The Simple Woman's Daybook #81

Outside my window...as Winnie the Pooh would say, it's a blustery day.

I am thinking...about decorating the new house.

 
I am thankful for... a very hard working husband.

 
I am wearing...brown yoga pants, aqua t-shirt.

 
I am remembering...lazy summer days.

I am creating...a household filled with grace.

I am going... to somehow manage to pack and clean this entire house while continuing to babysit and educate my children in the next 4.5 weeks.

I am reading...blogs.

 
I am hoping... to feel WELL very, very soon!

 
On my mind... the best way to support my husband.

From the learning rooms... finishing Samuel(appropriately and accidentally timed right before a Bible quiz meet), Ruth, Greek mythology and lessons in obedience.

Noticing that... I have laid-back kids.

 
From the kitchen... crock-pot red beans and rice tonight. Last night we had whole wheat calzones and THESE TRIPLE LAYER PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIES. I made a real ganache using cream instead of cool-whip like the recipe calls for.

Around the house...a freshly mopped floor makes me happy.

One of my favorite things... blogging.

 
Praying for...a healthy family. One of us has been sick non-stop since I started babysitting 5 or 6 weeks ago.

A verse to share..."Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." Deuteronomy 5:33

A lyric or two...

Draw me close to you,

Never let me go,

I lay it all down again,

To hear you say that I'm your friend.

You are my desire,

Nothing else will do.

'Cause no one else can take your place,

To feel the warmth of your embrace.

Help me find a way,

Bring me back to you.

You're all I want!

You're all I've ever needed!

You're all I want!

Help me know you are near.

A few plans for this week...dance, piano, packing, sub sale, Bible quiz meet, and children's choir rehearsal.

A picture thought...

Lukas took this on his camera. I love that Ava is striking a pose for him.

If you enjoy dwelling on the simple things in life and want to participate in this, CLICK HERE to read all about it and join us! Leave me a comment so I know to check out your blog to see your post!

Weekly Wrap-Up: Almost Forgotten

I had a busy week this past week and realized this afternoon that I never posted a weekly wrap-up. I actually stumbled upon something I wanted to share, so I'm writing my wrap-up tonight while I watch the Oscars. I seriously love watching the Oscars, and I love Anne Hathaway (though I don't love all her choices). I'm so glad she's hosting (Okay, enough about the Oscars...moving on).

I already mentioned this week's big, fantastic, educational discovery, but I'll mention it again for those of you who hop over here just to read the weekly wrap-up. I found THIS when I googled "story starters." My kids absolutely LOVE it! Since assigning them ONE story to write using the story starters on this site, they have each written many, many more on their own time, and they even wrote them with some friends who were here on Friday. I've had two other moms tell me that they're using them or planning to use them with their kids. Check it out if you have kids in K-6. They're perfect for fun writing activities!

I put some time into researching history curricula this week. A friend came over and showed me what she used, which I enjoyed. I also looked on-line at Mystery of History, and it seems like it might be a good choice. Last night, I looked a little at Story of the World at our local Christian bookstore, but I'd really rather see it and chat about it with someone who is using it so that I know how it really works. I read a little aloud to my kids (while I was seriously plopped on the floor in the back corner of the store...heehee). I had about 3 sentences read before Lukas stopped me to say, "Ooooh! This is SO much better, Mom!" My only concern is that I get the impression that it doesn't have a strong Biblical tie-in. Anyone have any other great ideas for studying history that isn't a textbook approach? The downside of researching curricula this time of year while I'm using curriculum that we're not enjoying, is that that we're getting so excited for next year and still need to work through this year's curriculum anyway.

This is also the week that we confirmed that we got the house where we'll soon be moving. Yay! The kids have moved from "I REALLY hate the idea of moving" to "I am SO excited about living in that house!" Prayers are being answered! Soon I may be posting questions about "How to build a clubhouse to Lukas' specifications" or "How do you tell if a paint color is obnoxious or exactly what you want?" It's a fine line, isn't it?

On another completely non-academic note, my husband and I went to see Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith on Thursday. Oh. My. GOLLY! It was fantastic! They sang all kinds of old stuff that I grew up listening to in the early 90s. I sang so many Amy Grant songs in church as a teen. It brought back so many incredible memories. If you have the opportunity to see them, I highly recommend that you go! It is well worth the ticket price (of course, mine was a birthday gift, but I would have paid it!).

That's a wrap for this week. I guess we didn't have too much going on, did we? Sometimes a regular, somewhat normal week is the best!

That's a wrap on this week's happenings. For more creative ideas, words of wisdom and general info about the ins and outs of homeschooling, visit Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

Encouraging Moments

 

When Mom says come,
I jump and run.

I don't ask why,

And I don't cry.

I smile and say,

Yes, Mom, okay.

Is this not completely adorable? Don't you just love it? I do. I would have enjoyed teaching this little rhyme to my kids when they were pre-schoolers. What a great, simple way to teach the meaning of Godly obedience. I don't know about your kids, but, even though my kids are now 9 and 7, they haven't completely mastered this concept of biblical obedience yet, so they'll be copying this during our school time on Monday.

Where did I find this little tidbit of wisdom? Encouraging Moments e-newsletter, a weekly newsletter sent directly to your in-box from the publishers of Eternal Encouragement Magazine.

As a homemaker and mom, I am always seeking out ways to be an encouragement to others. I'm certain this is because I need so much encouragement for myself. After all, God created us to be in relationships with each other because he gifted us all differently. If I need to be blessed, challenged or reminded that other wives and moms face the same things that I face, then I can only expect that other women need the same thing.

Encouraging Moments e-newsletter is an easy way to get a weekly dose of the kind of Godly wisdom and encouragement that moms like me are looking for. The newsletter is brief and requires only a few moments of your time, just like the name suggests, but you get so much from those few well-spent minutes.

The weekly newsletter begins with an uplifting and spiritually challenging note from Lorrie Flem, the creator of Eternal Encouragement (previously entitled TEACH Magazine). Lorrie is a gifted writer and speaker and has written countless articles that have blessed me time and again. Even her Facebook posts are thought provoking! God has blessed her with Godly wisdom and inspired her to share it with other wives and moms. I am so glad that He did!

My favorite quote from Lorrie's brief but moving introduction to last week's newsletter actually came from Lorrie's mom in reference to the Bible. "Either sin will keep you from this book, or this book will keep you from sin." I found this simple quote to be so filled with wisdom that I am posting it where my family can see it along with a photo of a Bible! I always find something that I love within anything published by Eternal Encouragement!

The poem which I quoted at the beginning of this review came from my favorite part of the newsletter, "Chick Flicks for Mom"

Isn't that a clever name? It caught my attention, and I had to check it out. These videos are short clips, maybe 3 or 4 minutes long, in which Lorrie gives you words of wisdom on things like parenting, serving the Lord, homemaking, and marriage. Lorrie is brief, witty and warm, and you'll love hearing what she has to say! The only catch is that, after watching one Chick Flick, you may be tempted to go back and listen to another...and another...and another. I was!

"Encouraging Moments" is an e-newsletter that I actually want to read, that I am now looking forward to receiving each Thursday. Besides what I've already mentioned, you'll also find articles by other Eternal Encouragement authors, information about upcoming events, snippets from the week's Facebook posts, TEACH Magazine's store discounts and more! It's completely worth the price. FREE!!!! That's right, it's completely, totally 100% FREE! So what can you lose from checking it out? All you have to do is go to www.homemakingwithteach.com and sign-up!

If you want to get more opinions on "Encouraging Moments," click over to the GABBY MOMS website to see what other Gabby Moms have to say about it. There are 60 of us, and you may just find more than a review or two to read. You may find a fellow mom with whom your heart resonates! 

I am reviewing Encouraging Moments as an official member of The Gabby Moms blogging program for Eternal Encouragement magazine.  I did not receive compensation for this post and all opinions are solely my own.

She Writes

I can't help it. I just have to post this. Ava has been what might be called a reluctant reader. It isn't that she is behind. It's more like she just doesn't want to do it, so she puts the least amount of effort into reading as she can. She does things to distract herself on purpose so that she can try to get away with reading only a few pages during her 20 minute lesson. She tells me things like, "Art is more funner," or "Can't I just color instead?" Yes, she's a creative kid. I keep telling myself that her lack of effort in learning to read has, thus far, not stunted her ability to learn the skills necessary for reading at an appropriate level. She can read. She just doesn't like to. And? If you ask her to read something for you, she will probably tell you she can't. Most of the time, she can. All this has lead us to consider her to be reluctant to read.

Ava is not, however, reluctant to write. She started writing letters on her own when she was 3. This caught me by surprise because her brother, who has always been an advanced reader, refused to do any writing until he was a couple months into kindergarten. Ava loved to write letters. For about a year, she has also loved to write words independently. This means that she wants to write what she chooses to write, not necessarily what I want her to write.

The one part of school that both of my kids absolutely beg for is the opportunity to do a creative writing exercise. We've been spending more time on writing since the beginning of January. The kids have been loving the creative process (though the idea of having to edit and write a polished copy does cause a few complaints from the boy child).

Yesterday, I decided to search for some new story starter ideas. We love the Write Shop Story Builders, but we needed something new. I googled and found THIS on the Scholastic website. My kids were ecstatic! Ava drew a picture and dictated a postcard greeting to me, which she will copy tomorrow. Lukas wrote the longest story he has ever written for me. Three pages! Remember, he doesn't like to write (i.e. physically writing, not the creative process of story telling. He LOVES that!).

Today, when school was finished, the kids begged me to let them go to the Scholastic site and write another story. Um...why would any mom say no to that? Both kids sat together at the table writing and illustrating for 45 minutes. These stories will not be edited. They will not be given any constructive criticism. These are stories which are just for fun. I couldn't be more thrilled. Independent learning rocks!

All this is to say that Ava wrote a story on her own. She didn't ask for help. After she did the story inspired by the Scholastic prompts, she wrote this:

Heelo sede Rpunsl. Rpunsl sede This is my husbin Flin sede Rpunsl.

Rpunsl I amm Soosin. I amm sevi yers luod sede soosin. 


Funee rit?


I anm Rpunsl sede Rpunsl. OK ur Soosin. Say my nam. 


Rpunsl sede Soosin.


Soosin sede Rpunsl. Soosin wisht and sede I wish I wish that I had a lovelee littl booka uf flaourc. 


This is funee rit?

I know it's rough, so I'll translate (I have the benefit that she read it aloud to me).


"Hello," said Rapunzel. Rapunzel. Rapunzel said, "This is my husband, Flynn," said Rapunzel.


"Rapunzel, I am Susan. I am seven years old," said Susan.


(Funny, right?)


"I am Rapunzel," said Rapunzel. "OK, you're Susan. Say my name."


Susan said, "Rapunzel." Susan wished and said, "I wish, I wish that I had a lovely bouquet of flowers."


(This is funny, right?)

It makes little sense, but it's funny, right? Okay, so maybe not. Humor me.  Everything is spelled incorrectly. I don't care. She wrote it completely and totally by herself. No coaching. No prodding. No asking for help to spell words. No complaining that she had to write too many sentences and wanted to play. She wrote. And then she read it to us.

This is a moment at which I am reminded that all this stuff I do matters. When I feel like I'm not giving my best because my mind is scattered in too many places, my kids are independently striving toward the next step in their learning process without me. Amazing. God is carrying us through!

Ava writes. Ava reads. Someday, I hope that she'll even read willingly. One step at a time. One...Step.

The Simple Woman's Daybook #80

Outside my window...it is FREEZING and RAINING.

I am thinking...that spontaneous mother-daughter dates rock.

 
I am thankful for... the community of people where I grew up. They also rock.

 
I am wearing...black yoga pants, green top.

 
I am remembering...things that I love like the Coshocton County Fair, Canal Days Parade, trips to "Amish Country," long walks on the tow path and people who are genuine and caring.

I am creating...lists. Lots of lists.

I am going... to move (yes, this is an official announcement).

I am reading...blogs.

 
I am hoping... for a miracle...still.

 
On my mind... What if?

From the learning rooms... Joshua, Samuel review for an upcoming Bible quiz meet, astronomy, and lessons in character development and sibling relationships.

Noticing that... my children are brave.

 
From the kitchen... leftovers tonight, but last night we had homemade white chicken chili and homemade corn bread.

Around the house...A pile of laundry is sitting next to me. I keep hoping it folds itself, but, so far, it's not happening.

One of my favorite things... watching my kids reunite with their dad at the end of his workday.

 
Praying for... Mom's strength and healing as she begins chemo treatment this week, and also praying for the right house and peace that gives us assurance that we've found the right place.

 

A verse to share..."The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set liberty to those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19

A few plans for this week...babysitting, school, choir rehearsal, a trip to Lifeway to decide on kids' choir music and enjoying my birthday gift from my in-laws, which is a ticket to the Two Friends Concert featuring Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant!!!!!

 

A picture thought....

 

 

 It is easily as delicious as it looks!

If you enjoy dwelling on the simple things in life and want to participate in this, CLICK HERE to read all about it and join us! Leave me a comment so I know to check out your blog to see your post!

Weekly Wrap-Up: The Mummification of The Little Mermaid

 
We have been blessed with glorious weather this week. In fact, we're going to make our first stop the park when we leave to run errands later this evening. The kids played outdoors as soon as they finished their breakfast both yesterday and today. They ran out the door after completing each school task. We read our read-aloud and practiced Bible quizzing on the patio. We went for a nice, long walk to the local elementary school playground yesterday (the school is currently closed and scheduled for demolition, but the playground is still usable). I'm not forgetting that it is still "winter," but I am surely enjoying these warmer temps while I can! 

This week began with Valentine's Day. I created a fun, simple craft that we used for family devotions on Monday evening. Using construction paper, we made flower pots with heart shaped flowers growing from them. We looked up several Bible verses about God's love for us and then chose our favorite references to write on our flowers. Lukas had the idea to write a full verse on the pot, and I was so proud of him for this because we've been talking a lot about not doing the "bare minimum" that is required of us. The fact that he did more than was asked of him was fantastic, especially since I know how much he loathes writing. Eric and I also completed the project (this always thrills the kids). It made for a unique way to spend our family devotional time. Here are the kids' projects:

The new vocabulary study that I mentioned last week is going well. Looking up the Greek words that Lukas had previously been studying took him anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Seriously. There were 5 words. Writing the sentences with those same words took almost as long. This week? The five vocab words I gave him took him about 20 minutes to accomplish, and the sentence writing was quick and painless as well. Lukas actually said, "Wow. This went fast. I guess I'm getting better at using the dictionary." YES!!!!

The favorite project of the week? Mummifying Barbie. I got this idea from A Book of Artrageous Projects by Klutz that was recently given to Ava. My kids have been waiting to complete this project for a couple weeks. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I'm looking for ways to spice up our study of history. This project definitely fit the bill. Here are several pictures for your enjoyment.

First, the kids decorated the coffin.

Next, we added jewels and food items so that Ariel would be well supplied (the kids chose all these items themselves, and I found the food choices to be humorous).

After that, we embalmed Ariel. Much to our delight, the manufacturer had already removed all her internal organs, which saved us a lot of time (heehee). We rubbed her body with embalming oil (uh-hem...baby oil), and then we were supposed to pour salt over her, but someone forgot that part (uh-hem...me). I skipped this picture as Ariel was rather inappropriately exposed. 

After Ariel was properly prepared for burial, we wrapped her in the finest linen cloth we could find.

She was solemnly placed into her final resting place.

The kids tried really hard to put symbols on the coffin that matched those they saw on the photos in the book we were using.

This was probably one of the craziest and most fun projects we have done all school year. The kids LOVED it!

That's a wrap on this week's happenings. For more creative ideas, words of wisdom and general info about the ins and outs of homeschooling, visit Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

Where I Am

The past week has been rough. I've been living in a fog and not really caring much about anything. I've written several blog posts that are very raw and revealing, but none of them were well written, so none of them have been posted. I've prayed a lot. I've read the word. I've worshiped. I've cried more than anything. I've had days during which I ate almost nothing and days where I made very poor food choices. I've exercised little. I've spent too much time thinking. I've talked on the phone with my Dad...Mom...sister...friends. I've chatted on-line with a few friends. I've done only the things I have most needed to do. The kids were fed. Baby Z was cared for. School was taught, though not very efficiently. Laundry was washed.

My mom went for surgery last Wednesday. The surgeon intended to do a total hysterectomy and to remove some lymph nodes from her abdomen. 90 minutes into what was supposed to be a 3.5 hour surgery, the doctor came to see Dad and me. They didn't do the hysterectomy. Mom's cancer had spread throughout her abdomen. Stage 4. Aggressive. Chemotherapy. All words I didn't want to hear.

The prognosis isn't good. I've had a few people tell me that 2-3 years is better than the 2 months she would have if she refused chemo, and I don't disagree. But 2 years? That's not enough, and it makes my heart ache.

Don't get me wrong. I believe in an all-powerful God who could choose to heal her, and, while I believe that He can, I have to be prepared to accept that her total healing may not happen this side of heaven, and that is a thought that makes my mind race...makes my eyes well up...makes me angry...and sad...and so many other things.

My mama has stage 4 inoperable cancer.

Today I decided to get out of the house. Did I really, really want to? Nope. I have to force myself to do anything right now, so I began my day by telling my children that, after school was complete and Baby Z had her first nap, we would be going for a walk. It's the best thing I could have done. Otherwise, I would have stayed home and missed this beautiful weather and the exercise. It is a rare 60ish degree day, and I'm so glad I made myself go. I feel better, like I did something right today, like I did something normal because so little feels normal right now.

I know I can't go on like this forever. I know I have to take care of myself so that I can take care of my family and even Mom. But I am grieving so much right now. I feel so much guilt over this. I really do. It's like I don't trust God enough to do the right thing, or that I don't believe that the possibility of God taking her could ever be the right thing. What my heart feels and my head believes are not the same thing right now. I'll get there. I'm sure I will. God will see me through this. He has already carried me through so much. But this? It's bigger.



I'm praying for a miracle. I'm praying that Mom responds well to the chemo. I'm praying for healing for her body, mind and soul. Join me? And, if you don't mind, pray for the rest of us. Dad, sister, children, husband, brother-in-law, aunts, uncles, niece and nephews. So many people love my mom. We're all hurting right now and trying to sort this out.


I never saw this coming. I never imagined what this would feel like. I never saw myself wearing these shoes.

The Simple Woman's Daybook #79

Outside my window...the snow is almost gone.

I am thinking...that I don't want to think anymore.

 
I am thankful for... a Savior who carries with me through the darkest situations.

 
I am wearing...black yoga pants, orange top.

 
I am remembering...baking cookies, learning to cook, watching re-runs and soap operas on snow days, eating chicken noodle soup with extra noodles and lunch dates...all with my Mom.

I am creating...special Valentine memories.

I am going... to survive. I hope.

I am reading...Taste of Home Magazine.

 
I am hoping... for a miracle.

 
On my mind... cancer.

From the learning rooms... I'm so scattered right now. I would have to look at my plan book just to be able to tell you.

Noticing that... children and babies provide great distractions from the details of life.

 
From the kitchen... heart shaped cinnamon vanilla pancakes with oats in them. They were delicious.

Around the house...since I ignored every chore for 4 days, I'm going to choose laundry as the one that gets most of my attention today. It's my favorite.

One of my favorite things... doing simple things to make my sweet ones feel loved.

 
Praying for... Mom. Healing. A miracle. Pain management.

A lyric or two...

 

Holy God Precious Light…I am Your sacrifice

For my words aren’t enough…So I give You my life

Come and kiss this place…I am humbled by Your grace

There is nothing I want more…Than to feel Your warm embrace.

Come reveal Yourself to me…Cause You’re all I want to see

If I only had one glimpse…It would last eternally

Lord I long just to see…Take me back to the tree

Show me sweet mysteries…Of Your love shed for me

Come and kiss this place…I am humbled by Your grace

There is nothing I want more…Than to feel Your warm embrace

 

A verse to share...He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.I Corinthians 1:8-9

A few plans for this week... moving past being numb to actually living my life.

 

A picture thought....

Cinnamon Vanilla Oat Heart-Shaped Pancakes for Valentine's Day

If you enjoy dwelling on the simple things in life and want to participate in this, CLICK HERE to read all about it and join us! Leave me a comment so I know to check out your blog to see your post!

Weekly Wrap-Up: 35

  

It's my birthday. I'm trying to pretend that I'm only 34 because being half-way through my 30s puts me closer to my 40s than I currently want to believe (go ahead and frown upon me readers who are wisdom filled with more years than I under your belt). My Mom became a grandmother at 42. I'm so not there yet, so can I just stay 34? Nah. I'm so not that girl. I've always believed women should embrace whatever age they are. It's another year which the Lord has given me. I'll be 35, and I'll do it boldly!

Making me feel extra special on my birthday is this beautiful mini rose plant from my sweet friend, April. It has nothing to do with school, but I wanted to post it here anyway.

This year I decided we would do lots of Valentine crafts because we never seem to do enough. Here are photos of the fun crafts we've done this week(note: "Lots" of crafts didn't quite happen because of personal issues which I won't share in this post):

 This idea can be found HERE. The kids wrote the names of people they love or typical Valentine greetings on the hearts. Mine is in the center since they love it when I do a craft with them. Plus, it just made the door look prettier to hang all three.

 This idea came from my friend, Stacy's, blog, which you can find HERE. She's well worth a visit!

We also began a project which was supposed to be finished two weeks ago, but I don't have a copier at my house and I had some miscommunication with my principal who is in charge of copying duties. We're creating scale models of the Biblical tabernacle. I am grateful to My Father's World for providing all that we need to create this project, but I can't tell you the last time I so desperately did not want to finish a project. If I hadn't heard my children say at least 10 times, "This is the coolest project ever," it would so not be done. When we get it finished, we will feel accomplished. I'll post pictures for your viewing delight.

On Wednesday, our principal filled in as a substitute teacher. The children were delighted by this, especially when he pulled out the Book-it certificates that I continuously(i.e. we haven't used a single one before this week) forget we have and treated them to a lunch of free personal pizzas. Do you know that homeschooling families can participate in the Pizza Hut Book-It program? If you don't know about the program, it's so much fun! Basically, you determine how many books your children should read each month (or you can do it by the number of hours or whatever works for your kids), and they get a free pizza certificate once they accomplish it. It is for grades K-6 and runs from October through March.

I remember loving Book-It when I was a kid (when it first began in the 80s!). It wasn't really about the pizza. It was about the Saturday lunch date with Mom. We went to Pizza Hut, and we had girl time (back then, Dad wouldn't touch pizza, though he succumbed to eating it by the time we were in high school). I loved those moments. That's the kind of moment my kids got to have with Daddy on Wednesday. The program is almost finished for this year, but go to the website and read about it so that you can get signed up for the next school year!

Using the Sonlight readers that I mentioned last week is going well for Ava (and there were great sighs of relief from every corner, nook and cranny of the McHousehold). She has been reading Little Bear this week, which, incidentally, I somehow never realized is illustrated by Maurice Sendak. She loves that it is a "chapter book." Her desire to read more grown-up books is appeased, and my desire to not have to deal with her bad attitude every single day is also appeased. Ava is also reading from The Growing Reader Phonics Bible a couple days each week. She loves it, and it's quite humorous for us grown-ups to listen to as well.

I decided to nix the Latin vocab that Lukas was studying all year. At first, he thought it was an acceptable task each week. By mid-October, he was hating it. He doesn't enjoy using the dictionary at all (is that a skill anyone is supposed to enjoy?). We actually nixed the Latin vocab a while ago, but I was still building his dictionary skills in other ways. This week, I decided to google 4th grade vocab lists and have him use the dictionary to actually build a usable vocabulary rather than the Latin vocab. Don't get me wrong. There's a time and place for a Latin study. We're just so not there this year. It's been one crazy school year around here. 

Anyway...I gave Lukas five words which I found from a random list HERE. I made sure they all started with a different letter so that he had to flip all over the dictionary to find them. He defined them at the beginning of the week, and later in the week, I had him write sentences with them. Today, I verbally quizzed him. Yep. He knew them. I think we'll keep doing this for a while because he needs to grow those dictionary skills. Isn't it fun how we homeschooling moms get to force our kids to do all the things that are their least favorite? Yeah. Not so much, but this too must be accomplished!

Back to my birthday...My children worked hard to show me love today. If Ava told me "Happy Birthday" once, she said it 50 times. Lukas showered me with hugs. They indulged my desire to have them help me bake. They decorated their Valentine crafts in "Valentine colors" to appease me only because it was my birthday, and Lukas didn't complain about my choice of dinner entree only because it was my birthday. Heehee! Those are the kinds of lessons our kids need to be learning. Loving one another is one of the greatest lessons I will ever teach them. Today, I am confident that they are well on their way to knowing how to love someone and to make them feel super special. I love my kids...so very much!

For more Weekly Wrap-Up posts, visit 

Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers.