EKjourney Backup

I think this February might go down in history as one of the most crazy Winter months that I have had.  First of all, I do experience seasonal stir crazy/cabin fever every year around this time and I am ready to jump the parenting and homemaking ship and ride off into the sunset in search of adventure, sunshine, warm(er) weather, and peace....alone.  Alas, I usually just tough it out.  There has been one other time in history when I strongly considered putting one child in school (I think it must have been 5-6 years ago) and I really wondered if having a personal break from homeschooling might be the best thing for everyone.  I even contacted our wonderful piano teacher and veteran homeschool mom about homeschooling the children for the rest of the year (she wasn't able to).   I had one of the worst homeschool parenting weeks on record two weeks ago, followed by a scary "botched" heart procedure with my mom this past week to finish up the month of February....

Snow Moon, is the first full moon in February.  I wish the pictures could show it like it truly is.  It was so big as it crested the horizon and such a beautiful golden color.  I can't get get my camera close enough even with my big lens to show size and despite the tripod, the pictures had a halo and and camera shake.  My camera actually took a better photo although it was rather grainy ( darkened the pictures and that helped). Regular camera Cell Phone I also took some pictures of the moon with my cell phone through the telescope lens.  Oh my, this is near impossible.  I can't hold still enough to hover over the view finder and have the camera focus and take the picture.  I got these shots. Piano lesson views... (time out) So, I am having a homeschool crisis.  I am burnt out.  High School is really hard.  I feel a ton of pressure to be organized with lesson plans and hours and scope and sequence for the required credits and to have opt...

I feel a bit like I have been run over by an emotional semi truck! First, I struggled all last week with feeling like I had no control over dark thoughts and feelings of contentment (hormones).  I was going stir crazy.  I was feeling trapped.  I didn't like anything that I was doing and resentment was bubbling up.  I knew I was making mistakes and damaging relationships with my attitude but I felt helpless. Them, I kind of feel like the Lord put me in a crisis situation to deal with that struggle.  First, my mom was in the hospital with heart issues and pneumonia.  Family members being very very sick snaps you out of every selfish/feel sorry for thought and I went into "go mode" because my thoughts were off of me and onto serving others.  I joked with my dear friend Michelle that serving others outside of your family is so much more "satisfying" because they are actually thankful.  Nobody sheds a tear because you washed their underpants!  But...