This would be one of those days

... that I'd like to call my mom and complain.  Some things haven't gone the way I'd like them to and I need to vent. 

*sad*

Day 3

I did another day of shred and found it much more challenging than the first two days.  I'm hoping my stamina improves as I continue.  Today I am also throwing in a 6 Km walk to a park (and back). 

Day two

of my workout plan.  My sister said it gets easier after day 4... we shall see.  I'm looking forward to when my Turbo Jam comes in the mail for something new to add to my routine.

Just one of those days...

Yes, the school work was completed... not without some prodding and encouraging.
Yes, the bedrooms got cleaned... eventually.
Yes, I squeezed in a workout... I'm not in very good shape.
Yes, I baked... that's my stress outlet.
No, I did not clean the bathrooms... maybe tomorrow.
No, I did not get to go to the park... again, maybe tomorrow.
No, I did not begin potty training... she won't go to kindergarten in diapers.

... I guess there's always tomorrow.

Good morning

How I love to start my day.  A cup of freshly ground Starbucks coffee {their house blend}, poured into my favorite sweater mug.  Adding just the right amount of French Vanilla Creamer and a pinch of sugar.  Yum!

Wordless Wednesday

Absolute Perfection

Tuesday Musings

I've been slacking on the blog end of things lately and it was actually my husband who brought it to my attention.  I just haven't felt like anything has been worth writing about.  So in point form, I will simply update about what's going on here:

- Sarah is infatuated with shoes.  A pink pair of Mary Janes to be exact.

- Advil was my friend today.

- I like the tins that tea comes in.  But I don't like loose tea leaves.  Thankfully, Doug does and he happily uses up the leaves and brings home the empty tins.  *love him*

- I love my kids' school, their teachers and the fact that they only go twice a week.

- I love my homeschooling group of friends.

- I love breakfast for supper... or anytime for that matter.

- I wish I knew more about my camera.

- Andrea and Sarah are becoming great friends.

- Arianna is doing so well in school. *smile* 

- After buying another pair of shoes (on clearance) for Sarah, I think I know where she gets her love of shoes from...

- I have only spent one day at home alone with Sarah since school started.

- I would like to scrapbook more.

- Doug and I have been doing biweekly breakfast dates.  It is such a refreshing time to catch up on each other.

Her own sense of style!

The tins

The pink shoes

The new purple shoes

Such a good big brother

Not sure about this one...

Sarah now "smiles" on command

Painting with Sarah

 

Contest Giveaway!

I just completed a survey HERE for a chance to win a lens mug!  How COOL would that be if I won!!

Off they go...

... to school.  I am SO glad they are only gone twice a week.  I'd miss them terribly!  I do feel blessed to have access to a program that I can home education 75% of the time and have them experience a traditional school as well.  Anyhow, here's the pictures of my munchkins ready for their day!

Starting the day right... with pancakes!

Excited and slightly apprehensive...

Not sure what this look says...

My 10 year old looking SO grown up! 

My 11 year old looking just AS grown up... a young man indeed!

Not so sure yet...

And then there was one!

September 1st...

There's a lot of hype in my social circle as today is when most of the kids return to school.  I say "most" because my own will be home today.  They will go to school tomorrow and then home again on Friday.  In case you are new to my blog or didn't know, my kids go to school part time and are homeschooled part time.  They attend a small school specifically designed for home educators and are taught by teachers on Tuesday and Thursday.  The subjects done at school are Social, Science, Art, Gym, and Music while I teach Math and Language Arts at home on the other three days.  I'm not 100% sure when I will begin the home part... maybe today, maybe Friday or maybe even next Monday.  That's the joy of home education.
I want to be organized this year.  Generally, I don't like to stick to a hard schedule but I'd like to follow some sort of  routine.
My goals this school year are:

• to maintain a positive attitude towards learning and hope my kids do the same
• to help build into their lives, a solid foundation that is Christ Centered
• to make Bible study (reading, learning, living) a daily focus
• to encourage the kids' potential to the fullest and making them proud of what they do and who they are
• reading... lots of reading.  I hope that they will learn to love to read like I do

It's going to be a good year.  I have one in grade 6, one in grade 5 and one in grade 1.  Here's to a new year!!

I am who I am

I was doing my hair today and I realized that I will never be a *cool* or *hip* mom.  I don't like the bangs that I had cut in.  I don't care for layers because pony tails are too difficult to put in.  The bangs are too short to slip behind my ears and always are in my face.  So I am constantly on the hunt for bobby pins to get them out of my way.  I like jeans and tee shirts and hoodies.  I will never have the body to wear the *in style* skinnies that other people can wear.  I would like to be fitter and trimmer... I'm working on that.  I cannot change my style so I will be happy with who I am.

Monday Musings

• Arianna learned to tie her shoes today.
• Sarah is talking more and more.
• Joshua and Andrea are getting along incredibly well.
• I am tired of the cooler weather and rain (it IS still August).
• I have a new printer that prints amazing quality photos.
• I am getting ready to start school this week (or maybe next).
• I love my kids and each of their unique personalities that makes them who they are.
• I wonder what I will do on the two days of the week that the kids are at school.
• Today I was told by Joshua that I was the best mom in the world. *smile*
• I was nursing Sarah this morning and when she was done, she says to me with a grin: "Yum!".
• I truly believe my purpose in life is to serve God, be a wife and a mom. 

Arianna...

What can I say about this spirited 6 year old?  She is almost in grade one.  I am having a tough time with that since she is one of my "babies".  I don't want to believe that my soft hearted, quiet, introverted daughter is ready to face the world of school.  Good thing it's only part time.  Today she mastered tying her shoes... a big accomplishment for her.  She also had a hair cut (done by me) which makes her look even older! 
She is charming.
She is free.
She loves her friends.
She is testing her limits.
She fits perfectly in our family and in my heart.

Comment Moderation...

To my regular readers and commenters... I'm sorry I've had to make commenting more secure.  I've had a few *spam-like* comments left and I've decided that I don't want that any more.  Thank you for continuing to read, enjoy and comment on my blog! 
Have a great day!

Back to School Pictures...

So the kids don't go back until next Thursday and since I'm homeschooling, it doesn't matter when I take their pictures!  Here's just a few... it wasn't a great photo shoot but it's ok.... for now.

It's August!

It is barely the middle of August and my four kids are wearing jeans and long sleeved shirts outside!  I can't believe how the weather has turned so cool already.  I'm not ready for fall when we've hardly had a summer...

It's still green now, but I have a feeling it won't be for long...

Mom Agenda Giveaway!

I've bought some cloth diapers from Snugs Boutique and on their BLOG, they are giving away a cool desktop planner!  I would love one in pink!!

So quiet...

Joshua, Andrea & Arianna are at VBS this week for 3 hours per day.  When I got home with Sarah, it was amazingly quiet and still.  She just puttered around as she *helped* me organize the pantry, and I happily listened to her chatter.  It gave me a glimpse of what my Tuesdays and Thursdays will look like when the kids go back to "school" in a few weeks.

Thursday Musings

*Borrowed this idea from Kelly*

• Three weeks from today my three oldest will be in school.
•  I think we've had more rain and thunderstorms this year than in a long time.
• Sarah is talking up a storm and is so much fun these days.
• Arianna is sporting a 6 year old attitude that frequently needs adjusting.
• Andrea is a wonderful sister who loves caring for Sarah.
• Joshua is growing and changing before my eyes.
• Doug and I went on our first evening date, leaving all four kids home alone (Joshua and Andrea were our babysitters).
• Thinking of all the back to school shopping I need to do.
• Looking forward to three being in VBS next week to do the previously stated shopping.
• Missing my sister who is camping this week.
• Desperately missing my nice camera lens which is at the Nikon "doctor".

Life...

I have come to the realization that I am at a very different stage of life than many of the friends I had when the kids were younger. 
I have chosen to keep my kids at home for their education while many of them have gone back to work full time as soon as their youngest was in school..
I had a baby when everyone was *done* having kids 7 or 8 years ago. 
I am struggling as I find myself drift away from the people who used to be closest to me.
I look forward to park days when I can visit with other homeschooling moms and share stories and ideas.
I am loving what I do and try hard not to let the friendship distances that have been created affect me too much. 
Unfortunately, I miss those people.  They were my support in my tough days and shared in my joys.
I thought we'd be friends for life...