Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…sickness, sickness and more sickness. Monday was Hope, Tuesday was Grace, Wednesday was Michael, Thursday was me and today Faith is not feeling good.
In our homeschool this week…my daughter learned about soil. I thought it was neat because Michael is studying soil for Boy scouts
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… do not be afraid to take a day off; do not be afraid to work on a Saturday. This is why we homeschool.
I am inspired by…friends who keep sharing Christ love even through hard times. Who are open and honest about how they feel.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…my son has a Camporee this weekend through boyscouts. I have not seen him this excitement in a long time
My favorite thing this week was… watching my son help my daughter with her science. I love how it makes him feel.
What’s working/not working for us…we have drifted from our schedule this year and I need to get back to being strict with the younger ones on keeping a time line. Otherwise a child can take hours to do one lesson.
Questions/thoughts I have…how do you handle it when a child is falling because they are not trying.
Things I’m working on…cleaning out closets. I have one down and four more to go. I am hoping to work on it this weekend. I need to get rid of a bunch of things they are not wearing.
I’m reading…Warrior Sons, how to pray for your son. I hope that is the name.
I’m cooking…I made chicken courdon blue. It was amazing. I will be sharing it this week.
I’m grateful for…friends who will bring over ice and toilet paper when I am sick.
I’m praying for…my sons weekend. I pray he has a great weekend and has fun and meets new friends.
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**Did you know I was giving away free Chick-fil-A? I am right here.

Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…It has been super busy, trying to get all the registrations for summer camp.
In our homeschool this week…my daughter learned to carry a number in math, the thing is I did not teach her. She just did it. I am so proud, now if she would just have her reading take off like that.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…Don’t give up. Take time to work on conflicts and relationships. Sometimes I get wrapped up in the teaching of subjects and forget about the teaching of hearts.
I am inspired by…my hero who has slept in a tent with 400 other soldiers for the last month. So that I am free to homeschool, free to worship.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…I am seeing my friend who lives across town. So funny that she lives 45 minutes apart and yet I never get to see her.
My favorite thing this week was…getting my new envelope system in the mail. I love using our envelope system and can now enjoy it with something really pretty
What’s working/not working for us…reading with my 9 year bright and early in the morning and then sending her outside for an hour with the little kids before asking her to do more school.
Questions/thoughts I have…what is going on with this weather? Will it stay this warm? I do not mind if it does but I would like to be able to pack up winter clothes.
Things I’m working on…Actually in the last week I installed curtain rods and a new bathroom door knob. I felt like I could conquer the world.
I’m reading…honestly I am not reading anything. I need a new book.
I’m cooking…a kazillion

(is that a word), cookies and muffins for a friend.
I’m grateful for…the secret people in my life that sent me flowers last week. Flowers I cannot seem to get rid of.
I’m praying for…a friend who has been told she is losing a baby. It is breaking my heart for her. I remember being told we have lost a baby and I hate it for her.
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Pamela

Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week… it has been crazy and crazy and crazier busy.
In our homeschool this week…it has honestly been hard to ask my kids to do school when the weather is in the 70’s. I feel like we need to be outside playing and running and jumping and screaming.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…I am determined to do devotions every morning with my kids. It brings us all together and lets us start the day out as a family and go over the goals of the day.
I am inspired by…my daughter. My girls are in a running group. They are in 2 different groups. The other day Faith ran past Hope. Noticed she was not running and left her friends to go back and run with and encourage her sister.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…we have no plans to travel. Hopefully dad will get internet and be able to skype soon. We miss him like crazy and need to see his face.
My favorite thing this week was…setting in the sunshine. I normally do not like the sun and definitely not the heat. But for some reason I crave the sun and the heat on my face. It wakes me up and calms me down and energizes me.
What’s working/not working for us…not having dad home is not working for us. Keeping up with our chore chart is working for us. As long as I remember to stick to it.
Questions/thoughts I have…I know this is not really homeschool related but I need a new camera to keep in my purse. Do you have a recommendation? I have a nice Nikon but need something to carry with me. Something the kids can use too.
Things I’m working on…My friend’s husband is coming home next week and I have fleece to make him a blanket and I would really love to get it made before he gets home.
I’m reading…I just read He Heard Hannah, I will tell you more about it on March 8th. All I can say is WOW and it is so inspiring.
I’m cooking…oh my word I cannot stop cooking. Pinterest is killing me with all the fun things. I made eggs in a muffin pan. They turned out amazing.
I’m grateful for…friends who help me with the kids, friends who listen when I need help.
I’m praying for…my hero, he recently found out he has asthma and any time he is in cold he sounds like he has ran a marathon for the first time. It is scary to hear him breath. Hard to get away from the cold in Afghanistan
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Pamela

Homeschool mother's Journal

In my life this week…I planned a weekend get away for my soldier and myself.
In our homeschool this week…we put a egg in vinegar to watch the shell disappear.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…do not be afraid to ask for help. Do not be afraid to admit when your child is struggling because you never know when someone else may have just what you need to help.
I am inspired by…my hero who has spent this week in training as he prepares for deployment, being cold and wet most of the time.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…to myrtle beach with my hero so we can talk about what we want for our children over the next year so we can bond as a couple.
My favorite thing this week was…hearing this baby boy scream GO, every new word brings excitement to me.
What’s working/not working for us…having my daughter read to me after everyone else is asleep because it makes her feel special and gives me time alone with her.
Questions/thoughts I have…do you have a late reader, do you know why? How did you not get discouraged by it.
Things I’m working on…I have two fleece blankets I am ready to make and have not had time to make.
I’m reading…nothing right now. Every time I set down to read I get distracted and read the same page over and over.
I’m cooking…fried cookie dough, basicly wrap cookie dough in egg roll shells and fry
I’m grateful for…my children, they are a gift I will never take for granted.
I’m praying for…my friend, she has seizures and her family has the stomach bug including her. This means she is not able to keep meds down.
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Pamela

Homeschool Mothers Journal

In my life this week…we got the baby registered into the Army or DEERS, which means he officially has insurance. It seems like it took forever.
In our homeschool this week…Algebra kicked my backside. So grateful that our curriculum gives step by step directions
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…take a step back and look at the whole picture. And if a child is not doing well in one area it does NOT mean you are failure all the way around.
I am inspired by…my son. This week I was in tears crying to a friend about how horrible I am at everything. A minute later I walked into the kitchen and found my son leading morning devotions without being asked.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…We just came home from a marriage retreat that I cannot wait to tell you about.
My favorite thing this week was… sad but refreshing. I was gone Wednesday night having dinner with a friend and last night I had a meeting which means I missed 2 bedtimes. Last night at 11pm we heard tears. My hero went into the boy’s room and Tom was crying. He said he missed me and wanted me. So my hero brought him to my room. I just snuggled him and assured him that I am always here and will be here when he wakes up. Oh this boy tugs at my heart.
What’s working/not working for us…Devotions, I see such a difference when we are not starting our day with devotions.
Questions/thoughts I have…will I ever have a dusted house and clean bathrooms again.
Things I’m working on…We went through the girl’s closet last weekend. Now I need to take all the pillow case dresses they do not like anymore and turn them into skirts.
I’m reading…Praying God’s Word. It is really opening my eyes.
I’m cooking…macadamia nut with white chocolate chip cookies for my husband. Sadly I did not know this was his favorite food until this weekend.
I’m grateful for…my hero who gets up every morning and goes to work and then comes home and takes care of his family.
I’m praying for…a high school friend who was injured in Afghanistan this week.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…



Pamela

Homeschool Mothers Journal

In my life this week…We finally received the court paperwork for Jerry. It does not change anything but until we had the paper in hand we could not enroll him in DEERS. I cannot wait to have him on insurance.
In our homeschool this week…we had our first science lab. All I saw was sugar being burned and ammonia. The smell was horrible.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…Do not wait until the last minute to find things for your science lab or your husband may come up with his own ideas.
I am inspired by…a older couple in my church who I get to talk to every Wednesday night. They study the Bible together. It is so neat to see them together.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…Myrtle Beach for a marriage retreat. Can you imagine, hours setting next to my hero. I am so excited.
My favorite thing this week was…my husband finding a AMAZING double stroller for $65. He found it at the thrift shop. It looks brand new. We needed it more than I can say.
What’s working/not working for us…the new double stroller.
Questions/thoughts I have… how am I suppose to teach my son Spanish when I do not understand it myself.
Things I’m working on…keeping us on our schedule. Things seem to run more smoothly and we get so much more done.
I’m reading…Shepherding a Childs heart. I am hoping to get more into it this weekend.
I’m cooking…chocolate/pumpkin cake and would you believe I did not get a picture of it. SHOOT, I just realized that.
I’m grateful for…the Army, who is paying for our weekend getaway. I cannot wait to get away and relax. I know it will be crazy busy and hard having 6 kids in one hotel room.
I’m praying for…a precious baby I met recently who has a brain tumor. I look at her chubby cheeks and think how beautiful she is and then I hear her mom give a update and struggle not to cry. Praying for this precious baby and her family.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…


Pamela

Homeschooling Journal

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…Managers of their home. Make your schedule and then post it on a poster board.

I am inspired by…the fact that my son asking to do morning devotions this morning. I have been in tears all day thinking about it. He is growing up faster than I realize.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…My hero has a four day weekend. We are cleaning out the garage and straightening some things and might even make it to the beach for a day.

My favorite thing this week was…My son praying for our day.

What’s working/not working for us…we need to find time in our new schedule for real cleaning like mopping and dusting. I feel like I have the basics down but would be happier if I had the real cleaning done.

Questions/thoughts I have…Why is my Hope struggling with reading so much. I feel like she has it some days and other days I feel like we are back to square one. HELP!
Things I’m working on…making sure I do not get tired during the afternoon and stop working. I need to find a way to stay motivated while the little ones are napping.
I’m reading…nothing, but on Tuesday I start a new Bible study called Shepherding a Childs heart.

I’m cooking…cupcakes with nerds in them and nerds frosting. I saw the recipe and could not wait to make it. Sounds great for kids.

I’m grateful for…our men and women who serve our country so that I have the right to homeschool and sing my praise music anywhere I want.

I’m praying for…Ian. It has reminded me of that we need to never take our children’s health for granted. I am praying for his mom who is truly being a witness during this time through her blog.
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Pamela

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…
We started school, I am so glad to be back in the swing of things. While I miss the extra time and feel totally over whelmed I am loving every minute of it.
In our homeschool this week…
We opened new books, we remembered we did not have a globe. We used new notebooks and found out who the teachers would be.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
For me, remembering to read the mom’s minutes, something I often forget and then I feel lost.
My favorite thing this week was…
Watching my 8 year old finally catch the reading bug. Honestly she is farther behind then I care to admit and it bothers me.
Questions/thoughts I have…
What is fun, educational websites you let your children play on?
Why can I not multiply myself, so I can read with my kindergartner while checking algebra at the same time.
I’m grateful for…
My quiet time, I am determined to get up every morning and have quiet time, even if only for a couple of minutes.
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Pamela

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week...

This week has been crazy busy. Crazy wonderful. This week has been about dental cleaning and hair cuts.

In our homeschool this week...

I spent a lot of time looking into high school curriculum for my son. We know we will be using Bob Jones again. Just trying to figure out what else we need. Electives and labs are stressing me.

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

My boys are camping and camping and more camping. They have a boyscout camp out and then come home and go to the mountains for a week, to go trout fishing.


My favorite thing this week was...

Hearing that my older two children did not need a ton of dental work done. I always dislike cleaning day and worrying about how much it will cost me.
What's working/not working for us... Our current chore assignments. I have not been keeping up with them. So I went back to making a list for each child. Hoping this makes it easier.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

Will I do everything I need for high school for my son? Will our garden grow and should I go ahead and work through summer and shorten our school weeks next year.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...



Pamela