summer Saturday

         Today was one of those days that a mom just has to write about.  In fact, it is so pressing that I am currently sitting on my couch with my house in complete disarray writing this blog. Anyone who knows anything about me, knows that this is has got to be a big deal because it is very seldom that I sit down on the computer at 11:22 pm if I am staring at a soccer ball, a box for a bike trailer (quite large in fact), a basket of clothes, and several pairs of shoes strewn across the floor (and that's just in the living room).

     In order to give you fellow moms out there the complete picture, I will start at the beginning.  The morning began as most summer Saturdays do in the Jink's home; breakfast and then yard-saling. Seven stops in, my son Brycen and I found the prize sale with exactly what I was looking for at great bargain prices, i.e. baby girl clothes, fill a bag for $10.  The perfect beginning to a summer Saturday.  After recharging at home with lunch and air conditioning, I decided to take the two older children to the pool while the younger one's were napping at home with daddy.  Another great relaxing summer event.  While swimming, we were informed of a kid's movie on base so we decided to take on this special treat as well.  We even risked it with all four of the little one's.  The movie ended at about 8:30. 
    

   It is at this point that most parents would say, "We have had a good full Saturday," and proceed home to get the little one's in bed.  Unfortunately, this is not where this fun day comes to a close.  Upon pulling into the driveway, we decide that it would be a great time to take the kids out for a short little bike ride.  I must explain that the summer in North Dakota is quite bright (meaning that it doesn't get dark until eleven, at the earliest).  Therefore, with it still being quite sunny out we hopped on our newly purchased bikes and trailer for a short little ride. This is where things begin to go wrong, terribly wrong. To begin, I took the wrong street. I took the long street. I know this base quite well, but I was completely distracted by the excitement of how great it was that our whole little family was out on our bikes; dad on his bike, pulling the two little one's in the trailer behind, the two older boys each on their bikes, and of course I was on my bike.  It seemed so perfect. 

Not long into the trip, the two little ones began to fuss.  Just a little at first, but after a while the baby girl's complaints turned into an all out meltdown.  The short little ride was taking longer than it should. Brycen was having to stop every forty five seconds for a drink, and was complaining the entire ride of how exhausted he was.  Normally, it takes our family about twenty minutes to walk to the place that we were attempting to ride, and already we had been gone thirty minutes!  We were forced to take a break.  We stopped on a corner that had a small bus-stop (basically a bench surrounded with open glass). This is where I nursed the baby.  At this point, we knew the journey had come to an end so we proceeded to turn around and head home.  The two little ones were not happy with this idea at all.  Anything that meant getting back in the trailer was out of the question as far as they were concerned, but we had no other choice we had to get them home. 

            We only got a couple of blocks before Brycen had to stop again.  At this point, Nolan (the second youngest) began complaining of feeling sick.  Daddy stopped for a minute, but he seemed to be ok, so we pressed on.  Nolan and Delaney (the two youngest) began fussing again.  I finally decided that the best thing would be for daddy to get them on home, and I would lag behind with Brycen.  Off daddy went, pedalling with a purpose.  Unfortunately, he didn't get very far. 

          When I first approached the scene, I thought that Daddy had stopped to let Nolan pee. However, as I drew nearer I examined the red and orange liquid that had made it's appearance on the entire front of Nolan's body, and Delaney's, and now Daddy's...yuck! "He threw up?" I asked. "Hold her," he replies. "Ummm, o.k. now what?" We were still several blocks from home with two babies covered in puke, four bikes, a trailer and two children now chasing after a stray cat that they saw wondering in the street.  I looked at my watch 10:00 pm! "Oh my Lord! When did I become this parent? Look at us. What are we going to do? How are we going to get these babies home, and these bikes?  Aidan, Brycen, leave that cat alone!" Ok.  So, I phoned a friend.  Her husband brought his truck, and we all made it home safely.  If I had to tag a moral to this story I'm not sure exactly which one I would choose. 

           It is easy to look back and know where the day took a turn for the worse.  It is easy to admit that we tried to cram a little too much into one single summer Saturday.  It is easy to say what I should have done, but if I have learned anything from being a mom it is that we are all human.  We all make mistakes.  I hope you remember this the next time you are standing on the side of the road on a bike, holding a baby, and covered in puke.  Also, I hope you remember that it's always a good idea to phone a friend. Thank you Taylor, thanks Chris!

Learning on the Road

     Well, here it is June, and we have finished grades kindergarten and second grade. We will be moving to first and third in the fall.  We have also completed a two month journey north to south, and back again.  While daddy spent some time at NCO academy, we made Georgia our home.  We also got the opportunity to spend some time with family, and do quite a bit of traveling as well as a little sight seeing on the way.  Homeschooling made this trip possible.  We didn't have to get any one's approval, or gather any work from teachers.  We packed our bags, our books, and many other necessities and piled into the van and headed out. 
     When we left Minot, it was snowing.  Yes, snowing.  It was quite an experience to drive through a snowstorm in South Dakota and continue South to Biloxi, MS with palm trees, sunshine, and a beach.  There were many opportunities for learning, and we did our best to take advantage of as many as possible.  We completed our book work within the first two weeks, and then spent the rest of our time enjoying the outdoors (especially after a lengthy winter in Minot).
     Besides the many events we spent with family and friends we took a slight detour to Mount Rushmore on our journey back to Minot.  During this trip, we got to experience Crazy Horse, and The Alligator Farm as well.  This was a field trip like nothing I'd ever experienced while I was in school.  The boys enjoyed the whole experience, but without a doubt the alligator and snake shows at The Farm, were definitely the highlights. 

    It seems that change will be embracing us once again this year as winter approaches. We will be packing, and moving, leaving friends, changing jobs, looking for a church, and settling in to a whole new area.  The beauty of homeschooling is how much easier this transition will be on our children.  I haven't really decided if this is a forever thing (although, I really do like it), but for now it is the best thing.

Field Trip to the Bartlett Farm

     Baby chicks, baby goats, and baby pigs are all good reasons to visit a farm during the early spring.  However, we live in North Dakota.  With the snow finally melting, the result is MUD.  This little factor did not discourage our  homeschooling group of 50, from Minot AFB, to take the journey.  After a meager 90 minute drive and 30 minute bathroom break, we arrived at our destination.  Greeted warmly by the Bartlett guys, we were shuttled in their pickup truck where the aroma of nature welcomed us in.  After trudging our way through knee deep pools of mud, our first sight to experience was week old chicks.

    

     The boys were wide eyed, but we were able to pull them away with promises of other babies to behold.  The greatest attraction, by far, was the two day old baby goats. They were both a joy to watch and to hold.  The boys were only a little taken aback when they discovered that the new piglets' names would be "breakfast, lunch, and dinner."        

                                                                               

     The story of this particular farm was quite admirable.  The family has been living on this plot of land for only the last 7 years.  They arrived with only a pop-up camper and a dream.  Their current home is still under construction, as they have been building entirely debt-free! At the end of the tour, a nice afternoon snack was laid out before us with fresh cow's milk, butter, and cheese.  At first, Aidan wasn't sure what he thought of the milk, he asked me if it was "home-made."  He has now decided that he likes it better than milk from the store.  Overall, it was a great adventure. Especially for a group of boys. Of course, our little girl didn't seem to mind the sights as well. Although, in the end we were all ready for a nap.  

Make learning stick?

     Tonight I was reading an article about homeschooling and what we are making "stick" with our children.  It made me a little sad.  There are so many things that I try to cram into a given week with my children, that oftentimes it seems that I neglect those things that are really important. Yes, I am teaching them Math and English, and desperately working to improve my second graders handwriting, but am I passing along what is most important?  While I was pregnant with my daughter, I had a case of the "crazies".  There were times when I really felt like I was losing it.  It seems like I screamed more in four months than I have ever screamed in my life.  A few months ago, I began to notice that my children were doing a great deal of screaming themselves.  Immediately, I began to initiate a peaceful atmosphere in my home.  I lowered my tone, prayed for God to help me to be kind and to be an example of gentleness to my children.  I even started to research gentleness in the Bible. Unlearning a characteristic that has already been learned, is not an easy task!  Our example to our children is the greatest teacher that they will ever have.
     So, why am I sad?  I've realized that in the midst of teaching them to pray, do their studies, wash their hands, and even to be kind; I sometimes neglect to give thanks and just speak to God openly (like I used to before they were around and things got so busy).  We say grace before our meals, and pray before bedtime, but my heart is for God to be a much bigger presence in my children's lives. I feel that He is a great presence in my life because of my own personal journey with Him, but I fear that I am not making a strong enough impression on their little hearts.

Our Lives Change and We Continue to Learn

     Obviously this has not been the most consistent thing that I have ever done. Let's see, I think the last post I made in here was over a year ago...pretty sad I know.  Well, quite a bit has changed since October of 2009. We have added another member to our family, changed grades, moved to another state, and are creating a whole new support group up here in North Dakota. We are now schooling second grade and kindergarten. We have also started some basic preschool activities for our now three year old (fun stuff).  Hopefully, as  things are becoming more routine, I will be able to document our journey a little more consistently.
     I'm sure I will learn many things along this journey, but for now one of the best things I have learned is about motivation.  A day can be totally transformed with the right motivation. I'm not talking about bribes or rewards, just a little incentive for getting things accomplished in a timely manner. For example, yesterday I woke up to find several books scattered all over the living room couch. When I inquired as to why the school books were cluttering the couch, Aidan responded, "I wanted to get it done early so that I can see my friends tonight."  He had already completed all but one subject! Wow! How do I bottle that? I know that if I could, I'd definitely be rich.  In that one instant, I was on top of the world!