What's Been Going On

The worst is over. Surgery is done, and now recovery and healing is the road in front of me.

It all started 6 years ago. I was playing co-ed softball with the church I was attending. My brain thinks I'm athletic, however, my body does not. I struck the softball (which by the way is not soft as I'm sure many of y'all know) and as I rounded first base I split secondly decided to slide into second base. Now let me tell you, I've never learned how to slide nor had I done it before, but alas! I was successful. I was safe!! As I mentally patted myself on the back, another batter struck the ball and I was off to third base.  Again, I thought that I could try sliding again since it worked so well the first time. Wrong!!! As I tried to slide, I ended up basically just falling on my left leg and heard a huge pop. Super painful! I didn't have any insurance at the time, so I just crutched around for a while until I could walk on it again.

All this time my leg has been popping in and out. Finally, about a month ago my leg popped out for the last time. It would not pop back in, so to the doctor I went.

Last Monday I had ACL reconstruction surgery. I was so nervous for the surgery. I had never been put under anesthesia before. But surgery came and went without fail. Thank God! I even entertained the thought of writing goodbye letters to my family! Crazy I know.

This is after and before picture.

And let me tell you that the two days after the surgery were the worst! Way worse than I expected. Crying, throwing up, and severe pain was the basis of my first two days post op. I was told the each day would get better and better, and yes it does.

In my reclining yard chair haha ~ D

2014 - 2015 2nd Grade Curriculum Tried And Tested

Yes, it's been forever since my last homeschool post.Please forgive me! We've decided to do year-round school, and so far we are on day 56. We officially started June 9th. I strive for a 4 day school week, but since we took time off to go out of state with Hubby a couple of times we are going to do 5 day school weeks for a couple of weeks. My plan is to take off sometime around the holidays, and then one week a month after the first of the year.

Needless to say, I feel like I am just now getting the swing of things. It's definitely a work in progress. We have had some time to go through the curriculum now. Some of it I kept and some of it I didn't.

As I mentioned in the last post I didn't have a curriculum for History/Geography/Social Studies. I found this The Story of the World.

Pros:

It mentions reading material that some has been available through my local library.

It gives questions to ask throughout each chapter to make sure your little one is comprehending the material.

It also has hands on projects to do with each chapter. Aiden loves hands on projects. What kid doesn't?!

The price isn't too bad. Together for both activity book and chapter book is a little over $30.

Cons:

There are no tests or worksheets that test their knowledge.

There really aren't any pictures in the chapter. It would be nice if Aiden could see some images to reinforce the reading.

Overall Grade: B

For English we use Abeka. Right now I only found the need for Language 2 and Spelling and Poetry 2 books.

               

Pros: The worksheets are great. They are fun to look at, and also are full of learning!

Overall Grade: A

For Math we use the Arithmetic 2 and Tests and Speed Drills from Abeka.

            

Pros: The worksheets just like the English ones are also engaging.

The math seems to be very well spaced out. Not too much information at once. It kinda dabbles in a topic and then backs off. This allows me to find supportive information and other worksheets on sites like TeachersPayTeachers.com and KhanAcademy.org

Overall Grade: A

For science we are using Apologia. There are different categories of science in the Apologia textbooks. We started with Exploration of Creation with Astronomy and the Notebook Journal.

            

Pros: I really like having a journal assignment book that goes along with the text.

There are awesome projects to do. Aiden has loved them all.

There's not too much reading material. Doing a chapter a week is definitely doable, depending on the pace you are at.

There's a reading plan to go by if you choose. It tells you what day to do what to make sure you coursework is even each time.

Cons: I don't completely believe everything that the author believes. I just simply skip those parts.

Those are the texts that we have in our curriculum. As I've mentioned before, I use other sites to supplement his teaching.

Overal Grade: B

Here are the sites that I use:

Hubpages.com

Spellingcity.com

Havefunteaching.com

Allinonehomeschool.com

Funbrain.com

Kids National Geographic

PBS Parents

If y'all have any that are worth mentioning please let me know! We're always looking out for different sites to learn from!

Hope y'all had a great weekend!

Watching Harry Potter for the umpteenth time (not by choice, but rather lack of choices) ~ D

What I've Realized

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

Its been a couple of months since my thirtieth birthday. I didn't know what to expect when I turned 30, but it wasn't anything out of the ordinary which was just as I would have guessed. I have noticed some things about myself lately. Not like, "Oh my gosh I'm growing a tail!" kind of things. Things like: I need frickin' glasses to write this dang blog!

I'm now comfortable in my own skin. I don't think this epiphany has come to me in my thirtieth year, like a curse that has been lifted from my life on my birthday, and now I am excepting of my own self. I think it has come alive, because I've realized that there is no other Dannielle Scruggs. God made only one of me. People who cannot except me for me can go fly a kite. Being a woman, and a mother, which by nature are people pleasers I have put myself on the back burner a lot. But you know what? IT'S OK TO PUT YOURSELF ON THE BACK BURNER... sometimes.I would go extreme either way. I have been timid for the most part of my life. When I felt like a doormat for others, I became extremely opinionated and stuck in the mud, even. In life there is balance. Too little or too much of one thing is not good. My moral compass is sound and I know I can count on that. I am no longer lost.

I have felt misunderstood most of my life. As if I couldn't quite get the right words out of my mouth. I don't know of more than a couple of people who truly "get" me. But you know what? THAT'S OK! I don't think of any of that as a burden anymore. When I was younger I tried and tried to be like everyone else going down the wide and traveled road. I realize that I may be a perfectionist. I have tried so hard at something like let's say handwriting. Yes, handwriting. I remember being in middle school that I saw another girls lower case letter "a," and I thought it looked better than my current "a". So guess what? I practiced and practiced that "a". Writing every word I could think of that contained the letter "a". Of course I didn't think it would make me a better person, but that my handwriting would be better. I always strived for being better. Really just better than the Dannielle the day before. I am perfect just the way I am. That Dannielle that is full of useless information, yes, she is grand. That Dannielle who wants to do it by herself just because she wants to, yes, she is magnificent. And so are you. By the way, I don't use that "a" anymore.

Choose your battles carefully. Really, I mean really, in the whole scheme of things is it important for you to scream or get pissed because someone cut you off in traffic? No, of course not. Most of the time when we get mad or our feelings hurt it's not us it's our pride. Pride is no bueno. Pride is like your ugly twin. In my relationships with my children I sometimes get carried away.

"Don't scream! Don't run in the house! Don't jump on the bed," I yell. What I've realized, there's a time and place for everything. I don't want to smother my kids. Aiden told me the other day that I take fun out of things. I laughed, because I am sure I do sometimes, and it was funny the way he put it. But I explained to him that you can't stand in your chair during dinner. Maybe during breakfast... just kidding. With the relationship with my husband, choosing my battles has been very important. Best advice that I can give: if you're not sure what to say, or you are angry, don't say anything! Words hurt. Period. Our mouths have gotten away from us at times. You can't take those words back.

I can't eat whatever I want anymore! Gravity has taken a hold of my various body parts, and let me tell you what... it is unforgiving! This second pregnancy really did it for me. I am not the same size as I was in high school, and I haven't been since highschool, but I can still wear the same earrings! Yeah, yeah. I find myself tracking my calories, pining over my dreams of cheesecake and buttercream frosting. By golly I will still eat sweets and other delicious faire, but it may not be as spontaneous as before.

Pics of my sweets... gosh I love them.

Always ~ D

How I Survived...

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

... a trip 8+ hours away from home.

This week the Hubby has class on his two week time off. It's in Houston, Tx, and since Aiden is now out of school we decided to tag along. Ava has not liked riding in her carseat... ever. Needless to say, I was apprehensive about this 8+ hour trip.

Portable DVD player.

RCA Twin 9" Mobile DVD Player

This. Is. Essential. This happened to be the second one we bought in two days. The first one went kaput in 30 mins of use. This one is pretty cool. You can either watch the same DVD on both screens or watch two different movies. At this point Ava doesn't care what she watches, but I can forsee  them wanting to watch different movies. Each screen has a remote and a carrying case.

Stretch your legs and your belly.

 

Do any of y'all love the show Diners Drive-ins and Dives like I do? My dad gave me the idea of looking for a restaurant that  has been on the show, and eating there. There happened to be a restaurant in Gulfport, Ms called the Blow Fly Inn. Crazy name, but great food. It really helped the kids, and our sanity by stopping, getting out, and eating. Of course this made our trip longer, but more enjoyable nonetheless.

Hallways are my best friend.

When I see a hallway, I can't help but think if The Shining or Poltergeist (AHHHHHH!)

Being that Ava is starting to really get the hang of walking and running, she absolutely loves going up and down the hallways in the hotel. The hotel room is definitely not big enough for her energy. Aiden even enjoys is too, although I don't let him run.

Discover the city.

        

No matter where you are at, there is something new out there for you and your children. We are grateful that Houston has a lot to offer and that I don't have to be super creative. Even though there might be things that we have seen or heard, for your kids, it might be the first  time. It's fun to see their amazement at things that we find mundane.

While we were in Houston, we went to Downtown Aquarium, Children's Museum of Houston, The Space Center, and The Houston Museum of Natural Science. They were all great, but the best one, and the one we didn't get to finish touring was the latter. It was amazing!

Take a breath, and breathe in the moment!

It's hard I know, but remember this fun moment isn't going to last forever. There were moments when I kept thinking, " Oh gosh I cannot wait till we get home and Ava goes to sleep in her own crib in her own room!"  But I had to take a breath look for the good in the moment, like when I could see Ava's head peeking up out of the pack play jibber jabbering.

All that being said, boy am I glad being back home...

Still pooped ~ D

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

... this week.

Baby powder at the beach.

I love the beach. Minus the sand. Minus the icky sticky feeling of the salt that has dried on your skin. Other than that, I love the beach. Then, I found my saving grace, my best friend for the beach. I would never again have disdain towards spending a day at the beach realizing that every crack and crevice I had would be covered in sand.

My first thought when I saw this baby powder trick on Pinterest, "That's the craziest thing I've ever heard!" My first thought when I tried it on the beach, " Oh my gosh! Where have you been all my life!"

It's pretty simple really. You just sprinkle the powder on your sandy self, then start rubbing the sand off, and Walaa! It's gone! Now let me tell you, you will have a little of the powder left behind, but these are the sacrifices we have to make when having a sandless body on a sandy beach.

A happy baby at the beach.

 

Aiden as a baby did not like the water. He did like it on his face. He did not like it on his hair. He did not like it anywhere! (Btw I love Dr. Suess!) We took him to the beach a couple month before he was one and he would freak out when the waves would come onto shore. He hated when we washed his hair. He happened to get some water in his eyes once, and that was it. For a long time. Now, Aiden is fine and loves the water. Swims and all. Needless to say, I was a little apprehensive when I knew we were having a day at the beach.

Let me tell you, I was completely wrong. She LOVED the beach! I have never seen a more joyous baby at the beach. I was tired before she was. She's still working on her walking, so she fell quite a bit. Never once did she cry. The day couldn't have gone better. I was so grateful.

School is out!

I think I am almost as excited as Aiden is about school being over. Woohoo!  We are both looking forward to starting homeschool in a few weeks. Technically we have one more week until school is out, but we are going to Houston with Hubby while he has a class to attend.

Always,

D  :)

Thirty and Counting

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

Just the other day was my birthday... my thirtieth birthday. When I look back I think about the birthdays that have been milestones for me, and probably many others. Of course turning one is a pretty big one. When I go to a five year old's birthday party I always say, "Your're a whole hand now!" Because that's what I thought and heard at that age. Becoming a teenager is pretty important, you are finally out of the kid stage and might even get to sit at the grownup table during Thanksgiving. Eighteen years old is pretty major. Most usually graduate around that age and you are legally an ADULT! Which is fun for just the summer, and then the real work begins. Twenty-one is even better because you are really really an adult that can drink legally, however, I drank more before I was twenty-one then after-the-fact. I guess the main point is, you can drink in front of your parents and not get in trouble for it. Then it's the mighty thirty... There is no going back to being an irresponsible adult at this point. You've made enough mistakes to learn from them, and you are really starting to figure things out. At least that's how I feel.

To be honest, I have always looked forward to my thirties. I've always felt I was either born in the wrong era, or my brain was older than my body. I thought the twenties were for making your mistakes, acting silly, creating crazy memories you can tell your teenagers so that they won't think you were totally lame. The thirties I thought were for creating your home, knowing what you want and not being afraid to go and get it, and being comfortable in your own skin.

My husband on the other hand, was not looking forward to his thirties. Yes, I'm married to an older man... he's about to be thirty-one. He he. I joke with him about getting old, and come to think of it I might get a walking cane for his birthday this year just to rub it in.

Speaking of my hubby, he got me a book for my birthday. I love books. Like really love books. After reading some of it I couldn't believe that I have never heard of it before.

Definitely a book for all women of all ages. Well, maybe not two year olds. Well, two year olds aren't women either. Geeze! Don't you hate it when you argue with yourself?!

Some look at birthdays with meager excitement, thinking that they haven't done enough in life or they may analyze what did or didn't happen and why. Some are exceedingly optimistic about the future and all the treasure it may hold. I choose the latter.

Until next time,

D ~ thirty and counting

How Do Your Dahlia's Grow?

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

Some are BOLD.

Some only put their selves out there half-way.

Some are late to start. But wait...

Here they are, and they are beeeeautiful!

Always,

D ~ stopping to smell the Dahlias

2nd Grade Curriculum 2014 - 2015

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

Ok. I finally did it! The first real step for my family and I considering homeschooling. I have researched it over and over. Now of course this might change next year after we've used it. But that is next year.

Aiden is finishing up first grade, and let me tell you, I am anxiously waiting for him to finish! We will have a break after school is over, but probably start back up mid-summer.

I am planning on us doing a 4-day school week. I have made a schedule so far and this should be a good starting point. I think...

Homeschool Schedule

2014 - 2015 Curriculum

Language Arts & Reading - A Beka

Math - A Beka

Science - Apologia

Social Studies

History    -     TBD... ok I know I said I figured it out, but there's still some more digging considering these subjects.

Geography

I have just recently purchased a book called What Your Second Grader Needs to Know by E.D. Hirsch Jr.. I felt like I needed to make sure that my child was receiving everything he needed educationally. The whole point of homeschooling is because this decision is best for Aiden and the family. I definitely didn't want Aiden to miss out on any knowledge that he would otherwise have in public school.

I haven't received any of these materials yet, but as soon as I do I will blog about my first impression.

Have a great week!

D

Spring is Here!

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

Spring is here! I am excited! I realize I live in Northwest Florida, and our winters aren't near as rough as let's say Michigan, but I am glad that the calendar says spring is here even if the weather still doesn't. In honor of spring, Max got a hair cut. Yes, I know that his breed had long hair, but I can't deal with the hair tumbleweeds rolling around in the house. Plus, since the weather is trying to warm up Max loves it.

                            

I once went to a groomer and paid $70.00 for the visit. I couldn't believe it! I am not used to paying that kind of money for a haircut and a bath on a dog. I however, have never had a dog that required a lot of upkeep concerning their fur. My Dad got these clippers from Wal-Mart for only $50.00 and I have been using them about every four months for two years. Definitely worth every penny of fifty bucks. It takes two days to completely shave Max. The first day is for getting the most of the hair off, then the second is for fine tuning the haircut so that he doesn't look like a two year-old gave him a cut.

       

After I'm done I give him a good ol' soapy bath. He loves it. He stands there and takes it all in. As soon as he's bathed, he runs around and shakes as much of the water off of him.

Boy do I love that dog,

Dannielle

Shopping Line Etiquette

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

For anyone who knows me, knows I do not like confrontation. I do not like confrontation of any kind. That's why this past incident has been bugging me for the past FOUR days.

I took my sister shopping on Saturday so she could use her birthday money. I am not a fan of shopping, especially clothes shopping. I just like to pick it out, and buy it. Hoping when I get home it fits to perfection. Which is usually not the case. Trying on clothes... ugh. The lighting in the dressing rooms are always horrible, and that makes you want to go to the nearest makeup counter and get a makeover spending hundreds in the process. The mirrors in the dressing rooms are always unflattering, so you're never truly certain if the clothes fit like they should. Needless to say, I do not like fitting rooms, nor do they like me.

As I'm looking around, I find my sister with one pair of jeans in her hand. "Do they fit?"

"No, these are too big," she states excitedly.

"Ok, we'll just get the size below, and let's go. If they don't fit we'll come back." I am hoping for her to agree as I remember my distaste for dressing rooms, and realize that this is just the first of many stores we will be visiting today. Blah.

As we walk up to the registers, I notice a register with a line and one without. I stand maybe about ten feet from the register without a line trying to figure out if she's open or not. As I'm standing there, the empty line cash register lady says, " Next customer please."

As soon as I hear that, I get a little pep in my step, and walk on over to the empty line cash register lady. As my sister is getting checked out, I can hear women upset that I got in that line. I started to feel my cheeks get warm. Oh gosh, I didn't even think about the other line. I thought to myself, well I was standing there and she said next customer. I thought it was first come first serve. What was I to do at that point? Was I to concede my position in the line? Was I supposed to turn around and say sorry?

A woman and her two tween daughters came up behind us in the line. I could over hear her say to her daughters, " You better close your ears in a minute, because I am about to get nasty with these two blondes."

I immediately thought, oh gosh I better say something. "I'm so sorry I cut in front of you. I thought it was first come first serve."

"That was really rude. You don't do that. There's all these people in front of you, " she proceeds to tell me.

"Like I said, I didn't realize there was a shopping line etiquette. I thought it was first come first serve. I'm really sorry." And I was. I would never intentionally cut the line or be rude.

After that nothing else was said to me. I was hoping that this confrontation was over, and I could feel the ladies' eyes boring into my back. I was nervous that I may bump into her again at that mall that day. It bothered me a good bit that day and the next. I do have a moral compass and wouldn't want anyone to think other wise. It bugged me that she thought I did it on purpose. But I didn't even know this lady, and I will probably never see her again.

Note to self: when in doubt, go to the back of the line...

Always,

D - waiting on my bread to rise

Down the Rabbit Trail

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

What's new? I thought about naming this post that question. Then the next thought that came into my mind was Steve Martin in the movie Father of the Bride singing, "What's new pussy cat whooooa whoa whoa whoa..." By the way that is one of my all time favorite movies. Then I got to thinking how my crazy mind works. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks like this. If I let it, my mind will take me down some twisted road. For instance, after thinking about Father of the Bride, I immediately remember the second installment when the mother and daughter are pregnant together. Which by the way is totally weird, but hey I guess it does happen. Gosh how different their pregnancies were than mine. I did not have hot flashes, my water did not break, and I didn't want to eat everything in sight. Almost, but not everything. The next thought that enters my mind is my next pregnancy or hopefully my next pregnancy. Yes, I want another one. My first and second are six years apart. While it works great and I would not have it any other way, I do not want another six-year gap. It was like having my first child all over again. I just about forgot everything. I am ready to have all the kids I am going to have. I start thinking, will it be this month? Next month? Six months? Maybe I should not drink coffee, beer, or wine. I drink two cups of coffee in the morning and mostly water the rest of the day. I usually have either one glass of wine or one beer. I don't think that is too much, but who knows.

All of this came from "What's new?" Oh how my crazy mind works...

Always,

D in my bed with one eye open ;)

The Pursuit of Happiness

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

                              

“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be” - Abraham Lincoln

What is happiness? To me, the definition of happiness is the good excited feeling you get, and when you smile on the inside and out.

As I have gotten older the things that make me happy have changed. I think that is a part of finding happiness. 

Knowing yourself, what you want, and what is important to you can help you find your true happiness.

The other day I was sitting watching out the window and just thinking of all the things that I had planned for the future. I remembered the feeling I had when I was younger. The feeling that I had my life ahead of me and all the dreams I dreamed were waiting for me to go and grab them! As I thought about it I realized all the things I hadn't done that I thought I would. Wow how time flies!

I started to think about happiness and what it meant to me. For me, my faith is a big contributor to my happiness. It hasn't always been that way, but it is now. If I don't read my bible or have some quiet time with the Lord, I just don't feel right. Family or human connection is important. For some, family may not be a positive part of their life. I only have a few family members that I am really close with, but it's enough. I'm more of a quality instead of quantity kind of person. Security and health of course is also an important aspect of happiness for me, but I think that is pretty common for most people. I love a sense of adventure. Not the kind of adventure that you almost die doing. I love the outdoors and animals, so anything involving that I am game for. Except for at night, or in dark deep waters... ha.

Once you realize what makes you happy, set time for you to do it each day if you can. Believe it or not, we need to plan our happiness. Sometimes life can just take you over and will have you forgetting about your dreams. 

Something like a dream journal can keep you on track. God wants us to have the desires of our heart! Maybe once a month remind yourself of your dreams and what you want in your life. Nobody will take care of you better than YOU!

What makes you happy?

Always,

D in my jammies :)