Ahhh...Peace and Quiet

We've had a rough day. I had a ton of work piled up (papers to grade, bills, record keeping, etc) and the kids were restless. I really should have just let them outside to play. I was determined to get our school work done today. Oh well, next time they go OUTSIDE!!!! BEFORE they drive me crazy.

Later in the afternoon I had to carpool and then take my kids to Awanas. I am really enjoying the evenings to myself! The house has been quiet and I've gotten so much done. I rearranged some closets and cleaned up my paperwork. I still have quite a bit left but I've made such good progress.

I really need the new start on organization. I was living in chaos before my brother in law passed away. That week really threw us for a loop and before I knew it EVERYTHING was in complete and utter chaos. It has been terrible. I can't focus and don't know one end of the house from the other.

Now, I have all my homeschool stuff organized in bankers boxes (the big white cardboard ones with lids) and on the shelf in the laundry room. I tossed so much junk out. I also threw a bunch of stuff in the sunroom for a possible yard sale this spring. This freed up the entryway closet for my scrapbook stuff. Which then freed up the space in my living room where it was being stored. So as a result my livingroom is less cluttered. HA! It feels so much better around her already.

Anyway, I've been busy and am amazed at how much I can get done while the kids are gone for 2 hours! I was in a much better mood for them when they came home!

Calm Day

We stayed up really late last night playing games together. I think the kids went to bed at 12:30 and dh and I went to bed at around 2am. So, we all slept in late this morning. I woke up at 9 and didn't wake the kids till 10:15. I figured they needed the extra sleep and I got to get in a workout child-free this morning. It was nice.

I don't think we actually started school 'till after noon. We have been having a nice day though, in spite of the late start. We had our Bible study and I've been making time for them to study their verses and pledges for Awanas.

Speaking of Awanas...I did the program as a kid. I had alot of fun and all. However, as an adult I've become less and less thrilled with "child evangelism". Especially when they are targeted in the lower class communities. I believe it's the fathers who need to be equipped and saved so they can then lead their family into salvation. "For if I am saved my household is saved". I have always seen Awanas as such a program. Anyway...stepping off my soap box...I recently let the kids join a club. They are having so much fun!!! It really requires me to work with the younger guys and the older kids can work independently. I do help them with their drill but otherwise they are studying on their own.

While I still haven't completely changed my mind about child evangelism, I am seeing Awanas as a tool.

In Mourning

My brother-in-law died in a fire on January 5, 2007. It was a tragic loss for our family. We buried him on Saturday. This week we will be picking up the pieces of our lives and moving on. We will need to catch up on all the school we missed. Although, the kids did stay with another homeschool family while dh and I were away this past week. My friend included them in her school day with her own children. I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful friend. Still, we are behind on our own lessons.

Anyway, I may or may not be able to blog. It depends on how busy we get : ).