The Homeschool Mother's Journal

For the week of Feb. 13 - Feb. 17th, 2012

In my life this week....I have had more time to read to the kids than normal and I am really enjoying it. I have been enjoying this even more than reading books I am personally interested in. I sometimes struggle with staying focused and on track with all the things on my plate but as of late I have been praying for more focus and I'm seeing the fruits of those prayers everyday. In the end there is only so much that matters and that is the time I spend with my kids; in reading to them, taking time to train them, instruct them in their homeschool lessons, having quality chat time, and enjoying doing activities together. There can be so many distractions that take us away from our families and I have been determined to fine tune my attention to the best of my ability towards home and hearth.

In our homeschool this week....I'm proud to say that I actually got some handicraft projects incorporated into our days. I should rephrase that - A handicraft project!

We had 5 of them but one must have taken up legs and walked off!

A peek at our classical writing class. The model looks a bit rough around the edges but much work goes into these! We identify all of the parts of speech throughout the week by circling, underlining, checking, etc. Each week we focus on a different Aesop's Fable as our model to analyze. We cover vocabulary, spelling, dictation, copywork, parts of speech, elocution as each child reads aloud their model and we go on to discuss the fable in depth and talk about how we can apply it to our own lives. Each of the children has their own copy to "mess up." On the right Janai colored her picture of Abraham from out lesson in Christian Studies.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice....Here's a 'tip' for a couple of the very best artsy type books I have found. They are full to the brim with awesome ideas.

I am inspired by....My daughter Christie and her resolute faith in the Lord. She prays, she patiently waits and listens, then moves forward with a clear mind resolved to do the will of the Lord in her life! Something I am always foggy on. Waiting, hearing, knowing for sure.........

Places we're going and people we're seeing....This statement gets me every time! I'm sure every time I post my Homeschool Mother's Journal it will always stay the same. - Staying home! (Does the grocery store and church count as places we are going?)!!!!!!!!!!!

My favorite thing this week was....Watching 4 of my kids sweating it out with Jillian Michaels. Typically, only the boys workout but since they finished with P90X they've wanted to try something new so they started doing Jillian's workouts. The girls decided they'd jump in just for the fun.

What's working/not working for us....Setting aside ALL movie time until after dinner has been helping us a ton. We only have the abilities to watch movies of our choice which is great but not when one child finishes with their school and decides to watch a movie. That always interferes with the other kids. Just knowing there is a movie on somewhere creates a loss of attention. Even though the movie is on in another room. So now, NO movies until all school and chores are DONE!

Questions/thoughts I have....This one just kills me!! It's a new twist on the same ole story of trying to get a new roll of toilet paper changed out once one is empty. Around here we have a certain someone, or someones, not sure yet on the who is doing it. What happens is that once the roll is empty, the cardboard roll gets taken off and thrown away but then they put the holder back into place before putting another roll on it. And yes, 99% of the time there are fresh rolls on the shelf which sits right next to the holder. Yep, this one has me baffled for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things I'm working on....Making sure the motorcycle gets out of my dining room and doesn't return! Our son's new toy just could not possibly spend it's first night outside in the cold! He told me I was a being a good trooper to let him have the opportunity to sit and look at it without freezing his little b*m off outdoors! And of course everyone HAD to sit on it! I would like to add - First there is NO carpet in our house! Second, eons ago when hubby and I were first married and had 2 small children we lived on the bottom floor of a condo in Colorado. He bought a motorcycle and just couldn't bear leaving it outside all winter with no garage or anything and he brought it indoors. (after MUCH discussion, coaxing, and buttering up to me!) We had a second bathroom that was never used since our children were so small and one in diapers as well and I guess I really didn't see what it would hurt. You know what they say?The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

I'm cooking/baking....Need I say more?

I'm grateful for....The latest small snowfall. We've not gotten nearly as much as we have in winters past and I worry about ground water come spring. We've still not had one day of sledding as the shortage of snow has made it impossible.

I'm praying for....Faith

A photo or quote to share - William Penn told the Russian Czar, Peter the Great, that "if thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him." Penn also said that "those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."

I've always loved this picture of oldest daughter and baby number 11