over at JCT and Katey during the worship service on Sunday, and they were smiling and playing rock, paper, scissors. :-)  Or, the late night planning/scheduling Jen and I did ~ my kitchen table filled with papers and calendars and curriculum.  And, sweet conversations with my friend over hot drinks on even hotter days!  Or, when I handed Abby her birthday present, and Jen said, "Get ready, she is going to scream when she sees what it is." But, I didn't really think she meant that Abby would really scream, and then Abby opened her present and let out a 15 second long shrill scream, and I was slightly taken aback. :-) After she finished I looked over at Jen and said, "I think she liked it?"  And, one last favorite ~ watching my little namesake hug one of my old bridesmaid's dresses when I brought out a bin of them for the girls to play in.  Sweet memories!



Know ~ Dukes Family from jason dukes on Vimeo.