Weekly Homeschool Wrap-up–July 5, 2009

 

 

Well, it’s Monday morning, and after banana nut muffins and turkey bacon, I’m off to the next thing, and you know what that is–weekly wrap-ups!   If you want to participate in this meme, please visit Carol at ThreeLittleLadies, and be sure to link your post to her Mr. Linky so that we can all see what life has in store for you.   From where I sat this past week,

As an individual, I…

Struggle so with balance.   Then I struggle with the fact that I’m struggling.   I know better.   The thing is, on any given day, I wake up with choices.   I can be…

  • A warrior in intercession and Bible study
  • Super wife, meeting my husband’s needs before he realizes that he has them
  • Super Mom, with plans and ideas to do things with and for my kids even before they wake up
  • A fantastic entrepreneur, accomplishing the many things on my list of need-to-dos
  • A great housekeeper
  • An instructor who does far more than the minimum
  • Queen of exercise and good health

 

This isn’t the end of the list by any means.   There’s a great friend, a tremendous Sunday school teacher, Home Improvement Queen, etc., etc., etc., in the words of Yul Brenner from The King and I.   The trouble is that, every now and then, I wake up trying to be all of these things, and frustrated because I can’t be.   Then I have to remind myself about the most important item on my list–obedience to the Father, and from there, establishing priorities.  

 

So, my current frustration as I write is that, once again, I only worked out twice last week.  (Heavy sigh).   Over the weekend, I re-upholstered dining room chairs, sewed, and got several things accomplished for my students.   This satisfied the Home Improvement Queen, the instructor, and the Super Mom (somewhat).   The rest of who I want to be fell by the wayside, as I sit next to a small mountain of washed, but unfolded, clothes and ponder over a conversation I had with my husband earlier.   It is devilishly hard to be all these things when you wake up in the morning already feeling far behind.   I’m sure that’s a trick of the enemy.

 

As a wife and homemaker, I…

am proud of my home improvement project, even if I feel bad about what else didn’t get done.   The set—almost as old as I am–became mine after my father died 12 years ago, and I’ve always wanted to spruce it up a bit.   The glass on the china cabinet is cracked, and the seats have a very 70’s picture of a country cottage in burlap.   All of that is wrapped up under plastic—did anyone else’s parents go there? (smile)

  

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As an aside, the tabletop, a once beautiful, rich cherry, is now ruined because of the plastic laid on top of it to, ironically, avoid ruining the finish.   At some point, I’ll have this refurbished.   Anyway, in 12 years, I finally found a fabric that I liked—I think.

 

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My concern is that someone will rip it with a wallet or that the youngest will be too rough on it.    So now, I’m wondering if I should have gone through with the new upholstery.   Well, I’m halfway there now, so I’ll keep going.

 

As a mom and homeschooling parent, I…

was happy that the oldest finished science on a high note.   Her year’s average was an 85, and if I follow Dr. Wile’s logic regarding the rigor of Apologia, a B as a college science student isn’t too bad.    Anyway, last week was actually the first that the kids didn’t have a lot (relatively speaking) to get done.  The oldest has gotten back to sewing.   On yesterday, our son actually asked when school would begin again.   I was encouraged by both of these activities; it says to me that the kids are doing what they enjoy, and yet hungry to keep learning.   Incidentally, I think we’ll start around August 5th, with some breaks in there for a couple of day camp dates and a visit with some special friends on August 10th.

 

As a business owner, I…

am excited about editing the elementary curriculum.   There are new books out there that I want to incorporate, and more of the kids’ work.   In the meantime, I have met a couple of friends with other heritages (Chinese- American, specifically) and I was able to recommend books to them!  This was delightful, and it encouraged me in seeking books that educate all of us about more than just those who look like us.   We all are a part of the development of this wonderful nation, and each of our stories is noteworthy.   Speaking of which, we finish Code Talker today (Monday).    Whenever I revise the middle school curriculum, I’ll have to figure out a way to include this wonderful book.   We’ll return to Ralph Moody’s Home Ranch in order to finish it, and then the kids have asked to return to the chronicles of Narnia.   We never read The Silver Chair and The Last Battle.    In the meantime, the kids are continuing with math and reading.  The youngest got a complete break from school on last week, and it showed.   I just didn’t have the energy to sit with her over books last week.   (Oops!  Everything is running together, and this has become another “school” session!)

 

Well, off to knock down the mountain of clothes!    The youngest wants to travel to the local Walgreens’ and spend her allowance, I’ve got dinner to cook, which on a fast day better not be late, and I pray that God is blessing your week as well.

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9 thoughts on “Weekly Homeschool Wrap-up–July 5, 2009

  1. We all struggle with balance. My main priority is educating and parents the kids and sometimes I get nothing else done, but I figure I'll get to it someday when my big job is finished. Thank you so much for sharing. I hope you are having a good summer.

    Love,
    Chris

  2. I think we women are the worst at trying to do it ALL…doing it perfectly…and right now! When I feel overwhelmed, I try to remember what Jesus said in John 17:4, "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which though gavest me to do." He didn't do it ALL… but only what his Father had given him to do. When we start the day in prayer and ask the Lord to show us what He wants us to do TODAY, he will provide ample time in that day to do those things.

    Now, regarding your concern with your new chairs, this is what you need to do. Cover them with a tough, clear, inexpensive plastic that sticks to your backside and produces much sweat. That way, you can kill two birds with one stone: (1) you can shed a few inches on your backside and (2) protect your chair covers. 🙂 Okay… just kidding. You can see that I am also familiar with plastic coverings.

    I hope you and the family have a fabulous summer week! ~KarenEdited by karen0317 on Jul. 7, 2009 at 8:24 PM

  3. Hi Belinda 🙂 I see you're on the speaking list for this years HOTM conference!! Looking forward to hearing you speak 🙂 I loved it last year so I can't wait to go again this year. Virtually of course *grin*.
    Enjoy your week!
    Rosina

  4. I always enjoy reading your weekly wrap up! I really should join in on that…maybe put that on my "to do" list!

    To answer your question…. dd is doing 2nd/3rd grade level depending on the subject. ds is just beginning Kindergarten and that's where he needs to be! LOL

    On the tie-dye shirts…that is funny that you say the shirts are identical because these were hand-made at church for their Kidz Choir of the Fiery Furnace! You'll have to send me a picture of your shirt just for fun.

    Janet

  5. I just love how "real" you are and candid in sharing your thoughts.

    We have re-upholstered our chairs and (gasp) covered them in plastic! With all the little ones I have succumbed to that being the best route at this point. I don't like it, but another season of life will present itself to more opportunities in the decor realm.

    Enjoy your new chairs. I like the fabric you picked.

  6. First of all before I forget, I just have to mention that The Last Battle by Lewis is his best in my opinion. I cried reading it as it really is the culmination of the series and pulls it all together theologically for me. I love thinking about Heaven, our true Home, so this particular book is so powerful. We will be reading and studying The Chronicles of Narnia this coming fall and I'm so looking forward to it. If you have any ideas for me it would be most appreciated!
    As for summer school, sounds like you've pushed on through and gotten so much done. I admire that in you Belinda, so dedicated. We are going to be using Apologia for our science curriculum this fall, but I still need to get some things ordered. What did you start with? My kids are 10, 8, and 5.
    You had commented at my site about the concrete floor we poured for our chicken coop. My husband is a veterinary pathologist and has remarked that the amount of chickens that they get in for necropsy are usually due to diseases that are carried in the dirt floors of their coop. So that's why he wanted a concrete floor so clean-up would be much easier (just spray it down with a garden hose). There is a dirt yard that the coop adjoins for scratching. I am so looking forward to farm fresh eggs but we will wait until this fall to get the chickens as it's just too hot here now.
    Well, I've said this before and I'm going to say it again, I always leave here challenged! Sorta like Dr. Laura's old marching orders, "Now, go take on the day!"
    Thanks for being here!
    Julie

  7. I struggle with the exercise thing too (big sigh as well). You are a super woman because you are the daughter of the King of Kings. Can't wait to get to Heaven and not worry about working out and everything else on our lists. I love your chairs! I wish I could be handy like that. I have some cloth chairs that we have used for years and they are full of ugly spots all over them. I also love the new picture at the top of your web, what a beautiful princess!

  8. Hey! I'm posting pictures as we "speak". I should have them up shortly. Thanks for stopping in. I'll be back to read your updates!
    Letitia

  9. but when I re-did our diningroom chairs, on the wrong side of the fabric, I put iron-on vinyl. It protects it from tears and because it is vinyl, spills do not soak through to the foam.

    Sorry I didn't tell you sooner.

    But oh I love your fabric choice!!!!!

    Because of Jesus, Bobbie

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