Canning

So I canned my first batch of peaches.  We haven't tried them yet, so I hope they turned out good.  I didn't have a big enough pot so since the cans had to be emerged in water I flipped them upside down.  They all sealed, so it worked.  Just hope they taste fine when we open one.  :)  I am like my mother and like to cut corners sometimes, I didn't follow a recipe either.  :)  I do however remember when I use to help my mom can when I was younger.  Oh the fond memories of peeling the peaches and then helping pour the sugar water in the can.  

I also have a thing for making freezer strawberry jam.  It's so fun!  And when I get a lot of fruit I can't help but make jam.  We got tons of peaches from our neighbors across the street.  So I made peach freezer jam. I still have some frozen peaches I could use to make more jam.  My kids favorite jam is the strawberry jam.  So next time they are on sale I want to get a ton and make more jam.  :)

My next project will be to make homemade salsa.  Now for some tomatoes and jalapenos.  My Visiting Teacher gave me some tomatoes and said she'd give me some jalapenos.  But we had to use the tomatoes so they wouldn't go bad.  I think a few of them went bad though.  :(

I need to find some kind of salsa that uses zucchini, we have some frozen zucchini in our freezer and some more growing in our garden.  :)  It's so fun to say that.  Our garden.  I hope I can have a successful garden again next year.   Speaking of our garden, I think we have a few tomatoes growing.  :)  We weren't as successful with those.  Hopefully next time as well.

My little artists

Kids love to create.  They love to make things and are curious about so many things.  Look at that little guy, trying to paint his body, and then the camera. LOL.  My sweet little children.  They bring so much joy to my life.    I need to stop trying to control things so much that I don't let them create and try new things.  I need to let them use their creative sides more.  I use to do more crafts and fun art projects.
Where did that side of me go?  I am hoping to get that person back.  Maybe once I get over this nasty cold I've had for ever.  I keep hoping I'll be over it so I can be more fun and creative.  Lets hope that that day will be today!  I'll feel better and start getting into schooling more.  Teaching and letting them teach themselves.  

Judging a book by it's cover...You NEVER know what's inside until you pick it up and read it.

  So our first (Official) week or so of school has been going pretty well.  We've only had one child, on the first day, freak out cause they didn't want to do book work.  But other than that and me being sick, the kids are doing really well.  I however, have been sick for the past 2 weeks.  It's not just one sickness, NO, it's been one thing after another.  I'm trying to stay positive and keep on swimming, but some days I feel so Uggh, that it makes everything seem dark and lonely.
  Well, so my 5 y/o has been wanting me to take him on a date.  He had a chance, about a month ago, but chose another prize, and let his other sibling go instead.  Since then I've been so sick and not up to going out, that I kept putting his date off.  He felt so bad last week, when I canceled on him, that this week I decided to take him to see a $ movie.  I felt that since I was sick, that was the safest thing to do, to avoid tons of people. And we could get McDonalds on the way there.
  Anyway, I'm not 100% certain, but while we were on our date, and while we were waiting in the foyer for the movie to start, (K was gonna pass the time playing on the game machines they have there.  Well, of course he got bored pretty fast.  But didn't want to wait in the car.  We had finished our meal in the car before going in the theater, and K didn't wanna stay in the car any longer), I of course checked my phone.  My sisters had messaged me on FB and I was reading their comments.  While reading my comments I heard the lady that worked there say, "Get off your phone, honey".  Now, if I wasn't feeling so sick, (did I mention my ears have been plugged?) and out of it, I probably would've turned around to see who she was talking to, and then told her off.  Well, if she was talking to me, I would have gave her a piece of my mind. Or told her off as well as I could have being sick. But, now that I am thinking about it, I'm pretty sure she was talking to/about me.  And now that I am realizing it, I have a whole bunch I wish I could say to her.
  Yes, I could go back and see if she is working, and show her my 5 kids and me dealing with them all by myself.  And maybe, explain my whole life situation so she won't be so judgmental towards me.  But I'll just rant on here, and then I'm sure I'll feel much better.  :)

  Anyways, I'll write a few examples of things I would like that lady to know.  

  To the Lady at the Dollar Theater...
Yes, to you, it probably looks like my son and I don't speak much.  To you it probably looks like I'm always checking my phone.  But do you know what has really gone on?  Did you see me struggling with my 5 kids these past couple of weeks, teaching them in our home, getting them to do their work and not fight with each other?   Feeding them, and dressing them.  Making sure they are all well. All while I'm feeling so sick, and emotionally and physically tired.   Every day having my children say, "Can we go to the park?", "When are you gonna take me on a date?", "Can we go to the dollar store?".  Each time I have to respond, "I'm too sick", "I don't feel well", and "Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow and I'll take you".  Among many other responses.  But today, I felt really bad, and I really did want to spend 1 on 1 time with my 5 year old.  So I told him I'll take him to a movie.  While my body felt like staying in, staying warm, and getting rest, so I can get better.  So you see, I forced myself out the door, took him to McDonald's, bought him that happy meal he's been wanting.  Got to the theater earlier than expected so we finished our dinner in the car.  Only checking my phone to see if it was time to go in.  Of course with the attention span of a 5 y/o he was ready and excited to go in.  I told him we had tons of time, but he insisted.  So we went inside.  He looked at the games, got bored of them quickly, while I used the restroom, had a coughing fit and waited. And here we are, waiting for the movie.  I check my phone.  My son and I with minimal conversations.  (What is there to talk about with a 5 year old?  Especially in public.)  So you see, we have many times, in closed doors, and a few in public where we talk. All electronics aside.  I am with him and his siblings 24 hours a day.  7 days a week.  The only time I get completely alone is if I'm on a Girls night for a couple of hours, or when I send my kids to Church for 2 hours.  Now, can I ask you, do you think I'm always checking my phone?

  Ok, that is my long, only in my head response.  :)  That is what I would love to say to anyone who looks at me and even thinks, she should get off her phone and spend time with that kid.

  So for a more condensed version.

  Lady, I am a mother of 5, I do home school.  This is my few seconds and rare mins I have to check my messages/phone.  I've been sick, but felt bad that my 5 y/o didn't get his date with me last week.  So knowing I could avoid crowds, and to have less contact with people, we came here, to see a movie together and spend some time, alone. I'd rather be at home, warm and getting better.  But my son is very important to me and I want him to know I love him.

  That's still probably more than what I would have said.  I probably would have just stared blankly, not knowing what to say, and then would have said something like, "Huh?", then stammered something like, "Oh ya, I try not to look at my phone, especially while out with my kids." "I've got 5 kids, so it's kinda hard to check my phone while I'm out and about".

  Oh well, who knows exactly what I would have said.  But just realizing that she might have been talking to me gets me really bugged.  Please, when you are in public and see a mother on her phone.  Don't be to quick to judge.  You don't know her story.  She probably has been through hell.  You can't be the judge.  Just love her, offer her help, especially if she's shopping with 3+ kids.  Love her before you judge her.  Or him. :)  Being a parent is tough, even before cell phones etc.  :)  Or should I say especially before. LOL  I am truly grateful for our modern world.  I can only imagine how hard it was being a parent/mother before we had pinterest, email, cell phones.  Even before microwaves, vehicles, running water, heaters!!! CHORE MONSTER, etc., etc., etc!!  I LOVE my kids and I am truly blessed to be able to stay home with them, to teach them and spend all my time with them.  They are my life.  I am so grateful to my husband, who works his butt off, so I can be home with my 5 munchkins.  Thanks Hubby!

  Thanks for letting me rant... or at least reading my rant.  It's definitely a 1st world problem.  But like all people, and all countries, we need to stop judging, and just love!

That is all.  Good night!

Low day

Having a low day and I haven't even officially started home school.  Arrgh.  I hate days like these.  Days where the kids fight all day and don't listen, unless I yell at them.  Each kid takes turns whining.  They each take turns hurting each other, back and forth. 

Right now I'm at my wits end.  Plus, to top it all off I've got a sore throat and ear ache.  Hhmmph... Maybe tomorrow will be a better day!

Our first Garden

This year I decided to finally have a real garden.  Well, we had talked about it but I finally did it.  We've had some yummy things grow and are exited that we have a few pumpkins for Halloween/fall.

First zucchini

Our first carrot, grew legs

It's also been fun, not only for me, but for the kids as well, to see the vegetables grow each day.  It feels good to be a part of growing something.  I hope to have another garden, maybe even bigger and more successful, next year.  

Cooking and baking

In part of our home school I want to teach my children how to cook and prepare food.  I feel it is very important to know how to feed one self.  :)  So far my two oldest have offered to cook some of our meals for us.  I love it!Here is a pic of a mini corn that was found stuck to a regular corn on the cob.  The kids were excited that we got two for the price of one.  :)  Come to find out the mini corn didn't taste very well. :( boo!

Break?

  Right now it is officially "summer break".  Although, being a mother and a home schooler, I still try to find many times and ways to continue to teach my children.  Some times those ways are the best.  Some of my children learn better when I teach that way.  So whenever there is a teaching moment, I try to take that moment.  Even while we are outside playing with chalk, or ball.  There is always a time to teach.
  So really, we shouldn't really have a break from school.  Being my kids teacher, I do like to give myself that break. But with unschooling it definitely works out, that I'm still teaching them but I'm also getting a little bit of a break this summer.

  Next week we will be going to Vegas and St. George for a little family vacation.  I hope to have many teaching moments while were there.  We'll also be there for Denver Snuffers lectures.  Maybe we could listen to the talks and teach our children as well.  I'd like to take them to the talks but with how young they all are I don't think they'll sit very long at all.   We'll see how it goes.

 

Home economics

 These photos are a little old, but we enjoy baking together.  

 Baking cupcakes for K's Birthday

 Icing cookies for Easter.

It takes a village to raise a child...

Found this on Facebook.  Thought it was pretty great.  :)

No degree, no knowledge...What?

  Alright, I know it's probably floating around in your brains, or you've thought it at one point.  So I have to say this.  

"How is she qualified to teach her children?"

"What does she know?  She doesn't even know how to write."

"She didn't even go to college, how can she teach these children?"

  

  While in my early years, a few of my favorite subject to learn in my home school and through out my life, has been writing and reading!  Although, you may notice, or maybe I hide it well. LOL That I am no writer.  I know there are many grammatical errors, and misspellings in all of my posts.  But I do love to write, and I really try hard to do it right.  :)  I may not put the commas and periods in their rightful places. I may miss some spots to put them as well.  I was told, when applying to college, that I did really well with my writing, but I would do a lot of run on sentences.   Since then, I try really hard not too.  Although I do notice that I tend to do that a lot still!  

I know these things are good to know.  I know that when you are out in the world these things are important to know.  

But I also ask myself, almost everyday, "Would these things be as important to The Lord?"

NO!

Knowledge is great, and is good to get by in this world, but it will not get you into heaven.  

What will?

Love! and Charity!

The pure love of Christ. 

So, while I'm trying to teach my children, math, how to read and write the best I know how, the best I can, and also using online resources. :)  I'm also trying to teach them about Christ and his abounding LOVE! 

A small rant

  So.  I am very frustrated right now.  I hate these times where I feel that I'm teaching my children all on my own, without any support.  

 Last night I tried to have a little lesson about prayer.  My biggest motivation for the lesson was for the principal of our home school.  Of course, they weren't present.  I was gathering the family around for Family Prayer and scripture, and this said person refused to join us.  Ugh..That's the hardest, when someone who should be a good example, isn't.  

  I know.  I'm one to talk.  I get upset at the kids and yell when I shouldn't.  I'm not perfect.  No one is.  But it just seems like such a simple task.  And if done right could be done with in 10 mins or less.  Come on.  10 mins seems like a lot but it is really nothing.  Although sometimes because of fighting and disobedience that 10 mins can turn into 15 or 20.  That is still not bad. :)  

  That 10 mins could also be a great way to teach our children and a good time for bonding.  

Ok, I'm done with my rant.

  I do know that even though I feel these frustrations, and these "alone" feelings, in reality, I'm NOT doing this alone.  My Savior is helping me.  He is why I keep going.  And when I'm feeling drained or finished, I call on him and he ALWAYS helps me feel better.  He lets me know that even my smallest effort to teach and love my children, although usually on my own, are better than nothing! And so I pick myself up, wipe away my tears and try to trudge on.  

A little about my back story

If you're asking me, "Why I decided to Home teach my children", this may be your answer.


 When I was a young girl I HATED going to school.  Every week it was a battle to get me to go out the door.   I'm not 100% sure why.  Maybe I blocked all the reasons.  Maybe there's no real reason.

 I do however, remember a few occasions when other kids teased me.  My mom recalled a story I told her after school one day, about how I stood in the middle of a puddle while other children stood around me, trapping me in the puddle while they each splashed me.  I do not recall that story at all.  There are some stories I prefer to keep trapped in my head where no one else can hear the horror.  Maybe one day I will share, but as for now I will keep them to myself.  Maybe those are the actual reasons why I hated school.  I guess we'll never know for sure.  :)  I will share that I was teased that I liked one of the "nerdy" boys in my class.  I felt that was saying that I was a dork, and a nerd as well.  Looking back I don't think that boy or even myself, was even close to being nerds.  At the time, of course, I believed those "mean" kids.

 Before my parents decided to pull me out of school someone suggested to them that they have a police officer drive me to school everyday.  I'm sooo glad they didn't do that!  Another suggestion was that I should be assigned to raise my hand since I NEVER even to this day like to make comments or answer questions.   I'm also glad they didn't do that!

 I was and still am to some degree "SHY".

 That was a label I HATED!!

 Just because a child hasn't blossomed into who they are to become, when everyone else thinks they should, doesn't mean they should be labeled, unless it's a label called, SMART, WONDERFUL, LOVELY, SPECIAL.  Labels of encouragement.  Usually children grow out of their "shyness" or other labels.  Give it time, patience and most of all LOVE!  The brain is amazing.  Whatever you or others tell your brain, it'll believe it, and eventually you will too.   So even if someone is stupid or shy, I suggest keeping your comments to yourself!

 I feel that sometimes, when a child is continually labeled something even if it's true, or not, they subconsciously feel unloved, or not good enough.   Or even other feelings and emotions that they may or may not know they have.

 I know, you're probably thinking, "Heidi, your kids are shy, why not send them to school to socialize?" or "your kids are shy because they do home school" Or whatever you may be thinking about my children.  Doesn't matter!  :)  Because I know who they are!  I know who is more reserved and introverted than the other.  I know that with time, patience, love, guidance and good examples my children will be who they were intended to be.  They will blossom into who The Lord wants them to be.  If I shape them and teach them and guide them. They will be who they are.  And no matter what anyone may label them, or say about them won't matter.

Learning kindess and respect

  I want to teach my children to learn to respect themselves and others.  I want them to know that in spite of what others do they are responsible for themselves, by how they respond/react.

  I feel that the best way to teach is by example.  Therefore I want to surround them with good people.  Good values. Good examples.   NO, I'm not saying that I'm the perfect example, even though I am trying, but at least I have control over who they associate with and who they see and look up to for their examples.

  I know, I can't shelter my kids their whole lives.  They will have to go out into the world someday.  Why not keep them home with me while they are young and mold able.  ;)

  My goal or reasoning is teach them as much as I can and as long as I can.  If my children, at their ages, are still wanting to be home with me, and around me I'm gonna take advantage of that! :)  I'm gonna keep them with me and teach them as much as possible.  About life, The Savior, and being respectful and kind.  So one day, when they don't want to be around me, which I hope is never, then I know that I taught them the best I could.

  The Savior is the best example for kindness.  If I teach my children about Christ, and to love Christ, by having Him as the center of our learning, then someday they may be like Him or as close as possible.

Homeschool story featured in the Friend magazine

Homeschool graduation

For those of you who Home school.  Interesting to see this in the friend.  Although it wasn't quite what I was expecting from the title.  I was a bit disappointed actually.  Very interested to know what their intentions were and what they were hoping to have people get out of this.  Just curious.

What about their "social life"?

I have heard many times, "What about their social life"?  What about it?  Do I want my children learning from their peers?  Do I want my children learning about the facts of life through children?  Do I want my children to be exposed to foul language and dirty talk at a young age?  NO!  Now days "social" life can either make or break a child.  I don't want the evil of this world to influence my children.  I don't want my children learning disrespect or unkindness from bully's or rude children.  
While attending school when I was a young girl I dealt with rude children.  Bully's to be exact.  Children are rude!  A child's whole life could be ruined if adults/parents don't step in and stop bullying.  I feel like my parents saved my life when they brought me home from school.  My life could have been so much different than the way it turned out.  My social life while I was in school was horrible!  I was shy and got bullied by rude children.
It is true I didn't have many friends when I was young and after being home taught.  But when I was in school I had only a handful of friends, if any.  School did nothing for my social life.

Home schooled children aren't always just home with their mothers and siblings.  They have other HS friends who they get together with to learn and to play.  Some HS children also socialize with PS children, through other after school activities such as sports, scouts, church functions and activities.

Social lives for home schooled children can be better than some public schooled children at times.

Why I chose to HS

I have no degree, I haven't been schooled on how to teach.  Why then, do I teach my children?  My entire reasons why is unknown.  I do it because it's what I feel is best.  Best for me, best for my children.  I feel that they need me.  They need their mother.  Am I the best teacher?  NO.  But I am their mother.  I know them best.  I know their style of learning, what's best for them individually.  They are my children and I know them.  If I struggle the Lord helps me to know what to do to pass the struggles.  Is it easy?  NO!  Definitely not!  Do we fight and argue?  Of course, who doesn't?  But we work through our struggles.  We learn to get past them.  We learn and grow.

I Love my children, with all my heart.  They are my life!  They are my everything.  I want to be there for them.  Through thick and thin.  I want them to know that I am here for them whenever they need me.  Whenever they are struggling.  I want to teach them all I can now before they go out into this world.  Now is when they need me.  Now is when they want me.  I want to teach them everything I know before I send them out to "build their houses", to face the big bad wolf.  I want to prepare them for life.  They will have plenty of "life" experiences in their lives.  In due time.  I want to "shield" them while they are young.  :)  Keep them under my wing before they take their first flight.

So why do I do HS?  They are only young once.  I will never have this experience with my child ever again!

Feeling inadequate

Some days I just want to throw in the towel.  I do.  I feel inadequate to teach my children so many things that this world requires me to teach.  I don't feel like the way the world wants things to be is important.  No I don't.  I feel like what is important is teaching about Christ.  How to be like him.  That, to me, is the most important of all.  If someone goes about their life not caring about Christ, or others, to me that is the worst thing anyone could possibly do, or be.  I want my children to learn to be like Christ.  To love like him.  To be loving and kind like him.  Why isn't this the most important thing in our world today?  Why don't we teach or children to be like Christ?  Why is the worldly things so much more important in our world now days?  Christ is my life, my center.  I want my children to feel that way too.  I want my children to think, WWJD?  When they are confronted with things of this world, temptations.  

Yes, Knowledge is important.  The most important thing?  NO!  To be learned is good, but to be learned and to not KNOW the Savior?  That is the worst sin, in my eyes.  

I know that to be in this world we do need to learn and to be the best we can be.  I believe that to do so we need The Lord.  He can help us to be who we are meant to be.  To be the best we can.  To know him first then we can succeed in all we do.  Trust him then all will fall into place!  

I want my children to know this.  If they Trust God, and do His will they will be successful!  Of course we do need to do our part. Faith without works is dead.  So therefore I want to teach my children to read, to write.  To serve!  To learn all they can in this world.  But Christ comes first!!  And foremost.  

To teach my children reading, writing and arithmetic, I need the Lord!  I don't know everything.  I teach what I know and what I don't know I learn.  I am not perfect.  But I am doing my best.  I am working everyday to do better.  Some days I don't have motivation.  Some days I am ready to conquer the world. 

The Lord makes up for what I lack.  He is my rock and my Savior.  When I can't do what everyone expects of me he carries me through.  He helps me when I falter.  He lifts me when I'm down.  If I didn't have him in my life, I would have NOTHING.  He is my EVERYTHING!  

Who am I?

Who am I?

I am a mother, a daughter, a sister, a wife.

I cook, I clean, I teach.

I love, comfort, I coach, I referee.

I am a mother.  I home teach my children.

I am a daughter of God!  I am a Mormon.