I am a mom of 6 dc living in the heart of the country. This is my effort at journalling what happens in our home and what the Lord is teaching myself and our family. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 5 Nov 2007 12:02:00 -0600 Mon, 5 Nov 2007 12:02:00 -0600 We are having some issues with respect here.  After the kids went to bed last night we were talking about some things that happened during the evening and realized we have gone to an easier form of parenting for us.  It is easier to let the kids go to Children's Church instead of sitting with us in church, it is easier to let them go to all the youth functions,  it is easier to say yes than to have to say no. We let them know this morning that we will be going back to the old way.  No children's church and limited youth activites.  K was fine with the decision and let me know she supported us.  D was not happy and I had to point out that the attitude he was displaying at that moment was the reason we were making this decision.  A, R & M are disappointed to no longer be going to Children's Church but didn't complain. It means more involvement for us and more work but I think in the end (when they become adults) we will be thankful we have made this decision.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/421389/ Mon, 5 Nov 2007 12:02:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/421389/ I am going to attempt to keep a journal again.  I am trying something new with school for K and D.  We will be doing blocks instead of all subjects everyday.  They will do history and literature everyday.  Math and one smaller subject will be on Monday and Wednesday while Science and another smaller subject will be on Tuesday and Thursday.  I hope they like this better than doing all the subjects everyday.  I think it will be easier. I am also looking at getting up earlier than I have been.  Last winter I got up at 6:00 and my day went so much better.  I have been getting up at 7:00 this winter.  I need to get back to the 6:00 time.  I feel better about my day when I do it.  Now to just go to bed when I should. I also have to get bank on track with my eating.  I have lost 50 pounds in total but I have about 75 more to go.  I have been off track since Mike and I got home from Charleston at the end of September.  I did great while we were gone and I have gone downhill since then.  I have gained about 7 pounds total.  I have to get it back together.  I want to reach my goal. I also joined Flylady again today.  I will see how long it lasts.  It doesn't seem to usually last long for me but I would really like to try it again.  We are home from church today.  This is my 4th week home and I have to say that I rather enjoy the day off each week.  I have also had the past 2 weeks off since all but M have been gone at some point over the last 2 weeks. D, A and R went to Florida with my Mom and Dad and my brother's family for 10 days.  Overlapping them K flew to Florida to spend a week with my brother and sister-in-law.  And this weekend J, K and D are at a church function.  They come home today and then we are back to normal. I did not do any school during the last 2 weeks while different ones were gone.  Instead I worked on decluttering and organizing the house and I got a lot done.  It looks really good. I still have little things to do but it looks so much better. I guess today is my last push to try to get everything organized before we start school again.   Only 2 more co-op meetings and then our school time will be our own until the end of January.  As much as I love co-op I also like being the master of my own schedule. I guess that updates everything for now. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/420806/ Sun, 4 Nov 2007 09:42:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/420806/ and eating and eating and eating for several weeks now.  It has been miserable yet I just keep doing it.  It tastes good going down even though it has been wreaking havoc on everything else. Yesterday I decided I needed to take seriously the eating plan I had come up with 2 weeks ago.  I had taken all I have learned about eating over the years and put together a list of things to eat each day.  (I may share that later.)   I needed to be here for my family and all of my eating was keeping me sluggish and uninterested in anything but the next thing to eat.  I hope eating right will change that.Something else I have been struggling with is my prayer time.  I started journalling my prayers about a year ago.  It has been fairly easy for me to write 4 pages a day and sometimes up to 7 or 8 a day.  This is nothing to boast about.  It is simply how much I need the Lord's help.  Lately I have been struggling to do 1-2 pages.  I didn't feel connected to God.  I got up every morning and tried but it wasn't  the same as it had been over the last couple of years.  I was not coming away energized for my day. Guess what happened this morning?  My time with the Lord was like it was been in the past.  I felt connected again.  Amazing how taking my focus off the food, asking for forgiveness for the stronghold food had on me and committing to keeping it in perspective tore down the wall that had been placed between the Lord and I.  I didn't even realize the wall that was there but what a relief to see it torn down so quickly.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/246178/ Tue, 28 Nov 2006 11:22:01 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/246178/ I have not written for some time. I have not had time to read blogs either.  I have been busy.  Taking care of a husband and helping him (what little I have) to run a business, mothering 6 children, homeschooling 2 highschoolers, 1 junior higher and 2 in elementary and spending time with the youngest, running a home that I like to keep so that it is at least not embarassing when someone comes to the door, involved some in church, involved with a homeschool co-op, cooking everyday, shopping, laundry...and the list goes on.  It does not leave much time for blogging.  Since my list is so long and I have felt for 2 years now that I needed to step it up on keeping all of these things running well, not just limping along. I have often felt like nothing but a person who is checking everything off the list.  Sitting back and looking at my life through spiritual eyes is something that I desire to do more but often find it difficult with such a list.This is why I appreciate reading blogs from women who are able to connect their daily lives with the spiritual and write about it in such a way that leaves me feeling like I just took a deep sigh and am now relaxed and rested on the inside. The first one I have been reading for some time now and I know I have mentioned in my blog before.  She is worth mentioning again.http://holyexperience.blogspot.com/     Ann has such a way with words and talking about her normal everyday activities in light of God.A new one I have just recently found is:http://www.intent.squarespace.com/journal/  I have not been able to spend much time there but the reading I have done so far gives me that peaceful, rested feeling that causes me to look to Christ through the day.  I need that breather when my list grows and I have so many things to get done.  It helps me to get on with the day and keep in mind what is really important. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/237639/ Mon, 13 Nov 2006 12:26:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/237639/ Thursday is suppose to be our family fun day but this week we have been gone more than we have been at home.  We traveled 2 hours from home on Monday and Wednesday to watch our oldest play basketball.  I love traveling and it was fun to do but we needed to stay home yesterday.I was able to get control of the checkbook, work on our menu for next week, do some cleaning, have the dc do some cleaning, the mowing was finished and I made 3 decent meals.  I always feel relaxed and satisfied after working in the home.  My brother and his family came in to town from Tennessee yesterday so I spent the evening with my mom and sil working on scrapbooks at my mom's house.  I love working on scrapbooks (and was able to get 3 pages done!) but it was even more fun to catch up with my sil and be able to just sit and chat as a family.  It was a good ending to a good day. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/155674/ Fri, 23 Jun 2006 10:09:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/155674/ I plan our menus on Wednesdays, look at the ads on Thursdays to see if there is any tweaking that needs to happen to it and then shop on Friday.  So the menu is for Saturday through Friday.Here is what it looks like for this week:Saturday 6/10Breakfast- Granola & Fresh FruitLunch- LeftoversDinner- Cousin's graduation Open HouseSunday 6/11Breakfast- Granola & Fresh Fruit;  SS- Apple Coffee CakeLunch- Sloppy Joes, CornDinner- Supreme NachosMonday 6/12Breakfast-  Eggs, Juice Lunch- LeftoversDinner- Spicy Double Dipped Chicken, Scalloped Potatoes & Veggies, SaladTuesday 6/13Breakfast- Orange Julius, Cinnamon Raisin Bread, Cream SpreadLunch- LeftoversDinner- Grilled Marinated Sirloin, Campfire Potatoes, Broccoli, SaladWednesday 6/14Breakfast- Eggs, JuiceLunch- LeftoversDinner- Rennaissance of Tuna Casserole, Peas, SaladThursday 6/15Breakfast- Orange Julius, Cinnamon Raisin Bread, Cream SpreadLunch- Chicken Salad, Salad, ChipsDinner- Provolone Burgers, Oven Fried Potatoes (on grill), Green Beans, SaladFriday 6/16Breakfast- Eggs, JuiceLunch- LeftoversDinner- Small group- http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/149679/ Mon, 12 Jun 2006 11:55:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/149679/ Friday's will be our errand day.   Hopefully I can keep all of our running restricted to this day.  We also meet with our small group in the evening which is a nice end to the week.Morning Routine (7:00-10:00):Bible study (45)- 7:00walk (20)- 7:45shower/dress/teeth (20)- 8:15clean our room- 8:45 wake-up kids- make beds/dress/morning jobs- 9:00make breakfast/start lunch/prep dinner  (30)- 9:00eat breakfast & do memory work- 9:30 breakfast & kitchen clean-up/kids do chores- 10:00  fix hair/make-up- 10:30 Chore time (9:30-10:00):daily choresLate Morning Routine (10:00-12:00)buy grocerieserrandsgo to library (every 3 weeks)    Noon Routine (12:30-1:30):finish lunch prep -- 12:30eat lunch and clean-up- 1:00Afternoon Routine (1:30-5:30):work for Mike- 1:00-2:30kids do one subject with school- 1:00-2:00put school books awayfinish project for day or free time- 2:00-5:30prep food for small group Evening Routine:showerssmall group meetingDAR&M- pjs and teeth, finish cleaning bedrooms (30) - 9:00check bedrooms-9:30   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/148313/ Fri, 9 Jun 2006 09:53:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/148313/ Thursday will be our fun day as a family.  We will go to state parks, local parks, the pool, have families over... Morning Routine (7:00-9:00):Bible study (45)- 7:00walk (20)- 7:45dress/teeth (20)- 8:15clean our room- 8:30wake-up kids- make beds/dress/morning jobs- 8:30make breakfast/start lunch/prep dinner  (30)- 8:30eat breakfast & do memory work on way to church- 9:00 Late Morning Routine (9:00-11:30)Fun day with the kidsnature walkEvening Routine:make dinner  (30) – 5:30eat dinner (30) – 6:30dinner clean-up (15) church/concert in the parkDAR&M- pjs and teeth, finish cleaning bedrooms (30) - 9:00check bedrooms-9:30    http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/147768/ Thu, 8 Jun 2006 11:41:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/147768/ On Wednesday we will be cleaning our church in the morning and I will be doing office work in the afternoon.  The dc will finish any jobs from Monday and Tuesday and their school subject.  In the evening we will either go to church or to some local concerts we like to attend in the summer.Morning Routine (7:00-9:00):Bible study (45)- 7:00walk (20)- 7:45dress/teeth (20)- 8:15clean our room- 8:30wake-up kids- make beds/dress/morning jobs- 8:30make breakfast/start lunch/prep dinner  (30)- 8:30eat breakfast & do memory work on way to church- 9:00 Late Morning Routine (9:00-11:30)clean churchOffice Day:pay billsfill in budget sheetsplan menu for next weekmake grocery list for Fridayplan errands for Fridaystart packing lunch for Thur.Noon Routine (12:00-1:00):finish lunch prep -- 12:00eat lunch and clean-up- 12:30Afternoon Routine (1:00-5:30):shower- 1:00work for Mike- 1:30-3:00kids do one subject with school- 1:00-2:00put school books awayproject/free time- 3:00showers for kids- 4:00 Evening Routine:make dinner  (30) – 5:30eat dinner (30) – 6:30dinner clean-up (15) church/concert in the parkDAR&M- pjs and teeth, finish cleaning bedrooms (30) - 9:00check bedrooms-9:30     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/147135/ Wed, 7 Jun 2006 10:13:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/147135/ Tuesday is our day to finish the work around the house.  Starting next week our day should look something like this:Morning Routine (7:00-10:00):Bible study (45)- 7:00walk (20)- 7:45shower/dress/teeth (20)- 8:15clean our room- 8:45 wake-up kids- make beds/dress/morning jobs- 9:00make breakfast/start lunch/prep dinner  (30)- 9:00eat breakfast & do memory work- 9:30 breakfast & kitchen clean-up/kids do chores- 10:00  fix hair/make-up- 10:30 Chore time (9:30-10:00):*Monthly Zones*:*Bathrooms*:upstairs toiletupstairs mirrorupstairs sinkupstairs floordownstairs toiletdownstairs mirrordownstairs sinkdownstairs floordaily choresLate Morning Routine (10:00-12:00)Project/Work at home day:finish laundryJKD-rider mowing, push mowing, trimARM-pick-up sticks, clean up toysmake muffins for Wed. & Thur. breakfastNoon Routine (12:00-1:00):finish lunch prep -- 11:30eat lunch and clean-up- 12:00Afternoon Routine (1:00-5:30):work for Mike- 1:00-2:30kids do one subject with school- 1:00-2:00put school books awayfinish project for day or free time- 2:00-5:30 Evening Routine:make dinner  (30) – 5:30eat dinner (30) – 6:30dinner clean-up (15) family free timeshowersDAR&M- pjs and teeth, finish cleaning bedrooms (30) - 9:00check bedrooms-9:30   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/146444/ Tue, 6 Jun 2006 08:15:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Indianamom/146444/