Well, it's Monday morning, and after banana nut muffins and turkey bacon, I'm off to the next thing, and you know what that is--weekly wrap-ups!   If you want to participate in this meme, please visit Carol at ThreeLittleLadies, and be sure to link your post to her Mr. Linky so that we can all see what life has in store for you.   From where I sat this past week,

As an individual, I…

Struggle so with balance.   Then I struggle with the fact that I’m struggling.   I know better.   The thing is, on any given day, I wake up with choices.   I can be…

• A warrior in intercession and Bible study
• Super wife, meeting my husband’s needs before he realizes that he has them
• Super Mom, with plans and ideas to do things with and for my kids even before they wake up
• A fantastic entrepreneur, accomplishing the many things on my list of need-to-dos
• A great housekeeper
• An instructor who does far more than the minimum
• Queen of exercise and good health

This isn’t the end of the list by any means.   There’s a great friend, a tremendous Sunday school teacher, Home Improvement Queen, etc., etc., etc., in the words of Yul Brenner from The King and I.   The trouble is that, every now and then, I wake up trying to be all of these things, and frustrated because I can’t be.   Then I have to remind myself about the most important item on my list--obedience to the Father, and from there, establishing priorities.  

So, my current frustration as I write is that, once again, I only worked out twice last week.  (Heavy sigh).   Over the weekend, I re-upholstered dining room chairs, sewed, and got several things accomplished for my students.   This satisfied the Home Improvement Queen, the instructor, and the Super Mom (somewhat).   The rest of who I want to be fell by the wayside, as I sit next to a small mountain of washed, but unfolded, clothes and ponder over a conversation I had with my husband earlier.   It is devilishly hard to be all these things when you wake up in the morning already feeling far behind.   I’m sure that’s a trick of the enemy.

As a wife and homemaker, I…

am proud of my home improvement project, even if I feel bad about what else didn’t get done.   The set—almost as old as I am--became mine after my father died 12 years ago, and I’ve always wanted to spruce it up a bit.   The glass on the china cabinet is cracked, and the seats have a very 70’s picture of a country cottage in burlap.   All of that is wrapped up under plastic—did anyone else’s parents go there? (smile)

As an aside, the tabletop, a once beautiful, rich cherry, is now ruined because of the plastic laid on top of it to, ironically, avoid ruining the finish.   At some point, I’ll have this refurbished.   Anyway, in 12 years, I finally found a fabric that I liked—I think.

My concern is that someone will rip it with a wallet or that the youngest will be too rough on it.    So now, I’m wondering if I should have gone through with the new upholstery.   Well, I’m halfway there now, so I’ll keep going.

As a mom and homeschooling parent, I…

was happy that the oldest finished science on a high note.   Her year’s average was an 85, and if I follow Dr. Wile’s logic regarding the rigor of Apologia, a B as a college science student isn’t too bad.    Anyway, last week was actually the first that the kids didn’t have a lot (relatively speaking) to get done.  The oldest has gotten back to sewing.   On yesterday, our son actually asked when school would begin again.   I was encouraged by both of these activities; it says to me that the kids are doing what they enjoy, and yet hungry to keep learning.   Incidentally, I think we’ll start around August 5^th, with some breaks in there for a couple of day camp dates and a visit with some special friends on August 10^th.

As a business owner, I…

am excited about editing the elementary curriculum.   There are new books out there that I want to incorporate, and more of the kids’ work.   In the meantime, I have met a couple of friends with other heritages (Chinese- American, specifically) and I was able to recommend books to them!  This was delightful, and it encouraged me in seeking books that educate all of us about more than just those who look like us.   We all are a part of the development of this wonderful nation, and each of our stories is noteworthy.   Speaking of which, we finish Code Talker today (Monday).    Whenever I revise the middle school curriculum, I’ll have to figure out a way to include this wonderful book.   We’ll return to Ralph Moody’s Home Ranch in order to finish it, and then the kids have asked to return to the chronicles of Narnia.   We never read The Silver Chair and The Last Battle.    In the meantime, the kids are continuing with math and reading.  The youngest got a complete break from school on last week, and it showed.   I just didn’t have the energy to sit with her over books last week.   (Oops!  Everything is running together, and this has become another “school” session!)

Well, off to knock down the mountain of clothes!    The youngest wants to travel to the local Walgreens' and spend her allowance, I've got dinner to cook, which on a fast day better not be late, and I pray that God is blessing your week as well.