School

   So, we've started schooling from home this year. I was unsure how it was going to play out because I don't consider myself an educator. Meaning, I never thought I would enjoy teaching my kids full time. I got a little spoiled when they went to school everyday. I was able to do all kinds of things with out taking kids with me, like have coffee or lunch with a friend. Now? I'm too busy most days to eat lunch at home =) The bottom line is this...I LOVE SCHOOL!!

   Before we started I was really worried about knowing if my kids were learning all they needed to learn within our year. I wasn't sure how to know. Do I have them tested at our school with the other kids? Could I have them tested at another location? Who presented the test? Who got the results? I wasn't sure where to start. And then we got some advice from the manager at our local Mazzio's Pizza. We've been going to the same pizza place almost every Sunday for close to 7 years. The staff knows what we want even before we order and where we want to sit. So, one Sunday in May, I was talking to the manager about homeschooling because of Aaron's schedule and he's says to look up CLASS. Because that's what he went thru. I never would have thought he was homeschooled. He said he remembered really liking it. I got right on the computer when we got home and started researching. We liked what we read so I wrote out questions we had and called them up. After being directed to the right office, a real person answered all my questions. We felt really good about the decision to go with their curriculum.

   Here's a run down...CLASS is an actual school in Arlington Heights, Ill. We have enrolled our 3 big kids and use their curriculum at home. We have tests to send in for grading and the kids get progress reports and report cards. I like this very much because I need to know that my children are learning what is set before them in case they are ever in a public/private school at a later time. It also lets me know that they're paying attention =) We have 4 quarters to our year and a full 12 months to get our work done. 2nd-12th grades test prior to enrolling so the curriculum dep. can makes sure the child is getting the right level for the course. They choose the curriculum for you. For us, this was a big plus. It being our first year and there being so many different publishers to choose from, this took the guess work out of it and relieved a lot of stress. We recognized most of the publishers they used so we were comfortable with it. This program means that we accountable to someone for our children's education. It also means that I can't be lazy with our school days.

   We received our books in mid-July and started school about 2 weeks later. We are now almost at our half-way point. Some subjects are going much quicker than others. Katie has only one more test and she'll be done with her science book. On the flip side, Ethan is about 2 weeks behind(my schedule) on his science. They have included a bible curriculum and a penmanship book. They have Nature Reader's(a book teaching about specific animals) and none teach the same thing. So, Ethan has learned about different birds, and Levi has learned about crabs, bees and wasps. And Katie is learning about a different animal for every letter of the alphabet. These books have made our trips to the zoo and aquarium much more fun. Levi's science book is covering the days of Creation. I have learned so much in the past 5 months. We read about Daniel Boone in front of a fire while it was raining outside this morning. I might have missed that if they were going away to school.

   And Evan? He's learning from his siblings. He knows his colors, shapes, ABC's, can count past 30, colors within the lines and he can use scissors. He can also make his own ham/cheese sandwich with out help =) He practiced the number 4 today and writes it like he's been doing it for years. Even though he's would only start pre-k next year because of when his birthday is, we'll think about starting with the kindergarten curriculum when we re-enroll the kids.

   So, there you have it. We have a structured school day. It's not all fun and games but we find time to do both. Sometimes the kids give me attitude and sometimes I give them some. We take breaks when needed but always get our work done. Most often we're finished before Aaron leaves for work at 1:45. It's hard work but right now I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Birthday, Evan!!!

Oh, man! I cannot believe it's been 4 years. What a ride! My youngest is quite a hoot. This past year has marked some post worthy milestones for Evan. The top three big are...He learned to swim, swing with NO help and ride his bike without training wheels. He's a little too coordinated for his own good and it's a little scary for me. He loves doing flips on the trampoline and has done them while on the floor. I put a stop to the floor flips. He started a gymnastics class a few weeks ago and it has been so good for him. He gets to do what he loves and I don't worry because there's padding underneath him. He's a smart little guy and his smile is very contagious. He tells me he loves me at least 50 times a day =) Here are a few of my favorite pics from this past year...

The boy sure knows how to laugh

                                                 
                                                       and he can take a hit like a big kid

                                               
                                                              If he can climb it...he will

Swinging machine

                                                                      Space Specks

such a thoughtful kid

and such a fighter =)

Metal Mouth!!

                             Levi got braces Sept 4th. They make him look a few yrs older than 8, I think.

Playing the ipad and waiting to be called back.

                                                                       Bottom brackets!

Dr. Cooper doing his thing...

Finished...good looking kid =)

Build Me a Son

Build me a son, whose heart will be 

clear, whose goals will be high,

a son who will master himself before 

he seeks to master other men, one who 

will learn to laugh, yet never forget to weep, 

one who will reach into the future, 

yet never forget the past.

The Knox Clan

As of May 2013

For those that aren't familiar with my side of the family or those that haven't seen us in so long you can't tell who's who...

from the left you have my little brother Tim with his family seated in front (Nathan, wife Nicole holding Abigail, and Micah). Mom and dad are next to Tim with mom holding Tim's youngest, Judah. Matt and Megan are in front of dad with their kids (Chloe, Cooper, Colbie and Caleb). Andy and Diana with their kids Tyler and Tiffany and then you have my crew on the right.

It's now August and Tim and Nicole are days away from meeting their newest little one =)

Where to begin...

I know I said this, like, 2 posts ago but...so much has happened! First, I totally didn't mention that my oldest turned 9 back in January. He's such a great kid. Really growing into a responsible young man who I am very proud of.

Katie was next. Turning 6 in May. Such a girly girl. Forget the bats and ball gloves. Give this girl loves anything with sparkle. She loves nail polish, make-up, twirly dresses and jewelry.

Then Levi =) He turned 8 last month. And he's getting so tall. And because of losing a tooth early and having no room for the adult tooth to come in(and I mean NO ROOM) he'll be getting braces next month. They'll stay for about 9 months.

We ended the school year with the decision that we would not re-enroll the kids in public school. Aaron's work schedule is such that he only saw the kids for about 10 minutes before school and on the weekends. Well, that was just not working for us. So, now we're a homeschooling family. We got started about 3 weeks ago and very slowly are getting the hang of things. I have some wonderful friends and a sister-in-law that homeschool and were very open about their journey. I received some great advice to help make the adjustment a little less harsh. It's going very well. I'm really excited to see how our year ends =)

I also ran my 3rd 5k with my brother, Andy. No pics this year. And I did my 2nd Warrior Dash. This year I Dashed with Andy and my nephew Tyler. I do have pictures of that but Aaron put them in a new program I don't know how to get to =/ I knocked 11 minutes off my time from last year and will be going back for more next May. And I'll get pics up when I can find them.

We also had our annual Knox Clan reunion over Memorial Day week. Again...the family pic is in that new photo program. Although, the picture will be missing a tiny person. Tim and Nicole are DAYS from welcoming their 5th. Another boy. I'll share his name after he gets here =)

On Father's Day we celebrated Katie and Levi being baptized!! Aaron's dad did this for us(as he did Ethan) and it was AWE-SOME!

And just because I didn't think I had enough going on...I got a puppy. A mini-dachshund we named Lola. She is a hoot!! She plays so hard and then crashes for a few hours. Sleeps great at night and the kids LOVE her. How cute is she?!?!

So, as you see, we've had our hands full. And it's only just beginning. And right now, I feel so very blessed.

Changing Me

First off, I cannot believe that this is my 100th post!! Seems like just yesterday I was giving in to a friends request to start a blog so she could keep up with me. And as hit and miss as I've been, I have enjoyed blogging =)

This post is more for me than for anything else. And as the title says, it's all about changing me. Aaron is working second shift right now. That means Monday-Friday he leaves for work before the kids get home from school and doesn't get home until after 11pm. He can usually change one day a week so he's home in the evening. That still leaves 4 days a week when it's just me and the kids. I know what kind of mom I want to be. What kind of mom I dream to be. However, when one is tired and feels like a single parent most of the week and the kids fight and are disobedient, it's really hard to be that mom. So, Monday(it's now Thursday) I dropped the kids off at school. It was raining and I was in a fantastic mood. On the way home from the school I had a conversation with the Lord. I made sure he knew what my goals were for the evenings to come. How I didn't want to get irritated with my kids and to find a positive way to handle their fighting. Monday evening went GREAT! I stayed calm and didn't raise my voice at all. I told the kids what I was working toward and asked them to help by behaving and getting along. They seemed to understand that it's hard for me with their dad gone. Tuesday was also really good. We played cards and had a great time until bed time. Yesterday....Still ok, but not what I wanted. I could feel myself getting irritated and fighting my feelings. I've learned that if I turn up my praise and worship music and pray in the moment it really helps. I don't want to be that mom that yells because her kids are being loud, or jumping around the house. I want to be loud and jump with them. Something happened at the end of last year, a tragedy in Connecticut, that has helped me deal with my kids. I just remind myself that there are parents out there who would love the noise and fighting and a reason to discipline their child. But they can't. I have the opportunity to change myself and be the mom I know I can be. To live in the moment and let my kids be kids. To have fun with them now because they're growing up so fast. To have a calm and gentle spirit because I don't want them to remember a mom that was always telling them to stop and be quiet and "what were you thinking". I am learning about self-control and to think before I speak. I'm in a study right now and one of the things that keeps coming up is that the mom is the center of the home. Who do my kids go to to tattle even if dad is right next to them? Me. When they get hurt? Me. When they do something they're proud of? Me. Not to say they WON'T go to their dad, but they come to me most. It's in our nature to nurture and I need to nurture ALL THE TIME. God is teaching me through some very special people that I am not alone in this struggle. But If we're going to homeschool next year then I need to get a handle on my attitude NOW. I mean, look at these faces...

Don't they deserve the best from a mom that loves them the most? I never want them to have reason to doubt that they are getting that. My best.

'Her children rise up and call her blessed'   Psa. 31:28

So Much....

Seems like so much has happened since Sept. For starters, Ethan had a bike wreck and broke a finger. Also had 4 stitches in that same finger. This brought about ortho appt's.

I also became an aunt again in Sept. Caleb Janzen Knox was born to Matt and Megan on the 11th.

Oct. started out with Aaron having a bike wreck and breaking his collar bone. He hit a pothole and 'superman'-ed over his handle bars hitting the pavement with the back of his shoulder and head(his helmet cracked). He was out of work for 6 weeks. This brought about ortho appt's.

The top pic is the road rash on the back of the shoulder he landed on. The other is his broken helmet. He hadn't been wearing one until about 2 weeks before this.

Nov. started with Katie having her second set of tubes put in. And Dec. started with her mouth connecting with Evan's head and losing a tooth that wasn't loose.

 Aaron's g-ma died in Jan. and Ethan turned 9.

We're also making some improvement's to our house. We've had a new roof put on and a new privacy fence put up just last week. Next on the list is painting the siding.

OH! And we've decided to homeschool next year and we're ALL excited =)