Home...

to the beautiful majestic mountains, the green fields, the mama deer gracefully guiding her fawns across the road. The quaint candy shop on the corner, the parade of vintage homes with picket fences and colorful, lush gardens. I can hardly take it I miss it so much, I ache deep down in the pit of my stomach. Sometimes I feel as though I'll burst. It seems impossible to ever make my way back, where my roots are firmly planted...back to Utah.

Sure it's only a days drive, but the older and wiser I get, the more I realize family's all that really matters. So you see, a few trips a year is no longer enough, especially when I come across photos like this. My boys are at an age that playing with cousins is better than a week at Disneyland. Jaxon continues to assure me that he will indeed make his way back. The clock is ticking and time is swiftly moving forward. Days that could be spent with sisters quilting, sharing Sunday dinners, keeping a watch on my frail grandma, kayaking down the river and sleeping out with my nieces are spent longing for what could have been. For now, I will make the most of the short time I have here and I'll cherish every.last.second.

Preparing for a new homeschool year...

Last year in preparing for my first year of homeschooling, I read one of many books called The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer. In it she suggest having a binder system which I loved. Keeping things organized in binders helped us not only stay organized but also helped us see that we were accomplishing more than we thought. Sometimes with homeschool, you start feeling like you're not getting enough done, when really you are. I would often get behind in my filing of their school work and start feeling that way. It also gives them a great sense of accomplishment and serves as a scrapbook/memory book for years to come.

All you need...

- 4 " binders w/ inside pockets

- 1 1/2" binders

- sheet protectors for photos and important stuff

- tabs

I labeled the binders like so...

- Jaxon's 4th Grade Science
- Jaxon's 4th Grade History
- Jaxon's 4th Grade Language
- Jaxon's Math (smaller binder)
- Field Trips '08/'09

Next, I labeled the tabs like so...
Science (human body, plants, weather, animals)
History ( Ancient 5000 B.C.-400 A.D., Medieval/Early Renaissance 400-1600, Late Renaissance/Early M. 1600-1850, Modern 1830-Present)
Language (spelling, grammar, reading, writing, memory)


Pretty basic system, but I hope this helps someone out there. I think when you're new to homeschooling, you just want someone to show you exactly how to do it. We all have to find what works for us, but I liked that in The Well Trained Mind, we're given a well organized starting point.

I think I'm going to do this (on a smaller scale) for my boys school work this year. They are trying out the new charter school nearby, but they always need a place to put the stuff they want to keep. Right now I still have a file cabinet full of things from clear back in preschool.I guess I'll get them organized into scrapbooks. They love getting it out and reminiscing.

My 10 Pounder!

7 Years ago today I met one of the sweetest, snuggliest, lovable boys ever to walk the earth! We celebrated Kade's big day by having some of his friends over for cake and ice cream, then we all went and saw Harry Potter #6. It works out good because book #6 is the read for their book club this month.


Kade is such a hoot to have around. He has the funniest personality, dancing, singing and entertaining anyone who will watch. He's smart, helpful and kind hearted...he'll make an awesome husband someday but for now, he's all mine. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KADE!

Long Lost BFF

Last night I went out with one of my BFF'S from highschool. We hadn't had contact in over 11 years!! Thanks to facebook we not only found each other, we also discovered we both live in Arizona. For the last 2 years we could have been hanging out, chatting it up, sharing our deepest thoughts, filling the void that only an old friend who knows your past...your story can. It was as if no time had passed and yet after talking for 3 1/2 hours we barely scratched the surface. I was so giddy about seeing her that you'd have thought I had a hot date or something, I missed my exit 3 times! Unfortunately we live 1 1/2 hours apart but we aren't going to let that stop us. We promised to see each other at least once a month. Thanks for the fun night Chantell, oh how I've missed you!

Californ-i-a

We recently went on a 5 day trip to California with our friends the Bevell's, it was a blast!! We had been promising the kids for a few years so it was nice to finally follow through.
I didn't get too many pictures because I was busy w/ 10 crazy kids having fun. Really though, it was a little crazy at times due to the amount of kids we had but it was still enjoyable and they were in heaven. The first day we spent swimming, and going to lunch and a movie. The other days we spent at Knott's Berry Farm, California Adventure Park and Disneyland. My favorite park was Knott's, the rides were scary just the way I like them!! This was after our 3rd long day at the park, we were all ready to leave.
The tweens (kind of) they got to ride the scarier rides and loved it!
Andrea and Tammy were awesome and watched the babies most of the time.


Because Adam is blind, we got a pass that put us right in the front of the line. Thanks Adam!!
Sophia was the youngest girl so she had lots of little mamma's to keep her in line.

Glad to say we only lost one child and I was the HERO who found her. My philosophy when you've lost a child is to waiste NO time. Climb to the highest point and yell their name at the top of your lungs...don't worry about what people think of you...it works every time! Really I should have climbed the Robinhood Treehouse to be at the highest point but I'm just not as agile as I used to be.

I came home pooped and had to take an afternoon to recover, funny how vacations can be SO exhausting. July isn't the ideal time to go to Disneyland w/ the heat and the crowds but Tammy and Darrell had a wedding to go to so it just worked out that way. Thanks for the fun trip guys, can't wait for the next!

Let Freedom Ring - 2009

"The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either." Benjamin Franklin.

Kade waiting anxiously for his guests to arrive.

In honor of Independence Day, the kids and I threw a Let Freedom Ring bash. It was great fun, I was exhausted afterward, but it was SO worth it. The boys had several friends come (though it's hard to catch people who aren't away on vacation this time of year). Kade let me know at 5:00 a.m. that it was only 6 more hours until the party.




Each boy was given an assigned person/topic to tell us about. Jaxon discussed the Revolutionary War.
Kade (and Sophia LOL) told us all about George Washington, others were Betsy Ross, Thomas Jefferson, the Statue of Liberty and Benjamin Franklin.

Mother of the year...just kidding but the boys did tell me several times today that I was "The best mom in the entire world".

We barbecued hot dogs, watched a short cartoon DVD about George Washington and the Revolutionary War. Busted open a pinata, and probably their favorite was their reenactment of the Revolutionary War (Nerf gun version).

It was SO hot, next year it will be a water party for sure!!
Craft gone bad! I'm so glad I made one of these first. The 'special glue' I bought for this was the worst stuff ever. It stuck to my hands and everything else, yet didn't hold very well or dry quickly...kids had to take them home to do them.
I thought 3 hours might be too long, but it was such a blast, it flew by. Thanks to everyone who came!

Products of Homeschool

For all of you who think homeschoolers are weird, antisocial freaks, who couldn't possibly know how to function in society...think again! I've mentioned several times that my sister in Texas has homeschooled all 4 of her kids. It started when her husband Jason got accepted to medical school in Philadelphia. They didn't like the idea of sending Anthony to the local public school so they kept him home. Jason was also in the military, so through the years they did a lot of moving, which made homeschooling even more beneficial to them. The two oldest are now 'leaving the nest' so I'd like to introduce you to them. This is her oldest Anthony (19). He is leaving tomorrow to serve a 2 year LDS (Mormon) mission in Birmingham, England. He is honestly one of the nicest boys men I've ever met, and is multi talented. Anthony writes amazing music, lyrics and plays the piano, guitar, and harmonica. He's also the lead singer for the band Glass Classic. Goodbye Anthony, I know you'll be a fabulous missionary, I can't wait to hear all about your adventure!

This is Sydney the second oldest (17). She's been accepted to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and will be heading off to school in August. She's not only beautiful and super sweet but also multi talented. Sydney plays piano, guitar, violin, and sings in 'the band'. She's also great at sports. Have fun at BYU Sydney, I know you'll do awesome!
They both began attending the local community college at a young age and are very hard working, holding several jobs at once. Need I say more?
Way to go Amie and Jason, you did good. I don't know what you'll do without them!?!