In-home Library!

I wanted a new book self that was specifically for home school books, and this got me looking online at the prices. Boy are things expensive now! Some places wanted close to 100 dollars for just a small book self, and I wanted a big one. So I did the smart thing, and when to Goodwill. That's right I shop there, and there is nothing wrong with that! So anyways Goodwill didn't have any big ones, but it did have two small white ones (as seen in the picture), and I really liked them. I wanted to put them in the dining area off of the kitchen because I plan on teaching in there. This gave me and Jeremy the idea to just move all of the books there. Yup in-home library. I really like it that way, I like having all of the books in one spot, and we also ordered a reading chair to put by the fireplace. Yup soon to be my new favorite room I'm sure. We've also hung up the white board in there, to aid in teaching. Yes very exciting! Okay I know I sound way to excited, and most likely you really don't care that much, but I like telling you anyways, so just deal with it.

I now have a good amount of home school books. My mom saved some of our old school books, and I have gotten some great deals on ebay, but I still have more to buy. I'm still on the waiting list for that one home school umbrella, so I still need prayer on that. I know this is what God wants us to do, so I know he will provide a way for us to do it, and help us along the way, so I'm not to worried. Thank you for reading.

Home schooling!

Okay so I know I mentioned in another post that I was thinking about home schooling my kids, starting next school year. Well I most definitely am! I have spent the past few weeks looking for a church umbrella to go under, and unfortunately most of the church umbrella in this area (I was given a list), don't exist anymore, because the church decided to stop. I did find one, but the church is full, so I was put on the waiting list. Luckily the lady who is in-charge of it (Deborah) says that we are the only ones on the list, and that she always has spots open up during the Summer. I just need prayer, pray that God will provide a way for me to home school my kids. I have already started to order the books, and I can't wait.

The biggest problem I am having with public school right now is the other kids. It seems that most parents don't teach their kids to care for others and be mindful of what they say to others (maybe what I should say is that my biggest problem is the other parents, because a child only knows what their parents teach them). Yes I have had a problem with some of the things Darien is learning, because they just started learning about Dinosaurs, and according to the Bible the earth is about 6,000 years old, but according to scientist the earth is much older. So far this kinda of thing has only happened with Darien. I haven't had any problem with the teachers, for the most part my kids have had great teachers, so I'm not saying anything bad about them, but like I said before it's the others kids, or the other parents. The other day Zachary came up to me, and said "Mommy do you know what a shotter is?" (that's how he said it), and I said "No." (not knowing what he meant) Then he said "It's someone who shoots you." Wow yeah, and oh guess what!?! A boy at school told him. Yeah I know! Yes there are scary things in this world, and yes my kids should understand that, but I should be the one to tell him, not some bratty kid that can't even pronounce it right. Darien (my oldest), has been having to deal with bullies, and that's really hard, and I know how he feels.

Okay yes I know, my kids will have to interact with other kids, in order to develop their social skills, and that they will have to deal with the things that other kids mite say then, but it would be at church or karate, and that is more controlled (meaning more adults around), and I'll know most of the parents, so I'll know who's kid is saying what. Also they won't be spending the whole day around these kids.

I'm ready for the change, and I'm ready to teach my kids, full time, and about everything (I will need prayer in that too). Thank you for reading, and please keep us in your prayers.

Happy Birthday Nathaniel

On this day four years ago, Jeremy and I welcomed our third son into the world! Happy Birthday Nathaniel!

We love you!

Checking - in

Okay, so it has been a little while since I've written an actual post, so I'll fill you in on what has been happening in the life of Randi. 2 weeks and 2 days ago, My Mom, Dad, Mommom, Niece, Nephew, and Little Sister all came over. The boys had a blast playing with their cousins, and I loved visiting with Mom, Dad, Mommom, and Shelby. We had Tatter tot casserole for lunch, and I'm glad they liked it. It's a recipe from the Duggers (http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html). The kids play so nicely together, and I was very proud of them, and I need to give a big shout out to Trey and McKenzie (My niece and Nephew), for being so good, because there were no fights, and no yelling. Wow, I know!

A week and 6 days ago my friend Sarah came over for a visit. I love her she is great, she has 3 kids, and she is a really sweet and uplifting person. We have lived in a lot of the same places at the same times, but didn't meet until San Diego. She now lives in VA, and only 1 1/2 hours away. Her visit was great, and the kids had a lot of fun playing, or at least it sounded that way (they made a lot of noise together). She brought a lot of JaneAnn's old clothes for Olivia, and I sent her with outfits Olivia had already grown out of, so she could give them to our friend Holly, who just had a baby. Yup that's what I call the Mommy exchange. We had Tomato soup and Grilled cheese for lunch, that was very yummy. I'm so glad she came, and I can't wait to see her again. Love ya Sarah.

Easter weekend was great! It started on Friday, because Jeremy and the kids had the day off. We went to the mall, Jeremy and the boys went to see Alice in Wonderland, and Olivia and I went shopping. Yup the fun of having a girl is starting already, because I now have someone to shop with. I got Olivia an Easter dress, and the boys Easter outfits. I was going to get myself a dress, but I didn't find one that I liked, so I decided to just stick with that dress I wore to Jeremy last homecoming.

The next day we got up early and drove down to Ocean City. My only wish is that it was warmer. We still had a good time though. We play some games at the arcade, walked the board walk, and got some yummy lunch. Unfortunately Zachary throw up during lunch. Poor little guy. We didn't know he wasn't feeling well, but after him getting sick everywhere I felt his head, and he did have a fever. We went home shortly after that, but on the way home we stopped by this old book store in Trappe. It's called Unicorn Books, and Jeremy found me an old copy of The World Of Pooh (I love Pooh). Jeremy loved the store, and he can't wait to go back and "hunt."

The next morning (Easter), Zachary was feeling better, and we went to church, and of course because it was Easter it was packed. Gotta love those people who only go to church on Easter. Jeremy's parents and Aunt Christen came over after church, and we had lunch, or maybe it was dinner beings it was around 3, by the time they got here. They live 2 hours away, and they left right after church so they really couldn't have been here any earlier. The boys had a ton of fun playing with Poppop and Aunt Chrisen, they were sword fighting, and there was a lot of laughing.

Monday Nathaniel was sick with the same thing Zachary had on Saturday. Poor buddy, that was not fun.

Tuesday the boys went back to school (spring break was over) and I took Olivia to the doctor, she now weighs 11lbs, and she is doing great. Her muscle tone is great, and she is doing everything a 2 month-old should be doing. That always good to hear. Soon she'll be able to beat up her big brothers, but lets hope she doesn't. She is now sleeping through the night, and she has also been trying to turn over. She hasn't done it yet, but shes close.

Wednesday, I was sick with the thing.... It was awful, now I know how Zach and Nathan felt. It was really bad body aches, a fever, and nausea. I took it easy, and fixed the kids hot dogs for dinner, and Jeremy popped in a frozen pizza when he got home. He had to work long hours last week, and didn't get home until late.

I am now 100% better, so no need to worry. I had an easy weekend, and tomorrow is Nathaniel's birthday!! He'll be 4.... Wow! I can't believe it. Our plans are to let him open his presents tomorrow morning, then after we drop the boys off, we are going out to get a balloon, and then Nathaniel and I are going to bake a cake. It should be fun.

Easter Pix!

Darien!

Nathaniel!

Zachary and Olivia!

Olivia and Me!

Olivia again! (sorry she is just too cute)

My 4 wonderful kids!

Tag you're it!

Okay so the kids now have a bus stop, and every morning before school while waiting for the bus, all of the kids play... Tag! and it is starting to drive me nuts, because its every day. This all started on the kids' second day at their new school (just a few weeks ago). Zachary said to me "Mommy I would like to play with these kids." and I said, "Well why don't you say hi to them and tell them your name, and ask them if they want to play." Right away (not even waiting a minute to think), Zachary walks up to the closest girl (who look to be in the 2nd or 3rd grade), and says "Hi I'm Zachary! Do you wanna play with me?" and she says "Sure!", and so he tags her and says "you're it." And that's that. So every day it's Tag, Freeze tag, or Toilet freeze tag. Yeah I'm not kidding. Have you ever heard of it? Well I hadn't until last week. Once you are tagged, you freeze, but you stick your arm out, and then you wait for someone to flush you (by pushing down your arm)(I'm not kidding), then you turn around 3 times (because you are being flushed), and then you can run again. No my kids did not make this up (thank goodness). It's crazy, and why would you feel the need to play tag this way? Is it just because it has the word toilet is in the name? And where is the kid who made this up? I guess you would have to be a kid to understand it, maybe. But if you ask me, all of the time you take spinning around 3 times, runs the risk of you getting tagged again. Right? I mean you might as well be frozen the whole game.

Okay so because all of this tag has been driving me nuts, I have been trying to leave the house later than normal, that way we have less time for tag, but it is written in me to be early (for everything), I have a hard time being late for anything. The most I can sit around and wait to go is just a few minutes, and than I get worried, and feel like I have to leave the house right now. I also really hate being late (it has only happened a few times in my life), but if I tell someone a curtain time, and I'm late (even by a few minutes, I feel really bad). Okay well, if I'm going to be that way than I guess I'm going to have to put up with all of the tags, for now.

Raising a bunch of Star Trek nerds

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I'm a Star Trek nerd. Not just a Trekie, I'm a Treker (that's even more hard core!). Now I know that our kids are supposed to take after us, but sometimes it just surprises me.

The other morning, before my husband went to work he turned Star Trek on (we have the dvds). He was finishing an episode that he had started the night before. This was fine and all until I needed the kids to get ready for school. Everyone was setting around watching Star Trek, eyes glued to the tv. Everyone but me, who was getting the morning things done. Believe me, I would have loved to join them. I needed the kids to get dressed, brush their teeth, put shoes and jackets on, and put their lunch boxes in their book bags. Now these things would normally take 15 mins all together, but not on this day. They just couldn't leave the living room! So after finally getting them to get dressed, brush teeth, and pack lunch boxes, all that was left was shoes and jackets, but we only had a minute. Not of course they can do this in one min, but when Star Treks on...

I finally tell the kids "hurry we have to go!" And Darien says "but I can't do this fast!" Now I have seen him get ready really fast before, but of course not today. And Zachary says "You mean we aren't going to finish this show" Wow! I finally had to go over and turn it off, and of course I get this look from Jeremy like "What, I was watching that!" Wow again! Yes I also wish I could set down and watch Star Trek in the morning, but it's just not going to happen. So needless to say, Star Trek has been banned in the mornings, because I really don't want my kids to end up missing the bus, because then I would have to drive them to school.

Although it was a very interesting episode (I had already seen it). For all of you curious Trekies out there, the episode was Chain Of Command, of Season 6, of The Next Generation. AKA "There are 4 lights!"

...Captain Picard Rocks...

Reading The Hobbit

A few weeks ago, I told Jeremy I wanted to start reading The Hobbit. I wanted to read more about Bilbo, since I felt like me and him had a lot in common. Jeremy asked if we could read it together, because it had been so long since he had read it as well. I have mentioned in another blog entry, that Jeremy and I have read a lot of things together in the past, and when I say together, it's actually him doing all of the reading, but both him and me like it that way. I love listening to him read, he does all of the voices, and we really enjoy it. If we are not careful we lose track of time. We have only been reading it for a week, but I already love it, and I am finding more in common with Bilbo. Both of us grew up in a small place and never thought we would leave, we never planned on it, it just sort of happened. The small town I grew up in had a population of 1632 (in the year of 2000, according to wikipedia), and I really did think that most towns were that way, and I didn't mind the idea of living there all of my life. Bilbo was that same way, he had no desire to leave, and Gandalf kinda tricked him into it. Of course for me it was a bit different. A few months after I married that man of my dreams, he decided to join the Navy, and of course I wanted to go where ever he went. So far in the Hobbit we have gotten past the trolls, and we are now leaving Rivendell. Good story so far, and it's funny at times. Also given the choice of middle earth beings, I like hobbits best. They are short, and they live in cute hobbit holes, they love gardening, and they eat all of the time. I would make a great hobbit! Like Bilbo my adventure was unexpected, but great and I would do it all over again, but even though there is a part of me who misses that adventure, there is also a part of me, that is happy to be near my family. I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea, because it is nice being back again. The good news is through all of the good and bad, and the mistakes, I would never change anything about my life.

Coffee bad!

Okay so I don't drink that much coffee, but I do like it every once and a while, but it makes me really hyper. I end up talking a lot and bouncing off the walls, from just one small cup, well most of the time, but not the other day. Monday Jeremy came home around lunch time, it was a short day for him, and he got both him and me a coffee on the way home. He got us both a small White Chocolate Mocha (very yummy). I drank mine with my lunch, but after lunch I started to not feel so well. I was having muscle aches, they weren't that bad at first... But as the day went on, it got worse, and I started to get a head ache and chills. It was really bad! All I wanted to do is lay in bed. So I asked Jeremy to look up my symptoms on Webmd.com. I wanted to make sure I didn't have some crazy flu. Flu was one of the possibilities with all of my symptoms, but so was excessive caffeine use (so said Webmd.com). Wow really?? And it did all start right after that coffee, and the next morning I was feeling much better, so I guess so... But it's still a little crazy. I mean I know Starbucks coffees have more caffeine than other coffees, but that much more. I have also had Starbucks a lot of times before this, and nothing like this ever happened. Needless to say, I'm going to lay off coffee for now, because I never want to feel like that again.

All moved in!

Yay, we are finally in our new house! We have been here for a week, and we love it. The packing and moving, and the unpacking was not fun at all, but it is finally over. I'm so happy! Last week was a very busy week for me, and I'm so glad it's over. I had the unpacking, the last inspection on our old house in fort meade, register the kids in their new school, and getting that cable set up. The cable guy didn't show up the first time, so I have to reschedule. So far I really like the community we are in, but I haven't really met anyone yet. The boys are now going to a new school, and riding the school bus. Zachary really likes the bus, and he was so excited, because he had never done that before. This week should be an easy week for me, I don't have too much on my plate like I did last week. The only out of the ordinary thing this week is Olivia has an appointment Thursday, and I have some cleaning to do. Yup already, gotta love the kids.

On the bright side though having 4 kids isn't as hard as I thought it would be. Sure I'm busy, but it's busy in a good way, and I am really enjoying it. Olivia fits right in with our crazy little family, and she is a joy just like her brothers. She is now only waking up once a night, around 2am, and that's after going to bed at 9pm. She wakes up for the day at 6am, which is when I need to get up anyways. My mornings are busy, but I'm more of a morning person anyways. So that all for now. Thanks for reading!