Sunday, December 4, 2011

The Homeschool Mother's Journal - December 4, 2011


In my life this week...
Life began to get back to normal, which is always a good thing.  I felt like I was doing less running around and got a chance to catch my breath.  I think that's a good thing as the holidays are upon us and I'm about to take off again!  Good thing is, I've done more than half of my Christmas shopping and most of that has been done on-line!  I took 5 of my children to my mom's small town's Hometown Christmas celebration this past Saturday, then came home and made home-made hot chocolate, popcorn, and settled in for a movie.  Later that night, I wrapped all of the gifts I have on hand - a first!!

In our homeschool this week...
I had my oldest son do his school work at the table with us this week and he actually accomplished all of his assignments.  Having him in view allowed me to help him keep on track and I didn't forget to check his work.  Will be doing that again this week.  Katrina finished her health book and Seth will finish his this week!  All of the children are more than halfway done with their grammar books!  We are definitely on schedule!  Therefore, I decided to take a full two week Christmas break instead of the week & a half I had originally planned.  I know the teacher is very happy about that! :)

Helpful homeschool advice to share...
I am doing some re-evaluation.  I recently read that if you're just homeschooling to keep your children out of public school, you are doing it for the wrong reason.  I know that is not the reason we began homeschooling, but lately, that has seemed to be my main purpose.  I am asking the Lord to help me to get my initial vision back in focus and balance academics and ministry, Bible-learning, etc.  This is something most of us need to do, at least every year or two.  OK - it's something I need to do!

Places we are going & people we are seeing...
While we said good-bye to two very dear friends last Sunday, the Lord has been so gracious to me as He has dropped dear friends who have moved away on my doorstep 3 different times in the past week!!!!!  How wonderful the gift of friendship is and how wonderful God is!!!

My favorite thing this week....
Just happened this evening.  I was feeling overwhelmed by all the housework and cooking I'm struggling to keep up as many hours of my day are filled with homeschool.  Clutter drives me to near-insanity.  I'm not kidding.  I poured my heart out to my husband tonight.  He looked at me and told me how proud he was of me for all the planning I do with our homeschool and how he thinks I'm doing a great job.  We planned some ways to get the kids on board to help.  He then began to straighten out my front room and even moved the broken elliptical that's been upstairs for over a year outside!!  I am totally blessed and humbled by how cheerfully & lovingly my husband serves me!

What's not working for us...

I am thinking about halting the LLATL for my Gloria.  I like the curriculum for the older kids, but as her level just focuses on learning to read, which she is doing through 100 Easy Lessons, she and I are bored with it.  So, I think we'll finish 100 Easy Lessons (21 more to go!!) and just continue on in the Pathway Readers my children love so much.  We will also go ahead as planned and introduce Science & History after the first of the year.

Thoughts I have...
Filled with love for my husband.

Things I'm working on...
Being a joyful mother of children.  Christmas shopping.  

I'm reading...
"Growing Up Amish" by Ira Wagler on my Kindle.  This is an amazingly eye-opening book into the lives and minds of Amish youth.  It makes me realize that I need to be sure we live our Christian lives with joy in front of our children and explain to them with the Bible why we live our lives the way we do.

I'm cooking...
Um.....

I'm praying for...
My friends who moved to Barrow, AK last week and whom we haven't yet heard from!

A photo to share...
Took this as I was leaving my mom's hometown yesterday.  


May you all have fun and not get overwhelmed with all the activities of the holidays during this part of our homeschool year!