Rebekah is 8-years-old!

It feels like forever and no time at all.

Happy Birthday Rebekah!!

*She enjoys reading. . . a lot (just like her Dad).  She will seriously sit with a book in her hand all day if I let her.  And I often have to tell her to put the book DOWN to do something. (for example: "Rebekah, put the book down so you can put your clothes on," or "Put the book down while walking!")

*Rebekah has both tomboy and girly girl in her.  She likes to get dressed up and play with make-up, but she likes to get outside and get dirty, too.

*For her birthday this year we got her gifts, of course, but I also decided it was time for more responsibility, so she got more chores, too.  Hooray for being 8-years-old!!  Added to her regular chores are: sweeping the floor after meals, mopping the floor on Mom's request, helping load the dishwasher, and baking muffins and/or bread for breakfast!

*Rebekah is really into art right now.  She has been drawing a lot and painting some.  She is definitely fueling her creative side lately.

*She is an AMAZING helper around the house and with her little sister, Miriam.  She also keeps the boys in line. . . but she definitely shows more love and affection to Miriam.

FAVORITES:

*Her favorite color is pink (as if you had to ask).

*Favorite meal: meatballs (Gordie's mom's recipe)

*Favorite piece of clothing: the skort (skirt-looking for the "girly" girl but shorts under for functional "tomboy" play)

*Favorite school subject: Reading, followed by Art, and then Science experiments!

Happy Birthday, dear Rebekah!  The world is a brighter place with you in it!  You have an amazingly sweet heart and clever mind.  I love having you in our family.  May God continue to bless you and form you into a woman after His own heart!

Journal #13

Out My Window:

Hot.  It is supposed to get up to 100 degrees today with 35 mph winds.  Welcome summer.

Clothing Myself:

Green gym shorts I picked up from Gabe's in college, orange MS Walk T-shirt, sporty sandals.  In my defense, I was PLANNING to work out in the yard today (mow and trim, maybe paint the fence or scrape the house and prep it some more for painting).  I worked in the garden a bit and then got pretty hot (and I'm still pretty tired from an exhausting run yesterday in 90+ temps - which was not my brightest idea ever).  Now I am in here updating the blog.  Hello flexibility in scheduling :)

Around the House:

Well, the "schoolroom" was tidied up, but has since turned into a disaster and catch-all.  Two or three days of not putting things back EXACTLY where they go and that room is gone.  Oh well, we are not in there much right now anyhow.  I usually keep the door shut to keep the baby out (unless invited) so I went ahead and closed the vent in there (one less room to cool).

The train table is working out well in the tv room.  It is used for much more than trains.  They build many creations with our several different sets of wooden blocks, mixed with the big cardboard blocks, and other random toys.  It makes me a little claustrophobic to have it in there, but the kids really enjoy the space.

The Baby:

She is a year now and yes she is FULLY CAPABLE of sleeping through the night (thank-you-very-much).  A year is usually the "magic age" where I demand such functions from my children, but for some reason, I am still babying my little lady.  Although she has slept through the night a handful of times (maybe a couple weeks or  a month total - but not all at once - she would for a few days and then not for a while) she is currently teething hard again and waking to nurse like a rabid werewolf at least two or three times in the late evening/early morning hours.  Although I am exhausted, knowing this will pass soon and my adorable little snuggler will turn into the ever-questioning-I-do-it-MYSELF-toddler VERY SOON, I seem to be tapping a reserve of patience on the matter.

Miriam is also babbling and "speaking" (actual words and phrases is still debatable - "kinda sounds like" type of stuff).  She LOVES to be carried in the front pack or the backpack.  She also enjoyed the jogging stroller the other day (mostly because I fed her crackers the whole time - what can I say, she really would rather be carried).  What cracks me up most about her, though, is her choice of seat.  She is most happy sitting on my lap.  She does not necessarily want to cuddle or nurse.  She is happy with her toys or books or to watch siblings, but she likes to sit on my lap to do it.  

The Kids: 

Paul's latest cute habits include using the phrases, "I never" and "every time."  Paul goes to that park "every time!"  Or "I never put the toy there, I never, Momma!!"  Or when he is mad about a lack of fun snacks he will tell me, "I NEVER got a cookie, Momma, I NEVER!"   He also likes to break things down.  For example, we are all going to the park and he is so excited he exclaims: "Momma goes to the park!  Jacob goes to the park!  Daddy goes to the park!  Samuel goes to the park!  Rebekah goes to the park!  Miriam goes to the park!  Paul goes to the park!!  And often adds an "every time!!" for emphasis.

Jacob is going through a weird phase (or is just oddly more sensitive to some things) where he wants me to help him get dressed.  He will be five-years-old in August and is fully capable of putting on his own clothes, but for some reason he always wants me to help him.  And it is not like he actually NEEDS my help, like tough buttons or snaps or something.  He just WANTS me to help him for some reason.  Kinda strange, but not the end of the world.

Samuel is kind of turning into a bully and I am trying to nip that in the butt.  He does not quite have Rebekah's authority (or sweetness in caring for others) so Samuel will pinch or push or fight his way into getting what he wants.  We are working on it.  Silly boy.

Rebekah is more helpful all the time and we have now crossed into the "tasks for money" realm with her.  There is a lot I expect of her just because she is a member of this family and she seems to get that pretty-well.  But now I feel that on occasion I offer her an opportunity to go "above and beyond" for a small sum. I just picked up a roll of nickles at the bank and you would NOT BELIEVE what five cents will buy as far as "Rebekah labor" goes.

In the Kitchen:

I tried a few new dessert recipes.  One was for "secret ingredient" (avocado) recipe chocolate mousse.  It was edible, but not exactly "dessert" in anyone's eyes.  The other was for chocolate peanut butter bars and OH MY they were good, but not healthy at all (surprise) and definitely NOT GOOD for me to have around to snitch.  I should link the recipes for you but I do not have time to look them up right now.

Since the hubby got his blood-screen results back I am not trying to find "low cholesterol" choices for our meals (hahahahahaha - as if I have EVER made or eaten such a meal) so I'm in the market for new recipes.  But I'm kind of in a deadlock as we have a freezer full of ground beef (from the in-laws, bless them) but that is definitely not the "healthy meat of choice" and chicken is expensive, so. . . try to find chicken and cook more "healthy" or just cook what we have although it is not so healthy.  Such decisions.  I do supplement our meat a lot with beans and always cook off the fat, but I know these small practices are not going to redeem this meat choice on their own.

Crafting:

Nothing right now.  I'm not even sure where my needles are!!  But I sure NEED to get to sewing up my sling.  I snagged it on some broken plastic and really need to fix it up before it gets worse.

Learning: 

Rebekah and Samuel took the California Test of Basic Skills. They are both in the mid-nineties for their scores, so I figure their schooling is going ok.  I think we will take this test at the end of every year to track their progress.

As for our summer learning. . . we are hoping to dive into that next week as we had Totus Tuus church camp this week.

Reading:

I am still reading basically all the books I have ever mentioned as I cannot seem to finish ANYTHING.  I have about a chapter left in Surrender by Father Larry Richards.  I have also started a book called Exercise After Pregnancy, How to Look and Feel Your Best by Helene Byrne.  The review of it boast of fixing diastasis recti.  I have this, but my regular doctor told me there was really nothing to be done about it.  Now I work-out regularly and do ab exercises and such, but lately I have noticed that some of my friends are commenting on exercise one should NOT be doing if you have diastasis recit and then I stumbled upon this book as a way to close it up.  It was not expensive and so far I find it interesting (all one chapter's worth) so we shall see if it holds salt for me.

Bringing Me Joy:

*I really enjoyed our extended family trip to the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado.

*Just watching Miriam toddle around and discover the world.

*Miriam's smiles - so innocent and sweet!!

*My neck troubles being fixed!! Three visits to a new (to me) chiropractor, along with some stretches and self-care and I am good as new!!

Thinking About:

Taking my daughter to adoration with me tonight!!  I think it will be a special time for us.  I love having an opportunity to share my faith with her and letting her innocence rekindle mine at the same time.

Bible Verse:

"We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed  but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the Body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.  For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh."  (2 Corinthians 4:8-12)

Pictures to Share:

Our family picture.  I have no idea what Rebekah is doing.  I blame the influence of her older cousins.

Lining up the grandkids.  Grandma got everyone a shirt that read "Schroeder Clan 2013" on the front and then the grandkids got the number that they were in the family (for example, Miriam was the latest baby and she is #10).  The back of my shirt read: "Mom 5" (as I have 5 kids).

Me and the hubby. . . him acting mature as ever (going for the "nose pick" look here, but fortunately failing and instead making me the "great thinker").

Book Review: Olivia and the Little Way

This book, Olivia and the Little Way, is WONDERFUL!!  I have nothing but praise for it.  Olivia (the main character) is a 5th grader, but my daughter (just completed 2nd grade) just read it and I do not think it was above her at all.  It deals with social interaction and peer pressure - especially at school and in dealing with different types of friends.  It positively shows devotion to the Saints, faith in God, obedience to parents, and everyone's deepest desire to be loved.  Our pediatrician (Dr. Michelle Pope) recommended it and I cannot thank her enough!  This is definitely going to be my "go to" for birthday presents and Christmas gifts for my nieces and nephews, younger cousins, and Godchildren.

Oh and there is a sequel, as well, which Rebekah has started, but I have not read yet.  It is called Olivia's Gift.

Summer Planning

I have about two hours worth of work that I "should" complete in the next 30 minutes in order for the rest of my day to run smoothly.  So what am I doing about it?  Procrastinating, of course!  If I cannot do it well. . . I just might not do it!!  (I guess I'm still trying to find the balance between demanding a high standard and cutting myself some slack.)  In any case, as I procrastinate here I will tell you about my latest inspiration. . .

As I mentioned in my journal a while back, we have some activities planned for the summer (probably more than we need, but that is the way it always goes).  In order to help keep our family (and myself specifically) "on track" I made up the following little chart.

It is not perfect, but maybe it will remind me that this summer I have specifically committed myself to being accountable for the following:

*Scriptural study and/or spiritual reading  (How can I love someone I am not continuing to learn about and/or do not converse with daily?!?)
*Practicing/improving my piano skills
*Practicing/improving my foreign language skills
*Exercise (I'm a bit fanatical about exercise - I keep a strict schedule that needs not be recorded here as it is always on my mind!! - this is to remind me to be more active in general, especially with the kids - more bike rides, walks, spontaneous games of soccer, etc)

And while I'm on the topic of "improvement/planning" I will share that I have also decided to commit to the following:

Weekly hour of adoration: Wednesdays at 5:30pm (I get to miss "dinner duty" AND spend quiet time with Jesus - and the hubby agreed to it!! :)

Monthly confession (specific day to be determined at the beginning of each month).

I'm not really sure what has prompted me to these new-year's-like resolutions, but I feel strongly about them so here I go, diving in!  Don't worry, I will let you know how it goes :)

And for the children:
It is difficult to not keep "homeschooling" in the summer as there is so much good stuff to do!!  I figure we will try to "keep up" by doing two "schoolish" thing per day (for example reading and one other thing, like a worksheet, journal, and/or an educational game).  Spanish is not included in the "schoolish" things as language really needs to be practiced daily I think and piano I really want to hit hard now while there is time with few other things.  And the weekly virtue should fit into our daily prayer time. . . just need to remember to do it!

So there ya go.  Now, to get my 2-hours-of-stuff done in the next 20 minutes - hehe :)

7 Quick Takes for Saturday

I've seen others do this on Fridays and I enjoy them immensely.  Unfortunately my Fridays seem to be pretty crazy as I finish up all those silly weekday-only-type-of-chores.  So I'm moving it to Saturday.  Without further ado. . . 

1) Among the list of mega-long home improvements we have planned is to paint our house.  (Let me clarify: Gordie is planning to "finish up" (hahaha - as if it will ever be "finished") the garage.  All other projects fall to me. . . with additional "expertise-type" help as I need it.  So today I hope to get the trim scraped and (in a perfect world) begin painting it.

2) Gordie and my brother Luke have finished expanding our fence to include the backyard.  So basically our entire yard, front and back, is now one great big enclosure.  Gordie just needs to put the backyard gate up (which he is getting hinges for as I type this).  I still need to finish painting it, but the house is coming first.

3) Miriam has started walking.  She does not walk EVERYWHERE just yet, but at times (of her choosing) she will carefully stand, get her balance, and take several unassisted steps from place to place.

4) Our dryer has been broken now for just over a week.  I am frightened to fix it (as I'm sure it will be expensive) but at the same time glad it has broken as I have gotten lazy in hanging out the laundry and now, even when the dryer works again, I hope to use my clothesline regularly again. (for clothes that is - we ALWAYS hang our cloth diapers out, even in the winter!)

5) A friend gave me this article to read and it has gotten me thinking.  I am currently in the process of expanding/updating our "Emergency Kit," especially as Tornado season is upon us.

6) As a Mothers' Day splurge I purchased for myself an expensive toy. . . an armband from Body Media FIT.  It is really fun!!  It tracks the calories your body consumes, the steps you take, moderate and vigorous activity, and the sleep you get.  You input your calorie intake and your weight and/or waist measurement.  I really like to see exactly how my calories in matches up to the calories I have burned.  It is also fun to try and reach my step goal or my moderate and vigorous activity times.  Plus seeing how many hours of sleep I get each night is also cool.  And it can tell if I am actually sleeping as compared to just lying down.  I could tell you how it works, but it would be easier for you just to read about it if you are interested (follow the link) as I've typed too much about it already - hah.

7) Speaking of physical activity, I am battling weird neck muscle pain right now and it is frustrating!!  I think my body warranty must have been 30 years as once I passed that mark I just keep having things break or not work right!  In any case, after discussion with my doctor and a physical therapist friend I have a few activities in mind (including a massage!! - the physical therapist suggested it!! :) and hope that the friend's suggestions with a little rest and a few weeks of an anti-inflammatory medicine I will be going strong again.  Otherwise it will be back to physical therapy.  If I had life to do again I might consider getting a degree in physical therapy as it would come in mega-handy right now!

Well, that's all.  I need to quit delaying and get to scraping that trim.  I hope everyone is having a peaceful and fulfilling Memorial Day weekend.

Blessings!!

Hello Miriam! :)

Happy Birthday Paul and Miriam!!

Check out my cake!!  I know my limitations and how to cheat to rise above them :)  And for the record, Rebekah frosted the muffins above the cake and that was REALLY a stroke of brilliance on my part.  She LOVED doing it AND they looked about as good as I could have done them.

Yep, you got that total right.  This day one year ago, Miriam was finally emerging, just in time for dinner.  And this day two years before Miriam's entrance, Paul was popping out, just in time for lunch!  Such considerate children to let mamma not be "late to the table" on their days of birth :)

Without further ado I bring you. . . random facts and trivia involving these two wonderful additions to our family.

This was from our immediate family celebration yesterday (on their actual birthday and the day I started this post).  I could not get him to smile for me today for some reason - too many people and too busy!!

Paul

*He is in the "Why?" phase, full swing.  Yesterday at the store he probably asked me AT LEAST 100 times if he could have some candy (as they seemed to have it in every aisle, at exactly his level) and each time I would say "no" (or something to that affect) and he would respond with an emphatic (sometimes a little moany, and often a bit surprised, which was surprising to me), "WHY?"  Unfortunately, answering the question was not the correct way to stop this line of thinking as he kept asking and I kept answering throughout the entirety of that shopping trip.

*Paul likes to talk about himself in third person: "It's Paul," or "that's Paul's toy," or "Paul's gonna play soccer!"

*He catches onto the ends of words or phrases.  For example, we go to the "seum," (museum) he jumps on the "lean" (trampoline), we watch the "teen bears" (Berenstain Bears), and Jacob's parent educator is "Mrs. Leen" (Eileen).

*Paul's favorite snack is the left-over cereal on Miriam's high chair tray.  Sometimes he does not even wait for her to finish.

*He can open his on van door now and buckle the five-point harness on his carseat, all by himself!

*Paul likes to put his own clothes on.  He has just recently started getting them on the way they should be (instead of backwards or inside out).

*Paul is really into trains right now, but racecars are ok, too.  And if you could hear him say "mokercycle" you would ask him to talk about them all day.

Miriam in her new car!!

Miriam

*She loves to climb on things.  A few days ago I found her kneeling on top of the table, shredding the paper napkins.  (Never a dull moment around here.)

*Some of her favorite foods are mashed potatoes, meatballs, and yogurt. . . not necessarily all at once :)

*Her babbling is really adorable.  (But all parents say that, right?)  I especially enjoy her "tssss" sound.

*Miriam still loves nursing and this makes mamma happy.

*She is the most petite child for her age thus far.  Note: I am not saying she is petite, I am saying she is the smallest for her age, in this family.

*Miriam LOVES to take baths with her brother, Paul.  He will splash her and she just laughs.  She REALLY likes him and loves when he plays with her.

*Paul refers to her as "Meeum."

*Gordie sometimes blows gentle in her face, making her close her eyes and her hair blow just a little.  This always makes her smile and sometimes she tries to blow back.

When the ways of people please the Lord, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.  (Proverbs 16:7)

Paul actually got this yesterday (at our family celebration- we figured it would be easier to "reveal it" that way, before all our fun company came for the day after celebrations of today!)

Miriam and Grandma

Dear Paul and Miriam, you are two of the sweetest children I have known.  I pray that your ways may please God always and your hearts be ever close to Him who is our peace.  Much love to you on your birthday and always!!

Journal #12

 Out my window:

 

Maybe 60 degrees, sunny, slight breeze, some clouds now and again.  Really a beautiful spring day.
 

Clothing myself:

Jeans, sandals, Franciscan University Lady Barons basketball T-shirt.  (On the bright side, my mom watched the kiddos for me this morning and I was able to pick up a couple pairs of Capri pants and a new shirt at JC Penny!!  Gotta get 'em washed and I will be a "whole new gal" :)
 

Around the house:

Since Paul and Miriam's birthdays are approaching (same day) I have been collecting items for their presents.  I usually find the gifts from not only our immediate family but my folks and my brother (makes it nice to get them a bigger gift sometimes and/or just get them something I know they will really love).  For Paul we had already ordered a balance bike (got a pretty good deal on it, too) as he has one but it is really too small.  This one should be good for him for a few years.  However, not more than two days later a friend listed a train table for sale.  Well, we just could not pass up the train table as we KNEW he and all the other kids for that matter, would love it.  So we snatched it up and it is waiting patiently in the back of the escape (not a lot of places to hide a toy that size).  However, in order to find a place for it I had to some serious rearranging!

 

Here is a "before" picture of the corner of the TV room.  (The irony is that I have a folder full of TV room pictures - in nice sections - that I was going to print and hang up so the kids would know where the toys go, but now that folder has been rendered useless as not a week later I am rearranging again!! - hah)

 

 

And here is an "after" picture. 

 

 

We had been meaning to replace the monster TV for a while, so this was a good incentive. 

 

Funny story tangent:  I measured the old TV (22 inches straight across) and told the hubby we should replace it and the size, so I found an acceptable 24 inch (according to the site dimensions) TV and the hubby thought we were upgrading.  Well, the TV comes in (site to store) and he picks it up.  All he can say over and over: "it is small, it seems small, it MUST be smaller than the other."  Well, it was.  I KNOW to measure a TV diagonally, but for some reason I had a major brain fart (something about going from an old box screen to a widescreen - had me confused) and measured it across.  So we actually went from a 27 inch TV to a 24 inch TV.  Facepalm on my part.  But. . . when it came to hanging it on the wall. . . because of where the studs are in this room and the location of the window, there was NO WAY to hang it where we wanted it.  And since we have an older house, there are only outlets on two of the walls in the room so that limits our options, too.  In any case, in a moment of inspiration I noticed it would fit PERFECTLY on the bookshelf.  So with a little rearranging of other items our bookshelf turned into an entertainment center and I could not be happier!  So apparently I accidentally bought exactly what we needed!!  Thank you GOD!! :)

 

I will be sure to post another picture soon with the new train table.  As of now you can pretty-much guess where it will go.

 

 

 

In other news, I'm planning to do the great clothing sort (shorts out to the drawers and most of the pants to the tubs) so we shall see how that goes.  HOPEFULLY I can find homes for everything and will discover my kids have enough summer clothes.
 

 The Baby:

Working on teeth.  She is up to 8 broken through.  She has been a crab at night lately and although I feel for her, I am TIRED.  Yep, just tired.  She CAN sleep through the night and she will (when her teeth or other ailments are not bothering her) and that is perhaps the most frustrating part.  She had me spoiled!!

 

She also had a bad diaper rash and infection AGAIN.  She seems to get them a lot.  I'm doubting my baby-care skills, but the doc says sometime sit just happens. 

 

She is standing more on her own in addition to the constant cruising on furniture or with Rebekah guiding her.  She also has the most adorable babbling.  All in all she is pretty cute and growing up way too fast!
 

The Kids:

Rebekah is really getting into art lately.  Our amazing neighbor, who happens to be a graphic designer and a "professional" artist and all has agreed to give Rebekah art lessons!  All for the low price of watching her two kiddos during the session.  I cannot tell who is excited, Rebekah or the neighbor.

 

Samuel is learning he has a temper and I am having trouble helping him control it.  His first instinct is to hit or pinch or push.  He has great remorse afterward, but getting him to stop and think before acting is turning into quite a challenge!
 

In the Kitchen:

I really need to find some more recipes (don't I say that every time?) but I am still plugging along as best I can.  I am back to the fridge calendar.  I'm pretty sure the secret is to cook ahead and freeze as much as I can.  I keep trying, but often it is difficult to get ahead with this growing, HUNGRY family!
 

Crafting:

I really have not had much time for crafting lately, but I am ALMOST half way through my mom's scarf and I am not touching anything else until it is DONE.
 

Learning:

I ordered the California Test of Basic skills for Rebekah and Samuel.  It was very affordable from Seton Homeschool.  It should arrive in a week or two and take about 2.5 hours to administer.  Then I send it in and should receive the results in a couple weeks.

 

Rebekah still has some book work to do, mostly because I had her do THREE math books this year.  She finished the catch-all book for her grade and then is about three quarters through the word problem book I got her (as I thought her word problem solving needed practice).  She also started a multiplication book as she is super-excited about it.  So she will keep doing Math throughout the summer I believe.  We are also going to work on her Spanish.  I got some Spanish music and we have been reading some kids' books in Spanish.  That makes it more fun, for sure.  In addition, she did not get through her spelling book, but she is a VERY good speller and the only reason she did not get through the book is because I did not take the time to test her on all the tests.  But the obsessive compulsive part of me says we need to finish taking all those tests to be SURE she gets through.  These subjects, coupled with her journals (the prayer journal and the saints journal) will keep her "indoor time" busy this summer.

 

For Samuel I plan to push the math board games we have and encourage him to keep writing.  I think I will give him a handwriting sheet each day and maybe have him start a journal of a sentence a day with a picture.
 

Reading:

Recently I have had a problem with my reading.  I cannot seem to finish a book, but I keep starting more!  I am currently reading: Surrender by Father Larry Richards, Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice, Beyond the Birds and the Bees by Greag Popcak and Lisa Popcak and John Paul II's Thelogy of the Body Explained by Chris West.  In addition to the Daily Mass readings from The Word Among Us, and a few chapters from the bible (usually an old testament, a chapter from the Gospel, one from the prophets or Psalms, and one from the letters of the new testament).  I was also trying to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, but have not gotten to it lately.  When they changed up the format it was delivered to my inbox it kinda stifled my interest as I wanted to read it cover to cover, not just get the highlights.  I've read it before, so I have the gist of it, I wanted to look for details and such I might have overlooked.  Oh well, I made it about half way, that is something.
 

Bringing me joy:

+Looking forward to our homeschool coop's end-of-the-year celebration.  The kids are going to do a little program.  My folks and Gordie's mom are going to be able to make it and I think it will be REALLY cute!

+Our neighbors.  We are really blessed to have such a great family next door - wonderful friendship and playmates, right beside us :)
 

Thinking about:

Weird sick-like symptoms I have had and how the antibiotic the doc gave me is not really helping :(  I hope these either pass or it gets figured out soon as it is just annoying.
 

Bible verse:

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.” (John 15:9-11)
 

Pictures to share: