Homeschool Mother's Journal #2

In my life this week...

I was having "ear" trouble again.  Fluid building up in my inner ear and Eustachian tube and causing a lot of pain.  I went on steroids and am feeling much better.  My doctor is going to help me with preventative measures here on out.  I actually lost part of my hearing for a few days which was VERY  disconcerting.  

In our homeschool this week...

We schooled through my ear issues.  My kiddos were great about it.  We are continuing with My Father's World Exploring Countries and Cultures.  There are many things I really like about this year and some I don't.  I am thinking of making some changes for next year and began testing them out on my kiddos (ie: download samples and see what draws the kiddos in).  

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share...

Don't be afraid to let go of things that aren't working.  I LOVE My Father's World so much but I just don't think the books for next year will appeal to my kiddos.  They don't really appeal to me and I've learned after 13 years of homeschooling that it has to work for you as much as it works for your kiddos.  

I am inspired by...

My daughter, she is creative and loving.  I love to watch her rock her babies and hum to them.  She inspires me to be a better mom.

My favorite thing this week was...

having great friends to talk "homeschool" stuff with.  

What's working/not working for us...

Working - menu planning

Not working - sticking to the menu when you are sick and hubby has to work late

Questions/thoughts I have…

Looking at Biblioplan for next year.  Any one have any experience with it?

Things I’m working on…

Getting my scrapbook "stuff" organized for an upcoming scrapbooking weekend.  I can't wait!!

I’m reading…

One Bite at a Time by Tsh Oxenreider 

I’m cooking…

I'm going to try a couple things from Pinterest.  Love that place.  Follow me here: Pinterest

I’m grateful for…

Good friends.  Friends that watch your kiddos b/c you have to go to the dr.  Friends who bring your kiddo home with them cause you can't get to PE in time to pick them up.  Friends who have already finished their lunch but stay at the restaurant so you can come eat with them.  I'm really blessed.

I’m praying for…

My husband.  I'm doing the 31 Days to Pray for your Spouse challenge this January.  

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

This is my baby girl Eleanor.

  I was never a cat person till this little rescue darling came into our lives.

  Now I just love her so very much.  

She is cuddly.

She is sweet.

She is my baby. 

3 in 30 January update #2

1. Walk!  I was sick much of this week but Thursday FINALLY started to feel better (thankful for strong meds!) so my daughter and I ran bunches of errands and tried to park farther out so we would at least get that for exercise.  :)  Now we try to be more purposeful.  I promised her a walk for just the two of us this weekend. 

2.  Blog at least once a week.  Last week I did 3 but all on one day. It certainly counts as at least once a week but I would like to spread that out.

3. Bible Study - finish my James Bible study.  Still making progress, not as much this week as my head felt like I was trapped in a bucket. :)  Since I am doing this study on my own I don't have the accountability of a group and I do miss that. 

Homeschool Mother's Journal #1

In my life this week...

A fresh start!  I love nothing better than a fresh start.  New planners, tweaked schedules, clean house, fresh journal, new pens.  My Hubby had the day off on Monday so we started back to school officially on Tuesday.  I HATED getting up to an alarm, after three weeks of vacation from a schedule, but was actually looking forward to having a routine again.  The kiddos had been bored and bickering much of the last week, so Mommy prescribed ROUTINE and schedules.  Most of the time I was glad to be back to normal, though I miss sleeping in.    

In our homeschool this week...

The kiddos were surprisingly content to get back to our school schedule.  Shocked is putting it mildly.  We are doing MFW ECC this year and covered France (which my daughter is madly in love with - 8 years old and calls Paris, "my place").  One thing I like about MFW is that I can double up weeks without much trouble.  I got a little behind in late November and early December.  We hadn't taken a break since August and I was tired.  We are also taking a break from Latin for a bit.  I find that I tend to do either Latin or Grammar in a day and not both...Grammar and Writing really needs to be our focus right now.  

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share...

The more you plan the more flexible you can be.  I know where we are and where I want to be.  I know that I want to be done by May 1st and I know what it will take to get us there.  Because of all the planning I do in advance I know that I can drop a day here and there for field trips and sick days and not give it a second thought.  No stress if we miss cause I've got a plan.

I am inspired by...

Pinterest - seriously has given me some great ideas this last month.  I've gotten more done, been more creative, cooked more, baked more than normal.  I love all the ideas.

My favorite thing this week was...

My new favorite pen.  I talk it about it on this page.

What's working/not working for us...

Working - being on a schedule again

Not working - getting up earlier, I am struggling with this.

Questions/thoughts I have…

Has anyone used The Picture Smart Bible Curriculum?  

Things I’m working on…

Knitting a baby blanket for a friend who is having a baby

I’m reading…

The Host - by Stephanie Meyers.  I know, roll your eyes.  It is not quality lit but it is a good syfy story.

I’m cooking…

A lot of Pioneer Woman recipes.  OH.MY.GOODNESS!  Makes me look like a cooking genius.

I’m grateful for…

A healthy family, see below 

I’m praying for…

My son and daughter-in-love's Pastor and wife lost their only child this week.  She was only 3 years old and was in rejection from a heart transplant.  They have been fighting this rejection for over a year.  She was running around happy just a few weeks ago...so hard.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

The link I want share is for this Homeschool Mother's Journal link up.  Join us!!!

Favorite Things Friday

My Favorite Things from this week:

1. My new Erin Condren Life Planner.  I'm putting together a post soon that will detail my actual planner and how I use it to organize my life.

2.  My new favorite pens.  Pilot Frixion Erasable Gel pens.  Sam @ Sam's Noggin (one of my favorite blogs) mentioned them and I fell in love.  I've already purchased 7 packages of them this week, that seems excessive, but really it's not.  Really! Trust me!  :)

3. Homeschooling with the new IPAD - math drill is so much more fun with apps than flashcards.

4. Clean & Declutter Calander - I'm pretty compulsive with my decluttering.  BUT life gets in the way and then I get overwhelmed so this handy dandy little calendar will help me get to the entire house this year.  Ahhhhh, schedules make me happy.

5.  My sweet family - oh my they are precious to me.  My husband works so hard to take care of us and invest in the Spiritual lives of our kids and he would do anything for me.  My son and daughter-in-law have had a really hard week - a death in their church family.  My two younger ones - GREAT attitudes with school this week and trying to practice self-control.

It's been a good week.

3 in 30 - January update

My first 3 in 30 Goals and my first update. ;)  It wasn't as good as I had hoped but I am just getting started.

1. Walk!  My daughter and I were going to start walking and we managed to do it exactly ZERO times.  Ugh!  Must get better at this.  I have all sorts of excuses but the bottom line is that there is no reason why I can't squeeze in 30 minutes to do this.  Must be more accountable.

2.  Blog.  I wanted to post at least once a week (vs the once every few months I was doing)  and voila - here is my once a week.  :)  I have two other posts planned for this weekend.

3. Bible Study - finish my James Bible study.  Working on this and making good progress.  It is a fab study and I am learning so much.  Good stuff.

3 in 30 Goals

I am joining the 3 in 30 Blog link this year.  Each month I will select 3 goals for the month and work on those specific areas for the month.

1. Walk!  Olivia and I have decided to start walking in the mornings.  We are going to start small and build up b/c I've been having a lot of issues with my knee.  

2.  Blog.  I'm going to blog at least once a week.

3. Bible Study - finish my James Bible study.

I'll post my progress. :)

My Blog Has a New Name

I renamed my blog. :)  I needed a change and I am really happy with it.  Expresses "me" a little bit more as I am all about "getting my ducks in a row."

I've joined some blog links and hope to be posting at least weekly and maybe even more.  Kind of my goal this year to blog more.  More on this soon.