Trick or Treat

A few pics from our day...

 

Joyful as a lil' skeleton

love.them.

ready to trick or treat

Ro as Tinkerbell

 

 

AG as a ballerina
Ahem...We paid an arm and a leg for her dance recital outfit so she is wearing it again!

As parents, it's so cool to watch your kiddos have fun!  My girls had the best time trick-or-treating and it brought back so many wonderful childhood memories.  I'm so glad that they enjoyed themselves!

Happy Kids = Happy Parents!

Happy Halloween!  

Concluding Thoughts

I'm not even sure how cohesive this series really was. I think I ventured off topic from time to time, but the main point was as a SAHM who also homeschools, I need systems in place to help me maintain a balanced life.  I, too, am a working mom of sorts and all the tasks around here require my time. Without balance I'm easily overwhelmed.

Did y'all like the series?

It was new for me to blog ever single day.  And it was tough.  But it established a good blogging grove that I hope to continue. 

What would y'all like to read about next?  Any ideas for upcoming posts?  I'm all ears and ready for some suggestions!

**********
For more posts in this series, 31 Days of Balance as a Homeschool Mom, click HERE. 

I hate the phrase "Me Time"

Although I hate the phrase “me time”, I sure do cherish my time alone.  Most people would classify me as an extrovert, but the truth of the matter is that I’m really recharged by being alone.  Maybe it’s just the stage of life I’m in, but when given a few hours a week by myself, I feel refreshed and ready to take on he world!

Alone time balances me.

Joy infringing on my "me time".  How dare she?

Fortunately for me, Graham has Fridays “off” and I’m able to steal away for a few hours occasionally.  This is my time to go treasure hunting at my favorite antique store, catch up on errands (counts as alone-time), grab lunch with a friend, or just hang out in my room and read.  Don’t get me wrong, I'm not afforded this opportunity weekly and with Joy’s bottle aversion (don’t know what to call it) she’s with me 99.9% of the time. But when I do get a few hours “off”, it’s pure bliss!

**********

 Up next: Closing Thoughts

For more posts in this series, 31 Days of Balance as a Homeschool Mom, click HERE.

Say Goodnight

My recent FB status update:

AG: Mom, I haaaaaate eight o'clock.
Me: I looooove it!!!!
AG: That's mean.

By the way, I got about 60 "likes" from mostly mommas.  Apparently, y'all know the feeling!

**********

For us, staying balanced equals having a consistent bedtime routine.

Unless there are special circumstances, we stick to our eight o'clock lights-out policy.  We've had to get pretty technical, too--no whispering, no getting up, no water, no questions!  I guess that sounds pretty harsh, but our girls are known to push the envelope if given an inch a millimeter.  Before we know it, it's 9:30 and they are still awake.  In turn, we've been forced to become the "bedtime Nazis". By 8 o'clock, we've read a chapter of our book, had tons of kisses and hugs, went potty half a dozen times, brushed teeth, and said our prayers.

 

My blessings bathed and ready for bed!

 

AG reading in bed while Edy snoozes.

 

 

I know I don't need to say how much we adore our girls, but at 8 o'clock after a long day of child-rearing, it's nice to sit down with Graham in the living room and unwind.

**********

 Up next: I hate the phrase "Me Time"

For more posts in this series, 31 Days of Balance as a Homeschool Mom, click HERE.

Family Fun

 

I guess this post falls under the umbrella of balancing FUN, which seems pretty easy enough, but when life gets busy we often forget to make time for FUN!  Monday-Friday I'm balancing school, chores, menus, routines, and trying to sprinkle some fun in there when I can, but taking time for "family fun" gets put on the back burner.  Thankfully, my husband is really good about coming up with fun things for us to do.  Money or no money, leaving the house or just staying home--he's pretty creative and full of fun ideas!

I love traditions--they're FUN! Since marrying in 2003, we've started some of our own family traditions.  I'm hoping my kids remember them fondly and possibly even pass a few down to their own kids one day.
One tradition we enjoy each Halloween is carving pumpkins.  This year, we let the girls draw faces on their's and Graham gutted and carved them.  I roasted the seeds. *another tradition we love*

Edy's pumpkin

 

 

 

 
AG's pumpkin

 

I'd like to think of us as a "fun family". Wouldn't we all? Just the other day, AG was torn between going to a friend's house or staying home and roasting marshmallows with us.  I'm tickled she loves to be with us--I'm told it won't last forever.  

Making memories--it's what we're in the business of doing these days!

**********

 Up next: Say Goodnight

For more posts in this series, 31 Days of Balance as a Homeschool Mom, click HERE.

desktop background

 

Rest Time

Rest time...ahh...rest time. *loud screech of a record player*
NOPE.  My two big girls no longer nap.  What to do?  What to do?

I would like to say that each of my girls go to their room and curl up with a good book.  Again...NOPE!

I would like to say that my girls play with puzzles and Legos quietly for about 2 hours while I rest.  NOPE!

Right now, rest time consist of my girls going to separate rooms--one in mine, one in theirs.   AG watches a few shows in my bed and Edy plays/watches a movie in her bedroom. It's what works and it gives me about an hour of time to myself.  It also gives the girls some time alone--they need a break from one another every once in a while.

Tips?  I need to balance out rest time a little better.

**********

Up next: Family Fun

For more posts in this series, 31 Days of Balance as a Homeschool Mom, click HERE.

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

In retrospect I should have started the 31 day series with this post, but for whatever reason I didn't.  Truthfully, I wouldn't be able to balance much of anything if it weren't for my Lord and my relationship with Him.  His guidance, love, patience, forgiveness--it's what keeps me grounded.

Recently, I've been leading a Bible study with a group of friends.  The question has been posed several times about how to read God's word--how to know He's there and feel His presence.  

Below is an excerpt from an email I sent my Bible study group about reading God's word:


**********
I was reading I John 2:7-11 and I was thinking about how the Lord reveals himself in this text.  By the way, that's a good way to look at scripture:  What is the Lord teaching you about Him? It's not all about us like we try to make it! 

⁷ Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. ⁸ At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because^[a] the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. ⁹ Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. ¹⁰ Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him^[b] there is no cause for stumbling. ¹¹ But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

In this passage, the Lord revealed Himself  to me as Love, Teacher, Perfect Sacrifice, True, the Light, and Patient.  As I read, I was made more aware of my sin.  Through studying this text, He revealed these sins to me (amongst others): pride, lack of love, habitual sins, lies (because I say I love people, but don't always).  Then, I was able to go before the Lord in prayer and ask for help and forgiveness.  In turn, I was able to thank Him for His Word, His patience, His guidance, His truth, His love, His grace.  Finally, I made my request known to him:  I pray my kids would come to know the Truth, that I would love like Him, that I would be patient like Him, that I would be convicted of sin, and that I would be changed by His Word. 

Do you see what I mean about how God's word speaks to us?  In those few short verses He speaks and, in turn, I pray that He would change me, mold me, and use me for His glory. 

I understand how God can seem distant, but persistence is the key.  Take short passages and see how the Lord will reveal himself to you (don't make it all about you).  Then, turn around and praise His name, confess your sins, thank Him, and make your request known to Him.

I just wanted to share my heart and I pray that it helps y'all.  We can't ask to understand our Bibles more if they aren't open!  We have to be disciplined to sit down and read, take some time to ponder His words, and then see how the Lord reveals himself to us by asking questions like:  What are some adjectives that describe the Lord from this passage?  What are sins in my life that are revealed through reading this?  How can I change? 


**********

I pray...

Create in me a clean heart, O God,  and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
I am weak, but Thou art strong,
Jesus, keep me from all wrong,
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

**********

Up next: Rest Time

For more posts in this series, 31 Days of Balance as a Homeschool Mom, click HERE.

Five on Friday

Fridays are fun.  Graham has a day "off" and typically after we wrap up school, I head out for some time alone time or run errands.  You know...to stay balanced. See how I did that?

So instead of giving you a play-by-play of our Fridays, I'll share my FIVE on FRIDAY:

[ONE]
Joy is having a lot more playtime these days...

[TWO]

I made pumpkin bread!  Does it count if it's from a box?

[THREE]
I finally got to go to the Gresham Barn Sale!  I was in LOVE with everything and would move in if they would let me!

 

[FOUR]

Yes, these have to be the most ridiculous and hysterical wigs I've ever seen! Thank you, Target, for the good laugh!

[FIVE]
I think this is our first "selfie couple" pic.  We're keeping up with the times!
*We may have taken one (a selfie) with a throw away camera on our honeymoon, but it doesn't count because it was long before the silly term "selfie" was coined!

**********

Up next: Just a Closer Walk with Thee

For more posts in this series, 31 Days of Balance as a Homeschool Mom, click HERE.

A Day in the Life {Thursday}

Forgive me for these "day in the life" posts.  If anything, they are just for my future reference.  I know one day I'll enjoy glancing at these posts from time to time.

Our Thursdays:

• Bible study with breakfast
• morning routines
• school
• lunch
• outside
• rest time
• memory work for CC
• activity/play 
• dinner
• laundry
• If I don't clean on Wednesday night,  I spend most of Thursday afternoons cleaning so we go into the weekend with a clean house.  

**********

Up next: Five on Friday

For more posts in this series, 31 Days of Balance as a Homeschool Mom, click HERE.

A Day in the Life {Wednesday}

Something tells me that these days are pretty easy compared to our days a few years from now!

Our Wednesday:

• Bible study with breakfast
• morning routines
• school
• lunch
• outside
• rest time
• memory work for CC
• activity/play 
• soccer practice
• dinner
• Some Wednesdays, after everyone is in bed, I clean my house so I don't have to fit it in while everyone is awake on Thursdays. It works and it's so nice to start Thursdays off in a clean house where I don't have any distractions and can just be with my kids.

**********

Up next: A Day in the Life {Thursday}

For more posts in this series, 31 Days of Balance as a Homeschool Mom, click HERE.

A Day in the Life {Tuesday}

Periodically in this 31 day series, I've shared what a day in our lives looks like.  It's most definitely a boring post, but I'm glad to have the record.  Something tells me that these days are pretty easy compared to our days a few years from now!

 

 Our Tuesdays:

• Bible study with breakfast
• morning routines
• school
• lunch
• outside
• rest time
• memory work for CC
• activity/play 
• dance lessons
• dinner

Edy likes to watch her big sister practice ballet.

 AG enjoys dance lessons

Our Tuesday seems pretty boring written down, but it feels so busy to me.

**********

Up next: A Day in the Life {Wednesday}

For more posts in this series, 31 Days of Balance as a Homeschool Mom, click HERE.

Weekly To-Do List

I shared my weekly to-do list in a previous post and several people have commented or asked me about it.  I didn't realize it would spark so much interest.

Do you really do everything on the list?

Do you print it off each week?

Do you add things to the list?

That's crazy!

You're so funny.  

You make me laugh.

I could never do that.

We are all wired differently. It's what makes us unique.  

Yes, I print this list off every week.  Yes, I try to complete each task.  Yes, I add to the list.  Yes, I mark off things I add to the list...because I'm weird like that.  Yes, I'm crazy. 

In all honestly, I'm completely scatterbrained.  If I don't have a list to go by, I get off course.  The way for me to stay organized and balanced is to keep a list of weekly to-dos so I don't get overloaded. 

And about the weekly activities...

I've compiled a list of activities so my kids don't do the same thing everyday.  It's goofy, but it keeps us from getting in a rut.

**********

Up next: Weekly A Day in the Life {Tuesday}

For more posts in this series, 31 Days of Balance as a Homeschool Mom, click HERE

Taking Time for Play

Kids need to be outside!  Kids need to run!  Kids need to get dirty!  Kids need to sweat!  Kids need to pretend!  Kids need to explore!

Now I'm no child psychologist (ahem...obviously), but I can tell you that kids need to play!  It's part of being a kid.  I'm not against video games and TV time--my kids enjoy both.  But actual play--outside time, exploring, pretending; that's where the fun truly is!

One of the things that bothered me as an elementary school teacher was the lack of  "play time" allowed for students.   It's regulated from the top down and teacher's hands are tied.  Test scores rule our schools.  I get it.  But 15 minutes of recess and 40 minutes of P.E. a week is not enough time for a kid to be a kid.

Balancing Principle:  play everyday

Poor Edy sweats just like her daddy!

AG's hair gets curlier and curlier with every stride!

On your mark, get set, go!

 All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! 

**********

 Up next: Weekly To-Do List

For more posts in this series, 31 Days of Balance as a Homeschool Mom, click HERE