In my life this week…
Remember that little girl at the playground in the pretty dress spinning around and and around and around in circles until she falls over with dizziness and giggles? That would be me this week, minus the pretty dress and the giggles. I feel like I've been spinning and accomplishing so little. I look back and can see that I got a lot done this week, but I also see the long list of things that never got accomplished. My husband keeps telling me that I over-plan. My to-do lists are impossible for any one person to complete in a day's time (or a week's time sometimes). I should listen to him and start chopping them in half every single time. It would leave me feeling so much more positive about myself. In fact, that should be at the top of each to-do list so I can cross it off. "Chop list in half." Check.
In our homeschool this week…
We began our week with our co-op. We have to drive about 40 minutes to get to it. It is honestly so worth the drive. We go once a month. The kids are taking speech, writing/poetry, and science/art. I'm currently assisting in Ava's speech class and Lukas' science/art class (they alternate each month), and I've happily volunteered to help in the pre-k/K class also. These homeschooling moms really, really plan. I am so impressed with the teaching I have been able to observe so far. No one is just throwing something together all in the name of "socialization." Everyone is doing their part by preparing their classes and conducting them professionally and with ease. There are so many experienced homeschoolers, several who have graduated kids. It is a rich place to glean wisdom from more experienced homeschooling moms. I'm so glad we joined this co-op! We are having so much fun!
I especially enjoy that I get to be in class with each of my kids. During Ava's class, I'm watching her as she gets to know some of the kids since she previously only knew one friend in the class. She is being challenged in her reading and speaking skills. I love it. She is doing so very well.
Lukas is getting along too well in his class. I waffled about trying to decide which age group suited him best (parents of 11 yr olds got to choose since there were so many of them) and finally decided to put him with 11-14 year olds when another mom pointed out that, at our organizational meeting, he was hanging out with the older boys. Oy. I'm so proud of him. It's bittersweet to watch your child mature and come into their own. He is being quite successful with the older kids, and he is fitting in socially as well!
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
Do a load of laundry in the morning before school starts. Do a second load after lunch, and a third load immediately when school ends. If only I could stick to this bit of homeschooling wisdom. ;)
I am inspired by…
Autumn landscapes. Appalachian Ohio is gorgeous right now, truly breath taking.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
We are blessed to celebrate the wedding of a couple with whom we attend church tomorrow afternoon. After church on Sunday, we're going to enjoy our county's fall farm and foliage tour which sounds rather nerdy but is actually completely awesome. Our whole family enjoyed a peaceful, relaxing afternoon on the tour last year, and the kids have been asking to go again since the first cool air blew fall our direction.
My favorite thing this week was…
It's a big deal for me to say this, but my favorite thing this week was science. If you really know me well, you can pick up your jaw off the ground. I remember that I vaguely enjoyed studying biology in high school, but I guess I didn't remember how much I enjoy botany. Today, we set up a germination experiment and did another experiment looking for pigments in leaves using coffee filters. It didn't work. In fact, I might be scientifically challenged when it comes to experiments that actually work the way they're supposed to (and we've used several science curricula over the years, so I can assure you that it is me, not the curriculum). However, I just don't care. We're having fun!
What’s working/not working for us…
Oy. I'm not sleeping enough, and that is causing everything to be off-kilter. This household needs a rested mama if it's going to run smoothly.
Questions/thoughts I have…
To trick-or-treat or not to trick-or-treat? That is the question. Some Christians are so completely convicted that they should have no participation. Others don't give it a second thought and fully embrace the day. Others go middle-of-the-road and choose an alternative option. How about you? What does your family choose and why?
Things I’m working on…
Remembering that, in the long run, our children will graduate from high school not really remembering when they became fluent readers, and that the progress my child makes in her school work is more important than how she measures up to her peers even though other parents don't agree. Peers don't matter. She is who God created her to be. She is learning so much right now, and I am so proud of her.
I’m reading…
I just finished reading Sarah's Key. Oh my. It was eye opening. It's definitely not my normal kind of reading. I learned so much about the cruelties of this world. Read this holocaust era book. It will paint vivid pictures in your mind, but you will be better because of it.
I’m cooking…
Pampered Chef recipes for my new business. Tonight I made a ham and cheese calzone with a delicious salad consisting of romaine, apples, craisins, walnuts, and cheddar cheese which I doused with a little apple cider vinegar (the family used syrupy salad dressings). Yum!
I’m grateful for…
My husband's presence in our lives. This is a long story that I will some day share more vividly. It's not what you think. It's...a miracle.
I’m praying for…
Someone I love is going through a difficult marital situation. Join me in praying for this couple.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
Click on the box at the top of this post to join us or to read what other moms have written in their journals!
I loved reading this! You have a way with words, and I felt like I knew you even though this is the first time I've come by.
ReplyDeleteI like your laundry advice...yes if only we could stick to these guidelines all would be good. There have been days where I realize that I didn't even switch the laundry once until dinner time, and of course there are piles waiting to be done, lol!