Nope, I’m not dead. I’ve been a little bit busy, though, which is why I haven’t blogged…

Thursday marked the first official day of classes for Sonshine Christian Learning Center, our legally-registered private school… also known as our homeschool.

The beginning wasn’t without it’s stress and tears, which are bound to come with someone starting homeschooling in the middle of his school career. Many times during his first day, he would ask “What time is it?” only to respond, “Oh. Right now my friends are ____.” It was hard to break those ties with his old school routine and realize new year, new school, new system.

Amidst all of that, however, a lot of great learning took place. Our first unit is covering the great, divine source of so much that is happy in the world… CHOCOLATE! This means math, science, reading, well, it’s all about chocolate this time around.

Thursday, we were mostly getting our feet wet. We did some story problems involving chocolate, read part of our book, Chocolate Fever, and worked on vocabulary. Of course, we also did logic problems, and worked on a lot of our other “daily work,” that isn’t related to chocolate (Math U See, Creative Writing, and more).

For our creative project, Jeffrey had to design a miniature golf course. He was given a piece of paper, and was told to be creative. We left the room, and he was up to himself to do it. I am more of a writer personality. I do my best work when I’m able to write something out, so if I were given that project, you better believe I would have come up with an amazingly detailed written description of the park. My mother is a lot more visual than I am, and she had in her head visions of drawing this miniature golf course. However, when my brother returned to us with his completed project, we were in awe… he had created a three dimensional model of a mini golf course, constructed entirely from paper and tape. It was incredible. Loops, swirls, parts of the course that bent up for added challenge… it was a masterpiece. We realized at that moment that each person in our family has a different style of learning, which really keyed into the main reason that homeschooling is so important in our home. Think about this. A teacher can teach 25 students, but there is limited ability to give children the freedom to do a project in their own way. Written assignments are written. Drawn assignments are drawn. Kids may not be able to express their full creativity simply because the time and energy isn’t there for it. It’s hard to allow 25 kids to each go their own way, especially because that could come up with some wildly different variations. But, in a class of one, it’s a lot easier to allow those freedoms in differing learning styles.

Now, our school is set up on a four and a half day week. Mondays through Thursdays, we cover all of the subjects, and spend the day working through those. On Fridays, we focus on science, reviewing what we learned over the week, and catching up on any assignments that weren’t completed on our Monday through Thursday work week.

For this Friday, since it was our first week, there was really no review to be had, and he completed all of his work before Friday, so it wasn’t necessary for him to make anything up, either. Friday, we decided to have a little fun with math.

One of our focuses this term is on fractions, including multiplying and dividing them. For a little practice in dividing fractions, Jeffrey had to make pancakes, from scratch. However, we had written out the full recipe, and he needed to make a half recipe. He did the math in his head, without a calculator, obviously, and the real test of whether or not he got it right? Well, that was all in the taste! I have to tell you, these were DELICIOUS pancakes. And, a little math work doesn’t hurt, either. Who knew math could be so delicious?

Check out a few photos from our Friday lesson.

Here’s a photo of mom going over the assignment with him, and discussing the fraction division.

Measuring out the flour…

…and the baking powder.

In go the liquid ingredients!

Stir, stir, stir!

Playing the waiting game until it’s flip time…

And he’s a flipping pro!

Final verdict? “Math is DELICIOUS!”

I’m so excited to begin next week’s adventure into homeschooling! Homeschooling may mean a few less blog posts around here, but I truly hope you’ll stay tuned into what’s going on.

In terms of my growth project, I’ve been really considering it’s meaning in my own life. I feel like I really am growing, but at the same time, in order to grow, I have to do a little pruning. I’ve been working on that, because I think pruning a little will help me get where I need to go. I’ve pruned down my closet (I purged anything that isn’t working with my new style aesthetic. I donated anything that was still good- just because it’s no longer my style, doesn’t mean it won’t work for someone else!). I also pruned my hair- yesterday, I got a new cut and color, so I’ll have to post pics of that as soon as I have them.

I hope in the next few weeks, I’ll be able to share more about my one little word, and my journey with that. Blogging may be sparse this week because I have a lot going on in the next week, and I’m anxious to share it all with you when things get a little less busy.

Have a great week, everyone!

I seriously don’t think there is anything more amazing in the world than watching your child sleep. Zach has been laying here asleep for about an hour and a half now, and he just looks so peaceful. Every once in awhile, in his sleep, he’ll get this little grin on his face, and it’s just contagious.

He always looks like a little angel while he sleeps. I think he looks like one moreso now, because it’s hot in the house, so he’s stripped down to a diaper. He has this awesome little belly button that is halfway an innie and halfway an outie, like it can’t make up it’s mind as to what it wants to be. His little baby fingers and toes are so adorable, and so tiny! His eyelashes are growing, and his hair is a bit of a mess right now, sort of trying to do a faux-hawk. His nose looks just like mine, and just like my mother’s, and it is just so tiny and perfect. His ears have this delightful curve, the perfect little lobes to them. I love everything about this kid. He has this focus and peacefulness when he sleeps, and it’s just so incredible to watch. He lays there, out like a light, and takes these adorable little breaths, and every once in awhile, he takes in a huge sigh. I couldn’t love him more if I tried.

Yes. 11. Not 10. Everyone is going to be talking about what they did 10 years ago today. But quite frankly, I’ve already talked about what I was doing 10 years ago today, and it’s time for me to talk about what I was doing 11 years ago today.

11 years ago today, it was 105 degrees outside, but I couldn’t feel the heat sitting inside the nice, cool hospital room. I wasn’t sick or hurt. I was there with my mother, and my father. And, after a 9 month wait, I was finally getting to be there with my brother, too.

After a planned C-Section, and a lot of waiting, I got to greet my amazing brother. I got to hold his tiny body, all wrapped up, and see his amazing, precious face. I got to gaze into his beautiful blue eyes. And I got to talk to him.

Shortly after that, I realized that a baby was a frustrating thing. Sometimes babies cried. Sometimes, they pooped. They smelled. They were aggravating. Sometimes, though, they were sweet. Sometimes they smiled. Sometimes they gnawed on your fingers. Sometimes they did really cute things and made really cute noises.

I remember 10 years ago, when we decided due to personal conflicts, like school, we would celebrate my brother’s birthday on the 10th, instead of the 11th. We did. He had a birthday cake that looked like a bear. It was a birthday cake that took hours of careful, detailed work with a star tip. I would know. I decorated it. We celebrated, without knowledge that the next night, most people in America would be glued to their TV, watching the aftermath of the attacks.

10 years ago, I came home early from school and watched the attacks unfold as I put together Jeffrey’s new puzzle-piece floor treatment, and also put together his playset for his room with my mom and dad. I remember spending time with family, and with my brother, as it should have been.

9 years ago, I remember his second birthday. I remember his Bob the Builder themed party, the next cake I had decorated, dressing like Pilchard the Cat to make his party special. I remember how much he had grown and changed between the ages of one and two. I remember thinking he was growing insanely fast.

8 years ago, I don’t even remember the party. I remember being in amazement of how much Jeffrey was growing and changing.

7 years ago, he was in preschool. He was growing up before my eyes. He was finding his own likes and dislikes, his own friends, his own life. He was learning to be compassionate, learning to be the genuinely amazing person he still is today.

6 years ago today, my baby brother was starting kindergarten. I was starting college. It was crazy to see the difference between the two of us, and yet see the similarities. It was so impressive to see how smart he was, how clever and witty he could be.

5 years ago today, he was growing and changing. He had best friends. He had friends he played with often. He had interests and ideas of his very own.

4 years ago today, he was growing up, getting bigger, beginning to change into a new person.

3 years ago today, I was amazed at the kind of boy he was becoming, happy that he was so much like me and yet so different in so many ways.

2 years ago today, he had a cool Star Wars party with Star Wars games and his best friends in the world.

1 year ago today, I was shocked that he had already entered the double-digits, but at the same time, he still felt like a kid to me.

But today, he’s not a kid anymore. He’s a little man. He wears deodorant! He shares his passions with people. He is a star soccer player who got MVP on his team last year. He’s a Tony Hawk fan. His favorite soccer player for Sporting KC is Chance Meyers. He has his blond hair cut into a “skater cut.” He loves his skateboard, he loves FIFA video games, and he loves to play Crush the Castle on the computer. He likes to listen to K-Love. When no one is looking, he’ll bounce Zach’s bouncy chair. He gives. And he is shy about receiving. Today, I offered to buy him a milkshake, any flavor he wanted. And he said “No, it’s okay, you don’t have to get me one…” He is mindful of other people’s wants and needs. He’s soft-spoken, but also LOUD! He is so amazingly smart. He loves shows like Good Luck, Charlie and Shake It Up. He loves the computer. He loves loves loves soccer. He wants to be a professional soccer player someday.

He is getting so big, so smart, so amazing. And I could not ask for a better little brother.

Happy Birthday, Jeffrey.

I love you.

Yes, that’s right. My team is now FIRST in the Eastern Division for MLS. Today, I attended my first Sporting KC game, and it did not disappoint. When we first arrived at the park, we were greeted with a beautiful stadium. I now understand why Livestrong Sporting Park has been voted one of the most beautiful soccer stadiums in the world. It’s impressive.

After arriving and entering right as the gates opened, we started out by doing a little shopping, and walking around the park. We also got to watch our boys in blue practice and warm up before the game, which was pretty awesome.

Then, finally, it was game time. Near the beginning of the game, Kansas City scored it’s first goal, Bunburry assisted by Zusi, who, of course, I adore. I was the one who arrived at the park with a “Marry Me, Zusi!” poster. He didn’t respond to my proposal, by the way, but I think he’s strongly considering it. Ha!

The game was fantastic, and exciting, and then, BAM! Half time. After half time, we returned to play, with Zusi doing quite a few corner kicks right by me. :swoon:

We kicked butt with another goal, I believe also by Bunburry. A lot happened then. The other team played really dirty. Things got heated. The refs didn’t call and didn’t call and the crowd booed. Loudly. Finally, later, things got to where they HAD to do something, and BOOM! Red card on Houston Dynamo. Of course, we all freakin’ cheered. They deserved it after some of the horribly play they did. I thought when one of the players hit Chance and flipped him, my brother was going to go out of the stands and hurt someone on the field. He doesn’t take Chance getting hurt very lightly. After the red card, we scored a third goal, which added insult to injury. Sapong rocked the third goal.

The game did end 3-nil, and it really was a fantastic game. These points were enough to bring KC to number one in the Eastern Conference at the moment.

The real fun of the game, though, occurred after the game was over. On our way out, we heard a commotion in the member’s area, so we decided to go in and see what it was all about. We were greeted with about 150 people cheering, chanting, and raising heck. The standard ooooooaaaaaoooooo cheer was going on, drums were pounding, hearts were racing, people were jumping and running… it was amazing. The spirit was just fantastic. And finally, they starting in with an I!
The crowd chanted back “I!”

The leader responded “I believe!”

The crowd repeated “I believe!”

The leader yelled back “I believe that!”

The crowd, in it’s glory, yelled back “I believe that!”

The leader cheered “I believe that we!”

The crowd responded with a loud “I believe that we!”

Then everybody started jumping and screaming “I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE WON! I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE WON! I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE WON!”

Guys ran around the room with their children on their backs. People waved flags. The whole crowd jumped like some sort of tidal wave, all the while continuing to yell “I believe that we have won! I believe that we have won!” I’m not kidding when I say the crowd energy of the park is just fantastic. It truly is amazing.

As this was my first experience at the park, I really felt that it was truly worth going to. Unlike Chiefs games, which get ridiculously rowdy and violent, and unlike Royals games, which I find miserably boring, Sporting KC is truly a fantastic family experience. The 2 month old smiled through most of the game, as did the 50 year old. Our whole family was delighted and had a fantastic time. We’re already looking forward to our adventure to Livestrong Sporting Park on October 15th when we battle the Red Bulls.

And I’ll definitely be bringing my Marry Me, Zusi sign back. You know, just in case he missed it the first time around.

All my life, I’ve had specific food cravings when I needed something. If I was having a serious hankering for raisins, if I would go to the doctor, blood tests would confirm I needed iron, something that raisins provide. If I needed protein, I would start eating eggs non-stop. I would often crave specific things based on my body’s needs. I always have.

Lately, in the past two or three months, I started desiring blueberries. I purchased a pint of them when they were in-season and on sale. I ate the pint before the day was out. The next day I went to the store and bought two more pints. They were gone within a few days, as well. Since then, I have been buying about four pints a week, except while I was in the hospital. In addition to that, I’ve wanted foods that included blueberries… muffins, smoothies, pastries… anything with that little blue ingredient. But mostly, I loved them plain. Raw, fresh blueberries… delicious.

Yesterday, after eating a full pint yet again, my mother and I were talking about my intense love for blueberries. In particular, we discussed this moment at the dinner table.

My mother said “There aren’t many berries left. Would anyone like to eat them?” I stared at the berries. She pushed them closer. I continued to stare lovingly at the berries, as I said “I’m so full… I don’t want them…” I just kept staring. Looking, longingly. At berries.

My mother said later that she had never in her life seen a person stare at food with such love and desire as I stared at those berries last night. She said that I should figure out why I wanted berries so much, why I desired them so intensely.

It didn’t take a lot of research last night before I discovered that blueberries actually lower blood pressure. For those of you who have been around the blog for the last… week… you know that I had some serious cardiovascular problems during the end of my pregnancy, including high blood pressure, as well as congestive heart failure. A quick talk with one of my hospital nurses made it clearer that eating blueberries in such large quantities could have helped to save my life by keeping my blood pressure just low enough. I still, of course, rely on blood pressure medications and other medications to keep my heart problems in check, and yes, eating too many blueberries can make a person very sick, or even cause death. BUT, the right amount of blueberries each day can do a significant amount of good to the heart, and to other parts of the body. Blueberries even lower the risk of certain types of cancers and promote healthy digestion!

I know that the food is going to be a staple in my diet. I also learned that certain cravings for food can really fill a need you may not even know your body had. In the future, I’ll spend a lot more time listening to those healthy cravings my body has, and fill those needs… and maybe even find out what’s causing me to need those foods in the first place!

What are you craving today?