Progress

Sort of....




Now to find a couple of chairs for the desk. I'll probably try and find a couple of thrifted ones but I'd really love to splurge on these or these. I also need to figure out what will go on the top shelf and maybe hang a couple cute (vintage?) educational posters over Steele's work area.

Anybody with a mac know the proper way to clean the screen?

Dining Room Progress

A couple of you have asked how the dining room came along. I'm happy to report that it's going fairly well. I'm pleased with what's going on so far but still have quite a few additions to make.

After some tweaking and re-planning of furniture arrangement we've landed here.


The details:

Desk - Craigslist
Sofa - Craiglist
Table and chairs - Ikea
Shelf Unit - handmade by Justin using Ana White's plans.
White board - Huge panel of "showerboard" aka "tileboard" from Lowe's for $12. For reals.




Future plans:

Spraypaint cubbies - Rustoleum High Performance Enamel in Safety Red. Recommended by Little Green Notebook here. I've used this color before and I love it.
Paint Desk - Cornbread by Martha Stewart at Home Depot. Pre-mixed in a little sampler. Awesome.
Frame Whiteboard and Map - Sultana also by Martha and pre-mixed.
Make some horizontal striped black and white curtains
Perhaps a few shelves to the right of the map for sewing suplies
New light fixture - maybe something like this, this or this. Any thoughts?

I've also been looking for and considering a vinyl calendar for the white board. Maybe something like this?

Missing My Blog

Hey guys!

Wowzers. There is A LOT going on in the J family and I want to share it all. The problem is that with so much to tell, I often don't know where to begin.

And SO many pictures to get caught up on! A whole summer of them.

Maybe with fall and a more predictable schedule I'll be able to get into a better blog routine.

For now, I'm hoping this will give me a bit of accountability to get back here.

It also doesn't help that I have been up late at night doing who-knows-what. I prefer to blog in the morning but I've been too exhausted when I wake up.

There are some very exciting prospects up ahead. Can't wait to see what God has in store. My mom thinks I should write a book... and maybe I will.

Costco Deals and Taco Tuesday

Sigh..... I love Costco. Organic peanut butter and quinoa for cheap, cute kids clothes, gargantuan boxes of Cheerios, Foster Farms all white meat chicken nuggets (surely you didn't think I would eat those!), extra large samples 'cause my aunt's a demo lady, and the books! I could go on and on about the books....

No joke - here is how Justin and I do Costco. It's totally a family outing - I rarely go alone unless it's in a case like today where we forgot to get peanut butter the other day while we were there. We're usually getting out of the house a little later than we'd hoped so it's surely lunch time. We head right in and the kids and Justin get hotdogs (I've been good lately and have been eating before we go).

Now, let me tell you a little something else about me. My family has lived in the same county for six generations now. Both Justin and I were involved in a couple of pretty large churches in town. Justin and I both went to college here. I used to work at Costco doing the flowers. I used to own my own Jazzercise business. Between the two of us, we know a fair number of people - many of whom will walk by while we're in the food court as Costco. And we love it! It's our social outlet.

So after about an hour of eating and socializing we head on in to shop. I almost always look at the clothes. Steele for sure likes to go down the vacuum isle, Justin - the tools, a usual silly laughing trip through the brrrzzy (the cooler) and chatting it up with the demo ladies who want to get a look at the kids since my aunt (my mom's sister) tells everybody all about them. And like I mentioned, I always take a quick cart-less detour through the books. Which brings me to the whole point of this post. (I know, finally! Good for you if you've made it this far.) I found a couple great things at Costco the other day that I wanted to share with you.

As I think ahead toward home schooling there are a couple of subjects that stick out in my mind. Namely, geography and literature. I don't know... it might be because I somehow made it through a grade 2-8 gifted learning program, honors english and like 5 years of college without EVER reading one classic novel. Or maybe because when I find myself in the middle of current events conversations (which is rarely lately) I have no freakin' idea where anything is that we're talking about? Afghanistan? That's in South America right??

These are the reasons I get so excited when I find stuff like this! The box is the Kids Guide to the United States. It includes a large laminated map of the U.S., a cool atlas sticker book and a U.S. floor puzzle. It was $9.99. While it was cool enough and Steele and I have already put the floor puzzle together - my super duper cool find were these large maps that I found. They are HUGE and get this - they were only $6.50!! Justin and I decided to only get the world map since a U.S. map was included in the kit but I'm going to get the U.S. one while I'm there today. They also had the same U.S., World, Animals of the World and Solar System maps that were illustrated with little pictures and facts. They were cool but looked a little busy for me. And they were all $6.50! As Steele would say.... Sweet!!



I also picked up a great resource book that I've been enjoying so far. It's called What Your Kindergartener Needs to Know. While it certainly is not the end all for what your child really "needs to know" and while the authors very obviously have some sort of political agenda (although I haven't quite figured out what it is yet - one minute I think it's anti-public school, the next minute they're recommending goverment funded pre-school for everyone) it definitely has some great information in it, including further resource information for every subject and a general outline of what kindergarten age children can be learning. It gives project and activity ideas for subjects and lists book recommendations at the beginning of every chapter. Also, I didn't buy them or even look at them - but Costco is also carrying the books up through higher grade levels. Since I'm pretty much obsessed with resource books in general, I couldn't pass it up.

And just for fun - a little glimpse of Taco Tuesday at our house.

*In case you're concerned, it is absolutely politically correct (no matter what the American government may tell you) to call Baby So a "Mexican"... even though it may not be accurate. (She is technically an American of Mexican descent) If you ask anyone from Mexico what they want to be called they will probably tell you "Mexican." They are, after all, from Mexico and tend to be very proud of their country and heritage. In fact, many of my Mexican friends might balk at being called "Hispanic." And for heavens sake! Don't ever, ever call them "South American" or even worse, "Spanish." They speak Spanish, they are Mexican. You know, just in case you were concerned on my behalf... ;-)

Read, Read, Read

Before Justin and I ever had kids we decided we wanted to home school. We began our parenting journey with this mind set. When Steele was just a baby, I remember talking with a home schooling friend of mine. There was one thing she said to me that continually repeats itself in my brain - she said, "When they're little - just read, read, read to them." And we have. And it's working. At any given moment in our home, I could find either Steele or Adia sitting quietly flipping through the pages of a book. It brings my heart joy and I often find myself tiptoeing away so as not to distract them.

Without going off on too much of a tangent - I will say that reading to them has helped train them in so many areas beyond just learning. The most notable area has been their ability to sit still and focus on something. Each night before bed Justin sits with Steele and Adia and reads them stories. During this time, Justin has trained each of them to sit still, to be quiet when he's reading, to not grab at the pages... it has helped us immensely in church, especially. We attend a church where families worship together - our children sit with us in the pew (most of the time) for the entire service. Lately, both Steele and Adia have been able to do this. They have been able to keep their hands to themselves while we're singing - instead of grabbing at the hymnals. I can hold my bulletin in my hand and have them on my lap and they won't attempt to grab at it and tear it up. They will sit quietly (more often lately) and draw or "take notes" while our pastor is preaching. For the most part, they know how to sit and listen without talking. Now, they are not perfect by any means. Sometimes, like this last week, they are tired and squirrely (as were their parents) from being out too late the night before at our friends' house and so we take them to the nursery during the sermon - but they are making steady progress. And this means I get to sit through the service. That is, until the next baby arrives....

But anyway, back to reading. While we do spend some time doing other types of schooling - reading, sharing quiet moments together on the couch, talking about the stories we have read, reading stories that teach new vocabulary and new concepts is one of my favorite things to do with my children. As it is for many of you, I know.

Being previously fairly unfamiliar with children's books, I am so happy to have found a wonderful resource: Picture Book Preschool. I was first directed to it from the Preschoolers and Peace web site (tons of great resources there too) and have used it continually. I noticed you can e-mail the author directly for a copy - or you can purchase it here too. We don't often go by the exact week listed in the book, or work on the topics it recommends (we may in the future) but through it I have found so many wonderful books that I might never have picked out at the library on my own. Every few weeks I'll go to my library's web site and place requests on the books from a couple weeks' worth of Picture Book Preschool's book lists. I am never disappointed. So I thought I would share it with you if you haven't already heard of it.

Happy Reading!


Quick Adoption Update: I spoke with our agency director on Sunday and she was so excited, as are we obviously, for us to begin the process of adopting from Ethiopia. We went over a few preliminary things. She is leaving in a week to spend two weeks in Ethiopia. I wanted to say to her, "Can't you just bring us a baby when you come home?" Wouldn't that be great? But we can't - there are about a bazillion steps to take before that happens. And so we start, one step at at time. One dollar at at time. And that's how we're choosing to look at it. What's that they say... a journey of a thousand miles? Works the same way with dollars. ;-) And in case you're wondering, we are still going to complete our domestic home study update. We would love to bring a baby home in the next few months and then travel to Ethiopia a year from now to bring home another baby. And in case you're really wondering - the answer to the question that might be going through your heads - the answer to the question we get all the time: We don't put a cap on it. We'll take however many the Lord brings.

I already have fund raising ideas swimming around in my head. I'm thinking Salsa dancing, Mexican food, benefit night? Anyone up for it? I'll work on the salsa dancing. Justin's working on the leaf blowing side jobs.

A Woman With a Plan

*Sorry this is kind of weird and long. I tried something new in MS Word. It was the only way I could figure out how to get the table in.


For some time now I've realized that Steele does much better with structured activity incorporated into his day. I don't think he's unique among children in this aspect - I think most, if not all, children (and grown-ups) thrive with at least a little bit of structure in their lives. Eating, sleeping, recreating, learning, exercising - whatever it may be.

My little Steelio is an energetic, curious, funny and exuberant (almost) three year old. With and without direction he often lacks impulse control and logical thinking skills. Sometimes it's outright disobedience and often it is pure curiosity - think "cause and effect" here. Left to his own for hours or even minutes on end - he could get himself into a fair amount of mischief. Coupled with these traits, Steele also loves to learn. He can focus for surprisingly long amounts of time on books, puzzles, flash cards, etc. - even without me by his side. I've observed that he learns well by simply hearing information and seeing it on a page.

As I've mentioned before - it is a challenge for Steele to be kind to Adia. He does not naturally nurture and care for his sister. I have had to teach him how to do this. I'll go into this subject more later - but recently after checking out some manners books from the library and reading them to Steele he was all of a sudden asking me sweetly for things, apologizing to me (ie. "I'm sorry I yelled at you Mama.") and being more kind to his sister. After reading him stories out of a book! Even though I had been verbally (and physically) training him on this subject for months! He picked up on it that quickly from one simple book. I am trying to convince myself, though, that the book clearly only cemented what I've been teaching him all along....

While I tend to agree with the "better late than early" philosophy of homeschooling, I also want to be logical in my approach to teaching Steele. Amy and I were having a conversation about this the other day and she made a great comment. I was saying how that if Steele really wants to be doing some structured school time and if it helps our day go better - then who am I to not take him up on it!? She totally agreed with me (usual for us - probably why we're such good friends) and said, "Yah! You totally have to ride that wave while it's there! You're not gonna tell your child he can't learn even if he really wants to just because he's not seven years old yet." Good point Amy.

So here I am. Steele wanting to do school. Me wanting to meet him there and realizing that our days (and his behavior) go much more smoothly with some sort of a plan. What do I do? Remember this post? Well, I'm eating my words just a little bit. And I can do that. I like to think of myself as an extremely humble person. (hee hee) ;-) I checked the book out at the library and have been perusing it today. I made a whole-hearted decision to not do exactly what it says or even read it all the way through - 'cause that's how I am. I'm taking the parts that fit me and I'm using them. The parts that say, "you need to make sure you're flexible", "don't turn your schedule into an idol", "be sure and make room for spontaneous God-ordained moments" - well, those don't apply to me. I have no problem with those things. Believe me. But some of the other parts are great. I do need them. And they've helped me organize my thoughts a little bit and that's cool.

So here's what I've got goin' on. I decided to do a flow chart/loose schedule for our days. Our family schedule is a little unique due to Justin's work schedule. He works (at the most) 9 24 hour shifts/month. Basically, 9 days a month. And he doesn't work regular days - it's never the same during any given week - which also makes formulating a plan a little more of a challenge. When he's home, especially in the summer, we like to be able to do things like pick up lunch and take it down to Boulevard Park and then go for a walk. Or walk over to the city park and stop at the Dutch Bakery on the way back. We almost always do our shopping together as a family and make a day of it. Trader Joe's, Costco, Costco dogs.... So I figure we'll do the schedule when we want to - especially when Justin's at work - and if we have other things to do we'll do those things instead.

Justin and I also really value the time that he and Steele get to spend together doing things. When Justin is home and it's nice outside there is no place Steele would rather be than outside working side by side with his papa. They do everything together - purposefully. When Justin is mowing the lawn or weed eating, Steele is on his back in the pack. If Justin is digging out flower beds for me - Steele has his little shovel right next to him. If Justin takes the car downtown to wash and vacuum it, Steele goes with him. If Justin is cutting wood for my raised vegetable garden.... Steele is sitting in the car with the radio on. He's scared of the table saw. But you get the idea. There is no amount of school that we would trade for these times that Steele is learning how to be a man and how to work hard. Any schedule we incorporate into our lives will have to support these types of values first and foremost.

So do you wanna see it? My flow chart? I think I'm happy with it. I might have to tweak it here and there but I think it will make our days "flow" much more nicely and will encourage peaceful, cheerful hearts and attitudes - for all of us ! We were already doing most of these things - this just streamlines it a bit more. I'm excited to get started on it.

6:30 wake	Cutzi (and/or Justin since he does much of this also)	Steele	Adia
	Bible/Prayer time	Mr. Rogers	sleep
	Exercise/shower/computer	Sesame Street	sleep
8 ish	Breakfast
	Kitchen clean-up	Chores	free
1/2 hr	Circle Time
1/2 hr	Pre-school w/ Steele	Pre-school	Alone w/ books in crib
1/2 hr	Activity w/ Adia	Alone Activity	w/ mama
	snack
	Purposeful play together Or outside Time
12:00	Lunch
1:00	Read to Steele	Read w/ Mama	Nap
1:30	Jazzercise work/ Computer time	nap
	Nap
3:00	Cleaning/chores/errands	w/ Mama	w/ Mama
5 ish	Dinner (prep/eat/clean-up)	Helping	helping
	Family Devotion/ Read aloud w/ both
7 ish		Bed	Bed
	Date Nights When your kids go to bed early it's a date every night!

I also want to make a note here about tv. For a long time we were a "no tv for kids" family. Steele wasn't really allowed to watch any tv until around age 2 - except a show here and there. Now, since he wakes up so early and has sincerely benefited (and enjoyed) Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street we let him watch those two in the mornings. I'm motivated, but not motivated enough to wake up at 5 am to start my day!

Home School Moms are Bad A@$

An ongoing e-mail correspondence between Amy and I tonight while making plans to go to the home school association book sale tomorrow...

Cutzi: Awesome. I'll see ya there. Maybe if we get there early we can get all the best deals. Plus, I can use my Jazzercise kick-boxing moves if I have to....

Amy: Nice. You know those homeschooling moms can be bada@$. Better work out tonight. We probably need checkbooks/cash.

Cutzi: Make sure and wear your leathers....