tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25089707769803601802012-01-16T22:57:06.357-07:00Just some general comments and maybe the occasional rant about stuff in and around my life.Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.comBlogger661100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-19062990634505216872012-01-12T22:44:00.002-07:002012-01-12T22:53:34.327-07:00

Mishmash...my new word as of late.  I will try not to ramble on endlessly here! So firstly, I'm not making any resolutions per se, but I have embarked on a journey to lose my addiction to food, and my various eating disorders.  I think I've had them all in the past, except for bulimia.  (I could never bring myself to do that!) I am on day 4 of an online program.  It is a Bible study, and it is

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-78544927502232623902011-12-19T16:53:00.000-07:002011-12-19T16:53:58.222-07:00

I just came across this article...it's worth reading.  It does give some good reasons why Christians should celebrate Christmas.  I guess my thing is that the Bible does not command us to set aside a specific time to celebrate the birth of the Messaiah.  We should celebrate every day.  http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2010/12/28/miscellaneous-misconceptions-about-christmas Anyhoo, I am

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-86153313283789220332011-12-12T14:17:00.000-07:002011-12-12T14:17:11.811-07:00

Someone on one of my Christian Facebook groups asked if others celebrate Christmas.  It started a civilised debate.  It is something that's been on my mind for a few years now. In the Christian world, there a some who don't do Christmas because they claim it comes from Pagan roots.  Others (I'm one of them) are disgusted by the commercialism.  Some pick and choose aspects of the holiday that

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-7615728446254802522011-10-01T16:56:00.001-06:002011-11-07T21:21:27.559-07:00

All my life I've been pretending.  Is this something everyone does, just some people, or is it just me?  I don't know, but I'm done.  Do you know what I spend a lot of time (too much time) doing?  Reading about other people's version of the ideal wife/mother/Christian/woman.  I love reading about how other people do things, but I am getting exhausted and discouraged. I am a phony a lot of the

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-28991528783132682022011-09-02T10:50:00.003-06:002011-09-02T11:04:10.370-06:00

This is our living room most days: pets and toys everywhere, Audio story CD playing in the background. I just had a meeting with the boys.  We are going to embrace Unschooling for a month.  We will reconvene in a month and discuss what worked and what didn't.  I am not going to assign any lessons.  We will learn as we are led.  I will continue to read aloud, and we will continue to do

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-42194674279394196632011-07-20T09:48:00.000-06:002011-07-20T09:48:48.275-06:00

I read this article, and I thought it was about me!  Her description of life with her 2 boys is eerily similar to mine.  She even describes how she cuts her own hair to avoid the small-talk at the salon.  (That's what I do!!!  Crazy, yes, but yay!  I'm not the only one!!)  So, if you want to understand how my brain works, read this:  http://hippiehousewife.blogspot.com/2011/05/

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-4611242847012455512011-06-30T12:10:00.000-06:002011-06-30T12:10:13.050-06:00

Today, at the library, the kids were playing on their computer.  They were playing an old JumpStart game (which we have on a CD-Rom somewhere).  When we got home, they asked if we could play the JumpStart 3D game we used to have.  After much frustration (their website seems so confusing), I renewed our membership (for life), and downloaded the game Jumpstart 3D ages 6-8.  It takes place in the

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-9433716769019077392011-06-17T15:22:00.003-06:002011-06-21T23:46:03.550-06:00

A couple of years ago, Sue Patrick wrote a book about her Workbox System for home-educating.  (I've never read the book).  The blogosphere blew up and everyone and their dog started writing about how they've adopted and adapted her System.  Many of them never read the book either.  You don't need to read the book, but if you Google workboxes, you'll get ideas from all over the place. These

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-44779798044452367222011-06-05T15:12:00.001-06:002011-06-05T15:23:20.342-06:00

When I wrote the previous post about spanking, I had a really great link in mind, but I couldn't find it b/c I had read it a while ago.  Today, someone on Facebook posted a link, which had a link to this link, and I was all excited because I think it explains sooooo much! Here it is:  http://parentingfreedom.com/discipline/  It has a word study on the proverbs that are always used to promote

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-65730557173774626872011-06-02T12:23:00.001-06:002011-06-02T12:27:54.734-06:00

I apologised to my kids for ever spanking them.  Darren and I have always maintained that we would not spank our kids.  He was greatly abused by his foster parents (It is now illegal for foster parents to use corporal punishment).  I have always felt that there are more effective, empathetic ways to discipline.  So for the first few years as parents, we did not spank.  About 4 years ago, I became

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-50139084047338034912011-05-30T20:35:00.001-06:002011-05-30T20:36:00.027-06:00

I've been following this lady's blog.  It's on the panel on the right.  It's called The Path Less Taken.   Here's her take on being a Christian  Radical  Unschooler.  I just love it because I've always been drawn to this lifestyle, (it's not just about learning) but I didn't know how to reconcile it with being a Christian. Anyhoo, I'm still thinking and learning and researching and

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-35670373687238879072011-05-25T15:54:00.004-06:002011-05-25T16:15:22.150-06:00

Last week, two wildfires roared through the town of Slave Lake and devastation and destruction were all that were left in their wake.  7000ish people are living as refugees in surrounding towns.  I'm not sure when they'll be allowed back into what's left of their town.  We don't have TV, but thanks to the Internet, we were able to watch the whole disaster unwind.  It made me ill. People all over

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-58160840639414058822011-03-11T14:04:00.001-07:002011-03-14T21:56:45.863-06:00

Do you ever feel trapped?  I'm not talking about being a stay-at-home wife and mother.  It ain't always glamorous, but it's where God has called me to be for this season of my life.  I'm talking about feeling trapped in your own mind and anger.  Sometimes I feel angry about various things and my first impulse is to flee.  To run away.  But since we've moved here, I have no where to run away to.  

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-49850598920476873782011-01-19T09:01:00.000-07:002011-01-19T09:01:03.172-07:00

My aunt Patsy (dad's sister) died of liver cancer on Jan. 9, 2011.  She lived in Ladysmith BC.  My parents and all the other brothers and sisters, and my grandparents flew there for the funeral, which was on Sunday.  I went and stayed at mom and dad's and looked after their dogs while they were gone.  Before Christmas, dad and the others also flew out there to visit Patsy and say good bye.  My

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-78208760470893282972010-12-06T21:49:00.002-07:002011-12-12T22:16:52.516-07:00

Well, we've been in our new house for a month, and we really like it.  It's been a long time since I've written anything.  I did write something a couple of weeks ago, but it was too bitter so I deleted it.  It felt good to write it though.  I went through a bad spell and it was so scary b/c I felt like I was drowning.  The Lord helped me through it though, and I am thankful!  This whole process

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-55351355016467663902010-08-31T10:29:00.000-06:002010-08-31T10:29:08.494-06:00

I love this article.  I'm not sure what it means for us, but I really like it. As for other things, well, yesterday we got the papers to sign for turning over our house to the company that's purchasing it.  We have to have a Realtor, regardless of whether or not we choose to list it.  We can put it on the market for 90 days.  If it's sold for more than what the company is offering, then we get

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-72430468195831173772010-08-13T09:44:00.001-06:002010-08-13T09:56:21.704-06:00

We had our two appraisals done this week (after postponing them for 3 weeks).  Darren is working in Cold Lake during the week, so we couldn't do much fixin' up until the weekends.  My parents were here on this past weekend, and they helped us sooooo much!  We wouldn't have been finished if they hadn't come. And you know what, I'm kind of thinking we went overboard on the renos.  I spent 3 days

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-18919986085924316802010-07-06T22:46:00.003-06:002010-08-13T09:46:17.315-06:00

Most of you know this by now, but we've finally made a decision about what we're doing.  Only it's not at all what we had been contemplating.  For as long as I've known Darren, he's talked about going back to "His People" (the First Nations, Cold Lake First Nations specifically) and helping them.  He grew up in a foster home, but he's always talked about going back to help the First Nations

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-61182572925660378342010-05-29T21:08:00.001-06:002010-05-29T21:09:57.356-06:00

My husband just ordered a central vacuum cleaner.  Yay!  Even if we don't stay in this house, I'll have a decent vacuum cleaner for awhile!  The floor piece attachment on my current one doesn't stay on any longer, so it's very frustrating to vacuum b/c I have to keep stopping to put it back on.  And the power attachment hasn't worked for years, so doing rugs is not fun!  I had an irobot vacuum

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-32933484226338141142010-05-25T20:43:00.001-06:002010-05-25T22:48:52.262-06:00

Do you know what I do when I feel overwhelmed or stressed out?  I vacuum.  I vacuum several times a day when I feel out of control.  I have a horrible vacuum cleaner, which adds to the stress.  Yeah, I've vacuumed twice today. Why am I overwhelmed?  Darren is doing renos.  I came back from visiting Michelle et al in La Crete.  Darren and a friend spent the last several days I was away working on

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-3874428305701538682010-05-15T18:14:00.003-06:002010-05-15T18:41:08.115-06:00

Pertaining to my previous post, I want to mention a slight modification.  I am forever trying to figure out how much is too much for my kids.  Well, today I found out that doing Bible study, phonics, penmanship and the rest of the daily lessons we do, six days a week is TOO MUCH for a 5 yo.  (Like duh, right?)  My child was in tears this morning, so I apologised to him and I have now modified our

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-26480902305632592172010-05-13T15:30:00.002-06:002010-05-13T15:49:23.398-06:00

I think I'm getting this "homeschooling" stuff down, now if only I could learn to like cooking!  Well, one thing at a time I guess. Last Monday night, our facilitator(s) (husband/wife team) came for our year-end home-education visit.  We saw them briefly at the AHEA conference in Red Deer a few weeks ago, and they said they'd be enroute to our place.  They've been living in their camper for the

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-56106067345142286852010-05-10T16:11:00.001-06:002010-05-11T18:01:33.688-06:00

I love my family.  Yesterday was my birthday.  After church, we drove to Athabasca to the restaurant Darren took me 9 years ago.  It was a nice time.  EJ ate an entire plate of calamari (gross!).   The staff sang "Happy Birthday" and they put a birthday cake hat on me and took my picture.  The kids thought it was hilarious.  I was having too much fun to feel undignified. My boys are growing so

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-78098390911566366022010-04-21T21:48:00.001-06:002010-04-21T21:50:12.469-06:00

Ever since I was about 8 years old, I've always stared at people's ears in fascination.  Is it just me, or do human ears remind you of human embryos?  I must have seen a picture or drawing of an embryo when I was a kid, and it must have looked like an ear to me.  I've always thought that this was God's little signature or initials or something.  I don't know if there's anything to it or not, but

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-51569470020834426382010-04-05T22:19:00.003-06:002010-04-05T22:56:48.116-06:00

I was browsing (surfing?) the 'net as I usually do in the evenings, after the kids and pets and husbands are tucked in. (Okay, I only have one husband, and he's actually on the other computer, watching movies on Youtube.) Anyhoo, I found this article and it shouted out to me as I passed by. I'm not saying everyone will agree with it, but it voices what I've thought about for a long time. It's

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-14415308071910761492010-03-30T22:13:00.004-06:002010-05-25T22:50:01.327-06:00

Since January, I've been revamping and continuously tweaking our home-education methods.  (Darren was gone on New Year's Eve, so after the kids were in bed, I, the perpetual nerd, rang in the new year by researching better ways to do this home education stuff.)  I started to embrace the Classical Education style of learning.  It has been a fun journey so far. For the past couple of weeks, I've

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-20088719794530272212010-03-18T11:00:00.007-06:002010-03-18T12:59:21.003-06:00

This has been on my mind ever since I became a Christian.  I get more and more convicted every year.  When I decided to blog about this, I typed  "easter origins" into Google, and this was the first site to pop up.  Interesting. Anyhoo, I cringe every time I walk into the stores now and see all the "easter" crap.  They don't even have just the traditional bunnies anymore.  Now you can get a

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-30638397288799539372010-03-11T10:30:00.001-07:002010-03-11T13:14:24.443-07:00

My baby will be five in four days!! Ack!  I am trying not to cry!  Last night he tried to sit on my lap and he was so big that I had to make him lie down across me.  I remember holding his little body while I nursed him.  Sniff! Logan just turned seven.  I am still getting over the shock of that too.  I still think about having another baby, and many of my friends are preggers, so that adds

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-33670896670891756292010-02-15T23:46:00.001-07:002010-02-15T23:47:35.511-07:00

So after my previous rant, I've been praying for guidance.  It might seem blatantly obvious to most in what the solution is regarding my own self-absorbedness (You heard me; it is now a word) aka selfishness.  I, however, have been blind for a season.  Selflessness is the solution.  Now, I'm an all-or-nothing type, so I get very easily overwhelmed whenever I try to take on something.  I am the

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-63503317147519633212010-02-13T22:28:00.001-07:002010-02-13T23:10:54.994-07:00

I am a control freak.  I'm sure many can relate.  With God's help, I am learning to relinquish my control.  Or, rather, I'm admitting that I am not in control.  I no longer reload the dishwasher after my husband has done it.  I've learned to be grateful that he does it at all.  I know other wives aren't so lucky.  In fact, my husband does most of the dishes.  He got into the habit when Elijah Joe

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-20097272538106038052010-01-23T12:58:00.011-07:002010-02-14T22:28:45.839-07:00

The other day, my seester Michelle got my niece Julia and Logan hooked up on a kid-friendly email/browser. It's called PikLuk. The kids can only visit the websites and send email to the contacts that the parents put on. I put Google on Logan's. (Which kind of defeats the purpose of controlling access to websites). We keep Google on Safe Search, so explicit and most inappropriate sites

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-41898820448345905462010-01-15T18:15:00.007-07:002010-01-23T13:38:07.184-07:00

I am getting ever closer to figuring out our home educating days. I am still picking and choosing from different methodologies, but I am starting to add more Classical Education methods. (Minus the Greek and Roman Classical garbage. My kids can learn about mythology and other things from those guys when they're older and have interests in such things.) I really like what these guys (and

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-39734926353670722622009-12-08T21:25:00.005-07:002009-12-08T22:26:48.212-07:00

(I am the Queen-of-Hyphens-and-Parentheses)So, last week Darren and Shelly went to her new place in St. Paul. It's a small apartment in a brand new building. Darren must stay with her until she's established a routine and is able to get to her daily programs on her own. He is also trying to juggle work. He told me that he went in to work at 0530 this morning, and then came back at 0900 to get

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-36562781200313685472009-11-11T21:21:00.003-07:002009-11-11T22:13:27.195-07:00

It's been awhile...As usual, I think of things to write, but then I get distracted. We had our first facilitator visit a few weeks ago. The couple who owns the school board came. I've seen him at conferences twice, so I knew what his philosophy was, but I still busied myself getting my "education plan" ready, printing off reports of all the math and language arts Logan has done since last

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-36237638940719176652009-09-27T21:24:00.004-06:002009-10-05T10:50:10.340-06:00

I'm currently perusing this website. I find it both fascinating, and encouraging. It has the same mindset we have in our home. http://heartofwisdom.com/homeschoollinks/greek-vs-hebrew-education/Well, gotta go and read further. More comments to come later.

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-46080217111337225492009-09-05T23:25:00.006-06:002010-02-14T10:58:22.333-07:00

Now that Logan is 6, we're required by law to inform the government of our intention to homeschool. We chose a willing non-resident school board called Education Unlimited. Their philosophy on home-educating your children lines up with ours. They do not call it Homeschooling. It's Home Educating. I completely agree. You can go to their site and see their definition of homeschool vs home

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-27394784618635717572009-08-25T20:34:00.003-06:002009-08-25T21:30:08.616-06:00

I am selfish. I've always been an introvert. Ever since I was a child, I preferred my own company. I like to see people in small doses. I get overwhelmed very easily if I am around people for too long. When I was a kid, I'd get tired of playing with my friends, and I'd go off to my room and (hide) read. At playgroups, I'd go off to a corner and do my own thing. In school, I'd read instead

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-52793260979828531622009-07-14T08:38:00.002-06:002009-07-14T09:01:12.220-06:00

So, the school-in-Victoria-thing: not this year. Darren was accepted, but under the condition that he complete two chem courses and one math course first. This was just instilled as a prerequisite for this upcoming year. It seems that people in the program without a background in basic chem and math (maybe not that basic), tend to flounder. So, Darren was scrambling to find a school that

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-11301475825834977482009-06-17T11:27:00.003-06:002009-06-18T21:18:28.754-06:00

I haven't written in a while. I think of things to write throughout the days, but then I forget to post it. I guess my thoughts weren't all that profound in the first place.Anyhoo, what's been happening? Well, we are making plans to up and move to Victoria for at least a year. Darren has applied for a 12 month course at Royal Roads. He'll come out with a degree in Environmental studies.

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-57108558502349835332009-05-18T08:33:00.004-06:002009-05-18T09:23:51.595-06:00

I had an aha-moment the other day.  (Or a duh-moment, if you like).  I was thinking back to when I was a kid, and how I'd done something wrong, I had disobeyed my dad.  We were in town, and he told me I would get a spanking when we got home.  I don't remember what I had disobeyed him on, but I remember that he told me matter-of-factly, almost regretfully, that I was going to get a spanking for

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-66028980619998344092009-05-07T23:28:00.006-06:002010-01-23T13:46:39.139-07:00

I know its these meds.  They stabilise my moods, but they also cause me to feel "flat" a lot of the time.  I don't think these drugs are as bad as the last ones I was on, but I can definitely tell the difference b/t being on meds, and being off of them.  I don't feel the range of emotions on the meds that I would if I was off.  I no longer cry at silly things, but I also don't cry out of worship

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-40074030049585648572009-04-22T10:21:00.006-06:002010-02-14T10:56:19.009-07:00

So, the day after I wrote my last post, Logan and I were working on his Time4Learning online programme.  He turns to me and respectfully (and somewhat timidly) says, "Mom, I notice that we don't do lessons in the Learning Headquarters for a long time." (He still needs to work on his grammar). Me: "So, would you like me to teach you stuff in there more often?"Logan: "Yes!" So, we went down to

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-3546806400980623302009-04-14T21:28:00.007-06:002010-02-14T10:48:44.323-07:00

Just a quick update on our homeschool-life: We tried the classroom thing, and it's just not us. We prefer to do our writing and colouring at the kitchen table or on the floor. We do our computer stuff on the floor with the laptop, or downstairs on the other computer. I rarely set foot in the classroom. (Actually, we call it the Learning Headquarters). The boys go in there all the time

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-25431966488927787042009-03-31T22:38:00.002-06:002009-03-31T22:47:45.511-06:00

There are some things happening in our family right now that I can't really discuss here yet, but it's on our minds (Darren and mine). We have discussed it until the cows come home, and nothing has been resolved. We pray about it, and I know God is listening. It's hard to wait though! It is comforting to know that it's in His hands, and I can rest in that; most of the time.I guess, I'm asking

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-60811386576078343862009-03-26T08:31:00.004-06:002009-03-26T08:50:00.398-06:00

This is kind of cool! I always thought Logan looked more like me, but apparently he looks equally like both Darren and me.MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - MorphElijah also looks like both of us equally. Hmmm, I always thought he looked like Darren.MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Geneology - Family pictures

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-81535229955084847732009-03-25T07:55:00.003-06:002009-03-25T08:53:50.903-06:00

This is the winter that never ends! Snow, snow and more snow. Global warming, my fanny! There is no proof that global warming exists. It's just another hair-brained theory, like evolution. Anyhoo. On March 15th, some friends and I did a 5K walk. It was snowy and icy, but not too bad. I was so worried about it being too cold. While we were driving to the race, it was snowing hard. As soon

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-40284193557426190612009-03-06T22:07:00.004-07:002010-01-23T13:45:44.756-07:00

It's been almost 6 weeks on this new medication. After the initial side effects during the first week, things seem to be evening out. I am still fighting fatigue, but maybe not as bad as it was before. I had a follow-up with the doc on Tuesday and she ordered some bloodwork be done to rule out anything else that would cause fatigue. Barring that, she said that if I still continue to feel tired,

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-6802267906416004942009-02-27T20:39:00.010-07:002009-03-03T18:52:49.786-07:00

The question came up in our adult Sunday school class a few weeks ago, and I have been mulling over it ever since. Someone asked, "If we're supposed to trust in God to provide for us, why are there people starving all over the world?"We were discussing Matthew 6:31-34 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-35992301861293163742009-02-18T20:27:00.009-07:002009-03-03T18:44:37.073-07:00

The other day, at our play group (Logan told me all of this later; I didn't see/hear any of it), a lady (I don't think it was one of the regular moms) asked Logan what grade he was in. He told me he said, "I'm in grade everything! The whole world is my learning place!" Yay Logan!That being said, I wish that spring would hurry up and get here so that we can get out and do more exploring! (I was

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-32377107023828590392009-02-13T08:05:00.007-07:002010-02-14T10:59:11.222-07:00

So, as you may have noticed, I have been struggling to define our homeschool philosophy. I've been calling us Unschoolers, but according to the true definition of it, (see Radical Unschoolers), that's not really us b/c we do have some structure and our household has rules (based on God's Commands). Radical Unschoolers (or Whole-Life Unschoolers) allow the child to have complete control over

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-60304333224945801522009-02-03T21:25:00.007-07:002010-02-14T10:59:55.105-07:00

The lady I mentioned in my last post has graciously agreed to let me copy her writing. Her name is Trisch, and she posted it on The Homeschool Lounge. http://www.thehomeschoollounge.com/group/discipleshipschooling/forum/topics/what-is-my-focus Her Blog is bookmarked on here to the right. It's called Never a Dull Moment - Homeschool Blogger. She writes what I have been struggling with in my head

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-33488665692141751402009-01-31T16:55:00.009-07:002010-02-14T11:00:31.057-07:00

I am always looking for more info on discipleship homeschooling. It's an ancient practice (it's how the Hebrews have taught their children since the beginning), but it's a fairly new concept in the modern world. Ultimately, it's a way of life. Children learn by following you. They learn by your example. They learn everything they need to know for life just by participating in your every day

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-27944177085976240192009-01-28T09:23:00.005-07:002009-03-03T18:41:00.575-07:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~So, I managed to get in to see a doctor right away, yesterday. My doc is gone until the end of February (no surprise there). I liked this doctor yesterday. She was friendly and seemed to know what she was talking about. She listened to my concerns about going back on the Effexor, and how it made me lethargic and gain

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-63560707607761173042009-01-26T12:12:00.005-07:002009-03-03T18:41:43.565-07:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Well, I hate to admit it, but I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and go back on meds. Sigh.I am going to make an appointment with a doctor. Any doctor, (mine probably won't be available for weeks, and I can't wait that long). I know which drug I want, so I'll tell him to prescribe it. I ain't going back

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-59696588857975541872009-01-18T22:16:00.010-07:002010-01-23T14:01:14.822-07:00

My boys and I are unschoolers. That can mean so many different things, but my take on it is that it is more or less child-led learning. I am a control freak, so I make most of the decisions, but my kids have a say. I try to focus on their interests and work them into the "lessons". As they get older, they will have more freedom. I am also very eclectic. I take a little from here, and a little

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-21174056650026735992008-12-31T12:17:00.005-07:002010-01-23T13:51:49.268-07:00

Last night, at bedtime, after Martha Speaks was over, I announced, "Okay, whoever gets their pajamas on first gets a prize!" (I don't normally do that, so the boys jumped up and flew to the hallway.) Then EJ paused and turned to me with a look of panic. He has trouble pulling his shirts on and off, so he knew he didn't have much of a chance. I think he uttered a "but I..." and then my sweet

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-7305914718638530902008-12-29T21:50:00.003-07:002009-03-03T18:47:20.292-07:00

I am constantly irritated when I tell my kids to do something and they either ignore me, or nod and leave to do it, only to come back and ask questions that they'd have the answers to if they listened in the first place.I know that young kids aren't very good at abstract thinking. I took the Early Childhood courses. I know that I need to be specific and direct when I give instructions. But it

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-17484748414131833062008-12-13T22:45:00.013-07:002010-01-23T13:58:05.184-07:00

Today started out rocky. For the second day in a row, the boys woke up (and consequently me too) at 0530. I was none too pleased thank you. I've been a (we'll call it hormonal) wreck lately. I cry during every episode of House. I always seem to be on the verge of tears. And it's always over the stupidist things. Anyhoo, I was a wee bit grouchy this morning. Darren is doing another drywall

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-91239567992722287602008-12-06T10:14:00.003-07:002009-03-03T18:50:28.385-07:00

I am struggling with Christmas this year. I want to make sure my kids know what Christmas really is. Yet, I also look forward to seeing their eyes light up when they open their presents. I know there's nothing wrong with presents per se, but I am struggling to find that balance. As a newborn Christian, I am very sensitive about what is honouring to God and what is just following "The World". I've

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-59684445210873832212008-11-25T17:48:00.005-07:002010-01-23T13:59:04.706-07:00

I've read several parenting books, joined many parenting message boards and subscribed to several parenting newsletters. I've gleaned ideas, and honed my parenting philosophy from these sources. It keeps evolving; which I suppose, is natural. My ideals line up closest to the Grace-Based-Discipline philosophy. Gentle Discipline It's non-permissive and non-punitive. I find it exhausting b/c you

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-87266904871588523422008-11-09T23:49:00.003-07:002008-11-10T00:12:57.939-07:00

I am experiencing a bout of baby fever again. Every few months, I start getting the urge to be pregnant. I miss it! I miss nursing. I imagine what another combination of Darren and I would look like.No, I don't want to babysit other people's babies. I like to hold them and whatnot, but it's not the same as having your own. I love snuggling with my little niece though.I am such a doink though! I

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-52483770634278973122008-11-03T22:54:00.001-07:002009-03-03T18:52:20.317-07:00

Yesterday, I went to a message board that I use to frequent. I hadn't been there in months, but I wanted to check in. It's a forum for depressed mothers. Well, it was um depressing to read how horrible everyone was doing. I prayed for them. I've been thinking about those poor ladies all day.Today has been a horrible day for me. A real setback. I have been doing so good! I know that I will have

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-85875256344021097252008-10-29T23:23:00.001-06:002009-03-03T18:53:39.443-07:00

I love sleeping, but I hate going to bed. I'm sitting on the couch long after everyone else has gone to bed, with a high fever, and an ice pack on my head. (Poor me!) I don't know why I have a fever; I guess my body is fighting something.Anyhoo, every night, I stay up too late because I love the quiet, and I don't want to go to bed. The next day, I walk around in a fog because I didn't get enough

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-76529638712769899562008-10-24T00:32:00.001-06:002009-03-03T18:54:45.330-07:00

I have known about God my entire life. My parents were raised Catholic, and so the churches I attended were Catholic. I was involved in the choir for a few years when I was in Jr. High. I enjoyed it. I always said my prayers every night. (I had a routine down; say the Our Father, and a few others that I made up while taking out my contacts. "...and please bring peace to the world and save

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-54604568005267657162008-10-18T23:46:00.001-06:002009-03-03T18:55:38.841-07:00

I am up way too late, but I am full of coffee. I just got back from my sister's "Girls' Night Out Birthday Dinner". Every time one of us has a birthday, we go out for supper and drinks. It's a wonderful tradition. It's too bad my sister was too sick to make it to her own birthday dinner tonight. My guys are all asleep. I peeked in on the boys, and they looked so sweet. Elijah has been

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508970776980360180.post-33049719494201159972008-10-15T11:42:00.002-06:002010-02-14T11:01:31.526-07:00

I always swore I'd never do this! Some things about me: I am married to my best (and hottest) friend. We've been together for 8 years, and married for 6. We have two boys. Logan is 5 and Elijah-Joe is 3. I stay home with them. They keep me busy. We unschool/discipleship homeschool. This guy shares most of my philosophy. I don't agree with him so much at the end though, but you get an idea of

Nik999http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409964612070815303noreply@blogger.com0