August Referral Update!

I am seriously bummed about this months referrals.  I KNOW that many, many families are over the moon this week because they have received their referrals, and I am very, very happy for them.  But, I am seriously bummed that they only only matched 2 days...July 13 & 14th.  On Sept. 19th it will be the 5 year milestone of our paperwork being logged in to China.  Now they are slowing down to 2 days a month~it's going to be forever!  I can't remember how long it's been since they've done such a small batch.  The next two days, July 15-16 was a weekend so even if it looks like they are matching more days next month, we have to keep in mind that for 2 of those days, no one was logged in.  Sorry about the pity-party for this post, but I need to get it out of my system.

We're getting there....

Since my last post, things have been much, much better in the world of homeschooling!  My last post was a reflection of a really bad day.  I was beginning to let self-doubt, insecurities and failure creep into my mind.  I spent that evening thinking about why in the world I decided to do this whole homeschooling thing.  As I started to mentally process all of it, I realized that the reasons I homeschool are still the same, the benefits are the same, and the time I get to invest  in my children is still the same.  I'm not going to let the enemy steal this time from me and my family.  I want to reap what I sow, so I'm willing to spend time, energy, time, attention, time, time and more time to sow what I believe is the foundation to my children's future.  My thought was, "is this God allowing me to fail to show me that it's not His plan for me to homeschool, or is the enemy realizing what a blessing and gift this is and he hates it so much he's trying to get me to stop...".  The more I thought about what scripture says I realized that His Word doesn't ever encourage parents to stop investing in, teaching, or spending time with their children.  In fact, as Moses was about to take the entire Israelite population into the Promised Land, he stopped and instructed them to be responsible about their next generation, to make sure to teach them as you lay down, as you walk and as you sit at home.  Moses doesn't specifically call out parents in his speech.  He's talking to the entire population because he knew it would take everyone to be responsible for the next generation.  Because of that, I believe that homeschooling is NOT the only way to teach.  I want to be clear about that!  However, at this time, homeschooling is the most beneficial way for our family to rear our children in the ways of the Lord.  It thrills me to no end, when we've had a great day of teaching, learning, reading, Bible study, music, outside time, etc....so on those days when everything seems to be a flop, I need to remember that tomorrow will be a new day!  Thanks for all of you who have encouraged us so much!  Gotta' run...it's time for school to start and I don't want the principal to catch me on the computer!

It's a flop....so far!

I think of myself as a pretty good mom.  I also think of myself as a pretty good teacher.  However, I feel like a total failure as I combine the two.  Homeschooling is H.A.R.D.  for me.  That's all I've got for today, folks!

Happy Birthday to me....

I know most folks don't like a big "hoorah" on their birthday....but I sure do.  I'm thrilled to be 35, happy, healthy and still moving forward with my life.  Lots of folks would like to say that, but can't, so I'm going to enjoy each and every day I get on this Earth.  I've got adult acne, wrinkles and a little more weight around the hips than I would like, but BIG DEAL....I've got it pretty good!  We have our house on the market right now and had an offer after just 8 days, but that eventually fell through because we weren't willing to negotiate on a major detail, so we're back at square one on that!  The cable boxes have been returned to the cable company.  Maggie said today, "my baby's gone...." meaning the TV.  She's just like her momma' because I sort of feel like that too :) but we're pressing onward!  The homeschooling is in week 2 and I'll honestly say that it's much harder than I anticipated.  I think I was expecting M1 to do too much work from the get-go, so I've chilled out a bit and started to work on having more FUN with our day.  At the rate we were going, she would have finished 2nd grade by Thanksgiving ;)  I'm also beginning to look for more life skills to focus on instead of all school work, work, work!  We'll figure out our routine soon!  Now, off to a birthday date with my favorite guy (who has a birthday in 4 days...I'm 4 days older and I DREAD the time when I'm 40 and he's still 39).  I'm such a cougar-hee, hee! 

Purging

I have to purge ...  I went to the store this weekend and bought some things that didn't qualify as NEEDS!  I was alone (which doesn't usually happen at the store) and had too much time on my hands to wander aimlessly.  I got scotch tape, skinny magic markers and a 2nd grade handwriting tablet.  Oh, I was so WEAK!!  Well, I'm going to get back on the wagon and try again.  Onto a more positive note....homeschooling started today.  We did pretty well.  The plumber was here to put in a new hot water heater so we had a little disruption, but overall things went GREAT!  M1 helped me cook breakfast and supper, spent 4 1/2 hours on schoolwork (with some short breaks in there), and then played with her little sister, did a sewing project, and explored nature for the rest of the day.  The morning went so quickly.  I guess it's true that "time flies when you're having fun"!  Oh, I sure hope I can teach her something this year.

Phase 3

Phase 3 is one that I hope we can check off our list.  We have our house on the market as of yesterday!  Our plan is to sell our house, build on our farm and grow a lot of food.  The whole purpose of being on our farm is to raise chickens, maybe goats and/or sheep, have a garden, etc...  We hope to be more self-sufficient with our food.  We already have beef cattle so we're hoping to raise some chickens, eat Grandaddy's fish that he likes to catch, and grow and can/freeze our vegetables.  We LOVE where we live now, but we just don't have the ability to farm here.  We'll see how it goes....if you need a GREAT 4 bedroom house, let us know!

Phase 2-Redo

O.K., it's been about a week since my last post and I still have cable.  I told you I've been dreading this, didn't I?  Procrastination is something that I've gotten down to a science.  For example, I will always stop drinking Coke, start eating better, and exercising.....ON MONDAY!  Well, THAT Monday never seems to be on my calendar.  I guess I'm just waiting for some "special holiday Monday" like Yom Kippor or Paralegal Secretary's Day, or something.  Who knows?  I'm just good at Procrastination.  But....please let me finish....I always have a totally good explanation for it.  Well, my totally good explanation for still having cable is~ I finished full-time childcare on Friday and schools starts next Monday so we're using this week as an "all-out staycation" which includes allowing M1 to watch TV.  So sue me....I'm a procrastinating, cable-watching, non-exercising, Coke drinker.  Don't worry though....everything will change on MONDAY! hee-hee.
Now, about Phase 1.  I've done really well about not buying anything.  I forgot to mention a small loop-hole in my phase 1.  I CAN buy something if it's used (Goodwill, yard sale, etc....) because I think it's technically recycling.  The point of this phase is to stop buying, throwing away, and buying more.  Buying a recycled product is just keeping something in the cycle instead of buying NEW.  I have done one small purchase I must confess....I've ordered a t-shirt for myself and a friend (long story, sort of like a "big sister" sorority thing where I buy something for my "little sister") because we are both in a community organization together.  When we do our volunteer work we need to be wearing our t-shirts so although it's not a life-sustaining need, I bought them because we're placing one order for the year.  I haven't PAID for them yet, so technically, I'm still on track.  I did break my eyeliner the first week and picked up all the little pieces of lead out of the sink and shoved them back into the plastic tube.  I think I'll be resorting to black magic marker or crayon for eyeliner by the middle of September.  Of all things, eyeliner is something I need for my little beady eyes, but it's not a need so what do you do?  I have had some Coke, but I get them from my parent's house so I'm not buying them....another loop-hole.  By the way, I'm not only good at procrastination, but I'm also good at swindling Coke from my parents.  I'm glad to see that I have so many good qualities.  Oh me....I hope my kids take after their father ;)