Welcome Will!!!!

Our 6th child, William David Block, was born at home on October 10th at 8:09 am. He was officially 16 days past his due date and I was definitely starting to wonder if he was ever going to come out! I started having contractions at 4:40 am on the 9th, they continued exactly every hour on the dot for about 5 hours. At around 9:45 they jumped to every 15 minutes but were not as strong...sigh, this is what had been happening for roughly 3 weeks so I just figured it was another false alarm. My midwife called that morning to check on me, I told her what was happening and she asked me to call her later with an update. By 4:30 I still hadn't called her because nothing was different. In fact, my contractions had actually spaced out to 30 minutes apart.....she asked me to call her back at 7:00 pm. Keeping in mind that the 9th is also Emma's birthday (she just turned 6!) I was trying to participate in what our family was doing for her as well as the constant wondering of whether or not I was actually in labor!

We watched Enchanted as a family for Emma's b-day. I started having some contractions that I actually had to stop and breathe through, although they were not getting any closer together. I called my midwife back with this update and basically told her I had no idea what I wanted to do because I still wasn't sure if anything was really happening. My midwife lives an hour and a half away from us and I didn't want her to drive all the way out for no reason (she had already spent the night the week before "just in case" which as we all know was basically a waste of her time....) her response to me, "I'm coming. I'll be there around 9:30 pm". Ok. Decision made, awesome!

By the time she arrived we had the kids in bed asleep. I was having contractions every 5 minutes that were stronger but not painful yet. I became obsessed with the amount of dust on our living room ceiling fan for some ridiculous reason, so my blessed husband was kind enough to get out the step ladder and clean it for me! 8-) We chit chatted with the midwife for about an hour, then she laid down on the couch to rest "just in case" and Dave and I retreated to our room and watched some episodes of Lost on Hulu while I sat on my birth ball.

At 1:00 am I was getting painful contractions and was unable to rest at all so I decided to take a bath. I noticed that I had started bleeding a little and realized that FINALLY this was DEFINITELY it! Yippee!!! I soaked in the tub for about 30 or 40 minutes and then was checked: 4 cm. That may not seem like much, but in all past labors I've gone from 4 - 10 within an hour so I was really excited. It was now 2:00 am and we called our friend Char to come over as she was going to help us during the delivery. Char arrived shortly after that and we all had a great time, joking around and laughing in between my contractions which were getting rather painful by this time....but I was so happy to labor naturally for once without the induction meds, because I felt totally fine and normal in between each of the contractions. I remember saying at one point that I actually felt bipolar, totally calm and happy and laughing for about 3 minutes then completely silent, gripping my husband's hand and breathing super deep in pain for the next 2 minutes....8-)

I was soon to 8 cm (4:00 am) and in a great deal of pain during the contractions which were about every 3 minutes by then, so not much recovery time in between. I was really excited because I thought I was almost done! BUT.....then I was found to have a cervical lip that was preventing the baby from moving down and also preventing me from dilating further....at 6:00 am we moved off the bed and onto the birth stool. At first this was a good idea but later (after sitting on it for 2 hours or so) I really HATED THE BIRTH STOOL! It was killing my tailbone, but it was probably still the best choice at the time because it allowed me to sit up and use gravity to help Will get OUT OF THERE!

Now here comes a little bit of TMI so if you're easily offended by female type things - don't read any further -
Apparently the best way to get rid of a cervical lip is to ice it. Fine. However, when you are 8 cm and the baby is pushing down and your tailbone is really bruised from sitting on a birth stool and your contractions are INTENSE....the last thing you want is your midwife fitting her hand in *there* and pushing UP while baby is pushing DOWN...with ice cubes!!! This took about 2 hours. I cannot tell you in words the intensity of the pain during those 2 hours. I can tell you though that my husband was such an immense blessing to me, supporting me and encouraging me through the whole process. I will never forget his loving kindness during those moments. I was also SO THANKFUL to have Char there to be another calm supportive voice and to cool my forehead with those washcloths.....8-)

The kids started waking up around 6:30 or so (I think). Dave called our friend Amanda who came and was at the house shortly. She got them all dressed and ready to go. At 8:09 he was delivered and the kids waited around to get to see him. They were all super excited to finally have another brother!

Although I was fearing I was going to deliver a 10+ pounder since he was so late, I am happy to report that he was "normal". He weighed in at 8 pounds 8 ounces and was 21 inches long. He does have a large noggin - 15 (cm?) but was totally healthy and pink! I didn't have any tears or anything like that, my c-section scar was totally fine everything was good! I did have VERY BAD swelling for a day or so (but after the icing incident what else can you expect?) but other than that it was the fastest recovery I've ever had. No prescription pain killers, just Extra Strength Tylenol and Ibuprofen. The kids stayed with Amanda's family all day so Dave, Will and I could rest. The kids came home around 8:00 that night and re-met their new brother and then went to bed.

Since then we've just grown to love Will more and more. He's a very happy and content baby with an adorably soft cry that is a welcome change from some of the "shriekier" cries his older siblings have had in the past....8-) He's sleeping in 3 hour blocks at night already and Mommy is feeling good too!

2009-2010 Curriculum Plans

Here are the (tentative) plans for school this year (note: that means starting next week!)

Combined all the kids:
Updated 8/3/09
Bible/Geography/Missions: Exploring Countries and Cultures from My Father's World - we do not normally purchase Bible curriculum; but it is included in this program which is a study of world geography and people groups/religious beliefs with an emphasis on God's work in missions and studying the lives of different missionaries. This is a great year to add it in, since our history program isn't too heavy this year. We already owned it so I figured, "Why not do it now?" (yeah, another whole curriculum with a baby due in about 5 weeks...why not??? ha!) 8-)

History: Truthquest American History for Young People Vol 2

Science: Apologia Creation Series - Astronomy and adding in lapbooks from Knowledge Box
Central.

Literature, Scripture Memory, Poetry, Composer Study, Picture Study and Nature Study: We will be following the curriculum guidelines from Simply Charlotte Mason

This year's read-aloud list for family reading:
Winnie-the-Pooh
The House at Pooh Corner
The Little Pilgrim's Progress
Charlotte's Web
The Trumpet of the Swan
The Secret Garden
Mr. Popper's Penguins
The Princess and the Goblin
5 Children and It

Hymn Study: Hymns for a Kids' Heart

We do Bible as a family separate from school time so we don't purchase "curriculum" for that; however, Kailie will have assigned independent reading (listed below) and we will be continuing our memorization of the Westminster Shorter Catechism with all the kiddos this year.


For independent work, Kailie (Grade 3) will be doing:

Spelling: Building Spelling Skills 3 from Christian Liberty Press

Grammar: Rod and Staff English 2

Math: CLE Sunrise Math 2 and also: Singapore Math 2 Books A and B

Penmanship: Italics Handwriting Book D

Reading list:
Chronicles of Narnia (entire series)
Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates


Bible: Matthew (as scheduled in our MFW program)

Character Study:
Wisdom and the Millers
Hero Tales Vol 1.

Handiwork/Homemaking Training:
Keepers of the Faith: Keepers at Home

Hopefully we will also be beginning piano lessons this year as well, we're still waiting on the piano though so that makes it a little difficult! ha!


Emma (K/1) will be doing:
Math: Singapore Earlybird Math Book 2A and 2B

Penmanship: Italics Book A

Phonics: Rod and Staff Reading 1 and Phonics 1
and The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading

Thinking Skills: Thinking Skills Grade 1


Isaac (Pre-K) is doing:
Rod and Staff Pre-school Series I'm also researching this site: Hubbard's Cupboard for additional ideas.

We are also using workboxes with all the kiddos to keep all of this curriculum organized!
Abby, Lauren and the new baby will be happily listening in/interrupting as often as possible. 8-)

No news is good news

I haven't posted in the last month, but that should just make you aware that nothing extraordinary has happened. 8-)

Everyone is doing well, is healthy and is enjoying life. My pregnancy is going really well, no hip problems so far this time around! Dave and I just went to NICHE which is the annual homeschooling convention for the state of Iowa. It was a wonderful weekend and the first time we've gotten away by ourselves for a whole night in a L-O-N-G time (at least 4 years but I think it's closer to 6!) The keynote speaker at the conference was Voddie Baucham, and if you've read this blog for any length of time you'll know that we LOVE him! We had a great time!

We're continuing to school through this summer so we can take a break when baby arrives - which of course has to be this fall along with all our other children's b-days!

Mom and Dad are coming for a visit this weekend and we're all looking forward to that since we haven't seen any of our family since Christmas (any Block's coming to visit any time soon???).

I'll update pics soon, the kids are crazily getting older/bigger VERY quickly!

Baking and Cooking

Last night Dave was gone for a conference for our church, the kiddos were all sound asleep and I decided that instead of vegging out in front of the TV, I should do something meaningful. So, I baked/cooked for the fam' entirely from scratch. Many of you do this regularly; however, I still struggle with this area of my homemaking duties. I'm learning though! Here's the rundown from last night:

1. 2 dozen banana chocolate chip muffins
2. 2 dozen apple raisin oatmeal muffins
3. Baked Oatmeal (9x13 pan full)
4. Boiled a chicken, froze the meat and bagged ALL of the chicken stock (2 large pots full!) which is now in the freezer as well, awaiting my next adventure in cooking.

Total time: 3 hours of baking, 2 hours of boiling and 1 hour of cool down but a very relaxing and rewarding evening I must say!

This is pretty alarming.....

Spring is in the air......

Today we went to Menards and purchased the supplies we need to start our garden. I'm hoping that it will go well this year, this is our first time gardening...so we'll see what happens. So far we've only purchased fruits and veggies, but I would like to eventually carve out some nice flower beds in the back as well.

Here's what we're planting:
1. Tomatoes - lots, we love tomatoes! I also selected some grape tomato plants for the kiddos to enjoy.
2. Cucumbers
3. Broccoli
4. Snow peas
5. Green beans
6. Raspberries
7. Strawberries
8. Pumpkins: full-size and the littler varieties as well. There are no pumpkin farms around here, which I find very odd considering I live in the midst of FARMLAND USA....but apparently you can only grow corn in Iowa. Anyhoo, we want to try growing our own pumpkins for the decorating aspect in the fall, it should be much more rewarding than just plopping down $5 a piece at the grocery store (and MUCH CHEAPER!).

I guess we did buy some flowers too. We bought the kids a mixed variety sunflower pack and we plan to give them a corner of the yard to tend to. Maybe we'll make a sunflower house for them to play in.....

Plans are to start digging out the plot tomorrow and hopefully transplant all the veggies next week. I'll keep you all posted!

It isn't really nesting yet....right?

Normally my quest to dominate the germs, dirt, messies...whatever - aka NESTING -really doesn't appear until closer to 34-35 weeks in pregnancy. Prior to this I have other obsessions, usually involving painting or decorating, but not particularly the cleaning bug. Well, today I tackled our kitchen. I started by washing the dishes and doing a load of laundry (laundry is in the kitchen for those who don't know this already). That lead to the following:
1. Completely removing everything from every cabinet and purging excess/junk then reorganizing all dishes/pots/pans/appliances etc.
2. Cleaning the oven (outside).
3. Cleaning the microwave.
4. Cleaning the outside of the washer and dryer.
5. Cleaning the outside of the fridge.
6. Vacuuming floor.
7. Mopping the floor with bleach to kill all "those germs" that I knew were secretly lingering.....
8. Cleaning our stainless steel sink with bleach also...for same reason as above. I actually followed the directions from FLYLADY (see sidebar for link) on shining your sink, which involves some Windex - post bleaching...and it looks like a whole new sink. Sorry, no pics though.

I still need to wash the inside of the fridge and do the stovetop again. I also need to do the cabinet doors and the drawers, and I'm feeling a little OCD about refolding all my dish towels for some reason.....

So, all in all it's great to have a clean kitchen to wake up too, I wonder if I'll be obsessed with something else tomorrow....????

What $25 is doing for our bathroom:

We love our house. Well, we love the space and layout and functionality of our house. Some of the decor; however, is not exactly (scratch that....EVEN CLOSE TO) our liking. Case in point: the bathroom. Our home was built in the 50's and I think the tile was original to the house. Here's the before:

Unfortunately, I didn't get a shot of the entire bathroom prior to Dave's start of this project - but just visualize the repeat of this tile around the ENTIRE room.

There's no way an entire bathroom remodel will be in the picture for us anytime soon (if ever!) but we found a kit on Target.com to reglaze tile, tubs and sinks and thought "well, it can't get any worse right?". 8-)

Here's the result after the first coat. Obviously, it's going to take 2 coats to cover but the results so far are WELL worth it! The only downside is the fumes are HORRENDOUS! We had to put coat 2 on hold until the weather warms up enough to open the windows again. I'm on the hunt for a new shower curtain and then we plan to paint the top portion of the walls and the cabinetry once we have our new color scheme picked out. So there you go, what you can do with $25 and some noxious fumes! I'll update again whenever there's more progress....

Homemade Baby Wipes

I'll confess that I'm the type of person who LOVES to research ideas about how to do different things (sew, quilt, cook, bake, etc. etc.) but RARELY do I ever put these things into practice. I'll blame it on tiredness, too much other stuff to do, homeschooling, no time alone....you get the idea. I'm trying to put a stop to that and actually DO something when I find an idea I like. How profound right? 8-)

I came across this recipe for homemade babywipes and Kailie and I have made 2 batches so far. Each batch has lasted 2 weeks (and that's for 2 kiddos in diapers right now). I figured out that it will save us roughly $100 a year or so from buying wipes (we were buying a full case each month), but the best part isn't even that! All of our kids have sensitive skin and break out EXCEEDINGLY EASILY from just about anything that touches their skin, be it laundry detergent, shampoo, bubble bath or baby wipes. This recipe was tested during our week long battle with tummy flu (and many, MANY disgusting diaper changes!) and the end result: NO RASHES! I was so surprised and am now a committed homemade wipes convert - it only took 5 kids to get me here. ha!

Here's the recipe:
4 cups water (we boiled it for the first batch, but the second time we just used warm from the tap)
2 Tablespoons Rubbing Alcohol
2 Tablespoons Antibacterial Soap - your choice
2 Tablespoons Baby Wash - your choice
2 Tablespoons Baby Oil - your choice, we used the Johnson and Johnson with Aloe Vera and it smells very good! I think I'll try Lavender sometime too....

Pour over your choice of wipes. The first batch we cut Bounty papertowels into fourths. This took about 15 minutes of time. They worked really well but if you use a thinner towel I can't guarantee they'll hold up during the wiping.... Most sites I've seen recommend cutting the towel roll in half and then pulling the wipe up from the middle of the roll. I don't have a large enough circular container to store this style in, that's why we cut ours up.

For the second batch I just cut up an old bath towel into small squares. I got about 50 cloths from one towel and these can just be thrown into the wash and reused. 8-)

I store the wipes in a rectangular Ziplock container, they stay really moist and have worked wonders on speeding up the length of time cleaning the kiddos. I also use them as handwipes and face wipes since they don't cause any breakouts.

I read a tip online that suggested keeping a Ziplock bag of dry towels in your diaper bag and putting the solution into a spray bottle. When you need to change the diaper just spray the solution directly on the child and wipe off. This will help prevent the solution from leaking in the diaper bag.

What does $4 buy you????

Reg. Price

4 cans of Pringles: $1.69 each
3 cans of Air Wick Room Freshener: $ 2.49 each
1 bag of Halls: $1.99

1 Covergirl Outlast All Day Lipcolor: $ 7.99

1 CG Smoothwear Conditioning Moisturizer: $ 4.99
Total Value of all items: $29.20

I had coupons for everything and luckily for me it was double coupon day at Pamida (which is a store I had never heard of before moving to Iowa, but it's basically like K-Mart).

1. The pringles were on sale 2 cans for $3. I had 2 - buy 2 cans save $1.00 Q's which were each doubled to $2. This brought the price for all 4 cans to $2.00.

2. I had Q's for the Airwick's for $1.00 off of one can. I used 3 Q's which were all doubled. Final price for all 3: $1.47

3. My Q for Halls was $0.75 doubled, final cost: $0.50

4. The lipgloss pack was clearanced to $2.50. I then used a $1.00 off any CG product Q which was doubled. Final cost: $0.50

5. The lip conditioner was also clearanced to $1.40. I used another CG product $1.00 Q which was doubled. Final cost: FREE plus I got an additional $0.60 off my total.

So I paid: $4 and some change after tax, a savings of 84%!

I'm also excited to report that I have been in DESPERATE need of replacing ALL of my make-up, I was at the - scraping the last fleck of blush and digging the bottom of the lipstick for an eensy weensy hope of color - stage. However, our budget right now wasn't allowing for a large splurge to replace it all. Here's how I've done since couponing:

Physicians Formula: Blush, Bronzer and Lip Gloss (Walgreens) $13 but will get $10 back at the end of the month.
Final cost: $3
I have a coupon for a FREE mascara the next time I run to Walmart. (and no, it's not buy 1 get 1 free, it's just FREE!)
Final cost $0
CG lip gloss (Pamida)
Final cost: 50 cents
CG lipgloss (Pamida)
Final cost: FREE
Still need to get: concealer, foundation, eye shadow and eye liner.....how much can I save???
Total for makeup so far: $3.50 and I'm halfway to replacing my whole makeup bag.

Easter Sunday

As promised to our family, here are the pics from Easter morning. The kids all looked beautiful! Apparently Lauren (whom we've taken to calling Lolo btw) wasn't interested in smiling for most of the shots, however....someday I'll get one with ALL of them smiling! (I hope, and maybe then we will also work on them actually sitting up and not looking like they're being eaten by the couch....but I digress.) 8-)

(you gotta' love Lolo's hairdo!)

Now we just have to wait for the newest lil' Block to arrive and get a WHOLE family shot!

Blog Schizophrenia

For those of you who have visited my blog in the last week, you may have noticed I keep changing my mind on this blog's appearance. I wanted something cute for Spring, I think I've FINALLY decided on this one. Sorry for all the fuss!

Super cute homemade hairbows for little girls!

Go to Classy and Sophisticated for the tutorial on how to make these beautiful bows for your little ones.

What do you think about this?

I found this in the sales ad for Walgreens this week. I had never heard of it before and am curious to know what you guys think, apparently it's a pee in the cup type of test (ala pregnancy tests) that will accurately predict the baby's gender:

click on image to go to site

Currently reading.....

Here are some books I have read this week or are currently in the process of reading. I highly recommend them all!

Cleaning Plain & Simple
Lots of tips for cleaning the house, stain removal and making homemade cleansers, plus the cover is adorable. 8-)
(sorry, no preview on Amazon....)

The Complete Tightwad Gazette

If you haven't read this before, I highly recommend it. I read it a few years ago but didn't really make any effort to employ some of her strategies. Looking at it now I have found lots of tips to put into practice around the house to save $$$$. (click on image to preview at Amazon)

The Apron Book

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

It is so darn cute and inviting. It really is a book solely about aprons, sounds exciting huh? The author has pictures of aprons throughout the last 200 years or so, but mostly focusing on the 40's through today. She includes photos of aprons and stories from the family members of who wore them, how they were used and what memories they created.

SO CHARMING!

In addition, the author includes many patterns for you to sew your own aprons in all different styles, including pattern ideas for children. (also click on image to preview at Amazon)

I've become a fan of the apron over the last year or so, but haven't yet attempted to sew one. If I have some time this week I think I may finally give in and see what I can create.

Here are some cute apron links which inspire me (but I'm not willing to shell out the $$$ to purchase one, I guarantee you. I just really need to quickly develop some mad sewing skills.....). Just looking at these cuties makes that inner homemaker in me LONG to get out and bake, clean, sew, paint, decorate....you name it!

Jessie Steele
Jillie Willie
D Lux 57
Elizabeth's Embellishments
Taygalook

My first attempt at couponing!

I went this week on my first planned frugality attack of Target and Walgreens. Here's the rundown on how I did:

Target -
They had an advertised sale if you buy a Fusion Power razor and a Gillette Men's Shave Gel you would receive a $5 Target giftcard. I had coupons for both the razor and the shave gel from Sunday's papers. I did this promotion three times and here is the end result:

Total spent Out Of Pocket (with tax): $21.00
Money saved by the sale plus the coupons: $19.40
Free money earned by gaining Target giftcards: $15.00

So I spent $21 but SAVED $34.40 total! I then used some of the money from the giftcards to pay for Lauren and Abby's easter basket stuff. End cost on that purchase? FREE!

Walgreens -
Advertised sales on Physician's Formula Cosmetics and Garnier Hair Products
I spent $13 on PF Blush/Bronzer and got a FREE lip gloss! I will receive $11 back on a Walgreens gift card for making this purchase at the end of the month.
I spent $20 on Garnier products (hair color/dye, shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, shine enhancer and a hairspray!). I will receive $11 back on a Walgreens gift card for this purchase at the end of the month also.

SO, I spent $33 and will gain $22 back at the end of the month to roll over for next month's purchases.

I also purchased a Colgate toothpaste for $3.49 and earned a coupon off my next purchase for the same amount, which basically makes the toothpaste free. I then saved $6 with a store coupon on Lipton Tea, $3 on Kraft Mac-N-Cheese, $3.75 on 3 individual boxes of Puffs with lotion, $6 on Crayola crayons (64 count) and then proceeded to purchase the following:
8 cups for $1 (kid size)
4 hot-wheels type cars for Isaac's Easter basket for $2
6 bottles of bubbles for the baskets $2
and a variety of other small items I needed that trip.

Total Saved: $44.24 not counting the easter basket sale stuff.

I think I'm going to like this couponing business.....

Here's another blog to look consider.....

I'm currently interested in all things money-saving, especially when it comes to feeding our large and still growing family. I've been reading some blogs from women who are WAY more skilled in this area than I am and thought you might like to glean from their wisdom as well. 8-)

Check out this blog and be amazed at what careful planning and a couple of coupons could do for you and yours......I really have to learn how to do this........

edit (4/5): here are some more blogs to check out....WOW these women amaze me!
Saving with Shellie
Redemption Unlimited
Frugal in Franklin
Money Saving Diva
Being A Wise Steward

Trust me, there are many, MANY more blogs on this topic I could add to this list. For now, though, I will keep it small and see if any of you catch the couponing bug along with me.....8-)

We all need a little help in this area right?

I have benefited greatly from reading the writing of Crystal Paine, a young Christian wife and mother who runs the website: www.biblicalwomanhood.com I recently found another of her blogs here where she writes about saving money, saving on groceries, budgeting, living frugally etc. Please stop by her site, I'm sure you'll be blessed!

Week 15

For the last couple of months I have been somewhat miserable, but it appears that FINALLY(!) that is coming to an end! Yippee!!!

My morning sickness is now gone and my energy is returning - although, these toddlers of our's will always be able to outrun me, I'm sure! 8-)

The unfortunate piece in all of this is that we apparently traded my tiredness and nausea for another round of the stomach flu amongst 4 of the kiddos this week. Sigh. It started Monday morning with Lauren and has slowly made it's rounds to each of the other girls. Thankfully Dave, Isaac and I appeared to have been spared this time....at least for now. This round came with not ONLY fantastic bouts of vomiting but ADDITIONALLY the worst diarrhea I've ever seen in my kiddos. Needless to say, the house is smelling a little....well......ripe, thanks to Lauren and Abby's continual diaper changes and all the remnants of what SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSIDE THE DIAPER landing on their pajamas, clothing, sheets, blankets...you get the idea. I just REALLY want WARM WEATHER to get here!!!!!

What a nice way to update all of you after all this time huh? That's what friends are for!

This pregnancy is no joke.

Hey all, I haven't posted in almost a month. Mostly I've been sleeping, nauseous, sleeping, nauseous, sleeping, etc. every day. It's CRAZY! I'm always exhausted in the first trimester, but never to this extent. I can't even stay awake to teach Kailie anymore, I do about an hour of school and then we move to the couch where I snooze while she completes some workbook stuff and wakes me if she has a question. Thankfully this is week 8, so only a few more to go and I should start feeling better. 8-) I also ordered some SuperMom vitamins, per the recommendation of Colleen and I'm anxious to get them and see if they make a difference.

Here are some photos of random stuff from the last month or so just to catch you all up:

Emma's OK

Thank you all for your support and prayers for our family! After all of the tests, everything with Emma is fine and all results were normal. The neurologist said it isn't likely to happen again, she most likely had a drop in blood pressure due to standing too fast or her knees were locked or something like that. Let's hope it doesn't happen again! Since Sunday she's been acting like her normal rambunctious self, so this Mommy feels like everything is fine. 8-)

It's about that time....

Well, I guess we'll be settling for being a 2 car family for awhile. 8-)

This one is expected to arrive on or about September 25, 2009!

Just when I thought we were all healthy.....

Yesterday at church Emma collapsed. We were standing for the singing time and I looked over and saw her completely in the aisle, flat on her back, arms at her sides...no response. I grabbed her hands to get her up but she couldn't sit up and when I pulled her head up her eyes just rolled back into her head. Dave came around the pew and lifted her up, she started to regain consciousness and then I carried her to the back of the church, because Dave was supposed to start preaching in roughly 2 minutes! Sigh. Thankfully a member of our church is the director of our county's EMT department. He saw her fall and was waiting for us at the back of the building. She came around and drank some water and had some crackers. We took the family home after church and Emma and I went to the ER.

After 2 hours which included blood draws, exams and an EKG they could find no reason for her fainting. They spoke with a neurologist and he ordered a CT of the brain and an EEG and then a consult with his office. We go tomorrow for the CT scan and then Weds for the EEG and the consult. Hopefully all is well. She's been acting fine since we got home yesterday, but all prayers will be much appreciated until we know for sure.

Back to school

Well, first let me say thank you to everyone for your prayers and support during our illnesses. Isaac is doing better and the other kids seem fine (for now!). We returned to our schooling after a nice l-o-n-g break for the month of December. Here's a breakdown of Kailie's schedule for this week:

2nd Grade

History/Geography/Bible/Writing:
Tapestry of Grace Y1 (see sample of the period we're studying here)
This week's reading:
Time Travelers (Usborne)
Tut's Mummy Lost and Found
Mummies in the Morning
The Child's Story Bible (Catherine Vos) Exodus 1-5 for this week
The Children's Illustrated Story Bible (Dorling Kindersley) Exodus 1-5
Deserts (now in a combined volume called "Wild Places" from Usborne)
Mummies Made in Egypt
Geography from A to Z
Story of the World Volume 1

Grammar/Spelling:
Primary Language Lessons (also using this for our source material for poetry memorization)
Spelling Power

Nature Study:
Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book 2

Read Alouds:
Farmer Boy
Baby Island
Pilgrim's Progress

Math:
Math Mammoth

Character Study/Bible Study:
Polished Cornerstones

Hymn Study:
Then Sings My Soul for singing/listening we own all the Indelible Grace CD's which are modern arrangements for hymns, listen to them here

Home Economics:

Pearables: Level 1

Sewing Machine Fun for Kids

Art:

How To Teach Art to Children

Music:

The Story of the Orchestra

I love homeschooling and I love that we don't use any typical textbooks/workbooks either. It definitely requires a LOT more books than a textbook approach would, but it is so worth it for the love and interest in learning it develops in a child.

In case you're wondering, we get through this list of books in about 3 1/2 hours a day, which means Kailie saves around 4 1/2 hours a day for more fun stuff and play than her public school peers.

More sickness.....

I took Isaac to the MD today, thinking he was also suffering from an ear infection. It turns out that he actually has strep throat and scarlet fever! I didn't even know you could still get scarlet fever these days....sigh. So please offer up some prayers for our little man, he is very sick right now. 8(

Put the baby in the beemer

And some more....this one is on Family Worship

More with Voddie

I love Voddie Baucham

It's been a long time

We had both of our computers breakdown in December....sigh. Now Dave's laptop is working again so I will be able to post somewhat sporadically. We are in the midst of illness, like many of you. Abby was first with a stomach flu right before we left for Illinois for Christmas. Then Lauren got a really bad cold (which she still has.....). Emma started crying in the car on the way to Illinois. She ended up in the ER a day later and we learned she had a double ear infection. Then all was well until yesterday when Abby was walking around saying, "My eawuh, my eawuh" and holding her ear. She went to the MD, sure enough she has an ear infection as well. Then last night around 10 Isaac came to the door of our room covered in his own vomit....so into the bathtub he went. This morning Dave woke up with the same stomach flu. Hopefully everyone will be healthy soon, especially Lauren who has been ill for about 3 weeks now.

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas! 8-)