Blessed

Life flies by so fast. It seems that you can never catch up. All the things that must be done the constant push and pull. Being dragged in so many directions. It can be so hard to find the quiet to spend with God. I keep working toward my daily conversations with my Lord much like a would a friend on the other end of the phone line. Just keeping Him up to date on whats been happing and praying He will help me through the tough times. Thanking Him for all He does to get me through each day.
Its hard this life I have chosen. But tell me who doesn't have difficulty? I love my live with a deep passion, I truly never knew I was capable of. I have found a strength and appreciation for who I am as a woman. A strong, passionate, prayerful, devoted, amazing woman. So yes life will continue to fly by me but I will ride the wave. I will great each new day with open arms just for the possibility it holds. For the unknown that hangs at its other side when the sun sinks below the horizon in its array of deep romantic colors. I will give praise to Lord who created it just for me, and thank Him for making me feel so special, so loved, and so very blessed.

Schedules,,,,,,Hmmmmm

Yup, schedules. This seems to be a problem and a solution to most of the other homeschool moms I know. Who, Where, When, and the big one, HOW.

So far this schedule seems to work pretty good for us. Of course some days are better than others. For some reason I can't quite seem to follow the "If it ain't broke don't fix it" philosophy. I always think there must be a better way. There is still to much not being done. Or at the very least a little more that could be added. This years major challenge has been homeschooling so many different grades and giving everybody all the time they need with me. I am constantly called away to a dirty dish or messy floor. Don't forget the crying baby or a toddler who wants to read a story. It is hard. Sometimes I forget that I am not alone in this. God is my partner in all of this. He called me to this vocation because he new I could handle it, why would he leave me high and dry. He is right next to me waiting for me to ask for help. I must remember to ask for help. ( a bit of a fault of mine) So I will not erase my schedule to only confuse my poor children more. I will merely be more attentive in helping them stay on it. The dishes will just have to wait a little while longer. The baby will sit in the sling and the toddler can paint me a master piece.

School Days

I went to a jewelry party yesterday. The gal selling the product was very sweet but like most people her eyes popped out of her head when she asked how many kids I have. She nearly fainted when I told her I home school all of them also. This is a reaction I have grown quite accustomed to and usually find amusing. That is unless their reaction is less than kind. (Hers was kind)








There used to be days that I would question our choice to home school our kids. Those days seemed to come less and less often as time went by.









Spending days with these kids is a gift, a gift I fear I almost completely missed out on. I may not be the worlds' most perfect teacher but when it comes down to it the love that overflows
from my heart for each of these little souls makes me the best choice.








Today I am sick as a dog. My head is pounding, my throat is raw and I wish I could crack open my skull to scratch the itch in my ears. The kids got the basics of their education today and three squares with a snack thrown in. This is a great accomplishment in my book.








We even got a few chores done. The greatest accomplishment for me though was hearing my kids play together and cheer each other on while playing a much earned game of x-box.








To God I send a giant Thank You for the blessings of my six little sweet peas.

summer memories

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Brother and Sisters

This is my little brother. Tony. He was here visiting us from TN for a month. It was the most time I 've spent with him since we were kids. I had forgotten over these 13 years what that connection to another feels like. That connection of a shared life. The memories we share how they are sometimes so much alike and other times so very different. The sense of loyalty we share is something I have always been aware of from my perspective. I however was humbled by the loyalty my brother showed to me while we were together. He has been gone a week now and I have missed him. It took everything I had to not cry when he left.
When people ask me why I have such a large family my response is usually that my brother and I hardly had time to grow up together after our parents divorced that it left me feeling much like an only child and I refused to allow that to happen to my kids. I wanted them to have lots of options of people who knew and loved them (even if that includes a slug now and again) . Now I haven't changed my mind about my kids having lots of love, I however have realised that I had it too and he is my heart. I love you toad.
P.S. Tony is moving back to michigan next week. Happy Day!!!!

Back to School

Well I survived our first week back to school. We added on new student, bumped one up from k to 1st grade and have a new baby to round it off. 4 grades in all plus the 2 year old and baby make for an incredible situation of chaos. My goal is to find an even ground of controlled chaos around here and Friday seemed to make a whisper of a promise that it was possible. I have followed Holly Pierlot's example of different kids doing different assignments at different times. This allows me to help in the areas needed while the rest do independent work. If it proves to be successful I might publish it here as an example for any of you. Until then I will be working on my prayer life so as not to go insane. Wish me luck:)

Something to ponder upon

I received this from a fellow homeschooler who lives in a nearby town. I was inspired to share this with you readers as I struggle to live this virtue and to lead my children to it.
God Bless you all.


JMJ From Our Church Paper........
Modesty
Modesty is one of those words that we often hear, but probably cannot formulate on our own a good definition. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes modesty as "refusing to unveil what should remain hidden" (CCC 2521). This definition comes from the article detailing the ninth commandment; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife and it is expressly referring to the way we dress and the battle for purity. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says "Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in her heart" (Matt. 5:28). It is notable that Jesus directly addresses men for he knows full well that men are attracted to women first through what they see. Women in turn are generally not as visually oriented in finding a man attractive. It is then a lifelong battle for Christian men to maintain custody of their eyes, for the devil uses images then thoughts to lead to the addictive sins of pornography and sexual immorality.
Sin affects the whole Body of Christ, the Church. We are all responsible for helping our brother and sister in the Lord to live moral lives. Unfortunately how women typically dress today does not reflect that love that one should have for her Christian brother. When clothing reveals more we should stop and ask why is that. We cannot blame the hot weather because typically it is only women who bear their midriffs, have low necklines, expose their back, or wear high slit dresses. It should be obvious that these are designed to attract the attention of men. Unfortunately what such clothing really says is "I am an object; and I want you to look at me." The truth is that women are made in the image and likeness of God and share in that dignity. To reduce oneself to an object to be reveled at does not befit the dignity of a human being.
We really have to be countercultural in our dress for the media and designers are bombarding us with images of the female body that do not equate with what we believe as Christians. We all have a responsibility. Women need to seriously examine what they wear. Husbands, fathers, and brothers, need to lovingly request of their loved ones, please do not wear that. I do not want others looking at you as if you were just a pretty object.
God Bless You, Deacon David Cybulski