Third Day of School

So, today is Jordan's third day of K12.  To be clear, I have been homeschooling him on my own up until this week.  His courses weren't available to us until this past Monday, which was his official start date.  

Monday.  Just thinking about Monday makes me want to cry.  It was, without a doubt, one of the worst days I've ever  had.  It was just terrible!  I wanted to quit and do something else.  I was this close to doing just that, but I didn't.  

I know the first day is always the hardest, but there was just so much "busyness" to take care of.  I had to figure out where he was in the curriculum, since he started midyear.  We had to figure out computer software.  I literally ran from child to child the entire day.  And I cried three times.  

Basically, Jordan took up so much time that I felt like I was ignoring the other two.  Shaun was okay for the day, but Violet cried for me to play/have a tea/party/read with her all day long.  

So much guilt.  

Every homeschooling mom's nightmare.

I even emailed Jordan's homeroom teacher and told her I was freaking out.  She assured me that the first day is always hectic and that it would get easier.  

And, yesterday was a little smoother.  

Today is going along just fine.  

Everybody seems to be adjusting and I can breathe.  Also, I have time right now to write this post.  I should be folding laundry instead, but that will just have to wait.  

Already a Whirlwind

Well, 2016 has proven to be a whirlwind already, even at only 19 days in.  

The biggest thing is that we decided to withdraw Jordan from his school after Christmas.  For a lot of reasons, the main one  being that he just wasn't happy there.  The unhappy issue has been going on for a while and I just couldn't do it anymore.  So, the morning school was back in session, we made the decision and Jordan didn't go. And everyone was happy.  

Well, I'm stressed.  

I'd agonized over this for weeks.  Lost sleep.  I spent the whole month of December worrying about this.  

The plan is to send him to public school next year, so he can play sports.  In the meantime, I'm homeschooling all three of my children again.  This is NOT what I wanted, but it's what needs to happen, so I'm dousing myself in prayer and Young Living Lavender and I'm doing okay.  :)

We enrolled Jordan in K12 for the rest of the school year.  His official first day is supposed to be next Monday.  I faxed in documents and they weren't received, so I had to send them in again.  We lost a week doing that.  No we're approved but we don't have our supplies yet.  Today, I was  hit with the bomb that I would have to administer 4 placement tests.  We knocked 2 of them out today and all of those reasons why I'm not a huge fan of public school are screaming in my face.  

Of course, it is January, so Chris and I are fasting.  Last year our fasting prayers were answered and Chris got a full time job.  This year, we're fasting about some pretty important life changing things.  That's all I can say  now.  I was driving myself nuts playing Devils Advocate and "what if we do this" but now I'm just exhausted from all of the not knowing and I've given it to God.  I know He knows what's best and He'll reveal it to us when He's ready.  

In other news, Shaun will be turning 16 in a about a month.  I can't even believe it.  

So, that's January so far. 

Happy New Year!

Well, I never even got used to writing "2015" and now it's 2016.  

Happy New Year!

Like almost everyone, I've spent a lot of time over the past few days reflecting over the year.  We've had ups and downs,  but the main thing that stands out to me about 2015 is how the Lord provided for us.  So many situations, most that I didn't publicize, too many to list here.  I can really become overwhelmed with gratitude if I think about just how much God has done for us over the course of 2015.  I'm grateful.

I do have a few resolutions.  First, I want to get back on track in working on my health.  I didn't lose as much weight as I wanted to last year, but I really do feel that I made a lifestyle change in regards to food.  I was being hard on myself but then I realized that I really made progress and pretty much stuck with a healthy lifestyle until November.  Then Thanksgiving happened and I've done TERRIBLY since.  I'm not focusing on that, just looking ahead, and looking forward to getting back on track.

I also want to blog more.  I really enjoy it,  but it's hard to find time or energy to do it.  

We spent New Years Eve with my parents and sister's family.  Of course, we ate too much and it was really hard for me to stay awake until midnight!

I spent today catching up on laundry.  Our dryer kicked the bucket a few days before Christmas.  My Granny was gracious enough to let use hers until we bought another one, but going over there was so stressful!  I typically do 3 loads a day.  I felt bad about using Granny's dryer so much until she told me that she only did 1 load per week.  Per week?!?!?  I can't even imagine.  Obviously, the laundry fell  behind, so I caught it up today.  And I love my new dryer.  I also spent the day doctoring Jordan's Infantigo.  Gross.

We went to my parents for New Years dinner.  

We had a good spread and went beyond the peas and greens!

Violet ended the night by pitching the mother of all temper tantrums.  She's currently in bed pouting and I hope she goes to sleep soon.  

Shaun, Jordan, and Chris are busy with Call of Duty and I'm headed to bed.  2016 has me tired out already!

Zoo Atlanta

We were so excited that Chris was off for the entire week of Thanksgiving!  We are so  busy and had all been running in different directions.  On Monday of Thanksgiving week, we ran off to the zoo together.  

I  had never been to the zoo so late in the year before, and it was wonderful.  No crowds and no hot weather.  We were comfortable in our coats and we really enjoyed ourselves. 

Some of these pics are Jordan's and some are from my iPhone.  

My little family... I love them.  Even on our craziest days.

It was a good day!

Christmas, already!

Thanksgiving's not here yet, but we've been doing some Christmas-like things already.  We've already had two Thanksgiving lunches last week, the feast at Jordan's school and a lunch at Chris' office.  Both were feasts.  Tons of food and laughter.

We have four more to go over the course of the rest of the week.  I used to get burned out and stressed about all of the dinners but last year I realized that going to lots of Thanksgivings just means that we have lots of sweet friends and families in our lives.  Something else to be thankful for!

The kids and I were in the mall doing some shopping and we came across Santa.  I didn't know he'd actually be there.  To be honest, he was kind of a sketchy looking Santa.  Vi wanted nothing to do with him.  She wanted to see him at first, got out of her stroller and walked around the big path get up close and then kind of freaked out and hid under my shirt.  She wouldn't even be bribed with a candy cane.  I really can't say that I blame her!  Jordan told Santa his wishes and got hats and candy canes for himself and for Violet.  Shaun, of course, is too old for  Santa but he wanted Violet to like him.  But...when he saw this Santa up close,  he couldn't blame her, either.  Ha!

I also let the kids put up their little Christmas trees in their rooms.  We went to Hobby Lobby to browse around and everything Christmas is 50% off, so I couldn't resist.  The kids have always wanted little trees in their rooms and now they have them.  Here's a picture of Violet decorating her tree.  Ignore the messy room... it's just real life around here!

She worked so hard and this was the finished product:

It really took all of my self control to not even out those ornaments.  She was so proud and kept saying, "That's one gorgeous tree"!

She also wanted her "trophy" under the tree. The "trophy" belonged to my great-grandmother Mammie.  She never knew Violet,  but I love that Violet loves that little figurine. 


On Saturday, I decided that it would be fun to take Violet to a Christmas ballet.  It was  a free production, she's shown an interest in dance, so we met up with a group from our church.  Natalee, Violet's best friend, came along, too.  Here they are before the show started.

They were so excited, and they LOVED the ballet.  For about 2 songs, they were on the edge of their seats proclaiming how beautiful the dancers dresses were and oohing and ahhhhing over the scenery.  And then that was enough. I took Violet out to the bathroom twice and then just stayed out in the lobby while she played on the stairs.  And then we left with them at intermission.  Ha!  Oh, well.  Maybe next year.  


And finally, I was in the library yesterday and found this book.

Oh my goodness, it  made me so excited!  I remember my teacher reading the longer version aloud to my class in second grade.  I didn't even know that it had been adapted for a younger audience, but this shorter version is every bit as great as the original.  Such a sweet book, and Violet really enjoyed it, too.  I really have the Christmas spirit now, even though it's not even Thanksgiving.  

Tomorrow we're planning on getting our tree. This weekend is filling up quickly so I'm glad Chris is off tomorrow so we can enjoy setting up for Christmas without being rushed before all of the crazy busyness of Christmas sets in.  

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Skating

We went to a birthday party last week, and Violet tried roller skating for the first time.  She actually did pretty well, considering how terrible her mother is at skating.  I don't skate, but my niece and my sister helped her out.  

Here are some pictures from out afternoon.  I think they're so funny!

Fallish Things

It's November, so Fall has been around for awhile now, but since we live in Georgia the heat likes to stick around and it never seems like Fall until really late in October.  At least to me it doesn't.  

I remember one year, when Shaun was maybe 2 or 3 years old, it was 90 degrees on Halloween.  

Not this year, though.  The weather has cooled down and I love it!

Jordan's class has been studying China, and each kid had to make his or her own (flyable) kite as a project.  We left school early one day and drove out to a field to fly them.  Jordan's kite looked good, but wasn't a very good flyer.

  Most of the kids had the same problem, so there were plenty of store bought kites there for the kids to fly.  

The kids and I have been going to the park a lot lately.  Jordan and Shaun skip rocks and take pictures, and Violet just plays or runs around like crazy.  I know it sound sappy, but I know my days of going to the park with my kids are numbered and I'm just so glad that they still like to go.  Last time, the fickle Fall weather was so warm that I let them wade in the water.  I won the Cool Mom Award for that one.  Ha!

We missed Mule Camp Market due to our busy schedules, but we did make it to The Gold Rush after church one Sunday.  Mainly for the rides, of course. 

We walked Wilshire Trails the other day with hopes of seeing some Fall colors, but we were a little early.  Going to try to go back in the next few days.  

A certain little girl wimped out on the walk back and Shaun was nice enough to carry her. Violet kept rubbing his hair and saying, "It's softer than it looks".  

Another trip to Laurel Park, and we saw some orange leaves!

And of course, the annual  Pumpkin Carving Party with our friends the Cyphers.  One of our favorite things about Fall!

Violet wanted a Sofia the First pumpkin, so her daddy made it for her.

Fall Festival at Free Chapel.  Two nerds and a Bulldawg cheerleader.

I didn't dress up, but I ate a ton of candy, which resulted in this funny text.

Jordan's school had a Greek Festival...olympics events and a Greek feast.

The boys and I went to watch the Trojans stomp the War Eagles last Friday night.  

And Halloween.

Shaun went Trick-or-Treating for the last time.  We are sending the kids with him next year! Ha!  We met up with some friends and hit a subdivision.

And then our family went to dinner and the Haunted Hay Ride at Papa's Pizza.  

Have you heard of Jae Tracie?  I love her.  She's so funny and just real.  I came across this youtube video she did about Halloween and whether or not Christians should take part in it.  I loved it because this is almost exactly the way I feel about Halloween.  I'm not starting a debate, just throwing  my perspective out there.  

And finally, I took this picture on the way out of church this past Sunday.  Violet was in her galoshes and jumping in every puddle, so it took us forever to get to the car.  Lovely Fall!  I slowly strolled along and enjoyed the view.