Commissary etiquette

Okay I have a problem that I have to get off my chest, and this is directed at anyone that uses the Military grocery store (anyone) called the Commissary. I understand that the Commissary works a bit different then a regular grocery store, but the same principle still applies, when a lane is open you move to the next one. Rather simple I think, but for some people they seem completely baffled when they get to the head of the line and can't figure out where they should go next, although they are looking at lanes that are pretty much empty, they will still stand and look and wait, until the magical little machine lights up with the number and tells them "next customer in line please". Now let me tell you, you don't have to wait for the machine! You are free to move forward at any time, and not cause a huge back up of people behind you wanting to get in and out as quickly as possible. Try it the next time you shop, no one will rush out from a check out line to tell you to go back, the cashier will be happy that you were able to do this all by yourself without them stopping to push the button for you, and the baggers will be happy that you were able to move it along faster for their tip. (Don't get me started on that). I know for new people it is confusing and strange how the commissary works, but I just needed to clear this up so the next time you are standing in line, you won't look behind you and see me staring at you gesturing you to move (For the love of God move!!!). And just for the record I have not seen any of my friends actually do this, because if I had, I would have yelled at you from the back of the line "HI! Nice to see you, now move it!!" No just kidding I wouldn't, but I would think it. :D

Homeschool materials

One of the fun things that I have found from homeschooling, is the fun of picking out all the materials necessary to homeschool each child. When I first started looking into homeschooling there  were a few things that I required:
1. It was a Christian based curriculum
 2. It had to be textbook based, I didnt want it to be straight from the computer
 3. It couldnt be very expensive.
Those were the main points that I really tried to stick to. I was surprised at all the different options there were for homeschooling!! I always pictured homeschooling as being a small minority of people, and maybe just a few choices out there, but I was wrong! After going through a search engine and picking through all the many choices, I found one that stuck out for me.www.sonlight.com . They seemed to have everything that I needed, and it was all laid out for me in an easy to follow lesson plans. Since i was rather new to this whole experience, and suffered from panic attacks of teaching my kids everyday for a year, I had to have something that would help me step-by-step. Within a week all of the supplies arrived, and in rather large boxes! I tried not to panic as book after book was pulled out. I organized everything into piles and made sure I had received everything. Then I took out my big binder that scheduled everything and was surprised to see that even I could figure out what was going on! As we first started, we were stumped and confused a little, but after a bit, we got the hang of it, and found things that worked for us and didnt.
 This school year I added on Matthias, and even attempted to do some pre-k with the little ones and our neighbor girl. I enjoyed that everything was laid out for me, and I had a peace of mind knowing that I was on schedule for what was to be taught in a year. We even added some extra "classes" to our school day. We are studying spanish, taking music, and art. Rather in a laid back form, but it gives the chance for the kids to experience everything and see what they are good at or what they dont enjoy. I have just put my shopping cart together for the next school year, and I must say I think I am more excited then the kids to get started on next year and learn even more.

Healthy Eating

Matthias has recently started a unit in Science on the food pyramid. He is learning about what foods are healthy and what foods are not. I am starting to think that he might be taking this knowledge a little too far. He is now aware of what foods are good for you and how they work to help you grow, such as proteins and carbohydrates. What has me wondering though, is the fact that every meal I serve him, I now have to tell him how each item is healthy and what it does for his body. If I cant explain how an item might be healthy, he questions my food. Thankfully I am very careful about feeding my kids healthy food, but I don't like each item held up and questioned. Oh, and also each thing I am caught eating is questioned on its health value. "Mom are those cookies healthy, or do they have alot of sugar?" "Thanks Matthias for ruining that treat!!" I guess I should be really worried about our next science unit which is on germs. I can just see him looking around questioning my cleaning skills next.

Military kids

I have never really given much thought about how different it is for children who have parents that are in the military compared to children who have parents in the civilian world. Although we do deal with deployment problems, I guess I assume that overall there isn't much difference. While I was taking Derek to work this morning, I did realize that somethings are in fact greatly different. While I was waiting at a stop light, kids were waiting to cross over to go to school, and on the other side soldiers were doing their morning PT with full battle gear on, and their guns at their sides. What a strange thing to witness, the innocence of children, and the realization of war and violence all on one crosswalk. Of course in retrospect I might have to be more worried about the children, then the men carrying loaded weapons.

One of those days.....

Here is a day in the life of a mom with six kids.....

Sat down on the couch this morning to take a couple minute break, only to discover that someone peed on the couch, when mentioned to the children about the couch being wet, I get the response "yeah, Laurelin peed on it". Thanks for letting mom know.
Had to go dig out my little green cleaning machine because now that the pee was set in, the couch had to be deep cleaned, when I went to the room to pull out my cleaner, I found a pile of toys and garbage that my child who is in charge of cleaning that room has been piling everything, so once I yanked out all the dolls and stuffed animals and found my cleaning machine, I saw that the machine was dirty and I had to take it outside to clean. When I pulled the cleaning compartment out, all the nasty gook came out and ended up all down my legs and feet, thank goodness I was outside when this happened. After swearing at the machine a few times for being a poorly made machine that does not allow you to clean it out very well, it was time to actually clean the couch.
I was proud of myself for getting the cushion all cleaned up, and decided to clean my rug off as well, as I was really scrubbing it, I looked over and saw that all the dirty water that was supposed to pour into the compartment, was actually pouring all over my floor!! Off to get rags to clean that mess up. At this point I think the house is actually more dirty then when I started, and once again I am realizing that cleaning this house is a waste of my time and sanity, and decide to store everything away, and just take out the can of "Oust" and start spraying everything down.
If anyone thinks "wow Jennifer has it all together" I laugh in your face, I absolutely dont, but my house does smell fresh!!

Resolution Time

Well it is about the start of a new year and that of course brings about New Year resolutions. I am not the biggest fan of resolutions, just because I think it tends to bring on more stress and disappointment then any real joy or peace. I am however a fan of looking over the past year and to see where I am at now compared to just a year ago. The last few years I have really been focusing on my spiritual growth, not so much my physical growth. I used to make lofty goals of reading the Bible in one year, I started out strong and might make it to Leviticus before I crashed and burned and felt a huge disappointment in myself, and it left me feeling like I HAD to read the bible, just to get through it, not because I WANTED to read it and apply it to my life. So I started to change my goals and realized that an overall growth would be better then just trying something for a year. First step was devotional time. Another area where I would go well for awhile, then crash and burn by March.Well my life changed last year, and I came to realize that God does not expect me to have devotional time with him or read the Bible because it is expected of me, He wants me to because he wants to spend time with me, and my devotional time went from being a chore to being something I could look forward to, like having a good talk with a friend, and although I would like to spend more time with my "friend", I dont need to put it on a "to do" list.
So for this year my resolution is to be more opened to the Holy Spirit's guidance and direction in my life. I want to be more open to Him, to wherever he calls me. I have been feeling lost and tossled around by the "have tos". After leaving our last church, I feel a little lost in what I am called to do. I keep feeling like I should be doing this or that, because I am "called to", but I am slowly realizing that I need to listen to the Holy Spirit and not man's guilt put on me.
So there it is my goal for the next year................. and maybe to lose ten pounds. :)

Jurassic Park

Yesterday our family went to the Bishop Museum down in Honolulu. They have a big dinosaur exhibit that I knew the kids would enjoy. As we were walking to the museum from our van, Jessica came up next to me and wanted to walk with me ; here is the conversation that soon followed........

Jessica: "They're only fake dinosaurs, right mom?"
Me: " I dont know we will have to wait and see."
Jessica "Dinosaurs are not alive anymore they are extinct."
Me: " Have you not seen Jurassic Park?"
Jessica: " Yes"
Me : "Well those are dinosaurs, and Jurassic Park is based on a true story."
Jessica: "I know that is true, I meant here in Hawaii."
Me: " Well we are on an island, so there must be a good chance that they are living here too. "
Jessica: " Ohhh"


Derek and I thought it was so cute and funny that Jessica really believes that Jurassic park is a real place somewhere. Oh my kids are going to be so confused when they grow up!