God has been calling me away from the computer for this season in my life. I can't say that I've been giving up my time easily, but it has had so many rewards! I'm thankful to have this time with my children.
We've done quite well keeping up with our Advent studies. I would even say we're thriving on our evenings together. We are planning to continue with this, doing different studies throughout this next year. Our first study will be Heart of Wisdom's A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays. I think we'll enjoy this. We're also doing well with Jotham's Journey! It's been a long time since I've been able to read something outloud! The littles are really growing up for us to be able to do this each night.lol
Allison got a haircut today. I can't believe how grown up it makes her. I'm going to have to talk to her about that. LOL
I'm very excited about Christmas! It will be so much fun to watch all these kids opening their gifts this year. I will try to take lots of pictures.LOL I've even toyed with the idea of each child opening a gift and then actually taking that gift out and letting them play with it before they open another gift. It just seems a little overwhelming to have the free for all that we usually get each year. We'll see. I'm sure I'll be out voted anyway.lol
Well, all the gifts are bought, all the cookies have been made and given away, and the house doesn't look too bad.LOL I think that's the best I've been able to do for a few years now. I've got a few more things I'd like to do around here before Christmas day but I'm pretty happy.
I've got Big Plans for the New Year! I'm going to be choosing a room each month in the house to overhaul. I will ruthlessly go through that room and throughout that month I'll look for something to make that room look nicer. Maybe paint some rooms, maybe some nice pictures for another. The plan is to make this house my home this next year. I'll be praying through each room hoping to make each area a blessing to our lives. I'm already dreaming about different rooms.LOL I'd LOVE to put a bottle glass back splash behind my oven and wall and then paint the rest of the kitchen a real pretty blue. I'd love to repaint the dining room, maybe something a little darker than the kitchen, but of the same color palette. Eric and I have decided to start saving up for dark wood floors throughout the house and a nice tile floor for the kitchen. That will have to wait though.LOL Of course I'll be taking photos.LOL
I've got plans for our school time too. Evie needs more time with me and Isaac is itching to do more too. We'll be stepping things up a bit in January. I'd like to get back to my roots and follow Charlotte Mason more. I love short lessons. I love teaching nature study, drawing, poetry, and music. No more just the basics for us! That's just not fun.LOL
The bigger kids are plugging along and will be needing more subjects soon. I've been bringing the older kids back down to the table to work. It's nice to have us back together! It also helps me to know where the kids are each day instead of having to catch up on the weekends.
Well, I guess I'm all talked out now.LOL It's going to be a good year next year. I'm Choosing Joy!
Blessings,
7 comments:
Wow, Lisa, you are doing great with your Christmas prep! Way to go! I am no way close to being done. Oh, well, I guess I'll be done on Christmas...as much as that is.
You and I are on the same page as far as homeschooling. I'm doing a major revamp and getting back to what has worked for us in the past.
Your plans sound great, Lisa! I love your idea for opening gifts. We have done this since we started having kids after participating in the melee with Greg's family. I hated that I had spent so much time trying to pick out a thoughtful gift for each of them but couldn't see them open it because everyone was opening at the same time. This was when there was only one child involved, so we were all adults! It was ridiculous!
Lisa,
You're posts are always so uplifting and encouraging! Thank you for your sweet spirit and open honesty. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who struggles and it's great to be challenged in my daily duties. ("Wow! Lisa's doing THAT? I've gotta do something like that, too! If she can do it, I can do it!" etc.) I completely understand the need to step away from the computer, but just know that your posts are helping others. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and new year! Thanks for the photo! Boy, have the kids grown! All my cards are written, but still waiting to get that photo taken! Love you guys!
Well, Debbie, once Christmas comes you have my permission to say that you got everything done.LOL What didn't get done this year, will be easier to get done next year. That's what I've been telling myself these days.
I can't wait to revamp our schooling. It's been a long road back to where we started but I think we're going to be much more thankful this year.
Linda,
I think it's a great plan and I'm praying that everyone else will agree.LOL It is a mess and it takes days before we even know if someone liked something. It was also way too much for the littles last year. I'm praying that things will seem less crazy for them if we do things slower.
Mylinda,
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words! I love this blog and will continue to write but I must give the kids and dh my first and best and right now that takes most of my time. I know that things will get easier as they get older but right now they are quite the handful.LOL I'm glad that you liked the photocard! They are growing and getting so old! Good thing I didn't include a photo of myself.LOL
To all of my friends:
Have a wonderful Christmas and may God bless you all!
Lisa
Fun to hear your thoughts, Lisa.
I love Allison's new hair cut.
I like the idea of focusing on one room a month - that makes it seem so much more manageable....I always try to do one room a day or one room a week - and then I'm totally overwhelmed. I may steal your idea.
YOU GO GIRL! Sounds like you have LOTS of plans. You've probably noticed that I haven't had much blogging time either. Tis the season I suppose.
Are you going to make a sidebar icon - a room a month challenge sounds FUN!
Yep! I'll probably have an icon and everything! I hope to get each room in order AND do something to make this house a home next year. Should be LOTS of fun!
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