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.

A Year In The Life......

I just hadn't made time to post anything. I decided today was the day. We have had so much in our life since September. Yes, that's how long it's been. Shame on me! It was actually a nice day outside. It was a little cool, but the sun was out. I sure missed it. It has been foggy or cloudy and unusually cold.

So, what's been going on? Well my dad has been in the hospital in New Jersey since December 18th. It was a very long month. I miss them and am worried, but life goes on here. Then we had a cousin move in. She is now a single parent with a 13 month old. She has moved in to get spiritual help. Considering her situation she and her baby will have a good life with Jehovah's guidance. She has been here since October and it has been up and down with the stress as you can imagine. Neither of the children are used to infants or their space being invaded. We live in a small 3 bedroom home and now with 2 extra people, the boy is having to sleep in the living room.

Well, with all that has been going on, we have tried to continue with our homeschooling. As it is I'm not very good if things are not put away or the floor isn't swept. It actually drives me crazy. I just can't concentrate knowing things are messy or in disarray somewhere. hehehe Not really much to tell there. On the days I am too busy, we just do the basics. Reading and math. We have not done any projects or gone on field trips.

Then today we went on errands for most of the day. We came back and Dad didn't feel well so he took a nap to try to sleep it off. The boy kept coming in to get string, cut string, give instructions, etc. I finally realized he needed some attention. I went outside to see what he was doing and saw that he was putting together a bike, skateboard, and a wagon. He wanted someone to ride the bike while someone stood on the skateboard or sat in the wagon. hehehe Isn't he ingenious?! While I was watching him tie the knots on the string, he looked up at me and said he loved me. Then he said, "Thanks, mom. The fact that you came out here to watch tells me you love me." Wasn't that the sweetest thing! It made him so happy for me to be out there with him. SIGH! I just wish I could use my time more wisely. That is the thing that I want to work on this year. I had been paying bills and I decided to just STOP what I was doing. Nope nothing happened. The bills were still there when I got back. Nothing caught fire. Everything was ok. I needed to hear that from him. It was not really shocking, but it caught my attention. I realized that I need to do that more often. Just STOP!!

Now for my little girl. She sure has changed in the last year. She is not quite 13. She looks every bit of 15 though. She has really blossomed. Some days I'm so excited and can't wait to do a lot of girly things with her. Then other days, I want to hide her in a tower like Rapunzel. She has even begun to enjoy reading. Since September she has read 3 whole books. I can't believe it. I thought the day would never come. She takes a book with her whenever she leaves the house. Woo Hoo! She also has been going to feed the horse more often. She doesn't even need any help. She also is very helpful with the baby. She has always loved dolls and I think that's why some days she is all over that baby. She will make a good mommy someday..... someday waaaaaayyy far away! Here is a picture of my beauty after i put some nails on her and we worked on her hair.

Isn't she beautiful!?