In my life this week… We shut down the “baby factory” due to medical issues of mine. It was not what we wanted, but after much prayer there just didn’t seem to be any other options left. Sigh. So that’s that.

In our homeschool this week… I’ve been in bed most of this week, trying to moderate homeschool from my room, while hubby has been in charge this week! It’s made for an “interesting” week that’s for sure. I have to admit, he’s been pretty awesome at the “science” side of things – with ideas that I had never thought of. That was pretty cool, though. . . .ummmm….. putting things away and keeping the stuff organized was not his forte. But beyond that, he’s really jumped in with both feet and done great! I’m so grateful that he’s so supportive of our homeschooling right now!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… I guess my best advice for the week is to let your hubby take the reins for awhile! At the very least, he’ll be very appreciative of all the hard work you put in every day!

Things I’m working on… Getting ready to pack up our house. And start the crazy next six months of our life where we’re going to live like nomads. I have just one more week until the packers arrive!

I’m cooking… Nothing! Ha! My mom came and cooked for us one day, and beyond that, we’ve had a super easy week!

I’m grateful for…  Such a wonderful group of family and friends that have been so supportive this past week. And for my hubbie who has held my hand through all of it.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

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In my life this week…  My husband and I had to have THE TALK. Yes, due to my health issues, we are officially shutting down the baby factory, so to speak. I was completely fine with it, until we set the date. And now I see babies everywhere and a close friend just had one two days ago and I got to hold it today, and yes, I’ve got major baby fever.

Sigh. It is the right decision. It is the right decision. It is the right decision.

Oh, and on top of all this, we’re getting ready for another major move. Always an adventure at our house.

In our homeschool this week… We are plugging right along! We finished R (Rock) and J (Jewel) this week, and started B (Butterfly). We have a butterfly kit, but since it’s completely the wrong season for it, I think we’re gonna make a bird feeder instead. Maybe two! (I’m itching to do the peanut butter on the pinecone one as well!)

I’m also almost finished with setting up our curriculum for first grade, which we should start next month. While living in a hotel. For two months. So, this is requiring me to be hyper hyper organized so I can take everything we need, but still fit it in the back of our car!

My favorite thing this week was…  My laminating machine! I have had a little too much fun with it this past week I think!

Also, I was able to “gift” a homeschooling friend with some preschool activity bags! She just had her fourth baby (under the age of five!) and mentioned she loved the idea, but just couldn’t find the time to put them together. So, since I was already doing these for my youngest, I just doubled whatever I was doing, and voila! Now she will have a fun little starter preschool homeschool set; which will hopefully help her keep the older ones occupied while she’s dealing with the new baby! (I got to hold the new baby today too. So tiny and cute!)

Things I’m working on… Our move. Getting our next curriculum completely ready to go. Our move. Did I mention we’re moving soon?

I’m reading… One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, and 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse by Ashley Pichea. (prayer for your spouse for 31 days).

I’m cooking… Everything! We’re trying to use up everything in our house! Today I made 2 boxes of muffins, 1 box of cupcakes, and two dinners (One for us, and one to give away)! I’ve got more defrosting for tomorrow . . .

I’m grateful for… For a totally awesome husband who has really stepped up this past week. And I know the next week, with my recovery, is going to be hard for him as well. So thankful for him!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share… “Everyone needs a place of quiet that is nurturing to your spirit, enriching your soul. What nurtures your heat and brings you closer to God?” –Sally Clarkson

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In my life this week…This week had some major highs and lows in it. We’re dealing with some behavioral issues – mainly with our oldest, but the younger is getting her terrible threes out as well. Sandwiched between Manic Monday and Seriously Awful Saturday, we had some really great days, and I thought we had pushed past the funk. Then Saturday hit and it was just a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Sunday morning I woke up feeling like I had a massive hangover, and ended up in bed until noon. It didn’t let up until after nap time.

We’re on the tail end of Daddy being in Afghanistan for a year, with just 20 days left. I think a lot of this is that we’re all burned out on this Unaccompanied Tour. Trying to figure out when to give slack and when to enforce towing the line.

In our homeschool this week… We are finishing up the unit on the letter C (Cow). We had another appointment following up on our oldest’s ADHD diagnosis, and visited a petting farm. We are also now reading two and three-letter words!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… Get one of those 12 inch paper trimmers (like scrapbookers use)! It has been a huge time saver for me. Who knew there be so much stuff I need to cut? I use it constantly. I also have a 3-hole punch and an electric pencil sharpener, that are my go-to tools.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… We have done a lot of running around this week. We had an appointment to follow-up on our oldest’s recent ADHD diagnosis. I got to get out on Friday night and went to scrapbook!

My favorite thing this week was… Two great things happened this week, that I wrote about earlier this week: My oldest prayed the sinner’s prayer,  and my youngest conquered her fears. These were such awesome moments this week!

What’s working/not working for us…  We have got to get out of the house more. We have got to more playgroups, more social interaction. My oldest needs more than she is getting, but I can’t seem to get any of the “homeschool playgroups” to work with our schedule (They seem to all be scheduled in the middle of nap time. What is up with that?) and can’t seem to get playdates to work. My girls are losing patience with me on this.

Questions/thoughts I have… I’m trying to decide if the MFW Preschool Curriculum is worth it. We’re starting to wean her off of preschool and start her homeschooling with us full-time. And since we’ll be cooped up in a hotel room for two months in early 2012, it’s going to be important that I have ways to keep her occupied while I do homeschool work with our oldest. I would supplement with worksheets I find online, since she likes to “real school” too. Would love to hear from anyone that has used this before!

Things I’m working on… the laundry. I’m also still working with a copywriter to revise my business website: www.jsmcareercoaching.com. I spent at least four hours on Tuesday reviewing the first draft. It’s looking good so far; though still quite a way to go until the completed project is live.

I’m reading… I just finished reading the Duggar’s book A Love that Multiplies, and right now I’m working my way through Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood through Adulthood by Edward M. Hallowell, MD. As dry as it sounds, it’s actually quite fascinating.

I’m cooking… nothing. I have done little to no cooking the past week.

I’m praying for… the next twenty days to pass quickly, productively, and cheerfully!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

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