Weekly Wrap-Up: Successful in Survival

So this week has been successful in survival....  I see light at the end of the tunnel for my husband's school, for our homeschool, for the holiday/birthday arrivals, and for some fun!  Woohoo!

I say holiday/birthday, because this is a wild time of year for bdays... If I new how to put a calendar in, I would, BUT... birthdays start Oct. 25 and go like this... Oct. 25th, 26th, 2 on the 27th, 28th.  Nov. 2nd, 12th, 15th, 26th. Dec. Hubby and I have the same bday on the 11th.  And of course, two weeks later we celebrate Jesus' birthday!  SO...including Jesus, that's 12 birthdays, 2 major holidays, 2 minor holidays (if you include Halloween), and a lot of craziness!  Whew...that always wears me out!

In my life this week....  This is my last week of orientation in my new job, and then I'm on my own.  I am extremely nervous and excited.  I do really like it and am glad I'm there, but am extremely aware of how little experience I have in this area, of how smart the people that I'm working with are, and of how far I have to go.  My insecurities are at their height when I'm at work...so it's kind of strange that I'm really enjoying it.  Also, I got some super, amazing news this week from a dear friend.  And, that makes me sooooo happy!

Not only did we get to history, but we did our history projects too!

Mom might not care for painting, but the kids sure do love it!

In our homeschool this week...  I've been stressing a lot about getting through our history lessons because we've been skipping some.  Turns out, I didn't plan as many as I had thought, so as far as my planning goes, I'm not behind!  That's good news!!! That relieved a lot of stress.  I do however feel bad that my son and I have not had enough time to read our read aloud...and it's The Hobbit, which I really want to read.  He has had several days where he is still doing school up till dinner time (his fault not mine!).  I have to figure out how to get this read aloud time back.... The girls are progressing in their skills with reading and math, and I'm excited about that.

My favorite thing this week was.... Our surprise trip to IHOP for free scary pancake day!  The kids had no idea what was going on when I woke them up before the sun was out saying, "Get dressed, I have a suprise! Hurry up!! Let's go!"  It was nice to wake them up and have them happy to get up...of course they weren't thrilled to go back home to school and chores, but they did...

Things I'm working on....  Part of the reason I'm so terribly excited that we only have 15 days of school until our winter break (15 days, yippee, yippee) is that I have a list of craft projects, gifts, chores, and stuff that I want to do.  This sacrificial life is hard on me.... I need to do what I want to do sometimes instead of always doing what I have to do. I love schooling the kids, love taking care of them, but as moms all know...sometimes we need "me" time!  They'll be around helping and doing their own projects I have planned for them!

I'm grateful for.... No one is as blessed with a rich family life as me!  I have been given the pot of gold as  far as I'm concerned!  I love my kids, my husband, and our life together.  God has lavished grace upon me in this area!


Have a blessed weekend!

Blessing in Obedience: Job Update

Well, I think it's time to give a quick update on my new job. I have 2 days of orientation left (at the end of this week). So, I've been in Trauma ICU for 4 weeks now.  Someone asked me the other day how if it was as good as I had hoped.  I answered, "I like it much more than I thought I would!"  Now, I must add this little caveat... during orientation, I have not experienced a super difficult trauma admission, nor have I had incredibly sick patients with all the experience I want/need.  I have let my manager know.  Having said all of that, the staff that I work with are well aware, and I know they are such an amazing team, that I know I won't be left flailing!  I have worked at 2 different hospitals and in several different types of units, and have NEVER seen the kind of team work that I see here in this unit.  It is truly special, and I am so thankful and honored to be a part of it.  I know there are many stressful nights of work in my future, but I am so glad to know that I'll have a great team and that God is with me.

I am thankful that even though this would not have been an area I would have chosen for myself, I obeyed what I thought God was telling me.  I was very uncertain, and concerned about moving to this unit.  It was a difficult choice, that I truly labored over.  It just goes to show that there is blessing in obedience.... no matter how hard it is to choose to obey!

Weekly Wrap-Up: Some Antsy & Silly Times

Wish I were still here. . . 

Well...as most of you know, coming down off of a vacation ain't easy!  I'd much rather be in the hills than home working and schooling!  I've struggled this week getting back into the swing of things.  School has seemed like a drag!  I've noticed the kids are "antsy" and fidgety.  What we could accomplish in an hour before vacation is taking two now that we are home.  We are refreshed, but antsy to be outdoors I think.  I'm sure next week will be better!

In Our Life & Homeschool this Week. . .
Monday was the "usual" and we did ok.  Tuesday we met some friends at a quiet park and had school...then it was off to gymnastics.  Wednesday, my son starting a writing class. While he was in class, the girls and I had school at McDonalds.  Since all of our school stuff was still in the car, we went to another park to do school. But, I could tell that we were all anxious to be done...no one could sit still, myself included!  We played, went home, rested, and back to the gym.  Thursday is a half school half work day for me.  School in the morning, nap in the afternoon, work at night.  Hubby will take over on Friday....

My Favorite Thing This Week Was. . .
After T's 2 hour gymnastics class on Wednesdays, we tend to go out to eat.  We went to Steak and Shake.  We had a blast.  I had had a nap, and a small cup of coffee, which my son says makes me silly and fun.  We blew bubbles in our drink, stole each others' fries, told jokes, shared chili, spilled chili, and laughed and laughed.  It was so nice taking a break from the list of things to do, and just enjoying my babies!

I am Grateful For. . . 
I am grateful for my husband.  He is my team mate, and really helps a lot to pick up where I've left off.  Not too much falls through the cracks around here, and it's not because of me!  I'm thankful that this week has been a good week with my son.  He has been exceptionally thoughtful for him, and it's nice to have a break from the bucking and rebelling!  I'm thankful for silly moments!

Things I'm Working On. . .
I've been working for quite some time on a new chore system for my kids.  Maybe if I post it here, I'll get it done more quickly!  I've gotten the hardest part done, it is quite an extensive and pretty system...so I can't wait to post pictures, BUT, I need to find the last few supplies before it can be completed!  My kids keep begging me to put the chore list back up...but really they have it memorized. :)

Hope ya'll have a great weekend!