I am not usually interested in political banter, but I did watch both conventions and saw good things on both sides. Well, at least good promises. We'll see what happens. But I, like Abbey, am amazed at the history that will be made coming in November. A black man or a woman in the White House. It really is a wonderful thing that so many changes have been made for the better in a relatively short period of time. Amazing!
I do support Republicans (only because Ron Paul is not on the ticket:) and was very impressed with Sarah Palin, who I know nothing about. She seems to really have it all together. I think she will make a wonderful role model while she serves our country. Out of curiousity, my question to you is:
Do you think that, as a mother, her most important role should be in her home? Is she "deserting" her family at this point where a couple of her kids are very young and will need very much attention because one is special needs? Is this a smart choice and do you agree with her choice enough to vote for her?
My personal thoughts were that we need women role models everywhere. And having a woman in the White House can only help the cases of women everywhere who need help. I do think that her family is most important and hope that she can balance it all out somehow. But I appreciate the example that she is setting for my daughter, that women can do anything.
If we are going to make history soon, I hope it is with a woman! :)
Friday, September 5, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
72-hour Kits...check!
Today was the day...today was the day we got everything together and purchased for our 72 hour kits.
It's been very interesting to do this. The first thing we thought about was why would we need these? We came up with a few different situations, some lots scarier than others. And they were all so different!
Then the question was, will we walk with these packs or drive with them? After packing those bags, I am hoping and praying that we will get to drive! If we would have to walk somewhere George would backpack Sam and would pull the rolling duffel bag that is ridiculously heavy. I would frontpack Seth and wear the backpack holding all the food which has to weigh 100 pounds...or maybe closer to 30:) On top of that, Levi and Natalie won't keep their backpacks on...you know, because they are just too tired (can't you just hear your 5 year old saying that!), so we will end up holding their little packs. And we haven't even added water to our kits yet! Ahhh!
But the point is that we have been obedient and they are ready to be assembled in the next few weeks and put somewhere very convenient. So, as we taught our kids today, "If we are prepared, we don't have to fear!"
PS We also taught about fire safety and made a fire plan for our home. We stressed the point that the kids are not to try to get any toys out of the house if there is a fire. Levi's eyes welled up with tears and he came over and whispered in my ear, "But mom, I will be soooo bored if I can't save the Wii!!" Anyone else have that same sentiment? :)
It's been very interesting to do this. The first thing we thought about was why would we need these? We came up with a few different situations, some lots scarier than others. And they were all so different!
Then the question was, will we walk with these packs or drive with them? After packing those bags, I am hoping and praying that we will get to drive! If we would have to walk somewhere George would backpack Sam and would pull the rolling duffel bag that is ridiculously heavy. I would frontpack Seth and wear the backpack holding all the food which has to weigh 100 pounds...or maybe closer to 30:) On top of that, Levi and Natalie won't keep their backpacks on...you know, because they are just too tired (can't you just hear your 5 year old saying that!), so we will end up holding their little packs. And we haven't even added water to our kits yet! Ahhh!
But the point is that we have been obedient and they are ready to be assembled in the next few weeks and put somewhere very convenient. So, as we taught our kids today, "If we are prepared, we don't have to fear!"
PS We also taught about fire safety and made a fire plan for our home. We stressed the point that the kids are not to try to get any toys out of the house if there is a fire. Levi's eyes welled up with tears and he came over and whispered in my ear, "But mom, I will be soooo bored if I can't save the Wii!!" Anyone else have that same sentiment? :)
Jones Family Christmas Music
George here. Last Christmas we had a really fun experience going to a music studio here in Fort Wayne. We got to play, sing, and edit our own music, and then we got CD copies to take home with us. As things like this can get lost or broken, I finally got around to ripping the tracks to our computer, and have included them here for anybody that would like to listen:
Monday, August 25, 2008
Name that Tune
Updated 8/28
See if you can figure out which songs these lyrics come from. It makes me laugh so hard when the kids sing what it sounds like instead of what the words really are so I don't ever want to correct them:)
Natalie-
"Sinks by the wayside" (Tell Me the Stories of Jesus)
"Onward never onward" (Called to Serve)
"It's too late to go to John's" (Too Late to Apologize-New Republic)
Levi-
"Stanky Doodle went to London" (Yankee Doodle)
"If I can button door" (I Am a Child of God-4th verse)
See if you can figure out which songs these lyrics come from. It makes me laugh so hard when the kids sing what it sounds like instead of what the words really are so I don't ever want to correct them:)
Natalie-
"Sinks by the wayside" (Tell Me the Stories of Jesus)
"Onward never onward" (Called to Serve)
"It's too late to go to John's" (Too Late to Apologize-New Republic)
Levi-
"Stanky Doodle went to London" (Yankee Doodle)
"If I can button door" (I Am a Child of God-4th verse)
Saturday, August 23, 2008
We made it through the week!
We finished our 5th day of school...only 175 to go:) Really, I am not counting, it's just that attendance is the only thing I have to keep track of (Indiana's rules) so I know the number. It's been a crazy learning experience... and fun and hard and trying and tiring and I could go on and on. The hardest parts being Seth and Sam not cooperating (you know, being awake instead of napping...argh:) and the fact that 5 year olds just shut down. The naps...ah, what can you do, really? I cannot convince Seth he wants to sleep during that time. It's unfortunate since I cannot even think when the boy is crying! Luckily, Natalie is the greatest big sister and will play with him and try to keep him happy.
Trying to get Levi not to shut down is rough. He is going along great and then, all of sudden, the floppy body language sets in and he starts saying, "I'm so tired" and doing these fake yawns. I am trying to be "teacher" and find ways to motivate him. We will get it!
I love this! Wednesday was by far our best day...the boys both napped and Levi was on. I felt so fulfilled, like I am doing just what the Lord wants me to. Homeschooling is not for everyone, but I strongly believe that anyone can do it. You just have to decide that it's the right choice for your child. There are a million different curriculum choices and you can find what fits you and your child. I NEVER thought I was cut out for this, but once I decided to do it, it fell into place. I am where I am supposed to be.
PS George made our cool school logo up at the top of the page and came up with our name. He also wants to teach the kids Chinese. We'll see if that happens, but it would be pretty cool:)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Cute pics and the start of Polaris Academy
Sunday best...they do clean up nicely:)
Here's Sam's "more" sign
And our cutie, smiley Seth!
So, the Polaris Academy started this week. What is the Polaris Academy, you ask? It's the official name of our homeschool. We have had 2 days and it's been fun...well, it's been ok. It's going to take Levi and I some time to get used to the teacher/student relationship. And Natalie really wants to participate, but she's a bit young to sit still, be quiet for very long, and she has this humming noise she does whenever she is concentrating that is not good for the school environment. Seth has been really crabby both days, but our dear boy Sam has slept right through.
I think the hardest part is not trying to over teach. I see the material and the potential and I want him to do it all, right now! I wish I knew more about his progression and what teaching methods will best suit him. I believe these are things that I will learn over time. I know that teachers are way better qualified for this kind of thing, but I think that I am keeping Levi home to instill in him that he is a son of God and there are things that are expected of him. I want to establish our home as a place of love, thinking, respect, honesty, and all those other things that seem to go out the window at "real school". Maybe I am just overprotective:) But, this is a good thing, so I am going to keep at it.
Other projects that I would like to accomplish soon:
3 month food supply
Rice and beans year supply
72 hour kits
Selling stamping stuff on Ebay
Weeding our flower garden
Deep clean all bathrooms
Make chore charts and assignments
Fun stuff! I am really enjoying myself! Happy "beginning of school" to you all!!
I think the hardest part is not trying to over teach. I see the material and the potential and I want him to do it all, right now! I wish I knew more about his progression and what teaching methods will best suit him. I believe these are things that I will learn over time. I know that teachers are way better qualified for this kind of thing, but I think that I am keeping Levi home to instill in him that he is a son of God and there are things that are expected of him. I want to establish our home as a place of love, thinking, respect, honesty, and all those other things that seem to go out the window at "real school". Maybe I am just overprotective:) But, this is a good thing, so I am going to keep at it.
Other projects that I would like to accomplish soon:
3 month food supply
Rice and beans year supply
72 hour kits
Selling stamping stuff on Ebay
Weeding our flower garden
Deep clean all bathrooms
Make chore charts and assignments
Fun stuff! I am really enjoying myself! Happy "beginning of school" to you all!!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Camping!
I was born into a camping family and loved it! I was thrilled when the ward set up a ward camp-out. George...not so much. Has anyone ever BEEN camping with 4 children under 5? It just not as relaxing as I pictured it...but still fun!
The kids help me pack the car on Friday as the rain poured down. Geo called and said, "I am getting severe weather updates on my desktop. Are we still going?" By then, the car was packed and I informed him we are GOING! Like Emily said, we packed half of our house for less than 24 hours:)
When we got there, it was still pouring, but a few people were setting up as the rain gradually stopped so we decided to at least stay for dinner. We hadn't decided to stay yet, but if we did, we would use 2 tents. Well, turned out that a couple in our ward brought a tent with no stakes so we lent them our little tent. Our decision was made. Geo would stay with Levi and Nat and I would go home with the babies. We had a blast! I left around 10:15pm and got a good night's sleep and headed back.
Much to my surprise, Geo did not have a good night's sleep. They had a huge storm hit them at 12:30-lightening, thunder and hail. He was so worried. And they didn't even have a car to sit in safely. They just toughed it out. What little troopers!
The next day was beautiful! We hiked, cooked smores, and finished at the beach. Good times! Here are some pictures. Enjoy!
Are all boys pyros?
Sam was happy!
Natalie was dirty:)
Everyone loved the fire pit!
Seth was a hit:)
And this was the trip home...we were all exhausted!
The kids help me pack the car on Friday as the rain poured down. Geo called and said, "I am getting severe weather updates on my desktop. Are we still going?" By then, the car was packed and I informed him we are GOING! Like Emily said, we packed half of our house for less than 24 hours:)
When we got there, it was still pouring, but a few people were setting up as the rain gradually stopped so we decided to at least stay for dinner. We hadn't decided to stay yet, but if we did, we would use 2 tents. Well, turned out that a couple in our ward brought a tent with no stakes so we lent them our little tent. Our decision was made. Geo would stay with Levi and Nat and I would go home with the babies. We had a blast! I left around 10:15pm and got a good night's sleep and headed back.
Much to my surprise, Geo did not have a good night's sleep. They had a huge storm hit them at 12:30-lightening, thunder and hail. He was so worried. And they didn't even have a car to sit in safely. They just toughed it out. What little troopers!
The next day was beautiful! We hiked, cooked smores, and finished at the beach. Good times! Here are some pictures. Enjoy!
We let Sam play in the car so we didn't loose him. Smart!
Are all boys pyros?
Sam was happy!
Natalie was dirty:)
Everyone loved the fire pit!
Seth was a hit:)
And this was the trip home...we were all exhausted!
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