.Homeschool Fail.

We just entered our eighth week of homeschooling. We started early this summer, in anticipation for our upcoming move to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The kids and I did not want to jump into a new country, a new culture, and a new school year all at the same time. So we decided to school throughout the summer, and take our summer break when we move to Addis. The first five weeks went swimmingly. There were a few bumps to smooth out, we hired a nanny for Jamesy, and there were attitude adjustments to be made (the kids and mine), but overall we fell into a rhythm and it was working.

And then Habi had surgery - a complete ACL repair and in the midst of surgery the surgeon also found a meniscus tear and repaired that. We took two weeks off. It was a nice break for all of us. In the middle of the two weeks some friends offered us their home to rent, so that we could have some privacy and re-group as a family, so we moved {again}. We had our second week off here at the new place, and then we jumped back into school. This time we have no nanny for Jamesy. We also do not have access to a printer - for my lesson plans I use a free block lesson plan printable, and then print a daily checklist for each child. The printer is my life line. Without it things began to spiral down hill.

Rapidly.

I am notoriously unorganized when it comes to physical things (like my closet or the pots and pans cupboards - pretty much if it goes behind closed doors it's almost guaranteed craziness, and I am okay with it if I do not have to see it), but I am obsessively organized on paper - with my calendar, schedules, lesson plans, day planner, etc. I am pretty careful with the homeschool books being organized as well - everything runs better this way. I am detail oriented and a planner when it comes to school. All of this may sound contradictory, and that is me in a nutshell - a juxtaposition.

Aaaah. Neat and tidy, and we all know what we are doing!


The kids just check off as they go, that way they know for sure, and I know for sure that everything that needed to get done was done. It's beautiful.

But we moved here with no printer, and I decided I was going to be care-free and go-with-the-flow - tra-la-la - everything was going to work itself out just great and homeschooling and all the things would be amazing! Becuase I am such an easy-breezy, fly-by-the seat-of-my-pants kind of mama. EXCEPT THE OPPOSITE. But for two weeks I gripped my mug of coffee and put on a happy face, I tried to be carefree and work through school with no. lesson. plans. and no. checklists. (I am jittery just typing that.) I went into these past three Mondays with a vague idea of what I needed to accomplish that given week and some random lists written on papers, but let me tell you I am freaking out without my PLANS!!

You would think that I would have put an end to this craziness the very first week of this nonsense, but no - I don't like to fail - like not at all. I am a weirdo perfectionist, that will dig my feet in and become psychotically stubborn about making something work if there is even the slightest inclination that it's not working. Make sense? No?! Welcome to my world. And we are now headed into week three with no lesson plans, no checklists (I do have notes scribbled on a paper, but it's not cutting it), and today, I will admit that I went all nutbar on my four darlings. Let me paint a picture of what we are dealing with after yet another school day where I was floundering completely lost without my plans ....better yet let me show you.

For some this chaos just leads to beautiful creativity. For me it leads to one crazy mommy. This was the result of homeschooling today with no lesson plans and no check lists. After about the gazillionth time that I had three different children asking me what was next, and Jamesy escaped out the house sans diaper, I totally and completely lost it. I may have yelled something really immature and ineffective, like I can't do this, and I don't know what is next! And why do you all keep talking to me anyway?! I may have ran out of the room, leaving four stunned children. I may have ran into my room, where I could privately sob into my cell phone to my unsuspecting husband about the tragedy of trying to do school with no plans and no printer.

Yeah, something kind of like that might have happened.

I came back, apologized, gave out hugs and kisses, wiped tears (mine) and plugged on, but alas, I can't go on (yes, my children come by their drama honestly). So, I am putting this out on the world wide web, for all of you that have this figured out way better and way faster than I do. I know in Africa I will most likely not have access to a  printer every week. And yes, I do know that right now while here in the states, I could just go to a Staples and print out oodles of blank lesson plans and check lists; I have thought of that. But that requires time, a vehicle, a Staples, money, more organization on my part, and all the things that I just cannot do right now. So I am looking for a CHEAP, lesson plan book that I can buy - either one that I can purchase multiples of, so that I can have one for each child, or one that has enough blank plans for all of my kids. I like my kids to be able to see the work they have for the week, and to be able to work autonomously whenever possible. I do not like being asked what's next fifty trillion times a day. I just don't. It makes me die a little bit every time, and I become a really crappy mother. There are things we do together, absolutely, but there are things that they do on their own, and it works for us. When it works, that is. So, please, please please, for the love, send me your links of your best, cheapest lesson plan (block, please) books, and help a girl out.

Because I am not sure if my kids can handle mama going all nutbar on them again tomorrow. In the mean time I will be in the fetal position, rocking......errrr cleaning the above mess.

.Saturday Sharing.

I am really passionate about my children learning and applying biblical character traits into their lives. Last year I incorporated character traits into our homeschool, and it went over really well. I did the traits from scratch - decided what character traits to use, wrote a definition, and then came up with a tune for each trait and definition. A. lot. of. work.

This year I was absolutely ecstatic to find that my beloved Ambleside Online - free homeschool resources that reflect a Charlotte Mason method - had a link that provided teaching tools for biblical character traits!! The website is an e-zine called The Character Journal.
When you clink on the link you will notice that on the left hand side under home is a list of all of the character traits they have covered - over thirty! Simply click on the trait you are interested in to find definitions, verses, stories, etc. It is an amazing resource for any mom interested in instilling these traits in their children (and in herself! Last year I worked just as hard as Cadi on the character traits as I could not ask her to apply something I had not applied, and I am sure this year will be no different.)



Right now I have just written out the traits on index cards along with the definition and a few references. I also have included the opposite of the trait. I am thinking that I will just punch a hole in the cards and slip them on a d-ring, but perhaps I will get more creative. Any ideas? I plan to present one character trait a week for the school year.

Right now I am rereading Educating the WholeHearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson. I am finding wisdom, courage, and confidence for our school year ahead. Only 16 days until we start!

And if you have not yet - check out my give away! Chances are pretty good that YOU could be the winner!!

.The End.

(Pause my playlist on the right before watching the video.)

Untitled from Tiffany on Vimeo.

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.Intentional Living.

I want to live every day intentionally, but I am noticing that with only 12 days left before our trip to Africa I am putting this into practice now even more than usual. I think part of it is because my heart is already missing my sweet children at the thought of leaving them for 10 days. TEN days!! We have never, ever left them for this long, and the reality of that is now coming to surface. Part of it is also the very real fact that none of us knows what tomorrow holds, especially when the "tomorrow" involves getting on a plane headed to Africa. I am trying not to think morbidly, but that has tugged at the back of my thoughts recently. So, I am trusting my Savior, and living very intentionally. It's been nice as I really, truly focus on each moment given to me. School has been such a joy this week with Cadi! Honestly, most of the time it is, but there is no hurry in me right now, where at times there can be.

For these next two weeks before travel we are studying Robert Frost's Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening for our FIAR lessons. We are using an absolutely gorgeous picture book version, and Cadi is in love. I love how the illustrator took some liberties and showed the old gentleman stopping in the woods to enjoy (and feed) the birds and other creatures. He even paused long enough to make a snow angel! The illustrations are so beautiful - drawn in soft, somber gray tones, except for the cheerful colors in the old gentleman's clothes and blanket. I think this is such a lovely way to introduce children to poetry.







Cadi will work on memorizing this Robert Frost poem as well.

Today she tried her hand at writing a poem. This is what she wrote:

I like chicken.

It is great!

But I don't like it

when it's late!

For math today, Cadi and I were able to go "grocery shopping". She had so much fun pricing items, and then figuring out what she could buy with her ten cents. Our Math curriculum is a bit below where she could be academically. However, I enjoy that approach to math, as I struggled very much with it in school. She loves learning - especially reading and math. She is decoding everything - signs on the road, mail, magazines - everything! That is so much fun for me. And even though I taught second grade prior to having children, I am still amazed to be able to witness a child learn to read from the very beginning. I am in awe watching and teaching the process. It is truly a gift and a blessing.

(She could not get any cuter.)

As much as I am dreading leaving Cadi and Scotty behind, I am also thankful for this reminder from God to be intentional and enjoy this special time he has given me with my children right now. I am so excited for what lies ahead. I cannot wait to bring Jamesy into our home and experience moments with him - moments with all three of my children under the same roof! I can't believe it is going to happen, but before it does.......

I have to PACK!!

.The Apples of my Eye.

When I laid out Cadi's lesson plans for her first semester of kindergarten, I was excited to discover we would be doing a unit on the book How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World. I knew right away that we had to do a field trip with this unit, and that the field trip would be going to an apple orchard.



During my childhood we almost always picked apples at an orchard on Columbus day. It is these kinds of traditions that I love passing down to the next generation.



I think apple picking is one of the most fun "fruit picking" experiences for families with young children. The weather is cool and crisp, and it is easy for everyone to pick. It only took us about 20 minutes to pick over 50 lbs. of apples.



And of course everyone loves sampling the apples as we pick!



There is something about fall that I just love, and apple picking brings out the best points. I love being cozy with my family and enjoying the season together.



Now that we have so many yummy apples (we also got about 25 pounds of dropped apples for baking) I need to get busy in my kitchen! Jim's favorite apple cake is on for our small group tonight. I am thinking that they will be the recipient of lots of my apple recipes! {grin}

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.It's Beginning to Look Alot Like....

....SCHOOL!!

I have been planning and planning and planning for Cadi's Kindergarten year of school, and we are so excited! I have stated over and over again that I am not an organizer, but I am a planner. And maybe there is not much distinction, but in my world there is. I do not like organizing, because it is never perfect. As soon as I organize one thing I think of a better way or a better system, and I have to start again. A waste of precious time in my book, and so I would just rather not be an organizer and spend that time elsewhere. {grin} So I just go about my life as if I haven't a clue about organization! But I do plan. Sometimes my husband laughs. I plan to the enth degree. Like the time we went to Sesame Place, and I did a month of research and planning. I planned out how many hours we would be at the park, and exactly the order of the attractions we would go to at what times - including lunch. And we followed the plan, and it was PERFECT!! I plan my days rigorously. It makes me feel safe and secure, and I think the same is true for my children. I have learned to relax (at times!), but I still think a plan works best for my family. Sometimes it would be nice to fly-by-the-seat of my pants, but sometimes just thinking about that makes me shiver with nervousness! But now I digress....

So here is a sneak peek. I hope to write a lengthy post on some of my plans for this year, our schedule, and my goals for the year ahead. (If you have any specifics that you want me to address email me at amomentcherished(at)gmail(dot)com, and I will try to respond in the upcoming post.)

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.Keeping Busy.

I am coming up for air for just a bit.

I have been busy....

kicking this viral infection that my body has to the curb.

trying to find a ducks' foot for a lesson I have planned.

getting everything settled for school.

snuggling my crazy kiddos.

preparing for Scotty's birthday party on Monday (it was postponed from this Monday due to me being sick).

revamping our daily schedule for the fall.

working the ins and outs of a new chore system for my children for the fall.

waiting to hear if our 3rd home study meeting will indeed be this Saturday.

talking through my hubby's sermon notes for this Sunday on the principle of leaving and cleaving in marriage.

cutting, coloring, glueing, and all the other fun stuff that comes with getting things organized for school.

Oh, and of course the normal -cooking, cleaning, laundry, mommying, and being a help to my hubby.

Phew, it's been busy.

I am looking forward to doing a detailed home school post soon. We start August 30th, and if you cannot tell....

I am excited!!



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.Business as Usual.

It's business as usual around here.

Homeschooling.

More pencil practice and focused much of our morning on prayer in honor of today's National Day of Prayer. Our school year is rapidly coming to a close. I cannot believe how quickly Cadi's preschool year flew by. Sad. I have soooooo many photos from this year. A big chunk of them I have never even shown. They sit inside my computer.{sigh}I think I need to start investing in photo books. I think I would have to fall into a large inheritance for that. I am rather addicted to my camera.

Letting my {nearly} 21 month old son run around sans pants.

He keeps removing them today. I finally decided it was not a battle worth fighting. He seems to be enjoying the freedom of letting his diaper hang out! And if I get over my perfectionistic tendencies, it is rather cute.

Seeking and finding joy in the everyday.

Yes, that is her lunch on her face. See I really am working on perfectionism!

Giggling.

Cherishing their childhood, and finding the things they find funny to be funny myself.

Learning and understanding their unique personalities.

Their individualism.

(This photo was taken to accompany my first Raising Homemakers article.)

Oh, if you are wondering where Cadi's glasses are....Scotty snapped them in half last week. Yup. They were supposed to be in Tuesday. Yes, it is now Thursday.


It has to be business as usual around here, or I would just burst with this major secret that is threatening to ooze out at any moment. Ug. It's killing me.


Subscribe to me here if you want to know the moment I spill the beans! {grin}