We are so NOT used to cold and wet weather that it already seems as if we've had a long winter.  It's only December.  It's the 7th night of Hanukkah and it's chilly in the house.  I'm thankful for the warm fire in the fireplace and the beautiful candles on the mantle.

I made some yummy soup this afternoon with lots of veggies and a bit of chicken.  It tastes good going down and will warm us up for the evening.  I'm hoping to make alfredo tomorrow.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  I'm looking forward to the sunshine that's expected for tomorrow.  But, we'll see. 

We're taking a break from the 3 R's and focussing on arts and crafts for a good citizenship event.  We're going to make as many angel ornaments, fancy soaps, and baby hats & booties as we can over the next couple of days.  It's all going to be donated to the Gabriel Project for a booth at the Santa's Arts and Crafts Sale in December.

Yeah!  I'll be off the computer for a while, too.  It will be a nice break.

Answering machine on M-F 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.!

NO CALLS ON MONDAYS!

Monday-Office clerical work 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Scooter and Bubba may work for others from 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. 1st & 3rd Tuesdays and Wednesdays only!

2nd Tuesday-Gabriel Project Meeting 6:30 p.m.

4th Tuesday-Gabriel Project Training 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday-NO driving practice.  Mom's Zones 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Thursday-Lawn work at 3:00 p.m.

Friday NOTE:  WKS 1 & 3 Company from Noon 'til?

Friday-Mom starts pantry/fridge/menu work 1:30-2:00 p.m., extras, then follow schedule.

Saturday-7:00 a.m. groceries, 9:00-11:00 a.m. planning/grading/filing/printing.

Saturday-12:30 p.m. nap, 4:30 p.m. deliver ironing to MBath, 6:30 p.m.  Mom irons.

Sunday-8 a.m. breakfast, 9:30 church, sheets to utility upon return.  5:30 make beds.

Sunday-Noon lunch & cleanup, 2 p.m. haircuts.  WK 1-Daddy, WK 2-Scooter, WK 3-Bubba, WK 4-Howdy.

I took Howdy and Posie to Western Days yesterday.  We started out at the parade.  Bubba was with us during the parade and then went with his friends for the rest of the day.  Scooter was with Hubby on a trip.  Sis was working at the feed store until the parade started.  But, she had to stay close to the store for those that would come by after the parade.  It was a nice parade.  It lasted almost two hours. 

The Harley's were EXCEPTIONAL!    I WILL have one some day.  And, there were several floats from various towns with their queens and princes and little misses and misters.  We loved the Wildflower Assoc. float and the one that carried Ruby Begonia.  Some fine looking antique cars and tractors were a hit with young and old.  The clowns passed out lots of peppermints and bubble gum throughout the parade.  Only one band performed that I recall.  And there were fewer horses than I expected.  Tragically, there was an accident involving one of the riders and his horse toward the end of the parade.  We're praying for his full recovery.

After the parade, Howdy and Posie walked with me (okay, Posie strolled in the stroller most of the time) all over town.  We went to the petting zoo first.  It took us quite a while to find it.  There was, of all things, a wallaby!  It was precious!  It's fur was so soft.  Posie just fell in love with it.  We found out that there was one at the auction that Hubby and Scooter went to at about the same time we were at the zoo.  COOL!  The little goats and sheep and fallow deer were adorable. 

The playground was Posie's favorite place to visit throughout the day.  Howdy loved the fishing pond.  The two of them each caught catfish in the early part of the afternoon and Howdy caught another later in the day.  We went back and forth between the zoo and the pond quite a few times.

The wild west show was on our list of things to do, but every time we got there, it had either just finished or had a long time 'til it would start again.  So, we wandered through the carnival and the booths.  At one point we decided to pack up and go to DQ.  It gave us some time to sit and rest, eat a bite, and decide how we wanted to spend the rest of the day. 

Back at the fairgrounds we went fishing again, played at the playground, and then went to watch the Indian dancers.  Posie joined them for a dance that required volunteers.  Then, they asked the parents of the child volunteers to join in the fun.  So, I danced two Native American dances of friendship.  Howdy watched from a bail of hay.  He said we looked like we had fun, but that he thought we were silly.  He took a chance on a shooting gallery at the carnival, but it didn't work out.  He evaluated it as a "rip off," but it was still fun for him.

Next, we again went fishing and wandered around the grounds looking at handmade furniture, canned fruits and veggies, rubber band guns, and pretty pencil drawings.  Howdy especially liked the pencil art.  He thinks he'd like to do that when he gets better at drawing.  I'm hoping he'll want to take lessons next year.

We made it to the final wild west show.  It was so funny!  Posie kept yelling at the sheriff and the "bad guys" to tell them where each were hiding.  She played along so well.  But, she did actually believe that one of the bad guys was dead when he fell in the wash tub and didn't move anymore the rest of the show.  She was relieved when he got up at the end to take a bow.

It was a full day!  Howdy remarked when we crossed our cattle guard, "Mom, we were there all day!  You said we'd leave right after lunch."  He smiled when he realized that I had actually let the two of them have a whole day of fun and only had to help them through a couple of cranky times by finding a place to sit and just watch the other people having fun.

Howdy wanted to go again today, but I'm wiped out.  So, we'll have to just plan on going again next year. 

We planted our garden just in time!  We've had almost two inches of rain since yesterday.  The garden already looks so much better!

Planted:

12 brocolli plants

12 cauliflower plants

about that many Chinese cabbage plants from my dad

1 lone tomato plant

some green bean seeds

We'll plant some more this week.  Can't wait 'til it's ready to eat!

DING!  I breathed a sigh of relief when I read Kimberly Hahn's words.  She wrote them in Graced and Gifted:  Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker's Heart.  They are so clearly true that I was humbled and relieved to know that God had her write them based on her experience to enlighten me about my own experiences.  Time and place; date and town; He's in charge and has ordained our need for Him.  He has given us to each other for encouragement and correction.  What a blessing!

"Does God intend for us to complete every homemaking task every day?  No, it is not humanly possible.  If it is not possible, then it is not God's will for us.  Embracing the humility that comes from incomplete daily work is one of God's gifts to us through this calling.

Then, what do we do when we feel defeated?  We face our fears, failings and false notions about homemaking.  We look at our tasks from a fresh perspective."

I hope to humbly look at things from this fresh perspective. 

I am always mesmerized by exceptional writing.  This paragraph from Abraham J. Heschel's great work, The Insecurity of Freedom, took my breath away.  His command of language inspires me!

"The prophets had disdain for those to whom God was comfort and security; to them God was a challenge, an incessant demand.  He is compassion, but not a compromise; justice, but not inclemency.  Tranquillity is unknown to the soul of a prophet.  The miseries of the world give him no rest.  While others are callous, and even callous to their callousness and unaware of their insensitivity, the prophets remain examples of supreme impatience with evil, distracted by neither might nor applause, by neither success nor beauty.  Their intense sensitivity to right and wrong is due to their intense sensitivity to God's concern for right and wrong.  They feel fiercely because they hear deeply."

I miss park days.  There was a post on the homeschool e-group that there would be one today.  Howdy and Posie would love to go, but we have too much going on with Scooter, Bubba, and Sis to do this very often.  I need to come up with a realistic plan for H & P to be around younger kids more often.

Park days were always fun for S, B, and Sis, at least for when they were younger.  Even the moms had fun.  They aren't as appreciated by the big kids.  Heh.  Even though they were once little, they find it nearly intolerable to go now.  But, if certain friends are there, they'll make an exception.

I need to set up some exceptional park days. 

We've had 2 1/2 inches of rain this week and it's raining again today.  It is so beautiful.  We have the windows cracked a bit to let in the cool breeze.  It makes it easier to hear all the pitter patter.  I love the sound it makes on our metal roof.

Everything is green.  I'd almost forgotten what that color looks like!  In some places the pastures are almost blinding after so much brown and gray for so long.  The smell of fresh grass must make all the animals rejoice!  I wonder how many calves were born, lived, and died without seeing green grass or smelling and tasting its sweetness?

I am reading a book called Gourmet Gardening.  It's just the sort of thing to read while it's raining.  God is blessing the ground in order to ready it for edible beauty.  I want to be ready to "help Him out." 

There's talk of "spirit-led" homeschooling.  I know it exists.  I've seen it in action, even in my own home.  However, sometimes I forget the fact that it needs to be led by His Spirit and not my own. 

I read the following in a book called Spiritual Power for Your Family:  How to Partner With the Holy Spirit and Raise a Loving Family, by Beverly LaHaye.  It is exactly what I needed to read at the time that I read it because it triggered my memory.  I could see where things got "off" and how to get them back "on" again!  YEAH! 

"...Being filled with the Spirit makes very little difference in our lives if we don't take an active part in drawing on the Spirit's power to grow to maturity in Christ." 

That made me think of a song that we sang when I was a kid.  It was on a Gaither's childrens record; one of those big ones.  Heh.  I tried to record it to a cassette at one point, but it wasn't very clear.  It is in my mind though, so I'm going to sing it more often.

"Jesus gave her the water that was not from the well.  Jesus gave her the water that was not from the well.  She went away singing, came back bringing, others to the water that was not from the well."

That's what I tend to forget.  I get thirsty during the day and end up drinking quite a bit of water to stay hydrated.  Why is it that I forget to "drink in" the Spirit throughout the day?  I think I'll try using this idea this week to see if it helps me stay focussed on Him.  Every time I need to drink water, I will listen to Him and get "rehydrated" for what I have to do each day.  That will be true Spirit-led homeschooling.

Mrs. LaHaye goes on to point out, "walking in the Spirit is an outgrowth of being filled with the Spirit, because you cannot walk in the Spirit until you are filled with the Spirit.  Our walking makes us need more filling, and the filling enables us to walk in the Spirit more.  This is akin to drinking as much water as you can hold, and then walking in the energy of that life-giving water.  Eventually, you get dehydrated, and you need to drink more to have sufficient fluid to walk farther."  

This is what I've realized.  I could see a glimpse of it in Pierlot's book, but this was very clear as I've been exercising more frequently.  When I do, I get a drink of water before I start.  Then, after a good workout of pilates or a long walk, I need more water to do the next thing on my list.

"So walking in the Spirit requires regular refilling, and we need to develop new habits to ensure that we won't become passive about our spiritual life."

Thanks for the reminder, Mrs. LaHaye.  I am blessed that you helped me to remember it!

Howdy and I went to the symphony/ballet theatre production of "Peter and the Wolf" this afternoon.  We enjoyed it so much!  These types of events mean a certain "routine" to Howdy, so we followed the usual "protocol."

First, we went to the library.  We're were excited to find some great books at the Friends of the Library book sale while we were there.  Howdy found a "Peanuts" dictionary, a couple of horse training manuals for Sis, and a "Bugs Bunny" book for Posie.  He passed on the pronghorn book for Bubba and the personal finance book for Scooter.  "Maybe next time," he said.    I found an old Hebrew/English Dictionary!  It is a nice, blue hardback in very good condition with that wonderful old book smell.  We left after checking out a medical handbook for cattle and a gourmet gardening book.

Then, we went antiquing for a bit before heading to the college auditorium.  We met some homeschooling friends at the door and were able to sit together for the performance.  The kind lady at the door mentioned that there would be about 800 school children in attendance!  Yes, it was noisy during the "anticipatory set." 

Howdy's favorite part was the introduction of each musical instrument.  His favorite was the violin.  We can all picture him playing it, so I was pleasantly surprised when he mentioned his interest.  We'll see....

After the performance, we had our usual "date" at Olive Garden.  Howdy ALWAYS gets the chicken alfredo.  He insisted that I not order the gnocchi soup and opt for the chicken and gnocchi instead.  Heh!  We shared.  YUM!  He so enjoys eating at a "fancy restaurant."  It's such a treat.  And, he politely visited with our waitress which was a lot of fun to watch.  He did mention more than once that women SHOULD NOT wear ties.    When we left, we both decided that from now on we will both order the gnocchi soup and salad.  Hee hee hee.  It is hands down our favorite.

Next, we headed to Academy and purchased his hunting license as dove season opens this weekend.  The woman at the checkout asked if he could shoot pigeons.  He said, "of course."  DING!  It finally dawned on me they were talking about clay pigeons at some point.  I'm used to them being called "skeet."

A trip to Hobby Lobby before we picked up the crew was a must!  We found some fall cupcake liners for the breakfast meeting I'll host in October.  I also bought some beautiful monarch butterflies to add to our nature themed Christmas tree this year.  I grabbed a few freebie patterns for knitting/crocheting and we were out the door.

After picking up the kids, we came home and he helped Bubba with the yardwork.  But, he came in for a few hugs here and there.  What a sweetie!  I love days like today! 

It'll be a few years before Posie gets to go to the symphony.  I know she'll enjoy it as much as Howdy did today.  He'll give her the same "talk" that his big brothers and sister gave him before he started his ballet and symphony adventure days.  They all encouraged him by saying he just HAD to go or he would miss out on so much fun with Mama.  I'm glad they remember these events as fun with me.  Our days at home can be long, boring, and sometimes stressful like cabin fever.  Bright spots like this are so special.

Now all I have to do is find a "secret" recipe for those Olive Garden breadsticks that he wants me to make.  Glee!  At one point in the meal he said, "Mom, these are SO GOOD!  You just have to make them at home.  Did you notice how our waitress called them 'bread' instead of 'breadsticks?'  I guess that's because this isn't a fast food place." 

Monday: Please clean your part of the closet and your drawers.

Tuesday: Please straighten the bookshelves and gather library books.

WK 4: Please organize the kids’ bath cabinets.

Wednesday: Please vacuum fireplace and couch. Please clean entryway.

Thursday: Please clean kitchen chairs.

Friday: Please empty bedroom trash and clean under bed.

Friday extras:

Week 1: Please water the houseplants and the outside potted plants.

Week 2: Please clean the shoe box and vacuum it out.

Week 3: Please clean door knobs in the house.

Week 4: Please clean the shoe box and vacuum it out.

Saturday: Please have fun and relax with the rest of us!

Sunday: Please take your sheets to the utility room for Mom to clean when we get home from church. Then, make your bed when they are fresh and clean.

Monday: Please clean your bedroom windows and the utility door (in & out). Please clean your part of the closet and your drawers.

Tuesday: Please dust your bedroom and the living room.

WK 3: Please organize the kids’ bath cabinets and your bath drawer.

Wednesday: Please clean bathtubs.

Thursday: Please clean fronts of the kitchen cabinets.

Friday: Please help straighten the pantry and clean fridge.

Friday extras:

Week 1: Please wash your bedroom light bulb holders.

Week 2: Please clean the switch plates in the house.

Week 3: Please water the houseplants and the outside potted plants.

Week 4: Please dust the bathrooms.

Saturday: Please have fun and relax with the rest of us!

Sunday: Please take your sheets to the utility room for Mom to clean when we get home from church. Then, make your bed when they are fresh and clean.

Bubba's Weekly Chore List

Monday:  Please clean your bedroom windows and the front door (inside and out).  Please clean your part of the closet and your drawers.

Tuesday:  Please clean and blow off the porch, patio, and sidewalk. 

WK 2: Please organize the kids’ bath cabinets and your bath drawer.

Wednesday: Please dust the inside of the truck and throw away any trash.

Thursday: Please weed eat on weeks 1 & 3. Please mow on weeks 2 & 4.

Friday: Please mop the entry, hall, and bathroom.

Friday extras:

Week 1: Please wash the truck.

Week 2: Please water the house plants and outside potted plants.

Week 3: Please wash your bedroom light bulb holders.

Week 4: Please straighten the garage and blow it out.

Saturday: Please have fun and relax with the rest of us!

Sunday: Please take your sheets to the utility room for Mom to clean when we get home from church. Then, make your bed when they are fresh and clean.

Scooter's Weekly Afternoon Chore List

Monday:  Please clean the living room and kitchen windows and clean your part of the closet.

Tuesday:  Please clean the dishwasher front and the inside and outside of the microwave.  WK 1:  Please organize the kids' bath cabinets and your bath drawer.

Wednesday:  Please vacuum out the truck.

Thursday:  Please mow on weeks 1&3.  Please weed eat on weeks 2 & 4.

Friday:  Please dust the office, empty the office trash can, and dust the living room.

Friday extras:

WK 1:  Please wash the office light bulb holders.

WK 2:  Please straighten the garage and blow it out.

WK 3:  Please wash the truck.

WK 4:  Please water the house plants and outside potted plants.

Saturday: Please have fun and relax with the rest of us!

Sunday:  Please take your sheets to the utility room for Mom to wash when we get home from church.  Then, make your bed when they are fresh and clean.

We're finishing up some home maintenance this week and getting our "school groove" back.  Touching up paint, purging unneeded items, washing windows, and making lists or other repairs have all been done in the last few days.

It's so nice to have a husband who's willing to help around the house.  He's ON BOARD with the new routine/schedule and appreciates the time I've put into making sure even his little details get taken care of on a timely basis.  It's nice to know that he can actually see ON PAPER how this is all coming together to make a peaceful life together. 

Whew!

I remember those papers we had to write in school about "what I did this summer."  So, I'm sharing what I read this summer.  I know I read more than what I'm listing, but I can't remember all the titles.  These stuck out to me as most important as they have equipped me for the next year of homeschooling!

The Privilege of Being a Woman, by Alice von Hildebrand brought me back to the real me!  Her exquisite writing gave me the courage to beautify my family by being a woman of strength and diligence.  Appreciating the feminine is a lost art.  How sad, but true.  Just knowing God created me to be a quiet, hidden strength in my home added light to the shadowy rooms during the heat of the day. 

Mrs. Hildebrand's By Love Refined, was another excellent read during the long, hot days.  Written as letters to a young bride, she encouraged me through (and in some cases over) struggles I've had for years.  Some were "aha" moments.  Others were, "I'm so sorry I didn't realize this before," types of meditations.

An answer to prayer, Holly Pierlot's A Mother's Rule for Life was probably the book that helped cement things together for me and has inspired me to truly get the most out of this next year of homeschooling.  I brought all the past "aha's" together into a workable plan for our family. 

In the past, I've read similar books on a variety of topics.  Some were geared toward home organization.  Others tackled homeschooling concerns, but were too rigid and demanding (or in some instances too forgiving quite frankly).  Putting MRFL into place with our already successful RC routine will enable me to create a beautiful home with a welcoming homeschool as the icing on the cake! 

The book that sealed the "deal" for me was The Myth of Multitasking (How "Doing it All" Gets Nothing Done), by Dave Crenshaw.  I have to say the for years now I've been trying my hardest to multitask.  I've even been convinced that at some level that is what I've been doing.  But, the "failure to launch" syndrome that happens time and again had me finally in critically hopeless tears.  I had to admit to myself that trying to do too many things (meaning more than one thing at a time) was the ruination of our homeschooling and homelife.  Now, I see why!  I am so thankful to have been blessed to "go through" the "course" of this quick read! 

I hope to combine what I've learned over the summer into a way to help others over the next several years.  The two groups I hope to help are both groups of mothers.  Many will be mothers just like me.  In fact, quite honestly, they all will be mothers like me!  That's what makes it such a "happy thought" for me to consider.  I want to help other homeschooling mothers and I want to encourage the mothers I help through the Gabriel Project to wrestle with God and let Him win!    He has given me (and the other mothers) all we need to be who He intends.  We just have to realize this truth for ourselves.  He hasn't forgotten where He placed us in time and space.  We just need a reminder that we are who, what, where, when, why, and how He made us because He needs us to be right where we are at this moment in time.  He has equipped us to equip others.  What a hidden blessing!

"Most obstacles melt away when we make up our minds to walk boldly through them."

(Orson Swett Marden)

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face...Do the thing you think you cannot do."

(Eleanor Roosevelt)

"Peace.  It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.  It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart."

(unknown)

These were found on magnets and a note card at the Holocaust Museum in Houston yesterday.  http://www.hmh.org

Each of the kids have a calendar for the week printed out with assignments to be checked off when completed.

I have a chore/menu calendar on the fridge.

I also have a huge desk calendar with bill due dates, business deadlines, and appointments listed so I can stay on top of things during the week.

This is going to help us stay accountable for what we have to do as far as home management, education, and business are concerned.

Whew!

After attending an afternoon tea yesterday, I've decided to start having an afternoon tea time again with our children.  We used to do this when the older ones were little.  With Howdy and Posie at nice ages for this activity, we'll begin again.  I'm hoping to read from Bennett's Book of Virtues and other inspirational material each afternoon. 

I found my inspiration to do this after listening to a very passionate speaker at yesterday's tea.  He stressed the importance of taking responsibility for our own actions.  What better way to learn responsibility than to demonstrate it and read about it with my children on a frequent basis.  It's not that this isn't happening, it's just that it feels like an immediate need right now. 

As I've recently been asked to resume my position as Trainer for the Gabriel Project, I hope to inspire other members and future mothers to take time on a frequent basis to learn from historical examples to be responsible for their actions through story, song, and simple acts of the brave demonstration of good character.  All this stems from Love!

Tea anyone?

School.

Chores.

Kitchen/Utility declutter and organization.

Purchase screen door for utility room.

This is my family's favorite recipe for Yellow Wax Bean Pickles.  My mother has made them for years.  This is the first year that we've grown them.  I've put up 9 pints so far.

Wash, snap off ends, and cut beans.  Put in a pot and cover with water.  Bring to a boil and boil for 6-10 minutes.  Make sure they're cooked, but still crisp.

While this is going on, I get another pot and put in 3 cups vinegar, 3 cups sugar, and 1 1/2 Tbs. mustard seeds.  Once the beans are ready, I take 3 cups of that bean water and add to this mixture, cooking it 'til sugar disolves.  

Oops!  Forgot to say that I drain off the rest of the water and keep the beans in the big pot.  Then, I add the brine and bring back to a boil.  Shut off the burner.  Then, pack beans and liquid into sterilized jars.  Add lids and rings and tighten.  Put on hot pads and let cool.  Once, they "pop," the lids are sealed.  Once cooled, they can be put in the pantry (or fridge to chill and eat with the next meal.)

Help DH make business decisions.

Gardening and canning work.

Dust/mop our bedroom and bathroom.

Encourage Scooter to complete the math course he's working on and move to a new course.

Encourage Bubba to tackle the last of his prepositions memory work and to complete his study of honeybees.

Encourage Sis in her pursuit to double up on math lessons daily in order to get to the next level soon.

Encourage Howdy to read more than just the required lessons.

Encourage Posie in her potty training pursuits.....without as many ice cream bribes! 

Posie and I picked enough green beans, squash, and zuchinni to make meals for the rest of this week!  The rain is causing the garden to grow at a fast pace.  We can hardly keep up with it!  If we measured it all, it would be between 3/4 and a whole acre of veggies! 

The corn has tossels and a few ears are starting to show up.  I can't wait to taste it!  I wish we would've found some popcorn seed.  I really wanted to try that this year.  I think it's too late now.  It's on the list for next year.  The African corn is up and pretty in Scooter's section of the garden.  I'm not sure what the difference is between his and the kind that Daddy planted.  But, I look forward to eating both kinds!!!  Oh, yum!  I can feel the butter dripping down my arms already.

I think the first pot of beans today will have onions, garlic, and tomatoes in it.  We love that stirred up in an iron skillet!  I will go well with dirty rice and sausage tonight.  The next pot tomorrow will have some bacon in it.  Yummy and traditional, I'll make some meatloaf and mashed potatoes, too.

I'm going to share some squash and "zucknee" with our neighbors.  They like it will lots of butter or grilled on the pit.  I like it stir fried or in a casserole.  It will be good in some soup this weekend, too.

The tomatoes are putting on.  When they are ready, I want to make some picante, can some for other uses, and eat the rest in salads and on sandwiches.  Oh, yum!  Tomatoes are one of my favorite veggies.

I'm hoping the red, yellow, and green bell peppers do well.  I use these quite often and they are SO EXPENSIVE in the stores.  I have frozen them with success in the past, but I think I'll dehydrate some this year to save freezer space.

Thank You, God, for our bountiful garden!!!!!

Frustrated, disappointed, on the verge of anger, I packed up the kids and headed to town.  It was only a bit after lunch and we hadn't been able to get any studies done due to all the morning chores taking longer than planned.  I'd forgotten to pay an important bill last week and would be required to pay it in person.......45 minutes away!

Might as well go to the library while we're there and count it all "school," uh, I mean, JOY! 

Ran several errands, paid the bill, picked up laundry detergent to make things run smoother today.  Then, my sister called and said that she's received a phone call from a friend who wanted to know if I was okay.  I told her, "yes, why?"  Well, a tornado touched down where you live.  (My sister lives a few hours away.)  I was talking out loud as my children were keeping an "eye" on the weather building around us.  I quickly got off the phone and had Sis call a friend who lives near us.  She was also on errands and not home, but had been told by her father to stay away from home as the winds were pushing 100 miles an hour and the creek had risen.  They wouldn't be able to reach home safely.

We quickly picked up some feed for the chickens and Sis' horse and headed to my parents' house for safety.  We "rode out the storm" there.  It had lessened in strength by the time it got to their house.  Calling another friend who lives a mile from us, I was told that we'd had severe winds and over 3 inches of rain in a short time.  Limbs were down everywhere and the branch had swelled high enough that we wouldn't be able to cross it just in view of our home.

We stayed at my parents' until early evening and ventured out to watch a beautiful sunset on the way home.  The closer we got to home, the more limbs were down.  Water was still flowing across our road near home.  But, it was like a peaceful trickle and we were able to "swim" through it to the bottom of the hill. 

As we drove up the hill to our house, we saw lots of moss and some small limbs down in our yard.  Lots of beautiful puddles were everywhere.  We unloaded our packages and went to check on our animals.  All were safe, except for our beloved, Beep.  She is our pet axis deer.  She was still in her kennel, but her mouth has been hurt badly.  A large limb is in the pen.  She is missing teeth and her the side of her mouth is hanging in a strange way.  She must have been hit by the limb during the storm.

I'm thankful that we weren't home to witness the weather that blew through, but wish we'd have put Beep in the garage before we headed to town.  There was only a slight chance for rain in the "forecast."  Our neighbors reported that it was terrifying. 

I need to remember not to get frustrated, disappointed, or even close to anger when the morning or day doesn't go according to my plan.  Obviously, God had a different plan in mind.  One that helped us have a much more peaceful afternoon than our neighbors.

We've had little study time this week as we're getting ready for a garage sale.  WHEW!  I can't wait to get back to normal next week.  At least we're getting a glimpse at something other than our usual routine.  But, we miss it!

Matt.  28:19-20 NIV

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age."

It's easy to say that you can "do RC" without RC, but it sure is easier to use RC with a great printer!  WHEW!  I figured out how to use our new HP Officejet Pro 8500 today.  My life is simplified even more than it was just by using our RC routine.  I'm so excited!!!

I cleared out quite a bit of space in my three drawer file cabinet.  Over the years, I've printed out loads of homeschooling info. and had been holding onto several years worth of support group info. that my sister and I wrote/lead for a while.  It felt good to get rid of all that stuff.  I don't need it anymore. 

Life is simple!  Homeschooling is simple!  Thank You!

We're on half pace this week with spring in the air.  A lot of gardening will be in the works.  Daddy and the boys are working on a catch pen in the deer pen.  Sis will visit a cousin.  Howdy and Posie have a farewell/birthday party to attend.

Math facts, reading, writing, and research are on everyone's list of things to do this week.  We're beginning a unit study (shhhhhh) in the evenings, too.  The pace is picking up for everyone.

Short list.  Simple week.

Today is my grandfather's birthday.  My SIL has one on Tuesday.  Howdy is supposed to have a dental appointment on Wednesday, but I think we're going to reschedule it for April due to financing.  That's it for scheduled activities unless Posie has a playdate.

Studies will include the usual for everyone.  Scooter has to study for his driver's permit.  Bubba has to start on a new spelling list.  Sis has to begin another book and organize her paperwork.  Howdy begins a new spelling list, too.  And, Posie will head into serious potty training.  I want her out of diapers before March ends!

We must purchase paper and printer ink.  I run out so quickly these days, but I need to get more books printed for the kids to stay ahead of them.  I need to look into the duplexing printer situation.  Our printers use entirely too much ink!  That creates a cost burden that we really don't need.  I may try to find some of the books cheaply at book sales.  I almost purchased several from a mom online, but didn't have the money at the time.  I may check with her again when I have some room in the budget.  She may still have some of the titles that we'd like to have on our shelves. 

I keep reminding myself that IF I get up at the time I have recognized is best for me to get up, I can get more done before the kids are up and ready to go for the day.  So, this morning, I DID IT!  I got up at 5:30 a.m. and set to work on the things I've listed for myself to do each morning.  What a difference that has made in the day already! 

It only took me an hour and a half to catch up on all the Un-done chores I left behind yesterday.  That was the folding of somewhere between four and five loads of laundry and cleaning up the kitchen.  All I had to do was to finish loading the dishwasher and push start to get that done.  DING!  I should've done that last night.  Then, it would've been so pretty to look at when I walked in there this morning.  The clothes folding went fast without any distractions and I even quietly delivered them to the right rooms.  Yes, this is the kids' job, but we had so much going on yesterday that I neglected to require them to do it.

So, no more of that!  We will get our chores done the rest of the week.  And, the kitchen will be cleaned and closed before bed tonight.  That way, it's fresh for me when I get up at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow morning!  Once those two leftovers were completed, I was able to get the three daily loads washed and into baskets ready for the clothesline when the sun came up.  They're flying high in the windy wind as I write.

Breakfast was ready on schedule this morning and everyone, including Daddy was impressed with how much was already accomplished and how nice the house looked when they wiped the sleep from their eyes.  Whew! 

I even got to finish the last chapter of the book I've been reading.  Now, it can go on the shelf and I can concentrate on the one I started a few days ago.  I usually have two or three books going at once.  But, I'm narrowing it down to one at a time unless I'm reading along with one or more of the kids.  *I need to rewrite a new ILL list and get started on requesting more titles.

School today was about making choices when setting priorities.  We have a list of things to do and need to decide which need to be done first, next, and so on.  We also marked quite a few things off the list as unnecessary.  It's been a little like taking inventory.  In fact, that was one of the things we did this afternoon.  We took inventory of our pantry items, mason jars, lids, and rings, and made a list just based on our findings.

We have lots of jars.  We have quite a bit of sugar.  We have some fruit in the freezer and on our orange tree.  So, we are going to make preserves and marmalade with our stash.  We've had several blips in the electricity over the last few months.  I'm not sure if they've been working on equipment or squirrels have been toasting more frequently.  Heh!  Either way, I'd like to get the fruit out of the freezer to make room for things that can't be canned at this point. 

It was a fun activity.  We got to get some organization taken care of and the Scooter got to see how much work it takes to be a homemaker.  He will appreciate a helpful wife some day.  He hadn't realized what I have to do in a day that seems to go unnoticed.  He enjoyed learning about canning and preserving and we had fun making decisions together.

The list of things to do is shorter.  And, it was fun tackling it together.

Poor Sis missed out on all the fun.  She got her top braces put on yesterday and has been asleep all day today from all the pain.  But, she knows how to plan and prepare for a family big or small as she is my usual helper. 

Back to the kitchen to begin the marmalade.

Scooter is hitting math hard this week.  He is also in the first stages of driver's ed.  That will eventually free me up as I'll be able to send him to the feed store instead of having to go myself.  He's still working on economics and government topics.  Easily done at this point in history. 

Bubba is continuing with math, reading, copywork, spelling, and grammar.  It is working okay for him for right now.  But, he'd rather be outside with his chickens and turkeys, or in the garden, or working with the cows. 

Sis is going steady with her math schedule.  She got off a bit a week ago, or so.  Her books are slowly being read, but her writing skills are really taking off!  She'd rather be working with her horse than doing school, but her minimums are getting done first and then the extras are slowly finding their way onto her plate.

Howdy is on two-a-day's with the last several lessons in the 100 lessons book.  He also has handwriting, math, facts practice, drawing, and chores to complete each day while getting along with Posie.  He is learning how to handle the tiller under Daddy's supervision. 

Posie is at the beginning stages of fighting off naps.  ACK!  I need her to continue to at least lay down with books for an hour a day.  She is counting very well to 20 and farther with help.  She sings the ABC song fairly well now.  Her colors are about half learned.

With all that on the kids' lists this week, we also have gardening to do.  I want to get some (if not all) of the berries out of the freezer and make jelly to free up some space.  I think we'll stick to meat and veggies all week to get some of those out of the freezer, too.  We need to butcher turkeys at least by next weekend.

The eggs are coming daily now.  I want to have an egg meal every other day.  I may try making some noodles if I can find a good enough recipe.  I don't have a pasta machine.  I need to find out if I can dry these, or not.  It would be nice to have on hand.

I need to fix the clothesline.  It's drooping.  It would really be nice to have more lines, too.  I think I have plenty clothespins, but I may check that and put it on the shopping list if necessary.  I do know that I need to get some laundry detergent.

Off to look for that recipe,

Today will be just an average day minus two kids.  The big boys went to work with Daddy.  Little brother and the sisters will be doing chores, studying, and playing all day.  I have some printing to do for Scooter's economics course and Howdy's reading list.  The rest of the day is devoted to being outside in the fresh air!

"'I know who I am,' said Don Quixote, 'and who I may be, if I choose.'"

     -Don Quixote

Here is a list of lessons to be taught to encourage self-directed "character."

Bible study participation

prayer

obedience

dependability

puctuality

truthfulness

habits of attention

kindness

etc.........

A favorite resource has been Doorposts' For Instructions in Righteousness.  Sadly, we haven't used this in a while.  I need to pull it off the shelf again for the littles.

This is from last week.  But, I didn't finish it all.  So, here's what's left to work on this week.

Did this and continue to do this.  Keep up with the laundry.

Still doing this one.  Continue having simple meals with veggies from the garden and meat and fruit from the freezer.

Did this!  WOOHOO!  Organize the office and finalize tax preps.

We had banana splits during the Super Bowl!  Get ingredients for Daddy's birthday dessert.

Sweet baby shower.  Whew!  I finished the hat and booties just in time!  Finish a baby gift before Saturday.

SCHOOL-

Posie played with her playdough instead of blocks.  Her counting is fairly smooth through 20!  I think I'll start on some numeral identification with her next.  She knows some of it in books, but I'll get out her flash cards in a week or so and move on from here.  Sis has a plan through Calculus now....should finish May 2011.  Scooter is almost through with his current CDs and will move to the next topic soon.  Bubba is working on his book and should hopefully finish in May.  Howdy is almost finished with math facts.  Will start textbook topics by fall.  Math daily for all children, including Posie's math books and block time.

Bubba and Howdy have teamed up for Howdy's words.  This is working well.  Sis and Scooter need new lists and some vocabulary assignments.  Maybe word roots.  Posie sings the ABC song fairly well.  Needs some clarity.  heh.  Spelling daily for all children, including Posie's abc's.

Fairly on target with this one.  Sis has some new assignments.  Still need to print some economics pages for Scooter.  Bubba has moved into the next reader.  Howdy has cut back to one lesson per day and is retaining it much better.  Reading daily for all children.  Howdy needs to cut down to 1 lesson per day.  Bubba needs to push through 3-4 lessons or more now.  New reader for him starting Tuesday!  Scooter needs pages printed for economics, government assignment sheet, biology pages, and literature assignment needs to be finished by Friday.  Sis needs to double up on literature time as 30 minutes is not enough....geography will need to be an "on your own time" lesson in the evening.  Read aloud time each evening starting next week as this week is full of gifting.  Posie needs some books from the library.

GRRRR!  I didn't get started on this today.  Tomorrow!  Writing has slipped in the last two weeks.  We need to get back on that pronto!  Writing assignments begin next Monday.

This is done!  YES!  All Christmas boxes to storage.  They've been in the house more than long enough to be moved. 

Didn't trim, but planted two apple trees.  Zone this week is outside.  Trimming time can begin.  Roses, bushes, and trees.  Last of the oranges need to be juiced and shared.

Bought some seeds and made a list for more.  We started three kinds of tomatoes this evening.  Garden list to be made on Saturday. 

This has been tabled until this coming Friday evening's round table.  Timeline for the park area needs to be completed by Saturday.  This needs to include the picnic table and benches project discussion.

Some of the very basic habits each child needs to learn will make homeschooling so much easier.  This may sound silly to even mention, but for those who are new to the idea of habit training, this list will be helpful.  A good dose of reality is never harmful.

In order to have a morning smoothly, it helps to wake up happy.  And, in order to do that, good rest habits are necessary.  Naps or quiet rest time during the day can cheer everyone up for the afternoon.  A bedtime routine offers a way for the family to wind things down before sleep comes.  The more sleep before midnight for mom and dad, the better.    A decent "lights out" for kids will mean a decent bed time for parents.  No more crankies around the house when everyone gets enough sleep.....even if they have to get up early.

But, what exactly is a bedtime routine?  Well, simple things that need to be learned are bathing, cleaning teeth, brushing hair, and dressing for bed.  A good book with Mom or Dad (and later with a book light) will bring sweet dreams.  "Early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy, and wise."

In the morning, hair is brushed/combed into place, a face washing to brighten the morning, and clothes, socks, and shoes must be put on for the day's study, work, and play. 

Manners all day long help the home seem peaceful.  This includes TOILETING!  That is probably the one habit that needs the most patience and careful attention of all.....we'll soon be a diaperless family.  That habit is still "in process."

For more ideas on the idea of habit, Charlotte Mason is an excellent resource of encouragement.  My all time favorite CM book is A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola.  The other is For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay.