This weather is the strangest weather! Just a few days ago we had below zero temps. Yesterday we reached a high of 65 and thunderstorms came. With the thunderstorms came tornados. That's right we were sitting here and the tornado siren sounded. We were all looking at each other going what on earth are those sounding for?!? It's January!

Sure enough there was a tornado that touched down just 14 miles from us. That was good for us! It touched down one mile south of my parents home. Took out 6 farms in their little town. One farm being our favorite apple orchard. It has been pretty much leveled. Thankfully there were no deaths and only minor injuries related to these storms. The last report of a January tornado for Wisconsin was 40 years ago. The last for Illinois was 60 years ago. Thunderstorms although more common only occur here in Wisconsin in January about every 3-4 years lol.

Today we reached our high temp at 8:30 this morning which was 58 degrees. We are down to 37 degrees and they are calling for snow this evening. Told ya strange weather! lol Tomorrows high is to only reach 35. Thirty degrees cooler than yesterday. The kids are going to go out this afternoon and do yard clean up, any stray trash, fallen branches that sort of thing.

We are busy working on our unit of light and matter. Reading books from various authors. Mostly old books. Like from Horatio Alger, also they are working on a lap book on aviation and Martin Luther King. We will be starting a study on elections this month as well. Figured we might as well learn this process with the election being this year. Was going to wait on Turner to come home before really getting into the meaty work. But decided to go ahead and at least get the folders created and the booklets created. We find out today how much longer my dad will need assistance.

I am also in the process of redoing our schedule just a bit. Although I am not tied to our schedule, I do need a blueprint. Need some sense of organization. When you have 8 little ones, ( 6 mine, 2 grandbabies), you have to have some organization and routine. Otherwise, chaos ensues and I end up with a headache at the end of the day. lol I have chores for everyone including the 4 yo grandson. We have lots of dr appts, that can really put a damper on productivity.

There are some days that I am not sure if I am coming or going. I find tho when I have these days that I have neglected my time with the Lord. Giving Him my first moments of the day is really important, it helps the day go  better. When I don't make time for Him, it seems we get very little accomplished. I am also trying this year to be less vocal. Trying to teach my children not to yell, and yet here is mom yelling above the crowd. Not a very good example.

Over all I feel so blessed. I am able to stay home with my children, whom I love to be with, most the time. LOL. I am able to have my husband home 24/7, this wasn't by choice, but it is a good thing. Most of the time. Now if I can find him a job to do it would make it better. LOL We are able to drop everything and run and help my parents or friends or other family members when they need us. We can pack up and leave for a field trip anytime we choose. I can spend all day in my jammies or I can get dressed to the nines. It's my choice! Usually its my fleece jammies all day. They are comfy and warm!

There are many things I would like to see my children learn and accomplish. But I know all I can do is guide and supply the resources and tools for them to learn. It is up to them and God to learn what they need to learn for the life God has planned for them. And watching the process has been so wonderful. Something I would miss out on if I had not followed God in homeschooling my children.

The best advice I have ever been given since we started homeschooling is to pick the fights carefully, and don't sweat the small stuff. Peanut butter painting on the cupboard doors can be washed, mud on the floors can be mopped, but time lost with our children can never be regained. Like the tornado that came so out of character, our time with our children will disappear. I don't want my children to remember this time as a time of destruction and isolation. But a time of joy and excitement. A time of building valuable knowledge and relationships. How about you?

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Posted by blessedmomof10

Wow - what odd weather for your part of the country!! I mean isn't Wisconsin known for freezing cold winters??? We too have had warm weather...... the month of december was cold and snowy and then the weekend hit and we have been about 65!! It's crazy! Our planet is really not doing well!

I also hear you on learning to be more quiet...... I am not a quiet person by nature, so it really does take a lot of grace to help me! :) The Lord must just shake His head over and over again! I put my foot in mouth way too often!

may the Lord bless you in your homeschool endeavors!

~ gloria ~

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