Email and Other Online Reads

I don't know if you're like me, but I sure do get a lot of email. Yes, some of it is from the groups I'm on. Most of it is from online magazines. "What kind?" you ask. All kinds! Mostly homeschool things. I do have a few other things as well. Cooking, decorating, how to's, financial, you name it they are there. I was thinking about this because when I don't look at my email for a day or so, there could be hundreds. I rarely can go a week without looking. I have most of my groups on special notice. The other things seem to come in on a daily basis. I change around and get off email lists all the time of course. As the children have grown and things in life change, so do the emails. I no longer receive anything on preschool or how to homeschool. I have changed other online mags as well. When I begin to realize that I no longer care to look at one, I send a request to be unsubscribed from their list. Then when I look thru the ones I do have and I find an article I think I could use, I print it out and save it in my school planner. I usually just print pieces that I find helpful. Whether it be an idea on organization or tips for teaching handwriting. I use them as reminders. I even print out scriptures and/or supporting materials that I know I will be needing to read again one day. Does it sound like too much? Maybe. I know it helps me to have those things where I will see them. hehe As things keep changing in my life, I will continue getting off some lists and on to others. I'm sure I'm not the only one that does this. hehe

Now for school topic. We read books, worked on some math, did some home ec., and our weekly Bible reading. Nothing really to post about. Just the usual. They are doing well in their subjects and moving right along.

Btw, there is a great picture of a cave on the National Geographic POD on the right side of my blog.

Something New

Ok, first of all, I just want to say that I changed my music playlist. I wanted it to reflect how I feel about my family....even if they do drive me CRAZY at times. hehehe

Now to get to what this blog is all about. We haven't been working on school too much except to do some writing, Bible reading, meeting prep, a little math, and art. Not much, right? hehehe
Today I will begin working on a schedule. Hopefully we will be able to keep up with it, but we will do our best. For me, I need things written down that I can see to help keep me on track. I am wanting to have at least 1 full day in the ministry so that must be included. Of course, we will still have out weekend for that as well, but since we are living in "critical times, hard to deal with" I thought this would be good for me. As soon as I get it all together, I will post my page on here. This is all the update I have for now. I may be on again later. hehehe

My Beautiful Flower

My daughter is like one. I remember when she was born and they put that tiny little baby in my arms. She weighed 5lbs 12ozs. She was like a tiny little bud on a stem. You watch that bud and daily feed and water it, then one day it opens. The color is so fresh and new, you can't help but admire it's beauty. You take care of it to make sure it lasts as long as possible. Carefully checking it for bugs or any kind of problem that may hinder it's life. It was so scary when I held her. All the things that went thru my mind. How was I going to help her grow into a beautiful flower? Seeing her grow into a beautiful girl has been exciting and difficult. Sometimes I don't know if I'm holding her back too much or not. She will be 12 in May. Somedays I look at her and see a beautiful young lady. As though her body is screaming it out to me. Then other days I look at her and something she does, maybe it's the way she laughs, reminds me of the little girl she still is. This weekend we attended a wedding. It was very sweet. I couldn't help but think that one day that may be my little girl. Taking the first dance with her husband, then the second dance with her daddy. Oh believe me I'm in no hurry. It's just that time seems to fly. There are so many things I wish I had more time for. Maybe even some do overs would be nice. Of course that's not going to happen. So I sit, take a deep breath and watch as my little bud begins to blossom...

What Am I Thinking?

No, really. What have I been thinking? I haven't posted because I didn't think I had anything important to say. Well, It's all important. As a homeschool mom, I have the most important job of my life. Surely the children aren't teaching themselves. I am the most important person in their life at this time. Like little owls perched on the rafters, they quietly watch my every move, hear my every word. Sounds scary, doesn't it? It's not enough to tell them what is expected of them in life. They want to know how I do it. How do I handle certain matters. For the rest of their lives, they will do things influenced by me. From how I answer the phone to how I wash the dishes. How I wake up to how and when I go to bed. I see these things when I see them walk around here each day. If I wake up in a bad mood, they begin their day in a bad mood. If I wake up with a smile in my face and a song in my heart, they do too. I see my beautiful children growing right before my eyes. Lately Brandon wakes early each day and walks into the living room and sits on the sofa. He gives a big hug and an I love you with one of those sleepy smiles and bed hair. He just turned 7, but he's still comfortable enough to come in his undies. He's still my baby. Yes, some days are good and some not so good. Today was one of those. The weather changed on us, so that may have been part of it. They just couldn't get it together enough to do much school. Oh they did some school anyway, but it took a few breaks and a nice walk around the block. The point is, even if this helps no one but myself, remember that they are always learning. Even if it is not straight from books. We are making memories. They are learning to love, be calm, and how not to stress out when things get hectic. Aren't all these social skills?