Is anyone else feeling nervous about their kids beginning virtual school? I feel like this is an issue that parents across the entire world are dealing with.

We have been out of school for the sheltering-in-place or quarantine or social distancing, whatever you want to call it, for a month now. Seriously. An entire month has passed.

During that month, we here in Maryland were given home-school packets of suggested work. Thankfully, they gave us all the benefit of the doubt and gave the children all 100s on daily grades for the work done on the packets. So far it has all had a very laid back feel. Yes, we are home schooling, but the oldest boys don’t even really have math. The younger boys haven’t had much science.

We recently added in BrainPOP.com videos when I found out that their service is currently free. Plus, we read and write and do a few other things. School at our house has been fun, really. I mean, it has been fun for the kids and sometimes even for me, but all of the monkeys have been on my back. It has definitely been a lot of work. We have four kids, and they all have different assignments. I spend each day doing school with them, feeding them, and then planning out what we will do the next day.

I have had less time to do house work and writing. That’s for sure, but it has been doable.

Next week everything changes.

Wednesday we will start virtual school. The kids will watch videos of their teachers teaching them on our computers, and they will have to actually complete the assignments the teachers give them.

Everything reminds me of a song. Sometimes my kids take it as a challenge and try to throw out random phrases to see if I can find a song that relates, and I assure you, I always can.

Today I am Elsa, of Frozen II, and we are all on a collision course straight “Into the Unknown.”

Virtual school is the unknown, and we are headed there fast, and I don’t know whether to be terrified or happy! Up to this point, if I thought the packet-suggested science questions were ridiculous, I just tossed them out and used a different science lesson that I chose for them myself.

I won’t get to do that anymore. Yet, it won’t be like sending them to school all day long either. I may not choose the activities, but I WILL be the one who has to make sure they do said activity, and if they cannot figure out how to do it, their project becomes my project in many ways. You know?

And then there’s the computer sharing in this house…

When this all started, we had a family of six, with three iPhones and two computers to use. Once the home-schooling began, I ordered a new Kindle Fire tablet to replace our old one, and that has been a life-saver. When they announced that school was about to go to virtual classes, we decided to go ahead and order a new computer. So now we have a 3:5 computer ratio, which is a huge improvement, but I’m still nervous about everyone trying to share them.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LoRD forever. “

Psalm 23

So many unknowns

Our county school system has not given us any information about what to expect next week. Thankfully, ONE teacher did send us what he plans to do. That’s for 8th grade math, so he is planning to do live classes for his students, there days per week. He’s already given times and instructions.

We love this teacher. I am thankful he is doing these live classes, and my oldest son will actually have math again. It was easy to dig up math for my elementary boys. I didn’t even bother to try with the 8th grader. Inventing functions and such is not really in my wheelhouse anymore. I will happily wash my hands of it.

But what if they all need the computer at the same time?

And exactly how many videos will each boy have to watch each day? The first grader, I’m hoping, will only have 2 videos each day. Our third grader has three different teachers for his subjects, not including music and such. Both middle school boys have seven classes each. That could mean making time for as many as 20 or more video classes per day! And then there are assignments!

See, I think about this stuff, and my heart beats faster, and my hair gets grayer, and my jaws clench. My teeth grind. It’s all a messy stress and worry reaction.

Then I remind myself.

It is going to be okay. They, as a public school, must know that these students are all sharing electronic devices with siblings. Surely, they will continue to be more laid back than usual.

My sixth grader’s French teacher who let them take a test over the phone to final out their grades, and before he gave the test, he went over it all first. He basically told him all the answers before he asked the questions, and I was SO grateful.

What we are facing is not unique to our family. It’s the whole world going through this together.

Sure, each area handles it a little differently, but it’s all similar. What about the families who only have ONE computer and several children? Or the families who cannot afford to buy a new device to get through this? How about all the people who have lost their jobs and aren’t even sure how they will pay for next week’s food or electric bill?

Those are bigger problems than I am dealing with. We are very fortunate that Alan has been able to work at home, and I always am at home.

When I face uncertainty, which is a constant in my life, I always go back to faith in God.

As a military wife, we’ve been waiting for the Army, going where they send us, never knowing where we’ll be next year, for the past 18 years. Uncertainty is what we do.

I trust in the Lord. He knows. I am just a pawn, along for the ride. That’s how I often see my life. The roller coaster is taking off again, but I have my seatbelt on. I trust the one who is in charge. God is still in heaven, and he will always take care of those who call in his name. Getting upset or griping about it is not going to make coronavirus go away or your neighbor’s response any different.

“The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

Psalm 9:9-10

I will not spend too much time worrying about this because focusing in on a problem only seems to make the problem grow. Once we have all the information, we will build a schedule then. Until then, we will enjoy the weekend. Maryland’s “spring break” is Friday through Tuesday. Isn’t that odd? This state does not get a week-long spring break.

We are going to take that time off from school. The boys will spend way too much time on video games. I will work on writing my next book, and I’m sure we will play some Ticket to Ride and do a good deal of baking and eating.

The Lord will take care of us. He will take care of you too, if you trust in him. In the meantime, we should all enjoy the spring as much as we can.

********************

Funny Quarantine Quotes from the Week:

“Ohhh, you say it like bunt pan?? All this time I thought you were saying butt pan!” (John David)

“Do y’all know the story of Rapunzel at all?”

“Ohhh yeah, was she the girl who couldn’t eat her soup??” (Daniel)

The post Into the Unknown: Virtual School Nerves and Anxiety appeared first on Stories of Our Boys.

I love watching my boys play ball.

Having my kids home all day cracks me up. I mean literally, by 5:30, when my husband gets home, I’m a little cracked in the head.

But I love it. I do.

What do you do on the lazy days of Spring break? Well, for any parent who decides to stay home with the kiddos during their week off of school, these are definitely not lazy days. Duh, right?

But it’s still fun. I cooked 3 meals yesterday. Do you think anyone will notice if I only “cook” 2 today?

Daniel helped me make last night’s dinner. He even helped come up with a recipe.

“Mom, can we have a bowl of carrots for dinner?”

“Um, well…”

“And bwocowi! Bwocowi and carwats for supper. Nothing else.”

“Um, well…we do need to have some kind of meat. Chicken, maybe?”

“No. How about if you put the meat in with the bwocowi and the carwots, all in 1 big bowl?”

“Hmmm. Yes, that sounds good. How about this sausage?”

“Yes! Yes.”

helping me bake his cake….Actually, at this point he was lickin’ the bowl.

So Daniel and I made a delicious dinner that, believe it or not, was heartily consumed by all SIX residents of the House of Tiny Men.  Here’s the recipe. Alan made me write it down.

So I typed it out for you to print for yourself.

Just click on the link below to download and print the recipe.

Daniel’s Sort of Gazpacho

Okay, it may not be that pretty, but I promise it was yummy. Even my picky eaters did eat it, believe it or not.

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Daniel tries to hang out with the neighborhood boys, who are all 2 to 3 years older than he is. They are Caleb’s age, and as far as they are concerned, Daniel is just Caleb’s little brother. Daniel has been persona non grata to them.

I told Caleb he was going to have to tell them we can’t play if they can’t include Daniel.

Yesterday I sent them out to play, and I asked Caleb later how it went.

“Oh, I told ’em, ‘If you guys can’t accept the little guy, I’m going to turn you into rotten flesh.”

!!!!!??????

“Ew, Caleb! What does that even mean???”

“It’s from Minecraft.”

“What did they say?”

Caleb made a face that looked sort of like this          8 /

Nothing more was said. So no one said anything unwelcoming to Daniel. Raising boys is apparently not for the easily offended or overly refined….

__________________________

The leprechaun came to John David’s class. I asked him who the leprechaun was. He said, “Jesus!” I couldn’t help it. I busted out laughing before I tried to explain Jesus isn’t the leprechaun.

It’s been a fun week so far. Lots of driveway basketball, Lego Star Wars video games, and popcorn eating has taken place.

Caleb’s genius plan for spring break was announced on Day 1:

“Let’s make a rest schedule for this week.”

I laughed, but he appears to be sticking to it.

JD loves playing with the magnet letters he got from my friend Amy. Also, JD loves pajamas. He changes back into his pjs the moment he re-enters the house. Sometimes, when I’m going somewhere in the afternoon, I don’t even have time to change him for the 3rd time that day and he picks up his big bros in his pjs.

People probably think I never dress him. hehehe

Hope y’all had a great week too!

SaveSave

The post Spring Break Part II: Funny Stuff They Said with Daniel’s Recipe Printable appeared first on Stories of Our Boys.

Who knew I would ever be so excited about a label maker?   I have big plans for this thing.

Alan also got me this beautiful necklace.  Love it!

This past week I turned 33.    That makes me stop and ask, “Am I where I wanted to be at 33?”

Yes,  definitely,  plus some!  I never counted on having all these blessings,  and to top it all off,  I have way more direction and goals than I had 10 years ago.   Gosh,  ten years ago,  I was an unemployed,  graduate school drop out.   Wait,  no,  I was still in graduate school,  working towards a Masters in counseling.   It just didn’t feel right though. How could a 23 year old counsel other people?   I decided to keep searching.

By 24, I was a pregnant Mary Kay lady and bank employee,  happily planning my life as a stay at home mom.   I couldn’t wait!   What a privilege to get to stay home with my babies!

Gracious!   Who knew I would end up with so many babies?   Ha!   I haven’t really learned how to handle this many without sleep depriving myself.   I should really be sleeping right now,  but eh!   I just love blogging so much.   🙂   I’ve kept a journal,  much like this,  since I turned 8, so I have trouble going to sleep if I skip it for too many days.   It truly is a deeply ingrained habit!

I had a great birthday.   Alan had to work late,  but at least we have fun plans for this weekend.  You should have seen me at the bar of my favorite BBQ place tonight,  with all 4 boys,  waiting to pick up my take-out order.

By golly,  it was my birthday,  and I was determined to have pulled pork nachos!   Ha!  The boys loved the waiting.  *sarcasm*

I glanced over at Joshua and said,  “Joshua,  put that knife down!” Caleb replied,  in Joshua’s defense,  ” Well, he’s just protecting us against strangers! ”  I secured the knife,  and Daniel said,  “I gotta go woo woo. ”

Right.   This is why I don’t leave the house.

The best part of my birthday was just doing my job,  hanging out with my littles all day.

We made crafts and baked cookies.   These two are a lot of fun.   Now I know I’ve been known to proclaim that I hate crafts.   I really just hate complicated crafts.   I love easy crafts for kids.   You will still never catch me with a sewing machine,  an exacto knife,  or power tools,  though.

I think crafts are important for small children.   Daniel learned a lot about gluing and planning a project by making this little foam monster,  and it gave him that sense of pride you get from a job well done.   After the monster craft,  I set him up at the table with scissors,  paper,  airplane pictures,  and a glue stick.  He was SO happy.  He kept bringing me paper that he had cut,  with a giant,  proud smile on his face.

Free-stylin’

So this got me thinking.   Where do I want to go from here?   What are my next big goals?

Glad you asked!  ; )

1.  Write at least 1 children’s book.

2.  Write at least one grown up book.

3.  Try not to get pregnant.

4.  Remember to enjoy my children while they are young.

5.  Keep reading my Bible.

6. Pray way way more.

7.  Be a better wife.

There.  I think 7 broad goals is a good place to start.   Gotta keep the main thing the main thing!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes.   It was great,  and now I’m going to work on today’s big goal:  get more sleep.   I think It will solve many of my so called problems.

See to it you complete the work you have in the Lord.         Colossians 4:17

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