Adventures in Dissection
April 3rd, 2010 by mariahbuckBrandon had his first dissection in Biology several weeks ago. (it took me a while to post about it) It is so funny to think back at his past feelings about dissections vs his feelings now. If you asked him last year, or even at the beginning of this year how he felt about the fact he would be doing it, he would have told you that it was gross and that he didn’t want to do it. But the weeks leading up to his first dissection, he was counting down the days!
D-day finally arrived (dissection day.) I can just see Brandon shaking his head at this corny joke. haha. Sorry Brandon. Anyway, I was able to snap some pictures. He was a little embarrassed that I came into his class to take pics, but I told him he didn’t have a choice. I tried to snap a few shots and leave, as not to embarrass him too bad. Later that day, after the dissection was over he asked my why I didn’t stay and take pics of the whole thing. I guess I missed “the best part.” Can’t win 
After the dissection was over a couple of kids got to make a clay model of what they learned. Here is Brandon and Artie’s model. As a side note - Brandon is doing so, so good in biology! He is the youngest in his class and it is a class geared at 9th grade and above. He really seems to like it, especially now that they have started to do the dissections. In class they often have verbal quizzes and review tests. Brandon has been nicknamed “textbook” because he seems to always know the answer.A nickname that he is proud to have.
After dissections, Brandon called me over to snap a couple of pictures of his clay model. After taking the picture, he accidentally knocked my camera out of my hands and it broke! Yes - it broke! Sigh. Luckily I was able to get it repaired and now I will be able to take many more embarrassing pictures of Brandon in class. Life is good!
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Yay! Photo additions!
January 2nd, 2010 by mariahbuckWe have finally figured out the program to add pics back to the blog. Here are a bunch to catch things up..
Brandon and Tyler: July - December
Jeremiah: July - December
July (still bruised and blue from birth) 
August 
September 
October 
November 
December 
Posted in Brandon, Growing up, Jeremiah, The boys, Thoughts by Mariah, Tyler, homeschool || 1 Comment
Giving Thanks
November 28th, 2008 by MariahAs I sit here this Thanksgiving morning, I am humbled at all I have to be thankful for. It has really been a tough year. But through God’s grace and mercy I believe that each member of our family has grown in our faith and that we have grown closer as a family.
As I look back to January’s posts on this blog. We were overjoyed to know that we were expecting a baby. I was consumed with all the details. Should I give birth in a hospital or birth center? How will Tyler do with another sibling? Brandon? What will my baby look like? I imagined everyday what it would be like to hold my baby, snuggle him or her.. And we had Tyler’s birthday. My “baby” turned two. He was just starting to talk to the point you could understand. I was loving being a mom. Brandon and Tyler were getting along well. Shaun and I were happy. All the world was right.
As if it couldn’t get any better, in February, the Hussey family moved to Idaho. I don’t know who was more excited, the kids or the adults. The Husseys were at our house or we were at their house at least once a week. Most of the time, it was 2 or 3 times per week. The cousins were together, and the “Bucksseys” were born.
Then in March we lost baby Riley. God chose to take our baby to be with Him. What devastation! I could never have imagined a hurt like that! But, in hindsight, I could have never imagined the grace that would be so evident. The Hussey’s had been here for 1 month. Before that, we had no one. No family. Nothing. We had a friend or two, but when a tragedy happens to you, you want your family. God supplied family for us just when we would need it the most! There was also grace knowing our Lord and Savior through all of this. I don’t know how anyone could survive something like this without Christ. While it still hurts, I am so thankful that our baby’s days were clearly “written in His book.” God, in his sovereignty, had a plan for our precious baby. His plan was for our baby to be conceived and for me to have the pleasure of carrying him or her for only a short time. God’s plan had always been for Riley to go from my womb straight to Heaven. Never having to endure the trials, pain and hardships of this world. I am thankful for that.
I am also thankful for healing. This year I had a D&C, I broke my foot and I broke my thumb. I am thankful that God designed our bodies the way that He did. I am so thankful for healing!
I am also thankful for the right to home school Brandon here in Idaho. Brandon has been a blessing this past year. (he is every year, but especially this past year!) I am sad that we didn’t get to talk to him today. We called but couldn’t reach him. :( I hope that he knows how much he is loved. We miss him and can’t wait for him to come home! I am thankful that Brandon knows the Lord and that he was baptized last month. I am thankful that he loves his dad and that they have a great relationship. I am thankful that he got to spend Thanksgiving with his mom, brothers and step dad. I pray a fun and great time for memories!
I am thankful for my relationship with my husband. He and I have always been close, but I believe that through the trials this year; we have become even closer. He is my best friend in the whole world. There is not another whom I love more. I am thankful for how hard he works for our family. I am thankful for the fun we have together. I am thankful that we are content to watch tv together at home or to go to the movies.. Whatever. We just have fun. I am thankful for the man that God is creating in my husband. And I am thankful for his sillieness. he makes me smile and I love that.
I am thankful for Tyler. He is a wild and crazy boy who challenges my patience every day, but makes me laugh and smile 2x more. Tyler is all grown up - if you ask him. He can go potty by himself (for the most part) and I am thankful for that! He loves his mommy, daddy and big brother so much. I am thankful that we have started preschool and Tyler loves it. He is a smart boy who craves knowledge. I pray that that never ends. I pray that my boy grows to know our Savior. I am thankful for our family.
I am also thankful for our newest baby. I am due somewhere around July 19th. I am loving carrying this baby. Although I can not really feel any of the positive aspects of pregnancy yet, I am simply thankful for the privledg to be expecting another gift from God. I love this baby so much. I can not wait to meet him or her. I pray that God’s plan includes us meeting our baby and that he or she will grow up to know Him.
I am so thankful this year. I am thankful for my God. Without Him, there would be nothing for which to give thanks. I feel so blessed. My prayer is that my family and I remember all the blessings that God gives us each day. That we are thankful and we do not take them for granted.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted in Brandon, Life in Idaho, My Hubby, Pregnancy, The boys, Thoughts by Mariah, Tyler, cousins, homeschool || No Comments
Africa Exhibit at the Zoo
October 26th, 2008 by Mariah
The new africa Exhibit has FINALLY opened at our zoo. We have been waiting anxiously to see the giraffe. Up until now, our zoo has not had a giraffe. They have been building a whole exhibit around his arrival. So, on opening day, the boys and I headed out to the zoo. It was a great day. The zoo was not very crowded. The trees had begun to change to the Autumn colors. It was great! Check out the “photo album” of the blog for all the pics.
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Harvest
October 24th, 2008 by Mariah
Alright, we have FINALLY been bearing some fruit from our garden. This was our first time planting, and I haven’t really known what I have been doing. Short of the random squash here or the random tomato there, we haven’t gotten much. We came back from vacation and Brandon noticed some monster veggies in our garden. I think I have found the secret to gardening - go on vacation!
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I am woman, hear me roar!
September 14th, 2008 by MariahWell, the school year is officially in! Each year as I prepare curriculum, that old familiar feeling of inadequacy and fear starts to return. Am I doing the right thing? Am I capable? How do I homeschool a 7th grader and tend to a wild 2 year old? Each year there is much discussion between Shaun and I, and each year there are tears. This year was no exception. You see, I have this horrible habit of thinking I can do it all. I don’t need any help. I am (homeschool) woman - hear me roar. Boy do I have it wrong! Each time that I feel the sense of dread and inadequacy, I come to realize/remember (usually after many tears) that I am not
capable. In fact, I am quite incapable. I have everything to fear. When I do not cast my cares on Christ, when I depend on myself; I fail every time! “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 I also understand this to mean that-I can do nothing without Christ for He is my strength. So after much confession, prayer and forgiveness from our Holy Father, here we go again. Homeschool year # 5. SEVENTH GRADE!!!!
This year I have started a curriculum called Konos. It is a Christian curriculum that is set up in unit study form. Every lesson is based on a Godly character trait. I have heard many great things about this curriculum including it’s ability to involve younger children. There are so many hands on things, not all just book study. I thought this might be right up Brandon’s alley! So far, week 2 and I think I was right.
The first unit is a 10 week study on the human body and the character trait is cooperation. So far I have traced Brandon’s body on a giant piece of butcher paper, he drew all of his internal organs, colored them and taped them to his picture. It was a lot of fun. He liked it, it was hands on, and Tyler joined in. I don’t think Tyler can tell you where his spleen is, but now Brandon can. :) *He said that it looks like broccoli, so he colored it green* That’s the goofy boy we all know.
We also leared all of the parts of a cell. Brandon and Tyler also made a clay model of an animal cell. Brandon really, really liked that! Notice the nacho cheese on his face. That’s right, we are homeschoolers baby!
The project that both of the boys found to be the yummiest, most fun, was the edible cell. We made a cell from jello, chocolat chip cookie dough, mike & ike’s and sprinkles. Then the boys feasted on on their cells…YUM!
Click to see - the edible cell
Each year as we continue on this homeschool journey, I feel as though God is continually refining both Brandon and I. He has been so merciful, so forgiving and He has shown His grace time and time again. It is through homeschool that I feel as though God has REALLY grown Brandon and I close. We get to laugh and joke and have fun learning together. I learn patience, Brandon learns forgiveness (for all the times my patience is short.) Although it is not all fun and games and edible cells; I thank God for the pleasure of teaching my kids at home.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
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Posted in Brandon, Life in Idaho, The boys, Thoughts by Mariah, Tyler, homeschool || 3 Comments