Jennifer's Junky Life ~

Nature Study

Inspired by one of my favorite bloggers {Bleubird Vintage}, who recently began sharing more of her homeschool journey, I decided while planning our school year to incorporate Nature Study into the mix this time around. Our first few weeks were a little busy as we began the balance of school and life so I didn't get to the Nature aspect of it all until this week. But, I'm finding my planner to be absolutely imperative this year in planning fun, extra activities for the kids. (I hate to admit it... but the planner is something I haven't exactly utilized well in previous years. But I'm loving it this year!)

{On Aria: Thrifted Sweatshirt and leggings. Vintage dress found on Etsy, from a friend (Mark's cousin, Joanna). Vintage bonnet. Moccasins from KaBoogie. (Love them! And highly recommend them. They stay on baby's feet really well due to the elastic around the ankles.)}

This summer, we noticed walking trail signs and trails at the local park and have been wanting to give them a good inspection. So, yesterday, armed with our Nature workbooks and various other odds and ends for nature study (i.e. binoculars, pencils, paper, etc.), along with a few unnecessary objects (the kids had all sorts of stuff packed into their bags!), we set off down the trails. It was a beautiful and sunny fall day. The temp. was a cool 61° and the sky was a bright blue. As we walked, the dry leaves crunched under foot and we heard geese overhead. We stopped periodically to inspect trees and bark and plants and even spotted a relatively good-sized animal hole near the path.

The trails are absolutely beautiful! There was a small tree stump or two in the path in one section but otherwise, the trails were free of any major debris and were plenty wide for the four and a half of us to stroll through. (Aria rode along in the Moby.) They were long and winding and even split off in a couple of directions in two different places. We spent an hour out there and didn't go in all directions. So, we're looking forward to revisiting the park soon and checking them out!

We're using The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms as our study guides. All three kids have their own. In hindsight, two would have been sufficient as Carter's a little young for his - but we're just going to work on it together. No word yet on whether we'd recommend them or not as we have only just begun and haven't written in them yet.

Darwin, and his theories of evolution, is listed as a naturalist in the book along with several other famous naturalists. Our kids are familiar with him and what he stands for but we don't agree with his theories. I thought I'd mention this for anyone else thinking about looking into the workbook. So far, that's the only thing I've seen that stands out to me worth noting.

Locals, I definitely recommend the trails if you haven't checked them out yet! Not sure when they were made but I can't believe we hadn't been on them before. It's so very peaceful and tranquil out there in the woods.

Creativity and Homeschool

I love art in its many forms. Admittedly, though, I haven't focused very much on a formal art and music study when it comes to our homeschool. Mostly it's because I've always been more concerned about the main subjects that the kids needed to learn about, and as a beginner to homeschooling I didn't want them to get behind on those things, so it felt somewhat distracting to me to incorporate extras into our day. So art and music took a bit of a backseat these past few years.

{Mark's work shirts make the perfect painting smocks for the kids.}

{You can catch a glimpse of our new back deck here, made completely from salvaged lumber (salvaged = free) - and the old door Mark rescued from a job that was destined for the trash that he sanded down and added a couple of new sections of wood to in order to make it work here. We still need to add trim and paint both the door and the deck but that probably won't happen for awhile.}

Art and music are all around us as a more informal part of our lives but we haven't done any sort of structured learning with them. The kids are always doing their own art projects and stuff but I haven't actually done lessons with them until recently.

In many ways, though, I think that takes away from the fun of learning for the kids when I don't incorporate those things more often and I feel like I'm letting that part of me, a huge part of me, go to the wayside. So much of what pertains to creativity can be utilized when it comes to educating kids and I've made it a priority, this year, to really delve into that aspect of education. And we're already beginning to reap the rewards.

The kids absolutely love school this year. Not just 'liking' it, they're loving it, and actually asking to do the things they need to do... with the exception of math for my one child who doesn't like math - and vocabulary. But we're working on that, too! Making it better and trying different approaches.

We're using Wordly Wise 3000 this year for vocabulary and I like it because my kids find it challenging. I remind them that they need to be challenged in order to learn when they try to whine, "It's too hard!" It's not. It just challenges them and I love that. (We have the workbooks - but I'm planning to incorporate some of the on-line resources on the site that are available as we progress through the year.)

No child is going to love every subject. No doubt. But it's a tremendous reward after doing this for four years to have my kids finally tell me they love most of them. Every year has gotten better and better as we learn about and try different materials and approaches to learning. And I hope to share some of the resources we really like as I find the time.

There's no sugar coating it, homeschooling is a lot of work, and you have to enjoy doing it in order for it to be successful. It's not for everyone but I love doing this! I love all the research that goes into each of the subjects. I love the time I get to spend with my kids each and every day. Of course, we have days where the kids are bickering and I'm ready to pull my hair out and in those cases, they get shipped outside and we all take a break to regroup. But I really enjoy and treasure this time with my kids. And, in all honesty, those moments are relatively few and far between. I love seeing them get excited about different topics. And I even love the planning that goes into each week. Each year. It's so rewarding. And I recommend it for anyone who is thinking about doing it.

We came about homeschooling quite by accident... I never considered it before Carter was diagnosed with severe peanut allergy. And, in fact, I always said I'd never do it. I wasn't interested. But since beginning it four years ago, we've come to consider it one of the greatest blessings in our life. It's such a wonderful and rewarding experience. And it's little wonder why so many families choose this path. It may have been an accidental thing for us, but I'm so thankful for it now!

Playing with Fire

The number one reason I will not be planting tomatoes next year after planting them for about four years in a row with minimal success...

Blight. It's happened every year in spite of mulching and moving them around. I give up.

Maybe not forever. But for now.

That's our little outdoor wood burning sauna in the background there patiently waiting all these years to be sided. Mark uses it just about every night.

I've used it...once. I think.

I may be of Finnish descent but I didn't grow up with a sauna, although, my parents have one in their basement now. So I've never grown accustomed to taking them on a regular basis.

I wasn't feeling overly optimistic about the future appearance of our garden when we planted it this year, seeing as we had a newborn baby at the time. So don't mind the jungle it's become! There's always next year...

A favorite pastime of the kids'. Building a little campfire in the yard. The fire pit seems to change location with the seasons, but they really enjoy spending time around it regardless of where they build it.

{Aria, 5 months old and she has us all wrapped around her tiny baby pinky finger.}

A Captured Moment :: Everyone Loves Her

A war dance? Or fighting over the baby...?

{Aside from the fighting, I love that these photos captured the colorful fall leaves in the background and the smoke from the little campfire the kids built outside.}

The Hills

We took a Sunday drive through the hills, this weekend, to check out the fall colors. There was still a tremendous amount of green but it was still a pretty drive. I think next weekend, after this chilly week we're having, will be even better!

{On Aria: Retro vintage sweater, garage sale. Vintage dress, Etsy, from a friend. Pants, thrifted.}

Documentary :: Genetic Roulette

I just came across this link on the Westin A. Price Foundation's Facebook site. Passing this on for those who are interested in learning more about the detrimental effects of GMO's. This documentary is available for free on-line streaming until Sept. 22.

Genetic Roulette - The World's Most Dangerous Food Scam...Exposed.

I haven't seen it yet but I plan to watch it with the kids as our documentary, this week, for homeschool.

Aria :: One Month Ago

I posted these on Facebook today and thought I'd share them here, as well. {That way her papa will see them, too, in case he missed them on grandma's Facebook.} Aria, four months old and about 18 pounds. {She just turned five months, this week, and is about 20 pounds now.}

{Above, a Sunday afternoon picnic at the park. On Aria: Vintage dress from Etsy. Thrifted leggings. Baltic amber teething necklace from Amberizon.}

{Above, a vintage baby outfit. One of mine that my mom saved from the late '70's.}

{Above, she just loves her toes! A vintage, thrifted Health-Tex outfit. I discovered a great fondness for vintage Health-Tex baby clothes within the past year or so.}

{A precious moment captured, albeit a little blurry...}

{This girl has some serious thighs!}

{Nikayda was humming and rocking Aria and later she told me with a grin that it was the first time she ever fell asleep in her arms. Such a sweet moment. On Aria: Vintage, thrifted shortalls. Shirt is a hand-me-down from a friend.}

Rainbows and Moccasins

Suzy's been doing really well, so far. We couldn't ask for anything more. She and Jason are limiting visitors, this weekend, in order to spend some QT with their kids. And, Jayna is now officially in remission - which is such a gift during all this! {eta: I didn't elaborate enough on here... She recieved her first blood transfusion that first weekend and has been looking and sounding like her old self since then. It was amazing to see the difference. Between the blood transfusions and the steroids, she is doing much better than when she first arrived at the hospital. And, unless she has in the last day or so, she hasn't been sick from the chemo meds yet. We keep hoping it'll stay that way and that she'll be one of the lucky ones who doesn't! It's amazing to see what the meds can do.}

{A cool, purple mushroom spotted in the woods.}

{More unusual mushrooms.}

It's so crazy how you start with these feelings of sadness and even a little terror when you hear the word cancer and it's so close to your life. So many times over the years, we've had family friends who have had cancer, and even been taken from this life because of it, but they haven't been anyone this close to us. Yet, as these days go by we find that there are far more positive feelings and feelings of hope in our hearts than we ever imagined we'd be feeling in this situation. I know there is a long road ahead for both Jayna and Suzy, with many ups and downs to come I'm sure, but for now, we're holding to the positive.

I just have this feeling inside that everything is going be okay and that Suzy's going to come out of this just fine. I can't explain it. It's just this secure feeling I have and I'm holding onto it.

On our way to the cities for the second time, on the Monday after she was initially diagnosed, Mark and I saw a partial but bright rainbow off in the sky in the direction of the cities (where Suzy is hospitalized), and in that moment I had this peace come over me and felt like everything is going to be okay. It was really comforting and I've carried it with me ever since.

All we can do, all we can ever do, is take life one day at a time. This is just a reminder of that. Nothing is in our hands. But it's such a comfort knowing God is there to guide us every step of the way.

Speaking of steps... In other news, my baby needs shoes. (And, no she's not even crawling, at five months old, much less walking!) But I was hoping the little moccasins I'd saved from the other kids would fit her but her little ankles/calves are far too chubby for them and they just fall off. (I know that was a problem with my other kids, too, but I saved them because I love them so much.) She also has really tiny feet. All of my babies have. So, it's hard to find shoes for her that fit right. I'm having fun browsing Etsy right now. I think I'm close to narrowing it down. I'm thinking of requesting a custom pair from one of the shops. I need to figure out the color and style and then send out a message this weekend - before the weather starts getting too cool for bare feet!

That Moment When the World Stops Turning...

As some of you know, our niece Jayna (9), Mark's sister Peggy's (& Paul's) daughter was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma this summer. On Friday, we got the phone call that his sister, Suzy (Jason), was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, an aggressive fast moving cancer. She is 35 years old and they have 7 young kids.

Jason said that looking back she had been experiencing symptoms off and on for a few months but began to feel the worst about the time Jayna was hospitalized.

Mark and I took our kids and went to see them yesterday. They're at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Without treatment for this particular cancer, there is a 0% survival rate. With it, Suzy said that there is a 50/50 chance. It is our greatest hope that she will be in the hospital for the next four to six weeks. That will mean that the treatment is working.

She had two options for treatment and has chosen an aggressive form of chemotherapy (as opposed to a combination of chemo and a bone marrow transplant from a sibling). It is simply incomprehensible to everyone right now. We're all still reeling from the news of a second incident of cancer in the family - and to say that it's more than anyone can understand and comprehend, is an understatement... As Mark said, last night, "This is something that happens to other people. It doesn't happen to your family."

There truly are no words.

We need all of your prayers right now - especially, Suzy & Jason and their kids, and Peggy & Paul and theirs (as they're battling treatment for their daughter and are unable to see Suzy right now).

When we arrived yesterday, the tiny room that she is in was full and people were coming and going. At one point, one of her sisters asked if it was getting to be too much for her as she was laying back with her eyes closed, and she replied, "No. I love this. I need this. And it means so much to me."

She's very tired and weak at the moment and will progressively become more ill as she begins treatment today (Sunday) Monday. Please continue to surround them with your love and prayers and your company. They need everyone right now. So, please visit. Even if Suzy is too sick to visit, everyone else will need you, and she will be able to feel that love and support. She is fighting for Jason & her kids. They need everyone, too.

It's all happening so quickly and I'm not sure of everything that they will need as far as the physical things - but... I know she was wishing she had her MP3 player, a CD player, and church CD's. (Betsy has said she would get copies of all 6 Stan Kesti CD's and get them to her.)

Off the top of my head, I can imagine that little gifts and treats for the kids would be such a blessing. We haven't seen them yet as they had headed out to (Mark's brother) Hans & Janelle's by the time we had arrived at the hospital. They need every tiny ray of sunshine that we can give them right now as it is more than they can bare... Please remember them in your prayers, as well.

God has a plan for everything and even through this most awful tragedy God can work miracles and we are remembering that all is in His hands. My mind is a blur, I hope that I have everything right as far as stats and info - but you get the idea. Nothing has been set up yet for Suzy's CaringBridge account - but if it does, I'll let you know as soon as I do. {Jayna's CaringBridge.}

We will be heading down there off and on in the coming weeks, feel free to drop anything off at our house if you wish us to bring it to them. {Please note: Flowers and live plants are not allowed in the area.} They have access to a refrigerator.

{If anyone has copies of the Stan Kesti or other church CD's and can get Mark and I copies for our home - it would mean a lot to us.}