Back to Life Back to Reality....

The Holidays seem like a blur now. So many guests, so many presents, so much busyness. This weekend we  capped things off with our youngest having her 5th birthday. There are no more toddlers or preschoolers here! While I always miss the days of the "littles" I so much cherish big conversations and the deeper communication that comes with older kids.

My husband has been on vacation for 2 weeks during the holidays. Which was lovely but not our normal routine. I believe he was ready to return to work and his responsibilities there. The homemaker knows how things can pile up when we are away. The two of us did get a much welcomed date last night. Probably the first in a year! We went to see the Hobbit (we are huge Lord of The Rings fans). The best part was the movie was three hours long! That is three hours of sitting next to my husband uninterrupted  with no one sharing the popcorn but us! Now that we live 5 minutes from my parents we should be able to get these dates more often. This also gives the much needed grandparent time the kids need. I feel the grands house  should be like a second home where a child can enter and feel a sense of belonging and safety from the world.

Speaking of older kids the "three amigos" are visiting their father for 3 weeks this month.The kids continued school for much of the holidays so they could take this break without me having to send school with them When they leave for more then a weekend I always seem to go through a slight depression or sense of being a little lost, losing my bearings. I know they are in excellent hands and loved and cared for immensely so it is not for their sake that I feel this way. One does not realize how true it is that our children our parts of our hearts walking around on the outside.

I am taking my time to read Large Family Logistics by Kim Brennanmen. I'm not to far in this book and already finding a wealth of information. This book can be ordered at visionforum.com

I'm finding the kids need clear direction and while we were able to "get away with it" when the kids were in public school, we cannot do so now. The kids are struggling with what to do with their down time. They instantly go to video games and the computer when I am not working with them on school. Of course this is not what we want for them so I am working on a list of "to-do" ideas. The electronics will be off limits until the afternoon after all chores are done. The exception will be school related times and select videos from the library that pertain to what we are learning.

So while the kids are away this mouse will not play but will be schooling herself. So if anyone in blog land has suggestions let me know. I've said this before and I will say it again, homeschooling is like I am getting to know my kids for the first time. To more deeply understand who they are as people. I am seeing what they struggle with and what makes them light up. I thought I knew this before but I am shocked to see what I was missing.

What I am Learning...

Recently I downloaded a learning sermon titled The Wise Woman's Guide to Blessing Her Husband's Vision by Doug Phillips. This teaching can be downloaded as a mp3 from bluebehemoth.com and can be purchased on cd by Vision Forum at their website visionforum.com


*Please note I have purchased this teaching myself and was not given this for review.

This teaching is a great reminder of my duties as wife. There was the reminder that I am responsible for my attitude and demeanor in the home. There was conviction of my gentleness in how I speak to my husband at times. It made me ask some questions of myself. Am I trying to lead my husband where I want to go or am I giving him the freedom to lead our family in his way? Am I acting as "Holy Spirit Jr." to my husband? Am I really doing good for him or do I see him as my helper when he gets home in the evening?

There was also relief for me in this teaching. In Christian society it seems all of us women are supposed to be  running a ministry out side of our house. This teaching shows a woman her true mission is with her family working to bless her husbands vision and ministry. I don't have to push an agenda on my husband. I am not responsible to set the vision of my family. I will be patient waiting for leading from my husband on his ministry. I will encourage him to find a vision for the family through my willingness to serve by continuing to teach the children, and care for his home.

I will continue listening to this teaching as there is so much to glean from this teaching. I want it to soak into my heart until my natural response to my husband is gentle, loving and helpful.

12 and Holding

Yesterday my eldest child turned 12. I know I'm supposed to say that time flies but that is not how it feels for me. For me it feels like a lifetime has gone by since this girl was born. We have been through so much this girl of mine and me. I think it feels so long ago because I have changed so much myself over the years. I was about to turn 22 when she was born. This child has raised me up as much as I have raised her. Strangely it feels as if she has always been a part of my life (it feels like that with all my kids).

During our bible time yesterday I prayed over my precious girl and I could here her whispers of agreement when I prayed that she learned from the word of God more then she learned from having to make the mistakes herself. I prayed that she be used of God to reach others. She is always on the side of the underdog and I can see her loving service to others and missions. She is a doer and God needs more doers then theologians.

In celebration of her birthday homeschool was canceled and we went out for fun instead.

Our first stop was to Half Priced Books where all the kids got something and the birthday girl got four. Our next stop was a surprise. 

I found a cupcake bakery online and the kids were in awe of the selection and size when we arrived!

The birthday girl chose the "Birthday" Cupcake and received a candle on top. 

The shop was adorable and was decorated for Christmas. What a goofy crew I have! 

Today we are celebrating with Nana and PawPaw. The birthday girl is already there as she spent the night last night. I will be making her cake to bring over and we will have lunch. This year she didn't want gifts but to go shopping. So she and I will make a day together at the mall while the other kids help Nana decorate for Christmas.

Have a great Saturday! Tomorrow we will be visiting a church here. The kids are ready to get back to a church routine and to make some friends.

Giveaway at Rookery Ramblings (Tasha Tudor Family)

Tasha Tudor's family is giving away a beautiful 1800's table cloth this month. To enter simply make a comment on their blog. 
This past October I won an out of print Tasha Tudor book and two wonderful knitting patterns for bonnets. I will not be entering this giveaway because it feels a little greedy to try and win again! Just wanted to post it for   someone else to get a chance to win! 

The knitted bonnet pattern can be purchased at www.lisacruse.com 

The book is beautiful and perfect to read on a cold winter day with a cuppa. 

Homeschool Transitions

Yesterday was a day of some issues coming to a head. There were tears and struggles and anger. One thing home school does (which I do count as a big blessing) is actually getting to know your kids. I have many goals for homeschooling my children but one was to actually be together during our "best" time of the day. Not just in the afternoon or evening when I have nothing left to give except the basics of food and making sure baths are taken.

We started to home school after making a big move and all this change is more then some of these little hearts can handle. They miss their friends and the interactions. They came from "good" public schools and really enjoyed school. There have been lots of happy moments these past two weeks and I would say they out number the bad right now.

Yesterday after the tears we (including me) went in the back yard and played a game of soccer. That was a definite first this  momma isn't one for sports. Then there was a bike/scooter ride to the play scape in our neighborhood.

Besides the lack of school friends, one little one is having a hard time responding to mommy as teacher. Defiant behavior I know he wasn't displaying at school is showing up during our school time. Scribbling on bookwork, complaining that the work is too hard (then getting all the answers right after he makes even a feeble attempt).

In the middle of all this I have one blissfully happy child who is eating up all this attention from mom.

We will get this all "ironed" out. I am praying for the right church that gives my girl the "friends" experience she needs and I am praying for obedience from my sweet boy.

We did have some fun this week:

The two oldest reading Proverbs, I love to hear the insight they receive.

Cookie baking was fun. I love the little hands in the dough. It was a good activity for older brother to help little sister. 

There were also science experiments this week. Some were in the book and some were impromptu! 

Light and Refraction

Floating and Sinking

Today is a new day and His mercies are new every morning. I type to the sound of kids helping themselves to some cereal and getting the day started. Time for me to get started on another day!

It's Monday Time to get Dressed

A new week of homeschooling and its time to get dressed. 

Top: Kohl's Skirt: Wimberley Market Days http://www.shopmarketdays.com/ (If you are ever in Wimberley Texas stop by this open air market. Lots of fun antiques, junkin, and food. 

I love aprons and feel they make me get dressed because aprons and sweats just don't go together!

Apron: Made by me! Fabric: Hobby Lobby 

My detail for today:

John 3:16 bracelet 

I'm linking up today to:

Modest Monday on The Modest Mom Blog

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

This weekend we continued our unpacking but to break up the line of brown boxes we unpacked some Christmas as well.

First up was a Playmobil Advent Calendar  that was sent to us from my mother in law. This is a big hit with the 8 year old and 4 year old. Each day you open up a new piece of the winter scene.

Now that we are in a two story house our Christmas tree can actually fit! So up it went with room for the the star (which is still in a box not located).

On the mantel went the Nativity that my Grandmother painted the year I was born. 

 

On the kitchen counter went a snowy village. Yesterday it was  82 degrees where we live! The poly fil snow piles will most likely be the only "snow" we see this season!

Last but not least,  the kitchen received a touch of Christmas so we can get to making my favorite: Christmas cut out cookies!

By the evening I had two very tired feet but I loved waking up to the Christmas cheer this morning. My parents came over for dinner last night which was a first. We used to live 3 hours away so any visits always included a sleep over. Now we are 7 minutes away so quick visits are possible with everyone able to return to their own comfy beds later that evening.