Heart of Wisdom Academy

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... It's dark and windy
I am thinking... About how much I love being at home. I like cleaning and folding laundry and taking care of my husband and children. I like the noise and the normal routine of home-life.
I am thankful for...My sweet baby Kason and all his wonderful doctors that truly care for him.
From the learning rooms...My oldest had an English test today. We only test after each unit, which is a couple of times a year. He knows the material but he doesn't pay attention to detail. I'm a hard grader too. He got 6 problems wrong because he forgot to end the sentence with a period. I need to help him not be so careless. I heard from many homeschool moms it's a boy thing. He is all done learning about nouns this year. He's learned about singular, plural, possesive, common, proper, and pronouns. Next we go on to a detailed study of verbs.
From the kitchen...I haven't seen the kitchen much in recent weeks. What are we living off of? I don't know, nothing good, ha!
I am wearing...Pj's
I am creating...I'm working on crossstitching a faceless amish doll.
I am going...I'm thinking about going to homeschool gym tomorrow. I haven't been since last year. But I can't take the baby out, so that will depend on whether my husband is home to watch him tomorrow.
I am reading...The Christian Mother at Home, The Imitation of Christ, Numbers
I am hoping...To pass my class.
I am hearing...The baby playing with toys.
Around the house...I must say I've been quite caught up with laundry since we've moved to this house. Oh and the heat is fixed!!!!
One of my favorite things... Being home with my family.
A few plans for the rest of the week:I'm looking forward to going to the Women's Teaching at church tomorrow night. B/c we can't take the baby anywhere I've missed a lot of church.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing... An Amish sunset.


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For Today... I’ll be packing. We move next Friday!!!!!!
Outside my window... Wet, rainy, cloudy, just how I like it.
I am thinking... About my favorite scripture recently. Psalm 27:4
One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

How beautiful! This is my hearts cry.
From the learning rooms... My oldest finished his spelling book. The youngest three are learning words and math concepts.
I am thankful for... My nephews surprising me yesterday and coming over. They played with the kids and I took a nap. They even cleaned the kitchen. I am so thankful for their serving hearts I love them so much.
From the kitchen... Playoff party food mess needs to be cleaned.
I am wearing... Pajamas
I am reading... Textbooks
I am praying... Prayers of thanksgiving and praise. And prayers for my oldest. I noticed that he is transitioning from being a little boy to a bigger boy. We had to buy deodorant for him! I read an article years ago about how the transition can be harder on homeschool moms because they are with their little boys everyday to see them transition and it’s a little bit scary. He’s nowhere near being a man, but I see the buds of transition taking place. Lately I’m praying for him to be a young man after God’s own heart. I pray that he is not a lover of pleasure and isn’t given to being idle. I pray that he will love, protect, and cherish his purity. I pray that he chooses Godly friends and walks with the wise. I pray that he has his own convictions about living for Jesus. I pray that God and spiritual things are always attractive to him.
I am creating... I’m packing.
I am hearing... Word World.
Around the house... Packing and cleaning.
One of my favorite things... I love the first night in your new home. We’ve moved a couple of times. I love the new smells, I love having to find the bathrooms and closets. I love unpacking and seeing all my things that I had forgotten about.
A few plans for the rest of the week... Co-op end of the year party. We are painting some rooms in our new house this week.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
I am encouraged that my daughter is taming down a bit. Even my husband remarked how sweet and gentle she has been as of late. Our prayer for many months has been for her to have a gentle and quiet spirit. She is our sweet "strong willed" child. I'm not scared by the word, it just means I have to work a little harder and longer with this one. It is so encouraging to see the fruit of our prayers, persistence, and love for her.

For more daybooks or to start your own visit Peggy.

For Today... I actually like Mondays. I feel most energetic and have grandeur plans for the rest of the week.
Outside my window... Cloudy, my favorite kind of day.
I am thinking... How grateful I am. I had a wonderful Mother’s Day. My oldest was so persistent about fixing me breakfast and bringing it to me in bed on Mother’s Day, but he knew that daddy had to work and wouldn’t be able to help him on Sunday morning. He asked me to help him make my breakfast Sat. night so he could microwave it on Sunday morning. He made me 3 egg whites with crushed pepper and presented it on a plate with strawberries. I was so encouraged! We praised God all day. I reminded the children how I grateful I am, but for many mothers this is a sad day. We prayed for the brokenhearted moms. Moms who have lost their children to war or to jail or to death. We prayed people whose moms have passed on, and this day is filled with sad memories.
From the learning rooms... This week, I really need to get back into reading our history lesson. I love Story of the World, but with everything going on this year, history had to take a backseat.
I am thankful for... That every day is Mother’s Day for me. I feel special, loved, and appreciated all the time. My husband continually blesses me. I’m always amazed at how much he loves and appreciates me. I always think, “doesn’t he see my bad attitude, my fuming, my irritations, my shortcoming?” He has mastered unconditional love like no one I know and I stand amazed. He took me out for ice cream on Sat. I stayed in the car with the kids and he brought it out a few minutes later. We stayed in the car to eat the ice cream and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a stranger approaching the car. I was sitting in the driver’s seat with the window down and the man came up to me and said, “I heard that you are an incredible woman, Happy Mother’s Day.!” I asked my husband what he was talking about and he said he met him in the ice cream shop and was telling him about me. Anyone in my husbands sphere of influence hears that I’m perfect. It is so NOt true, but It makes me feel confident and secure in his love for me, and it sets a wonderful example for me to constantly bear with others in love, forgiving grievances, overlooking insults, and overlooking offenses. My husband does this perfectly for me and I want to do so to him and others.
From the kitchen... Going to make eggs.
I am wearing... Pajamas
I am reading.... The Pursuit of Godly Seed by Denny Kenaston.
I am praying... Prayers of thankfulness. I’m also praying for a fixed heart and to not be easily irritated. I’m praying not to snap at the kids today or be senselessly overwhelmed by anything except for the love of God. I’m praying that as a family we continue to thank God for our new house and that we don’t get consumed with decorations.
I am creating... packing
I am hearing... Silence, no one is allowed up until I say so, which will be when I’m done.
Around the House: packing
One of my favorite things... My mom. She is the best grandmother in the world. I love her so much, and I want to learn to be as giving as she is.
A few plans for the rest of the week... Packing, co-op and all the usual.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...














For more daybooks or to join in visit Peggy.

For Today... Not much going on today. I started class today. I’m taking Small Business Management and Labor Relations. Only 1 more semester left! We had our quiet time this morning. My son wanted to study Ruth. We read the first chapter; I am always encouraged at how he can relate things. He picked the book of Ruth because he never read it before, but when we were half way through he recognized it as one of the episodes on Friends and Heroes. I love how everything relates together and reinforces the exaltation of our King.

Outside my window... Wet, rainy, cloudy, just how I like it.

I am thinking... I enjoyed watching the playoffs with my husband this weekend.

From the learning rooms... My oldest is working on spelling right now, the baby started the Doman program today, the twins will do more formal learning after naps.

I am thankful for... My mom taking the oldest three all day Sat. Contrary to what my son believes, I do not cry when they are gone! I had a delightful time. I enjoy quietude. I listened to sermons and made a master schedule. It was very relaxing.

From the kitchen... oatmeal for breakfast

I am wearing... A nursing dress

I am reading... Created to be His Helpmeet for the 10th time.

I am praying... Wisdom for the doctors, peace in my heart, deeper convictions for myself and others.

I am creating... I made about 6 new diapers.

I am hearing... I have five children today and it is relatively quiet.

Around the house... Packing is going pretty well.

One of my favorite things... My Ipod Nano. I LOVE this thing and I use it daily. Right now I have about 30 songs, 60 sermons from Charity Ministries, and 20 podcasts from Passion for Christ. It goes with me to the park and to the doctor and practically every room in my house.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Co-op, cardiology, church.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...



Day Book hosted by Peggy to join in or read more day books visit her here.

For Today...Kristal and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. In all honesty it wasn’t the worst day I’ve ever had. I guess it’s more like: Kristal and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Attitude! I had to make a follow-up appointment for the baby this morning because I had to take him to the ER yesterday for breathing trouble. One of the sisters at church is a Pediatrician I asked her to look at the baby because he seemed to be breathing fast, hard, and having retractions. She confirmed that he was retracting and that his respiratory rate was 75, normal rate HERE. I called by Doc. and she told me to take him to CHKD 45min away. My husband was at work and I had no way of contacting him. My in-laws and my mom took the other kids. I took the baby to CHKD. They did breathing treatments, upped his meds, gave us some inhalers, took x-rays, and sent us home with prescriptions. I went to fill the prescriptions and found out insurance won’t cover it and its $70.00, except they covered the same medicine in a different form just two weeks ago. I was irritated because he needed that medicine in about an hour. By the time I got home, his respiratory rate was back up to 70 or 80 and he was wheezing, and I didn’t have the medicine. I was irritated what did I go to the doctor for again? I check my messages and the ER doc had called and left a message. I called her back and she went over his x-rays and stuff. She called in a new prescription that my insurance would cover and told me to follow up with his primary care doc today.Of course when I went to call the Doc at 7:50, I realized my phone was off.I was more irritated. That’s because we switched to Vonage which connects to your internet and my internet was cut off because they misunderstood what my husband wanted them to do. My neighbor let me use her phone to make an appointment. I attempted to talk to my internet company but you must be in a position to talk to them forever, and I wasn’t. Went to the doc, more meds. Came home, and tried not to cry. I feel overwhelmed and tired and the baby feels 100 times worse than I do, so I feel bad for being so selfish and ungrateful.

Outside my window... It was sunny and hot all day. Not my favorite kind of day.

I am thinking... I’m glad the twins are in bed. I’m glad I can whine online instead of whining to my husband or anyone else.

From the learning rooms... My oldest is still working on independent school work. We were gone all morning and for the sake of my sanity EVERYONE had mandatory naps. So here we are this evening doing school.

I am thankful for... My baby being home, good doctors, health insurance, working car, gas money, food, my husband’s job.

From the kitchen... My kids had hotdogs and chips. Yes, I feel like a bad mom for it.

I am wearing... Clothes

I am reading... I was in bed last night and my husband asked me what I was reading and I told him “Weary Women” a chapter from Passionate Housewives Desperate for God. And he asked Why? I suppressed my desire to roll my eyes.

I am praying... That the baby gains weight. I think a lot of his problems stem from the large hole in his heart and the insufficiency of his heart function. He has too much blood pumping to one side of the heart enlarging the heart and causing fluid buildup in the heart and lungs. This can cause the trouble breathing and asthma like symptoms.

I am creating... In theory more diapers.

I am hearing... Playoffs.

Around the house... Packing and laundry.

One of my favorite things... The feeling of brining home my baby. Amidst my ranting and raving, I am so grateful to have a baby to take home and that he is healthy enough to bring home. I love to cuddle him and hold him and drink in his sweet baby smell. I love being his mom and I would have it no other way.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Nebulizer treatments every 4 hours. Daughter’s hair, diaper making, master schedule.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...


Happier Day
I love being thier mom!
Sick Day

For Today...My friend and I are taking our children to the VA Air and Space Museum! It is free admission!

Outside my window... It’s dark. I’m either the Prov. 31 woman who rises while it is still dark, or I’m really writing this the night before. :-)

I am thinking... That I should be doing a million other useful things, laundry perhaps?

From the learning rooms... Field trip today, Co-op tomorrow. Solidifying math concepts.

I am thankful for... My 13 year old nephew sharing with his mom how he has been blessed by watching me and my husband’s marriage and our love and respect for each other.

From the kitchen...My husband is cooking steak.

I am wearing... PJ’s. It’s another laundry trick.

I am reading... Spanish book, research books, Vaccine Book, Organic Living book

I am hoping... My baby is okay. I have this nagging feeling that he isn’t as good as he looks. :-( I pray that my fears are unfounded.

I am creating... Diapers.

I am hearing... My husband watching the Playoffs.

Around the house... Packing and laundry. I’m really doing neither, just wishful thinking. Must finish finals first.

One of my favorite things... Date nights with my husband. We actually had a date during daylight hours this week. Who Hooooo!

A few plans for the rest of the week... The usual+ finals.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

My husband fell asleep in the hallway, but pumpkin boy didn't :-)


Day Book hosted by Peggy Read more Day Books or join in.

For Today...I'm trying to decide what I'm going to do today. Some books I requested from the Library are in, so I want to pick those up at some point and maybe do a little thrift store shopping.

Outside my window...Cloudy and rainy. I love clouds and rain and dark skies.

I am thinking...About our devotional last night. We are reading the chapter of Prov. that corresponds with the day. Yesterday we read the 5th chapter, and it gets into the "strange woman". We talked a bit about her characteristics. "For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil". My nephews are 13 so we talked about some things that the strange woman might say to you, they talked about some things that girls have said to them at school. My 7 year old said: "When I was at homeschool gym a girl said to me, 'go hide so I can give you a hug." I asked him what he did, he said he ran. "Run away from anything that stimulates youthful lust." It sure starts EARLY and little girls are very FORWARD.

From the learning rooms...My lesson plans are done for this week. My nephews spent the night tonight. Whenever they're here on a school day I let them teach us something new, and I let my son teach them something new.

I am thankful for...For the new home the Lord has given us. I currently live 60 minutes from the Children's Hospital. We take the baby there very often and when I have to stay in the Hospital with him, it is nearly impossible to come home. Round trip is at least 2 hours without traffic. This home is near the bridge, so I can actually get there in about 15 or 20 minutes! Also thankful that I found a lawn mower for $15.

From the kitchen...I haven't made it there yet. Every morning I eat 3 egg whites, so I'll go and fix that at some point.

I am wearing...Pj's

I am reading...The Bible, A Gentle and Quiet Spirit, and I hope to start a new Amish fiction book my friend brought me this weekend.

I am hoping...To find a rectangular wooden dining room table. And to lose 2 or 3 lbs. this week. When I find the time I'll post my weight loss stats. Still working off the baby weight.

I am creating...Still need to make diapers. Didn't do any diapers last week, and I also want to make my daughters swimsuit. I have the pattern and it looks easy enough to sew.

I am hearing...Silence! Everyone is still sleeping :-)

Around the house...Going to start packing things that we're not using at the moment, and I need to start getting rid of anything we're not taking with us.

One of my favorite things...rainy, cloudy days.

A few plans for the rest of the week...I have to get my hair done, which takes at least 2 or 3 days. And all the regular delightful routines: church, fellowship, and hospitality.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
Sleepy Head.
My Sweet Girl
Walking away the Pounds!

Day Book Hosted by:Peggy

For Today...

Outside my window...It's nice and sunny

I am thinking...That I am tired of disciplining my daughter for the 6th time today. It's only 10:00!

From the learning rooms...I'm trying a new routine this morning. I'm letting my oldest do his independent work for an hour while I exercise. So far he's done spelling, science, and reading.

I am thankful for...my baby being home and well. I'm praying for baby Stellan and his mom. I know the loneliness and depression that lurks in the PICU. I know how it feels to not be able to hold, feed, or change your baby. I know frustration, fear, anger, stress, and tears. I know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I'm praying for that mom to see it soon.

From the kitchen...Need to go shopping

I am wearing...Workout clothes

I am reading...This morning I read the Bible, and The Practice of the Presence of God

I am hoping...To get the new house

I am creating...I want to finish my daughters dress this week, and cut out 5 diapers to sew next week.

I am hearing...Children playing and not crying. Yeah!

Around the house...I need to get the diapers out of the dryer. I put away 1 load of laundry this morning. I have about 2 more loads of laundry to do.

One of my favorite things...Nap Time

A few plans for the rest of the week...Tonight we have our mentors/discipleship partners coming over; Tuesday is co-op and at my friend will come over for fellowship in the evening; Wed. church at night; Fri.Bible-Talk; Sat. We have our wonderful Amish loving friends coming over to watch Love Takes Wing and eat Cajun style thanks to my amazing husband. Sun. Church and fellowship. Also, I need to write the outline for my papers and at least a couple of pages for each paper.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...