Preparations

We have come to that time of the year again...preparing for the next year.  We don't really do a January to January year, rather a September-September year.  I try an immerse myself in cleaning and planning so we can start the school year prepared and organized.  

I often start the year with reminders and inspiration before I dive into the actual planning.  I really needed to be still and just have something to read and ponder these last couple of weeks.  I read Shepherding a Child's Heart and Teaching from Rest.  Both had some great things for me to keep in mind as I focus on the whys of homeschooling.

This year especially, I feel like we really reached a transition with the older two children.  Turning 11 and 10, I felt we entered full force into that time of their childhood where building relationships are paramount...and I suspect will be throughout the rest of their upbringing.  Everything is about talking (and listening, listening, listening!), encouraging, ferreting out character issues, and pointing them to Jesus and a relationship with Him.  I have to be even more watchful and diligent to keep their hearts and to train them in obedience and character and they are so unique and different in their personalities and strengths and struggles.  It is hard work and not something I feel particularly gifted at.  In fact, both the older two came to me this summer to talk about a problem they were having with me.  One wanted to vent and was brutally honest (ouch) and really just wanted me to listen, the other wanted to problem solve and dialogue.  I had to take a good hard look at myself and make apologies...humbling for sure!  

My work space
Notice all the bags in the back ground ready to take to a used clothing store and the red exercise ball that I use for a chair at my computer desk - this has helped me so much when I need to sit and work.  I can bounce, stretch my back, and work on core body strength.

I prefer to work on butcher paper and do everything big scale and in layout that makes sense to me before I try and format it on the computer.  Phil has been trying to teach me to use excel instead of word for charts and I am a slow learner!

I had no intention of canning this year but when a bunch of free food came my way, I spent an entire day making jam, applesauce, tomato sauce, and pickles.

We had hoped that the Perseid Meteor Shower would have been a little more impressive.  Phil watched it the evening before and saw lots of "shooting stars".  Unfortunately, the next evening wasn't as good but the children slept out under the stars, all crammed together on the trampoline.  

This little girl's birthday went by so quickly and right smack dab in the middle of a whole lot of chaos.  I was so glad that we could celebrate her birthday down at the Johnson's with her friend Rebecca.  We let her pick out her own gift on Amazon (a playmobile set).  

Can I just say, how much I enjoy this "baby" of the family.  I have often thought what a special position the baby holds in the family.  She has so many brothers and sisters to love on her everyday and they truly do!  She is my enthusiastic extrovert and quite the comic.  She keeps us laughing!  I am so very thankful for her.

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