Monday Mastery: Making the Best of It

I don't do a very good job hiding my negative feelings about Halloween each year.  It's by far my least favorite holiday for several reasons I won't go into right now.  But alas, my five children love Halloween, so I've been forced to find a balance and not be the family Scrooge every October 31.

Holy Matrimony

Today, O was getting frustrated with his sister and the idea of serving women in general.  J and O were going to go outside to play, but first I wanted the coloring mess J had created to be cleaned up.  J told O that if he helped her clean, they could get outside together faster.

Thoughtful Thursday: Planning Ahead

I am a planner.

This is both a confession and a statement of fact. While the Lord continues to work in me about being more laid-back about last minute changes to "my plans" and releasing control on things -- turning it over to Him -- the concept of planning (ahead) actually came up this week with our daughter, J, who is like my polar opposite when it comes to the planning department of life.

Monday Mastery: Feeling Kind of Helpless

This is sort of an opposite post today.  I've been dreading the theme for today because honestly, I feel sort of -- stupid, for lack of a better word -- lately.  I don't mean that in a self-pitying, self-loathing kind of way.  I just feel like I am in a bit of a rut for confidence in my role during this season of life.

Good On Purpose

I was so proud of our sons yesterday morning.  I wasn't yet out of bed and the two oldest boys were up and delivering door hangers to advertise to the people in our neighborhood about our church's upcoming Harvest Festival.  They were "in the mission field" just a 9- and 11-year-old, on their own -- but together -- doing God's work.

Home School Resource: Free Movie Curriculum

Hello Homeschooling Friends,

I just learned about this website that offers free curriculum to accompany family-friendly movies.  I am in no way affiliated with this website, but happen to love (free) homeschooling resources.

Thoughtful Thursday: Field Trips

Field trips were always some of the most fun times I remember about school growing up.  So I try to make sure we have plenty of those ourselves.  The nice thing about homeschooling is that we can do all day field trips or overnight field trips and I don't even have to get parental permission slips signed.

Monday Mastery: Lessons in Reading

It often feels like the job of teaching kids to read is a lot like teaching kids to ride a bike.

Flea Market Finds

While I love a good bargain and enjoy yard sales and consignment shops, I have never been an avid flea market shopper.  Growing up, our family used to visit the flea market now and then and I have mixed memories about whether or not I liked it.  In retrospect, I remember thinking it sounded fun beforehand, but we always visited them in the scorching heat, which wasn't very fun.

More Wackiness

We've had some really weird moments this week within the family and so when I can, I write stuff down so I can share it with you all when I have a moment for typing.  I have a moment now ... so here we go.

Monday Mastery: Balloon Photos

While I still don't think of myself as any kind of photographer really, but more of just a person who enjoys taking pictures for the keepsakes that they are; this year's Fiesta has given me more of an opportunity to perfect my balloon picture-taking skills.  I'll post here a series of my best shots from this past week for your enjoyment.  Some are favorites because of the situation or sentiment and others because I think they're pretty decent shots.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves for the most part and allow you to decide your favorites.  These are posted in no particular order and were all shot with a Nikon D90 by me.

Thoughtful Thursday: Playing Hooky

My thought today is that sometimes, it's good to play hooky.  Despite all the best intentions to follow my lesson plan for school or to get chores done, sometimes, it's important to take the opportunity to skip out on all that and spontaneously do a different plan.

Another Wacky Wednesday

Sometimes it is hard to believe that my life can contain so many challenges and yet be so purely entertaining in so many ways that it is!  I don't know if it's entertaining you all, but I'm having fun, so I'm writing about it.

Tongue-tied

I'm listening to the older boys practicing their flashcards.  It's later in the day and nobody's brains are still fully functioning.  Suddenly, Z said, "2+0? 2+0? I feel like I should know that one! But I can't think very good! Oh! Zero!"  His brother quickly corrected him.  Two, of course, if you're having trouble thinking clearly.

Monday Mastery: Coin Purses

For the most part, we do inexpensive, stuff-from-around-the-house kinds of crafts for school for obvious reasons.  But sometimes, I like to get something special from local craft supply stores.  This was one of those times.

This Week's Joy Moments

I think I've mentioned how despite a very difficult time in our lives -- just overly challenging in more ways than I can count -- the Lord has really been working in me to Seek Joy amidst every day.  Those words, "Seek Joy!" are the banner on my cell phone.  I have a piece of carved word art in my kitchen in bright red that reads: "JOY."  I try to visually remind myself in every way to seek joy no matter my immediate circumstances.