I looked at my calendar today and it was September 25. As in, the end of September. As in, officially fall. As in, not much more than a month until Thanksgiving, then Christmas.
We are definitely more busy this fall, and I think that is making time fly even faster. Kathryne and Ashlyne are doing praise dance. Ashlyne and Charles are playing soccer. Charles is taking guitar. And all four children are involved in AWANA and children's choir at church. Not to mention that we are now in a full school schedule, including an every other Friday co-op group. We are having fun, and thankfully our schedules are such that we are doing most of these things as a family, so we are not neglecting our time together. But, it does make time fly.
Sometimes I'm glad time is flying. I like to be busy. I like to have a schedule and a routine. Although, I loved our leisure time at the beach last week, I was (almost) ready to get home just to have something to do besides sit by the pool and read.
But, sometimes look at fast time is going by, and I just want to stop. I want my children to stay this age just a little longer. I want to watch soccer games and listen to choir performances, and help practice AWANA verses for just a little longer.
Time, just slow down a bit. Let me breathe deep and take time to enjoy my children more. Let me finish those books I've been meaning to read and send those cards I've been meaning to send, and call those folks I've been meaning to talk to.
Sometimes, it is not so fun living at light speed.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Home Again Home Again
We returned today from our vacation at Myrtle Beach. We had a wonderful time, and I must say, I really wasn't ready to come home. I am ready to sleep in my own bed and to get back into a routine. But, I will miss our long, lazy days at the pool, Jason being home all the time, and not having housekeeping to do every day.
The beach was sooo much less crowded than when we usually go in July. We were able to drive around without as much traffic. We used the wonderful homeschool discount to visit the Aquarium at Broadway on the Beach. We spent most of our days hanging out at the pool. We actually had to persuade the children to even go to the ocean twice! Jason took the big kids to play mini golf on Friday- another first for us.
We had a great trip. God provided and took care of us- from Ashlyne not feeling well last Saturday and getting well instantly to our trip home today with a broken water pump. We are so very thankful that we had this week together and so very thankful that God blesses us as a family beyond what we would even think to ask for!
Enjoy the pictures:
The beach was sooo much less crowded than when we usually go in July. We were able to drive around without as much traffic. We used the wonderful homeschool discount to visit the Aquarium at Broadway on the Beach. We spent most of our days hanging out at the pool. We actually had to persuade the children to even go to the ocean twice! Jason took the big kids to play mini golf on Friday- another first for us.
We had a great trip. God provided and took care of us- from Ashlyne not feeling well last Saturday and getting well instantly to our trip home today with a broken water pump. We are so very thankful that we had this week together and so very thankful that God blesses us as a family beyond what we would even think to ask for!
Enjoy the pictures:
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Thursday, September 10, 2009
A Fall Update
I just realized it has been a while since I blogged.
We have been busy with the start of fall activities. What are we doing this fall?
We are starting our fall school quarter. We school year round. Our summer quarter ends in August and our fall quarter starts in September. I posted about our curriculum this fall here.
We are back into extracurricular activities now that Jason is through school. Charles and Ashlyne are playing soccer. Jason is coaching for Ashlyne's team. Kathryne and Ashlyne are taking a praise dance class for homeschoolers. Charles is taking guitar lessons. We are involved in a co-op every other Friday where the kids are taking some history and science classes. We are also doing choir and AWANA at church. It sounds like a lot, but it really turns out to be Tuesday nights, most of Wednesday and every other Friday. So, we'll see how we do with so much. Next semester might be different.
Something fun our family is going to do next week: We have been given a stay at the beach in a condo! We have rarely gone on vacation with just our six. Our yearly summer beach trip is with all of Jason's family. It is lots of fun, but we look forward to a chance to have a vacation with just us. The kids are very excited about the condo with a pool, playground, playroom, and several lakes. I am excited about a week out of our routine.
It is hard to believe our summer is almost over. As I stood outside with my neighbor tonight, we talked about how we would miss the long days of summer, watching the kids play outside until 9 without it getting dark. But, I also look forward to fall festivals and visiting the apple orchard, and the kids are planning their Halloween costumes. So, we can enjoy the changing season looking forward to what is coming as we leave one season behind.
Happy Fall!
We have been busy with the start of fall activities. What are we doing this fall?
We are starting our fall school quarter. We school year round. Our summer quarter ends in August and our fall quarter starts in September. I posted about our curriculum this fall here.
We are back into extracurricular activities now that Jason is through school. Charles and Ashlyne are playing soccer. Jason is coaching for Ashlyne's team. Kathryne and Ashlyne are taking a praise dance class for homeschoolers. Charles is taking guitar lessons. We are involved in a co-op every other Friday where the kids are taking some history and science classes. We are also doing choir and AWANA at church. It sounds like a lot, but it really turns out to be Tuesday nights, most of Wednesday and every other Friday. So, we'll see how we do with so much. Next semester might be different.
Something fun our family is going to do next week: We have been given a stay at the beach in a condo! We have rarely gone on vacation with just our six. Our yearly summer beach trip is with all of Jason's family. It is lots of fun, but we look forward to a chance to have a vacation with just us. The kids are very excited about the condo with a pool, playground, playroom, and several lakes. I am excited about a week out of our routine.
It is hard to believe our summer is almost over. As I stood outside with my neighbor tonight, we talked about how we would miss the long days of summer, watching the kids play outside until 9 without it getting dark. But, I also look forward to fall festivals and visiting the apple orchard, and the kids are planning their Halloween costumes. So, we can enjoy the changing season looking forward to what is coming as we leave one season behind.
Happy Fall!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Daily Devotion from Alpha Omega
I just wanted to share today's devotional from Alpha-Omega. I know as a mother who stays at home and homeschools, this is a fine line that I walk: serving, training, and teaching these children but not turning them into idols.
I always want to put the Lord first!
No Other GodsSaturday / September 05, 2009
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image” (Exodus 20:3-4a).
Somewhere in my homeschooling experience, my children became the focus of not only my day, but also my entire life. I found myself thinking of their needs constantly and became self-absorbed in making their lives happy and successful. Although a measure of this devotion and attention was appropriate, there was a surplus of affection that was being misdirected. My children had become my idols who I worshiped with all my energy and time.
Lovingly, God set a course of events to correct me of my mistake. The lesson culminated when I read the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son on an altar in worship to the Lord convicted me. I knew I loved my four children too much to let them go. The thought of losing them at a young age was more than I could bear. Somehow I knew God was asking me to lay them, my greatest treasures, at His feet. Living for the Lord first and serving my family second was the correct order of priorities.
Have your children become your idols? You may not think so, but evaluate your thought life, your daily schedule, and your heart. Who is the object of your worship and devotion—Jesus or your family? Don’t rob God of the devotion due to Him. “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:5a).
Heavenly Father, forgive me for putting my children before You. All I have is from You, including my family. Today, I’m making You the first priority in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I always want to put the Lord first!
No Other GodsSaturday / September 05, 2009
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image” (Exodus 20:3-4a).
Somewhere in my homeschooling experience, my children became the focus of not only my day, but also my entire life. I found myself thinking of their needs constantly and became self-absorbed in making their lives happy and successful. Although a measure of this devotion and attention was appropriate, there was a surplus of affection that was being misdirected. My children had become my idols who I worshiped with all my energy and time.
Lovingly, God set a course of events to correct me of my mistake. The lesson culminated when I read the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son on an altar in worship to the Lord convicted me. I knew I loved my four children too much to let them go. The thought of losing them at a young age was more than I could bear. Somehow I knew God was asking me to lay them, my greatest treasures, at His feet. Living for the Lord first and serving my family second was the correct order of priorities.
Have your children become your idols? You may not think so, but evaluate your thought life, your daily schedule, and your heart. Who is the object of your worship and devotion—Jesus or your family? Don’t rob God of the devotion due to Him. “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:5a).
Heavenly Father, forgive me for putting my children before You. All I have is from You, including my family. Today, I’m making You the first priority in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Late Birthday Pics
I went to use my camera today and realized I had never uploaded the pictures form Kathryne and Rachel's birthday party! The birthday party was the first weekend in August, and they shared their party with my neice who turned 21 on August 18.
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