"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6
A blog dedicated to training children to be shining examples of God's love.
Connor started Rod and Staff English today and lo and behold in the first lesson, both Connor and I were shocked to learn 1.) The Bible talks about word usage and word understanding. 2.) That learning grammar and writing skills had eternal value. I can firmly tell you that I was totally in the dark about that fact as was my son.
We learned that Speaking and Writing are important contributions to God's Kingdom. We must be able to tell others about Jesus and that words must be understandable to be beneficial (I Cor 14:9, 19). Writing can encourage believers, even generations upon generations, with their future hope (Rev 14:13). We looked up several more verses that related to this topic ( I didn't even know some of these existed) and then discussed some of the authors that Connor enjoys and their impact on Christianity. Take for example C.S. Lewis, Oswald Chambers or even Max Lucado. If these greats of the Christian faith could not put an intelligible, interesting and grammatically correct sentence together, would their ministry been as effective. The answer is an obvious no.
The lesson also warned us that God will judge us on our speaking ability (Col. 1:28). We must use words for His glory. Think of the damage that great but evil speakers have done to our world, Hitler or Darwin and conversely what Godly speakers have done like Billy Graham or Abraham Lincoln.
I was amazed at the eternal perspective that an otherwise simple English lesson taught Connor and I today. Who knew?
Connor then ended the lesson with, "Ah man, now I really have to do grammar because of the eternal perspective. What a shame."
The twins had a great 9th Birthday. On their actual birthday we have always made it a tradition that Scott takes Collin for a "boys" birthday treat and I take Caileigh for a "girls" day. Whatever grandparents are here get to go as well. This year Scott, Vic and the boys went to Boondocks to play mini golf, lasar tag and bumper boats and Mo, Alex, and Caileigh and I went for tea and then a visit to the American Girl store. All of us had a great time at our respective events. This allows the twins to have a time focused on each of them, then they have a blow-out huge party with all their friends. This year we had a "Messy Art Party" which was so fun!
I made two kinds of cupcakes and then Caileigh and I made moldable chocolate clay and candy clay for each guest to decorate their cupcakes with and then eat and enjoy. We had spray paint art, sand art, chalk art, confetti balloons, face painting, painting inside the castle and hat decorating. It was amazingly fun!
I can't believe my babies are 9. They are more precious to me as each year passes. They are fantastic young people and I can't wait to see what God has for them. Happy Birthday Loves!
Just a quick note to say that summer is a great time to work on some of those character traits that we don't always have time for in the school year. I usually pick one or two traits and find a Proverbs for them to write and memorize and give extra marbles for the marble jar for when they show these traits. When they have 20 marbles, we may go to a movie (many AMC theatres have really cheap kid movies on Wed mornings), go swimming, pick out a new book or go have ice cream.
Some of the things we work on may be:
Obeying right away, not saying, "but Mom..." (I hate that), picking up after themselves, having a good attitude on chores, getting along with siblings etc.
Proverbs has verses to cover all of that! It's like the author of the book knew us so well that He gave us specific guidelines! : )
Summer is also a great time to work on things like cooking, doing laundry (from beginning to end), mowing lawns, putting toys away and those life skills that will be handy when school rolls around again.
Mine are working on keeping the kitchen clean (like Mom likes it) and laundry from beginning to end. Somehow Caileigh and Connor know how to do these but sneaky Collin has slid by without these skills. Not any longer, to his chagrin.
I just wanted to brag on my family for a moment. They are so incredible and I wanted to take a moment and share that. So please, forgive a Mom's and wife's proud brag.
Collin is an amazing little man. He can be as ornery as a mule with a sly little smile and with an evil grin he will take you down at table football or soccer or miniature golf - just ask Mr. Vic. He is also one of the sweetest guys with a heart that loves to tell others about Jesus. I was giving the kids my goodnight call while I was on a trip and he asks, "Mommy, can I pray for you? You are working so hard and I want to pray over you." My eyes misted over as he prayed protection and blessing over me. Collin always wants to do what is right and just and fair and he will let you know if you are not doing what is right (poor Caileigh gets this a lot). I can't wait to see what God has planned for his life.
Caileigh just cracks me up. She is a party waiting to happen at any moment in time. She is a bright spot in the day of everyone she meets, rarely has a frown and will give you her last dime. She has grown and matured so much in this last year and has really tried, "to do the right thing", which is really hard for this quick witted, curious, independent little girl. She makes friends at the blink of an eye and forgives and forgets offenses as quickly. She loves with her whole heart, soul and being.
Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband. This summer, I have been doing some traveling to a few home school conventions and while I am gone, Scott has picked up the kid slack. I am so grateful to have a husband who will gladly take the kids and all their activities and just run with it. He never makes me feel that I am not doing my job at home and is always happy and willing to hang with the kids. I am so blessed to have him.
Connor is one of the most gentle and kind young men I have ever known. I am so proud of my young man. He held, talked and played with this 4 month old baby girl for a long time at a barbeque. Kids were running around and playing and Connor sat there rocking on the swing and loved on this baby. He can talk and play with kids his age too but I love his sweet spirit and his heart for little ones. His little cousins love him because he's never too busy to play with them. Someday he will make an amazing Dad, just like his amazing Dad.
The family at the Grand Canyon - minus Miss Mo because heights are not her favorite things. The beginning of the red rock terrain which was to last for the next 6 days.
Bryce Canyon National Park - amazing. The kids with their beloved Alex. The kids memorializing all the Westerns filmed in Monument Valley. They crack me up!
Brighty, the famous Grand Canyon Donkey, which conveniently had a book written about it by Marguerite Henry and sold at the gift shop. See, school is everywhere
Scott switched jobs and had a week of floating holidays to use or lose so we grabbed the kids and the Gulas family (our adopted grandparents and Aunt, whom we love with all our hearts) and headed to Arizona and Utah for a 6 day tour of 5 National Parks. It finished out our school year and was a great time.
On a parenting note, it really pays to teach your kids that they are best friends and are to love each other more than themselves. We drove a lot and didn't have one cross word, one argument or fight the entire time between them. It was amazing. I am so proud of them. Scott and I had more cross words then they did. ( Hey, it happens) I find that this is one of those unforeseen benefits of home schooling, they don't know that they aren't supposed to like each other. We have also taken a firm stand on this, if they can't get along with each other then they lose the privilege of being with outside friends. We have only had to enforce this once or twice but we really want them to have a close, life long friendship. (Cause otherwise, all family Disney vacations won't be as fun)
Caileigh rocks at soccer. It's amazing how much concentration she can put into this. It's one of the few places she does.
Connor turned 12 and saved enough money between his own savings and birthday money to buy a 32 gig i-touch. He is a very happy boy.
Caileigh has really found the joy of reading this year. She reads everywhere just like her big brother and Mom.
Every spring the town floods the streets while checking the fire hydrants. This is one of my kids favorite indicators of summer coming.
Easter morning with Alex. Daddy was plaing in the orchestra at church so we met him there.
Collin running his heart out at soccer. The boy has a serious desire to win. He scored his first goal and Daddy took us out to see a movie to celebrate!
Just a plug for my cousin's blog on cleaning green. I ran out of much of my usual cleaning supplies and out of desperation got on-line and tried my cousin's suggestions. They worked beautifully and the kids thought they were a blast to mix up. They are currently wanting to make more if of the baking soda/lemon paste and are trying to find other things to clean with it, so that's a bonus. They were also excited to note that the lemon and baking soda make a small chemical reaction because the lemon is an acid and the baking soda, a base. I've done the vineagar and water before but always on a sunny day and it didn't work as well but since it's cloudy, it works great. I wonder why that is? Evaporation rate? Hmmm, Connor may have to research that for me.
Oh, and the best part is that the house smells lemony fresh.
Every once in a while I feel the need to get away. I have found that I am a better Mom, teacher and wife if I get away once in a while - I know it's a shocking admission from a die-hard home schooler but it's true. This year, I went on a road trip with two girlfriends and went to Ohio for a home school convention. I know, I should have have picked somewhere exciting like San Diego or Orlando but that's not where Susan Wise Bauer(SWB) and Jessie Wise were speaking so off to Ohio we went. We had a fabulous time and JW and SWB of "The Well Trained Mind" were amazing.
I learned some things during my time away which are as follows:
1. Always pick friends who like to drive in major cities - a huge bonus on a road trip.
2. Pack caffeine. And chocolate.
3. Every person on the road trip needs a role. The one in charge, the steady, calm one and me. I am my own role.
4. When choosing curriculum, your first plan is usually the best. 24 hours at a convention hall cannot supplant the countless hours of research you've done at home.
5. Stalk your favorite speaker, it will pay off in the end. (Thanks, E, for this advice.)
6. When going to a Tim Hawkins concert, go potty first. The mess would be very embarrassing.
7. Have at least one friend who gets to things early, they can save you a seat when you get lost.
8. If you make fun of a friend because a speaker might as well be calling their name and talking to them, be careful because the next line item might be directly speaking to you.
9. 3 days of pb & j is too much.
10. And the last thing - train your children and husband (mostly your kids because you have a better chance of it working) well so that when you get home the house is clean, laundry done and everything is how it's supposed to be. (Thanks honey and kids. I appreciate you!)
Just a quick reminder to get out your resurrection eggs or go buy some at your local Christian book store. These are a great way to teach your kids about the real meaning of Easter in a fun way. You can either do a couple of eggs a day or hide them and have an Easter egg hunt and then read them all at once. We've done both but remember to save egg #12 for Easter morning. I've found that to be the most meaningful. Not only is this a great way to teach your kids but this is a great "family tradition".
Scott and I at "Mary Poppins" for a family Anniversary Celebration.
Scott and I have been married for 14 years now. I know, I find it hard to believe too! I remember thinking when we got married, "I will never love him more than I do now." How foolish and young I was. I love him more now and in more ways than I could have understood then. I didn't understand the love that a Mom could have for a Dad who loved to sleep with a baby on his chest (or even two babies on his chest). I didn't understand the love and respect I could have for a man who consistently works hard for his family. Even when his job is miserable, he works faithfully for us, his family. I didn't understand the appreciation I would have for a man who always strives to do what is right no matter what. I didn't understand the admiration I would have for a man who admits when he's wrong and then tries to fix it. I didn't understand how his support for us homeschooling, wholeheartedly and without reservation, would mean on those rough days. I didn't understand how proud I could be of a man who unashamedly takes parenting classes, goes to home schooling seminars and reads books about being a better husband.
I didn't understand it then but I do now. I can't wait to look back in 20 or 30 years and see how shallow my love now is comparatively.
Happy Anniversary, my Love. Thanks for striving to be the man God wants you to be. I loved you then, I love you more now and I will love you better in the future.
As my kids get older, I am realizing the real benefit of homeschooling is the ability to see them in all of their glory and all of their, hmmmm, not so glorious moments. This allows Scott and I to not only tailor their curriculum to their individual needs but to tailor our expectations and discipline to each child. I get to see when they break down because they are perfectionists or when they just down care what level of work they do. We can then work on behavior and math at the same time or self-control and piano or selfishness and Language Arts. It's not easy but I firmly believe that NOT getting away with anything will make them more Godly.
I am seeing great strides and great pitfalls but because we homeschool we have the time to work on these problems as they come up. We can see these issues first hand and deal with them instead of hearing it from some one else and having to deal with it after the fact. It's a blessing in disguise (in disguise because sometimes it feels more like a curse).
Lately we have had to pull out all our books and make some new boundaries and take away some freedoms and privileges but I see some light at the end of the tunnel. Behaviors and attitudes are changing and the bonus is that school went blissfully smooth this week.
This month at church we have been encouraged to write Bible verses on our mirrors and windows for the family to memorize. I have used this before but it was a great reminder of a good trick to:
1. Teach phone numbers
2. Teach numbers and letters (think a number/letter a day)
3. Keep track of clean pants for potty training
4. Write a sweet note to child or spouse
5. Help memorize Bible Verses
6. Memorize address
7. Write name
8. Memorize math facts
... you get the idea
I use window markers because they show up better but you can use dry erase markers. Just a thought!
Just a quick note while waiting for the pie to come out of the oven. We're having pizzas and pie because the twins are learning about fractions and there's nothing better to teach fractions than cooking and pies.
While I am waiting though, I thought I'd send a few pictures your way of my birthday trip to Yellowstone. Yellowstone in winter is the coolest (literally) place on earth. We got to see Old Faithful go off at 12:02 a.m. New Years Eve ( Day, really). It was an amazing way to start the new decade.
We rode snowcats, went hiking in the snow, saw amazing animals and geysers in over 2 feet of snow. It was one of the most magical things we have ever done. God's handiwork was evidenced in everything we saw and did. I think everyone should do it at least once. If you think summer is amazing in Yellowstone, winter is equally and perhaps more mind boggling. It's also a much more private and meditative place in winter. No big lines or crowds, except when the snowmobile tours roar in at lunchtime, and you can hike and see only a handful of other people which makes it really special. There is no t.v., no computers, no real phones so we played games and read books and thoroughly enjoyed our time together.
The kids also got their Jr. Ranger Yellowstone in winter badge - they have the summer badge but not many get the winter badge! Oh and I am sooooo counting this as school!
We have had a wonderful year and can't quite believe we packed so many things into just one year! It seems that the size of the child is directly related to how busy the parent will be running the taxi for the said child from place to place. It's busy but there's nothing else we would rather be doing.
Sadly, we have had no Disney trips this year. I just thought we'd get that out the way since it is so uncommon and we wouldn't want you to wonder about the whole letter. We have taken other wonderful vacations but not to Disney. Now that that's out of the way... we took the spring to travel around Colorado and had a 6 week unit study and research project about the beautiful state of Colorado. We spent a week in Southwest Colorado with Mr. Vic and Miss Mo going to Mesa Verde, Ouray and Durango. We loved the Durango-Silverton Train and had a great time all around. Mr Vic and Miss Mo are the kids adopted grandparents and we couldn't have had a better time.
We also spent a long weekend in Southeast Colorado with Grammy and Papa and went to The Great Sand Dunes, Trinidad (where Scott's family has much history, they are even mentioned several times in the museum - how cool is that) and Bent's Fort.
From Dawn - We're still home schooling and loving every (okay, almost every) minute of it. Connor's in 7th grade and the twins in 4th. Each year has it's own challenges but I love watching the kids learn and grow in academic's as well as in faith. In January, we switched churches after 11 years but we needed a church with a stronger home school and youth community. We love the people at Rock Creek Church and miss them horribly but God has blessed the move. The kid's are in Bible Bowl and Kids Choir and have found a strong community of like-minded friends. It's novel to be at a place where we aren't the only home schoolers - who knew? It's been great for the kids and for Scott and I.
Collin had eye surgery in June, which I think was harder on Scott and I than it was on him. He was a trooper and charmed the entire surgery unit with his quick smile, polite manners, and infectious laugh. He is fine and we pray the fix is permanent. The good news is that he doesn't have to wear glasses at this point, although he looked adorable in them.
I also had the opportunity to spend a couple of weeks in Rolla, MO working for our curriculum, My Father's World. I had a ton of fun and worked hard but really appreciated the hard work and lovely attitudes of the people who work there full time under sometimes very stressful conditions. They were fantastic and David and Marie Hazell are even more wonderful in close proximity ( and they put up with me at their home for two weeks which requires special patience). I am personally starting the Marie Hazell fan club - although she may never speak to me again if I do.
From Connor - This year has been full of events. In January, we left Rock Creek Church and started going to Rocky Mountain Christian Church. I've made so many new friends from RMCC and a lot of them are home schoolers. In May, we traveled Colorado and I had my endless birthday (my last present was in June!). In July, I went to Camp Como, a camp Mom once went to, with my friend Austin Parrott and the twins turned 8. In August, I discovered a whole new world of work as I went into 7th grade and spent at least 40 extra hours on our First Lego League team's robot after the season started. Interestingly, the extra hours were spent with some of my home schooled friends. In the fall, I got a raise for my puppy sitting job. In November, we had a lot of fun at our FLL tournament especially because there were actual robots there. This year has been tons of fun for me. Merry Christmas from our whole family. -- Connor.
From Caileigh - My Year , 2009. This year, I joined my first soccer team. I loved to play goalie and had a lo of fun and met new friends. I hope I can do it next year. I moved to a new church and made new friends. I made a lot of new friends this year. I was in a wedding as flower girl with nine other girls! Connor joined something called Lego League where you build robots. Merry Christmas from the Hudson family.
(Collin found the Christmas pickle at Grammy's house and won a candy cane)
From Collin - Hi, my name is Collin. I am 8 years old. We joined a thing called Bible Bowl. I also joined soccer for the spring and fall which I love to do. I got to spend a week at our grandparents with my favorite cousin, Jadin. I also had eye surgery in June and I couldn't see for half a day but I got an overflowing of toys and a bear named Dr. Comfort. I also got a huge caramel oreo blizzard and got to watch my favorite movie, Star Wars. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
From Scott: This has, indeed, been the busiest year on record. When we switched churches, Dawn asked if we could "chill out" and rest as we had been quite involved at Rock Creek over the years. I waited a whole 2 weeks! I found out about the orchestra, and it was all over. I've really enjoyed getting back into playing French Horn again, although 3 services can sometimes be tough! We perform about once a month. Highlights from our Colorado tour for me were: Glenwood and Ouray hot springs, the views in Ridgeway, Mesa Verde, Bent's Fort. I have also been quite the world traveler! In August, my client sent me to India to train their vendors. I spent half a week in Chennai and half a week in Delhi. The food and people were wonderful. I also took in a lot of sight seeing (see http://picasaweb.google.com/shudson310/India2009#). The highlight was spending my birthday at the Taj Mahal! We are also looking forward to taking Dawn to Yellowstone for her birthday in a few weeks. Merry Christmas!
We wish a very Merry Christmas to all of you. As Ebenezer Scrooge says, may we " ...honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach."
Love from the Hudson Family, Scott, Dawn Connor, Caileigh and Collin
This fall, Caileigh and I took a purity class using the "Princess and the Kiss" book and workbook (www.reviveourhearts.com/princess) through our church. We had a wonderful time and so enjoyed having someone else reinforce the ideas of modesty, mental, spiritual, social and physical purity that Scott and I have talked about with Caileigh since she was young. These are by the same company that did "The Squire and the Scroll" that Connor and Scott did last year - which was also great.
They had some great resources talking through modesty issues using guidelines from Secret Keeper. You can check some of them out at www.secretkeepergirl.com/Truth_or_Bare.aspx. This was great as it made us (Scott and I ) make formal some of our more informal rules about dress. We spent time talking with Caileigh about why it's important to be modest in dress and now have a girl who is firmly on board. What's funny is that she now goes through MY closet to make sure everything is appropriate. I have had to save some of my "Daddy date" shirts from her cleansing spree or promise to wear tank tops underneath them.
I think it's been invaluable to have these talks BEFORE she needs them to set the stage for her teen years. I'd much rather introduce these topics before anyone else can. I'm a big advocate of teaching and setting expectations before they are needed and I don't want to wake up to the realization that we have a problem. I like to head these things off at the pass, so to speak.
At the end of the class, we had a "Princess Ceremony"where Scott gave Caileigh a beautiful crown with a heartfelt blessing. We gave Caileigh a "Princess Kiss" necklace and Mr. Vic prayed a beautiful prayer over her. It was followed by a wonderful reception and was a really touching and special night for our not so little girl.
Younger kids love both"The Princess and the Kiss" and "The Squire and the Scroll" as fun picture books and would make great Christmas presents. Older kids (4th or up) would love some special time with Mom or Dad to go through the workbooks.
When my kids were little, Scott and I worked hard to make family traditions for our family. It was one of those things that we felt that helped to develop our family identity. This is who we are and what we do as a family. Now that our kids are older, we are really starting to see the benefits of those traditions. Our kids look forward to our time together and have started making them truly theirs. Even our 7th grader still wants to spend time with us and looks forward to our family traditions.
We have some weekly traditions, like family movie night on Friday where we eat pizza and ice cream (and they get to have soda - a very big deal here since it otherwise doesn't happen) and then all snuggle on the couch. We read chapter books out loud before bed together most nights, some from MFW and some of our own choosing.
We decorate for the seasons and holidays. The entire house may change color schemes during one of these season but the kids love it and get excited to help.
Here are some of our favorite traditions -
Thanksgiving - Read or listen to Squanto, everybody builds a Lego turkey (cause it's fun and lego) We help Grammy and Papa decorate their house for Christmas and then decorate ours.
Serve together as a family - We've been on several missions trips but also enjoy serving food at homeless shelters, doing food drives, make shoeboxes every year for Operation Christmas Child and more.
Christmas - So many to list... Lego advent calendars, Prayer paper chains counting down to Christmas, Christmas read alouds, having 2 large Christmas trees and many smaller ones, having a cookie baking party with other home schoolers at our home, the advent wreath and Christmas question jar, new pajama's on Christmas Eve (preferably Disney), reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve, and so many more.
Birthdays - Special Birthday breakfast and the opening of presents. We make a big deal of birthdays, special plates, special events and big parties.
Easter - We love to do the Resurrection Eggs and color eggs.
I think family identity is really important, it allows us to say things like, " I understand that others get to do this or that but that's not what we Hudson's do." Church is also one of those things that we use as our family identity ( not to mention that it helps us to grow in Christ as well as give us fellowship). " We Hudson's go to church every Sunday and only illness or vacation keeps us away, because that's who we are". I'm finding that the older my kids get the more family identity is becoming imperative. It seems to give them a foundation to stand on as well as something bigger than themselves to be a part of. Not to mention that they are fun and that is worth it in itself.
Caileigh sacrificing her body for the ball. That's my girl! She's an awesome little goalie. Not afraid of anything - wonder who she gets that from?
Thus far, the fall is crazy busy! Scott has traveled every other week, twins in soccer (which means 4 practices a week and 2-3 games), First Lego League, Bible Bowl, church activities, and oh yeah, home schooling. Despite the madness, I wouldn't trade a moment. Here's some pictures of what's been going on!
