In my life this week…I was able to seek out the biggest blessings in the smallest spaces this past week by carving out extra one on one time with the kids. A watched movie here, a longer quiet bedtime conversation/devotional there, shared giggles over cups of tea. I want to give my kids so many moments of my time that when they grow up they don't even think about how I was a blogger. How great would that be?
In our homeschool this week…We did a few double days of the "basics" so that this coming Thanksgiving week we can spend M-W having some learning fun by making theme pockets on Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims and Colonial life. If you have never done theme pockets, they are a fun way to do a learning activity complete with crafts over multiple age groups. In the past 5 years I have managed to acquire all the months, Jan-Dec in the Evan Moore line and a few others. The kids always love them. I am able to use them with my typical and special needs homeschoolers together (modifying the activities for the boys) which is great. Love! Love!Love!
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… I will admit I am not the most consistent blogger. That's because I blog around my life and not the other way around. If I write a post, I'm writing it before the kids get up or after they go to bed (like I am doing now). It always makes me sad to see homeschools (or any family activity) taking second to well intentioned parents building their blog, cause, um, if you're kids education or childhood in general is taking second to your writing aspirations, maybe that is not so well intentioned.
If you feel you are being convicted about this, pray about it. And my personal experience is : if you think you are spending too much time online (blog, fb, other) then you probably are. If that is you, go to your family and ask them to forgive you. Pray for guidance to use your time in the way that serves your loved ones and your own life the best, and make tomorrow different that today. If that means you don't visit me here at Brighton Park for a few days (or weeks), don't worry...we will be here, happy to have you visit again, when you get back. Families come first.
My favorite thing this week was…watching the movie Soul Surfer
with my daughter. If you haven't seen it, WOW, is it full of some great life lessons for kids and adults alike. Use your judgement on your child's age if you decide to watch it. My very mature 8 year old was fine with it, but I would not let my 6 year old watch it, she would have found the one water scene too scary. What a great role model Bethany Hamilton is. My 8 year old has asked for her Soul Surfer Devotions
book for Christmas. Things I’m working on…being a wife and mother that resembles Mary more than Martha. That is, not being so busy getting the essentials and busy work done that I don't take time to truly love, cherish and spend time with my kids or husband. I'm reading more stories, playing more games, taking more walks, and the like. My laundry may not be caught up and my house is a bit messier than usual, but if there was a happiness meter in my home it would show a far larger reading than last month when everything was clean and perfect but my time was more limited. I HAVE GIVEN MYSELF PERMISSION TO BE OKAY WITH EVERYTHING NOT BEING PERFECT. Those are powerful words!
I’m grateful for…my family and my ability to homeschool them. There are many countries in the world where homeschooling is not legal. I'm thankful today to get to teach my children at home.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".
This post is being shared at the Homeschool Mother's Journal link up hosted each week by the iHomeschoolNetwork.
I have some fun posts planned this week, including sharing my daughter's Scottish themed Brave party with you that I threw for her on November 10th...(here's a sneak peak) and a fairy garden update! 
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First, your daughter's party looks like it was so fun and creative! Looking forward to seeing more pictures.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I couldn't agree more about your other thoughts. We moved a couple of years ago and I had no internet access for three weeks...just long enough to break the habits I had with fb, blogging, etc. Since then I've pretty much been able to keep the usage in check (despite the advent of pinterest!). I strongly encourage people, and women in particular, to unplug for a few weeks. It can make a huge difference in what gets accomplished.
I really admire you Katie.
ReplyDeleteTime with our kids should be intentional and available. It's the most important investment we can make.
ReplyDeleteLove the Brave party idea. My Little E is thinking of having an archery party this year for her 9th birthday, but I hadn't thought about making it a Brave party - very fitting.