First Week of School

This was our first week of Homeschool.  The kids were super excited to get started and so was I.  I'd say over all it was a great week, and already I am so glad we chose to do this.  Already I'm finding we just have more time to do things like play, run errands, play dates, and clean.  Although it is only the first week of school and I know there will be things we'll have to work through, I am so thankful for this calling.

We started Monday with a devotion from Daddy and prayed for our year.  This is where the sting of missing Molly hit me.  The whole time I was pregnant with her I just imagined her in our little bouncy seat sleeping as we did our school work.  It just didn't seem right to not have her here.  Like every other time, we remembered her, asked the Lord to comfort us, and continued on our day.

Every day went on without a lot of craziness, but one thing that surprised me was how tired the kids and I were.  I remembered the boys really having to adjust last year, but I thought that was because they got up so early and were at school all day.  But I think its also just the adjustment from going from no school work to having to think and do their work.  We were wiped.

We did all 5 days, even Haleigh.  It was fun to have her there for all of it.  Micah does some of her work with her so I can have some Caleb time.  It is so sweet to see Micah help her with her work.  And of course, she loves the attention.

This week has honestly been one of the best weeks since we lost Molly.  I feel like myself, school was fun, I got to spend great time with my kids, and I got to workout!  The biggest struggle I have is when I'm "doing well" is is it because I'm honestly doing well or because I am choosing to forget what we've walked through and not think on it.  I have found that one of my coping mechanisms is to just try and forget about it and pretend like things are normal.  Then when Molly comes up, it sidelines me for the day.  This is ok for a season, but I'd like to be at a place where I ask the Lord to comfort me when I need it.

It hurts, it just does.  And I can't change that.  There is nothing anyone can do or say to change what we are walking through.  So I am beginning to learn how to take that hurt to the Lord as I feel it.

We are all dealing with stuff.  All of us.  If we are honest with ourselves and others, we've all got that thing we'd just like to forget or not have to walk through.  For some of us its suffering in the way of our health, or a loss of someone we love, or a sin pattern we can't rise above, or a dissatisfaction with something in our life.  The Lord has promised to comfort and He does.  He has promised to be with us and He is.  He has promised us life and He'll give it if we take it.  On our own we can't do any of that.  Give it up.  Let loose your grip and let Him take control.  He knows way better than any of us.

Thursday Thoughts

Fall has arrived!  Don't you love it?  It was so nice this morning putting on some jeans, a cardigan, some new shoes, and a COAT!  The crispness in the air is invigorating.  My husband even took us out to breakfast this morning!  


My oldest son has always loved clothes.  It a weird obsession really.  However he joyfully put on some "new to him" clothes this morning.  Ten minutes later...I want hot weather.  That didn't last long.


I have been in a battle recently with the middle child.  He can be so strong willed.  He has the craziest ability to make me second guess everything.  What is that?  I am the Mother after all.  We've somewhat successfully potty trained him.  He wears underwear at all times except bed.  However, he will only go when I ask him.  He has a strong willed bladder too it seems, as he will hold it ALL.DAY.LONG.   So it is a battle every time he goes.  He wants me to help him, and he doesn't need it.  And he won't go number 2 in the potty.  He has figured out that he can just wait until the pull-up at nap and bedtime.  So frustrating!  We had a stand off yesterday that last ALL DAY.  I prevailed and he finally pooped in the potty!  I won.  Now I am bound and determined to turn this ship around.


Recently, Homeschooling my children has not been my favorite.  Don't get me wrong, I know that we are supposed to do it this year.  The kids enjoy it, and for the most part, we like it.  I've just been discouraged with it and sometimes I want to put all three on the big yellow school bus as it drives by our house.  Haha, I'm just kidding...actually I don't really know if I am.  Anyway, Ed snuck out of the house with Micah one morning and came home with these.  And a little note from Micah.

Made taco soup last night.  We love anything mexican around here, but this is one of our favorites.  Its a mexican twist on chili.  We eat it with tortilla chips, but it is also good with the traditional cornbread.  


Here's the recipe in case it is new to you...


Taco Soup


1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 can kidney beans (drained)
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can whole corn (drained)
1 can petite diced tomatoes (undrained)
2 cans tomato sauce (16oz)
2 pkg taco seasoning
2 pkg ranch dressing mix
2 cans green chilies (4oz)
1 1/2 cups of water
onion powder


1.  Cook ground meat with onion powder, drain.
2.  Mix meat and all other ingredients in large pot.  Simmer 30 min.
3.  Serve with tortilla chips or cornbread.  Top with shredded cheddar, sour cream, and whatever other mexican toppings you like.  Enjoy!


Happy fall!

First Day of School

Well here are some pics from the first day of school, last Monday.  I'm a week late!  I can't believe I have a child in Kindergarten now!  Where has the time gone?  

Homeschooling Day One

Today was the first day of Kindergarten for Micah.  It was also my first day back as his teacher.  We did preschool at home last year too so its not completely new for us.  However, this year we are officially supposed to be learning things, and we added a second kid (Caleb) to the mix.


Since I was a teacher pre-kids, I have some knowledge to go on.  I get to use some creative teacher ideas and nerdy stuff like curriculum really interests me.  So up to this point I have loved it.  But my fear was that once school started and we actually had to implement the brightly colored curriculum, it wouldn't be so pretty.  And I don't know the answer to that yet, but today was fun.


Both the boys were so excited.  They were lapping up each activity, and asking for more.  That made this mommy/teacher very happy.


Here are my favorite moments of the day...


Bible Time - we start all together and do the calendar and our Bible stuff.  It was absolutely precious to me to see my three kiddos gathered around talking about our Bible verse.  Hearing their little voices recite Matthew 5:9 after me was so sweet.


Math - Micah and I are doing Math U See this year which is a Math program that uses manipulatives to teach concepts.  Today, we were basically playing games with the manipulatives (Micah thought they were Legos) and yet learning place value at the same time.  To work one on one with Micah is a treasure that I have now that I know won't last.


Playing Outside - After lunch I took the kids outside since we had been in the house all morning.  Think recess.  And as I sat in my chair watching all three play happily with their bikes and scooters, it made me think back to my teaching days.  I remember standing out on the blacktop talking with the other teachers thankful for a break from the kids.  But instead today, I sat watching my children happily play and enjoy each other.  And I realized I enjoy being with my kids.  


I am so thankful for this opportunity to fulfill the role of their teacher.  I don't know how long we'll do it, but right now I am enjoying the extra time I get with my kids.  It's a lot of work, but its all worth it!

Learning As We Go

Well now that we are in our sixth week of school, and things seem to be more "normal" (whatever that is!), I thought I'd share a little bit about our school year.  Micah doesn't start Kindergarten for another year, but we decided this year to keep him at home and test the waters of homeschooling.  We are praying through what to do next year and have not really made up our minds either way.  We decided this year not to send him to preschool for several reasons, but one being I wanted to "try out" the homeschooling thing.  So we are using a curriculum I found for preschoolers that I was actually looking at for next year if we do decide to homeschool.  The Sonlight curriculum is literature-based and this year is called "Exploring God's World".  I'm also tacking on the Kindergarten language arts and reading program because Micah was ready for it. 

It's been fun so far!  I enjoy it most days.  Every week I can honestly say I am looking forward to starting school again on Monday.  I definitely do have those days though when it just doesn't seem to work.  Sometimes I wonder if it is the best learning environment for Micah with what seems like constant interruptions from Caleb.  Sometimes I feel like I'm completely neglecting Caleb and I'm not able to "teach" him.  I realize that I'm very new to it, and I have a lot more figuring out to go before we decide if it's right for our family or not.  Some days I'm sold, and some days I'm not.  But that's all a part of our journey. 

Here's some pics of school so far...

Water Play

Practicing writing his name

Counting with beans