I hope and pray everyone had a great Christmas Season, we did! God is so GOOD ALL the time! He blesses in so many unexpected ways.

Four more days and we're back to school ~ we've been off since Thanksgiving. I have some reorganizing and rescheduling to do (of course). I'm just praying we can get and stay healthy!



I leave with a picture of the children completing their treasure hunt in between rain showers.

Cookies...'

Just thought I would share some photo's from one of our cookie baking days. The cookies only lasted a couple of days, they were yummy!

OBC Deaf Choir Part 5 - The Value of One

This is so powerful, I love how they demonstrate giving the Gospel and being saved. The deaf need the Gospel, there are hardly any Bible preaching deaf churches, evangelists or missionaries getting the Gospel out to the deaf community. When you are praying for the lost, remember the deaf, pray for people's heart to be burdened for these people, they need Jesus too!



This is my daughter's world, so it has become ours.  Romans 10:14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  Please pray that some will go and preach with their hands the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Tis' the Season...

So, the day after Thanksgiving we drove to the foothills to get our Christmas tree. This was the first year that Grace remembered the whole Christmas tree idea. This was also the first year doing our annual tree trek without either one of our big boys. *sniff, sniff* Oh well, Lord-willing they will be home for a few days during Christmas week.
  

  

Looking for the perfect tree

Saving the tree

Loading the tree



This is my favorite time of year, I love the weather, the music, the togetherness that this time brings. But most of all I love that it is the time we remember our Saviours birth. Without His birth there would have been no death and no resurrection~there would have been no salvation for us sinners! 

Philippians 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Blessings,

Christine

Psalm 18

My "Big" Boys..."

Well, we had a whirlwind of a trip this last weekend/week! We left on Sunday morning to visit our "Big boys" down in Southern Ca. who are attending West Coast Baptist College.  This was a spur of the moment trip (which, if you know my husband doesn't happen often...lol). We left early Sunday morning and stopped to visit a new church in Fresno, then continued with the drive, need I say the youngins' were not to thrilled with the 5 hrs. it took to get there! I guess they are too young to remember deputation! haha 

It was so great to see them and to be able to bless them with some home-made goodies and to get them some much needed things. Brett needed glasses, Tim needed school books, it was so nice to get them these things and some other smaller items. I think just being able to relax and watch a movie with them in our hotel room was the best thing, especially for our 4 little ones! They miss their big brothers so very much!

Unfortunatly we had to come home a couple of days early due to an incident at my dh job. Oh well, God is good and we got to spend some precious time with our boys. They have grown into such wonderful, godly young men! I have been and continue to be so very blessed!

UUGH!!

It's been a rough few weeks here in the Taylor home! Of course, it's all me!!! I have been in some sort of funk, I can't get motivated to do anything, ie.. clean my house, do a full day of school with the children, keep my menu going, actually just about anything!  Granted, there is a whole lot going on in my life right now, a lot of it personal, some of it not, but still, it STINKS!  If it wasn't for the Lord and His Word, I don't know how I would even manage what little I have. I just keep praying and trusting the Lord, hopefully I'll get out of this soon!

Moving on, I'll be glad when today is over, I'm so tired of all the Halloween stuff everywhere. The stores, tv and houses are worse than ever. Every year gets darker and more wicked than the year before!  Have you ever noticed how dark and evil Halloween is, and how bright and cheery Christmas is? Even decorations of a secular nature are bright and cheery at Christmas time. 

It's time for Thanksgiving, I love Thanksgiving and what it means. Having a time to concentrate on giving thanks is a wonderful thing not only for Christians but for everyone, because it causes us to stop and reflect on the positive instead of the negative! Life is so full of negative, we all need to see the positive, especially for those of us who call ourselves christians! We have EVERYTHING to be thankful for!!! Salvation is a wonderful thing, it's the most wonderful thing!!!

Well, we have about 20 days or so of school before our winter break, from Thanksgiving to New Year's we take off of school. I do a Christmas unit study during that time and of course we read, read, read! but other than that it's time off for the children, most importantly ME!! I think especially this time I really need it. I can get some refreshing from the Lord.

Well, the World Series is about to begin (go Giants!), need to get my husbands snacks ready, :-D  Have a Great Week!

Christine
Psalm 18

Pluggin' Along & God's Schoolhouse

Well, we are into our 5th week of school and just pluggin' along (so to speak). I do need to catch up on history and science a bit, but other than that we are doing pretty good so far. The children have been enjoying it for the most part, they do have their days where they would rather play, but in general they have had a pretty good attitude. PTL! ;-) 

Ah, but then their's me...The Lord has been teaching me some serious lessons!!  It's safe to say that we never attain perfection, at least I haven't! Especially where my attitude is concerned. It is nice though, that when you have matured some as a christian that you know your attitude is wrong and you want the Lord to help you change it. That is where I was these past few months, I have had some feelings about someone that I haven't had since I don't know when. I truly did not want to feel like I did and was praying (and asking anyone close to me to pray for me too) and seeking God's Word for His guidence. And just like Him, He answered my prayers in His time (this last week/weekend) and of course in His perfect way. It wasn't easy, but just like any type of growth, it was well worth it.  I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father who is patient, loving and kind ( and Who chastiseth when needed).

I now have a Christ like love for this person, yes I still struggle with her personality, but God gave me a verse to repeat over & over in place of the negative thoughts I may be having, it sure works! I LOVE the Word of God!

I'll leave you with the two verses that God gave me:

Psalms 141:3  Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

John 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Blessing,
Christine
Psalm 18

Family

This past Saturday we had our annual Standish Family Picnic. Attendence was a little low, but fun was had by all who attended.  At Christmas we all get together at my auntie's house, that is usually attended a little better, and as usual, a great time is had by one and all.

My father is the 5th of 10, so you can imagine that if even half of us get together there are A LOT of us!! LOL There's (I think) 22 grandchildren, and around 25 great grandchildren. Half of my cousins have yet to have any children, and some of the great grandchildren are starting to reach the age of marriage and starting a family.

Family is so important!!! I hope you all are making great family memories with your children, whether you have a big family, or a small family, there are memories to be made!!!

Grace...

Grace is our 6th child, and our second daughter. She was born in Inuvik, NWT, Canada, very healthy and very loved! When she was 5 1/2 months old  (Dec. 2005) she was medi-vacked to the Stollery Childrens Hospital in Edmonton, she was having siezures and it was discovered that she had bacterial meningitis. Thus begun 3months in the hospital, she was in the picu for almost 2 weeks before she came out of a coma and was breathing on her own.
Fast forward to now, she is now 5 years old and fairly healthy. She did lose her hearing due to the meningitis, and she is behind in her language/speech skills. At 8 months she received bilateral Cochlear Implants which gives her the gift of hearing when she's wearing them, it's pretty amazing! We do sign, but as you can imagine having a language/speech issue can cause some major frustration when trying to communicate (on both parts).  Her receptive skills (what she understands) is pretty much at her age, but her expressive language (what she knows to speak) is what is behind. She just in this past year caught up in her receptive, and she's getting their with her expressive.  Her EXTREME attitudes and tempertantrums have gotten better, with much prayer, love and discipline. It has been a long, hard journey in this area of discipline. But God is good and He will get us through this time.

She is realitively healthy as I've said, I will attribute this to the Lord, nutrition, and probiotics (they are amazing!). I know that many of you have heard me talk about her "episodes" on facebook and have wondered exactly what I'm referring to. Grace has something called "Cyclic Vomitting Syndrome." It is also referred to as abdominal cramps, either way it's rough to have. Basically she has something like migraines that cause her to vomit throughout the day/night whenever it strikes. For Grace it seems to start in the morning and last throughout the day, usually ending after dinner sometime. It usually occurs once a week, sometimes once every two weeks, it just depends. It's not life threatening (unless you get severely dehydrated), it's just life altering. I absolutely cannot do much of anything when she has these episodes, she wants me right next to her. This is hard on me, but most importantly it's hard on the other children. They are handling it well, I think we have all learned how to "work with it." It has forced me to be very organized with our homeschool and to be better organized with my home (notice I didn't say "very");-D

Grace can be a very difficult child, she's never in the middle, she's either hot or cold. But I could not imagine life w/out her! She brings such joy and love to our home, even when she's having her extreme difficult times (at least once a day) I still couldn't imagine our family without her. 

1 Samuel 1:27-28a  For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD.

Blessings,
Christine
Phil. 4:13

Tuesday, September 7, 2010 ~ 1st Day of School!!!  Only 169 days to go...LOL...
This is my favorite part of school, the first few weeks are full of excitement and expectation. School is so much more fun now than when spring comes around. This year I'm teaching 4th gr., 2nd gr., 1st gr., and K, no highschooler this year (1st time in 7 yrs. *sigh*).  My youngest is deaf (she has bilateral Cochlear Implants), so it's a challenge getting the right type of curriculumns for her, mostly I make up my own worksheets for her. She is so smart, she knows her sounds of the alphabet already. I was so surprised when I heard her doing them the other day, she taught them to herself using starfall.com, this is a great resource, I highly recommend this webpage for phonics.

I love that I can sit at my dining room table with my children and watch them learn. Whether it be learning to read, learning new math facts (or dealing with old ones, hehe), learning their colors, studying artwork, learning a new hymn and who wrote it, and most importantly, learning Bible truths! Truly this is what why we started homeschooling in the first place. So our children will learn how the Bible and it's truths pertain to EVERY part of life! I feel so blessed that God has allowed me do these things with our dear children.


For all my fellow homeschoolers, my prayer is that you have a GREAT year this year, and that your homeschool sees the many blessings of God!

God Bless,
Christine
Phil. 4:13

It's just around the corner...

Can you feel it?  it usually comes around Labor Day, around the start of school, with harvesting of apples and the ever so slight change in the weather...Yes, I'm talking about Autumn!!!YEA!!! I love this time of year! It gets me in the mood to start baking again, making soups and chili's, apple cider, hot chocolate, you get the idea. ;-) It means the holidays are getting closer, again another YEA!!!  September 23rd is the first day of autumn, we shall celebrate by doing an unit study on autumn that week and hopefully taking a field trip to a local apple orchard.

Well, #2 left on Wed. with #1 to get to WCBC...yes, I cried, in the bathroom, a few times!!:-(  I know that this is what we have them for, we raise them so they can grow up and go make a difference in this world for Jesus Christ, and they both are...but it's still bittersweet!  Remember #2 (Brett) in your prayers, he needs a job.

Time to go snuggle with the 4 still at home! ;-D

Christine
Psalm 18

It's that time again...

It's time to start planning out my school year now that August is almost upon us. We start school the day after Labor Day, so I usually begin my planning sometime near the end of July and beginning of August, I usually have all my curriculum or at least know exactly what I'm doing so I can plan accordingly.  This will be my first year in 7 years that I will not be planning high school. Mixed blessing I guess... 


So.. #'s 3,4,&5 will be doing Math Mammoth at their various levels, Language Lessons from Queen Homeschool Supplies, Homeschool in the Woods Adventure's series (history), Apologia science-Botany + some animal studies, weekly nature journal (first year doing this), still have to pick out hymns for hymn study, archery, woodworking, sewing and cooking will be handi-work skills being learned this year also.


#3 will be working on his cursive writing skills, reading some more challenging books ( I may incorporate some audio books he can read along with, considering he's an auditory learner).


#4 will be learning cursive, working on his reading skills, he will be finishing up with his Math-U-See and then be moving on to Math Mammoth.


#5 will be learning how to read, learning to write, and learning all about modesty and manners. I bought these great little books for girls from Queen Homeschool Supplies (at queenhomeschool.com) that really help start the conversation with you little girls.


#6 will continue learning her phonics on starfall.com, and Your Baby can Read, continue with basic math skills, beginning writing skills (tracing different shapes and lines, etc...) various workbooks from local stores and plenty of hands on creativity.


There's a whole lot more but that's all I can think of for now, I'm in the process of planning my terms, I bought a school planner a few years ago that has really helped me plan out my year, break it down to my terms, break those down to my weeks and then days. I bought from Simply Charlotte Mason and it has been worth every penny.


Well, the grandparents just pulled up (yep, I'm in the front watching the children play), time for some fun grandparent time!;-D

July 14, 1990

Daddy and #1 July 1990

#1 and #2 Youth Conference 2010

20 years ago today #1 was born...now he's a man, it really goes by in the blink of an eye! He graduated a homeschooler (was homeschooled all his life) he is going to be a junior in Bible college this year, He truly has a heart for the things of God. He truly blesses his parents lives. We love him and are so very proud of the godly young man he has become!

40 years...

Dad (Gary), Mom (Francine), Me ( 40 years ago)

Today (July 13) I am 40 years old. I have mixed emotions about it, I welcomed turning 30, I was very thankful to get out of my 20's! The first half of my 30's brought my 4 younger children while the last part I watched my oldest two boys become men.  My husband surrendered to the ministry, we became missionaries, spent 2 yrs. on deputation, went to the arctic, our youngest daughter was born, became very ill, lost her hearing and we moved back to the states. We started a church, graduated our first son and he went off to Bible College, just graduated second son and he is going off to Bible College, all this and much more in this one decade. I look at my 40's and see my second set of sons growing into men with girls close behind into becoming young ladies. As we get older we realize much more that our parents get older also...


With all the uncertanies that life has, I do know one thing- That GOD is ALWAYS with me, no matter what! He is such a loving, merciful, gracious God, I cannot imagine life without Him!!


Psalms 18:28-36 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

The Simple Life

As I was reading from Little House in the Big Woods to my children tonight I once again was overcome with the need to have a more simple life. Let me restate that, I need to have less stuff in my life and in my home! I have gotten rid of a lot of "stuff" but there is always more "stuff" we can get rid of. Sometimes I wish for the days when all a family had was one good church outfit and one good daily outfit, you had exactly what you needed to wash, cook and clean with. That is how big families where able to live in small homes and not have them be a mess with clutter. I know, I lived in a 29 ft. trailer for over a year while travelling the states raising support for the mission field. During that time we went from 3 children to 5 with the the 6th one on the way when we left for the field. I did it then, I most definitely can do it now, we are down to 4 children (sniff, sniff), it's time for some serious re-orginizing and getting rid of some items (big & small) that we can live without. I would like to get my house in order before school starts up again, actually before August. I would like to leave that month for preparing for when the new school year starts up again (after Labor Day). Time to print up some encouraging verses from the Bible and hang them around my house to keep me motivated,
any good verses that are a blessing to any of my sisters in Christ would be welcome!


~Christine
Phil. 4:13

Summer

Today is officially Summer!!! While we do "light" schooling during the June/July months and take August off, it still feels like summer break even with the little bit of school that is done. While I prefer Autumn/Winter to the summer months, it is a great time for the children to explore outside - actually stay outside for hours at a time...Nice for me! LOL  I do feel a serious camping trip coming on though!!!

CLASS OF 2010

Brett with Dad, Timothy and Mom 

 

Brett with Gramps and Grams

Brett with Grandpa and Grandma

Brett's Senior Picture

Here they are, graduation pictures of #2's ceremony...and a senior picture taken courtesy of Dolar Photography (he does awesome work!!). It was a great day, the Lord was truly glorified, #2 wanted everything to center around the Lord, from the music to his speech and of course the challenge (given by our Pastor who just happens to be his father). We are truly blessed to have a son like Brett, he is a true joy and blessing to his family (I think especially his mommy).  ;-}

21 yrs. and counting...

Today I have been married for 21 years to the most perfect fit for me! God has blessed me with a Godly man who loves the Lord and his family more than himself!!! The last 21 years have been quite adventurous to say the least. We have six children, travelled  around the country and been to around 25 states or so, lived in the arctic for some time, gone through a major illness with our oldest, almost lost our youngest, raised teenagers (4 more to go), started a church, homeschool, all this while going through the normal (and maybe not so normal) ups and downs of growing together with age and time. We are two very different individuals in so many ways, but as we grow older together we become so much more alike, more ONE.  When you live as the Bible says you should as husband and wife, it can only get better!!

May 20,1989

We were such kids then, he was 21, I was 18, seems like a lifetime ago...In many ways it has been!!!

They Grow Up WAY to fast!

This Saturday son #2 graduates from homeschool-highschool. Time goes by in the blink of an eye. We are so proud of the young man that he has become, most importantly how much of an Godly young man he has become. He has such a love for the Lord, it amazes me. Sometimes we just sit back and wonder who raised him, he can't be our son! LOL  It's going to be interesting to see what the Lord has in store for him.  It has been fun planning his graduation, when son #1 graduated we had the graduation ceremony with two other homeschoolers, so he had to share the day and the planning. #2 had the day all to himself, he has been able to plan it according to his tastes, needless to say it is going to be one fun night!

It's funny, with all the planning for the graduation, and still doing school with the other children I nearly forgot my wedding anniversary is next week. When my husband mentioned it from the pulpit on Sunday, then I remembered. It's not like I actually forgot it, I've just been too busy to think about it. Lately he's been a real sentimental kind of guy, he's not usually like that, so it's strange to see. :-)  We will be celebrating 21 years of marriage on May 20th.

We are getting close to finishing the bulk of the children's schooling. During June and July the boys do a page of math three days a week and everyone reads most days of the week. August is a full month off (except for reading) then back to school full force after Labor Day. #2 has been finished with his subjects for about 2 weeks, he's been working on his graduation ceremony. I'll be blogging and have pictures on Monday (hopefully).

Babies...

It's been a long time since I've missed being pregnant, but today my sister in-law came over with her first set of maternity clothes on, she looked cute, made me miss being pregnant. I don't miss labor and delivery, but I loved being pregnant, almost every part of it! Some would say six is enough, with one that has already flown the coup, and one on his way out, we are down to 4, almost sounds like a lonely number.;-)  The house is a little quieter (I stress - little-), not as many people waiting to use the bathroom - nice thing about having more boys than girls, if you have plenty of trees in back the bathroom issue may not be all that bad!;-} lol 

The boys are on a "boys only" end of the homeschool year hike today. They left early and won't be back 'till late. The younger boys were so excited they could hardly sleep (but of course, being boys they did). Of course I had to promise the girls a "girls only" homeschool camp out, yes camp out - just a hike is for wimpy boys! :-D Good thing I like to camp, I'm not sure about the other homeschool moms...I guess we could borrow a camper from my in-laws and they can stay in there, I'll sleep in the tent w/the girls. ;^} jk 

While I'm on the subject of my girls, I would like to mention Graces language skills are really developing. She is starting to say a lot more sentences, of course they are the "bossy, I'm the queen" type of sentences, but hey, they're sentences!  COCHLEAR IMPLANTS RULE!!!

Christine
~Phil. 4:13~

Spingtime

I love spring! I especially love Easter, I love that even the unsaved will take this time to go to church, it may be out of tradition but at least they come and hear the Gospel. It's the perfect time to invite those (who would not normally go) to go to church with you.

I love watching all the flowers bloom, I love the drive to my parents in the country with all the rolling hills, blooming trees and baby animals.  But with all that comes the desire to go out and play rather than do school work, more for me rather than the children! :-} Fortunatly we have a three week break. That helps!!!

Well, it's time to go and enjoy my evening.

Math

YAHOO!!! I finally found a math program for my ds#3 and for dd#5 (when she's ready). It's called Teaching Textbooks and it's perfect for my audio/visual learner's. Ds #4 and dd #6 will stick with Math-U-See as they are my visual learners and need to stick with a program that teaches one thing at a time. I'm still trying to decide exactly how to do history next year for #3 I'ce narrowed it down to a cople of idea's, just have to decide. Money (or lack of it) is a deciding factor because I have to hs on an extremly tight budget this upcoming year. Oh well, God knows and is in totall control.

Time to go outside and enjoy the sunshine with the children.

Homestretch

We are getting into the homestretch for ds#2. He will be graduating in 2 months, AAGH! He has finished his English (Anylitical Grammar), British Literature (ABEKA), he has a few more subjects to go and then..that's it! :(  This is always a bittersweet time for me, I'm so excited to see what God has for them in their adult life, on the other hand I will (and do) miss the sweetness of their baby years, the rowdiness of their elementary and early teen years, and the blossoming into adulthood of their older teen years.  We are so proud of the young men our boys have become. They have such a heart for the things of the Lord, their desire to be in His perfect will is so amazing to both my dh and myself.

I still have four more youngins' to homeschool, Grace is still in preschool so I will be at home, schooling the children for quite some time!:-} 

The other day I was sitting at the table watching the girls do school in their princess dresses, #4 was dressed in his cowboy garb (holsters, guns, and knife included) doing math, #3 was on his bed reading and #2 was working on his presentation for his graduation, what a wonderful life I have been allowed to give my children. The Lord has been so gracious and kind to us, I am constantly amazed at His goodness and mercy!!!

Just the 7 Us

My little brother got married one week ago, yesturday..YAHOO!!! I'm so excited for him and his bride, he has waited a long time for this (35 yrs. to be exact).

With that being said, it has been a long time since it has just been us. Now that my brother has moved out, the house seems a little more quiet, and a little more room. He was only officially out of the house one day when the children and dad moved what was left of him out and moved the children into his room. Up untill this point the 3boys (18..just turned, 81/2 and almost 7) have been sharing a room, the girls have been in our room (Laura had her own bed and Grace shared w/us). Now, Mel and I have our room back. Ok, well sort of... I still end up with Grace or she ends up with me as soon as dh goes to work (1am). Oh well. ;p 

The house is in a bit of an up-heaval, early spring cleaning going on, the move kind of forced it. It is much needed though. 

All of this and it's time to start going through the homeschool stuff, getting rid of what's not needed and preparing for next school year. But first we have to prepare for #2's graduation. 

It's finally just us and ds#2 will probably be off to Bible college this fall, then it will be just the 6 of us. It was hard just being the 7 of us when ds #1 went off to Bible college, but having my brother and his daughter living with us kept it from feeling like less.

Oh well, life goes on, children grow up and move on serving the Lord with their own lives. That's why we do what we do.  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD... Psalm 127:3a

So, I'm sitting here in my living room, on the couch, in the dark (the girls are having a camp-out in the living room, boys are jealous :-p) thinking about this Saturday. My brother is going to be married on Saturday. He and his daughter have been living with us since we moved back from Canada. It will be four years this summer. We never thought he'd get married, he's 35 and never been married. I'm very happy for him as he enters this new phase of his life.

With that being said, there has been a lot of reminicing going on. We've been going through a lot of old picures, which of course creates an incredible walk through time. Pictures of when we were kids, of when we were teenagers (serious 80's flashback), when I got married, when my sister was married, the birth of our children, etc... My husband and I marvel at how young and thin we looked way back when we were young*er. :p  I never really thought of us being young when we got married (he was 21, I was 18), but now that we are much older and have children that are 18+, we both realize how young we were.  It has been fun taking a trip down memory lane though. When remembering all we thought we knew about life back then, and what we know now (and realize what we still don't know), I could never have spent this time with a better man! I have the greatest husband, and he's the greatest father to our children. Is he perfect, no! but heaven knows I most definitly am not either! I am so thankful I trusted the Lord for my husband and waited in His perfect timing.

Another wonderful thing happening this weekend is Valentines Day. Now it's not the actual holilday that's wonderful, but the fact that the 14th is my parents 40th wedding anniversay. Considering my parents got married when my mom was 15 and my dad was 17, that 's a pretty amazing thing to accomplish, especially this day and age! I am truly blessed with amazing parents, they truly give of themselves for their children and grandchildren.

Mom & Dad Feb. 14, 1970 

I love this picture of them! They've had a lot of real hard times, but they have made it through and grown with each other. They are an amazing couple!! I am so blessed to have them as my parents.                                  

zzzzzz....

Ok, so I'm once again up before the sun with the wild one *sigh*.  Granted, I get my Bible study done before 6am, she watches her "therapy" video before the other children are awake which does allow her to focus solely on that and not be distracted by her brothers and sister. Right now she's sitting at the table with me finishing up her hot chocolate so she can watch one of her Signing Time video's.  I on the other hand am just trying to keep my eyes open while typing...Oh well, C'la'vie

For the next couple of days I'm watching one of my girlfriends 3 boys. She pulled a muscle in her neck, I'm keeping them so she can rest and heal. When I left her yesterday she was laying on the couch with her laptop on her lap and her husband taking care of her (hmmm..I now wonder how hurt she really is...lol). Acutally, we love it when the boys stay over, Jake and Luke love having more boys to play with, the girls, well they adapt... :-)  I always thought 8 boys would be great to have, I was right, it would be. I don't know how the girls would feel about that though.. ;-)

Well, it's time to start another homeschooling day, time to go wake up the youngins' (and try to get the teenager up, that takes a little more effort on my part. hehe).

Good Day

Some days homeschooling are good ones and some are not so good ones. Today is a good one, not great, just good, I like good. Don't get me wrong, great days are wonderful but as soon as the next day comes and the boys are bouncing off the walls (or ceiling or roof) the girls are crying and the wild one is absolutley refusing to listen (insert irony), it can be a real, REAL discouraging time. When I have good days on the other hand, the not so good days are much less of a discouragement as they are the pattern of things.

I love homeschooling all my children, been doing it for 15 yrs. and couldn't imagine it being any other way!! My youngest can be a challenge in more ways than the other 5 have been or will be, but it's a challenge God seems to think I can meet (must admit I don't think so at times), so it's something I could not give up on or give to someone else to do for me. 

So, here's to more good days! :-}

Boys

I love my boys! they are wild, crazy, rowdy, stinky, silly, loud, rowdy, stinky, oh wait... I'm repeating myself..lol Having 4 boys is a tireing experience, but I wouldn't trade it for the world (or a house full of girls! of which I have 2) Right now #4 thinks he's some kind-of ninja-cowboy. He made a whip out of binder paper..need I say more!?!!:\

Boys, gotta love 'em!:D

Ho Hum...

Today wasn't as much of a BLAH day as it was a ho hum day... Had a lot to do, and didn't really do it. Bummer, just more to do on Monday. :-p

Using her words...

Mommy, I did a good job... I want cereal... (Laura,Luke,Jacob,etc...)please move... Good morning beautiful... these may be ordinary phrases to many of you, but they are extra-ordinary phrases to this mommy!

You see, my daughter Grace is deaf, she lost her hearing when she was 5 months old due to bacterial meningits. When she was 8 1/2 months old she received Cochlear Implants. She is now 4 1/2 yrs. old and chattering up a storm. Language doesn't come easy for her, she has to work real hard to say her words correctly, there are many sounds she working on, a lot of them sound a like, an example if you tell her to fix her hair, she may try to fix her "ear" (what she calls her implants) or she may just touch her ears.

These last couple of weeks she has really turned a corner on her speach, she is articulating the sounds to the words she's saying much better and she's using words and phrases in the proper context. Modern Technology is so amazing to me. It's amazing how God would give us the knowledge to create such things. The fact that my totally deaf little girl can hear is a wonderful thing.

The first time she said "I love you" to me without any promps was one of the most incredible days of my (and my husbands) life. We were told she wouldn't live, and here she is telling me she loves me, God is so good! Now she says "Good morning beautiful" to me, she signs and says "I love you" all the time to me and everyone else!

I'm so blessed! I am not only her mommy, but I'm her teacher and her language therapist. That can be scary and nerve racking at times, but I know who's in control and who gives me the strength to make it through each day!

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil. 4:13

The Waltons

I love this show! We don't watch much tv, so the things that we do watch we want to be family friendly. Not todays worldy views of the family, but the views of days gone by. The Waltons isn't perfect (can't stand how the children talk back at times, use this a "learning time with the youngins')but I love how the theme is love and devotion to family. The grandparents are a vital part of the family unit, as the parents are. I also love the hard working nature and simplicity of the family. They're up early, and go to bed early (with the chickens as grandpa Walton would say), they don't have a lot, but what they have is enough. Their's is a home that is full of love for one another and a contentment with the things they have (for the most part). They live off the land for their needs and all their needs are met.
There are times I long for this "simple" life. The times we live in are fast paced, and getting faster by the moment. At times I think this recession has been a good thing for the family. It has caused us to slow down some, pick and choose the things we are going to spend our time and money on. We have found that staying at home with our loved ones is just as nice (or better) than some expensive getaway where we all do our own thing!
I love being a stay at home mom, I homeschool my children, I make a lot of things from scratch (not everything), I love reading to my children, listening to old time radio shows, reading and acting out Bible stories, going to the park, camping, and just about anything that will allow me time with my husband and children.
I love that I can instill in them a love for their Creator. I can teach them what it is to be a godly man, and to be a godly woman, to love and cherish the place God has given us in this world. To be soulwinners...
Having a house filled with the love of God is an incredible thing. The offerings of this world dull in camparison to what God has to give if we but ask.

Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tellthier children, and their children another generation... Joel 1:3

ER Time

Well, we spent the better part of the evening in the emergency room with Laura. The children (cousins also) were out back picking oranges from our very full tree, when a ladder fell on her. Laura was so petrified of going to the doctor she didn't want to get off the toilet seat and go to the doctors..:p poor baby! She ended up with 4 staples on the back of her head (and a well deserved happy meal!) She was such a brave little girl, while she did cry, she didn't scream, or throw a fit, she just did what she was told. As I was telling people over the cell to pray for her because she was so fearful of the dr. and of getting a shot (she was sitting right there listening to me talk)it made her feel good to know that people would actually pray for her like that. After it was all said and done, we talked about how she felt better because people were praying for her and how she was able to handle getting a shot (in her head mind you) and staples and that it didn't hurt all that much. She was able to understand in a little girl way how God listens to His people when they pray. ;D

I have a feeling that by the end of this weekend she will be on spoiled little girl! :-) That's ok, with me, after 6 children I believe in some spoiling when they get sick or hurt or just because!;-} Well, it's time to try to sleep (I usually have a hard time when one of my children aren't feeling well), but first I'll finish watching this episode of the Waltons. <3

Moving, again

Well, it looks like we will probably be moving, again!:( I just pray that this time will be IT for a long, long, long time!!!
We owned our home from the beginning of our marriage until the time we sold it (to move to Canada). Since we've been back we've been in 2 different homes, I really want to move into place that will be our home for a very long time. Somewhere were I can put up my homeschool "wall," shelves, pictures, and not worry about holes in the walls. I can plant flowers, and have a garden and not worry about the homeowner.
Well, it looks like we may have found such a place. Lordwilling, we have found a house where the homeowner lives out of country, and wants someone to move into their home that will make it their own. Someone who plans on living in it for a very long time. So, if it's the Lords will, we will be moving again. If He opens the door, then we know it's His will. Just keep trusting the Lord!!:)

Other news, the girls are finally playing well together. Grace has finally gotten old enough to play with her big sister in a "big" girl kinda way. Grace's communication skills are getting better, her receptive language is pretty much caught up to her age, and her expressive language is catching up. Her main problem is that she can't always get across what she's trying to say, so either she signs it (or makes up some kind of sound effect or sign) or she throws an incrediblely loud fit! yea for everyone in the house, or within a 1 mile vicinity. :p

When Grace gets real mad (at me in particular) she pulls her coils off her head (so she can't hear) and closes her eyes (so she can't see), that way she can scream to her hearts content! This is especially fun in the car, or even better in the store. Oh well, she's getting better with much prayer, prayer, prayer, the Bible, love and discipline!:)

Haiti

The news and the pictures coming out of Haiti about the earthquake is so heartwrenching. To see the death and destruction is awful, almost beyond comprehension. We need to remember this country and these people in our prayers, daily. Not only for their physical and emotional needs, but their spiritual needs as well. I know that there are those who are currently adopting children from Haiti, we need to remember them in our prayers as well.

Prov. 3:5-6

It's amazing how these verses can really get me through the day! Everyday is filled with it's own set of trials and blessings, trusting the Lord to lead me through the day is the only way I stay sane.
We affectionatly call our 6th child our "Wild Child." She is all that and then some!! She has some communication issues which add to her very STRONG personality. She starts the day at 4am and ends it around 9pm! :-p I try not to sit down to much during the day or...zzzzzz happens!!! I'm fighting it now... She challenges everything my husband and I thought we knew about discipine...lol She's also a great character builder for her brothers and sister...lol they endure her screaming (mostly due to frustration, and some just her), her extreme busy body self, and just her being spoiled (at least to me). Being in the hospital for 3 months and being the youngest plays on the grandparents (and anyone else for that matter).
My honey just offered to take me out for a coke, think I'll take him up on the offer of a few minutes of quiet and a coke!

New Year

Well, this is my one and only true new year resolution, I wanted to start a blog to write the going's on of the Taylor household. We are a crazy bunch of homeschoolers here in Central Ca. My youngest daughter is deaf and has bilateral Cochlear Implants. She is definitely my "wild child!" :) My husband is a pastor and works full time for the local newspaper, busy, busy,busy, but who isn't these days!?!!