Sunday, July 31, 2011

Back to School 2011-2012 and Let's Hear Some Recipes For Fall.

This is the time of year that we are unscheduled. Not sure what each day will bring. Will we school, will we play, will we have an adventure. We have officially started school for the 2011-2012 school year. I am not sure what next year will bring. Circumstances beyond my control have changed the course of my life. I pray daily for God to give me wisdom. Direct my life as I try do to what is best for my children.

I feel so much pressure from the world. Those of you who might not have noticed, this past year has been a huge change in our lives as my husband of almost 10 years and I decided that we were separating. So much that is not blog worthy on that topic. God has had his hand on my kids and I have had council to do everything I can to keep their lives normal and the same. I am trying hard to keep them home where they belong.

I thank God for one more year. And that is what I am doing. One year at a time. I have been schooling for over 5 years. Will this be my last year homeschooling. I pray and beg of God to make a way that it is not. My heart LONGS to have my children educated at home for their entire school life. I know they thrive at home.   They are smart and get the focus they need. The freedom they deserve and the instruction I see best. The opportunities that homeschooling gives my children are amazing and second to none. And so I go into this school year without thinking about "what's next".

While I have a feeling this season approaching will lead me into the work force again after 5 years at home. I am still holding out hope that God will make a way. And if he chooses not to, then I know I will be ok with it. Because His hand and will is where I want to be. My emotions are strong and the life changes are stressful. I am trying to remain a strong stable and normal part in my kids lives. And I see them coming through this life changing time happy and well adjusted.

But... for today :) School is starting! We have about 8 days under our belt already. I actually remembered to do my first day of school pics and hand prints for our binder.  It is amazing how we stopped last year with Tristan struggling with his CVC words. This year he picks up the same readers and it clicked! I have not gotten back into instruction on reading with him  yet. But the gap in lessons has relaxed him. I knew he could do it. And after reading a few Hooked on Phonics and Headsprout Readers he looked up and said - hey, I can do this now! It was a great moment.

We are quickly moving through summer and my favorite season is approaching. Autumn. The Back to School Sales are in full swing. Fall is approaching where you just can smell freshly sharpened pencils and erasers. I love school time! I love teaching the kids. I love homeschool co-op. I love field trips! I love the cool air returning and the home ec in the kitchen that we have! I can almost smell the warm apples and pumpkin!!

Soooooooo I wanna see my comment box with some of your best fall recipes! I think I FINALLY figured out how to cook in my oven... lower temps, longer and one thing at a time.... watch CAREFULLY! So I am ready to get excited about kids in the kitchen. Sure I know I have days where it stresses me out. When you are rushing for dinner and you hear "can I help?" and you just feel like saying - NOOO. lol But when it comes to "school" I love it! I cannot wait to dive into fall baking with them. So I need some fresh ideas. I think my kids have mastered all my old tried and true recipes. Whatcha got for me?

5 comments:

  1. Oh I'm so sorry about you and your husband splitting up. It must have been so hard :-(. I am a firm believer that things happen out as they are meant to and things will work out even if you can't see it just yet.

    Hmmm - as for recipes? Bianca has now learned to make scrambled eggs completely unsupervised. My kids both love love love baking. Whether it is a cake or biscuits. I actually got Bianca to start her own recipe book - and she can only write recipes in there if she tried (and liked) it :-). So we started with something simple like scrambled eggs.

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  2. Looking forward to seeing your posts about school and life, Linda! My thoughts are with you! Hang in there!

    I ditto the cookbook! It can be like a mini-scrapbook with photos! (Doubles for handwriting, math, home ec, art!)

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  3. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are easy (I can send you the recipe) and tasty! Pumpkin pancakes, apple crisp. I love apple pie and I'm going to make some today, actually. :) I want to try out my pampered chef pie pan I found at a yard sale for $1.50! :) Zucchini bread, too. Yum. I may make that today, too.

    I've been praying for you and your family for a while now. God knows what He is doing, even when we can't see the big picture. My prayers will continue for you and your family!

    God bless you!

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  4. Sorry this year has been full of struggles for you. Hoping that the future holds many promises and happiness for you and your family.
    Rosemary

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  5. Hey girl i didn't know you blogged. Wanted to storp by and say I love it

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