​I've been reading my old blog a little bit this evening and it makes me sad that I didn't keep up with it.  It is just so full of sweetness with all the endearing stories and the pictures.  Those were crazy days with my 5 young children but it was so so good.  And it is so good to go back and read and remember the Lord's goodness and faithfulness.  It's fun for the kids to see where we were and where we are now.  And it's good for me, as a homeschooling mama who often feels like we aren't getting anywhere but just making messes everyday, to see that we've established rhythms and habits and really, a family culture, around God's Word, good books, and lots of time together.  We've been doing "Morning Time" for years!  I just didn't call it that so I didn't even realize it was a thing way back at the beginning of our homeschooling!  Well, I enjoyed going back and seeing what the kids were doing for school in the early years so I'm going to take some time to list what everyone is doing this year.  

Peter (10th-ish)
Saxon Algebra 1
Apologia Chemistry (at co-op)
Technical Writing (at co-op)
Tapestry of Grace Year 2 Honors History and Honors Literature (online)
Worldview
Vocal Lessons
(other- volunteering = Cadet Junior Counselor, works at a bike shop, has discovered a love for cycling)

Kate (10th-ish)
Saxon Algebra 1
Apologia Chemistry (at co-op)
Technical Writing (at co-op)
Art (at co-op)
Tapestry of Grace Year 2 Honors History and Literature Lite (online)
Worldview
Vocal Lessons

Maddie (7th)
Saxon Math 7/6
Apologia General Science (at co-op)
Art (at co-op)
Tapestry of Grace Year 2 History and Literature
Latin for Children 1
Visits to Europe (by Simply Charlotte Mason )
Spelling Wisdom (by Simply Charlotte Mason)
Fallacy Detective
​Writing and Rhetoric book 3

Teshome (6th)
Saxon Math 7/6
Apologia Land Animals Science (with 2 other moms teaching to a group of boys)
Tapestry of Grace Year 2 History and Literature
Latin for Children 1
Visits to Europe (by Simply Charlotte Mason )
Spelling Wisdom (by Simply Charlotte Mason)
Fallacy Detective
​Writing and Rhetoric book 3
Piano Lessons

Ella (5th) and Charlotte (4th)
Teaching Textbooks Math 5
Tapestry of Grace Year 2 History and Literature
Latin for Children 1
Visits to Europe (by Simply Charlotte Mason )
Spelling Wisdom (by Simply Charlotte Mason)
Cursive Practice
Math Facts Practice
​Writing and Rhetoric book 2
Piano Lessons

Silas (pre-K)
Phonics
Get Ready for the Code
The Ology
lots of puzzles, play and reading aloud
He wants to do EVERYTHING the older kids are doing!  

Anneliese isn't officially a student.  Well, who am I kidding?  My kids are my students from birth!  Right now we're trying to figure out if she really still doesn't know her colors or she's totally playing us.  I'm pretty sure it's the latter.  She definitely keeps us on our toes!  

In addition to the above "subjects," we have "Morning Time" most days.  We gather around the table to work on our scripture memory passage of the quarter, sing the hymn of the quarter (this summer I planned a 4 year cycle of scripture and hymn memory and I plan to add poems soon), and pray.  Then I read aloud another spiritually related book.  So far this year, in light of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, we've been reading Heroes of the Reformation by Richard Newton.  When we're done I plan to read Children's Stories by JC Ryle.  After that, the high schoolers are excused and we do an enrichment study per quarter.  First quarter we studied the art of Jan Van Eyck.  Second quarter we are studying Hamlet.  Third quarter will be a study of Beethoven.  Fourth quarter we plan to study the poetry of Tennyson.  

Our days are packed and tiring but I hope that truth, beauty, and goodness is infused in all that we do and these precious children leave our home equipped for all they will face in life and inspired to continue a life long habit of learning!

here's a picture of the people who dressed up for the Reformation party at church last Friday night

I did something this morning that I rarely do.  I slept in until 7 and then stayed in bed drinking coffee, knitting, and watching the news.  I just felt like my body and my brain needed a slow morning.  And it was really nice.  But here I am, at nearly 5 pm, working on our school plans for next week which is something I typically do early on Saturdays.  The kids were up late last night and Pete and Peter were out the door early today to attend a fund raising event so I thought sleeping in would be a good idea.  The fact though that I'm "behind" now always makes me say I'm never sleeping in again, that it isn't worth it.  I'm not sure.  And I'm not sure why I get to frustrated with these things- everyone not turning in all their work, a couple someones not doing well on a Latin test, not great spelling by certain children, having a couple of kids still completing school work on a Saturday.  Those things matter.  But how much do they really matter? They're small in the grand scheme of time and space, right?  I mean when you start thinking about how big the world is, the suffering that's taking place, how God's Word should be the most important thing, the soul, you realize how small we are and can't help but ask how much those "little" problems should frustrate me. Still, I am trying to raise responsible, conscientious people who are firm in their convictions, have a heart for the Lord and for others and so I have to hold them accountable to finish what they're supposed to, right? There is no room for laziness in parenting and that's hard.  If I'm lazy, my children suffer and follow that example.  Does that mean I can't ever "sleep in?"  I don't know.  Maybe not for the next 16 ish years.

I can't even tell you how many times I've imagined blog posts in my head or even begun typing them and then never finishing.  And now I see that it's been nearly 11 months since I posted.  This year has just been so full and busy and there is never a dull moment.  And so time to reflect and ponder and actually write anything that makes sense gets put after sleep and so, never happens.  What stops me from blogging if it's actually something I think about somewhat regularly?  One thing, I think, is the pressure.  There's no shortage of beautiful, inspiring blogs out there with designer layouts and lovely photos.  But when I let that stop me I'm forgetting who I've always done this for.  It's for my family.  Because they love to look back and read the things I've written over the years, being reminded of the sweet chaos of this big family.  Then there's truly the fact that I'm just busy.  Within a 10 minute period I'm changing a diaper, switching out laundry, answering 17 billion questions, reminding someone to finish their chores, and running out the door for more groceries or to run someone to work or a practice.  We're hopping over here.  And most nights we have a couple of kids up later than us so there's no quiet time to reflect and write in the evening.  I need to figure all this out.  I've thought about having "office hours" like I did when Anneliese was a baby and Silas still napped.  That would be when I could write.  But somehow, so far, the time that could be used for office hours has become a trip to the grocery store for more food. 

It's Friday.  That means it's the end of the school week and I'm tired.  We have a Reformation Party at church which is a great thing and the kids are looking forward to it.  But at this point I really just feel like staying home in warm pj's with a glass of wine and a meal I didn't cook.  Oh well.  Since I've been writing this 4 people have knocked on my door 3 times.  Should I just give up yet?

Before I give up all together, I just want to say that I wouldn't trade this ridiculously demanding job of being the homeschooling mama to 8 kids for anything in the world.  It's intensely frustrating often and completely exhausting.  But also rewarding like nothing else I could imagine.  And sanctifying.  I think that's the greatest gift of the whole thing.  The "thing" being my calling.  The Lord is teaching me so much by putting me with a bunch of people.  I was never good at having roommates.  I remember how relieved I felt when Pete and I got married and I realized I'd never have to live in a house with a bunch of girls again.  I am cracking up right now.  Because as I write, some of that bunch of girls has knocked THREE more times and one has screamed bloody murder in the hallway.  So I live in a house full of girls again!  They are wonderful helpers and make my life easier in so many ways.  But also?  They unarrange things in the kitchen, don't always get the dishes clean when they wash them, and at the moment my living room is "decorated" with a random assortment of socks, books, game and puzzle pieces, a couple sweatshirts, probably a hairbrush, and other evidences of people not always putting their things away.  Of course, we can't blame only the girls for these offenses.  And some are worse than others.  I think what it comes down to is people are messy.  We all are.  And the more people, the more messy.  So I'm learning, very slowly, to love in the midst of the mess.  To see the people emerging from those chubby little toddlers I had as really interesting and fun people- even if they do say weird things and have quirky habits.  Because we all do, right?

Well, I'm going to go finish making some food for tonight and love my people.  Maybe I'll be back in less than eleven months.  It sounds like there is a whole CROWD of people hanging out right outside my door so I should probably investigate anyway.