A daily life of purpose

Recently, WJ and I decided to revisit the way our home runs on a daily basis. We needed a new schedule.  And we needed to stick to it.  Make it happen.  In order to see this through, we challenged ourselves to implement this way of life for 30 days.  

What spurred this challenge?  Well, the obvious reason was that I had a very rough time during the first trimester of this third pregnancy. Life as we knew it had stopped. Completely.  For two months.  I had no motivation, no drive to do anything from housework to home school.  Sadly I will admit, the other three members of my family had been entertained for weeks on Netflix & PBS Kids while I tried to keep myself out of the bathroom! I was so thankful when weeks 14-15 came around.  All sickness and aversions to the kitchen in general, subsided. Life began to look normal again.  I actually found myself craving healthy food and was able to focus on the fact that I have daughters and a husband!  

Back in March, I had made a decent attempt to revisit life; of course, this was just before we found out about Baby H growing inside the womb.  So, on my 37th birthday (of all days) WJ and I finalized our plan. Hoping to create habits that would stick, I had evaluated our awake hours and worked up a better schedule for home school, meal times, family/craft time, etc.  We discussed past experience and realized that we are truly a family unit that needs a schedule.  Our lives and home run better with a little organization and determination. 

WJ's conviction of this had a bigger purpose.  He talked of the importance of making the most of our time now when our days were simple.  One job.  Two kids.  Not much activity outside the home.  He said that if we could do this now, we would be ready for more children, more community and one day, hopefully, our own business.  Made sense to me. Succeed in the small things... etc., etc. 

So, we did it.  I am pretty pleased to say that we are in our 6th week and things have been so much better.  Aside from the whole family being attacked with a yucky stomach bug mid-summer, we have accomplished what we set out to do.  And this home has been so full of joy.  Considering I am now 23 weeks pregnant with our third child, the timing of this new way of daily living was impeccable.  The girls are happier about school, I am walking upright, albeit large, still upright.  And WJ has a better view of our future.  

So far this pregnancy has been a symbol of many things 'revisited' for us.  The focus now: living.  BEING instead of doing.  Of course the house is not spotless, we live here.  And our 'To-Do list' isn't completed every day.  But our hearts are in it.  We are attacking each day with purpose.  

My biggest lesson in this:  the more I began to focus on the little workings of our family and our new challenge, the less time I had to see the negative, or what we didn't have.  I became thankful for what we did have.  This simple time in our lives.  I also had no time to allow selfishness to rear its ugly head!  

Well, that sums up our little world for now.  Hope you all have had a terrific summer and are as excited to welcome the beautiful season of Autumn as I am.  (Although, in the South, its more of a mindset than a physical expression!)  

What are some ways you have re-worked life to run smoother on a daily basis?  Has the Lord shown you anything about your family that could be preparation for busier days ahead?  What season do your find yourself in?    

Life Revisited

This last month has been crazy.  Literally.  Finding myself in a slump... a dumpy place with no motivation to move, much less be a mommy.  Ever have those moments?  Well... welcome.  Life used to be so orderly, so scheduled.  But lately, in the words of my favorite blogger, Ann Voskamp, "I've traded perfection for a good dose of real."

I wondered so many times what in the world was happening to me?  Sure, WJ has a new schedule to which we have all taken longer to adjust.  But where did my 'drive' go?  Where did my passion for teaching, cooking and fitness go?  Just 2 months ago, I was so gung-ho!  Now, nothing.

I still don't have all the answers to this.  But I do know that God has shown me many things about myself and I'm realizing one major thing.  I AM NORMAL.  Never thought this before.  I'm always too hard on 'me'.  Too critical of my daily function.  I guess, since the creator of the universe already knew this, it was time for the big reveal.  And boy I am getting it.  I'm sure most of you reading this are smirking just a little.  If you are close to me then you knew this lesson was coming.  

I do not fault myself for wanting order in my home or a schedule that keeps me sane.  Some thrive on this.  Some hate it.  What I am learning is balance.  On days when reality collides with my mentally perfect world, I now know that I can survive it.  Its ok if the floors don't get swept, if the dishes are still in the dirty side of the sink when I wake up (ok, maybe only one or two nights a week!) The point is, life is about what we do, not how it looks.  I'm done with surface perfection.  This does not guarantee peace or happiness.

I am learning the seasons of motherhood, womanhood and wilderness.  And while this post may make no sense to anyone else, that is the beauty of it all.  

Life revisited from a 'normal' perspective.  My kids are safe.  They are fed and clean before bedtime (most nights).  I have simplified homeschool and we are on a much slower pace.  

Simplicity and balance.  This is my focus for the coming months. 

We will survive.  By grace and HOPE.  

Simplifying

I've always attempted to achieve more than is actually possible.  Goals have been set over my lifespan that, now looking back, are just simply ridiculous.  The last few months, it's been all about simplifying...  Life, family, housework & homeschool.  Especially homeschool. 

 

I've learned so much from other stay at home moms, from my own mom, from WJ and from daily communion with God.  While each of these have taught me in different arenas of preparing our girls for life, I have been most convicted of my 'perfection' mentality.  While I firmly believe in goal setting and lists, I have realized that I did not want this mindset to wreck the future of my girls' well being.  In the words of my own dad, "it's all about BALANCE".  And I am thankful for this stretching. 

Over Christmas break, I revisited our lesson plans, re-writing and stretching them out a lot.  We've gone from trying to spend 3-4 hours a day in 'school' to sometimes not even an hour!  I've found that Goose is still learning her core lessons without the pressure to perform.  In changing my high expectations, she's actually learning more quickly!  Prissy's just happy with a dry erase marker board, so I'm good for now. 

 

We have desk time for an hour every day (give or take). I have divided our other activities to cover the whole week instead of every day... Nature, Worship, & Art (or a combination of these because, after all, they can go together). We are continuing our study of the states; turns out Goose loves maps as much as I do which makes this Mama smile!  She is even beginning to help me read to Prissy at night, which is amazing.  While our schedule may be more laid back, and she may not be as advanced as some... I am content with living our own pace.  She will be taught order, organization and discipline as we continue living our lessons every day. 

 

Speaking of organization...

As far as housework... well, this is the biggest challenge for me.  I have strived to keep a neat house.  I love organization.  However, I also want my family to 'live'.  While we don't encourage chaos in the rooms of our home, I've adopted what a wise woman once termed the 'functional mess'.  If something seems messy, ask yourself, "is it functional?  is it active?"  meaning:  is it being used right now?  as in crafts, stuffed animal hospitals or the rock collection that is their dinosaur museum?  Even thought I still hold to the 'everything has a place' mentality, allowing a little wiggle room has freed my neurotic mind when it comes to the inner workings of our household!  I'm quite certain this has made the other three dwellers very happy.  For me, the adjustment is so enjoyable.  Who knew?  Well probably all of you! 

 

Life is every changing.  And to think this doesn't apply to the early years of raising children, or any year for that matter, is crazy.  I have found this big sigh of relief a wonderful thing.  While life may evolves, it certainly doesn't need my help in making it more difficult.

 

Now, let out a big sigh. 

Felt good didn't it?!?

 

 

The Homeschool Room

It is FINALLY finished...well, the furniture is in place and being used.  We still have some organization and storage issues to work out, but who doesn't? 

 

 

Here's a little peek into life as a homeschooling Harris.

 

The work space. 

WJ built the desk from an old crate & palletes. 

(more to come on that transformation soon)

 

 

We love Eric Carle! 

(found these in the bargain section at Target this week!  pretty excited)

 

 

The 'other wall'. 

Not sure if this set up is my favorite but it's versatile enough for now. 

 

 

 The prayer corner and Prissy's play area. 

 

 

Found these at Target too!  Not sure what their use will be,

but couldn't pass them up for $2.50 each.

 

 

  Part of the seasons wall. 

I found an additional drawing to Fall...Goose climbing. 

She takes after her Daddy just a little bit.

 

 

Prissy chewin on a new pencil. 

 Yes, I feed her.  ALL THE TIME.

 

 

Goose lovin' her space.

 

And of course no room in the Harris' household would be complete

without a touch of Christmas charm! 

The star was Goose' addition to her desk

as she, "Can't wait for snow & Christmas!"

 

 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Feel free to leave me some organization tips below.

I can use all the help, seeing as how I'm

working on the homeschool closet now.

 

 

the UN-curriculum and some new pics...

We have decidely made a decision?  that box curriculum does not fit Goose.  Maybe this is true for any 5 year old, but certainly not ours.  Result:  more of 'Mommy and the Lesson Plans' saga each week.  Oh, how I would love to be one of those moms who can set lesson plans in motion late July/early August for the ENTIRE YEAR!  Yes, those moms rock.  Not me.  We are too hands on and eclectic for that!  So, every Friday, when we are finishing up the week, I begin writing lessons.  I usually finish a few hours later, OR (if I pass out at the desk) wrap it up early Saturday morning.  I am constantly working on time management, but until then, it is a long planning process. WJ is not particularly accustomed to this process, but understands that I'm new at this and it takes time.    He is very good, and has been especially useful the last few weeks, in spending quality time with the girls while I 'plan'.  One day, I will stop finding new methods and things to do with the girls and stick to the basics... then again, maybe I won't (hence the eclectic side of my personality).  But in my defense, there are SO many resources out there!   I love looking at others' ideas on how they explain the water cycle, the how-to of teaching character traits to their little mirrors, or finding the answer to just one of the 20 questions at the dinner table, etc...etc. 

 

Our 'foreign exchange students'

 

Anyway, about our UN-curriculum.... 

 

"My World" This is compiled of calendar time, Pledge of Allegiance, memory verse, and songs for learning our name, address/phone number, days of the week and anything else I can teach to a tune. 

 

Math and Language Arts (aka CORE):  Lifepac by Alpha Omega (www.aophomeschooling.com).  These are the only workbooks we use.  I accompany these lessons with K4 activities & Letter of the Week units from www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com  and it works for us.  We spend a good amount of "pencil practice" or Daddy Homework :) on handwriting. 

 

Bible:   This is a daily review of the story from the night before that WJ reads to the girls.   I use color sheets, picture finds & crafts to enhance these lessons.  I plan to do character traits after the first of the year... kindness, goodness, love, patience, all that stuff.

 

Geography:  Road Trip USA download

(purchased from www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com)

We LOVE this!  There are so many activities and extras to learn about.  Going through the major US themes, animals and states by region is fun for Goose.  Plus, I plan to revisit this in a couple of years because she will gain so much more from the study when she is older.  Right now, we hit the highlights, play with the wall map and enjoy learning the general information.

 

Science:  This has been a tricky one for me.  I could not settle on a specific curriculum, so each week, I find new things from free resources.  I search high and low for interesting subject matter. Any advice here would be appreciated...comment below!  Her favorite so far is the '5 senses unit study' we did the first week.  She loved using her senses to guess what was in the containers.  It was a free download from www.mrswillskindergarten.com

 

 Obviously, we will do many units on God's creatures! 

She LOVES butterflies.  As if you couldn't tell :)

 

 

Music:  we do MOSHIP every morning.  MOSHIP is simply worship in motion!  Gleaned from my days as an employee at Waukaway Springs Christian Retreat Center in Mississippi!  Lots of fun motions, fast paced songs and alot of living room run around time.  We do this first thing in the morning to get the juices flowing!

 

Art:  Goose has always had a love for drawing.  She turns out at least 5 new ones a day.  One of our favorite times together is what I've deemed "Listening to God" time.  This also stems from my time working at camp... when I would teach children about the usefulness of art in learning the voice of God.  We usually do this outside.  I first say a few words, asking her to draw the first thing that comes to mind (i.e.  'fruit' and she draws grapes / 'animal' and she draws a turtle).  Then I explain that, just as it was easy to hear my voice and draw upon her first thoughts, so it is with God.  Next, I sing aloud to her and ask her to close her eyes and listen.  When she gets a picture or thought in her mind, I encourage her to begin drawing.  It is amazing what comes from this time.  I am encouraged every day we do this exercise.  We also do your basic stuff as well:  painting, coloring, shading and sketching.  But our fav by far is the God time. 

 

That about covers our eclectic set of learning tools.  It does take work to organize and compile weekly thoughts, lessons and supplies.  But the beauty of it all is that we own it.  It is in our grasp as parents to monitor the learning curve and work hard in the areas that need some one on one.  I love being able to adjust to her needs. 

 

Oh, the teeny tot curriculum!  I almost forgot Ms. Prissy.  Nah, not really, but her days are fairly uneventful.  She is currently learning her shapes.  I've used the K4 curriculum listed above from "confessions..." she loves the puzzles. 

 

Prissy and the puzzle... in her famous 'CHEESE' face!

 

She hangs with us through the morning doing My World, Bible, Math (shapes & beginning numbers), and most importantly SNACK TIME.  Prissy loves snacks.  After food, she watches Letter Factory, which I contribute much of her success at letter recognition!

 

We love homeschool!  Works for us.  Hope something in my rambling sparks an idea or two with someone, somewhere.  I will say that I am more driven and challenged in my motherhood than ever before.  I truly believe that this has sharpened my own personal goals and disciplines...forcing a desire for betterment everyday!  And that, plus the smiles and high fives I get after every "fun" lesson, makes it all worth it!



Our Schedule

A day in the Harris' household is fairly predictable.  Our schedule has evolved into a functioning plan that fits our family. 

 

Typical day for us...

 

8:00-8:30  "family alarm clock"  this is wake up time for the girls.  The 'family' reference is to the new clock Goose received that is old school, Hello Kitty with twin bells!  (loud enough to wake the neighbors) Thus, the new family joke.

 

8:30-9:00  breakfast & dress-up  because every morning is dress up with Goose and Prissy!  We use this time to eat, brush teeth, get dressed and make beds.  And anything else I can do in 3.2 seconds before school.

 

9:00  Moship (worship in motion) 

         Prayer Time

         Pledge of Allegiance

         "My World" days of the week, address/phone number, calendar and weather

 

 

 

9:30  Math for Goose / Shapes & Colors for Prissy

 

10:00  Snack

 

10:30  Core Letters & Phonics Prissy usually hangs with us up til snack, then watches Letter Factory (if you don't have it, get it!)

 

11:00  Lunch Prep / Play Time 

12:00  Lunch

 

1:00  Reading with the girls  book of choice

1:30  Road Trip USA (Prissy down for a nap)

2:00  Science or Art 

 

3:00-5:00  Our Time  Errands, Craft, Outdoor Play, Movie, Chores, Dinner Prep

5:30  Dinner with Daddy

6:00-8:00 Family Time 

8:00  Bath Time

8:30  Bedtime Bible Stories & Nighty Night!

9:00  Breathe!  You made it through another day :)

 

We are very eclectic, using workbook curriculum with math and core letters only. I'll post more on what we study and learn tomorrow.

 

It may seem crazy to have a schedule, or you may think it's impossible.  But I have to tell you, after many days of moving and being off our schedule... I am relieved to be back to normal.  In the two weeks that we have been full force in school, I can tell you that the girls are happier and there have been LESS times of discipline and consequences! 

 

This works for our family.  We were crazy without it!  Find what fits for you and be open to tweeking it a few times as you go along.  Just remember, life happens, so leave a little 'wiggle room' in every day. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ready, Set, Homeschool!

Homeschool.
For some, the idea terrifies.  For others, excitement.
For me, both.

With all the moving, it has been a blessing to have chosen homeschool for Goose (and an almost ready Prissy).  The choice was not based on our moves... who, but the Military, could ever forsee moving 5 times in 7 years?   Homeschool would have been a choice no matter the change in geography.  I feel that would have been an empty reason for me to choose homeschool anyway.  If you are considering it, PRAY.  I recommend homeschool, obviously, but it has to work for your family.  Just to clarify. 

  This is Goose, ready for a Daddy Date!

So we started K5 early last year, as Goose was just coming into her 5th birthday in the Spring.  I had ordered the LIFEPAC math and language arts workbooks and I was still using some of the K4 curriculum I had ordered from www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com (which I contribute most of my success up to this point).  Her website is AMAZING.  Very resourceful and totally easy to navigate!

 

However, we were not able to start full force due to unexpected life events.... move, Father passing, move again with widowed mom riding side saddle.  Yeah, it was a little hectic but Goose did well with all the transition.  Just before my world stopped last December (my Dad's entrance to Heaven), I was putting together an eclectic curriculum for Goose.  We found out rather quickly that she cannot handle workbook style alone, nor can she sit still for any given amount of time unless Nick Jr. is in the vicinity!  Therefore, enter the 'terrifying' aspect of homeschool:  back to the planning board.  Yes it would have been nice to open the box curriculum and get to work this fall.  Oh, no.  not this family.  not gonna work.  But isn't that the beauty of homeschool, to individualize her learning experience?  So out with the terrifying, in with the EXCITED!  I need to say, at this point, that every family, every child's learning method, will be different.  Box curriculums may be just what your children needs, and I love that.  We were, after all, created unique.  I never want the impression that I think families who use the box have less to do.  Never.  Anyone who teaches, whether public or private, has their work cut out for them.  And I commend you all!  If you are starting, I recommend this link,  http://www.homeschool.com/landing/gettingstarted.asp to help navigate through many aspects of preparation as well as the section for different methods. 

 

Prissy looking studious and silly!  More to come on her personality...

 Now,  we have just finished unpacking and are beginning to prepare our for the 2012-13 season.  Obviously, we are starting late because of the move.  But again, the beauty of me controlling the schedule (smile interjected)!  The past few days, I have exhausted resources for methods and viewpoints.  Check out www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com to link up with other moms who share common interest in the journey.  I've enjoyed reading other blogs and have gleened some terrific ideas for every aspect of the home, not just the schooling.  Ok, one more link before I sign off... Our first week every season of homeschool is review.  I found this site and it enables you to create your own handwriting worksheets!  Since we haven't gotten all our supplies, it came in real handy!  www.softschools.com/handwriting/practice  I am still a newbie when it comes to blogging... not sure how to work the 'add a link' button entirely, so you may have to copy and paste.  I apologize.  But again, they are well worth it!  Good stuff.  More to come.... Happy Monday!

Simple Geography. Life as a Sojourner.

Sojourner:  temporary resident. 

My life in a nutshell for the past few years.

However, this post will not be disheartening.  It is a testimony to the power of positive...thinking, living and believing.

Ok, now that I have clarified, let me set the stage:

When I should have been spending the latter part of summer preparing for home school, instead I was packing for yet another move...another job transfer.  #5 in seven years.  No we are not Military, we are Oil & Gas Industry which is sometimes worse than military relocation.  Yet surprisingly, finally, through this recent process, I have learned the art of embracing our life for the positive that it truly is.  How? By actually listening to the Holy Spirit's guidance (since, well you know, He is our guide) and applying words of encouragement from very wise counsel (credits to follow).   Huh, who'd have thought? 

First let's go back to the beginning, no... not 5 moves-beginning. This PAST move. 

Act 5, Scene whatever: Enter my arch-nemesis: ANXIETY. According to past experience, worry creeps in at the mention of transition to invade my thought processes, effect every aspect of my usually organized daily schedule, and in general just stick around out of shear annoyance. 

Thus, the old checklist:  packing, worry, 'Where are we going?' more packing, more worrying, 'Are we there yet?', did I mention worry?  And don't forget the constant wondering of how the girls would ever live 'normal' lives as we uproot yet again and start over.  More to follow on 'normal' lives after uprooting and starting over... for now, I also should interject that we have recently endured the somewhat unexpected passing of my precious Dad (hands up in a 'wait' status:  not quite ready to put those thoughts on file).  So, yeah.  I really could have had the Pity-Party-of-the-Year!   

Instead, I first embraced a thought I've upheld for years:  There are plenty of other people who have it worse than my family.  As I began to apply said thought, the UN-importance of my worries became clear.  I could not change the inevitable.  We were, in fact, moving.  This decision and destination was not our decision, so why be concerned with the unneccesary? I had two choices:  Focus on what we did not have or focus on what was right in front of me! I chose the latter, turning all my energy toward the positive.  One, my husband was wise enough to be willing to move instead of the other option:  Lay off.  No job.  End of financial securities for the Harris'.  Yeah, he's a smart guy!   And two, I can continue to home-make, homeschool, blog, DIY and everything else that Stay-At-Home's do... (made it sound all cheeky, didn't I? well, it is.)  Oh, to follow up on uprooting and starting over:  no.  we are simply continuing life in a different city.  simple geography.  who needs normal? 

This turned the table on the ole villian Anxiety!  That and the counsel of wise believers.  Mama T, one of the best examples of motherhood, advising me to "Focus on today".  So elementary, yet so complex.  At that moment, I realized that I had this head knowledge all along.... I knew all the cliche's and words of wisdom.  But applying them to this sojourning life was what I was missing.  Like a rebellious child on a path with its parent, I'd been walking but unwillingly causing grief to my environment by not rejoicing in the process.  G.P., the crazy racer and my spiritual poppa, had many encouraging conversations on rejoicing with me through this process of mental transition... He would call and pray for us, laugh and cry with me; all the while holding me to the convictions of knowing that God would not forsake me.  I began seeing the blessings in the midst of my grief and continued my exodus from a life of anxiety.  And finally, my kindred spirit, Sunshine, challenged me to start a tradition that we now do together randomly through text:  FIND ONE THING IN YOUR DAY THAT YOU ARE SARCASTICALLY THANKFUL FOR

*i.e.  being thankful for a husband who leaves his shaven aftermath all over my freshly clean bathroom; or being grateful that people still believe fax machines to be dependable, as if they were EVER!.. oh, just one more:  thankful for toddler color marks all over my new, kitchen cabinets!(I won't disclose which is hers or mine) Nothing brings laughter as quick as this tradition!  So joye-ful and liberating! 

Now (Act 5 Finale) I sit in our new home, new city, same duties, new joy.  I have realized the importance of the old cliches and applied them as if they were hot off the press (I truly hope some of you know what that last phrase means without googling it).

No longer will my negative tendencies rule any process of our lives...will the villian return? of course.  Worry will always try to dominate like it can add a single hour to your existence (see Matthew chapter 6 for that one).  As I've mentioned in previous posts, life does not slow down or wait for any of us.  However, there is something to be said for life itself...no matter the geography.