Super Sunday!

Yesterday, we began our day at Emmanuel Faith Community Church.  This time, we went to their contemporary service...or, as one of the "church lady" greeters stated, "the LOUD service."  We really loved it!  Micah and I have really enjoyed the pastor here every time we have visited, and yesterday was no different.  Amazing sermon on how to disciple others.  Wow!

7 of our staff members also went to church there yesterday, and afterwards we headed to Subway to grab some lunch before everyone (except me) went rock climbing.  (I had errands to run, and when you are down the mountain you try to conquer all that you can!)

Here are my super climbers!

Grace was loving this!

Telling her daddy she was ready to come down.

Ben climbed really high!  LOL!

After rock climbing, we headed down to Oceanside to hang out at the beach!  This was our first "real" trip to the beach since we have been here and it was 60 degrees and COLD!!!!!  However, you cannot stop Ben from getting in water, no matter what the temperature is!

I love this man!

Beautiful beach.

My girl!

Having fun posing!

Beautiful for as long as you can see!  I was amazed at how clean it was and that it did not smell gross like Galveston.

Whose kid is that in the freezing cold water?

The Oceanside Pier

I have never walked under a pier at a beach in my life!  True!

I didn't have a stick but still got the fun sand picture!

  

We had a great time!  I told Micah that I think that we should have weekly trips to the beach during the summer months!  I am loving California!

Home Economics and Game Day

I continue to grow and learn in this role of stay-at-home/home school mom!  All of the other home school moms continue to encourage me about how much my children are learning each day when I don't even realize it.  So, I am trying to notice those moments that learning is occurring that are not only when we are downstairs in the school room.

This is home economics 101!  Making scrambled eggs.

Yummy breakfast!  I think my kids love that they actually get warm breakfast now.  It was always granola bars or cold pop tarts in the car before!  

Playing Disney Headbanz.  If you do not have this game, you should.  Very fun!

Fun times with Headbanz!

Awe, they actually do love one another!  (Oh never mind, Grace is doing rabbit ears to Ben.)

And we played a game of Texasopoly!  Grace is the BOSS at Monopoly and Texasopoly.  She beats us every time.

I am just so grateful for the time I am getting with these kiddos, even if I have no clue what I am doing most days.  

You might think this one is funny!  Grace and I had this conversation the other day:

Me:  Grace, do you learn anything in school?

Grace:  Sure.

Me:  I mean, do you think that you are going to keep being smart if I am your teacher?

Grace:  (blank stare)

Me:  Grace, I don't want you to be dumb!  I want you to be smart and get a great job.

Grace:  (blank stare)

Me:  Grace, do you think you would be able to get a good job even if you continue going to school with me?

Grace:  OF COURSE, MOM!

Me:  Grace, I am so glad you are so smart!

Grace:  (look of pity for her poor mother)  It will be okay mom!

Love that girl!

Aaaaannnnnddddd.....we'er back!

Whew!  What a week!  I hate viruses, and we had a booger of one!  That's all over now though, and we are back!  Back to school, back to making messes, back to going to lunch at camp!  I love normalcy.  I think that is different than, say, I like things to be the same.  Isn't it?!

Anyway, we started our school day off with a short viewing of the inauguration. (The unofficial swearing in, as the official swearing in occurred yesterday; did you watch it?  I did!)  Then we watched two short films about Martin Luther King, Jr.  Did you think about this fact...today our country swore in the first African-American President (yes, I know it was the second time around) on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day?!  That's pretty cool!  That is history in the making!  That has never ever happened before.  I love things like that!  History!

We also get to start our new chore plan today.  We are super excited about this around here!  Okay, so maybe I am super excited about this, but the kids are playing along nicely!  I have wanted to work on getting them to have more responsibilities (age appropriate of course), but when I worked I did not take the time or energy to really teach them how to help me.  You know what I mean?  So, I just did all of the cleaning and picking up myself, which really meant not too much got cleaned or picked up!  Anyway,  we have some daily chore cards now that will allow the kiddos to have explicit directions for each chore.  They will earn some money this way, and then we can begin teaching about giving back to God and saving.  I know that my kids are a bit old for me to just be starting this, but it's never too late.  Right?!  We will see how it goes.

These are our little chore cards.  We did some tonight and we all lived through it!  Each child only does one card a day.  They each also have a daily card that consists of simply picking up things off of their bedroom floor and making their beds.  Very doable, don't you think?

These are their money jars.  They decorated them themselves.

Our paper money!  I decided that this would work better since I never seem to have cash in my wallet.

The whole kit and caboodle!

You're gagging right now aren't you?  Well, let me just say that we have needed some of this structure in our home for a long time, and now it is actually fun for all of us!  Yay for getting to be home with my sweet kids!  (Okay, no one ask me in a week whether we are still on this plan.  Okay?!  Promise! LOL!)

Ode to the Virus

Viruses are terrible,
They take you down so fast.
The doctor's won't give you antibiotics,
And can't tell you how long it will last!

I have taken NyQuil, Advil, Mucinex-D
But none of these drugs are workin' for me!
So virus you must go away!
My family cannot be PUNY not one more day!


As you can tell we are still puny here on the mountain. Ugh! Here's hoping for some relief tomorrow!

P.S. Ben is actually almost back to 100%. Thanks to those of you who were praying for him. Now Grace and I have to get past the coughing and get some energy back!

Puny

Do you use the word "puny" when someone in your home is sick?  If so, I am guessing you have ties to the south!  I have alway used this word, but it seems that our friends here in California think that we are crazy and have made up a new "Texas" word.  I looked it up, and it is indeed in Webster's dictionary:

Puny:  slight or inferior in power, size or importance

I mean, I guess it is kind of a stretch to use it in regard to a sick person, but here it is in a sentence:  "The Beard family has been feeling quite puny this week.  As they began to get sick they lacked power to complete daily tasks."   (That was your homeschool moment!  I figure since we have been having sick days, I should attempt some sort of teaching!  Ha! Ha!)

Okay, enough with the definition, right?!  The deal is that Ben started getting sick on Thursday.  Then we ended up at an urgent care with him in the night.  Grace started feeling "puny" on Sunday and continued getting worse on Monday.  She seems to be on the mend today.  Then I started feeling "puny" last night and have continued to feel worse today.  This is just the way a lovely virus works right?!  Micah has steered clear so far.  Here's hoping this virus is almost done attacking our family!

The next time that someone in your family is beginning to get sick or feel "inferior in power", you should say they are "puny,"  it would make a southerner proud!

Doctor's and sickness

When you move you think about lots of things, but having to find new doctors was not one of them! Ugh! I spent two hours on the phone last week to get the kids registered with a new pediatrician only to be told we would get a call back when he returned from vacation because we may need to see specialists with Ben. (I pretty much figured that would be the case.)

Well I got a call back today and we can use the pediatrician but need to find two more doctors for Ben. So, I started calling Rady Children's Hospital to get set up in hopes that we would be able to get appointments in the near future. ( I have learned to just go to the BIG hospital and get in their system!). Anyway, I did get set up with one specialist and started the PROCESS with the other. (Been through the PROCESS before. I dislike it VERY much!)

Now, mind you that I was not doing any of this because someone was sick. Just trying to get established with new doctors. So, here is the Muphy's Law part...about one hour after I got off of the phone with the doctors, Ben started running a fever! Go ahead! Laugh! It's crazy that way around here!

At least we are registered now and have someplace to go!

Now to get Micah and I set up and to tackle the dentist!!!

Babies are a gift from God!

We have a new camp baby! He is precious and sweet and perfect! Grace and Ben are completely mesmerized by him. Watching Grace hold him today made me realize how long ago it was that we brought our precious bundles home. Sweet memories! God is AMAZING and when you look at a newborn you really must stand in awe of Our Loving, Gracious Father! We can't wait to watch you grow Bennett!

School Days

Back to school today!  I got myself all organized again, only to realize that it took them a lot less time to complete their work than I had planned.  Yep, first year teacher here!  Even though we completed our work faster than I thought, that gave us time to go have "recess" on the snow hill!  We are still working on getting enrolled in the Charter school, but until then we will continue doing what we do.

I finally got to go and buy these amazing carts for our workboxes!  I saw these at my friend Sarah's house and LOVED them!  It makes life so much better to have these nicely organized carts than the 20 baskets I had laying on the floor.  You might like these too!  I got mine at Sam's Club for $24.98.  They seem to be like $69.99 everywhere else.  Crazy!!!!

I put the kid's work in each drawer.  This way, I can work with one while the other is completing a task.  I try to make sure that I put independent activities for one when the other has a teacher-directed task.  (That doesn't always work, but I do attempt!)  The kids take off the number when they complete that activity and put it on a chart on the wall.  When they have completed all 8 boxes, their school day is finished.  

This is what the box looked like for those of you that really NEED a rainbow cart!  

We also started a scripture memory plan today.  I had done some scripture memory with the kids since we started school, but I needed some structure and guidance.  I found this ABC scriptures plan last night, and really liked the scriptures that she used.  You can find these at www.icanteachmychild.com.  I really liked the pictures, scriptures and that it went through the alphabet.  Just a fun way to do it as we get started.  (Remember, I am taking baby steps as we are taking this journey up the mountain.)  I really got excited when I got out my laminator and will put these on a ring so we can review the ones we have already learned along the way!

Here is the pile of laminated verses!  I love laminating!  (That's a teacher thing, I think.)

Our verse this week is Joshua 24:15.  I asked the kids what it means that our house would serve the Lord.  It was interesting listening to their answers.  We had a little work to do!  So, today at the dining hall, we wiped down the tables after lunch in order to learn about serving.  This is where it becomes very real to me that even if we are serving others, we still need to tell our children why we do this or even what we are doing.  Some may say they learn just be watching us, and they do learn A LOT that way.  However, we must also explain why we do what we do.  I think I have not made a real effort in that area much.  (I learned something at school today.  Can you tell?!)

At lunch time, we went down a bit early for "recess".  It was an awesome day!

Sweet sister, always helps him get on the sled then he falls off on purpose!  Can you see between the trees?  The dark blue is the ocean.  Crazy!

The sun was in her eyes!

Yes, that is an angry bird on his happy little head!

And this was our driveway at lunch time!

Great day back to school!

Has it really been three days?

I just looked and it has been three days since my last post. Wow!  I am not really sure what we have been doing.

Our biggest news here on the mountain is that Bennett Clark Harris was born this morning!  We are super excited for Zach and Katie, and pray blessings on their sweet baby boy.  We went by to visit them after church today, and I was totally surprised by the amount of security at the hospital!  I was impressed really.  Then, children under the age of 14 were not allowed in the room with the baby.  That was sad, because my children have been REALLY looking forward to meeting Bennett.  Grace and Ben are at the age that babies are exciting, so they cried a bit.  Katie's mom was awesome because she came out and showed them pictures on her phone.  I told them it will be just as sweet to see him when he gets home.

School starts back tomorrow.  I sure hope the teacher is ready for these kids who have had no schedule for about three weeks!  Yikes...that's me!  Better get some good sleep tonight!

Charter School and other random things

Beware...this post is totally random!

Charter school

Micah and I finally decided that we are going to enroll the kids in a charter school for the remainder of the year.  This simply means, that I will have someone to hold me accountable for what I am doing with the kids, and their progress will be monitored by someone other than me alone.  We will still homeschool, and I will be solely responsible for their learning, but I will have a mentor that I meet with once a month or so.  This also means that we will get financial support to purchase curriculum and other school necessities.  I think that I am more scared of enrolling in a "charter school" than saying that I "homeschool."  I am scared that someone is going to be mandating what I do with my children.  I am scared that I will not have freedom to make their learning exciting.  I have other fears too.  However, I need guidance right now at the beginning of this journey.  I am not the mom that planned for years to homeschool.  I mean, let's be honest, I didn't even plan for a week!  I just jumped right into this OCEAN called homeschool, and let me tell you there is A LOT to know!  We just decided that this is what is best as we begin our journey.  Another family here at camp is enrolled in the charter school as well and they have not fallen into any black hole yet, so I am guessing that all will be well!  (Right Leah?  I'm going to be okay?!  Right?!!!!!)

Thankful

I know that I post quite often about the beauty of this mountain, but I am just so thankful for where God has placed us for this time.  This morning we headed to San Diego to hang out with our awesome SoCal friends, the Hammonds.  There is still quite a bit of snow on the ground up here, and there are several places that are still very icy.  I was driving very carefully due to the ice, but could not stop looking out over the mountain.  I could see every detail of the mountains today because it was so clear.  Every valley and peak.  Every bit of depth.  It was beautiful.  Just about two miles from our house, there is an amazing spot where you can look out over the valley, and this is where you can see the ocean.  Today, you could see the ocean for miles!  It was amazing!  I am driving in ice and snow and looking out at the sun reflecting off of the ocean!  Really?!!!!  Then, we we came home, the sunset was RIDICULOUS!  I kept saying how beautiful it was, and Grace seemed really put out with me.  I told her that I was just so thankful for the amazing creation that God allows us to experience.  After that, she seemed to notice the beauty a bit more, and she took these pictures.  (They don't do it justice, but you can probably imagine how beautiful it was.)

Daily Bible Reading

I am using a daily bible reading plan from the YouVersion bible app.  There are tons of choices, and I am sure that you could find one that would interest you.  There are some that are just a few days to those that are one year.  Try one!  Today, I read this:

Phillipians 2:3-8

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!

GOOD stuff!!!!  That's all.

Silly (Kooky) String

We attacked Micah with silly string for his birthday!  Ben kept calling it Kooky string and making us laugh!  This was the highlight of the day for Grace and Ben!  They loved it!  Thanks Micah, for being a good sport!

Fun App

I downloaded the smilebox app during the holidays.  FUN!  

Okay, that is the end of my randomness! 

Blog worthy!

Since I began this blog, you can frequently hear the words "blog worthy" come out of our mouths when certain things happen.  It seems as though we are always on the lookout for things that would be worthy of writing about here, for your pure entertainment!

Well friends, today at the Beard house, we had a BLOG WORTHY moment!  You see, Santa brought the kids an XBOX 360 with Kinect.  We are loving this thing!  We have been dancing like crazy to Just Dance Disney and Ben loves the adventures game.  Today I opened another game that had those games that you would play at Chuck E Cheese or Main Event.  You know, skeet ball, darts, puck bowling...  I was just trying them all, and came upon the "Hoop it Up" game.  Now, let's pause for a moment...I can't play hoops worth a flip!  However, I am married to a man who is QUITE GOOD at hoops, and anytime that he sees that little basketball game he always plays.  He always wins a big prize too because he is really good at this game.

Anyway, Micah was sitting on the couch and I started to play.  I was HOT!  I mean I was sinkin' all of my shots!  He was impressed to say the least.  I played a couple of times just to make sure that it wasn't a fluke that I was doing so well.  Then, I told Micah that he needed to try because he would get some crazy high score.  Here is where the moment became "blog worthy" friends!  Micah got up to play and could not hit a shot!  I mean I scored 53 and he scored 3.  WHAT?!  I made him try again because I didn't think the sensor was working right.  It happened again.  Then I got back up just to make sure things had not changed and guess what?!!!!!  I was awesome again!  I have never laughed so hard.  Micah was laughing too because for the first time ever, I can say that I beat him at something regarding a ball.  Hilarious!!!!!  This Kinect is my new best friend!

I am so thankful for "blog worthy" moments on our climb up this mountain!