Simple Woman

Outside my window…

I am thinking…
I have two secrets involving my kids and I can’t tell either one of them! Very frustrating for me since blogging is such a big part of how I process things.  One is heart warming, one heart breaking, and both will work themselves out in the near future.

I am thankful…

for the strong example of motherhood that my mother and grandmother provided me as I continue to break new ground in the motherhood department. I am also blessed with good examples in my sister and my best friend who encourage me every step of the way.

From the learning rooms…

• Gabe and Noah are starting “As I Lay Dying” by Faulkner.  (What a gawd awful book!  Be glad when we are done with it – we haven’t done much reading at all this week.)
  
  

  We are sort of in semi-vacation mode this week.  Concentrating mainly on math for Noah and reading and math for the girls. Gabe is taking a government class at a local charter school just to get it out of the way. 

• Spelling program per Dr. Holinga for all four kids is done.  Trying to figure out what to replace it with.  
• Instacert for History and start American History part 2 
• Apologia Science – Physical for Noah, Biology for Gabe, and  General for Izzy.
• Saxon math for all with math tutor for Gabe and Noah.
• Rosetta Stone Latin 3 – for Noah and Gabe
• Diane Craft reading program for Izzy. 
• The Long Winter.



• Pathway readers for Rosie and the Wand for Language arts.
• Mary Poppins for Rosie and Izzy. 

Rosie is attending an art camp at church this week too!

From the kitchen...
Baked chicken and lemon spice chicken for the troops when they get back from the lake this afternoon.

I am wearing…
black  skort (a pair of shorts with a skirt attached) flowed T.

I am creating…
a weed-free side yard and front – hopefully getting the patio section to look nicer too although I’m at a loss about how to go about it.  I was hoping to have a big “teen party” for Gabe since he will be 18 this month but he doesn’t want it, and I’m not going to plan and push for it.

I am going…

• walk every day
• Get in a strength and cardio video at least three times.
• get my kitchen in order – almost done with this.  I have a metal grid that holds things on it and it needs to be power washed and degreased.
• finish straightening up my office.
• prepare my notification for homeschooling next year. 

I am reading…

I am wondering…
how to go about making sure that Noah can get onto the Firestone Cross Country team now that this has become a state law. I hate it when I have to go in and ask for stuff like this.  Long-time readers might remember the whole swimming saga from 10 years ago or so. 

I am Hoping…

• That Calvin gets the job he interviewed for a couple of weeks ago.  He said the interview went really well.  He has also applied to three other jobs.  
• that I have the strength to manage a homeschool group and a soccer league. 
• that Gabe finds his way at the start of his senior year. 
• that the property I am selling from my father’s estate sells. 
• that I can endure all of the things I am called to endure – through Christ who strengthens me. 

I am Looking Forward To…
next weekend where there is almost nothing to do!

I am hearing…
the buzz in my left ear, the air conditioner and the computer – all white noise!

A Picture I am Sharing…

From one of my Flickr contacts, KPlaurence.  I love the look of this kitchen!  Especially the floors and the walls!