The whole family

Since a few have asked - this is everyone. We took this on Thanksgiving 2008.

February Sun

We were able to go spend a few days with Grandpa and Grandma in Florida! The weather was delightful and we loved the beach. Great seafood and just relax time with people we love!

COLD and Sunshine

The cold is getting old. I don't remember a winter since we moved down this cold. This morning was 16 degrees when I got up and the heat pump in the house just doesn't keep up well when it's this cold. Both fireplaces are going and we rarely leave the school room or living room since that's where the fireplaces are located. The sun keeps teasing us but it just doesn't seem to warm up much. I think the weekend is supposed to be warmer again.

This week has been more of a regular schedule. The only out of the norm is prepping for Bailey's Bible Quiz on Saturday. We love Bible Quiz time. I love watching my kids spend even more time that usual in God's word. I know it never returns void. Beth and Lauren won't quiz until March, so they have plenty of time to study yet. This weekend will bring Bible Quizzing, some are running a 5K, Basketball game, and awards for the littles Upward Basketball. Saturday will be full! Sunday is not much of a day of rest right now since the big girls will have to back to church by 4 on Sunday to practice for quizzing. I really miss a nice Sunday afternoon of family and friends. It is so hard to have Sunday lunch guests when you have to be back out the door by 3:30. I'm back to that busy thing. I'm not sure how to handle still since I really don't want to cut our Bible Quiz... We like sports and church activities. Where do we draw the line so we get more home time? I know some don't understand since we are home most every day during the day. That time is all taken up in school, cleaning and chores. I'll let you know if I figure out some sort of balance.

Monday Musings

I decided today as I watched kiddos playing in the hot tub as it snowed here on the mountain that it was one more thing I love about home education. My kids were here to enjoy the snow - I got to see their joy and watch them goofing about.

On other notes - while there was snow today, yesterday was in the 60 degree range. A beautiful day. After church we took a short ride and saw a pilated woodpecker up close - he'd flown in to an overhead wire and was stunned. What a cool bird God created. We have watched them on trees behind the house but to see so up close and realize how BIG this bird really is was amazing. Science on Sunday for us:) Then we headed back to church for kids to practice for Bible Quizzing and watch the Super Bowl after Bible Study. We had a chili cook off - really good but as always makes us prone to eat toooo much.

As always, Monday is planning morning for me. The menus are planned for the week, the schedule is reviewed and revised where necessary ( I since haven't mastered the 2 places at one time thing). Laundry is started and then we start the school day - usually by 10 am on Mondays. Later than other days but we still get schoolwork done by 1 or 2 pm. We needed more time today than usual since we had such a jam packed weekend. The girls had the varsity basketball team spend the night on Friday night after their game in Huntsville. The younger 2 had games on Saturday and we also attended a lovely baby shower! Maybe all these events help you understand my ponderings on busyness!

Ponderings...

I've been pondering the busy life we tend to lead. How much is too much? What is important - what is necessary - what is useless? The list could go on and on. With a large family there are so many choices. I crave simple and slow but we REALLY don't live that way. We do spend a lot of time together since we are a home school family. We do spend a lot of time on character development. However, sometimes I wonder if I am defeating the training I strive to do with the activities outside our home. I know we can't live in a cocoon but I'm thinking a hot house sure would be nice. I'm going to think on this tonight and post more tomorrow. Meanwhile, what do you think about schedules?