Schools Out!

We made it!  There were days I wasn't sure we'd ever get there. Between Princess Sunshine's birth, and 6 weeks of non-stop strep in my house, we got a little behind schedule.  But, we made it!  I'm so glad.  It's been a very long year.  At times I questioned if the year was a waste, but I know I'm where God wants me, so it can't be a total waste.  I've been prayerfully considering what to use for a curriculum next year and I'm excited that God is dropping me helpful hints :).  All I had to do was take that first step and then seek His guidance.  I'm getting excited for next year! 

This summer we have some "projects" I want to get completed around the house.  Hopefully my list is realistic and I can actually get some of them accomplished. We'll see.

Daddy's Girl

Recently my computer was shut down wrong and Windows decided to lock me out.  Long story short, after 2 weeks of trying to get back in, we ended up starting from scratch.  We have an external harddrive and were hoping it did its job.  Well, lets just say, we were a little disappointed. We lost quite a few pictures, and about 2 months of business estimates and contracts, for my hubbies business.  Not a tragic loss, but I was disappointed because I lost some really good pics. 


Anyway, in looking through the ones that made it, I found this one. This is my first born daughter, and she is such a daddy's girl!  She thinks the world of him. I love reminiscing, and thought I would share it, seeing as it was Father's Day weekend!

You can find more great pics at Shutter Love Tuesdays

 

Stepping Out in Faith

After we began the school year last fall, I felt God was telling me it was time for a different curriculum.  Me, not wanting to change after I had started, just kept moving in the direction I had been headed.  My problem is that, most of the time, I am a black & white person.  I want to know where I'm going and when.  Then the getting there won't be the hard part.  So, to change curriculums mid-year did not sound like fun to me.  After all, I've only ever used one curriculum, and I've been using it for the past four years.  That would have meant (in my mind) taking time to look into a new curriculum(s) . . . . and then what would happen if I didn't like it or it wasn't working for the girls!?!?! 

All these months later, I wish I had listened to God. I may not be struggling to finish the year if I had just stepped out in faith.  So, when our computer crashed almost 3 weeks ago, it left me with some time to think about things.  I knew what God had told me, but I forgot the most important part.  He won't take the steps for us.  If we don't take that first step how can He lead us?  Just knowing He told us to do something isn't enough.  We need to act on it. 

I'm still not 100% what I'm using for a couple of subjects, but now that I'm moving in the right direction, I'm excited to see where God will lead us for next year. 

~Kristine

A New Approach to Cleaning Clutter

Every time I have a newborn in the house I struggle to keep up with the housework.  I start to feel overwhelmed because there just aren't enough hours in a day to get everything done.  Most days I'm doing good if I can get a load of laundry done and have dinner on the table before bedtime.  Once I start to feel overwhelmed I don't do anything.  If I don't have time to clean it to my satisfaction then I don't spend any time on it at all.  Before you know it you're buried in housework.  And for me, I'm embarrassed that it has gotten out of control.  I know I'm not alone and here's another tip on making it work.

If you have one specific area that is an overwhelming problem, or one that you have the hardest time keeping clean, there's hope.  For me it's our island.  Everyone uses it as a dump all.  If they don't want there little sisters to be able to reach, if it needs to be fixed,  if you don't know where to put it, things going out, things coming in.....you get my point.  It all gets put there.  Not to mention, we've been considering moving.  With that in mind I've been using my island as a staging area for things to get rid of, pack, etc.  With 8 of us it feels like a never ending battle.  Just when I get it clean its a mess within a day or two.

So here's my challenge to myself, and to you.  Spend just 10 - 15 minutes everyday on that one spot.  Now here is where it may be a challenge.  It has to be EVERY day.  Here's why.  I tried this last week.  I did great for about 4 days and noticed a huge improvement.  Then we had a couple of busy days and it got pushed to the bottom of my list and didn't get done.  In those 2 days I missed, I had undone my 4 days of work.  So, I'm going to try again this week and see how I do.  Last week proved to me that it needs to be every day not just on days the piles start stacking up.  Anyone want to join me?  I plan on posting my before and after pictures next week.