It's out!

Packing up again

We're at it again! Packing up, that is. Travis and I seem to have a nomadic side to our personalities that we just can't stay put for too long! (Well, having the Navy tell us to move every few years adds to this lifestyle too!) Over the last 20 years, we've moved into 14 different homes, in 7 different states, and in 2 different countries. That's a lot of packing up time. Next week we'll be adding one more move to the tally to make #15 within 20 years.

Travis has been anxious to discover a bigger, newer and better house since he was promoted to Lieutenant. After Isaac joined our family and then our one year lease expired, we decided to explore our options. For numerous reasons, we've "outgrown" this casa. (I won't bore you with our complaints and whining.) After touring about 10 different homes in this same neighborhood, we were almost convinced that we had a pretty nice size house after all and we really couldn't do much better within our housing budget. BUT ALAS, three weeks ago we found THIS place and after touring it Camryn asked, "Now what are we going to do today?" With big grins, Travis and I both responded with, "We're going to start packing up!"

Needless to say, we are quite excited about our new home and getting the keys next weekend to start moving in. It's just down the road, about a mile closer to the beach, which should make a nice walking destination. It is much newer than this home so we're hoping that means better electrical wiring, better insulation and no cold drafts around the windows. We'll still have five bedrooms, but now now each of the kids will have their own room. We'll also have a couple extra closets for storage (almost unheard of in Spanish houses), a big garage for all our garage type stuff (currently overflowing in our enclosed patio, and bedroom/storage room) and an extra room w/o a closet for a home office and crafty pursuits, a huge loft above the living room with "homeschool room" written all over it, a huge yard with tons of fruit bearing trees and our own private swimming pool to boot! It has everything plus a few extra features that we were hoping to find so we are thrilled. We'll be in that house for almost two years before we move back to the U.S. so I think it will be worth the trouble of packing up and settling in. Pictures will be coming after we are in and set up with Internet and all that jazz.

Class is in session

Taking Homeschooling Out of Your Home
By Mary Pride

Names are funny things. Take the word "homeschooling." What does that make you think of?
If you said, "School at home," I'm not surprised. Home + school seems to equal school at home.

Only two things are wrong with this definition:
(1) Homeschooling isn't "school." It's a whole different approach to education.
(2) Homeschooling does not have to all take place at home.

If Homeschooling is Not School, Then What Is It?
Homeschooling, properly understood, is education designed by parents. This automatically makes it a whole different animal from "public" education, which is education designed by government bureaucrats. It also differs sharply from "private" schooling. Regardless of their talk about parental authority, in practice private schools reserve curriculum design for teachers, administrators, and textbook designers.
Even those who think the child should direct his own education must admit this type of "un" schooling is only possible if the parent has the authority to let the child choose his own educational pursuits and projects.

So, homeschool is not "school" when it comes to who is in charge of curriculum design. Having parents choose or design the curriculum is radically different from what happens in any school.
Amazing as it may seem, parent-designed and parent-chosen curriculum yields better results than school-designed-and-chosen curriculum, as many research studies have shown. Then again, how amazing is it that curriculum chosen from the entire universe of options (rather than the small list "approved" by the state or school board) and targeted to the exact child for which it is intended, should result in more learning taking place faster? Especially when the parents in question have the ability to hobnob with other parents and find out what's working for them . . . and when they can easily obtain detailed reviews of all their curriculum options through homeschool magazines and books.

Homeschool also is not "school" when it comes to scheduling and priorities. We do not have "announcements," ringing bells to mark the end of a class period, football teams that soak up the budget that would otherwise go to art and music lessons, or endless classes geared to the latest politically correct fads. Unless we want to, that is!

This means that homeschooled children in general have a much greater attention span and ability to "focus" than children who attend school, where they are continually interrupted in the middle of their projects, math papers, writing assignments, and so forth.

Most Parents Homeschool
But man does not live by focusing power alone. This is why our neighbors keep asking us that old question, "What about socialization?" What they really mean is, "Can your child grow into a strong adult just sitting around your house doing lessons and projects?"
Alas for our poor neighbors. They are mistaking homeschooling for schooling that happens at home, when it's really education under the authority of the home.
What a wild thought: all those parents who pay for art, music, and ballet lessons . . . who chauffeur their kids to soccer team and karate class . . . who sign them up for a YMCA course or who join the local Jewish community center . . . are homeschoolers, too! To the extent that they provide educational opportunities for their children solely because they want to, not because any authority "makes" them, these are homeschool parents. All that we "real" homeschoolers do in addition to what most parents do, is add academic lessons at home. Or via a tutor. Or an online academy. We just exercise that additional dollop of choice.

Homeschool Away from Home
Since we now realize that homeschool is not "school at home," this leaves us free to look for educational adventures anywhere in the real world that we can find them.
With summer just around the corner, now is the time to plan some out-of-the-ordinary family excursions and some independent learning adventures for your older children.

The world is our home. And class is in session.

Sarah said,

"God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me."
Genesis 21:6

:-) Ahh, I love my babies!

As for another bit of noteworthy news, Travis left again. He's in San Diego for 10 days. Another training conference. I can't believe I'm in a foriegn country by myself (with four kids) again. However, I'm counting my blessing that he's in picture perfect southern California and not in the Iraq war zone. Before he left, we captured this precious memory on video. Isaac started laughing just before Christmas. After several months of him just looking back at us and falling asleep, it is so rewarding to see reactions and delight. I live for these moments!

Nochevieja

In all Spanish city squares, big and small, one can see a similar scene on New Year's Eve (Nochevieja) and it will undoubtedly include church bells and grapes. When the clock strikes 12, everybody has to have twelve grapes ready to eat while the church bells sound 12 times, and at this moment, all Spaniards eat 12 grapes, one for each toll of the bell. Eating the grapes is very funny because everybody starts the New Year with a big mouth full of grapes. It's almost impossible to finish eating the grapes by the time the clock finishes chiming. According to tradition, those who can eat the grapes will have 12 months of prosperity in the New Year. Families and friends stay together for this celebration, which marks the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. In the case of most Spaniards this means a lively celebration until the wee hours of the morning. This tradition started in Spain in 1909 when there was an abundant grape harvest and the king of Spain decided to give grapes to everybody to eat on New Year's Eve.

Feliz Navidad

Ahh, look what Camryn made for me, for Christmas. We each recieved our own card from her. She is such a sweetheart and I just love that she is maturing so beautifully.

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Sloan got her first loose tooth on Christmas Eve! She's been excited learning more about teeth and how to carefully eat without hurting it. It's a little scary for her at this point but she's seen the magic of the toothfairy at our house so she's excited too. A toothless grin will be posted soon.

eeeeeeeeee

A big thanks to Nancy for her sewing project gifts. She is so talented and we love being on the recieving end of her sewing skills. Everyone wore their new clothes all day. :-) Travis' shirt was a sentimental tribute to a familiar childhood memory and Ethan happened to be wearing a sports shirt with the same color and number! Couldn't pass up a photo shot like that.

eeeeeeeeee

Hey, that's my sister! If you'd like to watch a really cool holiday chime choir performance, here is the link. Scroll down to the side video links, select the second link from the bottom and click the "play" arrow. I'm related to the chime director and the highest pitch chimer on the left :-) Way to go, Janeal and Stefanie!!

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Isaac didn't stay awake for much of the holiday, but he sure looked cute all day!

Breath of Heaven

I have traveled many moonless nights,

Cold and weary with a babe inside,

And I wonder what I’ve done.

Holy father you have come, And chosen me now to carry your son.

I am waiting in a silent prayer. I am frightened by the load I bear.

In a world as cold as stone, Must I walk this path alone?

Be with me now. Be with me now.

Breath of heaven, Hold me together,

Be forever near me, Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven, Lighten my darkness, Pour over me your holiness,

For you are holy. Breath of heaven.

Do you wonder as you watch my face,

If a wiser one should have had my place,

But I offer all I am, For the mercy of your plan.

Help me be strong. Help me be. Help me.

Breath of heaven, Hold me together, Be forever near me,

Breath of heaven. Breath of heaven,

Lighten my darkness, Pour over me your holiness,

For you are holy.

Breath of heaven, Hold me together, Be forever near me,

Breath of heaven. Breath of heaven,

Lighten my darkness, Pour over me your holiness,

For you are holy.

Breath of heaven. Breath of heaven. Breath of heaven.

If only in my dreams

I'll be home for Christmas.

You can count on me.

Please have snow And mistletoe And presents 'neath the tree

Christmas eve will find me Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas If only in my dreams

Christmas eve will find me. Where the love light gleams.

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

If only in my dreams

Christmas essay

There are so many stories and thoughts I'd like to share about what we've been doing this month but so little time to actually sit down and put it all on paper/blog. A picture's worth a thousand words, right? Well then, here's my visual essay of activities that have been keeping us in the Christmas spirit...


Ethan's cub scout holiday party:





Sloan's ballet practice/performance:


Angel Tree adoption party for our new friend, Moises:



In our p.j.'s and all aboard the Polar Express:



Belen Viviente de Arcos con amigos (live nativity with friends):

Let it snow

Sloan has been entertaining herself all week with indoor snowstorms. These are the first three flakes that started it all. Now there are snowflakes on almost every window and on various doors and walls throughout the house. I think it's even snowing over the fireplace. Of course Camryn and Ethan couldn't resist playing in the snow either so between the three of them, I've given up sweeping and vacuuming the snow flurries that are left behind each pair of sissors. Instead we just keep singing...

let it snow

let it snow

let it snow

Hangin out with old St. Nick

Ho Ho Ho Meeeerrry Christmas!

multi-tasking Momma

Hey, when the baby needs nurishment and the girls need school lessons, what else is a Momma to do? Just do it all at once! (much to my girls dismay) Ha/ha/ha I even made Camryn get up to take a picture because I thought it was so funny and she thought I was so wierd. Who knew the kitchen table was just the right height for doing this?!

Thanksgiving

Our feast:

Our prayer guide:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

Our crafts:

Our grateful hearts:
We have much to thank the Lord for this year. We've survived many changes since last November concerning our family, our home, our friends, our education, our careers and our activities. Last year at this time, it was difficult for me to count blessings. I was very broken from losing my baby in miscariage while moving away from the comforts and security of our home and country, living so far away from family and friends that it didn't seem possible to "ever" see them again, not having any of our familiar (and necessary) household items that make our house a real home, and having everything and everyone around us so foreign.

But! last year, on Thanksgiving day, our household shipment was finally delivered into our new Spanish home and we started to rebuild our lives and start making new memories and new traditions with our new resources. Since then, we've been blessed beyond measure with a baby to join our family. We've spent all year preparing and planning his arrival and are sitting here today with this beautiful and healthy addition. We were able to spend six weeks with family, between both of our parents, this summer. We were finally able to get set up with internet and Skype so now we are able to email, call and see many of our family and friends for little to no cost. We've been making new friends all year long. The military life constantly takes dear friendships away but always with the promise of new relationships on the horizon. With none of us having nearby family, freindships have proven to be more abundant and easier than usual. We are involved with a wonderful, encouraging, bible-focused, bilingual church family that we look forward to meeting with, each Sunday. The Lord has redirected us a little on a path of public and home education. It's been an emotional and challenging year with this issue but we have been blessed with seeing results we are very happy with at this point. Travis has flourished in his new position in the medical field. He is doing what he is very good at and truly making a positive difference in many peoples lives. I am so grateful that he continues to be able to support our growing family, especially in such uncertain economic times. We have no one else but our Heavenly Father to thank for all of this. He continues to see us through the hard times and to guide our lives. I am especially grateful to be able to see beyond our daily struggles and upsets to give Him our praise at this time of Thanksgiving.

My favorite little pumpkin

... plus a few other creatues that kept following us around the base.

Medina Sedonia

This month, our Spanish adventure outing was a day spent in this quaint village of Medina Sedonia. It was also the last day with Grandma and Grandpa here. The views were awesome, the weather was pleasant, the food was good and the uphill hiking was a healthy start for my postpardom weight loss plan.

After hiking to the top of the hill, above the city, to explore the old castle ruins, we entered the Catholic cathederal and then climbed up about 100 steps, in a tiny spiral staircase, to this bell tower!
The views from the castle ruins went on for miles. This ancient city was very stratigically placed to keep the castle safe from the enemy forces.

The children had more fun watching the ants and other critters on the old stone walls. The restraunt where we ate lunch is seen right between thier heads. (the burgandy canopy area)
We were welcomed into the city by this headless Roman statue fountain.

Working our way up the city walls...

While welcoming the baby...

We learned how to do embroidery work...
We listened to stories being read aloud...

We learned to play the Cats Cradle string game...

We jumped ahead with daily piano lessons...We learned how to play Mexican Train and Chicken foot with our domineos...

We made LOTS of cookies too...