Showing posts with label Homeschool Mother's Journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Homeschool Mother's Journal. Show all posts

Friday, July 15, 2011

Homeschool Mother's Journal


In my life this week…
  • a boys' sleepover
  • a belated & combined birthday party for my boys
  • VBS for my boys
  • running errands while they've been at VBS  
  • planning for Middle School camp/searching for creative inspiration for the girls in my cabin

In our homeschool this week…
  • Ashlyn & I have done lots of Math while her brothers were at VBS  {I think my boys got the better deal this week ; ) }
  • lots of time at the library at our church!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
Just Keep Going
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
We're leaving tomorrow for GA....Wild Adventures, here we come!!  Plus, a visit to my Granny & to a peach packing shed =)
My favorite thing this week was…
Hearing a VBS leader compliment my 5th grader on being extra kind and extra helpful ♥
Things I’m working on…
A few things for me!!  Pictures coming..... =)
I’m reading…
The Sweetest Thing by Elizabeth Musser
Jonah:  Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer  (doing this Bible study on Wed. nights at my church.....highly recommend it!!)
I’m cooking…
On the grill!!  We just replaced ours, and I'm loving having one again!!
I’m grateful for…
Another month where all the bills have been paid.....after years of on again/off again employment, each month that goes by and they are paid is a reason to rejoice ; )
I’m praying for…
God's continued provision
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
Last day of VBS......Big Apple Adventure

Is it okay that the fact that this is his last day of VBS ever makes me sad?!  I mean, as a participant, and not a volunteer?  His last event in the Elementary Dept. at church....I'm sad.  Yes, I am.  But looking forward to the years ahead.....I just wish I could slow down the growing up process.  Just for a little while.  

Wasn't it just yesterday that he looked like this???






Friday, July 1, 2011

Homeschool Mother's Journal




In my life this week…
Aggravation ; ) .....the kind of week where you feel like it takes forever to get things done, when what you think will be quick and easy turns into long and arduous, and you force yourself not to stress because your expectations/goals aren't lining up with your realities =)  <--------- and you also force yourself to smile through it all because life is not as much fun when you don't!! 
In our homeschool this week…
Little bit of school time, little bit of friend time =)......a take-it-easy week with lots of reading and household projects here and there
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
see the very last part of "In my life this week"......I'm not always successful at doing that, but it's worth it when I am ; )
I am inspired by…
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
~ Proverbs 16:3
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
Ahoy, Matey!!  I have a HOT DATE tonight to go see "Pirates of the Caribbean" ~ yay for movie gift cards and a sister-in-law who wants to spend time with my kids!! =)
My favorite thing this week was…
finishing one of those aggravating projects.....what a relief! ; )
Questions/thoughts I have…
I'm considering participating in the next "Read the Bible in 90 days"....have you done it?  
Things I’m working on…
Invoices for my bookkeeping job are due at the first of the month....have to get them finished!!  woo-hoo ; )
I’m reading…
I Am His by Rita Platt
Secrets of the Vine for Women by Darlene Marie Wilkinson
I’m cooking…
ummmm.......things I don't like because I want to lose several pounds!!!
I’m grateful for…
My children, who roll their eyes and say...."You aren't gaining weight, Mom....you look great!" {meanwhile, my clothes are tight!!  I know the truth every time I get dressed ; ) }
I’m praying for…
The Appelo family (mentioned them last week)
wisdom in financial decisions/extracurricular choices
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

I never know when I might be treated to an impromptu performance of some kind in my home.....please pay no attention to the mess in the background ~ I have mentioned we have several home projects going on which sometimes result in piles of stuff laying around while certain areas are being worked on ; )

Friday, June 24, 2011

Homeschool Mother's Journal

The Homeschool Mother's Journal



In my life this week…

Lots of household projects......must get off Blogger and continue. =)

My daughter painted her room almost entirely by herself and is so excited about her new comforter and the changes we are adding bit-by-bit to make her space more in keeping with her current tastes.

Yesterday, I happily ripped off this weird, ugly grid-like thing that was on our bathroom ceiling.  Our home was built in the '80s, and I'm not sure of the wisdom that went into some of the design choices.  What a difference getting that eyesore out of there makes, plus a fresh coat of paint.  Applying the second coat today....and considering ripping the same grid-like thing off of the ceiling of the upstairs bathroom even though that's the last room on the to-do list.  I just can't stand to look at it one-more-minute. ; )



In our homeschool this week…

Not the most productive week due to lots of coming-and-going and Mom working on lots of projects, but we did do a little Math, Spelling and Language Arts.  Slow and steady wins the race. =)


Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Not sure it's helpful and it's not really a tip, but......Be ready.  EVERY DAY.  To pass into Eternity. 
None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow, or a this afternoon.

I know it's somber.....but it's something we all need reminding of sometimes, and is a fresh one that I've recently received.


I am inspired by…

The unshakable faith of a family I have admired and respected since the moment I met them, a family you can literally look at and see the love and fruitfulness of Christ in......regardless of circumstances (see below), and of seeing the body of Christ come together in their time of need.  It is a beautiful thing in the midst of heartbreaking tragedy.


Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We went blueberry picking again, this time with another family (well, minus the men-folk).  So fun...even in the heat!!


My favorite thing this week was…

Lots of favorites ~  dinner with friends on Saturday evening, blueberry pancakes for breakfast on Father's Day,  finding treasures on Tuesday....and then having dinner with our new dishes =), and picking more blueberries!


What’s working/not working for us…

My meal planning (or lack of it) lately.  With so many things going on, I've found it hard to make time to do the actual planning.  My standing in the kitchen in front of the pantry or refrigerator waiting for inspiration is not very productive.  This is not like me and it's driving me crazy......MUST find time to get back to having this area of life under control.  It's so much less stressful ~ and more fun to cook ~ when I know what it will be beforehand!


Questions/thoughts I have…

What insane person thought that popcorn ceilings were a good idea?!  It's a thought that keeps entering my head as we work on our home......Why????  Why???? Why????


I’m cooking…

Something today.  Just don't know what yet.  I haven't actually gotten around to what I mentioned above. ; )


I’m grateful for…

My SIL, who is coming over to watch my children tonight so that my husband and I can go out on a DATE.  I had to look that word up in the dictionary to remember what it was ~ it's been so long! ; )


I’m praying for…

The Appelo family ~ one of the sweetest families I know lost their husband and father last week.  We are praying for this homeschooling mother and her seven children daily. 


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

We signed up for the Bob Jones Summer Reading program......check it out!   Not only has it given us new books to discover from their reading list, but there's also the opportunity for your children to win a collection of free books or a grand prize of a Kindle! =)......."Read in the Deep End"

Friday, June 17, 2011

Homeschool Mother's Journal & A Boys' Fleece Blanket Update

In my life this week…

Organizing, cleaning, working on Sweet Diva orders =) , planning for next year, and basically trying to manage all the things I/we moms juggle while not to tripping on all the "balls" I drop along the way ; )


In our homeschool this week…

Ashlyn has had the week off due to her choir tour/missions trip, my boys and I worked on Spelling, Language Arts & Math.....which included a Tic-Tac-Toe Spelling Competition:




 {it's a non-stop party around here!} =)


My favorite thing this week was…

The homecoming concert by the Middle School choir at church on Wednesday night

Questions/thoughts I have…

When playing Tic-Tac-Toe, why does the Cat always get the game when no one wins?  Why not the dog, or the rabbit, or the hamster?



Things I’m working on…

embroidered towel sets for a ♥sweet♥ customer, new items for my Etsy shop, selling old curriculum & buying new, painting (rooms), and trying to figure out which extra activities we will have time/funds for this coming school year


I’m grateful for…

a piano teacher who misses my children and wants them back =)


I’m praying for…

funds to make the above possible, plus wisdom in choosing and how to manage everything I want my children to do vs. everything they want to do


A *photo(s)*, video, link, or quote to share…

If you happened to visit my blog Monday, you know that my daughter talked me into letting her make a very cute fleece blanket last week, and that her brothers also talked me into buying fleece fabric for them.  We couldn't decide whether the way she made hers was too feminine......but my 9-yr. old decided to go ahead with it and was happy to oblige my documentation =) :


Cutting off the selvages.....

.....and finding creative ways to use them....




He made a slight wardrobe change about midway through his project.....




He likes it!  We think it turned out just fine!


His 11 yr. old brother also ended up with a completed Gator blanket, but I can't say for sure who made it. All documentation and photos are hereby sealed under the Pennington family confidentiality agreement due to reputation preservation. =)


Linking up at The Homeschool Chick.....because Homeschool Moms are the coolest kind! ; )

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

Friday, June 10, 2011

Homeschool Mother's Journal

The Homeschool Mother's Journal
Linking up today....


In my life this week…

  • schooling {year round}, albeit very relaxed =)
  • sewing ~ teaching & creating
  • eating blueberries!!
  • planning
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

getting Math and Language Arts out of the way today, then to visit friends, swim in the pool, and CHILL OUT! ; )

My favorite thing this week was…

Children's Choir celebration night.....& hearing really good things about my boys!!

Things I’m working on…

Making a list of curriculum needed for the coming school year in prep. for a used curriculum book sale tomorrow, organizing, decluttering, a new rag quilt for my Etsy shop, helping my daughter prepare for a choir tour/missions trip, and not tossing my VERY BAD CAT out the door!!!

I’m reading…


"Freedom's Stand" by J.M. Windle.........and curriculum info ; )

I’m praying for…

  • My VERY, VERY BAD cat = /
  • Wisdom for the coming school year (curriculum, activities, etc.....)
  • having one less elementary-aged child and one more middle schooler in our home; wisdom for him to make the right choices in the coming years; that he will choose to follow Christ in all things & grow closer to Him in order to be the Godly man he was created to be ♥
  • RAIN!!!!!!
  • Finances
  • Lost family members
 Questions/thoughts I have…

Are you able to see my GFC following box?  Is yours working on your blog?


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

  
The last time Jacob sang with the 5th grade choir at church (sniff, sniff).  Can you see him?  He's the ♥super cute♥ kid on the back row, 1st one on the right! ; )  I ♥ him!!!!

Friday, March 18, 2011

The Homeschool Mother's Journal ~ Joining The Journey

The Homeschool Mother's Journal
Linking up with The Homeschool Chick and The Homeschool Mother's Journal today.....because Homeschool Moms are my favorite kind! ; )

In my life this week...

CHAOS.  Frustration. <------Not School-related.   Productivity......and not.  Fast food.  : (   Busy days.  Sleepless nights.  Migraines.  Tears <------Also not School-related.  Laughter. Smiles.  Songs.  Friends.  Sweet notes of encouragement. 

My house feels like it's been turned upside down.  Furniture piled up against walls and items that could be moved to other rooms have been moved to make room for new flooring and new paint.  After living this way for a week, I'm starting to go crazy!!  Flooring is still not down.  After several days of fighting with it, it has been decided to do something else. 

Aggravation.  Claustrophobia.

I have Sweet Diva orders to complete and very little room to move!!  I can't think when there's chaos.  When there's no room to move.  Must. Take. Deep. Breaths......Often.

The painting, however, is looking great! =)  It's going to be worth it.  When it's over!!


In our homeschool this week...

Due to some of the above, we have done a half-school week.  Co-op subjects were done.  Science, History, Writing.  Math and Language Arts ~ we'll catch up on when most of our friends are taking their Spring Break.  Or add a little to each regular day until we're caught up.  It's a freedom we relish.  =)


Places we're going and people we're seeing...

Lowes. Walmart (yuck).  Target.  Grocery Stores.  Yes, I know.  The excitement of running errands is overwhelming.  ; )

♥ Hobby Lobby ♥ Church ♥

Co-op. =)

My favorite thing this week was...

2 things: 

~ Watching my 5th grader sing with his choir in church Wednesday night.....for the last time as a 5th grader (except for our children's musical coming up) while praying that he will not lose the song in his heart, his devotion to the Lord, and his sweet, sensitive spirit in the years to come.  Bittersweet. 

~ On the way home from church that night, my 3rd grader says, "Mom, I got the words to my solo that I'm singing next time we sing.  Do you want me to sing it for you?" ♥  There is nothing sweeter than a child's voice singing songs to the Lord. ♥  And yesterday, when I wasn't feeling well, "Mom, do you want me to sing my song for you?  It might help you feel better."  And so he did, repeatedly throughout the day. = )  Did it make me feel better?  Oh, yes.....it did.  Every single time.

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

Not thrilled with the writing program at co-op.  Will def. be adding to it next year.....trying to decide what that will be.  Love, love, love Shurley English, but afraid that both will be too much.  I can't decide on anything right now.  Because of the chaos, clutter, and claustrophobia.  They cause my brain to short-circuit.  Really.  I have issues. ; )

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

Will I ever reach a point where I'm not second-guessing everything I/we do?  Will I ever feel I am successfully balancing all of my resposibilities?

Can I take a nap?  For a week? 


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

from my 3rd grader ~ you can enlarge the pic by clicking on it if you care to read it =)
Maybe I'm doing something right, after all. ♥