Just relax

I am at a point in my life where I am just taking time to relax, to enjoy what I have,  to be present. 

Sometimes while we are "adulting" it is east to fall into the trap of trying to figure it all out.
--is this safe?
--can I afford it?

-can I step out of my busyness long enough to be apart?

All last week the boys worked extra on the homeschooling so that we would be able to take Monday off and go visit family.  Their reward in in addition to visiting great aunts and uncles we were able to stay in a hotel with a pool.  I didn't get to leave the house spotless but I did grab my swim wear. The boys are growing up and I need to enjoy every moment before they are off with their friends. 

These days I am focusing on taking time to enjoy my son's youth. Time to relax so their memories of me won't always be of a rushed, stressed mom....but instead of me and them having good times, at ease.

Today I finished reading "LOVE THE HOME YOU HAVE".  So I am also trying to love my family as they are and not stressing over the little things. There will be a day I no longer have to drill them on hygiene, manners, and grammar. 

Just relax!

Book giveaway :: BETTER THAN BEFORE

2015 has been a year of "Contentment " for me. I have been focusing on my home.  And I am in love with life :-)

This has not been the easiest year of my life but there has been blessings with every obstacle.

One of the books that I have enjoyed has been : Better Than Before.  This is the copy that I read :-) (Still in great shape ) .

To enter just leave a comment telling me one goal you still want to reach in 2015.
I will draw for the winner Thursday, September  17, at noon.

Good luck!

Mr. Gallon

I caved.
I left the big box curriculum today to explain  liquid measurements. Pints, cups, quarts, and gallons need to be seen to be understood. I knew I had seen a "Mr. Gallon" before so I Google(d) him! And thanks to Google I found www.imageck.com.

4th grade math suddenly became so clear and fun the my 2nd and 6th graders joined in :-)

sharing at:

Whole Hearted Home

Waiting On Wednesday

Treevalley Academy

Don't Just Survive

So today is our 22nd day of homeschool. It hasn't been easy or a thrill ride. But is hasn't been awful either.  But I am choosing not to only survive  but also to THRIVE.
Things that have been great:
--I absolutely love the co-op school that Ben is attending.  He goes to co-op one day a week and schools at home the other 4 days. {I may have to do a complete post on co-op school later}
--I am loving the one on one time that I have with the boys so that I can see exactly where and why they are struggling.
--it is so satisfying to see each of them grasp a new idea.

Areas that have improved :(thriving)

--I finally have the laundry in a controllable cycle

--we are following and shopping by a menu

--since my husband has a crazy work schedule I allow the boys one of his week days off in exchange for them working on a Saturday. 

The guys have started to pick up some independence. And I am thrilled with that. By them working on their school work because they want to makes this so much more enjoyable. 

Allowing them to pick what to work on has been a huge hit.  As long as 5 lessons are completed in each of the 7 subjects by the end of the week I am happy.  So I just had one do all of his reading lessons yesterday plus 2 history --his goal was a math less day!

Here is a picture of a locust skin.  Going out to the yard to find an exoskeleton was more impressionable that a week of reading and worksheets. 

Thrive moms--that is what will keep your homeschool  "alive".

Just Do It

My years growing up are filled with wonderful memories of camping all over the western United States and some of the Canadian provinces.  I took it for granted.  I never realized the work that went into those trips until now.  My guys have begged for a campout. We had a tent--the struggle of knowing I would be obligated to sleep out there held me back. But they had finally talked Bryan into it...so I couldn't wimp out.

While they were putting up the tent Eli reminded me that all was missing was marshmallows. So I forced myself to run out to Dollar General before closing.  I was checking out and the teenage clerk said "I am glad you didn't get graham crackers and Hershey's too". I asked him why and he explained that he hadn't had s'more s since he was 4 and he was always jealous when he knew families were doing the campfire thing.  I just smiled and assured him that he'd do that soon. Then I rushed home to make sure little guys marshmallow roasting dreams came true!

Already planning our next campout...next time at a campground! 

Sometimes you just have to stop and live.

Linking up with:

Life Love and Pursuit of Play

Turn It Up Tuesday

2nd Field Trip: The Nina

It has been two years since I home schooled but I have returned with two standards that I faithfully kept before:

1. Never complain about homeschooling.  My reasons for homeschooling were not typical. But the reasons  that put us on this journey are still important to us.   So if I complain then my children will feel that they are not worthy of my sacrifice for them. And they will hate homeschooling too.

2. Field trips are not a day off. Field trips need to have a purpose.

Right now in Nate's 4th grade history he is studying the explorers and has reached Christopher Columbus.  And the Nina and the Pintail are docked in Louisville!

January 1st Is Not Magical

January 1st is not magical.  But people wait for it.  We have all heard  and/or said it. January 1st I am going to :
--start a diet
--begin a budget
--get organized
--exercise!
...and we know what happens --January 8th does. {L.I.F.E.} And we have to accept that we woke up no different.

Today is September 1st.  I have been considering what I need THIS September to be.  Instead of overwhelming myself with lofty goals...or chastising myself for ones missed in August, July, June. ...---》 I am choosing to celebrate success, victories, journeys endured--completed.

***
Over the past 30ish months I have lost 60lbs. Currently  13 away from my goal.  This 13lbs seems to be the hardest.  (That is my current feeling --but I know in my heart the slow start was the most discouraging)

***
Clutter has always been a downfall of mine.  I hate parting with s.t.u.f.f. So I came across The Minimalist  www.theminimalists.com. As a Christian I have quoted "Thou shall not covet" since early Sunday school. In my mind has always interpreted that as "wanting expensive things". Nowadays I am seeing it as no contentment.

***
I started eating better July 4th, 2013...when a nurse asked me why I didn't go on the MS Recovery Diet.  I hadn't because I simply didn't know about it. Even after 2 yrs on it I am slacking some and feeling the effects. Definitely don't want to wait on shaping up!

***
At the beginning of the year I started writing letters to old friends ---sometimes people contacted me back. I need to do that weekly.

I could go on and on. ...but I wont---my message is I cannot wait for January 1st...I must live now. TODAY.

Join me in living.

Linking up with:  Wake Up Wednesday