Thursday Thoughts: Enjoying Your Kids...Even When They Drive You Crazy!

Mr. Mouse quietly tip-toes to the side of my bed. He stares at me for a moment before stroking my arm and then I hear, “Mommy? Mommy? You wake?” Oh sweet boy…it’s only 6am. Do I look awake? UGH!! My feet hit the floor in utter protest, yet they carry me to the restroom to make myself presentable. I wipe my tired eyes and splash my face with water. I’ve got to wake up. My weary feet carry me down the hall to the kitchen and then I hear my daughter awaken. “Mommy? Mommy? Baby?” How can you resist those sweet, sweet voices in the morning? (Or anytime really?) Nevermind the fact that it’s only 6:20am and all the rest of the normal world is still asleep. By 6:45am all 4 kiddos have awakened and are ready for breakfast. I suppose I should feed them and get our day going. They’re not going back to sleep anyway!

Mr Mouse cheesing for the camera - Silly boy!

So, we move forward. I begin to run a load of laundry, unload the dishwasher, change diapers, get them dressed and begin my other daily chores. The day’s not looking too bad now…I’m on a roll. Go me! Go me! Then, I sit down to nurse the baby. All is going well until I notice my son is climbing the entertainment center to locate his new favorite movie and my older daughter has used my office chair to climb onto the desk and locate an ink pen (her latest fascination). I tell my son to get down before he falls, my daughter to quite writing on herself (she draws on her hands if she can’t find paper-silly girl), all while trying to maintain a latching position that doesn’t harm me or the baby! Okay…maybe today’s not going to be a piece of cake. HA! What was I thinking?

Bad new: These are all the noodles I had. Good News: They were
having great fun eating them off the floor!

Finish feeding the baby and get her settled into playtime again and come back to find my daughter has now removed her diaper and is dancing happily naked in the living room! WHAT?! While I’m putting a new diaper on my daughter, my younger son has now decided it’s time to dump my other son’s water on the floor. Now why would you do that? I ask. He looks at me with those sweet innocent eyes and says, “I dunno.” I get a towel to soak it up. Meanwhile as I had walked around the corner to place the towel on the floor, my daughter, whom I left on the changing table in the fury of trying to prevent a water spillage, has now peed all over the changing pad/table. REALLY?!?!? (OH…don’t turn me into child services, please! Our changing table is in our laundry/central closet area connected to the living room.) And I think to myself…this day started out so well. What happened?

My oldest "talking" with his youngest sister. So sweet!

Okay, so first of all, know that I love my kids. I really do. But, let’s be honest…there are days they are just wildly out of control and literally climbing the walls. Those days drive me crazy!! I feel completely out-of-sorts and frankly, lost!

She loves this hat! She will find it even if I put it away for the summer!
She puts it on and immediately giggles.

During rainy days/weeks (like last week), my kids get a little more than wild. One day isn’t too bad, but multiple days in a row are just horrible for us. My kids get antsy, I get antsy…it isn’t pretty.

So, I decided that I needed to figure out a way to Enjoy my kids even when they drive me crazy!

Here are some quick and easy things I came up with:

1. Have tickle wars!! My kids are all ticklish on the back of their necks. I love to just grab them there and squeeze to watch them squirm and giggle. Then, they try to get me back and the war has begun!
2. Take a break and just curl up on the couch or lie on the floor with them and snuggle! You could read to them, sing their favorite songs with them or just sit with them.
3. Laugh at them when they do those cute things!! On tough days I find that I might have to look a little harder, but they’re there. They do some of the cutest and funniest things. I love watching them! For instance, my 3yo throws his hands up in the air and yells “WEEEEEEE!!!!!!” as we go around those curves getting on the highway. Every-time! But, it’s so stinkin’ cute and it makes me smile just thinking about it.
4. Go outside and just ignore your chores for a day. They can wait!
5. Get out the craft supplies and let them get creative! You might just want to monitor the glue and tape. Not that we’ve ever had anyone tape their mouth closed or glue their finger to their pants. That never happens!

What things have you done to release the tension in your house? Please share your tips and ideas or link back to a post! I would love to hear from you!!

Blessings,

Annette

Teachable Tuesdays: Homeschool Series: Why I'm Glad I Homeschool

When I began thinking about Homeschooling my kids, I honestly never thought I would enjoy it so much. Let me clarify...I had always wanted to be a teacher and loved teaching young children at church. But, teaching your own kids everyday is a little different. In fact, it's downright scary when you think about it! I know I'm responsible for their care and well-being, but schooling? What if I fail? So many questions run through your head. Believe me...I probably thought of all of them.
But first, let me give you a few reasons why we chose to homeschool.

A "field trip" to a local Pumpkin Patch

1)        Our oldest is young for his grade (late June birthday).
2)     Our oldest is super smart in a lot of ways, yet immature because of his late birthday. Now I know all parents say this about their kids, but he learned to read 6 weeks into Kindergarten and he adds numbers in his head. You know…those kinds of things.

Feeding a goat at the Pumpkin Patch

3)    Our oldest is big for his age. Not that he’s overweight, he’s just BIG! He’s going on 7yrs old and he’s 54.5” tall!!

4)    His brain processes things by asking questions and talking through things. That doesn’t go over well in a school setting.

Playing "house" in a cardboard box! Doesn't get better than that!!

5)    He is most definitely a kinesthetic learner. Translation: We would have been on speed dial by day two! Just sayin’!!

These are really just a few of the reasons. I have been asked this question a lot, so I am working on a post that explains more about our decision. But for now, know that these were only some of the reasons.

So, back to the point of this post…why am I so glad I homeschool? Well, there are a number of reasons, so here we go!!

1)        With weeks like last week’s “Spring Break” when it’s a wet, soppy mess outside…we get to stay in where it’s dry! Plus, we can play games and sneak in school time to make up days we’ve missed. All the while, the kids are still able to play and have fun!

2)     And when the weather is beautiful like today, we can sneak off to the Zoo with Daddy and have some great family time!

3)    The Hubster’s schedule is strange to say the least, being that he’s off Wednesdays & Thursdays. So, it’s nice that we can take off and do some fun, family activities on those days. This week we’re traveling to a different Zoo and to visit some friends in Missouri.
4)    Year-Round schooling!!! I didn’t think I would like this at all, but I love it!! Really I do! We can take off every Thursday to spend with Daddy and still have our weekends free too! It doesn’t get much better than that!

Helping Mommy cook!!

5)    We can take baths after a super messy science experiment - or after helping Mommy in the kitchen!!

6)    We can stay in our PJ’s all day if we want. (We don’t usually, as I like my kids dressed and ready to go, but occasionally it happens.)

7)     I don’t have to worry about scheduling grocery day, laundry day, naptimes or anything else around pick-up times at school!

Where else can you make a lunar lander with cupcake liners?

8)    We get to choose curriculum that works for our kids! Even if that means each one of them has a different Math or English curricula. We can also use the same curricula for some subjects, such as Science and History. They have multi-level activities for all ages. Plus, we can do hands-on activities as needed or allow my oldest to stand while doing his Math problems. They can learn how they learn best so they can thrive!!

The beautiful waterfall

Overlooking a beautiful waterfall in Arkansas

9)     We can personally monitor what our children are being taught!!! This is probably THE most important reason in my book. We teach our kids Christian values and character. That is priceless in my book!!

Bub reading to the middles...LOVE this picture!
They actually look like they're paying attention to him, don't they?

10)  I get to personally see that light bulb moment with my kids!!!! I cried tears of joy when our oldest read his first book by himself. Partly because I was so excited about this new world of exploration he just unlocked, but more importantly I was thrilled that I didn’t mess things up and he could actually read!!! Can I tell you that was my greatest source of stress going in? What if I can’t teach him to read? I would be the worst parent/teacher ever! I was terrified.

You can even do your school work in a plastic tote if you like!

11)      I love, love, LOVE having my kids home with me all day, every day! I know that is a crazy concept to some people, but for me it feels so natural. We are learning and growing together.

This picture of the middles "reading" to their baby sister melts my heart!

12)   I couldn’t end on an odd number…yes, I’m a little OCD. But, seriously, I love that we can take time off when needed (like during my Dad’s illness and death) and be able to make up time on our schedule.

What are your favorite reasons for Homeschooling? What do you enjoy most about teaching your children? Please share in the comments below or link-up to a post that you’ve written on why you homeschool or the benefits, etc.

Come back next Tuesday for another post in the Homeschool Series: “How You Can Homeschool Without Breaking the Bank!”

Blessings,

Annette


Linking up to these great parties:

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

What Joy Is Mine, Growing Home, Far Above Rubies, Teaching What is Good, Raising Homemakers, Raising Mighty Arrows

Scriptural Sundays: Unfailing Love

“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.”

Psalm 36:5-7 (NIV)

This verse has been transformed into one of my most favorite praise songs. For me, it is such a vivid reminder of God’s unfailing love. Today I taught 25 precious 4 & 5 yr olds at church. Yes…that was a LOT of them. But, they were so captivated by the Bible story and how much God cares for us that I envied them.

Our Bible story was actually taken from Matthew 6:25-34 right in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus was speaking to thousands. Our lesson point was "I will trust God to take care of me." We have no reason to worry!! Now, most kids don’t worry about things, but they do understand trusting someone.

So, we did a little exercise in class about trust. They kids were paired up and one person had to close their eyes and be led through a maze of chairs. The one with their eyes closed had trust their partner. Now, to be honest I’m not sure how many of them really kept their eyes closed, I mean they are only 4 & 5. But I still think they got the idea. They had to trust someone to get them from point A to point B.

How often do we say we’re going to trust the Lord to…you fill in the blank and we don’t allow Him to work? Often times we still do whatever we can to “make” things happen, don’t we? I know we have. We have “borrowed” money to buy that house we just knew was in God’s plan. Only later to find out there was more wrong with it than we knew. But, had we taken the time to really seek God’s guidance and approval the outcome might have been very different.

As adults, I think it’s so much more difficult to fully trust God and take Him at his word. We have become so self-reliant that we often forget that God cares for even the smallest flower and the tiniest bird. His love is something our finite minds will likely never grasp. But, if we never give ourselves the chance…we may never know how deep and wide and long and high God’s love is for us.

Take a few moments to listen to this song. I hope you are blessed by this song as much as I am.

Your Love, Oh Lord by Third Day

Blessings dear friends,

Annette

Linking up with the encouraging parties:

These Five of Mine Plus Two, Comfy in the Kitchen, The Straightened Path, Deep Roots At Home, 

Thursday Thoughts: Reality hits

My Dad holding my oldest daughter the day she was born.

The past few weeks have been rough to say the least. Some days I find myself able to get my housework/chores done, cook meals and take care of the kids with relative ease. And other days…like today…I find myself struggling to keep back the tears.

It’s the little things that get me. My kids talking about Papa living with Jesus now or my oldest talking about Indiana Jones, which he watched the first time with my Dad. And sometimes, it’s things like thinking about leaving this house where my kids made so many memories with my Dad, where he helped my husband put the flooring in and paint before we moved in. I also think about the next time God blesses us with a miracle…my Dad will not be there to hold him/her. He’s always been there.

There’s nothing I can do about it. He’s gone. He’s really gone. He’s not coming back. There’s nothing that will change that. I miss him so much it hurts. I know many of you probably know the sting of death. Man…does it sting!

But, I am so thankful that those same memories that bring tears also bring peace. Those memories are much more precious to me now. I will hold them close for the rest of my life. Pictures speak a thousand words to me now.

Today has been a rough one. A friend reminded me, the rain may be pouring down at the time but, the beautiful rainbow we saw today following the rain…that brings hope. Hope of God’s perfect will. Hope of God’s grace. Hope of God’s perfect love. And the hope of a new tomorrow.

Blessings dear friends,

Annette

Homeschool Series: Making a Homeschool Schedule that works for your family!

I know when I began my homeschool journey just 2 short years ago I was completely overwhelmed by everything. The amount of curriculum choices, the conventions, how I was actually going to school a Kindergartner with two babies at home. And the list goes on and on!!

But one thing I found very helpful for us was a schedule. I work so much better on a schedule. And I quickly found out the only way to juggle two small children (18mos and 4mos) in the midst of school was to have a schedule.

I found this book at a local homeschool re-sale bookstore and fell in love with the ideas it had. This book helps you learn how to set up a working schedule for your family on the day-to-day things. Here’s what my first personal worksheet looked like (about 2 years ago)…

Click on the picture to enlarge it

 They also have several other books you could use to manage your chores and manage your homeschool. I personally found all I needed was the Managers of Their Homes book to get me started and I was able to create my own schedule for homeschool based on the principles in that book.


My kids function on an internal clock. Anyone else have this issue blessing? They seem to know its 6am and mom’s sleeping quite nicely, so it’s time to get up! But, they also know when its naptime, so I guess it’s a trade-off.

After several weeks of working up to starting our formal homeschooling, I realized my son worked best when he could see a schedule. He attended a preschool from age 1 (I was working then) until age 4 and they had daily schedules posted. His teacher’s said he paid close attention to the schedule and was fine as long as they followed it. So, I decided this approach might work for us too.

Now, I made worksheets like the one above for each of my family members. Then I put them into a spreadsheet all together and made things fit. I realized that I could read to the oldest while Mr. Mouse was napping and I was feeding the baby (who is now almost 2yrs old!!). I also realized that I needed to maximize our schooling during the afternoon naptime, because both littles were down. It gave me something to work with. 

However, after several weeks of schooling, I found most of the time frames went out-the-window. He would stress out if we weren’t on time, even though he was still working. So, I had to do away with that method.

But, I knew he still needed an idea of what he was doing. You see, he does really well with schedules and lists. If I was to tell him we have laundry, dishes, mopping, cleaning up toys and on and on, he would literally flip out!! My mom actually tipped me off and said I should write down our list of chores (2-3 a day) and maybe that would help. (One of my brother’s needed a visual list too.) And you know…it did!! With a verbal list it seemed to go on forever to a 5 yr old, but with a visual list he could see the end in sight!

So, I came up with a daily, weekly and monthly chore list for our family. It changes periodically, with seasons and as the kid’s age and grow. But, here’s how it looks for now.

Click on the picture to enlarge it

I have incorporated our younger children into the chores appropriate for their age. (This list gives chores for ages 1-12!!) My daughter loves to help mommy by putting the laundry into the dryer for me. She giggles even!

Although the road may be winding and frustrating when trying to find what works for your family, the JOY that comes from teaching your own children Christian values at home and a work ethic from a young age is so rewarding!!! I couldn’t imagine my life any different. Maybe less hectic at times would be nice…nah!!!!


So, how does all this help you with managing your schooling? Well...all I can do is tell you how it helped me. Before I ran around like a chicken with my head cut-off trying to make sure I got things done. I had no plan. These two charts have allowed me to manage my time better and give me daily goals. Rather than tackling all the housework in one day (which is not practical when you homeschool, really), I now have it divided up.


And, after seeing how well the chore chart worked for us, I did the same for our schooling. I found a free downloadable school planner that allows me to print out his assignments daily, weekly or even monthly. He can then follow along and check them off to see his progress. He loves it and it has considerably lessened our meltdowns. 


NOTE: I did a weekly chart on my own for Kindergarten, but quickly realized I needed to keep grades for him starting in First grade. That is why I went with the program.


I hope that all makes sense and doesn't confuse you! Please leave a question if it does! I'll try to make it more clear!!


NOTE: Okay...maybe I should clarify that I don't expect everyone to be this organized or even want to be. But, sometimes even a rough schedule of the day or week is necessary!! I simply wanted to give you some tools that I found helpful to aid you in your journey.


Happy Homeschooling!!

Blessings to you!

Annette


Linking up to these wonderful parties! Be sure to check out some of the other GREAT links for more ideas!!
Teaching what is good, Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers, Raising Arrows, The Straightened Path, The Imperfect Housewife, Raising Homemakers, Raising Mighty Arrows, Holy Spirit Led Homeschooling, What is Joy

52 Fridays: Weekly Update #11

Here goes this week’s report. You can read more about my journey beginning with Week 1. Feel free to join me and Crystal in this journey.

1. DAILY quiet time: I am still striving to read my daily emails every single day. Sometimes I don’t get on my computer and I double up. One thing that amazes me is how timely some of the verses and devotions are. I am encouraged daily and so blessed that I can read the Bible in this way. I get my emails through biblegateway.com and a women’s devotional through Proverbs 31 devotions. Such great tools – be sure to check them out! 

2. Weekly weight loss: Okay…so truthfully I haven’t quite fit the Wii Plus into my daily routine. I don’t get up early enough to get it done before kids are awake. I am usually super busy running around doing chores, finishing up school, cleaning, etc. during naptime (plus my oldest is awake and I am not quite prepared to scar him for life just yet!). And, by the end of the day I am simply worn out! So, hopefully I will do better this week in my quest for a more healthy and fit lifestyle. WOW!!! This is so much harder than I thought! 

3. Vintage Remedies 8 weeks to Real Foods: Last weeks plan did not come to fruition like I had hoped. So, this week I want to make an inventory list of my pantry and go from there. That way I can see what foods I need to use up and can replace with more healthy options! 

4. Homeschool Fun: Well, I’m not sure we accomplished this or not. Actually…I’m pretty sure we didn’t. I need to do MUCH better at this! 

5. Organization: All the kids’ clothes are hung up in the laundry room/central closet area. I hope this will make our lives just a little easier! I am still no closer to organizing the pantry than I was 3 weeks ago!! But, that is still high on my priority list! 

6. Staying caught up: I might get behind for a day, but I have been really good about picking up where I left off. I’m getting better at this each week. Maybe this week I’ll keep up with everything! HA! 

7. Blog changes: I am still working on the design of my blog and getting things just the way I want them before we go live. But, I hope to have everything up and running for a reveal on April 2^nd!!!! I will give you all fair warning before hand so you can be ready for the launch! I can NOT even tell you how excited I am! 

So, how are you doing in your quest this year? Are you becoming more DISCIPLINED or ORGANIZED? What steps are you taking to be more organized? What tips can you give those who are struggling in this area?

Thank you so much for stopping by today! Have a blessed weekend!

Blessings,

Annette

Teachable Tuesdays: Homeschool Series Part I: Homeschool Bliss

The Hubster helping out in the Science department with an experiment

Now is the time of year parents start thinking about the next school year. Do we want to homeschool our kids? Do we continue homeschooling?

We went through this same process a couple years ago. At the time, I had our oldest who was turning five in June, Mr. Mouse who just turned one in February and another little bundle due in April. Was I crazy? How in the world could I homeschool a Kindergartner with two babies in tow? In all honesty, I was absolutely terrified!

But, I knew I had bathed this decision in prayer and this…this was what God had called me to do. I knew I needed to trust Him and allow Him to guide me through this process.

I said I was terrified. But, that’s only half the story. While I was terrified, that was simply whether or not I would/could fit it all in during our already busy day. I was not, however, terrified about the actual schooling itself. In fact, that excited me. I loved school growing up and I just knew my kids were going to love it too.

HA! Unfortunately, my oldest does not share my sentiments. In fact, we’re quite opposites when it comes to school. To be honest, I had visions of BLISS! I just knew homeschooling was going to be wonderful!! I was most nervous about teaching him to read. And that was the easiest thing I did!! He picked it up so quick. It was like a dream! Literally!!

I love paperwork…He loathes paperwork.

I love English, Grammar…He despises Spelling, Grammar.

I strongly dislike Math (although I’m good at it)…He loves Math and numbers.

I loathe History…He eats up our History lessons.

I loved Handwriting in school…He would rather have his teeth pulled out!

So, as you can imagine…our first year was quite the struggle. And, truth be told…our second hasn’t been much smoother. (Although, I have some new techniques I’m starting to implement, so I’ll let you know how they go.) I have really had to work at school with him. Now, I can already tell Mr. Mouse is going to be an all-together different challenge and my oldest daughter is going to be like her mother. She loves to color, write and learn.

In fact, as I write this post, my oldest is sitting at the table working on his papers. Now these papers should have taken him 30 minutes or less-literally. And now we’re going on 50 minutes!! I’m telling you…it’s like pulling teeth!

I hope I am not alone in this. Surely some of you out there also thought your homeschooling experience was going to be quite different than it is! I have to be honest, it has been taxing. I am exhausted on school days and I often wonder if I can, or even should continue on. But, I know what the Lord has placed on my heart. I know I am called to teach my children at home.

So, here are a few steps I have taken and found to work when encountering one of those particularly difficult school days.

1. Start your schooling session with prayer. I know we begin our days with prayer, but starting your schooling session with prayer will re-focus not only you, but your kids. We often do our Bible time at the beginning of our lessons to give us even more focus.
2. Don’t be afraid to change it up a bit. If your child is having difficulty learning fractions, ask them to help you in the kitchen! If they’re having trouble with concentration, give them an activity to do while you’re teaching. My son often stands at the table while we read our Science or History lessons. Sometimes I find him standing to do his Math papers too. This does seem to help, so my OCD self has learned to let this be okay. (Hopefully my daughter will be the quiet one…but that’s not looking likely either! She has two older brothers for pete’s sake!)
3. Let loose of your OCD ways and have FUN!! Science lessons and experiments should be FUN and EXCITING!! So, find something active they can do to enhance the lesson. Take a nice nature walk outside and collect leaves or name clouds. Or better yet…lie down with your kids on the driveway or even your trampoline and make shapes out of the clouds!! I remember doing that as a child and loving it! What a FUN and relaxing time you will have. Just throw in some learning while you’re at it and you’re good!
4. Don’t be afraid to get messy!! Okay, I’ll be honest…this is my most difficult one! I don’t like things to be messy. I love to be organized, although my house might reflect otherwise. But, hey! I’m working on it! I find some of the cutest and most adorable crafts on Pinterest for my preschoolers and I find myself not doing them because it will get messy. SHAME ON ME!!!! Kids, especially preschoolers, are so tactile that I am doing a dis-service to my own children if I don’t take advantage of it during these most impressionable times!
5. Don’t be afraid to change curriculum-even in the middle of the year! If the curriculum you loved for your 2^nd grader is not working with their learning style for some reason – Change it! I have been struggling with this one in Math. The curriculum I use is really great, but I think he needs more. I just can’t find what I think will work. So, I will continue to pray for God to lead me to the right one. (P.S. I just hope its soon!)
6. And, last…take a break! Don’t forget to take a day off every now and then. And don’t be afraid to take an impromptu day off if you and/or your child(ren) need it. We frequently visit the Zoo on nice days (we have a membership…WOO HOO!!) and do our learning there. We find new signs to read or print off a BINGO game to play while we’re there. It’s a great way to have fun while learning and spend time with the family.

These are not scientifically proven facts, but simply my opinions and I have found they work pretty well for us. Some days are definitely better than others, but learning how to defuse those difficult days has helped tremendously.

What are some “de-fusing” techniques you use at your house? Leave a tip in the comments below!! I would love to hear your tips and ideas!

Blessings,

Annette

Linking up to these wonderful parties:
The Imperfect Housewife

               

Teachable Tuesday: Tough lessons to learn...

Yesterday was our first day back at school after several weeks off. We were doing minimal schooling while my Dad was in the hospital, but it completely went by the wayside after his passing on February 14^th. The remainder of that week was spent making funeral arrangements, phone calls, taking care of the music aspect for the service and so much more.

Even though we did not have “traditional” school that week (or the two weeks following), my kids were learning. They were learning how to be flexible, which for my kids is a good lesson to learn! They are so used to our routine and it’s rarely interrupted, that sometimes a topsy-turvy day takes its toll on me and them.

The boys (the older of our 4 kids) also learned the heartache of loss. I think telling my boys that “Papa D” had gone to be with Jesus was one of the most difficult things I have done to date. It is so hard to watch your child go through any pain, especially the loss of someone they love so dearly.

But, along with that loss, they have learned how important it is to have Jesus in their heart! They have seen love, compassion, generosity and just plain friendship in full force. They have seen good friends step in and help (from childcare to running errands to sitting with my kids while I took a shower). They have also seen “strangers” to them bring loads of food for our family with Joy on their faces and Love in their hearts.

They have seen first-hand how The Church should love it’s people! And, that…that is something I could never do alone. So, Thank You to the people who have helped me teach my children over the past few weeks. Thank you to the friends who have stepped in and help show my kids what it means to give sacrificially.

These life lessons are so difficult to learn, especially at such a young age. But, they are so important and vital to our growth in the Lord. I am just so blessed and thankful that I get to lead my own children through this trial and time of learning. Although, really I’m walking right beside them and learning as I go along too.

Blessings,

Annette

Linking up here:

The Better Mom

These Five of Mine Plus Two

Raising Arrows

The Straightened Path

Deep Roots At Home

Growing Home

Above Rubies

Raising Homemakers

Women Living Well

Our Simple Farm

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

52 Fridays: Weekly Update

Since Sunday night I have been battling an intestinal virus only compounded by my Crohn’s. I am so glad that today (Thursday) was a MUCH better day!!!! I have done what I could this week between an ALL DAY trip to the ER Monday and the weakness and tiredness that goes along with a virus. So, here’s my weekly update for what it’s worth.

1. DAILY quiet time: I have not been keeping up very well this week. Spending most of my time either in bed or in the restroom proved more tiring than I thought. Starting fresh again Friday morning!!! NOTE: I’m so thankful we serve a merciful and gracious God. We may falter and fail at times, but when we can call on His name and pick right back up where we were. And…it’s like we’ve never left. Praise the Lord! 

2. Weekly weight loss: I’m not sure this week is a good judge! Haha Although, I’ve probably lost some weight, I know it’s not due to healthy eating…but lack of eating all together! So…we’ll keep moving forward with this once I’m back to a more normal eating program. 

3. Vintage Remedies 8 weeks to Real Foods: The next few weeks are being spent cleaning/clearing out the pantry and using up foods we have already purchased. Then, I hope to replace those foods with more “real” foods and healthier choices. 

4. Homeschool Fun: Again…not much schooling going on with Momma down and out. We did have several teaching opportunities though that we seized the moment with. Right now those seem to have escaped my mind…ugh…I dislike getting old!! 

5. Organization: I’m working on my pantry. It’s proving to be a bigger project than I thought, but I’m so happy to get it going!!!! I’ve got a vision and I can’t wait to make it work! 

6. Staying caught up: Even though I was sick the better part of the week, I have remained quite caught up on laundry. I only have 2 loads to do tomorrow, which is right on track! YAY!!!! And, I’m pleased to say the dishes are caught up following dinner Thursday night! Double YAY!!!!! 

7. Blog changes: I am still working on getting everything in place. But, hopefully in the next 2 weeks I’ll be rolling out the red-carpet to my new website!!!! I am so excited!!!! 

What are some of your favorite “Real” or “Whole” food recipes? I need some GREAT inspiration to get me motivated!!!

Blessings,

Annette

Linking up:

Created For Home