Life at Oak Grove

So the other day I had a difficult phone conversation with someone close to my heart - ie I care for this person but it's so hard to reach to said person...

And honestly, this person said things that made me doubt of decisions we have made - like me leaving government to work on the private sector then on our home business, me staying at home with my kids, me homeschooling... and so on.   As much as I would like this person to support me and accept the decisions that I/we make, there is no point of trying anymore.   I'm giving up.

But the doubts crept in my mind... depression hit home, tears came down the cheeks...

Things that were said:

"knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have help to pay for your master degree since it is almost as thought we have thrown the money through the windows"

" you have a master degree in IT not in teaching"

"I am not sure your kids will be equipped properly when the arrive in high school because you yourself (as in me...) have lost more than 60% of your French and don't know how to write it anymore because of the  errors you make"

and so on...

But it hurts so much when it comes from someone you love and you care for.    *sigh*

So this was my day a few days ago... depression, tears, deflated, unsure of my decisions.

Then I finished to watch a DVD I have borrowed from the library title Be Still.   It is about contemplative prayer.  And one section of the DVD is listing scriptures to ponder on. The one that caught my eye was Psalm 62:1-2.

"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
     He only is my Rock and my Salvation, my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be greatly moved."
Amplified version

These verses were a balm on my soul the next day and since then I feel better.   Do I have teary eyes sometimes still?  You bet but I also know that God is there for me and sustain me and love me.

Further down in the Psalm it says " Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him.  God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Shelah [pause and calmly think of that!]

Yes indeed God is my refuge and when I feel attacked and start doubting because of the lies someone throw at me (whom is guided obviously by the Father of Lies), I know that God is there to give me strength and show me the Truth.

Never forget that God is bigger than lies.   I know I got reminded of this truth over the week.

I guess I am not as often as I would really like on this blog.   I find it hard to be splitted in two and between the business, homeschool, family, this blog and my review blog - I am a bit out of breath.

So to my friends on homeschoolblogger and others (family and friends reading about our life), I apologize.

As I said, my review blog is keeping me busy.   Wondering what books I would suggest to read, please jump to Canadianladybug Reviews! to check it out.  I am starting to expand my review experience.   Back in the Fall I reviewed a game called TriviaThon.   Quite interesting game actually.   I would recommend it to anyone - even the people who are not too fond of trivia type of games.    In 2010, I have already two extraordinary products lined up.    I'm becoming more bold and offer reviews to various companies.    Already I know two products are coming my way but I won't tell  you what it is yet.

On the family side of things, every one is healthy.    No H1N1 so far and no we didn't take the shot either...   That caused some tension elsewhere but I prefer not to expand on this.   Business is getting better slowly so I won't complain.  Problem is when you are in contracting, you work and sometimes you get paid later.   We are fortunate to have one third-party that pays every two weeks but most third-parties pay a month later.   So for one contract we are paid as we speak while the other... we wait. 

Jérémy, Jasmine and my husband has a birthday.   Jérémy was back in November while Jasmine and Daddy was not too long ago - respectively the 19 and 21 of December.  Also on the 19th, we (my husband and I) were maître of ceremony to the wedding of our friends Rachelle and Tyler.   This was the first time we were doing, the first time I saw a bride spinning at her own reception ( for 30 minutes) and the first time I heard Tyler speak in French for more than a couple of words.   He said his vows in French in honor of Rachelle - isn`t it cute?   I thought it was very impressive and very romantic.

As I write this, they are on honeymoon so we won't see them until next year I think.  

On the homeschool front - we are advancing at a steady pace.   Math U See is more than half way done for Alexandre and Dominic, and I don't feel as stressed as as I was in the previous years.  So I guess it's good.  The kids go to AWANA and have swimming lessons.   All are doing great at swimming even Jasmine who now jumps by herself in the water - mind  you I need to catch her...!

As you can see we survived our chaotic year on multiple fronts.  

I wish all a Merry Christmas.   For now I need to get some accounting done.... *grin*

 

"You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God's fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts." - Charles Spurgeon

What else can be said...?  nothing.   Thanks Mr. Spurgeon for the encouragement.

I'm planning to enjoy every minute of it while I can.

This year, as part of our homeschool, we registered the kids for Awana.   First time ever and they love it...

It is quite amazing how much they learn and how much I am learning too!    So we practice verses all week and on Thursday nights the kids have to tell them to their leader.

We have one T&T, one Sparky and one Cubbie who are having fun going to their meetings.  

My T&T is so eager that sometimes he does too much - so he has been told to slow down...   Slow down we did.   He has an advantage on the other kids because he is homeschool which means we incorporate the Awana lessons in our days.   Obviously the kids who goes to school during the day do not have as much time to spend on their book/projects to do.   So to make it harder I asked him to also do the silver and gold sections.   In a recent project, he has to do a poster on creation.

My Sparky has a blast.   I find that it is more difficult for him to do memorization.  He was having trouble with the New Testament books the last two week.   Fortunately, his Sparks book came with a CD (which Jasmine had broken and we got a new one!) and I had bought the extra CD with songs as well.   So we popped these in the CD player and listened to them.   He was able to say them no problem after that. 

My Cubbie is having fun.   I'm glad he was able to adjust himself easily for this.   I had a bit of fear but he is so happy of his vest and getting new patches for it.   It is so cute.

While the kids are going to AWANA, hubby, Jasmine and I are having a date night.   Mostly we do groceries... LOL  but it has to be done.  The funny part is that Jasmine doesn't want mommy to push the cart is has to be daddy - ALL the time.  *grin*   Daddy's girl through and through.  

Oh I wish I could give good news about contracting but the kind of work we are doing has nothing with computers and programming unfortunately.

For those who don't know, we collect comics.  Mind you it has been years since we bought new ones and recently I've discovered that HULK was red at one point. 

A few years ago, we bought about 186 boxes of comics for a really good price and sold some during a garage sale.   Out of these we have about 35-40 boxes we kept to create two separate collections to sell eventually.   The work we have right now is to bag the comics and price them (we are still waiting for the price guide to come in) and open our basement for potential buyers. 

And let me tell you it is a BIG job.   Alexandre is very helpful and the three of us can do a lot in one afternoon but we are still only three.   We are almost done going through collection #2.  Now my job is to try to place in alphabetical order the 10-15 boxes at one corner of the basement.

So we are having fun.   The funniest thing is that right now it makes me want to read some comics.   It has been a long time since I did that.  

Check out the cool chocolate my kids got during Halloween...!  Isn't it cute?

The best part is that my kids gave them to me because the REALLY know I love this little creature and that I am known to be the Canadianladybug on the net.   I do have sweet kids!   I love them.  LOTS!

This little ladybug comes in three flavors - caramel, a green paste and a pink paste.   The pink paste one is the best I think - flavor is like cherries.

You are probably wondering what I am talking about... 

Some of you know that we were trying to plant a church in the downtown area.   Our events - christian raves - were a success having from 50 - 150 people coming depending of the theme.   We had wonderful DJs from outside, Toronto, California and New York coming to spin for us.  We had people coming through the doors and not staying during the service because there wasn't enough people to blend in.   It is hard... and we had to decide to close for the time being.    Two of our leadership members are getting married to each other in December - they need time to concentrate on the wedding.  We need time to seek what God is doing both on the church side and the business side.   Lots is going on.  We have just so much energy in us and we can't duplicate ourselves to cover every bases.

So with wisdom - we had our last service last Saturday.  It hurts.   Lots.  Never though it would hurt like that...  but God knows better...  He feels the hurt as well right?

I figure that a seed needs to die in the soil if we want it to become a plant - like a rose, a maple tree or a simple tomato plant.   Just the same way, HEAT has to die so it can grow while we take a time to regroup, pray and seek God.  

Slowly, God is bringing opportunities to us - both business and church.  Ideas brought to us about our church format.   Ideas that we are slowly consider and bring to God.   Great ideas actually.  

So for now - we pray and seek God...

In the meantime this morning Dominic, age 5, came to me and asked me to come and see his church that he made on his bed.   His stuffed animals worshipping God.   Cute!    He might be unto something a friend told me...  LOL   I don't know.   If church planting would be that easy....   but then again we wouldn't grow would we?  We wouldn't experience pain and seek God for every aspect in our lives.   And we wouldn't trust Him.

I'm thankful for the experience of this past year and a half.   We learned a lot.  Experienced a lot and twicked our service time.   The kids love it - saw God working in our midst and learned the importance of prayer and helping others.   We didn't loose our time.  Definetively not.

Today it is national poetry day... (as well as grouch day but I decided not to celebrate that one...)

And one poet we really appreciate is Helen Steiner Rice.  And as we ourselves are going through a tough time with business and the church plant, I thought to put a poem about faith and perseverance.

Climb Till Your Dream Comes True

Often your tasks will be many,
   and more than you think you can do.
Often the road will be rugged,
   and the hills insurmountable, too.
But always remember, the hills ahead
   are never as steep as they seem,
And with faith in your heart, start upward
   and climb till you reach your dream.
For nothing in life that is worthy
   is ever too hard to achieve
If you have the courage to try it
   and you have the faith to believe.
For faith is a force that is greater
   than knowledge or power or skill,
And many defeats turn to triumphs
   if you trust in God's wisdom and will.
For faith is a mover of mountains -
   there's nothing that God cannot do -
So start out today with faith in your heart
   and climb till  your dream comes true.

A friend of mine posted something on facebook and I wanted to share it with you.   He had found this on youtube I imagine since I've found the code there...

Thanks to Albert Einstein for standing up and be firm on his faith.

 

Eveyrone around the world is experiencing hard times.

We thought we might not feel a thing since back in the 80s where there was a recession hubby didn't felt a thing because of being in the National Capital.

But this is a different time.   We are in 2009 now... and it hit hard everywhere.

We are currently looking in various options for us... for the company... for homeschooling.

I still have hope but the thread is thin.  very thin.

Only a miracle would help.   So God please bring contracts our way!  Thanks

So my husband offered for me to go up to the trailer by myself on Friday and Saturday...   I went with Bible, journal and books... planning to spend time with God and catching up on some reading.

Here's a little summary of the days.

ME, MYSELF AND...

• God obviously!


• the worship songs from Vineyard which moved me while I was driving


• the upside-down pizza - no comments


• the giant radishes - the Fraggles would have like them


• Max Lucado - I finished reading his latest book Fearless


• the Robot Wars - another book I needed to read to review


• prayer


• journalling


• getting encouraged by Amanda Bennett, the Lamberts (Five in a row), Terri Johnson (Knowledge Quest/Bramley Books), Malia Russel (Homemaking 911) and Cheryl Allin (TOS) from an e-book of TOS


• the rain falling.... (Saturday)


• the Word


• the cry of the owl on Friday night - Oh I wish I could have seen it


• exploring the book Heart of Wisdom sample document


• discovering my homeschool planner that I had just bought - The Well-Planned Day - I love it!


• the reminder to expect the unexpected


• putting me, the kids and our homeschool in God's hands


• an Xanadu (the movie)


• the drive back home in the rain because I couldn't go walk in the woods... well I guess I could have done it but honestly I didn't feel like being wet.

I had a good time but I want to go back when the leaves ar changing colors....

2009-2010 is definetively a busy year for me.   This year I will have a 3rd grader, a SK and a JK as well as a very curious toddler who is demanding.   But doing homeschooling is still something I feel God as called me to.

The past year I got introduced to wonderful new products in homeschooling and I am excited to use them more this year.   I have a feeling that there might be too much on our shoulders but I will see as the weeks are going by.

This past week was pretty good (apart from Monday that is).   Not sure if it was the stress or something else but my baby girl was a difficult on Monday.   I gave her crayons - no, wooden things to put on a lace - okay for a little while then no, hard wood puzzle - no...   I was stressing out... and wasn't very patient I must admit.   But then nap time came and I was able to catch up a bit with my oldest.   I think it's great that he can work by himself if I need too.

My SK and JK both go grab their little workbooks when they see their older brother doing his work.   So cute!   I'm so glad I took a book for my JK - it's not much but he learns logic and recognition of sounds and so on.   My SK is working on writing his alphabet while my 3rd grader has completed his writing in cursive for the alphabet.   He also started his Gamma book on Math U See.   So far so good...  we are going on with the flow.   I need to get in a more schedule morning but I need also to remind that flexibility is important too. 

Being flexible is what we did yesterday as I woke up not in my plate.   So after an hour or so of schoolwork, we jump on the opportunity to ride with daddy to go pick up his server for the business where is was on co-location.   Daddy also ask our oldest to help with various things related to the business as well like verifying updates on the server and so on.   He is getting quite good at it.   8 years old and he knows how to update a PC.   Nuts!

My 3rd grader is also reading the series Guardians of Ga'Hoole and even though book 1 and 2 were harder to read for him, he is zooming through 3, 4 and 5 at an incredible speed.  I guess the story started to pick up.   I have read book 1 and I really enjoyed it.   Daddy is reading right now and he likes it too.   I really need to catch up on my son so I can talk about the story with him!   A movie is in the making for this series.   Pretty neat!

Well - I should get back at organizing the school room.   I heard there was a contest about it somewhere so I need to clean up a bit before taking pictures...  *grin*

These past two days, hubby and I attended the Leadership Summit at a church in the area.   It was indeed a breath of fresh air for us.   We needed to be lift up and encourage.   We needed to be mentored by various leaders both in the church and business side of things.   It was a great two days with some speakers I liked more than others.

For example, there is that young entrepreneur who created a website so that people can give loans to people who can't have some from the bank.   Entrepreneurs who want to do better for their families in countries where poverty is rampant.  The site is KIVA.ORG .  It's worth looking into it.

The other speaker I really liked was Harvey Carey who is the pastor at the Citadel of Faith Covenant Church in Detroit, MI.   He pastors a church in the poorest zip code, in the poorest city, in the poorest state of the US (according to him).   Anyhow, this guy predicted that he would be our expresso with no sugar or milk and honestly he was.   WoW!  So much energy.   The story that impressed me the most is when he told about getting his congregation together to go camping and eat smores in from of crack houses.   They did it multiple times and the crack houses are now close...   *grin*   Obviously people didn't went to buy drugs when you had a bunch of people singing Kumbala and eating smores in front of it...  Or the three white ladies from the suburbs who drove to go in the are at 1 am to minister to prostitutes.   WoW!   One thing for sure - if we ever go spend some time in Detroit, I plan to visit his church.   Thanks Harvey!

I really like the brothers Chip and Dan Heath who spoke about their upcoming book Switch.   I had printed the introduction to their previous book Made to Stick.   I'm impressed by what I read and heard that I want to get their books.  

Bono was once again part of the group.   Returning after 3 years.   He shook the church by his interview back in 2006 and many churches stood up and did something for the poor.  He was impressed saying "I didn't think it would wake up the sleeping giant and that the giant would run so fast."  Still Bono is not attached to a specific church so pray that he will find is fit somewhere...

Wess Stafford - president of Compassion International...  What can I say about him?   He moved me to tears and I cried while he told his story.  Mostly he was talking about pain.  And many didn't know the abuse he experienced when he was young.   Someone would think the abuse was from his parents but no.... it wasn't.   His family didn't know about it for many years...   He even didn't talk about it for decades before opening up.   All the participants receive a copy of his book Too Small To Ignore.   I am quite excited to read it.

Also on site,World Vision was there.   We got a Poverty and Justice Bible where more than 2000 verses in it are marked.  Verses speaking about poverty and justice.   It's an interesting concept.   Also in it, there is a special section where you can find Poverty and Justice in 3-D.  They are devotional on specific verses with discovery about an issue, time to think about it and taking action as well.   I intend to do some with the kids during the school year.

These were my highlights from the Leadership Summit.   There were other good ones but these people touched me in way I wouldn't have expected.   We also got a DVD about FIRING, HIRING AND BOARD MELTDOWNS.   Since we have both a business and a church we thought it would be good to go through it.

I feel refreshed indeed in my soul.

As for the smell of paint... well when arrive on Thursday - the dining room and hall-way had a first coat of paint.  Yesterday the dining room was completed.   So it smell paint in the house...  And we are not done.   More to come!   Like the hallway and kitchen today.  

I'm blessed.   I have the greatest in-laws in the whole wide world.   Sorry guys!  They are mine.   And all their children are married....

We are back in town.   We had a good time in Niagara Falls and discovered neat things to do.   We had mostly good weather and we are blessed by this since we heard that in town it was rain, rain and more rain almost all of July.

Since hubby left with Alexandre on Thursday, I am wondering if we are doing the best choice for school.   Yep!   I am in my yearly doubting myself and being stressed and distressed.   I just want to give up and cry because I feel so useless.   I'm not sure it is in the best interest of the kids anymore.   Well, I know that school is probably not in the best interest either so why not a Christian school instead.   I don't know where to go to get encouragement and honestly I am not sure I care.    I'm in the pit of self-pity I guess.

The easyest solution would be to bring the kids to school.   It's not easy to school with a toddler and a 3 year old, a 5 year old who sighed everytime I asked him to do something.   My eldest is not so bad...  He is pretty much independant.  I can give him some pages to do and he would do it.   It's the younger ones who drain me.   I partly wish that I could separate myself in 4 and give as much attention to all of them.  

An idea has been mentioned to put the 3 year old in junior kindergarten for a year (his birthday would be in November which means he would be one of the youngest in the class).   But two days ago, I decided to sit him down and make him practice his name writing.   It went well.   And he needed the attention.  My 5 year old was practicing his writing for the letter of the alphabet from a book - so he was somewhat independent.   I realized that send ing the 3 year old at school where he would be a number among 20-25 other little ones - wasn't for his best interest.

So why am I so discouraged today?   Probably doesn't help that I am sick and that Jasmine - my toddler - is sick too.   The energy I had this morning is partly gone.   I'm tired and just want to go to bed.   Darn sinuses!

So here I am pouring out my heart to you - whoever who will read this - and knowing deep down that it isn't that bad.  But I have a short vision today.   Will I be able to school a 3rd grader, a kindergarten and a junior kindergarten this year?  And taking care of a toddler?  

Part of me wants me time... but after a month of being alone during the day I would be bored to death.  

I think I will ask my husband to care for the kids once a week so I can have time for myself to do what interest me like scrapbooking, card making or drawing.    I need some time and space for recuperate from the business of homeschool.   As soon as he comes back I will talk to him.  

We are on vacation as I write this.   It's pass 9pm EST and I'm blogging.   One of my kids just sneezed. 

Vacation.  AhhhhH!   Much deserved and much needed too!

Mind you I feel like we are running around since we arrived but we are having fun as a family and that's what matter.

We are camping.  We rented the place for a whole month.   There is much to do in the area.   So far we went to Marineland twice, went to see the Falls, saw the 4th of July fireworks, went to Rochester twice to go through the Museum of Science (for free since we have membership in our city for other museums) as well as Churchville to stop by the CampingWorld, went to the botanical garden in Niagara Falls.   We also went to the Oneida outlet to check it out because it was closing down and we found some new utensils. 

Not sure what we will do tomorrow.    But in case anyone are wondering why I am not updating my blog... the reason is simple.  I'm vacationing....

Here's something to give you an idea...

 

 

© 2009 Jonathan Feinberg Terms of Use subscribe

My oldest is turning 8th today!   8 marvelous years with a son who loves to help and have fun.   He likes to climb on the walls, help his younger siblings and loves to learn too!  He enjoys the Ga'Hoole series these days as well as the Geronimo Stilton's.  

 8 years ago we became parents.   And we are blessed to have Alexandre in our life.   Bonne Fête mon grand.  Je t'aime!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Remember that song... Well a very creative homeschool mom has made her own version of it...   Check it out!

 

Thanks to a fellow crew member to the TOS Homeschool Crew of 2008-2009 for posting this on facebook. If not, I would have not seeing it... *grin*

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I go out to run some errands.  By myself - no kids as hubby is at home.  

I come back and I have my oldest sort of excited.   He says daddy wants to talk to me downstairs (where the office is).

So I go.   And Alexandre is jumping up and down.  And ask me a joke question.  I answer not really thinking when he just asked me... and I was wrong in the answer because he tells me no and then tell me the answer.   He is still jumping up and down - grinning his biggest smile I ever seen.

Then he tells me that FOTF called to tell him that they loved the joke he had submitted a while back and that it will be published in the October 2009 issue of Clubhouse Jr. . And yes, you guessed it, the joke question he asked me was the one he had sent.   Geez  What kind of mom am I?   I forgot about it. *sigh*

Anyhow, he is so happy about it.   We had sent it to the office in BC which in turned send it to the office in Colorado Springs, US.   We had received a letter about it and it was also saying that they do receive lots of jokes and it might not be selected.  

So they called.   It will be published.   My son is happy and excited about it.   And they will send multiple copies of the magazine.

My son will have his joke published.   Can you imagine?

Last night, I attended the representation of The Hiding Place given by the dancers of Ballet Magnificat! Omega.   I went with my mother-in-law and we had fun.   I was very moving.  

The Hiding Place is the story of Cory ten Boom and her sister, Betsie.     Honestly, I am lost at words on how to express my feelings about it.   I recommend everyone to take the time to go see this if it comes to a place near you.   The dancers were very good and you can sense that they are dancing for the Lord.  

Simply beautiful and amazing!

 

Yesterday I read Judges 3:12-30 and came upon something interesting.   You know that you're into something when you never realized this was written in the Bible.   You probably know the story on how Ehud killed King Eglon of Moab.   What I never realized was that in verse 15 it says:

" His name was Ehud son of Gera, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was left-handed."

Uh? What is the big deal of specifying that Ehud was left-handed?   So I pondered on this... since yesterday.   This morning, I came to the conclusion that more than likely being left-handed didn't help Ehud to carry a sword.  Maybe he wasn't as quick as his friends to fight...  

So I took my NLT Bible this morning and wanted to see if there was comments about this mention.   There was.   So here it goes...

"God can uses us just the way he made us.  Being left-handed in Ehud's day was considered a handicap.  Many Benjaminites were left-handed (see 20:16).  But God used Ehud's perceived weakness to give Israel victory.   Let God use you the way you are to accomplish his work."

In my NIV notes I can read that being left-handed Ehud could conceal his dagger on the side where it was not expected (v 21) which was his right thigh.  In my NIV Archeological Bible, it is mentioned that Left-handedness was common in the tribe of Benjamin (1 Ch 12:2) as I mentioned before.  However, it also indicates that it may have been artificially induced by binding the right arms of young boys to produce superior warriors.

I can see conflicting information here.   One says it produced superior warrior while another says it was considered an handicap.    Maybe it was considered an handicap by outsiders from the Israelites...

I recently got prophesied on.   First time for anything right?   The person told me that God made me the way I was for a reason and that right now I might not see it but in the future I will.   There is also some specific things in me that I don't even know that are there and that I will realize that God had a purpose in putting them there in time.

Where am I going?   When you think that God is not using you - don't believe it...  That's a lie.   God is always using us even if we don't realize it.  People see how we are and how we react to events in our life.   Our own kids observe us and they are like a sponge.    Be like a beacon of light for the LORD for anyone you cross in your days.    A few years ago, I went to the park with the kids.  Back then I had Alexandre and maybe Dominic as a baby.   Anyhow, I start talking to a lady at the park and out of the blue, she tells me that her husband is cheating on her and so on.   I was taken by surprised.   Why me?  But then I realize that as a child (well make it more like a young adult) I went through my parent's divorce.   Funny enough, hubby had bought me a book from Dr. Dobson Love Must Be Tough just to understand my parents.   And I had taken TONS of notes in the book about my parents and me and so on...   So I told her about the book and offered it to her.    I also prayed outloud for her in the park.   The next day I brought the book for her...   Weird.   I never saw her again.   I heard from her once - she told me she was enjoying the book.   Her situation was not easy as that other woman was also going to her church and was also married.   I pray and hope that God healed her marriage but I don't know.  

Another time, He used me on a grand-mother walking with her grand-baby.    Her daughter-in-law had a big case of post-partum.   I had experience it a little bit... but not to the point to be hospitalized (which was the case here).   So I prayed for her and told her about our church back then...   She seemed interested in telling the information to her son and daughter-in-law.

My point is that you never know when God will use you.  Be prepare even if you are left-handed.

And by the way - I am left-handed.

One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:13.   Check it out what it says!

... well usually it's not that busy but this past week-end we had something on Saturday and on Sunday.

SATURDAY

Homeschool conference in my area.   My in-laws looked after the kids while hubby and I went to the conference.   It was a one-day thing this year and I was a bit disappointed with the reduced numbers of vendors this year.   Sad.   On the other hand I went to great sessions and we got all the curriculum I had on my list.   We are officially ready for grade 3 and Senior Kindergarten with a bit of Junior Kindergarten.   I was surprised to see some products from Memoria Press there as well as Artistic Pursuits.   Interesting.   I had comments from people telling me they look forward to my reviews in the Newsletters and one lady said she is seriously thinking to ge tthe Spears Art Studio for her daughter who loves to draw.   Super!  I told her again that it was totally worth it.    I also won a price foro being there but by the time my name got out - there wasn't much left so I got 2 subs from Subway for free and we had free supper... *grin* I also made contact with NECTAR Foundation and got some free software to reviews from them.   And the guy also gave me a little bag with pink lemonade as a thanks for reviewing the products.    I got 4 CDs in French from him and I also have a bunch in English to look into as well.   So it was productive.   Hubby also made contact with the rep from HSLDA - they talked a lot and connected well I think.   Interesting.

Sunday - We packed the kids and drove to Montreal to visit my mom.   It went well I think.   I shall see how it goes in the weeks to come.   My poor Alexandre asked us when we will see her again and if it will take 1 year.  He is at the age of understanding more.   I told him it wasn't my decision and we will go with what happens.   He was crying.  He is my big softy child - very attached to people.  Dominic though asked my mom when she will die, hubby told him we don't know when we die and asked him who decides this.  He said Jesus.   Sweet.   At 5 he already have a great thinking.    We went to the Biodome during the afternoon.   Being a while since we went.   We got a family membership and can go as often as we want during the year with free entrance to the Botanical Gardens in June and free entrance to the Planetarium in November.   We came back at 9pm.   Tired.  Hopefully it doesn't take too long to get back in our routine.

Today - we have a visit to the dentist.  Five of us...   Only Jasmine is spared from it...

Well... we were supposed to go down visit my mom but hubby is sick - real bad... and he doesn't sleep that well so we postponed the trip.   Myoldest was quite upset by the wait but it's for the better.   Hubby is miserable believe me!    He took a nap yesterday and again today.   He took care of me so well when I was down with sinusitis and vertigo... I feel real bad that I woke him up yesterday.   I could have just drive to his parents for Easter supper and not wake him up.  Leave him a note so he could join us later.   But no I was just selfish and woke him up at 3:35pm.   Geez what's wrong with me?  Stressed.   Definetively.  

On another matter - did you ever realized the stressed upside down is spelled desserts.   No I will not give in to desserts.   I'm trying to loose weight.  If I do eat - I'll count my points I promise...

... literally.   I called mom last night and asked if we could come.   The conversation was okay in itself with the usual comments but she agreed for us to come down on Monday.  Which is a miracle in itself since she refused to let us come since over a year now...  I don't want to go in details about it.  I'm just glad we can go - know what I mean?

Anyhow, having said that, hubby said last night that maybe we won't be able to go.  NO!   Hubby has been sick with sinusitis since a week.  He is now on medications but he wonders if he will feel better before Monday.  Sure hope so.  And baby Jasmine has a runny nose now.   Mind you, they probably got it from me because 2 weeks ago I have sinusitis and vertigo because the infection went into my inner ear.   Not fun believe me...  I'm just glad that the sinusitis is gone.  The vertigo is mostly gone... sometimes I feel it again but most days it's gone.   I don't wish that to anyone.   It is the worst feeling in the world I think - especially when it last a few days.  Yack!

Anyhow, if you happen to read this, please pray for my sick loved ones and for the visit.   Thanks.  

And here's a little snapshot of the last 40 years....

 

Make a Smilebox slideshow

.... what would I be?

Okay.   We love comics... French/English... doesn't matter.   We have some - oh a few....  Actually more like 35 boxes of them.   And if you know what a long box of comics look like, you would know that there is lots in it...   so make the calculation.   When I met my future husband he had 6 or 7 of these boxes.   We got more during the last 12 years...  I went to a store once with him and we brought back tons of Superman's ones because they were on sale.   That's how nuts we are...

Want another story?   Honeymoon.   Florida.   We discover a warehouse of comics...   We bought some well lots but not as much as the time we were in Colorado and went to Mile High in Denver and another store in Colorado Springs.   That time we brought back 408 comics.   All packed with our suitcases...  Nuts I'm telling ya.

Do we read them?  YES!   I would say I read more than hubby so far.    Do we pay full price?  NOT!  Unless we have too.   Does Hubby would love to get his hands on the Obama appearance in Spider-man?  YOU BET!

Now - enough of this.   A friend of mine had this little thing on her facebook and I thought it was so cute.   You create you super-hero and get the image of a comic.   So, I decided to try it out too!   Here's what I got!

 

Do you want one too?   It's easy as saying 1-2-3.   Go to The Hero Factory and have fun!

Done.... no more stress about it...

I now have a niece!   Horray.   After a couple of years of wait it is now official.   My brother-in-law and his wife signed the papers to adopt a little girl they were caring for.   

She is a cute little girl that is fitting so well in the family.   Welcome sweetheart.   We love you!  

 

5 years ago, you entered the world and since then you are a delight.   You brighten the room with your marvelous smile.    I love you and I wish you a marvelous birthday.    You are planning to go play mini-putt with your dad and brothers later this afternoon and look forward for your gifts....    You are excited with the cake I made for your birthday party and I am glad that you like it.   Pirate theme it is....  ARRRRG!

... when we least expected it, we got a phone call from friends in AB.   Roger and Margie were pastor and wife of a church in Fredericton last year.  Now they live in Alberta.    We met more than 2 years ago in Cochrane, AB during an orientation session at the denomination where our churches would be link to.   Back then it was known as the CCSB now it's the CNBC but we are still southern-baptist.

So 2 years ago we met and we clicked.   Us 30 something kids and them older folks.   We lost contact but found each other at the CCSB convention in PEI last year.   We reconnected as though we haven't lost contact - you know what I mean?   It was so nice to see them and be able to stay at their place for a few days afterwards (yes they invited us to stop and stay a little while).   They babysat our kids while we went to see the new Hulk movie back then - a must for my husband.   We had a good time with them and were sad to leave Fredericton but we had to go back home...  Now my kids had another set of grand-parents...

Anyhow, Margie called to chit chat and it was nice to hear her voice.   She went through a lot in the Fall with strokes and she is back on her feet with no residual problems.   But she called to encourage us and it meant a lot for us because sometimes planting a church can be difficult.   And she is so loving as doing so.   Both of them are doing great and I'm very happy to hear that.  

Now I wish we could visit more easily but Alberta is not next door.   Hubby says it will take a lot of convincing to drive there.   My point is simple - you drive there with the RV going through Canada, and you come back via the US.   Obviously, we would have to go to Vancouver to see hubby's sister and her family...  but how many times in your life could you do that.  

So I am praying that someday we can do it... bring the kids out west, discover the plains and the mountains, if we are debt free and we have enough contracts to cover the cost.   This can't be done in one month - not with the amount of sight-seeing I like to do *grin*...  

Hey, a girl can dream... and ask God to provide.   After all doesn't the scripture says: "Ask and you shall receive."?   So Lord I ask.   Please make my dream a reality some day.

yes we have one of those... even though it is not the one we first thought it would be.

At first, we thought Alexandre would be it just because of when he was a baby, he walked at 11 months.   Ah!   Totally not...  He is our golden retriever who cares for people.   He is sensitive to the bone that kid.  Sweet like a peach.   Oh sure he is competitive but not strong will.  Alexandre is easy to teach.  You give him a few pages and he takes off and go do it.  

Then we though it was Dominic... after all he decided to walk at 9 months but now I don't think so.   Dominic is my drama king.  When something happens to him, watch out!    We had to bring him to see the doctor to get rid of warths and he was kicking and yelling so much because it hurt.     Him - it's revenge.  We work on this to tell him that it's not always about hitting back.   Don't take me wrong it's not always like that only when he is really mad...  Dominic needs to have something in his hands when I am teaching him (well except when he needs to write then the toy goes next to him).   His attention span is short and he loves to move.  

Then came Jérémy.   My rocker... He loves to rocks on the sofa, in the bed to fall asleep and yes he is still doing it at 3 years old.   Hubby was like that as well as some aunts of his - they don't rock anymore.   Jérémy like to push the buttons to see if we will do what we say.  For example, if he doesn't finish his supper, no dessert...   These days he took the habit to not finish his food...  Which drives me nuts but he knows it drives me nuts so I try not to react.   If he doesn't finish his breakfast, I don't give him a snack in mid-morning until he finishes it.   I think he is getting it....  So I have became a bit more creative for toilet training as he doesn't care.   He always carry Mr Lunt and now Jesus and Mary in his hands so now, if he doesn't go in the bathroom, I take them away until he goes....   Boy that worked!   He zoom to the bathroom to get his little characters.   So funny!    With him, we have to do a game of everything almost because he is so stubborn about not doing something if it doesn't make sense.    I see some interesting teaching moments in the future.   He is bright though.   Sang the alphabet the other day without any errors.   A surprise for both hubby and I.  He was the child who took the longest to walk - 17 months for whatever reasons...  

Jasmine is learning to walk these days.  She is cruising the walls now and taking her courage to go from one bucket of toy to the other without holding.   She is more girlie in her crawling, walking and even high five...   She rocks too but only in his seat during food time.   I think she might do it in the crib too but I am not sure about this.    She is a wiggly worm when it's time to change her.  Boy I never seen that.  Even my mother-in-law is amazed by it... she had babysat lots of kids and she never seen a kid moving so much.   So we shall see how she will be in the future.  I don't want to make any assumptions at this time.

Having said that, I think I will have fun next year when I will teach a 3rd grader, a SK and a pre-schooler as well as take care of a toddler...   Fun, fun, fun!

It has been a while since I wrote a more personal blog....   Feels as though I have less time about doing this.   But I love doing the reviews and I think I will miss it when it is finished.   The TOS Crew has been a wonderful experience and I am already thinking of other possibilities...

In the meantime, even though I am taking my Vitamin D daily since the big news of it's potential benefits last year (reducing depression during winter time, possibility of reducing cancer if you have family who has it as well as better assimilation of the calcium...) it seems I have hit rock bottom.    I am tired easily and moody like I never been before.    I'm thinking pre-menopause but my doctor thinks it's too early...   Oh I did tell him that I had my first periods REALLY early in life but he wasn't convinced.   When I went to see him, it was mid January.    Haven't had a period since mid-november which was before my surgery...   Possible pregnancy?    I doubt it because hubby went to a vasectomy earlier that year but there is a 0.01% chances of reconnecting (1 every 2000).   We did home pregnance test and it was negative.  So when I went to the doctor, he said "Never know so let's do a blood pregnancy test... as well as check iron and other little things."   So I went for the blood test...  Negative and nothing else showed up.   The next day I had a bit of spotting for a couple of days.   Since then nothing.

I feel depressed, tired and moody.  My sleep is not so great either these days which doesn't help the tired part... Signs of pre-menopause from what I read.   So now I wait.   And try to find myself...

I'm turning 40 in March.   And somehow it seems to hit me.   Never really had a birthday party in my life.   Well 1 back in 5th or 6th grade.   Can't even remember much about it.   I have mixed feelings about a party so at first I told hubby to just forget about it.   So scrap the surprised...  he gave up.   Me?   Got more mixed up about it.   Just had a talk with him and he thinks that deep down I want one.   So we will do one but not a surprise...   I'll go with the flow.   I just wish I could celebrate with my friend Heidi who has the same birthday as me but is one year younger...  Love ya girl!  Honestly, I'm bless to share that special day with her even though she is in PA, USA and I am in ON, Canada.   What are the chances to have a friend who has the same birthday as you?

For now, I need to think about Dominic's 5th birthday later in February.   I want to make him a pirate ship cake...   Gotta find a model on the net somewhere...

And if you know anyone going through the same thing as me.  Please tell them to tell me their story.   I need to know I'm not the only one going through this...  Thanks.

A year ago, the new digital version of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine came in the world.

 

And I had an opportunity to review the digital version in the past.   At first, I was a bit against the digital part of the magazine.   I'm the kind of person who loves to have the magazine in my hands.  But then I rapidly discovered some advantages of it.   Like being able to forward a specific article to a friend or have instant access on the website of some advertizers.   Also, having a digital copy of a magazine permits to reduce the number of trees that are cut to produce the paper magazine.

To celebrate the first anniversary of the digital version of TOS, the folks at TOS  are offering a special price for whoever who wants to receive it.   The prices will go up from week to week so act fast!   

From January 19th to the 24th, it will cost you 10.95$ for a 1 year subscription and you will get 5 e-books!

From January 25th to the 31st, it will cost you 12.94$ for a 1 year subscription and you will get 4 e-books!

From February 1st to the 8th, it will cost you 14.95$ for a 1 year subscription and you will get 3 e-books!

Finally, after February 9th, the price will be 16.95$ for a 1 year subscription and unfortunately you won't get any e-books... 

The five e-books which could become your bonus gifts are:  Living and Learning On One Income, Valentine's Project Pack by Hands of a Child, Hands-On History Activity-Pack from Homeschool In The Woods,  Jesus - The Life-Giver from Katherine Loop, and What's the Matter: An Introduction to Chemistry (Grades 3-9) frin Treasure Box Press.   All great books that I personally wouldn't mind having too!

So hurry fast!   And you will have a great digital magazine to expect in your e-mail as well as wonderful e-books to read when you have a minute!

Click here for more details or order.

 

I got a complicated question at supper time from my almost 5 year old...   A hard one for me to be honest.

So we are eating and Dominic looks at me and ask "Are we going to see mamie soon?".

This is a touchy subject...  If you are wondering why just click here to know more about the situation.

So I looked at my hubby and then turned to Dominic and told him.  "I'm not the one deciding you know.  Hopefully soon..."

Then he looks at me again and says "Well, I would like to see her before she dies."

Ouch!   Got tears in my eyes...  Don't know what to say to that.   I had to got in the kitchen so I didn't cry in front of the kids.   It breaks my heart... but I can't do anything about it.

Oh Lord!  Please soften my mom's heart.  Break the walls she had built around her.   Reach out to her.   Bring someone she trusts who would explain your marvelous gift to her in words she would understand... (she rejected it from us a few years ago)   Oh Father, give me strength...  If by any chances, my son is prophetic in any shape or form, I pray that you give a dream to some of our leadership team members about it (not hubby of course - someone outside of the family who have no clue this would be a confirmation...).   Show me what to do...   We do talk on the phone.  No e-mails since she refuse to give me her new e-mail address...  I hurt... feeling alone in this (I don't have any brothers and sisters, my dad left many years ago and dead since 2000).  I'm lost and don't know what should be my next step.   Amen.

One thing for sure... I don't want to be like that for my kids in the future!   I love them too much for that...

My bold answers are the one I did...   which reminds me I do a have a list of things I want to do in my lifetime...  I should dig this up and post it on my blog!

Have fun - try to go through the list and see how much you have done so far...

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars 
3. Played in a band/orchestra
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train - from Romania to Hungary
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon 
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice 
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - both
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise 
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person 
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies –It was calendars in my time… 
62. Gone whale watching 
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone 
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book 
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit (I used to work for an attorney, so I was involved in a lot of them LOL)
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Exciting News from TOS! 

Attention writers!

Grab your pencils and get those creative juices flowing!

The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine is hosting our second Storytime Writing Contest! We have two creative fiction categories: adults (16 and up 2,500 words or less) and children (15 and below 1,500 words or less). Deadline to enter is March 16, 2009. $7.95 fee per entry.

Grand prize winners in both the adult and child categories will receive prize packages valued at over $1,000, publication in the Summer 2009 issue of TOS, and publication in our Storytime 2009 Compilation E-Book. Eleven Honorable Mentions from each category will also be included in the E-Book in addition to receiving gifts from top homeschool companies.

We look forward to reading your entries!

For a detailed list of prizes, official contest rules, to meet our judges, and to upload your story, please visit: www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com/Short_Story_Contest.php.
 
Need help teaching writing? We have over 200 writing products in the Schoolhouse Store!

Well a bit of everything...

OUI (that stands for yes in French), WE got a Wii for Christmas.

And since then, WE are including the Wii for homeschool.   How you may ask?   Simply with the Wii Fit (another thing we got for Christmas).   It is amazing.   Unfortunately I still can't use it because my cast is still on but I am planning to try the Wii Fit as soon as it is gone (which is Thursday btw).    We created a Mii for Alexandre and he is doing his fitness routine regularly.   Mind you I am not sure if it will last but I think it will.    There is another training game we want to get - it's called Personal Trainer and on it there is something like 500 training exercises.    Another one came out called Boot Camp 2009 but between you and me the trainer need to get dress a bit more.   I wouldn't get that one just because of how Jillian is dressed.  

We also discovered Wii games for the young ones who are learning color and shapes and so on with them.   And we bought Endless Ocean to learn about scubadiving and animals from the ocean.   Apart from the Wii Fit, the rest of the Wii will be awarded based on the fact the kids have completed their homework or not.

On another note, I was able to go out with hubby and the kids during a little shopping spree.   At the Wal-Mart, we looked into the games bin and I found the two Nintendo DS BrainQuest game - one for grade 3-4 and another one for grade 5-6  - for 9.96 each instead of the 35$ previously found...    So I am very happy with this discovery.    I use the Nintendo DS as a motivation.   Our games are education once again.   Did you know there were game such as Spelling Challenge, Math Play, even the Flash Focus is something Alexandre can us.    For Dominic, we got a little game for younger kids but he will get it on his birthday only.   

We used to have 2 Nintendo DS but unfortunately, one of them disappeared the day I had surgery back in November.   My husband thinks he might have dropped it and I called the hospital a few times but they don't have it.   So we lost it.   Hopefully, someone will enjoy the games that he had in there - including my Bible Game.   Now if I can only put my hands back on that game....   I was enjoying it!

My friend Heidi has an interesting weekly thing called Destination Disney and this week (well okay maybe last week... I'm a bit late) it was about planning your trip.

It has been 10 years last June since we went to Disney - that was before kids!  On our honeymoon...  I had bought books back then to plan our trip.   I'm a MAJOR planner and I like to figure out what to do when...  know what I mean?

So while going through our stuff to see what would go back in the basement and what we are getting rid off, we found the old planning books...  These we didn't keep because 10 years have gone by since then.   But we were planning to buy other books when we would bring the kids to Disney.

It is possible that we do that in 2009.   It will depends of many things but it is one of our potential trip.   The kids don't know...  so shhhhh!   Don't tell them.   It will be a surprise.

While going to Costco not too long ago, I stumble on a special book there.    I showed it to hubby and we decided to buy it.   You've guessed it!   A planning book for Disney!

The PassPorter's Walt Disney World is packed with interesting information and planning guides.    I can't wait to see if we will be able to go this year and then pick up the book and plan our trip!  What a surprise it would be!!!!

You can find this wonderful book at Amazon.com