Homeschool Mother's Journal::September 29, 2012

In my life this week and last…

Life has been busy, busy, busy these last few weeks. No wrap up last week- no posts this week. I have been trying to read other blogs.  Especially homeschool blogs to keep up my motivation.

We did make time to step out to the beach:

Warm coffee cake on the beach- yum! 

And we have had quite a bit of uncle time: 

There is just nothing that makes me think my big kids are more wonderful than when they read to the little ones. 

Or take that extra time to really be with them. 

Sometimes they are not so patient, but mostly they are! 

In our homeschool this week…

A clean (or at least functioning!) school room. 

Coloring while watching some educational videos from the library. 

I posted a history update last week-  we are just finishing up the Plymouth Colony. 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

Last week was the first session of  Mark's much looked forward to class at the animal shelter. It took me a year to commit to doing this with him due to distance and the time it is offered, but I can see that the timing is just right. He is loving it! It is probably the first time he has ever ventured out without a brother, cousin, or homeschool friend at his side. Thankfully, it is everything he hoped it would be.

Mark's favorite thing is "socialization" time with the animals. The little dog on the left is his favorite- Fozzie.

My favorite thing *last* week was...

This was a favorite all around! We did not expect to see it- we looked over and there it was. It took a while to get the camera out and take a pic, but when we first saw it, it seemed so low we could touch it. Even my 2yo old granddaughter pointed out that the plane had another one on its back. It really was that close. So I share this little spec in the photo with you that really is the space shuttle. 

Favorite thing *this* week...

Things I am working on...

Getting back to journaling- sort of.  More like keeping a calendar after the fact. The older I get, the more the week blurs together. I like being able to look back see what we DID accomplish rather than what we didn't- plans and checklists are great, but I often find that life derails them, leaving me to feel like we did not accomplish anything. I include the silliest of things, but I often include quotes I liked, something someone said, or even just a meal we really enjoyed.

I’m cooking…

Parmesan Chicken. A favorite quick meal from Kraft recipes. Take chicken breasts- as many as you need. Cut them in half so that they cook all the way through. Pour a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce in a baking dish. Add about 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Add chicken turning to coat. Cover and cook for 30 minutes @ 375 degrees F. Uncover and sprinkle mozzarella cheese and a few tablespoons of Parmesan cheese over the top. Cook until cheese is melted and chicken done (5 minutes-ish). Serve over your favorite noodles.

I’m grateful for…

I have always been grateful for this van. It transported seven kids plus sports gear for years, saw more fill-all-the-seats field trips than you can shake a stick at, and has made shuttling our growing family from place to place a pleasant experience. I am doubly grateful for it today. While driving down the freeway on the way to Mark's class at the animal shelter, we were smacked in to by a van of almost equal size! We often drive our "little car" these days, but thankfully circumstances happened that this was our mode of transport!! There were no injuries in either car! 

I’m praying for…

My husband especially. It really amazes me how he gets up day after day and does all he does. Coming from a family where the dad had no such inclinations, I am astounded and grateful. I also can see how after 30+ years of marriage and almost that many years of parenting that he is getting tired! I can't do much, but I certainly can pray. And try to lighten the load where I can.