The Homeschool Mother's Journal (2 memes today)

In my life this week…We've been enjoying "The Farm Show"; an annual Pennsylvania event. And, though we could not travel to attend in person, we were able to enjoy it online (thanks to my mother telling us about the available website showing live events!) The kids and I have been educated on "Chair Caning", and have been SO excited to watch a "Sheep to Shawl" contest, with teams racing to get the wool from the sheep, to the carder, to the wheel, to the loom, and finally, to the judges, in the form of a beautiful shawl! We've also watched Pony Carriage races, tractor pulls, and more! SUCH fun and we have learned SO much!

In our homeschool this week…my poor son, Jake, and I have been struggling through some Algebra...I often have to refresh my memory before I can adequately explain a concept...and we both have been challenged in the past few days...BUT, we persevered and were met with SUCCESS! (Thank you, Lord!)

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…Treasure this time with your children. It is priceless and it is fleeting. Count it all as blessing and CHERISH it.

I am inspired by…my daughter, Laura. (I think I might have mentioned this a time or two before)...she is SUCH a determined, focused, and self-motivated student...she loves learning; and even when she does not particularly enjoy the assignment at-hand, she just forges ahead and gets through it...she is always on-task and she inspires me to try to be more diligent and purposeful in my vocation.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…We are all very excited that my son, daughter-in-law, and sweet grand-babies are coming over tomorrow for a lunch-time winter cook-out! My son is helping my husband with some renovations in our basement and the rest of us will be upstairs chatting and playing and setting the table for some burgers, pasta salad, and french fries!

My favorite thing this week was…Taking a quick trip to the store, one evening, with just myself and my sweet Benjamin Luke. He's going to be 5 next month...this is weighing on my heart in a sort of joyful/sorrowful way lately...and it is not often that I get one-on-one time with him...so, our little jaunt to town was VERY special!

What’s working/not working for us…We are still trying to get a better handle on our morning routine...it has helped greatly to have the 6 youngest children wake up at the same time for breakfast...the two teens are permitted a little more sleep since they are up later at night...but, I find that our day goes much more smoothly, when the rest of us enter the classroom at the same time:)

Questions/thoughts I have…These days, I am really wondering how we will fare in the transition when my husband begins working from home a few days a week. My heart loves the idea that we will see him so much more...but I am a realist...and I know that this little (BIG/HUGE) change in our daily routine/rhythm is going to have its challenges...for us AND for him! Do any of you have husbands that work from home? Advice/tips are welcomed!

Things I’m working on…routine...rhythm...diligence...focus, and purpose.

I’m reading…a magazine called, "True Beauty". A young lady, who, along with her "team" created and publishes this book for "tweens and teens", wrote to me and asked if I would review it. The goal of the magazine is to offer young girls wholesome, fun, creative, and interesting reading material which pertains to modesty, innocence, and godly living...it's filled with a variety of articles, games, tips/advice, interviews, and recipes, etc...it's wonderful and I plan on getting a subscription for my daughter...they publish it four times a year.

I’m cooking…a great new dish the other night...it was a layered casserole with meatballs, sauerkraut/onions, and a mix of diced tomatoes (seasoned a little spicy because we like it that way and with juices) brown sugar and lemon juice...this was baked for several hours and mmmmmmmmm, was it good!

I’m grateful for…the good health of my family. SO many families we know are suffering through the ravages of cancer...it makes me all-the-more-mindful NOT to take our days of good health for granted.

I’m praying for…for all the families that I've just mentioned, above...and for babies that we have spiritually adopted and promised to pray for for nine months in an effort to save souls from abortion.


If you'd like to read other journals today, or add your own...visit the link to Sue's blog in my sidebar. (Just look for the image that matches the one at the top of this post.)