Prayer

Our pastor is a big advocate for prayer. During Worship on Wednesday, we spend a good amount of time in prayer. As we enter the Multipurpose Room, we are each handed a brightly colored sheet that is a list of prayer requests from church members and regular attenders alike. We are encourage, during our prayer time, to huddle up with 3 or 4 others and pray out loud for those requests. Or any other that God has laid on our heart.

At first it can be a little unnerving. Praying out loud. With somebody you don't know. You don't have to pray out loud and you don't have to huddle up, but our pastor encourages it. The point is, to just pray. Come before God and be an intercessor.

My "religion" is based on a relationship with Jesus Christ. I believe that He died on a cross for me. A sinner. So that I may have eternal life. The difference with what I believe and a lot of other religions is that my beliefs are based on a personal relationship with Jesus.

And, as I have been teaching the kids, the only way to have a relationship, with anyone, is to talk. And, the way to talk with God and learn God's heart for us, is prayer. Just like a new friend, you talk with them, you listen, you learn about them. What they like, what they don't like. Thoughts, feelings and dreams of another can only be learned by conversation.

It works much the same way with God. Prayer, along with reading His word, grows me. It matures me as a follower of Christ. The more I am in prayer (or conversation) with God, the more I start to understand His heart for me. The more I pray, the more encouraged I am to read His word. And my personal relationship with Christ grows.

Does that mean I have all the answers? Does that mean my life is perfect? Oh no! But, it does mean that I start to understand that I am not here to just live and then die. I am here for His purpose. Which is His perfect will for my life.

My relationship with Jesus is growing everyday. But, I do go through different stages of prayer. Because of the stage of life I am in, right now, a mom with young children, my morning prayer time isn't always a given. But, it gives me a little comfort to know I can pray and worship Him at anytime about anything.

And that is joy and hope for me . . .

Status

So, we are on day 7 of someone having a fever. Nature Girl came in our room at 7:20AM saying she didn't feel well. Unfortunately I am not that surprised. The great thing was, though, it was 7:20AM and everyone was still sleeping. That is a first, in I can't tell you how long!

Daddy, made those who felt well, sausage biscuits. Way better than McDonald's.

EG has been on and off potty training. I am a relaxed potty trainer. I really don't mind changing diapers and sometimes that can be preferable to public restrooms. Except for Nature Girl, I have just let the kids lead the way. And have been pretty successful. (Nature Girl I tried to push. After much frustration, she did it when she was ready.)

Anyway, we had been doing pretty good with EG. Then she started reverting back to messing her diaper, if you get my drift. Now, I had been spoiled. I didn't mind changing an occasional pee diaper. But the other. No way. Especially because I knew she could do better. The regular M&Ms were no longer a motivator for her.

So, I asked her "EG, what would make you use the potty again?" And she said "pink candy." That was this past Monday. Because I wasn't planning on stopping by any kind of store that day, I asked daddy if he could swing by a convenience store and get some type of pink candy. I figured with Valentine's Day coming up, that shouldn't be too hard.

He stopped at grocery stores, convenience stores and Walgreen's. And came home with over $10 worth of candy! Pink M&Ms, regular M&Ms, Reece's Peanut Butter cups, and candied hearts. I know it seems like a lot, but it worked. She has been in underwear for two days, while running a fever. I know we have a ways to go, but I am certain we will be saving $10 worth of diapers in the next few weeks.

We got rid of the cleaning lady, so I had to mop the floors today. Ugh! But, the flip side is, we did receive our first letter from our sponsor child, which the money now goes to. He has really, really interesting handwriting. The letters of the Ethiopians are nothing like ours. We can't wait to write him back and get to know about him and his family.

Our new favorite muffin is pumpkin. So, I made some of those this afternoon. They taste great, are easy to make and they make the house smell so good.

We are getting a taste of spring. And boy does it taste good. It is probably mid-60s and sunny right now. If it would just stay like this forever! We have the windows open and I can hear the birds chirping.

Been having lots of thoughts about what I want to do next year in school. I know it is only January but it is fun to think about. Helps pass the January blahs. I have even purchased a book or two. One is learning history with the Bible as the base of what we learn. How other history fits in to what is going on in the Bible. I am very excited about that!

I also just bought a new way to teach reading. A more Charlotte Mason approach. If you read about her way of teaching reading, it takes a lot of prep. And I just never had the inclination to get all the stuff together. So now Simply Charlotte Mason has done all of the prep work and is selling it as a curriculum. I figure it will help Little Mama gain confidence and it has stuff for Boop who will informally start school in the fall. Oh my, three "students" in our little homeschool. And I thought this year was a little crazy!

We have two camping planned in the next couple months. The first is for Little Mama's birthday. The second is a bunch of families, most of whom we don't know, going camping for Spring Break! (Should be exciting!) Anyway, we will be going again in April for Nature Girl and we are having a really hard time finding a place. We wanted to go to the beach. It would be warm enough during the day to enjoy it but cool still cool enough at night. Almost every place we looked at was booked! Back to the drawing board.

We put the highchair in the garage. Now EG sits at the table with us.

Well, enough procrastinating. Back to my domestic duties . . .

Control

When I haven't had enough sleep. Or there is too much activity in the house. Or the kids are sick. When I feel overwhelmed. Or when I am trying to figure things out, my immediate reaction is to control. Everything. And everyone.

I am struggling with it right now, as we speak. I can feel it in my bones. The need to direct people. The need to organize something. The need to straighten something. The need to accomplish something. And, it doesn't usually make me a very pleasant person to be around. Then I feel guilty. Ungrateful. Selfish.

None of which are good feelings. So, then, it kind of makes matters worse. Not better. I can't control anything, really. And, in all honesty, when the above-mentioned things happen, usually the best I can do is maintain. But, the urge to control hangs on.

I am in the process of learning tools to help let this sensation go. I take deep breathes. I think in my head "what is really important?" If I do get the toys off the floor is anything going to really change. Will I be less tired? Or will my child be less sick? The room will be kind of clean, but for a short period of time.

It is just my way of dealing with stress, I guess. But, don't they say, that just admitting there is a problem is half the battle? Well, I am admitting I am a control freak, especially under stress. Ahhh, that does feel better. Hmmm, maybe I am on my way to "recovery". Only time will tell. . .

Disappointment

We have had illness after illness. Thankfully nothing really, really bad. Just really, really irritating. The latest go round started with Boop this past Saturday. Out of no where a fever. Not a real high fever, but just enough to make him listless and sleep a lot.

It went on for days. When I went to the doc on Tuesday for a follow up for LM, I asked the doc to check his ears, just to see. Although Boop assured me nothing hurt. The doc didn't see anything wrong with his ears but said if he didn't break the fever in a day or so, to bring him back and have him evaluated. He might have the flu. Ugh!

So, yesterday he seemed better. The fever not so high. Then, LM started feeling poorly. Cold, they just keep saying their cold. Sure enough, LM had a fever. Today it is higher than Boop's ever was and she really feels puny.

Of course, by mid-morning you could tell that EG was not doing so well. Checked her temp and sure enough. Three down, one to go.

This round of illness is especially disappointing because we were suppose to leave for Grandma's in the AM and spend the weekend with her. When Boop heard me tell my mom we weren't coming he got tears in his eyes and said it was all his fault. I started to cry and got off the phone right away and sat with him on the kitchen floor and explained that it wasn't his fault. At all.

I tried to console the kids with this is just how life works. We don't ever know the plans that God has for us. But, we have to understand that He has the perfect plan for our lives. And we may not always understand it. At least not right away. (Sometimes never.) They get that! And I love that! There will be so, so many disappointments in their lives, both great and small. And, if they can understand now about God's perfect plan for each one of us, it is bound to bring a measure of comfort in the future.

Of course, I have promised hamburgers and french fries for dinner tomorrow. And maybe a movie and a game depending on who feels well enough.

I will be praying that we are quick to recover. Quick to get back with the program. And, that we are done with the illnesses for quite some time . . .

Dry Erase Boards

My friend made a joke yesterday about all the dry erase boards around her house. She has three, I think, but they all fulfill a certain purpose. Been there, done that. I have three, at last count. But, I know I had more at one time. I just finally needed to get rid of some of them.

My purpose changes for each one. Right now, I have one for math. Kids dig doing math on a dry erase board. Instead of buying all the fancy manipulatives, I just draw most of it on the board.

In the beginning of my homeschooling journey, I bought one that I was going to write on every day. I had read somewhere that to encourage a new reader, write a sentence on it and day after day it would tell a story. That dry erase board was huge and I think that is the one I have gotten rid of.

Little Mama used one to practice writing. I still have that one because it has nifty little lines on it.

My newest addition is a pretty, small, square, white board with a sky blue boarder and I keep in the kitchen. It has four sections: training, to-dos, chores for the day and major projects. It has worked pretty well. I have found that if I just write it down, somewhere where I can see it, be reminded about it, then I am more likely to get it done.

There have been times when the kids have done something for which they deserve some type of punishment. Dessert taken away for example. Hard to believe, I know. ;) By the time dinner would roll around, I would forget all about the punishment. But, not now! It goes under the "training" heading. I also list habits we are working on. Right now it is making sure that the proper cleaning is being done in the shower. Also, under training, is my goal to teach Nature Girl how to iron. Lastly, is mine and Boop's sessions on how to brush teeth properly. It is amazing to me what I can forget, so know I have a daily reminder of what I want/need to get done.

Under daily chore is what The Flylady tells me to do for the day. I also include any chore hubby has asked me to do. When I accomplish those tasks I erase them off. It is a great feeling.

There is a section for a major chore or task I am trying to accomplish. Something that will take more than a day or two. Right now I am working on photo albums of the family to send out. I have finally finished the actual albums, now I just have to address the envelopes and send them out. But, I won't erase it until it is completely done. Because I know me well enough, that if I erase it too soon, it will take me forever to mail them.

The last section is the "to-do" section and it has little odds and ends like making phone calls or fix the dresser. Things that need to get done sooner rather than later. But, there is never more than two or three under that heading. Otherwise it gets overwhelming and then nothing gets done.

I am finally getting into some type of rhythm. Sort of. I am finding things that work for us. I get my ideas from a bunch of other women and mash them all together. And then see what works. And I am getting there. Slowly, but surely.

Anyway, all that to say, I am all for dry erase boards. And many of them . . .

New Schedule

This is what my day looks like these days:

4:00 AM Somebody is up, whether EG coughing, calling for me or Boop sneaking on to the couch, or daddy getting up for work.

4:00-6:00 Try to go back to sleep because my alarm is set for 6.

6:00 Alarm goes off. I ignore it because I have been up since 4. Trying to go back to sleep.

6:45 Up because EG is up anywhere between 6 and 7.

6:45 No quiet time for the last 2 or so weeks. At least not like it was. Now, it is droplets of prayer. Scattered here and there, throughout the day.

7:00 Boop wakes up. If he isn't awake by now. Get breakfast.

7:30 Wake big girls.

7:45 Try to get a shower, which usually includes EG because, now, for some reason she thinks she should get in the shower when anyone is in the shower.

8:30 Start school.

Because the littles don't want to sleep in the morning, my whole system is shot. And, I feel like I am behind for the whole day. I don't like that feeling.

And, in the morning, I never know who is going to be sleeping where.

Way, way too much uncertainty and activity before 8:30 AM . . .

Silent Sunday

Again

I write whole posts on important subjects. And then delete them. Today was on control. And my need for it. Two days ago, it was about being an overprotective parent. Which I am totally OK with.

I delete them because I am afraid I come off sounding judgemental. Or, like I know what I am doing or talking about. None of which are the case.

They are usually topics that I would relish talking about with friends. If there was ever time to complete a whole thought and then speak it. And then not get interrupted

I am sure there have been other topics in the past, I have been afraid to post. I can usually tell when I should delete them. The thought of pushing the "publish post" button makes me nervous.

Maybe next week I will actually hit the button . . .

Mother of the Year

Little Mama has been after me for about 2 months about this "thing" on her stomach. At first I thought it was a bug bite, but she said it didn't itch.

Then a couple weeks later, I thought it was a common skin thing that both EG and Boop have had. But, after like the fifth time she came to me, I told her to have daddy look at it. He is pretty good about diagnosing those type of things.

So, this afternoon, after she jumped on the couch and noticed it hurt, she asked daddy to look at it. He informed me it was some type of cyst or abscess and it needed to be looked at. I felt like a heel. So, I immediately called the doctor and they were able to get her in right away.

Because I felt guilty and wanted to take the opportunity to spend time with LM alone, we left a little early and I took her to Starbuck's. I ordered a Peppermint Mocha and she ordered a water. We ran into our neighbor there, so chatted with him for a little bit.

After a 45 minute wait at the doctor's office, the doctor was able to see us. It turned out it was some type of abscess. And it needed to be drained. What made this even worse (if you can even imagine that) when we first got into the exam room, she asked me if she was going to get a shot. Of course, I was thinking immunization shots. So, laughingly I was like "Oh, no. We aren't here for that."

So, when the doc hauled out the needle and then the scalpel, I was making LM all kinds of wonderful promises. She got to have mac and cheese for dinner and we picked out a movie for tomorrow night.

Kind of a painful lesson for me to learn. I have got to pay better attention. . .

Tumbling, Round Four

Oooo, just look at those thighs. I could eat them up!!

Last year I decided we were done with tumbling. So, last September was the first time in 7 1/2 years we were not at "the gym." But, when EG turned two in November, I decided to sign her up for the two year old preschool class. Mostly because all the others had and I didn't want her to be "left out."

So, today at 5 o'clock we took our baby girl to tumbling. She was so excited. She woke up from her nap wanting to go right away. I had to tell her it wasn't her time yet and she pouted. But, by the time we got in the car, she was ready to go.

She and I had talked about how she had to use her listening ears and had to be obedient. To listen to the coach. It was hard for her. She did great for the first few minutes and then her enthusiasm got the best of her. She had a hard time staying still. So, I let her stand up and kind of move around as long as she wasn't distracting anyone. A couple of times I had to grab her quick before she got on the equipment.

She had a blast doing the warm up exercises. She liked doing a forward roll and climbing the ladder. She enjoyed the balance beam and marched on it like a pro. The bear crawl bar left a little to be desired. But, she loved the trampoline.

It is a great experience for her to be around other kids for just a little bit. How to share and take turns. How to be patient and follow directions. I had fun too, spending a little time with my fast growing baby girl . . .

Scripture Memorization

In Psalm 119:11 God encourages me to hide His word in my heart. There was a group of people a long, long time ago, that memorized the whole Bible. Back in their day, hundreds of years ago, it was against the law to have a bible translated into the English language. The only bible they could have was one printed in Latin and the masses couldn't read Latin. So, they would get an English bible, memorize the whole thing, and then get rid of the bible so they would get caught with the "evidence."

This was part of our lesson yesterday in LifeGroup (Sunday School). Our teacher was encouraging us to memorize scripture. Tuck it away in our hearts. We took a few minutes to memorize a verse, Matthew 6:20-21 because it applies to what we are studying in our class. (The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn.)

As he talked about the importance of scripture memorization, he also gave some hints on how to do it. He is said to ask "how, when, where, why, what." Mediate on what the scripture might mean. Ask God to speak to me about what that scripture is saying, specifically to me.

Up until I started teaching the kids, I never really thought much about scripture memorization. I had memorized a few that would help me, especially during troubling times during pregnancy or other difficult times. But, other than that - nothing. No real effort to memorize.

I knew I wanted the kids to memorize Scripture (and I guess, me right along with them.) I know God wants us to do it and I know it has benefits for our walk in our daily Christian lives. Up until yesterday, we would periodically go through about two dozen or so verses that we have learned. But, I never really thought how intensely I needed to learn it and meditate on it.

But, yesterday's tips, helped me to really "own" those verses. Not just mere memorization but the love and study and application and meaning of all of those words, that have been so wonderfully given to us. So, today, we started at the very beginning. With the verses we are learning for this year. Which just happen to be our family rules.

We took the very first verse we learned "Let your gentleness be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." Philippians 4:5. We broke it down. What did it mean? Who wrote it? Why? How does it apply to each one of us collectively and individually?

It seems so simple. It makes all the words mean more. Kind of makes them come alive. It makes it a lot easier to learn. I like having new tool in my tool box to help me in all this learning and growing . . .

Not So Silent Sunday

I have stuff to say. Nothing major. But, didn't want to wait until the week got going. Because a lot of times I forget.

Story Number One: So, we were on our way to the grocery store yesterday and the girls informed me they wanted to buy bread with their own money. I, of course, wanted to know why they wanted their own bread. My first assumption, which was wrong, of course, was that they were tired of my whole wheat bread that I buy. Therefore, they figured out if they bought their own bread, they could eat that.

Many times I do not give my kids enough credit. This is what they really wanted to do with the bread. They have a window in their bedroom that faces the side of the house. There are a couple of trees there. They wanted to buy the bread to put on the window sill of their bedroom window.

They have a little bench pushed up to the window and their bird identification books and the "B" encyclopedia sitting on the bench. They were creating their own bird watching area. They wanted to attract birds, watch them and identify them.

Story Number Two: Yesterday the whole family went grocery shopping. We got a late start and had an errand to run first. And, we had tons of groceries to get. Almost needed a second cart.

Anyway, EG was horrible. She kept throwing everything she could get her hands on, out of the cart. After she took a bite of it first. Even her shoes. At one point, she was singing. Loudly. One lady gave us "the look." I cringed. I was hurrying. But, it was taking awhile.

We finally got to the check out line. Where, I admit, my patience were wearing thin. As I am helping hubby unload the groceries, I look up and the lady who "looked" at us was pulling in to our check out lane. She saw it was us and proceeded to the next lane over. Oh crap! We are one of THOSE families.

Last story: EG went to church in a cute red and black jumper with a black turtle neck. Her brown pom-pom boots (because I can't find her black Sunday shoes) and her camo hand me down jacket (because I can't seem to find her pretty black "fur lined" jacket.) Wish I would have gotten a picture because she was all mix matched.

Quite a sight we are these days . . .

I Hate . . .

the cold! Ugh! I live in the sunny south for goodness sake. The ironic part, though, and I love irony, is that for the first 18 years of my life, I lived where it is truly cold! So, it always cracks me up when I can't seem to get warm.

What on earth did I do before moving south? People say your blood thins. And I guess that explains it. Plus, I was a kid when I lived up north and kids don't mind the cold. Especially if you don't know any different.

But, I am tired of being cold. Cold outside. Cold in the house. Cold in my bed. Cold in the car. I am tired of wearing layers. I am tired of making kids where hats, shoes and jackets. You get the picture. Thankfully our van has seat warms. And they are working overtime. I can barely move I am so cold. I am lazier when I am cold. And that definitely can't be good.

My hands don't function because they don't feel anything. My skin is like an alligator. And my hands are cracking. Every time we touch one another, we shock each other. Sometimes it hurts.

To make matters worse we all have colds, coughs and runny noses. For going on at least 6 weeks. Because we are inside more, I think we just keep passing it back and forth.

One bonus is fires in the fireplace. Almost every night.

I don't like to complain. Well, those who really know me, know that is not entirely true. But, I am thoroughly ready for spring. Then, I reserve the right to complain about the heat. . . .

Where's My Baby?

Boop has been showering by himself. This past week, the big girls decided they didn't mind taking EG in the shower with them. So, for the last few days, I have not had a baby to bathe. This is the first time in the last 9 1/2 years that I have not had a baby to bathe.

Weird. Crazy. Sad. Kind of cool. Sort of.

Next to go is the highchair. Sigh . . .

I Hate Math

I would never let my kids see this post. At least not right now! It is amazing to me what 3rd Grade math looks like. NG is learning pre-algebra already. At least what I call pre-algebra! She and I struggle almost everyday with concepts. And, applying the concepts that she learned yesterday to the problems on the math sheet today.

It is a little easier with LM because some of hte repetitive stuff she is doing, I know will come in handy in the higher math levels.

We try to do math everyday, even if we don't accomplish much else. I really believe, now, it is something that has to be done and practiced over and over. Even though the repittion seems monotonus. I will say, though, once a concept is truly mastered, I won't make either girl continue on with the repetitiveness of the concept.

I am a half a year "behind" with LM. Mostly because she started school the year EG was born and we just got off to a slow start. I am a little over half way with Nature Girl's math curriculum from last year and that is just because it takes a long time for her to do her math sheet. Not because she is dwaddling (most days.) But, because the problems are so darn hard and time consuming.

Both girls are given 30 minutes to do their math. Of that half hour, I spend 15 minutes with each to review and introduce new concepts. Nature Girl could use my attention for the whole 30 minutes. We have started to finish up math during rest time. Which is no fun for either one of us.

I am thankful I am not having to do this at nighttime in the form of homework. But, I am not sure what I am going to do for the future. I am not one to worry about this stuff. And really I am not worried. But, I do feel we have to tweak our plan. Whether it is just slow the math pace down. Which I would prefer. Or, spend more time doing math. Everyday.

My plan is to wait until 2011-2012 planning starts. In just a couple of months. And not let the girls know how much the math annoys me. . . ;)

Stuff

I always thought the Flylady was a little cracked when she said get dressed first thing in the AM, all the way to lace up shoes. Now, I have done that pretty regularly for the last couple of weeks. And, I have got to tell you, it makes a difference. Even if I don't shower in the AM (which there are many days I don't) I still get dressed and put shoes on. I feel complete. Like I am ready for anything I might need to do.

I am an over achiever when it comes to picking out books and curriculum for the kids. There is so much out there. And, I want them to learn it all. Every book I never read, I want them to read. Every little program/study/focus that my favorite websites mention, I think we have to have. Today in the mail came two such books. I have no idea when I am going to fit them in.

Lately, on Wednesdays, I am not overly thrilled about the prospect of Meals on Wheels. I think part of the problem is, it has been sooooo cold. And the kids and I haven't felt the greatest. Runny noses, sore throats, coughs. Which means the kids can't go to the door with me. When I mentioned not doing our route today there was an audible groan of displeasure. So, needless to say we went. I asked God to use us as a blessing. Which I think we were and, as always, we were blessed. It is amusing to me, that after we get home, I am always glad we went.

For Christmas each kid got $20.00. But, the catch was, they had to take that money and go through the Samaritan's Purse catalogue and pick out stuff they want to donate to those less fortunate then them. So, we just finished that today. Four mosquito nets, one week's worth of milk, one week's worth of hot meals and a soccer ball.

We are taking the 100 day challenge which was thought up by a "fellow" blogger. We are to think about, pray about 3 positive habits we would like to work on for the next 100 days. Each day you write those three things down and then check them off as you complete them. We are cheating a little bit because we are going to do 30 days at a time. I am going to work on having a servant's heart toward hubby, take 10 minutes a day to work on my cards and read the Bible for myself everyday so as to finish it in a year. (I am currently reading through it with the kids but this challenge is just for me.) The two girls are to get back to my by Friday what their "challenges" are going to be.

Enough stuff for now . . .

Spontaneous

Today's schedule:

School

Science class at Nature Museum

Playdate Coop

Daddy to Ft. W----- to look at tires. (A two hour drive.)

Lunch

Nap

Ballet (2 hours)

Dinner

What actually happened today.

All of us to Ft. ---- to look at tires with daddy.

Trip to Bass Pro Shop

Lunch with our Aunt and Uncle from WI who are staying in the area.

Home by 6:30.

At 9:15 I asked daddy if he wanted us to go with him. He said sure. So, all of us packed up and had a great day of hanging, shopping and visiting!

Spontaneous would not be a word that any one would apply to our family. We are planners. We are always waiting for the "right time." Just our nature. It works for us. That is all that matters.

So, it was really kind of cool to just chuck it and have a little unplanned fun. Maybe it will become a new habit. . .

Silent Sunday

From the creek on Friday.

Comparison point.

The bridge fixed with a new sign.

Beaver dam?

Kids observing deer tracks.

Deer track.

Nature came home with us. NG and EG had ticks. Such is life in the wood . . .

Will Wonders Never Cease

The kids had some friends spend the night last night. And, as the parents were here to pick them up, I see this pink and green blur in the backyard. At first I thought it was Boop's friend because the blur was riding a bike. Without training wheels.

Then, I took a look around the living room where their were 6 kids and noticed Boop's friend was one of them. Then I made a quick observation and realized the only kid missing was Boop. But, Boop doesn't know how to ride a bike. Without training wheels.

I was so very confused. Which really, at this stage in the game, doesn't take much. I then realized that it was Boop riding Little Mama's pink bike, with his green Packer shirt on (Go Pack, Go). WITH NO TRAINING WHEELS.

After a quick interview with him to figure out how exactly this happened, he just said "I thought I could do it." So, he picked up the bike, got on and rode. I was astonished to say the least.

He rides like such a boy. With such abandon. He just goes. Wiggling and fast. Doesn't care where he is going. He just goes. He has run into the fence twice and crashed once. I saw him checking his forearm. But, it hasn't slowed him down any.

I am thinking we could all learn a little bit from Boop this morning. . .

Back to School

Looked something like this.. Monday was a short day and we met some friends at Chick-fil-A for an early lunch. Then we exchanged kids. I got boys and she got girls. A nice, relaxing day to start our back to school week.

Tuesday was the dentist. For all four. A highlight was no cavities!! Although the girls did tell me that the hygenist told Boop he had dirty teeth. Guess who is brushing his teeth for the next few weeks?

Wednesday was Meals on Wheels and church.

Thursday was school, soccer and the dentist for me. And the grocery store with the whole family (meaning daddy included) so now I don't have to go on Saturday. Yippee!!

Today was modified school, a trip to the creek and lunch with friends.

I always get a little frightened, when we have weeks like this, because I am afraid it will be just too darn easy to have all the school weeks look like this.

But, part of my being, is just telling me to loosen up. Take things as they come. Take things in stride. And take advantages of opportunities as they arise.

I will be honest, though, one of next's week's post will be something like So Far Behind, My Kids Are Never Going to Graduate. :) Need to find a middle ground . . .

Blog to Book

My original intention was to print off every blog post I wrote. I don't know what happened but I am about a year and a half behind. I have had "print off blog" on my to-do list for a number of months. At this point, it is going to take a lot of time, paper and ink to do it.

I don't really have a journal anymore. And I have given up on photo albums. Figuring that the blog covers everything. For the most part. Then I started thinking what would happen if I couldn't access my blog anymore. Such a huge reason for my blog is to record the events of our family life. I have come to depend on it.

So, last week, a friend mentioned that you could make your blog into a book. Yesterday I took a few minutes to check it out. There is a site called Blurb. And you can download their software for free and work on turning your blog into a book. The site says the cost of a book starts at $12.95

I ran out of time to research it further. But I am going to check it out when I get some time. Wouldn't that be cool to have a journal and photo album all wrapped up in one? Something I can pass on to the kids. I am hoping it doesn't cost a fortune. Might be wishful thinking on my part . . .

New Years Resolutions?

I am not big on resolutions and haven't been for awhile. First of all, everyday not just in 2011, I want to wake up and be the best follower of Christ I can be (with God's help, of course.) Second, how many people really spend the whole year living up to their resolutions. I know I never did!

Anyway, I was reading a good friend's blog post the other day and she mentioned that this year she wanted to take a little bit better care of herself. As with many young mothers, or should I say, in my case, mothers of young children, there is never enough "me time." Or time dedicated to take care of yourself. (Thankfully I have never been one to need much "me time" anyway!)

But, as I get older and my family matures, I do feel there is a need to take a little extra time to focus on health and nutrition and sleep. For the most part I am healthy. I eat pretty well, I am not overweight and, for the most part, get good sleep. Well, depending on EG's mood.

But, there are a couple things that I do want to make an effort to improve upon. Mostly because I am not getting any younger. And it can't hurt. The first thing is eat breakfast. I don't usually eat breakfast. Until lunch time. And, I always hear how important breakfast is. So, I want to eat breakfast. Preferable something rich in protein. I do think I need to eat more protein.

The next thing is to get some type of exercise. Oh, I don't want to go to a gym or run a marathon. Heck, I don't even want to run three miles. But, I do want to get some type of regular physical activity going. Yesterday I took the kids for a walk. And, if I can do that four times a week, I will be happy.

Lastly, I want to read more. I don't do near enough reading for myself. I would like to work it into my schedule. Maybe 15 minutes in the afternoon. And, maybe go to bed a half hour earlier, just for the purpose of reading. I want to read fun books, helpful books, all kinds of different books. And I can't if I don't purposefully make the time.

They aren't resolutions, per se. Just a couple of things that I do feel I need to do better on. To make getting older a little less "painful." It is day two and I haven't done any of the aforementioned activities, but I have tomorrow. And the next day and the next day. To work on my little self improvement project . . .

Library System

If I have an obsession about anything, it would probably be books. I love to look at them, shop for them and buy them. But, because we homeschool (and the curriculum we use is very literature heavy) and I love books, we are well on our way to having shelves full of them. (Hopefully the Kindle will help me a little bit with this.)

Anyway, I want the kids to always have access to all the books we have. But, that being said, I don't want the books to go missing AND I want to be able to find the books when I need them/want them.

So, one of my little projects I wanted to work on over the holidays was some way to organize our books, and keep track of them. A system that everyone could use, even Boop.

This is what I came up with, based on some discussion on my homeschool loop. (Many of the women discussing this have WAY more books then I do.) Anyway, I spent a lot of time, this weekend, sorting out the books. I divided them into school years. And then resource books and puzzle books, coloring books and magazines. A biblical resource section. There are two shelves of books I want to read. Some fun books. Other family, school and life books. One shelf (not in the system at the moment) is in a totally different room and, at this moment, has not been incorporated into my system. They are mostly books I have read and are a little above their reading level. For the time being. But, there are some really great books such as The Invisible Man and The Count of Monte Cristo. I digress.

My system is as follows: Each kids gets three colored index cards with their name on them. At any given time they can take a card and "check out" a book. They write the name of the book on the card and the date and place the card on the shelf where the book was. Only three books at a time and there is no "due date." I even have a set of cards for myself, so when I loan a book out, I can remember who it was to.

Now, if I need a book or notice one has been missing for awhile, I know who to go to. Also, when they "return" the book, they will put it back where it belongs. Because their colored card is in the right spot.

They thought this was great fun, at first. For about 20 minutes they "checked out" books. I have since seen the books laying around in the living room and in their bedrooms. So, as with every other system I come up with, we will have to see how it works out in reality.

But, for the moment it gives me a little piece of mind as to where my precious books are. And, for the moment, I will cherish that little piece of mind . . .

Happy Birthday To Me