The Hodges Homestead

A few pictures from our very eventful month. I realize Hunt isn't in any of these... he's going through an un-photogenic phase.




What a whirl-wind December for our family! It was a memorable one for sure, filled with Christmas parties, family, friends, FOOD...oh my...so much food, and most importantly the celebration of the birth of our Savior.

We spent most of our Christmas Eve and Christmas in Coweta at the family's cattle ranch. My momma and stepdad were in Dallas, so we celebrated with them the previous week. We traditionally have steak/prime rib for Christmas Eve dinner followed by games and fellowship. The kids always open ONE gift, although this year I think they talked us into THREE. We read the story of Jesus' birth from the Bible, and of course "The Night Before Christmas." Then Santa goes to work. Dave and I enjoyed getting the gifts ready, complete with stomping around and ringing bells outside the kids' bedroom window.

The next day after gifts were opened and MORE food was eaten, we went to my Dad's to exchange MORE gifts and eat MORE food. I got to meet my stepbrother and some of Shelley's family we hadn't met before. That sounds strange to say, since I have known Shelley nearly my whole life -- everyone was lovely. After that, we traveled to Sand Springs, to spend time with Stephanie and The Harrison family. They always make us feel part of the family and right at home. By the time we got home, unloaded our 5 bodies, 3 dogs, and car full of gifts, we couldn't get in bed fast enough!

The next morning, I woke up early ready to "conquer the beast" a.k.a. take down the Christmas decorations. When I decide I'm done with something, I'm REALLY done, so down they came! I spent the day organizing and putting away gifts, but did take a break to have lunch and a pedicure with Susan and Ady -- it was a much needed treat!

I didn't really intend to take 2 full weeks off of school, but we really have needed them. Teaching was beginning to feel like a chore, and I intend to spend the rest of the week re-vamping my curriculum and getting a better attitude. We will ease back into studies mid-next week. Of course, we have been working on a few subjects everyday to keep everything fresh.

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy New Year. We actually have plans to go out for the first time EVER!!! Looking forward to it for sure! Next week's post... New Year's Resolutions!!!

It's that time of year again...


Dear Family and Friends,

We hope this letter finds you looking forward to Christmas as much as we are! Here is recap on our past year:

Dave is still employed at Superior Pipeline. He was recently promoted to Senior Gas Representative, which is one hop away from his career goal of being a manager by the age of 30. This is his fourth promotion since starting at Superior three years ago (I feel like I can brag about him, since he isn’t writing this). God continues to reward, bless, and provide, and we are constantly reminded that we are in God’s economy. He really enjoys his job along with the extra perks of travel and golf. We are blessed that his job allows him to be at home every night and give us three-day weekends every week.

Adyson (5) began Kindergarten in mid-August. As her teacher, I can say that she is a very bright student and an excellent role model to her younger brothers. She is currently playing her third season on the Pixie Kicks soccer team, takes ballet/tap/jazz, and can’t wait to go outside and play with her friends until sundown. She loves to paint, is learning to read, and has an extremely kind, warm heart.

Cade (3) is our family’s source of entertainment. He is hilarious, and he knows it. He is strong, athletic, energetic, and has a jubilant spirit. Cade’s favorite activities are riding bikes, watching the Texas Rangers (preferably in-person), and playing outside with siblings and friends. He is benefiting the most from the discipline and structure of our home school education, and he loves having his best friend, Ady, here all day!

Hunter (20 months) is our easy-going guy. He has made massive strides this year that include growing to the 50th+ percentile, walking, sleeping through the night, using sign language, and talking. In early Fall, he transitioned into sharing a room with Cade, and it has made our nights so much more restful. It has been a joy to see his personality develop this past year. He still has no idea that he is the youngest child!

In May, I became a full time stay-at-home mom! Our family has adapted to a much simpler lifestyle, and it is such a privilege to witness every moment of everyday with my children. I still enjoy girls’ nights with my girlfriends, Sunday dinner with our extended family, and staying connected with our MCA family. In July, I traveled alone to Destin, FL, for the nuptials of our high school friends – what a treat!

With a big family vacation on the horizon, and Dave’s return to school for an additional degree – we are expecting 2012 to be an exciting year for our family! We look forward to hearing from each of you! Merry Christmas!

With love,

Dave, Allie, Adyson, Cade, and Hunter Hodges

One of the many reasons I decided to home school was to foster the bond between my children. Being at the the very most 27 months apart, I wanted to give them the opportunity to spend time together, share special moments, teach each other, grow together, and learn compassion and empathy for each other. These are lessons I would expect them to have with any special friend, but are crucial to a healthy family.

I can see how easy it would be for a large family to become disconnected and dysfunctional. This time last year, we were 5 people going in 5 different directions. We were tired, stressed, and not content -- EVER. The stress Dave and I were feeling was being transmitted to the kids, without a doubt. As a parent, I sometimes find it difficult to meet everyone's needs. By having all my children with me each day, they have learned "it takes an army." I remind them daily that it's one of me, verses 3 of them. They have learned to have more patience and as a result, be more self -sufficient when needed. We all work as a team.

Yesterday was one of those days. Yesterday, my brother came home from Kuwait after a 4 month deployment. We took the morning off from "school" to go to the airport and welcome him home. We worked together to decorate signs, and talked more about why Bob was there. It was an invaluable lesson for them. Because we spent most of the day with our family, we still didn't really have time to fit in our "real" lessons during school hours. Instead, we worked them in throughout the evening, outside of our classroom. It's a family affair.

I can't help but think back to the stress and chaos we were dealing with this time last year, and I am so thankful we have chosen a more simple life for our family, even if it gives Dave and I a little more stress in other areas -- its nothing like before. It forces us to be creative, and that isn't always a bad thing. All day long, I thank God for his blessings. I do my best to not take a single one for granted. Sometimes all it takes is throwing on those breaks a little and enjoying the moment.

This morning we had an unexpected surprise show up on our doorstep. Literally. About halfway through our lesson on The Desert Climate, the mail-lady showed up with a package.

It's always a big event at our house -- we see her through our big picture window in the classroom each morning. The kids race out to the mailbox to see if anything is for them. It's a race that Cade always wins, but he's not tall enough to get the mail out of the box, so Ady has to help him.

Anyway, the box was from my brother Bob who is deployed to Kuwait. I was expecting a package, but had absolutely no idea what was inside. Ady yelled out, "I bet it's sand!!!." (that's about all she knows about Kuwait) It wasn't. Inside were three stuffed camels, traditional husband and wife head wear, and money. Impeccable timing. I had camels and desert clothing already worked into my lesson plan.

This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Last week while doing a fossil/erosion/sedimentary rock lesson, we went outside to look for some leaves and other things to make "fossils" with. While searching the dried up creek bed (which might I add, was not dried up the previous week or any other time we have looked in there) next to our house, we found SEVERAL real fossils and tons of exposed eroded sedimentary rock. This just wouldn't happen (as frequently anyway) in a "typical" classroom setting.

This is our confirmation that we are right where we are supposed to be. When God first placed the idea of homeschooling in my heart, I was resistant and full of doubt. As I opened up to the idea and began to pray and learn more, I still wasn't totally convinced we were in line with His will. The beginning was rocky, we struggled to find our groove (and I struggled with boundaries and patience). Each day that goes by I get better at what I do, Ady and Cade amaze me at what they can absorb, and He continues to affirm and reward us for our obedience.

We had a fun-filled Labor Day weekend -- hope your family did too! We kicked off our weekend in Stillwater, tailgating and catching up with old friends. It was miserably hot! We embraced it, and had a really great time. We had an epiphany this weekend: our kids our easy now. We were thinking back about how difficult that trip would have been the previous year (or any of the previous 5 years for that matter). Everyone had a good time. No one cried. No one complained. We were astonished. Maybe we are over that "hump"? Or maybe we got lucky ;)



Sunday we had a Family Fun Day Planned at Hodges Ranch. We spend most of our Sundays (especially in the summer) out in Coweta at Grammy and Papa's cattle ranch. This week, Papa had some beautiful yellow wildflowers growing in the pasture. I had to take the opportunity to capture them, even though I edited the pictures in black and white.



Cade always insists on a tractor ride with Papa, and Papa always obliges. These two are Two Peas in a Pod! They like to wear matching hats and work gloves. Hunt even has a pair too!


Monday, we took advantage of the B-Eautiful weather and took a 4 mile walk on Riverside. It was just gorgeous outside. Thank you God for Fall weather!

Monday morning we were informed of the unexpected passing of a friend, Ja Gibson (a classmate of mine and former co-worker of Dave's). Our hearts have been aching for his wife Joni, their little girl, and his whole family. Please pray for comfort and peace for their family while they go through this. It was difficult knowing that while our family was making memories of a lifetime, theirs was going through the unimaginable. Ja touched the lives of many, and will be missed immensely. We are praying for you Gibson family!

Today was a big day for us! We said goodbye to Hunter's surfer mop, and hello to a more sophisticated look.





God Bless Mr. Will At Kutz 4 Kids -- this poor little guy gave him grief! It was worth it to this mommy, who was tired of taking pictures with hair in his eyes!

What I have learned so far:

1. I have a 3 hour window (interruptions included) to get things done. If it takes longer than that, it's a lost cause. Ady would not survive a full day kindergarten schedule. Her capacity to learn is over by noon.
   
2. There is a fine line between mom and teacher. Yes, I am always mom, but in the classroom I have a dual role. I am having a hard time with both. Yes, it's ok if she sits in my lap when we are reading, even that's not something that would go on in a typical school -- I love that part. But, it's NOT okay to roll all over the floor during the Bible lesson. Also, I think I get a lot more "resistance" about certain lessons than a typical teacher would. It's vital that she retain her classroom skills in our non-traditional setting. She will need them again soon.
3. Although we had tons of social interaction during the summer, we are a little lonely now that all our friends are back in school. We may need to get involved in another weekday activity -- if it's not enough for me, it's not enough for her.
   
4. Our curriculum is extremely challenging in Science, World Cultures, and Language Arts, but not in Math. We are using Horizons, and I probably did not do enough research on it. I just purchased what came with the Sonlight Core package. We have decided to work through our math more quickly, and I will purchase more when we are done.
   
5. We do not get anything done when Hunter is in the classroom. Luckily, we have the flexibility to work around him. Instead of starting our lessons immediately after breakfast, we do our chores first and begin when Hunter takes his first nap.
   
6. The lessons being taught outside the classroom are just as vital as what happens inside of it. The bond being formed among Ady and her brothers right now is invaluable. No, they don't always get along, but they are getting to know each others learning styles, strengths, and weaknesses. Ady and Cade are able to facilitate learning between each other, their imaginative play is constantly ongoing, and they value their time together much more. When I dropped Ady off at dance last week, Cade was so concerned that we were leaving Ady there. Even though I reassured him we would go back to get her, he just wanted to stay and watch.
   
7. Some days, we just aren't feeling it. Luckily, the 1:1 classroom ratio allows us to stay so far ahead that skipping a day here and there will not put anyone behind.
8. Although I never took our time at Metro for granted, I questioned whether paying $7000 for Kindergarten was worth it. Without question, it is. What a job our teachers and administration have! I have a new found appreciation for what they do each day -- what a difficult job!
9. Cade has an unlimited television capacity. Typical boy! He could sit in front of that thing all day if I'd let him. I can't wait until it cools down, and we can do more things outside. I am a little limited with what I can do with him, he can only pay attention for so long. When I'm busy with Ady, he has a habit of sneaking off to watch TV. I joke that he's on a "TV binge", but I do my best to limit his intake.
10. Our whole family is benefiting from this experience. We have so many stories to tell Daddy when he gets home! The boys also get to nap regularly (and completely). I have not had to wake a boy up from a nap at all this year! Ady gets so worn out, that she naps most days too! I love seeing those "light bulbs" turn on when a new skill is mastered, and feel a huge sense of accomplishment when the day is done.
    

Today was Ady's first day of kindergarten.

As many of our friends and family know, we take our children's education very seriously around here. MCA is pretty close to perfect for our family. I know what your thinking, she's only 4... this is only Kindergarten, but Ady has been on waiting lists at nearly every potential, desirable Christian private school at some point in her life. Metro was our "dream school", and we were blessed by God's provision for her. We made the pain-staking decision to leave back in January, and I have been agonizing over what to do next.

One day about 6 weeks ago, I woke up and decided I wanted to run a half marathon.

Hi. I am Allison. I am 25, and a Cookbook Addict. I hoard them in the cabinets above my breakfast bar. I cram them in there so tightly that someday very soon one will slide out, rendering me (or God forbid a child) helpless. Not only do I hoard cookbooks, but individual recipes out of magazines, newspapers, etc. are also fair game. I have no method to my madness -- they too are folded up in the madness of that cupboard, peeking out, wrinkled, and barely legible. I have a problem. It's self-destructive. It's organized chaos (that's the denial talking). I have a few favorites, and a few more I just look at for the pretty pictures. I have saved every issue of Taste of Home magazine since Grandma Betty started subscribing for me 5 years ago.

Here's what is going on at The Hodges 5:

So you might notice some changes on the blog. One of my goals for this year has been to update the look of the blog. This is a huge undertaking, since I know NOTHING about what that really means. I don't like templates. I don't know code. I am experimenting, and trying some new things. I am not overjoyed with the current look, but it's an improvement. Bear with me, while I get in touch with my techy side...

Today I blog with a crying baby in the background... a baby that is crying not because he is hungry, wet, or tired. Hunter is crying because he is SPOILED!!! I have ruined this one already ;) Where did I go wrong!?!