Proud Momma Moments...

On Sunday, big changes were announced for the Children's Equipping Center at OHOP. Of course, I already knew about them because I was almost finished with the CEC newsletter coming out this week. ;)  There was a great moment when the talking was over and they showed a quick promo video put together during the week. Jessica, CEC's interim director, really wanted to show what we're growing here. The fastest way to show that is by letting the kid's do what they do best - PRAY! Friday mornings Nick teaches a group of kids 9 and up music and the Harp and Bowl model of the prayer room, after class they do a full intercession watch in the prayer room. Recently, a friend and I began a short class to equip the younger kids to participate as well. The older kids have done a great job and have grown immensely over the past 2 years; they are patient and kind to the little ones too. The "newbies" are so excited to participate in the prayer room. They are blossoming with the Joy of the Lord! Many of these kids got together for the filming of a short version of what we do on Fridays. This is the resulting video – props to Luke Schepler who did an amazing job with this!

Thankful Thursday - ALREADY?!

Yes, it's true, I've been so consumed with house, home, children, homeschooling, Christmas hoopla, etc. that another week has flown by and I haven't posted! I'm so ashamed! I have pics from the much talked about trip to the beach, a funny story about Carlo, and some griping about hormones to do... But, all that will have to wait, because today is Thankful Thursday, and I am giving God center stage.
He deserves it.

Today, I am thankful for the Joy He pours out on me. What a great gift!

I am thankful for the Peace He restores to my soul when I (finally) turn to Him in the midst of my rebellious, thunderous, fuming moods.

I am thankful for God's great and all-consuming Love.

Finally, I am thankful that Jesus, in His pure humility and love for us, came as a baby: a small bundle of flesh and blood and sweetness, cries and sighs, so that we could KNOW HIM! So He could sacrifice Himself. So He could spend eternity with us.

What wondrous Light. I am so filled with awe and love. Thank you Lord.

Psych Out

Well, we didn't go to the beach yesterday. I wanted to, but we decided we should have a cleaning day instead.
Yeah, that was such a good idea.
I spent much of the time on school with the kids, doing laundry (as usual), and griping at the kids to do their chores. Nick, who was going to do all this cleaning on his day off, went to check out a lady's ex-boyfriend's Star Wars collection to see if he wanted it. She was desperate to get rid of it, and Nick knew he could make some money by ebaying this collection. Good idea, in theory, but a lot of work and a lot of time wasted yesterday. Do I sound disgruntled? Sorry about that.
So, we're going to take that fun day on Friday instead. We need a little time by the sea; and no, I won't be swimming in the Black Friday pool.

What do you all think about Letters to Santa as a writing assignment?

Antonio's Science Report! (thanks Scrapblog!)

What Did I Get Myself Into?

Well, it's official.
I am NOT the homeschooling queen.
I finally got my 6th grader, Antonio, going on his internet homeschool courses about a week and a half ago. He'd been taking some classes at the OHOP Co-op before that, but it was a huge wake-up call to do this! I thought he was doing great. Zooming through his lessons, catching up, enjoying the audio lessons, video lessons, interactivity, and finally his books came a couple days ago.
His grades are not doing so great. This is a straight A student. Okay, he has gotten some B's but they always averaged out. He even had some other dismal scores on occasional assignments and even quizzes that averaged out by the quarter. HELLO!
Not only is this new because of the internet/homeschool courses, but he is now in middle school. A whole new ballgame.
There is day-to-day work and assessments, but they are not included in the grade. The only grades to be averaged are Quizzes, Tests, and Portfolio assignments. This is huge for Antonio who would sometimes surf on all those homework A's. I had to REITTERATE the importance of STUDYING, taking his time, reading through the entire question, asking me questions if he isn't getting something. I guess he was under the impression that he was supposed to get through it all as quickly as possible. Yah. That's how you end up with a D. I'm really going to have to plow, plant, feed and water this boy. Even if he gives me attitude about it.

All this reflection reminds me of God and how He deals with us. Gentle reminders to take our time. A Book to read and study. Interactive lessons to reinforce the main ideas. And, when we try to rush through our lessons and mess up, there are consequences. Wake-up Calls! Then, He offers to spend extra time with us so we don't make the same mistakes again. He doesn't give up on us because He loves us so very, very much and wants us to learn and succeed! Even when we give Him attitude about it being too hard or not important. God is a good Father, pure love and endless patience.
I'm going to need His help with Antonio. He'll be there, because I happen to know that Antonio is God's favorite.
As am I.
As are YOU!

Scary Mommy

I have to admit this really struck a chord with me. Her definition is a little different than I first thought it would be. A little more like me. If you agree with my definition of "Scary Mommy", and therefore MYSELF, please comment!

• I teach them self-reliance by allowing them to make their own breakfast while I sleep in.

• I sometimes just let them "fight it out."

• Long, bone-crushing hugs are therapeutic.

• Forcing Encouraging my children to read isn't actually killing them.

• My 4 oldest kids have all changed diapers of the 3 youngest. Even the boys! I know, it could cause a revolution!

• I decided to homeschool all 7 of them. This means I'm actually teaching 5 kids this year. (Maybe more - do you think a 2-year-old can learn the multiplication tables?)

• I allow and even encourage my children to sing and pray ON the MICROPHONE at the prayer room!

• I sometimes cry after yelling at my children.

• I get a little irritated when they all crowd around me and talk at the same time.

• Time and conversation with my husband (their father) comes first!

• I went out today wearing sweats, t-shirt, scrunchie, flip-flops. No make-up. Fabulous sunglasses.

• I don't actually care if my 5-year-old still sucks his fingers when he goes to sleep, as long as he actually sleeps!

• My kids do chores. I know - it's a crazy concept. Even the littlest picks up toys. (Before joyfully tossing them around the room once more.)

• Lastly, and maybe the scariest mommy thing to do, I sing and dance in PUBLIC!

Hello, my name is Dixie, and I am a Scary Mommy.

Graduating with Honors

I am now the parent of a middle-schooler. What? That's right, last Thursday, Antonio officially graduated from elementary school with honors. Since we were unsuccessful in our hunt for a babysitter, I got the honor of attending the ceremony. It was a thrill as we raced to the church where the ceremony was being held. I dropped Antonio off close to the entrance so he wouldn't be too late, and hunted for a parking place. I climbed the grassy hill back toward the entrance, pushed through the straggling crowd, presented my ticket and was overwhelmed by the full church. There were many people that stood through the 2 hour ordeal. I was lucky, since I was on my own, to find a spot in the middle somewhere. It was really hot in there. I was excited and surprised to see Antonio's name on the program for leading the Pledge of Allegience; he got this honor because he won the school's Tropicana Speech Contest a couple months ago. What a thrill to hear his voice over the microphone as we all stood to recite this precious Pledge (the picture I snapped was somewhat less thrilling.)

I won't bore you all with the details of the ceremony, because it did drag out as we listened to 8 classes worth of names called for many honors and then the actual presentation of their "diplomas." I was disappointed to learn that my cell phone didn't get service in there, so I couldn't text with Nick about the goings-on. I know, it's terribly rude, but I was on my own and wanted to share! There were some very special moments as the principal shared her message, the librarian read a poem, and best of all - the kids sang "I'm On My Way" by Phil Collins as their class song. My favorite part was catching up with Antonio afterwards and hugging him hard.

He was homeschooled for kindergarten and 1st grade, went to 4 elementary schools, and now has graduated from 5th grade with 11 awards. I could not be more proud of him. I'm excited to see his growth in the future as he begins the adventure of secondary school as a homeschooler in the prayer room. God has His hand on Antonio!

This is Antonio's 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Colwell. Yes, she is too young to be leading a class of tweens, but she did a really good job this year. Especially by recognizing what a great kid Antonio is! ;)

The first medallion is for completing all three goals for the first 9 weeks of the Read, Believe, Achieve program.

The second is the A-B Honor Roll award for earning all A's and B's on their report cards during the school year.

This is the Presidential Excellence Award (including pin) for students who carried a G.P.A. of 3.5 or above for all of 4th grade and the beginning of 5th grade.

This award is for participating in the production of the WGLE new show each morning during the school year. Antonio was actually a part of the news crew at his last school in 4th grade, and loved it so much that he volunteered to be a part of the 1st news crew of Grassy Lake Elementary. He confessed to me that, at first, he knew how to run everything better than the teacher/sponsor.


Here is the certificate for A/B Honor Roll. How great are my kids?


The Star Citizen Award is for students who have shown excellent citizenship during the entire year in their classroom - it's teacher's choice.


Reading Excellence Award is for students who score 1 or more years above grade level on their S.T.A.R. test.



Math Excellence Award is for scoring 1 or more years above grade level in math on the S.T.A.R. test.


Star Patrol Award is for 5th grade students who were part of STAR patrol (or safety patrol) during the school year. Antonio was excited to tell me about his 4th grade intern he was training up for next year.



The FCAT Achievement Awards for Reading and Mathematics are for 5th graders who scored an Achievement Level of 4 or 5 on Florida's state standardized test.




And this, dear ones, is proof that Antonio Canuso completed 5th grade and graduated from elementary school on June 4th, 2009.

Can I hear an Amen?