Wrapping up 2019

Random thoughts and reflections on 2019:

• My word of the year was Strong...as in, "when I am weak, then He is strong" and "[God's] strength is sufficient for me, his power is made perfect in my weakness".  I appreciated the Lauren Daigle song  "You Say" and the Legacy 5 song "Strong in the Strength"
• I started reading through the Bible chronologically.  I'm currently in the time period of the Kings...I did take a break during the Lenten season to read through all 4 Gospels of Jesus.  And I took a break during Advent to read through Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voscamp.
• I am pleased that my preliminary count of miles related to medical/therapy/chiropractic/dental/etc. appointments has significantly decreased over last year.
• We continue to grow in relationships with the boys' first family/siblings.  I appreciate these moments.
• Traveling is challenging...but I did appreciate the opportunity to see the Smoky Mountains.
• It's harder to write blog posts now that the kids are getting older...so many things I could say...hard to define what's my story and what is their story, after all, our stories intertwine with each other.
• I love to read.  I love to learn.  I sometimes bury myself in a book to escape the pressures of life.
• Laundry never ends.  Whenever a new baby joined us, I used to say that my laundry doubled.  As I look to the exodus starting in 2020, I'm wondering if the reverse will be true...will my laundry halve every time one leaves?  (Probably not...)
• I thought the little guy would be potty trained by now.  I was wrong.  May 2020 be the year it happens!
• I love my family and our life...even if they drive me crazy sometimes.  :-)

Well, the little guy is waking up...time to stop reflecting and start living this particular day.

~Karen

2019 Christmas Update Letter

As I did last year, I'm updating about our family here rather than mailing a Christmas letter.

Part of me can't believe that 2019 is already nearly over, yet at the same time, part of me feels as though January was a very long time ago.

Our year was mostly uneventful.  We continue to live and work and play.  We remain involved at Gehman Mennonite Church.  Randy continues to drive truck, enjoys riding bike, and deals with ongoing health issues including Sarcoidosis.  I continue to be busy at home, homeschooling some of the children, taking kids hither and yon to assorted appointments, reading voraciously, and occasionally playing piano at church.  I continue to dabble in a business with young living (www.karensauder.com).  Josiah and his girlfriend, Marisa, became engaged this fall.  We are looking forward to their wedding next year.  Josiah also started a new job this fall.  Autumn graduated from high school in May.  She enjoys working at Half Dozen Cafe and hanging out with her boyfriend.  Janae is homeschooling once again and involved with several youth groups.

Zach and Mark are also homeschooling again this year.  They've also started attending youth events at a church just down the road from us.  Micah started the year homeschooling but within a few weeks, we re-enrolled him at Gehmans Mennonite School where he is thriving.  John Haydyn delights us all.  He is a tall 3 year old and often gets mistaken for being older than he is.  His speech is gradually expanding and potty-training is on the list for 2020.

In March Randy & I once again went to the Together Called Retreat at Bear Creek.  We went to the cabin in April and July with my extended family.  Randy, Josiah & Marisa, Autumn, and her boyfriend, Derek, went to Alaska in July with a team from Lightshine Ministries.  In August, as usual, we spent time at the beach.  September/October found us taking a trip to the Smoky Mountains.  A couple of friends and I went to North East, MD in November for a weekend.  Randy participated in several bike rides including the Farm to Fork Fondo in August.  He and Janae also rode in the BR2RB ride in September.

Psalm 51:12 - Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and renew a right spirit within me.

May you have a blessed 2020!

~Karen

It's Raining, It's Pouring

It's already November!  How the year is flying by for me.  After a lovely fall day yesterday, the rain came in over night.  I expect it will be cooler as well.

Yesterday I officially started Christmas shopping!  I have picked up some things throughout the year, but am now getting serious.  Last week I made an official plan.  Yesterday Autumn and I went shopping.  Next plan is to go online shopping over Thanksgiving weekend.  Then in mid-December, Janae & I will go wrap up any last minute purchases.  Once it is colder and dark mornings and evenings, I love the lights of Christmas.  I do refuse to play Christmas music until after Thanksgiving though.

This past weekend I went to a business training in Maryland.  I took 2 friends along to hang out with when I didn't have classes.  It was lovely to get away a bit and sleep all night without interruption.  We went to Havre de Grace, MD for supper.  We ate at a little Italian restaurant.  I was amazed at how many little shops were open on a Saturday evening...I think they may have been having some sort of event?  Anyway, we went into a used book store...so many books!  I restrained myself and only bought one--The Clocks, by Agatha Christie.  My copy had fallen apart years ago.  I look forward to reading this again.

Appointments, appointments, appointments...I think my life revolves around them!  Today Mark has Occupational and Speech therapies.

Last week I had parent-teacher conferences with Micah's teacher.  He seems to be adjusting back to going to school very well.

Sunday we had our first family gathering of the season.  Randy's Dad's side of the family got together.  Our gatherings are spread out, stretching from now through March.  It's nice that they aren't all on a pile.

Well, I soon need to get Micah up to get the bus.

Enjoy your day!
~Karen

Random October Thoughts

It is nearly 7:00 in the morning.  It is dark.  Next week is time change.  And I really can't believe that we are almost in November already!

Today's random thoughts:

• We survived!  Randy left for California October 14.  He expects to get home this morning.  This may be the longest we've ever been apart, although his trip to Alaska in the summer was a very close second.
• I've been reading a lot (as normal).  "You Will get Through This" by Max Lucado, a book about the USFL and another about the '86 Mets.  "The Millionaire Next Door" (author escapes me at the moment).  I enjoy reading a variety of genres.
• I love the fall.  I don't like the fact that it will soon be frigid, but I do appreciate living where we have all 4 seasons.  Right now the trees are vibrant here; the leaves crunch underfoot.  I should go outside and get the flower beds cleaned up before it gets really cold so that they don't look awful all winter.
• Today is the Support For Prison Ministries auction.  I need to stop by with cupcakes for the baked goods stand and to drop Janae off to help sell the baked goods.
• We have a banquet tonight that supports a school in Kenya.
• Our church is having a fall event at the local park this afternoon.  I'm hoping to get the kids there for a bit.
• Micah is settled into school now for the most part.  He especially enjoys Phys Ed/Recess/Sports.  Mark's schooling is always a challenge.  I'm thankful for his therapists and tutor who help!  Zach and Janae are pretty much settled into the routine here at home.

And that's all for today...the kids will be getting up shortly so I need to wrap this up.

Have a lovely day!

~Karen

Road Trip 2019

We returned today from this year's road trip.  Last Saturday we traveled to Stone Mountain State Park in North Carolina.  The weather for most of our time was much warmer than average area temperatures for much of the week.  As we traveled, I was surprised by how dry the areas of us to the South are.  It's funny how we can become focused on our own areas and be rather oblivious to the other areas of our country.

Sunday we spent the day exploring Stone Mtn State Park.  We had considered having Randy & the boys go to the NASCAR race in Charlotte, but the thought of sitting at a race in 95 degree heat was not very appealing so we chose to stay at the park.

Monday we traveled to Greenbriar Campground outside of Gatlinburg, TN.  We stopped at Grandfather Mountain and Linville Falls.  When we got there I did lots of laundry!

Tuesday we went to Bush's Beans Museum, TN Aviation Museum, Goats on the Roof (Pigeon Forge) and the Lodge Cast Iron Outlet Store (Pigeon Forge).  We ate lunch at Bojangles (mixed reviews...some of the kids loved it, others not so much).  Then we went back to the campground.  The kids enjoyed cooling off in the Little Pigeon River.  In the evening, after Randy took a bike ride, we went to Mad Dog's for ice cream.

Wednesday we drove the Cades Cove loop and the Motor Nature Trail Loop.  We enjoyed seeing the old cabins and churches, but as it was really hot, we preferred to stay in the van.  In the afternoon we once again cooled off in the river and did laundry.

Thursday found us in Gatlinburg riding the Sky Lift to the highest swinging bridge in the US.  Then we traveled over the mountains towards Cherokee.  We stopped at Clingman's Dome and hiked up to the highest point in the Smokies.  We ate lunch while we continued our drive to Cherokee.  We went to the Museum of the Cherokee.  We wanted to go to the Cherokee Village but we ran out of time so headed home.  We stopped part way back and Randy biked the rest of the way.

Friday morning we headed north east.  We traveled to Douthat State Park.  The part where we stayed had spacious campsites and was quite peaceful.  Josiah & Marisa drove down for the weekend.  Saturday morning we explored the State Park.  In the afternoon we drove to Natural Bridge.  This morning (Sunday), we packed up and left by shortly after 8:00.  We arrived home around 1:30 or 2:00.

While we had a lot of fun, it had some challenging moments.  As an introvert, I find that traveling as my kids get older to be a challenge.  When we started doing road trips in 2012, the children were little, I could put them to bed and have a bit of alone time at the end of the day.  Now we are all together in tight spaces all the time.  It's a challenge!  But I am glad that we have had the opportunity to have explored so many different areas of the eastern part of the US.

Another day, Another Random Post

It's been a month since my last post detailing what curriculum and such we are using this year as we homeschool once again.  Things are mostly going according to plan.  Our local co-op starts on Wednesday.  One major change, however, is that Micah will be returning to our local private school.  He starts on Monday.

Today Randy and Janae are doing the BR2RB bike ride to support Black Rock Retreat.  Janae is doing the 50 mile ride and Randy, the 145 mile ride.  The past several years we have taken Randy down and then drove to the beach ahead of him and spent the weekend there.  This year, however, we were invited to a wedding...so we will let them return on the bus and have a normal Friday at home.

I continue to read when I am able.  I'm currently reading a Max Lucado Book (You will get through this?  Or something like that).  I discovered that reading it in public is a mistake as I find myself getting teary at his words.  I'm also reading a version of Zane Grey's Rainbow Bridge.  Evidently when many of his books were first published, there were significant portions edited out.  So I'm enjoying reading his original version of the book.

And...I'm hearing boys stirring...so I guess this post will be brief!

May you find moments of joy in your day today!
~Karen

2019-2020 School Year/Curriculum choices

Yes, it's that time of year again.  Time for school.  The schools in our area start between next Monday and the day after Labor Day, depending on which district you live in.

We chose to start homeschooling August 1 (although not full-time...we still have some days that have other summer plans).  As we plan to take a trip to the Smoky Mountains later this fall, I want to start getting days in.

This year I have 4 kids in school.  Sometimes it's hard for me to believe that our kids are transitioning to adulthood...seems like they were just all here around me.  But it's good.  And necessary.  And right.

So...what are we using for curriculum this year?

Janae (10th grade) - Math - Teaching Textbooks (Algebra 1 and Geometry).  Science - Conceptual Chemistry (through our Co-op).  History - Notgrass American Voices.  English - Notgrass American Voices + Progeny Press Literature Studies + a co-op class on Creative Writing/Research Paper.  Health - PACES + supplemental materials.  Foreign Language - Rosetta Stone Spanish.  Phys Ed.

Zachary (6th grade) - Math - Math U See Epsilon.  History/Social Studies - Study the Constitution (1 Semester Co-op Class).  Second Semester to be determined.  English - PACES Word Building, Literature & Creative Writing, English*  Science - Apologia Astronomy (Co-Op).  Other:  Typing (Co-op), Phys Ed, Art Music

Mark (5th grade/Life Skills) - Continue working with tutors and therapists, Five in a Row Curriculum (a curriculum that uses literature/stories and addresses all subject areas), Continue working on building basic reading and math skills.  Life skills such as hygiene, cooking, etc.  Co-op classes include a Spanish class, Art class, and Science class.

Micah (4th grade) - Language Arts - PACES English, Literature & Creative Writing, Word Building*, Math - Teaching Textbooks, Social Studies - PACES*, Science - Answers in Genesis Life Science.  Co-op classes:  Literature/History, Math, History.  Other:  Phys Ed, Art Music

*In regards to PACES, I find them very fundamental so I do edit and subtract/add information as appropriate for our church/family value system.  My boys do well with them as they have learning challenges.  The system of having material broken into 12 thin booklets (instead of larger textbooks) works well as it is less overwhelming.

And that's our plan for this year.  As always, things are subject to change as needed.
~Karen

Still here!

Wow!  I can't believe I haven't blogged all summer long...totally missed June, July and nearly half of August.

So...randomness from June & July:

• TFC Truck Rally in June.  It went well and we had fun as always.  Transport For Christ International has changed their name to TFC Global.  We spent much of June preparing for this event.
• June - We went camping at Spruce Lake Retreat for a weekend with our church family.
• July - We enjoyed a weekend at the cabin with my (Karen's) family.  The weather was beautiful and we spent hours in the river.
• Also in July - August, Randy, Josiah, Autumn & a bunch of others went to Alaska with LightShine Ministries to Globe Creek Camp to work.  They built a log cabin and did other maintenance work.
• July - Backyard Kids Club (VBS)
• In between we had the normal appointments:  OT, ST, Tutoring, Dentists.  We went to the pool.  We did laundry and cooking and occasionally cleaning.

Summer's been good.  August 1 we started schooling again...but I think I'll make that another post!

Enjoy your day!

~Karen

Time marches on...

A week ago, our oldest daughter graduated from high school.  As we homeschool, we joined other homeschoolers from our county in a graduation ceremony at a local church.

Sunday we celebrated at home with a party for family and friends.

Autumn is a delightful young woman and we look forward to seeing how her future unfolds.  For right now she continues to work at her market job (which she thoroughly enjoys) and is looking forward to a trip to Alaska with LightShine Ministries.

In other news, we wrapped up our homeschooling year last week with Evaluations.  Now I just need to send paperwork to the school district (once I get it from the evaluator) and we will be done.  The next school year officially starts on July 1.  I'm not sure when we will start our official classes.  I usually try to start around the same time as the local school districts.  We do want to take a vacation this fall, though, so we may start a few weeks early.  I still need to order the rest of our curriculum...must decide whether to just order or whether to hold out and hope for a sale.

It's breezy and sunshiny here (although it's been storming every afternoon/evening it seems).  Enjoy your weekend!

~Karen

Cloudy Day musings...

The earth is now green and lush after the browns and grays of winter...but the sky is gray and cloudy.  I'm ready for some sunshine!  But the positive side?  I don't have to water the new plants.

It's been busy around here.  We are wrapping up our school year.  I'm working on the kids' portfolios for our evaluations next week and finalizing what materials I want to use for them next year.  Yes, I'm homeschooling everyone again next year...but it will only be 4 of them.  Autumn graduates next week!  That will officially wrap up this school year.  I need to get her graduation gift yet.  We suggested several things and she chose luggage.

This past weekend we went to a Baltimore Orioles baseball game.  They played the Angels and lost 7-2.  This was the first game the kids had ever attended. Sunday we had plans to attend the Make-A-Wish truck convoy, but, due to the weather, we chose to spend the afternoon with my family at my parents' home instead...also a lovely time.

In the past, I've been very proactive about switching from the school schedule to the summer schedule...plans, schedules, and such.  Or some years we've had only a few days or a week and then gone on a trip.  This year...well, I need to work on that department.  Perhaps part of it is that it's still cool so it doesn't feel like it's time for summer vacation?

Our schedule feels a lot freer than it used to...perhaps because we only have Mark's appointments anymore...OT, ST, and tutoring.  I love being home, but the little guy is not impressed.  He loves to go "vroom, vroom" and wants to go away every day,

Reading...I've wrapped up several books that I had started.  I'm currently only reading 1 book!  Movers of Mountains and Men.  It's fascinating.  There are several more on my "to read" stack...but I haven't been reading much.

Television...our family is looking forward to the return of "American Ninja Warrior" to TV.

Music...as my kids get older, I find myself saying "Turn it down or use earbuds".  :-)  It's rather fun to see my kids develop into their own people...and I get to work on myself and allowing them to be them and not me.

Movies...I don't know that we've watched anything new.

Games...We've been enjoying playing some games with our older kids/their friends.

Toys...anything with wheels and/or Legos

Well, I hear someone stirring so my day is about to start...Enjoy yours!

~Karen

Springtime!

I love spring!  The earth suddenly changing from brown to green.  The warmer weather.  Playing outside.  Maybe not the weeds so much.  :-)  The daffodils are a riot of yellow everywhere.

We are down to about 5-6 weeks of school left.  Our oldest daughter is graduating this year!  I'm working on grading and portfolios and planning out next year so that I can put everything away for a month or two and enjoy the break before starting again.

We're also starting to look forward to upcoming things:  Graduation & party, Summer plans (cabin, camping, beach), Transport For Christ Truck Rally...and other things like planting the garden and who gets to mow the yard first.

I've been reading Dee Henderson books and the book Homeschooling Bravely.

Last week I had a delightful week of only 2 appointments.  This week I have an appointment every afternoon...OT, ST, Psych, Achievement Tests, Tutoring....

It is 6:30 and everyone is still in bed...very rare...which is how I'm getting this blog post typed.  :-)

This weekend we will celebrate Easter.  We will paint hard-boiled eggs...and hide & hunt them.  I'm looking forward to our church service.

And I hear a bunkbed creaking...so my alone time is ending...

Happy Easter!
~Karen

March!

How did I almost miss blogging at all in March?  I guess I was procrastinating?  Anyway, this will be brief as I hear the little one waking up.

Time is just flying along around here.  The weather is finally warming up a bit and the daffodils and tulips are peaking out of the ground.  The crocuses are blooming!  A few weeks ago we had a warm Friday and spent some time cleaning leaves out of flower beds.  After taking a break last year from having a vegetable garden, we are hoping to attempt that again this year.

Last weekend Randy & I again attended the Together Called retreat.  It was lovely.

This weekend is the Transport For Christ Dinner Concert.

Gotta run...
~Karen

February Randomness

Yesterday we had snow all day amounting to several inches.  Today it's melting and everything is turning to mud.  I always say that the closer we get to spring, the shorter time that the snow hangs around.

February Events - Valentine's Day - I made the kids red jello.  We drank our water from goblets.  And I cut the grilled cheese sandwiches into heart shapes.  Josiah's Birthday - How can I have a man-child who is this old already!

February Reading - I continued to work my way through my collection of Agatha Christie books (reading/skim reading depending on the book)...alphabetizing them as I returned them to their shelf.  One of these days I will buy the few that I am missing including my favorite, The Man in the Brown Suit.  I should request it at the library so that I can read it again.  From there I went on to the few Dorothy Sayers books that I own (5, all about Lord Peter Wimsey).  I think I may go on to read my collection of Emilie Loring books.  I read a few old Lori Wick books as well for something different.  And we went to a different library so I could indulge in my children's book favorites of Munsch/Murtchenko books.

Homeschooling - We are in the thick of things, working hard to stay focused now because I know how much harder it will be when spring comes!  This is also the time of year when I start thinking about what we're doing next year.  Co-op is going well.

Several of us had a stomach virus the past week or so...not so much fun that.

Randy had surgery to remove an abscess from his shoulder a few weeks ago.

Time marches on...

Enjoy your day!
~Karen

Cold

It's cold here in the mid-Atlantic...with the possibility of snow and getting colder.  I guess that's because it is January!  :-)

I've taken a break from reading "Mornings on Horseback", a book about Teddy Roosevelt and am reading through my collection of Agatha Christie books.  Because I've read them many times, I can read them quite quickly...savoring my favorites and breezing through my less favorite ones.  Next on my stack is "A Murder is Announced".

We are through all of the holiday festivities and settling back into our school routines.  Co-op started again this week.  I'm teaching a class for elementary students.  We are watching "The Wild Brothers" DVDs and discussing them.  So far, so good.  Autumn is continuing Biology and has a dissection lab as well.  Janae is continuing Physical Science & Sign Language.  She also has a class on the Iditarod.  Zach is learning about Current Events, the Iditarod, and Missions & Evangelism.  Mark & Micah are together for their classes this semester:  The Wild Brothers (Science/Bible), Nature's Canvas (Art - Painting Rocks), and Winter Phys. Ed.  John Haydyn enjoys the nursery.

This morning JH's speech therapist is coming.  This week we also started Mark with a couple of tutors.  He will be seeing one lady every other week and another one weekly in addition to his bi-weekly OT and ST.

Well, the kids will soon be stirring so I'd better wrap this up.

May you have moments of joy throughout your day today!
~Karen

2019

Not much to say today...but it's the first day of another year.  Yesterday I had an old Alabama song running through my head...the line "New Year's Eve, 1999".  :-)  Seems like a lifetime ago!

I don't know what this year will bring...hopefully more frequent blogging!

Happy New Year!