You Matter

This afternoon my sister-in-law sent me this picture.  She was going through things at my parents house and wanted to know if I wanted to keep this plate. 

No, don't want/need the plate but I am glad that she asked.  The plate was a souvenir from my first trip to Guatemala --February 1996!! 25 years ago!!  The plate is a reminder of the trip yes.  But the plate changes nothing in my life.  The trip?  Yes, it was a rite of passage on my journey into adulthood.  No regrets from the trip but a plate, trinket, or picture from the trip changes nothing.  

From time to time I will tell people that I don't collect things--I collect people.  And I like to think that I am almost a minimalist--I am at least striving to be.  

Back to the plate! No the trip!  What I have kept from the trip!  I was fortunate that even though this was a teen mission/service trip and I was a (25 year old) chaperone, I was able to invite my mom to come along.  The teens that were on the trip are adults now...and over the years I have seen some of them again and of course we have that connection from our trip.  

But there is a special little girl whom I have never forgotten.  I was only with her minutes but I learned a lesson from her and I wonder if she remembers me.  One day the group took a trip to a village on the coast.  We stopped in a village and immediately we were surrounded by a flood of children to see what we were going to pass out.  As a young 25 year old woman I had my hair pulled back into a long pony tail of untamed curls.  Back them my hair, even though it was brown, was as unruly as Merida's in the movie BRAVE.  This little village girl sat down beside me touched my curls and my pale skin.  Maybe I was that first American she had met? I didn't speak Spanish....and she didn't speak English.  We had only a few minutes.  So I smiled and touched her beautiful black hair and her dark skin.  I needed her to know that it was MY privilege to meet HER.  I needed her to know that I wasn't a traveling dignitary. She was not a "safari native side-show". She mattered. 

Collect people

Use things--love people

Reach Out and Touch Someone

 Today was my dads birthday I have so many special memories of my dad.  My dad had a few traditions that he kept up and were as consistent as a calendar.  He had some friends that he called every year on New Years Day. I remember an old coworker or two as well as a school friend and he would try to be the first to call each other each year. And I remember he was even careful to keep the annual call ringing the widows.  Then two years ago when he realized he would be passing in a few days he called up several friends and relatives.  Bravely greeted them, explained that this would be his last call, then thanked them for being special.  A proper, peaceful exit.  Not everyone gets that opportunity.

What if--

    **we each finished our conversations in the light that we are not promised a tomorrow?

    **we lived in a manner that when we received news that our expiration was near that we could peacefully and bravely close that chapter?

    **we valued today and didn't gamble for tomorrow

Maybe we would hug instead of hurrying.

 

2021

 What will mark this year?

We all have markers:

--that was when we vacationed in

--when I was attending

--when I was expecting

--the year that

--back when I was

At different times in my life I have stopped and considered what my mom was doing at my age.  When I decided to go away to college my mom had me at that age. At my current age my mom was awaiting her first grandchild to be born....I am a year away from my oldest child to graduate high school!

This time last year I was hit by the worst flu...I was in doctor offices and urgent care centers 3 times in 5 days.  Two negative flu tests and one negative strep test.  This year I am thankful to be well.

However you left 2020 lets take time to remember the precious moments.  Yes, there were hard times and losses.  But was some good too...sometimes it is important to reflect on the good.

For the sake of the young lets hold to our hope...to our dreams...to our visions.

CULTIVATE

I am not even going to apologize for the many months of silence....life happens to us all and it seems to be common human tendency that we try to start/restart positive habits in the beginnings of new years.

Welcome to 2021.

Not to dwell on what didn't go as planned in 2020.  I want to share how I plan to enter into 2021.  "CULTIVATE" is my chosen focus word for 2021.

My resolves?  Goals?

MARRIAGE:  March 3 will be 20 years of marriage! We need to celebrate this year!  Last year...I don't have to explain to you what was happening in my world--yours was in the same shadow.  Cultivating my marriage....make sure that we continue to share and plan goals,

MOTHERHOOD:  So my motherhood is also continually evolving.  This is the stage that I find I am molding the lives of M-E-N.  When your boys are taller than you and out weigh you...the realization of what you are giving to the future is breath taking.  Cultivating my motherhood...turning them to Christ always.  And remembering that my wishes for them is not for my happiness.

FRIENDSHIPS:  2020 caused all of us to change interacting whether we intended to or not.  Human touch is now fearful.  Before I had an invisible circle...and sometimes have shamelessly held off the huggers, the hand shakers....now after seeing how fast I can lose people I don't want to regret missed opportunities.  A favorite quote: "Don't cry because it is over...smile because it happened"  Winnie-the-Pooh  Cultivating friendships by inviting friends to come to my home.  I would love to make the lofty plan of 21 guests in 21!! Back in the fall I was in an automobile accident that left me on the couch for almost three weeks. During that time, we received warm meals and three house cleanings...but the sweet fellowship was very healing.

SPIRITUAL:  Wow!  This is very personal.  But in limited transparency my cultivation plan:  treat every church service and Sunday school lesson as it could be the last.  And guard my heart and soul of what I take in through reading, music and other media.

Happy New Year!

And I look forward to what we may cultivate together!

Great Kentucky Field Trip/ Day Trip

It is the end of our school year...{read: we are pushing to remain focused and finish!} Thursday we took a wonderful field trip!  ***I have to stop here at the beginning and preface this by saying one thing that made this day great was being with our A.B.L.E. home-school group!

Our first stop was Ale8one Bottling Plant ( <---tour details here) Before the tour we learned the history of Ale8 and were shown some original tools for bottling. The tour ended with a fresh cold bottle of Ale8!

After the plant tour we stopped in the gift shop and discovered Ale8 products-- so far I  have tried the salsa and it is amazing!!

After leaving Ale8one  Bottling Plant we ate lunch we went on to the Toyota plant in Georgetown.  I don't have any pictures from Toyota--but the tour is great for kids and adults.  Plan your tour here!

Sample of what you will see :

My boys are still quoting the tour guide about how Toyota is a great place to work---now to get them back on their school work for today so one day they will get a job.

Finally! A Perfect Homeschooling Journal

Finally, a home-school planner/journal made for homeschooling moms!!  Last week I attended a seminar "for moms who fear homeschooling high school".  I estimated 50+moms there...so I didn't feel ashamed. {there were several dads attending too!} The speakers were veteran homeschooling moms {who had graduated children that went on to productive careers, colleges and universities} as well as a local college administrator and an academic adviser.

So much great information presented...and I was starting to feel pulled deeper in my sea of inadequacy when this supermom shared her planner--actually FOUR planners...one for each year!  Now she was speaking my language!  After she explained how easy it was to track her son and produce his transcript from these {he got accepted into a fancy private university!}she set them out for us to thumb through.  Yeah, I am shameless...I immediately flipped it over, scanned the bar code, and ordered it from Amazon! ...then I looked at the price...$5.95!!!

Now I am off to finish shopping for my Freshman!!P.S I have already been placing some reading material for me!! and why not... shop for school :-)

Super Nanny

I had never heard of Super Nanny until a couple of days ago.  I immediately looked her up on YouTube and endured a few episodes.  Wow.

Let me preface this post by saying that I have been on both sides of the parenting field.  I was 33 when I had my first child.  And I knew everything about parenting!  I was very apt in noticing others' parenting mistakes.  Like a super-power! Then I had a child.  And I had that child!  Suddenly all of my "parental sagacity" proved to be inept and ignorant.  First, he was born about 3 weeks early and without the suckle reflex...I had missed that chapter in the What To Expect The First Year  Book. And COLIC! Colic is real. I continued to survive...day by day--and many days hour by hour.  I was nearing the completion of my first year of motherhood when I found that I was going to get to go through year one again!  {Actually I found out on that first birth day that I was nine short months away from another new baby!}

Yes, I have a great husband--and great grand-parental support group...but even though he was not the first grandchild on one side--we were all in this learning experience together.

**back to SuperNanny...***
So far what I have noticed about Super Nanny Jo is that she will try to instruct the parents on how to get their child to listen to them, how to show love to their child, and how to speak authoritatively to their child. Really?? The same day that I found Super Nanny was the Florida High School Massacre.

Maybe Super Nanny is doing society a service.  No matter my opinion of Super Nanny at least she is bringing to light the need for discipline and love.  Even now as my children are at manageable ages...I am concerned with their training and nurturing.  And now that I have gotten through those years--and you know which ones I mean!--I believe I am more sensitive to parents to children of all ages.  Even those scary teen years.  I am just now arriving in those years...but already I am more emphatic of parents treading waters that I haven't crossed yet.

Thankfully God gives grace.
Also thankful that my young men are in a strong church, active youth group and have a very in-touch youth pastor.

Hillary Clinton made the proverb "It takes a village to raise a child" famous---
but she is not the first to pen that.  Actually it is an old African proverb.  Where communities work together and hold the same values.  

~~choose your village wisely

Just Do The Next Thing

Many days I am overwhelmed.  I always have a list of things I need to do.  Some I really need to do...others are things I want to do or accomplish...some are things that I "self-obligate" myself into.  Often I create mountains that appear impossible to conquer.  But every mountain is climbed one step at a time. 

For years I struggled with the simple task of laundry.  Throwing it into the washer was fast and easy.  Throwing it into the dryer was fast and easy.  Carrying it upstairs...accomplish-able.  But folding it and putting it away? required super hero power I would be telling my friend Niki how I was so behind in housework...and she'd say "oh you have Mt. Foldmore in the living room again?"  As the boys grew older I was needing to teach them to help...and my fairy godmother Pinterest came to my rescue! I found there was fix!  I bought some plastic utility shelving,new laundry baskets....and I started folding the laundry straight from the dryer and putting it into its owners basket!  Now everyone carries up their own laundry and puts it away. And I  can now dry the next load!  I had to learn to "do the next thing"!

I was sharing with another mom the other day that recently I had been keeping myself sane by focusing on what I did get done instead of what I did not...and sometimes I even made a To Done list instead of a To Do list.  She so sweetly reminded me that that is okay.  She said remember Elizabeth Elliot would say "Just do the next thing". I had forgotten that!! Later I "googled"...I needed that advice again!  And so I am sharing with you that poem that Elizabeth Elliot shared with us years ago.

From an old English parsonage down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the doors the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing.

Looking for Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.

Dear friend, find some rest today.  And just worry about doing the next thing.  And maybe it is a cup of coffee. Breathe!

2018 One Day At A Time

Here we are four days into 2018. I set goals....actually I re-evaluated my goals.  I always have ideas and dreams that I am reaching for.  For about three years I have been committed to activity goals.  Often I have reached the 10k step goal...but over the past three months it has been tough and I rarely reach it.  So I decided that I am not giving up but it is time to revisit that goal.  I have temporarily changed my step goal to 7500k.  This is still not an easy goal but doable.  I really have to push myself to reach it.  And I am thrilled that four days into this year I have reached it everyday!

I am not lowering my standard...I am giving myself a chance to get strong and to get back to better shape.  Setting reasonable goals gives me safe boundaries.  Not lowering the bar...just making sure that I don't lose confidence and that I indeed make it back to living well.

Memaw Susan's Famous Oatmeal Cookies

Okay so it is Saturday night and I have known about the Sunday School cookie exchange party for two weeks...and no, I didn't start worrying about it until today.  I do remember Nate proudly saying, "I told the class that I would be bringing my Memaw's FAMOUS OATMEAL COOKIES!!" Somehow my tired holiday dazed brain filed that comment!  A couple of weeks ago he got the recipe from her....fast forward to today she asked him if he had them ready for tomorrow. {read here: did you talk your mom into making those?}  Of course I explained after we leave this afternoon we are heading straight to Walmart to fight the crazy Walmart crowd to get the ingredients....

Right on cue she says:  "Oh, no let me make them and bring them over later tonight {SCORE!!!} Then since it is a freezing 21 degrees..I assure her that if she would mix up the dough I would take it home and bake it :-) 

I probably can't get my mother-in-law to bake cookies for your child's party but I will share the recipe.  Everyone knows that a memaw's touch is what makes them good!

MEMAW SUSAN'S FAMOUS OATMEAL COOKIES

Ingredient's

• 3/4 c. shortening soft
• 1 c. packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 c. water
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 c. sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp. soda
• 3 c. uncooked oats
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Beat shortening, sugars, egg, water and vanilla together until creamy.
• Sift together flour, salt and soda. 
• Add to creamed mixture; blend well.
• Stir in oats.
• Drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet.
• Bake 10-15 minutes.

Yields 5 dozen.

How I Got to Here

Some stories are difficult to share.  Christmas afternoon my dad was showing us old home videos.  One was twelve years old.  I was enjoying watching my nieces and my oldest child...until the panning camera caught me.  Twelve years ago I weighed  60+ more pounds than I do now.  I joined and failed at Weight Watchers more times than I will admit.  I tried everything...Adkins, variations of Adkins, Cabbage Soup Diet...you name it...I probably have that t-shirt.

I had so many fresh starts:

• every New Years Eve
• each new baby on the way
• each new baby delivered
• each friend that got engaged
• every season change
• every new Weight Watcher plan coupon that arrived in my mailbox

I was a starter but not a finisher.  I had lost hope. I didn't believe in myself.

Then June 2011 my world slowed way down...
I had my first Multiple Sclerosis episode. Suddenly I had to evaluate everything that I believed in.... 

• God--He was still with me and I had to decide that I could trust Him in this new phase of life.
• My husband-- we had taken the traditional wedding vows: "for better for worse, in sickness and in health" these vows have stood--thank God
• Motherhood--I was called to be these young men's mother

and the list goes on

From the beginning of the diagnosis I prayed (and believed) and searched for non-drug help.  I have done traditional MS therapies--and currently I am taking medicine.  I also have had two adipose stem-cell therapies--and I would do them again. 

In 2010 I had a neurologist tell me that I would be in a long term nursing facility in 3-5 years.  I started looking for hope!  I changed neurologist and this one wanted to work with me in finding more natural remedies. Yes, he has walked with me during good times and not as good times. He always encourages me to keep trying.

So in 2013 I landed in the hospital and we found out about The MS Recovery Diet. Sometimes God leads us to answers. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired!

So when I talked to my doctor about the book he said "yes this can help you. But you are an American and we don't mess with Americans food." {I still love him!} Suddenly I had to believe in me--no on else could do it. I totally changed my way of eating and my WHOLE situation changed

• I started walking
• my symptoms lessened
• I was thankful for what I could eat
• I focused on taking care of myself
• the weight came off!  I really didn't work at losing weight...I worked at taking care of me so I could care for my family!

I focus an what I CAN eat and NOT what I can not.  Being thankful for what I can eat has been a big factor in my being able to stick with my eating lifestyle.

I am not writing as the diet police...but I want to encourage others to be able to believe in their selves and to make right decisions.

1 Peter 3:15

$667.95

At the end of the year...and the beginning of a new year a common theme is saving money--finishing the new  year not broke.  I have seen so many weekly savings plans.... $25/week, $50/week--good goals but then Murphy visits--life gets busy and life happens.  Today, I ran across this great article that deals with pennies!  Tammi, a mom of three,  blogger at My Organized Chaos shared this back in February 2016 (what took me so long to find this?).

Go here to download and print Tammi's chart!

Looking over this chart I have already thought of ways I am going to find that money!  Every time I put away one of these small bits of money I will check off that box.  I printed each of the boys their own charts. So far they are not jumping on the opportunity.  I am convinced that my boys (ages 13,12, and 9) could reach this goal!  

Great places (for adults or kids) to find change:

• laundry
• jacket pockets
• counter tops
• purses/backpacks in storage
• toy boxes
• between sofa cushions
• sidewalks
• around vending machines

The list is endless! I am convinced!  My husband keeps accusing me of planning on him to give me the $667.95--{Don't let us forget who is the "Head Laundry Mistress" in this household!}

It is a great goal!  And what if I make it to the $667.95?!

How could I spend an extra $667.95?

Hmmmm...

• how would it feel to see a little hopeless mommy and make her dream come true?
• or freshen up some widows landscaping and paint their front doors?
• or leave a large tab for suspended coffees?
• okay... I have already checked airfare to  spend part of January 2019 in Phoenix (yeah, my Aunt Wanda needs me to visit!!)

Prosperous, Healthful, and Blessed New Year to All

2017 Favorites

Today I am going to share some of my  favorite 2017 finds!

Favorite You Tubers

The Daily Connoisseur  okay I liked Jennifer Scott before 2017.  The three books she has written are on my favorite books list.  Her channel is a weekly dose of etiquette, recipes, lifestyle and house keeping ideas.

Sounds Like Reign Lovely little family that makes beautiful acoustic gospel music videos.  They share their life stories and testimonies in the videos.  Their music is available to download for free or they do sell Cd's.  Sounds like they really want to share,eh?

Jamerrill's Large Family Table Okay...Jamerrill and I could be real life friends--home-school mom, shops at Aldi's, and shares great freezer meal ideas!

Family Time 

 Adventures in Odyssey This is totally worth the money!  We are now in our second six month subscription.  It works out to about $3 a month per kid since we have 3 boys.  The magazine is a great quality magazine.  The stories promote good character.

Lamplighter Books this Christmas we invested in several of the audio books.  We have been captivated by the stories as we travel.  Lamplighter books are out of print books that Mark Hamby has started republishing....the audio books are dramatized and exciting. Want to listen to some? Lamplighter Theater  is played on 80 radio stations in 30 countries!

Catan is definitely our family board game of the year!

My Favorite Find!!
Mr. Siga Floor mop  {not an affiliate}  I love this mop!!  the little towels I just rinse in the sink and snap back on to mop!  One side is terry-- great for mopping and the other side of the towel is microfiber- great for dusting!  The handle is telescoping and I can easily dust and wash my walls with it.

86 Years of Marriage

Today the Day family is celebrating 86 years of marriage.

49--my parents (12/16/1968)
21--my brother and his wife (12/14/1996)
16--Bryan and me (3/3/2001)

Today is the big celebration of those 49 years. Those 49 years were not all easy I am sure. They lived in 6 states, raised 2 children, were blessed with 7 grandchildren and I only wished I knew how many vehicles they had during that time!

Those 49 years have paved the road for their childrens' marriages.  We were raised that you stay together and get through difficulties together.  You raise the children together.  I can remember growing up and EVERY time my mom told me no to something if I was brave enough to ask my dad hoping he would go ahead and say yes he would always say your mother already said no.  Sometimes they would discuss matters between themselves then come back with a new verdict.

In those 49 years they traveled all 50 states.  That was my dads dream.  But my mom went and saw it through.

Eighty-six is the big number.  The 86 has effected the 21 and the 16.  Not ruled but drew the map.

I pray the big number grows bigger and that the 21 and the 16 follow without stopping.  And one day 7 more numbers will begin and carry on.  That is legacy.

Ark Encounter

The Ark Encounter--from the time I heard about this being built in Kentucky I knew that I wanted to go.  Finally we got the opportunity...wow I was so unprepared.  I knew it would be a museum of excellence--I had already experienced the Creation Museum and expected nothing less of Ken Ham than a first class adventure!

The Ark Encounter--is the most appropriate name.  Upon boarding in minutes I realized that I was in for so much more that a museum tour--I found myself in a spiritual emprise.  I have always believed the story of Noah and the ark.  It is a great story.  Almost any child of four years or older can tell you some of the story--even if they have not had the privilege of attending Sunday school.  The story is found every where...nursery decor, Little Golden books, toys, cartoons....and the list could go on.

But a visit to the Ark Encounter--suddenly the truths that were planted in my heart as a child were validated, made concrete, and rallied my walk with Christ now as an adult.

What I brought off the Ark Encounter:

**organization is the will of God.  The Ark Encounter is a wonderful detailed example of how organization assures law and order to what could very well be chaos. [recipe for disaster: animals that usually eat each other caged in close quarters. 3 brothers cooped up together during a 40 day rain!!! 3 sister-in-laws dwelling together--yeah not going there...AND a mother-in-law--lets just say we all figure the Bible gracefully left out some story details]

**all of the people on the Ark had to have very specific talents and gifts to help it all work.  I know God gave them wisdom and knowledge.  He made sure that they acquired knowledge and skills--either before boarding or while on the job.  So I am once again assured that He will prepare me for my journey in life.

**God cares about the tiniest details and already has a plan for them.

The cost-- the costs of going to the Ark Encounter is one of the first things mentioned when someone brings up the subject of going.

--the Ark Encounter is a first class state of the art experience

--here in America people eagerly pay admission to concerts, movies, game rooms, sport events, theme parks, shooting ranges, golf courses...

--the cost of boarding the first Ark was quite great---and the eight people that decided to make the sacrifice were forever grateful.

So the Ark Encounter---absolutely no buyers regret...in fact we are considering annual passes.  It was an excellent field trip for the boys--and for me!  I learned so much.

I think the timing of our trip was perfect.  A snowy December Tuesday morning..  The Ark was not terribly busy. We were able to take time to read and enjoy the whole experience.  We didn't do the outside park opportunities...but something about snow and bitter cold winds made our decision.

Christmas Break

School started and I took off running.  I haven't stopped. Until now and without a break I will crash!  

I am so ready for Christmas...no, all the decor is not out and I don't have any gifts wrapped.  I am ready to stop. To meditate. To take time as the year is closing to reflect and count my blessings.  I know the accomplishments of 2017 are way out numbered by blessings.  Already this 'Christmas Season' I have enjoyed peace and joy.  I am purposely trying to avoid stress that obligatory consumerism brings.  

I remember as a little girl seeing the acronym JOY .

J--Jesus

O--Others

Y--Yourself

And it works!  If we keep Jesus first, then focus on others...by the time we get to ourselves we find JOY.

Christmastime seems to draw most people back to childhood memories...whether good or sad.  This year I have made an effort to connect with old friends who probably feel forgotten.  It is the first time in several years that I have sent cards.  I have been making the excuse that I  added up the costs and just let the kids buy a mission gift through World Vision.  They love "giving" ducks or chickens or a goat...and we can still do that. {Writing a check is easier that addressing evelopes!!} But this year I decided to go ahead and send the card (140!) and let friends know they were remembered.  Some will be surprised.

At the beginning of the month our church hosted the Milikin family with Rachel McCutcheon for a Christmas Concert...Eli has been singing about having an Arkansas Christmas ever since!! 

So far Christmas 2017 has focused on events and visits with friends...maybe we are making new traditions...I hope so!

Club 100

The door going out of our school room is steal. So I decided to take advantage of that blank area by making that our Club 100. I still had robots so I used those. Each time one of the boys makes a 100 I will put his name on a magnetic label and put it under the subject. I guess at the end of the 9 weeks I will have a prize for the one with the most.

Our First Read-a-long For 2017-18

A couple of months ago I was privileged to go through a personal library and take any and as many books as I wanted. I tried to be discreet and take only a few. This book grabbed my attention and begged to join my library.  I wasn't looking for items to sell but since I was offered this opportunity I didn't want to waste it. And I sincerely plan to read the treasures I was gifted.

TO BE OR NOT TO BE was written by S.D.Chambers the pastor of Kilburn Presbyterian Church in Newark, New Jersey , 1921.

This is a collection of sermons and talks for "juniors".  Each chapter deals with issues that begin with"B".  The "B" word is explained on a "junior" understanding.  In all there are 26 talks of "B" issues that are still prevalent for young people today.

I am enjoying these and so excited to discuss them with my three young men.

Plan for the school year

I am breaking into my update posts on the school room organizing---yeah it is still in progress but I stopped to plan a little bit. Back in the spring I blogged about ordering A Plan In Place Planner for this school year and now I am sharing it in motion!

Starting point-- Mission Board.  Mission?!

**survive the school year

**still love the boys by the end of the school year

**Everyone complete the grade

**graduate them

When I sat down and actually pondered it I found that I do have a mission beyond survival...and now to map out goals to get me there.

Next are the brainstorming blocks for each student and extra for the other things that we are involved it.  I have one for the math class that I am teaching at our  co-op----I want it to be the best math year ever for each of my students!

Next before planning our breaks I am filling life, family,and Church events that I know are happening:

Some thing never change so plan for them first. {once again Christmas will be December 25th this year!}

We already have the dates for the youth conference--so we wont to be out for that!  This is how I start my plan.  Then as life happens we can look ahead and re-arrange days as needed.

For the last two years we have ended our school year by attending a missions conference.  And that is my goal for this year too!

For daily planning I mainly record what we finished each day.  We do 170 days...Ben's work arrives broken up that way.  Nate's work follows the co-op and so with Eli I have to make sure that he completes his grade when the other 2 finish . Beside the weekly plan page there is a page for me to keep track of the boys music practice, youth group activities, volunteer obligations,recitals, and so forth.  Across the bottom: A WEEKLY MENU PLAN! that is an area that I am trying to submit to and practice.  Want to try some of these to see if this is the planner for you?  Free printable here!

Hopefully my next post will be progress in the school room :-)

Reading Bulletin Board

I am planning to share our school room for 2017-2018 as it comes along...so keep checking back.

Ben will be schooling in his room this year since he will be doing ABEKA DVD and I don't want the other 2 watching his videos instead of doing their own work.  We don't exactly have a true "school room" but we have an open area off from the den that walks out of the basement.  It is a great space!  The area has a door that opens to Ben's bathroom so our school will have a convenient bathroom!

Nate and Eli will have tables to work at--even though there are 6th and 4th grade I want to keep the room decor fun.

So our motivational bulletin board :-)

Nate's reading record:

Eli's reading record:

I think that the little bulletin board kit came with about 30 blank belly robots...so every time they each finish reading a book I will make a title label and stick it on the robot belly!

Thanks for reading!  I hope that as I post our "school room" that something may spark an idea for your school this year!