My Homeschool Mother's Journal

In My Life This Week............What an active week. We had visitors galore.  This week we've enjoyed lots of friends.  I have really been focused on trying to button up all my home school curricula.  Each evening you could find me online doing my research, trying to make sure I'm getting exactly what I need.  Trying to cover all my bases. We also enjoyed having a friend over since Tuesday. He had so much fun with our kids. 

In Our Homeschool This Week.......We worked on reading. I purchased some $.40 notebooks and colored pencils and markers.  Prepping for Monday.  We talked about the school year and our expectations (mainly what I expect from them)  tomorrow we will set some individual goals and family goals to push for this school year. 


Places Were Going and People We've Seen.........We visited friends on Monday, then tried swimming at the river, however there were too many snakes and ended up home again.  Then we were home most of the time until today when we enjoyed some fun at the aquatics center with a friend and then the MALL.  Wow haven't been there in a while with all my kids.  LOL  then Pizza with friends and finally HOME  Ahhh HOME SWEET HOME..


My Favorite Thing This Week.........although it was aggravating at the time, My favorite thing this week was my youngest daughter and youngest son's excursion into the woods, when they were suppose to be at scripture study, to catch an armadillo. I was super angry that I and the rest of our family was waiting patiently for them to arrive at the table for scriptures and they were running through the woods chasing an armadillo.  No they didn't catch it before I caught them.  But they did catch it later that evening.  ;) So then we discover they carry leprosy EWWWW and GREAT!!!!!! Get rid of it NOW!!!!  The best part was they are so curious and get so excited about critters and catching them and learning about them. I absolutely love it And it never fails all four of my kids will work as a team to catch critters.  All worries and sibling squabbles end when a chipmunk or armadillo passes by.  LOL 


Things I'm Working On...............Ok so still working on my health and keeping better goals, but also this week I've researched and read and surfed and devoured blogs trying to get all my ducks in a row for home school.  Monday we begin and I'm so excited to get it started.  I need the school routine back in full swing.  


I'm Reading.......................Still reading Plan BEE by Susan Brackney.  And the scriptures and I've been reading everything I can get my hands on about "The Declaration of Independence" and our American History.  I've been feeling a huge internal push to learn and teach my children about the roots of our country and how the Gospel ties into our American History. 

My Personal Scripture Study......Okay so I decided to add this to my list because I've found this time of my day to be very interesting.  I'm currently reading "The Book of Mormon another Testament of Jesus Christ"  I'm not just reading it but taking a lot of time to study each chapter I'm reading so that I make sure I get the full meaning and message that I need in my life at this time.  I'm finding it very interesting and inspiring and it's helping me better teach my children in the mornings during our Family Scripture Study.  I'm using a manual that our church uses for our institute classes and it helps me take a different look at reading the scriptures.  I'm absolutely loving this time of my day now.  It's one of those things that I can't crawl into bed with out remembering to study.  And still loving this time Each evening.  

I'm Grateful For................Freedom,  Freedom to garden, home school, think, and learn as I choose.  Freedom to be at home with my children and Not have to work. 

I'm Praying For.................Insperation as I decided what my kids need to work on the most.  Where my main focus needs to be as far as their education.  Also for the strength to carry out my goals again.  To gain focus to stay on track.  





The ONLY PIC I HAVE OF THE ARMADILLO!!! 

And I took it with my phone so it's not a very good pic either.

The Dog loved the excitement of this one!!!







Campout with Friends

So I didn't have my computer all last week due to my wonderful husband needing it for work.  I now have it back and can update our Campout pix.  Here is what we did that HOT weekend during July 7th-11th.  ;) And it was very HOT!!!

My Homeschool Mother's Journal

In My Life This Week............I'm actually writing this late.  I've started a new week now.  But here is what happened last week.  My husband was out of town for most of it! :( I alwasy miss him so much when he's gone.  We started off by enjoying some time with friends, it was my daughters birthday so we went to the fountains in Springfield and played and splashed around.  Then later in DH and DS came home So we just hung out a bit and enjoyed some fun back in Spfd as a family.  Took the kids bowling and out to eat pizza.  Friday I was surprised with a Kayaking date.  Dh took me on a double date with our friends where we enjoyed a relaxing evening of kayaking.  Then Saturday we enjoyed A birthday party with friends and then a wonderful Full Family Baptism during the evening.  Sunday church and more friends coming over to spend time with us and now it's Monday. 

In Our Homeschool This Week.......I'm really just trying to get it all organized for the grand opening next week. August 1st I'm kicking it into full swing so we've gotten back on track with daily scriptures and chores and reading but other than that it's me getting it all in order for next Monday.  They of course are still in full critter mode.  My kids love to catch critters so they fill up buckets with little lizards, frogs, snakes, and grass hoppers.  Some for fishing some for just observing.

Places Were Going and People We've Seen.........This week we are not going many places, again due to me getting stuff organized for next week.  We do plan to hit the local swimming hole at the river to stay cool and break up our day a bit.


My Favorite Thing This Week.........was having my husband home and getting a long overdue date. We enjoyed hanging out with friends and I really am grateful my hubby took the initiative to take me out, it was very out of the blue and I loved every minute of it.


Things I'm Working On...............I'm working on my health.  Yep that's right. I've cut out soda for the most part, I had a little on Saturday but other than that I'm doing good.  I've also worked out via treadmill this past week and felt amazing afterwards.  A friend of mine is helping my stick to my goals and continue to meet them.  We update each other on a nightly basis via email to be accountable for each days doings.  It's been fun and invigorating!


I'm Reading.......................Plan BEE by Susan Brackney.  Our family has talked about starting some Bee Hives, so I'm researching the idea to see if I think we can handle it.  

My Personal Scripture Study......Okay so I decided to add this to my list because I've found this time of my day to be very interesting.  I'm currently reading "The Book of Mormon another Testament of Jesus Christ"  I'm not just reading it but taking a lot of time to study each chapter I'm reading so that I make sure I get the full meaning and message that I need in my life at this time.  I'm finding it very interesting and inspiring and it's helping me better teach my children in the mornings during our Family Scripture Study.  I'm using a manual that our church uses for our institute classes and it helps me take a different look at reading the scriptures.  I'm absolutely loving this time of my day now.  It's one of those things that I can't crawl into bed with out remembering to study.  

I'm Grateful For................Priesthood. The blessings it brings into my life by having my husband and sons hold sacred priesthood keys. For Heavenly Father continually blessing our lives by restoring such things in these Latter Days.  I'm also grateful for Eternal Families and the knowledge that we can live with our families after this life. 
 
I'm Praying For.................Personally..strength to overcome some challenges I've been facing lately. And always my family and the needs that seem to come up each week in different ways.
FOR OTHERS...........A few friends that are struggling in different areas at this time.




HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
 It all began with a Seed then Turned into a seedling

I lost a lot of my plants after placing them in the sun and wind when they were really little.  :(

 Squash plant in a homemade planter my boys made from a tire.

 Bed #3 4x8

  My first Roma tomato that has turned red!  Can't wait to taste it.

 Bed #2 also 4x8

 Bed #1  Also 4x8 This was the first bed we built.  Those cucumbers wilt a little in the heat of the day but by the evening they perk back up.  I worried at first but it's their routine.  My broccoli didn't do anything but i will try again in the fall.  Someone mentioned that it got to hot before it could produce fruit. Live and learn. 

 Yellow Squash

 Bush pumpkin

 Melon

 Peanut plants.  A trial

 Melon

 Squash

 Melon

 Squash

 Angle view of all three beds.  Look at those tomatos

Dragon Bean bud

Dragon Beans

 Hilbilly Tomato

Bell Pepper

My garden is looking amazing, (if I do say so myself).

What makes a person REALLY pretty

Just making dinner and had a quick thought.  After having a discussion with a friend today I've really been pondering what makes a Lady REALLY pretty, and I think I know.   Along with being neat and clean and well kept comes the verbal beauty.  When people speak kind, loving words and are wonderfully polite they make the most BEAUTIFUL people.  Ladies I'm speaking mostly to us.  We have a huge responsibility to teach our children in this ever changing, very disruptive world, how to act like ladies, but also speak like ladies too. Yep that's right just add it to the list of things to do!!!  It's so disappointing (and a bit frustrating to me) to hear a disrespectful child.

Ok so that's my thoughts and I just had to share them.  My goal is to be a little more diligent in this area of rearing my girls as well as my boys.


YOUR THOUGHTS?????????????????????????????