The countdown is on!  My little ones have 4 days of school left (2 being half days).  I can't tell you how much this EXCITES me!  We are in for such an adventure.  For those of you who don't know, we will be Homeschooling next year, yes all 3 little ones, Jo, Buckwheat and Peanut she techincally isn't old enough but that doesn't matter at HOME! :)  So why am I doing this crazy thing you ask?  Well, number one reason ~ it's what I feel is BEST for me and my crew!  I think that is the most important thing, you have to do things for you and not because the whole world does or doesn't.  We do a lot of crazy things, like not immunize our kids for very valid reasons. I encapsulate my own herbs (freaky I know ha ha!)  I just made my own dish and laundry detergent (will follow up with that post at a later date!) I recently learned how to make yogurt.  I want to make my own bread, I know how but Hank won't use it to eat sandwiches with because it falls apart so I need a SANDWICH bread.  I am thrilled to keep my kids home with me all day every day, because I will be able to control them  able to spend more quality time with them ;)!  I really can't wait to watch them learn and grow, and not have to wonder what they learned at school, because Buckwheat can't ever remember!  Silly boy!  I am odd, quirky and yes I think I Am THE NORMAL ONE.  To each his own, we are all unique and we all do what we do for valid reasons.  So as I embark down this new "Creek" of life I invite you to follow us, see what we are up to, comment on our learning and let me know why you do what you do!  I love to learn what works for others, and incorporate different aspects in my own life.  You never know if it will work for you until you try it!

As for homeschooling.... I am a bit overwhelmed there are so many choices in curriculum.  I have debated about Washington Online School they use K12 curriculum and others and seem to have a really great program.  I also have put my name on the waiting list at Harmony Ed but can't decide if I want to commit to going to an actual school once a week.  They have incredible classes offered, but do I want to do that or stay home.  Afterall wasn't that why I decided to homeschool, so we didn't have to chase, so we could enjoy life and be together.  Five in a Row curriculum really appeals to me, I love basing all learning on one book and digging DEEP!  These are just the tip of the iceberg, there is so much to go off of, I could go on for days.  But I'll spare you the agony.  Point being this journey is going to be AMAZING, I know it will be hard, I know I will want to quit and I will threaten my kids that they will be put back in school if they don't OBEY he he he he!  Or as my mother use to say to my youngest brother "You can get on that Cheese Wagon tomorrow morning!"  LOL!  No I am not dissing public school, if that's your thing that's GREAT!  That's the beauty of choice!  My dillema's may be answered as I attend the homeschool convention in our area in a few weeks....or perhaps my dillema's haven't begun because I don't know all the OTHER stuff they are going to unfold upon me.  Oh good gravy, this may be bad!  Either way our homeschool adventures are about to begin, and I am sure we will have a few trials by error but that's the joy in the journey.  We will see what works for us, what makes our hearts happy!  So make your heart happy~ do what you do because that's who you are!  And stay tuned for MUCH more HOMESCHOOLING up CHAOS CREEK!



"I believe it would be much better for everyone if children were given their start in education at home.

No one understands a child as well as his mother, and children are so different that they need individual training and study. A teacher with a room full of pupils cannot do this.

At home, too, they are in their mother's care. She can keep them from learning immoral things from other children."

- Quote / Words by Laura Ingalls Wilder

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

So my friend did this cute post about her birthday and her "utter Randomness" and we decided I must do it to... Maybe it'll be some kind of tradition or something ;)  It is My Birthday!... yes I know I can't be 25 til next year and I can't wait, so here I am .... GULP... 30!  GEESH, what the heck happened?  Time flies when you're having fun I guess!  I am pretty sure I remember when my mom was 30, Not so sure I like this moving up to the next chair stage.  Anyway here is my "UTTER RANDOMNESS" for my Birthday!

I am the oldest of 4 children, I have 3 AWESOMELY COOL BROTHERS!  And I wouldn't trade it for the world, they keep me Sane and make me crazy, growing up the only girl ROCKED, I didn't share clothes, makeup, a room.  Okay I take that back I did share clothes, but it was with my mom and she's AMAZING so it was all good!  I love my bro's and my mom and dad, they are my Calm to my Storm and I thank them for raising me, and give them credit for who I am! I grew up in a small town, with 10 acres, room to run and no one could hear you scream! The BEST!  I guess that's where I got my BIG HUGE BUBBLE, as in: I NEED SPACE!  I would LOVE to live in the middle of nowhere and plop my house right in the middle of 100 acres! (Someday, someday!)  I am married to a talented, sexy guy whom I love with ALL MY HEART (Yep, even on those.....days)!  Together we have 5 FABULOUS kiddos.  Yes I refer to them as the FABULOUS FIVE, because they are!  I have 4 FANTASTIC sister in-laws (kinda cool to have sisters now!) and 2 REALLY COOL bro in-laws.  I have GREAT in-laws too!  I also have 7 nieces and 2 Nephews....seriously where did all these girls come from?  (FYI: Me, only girl, My mom Only girl, My grandmother, only girl, my aunt only girl ~ so this GIRL'S taking over the world is a new experience for me)! And I admit there is too much estrogen in the air for me somedays!

Favorite Color: PURPLE, GREEN OR RED depending on the day or what the color is needed for :)

Favorite Number: 37 because that's what channel Nickelodeon was on when I was little!  Yeah I know I'm cool!

Favorite Food: Italian ~ I love lasagna and Olive Garden and anything with PASTA! I love mashed potatoes, and I'm a meat and potatoes kinda girl.  I love me a big ol' steak that's pink in the middle.  No well done beef for me!  I love asparagus and broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, spinach, peppers.  I do not like things that are really spicy, I use to think ketchup was as spicy as I could go. But I've come A LONG WAY!  But I like to taste my food not have my taste buds SEARED OFF MY TONGUE! 

Favorite Treat

 CHOCOLATE! yes that's an easy one, chocolate anything, dark chocolate, milk chocolate.  Not a huge fan of white chocolate....cause it's really not chocolate, chocolate is BROWN people!  I love things like chocolate cake (the kind with no flour, yeah like the..."wow that's too rich" kind of cake or torte, yep its really not to rich, just ask my middle brother :)  I love nutella, baked anything, cookies, brownies, pies, puddings. I do not like gummies or hard candy.  My favorite shake at the shake place in town is Joyous Almond.  I love Snickers with Almonds.  I love nuts, almost any kind of nut, almonds, walnuts, pecans.  I love coconut and tropical flavored things too. I love love love, berries, banana's, kiwi, pineapple, peaches, mango...most fruits.  I also love anything with cream, or milk.  My mom says I am part cat.... I will drink half and half, or evaporated milk, I love heavy whipping cream in ANYTHING.  And I have been known to drink the coffee creamers at restaurant's (oh snap! did I just admit that out loud!)

My Style

 Well according to my previous post, it is BOHEMIAN CASUAL, yes I am the description but don't google that cause I am NOTHING like the pictures!  I would say I am classic, casual, conservative.  I like black....for many reasons, but I wear it almost daily...okay maybe every day of my life!  I don't like to draw attention to myself and I am not a big loud color person.  I feel all weird and outta place if I have too much color on.  I know ISSUES, I have ISSUES!  

Every piece of jewelry I own is White gold or silver, I do not like yellow gold.  Or better yet I don't like it on me, and it doesn't match my wedding ring so I just can't bring myself to wear it.  I don't have a lot of jewelry, although I have branched out over the years.  I don't do bracelets, they bang on tables when I set my wrist down and it makes me BoNkErS!  

My decorating style is...clean, sophisticated and very.... classic/casual.  I like stripes, plaids, paisley.  Neutral colors, but a lot of red.  I LOVE grapes!  I do not like wild prints, okay I LOVE ZEBRA and LEOPARD though!  Color Freaks me out a bit, except red or purple or green I could do that all day.  I am trying to branch out and even might add some......teal.......to my bedroom soon.  Scary I know!  Color phobic.... I think there is such a disease! ;)

Hobbies

I love to be with my family.  I like to camp in a camp trailer (with a toilet and a shower, yes I know I'm HIGH MAINTENANCE ha ha! actually it's due to the fact that I don't do so well with out indoore plumbing, and yes my girls inherited the gene!)  I like to boat and fish and hunt.  I love to scrapbook and craft and sew.  I love to clean, really I love to clean!  I like to read and read and read.  I like to ride horses although I don't do it enough.  I love calving season, branding cows and hay season.  I like to four wheel.  I like to shoot guns. And yes, I can outshoot my husband :), and he is VERY PROUD of that! (totally got that gene from my dad, he's AMAZING)

Favorite Time of Year

I love Easter and Spring.  I love Christmas and Christmas music, I would listen to it ALL YEAR LONG!  Fall is my favorite season.  I love the leaves and the crisp autumn air.  I love knowing it's the hunts and starting fires in our fireplace.  I love knowing the scorching sun is going to give it a rest for a little bit ;).  

Odd Things

I do not like the heat, I do melt.  I don't like opening presents in front of people.  Rocks in the ground give me the heeby geebies!  I despise puke.  I feel more comfortable around guys than girls (think the brothers had something to do with that).  I love the rain.  I love to be cold (because you can get warm, you can't get cool enough).  I am a night owl.  I could sleep all day.  I love brunch especially if it involves french toast.  I was born with hip displaysia. I like to color with sharp crayons.  I love to write.  I love babies and kids! I do many jobs, like babysit, clean homes, cashier at a gas station, do book keeping.  I attend school and am working on my degree in elementary education.  I am going to home school my three little ones next year. Yes, those two statements sound contradictory, but they will work out hand in hand!  I hate yard work with a passion.  I hate crowds, audiences, I will hyperventilate and pass out I'm sure of it.  I pass out at the sight, mention or talk of, blood, needles, surgery or pain. I had 3 c-sections (yep, me) I passed out several times before they even got the IV in me.  Did I mention I HATE NEEDLES! 

Favorite Disney Princess

Belle, because she wants to help the Beast even when he isn't nice to her.  She is always finding the good in others.  I like that characteristic.

Favorite Flower

I love lilies especially Tiger Lilies!  But any lily is my favorite.

Fears

Audiences, spiders, snakes, bugs, scary movies, attention, mice, bats, birds (to some degree, it freaks me out when they flap their wings), blood, needles, hospitals (yeah that's why I'm not a nurse), water (I can't swim, well unless I have a nose plug and life jacket if it's over 4 and half feet deep).

Love Language

My love language is SERVICE, don't tell me you love me, do something for me :)  I feel loved when the floors are vacuumed, swept and the house is in order.  I also love that way, I will clean your counters even if you didn't want me too, I try my hardest to refrain, really I do.  So please don't be offended if I start washing, wiping or picking up, it's just who I am, and means I want you to know I care.  I also love words of affirmation. I love to write notes and tell people how grateful I am or how much I love them.  My words work best when I write them, then my emotions don't get in the way, because I cry at puppy dog commercials!

Dreams

I dream of going to Europe or Australia, or Pennsylvania or Oregon or Maine.  I just wanna go!  I dream of shooting a HUGE moose and hanging it in my house (okay maybe I'd have to get a bigger house).  I dream of building the house plan that Trevor and I have stashed away in a book.  I would love to live in Alaska, darkness and all.  I dream of helping others, financially or with food or shelter.  

Favorite Music

Country, Classic rock, some Christian and whatever kind Wilson Phillips sings because I LOVE THEM!

Most of all I love being me!  I love that I am 30, yes I do! It means I 've learned so much, grown so much and been able to spend these years with amazing people.  Creating my paddles and steering down this beautifu, crazy, chaos creek of life!  I love my family, My Father in Heaven, my home, my Husband, my Fabulous Five, our farm life, my friends and all that I am surrounded with.  My Cup Runneth Over!! So although it's the big THREE O this year I wouldn't have it anyother way, because this is me, this is where I want to be, still growing still learning and still steering through rapids, and calm waters! Happy May 8th EVERYBODY!

no no no NO NO NO NO!!!!

This morning I showered (I know your shocked, ha ha) proceeded to get ready.  I recently got my hair cut into an Aline bob thingy (LOVE IT) so I had to round brush it.  Pulled half the hair up and saw something.......glistening.  I leaned in closer.....closer....AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!! Yes it was my FIRST and ONLY GRAY HAIR! I about had a heart attack, but thought that would only increase the stress level which obviously didn't need increased because I HAD A GRAY HAIR!!!! OH GEESH!  I don't think this turning.....whatever age I am turning (not 30, nope not me, I'm not, I'm Not, I'M NOT!)  On a better note, I beat my mother by 13 years.  Poor woman started to gray at 17!!  By the time she had my littlest brother (she was like 31) people were asking her if they were her grand kids.  (my mother does NOT look old now, let alone when she was 31)!  Anyway I lasted this long I guess it's time to EMBRACE it... or better yet DYE IT!! Yep, that's what I will be doing til about age 70.  DYING MY GRAY HAIR!

My Style?!?! It has a name?!? It's called WHAT?!?

Design Time!


Okay, so a friend of mine recently did this Quiz from Home Goods about what your style is... yeah seriously how awesome is that? I had to try it.  I have always wondered what official name my "Style" had.  This same friend and I have been helping each other do a few projects here and there to help "Style" our homes.  Super fun!  So here are the results and the much awaited official name of my style.  I about CHOKED!  


"You Are A BOHEMIAN CASUAL: You are interested in creating a place where people feel relaxed. You have a variety of interests and influences and so appreciate different styles, cultures, and objects. Your home is cozy, with comfy chairs, throw pillows and places to set a drink or a book. But it also feels creative and visually intriguing, because you have an artist's eye that allows you to find objects that appeal to you in a unique and personal way—whether from your travels or from a local shop. This gives your home a feeling of being laid-back, and maybe even a bit quirky with its mix of pieces—some of which are classic, some handmade, some ethnic, and some just rich in meaning to you.

You value order. You feel happiest if your home is well organized. You understand that when your house is in order, your mind feels clearer. Rather than a lot of meaningless objects or overly-designed items, you are happier with a few well-placed things. Your home is your respite from a busy life. Try to avoid letting things into your home that you don't really love."

Okay first off I was like... WHAT?? BOHEMIAN (no this does not mean I am Hippie! No it doesn't, Nope, nope not at all).  I don't even understand what it means, but some of what they said was SPOT on!  I like to think of my home as "Cozy, with comfy chairs, throw pillows and places to set a drink or book".  I hope that's how people feel in my home, I know I do!  The artist's eye thing...don't know if I feel that so much, but maybe :).  I like that my style could give my home a "laid-back" feeling, as you all know (or do now) I AM NOT LAID-BACK!  In fact Jo laughs at people who say "your mom is so relaxed!"  HA HA!  The part that hit home for me was that I "value order", Oh geesh ya think?!  I always say, a clean home is a happy home! Although for some reason mine never stays that way! YES, I feel HAPPIEST when my home is IN ORDER, my children will attest. In fact some days I must remind myself that I need to live a little and not clean so much!  I love the whole last section about order, about not letting things in I don't really love!  My home is my Heaven on Earth!  I love it, I love being home and I like it to be clean, organized and HAPPY!  

They also give you a palette of colors that are your "Happy Home Colors"... HA ha ha, much to my fun, out there, aqua, sunshine (make me have an anxiety attack and break out in hives) color loving friend's dismay, mine were all RED's or closely related.  Yep, that about sums up my love for RED!  Red wall, red pillows, red grape vine wallpaper.  Yep I think that's a good fit! (no she really won't be dismayed, she's probably in agreement!)

Okay so how do I incorporate all this? 

Here is what they gave me as sort of a plan,

1. Your Design Challenge: ORGANIZEThe front hall sets the mood for your entire home. Consider how to accommodate all the room's functions as beautifully as possible. At the very least you need a console, and if you're short on storage, consider a dresser. Outfit the surface with nice trays and bowls for mail, keys and sunglasses. Keep a trash can for immediately tossing the junk mail. Closet-door or wall hooks encourage coat and bag hanging rather than dumping. If you have children, try to give each a basket in the closet for hats and gloves. It's nice to have a chair or bench for changing shoes, a mirror for last-minute lipstick checks, and a lamp or sconces for warm light.I love this tip, I am forever wondering what to do with all the CRAP that the kids and hubby bring in the door.  We don't have a mudroom so our kitchen turns into the storage for all the junk, muddy shoes, cow pie smelling socks and whatever else My man and rug-rats bring in the back door.  And the front seems to be just as messy, we get shoes piled up (like we are Payless or something).  Organizing all these spaces would help my brain function!

2. Your Happy PlaceMake this room as comfortable and inviting as possible by bringing in some real furniture like an armchair or a sofa if you have the space. A little lamp on the counter or decorative hanging light can set the mood. Stools are great perches and can easily be moved around. Don't forget to bring your personality and style into this room: hang some art or display a collection of family photos in mixed frames. Consider bold, happy colors in the kitchen as well, like brightly colored pots and pans, big bowls for corralling fruits and vegetables, and trays for spices, oils, teas and pepper mills.

3. Be Party-Ready All the Time!Scent: The first thing you notice about a home is how it smells. Use naturally fragrant cleaning products. If you find a scented candle or fresh potpourri you love, stock up on it. Any scent you like, whether perfume or linen spray, can be used on upholstery, bedding or just spritzed into the air.
Isn't that funny!  I usually do notice how people's homes smell. In fact ... totally off subject, but when I was little my mom's friend came over and I asked her if she was pregnant..... She was and hadn't told anyone that.  I knew because she smelled like a hospital... CRAZY I know, but my sniffer works pretty well. HA HA!  I love the different smells of people's homes, and it must be genetic because my kids can tell who sends them packages by the smell, or if someone is at our home they know because of how it smells....okay so maybe we are a bit ODD! But I think I already knew that!

Mood: Nice, flattering light makes us feel good. So nix the harsh, direct light from overhead fixtures in favor of the softer glow from floor and table lamps. Also, stock up on some votive candles and a couple of hurricane lanterns for setting around the room.Good advice, we love lamps...although we don't have very many of them!  But we are always turning on lamps and turning off the lights.  I am not a bright light fan, ask my kids... I like to brush my teeth in the dark, I like to shower in the dark.  When the kids start turning on lights in the morning I follow and flick them back off.  Can't we enjoy some darkness people!!! Yes this may have something to do with why I wanna live in ALASKA!
Food: Devote space in your pantry or on a shelf for go-to party essentials: crackers, dip, chips, nuts—whatever you like to serve. Keep on hand a collection of attractive bowls and cocktail napkins, and you'll be able to set a spread—instantly!I love this idea to have it on hand. We aren't the hosting type, but I like to be prepared and pretty platters and dishes are my favorite things!

Drink: The simplest and chicest thing is to have a drinks tray or table always set up. Include a mix of pretty glasses, an ice bucket, a lovely pitcher, and bottles of soda and water. When the bell rings, just add ice and limes.Good idea, although it would require a bit more room than we have available :)
That about sums it up, although I need to look up BOHEMIAN... (fearing that search).... I like what they said.  And like my friend's post, mine wasn't exactly right, but a lot of things were SPOT on.  I will have to take that into consideration as I slowly....ever so slowly create the spaces in our home that I want.  
So what's your Official Style name?

     Welcome to Up Chaos Creek!  I am starting this blog to have a place to vent, to discover, to learn and to grow.  As I attempt to build paddles and steer my life down the course I want it to go.  I may lose a paddle or pick up a few paddlers to help along the way :)  But it's all about the journey right?  I am slowly discovering that the JOY is in the JOURNEY!  With five kiddos, a hot hubby and our "farm" life (did I mention I really do have a creek? yep in my back yard!) we really do have chaos, constantly. But we manage, somehow, someway, to make it through each day!

     We'll introduce the Fam, as I'm sure they'll be a major part of this blog.  Helping me build our paddles, or lose our paddles, or getting whacked with the paddles (ha ha ha!).  That hot husband there...Sorry he's very much taken!  We'll call him Hank, because that's what his mom calls him :).  Our oldest Sue is in college and becoming a beautiful woman!  She's an amazing girl and we are so proud of all she's accomplished.  Next comes Bud, the band boy, yep he loves band, most easy going kid ever.  He's a ham and a great help.  Then comes Josephina aka Jo, she's an old soul in a little body, too smart for her own good, and wise beyond her years.  Fourth, Buckwheat...he's full of life, crazy, fun, wacky and wild.  Everything a little boy should be.  Last but certainly not least, Peanut.  She's cute as a button and quick as a whip.  She and Buckwheat make quite a pair, and if it's quiet.....RUN!!! Cause troubles a brewin'!  Well that's us, living, loving, and laughing UP this CHAOS CREEK! I hope you check back often and feel inspired, empowered and motivated to build your own paddles!  P.S. Leave me a comment! I'd love to hear your thoughts or ideas!