Well, I knew this lack of laptop was going to affect my blogging, and it has. I just don't normally have time to sit and type an entry until evening, and that is when the computer is used the most. So, I need to try to change around my schedule a bit I guess.
We've had good weekend. Church went well on Saturday night, and it was such an awesome sermon. The worship was so beautiful, and it was such a great time. Sunday was lazy as usual, and it was well needed.
Monday was the start of school again, plus it's my cleaning day. So the kids and I cleaned, and started up their lessons again. It went pretty good as a first day back, and the kids did well. Today was playgroup day, and it was great. I think we have found a new schedule that I really like, and we are going to try it. Usually, the kids get up, get dressed, have breakfast, clean up kitchen and then play for a bit. While they are doing that I'm doing my routine, and we usually start our lessons after my shower which is between 9:30-10:00am. And at times we are not done with school until 2:00 or 3:00 between lunch, some breaks etc... With playgroup on Tuesday afternoons I told the kids I wanted their lesson done or we won't be going. So we tried starting our lessons once the kids are done with the kitchen. We have our bible time, then they have some things they do together. While they are working together, I get my shower and things done. After that, Sarah finishes up on her own, and Paulie and I work together. With this type of schedule we have been getting done by noon. I'm not sure why it's so much quicker, maybe less play time, maybe less waiting for me time. But either way, it's freeing up our afternoons, and we are not feeling rushed in the mornings to do that . It's been real nice this way. So I told the kids we are going do this schedule for the next week or so and see how it works. I truly think I've been giving the kids a bit too much free/play time. Because then when its time to get back to lessons, all I hear is grumbling and complaining. Maybe this way we can actually have some time for afternoon walks, field trips (when the finances allow), and times at the park. Usually to do those things we are rushed and frazzled and have to drop half of our lessons. So I'll let you know how it goes.
As far as the laptop is concerned, well I still don't know. First, I just gave it up. I figured that we just can't afford it, and it was confirmed when I received an email today from a computer place saying it would cost anywhere from $115 to $177. Not a whole lot, but it might as well be thousands since we don't have it. It's been hard, and the Lord knows my struggle, but truly I packed it away in the back of our closet and gave it to the Lord. Well, later today the Lord blessed us with some extra money we were not expecting at all. We need to get some work done on Paul's truck, so that was going to take part of the money. But Paul said that we should have enough left to get the laptop worked on. You wouldn't believe how excited I felt, yet I kept saying I don't want to do anything until the truck is done. If the truck is more expensive than we think, I don't want us to have already spent the money.
So anyway, today I was talking to a friend at playgroup, talking all the Lord's blessings, and I brought up the laptop and where I was thinking of taking it. She warned me that she had heard that company doesn't do good work. So she put me in touch with her tech guy, and I talked to him on the phone tonight. He explained why it could be more expensive than what I was 'quoted' (which I was quoted before they even looked at the laptop). So I have sent a letter to Gateway (thats the brand of laptop we have) explaining everything and asking them what they think it will cost. It depends on how the power box was put on the laptop. If it was put on one way, we might be able to just replace the power box which wouldn't be more than $200. But if it was put on the other way, we would have to replace the motherboard, and that could go as high as $700 or more. At that point, we could get a brand new laptop, that runs better and has no problems. But this laptop is only 2 years old, I really don't want to give it up. So I'm leaving it in the Lord's hands and waiting to see what Gateway says. I do wish I hadn't gotten my hopes up so high earlier today, because now I'm bummed again. But I'm thankful for the Lord's blessings today. He has blessed us with the ability to get Paul's truck worked on. He's blessed us with friends that care and help us out as much as possible. And we are blessed that we didn't just take it to this other company that could have really taken us for a lot of money.
There was so much more I wanted to blog about, but between my shoulder and its late, I just don't have time. But I did try making homemade cinnamon rolls, and they turned out pretty good. I just shouldn't have followed the baking time because they almost burned. I'm going to try another batch soon. I do have pictures, but it's harder to upload them on this computer, so maybe I'll have time tomorrow. Please know I do get around and I read all your blogs, even if I don't have time to comment on them. I do pray I can get things adjusted soon and get a better routine of reading, commenting and putting out entries. But until then, I pray you have a blessed day and thanks for your prayers and letting me know how much I'm missed. That is so encouraging.
Sorry to hear the bad news about your laptop! Hopefully Gateway will have some good news for you. I was glad to read about your new schedule. I've been tweaking ours since Spring break, trying to get more free time in the day for playing. I wish I could clone myself.
Hello. I am glad things have gone so well with getting your lessons done in the morning. That is always my goal, but not always what happens. Of course you are missed, but the Lord's timing is usually His own and so we will learn patience right along with you as you adjust your blogging schedule. You could get up in the middle of the night and visit our blogs. (hee, hee) Just an idea. (No really.)
Jenn
This blog is so I can share my journey with the Lord, my journey as a wife and mother, and my journey as a homeschool mom. I pray that you will see the Lord in my life through happy and sad times, and that this blog glorifies the Lord.
This is an award and tag free zone, thank you.
I'm not sure why it's so much quicker, maybe less play time, maybe less waiting for me time. But either way, it's freeing up our afternoons, and we are not feeling rushed in the mornings to do that . It's been real nice this way. So I told the kids we are going do this schedule for the next week or so and see how it works. I truly think I've been giving the kids a bit too much free/play time. Because then when its time to get back to lessons, all I hear is grumbling and complaining. Maybe this way we can actually have some time for afternoon walks, field trips (when the finances allow), and times at the park. Usually to do those things we are rushed and frazzled and have to drop half of our lessons. So I'll let you know how it goes.
You wouldn't believe how excited I felt, yet I kept saying I don't want to do anything until the truck is done. If the truck is more expensive than we think, I don't want us to have already spent the money.
So she put me in touch with her tech guy, and I talked to him on the phone tonight. He explained why it could be more expensive than what I was 'quoted' (which I was quoted before they even looked at the laptop). So I have sent a letter to Gateway (thats the brand of laptop we have) explaining everything and asking them what they think it will cost. It depends on how the power box was put on the laptop. If it was put on one way, we might be able to just replace the power box which wouldn't be more than $200. But if it was put on the other way, we would have to replace the motherboard, and that could go as high as $700 or more. 
At that point, we could get a brand new laptop, that runs better and has no problems. But this laptop is only 2 years old, I really don't want to give it up. So I'm leaving it in the Lord's hands and waiting to see what Gateway says. I do wish I hadn't gotten my hopes up so high earlier today, because now I'm bummed again. But I'm thankful for the Lord's blessings today. He has blessed us with the ability to get Paul's truck worked on. He's blessed us with friends that care and help us out as much as possible. And we are blessed that we didn't just take it to this other company that could have really taken us for a lot of money.
